EP0879191B1 - Device for dispensing a fluid material from a sealed container - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for distribution of fluid, and more particularly a device for dispensing a liquid medicine contained in a hermetically sealed container.

In the field of spraying devices drugs, especially in the case of single dose devices (single dose devices) or two-dose devices (bidose devices), they pose many problems. In particular, the problem the most critical that is to be resolved concerns stability liquid medicine in the reservoir of the device.

Indeed, the liquid, between the moment when it is put in place in the device tank, and when it is distributed, i.e. during the period of storage, tends to evaporate, or can be contaminated by external agents such as bacteria, or be oxidized by oxygen. In the case of some medication, this can cause total loss of sound efficiency.

To solve this problem, two types of systems have mainly been used.

A first type of device comprises a reservoir whose opening is closed by a membrane, said membrane being pierced or torn by a device appropriate at the time of actuation of the device. Of such systems are described in particular in the documents EP-A-0 407 276 and US-A-4 017 007. The disadvantage of these membrane devices is that the membrane should be applied to the container opening with care, which requires a relatively fitting step complex after the tank has been filled. So the liquid product in the tank is exposed to possible contamination for the time required to apply said membrane.

In a second type of system, an element in rubber, used as pump piston is pierced when the dispenser is activated by a needle which is connected to the spray outlet of the distributor. Such a system is described in the document FR-A-2 684 304. In this type of system, which solves the membrane problem, the piston size should be such that it can slide relatively easily in The reservoir. In other words, the interference between the piston and tank, i.e. the pressure exerted by the piston against the walls of the tank, and by therefore the contact surface between these two elements, should be as low as possible to avoid friction problems when actuating the distributor, as well as to minimize the force required at the actuation of the distributor. This characteristic of low interference results in limited protection against evaporation under certain conditions, such as by example with high storage temperatures, and can also authorize product contamination, for example example by oxygen penetration.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing a fluid which does not not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispensing device which ensures simultaneously an efficient and hermetic closure of the product tank and which has a piston which can easily slide into said tank to ensure safe, reliable and easy actuation of the dispenser.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product contained in a tank provided with an opening, said device comprising a movable element between a rest position, where it closes the opening of said tank, and a position actuation means for connecting the interior of the reservoir to a product expulsion channel, and an organ actuation to move said element towards its actuation position, said sliding element of tightly in said tank so that the product is expelled through said expulsion channel, characterized in that said element comprises means which, in the element's rest position, cooperate with it to increase interference between the element and the tank thus guaranteeing a totally hermetic closure of the reservoir, said member actuator comprising means for moving said sealing means and thus reduce the interference between the element and the tank, so that the element moves in the tank to its actuation position with low friction.

Thus, the element acts, in its rest position, in as long as the cap hermetically seals the tank, and when it moves to its operating position, acts as a piston to expel the contained product in the tank.

Advantageously, the actuating member includes means for securing the element and the organ actuation after displacement of the sealing means by said means for moving.

Preferably, said element is substantially cylindrical and has a passage substantially cylindrical connecting the inside of the tank, substantially cylindrical, at said expulsion channel, said means sealing comprising a shutter member which seals said passage sealingly in the rest position of the element, said means for moving said member shutter being adapted to open said passage.

Preferably, said closure member has a diameter higher than that of the passage so that in the stopper position, it compresses the surface lateral exterior of the element against the walls inside the tank, increasing interference between the element and the tank in said position of rest.

Advantageously, said shutter member is a ball which is force fitted into the passage of the element after filling the tank.

Advantageously, said actuating member comprises a rod through which the expulsion channel passes, said rod able to slide tightly in the passage for moving said shutter member.

Advantageously, the end of said rod moves said shutter member out of the passage in the tank, which has a recess for receiving said obturation organ.

Preferably, said element further comprises blocking means which prevent movement of the element when in its rest position, said element actuator further comprising means for moving said blocking means.

Advantageously, said blocking means comprise an annular flange which, in the rest position of the element, cooperates with the opening of the reservoir for prevent movement of the element in the tank.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the actuator comprises, in extension of the rod, a shoulder whose diameter outside is less than the inside diameter of the tank, and, in extension of said shoulder, a groove, so that upon actuation of the organ actuation, the rod slides in the passage of the element for first moving the shutter member, then the shoulder cooperates with the radial surface outside of the element by exerting a force which urges said element towards its actuation position, said force being greater than the elasticity of the flange annular, so that it folds around said shoulder, in said groove, to allow the displacement of the element in said tank.

Preferably, the length formed by the addition of the radius of shoulder and thickness of flange annular is approximately equal to the interior radius of the tank, so that the element can slide with tightness and with low friction in the tank.

Advantageously, said element is produced in a elastomeric material.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe partielle du dispositif de distribution selon un mode de réalisation avantageux de l'invention, avant l'actionnement du dispositif, et
• la figure 2 représente une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1, pendant l'actionnement du dispositif.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following description of an advantageous embodiment of the invention, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings; on which ones :

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic view in partial section of the dispensing device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, before actuation of the device, and
• Figure 2 shows a view similar to that of Figure 1, during actuation of the device.

With reference to the figures, the device according to the invention comprises a reservoir 1, preferably substantially cylindrical, having an opening. A element 2 preferably substantially cylindrical is disposed in said tank 1 and is movable between a rest position, shown in Figure 1, where it closes the opening of said reservoir 1, and a position actuation shown in FIG. 2. This element 2, in its rest position, seals the tank so completely sealed and therefore prevents any contamination or any evaporation of the product contained in the tank 1. In this position, the element 2 therefore acts as a cap. The device further comprises a actuator adapted to move said element 2 towards its actuation position, said element 2 sliding tightly in said tank 1 during this displacement and therefore acting in this situation as a distributor piston. The distribution device further comprises means to connect the inside of the tank to a channel expelling product 10 which is connected to the outlet of the distributor (not shown).

It should be noted that the distribution device, object of the present invention, adapts to any type of product distributor in which a product contained in a tightly closed tank must be distributed, for example sprayed.

The following description of an embodiment preferred of the invention will therefore be made in a very schematic, and it is clear that the various elements described may take any appropriate form to adapt to any type of product distributor.

Referring to Figure 1, element 2 is in its rest position in which it acts as plug. It is made of an elastomeric material suitable, for example rubber, and has a passage 3 which crosses it axially, preferably in its center. Passage 3 is preferably substantially cylindrical. Immediately after filling the reservoir 1 with the product, a closure member 5 is arranged in passage 3 to close the reservoir of waterproof and totally airtight. Preferably, this closure member 5 is spherical and can be produced for example in the form of a ball of material suitable such as stainless steel. This ball 5 has a diameter greater than the inside diameter of the passage 3 so that when disposed in said passage 3, it closes on the one hand this passage and on the other apart it exerts high compressive forces on the rubber side walls of element 2, against the tank 1. Thus, high interference is created between element 2 and the walls of tank 1 which guarantees an efficient, waterproof and totally closed hermetic of the tank in the rest position, before actuation.

The device further comprises a member actuator 6 which has a rod 7 extending axially. Advantageously, the actuating member 6 comprises an extension of said rod 7 a shoulder 8, and in extension of said shoulder 8, a recess 9, by example a groove. This actuator is crossed by a product expulsion channel 10, from axial preference, which is connected on the one hand to the outlet of distribution of the distributor and which leads on the other hand at the end of said rod 7. Preferably, said rod 7 has a diameter very slightly greater than the diameter inside passage 3 of element 2.

The actuator 6 is connected to a device such as a push button (not shown) on the distributor.

The element 2 also comprises locking means 4, preferably made in the form of an annular flange 4 which, in its rest position of the element 2, cooperates with tank 1 to prevent displacement of item 2 in the tank. In particular, said annular flange 4 is made in one piece with the element 2 and is supported in the rest position of the element 2, on the upper end of the tank walls 1.

The operation of the device is as follows.

Immediately after filling tank 1 with the product, ball 5 is force-fitted into the passage 3 of element 2, said element 2 remaining for this operation in its rest position at the end tank 1 upper due to annular flange 4 which prevents the displacement of element 2 in the tank 1.

When the device is actuated, the organ actuator 6 is moved relative to reservoir 1, so that the end of the rod 7 pushes the ball 5 out of passage 3 of element 2. Thus, when ball 5 is expelled from passage 3, it no longer exerts compression force on the side walls of element 2 against the walls of tank 1 and the interference between these two elements is strongly diminished. The outside diameter of the rod 7 is such that said rod 7 slides tightly in said passage 3 and the length of said rod 7 is such that the shoulder 8, arranged as an extension of the rod 7, comes to rest on the external radial surface of element 2 until after expulsion of said ball 5 from passage 3. The force exerted by the shoulder 8 on said external radial surface of element 2 biases said element element 2 towards its actuation position which results the annular flange 4 to be folded around said shoulder 8 and, where appropriate, to penetrate into said groove 9 formed above said shoulder 8. Thus, to achieve this movement of the annular flange 4, it suffices that the force exerted by the actuating member 6 on the element 2 is slightly greater than the elasticity of said annular flange 4, since the interference between the element 2 and the walls of the tank 1 is greatly reduced in due to the absence of ball 5 in passage 3. Thus, when the device is actuated, a energy accumulation in the arm (corresponding to the resistance of the annular flange). This has the consequence advantageous that the spraying will be improved, this accumulated energy released suddenly when spray. In the event that the actuator 6 has a groove 9, the interaction between the flange 4 and the groove 9 has the effect of securing the element 2 and the actuating member 6, so that they form a unitary unit moving together in the tank 1.

The diameter of the shoulder 8 is necessarily smaller than the inside diameter of tank 1, for allow actuation of the dispensing device. Of preferably, the dimension of said shoulder 8 is such that the length formed by the addition of the radius of the shoulder 8 and the thickness of the annular flange 4 is approximately equal to the interior radius of the tank 1, so that after that the annular flange 4 has folded around the shoulder 8, the outside diameter of the assembly, at level of said shoulder 8, approximately equal to the diameter inside the tank 1. So the interference between element 2 and tank 1 is practically not increased by the presence of the annular flange 4.

The final folded position of the annular flange 4 therefore allows its penetration into the tank without causing significant friction and guarantees a perfect efficiency between element 2 and the organ actuation 6.

At this moment, element 2 adopts its piston function and can slide tightly in the tank 1 with very low friction, which ensures a safe, reliable and easy actuation of the distribution.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tank 1 may include in its bottom a recess intended for receive the shutter member 5 after it has been expelled out of passage 3 by rod 7 of the organ actuation 6. When the shutter member 5 is a ball, this recess is advantageously shaped substantially spherical.

The invention therefore makes it possible to guarantee the tightness of the product as soon as it is placed in the tank and up to its distribution, throughout the storage period whatever the conditions, and throughout distribution process.

Although the detailed description above has been made with reference to a single-dose device, the present invention also applies to devices multidoses.

Claims (12)

1. A device for dispensing a fluid substance comprising a container (1) in which the substance is contained and provided with an opening, said device further comprising an element (2) that is movable between a rest position in which it closes the opening of said container (1) and an actuated position, means for connecting the inside of the container (1) to an expulsion channel (10) for expelling the substance, and an actuator member (6) for moving said element (2) towards its actuated position, said element (2) sliding in sealed manner inside said container (1) so that the substance is expelled via said expulsion channel (10), the device being characterized in that said element (2) includes a passage (3) connecting the inside of the container (1) to said expulsion channel (10), and sealing means including a closure member (5) which, in the rest position of the element (2), co-operates with the element to close said passage (3) in sealed manner and to establish a high degree of interference between the element (2) and the container (1), thereby guaranteeing total hermetic closure of the container (1), said actuator member (6) including displacement means (7) for displacing said closure member (5) in order to open said passage (3), and reduce the interference between the element (2) and the container (1) so that the element (2) moves in the container (1) towards its actuated position with low friction.
2. A device according to claim 1, in which the actuator member has means (8, 9) for uniting the element (2) and the actuator member (6) after the closure member (5) has been displaced by said displacement means (7).
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which said container (1), element (2), and passage (3) are substantially cylindrical.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said closure member (5) has a diameter greater than the diameter of the passage (3) so that, in the rest position of the stopper, it causes the outside wall of the element (2) to be pressed against the inside wall of the container, thereby increasing the interference between the element (2) and the container (1) in said rest position.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said closure member (5) is a ball (5) which is forced into the passage (3) through the element (2) after the container (1) has been filled.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said actuator member (6) has a rod (7) with the expulsion channel (10) passing therealong, said rod (7) being capable of sliding in sealed manner in the passage (3) to displace said closure member (5).
7. A device according to claim 6, in which the end of said rod (7) displaces said closure member (5) from the passage (3) into the container (1), which container has a recess (la) for receiving said closure member (5).
8. A device according to claim 6 or 7, in which said element (2) further includes locking means (4) which prevent the element (2) from moving while it is in its rest position, said actuator member (6) further including means (8, 9) for displacing said locking means (4).
9. A device according to claim 8, in which said locking means (4) comprise an annular flange (4) which, in the rest position of the element (2) co-operates with the opening of the container (1) to prevent the element moving in the container.
10. A device according to claim 9, in which the actuator member (6) includes, extending the rod (7), a shoulder (8) whose outside diameter is smaller than the inside diameter of the container (1), and includes, extending said shoulder (8), a groove (9) such that when the actuator member (6) is actuated, the rod (7) slides in the passage (3) through the element (2) initially to displace the closure member (5), after which the shoulder (8) co-operates with the outside radial surface of the element (2) exerting a force thereon which urges said element towards its actuated position, said force being greater than the resilience of the annular flange (5) such that the flange folds around said shoulder (8) into said groove (9) to enable the element (2) to move inside said container (1).
11. A device according to claim 10, in which the length constituted by the sum of the radius of the shoulder (8) plus the thickness of the annular flange (4) is approximately equal to the inside radius of the container (1), such that the element (2) can slide sealingly and with low friction in the container (1).
12. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said element (2) is made of an elastomer material.

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