EP0326468B1 - Push button for a vaporizer arranged for performing the mixing of a predetermined quantity of a secondary product in the discharge of a primary product - Google Patents

Push button for a vaporizer arranged for performing the mixing of a predetermined quantity of a secondary product in the discharge of a primary product Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0326468B1
EP0326468B1 EP89400174A EP89400174A EP0326468B1 EP 0326468 B1 EP0326468 B1 EP 0326468B1 EP 89400174 A EP89400174 A EP 89400174A EP 89400174 A EP89400174 A EP 89400174A EP 0326468 B1 EP0326468 B1 EP 0326468B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pushbutton
support
piece
cylinder
axis
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP89400174A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0326468A2 (en
EP0326468A3 (en
Inventor
Michel Brunet
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Aptar France SAS
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Valois SAS
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/68—Dispensing two or more contents, e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them
    • B65D83/682—Dispensing two or more contents, e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them the products being first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head
    • B65D83/685—Dispensing two or more contents, e.g. sequential dispensing or simultaneous dispensing of two or more products without mixing them the products being first separated, but finally mixed, e.g. in a dispensing head with one product being located in a chamber within, or forming part of, the dispensing head, e.g. for admixture during dispensing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vaporizer pusher. It adapts to the stem of the valve, preferably a metering valve which, when at rest, closes the container from certain vaporizers and allows, by simple pressure of the finger, to push it back slightly so that the product contained in the container escapes ( hereinafter called the main product).
  • the pusher of the invention has the particularity of mixing a predetermined amount of another product (called below secondary product) and this , while the main product is being released. So we baptized this pusher "exomix”.
  • drugs to be vaporized consist of a basic product, possibly solvent, and an additive, possibly solute, for example two liquids or a liquid and a powder, which cannot not be contacted well in advance. Its use is also part of the present invention.
  • a pusher capable of carrying out such a mixing is in particular known in the prior art.
  • This is described in French patent FR-A-1 506 698 filed in 1966 by MARRAFFINO. It comprises a hollow cylinder terminated by a spout which, at the same time, serves as an emission channel and as an actuating member of the valve of the vaporizer.
  • the user releases for example his shaving foam which heats up by entraining and mixing with the water of the emission channel.
  • This series of chambers is arranged in a first room forming the pusher of the invention.
  • This first part is movable relative to a second part of said pusher containing the transmission channel.
  • the section of Figure 1 shows a support 1 surmounted by its barrel 2, according to a possible embodiment of the invention.
  • the axis of these cylindrical parts is arranged vertically.
  • the shape of the lower part of the support is adapted to the valve body of certain vaporizers.
  • the hollow stem of their valve (preferably of the metering type) then fits into the support 10. Its depth as well as the height of the lower crown 17 are calculated as a function of the stroke of the valve stem when the latter opens and closes.
  • the support 10 communicates with an emission channel 11 which is arranged along a radius normal to the axis of the support 1. It opens at the periphery of the support 1 on a lateral emission orifice 13 which here corresponds to an enlargement of section. As shown in the variant form of FIG. 2, this arrangement is not systematic.
  • the orifice 13 can also admit a section identical to that of the channel 11, or even smaller.
  • a nozzle nozzle may possibly adapt to it.
  • cylindrical reserves 14 are provided on the upper part of the support 1. Their respective axes, also vertical, are equidistant from the axis of the support 1. The reserves are also regularly arranged on the circle thus defined, so that, for a given section, their number depends on the radius of this circle.
  • Figure 3 shows how they could be placed in a horizontal plane. Three possible configurations are shown: eight reserves on the inner circle, twelve on the intermediate circle and twenty-four on the outer circle.
  • the axis of one of the reserves intersects that of the transmission channel 11.
  • the corresponding reserve is deep enough to communicate with the channel.
  • a punch 12 is however embedded in the bottom of this reserve so that its point is located above the transmission channel. The passage of a liquid or a powder from the reserve to the channel is then ensured by means of several vertical slots made in the punch.
  • the horizontal section of Figure 4 specifies an embodiment of the intersection of channel 11 and the reserve.
  • a cylinder 15, of the same axis as the support 1, projects from the upper surface of said support. It ends with a cone with shoulder which gives it the appearance of a mushroom. As shown in Figure 2, it can be composed of two flexible plastic tabs which move horizontally from each other as soon as they are no longer pressed together. Thus, the cylinder 15 is able to snap into an opening of section smaller than that of its shoulder and having bevelled edges without any subsequent separation being possible. This property is used to irreversibly mount the barrel 2 on the support 1 by engaging the cylinder 15 in the cylindrical guide 25 of the barrel 2. It is clear that the same result would be obtained if the cylinder 15 was fixed to the barrel 2 and if the guide 25 belonged to the support 1. In addition to its role of connection between support and barrel, the cylinder 15 also allows the rotation of one part relative to the other about their vertical axis which is therefore common. This is why it is called below rotation shaft 15.
  • the upper face of the barrel 2 is flat, its lower face comprises, in addition to the cylindrical guide 25, several reservoir cylinders 21 with a vertical axis.
  • Their common section is slightly less than that of the reserves of the support 1 so that they can slide there without excessive friction while ensuring good sealing of the cylinder / reserve interface.
  • Their number and arrangement around the axis of barrel 2 is generally identical to the number and arrangement of reserves around the axis of the support 1. It is however possible in this configuration, that one or more reservoir cylinders are missing.
  • the reservoir cylinders are more or less hollowed out depending on the quantity of secondary product that the lower chamber 22 must contain.
  • Their base is closed by a slightly resistant cover 23. It is for example a plastic film welded to the wall of the reservoir cylinders 21.
  • the supports 1 and the barrels 2 of the present invention will preferably be molded each in one piece. Partitions 18 and 26 may remain on these parts, dividing their lower surface into parts of cake while reservoir-cylinders 21 and reserves 14 are halfway between the partitions.
  • the punch 12 is indifferently molded with the support 1 or else placed on the latter thereafter. In the latter case, a harder plastic material can be used.
  • a device can be provided so that only a full reservoir-cylinder is present opposite the punch during the emission and that any emission of main product becomes impossible after the emptying of all tank cylinders.
  • a notch disposed on the outer ring 24 of the barrel 2 is for example capable of circulating, in one direction only, on a rack fixed to the upper ring 16 of the support 1 and comprising a stop. The passage from the notch from a notch of the rack to the next would be carried out for example when the force F is released and the spring decompresses.
  • the pusher of the invention can also be advantageously mounted on a vaporizer containing an inert gas under pressure such as nitrogen, CO2 or freon .
  • an inert gas under pressure such as nitrogen, CO2 or freon .
  • the released gas makes it possible in this case to strongly entrain the liquid or the powder of the chamber 22. It is a way of obtaining the finely divided emission (particles of diameter of the order micron) which is necessary for the application of certain drugs such as those used to calm irritation of the bronchi.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Description

La présente invention a pour objet un poussoir de vaporisateur. Il s'adapte à la tige de la valve de préférence doseuse qui, au repos, obture le récipient de certains vaporisateurs et permet, par simple pression du doigt, de la repousser légèrement de façon que s'échappe le produit contenu dans le récipient (appelé par la suite produit principal). En plus de son rôle dans le déclenchement et l'arrêt de l'émission du produit principal, le poussoir de l'invention présente la particularité de lui mélanger une quantité prédéterminée d'un autre produit (appelé ci-dessous produit secondaire) et cela, alors que le produit principal est en train de fuser. Aussi a-t-on baptisé ce poussoir "exomix". Il s'applique particulièrement à l'industrie pharmaceutique où des médicaments à vaporiser se composent d'un produit de base, éventuellement solvant, et d'un additif, éventuellement soluté, par exemple deux liquides ou bien un liquide et une poudre, ne pouvant pas être mis en contact longtemps à l'avance. Son utilisation fait également partie de la présente invention.The present invention relates to a vaporizer pusher. It adapts to the stem of the valve, preferably a metering valve which, when at rest, closes the container from certain vaporizers and allows, by simple pressure of the finger, to push it back slightly so that the product contained in the container escapes ( hereinafter called the main product). In addition to its role in triggering and stopping the emission of the main product, the pusher of the invention has the particularity of mixing a predetermined amount of another product (called below secondary product) and this , while the main product is being released. So we baptized this pusher "exomix". It is particularly applicable to the pharmaceutical industry where drugs to be vaporized consist of a basic product, possibly solvent, and an additive, possibly solute, for example two liquids or a liquid and a powder, which cannot not be contacted well in advance. Its use is also part of the present invention.

Un poussoir capable d'effectuer un tel mélange est en particulier connu dans l'art antérieur. Celui-ci est décrit dans le brevet français FR-A-1 506 698 déposé en 1966 par MARRAFFINO. Il comprend un cylindre creux terminé par un bec qui, à la fois, sert de canal d'émission et d'organe d'actionnement de la valve du vaporisateur. Autour de ce cylindre et communiquant avec lui par au moins un orifice inférieur, est disposée une chambre dans laquelle l'utilisateur peut introduire une réserve d'eau chaude. Au repos, l'eau pénètre par l'orifice pour occuper la base du canal d'émission. En pressant sur le cylindre creux, l'utilisateur libère par exemple sa mousse à raser qui se réchauffe en entraînant et en se mélangeant à l'eau du canal d'émission.A pusher capable of carrying out such a mixing is in particular known in the prior art. This is described in French patent FR-A-1 506 698 filed in 1966 by MARRAFFINO. It comprises a hollow cylinder terminated by a spout which, at the same time, serves as an emission channel and as an actuating member of the valve of the vaporizer. Around this cylinder and communicating with it through at least one lower orifice, is disposed a chamber into which the user can introduce a reserve of hot water. At rest, water enters through the orifice to occupy the base of the emission channel. By pressing on the hollow cylinder, the user releases for example his shaving foam which heats up by entraining and mixing with the water of the emission channel.

Ce système connu n'est pas adapté à la vaporisation de mélanges médicamenteux. Souvent ces derniers exigent en effet que les différents produits qui les composent, demeurent à l'abri de l'air jusqu'au moment de leur application. Il ne peut donc être question de disposer l'un d'entre eux (le produit dit secondaire) dans une chambre communiquant en permanence avec le canal d'émission alors que ce dernier est généralement ouvert à l'extérieur. Par ailleurs, le traitement thérapeutique que ces produits permettent, nécessite la plupart du temps un dosage soigneux. Or, le poussoir décrit ci-dessus mélange d'autant moins d'eau à la quantité de mousse à raser émise que la réserve de la chambre s'épuise. Ces deux raisons majeures conduisent donc à rejeter le poussoir de MARRAFFINO pour en développer un autre où la reserve de produit secondaire, d'un côté, est initialement à l'abri de l'air et, d'un autre, présente un volume connu, prédéterminé en fonction des besoins.This known system is not suitable for the vaporization of medicinal mixtures. Often these require in fact that the various products which compose them, remain sheltered from the air until the moment of their application. There can therefore be no question of having one of them (the so-called secondary product) in a room permanently communicating with the transmission channel while the latter is generally open to the outside. In addition, the therapeutic treatment that these products allow, requires most of the time a careful dosage. However, the pusher described above mixes all the less water with the amount of shaving foam emitted as the reserve of the chamber becomes exhausted. These two major reasons therefore lead to rejecting the MARRAFFINO pusher to develop another where the reserve of secondary product, on the one hand, is initially sheltered from air and, on the other, has a known volume. , predetermined according to needs.

Cela est réalisé selon la présente invention en prévoyant une série de chambres contenant chacune la dose de produit secondaire souhaitée et fermées hermétiquement par des opercules individuels. Cette série de chambres est disposée dans une première pièce formant le poussoir de l'invention. Cette première pièce est mobile par rapport à une seconde pièce dudit poussoir contenant le canal d'émission. Lorsque l'utilisateur actionne le poussoir, il déplace la première pièce mobile de sorte que l'opercule d'une des chambres est percé et que la dose correspondante de produit secondaire se déverse dans le canal d'émission pour être entrainée avec le produit principal.This is achieved according to the present invention by providing a series of chambers each containing the desired dose of secondary product and hermetically sealed by individual covers. This series of chambers is arranged in a first room forming the pusher of the invention. This first part is movable relative to a second part of said pusher containing the transmission channel. When the user actuates the pusher, he moves the first moving part so that the seal of one of the chambers is pierced and the corresponding dose of secondary product pours into the emission channel to be entrained with the main product .

Ce principe de fonctionnement est plus précisément mis en pratique dans les poussoirs décrits par les revendications 2 à 15 de la présente demande et où la première pièce mobile admet en forme d'un barillet, la seconde pièce lui servant alors de support. L'utilisateur se trouve en conséquence devant un poussoir de vaporisateur d'aspect comparable aux poussoirs traditionnels qui ne sont pas prévus pour réaliser de mélanges particuliers. Il n'a donc en aucune façon à se soucier d'effectuer un mélange préalable des produits ou de placer une recharge de produit secondaire à la sortie du vaporisateur. La simplicité d'emploi qui en résulte, permet un gain de temps appréciable et élimine les risques d'erreur dans les dosages. En cas de préparation médicinale, c'est également le garant d'un traitement soutenu même pour des patients qui seraient autrement prompts à se décourager.This operating principle is more precisely put into practice in the pushers described by claims 2 to 15 of the present application and where the first movable part admits in the form of a barrel, the second part then serving as its support. The user is therefore in front of a vaporizer plunger with an appearance comparable to traditional plungers which are not intended to produce particular mixtures. He therefore does not have to worry in any way about mixing the products beforehand or placing a refill of secondary product at the outlet of the vaporizer. The resulting ease of use saves considerable time and eliminates the risk of error in dosages. In the case of medicinal preparation, it is also the guarantor of sustained treatment even for patients who would otherwise be quick to become discouraged.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront mieux à la lecture de la description suivante donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif des formes de réalisation possibles de l'invention.Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the following description given by way of non-limiting example of possible embodiments of the invention.

Celle-ci fait référence aux dessins suivants :

  • la figure 1 présente un support de l'invention selon une coupe verticale passant par l'axe de son canal d'emission. Le barillet associé est dessiné également en coupe verticale. La position relative de ces deux pièces correspond à l'état de repos du poussoir ;
  • la figure 2 montre la coupe verticale d'une autre forme de réalisation du support de l'invention et de son barillet. Les deux pièces du poussoir sont cette fois dans leur position de fonctionnement ;
  • la figure 3 indique schématiquement comment les cylindres-réservoir et leurs réserves pourraient être disposés autour de l'axe du poussoir ; et,
  • la figure 4 montre en vue de dessus le détail du canal d'émission au niveau de la réserve cylindrique contenant le poinçon.
This refers to the following drawings:
  • Figure 1 shows a support of the invention in a vertical section passing through the axis of its emission channel. The associated barrel is also drawn in vertical section. The relative position of these two parts corresponds to the state of rest of the pusher;
  • Figure 2 shows the vertical section of another embodiment of the support of the invention and its barrel. The two parts of the pusher are this time in their operating position;
  • Figure 3 shows schematically how the reservoir cylinders and their reserves could be arranged around the axis of the pusher; and,
  • Figure 4 shows in top view the detail of the emission channel at the cylindrical reserve containing the punch.

La coupe de la figure 1 montre un support 1 surmonté de son barillet 2, selon une forme de réalisation envisageable de l'invention. L'axe de ces pièces cylindriques est disposé verticalement. La forme de la partie inférieure du support est adaptée au corps de valve de certains vaporisateurs. La tige creuse de leur valve (de préférence de type doseuse) s'emboîte alors dans l'appui 10. Sa profondeur ainsi que la hauteur de la couronne inférieure 17 sont calculées en fonction de la course de la tige de la valve lorsque cette dernière s'ouvre et se ferme. L'appui 10 communique avec un canal d'émission 11 qui est disposé suivant un rayon normal à l'axe du support 1. Il débouche à la périphérie du support 1 sur un orifice 13 d'émission latérale qui correspond ici à un élargissement de section. Comme le montre la forme variante de la figure 2, cette disposition n'est pas systématique. L'orifice 13 peut aussi admettre une section identique à celle du canal 11, voire plus petite. Une buse de gicleur (non représentée) est éventuellement susceptible de s'y adapter.The section of Figure 1 shows a support 1 surmounted by its barrel 2, according to a possible embodiment of the invention. The axis of these cylindrical parts is arranged vertically. The shape of the lower part of the support is adapted to the valve body of certain vaporizers. The hollow stem of their valve (preferably of the metering type) then fits into the support 10. Its depth as well as the height of the lower crown 17 are calculated as a function of the stroke of the valve stem when the latter opens and closes. The support 10 communicates with an emission channel 11 which is arranged along a radius normal to the axis of the support 1. It opens at the periphery of the support 1 on a lateral emission orifice 13 which here corresponds to an enlargement of section. As shown in the variant form of FIG. 2, this arrangement is not systematic. The orifice 13 can also admit a section identical to that of the channel 11, or even smaller. A nozzle nozzle (not shown) may possibly adapt to it.

Par ailleurs, des réserves cylindriques 14 sont ménagées sur la partie supérieure du support 1. Leurs axes respectifs, egalement verticaux, se trouvent à égale distance de l'axe du support 1. Les réserves sont en outre disposées régulièrement sur le cercle ainsi défini, si bien que, pour une section donnée, leur nombre dépend du rayon de ce cercle. La figure 3 indique comment elles pourraient être placées suivant un plan horizontal. Trois configurations possibles sont schématisées : huit réserves sur le cercle intérieur, douze sur le cercle intermédiaire et vingt-quatre sur le cercle extérieur. Enfin, l'axe de l'une des réserves coupe celui du canal d'émission 11. La réserve correspondante est assez profonde pour communiquer avec le canal. Un poinçon 12 est toutefois encastré au fond de cette réserve de façon que sa pointe se situe au-dessus du canal d'émission. Le passage d'un liquide ou d'une poudre depuis la reserve jusqu'au canal est alors assuré au moyen de plusieurs fentes verticales pratiquées dans le poinçon. La coupe horizontale de la figure 4 précise une forme de réalisation de l'intersection du canal 11 et de la réserve.Furthermore, cylindrical reserves 14 are provided on the upper part of the support 1. Their respective axes, also vertical, are equidistant from the axis of the support 1. The reserves are also regularly arranged on the circle thus defined, so that, for a given section, their number depends on the radius of this circle. Figure 3 shows how they could be placed in a horizontal plane. Three possible configurations are shown: eight reserves on the inner circle, twelve on the intermediate circle and twenty-four on the outer circle. Finally, the axis of one of the reserves intersects that of the transmission channel 11. The corresponding reserve is deep enough to communicate with the channel. A punch 12 is however embedded in the bottom of this reserve so that its point is located above the transmission channel. The passage of a liquid or a powder from the reserve to the channel is then ensured by means of several vertical slots made in the punch. The horizontal section of Figure 4 specifies an embodiment of the intersection of channel 11 and the reserve.

Un cylindre 15, de même axe que le support 1, fait saillie sur la surface supérieure dudit support. Il se termine par un cône avec épaulement qui lui donne l'allure d'un champignon. Comme le précise la figure 2, il peut être composé de deux languettes en matière plastique souple qui s'écartent horizontalement l'une de l'autre dès qu'elles ne sont plus pressées ensemble. Ainsi, le cylindre 15 est-il à même de s'encliqueter dans une ouverture de section inférieure à celle de son épaulement et comportant des bords biseautés sans qu'aucune désolidarisation ultérieure ne soit possible. Cette propriété est utilisée pour monter de façon irréversible le barillet 2 sur le support 1 en engageant le cylindre 15 dans le guide cylindrique 25 du barillet 2. Il est clair qu'on arriverait au même résultat si le cylindre 15 était fixé au barillet 2 et si le guide 25 appartenait au support 1. En plus de son rôle de liaison entre support et barillet, le cylindre 15 permet aussi la rotation d'une pièce par rapport à l'autre autour de leur axe vertical qui est dès lors commun. C'est pourquoi, il est appelé ci-dessous arbre de rotation 15.A cylinder 15, of the same axis as the support 1, projects from the upper surface of said support. It ends with a cone with shoulder which gives it the appearance of a mushroom. As shown in Figure 2, it can be composed of two flexible plastic tabs which move horizontally from each other as soon as they are no longer pressed together. Thus, the cylinder 15 is able to snap into an opening of section smaller than that of its shoulder and having bevelled edges without any subsequent separation being possible. This property is used to irreversibly mount the barrel 2 on the support 1 by engaging the cylinder 15 in the cylindrical guide 25 of the barrel 2. It is clear that the same result would be obtained if the cylinder 15 was fixed to the barrel 2 and if the guide 25 belonged to the support 1. In addition to its role of connection between support and barrel, the cylinder 15 also allows the rotation of one part relative to the other about their vertical axis which is therefore common. This is why it is called below rotation shaft 15.

Si la face supérieure du barillet 2 est plane, sa face inférieure comporte, en plus du guide cylindrique 25, plusieurs cylindres-réservoir 21 d'axe vertical. Leur section commune est légèrement inférieure à celle des réserves du support 1 de façon qu'ils puissent y coulisser sans frottement excessif tout en assurant une bonne étanchéité de l'interface cylindre/réserve. Leur nombre et leur disposition autour de l'axe du barillet 2 est généralement identique au nombre et à la disposition des reserves autour de l'axe du support 1. Il est toutefois envisageable dans cette configuration, qu'un ou plusieurs cylindres-réservoir soient manquants. Les cylindres-réservoir sont plus ou moins évidés en fonction de la quantité de produit secondaire que la chambre inférieure 22 doit contenir. Leur base est obturée par un opercule 23 peu resistant. C'est par exemple un film en matière plastique soudé à la paroi des cylindres-réservoir 21.If the upper face of the barrel 2 is flat, its lower face comprises, in addition to the cylindrical guide 25, several reservoir cylinders 21 with a vertical axis. Their common section is slightly less than that of the reserves of the support 1 so that they can slide there without excessive friction while ensuring good sealing of the cylinder / reserve interface. Their number and arrangement around the axis of barrel 2 is generally identical to the number and arrangement of reserves around the axis of the support 1. It is however possible in this configuration, that one or more reservoir cylinders are missing. The reservoir cylinders are more or less hollowed out depending on the quantity of secondary product that the lower chamber 22 must contain. Their base is closed by a slightly resistant cover 23. It is for example a plastic film welded to the wall of the reservoir cylinders 21.

Entre le support 1 et le barillet 2, un ressort 3 enroulé autour de l'arbre de rotation 15 est placé en légère compression. Il s'appuie, d'un côté, sur la face supérieure du support 1, d'un autre, sur le guide cylindrique 25 du barillet 2. Il maintient alors le barillet 2 suffisamment loin du support 1 pour que les cylindres-réservoir 21 ne soient pas engagés dans les réserves 14. Dans cette position de repos, les formes de réalisation des figures 1 et 2 prévoient toutefois que la couronne supérieure 16 du support 1 soit au contact de la couronne extérieure 24 du barillet 2 dont le diamètre est légèrement inférieur. Le poussoir de l'invention présente alors une forme compacte plus agréable et offre une protection supplémentaire des doses de produit secondaire.Between the support 1 and the barrel 2, a spring 3 wound around the rotation shaft 15 is placed in slight compression. It is supported, on one side, on the upper face of the support 1, on the other, on the cylindrical guide 25 of the barrel 2. It then keeps the barrel 2 far enough from the support 1 so that the reservoir cylinders 21 are not engaged in the reserves 14. In this rest position, the embodiments of Figures 1 and 2 however provide that the upper ring 16 of the support 1 is in contact with the outer ring 24 of the barrel 2 whose diameter is slightly inferior. The pusher of the invention then has a more pleasant compact shape and offers additional protection of the doses of secondary product.

Lorsqu'une force verticale F est exercée sur le sommet du barillet, deux phénomènes interviennent simultanément. D'un côté, la valve du vaporisateur est repoussée par l'intermediaire de l'appui 10. Le produit principal contenu dans la récipient du vaporisateur (non représenté) s'engage dans le canal d'émission 11 et fuse par l'orifice 13. D'un autre côté, le ressort 3 se comprime davantage. Les cylindres-réservoir pénètrent dans les reserves pourvu qu'elles soient en vis-à-vis. Cela est rendu possible par les guidages verticaux réalisés au niveau de l'arbre de rotation 15 et, éventuellement, de la couronne supérieure 16 du support 1, mais aussi par un positionnement du barillet 2 autour de l'axe du support 1 effectué manuellement ou bien automatiquement grâce à un système de crans et d'encoches non représenté sur les figures. Le poinçon crève alors l'opercule 23 du cylindre-réservoir plein qui se présente au-dessus du canal d'émission 11. La quantité de produit secondaire qu'il contient s'écoule par gravité entre les fentes du poinçon jusqu'au canal 11 et est entraîné avec le produit principal vers l'orifice 13.When a vertical force F is exerted on the top of the barrel, two phenomena occur simultaneously. On one side, the valve of the vaporizer is pushed back through the support 10. The main product contained in the container of the vaporizer (not shown) engages in the emission channel 11 and flows through the orifice 13. On the other hand, the spring 3 compresses more. The reservoir cylinders enter the reserves provided that they are opposite. This is made possible by the vertical guides produced at the level of the rotation shaft 15 and, optionally, of the upper ring 16 of the support 1, but also by a positioning of the barrel 2 around the axis of the support 1 performed manually or automatically thanks to a system of notches and notches not shown in the figures. The punch then punctures the cover 23 of the full reservoir cylinder which is above the emission channel 11. The quantity of secondary product which it contains flows by gravity between the slots of the punch up to the channel 11 and is entrained with the main product towards the orifice 13.

On notera que seule la réserve communiquant avec le canal d'émission 11 doit impérativement être cylindrique, avec une section particulièrement bien ajustée à la section des cylindres-réservoir 21 afin d'éviter l'émission de tout produit par l'interface cylindre/réserve. Les autres réserves pourraient, quant à elles, adopter des sections différentes, voire être jointives au point de ne plus former qu'un seul découpage.It will be noted that only the reserve communicating with the emission channel 11 must imperatively be cylindrical, with a section particularly well adjusted to the section of the reservoir-cylinders 21 in order to avoid the emission of any product by the interface cylinder / reserve . The other reserves could, for their part, adopt different sections, or even be joined to the point of no longer forming a single division.

Dans le cadre d'une fabrication industrielle, les supports 1 et les barillets 2 de la présente invention seront de préférence moulés chacun d'un seul tenant. Des cloisons 18 et 26 peuvent subsister sur ces pièces, divisant leur surface inférieure en parts de gâteau alors que cylindres-réservoir 21 et réserves 14 sont à mi-chemin entre les cloisons. Le poinçon 12 est indifféremment moulé avec le support 1 ou bien placé sur ce dernier par la suite. Dans ce dernier cas, une matière plastique plus dure peut être employée.In the context of industrial manufacturing, the supports 1 and the barrels 2 of the present invention will preferably be molded each in one piece. Partitions 18 and 26 may remain on these parts, dividing their lower surface into parts of cake while reservoir-cylinders 21 and reserves 14 are halfway between the partitions. The punch 12 is indifferently molded with the support 1 or else placed on the latter thereafter. In the latter case, a harder plastic material can be used.

Pour rendre l'utilisation de ce poussoir-mélangeur encore plus sûre, un dispositif peut être prévu de façon que seul un cylindre-réservoir plein se présente en face du poinçon lors de l'émission et que toute émission de produit principal devienne impossible après la vidange de tous les cylindres-réservoir. Pour cela, un cran disposé sur la couronne extérieure 24 du barillet 2 est par exemple capable de circuler, dans un sens uniquement, sur une crémaillère fixée sur la couronne supérieure 16 du support 1 et comportant une butée. Le passage du cran depuis une encoche de la crémaillère à la suivante s'effectuerait par exemple lorsque la force F est relâchée et que le ressort se décomprime.To make the use of this pusher-mixer even safer, a device can be provided so that only a full reservoir-cylinder is present opposite the punch during the emission and that any emission of main product becomes impossible after the emptying of all tank cylinders. For this, a notch disposed on the outer ring 24 of the barrel 2 is for example capable of circulating, in one direction only, on a rack fixed to the upper ring 16 of the support 1 and comprising a stop. The passage from the notch from a notch of the rack to the next would be carried out for example when the force F is released and the spring decompresses.

En dehors de l'utilisation du poussoir de l'invention pour mélanger deux liquides ou une poudre et un liquide, il peut aussi être avantageusement monté sur un vaporisateur contenant un gaz inerte sous pression tel que de l'azote, du CO₂ ou du fréon. Lors de l'actionnement du vaporisateur, le gaz libéré permet dans ce cas d'entraîner vivement le liquide ou la poudre de la chambre 22. C'est une façon d'obtenir l'émission finement divisée (particules de diamètre de l'ordre du micron) qui est nécessaire à l'application de certains médicaments comme ceux permettant de calmer des irritations des bronches.Apart from using the pusher of the invention to mix two liquids or a powder and a liquid, it can also be advantageously mounted on a vaporizer containing an inert gas under pressure such as nitrogen, CO₂ or freon . During the actuation of the vaporizer, the released gas makes it possible in this case to strongly entrain the liquid or the powder of the chamber 22. It is a way of obtaining the finely divided emission (particles of diameter of the order micron) which is necessary for the application of certain drugs such as those used to calm irritation of the bronchi.

Claims (18)

1/ A pushbutton for fitting to a spray device containing a main substance and including an emission channel (11), the pushbutton being constituted by a first piece moveably mounted relative to a second piece containing said emission channel (11), said first piece of said pushbutton comprising containers (22) each containing a predetermined quantity of a second substance and hermetically closed by individual membranes (23), said pushbutton further including resilient means (3) and engagement means (15, 25) such that when said pushbutton is actuated, said first piece is caused to move relative to said second piece in such a manner as to cause the membrane (23) of one of the said containers (22) to be pierced and the corresponding predetermined quantity of secondary substance to be delivered into said emission channel (11).
2/ A pushbutton according to claim 1, said pushbutton being in the form of a vertical axis cylinder and said emission channel (11) being horizontal, the pushbutton being characterized in that:
a) said second piece is a support (1) having said channel (11) formed inside the bottom portion thereof, and including vertical holes (14) in its top face, with at least one of said holes being cylindrical and centered on said emission channel (11) and being in communication therewith via slots provided through a punch (12) whose tip lies on the axis of said hole and is upwardly directed; and in that
b) said first piece is a revolver-type cylinder (2) fitted to said support (1) and having a horizontal top face of a size suitable for receiving finger pressure and having said containers (22) formed in its bottom portion with each of said containers being located in a vertical supply-containing chamber (21) at a common distance from the axis of said pushbutton, said chambers being suitable for entering and leaving each of said holes (14) in said support (1) without excessive friction, and each having a common cross-section suitable for adapting in sealed manner to the cross-section of said cylindrical hole which is centered on said emission channel (11), said membranes (23) closing the bottom ends of said chambers (21).
3/ A pushbutton according to claim 2, characterized in that said connection means are constituted firstly by a rotary shaft (15) having the same axis as said pushbutton and secondly by a cylindrical guide (25) likewise having the same axis as said pushbutton, and suitable for receiving the rotary shaft (15) in non-reversible manner and for being vertically guided in rotation thereby, one of said rotary shaft (15) and said cylindrical guide (25) projecting from the top face of said support (1) and the other one thereof projecting from the bottom face of said cylinder (2).
4/ A pushbutton according to claim 3, characterized in that said rotary shaft (15) is terminated by a cone with a shoulder, and said cylindrical guide (25) includes chamfered end edges enabling said first and second pieces to be snap-fastened together but preventing them from being subsequently taken apart.
5/ A pushbutton according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the rotary shaft (15) is constituted by two tongues of resilient plastic material tending to move horizontally away from each other unless pressed together.
6/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said resilient means (3) are constituted by a spring which is wound around said rotary shaft (15) and which is under light compression, said spring bearing at one end against the top face of said support (1) and at its other end against said cylinder (2).
7/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the horizontal sections of all of the holes (14) are identical to the horizontal section of said hole centered on the emission channel (11), and that there are as many cylindrical holes (14) as there are supply-containing chambers (21) disposed regularly around a horizontal circle centered on the axis of said pushbutton.
8/ A pushbutton according to claim 7, characterized in that the holes (14) and the chambers (21) are six, twelve, or twenty-four, in number.
9/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said slots in said punch (12) are vertical, in that they are two in number, and in that they intersect each other at right angles on the axis of said punch (12), with one of the slots being parallel to the axis of said emission channel (11).
10/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said support (1) includes an upper ring (16) around its periphery, said cylinder (2) includes an outer ring (24) of slightly different diameter to said upper ring (16), said rings being suitable for sliding telescopically over one another during spraying but remaining in contact when the pushbutton is at rest.
11/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the supply-containing chambers are not hollow over their entire length, but include a solid portion or partition separating off a predetermined volume occupied by one of said containers (22).
12/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that said support (1) and said cylinder (2) are each molded as a single respective piece of plastic material.
13/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that said punch (12) is constituted by a piece of plastic material which is harder than that of said support (1), and in that it is received in said support (1) after it has itself been molded.
14/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that said membranes (23) are films of plastic material welded to the walls of said supply-containing chambers (21).
15/ A pushbutton according to any one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that teeth placed on one of the two pieces (i.e. the support (1) and the cylinder (2)) and a rack paced on the other one of said two pieces ensure that only one full chamber is level with said punch (12) during spraying, and that spraying is impossible once all of said supply-containing chambers (21) have been emptied.
16/ Utilization of a pushbutton according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said main substance is a liquid solvent and said secondary substance is a liquid or powder solute.
17/ Utilization of a pushbutton according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said main substance is a propellant gas.
18/ Utilization of a pushbutton according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that said spray device is provided with a metering valve.
EP89400174A 1988-01-28 1989-01-20 Push button for a vaporizer arranged for performing the mixing of a predetermined quantity of a secondary product in the discharge of a primary product Expired - Lifetime EP0326468B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8800970A FR2626500B1 (en) 1988-01-28 1988-01-28 VAPOR PUSH BUTTON AGENCY FOR MIXING AN ADDITIVE IN THE EMISSION OF THE JET
FR8800970 1988-01-28

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0326468A2 EP0326468A2 (en) 1989-08-02
EP0326468A3 EP0326468A3 (en) 1990-01-17
EP0326468B1 true EP0326468B1 (en) 1992-09-23

Family

ID=9362717

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP89400174A Expired - Lifetime EP0326468B1 (en) 1988-01-28 1989-01-20 Push button for a vaporizer arranged for performing the mixing of a predetermined quantity of a secondary product in the discharge of a primary product

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4989763A (en)
EP (1) EP0326468B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH01228568A (en)
DE (1) DE68902928T2 (en)
FR (1) FR2626500B1 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4128295A1 (en) * 1991-08-27 1993-03-04 Pfeiffer Erich Gmbh & Co Kg DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR FLOWABLE MEDIA
JP2924924B2 (en) * 1992-12-18 1999-07-26 シェリング・コーポレーション Inhaler for powdered drugs
JP6913530B2 (en) * 2017-06-27 2021-08-04 株式会社丸一 Powder supply mechanism
US20240139762A1 (en) * 2021-05-12 2024-05-02 Aptar France Sas Fluid product dispenser

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2747770A (en) * 1953-04-08 1956-05-29 Frank E Wolcott Pressure applicator
US3235126A (en) * 1964-09-21 1966-02-15 Pace Inc Aerosol spray device
US3297209A (en) * 1964-12-31 1967-01-10 Vincent F Pungitore Aerosol device
US3341079A (en) * 1965-12-17 1967-09-12 Leonard L Marraffino Heating and mixing device for aerosol dispensing
US3511418A (en) * 1968-07-29 1970-05-12 Risdon Mfg Co Variable capacity aerosol metering valve
US3733031A (en) * 1970-11-19 1973-05-15 Ciba Geigy Corp Compressed air operated dispensing system
US3733010A (en) * 1971-04-30 1973-05-15 Ciba Geigy Corp Air pressure operated dispenser
US3957033A (en) * 1973-08-15 1976-05-18 General Electric Company Ventilation study system
US4249674A (en) * 1979-08-10 1981-02-10 Antenore Ronald L Dry product dispenser
CH662277A5 (en) * 1982-10-08 1987-09-30 Glaxo Group Ltd MEDICINE ADMINISTRATOR.
PH26882A (en) * 1985-07-30 1992-11-16 Glaxo Group Ltd Devices for administering medicaments to patients

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE68902928T2 (en) 1993-04-15
JPH01228568A (en) 1989-09-12
FR2626500B1 (en) 1990-04-27
US4989763A (en) 1991-02-05
EP0326468A2 (en) 1989-08-02
DE68902928D1 (en) 1992-10-29
FR2626500A1 (en) 1989-08-04
EP0326468A3 (en) 1990-01-17

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