EP1181219B1 - End cap for dispensing and spraying liquid pharmaceutical products - Google Patents

Abstract

An endpiece for dispensing liquid pharmaceuticals contained in a receptacle, the endpiece being of the type comprising a tubular element (1) provided at a free first end (1a) with a spray nozzle (3) and at its second end (1b) with a rotary coupling (11) providing a connection with the internal delivery duct (20) of a pushbutton (2) for fitting onto the top of a tapping member mounted on said receptacle, said rotary coupling (11) being constituted by a core having a cylindrical cavity (21) fitted to said pushbutton (2) in communication with the internal delivery duct (20) and in which the second end (1b) of the tubular element (1) is engaged in touching and rotary manner, which second end is provided with means for opening said duct (20), the endpiece being characterized in that said cylindrical cavity (21) contains an axial rod (22) secured to the pushbutton (2) for being engaged inside the second end (1b) of said tubular element (1) while leaving an intermediate space (21c) through which the pharmaceutical is transferred.

Description

The present invention relates to a nozzle for dispensing and spraying liquid pharmaceuticals.

More particularly, the invention applies to a tip of the type comprising a tubular element, provided with a first free end of a spray nozzle, and at its second end, of a rotary connector ensuring the connection with the conduit internal evacuation of a push button intended to cover the nozzle tube a sampling member mounted on said container.

However, these tips do not offer any closing position which generates risks of accidental spraying and therefore untimely flow of the product.

Patent AU 10803/66 discloses a tip provided with a tubular element fitted at one end with a rotary connector ensuring the connection with the internal evacuation pipe of a push button capping a valve mounted on a container.

The rotary connector consists of a plug comprising a cylindrical cavity formed on the communicating push button with the duct and in which is housed in a rotary manner the end of the tubular element.

The end is provided with an orifice capable of communicate by rotation of the nozzle with a profile orifice similar made in the cavity of the push button to allow the product distribution. However, this tip has volumes dead, which causes boot problems during the first spray.

The object of the present invention is to solve these problems techniques effectively.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a nozzle. for the distribution of contained liquid pharmaceuticals in a container, of the type comprising a tubular element provided with a first free end of a spray nozzle and, at its second end, of a rotary connector ensuring the connection with the internal evacuation duct of a push button intended to cover a sampling member mounted on said container, said connector rotary consisting of a plug comprising a cavity cylindrical formed on said push button by communicating with the internal evacuation duct and into which comes to fit, joined and rotatably, the second end of the element tubular which is provided with a means for opening said duct, characterized in that said cylindrical cavity contains an axial rod integral with the push button, intended to be engaged inside the second end of said tubular element, leaving a space interlayer for product transfer while reducing volumes dead said means opening of the exhaust pipe being made up of a discontinuity either in the form a slot formed on an angular portion of the wall of the second end of the tubular element is in the form thickness reduction performed on an angular portion of the wall of the second end of the tubular element while providing a lateral passage for the liquid product.

According to an advantageous characteristic, said internal conduit outlet opens laterally into said cavity via an orifice ejection.

Preferably, the tubular element and the push button have latching members capable of cooperating removable way to position the second end in a angular position for closing the exhaust duct.

According to another embodiment, said cavity is delimited by the wall of a cylindrical spout projecting from the side wall of the pushbutton.

According to a variant, the wall of said spout carries a peripheral rod intended to cooperate by snap-fastening with a profile groove complementary formed on the wall of the tubular element, for ensure the positioning and retention of its second end in said cavity.

According to another variant, the second end of the element tubular is provided with an external coaxial sleeve defining a spacer space in which the cylindrical spout of the pushbutton.

According to another characteristic, said tubular element has a bent or articulated intermediate zone.

Preferably, a closed position of the internal duct evacuation corresponds to the downward orientation of the first end of the tubular element.

According to yet another characteristic, the length of the element tubular engaged in said cylindrical cavity is determined so to clear a free space between the bottom of said cavity and the edge longitudinal of said second end.

The tip of the invention offers a large number of possibilities orientation thus facilitating the taking of the drug in different opening positions suitable for spraying.

However, the tip preferably has only one lockable closing position, corresponding to an orientation down the tubular element, thus providing space minimum of the entire packaging (container and tip) for storage.

• la figure 1A représente une vue en coupe de l'embout de l'invention dans la position d'obturation ;
• la figure 1B représente une vue de détail en coupe de l'embout de la figure 1A ;
• la figure 2A représente une vue en coupe de l'embout de la figure 1A en position d'ouverture ;
• la figure 2B représente une vue de détail en coupe de l'embout de la figure 1A dans la position de la figure 2A ;
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent des vues en coupe selon AA de deux variantes de réalisation du raccord rotatif de l'embout dans la position d'obturation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1A shows a sectional view of the tip of the invention in the closed position;
• Figure 1B shows a detailed sectional view of the tip of Figure 1A;
• 2A shows a sectional view of the tip of Figure 1A in the open position;
• 2B shows a detailed view in section of the nozzle of Figure 1A in the position of Figure 2A;
• Figures 3 and 4 show sectional views along AA of two alternative embodiments of the rotary connector of the nozzle in the closed position.

The nozzle shown in Figures 1A and 2A is more particularly intended for distributing and spraying products liquid or pasty pharmaceuticals from a container fitted with a sampling and / or metering device such as a pump or a valve (not shown). The entire packaging is generally referred to as mouthwash.

The removal organ has traditionally a nozzle tube, the end of which is intended to be capped by a push button 2 having an internal conduit 20 and having a upper face 2a suitable for manual support.

This nozzle comprises a tubular element 1, more or less long, provided at a first free end 1a with a nozzle spray 3, and at its second end 1b, of a rotary connector 11.

The connector 11 provides the hydraulic and mechanical connection between the tubular element 1 and the internal evacuation conduit 20 which extends the nozzle tube of the sampling device. Element rotation tubular 1 around the axis of the connector 11 provides a appropriate orientation of the spray nozzle 3.

In the embodiment shown, the first end the of the tubular element 1 is connected to the second end 1b via a bent or articulated zone 13 intermediate.

The rotary connector 11 shown in detail in FIGS. 1B and 2B consists of a valve plug, comprising a cavity cylindrical 21 formed on the push button 2 and communicating with the internal evacuation conduit 20 via an ejection orifice 20a which here opens laterally into the cavity 21.

The second end 1b of the tubular element 1 comes fit together and rotatably in the cavity 21 by sealing thus sealingly the orifice 20a as shown in the Figure 1B.

However, the second end 1b of the tubular element 1 is provided on its side wall with a means for opening the orifice 20a.

This opening means consists of a discontinuity 10 of the wall of element 1, leaving a passage inside the cavity 21 lateral 21a for the liquid product.

The cavity 21 is delimited here by the wall of a cylindrical spout 24 projecting from the front side wall of the push button 2.

The cavity 21 contains an axial rod 22 integral with the bottom 23 and intended to be engaged inside the second end 1b of the tubular element 1 by providing an intermediate space 21c for the transfer of the liquid product to the nozzle 3. The rod 22 allows in particular reduce dead volumes in the nozzle and the number of strokes priming to get the first spray.

The axis of the rod 22 is here merged with the axis of the cavity 21 and the axis of rotation of the tubular element 1.

The length of the tubular element 1 engaged in the cavity 21 is determined so as to leave a free space 21b between the bottom 23 of said cavity and the upstream longitudinal edge of the second end 1b.

In the position of FIG. 2B relating to the embodiment in FIG. 3, the free space 21b allows, in the open position, the penetration of the product from the orifice 20a via the lateral passage 21a in the tubular element, 1 as shown schematically by the arrows.

The second end 1b of the tubular element is provided, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1A and 2A, of a coaxial sleeve external 12 delimiting with the wall of the second end 1b, a intermediate space 14 in which is housed the spout 24 of the push button 2 with a slight radial tightening.

The wall of the spout 24 carries a peripheral ring 24a intended to cooperate, by snap-fastening possibly removable, with a groove 12a of complementary profile formed on the wall of the element tubular, and here of the sleeve 12, to ensure positioning and retaining the second end 1b in the cavity 21.

The relative locations of the rod 24a and the groove 12a are determined according to the respective lengths of the second end 1b and of the cavity 21, in particular to spare the free space 21b, at the bottom of the cavity.

The sealed closure position of the orifice 20a of the duct here corresponds to the downward orientation (FIGS. 1A and 1B) of the first end 1a of the tubular element 1.

It is however possible to provide several angular positions shutter.

The tubular element 1 and the push button 2 include latching members (not shown) capable of cooperating with easily removable, for positioning and locking, by rotation lock, the second end 1b in an angular position shutter.

Preferably, this cooperation will be accompanied by a click signaling to the user that the correct shutter position has been obtained.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3, the means for opening the discharge duct 20 consists of a discontinuity 10 in the form of a reduction in thickness of the wall of the tubular element 1. This reduction is carried out on a portion angular a.

According to the variant shown in section in Figure 4, the discontinuity 10 is in the form of a niche produced either by molding direct either by removal of material on an angular portion α of the wall of the tubular element 1.

Claims (9)

1. An end piece for the distribution of liquid pharmaceutical products contained in a container, of the type comprising a tubular element (1) provided at a first free end (1a) with a spray nozzle (3) and, at its second end (1b), with a rotary connector (11) ensuring connection with the inner outlet duct (20) of a push-button (2) designed to cap a discharge member mounted on said container, said rotary connector (11) consisting of a cuff comprising a cylindrical cavity (21) which is formed on said push-button (2) in communication with the inner outlet duct (20) and in which there is fitted, in contiguous and rotary manner, the second end (1b) of the tubular element (1), which end (1b) is provided with a means of opening said duct (20), characterised in that said cylindrical cavity (21) encloses an axial rod (22) integral with the push-button (2), designed to be engaged inside the second end (1b) of said tubular element (1), forming an interposed space (21c) for transfer of the product while reducing the dead volumes, said means of opening the outlet duct consisting of a discontinuity (10) either in the form of a notch formed over an angular portion '(α) of the wall of the second end (1b) of the tubular element or in the form of a reduction in thickness formed over an angular portion (α) of the wall of the second end of the tubular element (1), to form a lateral passage (21a) for the liquid product.
2. A nasal end piece according to claim 1, characterised in that said inner outlet duct (20) opens laterally into said cavity (21) via an ejection orifice (20a).
3. An end piece according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the tubular element (1) and the push-button (2) comprise catch members capable of cooperating in movable manner so as to position the second end (1b) in an angular position in which it closes the outlet duct (20).
4. An end piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said cavity (21) is defined by the wall of a cylindrical spout (24) projecting on the side wall of the push-button (2).
5. An end piece according to claim 4, characterised in that the wall of said spout (24) bears a peripheral retaining ring (24a) designed to cooperate by catching with a groove (12a) of complementary profile formed in the wall of the tubular element (1), to ensure positioning and retention of the second end (1b) thereof in said cavity (21).
6. An end piece according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterised in that the second end (1b) of the tubular element (1) is provided with an external coaxial sleeve (12) defining an interposed space (14) in which is accommodated the cylindrical spout (24) of the push-button (2) .
7. An end piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said tubular element (1) has an intermediate bent or articulated zone.
8. An end piece according to claim 7, characterised in that a closure position of the inner outlet duct (20) corresponds to downward orientation of the first end (1a) of the tubular element (1).
9. An end piece according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the length of tubular element (1) engaged in said cylindrical cavity (21) is determined in such a way as to release a free space (21b) between the bottom (23) of said cavity (21) and the longitudinal edge of said second end (1b).

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