EP1315659A1

EP1315659A1 - Single-dose or double-dose device for dispensing a fluid product

Info

Publication number: EP1315659A1
Application number: EP01965365A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guiseppe Stradella
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2000-09-07
Filing date: 2001-08-28
Publication date: 2003-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-28
Also published as: EP1315659B1; CN1210192C; JP4843182B2; JP2004525821A; CN1471487A; DE60107268D1; DE60107268T2; FR2813592B1; FR2813592A1; WO2002020370A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispensing device comprising a body (1), a reservoir unit (3), comprising a reservoir containing a single dose or two half doses of product, a dispensing member such as a piston (8) axially mobile in the reservoir (3) between a neutral position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element (5) mobile between a neutral position and an actuating position. The invention is characterised in that said actuating element (5) is arranged laterally and comprises an end part provided with a cam surface (6) co-operating with said dispensing member (8) or said reservoir unit `(3), the displacement of said actuating element (5) being produced in a different direction, and in particular about perpendicular, to the axial displacement direction of the dispensing member (8) relative to the reservoir.

Description

Fluid product distribution device of the single-dose or bidose type

The present invention relates to a fluid product distribution device and more particularly to a fluid product distribution device of the single-dose or two-dose type, that is to say containing a dose or two half-doses of product to be distributed.

In the field of nasal spray devices of the single-dose or two-dose type, there are ergonomic and functional requirements and obligations which are different from multi-dose systems. In particular, this is due to the small size of the devices which can cause handling difficulties. In addition, in the case of a bidose, the dose must be divided into two half-doses to be distributed successively in each nostril. It is therefore essential to guarantee that this dose division takes place in particular in a safe and reliable manner.

On the other hand, single-dose or two-dose devices are often used to dispense drugs intended to be taken in a single dose, such as vaccines or emergency drugs, and sometimes these devices are not intended for self-administration by the patient but on the contrary to be distributed by a third person to a patient. This implies that a correct position of the nasal device in the nostril and simple, safe and reliable operation are absolutely necessary. Until now, no satisfactory solution has really been proposed to simultaneously resolve these aspects of security and reliability. To ensure the division of the dose into two half-doses within the framework of a bidose device for a separate distribution in the two nostrils, the existing devices are generally formed by two elements, one supporting the reservoir and the other supporting the piston. When compressed axially towards each other, the first half dose is ejected through the dispensing orifice into the nostril. In order to divide the dose, the stroke of the piston is stopped at half its length by a shoulder, and to carry out the second part of the stroke, i.e. distribute the second half-dose, it is necessary to rotate manually the piston element with respect to the reservoir. This type of system is safe and precise but requires relatively complex handling, and therefore the use of two hands to obtain the result and to be able to distribute the two half-doses successively in the two nostrils.

Other types of solutions also include the stop formed by a shoulder and the rotation, but the rotation is provided automatically by the system, for example by means of an elastic component such as a spring, as soon as the pressure on the piston is released after the first half dose is dispensed. This system is relatively simple to operate but it is not completely safe since the small relaxation of the piston can occur unintentionally, for example due to trembling hands, indecision, for fear of the spray entering the nose, etc. The result is that the two half doses may be distributed in the same nostril.

Regarding the ergonomic problem due to the small dimensions of the device, the existing devices do not offer a solution. In fact these devices require a pressure exerted axially towards the nostril and this is relatively difficult to achieve due to the relatively small dimension of this type of device, this being particularly important in the case of administration carried out by a third person. . In fact, the axial pressure necessary to actuate the device can cause the device to move inside the nostril and cause injury and even a risk of poor dose distribution due to a reaction by the patient, for example by a sudden backward movement at the time of distribution. It is therefore an objective to obtain a dispensing orifice which is fixed throughout the duration of dispensing the dose inside the nostril, which can be particularly important, in particular with the drugs intended to be taken in a single dose such as vaccines, where a wrong dosage cannot be corrected for a second dose.

Document US Pat. No. 5,570,821 discloses a pasty product dispenser comprising a rack associated with the piston, said rack being moved vertically by means of a lateral actuation button. The object of the present invention is to provide a device for dispensing a fluid product which does not have the abovementioned drawbacks.

In particular, the present invention aims to provide a fluid dispensing device which is ergonomic and easy to use, regardless of its small dimensions, even by a third person.

The present invention also aims to provide a device for dispensing a fluid product which ensures in a simple, safe and reliable manner the division of the dose into two half-doses, in the case of a bidose device, and which does not require using two hands to dispense the two half doses into the two nostrils.

The present invention also aims to provide a fluid dispensing device which is simple and economical to manufacture and assemble.

The present invention therefore relates to a fluid dispenser device comprising a body, a reservoir unit comprising a reservoir containing a dose or two half doses of product, a dispensing member such as a piston displaceable axially in the reservoir between a rest position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element movable between a rest position and an actuating position, characterized in that said actuating element is arranged laterally and has an end portion provided with a cam surface cooperating with said dispensing member or said reservoir unit, the displacement of said actuating element being carried out in a different direction, and in particular approximately perpendicular, to the direction of axial displacement of the dispensing member relative to the tank.

According to a first alternative embodiment, the lateral actuating element is slidably mounted in said body and moves in translation.

According to another alternative embodiment, said lateral actuating element is pivotally mounted on said body, and moves in rotation around a pivot axis. According to a first embodiment of the invention, the reservoir contains a single dose of product, the dispensing member or the reservoir unit comprising at least one projection cooperating with said cam surface of said actuating element. According to a second embodiment of the invention, the reservoir contains two half-doses of product, the device comprising dose fractionation means.

Advantageously, the actuating element comprises elastic return means which bring it back to its rest position after expulsion of the first half-dose, and the dose-splitting means are produced so that the second half-dose is expelled when the actuating member is again moved to its actuating position.

Advantageously, the dispensing member or the reservoir unit comprises at least two axially offset projections, at least one first projection cooperating with the cam surface to expel the first half dose and at least one second projection cooperating with the cam surface. to expel the second half dose.

Advantageously, said at least one second projection is provided on an elastic arm secured to the dispensing member or to the reservoir unit, said arm moving apart when the actuating element cooperates with said at least one first projection to expel the first half dose and returning elastically to its initial position when the actuating element is returned to its rest position by the elastic return means, after expulsion of the first half dose, so that said at least one second projection cooperates with the cam surface of said actuating element when the latter is moved again to its actuating position to expel the second half-dose.

Advantageously, said cam surface of the actuating element is an inclined plane transforming an approximately radial displacement of the actuating element into an axial displacement of the dispensing member or of the reservoir unit. Advantageously, said actuating element is made in one piece with said body, a bridge of flexible material forming the pivot axis.

According to a first alternative embodiment, the reservoir unit is fixed relative to said body, said actuating element cooperating with said dispensing member.

According to a second alternative embodiment, the dispensing member is fixed relative to said body, said actuating element cooperating with said reservoir unit.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will appear more clearly during the following detailed description of two embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, in which

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a device for dispensing a fluid product according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, after the expulsion of a first dose,

- Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views in horizontal section seen from above of the device of Figures 1 and 2, - Figure 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention, in the rest position,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, after expulsion of a dose, and

- Figure 7 is a schematic view similar to that of Figures 5 and 6, showing an embodiment of the bidose type.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the device comprises a main body 1 which supports a nose piece 2 incorporating the dispensing orifice. A reservoir unit 3, comprising a reservoir containing a dose or two half-doses of product, is fixed in said body 1. The body 1 is in addition provided with a hollow side sleeve 4 in which slides an actuating element 5, such as a push button. The actuating element 5 is provided with a surface of cam 6, preferably made in the form of one or more inclined planes. A dispensing member 8, such as a piston, is slidably mounted inside the tank and moves between a rest position shown in FIG. 1 and an expulsion position, the movement being carried out axially inside of said reservoir. Advantageously, the cam surface 6 of the actuating element 5, in particular the inclined planes, cooperates with at least one, preferably two projections 7, which are formed on the piston element 8. This pair of projections 7 is inserted and can slide in two grooves 9 which are formed in the wall of the cavity 10 of the body 1 in which the piston 8 slides during its actuation. The actuating element 5 can also be provided with retention means 11, which prevent the actuating element from being accidentally withdrawn from the body, and with elastic return return means, which are not shown in the drawings. . In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, which represent a device of the bidose type, the piston 8 also includes a second pair of projections 12, which are advantageously formed on two elastic arms 13 which form part of the piston 8. The projections 12 are advantageously provided with thickening 14 in the direction of the upper part of the device.

The operation of the device shown in Figures 1 to, 4 is as follows. To dispense the first half dose, the actuating element 5 is pushed in a direction approximately perpendicular to the axial direction, and the inclined planes 6 cooperate with the pair of projections 7 to axially bias the piston 8, causing it to slide towards the top by ejecting the product. During this action, the second pair of projections 12 reaches the underside of the actuating element 5, at the level of the cam surface 6, and by means of the thickenings 14 and the flexible arms 13, the projections 12 slide under the actuating element 5 until they reach the position shown in Figure 2, which corresponds to the end of the distribution of the first half dose. At this time, when the pressure on the actuating element 5 is released, the latter is brought back to its rest position by means of elastic return means (not shown). While this is happening, the second pair of projection 12 is released and the elastic arms can resiliently return to their initial position, in which the projections 12 are located in the same position as the pair of projections 7 before expulsion of the first half-dose. The device is therefore now ready for the distribution of the second half-dose, which is achieved by again exerting a radial thrust on the actuating element 5. The advantage of the device is obvious, namely that it does not It is not necessary to perform any rotation of the actuating element 5 between the two half-doses. This implies that the two half-doses can be distributed successively in the two nostrils using one hand. The invention is not however limited to the device of the bidose type, and can also be applied to devices of the single dose type, in which a single dose must be expelled. In this case, the operation is similar to that described above, with the difference that there is only a pair of projections 7 provided on the piston 8, the projections 12 and the arms 13 being in this case useless. , as well as the elastic return means.

In FIGS. 5 to 7, a second embodiment of the invention is shown, in which the actuating element 5 is not slidably mounted inside the body 1, but is pivotally mounted on said body 1 The operation of the device is relatively similar to that described above, the shape of the cam surface 6 being of course adapted to the rotational movement effected by the actuating element 5. FIGS. 5 and 6 clearly show the position of rest and the actuation position for a single-dose type device.

FIG. 7 represents the above embodiment for a device of the bidose type, for which the operation is similar to that described above, namely that a second pair of projections 12 is provided on the piston 8, said projections s' discarding when the actuating element 5 is actuated to expel the first half-dose, and then returning to the position corresponding to the initial position of the first projections 7, for the expulsion of the second half-dose. Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the actuating element is made in one piece with the body 1 and connected to the latter by a material bridge which forms the pivot axis 20.

Advantageously, energy storage means can be provided on the actuating element 5 or on the body 1, for example in the form of a lug or the like. The angle of inclination of the inclined plane 6 can also be determined so as to achieve a reduction in the force exerted by the actuating element on the piston or the reservoir.

As an alternative to the embodiments described above, the lateral actuating element can also cooperate with the reservoir unit, which in this case incorporates the first and / or second projections. It is then the piston which is fixed relative to the body of the device and the reservoir which is moved axially by the lateral actuating element.

The invention therefore provides a device of the bidose or monodose type, which makes it possible to distribute the product inside the nostril while keeping the device axially fixed inside the nostril at the time of the expulsion of the product, no force. axial being exerted on the device at this time. Thus, actuation of the device is very easy for a third person, since there is no risk of injuring the patient. Finally, the device can be operated with one hand, which is a very important advantage, while guaranteeing safe and reliable operation each time the device is actuated.

Claims

claims

1.- Fluid product distribution device comprising a body (1), a reservoir unit (3) comprising a reservoir containing a dose or two half-doses of product, a distribution member such as a piston (8) axially movable in the reservoir (3) between a rest position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element (5) movable between a rest position and an actuating position, characterized in that said actuating element (5 ) is arranged laterally and has an end portion provided with a cam surface (6) cooperating with said dispensing member (8) or said reservoir unit (3), the displacement of said actuating element (5) being carried out in a different direction, and in particular approximately perpendicular, to the direction of axial movement of the dispensing member (8) relative to the reservoir.

2.- Device according to claim 1, wherein the lateral actuating element (5) is slidably mounted in said body (1) and moves in translation.

3.- Device according to claim 1, wherein said lateral actuating element (5) is pivotally mounted on said body (1), and moves in rotation about a pivot axis (20).

4.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir contains a single dose of product, the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3) comprising at least one projection (7) cooperating with said cam surface (6) of said actuating element (5).

5.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reservoir (3) contains two half-doses of product, the device comprising dose fractionation means.

6.- Device according to claim 5, wherein the actuating element (5) comprises elastic return means which brings it back to its rest position after expulsion of the first half dose, and the dose splitting means are made so that the second half-dose is expelled when the actuating element (5) is again moved to its actuating position.

7.- Device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3) comprises at least two projections (7, 12) offset axially, at least one first projection ( 7) cooperating with the cam surface (6) to expel the first half dose and at least one second projection (12) cooperating with the cam surface (6) to expel the second half dose.

8.- Device according to claim 7, wherein said at least one second projection (12) is provided on an elastic arm (13) integral with the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3), said arm (13) moving apart when the actuating element (5) cooperates with said at least one first projection (7) to expel the first half-dose and returning elastically to its initial position when the actuating element ( 5) is returned to its rest position by the elastic return means, after expulsion of the first half-dose, of tefle so that said at least one second projection (12) cooperates with the cam surface (6) of said element d 'actuation (5) when it is moved again to its actuating position to expel the second half dose.

9.- Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said cam surface (6) of the actuating element (5) is an inclined plane transforming an approximately radial displacement of the actuating element (5 ) in an axial displacement of the dispensing member (8) or of the reservoir unit (3).

10.- Device according to claim 3, wherein said actuating element (5) is made in one piece with said body (1), a bridge of flexible material (20) forming the pivot axis.

I - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reservoir unit (3) is fixed relative to said body (1), said actuating element (5) cooperating with said dispensing member (8).

12.- Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the dispensing member (8) is fixed relative to said body (1), said actuating element (5) cooperating with said tank unit (3 ).

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