EP1881872B1 - Needle valve pump for dispensing liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is a pump for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid product, designed and intended to be used in particular in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic field. The pump has a needle valve and a dispensing head manually movable on a pump housing between an inactive position and a dispensing position. The head includes a first cylinder forming a metering chamber for the pump, which draws in fluid from a container's reservoir by an intake tube and a check valve. A piston sealingly secured to the metering chamber pushes fluid through a passage into a second dosage chamber that is sealed from the dispensing orifice by a biased needle valve that is biased by a spring that is sealingly isolated from the second dosage chamber, the chamber that holds the elastic spring has a conduit that allows a user to test and verify that the second dosage chamber does not leak.

Description

The invention relates to a pump for dispensing liquid product, or semi liquid, designed in particular for closing a container containing the product to be dispensed.

The pump according to the invention is particularly, but not exclusively, designed to be used in the pharmaceutical field.

The pump according to the invention is of the type called "needle", that is to say having in the upper part a free mounted needle in displacement between a closed position where it closes the end opening of the pump, and prevents product delivery, and an open position where it passes liquid through said end opening.

There are already such pumps which, in a conventional way, comprise a first cylinder forming a pump chamber, which communicates with a gripping tube via a non-return valve, and in which a piston is slidably mounted. hollow. They also comprise a second cylinder, which communicates with the first cylinder, and in which is slidably mounted a second piston constituted by a needle, able to interrupt the communication between the first cylinder and a dispensing nozzle. They finally comprise elastic means, spring-type working in compression, which act on the needle tending to maintain the latter in a closed position where said communication is interrupted. An example of such a pump is disclosed in the document FR 2 652 389 according to the preamble of claim 1. The principle of operation of such pumps is as follows: when moving the first piston, the liquid in the first cylinder is discharged into the second cylinder in which the pressure s' Student. The second piston tends to sink into its cylinder by compressing the spring.

When the pressure of the liquid reaches a value sufficient to balance this action, the second piston moves by driving the valve which is connected thereto, so that the cylinders are placed in communication with the dispensing nozzle.

Such pumps do not meet the current requirements for quality standards, because, for example, that the liquid product can be polluted by contact with the metal return spring of the needle in the closed position after dispensing the liquid product.

In addition, the doses of liquid product delivered are often not accurate, which limits the use of these pumps to the delivery of certain products.

Moreover, these pumps are not designed to allow the pump to decline in several models that can deliver the product with different volumes of volumes. Indeed, we can not change the volume of the chamber without changing the dimensions of the pump. Also, it is necessary to provide packaging specific to each pump size, which leads to significant production costs.

The invention aims to overcome these disadvantages.

• un premier cylindre formant chambre de dosage de la pompe, qui communique avec un tube de prise par l'intermédiaire d'un clapet anti-retour, un piston étant monté coulissant dans le premier cylindre ;
• un second cylindre dans lequel le pointeau est monté coulissant, ledit pointeau formant clapet d'échappement ;
• des moyens de rappel élastiques du pointeau en position d'obturation d'un orifice.

It relates to a pump for dispensing liquid product, or semi liquid, intended to be implemented in particular in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic field. The pump comprises a needle consisting of a base surmounted by a rod, and a dispensing head movable manually on a pump body, between a rest position and a point of product punctual delivery. The head includes:

• a first metering chamber cylinder of the pump, which communicates with a metering tube through a check valve, a piston being slidably mounted in the first cylinder;
• a second cylinder in which the needle is slidably mounted, said needle forming an exhaust valve;
• resilient return means of the needle in the closed position of an orifice.

According to the invention, the dispensing head comprises means ensuring the passage of the liquid between the metering chamber and a second chamber formed at the end of the dispensing head, without the liquid being in contact with the return means. . In addition, the second cylinder has a compartment in which are housed the elastic return means and is isolated from the second chamber by sealing means, the second chamber communicating with the orifice of the dispensing head.

According to a first embodiment of the pump according to the invention, the passage means consist of at least one passage channel formed at least partially in a wall of the cylinder, one end of the channel opening into the metering chamber and the other end of the channel opening into the second chamber.

In the context of one embodiment, it is possible to provide the pump in such a way that the second chamber has a volume equal to a dose of product. This embodiment is however only an alternative embodiment of the invention. Also, a pump having a volume smaller than that of a dose may also correspond to the pump according to the invention.

Similarly, it could be expected that the second chamber is a chemical or bacteriological treatment chamber of a dose of product.

According to another embodiment, the return means consist of a spring working in compression.

Advantageously, the pump according to the invention comprises means for assembling and centering the return spring with respect to said needle.

According to yet another alternative embodiment of the pump according to the invention, the compartment of the closure means are constituted by a radial ring projecting on an outer wall of a needle base.

According to yet another alternative embodiment, the pump comprises a conduit for checking the seal between the compartment and the second chamber, the duct communicating with the compartment being formed through the wall of the cylinder, and being capable of being connected to pneumatic measuring means.

According to yet another alternative embodiment, it comprises a return spring of the dispensing head in the rest position.

Advantageously, in the context of this latter embodiment, it is provided that the dispensing head comprises an inner skirt and an outer skirt, between which the second compression spring is placed, the second cylinder being surrounded by the inner skirt. of the delivery head so that the liquid is not in contact with the second spring.

The chamber has a volume preferably comprised between 30 and 250 μL.

Advantageously, it is also provided that the pump according to the invention comprises support means and attachment to a product container to be dispensed.

• la figure 1 illustre, en vue de coupe, une pompe suivant un premier mode de réalisation selon l'invention ;
• et les figures 2 à 7 montrent, en vue de coupe, la pompe illustrée sur la figure 1 à différentes étapes de son actionnement, ainsi que le parcours du produit liquide dans ladite pompe à chacune de ces étapes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 illustrates, in sectional view, a pump according to a first embodiment according to the invention;
• and the Figures 2 to 7 show, in sectional view, the pump illustrated on the figure 1 at different stages of its actuation, and the course of the liquid product in said pump at each of these steps.

The pump according to the invention which will now be described is particularly suitable for use in delivering a liquid or semi-liquid pharmaceutical product in the form of nasal sprays.

It should be understood, however, that a pump according to the invention could have different shapes, and that it could apply to other areas than the pharmacy. In addition, the figures that will be discussed in the context of this example will not be limiting.

In a first step, the embodiment of a pump 1 according to the invention will be described with reference to the figure 1 . In a second step, reference will be made to Figures 2 to 7 to describe the different steps relating to the delivery of a dose of product.

As shown in figure 1 , the pump 1 comprises a needle 2 consisting of a base 21 surmounted by a rod 22, and a dispensing head 4 manually movable on a pump body 10, between a rest position and a point of product punctual delivery.

It also comprises means 3 of support and attachment to a product container to be dispensed.

In a conventional manner, the head 4 comprises a first cylinder 41 forming a dosing chamber 7 of the pump, which communicates with a gripping tube 42 via a non-return valve 43, a piston 44 being slidably mounted in said first cylinder 41.

The head 4 also comprises a second cylinder 5 in which the needle 2, forming an exhaust valve, is slidably mounted, as well as elastic return means 6 of the needle 2 in the closed position of an orifice 45 through which the product liquid is expelled.

According to the invention, the dispensing head 4 comprises means ensuring the passage of the liquid between said metering chamber 7 and a second chamber 8 which is formed at the end of the dispensing head 4, without the liquid being in contact with the return means 6.

These passage means consist of at least one passage channel 46 which is formed at least partially in a wall 53 of the cylinder 5 so that one end of the channel 46 opens into the metering chamber 7 and the other end of the channel opens into the second chamber 8.

Furthermore, the second cylinder 5 has a compartment 51 in which are housed the elastic return means 6 and which is isolated from the second chamber 8 by sealing means 52, the second chamber 8 communicating with the orifice 45 of the dispensing head 4.

In the context of this embodiment, the volume of the second chamber 8 is smaller than that of the metering chamber 7.

It could be expected that the second chamber 8 has a volume equal to a dose of product, and comprises means for chemical or bacteriological treatment of said dose, for example by contact with agents dispersed in the wall of said chamber. However, to facilitate the reading of the figures, this embodiment has not been illustrated.

To allow the needle 2 to clear the orifice 45, and thus allow the delivery of the product, it is expected that the section ratio between the metering chamber 7 and the second chamber 8 is between 2 and 10. As part of this embodiment (illustrated in figure 1 ), the ratio is 8.

As can be seen on the figure 1 , the return means of the needle in its closed position of the orifice 45 consist of a spring 6 working in compression.

According to advantageous characteristics, the pump described here comprises means for assembling and centering the return spring 6 with respect to the needle 2.

We understand in view of the figure 1 that these centering and assembling means consist of a nipple 23 projecting from the base 21, around which the spring 6 engages.

Moreover, the sealing means of said compartment 51 are constituted by a radial ring 52 projecting on an outer wall of the base 21 of the needle 2.

The pump 1 according to the invention, which is shown in the appended figures, comprises a duct 55 for checking the tightness between the compartment 51 and the second chamber 8.

The conduit 55 communicates with the compartment 51 being formed through the wall of the cylinder 5 and being capable of being connected to pneumatic measuring means.

These pneumatic measuring means may be, for example a manometer, which controls the internal pressure in the compartment 51: if the seal between the compartment 51 and the chamber 8 is not perfect, an air leakage can occur between the ring 52 and the inner face of the wall 53. This air leakage can be revealed through the manometer which then indicates a pressure drop.

Moreover, the duct 55 has a dual function since it allows the air contained in the compartment 51 to escape when the spring 6 is compressed, as shown in FIG. figure 4 in particular by an exit arrow S2.

Furthermore, it is intended to equip the pump 1 with a second spring 9 working in compression and ensuring the elastic return of the dispensing head 4 in the rest position.

The dispensing head 4 then comprises an inner skirt 47 and an outer skirt 48 ( figure 1 ), between which the second spring is placed.

As illustrated, the second cylinder 5 is surrounded by the inner skirt 47 of the delivery head so that the liquid is not in contact with the second spring 9 which could pollute or contaminate it.

The sprays of liquid product are usually done in doses whose volumes are between 30 and 250 μL and it is therefore this volume range that has been chosen for the metering chamber 7.

The very design of this pump 1 makes it possible to change the volume of the metering chamber without having to modify the packaging or packaging of the bottle provided with this pump.

Indeed, in view of the figure 1 it is easily understood that it is sufficient to change only the length of the pump body 10 in which the cylinder 41 containing the metering chamber 7 is enclosed. The pump body being enclosed inside the bottle (or container) containing the product, it is not necessary to change the dimensions of the upper part of the dispensing head 4. In other words, the portion of the pump which overcomes the means 3 of support and attachment to the container, or bottle, of product to distribute, does not change dimension and keeps the same size.

The pump 1 according to the invention illustrated on the figure 1 having been fully described, the different steps of spraying a dose of product will now be presented with reference to Figures 2 to 7 .

The Figures 2 to 7 represent the pump 1 for cutting at different times of a spraying of a dose of liquid product, between the moment when a user begins to press the dispensing head 4, and the moment when the dispensing head 4 is back in his rest position.

The figure 2 represents the pump 1 in its initial state, before the delivery of a dose of product, and after being primed, that is to say after having been actuated several times to expel the air contained in the dosing chamber, to replace it with a dose of product to be delivered.

The figure 7 represents the pump 1 in its final state, after the delivery of a dose of product.

It will be noted that the pump 1 represented on the figure 2 is identical to that of the figure 7 . Also, and therefore, it is understood that the pump can be actuated again to deliver a second dose of product as soon as the return of the spray head to its initial position.

The figure 3 illustrates the pump 1 when a user begins to exert a pressure P (illustrated by an arrow on the figure 3 ) on the dispensing head 4.

Under the action of this pressure P, the piston 44 compresses the product contained in the metering chamber 7.

The compressed product in the metering chamber 7 then exerts itself a pressure on the liquid contained in the passage 46, and indirectly on the liquid product contained in the second chamber 8.

As can be understood from the figure 4 the pressure exerted on the liquid product contained in the second chamber 8 itself exerts a pressure on the base 21 of the needle 2.

Also, under the effect of this pressure, the base 21 of the needle 2 compresses the spring 6 in the compartment 51.

The base 21 of the needle being secured to the rod 22 of the needle, the latter moves away from the orifice 45 by releasing a passage through which the liquid product is ejected towards the outside of the pump, as indicated by the arrow S1.

At the same time, by the presence of sealing means 52/54 between the compartment 51 and the second chamber 8, the air contained in the compartment 52 is pushed into the conduit 55, penetrates into the space between the skirt internal 47 and the outer skirt 48 of the dispensing head, and is expelled from the pump along the arrow S2.

The figure 5 shows the pump 1 with its dispensing head 4 pressed at the maximum of its stroke by the user, to its extreme low position.

When the dispensing head 4 is in the extreme low position, the piston 44 is in its highest position in the first cylinder 41, and the metering chamber 7 is penetrated by the end of the piston 44.

Also, when the head 4 is in the depressed position, the piston 44 no longer exerts pressure on the liquid contained in the chamber or in the passage 46.

In addition, the liquid product contained in the second chamber 8 no longer exerts pressure on the base 21 of the needle 2.

Also, the spring 6, which works in compression, will relax and remount the needle 2 until the end of the rod 22 comes to close the orifice 45 of the dispensing head 4. The distribution of the dose liquid ends well.

When the user stops exerting pressure on the dispensing head 4, as indicated in FIG. figure 6 the spring 9, which works in compression, tends to raise the dispensing head 4 by exerting a thrust B between the inner skirt of the spray head.

The dispensing head 4, being integral with the cylinder 41 comprising the metering chamber, drives the cylinder 41 back to its initial position.

There is then created a depression in the metering chamber 7, which then sucks the liquid product contained in the outlet tube 42.

The dispensing head continues to rise under the action of the spring 9 until reaching its initial high position represented by figure 7 and the metering chamber 7 continues to fill under the effect of the depression which is created in the chamber (suction phenomenon).

Once the dispensing head 4 has reached its high position, the pump 1 can again be actuated by the user to deliver a new dose of product.

The foregoing description distinguishes the characteristics peculiar to the pump, which enable the product to never come into contact with contaminating agents, in particular linked to the elastic return means of the needle in the closed position, and to the elastic return means. of the rescue head.

Also, it is understood how the pump 1 according to the invention is made to limit the expenses related to the packaging and packaging of the bottle on which it is mounted.

However, it should be understood that the pump according to the invention is not limited to that which has just been described and which is illustrated on the Figures 1 to 7 , and that it extends on the contrary to any variant of embodiment which would take over the main characteristics.

Claims (10)

1. Pump (1) for dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, designed to be used, in particular, in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic field, said pump (1) comprising a needle valve (2) made up of a base (21) topped by a rod (22), and a dispensing head (4) manually movable on a pump body (5) between an inactive position and a punctual product-dispensing position, said head (4) comprising:

   - a first cylinder (41) forming a dosage chamber (7) of the pump, which communicates with an intake tube (42) by means of a check valve (43), a piston (44) being slidingly mounted is said first cylinder (41);

   - a second cylinder (5) in which said needle valve (2) is slidingly mounted, forming an exhaust valve;

   - elastic means (6, 9) for respectively returning said needle valve (2) to the position in which it blocks an orifice (45) and the dispensing head (4) to the inactive position,
   characterised in that said dispensing head (4) comprises means (46) for allowing the liquid to pass between said dosage chamber (7) and a second chamber (8) provided at the end of the dispensing head (4) and communicating with the orifice (45) of the dispensing head (4), said second cylinder (5) comprising a compartment (51) in which said elastic return means (6) of the needle valve (2) are housed and which is isolated from said second chamber (8) by watertight sealing means (52) and in that said dispensing head comprises an inner skirt (47) surrounding said second cylinder (5) and an outer skirt (48), between which said return means (9) of the head (4) are placed, so that said liquid is not in contact with said return means (6, 9).
2. Pump according to claim 1, characterised in that said passage means (46) consist of at least one passage channel (46) made at least partially in one wall (53) of the cylinder (5), one of the ends of said channel (46) opening into said dosage chamber (7) and the other end of the channel opening into the second chamber (8).
3. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second chamber has a volume equal to one dose of product.
4. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said second chamber (8) is a chamber for chemical or biological treatment of a dose of product.
5. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the return means (6) consist of a compression spring.
6. Pump according to claim 5, characterised in that it comprises means (23) for assembling and centring said return spring (6) in relation to said needle valve (2).
7. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said watertight sealing means (52) of said compartment (51) are formed by a projecting radial ring (52) on an external wall of the base (21) of the needle valve (2).
8. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a conduit (55) for checking the seal between said compartment (51) and said second chamber (8), said conduit (55) communicating with said compartment (51) by being made through the wall of said cylinder (5) and being capable of being connected to pneumatic measurement means.
9. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said chamber (7) has a volume comprised between 30 and 250 µl.
10. Pump according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises means (3) for support and attachment on a container of a product to be dispensed.

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