EP3302660A1

EP3302660A1 - Device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product

Info

Publication number: EP3302660A1
Application number: EP16739257.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Fontana
Original assignee: Lameplast SRL
Current assignee: Lameplast SRL
Priority date: 2015-06-04
Filing date: 2016-06-06
Publication date: 2018-04-11
Also published as: WO2016193956A1

Abstract

The device (1) for the spray dispensing of a liquid product (L) comprises: a deformable containment body (2) containing an aeriform substance (A); a containment tank (3) associated with the containment body (2) and able to contain a liquid product (L); a valve element (4) placed between the containment body (2) and the containment tank (3) and suitable for the unidirectional passage of the aeriform substance (A) from the containment body (2) to the containment tank (3); a dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) associated with the containment tank (3) and suitable for the nebulization of the liquid product (L); the deformation of the containment body (2) being able to push the aeriform substance (A) through the valve element (4) to pressurize the containment tank (3), and push the liquid product (L) through the dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) for dispensing the liquid product (L) in spray form along a dispensing direction (X).

Description

DEVICE FOR THE SPRAY DISPENSING OF A LIQUID PRODUCT

1

DEVICE FOR THE SPRAY DISPENSING OF A LIQUID PRODUCT

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product, particularly for medical products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like.

Background Art

Single-dose spray dispensing devices are known and used for the administration of drugs, cosmetics or the like via auricular, sublingual, inhalation and dermal route.

These administrations are particularly preferred when the immediate absorption of drugs or other substances is required, and this occurs by carrying out the administration through the mucous membranes with a high degree of vascularization.

This avoids problems related to oral administration of drugs such as, e.g., low palatability of ingested drugs and, in the most severe cases, problems related to hyperacidity and/or gastric reflux.

For the administration of drugs via sublingual or nasal route, multi-dose spray dispensing devices can be used capable of dispensing a predefined dose of drugs in solution through the aid of nebulizers.

These devices break up each dose in very fine particles which are distributed on the mucous membranes by means of a nebulizer.

Single-dose dispensing devices are also known, i.e. small containers comprising nebulizers that contain a dose sufficient for a single treatment or, possibly, for two treatments.

An example of single-dose spray device is shown in the Italian patent application ΓΓ_ΜΙ2013Α001008, wherein a device is provided for the dispensing of a pharmaceutical liquid in the nasal cavity or other cavities comprising mucosal surfaces.

Such a dispensing device comprises a plastic container, containing a dose of liquid product, associated with a suitable nebulizer insert, kept under ambient pressure conditions and without the aid of a further gaseous substance with a different pressure than the ambient one. The dispensing of the liquid product takes place by means of the manual compression and deformation of the outer walls of the plastic container.

These dispensing devices have some drawbacks.

In particular, one of the main drawbacks is linked to the fact that such dispensing devices contain both liquid product and air and, at the end of the compression of the plastic container, a residual amount of product remains inside the container itself, that is particularly difficult to extract and therefore to use.

Another drawback of known devices is the fact of being composed of a container which, after use, cannot be reused any more, resulting in waste of materials for the realization of each device, with a consequent increase in production costs which, inevitably, affect the retail price, with the risk of making the products less attractive for customers.

Not the least drawback is the fact that the dispensing devices of known type are quite inconvenient to use in certain applications, such as, e.g., in sublingual applications where greater ergonomics of the device would ensure the user an easier and more accurate administration of the liquid product.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product that allows to minimize the residual liquid product inside the device itself at the end of dispensing.

One object of the present invention is to provide a device composed of elements that, not being in contact with the liquid product and thus uncontaminated, can be reused for further applications, thus reducing the use of material and the related production costs and times.

Another object of the present invention consists in the realization of a more ergonomic structure which allows to simplify the administration operations of the liquid product by the user, even for applications on mucous membranes which are difficult to reach.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product that allows to overcome the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and affordable solution.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by the present device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product, illustrated by way of an indicative, but non-limiting, example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a detail of the device according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device according to the invention in the rest configuration;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device according to the invention in the compression configuration.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such illustrations, reference number 1 globally designates a device for the spray dispensing of a liquid product L.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the device 1 comprises: at least a deformable containment body 2 containing at least an aeriform substance A;

at least a containment tank 3 associated with the containment body 2 and able to contain at least a liquid product L;

at least a valve element 4 placed between the containment body 2 and the containment tank 3 and suitable for the unidirectional passage of the aeriform substance A from the containment body 2 to the containment tank 3;

at least a dispensing unit 14, 15, 16 associated with the containment tank 3 and suitable for the nebulization of the liquid product L.

In this specification, with the expression "aeriform substance" is meant substantially air, although alternative embodiments of the invention cannot be ruled out wherein the aeriform substance is a different type of gas.

The deformation of the containment body 2 is able to push the aeriform substance A through the valve element 4 to pressurize the containment tank 3, and push the liquid product L through the dispensing unit 14, 15, 16 for dispensing the liquid product L in spray form along a dispensing direction X. The containment body 2 comprises at least a bellows element 5, 6 compressible along a compression direction Y.

More in detail, the bellows element 5, 6 comprises a first axial extremity 5 and a second axial extremity 6 opposite the first axial extremity 5.

In particular, the first axial extremity 5 and the second axial extremity 6 are arranged substantially along the compression direction Y.

The second axial extremity 6 has a substantially circular shape and comprises a grip element 10 to facilitate grasping by the user.

Advantageously, the bellows element 5, 6 is deformable between a rest configuration wherein the first axial extremity 5 is arranged away from the second axial extremity 6 and the aeriform substance A is substantially contained within the containment body 2, and a compression configuration wherein the first axial extremity 5 is arranged substantially close to the second axial extremity 6 and the aeriform substance A is pushed at least partially within the containment tank 3.

In other words, the bellows element 5, 6 is compressed by a user who, by grasping simultaneously the first axial extremity 5 and the grip element 10 with one hand or with both hands, pushes the first axial extremity 5 towards the second axial extremity 6 along the compression direction Y as far as the first axial extremity 5 is substantially in contact with the second axial extremity 6. In the compression configuration, the aeriform substance A is transferred from the containment body 2 to the containment tank 3 passing through the valve element 4.

For this purpose, the valve element 4 is movable between a closing configuration wherein the valve element itself is closed and blocks the passage of the aeriform substance A, and an opening configuration wherein the valve element 4 is open and allows the passage of the aeriform substance A within the containment tank 3.

More in detail, the valve element 4 is substantially of the type of a check valve that allows the passage of the aeriform substance A, along the compression direction Y, within the containment tank 3, preventing the passage thereof along the direction contrary to the compression direction Y, in this case from the containment tank 3 to the containment body 2.

Similarly, the valve element 4 prevents the liquid product L from passing from the containment tank 3 to the containment body 2, while keeping clearly separate the containment body 2 from the containment tank 3, and therefore the aeriform substance A from the liquid product L.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the containment tank 3 is associated with the containment body 2 by interposition of at least a junction element 7 having a substantially elbow shape and able to make the compression direction Y and the dispensing direction X substantially transversal to one another.

Other embodiments cannot however be ruled out wherein, e.g., the containment body 2 is associated directly with the containment tank 3 without the interposition of the junction element 7, and the compression direction Y coincides with the dispensing direction X; or other embodiments wherein the containment body 2 is associated with the containment tank 3 by interposition of a different junction element 7 which maintains the compression direction Y coincident with the dispensing direction X.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises:

at least a tubular body 8 able to house the valve element 4; and

at least a glass-shaped element 11, 12 coupleable to the tubular body 8 and able to cooperate with the tubular body 8 and the valve element 4 to define the containment tank 3.

The tubular body 8 comprises, in a substantially median position, at least a base surface 9 able to house the valve element 4.

More in detail, the base surface 9 is arranged substantially transversal to the dispensing direction X and comprises an interlocking seat, arranged substantially at the center of the base surface 9, wherein the valve element 4 is fitted to measure.

Preferably, the glass-shaped element 11, 12 comprises at least a side wall 11 and at least a bottom wall 12.

The side wall 11 has a substantially tubular shape able to couple to the tubular body 8.

The bottom wall 12 comprises at least a passage opening 13 for the passage of the liquid product L; preferably, on the bottom wall 12 are formed several passage openings 13 circularly arranged with respect to the center of the bottom wall 12.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the dispensing unit 14, 15, 16 comprises:

at least an elongated pin 14; and

at least a cap element 15 at least partially fitted on the elongated pin 14. Preferably, the elongated pin 14 is associated with the bottom wall 12, from which it extends overhanging on the opposite side with respect to the side wall 11.

In particular, the elongated pin 14 is arranged substantially at the center of the bottom wall 12 and the passage openings 13 are circularly arranged with respect to the elongated pin 14.

More in detail, between the elongated pin 14 and the cap element 15 is defined an elongated interspace 16 for the passage of the liquid product L.

The elongated interspace 16 extends along the entire length of the elongated pin

14.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the elongated interspace 16 comprises at least a terminal section 17 with a substantially spiral shape suitable for the nebulization of the liquid product L.

More in detail, the terminal section 17 has a substantially circular shape and comprises a plurality of abutment protrusions 20 associated with the inner surface of the terminal section 17.

Conveniently, the terminal section 17 allows the liquid product L to travel along a substantially whirling path which facilitates the nebulization of the liquid product itself. The dispensing unit 14, 15, 16 comprises at least an outlet opening 18 suitable for the passage and the dispensing outwards of the liquid product L.

More in detail, the outlet opening 18 is formed on the cap element 15 at the terminal section 17 and the abutment protrusions 20 are arranged circularly around the outlet opening 18.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the device 1 comprises a closing element 19 associable by screwing with the cap element 15 for the closure of the outlet opening 18 and to prevent the contact between the liquid product L and the external environment.

The operation of the present invention is as follows.

The user grasps the containment body 2 with one hand, or with both, preferably by placing the thumb on the first axial extremity 5 and one or more fingers on the grip element 10.

Approaching the thumb, and therefore the first axial extremity 5, to the other fingers, and therefore to the second axial extremity 6, along the compression direction Y, the bellows element 5, 6 is compressed and the aeriform substance A contained in it is pushed substantially entirely first within the junction element 7 and then it comes in the proximity of the valve element 4.

The pressure exerted by the aeriform substance A on the valve element 4, facilitates the opening of the valve element itself, which passes from the closing configuration to the opening configuration, allowing the passage of the aeriform substance A within the containment tank 3.

The release of the first axial extremity 5 in the opposite direction to the compression direction Y returns the valve element 4 to the closing configuration preventing the aeriform substance A and/or the liquid product L from flowing back within the containment body 2.

The entry of the aeriform substance A in the containment tank 3 generates such a pressure to push the liquid product L through the passage openings 13 to be channeled inside the elongated interspace 16.

The crossing of the terminal section 17 with a spiral shape transmits a swirling motion to the liquid product L such as to facilitate the nebulization of the liquid product itself and the dispensing through the outlet opening 18 in the form of very fine particles.

It has in practice been found how the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular the fact is stressed that the spray dispensing device thus obtained allows a simpler and more effective administration of medical products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics or the like, especially for sublingual applications, thanks to the ergonomics of the structure.

The separation of the containment body from the containment tank allows to keep substantially separate, and therefore protected, the liquid product from the aeriform substance, from exchange with the outside, and therefore from any contamination, allowing to avoid the possible use of preservative substances to preserve and maintain the properties of the liquid product to be administered. Furthermore, this separation allows to reuse the containment body itself for other applications with a consequent reduction in the materials used, production costs and times for making the device.

Claims

1) Device (1) for the spray dispensing of a liquid product (L), characterized by the fact that it comprises:

at least a deformable containment body (2) containing at least an aeriform substance (A);

at least a containment tank (3) associated with said containment body (2) and able to contain at least a liquid product (L);

at least a valve element (4) placed between said containment body (2) and said containment tank (3) and suitable for the unidirectional passage of said aeriform substance (A) from said containment body (2) to said containment tank (3);

at least a dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) associated with said containment tank (3) and suitable for the nebulization of said liquid product (L);

the deformation of said containment body (2) being able to push said aeriform substance (A) through said valve element (4) to pressurize said containment tank (3), and push said liquid product (L) through said dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) for dispensing said liquid product (L) in spray form along a dispensing direction (X).

2) Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said valve element (4) is movable between a closing configuration wherein said valve element (4) is closed and blocks the passage of said aeriform substance (A), and an opening configuration wherein said valve element (4) is open and allows the passage of said aeriform substance (A) within said containment tank (3).

3) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said containment body (2) comprises at least a bellows element (5, 6) compressible along a compression direction (Y).

4) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said bellows element (5, 6) comprises a first axial extremity (5) and a second axial extremity (6) opposite said first axial extremity (5), said first axial extremity (5) and said second axial extremity (6) being arranged substantially along said compression direction (Y).

5) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said bellows element (5, 6) is deformable between a rest configuration wherein said first axial extremity (5) is arranged substantially away from said second axial extremity (6) and said aeriform substance (A) is substantially contained within said containment body (2), and a compression configuration wherein said first axial extremity (5) is arranged substantially close to said second axial extremity (6) and wherein said aeriform substance (A) is pushed at least partially within said containment tank (3).

6) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said containment tank (3) is associated with said containment body (2) by interposition of at least a junction element (7) having a substantially elbow shape and able to make said compression direction (Y) and said dispensing direction (X) substantially transversal to one another.

7) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

at least a tubular body (8) able to house said valve element (4); and at least a glass-shaped element (11, 12) coupleable to said tubular body (8) and able to cooperate with said tubular body (8) and said valve element (4) to define said containment tank (3).

8) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said tubular body (8) comprises, in a substantially median position, at least a base surface (9) able to house said valve element (4).

9) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said glass-shaped element (11, 12) comprises at least a side wall (11) and at least a bottom wall (12), said bottom wall (12) comprising at least a passage opening (13) of said liquid product (L).

10) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) comprises:

at least an elongated pin (14); and

at least a cap element (15) at least partially fitted on said elongated pin (14), between said elongated pin (14) and said cap element (15) being defined an elongated interspace (16) for the passage of said liquid product (L).

11) Device (1) according to claims 9 and 10, characterized by the fact that said elongated pin (14) extends overhanging from said bottom wall (12) on opposite side with respect to said side wall (11).

12) Device (1) according to claims 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that said elongated interspace (16) comprises at least a terminal section (17) with a substantially spiral shape suitable for the nebulization of said liquid product (L).

13) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) comprises at least an outlet opening (18) suitable for the passage and the dispensing outwards of said liquid product (L).

14) Device (1) according to claims 12 and 13, characterized by the fact that said outlet opening (18) is formed on said cap element (15) at said terminal section (17) with a spiral shape.

15) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 12 to 14, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least a closing element (19) associable with said dispensing unit (14, 15, 16) for the closure of said outlet opening (18).