Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/02—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants
  • B67D7/0238—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring liquids other than fuel or lubricants utilising compressed air or other gas acting directly or indirectly on liquids in storage containers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/84—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
  • B01F33/841—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins with component receptacles fixed in a circular configuration on a horizontal table, e.g. the table being able to be indexed about a vertical axis
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/80—Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
  • B01F33/84—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins
  • B01F33/844—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins with means for customizing the mixture on the point of sale, e.g. by sensing, receiving or analysing information about the characteristics of the mixture to be made
  • B01F33/8442—Mixing plants with mixing receptacles receiving material dispensed from several component receptacles, e.g. paint tins with means for customizing the mixture on the point of sale, e.g. by sensing, receiving or analysing information about the characteristics of the mixture to be made using a computer for controlling information and converting it in a formula and a set of operation instructions, e.g. on the point of sale
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F35/00—Accessories for mixers; Auxiliary operations or auxiliary devices; Parts or details of general application
  • B01F35/71—Feed mechanisms
  • B01F35/717—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer
  • B01F35/71745—Feed mechanisms characterised by the means for feeding the components to the mixer using pneumatic pressure, overpressure, gas or air pressure in a closed receptacle or circuit system
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/74—Devices for mixing two or more different liquids to be transferred

Definitions

• the invention relates to a system for preparing a custom composition by pressure.
• the invention aims to propose a system for preparing customized compositions in the field of consumable products such as cosmetic preparations (dermatological products / skincare and hair care, etc.), therapeutic treatment products, nutrition (preparation of personalized flavored or vitaminized beverages), art and craft (custom paint preparation), household products (laundry, home fragrance, dishwashing liquid, cleaning product).
• consumable products such as cosmetic preparations (dermatological products / skincare and hair care, etc.), therapeutic treatment products, nutrition (preparation of personalized flavored or vitaminized beverages), art and craft (custom paint preparation), household products (laundry, home fragrance, dishwashing liquid, cleaning product).
• the present invention aims at providing a device for preparing and dispensing a custom composition among a large number (several thousand / million / billion) of possible preparations from a small number of active ingredients, easy to implement, accurate and inexpensive.
• the patent document FR1570080 (published under the number FR3044219) describes an automated device comprising a control interface controlling syringe pumps causing the injection of the contents of the syringes. in flexible tubes joining in a mixing zone consisting of a connector with several inputs, connected to an ejection cone of the cosmetic composition thus prepared.
• the duration during which the syringe pumps are actuated and their actuation speed depend on the amount of cosmetic composition desired, the proportion of the various active ingredients and cosmetic bases in the cosmetic formulation, as well as the volume located between the connector and the ejection cone (dead volume).
• the elasticity of the system generates significant delays between the actuation of syringe pumps and the delivery of the product which makes the system too long and increases the risk of incorrect dosage (by example: sample taken by the user before having the final dose injected).
• the mixer presents the risk of contamination (rising creams in the tubes or diffusion of active ingredients).
• the device described in this document comprises a dead volume.
• the document WO2014080093 describes an automated device comprising a support for disposable cartridges comprising the active compounds, a mixing block for the active compounds, a hollow needle capable of piercing the cartridges, and means for aspirating the active component through said needle. digs towards the mixing block.
• the mixing block is a volumetric actuator, so that the amount of product delivered is sensitive to the presence of bubbles.
• the mixing block must be cleaned after each preparation which also generates rinsing waste, which must be managed by the user and increase the risk of formation of biofilms and bacteriological contamination.
• this document simply states that the block is rinsed with rinsing water, which is very insufficient to ensure both the hygiene and accuracy of products manufactured.
• the invention aims to solve the problems posed by the systems of the prior art and allow a more precise and faster preparation and administration of a large number of formulations, with an easy to implement, hygienic, precise, fast and economical.
• each cartridge comprises at least one active compound, advantageously mixed with an excipient of the cream, oil, paste or other fluid type.
• active compound the compound and its possible excipient.
• the subject of the invention is a system for preparing and dispensing a personalized composition from N reserves of active compounds, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1, each having a specific hydraulic resistance, and comprising each a fluidic inlet, a fluidic outlet and a body comprising at least one active compound, the system comprising a pneumatic pressure generator connected to a pressure distributor comprising N pressure switches, each having at least one input connected to the pressure generator, an inlet connected to the atmospheric pressure and an outlet, connected to an inlet of an active compound reserve, so that each reserve of active compound can be relationship with either the atmospheric pressure or the pressure generated by the pressure generator.
• a pressure switch is a pneumatic control system having at least two inputs II and 12 and an output 311-316, said switch being controllable to apply to the output 311-316 a pressure value between the two pressure values to the inlet II and the inlet 12. It may be for example a 3: 2 valve for applying to the outlet either the pressure from the inlet II or the pressure from the inlet 12 It can also be a controllable proportional regulator for applying to the outlet 311-316 any pressure between the two pressure values at the inlet II and at the inlet 12.
• the hydraulic resistance is a quantity characterizing a pipe and making it possible to calculate the pressure loss experienced by a fluid flowing in the pipe.
• the hydraulic resistance of the active compound reserve depends on the structure of the resist and the viscosity of the active compound it contains.
• This definition commonly applies to incompressible fluids and the fluidic resistance can thus be defined relative to a mass or volume flow rate by means of the density of the active compound in question.
• Each reserve of active compound may comprise, at its fluidic outlet, an ejection nozzle with a hydraulic resistance at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance of said reserve of active compound;
• the ejection nozzle may be a cylindrical tube
• each pressure switch can be a 3: 2 valve
• Each pressure switch can be a pressure regulator
• Each reserve of active compound may consist of an interchangeable multi-dose cartridge and a cartridge holder adapted to maintain, in use, hermetically and independently each cartridge inlet with an output of a pressure switch;
• the ejection nozzles can be arranged directly at the outlet of each cartridge; the ejection nozzles may be arranged on the support so that, in use, they are arranged downstream of the cartridge outlet, and are adapted to be hermetically held in use against each cartridge outlet;
• the pneumatic pressure generator may consist of a pump connected to a pressure tank itself connected to a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure at the outlet of the tank;
• the pneumatic pressure generator may consist of a removable and interchangeable compressed gas reservoir associated with a pressure reducer;
• the inlet of at least one pressure switch can be connected to an outlet of a 2: 2 valve further comprising a controllable opening connected to atmospheric pressure so that at least one active compound reserve can be put in relation with the atmospheric pressure, or put in relation with the pressure generated by the pressure generator, or be closed;
• the output of at least one pressure switch can be connected to a controllable opening input of a 2: 2 valve further comprising an output connected to a reserve of active compound, so that at least one reserve of active compound may be either related to the atmospheric pressure, or related to the pressure generated by the pressure generator, or closed;
• the system may comprise N pressure sensors each arranged in an active compound reserve, for measuring the pressure in the N active compound reserves;
• a flow restrictor can be arranged between the pressure generator and each input of the N pressure switches;
• a flow restrictor may be arranged between the atmospheric pressure and each input of the N pressure switches
• a flow restrictor can be arranged between each active compound reserve and each output of the N pressure switches
• the system may further comprise N 'reservoirs known as "reference" tanks, hermetic and dimensionally stable under pressure and known and different volumes, N' being greater than or equal to 1, the pressure distributor having N ' additional pressure switches connected to said reference tanks and each comprising a pressure sensor for measuring the internal pressure at each reference tank; • N + N 'identical flow restrictors can be arranged between the pressure generator and each input of the N + N' pressure switches;
• N + N 'identical flow rate limiters can be arranged between the atmospheric pressure and each input of the N + N' pressure switches;
• N + N 'identical flow rate limiters can be arranged between each reserve of active compounds and each output of the N + N' pressure switches.
• the invention also relates to a cartridge for a previous preparation and dispensing system, the cartridge comprising a body, an inlet and an outlet provided with a hydraulic resistance ejection nozzle at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance of said body.
• the body may be delimited by a longitudinal wall, the ejection nozzle being positioned in the extension of the longitudinal wall of the body of the cartridge so that, in use, when several cartridges are juxtaposed, the outputs of the cartridges together form a single dispensing nozzle; and or
• the cartridge may comprise an external wall that is indeformable by the operating pressure, and an internal enclosure comprising the active compound (s), said enclosure being deformable under the operating pressure, and intended to be fixed in a manner sealed to the ejection nozzle in the position of use.
• the invention also relates to a method for preparing and dispensing a custom composition from active compound reserves of a previous system, the method comprising the following steps:
• the dispensing time of each active compound can be recorded, the amount of active compound dispensed from each reserve then being deduced and used to determine a state of filling of each reserve, the method comprising, in in addition, a step d) indication of recharge of the reserves; when the system comprises a hydraulic resistance ejection nozzle at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance of said active compound reserve, as well as pressure sensors in the active compound reserves, the method may further comprise a step of determining the dispensed active compound dose comprising:
• the method may further comprise a step of determining the degree of filling of at least one reserve of active compound (501-508) comprising:
• the method may further comprise a step of determining the degree of filling of at least one active compound reserve comprising:
• Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention
• Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention
• Figure 2a is a schematic plan view of a 3: 2 valve used as a pressure switch in a system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention
• FIG. 2b a schematic plan view of a 3: 2 valve combined with a 2: 2 outlet valve, used as a pressure switch in a system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention
• FIG. 2c a diagrammatic plan view of a 3: 2 valve combined with a 2: 2 inlet valve at atmospheric pressure, used as a pressure switch in a system for preparing and dispensing a customized composition according to FIG. invention
• Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the system for preparing and dispensing a personalized composition of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an example of an active compound cartridge according to the invention;
• Figure 5 is a schematic top view of a set of cartridges equipping a system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention
• FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c are diagrammatic views from below of three exemplary embodiments of a set of cartridges equipping a system for preparing and dispensing a personalized composition according to the invention
• FIG. 7 a graph illustrating the linearity of the volume of preparation deposited as a function of time with a system for preparing and dispensing a personalized composition according to the invention.
• FIG. 8 a graph illustrating the duration of rise in pressure of an active compound cartridge as a function of its degree of filling.
• FIG. 9 a graph illustrating the duration of simultaneous rise in pressure of two cartridges of active compound as a function of their filling ratio
• FIG. 10 a graph illustrating the duration of pressure drop of two cartridges of active compound as a function of their filling rate for consecutive or simultaneous depressurization
• FIG. 11 a graph illustrating the correlation between the injected dose and the integral of the pressure in a cartridge in the case of a limiting pressure generation system, for an injection of a single cartridge or for a simultaneous injection of several cartridges.
• the system for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention comprises a frame 100 comprising a pneumatic pressure generator 200 connected to a pressure distributor 300 comprising N outputs, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1.
• N will be equal to 1 to dispense a single product, for example the precise dispensation of a drug already prepared.
• N is greater than or equal to 2 for dispensing different products to be mixed.
• each outlet is independently controllable and is hermetically bonded to an active compound reservoir.
• the pressure distributor therefore has the function of distributing the pressure of the pressure generator between the different reserves of active compound.
• the pressure distributor 300 is composed of N pressure switches 301-306 each comprising an output 311-312, for switching a zero pressure (no pressure reaches the active compound reserve to which the switch considered is connected) to a positive pressure of use.
• Different types of pressure switches can be used. The simplest is a 3: 2 valve that includes two positions: a closed position in which the transmitted pressure is the atmospheric pressure and an open position in which the transmitted pressure is maximum of the pressure generator.
• a pressure regulator which makes it possible to transmit a selected pressure in the range between atmospheric pressure and the maximum pressure.
• Each reserve of active compound is provided with an ejection nozzle at its fluidic outlet, opposite the compressed air inlet.
• this ejection nozzle has a structure and dimensions such that the hydraulic resistance Rh1 of the ejection nozzle is much greater than the hydraulic resistance Rh2 of the active compound reserve. This allows a good accuracy of the ejected dose.
• the hydraulic resistance Rh1 of the ejection nozzle is preferably chosen at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance Rh2 of the active compound reserve.
• the ejection nozzles are constituted by a cylindrical tube of section and length such that the hydraulic resistance Rhl of the cylindrical tube is preferably at least nine times the hydraulic resistance Rh2 of the active compound reserve.
• ejector nozzles may also include internal structures that increase the hydraulic resistance to equal tube length.
• the ejection nozzles may have a complex shape, that is to say non-cylindrical, such that the hydraulic resistance Rhl of the nozzle is preferably equal to at least nine times the hydraulic resistance Rh2 of the active compound reserve . This ratio between the hydraulic resistances of the reserves and the ejection nozzles at their fluidic outlet ensures that the dose administered is proportional to the pressure applied independently of the level of filling of the cartridge.
• step b) Another solution avoids this systematic and tedious filling which could also be at the origin of a contamination of the active ingredient contained in the cartridge: during step b), the dispensing time of each active compound A1-A2 is recorded and the quantity of active compound dispensed from each reserve 501-508 is then deduced and used to determine a state of filling each reserve 501-508.
• the system can be programmed to display a 501-508 reserve recharge indication.
• the system can extrapolate a new fluid resistance according to the geometry of the cartridge.
• this embodiment without resistance ejection nozzle Rh1 at least 9 times higher than the resistance Rh2 will be particularly sensitive to the way in which the active compound will be distributed in the cartridge. This is particularly critical in the context of highly viscous fluids such as cosmetic creams whose distribution in the cartridge can vary following the administration of a dose over periods of several minutes or even hours. For this reason, it may be preferable to ensure a good dosage of the active compound to introduce this ejection nozzle. In this case, the recording of dispensing times and therefore successive doses for determining the filling level of the cartridges is no longer essential to correctly predict the dose administered. It may still be interesting to check the system status and predict the critical level of refilling from which it will be recommended to replace or refill the asset cartridge by the user.
• the frame 100 may include a power system, a touch screen 800 or any interface necessary for the user (start button, selection, etc %) to operate the system.
• the pneumatic pressure generator 200 may be composed of a pump 201 connected to a pressure tank 202, for example 200 ml. This pressure generator is itself connected an expander 203 for regulating the outlet pressure beyond atmospheric pressure, preferably at least 1 bar beyond.
• the pressure generator may consist of a removable and interchangeable compressed gas reservoir, for example of CO 2 cartridge type, associated with a pressure reducer 203.
• the output of the pressure generator 204 is connected to the inlet 307 of a pressure distributor 300 via the expander 203.
• the pressure distributor 300 comprises a pneumatic circuit comprising an inlet 307 connected to the pressure generator 200 via the expander 203, and N pressure switches 301-306 consisting of, for example, 301-306 type 3: 2 valves (see FIG. 2a), and N flexible tubes 341-346 connecting the 311-316 outputs of the N pressure switches 301-306 (or at the N outputs 01 of any 2: 2 valves fitted to the pressure switches) to the active compound reserves 501-508.
• valves comprise an inlet II connected to the pressure generator, an inlet 12 connected to the atmospheric pressure and an outlet 311-316 connected to a reserve 501-508 of active compound A1-A2, so that each reserve 501-508 of A1-A2 active compound can be put in relation either with the atmospheric pressure (absence of pneumatic thrust), or with the pressure generated by the pressure generator 200 (generation of a pneumatic thrust).
• the pressure distributor 300 also isolate the outputs 311 to 316 (closing). In other words, these outputs are neither at atmospheric pressure nor at the pressure of the pressure generator, they are simply closed.
• controllable opening means an opening that can be either open or closed.
• Each reserve 501-508 of active compound A1-A2 can then be either related to the atmospheric pressure, or related to the pressure generated by the pressure generator, or closed.
• FIG. 2c An equivalent alternative is illustrated in FIG. 2c in which the 2: 2 valve is arranged at the outlet 311-316 of the 3: 2 valve.
• the outlet 311-316 of the 3: 2 valve 301-306 is connected to a controllable opening inlet 13 of a 2: 2 -306 'valve further comprising an outlet 01 connected to a reserve 501. 508 of active compound A1-A2.
• each reserve 501-508 of active compound A1-A2 can be either related to the atmospheric pressure, or related to the pressure generated by the pressure generator, or closed.
• Such embodiments make it possible to limit the leakage of active compounds by gravity, out of the reserves of active compounds.
• Each output 311 to 316 of the pressure distributor 300 is connected to a reserve of active compound via the pressure switches 301-306 using flexible tubes 341-342, for example of internal diameter greater than 1 mm.
• flow restrictors to control the increase in pressure (for the ejection of active compound) and / or the decrease in pressure (after ejection). This makes it possible to ensure a constant flow rate of the gas, for example 50 L / min or 1 L / min, and to make the rise and the descent in pressure of the cartridges more reproducible and independent of the number of cartridges to be pressurized, of their rate. filling and pressurizing capacity of the pressure generator.
• a flow restrictor is arranged at each inlet II of each pressure switch 301-306 connected to the pressure distributor.
• a flow restrictor is arranged at each inlet 12 (or 13) of each pressure switch 301-306 connected to the atmospheric pressure.
• a flow limiter at the two inputs II and 12 (or at the inlet 13 of a possible 2: 2 valve equipping the pressure switch) of each pressure switch 301-306, either set a flow restrictor at each outlet 311-316 of each pressure switch 301-306 (or at the output 01 of a possible 2: 2 valve fitted to the pressure switch).
• the reserves of active compound advantageously comprise a support 400 provided with N housings 401 and N cartridges 501-502 multi-dose interchangeable each comprising an active compound A1-A2, for example in the form of cream.
• Support 400 is adapted to maintain, in use, hermetically and independently each cartridge inlet 501-550 501-502 with an outlet of the pressure distributor.
• the support is screwed onto the support 100 so that the cartridges 201-502 are hermetically applied against a seal 350.
• the seal 350 makes it possible to ensure that the pressure between the different cartridges is independent and that there is no leakage between the support 400 and each cartridge.
• the support comprises at least two housings for at least two cartridges in order to be able to mix the active compounds A1-A2 contained in the cartridges.
• the support comprises at least four, preferably at least six, advantageously at least eight housings for, respectively, four, six or eight cartridges.
• the frame 100 may include a power system, a touch screen 800 or any necessary user interface (power button, selection, etc.) to operate the system.
• each reserve of active compound comprises, at its fluidic outlet, an ejection nozzle 500 of hydraulic resistance Rhl at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance of said active compound reserve.
• the ejection nozzle is a cylindrical tube 500 arranged upstream of the fluid outlet, opposite the compressed air inlet.
• This cylindrical tube has a section S1 and a length L1 such that:
• Rh2 is the hydraulic resistance of the active compound reserve
• Rhl is the hydraulic resistance of the tube
• X is the maximum acceptable error percentage between the flow rate controlled at a constant pressure injection rate and the actual flow rate obtained at a constant pressure injection rate.
• the ratio between the hydraulic resistance Rh1 of the cylindrical tube and the hydraulic resistance Rh2 of the cartridge must be greater than 9. It is preferably greater than 10.
• the hydraulic resistance Rhl of the cylindrical tube is advantageously chosen at least nine times greater than the hydraulic resistance of the cartridge.
• the ratio between the hydraulic resistance of the cylindrical tube and the hydraulic resistance of the cartridge is 100. In other words, the hydraulic resistance of the cylindrical tube must be 100 times greater than the hydraulic resistance of the cartridge.
• the section may be circular, triangular, square or other. The examples given below are given for a circular section.
• Rh1 and Rh2 In the case where the tube and the cartridge has a circular section, the ratio between Rh1 and Rh2 will be of the form:
• Rhl is the hydraulic resistance of the circular cylindrical tube 500
• Rh2 is the hydraulic resistance of the 501-508 cartridge
• L2 is the length of the body of the 501-508 cartridge
• RI is the inner radius of the circular cylindrical tube 500
• R2 is the inner radius of the 501-508 cartridge
• standard values for an application requiring daily dosing of active compounds of the order of 1mL would be to use cylindrical cartridges with an inner cartridge radius R2 of 8mm and a length of cartridge body L2 of 15cm . This would allow up to 30 mL of active compound to be stored in each cartridge and would provide at least 30 days of use before cartridge replacement (more if multiple cartridges are used for each 1 mL daily dose).
• the standard dimensions to obtain an error on the assay much lower than ⁇ ⁇ , (1%) independently of the level of filling of the cartridge would be by example of taking a cylindrical tube of inner radius RI equal to 800 ⁇ and a length of this cylindrical tube equal to 1, 5 cm.
• the active compound has a viscosity of the order of 1400 cP (for example, if the active compound is diluted with glycerol)
• the flow rate of active ingredient will be of the order of 5.745 ml. / min and the application of the operating pressure for 10s will measure 957.5 regardless of the level of filling of the cartridge with an error less than 1% (plus or minus 9.5 ⁇ ).
• This difference in hydraulic resistance allows the active elements A1-A2 to be ejected out of the cartridge under the effect of the pressure applied, at a rate proportional to the pressure applied and the application time of the pressure which is controlled by opening the associated valves in the pressure distributor.
• the dose administered is also proportional to the viscosity of the A1-A2 active elements.
• FIGS 5, 6a, 6b and 6c illustrate the embodiment in which the reserves of active compounds are constituted by a support 400 in which are positioned cartridges.
• the support 400 comprises eight cartridges 501 to 508, viewed from above.
• Each cartridge comprises a body 530 (see FIG. 4) delimited by a longitudinal wall, an inlet 511 and an outlet 521.
• the cartridges are advantageously arranged side by side and arranged around a central axis so as to have all the entrances for the compressed air located for example on the upper face in the direction of gravity and all the outlets on the lower surface (at the sense of gravity).
• the inlets 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516, 517 and 518 are arranged, in use position, at the periphery of the upper face of the cartridge.
• Figure 6a illustrates these same cartridges seen from below.
• the outputs of the cartridges are positioned in the extension of the stop of the most central cartridge in the use position.
• the outlet is positioned in the extension of a longitudinal wall of the body 530 of the cartridge.
• Figure 6a the nozzle formed by the juxtaposition of the outputs 521-528 of the cartridges is circular. It is of course possible to provide a nozzle of different shape.
• Figure 6b illustrates, for example, a square nozzle 520.
• Figure 6c illustrates an embodiment similar to that of Figure 6b, but with only four cartridges 501 through 504.
• each reserve of active compound comprises a pressure sensor 360 for measuring the pressure in said active compound reserve.
• the pressure sensors 360 are arranged to measure the pressure inside or at the inlet of each cartridge 501-502.
• the pressure sensors at the inlet of each cartridge improve the predictability of the dose by directly correlating the integral of the pressure measured to the administered dose, and measure the filling level of the cartridge by measuring the time of rise in pressure. This is illustrated in FIG. 8, in which it can be seen that the distribution pressure (here 0.8 bar) in a cartridge filled to 90% (squared line) is reached almost immediately (200 ms), which means that the difference between the dose ordered and the dose administered is negligible (less than 10%) for injections, for example greater than 2 seconds.
• the dose delivered as part of a limited pressure generator, for an injection time of 2s is significantly less than the controlled dose.
• This variation in the pressure increase in the cartridge is mainly related to the maximum flow rate that the pressure generation system is able to provide. If this flow rate is not ideally infinite, the pressure rise time in the cartridges may vary depending on the volume of air to pressurized (therefore the filling level of the cartridge).
• this pressurization time can result in a non-negligible variation of the injected dose (for example if the pressurization time corresponds to a not insignificant fraction total injection time.
• the system according to the invention therefore makes it possible to deliver precise doses of active compounds, whatever the level of filling of each cartridge and whatever the performance of the pneumatic pressure generator to apply the operating pressure (pressure setpoint) in all cartridges.
• a system equipped with pressure sensors is much more accurate on small dosages than the same system without pressure sensor.
• the pressure drop in the tanks at the end of the injection can be integrated using the pressure sensors.
• this pressure drop does not depend on the pressure generator, it is generally faster and moreover it does not depend on the number of pressurized cartridges.
• Another major advantage of inserting pressure sensors to measure the pressure in the cartridge is to be able to measure the filling rate of the cartridges and thus predict when the user will have to replace its cartridges. Without this possibility, it is possible that the dosage is erroneous simply because the reserve of active compound is empty. In order to eliminate this problem, the information generated by the pressure sensors can be used. Indeed, the speed of pressurization or depressurization of the cartridges depends on the volume of creams remaining in each cartridge. The higher the volume, the faster the pressurization and depressurization phases.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the increase in pressure of two pressurized cartridges simultaneously under the same conditions as in FIG. 8 (cartridges with a respective degree of filling of 90% and 20%). It can be seen in this figure that for each cartridge, the pressurization time has been lengthened even if it is still possible to discriminate which cartridge is more filled than the other.
• the method may comprise a step of determining the degree of filling of at least one reserve of active compound 501-508 comprising:
• N '(N' greater than or equal to 1) reference tanks of predefined volumes for example 5ml, 10ml, 15 mL and 18 mL
• a valve located at the pressure distributor and having an associated pressure sensor.
• the system will be able to predict that it remains between 10 and 15mL in the cartridge and that it is for example necessary to order a new cartridge. If the pressure rise curve is slower in the cartridge than for the 18mL reference tank, the system will be able to determine that the cartridge is almost empty and that the cartridge needs to be changed.
• Another advantage of being able to measure the degree of filling of the cartridges is to be able to diagnose a possible clogging of the ejection nozzles. Indeed, by integrating all the doses injected since the insertion of the cartridge and by measuring the actual level of the cartridges, it is possible to detect a significant difference between the remaining amount of cream theoretically in the cartridge (amounts of doses dispensed ) and the amount of cream remaining effectively in the cartridge (measurement of the pressure rise in the cartridge). It will thus be possible to warn the system or the user that a cartridge no longer dispenses the correct level of product, for example because the user has left the active compound to dry and thus obstruct the ejection nozzle.
• the filling level of the cartridge can be measured during the depressurization of the cartridges. If a flow restrictor is inserted between the cartridge and the air outlet at atmospheric pressure, the depressurization time will depend on the flow restrictor, the empty volume in the cartridge and the maximum pressure difference in the cartridge during the phase. injection and atmospheric pressure.
• Figure 10 shows the pressure decrease in the cartridge when an air filter used as a flow restrictor is inserted between the cartridge and the atmospheric air outlet. In this configuration, the pressure decrease curve becomes independent of the number of pressurized cartridges because these circuits become independent while in the pressure increase phase the pressurization depends on the generation system common to all the cartridges and therefore its ability to deliver a constant air flow regardless of the number of cartridges pressurized (or the level of filling cartridges).
• FIG. 11 finally illustrates, in the case of a non-perfect pressure generation system consisting of a low flow pneumatic pump and in a system in which a flow restrictor has been introduced between the pressure distributor and each cartridge. the influence of the pressure rise time and the pressure decrease time for different injection times (1, 2, 5, 10 and 20s) depending on whether the cartridge is pressurized alone (rhombus) or several cartridges are pressurized simultaneously (squares) .
• the process for preparing and dispensing a custom composition according to the invention further comprising a step of determining the degree of filling of at least one reserve of active compound 501-508 comprising:
• the cylindrical tubes 500 are advantageously arranged directly at the outlet of each cartridge.
• the cartridge itself which carries the cylindrical tube.
• the cylindrical tube 500 has a section SI preferably less than 1 mm 2 and preferably greater than 1 mm in length.
• the active compound reserve has a section S2 and a length L2 such that its hydraulic resistance Rh1 is greater than Rh2, preferably at least 9 times higher. This makes it possible to ensure that the greater or lesser filling of the cartridge will only influence 10% of the flow rate of active compound dispensed. If the ratio of Rh1 and Rh2 is 100, the filling of the cartridge may affect the dosing flow of the order of 1% (between the full cartridge or the empty cartridge).
• the entry 511 of the active compound reserves must also be of low hydraulic resistance to allow rapid pressurization of the cartridge.
• the inlet 511 may have a circular section S3 with a diameter of 1 cm and 2 cm in length, while the outlet 521 has a section S1 with a diameter of 0.5 mm and 1 cm in length. These dimensions are particularly suitable in the context, for example, of cosmetic creams.
• This shutter can consist of a flexible nozzle (that is to say easily deformable) that a pinch system would close before and after dispensing automatically.
• this type of flexible nozzle can be cleaned / replaced more easily if certain active elements are dried at the end of the dispensing nozzles. For most viscous fluids (eg with viscosities 10 times greater than the water, the use of a flexible plug put in place by the user will be sufficient).
• cylindrical tubes 500 are arranged on the support 400 itself, so that, in use, they are arranged downstream of the outlet of the cartridges, and are adapted to be held hermetically, in use, against each cartridge outlet. .
• the active compound is the same in the replacement cartridge.
• the reserves of active products are directly contained in the support 400, so that, in use, the active products are introduced directly by the user when missing.
• the user will be limited to the use of the same active ingredients for which the reservoir resistance Rhl and Rh2 of the possible ejection nozzle contained by the frame 400 have been characterized beforehand.
• the reserves of active product and the cylindrical tubes 500 have different shapes. cylindrical which have the advantage of allowing easy calculation of the hydraulic resistance. This characteristic is however not limiting and any form of active product reserve or ejection nozzle having any internal shrinkage, structuring or bulging can be used as long as it is respected that the hydraulic resistance induced by the Rh2 tanks is known, and that the resistance Rh1 of the ejection nozzles is greater than Rh2, preferably at least 9 times.
• the ratio of the hydraulic resistances can be easily measured by measuring the flow Dl generated by a given pressure difference DeltaP applied to a liquid (for example water) completely filling the cylindrical tubes 500 and the flow D2 generated by the same pressure difference DeltaP applied to the same liquid completely filling the active compound reserve.
• Rh1 / Rh2 D2 / D1. It is therefore not necessary to be able to calculate the hydraulic resistance a priori and only the hydraulic resistance ratio that can be calculated with any liquid is important.
• the body of the active compound reserve and the ejection nozzle are dimensionally stable under the application of the operating pressure. Indeed, if the materials and / or the dimensions (in particular the thickness) of these elements make them deformable at the operating pressure, the fluid resistance could vary during the pressure rise in the tank and the ratio between Rhl and Rh2 could also vary depending on the deformation of the elements used caused by the pressure of use. For example, the use of a glass or steel body of sufficient thickness will provide constant hydraulic resistance regardless of the operating pressures used up to 2 bar.
• the cartridges must be in a position such that active compound is always in contact with the ejection nozzle, so that pressurization results in the ejection of active compound and not in the ejection of air.
• the support must make it possible to hold the cartridges so that the fluidic outlet is under the fluidic inlet (in the sense of gravity).
• the active compound (s) ( s) is / are contained in a reserve of rigid active compound (that is to say which does not deform during the pressurization).
• the support must allow maintain the cartridges substantially vertical (in the direction of gravity), within plus or minus 45 degrees, so that the gravity attracts the preparation to the ejection nozzle 500.
• the nozzle of ejection is located below (in the sense of gravity) of the reserve of active compound.
• the entry 511 of the active compound reserves is located above (in the sense of gravity) of the active compound reserve.
• each cartridge comprises an external wall that is deformable by the operating pressure, and an internal chamber that is deformable under pressure and that comprises the active compound (s) in liquid.
• the cartridge is metal and the flexible enclosure is a flexible plastic polymer bag.
• the flexible enclosure (that is to say deformable when pressurized) is hermetically fixed (by sealing, gluing or clamping) to the ejection nozzle (for example the cylindrical tube) 500 so as to leave escape the liquid under the effect of the pressure exerted on the walls of the flexible enclosure.
• Rh2 ' can be evaluated in the same way as Rh1 and Rh2 by measuring the flow rate generated for a given liquid when a given pressure is applied to the chamber. It will take therefore, be careful in use to maintain the ratio between Rh1 and Rh2 + Rh2 'always greater than 9 (or greater than the inverse of the acceptable error rate for the dosing flow).
• Rh2 ' for a certain level of critical filling of the cartridge (for example when it is no longer filled to 10% of its total capacity), to size Rhl at least 9 times higher to the sum of Rh2 + Rh2 'and take care to change the preparation tank when the tank has reached the critical filling ratio, ie before this mechanical work significantly disturbs the dosing system and the proportionality between the pressure applied and the rate of preparation dispensed.
• the product is delivered in the form of a juxtaposition of drops of active products in the palm of the user's hand or in a cup serving as a receptacle.
• the user only has to mix the preparation before applying it if it is, for example, a cosmetic preparation, or to dilute it in an oral liquid if it is, for example, example, of a drug formulation or a food supplement, or to mix it with a stick by hand if it is, for example, a dye, a paint or a an adhesive or resin. It may then temporarily store its preparation thus mixed in a container for the use or subsequent administration of the preparation.
• the valves 301 to 306 may be replaced by a pressure regulation system, in the example given, comprising N pressure regulators, for example composed of a proportional valve with electronic regulation, such as the PRE-U model sold by the company HOERBIGER.
• a pressure regulation system comprising N pressure regulators, for example composed of a proportional valve with electronic regulation, such as the PRE-U model sold by the company HOERBIGER.
• the advantage of this configuration is to be able to adjust the injection by varying the pressure independently in each cartridge in addition to the dosing time. This is all the more important when one wants to further increase the dosage accuracy. For example, if a 3: 2 valve is used to switch the pressure in the pressure distributor and that this valve has a response time of the order of 50ms, but that there is a 10ms uncertainty on the opening or closing of the valve.
• the flow of active compound is of the order of 1 ml per second for a pressure pressure of 1 bar generated by the pressure generator, then the uncertainty on the opening / closing of the valve will generate an uncertainty on the dosage of the order of ⁇ ⁇ ,.
• a pressure regulator is used, it will be possible to work in this case at a lower pressure in the active compound reserve and thus reduce the uncertainty related to the switching time valves (or control electronics). For example, when working with a pressure of 100 mBar, a temporal uncertainty of 10ms will no longer result while in a dosing uncertainty of 1 ⁇ _, (the dosing rate has been decreased by a factor of 10).
• the engineer may therefore prefer to replace the 3: 2 valves with pressure regulators for the reserves of active compounds requiring a metering error related to lower switching times. It will thus be possible to gradually reduce the pressure in the active compound reserve when, for example, it will arrive at 90% of the injected dose.
• an intermediate tank preferably larger than the sum of the volumes of the cartridges will store the compressed air for pressurizing the cartridges (for example a volume of 250 mL for 4 cartridges of 30 mL).
• This tank is positioned before the regulator, and if it is desired to work at a pressure of 1 bar in the cartridges, it will be sufficient to have a stored pressure greater than 2 bar in the tank to ensure that the pump is not necessary ( and therefore limiting) in the pressure rise phase.
• a pressure generating system consisting of a pump operating in operation at a pressure X times the maximum working pressure and a reservoir 1 / (X-1) times the total capacity of the cartridges will allow to pressurize the cartridges regardless of the maximum flow rate of the pump.
• This mode of implementation therefore allows us to make the system independent of the maximum flow rate of the pump.
• flow rate limiters upstream of the reserves of active compounds, it is possible to make the pressure rise curves independent of the number of cartridges in use (the air flow rate during the pressurization can be higher in the case where one pressurizes a single cartridge rather than six) and makes the prediction using pressure sensors simpler and more reproducible.
• the system according to the invention is therefore accurate because the duration of pressurization of the reserves of active compounds can be modulated according to the filling of the reserves of active compounds.
• the compounds are preferably stored in replaceable cartridges whose output is the end of the fluid circuit. No product so dirty the system.
• the system according to the invention therefore allows the user to be able to accurately dispense and manufacture at home or at the place of consumption of custom-made and extemporaneously consumable products, such as cosmetic products, pharmaceutical, medical or nutritional formulations. or mixtures of the paint type, resins, dyes or even culinary preparations (flavor mixtures).
• the system according to the invention can receive external data capable of modifying the composition of the product finally prepared, for example as a function of time: in the case of a cosmetic cream, it will be possible, for example, to increase the addition of ultraviolet filters in case of sun, or moisturizer in case of wind.
• external data may concern, for example, data from biometric sensors (pulsation, sleep time, activity rate), diagnostic system (system for measuring blood glucose, blood pressure), individual questionnaires collected by deported software (pain or discomfort felt), etc ...

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• 2016
  • 2016-07-04 FR FR1656381A patent/FR3053262A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 2017
  • 2017-07-04 JP JP2019521191A patent/JP7189135B2/ja active Active
  • 2017-07-04 EP EP17745826.2A patent/EP3478399A2/fr active Pending
  • 2017-07-04 CN CN201780053125.2A patent/CN110012662A/zh active Pending
  • 2017-07-04 WO PCT/FR2017/051812 patent/WO2018007748A2/fr unknown
  • 2017-07-04 US US16/314,690 patent/US11027964B2/en active Active

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