FR3047415A1 - LIQUID RECHARGING UNIT FOR A DEVICE FOR CLEANING AN INTRA-AURICULAR BUTTON OF A HEARING PROSTHESIS AND ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SUCH A UNIT AND SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refilling unit (1) adapted to contain a cleaning liquid used in a cleaning device (2) for cleaning a mouthpiece of a hearing aid, the refilling unit (1) comprising, on the one hand, a tank (3) equipped with an opening (4) closed by a lid (40), and on the other hand, connection means which are adapted to perforate the lid (40) when they are connected to a housing (200) of the cleaning device (2). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device for cleaning (2) a tip of a hearing aid and such a refilling unit (1).

Description

Liquid refilling unit for a device for cleaning an intraoral earpiece of a hearing aid and an assembly comprising such a unit and such a device

The present invention is in the field of personal hygiene and particularly relates to the maintenance of an intra-auricular tip of a hearing aid.

Conventionally, an intra-auricular tip of a hearing aid requires regular cleaning · to remove the particles of earwax and dust that settle there over time. This is essential to maintain a good hearing quality and user comfort, as well as to preserve the structural integrity of its constituent elements. As such, automatic devices for cleaning the intra-auricular tip of a hearing aid have for example been described in WO 2012/049429 and US 7,823,598. Each of these devices comprises a receiving space of the hearing aid provided with at least one housing adapted to receive a tip. In its lower part, such a housing comprises an orifice allowing the distal end of the nozzle which is housed therein, to pass through a cavity in which circulates a cleaning liquid capable of liquefying and removing the particles retained on said tip (for example an eruménolytic liquid). The two aforementioned documents provide for the use of a cleaning liquid reloading unit enabling it to be renewed after a certain number of cleaning cycles. A. such a reloading unit comprises a tank equipped with an opening closed by a cap capable of being perforated by striker means, intended to be inserted into an internal space of the cleaning device in order to play a role, tank. Thus, when the cleaning liquid contained in the refilling unit must be changed, the user removes the latter from the internal space of the device and replaces it with a new refilling unit, filled with clean cleaning liquid. Such a procedure nevertheless has the disadvantage, when removing the used refilling unit, to produce splashing dirty the internal space of the cleaning device. In addition, the use of a reloading unit serving as a reservoir also has the disadvantage of requiring the development of an internal space within the cleaning device so that it can accommodate the refilling unit. This has the effect of increasing the volume of the cleaning device and thus make it more bulky and less easy to store and transport.

The present invention is intended to provide a solution to the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a simple and inexpensive structure reloading unit, adapted not to define a reservoir of cleaning fluid within a cleaning device, but to proceed only to fill a tank arranged within a cleaning device, so as to limit the size thereof while ensuring an easy filling, clean, and without splashing of this latest.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a recharging unit adapted to proceed, to a filling of a reservoir of a device. cleaning, through a dwelling provided with, a. cleaning device. type described above. For this purpose, the present invention relates to a recharging unit adapted to contain a liquid of. cleaning used in a cleaning device for cleaning a, mouthpiece of a hearing aid, the unit of. reloading comprising, on the one hand, a tank equipped with an opening closed by a lid, and on the other hand, connection means which are adapted to perforate the lid when they are connected, with a housing device, cleaning.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the refilling unit comprises a cap which comprises a channel, a perforator adapted to perforate the lid and connection means, with the housing, the cap being movable by .response to the tank enters a preliminary position, in which the piercing member is moved away from the opening, and. a. percussion position in which the perforator perforates the lid and releases the liquid through the channel "

Advantageously, this unit of. reloading allows when, the cap, is held in preliminary position to keep the liquid tightly inside. the tank, and to control both the perforation of the lid and the flow of the liquid that follows. Moreover, its use makes it possible to limit the volume of. device, cleaning, and therefore the size of it since it is no longer necessary to provide within it a space large enough to accommodate the reloading unit.

According to a feature of the invention, the reloading unit comprises removable locking means for holding the cap in the preliminary position.

According to another feature of the invention, the perforator defines a cannula for the flow of the cleaning liquid contained in the tank through the channel of the cap to the housing. This characteristic makes it possible to limit the flow of liquid during its flow out of the recharging unit, thus avoiding any untimely splashing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the perforator extends in the direction of displacement of the cap, and has two lateral faces interconnected by a base having a piercing tip adapted to perforate the lid "

In addition, the perforator is shaped such that it compartmentalizes the cap channel in a central zone, located between the side faces, and two lateral zones each located between a side face and an edge of the channel. This feature makes it possible to produce a call for air at each lateral zone while the central zone is traversed by the flowing liquid. On the other hand, in order to guide the cap moving between its two 'positions., The reloading unit comprises displacement means for translating the cap relative to. the tank along an axis · parallel to the axis of. the opening. For this purpose, the displacement means comprise a rail mounted in translation, in a slide, the cap carrying the rail or the slide and the vessel carrying the rail or the slide.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the connection means comprise a sleeve which delimits the channel and which is complementary to the housing.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a unit; of loading having the characteristics mentioned above and a device for cleaning a mouthpiece of a hearing aid, the. device comprising a housing suitable for accommodating a sleeve. Other -.specialities, and. benefits-- of. The invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of two embodiments of the invention illustrated by six appended figures in which: Figure 1 is a perspective representation, before filling, a cleaning device and a refilling unit: according to a first embodiment of the invention, in which the cap is placed in preliminary position, the -figure: -2 Fig. 3 is a front view of the loading unit of Fig. 1, with the cap in position, Figure 4 is a front perspective view of the cap of the refueling unit of Figure 1, Figure 5 is a top view of the cap of the refilling unit of Figure 1; FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 · is a view from below of the tank of a refilling unit of FIG.

The present invention is. relates to a refilling unit 1 of liquid for filling a cleaning fluid with a cleaning device 2 of a tip of a hearing aid. According to the invention, the cleaning device 2 is of the type comprising an enclosure 10 adapted to contain a cleaning liquid, and provided with a receiving space 20 of said hearing aid. The latter conventionally has two housings 200, each able to accommodate a nozzle to be cleaned, and each provided in its lower part with an orifice allowing communication between each housing 200 and the enclosure 10. In the illustrated embodiment variant , the unit of. reloading 1 comprises a tank 3 in the form of a block. Of course, other forms may also be envisaged such as cubic, spherical, cylindrical, etc. With reference to FIG. 6, the vessel 3 comprises on one of its faces two openings 4 arranged in such a way that they can be located in the X axis of a housing 200 of the cleaning · 2 when the refill unit 1 is located to screw • to. the reception space 20 of said device 2 ·. In order to hermetically keep the cleaning liquid inside the tank 3, the openings 4 are each closed by an impermeable cover 40 which holds the liquid inside the tank 3 as long as it is neither peeled nor perforated "..

In the illustrated embodiment, the lid 40 is capable of being perforated by a perforator 5 in order to release the liquid from the tank 3 and allow it to flow through the openings 4. It should be noted that the tank 3 could also contain an airtight bag filled with cleaning liquid and a portion of which would fulfill a sealing function closing the openings 4. In the same manner, such a pocket would therefore be capable of being perforated by a perforator 5 in order to release the liquid and allow it to flow through the openings 4.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the recharging unit 1 is further equipped with a cap 6, covering the openings 4, provided with two channels. 63 extending each in: the Y axis of an opening 4 "The cap, 6 is in fact a connection interface between the recharging unit · 1 and the cleaning device 2 to recharge. It has an internal face 61 disposed facing the openings 4 of the tank 3 and an outer face 62 intended to be placed in contact with the cleaning device 2, during the reloading. this last.

For the purposes of: release of the. liquid contained in the. tank 3 of the unit. reloading 1, the cap 6 comprises two perforators 5 'each adapted to perforate a lid 40 and allow the liquid to leak once and the perforated lid 40.

In fact, each perforating member 5 extends from the inner face 61 of the cap 6 towards the openings 4 of the vessel 3. In addition, the cap 6 is movable relative to the vessel 3 between a preliminary position (illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the perforators 5 are spaced apart from each opening 4, and a percussion position (illustrated in FIG. 3) in which each perforator 5 extends in an opening 4 through the operculum 40 thus perforated. The preliminary position corresponds to the position in which the cap 6 is located before the use of the refilling unit. 1, while the percussion position is reached when using the recharging unit 1.

In the embodiment shown, the cap 6 'has two pairs of rails 640 each extending parallel to the axis Y of an opening 4. CeS rails are provided capable of cooperating with slides 7 arranged appropriately on the wall 9 of the vessel 3. These features allow: the cap 6 to be movable in translation relative to the vessel 3 in a direction parallel to the Y axis of an opening 4.

Each rail 640 cooperates with a slide 7 so that the cap 6 moves between its two positions. Thus, the cap 6 can, at one and the same time, serve as a protector for a lid 40 when it is in a preliminary position. the refilling unit 1 must be kept intact while waiting for its use "and a role of perforator of a cap 40 when in the percussion position" as will be described below ..

Furthermore, the perforators S · of the cap 6 are advantageously shaped so as to define each one a flow cannula of the cleaning liquid contained in the tank '3' through each opening 4 of the tank 3 and. each channel 63 of the cap 6 ". For this purpose, each perforator 5 has two lateral faces. 51 connected to each other by a base 52 and extends in the direction of movement of the cap 6, in a plane perpendicular to the inner face 61 of the cap 6, the free edge 54 of the base 52 of each perforator 5 is furthermore shaped so as to define a perforating tip 53, projecting at the base 52, and able to perforate a cap 40, Moreover, by its structure and positioning transversely to a channel 63 "each perforator 5 compartmentalente the latter in three zones, a central zone 630 for channeling the liquid, situated between its two lateral faces 51, and two lateral zones 631 situated between each lateral face 51 and the edge 632 of the channel 63. It should be noted that a perforator 5 may have different forms since it extends from the inner face 61 of the cap 6 towards the openings 4.

Thus, when the cap 6 passes from its preliminary position to its percussion position, the perforating tip 53 of the perforator 51 comes into contact with a cover 40, perforates it and winds it up and releases the liquid contained therein. in the tank; · 3 .:

Advantageously, each lateral zone 631 produces a call for air allowing the liquid to flow through the central zone 630,

In order to avoid any unwanted displacement of the cap 6 from its preliminary position to its percussion position, locking means are arranged at the junction between the cap 6 and the tank 3. These locking means are provided for removable, and allow the 6, the blocking means may for example be defined by a plastic strap disposed at the junction between a cap 40 and the tank 3, the thimble 6 to remain in the preliminary position until the use of the recharging unit 1. blocking the displacement of the cap 6,

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the cap 6 further comprises two sleeves 65 extending on its outer face 62 and defining the channel 63. Each sleeve 65 is shaped complementary to a housing 200 of the cleaning device 2 »Thus, the sleeves 65 constitute means of connection between · .the unit of reloading 1 and the cleaning device 2.

As indicated above, the recharging unit 1 according to the invention is specifically shaped so as to reload, in cleaning liquid, a cleaning device 2 through the housing 200 able to receive a tip that includes that -this ,

Generally speaking, the cleaning device. .2 comprises a space 20 for reception of a hearing prosthesis, arranged on its upper face 21, upper delimited by a cover 22 underneath by a plate 23 and laterally by peripheral walls 24.

Cover 22 is provided movable between two positions, a closed position in which it delimits the receiving space 20 and closes the access, and an open position in which the receiving space 20 is accessible. During a cleaning cycle, the lid 22 is placed in the closed position so that external elements do not disturb the cleaning of the end piece of the hearing aid ...

The cleaning device 2 also includes a reservoir 25 for storing the cleaning liquid which is normally reused during a defined cycle number. The. tank 25 is arranged in the internal space of the device. cleaning 2. It is located under each housing .200 and communicates with each of them, on the one hand, via a. cleaning fluid supply channel opening into each housing 200 .., and secondly via a cleaning liquid evacuation channel arranged in the extension of a siphon located in the bottom of each housing; . This characteristic allows the cleaning liquid, after one cycle; cleaning, return to the tank · 25 by gravitation.

In order to project the cleaning liquid from the tank -25 to a housing 200, the cleaning device 2 comprises projection means, liquid adapted to pump the liquid from the tank 25 and inject it into a housing 200 via the feed channel.

In order to use the cleaning fluid for several cycles, a filter is arranged in the discharge channel. This filter makes it possible to prevent cerumen or other impurities detached from the ear-canal from falling into the reservoir 25. The cleaning device 2 also comprises means for closing the evacuation channel, so as confining the cleaning liquid in the tank 25 when the; • device. cleaning 2. is not used. Thus, the · device. 2 is transportable while the tank 25 · is. full of .cleaning liquid ...

However, the cleaning liquid must be changed after one. defined number of cycles, or · when the level of liquid · present in the reservoir becomes insufficient, for example · following loss of liquid by evaporation. From then on, following a. When the reservoir 25 is emptied, the recharging unit 1 can be filled by gravity by using the cleaning housings 200 of the cleaning dxspositr 2 where access to the reservoir 25 is made.

In order to reload the tank 25 of the cleaning device 2, the means for closing the evacuation channel must be deactivated and the tank 25 must be emptied. The refilling unit 1 is then freed from the blocking means of the tank. moving the cap 6, before each sleeve 65 of the cap 6 is positioned within a housing 200 so that the refilling unit 1 engages with the cleaning device 2. Thus, each opening 4 of the tank 3 is aligned with a channel 63 of the cap 6 and a siphon giving access to the gravitational tank.

Finally, the user applies a vertical pressure on the tank 3 of the recharging unit 1. Under this effect, the cap 6 moves from its preliminary position to its percussion position. Each perforator 5 is then able to come into contact with a cap 40, pierce it and control, by its arrangement and its conformation, the flow of the cleaning liquid contained in the tank 3 of the refilling unit 1 to the tank 25 of the cleaning device 2.

In the present example, the housing 200 of the cleaning device 2 fulfills two functions, a cleaning function of a tip of a hearing aid and a filling function to the reservoir 25, however, the housing 200 can be entirely only dedicated to the filling of the tank 25, In this case, the housing 200 would be dimensioned specifically to receive a sleeve 65 of the cap 6 of the refilling unit 1.

Thanks to the invention and the complementarity between the refilling unit 1 and the cleaning device 2, it is thus possible to achieve a clean filling of the tank 25, without splashing and without loss of liquid.

Claims (10)

Revendisations 1. Reloading unit (1) fitted & containing a cleaning liquid used in a cleaning device (2) for cleaning a mouthpiece of a hearing aid, the charging unit (1) comprising, on the one hand, a tank (3) equipped with an opening ( 4) closed by a lid (40)., And secondly, connection means which are adapted to perforate the lid (40) when they are connected to a housing (200) .du cleaning device (2), 2. unit, reloading (1) according to .revendication 1, characterized in that it comprises a · cap (6) which comprises a channel (63) .., a perforator (5) adapted to perforate the lid ( 40) and means of. connection with the housing (200), the cap (6) being movable relative to the vessel (3) between a preliminary position in which the perforating member (5) is spaced from the opening (4), and a position in which the perforator (5) perforates the cap (40) and releases the liquid through the channel (63). 3. Reloading unit (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises removable locking means for holding the cap (6) in the preliminary position. 4. Refilling unit (1) according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the perforator (5) defines a cannula for the flow of the cleaning liquid contained in the tank (3) through the channel (63). ) from the cap (6) to the housing (200). 5. Reloading unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the perforator '(5) extends in the direction of. moving the. cap (6) and has two lateral faces C.5'1) connected to one another by a base. (52) having a piercing tip. (53) capable of perforating the lid (40). 6. Refilling unit 11) according to claim 5, characterized in that the perforator (5) is shaped in such a way that it compartmentalizes the channel (63) of the cap (6) in a central zone (630). located between the lateral faces (51), and two lateral zones (631) each located between a lateral face (51) and an edge (632) of the channel (63). 7. Reloading unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 & 6, characterized in that it comprises displacement means (64) allowing the translation of the cap (6) with respect to the tank (3) along an axis parallel to the axis (X) of the opening (4) , 8. reloading unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the displacement means (64) comprise a rail (640) mounted in translation in a slide (7), the cap (6) carrying the rail (640). ) or the slide (7) and the tank (3) carrying the slide (7) or the rail (640). 9. Reloading unit (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that the connection means comprise a sleeve (65) defining the channel (63) and which is shaped complementary to the housing (200). 10. Set comprising one. unit of. reloading (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9. and a cleaning device (2) for a tip of a hearing aid, the. cleaning device (-2) comprising a housing (200) suitable for receiving a sleeve (65),