FR3080841A1 - DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT WITH BOTTLE AND PRESSURIZING HOOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The device for packaging and dispensing a product (3) comprises a container (1), a dispensing accessory (18) comprising a flexible portion nozzle incorporating one or more metering chambers (8). The product (3) in the container is expelled outwards when the chambers (8) are compressed without air entering the container (1) via the nozzle. A check valve (13) allows the product (3) to enter the chambers (8) when they are no longer requested but opposes the return of the product (3) into the container when said chambers (8) are biased. A set of renewal (4, 5) and filtration of the air entering the container (1) after the delivery of a portion of the product (3) is provided with an outlet. A cover (9) creates an overpressure in the container (1) by compressing air in an area adjacent to the outlet to facilitate the priming of the device.

Description

PACKAGING AND DISPENSING DEVICE

PRODUCT WITH BOTTLE AND PRESSURIZING CAP

The present invention relates to the technical field of packaging, and more particularly to that of packaging and distribution of a liquid, semi-fluid or suspension product intended to be kept sterile, without the addition of preservatives, and dispensed in portions or in doses, in particular in drops, using a dispenser assembly.

The invention more particularly relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, and which comprises a container intended to contain the product to be dispensed using an accessory with which the container is provided, said accessory comprising a tip.

Packaging devices of conventional structure are known which make it possible to store and distribute a product in the form of calibrated doses or drops or in any other form, while maintaining its cleanliness or sterility throughout the duration of its use.

These devices are used in particular in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food fields, and for some more particularly in the ophthalmological field.

Such a device is described in patent EP1773676 which provides for a location for a filter whose purpose is to make the air entering the bottle sterile in order to compensate for the depression created by the distribution of a portion of product; this filter can be placed either in the bottom of the bottle or in the mouthpiece.

This patent also describes a valve associated with the filter and operating in such a way that it can allow air to enter the bottle and oppose any air or liquid outlet to the outside of the bottle.

Such a device as described in this patent makes it possible to obtain a precise dosage. The dispenser accessory is provided with a metering chamber which, when requested, makes it possible to deliver doses of product through a nozzle. This nozzle is made up of two parts, one rigid and the other flexible, the elastic flexible part pressing on the metering chamber delimited by said two parts. A product distribution assembly composed of the elastic end of the flexible part of the end piece in cooperation with the end of the rigid part of said end piece allows the product to be expelled towards the outside when the chamber is compressed but does not does not allow air to enter the interior of the container when said chamber is no longer used.

These devices include a non-return valve which allows the chambers to be fed when the support on the flexible part ceases and a depression is created in the chamber by the elastic return of said flexible part to its initial position. This valve prevents the product from returning to the bottle when the chamber is requested.

The major drawback of this type of device lies in the difficulty of initiating it in order to obtain the first dose.

There is no difficulty in obtaining successive doses of product when it is present in the chambers because the compression of the latter by the support buttons acts on a liquid whose physical property is to be incompressible.

On the other hand, before obtaining the first dose of product, it is necessary to replace the air present in the dosing chamber with product. Unlike the liquid, the air is compressible and the pressure obtained in the chambers by the action on the flexible part is low and may not open the elastic end of the nozzle enough to evacuate a large quantity of air.

Under these conditions, a small part of the air is expelled from the chambers and is only replaced by a small quantity of product, thus forcing the user to press the device numerous times before obtaining the first dose.

The priming of the device is all the more difficult to control as it depends on the pressure necessary to open the elastic dispensing endpiece and that this pressure itself depends on the relative dimensions of the flexible part of said endpiece and of the rigid part. with which it cooperates. However, these dimensions are subject to the manufacturing tolerances of the parts and have differences depending on the manufacturing batches.

This drawback can lead the user to consider that the device is defective.

The main object of the invention is to allow regular priming of the device.

More generally, the invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of similar devices in the state of the art and to propose such a device which is better suited to the various requirements of practice than the known devices.

In order to improve the situation, there is proposed according to the invention a device for packaging and distributing a product, generally liquid, semi-fluid or in suspension, comprising:

- a container intended to contain the product to be packaged and distributed

- a dispensing accessory comprising a nozzle provided with a flexible part and making it possible to dispense the product, at least one metering chamber being provided in the nozzle;

- A set of renewal and filtration of the air entering the container after the delivery of a portion of the product, said set comprising a filter and a non-return valve;

a communication conduit with an interior volume of the container, preferably belonging to the air renewal and filtration assembly; and

- a cap ;

with the particularity that the nozzle is actuable by the flexible part and allows the product to be expelled towards the outside when said at least one chamber filled with product is compressed (but not allowing air to enter the inside the container when said at least one chamber is no longer stressed, a non-return valve allowing the product to enter said chamber when it is no longer stressed but preventing the product from returning to the container when said chamber is stressed, and characterized in that the container is capable of being put under overpressure, via an air circulation in said conduit, using the cover, whereby the cover constitutes a priming cover of the device facilitating the very first filling of said chamber with product.

An internal space in the cover may be subjected to the overpressure effect, for example by using a cylindrical seat on which the cover slides when it is removed (at least during a first use). The conduit opens into this space.

The duct can optionally open laterally, optionally near a zone for fixing the cover to the dispensing accessory.

Alternatively, the conduit may open axially (in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the device).

According to one feature, the end piece may include or be made up of two parts, one rigid and the other flexible, the flexible part pressing on metering chambers delimited by said two parts, the end of said flexible part cooperating with the end of said rigid part, allowing the product to be expelled outward when the chambers are compressed but not allowing air to enter the interior of the container when said chambers are no longer stressed.

According to one option, the overpressure created inside the bottle can be advantageously obtained by the movement of the cover provided with a projection cooperating with an opposing projection positioned on the dispensing accessory.

In various embodiments of the device according to the invention, one can optionally have recourse to one or more of the following arrangements:

- The cover is designed and arranged to tightly wrap a space adjacent to an external outlet of the conduit, the cover being movable, preferably in an axial direction away from a bottom of the device, between a first mounting position and a second priming position in which the cover reduces the size of the space so as to create an overpressure in the container, the air in said space being compressed in the second position by the effect of the sealed enveloping effect of the cover which is maintained when switching from the first position to the second position.

- an annular wall of the rigid part is provided with a hollow or groove designed and arranged to allow the space to be put into the atmosphere by making the space envelopment by the cover not airtight, said hollow or groove extending axially between:

a first portion of contact surface of the annular wall to form a sealed contact against the cover in the first position, and a second portion of contact surface of the annular wall to form another sealed contact against the cover in the second position.

- The hood is provided with a projection, oriented inwards and of annular shape, cooperating in a sealed manner with an external face of an annular wall of the rigid part.

- The projection of the cover is a first opposing projection of a second annular projection with which the rigid part is provided, said second projection being adapted to come into contact against an internal face of a tubular side wall of the cover, all of the first and second projections, said annular wall and said tubular side wall delimiting a space whose volume is likely to vary as a function of the relative displacement of said first and second projections.

- the projections consist of flexible lips.

- The first projection is integrally formed with the cover which is made in one piece of plastic.

- The second projection is integrally formed with said annular wall of the rigid part which is preferably made in one piece of plastic.

- a part of the projection with which the cover is provided is liable to tear in order to oppose an overpressure of the space.

- The projection with which the cover is provided is likely to constitute a witness to the inviolability of the device and / or at least one frangible trigger guard, connected to an annular end of the cover, forms all or part of a means of inviolability of the device.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention emerge from the description given below, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent, by way of non-limiting examples, embodiments and implementation of the subject of the invention. In these drawings:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view in axial section of an example of a device according to the invention when it is not in demand, representing a container in which the product to be dispensed is located, an accessory comprising a nozzle composed of two parts, one rigid and the other flexible, the metering chambers delimited by said two parts, the end of said flexible part which cooperates with the end of said rigid part allowing the product to be expelled towards the outside when the chambers are compressed but do not allow air to enter the interior of the container when said chambers are no longer stressed, a non-return valve allowing the product to enter the chambers when they are no longer stressed but s opposing the return of the product in the container when the chambers are requested, an air renewal and filtration assembly comprising a filter and a non-return valve positioned in the rigid part of said accessory, and a cover provided with a lip-shaped projection opposing a second projection, also in the form of a lip located on the dispensing nozzle and delimiting with the first projection a closed space of variable volume;

- Figure 2 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to Figure 1, showing the cover when it has been partially manipulated;

- Figure 3 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to Figure 1 when the cover has been completely detached from the dispensing accessory, Figure 4 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to the figure 3, when the flexible part has been stressed then released, that the non-return valve is open and that the metering chambers are filled with the product to be dispensed.

- Figure 5 is a schematic view in enlarged axial section showing the protrusions in the form of opposing lips, the replacement air inlet channel, the space of variable volume and a groove allowing a setting atmosphere of said space during the passage of the projection which is provided with the cover.

- Figure 6 shows the projection which is provided with the cover and on which two thin parts have been formed.

The device as shown in Figure 1 is in the configuration available to the user before any use.

The metering chambers 8 are empty of product 3 and the cover 9 has not been handled.

When first used, the device operates as follows.

As shown in Figure 2 the user moves the cover axially along arrow A.

The axial displacement of the cover causes the displacement in the same direction of the lip-shaped projection 10 with which the cover 9 is provided. This flexible lip, here projecting inwardly, cooperates in a sealed manner with the wall of the rigid part 6 of the dispensing accessory 18. The protruding lip-shaped projection 11 of the rigid part 6 remains fixed and cooperates d in a sealed manner with the internal wall of the cover 9. Under these conditions the volume of the space 12 decreases and an overpressure is created. This overpressure forces the air initially contained in this space 12 to escape through the conduit 14 of the rigid part 6, then through the filter 4 according to arrow B and allows it to open the valve 5 to arrive in the liquid free part 2 3.

An overpressure is then created in this free space 2 of the container 1.

The value of this overpressure depends on the relative values of the volumes of the free space 2 and of the space 12 determined by the projections 10 and 11 and the walls of the rigid part 6 and of the cover 9.

We can therefore determine this overpressure depending on the desired use, by choosing the relative dimensions of the projections 10 and 11 and the corresponding walls.

FIG. 3 represents the device when the cover 9 is completely removed and that it is ready for a first use.

The overpressure created in space 2 by the previous movement of the cover 9 is exerted on the surface of the liquid 3 according to the arrows C and C '.

The device is then ready for use.

FIG. 4 shows the device when the flexible part 7 has been urged along the arrows E and E 'in order to compress the metering chambers 8, then when the urging on said flexible part 7 having ceased, the latter has returned to its initial position as follows arrows F and F '.

The elastic return of this flexible part 7 to its initial position after the expulsion of the air previously contained in the chambers 8, creates a suction in said metering chambers 8 which is added to the existing overpressure in the free space 2 .

The combination of this suction and this overpressure causes the non-return valve 13 to open and allows the metering chambers 8 to be filled with the liquid 3.

The air initially present in the metering chambers 8 was thus replaced by the product 3 and the device was primed with the aid of an overpressure, more easily than with the only suction created by the elastic return of the flexible part 7.

When fitting the cover 9 during the packaging operations of the device and before any use, the latter is put in place by axial support opposite the arrow A on the container 1 on which the distributor assembly 18 has been assembled .

In a first phase, the cover 9 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 by pressing opposite the arrow A.

In a second phase, the cover 9 is put in place as shown in FIG. 1 by continuing the driving-in phase by pressing opposite the arrow A.

The displacement of the projections in the opposite direction to that described above, which has the effect of creating an overpressure by reducing the volume of the space 12, has the effect of creating a depression in the space 12 by increasing its volume.

This depression has the effect of preventing the creation of an overpressure when the cover is biased along arrow A since the overpressure due to the reduction in volume 12 is compensated by the depression previously created.

Thus it is necessary to remove the vacuum created by the establishment of the cover 9 to then create the overpressure necessary for priming the device.

FIG. 5 shows the detail of the space 12 existing between the lip-shaped projections 10 and 11 and the walls of the rigid part 6 and of the cover 9. A groove 15 is shown on the wall of the rigid part

6.

When the cover 9 is put into place by pressing in opposite to the arrow A and the creation of a depression in the space 12, the lip-shaped projection 10 no longer seals with the wall of the rigid part 6 when it is opposite the groove 15 and the space 12 is vented.

This can result from a curved profile design of the projection 10, with a convex inner surface as regards the part of the projection which is facing a bottom of the cover 9. Opposite (axially outer side), the profile of the surface can on the contrary be convex.

Thus the depression created in the volume 12 by the installation of the cover 9 is eliminated and no longer prevents the creation of an overpressure when the cover is moved along the arrow A.

This groove 15 is not opposed to the creation of an overpressure in the volume 12 when the cover 9 is moved along the arrow A since the lip-shaped projection 10 cooperates in a sealed manner with the wall of the rigid part. 6 after passing in front of the groove 15.

After the creation of this overpressure in space 12 allowing easy priming of the device during its first use, and the distribution of a dose of product 3 by compression of the chambers 8, the cover is replaced by the user by pushing in opposite to arrow A.

During a new use a new overpressure is created according to the preceding description by reducing the volume of the space 12 when the cover is removed following displacement according to arrow A.

This overpressure is not necessarily necessary since the device having been primed by replacing the air in the metering chambers 8 with liquid, the distribution of the following doses will be done easily by simply compressing the metering chambers 8 then filled incompressible liquid.

In order to avoid the creation of a new overpressure in the space 12 and the free part 2, it is possible to make the seal between the projection 10 and the wall of the rigid part 6 ineffective for obtaining doses after the priming of the device.

As shown in FIG. 6, the projection can be provided with one or more zones 16 and 16 'of small thickness delimiting a part 17.

Thus during the passage in force of the lip-shaped projection or the like 10 in front of the antagonistic projection 11 of the rigid part 6, where any other part constructed for this purpose and not shown, this thin part 17 will tear, thus annihilating the seal between the projection 10 and the wall of the rigid part 6, and opposing the creation of a new overpressure.

If the change in the appearance of the projection 10 is visible, the torn part 17 may be an indicator of use of the device and thus act as a tamper-evident witness.

There was thus obtained a means of overpressuring the free part 2 above the liquid 3 in order to allow easy priming of the device during the first use, without allowing the creation of a new overpressure during the distribution of the following doses of product 3, when said overpressure is no longer necessary.

Other embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is possible to use a device comprising only one metering chamber, or one or more metering chambers of any shape, such as for example that described in patent EP1773676, or comprising no filter intended to sterilize the incoming air. in the container, or having protrusions of different shape as long as they provide sealing with the corresponding walls, or having any means allowing to oppose the creation of an overpressure after the priming of the device, or having any means in order to render inoperative the vacuum created during the fitting of the cover.

Also, the cover 9 can be screwed onto a threaded portion of the device, in a variant.

Claims (10)

1. Device for packaging and dispensing a product (3), generally liquid, semi-fluid or in suspension, comprising: - a container (1) intended to contain the product (3) to be packaged and distributed; - a dispenser accessory (18) comprising a nozzle provided with a flexible part (7) and making it possible to dispense the product (3), at least one metering chamber (8) being provided in the nozzle; an assembly (4, 5) for renewal and filtration of the air entering the container (1) after the delivery of a portion of the product (3), said assembly comprising a filter (4) and a non-return valve (5) ; - A conduit (14) for communication with an interior volume of the container, preferably belonging to the assembly (4, 5) for renewal and filtration of the air; and - a cover (9); the nozzle being actuated by the flexible part (7) and allowing the product (3) to be expelled towards the outside when said at least one chamber (8) filled with product is compressed but not allowing air to d '' enter the interior of the container (1) when said at least one chamber (8) is no longer stressed, a non-return valve (13) allowing the product (3) to enter said chamber (8) when it is more stressed but opposing the return of the product (3) in the container (1) when said chamber (8) is stressed, and being characterized in that the container (1) is capable of being put under overpressure, via an air circulation in said duct (14), using said cover (9), whereby the cover (9) constitutes a boot cover for the device facilitating the very first filling of said chamber (8 ) as a product. 2. Device according to claim 1, in which the cover (9) is designed and arranged for sealingly enveloping a space (12) adjacent to an external outlet of the duct (14), the cover (9) being preferably movable in an axial direction away from a bottom of the device, between a first mounting position and a second priming position in which the cover (9) reduces the size of the space (12) so as to create a overpressure in the container (1), the air from said space (12) being compressed in the second position by the effect of tightly enveloping the cover which is maintained when passing from the first position to the second position. 3. Device according to claim 2, in which an annular wall of the rigid part (6) is provided with a hollow or groove (15) designed and arranged to allow the space (12) to be vented. making the envelope of the space (12) by the cover (9) not airtight, said recess or groove (15) extending axially between: a first portion of the contact surface of the annular wall to form a sealed contact against the cover (9) in the first position, - And a second portion of the contact surface of the annular wall to form another sealed contact against the cover (9) in the second position. 4. Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein two parts are provided in the nozzle, one rigid (6) and the other flexible to form said flexible part (7), the flexible part (7) pressing on the at least one metering chamber (8) delimited by said two parts, one end of said flexible part (7) cooperating with one end of said rigid part (6). 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the cover (9) is provided with a projection (10), oriented inwards and of annular shape, cooperating in a sealed manner with an external face d 'an annular wall of the rigid part (6). 6. Device according to claim 5, in which the projection (10) of the cover (9) is a first opposing projection of a second annular projection (11) with which the rigid part (6) is provided, said second projection (11). being adapted to come into contact against an internal face of a tubular side wall of the cover (9), all of the first and second projections (10, 11), said annular wall and said tubular side wall delimiting a space (12) the volume of which is liable to vary as a function of the relative displacement of said first and second projections (10, 11). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the projections (10, 11) consist of flexible lips. 8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the first projection (10) is integrally formed with the cover (9) which is made in one piece of plastic, and wherein the second projection (11) is integrally formed with said annular wall of the rigid part (6) which is preferably made in one piece of plastic. 9. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that a part (17) of the projection (10) with which the cover (9) is provided is capable of tearing in order to oppose an overpressure of the space (12). 10. Device according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the projection 5 (10) with which the cover (9) is provided is capable of constituting a witness of the inviolability of the device and / or at least one trigger guard frangible, connected to an annular end of the cover (9), forms all or part of a means of inviolability of the device.