Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
  • B65D47/18—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages for discharging drops; Droppers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
  • B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
  • B65D47/20—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge
  • B65D47/2018—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure
  • B65D47/2056—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps comprising hand-operated members for controlling discharge comprising a valve or like element which is opened or closed by deformation of the container or closure lift valve type

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the technical field of packaging, and more particularly to that of packaging and dispensing a liquid or viscous product intended to be preserved in a sealed and sterile manner, without the addition of preservatives, and to be dispensed in the form of precise unit doses using a dispenser assembly.
• the invention more particularly relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a sterile product, and which comprises a container for containing the product to be dispensed with a measuring tip, of the type without air inlet whose container is provided.
• This product conditioning and dispensing device typically comprises a dosing assembly adapted to dispense a dose of the product, this dosage assembly comprising:
• the tip provided with a movable actuating portion between a rest position and an engaged position, and which actuates the product distribution;
• a rigid guide element preferably in the form of a rod, which has at least one abutment surface adapted to limit the displacement of the actuating portion (and to define the engaged position);
• a first valve allowing the product present in the dispensing channel to exit the nozzle when pressure is applied to the actuating portion
• a product metering chamber which communicates with the dispensing channel and is delimited between the guide member and the actuating portion.
• Such a device is known from WO 2010/089501 A1.
• a relatively accurate dosage is obtained and the dosing unit ensures perfect bacteriological cleanliness at the end of the tip.
• Conventional packaging devices are also known which make it possible to preserve and distribute a product in the form of portions or in any other form, while keeping it sterile or protected from air for 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.
• a dispenser assembly which may be a flexible nozzle.
• This dispenser assembly is capable of dispensing portions of product but is designed to oppose any entry of air into the container.
• a filter is associated with the device and it can be in the bottom of the container or on the dispensing tip. This filter can be associated with an elastic valve located between the filter and the interior of the container to prevent contact between the product and the filter.
• the devices which comprise a flexible tip are not well adapted to deliver precise doses and / or the accuracy decreases as the device is manipulated.
• a first object of the invention is to allow the sterile maintenance of the product throughout the use of the device.
• a second object of the invention is to deliver very precise doses of the product in order to allow its use, in particular in the pharmaceutical field.
• a third goal is to combine the simplicity of the actuation for the user and durability of the tip.
• the invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of similar devices of the state of the art and to provide such a device that is very suitable for various requirements of practice.
• a packaging and dispensing device of the aforementioned kind with a dosing assembly adapted to dispense a predetermined dose of product with the particularity that the actuating portion comprises:
• the dosing assembly comprises a rigid portion to which is connected the second layer of the actuating portion, in an articulated manner and / or with a restoring action to the outside of said second layer when the pressure applied to the actuating portion ceases.
• This arrangement of the dosing unit is advantageous in that the reinforcing layer can effectively prevent deformations of the first layer, which can modify the effective volume of product expelled from the dosing chamber, and that the connection of this reinforcement layer actively participates in the return of the actuating portion to its initial rest position when the device is no longer solicited.
• the device not only makes it possible to maintain the sterile product, to dispense precise doses of product by simple pressure on a flexible dispenser assembly integral with the container, but also to always generate the same pressure in the device as well as a greater return action. energetic only with the use of a single layer of flexible material, which facilitates the renewal of product in the metering chamber.
• the first layer is made of a first elastic material and the second layer comprises a second material that is preferentially more rigid than the first material (the second material being a rigid plastic material, such as for example polyethylene, polypropylene or similar plastic which is hard and therefore very flexible as soon as a threshold thickness of the order of a millimeter is exceeded).
• the portion rendered flexible is thus made of a material having a greater restoring force than the material of the flexible part.
• the second layer and the rigid portion are part of the same part obtained by plastic injection.
• This design of a part makes it possible to obtain a joint in a simple and economical way.
• the second layer, resiliently biased outwardly can advantageously exert traction on the first layer and provides a precise and regular filling of the metering chamber.
• the second layer is made of a rigid material attached to the first layer so as to make the actuating portion perfectly dimensionless, allowing a localized axial support; the second reinforcing layer may have an outline and shape similar to a fingerprint so that the bearing area on the actuating portion is perfectly identifiable;
• the flexible part of the endpiece comprises a local thinning zone forming an elastic articulation, whereby each of the first and second layers of the actuating portion is connected to a corresponding articulation zone (with a double effect hinge, the deformations of the flexible part can be repeated without altering the accuracy of the dosage);
• the tip extends in a longitudinal direction to a free end and the actuating portion is movable radially inwards until abutting against the abutment surface;
• the actuating portion is longitudinally offset from the free end, the rigid portion extending away from the free end;
• the rigid portion of the dosing assembly is annular and forms an end of the nozzle, opposite the free end;
• the first valve is a non-return valve preventing the outside air from entering the dispensing channel and allowing the product to exit from the end-piece on the side of the free end (the dose thus formed is expelled to the outside) the device in a controlled manner, typically through the deformation of a flexible and resilient end of the tip);
• the metering chamber is supplied with product from the container by a supply channel which extends from a passage associated with a second check valve of the non-return type, this second valve allowing the product to supply the metering chamber; (via the feed channel) during the elastic return of the actuating portion while opposing the passage of the product from the inside of the metering chamber to the container when the actuating portion is requested;
• the second valve being mounted on a rigid base separate from said rigid portion, the rigid portion and the base being connected to one another and made fixed with respect to the container;
• the container may consist of two rigid pieces of plastic material molded separately and assembled in a sealed manner, one of which forms a support for the end piece (the guide element may form part of this part) and the other part comprises the housing of a device or air intake assembly in which are provided a filter and a valve;
• the tip is arranged around a central axial seat formed in one piece and which includes the guide element, the metering chamber being limited angularly on the circumference of the guide element, so that the chamber of assay has a non-annular configuration and extends only to the side of the actuating portion;
• the distribution channel is also limited angularly and extends only to the side of the actuating portion
• the actuating portion defines a push button, the first layer of the actuating portion being configured to completely cover the abutment surface, so as to completely empty the dosing chamber into the engaged position of the actuating portion (this makes it possible to ensure the distribution of the same predetermined dose of the product);
• the tip extends annularly about a longitudinal axis
• the actuating portion defined in a side wall of the nozzle, is arranged to be pushed radially to the longitudinal axis;
• the tip comprises a deformable material on the side of the free end to form the flexible portion but may include a surplus of thickness to form the first layer of the actuating portion, whereby the second layer can cover only a part of the first layer (the excess thickness gives a relatively indeformable character to the first layer, so that a minority portion, annular or any other shape can be covered by the second layer which extends the rigid portion);
• the thick portion (with the surplus thickness and therefore relatively deformable) of the deformable portion is articulated around thin and elastic portions located longitudinally on each of its sides and at each of its axial ends; the inner shape of this relatively undeformable thick portion exactly hugs the surface opposite the metering chamber when it is urged by a lateral support thus making it possible to completely empty said chamber;
• the device comprises an air renewal and filtration unit allowing outside air to enter the container after dispensing a dose of the product, the air renewal and filtration assembly preferably comprising a mounted valve; on the inner face of the bottom of the container, opposite the dosing assembly; the filter provided for the filtration of the incoming air forms a barrier for the bacteria present in the ambient air; this filter may be in various forms, molded or secured to the bottom of the container by any suitable means or be previously mounted in a rigid plastic sheath which will itself be assembled at the bottom of the container by any suitable means such as overmolding, engagement in force or welding;
• the valve of the air renewal and filtration assembly has an elastically deformable valve which cooperates with a seat situated in the bottom of the container; this valve is turned towards the inside of the container, being held by means to retain it when it is stressed.
• an elastic valve can effectively prevent any exit of the product to the outside of the container via the air inlet passage, while allowing the entry of outside air by flexing elastically towards the interior of the container, under the effect of the suction of the outside air after the expulsion of a portion of product through the dosing unit.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic axial sectional view of a device according to the invention, showing a container made of two rigid parts assembled to each other in a sealed manner, and with which cooperate an intake assembly of air comprising a filter and an elastic valve allowing air to enter but preventing any leakage of liquid through the air inlet passage and a dosing assembly comprising a dosing chamber located on an angular sector and an articulated actuating portion capable of being biased by a lateral support;
• FIG. 2a shows a cross section of the device shown in Figure 1 showing the metering chamber located on an angular sector and the actuating portion articulated in its rest position (when not requested);
• Figure 2b is a view similar to Figure 2a showing the metering device when the actuating portion is biased and occupies its engaged position against a rigid guide member;
• FIGS. 3a and 3b are respective views identical to FIG. FIG. 3a showing the dosing assembly when in the rest position, while FIG. 3b showing the engaged position having made it possible to dispense the dose.
• the packaging and dispensing device comprises a rigid container 1, provided with a bottom 7 and a tubular side wall 19.
• An air intake assembly 20 is disposed in this bottom 7.
• this air intake assembly 20 is composed of a filter 8, a resilient valve 15 'or similar valve co-operating with a seat 6 and one or more orifices 9 and 18 for the passage of air.
• a rigid support piece S is sealed to the container 1 and a tip 3 provided with a flexible portion 25 is secured to the rigid support part S.
• the interior volume of the container 1 is therefore delimited by two rigid parts 1 and S, preferably of plastic molded separately, which are assembled in a sealed manner (with airtightness).
• the hole or holes 18 ' make it possible to communicate this interior volume, filled with product 1 1, with the inside of the mouthpiece 3.
• the rigid support piece S and the end piece 3 (which here has a generally tubular shape about a longitudinal axis X) can form a metering assembly 2 arranged in the extension of the container 1.
• the metering assembly 2 may be narrower than the container 1, having a maximum perimeter smaller than the perimeter of the side wall 19.
• a threaded zone 12 (visible in FIGS. 3a-3b) is optionally provided near the junction between the container 1 and a rigid portion 41 forming part of the nozzle 3, preferably on an external surface of the rigid portion 41. This makes it possible to assemble a protective cap (not shown) which covers the dosing assembly 2 and typically extends the end 19a of the side wall 19.
• the metering assembly 2 may comprise a rigid guide element 5, which may form an integral part of the rigid support part S.
• the guide element 5 forms an axial projection, preferably in the form of rod, from a base 21 connected to the end 19a of the side wall 19.
• the dosing assembly 2 comprises an actuating portion 35 which is formed here laterally in the nozzle 3 and which has an inner face 25a in contact with the product January 1. This actuating portion 35 is movable and adapted to compress the product 11 present in a product dosing chamber 34, inside the dosing assembly 2.
• a valve 15 can be assembled directly or indirectly, so as to oppose any return to the inside of the container 1 of the product 1 1 contained in the metering chamber 34 when this is biased by displacement of the actuating portion 35 (this bias being typically a pressure as for a push button) but allows the passage of the liquid 1 1 from the interior of the container 1 to the metering chamber 34 when the bias on the portion the actuating portion 35 ceases and the actuating portion 35 elastically returns to its initial rest position, thereby creating a vacuum in the metering chamber 34.
• this bias being typically a pressure as for a push button
• FIGS. 2b and 3b show the dosing assembly 2 when a pressure is exerted on the actuating portion 35 (relatively indeformable in the bearing zone due to its thickness) according to arrow A.
• the dosing chamber 34 has a geometry in correspondence with the inner contour of the actuating portion 35, so that the chamber 34 is completely emptied and the dose D of product 1 1 expelled from the device through the opening formed in the flexible material portion of the 3, around the end 5a of the guide element 5 here configured as a rod.
• the expulsion outside the device results from the circulation in the terminal section of the distribution channel 10, along the elastic mobile wall 24, which temporarily moves away from the end 5a under the effect of the pressure .
• the expulsion of the dose D is performed here parallel to the longitudinal axis X, the guide member 5 being rod-shaped to define this axis.
• the portion (30, 31, 36, 36 ', 39, 39') of flexible material is secured to the rigid material portion 41 by overmolding or by any other means such as welding or engagement force.
• This portion of flexible material, which extends to the free end 24a, is preferably longer than wide for good ergonomics of the dosing assembly 2. Its length is sufficient to allow easy support by the user without being able to be hindered by the wider part (forming a shoulder) of the rigid part 41.
• the length L of this portion (30, 31, 36, 36 ', 39, 39') is greater than at least half the length of the support piece S.
• the layer 30 of the portion 35 actuation may have, in this longitudinal direction, a length L30 which is less than half the length L of the portion (30, 31, 36, 36 ') of flexible material (or more generally not more than two thirds of this length L). Preferably, this length L30 is greater than one third of the length L.
• the length L30 may correspond to a diameter when the actuating portion 35 has a substantially circular perimeter.
• the metering chamber 34 can be delimited by the inner face 25a, mobile, and three fixed surfaces, one of which corresponds to an abutment surface 37 formed by the guide member 5. It is understood that the use of one or more abutment surfaces 37, opposite the inner face 25a, makes it possible to limit the displacement of the actuating portion 35.
• the two other fixed surfaces are here formed by two faces 38 and 38 'of the end piece 3 (here defining two opposite edges of the fixed sub-part 31) which run along the element of 5 and extend radially outwardly from this guide member 5 to respective hinge portions 36, 36 ', elastic and thinned.
• These hinge portions 36, 36 ' may longitudinally surround at least a portion of the operable external surface of the layer 30 (herein defined as a thick portion).
• complementary hinge portions 39 and 39 ' may be provided at each axial end of the thick portion forming the layer 30.
• the complementary hinge portion 39' is thus located adjacent to the rigid portion 41 and may form an extension of the hinge portions 36, 36 '.
• the inner face 25a, the abutment surface 37 and the faces 38, 38 ' extend longitudinally from an inlet end 34a of the chamber 34 to an outlet end.
• the inlet end 34a communicates with the hole or holes 18 'by a feed channel 10' situated between a portion of the rigid portion 41 and the guide element 5.
• This inlet end 34a is defined between the complementary hinge portion 39 'and guide member 5.
• the exit end is located on the free end 24a side.
• a supply channel 10 'and a distribution channel 10 are thus formed, on the one hand, and other of the dosing chamber 34, in order to allow the product 11 to be conveyed between the hole or holes 18 'and the movable portion 24 of the valve 4 provided to define an outlet of the nozzle 3.
• the endpiece 3 may have a fixed subpart 31 made of the same material and of a block with the flexible portion 25. As shown in Figures 1, 2a-2b and 3a-3c, this fixed sub-portion 31 is contiguous and preferably fixedly attached (preferably by overmoulding) to the guide member 5, in the complementary angular sector of the sector where the chamber 34 of dosing extends.
• FIG. 2b shows the metering chamber 34 in cross section, with a limitation of this chamber 34 to an angular portion (the angular sector being for example less than or equal to 120 °).
• FIG. 2b illustrates a preferred option with perfect contact of the inner face 25a against the abutment surface 37 by conforming to its shape and also hinge parts 36 and 36 'against the side edges or faces 38 and 38' due to the elastic elongation of these hinge portions 36 and 36 '.
• the elongation of the hinge parts 36, 36 'in the direction here radial (direction of the force caused by the support according to arrow A), is completely reversible due to their elasticity coupled to the return action of the part including the second rigid layer 40 articulated to the rigid portion 41.
• the rest position of the actuating portion 35, and the volume of the dosing chamber 34 remains the same.
• the flexible portion 25 of the nozzle 3 for example made of silicone, a similar flexible material or thermoplastic elastomer, extends axially the rigid portion 41, here of annular shape and has a portion thin and resilient or analog valve 4 cooperating with the end 5a of the guide member 5 for dispensing a dose D of product 1 1 when the device is biased.
• the actuating portion 35 comprises an inner layer or first layer 30 formed in the flexible portion 25, between the rigid portion 41 and the valve 4.
• the rigid portion 41 is, by way of non-limiting example, formed of a rigid material (in practice difficult to deform) such as a rigid plastic based on polyolefin, such as polyethylene or polypropylene. It extends here annularly around the longitudinal axis X.
• a rigid material in practice difficult to deform
• polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene
• the piece forming the rigid portion 41 is extended locally by an axial projection which forms an outer layer or second layer 40 of the actuating portion 35.
• the second layer 40 is not reported on the first layer 30 of the portion of actuation 35 but is part of the rigid portion 41.
• the superposition of the two layers 30, 40 can increase the thickness of the actuating portion 35 (thick portion compared to adjacent hinge portions 36, 36 ', 39, 39').
• the actuating portion 35 then sinks, here under the action of a lateral support along the arrow A (visible in Figures 2b and 3b). Due to the inward displacement of the actuating portion 35, the fluid product (liquid or a low viscosity product or similar substance) present in the metering chamber 34 is compressed. Due to this inward movement, the movable portion of the nonreturn valve 15 is pushed against the base 21 to very effectively close the inlet passage or hole 18 'which communicates with the interior of the container 1 . This allows the product 1 1 to leave the side of the free end 24a by deformation of the movable portion 24 here flexible (which causes the opening of the valve 4), because of the thrust of the pressurized product which was enclosed in the chamber 34 of dosage.
• the inner face 25a is displaced to correspond exactly with the seat, here convex, formed by the abutment surface 37. More generally, the internal shape of the Actuating portion 35 may correspond precisely to the geometry of the dosing chamber 34 when the dosing assembly 2 is biased.
• the elasticity of the flexible rendered portion 42 participates with the hinge portions 36, 36 ', 39 and 39' upon return of the actuating portion 35 to its initial rest position.
• the second rigid layer 40 makes it possible to reinforce the actuating portion 35. As a result, the product in the dosing chamber 34 can be effectively compressed and expelled, in the same way, after repeated use of the actuating portion 35 of the tip 3.
• the second layer 40 is formed by an axial projection which extends from a shoulder, here annular, of the rigid portion 41.
• the second layer 40 can oppose direct contact of a finger of the user with the first layer 30.
• the second layer 40 may have a surface at least as large as that of the first layer 30 or form reliefs leaving spaces insufficiently large to allow direct support on the first layer 30.
• the actuating portion 35 generates a depression inside the metering chamber 34.
• This depression causes the opening of the valve 15 which bends and comes off the support S which allows the passage of the liquid product 1 1 through the holes 18 'to the inside of the metering chamber 34 which fills.
• the passage of the liquid 1 1 to the chamber 34 in turn causes a vacuum in the space 33 of the container 1 which does not contain product 1 1, which has the effect of lifting the valve 15 'from its seat 6 and thus allow the entry of air from the outside to the inside of the container 1 through the air intake assembly 20 (for example via the holes 9, the filter 8 and the holes 18).
• the filter 8 having retained the external bacteria, the air entering the container 1 is sterile and the product 11 is not contaminated.
• This air intake ceases when the metering chamber 34 is completely filled and when the pressure balance between the inner space 33 and the outside of the container 1 is reached. The device is thus ready to be used again and to distribute an identical dose.
• the zone of joining between the first layer 30 and the second layer 40 can preferably be obtained by being secured by any means for fixing material at the interface between the two layers 30 and 40.
• the rigid projection forming the second layer 40 is only connected to the rigid portion 41 (and formed of a block with it) and the connection against the first layer 30 results only from the connection between the rigid portion 41 and the container 1.
• the rigid portion 41 differently, for example in a non-annular manner and attached to a fixed part of the end piece 3 (association by gluing, over-molding or welding, or by any other means).
• the portion 42 made flexible is retained which is preferably formed in an intermediate zone of a rigid piece in one piece.
• the second layer 40 may be in the form of a push button, connected or not to the first layer 30 being contiguous on the outside thereof.
• the second layer 40, rigid, is then resting on a spring or equivalent elastic return member, for example assembled in a cavity of the rigid portion 41 (non-hinge option of the second layer 40).
• One or more abutment members are used in the connection between the second layer 40 and the rigid portion, knowing that this connection is configured to make the second layer 40 movable inwards and able to completely empty the chamber 34 .
• the device can be compact and is well suited for dispensing the same precise doses of liquid or slightly viscous product.
• the device is especially designed for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and ophthalmic applications.
• the actuating portion 35 is illustrated to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, it is understood that the geometry of the tip 3 can be modified so that the actuating portion 35 formed with the two layers 30, 40, being mobile in a non-zero axial component direction or possibly in a substantially axial direction (in the latter case, the actuating portion 35 extends radially and is for example movable to an engaged position which corresponds to a support against the base portion 21).
• the metering chamber 34 can then be adjacent to the valve 15.
• the internal geometry of the actuating portion 35 preferably corresponds exactly to that of the metering chamber 34.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Medical Preparation Storing Or Oral Administration Devices (AREA)

Priority Applications (8)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=52686395

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (12)

Cited By (6)

Families Citing this family (2)

Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2015
  • 2015-02-11 RU RU2016137420A patent/RU2664345C2/ru active
  • 2015-02-11 PL PL15710545T patent/PL3107821T3/pl unknown
  • 2015-02-11 JP JP2016570191A patent/JP6860349B2/ja active Active
  • 2015-02-11 NO NO15710545A patent/NO3107821T3/no unknown
  • 2015-02-11 ES ES15710545.3T patent/ES2663613T3/es active Active
  • 2015-02-11 WO PCT/FR2015/050330 patent/WO2015124844A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2015-02-11 DK DK15710545.3T patent/DK3107821T3/en active
  • 2015-02-11 CA CA2938801A patent/CA2938801C/fr active Active
  • 2015-02-11 EP EP15710545.3A patent/EP3107821B1/fr active Active
  • 2015-02-11 BR BR112016019273-7A patent/BR112016019273B1/pt active IP Right Grant
  • 2015-02-11 PT PT157105453T patent/PT3107821T/pt unknown
  • 2015-02-11 HU HUE15710545A patent/HUE036660T2/hu unknown
• 2019
  • 2019-11-22 JP JP2019211606A patent/JP2020045173A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (5)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events