WO2007057543A1 - Fluid pumping and delivery unit - Google Patents

Fluid pumping and delivery unit Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007057543A1
WO2007057543A1 PCT/FR2006/002490 FR2006002490W WO2007057543A1 WO 2007057543 A1 WO2007057543 A1 WO 2007057543A1 FR 2006002490 W FR2006002490 W FR 2006002490W WO 2007057543 A1 WO2007057543 A1 WO 2007057543A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
piston
assembly
hollow body
assembly according
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2006/002490
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Claude Jaunay
Original Assignee
Claude Jaunay
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Claude Jaunay filed Critical Claude Jaunay
Publication of WO2007057543A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007057543A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/0005—Components or details
    • B05B11/0062—Outlet valves actuated by the pressure of the fluid to be sprayed
    • B05B11/0064—Lift valves
    • B05B11/0067—Lift valves having a valve seat located downstream the valve element (take precedence)
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
    • B05B11/1016—Piston pumps the outlet valve having a valve seat located downstream a movable valve element controlled by a pressure actuated controlling element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/028—Pistons separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
    • B05B11/1015—Piston pumps actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1052—Actuation means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/109—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle the dispensing stroke being affected by the stored energy of a spring
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/026—Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an assembly for pumping and dispensing fluid, preferably by spraying.
  • Fluid pumping and dispensing assemblies are already known, particularly in the field of cosmetics and the medical field.
  • the sprayed dose of drug be as reproducible as possible, both from one dose to the next, and from one sprayed dose when the container is full to a sprayed dose when the container is almost empty.
  • Spray devices are known in which a dose is sprayed by applying lateral pressure to the container body.
  • these devices do not have a pump assembly so that the doses dispensed are not regular since they always depend on the pressure conditions exerted on the body of the container.
  • a trigger type fluid dispenser that is to say moved against the force of a spring, and released for the projection of a dose.
  • This device does not have a single piston in one piece for dosing.
  • This dispenser is not suitable for a nasal spray because of its size much too large.
  • the assembly can be completed only after loading the contained fluid, so that the sterility of the content is difficult to obtain.
  • the invention relates to the implementation of new manufacturing technologies by plastic overmolding for the realization of a very low dose pumping and dispensing assembly, which can be actuated by a laterally oriented maneuver relative to the the axis of the pumping assembly, so that the spray nozzle does not exhibit displacement movement along the axis with respect to the container body and thus allows dispensing of the sprayed product at a precise location, in a manner which can not be obtained with the spraying systems controlled by the axis of the assembly.
  • a force exerted laterally on an actuating member, by thrust or rotation is transformed into a displacement force of a double piston in one piece inside the assembly, this displacement having a length always the same and provoking the moving a precisely determined volume of the contained fluid to a metering chamber; the return of the movable member to its rest position causes the spraying of the precise dose, without relative displacement of the container and the pumping assembly along the axis of this container.
  • the invention relates to a pump assembly and fluid distribution, which comprises a hollow body forming at least a portion of a fluid container and carrying a dispensing device, a two-piston member formed in one piece and movable along an axis of the assembly, a first of the two pistons partially delimiting a metering chamber and a second of the two pistons partially delimiting a product chamber, the metering chamber and the product chamber being connected by a fluid conduit , an actuating member of the movable member between at least two distant positions in the hollow body, acting directly on the two-piston member, and a return member of the movable member of one of its positions. distant to another.
  • the fluid dispensing device is a fluid spraying device.
  • the hollow body is overmoulded on the spraying device.
  • the spraying device comprises a spray orifice and a flap closure device of this orifice.
  • the assembly further comprises a valve disposed in the fluid conduit connecting the product chamber to the metering chamber.
  • the pistons of the movable member are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is much greater than that of the first piston. In another embodiment, the pistons of the movable member are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is not greater than that of the first piston.
  • the operating member controls the application of a lateral pressure perpendicular to the axis of the assembly.
  • the lateral displacement of the operating member is converted into a displacement of the movable member along the axis of the assembly by a cam device.
  • the operating member is controlled by a rotation around the axis of the assembly.
  • the cooperation between the operating member and the double piston is reciprocal, so that the double piston return member also ensures the return of the operating member.
  • the hollow body and the second piston define the product chamber with an additional piston movable in the hollow body.
  • the additional piston is guided on a rod secured to the second piston and directed towards the end of the hollow body opposite the metering chamber.
  • the additional piston is guided solely by the hollow body.
  • the return member is a spring disposed outside the metering chamber and the product chamber.
  • the return member is a spring for sliding on the rod secured to the second piston.
  • the hollow body and the second piston define the product chamber with a flexible bag containing the product to be dispensed.
  • a protective envelope of the pocket is fixed on the hollow body.
  • At least one piston has a double lip.
  • all members of the pumphead assembly are formed of radiation sterilizable materials.
  • Figure 1 is a section of a container having a pump assembly and fluid spray according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 shows in enlarged form an example of a spraying device giving a precise and reproducible dose of fluid
  • Figure 3 is a section of a container having a pump assembly and fluid spray according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the rest position
  • FIG. 4 represents the spray device of FIG. 3 giving an accurate and reproducible dose of fluid product, in the controlled position
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism of the double piston by the operating member, in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4
  • Fig. 6 is a side elevational view with torn portions of another embodiment of a container provided with a pump and fluid spray assembly according to the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a pump and fluid spray assembly of the invention forming a fluid container.
  • the container of the pumping assembly is essentially formed by a hollow body 10.
  • This hollow body comprises, from its upper part, a chamber 12 for accommodating a spraying device 20, a cylinder 14 for a dosing chamber, a cylinder 16 operating member and a product chamber cylinder 18.
  • the chamber 12 intended to contain a spraying device 20, described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, is delimited at its lower part by a transverse wall pierced with an orifice, the outer retaining end of the spraying device. being formed by overmolding the hollow body 10 on the spraying device 20, during its manufacture.
  • the hollow body 10 contains, beneath the transverse wall which defines the housing of the spray device 20, a movable member 22 with two pistons.
  • This member 22 comprises, at its upper part, a first piston 24 preferably double lip which cooperates sealingly with the cylindrical portion 14 of the hollow body and thus defines a metering chamber 26.
  • the lower part of the metering chamber 26 has a valve 28 for closing a conduit, indicated below.
  • the movable member 22 then comprises a skirt 30 provided with two cam followers which cooperate with a cam carried by a lateral pusher 32. When the lateral pusher 32, which protrudes to the right in FIG.
  • the movable member 22 then comprises a second piston 34 which slides etan ⁇ he against the cylinder 18 of the hollow body 10.
  • the movable member 22 comprises two pistons 24, 34 which cooperate etan ⁇ he each with a cylindrical wall of the body hollow.
  • the piston 34 defines, with the cylinder 18 of the hollow body and an additional piston 38 placed at the bottom of the container, a product chamber 36 which contains the fluid to be sprayed.
  • a duct 40 oriented mainly along the axis of the assembly, connects the product chamber 36 to the metering chamber 26.
  • This duct is normally closed by the valve 28, for example a stainless steel ball , which is moved away from its seat formed by the movable member 22, that when it is moved downward, so that fluid is then removed from the product chamber 36 to the metering chamber 26 and raises the valve 28.
  • the movable member comprises, in this embodiment, a rod 41 around which slides the additional piston 38.
  • the rod 41 cooperates with sealingly on one hand with the inner cylindrical wall 18 of the hollow body and on the other hand with the outer surface of the rod 41.
  • the rod 41 with the assembly of the movable member 22, is moved upwards on FIG. 1, that is to say towards the rest position, by a spring 42 held at the end of the hollow body 10 by a cap 44 fixed to the end of the hollow body and pierced at 45 for setting the air.
  • the rise of the movable member causes a reduction in volume of the metering chamber 26, so that the product is driven to the spraying device 20 and is projected outwards.
  • the additional piston 38 is close to the piston 34 of the movable member.
  • the additional piston 38 comes against the piston 34.
  • the hollow body 10 is formed of a transparent material or if it simply has a transparent zone in the cylindrical portion 18, it is easy to observe the position of the additional piston 38 with respect to the piston 34 to reach account of how much of the product remains.
  • the amount of product remaining in the body can be indicated in various other ways, for example by rotating a rotating disk about the axis of the assembly, indicating the number of maneuvers, for example at the lower cap 44.
  • the device shown in Figure 1 is manufactured as follows.
  • the spraying device 20 is arranged in an injection mold which allows overmoulding, and the hollow body 10 is manufactured by injection so that it incorporates the spraying device by overmoulding and delimits the successive cylindrical parts 14, 16. and 18.
  • the operating member 32 is inserted and the movable member 22, provided with the valve 28, is introduced into the hollow body.
  • the product is disposed in the product chamber 36, and the additional piston 38 is introduced.
  • the cap 44 and the spring 42 are put in place and locked on the hollow body 10, either in the vacuum apparatus, or after leaving it.
  • the movable member is biased by a spring placed in the lower part
  • an elastic device having the function of the spring in another part of the hollow body, for example at the level of skirt 30.
  • the rod 41 is not essential and the additional piston 38 may not have a central hole.
  • a characteristic of the assembly shown in Figure 1 is that the product is in contact only with the materials of the spraying device 20, the hollow body 10, the movable member 22 and the additional piston 38. therefore not in contact with the spring 42.
  • the sprayer obtained distributes a full dose from the first spray.
  • Polypropylene and polyethylene or similar materials can be used for the manufacture of the various elements.
  • the pumping assembly can be made with inexpensive common materials, and with a relatively small number of elements. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.
  • Figure 2 shows an example of a spraying device of a type that prevents the entry of bacteria.
  • An orifice 46 of a nozzle 48 may be closed by a pointer 50, which thus constitutes a valve which prevents the passage of bacteria.
  • the needle 50 is carried by a resilient cylindrical member 52 forming a piston.
  • Grooves 54 are supplied with fluid by free portions 56, preferably at least two diametrically opposed, receiving the fluid from the orifice 58 of the transverse partition defining the housing of the spray device 20, through a conduit 59 60 formed inside the organ 52.
  • the elastic member 52 on the lower side, is held without play in the body 62, with interposition of a seal 64 which can be secured to the intermediate portion 66.
  • the elastic member 52 between the fixed lower part and the upper needle portion 50 which is movable, has an intermediate portion 66 formed of a compressible material.
  • An additional sealing gasket 68 may be placed between the body 62 and the cylindrical member 52 and may be integral with the intermediate portion 66.
  • grooves 70 are formed in the elastic member 52 or the pad 72 so that the fluid can be present between these two elements.
  • the compressible portion 66 of the elastic member 52 pushes the needle 50 against the orifice 46 of the nozzle, so that the inside of the nozzle is totally isolated from the outside air: the device forms a valve that prevents the passage of bacteria.
  • pressurized fluid is transmitted through the channel 58, 59, 60, and the portion 56 and reaches the spray chamber 74 through the grooves 54, also reaches the grooves 70 and exerts its pressure on the total section of the elastic body 52, reduced by the section of the needle.
  • the resulting force due to pressure then tends to move the needle 50 away from the orifice 46 of the nozzle, and since the body 52 has a compressible portion 66, it moves the needle 50 away from the nozzle. A spray is thus immediately performed.
  • the compressible portion 66 of the elastic member 52 expands and returns the needle 50 against the orifice 46 of the nozzle.
  • the device that gives its compressibility to the elastic member 52 may be of very different types, other than the molded plastic spring integral with the piece 52 that has just been described; Many elastic materials are known, such as closed-cell foams, and even mechanical elements such as springs.
  • the elastic member 52 can be made in one piece by simultaneously molding two materials: the manufacture and assembly are simplified, and allow a reduction in the cost of the mouthpiece obtained.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the invention.
  • the elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same numerical references followed by the sign '.
  • the main differences of this embodiment with that of Figure 1 relate to the body of the pump assembly, the piston placed in contact with the reservoir fluid, the double piston return spring, the additional piston and the operating mechanism .
  • the body 10 ', 11 of the pumping assembly is in two parts, the part 11 corresponding to the upper part of the body 10 of the first embodiment.
  • the part 10 ' forms a partition near its connection with the part 11, this partition being pierced with a hole for the passage of the lower part 34' of the movable member 22 'forming the double piston.
  • a seal 35 seals against the lower portion 34 'at the orifice of the partition.
  • the movable member 22 'forming the double piston comprises, in place of a piston having the entire section of the hollow body 10, a smaller section, as indicated by the reference 34'.
  • This piston displaces a reduced volume of the fluid contained in the product chamber 36 '.
  • the movable member ends at the portion 34 ', so that there is more rod 41 for guiding the additional piston 38.
  • the return spring can not be mounted on the opposite side to the spray nozzle.
  • the return spring 42 'of the movable member 22' is disposed in the skirt 30 'of the member 22', between the end of this skirt and the wall of the hollow body 10 '.
  • FIG. 5 shows the actuating mechanism which allows the translational movement of the movable member 22 ', in the manner of a cam device.
  • the actuating member 32 ' has a stirrup shape whose branches delimit the flaps 33, and the skirt 30' delimits ramps 31.
  • the flaps When the operating member 32 'is pushed laterally towards the skirt 30', the flaps As the flaps can only move in a direction transverse to the body portion 11, the movable member 22 ', which can move only in the longitudinal direction, moves by compressing the spring 42 '.
  • the operating member 32' is released and the spring 42 'pushes it towards the by means of the ramps 31.
  • the dispensed dose is reproducible with accuracy, from the first to the last dose, regardless of the speed of actuation of the operating member 32 '.
  • FIG. 6 represents an alternative pump assembly 76, similar to the assemblies described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, but in which a receptacle having a rigid body 78 comprises a flexible bag 82 which contains the fluid product to be dispensed.
  • the lower part of the pumping assembly instead of including the additional piston 38, comprises a tube 80 which extends the conduit 40 and opens at the bottom. When the product is dispensed, the bag retracts into the rigid container body 78.
  • the number of components to be assembled is reduced, investments and manufacturing costs are lower than those of a conventional assembly, the assembly can be sterilized by radiation, it does not have any interlocked parts in regions where the product is located, and it can be formed of inexpensive polymers commonly used.
  • the spraying system is simple, the doses obtained are regular and give a regular and reproducible pattern of spraying, the first dose is already complete, like all the following, and the totality of the product is practically distributed.
  • the control of the assembly is simple and does not require relative movement of parts of the assembly along its axis.
  • the assembly is robust and resistant to drop and vibration tests, it has no spring or other delicate part in contact with the product, and it is easily made in an anti-bacterial form.

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  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to the pumping of fluid. It relates to a fluid pumping and delivery unit comprising a hollow body (10) supporting a fluid delivery device (20), a two-piston member (22) that moves along an axis of the unit, the first (24) of the two pistons partially defining a quantity-defining chamber (26) and a second (34) partially defining a product chamber (36), the quantity-defining chamber (26) and the product chamber (36) being connected by a fluid channel (40), a member (32) for controlling the moving member (22), and a member (42) for returning the moving member (22) from one of its remote positions to another. Application to the spraying of medical and cosmetic fluids.

Description

Ensemble de pompage et de distribution de fluide L'invention concerne un ensemble de pompage et de distribution de fluide, de préférence par pulvérisation. The invention relates to an assembly for pumping and dispensing fluid, preferably by spraying.
On connaît déjà des ensembles de pompage et de dis- tribution de fluide par pulvérisation, notamment dans le domaine des produits cosmétiques et le domaine médical . Dans ce dernier domaine en particulier, il est souhaitable que la dose pulvérisée de médicament soit aussi reproduσtible que possible, aussi bien d'une dose à la suivante que d'une dose pulvérisée lorsque le récipient est plein à une dose pulvérisée lorsque le récipient est presque vide.Fluid pumping and dispensing assemblies are already known, particularly in the field of cosmetics and the medical field. In this latter area in particular, it is desirable that the sprayed dose of drug be as reproducible as possible, both from one dose to the next, and from one sprayed dose when the container is full to a sprayed dose when the container is almost empty.
On connaît des dispositifs de pulvérisation dans lesquels une dose est pulvérisée par application d'une pression latérale au corps de récipient. Cependant, ces dispositifs ne comportent pas d'ensemble de pompage de sorte que les doses distribuées ne sont pas régulières puisqu'elles dépendent toujours des conditions de pression exercées sur le corps du récipient.Spray devices are known in which a dose is sprayed by applying lateral pressure to the container body. However, these devices do not have a pump assembly so that the doses dispensed are not regular since they always depend on the pressure conditions exerted on the body of the container.
On sait aussi réaliser des ensembles de pompage et de pulvérisation donnant une telle reproductibilité des doses pulvérisées . Tous les ensembles donnant une précision suffisante sont du type à pompe actionnée suivant l'axe du récipient qui porte l'ensemble de pompage. Dans ces ensembles, la buse de pulvérisation de fluide se déplace suivant l'axe du récipient contenant le produit par rapport au corps du récipient pendant l'opération de pompage. On conçoit que ce déplacement est gênant pour la précision sur l'emplacement d' application de la dose , en particulier dans le cas d' une pulvérisation nasale. En outre, la difficulté de la réalisation de tels ensembles de pompage est due à la très petite dimension de leurs éléments , et à la grande précision nécessaire à un fonctionnement fiable.It is also known to make pumping and spraying assemblies giving such reproducibility of the sprayed doses. All the sets giving sufficient accuracy are of the pump type actuated along the axis of the container which carries the pumping assembly. In these assemblies, the fluid spray nozzle moves along the axis of the container containing the product relative to the container body during the pumping operation. It is conceivable that this displacement is troublesome for the precision on the place of application of the dose, in particular in the case of a nasal spray. In addition, the difficulty of producing such pumping assemblies is due to the very small size of their elements, and the high accuracy required for reliable operation.
On connaît aussi, d'après le document EP-I 449 595, un distributeur de doses importantes de produits liquides ou pâteux, dans lequel un piston double se déplace dans une chambre sous la commande de l'un ou l'autre de deux dispositifs de manoeuvre. Entre chaque dispositif de manoeuvre et le piston double est interposé un mécanisme complexe de réglage de dose. La chambre de dosage est grande, de sorte que la quantité distribuée est grande. Un tel dispositif, du fait de la complexité de son mécanisme, ne peut être miniaturisé suffisamment pour distribuer de façon reproductible des doses de médicament qui nécessitent des courses de l'ordre d'une fraction de millimètre. Ce distributeur ne convient aucunement à une pulvérisation nasale du fait de 1 ' orientation de sa buse et de sa dimension beaucoup trop grande. En outre, le montage ne peut être terminé qu'après chargement du fluide contenu, de sorte que la stérilité du contenu est délicate à obtenir.It is also known from EP-I 449 595, a distributor of large doses of liquid or pasty products, in which a double piston moves in a chamber under the control of one or the other of two devices maneuvering. Between each operating device and the double piston is interposed a complex mechanism of dose adjustment. The metering chamber is large, so the amount dispensed is large. Such a device, because of the complexity of its mechanism, can not be miniaturized sufficiently to reproducibly distribute drug doses that require strokes of the order of a fraction of a millimeter. This dispenser is not suitable for a nasal spray due to the orientation of its nozzle and its size much too large. In addition, the assembly can be completed only after loading the contained fluid, so that the sterility of the content is difficult to obtain.
On connaît aussi, d'après le document WO 98/12 511, un distributeur de fluide de type déclenché, c'est-à-dire déplacé contre la force d'un ressort, puis libéré pour la projection d'une dose. Ce dispositif ne comporte pas de piston double en une seule pièce pour le dosage. Ce distributeur ne convient aucunement à une pulvérisation nasale du fait de sa dimension beaucoup trop grande. En outre, le montage ne peut être terminé qu'après chargement du fluide contenu, de sorte que la stérilité du contenu est délicate à obtenir .It is also known from WO 98/12511, a trigger type fluid dispenser, that is to say moved against the force of a spring, and released for the projection of a dose. This device does not have a single piston in one piece for dosing. This dispenser is not suitable for a nasal spray because of its size much too large. In addition, the assembly can be completed only after loading the contained fluid, so that the sterility of the content is difficult to obtain.
L' invention a pour objet la mise en oeuvre de nouvelles technologies de fabrication par surmoulage de matière plastique pour la réalisation d' un ensemble de pompage et de distribution de doses très faibles, qui peut être actionné par une manoeuvre orientée latéralement par rapport à l'axe de l'ensemble de pompage, si bien que la buse de pulvérisation ne présente pas de mouvement de déplacement suivant l'axe par rapport au corps du récipient et permet donc une distribution du produit pulvérisé à un emplacement précis, d' une manière qui ne peut pas être obtenue avec les systèmes de pulvérisation commandés par déplacement suivant l'axe de 1 ' ensemble .The invention relates to the implementation of new manufacturing technologies by plastic overmolding for the realization of a very low dose pumping and dispensing assembly, which can be actuated by a laterally oriented maneuver relative to the the axis of the pumping assembly, so that the spray nozzle does not exhibit displacement movement along the axis with respect to the container body and thus allows dispensing of the sprayed product at a precise location, in a manner which can not be obtained with the spraying systems controlled by the axis of the assembly.
Selon l' invention, une force exercée latéralement sur un organe de manoeuvre, par poussée ou rotation, est transformée en une force de déplacement d'un piston double en une seule pièce à l'intérieur de l'ensemble, ce déplacement ayant une longueur toujours identique et provoquant le déplacement d'un volume déterminé avec précision du fluide contenu vers une chambre de dosage ; le retour de l'organe mobile vers sa position de repos provoque la pulvérisation de la dose précise, sans déplacement relatif du récipient et de l'ensemble de pompage suivant l'axe de ce récipient. Grâce à la réalisation en une seule pièce du piston double et à l ' attaque directe de cette pièce unique par l ' organe de manoeuvre , le dispositif peut être très petit tout en donnant de faibles doses parfaitement reproductibles de la première à la dernière dose distribuée. Cette caractéristique est primordiale dans le domaine médical .According to the invention, a force exerted laterally on an actuating member, by thrust or rotation, is transformed into a displacement force of a double piston in one piece inside the assembly, this displacement having a length always the same and provoking the moving a precisely determined volume of the contained fluid to a metering chamber; the return of the movable member to its rest position causes the spraying of the precise dose, without relative displacement of the container and the pumping assembly along the axis of this container. Thanks to the one - piece construction of the double plunger and the direct attack of this single piece by the operating member, the device can be very small while giving low doses that are perfectly reproducible from the first to the last dispensed dose. . This characteristic is paramount in the medical field.
Plus précisément, l'invention concerne un ensemble de pompage et de distribution de fluide, qui comprend un corps creux formant une partie au moins d'un récipient de fluide et portant un dispositif de distribution, un organe à deux pistons formé en une seule pièce et mobile suivant un axe de l'ensemble, un premier des deux pistons délimitant partiellement une chambre de dosage et un second des deux pistons délimitant partiellement une chambre de produit, la chambre de dosage et la chambre de produit étant reliées par un conduit de fluide, un organe de manoeuvre de l'organe mobile entre au moins deux positions distantes dans le corps creux, agissant directement sur l'organe à deux pistons, et un organe de rappel de l'organe mobile de l'une de ses posi- tions distantes vers une autre.More specifically, the invention relates to a pump assembly and fluid distribution, which comprises a hollow body forming at least a portion of a fluid container and carrying a dispensing device, a two-piston member formed in one piece and movable along an axis of the assembly, a first of the two pistons partially delimiting a metering chamber and a second of the two pistons partially delimiting a product chamber, the metering chamber and the product chamber being connected by a fluid conduit , an actuating member of the movable member between at least two distant positions in the hollow body, acting directly on the two-piston member, and a return member of the movable member of one of its positions. distant to another.
De préférence, le dispositif de distribution de fluide est un dispositif de pulvérisation de fluide .Preferably, the fluid dispensing device is a fluid spraying device.
De préférence, le corps creux est surmoulé sur le dispositif de pulvérisation. De préférence, le dispositif de pulvérisation comporte un orifice de pulvérisation et un dispositif de fermeture à clapet de cet orifice .Preferably, the hollow body is overmoulded on the spraying device. Preferably, the spraying device comprises a spray orifice and a flap closure device of this orifice.
Il est avantageux que l ' ensemble comporte en outre un clapet disposé dans le conduit de fluide reliant la chambre de produit à la chambre de dosage .It is advantageous that the assembly further comprises a valve disposed in the fluid conduit connecting the product chamber to the metering chamber.
Dans un mode de réalisation, les pistons de l'organe mobile sont circulaires, et le diamètre du second piston est très supérieur à celui du premier piston. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, les pistons de l'organe mobile sont circulaires, et le diamètre du second piston n'est pas supérieur à celui du premier piston.In one embodiment, the pistons of the movable member are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is much greater than that of the first piston. In another embodiment, the pistons of the movable member are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is not greater than that of the first piston.
Dans un mode de réalisation, l'organe de manoeuvre commande l'application d'une pression latérale perpendiculaire à l ' axe de l ' ensemble . De préférence, le déplacement latéral de l'organe de manoeuvre est transformé en un déplacement de l'organe mobile suivant l'axe de l'ensemble par un dispositif à came . Dans un autre mode de réalisation, l'organe de manoeuvre est commandé par une rotation autour de l'axe de 1 'ensemble.In one embodiment, the operating member controls the application of a lateral pressure perpendicular to the axis of the assembly. Preferably, the lateral displacement of the operating member is converted into a displacement of the movable member along the axis of the assembly by a cam device. In another embodiment, the operating member is controlled by a rotation around the axis of the assembly.
De préférence, la coopération entre l ' organe de manoeuvre et le piston double est réciproque, de sorte que l'organe de rappel du piston double assure aussi le retour de l ' organe de manoeuvre .Preferably, the cooperation between the operating member and the double piston is reciprocal, so that the double piston return member also ensures the return of the operating member.
De préférence, le corps creux et le second piston délimitent la chambre de produit avec un piston supplémentaire mobile dans le corps creux . Dans une variante , le piston supplémentaire est guidé sur une tige solidaire du second piston et dirigée vers l'extrémité du corps creux opposée à la chambre de dosage. Dans une autre variante, le piston supplémentaire est guidé uniquement par le corps creux.Preferably, the hollow body and the second piston define the product chamber with an additional piston movable in the hollow body. In a variant, the additional piston is guided on a rod secured to the second piston and directed towards the end of the hollow body opposite the metering chamber. In another variant, the additional piston is guided solely by the hollow body.
De préférence, l'organe de rappel est un ressort disposé en dehors de la chambre de dosage et de la chambre de produit. Par exemple, l'organe de rappel est un ressort destiné à glisser sur la tige solidaire du second piston.Preferably, the return member is a spring disposed outside the metering chamber and the product chamber. For example, the return member is a spring for sliding on the rod secured to the second piston.
Dans un mode de réalisation particulier, le corps creux et le second piston délimitent la chambre de produit avec une poche souple contenant le produit à distribuer. De préférence, une enveloppe protectrice de la poche est fixée sur le corps creux.In a particular embodiment, the hollow body and the second piston define the product chamber with a flexible bag containing the product to be dispensed. Preferably, a protective envelope of the pocket is fixed on the hollow body.
De préférence, un piston au moins a une double lèvre.Preferably, at least one piston has a double lip.
De préférence, tous les organes de l'ensemble de pom- page sont formés de matières stérilisables par rayonnement.Preferably, all members of the pumphead assembly are formed of radiation sterilizable materials.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention seront mieux compris à la lecture de la description qui va suivre d'exemples de réalisation, faite en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels : la figure 1 est une coupe d'un récipient ayant un ensemble de pompage et de pulvérisation de fluide selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ; la figure 2 représente sous forme agrandie un exemple de dispositif de pulvérisation donnant une dose précise et reproductible de produit fluide ; la figure 3 est une coupe d'un récipient ayant un ensemble de pompage et de pulvérisation de fluide selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention, en position de repos ; la figure 4 représente le dispositif de pulvérisation de la figure 3 donnant une dose précise et reproductible de produit fluide, en position commandée ; la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du mécanisme de manoeuvre du piston double par l'organe de manoeuvre, dans le modes de réalisation des figures 3 et 4 ; et la figure 6 est une vue en élévation latérale avec des parties arrachées d'un autre mode de réalisation de récipient muni d'un ensemble de pompage et de pulvérisation de fluide selon l'invention.Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow of embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a section of a container having a pump assembly and fluid spray according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows in enlarged form an example of a spraying device giving a precise and reproducible dose of fluid; Figure 3 is a section of a container having a pump assembly and fluid spray according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the rest position; FIG. 4 represents the spray device of FIG. 3 giving an accurate and reproducible dose of fluid product, in the controlled position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the operating mechanism of the double piston by the operating member, in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4; and Fig. 6 is a side elevational view with torn portions of another embodiment of a container provided with a pump and fluid spray assembly according to the invention.
La figure 1 est une coupe d'un mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de pompage et de pulvérisation de fluide selon l'invention formant un récipient de fluide. Le récipient de l'ensemble de pompage est essentiellement formé par un corps creux 10. Ce corps creux comporte, depuis sa partie supérieure, une chambre 12 de logement d'un dispositif de pulvérisation 20, un cylindre 14 de chambre de dosage, un cylindre 16 d'organe de manoeuvre et un cylindre 18 de chambre de produit. La chambre 12 destinée à contenir un dispositif de pulvérisation 20, décrit plus en détail en référence à la figure 2 , est délimitée à sa partie inférieure par une paroi transversale percée d'un orifice, l'extrémité extérieure de retenue du dispositif de pulvérisation 20 étant formée par surmoulage du corps creux 10 sur le dispositif de pulvérisation 20, lors de sa fabrication . Le corps creux 10 contient, au-dessous de la paroi transversale qui délimite le logement du dispositif de pulvérisation 20, un organe mobile 22 à deux pistons. Cet organe 22 comporte, à sa partie supérieure, un premier piston 24 de préférence à double lèvre qui coopère de façon étanche avec la partie cylindrique 14 du corps creux et délimite ainsi une chambre de dosage 26. La partie inférieure de la chambre de dosage 26 possède un clapet 28 destiné à fermer un conduit, indiqué dans la suite. L'organe mobile 22 comporte ensuite une jupe 30 munie de deux touσheaux de came qui coopèrent avec une came portée par un poussoir latéral 32. Lorsque le poussoir latéral 32 , qui dépasse à droite sur la figure 1, est poussé vers l'intérieur du corps creux 10, il coopère avec les toucheaux de came de la jupe 30 et déplace ainsi l'organe mobile 22 sur une courte distance, de l'ordre d'une fraction de millimètre, dans la direction longitudinale du corps creux, cette distance étant obtenue de façon reproductible .Figure 1 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a pump and fluid spray assembly of the invention forming a fluid container. The container of the pumping assembly is essentially formed by a hollow body 10. This hollow body comprises, from its upper part, a chamber 12 for accommodating a spraying device 20, a cylinder 14 for a dosing chamber, a cylinder 16 operating member and a product chamber cylinder 18. The chamber 12 intended to contain a spraying device 20, described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, is delimited at its lower part by a transverse wall pierced with an orifice, the outer retaining end of the spraying device. being formed by overmolding the hollow body 10 on the spraying device 20, during its manufacture. The hollow body 10 contains, beneath the transverse wall which defines the housing of the spray device 20, a movable member 22 with two pistons. This member 22 comprises, at its upper part, a first piston 24 preferably double lip which cooperates sealingly with the cylindrical portion 14 of the hollow body and thus defines a metering chamber 26. The lower part of the metering chamber 26 has a valve 28 for closing a conduit, indicated below. The movable member 22 then comprises a skirt 30 provided with two cam followers which cooperate with a cam carried by a lateral pusher 32. When the lateral pusher 32, which protrudes to the right in FIG. 1, is pushed towards the inside of the hollow body 10, it cooperates with the cams of the skirt 30 and thus moves the movable member 22 over a short distance, of the order of a fraction of a millimeter, in the longitudinal direction of the hollow body, this distance being obtained reproducibly.
L' organe mobile 22 comporte ensuite un second piston 34 qui coulisse de façon étanσhe contre le cylindre 18 du corps creux 10. Ainsi, l'organe mobile 22 comporte deux pistons 24, 34 qui coopèrent de façon étanσhe chacun avec une paroi cylindrique du corps creux. Le piston 34 délimite, avec le cylindre 18 du corps creux et un piston supplé- mentaire 38 placé à la partie inférieure du récipient, une chambre de produit 36 qui contient le produit fluide à pulvériser.The movable member 22 then comprises a second piston 34 which slides etanσhe against the cylinder 18 of the hollow body 10. Thus, the movable member 22 comprises two pistons 24, 34 which cooperate etanσhe each with a cylindrical wall of the body hollow. The piston 34 defines, with the cylinder 18 of the hollow body and an additional piston 38 placed at the bottom of the container, a product chamber 36 which contains the fluid to be sprayed.
On note qu'un conduit 40, orienté principalement suivant l'axe de l'ensemble, relie la chambre de produit 36 à la chambre de dosage 26. Ce conduit est normalement fermé par le clapet 28, par exemple une bille d'acier inoxydable, qui n'est écarté de son siège formé par l'organe mobile 22, que lorsque celui-ci est déplacé vers le bas, si bien que du fluide est alors chassé de la chambre de produit 36 vers la chambre de dosage 26 et soulève le clapet 28.It is noted that a duct 40, oriented mainly along the axis of the assembly, connects the product chamber 36 to the metering chamber 26. This duct is normally closed by the valve 28, for example a stainless steel ball , which is moved away from its seat formed by the movable member 22, that when it is moved downward, so that fluid is then removed from the product chamber 36 to the metering chamber 26 and raises the valve 28.
Sous le piston 34, l'organe mobile comporte, dans ce mode de réalisation, une tige 41 autour de laquelle coulisse le piston supplémentaire 38. Ainsi, celui-ci coopère de façon étanche d/ une part avec la paroi cylindrique interne 18 du corps creux et d'autre part avec la surface externe de la tige 41. La tige 41, avec l'ensemble de l'organe mobile 22, est déplacée vers le haut sur la figure 1, c'est-à-dire vers la position de repos, par un ressort 42 tenu à l'extrémité du corps creux 10 par un capuchon 44 fixé à l'extrémité du corps creux et percé en 45 pour la mise à l ' air.Under the piston 34, the movable member comprises, in this embodiment, a rod 41 around which slides the additional piston 38. Thus, it cooperates with sealingly on one hand with the inner cylindrical wall 18 of the hollow body and on the other hand with the outer surface of the rod 41. The rod 41, with the assembly of the movable member 22, is moved upwards on FIG. 1, that is to say towards the rest position, by a spring 42 held at the end of the hollow body 10 by a cap 44 fixed to the end of the hollow body and pierced at 45 for setting the air.
On considère maintenant le fonctionnement de l'ensemble représenté sur la figure 1. Lorsque le bouton-poussoir 32 est poussé latéralement vers l'intérieur du corps creux 10, il provoque un déplacement en translation de l'organe mobile 22 suivant l'axe de l'ensemble à l'intérieur du corps creux 10 d'une distance déterminée avec précision, par exemple de 0,5 mm. Comme le produit fluide à pulvériser qui se trouve dans la chambre de produit 36 et dans le conduit 40 est incompressible, la chambre de produit ne comprenant aucune bulle de gaz, ce déplacement provoque l'expulsion d'une dose précise du produit fluide vers la chambre de dosage 26. Pendant ce déplacement, le clapet 28 s'écarte de son siège. Lorsque le poussoir est libéré, le ressort 42 pousse l'organe mobile 22 vers le haut, le clapet 28 reprenant sa position contre son siège . Du côté de la chambre de produit 36, lorsque le piston 34 remonte, le piston supplémentaire 38 remonte aussi puisque l'air ne peut pas pénétrer dans la chambre de produit 36.The operation of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 is now considered. When the push-button 32 is pushed laterally towards the inside of the hollow body 10, it causes a displacement in translation of the movable member 22 along the axis of the assembly inside the hollow body 10 by a precisely determined distance, for example 0.5 mm. As the fluid product to be sprayed that is in the product chamber 36 and in the conduit 40 is incompressible, the product chamber comprising no gas bubble, this displacement causes the expulsion of a precise dose of the fluid product to the metering chamber 26. During this movement, the valve 28 deviates from its seat. When the pusher is released, the spring 42 pushes the movable member 22 upwards, the valve 28 resuming its position against its seat. On the side of the product chamber 36, when the piston 34 rises, the additional piston 38 also rises since the air can not enter the product chamber 36.
La montée de l' organe mobile provoque une réduction de volume de la chambre de dosage 26, si bien que le produit est chassé vers le dispositif de pulvérisation 20 et est projeté vers l'extérieur. Ainsi, à chaque commande du bouton-poussoir 32, c'est- à-dire à l'expulsion de chaque dose, le piston supplémentaire 38 se rapproche du piston 34 de l'organe mobile. Lorsque pratiquement tout le produit a été pulvérisé, le piston supplémentaire 38 vient contre le piston 34. Si le corps creux 10 est formé d'un matériau transparent ou s'il a simplement une zone transparente dans la partie cylindrique 18, il est facile d'observer la position du piston supplémentaire 38 par rapport au piston 34 pour se rendre compte de la quantité de produit qui reste. Cependant, même si le corps creux 10 est entièrement opaque, la quantité de produit restant dans le corps peut être indiquée de diverses autres manières, par exemple par rotation progressive d'un disque tournant autour de l'axe de l'ensemble, indiquant le nombre de manoeuvres , par exemple au niveau du capuchon inférieur 44.The rise of the movable member causes a reduction in volume of the metering chamber 26, so that the product is driven to the spraying device 20 and is projected outwards. Thus, with each command of the push button 32, that is to say the expulsion of each dose, the additional piston 38 is close to the piston 34 of the movable member. When practically all the product has been sprayed, the additional piston 38 comes against the piston 34. If the hollow body 10 is formed of a transparent material or if it simply has a transparent zone in the cylindrical portion 18, it is easy to observe the position of the additional piston 38 with respect to the piston 34 to reach account of how much of the product remains. However, even if the hollow body 10 is completely opaque, the amount of product remaining in the body can be indicated in various other ways, for example by rotating a rotating disk about the axis of the assembly, indicating the number of maneuvers, for example at the lower cap 44.
Le dispositif représenté sur la figure 1 est fabriqué de la manière suivante . Le dispositif de pulvérisation 20 est disposé dans un moule d'injection permettant un surmoulage, et le corps creux 10 est fabriqué par injection afin qu' il incorpore le dispositif de pulvérisation par surmoulage, et qu'il délimite les parties cylindriques successives 14, 16 et 18. Ensuite, l'organe de manoeuvre 32 est introduit et l'organe mobile 22, muni du clapet 28, est introduit dans le corps creux . Ensuite, dans une opération exécutée sous vide alors que le récipient est retourné, le produit est disposé dans la chambre de produit 36, et le piston supplémentaire 38 est introduit. Ensuite, le capuchon 44 et le ressort 42 sont mis en place et bloqués sur le corps creux 10, soit dans l'appareillage sous vide, soit après sortie de celui-ci.The device shown in Figure 1 is manufactured as follows. The spraying device 20 is arranged in an injection mold which allows overmoulding, and the hollow body 10 is manufactured by injection so that it incorporates the spraying device by overmoulding and delimits the successive cylindrical parts 14, 16. and 18. Next, the operating member 32 is inserted and the movable member 22, provided with the valve 28, is introduced into the hollow body. Then, in an operation carried out under vacuum while the container is turned over, the product is disposed in the product chamber 36, and the additional piston 38 is introduced. Then, the cap 44 and the spring 42 are put in place and locked on the hollow body 10, either in the vacuum apparatus, or after leaving it.
Bien qu'on ait indiqué que l'organe mobile était rappelé par un ressort placé à la partie inférieure, il est évidemment possible d' incorporer un dispositif élastique ayant la fonction du ressort dans une autre partie du corps creux, par exemple au niveau de la jupe 30. A ce moment, la tige 41 n'est pas indispensable et le piston supplémentaire 38 peut ne pas avoir de trou central. Une caractéristique de l'ensemble représenté sur la figure 1 est que le produit n' est au contact que des matières du dispositif de pulvérisation 20, du corps creux 10, de l'organe mobile 22 et du piston supplémentaire 38. Il n'est donc pas au contact du ressort 42. Grâce à la fabrication de l'ensemble précité, le pulvérisateur obtenu distribue une dose complète dès la première pulvérisation. On peut utiliser le polypropylène et le polyéthylène ou des matériaux analogues pour la fabrication des différents éléments. Ainsi, l'ensemble de pompage peut être réalisé avec des matériaux courants peu coûteux, et avec un nombre d'éléments relativement réduit. Le coût de fabrication peut donc être réduit.Although it has been indicated that the movable member is biased by a spring placed in the lower part, it is obviously possible to incorporate an elastic device having the function of the spring in another part of the hollow body, for example at the level of skirt 30. At this time, the rod 41 is not essential and the additional piston 38 may not have a central hole. A characteristic of the assembly shown in Figure 1 is that the product is in contact only with the materials of the spraying device 20, the hollow body 10, the movable member 22 and the additional piston 38. therefore not in contact with the spring 42. Through the manufacture of the aforementioned assembly, the sprayer obtained distributes a full dose from the first spray. Polypropylene and polyethylene or similar materials can be used for the manufacture of the various elements. Thus, the pumping assembly can be made with inexpensive common materials, and with a relatively small number of elements. The manufacturing cost can be reduced.
La figure 2 représente un exemple de dispositif de pulvérisation, d'un type qui empêche l'entrée des bactéries. Un orifice 46 d'un gicleur 48 peut être fermé par un poin- teau 50, qui constitue ainsi une valve qui empêche le passage des bactéries. Le pointeau 50 est porté par un organe cylindrique élastique 52 formant piston. Des gorges 54 sont alimentées en fluide par des parties dégagées 56, de préférence au nombre d'au moins deux diamétralement opposées, recevant le fluide de l'orifice 58 de la cloison transversale délimitant le logement du dispositif de pulvérisation 20, par un conduit 59, 60 formé à l'intérieur de l'organe 52.Figure 2 shows an example of a spraying device of a type that prevents the entry of bacteria. An orifice 46 of a nozzle 48 may be closed by a pointer 50, which thus constitutes a valve which prevents the passage of bacteria. The needle 50 is carried by a resilient cylindrical member 52 forming a piston. Grooves 54 are supplied with fluid by free portions 56, preferably at least two diametrically opposed, receiving the fluid from the orifice 58 of the transverse partition defining the housing of the spray device 20, through a conduit 59 60 formed inside the organ 52.
On note que l'organe élastique 52, du côté inférieur, est maintenu sans jeu dans le corps 62 , avec interposition d'un joint 64 qui peut être solidaire de la partie intermédiaire 66. L'organe élastique 52, entre la partie inférieure fixe et la partie supérieure 50 de pointeau qui est mobile, comporte une partie intermédiaire 66 formée d'un matériau compressible. Un joint supplémentaire d'étanchéité 68 peut être placé entre le corps 62 et l ' organe cylindrique 52 et peut être solidaire de la partie intermédiaire 66. Enfin, des gorges 70 sont formées dans l'organe élastique 52 ou le plot 72 de manière que le fluide puisse être présent entre ces deux éléments.It is noted that the elastic member 52, on the lower side, is held without play in the body 62, with interposition of a seal 64 which can be secured to the intermediate portion 66. The elastic member 52, between the fixed lower part and the upper needle portion 50 which is movable, has an intermediate portion 66 formed of a compressible material. An additional sealing gasket 68 may be placed between the body 62 and the cylindrical member 52 and may be integral with the intermediate portion 66. Finally, grooves 70 are formed in the elastic member 52 or the pad 72 so that the fluid can be present between these two elements.
En position normale de repos, la partie compressible 66 de l'organe élastique 52 pousse le pointeau 50 contre l'orifice 46 du gicleur, si bien que l'intérieur de l'embout est totalement isolé de l'air extérieur : le dispositif forme une valve qui empêche le passage des bactéries . Lorsque du fluide sous pression est transmis par le canal 58, 59, 60, et la partie 56 et parvient à la chambre de pulvérisation 74 par l'intermédiaire des gorges 54, il parvient aussi aux gorges 70 et exerce sa pression sur la section totale du corps élastique 52 , réduite de la section du pointeau. La force résultante due à la pression a alors tendance à écarter le pointeau 50 de l'orifice 46 du gicleur, et comme le corps 52 a une partie compressible 66, il écarte le pointeau 50 du gicleur. Une pulvérisation est ainsi immédiatement réalisée. Dès que la pression disparaît, la partie compressible 66 de l'organe élastique 52 se détend et ramène le pointeau 50 contre l'orifice 46 du gicleur. Le dispositif qui donne sa compressibilité à l'organe élastique 52 peut être de types très divers, autres que le ressort de matière plastique moulé solidaire de la pièce 52 qu ' on vient de décrire ; on connaît de nombreuses matières élastiques, telles que des mousses souples à cellules fer- mées, et même des éléments mécaniques tels que des ressorts. En outre, grâce à la forme en hélice du matériau compressible 66, l'organe élastique 52 peut être réalisé en une seule pièce par moulage simultané de deux matières : la fabrication et le montage sont simplifiés , et permettent une réduction du coût de l'embout obtenu.In the normal rest position, the compressible portion 66 of the elastic member 52 pushes the needle 50 against the orifice 46 of the nozzle, so that the inside of the nozzle is totally isolated from the outside air: the device forms a valve that prevents the passage of bacteria. When pressurized fluid is transmitted through the channel 58, 59, 60, and the portion 56 and reaches the spray chamber 74 through the grooves 54, also reaches the grooves 70 and exerts its pressure on the total section of the elastic body 52, reduced by the section of the needle. The resulting force due to pressure then tends to move the needle 50 away from the orifice 46 of the nozzle, and since the body 52 has a compressible portion 66, it moves the needle 50 away from the nozzle. A spray is thus immediately performed. As soon as the pressure disappears, the compressible portion 66 of the elastic member 52 expands and returns the needle 50 against the orifice 46 of the nozzle. The device that gives its compressibility to the elastic member 52 may be of very different types, other than the molded plastic spring integral with the piece 52 that has just been described; Many elastic materials are known, such as closed-cell foams, and even mechanical elements such as springs. In addition, thanks to the helical shape of the compressible material 66, the elastic member 52 can be made in one piece by simultaneously molding two materials: the manufacture and assembly are simplified, and allow a reduction in the cost of the mouthpiece obtained.
Les figures 3 et 4 représentent un autre mode de réalisation de l ' invention . Sur ces figures , les éléments analogues à ceux du premier mode de réalisation portent les mêmes référence numériques suivies du signe ' . Les principales différences de ce mode de réalisation avec celui de la figure 1 concernent le corps de l ' ensemble de pompage, le piston placé au contact du fluide du réservoir, le ressort de rappel du piston double, le piston supplémentaire et le mécanisme de manoeuvre . Le corps 10', 11 de l'ensemble de pompage est en deux parties , la partie 11 correspondant à la partie supérieure du corps 10 du premier mode de réalisation. La partie 10' forme une cloison près de son raccord avec la partie 11, cette cloison étant percée d'un trou destiné au passage de la partie inférieure 34 ' de l ' organe mobile 22 ' formant le piston double. Un joint d'étanchéité 35 assure l ' étanchéité contre la partie inférieure 34' à l'orifice de la cloison. L'organe mobile 22' formant le piston double comporte, à la place d'un piston ayant toute la section du corps creux 10, une section plus réduite, comme l'indique la référence 34 '. Ce piston déplace un volume réduit du fluide contenu dans la chambre de produit 36'. L'organe mobile se termine à la partie 34', de sorte qu'il n'existe plus de tige 41 de guidage du piston supplémentaire 38.Figures 3 and 4 show another embodiment of the invention. In these figures, the elements similar to those of the first embodiment bear the same numerical references followed by the sign '. The main differences of this embodiment with that of Figure 1 relate to the body of the pump assembly, the piston placed in contact with the reservoir fluid, the double piston return spring, the additional piston and the operating mechanism . The body 10 ', 11 of the pumping assembly is in two parts, the part 11 corresponding to the upper part of the body 10 of the first embodiment. The part 10 'forms a partition near its connection with the part 11, this partition being pierced with a hole for the passage of the lower part 34' of the movable member 22 'forming the double piston. A seal 35 seals against the lower portion 34 'at the orifice of the partition. The movable member 22 'forming the double piston comprises, in place of a piston having the entire section of the hollow body 10, a smaller section, as indicated by the reference 34'. This piston displaces a reduced volume of the fluid contained in the product chamber 36 '. The movable member ends at the portion 34 ', so that there is more rod 41 for guiding the additional piston 38.
Comme il n'existe plus de tige 41 de guidage du piston supplémentaire 38, le ressort de rappel ne peut pas être monté du côté opposé à la buse de pulvérisation. En conséquence, le ressort de rappel 42' de l'organe mobile 22' est disposé dans la jupe 30' de l'organe 22', entre l'extrémité de cette jupe et la cloison du corps creux 10' .Since there is no longer a rod 41 for guiding additional piston 38, the return spring can not be mounted on the opposite side to the spray nozzle. As a result, the return spring 42 'of the movable member 22' is disposed in the skirt 30 'of the member 22', between the end of this skirt and the wall of the hollow body 10 '.
Comme indiqué précédemment en référence à l ' organe mobile 22', le piston supplémentaire 38' n'a plus à être guidé de façon étanche sur la tige 41. Il comporte alors avantageusement en son centre un canal muni d'un clapet permettant le remplissage sous vide du corps par le produit fluide . Enfin, la figure 5 représente le mécanisme de manoeuvre qui permet le déplacement en translation de l ' organe mobile 22', à la manière d'un dispositif à came. L'organe de manoeuvre 32' a une forme d'étrier dont les branches délimitent des toucheaux 33, et la jupe 30' délimite des rampes 31. Lorsque l ' organe de manoeuvre 32 ' est poussé latéralement vers la jupe 30 ', les toucheaux 33 glissent sur les rampes 31. Comme les toucheaux ne peuvent se déplacer qu'en direction transversale à la partie 11 de corps, l'organe mobile 22', qui ne peut se déplacer qu'en direction longi- tudinale, se déplace en comprimant le ressort 42'.As indicated above with reference to the movable member 22 ', the additional piston 38' does not have to be guided in a sealed manner on the rod 41. It then advantageously comprises in its center a channel provided with a valve allowing the filling under vacuum of the body by the fluid product. Finally, FIG. 5 shows the actuating mechanism which allows the translational movement of the movable member 22 ', in the manner of a cam device. The actuating member 32 'has a stirrup shape whose branches delimit the flaps 33, and the skirt 30' delimits ramps 31. When the operating member 32 'is pushed laterally towards the skirt 30', the flaps As the flaps can only move in a direction transverse to the body portion 11, the movable member 22 ', which can move only in the longitudinal direction, moves by compressing the spring 42 '.
En fin de course de l'organe mobile 22' (contact d'un épaulement proche de la partie 34 ' avec la cloison du corps 10'), l'organe de manoeuvre 32' est relâché et le ressort 42' le repousse vers l'extérieur par l'intermédiaire des rampes 31. Comme la course de déplacement en translation de l'organe mobile 22' sous l'action du ressort de rappel est bien définie, la dose distribuée est reproductible avec précision, de la première à la dernière dose, quelle que soit la vitesse d' actionnement de l'organe de manoeuvre 32' .At the end of travel of the movable member 22 '(contact of a shoulder near the portion 34' with the partition of the body 10 '), the operating member 32' is released and the spring 42 'pushes it towards the by means of the ramps 31. As the translational movement travel of the movable member 22 'under the action of the return spring is well defined, the dispensed dose is reproducible with accuracy, from the first to the last dose, regardless of the speed of actuation of the operating member 32 '.
Les autres caractéristiques de ce mode de réalisation des figures 3 à 5 peuvent être analogues à celles qu 'on a déjà décrites en référence aux figures 1 et 2.The other features of this embodiment of Figures 3 to 5 may be similar to those already described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.
La figure 6 représente une variante d'ensemble de pompage 76, analogue aux ensembles décrits en référence aux figures 1 à 5, mais dans laquelle un récipient ayant un corps rigide 78 comporte une poche souple 82 qui contient la produit fluide à distribuer. La partie inférieure de l'ensemble de pompage, au lieu de comprendre le piston supplémentaire 38, comporte un tube 80 qui prolonge le conduit 40 et débouche à la partie inférieure. Lorsque le produit est distribué, la poche se rétracte dans le corps rigide 78 de récipient.FIG. 6 represents an alternative pump assembly 76, similar to the assemblies described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, but in which a receptacle having a rigid body 78 comprises a flexible bag 82 which contains the fluid product to be dispensed. The lower part of the pumping assembly, instead of including the additional piston 38, comprises a tube 80 which extends the conduit 40 and opens at the bottom. When the product is dispensed, the bag retracts into the rigid container body 78.
Les avantages de l'ensemble de pompage et de distribution selon l ' invention sont très nombreux .The advantages of the pumping and dispensing assembly according to the invention are very numerous.
Au point de vue de la fabrication, le nombre de composants à assembler est réduit, les investissements et coûts de fabrication sont plus faibles que ceux d'un ensemble classique, l'ensemble peut être stérilisé par rayonnement, il ne comporte pas de pièces emmanchées dans des régions où se trouve le produit, et il peut être formé de polymères peu coûteux couramment utilisés . Au point de vue de l'utilisation, le système de pulvérisation est simple, les doses obtenues sont régulières et donnent un motif régulier et reproductible de pulvérisation, la première dose est déjà complète, comme toutes les suivantes, et la totalité du produit pratiquement est distri- buée.From the point of view of manufacturing, the number of components to be assembled is reduced, investments and manufacturing costs are lower than those of a conventional assembly, the assembly can be sterilized by radiation, it does not have any interlocked parts in regions where the product is located, and it can be formed of inexpensive polymers commonly used. From the point of view of use, the spraying system is simple, the doses obtained are regular and give a regular and reproducible pattern of spraying, the first dose is already complete, like all the following, and the totality of the product is practically distributed.
Au point de vue de la manoeuvre, la commande de l'ensemble est simple et ne nécessite pas de mouvement relatif de parties de l ' ensemble suivant son axe .From the point of view of the maneuver, the control of the assembly is simple and does not require relative movement of parts of the assembly along its axis.
Enfin, l'ensemble est robuste et résiste aux essais de chute et de vibration, il n'a pas de ressort ou autre pièce délicate au contact du produit, et il est facilement réalisé sous une forme anti-bactérienne. Finally, the assembly is robust and resistant to drop and vibration tests, it has no spring or other delicate part in contact with the product, and it is easily made in an anti-bacterial form.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Ensemble de pompage et de distribution de fluide, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend : un corps creux (10) formant une partie au moins d'un récipient de fluide et portant un dispositif (20) de distribution de fluide, un organe (22) à deux pistons formé en une seule pièce, mobile suivant un axe de l'ensemble, un premier (24) des deux pistons délimitant partiellement une chambre de dosage (26) et un second (34) des deux pistons délimitant partiellement une chambre de produit (36) , la chambre de dosage (26) et la chambre de produit (36) étant reliées par un conduit (40) de fluide, un organe (32) de manoeuvre de l'organe mobile (22) entre au moins deux positions distantes dans le corps creux (10), agissant directement sur l'organe à deux pistons, et un organe (42) de rappel de l'organe mobile (22) de l'une de ses positions distantes vers une autre.Pumping and fluid dispensing assembly, characterized in that it comprises: a hollow body (10) forming at least a part of a fluid container and carrying a fluid dispensing device (20), an organ (22) formed in one piece, movable along an axis of the assembly, a first (24) of the two pistons partially defining a metering chamber (26) and a second (34) of the two pistons partially defining a product chamber (36), the metering chamber (26) and the product chamber (36) being connected by a fluid conduit (40), a member (32) for operating the movable member (22) is at least two remote positions in the hollow body (10), acting directly on the two-piston member, and a member (42) for returning the movable member (22) from one of its positions distant to another.
2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (20) de distribution de fluide est un dispositif de pulvérisation de fluide .2. The assembly of claim 1, characterized in that the device (20) for dispensing fluid is a fluid spraying device.
3. Ensemble selon l ' une des revendications 1 et 2 , caractérisé en ce que le corps creux (10) est surmoulé sur le dispositif de distribution (20) . 3. An assembly according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the hollow body (10) is overmolded on the dispensing device (20).
4. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre un clapet (28) disposé dans le conduit (40) de fluide reliant la chambre de produit (36) à la chambre de dosage (26) .4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a valve (28) disposed in the conduit (40) of fluid connecting the product chamber (36) to the metering chamber (26). ).
5. Ensemble selon l ' une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les pistons de l'organe mobile (22) sont circulaires, et le diamètre du second piston est très supérieur à celui du premier piston.5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pistons of the movable member (22) are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is much greater than that of the first piston.
6. Ensemble selon l ' une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que les pistons de l'organe mobile (22') sont circulaires, et le diamètre du second piston n'est pas supérieur à celui du premier piston.6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the pistons of the movable member (22 ') are circular, and the diameter of the second piston is not greater than that of the first piston.
7. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de manoeuvre (32) commande l'application d'une pression latérale perpendiculaire à l ' axe de l ' ensemble .7. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating member (32) controls the application of lateral pressure perpendicular to the axis of the assembly.
8. Ensemble selon la revendication 7 , caractérisé en ce que le déplacement latéral de l'organe de manoeuvre (32) est transformé en un déplacement de l'organe mobile (22) suivant l'axe de l'ensemble par un dispositif à came.8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the lateral displacement of the operating member (32) is converted into a displacement of the movable member (22) along the axis of the assembly by a cam device .
9. Ensemble selon l ' une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de manoeuvre est commandé par une rotation autour de l'axe de l'ensemble. 9. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating member is controlled by a rotation about the axis of the assembly.
10. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la coopération entre l'organe de manoeuvre et l'organe mobile est réciproque, de sorte que l'organe de rappel du piston double assure aussi le retour de l ' organe de manoeuvre . 10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cooperation between the operating member and the movable member is reciprocal, so that the double piston return member also ensures the return of the operating member.
11. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le corps creux (10) et le second piston (34) délimitent la chambre de produit (36) avec un piston supplémentaire (38) mobile dans le corps creux (10) . 11. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow body (10) and the second piston (34) delimit the product chamber (36) with an additional piston (38) movable in the hollow body ( 10).
12. Ensemble selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le piston supplémentaire (38) est guidé sur une tige (41) solidaire du second piston et dirigée vers l'extrémité du corps creux (10) opposée à la chambre de dosage.12. The assembly of claim 11, characterized in that the additional piston (38) is guided on a rod (41) integral with the second piston and directed towards the end of the hollow body (10) opposite the metering chamber.
13. Ensemble selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que le piston supplémentaire (38') est guidé uniquement par le corps creux (10') .13. The assembly of claim 11, characterized in that the additional piston (38 ') is guided solely by the hollow body (10').
14. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de rappel (42) est un ressort disposé en dehors de la chambre de dosage (26) et de la chambre de produit (36) .14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the return member (42) is a spring disposed outside the metering chamber (26) and the product chamber (36).
15. Ensemble selon la revendication 14, caractérisé en ce que l'organe de rappel (42) est un ressort destiné à glisser sur la tige (41) solidaire du second piston.15. The assembly of claim 14, characterized in that the return member (42) is a spring for sliding on the rod (41) integral with the second piston.
16. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'un piston au moins a une double lèvre .16. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one piston has a double lip.
17. Ensemble selon l ' une quelconque des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce que le corps creux (78) et le second piston délimitent la chambre de produit avec une poche souple (82) contenant le produit à distribuer.17. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the hollow body (78) and the second piston delimit the product chamber with a flexible bag (82) containing the product to be dispensed.
18. Ensemble selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes , caractérisé en ce que tous les organes de l'ensemble de pompage sont formés de matières stérilisables par rayonnement. 18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the members of the pumping assembly are formed of radiation sterilizable materials.
PCT/FR2006/002490 2005-11-09 2006-11-08 Fluid pumping and delivery unit WO2007057543A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0511411 2005-11-09
FR0511411A FR2893090A1 (en) 2005-11-09 2005-11-09 FLUID PUMPING AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY

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WO2007057543A1 true WO2007057543A1 (en) 2007-05-24

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113525910A (en) * 2021-07-19 2021-10-22 袁群慧 Emulsion pump

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998012511A2 (en) 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 The Boots Company Plc Fluid dispenser
EP1020233A1 (en) * 1999-01-13 2000-07-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Dosing and delivering system
EP1449595A1 (en) 2003-02-21 2004-08-25 Steag MicroParts GmbH Dispenser for dispensing fluid or pasty mediums
US20050205611A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2005-09-22 Bonney Stanley G Dispenser

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998012511A2 (en) 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 The Boots Company Plc Fluid dispenser
EP1020233A1 (en) * 1999-01-13 2000-07-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Dosing and delivering system
US20050205611A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2005-09-22 Bonney Stanley G Dispenser
EP1449595A1 (en) 2003-02-21 2004-08-25 Steag MicroParts GmbH Dispenser for dispensing fluid or pasty mediums

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113525910A (en) * 2021-07-19 2021-10-22 袁群慧 Emulsion pump

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