Device for dispensing a liquid in the form of drops

• US 10,640,268 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2019
• Issued: 05/05/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nemera La Verpilliere
• Original Assignee: Nemera La Verpilliere
• Inventors: Painchaud, Gaetan, Lanzi, Sylvain, Julia, Xavier, Grevin, Guillaume
• Primary Examiner(s): Buechner, Patrick M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Melaragno, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US16/282,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20190185227A1
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 222420, 222209, 222212, 222213, 222498, 222499, 222422, 222511, 222513, 222514, 222518, 222494, 222495, 222496
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/0008 Introducing ophthalmic products into the ocular cavity or retaining products therein putting in contact lenses A61F9/0061; introducing or retaining media in cavities of the body in general A61M31/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1425 Snap-fit type
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/1468 Containers characterised by specific material properties
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/18 for discharging drops; Droppers droppers in general B01L3/00; pipettes connected to container closures B01L3/0282
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/205 the valve being formed by a tubular flexible sleeve surrounding a rod-like element provided with at least one radial passageway which is normally closed by the sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 47/2081 in which the deformation raises or lowers the valve port

Abstract

The device makes it possible to dispense predetermined metered quantities of liquid. It includes a sealing member that can take up a liquid release position, allowing liquid to flow out of the device, and a non-return position preventing liquid from flowing back into the device. The sealing member is provided with metering means for metering out the liquid to be dispensed.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing predetermined metered quantities of liquid, the device comprising an end-piece having an inner core and an outer top casing, and a sealing member fastened between the inner core and the outer top casing and having a liquid release position allowing liquid to flow out of the device, and a non-return position preventing liquid from flowing back into the device, wherein:

the sealing member defines a metering element for metering out the liquid to be dispensed and forming drops of liquid;

the device further comprises a liquid-passing channel opening out into the metering element; and

the metering element comprises a flared shape that flares from said channel.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing element that bears against the sealing member, in register with a recessed zone, to deform the sealing member by bending deformation so that it takes up its non-return position.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is flexible at least in part, and the device further comprises a bearing element that bears against the sealing member to deform the flexible portion of the sealing member by compression deformation so that it takes up its non-return position.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flared shape opens out into a substantially cylindrical shape.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is an elastomer element that is made entirely of elastomer.

6. A device for dispensing predetermined metered quantities of liquid, the device comprising a sealing member having a liquid release position allowing liquid to flow out of the device, and a non-return position preventing liquid from flowing back into the device, wherein:

the sealing member defines a metering element for metering out the liquid to be dispensed and forming drops of liquid;

the device further comprises a liquid-passing channel opening out into the metering element; and

the metering element comprises a flared shape that flares from said channel, wherein the sealing member comprises an elastomer portion and a rigid portion, said elastomer portion and rigid portion being constrained to move with each other.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the metering element is formed in the rigid portion.