Fluid product dispensing device

• US 20040025869A1
• Filed: 05/15/2003
• Published: 02/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptar France S.A.S (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Valois SAS (Mestdagh Family)
• Inventors: Stradella, Giuseppe
• Granted Patent: US 7,363,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 128/200.23
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0081 Locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/009 using medicine packages with incorporated spraying means, e.g. aerosol cans pocket atomiser of the injector type A61M11/08
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0091 mechanically breath-triggered

Abstract

A fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir (1), a metering valve (2) having a valve member (3), and an automatic trigger system for actuating said valve, said trigger system comprising a resilient element (10) moved manually into a cocked position, actuation of the trigger system releasing said resilient element (10) which then moves to an actuating position by exerting a force adapted to moving the valve member (3) towards its dispensing position, said resilient element (10) then being returned manually to its rest position, said fluid dispenser device being characterized in that it further comprises a valve member release system which co-operates with the reservoir (1) or with the valve member (3) so that, after dispensing the fluid, said valve member (3) is released from the force exerted by said resilient element (10), so that, after the device is actuated, said valve member (3) is returned to its rest position by the return spring of the valve, independently of the position of said resilient element.

Claims

1. / A fluid dispenser device comprising a reservoir (1) containing fluid and a propellant gas, a metering valve (2) mounted on said reservoir and comprising a metering chamber and a valve member (3) mounted to move between a dispensing position and a rest position, and an automatic trigger system for actuating said valve and that is preferably actuated by the user inhaling, said trigger system comprising a resilient element (10) formed by or secured to a spring, said resilient element being moved manually by the user into a cocked position in which it is held under tension, actuation of the trigger system releasing said resilient element (10) which then moves to an actuating position while exerting a force adapted to moving the valve member (3) of the valve (2) towards its dispensing position, said resilient element (10) then being returned manually by the user from its actuating position to its rest position in which it no longer urges said valve member towards its dispensing position, said fluid dispenser device being characterized in that it further comprises a valve member release-system which cooperates with the reservoir (1) or with the valve member (3) of the valve (2) so that, after dispensing the fluid contained in the metering chamber of the valve, said valve member (3) is released from the force exerted by said resilient element (10) of the trigger system, so that, after the device is actuated, said valve member (3) is returned to its rest position by the return spring of the valve, independently of the position of said resilient element.

2. / A device according to claim 1, in which said valve member release system comprises a locking element (20) co-operating with one of the valve member (3) and the fluid reservoir (1), said locking element (20) being mounted to move between a locking position, in which the valve member (3) can be brought into its dispensing position by said resilient element (10) of the trigger system, and an unlocking position, in which the valve member (3) is brought into its rest position independently of the position of said resilient element (10), said locking element (20) being urged to its unlocking position after the trigger system has been actuated.

3. / A device according to claim 2, in which the valve member release system includes a retaining member (30) that can be moved from a retaining position in which it retains said locking element (20) in its locking position, and a non-retaining position in which it does not retain said locking element (20) in its locking position, said retaining member (30) being moved towards its non-retaining position when the valve member (3) reaches its dispensing position.

4. / A device according to claim 3, in which said valve member release system includes a control element (40) cooperating firstly with the valve member (3) and secondly with the retaining member (30) so that when the valve member (3) reaches its dispensing position, the control element (40) makes it possible to move the retaining member (30) to its non-retaining position so that the locking element (20) is moved into its unlocking position, and the valve member is returned to its rest position by the return spring of the valve.

5. / A device according to claim 4, in which said retaining member (30) is resiliently deformable and said control element includes a first inside diameter (41) cooperating with the retaining member (30) to prevent it from deforming and thus to hold it in its retaining position, and a second inside diameter (42) greater than said first inside diameter (41), which co-operates with said retaining member (30) when the valve member (3) reaches its dispensing position, then making it possible to deform said retaining member (30) towards its non-retaining position.

6. / A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, in which said locking element (20) includes a brake device (50, 60) adapted to slow down the movement of said locking element (20) towards its unlocking position, after the trigger system has been actuated.

7. / A device according to claim 6, in which said brake device (50) is mechanical and includes a moving element (55) connected to said locking element (20), and that slides with friction against or between one or more brake members (51, 52).

8. / A device according to claim 7, in which said moving element is a preferably serrated rod (55), and said brake members comprise two preferably elastomer wheels (51, 52), said rod (55) sliding with friction between said wheels (51, 52).

9. / A device according to claim 8, in which each wheel (51, 52) is secured to a respective deformable arm (53, 54) so that when the rod (55) slides between said wheels, each arm (53, 54) deforms so that said wheels (51, 52) come towards each other, thereby increasing the friction exerted on said rod (55) to perform the braking.

10. / A device according to claim 6, in which said brake device (60) is pneumatic and/or hydraulic.

11. / A device according to claim 10, in which said brake device (60) includes a piston (61) connected to said locking element (20), said piston (61) sliding in leaktight manner in a chamber (62), said chamber (62) or said piston (61) being provided with a small orifice (63) so that gas or liquid can flow only slowly into or out from said chamber (62), thereby causing said piston (61) to move slowly.

12. / A device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, and any one of claims 6 to 11, in which the valve member release system comprises a first locking element (20a) moved to its unlocking position when the valve member (3) reaches its dispensing position, and a second locking element (20b) provided with a brake system (50, 60), and urged into its unlocking position by said first locking element (20a) when it is in the unlocking position, so that the brake system (50, 60) is actuated only once the valve member (3) is in its dispensing position.

13. / A device according to claim 12, in which said first locking element (2ba) co-operates firstly with the end-wall of the reservoir (1) and secondly with said second locking element (20b) which is secured to said brake (50, 60).

14. / A device according to any preceding claim, in which said valve member release system includes a delay system adapted to release the valve member (3) of the metering valve (2) after a predetermined delay time after the valve member (3) has reached its dispensing position.

15. / A device according to claim 14, in which the valve member release system comprises a first locking element (20a) retained by a retaining member (30) itself cooperating with a control element (40), said control element (40) having a first portion (48) secured to the resilient element (10) of the trigger system, and a second portion (49) co-operating firstly with said retaining member (30), and secondly with a second locking element (20b) provided with a brake system (50, 60), a resilient member (45) of low stiffness, such as a spring, being interposed between said first and second portions (48, 49) of the control element (40), so that said first locking element (20a) can move towards its unlocking position only after a delay time predetermined to enable said valve member (3) of the valve (2) to return to its rest position, said delay time corresponding to the time necessary for the second locking element (20b) to move into its unlocking position, against said brake system (50, 60) under drive from said resilient member (45), thereby moving said second portion (49) of the control element (40) into the position in which the retaining member (30) can deform into its non-retaining position, so as to enable the first locking element (20a) to move into its unlocking position.

16. / A device according to claim 14, in which said delay system is electronic or electromechanical.