Dispensing apparatus and method for liquid products, particularly medicinal products
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Abstract
A dispensing apparatus for a liquid product, the apparatus comprising a) a housing (2) or frame (3), b) a receptacle (4) for the liquid with a feed nozzle (4a) arranged substantially stationary with respect to the housing or frame, c) a dosing chamber (11) having an orifice (11a), d) a mechanism arranged to allow at least ejection of liquid through the orifice and e) a through passage (7) arranged to allow the ejected liquid to pass in a direction different from the feed nozzle or opening. The mechanism comprises a mobile element arranged movable with respect to the housing or frame between at least a first position in which the orifice of the dosing chamber and the feed nozzle or opening are in flow communication and a second position in which the orifice and the through passage are in flow communication and the mechanism is arranged to allow aspiration of liquid through the orifice when the mobile element is in the first position and ejection of liquid through the orifice when the mobile element is in the second position. A method for operating the device comprises the steps of i) connecting the orifice and the nozzle or opening in flow communication, ii) filling liquid into the dosing chamber through the orifice, iii) aligning the orifice with the through passage, and iv) ejecting liquid from the dosing chamber through the orifice.
41 Citations
113 Claims
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1-56. -56. (canceled)
- 57. Dispensing apparatus for a liquid product contained in a receptacle, comprising a feed nozzle, said apparatus including an assembly housing or a frame for receiving a mechanism actuated by exerting a pressure on an actuator to draw from the receptacle through the orifice of a dosing chamber a determined quantity of said liquid by means of a plunger compressing a return spring, and to then eject said liquid to the exterior, wherein the mechanism includes an element that is mobile in rotation or translation via the action of the actuator, said mobile element adapted to remain in a first position at the start or rest of the actuator'"'"'s travel, then to act on a control member for the plunger to fill the dosing chamber with liquid and to compress the return spring of said plunger, and, at the end of travel, to then pass into a second position placing said dosing chamber in communication with the exterior by the same orifice as that allowing the liquid to be drawn and, releasing the return spring of the plunger, to drive the liquid from the chamber through a through passage of the housing or the frame.
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76. Apparatus according to claim 76, wherein the liquid is an ophthalmic product and the target is a patient'"'"'s eye.
- 81. A dispensing apparatus for a liquid product, the apparatus comprising a) a housing or frame, b) a receptacle for the liquid with a feed nozzle arranged substantially stationary with respect to the housing or frame, c) a dosing chamber having an orifice, d) a mechanism arranged to allow at least ejection of liquid through the orifice, and e) a through passage arranged to allow the ejected liquid to pass in a direction different from the feed nozzle or opening, wherein i) the mechanism comprises a mobile element movable with respect to the housing or frame between at least a first position in which the orifice of the dosing chamber and the feed nozzle or opening are in flow communication and a second position in which the orifice and the through passage are in flow communication, and ii) the mechanism is arranged to allow aspiration of liquid through the orifice when the mobile element is in the first position and ejection of liquid through the orifice when the mobile element is in the second position.
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111. A method for operating a dispensing apparatus for a liquid product, the apparatus comprising a) a housing or frame, b) a receptacle for the liquid with a feed nozzle arranged substantially stationary with respect to the housing or frame, c) a dosing chamber having an orifice, d) a mechanism arranged to allow at least ejection of liquid through the orifice, and e) a through passage arranged to allow the ejected liquid to pass in a direction different from the feed nozzle or opening, the method comprising i) connecting the orifice and the nozzle or opening in flow communication, ii) filling liquid into the dosing chamber through the orifice, iii) aligning the orifice with the through passage, and iv) ejecting liquid from the dosing chamber through the orifice.
Specification