DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A LIQUID IN THE FORM OF DROPS

• US 20110155770A1
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nemera La Verpilliere
• Original Assignee: Nemera La Verpilliere
• Inventors: Grevin, Guillaume, Painchaud, Gaetan, Lanzi, Sylvain, Julia, Xavier
• Granted Patent: US 10,220,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 222/422
• 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, which device 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, wherein the sealing member is provided with metering means for metering out the liquid to be dispensed, the metering means being means for forming drops of liquid, the device including a liquid-passing channel opening out into the drop-forming means and the drop-forming means comprising a flared shape that flares from said channel.

2. A device according to claim 1, including bearing means for bearing against the sealing member, in register with a recessed zone, serving to deform the sealing member by bending deformation so that it takes up its non-return position.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is flexible at least in part, and the device includes bearing means for bearing against the sealing member, serving to deform the flexible portion of the sealing member by compression deformation so that it takes up its non-return position.

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

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

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member comprises an elastomer portion and a rigid portion, said portions being constrained to move with each other.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the metering means are formed in the rigid portion.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the sealing member that is provided with the metering means is disposed in the immediate vicinity of an orifice for releasing liquid from the device.