Device for distributing a fluid of the single dose or half dose type

• US 7,237,549 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2001
• Issued: 07/03/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aptar France S.A.S (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Valois S. A. S
• Inventors: Stradella, Guiseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOPEZ, AMADEUS SEBASTIAN
• Application Number:
  US10/362,561
• Publication Number:
  US 20040000306A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,135 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.15, 128/200.14, 128/200.19, 128/200.22, 128/203.12, 128/205.16, 128/205.18, 222/321.8, 222/321.7, 222/402.13, 222/402.15, 222/402.1, 222/505, 239/333, 239/337, 239/340
• US Class Current: 128/200.14
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 15/0066 with means for varying the dose size
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/02 Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1005 with means for adjusting or modifying pump stroke
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/1011 without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/38 Details of the container body pressure relief devices B65D83/70

Abstract

A fluid dispenser device including a body (1), a reservoir unit (3) having a reservoir containing one dose or two half-doses of fluid, a dispensing member mounted to move axially inside the reservoir (3) between a rest position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element (5) that is mounted to move between a rest position and an actuating position. The actuating element (5) is disposed laterally, and has an end portion provided with a cam surface (6) which co-operates with the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3), the actuating element (5) being moved in a direction that is different from, and in particular substantially perpendicular to, the axial direction in which the dispensing member (8) moves relative to the reservoir.

Claims

1. A fluid spray dispenser device comprising a body (1), a nasal applicator (2) adapted to be inserted into a nostril, a reservoir unit (3) comprising a reservoir containing only one single dose or only two half-doses of fluid to be sprayed in a nostril through the nasal applicator, a dispensing member (8) mounted to move axially inside the reservoir (3) between a rest position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element (5) that is mounted to move between a rest position and an actuating position, said fluid dispenser device being characterized in that said actuating element (5) is disposed laterally, and has an end portion provided with a cam surface (6) which co-operates with said dispensing member (8) or said reservoir unit (3), said actuating element (5) being moved in a direction that is different from, and in particular substantially perpendicular to, the axial direction in which the dispensing member (8) moves relative to the reservoir.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the lateral actuating element (5) is mounted to slide in said body (1) and moves in translation.

3. A device according to claim 1, in which said lateral actuating element (5) is mounted to pivot on said body (1), and moves in rotation about a pivot pin (20).

4. A device according to claim 3, in which said actuating element (5) is made integrally with said body (1), a bridge of flexible material (20) forming the pivot pin.

5. A device according to claim 1, in which the reservoir contains a single dose of fluid, the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3) being provided with at least one projection (7) co-operating with said cam surface (6) of said actuating element (5).

6. A device according to claim 1, in which the reservoir (3) contains two half-doses of fluid, the device being provided with dose-splitting means.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which the actuating element (5) is provided with resilient return means which return it to its rest position after the first half-dose has been delivered, and the dose-splitting means are implemented such that the second half-dose is delivered when the actuating element (5) is moved into its actuating position again.

8. A device according to claim 6, in which the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3) is provided with at least two projections (7,12) that are offset axially, at least a first projection (7) co-operating with the cam surface (6) to deliver the first half-dose, and at least a second projection (12) co-operating with the cam surface (6) for delivering the second half-dose.

9. A device according to claim 8, in which said at least one second projection (12) is provided on a resilient arm (13) secured to or integral with the dispensing member (8) or the reservoir unit (3), said arm (13) moving out of the way when the actuating element (5) co-operates with said at least one projection (7) for delivering the first half-dose, and returning resiliently to its initial position when the actuating element (5) is returned to its rest position by the resilient return means, after the first half-dose has been delivered, so that said at least one second projection (12) co-operates with the cam surface (6) of said actuating element (5) when said actuating element is moved again into its actuating position for delivering the second half-dose.

10. A device according to claim 1, in which said cam surface (6) of the actuating element (5) is a sloping surface transforming the substantially radial movement of the actuating element (5) into an axial movement of the dispensing member (8) or of the reservoir unit (3).

11. A device according to claim 1, in which the reservoir unit (3) is fixed relative to said body (1), said actuating element (5) co-operating with said dispensing member (8).

12. A device according to claim 1, in which the dispensing member (8) is fixed relative to said body (1), said actuating element (5) co-operating with said reservoir unit (3).

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing member comprises a piston.

14. A fluid spray dispenser device comprising:

a body;

a nasal applicator adapted to be inserted into a nostril;

a reservoir comprising a single dose or two half-doses of fluid medication designed to be administered by spraying in a nostril through the nasal applicator;

a dispensing member mounted to move axially inside the reservoir between a rest position and a dispensing position; and

an actuating element mounted to move between a rest position and an actuating position; and

wherein the actuating element projects laterally and comprises an end portion comprising a cam surface that co-operates with the dispensing member or the reservoir unit, the actuating element moveable in a direction transverse to the axial direction in which the dispensing member moves relative to the reservoir.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the dispensing member is fixed relative to the body and the actuating element co-operates with the reservoir.

16. A fluid dispenser device comprising a body (1), a reservoir unit (3) comprising a reservoir containing one dose or two half-doses of fluid, a dispensing member mounted to move axially inside the reservoir (3) between a rest position and a dispensing position, and an actuating element (5) that is mounted to move between a rest position and an actuating position, said fluid dispenser device being characterized in that said actuating element (5) is disposed laterally, and has an end portion provided with a cam surface (6) which co-operates with said dispensing member (8) or said reservoir unit (3), said actuating element (5) being moved in a direction that is different from, and in particular substantially perpendicular to, the axial direction in which the dispensing member (8) moves relative to the reservoir;

and wherein the dispensing member (8) is fixed relative to said body (1), said actuating element (5) co-operating with said reservoir unit (3).