Fluid product dispensing device

• US 7,363,924 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aptar France S.A.S (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Valois SAS (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stradella, Giuseppe
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu; Justine R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DIXON, ANNETTE FREDRICKA
• Application Number:
  US10/416,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20040025869A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,349 Days
• Field of Search: 128/200.18, 128/200.23, 128/203.12, 128/203.15, 128/203.23, 128/200.21, 128/200.14, 128/200.22, 222/402.24, 222/402.2, 239/350
• 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 having a reservoir (1), a metering valve (2) having a valve member (3), and an automatic trigger system for actuating the valve. The trigger system has a resilient element (10) moved manually into a cocked position. The trigger system releases the resilient element (10) and moves to an actuating position by moving the valve member (3) towards its dispensing position. The resilient element (10) is returned manually to its rest position. The fluid dispenser device includes a valve member release system co-operating with the reservoir (1) or with the valve member (3) so that, after dispensing the fluid, the valve member (3) is released from the force exerted by the resilient element (10), so that, after the device is actuated, the valve member (3) is returned to its rest position by the return spring of the valve, independently of the position of the 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, said trigger system comprising a resilient element (10) formed by or secured to a spring, said resilient element capable of 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 further comprises a mechanical valve member release system which co-operates 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 mechanically 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,

said valve member release system comprising 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,

the valve member release system including 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,

said valve member release system including a control element (40) co-operating 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, said control element being a sleeve surrounding said retaining member externally.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which said retaining member (30) is resiliently deformable and said control element includes a first inside diameter (41) co-operating 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.

3. A device according to claim 1, 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.

4. A device according to claim 3, 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).

5. A device according to claim 4, 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).

6. A device according to claim 5, 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.

7. A device according to claim 3, in which said brake device (60) is pneumatic and/or hydraulic.

8. A device according to claim 7, 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.

9. A device according to claim 1, in which the locking element 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.

10. A device according to claim 9, in which said first locking element (20a) 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).

11. A device according to claim 1, 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.

12. A device according to claim 11, in which the locking element comprises a first locking element (20a) retained by a retaining member (30) itself co-operating 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.

13. A device according to claim 11, in which said delay system is electronic or electromechanical.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the automatic trigger system is actuated by the user inhaling.

15. A fluid dispenser device comprising:

a reservoir containing a fluid;

a metering valve mounted on the reservoir;

a valve member moveable between a dispensing position and a rest position;

a resilient member;

wherein when the resilient member is cocked, actuation of a trigger releases the resilient member so that it exerts a force on the valve member to move the valve member from the dispensing position to the rest position; and

wherein a release system mechanically releases the valve member from the force exerted by the resilient member by returning the valve member to its rest position independently of the position of the resilient member, and

wherein the fluid dispenser device further comprises;

a locking element attached to the reservoir;

a retaining member; and

a control member surrounding externally the reservoir and the locking element;

wherein the control member comprises a first diameter portion and a second diameter portion, the first diameter being larger than the second diameter and wherein the locking element comprises a third diameter portion and a fourth diameter portion, the third diameter being larger than the fourth diameter;

wherein before the trigger is actuated, the retaining member is engaged with the fourth diameter portion of the locking element and contacts the control member at the second diameter portion; and

wherein after the trigger is actuated, the retaining member contacts the third diameter portion of the locking element and the first diameter portion of the control member.

16. The fluid dispenser device of claim 15, wherein the resilient member is manually cocked.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said control member is a sleeve.