Device for dispensing a liquid in a tank

• US 8,517,222 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2010
• Issued: 08/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nemera La Verpilliere
• Original Assignee: Rexam Healthcare La Verpilliere S.A.S.
• Inventors: Painchaud, Gaetan, Lanzi, Sylvain, Julia, Xavier
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaver, Kevin P
• Assistant Examiner(s): Melaragno, Michael
• Application Number:
  US12/891,393
• Publication Number:
  US 20110068133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 222/420, 222/498, 222/499, 222/422, 222/511, 222/513, 222/514, 222/518, 222/494, 222/495, 222/496
• US Class Current: 222/212
• 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

A device for dispensing liquid contained in a container, the device including an elastomer element 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 device further including a bearing mechanism against the elastomer element in register with a recessed zone, serving to deform the elastomer element in its non-return position.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing liquid contained in a container, wherein said device includes an elastomer element 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;

said device further including bearing means bearing against the elastomer element in register with a recessed zone, serving to deform the elastomer element so that it takes up its non-return position, wherein the elastomer element is fitted around an inner core of the device, wherein at least a portion of the elastomer element comprises a cone sidewall that is curved upwards when the elastomer element is in a non-deformed position, and wherein the bearing means comprise a projection formed on the inner core on which the elastomer element is mounted, the projection forming a circumferential seal with the cone sidewall in the non-deformed position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer element in its liquid release position is subjected to deformation corresponding to an amplification of the deformation to which it is subjected in its non-return position.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the bearing means comprise first bearings means and second bearing means that are disposed in staggered manner and that bear respectively against a first face and against a second face of the elastomer element, said second face being opposite from the first face.

4. A device according to claim 1, including a liquid guide channel that guides the liquid released by the elastomer element out of the device.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the elastomer element is provided with metering means for metering out the liquid to be dispensed.

6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first bearing means are central bearing means bearing against the center of one face of the elastomer element, and the second means are concentric bearing means bearing against an opposite face of the elastomer element, around the central bearing means and in a direction opposite from the bearing direction of the central bearing means.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a metering element metering out the liquid to be dispensed.