DISPENSING DEVICE AND

ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING PRODUCT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product that is liquid, semi-fluid or suspension, in particular to such a device that is required to be kept in a clean and sterile condition. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising such a dispensing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various devices for packaging and dispensing a fluid product are known. Those devices may be used in the field of pharmaceutical products, in particular ophthalmology, cosmetic or food products. For example, WO 2015/124844 A1 discloses a device for packaging and dispensing a generally fluid product. The device disclosed therein is provided with a non-return valve designed to allow the product to be dispensed when pressure is applied to an actuatable portion of the device. The non-return valve returns to its original position once the pressure is released, thereby preventing outside air from entering into a dispensing channel.

The known device has been found useful to prevent bacteria entry from its dispensing opening to the dispensing channel. However, there is increasing demand for contamination-free dispensers.

The object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device that is free of bacteria or other substances, which could lead to contamination of the content of the dispensing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is achieved by a dispensing device as defined in appended claim 1 and the corresponding dependent claims.

Specifically, there is disclosed a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid product, comprising:

a dispensing end through which the product is to be dispensed;

an attachment end to be attached to a container containing the product; and

a dispensing valve provided between the attachment end and the dispensing end and formed by a flexible member and a rigid member, the dispensing valve being configured to be actuatable between an open position in which a dispensing channel is formed between the flexible member and the rigid member to allow the product to flow toward the dispensing end, and a closed position in which the dispensing channel is closed;

wherein

the dispensing valve comprises a first valve portion and a second valve portion, the second valve portion being located closer to the dispensing end than the first valve portion, the dispensing valve being configured such that a greater biasing force is applied onto the rigid member by the flexible member in the first valve portion than in the second valve portion when the dispensing valve is in the closed position.

The flexible member in the first valve portion may have a greater stiffness than in the second valve portion.

The flexible member and the rigid member may be configured to have a greater interference in the first valve portion than in the second valve portion.

The flexible member in the first valve portion may have a reinforcing member.

The flexible member in the first valve portion may have a greater thickness than in the second valve portion.

The flexible member may have at least partially a tapered shape tapering toward the dispensing end.

The flexible member in the first valve portion may be made of a material stiffer than a material of which the flexible member in the second valve portion is made.

The flexible member may have a surface facing the rigid member with greater rugosity in the first valve portion than in the second valve portion.

The rigid member may have a surface facing the flexible member with greater rugosity in the first valve portion than in the second valve portion.

The flexible member in the dispensing valve may comprise one or more grooves formed on a surface facing the rigid member.

The flexible member in the dispensing valve may comprise more than one groove on the surface facing the rigid member, a depth of a groove being greater than an adjacent groove situated closer to the dispensing end.

The rigid member in the dispensing valve may comprise one or more protrusions on a surface facing the flexible member.

The rigid member in the dispensing valve may comprise more than one protrusion, a protrusion protruding farther than an adjacent protrusion situated closer to the dispensing end.

The dispensing device may further comprise a dosing chamber provided between the dispensing valve and the attachment end and configured to store a measured amount of the product, the dosing chamber being defined between the rigid member and the flexible member outwardly spaced apart from the rigid member.

The dosing chamber may at least partially have a tapering shape toward the dispensing valve.

The flexible member defining the dosing chamber may comprise an inner tapered portion tapering toward the dispensing valve.

The rigid member defining the dosing chamber may comprise an outer tapered portion tapering toward the dispensing valve.

The dispensing channel and the dispensing end may be connected by a guide channel substantially extending at a right angle relative to the dispensing channel.

The guide channel may be defined by at least one groove or at least one opening formed on or in the rigid member.

The flexible member may be provided coaxially around the rigid member, the flexible member including an axial extension extending beyond the rigid member and a radial extension extending radially inwardly from the axial extension to define a dispensing opening at the dispensing end.

Moreover, there is disclosed an assembly for packaging and dispensing a fluid product, comprising:

a container configured to contain the product; and

the dispensing device of any one of the preceding claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section view showing an assembly comprising a dispensing device;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section view showing the assembly of Figure 1 when a dosing chamber is compressed to dispense a dosage of the fluid product;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing part of the assembly of Figure 1 around a dispensing end;

Figure 4 shows guide channels formed on a valve seat;

Figure 5 shows a valve member provided with reinforcing members;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section view showing another assembly comprising a dispensing device;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view showing part of the assembly of Figure 6 around a dispensing end of the dispensing device;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view showing part of another assembly around a dispensing end of a dispensing device;

Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view showing a valve member provided with annular grooves; and

Figure 10 is a schematic view a valve seat provided with protrusions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a dispensing and packaging assembly 100 by way of example, to which the present invention is applicable. The assembly 100 may be used for packaging and dispensing a fluid product. The fluid product may be, for example, in a liquid form, semi-liquid or suspension.

The assembly 100 may comprise a container 110 and a dispensing device 10. The container 110 defines a storing chamber 112 for containing the fluid product. The container 110 may be made of any suitable material for keeping the fluid product in a clean and sterile condition. For example, the container 110 may be made of glass or plastic. A plastic material used for the container 10 may include, but is not limited to, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, cyclic olefin polymer or cyclic olefin copolymer. The container 110 may define an opening 114 in fluid communication with the storing chamber 112.

The dispensing device 10 comprises an attachment end 12, a dispensing end 14 and a dispensing valve 16 provided between the attachment end 12 and the dispensing end 14.

The dispensing device 10 may be either directly or indirectly attached to the container 110 at the attachment end 12 by known means, including but not being limited to by fitting or screwing or by glue. A known sealing member may be provided between the attachment end 12 and the container 110 for preventing leakage of the fluid product and contamination of the fluid product contained in the storing chamber 110.

The dispensing device 10 may comprise a dose fill valve 18. The dose fill valve 18 may be supported by the attachment end 12 and configured as a normally closed check valve. The opening 114 of the container 110 is covered by a part of the attachment end 12 of the dispensing device 10 and the dose fill valve 18. The dose fill valve 18 is configured to allow the fluid product to flow from the container 110 to the dispensing device 10, but not in the opposite direction. Therefore, the fluid product contained in the storing chamber 112 can flow into the dispensing device 10 through the dose fill valve 18 when it is open, but the fluid product is prohibited from flowing backward, i.e. from the dispensing device 10 to the storing chamber 112.

The dispensing device 10 may also comprise an air fill valve 20 and a filter element 22. The air fill valve 20 and the filter element 22 may also be supported by the attachment end 12 of the dispensing device 10. The attachment end 12 may be provided with an air fill passage (not shown) to connect the storing chamber 112 and the atmosphere outside the assembly 100 to each other via the filter element 22 and the air fill valve 20. The air fill valve 20 is a normally closed valve and opens when the pressure inside the storing chamber 112 is reduced. With the aid of the filter element 22, when the air fill valve 20 is open, clean and fresh air can be introduced into the storing chamber 112 in order to compensate a pressure drop in the storing chamber 112 upon a dosage of the fluid product being dispensed.

The dispensing device 10 may also comprise a dosing chamber 24. The dosing chamber 24 is defined by an abutment part 26 and a deformable part 28. The abutment part 26 is made of a rigid material and extends between the attachment end 12 and the dispensing valve 16. The rigid material used for the abutment part 26 may include, but is not limited to, high density polyethylene or polypropylene. The deformable part 28 is made of a flexible material. The flexible material used for the deformable part 28 may include thermoplastic elastomer or silicon. The deformable part 28 may extend over and radially apart from the abutment part 26 to form an annular gap between an outer surface of the abutment part 26 and an inner surface of the deformable part 28. The dosing chamber 24 may define a predetermined volume corresponding to a dosage of the fluid product.

The dosing chamber 24 may have a tapering shape toward the dispensing end 14. Alternatively, the dosing chamber 24 may have a tapered shape over the entire length in an axial direction. The tapering shape of the dosing chamber 24 may be defined by an inner tapered portion formed on the deformable part 28 tapering toward the dispensing valve 16 and/or by an outer tapered portion formed on the abutment part 26 tapering toward the dispensing valve 16. The outer tapered portion of the abutment part 26 may face at least partially the inner tapered portion of the deformable part 28.

The dispensing valve 16 is formed by a valve member 30 and a valve seat 32. The valve member 30 is made of a flexible material and the valve seat 32 is made of a rigid material. The valve seat 32 may extend between the dosing chamber 24 and the dispensing end 14, in the case where the dispensing device 10 comprises the dosing chamber 24. The valve member 30 may have a generally tubular shape extending from the deformable part 28 in the direction toward the dispensing end 14.

Part of the valve member 30 may have a tapered shape tapering toward the dispensing end 14. Alternatively, the valve member 30 may have a tapered shape over the entire length along the valve seat 32 or in the axial direction.

The dispensing valve 16 is configured to be actuatable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position a dispensing channel 34 is formed between the valve member 30 and the valve seat 32 (see Figure 3), thereby allowing the fluid product to flow toward the dispensing end 14. In the closed position the valve member 30 rests on the valve seat 32, thereby closing the dispensing channel 34.

The dispensing valve 16 is configured as a normally closed valve. The valve member 30 is configured to have an inner diameter (a diameter of the inner surface) smaller than a diameter (a diameter of the outer surface) of the valve seat 32. Thus, the valve member 30 is press-fitted onto the valve seat 32 in such a way that a biasing force is applied by the valve member 30 against the valve seat 32. The normally closed valve is thus formed. In the closed position the dispensing valve 16 reliably prevents bacteria penetration into the dispensing channel 34 or prevents the residue products from flowing inwardly of the dispensing device 10.

The dispensing valve 16 comprises a first valve portion 36 and a second valve portion 38. The first valve portion 36 is formed by a part of the valve member 30, or “first valve element 40”, and a corresponding part of the valve seat 32, or “first valve seat 42”. The second valve portion 38 is formed by the remaining part of the valve member 30, or “second valve element 44” and a corresponding part of the valve seat 32, or “second valve seat 46”. The second valve portion 38 is located closer to the dispensing end 14 than the first valve portion 36.

The valve member 30 may be configured such that when the dispensing valve 16 is in the closed position, a greater biasing force is to be applied onto the first valve seat 42 by the first valve element 40 than a biasing force applied onto the second valve seat 46 by the second valve element 44. As a result, the first valve element 40 exhibits stronger resistance the second valve element 44 against a force acting in the direction away from the corresponding valve seat 42 or 46. In other words, the first valve element 44 has a greater stiffness than the second valve element 46.

CLAIMS

1. A dispensing device (10) for dispensing a fluid product, comprising:

a dispensing end (14) through which the product is to be dispensed;

an attachment end (12) to be attached to a container (110) containing the product; and a dispensing valve (16) provided between the attachment end (12) and the dispensing end (14) and formed by a flexible member (28, 30) and a rigid member (26, 32), the dispensing valve (16) being configured to be actuatable between an open position in which a dispensing channel (34) is formed between the flexible member (28, 30) and the rigid member (26, 32) to allow the product to flow toward the dispensing end (14), and a closed position in which the dispensing channel (34) is closed;

characterized in that

the dispensing valve (16) comprises a first valve portion (36) and a second valve portion (38), the second valve portion (38) being located closer to the dispensing end (14) than the first valve portion (36), the dispensing valve (16) being configured such that a greater biasing force is applied onto the rigid member (26, 32) by the flexible member (28, 30) in the first valve portion (36) than in the second valve portion (38) when the dispensing valve (16) is in the closed position.

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the first valve portion (36) has a greater stiffness than in the second valve portion (38).

3. The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) and the rigid member (26, 32) are configured to have a greater interference in the first valve portion (36) than in the second valve portion (38).

4. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the first valve portion (36) has a reinforcing member (56).

5. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the first valve portion (36) has a greater thickness than in the second valve portion (38).

6. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) has at least partially a tapered shape tapering toward the dispensing end (14).

7. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the first valve portion (36) is made of a material stiffer than a material of which the flexible member (28, 30) in the second valve portion (38) is made.

8. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) has a surface facing the rigid member (26, 32) with greater rugosity in the first valve portion (36) than in the second valve portion (38).

9. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rigid member (26, 32) has a surface facing the flexible member (28, 30) with greater rugosity in the first valve portion (36) than in the second valve portion (38).

10. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the dispensing valve (16) comprises one or more grooves (70) formed on a surface facing the rigid member (26, 32).

11. The device (10) according to claim 10, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) in the dispensing valve (16) comprises more than one groove (70) on the surface facing the rigid member (26, 32), a depth of a groove being greater than an adjacent groove situated closer to the dispensing end (14).

12. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the rigid member (26, 32) in the dispensing valve (16) comprises one or more protrusions (72) on a surface facing the flexible member (28, 30).

13. The device (10) according to claim 12, wherein the rigid member (26, 32) in the dispensing valve (16) comprises more than one protrusion (72), a protrusion protruding farther than an adjacent protrusion situated closer to the dispensing end (14).

14. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a dosing chamber (24) provided between the dispensing valve (16) and the attachment end (12) and configured to store a measured amount of the product, the dosing chamber (24) being defined between the rigid member (26) and the flexible member (28) outwardly spaced apart from the rigid member (26).

15. The device (10) according to claim 14, wherein the dosing chamber (24) at least partially has a tapering shape toward the dispensing valve (16).

16. The device (10) according to claim 15, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) defining the dosing chamber (24) comprises an inner tapered portion tapering toward the dispensing valve (16).

17. The device (10) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the rigid member (26) defining the dosing chamber (24) comprises an outer tapered portion tapering toward the dispensing valve (16).

18. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the dispensing channel (34) and the dispensing end (14) are connected by a guide channel (54) substantially extending at a right angle relative to the dispensing channel (34).

19. The device (10) according to claim 18, wherein the guide channel (54) is defined by at least one groove or at least one opening formed on or in the rigid member (26, 32).

20. The device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the flexible member (28, 30) is provided coaxially around the rigid member (26, 32), the flexible member (28, 30) including an axial extension (50) extending beyond the rigid member (26, 32) and a radial extension (52) extending radially inwardly from the axial extension (50) to define a dispensing opening (48) at the dispensing end (14).

21. An assembly (100, 200) for packaging and dispensing a fluid product, comprising: a container (110) configured to contain the product; and

the dispensing device (10) of any one of the preceding claims.