WO2007009643A1

WO2007009643A1 - Antiseptic-action distributor for emission of fluid products

Info

Publication number: WO2007009643A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/006813
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fabio Paolo Marchesi
Original assignee: Quantum 1 S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-07-22
Filing date: 2006-07-12
Publication date: 2007-01-25
Also published as: ITMI20051421A1

Abstract

A distributor (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) for emission of fluid products includes an activation (11, 111, 211, 311, 411) device having a cannula (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) intended to draw the fluid and a delivery mouth to the outside. The distributor includes parts (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) of silver or its alloys designed for contact with the fluid for antiseptic action.

Description

"ANTISEPTIC-ACTION DISTRIBUTOR FOR EMISSION OF FLUID PRODUCTS"

This invention relates to a distributor (for example, with pump, spray, dispenser or the like) for fluids in bottles and which performs an active action in the preservation of the liquid and carries out an antiseptic action. The application can be in particular in cosmetic products but also for delivery of fluids for example intended for feeding and human consumption in general. The problem of avoiding bacterial or microbial contamination of fluids delivered with sprayers or dispensers, especially with cosmetic or similar products, is known. Indeed, such distributors keep a certain connection between the inside and the outside of the bottles even when not in use and allow inlet of microbial polluting agents and their possible proliferation. The conventional solution is to add antibacterial chemical substances or additives to the fluids to be delivered. This solution however cannot be considered ideal since said substances often have dubious harmlessness and their continuous intake repeated over time could give rise to collateral effects.

Other solutions call for the combined use of chemical additives and distributors with a nozzle having a valve (for example, a silicon membrane), which opens when the product is distributed and closes under normal conditions to avoid the inlet of pollutants. This solution is based on the observation that the area most exposed to bacterial contaminations is the one where the fluid is directly exposed to the outside air near the nozzle where an even small part of product remains exposed to the air after each distribution with considerable increase in the possibility of contamination which from that point can spread to the inside of the pump and the cannula and reach the product in the bottle.

But even this solution is not optimal since it can reduce the inlet of pollutant but not ensure the absence thereof and once a minimum inlet of bacterial pollution has occurred it does not give any further protection against the proliferation of the polluting agent in the fluid that will be distributed thereafter.

Other solutions call for the use of special distributors capable of eliminating the presence of air in the bottle to oppose proliferation of aerobic bacteria.

The general purpose of this invention is to remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings by making available a distributor providing effective active antiseptic protection of the product distributed. In view of this purpose it was sought to provide in accordance with this invention a distributor for emission of fluid products including an activation device having a cannula intended to draw the fluid and a delivery mouth to the outside and characterized in that it comprises at least one part of silver or its alloys which is intended for contact with the product for antiseptic action. To clarify the explanation of the innovative principles of this invention and its advantages compared with the prior art there is described below with the aid of the annexed drawings a possible embodiment thereof by way of non- limiting example applying said principles. In the drawings: FIG 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a first distributor realized in accordance with the principles of this invention,

FIG 2 shows a diagrammatic view of a second distributor realized in accordance with the principles of this invention,

FIG 3 shows a diagrammatic view of a third distributor realized in accordance with the principles of this invention,

FIG 4 shows a diagrammatic view of a fourth distributor realized in accordance with the principles of this invention, FIG 5 shows a diagrammatic plan view of part of the distributor of FIG 4, and

FIG 6 shows an enlarged and cross-sectioned partial diagrammatic view of a fifth distributor realized in accordance with the principles of this invention. With reference to the figures, FIG 1 shows a distributor designated as a whole by reference number 10 for distribution of fluid products. The distributor 10 includes an activation device with push-button or lever 11 and a cannula 12 intended to draw in the fluid for emission from distribution mouth 13. The distributor has a part or fastening ringnut (for example, with screw) designed for installation on the mouth of a container 15 for the fluid. The distribution mechanism can be a pump, spray with pressurized container, et cetera in accordance with various known technologies. The choice will also depend on the fluidity of the product to be delivered and on the specific distribution requirements. The exact structure of the distribution mechanism is not further described nor shown as it is known in itself and is therefore easily understood by one skilled in the art.

In accordance with the principles of this invention the distributor is characterized by including parts in silver or its alloys intended for contact with the fluid to be distributed.

The antiseptic properties of silver are well known. Incorporating in the distributor silver parts which come into contact with the fluid to be distributed was found to be the ideal solution for reducing the problem of pollution of the fluid distributed by the distributor.

In the realization of FIG 1 the silver part is realized in the form of a silver thread 16 wrapped in a spiral on the cannula 12. Advantageously, the thread also continues inside the cannula as shown in cross hatching in FIG 1. In this manner the fluid in the container is exposed to the antibacterial action of the silver under all conditions, both during preservation of the product and during distribution when the product returns upward in the cannula. In accordance with an alternative realization 110 shown in FIG 2 the spiral thread can also be inserted only into the cannula 116 as shown by reference number 112. In this manner, inlet of the bacterial pollutant through the cannula is prevented and pollutants possibly present in the fluid are eliminated. The spiral inside the cannula can also be a variant of the strait thread shown in FIG 1 so as to realize an external spiral and an internal spiral. Another possible realization 210 as shown in FIG 3 calls for the silver parts to be formed of tubular segments 216 of silver supported on the cannula 212. These parts can be fitted on a plastic cannula or realize part of the cannula itself. The plastic parts of the cannula allow keeping its flexibility. FIG 4 shows another realization of a distributor designated by reference number 310 in which the silver parts are always supported on the cannula 312 to be immersed at least partially in the fluid but are in the form of filiform parts 316 distributed along the cannula and projecting radially therefrom as seen well also in FIG 5 to increase the action of the silver on the product in the bottle on the outside of the cannula. The flexible radiation realization allows inserting the cannula from the mouth of the bottle, which is typically small to open once inserted in the bottle.

The silver parts can also be arranged inside the distribution device along the path of passage of the fluid outward.

This is shown as an example in FIG 6 where a distributor 410 (typically plastic) has in it silver parts in the fluid passages. These silver parts can also form a duct 416a and/or the delivery mouth 413.

In addition or as a replacement, in the realization of FIG 6 it is provided that the silver parts are included in a valve mechanism 417 of the device. The valve mechanism can be the one usually used in distributors to act as a non-return valve as known to those skilled in the art and/or with predetermined internal pressure opening. In general, this mechanism allows the pump action of the distributor.

Thus, the silver spring 416b of the mechanism and/or the sphere 416c which realizes the one-way valve, can be realized this way. It is now clear that the preset purposes have been achieved by making available a distributor making use of the known antiseptic properties of silver while keeping at the same time the relatively low costs. This also allows reducing or eliminating the presence of antibacterial or additive chemical substances having doubtful innocuousness widely used in the cosmetic and food industries and/or increase the duration of the period of preservation of the product especially by using a realization in which the silver is in wide contact with the fluid in the container as happens for example, in the realizations shown in FIGS 1, 3 and 4.

Naturally the above description of an embodiment applying the innovative principles of this invention is given by way of non-limiting example of said principles within the scope of the exclusive right claimed here. For example, although we have spoken generally of thread, even a thin plate of silver or silver alloy can be used for example.

Claims

1. Distributor (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) for emission of fluid products including an activation device having a cannula (12, 112, 212, 312, 412) intended to draw the fluid and a delivery mouth to the outside characterized in that it comprises at least one part (16, 116, 216, 316, 416) of silver or its alloys which is intended for contact with the product for antiseptic action.

2. Distributor in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the parts are supported on the cannula to be immersed at least partially in the fluid.

3. Distributor in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that the parts are in thread form (16, 116) along the cannula.

4. Distributor in accordance with claim 3 characterized in that the thread is wrapped in a spiral at least inside the cannula.

5. Distributor in accordance with claim 3 characterized in that the thread is wrapped in a spiral at least on the outside of the cannula.

6. Distributor in accordance with claim 2 characterized in that the parts (316) are filiform, distributed along the cannula and projecting radially therefrom.

7. Distributor in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the parts are in the form of a duct traversed y the fluid delivered to the outside.

8. Distributor in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the parts are in the form of segments along the cannula.

9. Distributor in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the parts are included in a valve mechanism (417) of the device.

10. Distributor in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that the parts are in the form of a spring (416b) of the mechanism.

11. Distributor in accordance with claim 9 characterized in that the parts are in the form of a sphere (416c) of a one- way valve of the mechanism.