Device for dispensing liquid in the form of drops
A device for dispensing liquid including a liquid reservoir which can be deformed so as to dispense liquid by pressing on the reservoir, a liquid-dispensing end piece fitted on the reservoir, a channel for the passage of liquid, a channel for the passage of air from the outside to the inside of the reservoir, the channel for the passage of air being closed off by a member made of an air-permeable polymeric material, this material being non-porous, the member being called the air-permeable member.
1. A device for dispensing liquid, comprising:
a liquid reservoir which can be deformed so as to dispense liquid by pressing on the reservoir;
a liquid-dispensing end piece fitted on the reservoir;
a channel for the passage of liquid; and
a channel for the passage of air from the outside to the inside of the reservoir, the channel for the passage of air being closed off by an air-permeable member made of a polymeric material, this material being non-porous.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable member is configured to allow air to pass by diffusion across the air-permeable member.
3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable member further comprises at least one channel for the passage of liquid.
4. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the channel for the passage of liquid is a liquid flow limitation channel opening to the channel for the passage of liquid.
5. The device according to claim 3 , wherein the channel for the passage of liquid is bounded by an outer annular surface of the air-permeable member.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the end piece and the air-permeable member each has a central axis, the two axes being colinear.
7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable member comprises an air passage wall, equipped with a plurality of reliefs.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable member comprises stiffening ribs.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the air-permeable member has a generally cylindrical or conical shape, with a base comprising a collar for fastening to the end piece by mechanical fastening.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the polymeric material includes silicone.
11. The device according to claim 1 , including a valve and a support comprising a valve bearing surface to block the passage of liquid, the support comprising the channel for the passage of air, the air-permeable member being attached to the support.
12. The device according to claim 1 , wherein a time to balance pressures inside and outside the reservoir after dispensing liquid, via the passage of air through the air-permeable member, is greater than 30 minutes.
13. The device according to claim 4 , wherein the channel for the passage of liquid is bounded by an outer annular surface of the air-permeable member.
14. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the collar comprises mechanical fastening means which cooperate with means on the end piece by snap fastening.
15. A device for dispensing liquid, comprising:
a liquid reservoir which can be deformed so as to dispense liquid by pressing on the reservoir;
a liquid-dispensing end piece fitted on the reservoir;
a channel for the passage of liquid; and
a channel for the passage of air from the outside to the inside of the reservoir, the channel for the passage of air being closed off by an air-permeable member made of a polymeric material, this material being non-porous;
a plurality of liquid flow limitation channels for passing liquid spaced around a perimeter of the air-permeable member.
16. The device according to claim 15 , wherein the air-permeable member is configured to allow air to pass by diffusion across the air-permeable member.
17. The device according to claim 15 , wherein the air-permeable member has a generally cylindrical or conical shape, with a base comprising a collar for fastening to the end piece by mechanical fastening.
18. The device according to claim 17 , wherein the air-permeable member, including the base and the collar, consists of the polymeric material.
19. The device according to claim 9 , wherein the air-permeable member, including the base and the collar, consists of the polymeric material.