Abstract:
A device for dispensing liquid including an opening for dispensing liquid, a pad for absorbing residual liquid and a removable cap including a shape in the immediate vicinity and opposite the dispensing opening, referred to as a shape for expelling residual liquid, configured to discharge the residual liquid toward the pad when the cap is mounted on the device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid dispensing. In particular, but not exclusively, it relates to the field of the dispensing of liquid in droplet form or in spray form, such as ophthalmic, nasal, buccal or auricular liquid 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A liquid dispensing device is known from the document FR 2 937 018 that comprises a container and a dispensing end piece. This end piece comprises a liquid dispensing opening. 
         [0003]    However, when the liquid is being delivered, a little amount of liquid can stagnate in the vicinity of the liquid dispensing opening. 
         [0004]    When a certain time elapses between two uses of the device, the residual liquid located close to the dispensing opening can evaporate. The concentration of the active principle contained in the residual liquid is therefore greater and the active principle can ultimately be deposited close to the opening, forming a precipitate. The next time the device is used, the quantity of active principle delivered is therefore increased by this precipitate which is carried by the delivery of the next droplet. The active principle dose delivered is therefore greater than the prescribed dose. There is also a risk of administrating solid particles which have not dissolved in the next droplet delivered. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the residual liquid located close to the outlet orifice can be contaminated by bacteria which can contaminate the next droplet delivered. There is therefore also a risk of microbial contamination of the liquid delivered. 
         [0006]    In particular, the present invention proposes to provide a liquid dispensing device that makes it possible to deliver a more accurate product dose. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    To this end, the object of the invention is a liquid dispensing device, comprising: 
         [0008]    a liquid dispensing opening, 
         [0009]    an absorption pad for absorbing residual liquid, arranged in proximity to the liquid dispensing opening, and 
         [0010]    a removable cap comprising a shape, in the immediate vicinity of and facing the liquid dispensing opening, called expulsion shape of the residual liquid, configured to discharge the residual liquid toward the pad when the cap is fitted on the device. 
         [0011]    By virtue of the presence of the expulsion shape of the residual liquid on the removable cap, when the cap is fitted on the device, the expulsion shape situated in the immediate vicinity and facing the liquid dispensing opening expels most of the residual liquid present downstream of the dispensing opening, especially toward the pad for absorbing residual liquid arranged in proximity, that is to say that the residual liquid is discharged toward the absorption pad. It will therefore be understood that the pad is arranged downstream of the dispensing opening. Most of the residual liquid is thus drained out of the dispensing opening. 
         [0012]    It will be understood that, since the volume of the residual liquid present downstream of the dispensing opening is generally small, it is advantageous for the expulsion shape to be able to be positioned sufficiently close to and facing the dispensing opening when the cap is fitted on the device and to thus be able to expel this small quantity of liquid out of the liquid dispensing opening. 
         [0013]    The expulsion or discharging of residual liquid in the vicinity of the dispensing opening avoids the development of bacteria in this area, which is particularly advantageous when the liquid dispensed does not include any preservative. 
         [0014]    By virtue of this discharge, the dose of active principle delivered is thus more reproducible and more accurate, since the pad avoids the accumulation of liquid close to the dispensing opening of the device. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the risk of delivering subsequent more concentrated doses or solid particles is thus greatly reduced. Indeed, upon the evaporation of the residual liquid downstream of the dispensing opening, deposits due to the precipitation of the active principle may be formed. These deposits may be partially dissolved upon the delivery of the next product dose and thus increase the quantity of active principle delivered and/or remain in the form of particles. 
         [0016]    Finally, because the risk of the formation of solid or viscous deposits close to the dispensing opening is reduced, the esthetic effect of the device is also enhanced. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the expulsion shape is made in one piece with the cap and of the same material as the cap, generally obtained by molding. 
         [0018]    The terms upstream and downstream should be interpreted with the direction of dispensing of the liquid taken as reference direction. 
         [0019]    The invention can further comprise one or more of the following features, taken alone or in combination. 
         [0020]    The expulsion shape is a shape substantially complementing the dispensing opening. It delimits, preferably with the liquid dispensing opening, a pathway for the discharge of the residual liquid. 
         [0021]    The expulsion shape is made of a non-absorbent material. The residual liquid cannot be absorbed by this shape and the expulsion of the residual liquid from the dispensing opening to the pad is more effective. 
         [0022]    The device comprises a path for the evaporation of the residual liquid between the pad and the outside of the device when the cap is fitted on the device. The evaporation of the residual liquid absorbed by the pad is thus promoted. This evaporation path can, for example, comprise air passage orifices in the cap, these orifices being borne preferentially by a top face of the cap. 
         [0023]    The device can take, when the cap is fitted on the device, a configuration of hermetic sealing of the device, prior to its first use, wherein the path for the evaporation of the residual liquid is blocked between the pad and the outside of the device, and a configuration of ventilation of the device, wherein the evaporation path is open between the pad and the outside. Thus, the evaporation of the liquid contained in the device can be limited when the device is stored prior to its first use. Indeed, the devices filled with liquid to be dispensed can be stored for several months, even several years, before their first use. During this storage, a diffusion of the liquid can occur, notably through the walls of some of the elements of the device, such as a valve for example. If the evaporation path is open, there is permanent discharge of this liquid to the outside of the device. On the other hand, when the evaporation path is closed, a balance is achieved, the diffusion of the liquid through the cap being less than the diffusion of the liquid through the valve, for example. According to a particular embodiment, the path is blocked by a removable cover, preferably disposable, added to the cap. This embodiment is simple and effective. It will be noted that, according to an alternative, a cover is added upstream of the path for the evaporation of the residual liquid, for example by adding it directly onto the dispensing opening or onto a valve arranged in proximity to this opening. According to another embodiment, the device can switch from the hermetic sealing configuration to the ventilation configuration by the displacement of at least a part of the cap relative to a container on which the device is mounted. 
         [0024]    The device comprises means for locking the device in the ventilation configuration. These means are preferably non-removable, that is to say permanent. It is therefore possible to switch from the hermetic sealing configuration, which corresponds to a configuration of storage of the device, to the ventilation configuration, which corresponds to a configuration of use of the device, but it is not possible to switch from the ventilation configuration to the hermetic sealing configuration. There is thus a guarantee that, after the first use of the device, the path for the evaporation of the residual liquid remains open between the pad and the outside of the device. 
         [0025]    The cap comprises an outer jacket and an inner jacket, mounted to move relative to one another between a first configuration corresponding to the configuration of hermetic sealing of the device and a second configuration corresponding to the configuration of ventilation of the device. For example, the outer jacket and the inner jacket can move in rotation relative to one another, this rotational movement preferably generating a translational longitudinal displacement of one relative to the other. Longitudinal direction should be understood to mean the axial direction of the device, generally corresponding to the axis of the container. It will be noted that, preferably, the two jackets are coaxial, their respective axes being merged with the axis of the device. 
         [0026]    The outer jacket and the inner jacket of the cap each comprise air passage orifices and the cap comprises means for blocking, when the device is in the hermetic sealing configuration, the evaporation path between the orifices of the outer jacket and those of the inner jacket. The blocking means comprise, for example, a crown ring borne by the outer jacket and cooperating by clamping with a tapered surface of the inner jacket of the cap, or vice versa. According to another example, the blocking means comprise pins borne by the outer jacket and cooperating by clamping with orifices of the inner jacket of the cap, or vice versa. 
         [0027]    The inner jacket comprises a ramp cooperating with a complementary abutment borne by the outer jacket, or conversely, such that the rotation of the outer jacket relative to the inner jacket generates a longitudinal displacement of one relative to the other. In this rotation and longitudinal displacement, the device switches from the hermetic sealing configuration to the ventilation configuration: the evaporation path is therefore open between the pad and the outside of the device. Thus, the switch from one configuration to the other is made transparently for the user, who, when he or she unscrews the cap to use the device for the first time, first makes the device switch from the hermetic sealing configuration to the ventilation configuration before fully unscrewing the cap. 
         [0028]    The outer jacket and the inner jacket comprise longitudinal retaining abutments of the outer jacket on the inner jacket. The abutments allow for a limited longitudinal displacement of the outer jacket relative to the inner jacket so that, by virtue of the retaining abutments, the two jackets cannot be separated from one another. It will therefore be understood that the two jackets can be displaced relative to one another longitudinally by a predetermined distance, but cannot be separated from one another. 
         [0029]    The absorption pad comprises one or more hydrophilic materials, making it possible to drain the liquid, that is to say capable of absorbing liquid, even of allowing it to evaporate if an evaporation path is open. The material of the pad can comprise woven or non-woven materials. It can, for example, comprise a hydrophilic cotton, polyethylene (PE) having undergone a hydrophilic treatment, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) having undergone a hydrophilic treatment, a poly(vinyl acetate) foam (PVA) or a mixture of several hydrophilic materials. 
         [0030]    The absorption pad comprises a hydrophilic material with open porosity. Material with open porosity should be understood to mean a material comprising a network of continuous channels defined by pores communicating with one another, which enable the liquid absorbed in the pad to be drained from the dispensing opening toward the outside of the device. Thus, the liquid can migrate from one face of the pad to the other and evaporate toward the outside of the device. 
         [0031]    The absorption pad comprises at least two distinct absorbent materials, the at least two materials being arranged one on top of the other and the downstream material being more hydrophilic than the upstream material. Thus the liquid is sucked in by the more hydrophilic material and the residual liquid does not stagnate in the less hydrophilic material arranged in proximity to the dispensing opening. 
         [0032]    The upstream material comprises a hydrophobic material. It therefore prevents the liquid absorbed by the more hydrophilic material from returning toward the dispensing opening. 
         [0033]    The pad is fixed onto the cap, more specifically inside the cap, around the expulsion shape. 
         [0034]    The expulsion shape comprises an absorbent material. Most of the residual liquid present downstream of the dispensing opening is expelled toward the absorption pad arranged in proximity, that is to say that it is possible to discharge the residual liquid toward the absorption pad by draining of the residual liquid through the expulsion shape. A draining of most of the residual liquid out of the dispensing opening is thus obtained. 
         [0035]    The device comprises a hydrophobic veil with open porosity, the veil being added onto the pad and the expulsion shape. The liquid absorbed by the most hydrophilic material cannot therefore return toward the dispensing opening. 
         [0036]    The pad comprises a hydrophilic material, this material being more hydrophilic than the absorbent material of the expulsion shape. Thus, the liquid drained by the expulsion shape is sucked in by the material of the pad which is more hydrophilic and therefore more absorbent than the material of the expulsion shape. The residual liquid does not therefore stagnate in the expulsion shape. 
         [0037]    The material of the expulsion shape comprises a hydrophobic material. It therefore prevents the liquid absorbed by the pad from returning toward the dispensing opening. 
         [0038]    The expulsion shape is made in one piece with the pad and of the same material as the pad. The pad and the expulsion shape can, for example, be made of a material comprising an absorption gradient, the part forming the expulsion shape being less absorbent than the part forming the pad. 
         [0039]    The pad comprises a surface for contact with the ambient air, the surface exhibiting at least one relief to increase the surface for contact with the ambient air. It is possible, for example, to provide a recess in the pad so that, for given overall dimensions, the surface area of the pad in contact with the ambient air is increased, which facilitates the evaporation of the liquid contained in the pad. 
         [0040]    The pad is fixed onto a dispensing end piece. The dispensing end piece is preferably an assembly added onto the container, especially comprising a top jacket arranged around the liquid dispensing opening; the pad is fixed onto this top jacket, around the dispensing opening. 
         [0041]    The pad is of substantially axisymmetrical shape. It adapts easily to the cap, in proximity to the residual liquid expulsion shape, or around the end piece. 
         [0042]    The device is a device for dispensing liquid in droplet form, comprising droplet forming means, the expulsion shape substantially complementing these droplet forming means. The droplet forming means are preferably substantially tapered, diverging toward the outside of the device. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because the expulsion shape makes it possible to reduce the dead volume formed by the droplet forming means while delimiting, with the droplet forming means, at least partially, a pathway for the evacuation of the residual liquid. Thus, the dose of the droplets dispensed has a volume and a concentration that are more reproducible. 
         [0043]    The device comprises a valve that can take a liquid releasing position and a liquid blocking position, the expulsion shape constituting a shape for immobilizing the valve in the liquid blocking position when the cap is fitted onto the device. Thus, it is not possible for liquid that has passed through the valve to be able to return into the device. Furthermore, when the cap is fitted on the device, it is not possible to dispense liquid inadvertently, the valve being blocked in the liquid blocking position. It is particularly advantageous to use the pad in combination with a valve immobilization shape, because the liquid stagnating downstream of the valve can be discharged, and therefore contaminations of the subsequent doses avoided. 
         [0044]    The pad is not in contact with the valve. There is therefore little liquid in contact with the valve in the case where the pad contains liquid. 
         [0045]    The pad and/or the complementary shape comprises an antimicrobial agent. The antimicrobial agent makes it possible to destroy some of the microorganisms that could develop downstream of the dispensing opening and contaminate the next product dose to be delivered. The antimicrobial agent can, for example, be based on silver or contain a disinfectant product or a biocidal agent. 
         [0046]    The most hydrophilic material comprises an antimicrobial agent and the least hydrophilic material is without any antimicrobial agent. Thus, the liquid is sucked toward the most hydrophilic material where antimicrobial agents prevent the development of bacteria. The risk that antimicrobial agents may be contained with the next droplet of liquid delivered by the device is reduced because the antibacterial agent is not contained in the least hydrophilic material which is closest to the droplet forming means. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the drawings in which: 
           [0048]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a device in hermetic sealing configuration according to a first embodiment of the device; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1  in ventilation configuration; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the inside of an outer jacket of a cap of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an inner jacket of the cap of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0052]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective and partially transparent view of the cap of the device of  FIG. 1  in hermetic sealing configuration; 
           [0053]      FIG. 5B  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 , along a plane V shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5A ; 
           [0054]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective and partially transparent view of the cap of the device of  FIG. 1  in ventilation configuration; 
           [0055]      FIG. 6B  is a transverse cross-sectional view of the device of  FIG. 1 , along a plane VI shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6A ; 
           [0056]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device; 
           [0057]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the device; 
           [0058]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional and perspective view of the device of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the device in hermetic sealing configuration; 
           [0060]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 10  in ventilation configuration; 
           [0061]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the device; 
           [0062]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the device; 
           [0063]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a pad and of a liquid expulsion shape according to a seventh embodiment of the device; 
           [0064]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of an eighth embodiment of the device; 
           [0065]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0066]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a first embodiment of a liquid dispensing device  10 , respectively in hermetic sealing configuration and in ventilation configuration. In this nonlimiting example, the device  10  is a device for dispensing liquid in droplet form. 
         [0067]    The device  10  comprises a deformable container  12  and a dispensing end piece  14  capped with a removable cap  16 . The end piece  14 , provided with the cap  16 , is intended to be screw-fitted on the neck of a container  12 . This container  12  is a liquid storage container, for example storing pharmaceutical liquids such as ophthalmic liquid. The container  12  is deformable, so as to dispense liquid by pressing on the container. More specifically, the liquid is dispensed by pressure, on the part of a user, on the body of the container  12 , the latter being able to exhibit a certain elasticity to resume its initial shape after the pressure exerted by the user, which generates a depression inside the container  12 . 
         [0068]    The end piece  14  and the cap  16  advantageously form an assembly that can be added in one step onto the neck of the container  12 . 
         [0069]    In this embodiment, the dispensing end piece  14  comprises a support  18 , a dispensing valve  20  and means  24  for returning the valve  20  against the support  18  into a liquid blocking position, the means here consisting of an elastic washer  24 , made of plastic material. The valve  20  comprises a dispensing opening including a dispensing orifice or opening  22  and droplet forming means  50 . The valve  20  can also take a liquid releasing position. Thus, in this example, the liquid dispensing orifice  22  is borne by the valve  20 . 
         [0070]    The end piece  14  also comprises a top jacket  26 , comprising an orifice  28  passed through by the valve  20 , a channel  30  for the passage of the liquid from the container  12  to the dispensing orifice  22 , and a channel  32  for the passage of air into the container  12 , the channel  32  being blocked by an assembly  34  comprising an air diffusion member  36  arranged in an insulating jacket  38  of the diffusion member  36 . It will be noted that the air passage channel  32  is entirely molded in the support  18 . 
         [0071]    The jacket  38  comprises a number of elements making it possible to guarantee the insulation from the liquid contained in the container  12  of the air-permeable member  36 . This jacket  38  notably comprises a hydrophobic filter  40 , the function of which is to prevent the liquid contained in the container  12  from coming into contact with the member  36 . Any sorption of molecules of the active principle on the air diffusion member  36  is thus avoided. 
         [0072]    It will be understood that this member  36  makes it possible to compensate the depression generated by the delivery of a droplet of liquid by the user by enabling the molecules of air to pass, by diffusion, through the dense material of this air diffusion member  36 , the bacteria or dust not being able to pass through the air diffusion member  36 . There is therefore a member allowing for the passage of uncontaminated air from the outside to the inside of the container  12  and that does not exhibit any clogging problems. 
         [0073]    Furthermore, the outer annular wall of this insulating jacket  38  can comprise grooves delimiting, with the support  18 , at least one liquid passage channel which also provides a flow rate limiting function. 
         [0074]    There now follows a description of the cap  16 , screw-mounted on the dispensing end piece  14 . 
         [0075]    This cap  16  comprises an outer jacket  42  and an inner jacket  44 . These jackets  42 ,  44  are coaxial, securely attached to one another by being mounted to move relative to one another in rotation and in longitudinal translation, between the hermetic sealing configuration of the device, that can be seen in  FIG. 1 , and the ventilation configuration of the device  10 , that can be seen in  FIG. 2 . The inner jacket  44  further comprises a residual liquid expulsion shape  46 . This expulsion shape  46  is situated in the immediate vicinity of and facing the dispensing opening. 
         [0076]    The expulsion shape  46  is also, in this example, a shape for immobilizing the valve  20  in the liquid blocking position when the cap  16  is mounted on the device  10 . For example, the expulsion shape  46  is a pin whose general shape complements the droplet forming means  50 , produced in the valve  20 , for example the shape  46  is tapered. Thus, the shape  46  ensures that the valve  20  is immobilized by the pinching of the latter against the support  18 . 
         [0077]    In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 5 , the cap  16  comprises a residual liquid absorption pad  48 , fixed onto the cap  16  and more particularly onto the inner jacket  44 . The pad  48  is substantially annular and is arranged around the residual liquid expulsion shape  46 . 
         [0078]    The section of the ring of the pad  48  is substantially rectangular. One of the corners of the inner face of the pad  48  is beveled and complements the shape of the valve  20 . Advantageously, both corners of the inner face are beveled, so that the pad  48  can therefore be fixed onto the inner jacket  44  of the cap interchangeably in one direction or in the other. The inner jacket  44  also comprises abutments  54  for fixing the pad  48  onto the inner jacket  44 . 
         [0079]    Advantageously, the pad  48  may not be in contact with the valve in order to avoid contacts between the residual liquid present in the pad and the valve  20  when the cap  16  is mounted on the device  10 . 
         [0080]    The absorption pad  48  advantageously comprises a hydrophilic material, with open porosity. 
         [0081]    Furthermore, when the cap  16  is mounted on the device  10 , the expulsion shape  46  delimits, at least partially, in this case with the droplet forming means  50  of the valve  20 , an evacuation pathway  52 , to the pad  48 , for residual liquid downstream of the valve  20 . In this example, the evacuation pathway  52  is produced by a groove  92 , or recess, produced in the shape  46 . More specifically, the shape  46  comprises a number of channels, for example four, evenly distributed over the end of the pin  46 , delimited on the one hand by the grooves  92  and on the other hand by the droplet forming means  50 , these channels being produced when the cap  16  is mounted on the device, the shape  46  then bearing against the valve  20 . 
         [0082]      FIG. 4  shows the inner jacket  44 , comprising a bottom  56 , bearing the expulsion shape  46  at the center of its inner surface, and a skirt  58 , substantially cylindrical. The bottom  56  is delimited by a tapered surface  60  and comprises, on its horizontal wall, air passage orifices  62 , four of them in this example. 
         [0083]    The inner jacket  44  further comprises means  64 ,  66 ,  68  for locking the device  10  in the ventilation configuration. These locking means comprise, in this embodiment, notches  64 , elastic tabs  66 , and ramps  68 , in this case two notches  64 , two tabs  66  and two ramps  68 . The cylindrical skirt  58  comprises abutments  70 , in this case two, extending in a longitudinal plane so as to form an abutment in the transverse direction for the outer jacket  42 , and thus allow for the screwing of the cap  16  onto the dispensing end piece  14 . The cylindrical skirt  58  also comprises abutments  72 , called longitudinal retaining abutments, so as to form an abutment in the longitudinal direction, for the retention of the outer jacket  42  on the inner jacket  44  in the longitudinal direction. In  FIG. 4 , the longitudinal retaining abutments  72  extend mainly in an oblique transverse plane and also comprise a horizontal part. Furthermore, the cylindrical skirt  58  bears, on its free end, a frangible ring  74  of the device  10 , a first opening telltale, making it possible to ensure that the device has not been used before its first use. 
         [0084]      FIG. 3  shows the outer jacket  42  which comprises a bottom  76  and a skirt  78 , substantially cylindrical. The bottom  76  is of circular shape and substantially planer. It comprises a crown ring  80 , protruding from the inner surface, and air passage orifices  82  situated on the outside of the crown ring  80 . It also comprises means  84 ,  86  for locking the device  10  in the ventilation configuration, which, in this embodiment, comprise two notches  84  and two screwing abutments  86 . The outer jacket  42  further comprises abutments  88 , called longitudinal retaining abutments, extending in a transverse plane, so as to form an abutment in the longitudinal direction for the retention of the outer jacket  42  on the inner jacket  44  in the longitudinal direction. 
         [0085]      FIG. 2  represents the device  10  in the ventilation configuration, in which a residual liquid evaporation path, represented by the arrow  90 , is open between the pad  48  and the exterior of the device  10 . 
         [0086]    There now follows a description of the mounting of the device  10  and its operation. 
         [0087]    The first step is to fit the various constituent elements of the dispensing end piece  14  together. It may be possible, for example, to begin by assembling the air filtration subassembly formed by the jacket  38  and the air diffusion member  36 . This subassembly is then mounted on the support  18  by mechanical clamping. The valve  20 , the washer  24  and the top jacket  26  are then positioned. 
         [0088]    Separately, the pad  48  is fixed inside the inner jacket  44 , around the expulsion shape  46  of the valve, by immobilizing it using the fixing abutments  54 . 
         [0089]    The outer jacket  42  is then mounted on the inner jacket  44  by positioning the screwing abutments  70  of the inner jacket  44  along the screwing abutments  86  of the outer jacket  42 , such that the abutments  86  are positioned facing the bottom of the ramps  68 , and the longitudinal retaining abutments  72  of the inner jacket  44  cooperate with the longitudinal retaining abutments  88  of the outer jacket  42 , as can be seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The outer jacket  42  can no longer be separated from the inner jacket  44 . In this embodiment, the cap  16  is ready to be screw-mounted on the dispensing end piece  14 . 
         [0090]    Once the container  12  is filled with the liquid to be dispensed, the assembly formed by the end piece  14  and the cap  16  is screwed onto the neck of the container. The device  10  is ready to be used. 
         [0091]    This first configuration, called storage or hermetic sealing configuration of the device  10 , is represented in  FIGS. 1 ,  5 A and  5 B.  FIG. 5A  shows the outer jacket  42  in outline mode in order to show the interaction between the elements of the inner jacket  44  with the elements of the outer jacket  42 . 
         [0092]    In these figures, the crown ring  80  of the outer jacket  42  cooperates with the tapered surface  60  of the inner jacket  44 , so that there is no possible communication between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 , as can be seen in  FIG. 1 . In the present case, there is no communication between the air passage orifices  62  of the inner jacket  44  and the air passage orifices  82  of the outer jacket  42 ; the crown ring  80  therefore forms, with the surface  60 , a means of blocking the evaporation path  90 . The crown ring  80  is slightly deformed and a seal-tightness by mechanical clamping of the crown ring  80  on the tapered surface  60  is produced. The evaporation path  90  of the residual liquid is therefore blocked. Thus, when the device  10  is stored prior to first use, although a small evaporation of the liquid contained in the container  12  can occur, this evaporation is limited. 
         [0093]    Furthermore, this evaporation is also limited by the mechanical clamping between the inner jacket  44  and the support  18  which define a sealed volume in which there is no renewal of air as long as the device is in the storage configuration. 
         [0094]    Furthermore, this evaporation is also limited because the air diffusion member  36  allows practically no liquid molecules to pass, even in the form of vapor, to this sealed volume. 
         [0095]    It will be noted that the expulsion shape  46  of the inner jacket  44  cooperates with the valve  20 , more particularly with the droplet forming means  50 , and thus blocks the valve  20  in the liquid blocking position. 
         [0096]    Upon first use, the user unscrews the removable cap  16 . He or she grips the outer jacket  42  in one hand and the container  12  in the other hand. He or she rotates the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 . The abutments  86  are then guided by the ramps  68  and the rotational movement imparted by the user on the device  10  generates a longitudinal translational movement of the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 . Having arrived at the end of the ramps  68 , the abutments  86  cooperate with the notches  64  to form first means for locking the device  10  in the ventilation configuration. Furthermore, during this rotation, the notches  84  of the outer jacket  42  are displaced relative to the elastic tabs  66 , that they pass under force, at the end of rotation, by deformation of the tabs  66 , such that the notches  84  are abutting against the end of the tabs  66 . The notches  84  and the tabs  66  thus form second means for locking the device  10  in ventilation configuration. 
         [0097]    In this ventilation configuration, shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  6 A and  6 B, by virtue of the longitudinal displacement of the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 , the crown ring  80  of the outer jacket  42  no longer cooperates with the tapered surface  60  of the inner jacket  44 , so that a space is created between the crown ring  80  and the surface  60 , and therefore an evaporation path for the residual liquid  90  is open between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 . 
         [0098]    The user then continues the rotational movement of the cap  16  relative to the container  12  in order to fully unscrew the cap  16  from the end piece  14 . He or she then breaks the frangible parts of the ring  74 . It will therefore be understood that this ring  74  makes it possible to simply check that the device has not been used previously. 
         [0099]    It can be seen that the switch from the hermetic sealing configuration of the device  10  to the ventilation configuration is done transparently for the user who simply unscrews the cap  16  from the end piece  14 . 
         [0100]    He or she then presses on the container  12  and deforms it in order to deliver a droplet of liquid. Under the pressure exerted by the user, the valve  20  switches from the liquid blocking position to the liquid release position; a droplet is formed in the droplet forming means  50 . When the droplet reaches a predetermined volume, it is released from the valve  20 , for example to go into the eye of the user. 
         [0101]    As soon as the user relaxes the pressure exerted on the container  12 , the valve  20  reverts to its liquid blocking position. When the user wants to deliver an additional droplet, he or she once again deforms the container  12  until the droplet is delivered. 
         [0102]    However, a small quantity of liquid may remain downstream of the valve  20 , often in the droplet forming means  50 . 
         [0103]    Between two uses, the user rescrews the cap  16  onto the end piece  14 . The locking means  64 ,  66 ,  84 ,  86  then prevent the displacement of the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 . It will therefore be understood that it is possible to switch from the hermetic sealing configuration of the device  10  to the ventilation configuration, but the reverse is not possible. Thus, there is a guarantee that, once the device  10  has been used at least once, the evaporation path  90  for the residual liquid is always open. The locking means  64 ,  66 ,  84 ,  86  are therefore permanent and non-removable. 
         [0104]    When the cap  16  is screw-mounted on the end piece  14 , the expulsion shape  46  of the valve cooperates with the valve  20 . Furthermore, this expulsion shape  46  comprises grooves  92  which delimit, with the valve  20 , an evacuation pathway  52  for the residual liquid contained in the droplet forming means  50 . This pathway  52  makes it possible to discharge the residual liquid to the pad  48 , in which it is absorbed. 
         [0105]    Then, the liquid absorbed by the pad  48  is evaporated out of the device  10  via the evaporation path  90  that is open between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 . 
         [0106]    There is therefore no residual liquid stagnating in the droplet forming means  50  and the formation of solid residue of the active principle that could result in the delivery of an overdose upon the delivery of a droplet or the delivery of solid particles in suspension in the droplet is avoided upon the next use of the device  10 . 
         [0107]    Other embodiments of the device will now be described in which the elements common to the different embodiments are identified by the same numeric references and for which the differences are expounded herein below. 
         [0108]      FIG. 7  shows a second embodiment in which the outer jacket  42  comprises pins  94  forming the means for blocking the evaporation path  90  for the residual liquid absorbed by the pad  48 . 
         [0109]    In hermetic sealing configuration, the pins  94  cooperate with the air passage orifices  62  of the inner jacket  44 , so that there is no possible communication between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 . 
         [0110]    In a way similar to what has been described in the preceding embodiment, when the user unscrews the cap  16  upon a first use of the device  10 , he or she rotates the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 . The abutments  86  travel over the ramps  68  and the rotational movement imparted by the user to the device  10  generates a longitudinal translational movement of the outer jacket  42  relative to the inner jacket  44 . Upon this longitudinal movement of the two jackets  42 ,  44  relative to one another, the pins  94  no longer cooperate with the orifices  62  and the evaporation path  90  for the residual liquid is opened. 
         [0111]    Just as in the first embodiment, once the device  10  is in ventilation configuration, the locking means do not allow the device to revert to the hermetic sealing configuration. 
         [0112]    The third embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , is similar to the first embodiment, apart from the location of the pad  48 . In this embodiment, the pad  48  is not mounted on the inner jacket  44  of the cap  16  but is fixed onto the top jacket  26  of the dispensing end piece  14 . The mode of operation of this device is similar to the mode of operation described previously. 
         [0113]    The fourth embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , comprises a dispensing end piece  14  similar to the end pieces previously described. It differs from the preceding embodiment in that the cap  16  comprises only a single jacket comprising air passage orifices  62 . The rest of the device  10  conforms to what has been described previously. 
         [0114]    Before first use, that is to say in hermetic sealing configuration, the device  10  comprises a removable cover  96  which blocks the air passage orifices  62  of the cap  16 ; it therefore blocks the evaporation path  90  for the residual liquid between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 . Advantageously, this cover  96  also comprises a tongue  98  adhering to the cap  16  and to the support  18  of the end piece  14  so that it is not possible to unscrew the cap  16  of the device  10  without removing the cover  96  and thus opening the evaporation path  90  between the pad  48  and the outside of the device  10 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 12  shows a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the device  10 , in which the pad  48  comprises two distinct absorbent materials  48 A and  48 B, the absorbent material  48 A being more hydrophilic, therefore more absorbent, than the absorbent material  48 B. In the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , the two distinct absorbent materials therefore have an axisymmetrical shape, in this case, a ring shape. The two rings  48 A,  48 B are arranged one on top of the other, in contact with one another, the ring of more hydrophilic material  48 A being positioned downstream and the ring of less hydrophilic material  48 B being positioned upstream in relation to the liquid dispensing direction. Thus, the liquid which is expelled by the expulsion shape  46  toward the pad  48  is preferentially absorbed by the most absorbent hydrophilic material  48 A. Because of the contact between the two hydrophilic materials  48 A,  48 B, the liquid absorbed by the least hydrophilic material  48 B is sucked in by the most hydrophilic material  48 A. The residual liquid therefore does not stagnate or stagnates little in the least hydrophilic material  48 B which is closest to the droplet forming means  50 . The risk of a possible build-up of liquid in proximity to the droplet forming means  50  is therefore reduced. 
         [0116]    In a particular embodiment, the least absorbent and therefore least hydrophilic material  48 B may advantageously comprise a hydrophobic material. Thus, the material  48 B is hydrophobic and absorbent and it allows the liquid situated upstream of the dispensing opening  22  to pass toward the most hydrophilic material  48 A and do so, by virtue of the suction created by the material  48 A that is the most hydrophilic and situated downstream of the least hydrophilic material relative to the droplet forming means  50 . However, since the material  48 B is hydrophobic, the liquid absorbed in the material  48 B cannot return toward the dispensing opening  22 . The dispensing opening  22  is therefore relatively dry. It will be understood that the porosity of the hydrophobic material  48 B is such that it enables the liquid sucked in by the most hydrophilic material  48 A to pass through the hydrophobic material  48 B. 
         [0117]    Advantageously, the most hydrophilic material  48 A may comprise an antimicrobial agent, such as silver ions (Ag + ) and the least hydrophilic, even hydrophobic, material  48 B may not include any antimicrobial agent. Thus, the liquid is sucked toward the most hydrophilic material  48 A where antimicrobial agents prevent the development of bacteria. The risk that antimicrobial agents can be contained in the next droplet of liquid delivered by the device  10  is reduced because the antibacterial agent is not contained in the least hydrophilic material  48 B which is closest to the droplet forming means  50 . 
         [0118]      FIG. 13  shows a sixth embodiment of the device  10 , in which the expulsion shape  46  is produced in absorbent material. The principle of operation of the device  10  is similar to the principle described in the fifth embodiment. In effect, the expulsion shape  46  comprises an absorbent material which is less hydrophilic than the hydrophilic material of the pad  48 . Thus, the residual liquid located in the droplet forming means  50  after the dispensing of a liquid droplet is absorbed by the absorbent material of the expulsion shape  46  and is then sucked in by the hydrophilic material of the pad  48 . The liquid is therefore drained toward the pad  48  through the absorbent material of the expulsion shape  46 . 
         [0119]    Just as in the fifth embodiment, the most hydrophilic material, that is to say the material of the pad  48 , can comprise an antimicrobial agent, such as silver ions (Ag + ) and the least hydrophilic material, that is to say the material of the expulsion shape  46  situated downstream relative to the material of the pad  48 , may not include any antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, the material of the expulsion shape may comprise a hydrophobic material. The hydrophobic material can, for example, be obtained by a surface treatment applied locally to the expulsion shape. 
         [0120]    It will also be noted that, in the fifth and sixth embodiments, the device  10  does not comprise any jacket  38  for insulating the air diffusion member  36  from the liquid contained in the container  12 . However, the device  10  could comprise such a jacket  38 . 
         [0121]    As a variant, as represented in  FIG. 15 , the device may comprise a pad  48  and an expulsion shape  46 , both made of absorbent material, a hydrophobic veil  110  with open porosity being added onto the pad  48  and the expulsion shape  46 . By virtue of this hydrophobic veil  110  with open porosity, the liquid present in the droplet forming means  50  is sucked through the veil by the expulsion shape  46  and, since the veil is hydrophobic, the liquid absorbed by the expulsion shape  46  and the pad  48  does not therefore return toward the dispensing opening  22 . The veil  110  can, for example, be added by partial gluing or by partial welding of the veil onto the pad  48  and/or the expulsion shape  46 . 
         [0122]      FIG. 14  shows a pad  48  and an expulsion shape  46  according to a seventh embodiment of the device  10 . In a manner similar to the sixth embodiment, the expulsion shape  46  is produced in absorbent material. However, in the seventh embodiment, the pad  48  comprises a contact surface  106  with the ambient air, the surface having at least one relief  108  in the form of a vertical and central recess of the pad  48 , to increase the surface area of contact with the ambient air without modifying the overall dimensions of the pad. This relief  108  can also be present on the expulsion shape  46 , as can be seen in  FIG. 14 . 
         [0123]      FIG. 16  shows a cross-sectional view of a ninth embodiment of the device. The device comprises an end piece  100  for dispensing liquid in spray form, intended to be mounted on a pump. This end piece  100  comprises a jacket  102  emerging at its downstream end on a liquid dispensing opening  104 . In this example, the end piece  100  may comprise a dispensing valve, for example taking the form of a needle mounted to slide in the jacket  102  and blocking the opening  104  under the action of a spring. 
         [0124]    The jacket  102  is covered by a cap  16  comprising an expulsion shape  46  for the residual liquid that may be located downstream of the dispensing opening  104 . It can be seen that this expulsion shape  46  is situated in the immediate vicinity and facing the opening  104 . 
         [0125]    The cap also comprises air passage orifices  62  and, a pad  48 , fixed onto the cap  16 , more specifically inside the cap  16 , around the expulsion shape  46 . 
         [0126]    In this embodiment, the hermetic sealing configuration of the device  100  can be obtained by the addition of a removable cover, preferably disposable, added to the cap  16 . 
         [0127]    The invention is not limited to the examples described above. 
         [0128]    It will be understood in particular that the pad  48  can be fixed by ultrasound welding, by mechanical clamping or by any other appropriate means, that the cap  16  can take other configurations making it possible to associate a pad with a cap ensuring an expulsion of residual liquid or else making it possible to ensure a permanent evaporation configuration, and a hermetic sealing configuration for the storage of the device prior to its first use, or even that the return means of the valve  20  may comprise a helical spring. 
         [0129]    Furthermore, the number of ramps, of abutments, of notches or of orifices and their arrangement are given solely by way of example and are not limiting. 
         [0130]    Moreover, the first seven embodiments described in the figures relate to devices for dispensing liquid in droplet form and provided with a valve, in which the expulsion shape constitutes a shape for immobilizing the valve in a blocking position. It will be understood that it is possible to envisage devices for dispensing liquid in another form, for example in spray form, such as the device according to the eight embodiment, or even in jet form, with or without valve, or even without the immobilization of the valve, while retaining the possibility of draining the residual liquid out of the dispensing opening, by virtue of the presence of the absorption pad and of the expulsion shape situated in the vicinity of and facing the liquid dispensing opening.