US20130081953A1

US20130081953A1 - Method for treating the surface of a device for dispensing a fluid product

Info

Publication number: US20130081953A1
Application number: US13/514,152
Authority: US
Inventors: Pascal Bruna; Matthieu Laurent; Fabien Nekelson; Sébastien Roussel; Lorraine Tessier
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2009-12-23
Filing date: 2010-12-22
Publication date: 2013-04-04
Also published as: FR2954326A1; JP2013515805A; FR2954326B1; EP2516524A1; CN102639616A; WO2011077055A1

Abstract

A treatment method for treating the surface of a fluid dispenser device, said method comprising the step of using chemical grafting to form a thin film on at least one support surface of at least one movable portion of said device that is movable while said device is being actuated, said thin film having anti-friction properties.

Description

The present invention relates to a surface treatment method for fluid dispenser devices.
Fluid dispenser devices are well known. They generally comprise: one or more reservoirs; a dispenser member, such as a pump, a valve, or a piston that moves in the reservoir; and a dispenser head that is provided with a dispenser orifice. In some configurations, laterally-actuated systems are provided for actuating the dispenser member. Alternatively, in a variant, the fluid dispenser devices may be inhalers including a plurality of reservoirs each containing an individual dose of powder or liquid, and means for opening and expelling said doses during successive actuations. The various devices may also include a dose counter or indicator for counting or indicating the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from the dispenser device. Thus, the devices include numerous movable parts or portions that move relative to one another during actuation. Controlling friction, which may cause unwanted noise and/or malfunctions, is a major challenge. In particular in the pharmaceutical field, any risk of the dispenser device malfunctioning may be critical, e.g. for treating attacks such as asthma attacks. In particular, the problem of friction may occur at the pump piston or at the valve member, where it is essential to avoid the pump piston or valve member jamming. The same applies for inhalers, in which the means for moving or opening a reservoir, and the means for dispensing a dose are sensitive to friction, or even for dose counters that must give the user an accurate indication, so that the user is not mistaken about the number of doses remaining to be dispensed. Thus, any blockage as a result of friction is potentially prejudicial.
All existing surface treatment methods present drawbacks. Thus, certain methods are suitable for use only on plane surfaces. Other methods impose a limited choice of substrate, e.g. gold. Polymerizing molecules by plasma is complex and costly, and the coating layer obtained is difficult to control and presents problems of aging. Likewise, polymerizing molecules by ultraviolet radiation is also complex and costly, and functions only with photosensitive molecules. The same applies for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) that is also complex and costly. Finally, electrografting methods are complex and require support surfaces that are conductive.
An object of the present invention is to propose a surface treatment method that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a surface treatment method that is effective, long-lasting, non-polluting, and simple to perform.
The present invention thus provides a treatment method for treating the surface of a fluid dispenser device, said method comprising the step of using chemical grafting to form a thin film on at least one support surface of at least one movable portion of said device that is movable while said device is being actuated, said thin film having anti-friction properties.
In an advantageous implementation, said grafting step comprises putting said surface that is in contact with the fluid into contact with a solution that includes at least one adhesive primer, said adhesive primer being a cleavable aryl salt, and at least one monomer or polymer selected from the group constituted by vinyl- or acrylic-terminated siloxanes.
Advantageously, said thin film is a polymeric film that includes silicone.
Advantageously, said silicone is a DM300 or DM1000 silicone.
Advantageously, said chemical grafting creates covalent bonds between the molecules of said thin film and said support surface. This creates a strong and long-lasting connection.
Advantageously, said chemical grafting is performed in an aqueous medium. This makes it possible to use chemistry that is non-polluting or green and that does not present any risk to the environment.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt is selected from the group constituted by: aryl diazonium salts; aryl ammonium salts; aryl phosphonium salts; aryl sulfonium salts; and aryl iodonium salts.
The cleavable aryl salts are selected from compounds of general formula ArN₂ ⁺, X⁻ in which Ar represents the aryl group and X⁻ represents an anion. The aryl group in an organic compound is a functional group derived from an aromatic ring.
In an implementation, X⁻ anions are selected from: inorganic anions such as halides, such as I—, Cl—, and Br—; halogenoborates such as tetrafluoroborate; and organic anions such as alcoholates, carboxylates, perchlorates, and sulfonates.
In an implementation, the aryl groups Ar are selected from possibly mono- or poly-substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic groups constituted by one or more aromatic rings of 3 to 8 carbons. The heteroatoms of the heteroaromatic compounds are selected from N, O, P, and S. The substituents may contain alkyl groups and one or more heteroatoms such as N, O, F, Cl, P, Si, Br, or S.
In an implementation, the aryl groups are selected from: aryl groups substituted by attractor groups such as NO₂; COH; CN; CO₂H; ketones; esters; amines; and halogens.
In an implementation, the aryl groups are selected from the group constituted by: phenyl and nitrophenyl groups.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt is selected from the group constituted by: phenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-nitrophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-bromophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-aminophenyldiazonium chloride; 4-aminomethylphenyldiazonium chloride; 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyldiazonium chloride; 4-benzoylbenzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-cyanophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-carboxyphenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-acetamidophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-phenylacetic acid diazonium tetrafluoroborate; 2-methyl-4-[(2-methylphenyl)diazenyl]benzenediazonium sulfate; 9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydro-1-anthracenediazonium chloride; 4-nitronaphtalenediazonium tetrafluoroborate; and naphtalenediazonium tetrafluoroborate.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt is selected from the group constituted by: 4-nitrophenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate; 4-aminophenyldiazonium chloride; 2-methyl-4-chlorophenyldiazonium chloride; and 4-carboxyphenyldiazonium tetrafluoroborate.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt concentration lies in the range 5×10⁻³molar (M) to 10⁻¹M.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt concentration is about 5×10⁻²M.
In an implementation, the cleavable aryl salt is prepared in situ.
Advantageously, said chemical-grafting step is initiated by chemically activating a diazonium salt so as to form an anchor layer for said thin film.
Advantageously, said chemical-grafting step is initiated by chemical activation.
In an implementation, said chemical activation is initiated by the presence of a reducing agent in the solution.
In an implementation, the solution comprises a reducing agent.
The term “reducing agent” means a compound that donates electrons during a redox reaction. In an aspect of the present invention, the reducing agent presents a redox potential difference relative to the redox potential of the cleavable aryl salt, that lies in the range 0.3 volts (V) to 3 V.
In an aspect of the invention, the reducing agent is selected from the group constituted by: reducing metals that are possibly finely divided, such as iron, zinc, or nickel; a metal salt that is possibly in the form of a metallocene; and an organic reducing agent such as hypophosphorus acid, or ascorbic acid.
In an implementation, the reducing agent concentration lies in the range 0.005 M to 2 M.
In an implementation, the reducing agent concentration is about 0.6 M.
In an implementation, said thin film has a thickness that is less than 1 micrometer (μm), and that lies in the range 10 angstroms (Å) to 2000 Å, advantageously lies in the range 10 Å to 800 Å, preferably lies in the range 400 Å to 1000 Å. No conventional coating technique makes it possible to obtain chemically-grafted layers that are as thin.
The term “vinyl- or acrylic-terminated siloxane” means a saturated silicon and oxygen hydride that is formed with straight or branched chains of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms and including terminating vinyl or acrylic motifs.
In an implementation, vinyl- or acrylic-terminated siloxanes are selected from the group constituted by: vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyalkylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polymethylsiloxane; vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polydimethylsiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane-acrylate (PDMS-acrylate); vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyarylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyphenylsiloxane such as polyvinylphenylsiloxane; and vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyarylalkylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polymethylphenylsiloxane.
In an implementation, a potential difference is applied in said solution.
The term “potential difference” means the redox potential difference measured between two electrodes.
In an implementation, the potential difference is applied by a generator that is connected to two electrodes that are identical or different and that are dipped in the solution during the dipping step.
In an implementation, the electrodes are selected from: stainless steel; steel; nickel; platinum; gold; silver; zinc; iron; and copper; in pure form or in alloy form.
In an implementation, the electrodes are made of stainless steel.
In an implementation, the potential difference applied by a generator lies in the range 0.1 V to 2 V.
In an implementation, it is about 0.7 V.
In an implementation, the potential difference is generated by a chemical cell.
The term “chemical cell” means a cell that is made up of two electrodes that are interconnected via an ionic bridge. In the present invention, the two electrodes are selected appropriately for the potential difference to lie in the range 0.1 V to 2.5 V.
In an implementation, the chemical cell is created between two different electrodes that are dipped in the solution.
In an implementation, the electrodes are selected from: nickel; zinc; iron; copper; and silver; in pure form or in alloy form.
In an implementation, the potential difference generated by the chemical cell lies in the range 0.1 V to 1.5 V.
In an implementation, the potential difference is about 0.7 V.
In an implementation, the electrodes are chemically isolated so as to avoid any contact between the substrate that is immersed in the solution and the electrodes that are also dipped in the solution.
Advantageously, said support surface is made of: synthetic material, in particular comprising polyethylene (PE) and/or polypropylene (PP); elastomer; glass; or metal.
Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form at least one additional thin film on said support surface.
Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form a first additional thin film on said support surface, said first additional thin film limiting the degree to which the fluid for dispensing sticks to said support surface.
Advantageously, the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form a second additional thin film on said support surface, said second additional thin film preventing interactions between said support surface and said fluid.
In a variant, said at least one additional thin film is deposited on said support surface during at least one successive chemical-grafting step, each step being performed in a single-component bath.
In another variant, said at least one additional thin film is deposited on said support surface simultaneously during a single chemical-grafting step in a multi-component bath.
Advantageously, said dispenser device comprises: a reservoir containing the fluid; a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, that is fastened on said reservoir; and a dispenser head that is provided with a dispenser orifice, and this is for actuating said dispenser member.
In a variant, said dispenser device comprises: a plurality of individual reservoirs each containing a dose of fluid; reservoir opening means, such as a perforator needle; and dose dispenser means for dispensing a dose of fluid from an individual opened reservoir through a dispenser orifice.
In a variant, said dispenser device includes a reservoir containing one or two doses of fluid, and a piston that moves in said reservoir on each actuation.
Advantageously, said dispenser device includes a dose counter for counting the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said dispenser device.
Advantageously, said fluid is a pharmaceutical, in particular for spraying in nasal or oral manner.
In an implementation, it is possible to use a method similar to the method described in document WO 2008/078052, which describes a method of preparing an organic film on the surface of a solid support under non-electrochemical conditions. Surprisingly, that type of method turns out to be suitable for forming a thin anti-friction film on surfaces that are movable during the actuation of the above-mentioned dispenser devices. Such an application of that grafting method has not previously been envisaged.
To summarize, the method seeks to prepare a thin film, in particular a film made of polyethylene and/or polypropylene, on the surface of a solid support. The method mainly comprises putting said support surface into contact with a liquid solution. The liquid solution includes at least one solvent and at least one adhesive primer, enabling radical entities to be formed from the adhesive primer.
The “thin film” may be any polymeric film, in particular of organic nature, e.g. resulting from a plurality of units of organic chemical species, and bonded in covalent manner to the surface of the support on which the method is performed. In particular, it is a film that is bonded in covalent manner to the surface of the support, and that includes at least one layer of structural units of similar nature. Depending on the thickness of the film, its cohesion is provided by covalent bonds that develop between the various units. Preferably, the thin film contains silicone.
The solvent used in the context of the method may be of protic or aprotic nature. It is preferable for the primer to be soluble in said solvent.
The term “protic solvent” means a solvent that includes at least one hydrogen atom that is capable of being released in the form of a proton. The protic solvent may be selected from the group constituted by: water; deionized water; optionally-acidified distilled water; acetic acid; hydroxylated solvents such as methanol and ethanol; liquid glycols of small molecular weight such as ethyleneglycol; and mixtures thereof. In a first variant, the protic solvent is constituted solely by a protic solvent or by a mixture of different protic solvents. In another variant, the protic solvent or the mixture of protic solvents may be mixed with at least one aprotic solvent, it being understood that the resulting mixture should present the characteristics of a protic solvent. Acidified water is the preferred protic solvent, and more particularly, acidified distilled water or acidified deionized water.
The term “aprotic solvent” means a solvent that is considered as not being protic. Under non-extreme conditions, such solvents are not suitable for releasing a proton or for accepting one. The aprotic solvent is advantageously selected from: dimethylformamide (DMF); acetone; and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO).
The term “adhesive primer” corresponds to any organic molecule that is suitable, under certain conditions, for chemisorbing onto the support surface by a radical reaction, such as radical chemical grafting. Such molecules include at least a functional group that is suitable for reacting with a radical, and also a reactive function that reacts with another radical after chemiabsorption. Thus, after grafting a first molecule to the surface of the support, the molecules are capable of forming a polymeric film, and then of reacting with other molecules that are present in its environment.
The term “radical chemical grafting” refers, in particular, to the use of molecular entities that possess an unpaired electron in order to form bonds with the support surface of the covalent-bond type, said molecular entities being generated independently of the support surface onto which they are to be grafted. Thus, the radical reaction leads to covalent bonds being formed between the support surface under consideration and the derivative of the grafted adhesive primer, and then between a grafted derivative and molecules that are present in its environment.
The term “derivative of the adhesive primer” means a chemical unit resulting from the adhesive primer, after said adhesive primer has reacted by radical chemical grafting, in particular with the support surface, or with another radical. To the person skilled in the art, it is clear that the function that is reactive with another radical after chemiabsorption of the derivative of the adhesive primer is different from the function involved in the covalent bonding, in particular with the support surface. Advantageously, the adhesive primer is a cleavable aryl salt selected from the group constituted by: aryl diazonium salts; aryl ammonium salts; aryl phosphonium salts; aryl sulfonium salts; and aryl iodonium salts.
Preferably, the thin film includes silicone that may be of various medical grades, e.g. DM300 or DM1000. As a variant to the direct covalent bonds of the silicone on the support surface, as obtained in an aqueous medium, it is also possible to use a method of impregnating a porous layer that has previously been grafted with silicone.
In an advantageous implementation of the invention, chemical grafting is used to form at least one additional thin film on a single support surface, so as to give at least one other property to the support surface. Thus, the fluid for dispensing may tend to stick to a surface with which it is in contact, and this may, in particular, have a harmful effect on the reproducibility of the dispensed dose. The invention advantageously makes provision for using chemical grafting to form a first additional thin film that prevents the fluid from sticking to the support surface. Advantageously, it is also possible to envisage using chemical grafting to apply a second additional thin film, so as to give a third property to the support surface. For example, in fluid dispenser devices, certain materials interact with the fluid for dispensing in the event of coming into contact therewith, and this may be harmful to the fluid. The invention advantageously makes provision for using chemical grafting to form a second additional thin film that prevents interaction between the fluid and the support surface. The additional thin films may be applied during successive chemical-grafting steps. Each chemical-grafting step may then be performed in a single-component bath. It should be observed that the successive chemical-grafting steps may be performed in any order. In a variant, the additional thin films may alternatively be applied during a single chemical-grafting step that is thus performed in a multi-component bath. A combination of the two variants may also be envisaged.
The present invention applies to multidose devices, such as devices having a pump or a valve mounted on a reservoir, and that are actuated so as to dispense successive doses. It also applies to multidose devices that include a plurality of individual reservoirs, each containing a dose of fluid, such as pre-dosed powder inhalers. It also applies to uni-dose or bi-dose devices in which a piston moves directly in a reservoir on each actuation. In particular, the invention applies to nasal or oral spray devices, to opthalmic dispenser devices, and to needle devices of the syringe type.
The invention also relates to the use of a grafting method of the invention in order to form a thin film on at least one support surface of at least one movable portion of a fluid dispenser device that is movable while said device is being actuated, said thin film having anti-friction properties.
The following examples were performed in a glass vessel. Unless indicated to the contrary, they were performed under normal temperature and pressure conditions (about 22° C. under about 1 atmosphere (atm)) in ambient air. Unless mentioned to the contrary, the reagents used were obtained directly on the market without additional purification. The samples were subjected beforehand to washing under ultrasound in soapy water at 40° C.

EXAMPLE 1

Grafting a Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Film onto Parts of a Pump so as to Lubricate it

The term “pump” means a fluid dispenser device that is actuated manually, and that includes a pump body in which one or more pistons slide.
Vinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (1.0 gram (g), 5 grams per liter (g/L)) was poured into a solution of Brij® 35 (0.874 g at 4.37 g/L) in 70 milliliters (mL) of milliQ (mQ) water, then the suspension was stirred magnetically so as to form an emulsion.
4-aminobenzoic acid (1.370 g, 10⁻²moles (mol)) was dissolved in a solution of hydrochloric acid (4.0 mL in 120 mL of mQ water) and of hypophosphorus acid (6.3 mL, 6.0×10⁻²mol). That solution was added to the PDMS emulsion.
To that emulsion there were added 8 mL of an aqueous solution of NaNO₂(0.667 g, 9.7×10⁻³mol), and then the pump-part samples.
After 30 minutes of reaction, the samples, namely: a body made of PP; an upper piston; a lower piston; and a tube made of polyethylene PE; were removed, then rinsed in successive baths of soapy water (Renoclean) at 1% under ultrasound at 40° C., and baths of water.
After drying the parts with compressed air, the presence of PDMS on the samples was confirmed by infrared (IR) analysis by means of PDMS-specific bands at 1260 per centimeter (cm⁻¹), 1110 cm⁻¹, and 1045 cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 2

Grafting a Poly(Dimethylsiloxane) Film onto Parts of a Valve so as to Lubricate it

The term “valve” means a fluid dispenser device that contains propellant gases, and that includes a valve body in which a valve member slides.
Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (1.307 g, 0.015 M) was dissolved in 175 mL of mQ water. Vinyl-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (2.5 g, 10 g/L) was added, then the mixture was stirred magnetically so as to form an emulsion.
4-aminobenzoic acid (3.462 g, 2.5×10⁻²mol) was dissolved in a solution of hydrochloric acid (9.6 mL in 20 mL of mQ water) and of hypophosphorus acid (33 mL, 3.1×10⁻¹mol). That solution was added to the PDMS emulsion.
To that emulsion there were added 10 mL of a solution of NaNO₂(1.664 g, 2.37×10⁻²mol) in mQ water, and then the samples, namely: ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) or nitrile rubber gaskets; a valve member top made of polyoxymethylene (POM); and a gold indicator strip.
After 15 minutes of reaction, the samples were removed, then rinsed successively in mQ water, in ethanol, and in hexane.
The presence of PDMS on the gold strip and on the other samples was confirmed by IR analysis with PDMS-specific bands at 1260 cm⁻¹, 1110 cm⁻¹, and 1045 cm⁻¹.

EXAMPLE 3

Electrocatalyzed Chemical Grafting of a Polymer Film Made of Acrylic-PDMS onto a Polyethylene Substrate

This example explains how to graft a lubricating coating (acrylic-PDMS) onto a thermoplastic such as PE.
The PE samples were washed in ethanol, under ultrasound (at 50% power, temperature at 40° C.) for 5 minutes.
The biphasic solution was prepared in two stages. The following were added to a beaker (1), in order and under magnetic stirring (at 300 revolutions per minute (rpm)): PDMS-acrylate (1 g/L); Brij® 35 in solution in water at 8.5% by weight (% wt) (4.37 g/L); and 33 mL of deionized (DI) water. Emulsification then took place under ultrasound at 40° C. and at a power of 200 watts (W) (100%) for 15 minutes.
The following were added to a beaker (2), under magnetic stirring (at 300 rpm): nitrobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate (0.05 mol/L); 130 mL of DI water; and hydrochloric acid (0.23 mol/L).
The content of beaker (2) was poured into the emulsion of beaker (1). The PE samples (×2); a winding of galvanized steel wire (ten turns, i.e. a length of about 25 centimeters (cm) to 30 cm); and a winding of nickel (Ni) wire (ten turns, i.e. a length of about 25 cm to 30 cm); were placed in beaker (1). The two wires were connected together and an ammeter was connected in series.
Finally, once the assembly was ready, hypophosphorus acid (0.7 mol/L) was added last, thereby marking the start of the reaction. After 30 minutes of reaction at ambient temperature, the PE samples were removed, then rinsed successively in water, in ethanol, and finally in isopropanol, in a soxhlet extractor for 16 hours.
The soxhlet was composed of: a glass body in which the sample was placed; a siphon-tube; and a distillation tube. The soxhlet was placed on a flask (specifically a 500 mL flask heated and stirred via a flask heater) containing the solvent (specifically 300 mL of isopropanol) and surmounted by a condenser.
When the flask was heated, the solvent vapor passed via the distillation tube, condensed in the condenser, and dropped back into the glass body, thereby soaking the sample in pure solvent (heated by the underlying vapor). The condensed solvent accumulated in the extractor until it reached the top of the siphon-tube which then caused the liquid to return to the vessel, accompanied by extracted substances, and the solvent contained in the vessel was thus enriched progressively with soluble compounds.
The solvent thus continued to evaporate, while the extracted substances remained in the vessel (their boiling temperature needs to be significantly higher than the boiling temperature of the extractor solvent).
The use of a soxhlet extractor made it possible to confirm the chemical grafting of acrylic-PDMS on the surface of the PE substrate.
An analysis by IR spectroscopy was performed. The infrared spectrum made it possible to confirm the grafting of acrylic-PDMS by the presence of the characteristic band at 1260 cm⁻¹corresponding to the vibration of the Si—CH₃bond.

EXAMPLE 4

Electrocatalyzed Chemical Grafting of a Polymer Film Made of Acrylic-PDMS onto a Polyethylene Substrate in the Presence of a Potentiostat

This example explains how to graft a lubricating coating (acrylic-PDMS) onto a thermoplastic such as PE in the presence of a potentiostat.
The PE samples were washed in ethanol, under ultrasound (power at 100 W, temperature at 40° C.) for 5 minutes.
The biphasic solution was prepared in two stages. The following were added to a beaker (1), in order and under magnetic stirring (at 300 rpm): PDMS-acrylate (1 g/L); Brij® 35 in solution in water at 8.5% wt (4.37 g/L); and 33 mL of DI water. Emulsification then took place under ultrasound at 40° C. and at a power of 200 W (100%) for 15 minutes.
The following were added to a beaker (2), under magnetic stirring (at 300 rpm): nitrobenzene diazonium tetrafluoroborate (0.05 mol/L); 130 mL of DI water; and hydrochloric acid (0.23 mol/L).
The content of beaker (2) was poured into the emulsion of beaker (1). The PE samples (×2); a winding of galvanized steel wire (ten turns, i.e. a length of about 25 cm to 30 cm); and a winding of Ni wire (ten turns, i.e. a length of about 25 cm to 30 cm); were placed in beaker (1). The two wires were connected to a potentiostat and an ammeter was connected in series. The potentiostat imposed a constant potential difference of 0.5 V and the current over time was measured by the ammeter.
Finally, once the assembly was ready, hypophosphorus acid (0.7 mol/L) was added last, thereby marking the start of the reaction. After 30 minutes of reaction at ambient temperature, the PE samples were removed, then rinsed successively in water (a cascade), then in ethanol (a cascade), and finally in isopropanol, in a soxhlet extractor for 16 hours.
The use of a soxhlet extractor made it possible to confirm the chemical grafting of acrylic-PDMS on the surface of the PE substrate.
An analysis by IR spectroscopy was performed. The IR spectrum made it possible to confirm the grafting of acrylic-PDMS by the presence of the characteristic band at 1260 cm⁻¹corresponding to the vibration of the Si—CH₃bond.
Various modifications may also be envisaged by a person skilled in the art, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A treatment method for treating the surface of a fluid dispenser device, said method being characterized in that it comprises a step of using chemical grafting to form a thin film on at least one support surface of at least one movable portion of said device that is movable while said device is being actuated, said thin film having anti-friction properties.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said grafting step comprises putting said surface that is in contact with the fluid into contact with a solution that includes at least one adhesive primer, said adhesive primer being a cleavable aryl salt, and at least one monomer or polymer selected from the group constituted by vinyl- or acrylic-terminated siloxanes.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein vinyl- or acrylic-terminated siloxanes are selected from the group constituted by: vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyalkylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polymethylsiloxane; vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polydimethylsiloxane such as polydimethylsiloxane-acrylate (PDMS-acrylate); vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyarylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyphenylsiloxane such as polyvinylphenylsiloxane; and vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polyarylalkylsiloxanes such as vinyl- or acrylic-terminated polymethylphenylsiloxane.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the cleavable aryl salt is selected from the group constituted by: aryl diazonium salts; aryl ammonium salts; aryl phosphonium salts; aryl sulfonium salts; and aryl iodonium salts.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said chemical-grafting step is initiated by chemical activation.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said chemical activation is initiated by the presence of a reducing agent in the solution.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the reducing agent is selected from the group constituted by: reducing metals that are possibly finely divided, such as iron, zinc, or nickel; a metal salt that is possibly in the form of a metallocene; and an organic reducing agent such as hypophosphorus acid, or ascorbic acid.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein a potential difference is applied in said solution.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the potential difference is applied by a generator that is connected to two electrodes that are identical or different and that are dipped in the solution.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the potential difference is generated by a chemical cell.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein said support surface is made of: synthetic material, in particular comprising polyethylene and/or polypropylene; elastomer; glass; or metal.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein said thin film has a thickness that is less than 1 μm, preferably lying in the range 10 Å to 2000 Å.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form at least one additional thin film on said support surface.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form a first additional thin film on said support surface, said first additional thin film limiting the degree to which the fluid for dispensing sticks to said support surface.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of using chemical grafting to form a second additional thin film on said support surface, said second additional thin film preventing interactions between said support surface and said fluid.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein said at least one additional thin film is deposited on said support surface during at least one successive chemical-grafting step, each step being performed in a single-component bath.

17. A method according to claim 13, wherein said at least one additional thin film is deposited on said support surface simultaneously during a single chemical-grafting step in a multi-component bath.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser device comprises: a reservoir containing the fluid; a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, that is fastened on said reservoir; and a dispenser head that is provided with a dispenser orifice, and this is for actuating said dispenser member.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser device comprises: a plurality of individual reservoirs each containing a dose of fluid; reservoir opening means, such as a perforator needle; and dose dispenser means for dispensing a dose of fluid from an individual opened reservoir through a dispenser orifice.

20. A method according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser device includes a reservoir containing one or two doses of fluid, and a piston that moves in said reservoir on each actuation.

21. A method according to claim 1, wherein said dispenser device includes a dose counter for counting the number of doses that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said dispenser device.

22. A method according to claim 1, wherein said fluid is a liquid or powder pharmaceutical, in particular for spraying in nasal or oral manner.

23. The use of a grafting method according to claim 1, in order to form a thin film on at least one support surface of at least one movable portion of a fluid dispenser device that is movable while said device is being actuated, said thin film having anti-friction properties.