EP0636549B1 - Assembly for dispensing a liquid or pasty product without air suction, with a deformable membrane - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a product dispensing assembly of fluid to pasty consistency comprising a container and a dispensing head provided with a dispensing orifice capable of being opened or closed by a spike operated in translation by a deformable membrane. This set can be used, in particular for the distribution of cosmetic products, for example sunscreen.

In the present description and in the claims, the term "fluid product" means any product in the form of a liquid, cream or paste capable of flowing.

FR-A-829 056 discloses a product distribution assembly of fluid to pasty consistency comprising a container made of flexible material containing the fluid product to be dispensed and a dispensing head comprising a dome consisting of a skirt and a dome provided with at least one dispensing orifice capable of being closed by a mobile pin carried by an elastically deformable membrane, the orifice being closed by the pin in the absence of any overpressure on said membrane on the side where it is located said pin and being released when an overpressure is applied to said membrane on the side where said pin is located, the container and the dome constituting a single piece obtained by molding, a rigid insert being placed at the base of the dome and delimiting, between him and the dome, a space, said insert comprising at least one channel, which connects said space and the container, and bearing, facing the orifice, the deformed membrane table, the latter giving the spike a bearing force against the edges of the opening, said bearing force and the contact surface between the spike and the edges of the opening being, in the closed position, sufficient for said closure prevents any recovery of air after distribution, the insert consisting of a tray through which is (are) formed (s) the channel (s) and a support element which carries the membrane and is integral of said tray, the support element being arranged in the central area of the tray.

Such an assembly makes it possible to ensure a distribution without air intake by implementing the opening and closing of a dispensing orifice by a spike operated by a membrane. deformable. We know that in the absence of air intake, the flexible containers are crushed as and when dispensed, which allows the user to identify the filling state of the container even if the wall is totally opaque. In addition, the absence of air intake prevents deterioration of the product during distribution by oxidation and also prevents contamination of the product on the bacterial level, which results in a possible reduction in the use of preservatives.

However, such a known assembly requires, to function properly, precise positioning of the pin relative to the orifice; unfortunately, nothing is provided in the assembly according to FR-A-829,056 to facilitate this positioning, and the present invention aims to overcome this drawback.

The present invention therefore relates to a product distribution assembly of fluid to pasty consistency comprising a container made of flexible material containing the fluid product to be dispensed and a dispensing head comprising a dome consisting of a skirt and a dome provided with at least one dispensing orifice capable of being closed by a movable spike carried by an elastically deformable membrane, the orifice being closed by the spike in the absence of any overpressure on said membrane on the side where said spike is located and being released when an overpressure is applied to said membrane on the side on which said pin is located, the container and the dome constituting a single piece obtained by molding, a rigid insert being placed at the base of the dome and delimiting, between it and the dome, a space, said insert comprising at least one channel, which connects said space and the container, and bearing, facing the orifice, the membrane d deformable, the latter giving the pin a bearing force against the edges of the opening, said bearing force and the contact surface between the pin and the edges of the opening being, in the closed position, sufficient for said closure prevents any recovery of air after distribution, the insert consisting of a plate through which is (are) formed (s) the channel (s) and a support element which carries the membrane and is integral of said plate, the support element being disposed in the central zone of the plate, characterized in that the plate comprises, in its part facing the tube, a circular plate whose central zone is full and which is molded in one part with an annular element which forms with the plate a cylindrical blind housing inside which the support element is fixed, the annular element carrying, at its upper part, a collar coming to bear against a recess provided inside the dome at the junction between the skirt and the dome.

Thus, thanks to this arrangement, the insert is put in place precisely thanks to the redent, and therefore the pin is positioned precisely relative to the orifice.

The container is preferably constituted by a tube whose cylindrical skirt, of circular or oval section, is molded in one piece with the dome and which is closed by a linear weld in its zone opposite to the dome.

Advantageously, the support element comprises a cylindrical skirt which fits with a slight tightening in the blind housing and a base constituting the membrane. This limits the dead volume inside the dome.

Preferably, the support element is surrounded by a plurality of channels organized in a ring around it. The insert is preferably made up of two separate pieces assembled: according to a particular embodiment, the plate comprises, in its central zone, a blind housing inside which the support element is fixed, the latter comprising a cylindrical zone engaged in said housing and a base constituting the membrane. This two-piece embodiment makes it possible to obtain an assembly of greater rigidity and to limit the sealing problems between the insert and the wall of the dome, when the wall of the dome deforms; indeed, one can use to mold the support element carrying the elastic membrane a more flexible plastic material than to mold the tray in which is (are) formed (s) the channel (channels).

The spike and the edges of the orifice preferably have complementary shapes such that the contact surface between the end of the spike and the edge of the opening is large. The dispensing orifice advantageously comprises a frustoconical bearing, the pin being shaped at its free end according to a frustoconical bearing substantially of the same angle at the top.

The assembly advantageously comprises a cap capable of covering the dome; the cap is fixed by fitting, latching or screwing on the base of the dome. The cap preferably comprises, internally, a stud arranged in line with the dispensing orifice when the cap is fixed to the dome; according to a preferred embodiment, the dispensing orifice ends, towards the outside of the dome, by a frustoconical bearing and the stud is shaped at its free end according to a frustoconical bearing substantially of the same angle at the top; preferably, the two frustoconical bearing surfaces of the dispensing orifice are separated from each other by a cylindrical zone. The cap thus avoids any accidental distribution of the product during storage and the various handling operations, in the event that pressure is exerted on the container.

The various elements of the assembly can be molded using the same thermoplastic material: in this case, polyethylene is used, which has the advantage of being recyclable; it is nevertheless possible to choose polyethylenes of different elasticities; for example, a more rigid polyethylene may be used for the insert tray than for the support element. However, it is preferred that the container-dome assembly be molded from a different thermoplastic material, in particular from a heat-sealable multilayer material, this type of material having the advantage of being highly impermeable to air.

The assembly according to the invention is simple to manufacture. The different parts are molded separately: the part formed by the wall of the unclosed container and the dome, the two parts forming the insert and, optionally, the cap. The two pieces forming the insert are assembled and then the insert is pushed into the container until it is in place at the base of the dome. The product to be dispensed is then introduced through the open bottom of the container and the open end of the container is closed, in particular by heat sealing. In the case where the container is a tube, a linear weld is preferably carried out substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube. Finally, we possibly have the cap on the dome.

The assembly according to the invention operates as follows: during use, the user removes the cap to release the orifice provided on the dome; he then compresses the walls side of the flexible container with his fingers. Under the pressure produced, the product contained in the container passes through the channels provided in the insert, and enters the space between the insert and the dome. The pressure exerted on the product by the user's fingers deforms the elastic membrane carrying the spike; this pin, which initially closed the dispensing orifice, moves in translation and releases the dispensing orifice; the product then leaves through the dispensing orifice and can be applied. Simultaneously the container, which is flexible, crashes. When the user stops pressing on the container, the pressure exerted by the product on the membrane ceases and the membrane returns by elasticity to its initial position, the pin again closing the dispensing orifice.

The membrane returning very quickly to its initial position and the pin cooperating in a sealed manner with the edge of the orifice, there is no air intake; consequently, the deterioration of the product to be dispensed by air oxidation and its contamination by air microorganisms is avoided; we can therefore reduce the use of preservatives in the product to be distributed. In addition, the tube remains, after dispensing, in its partially crushed form: the user can thus easily assess the quantity of product remaining in the tube, even if the latter is opaque.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the space between the inserted part and the dome can be proportionally very small compared to the volume of the container; the internal volume of the channels is also very small compared to the volume of the container; under these conditions, the dead volume is low, the quantity of non-expellable product that it contains is low and the rate of return of the product to be distributed is therefore high.

To better understand the object of the invention, there will be described below, by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation en coupe partielle d'un ensemble selon l'invention comportant son capuchon, avec arrachement en coupe ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe axiale de l'ensemble de distribution de la figure 1 avant distribution, le capuchon étant dégagé du dôme ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle en coupe axiale de l'ensemble de distribution de la figure 1 pendant la distribution, le capuchon étant enlevé ;
• la figure 4 représente, à grande échelle, la zone L de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 représente, en perspective, le plateau de l'insert ;
• la figure 6 représente, en perspective, l'élément-support de l'insert.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 is an elevational view in partial section of an assembly according to the invention comprising its cap, with cutaway;
• Figure 2 is a partial view in axial section of the dispensing assembly of Figure 1 before dispensing, the cap being released from the dome;
• Figure 3 is a partial view in axial section of the dispensing assembly of Figure 1 during dispensing, the cap being removed;
• FIG. 4 represents, on a large scale, the zone L of FIG. 1;
• Figure 5 shows, in perspective, the tray of the insert;
• FIG. 6 represents, in perspective, the support element of the insert.

The distribution assembly 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 consists of a container formed by a tube 2 containing the product to be distributed and of a distribution head constituted by a dome 3 molded with the tube 2 and by an insert 5 in which channels 23 are formed, said insert carrying an elastic membrane 6 provided with a spike 7. The insert 5 is disposed at the base of the dome 3. In the dome 3 is formed an orifice 4. The dome 3 is covered by a cap 8.

The tube 2 is formed of a cylindrical skirt 9 pinched at its end opposite to the dome 3 by a linear weld 10. The dome 3 is coaxial with the tube 2; it consists, on the one hand, of a cylindrical skirt 11 of smaller diameter than the cylindrical skirt 9 of the tube 2, the skirt 11 being connected to the skirt 9 by a circular shoulder 12, and, on the other hand, a dome 13, the convexity of which faces outwards. A cusp 3a is provided within the dome 3 to the junction between the skirt 11 and the dome 13. A hole 4 is provided at the center of the dome 13; the side walls of said orifice 4 (see FIG. 4) have the shape of two frustoconical bearing surfaces 4 a , 4 b separated from one another by a cylindrical zone.

The insert 5 consists of two parts assembled by fitting: a plate 14, in which are formed four channels 23 and a support element 15 carrying the membrane 6 provided with the pin 7. The plate 14 comprises, in its part turned towards the tube 2, a circular plate 16, which is provided with four openings forming the inlet of the channels 23 and whose central area is full. This circular plate has an equal diameter. apart from the necessary clearance, the internal diameter of the cylindrical skirt 11 of the dome 3. The circular plate 16 is molded in one piece with an annular element 17 which forms, with the plate 16, a blind housing 14 a cylindrical. The annular element 17 carries, at its upper part, a flange 19 of external diameter equal, apart from the necessary clearance, to the diameter of the dome 3 below the redent 3 a , the flange 19 coming to bear against the redent 3 a . The channels 23 are regularly arranged at the periphery of the annular element 17 and open on one side into the plate 16 and on the other into the flange 19.

The support element 15 is constituted by the membrane 6 carrying in its center the pin 7, which constitutes a circular transverse base, and by a cylindrical skirt 20, which has an external diameter equal to the internal diameter of the annular element 17 and which has the same height so as to be able to fit with a slight interference in the blind recess 14 limited by the annular element 17 and the plate 16. the pin 7 is arranged to the right of the orifice 4 provided in the axis of the dome 3 and the precision of the positioning of the insert 5 in the dome 3 thanks to the redent 3 a makes it possible to define the bearing force of the pin 7 against the edges of the orifice 4. The pin 7 is circular and its end has a frustoconical bearing 7 a complementary to the frustoconical bearing 4 a of the orifice 4 so as to obtain a contact surface between the pin 7 and the orifice 4 sufficient for the closure to be watertight 'air.

The cap 8 consists of a side skirt 21, the free edge of which bears on the shoulder 12, fitting into place with a slight tightening on the base of the dome 3 at the level where the insert 5 is located. skirt 21 is connected to a transverse circular base 22 carrying in its center, on its internal face, a stud 24 arranged in line with the orifice 4 when the cap is fitted onto the base of the dome 3; the stud 24 is shaped at its free end along a frustoconical surface 24 has substantially the same angle at the top as the frustoconical surface 4 b of the orifice 4.

The assembly according to the invention is manufactured in the manner described below: four parts are prepared separately by molding: the assembly formed by the cylindrical skirt 9 of the tube 2 and the dome 3, the two elements of the insert 5 (the plate 14 and the support element 15), and the cap 8. The tube 2 and the dome 3 are made of multilayer heat-sealable plastic material, and the other parts are made of polyethylene. The plate 14 and the support element 15 are assembled with each other by inserting the skirt 20 in the blind housing 14 a , which is thus closed by the elastic membrane 6. The insert 5 thus assembled is introduced by the open end of the tube 2 and it is pushed in until the flange 19 abuts against the redent 3 has formed in the internal wall of the dome 3; the redent 3 a allows precise positioning of the insert and, consequently, precise positioning of the pin 7 relative to the orifice 4. In addition, the insert 5 stiffens the cylindrical skirt 11 of the dome and, therefore, the convex dome 13; in this way, the dispensing head is substantially rigid. Tube 2 is then filled using product P, which is, for example, sunscreen, and linear welding 10 is performed by heat-sealing after pinching the walls of skirt 9. The tube 2 is filled under vacuum. so as to avoid any air pollution during filling.

When he wishes to use the product P, the user removes the cap 8. He then presses the tube 2 with his fingers. The product P contained in the tube 2 then passes through the channels 23 in the space 25 between the insert 5 and the dome 3. The pressure exerted by the product deforms the elastic membrane 6 which, initially planar (see FIG. 1) , becomes concave (see figure 3). The pin 7 fixed on the elastic membrane 6, which closed the orifice 4 (see FIG. 1) then moves in translation and releases the orifice 4 from the dome 3 (see FIG. 3): the product P is distributed by the orifice 4. When the user ceases to exert pressure on the tube 2, the elastic membrane 6 resumes by elasticity its flat shape and the pin 7 returns to close the orifice 4: the distribution of the product ceases. The elastic membrane 6 quickly regaining its shape, there is no air intake; in addition, the valve formed by the pin 7 and the orifice 4 is perfectly airtight. Under these conditions, the tube 2 cannot resiliently return to its initial volume and remains crushed: it is therefore easy for the user to assess the quantity of product P remaining in the tube 2. In addition, since there is no there is no return air, there is no risk of product pollution by air.

Claims (10)

1. Assembly for dispensing a product of pasty-to-fluid consistency, which includes a container (2) made of flexible material containing the fluid product to be dispensed and a dispensing head which includes a dome (3) consisting of a skirt (11) and of a cupola (13) equipped with at least one dispensing orifice (4) capable of being closed by a movable stud (7) carried by an elastically deformable membrane (6), the orifice (4) being closed off by the stud (7) in the absence of any overpressure on the said membrane on the side where the said stud is located and being freed when an over-pressure is applied to the said membrane on the side where the said stud is located, the container (2) and the dome (3) constituting a single piece obtained by moulding, a rigid insert (5) being put into position at the base of the dome (3) and delimiting a space (25) between the insert and the dome (3), the said insert (5) including at least one channel (23), which brings the said space (25) into communication with the container (2), and carrying, opposite the orifice (4), the deformable membrane (6), the latter imparting to the stud (7) a bearing force against the edges of the opening (4), the said bearing force and the area of contact between the stud (7) and the edges of the opening (4) being, in the closure position, sufficient for the said closure to prevent any air uptake after dispensing, the insert (5) consisting of a disc (14) through which is (are) provided the channel (channels) (23) and of a support element (15) which carries the membrane (6) and is solidly attached to the said disc (14), the support element (15) being arranged in the central region of the disc (14), characterized in that the disc (14) includes, in its part facing the tube (2), a circular plate (16), the central region of which is solid and which is moulded as a single piece with an annular element (17) which forms, together with the plate (16), a cylindrical blind housing (14a) inside which the support element (15) is fixed, the annular element (17) carrying, at its upper part, a flange (19) coming to bear against a step (3a) provided inside the dome (3) at the junction between the skirt (11) and the cupola (13).
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the support element (15) comprises a cylindrical skirt (20) which fits into the blind housing (14a) with a slight interference, and a base constituting the membrane (6).
3. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the support element (15) is surrounded by a plurality of channels (23) organized in a ring around it.
4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the circular plate (16) is equipped with four openings forming the entrance of the channels (23) which are uniformly arranged at the periphery of the annular element (17) and which run out in the flange (19).
5. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (4) includes, opposite the membrane (6), a frustoconical bearing surface (4a), the stud (7) being shaped at its free end with a frustoconical bearing surface (7a) substantially of the same vertex angle.
6. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it includes a cap (8) capable of covering the dome (3), being fixed to its base.
7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the cap (8) includes, on the inside, a nipple (24) arranged in line with the dispensing orifice (4) when the cap is fixed to the dome (3).
8. Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (4) is terminated, towards the outside of the dome (3), by a frustoconical bearing surface (4b), and in that the nipple (24) is shaped at its free end with a frustoconical bearing surface (24a) of substantially the same vertex angle.
9. Assembly according to Claims 5 and 8 taken together, characterized in that the two frustoconical bearing surfaces (4a, 4b) of the dispensing orifice (4) are separated from each other by a cylindrical region.
10. Assembly according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the container (2) and the dome (3) are produced from a heat-sealable multilayer plastic whereas the disc (14) and the support element (15) are produced from a moulded thermoplastic.

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