EP1165395B1 - Container for fluid product sample designed to be pressed - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispenser comprising: a reservoir (3) containing said fluid product and provided with at least an actuating wall (10) whereon pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with elastic means (4) capable of increasing the volume of the reservoir, a dispensing orifice (50) through which the fluid product is dispensed mixed with a gas to produce a two-phase spray, a removable closure (12) to close the dispensing orifice (50) thus insulating the reservoir from outside. The invention is characterised in that the elastic means are stressed such that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes the dispensing orifice.

Description

The present invention relates to a dispenser of fluid, liquid or powder, and more particularly a fluid sample intended to be inserted in a magazine, magazine or other free, for promotional purposes. Use the distributor of the invention is of course not limited to this single use but in is a privileged application. Therefore, the fluid sample of the invention particularly relates to the fields of perfumery and cosmetics magazines are an important promotional vector.

Since this type of dispenser is put on the market for free, its cost must be particularly low. The constituent elements as well as the assembly of the distributor must therefore be cheap. An already known type of distributor sample comprises a reservoir containing the fluid product and provided with at least one actuation wall on which pressure is exerted, for example with the aid of the inch, to decrease the volume of the tank. On the other hand, the sample includes a dispensing orifice through which the fluid is dispensed when pressing the actuating wall. And to improve the quality of the dispensed product stream, it is known to achieve a biphasic spray mixture of air and product. For this make, the tank must contain both fluid and gas in general air. Thus when pressed on the actuating wall, the fluid product is distributed with of air which creates a so-called biphasic spray. On the other hand, this type of sample dispenser is often provided with a removable closure element, for example example in the form of a tear-off tongue or flap to close the hole of distribution and thus isolate the tank from the outside before its use.

From the prior art, one can for example cite the document US-3 897 005 which describes a package consisting of two hulls welded together to define a internal volume that serves as a reservoir. This tank is filled with a fluid and air. In the part of the reservoir where the fluid product is stored, there is an elastic element, a kind of moss, which has the effect of spreading the two hulls locally, even at the still unused state. For the actuation of this packaging, one pulls out a corner and press the hulls at the elastic element.

When such a sample dispenser is intended for the press by being inserted at inside magazines for example, it is subject to significant pressure due to weight of magazines since their storage is usually made by stacking. Thus, lowest samples are subjected to a pressure corresponding to the total weight from the magazine pile. Since the tank is filled with air and fluid, and that the elastic element is crushable, there is an obvious risk of bursting of the tank.

One of the problems of the present invention is therefore the resistance of the distributor to pressure.

Another problem of the present invention is to provide a distributor who has a very reduced thickness, especially in its storage condition.

Another problem of the present invention is to provide a distributor whose actuating wall has sufficient elasticity and return force to be operated with a finger, for example the thumb.

• un réservoir contenant ledit produit fluide et pourvu d'au moins une paroi d'actionnement sur laquelle on exerce une pression pour diminuer le volume du réservoir, ledit réservoir étant pourvu de moyens élastiques aptes à augmenter le volume du réservoir.
• un orifice de distribution par lequel le produit fluide est distribué en mélange avec un gaz pour créer une pulvérisation biphasique,
• un élément d'obturation amovible pour obturer l'orifice de distribution et ainsi isoler le réservoir de l'extérieur,

les moyens élastiques étant contraints de manière à ce que le réservoir définisse un volume minimum tant que l'élément d'obturation obture l'orifice de distribution. Les moyens élastiques ne sont donc pas au repos, mais stockent de l'énergie potentielle du fait que leur sollicitation, exercée souvent sous la forme d'une déformation.To do this, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising:

• a reservoir containing said fluid product and provided with at least one actuating wall on which a pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with elastic means able to increase the volume of the reservoir.
• a dispensing orifice through which the fluid product is distributed in admixture with a gas to create a biphasic spray,
• a removable closure element for closing the dispensing orifice and thus isolating the reservoir from the outside,

the elastic means being constrained so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume as the closure member seals the dispensing orifice. The elastic means are not at rest, but store potential energy because their stress, often in the form of a deformation.

Thus, before the removal of the closure element, the distributor presents himself in a particularly flat configuration due to atmospheric pressure which is exerted on the walls of the tank so as to crush it. And as soon as the kidnapping the shutter element, air can enter the tank which then starts to ambient pressure, which allows the elastic means to relax into a rest position in which the tank defines a maximum volume.

According to a first embodiment, the elastic means are defined by the actuating wall which has a shape memory allowing it to return to a state of rest in which the tank defines a maximum volume. In this case, we directly serves the elastic properties of the actuating wall. To allow a repeated actuation, the actuating wall must have some shape memory Instant. To allow it to fulfill the function of elastic means according to the invention, it must also have a long-term memory shape, given dispensers-samples included in magazines can be stored for a long period. This is why the wall must present a memory of sustainable form. The thickness of the distributor is then directly determined by the thickness of the actuating wall in the fully depressed or crushed state. And soon when the shutter element is removed, the actuating wall returns to its state natural, in which it is possible to actuate it by depression.

According to a second embodiment, the elastic means comprise a elastic element disposed in the reservoir. Advantageously, in which the element elastic acts on the actuating wall. In this case, it is a room additional, so that the actuating wall does not need to have qualities particular shape memory.

In addition, since the elastic element is constrained in its volume minimum, it is he who determines the thickness of the distributor by its thickness completely compressed state. Thus, the pressure exerted for example by a stack of magazines on the tank walls no longer exerts on the fluid product inside of the reservoir but on the elastic element in its maximum compressed state. We eliminate thus any risk of bursting of the tank because of the pressure since the liquid itself hardly under any pressure. The elastic element then plays in its completely compressed configuration a spacer role between the walls of the tank in order to define a volume in which the fluid product does not undergo substantially pressure. The elastic element is the part with the most thickness in the relaxed state, and if it were put in a magazine, the sample would either be too thick or burst. By crushing it, it is quite fine. On the other hand, as soon as the shutter element is removed, the air, or in general gas, can penetrate inside the tank through the orifice of distribution, so that the elastic element can relax so as to increase the internal volume of the tank. We can say that the tank does not contain fluid as long as the closure member seals the dispensing orifice. And filling the dispenser under vacuum or in an inert atmosphere ensures that the fluid stored in the tank has never been in contact with air, which makes it protects against any possible degradation, for example by oxidation.

The distributor becomes a biphasic sprayer only after removal of the shutter member allowing the entry of air into the tank. The distributor fear then be used to release a jet of finely pulverized product. In addition, the elastic element provides the resilient resilient elasticity of the actuating wall that the wall could not provide itself. The spring then performs a function resistance to the pressure of the finger and at the same time return spring to bring back the dispenser in its extended initial position.

According to a first embodiment, the elastic element is in the form of shape of a conical spiral spring adapted to be crushed to the thickness of a turn. With a spiral conical spring, it is possible to bring the totality of turns in the same plane so that the spring, in the compressed state, has a thickness corresponding to that of a single turn. In the distributor tank, the spring then makes it possible to define a volume in which the fluid product is not under pressure.

In a second embodiment, the elastic element is in the form of formed of a molded plastic part comprising elastic tabs between which extends an articulated assembly capable of being constrained in the same plane as the legs. Of preferably, the assembly comprises two articulated arms respectively connected respectively with elastic legs with one of their ends and a tablet with their other ends, so that the tablet can be brought back into the plane of the legs with the arms. This is a second completely plastic version which presents advantages from the point of view of its recycling capacity.

The present invention will now be further described with reference to attached drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the present invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur selon l'invention à l'état de stockage encore non utilisé,
• la figure 2 est une vue du distributeur de la figure 1 à l'état d'utilisation,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un élément élastique utilisable dans un distributeur selon l'invention,
• les figures 4a et 4b sont des vues respectivement en coupe et de dessus de l'élément élastique de la figure 3 à l'état complètement comprimé,
• les figures 5a et 5b sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 4a et 4b à l'état complètement détendu, et
• les figures 6a et 6b sont des vues similaires à celles des figures 1 et 2 pour un second mode de réalisation.

On the drawings:

• FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a dispenser according to the invention in the still unused storage state,
• FIG. 2 is a view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 in the state of use,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an elastic element that can be used in a dispenser according to the invention,
• FIGS. 4a and 4b are views respectively in section and from above of the elastic element of FIG. 3 in the fully compressed state,
• FIGS. 5a and 5b are views similar to those of FIGS. 4a and 4b in the completely relaxed state, and
• Figures 6a and 6b are views similar to those of Figures 1 and 2 for a second embodiment.

In the nonlimiting exemplary embodiments used to illustrate the present invention, the dispenser can be made from two sheets of complex film flexible 1 and 2 which are welded together on their periphery 11, 12 so as to define between them a volume which corresponds substantially to that of a reservoir of product fluid 3. An insert 5 can also be arranged between the two sheets 1 and 2: this insert 5 defines a dispensing orifice 50 and a housing in which a porous fiber 6 can to be accommodated so as to extend inside the tank 3. This fiber 6 is intended for impregnate with the fluid contained inside the tank 3. Once this fiber soaked in product, just pass a stream of air through the fiber which creates a biphasic distribution at the dispensing orifice 50 of the insert 5. In front of the dispensing orifice 50, the two sheets 1 and 2 welded together define a detachable or foldable tongue 12 which closes the dispensing orifice 50 so as to isolate the tank 3 from the outside.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the reservoir 3 contains an element 4 which is disposed between the two sheets 1 and 2. This elastic element 4, as can be seen in Figure 2, acts at least on a wall 1 of the dispenser, which can be the actuating wall, so as to increase the internal volume of the reservoir 3. According to a particularly advantageous characteristic of the invention, the element elastic 4 is forced into its fully compressed state as long as the element shutter 12 closes the dispensing orifice 50 and thus isolates the reservoir 3 from outside. In other words, the tank 3 was sealed during its manufacture with the elastic element constrained in its maximum compressed state so that the reservoir is then at its minimum volume. In this state shown in FIG. 1, the tank 1 contains practically only fluid and practically no or not at all gas. Since the tank 3 is perfectly isolated from the outside by the element 12, the elastic element 4 can not relax inside the tank 3 because of the atmospheric pressure exerted on the walls 1 and 2 of the tank. The distributor can then be stored before use in this state, it presents a particularly reduced thickness which is defined substantially by the thickness of the elastic element 4 to its fully compressed state added to the cumulative thickness of the two film sheets 1 and 2. The elastic element 4 then determines a volume reservoir in which the fluid product is stored without substantially no pressure. Thus, there is no risk of leakage by crushing the tank 3. A such a distributor may for example be inserted in a magazine since it is particularly flat and particularly resistant to pressure.

As soon as one removes the shutter element 12 from the air can penetrate inside of the reservoir 3 by the dispensing orifice 50 so that the elastic element 4 can be relax inside the tank so as to increase its internal volume. The reservoir 3 is then filled with fluid and gas, usually air. For obtain a distribution of sprayed product, it is then sufficient to act on the wall 1 using thumb for example against the action of the elastic element 4 so as to repress air through the fiber 6 impregnated with fluid product. Air passing through the fiber impregnated 6 creates a biphasic spray at the dispensing orifice 50. As soon as the pressure on the actuating wall 1 is released, it returns to its shape. represented in FIG. 2 because of the elastic action of element 4.

The elastic element 4 acts as a spacer in the storage state (FIG. determining a minimum volume for the tank 3, an initiator role during tearing the shutter member 12 by increasing the volume of the tank 3, and a role of return spring during actuation by pressure on the actuating wall 1.

The elastic element 4 may for example be in the form of a spring conical spiral as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. Conical spiral spring has the advantage of being compressed so as to bring all of its turns in the same plane as can be seen in Figure 1. The spring presents then a thickness corresponding to that of a single turn. Between each turn, the spring 4 defines a volume within which the fluid product can be stored without undergoing no pressure from the outside. For example, the base of the spiral spring can be arranged conical 4 in contact with the wall 2 so that the turn of smaller diameter comes into contact with the actuating wall 1 which promotes the bending of the wall 1. This is there is a particularly simple design for an elastic element 4 allowing provide the advantages of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3 to 5b to present another form of realization for the elastic element 4. This is an entirely plastic part carried out for example by molding. Just like the conical spiral spring of FIGS. 2, this plastic spring has the ability to be compressed so as to bring all its constituent elements in the same plane as can be seen in Figure 4a.

This elastic element 4 comprises two elastic tabs 41 fixed by their end with two bars 42 intended to rest against the sheet 1 of the distributor. The elastic tabs 41 are capable of deforming elastically outwardly as can be seen in Figure 4b. An articulated arm 4 connects each leg 41 substantially at the level of its environment. The two articulated arms 43 are connected to their end opposite a tablet 44. The two arms 43 are both articulated relative respective tabs 41 and the tablet 44, so that the tablet 44 can be brought back in the plane defined by the tabs 41 and the bars 42 by deformation of the tabs 41 to the outside as seen in Figures 4a and 4b. The top surface of the tablet 44 is intended to come into contact with the actuating wall 1 of the distributor. The state the unconstrained rest period of this elastic element 4 is that of FIGS. 3, 5a and 5b which also corresponds to that of the molding. So, as long as the tank is isolated from the outside, the elastic element 4 is in the form shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, i.e. completely flat. As soon as the shutter element 12 is removed, the elastic element returns to its initial rest form of FIGS. 5a and 5b.

In the alternative embodiment of Figures 6a and 6b, there is no element elastic, and it is the actuating wall itself that fulfills this characteristic elasticity or shape memory. When sealing the tank, the wall the actuation is depressed to the maximum so that there is almost fluid in the tank (Fig. 6a). When it opens, air comes in, and the wall the actuator returns to its rest form shown in FIG. 6b.

In both embodiments, the spirit of the present invention resides in the elastic means which are forced to a compressed state during the seal the dispenser to give it a particularly flat and able to relax in order to increase the internal volume of the tank by gas inlet through the dispensing orifice once opened.

Claims (10)

1. A dispenser for dispensing a fluid, said dispenser comprising:

   a reservoir (3) containing said fluid and provided with at least one actuating wall (10) on which pressure is exerted to reduce the volume of the reservoir, said reservoir being provided with resilient means (4) suitable for increasing the volume of the reservoir;

   a dispensing orifice (50) via which the fluid is dispensed as a mixture with a gas, so as to generate a two-phase spray; and

   a removable closure element (12) for closing the dispensing orifice (50), thereby isolating the reservoir from the outside;

      said dispenser being characterized in that the reservoir defines a minimum volume, thus containing substantially only fluid so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
2. A device according to claim 1, in which the resilient means are stressed so that the reservoir defines a minimum volume so long as the closure element (12) closes off the dispensing orifice.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the resilient means are defined by the actuating wall which has shape memory enabling it to return to a rest state in which the reservoir defines a maximum volume.
4. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the resilient means comprise a resilient element disposed inside the reservoir.
5. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the resilient element acts on the actuating wall.
6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the resilient element relaxes so as to increase the volume of the reservoir as soon as the closure element is removed, by gas entering via the dispensing orifice into the reservoir.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, or 6, in which the resilient element is in the form of a conical spiral spring (4) suitable for being flattened to the thickness of one turn.
8. A device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 5, or 6, in which the resilient element is in the form of a molded plastics part (4) including resilient cross-braces (41) between which a hinged assembly (43, 44) extends that is suitable for being stressed into the same plane as the cross-braces.
9. A device according to claim 8, in which the assembly comprises two legs (43) each connected via one of its ends to a respective one of the resilient cross-braces (41), and via its other end to a small table-top, so that the table-top can be brought into the same plane as the cross-braces (41) and the legs (43).
10. A device according to any preceding claim, in which the reservoir substantially contains only fluid so long as the closure element closes off the dispensing orifice.

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