EP1446336A2

EP1446336A2 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1446336A2
Application number: EP02793231A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frédéric Duquet; Hervé Pennaneac'h
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2001-11-14
Filing date: 2002-11-13
Publication date: 2004-08-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-13
Also published as: EP1446336B1; FR2832135A1; WO2003042069A3; DE60204167T2; WO2003042069A2; FR2832135B1; CN1307083C; CN1608021A; DE60204167D1; JP2005508812A; ES2242896T3; BR0214153A

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispenser comprising: a fluid product reservoir (12) defining at least a mobile actuating wall (21); a dispensing orifice (41), and spring means (7) for stressing the actuating wall to increase the reservoir to its maximum volume. The invention is characterized in that the spring means (7) co-operate with winding means (11) adapted to cause the spring means to urge the actuating wall from an initial state wherein the spring means do not stress the actuating wall.

Description

Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir defining a movable and or deformable actuating wall capable of being moved or depressed, a dispensing orifice and spring means adapted to urge the deformable wall in a state maximum tank volume. The distributor, or at least the reservoir can for example be made from one or two flexible sheets forming the actuating wall. By pressing the actuating wall against the spring means, the internal volume of the reservoir is reduced and the fluid product is thus forced through the dispensing orifice. This is a classic design for a distributor in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

In the case where the actuating wall is deformable, the spring means act on the wall by deforming it towards a state of maximum deformation in which it defines a state of maximum volume for the reservoir. The deformation of the deformable wall due to the spring means is not always aesthetic and can therefore adversely affect the appearance of the dispenser. In addition, the spring means increase the total thickness of the dispenser which can be a major drawback in certain cases of use. In fact, document FR-2 791 645 discloses a dispenser of this type, the dispensing orifice of which is closed before use by a removable closure member. The inside of the tank therefore does not communicate with the outside and, according to this document, the spring which acts on a deformable wall is compressed to a maximum state, so that the thickness of the distributor can be kept to a minimum. This is a primary requirement when one wants to include such a dispenser in magazines in the form of a fluid sample. Even when the dispensing orifice is closed, the spring obviously acts on the deformable wall, which deforms the deformable wall rnesthetically which then has an often irregular relief. Distributors of the prior art are also known, the actuating wall of which is not deformable, but just displaceable. The present invention aims to remedy this aforementioned drawback of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser whose spring means do not harm the aesthetics of the actuating wall, at least before using the dispenser. To achieve this object, the present invention provides that the spring means cooperate with arming means capable of bringing the spring means in biasing of the actuating wall from an initial state in which the spring means do not do not stress the actuating wall. Thus, the spring means do not act on the actuating wall in the initial state and the arming means are used to give the spring means their true and desired function, that is to say of stress on the actuating wall. The dispenser of the invention can therefore be stored before use in a state in which the spring means do not act on the actuating wall. In the absence of stress, the actuating wall remains unconstrained and can therefore have a suitable aesthetic appearance.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact that the spring means fulfill their function only at the desired time, in this case just before the use of the dispenser. The actuating wall, and thus the dispenser, can then remain in a perfectly flat state, suitable for being used as a sample in magazines.

According to one embodiment, the arming means are located outside the tank. The arming means may for example comprise a pivoting actuating member. However, one can also imagine a rotary or translational actuator. Advantageously, the spring means and the arming means are made in one piece.

According to another aspect of the invention, the spring means extend in the reservoir under the actuating wall. As a variant, the spring means are integrated into the actuating wall. According to another aspect of the invention, the spring means and the arming means are connected by a deformable zone. Advantageously, the area deformable is able to form a fold or articulation line by pivoting.

According to another aspect of the invention, the spring means and the arming means comprise a substantially rigid foldable element defining an internal part which extends inside the tank and an external part which extends to the outside the tank, the internal part forming the spring means and the external part forming the arming means.

According to a practical embodiment, the reservoir comprises two sheets, one of which defines the actuating wall, the foldable element that is substantially rigid extending between the two sheets. Advantageously, a substantially rigid substrate is interposed between the two sheets, said substrate forming the substantially rigid foldable element.

According to one embodiment, the substrate comprises a reservoir portion forming a recess which defines, with the two sheets, said fluid reservoir. Advantageously, the substrate further comprises an actuating part connected to the reservoir part along a fold line. Preferably, the reservoir part and the actuation part have substantially identical dimensions, so that they can overlap after folding along the fold line. Advantageously, the internal part of the foldable element of the substrate extends in the same plane as the reservoir part, before folding of the actuating part of the substrate forming the external part of the foldable element.

According to another characteristic of the invention which is already present in document FR-2 791 645, the dispensing orifice is closed by a removable closure member. Advantageously, the reservoir contains almost only fluid before removing the removable closure member. Before removing the removable closure member, or more generally before using the dispenser, the arming means can be actuated so as to activate the spring means under stress from the actuating wall. Before actuation of the arming means, the spring means are inoperative on the actuation wall. According to another embodiment, the arming means are located in the tank. The spring means may for example be in the form of a spring leaf incorporating arming means which become operative only after the first expansion of the blade. According to another embodiment of the invention, the spring means comprise a flexible front plate and a rear plate, the reservoir being located between the front and rear plates, the cocking means comprising spacer means which can be positioned between the front plate and the rear plate to distance them at least locally from one another, the flexible front plate thus being elastically deformable by bringing the rear plate closer so as to crush the reservoir situated between the wires. Advantageously, the spacer means are selectively displaceable between an inoperative position in which the two plates extend substantially parallel corresponding to a state of minimum volume of the reservoir and an operating position in which the two plates are spaced apart from one another. other. Advantageously, the spacer means comprise an articulated flap secured to the front plate, respectively rear, at a hinge line and defining a bearing edge intended to come into bearing contact against the rear plate, respectively front, said flap being substantially non-deformable. Advantageously, the dispensing orifice is closed by a removable closure member, common actuation means being provided for consecutively removing the removable closure member and positioning the spacer means between the two plates. As a variant, the spring means comprise a front plate and a rear plate, the reservoir being located between the front and rear plates, the cocking means comprising spacer means which can be positioned between the front plate and the rear plate to distance them at least locally from one another, the spacer means being elastically deformable so as to allow the front and rear plates to be brought together and thus crush the tank situated between them. The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings which give by way of nonlimiting example an embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention. In the figures: FIG. 1 is a top view of a dispenser according to the invention in which a constituent sheet has been removed,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the two sheets partially removed,

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical transverse section through the dispenser of FIG. 1 with the removable closure member removed,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 during the arming of the spring means,

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 above showing the distributor during actuation, - FIGS. 6a and 6b are views in cross section through a variant of distributor according to the invention,

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser according to another embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 8 is a view of the dispenser of Figure 7 in the assembled state, - Figure 9 is a view in longitudinal vertical cross section through the dispenser of Figure 8 during actuation,

FIG. 10 is a laterally exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the dispenser of FIGS. 7 to 9,

FIG. 11 is a view in vertical cross section through the distributor in the assembled state of FIG. 10 during actuation,

FIG. 12 is yet another alternative embodiment of the dispenser of FIGS. 7 to 9 during manufacture, and

- Figures 13a, 13b and 13c are cross-sectional views through the dispenser of Figure 12, respectively before use, during arming, and fully armed. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5, the fluid dispenser comprises a plate or substrate 1 having for example a thickness of the order of 1 to 2 mm and also having a certain rigidity. One can for example use a plate made of a suitable plastic material. Besides the substrate 1, the dispenser also comprises two sheets 2 and 3 arranged on each side of the substrate 1. At least one of the two sheets, in this case the sheet 2, is flexible or deformable. The other sheet 3 can also be flexible or deformable. However, one can also imagine a sheet 3 which is perfectly rigid or even incorporated into the substrate 1. In fact, it is not excluded that the substrate 1 can define a background such as the sheet 3 forms.

The substrate 1 also forms a dispensing orifice. More specifically, the substrate 1 can comprise or form a housing in which is received a support piece 4 which defines the dispensing orifice 41. This support piece 4 also serves to fixly hold a piece of porous material 5 suitable for s '' soak in fluid by capillary action. Of course, this is only a particular embodiment, and one can very well imagine design variants in which the dispensing orifice is directly formed by the substrate or even, at one of the two sheets 2 and 3. In other words, the precise positioning of the dispensing orifice is not a critical characteristic for the present invention.

According to the invention, the dispensing orifice 41 is closed before use of the dispenser by a removable closure member 6 which may be in the form of an easy gripping tab. To unmask the dispensing orifice 41, it suffices to pull on the tab 6 so as to tear it from the substrate 1. Here again, other shapes can be imagined for the removable obturation member.

According to the invention, the substrate 1 forms a reservoir part 10 and an actuation part 11 connected together at the level of a fold line AA which is materialized at the level of the substrate 1 in the form of two windows 13 which are extend in the axis of the fold line AA. These two elongated windows 13 produce a line of weakness which crosses the substrate 1 so that the substrate 1 tends to fold in half along the fold line AA if one pushes or pulls on the actuating part 11 while keeping the tank part 10 fixed.

The reservoir portion 10 forms an internal recess or recess 14 which forms with the two sheets 2 and 3 the reservoir of fluid product 12. The support piece 4 which is received in the recess formed by the substrate 1 closes the recess 14 and holds the piece of porous material 5 so as to extend inside the reservoir 12, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, before having removed the closure tab 6, the interior of the reservoir 12 is isolated from the outside.

For fixing the sheets 2 and 3 on the substrate 1, one can for example use a bonding technique, or advantageously heat-sealing. The sheets 2 and 3 can thus be fixed or connected to the substrate 1 along lines which can, for example, extend all around the recess 14 and / or all around the external contour of the substrate 1 as seen with lines of cross in Figure 1. The sheets 2 and 3 may extend over the entire substrate 1, or only over a portion thereof. For example, the sheets 2 and 3 can only extend over the reservoir part 10 of the substrate 1, and leave the actuating part 11 devoid of coating of sheets. According to the invention, the reservoir 12 comprises spring means 7 which are adapted to urge the sheet 2 at an actuating wall 21 which is located at the reservoir 12, as can be seen in Figures 2 and 4. The spring means 7 have the function of urging the actuating wall 21 away from the sheet 3, which is of course only possible after removal of the removable closure member 6. When the 'removable closure member 6 is in place and closes the dispensing orifice 41, the spring means 7 can also urge the deformable actuating wall 21, but to a very limited extent. This does not, however, prevent the deformable actuating wall 21 from appearing completely unsightly due to irregular deformation. According to the invention, the spring means 7 extend inside the reservoir 12 under the actuating wall 21. It is not excluded that the actuating wall 21 is connected or fixed to the spring means 7 This is however not compulsory. The spring means 7 can be an integral part of the substrate 1 as is the case in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5. The spring means 7 can for example be in the form of a lobe or a pallet which extends inside the reservoir 12. In practice, this pallet 7 is obtained during the formation of the recess 14 by leaving a central part connected to an edge of the recess 14 by a bridge 9. The spring means then extend inside the recess 14 in the form of a peninsula or an isthmus. This however is only one embodiment which is specific to that of FIGS. 1 to 5. One can of course imagine other forms for the spring means. One of the essential characteristics resides in the fact that the spring means extend inside the reservoir 12. Since the spring means 7 are formed here directly by the substrate 1, they have the same thickness as the part of the substrate 1 which surrounds them. Without any stress, the spring means 7 extend in exactly the same plane as the tank part 10 which surrounds them. Consequently, the spring means 7 do not stress the deformable wall 21 in deformation: the latter can therefore remain unconstrained in a suitable aesthetic state.

According to the invention, the spring means 7 cooperate with arming means which are here in the form of the actuating part 11 constituted by the substrate 1. More specifically, the spring lobe or pallet 7 communicates with the actuating part 11 via the bridge 9 which connects to the actuating part 11 between the two elongated windows 13. Consequently, the fold line AA passes between the bridge 9 and the actuating part 11 of substrate. Looking at FIG. 1, it can even be said that the actuating part 11 is only connected to the bridge 9 since the elongated windows 13 practically entirely separate the actuating part 11 from the reservoir part 10. The bridge 9 is practically the only solid bond and substantially rigid between the spring means 7 and the actuating part 11 which forms the arming means according to the invention.

Therefore, a pivoting of the actuating part 11 along the fold line AA while holding the reservoir part 10 fixedly has the effect of rotating the pallet 7 and the bridge 9 in the same direction but beyond of the fold line AA due to the relatively rigid connection which connects them, in this case the bridge 9. However, the drive of the spring means 7 by the actuating part 11 is very quickly limited and stopped by the sheet 2 which is connected to the substrate 1. The spring means 7 will deform the sheet 2 to define the actuating wall 21 until in a state of maximum deformation which corresponds to the maximum volume of the reservoir 12. This is however only true 'after removal of the removable closure member 6. When the removable closure member 6 is still in place, the pallet 7 will of course be urged against the actuating wall 21, but the latter will only deform very slightly. By continuing to rotate the actuating part 11 around the fold line AA, a fold is created between the actuating part 11 and the bridge 9 at the fold line AA between the two elongated windows 13, this place being designated by the reference numeral 91 in FIG. 1. Once the fold has been formed, the actuating part 11 can continue to pivot until it comes into contact with the reservoir part 10 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. More specifically, it is the actuating part 11 which comes into contact with the sheet 3 fixed to the reservoir part 10 of the substrate 1. Advantageously, the actuating part 11 has dimensions which are substantially identical or even perfectly identical to those of the tank part 10 so that once completely connected, the actuating part 11 is placed exactly under the tank part 10. If the removable closure member 6 has been reti beforehand, as is the case in the sequence of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the pivoting of the actuating part li has the effect of moving the spring means 7 inside the reservoir 12 so as to come press against the actuating wall 21 (figure 4). Once the parts 10 and 11 are superimposed, it suffices to press on the actuating wall to using a finger against the spring means 7 to distribute a dose of fluid (Figure 5). The displacement by pivoting of the spring means 7 under the effect of the pivoting of the actuating part 11 is of course made possible because air can penetrate inside the reservoir 12 through the dispensing orifice 41 once the latter is released from the removable closure member 6. It is also possible to start by folding the actuating part 11 onto the reservoir part 10 while the removable closure member 6 is still still in place and closes the dispensing orifice 41. In this case, the spring means 7 are urged in the same way against the actuating wall 21 but the latter is practically prevented from deforming because the air does not cannot penetrate into the reservoir 12. The spring means 7 however press fully against the actuating wall 21 and it is only when the removable closure member 6 is removed that the spring means 7 can relax slightly and increase nter the internal volume of the reservoir 12 by deforming the actuating wall 21. In either case, it can be seen that it is possible to make the spring means operating by actuating the arming means only little or very shortly before using the dispenser. Consequently, during the entire storage time of the dispenser, that is to say from the moment of its manufacture until the moment of its use, the spring means can remain completely inoperative, which leaves the actuating wall 21 without constraint. in a suitable aesthetic state.

The spring means 7 and the arming means 11 can also be considered as a substantially rigid foldable element which defines an internal part, in this case the pallet 7 and the bridge 9, which extends inside the tank. 12 and an outer portion, in this case the actuating part 11 which extends outside the ^reservoir. Such an element is foldable at the level of the line portion 91. One can for example imagine the use of such a foldable element in a dispenser comprising only two flexible sheets connected together, that is to say in the absence of a substrate 1 as is the case in the example used to illustrate the present invention. The foldable item could then be in the form of a tongue or a strip, part of which - penetrates inside the tank and the other part of which is located outside the tank. By folding the outer part over the inner part, it would automatically create a deformation of the actuating wall formed by one of the two flexible sheets. This amounts somewhat to removing the reservoir part 10 from the substrate 1. The support part 4 would then be wedged or fixed directly between the two sheets.

Referring to Figures 6a and 6b, there is shown a dispenser comprising other spring means, directly incorporating the arming means. The dispenser is formed from two sheets or a shell and a sheet or a shell and a plate: in the example shown, it is a shell 2 and a sheet 3. Just as in the example previous, a support piece 4 is fixed between the shell and the sheet and defines the outlet orifice 41 which is closed by a removable tab 6. A reservoir 12 is formed between the shell 2 and the sheet 3. This reservoir contains a spring T which has the effect of urging the shell away from the sheet. This spring T comprises two branches 71 and 72 connected together by an elbow 70. The spring also comprises a tab 73 which extends from the branch 71 towards the branch 72. The branch 72 forms a stop 74 against which the end free of the leg can come into abutment and remain blocked there. In Figure 6a, we see the spring T in the compressed state with the branches extending substantially parallel. The tab then extends between the branches with its free end situated beyond the stop 74, in the direction of the elbow. The tab is elastically constrained and acts weakly so as to separate the two branches. If the spring is released, which is done automatically when the tongue 6 is withdrawn due to the penetration of air into the reservoir, the free end of the tab will be positioned behind the stop. The spring is then armed. By pressing on the spring, which is done by pressing on the shell 2, the free end of the tab comes to bear against the stop 74. By continuing to press, the branch 72 and advantageously the tab 73 will slightly bend so elastic as shown in dotted lines in Figure 6b. This spring T has a low stiffness in the position of Figure 6a and a much greater stiffness in the position of Figure 6b. The tab serves as a means of harnessing the spring. But in this embodiment, the arming means are located inside the tank and advantageously integrated into the spring.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 which represent a third embodiment of the invention. This dispenser comprises a pocket of liquid or powdery fluid product 23, which is here produced from a deformable flexible sheet folded back on itself so as to define a lower sheet 233 and an upper sheet 232. The sheets 232 and 233 are joined at a connecting fold 230. A sheet 231 is pierced with an outlet or distribution orifice 231. The two sheets 232 and 233 are fixed together in leaktight manner on their free periphery. The waterproof fixing of the two sheets can advantageously be carried out by heat sealing. There is thus defined between the two sheets a fluid reservoir 12 of variable volume since the sheets 232 and 233 are made of a flexible deformable material. The sheets then each form an actuating wall. Advantageously, the reservoir 12 comprises a piece of porous material 234 capable of being imbibed or of being impregnated with liquid or pulverulent fluid product. Preferably, the part 234 is positioned in direct contact with the dispensing orifice 231. The part 234 can for example be fixed on the sheet 233 or on the sheet 232.

The distributor also includes spring and arming means which are here in the form of an upper plate 75 and a lower plate 76. The two plates 75 and 76 are here shown separately, but we would also have could use a single piece of plate connected by a connecting fold, as is the case for the sheets constituting the pocket 23. The upper plate 75 defines a substantially central area 7 "which will serve as return spring means, As will be seen below, the plate 75 is also formed with an opening 751 inside which a removable closure member 6 can be accommodated. On the other hand, the plate 75 is formed with a fold line. 752 which delimits an end flap 753, which can thus be articulated by pivoting around this line 752. This flap 753 will serve as arming means in the form of spacer means, as will be seen below. The flap 753 is further provided with a small locking tab 754 whose function will be explained below. As for the lower plate 76, it can also define return spring means 7 "at its central part for example. In addition, the lower plate 76 is formed with a window 764 intended to receive the locking tab 754 of the upper plate 75.

The plates 75 and 76 are intended to be fixed together on their periphery, except at the level of the flap 753 corresponding to the window 764. The two plates can thus advantageously be heat-sealed on three of their U-shaped sides. envelope sealed on three sides and open on the side where the hinged flap 753 is formed. The flexible pocket 23 is disposed between the two plates 75 and 76 inside the envelope which they form together. The dispensing orifice 231 is advantageously positioned centrally at the opening 751. Thus, the removable closure member can be disposed in the opening 751 by sealingly closing the dispensing orifice 231. The pocket 23 can advantageously be fixed inside the envelope formed by the two plates. When the flap 753 extends in the same plane as the rest of the plate

75, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the plate 75 extends substantially parallel to the plate 76, with the flexible pocket 23 interposed between them. The flexible bag 23 advantageously contains very little fluid, so that it can have a particularly flat configuration. Thus, when placed between the two plates 75 and 76, it creates only a small excess thickness, and thus the two plates 75 and 76 seem to be superimposed with almost nothing between them. This is shown in Figure 8. The cumulative thickness of the dispenser can be of the order of 2 to 3 mm. It corresponds substantially to the cumulative thicknesses of the two plates 75 and 76, of the two sheets 232 and 233 and of the thickness of the piece of porous material 234. The dispenser is then in a state of rest suitable for its transport and storage. Sheets 232 and 233 of the flexible pocket 23, which partially form the actuating walls of the flexible pocket 23, are not subject to any stress. Similarly, the plates 75 and 76 are not subjected to any constraint.

The sheet 232 is advantageously fixed to the plate 75 and the sheet 233 is advantageously fixed to the sheet 76, except at and near the fold line 230.

To arm the dispenser, simply rotate the flap 753 around the hinge line 752 in the direction of the bottom plate 76, as shown by the small arrow and the dotted lines in Figure 9. The fold line 752 is advantageously produced in a curved manner, for example in the form of an arc of a circle. Symmetrically, the edge of the flap where the tongue is formed can also be produced in a curved manner. Thus, when the flap 753 pivots down towards the bottom plate 76, the plate _. 75 and the plate 76 take a curvature corresponding to the fold line 752 and the free edge. The flap 753 is pivotally articulated until its free edge comes to bear on the plate 76 and its small locking tab 754 comes to be housed inside the window 764 formed in the lower plate 76. This is shown in Figure 9. The flap 753 then extends substantially perpendicularly, both to the plate 75 and to the plate 76. Due to the engagement of the tongue 754 in the window 764, the flap 753 is blocked in position. The flap 753 can for example be made rigidly. It thus constitutes spacer means which keep the two plates ^"75 and 76 away from one another.

Since the sheet 232 is fixed to the plate 75 and the sheet 233 to the plate 76, the spacing of the two plates due to the interposition of the spacer flap 753 also has the effect of spreading the two sheets 232 and 233 from each other. The internal volume of the reservoir 12 thus increases by air entering through the dispensing orifice 231, and advantageously through the piece of porous material 234. Of course, this is only possible after removal of the member d 'removable closure 6. Indeed, it is practically not possible, except to destroy the dispenser, to fold the flap 753 to position it as shown in FIG. 9 without having previously removed the closure member 6. The spacing of the plates 75 and 76 is only possible if air can penetrate inside the reservoir 12. According to the invention, the plates 75 and 76, particularly at the level where they form the spring means 7 ", are made of an elastically deformable material which gives them this characteristic of elasticity of return. Thus, once the dispenser has the configuration shown in the figure 9, it can be activated by pressing the plate 75 at level 7 "with a finger and holding the other plate 76 at level 7" with another finger. In this form embodiment, the plates 75 and 76 each form return spring means. One can however imagine an embodiment in which only one of the plates forms elastic return means, while the other plate can be perfectly rigid and serve as s Reaction surface. In this case, in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the two plates 75 and 76 can be deformed at the level of 7 ", which has the effect of displacing the sheets 232 and 233 in proximity to the one from the other by deforming the fold portion 230. This has the effect of putting the reservoir 12 under pressure and thus of forcing a mixture of fluid product air through the dispensing orifice. The fluid product is preferably impregnated in the piece of porous material 234, and the air contained in the remainder of the reservoir passes through the piece of porous material to carry with it the fluid product.

It can thus be noted that the spacer flap 753 forms arming means making it possible to bring the plates 75 and 76 into a spaced configuration such that they form spring means associated with the actuating walls 232 and 233 of the flexible pocket 23.

The spring and arming means are here in the form of an envelope which surrounds the flexible pocket 23. One can also imagine embodiments in which the spring and arming means are in the form of two narrow strips or blades, one of which includes an armament spacer flap. The flexible pocket 23 would then be disposed between these two bands. It can also be noted that the arming means, namely the flap 753, are produced in a single piece by the plate 75. It could also have been produced in one piece by the plate 76. It would also have been possible to add the flap on one of the two plates. In this embodiment, the flap 753 is rigid, and at least one of the two plates at the level of 7 "is produced in an elastically deformable manner. One can also imagine an embodiment in which the flap 753 is elastically deformable by bending, while the two plates 75 and 76 are substantially non-deformable or rigid. In this case, the arming means also form the spring means. The flap and the plates can also be deformable.

Figures 10 and 11 show an alternative embodiment of the dispenser of Figures 7 to 9. H differs from the previous embodiment in that it does not have a separate flexible bag containing the fluid. This distributor includes a front plate 75 'and a rear plate 76'. The plate 75 'forms a dispensing orifice 755 as well as a window 764. The plate 76' forms a fold and pivot line 752 delimiting a cocking spacer flap 753. The two plates 75 'and 76' form each a spring area 7 ". The sheets 75 'and 76' are fixed together, advantageously by heat-sealing on their periphery, except for the side where the flap 753 and the window 764 are located. The fixing must be waterproof. Indeed, in this embodiment, the sheets 75 'and 76' together form the fluid reservoir 12. They can also contain a piece of porous material 234, advantageously fixed to the sheet 75 'or to the sheet 76'. complete the reservoir at the flap 753, an articulation wall 230 ′ is provided which is tightly fixed over its entire periphery, both to the plate 75 ′ and to the plate 76 ′. The reservoir is thus defined by the two plates and the articular wall tion 230 '.

The arming of this dispenser is carried out in the same manner as in the previous embodiment. The flap 753 can be folded back towards the plate 76 'so as to engage the tongue 754 in the window 764. Thus, the two plates 75 'and 76' are spaced from each other by increasing the internal volume of the reservoir 12. This is of course only possible after removal of the removable closure member 6. It is then sufficient to press the plates 75 ′ and 76 ′ to bring them closer to one another and thus decrease the internal volume of the reservoir 12 to discharge fluid product through the piece of porous material 234 and the dispensing orifice 755.

The plates 75 ′ and 76 ′ are here elastically deformable at the level of their zones 7 ", but it can also be provided that they are perfectly rigid and that the flap 753 is made in an elastically deformable manner. Reference will now be made to FIGS. 12, 13a, 13b and 13c to explain another alternative embodiment of the dispenser of FIGS. 7 to 11. This dispenser also comprises two plates 75 "and 76" connected to each other at a connection fold 756. The two plates 75 'and 76 "can thus be made in one piece. The plate 75 "comprises an opening 751 and a window 755. The plate 76" forms a flap 763 connected to the rest of the plate by a hinge line 762. In the initial position, the flap 763 is folded back and pressed against the plate 76 ", as can be seen in FIG. 12. A flexible pocket 23 is provided with a dispensing orifice 231 and advantageously with a piece of porous material 234. The pocket 23 is disposed between the two plates. distribution 231 is disposed at the opening 751. According to this embodiment, an opening strip 62, which acts as actuating means, comprises one end 621 connected to the flap 763 and an opposite end of traction 622. Between these two ends, the strip passes at the level of the dispensing orifice 231 to form there a removable closure member 6. The strip 62 thus extends from the flap 763 to the dispensing orifice 231; then the band forms a fold so that it extends over the pre first part of the band. This is visible in Figure 12. Once the plate 75 "folded down and fixed on the plate 76", only the traction end 622 protrudes from the envelope formed by the plates. Of course, the actuation walls of the pocket 23 are respectively fixed to the plates 75 "and 76". Before use, the dispenser is as shown in Figure 13a. By pulling the strip by grasping it by the traction end 622, we begin by removing the removable closure member 6 from the dispensing orifice 231. This is shown in FIG. 13b. By continuing to pull on the strip 62, the flap 763 is pivoted around the line 762 until its tongue 766 is housed in the window 755. An additional pull can for example be used to separate the strip 62 from the flap 763 We are then left with a distributor identical to that of FIG. 9.

This actuating strip 62 therefore fulfills a double function, namely that of withdrawing the removable closure member and of arming. In the three main embodiments, namely those of the figures

1 to 5, FIGS. 6a and 6b and FIGS. 7 to 13c, arming means make it possible to bring spring means initially inoperative in a stress configuration in which they elastically drive at least one actuation wall of a tank in a state of maximum tank volume. These three embodiments can of course be protected separately. Some of their characteristics can even be combined.

Claims

claims

1.- Fluid product distributor comprising:

- a fluid reservoir (12) defining at least one actuating wall (21; 232, 233; 75 ', 76') capable of being moved, - a dispensing orifice (41; 231; 755), and

- spring means (7; T; 7 ". 7 '") adapted to urge the actuating wall in a state of maximum volume of the reservoir, characterized in that the spring means (7; T; 7 "; 7 '") cooperate with arming means (11; 73; 753; 763) able to bring the spring means in biasing of the actuating wall from an initial state in which the spring means do not bias not the actuating wall.

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the arming means (11; 753; 763) are located outside the tank.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the arming means comprise a pivoting actuator (11; 753; 763).

4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (7; 7 "; 7 '") and the arming means (11; 753; 763) are produced in a single piece.

5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (7; 7 "; 7 '") and the arming means (11; 753; 763) are connected by a deformable zone (91 ; 752; 762).

6. A dispenser according to claim 5, in which the deformable zone is capable of forming a fold line (AA; 752; 762).

7. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (7; 7 ") are integrated into the actuating wall (21).

8. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (7) extend in the reservoir (12) under the actuating wall (21).

9. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the spring means (7) and the arming means (11) comprise a substantially rigid foldable element (7, 9, 11) defining an internal part which s extends inside the tank and an external part which extends outside the tank, the internal part forming the spring means and the external part forming the arming means.

10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the reservoir (12) comprises two sheets (2, 3), one of which defines an actuating wall (21), the substantially rigid foldable element (7, 9, 11) s extending between the two sheets.

11. A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein a substantially rigid substrate (1) is interposed between the two sheets (2, 3), said substrate (1) forming the foldable element substantially rigid.

12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the substrate (1) comprises a reservoir portion (10) forming a recess (14) which defines, with the two sheets (2, 3), said fluid reservoir (12 ).

13. A dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the substrate (1) further comprises an actuating part (11) connected to the reservoir part (10) along a fold line (91).

14. A dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the reservoir part (10) and the actuating part (11) have substantially identical dimensions, so that they can overlap after folding along the fold line. .

15. A dispenser according to claim 14, in which the internal part (7, 9) of the foldable element of the substrate (1) extends in the same plane as the tank part (10), before folding of the part. actuator (11) of the substrate (1) forming the outer part of the foldable element.

16. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the arming means (73) are located in the tank (12).

17. A dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the spring means (7 "; 7 '") comprise a flexible front plate (75; 75'; 75 ") and a rear plate (76 ; 76 '; 76 "), the tank (12) being situated between the front and rear plates, the arming means comprising spacer means (753; 763) which can be positioned between the front plate and the rear plate to distance them at least locally from one another, the flexible front plate thus being resiliently deformable by bringing the rear plate closer so as to crush the reservoir situated between them.

18. A dispenser according to claim 17, wherein the spacer means are made in one piece by the front plate or the rear plate. 15

19. A dispenser according to claim 17 or 18, in which the spacer means are selectively movable between an inoperative position in which the two plates extend substantially parallel corresponding to a state of minimum volume of the reservoir and an operating position in which the two plates are spaced from each other.

20. A dispenser according to claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the spacer means comprise an articulated flap (753; 763) integral with the front plate respectively rear at a hinge line (752; 762) and defining a bearing edge intended to come into bearing contact 25 against the rear plate respectively front, said flap being substantially non-deformable.

21. A dispenser according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the plates are fixed to each other on their peripheries, except at an open side where the spacer means are located.

22. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reservoir (12) is formed by a flexible pocket (23) disposed between the front and rear plates.

23. A dispenser according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the reservoir (12) is formed by the front and rear plates.

24. A dispenser according to any one of claims 17 to 23, in which the dispensing orifice is closed off with a removable shutter member (6), common actuation means (62) being provided for subsequently removing the removable closure member and position the spacer means between the two plates.

25. A dispenser according to claim 24, in which the common actuation means comprise a strip (62) defining a first end (621) connected to the spacer means and a second traction end (622), the member d '' removable closure (6) being integral with the strip, so that a pull on the strip at the second end of -traction leads, in a first step, the withdrawal of the removable closure member and, in a second step, the positioning of the spacer means between the two plates.

26.- A dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein comprising a front plate (75; 75 '; 75 ") and a rear plate (76; 76'; 76"), the reservoir (12) being located between the front and rear plates, the arming means comprising spacer means (753; 763) which can be positioned between the front plate and the rear plate to distance them at least locally from one another, the means d 'spacer being elastically deformable so as to allow a bringing together of the front and rear plates and thus crush the tank located between them.

27. Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the arming means form the spring means.

28.- Distributor according to any one. of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing orifice (41) is closed by a removable closure member (6).

29.- A dispenser according to claim 28, wherein the reservoir (12) contains almost only fluid before removal of the removable closure member (6).

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