EP1485308B1 - Distributeur d'un produit fluide - Google Patents

Distributeur d'un produit fluide Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1485308B1
EP1485308B1 EP03709980A EP03709980A EP1485308B1 EP 1485308 B1 EP1485308 B1 EP 1485308B1 EP 03709980 A EP03709980 A EP 03709980A EP 03709980 A EP03709980 A EP 03709980A EP 1485308 B1 EP1485308 B1 EP 1485308B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tube
dispenser
actuator element
container
blocking portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03709980A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1485308A1 (fr
Inventor
Bruce Renfrew
Shaun Phillips
Kenneth Paul Poberezny
Jeffrey William Spencer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rieke Packaging Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Rieke Packaging Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rieke Packaging Systems Ltd filed Critical Rieke Packaging Systems Ltd
Publication of EP1485308A1 publication Critical patent/EP1485308A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1485308B1 publication Critical patent/EP1485308B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/0055—Containers or packages provided with a flexible bag or a deformable membrane or diaphragm for expelling the contents

Definitions

  • This invention has to do with dispensers for flowable materials, particularly viscous liquids such as gels and creams as typically used in pharmaceuticals, personal care and food products, and pasty materials such as toothpaste.
  • Pastes and gels have conventionally been dispensed from hand-squeezed plastic tubes with rigid plastic nozzles. More recently, larger paste dispensers have had a dispensing pump at the top of a free-standing upright container, usually a cylindrical container with a base in the form of a follower piston which rises up inside the container as the product is depleted so as to keep the system airless.
  • a recent alternative for airless systems is to have paste in a collapsible bag inside an outer container.
  • GB 1367057 shows a dispenser for dispensing paste material from an inverted container having at its outlet an elongate resilient tube with a slit opening. One side of this outlet tube rests against a reaction surface. A resilient pusher body can be swung in against the opposite side to squeeze paste out through the tube. At its upstream end the pusher body has a local projection for blocking the tube.
  • EP-A-0275836 a rather similar dispenser has, instead of a resilient body, a pair of connected levers the inner one of which acts on the outlet tube.
  • the inner lever is movable relative to the outer - the outer being the actuator which is pushed - and the two are connected by a spring to give resilience and avoid damaging the tube.
  • the resilient outlet tube has a duckbill valve at its tip. It is compressed from the side by the perpendicular movement of a plunger with an inclined contact face.
  • the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing a flowable material from a container, the dispenser having a structure comprising:
  • FIG. 16 Another aspect of the invention (claim 16) is a dispenser for dispensing flowable material from a container, the dispenser having a structure comprising
  • a dispenser package comprising a container for flowable product and a dispenser as above mounted on the container, is a further aspect.
  • the actuator element may be movable laterally relative to the tube by means of a sliding or pivoted mounting, to engage its deformable wall and compress it sideways.
  • the deformable wall and preferably the entire tube wall (circumferentially) may be of resiliently deformable material e.g. elastomer.
  • the thickness and material of the deformable tube wall may be selected, taking account of the viscosity of the material to be dispensed and the flow characteristics upstream, to give sufficient resilience for the restoration of the deformable wall to its rest condition to refill the discharge channel through its inlet portion after each dispensing. It may be a tube of cylindrical cross-section or of other e.g. oblong cross-section; an oblong cross-section enables a higher dose volume for a given operating stroke (along the minor axis).
  • the resistance to forward flow through the outlet be less than the resistance to flow back through the inlet.
  • an inlet valve function is provided by arranging for a deformable wall portion of the discharge tube, to the upstream of the deformable wall referred to previously, to be displaced by the same action that compresses the tube) to wholly or partially block the tube upstream of the compressed region so inhibiting or preventing flow back through the inlet as the tube is compressed.
  • a blocking portion e.g. a longitudinally-localised lateral projection
  • an actuator element as proposed above to move the deformable tube wall at the relatively upstream position in an initial stage of the actuating stroke so as wholly or partially to block off backflow, the remainder of the actuation stroke progressively compressing the tube downstream of the blockage to expel material through the outlet.
  • the action of the actuating element(s) is such that at a given stage of the actuating stroke, (preferably for more than half of its extent) the degree of compression of the tube progressively decreases along it in the downstream direction, favouring forward flow.
  • a discharge valve function at the outlet end is desirable. Again, for simplicity we prefer this to be achieved by the resilient deformability of the discharge tube wall.
  • a discharge opening in the form of a slit through the discharge tube wall, and most preferably a forwardly-directed slit on a nozzle tip e.g. a duckbill formation, is convenient and effective.
  • This slit valve preferably constitutes the final discharge opening of the dispenser.
  • a dispenser according with claim 1 or 16 e.g. a dispenser for paste material such as gels and creams as typically used in pharmaceuticals, personal care and food products, having a discharge channel consisting essentially of a resilient elastomeric tube with an inlet end connected to receive material from a product container, preferably directly i.e. not via any directional inlet valve. It has an outlet end terminating in a tip with a slit-form opening e.g. a duckbill valve.
  • An actuating element is mounted in the dispenser next to the elastomeric tube to be movable in a dispensing stroke laterally relative to the tube, compressing the tube.
  • the actuating element includes a blocking portion towards the inlet end of the tube which moves laterally in advance of other parts of the actuating element to block the tube wholly or partly by squeezing it.
  • the actuating element has a compression region extending downstream relative to the blocking portion, and preferably elongate in the flow direction, shaped and mounted so as to be brought in to press along the side of the tube and squeeze material from the outlet opening.
  • an actuating element is mounted pivotally in the dispenser, e.g. extending downstream along the discharge tube relative to the pivot point. This can encourage an action tending to squeeze material outwardly.
  • an engagement face of the actuating element may be inclined away from the tube so that compression is initially greater nearer the inlet than nearer the outlet.
  • the blocking portion of the actuating element may be formed separately from the compression portion that squeezes the product from the tube. Indeed, they may be on elements which are separate but move together.
  • a construction according with the invention can provide the upstream blocking portion and the downstream compression portion on the same component in one piece. This may be a component pivoted towards the inlet end of the discharge channel.
  • the blocking portion is resiliently retractable relative to the compression portion, so that as the actuating element is pivoted further to deform the tube progressively, the blocking portion does not dig too forcibly into the tube wall and perhaps damage it, and/or hinder further movement of the actuating element.
  • the dispenser may use one actuating element, preferably with a static reaction abutment supporting the discharge channel from the opposite side, or may use opposed movable actuating elements to squeeze the tube dynamically from opposite sides.
  • the actuating element(s) may be exposed for direct manual engagement, or may be connected via operating mechanism, e.g. a lever or slider mechanism, to discrete manually-engaged element(s).
  • operating mechanism e.g. a lever or slider mechanism
  • the product container (a pack consisting of a dispenser mounted on top of a filled or unfilled container is an aspect of the invention) is preferably of the airless or volume-adjusting kind having a collapsible bag or follower piston. However, other kinds of container may be used.
  • the dispenser may be used either upright or inverted.
  • a advantage of having a slit or duckbill valve at the outlet is the ability to make a clean cut-off of dispensed products.
  • a duckbill valve has a relatively acute convexity at its tip, leaving little forwardly-directed area for the adherence of dried residues.
  • Another benefit achievable with this system is that the product need not contact relatively movable discrete parts or metal parts, reducing the likelihood of contamination. Avoiding metal components may also enable recycling.
  • a further benefit with dispensing through a simple squeezed tube is that, with paste, we find that stripes applied to the paste survive dispensing in good shape, by contrast with piston-cylinder pump dispensers which spoil striping if conventional valves are used. Note that if a one-way follower piston is used in the container (e.g. having a pawl that engages the container wall to prevent reverse movement), inlet valve function at the dispenser inlet can be omitted altogether.
  • the dispenser may be provided with a closure component for a container, e.g. a snap- or screw-fit cap, at its inlet end.
  • a closure component for a container e.g. a snap- or screw-fit cap
  • This may be attached to any suitable container. Indeed, it could be attached to a conventional toothpaste tube in place of its normal screw cap.
  • the deformable tube may be formed integrally in one piece with a cap or cover to extend over the top of a product container, and optionally including (in one piece) a sealing periphery adapted for sealing engagement around the top of a container, e.g. a cylindrical plastic container.
  • a dispenser pack is designed to hold toothpaste in the internal space 8 of a container 1.
  • the container consists of a collapsible impermeable bag 1 enclosed by a rigid plastic shell 1' with a hole 11 through its base.
  • This is a known mode of containment for viscous products sensitive to air; the bag 1 collapses gradually as product is dispensed while the outer shell 1' protects and supports it.
  • a pumping arrangement is secured at the top of the container 1, consisting essentially of an elastomeric discharge tube unit 3 secured over the opening of the container 1, and a housing body 2 which locates and supports the tube unit 3 in relation to the container shell 1' and a movable actuating button 5 mounted beside the tube unit 3.
  • the tube unit 3 is shown in isolation in Fig. 6. It is a one piece elastomeric moulding, e.g. of rubber or thermoplastic elastomer, and has a cylindrical side wall 32 which is tilted away from the upright axis of the dispensing package.
  • the top of the tube converges to a so-called duckbill valve 33, constituted by opposed convergent faces 35 leading to a linear outlet slit 36.
  • this readily opens to allow paste to pass out (arrow A, Fig. 2), but any negative pressure behind the outlet acts, in concert with the material's resilience, to pull the slit 36 firmly shut and make an airtight seal.
  • the base of the cylindrical tube 32 flares out as an integral annular cap 34 having a peripheral upwardly-opening U-channel 35.
  • the lower edge of the body shroud 2 has an annular projection 21 which fits down into the U-channel 35 to lock the assembly together, in combination with a snap engagement between shroud 2 and shell 1'.
  • the body 2 provides a shroud or casing with an eccentric top opening 23 through which the convergent tip of the elastomer tube projects.
  • the body 2 also provides an inclined interior abutment 26 against which one side of the tube 32 rests.
  • the housing or body 2 has a side opening 24 which exposes the actuating surface 51 of the actuating element 5.
  • the actuating element 5 is a one-piece plastic unit, mounted pivotingly through studs 52 to either side of the nozzle unit (see also Fig. 8, showing clips 15 to receive the studs 52 pivotably). The element 5 can then be pivoted by pressing on its actuating surface 51 between the positions shown in Fig. 1 and 2.
  • the operating (front) surface of the element 5 features two downwardly-dependent limbs 54,57 one behind the other.
  • the front limb 54 presents a generally flat engagement surface 55.
  • the rear limb 57 projects to below the bottom edge of the front limb 54 and carries a forwardly-projecting flange 53.
  • the limbs 54,57 are resiliently flexible relative to one another and to the actuating surface 51.
  • the dimensions of the element and the positioning of the pivots 52,15 are such that the forwardly-projecting flange 53 indents a lower part of the elastomeric tube wall 32 as seen in Fig. 1.
  • the tube channel 31 remains substantially open at this region, and most of the tube interior 31 above is fully open.
  • This dispensing action has a number of advantages, in particular the avoidance of any discrete springs or metal parts in the product path, the absence of discrete valve components, but nevertheless a positive pumping action from the valve effect of the flange 53.
  • Figs. 3 and 4 show some variants, in which the pumping action is the same as in the first embodiment.
  • the cylindrical elastomeric tube 32 and its duckbill valve 33 are the same as before, but the lower end stops short instead of flaring to form a cap.
  • the container is a rigid plastics container 101 with a sliding follower piston 102 having a sealing lip 103 forming a movable base.
  • the top of the container is closed by a flat top wall 104 having an oblique spigot 105 onto which the bottom end of the cylindrical elastomer tube 32 fits tightly.
  • an abutment structure 126 to support the tube 32 is formed as integral upward projections from the container roof 104; see also Fig. 8 which shows this embodiment.
  • the clips 15 for the pivoting button can be formed also on the roof 104, whereas for the first embodiment they would project in from the skirt of the housing 2. Note from Fig. 8 that the abutment 126 need not provide an extended surface to support the tube 32 adequately. Here, three edge engagements suffice.
  • the follower plate has a downwardly-flaring sealing lip 103 which allows minor quantities of trapped air to escape during filling of the pack.
  • Fig. 4(a) shows the top of the Fig. 3 dispenser at the end of the dispensing stroke.
  • the action is the same as in the first embodiment, except that the tube 32 needs to deform across the top of the spigot 105.
  • the casing 2 is primarily to support the rubber nozzle 33, and for aesthetic purposes.
  • Fig. 4(b) shows an alternative follower plate construction where the follower plate sealing lips 203 will not allow trapped air to escape and a central vent 205 is provided instead.
  • Fig. 7 shows an alternative construction of the discharge tube 132, adapted for dispensing a larger volume without increasing the stroke of the actuating element 5. This is done by making the cross-section of the tube 133 generally oblong, with a larger dimension W transverse to the stroke and a smaller dimension D along the stroke.
  • the nozzle outlet is the same size as before, however.
  • Figs. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment in which, instead of a swinging button 5 acting against a fixed abutment 26, the dispenser provides a pair of similar pivoted buttons 5 to either side of the discharge tube 32 to act counter to one another.
  • the tube 32 is upright (axial to the container) and the buttons 5 are identical.
  • Such a construction may enable a greater relative displacement of the tube wall by the lower flanges (a more positive inlet valve function) and also a more progressive urging of material along the tube channel 31 in the downstream direction as the elements 5 swing together.
  • the body casing 2 has a pair of corresponding openings 24 to expose the two buttons 5.
  • Figs. 11 and 12 show a further variant.
  • the compressible rubber discharge tube 232 is fitted on a top spigot 205 of a screw cap 206 which can be freely transferred from one container to another, e.g. a conventional toothpaste tube.
  • This embodiment features an indirect drive mechanism for the actuating elements 215.
  • a surrounding casing 202 has an upper pivot 71 at which a pair of opposed actuating levers 7 are pivoted so that they can be swung between the raised and lowered positions seen in Fig. 11, 12.
  • a common lower pivot 215 mounts the bottom ends of a pair of opposed actuating elements 215, each having an inwardly bent supporting arm 256 and a medial forwardly-projecting portion 255 adapted to press the respective side of the tube 232.
  • the initial inclination of the actuating portions 255 brings their lower ends 253 into engagement initially with the lower part of the tube 232 to provide an inlet valve effect by partial blockage at the lower end.
  • the upper ends of the support elements 256 enter recesses in the undersides of the operating levers 7 and are retained there in slide tracks 72 for the necessary freedom of action.
  • the lever mechanism gives a significant mechanical advantage, making this suitable for use by children.
  • Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a further embodiment, in which the pumping mechanism is different from the previous embodiments.
  • the tube 3, with deformable wall 332 and duckbill valve 333, is the same as before, except the lower end has an annular projection 336.
  • the tube 3 fits tightly over an inner spigot 61 of a container cap 6, with the annular projection 336 of the tube 3 abutting against a flat top portion 62 of the container cap 6.
  • the cap has sidewall 63 with horizontal portions 64 for locating between a rigid container shell 201' and the housing body 2.
  • the inner spigot 61 has an inner screw thread 65, dimensioned such as to allow the container cap 6 to directly replace the cap of a squeeze container containing paste or gel, e.g. a conventional toothpaste tube.
  • Figure 14 shows the arrangement with a toothpaste tube 201 in place.
  • the one-piece movable actuator element 5 of the previous embodiments, with two downwardly dependent limbs 54, 57, is replaced with a laterally movable button 80 and leaf spring 81.
  • the leaf spring 81 has a forwardly projecting flange 83, for indenting the lower part of the deformable tube wall 332, acting as a blocking portion. Situated above this flange 83 is a flat vertical portion 85, for compressing the tube and expelling flowable product through the duckbill valve 333.
  • a horizontal top portion 84 of the leaf spring 81 is slottedly located between two closely spaced projections 801 of the inner wall of the actuating button 80.
  • Figures 16 and 17 show a further embodiment, in which the pumping action is different again from the previous embodiments.
  • the dispenser structure is mounted on a container having a follower piston 302.
  • a compression member 405 When the tube is compressed by actuating a compression member 405, if the force required to open the duckbill valve 433 is less than the force required to push the follower piston 302 backwards, product will be dispensed through the duckbill opening 436.
  • a specific or discrete blocking portion or inlet valve at the inlet end of the tube 3 is therefore not necessary.
  • Figures 18 and 19 show further embodiments, in which the tube 3 is formed from a two-shot moulding process and has portions of deformable material X and portions of rigid material Y.
  • the tube comprises a deformable wall 532 of deformable material X.
  • An actuator member 9,9' is disposed behind the deformable wall 532, for deforming it in a similar manner to that described in the previous embodiments of the invention.
  • a ring-shaped elastomeric member 538 with central hole 5381, and a resiliently biased rigid valve member 539 covering the hole 5381, combine to provide an outlet valve to the tube 3.
  • a duckbill valve as used in previously described embodiments could instead be provided at the outlet end, although it is understood that various other types of outlet valve are acceptable.
  • the remaining parts of the tube 3, including the flare 534 at the base of the tube 3, are of rigid material Y.
  • Using a two-shot moulding process to produce a tube of this kind is substantially cheaper than producing an entirely elastomeric tube, as elastomeric injection form materials tend to be rather expensive.
  • Figures 18 and 19 also show variations in construction of the movable actuator element 9,9' for providing lateral deformation of the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3.
  • the pivot point 92,92' of the actuator element is adjacent the outlet end of the tube 3, unlike the embodiments described previously (e.g. Fig 5(c)).
  • a blocking portion 93,93' is provided at the bottom of the actuator element for indenting the inlet end of the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3, thus acting as an inlet valve.
  • Figure 18 shows a blocking portion 93 projecting from a flexible semicircular portion 931 of the actuator element 9. The flexibility avoids, in use, excessive forces being applied against the tube wall and hindering full movement of the actuator element.
  • Figure 19 shows the blocking portion 93' projecting from a flexible tube portion 931'; a variation to the semicircular region 93 described above.
  • Figure 18 shows an actuator element 9 with an arcuate compression portion 95 that, as it rotates around the pivot point 92, pushes a flexible projection 94 that extends from the rigid flare 534 at the base of the tube 3 such that its flat front facet 96 lies against the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3.
  • a construction enables a progressive urging of material in the downstream direction.
  • the actuator element shown in Figure 19 comprises, as a compression portion, a flexible limb 95' extending upwardly from an upstream region, with a flat front facet 96' for engagement with the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3 as the actuator element rotates around the pivot point 92'.
  • a compression portion a flexible limb 95' extending upwardly from an upstream region, with a flat front facet 96' for engagement with the deformable wall 532 of the tube 3 as the actuator element rotates around the pivot point 92'.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
  • Finish Polishing, Edge Sharpening, And Grinding By Specific Grinding Devices (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Telephone Function (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)

Claims (19)

  1. Distributeur permettant de distribuer un matériau liquide d'un récipient, le distributeur ayant une structure comprenant:
    (a) un tube (3) ayant une extrémité d'entrée et une extrémité de sortie et une paroi élastiquement déformable et définissant un canal d'écoulement de décharge (31) entre lesdites extrémités d'entrée et de sortie;
    (b) un élément actionneur (5) monté à côté du tube et mobile de manière latérale par rapport à celui-ci dans une phase de distribution pour mettre en prise la paroi élastiquement déformable du tube et la comprimer latéralement;

    l'élément actionneur comprenant une partie de blocage (53) et une partie de compression (54, 55),
    la partie de blocage se déplaçant latéralement dans la phase de distribution avant les autres pièces de l'élément d'actionnement pour bloquer le tube complètement ou partiellement en le serrant, la partie de compression (54, 55) s'étendant le long du tube en aval par rapport à la partie de blocage (53) et en se déplaçant dans la phase de distribution pour se comprimer le long de la paroi élastiquement déformable du tube;
    caractérisé en ce que ladite partie de blocage est prévue comme étant une saillie latérale positionnée de manière longitudinale sur un membre (57) élastiquement flexible qui est formé de manière solidaire avec l'élément actionneur et qui est élastiquement rétractable par rapport à sa partie de compression pendant la phase de distribution.
  2. Distributeur selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'élément d'actionnement comprend une unité en matière plastique d'un seul tenant, comprenant ledit membre supportant la partie de blocage de manière solidaire avec un second membre qui constitue la partie de compression, et une surface d'actionnement.
  3. Distributeur selon la revendication 2, dans lequel le membre supportant la partie de blocage se trouve derrière le membre constituant la partie de compression.
  4. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément actionneur est exposé pour la mise en prise manuelle directe.
  5. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une butée de réaction statique sur le côté opposé dudit tube par rapport à l'élément actionneur, pour supporter le tube contre l'action de l'élément actionneur.
  6. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un élément actionneur supplémentaire opposé audit élément actionneur sur le côté opposé du tube, et mobile latéralement par rapport au tube, pour que le tube soit comprimé entre ledit élément actionneur et ledit élément actionneur supplémentaire.
  7. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'extrémité de sortie du tube comprend une ouverture fendue, constituant à la fois une ouverture de décharge et une valve de décharge du distributeur.
  8. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'extrémité de sortie du tube comprend une formation de valve en bec de canard solidaire avec la paroi déformable du tube et constituant l'ouverture de décharge du distributeur.
  9. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le tube est une entité élastomère d'un seul tenant.
  10. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant au niveau de son extrémité d'entrée, un capuchon de fermeture destiné à un récipient.
  11. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant un premier et un second élément desdits éléments actionneurs (5, 7) opposés entre eux sur les côtés opposés du tube, les éléments actionneurs étant mobiles latéralement par rapport au tube dans une phase de distribution pour déformer le tube entre eux et comprimer ainsi le canal d'écoulement de décharge pour expulser le produit liquide contenu à l'intérieur par l'extrémité de sortie, à l'usage.
  12. Distributeur selon la revendication 11, dans lequel chacun desdits éléments actionneurs comprend un membre élastiquement flexible supportant une saillie latérale positionnée de manière longitudinale constituant ladite partie de blocage, et un autre membre constituant la partie de compression.
  13. Distributeur selon l'une des revendications 11 ou 12, dans lequel chacun desdits éléments actionneurs est réalisé à partir d'une unité en matière plastique d'un seul tenant comprenant lesdits membres et une surface d'actionnement pouvant être mise en prise manuellement.
  14. Distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel l'élément (les éléments) actionneur(s) est / sont monté(s) de manière pivotante dans le distributeur.
  15. Distributeur selon la revendication 14, dans lequel le (les) montage(s) pivotant(s) de l'élément (des éléments) actionneur(s) est / sont adjacent(s) à l'extrémité d'entrée du tube.
  16. Distributeur permettant de distribuer un matériau liquide d'un récipient, le distributeur ayant une structure comprenant:
    (a) un tube (3) ayant une extrémité d'entrée et une extrémité de sortie et une paroi élastiquement déformable et définissant un canal d'écoulement de décharge (31) entre lesdites extrémités d'entrée et de sortie;
    (b) un élément actionneur (5) monté à côté du tube et étant latéralement mobile par rapport au tube dans une phase de distribution, pour mettre en prise la paroi élastiquement déformable du tube et la comprimer latéralement pour expulser le produit liquide dans ledit canal par l'extrémité de sortie du distributeur, à l'usage;

    caractérisé en ce que:
    l'élément actionneur (5) comprend un bouton (80) latéralement mobile et un ressort à lames (81), le ressort à lames étant ancré dans le bouton et faisant saillie vers l'avant à partir de celui-ci afin de pouvoir se mettre en prise ave la paroi déformable du tube (332), une partie de blocage étant prévue par un rebord (83) en saillie vers l'avant du ressort à lames pour renforcer le tube vers son extrémité d'entrée, et une partie de compression étant prévue par une partie de ressort à lames plate (85) s'étendant en aval de la partie de blocage, moyennant quoi dans une phase de distribution de l'élément actionneur (5), la partie de blocage comprime le tube vers son extrémité d'entrée avant sa compression par la partie de compression en aval.
  17. Emballage de distributeur comprenant un récipient pour produit liquide, et un distributeur selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes monté sur le récipient.
  18. Emballage de distributeur selon la revendication 17, dans lequel le récipient est dépourvu d'air ou réglable en volume, comprenant un sac repliable ou un piston suiveur.
  19. Emballage de distributeur de dentifrice selon l'une des revendications 17 ou 18.
EP03709980A 2002-03-15 2003-03-14 Distributeur d'un produit fluide Expired - Lifetime EP1485308B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB0206176.0A GB0206176D0 (en) 2002-03-15 2002-03-15 Dispensers
GB0206176 2002-03-15
PCT/GB2003/001086 WO2003078270A1 (fr) 2002-03-15 2003-03-14 Distributeur d'un produit fluide

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1485308A1 EP1485308A1 (fr) 2004-12-15
EP1485308B1 true EP1485308B1 (fr) 2006-02-22

Family

ID=9933067

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03709980A Expired - Lifetime EP1485308B1 (fr) 2002-03-15 2003-03-14 Distributeur d'un produit fluide

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US20050178804A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1485308B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE318243T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2003214409A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60303663T2 (fr)
GB (1) GB0206176D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO2003078270A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006122368A1 (fr) * 2005-05-19 2006-11-23 Calfarme (Singapore) Pte Ltd Structures de soupape pour distribution de liquide
FR2892397B1 (fr) * 2005-10-26 2010-02-19 Sivel Dispositif de conditionnement et distribution d'un produit avec flacon muni d'une poche souple et d'un embout
US20080078892A1 (en) * 2006-09-29 2008-04-03 Hollingsworth Elmont E Tidy tube stand with removable support member
US7874466B2 (en) 2006-11-07 2011-01-25 The Procter & Gamble Company Package comprising push-pull closure and slit valve
DE102008039682A1 (de) * 2008-08-26 2010-03-11 Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa Spender zur Bevorratung und Abgabe eines oxidativen kosmetischen Produkts
US8201709B1 (en) 2008-10-15 2012-06-19 Hiroshi Namigata Food dispensing assembly and method
US8276616B2 (en) * 2009-03-20 2012-10-02 Xylem Ip Holdings Llc High pressure duckbill valve and insert
US20110223299A1 (en) * 2010-03-10 2011-09-15 Victor Ramirez Dial De Rivera Using squeezable containers for baby food to feed babies
FR2975022B1 (fr) * 2011-05-13 2014-06-13 Seriplast Dispositif doseur pour fluide

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3012701A (en) * 1957-07-11 1961-12-12 Automatic Canteen Co Measuring dispensers
US2837252A (en) * 1957-09-06 1958-06-03 Jr Peter X Hoynak Closure for collapsible containers
GB1367057A (en) * 1973-01-29 1974-09-18 Landstroem K S H Device for dispensing of a paste product
US4124150A (en) * 1974-02-25 1978-11-07 Moss Norman W Self-closing container outlet
IT1110119B (it) * 1978-05-10 1985-12-23 Yamamoto Soichiro Dispositivo erogatore di dentifricio e contenitore di dentifricio per esso
IT209865Z2 (it) * 1987-01-21 1988-11-04 Amco Spa Distributore di sapone liquido.
US4936493A (en) * 1987-11-23 1990-06-26 Calmar, Inc. Elastomeric valve and piston structure for product dispenser
US4961508A (en) * 1989-06-12 1990-10-09 Restaurant Technology, Inc. Condiment dispenser with pivotable arm
US5082150A (en) * 1990-05-01 1992-01-21 Steiner Company, Inc. Liquid dispensing system including a discharge assembly providing a positive air flow condition
FR2771721B1 (fr) * 1997-12-02 2000-02-18 Lucien Vidal Dispositif pour transporter pneumatiquement un materiau tel que du beton

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1485308A1 (fr) 2004-12-15
DE60303663T2 (de) 2006-12-07
ATE318243T1 (de) 2006-03-15
DE60303663D1 (de) 2006-04-27
AU2003214409A1 (en) 2003-09-29
WO2003078270A1 (fr) 2003-09-25
US20050178804A1 (en) 2005-08-18
GB0206176D0 (en) 2002-05-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4830229A (en) Pump chamber dispenser
US4830227A (en) Dispensers for pasty or viscous products
US6971553B2 (en) Pump for dispensing flowable material
US5271432A (en) Adjustable valve and dispenser provided with a valve of this kind
US7500582B2 (en) Dispenser pumps
US6557736B1 (en) Pivoting piston head for pump
EP1988798B1 (fr) Distributeurs par exemple pour cosmetiques
US20060186139A1 (en) Dispenser nozzle
US5971224A (en) Pasty or creamy substance dispenser
US4696415A (en) Apparatus for dispensing products from a self-sealing dispenser
US6422434B1 (en) Dispenser pumps
AU2001268841A1 (en) Pump for dispensing flowable material
US4533069A (en) Pump-type dispenser
EP1818107A2 (fr) Pompe doseuse simplifiee
EP2559492A1 (fr) Dispositif à pompe et ses procédés de fabrication
JPH0517108B2 (fr)
EP1485308B1 (fr) Distributeur d'un produit fluide
US4836423A (en) Pump dispenser package
JP2005536346A (ja) 容器又は器用の吐出装置
WO2004080607A1 (fr) Ameliorations apportees a des buses de distributeur

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20040930

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20050103

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060314

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060331

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60303663

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20060427

Kind code of ref document: P

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060522

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060522

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060522

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060602

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060724

NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20061123

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060523

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060823

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060314

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20060222

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 15

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20180321

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20180326

Year of fee payment: 16

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20180327

Year of fee payment: 16

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R119

Ref document number: 60303663

Country of ref document: DE

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20190314

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190314

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20191001

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20190331