Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
  • G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
  • G01F11/10—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation
  • G01F11/26—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers moved during operation wherein the measuring chamber is filled and emptied by tilting or inverting the supply vessel, e.g. bottle-emptying apparatus

Definitions

• the present invention relates to dispensers for dispensing a determined dose of the contents of a container.
• the dispenser of FIG. 1 corresponding to the dispenser disclosed in document US 2,184,253 comprises two compartments 24 and 26.
• the first compartment 26 receives the liquid pouring from a main chamber of the container containing the liquid through an orifice 28.
• the dose accumulates in compartment 26 until it largely exceeds 0 orifice 28.
• the dispensing of the dose stops when the pressures balance between the gas in compartments 26 and 24, both because the gas bubbles can no longer rise in the container, and by compression of the gas in compartments 24 and 26 by the liquid entering the metering device.
• the metering device is then returned to the vertical position, but the wall 16 upwards this time.
• the dose then passes into the compartment
• the dose is then poured out by tilting the container, as shown in Figure 1, until the dispenser is completely inverted, which allows the formation of another dose.
• the dispenser of Figure 2 corresponding to the dispenser disclosed in document US 5,029,736 is a powder dispenser with two compartments (c) and (d) which are filled and emptied alternately by inversion upside down and in the place as in document US 2,184,253.
• the filling of the compartment (c) is stopped by closing the orifice (b) and braking the rise of the powder by a surface (10) 5 inclined at the same angle as the angle of the hopping of the powder.
• Such a metering device also does not allow satisfactory accuracy. In particular, it does not present the precision of a fully filled compartment.
• the dispenser of Figure 3 corresponding to the dispenser disclosed in the 0 document US 4,151,934 is a dispenser with two compartments 200A and 200B operating according to the usual principle by inverting and alternately straightening the container, with alternative emptying and filling of the compartments .
• the two compartments 200A and 200B do not communicate with each other by an enclosed space but in the open air.
• the filling of the compartment where the dose accumulates is done through a conduit 203 of diameter about one fifth of the diameter of the metering device.
• the compartment 200E3 is filled with the liquid from the container through the conduit 203, the gas of the atmosphere bubbles in the container through it, when the level of the dose arrives at the orifice of the conduit the filling is completed and can straighten the container and the dispenser attached to it.
• Such a dispenser allows correct dose accuracy, but on the condition that the container is turned over smoothly and quickly.
• An object of the invention is to provide a dispenser in, or removable from, a container or packaging allowing more precise doses than those provided by the dosers of containers of the prior art.
• the dispenser proposed by the invention allows good dose precision; its structure is such that the handling of container 0 has little influence on the accuracy of the assay.
• Another object of the invention is to provide a metering device for metering and discharging fluids of any viscosity, but also granules or powders.
• One of the other aims of the invention is to propose a dispenser allowing complete emptying of the product contained in the main container.
• One of the aims of the invention is to allow doses of any volume, ranging from small volumes to larger volumes.
• the dose volume is not influenced by the volume of the main container, nor by the capacity of the container.
• One of the other aims of the invention is to propose a dispenser having better control over the filling of the dose and its stability, whatever the level of content in the main container.
• One of the other objects of the invention is to provide a dispenser allowing better transfer of the dose into the different parts of the dispenser, regardless of the inclination of the container.
• the invention uses the principle of anti-siphoning in the creation of doses on containers or packaging.
• a dispenser comprising:
• a buffer chamber in communication at its upper part with a main chamber of a container of fluid or powder
• the passage between the buffer chamber and the metering chamber is a constricted channel forming an anti-siphon and promoting the formation of a bubble or d '' breathlessness to limit, during the straightening of the container, the spillage of the fluid or powder.
• Such a constricted channel allows by surface tension the formation of a stable bubble (case of a container filled with liquid) which limits the flow and allows a particularly precise metering.
• this constricted channel allows a limitation of the passage by breathlessness effect and thus makes it possible to precisely define the volume of the dose constituted in the buffer chamber.
• FIG. 4 shows a diagram in longitudinal section of a metering device on a container, the inclination of the container allowing the formation of the dose which will be discharged thereafter;
• FIG. 5 schematically shows a longitudinal sectional view of a container in the vertical rest position, the dose being formed in a chamber for its pouring during a next tilting of the container;
• FIG. 6 shows a diagram in longitudinal section of a possible variant of a removable dispenser on a container
• FIG. 7 shows a diagram in longitudinal section of a second possible variant of a removable dispenser on a container
• - Figure 8 is a perspective view of an example of a container comprising an integrated dispenser according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION.
• FIGS. 4 and 5 schematically represent in a longitudinal section a possible embodiment of a metering device 7 included in a container 1.
• the container 1 has side walls 21, 22 and upper walls 23 and lower 24 making it possible to define a main chamber 3.
• the container 1 is preferably made of materials of the plastics type.
• the container is substantially transparent.
• the container is manufactured by a method comprising steps of extrusion and of blowing or injection.
• the main chamber 3 is capable of containing a content 5.
• the content 5 consists of a liquid of any viscosity, granules or a powder of different particle size values.
• the upper part of the container 1 comprises a portion forming a metering device 7.
• the metering device 7 is separated from the main chamber 3 by separation means 10 and 14.
• the means 10 and 14 advantageously comprise a partition made of material on a side wall of the container 1.
• the partition 14 is integrally formed on the wall 21 and extends substantially perpendicular to said wall 21, towards the interior of the container 1.
• the dispenser 7 mainly comprises three parts.
• a first part forms a buffer chamber 6 between the main chamber 3 of the container 1 and a second part of the metering device 7 forming chamber 2.
• the buffer chamber 6 makes it possible to precisely form in quantity the dose of content 5 to be poured out of the container.
• the two chambers 6 and 2 are connected by a third part of the metering device 7 which is constituted by a throttled channel 4.
• the channel 4 makes it possible to pass the content 5 of the buffer chamber 6 to the metering chamber 2 by a throttle 80.
• This channel 4 extends transversely relative to the height direction of the container (height of the chamber 3 and of the chamber 2, which corresponds to the vertical direction when the container is placed on its base). In this way, the channel 4 forms an elbow between the buffer chamber 6 and the metering chamber 2.
• the buffer chamber 6 is connected on the one hand to the main chamber 3 and on the other hand to the metering chamber 2 via the channel 4 by the throttle 80.
• the metering chamber 2 is thus connected on the one hand to the channel 4, itself connected to the chamber 6, and on the other hand to a mouthpiece 8.
• the mouthpiece 8 allows the contents 5 to be poured out of the metering chamber 2.
• Closing means (plug 9) are provided on this mouth 8.
• the metering chamber 2 is formed, in the longitudinal direction, by the space between on the one hand the mouth 8 and on the other hand the partition 14. In the radial direction, the chamber 2 is between on the one hand a partition 18 extending in the extension of the wall 21, and on the other hand a partition 16 forming a separation with the buffer chamber 6.
• the partition 16 extends substantially in the same plane perpendicular to the plane of FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as the plans of walls 23 and 24.
• the partition 16 has come integrally on the upper wall 23 of the container.
• the partition 16 extends perpendicularly to the wall 23 towards the interior of the container 1. It is thus understood that the partition 16 extends towards the lower part of the container 1.
• the partition 16 forms an elbow towards the interior of the container 1 in order to form the partition 13.
• the partitions 13 and 14 form between them the channel 4.
• the connecting channel 4 extends substantially perpendicularly to the chamber 2.
• the channel 4 can extend in other directions. It can for example have a curved extension. The important thing is the position of the ends of the channel for the formation of the air bubble or shortness of breath as will be explained later in this description.
• the partition 13, which separates the connecting channel 4 and the chamber 6, has a limited extension.
• the end of the partition 13 is referenced by 92.
• a passage or constriction 80 is thus defined between the end 92 of the partition 13 and the partition 10.
• the small dimension of the section of the constriction 80 situated at the end of the partition with respect to the other dimensions of the chamber 6 makes it possible to avoid the risks of siphoning as will be explained in the remainder of this description.
• the partition 14 forms an elbow beyond the extension of the partition 13.
• the elbow thus forms the partition 10 which extends towards the upper part of the container 1, substantially perpendicular to the partition 14.
• the partition 10 thus forms a quasi-separation between the buffer chamber 6 and the main chamber 3.
• An opening 11 is made at the end of the partition 10, between the upper wall 23 and the partition 10. It allows the flow of content 5 between chamber 3 and chamber 6.
• the fact that the opening 11 is located in the upper part of the buffer chamber 6 allows better control of the filling of the dose, as well as a complete emptying of the container.
• Figures 4 and 5 show a preferred embodiment of the dispenser.
• the partition 10 comprises at the opening 11 a bend extended by a partition 70 formed integrally on the partition 10 and extending towards the buffer chamber 6.
• the inlet partition 70 extends for example towards the inside of the buffer chamber 6 over a greater distance than the section of the communication passage 80.
• the end of the partition 70 located inside the chamber 6 is referenced by 91 in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• the partition 70 preferably extends substantially parallel to the wall 23 and to the partition 13. It thus defines a passage 71 between the main chamber 3 and the buffer chamber 6 in the upper parts thereof. Passage 71 allows better control of the dose formation.
• vent 12 formed in the partition 10 allows the evacuation of the air bubble after the formation of the dose as will be explained in the following of this description. It remains optional.
• the container has a certain level of content 5 in the chamber 3. In an initial situation, it is considered that all of the chambers 6 and 2 are empty.
• the user who wants to pour a certain dose of content out of the container, tilts the container 1.
• the content 5 pours out from the chamber 3 and through the opening 11 and / or the passage 71 into the chamber 6.
• the chamber 6 fills until the content 5 reaches the constriction 80 at the end 92 of the partition 13 in FIG. 4.
• an air bubble forms in the channel 4 in the case of a liquid content, or a breathlessness of the flow occurs in the case of 'a powder or granules.
• the air bubble or shortness of breath prevents the initiation of a siphon in the channel 4 and the discharge of all of the contents 5 into the chamber 2 through the channel 4.
• the constriction 80 must be relatively small compared to the other dimensions of the chamber 6, in order to avoid any initiation of a siphon and any excess of the dose.
• This constriction 80 is such that it allows, by capillary tension, the formation of a stable bubble which limits the flow and is the innovation of this highly precise metering process.
• This constriction 80 also limits the passage of the powder by the effect of breathlessness and thus makes it possible to precisely define the volume of the dose constituted in the buffer chamber 6.
• the section and the length of the passage 71 between the partition 70 and the wall upper 23 are calculated so as to avoid the formation of the siphon when tilting the container.
• constriction 80 of the channel 4 must be of small section in order to avoid the initiation of a siphon (anti-siphon) during the tilting of the container.
• the constriction 80 must however be of sufficient cross section to allow a rapid passage of the dose from the buffer chamber 6 to the metering chamber 2.
• the constriction 80 must also allow the passage of air in the various parts of the metering device when this is necessary.
• vent 12 allows the evacuation of air in the case of a liquid content during the constitution of the dose and the return of the container 1 in its rest position. It also allows better air circulation in the case of granules. This significantly improves the accuracy of the dose volume. The transfer of the dose from chamber 6 to chamber 2 is also accelerated. The vent 12 also makes it possible to limit the volumetric dispersions of the dose, these volumetric dispersions being due to the tilting movements of the container 1. The evacuation of air avoids the return of part of the dose to the main chamber 3 when returning to the upright position.
• the opening 11 and / or the passage 71 provide direct entry from the main chamber into the upper part of the dispenser. Consequently, this makes it possible to obtain better control of the filling of the dose, which is done only by inverting the container or the packaging.
• the fact that the opening 11 or the passage 71 is directly near the upper wall 23 also makes it possible to ensure complete emptying of the product contained in the container.
• the dose will never have a larger volume than that decided, tolerance included.
• the tolerance on the volume of the doses is around ⁇ 10%.
• the quantity of content which will be poured out at each manipulation is determined by the volume of the chamber 6.
• the volume of the chamber 6 is in particular determined by the dimension of the container 1 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIGS. 4 and 5. It is also understood that the section of the constriction 80 and the dimensions of the partition 70 and of the passage 71 are important.
• the quantity in each dose is varied by varying these different parameters.
• the dose volume will be constant from one dose to another. All main container capacities as well as all dose capacities are possible.
• variable doses ranging for example from 5 to 60 cm 3 for a container 1 of 1 liter of capacity and more. These doses correspond, for example, to uses for products for domestic use.
• Dosages of 1 or 2 ml can also be obtained for pharmaceutical, veterinary or phytosanitary applications for example.
• the creation of the dose in the chamber 6 can be carried out with or without the presence of the closure means 9 on the mouth 8 of the dispenser 7.
• FIG. 8 shows an example of a container comprising an integrated dispenser.
• This figure shows a main bedroom 3 and a doser comprising a buffer chamber 6 and a dosing chamber 2.
• the main chamber 3 containing a content which it is desired to dose is connected to the buffer chamber 6 by a passage 11.
• the buffer chamber 6 and the dosing chamber are connected by a channel 4.
• FIG. 6 schematically represents a possible embodiment where part of the metering device 7 is removable from the container 1.
• the container has substantially the same elements as the containers in FIGS. 4 and 5.
• the common elements bear similar numerical references .
• FIG. 6 shows a variant of dispenser 7 removable from the main body of container 1.
• the main body of the container comprises only the main chamber 3, the container 1 thus being delimited by the walls 23, 22, 24, 21, 14 and 10. It is also noted that walls 15 and 17 extend the partition 14 between the channel 4 and the wall 21. The partitions 15 and 17 are perpendicular to each other. This shows that the partition 14 can have an extension not necessarily straight. The partitions 15 and 17 thus form a step which makes it easier to fix the metering device 7 to the container 1.
• the buffer chamber 6 is included in the removable metering device 7.
• Extension means 26 are complementary to reception means 27 which form the mouth of the passage 11. Several variants are possible for closing the mouth of the passage 11.
• the complementary wall of the wall 10 on the container 1 can completely close off the end of the passage 11.
• the fixed wall is pierced by the extension means 26.
• sealing means are then designed to prevent the contents 5 from leaking when the dispenser 7 is separated from the main part of the container 1.
• the end of the passage can already be drilled.
• Means forming a removable cover are then provided in order to close off the end.
• the cover can be formed by adhesive means for example.
• One can also provide means forming removable plugs.
• the means 26 on the one hand and 27 on the other hand cooperate so as to ensure a certain junction seal between the different chambers.
• the dispenser 7 is removable and can be moved from one main part of a container 1 to another.
• means for holding the removable metering device 7 on the main body are provided. These means may include adhesive systems between the metering device 7 and the body 1 or hook-forming means, complementary to recesses for example.
• the holding means make it possible to secure the two parts.
• the hooks have come in one piece on the outer faces of the dispenser 7 or of the main part of the container 1 for example.
• the dispenser 7 is thus removable by clipping onto the main part of the container 1.
• the metering device comprises the buffer chamber, the metering chamber, the channel and the flow opening. It is positioned on a container which does not necessarily have the shape or the suitable means as in the variant of FIG. 6.
• the dispenser can thus include, on one of its side or lower walls, means for fixing to a mouth of a conventional container of the prior art.
• the fastening means are preferably formed integrally on the side or lower walls of the dispenser. They include, for example, fixing means by clipping onto the main container or complementary means of the groove-thread type.
• the additional channel also forms the means for fixing the metering device to the container.
• an additional channel 50 formed integrally on the walls 10 and 23 of the metering device is formed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, all of the elements of the metering device 7 are identical to the previous description. Similar items have the same reference numbers.
• the channel 50 makes it possible to adapt the dispenser to any type of container, by adapting, for example by screwing, to the mouth of any container. It can be seen from FIG. 7 that no adaptation of the walls of the container is necessary.
• metering elements can adapt to any form of container and container mouth of the prior art.
• the dispensers thus formed are removable from the containers.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Publications (1)

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• 2002
  • 2002-09-09 FR FR0211122A patent/FR2843457B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2003
  • 2003-08-08 AU AU2003274236A patent/AU2003274236A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-08-08 US US10/524,249 patent/US20060151548A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-08-08 CA CA002495301A patent/CA2495301A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-08-08 WO PCT/FR2003/002493 patent/WO2004017028A1/fr not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2003-08-08 EP EP03758219A patent/EP1529201A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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