EP1539600A1

EP1539600A1 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1539600A1
Application number: EP03748186A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Isabelle Lallemant; Alex Milian
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2002-06-28
Filing date: 2003-06-27
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Anticipated expiration: 2023-06-27
Also published as: JP2005537043A; CN1665722A; CN100532216C; ES2339346T3; BR0312254A; DE60330875D1; FR2841539A1; JP4500676B2; WO2004002842A1; EP1539600B1; FR2841539B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispenser comprising two sheets (1, 2) defining together a fluid product reservoir (15), at least one of the two sheets defining a deformable actuating wall (13, 23) whereon pressure is exerted to pressurize the fluid product in the reservoir. The invention is characterized in that it further comprises a dispensing component (3) whereon at least one of the sheets is fixed, said component defining a dispensing orifice (344) closed by a removable closure member (4).

Description

Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising two sheets together defining a fluid reservoir, at least one of the two sheets defining a deformable actuating wall which can be pressed to pressurize the fluid in the reservoir. This type of dispenser is very widely used as a sample of fluid product in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery or even pharmacy.

To use such a dispenser, it suffices to separate the two sheets from one another or to tear off part of them so as to define a dispensing orifice. It then suffices to press on the deformable actuating wall of the dispenser to discharge fluid product through the dispensing orifice thus created. One can of course condition in this way very liquid or very viscous fluid products, but it is not excluded to be able to also distribute powdered products. The disadvantage with this type of dispenser lies in the fact that the dispensing orifice does not initially exist, and that it is therefore the user to create or make this dispensing orifice either by separating the two sheets either by tearing off part of it. The dispensing orifice thus created is on the one hand not very easy to produce, and on the other hand often has very random shapes which make the distribution rather inconvenient. In addition, such a purely manual embodiment of the dispensing orifice can cause the user to spread fluid on him at an undesired location.

The object of the present invention is to remedy this drawback of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser, the dispensing of which takes place through a preformed and precise dispensing orifice which requires from the user only one operation. very simple to manage to clear the dispensing orifice.

To do this, the present invention provides that the dispenser further comprises a dispensing part on which at least one of the sheets is fixed, said part defining a dispensing orifice initially closed by a removable closure member. This dispensing part, which can advantageously be made of molded plastic, makes it possible to form a precise dispensing orifice which the user can easily disengage by removing the removable closure member. In addition, this distribution piece serves as a rigid support for the sheets constituting the reservoir, at least one of which is made of a deformable material. The dispensing part therefore makes it possible to give the dispenser a certain hold. In addition, the dispensing part can serve as a support for other internal elements of the dispenser, such as an element of porous material capable of being imbibed or impregnated with liquid or powdery fluid product.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the dispensing part comprises two lateral bars which extend on either side of the dispensing orifice. These bars can be rectilinear and extend for example parallel to one another. In this way, the bars constitute vertical lateral edges of the dispenser. As a variant, it can of course be imagined that the lateral bars are curved. In another alternative embodiment, the bars can join so as to form a closed frame on which the sheets are fixed. Advantageously, the sheets are fixed together on a periphery of the tank along a sealing line which extends at least partially adjacent to the bars with the bars located inside the tank. In this case, the bars form a rigid inner lateral periphery of the tank. Alternatively, the sheets are attached to the bars to define a rigid outer periphery of the tank. The distribution piece actually serves as a support piece for the sheets which are advantageously fixed or welded to the bars of the distribution piece at their external periphery.

These bars, which can be in the most diverse forms (rod, hoop, U-shaped bracket, V, W or O), also making it possible in some cases to impart flatness to the distributor, which thus does not tend to get bend or shrivel on itself. This also helps to improve the aesthetic appearance general of the distributor. One can also imagine bars that are not flat, but arched or wavy for example.

On the other hand, in the case where the distributor is inserted in a magazine, for example as a sample, the bars make it possible to define a volume of “unbreakable” reservoir, which corresponds to the area of the zone inscribed between the bars multipHed by the thickness of the bars. To avoid bursting of the reservoir under the weight of magazines, when stored in stacks, it is sufficient that the volume of fluid product is less than the minimum volume of the reservoir inscribed between the bars. In short, the function of the bars is to provide a better hold or manual grip of the dispenser, to guarantee a certain constant flatness, to resist crushing of the tank by defining a minimum unbreakable volume, to serve as a fixing support for the sheets. .

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing orifice opens at one of the sheets at an opening formed in the sheet.

Advantageously, the dispensing part is fixed to the sheet on the periphery of the opening. In a practical embodiment, the dispensing part defines an outlet chamber forming the outlet orifice and supplied with fluid from the reservoir through radial channels. On the other hand, the dispensing orifice can be formed at the bottom of a recovery cup at the level of which the fluid product is recoverable by the user.

According to another characteristic, one of the sheets forms an extension supporting the repositionable removable closure member.

Furthermore, the dispensing part with its bars can be entirely received in the reservoir, the sheets being fixed to one another on the periphery of the dispensing part.

It should be noted that a dispenser according to the invention can implement bars without being provided with a lateral outlet, and vice versa. These two characteristics are independent and therefore protectable separately. The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings which give, by way of nonlimiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

In the figures: FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid dispenser according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is another exploded perspective view of the fluid dispenser of FIG. 1,

- Figure 3 is a top view on the dispenser of Figures 1 and 2, - Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the dispenser of Figure 1, and

- Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the detail surrounded A in Figure 4. In the accompanying figures, the fluid dispenser of the invention comprises two sheets 1 and 2, a dispensing part 3 and a member of removable closure 4. The sheets 1, 2 cooperate with the dispensing part

3 to form a fluid reservoir 15, while the removable closure member 4 cooperates with the dispensing piece 3 to close a dispensing orifice 344 formed by the dispensing piece 3.

Sheets 1 and 2 can be identical or different in nature. Indeed, the two sheets 1, 2 can be made of a flexible deformable material, for example of the complex film type, so that they each form a deformable actuating wall 13, 23 which can be pressed using one or more fingers to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir 15. Conversely, one can very well imagine that one of the two sheets is made of a substantially rigid material which can then serve as a substantially non-deformable bottom, while the other sheet has a flexible deformation characteristic which allows it to de-define an actuating wall on which is pressed so as to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir 15. It can also be imagined that the sheet defining the wall of deformable actuation is in the form of a substantially rigid profiled shell which nevertheless allows an elastically deformable depression of a part of its wall. The purpose of the two sheets 1 and 2 is to form a fluid reservoir 15 of which at least part of its wall can be moved or deformed so as to reduce its internal useful volume.

In the case where the two sheets 1 and 2 are identical in nature, we can very well foresee that they are produced in a single piece, that is to say in the form of a single sheet folded back on itself for example at level of the tank bottom. However, the embodiment illustrated in the figures implements two separate sheets, which can be profiled, that is to say non-planar.

As for the fluid product contained inside the reservoir 15, it may be a fluid product having a viscosity ranging from very liquid to very viscous. One can also imagine that the reservoir is filled with a powdery fluid product.

The two sheets 1 and 2 can be rehued together at least partially over at least part of their common periphery (10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22). In the embodiment shown in the figures, the dispenser has a substantially rectangular shape defining a bottom, vertical lateral edges and an upper part. The sheets 1 and 2 thus respectively form a peripheral bottom zone 12, 22, an upper peripheral zone 10, 20 and two lateral periphery zones 11, 21 which connect the bottom periphery zone 12, 22 to the upper peripheral zone 10 ,

20. The sheets 1 and 2 are connected together, advantageously by heat sealing, at their peripheral zones 10, 20, 11, 21, 12, 22.

The sheets 1, 2 are therefore rehealed in a sealed manner to one another on all their peripheries so that they thus define a volume containing the dispensing part and the fluid product. We will discuss below a variant in which the leaves are rehé only on part of their peripheries, or even not at all. However, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the sheets are rehé directly to each other.

On the other hand, the sheet 1 is formed with an extension 16 which extends from the peripheral zone 10. This extension 16 is in the form of a flap intended to receive the removable closure member 4. The organ shutter 4 can for example be fixed on the extension 16 using an appropriate adhesive or by heat sealing. It will easily be understood that the extension 16 is also flexible or flexible so that it can be folded down or folded on the sheet 2. Furthermore, the sheet 2 is provided with an opening 25 which is formed at or just below of the actuating wall 23. The removable closure member 4 fixed to the extension 16 is arranged so that the extension can be folded down on the sheet 2 with the closure member 4 which is positioned at the opening 25, advantageously at its center. As for the dispensing piece 3, it is entirely understood or contained within the internal volume defined by the two sheets 1 and 2. In other words, the sheets 1 and 2 are not fixed to the dispensing piece at their periphery 10, 20, 11, 21, 12, 22. However, this could alternatively be the case. The dispensing part is however tightly fixed to the sheet 2, at least on the periphery of the opening 25. The dispensing part 3 comprises a dispensing plate 34 which defines the dispensing orifice

344. This distribution plate 34 is rehée in a single piece to a cross member 33 which is extended on its two ends by two respective bars 36. Advantageously, the distribution piece is made in one piece from molded plastic. The distribution plate 34 is here in the form of a patch which is reheated at its upper part to the cross-member 33. This patch 34 comprises one side facing the sheet 1 and an opposite side facing the sheet 2. The side facing the sheet 1 is produced with radial channels 342 which are separated by radial ribs 341. These radial channels 342 here have a substantially triangular shape, the point of which communicates with a distribution chamber 340 at the level of which l distribution orifice 344. This chamber 340 can be bordered at its upper part by an edge 343 which extends in the same plane as the upper face of the ribs 341. Consequently, the fluid stored in the tank 15 can reach the dispensing orifice 344 by passing through the radial channels 342 which open into the chamber 340 where the dispensing orifice 344 is formed. L sheet 1 is intended to come into contact with the distribution plate 34 at the edge 343 but also at the upper face of the ribs 341. The ribs 341 naturally have the function of defining the radial channels 342, but also thereby prevent the chamber 340 from being isolated from the reservoir 15 in the event that the sheet 1 is pressed against the wafer 34 all around the chamber 340. This ensures a continuous and permanent supply of the orifice for dispensing fluid product from the reservoir 15. It may even be envisaged that the sheet 1 is fixed to the plate 34 at the edge 343 and the upper face of the ribs 341. On the opposite face of the plate 34 facing the sheet 2, the plate forms a recovery cup 345 at the bottom which opens the dispensing orifice 344. This recovery cup has a concave shape, so that the fluid distributed by the orifice 344 remains in the cup 345, and the user can thus recover the fluid in the cup 345 for example using one or more finger (s). This cup 345 is bordered on its periphery by a flat periphery 346 on which the peripheral edge of the opening 25 is fixed in a sealed manner, for example by heat sealing. It should be noted that the fixing of the sheet 2 on this periphery 346 may be the only hedge between the sheets 1 and 2 and the distribution piece 3. The cross member 33 to which the plate 34 is attached, is placed between the two sheets 1 and 2 adjacent to the upper peripheral zones 10 and 20. Since the sheets 1 and 2 are profiled, the cross-member 33 can easily be housed between the two sheets at the edges which connect the periphery of the sheets with the wall of actuation. Of course, the sheets 1 and 2 can also be fixed to the crosspiece 33 for example by heat sealing. The sheets 1 and 2 can only be fixed to the cross-member 33, but they can also also be fixed to each other at their areas 10 and 20. As for the bars 36, they extend here on either side of the plate distribution 34 and extend substantially parallel. One can imagine any geometric shape for the bars 36 which can be curved, wavy, and can even come together so as to form a loop. It is however advantageous for the bars to at least partially have the external shape of the reservoir 15. In the present case, the bars 36 are arranged inside the tank 15 so as to extend adjacent to the peripheral edge areas 11 and 21 of the sheets 1 and 2. The edge areas 11 and 21 can be fixed bars 36 but also between them. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the bars 36 do not extend at the level of the bottom peripheral zones 12 and 22. However, this could have been the case. The cross-member 33 which can be considered as a part of the bars 36, defines together with its bars 36 a substantially rigid structure disposed inside the tank 15 so as to give it a certain hold when the dispenser is gripped by the user. . These bars 36 (integrating the cross member 33) can form a rigid inner periphery of the reservoir in the case where the dispensing part is simply inserted inside the reservoir without fixing with the sheets 1 and 2, or even a rigid outer periphery in the case where the sheets 1 and 2 are directly fixed to the dispensing part without being rehemed therebetween, except at the level where the dispensing part is not present, as at the zones 12 and 22 in this exemplary embodiment. Of course, the bars have a certain thickness so that a volume is written between them. This volume, when the dispenser is wedged between two flat objects like magazines, is "unbreakable". It is therefore possible to insert the dispenser in magazines without the risk of bursting of its reservoir.

One can very well imagine that this dispenser is manufactured in the following manner: the dispensing part 3 is first inserted into the housing formed by the profiled sheet 1 so that the bars 36 extend along the areas of edge 11 and cross-member 33 along the upper zone 10. Of course, the fluid can be supplied before or after the step of placing the dispensing piece 3 in the profiled sheet 1. Next, we come to report the profiled sheet 2 on the sheet 1 so that their peripheral edge zones come into mutual contact. The two sheets are fixed to each other, for example by heat-sealing along their peripheral zones 10, 20, 11, 21, and 12, 22 so that the distribution piece 3 is simply trapped inside sheets 1 and 2 which somehow form an envelope. Sheet 2 is attached to the distribution plate 34 at the periphery 346, that is to say all around the opening 25. Finally, the removable closure member 4 is fixed to the extension 16. The final step consists of folding down the extension 16 provided with its shutter member 4 so as to shut off the dispensing orifice 344 with the shutter member 4. For this purpose, it can be noted that the shutter member

4 may for example be in the form of a convex washer 43 at the top of which is formed a shutter needle 44 intended to be inserted in the dispensing orifice 344. In a manufacturing variant, the sheets 1 and 2 can also be welded to the distribution part at the level of the cross-member 33 and of the bars 36. The sheet 1 can even be welded to the distribution plate 34.

The dispenser according to this embodiment is in the form of a pocket, the extension 16 having a triangular shape resembling the flaps of an envelope. When a user wants to use the dispenser, he just needs to grasp the extension 16 at his point to pull it, which causes the disengagement of the shutter needle 44 from the dispensing orifice 344. Then, it suffices to press the distributor at the level of the actuating wall or walls 13 and 23 in order to obtain a distribution of fluid product at the level of the recovery cup 345. Thanks to the invention, a distributor with lateral outlet is obtained (located at one of the two sheets) whose dispensing orifice can be closed and released several times, advantageously by means of a shutter member integral with the dispenser. The dispensing part may be in the form of an insert freely placed inside the tank or also in the form of an insert fixed (for example by welding) to one or two sheets.

Claims

claims

1.- Fluid product dispenser comprising two sheets (1, 2) together defining a fluid product reservoir (15), at least one of the two sheets defining a deformable actuating wall (13, 23) on which one can press to pressurizing the fluid in the reservoir, characterized in that it further comprises a dispensing part (3) to which at least one of the sheets is fixed, said part defining a dispensing orifice (344) closed by a member removable shutter (4).

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing part (3) comprises two lateral bars (36) which extend on either side of the dispensing orifice (31).

3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheets (1, 2) are fixed together on a periphery of the reservoir along a sealing line which extends at least partially adjacent to the bars with the bars located inside the tank.

4. A dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the bars (36) form a rigid inner lateral periphery of the tank.

5. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sheets (1, 2) are fixed on the bars to define a rigid outer periphery of the tank.

6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the bars (36) meet so as to form a closed frame.

7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispensing orifice (344) opens at an opening (25) formed in one of the sheets (2).

8. A dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the dispensing part (3) is fixed to the sheet (2) on the periphery of the opening (25).

9. A dispenser according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the dispensing part defines an outlet chamber (340) forming the outlet orifice and supplied with fluid from the reservoir through radial channels

(342).

10. A dispenser according to claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the dispensing orifice is formed at the bottom of a concave recovery cup (345) at which the fluid is recoverable by the user.

11. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the dispensing part with its bars is entirely received in the reservoir, the sheets being fixed to one another around the dispensing part.

12. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the radial channels (342) are separated by radial ribs (341) having an upper face in contact with the sheet (1).

13. A dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, in which the dispensing part (3) comprises a dispensing plate (34) comprising a face facing the sheet (1) and an opposite face facing the sheet (2), the side facing the sheet (1) forming an outlet chamber, radial channels (342) connecting the chamber to the reservoir and ribs

(341) separating the radial channels, the opposite face turned towards the sheet (2) forming a concave recovery cup (345) which communicates with the chamber (34) through the outlet orifice (344), the sheet (2 ) being tightly fixed to the plate around the cup (345).