EP1549566B1 - Dispenser for liquid or pasty product - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser comprises a hollow body (14) in which a piston (20) can move and delimit a chamber for the product. An outlet channel (18) is defined in an end wall of the body. The piston has a hollow internally threaded skirt (30) and a knurled wheel (24) with an internal threaded cylindrical part is screwed into the skirt. The piston is rotationally locked in the body so that activating the knurled wheel causes the axial displacement of the piston and controlled dispensing of the product. An Independent claim is included for a method of filling the dispenser.

Description

The invention relates to a liquid or pasty product dispenser in which the product is extracted by controlled displacement of a piston inside a body, the assembly defining a chamber containing such a product.

Dispensers are known for thick or pasty liquid products, comprising a generally cylindrical body and a piston capable of moving in the body and forming a movable wall of a chamber containing the product. An extraction mechanism in communication with the chamber includes a pump configured to aspirate and dispense a predetermined dose upon each actuation. The piston is simply follower, its movement being determined by the amount of product extracted. The volume of the chamber decreases by adapting to the amount of product remaining. In such a device, the pump is located between the chamber and an ejection nozzle or the like, so that product can dry and / or deteriorate in the ejection duct and the pump. In addition, a known device of this kind has a large number of relatively fragile parts, including those that constitute the pump, which makes a high cost of packaging for reliability sometimes poor. The document FR 2807631 discloses a liquid or pasty product dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention overcomes these disadvantages.

An object of the invention is to provide a liquid product dispenser in which the distribution of the product is obtained by direct action on the piston, without the need to integrate a pump.

More particularly, the invention relates to a liquid or pasty product dispenser comprising a hollow body and a piston mounted to move internally therein and defining with said body a chamber for the product to be dispensed, an outlet channel. being defined in an end wall of said body, and which has a wheel rotatably mounted relative to said body at one end thereof, in that a rotational locking arrangement is defined between said body and said piston, in that said piston is provided with a hollow skirt threaded internally in that said wheel has an internal cylindrical portion engaged in said hollow skirt and in that said cylindrical portion is threaded externally and screwed into said hollow skirt.

Another object of the invention is to provide a distributor of the kind defined above, supplemented by means for assaying the amount of product extracted.

According to a possible embodiment, anti-return locking means are defined between the wheel and the body to impose a one-way rotation of the wheel relative to said body. This arrangement allows itself to control the stroke of the piston and therefore to achieve a certain dosage, proportional to the rotation of the wheel.

According to a more particularly advantageous embodiment, the dispenser defined above is characterized in that, said wheel and / or said body being made of relatively deformable plastic material, said anti-return locking means comprise sawtooth ribs. , defined on two generally cylindrical parts facing said body and said wheel and nested in each other.

In this way, the user can easily control the progress of the piston, notch by notch. By judiciously choosing the plastics used to form said body and said wheel, it can be made relatively audible the actuation of the non-return locking means constituting a ratchet progression system. This allows the user to count the number of steps to control the amount of product dispensed.

In a simple embodiment, the dispenser of liquid or pasty product has the general shape of a rod having an orifice arranged on the face of the end wall thereof. The product is distributed through this orifice. The latter is preferably in the center of said end wall so that the dose of dispensed product accumulates thereon. The product can be removed from the finger, for example for application, if it is a cosmetic product. In other cases, the dispenser may have at its end an applicator whose shape and structure are adapted to the use for which the product is intended.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the dispenser is characterized in that a needle is mounted to slide sealingly through said piston and in alignment with the internal orifice of said outlet channel, in that it is elastically biased towards said output channel and in that the end of said needle is shaped and dimensioned to engage in said outlet channel and seal it

This needle thus makes it possible to effectively isolate the chamber when the dispenser is not used, which improves the conservation of the product.

In an advantageous embodiment, the outlet channel consists of an axial rectilinear hole through said end wall and the needle has an end shaped and dimensioned to close said hole, substantially to the outer face of the wall of the wall. end of said body. This provides a seal at any end and no dried product residue is likely to form downstream of the needle in the outlet channel since the volume of it, reduced to a minimum, is occupied by the needle itself .

According to another advantageous characteristic, the needle has a section reduction in said chamber. By this simple means, the removal of the needle is obtained automatically under the effect of an increase in pressure in the chamber, that is to say when actuating the wheel. For example, the needle may be biased in the closed position by a spring installed in said hollow skirt between a shoulder of the needle and the wheel. In this way, the needle retracts and releases the outlet channel as soon as the pressure in the chamber becomes sufficient to generate on said needle a force greater than that developed by the spring.

Moreover, the coupling between the wheel and the piston being irreversible, the distributor is intended to be filled by the distribution channel, when the chamber is at its maximum volume, that is to say with the piston remote maximum of the wall end of the body. The arrangement of the needle advantageously lends itself to the evacuation of the air during filling of the dispenser.

To do this, an air outlet channel, closable, is defined in said needle. This evacuation channel comprises an axial section emerging at the rear of the needle, while a plug is engaged from the rear in this axial section. The cap is released from the back of the needle during filling to allow the evacuation of air, it is depressed permanently at the end of the filling phase.

The invention also relates to a method of filling a dispenser according to the preceding description and characterized in that it consists, said chamber being at its maximum volume, to maintain said air evacuation channel in communication with the atmosphere, filling said product chamber by injecting said product under pressure through said outlet channel and recapping the air outlet channel when said chamber is filled with product.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation, suivant une coupe I-I de la figure 2, d'un distributeur conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une coupe II-II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 montrant le dispositif pendant la distribution d'une dose de produit ;
• la figure 4 illustre le remplissage du dispositif.

The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of a liquid or pasty product dispenser according to its principle, given solely as an example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is an elevation view, following a section II of the figure 2 , a dispenser according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a II-II section of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a view similar to the figure 1 showing the device during the dispensing of a dose of product;
• the figure 4 illustrates the filling of the device.

The liquid or pasty product dispenser 11 as shown comprises a generally cylindrical hollow body 14 having an open end 15 and an opposite end wall 17 provided with an outlet channel 18 consisting of a axial straight hole passing through this wall 17. A piston 20 is mounted to move sealingly inside the body. In the remainder of the description, any reference to an axial direction or an axis refers to the general axis of symmetry YY 'of the distributor, coinciding with that of the piston and the channel 18. The piston and the body define between they a variable volume chamber 21 containing the product 22 to distribute. The dispenser further comprises a knob 24 rotatably mounted relative to the body on the open end side thereof. The dispenser body has two longitudinally adjacent portions of different diameters. In the example, this difference in diameter is obtained by a decrease in wall thickness of said body on a portion 25 thereof from the open end. The wheel 24 which here has a generally cylindrical shape is mounted in the thinned portion of the dispenser body, so that its outer side wall 26 is generally in the extension of the outer side wall 27 of the rest of the body 14. The piston 20 is provided with a hollow skirt 30 threaded internally, (thread 31). The wheel has an internal cylindrical portion 32 engaged in the hollow skirt 30 of the piston. The inner cylindrical portion of the wheel is threaded externally (thread 33) and is screwed into the hollow skirt. The wheel 24 and the body are immobilized in axial translation relative to each other by a set-throat. In the example, the ring 34 is defined on the inner face of an outer skirt constituting the wheel, while the groove 35 is defined on a cylindrical portion of the body, in the vicinity of the open end 15 thereof. In addition, a rotational locking arrangement 38 is defined between said body and said piston. In the example shown, the rotational locking arrangement comprises at least one and preferably several ribs 40 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and defined on the internal face of said body 14. In addition, the piston 20 is made of a relatively flexible plastic material so that the ribs 40 therein imprint to prevent rotation of the piston relative to said body. It is therefore not necessary to provide, by molding, grooves on the surface of the outer cylindrical wall of the piston, taking into account the soft material used to constitute it; the assembly of the piston is facilitated. The end of the piston 20 located on the side of the chamber 21 is shaped with a peripheral sealing lip 42 in sealing contact and "scraping" with the inner cylindrical wall of the body. The ribs 40 are formed in an inner portion of enlarged diameter of the body, adjacent the smooth wall portion which defines the chamber 21, so that said ribs can not come into contact with the sealing lip defined at the periphery of the face. active piston, at the time of assembly of the piston. The skirt 30 of the piston itself comprises a portion 42 of smaller section extending over a distance at least equal to the stroke of the piston, between the lip 42 and a portion 44 of large section cooperating with the ribs 40.

As it has been defined so far, the dispenser makes it possible to measure at least approximately the quantity of product taken with each use, especially if care is taken to inscribe graduations along two neighboring circular lines worn. respectively by the body and the wheel. Indeed, it is clear that the amount of product expelled depends directly on the angle that is rotated the wheel relative to the body.

Nevertheless, for the dosage to be more accurate, anti-return blocking means 46 are defined between the wheel 24 and the body 14, to impose a rotation in one direction, the wheel relative to said body.

In the example shown, the wheel and the body are made of relatively deformable plastic materials. Under these conditions, according to an advantageous embodiment, said anti-return blocking means 46 consist of notching ribs, with opposite 48.49 sawtooth profile, facing each other, respectively defined on two generally cylindrical parts facing each other. body and wheel. As is clearly visible on the figure 2 these ribs are nested inside one another. Each rib has a face extending substantially radially. These radial faces respectively belonging to the outer surface of the body and to the inner surface of the wheel abut in pairs and prevent rotation in one direction. The other faces of said ribs are almost tangential, so that, with a slight radial deformation of the wheel and, possibly, a portion of said body, a rotation in the other direction is possible, with a stepwise progression, advantageously audible. The rotation of the wheel relative to the body, in this preferred direction, causes the longitudinal displacement of the piston, each "notch" corresponding to a predetermined quantity of delivered product.

In addition, the central portion of the active face 50 of the piston 20 is recessed and shaped with an inner lip 52 in sealing contact with the cylindrical side wall of a needle 54 axially mounted in the distributor, in alignment with the orifice internal of the outlet channel 18. The needle is biased elastically towards the outlet channel. Its end is shaped and dimensioned to engage in said outlet channel. In the example, the outlet channel 18 is a straight axial hole of short length passing through the end wall of the body, said needle has an end portion 56 shaped and dimensioned to close said hole substantially to the outer face 57 of the end wall of the body. In the example, the end portion 56 is cylindrical. This gives a complete closure of the dispenser called "any end" preventing any drying of residual product. In addition, the needle has a section reduction in the chamber, that is to say a decrease in diameter between the cylindrical portion against which the piston slides and that 56 which closes the outlet channel. In this way, an increase in pressure in the chamber 21 results in an axial force on the needle 54 tending to move it away from the end wall of the body. Furthermore, a spring 60 is installed in precompression in the hollow skirt of the piston between a shoulder of the needle and the knob 24. The end of the needle opposite to that which controls the outlet channel engages and slides in a central hole 62 bottom 63 of the knob which closes the open end 15 of the body.

The operation of the device as described so far is very simple. When the user wishes to extract a certain amount of product, it is sufficient to turn the wheel 24 relative to the body 14 in the only authorized direction. The piston being immobilized in rotation in the body, and the wheel being connected to the piston by threading, this results in an axial displacement of the piston strictly proportional to the rotation angle of the wheel. If it is assumed that the chamber is completely filled with product, without inclusion of air, the actuation of the piston immediately generates an increase in pressure in said chamber 21 which results, given the shape of the needle, by an axial withdrawal of this, releasing the outlet duct 18. Therefore, a predetermined dose of product ( figure 3 ) accumulates on the outer face 57 of the body wall. This amount is more or less important depending on the rotation of the wheel that can be controlled by counting the number of "notches". The user can then take the finger emerging product outside the end face of the body. At the end of the rotation, the pressure in the chamber decreases and the needle 54 resumes its place under the action of the spring 60.

As shown in the drawing, the body 14 and the wheel 24 are advantageously two generally cylindrical elements and arranged in the extension of one another so as to form a generally cylindrical unit. The dispenser as described may constitute a standardized functional entity constituting a kind of "motor" capable of receiving a covering whose shape is representative of the product offers. For example, this covering may consist of two parts, one essentially covering the body and the other the wheel, these two parts having a configuration not necessarily cylindrical. We can choose a skin with facets parallel to the axis of rotation and defining, in section, a polygonal contour. Such a shape allows itself a visual assay (even in the absence of notching ribs between the body and the wheel) by the simple fact that a rotation between two positions where the lateral faces of the body and the wheel come into the extension of each other is in itself an indication of dosage. In this context, it is also possible to provide a reverse unidirectional clipping between the wheel and its own dressing to allow a return and alignment of the side faces after use, without, of course, causing any withdrawal of the piston.

Returning to the structure of the distributor 11 as such, it should be noted that the needle 54 is advantageously suitable for the evacuation of air at the time of filling the chamber. Indeed, the dispenser must be filled by positioning the piston so that the chamber 21 has its maximum volume, as shown in FIG. figure 1 because the injection pressure of the product would be insufficient to push the piston, given its method of coupling by threading the wheel. It must therefore be able to evacuate the air during filling. Therefore, an air outlet channel 65, closable by a plug 66, is defined in the needle to allow filling of the chamber. This air outlet channel comprises an axial portion 68 connected to the chamber by radial bores 69 and opening axially at the rear of the needle. The cap 66 is engaged from the rear in this axial section. The plug 66 has a solid end portion 70 extended by fins 71 engaged in the axial section. In this way, the plug can be partially engaged in the axial section and remain in a chosen position thanks to the friction forces developed in particular between the fins 71 and the inner wall of this axial section. In the position illustrated in figure 4 , ie before and during the filling, the cap is half engaged in the axial section so that the air can escape freely between the chamber and the outside. Optionally, it is possible to maneuver the needle 56 if necessary, by means of the half-engaged plug because the friction developed between the fins and the needle are greater than the force exerted by the spring. On the other hand, when the chamber is completely filled with product, the plug is pressed as far as possible in the axial section ( figure 3 ) and the exhaust duct is permanently closed.

The figure 4 illustrates the filling process. The dispenser, empty, with the cap half engaged, is positioned "upside down" in one of the cavities of a bezel 76 whose bottom is provided with a tubular filling spout 77 equipped with a seal sealing 78 coming to bear around the orifice of the outlet channel 18. The product is injected under pressure by the filling spout and thus enters the chamber through the outlet channel. Filling takes place when the cavity of the bezel in which the empty dispenser is located faces an upper stop 80 immobilizing the dispenser in the bezel, which makes it possible to seal the filling spout around the outlet channel. Optionally, the upper stop may be equipped with a traction fork 81 shaped to come to grip the cap by the solid portion 70 thereof, which comprises a flange. This range is linked to a jack not shown so that the needle can be positively retracted at the time of filling. It should be noted that this arrangement is not necessarily necessary if the injection pressure of the product is sufficient to cause the lifting of the needle. Anyway, at the time of filling, the chamber being at its maximum volume, the air evacuation channel is maintained in communication with the atmosphere and the product chamber is filled by injecting said product under pressure by the output channel, as shown on the figure 4 . The filling process is completed by pushing the cap to the maximum when the distributor 11 is disengaged from the stop 80.

Claims (16)

1. A liquid or pasty product dispenser comprising a hollow body (14) and a piston (20) sealingly mounted to move therein and delimiting with said body a chamber (21) for the product to be dispensed, an output channel (18) being defined in an end wall of said body, a knurl (24) being mounted to rotate with respect to said body, at one end thereof, characterized in that a rotation locking arrangement (38) is defined between said body and said piston, in that said piston is provided with an internally threaded hollow skirt (30), in that said knurl includes an internal cylindrical portion (32) engaged in said hollow skirt and in that said cylindrical portion is externally threaded and screwed into said hollow skirt.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes means for measuring the quantity of the extracted product.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said check locking means (46) are defined between the knurl and the body to rotate the knurl in only one direction with respect to said body.
4. A dispenser according to claim 3, characterized in that said knurl (24) and/or said body (14) being made in a relatively deformable plastic material, said check locking means (46) include saw-tooth ribs (48, 49) defined on substantially cylindrical portions facing said body and said knurl and imbricated into one another.
5. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said knurl (24) and said body (14) are immobilized in translation with respect to each other by a snap ring-groove assembly, said snap ring (34) and said groove (35) being defined on two substantially cylindrical portions facing the body and the knurl.
6. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotation locking arrangement includes at least one rib (40) defined on the inner face of said body and extending parallel to the moving axis of said piston.
7. A dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that said ribs are provided (40) in an inner portion of said body having an enlarged diameter.
8. A dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said piston (20) is made of a relatively flexible plastic material, so that the or each rib of said body prints its print therein to ascertain the immobilization, in rotation, of said piston with respect to said body.
9. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a needle (54) is slidingly sealed through said piston, being aligned with the inner orifice of said output channel, in that it is resiliently pulled towards said output channel and in that the end of said needle (56) is so formed and sized as to engage in and seal said output channel.
10. A dispenser according to claim 9, characterized in that said output channel (18) is composed of a rectilinear axial hole going through said end wall and in that said needle (54) includes an end portion so formed and sized as to seal said hole substantially up to the outer face (57) of said end wall of said body.
11. A dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that said needle (54) has a reduced section in said chamber.
12. A dispenser according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that a spring (60) is fitted in a previously compressed condition in said hollow skirt, between a shoulder of said needle (54) and said knurl (24).
13. A dispenser according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that a sealable air discharge channel (65) is defined in said needle (54) for filling the chamber.
14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that said air discharge channel includes an axial segment (68) opening behind the needle and in that a plug (66) is engaged from the back into such axial segment.
15. A dispenser according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said body and said knurl (24) are two substantially cylindrical elements arranged one being the extension of the other.
16. A method for filling a dispenser according to any one of claims 13 or 124, characterized in that it consists, with the volume of the chamber being at its maximum, in keeping (81) said air discharge channel in communication with the atmosphere, in filling said chamber (21) by injecting pressurized product through said output channel and in capping (66) the air discharge channel when said chamber is full.

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