EP1633647B1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, a dispensing head mounted or formed on the reservoir for withdrawing fluid from the reservoir. The head comprises a distribution chamber communicating with the reservoir via an inlet valve and communicating with the outside of the distributor via an outlet valve. Many distributors of this type are frequently used in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to package and distribute various fluid products, liquid or powder.

A conventional dispensing head for a conventional fluid dispenser consists of a pump forming a pump chamber provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve. The pump chamber also includes a sliding piston movable back and forth to selectively decrease the volume of the dispensing chamber. In general, the piston is mounted on an actuating rod capped with a pusher which can be pressed with one or more finger (s) of the hand to push the actuating rod and this makes the piston in the dispensing chamber to reduce the volume. The sliding movement of the piston has the effect of increasing the pressure inside the chamber to close the inlet valve and open the fluid, so that a passage is cleared for the fluid under pressure which can then be pushed through the actuating rod to a nozzle advantageously formed in the pusher. It is also possible to discharge the fluid product at the outlet of the pump chamber to a fixed dispensing orifice independent of the pusher.

On the other hand, there is also in the prior art another type of fluid dispenser devoid of pump and whose actuation is effected by crushing the reservoir. This has the effect of increasing the pressure to the inside of the tank so that a portion of the fluid stored in the tank is discharged through a dispensing head which may optionally incorporate an outlet valve.

US-A-3,794,223 discloses a fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir, a dispensing head mounted on the reservoir, said dispensing head defines a dispensing chamber which has an elastically deformable actuating wall and which communicates with the reservoir via an inlet valve and with the outside through a dispensing orifice. By pressing the actuating wall of the chamber, the inlet valve opens and discharges the fluid from the reservoir through the inlet valve, the distribution chamber and the dispensing orifice.

The object of the present invention is to define another type of fluid dispenser which does not use a piston pump or crushable reservoir. Another object of the invention is to define a dispenser whose distribution can be performed with good accuracy. Yet another object of the invention is to define a dispenser for precise application of the fluid dispensed from the outlet of the dispenser. The dispenser must be able to be conveniently grasped and handled accurately.

To do this, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir for containing fluid, a dispensing head mounted on the reservoir for withdrawing fluid from the reservoir, said head defining a dispensing chamber communicating with the reservoir via an inlet valve and communicating with the outside at a dispensing orifice via an outlet valve, characterized in that the chamber comprises at least one wall elastically deformable actuator which is pressed to generate a pressure inside the chamber which is sufficient to close the inlet valve and open the outlet valve. Thus, the dispenser can be considered as a kind of combination between a conventional pump and a collapsible reservoir, in that the dispensing chamber can be likened to a pump chamber but a part of which is elastically deformable. Advantageously, the actuating wall is formed by a flexible sleeve at least locally internally defining a portion of the distribution chamber. Thus, the actuating wall extends all around the dispensing head so that the fluid dispenser can be grasped and actuated regardless of its angular position relative to the hand of the user. Because the sleeve is substantially cylindrical or at least tubular, this also means that the actuating wall is not located at one end of the dispenser, as is the case for a conventional pump pusher, but is located peripherally or laterally.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the head comprises an apex opposite the reservoir, the dispensing orifice being placed substantially at the top of the head. Preferably, the dispensing orifice is placed centrally axially with respect to the axis of revolution of the dispenser. Advantageously, the outlet valve forms a dispensing orifice at the level of which the dispensed fluid product can be collected. Thus, the outlet valve simultaneously forms a shutter which prevents a portion of the fluid product from being in contact with air. Indeed, all or almost all of the fluid can be taken from the dispensing orifice so that no fluid or substantially no fluid remains on the dispenser which remains in contact with the dispenser. 'air.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sleeve comprises a fixed end forming anchoring means and an opposite end forming a flexible lip in sealing engagement on a seat together defining the outlet valve. The sleeve thus fulfills a dual function, namely that of an actuating wall and a movable outlet valve member.

According to another aspect of the invention, the head comprises a body forming a ring intended to cooperate with the reservoir to fix the head on the reservoir, said body forming an inlet valve seat.

According to another feature, the head comprises a needle comprising a fixing end and an opposite end forming the outlet valve seat, the sleeve extending around the needle. Advantageously, the needle defines an interior volume in which is housed the inlet valve, the interior volume communicating with a peripheral volume which extends around the needle inside the sleeve by at least one passage opening, the chamber distribution including the interior volume and the outside volume. Preferably, the needle is fixed in the body of its end of fixation, the sleeve being fixed on the needle and in the body by its anchoring means.

According to another aspect of the invention, the tank is without air intake. Advantageously, the reservoir is elongate and is preferably in the form of a thin tube. When the tube is of circular section, it is advantageous for the diameter of the tube to be much smaller than its height.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the sleeve is surrounded by a substantially rigid sleeve defining at least one window giving access to the actuating wall. Alternatively or additionally, the sleeve is provided with a cap preventing access to the actuating wall. Advantageously, the cap is rotatably mounted on the rigid sleeve and is provided with at least one opening intended to come into alignment with said at least one window so as to be able to access the actuating wall through an aligned window and opening. Alternatively, the cap comprises a collar in contact with the sleeve.

Preferably, the dispenser has the general shape of a pen that can be grasped with a pen-like hand, so that at least one finger of the hand is placed on the actuating wall with the pen. dispensing orifice disposed at the tip of the pen. The dispenser of the invention can then be handled in the manner of a conventional pen, except that the part of the pen where the finger (s) of the hand rests constitutes (s) the actuating wall on which the user can press to dispense fluid product. The elongated reservoir can be placed in the manner of a pen ink tank on the hand between thumb and forefinger. With this ergonomics in the form of a pen, the dispenser of the invention can be handled easily with precision.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en section transversale verticale à travers un distributeur de produit fluide selon l'invention à l'état monté,
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 en cours de montage,
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée agrandie de la partie supérieure du distributeur des figures 1 et 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue en section transversale à travers la partie supérieure d'un distributeur selon une variante de réalisation des figures 1 à 3,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues respectives en section transversale et de face d'un distributeur selon une autre variante de réalisation des figures 1 à 3, en position ouverte, et
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues similaires aux figures 5 et 6 en position fermée.

In the figures:

• FIG. 1 is a view in vertical cross-section through a fluid dispenser according to the invention in the assembled state,
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 during assembly,
• FIG. 3 is an enlarged exploded view of the upper part of the dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2,
• FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through the upper part of a dispenser according to an alternative embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• Figures 5 and 6 are respective views in cross section and front view of a dispenser according to another embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, in the open position, and
• Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 5 and 6 in the closed position.

With reference to FIG. 1, it can be immediately noticed that the dispenser of the invention has a very elongated shape and has an axis of symmetry or revolution X which extends longitudinally and vertically when the dispenser is positioned upright, as is the case in Figure 1. The symmetry of revolution is not quite perfect as will be seen below.

The dispenser according to the invention comprises two main constituent elements, namely a reservoir 1 and a dispensing head 2. The dispensing head 2 is here mounted on the reservoir 1. However, it is possible to imagine embodiments in which a part or even the whole of the dispensing head 2 is made or integrally formed with part or all of the fluid reservoir 1.

The fluid reservoir 1 preferably has a very elongated shape in the manner of a thin tube. However, other forms are also conceivable. The elongate form is preferred for reasons which will be given hereinafter. The fluid reservoir 1 comprises a barrel 11 which is here of substantially cylindrical shape. A perfect cylindrical shape is even preferred. The barrel 11 comprises an upper end 15 which defines an opening inside the barrel 11. The barrel 11 also comprises a bottom 12 which closes the barrel at its lower end. However, holes 13 are formed in the bottom 12 to allow communication between the inside of the barrel and the outside of the barrel. The barrel 11 also comprises a scraper or follower piston 14 which is initially positioned near or even in contact with the bottom 12. Moreover, the bottom 12 is not essential and can even be omitted without modifying the function of the tank 1. The barrel 11 and the follower piston 14 together form the useful volume 10 of the tank 1. The follower piston 14 is adapted to move by leaktight sliding inside the barrel 11. As a result, it is preferable that the barrel 11, at least at its inner wall, is perfectly cylindrical. In fact, the follower piston 14 constitutes the bottom of the useful volume 10 of the tank 1.

Instead of this follower piston system for forming the reservoir 1, it is also possible to use a flexible bag system comprising a flexible, freely deformable bag whose inside serves as a useful volume for storing fluid. This flexible pouch system may also include a rigid outer shell enclosing the flexible pouch. For example, the barrel 11 with its bottom 12 may constitute a rigid outer shell within which may be positioned a flexible bag freely deformable. Of course, the flexible pouch comprises an opening fixed to the dispensing head 2.

The dispensing head 2 is more visible in FIG. 3. The head 2 comprises in this nonlimiting embodiment several constituent elements, namely a body 21, a needle 22, and a sleeve 23. The body 21 forms a ring of fixing 211 to be fitted or snapped into force inside the barrel 11 at its upper end 15 which thereby forms a tank neck. The inner wall of the neck 15 can be suitably profiled to allow a good fixing of the ring 211 inside the neck. Similarly, the outer wall of the ring 211 can be formed with complementary gripping profiles. The ring 211 is thus pressed into the barrel 11 to a certain depth. To limit the depth of insertion of the ring into the barrel 11, the body 21 forms a stop flange 212 which projects radially outwards. This flange 212 is located above the ring 211 so that it will abut on the upper end edge of the neck 15, as can be seen in Figure 1. At its lower end, the ring 211 is extended by an annular flange 213 which internally connects a duct 214 forming a free upper end defining an inlet valve seat 215. The ring 211 and the duct 214 extend in a substantially concentric manner so that they together form an annular housing delimited externally by the ring 211, internally by the conduit 214 and downwards the annular flange 213. The annular housing is thus open upwards. This annular housing serves to receive and fix the needle 22 and the sleeve 23 as will be seen below. The valve seat 215 cooperates sealingly with an inlet valve movable member which is here in the form of a spherical ball 25. There may also be a movable inlet valve member having a shape other than the spherical classic shape. A movable plastic member is possible and even preferable in some cases. It is easily understood from the figures that the duct 214 communicates directly or even forms an integral part of the useful volume 10 of the tank 1, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The duct 214 forms an inlet for the fluid product inside. of the dispensing head 2.

Alternatively not shown, the body 21 can be made integrally with the barrel 11. In this case, the barrel 11 has no bottom 12 so that the filling of the useful volume 10 can be performed through the open bottom of the barrel 11. The filling can then be carried out while the dispensing head 2 is already in place on the tank 1.

The needle 22, like the body 21, is preferably made of rigid plastic material. The needle 22 has a general shape of elongated hollow fingers. The needle is open at its lower end and is closed at its upper end. Overall, the needle can be divided into a lower base 226 forming the open lower end and an upper end 221 forming the closed upper end 222. The open lower end 227 forms means for fixing the needle on the ring 21 and more precisely in the annular housing formed inside the ring 211 around the conduit 214. The lower end 227 may for example be formed with a foot in the form of a flange which extends radially outwardly. This flange can be forcefully inserted into the annular housing so as to come into contact with both the ring 211 and the duct 214. The base 226 extends upwardly from the lower end 227 in a substantially cylindrical manner. . The base 226 surrounds the conduit 214 as well as the ball 25. At a very short distance above the ball 25, the base 26 forms one or more shoulder (s) inward 225 which traps (s) the ball 25 in a bounded space. Thus the ball 25 is always forced to reposition itself on its seat 215. From these shoulders 225, the base 226 forms a transition portion 224 to join the end piece 221. At this transition portion 224, the base forms one or more opening (s) of passage 223 which communicate the interior of the needle 262 with the outside of the needle. Beyond these openings, the tip 221 extends substantially cylindrical to its end 222 which closes the tip with a substantially rounded shape and partially or semi-spherical. The internal volume formed by the needle 22 is also delimited by the conduit 214 and the ball 25 forms a first portion 262 of a distribution chamber.

The sleeve 23 may be made of an elastically deformable material, such as an elastomeric thermoplastic. The cuff is generally tubular in shape, which may approach a cylinder, but with non-cylindrical sections. The term "cuff" means that this element surrounds the needle being open at at least one of its ends, in this case at both ends.

The cuff 33 comprises an anchor heel 221 engaged inside the neck 21 just above the flange 227 of the needle 22 and around the base 226. Above this anchoring heel 234, the cuff forms a first stable section 233 which is held firmly around the base 226 by means of a ferrule 24 engaged around the section 233 inside the ring 211. This ferrule 228 fixedly holds the heel 234 and the section 233 of the sleeve 23 inside the body 21. Beyond this first stable section 233, the sleeve forms a second section at least locally elastically deformable 232 which extends around the tip 221 of the needle 22 without being in contact therewith. Indeed, there is still a space or annular volume inside the sleeve around the nozzle 221. This interior volume is a second portion 233 of a distribution chamber. The volume 263 communicates with the volume 262 through the openings 223. The volumes 262 and 263 together form the useful volume of the distribution chamber. Section 232 forms one or more actuating wall (s) 231. The wall may extend over the entire periphery and / or over the entire height of section 232. There may be several walls separated by rigid zones or flexible.

Beyond the elastically deformable section 232, the sleeve forms a frustoconical section 235 which is extended by an envelope 236 which is in contact with the upper part of the nozzle 221. The envelope 236 forms a central opening delimited by a lip The lip 237 comes into sealing contact with the upper or upper end 222 of the nozzle 221. When the pressure inside the chamber 262, 263 increases, the ball 25 is pressed onto its seat 215 which prevents the fluid stored in the chamber 262, 263 to be discharged to the reservoir 10. The pressure then increases in the chamber until the pressurized fluid fluid is spawned a passage between the envelope 236 and the upper end of the needle 21. The pressurized fluid then comes to the lip 237 which it deforms then to take off from its seat 222. A dispensing orifice 27 is then formed e This dispensing orifice here has an annular shape because the lip 237 is annular and comes into annular contact with the apex 222. The pressurized product exiting through the orifice 27 can then accumulate on the top 222 and on the lip 237. The user can then collect the product for example with the aid of a finger or then directly apply it on a desired application surface, such as skin, mucous membrane, eye, fingernail, hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, etc. Of course, as soon as the pressure falls inside the chamber 262, 263, the lip 237 again presses tightly on its seat 222. The chamber is then again isolated from the outside. On the other hand, a depression is formed inside the chamber as the pressure on the wall 231 of the sleeve 23 is released. This depression has the effect of taking off the ball 25 from its seat 215 and thereby forming an inlet passage for fluid from the reservoir 10. The fluid is sucked into the chamber by the depression. The chamber can then fill with fluid again.

It may be noted that the upper part of the head formed by the apex 122, the envelope 236 and the lip 237 has a configuration similar to that of a ballpoint pen. Indeed, in a ballpoint pen, a ball is urged to seal against an annular seat. When this ball comes into contact with a writing surface, it is pushed back from its seat which releases a flow passage for the ink stored inside a reservoir. The tip of a ballpoint pen is preferably perfectly centered on the longitudinal axis of revolution of the pen. Thus, the pen can be held in the hand regardless of its angular position around its axis of revolution. It is the same with the dispenser of the present invention, wherein the dispensing orifice 27 is preferably perfectly centered on the axis of revolution X of the dispenser. A position offset from this axis is however possible. On the other hand, it can also be noted that the deformable section 231 of the sleeve 23 extends over the entire periphery of the head 2 over a certain height. Thus, the user is assured of positioning his fingers on the deformable section 231 regardless of the angular orientation of the dispenser with respect to its axis of revolution X. The deformable section 231 of the sleeve is positioned so that the user can seize the dispenser in the same way as a conventional pen. It will even be possible to write with the distributor of the invention. The deformable section 231 of the sleeve 23 may be deformed using one, two or preferably three fingers of the same hand. This gives a very high handling accuracy which allows for a very precise controlled distribution.

It should be noted that only the chamber portion 263 undergoes a change in volume while the chamber portion 262 has a constant volume. If desired, some or all of the volume of the chamber 262 may be filled to reduce the dead volume of the dispensing chamber. The room will then be summarized mainly in part 263.

It may also be noted that the highly elongated tubular shape of the barrel 11 further enhances the appearance of a pen. The barrel 11 can even rest on the hand between the index finger and the thumb when the user grasps the dispenser, in the manner of a conventional pen.

The principle of the invention also lies in the fact of producing a distribution chamber having an elastically deformable actuating wall which is actuated laterally with respect to the main axis of revolution of the distributor. The axial orifice further contributes to this ease of handling and handling.

Figure 4 shows the top of a dispenser according to a variant which is in the form of the addition of a protective cap 28 which masks and protects the upper part of the dispensing head. The cap comprises an upper wall 281 from which extends a peripheral skirt 282 having a peripheral lower end 283 more or less tightly engaged with the body 21. More specifically, the end 283 of the skirt 282 engages around an annular flange 216 formed above the collar 212. Moreover, the lower edge of the end 283 abuts on the collar 212. The cap 28 can thus be put in place and removed at will. Its function is to protect the upper part of the distributor and more particularly the outer part of the sleeve 23. Advantageously, the cap 28 also forms a collar 284 which extends here from the face This collar 284, which is in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, engages around the casing 236 and advantageously supports this casing 236 against the needle 22 so as to cut off the fluid communication between the casing 234. reservoir and the dispensing orifice 27. Thus, when the cap is in place on the head, it protects both the casing 236 and prevents any fluid outlet fluid. Of course, such a cap 28 may be implemented with the previous embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 to 8 also uses a cap 28 which more particularly protects the actuating wall 231 formed by the sleeve 23. This cap 28 remains integral with the dispensing head and can not be removed from it, unlike to the cap 28 of Figure 4. The cap 28 is mounted completely static or fixed, or alternatively, the cap can be mounted rotatably. The cap 28 comprises a fixing ring 251 engaged with the body 21. The fixing ring 251 can be positioned similarly to the lower end 283 of the cover 28 of FIG. 4. Above the ring 251, the The cap forms an inner shoulder 252 which is then extended by a skirt 253. The skirt 253 extends around the sleeve 23 at the level where it forms the actuating wall (s) 231. Above the skirt 253 , the cap 28 forms a frustoconical section 254. This frustoconical section 254 can engage with the sleeve 23. This is however not shown in the figures. The skirt 253 is advantageously formed with one or more apertures 255 which gives (s) access to the actuating wall (s) 231. These openings 255 impose on the user the place where he can place his finger to press the actuating wall 231. It can for example provide one or two opening (s) as is the case in the figures. Such cap 28 may be non-rotatably mounted.

Advantageously, this cap 28 may be associated with a sleeve 24 'whose lower part forms a shell 241 engaged in the body 21 around the sleeve 23, in the manner of the ferrule 24 of the previous embodiments. Above this lower part forming a ferrule 241, the sleeve 24 'forms a section 243 at the level of which are formed one or more window (s) 245 which gives (s) access to the sleeve 23 at the level where it forms the or the wall (s) 231. The sleeve 24 'is located inside the cap 28. The sleeve comprises an upper collar 244 which engages around the sleeve 23. The upper end of the frustoconical section The cap 245 may be rotatably engaged or not on the collar 244. The windows 245 of the sleeve are located at the same level as the openings 255 of the cap 28. The cap 28 is rotatably mounted on the sleeve 24 ', so that it is It is possible to align the apertures 255 and the windows 245. Thus, the actuating wall 231 is accessible through an aligned aperture and window. This is shown in Figures 5 and 6. By rotating the rotatable cap 28 relative to the sleeve 24 ', it is also possible to shift the openings 255 relative to the windows 245. Thus, a solid portion of the sleeve section 243 24 can be positioned at a window 255. The solid portion then prevents access to the actuating wall 231 through the opening 255. This is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The sleeve 24 'imposes the place where the user can apply his finger to drive the actuating wall 231. The rotary cap 28 further prevents access to the actuating wall 231.

When the cap 28 is not rotating, one can dispense with the sleeve 24 '.

Claims (16)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

   · a fluid reservoir (10) serving to contain fluid; and

   · a dispenser head (2) mounted on the reservoir (10) to take fluid from the reservoir, said head (2) defining a dispensing chamber (26) communicating with the reservoir via an inlet valve (25, 215) and communicating with the outside at a dispensing orifice via an outlet valve (237, 222);

   said dispenser being characterized in that the chamber (26) comprises at least one elastically deformable actuating wall (231) that is depressed in order to generate a pressure inside the chamber that is high enough to close the inlet valve and to open the outlet valve.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which the actuating wall (231) is formed by a sleeve (23) that is at least locally flexible and that internally defines a portion (263) of the dispensing chamber (26).
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the head (2) has a top (222) opposite from the reservoir, the dispensing orifice (27) being placed -substantially at -the top of the head.
4. A dispenser according to claim 1, claim 2, or claim 3, in which the outlet valve forms the dispensing orifice from which the dispensed fluid can be collected.
5. A dispenser according to claim 2, claim 3, or claim 4, in which the sleeve (23) has a stationary end forming anchor means (234) and an opposite end forming a flexible lip (237) in leaktight abutment against a seat (222), the lip and the seat together forming the outlet valve.
6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the head (2) has a body (21) forming a ring (211) serving to co-operate with the reservoir (10) for fastening the head (2) to the reservoir (1), said body (21) forming an inlet valve seat (215).
7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the head (2) further has a tube (22) having a fastening end (227) and an opposite end (222) forming an outlet valve seat, the sleeve (23) extending around the tube (22).
8. A dispenser according to claim 7, in which the tube (22) defines an internal volume (262) in which the inlet valve (25, 215) is received, the internal volume communicating with a peripheral volume (263) that extends around the tube inside the sleeve (23) via at least one through opening (223), the dispensing chamber (26) including the internal volume (262) and the external volume (263).
9. A dispenser according to any one of claims 5, 6, and 7, in which the tube (22) is fastened to the body (21) via its fastening end (227), the sleeve (23) being fastened to the tube and to the body via its anchor means (234).
10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the reservoir is "airless", i.e. it does not have any air intake.
11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the reservoir (10) is elongate and is preferably in the form of a fine tube.
12. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, having the general shape of a pen that can be grasped in the hand in the manner of a pen, so that at least one finger of the hand is placed on the actuating wall (231) with the dispensing orifice disposed at the tip of the pen.
13. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 12, in which the sleeve (23) is surrounded by a substantially rigid sheath (24') that defines at least one window (245) giving access to the actuating wall (231).
14. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 13, in which the sleeve (23) is provided with a cap (28) preventing access to the actuating wall.
15. A dispenser according to claim 13 and 14, in which the cap (28) is mounted to turn on the rigid sheath (24') and is provided with at least one opening (255) serving to come into register with said at least one window (245)- in a manner such as to enable the actuating wall to be accessed through a window and through an opening, with the window and the opening being mutually in register.
16. A dispenser according to claim 14, in which the cap (28) has a collar (284) in contact with the sleeve.

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