EP1928612A1

EP1928612A1 - Sample product dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1928612A1
Application number: EP06808070A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guy-Noël SIBILEAU; Christophe Peck; Philippe Moussion; Jean-Baptiste Abonneau
Original assignee: Socoplan SAS
Current assignee: Socoplan SAS
Priority date: 2005-09-27
Filing date: 2006-09-05
Publication date: 2008-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-05
Also published as: FR2891261A1; CN101272866A; US20100032452A1; FR2891261B1; WO2007036619A1; EP1928612B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for dispensing at least one dose of fluid product sample, comprising: a device (2) for dispensing said dose of product contained in a reservoir (3), two thin walls (4) enclosing said device (2), each of said walls (4) having an outer surface forming a support for being fixed on a flat document, or constituting an advertising medium, and a member for fixing (8) the thin walls (4) on the dispensing device (2). The member (8) has a thickness not less than that of the dispensing device, such that said member (8) prevents any direct pressure on said device (2). The member (8) also has a generally flattened shape having a lateral surface with two opposite main parts, said lateral surface being inscribed substantially entirely between two parallel planes located proximate each other.

Description

Sample Product Dispenser

The invention relates to a dispenser for fluid sample intended to be placed flat in magazines, newspapers or other brochures, or in postal mail.

The product sample will be understood to mean any single-dose or bidose quantity of the order of one milliliter.

The invention is particularly applicable to the delivery of a fluid product from the field of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents, perfumery or the like in the form of a sample in the context of a general public distribution to advertising purposes.

The dispensers according to the invention must be designed to be placed in magazines which are packaged on pallet by being stacked on top of one another. Distributors must be able to withstand significant pressure efforts to prevent breakage or bursting.

The production of such dispensers therefore imposes constraints in terms of resistance to pressure and friction forces.

In particular, dispensers intended for distribution by press or mail must meet the requirements imposed by a test consisting in applying to the distributor a load of the order of 2.5 tons for six seconds.

The samples of fluid products distributed in the magazines are usually packaged in flexible bags forming a reservoir, said pockets being each formed by two flexible walls secured by their edges, the surface of one of the two walls serving as a fixing surface of the pocket a flat document, such as a magazine page or an advertising document. The disadvantage of such bags lies in the fact that they are often difficult to tear to extract the product. Moreover, it happens that the product enclosed in the pockets flows on the outer surfaces of the walls of the pocket, which makes the pocket viscous and not pleasant to handle.

At the origin of the invention, it has been chosen to implement a dispensing device of the pump or similar type, ensuring a more precise and cleaner delivery for the consumer.

There are known fluid dispensers of the type comprising a flexible pouch forming a reservoir for the fluid product, a pouch support on which the bag is fixed and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir bag. In particular, the document FR-A-2 804 093 describes a fluid dispenser

Furthermore, the document FR-A-2,836,128 describes a dispenser comprising a dispensing member formed of a reservoir and a dispensing nozzle, and a flexible packaging bag at least partially surrounding the dispenser member.

Such distributors are not designed to deliver small doses of product, to be distributed flat in magazines, nor to be addressed by mail.

In particular, the dispensing members they comprise would not withstand a pressure of more than one ton and the pockets would burst.

The invention aims to remedy these problems by proposing a fluid sample dispenser, of substantially flat shape to be distributed in newspapers or couriers, designed both to withstand the constraints of resistance to pressure and friction .

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a dispenser of at least one sample dose of fluid product, comprising: a device for dispensing the dose of product contained in a reservoir,

two thin walls enclosing the device, each of the walls having an external face forming a fixing support on a flat document, or constituting an advertising medium, and a thin-wall fixing member on the dispensing device. The member constitutes a protection element of the dispensing device having a thickness greater than or equal to that of the dispensing device, so that the member prevents any direct pressure on the device. In addition, the member has a generally flattened shape having a lateral face having two opposite main parts, this lateral face being inscribed substantially entirely between two parallel planes situated close to each other, the two opposite main parts being located in or close to the two planes so that the two main parts form bearing surfaces ensuring the distribution of pressure forces in directions perpendicular to said planes and friction forces in directions parallel to said planes, in order to avoid degradation of the dispensing device.

According to a first embodiment, it is provided that the member comprises two substantially flat bearing surfaces facing one another and substantially parallel to each other.

In addition, it is advantageous that the fastener is machined so as to form flats constituting a set of bearing surfaces. In this way, it is easier to fix the thin flexible walls on the body.

The thickness of the dispensers is such that the dispensers are sufficiently flat to be slipped into a magazine or attached to an advertising mail.

In the context of an advantageous embodiment, the thin walls are fixed on all the bearing surfaces of the fastener and protection member. The dispenser is thus more resistant as a whole, since this embodiment ensures optimum maintenance of the dispenser between the thin flexible walls. In the context of an alternative embodiment, the fixing member is rigidly associated with the dispensing device.

It is advantageously provided that the dispensing device comprises a pump, a pump body and a reservoir. Thus, the user of the dispenser according to the invention has an easy-to-use device with a minimum risk of spilling fluid on the thin flexible walls.

In the context of this embodiment, it is provided that the pump body is fitted into a cylindrical bore formed in the fastener (8). Moreover, the pump body has in particular a diameter smaller than the thickness of the fastener. In addition, it can be provided to make the pump body so that it is integral with the fastener (that is, made in one piece).

In the context of another variant embodiment, the flexible thin walls are hermetic and secured to one another in the vicinity of their periphery in a sealed manner.

Still in the context of an alternative embodiment, it may be provided that the thin walls secured define the edges of a reservoir of the fluid sample.

In an embodiment which will be described and illustrated later, the thin walls are flexible.

Finally, the invention also provides a diffusion assembly comprising at least one distributor as defined above, which is fixed to a substantially plane support.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 16, among which: FIG. 1 is a planar representation of a fluid dispenser according to a first embodiment according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows, in front view, a dispensing device implemented in the dispenser shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line H-II of the dispenser illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a planar representation of a fluid dispenser according to a second embodiment according to the invention, FIG. 5 shows, in front view, a dispensing device implemented in the dispenser shown in FIG. figure 4,

FIG. 6 represents, in front view, a portion of the dispensing device illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view from below of the part of the device illustrated in FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the line IX-IX of the part of the device illustrated in FIG. 6,

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 9 indicated by a circle X,

FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a part of FIG. 6 indicated by a circle X1,

FIG. 12 shows a second part of the dispensing device illustrated in FIG. 5; FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the device illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the device illustrated in FIG. 12,

FIG. 15 is an enlargement of part of the device of FIG. 14 indicated by a circle XV,

and FIG. 16 is an enlargement of part of the device of FIG. 12 indicated by a circle XVI.

Unless otherwise stated, the distributor 1 to be described is shown in Figures 1 and 4 in the closed state. Each dispenser comprises a device 2 for dispensing a dose of product contained in a reservoir 3. Two thin flexible walls 4 and 5 enclose the dispensing device 2.

In general, the alternative embodiments of the dispensing devices 2 are always represented by being arranged with their reservoir 3 placed downwards, in the lower part of the device. A precut line 21 in each of the walls 4 and 5, for opening the dispenser and constituting a tamper evidence before a first opening, is shown in a horizontal line, such as the lower edge of the flexible thin walls 4 or 5 enclosing the dispensing device 2. It is with respect to this typical position of a dispenser 1 that the words "horizontal", "vertical", "up" or "down" are understood. The term "superior" will refer to those parts of the dispenser located above the precut line 21, while the term "inferior" will refer to those parts of the dispenser located under the precut line 21. The word "interior" refers to what is between thin flexible walls 4 and 5, while the word "outside" refers to what is located outside the distributor 1 closed or more at its periphery. As for the word "internal", it refers to what is located in the actual structure of the dispensing device, without being normally visible to the user.

The dispenser illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 is designed to deliver a single dose of fluid, of the order of one milliliter.

However, it should be understood that the device according to the invention could be designed to deliver two doses or even three doses, but that it can not deliver a total volume greater than 5 mL, so that the device is exclusively designed to the diffusion of samples of fluid products.

In the context of the exemplary embodiments illustrated, the fluid product is a cosmetic product of the perfume type.

The thin flexible walls 4 and 5, enclosing the dispensing device, consist of two hermetically sealed sheets of substantially rectangular shape, which are arranged opposite one another, on both sides of the dispensing device. The flexible thin walls 4 and 5 are sealingly secured by their side edges 18 and 20, and their lower edges 20 and upper 24 by welding. It should be understood that the shape of the walls could be different without affecting the invention. Indeed, the thin walls could be square, round, polygonal or other. The thin walls could also define a rigid container of small thickness, in three dimensions.

Thus secured, the thin walls constitute a lower pocket 25 to accommodate the dispensing device, and an upper pocket 26 in which can also slide any part of the dispensing device 2 emerging from the lower pocket 25, the lower 25 and upper pockets 26 being delimited by the pre-cut line 21 made through the walls 4 and 5.

It will be understood that the joining of the walls 4 and 5 along their lower edge 19 is not essential. Indeed, the walls 4 and 5 are not necessarily intended to provide a receiving pocket for the dispensing device since the primary function of the walls 4 and 5 according to the invention is to serve as a mounting bracket on a flat document, or to constitute an advertising medium. For this purpose, the walls 4 and 5 each have an outer surface 6 and 7 respectively.

However, in the context of an embodiment not shown, the bag containing the dispensing pump could constitute a sample product reservoir to be dispensed.

This tank could also have the sole function of protecting the pump and the liquid it contains, in particular thanks to the materials whose walls are formed. Thus, the thin walls would be constructed in such a way that they would protect the sample product and the pump from its light, gas and liquid sealing properties.

The walls can also preserve volatile elements such as essential and / or active principles.

Each of the thin flexible walls 4, 5 also has an inner surface 22 and 23 respectively which are fixed at least partially on a fastener 8 of the dispensing device 2.

The member 8 has a thickness e greater than or equal to the thickness e 'of the dispensing device 2. It thus constitutes a protection element for the dispensing device 2 since it prevents any direct pressure on said device.

The thickness of the dispenser is substantially of the order of 3 mm (+ or - 2 mm), which makes it possible to slide the dispenser between two magazine pages without substantially deforming the latter.

The member 8 also having a generally flattened shape.

The member 8 has a side face having two opposite main parts 10 and 13 (or 10 'and 13', Figure 7). This lateral face being inscribed substantially entirely between two parallel planes P1 and P2 (FIG. 3) located close to each other.

The two opposite main parts 10 and 13 are located in or close to the two planes P1 and P2 so that the two main parts (10, 13) form bearing surfaces. The two bearing surfaces 10 and 13 (Figure 3) or 10 'and 13' (Figure 7) are substantially flat, facing one another and substantially parallel to each other.

The fixing member 8 has flats constituting a set of bearing surfaces 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 (first embodiment, FIG. 3) or 9 ', 10', 11 ', 12', 13 'and 14' (second embodiment, FIG. 7).

The flats can be formed by molding.

Incidentally, the fastener could have curved surfaces, these surfaces defining a shape such that they have at least three support points for the press used in the tests carried out to test the resistance to pressure.

Thus produced, the fastening member 8 has bearing surfaces sufficient to support pressure forces in directions perpendicular to the planes P1 and P2, and friction forces in directions parallel to the planes P1 and P2, for example when several documents equipped with a dispenser are stacked on top of one another.

The thin walls 4 and 5 of the distributor are fixed on all the bearing surfaces 9 to 14 (first embodiment, FIG. 3) or 9 'to 14' (second embodiment, FIG. 7) of the member 8 for optimal fixation.

In addition, the fastener 8 is rigidly associated with the dispensing device 2, so as to prevent any movement of the dispensing device 2 between the flexible walls 4 and 5.

According to a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the dispensing device 2 comprises a pump 15, a pump body 16 and a reservoir 3. In a conventional manner, the pump 15 comprises a pump head 27 comprising a vortex chamber (not shown) mounted movably in the pump body 16 between a delivery position of the liquid product and a rest position.

To do this, the pump head 27 is fixed on a hollow rod 28 connected to the pump body 16, in which a piston moves to allow the introduction and compression of a dose of product to ensure its delivery.

Also, the piston is in fluid relation with the product reservoir, which consists of a capillary tube 3.

In order to return the pump head 27 to the rest position, a coil spring 29 is provided in the pump body of circular section.

The pump body 16 is fitted into a cylindrical bore 17 formed in the fastener 8. Also, the pump body 16 has a diameter smaller than the thickness e of the fastener 8.

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Indeed, the pump body 16 could be made differently, for example by being integral with the fastening member 8.

Such an alternative embodiment is for example illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 16.

The pump 15 'comprises, in a manner similar to the pump 15 described above, a pump head 30 (FIG. 5) which is extended in the lower part by a tube 31 for sampling the product contained in a tank 3'.

A channel 32 passing through the pump head 30 and the tube 31 ensures the flow of the liquid product in the pump head to an outlet orifice 33. The pump head 30 comprises a compression chamber, ensuring the delivery of a dose of product. This compression chamber has not been shown for the sake of clarity of the figures.

The pump head 30 is flat and of rectangular section, the tube 31 is made in the extension of the vertical axis of symmetry of the pump head 30.

The pump 15 'is movably mounted in displacement in a pump body 16' between a rest position and a product delivery position.

To do this, the pump body 16 'has a receiving housing 34 of complementary section to that of the pump head 30 (Figure 6 in particular). In addition, the pump head 30 is equipped with elastic return means.

These elastic return means are formed by arcuate tabs 35 and 36, whose curvature is directed towards the vertical axis of symmetry of the pump head 30, the tabs 35 and 36 projecting from the lower edge 37 of the pump head. 30 in the vicinity of the side edges 38 and 39.

In the context of an alternative embodiment not shown, the pump could be made without spring. It would then no longer be necessary to provide means ensuring the return of the pump to the initial position, after delivery of the dose of product.

The pump body 16 'also constitutes the fastening and protection member 8 of the dispensing device on the thin and flexible walls 4 and 5.

Also the pump body 16 'also has flats 9', 10 ', 11', 12 ', 13' and 14 '(Figure 7) on which the walls 4 and 5 are fixed.

The section of the pump body 16 'is hexagonal, and has parallel sides in pairs. A tube 40 is made integral with the bottom 41 of the receiving housing 34 of the pump body 16 '. The tube 40 communicates with the receiving housing 34 by means of a channel 42 passing through the bottom 41 at its center.

The tube 40 comprises in the lower part the reservoir 3 'initially closed by a lid 43, tearable during a first use of the pump, to allow the passage of the product contained in the reservoir 3' in the channel 42.

The seal 43 thus constitutes a tamper proof indicator for the pump before use.

The tube 40 (integral with the pump body 16 ') has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the tube 31 (integral with the pump head 15').

In this way, the tube 31 is introduced into the tube 40 and can move in vertical translation.

To tear the lid 43 closing the tank 3, the end of the tube 31 is made in the form of a bevel 44.

In order to avoid any accidental tearing of the lid 43, means are provided which create resistance to vertical displacement of the pump head 30 before a first voluntary use.

These resistance means consist, on the one hand, of two lateral rods 45 and 46 projecting from the inner side walls of the receiving housing 34 formed in the pump body 16 ', and on the other hand by a bead 47 projecting punctually on each of the lateral sides of the pump head 30, in the vicinity of the arcuate tabs 35 and 36.

The projecting beads 47 and the projecting internal rods 45 and 46 are of a size and shape such that a bead 47 is housed between two projecting rods 45 and 46. The projecting internal rods 45 and 46 are made at a distance d from the bottom 41 of the housing 34. The distance d is such that, before a first use, when the pump head 30 is introduced into the housing 34, the beveled end 44 of the tube 31 does not come into contact with the lid 43.

To tear the lid 43, it is necessary that the user exerts pressure on the pump head 30 sufficient to clear the beads 47 from between the inner rods 45 and 46. The tapered end 44 then tears the lid 43 under the action of the vertical downward movement generated by the pressure exerted on the pump head 30.

As indicated above, in the context of this example, the pump body 16 'constitutes the fixing member 8 of the pump on the flexible walls 4 and 5.

The distributor can then be slipped between two pages of a magazine without, however, greatly deforming the latter.

Another variant embodiment of this latter pump could still be provided. It would be a question of distinctly producing a fastening member 8 and a pump body 16 ', and of providing in the fixing member 8 a housing of a size and shape complementary to that of the pump body 16' so as to provide 'to welcome.

It is thus clear from the above description that the invention is not limited to the implementation of one pump rather than another in the dispenser.

It should also be noted that other embodiments could also be provided according to which the thin walls secured 18, 19 and 20 between the flexible walls 4 and 5 define the edges of a reservoir of the sample. liquid product.

Claims

1. Dispenser (1) of at least one sample dose of fluid, comprising: - a device (2) for dispensing said dose of product contained in a reservoir (3),

- and two thin walls (4, 5) enclosing said device (2), each of the walls (4, 5) having an outer face (6, 7) forming a fixing support on a flat document, or constituting an advertising medium, characterized in that a thin wall member (4, 5) is provided on the dispensing device (2), said member (8) forming a protective element of said dispensing device (2) having a thickness (e) greater than or equal to that (e ') of said dispensing device (2), so that said member (8) prevents any direct pressure on said device (2), said member (8) also presenting a generally flattened shape having a lateral face having two opposite main parts (10, 13), this lateral face being inscribed substantially entirely between two parallel planes (P1, P2) situated close to each other, the two parts opposing principal (10, 13) being located in or immediate proximity of the two planes (P1, P2) so that the two main parts (10, 13) form bearing surfaces ensuring the distribution of pressure forces in directions perpendicular to said planes and friction forces in directions parallel to said planes, to avoid degradation of the dispensing device.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that said member (8) comprises two bearing surfaces (10, 13, 10 ', 13') substantially flat, facing one another and substantially parallel between they.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fastener (8) has flats constituting a set of bearing surfaces (9-14, 9'-14 ').

4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thin walls (4, 5) are fixed on all bearing surfaces (9-14, 9'-14 ') of said fixing member and protection (8).

5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastener (8) is rigidly associated with said dispensing device (2).

6. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said dispensing device (2) comprises a pump

(15, 15 '), a pump body (16, 16') and a reservoir (3, 3 ').

7. Dispenser according to claim 6, characterized in that the pump body (16) is fitted into a cylindrical bore (17) formed in the fastener (8).

8. Dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the pump body (16) has a diameter smaller than the thickness (e) of the fastener (8), preferably of the order of 3 mm .

9. Dispenser according to claim 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that the pump body (16, 16 ') is integral with the fixing member (8).

10. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible thin walls (4, 5) are hermetic and secured (18, 19, 20) to each other in the vicinity of their periphery so that waterproof.

11. Product dispenser according to claim 10, characterized in that the secured thin walls (18, 19, 20) define the edges of a reservoir of said liquid product sample.

12. Product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thin walls are flexible. W 2

16

13. Diffusion assembly comprising at least one distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, attached to a substantially plane support.