EP2043927B1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Fluid product dispenser comprising: a fluid product container (10) of variable usable volume, in which the fluid product is stored out of contact with the air, the container having an actuating wall (25) that is movable axially backwards and forwards between a rest position and a depressed position, movement of the wall causing the pressure in the container to vary, the wall being situated on one side of the dispenser; and a dispensing hole (150) through which the fluid product is dispensed, the hole being provided with an outlet valve (4); said dispenser being characterized in that the hole (150) is situated on a side of the dispenser other than that on which the actuating wall (25) is situated.

Description

The present invention relates to a dispenser of more or less viscous fluid such as cream, gel, paw, lotion, perfume, etc. This dispenser comprises a fluid reservoir of variable volume in which the fluid product is stored out of contact with air. The reservoir is provided with an actuating wall axially displaceable back and forth between a rest position and a depressed position. The displacement of the wall varies the pressure inside the tank between vacuum phases and overpressure phases. The wall is located on one side of the dispenser. On the other hand, the dispenser comprises a dispensing orifice through which the fluid product is dispensed from the dispenser. The orifice is provided with a non-return check valve which prevents air from being drawn into the tank. This type of distributor is frequently found in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, pharmacy and parapharmacy.

In general, in this type of distributor, the actuating wall is located near the dispensing orifice so that the depression of the actuating wall has the direct effect of putting the fluid product stored in the reservoir under pressure so that it is forced through the dispensing orifice. When the actuating wall is released so that it returns to its rest position, the outlet valve closes: the reservoir is then subjected to a depression, which has the effect of modifying its useful volume. This variation in useful volume can be effected for example because the reservoir is made from a deformable flexible bag. Alternatively, the reservoir forms a sliding shaft in which is engaged a follower piston. In the case of a flexible pouch, the depression has the effect of deforming the flexible pouch that will shrivel on itself. In the case of a follower piston, the depression inside the reservoir will move the follower piston by suction. In both cases, the useful volume of the tank decreases as the fluid product is extracted. Therefore, it is not possible to install the actuating wall anywhere on the tank, and in any case not at the sliding shaft which must be dimensionally stable. It is also not possible to install the actuating wall on the follower piston. So, it is usually installed on the top of the tank near the dispensing orifice. Distributors of this type are described in the documents DE 33 05 898 A1 , DE 80 30 266 U1 , FR-A1-2 826 245 and FR-A1-2 821 831 .

The object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser of this type having a configuration that avoids this design constraint.

To do this, the present invention provides a dispenser having the features of the main claim.

This is an embodiment for making a reservoir of variable volume. However, since the actuating wall is located on another side than that of the dispensing orifice, the configuration is paradoxical, because it should be noted that the actuating wall does not act directly on the follower piston. but on the fluid product. Conventionally, the follower piston is at the bottom, and the orifice and the actuating wall at the top. A difficulty overcome by the present invention is to decouple the orifice and the actuating wall, while using a follower piston. And to do this, the follower piston can form a connecting conduit which communicates the reservoir with the dispensing orifice. It should firstly be noted that this characteristic can be implemented independently of the fact that the actuating wall is opposite or uncoupled from the dispensing orifice. However, the combination of these two features is advantageous. Conventionally, the follower piston does not communicate directly with the dispensing orifice. Indeed, the follower piston is generally located at the bottom of the tank and it moves by suction towards the dispensing orifice. The originality of this feature lies in the fact that the follower piston connects the reservoir to the dispensing orifice.

Advantageously, the fluid dispenser comprises a bottom and a top, when positioned upright, the actuating wall being located at the bottom, the distributor resting, in the rest position and in the depressed position, on the actuating wall. . The actuation of the dispenser can thus be performed by pressing the dispenser, while its bottom rests on a bearing surface. The product is dispensed on the top or side of the dispenser.

Advantageously, the wall and the follower piston move along a common axis X. They are separated by the fluid product stored in the reservoir. At each depression of the wall, fluid is dispensed and the follower piston remains static and at each release of the wall the follower piston moves.

Advantageously, the conduit is in leaktight sliding engagement with a sleeve integral with the dispensing orifice, the conduit and the sleeve sliding relative to each other as the follower piston moves in the barrel. Of course, as in any conventional piston follower, it must be able to move relative to the dispensing orifice. This displacement is here possible thanks to the sliding sliding engagement between the follower piston and the dispensing orifice. According to a practical embodiment, the barrel, the sleeve and the dispensing orifice are formed by a one-piece body. Preferably, the body comprises an upper plate forming the top of the dispenser, the plate being formed with a hole which is advantageously provided with an outlet valve, so as to form together the dispensing orifice. It can thus be noted that the dispenser can be made from only three parts, namely the one-piece body, the follower piston and the actuating wall, if the outlet valve is omitted.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispenser may comprise a one-piece body internally defining the fluid reservoir, the body being closed by a bottom forming the actuating wall. Advantageously, the reservoir is mainly formed by the bottom, the body and a follower piston, this follower piston being positioned between the bottom and the dispensing orifice. Advantageously, the body forms a sleeve integral with the dispensing orifice, the follower piston forming a duct engaged in leaktight sliding in the sleeve, the reservoir thus communicating with the dispensing orifice through the duct and the sleeve.

The original configuration of the dispenser according to the invention, namely to oppose or dissociate the actuating wall and the dispensing orifice, is here permitted thanks to the use of a follower piston which connects the reservoir to the dispensing orifice. However, this last characteristic can be protected in isolation.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of nonlimiting examples two embodiments 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 de repos,
• les figures 2a, 2b et 2c représentent le distributeur de la figure 1 au cours de différentes phases du cycle de fonctionnement du distributeur,
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 pour une variante de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 pour une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention.

In the figures:

• the figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser according to the invention in the state of rest,
• the Figures 2a, 2b and 2c represent the distributor of the figure 1 during different phases of the dispenser operating cycle,
• the figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 for an alternative embodiment of the invention, and
• the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 for another variant embodiment of the invention.

The fluid dispenser according to the invention essentially comprises three component parts, namely a body 1, a bottom 2 and a follower piston 3. The distributor also comprises an outlet valve 4 or an attached nozzle. The dispenser may furthermore also be provided with a protective cover 5 which is removably mounted on the dispenser so as to mask the dispensing orifice.

The body 1 is preferably made integrally of plastics material and comprises a barrel 11 of cylindrical shape, preferably circular, within which slides the follower piston 3, as will be seen below. The barrel 11 includes an open bottom end and an upper end which forms a shoulder 12 inwardly. The body 21 extends from this shoulder 12 upwards to form a ring 13 which can advantageously be used for fixing the protective cover 5. Beyond the 13, the body 1 forms a plate 14 which is here substantially circular. This plate 14 is substantially flat or concave and has a substantially central hole which will serve to define the dispensing orifice. A sleeve 16 extends from the hole towards the inside of the body so that the ring 13 extends concentrically with this sleeve 16. The lower end of the sleeve 16 extends to the level of the barrel 11 Optionally, the plate 14 at the substantially central hole defines a hooking structure 144 which retains the valve 4. In fact, although we can use any outlet valve in the context of this invention, for example can be used a valve in the form of a mushroom or umbrella comprising an anchor foot 41 engaged in the attachment structure 144 and a washer or corolla 42 whose edge comes into selective waterproof support on a valve seat 15 formed at the junction of the plate 14 with the sleeve 13 which defines the hole. The foot 41 can be fixed in place inside the attachment structure 144: in this case, the washer 42 is elastically deformable. Alternatively, the anchor foot 41 can move on a limited stroke inside the attachment structure 144: in this case, the washer 42 does not need to be elastically deformable. Instead of this particular valve, one can of course use another type of valve, or a shutter, for example slit. It can even be envisaged that there is no valve at all, so that the hole defines the dispensing orifice.

The protective cover 5 comprises a peripheral skirt 51 intended to come into frictional engagement, latching or screwing with the crown 13 and a cover wall 52 which covers the plate 14, with its central hole and its valve 4. The cover protection 5 can be entirely removed from the body 1, or alternatively, the cover can be hinged to the body. One can also imagine that the cover 5 is made integrally with the body and connected thereto by a bridge of deformable material.

The follower piston 3 conventionally comprises a sealing lip 31, which here is of the type with a double sealing contact. The sealing lip 31 is connected to a roof 32 which extends in its center by a axial conduit 33 which is open at both ends. The conduit 33 comprises a free end opposite the roof 32 and which forms a leaktight sliding lip 34. The conduit 33 is engaged inside the sleeve 16 so that the lip 34 can slide in a sealed manner inside the sleeve 16. It can also be envisaged that the conduit 33 is arranged around the sleeve 16: in this case, it is the free end of the sleeve 16 which is then provided with a sealing lip. The sealing lip 31 of the follower piston is engaged in leaktight sliding inside the barrel 11 of the body 1. In the initial starting position, the lip 31 is located in the upper part of the barrel 11. As and when of the use of the dispenser, this lip 31 will move towards the bottom of the barrel 11.

On the other hand, the bottom 2 of the distributor is sealingly engaged in the open lower end of the barrel 11. The bottom 2 comprises a rigid annular cup 21 which is anchored on its outer periphery 22 in a sealed manner in the barrel 11. The inner periphery of the cup 21 is connected to a membrane 24 having a fixing heel connected to the cup. This elastically deformable membrane 24 is in the form of an annular dome which is closed at its center by an actuating wall 25. This wall 25 is situated substantially centrally with respect to the bottom 2 of the distributor. This actuating wall 25 is axially displaceable back and forth by deforming the flexible membrane 24. On the figure 1 the actuating wall 25 is in its rest position. From this position, it is possible to move this wall to a maximum recessed position, represented on the figure 2a . The bottom 2 can be made integrally with a single plastic material. Alternatively, the bottom 2 can be made by bi-injection or co-molding from two different plastics.

It should be noted that the bottom, and thus the actuating wall, are in direct contact with the fluid, so that they form a tank wall element.

Referring again to the figure 1 it can be seen that the bottom 2, a portion of the barrel 11 and the roof 32 of the follower piston together form a variable working volume which serves as a reservoir 10 for the fluid product. This tank communicates with the outlet valve 4 via the connecting pipe 33 formed by the follower piston 3 which is engaged inside the sleeve 16.

On the figure 1 , the distributor is in its rest position with the tank 10 filled to the maximum, the lip 31 of the follower piston being in abutment against the shoulder 12. The valve 4 is closed so that there is no orifice of distribution. The lip 34 is at its highest point in the sleeve 16. From this initial resting position, we will now describe, with reference to the Figures 2a, 2b and 2c a complete operating cycle of the dispenser according to the invention. When the dispenser is provided with an optional protective cover 5, the first step is to remove the cover 5, as shown in FIG. figure 2a . Then the user can exert pressure represented by the big arrow on the figure 2a at the level of the actuating wall 25. This has the effect of deforming the flexible membrane 24. As a result, the fluid product stored inside the tank 10 is put directly under pressure which has the effect of driving back part of the fluid product through the conduit 33 to the level of the valve 4 which is then forced in the open position to define an annular distribution port 150. This orifice is defined between the seat 15 and the washer 144. During this distribution phase , the follower piston remains static, with its sealing lip 31 in abutting contact with the shoulder 12. The distribution of the product continues until the actuating wall 25 reaches its maximum depressed position. The distribution of fluid product then stops at this moment and as soon as the pressure is released on the actuating wall 25, the valve 4 closes so that there is again no more orifice. 150. The wall 25 then returns to its initial rest position under the effect of the membrane 24 which tends to return to its original starting position because of its elastic shape memory. The membrane 24 therefore plays a role of return spring. During this phase of returning to the initial position, the actuating wall 25 generates a depression inside the tank 10, which has the effect of sucking the follower piston 3 which then moves with a leaktight sliding inside. of the drum. The displacement of the follower piston is represented on the figure 2b by the two arrows on both sides of the conduit 33. Since this duct 33 is engaged in sealingly sliding inside the sleeve 16, the displacement of the follower piston in the barrel 11 also has the effect of moving the sealing lip 34 inside the sleeve 16. When the wall of actuation 25 has returned to its initial rest position, as shown in FIG. Figure 2c , the follower piston 3 has completed its course toward the bottom and the distance between the reservoir 10 and the valve 4 has increased.

It has just been seen that the follower piston makes a fluid connection between the reservoir 10 and the dispensing orifice. This fluidic connection makes it possible to produce a distributor without air intake whose reciprocating movable actuating wall is clearly separated from the dispensing orifice, and even situated on the opposite side. In addition, since the actuating wall 25 is movable between two extreme positions, the fluid dispensing is perfectly metered. This produces a metering distributor without air intake whose actuating wall is located at the bottom and the dispensing orifice at the top. It is the follower piston itself which provides the connection between the reservoir and the dispensing orifice.

We will now refer to the figure 3 which represents an alternative embodiment in which the follower piston 3 and the bottom 2 may be similar or identical to those of the first embodiment. As for the body 1, it also comprises a shaft 11, a ring 13, a plate 14 and a sleeve 16, but it further comprises a dispensing nozzle 17 which terminates in a dispensing orifice 150. This dispenser also comprises a valve 4. The dispensing orifice 150 can also be made using a nozzle allowing a swirling of the fluid product. This nozzle can be integrated into the body 1 or made in the form of an insert. The distributor of the figure 3 comprises three component parts, namely the body 1, the bottom 2 and the follower piston 3. This dispenser can be used with one hand in the manner of a syringe, arranging the index and middle finger on the plate 14 from anterior part of the tip 17 and the thumb on the actuating wall 25. Unlike a conventional syringe, the fluid dispensing is perfectly dosed and the actuating wall returns to each actuation in its initial resting position. Such a dispenser may for example be used in pharmacies for the injection of various fluids into the natural orifices, such as nostrils or ears.

On the figure 4 , the represented dispenser differs from that of the figure 3 essentially at the tip 17 and its bottom 2. Indeed, the tip is here more axial, but instead lateral. The dispensing orifice 150 is formed by a slotted shutter which opens under the pressure of the fluid product. On the other hand, the actuating wall 25 projects downwards and can thus constitute a bearing surface of the dispenser.

It is of course still possible to imagine other embodiments in which the actuating wall is located at the bottom of the dispenser, but on the side or the top. Similarly, the follower piston 3 can move horizontally.

Thanks to the invention there is a distributor whose fluid product is stored away from air and whose actuation is spatially decoupled from the distribution.

Claims (11)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

   • a fluid reservoir (10) of variable working volume, in which reservoir the fluid is protected from the air, the reservoir being provided with an actuator wall (25) that is axially movable down and up between a rest position and a depressed position, the movement of the wall causing the pressure in the reservoir to vary, the wall being situated at an end of the dispenser; and

   • a dispenser orifice (150) via which the fluid is dispensed, the orifice being provided with an outlet valve (4); the orifice (150) being situated at an end of the dispenser other than the end at which the actuator wall (25) is situated,

   the dispenser being characterized in that the reservoir (10) forms a slide cylinder (11) in which there is engaged a follower piston (3) that is suitable for sliding in leaktight manner in the cylinder.
2. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1, including a bottom and a top when it is positioned upright, the actuator wall (25) being situated at the bottom, with the dispenser bearing, in its rest position and in its depressed position, against the actuator wall.
3. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1, including a bottom, a top, and side walls, the actuator wall is situated on a side wall and the dispenser orifice is situated at the top.
4. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, in which the wall (25) and the follower piston (3) move along a common axis X.
5. A fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the follower piston (3) forms a connection duct (33) that puts the reservoir into communication with the dispenser orifice (150).
6. A fluid dispenser according to claim 5, in which the duct (33) is slidably engaged in leaktight manner in a sleeve (16) that is secured to the dispenser orifice (150), the duct and the sleeve sliding relative to each other as the follower piston (3) moves in the cylinder.
7. A fluid dispenser according to claim 6, in which the cylinder (11), the sleeve (16), and the dispenser orifice (150) are formed by a one-piece body (1).
8. A fluid dispenser according to claim 7, in which the body (1) includes a top plate (14) forming the top of the dispenser, the plate (14) being formed with a hole that is advantageously provided with an outlet valve (4), said hole and said outlet valve co-operating with each other to form the dispenser orifice (150).
9. A fluid dispenser according to any preceding claim, including a one-piece body (1) that internally defines the fluid reservoir (10), the body being closed by a bottom wall (2) that forms the actuator wall (25).
10. A fluid dispenser according to claim 9, in which the reservoir (10) is mainly formed by the bottom wall (2), the body (1), and a follower piston (3), the follower piston being positioned between the bottom wall and the dispenser orifice.
11. A fluid dispenser according to claim 10, in which the body (1) forms a sleeve (16) that is secured to the dispenser orifice (150), the follower piston (3) forming a duct (33) that is slidably engaged in leaktight manner in the sleeve (16), the reservoir (10) thus communicating with the dispenser orifice (150) via the duct and the sleeve.

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