EP2069077B1 - Fluid product dispensing device - Google Patents

Fluid product dispensing device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2069077B1
EP2069077B1 EP07848349A EP07848349A EP2069077B1 EP 2069077 B1 EP2069077 B1 EP 2069077B1 EP 07848349 A EP07848349 A EP 07848349A EP 07848349 A EP07848349 A EP 07848349A EP 2069077 B1 EP2069077 B1 EP 2069077B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
piston
pusher
chamber
flange
outlet valve
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP07848349A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2069077A1 (en
Inventor
Hervé Pennaneac'h
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aptar France SAS
Original Assignee
Valois SAS
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Publication date
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Publication of EP2069077A1 publication Critical patent/EP2069077A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
    • B05B11/1016—Piston pumps the outlet valve having a valve seat located downstream a movable valve element controlled by a pressure actuated controlling element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1061—Pump priming means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1073—Springs
    • B05B11/1074—Springs located outside pump chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1066—Pump inlet valves
    • B05B11/1067—Pump inlet valves actuated by pressure

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser pump generally intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir to form together a fluid dispenser. It is a dispensing member whose actuation is usually performed manually using a finger of the user.
  • the fluid product is distributed in the form of a jet of fine sprayed droplets, a continuous net or a dab of fluid, particularly in the case of viscous product, such as cosmetic creams.
  • a fluid dispenser member may in particular be used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense more or less viscous products.
  • the present invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a type of pump which is commonly referred to as a "push pump".
  • a type of pump which is commonly referred to as a "push pump”.
  • the dispensing member comprises a pusher forming not only a dispensing orifice but also defining a portion of a fluid product chamber in which fluid is selectively pressurized.
  • an inner surface of the pusher of generally cylindrical general shape, serves as a sealing slider for an outlet valve piston which moves in sealing contact in this barrel to thereby selectively unmask the dispensing orifice.
  • These pistons are generally of the differential type, moving in response to a pressure variation of the fluid product inside the chamber.
  • valve piston in such a pusher pump, there is a valve piston and a main piston, movable in sealing contact in respective drums.
  • the two pistons may be made in one piece and the assembly may be referred to simply as a "piston" comprising a main piston lip and an outlet valve lip.
  • the problem encountered in this type of pump is the priming of the pump, that is to say the first filling of the chamber with fluid from the reservoir.
  • the aforementioned prior art documents do not deal with this problem. Unlike conventional dispensers in which the pump allows to reject the air initially contained in the chamber inside the tank, this is very often not possible with push pumps, because they are mounted on tanks of very small capacity . Therefore, it is not possible to reject the air initially contained in the chamber to the tank, because the tank is completely filled with fluid. The release of air into a small capacity tank could cause pump malfunctions due to the pressurization of the fluid stored in the tank. Therefore, this solution of the prior art can not be applied with small capacity tanks, such as those on which push pumps are generally mounted. More generally, the present invention aims to prime a fluid dispenser device in a simple manner, without additional step, and at a lower cost. The solution of rejecting air into the tank is excluded.
  • the present invention provides a fluid dispenser device according to claim 1.
  • the outlet valve is thus formed between the piston and the pusher, and in normal operation, the piston moves in the pusher in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber.
  • the piston does not move in the pusher, because it only compresses air.
  • the pressure in the chamber does not reach the threshold necessary to move the piston in the pusher.
  • the actuation of the pusher has the effect of compressing the air stored in the chamber before its first filling with fluid.
  • the outlet valve can not open because the piston does not move in the pusher.
  • the piston is a differential piston able to move with the variations of pressure of the fluid product in the chamber, the piston being momentarily out of contact with the pusher.
  • the piston is in contact with the pusher when the pressure in the chamber is below a predetermined threshold by a return spring which urges the piston towards the pusher.
  • the pusher forms part of the chamber.
  • the present invention can be applied to other forms of pump or more generally dispensing devices in which the piston cooperates with the pusher to form an outlet valve.
  • the outlet valve is thus formed between the piston and the pusher, and in normal operation, the piston moves in the pusher in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber.
  • the piston does not move in the pusher, because it only compresses air.
  • the pressure in the chamber does not reach the threshold necessary to move the piston in the pusher.
  • the actuation of the pusher has the effect of compressing the air stored in the chamber before its first filling with fluid.
  • the outlet valve can not open because the piston does not move in the pusher. Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to deform the piston with the pusher.
  • the pusher comprises an upper plate on which a user can exert a pressure with the aid of a finger and a peripheral skirt forming the dispensing orifice, the plate forming the outlet valve seat and a support ring. intended to bear on the flange to deform, the ring being located radially outside the upper edge of the barrel.
  • the flange which is advantageously of annular shape therefore abuts at its inner periphery on the upper edge of the barrel and is pressed downwards at its outer periphery by the pusher which advantageously forms a support ring.
  • the flange is therefore forced to bend very slightly, but this is sufficient to take off the movable outlet valve member of its seat and thus create a leakage passage for air under pressure in the chamber.
  • the piston comprises a flexible membrane and an anchoring collar engaged with the pusher, the membrane connecting the movable valve member. to the collar by defining an outlet channel for the fluid product to the dispensing orifice. It can indeed be envisaged to implement such a piston (having a piston lip, a movable outlet valve member, a flexible membrane and an anchor collar engaged with the pusher) without deformable flange.
  • the deformable part has a resistance to deformation which is greater than the force exerted by the spring and greater than or equal to the maximum pressure prevailing in the chamber.
  • a principle of the invention is to locally deform the piston to constrain the outlet valve to open. It is thus possible to let the pressurized air escape into the chamber and to initiate the device.
  • the deformation of the piston normally no longer occurs. And even in case of deformation, it will have no consequences on the distribution of the product. This is explained by the fact that the forced opening of the outlet valve by deformation of the piston takes place in the depressed position exerting a force greater than the normal operating force of the device. Even if the user comes to press very strongly on the pusher, the piston would deform but as the pump chamber is empty, there is more distribution.
  • the dispensing device of the figures is a pump which is shown associated with a container R comprising a neck C on which the dispensing device of the invention is fixed.
  • the pump comprises five components, namely a body 1, a pusher 2, a piston 3, a spring 4 and a movable member 5 of the inlet valve.
  • the pump may further comprise a plunger tube 6.
  • the body, the plunger, the piston, the movable member 5 and the plunger tube 6 are preferably made by molding plastics material.
  • the pump comprises a pump chamber 10.
  • the body 1 comprises a fixing ring 11 which cooperates with the neck C for fixing the pump on the container R.
  • the ring 11 is engaged with the outside of the neck.
  • the body forms a self-sealing lip 12 in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the neck.
  • the body 1 also forms a guide sleeve 14.
  • the body also forms a main piston shaft 17 which internally defines a sealed sliding surface, whose function will be given below.
  • the drum 17 defines a free upper edge 171 which will serve as a stop for the piston, as will be seen below.
  • the body also forms an inlet sleeve 16 which forms an inlet valve seat 15.
  • the plunger tube 6 is connected to the sleeve 16 which is traversed by an inlet conduit 18.
  • the inlet sleeve 16 extends concentrically below the drum 17.
  • the body 1 has an axial symmetry of revolution about an axis X which extends longitudinally at the axial center of the inlet duct 18.
  • the pusher 2 forms a dispensing head for the pump.
  • the pusher 2 comprises a support plate 21 and a peripheral skirt 22 which extends downwards from the outer periphery of the support plate.
  • the pusher 2 has a general shape of inverted bucket whose support plate forms the bottom and the skirt the cylindrical side wall.
  • the skirt is not necessarily cylindrical. It may have frustoconical or rounded sections.
  • the support plate 21 comprises a bearing zone 211 on which one can press with one or more finger (s).
  • the plate 21 forms at its lower wall a bearing ring 26 and an annular seat 27 for the outlet valve.
  • the seat is here formed by an external reinforcement of the crown.
  • the skirt 22 comprises an upper distribution wall 23 and a lower guide wall 24.
  • the distribution wall 23 is connected at its upper end to the outer periphery of the support plate 21.
  • the distribution wall 23 is formed with an orifice dispensing nozzle 25 extending from the inner surface to the outer surface.
  • the dispensing orifice 25 may open at the level of the external surface in a diffusion cup 251.
  • the guide wall 24 comprises an abutment bead 241 on its inner surface designed to cooperate with the guide sleeve 14.
  • the abutment bead 241 makes it possible to secure the pusher to the body, which can thus only move axially on a maximum stroke determined.
  • the piston 3 comprises a lip 36 engaged in leaktight sliding in the barrel 17, an axial rod 35 traversed by a connecting channel 37, a radial annular flange 31 which extends towards the outside from the rod above the edge 171 of the barrel 17, a movable member 32 for the outlet valve, a flexible membrane 33 and an anchoring collar 34. More specifically, the lip 36 is formed at the lower end of the axial rod 35.
  • the connecting channel 37 passes through the rod 35 substantially axially.
  • the flange 31 is connected to the upper end of the rod 35.
  • the diameter of the rod 35 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the barrel 17.
  • the inner edge of the flange 31 is located just above the edge 171 of the barrel 17.
  • the movable member 32 for the outlet valve is formed at the outer periphery of the flange 31.
  • the movable member may be in the form of an annular rib adapted to come into selective sealing contact with the seat 27 formed by the plate 21. of the pusher 2.
  • the return spring 4 pushes the flange 31 towards the plate 21, so that the rib 32 is pressed against the seat 27.
  • the outlet valve is then closed.
  • the return spring 4 is supported on the one hand on the body 1 and on the other hand under the flange 31.
  • the spring 4 is disposed around the barrel 17.
  • the anchor collar 34 engages sealingly tight against the wall of 23 distribution of the skirt 22 of the pusher 2.
  • the anchoring collar 34 is thus integral with the pusher 2.
  • the anchoring collar 34 is annular and is located below the dispensing orifice 25.
  • the flexible membrane 33 connects the anchoring collar 34 to the flange 31.
  • an outlet channel 28 is formed between the pusher and the diaphragm 33. This channel communicates the outlet valve 32, 27 with the dispensing orifice 25.
  • the outlet channel 28 has an annular configuration.
  • an outlet valve lip can be provided which slides in a sealed manner in the pusher.
  • part of the piston 3 is made to be elastically deformable.
  • the elastically deformable portion is formed by the flange 31 connecting the rod 35 to the movable member 32 of the valve member. exit.
  • This flange 31 is caused to deform, and more particularly to bend, when the pusher 2 presses the flange 31 while it is in abutment on the free upper edge 171 of the barrel 17, as can be seen on the Figures 2 or 3 . More particularly, it is the support ring 26 that presses on the upper wall of the flange 31 while its lower wall abuts on the edge 171.
  • the ring 26 is located radially further to the outside the edge 171, so that the flange 31 will deform by bending down at its outer periphery. Gold, it is precisely on its outer periphery that is formed the rib serving as movable member 32 of the outlet valve. Therefore, the bending of the flange 31 by bearing of the ring 26 will cause a slight opening of the outlet valve by detachment of the rib 32 from its seat 27, as can be seen on the figure 3 .
  • the deflection of the flange 31 is not perceptible on the figure 2 : Indeed, it is not necessary that the outlet valve is widely open. On the contrary, a small gap imperceptible to the naked eye is sufficient to allow the air under pressure in the chamber to escape into the outlet channel 28 to gain the orifice 25. This imperceptible gap has been designated on the figure 3 by the letter I.
  • the body 1, the pusher 2 and the piston 3 together form a pump chamber 10 which extends continuously in the main drum 17, through the connecting channel 37, between the plate 21 and the flange 31.
  • the spring 4 pushes the piston 3 in abutment against the pusher. More specifically, the spring pushes the valve member 32 against the seat 27.
  • the ring 26 of the plate 21 comes into light contact with the flange without disturbing the sealing contact of the outlet valve.
  • the crown may even be slightly peeled off the flange.
  • the inlet flap is closed.
  • the pusher By exerting a force on the bearing zone 211, the pusher moves axially relative to the body 1 by driving the piston. At first, the movement of the pusher has the effect of pressing the inlet valve. Thus, the pump chamber 10 is isolated from the reservoir R. From this moment, the product in the pump chamber 10 will be pressurized. Since the fluid product is incompressible, the total useful volume of the pump chamber must remain constant. But as the main piston 36 sinks into the drum 17 thus decreasing the volume of the lower part of the chamber, a new volume must be created. This is possible because the differential piston moves away from the support plate 21. This has the effect of detaching the movable member from its seat and thus to open the outlet valve.
  • the fluid under pressure in the pump chamber thus finds an outlet passage to the dispensing orifice.
  • the passage remains open as long as the pressure to the interior of the chamber can overcome the force of the spring 4.
  • the depressed position is reached when the flange 31 abuts on the edge 171 of the barrel.
  • the chamber 10 is then at its minimum volume.
  • the lower end of the skirt is away from the fixing ring of the body. Then pressing strongly on the plate 21 of the pusher 2, the ring 26 will strongly press the flange so as to bend it outwardly downward.
  • the outlet valve will open and the chamber 10 will empty the air initially trapped inside.
  • the skirt of the pusher can then come to a stop on the fixing ring 11 of the body.
  • the flange 31 returns to its undistorted state, which closes again the gap I between the rib 32 and the seat 27.
  • the chamber is thus again isolated from the outside and a depression will be created as the spring 4 expands to return the piston and the pusher to the rest position of the figure 1 .
  • the depression generated will lift the movable member 5 of the inlet valve and the fluid from the reservoir can then go up through the dip tube 6 and reach the interior of the chamber 10 which will fill with product fluid for the first time.
  • the flange 31 has a resistance to deformation which is greater than the force exerted by the spring 4 and greater than or equal to the maximum pressure prevailing inside the chamber 10.
  • the flange does not deform under normal operating conditions of the pump.
  • the user is not normally required to deform the flange when he presses the pusher to dispense the fluid. Simply make the flange with a sufficient wall thickness.
  • the flange will deform, but this deformation will have no impact on the operation of the pump, since the pump chamber 10 has already been emptied of its contents. By releasing this support force, the flange will first return to its undistorted position, and only after the spring 4 will begin to relax.
  • the deformable flange of the piston it is possible to open the outlet valve and create a leakage passage for the air initially trapped in the pump chamber.
  • the flange here forms the deformable part.
  • the abutment for the flange is here formed by the upper edge 171 of the barrel 17.
  • another part of the device such as the body or the spring, can be used to make this abutment for the flange or another deformable part of the piston.
  • Priming of the dispensing device can be done by the user or in the factory. Priming can serve as an indication of first use.
  • the flange here has a flat disc shape. It can present other forms: frustoconical, stepped, etc.

Abstract

A liquid dispenser device for being associated with a liquid reservoir, said device comprising: a chamber (10) provided with an inlet valve (5, 15), an outlet valve (27, 32), and a piston (3) that is suitable for varying the volume of the chamber (10); a liquid dispenser orifice (25); and a pusher (2) that is axially displaceable down and up between a rest position and a depressed position; the dispenser device being characterized in that the piston (3) includes an elastically-deformable portion (31) that is deformed by the pusher (2) in its depressed position, in such a manner as to open the outlet valve.

Description

La présente invention concerne une pompe de distribution de produit fluide généralement destinée à être associée à un réservoir de produit fluide pour constituer ensemble un distributeur de produit fluide. Il s'agit d'un organe de distribution dont l'actionnement est généralement réalisé manuellement à l'aide d'un doigt de l'utilisateur. Le produit fluide est distribué sous la forme d'un jet de fines gouttelettes pulvérisées, d'un filet continu ou encore d'une noisette de produit fluide, particulièrement dans le cas de produit visqueux, comme des crèmes cosmétiques. Un tel organe de distribution de produit fluide peut notamment être utilisé dans les domaines de la parfumerie, de la cosmétique ou encore de la pharmacie pour distribuer des produits plus ou moins visqueux.The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser pump generally intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir to form together a fluid dispenser. It is a dispensing member whose actuation is usually performed manually using a finger of the user. The fluid product is distributed in the form of a jet of fine sprayed droplets, a continuous net or a dab of fluid, particularly in the case of viscous product, such as cosmetic creams. Such a fluid dispenser member may in particular be used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense more or less viscous products.

La présente invention s'intéresse plus particulièrement, mais pas exclusivement, à un type de pompe qui est communément désigné sous le terme de « pompe-poussoir ». Une telle désignation s'explique par le fait que l'organe de distribution comprend un poussoir formant non seulement un orifice de distribution mais définissant en outre une partie d'une chambre de produit fluide dans laquelle du produit fluide est sélectivement mis sous pression. Dans certaines pompes, une surface interne du poussoir, de forme générale sensiblement cylindrique, sert de fût de coulissement étanche pour un piston de clapet de sortie qui se déplace en contact étanche dans ce fût pour ainsi démasquer sélectivement l'orifice de distribution. Ces pistons sont en général du type différentiel, se déplaçant en réponse à une variation de pression du produit fluide à l'intérieur de la chambre. Ainsi, dans une telle pompe-poussoir, il y a un piston de clapet et un piston principal, déplaçables en contact étanche dans des fûts respectifs. Les deux pistons peuvent être réalisés monobloc et l'ensemble peut être désigné simplement par le terme de « piston » comprenant une lèvre de piston principal et une lèvre de clapet de sortie.The present invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a type of pump which is commonly referred to as a "push pump". Such a designation is explained by the fact that the dispensing member comprises a pusher forming not only a dispensing orifice but also defining a portion of a fluid product chamber in which fluid is selectively pressurized. In some pumps, an inner surface of the pusher, of generally cylindrical general shape, serves as a sealing slider for an outlet valve piston which moves in sealing contact in this barrel to thereby selectively unmask the dispensing orifice. These pistons are generally of the differential type, moving in response to a pressure variation of the fluid product inside the chamber. Thus, in such a pusher pump, there is a valve piston and a main piston, movable in sealing contact in respective drums. The two pistons may be made in one piece and the assembly may be referred to simply as a "piston" comprising a main piston lip and an outlet valve lip.

Dans l'art antérieur, on connaît déjà les documents WO 97/23304 , US 4 50 613 et WO 2005/063405 qui décrivent tous des pompes poussoir fonctionnant sur le principe défini ci-dessus. En effet, ils décrivent tous des pompes comprenant un poussoir, un corps monté fixement par une bague sur l'ouverture d'un récipient et un piston différentiel qui intègre les fonctions de piston principal et de piston clapet en formant une lèvre de piston principal et une ou deux lèvres de clapet de sortie. Ce piston différentiel coulisse à l'intérieur du poussoir en réponse à une variation de pression. Le corps, le poussoir et le piston différentiel forment ensemble une chambre. Lorsque la pression augmente dans cette chambre, le piston différentiel se déplace par rapport au poussoir. D'autre part, le clapet d'entrée de la chambre est formé par une bille, une valve à volet déformable ou par le piston différentiel lui-même. Les documents EP 0 437 139 , EP 0 530 785 et WO 2004/071673 décrivent des dispositifs de distribution selon le préambule de la revendication 1.In the prior art, the documents are already known WO 97/23304 , US 4,50,613 and WO 2005/063405 which all describe push pumps operating on the principle defined above. Indeed, they all describe pumps comprising a pusher, a body fixedly mounted by a ring on the opening of a container and a differential piston which integrates the functions of main piston and valve piston by forming a main piston lip and one or two valve lips of exit. This differential piston slides inside the pusher in response to a pressure variation. The body, the pusher and the differential piston together form a chamber. As pressure increases in this chamber, the differential piston moves relative to the pusher. On the other hand, the inlet valve of the chamber is formed by a ball, a valve with deformable flap or by the differential piston itself. The documents EP 0 437 139 , EP 0 530 785 and WO 2004/071673 describe dispensing devices according to the preamble of claim 1.

Le problème que l'on rencontre dans ce type de pompe est l'amorçage de la pompe, c'est-à-dire le premier remplissage de la chambre avec du produit fluide en provenance du réservoir. Les documents de l'art antérieur précités ne traitent pas ce problème. Contrairement aux distributeurs classiques dans lesquels la pompe permet de rejeter l'air initialement contenu dans la chambre à l'intérieur du réservoir, ceci n'est très souvent pas possible avec les pompes poussoir, car elles sont montées sur des réservoirs de très petite capacité. De ce fait, il n'est pas possible de rejeter l'air initialement contenu dans la chambre vers le réservoir, car le réservoir est entièrement rempli de produit fluide. Le rejet de l'air dans un réservoir de petite capacité pourrait engendrer des dysfonctionnements de la pompe en raison de la pressurisation du produit fluide stocké dans le réservoir. Par conséquent, cette solution de l'art antérieur ne peut pas être appliquée avec des réservoirs de petite contenance, comme ceux sur lesquels les pompes poussoir sont généralement montées. Plus généralement, la présente invention a pour but d'amorcer un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide de manière simple, sans étape supplémentaire, et à moindre coût. La solution consistant à rejeter l'air dans le réservoir est exclue.The problem encountered in this type of pump is the priming of the pump, that is to say the first filling of the chamber with fluid from the reservoir. The aforementioned prior art documents do not deal with this problem. Unlike conventional dispensers in which the pump allows to reject the air initially contained in the chamber inside the tank, this is very often not possible with push pumps, because they are mounted on tanks of very small capacity . Therefore, it is not possible to reject the air initially contained in the chamber to the tank, because the tank is completely filled with fluid. The release of air into a small capacity tank could cause pump malfunctions due to the pressurization of the fluid stored in the tank. Therefore, this solution of the prior art can not be applied with small capacity tanks, such as those on which push pumps are generally mounted. More generally, the present invention aims to prime a fluid dispenser device in a simple manner, without additional step, and at a lower cost. The solution of rejecting air into the tank is excluded.

Pour atteindre ces buts, la présente invention propose un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide selon la revendication 1. Le clapet de sortie est ainsi formé entre le piston et le poussoir, et en fonctionnement normal, le piston se déplace dans le poussoir en réponse à une augmentation de pression du produit fluide dans la chambre. Toutefois, lorsqu'il n'y a pas de produit fluide dans la chambre comme c'est le cas avant son premier remplissage, le piston ne se déplace pas dans le poussoir, car il ne fait que comprimer de l'air. La pression dans la chambre n'atteint alors pas le seuil nécessaire pour faire déplacer le piston dans le poussoir. Ainsi, dans les documents de l'art antérieur, l'actionnement du poussoir n'a pour effet que de comprimer l'air stocké dans la chambre avant son premier remplissage avec du produit fluide. Le clapet de sortie ne peut pas s'ouvrir car le piston ne se déplace pas dans le poussoir. Ainsi, pour laisser échapper l'air qui est piégé à l'intérieur de la chambre, il faut enfoncer le poussoir à fond et exercer une pression supplémentaire pour déformer la partie élastiquement déformable du piston, ce qui entraîne l'ouverture du clapet de sortie, générant un passage de fuite pour l'air sous pression dans la chambre. Dès que la force de pression est relâchée sur le poussoir, le clapet de sortie se referme et le poussoir revient vers sa position de repos ce qui crée une dépression à l'intérieur de la chambre permettant d'aspirer du produit fluide en provenance du réservoir. La chambre est alors remplie de produit fluide et prête à la première distribution.To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser device according to claim 1. The outlet valve is thus formed between the piston and the pusher, and in normal operation, the piston moves in the pusher in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber. However, when there is no fluid in the chamber as is the case before its first filling, the piston does not move in the pusher, because it only compresses air. The pressure in the chamber does not reach the threshold necessary to move the piston in the pusher. Thus, in the documents of the prior art, the actuation of the pusher has the effect of compressing the air stored in the chamber before its first filling with fluid. The outlet valve can not open because the piston does not move in the pusher. Thus, to let air escape which is trapped inside the chamber, it is necessary to push the pusher fully and exert an additional pressure to deform the elastically deformable part of the piston, which causes the opening of the outlet valve. generating a leakage passage for pressurized air in the chamber. As soon as the pressure force is released on the pusher, the outlet valve closes and the pusher returns to its rest position which creates a vacuum inside the chamber to suck fluid from the reservoir. The chamber is then filled with fluid and ready for the first distribution.

Selon une forme de réalisation avantageuse, le piston est un piston différentiel apte à se déplacer avec les variations de pression du produit fluide dans la chambre, le piston étant momentanément hors de contact du poussoir. Avantageusement, le piston est en contact du poussoir lorsque la pression dans la chambre est inférieure à un seuil prédéterminé par un ressort de rappel qui sollicite le piston vers le poussoir. Avantageusement, le poussoir forme une partie de la chambre. Toutefois, la présente invention peut être appliquée à d'autres formes de pompe ou plus généralement de dispositifs de distribution dans lesquels le piston coopère avec le poussoir pour former un clapet de sortie.According to an advantageous embodiment, the piston is a differential piston able to move with the variations of pressure of the fluid product in the chamber, the piston being momentarily out of contact with the pusher. Advantageously, the piston is in contact with the pusher when the pressure in the chamber is below a predetermined threshold by a return spring which urges the piston towards the pusher. Advantageously, the pusher forms part of the chamber. However, the present invention can be applied to other forms of pump or more generally dispensing devices in which the piston cooperates with the pusher to form an outlet valve.

Le clapet de sortie est ainsi formé entre le piston et le poussoir, et en fonctionnement normal, le piston se déplace dans le poussoir en réponse à une augmentation de pression du produit fluide dans la chambre. Toutefois, lorsqu'il n'y a pas de produit fluide dans la chambre comme c'est le cas avant son premier remplissage, le piston ne se déplace pas dans le poussoir, car il ne fait que comprimer de l'air. La pression dans la chambre n'atteint alors pas le seuil nécessaire pour faire déplacer le piston dans le poussoir. Ainsi, dans les documents de l'art antérieur, l'actionnement du poussoir n'a pour effet que de comprimer l'air stocké dans la chambre avant son premier remplissage avec du produit fluide. Le clapet de sortie ne peut pas s'ouvrir car le piston ne se déplace pas dans le poussoir. Grâce à la présente invention, il est possible de déformer le piston avec le poussoir.The outlet valve is thus formed between the piston and the pusher, and in normal operation, the piston moves in the pusher in response to an increase in pressure of the fluid in the chamber. However, when there is no fluid in the chamber as is the case before its first filling, the piston does not move in the pusher, because it only compresses air. The pressure in the chamber does not reach the threshold necessary to move the piston in the pusher. Thus, in the documents of the prior art, the actuation of the pusher has the effect of compressing the air stored in the chamber before its first filling with fluid. The outlet valve can not open because the piston does not move in the pusher. Thanks to the present invention, it is possible to deform the piston with the pusher.

Avantageusement, le poussoir comprend un plateau supérieur sur lequel un utilisateur peut exercer une pression à l'aide d'un doigt et une jupe périphérique formant l'orifice de distribution, le plateau formant le siège de clapet de sortie et une couronne d'appui destinée à venir en appui sur la bride pour la déformer, la couronne étant située radialement à l'extérieur du bord supérieur du fût. La bride qui est avantageusement de forme annulaire vient donc en butée au niveau de sa périphérie interne sur le bord supérieur du fût et est appuyée vers le bas au niveau de sa périphérie externe par le poussoir qui forme avantageusement une couronne d'appui. La bride est donc contrainte de fléchir très légèrement, mais cela suffit pour décoller l'organe mobile de clapet de sortie de son siège et ainsi créer un passage de fuite pour l'air sous pression dans la chambre.Advantageously, the pusher comprises an upper plate on which a user can exert a pressure with the aid of a finger and a peripheral skirt forming the dispensing orifice, the plate forming the outlet valve seat and a support ring. intended to bear on the flange to deform, the ring being located radially outside the upper edge of the barrel. The flange which is advantageously of annular shape therefore abuts at its inner periphery on the upper edge of the barrel and is pressed downwards at its outer periphery by the pusher which advantageously forms a support ring. The flange is therefore forced to bend very slightly, but this is sufficient to take off the movable outlet valve member of its seat and thus create a leakage passage for air under pressure in the chamber.

Selon une forme de réalisation avantageuse qui peut être mise en oeuvre indépendamment des caractéristiques permettant l'amorçage de la pompe, le piston comprend une membrane souple et un collier d'ancrage en prise avec le poussoir, la membrane reliant l'organe mobile de clapet au collier en définissant un canal de sortie pour le produit fluide jusqu'à l'orifice de distribution. Il peut en effet être envisagé de mettre en oeuvre un tel piston (comportant une lèvre de piston, un organe mobile de clapet de sortie, une membrane souple et un collier d'ancrage en prise avec le poussoir) sans bride déformable.According to an advantageous embodiment which can be implemented independently of the characteristics enabling the priming of the pump, the piston comprises a flexible membrane and an anchoring collar engaged with the pusher, the membrane connecting the movable valve member. to the collar by defining an outlet channel for the fluid product to the dispensing orifice. It can indeed be envisaged to implement such a piston (having a piston lip, a movable outlet valve member, a flexible membrane and an anchor collar engaged with the pusher) without deformable flange.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, la partie déformable présente une résistance à la déformation qui est supérieure à la force exercée par le ressort et supérieure ou égale à la pression maximale régnant dans la chambre.According to another characteristic of the invention, the deformable part has a resistance to deformation which is greater than the force exerted by the spring and greater than or equal to the maximum pressure prevailing in the chamber.

Un principe de l'invention est de déformer localement le piston pour contraindre le clapet de sortie à s'ouvrir. On peut ainsi laisser échapper l'air sous pression dans la chambre et amorcer le dispositif. En utilisation normale de distribution, la déformation du piston n'intervient normalement plus. Et même en cas de déformation, cela n'aura aucune conséquence sur la distribution du produit. Ceci s'explique par le fait que l'ouverture forcée du clapet de sortie par déformation du piston a lieu en position enfoncée en exerçant une force supérieure à la force normale de fonctionnement du dispositif. Même si l'utilisateur vient à appuyer très fortement sur le poussoir, le piston se déformerait mais comme la chambre de pompe est vide, il n'y a plus de distribution.A principle of the invention is to locally deform the piston to constrain the outlet valve to open. It is thus possible to let the pressurized air escape into the chamber and to initiate the device. In normal use of distribution, the deformation of the piston normally no longer occurs. And even in case of deformation, it will have no consequences on the distribution of the product. This is explained by the fact that the forced opening of the outlet valve by deformation of the piston takes place in the depressed position exerting a force greater than the normal operating force of the device. Even if the user comes to press very strongly on the pusher, the piston would deform but as the pump chamber is empty, there is more distribution.

L'invention sera maintenant plus amplement décrite en référence aux dessins joints donnant à titre d'exemple non limitatif un mode de réalisation de l'invention.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.

Sur les figures :

  • la figure 1 est une vue en section transversale verticale à travers un dispositif de distribution selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention en position de repos,
  • la figure 2 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 en position enfoncée, et
  • la figure 3 est une vue très fortement agrandie du détail A de la figure 2.
In the figures:
  • the figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention in the rest position,
  • the figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 in the depressed position, and
  • the figure 3 is a very greatly enlarged view of detail A of the figure 2 .

Le dispositif de distribution des figures est une pompe qui est représentée associée à un récipient R comprenant un col C sur lequel le dispositif de distribution de l'invention est fixé.The dispensing device of the figures is a pump which is shown associated with a container R comprising a neck C on which the dispensing device of the invention is fixed.

La pompe comprend cinq éléments constitutifs, à savoir un corps 1, un poussoir 2, un piston 3, un ressort 4 et un organe mobile 5 de clapet d'entrée. La pompe peut en outre comprendre un tube plongeur 6. Le corps, le poussoir, le piston, l'organe mobile 5 et le tube plongeur 6 sont de préférence réalisés par moulage de matière plastique. La pompe comprend une chambre de pompe 10.The pump comprises five components, namely a body 1, a pusher 2, a piston 3, a spring 4 and a movable member 5 of the inlet valve. The pump may further comprise a plunger tube 6. The body, the plunger, the piston, the movable member 5 and the plunger tube 6 are preferably made by molding plastics material. The pump comprises a pump chamber 10.

Le corps 1 comprend une bague de fixation 11 qui coopère avec le col C pour la fixation de la pompe sur le récipient R. La bague 11 est en prise avec l'extérieur du col. D'autre part, le corps forme une lèvre autojointante 12 en prise étanche avec la paroi interne du col. Le corps 1 forme également une douille de guidage 14. Le corps forme également un fût de piston principal 17 qui définit intérieurement une surface de coulissement étanche, dont la fonction sera donnée ci-après. Le fût 17 définit un bord supérieur libre 171 qui va servir de butée pour le piston, comme on le verra ci-après. Le corps forme aussi un manchon d'entrée 16 qui forme un siège de clapet d'entrée 15. Le tube plongeur 6 se raccorde au manchon 16 qui est traversé par un conduit d'entrée 18. Le manchon d'entrée 16 s'étend de manière concentrique en dessous du fût 17.The body 1 comprises a fixing ring 11 which cooperates with the neck C for fixing the pump on the container R. The ring 11 is engaged with the outside of the neck. On the other hand, the body forms a self-sealing lip 12 in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the neck. The body 1 also forms a guide sleeve 14. The body also forms a main piston shaft 17 which internally defines a sealed sliding surface, whose function will be given below. The drum 17 defines a free upper edge 171 which will serve as a stop for the piston, as will be seen below. The body also forms an inlet sleeve 16 which forms an inlet valve seat 15. The plunger tube 6 is connected to the sleeve 16 which is traversed by an inlet conduit 18. The inlet sleeve 16 extends concentrically below the drum 17.

Le corps 1 présente une symétrie axiale de révolution autour d'un axe X qui s'étend de manière longitudinale au centre axial du conduit d'entrée 18.The body 1 has an axial symmetry of revolution about an axis X which extends longitudinally at the axial center of the inlet duct 18.

Il s'agit là d'une conception particulière pour un corps particulier d'un dispositif de distribution selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention. Bien entendu, le corps peut présenter d'autres caractéristiques que celles qui viennent d'être décrites, sans pour autant sortir du cadre de l'invention défini par les revendications annexées.This is a particular design for a particular body of a dispensing device according to one embodiment of the invention. Good understood, the body may have other characteristics than those just described, without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.

Le poussoir 2 forme une tête de distribution pour la pompe. Le poussoir 2 comprend un plateau d'appui 21 et une jupe périphérique 22 qui s'étend vers le bas à partir de la périphérie externe du plateau d'appui. Ainsi, le poussoir 2 présente une forme générale de godet renversé dont le plateau d'appui forme le fond et la jupe la paroi latérale cylindrique. Toutefois, la jupe n'est pas forcément de forme cylindrique. Elle peut présenter des sections tronconiques ou arrondies.The pusher 2 forms a dispensing head for the pump. The pusher 2 comprises a support plate 21 and a peripheral skirt 22 which extends downwards from the outer periphery of the support plate. Thus, the pusher 2 has a general shape of inverted bucket whose support plate forms the bottom and the skirt the cylindrical side wall. However, the skirt is not necessarily cylindrical. It may have frustoconical or rounded sections.

Le plateau d'appui 21 comprend une zone d'appui 211 sur laquelle on peut appuyer à l'aide d'un ou de plusieurs doigt(s). Le plateau 21 forme au niveau de sa paroi inférieure une couronne d'appui 26 et un siège annulaire 27 pour le clapet de sortie. Le siège est ici formé par un renfort externe de la couronne.The support plate 21 comprises a bearing zone 211 on which one can press with one or more finger (s). The plate 21 forms at its lower wall a bearing ring 26 and an annular seat 27 for the outlet valve. The seat is here formed by an external reinforcement of the crown.

La jupe 22 comprend une paroi supérieure de distribution 23 et une paroi inférieure de guidage 24. La paroi de distribution 23 est raccordée à son extrémité supérieure à la périphérie externe du plateau d'appui 21. La paroi de distribution 23 est formée avec un orifice de distribution traversant 25 qui s'étend de la surface interne jusqu'à la surface externe. L'orifice de distribution 25 peut déboucher au niveau de la surface externe dans une coupelle de diffusion 251.The skirt 22 comprises an upper distribution wall 23 and a lower guide wall 24. The distribution wall 23 is connected at its upper end to the outer periphery of the support plate 21. The distribution wall 23 is formed with an orifice dispensing nozzle 25 extending from the inner surface to the outer surface. The dispensing orifice 25 may open at the level of the external surface in a diffusion cup 251.

La paroi de guidage 24 comprend un cordon de butée 241 sur sa surface interne destiné à coopérer avec la douille de guidage 14. Le cordon de butée 241 permet de solidariser le poussoir au corps, qui ne peut ainsi que se déplacer axialement sur une course maximale déterminée.The guide wall 24 comprises an abutment bead 241 on its inner surface designed to cooperate with the guide sleeve 14. The abutment bead 241 makes it possible to secure the pusher to the body, which can thus only move axially on a maximum stroke determined.

Dans le mode de réalisation choisi pour illustrer l'invention, le piston 3 comprend une lèvre 36 engagée à coulissement étanche dans le fut 17, une tige axiale 35 traversée par un canal de liaison 37, une bride annulaire radiale 31 qui s'étend vers l'extérieur à partir de la tige au-dessus du bord 171 du fût 17, un organe mobile 32 pour le clapet de sortie, une membrane souple 33 et un collier d'ancrage 34. Plus précisément, la lèvre 36 est formée à l'extrémité inférieure de la tige axiale 35. Le canal de liaison 37 traverse la tige 35 de manière sensiblement axiale. La bride 31 est raccordée à l'extrémité supérieure de la tige 35. Le diamètre de la tige 35 est légèrement inférieur au diamètre interne du fût 17. Le bord interne de la bride 31 est situé juste au-dessus du bord 171 du fût 17. L'organe mobile 32 pour le clapet de sortie est formé au niveau de la périphérie externe de la bride 31. L'organe mobile peut se présenter sous la forme d'une nervure annulaire adaptée à venir en contact étanche sélectif avec le siège 27 formé par le plateau 21. du poussoir 2. En position de repos représentée sur la figure 1, le ressort de rappel 4 pousse la bride 31 vers le plateau 21, de sorte que la nervure 32 est appuyée contre le siège 27. Le clapet de sortie est alors fermé. Le ressort de rappel 4 prend appui d'une part sur le corps 1 et d'autre part sous la bride 31. Le ressort 4 est disposé autour du fût 17. Le collier d'ancrage 34 vient en prise serrante étanche contre la paroi de distribution 23 de la jupe 22 du poussoir 2. Le collier d'ancrage 34 est ainsi solidaire du poussoir 2. Le collier d'ancrage 34 est annulaire et est situé en dessous de l'orifice de distribution 25. La membrane souple 33 relie le collier d'ancrage 34 à la bride 31. Ainsi, un canal de sortie 28 est formé entre le poussoir et la membrane 33. Ce canal fait communiquer le clapet de sortie 32, 27 avec l'orifice de distribution 25. Le canal de sortie 28 présente une configuration annulaire.In the embodiment chosen to illustrate the invention, the piston 3 comprises a lip 36 engaged in leaktight sliding in the barrel 17, an axial rod 35 traversed by a connecting channel 37, a radial annular flange 31 which extends towards the outside from the rod above the edge 171 of the barrel 17, a movable member 32 for the outlet valve, a flexible membrane 33 and an anchoring collar 34. More specifically, the lip 36 is formed at the lower end of the axial rod 35. The connecting channel 37 passes through the rod 35 substantially axially. The flange 31 is connected to the upper end of the rod 35. The diameter of the rod 35 is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the barrel 17. The inner edge of the flange 31 is located just above the edge 171 of the barrel 17. The movable member 32 for the outlet valve is formed at the outer periphery of the flange 31. The movable member may be in the form of an annular rib adapted to come into selective sealing contact with the seat 27 formed by the plate 21. of the pusher 2. In position of rest represented on the figure 1 , the return spring 4 pushes the flange 31 towards the plate 21, so that the rib 32 is pressed against the seat 27. The outlet valve is then closed. The return spring 4 is supported on the one hand on the body 1 and on the other hand under the flange 31. The spring 4 is disposed around the barrel 17. The anchor collar 34 engages sealingly tight against the wall of 23 distribution of the skirt 22 of the pusher 2. The anchoring collar 34 is thus integral with the pusher 2. The anchoring collar 34 is annular and is located below the dispensing orifice 25. The flexible membrane 33 connects the anchoring collar 34 to the flange 31. Thus, an outlet channel 28 is formed between the pusher and the diaphragm 33. This channel communicates the outlet valve 32, 27 with the dispensing orifice 25. The outlet channel 28 has an annular configuration.

A la place de la membrane 33 et du collier 34, on peut prévoir une lèvre de clapet de sortie qui coulisse de manière étanche dans le poussoir.Instead of the membrane 33 and the collar 34, an outlet valve lip can be provided which slides in a sealed manner in the pusher.

Selon l'invention, une partie du piston 3 est réalisée de manière à être élastiquement déformable. Bien entendu, il ne s'agit pas de la membrane souple 33. Dans le mode de réalisation utilisé pour illustrer la présente invention, la partie élastiquement déformable est formée par la bride 31 reliant la tige 35 à l'organe mobile 32 du clapet de sortie. Cette bride 31 est amenée à se déformer, et plus particulièrement à fléchir, lorsque le poussoir 2 appuie sur la bride 31 alors que celle-ci est en butée sur le bord supérieur libre 171 du fût 17, comme on peut le voir sur les figures 2 ou 3. Plus particulièrement, c'est la couronne d'appui 26 qui vient appuyer sur la paroi supérieure de la bride 31 alors que sa paroi inférieure est en butée sur le bord 171. On peut noter que la couronne 26 est située radialement plus à l'extérieur que le bord 171, de sorte que la bride 31 va se déformer en fléchissant vers le bas au niveau de sa périphérie externe. Or, c'est précisément sur sa périphérie externe qu'est formée la nervure servant d'organe mobile 32 de clapet de sortie. Par conséquent, la flexion de la bride 31 par appui de la couronne 26 va entraîner une légère ouverture du clapet de sortie par décollement de la nervure 32 de son siège 27, comme on peut le voir sur la figure 3. Le fléchissement de la bride 31 n'est pas perceptible sur la figure 2 : en effet, il n'est pas nécessaire que le clapet de sortie soit largement ouvert. Au contraire, un faible interstice imperceptible à l'oeil nu est suffisant pour permettre à l'air sous pression dans la chambre de s'échapper dans le canal de sortie 28 pour gagner l'orifice 25. Cet interstice imperceptible a été désigné sur la figure 3 par la lettre I.According to the invention, part of the piston 3 is made to be elastically deformable. Of course, it is not the flexible membrane 33. In the embodiment used to illustrate the present invention, the elastically deformable portion is formed by the flange 31 connecting the rod 35 to the movable member 32 of the valve member. exit. This flange 31 is caused to deform, and more particularly to bend, when the pusher 2 presses the flange 31 while it is in abutment on the free upper edge 171 of the barrel 17, as can be seen on the Figures 2 or 3 . More particularly, it is the support ring 26 that presses on the upper wall of the flange 31 while its lower wall abuts on the edge 171. It may be noted that the ring 26 is located radially further to the outside the edge 171, so that the flange 31 will deform by bending down at its outer periphery. Gold, it is precisely on its outer periphery that is formed the rib serving as movable member 32 of the outlet valve. Therefore, the bending of the flange 31 by bearing of the ring 26 will cause a slight opening of the outlet valve by detachment of the rib 32 from its seat 27, as can be seen on the figure 3 . The deflection of the flange 31 is not perceptible on the figure 2 : Indeed, it is not necessary that the outlet valve is widely open. On the contrary, a small gap imperceptible to the naked eye is sufficient to allow the air under pressure in the chamber to escape into the outlet channel 28 to gain the orifice 25. This imperceptible gap has been designated on the figure 3 by the letter I.

Le corps 1, le poussoir 2 et le piston 3 forment ensemble une chambre de pompe 10 qui s'étend de manière continue dans le fût principal 17, à travers le canal de liaison 37, entre le plateau 21 et la bride 31. Dans la position de repos représentée sur la figure 1, le ressort 4 pousse le piston 3 en butée contre le poussoir. Plus précisément, le ressort pousse l'organe de clapet 32 contre le siège 27. La couronne 26 du plateau 21 vient en contact léger avec la bride sans perturber le contact étanche du clapet de sortie. La couronne peut même être légèrement décollée de la bride. Le clapet d'entrée est fermé.The body 1, the pusher 2 and the piston 3 together form a pump chamber 10 which extends continuously in the main drum 17, through the connecting channel 37, between the plate 21 and the flange 31. In the rest position shown on the figure 1 , the spring 4 pushes the piston 3 in abutment against the pusher. More specifically, the spring pushes the valve member 32 against the seat 27. The ring 26 of the plate 21 comes into light contact with the flange without disturbing the sealing contact of the outlet valve. The crown may even be slightly peeled off the flange. The inlet flap is closed.

En exerçant une force sur la zone d'appui 211, le poussoir se déplace axialement par rapport au corps 1 en entraînant le piston. Dans un premier temps, le déplacement du poussoir a pour effet de plaquer le clapet d'entrée. Ainsi, la chambre de pompe 10 est isolée du réservoir R. A partir de ce moment, le produit dans la chambre de pompe 10 va être mis sous pression. Du fait que le produit fluide est incompressible, le volume utile total de la chambre de pompe reste obligatoirement constant. Mais comme le piston principal 36 s'enfonce dans le fût 17 diminuant ainsi le volume de la partie basse de la chambre, un nouveau volume doit être crée. Ceci est possible du fait que le piston différentiel se déplace en éloignement du plateau d'appui 21. Ceci a pour effet de décoller l'organe mobile de son siège et donc d'ouvrir le clapet de sortie. Le produit fluide sous pression dans la chambre de pompe trouve ainsi un passage de sortie jusqu'à l'orifice de distribution. Le passage reste ouvert tant que la pression à l'intérieur de la chambre peut surmonter la force du ressort 4. La position enfoncée est atteinte lorsque la bride 31 vient en butée sur le bord 171 du fût. La chambre 10 est alors à son volume minimal.By exerting a force on the bearing zone 211, the pusher moves axially relative to the body 1 by driving the piston. At first, the movement of the pusher has the effect of pressing the inlet valve. Thus, the pump chamber 10 is isolated from the reservoir R. From this moment, the product in the pump chamber 10 will be pressurized. Since the fluid product is incompressible, the total useful volume of the pump chamber must remain constant. But as the main piston 36 sinks into the drum 17 thus decreasing the volume of the lower part of the chamber, a new volume must be created. This is possible because the differential piston moves away from the support plate 21. This has the effect of detaching the movable member from its seat and thus to open the outlet valve. The fluid under pressure in the pump chamber thus finds an outlet passage to the dispensing orifice. The passage remains open as long as the pressure to the interior of the chamber can overcome the force of the spring 4. The depressed position is reached when the flange 31 abuts on the edge 171 of the barrel. The chamber 10 is then at its minimum volume.

Dès que la pression diminue en dessous d'un certain seuil à l'intérieur de la chambre, le ressort 4 repousse le piston vers la position de repos représentée sur la figure 1. Le clapet de sortie est alors à nouveau fermé. Le déplacement de l'organe mobile, de la tige et de la lèvre est rendu possible par la présence de la membrane souple 33 qui fait fonction de liaison souple entre la bride mobile et le collier d'ancrage fixe 34. En condition normale de fonctionnement (distribution), seule la membrane souple est amenée à se déformer, la bride n'est pas déformée. Ceci correspond à un cycle normal de fonctionnement de la pompe une fois qu'elle a été amorcée, c'est-à-dire avec sa chambre remplie de produit fluide.As soon as the pressure decreases below a certain threshold inside the chamber, the spring 4 pushes the piston towards the rest position represented on the figure 1 . The outlet valve is then closed again. The displacement of the movable member, the rod and the lip is made possible by the presence of the flexible membrane 33 which acts as a flexible connection between the mobile flange and the fixed anchoring collar 34. Under normal operating conditions (distribution), only the flexible membrane is caused to deform, the flange is not deformed. This corresponds to a normal cycle of operation of the pump once it has been primed, that is to say with its chamber filled with fluid.

En revanche, lorsque la chambre 10 est vide de produit fluide et uniquement remplie d'air, ce qui est le cas avant sa première utilisation après fabrication et montage, ce cycle de fonctionnement n'est pas possible étant donné que la pression à l'intérieur de la chambre n'atteint pas le seuil suffisant et nécessaire à déplacer le piston à l'intérieur du poussoir. En effet, l'air est un milieu compressible contrairement aux liquides qui sont des incompressibles. On peut ainsi actionner le poussoir sans que la chambre ne se vide de son air. Ceci est le cas des dispositifs de l'art antérieur, mais cet inconvénient est remédié selon la présente invention par la présence de la bride élastiquement déformable 31 du piston. En effet, en se référant à nouveau à la figure 2, on peut voir la pompe en position enfoncée avec son ressort 4 comprimé au maximum. L'extrémité inférieure de la jupe est en éloignement de la bague de fixation du corps. En appuyant alors fortement sur le plateau 21 du poussoir 2, la couronne 26 va fortement appuyer sur la bride de manière à la faire fléchir extérieurement vers le bas. Le clapet de sortie va s'ouvrir et la chambre 10 va se vider de l'air initialement piégé à l'intérieur. La jupe du poussoir peut alors venir en butée sur la bague de fixation 11 du corps. Dès que la force d'appui diminue, la bride 31 revient vers son état non déformé, ce qui referme à nouveau l'interstice I entre la nervure 32 et le siège 27. La chambre est ainsi à nouveau isolée de l'extérieur et une dépression va se créer à mesure que le ressort 4 se détend pour ramener le piston et le poussoir en position de repos de la figure 1. La dépression générée va soulever l'organe mobile 5 du clapet d'entrée et du produit fluide en provenance du réservoir peut alors remonter à travers le tube plongeur 6 et parvenir jusqu'à l'intérieur de la chambre 10 qui va se remplir de produit fluide pour la première fois.On the other hand, when the chamber 10 is empty of fluid product and only filled with air, which is the case before its first use after manufacture and assembly, this operating cycle is not possible since the pressure at the inside the chamber does not reach the threshold sufficient and necessary to move the piston inside the pusher. Indeed, air is a compressible medium unlike liquids that are incompressible. It is thus possible to actuate the pusher without the chamber being emptied of its air. This is the case of the devices of the prior art, but this disadvantage is remedied according to the present invention by the presence of the elastically deformable flange 31 of the piston. Indeed, by referring again to the figure 2 , we can see the pump in the depressed position with its spring 4 compressed to the maximum. The lower end of the skirt is away from the fixing ring of the body. Then pressing strongly on the plate 21 of the pusher 2, the ring 26 will strongly press the flange so as to bend it outwardly downward. The outlet valve will open and the chamber 10 will empty the air initially trapped inside. The skirt of the pusher can then come to a stop on the fixing ring 11 of the body. As soon as the support force decreases, the flange 31 returns to its undistorted state, which closes again the gap I between the rib 32 and the seat 27. The chamber is thus again isolated from the outside and a depression will be created as the spring 4 expands to return the piston and the pusher to the rest position of the figure 1 . The depression generated will lift the movable member 5 of the inlet valve and the fluid from the reservoir can then go up through the dip tube 6 and reach the interior of the chamber 10 which will fill with product fluid for the first time.

Avantageusement, la bride 31 présente une résistance à la déformation qui est supérieure à la force exercée par le ressort 4 et supérieure ou égale à la pression maximale régnant à l'intérieur de la chambre 10. En effet, il est préférable que la bride ne se déforme pas en condition normale de fonctionnement de la pompe. En d'autres termes, une fois que la pompe est amorcée, l'utilisateur n'est normalement plus amené à déformer la bride lorsqu'il appuie sur le poussoir pour distribuer le produit fluide. Il suffit pour cela de réaliser la bride avec une épaisseur de paroi suffisante. Bien entendu, si l'utilisateur appuie très fortement sur le poussoir en position enfoncée, la bride va se déformer, mais cette déformation n'aura aucune incidence sur le fonctionnement de la pompe, étant donné que la chambre de pompe 10 aura déjà été vidée de son contenu. En relâchant cette force d'appui, la bride va d'abord revenir vers sa position non déformée, et c'est seulement après que le ressort 4 va commencer à se détendre.Advantageously, the flange 31 has a resistance to deformation which is greater than the force exerted by the spring 4 and greater than or equal to the maximum pressure prevailing inside the chamber 10. In fact, it is preferable that the flange does not deform under normal operating conditions of the pump. In other words, once the pump is primed, the user is not normally required to deform the flange when he presses the pusher to dispense the fluid. Simply make the flange with a sufficient wall thickness. Of course, if the user very strongly presses the pushbutton in the depressed position, the flange will deform, but this deformation will have no impact on the operation of the pump, since the pump chamber 10 has already been emptied of its contents. By releasing this support force, the flange will first return to its undistorted position, and only after the spring 4 will begin to relax.

Ainsi, grâce à la bride déformable du piston, il est possible d'ouvrir le clapet de sortie et créer un passage de fuite pour l'air initialement prisonnier de la chambre de pompe. La bride forme ici la partie déformable. On peut aussi imaginer de déformer une autre partie du piston, ou même le poussoir. De même, la butée pour la bride est ici formée par le bord supérieur 171 du fût 17. En variante, on peut se servir d'une autre partie du dispositif, comme le corps ou le ressort, pour réaliser cette butée pour la bride ou une autre partie déformable du piston.Thus, thanks to the deformable flange of the piston, it is possible to open the outlet valve and create a leakage passage for the air initially trapped in the pump chamber. The flange here forms the deformable part. One can also imagine deforming another part of the piston, or even the pusher. Similarly, the abutment for the flange is here formed by the upper edge 171 of the barrel 17. In a variant, another part of the device, such as the body or the spring, can be used to make this abutment for the flange or another deformable part of the piston.

L'amorçage du dispositif de distribution peut être effectué par l'utilisateur ou en usine. L'amorçage peut servir d'indication de premier usage.Priming of the dispensing device can be done by the user or in the factory. Priming can serve as an indication of first use.

La bride présente ici une forme de disque plan. Elle peut présenter d'autres formes : tronconique, étagée, etc.The flange here has a flat disc shape. It can present other forms: frustoconical, stepped, etc.

Claims (8)

  1. A liquid dispenser device for being associated with a liquid reservoir (R), said device comprising:
    · a liquid dispenser orifice (25);
    · a pusher (2) that is axially displaceable down and up between a rest position and a depressed position;
    · a chamber (10) provided with an inlet valve (5, 15), an outlet valve (27, 32), and a piston (3) that is suitable for varying the volume of the chamber (10), the outlet valve comprising a movable valve member (32) and a valve seat (27), the valve member being secured in displacement with the piston (3), the piston (3) including an elastically-deformable portion (31) that is deformed by the pusher (2) in its depressed position, in such a manner as to open the outlet valve, the pusher (2) forming the valve seat (27) of the outlet valve;
    the dispenser device being characterized in that it further comprises a body (1) for being mounted on an opening (C) of a reservoir (R), the body (1) forming a piston-receiving slide-cylinder (17) defining a free top edge (171), the piston (3) including a piston lip (36) in leaktight sliding contact in the piston-receiving cylinder (17), and an annular flange (31) that extends outwards above the top edge (171) of the cylinder (17), the valve member (32) being formed on the outer periphery of the annular flange (31), the elastically-deformable portion being formed by the annular flange (31), the pusher (2) coming to bear against the annular flange (31) when the flange is in abutment against the top edge (171) of the cylinder, thereby deforming the flange and opening the outlet valve.
  2. A dispenser device according to claim 1, in which the piston (3) is a differential piston that is suitable for being displaced by the variations in the pressure of the liquid in the chamber, the piston being momentarily out of contact with the pusher.
  3. A dispenser device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which, when the pressure in the chamber is less than a predetermined threshold, the piston (3) is in contact with the pusher (2) by means of a return spring (4) that urges the piston (3) towards the pusher (2).
  4. A dispenser device according to any preceding claim, in which the pusher (2) defines a portion of the chamber (10).
  5. A dispenser device according to any claim 1 to 4, in which the pusher (2) comprises a top plate (21) on which a user can exert pressure by means of a finger, and a peripheral skirt (22) forming the dispenser orifice (25), the plate (21) forming the outlet valve seat (27) and an annular bearing rim (26) for coming to bear against the flange (31) so as to deform it, the rim (26) being situated radially outside the top edge (171) of the cylinder (17).
  6. A dispenser device according to claim 5, in which the piston (3) includes a flexible membrane (33), and an anchor collar (34) that is engaged with the pusher (2), the membrane (33) connecting the valve member (32) to the collar (34), defining an outlet channel (28) for the liquid as far as the dispenser orifice (25).
  7. A dispenser device according to claim 3, in which the deformable portion (31) presents resistance to deformation that is greater than the force exerted by the spring, and greater than or equal to the maximum pressure existing in the chamber.
  8. A dispenser device according to any preceding claim, in which the deformable portion (31) of the piston deforms after the pusher has reached its depressed position.
EP07848349A 2006-09-27 2007-09-20 Fluid product dispensing device Active EP2069077B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0653967A FR2906233B1 (en) 2006-09-27 2006-09-27 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUID PRODUCT.
PCT/FR2007/051977 WO2008037910A1 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-20 Fluid product dispensing device

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2069077A1 EP2069077A1 (en) 2009-06-17
EP2069077B1 true EP2069077B1 (en) 2010-07-21

Family

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07848349A Active EP2069077B1 (en) 2006-09-27 2007-09-20 Fluid product dispensing device

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US7770759B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2069077B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101534958B (en)
AT (1) ATE474671T1 (en)
BR (1) BRPI0717543A2 (en)
DE (1) DE602007007971D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2348798T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2906233B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2008037910A1 (en)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102009006428B4 (en) * 2009-01-23 2011-06-22 Ing. Erich Pfeiffer GmbH, 78315 discharge
DE102011106261A1 (en) * 2011-05-18 2012-11-22 Meadwestvaco Calmar Gmbh Dispenser for metered delivery of liquid media
FR3031916B1 (en) * 2015-01-27 2019-12-13 Lablabo PRODUCT PACKAGING AND DISPENSING DEVICE HAVING PROTECTIVE ARRANGEMENT FOR CHILDREN
FR3090415A1 (en) * 2018-12-24 2020-06-26 Albea Services Pump for cosmetic bottle, waterproof in low pressure conditions
KR20230016056A (en) 2020-05-29 2023-01-31 알피씨 브램라지 게엠베하 pump for dispensing fluid

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004071673A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-26 Wordon Gmbh Pump

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US4252507A (en) * 1979-09-10 1981-02-24 Seaquist Valve Company Hand-actuatable pump assembly
DE68909310T2 (en) * 1988-06-02 1994-03-24 Tech De Pulverisation Step Par Admission pressure metering pump with improved suction behavior.
FR2656901B1 (en) * 1990-01-08 1993-02-19 Step Soc Tech Pulverisation IMPROVEMENT OF A PREPRESSURE DOSING PUMP TO IMPROVE THE PRIMING AND GUARANTEE ITS EASE OF ASSEMBLY.
US5192006A (en) * 1991-05-01 1993-03-09 Risdon Corporation Low profile pump
DE4129474A1 (en) * 1991-09-05 1993-03-11 Pfeiffer Erich Gmbh & Co Kg DISCHARGE DEVICE FOR MEDIA
EP1701800A1 (en) * 2003-12-22 2006-09-20 Valois SAS Fluid product dispensing member and dispenser comprising one such member
US7527177B2 (en) * 2003-12-22 2009-05-05 Valois S.A.S. Fluid dispenser member
US7523844B2 (en) * 2003-12-22 2009-04-28 Valois S.A.S. Fluid dispenser
US7182225B2 (en) * 2004-02-23 2007-02-27 Valois S.A.S. Fluid dispenser member
FR2906232B1 (en) * 2006-09-27 2008-12-12 Valois Sas DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUID PRODUCT.
FR2919275B1 (en) * 2007-07-24 2012-04-27 Valois Sas FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING MEMBER.

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WO2004071673A1 (en) * 2003-02-14 2004-08-26 Wordon Gmbh Pump

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20080073380A1 (en) 2008-03-27
CN101534958B (en) 2012-06-13
FR2906233B1 (en) 2011-02-11
DE602007007971D1 (en) 2010-09-02
WO2008037910A8 (en) 2009-05-07
BRPI0717543A2 (en) 2013-10-22
FR2906233A1 (en) 2008-03-28
EP2069077A1 (en) 2009-06-17
CN101534958A (en) 2009-09-16
ATE474671T1 (en) 2010-08-15
US7770759B2 (en) 2010-08-10
WO2008037910A1 (en) 2008-04-03
ES2348798T3 (en) 2010-12-14

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