EP2532442B1 - Vial for dispensing a fluid product - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing bottle of a fluid product, in particular a liquid product, for example a cosmetic care, make-up or perfume product, or a pharmaceutical product.

Such a dispensing bottle of a fluid product is known from WO2010 / 094963 which discloses the preamble of claim 1.

The dispensing bottle comprises a body in which a product conditioning tank is formed, as well as a device for removing the packaged product which is sealingly mounted on said body. In particular, the sampling device may comprise a manually operated pump which is fed with conditioned product, said pump being arranged to distribute the product under pressure, for example in the form of an aerosol.

The sampling device comprises conditioned product supply means, for example formed of a dip tube, which have an upstream orifice disposed in the reservoir to allow the sampling of the product to be dispensed.

In an exemplary application, the bottles according to the invention allow the distribution of product samples, in particular for a volume of packaged product in the reservoir which is between 1 and 10 ml. In particular, the samples thus distributed can allow a customer to test the product, the bottles then being called sample vials. Alternatively, the bottles can be called "bag" in that they can easily transport a reduced volume of product, as opposed to bottles of higher capacity which are usually heavy and bulky because affluent.

In these applications, for example for logistical, practical or environmental recycling reasons, it may be desirable to be able to recharge the reservoir product from a source of said product. Indeed, it is impractical for a user to fill the tank with a small funnel and unecological to discard an empty bottle to replace it with a full constituent refill.

Dispensing bottles are already offered for sale, in which the body is equipped with a tank filling valve which is arranged to allow the communication of a product source with said reservoir. In particular, the valve can be opened by pressing the nozzle of the pump of a source bottle that must be actuated several times to perform the filling, which is an unintuitive gesture for the user.

Dispensing vials whose reservoir is empty of product have been proposed and have an air depression which is arranged in order to be able subsequently to perform the initial filling of the reservoir with product by placing in sealed communication a source of product with said reservoir by via a valve so that said depression induces the filling of said reservoir by suction of the product contained in said source.

However, there is the problem of the conservation in time of the air depression in the tank. Indeed, the sampling devices are never perfectly tight micro-air leaks because they include many sealing areas by clamping and are composed of plastic or elastomeric materials which, over time, are slightly porous to the air.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a dispensing bottle in which an air depression in the reservoir can be preserved during storage of the bottle before its initial filling, so as to make reliable the filling capacity by suction said tank by sealing communication a source of product with said tank.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a dispensing bottle of a fluid product comprising a body in which a reservoir for packaging said product is formed, said bottle further comprising a device for sampling said packaged product which is mounted in a sealed manner on said body, said sampling device comprising means for supplying product conditioning having an upstream orifice disposed in the reservoir, said body being equipped with a filling valve of said reservoir which is arranged to allow the communication of a source of product with said reservoir, the reservoir being empty of product and having an air depression which is arranged to be able to carry out the subsequent filling of the reservoir with product by sealed communication of a source of product with said reservoir via the valve so that said depression induces the filling of said reservoir by suction of the product contained in said source, said bottle further comprising an envelope mounted in the reservoir for compartmentalizing said reservoir in an internal space in which the upstream orifice is disposed and an external space, said valve comprising means for breaking said envelope when filling the tank to connect the spaces external and internal.

• les figures 1 représentent en coupe longitudinale un flacon de distribution selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement en état de stockage (figure 1a) et en état de remplissage (figure 1 b) ;
• les figures 2 représentent en coupe longitudinale un flacon de distribution selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement en état de stockage (figure 2a) et en état de remplissage (figure 2b).

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the figures 1 represent in longitudinal section a dispensing bottle according to one embodiment of the invention, respectively in a storage state ( figure 1a ) and in the filling state ( Figure 1 (b) ;
• the figures 2 represent in longitudinal section a dispensing bottle according to another embodiment of the invention, respectively in a storage state ( figure 2a ) and in the filling state ( figure 2b ).

In the description, the spatial positioning terms are taken with reference to the position of the bottle shown in the figures.

In connection with the figures, there is described below a bottle for containing a fluid for distribution. In particular examples, the product may be liquid, in particular a cosmetic care, make-up or perfume product, or a pharmaceutical product.

The bottle comprises a body 1 in which a container 2 for packaging the product is formed. According to a particular application, the tank 2 may have a capacity of between 1 and 10 ml so as to allow the distribution of product samples.

In the embodiments shown, the body 1 is rigid, especially having sufficient rigidity so that the volume of the reservoir 2 remains substantially constant. The body 1 may be in one piece, for example produced by injection-blow molding or extrusion-blow molding, or in several parts injected and then assembled, for example by ultrasonic welding or by rotary friction, made of rigid plastic material, of metal, for example made of aluminum, or glass. In variant not shown, the body 1 can be flexible, especially deformable during the distribution of the product.

The bottle comprises a sampling device 3 of the packaged product which is sealingly mounted on the body 1, in particular in the upper opening of said body. The sampling device 3 is equipped with a push button 4 which is provided with a dispensing orifice 5 of said product, said push button being reversibly movable over an actuating stroke of said device between a rest position and a depressed position in which the dispensing orifice 5 is in communication with the reservoir 2 via said device.

The sampling device 3 comprises means for supplying the packaged product which, in the figures, comprises a dip tube 6 disposed in the tank 2, said tube having an upstream orifice 6a disposed in the tank 2. Furthermore, the dip tube 6 has a downstream orifice equipped with a valve 7 for entering the product in the sampling device 3.

In the embodiments shown, the sampling device comprises a dispensing pump 3 manually operated by means of a push button 4 which is fed with the product under pressure for distribution. The push button 4 is mounted on the nozzle 8 of the pump 3 in putting the dispensing orifice 5 in communication with an outlet channel 8a of said nozzle.

The pump 3 also comprises a piston 9 mounted around the nozzle 8 to delimit a metering chamber 10, said nozzle being reversibly movable over a distribution stroke - suction respectively - in which the piston 9 opens - respectively closes - the communication between the outlet channel 8a and the metering chamber 10.

The push button 4 comprises an upper zone allowing the user to exert a digital support on said push button in order to be able to move the nozzle 8 on its dispensing stroke to a depressed position of said push button, the return of the push button 4 in the rest position on the suction stroke of the nozzle 8 being conventionally realized by a spring 11.

The push button 4 is equipped with a spray nozzle 12 which is arranged to radially distribute an aerosol of the product through the dispensing orifice 5. However, the invention is not limited to a particular mode of dispensing the dispenser. product. In particular, especially for a nasal spraying nozzle, the push button 4 may allow axial distribution of the product and another type of sampling device 3 may be envisaged.

The body 1 of the bottle is equipped with a valve 13 for filling the reservoir 2 which is arranged to allow the communication of a source of product with said reservoir. The source of the product may comprise a source reservoir on which an outlet tube is arranged, the product filling of the reservoir 2 being carried out by mounting said tube in sealed support on the valve 13 which is arranged to open reversibly.

In particular, it is possible to use as a product source a nipple of higher capacity, said bottle being equipped with a pump whose push button is removed to allow the arrangement of the nozzle in sealing engagement with the valve 13. in addition to the opening of the valve 13, the waterproof support causes the pump to open in order to allow the filler to pass through it.

In another embodiment, the source reservoir is formed inside a flexible bag which can be filled with product without air or gas for the proper preservation of said product. The transfer of the product into the tank 2 is then possible in all positions and the flexible bag can not be diverted from its source role since no propellant or internal pressure, or push button to actuate a possible pump or valve associated with the tube Release.

In the embodiments shown, the filling valve 13 is disposed on the lower end of the body 1, so in particular to fill the tank 2 by the bottom of the bottle, which corresponds to an intuitive gesture.

To do this, the lower end of the body 1 has an orifice 14 for communication with the reservoir 2 and the valve 13 comprises a nozzle 15 which is movable between a stable position for sealing the orifice 14 of the reservoir and a constrained position filling said tank by opening said orifice.

In connection with the figures, the nozzle 15 is provided with an internal channel 16, said nozzle being mounted in translation in a ring 17 which is sealed in a cage 18 formed under the body 1. The valve 13 further comprises a spring 19 for returning the nozzle 15 in the closed position and two respectively external 20 and internal 21 seals for sealing the mounting of the nozzle 15 in the ring 17 and the communication of the product source on said nozzle.

The tank 2 is empty of product and has an air vacuum which is arranged to be able to carry out the subsequent filling of said tank product by sealing communication of the product source with said tank via the valve 13 so that said depression induces the filling said reservoir by suction of the product contained in said source. In particular, the air depression can be of the order of -980 hPa.

The sampling device 3 may be of the type without air intake in the tank 2 of conditioning in compensation of the volume of product dispensed to allow subsequent refilling or with air intake to limit the use of the vial to a single filling. In the embodiments shown, the pump 3 has a vent hole 22 which is arranged to compensate for the volume of product taken from the tank 2 by air.

The bottle further comprises an envelope 23 mounted in the reservoir 2 for compartmentalizing said reservoir in an internal space 2a in which the upstream orifice 6a is disposed and an outer space 2b. Thus, during storage and before the first filling by suction, the sampling device 3 is in communication with the internal space 2a, which limits to this space any leakage of air passing through the interior of said device, and the sealing of the outer space 2b is independent of that of the sampling device 3 which allows to guarantee it more easily.

The valve 13 comprises means for breaking the envelope 23 during the filling of the reservoir 2 in order to put in communication the external 2b and internal 2a spaces. Thus, filling of the entire reservoir 2 can be achieved by suction and the product packaged in said reservoir can be taken through the upstream orifice 6a during actuation of the sampling device 3.

Advantageously, the external space 2b may have a volume which is greater than that of the internal space 2a, for example of the order of 2 to 5 times greater, so that a possible air leak in the air internal space 2a can be diluted in the outer space 2b during the rupture of the casing 23. Thus, even in the event of a leak at the sampling device 3, the filling capacity of the reservoir 2 by suction is not only slightly impacted.

In particular, the inner 2a and outer 2b spaces may each have an initial air depression, said depression can be obtained by assembling the vial in a vacuum chamber. As a variant, especially when the internal space 2a has a negligible volume relative to that of the external space 2b, only said external space may have an air vacuum.

In the embodiments shown, the envelope 23 has a neck 24 which is sealingly secured between the body 1 and the sampling device 3, said envelope coming to cover the vent hole 22 so that it is in communication with the internal space 2a. Furthermore, the casing 23 has a bottom portion 25 which is disposed facing the nozzle 15, said nozzle being projecting into the outer space 2b in the filling position to allow the rupture of said bottom by disposing said nozzle in said position.

In this embodiment, the casing 23 completely surrounds the sampling device 3 in the reservoir 2. As a variant, only part of the sampling device 3 can be covered by the casing 23, in particular only the dip tube 6 or even only the upstream orifice 6a to form the internal space 2a inside the sampling device 3.

In relation to figures 1 , the bottom 25 is breakable by interaction with the nozzle 15, in particular with the distal end of said nozzle which may have a bearing zone improving its ability to cut the bottom 25. Furthermore, the bottom 25 may have pre-cuts of a pellet corresponding to the zone of interaction with the distal end of the nozzle 15.

In relation to figures 2 , the nozzle 15 comprises means for perforating the bottom 25 of the casing 23. More specifically, the distal end of the nozzle 15 carries claws 26 which, in the filling position, pierce the bottom 25 in order to put in communication the internal 2a and external 2b spaces during filling.

Claims (9)

1. Bottle for dispensing a fluid product comprising a body (1) wherein a reservoir (2) intended for the conditioning of said product is formed, said bottle further comprising a device for sampling (3) of said conditioned product which is mounted in a sealed manner on said body, said device for sampling comprising means of supplying (6) with conditioned product which has an upstream orifice (6a) arranged in the reservoir (2), said body being equipped with a filling valve (13) of said reservoir which is arranged in order to allow for the putting into communication of a product source with said reservoir, the reservoir (2) being devoid of product and having an air depression which is arranged in order to be able to carry out the filling of the reservoir (2) with product by putting into sealed communication of a product source with said reservoir by the intermediary of the valve (13) in such a way that said depression induces the filling of said reservoir through suction of the product contained in said source, said bottle further comprising an envelope (23) mounted in the reservoir (2) in order to compartmentalise said reservoir into an internal space (2a) wherein the upstream orifice (6a) is arranged and an external space (2b), said bottle being characterized in that said valve comprises means for breaking said envelope during the filling of the reservoir (2) in order to put into communication the external (2b) and internal (2a) spaces.
2. Bottle for dispensing according to claim 1, characterised in that the internal (2a) and external (2b) spaces each have an air depression.
3. Bottle for dispensing according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the external space (2b) has a volume which is greater than that of the internal space (2a).
4. Bottle for dispensing according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the envelope (23) has a neck (24) which is fixed in a sealed manner between the body (1) and the device for sampling (3).
5. Bottle for dispensing according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the valve (13) comprises a nozzle (15) which is mobile between a stable closing position of the reservoir (2) and a constrained filling position wherein said nozzle is protruding into the external space (2b), the envelope (23) comprising a portion (25) arranged opposite said nozzle in order to be broken by arrangement of said nozzle in the filling position.
6. Bottle for dispensing according to claim 5, characterised in that the portion (25) of the envelope (23) can be broken via interaction with the nozzle (15).
7. Bottle for dispensing according to claim 5 or 6, characterised in that the nozzle (15) comprises means (26) for perforating the portion (25) of the envelope (23).
8. Bottle for dispensing according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the device for sampling (3) is of the airless type in the reservoir (2) for conditioning as compensation for the volume of product distributed.
9. Bottle for dispensing according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the device for sampling (3) has a vent hole (22) which is arranged in order to make it possible to compensate for the volume of product sampled in the reservoir (2) by air, said vent hole being in communication with the internal space (2a).

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