EP2708286A1 - Fillable vial for dispensing a fluid product - Google Patents

Abstract

The bottle has a valve (7) for refilling a container arranged to enable a product source to be placed in communication with the container to refill the container. The valve includes a communication passage between the source and the container. The passage includes a seat with a valve element (13) that is movable relative to the seat between sealed closing position and opening position of the passage. The element is movable between the closing and opening positions under gravity effect caused by positioning of the bottle in upright position and in overturned position, respectively. An independent claim is also included for a refillable bottle assembly.

Description

The invention relates to a refillable bottle dispensing a fluid, and an assembly comprising such a bottle and a product source for filling said bottle.

In particular, the refillable bottle allows the dispensing of a liquid product, for example a cosmetic care, makeup or perfume product, or a pharmaceutical product.

The refillable bottle comprises a body in which a product conditioning tank is formed, as well as a dispensing device of the packaged product which is sealingly mounted on said body. In particular, the dispensing device may comprise sampling means in the form of 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 . Alternatively, the dispensing device may comprise means for applying the product, for example in the form of a ball.

In an exemplary application, the refillable vials according to the invention allow the distribution of product samples, especially 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 using a small funnel and unecological to discard an empty flask to replace it with a full constituent refill.

Refillable 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 tank for filling. In particular, the valve comprises a communication passage between the source and the reservoir, said passage having a seat equipped with a valve which is movable relative to said seat between a closed position and an open position of said passage.

To perform the filling, the prior art proposes to use a source bottle comprising a dispensing pump, the valve being moved by means of the nozzle of said pump. In particular, the sealed support of the nozzle on the valve allows the reversible opening of said valve and the actuation of the pump for injecting the source product into the reservoir through the valve.

However, this embodiment requires to previously remove the push button equipping the nozzle of the pump of the source bottle and to repeatedly actuate said nozzle to inject a sufficient volume of product, which is difficult and not very intuitive for the user. In addition, a poor replacement of the push button on the nozzle after filling is potentially detrimental to the subsequent operation of the source bottle.

Furthermore, this embodiment poses sealing problems during filling, in particular because of the difficulty of correctly positioning the nozzle in sealing engagement with the valve and the injection pressure of the product through the valve. In addition, the valves according to the prior art are not compatible with the different configurations of nozzles on the market, which limits the filling possibilities of a bottle equipped with such a valve, except to provide a set of adapters which further complicates the realization of a waterproof filling.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a bottle whose filling gesture is simplified while improving its sealing, in particular without requiring an injection under pressure of the product in the tank.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a refillable dispensing bottle for dispensing a fluid product comprising a body in which a reservoir for packaging said product is formed, said bottle comprising a dispensing device for said conditioned product which is sealingly mounted on said body, said bottle being equipped with a tank filling valve which is arranged to allow the communication of a product source with said tank for filling, said valve comprising a passage of communication between said source and said reservoir, said passage having a seat equipped with a valve which is movable relative to said seat between a closed position and an open position of said passage, the valve being arranged to be movable between its positions of closing and opening under the effect of gravity that is induced by the positioning of the bottle respe in an upright position and in an upturned position.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides an assembly comprising such a refillable bottle and a product source for filling said refillable bottle, said source comprising a product reservoir which is equipped with a socket arranged to allow the waterproof connection of the filling valve on the source tank by putting the passage in communication with said tank.

• la figure 1 est une représentation éclatée d'un flacon remplissable selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une représentation éclatée d'un flacon source selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 3 représente en perspective l'ensemble formé du flacon remplissable selon la figure 1 et du flacon source selon la figure 2, chacun étant assemblé et prêt à être connecté.
• les figures 4 sont des représentations partielles montrant le passage de communication de la soupape de remplissage du flacon remplissable selon la figure 1, respectivement en perspective (figure 4a), en coupe transversale (figure 4b) et en coupe longitudinale (figures 4c et 4d) ;
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent le montage du flacon remplissable sur le flacon source (figure 5) et leur connexion (figure 6), les figures 5a et 6a étant des vues agrandies des zones A des figures 5 et 6 respectivement ;
• les figures 7 sont des représentations partielles et en coupe longitudinale de la connexion du flacon remplissable sur le flacon source, respectivement en position droite de fermeture étanche (figure 7a) et en position retournée d'ouverture du passage en vue du remplissage (figure 7b).

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

• the figure 1 is an exploded representation of a refillable bottle according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is an exploded representation of a source bottle according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 3 represents in perspective the assembly formed of the refillable bottle according to the figure 1 and the source bottle according to the figure 2 , each being assembled and ready to be connected.
• the figures 4 are partial representations showing the communication passage of the filling valve of the refillable bottle according to the figure 1 , respectively in perspective ( figure 4a ), in cross section ( figure 4b ) and in longitudinal section ( Figures 4c and 4d );
• the Figures 5 and 6 represent the fitting of the refillable bottle on the source bottle ( figure 5 ) and their connection ( figure 6 ), the Figures 5a and 6a being enlarged views of zones A of Figures 5 and 6 respectively ;
• the figures 7 are partial representations in longitudinal section of the connection of the refillable bottle on the source bottle, respectively in the right sealing position ( figure 7a ) and in the open position of opening of the passage for filling ( figure 7b ).

In the description, the terms of positioning in space are taken with reference to the straight position of the refillable bottle as shown in particular on the Figures 5, 6 and 7a .

In connection with the figures, described below a refillable 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 refillable 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, in particular having sufficient rigidity so that the volume of the reservoir 2 remains substantially constant, even if the internal pressure varies. The body 1 may be integral, 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 laser, or by rotary friction, made of rigid plastic material, metal, for example aluminum, or glass.

The bottle comprises a device for dispensing the packaged product which is sealingly mounted in the body 1. In the embodiment shown, the dispensing device comprises a pump 3 manually actuated by means of a pushbutton 4, said pump being fed with the product via a dip tube 5 which is disposed in the tank 2.

However, the invention is not limited to a method of dispensing the product. In particular, other types of means for taking the product from the tank 2 can be envisaged. The dispensing device may also comprise means for applying the product, for example in the form of a ball.

The push button 4 comprises a dispensing orifice 6 and an upper zone 4a allowing the user to exert a digital support on him in order to move the nozzle of the pump 3 on its supply stroke of said orifice under pressure. In the embodiment shown, the push button 4 is equipped with a spray nozzle which is arranged to radially distribute an aerosol of the product through the dispensing orifice 6. However, especially for a nasal spraying nozzle, the push button 4 may allow axial distribution of the product. Alternatively, the product can be dispensed in the form of a hazelnut or a web.

The bottle is equipped with a valve 7 filling the tank 2 which is arranged to allow the communication of a source 8 of product with said tank for filling. In connection with the figures, the body 1 has an upper opening 1a in which the pump 3 is mounted by means of a hoop 9, and a lower opening 1b which is equipped with the filling valve 7.

The lower opening 1b is formed in the bottom of the body 1 and the filling valve 7 comprises a skirt 10 which extends axially peripherally under said opening. Thus, a communication passage 11 is formed between the source 8 of product and the reservoir 2, said passage extending in the skirt 10. In the figures, the skirt 10 is formed in one piece with the body 1, but she could also be reported under him.

The passage 11 of communication has a seat 12 equipped with a valve 13 which is movable relative to said seat between a sealed position and an open position of said passage. In particular, the seat 12 may be formed on the periphery of the lower opening 1b.

The valve 13 is arranged to be movable between its closing and opening positions under the effect of the gravity which is induced by the positioning of the refillable bottle respectively in a straight position ( figure 7a ) and in an inverted position ( figure 7b ). Thus, the filling is effected by simple gravitational flow through the passage 11 between the source 8 of product and the reservoir 2 to be filled, the filling can be achieved by a simple gesture mounting the refillable bottle in the upright position on the source 8 of product followed by a flipping of the refillable bottle assembly - source 8 of product.

In the embodiment shown, the upright position corresponds to the normal position of use of the refillable bottle in which the push button 4 is arranged upwards. Alternatively, the refillable bottle in the upright position can be oriented differently, provided that the valve 13 is there in the closed position under the effect of gravity.

The refillable bottle in the upright position can be mounted and connected to the source 8 of product without inducing product transfer, in particular because of the lack of pressurization of said product. Then, the returned position corresponds to a rotation of the refillable bottle assembly - source 8 of product for disposing said source above the tank 2 to induce filling by flow. On the figures 7 , the rotation is 180 ° but it could have a different angle, provided it is sufficient to open the valve 13 under the effect of gravity.

After filling, the refillable bottle - source 8 of product is returned to the initial position before disconnecting said bottle for later use. In particular, this reversal induces the closing of the valve 13 under the effect of gravity.

In relation with the figures, the valve 13 comprises an annular bearing surface 14 which, in the closed position, comes into sealing engagement with a complementary bearing surface 15 of the seat 12 ( figure 7a ), said range in the open position being disposed at a distance from said complementary bearing ( figure 7b ). To improve the tightness in the closed position, the bearing surfaces 14, 15 may be frustoconical.

Furthermore, the valve 13 is equipped with a ballast 16 whose weight is sufficient to move said valve between its open and closed positions. In particular, the ballast 16 induces a tight plating force of the annular bearing surface 14 on the complementary bearing surface 15 and guarantees the detachment of said bearing surfaces during overturning.

In the embodiment shown, the valve 13 is movable in axial translation between its closed and open positions. As a variant, possibly complementary, the valve 13 can be movable between its closing and opening positions by deformation induced by gravity, in particular by deformation of the annular bearing surface 14 on the seat 12.

In the figures, the valve 13 comprises an upper cage 17 having a lower bead 17a on which the annular bearing surface 14 is formed, an attached weight 16, for example based on metal, being fixed in said cage. Alternatively, the ballast 16 may be integrated with the valve 13, in particular by making said valve based on a material of high density, for example a polymer loaded with metal particles or directly metal material.

The valve 13 comprises a lower rod 18 which extends under the cage 17, said rod being slidably mounted in a tube 19 integral with the skirt 10, said rod and said tube being arranged to define the end of travel of the valve 13 in the open position. In particular, the rod 18 is equipped with an attached end 20 which cooperates with a retreint 21 of the tube 19 to form a limit stop. Alternatively, the tip 20 may be integrated with the rod 18 and comprises retractable means memory shape.

The tube 19 is mounted in the skirt 10 via at least one rib 22. In connection with the figure 4b three ribs 22 are provided to form three openings in the passage 11 of communication. The ribs 22 are arranged to promote a parietal flow of the product in the passage 11 of communication, in particular by being connected inside the skirt 10 over substantially its entire axial dimension and each having a free edge 22a which converges towards a base radial 22b connected to the periphery of the tube 19.

Thus, during the return of the refillable bottle in the upright position at the end of filling, the flow in the source 8 of the product contained in the passage 11 of communication is facilitated to prevent product leakage under the refillable bottle upon its disconnection. .

Similarly, the filling valve 7 may have surfaces whose hydrophobicity is arranged to promote the flow of the product in the passage 11 of communication. In particular, the interior of the valve 7 can be rendered hydrophobic, for example by fluorinated plasma treatment, by dipping in a silicone bath or by making the filling valve 7 hydrophobic material such as PTFE.

The source 8 of product comprises a reservoir 23 of product, in particular formed inside a vial with a capacity greater than that of the refillable bottle. According to another embodiment, the source reservoir 23 is formed inside a flexible bag which can be filled with product without air or gas for the proper preservation of said product.

The source reservoir 23 is equipped with a bushing 24 which is arranged to allow the sealing connection of the filling valve 7 to said source reservoir by putting the passage 11 in communication with it. In addition, the filling valve 7 is equipped with a device for sealing the bottle on the source 8 of the product, the sleeve 24 being equipped with a connection device which is complementary to that of the filling valve 7.

In the figures, the sleeve 24 comprises a collar 25 for mounting on the neck 26 of the source bottle 8, said collar being fixed on said neck by means of a collar 27. The collar 25 has an upper opening which is surmounted by a sleeve 28 extending axially peripherally. Advantageously, the bushing 24 is devoid of means for pressurizing the filling product. Thus, the bottle 8 can not be diverted from its source role since without propellant or internal pressure.

The skirt 10 of the filling valve 7 is arranged to slide axially with respect to the sleeve 28 of the sleeve 24. In particular, the skirt 10 and the sleeve 28 are annular, the outer diameter of the skirt 10 being slightly smaller than the inside diameter. of the sleeve 28 to allow axial mounting without play of the refillable bottle on the source 8 of product.

In addition, the skirt 10 may be slightly frustoconical and have a lower bevel 10a to ensure radial clamping during axial sliding of said skirt in the sleeve 28. Furthermore, the skirt 10 is connected to the body 1 by via a radial bearing 29 on which the upper end of the sleeve 28 comes into axial abutment at the end of sliding.

In the embodiment shown, the connecting devices comprise pins 30 integral with the skirt 10 or the sleeve 28 which are intended to cooperate with ramps 31 secured to the sleeve 28 or the skirt 10 to allow mounting and immobilization of the refillable bottle in position connected to the source reservoir 23. In the figures, a set of two diametrically opposite lugs 30 is formed around the skirt 10 to cooperate with a set of two ramps 31 formed in the sleeve 28, said lugs being inscribed in a diameter which is substantially equal to that of the body 1 and having a lower chamfer 30a facilitating their introduction into the ramps 31.

The ramps 31 comprise an axial portion 31a for sliding the lugs 30 and a peripheral portion 31b of rotation of said lugs. Thus, a bayonet-type gesture is obtained for sealingly connecting the refillable bottle to the source 8 of the product. In the figures, the peripheral portions 31b comprise a boss 32 for locking the pins 30 in the connected position. In addition, the skirt 10 comprises lights 33 which are arranged under the bosses 32 to facilitate their deformation during locking.

An annular seal 34 is interposed between the sleeve 28 and the neck 26, the lower end of the skirt 10 bearing axially on said seal during assembly of the refillable bottle on the source 8 of product. Thus, by compression of the seal 34, it ensures the sealing of the connection of the passage 11 through which the product flows during filling.

Advantageously, the filling valve 7 and / or the sleeve 24 are equipped with a plug 35, 36 arranged to maintain the tightness of the tanks 2, 23 between two fillings. Each cap 35, 36 comprises a connection device which is complementary to that of the valve of filling 7 or the sleeve 24. Thus, the caps 35, 36 can be removed before filling and delivered after filling in a gesture that is similar to that respectively of the disconnection and the connection of the refillable bottle on the source 8 of product.

In the figures, the plug 35 of the filling valve 7 has a sleeve 37 in which a plug body 38 is mounted, said body having ramps 39 which are similar to the ramps 31 of the sleeve 28. Likewise, the plug 36 of FIG. the sleeve 24 comprises a sleeve 40 in which a plug body 41 is mounted, said body being equipped with an indexer 42 on which are formed lugs 43 similar to the lugs 30 of the skirt 10.

Claims (15)

A refillable dispensing bottle for a fluid product comprising a body (1) in which a reservoir (2) for the packaging of said product is formed, said bottle comprising a device (3) for dispensing said conditioned product which is sealingly mounted on said body, said bottle being equipped with a valve (7) for filling the reservoir (2) which is arranged to allow the communication of a source (8) of product with said reservoir for filling, said valve comprising a passage (11) for communication between said source and said reservoir, said passage having a seat (12) equipped with a valve (13) which is movable relative to said seat between a closed position and an open position of said passage, said bottle being characterized in that the valve (13) is arranged to be movable between its closed and open positions under the effect of gravity which is induced by the positi flask respectively in a upright position and in an upturned position. Refillable bottle according to claim 1, characterized in that the filling valve (7) is equipped with a device for sealing said bottle on the source (8) of product. Fillable bottle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the valve (13) comprises an annular bearing surface (14) which in the closed position, sealingly bearing against a complementary bearing surface (15) of the seat (12), said carried in the open position being disposed at a distance from said complementary bearing. Refillable bottle according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve (13) is equipped with a ballast (16) whose weight is sufficient to move said valve between its open and closed positions. Refillable bottle according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filling valve (7) comprises a skirt (10) in which the communication passage (11) extends. Fillable bottle according to claim 5, characterized in that the valve (13) comprises a lower rod (18) which is slidably mounted in a tube (19) integral with the skirt (10). Refillable bottle according to claim 6, characterized in that the rod (18) and the tube (19) are arranged to define the end of travel of the valve (13) in the open position. Refillable bottle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the tube (19) is mounted in the skirt (10) via at least one rib (22) which is arranged to promote a parietal flow of the product in the passage (11) of communication. Bottle filler according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the filling valve (7) has surfaces whose hydrophobicity is arranged to promote the flow of the product in the passage (11) of communication. An assembly comprising a refillable bottle according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a source (8) of product for filling said refillable bottle, said source comprising a reservoir (23) of product which is equipped with a socket (24) arranged to allow the sealing connection of the filling valve (7) to the source tank (23) by putting the passage (11) in communication with said tank. Assembly according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the sleeve (24) is equipped with a connection device which is complementary to that of the refillable bottle. Assembly according to claim 11 when dependent on claim 5, characterized in that the skirt (10) is arranged to slide axially relative to a sleeve (28) of the sleeve (24), the connection devices comprising pins (30) integral with the skirt (10) - or the sleeve (28) - which are intended to cooperate with ramps (31) integral with the sleeve (28) - or the skirt (10) - to allow assembly and immobilization of the refillable bottle in the connected position on the source reservoir (23). Assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the ramps (31) comprise an axial portion (31a) for sliding the lugs (30) and a peripheral portion (31b) of rotation of said lugs, said peripheral portions comprising a boss (32). locking said lugs in connected position. Assembly according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that it comprises a seal (34) on which the skirt (10) is intended to bear axially. An assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the filling valve (7) and / or the sleeve (24) are provided with a plug (35, 36) comprising a connecting device which is complementary to that of said filling valve or said socket.

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