EP2881334B1 - System for dispensing a fluid product contained in a vessel - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product contained in a container, and a bottle comprising such a system mounted on a deformable container in which a fluid product is contained in order to allow dispensing of said product by manual pressure on said container.

Such systems and containers are described for example in US 3221952 , DE 1586697 , WO 99/64313 and EP 1147994 .

In a particular application, the fluid product is of the lotion, gel or cream type, for example for use in cosmetics or for pharmaceutical treatments.

Systems are known in which the distribution is carried out through the interface formed between a fixed needle and a tip which is equipped with a dispensing orifice in which said distribution interface opens. In particular, the tip may be reversibly movable by pressure of the product on it from a closed position of the interface between two distributions to an open position for the return of the product via the dispensing orifice.

The mechanical closure of the interface between two distributions must be sufficient to avoid alteration, including drying and / or oxidation, of the product stored in and in the vicinity of said interface by contact with the outside air. In particular, the watertightness conferred must be sufficient to protect products which are becoming more and more fragile under the effect of the directives tending to control the presence of substances potentially dangerous for human health (for example the European REACh Directive), as well as than environmental trends that push cosmeticians to limit or even eliminate their formulas, preservatives that are often cause allergies or intolerances.

To do this, the tip can be made of rigid material to be equipped with means for moving said nozzle to an extended open position and the return of said tip in the retracted closure position by exerting a sealing plating force of said tip on the needle.

However, the tightness of the closure being made at the interface between two often imperfect geometries, the problem arises of the possible contamination of the product by bacteria and / or fungi. In an attempt to solve this problem, it has been proposed to optimize the plating area of the tip on the needle, without this being satisfactory in view of the very small sizes of contaminants that must be prevented from entering the interface. through said plating zone.

Furthermore, product may contaminate the outer wall of the mouthpiece between two distributions, in particular by spreading said product on said wall during its recovery by the finger of the user, said soils may be contaminated by bacteria and / or fungi and thus contribute to the contamination of the product distributed later.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by providing in particular a distribution system whose distribution interface is arranged to have a satisfactory seal vis-à-vis the tampering of the product as well as to prevent contamination of said product.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for dispensing a fluid product contained in a container, said system comprising a head equipped with mounting means on said container, said head comprising a fixed needle around which is disposed a nozzle forming between them a distribution path of said product, said needle having a distal wall having a stud and said tip being made of rigid material having an outer wall and an inner wall, a dispensing orifice formed in said outer wall being arranged to receive said stud forming between the inner and distal walls a distribution interface into which the dispensing path opens, said head comprising a device for reversibly actuating the movement of said tip relative to said needle from a retracted position of closing towards a deployed position of opening said inter face by pressure of the product on said device actuator, said system comprising an annular seal which is made of a softer material than that of the nozzle, said seal being interposed between the inner wall and the distal wall delimiting in their retracted interface an upstream portion in which opens the distribution path and a downstream portion opening into the dispensing orifice, the material forming the tip having, at least at a portion of the outer and inner walls, antimicrobial properties for the product to be dispensed.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a bottle comprising a deformable container in which a fluid product is contained, said bottle comprising such a dispensing system which is mounted on said container to allow dispensing of the product by manual pressure on said container .

• la figure 1 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale d'un système de distribution monté sur un récipient selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans laquelle le couvercle est monté sur le capot ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du système de distribution monté sur un récipient selon la figure 1, dans laquelle l'embout est en position déployée d'ouverture de l'interface ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues partielles éclatées du système de distribution monté sur un récipient selon la figure 1, respectivement en perspective (figure 3) et en coupe longitudinale (figure 4) ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de dessous du manchon portant l'embout du système de distribution selon la figure 1 ;
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues partielles en coupe longitudinale d'un système de distribution monté sur un récipient selon un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans lesquelles l'embout est respectivement en position rétractée de fermeture (figure 6) et en position déployée d'ouverture de l'interface (figure 7) ;
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective de dessous du manchon portant l'embout du système de distribution selon les figures 6 et 7.

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 a partial view in longitudinal section of a distribution system mounted on a container according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the cover is mounted on the hood;
• the figure 2 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the distribution system mounted on a container according to the figure 1 , in which the tip is in the extended open position of the interface;
• the figures 3 and 4 are partial exploded views of the dispensing system mounted on a container according to the figure 1 , respectively in perspective ( figure 3 ) and in longitudinal section ( figure 4 );
• the figure 5 is a perspective view from below of the sleeve carrying the nozzle of the dispensing system according to the figure 1 ;
• the figures 6 and 7 are partial views in longitudinal section of a distribution system mounted on a container according to another embodiment of the invention, in which the tip is respectively in the retracted position of closure ( figure 6 ) and in the extended open position of the interface ( figure 7 );
• the figure 8 is a perspective view from below of the sleeve carrying the nozzle of the dispensing system according to the figures 6 and 7 .

In relation to the figures, there is described a bottle comprising a deformable container 1 in which a fluid product is contained. In an exemplary application, the product is a lotion, a gel or a cream, for a cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.

The bottle comprises a dispensing system whose head is mounted on the container 1 to allow dispensing of the product by manual pressure on said container. In the embodiments shown, the container 1 is formed inside a flexible tube, for example made of polyolefin, said tube being surmounted by a neck 2a, 2b defining an upper opening for said container and on which the system distribution is mounted.

To do this, the head comprises a base 3 having an upper plate 4 and mounting means on the neck 2a, 2b of the container 1. In the embodiments shown, two annular walls, respectively inner 5 and outer 6, s' extend under the plate 4, an inner collar 2a being disposed between said walls, the inner wall 5 having an outer snap ring in the inner collar 2a.

A fixed needle 7 is mounted on the plate 4 extending axially from the center of said plate and being formed integrally therewith, in particular by molding a thermoplastic material. Rays 8 connecting the needle 7 to the plate 4 are angularly distributed forming between the rays 8 adjacent passages 9 for the product. The passages 9 are distributed around the needle 7 so that the pressurization of the product in the container 1 allows to supply the periphery of said needle product by means of at least one of said passages.

The base 3 is equipped with a cover 10 which is mounted on it, in particular by covering the plate 4. To do this, the figures illustrate a cap 10 having a skirt 11 equipped with inner snap-fastening rings 12 on an outer collar 2b In particular, the skirt 11 is snapped onto the outside of the collar outside 2b and the outer annular wall 6 is disposed in an annular housing 13 formed between the necks 2a, 2b of the container 1, said skirt being equipped with an outer cap 14 masking said necks. Furthermore, the periphery of the outer collar 2b has axial ridges 15 which are engaged in the skirt 11 in order to prevent rotation of the cap 10 on said neck.

The cover 10 has an upper opening 16 in which a tip 17 is mounted in axial sliding. The tip 17 is disposed around the needle 7 forming between them a product distribution path 18 which is fed by at least one passage 9. The tip 17 has an inner wall 19 and an outer wall 20 in which an orifice 21 dispensing device is formed, the needle 7 having a distal wall 22 having a nipple 23. The tip 17 is arranged to receive the nipple 23 forming between the inner walls 19 and distal 22 a distribution interface 24 in which opens the path 18 of distribution.

The head of the dispensing system comprises a device for reversibly actuating the displacement of the endpiece 17 with respect to the needle 7 from a retracted position of closure ( figures 1 and 6 ) to a deployed open position ( figures 2 and 7 ) of the interface 24 by pressing the product on said actuating device. Thus, by pressure on the container 1, the product passes successively through at least one passage 9, the distribution path 18, the distribution interface 24 to be restored through the orifice 21 of distribution at the outer wall 20 of the nozzle 17.

In the embodiments shown, the endpiece 17 has a single piece of a cap 25 whose inner wall 19 is disposed facing the distal wall 22 of the needle 7 by defining the distribution interface 24 and a peripheral skirt 26. whose inner wall extends around the periphery of said needle by delimiting at least a portion of the distribution path 18. In particular, the distribution path 18 is cylindrical and opens into a conical interface 24 which is surmounted by the distribution orifice 21.

The skirt 26 has an external geometry that allows sliding guidance of the tip 17 in the upper opening 16, the periphery of the needle 7 being equipped with flutes 27 for guiding said displacement which are arranged in the distribution path 18 leaving at least one passage between them. In particular, the sliding can be performed without play, the inner wall of the upper opening 16 having slots 28 limiting the friction during said sliding.

The outer wall 20 extends over the cap 25 opposite the inner wall 19 with a convex geometry. In the retracted position, the outer wall 20 of the cap 25 is located in the extension of the upper wall of the cap 10 and, in the deployed position, said cap is disposed projecting relative to said upper wall. Thus, between two uses, the tip 17 is retracted into the cover 10, only its outer wall 20 being aesthetically visible.

The dispensing system comprises a sleeve 29 on which the nozzle 17 is mounted via an actuating device comprising a membrane 30 deformable by pressure of the product on it. More specifically, the tip 17 is mounted inside the sleeve 29 by means of resilient arms 31 connecting, said sleeve and said tip can be made in one piece with said arms, in particular by molding.

The membrane 30 is disposed between the sleeve 29 and the nozzle 17 being associated with them coming to cover the arms 31, said membrane being made of a product-tight material to form a barrier to the product inside said sleeve. Thus, a pressure of the product on the membrane 30 actuates a lifting of the endpiece 17 towards its extended open position.

Advantageously, the membrane 30 is made of elastomeric material. The membrane 30 may be made based on an elastomeric polymer such as Poly (OxyMethylene) or an Adflex type polypropylene, a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). In the figures, the membrane 30 is overmolded on the sleeve 29 and on the arms 31, as well as on connecting lugs 32 formed on the periphery of the nozzle 17 in order to make reliable the displacement of said tip during deformation by swelling of said membrane by pressure of the product on it.

The tip 17 is made of rigid material, in particular based on a metallic material and / or thermoplastic, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene. The material and the geometry of the connecting arms 31 are arranged so that the elasticity of said arms allows the return of the endpiece 17 in the retracted position at the end of distribution, and this exerting a closing force of the distribution interface 24 which is sufficient to prevent an alteration, in particular drying and / or oxidation, of the product stored in said interface by contact with the outside air.

As a variant represented on the figures 6 and 7 particularly in connection with a product to be dispensed viscous, the actuating device may comprise a return spring 33 which is interposed between the membrane 30 and the cover 10 to assist the shape memory of the arm assembly 31 - membrane 30 when returning the tip 17 in the retracted position.

To avoid altering the product to be dispensed, the dispensing system also comprises an annular seal 34 which is interposed between the inner wall 19 and the distal wall 22 delimiting in their interface 24 retracted an upstream portion 24a in which opens the distribution path 18 and a downstream portion 24b opening into the dispensing orifice 21. The seal 34 is made of material different from that of the tip 17, in particular more flexible than that of said tip, so that the closing force of the rigid tip 17 induces compression of the seal 34 between the walls 19, 22, which contributes to the sealing of the upstream portion 24a of the interface 24, and therefore of the distribution path 18, between two uses.

To make the tightness imparted by its compression more reliable, the gasket 34 is advantageously made of material with an elastomeric property, for example base of an elastomeric polymer such as Poly (OxyMethylene) or an Adflex type polypropylene, a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Advantageously, the seal 34 is attached to the inner wall 19 of the nozzle 17, for example by being associated with it, in particular by overmolding. More specifically, the inner wall 19 has an annular groove 35 in which the gasket 34 is disposed, the distal wall 22 having a complementary groove 36 in which the gasket 34 is pressed tightly during the closure of the interface 24.

In relation to Figures 6 to 8 , the seal 34 is dissociated from the membrane 30 being overmoulded independently of it in the groove 35. Figures 1 to 5 the membrane 30 comprises an upper bead 34 forming the annular seal. To allow overmolding of the bead 34 while maintaining a distribution path 18 formed between the skirt 26 of the nozzle 17 and the periphery of the needle 7, said tip has at least one inner channel 37 in which the material of the membrane 30 extends, said channel opening into the annular groove 35 in which the upper bead 34 is disposed.

To prevent contamination of the product by bacteria and / or fungi, the material forming the tip 17 has, at least at a portion of the outer wall 20 and inner 19, antimicrobial properties for the product to be dispensed.

Thus, even if the sealing of the closure of the interface 24 remains imperfect with respect to the size of the contaminants, the product stored in said interface is decontaminated by contact with the material of the inner wall 19. More specifically, the product is decontaminated upstream and downstream of the seal 34 in each of the corresponding interface portions 24a, 24b. In addition, the product stains on the outer wall 20 of the nozzle 17 are also decontaminated by contact with the material of said outer wall.

According to exemplary embodiments, the antimicrobial properties can be obtained by at least one means chosen from an antimicrobial agent contained in the material, a metallic material based on copper or zinc, a treatment of the surface of the material by fluorination or zinc coating or copper plating.

In particular, it is possible to use antimicrobial agents, in particular a microbiostatic and / or microbiocidal agent, for example on an organic base such as Trichlosan (trade name of Melcoplast) or on a silver base or on a mineral base. Alternatively, the tip 17 may be made of copper metal which, because of its microbiostatic properties, prevents the proliferation or eliminates contaminants by contact, and without migration into the product of any antimicrobial agent. Finally, treatment of the tip 17 with pure or mixed fluorine gas makes it possible to modify the surface area over a reduced thickness (for example of the order of 0.01 to 10 μm) by conferring on it antimicrobial properties without modifying the product to be distributed.

Advantageously, the decontamination is favored by providing for limiting the amount of product present in the interface 24 between two uses. To do this, the figures propose a tip 17 whose inner wall 19 has a frustoconical bearing surface 19a which is surmounted by the dispensing orifice 21, the frustoconical periphery of the stud 23 being disposed in said frustoconical bearing surface forming a frustoconical well 38 between they.

Moreover, the frustoconical well 38 makes it possible to favor the centering of the end piece 17 on the needle 7 when it returns to the retracted position, and without requiring a seal at the level of said well since, on the one hand, the seal 34 of sealing is set back from the frustoconical bearing surface 19a and, on the other hand, the frustoconical well 38 is included in the interface downstream portion 24b in which the stored product is decontaminated by the material forming the endpiece 17.

It is also possible to provide a decontamination of the product contained in the distribution path 18 by forming the skirt 26 of the tip 17 with a material also having antimicrobial properties for the product to be dispensed. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 , the decontaminating material is present between the channels 37 on a surface which is sufficient to ensure the decontamination of the product stored by contact on said surface.

Moreover, the material forming the seal 34 may also have antimicrobial properties for the product to be dispensed in order to contribute to the decontamination of the product that is in contact with it between two distributions, in particular by being loaded with an antimicrobial additive, for example mineral charge.

In connection with the figures, the sleeve 29 has a peripheral annular wall 39 which extends radially from an axial inner ring 40 from which the connecting arms 31 extend. The peripheral wall 39 is interposed between the cover 10 and the base 3 by providing a plating of said wall on an upper ring 42 of the plate 4 by means of said cover. A mounting surface 43 of the dispensing system on the container 1 is formed on the outside of the peripheral wall 39, said bearing being placed in abutment on the outer collar 2b of the container 1.

The mounting surface 43 surrounds a ring 44 of the membrane 30 which extends axially upwardly and is interposed between the cover 10 and the base 3 to seal between them. In the figures, the cover 10 has an inner radial clamping surface 45 45 of the inner ring 40 of the sleeve 29, the ring 44 of the membrane 30, the upper ring 42 of the plate 4 and the outer collar 2b of the container 1 said assembly being surmounted by the peripheral wall 39.

The seal between the head of the dispensing system and the container 1 is thus made, from the outside towards the inside, by pressing the bearing surface 43 of the sleeve 29 onto the outer collar 2b and then by sealing the crown 44 of the membrane 30. Thus, by providing that the sleeve 29 is formed integrally with the tip 17 so that the material of the mounting surface 43 has antimicrobial properties for the product to be dispensed, effectively prevents contamination of the product contained in the container 1.

In relation to figures 1 and 3 , the distribution system comprises a cover 46 intended to cover the cover 10 between two distributions, said cover having a skirt 47 associated with said cover and a top wall 48 full. The skirt 47 is associated with the cover 10 via a hinge 49 allowing the disposition of the cover 46 in the dispensed position ( figure 3 ) and in mounted storage position between two uses ( figure 1 ) in which the upper wall 48 is disposed above the cover 10 to conceal at least the orifice 21 distribution.

In the variant shown only on the figure 1 , the lid 46 comprises at least one projection 50 arranged to bear on the end piece 17 when said cover is mounted on the cap 10. Thus, in case of support on the container 1 between two uses, the projection 50 prevents the lifting the nozzle 17 and therefore the product outlet through the orifice 21 of distribution, especially during transport. In the embodiment shown, the upper wall 48 is equipped with a lower projection 50 whose geometry is arranged to exert a bearing on the outer wall 20 around the dispensing orifice 21.

Claims (18)

1. Dispensing system for a fluid product held in a container (1), said system comprising a head equipped with means for mounting said container, said head comprising a fixed point (7) around which is arranged an end fitting (17) forming between them a dispensing path (18) of said product, said end fitting having a distal wall (22) having a nipple (23) and said end fitting being made of a rigid material by having an exterior wall (20) and an interior wall (19), a dispensing orifice (21) formed in said exterior wall being arranged to take said nipple by forming between the interior (19) and distal (22) walls a dispensing interface (24) into which the dispensing path (18) leads, said head comprising a reversible actuating device for the displacement of said end fitting in relation to said point from a closed withdrawn position to an open deployed position of said interface by the product's pressure on said actuating device, said system being characterised in that it comprises an annular seal (34) which is made of material more flexible than that of the end fitting (17), said seal being inserted between the interior (19) and the distal (22) walls by defining in their withdrawn interface (24) an upstream portion (24a) into which the dispensing path(18) leads and a downstream portion (24b) leading into the dispensing orifice (21), the material forming the end fitting (17) having, at least at one part of the exterior (20) and interior (19) walls, antimicrobial properties for the dispensed product.
2. Dispensing system according to the Claim 1, characterised in that the interior wall (19) of the end fitting has a tapered span (19a) above which is the dispensing orifice (21), the tapered periphery of the nipple (23) being arranged in said tapered span.
3. Dispensing system according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the end fitting (17) has a cap (25) of which the interior wall (19) is arranged facing the distal wall (22) of the point (7) by defining the dispensing interface (24) and a peripheral skirt (26) of which the interior wall extends around the periphery of said point by defining at least one part of the dispensing path (18), the material forming the interior wall of the skirt (26) also having antimicrobial properties for the dispensed product.
4. Dispensing system according to any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the end fitting (17) is made based on metallic and/or thermoplastic material, the annular seal (34) being made of material with elastomeric property.
5. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the annular seal (34) is combined, especially by overmoulding, with the interior wall (19) of the end fitting (17).
6. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a sleeve (29) onto which the end fitting (17) is mounted by means of an actuating device comprising a membrane (30) deformable by the product's pressure on it.
7. Dispensing system according to Claim 6, characterised in that the sleeve (29) and the end fitting (17) are made in a single piece with material having antimicrobial properties for the dispensed product.
8. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 6 or 7, characterised in that the actuating device comprises at least one elastic arm (31) linking from the end fitting (17) to the sleeve (29).
9. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the membrane (30) comprises a top edge (34) forming the annular seal.
10. Dispensing system according to Claim 9, characterised in that the end fitting (17) has at least one interior channel (37) into which the material of the membrane (30) extends, said channel leading into an annular groove (35) in which the top edge (34) is arranged.
11. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the head comprises a base (3) on which the point (7) is mounted by forming at least one passage (9) for the product, said base being equipped with a cap (10) having a top opening (16) into which the end fitting (17) is mounted by sliding.
12. Dispensing system according to Claim 11 when it depends on Claim 6, characterised in that the sleeve (29) has a peripheral wall (39) which is inserted between the cap (10) and the base (3) by forming a mounting span (43) on the container (1), the material forming said wall having antimicrobial properties for the dispensed product.
13. Dispensing system according to Claim 12, characterised in that the mounting span (43) surrounds a crown (44) of the membrane (30), said crown being inserted between the cap (10) and the base (3) to create a seal between them.
14. Dispensing system according to one of Claims 12 or 13, characterised in that the actuating device comprises a return spring (33) which is inserted between the membrane (30) and the cap (10).
15. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, characterised in that it comprises a cap (46) intended to cover the cap (10) between two dispensing operations, said cover comprising at least one projection (50) arranged to rest on the end fitting (17) when said cover is mounted on said cap.
16. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the material forming the seal (34) has antimicrobial properties for the dispensed product.
17. Dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the antimicrobial properties are obtained by at least one means selected from among an antimicrobial agent contained in the material, a copper or zinc based material, a surface treatment of the material by fluorination or by zinc or copper plating.
18. Flask comprising a deformable container (1) in which a fluid product is held, said flask comprising a dispensing system according to any one of Claims 1 to 17 which is mounted on said container in order to dispense the product by manual pressure on said container.

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