EP2923964B1 - System for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a tank - Google Patents

Description

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

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 product is dispensed at the interface between a membrane and a needle. To do this, the membrane is deformable reversibly by the pressure of the product on it from a stable state of closure in which the membrane is in sealing contact around the needle, to a deformed opening state in which said sealing contact is broken to allow the distribution of the product through a dispensing orifice.

This embodiment allows, between two distributions, a closing of the dispensing orifice in order to avoid in particular an alteration of the product stored in the vicinity of said orifice by contact with the outside air. In particular, the alteration may concern drying and / or oxidation of the product but also contamination thereof with bacteria and / or fungi.

However, the closure being performed at the interface between two often imperfect geometries, the problem arises of its tightness to air and / or contaminants. In an attempt to make this seal more reliable, the document FR-2 989 290 proposes to use a spring member which is interposed between a cover and the membrane in order to be able to assist and constrain the return of said membrane in a sealed state.

If this solution gives satisfaction with the level of the impermeability conferred, it remains relatively restrictive to implement, in particular with respect to the number of components required and their assembly in interaction.

US 4061254 A , JP H07 223662 A and EP 1147994 A1 describe distribution systems according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a distribution system whose airtightness and / or contaminants is reliable in connection with a simplification of the realization of said system.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a tank according to claim 1.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a container comprising a deformable reservoir in which a fluid product is intended to be packaged, said container comprising such a dispensing system which is mounted on said reservoir to allow the dispensing of the product by manual pressure on said tank.

• les figures 1 sont des vues partielles en coupe longitudinale d'un récipient selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans lesquelles le capot du système de distribution est en état de fermeture de l'interface de distribution, respectivement avec le couvercle monté (figure 1 a) et sans ledit couvercle (figure 1 b) ;
• la figure 2 est une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du récipient selon les figures 1, dans laquelle le système de distribution est en état d'ouverture de l'interface de distribution ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues partielles du récipient selon les figures 1, montrant en éclaté le système de distribution respectivement en perspective (figure 3) et en coupe longitudinale (figure 4).

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 are partial views in longitudinal section of a container according to one embodiment of the invention, wherein the hood of the dispensing system is in the closed state of the dispensing interface, respectively with the lid mounted ( figure 1 a) and without said lid ( Figure 1 (b) ;
• the figure 2 is a partial view in longitudinal section of the container according to the figures 1 in which the dispensing system is in the open state of the dispensing interface;
• the figures 3 and 4 are partial views of the container according to the figures 1 , exploding the distribution system respectively in perspective ( figure 3 ) and in longitudinal section ( figure 4 ).

In connection with the figures, there is described a container comprising a deformable reservoir 1 in which a fluid product can be conditioned. In an exemplary application, the product is a lotion, a gel or a cream, for a cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.

The container comprises a dispensing system which is mounted on the tank 1 to allow the dispensing of the product by manual pressure on said tank. In the description, the spatial positioning terms are taken with reference to the upright position of the dispensing system and the reservoir as shown in the figures.

The reservoir 1 is advantageously formed inside a flexible body, in particular made of polyolefin, for example in the form of a flexible tube. The body is surmounted by a neck 2 defining an upper opening for the tank 1 and in which the dispensing system is arranged by being supplied with product by reversible manual deformation of the tank 1.

The dispensing system comprises a base 3 connected to the neck 2 of the tank 1 so as to allow the passage of the product under pressure between said neck and said base. The base 3 can be associated with the neck 2 by mounting means, for example snap-fastening. Advantageously, the base 3 is integrated by one piece in the neck 2, for example by molding a thermoplastic material, forming between said neck and said base at least a passage 4 of product feed.

The base 3 is equipped with a fixed needle 5 which extends axially inside the neck 2, in particular at its center. According to the embodiment shown, the needle 5 is connected to the neck 2 by means of connecting lugs 6 distributed angularly by forming between two adjacent lugs 6 passages 4 from the tank 1 to said needle. The needle 5 has a peripheral surface that extends axially from a base 7 on which the tabs 6 are connected to a distal end 8 on which axially extends a pin 9.

The dispensing system further comprises a cover 10 which is mounted on the tank 1 by coming to cover the base 3 to form between them a chamber 11 for dispensing the product. In particular, the distribution chamber 11 is in communication with the tank 1 via at least one passage 4 so that the pressurization of the product in said tank allows to supply said chamber with product.

The cover 10 has a skirt 12 which is arranged for its mounting on the tank 1 forming with the base 3 the distribution chamber 11. To do this, the neck 2 has association means on which the skirt 12 is sealingly mounted.

In relation to the figures, the skirt 12 for mounting has an outer axial ring 13 equipped with inner snap-fastening rings 14 in an outer groove 15 of the neck 2. In particular, the skirt 12 has an annular housing 16 formed between the axial ring 13 and an inner axial bearing 17 of said skirt, the rim of the neck 2 being tightly tight in said housing when the skirt 12 is snapped onto said neck.

Furthermore, the periphery of the neck 2 has axial ridges 18 which are engaged in the housing 16 of the skirt 12 to prevent rotation of the cover 10 relative to said neck. For aesthetic reasons, the skirt 12 is also equipped with an outer hubcap 19 for masking the crown 13 and the neck 2.

The cover 10 has a wall 20 whose outer periphery is equipped with the skirt 12, the axial ring 13 extending under said wall. The wall 20 is further equipped with a sleeve 21 surmounted by a dispensing orifice 22 formed in said wall. In particular, the product sampling surface is formed on the wall which can be arranged to facilitate said removal, in particular by moving a finger on said surface in the vicinity of the orifice 22 of distribution.

The sleeve 21 comprises a duct 23 which extends annularly under a central portion of the wall 20 concentrically to the outer ring 13. Advantageously, the cover 10 is formed in one piece by integrating the wall 20, the 12 mounting skirt and the conduit 23, in particular by molding a thermoplastic material.

The sleeve 21 is arranged around the needle 5 forming between them a product distribution interface 24 which is fed by the distribution chamber 11, said interface opening into the dispensing orifice 22 for the product outlet. In the embodiment shown, the sleeve 21 comprises a nozzle 25 mounted in a fixed manner in the conduit 23, the distribution interface 24 being formed between said tip and the peripheral surface of the needle 5.

The tip 25 is made in one piece of rigid material identical to or different from that of the conduit 23, in particular based on a metallic material and / or thermoplastic, for example acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polypropylene. The tip 25 has a cap 26 in which is formed the orifice 22 for dispensing and in which axially extends a peripheral ring 27 of said nozzle.

The end piece 25 may be mounted in the conduit 23, for example by overmolding, having an internal geometry complementary to the external geometry of the needle 5. In particular, the conduit 23 has an upper opening 28 in which the cap 26 is disposed, the surfaces inner and outer of said cap respectively forming an inner bearing 29 and an outer bearing surface 30 of the wall 20. The outer bearing surface 30 has a convex geometry extending in the extension of the upper surface of the duct 23 delimiting the opening 28.

The cap 26 is arranged so that the dispensing orifice 22 is arranged facing the pin 9 of the needle 5, the interface between the inner bearing 29 and the distal end 8 of said needle forming a downstream portion 24a of the interface 24. distribution which opens into the orifice 22 distribution. The ring 27 extends in the conduit 23 forming an upstream portion 24b of the distribution interface 24 with the peripheral surface of the needle 5.

To allow the distribution of the product, the wall 20 is deformable reversibly by the pressure of the product in the distribution chamber 11 from a stable state of closure of the distribution interface 24 ( figures 1 ) in which the sleeve 21 is placed in sealed contact around the needle 5 towards a deformed opening state of said interface ( figure 2 ) in which said sealing contact is broken to allow the distribution of the product contained in the distribution chamber 11 through the interface 24 and the orifice 22 distribution.

In particular, the deformation of the wall 20 from a stable state to a deformed state causes the sleeve 21 to move axially relative to the needle 5, the nozzle 25 being placed in a low position in which the orifice 22 and the bearing 29 are respectively sealingly disposed around the nipple 9 and on the distal end 8, towards a high position in which said orifice and said inner bearing are respectively spaced from said pin and from said distal end.

In the absence of pressure of the product, the wall 20 is arranged to allow a tight plating force of the inner bearing 29 on the distal end 8 of the needle 5, with the dispensing orifice 22 engaged sealingly around the nipple 9, in order to close both said orifice and the distribution interface 24.

Advantageously, the stud 9 has a frustoconical geometry diverging from top to bottom, the orifice 22 of distribution having a complementary geometry so that the plating of the cap 26 on the distal end 8 accentuates by radial clamping the sealing conferred between two distributions.

In relation to the figure 2 under the pressure of the product, the wall 20 is deformed outwardly, jointly causing the spacing of the cap 26 for the opening respectively of the orifice 22 and the downstream portion 24a of the distribution interface 24. Thus, by manual support on the tank 1, the product passes successively through at least one feed passage 4, the chamber 11 and the distribution interface 24 to be restored through the orifice 22 distribution.

The wall 20 comprises a deformable membrane 31 which connects the mounting skirt 12 and the sleeve 21, said membrane extending in particular between the axial inner surface 17 and the conduit 23. The membrane 31 is deformable reversibly by pressure of the product on it for arranging the wall 20 in the deformed opening state, in particular by actuating the lifting of the tip 25 relative to the needle 5.

The wall 20 further comprises arms 32 arranged in the membrane 31 and connecting the mounting skirt 12 to the conduit 23. In particular, the arms 32 are arranged for, when the membrane 31 is in the stable state, exert a force of plating the cap 26 on the distal end 8 and, when said membrane is in the deformed state, deform elastically to be able to assist the return of said membrane in stable state.

In relation to the figures, the arms 32 are made in one piece during the molding of the cover 10 by forming the skirt 12 and the conduit 23. The material and the geometry of the connecting arms 32 are arranged to promote the return of the wall 20 in a stable state at the end of distribution, and this exerting a plating force of the sleeve 21 around the needle 5 which is sufficient to prevent tampering, including drying and / or oxidation but also contamination by bacteria and / or fungi, the product stored in the interface 24 distribution by contact with the outside.

The membrane 31 is made of product-tight material and is disposed, in particular by overmolding, between the arms 32. Thus, the wall 20 forms a barrier to the product contained in the distribution chamber 11, the pressurization of said product inducing swelling of the membrane 31 to actuate the lifting of the sleeve 21. Advantageously, the membrane 31 is made of material with elastomeric property, said membrane can be made, in particular by molding, based on an elastomeric polymer such as Poly (OxyMethylene) or an Adflex type polypropylene, a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

The embodiment shown provides for equipping the peripheral surface of the needle 5 with axial gadroons 33 which are arranged in the distribution interface 24 leaving at least one distribution passage between them, said gadroons guiding the movement of the tip 25 around said needle preserving a controlled geometry for the upstream portion 24b of said interface. Moreover, the distal end 8 of the needle 5 is lined with notches 34 for communication between the downstream portions 24a and upstream 24b of the distribution interface 24.

To avoid alteration of the product to be dispensed, the sleeve 21 may be equipped with an annular seal 35 which is interposed between said sleeve and a bearing 36 of the base 3. The seal 35 is arranged to close the communication between the interface 24 and the distribution chamber 11 when the wall 20 is in a stable state of closure, the deformation of said wall opening said communication to allow the supplying the product of said distribution interface.

According to the embodiment shown, the annular seal 35 is disposed in an outer annular groove 37 formed around the lower end of the conduit 23, for example by being associated with it, in particular by overmolding. The bearing surface 36 of the base 3 extends radially on the base 7 of the needle 5 by having a groove 36a in which the seal 35 is arranged in sealing engagement.

The seal 35 may be made of a material different from that of the conduit 23, particularly more flexible for example by being similar to that forming the membrane 31 and associated during the same overmoulding. In particular, the closing force of the wall 20 induces a compression of the seal 35 between the duct 23 and the bearing surface 36 of the base 3, which contributes to sealing, between two uses, the closure of the communication between the upstream portion 24b of the interface 24 and the distribution chamber 11.

Advantageously, at least a portion of the wall 20 may be capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product which, between two distributions, is located on said wall, in order to prevent the penetration of bacteria and fungi in the container via the distribution interface 24.

In particular, at least the outer surface 30 of the wall 20 is arranged to ensure the decontamination of the product in the immediate vicinity of the orifice 22 distribution at which the risk of introduction of contaminants is the most important. Advantageously, the tip 25 is made of a material capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product, in particular on the product contained in the distribution interface 24. So, even in the event of slight re-aspiration of product in the distribution interface 24, the latter is decontaminated during its immobilization between two uses in order to risk neither the subsequent distribution of a dose of contaminated product nor the retro-contamination of the product packaged in the tank 1.

In a complementary manner, the membrane 31, the connecting arms 32 and / or the needle 5 can ensure a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action so that in particular the entire product sampling surface can decontaminate the soils formed by spreading the product. produced on said surface during its recovery by the finger of the user.

In order to confer the microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic function, it is possible to use at least one material having microbiocidal properties by diffusion of an antimicrobial agent, by contact with a microbiostatic agent and / or by irradiation with a radiation of adapted wave.

In particular, the antimicrobial agent may be based on an organic base such as Trichlosan (trade name of Melcoplast) or on a silver base, or mineral. In particular, the material may comprise at least one polyolefin, for example polyethylene, polypropylene and / or polystyrene, which is loaded with at least one antimicrobial agent.

The microbiostatic agent may be a metallic material such as a copper or zinc alloy or a material comprising at least one polyolefin charged with such metal particles or having undergone a surface treatment by fluorination, zinc plating or copper plating.

For radiation decontamination, a material having photoluminescence properties after exposure to external light can be used. In particular, the material may be based on a material comprising at least one polyolefin loaded with at least one additive capable of emitting a photoluminescent radiation having a wavelength of between 250 and 260 nanometers, and in particular 254 nanometers, which corresponds to the order of magnitude of sterilizing ultraviolet radiation.

In the embodiment shown, the distribution system comprises a cover 38 intended to cover the cover 10 between two distributions, said cover having a skirt 39 reversibly associated with said cover and a top upper wall 40 disposed above the wall 20.

The skirt 39 is associated with the cover 10 via a hinge 41 allowing the disposition of the cover 38 in the dispensed position ( figure 3 ) and in mounted storage position between two uses ( figure 1 a) wherein the upper wall 40 is disposed above said hood to obscure at least the orifice 22 of distribution.

The cover 38 comprises at least one projection 42 which is arranged to bear on the wall 20 when said cover is associated on the cover 10. Thus, in case of support on the reservoir 1 between two uses, the projection 42 prevents the lifting the sleeve 21 and thus the product outlet through the orifice 22 of distribution.

In relation to figures 1 a and 3, the upper wall 40 is equipped with an annular lower projection 42 whose geometry is arranged to exert a bearing on the outer surface 30, around the orifice 22 of distribution.

Claims (11)

1. System for dispensing a fluid product which is packaged in a tank (1), the system comprising a base (3) and a cap (10) which are intended to be mounted on said tank, together forming a distribution chamber (11) which has at least one passage (4) for supplying packaged product, said cap having a wall (20) which is provided with a skirt (12) for mounting on the tank (1) and a sleeve (21) which is arranged around a nozzle (5) of the base (3), forming between said sleeve and said nozzle a dispensing interface (24) which opens into a dispensing orifice (22) formed in said wall (20), which is reversibly deformable by the pressure of the product in the dispensing chamber (11) from a stable closed state of the interface (24) in which the sleeve (21) is arranged in sealed contact around the nozzle (5) into a deformed opening state of said interface in which said sealed contact is broken in order to allow the dispensing of the product contained in the dispensing chamber (11) through the dispensing orifice (22), with the system characterised in that the skirt (12) is connected to the sleeve (21) via a deformable membrane (31), with arms (32) for connecting the skirt (12) to the sleeve (21) being arranged in the membrane (31).
2. Dispensing system according to claim 1, characterised in that the sleeve (21) is provided with a sealing joint (35) which, in the stable closed state, moves into abutment with a bearing surface (36) of the base (3) in order to close the communication between the interface (24) and the dispensing chamber (11).
3. Dispensing system according to any of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the sleeve (21) comprises a conduit (23) in which an end-piece (25) is mounted, the wall (20) having a bearing surface (30) which extends over a cover (26) of the end-piece and in which the dispensing orifice (22) is formed.
4. Dispensing system according to claim 3, characterised in that the end-piece (25) has a ring (27) which extends below the cover (26), the ring being mounted in the conduit (23) in order to form the dispensing interface (24) with the nozzle (5).
5. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the nozzle (5) has a distal end (8) which is provided with a nipple (9) which is arranged in a sealed manner in the dispensing orifice (22) when the wall (20) is in a stable closed state.
6. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it comprises a cover (38) which is intended to cover the cap (10) between two dispensing actions, the cover comprising at least one protrusion (42) which is arranged so as to move into abutment with the wall (20) when the cover is fitted on the cap.
7. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that at least a portion of the wall (20) is capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product arranged on said wall between two dispensing actions.
8. Dispensing system according to claim 7, characterised in that the wall (20) is produced on the basis of at least one material which has microbiocidal properties by diffusion of an antimicrobial agent, by contact with a microbiostatic agent and/or by irradiation with radiation of a suitable wavelength.
9. Receptacle comprising a deformable tank (1) in which a product is intended to be packaged, said receptacle comprising a dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is mounted on the tank in order to allow the product to be dispensed by manual pressure on the tank.
10. Receptacle according to claim 9, characterised in that the tank (1) is surmounted by a neck (2) in which the base (3) is integrated in one piece, forming at least one supply passage (4) between said neck and said base.
11. Receptacle according to claim 10, characterised in that the neck (2) has fitting means on which the skirt (12) of the cap (10) is mounted.

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