EP2934764B1 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing valve defining a fluid dispensing passage, and a container comprising a deformable inner bag and a deformable outer shell defining in them an intermediate space. By pressing on the outer shell, the inner bag is crushed, so that the fluid it contains is discharged to the dispensing valve which opens under the effect of the pressure of the fluid. The preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of cosmetics or pharmacy, without excluding food products, body care products, etc.

In the prior art, the document is already known EP-0 473 994 A2 which describes a reservoir in the form of a flexible shell containing a flexible bag which is associated with a dispensing valve comprising a flexible membrane pierced with an orifice closed by a needle. When the flexible outer shell is crushed, the flexible inner pouch is also deformed, so that the fluid it contains is pressurized and discharged to the dispensing valve where it raises the flexible membrane of the needle. In more detail, the flexible pouch defines an opening that is welded to a rigid pocket support that is engaged in a rigid collar formed by the outer shell. The pocket support is held in place on the neck of the shell by the dispensing valve which is screwed on a thread formed by the outer wall of the neck of the shell.

Thus, the manufacture of the reservoir of this dispenser requires the welding of a flexible bag on a rigid pocket support, then the introduction of the flexible bag through the rigid neck of the outer shell. Finally, the dispensing valve is screwed onto the neck of the outer shell.

An intermediate space is thus formed between the pocket and the shell. This intermediate space communicates with the outside through venting channels formed by the bag holder and the dispensing valve. The implementation of this venting path of the intermediate space is particularly complicated.

The present invention aims to simplify the design of the pocket and shell tank of the prior art, to facilitate its assembly, to improve the fixing and sealing of the dispensing valve and to simplify the venting path of the the intermediate space.

On the other hand, it is also known in the prior art the document WO 2012/059691 A1 which describes a fluid dispenser head in the form of a valve comprising a differential type of flexible membrane, namely that the pressurized fluid product is present on both sides of the membrane simultaneously. Specifically, the flexible membrane is pierced with a plurality of through holes so as to define a lower chamber and an upper chamber that communicate through the holes of the flexible membrane. The upper surface of the membrane which is subjected to the pressure of the fluid product is larger than the lower surface of the membrane also subjected to the pressure of the fluid, so that the force exerted on its upper surface is greater than the force exerted on the lower surface. As a result, when the pressure of the fluid product exceeds elastic spring means, the diaphragm moves to disengage a sealing needle which is sealingly engaged in a dispensing orifice at rest.

The dispensing valve of this document comprises a threaded connection sleeve intended to cooperate with a threaded neck of a fluid reservoir of variable capacity.

The present invention also aims to improve the fixing and sealing of such a differential diaphragm distribution valve on a fluid reservoir having a pocket inserted into an outer shell.

To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser according to claim 1.

The document EP 1 595 810 A1 shows a fluid dispenser according to the preamble of this claim.

Advantageously, the inlet sleeve of the dispenser of claim 1 is snapped tightly into the neck of the pocket.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the dispenser dispensing valve of claim 1 comprises a base forming the inlet sleeve and the fixing ring. The base is preferably a single piece.

According to an advantageous embodiment, an annular housing is defined between the ring and the neck, a portion of the dispensing valve being engaged in this annular housing. This significantly reduces the height of the valve, as the crown and collar do not define a dead space. Advantageously, the base forms an annular trough disposed in the annular housing.

The annular flange of the dispenser of claim 1 allows to remove the crown of the neck, which increases the stability of the valve on the reservoir. Indeed, the crown which extends at a distance from the neck makes it possible to achieve a peripheral fixation, whereas the neck which occupies a more central position makes it possible to fix and seal at the axis of the valve. It can also be said that the crown makes it possible to achieve a stability or peripheral fixing, while the collar makes it possible to achieve central fixation and sealing. On the other hand, it should be noted that the neck of the pocket engages, advantageously snapped, with the edge of the flange of the shell, and not with its crown. It can also be noted that the flexible pouch does not require a rigid pouch support to be welded. Thus, the manufacture of the pocket and its mounting in the hull are extremely simplified. It is similarly for the mounting of the valve on the tank, since the crown and the neck offers a double guide, both peripheral and central.

Advantageously, the intermediate space communicates with the outside along a vent path that passes between the edge and the neck, through the annular housing and between the crown and the dispensing valve. Preferably, the edge of the flange forms at least one vent groove which communicates the intermediate space with the outside. Thus, even if the collar is in intimate sealed contact with the edge of the flange, the ventilation notch still ensures a passage that communicates the intermediate space with the outside.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the dispensing valve defines a dispensing orifice which is selectively closed by a needle mounted on a differential membrane which is in contact with the fluid product on its two faces simultaneously.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the outer wall of the neck forms a snap profile engaged with the edge of the flange. This ensures that the assembly of the bag and the shell is made as soon as the latching takes place.

According to another aspect of the invention, the neck of the pocket can extend from a substantially annular shoulder, the flange of the shell extending substantially parallel to the shoulder with a minimum gap. This guarantees a perfect stability of the pocket inside the hull.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the neck may extend into the crown with a gap which substantially corresponds to the diameter of the neck. This characteristic makes it possible to quantify the difference between the neck and the crown in terms of neck diameter.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the ring is snapped onto the dispensing valve in an unsealed manner.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the bag and the shell are sealed together at their opposite ends to the dispensing valve. Thus, one can realize the pocket and the hull in the form of sealable tubes together. The bag can thus be inserted into the shell, then filled with fluid and finally sealed.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of making the fixing of the dispensing valve on the one hand on the shell and on the other hand on the pocket. Another principle lies in the fact of spacing the fasteners on the shell and on the pocket so as to increase the stability of the dispensing valve on the reservoir. Snapping the pocket into the shell, followed by snapping the valve on the shell and on the pocket greatly simplifies the mounting operation of the dispenser.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting examples an embodiment of the invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue perspective éclatée d'un distributeur de produit fluide selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective à l'état monté du distributeur de la figure 1, et
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale vertical à travers la valve de distribution et la partie haute du réservoir.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 2 is a perspective view in the assembled state of the dispenser of the figure 1 , and
• The figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the dispensing valve and the top of the tank.

We will first refer to Figures 1 and 2 to describe in a very general manner the structure of a fluid dispenser according to the invention. The dispenser comprises three essential components, namely a shell 5 and a pocket 6 together forming a fluid reservoir R, and a distribution valve V mounted on the reservoir R.

The shell 5 and the pocket 6 are both deformable or flexible so that they can be deformed or crushed manually, advantageously in one hand. The shell 5 preferably has an elastic shape memory, so that it returns to its original form of rest as soon as it is no longer constrained. The pocket 6 can be designed with or without elastic shape memory.

The shell 5 comprises a tube 51 which has an open bottom end 52 in the initial state before final assembly of the dispenser. Shell at its upper end forms a substantially annular flange 53 which extends radially inwards. This flange comprises a central opening which is defined by an annular edge 55. This edge may be circular or oval, and preferably comprises a venting notch 56 whose function will be more visible hereinafter. A ring 54 projects upwards from the annular flange 53. It is disposed near the outer periphery of the annular flange 53. This ring 54 advantageously has one or more snap or snap profiles on its wall. external.

The bag 6 also comprises a tube 61 which has an open lower end 62 in the initial state before final assembly of the dispenser. The bag 6 forms at its upper end a substantially annular shoulder 63 which extends upwardly from its inner periphery to form a projecting neck 64. This neck is advantageously provided with a snap-fastening cord 65 on the outer wall and a snap groove 66 on its inner wall.

The pocket 6 is inserted into the shell 5 through its open end 52. The neck 64 is engaged in the flange 53: the outer wall of the collar engaging, preferably snapped, with the edge 55 of the flange 53. The cord Ratchet 65 can be forced over the flange 53. Preferably, the contact between the neck and the edge 55 of the flange is not sealed. In any case, the ventilation notch 56 makes it possible to break a possible sealed contact. It may be noted that the flange 53 and the shoulder 63 extend with a minimum distance or even a contact.

It should be noted that the ring 54 extends concentrically around the neck 64 with a gap which is of the order of the diameter of the neck. This gap is created by the annular flange 53 which connects the crown to the neck. Thus, an annular housing L is formed between the crown and the neck: its bottom is formed by the flange 53.

The pocket can then be filled with fluid product by its open end 62. The open ends 52, 62 of the shell and the pocket are then pinched and welded to form a solder joint 52 ', visible on the figure 2 .

An intermediate space E is thus formed between the pocket and the shell. This space E communicates with the outside at the neck 64 engaged in a non-leakproof manner in the flange 53, possibly provided with a venting notch 56.

By crushing the shell 5, for example with one hand, the pocket 6 is also crushed and fluid is pushed out of the pocket. The hull preferably returns to its original shape, while the pocket may have remained deformed, since it is hidden by the hull.

The dispensing valve V visible on the figure 3 in detail comprises three essential components, namely a cap 1, a flexible part 2 and a base 3. These elements can be made by injection molding of suitable plastic material. They all have a symmetry of revolution more or less perfect. The cap 1 and the base 3 are substantially rigid, while the flexible part 2 is by definition elastically deformable. The cap 1 associated with the base 3 together form a kind of housing in which is housed the flexible part 2, as will be seen below. The flexible part 2 defines seals both with the cap 1 and the base 3, as will be seen below.

The cap 1 is, in this particular embodiment, in the form of a cover comprising a recovery cup 12 at the center of which is formed a dispensing orifice 11. On its outer periphery, the cap 1 forms a skirt substantially cylindrical 13. The cap 1 here has a circular cross section, but one can also imagine another shape in section for the cap 1.

The flexible part 2 is in a way the engine of the dispensing valve, since it defines the dynamic part of the valve. The flexible part 2 first defines a flexible diaphragm 20. This membrane 20 is traversed by a plurality of through holes 22. In its center, the membrane 20 defines a closure member in the form of a sealed sealing needle 21 which projects upwards. The membrane 20 defines an upper face and a lower face. The needle 21 is located on the upper face. The through holes 22 can communicate directly from the upper face to the lower face. The flexible part 2 also defines a first anchor heel 23 which extends downwards from the underside of the membrane. This anchor heel 23 defines a bellows segment allowing axial contraction. On its outer periphery, the flexible membrane 20 is connected to a second anchor bead 24. A return spring 25 which bears on the lower face of the membrane 20 biases the needle 21 in the orifice 11 so as to seal.

The base 3 comprises an inlet sleeve 31 which is advantageously provided on its outer wall with a detent bead intended to cooperate with the detent groove 66 formed inside the collar 64. Beyond this inlet sleeve 31, the base forms an annular channel 32 whose inner wall 33 extends substantially concentrically outside the inlet sleeve 31. Beyond this annular trough 32, the base forms an annular sleeve 34 which protrudes upwards. Finally, the base forms a fixing ring 35 which is advantageously provided on its inner face with a latching housing.

The dispensing valve V also comprises a locking ring 4 which is arranged in the chute 32 so as to crush the first anchoring bead 23 of the flexible part 2 against the inner wall 33 of the chute 32. locking ring 4 fulfills both a fastening and sealing function.

The various constituent elements of the dispensing valve V are assembled in the following manner. As mentioned above, the first anchoring heel 23 of the flexible part 2 is firstly wedged between the wall 33 and the locking ring 4. The return spring 25 is supported on the one hand in the bottom of the chute 32 and secondly under the membrane 20 of the flexible part 2. The establishment of the cap 1 allows to wedge the second anchor heel 24 of the flexible part 2 against the sleeve 34 of the base 3. D ' on the other hand, the needle 21 is engaged elastically and tightly in the dispensing orifice 11. The skirt 13 of the cap 1 is engaged in friction around the fixing ring 35 of the base 3. A lower chamber Ci is thus formed under the membrane 20. This lower chamber Ci extends to the inlet sleeve 31. On the other hand, an upper chamber Cs is formed between the membrane 20 and the cap 1 around the needle 21. The two lower chambers Ci and upper Cs communicate with each other through the through holes 22. The dispensing valve V thus defines a dispensing passage that extends from the inlet sleeve 31 to the dispensing orifice 11 via the lower chamber Ci, the through holes 22 and the upper chamber Cs. the passage formed around the needle 21 when it is detached from the orifice 11.

When the pressurized fluid product from the reservoir R reaches the dispensing valve, it fills the lower chambers Ci and Cs, which communicate easily with each other through the through-holes 22. In the lower chamber Ci, the pressure s' exerts on a part of the lower face of the membrane 20 which is described here as the lower surface Si. On the other side of the membrane 20, the pressure is exerted on a part of the upper face of the membrane that here it is referred to as the upper surface Ss, and it can easily be observed that the lower surface Si is very much smaller than the upper surface Ss.The surface ratio Ss / Si is of the order of 3 to 4 for the embodiment shown in the figures. As a result, the force exerted by the pressure of the fluid product on the upper surface Ss is very much greater than the force exerted by the pressure of the fluid product on the lower surface Si. In response to pressure, the flexible membrane 20 moves relative to the cap 1 and the base 3 so as to disengage the closing needle 21 from the dispensing orifice 11. The displacement of the membrane is only generated by the pressure of the fluid, so that the this membrane can be described as differential, since it reacts to the difference of pressure force exerted on these two faces. The volume of the upper chamber Cs will increase while the volume of the chamber Ci will decrease as the pressure increases. However, since the flexible membrane 20 is urged elastically towards the cap 1 by elastic means, it is necessary that the pressure inside the chambers reaches a predetermined pressure threshold to overcome the elastic means. These elastic means result from the accumulation of several particular means, namely the own elasticity of the membrane 20, the elasticity provided by the first anchoring heel 23 and the elasticity of the spring 25.

At rest, as shown on the figure 3 , the orifice 11 comes into sealing contact with the shutter needle 21. Thus, the upper chamber Cs is perfectly sealed from the outside. In contrast, during the dispensing phases, the needle 21 is detached from the edge of the orifice 11, thus clearing an outlet passage for the fluid product communicating the upper chamber Cs with the outside.

The internal design of the dispensing valve V is not critical to the present invention. Indeed, any dispensing valve can be used in the context of the present invention insofar as it incorporates the necessary characteristics allowing it to cooperate with the reservoir of the invention. In other words, the dispensing valve must incorporate a base having a configuration identical or substantially similar to that just described.

The dispensing valve V is mounted on the tank R in the following manner. Simultaneously, the inlet sleeve 31 is inserted into the neck 64, the outer wall of the housing 32 engages around the neck 64, the chute 32 enters the housing L and the fixing ring 35 engages with the ring 54 In final assembly position shown on the figure 3 , the outer snap profiles of the sleeve 31 are housed in the annular groove 66 of the neck 64 in a sealed manner, the chute 32 is almost completely received inside the housing L, and the fixing ring 35 is snapped into engagement of the ring 54. Advantageously, the contact between the fixing ring 35 and the ring 54 is not tight, so that the intermediate space E can communicate with the outside through the unsealed contact between the neck and the ring. edge of the flange 53, the housing L and the unsealed contact between the ring 35 and the crown 54. It should be noted that the insertion of a portion of the valve, namely the chute 32, in the housing L can significantly reduce the total height of the valve, and therefore its size. Indeed, we can see on the figure 3 that the locking ring 4 and a portion of the spring 25 and a portion of the first anchor 23 are disposed inside the housing L.

By implementing a peripheral ring integral with the shell and a central collar secured to the pocket, the fixing and the holding of the dispensing valve V on the tank are considerably improved.

Thanks to the invention, can be associated in a particularly strong and sealed manner a distribution valve (preferably a differential membrane) with a pocket reservoir in shell.

Claims (12)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising a dispenser valve (V) defining a fluid dispenser passage, and a container (R) comprising a deformable inner pouch (61) and a deformable outer shell (51) that co-operate with each other to define an intermediate gap (E) therebetween, the deformable outer shell (51) including a collar (54) in engagement with the dispenser valve(V), and an annular flange (53) that extends radially inwards inside the collar (54) in such a manner as to define an edge (55) that defines a central opening, the deformable inner pouch (61) including a neck (64) that is engaged in the central opening in engagement with the edge (55) of the annular flange (53) and with the dispenser valve (V) in fluid communication with the dispenser passage, the dispenser valve (V) comprising an inlet sleeve (31) in engagement with the neck (64) of the deformable inner pouch (61) and a fastener ring (35) that in engagement with the collar (54) of the deformable outer shell (51),
   the dispenser being characterized in that an annular housing (L) is defined between the collar (54) and the neck (64), a portion of the dispenser valve (V) being engaged in the annular housing (L).
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the inlet sleeve (31) is snap-fastened in the neck (64) of the deformable inner pouch (61) in a leaktight manner.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the dispenser valve (V) comprises a base (3) forming the inlet sleeve (31) and the fastener ring (35).
4. A dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the base (3) forms an annular trough (32) which is disposed in the annular housing (L).
5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate gap (E) communicates with the outside along a vent path that passes between the edge (55) and the neck (64), through the annular housing (L), and between the collar (54) and the dispenser valve (V).
6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser passage of the dispenser valve (V) defines a dispenser orifice (11) that is closed selectively by a pin (21) that is mounted on a differential membrane (20) that is in contact with the fluid on both of its faces simultaneously.
7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the edge (55) of the annular flange (53) forms at least one vent notch (56) that puts the intermediate gap (E) into communication with the outside.
8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer wall of the neck (64) forms a snapfastener profile (65) that is in engagement with the edge (55) of the annular flange (53).
9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the neck (64) of the deformable inner pouch (61) extends from a substantially annular shoulder (63), the annular flange (53) of the deformable outer shell (51) extending substantially parallel to the substantially annular shoulder (63) and spaced apart therefrom by very little.
10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the neck (64) extends in the collar (54) with an offset that corresponds substantially to the diameter of the neck (64).
11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the collar (54) is snap-fastened on the dispenser valve (V) in non-airtight manner.
12. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable inner pouch (61) and the deformable outer shell (51) are heat-sealed together at their ends (62, 52) remote from the dispenser valve (V).

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