EP3034178A1 - Dispensing head for a product dispensing system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dispensing head for a dispensing system of a product, said head comprising a body (1) having a mounting well (3) of said head on a tube (6) for feeding the product under pressure. and a housing (10) in communication with said well via a distribution path (11), said housing being provided with a nozzle (12) defining a dispensing space (13) between said path and a passage outlet (14) formed in said nozzle, the nozzle (12) being equipped with an insert (18) which has a membrane (19) forming in the space (13) a communication interface (20) between an upstream part (13a) in which opens the path (11) and a downstream portion (13b) which feeds the outlet passage (14), said membrane being reversibly deformable by pressure of the product from the upstream portion (13a), between a state at rest in which the dimension of the interface (20) is minimal and a constrained state in which the dimension of said interface is increased to ensure distribution, said nozzle being preferably capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product contained at least in the downstream part (13b).

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing head for a product dispensing system, a dispensing system comprising such a head attached to a product pressurized tube and a bottle intended to contain a product to be dispensed at the dispenser. means of such a distribution system.

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.

Dispensing systems are known comprising a pump provided with a tube for feeding the product under pressure on which a push-button type distribution head is fixed to actuate the displacement of said tube over a dispensing / suction stroke of the product.

In particular, the dispensing head may comprise a body having a mounting well of said head on the feed tube and a product distribution path. In one embodiment, the distribution path opens into a dispensing space formed in a nozzle having an outlet passage of the product. Thus, by pressing on the body of the dispensing head, the pump is actuated to distribute the product through the outlet passage in the form of a hazelnut or a continuous stream.

Around the world, various directives aim to regulate, control and limit the presence of substances potentially dangerous for human health in products, especially cosmetics. One of them is the European REACh directive (Registration Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals). Also, an environmental trend pushes cosmeticians to limit or eliminate from their formulas preservatives that are often cause allergies or intolerances.

Cosmetics are becoming more and more fragile. In particular, they hardly withstand the mechanical or thermal stress (causing for example a phase shift), the contact of the air (causing for example desiccation, oxidation), and are easily contaminated by bacteria, yeasts and molds.

To fight against these contaminations, the formulators try to reinforce the intrinsic conservative activity of their products by adding ingredients with a conservative activity like certain essential oils, essences of orange, vitamin C, ... which are not declared as curators. Also, they limit the free activity of the water they are trying to keep low (AW <0.6) so that the bacteria do not grow or little. The NF 29621 standard describes such means. But the formulators quickly stumble on the limits of such a strategy.

On the other hand, both at the reservoir in which the product is conditioned and at the dispensing head, protective flasks appear on the market. In particular, the flasks must prevent microbiological contamination of the product, not only during storage but especially between two uses, and especially by retro-contamination from the outlet passage to the interior of the tank through the space of distribution.

To do this, it has been proposed dispensing heads whose outlet passage is equipped with a deformable membrane by pressure of the product on it, between a state respectively of closing and opening of said outlet passage. In particular, the sealing of the closure between two distributions can be achieved by plating the flexible membrane on a rigid geometry.

However, this strategy finds its limit in the impossibility of obtaining a plating interface sufficiently intimate to prevent contaminants of very small sizes from entering the dispensing space through said interface.

In addition, the membrane plated in the outlet passage is in direct contact with the outside air, inducing a risk of rapid drying of the weak quantity of product disposed at the sealing interface. Thus, between two uses, a fortiori relatively spaced in time, the membrane tends to stick in closed state, an actuation of the distribution inducing a pressurization of the product in the distribution space to a sufficient value to ensure the separation, leading then to a sudden exit of the product through the passage thus opened.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a dispensing head of simple design in which the distribution of the product is ensured by avoiding its microbial contamination between two uses, in particular by retro-contamination from the exit passage to the inside the tank, and this by maintaining a gradual return of the product during the actuation of the distribution even after a relatively prolonged non-use.

For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a dispensing head for a dispensing system of a product, said head comprising a body having a mounting well of said head on a tube for feeding the product under pressure. and a housing in communication with said well via a distribution path, said housing being equipped with a nozzle defining a distribution space between said path and an outlet passage formed in said nozzle, the nozzle being equipped with an insert having a membrane forming in the distribution space a communication interface between an upstream part in which the distribution path opens and a downstream part which feeds the outlet passage, said membrane being reversibly deformable by pressure of the product coming from of the upstream part, between a state at rest in which the dimension of the communication interface is minimal and a constrained state in which the A dimension of said interface is increased to ensure distribution, said nozzle being preferably capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product contained at least in the downstream part of the distribution space.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a system for dispensing a product, said system comprising such a dispensing head and a tube for feeding the product under pressure on which the mounting well of said head is fixed.

According to a third aspect, the invention proposes a bottle comprising a reservoir in which a product is intended to be packaged, said reservoir being equipped with such a dispensing system which is mounted so as to put the supply tube in communication with said reservoir for allowing the product to be conveyed from said feed tube to the outlet passage.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un flacon de distribution selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• les figures 2 sont des vues de la tête de distribution du flacon de la figure 1, respectivement en perspective éclatée (figure 2a) et en coupe longitudinale (figure 2b) ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective montrant l'intérieur de la buse équipant la tête de distribution des figures 2 ;
• les figures 4 sont des vues en perspective de l'insert équipant la tête de distribution des figures 2, respectivement orienté par l'arrière (figure 4a) et orienté par l'avant (figure 4b) ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des représentations de la disposition de l'insert des figures 4 dans la buse de la figure 3, montrant l'insert en état au repos (figures 5) et en état contraint (figures 6), respectivement en vue arrière (figures 5a, 6a) et en coupe longitudinale (figures 5b, 6b).

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 longitudinal sectional view of a dispensing bottle according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figures 2 are views of the dispensing head of the bottle of the figure 1 , respectively in exploded perspective ( figure 2a ) and in longitudinal section ( figure 2b );
• the figure 3 is a perspective view showing the inside of the nozzle equipping the distribution head of the figures 2 ;
• the figures 4 are perspective views of the insert equipping the distribution head of the figures 2 , respectively oriented by the rear ( figure 4a ) and oriented from the front ( figure 4b );
• the Figures 5 and 6 are representations of the layout of the insert of the figures 4 in the nozzle of the figure 3 , showing the insert in a state of rest ( figures 5 ) and in a constrained state ( figures 6 ), respectively in rear view ( Figures 5a, 6a ) and in longitudinal section ( Figures 5b, 6b ).

In connection with the figures, there is described a pushbutton type dispensing head for a system for dispensing a product under pressure, for example in the form of a hazelnut or a continuous stream. In an example for application, the fluid product is a lotion, a gel or a cream, for a cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.

The dispensing head comprises a body 1 having an annular skirt 2 which surrounds a well 3 for mounting said head on a feed tube under pressure of the product. Furthermore, the dispensing head comprises an upper zone 4 allowing the user to exert a digital support on said head in order to be able to move it axially.

The dispensing head is intended to equip a dispensing system which comprises a sampling device 5 provided with a tube 6 for feeding under pressure a product to be dispensed, on which the mounting shaft 3 of said head is fixed with sealing way to allow, by axial displacement of said head, the displacement of said tube on a dispensing / suction stroke of the product.

The sampling device 5 of the dispensing system may comprise a manually operated pump or, in the case where the product is packaged under pressure, a manually operated valve. Thus, during a manual movement of the dispensing head, the pump or the valve is actuated to supply the feed tube 6 with pressure product.

In particular, a manually operated pump conventionally comprises a body in which are arranged means necessary for pressurizing the product to be dispensed. According to a particular embodiment, the pump is of the type without air intake in compensation of the volume of product dispensed, so as not to introduce contaminant in the packaged product.

In known manner, the dispensing system further comprises means, for example a hoop 7, to allow its mounting on the tank of a bottle 8 in which a product to be dispensed is intended to be packaged, and means for feeding the sampling device 5 in conditioned product, for example a dip tube disposed in the reservoir or, as shown in FIG. figure 1 , a supply piston 9 mounted slidably in the body of said reservoir so as to collect the product in said sampling device.

The body 1 also has an annular housing 10 which is in communication with the mounting shaft 3 via a distribution path 11. In the embodiment shown, the housing 10 has an axis perpendicular to that of the well. mounting 3 to allow a lateral distribution of the product relative to the body 1. In a variant not shown, the housing may be collinear with the mounting well, in particular for a distribution head forming nasal dispensing nozzle.

The housing 10 is equipped with a nozzle 12 delimiting a distribution space 13 between the distribution path 11 and an outlet passage 14 formed in said nozzle. In the embodiment shown, the housing 10 is provided with an anvil 15 around which the nozzle 12 is mounted to define the dispensing space 13, said anvil having at least one duct 16 in which at least part of the path distribution 11 extends. In particular, the duct 16 extends axially in the central part of the anvil 15, in order to allow a central supply of the distribution space 13.

Thus, by fixing the mounting well 3 on the feed tube 6, the distribution of the product is carried out by pressing on the body 1 to actuate the movement of said tube in order to convey the packaged product from the feed tube 6 to the exit passage 14.

The dispensing head can also be used for other types of dispensing. In particular, the tank of the bottle 8 may comprise a flexible body, the pressurization of the product in the feed tube then taking place by bringing the walls of said tank closer together, without the use of a pump.

In the embodiments shown, the nozzle 12 has a cylindrical side wall 12a of revolution which is closed forward by a distal wall 12b in which the outlet passage 14 is formed.

The association of the nozzle 12 in the housing 10 is formed by fitting of the side wall 12a. To do this, the anvil 15 has a chamfer 15a formed on its front end. In addition, the bottom of the housing 10 has a groove 17 which surrounds the anvil 15 and in which a rear portion of the side wall 12a is arranged to be mounted in tight contact between said anvil and a side wall of the housing 10.

Advantageously, at least the side wall 12a of the nozzle 12 may be made of a material whose rigidity is greater than the stiffness of the material forming the body 1. Thus, the significant stiffness of the side wall 12a makes it possible to avoid its deformation during its mounting in the housing 10. In addition, the lower stiffness of the body 1 provides improved sealing between the mounting well 3 and the feed tube 6.

The nozzle 12 is also equipped with an insert 18 which has a membrane 19 forming in the distribution space 13 a communication interface 20 between an upstream portion 13a into which the distribution path 11 opens and a downstream portion 13b which feeds the exit passage 14.

In particular, the membrane 19 is deformable reversibly by pressure of the product coming from the upstream part 13a, and this between a state at rest, in which the dimension of the communication interface 20 is minimal, and a constrained state, in which the dimension of said interface is increased to provide product distribution.

To do this, the insert 18 is made of a flexible material, in particular based on a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and / or a low density polyethylene (LDPE), such materials having good properties in terms of deformation reversible.

The membrane 19 has at least one deformable web 21 defining a communication interface 20 with an inner surface 22 extending on the internal face of the side wall 12a, said web being arranged to flex by pressure of the product on it by inducing a reduction the outer dimension of said web.

The insert 18 further has a central pin 23 around which the web 21 of the membrane 19 extends radially. In particular, the insert 18 is disposed in the dispensing space 13 so that the central duct 16 of the anvil 15, and therefore the distribution path 11, opens out axially opposite the central pin 23, which allows a homogeneous angular distribution of the product leaving said path in the upstream portion 13a of the distribution space 13.

According to one embodiment, the membrane 19 has at least two, and in particular three webs 21 which each extend on an angular sector being angularly separated by a bridge 24, whose rigidity is greater than that of said sails, in particular to not to bend by pressure of the product on him.

In relation to the figures, the bridges 24 extend radially from the periphery of the central peg 23 by being angularly equilateral, so that the webs 21 have identical angular dimensions. Thus, thanks to their identical arrangement and the homogeneous angular distribution of the product in the upstream part 13a, the webs 21 subjected to the pressure of said product deform in a homogeneous manner to allow a substantially symmetrical increase in the size of the communication interface. 20.

As represented in particular on figures 4 each sail 21 has a bellows 25 arranged to control its deformation under the effect of the pressure of the product. In particular, in relation to figures 6 , the bellows 25 are arranged so that the diaphragm 19 in the stressed state comes to bear axially on the inside of the distal wall 12b maintaining a communication interface 20 between said support and said wall.

In addition, the bridges 24 each extend from a front portion of the central pin 23 and each have a front stop 24a which bears axially on the inside of the distal wall 12b, in particular under the effect of the pressure exerted by the product on the sails 21. In particular, the front stops 24a extend axially beyond the front end 23a of the central pin 23, so as to prevent said front end from occulting the outlet passage 14, in particular in the event of significant pressure of the product in the upstream portion 13a.

Between two distributions, the product may remain immobilized in the dispensing space 13, bringing it into contact with the potentially contaminating outside air by bacteria and / or fungi. Thus, by backscattering from the outlet passage 14 into the dispensing space 13, at least the dose of product to be distributed later can be contaminated.

To limit this contamination, the nozzle 12 is furthermore capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least a microbiostatic action on the product contained at least in the downstream part 13b of the distribution space 13. In fact, because of the presence of the insert 18 and the proximity of the outlet passage 14, the product contained in the downstream portion 13b is more exposed to the outside air than the product contained in the upstream portion 13a, and therefore has greater risk of contamination by said air outside.

To do this, at least the surfaces of the nozzle 12 which delimit the downstream portion 13b, that is to say the inner surface of the distal wall 12b and the inner surface 22 delimiting the communication interface 20, are arranged to ensure a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product. Alternatively, the entire inner face of the side wall 12a can be arranged to ensure a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product, to also allow a decontamination of the product contained in the upstream portion 13a.

Advantageously, the outer surface of the distal wall 12b is also capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic function to prevent the contamination of soil disposed on it between two distributions, thus ensuring that the product subsequently distributed is not contaminated by said defilements.

Similarly, the side wall 14a delimiting the outlet passage 14 may be capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic function, since the product contained in the downstream part 13b between two distributions is also in contact with the outside air.

In relation to the figure 3 , the outlet passage 14 has an orifice 26 which is delimited by a side wall 14a provided with at least one inner projection 27, and in particular of five internal projections 27, which allows the product to be dispensed in the form of a tablecloth stiffened. Thus, when the side wall 14a is capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic function, a stiffening of the sheet of product to be dispensed is combined by means of the lateral projections 27 with an action against the contamination of the product of said sheet by the bacteria , yeasts and molds.

In particular, it ensures the decontamination of the product which, between two distributions, is located in the vicinity of the outlet passage 14 and it prevents the penetration of bacteria, yeasts and molds in the bottle 8 via the distribution path 11.

Furthermore, because of the minimum dimension of the communication interface 20 between two distributions, it limits the passage in the upstream portion 13a of very small contaminants from the outside, and a fortiori the product remaining in the part downstream 13b which is potentially infested. Thus, the risk of retro-contamination from the outlet passage 14 to the interior of the tank is limited.

In addition, insofar as the membrane 19 regulating the passage of product to be dispensed is disposed in the nozzle 12, that is to say in a relatively closed space, the contact of said membrane with the outside air is limited, which makes it possible to reduce the risk of drying out the small quantity of product disposed at the interface 20 formed by said membrane. Thus, it limits the risk of adhesion of the membrane 19 to the inner bearing 22 in the rest state, and therefore the risk of overpressure and sudden output of the product to be distributed later.

To further limit the risk of adhesion of the diaphragm 19 to the inner bearing 22, the sail 21 has, in connection with the figure 5b an outer dimension at rest which is less than the inner dimension of the inner bearing surface 22, to prevent contact of said web on said inner bearing surface.

As a variant, the web 21 may have an outside dimension at rest which is substantially equal to the internal dimension of the surface 22. Thus, the rest dimension of the communication interface 20 is substantially zero, which makes it possible to limit as much as possible the passage in the upstream portion 13a of external contaminants and / or undistributed product and potentially contaminated.

Furthermore, the insert 18 may also be capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product contained at least at the level of the communication interface 20. In particular, the insert 18 may consist entirely of a material having microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties, so as to participate with the nozzle 12 in the decontamination of the product remaining in the downstream part 13b after use of the bottle 8, and thus avoid contamination by said product remaining product passing through said downstream part during a subsequent use of said bottle.

In order to be able to ensure a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action, the nozzle 12 may in particular be made from at least one material having microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties, so that said nozzle is active relative to the inhibition by being hostile to microbial growth in the product disposed in its vicinity.

According to one embodiment, the microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties of the material are obtained by contacting the product with a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic agent, for example by using a metallic material such as a copper or zinc alloy or a material comprising less a charge of such metal particles or having undergone a surface treatment by fluorination, zinc plating or copper plating.

In particular, the nozzle 12 may comprise metallic copper or a copper-based metal alloy which, by virtue of its microbiostatic properties, prevents the proliferation or eliminates contaminants in contact with said nozzle, and without migration into the product of a any antimicrobial agent. The use of the nozzle 12 then makes it possible to locate the use of copper at the dispensing space, without having to copper and / or charge in copper particles the body 1 of the dispensing head.

Particularly advantageously, the nozzle 12 comprises an alloy based on copper, nickel and zinc, in particular the CuNi ₁₂ Zn ₂₄ alloy, which also has good properties in terms of machining and corrosion resistance.

In particular, the nozzle 12 may be made entirely of metal copper or one of its alloys, in particular by stamping a sheet, such a solution having the particular advantage of being simple and inexpensive to achieve.

As a variant, the nozzle 12 may be made of synthetic material, for example of the polyolefin type and in particular based on polypropylene (PP), of which at least one surface intended to delimit the distribution space 13 is metallized with a copper deposit or of one of his alloys.

In another embodiment, the nozzle 12 is made of a synthetic material which is loaded with metallic copper particles with a charge rate sufficient for copper particles to be disposed on the surface to be in contact with the product.

The microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties of the material may also be obtained by diffusion in the product of an antimicrobial agent, for example on an organic base such as Trichlosan (commercial name of the company Melcoplast) or on silver base, or mineral. In particular, the material may comprise at least one polyolefin, for example polyethylene (PE), in particular at low density (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and / or polystyrene, which is loaded with at least one antimicrobial agent.

The microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties of the material may also be obtained by irradiation of the product with radiation of suitable wavelength, in particular by means of a material which exhibits photoluminescence properties after exposure to external light.

In particular, the material may be based on at least one polyolefin, for example low density polyethylene (LDPE), said polyolefin being charged with at least one additive capable of emitting photoluminescent radiation which has a wavelength between 250 and 260 nanometers, including 254 nanometers, which corresponds to the order of magnitude of sterilizing ultraviolet radiation.

Claims (19)

Dispensing head for a dispensing system of a product, said head comprising a body (1) having a mounting well (3) of said head on a tube (6) for feeding the product under pressure and a housing (10). ) in communication with said well via a distribution path (11), said housing being provided with a nozzle (12) defining a dispensing space (13) between said path and an outlet passage (14) formed in said nozzle, said head being characterized in that the nozzle (12) is equipped with an insert (18) which has a diaphragm (19) forming in the distribution space (13) a communication interface (20) between an upstream part (13a) in which the distribution path (11) opens and a downstream part (13b) which feeds the outlet passage (14), said membrane being reversibly deformable by pressure of the product coming from the upstream part (13a) ), between a state at rest in which the dimension of the inter communication face (20) is minimal and a constrained state in which the dimension of said interface is increased to provide distribution. Dispensing head according to claim 1, characterized in that the membrane (19) has at least one deformable web (21) which delimits a communication interface (20) with an inner bearing (22) of the nozzle (12), said veil being arranged to flex by pressure of the product on it by inducing a reduction of the outer dimension of said veil. Dispensing head according to claim 2, characterized in that the web (21) has an outer dimension at rest which is smaller than the inner dimension of the bearing surface (22) to prevent contact of said web on said surface. Dispensing head according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the membrane (19) has at least two webs (21) which each extend over an angular sector, said webs being angularly separated by a bridge (24) whose rigidity is greater than that of said sails so as not to flex by pressure of the product on it. Dispensing head according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that a web (21) has a bellows (25) for controlling the deformation of said web by pressure of the product on it. Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the insert (18) has a central pin (23) around which the membrane (19) extends radially. Dispensing head according to claim 6, characterized in that the distribution path (11) opens axially opposite the pin (23). Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the housing (10) is provided with an anvil (15) around which the nozzle (12) is mounted to define the distribution space ( 13), said anvil having at least one conduit (16) in which at least a portion of the distribution path (11) extends. Dispensing head according to claim 8, characterized in that the duct (16) extends axially in the central part of the anvil (15). Dispensing head according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the nozzle (12) has a distal wall (12b) in which the outlet passage (14) is formed, and a side wall (12a) having an inner bearing (22) defining the communication interface (20). Dispensing head according to claim 10, characterized in that the insert (18) has at least one forward stop (24a) which bears axially on the inside of the distal wall (12b). Dispensing head according to one of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the membrane (19) in the stressed state is arranged to bear axially on the inside of the distal wall (12b) while maintaining a communication interface ( 20) between said support and said wall. Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the nozzle (12) is made of at least one material having microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic properties by diffusion of an antimicrobial agent, by contact with a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic agent and / or irradiation with radiation of suitable wavelength. Dispensing head according to Claim 13, characterized in that the nozzle (12) comprises metallic copper or a metal-copper-based alloy. Dispensing head according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the insert (18) is capable of ensuring a microbiocidal or at least microbiostatic action on the product contained at least at the level of the communication interface ( 20). Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the outlet passage (14) has an orifice (26) which is delimited by a side wall (14a) provided with at least one inner projection ( 27). System for dispensing a product, said system comprising a dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 16 and a tube (6) for feeding the product under pressure on which the mounting well (3) of said head is fixed. Dispensing system according to claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a pump (5) actuated by the dispensing head, said pump comprising the tube (6) for feeding the product under pressure. Vial (8) comprising a reservoir in which a product is intended to be packaged, said reservoir being equipped with a dispensing system according to one of claims 17 or 18 which is mounted so as to put the feed tube (6 ) in communication with said reservoir to allow the product to be conveyed from said feed tube to the outlet passage (14).

Images