EP3233669A1

EP3233669A1 - Fluid-product vessel

Info

Publication number: EP3233669A1
Application number: EP15828348.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Decottignies; Patrick Muller
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2014-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-17
Publication date: 2017-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-17
Also published as: FR3030463B1; FR3030463A1; EP3233669B1; KR20170096019A; ES2715896T3; CN107000921B; WO2016097616A1; KR102522554B1; CN107000921A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fluid-product vessel comprising a bottom (11) and a sliding cylinder (47), a piston (6) being mounted so as to slide tightly inside the sliding cylinder (47), resilient biasing means (5) being provided so as to push the piston (6) in the sliding cylinder (47) so as to reduce the useful volume (V) of the fluid-product vessel, the vessel comprising holding means (44, 45, 62) for retaining the piston (6) in an initial position against the resilient biasing means (5) such that the fluid product stored in the vessel is not subjected to the pressure of the piston (6) pushed by the resilient biasing means (5), the fluid-product vessel also comprising an unblocking member (3) for deactivating the holding means (44, 45, 62) such that the resilient biasing means (5) push the piston (6) which exerts a pressure on the fluid product stored in the vessel, said unblocking member (3) being movable between an inoperative initial position and an operative final position in which it acts on the supporting means (44, 45, 62) in order to deactivate same, characterised in that the unblocking member (3) is accessible, for moving same from the inoperative initial position to the operative final position, through an access opening (13) formed at the bottom (11) of the fluid-product vessel.

Description

Fluid tank

The present invention relates to a fluid reservoir comprising a bottom and a sliding shaft, a piston being slidably mounted in the sliding shaft. Elastic biasing means are provided for urging the piston into the slide shaft so as to reduce the useful volume of the fluid reservoir. The reservoir comprises holding means for retaining the piston in an initial position against the elastic biasing means so that the fluid stored in the reservoir is not subjected to the pressure of the piston pushed by the resilient biasing means. The fluid reservoir further comprises an unlocking member for deactivating the holding means so that the elastic biasing means then push the piston which exerts pressure on the fluid stored in the reservoir, this unlocking member being movable between an inoperative initial position and an operative final position in which it acts on the holding means to deactivate them. The preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of cosmetics, pharmacy or even perfumery.

In the prior art, US4223808 discloses a fluid dispenser comprising such a reservoir on which is mounted a dispensing member in the form of a valve that can be maintained in the open state by pressing on a pusher provided with a nozzle. The reservoir comprises a barrel in which a piston slides under the action of a spring. The piston is provided with two flexible lugs provided with hooking heads which are engaged with the edges of holes made in a cup integral with the barrel. The reservoir also includes a movable bottom forming a dome which allows to separate the two flexible tabs to release them from their respective edges. When the movable bottom is fully pressed, the two flexible tabs are released from the cup and the piston then moves under the effect of the spring. In this tank of the prior art, a visible part, namely the moving bottom, is moved from an initial position to a final position of release of the flexible tabs. Moving the movable bottom and changes the appearance of the tank, which of course affects its overall aesthetics. Indeed, he is never happy to provide a visible tank, and therefore aesthetic, a functional room.

In the prior art, documents DE202007002677, CH465157, US1303845 and US3377003 are also known which all disclose unlocking members which project downwardly at the bottom of the tank. The user must manipulate them (push up - turn - press - toggle, etc.) to pass the release member through a hole in the bottom of the tank. Therefore, these unlocking members are visible before use and adversely affect the aesthetics of the reservoir and the dispenser.

The invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a fluid reservoir whose unlocking member can be handled in a more discrete manner, without harming and without modifying the aesthetic appearance of the reservoir. Another object of the present invention is to make almost invisible the unlocking member. Another object of the present invention is to inform the user of the first use of the reservoir while masking the unlocking member.

To do this, the present invention proposes that the unlocking member is accessible to move it manually from the inoperative initial position to the operative final position, through an access opening formed at the bottom of the fluid reservoir. Unlike the document US4223808, the bottom is not mobile, but on the contrary perfectly fixed, so that the tank can generally be made in one piece at its visible outer wall. Unlike the other four aforementioned documents, the unlocking member is entirely disposed on the inner side of the access opening, so that the user must introduce his finger or another object through the opening. access to reach and operate the unlocking member, which is virtually hidden inside the tank.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the access opening may have a size slightly greater than the section of a finger so that a user can insert his finger through the access opening and push the organ in its initial inoperative position so that it reaches its operative final position.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the access opening is initially covered by a first-use label which conceals the access opening. For example, it is possible to use this first-use label for affixing instructions making it possible to make the user understand the instructions for use of the reservoir. For example, you can write on the label "remove and then press". Since the section of the access opening is small, a small first-use label that adheres to the outer edge of the access opening can be used.

According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the unlocking member may comprise a bearing face which is flush with the access opening so as to complete the bottom of the tank. In this case, the access opening is barely visible since it is perfectly filled by the release member whose bearing face is aligned with the outer wall of the tank bottom. The bearing face may be visible, and in this case include a "push" or "push" type instruction. It is also possible to cover the bearing face with a first-use label that will perfectly hide the unlocking member, since its bearing face is flush with the access opening.

The label of first use and / or the flush abutment face make it almost invisible or imperceptible the presence of an unlocking member. As a result, the aesthetic appearance of the tank is perfectly preserved.

According to a practical embodiment, the holding means may comprise a plurality of flexible tabs with gripping heads in engagement, in inoperative initial position, with a hooking profile. corresponding integral piston, the unlocking member, moved from its initial inoperative position to its operative final position, elastically deforming the flexible tabs to disengage the fastening heads of their corresponding latching profile, thus releasing the piston.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the reservoir may comprise an outer shell defining the bottom at which the access opening is formed. Advantageously, the unlocking member rests, in an inoperative initial position, against an inner edge of the access opening. Thus, it is easy to position the support face flush with the outer wall of the access opening.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the reservoir may comprise an internal cup received inside the outer shell, the inner cup forming the sliding drum and a part of the holding means. According to a practical embodiment, the inner cup forms a guide sleeve for guiding the unlocking member during its displacement from its inoperative initial position to its operative final position. Preferably, the release member comprises a support and guide ring which rests on the inner edge of the access opening inoperative inoperative position and which slides in guide bush when the unlocking member is pushed towards position. operant final, the unlocking member further comprising a spacer needle engaged between the flexible tabs to constrain outwardly when it is in the final operative position. Advantageously, the unlocking member is retained, advantageously by snapping, into the flexible tabs in operative final position. The support and guide ring can also abut against a wall of the inner cup in operative final position.

The spirit of the invention is based on the fact of making the most discreet possible release member preserving the maximum aesthetics of the tank. The first use label and the flush abutment face are two characteristics that can be implemented individually or cumulatively, and that actively participate at the discretion of the release. The size of the access opening also makes the release member more discreet.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a reservoir according to the present invention in an inoperative rest position,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 in the operative final position, and

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view in section of the tank of Figures 1 and 2.

The fluid reservoir of the present invention is intended to be associated with a fluid dispenser member which closes the reservoir and allows fluid dispensing therethrough. The dispenser member may for example be in the form of a lid attached to the reservoir and incorporating an outlet valve that the user can actuate with a finger. Instead of the valve, one can also use a valve or a pump. The dispenser member is not shown in the figures because it is not critical to the present invention.

In other words, the fluid reservoir of the present invention can accommodate any type of suitable dispensing member.

The fluid reservoir used to illustrate the present invention comprises several distinct parts, namely an outer shell 1, an unlocking member 3, an inner cup 4, a spring 5 and a piston 6. The reservoir may also optionally comprise a label of first use 2. All these parts are clearly visible in figure 3.

The outer shell 1 is preferably made integrally by injection molding of suitable plastic material. For example, it is possible to use a transparent plastic material to confer a particular aesthetic effect. The outer shell 1 comprises a bottom 1 1 pierced with an opening 13 defining an inner annular edge 12i and an outer annular edge 12e. The portion of the access opening 13 is preferably reduced. For example, it may be noted in the figures that the wall thickness of the base 1 1 decreases towards the access opening 13. The size of the access opening 13 is preferably slightly greater than the average section of a finger, for example the index, so that a user can insert his finger through the access opening without being stuck.

The outer shell 1 also comprises a peripheral body 14 which extends upwards from the outer edge of the bottom 1 1. The body 14 may be cylindrical, or otherwise have any shape. The upper end of the body 14 forms a neck 15, which is advantageously provided with hooking profiles, for example in the form of a thread. This hooking profile will serve to fix a dispensing member that completes the reservoir to form a fluid dispenser.

The first-use label 2 comprises an adhesive pellet 21 whose diameter is greater than that of the access opening 13, so that the pellet 21 can come into adhesive contact with the outer edge 12 of the opening of access 13. Thus, the tablet 21 fully and completely masks the access opening 13. The first-use label 2 may also include a gripping tab 22 by which the user can enter the label 2 to remove it from the bottom 1 1 of the outer shell 1. The visible face of the pellet 21 may comprise any indication, mark, logo or instructions for use. For example, you can write "remove and then press" or "tear off and push".

The release member 3 is generally in the form of a small pin comprising a spacer 31 which protrudes from a bearing face 32. The spacer needle 31 is here shown with a configuration hollow but it could also be full. The bearing face 32 has a diameter greater than that of the needle 31 and defines on its outer periphery a support and guide ring 33 which also defines an annular flange 34 oriented downwards, and disposed offset from the face of support 32. The inner cup 4 comprises a bottom wall 41 which is provided at its center with a complex appendage projecting upwards. This complex appendage comprises, from the outside towards the inside, a cylindrical guide bush 42 which extends inwards through an annular flange 43 which itself extends on its inner periphery by a plurality of flexible tabs 44 whose free upper ends are formed with hooking heads 45 which project inwards. The tabs 44 are inclined inwardly to form together a frustoconical section interrupted by vertical axial slots which separate the tabs. Due to their elasticity, the tabs 44 may be deformed outwardly so as to enlarge the triangle-shaped slots. The bottom wall 41 also extends on its outer periphery to form a cup body 46 internally defining a sliding shaft 47, which has a cylindrical shape, preferably circular. The upper end of the cup body 46 forms a bearing flange 48 which protrudes radially outwardly.

The spring 5 can be of any kind and any form, to the extent that it allows to fulfill its thrust function. In the embodiment used to illustrate the present invention, the spring 5 has several advantageous characteristics, and in particular its concentric spiral shape, its plastic embodiment, its vertical rectangular section. The ascending spiral configuration from bottom to top provides stiffness that is constant, not decreasing. It may be noted that the spring is made from a rectangular section blade wound spirally. The rectangular section ensures a good axial stability of the spring. Moreover, its plastic molding makes it possible to produce a tank without a metal part. It should be noted that such a spring can be implemented in any tank to push a piston, and can therefore be protected regardless of whether the tank incorporates an unlocking member.

The piston 6 comprises a plate 61 which comprises in its center a hooking profile 62 which projects downwards. This snapping profile 62 may for example be in the form of a pin provided with a projecting hooking head. On its outer periphery, the plate 61 is provided with a belt forming two sealing lips 63. To enhance the stability of the piston 6, there is also provided a reinforcing skirt 64 which projects downwards inside the the belt.

Referring now to Figure 1 to describe in detail the arrangement of the different parts together. First, the inner cup 4 is received inside the outer shell 1 so that its bottom wall 41 extends near or in direct contact with the bottom 1 1. On the other hand, the flange 48 bears on the upper edge of the neck 15. It may be noted that the diameter of the guide sleeve 42 is slightly greater than that of the access opening 13 so that the inner edge 12i is clear. On the other hand, the piston 6 is engaged inside the sliding shaft 47 so as to define above it a useful volume V. The hooking profile 62 is engaged between the flexible tabs 44 with the heads of the piston. hooking 45 engaged with the hooking profile 62. The piston 6 is thus immobilized inside the inner cup 4. It is, however, subjected to the action of the spring 5 which is supported on the one hand on the annular flange 43 of the inner cup 4 and secondly under the plate 61 inside the reinforcing skirt 64. The spring 5 is compressed in a maximum state, but its action on the piston 6 is inoperative, since the latter is held in the locked position by the engagement of the attachment profile 62 with the flexible tabs 44. Thus, the fluid stored in the useful volume V is not subjected to any pressure from the piston 6. The reservoir is then in an initial position.

According to the invention, the unlocking member 3 is disposed inside the outer shell 1 and the inner cup 4 with its spacer needle 31 already engaged between the flexible tabs 44 and its bearing face 32 which closes The access opening 13. Advantageously, the bearing face 32 comes flush with the outer edge 12e so as to perfectly complete the access opening 13. It may also be noted that the flange 34 bears against the inner edge 12i. The support and guide ring 33 is engaged with a reduced clearance inside the guide sleeve 42. It should be noted that in this initial position, the spacer needle 31 does not solicit the flexible tabs 44, so that it can be said that the unlocking member 3 is in an initial inoperative position.

It may also be noted in FIG. 1 that the first-use label 2 is applied against the bottom 1 1 and the unlocking member 3. More specifically, the patch 21 adheres to the outer edge 12e of the access opening 13 and at the bearing face 32 of the unlocking member 3. When the bearing face 32 is arranged in alignment with the outer edge 12e, the first-use label 2 perfectly masks the access opening 13 and the unlocking member 3. The user can not even know that the tank is equipped with an unlocking member.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the first-use tag 2 has been removed, which has enabled the user to move the unlocking member 3. Indeed, as soon as the tag 2 is torn off, the user discovers the bearing surface 32 of the unlocking member 3, and he can press with the aid of a finger, for example the index finger, so as to depress the unlocking member 3 inside the tank. In doing so, the rim 34 comes off the inner edge 12i, the ring 33 slides inside the sleeve 42 until it abuts against the annular flange 43. Simultaneously, the spacer needle 41 is fully engaged within the flexible tabs 44 which are forced to move outwardly so that their attachment head 45 is disengaged from the attachment profile 62 which is thus released. The piston 6 can then move under the action of the elastic biasing forces generated by the spring 5. The fluid product stored in the useful volume V is then subjected to the pressure exerted by the piston 6.

It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the unlocking member 3 has reached an operative final position in which it is preferably retained in the flexible tabs 44. The retention of the unlocking member 3 can for example be achieved by snap-fastening or by simple friction.

Thanks to the invention, there is provided a spring loaded piston reservoir which is held in the initial rest position and which is unlocked at the means of an unlocking member which is barely visible, even invisible, because the access opening is reduced, that the support face of the locking member perfectly closes the access opening and that a first-use label may be affixed to the access opening and the release member so as to completely obscure the unlocking member.

Claims

claims

1. - Fluid product tank comprising a bottom (1 1) and a sliding shaft (47), a piston (6) being slidably mounted in the sliding shaft (47), resilient biasing means (5) being provided for pushing the piston (6) into the slide drum (47) so as to reduce the working volume (V) of the fluid reservoir, the reservoir comprising holding means (44, 45, 62) for retaining the piston ( 6) in an initial position against the elastic biasing means (5) so that the fluid product stored in the reservoir is not subjected to the pressure of the piston (6) pushed by the elastic biasing means (5), the fluid reservoir further comprising an unlocking member (3) for deactivating the holding means (44, 45, 62) so that the elastic biasing means (5) then push the piston (6) which exerts a pressure on the fluid product stored in the tank, this unlocking member (3) being movable between an inoperative initial position and an operative final position in which it acts on the holding means (44, 45, 62) to deactivate them,

characterized in that the unlocking member (3) is accessible to move it manually from the inoperative initial position to the operative final position, through an access opening (13) formed at the bottom (1 1) of the fluid reservoir.

2. - Tank according to claim 1, wherein the access opening (13) has a size slightly greater than the section of a finger so that a user can insert his finger through the access opening ( 13) and push the unlocking member (3) into its inoperative initial position to reach its operative final position.

3. - Tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the access opening (13) is initially covered by a first-use label (2) which hides the access opening (13).

4. - Tank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding means comprise a plurality of flexible tabs (44) having gripping heads (45) engaged in inoperative initial position, with a corresponding fastening profile (62) secured to the piston (6), the unlocking member (3), moved from its initial inoperative position to its operative final position, elastically deforming the flexible tabs (44) to disengage the fastening heads (45). ) of their corresponding hooking profile (62), thus releasing the piston (6).

5. - Tank according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an outer shell (1) defining the bottom (1 1) at which is formed the access opening (13).

6. - Tank according to claim 5, wherein the unlocking member (3) rests, inoperative inoperative position, against an inner edge (12i) of the access opening (13).

7. - Tank according to claim 5 or 6, comprising an inner cup (4) received inside the outer shell (1), the inner cup (4) forming the sliding shaft (47) and a part of the means holding (44, 45, 62).

8. - Tank according to claim 7, wherein the inner cup (4) forms a guide sleeve (42) for guiding the unlocking member (3) during its displacement from its inoperative initial position to its operative final position.

9. A tank according to claim 8, wherein the unlocking member (3) comprises a support and guide ring (33) which rests on the inner edge (12) of the access opening (13). initial position inoperative and which slides in guide bushing (42) when the unlocking member (3) is pushed to the operative final position, the unlocking member (3) further comprising a spacer (31) engaged between the flexible tabs (44) to constrain them outward when in the operative final position.

10.- Tank according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the unlocking member (3) is retained, preferably snap-in, in the flexible tabs (44) in operative final position.

1 1 .- Tank according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unlocking member (3) comprises a bearing face (32) which is flush with the access opening (13) so as to complete the bottom (1 1) of the tank.