EP3271580A1

EP3271580A1 - Manual pump

Info

Publication number: EP3271580A1
Application number: EP16719440.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gilles Jourdin
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2015-03-20
Filing date: 2016-03-17
Publication date: 2018-01-24
Also published as: WO2016151216A1; FR3033844A1; FR3033844B1; BR112017019987A2; BR112017019987B1; US20180093286A1

Abstract

Manual pump (P) intended to be associated with a reservoir of fluid product (R), the pump (P) comprising a pump body (B) defining a sliding barrel (F) and comprising a pump chamber (C), the pump (P) comprising an outlet valve (V) and an inlet (E1) for admitting the fluid product into the pump chamber (C) from the reservoir (R), characterised in that: - the pump chamber (C) has no inlet valve, and - one part of the dose of fluid product stored in the pump chamber (C) is pumped through the outlet valve (V) to the dispensing port (O) and the other part of the dose of fluid product stored in the pump chamber (C) is pumped into the reservoir (R) through the inlet (E1).

Description

Manual pump

The present invention relates to a manual pump for dispensing a fluid product, this pump being intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir to thereby form a fluid dispenser. The pump comprises a pump body defining a sliding shaft for a piston integral with an actuating rod, the pump comprising a pump chamber in which a dose of fluid is pressurized at each actuation. The pump also includes an outlet valve disposed between the pump chamber and a dispensing orifice to discharge fluid from the pump chamber, the pump having an inlet for introducing fluid into the pump chamber from the pump chamber. reservoir, This is a quite conventional and conventional design for a pump in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy.

In general, the volume of the pump chamber is determined and frozen for a particular pump model. In other words, it is generally not possible to change the volume of the pump chamber. It is however possible to adjust the volume of the pump chamber by acting on the top dead center corresponding to the rest position of the actuating rod and the piston, as proposed for example in the document FR2719084. It is intended in this document to drive more or less the collar in the pump body to adjust the volume of the pump chamber. One then acts on the stroke height of the piston. Therefore, the pusher mounted on the pump is movable to a reduced height, which may hinder the user who feels unable to push the button fully.

Of course, another solution for reducing the volume of the pump chamber is to make a small capacity pump from scratch. However, this entails a considerable cost, since the components of this miniature pump must be designed and molded in a specific manner. The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a manual pump of standard capacity but which is capable of delivering a dose of fluid that is less than the volume of the pump chamber, without reducing the stroke piston and actuator rod and without reducing the volume of the pump chamber. In other words, an object of the present invention is to dispense a partial dose of fluid product with respect to the maximum capacity or dose of the pump chamber.

To do this, the present invention proposes that:

the pump chamber has no inlet valve, and part of the dose of fluid stored in the pump chamber is discharged through the outlet valve to the dispensing orifice and the other part of the dose of Fluid product stored in the pump chamber is pumped back into the tank through the inlet.

It should be noted that this pump has no inlet valve, which is quite unusual, even exceptional, for a pump in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy. Thus, the fluid product that passes through the inlet is reinjected into the fluid reservoir. However, it is not excluded that the fluid product passing through the inlet is stored, at least for a moment, in a buffer tank which may or may not communicate with the fluid reservoir.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the inlet forms a restriction of fluid product passage between the reservoir and the pump chamber. This restriction of passage creates a considerable loss of load, which can be likened to that of a leaking flapper which is not waterproof. The restriction is so strong that the pressure in the pump chamber increases to exceed the opening threshold of the outlet valve which oscillates between 2 and 6 bar on standard pumps.

Advantageously, the sliding shaft has a cross section Sf barrel and the inlet has an input cross section Se, the Sf / Se ratio being greater than 50. In a practical embodiment, the Sf / Se ratio varies from about 75 to about 17 with a dose of 100 microliters for a dispensed amount of about 15 to 30 microliters.

In another practical embodiment, the Sf / Se ratio varies from about 209 to 469 with a dose of 70 microliters for a dispensed amount of about 15 to 30 microliters.

In both embodiments, the barrel cross section Sf may be of the order of 33 mm ² . The input cross-section Se may be of the order of 0.05 mm ² to 0.5 mm ² ,

According to one embodiment, the inlet is formed by the pump body.

According to another embodiment, the inlet is formed by an insert reported in the pump body at the bottom of the pump chamber.

According to yet another embodiment, the inlet is formed by a plunger tube integral with the pump body. The pump body may form a connecting sleeve in which a restriction bushing is received, the plunger tube being forced into the restriction sleeve so as to create a restricted passage section forming the inlet. Alternatively, the dip tube has a substantially constant inner diameter throughout its length, but of reduced diameter compared to conventional dip tubes.

It can be said that about 50% to 90% of the fluid dose pressurized in the pump chamber is returned through the inlet.

The invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir on which is mounted a manual pump as defined above, the inlet allowing a portion of the fluid dose pressurized in the chamber of pump to be returned directly into the fluid reservoir.

The spirit of the invention lies in returning a portion of the fluid product through the inlet of the pump chamber which has no inlet valve, so that the entire dose stored in the chamber pump is not forced through the outlet valve and orifice of distribution. By precisely calibrating the section and the length of the inlet, it is possible to precisely adjust the volume of the partial dose delivered through the outlet valve and the dispensing orifice.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view in vertical cross-section through a fluid dispenser incorporating a pump according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the pump of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 for a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 for a third embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 for a fifth embodiment of a pump according to the invention,

FIG. 6a is a vertical cross sectional view through a pump according to another embodiment which incorporates an inlet valve, in the idle state,

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the inlet valve of the FIG.

6a,

FIG. 7a is a view similar to that of FIG. 6a with the inlet valve subjected to a pressure,

FIG. 7b is a perspective view of the inlet valve of the FIG.

7a,

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an alternative embodiment for an inlet valve in the idle state, and

Figures 9a and 9b illustrate the valve of Figures 8a and 8b when deformed by pressure.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 to describe in detail a complete distributor incorporating a manual pump P according to the first embodiment. The fluid dispenser comprises a fluid reservoir R for containing a fluid product, which may for example be a perfume, a toilet water, a lotion, a cream, a gel, a pharmaceutical product, etc. The fluid reservoir R may be made of any suitable material and have any configuration, since the reservoir itself is not critical to the present invention. The tank R may for example be provided with an N-neck which defines a narrowed opening in which is housed the manual pump P.

The pump P comprises in a quite conventional manner a pump body B defining a fluid product inlet E1, which is here delimited by a frustoconical wall January 1. The pump body B forms a connecting sleeve 12 which extends downwardly around the inlet E1. This sleeve 12 receives a dip tube T which extends into the tank R to near or in contact with its bottom. It can be seen in the figures that the internal section of the dip tube T is greater than the minimum section of the inlet E1 at the top of the frustoconical wall January 1. Therefore, the input E1 defines a passage restriction for the fluid product. The body B also defines a sliding shaft F which has a cylindrical shape, preferably circular. The pump P also comprises an actuating rod S which is capped with a pusher H defining a dispensing orifice O. The actuating rod S serves as a support for a piston K and an outlet valve V. The piston K The pump P thus defines a pump chamber C intended to be filled with fluid from the reservoir R through the dip tube T and the pump member C. The pump P is thus mounted to slide inside the sliding shaft F of the pump body B. E1 input. When the pump chamber C is filled with fluid product, the user can press the pusher H to push the actuating rod S inside the pump body B. The piston K is slidably mounted on the actuating rod S against a precompression spring G, so that the outlet valve V will open when the pressure inside the pump chamber C has reached a predetermined threshold, which is of the order of 2 to 6 bars. More precisely, the piston K resting against the outlet valve V sealingly. When the piston K slides on the actuating rod S, it detaches from the outlet valve V, thereby opening an outlet passage for the pressurized fluid product which is forced through the actuating rod S to the dispensing orifice O where it is dispensed in a sprayed manner or not. When the user releases his pressure on the pusher H, the actuating rod S returns to its rest position under the action of a return spring. The volume of the pump chamber C is then again in its maximum state. This is a quite classic design for a pump in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the design of the outlet valve may be different, since the outlet valve is not critical to the present invention. It is even conceivable that the manual pump has no outlet valve: one can for example imagine a pusher H equipped with an integrated shutter that serves as an outlet valve.

Referring to Figure 2, it is more clearly seen that the pump chamber C is devoid of an inlet valve, which is not conventional for a perfume or cream pump. The inlet E1 communicates directly with the inside of the pump chamber C. It may be noted the presence of a stroke limiter J, which is fixed inside the pump body B and serves to limit the displacement of the pump. 'an inlet flap, which is here absent. In fact, the pump of FIG. 1 is a conventional pump normally equipped with an inlet valve, which is in the form of a disc which is held prisoner between the inlet E1 and the imitator J. in the present invention, the valve disk has been removed, but the limiter is still in place: allows the passage of fluid product without loss of load.

According to the invention, the inlet E1 has a reduced passage section with respect to the diameter / section of the sliding shaft F, and even to the inside diameter of the dip tube T. FIG. 2 represents only one through hole as a than entry, but we can provide several holes through forming together the input E1, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, when the user pushes the pusher H, and thus puts the fluid stored in the pump chamber C under pressure, the outlet valve V will open to let a portion of the fluid product from the pump chamber, but another part of the fluid product of the pump chamber will be returned to the dip tube T through the inlet E1. By adjusting the inlet section E1, the proportion of fluid product discharged through the actuating rod S and through the inlet E1 can be adjusted.

For example, the cross section Se of the input E1 may be of the order of 0.05 to 0.5 mm ² . The barrel F may have a cross section Sf of the order of 30 mm ² for example. The ratio Sf / Se is preferably greater than 50.

In the table below, we give all the values of the barrel F, of the entry E1 and their ratios for two pumps, one having an original dose of 70 microliters and the other an original dose of 100 microliters. The inputs E1 have been sized to restore doses of 15 microliters, respectively 30 microliters.

Of course, it is possible to determine the size of the input E1 as a function of the desired restituted dose, so that for example about 50% to 90% of the dose of fluid product pressurized in pump chamber C is escapes through the entrance E1. Figures 3 to 5 show three other embodiments to achieve inputs according to the invention, which may have the same size and relationship characteristics with the drum F as the input E1.

The inlet E2 of FIG. 3 is formed by an insert I engaged in the pump body B at the bottom of the pump chamber C. The insert is here in the form of a circular pellet or washer which is pierced, preferably in the center, of a reduced section hole which forms the input E2. The insert can be held in place by an annular bead 14 formed at the lower end of the barrel F. The inlet can be cylindrical, as shown in Figure 3, or frustoconical, as the input E1. The inlet E2 is advantageously aligned with a passage opening 13 formed by the pump body B, around which the connecting sleeve 12 extends, which is engaged with the dip tube T.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 has the advantage of being able to implement the present invention from a standard pump by simply replacing the inlet valve with the insert I.

The inlet E3 of FIG. 4 is formed by a restricted passage section of the plunger tube T. More specifically, a restriction bushing D is engaged inside the coupling sleeve 12 and the plunger tube T is itself engaged. in force in the restriction bushing D, which generates a local constriction of the dip tube T. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the sleeve D comprises an outer bead 21 which is located outside the sleeve 12 and abuts against its lower annular edge. A restriction segment 22 connected to the heel 21 extends inside the sleeve 12 and has a reduced internal diameter. An expansion segment 23 extends the restriction segment 22 inside the sleeve 12 and has an internal diameter greater than that of the restriction segment 22. Finally, the sleeve D can form an abutment segment 24 which is adjacent to the opening 13 of the pump body B and has an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the dip tube T. Thus, when the dip tube, which can be of a type and diameter quite standard, is engaged in force in the sleeve D it is strongly deformed by strangulation at the passage of the restriction segment 22, so that its internal diameter is reduced, thus forming the input E3. After passing the restriction segment 22, the plunger tube T can expand and expand in diameter at the detent segment 23 and come into contact with the abutment segment 24 as shown in FIG. 4.

The restriction bushing D, in addition to forming the inlet E3, also contributes to improving the resistance of the dip tube T in the connection sleeve 12. It may also be noted that a standard pump (from which the check valve has been removed) inlet) and a standard dip tube can be used, resulting in a lower cost. Only the sleeve D is an additional piece, which is however very easy to mold.

The inlet E4 of FIG. 5 is formed by a dip tube T 'which is unique in that it has a reduced inner diameter relative to a standard dip tube. In fact, a standard plunger tube has a standardized outer diameter of 1.2 mm and a standardized internal diameter of 0.9 mm, which is a cross-sectional area of 0.64 mm ² . To meet the requirements of the invention, it is therefore necessary to use a non-standard dip tube having a lower passage section, for example of the order of 0.1 mm ² . It is also necessary to adapt the connecting sleeve 12 'to the outer diameter of the dip tube T, or to use an adapter / reducer. It should be noted that the internal diameter of the dip tube is substantially constant (no significant deformation) over its entire length, and particularly at the sleeve 12 '.

In the scope of the invention, provision can be made for the implementation of an adapter sleeve adapted to receive a dip tube without significant deformation, but comprising a reduced section, for example at the level of the abutment segment 24. It is also possible to provide a coupling sleeve with which the dip tube does not penetrate into the connection sleeve. This allows to implement a pump (without inlet valve) and a standard plunger tube, resulting in a reduced cost.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to reduce the quantity of fluid dispensed from a volume pump chamber. superior. In the field of perfumery, for example, the doses of fluid dispensed at each actuation of the pump are generally of the order of 50 microliters to 150 microliters. For a pump normally delivering doses of 100 microliters, the present invention can reduce the volume of fluid dispensed to about 50 microliters, or even about 10 microliters, a reduction of about 50% to 90%, while maintaining of course the total stroke of the pump. The entrance, which can be in the form of one (or more) hole, passage, section, etc. may have a single or cumulative section of the order of 0.05 mm ² to 0.5 mm ² , with a preferred section of about 0.1 mm ² .

FIGS. 6a to 9b illustrate another embodiment which implements an inlet valve 2 ', 2 "at the inlet of the pump chamber C. The overall architecture of the pump may be similar to that of the Figure 1, with a stroke limiter J fixedly attached to the lower part of the pump body C. The inlet valve 2 ', 2 "is in the form of a pellet or washer made or cut from a flexible material. At rest and when the pump chamber is pressurized, the valve rests on its seat more or less supported. As can be seen more clearly in Figures 6b, 7b, 8a and 9a, the valve is pierced by a slot 25, which is here in the form of a cross. Other configurations are possible (single line). When the valve is at rest (Figures 6b, 8a), the slot is closed: its opposite edges are contiguous. When the pump chamber is pressurized, the valve is plated on its seat, but the slot 25 opens (Figures 7b, 9a): its opposite edges are out of contact. Fluid fluid under pressure in the pump chamber C can then pass through the open slot and return to the tank through the dip tube T. When the pump chamber has been emptied and tends to refill, a vacuum installs inside, which has the effect of taking off the flap 25 of its seat. Fluid from the reservoir can then fill the chamber. Since the detachment of the valve generates a large flow of fluid, the slot 25 remains closed. In other words, the slot 25 is open only during the fluid dispensing phase, and remains closed at rest and during the filling phase of the pump chamber. It can thus be said that the slot 25 fulfills a valve function that is only open during dispensing. This valve / slot is itself mounted on a conventional inlet valve.

On the other hand, because the slot 25 is deformable under the effect of pressure, its open state depends on the magnitude of the pressure: the higher the pressure, and the greater the passage section of the slot is tall. In other words, if the user actuates the pump vigorously by pressing strongly and quickly on the pusher, the slot 25 will open widely and let a larger quantity of fluid product than if the user actuates the pump in moderation or softness . Thus, the amount of fluid product returned to the reservoir depends on the user's operating dynamics. If the user wants an intense but brief spraying, he strongly presses the pusher. On the contrary, if he wants a long and soft spray, he gently presses the pusher. The use is therefore quite intuitive.

Figures 8a to 9b illustrate an alternative embodiment in which the slot 25 is formed at a bowl 26, which can extend on both sides. This reduces the wall thickness of the valve at the slot 25 to give it more flexibility, and therefore greater opening capacity.

It goes without saying that the embodiment of Figs. 6a to 9b is not covered by the claims of this patent application, but may be divided or used as a basis for a priority claim.

Claims

claims

1. - Manual pump (P) for dispensing a fluid product, this pump being intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir (R) to thereby form a fluid dispenser, the pump (P) comprising a pump body (B) defining a sliding shaft (F) for a piston (K) integral with an actuating rod (S), the pump (P) comprising a pump chamber (C) in which a dose of fluid is pressurized each actuation, the pump (P) comprising an outlet valve (V) disposed between the pump chamber (C) and a dispensing orifice (O) for discharging the fluid from the pump chamber (C), the pump (P) comprising an inlet (E1; E2; E3; E4) for introducing fluid into the pump chamber (C) from the reservoir (R),

characterized in that

the pump chamber (C) has no inlet valve, and

part of the dose of fluid product stored in the pump chamber (C) is discharged through the outlet valve (V) to the dispensing orifice (O) and the other part of the dose of stored fluid product in the pump chamber (C) is forced into the tank (R) through the inlet (E1; E2; E3; E4).

2. - Manual pump (P) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (E1; E2; E3; E4) forms a restriction of fluid product passage between the fluid reservoir (R) and the pump chamber ( VS).

3. - Manual pump (P) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sliding shaft (F) has a barrel cross section (Sf) and the inlet (E1; E2; E3; E4) has a cross section. of entry (Se), the ratio Sf / Se being greater than 50.

4. - Manual pump (P) according to claim 3, wherein the ratio Sf / Se varies from about 75 to 1 17 with a dose of 100 microliters for a dispensed amount of about 15 to 30 microliters.

The manual pump (P) according to claim 3, wherein the ratio Sf / Se varies from about 209 to 469 with a dose of 70 microliters for a dispensed amount of about 15 to 30 microliters.

6. - Manual pump (P) according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the barrel cross section (Sf) is of the order of 30 mm ² .

7. - Manual pump (P) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the input cross section (Se) is of the order of 0.05 mm ² to 0.5 mm ² .

8. - Manual pump (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet (E1) is formed by the pump body (B).

9. - Manual pump (P) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inlet (E2) is formed by an insert (I) reported in the pump body (B) at the bottom of the chamber of pump (C).

10. - Manual pump (P) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the inlet (E3; E4) is formed by a dip tube (T, T ') integral with the pump body (B).

1 1. - Manual pump (P) according to claim 10, wherein the pump body (B) forms a connecting sleeve (12) in which is received a restriction sleeve (D), the dip tube (T) being engaged in force in the restriction sleeve (D) so a restricted passage section forming the inlet (E3).

12.- Manual pump (P) according to claim 10, wherein the dip tube (E4) has a substantially constant inner diameter throughout its length.

The manual pump (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein about 50% to 90% of the fluid dose pressurized in the pump chamber (C) escapes through the inlet ( E1; E2; E3; E4).

14. - Fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (R) on which is mounted a hand pump (P) according to any one of the preceding claims, the inlet (E1; E2; E3; E4) allowing a part of the fluid dose pressurized in the pump chamber (C) to be returned directly to the fluid reservoir (R).