EP3743210A1

EP3743210A1 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP3743210A1
Application number: EP19710021.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laurent Decottignies; Alain Lafosse; Jacky Bernard
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2018-01-26
Filing date: 2019-01-25
Publication date: 2020-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-25
Also published as: EP3743210B1; FR3077222A1; US20200346202A1; FR3077222B1; WO2019145650A1; CN111655376B; CN111655376A; KR20200115592A; US11833506B2

Abstract

Fluid product dispenser comprising: - a reservoir (R) containing a fluid product (P) and air (A), the reservoir (R) forming a mounting opening (11), - a cannula (12) for dispensing fluid product that is in communication with the reservoir (R), and - an actuating member (2) engaged in the mounting opening (11) for supplying the dispensing cannula (13) with fluid product (P), characterized in that the actuating member (2) comprises a deformable membrane (23) defining an outer side (231) forming a plunger (24) and an inner side (232) in contact with the air (A) of the reservoir (R), when the dispensing cannula (12) is in contact with the fluid product (P) of the reservoir (R).

Description

Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir, a dispensing cannula and an actuating member for supplying the dispensing cannula with fluid product from the reservoir. The dispensing cannula may comprise a dispensing end adapted to form a drop of fluid that separates from the cannula by gravity. The distributor then looks like a dropper. In a very general manner, this type of dispenser is used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense fluid products of various viscosities

Conventional droppers include a cannula and an actuator for aspirating fluid into the cannula and then pushing it out of the cannula. For this, it is necessary before soaking the end of the cannula in a fluid reservoir. Often, the dropper is packaged in the assembled state, for example screwed, on a fluid reservoir. The dropper, alone, does not allow distribution of fluid product, but simply to suck air and to chase it. A dropper can be likened to a simple crushable pear equipped with a cannula.

In the prior art, document FR2978431 is already known which describes a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir, and a pump comprising a pump body and an actuating rod defining between them a pump chamber having a volume predetermined maximum. The shaft is axially displaceable in the body to vary the volume of the pump chamber. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing cannula mounted on the actuating rod and comprising a dispensing end adapted to form a drop of fluid that separates from the cannula by gravity. The maximum volume of the pump chamber is substantially equal to the volume of the drop of fluid dispensed at the dispensing head.

The present invention seeks to simplify this dispenser fluid product of the prior art, but also others, particularly at the their structure and components, without creating new problems, especially when mounting the distributor. More particularly, the mounting of the dispenser must not lead to inadvertent dispensing or to pressurization of the fluid product. Another object of the invention is to provide a dropper at a lower cost, without reducing the quality and accuracy of distribution. Yet another goal is to design a distributor with a reduced number of parts.

To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser, in particular of the dropper type, comprising:

a fluid dispensing cannula in communication with the reservoir, this cannula forming a dispensing end, which is advantageously capable of forming a drop of fluid that separates from the distribution end by gravity, and

an actuating member engaged in the mounting opening for supplying the dispensing cannula with fluid product from the reservoir,

wherein the actuating member comprises a deformable membrane defining an outer side forming a pusher and an inner side in contact with the air of the reservoir, when the dispensing cannula is in contact with the fluid of the reservoir.

Thus, when a pressure is applied to the pusher, for example using a finger as the thumb, the inner side of the membrane will move air that will be pressurized in the tank. This pressurized air will act on the fluid product stored in the reservoir, and a portion (dose) of this fluid product is then discharged through the dispensing cannula. The fluid product leaves the dispensing end of the cannula as one or more individual drop (s) which falls (s) by gravity. When the user releases its pressure on the pusher, the membrane returns by elasticity in its starting position or rest. A depression is then formed in the reservoir, which has the effect of emptying the cannula by suction (return to the reservoir) and to introduce outside air into the reservoir through the cannula. In the end, the tank contains a little less fluid and a little more air. The structure of this dispenser is very simple and its operation is intuitive and very precise because it is almost exclusively manual dexterity. The user immediately understands that it is necessary to maintain the dispenser with its cannula pointing downwards so that the fluid directly feeds the dispensing cannula. It should also be noted that the pressure exerted by the membrane is applied to the air contained in the reservoir, which by nature is compressible. Therefore, a pneumatic damping is created, so that the pressure force exerted by the membrane is applied to the fluid with some pneumatic damping, which avoids a sudden distribution of fluid. This increases the accuracy of the distribution, which is more easily controllable by the user.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the actuating member comprises a mounting sleeve which is inserted during its assembly, sealingly in the tank mounting opening.

The mounting sleeve advantageously performs a tight axial race of mounting in the mounting opening of the tank to reach its final sealed mounting position, this sealed axial race defining a stroke volume Vc. On the other hand, the deformable membrane is movable between a rest position and a maximum recessed position, so as to define between these two positions an actuating volume Va, which is greater or preferably substantially equal to the stroke volume Vc of mounting sleeve: Va> Vc. Thanks to this relationship, the dispenser can be conditioned by ensuring that it is not overpressurized, and ideally that it is at atmospheric pressure, as will be seen hereinafter with the dispenser mounting method.

Advantageously, the dispenser further comprises a protective cover provided with sealing means for sealing the dispensing end of the dispensing cannula. The dispenser assembly can thus be done with the premounted hood, and with Va "Vc, it is ensured that the distributor will be at approximately atmospheric pressure, as explained below. According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the reservoir and the dispensing cannula are made in the form of a one-piece body, advantageously a transparent material. The actuating member may also be made of a transparent material.

The invention also defines a method of mounting the dispenser as defined above with Va> Vc, comprising the following steps,

a- partially fill the tank by its mounting opening in the absence of the actuating member,

b- engaging the actuating member in the tank mounting opening, the deformable membrane being held in the maximum depressed position when the mounting sleeve comes into sealing engagement with the tank mounting opening, and

c- release the deformable membrane which then returns to its rest position, while the mounting sleeve is in sealing contact with the tank mounting opening.

This ensures that there is no overpressure in the dispenser once the assembly is finished.

Advantageously, the mounting method comprises the following successive steps:

b1 - deforming the deformable membrane in its maximum recessed position,

b2- engaging the actuating member in the reservoir mounting opening until the mounting sleeve comes into sealing engagement with the reservoir mounting opening,

c1 - release the deformable membrane so that it returns to its rest position,

c2- moving the actuating member into the reservoir mounting opening so as to slide the mounting sleeve sealingly into the mounting aperture to its final sealed mounting position.

Thus, a first creates a depression in the dispenser when releasing the membrane, then we compensate in part or in whole this depression by sliding the mounting sleeve tightly into the mounting opening.

In a variant, the mounting method comprises the following successive steps:

b1 - deforming the deformable membrane in its maximum recessed position,

c12- gradually release the deformable membrane so that it returns to its rest position as the mounting sleeve slides sealingly in the mounting opening the rest position and the sealing end position is advantageously achieved substantially simultaneously.

In this variant, the pressure in the distributor is maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure since the two volumes Va and Vc vary simultaneously and in a cross-over or compensatory manner. Advantageously, the axial force necessary to deform the deformable membrane from its rest position to its final sealed mounting position is less than the frictional forces between the mounting sleeve and the mounting opening during the watertight sliding to regain the final sealed position. mounting. It is thus possible to deform the membrane without sliding the sleeve into the opening.

Preferably, the dispensing end of the dispensing cannula is sealed during the mounting process. The dispenser can thus be pressurized or depressed without generating fluid dispensing. With Va "Vc, the distributor will finally be at atmospheric pressure, even if it was put under vacuum or pressure, during its assembly. The user can remove the protective cover without any effect on the fluid product. The present invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the present invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view cut vertically through a fluid dispenser according to the invention at rest,

FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 being dispensed,

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view of the actuator engaged in the tank mounting opening,

FIG. 4 is an even more greatly enlarged view of the detail D of FIG. 3, and

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the different steps of mounting the dispenser, with the possible variants.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2 to describe in detail the structure and operation of a fluid dispenser according to the invention, which is in the form of a dropper. However, the invention is not limited exclusively to droppers, and can be applied to other types of dispenser.

The dispenser of the invention comprises three constituent elements, namely a main body 1, an actuating member 2 and a protective cover 3. This cover 3 may in some cases be optional.

The main body 1 can be made of any suitable material, such as a translucent or transparent plastic material. It can also be made of glass. The main body 1 can be monobloc, that is to say made in one piece, or be made by assembling several separate parts. It is also conceivable to make the main body 1 with overmolding or bi-injection processes.

The main body 1 comprises a shaft 10, which here has a constant section, including circular. The barrel 10 comprises at its upper end a mounting opening 11 in which the body is engaged. 2, as will be seen below. At its opposite end, the main body 1 forms a dispensing cannula 12 internally defining an outlet conduit 14. The dispensing cannula 12 forms a dispensing end 13 which is configured to be able to form a drop of fluid, which separates from the distribution end 13 by gravity, as can be seen in FIG. 2. The fluid product accumulates at the outlet of the dispensing end 13, as can be seen in FIG. the drop is sufficiently bulky so that it separates from the dispensing end 13 from its own weight and falls into the form of a drop. The particular configuration of the distribution end 13 makes among other things that this dispenser can be called a dropper.

Between the barrel 10 and the dispensing cannula 12, the main body 1 forms a shoulder 15 which is extended by a neck 16 which is connected to the cannula 12 by a frustoconical connecting section 17. The particular shape of the main body 1 between the 10 and the cannula 12 is not critical to the present invention, so other embodiments are possible.

The actuating member 2 can be made integrally by injection / molding a relatively flexible plastic material, such as a thermoplastic polymer. The actuating member 2 comprises a mounting sleeve 21 of generally cylindrical shape, a projecting flange 22 which extends outwardly at the upper end of the sleeve of the assembly 21, and a deformable membrane 23 which extends inside the mounting sleeve 21, for example near its lower end. The deformable nature of the membrane 23 can be obtained by a reduced wall thickness with respect to that of the sleeve 21 and the collar 22. In FIG. 1, the actuating member 2 is in its rest state and the it may be noted that the deformable membrane 23 is convex upwards, that is to say convex towards the flange 22. In other words, the deformable membrane 23 is concave towards the inside of the barrel 10. the mounted state, the actuating member 2 is engaged inside the mounting opening 11 of the main body 1 with the mounting sleeve 21 engaged within the opening 11 and the flange 22 bears on the upper annular edge of the mounting opening 11. The deformable membrane 23 is in its rest position with its convexity facing outwards.

The protective cover 3, when mounted on the main body 1, as shown in Figure 1, caps the dispensing cannula 12 and advantageously seals the outlet duct 14. To do this, the protective cover 3 can define a small cup 33, in which the dispensing end 13 is sealingly engaged. The cup 33 may for example be made of a flexible material connected by overmolding or bi-injection to the remainder of the cover 3. In order to hold the cover 3 in place on the main body 1, it can for example be engaged with friction around the collar 16 so as to come into abutment abutment on the shoulder 15. It is also possible to detachably snap between the neck 16 and the cover 3.

The dispenser of the invention thus defines a reservoir of fluid product R which extends from the deformable membrane 23 to the inlet of the dispensing cannula 12. The reservoir R is mainly defined by the barrel 10: it is also extends inside the neck 16 and the frustoconical connecting section 17. The fluid product P stored in the tank R thus communicates directly with the distribution duct 14. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a bidirectional valve at the level the inlet of the dispensing cannula 12 to increase the pressure drop between the reservoir R and the distribution duct 14. It may also be noted that the reservoir R also contains air A above the meniscus M fluid product P.

In other words, the air A is located between the deformable membrane 23 and the meniscus M, inside the barrel 10, when the dispensing cannula 12 is pointing downwards, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The fluid product P is then in direct communication with the distribution duct 14.

According to the invention, the deformable membrane 23 defines an outer side

231 and an inner side 232, as can be seen in Figure 3. The outer side 231 forms a pusher 24 on which the user can press using a finger, for example the thumb, to move the deformable diaphragm 23 towards the inside of the barrel 10. In FIG. 1, the dispenser is provided with its protective cover 3, and the support on the pusher 24 will have no other effect than to compress the air A prisoner inside the reservoir R. The fluid product P will certainly be subjected to pressure, but as its distribution duct 14 is plugged by the cup 33, it there can be no fluid dispensing. On the other hand, when the cover 3 is removed as shown in FIG. 2, pressing the push-button 24 along the arrow F1 will deform the membrane 23 until it reaches a maximum recessed position, which can be seen on FIG. Figure 2, and in Figure 3 in dashed lines. The air A prisoner of the tank is then pressurized and the resulting pressure force F2 is exerted on the fluid product P at its meniscus M. In response, the fluid product P is forced through the distribution duct 14 and accumulates at the dispensing end 13 in the form of a drop that will grow to separate from the cannula 12 when it reaches a critical size. This is shown in Figure 2.

Since the air A is compressible, the bearing force F1 is not directly transmitted to the fluid product P: on the contrary, it is damped by the air A, so that the restoring force F2 is less than the force F1 support.

This avoids a sudden distribution of fluid that would prevent the formation of a train of successive drops.

FIG. 3 shows the actuating member 2 which is engaged inside the mounting aperture 11 of the main body 1. The mounting sleeve 21 is engaged with the inner wall of the opening of FIG. mounting 11 and the projecting flange 22 bears on the upper annular edge of the opening 11. The deformable membrane 23 is shown in solid lines in its rest position and in dashed lines in its maximum recessed position. An actuating volume Va can thus be defined between these two extreme positions. This volume Va is represented by the hatched area in FIG. 3. In other words, when the user presses the pusher 24 so as to drive the deformable wall 23 into its maximum position pressed, a quantity of fluid product P corresponding substantially to the actuating volume Va is distributed through the dispensing cannula 12. In reality, the quantity of fluid dispensed will be slightly less than the actuating volume Va, because of the compressibility of air A prisoner of the tank R.

In order to reach the final mounting position, the actuating member 2 is engaged inside the mounting opening 1 and is then depressed so as to traverse a sealed axial race S, visible in FIG. 4. The wall For example, the outer surface of the mounting sleeve 21 may come into contact with a sealing rib 111 formed inside the mounting opening 11. The sleeve 21, once engaged in the opening 11, will come into sealing contact. with this sealing rib 111, then from this moment, the sleeve 21 will slide in a sealed manner against this sealing rib 111 on an axial height corresponding to the sealed axial stroke S, to finally reach its final position of mounting, in which the collar 22 bears on the upper annular edge of the opening 11. It can also provide a snap of the sleeve 21 around or under the rib 111. This axial race sealed S defines a stroke volume Vc, which is nothing other than the product of the race S with the inside diameter of the opening 11.

According to the invention, the actuating volume Va is greater than the stroke volume Vc. Preferably, the actuating volume Va is very slightly greater than or substantially equal to the stroke volume Vc. We will see how this relationship between these two volumes Va and Vc is used to optimize the assembly of the distributor.

Indeed, it is preferable that the fluid product P stored inside the tank R is at atmospheric pressure, when the user will remove for the first time the protective cover 3, so as to avoid any untimely distribution of product fluid. However, since the actuating member 2 is inserted into the mounting opening 1 by performing a sealed axial stroke of volume Vc, the air A located above the meniscus M, after filling the reservoir with fluid product , is he

normally pressurized. This pressurization may eventually lead to the deformation of the membrane 23, which would remain so stretched for a relatively long storage time.

In order to avoid any overpressure of the fluid product inside the reservoir or tension deformation of the membrane 23, the present invention defines a particular mounting method comprising the following successive steps:

a- filling the tank R with fluid product P by its mounting opening 11 in the absence of the actuating member 2,

b- engage the actuating member 2 in the mounting opening 11 of the reservoir R, the deformable membrane 23 being held in the maximum recessed position when the mounting sleeve 21 comes into sealing contact with the mounting opening 11 of the reservoir R, and

c- release the deformable membrane 23 which then returns to its rest position, while the mounting sleeve 21 is in sealing contact with the mounting opening 11 of the reservoir R.

Step b-above can be decomposed into two sub-steps: b1 - deforming the deformable membrane 23 in its maximum depressed position,

b2- engage the actuating member 2 in the mounting aperture 11 of the reservoir R until the mounting sleeve 21 comes into sealing contact with the mounting aperture 11 of the reservoir R.

Step c above can be decomposed into two sub-steps that can be performed in any order:

c1 - release the deformable membrane 23 so that it returns to its rest position,

c2- move the actuating member 2 in the mounting aperture 11 of the reservoir R so as to slide the mounting sleeve 21 in a sealed manner in the mounting aperture 11 to its final sealed mounting position. The intervention of the two substeps c1 and c2 is shown in FIG. Alternatively, step c- may comprise a single step c12- during which the deformable membrane 23 is gradually released so that it returns to its rest position as the mounting sleeve 21 slides in a sealed manner in the mounting opening 11, the rest position and the sealing end position being advantageously achieved substantially simultaneously. In this case, no overpressure is generated in the reservoir R, since the volumes Va and Vc vary both simultaneously and vice versa.

We have the choice between the following substeps:

- c1, then c2, creating a momentary overpressure,

- c2, then c1, creating a momentary depression, or

- c12, creating no pressure variation.

It is also advantageous that the axial force necessary to deform the deformable membrane 23 from its rest position to its final sealed mounting position is less than the frictional forces between the mounting sleeve 21 and the mounting opening 11 during the leaktight sliding. to regain the waterproof final position of assembly. Thus, one can press directly on the membrane to bring it to its maximum position depressed at first, then to slide the sleeve 21 in the opening 11 in a second time.

As mentioned above, the filling of the tank is not complete, so that there is air in the tank when the actuating member is engaged in the tank mounting opening, thus allowing compression and to relax the air trapped in the tank during steps b- and c-.

In all cases, and in particular with substeps c1 and c2, it is preferable, if not necessary, for the protective cover 3 to be in place, so as to close off the distributor duct 14. This avoids any exit. fluid or any outside air intake. This preliminary or initial step of placing the cover 3 is illustrated by the block i- on the flowchart of FIG. 5. The cover 3 could be replaced by any other sealing means during the assembly process. Thanks to the invention, there is a very simple distributor whose use is instinctive and very accurate. In addition, its mounting method ensures that the dispenser delivered to the user is at atmospheric pressure.

Claims

claims

1.- fluid dispenser, in particular of the dropper type, comprising:

a reservoir (R) containing fluid product (P) and air (A), the reservoir (R) forming a mounting opening (11),

- A dispensing cannula (12) fluid in communication with the reservoir (R), the dispensing cannula (12) forming a dispensing end (13), which is advantageously capable of forming a drop of fluid that separates the distribution end (13) by gravity, and

an actuating member (2) engaged in the mounting opening (11) for supplying the dispensing cannula (12) with fluid product (P) coming from the reservoir (R),

characterized in that the actuating member (2) comprises a deformable membrane (23) defining an outer side (231) forming a pusher (24) and an inner side (232) in contact with the air (A) of the reservoir (R), when the dispensing cannula (12) is in contact with the fluid product (P) of the reservoir (R).

2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member (2) comprises a mounting sleeve (21) which is sealingly inserted into the mounting opening (11) of the reservoir (R).

3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the mounting sleeve (21) carries a sealed axial stroke in the mounting opening (11) of the tank (R) to reach its final sealed mounting position, this axial tight race defining a stroke volume Vc.

4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the deformable membrane (23) is movable between a rest position and a maximum recessed position, so as to define between these two positions an actuating volume Va, which is greater than preferably substantially equal to the stroke volume Vc of the mounting sleeve (21).

5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective cover (3) provided with means for sealing (33) the dispensing end (13) of the dispensing cannula (12). .

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the reservoir (5) and the dispensing cannula (12) are made in the form of a one-piece body (1), preferably a transparent material.

7. A method of mounting a dispenser according to claim 4, comprising the following steps,

a- filling the tank (R) with fluid (P) through its mounting opening (11) in the absence of the actuating member (2), b- engaging the actuating member (2) in the mounting opening (11) of the reservoir (R), the deformable diaphragm (23) being held in the depressed maximum position when the mounting sleeve (21) comes into sealing contact with the mounting opening (11) of the reservoir (R), and

c- release the deformable membrane (23) which then returns to its rest position, while the mounting sleeve (21) is in sealing contact with the mounting opening (11) of the tank (R).

8. A mounting method according to claim 7, comprising the following successive steps: b1 - deforming the deformable membrane (23) in its maximum recessed position,

b2- engaging the actuating member (2) in the mounting opening (11) of the reservoir (R) until the mounting sleeve (21) comes into sealing contact with the mounting opening (11). ) of the tank (R),

c1 - release the deformable membrane (23) so that it returns to its rest position,

c2- moving the actuating member (2) into the mounting opening (11) of the reservoir (R) so as to slide the mounting sleeve (21) in a sealing manner into the mounting opening (11) to its final waterproof mounting position.

9. A mounting method according to claim 7, comprising the following successive steps:

b1- deforming the deformable membrane (23) in its maximum recessed position,

c12- gradually release the deformable membrane (23) back to its rest position as the mounting sleeve (21) slides sealingly into the mounting opening (11), the rest position and the position final waterproof assembly being advantageously achieved substantially simultaneously.

10. A mounting method according to claim 9, wherein the axial force (F) necessary to deform the deformable membrane (23) from its rest position to its final sealed mounting position is less than the friction forces between the sleeve of mounting (21) and the mounting aperture (11) during the watertight sliding to regain the final sealed mounting position.

11. A method of assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the dispensing end (13) of the dispensing cannula (12) is sealed.