EP3755466A1

EP3755466A1 - Filtration device

Info

Publication number: EP3755466A1
Application number: EP18907101.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl MAO; Steven Wang; Future LI
Original assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Wuxi Co Ltd
Current assignee: Silgan Dispensing Systems Wuxi Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-24
Filing date: 2018-02-24
Publication date: 2020-12-30
Anticipated expiration: 2038-02-24
Also published as: WO2019161556A1; EP3755466B1; CN111886077A; CN111886077B; EP3755466A4

Abstract

Filtration device (1) for a system for dispensing a fluid product (18 )mixed with fragments (19, 20) not intended to be dispensed, said filtration device (1) comprising: -a first filter for filtering a first kind of fragments (19); -a second filter for filtering a second kind of fragments (20) having a smaller dimension than the dimension of the first kind of fragments (19). Said filtration device (1) is provided with a hollowed central cylinder (2) defining a channel (23) where flows the fluid product (18) once filtered, said channel (23) being delimited by an inlet orifice (22) and an outlet orifice (21), said second filter being located into said channel (23), the first filter consisting in an apertured skirt (3) extending outwardly from the cylinder (2) and surrounding the second filter so as the first kind of fragments (19) is blocked by the skirt (3) and does not reach the second filter.

Description

FILTRATION DEVICE

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a filtration device for a system for dispensing a fluid product mixed with fragments not intended to be dispensed. This filtration device enables to separate said fragments from the fluid product.
The invention also relates to a system for dispensing this fluid product comprising a dip-tube at the end of which is fixed the filtration device.
Finally, the invention relates to a dispensing container provided with such a filtration device. The container stores the fluid product and the fragments. This container comprises a dispensing system coupled to the filtration device, so as to filter the fragments and to dispense the fluid product.

Background of the invention

In a specific application, the fluid product is of the lotion, gel, perfume or cream type, for example, for cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.
Existing dispensing container includes a reservoir for holding the fluid product, a collar mounted on the reservoir, a pump received in the collar, and a nozzle connected to the pump for dispensing the fluid product. The pump has a dip-tube dipping into the fluid product.
When the nozzle is pressed down, the fluid product stored in the reservoir is drawn into the dip-tube, and finally pumped out through the nozzle for use.
In some transparent or translucent fluid products, colorful fragments, such as flowers or petals, are introduced into the cosmetic content for decoration. These products are not suitable for packages with a dip-tube, since the fragments are easily drawn by the dip-tube to block it or even cause a failure of the pump.
The objective of the invention is to provide a new dispensing container which has a dip-tube and is suitable for fluid product with colorful fragments. The innovated dispensing container effectively prevents the colorful fragments in the fluid product from blocking the dip-tube and from being drawn to damage the pump.
Summary of the invention
The present invention solves the above technical problem with a filtration device adapted for a system for dispensing a fluid product mixed with fragments not intended to be dispensed in order to avoid blocking the dip-tube and damaging the pump of the dispensing system. This filtration device filters the fragments and prevents them from being drawn into the dip-tube.
Said filtration device comprises:
- a first filter for filtering a first kind of fragments;
- a second filter for filtering a second kind of fragments having a smaller dimension than the dimension of the first kind of fragments.
This filtration device is provided with a hollowed central cylinder defining a channel where flows the fluid product once filtered, said channel being delimited by an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, said second filter being located into said channel, the first filter consisting in an apertured skirt extending outwardly from the cylinder and surrounding the second filter so as the first kind of fragments is blocked by the skirt and does not reach the second filter.
The main idea of this invention is to add a filtration device in the dispensing container in order to filter the fragments. There are in fact two successive stages of filtration.
When flowers or petals are introduced into the fluid product, little particles can be separated from the flowers or petals, for instance particles of pollen or pistil or stamen, etc. As a result, there are big fragments (petals, flowers) corresponding to the first kind of fragments, and small fragments (pollen, pistil, stamen) corresponding to the second kind of fragments, immersed in the fluid product. In order to filter these two kinds of fragments, the filtration device is provided with two different filters.
The first filter enables to filter the big fragments. More precisely, the petals, flowers, etc, are stopped by the skirt. The big fragments abut against the external wall of the skirt, whereas the fluid product and the little fragments are able to pass through the apertures of the skirt, and reach the second filter.
This second filter is designed so as to filter the small fragments. As a result, the small fragments abut against the external wall of the second filter, whereas the fluid product is able to pass through the second filter, enters into the channel inside the cylinder, and is then ready to be dispensed.
The second filter is located into the channel. That means that the second filter can be located inside the channel as well as at the inlet or the outlet of the channel. Any position is convenient.
According to different embodiments, that can be taken together or separately:
- the skirt has a dome shape, the cylinder being axially located into the dome shape: the skirt is somehow spread around the cylinder. This shape enables to reduce the fluid resistance, and the fluid product can then be drawn into the channel smoothly.
- the skirt has an hemispheric shape.
- the skirt includes a plurality of flared free ends separated by longitudinal slots.
- the width of the slots is smaller than the dimension of the first kind of fragments: the first kind of fragments abut against the flared free ends, whereas the second kind of fragments and the fluid product can pass through the slots.
- the flared free ends of the skirt are shaped in arcs : they follow the general hemispheric shape of the skirt.
- the skirt extends axially beyond a free end of the cylinder located at the vicinity of the inlet orifice: that means that the skirt is longer than the cylinder: in this manner, the skirt can rest on the bottom of a reservoir storing the fluid product and the fragments, and the fragments are not able to go under the skirt and to reach the second filter by this way. There is no by-pass under the skirt.
- the second filter consists in a perforated disc closing the inlet orifice, the size of each perforation being smaller than the size of the second kind of fragments: the second kind of fragments abut against the disc, whereas the fluid product can pass through the perforations.
- the perforated disc consists in a mesh grid.
- the perforated disc consists in intersecting ribs: they can be star-like intersecting ribs for example.
- the cylinder and the skirt are made in one-piece: they are made in one-piece in one process, such as injection for example.
- the cylinder and the skirt are two distinct pieces, secured together by any known technique.
- the cylinder and the perforated disc are made in one-piece : they are made in one-piece in one process, such as injection for example.
- the cylinder and the perforated disc are two distinct pieces, secured together by any known technique: this is for example the case if the perforated disc is made of another material than the cylinder. The disc can be then connected to the bottom side of the cylinder by such as ultrasonic welding, or by another known technique.
- the cylinder, the skirt and the perforated disc are made in one-piece : they are made in one-piece in one process, such as injection for example.
- the perforated disc is provided with a boss centrally located in the disc and extending outwardly from the channel: thanks to this boss, if a first kind of fragments still manage to reach the second filter, the boss will repel this first kind of fragment so as the latter will not stick onto the disc and block the second filter. This boss improves the filtering effect.
The invention also relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product comprising a dip-tube at the end of which is fixed the filtration device as previously described.
Finally, the invention relates to a dispensing container containing a fluid product mixed with fragments not intended to be dispensed, said container comprising a reservoir where the fluid product and the fragments are stored, and further comprising a dispensing system having a fluid product retrieving path starting from the reservoir and ending in a dispensing orifice, said retrieving path being partially formed by a dip-tube at the end of which is fixed the filtration device as previously described, enabling a filtration of the fragments.
Advantageously, the dip-tube comprises a first end connected to a pumping device of the dispensing system, and a second end inserted into the outlet orifice of the cylinder of the filtration device. The external diameter of the dip tube is designed to fit into the outlet orifice of the cylinder.
The filtration device rests on the bottom of the reservoir, so as to filtrate the totality of the fluid product stored in the reservoir.
Short description of the drawings
The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
- figure 1 shows a dispensing container according to the invention;
- figure 2 illustrates a filtration device according to a first embodiment of the invention ;
- figure 3 illustrates the underside of the filtration device of figure 2;
- figure 4 represents the filtration device of figure 3 located in the corner of a reservoir;
- figure 5 represents the filtration device of figure 3 located on the bottom of a reservoir;
- figures 6a, 6b, 6c represent the filtration device of the invention located in the corner of a reservoir;
- figure 7 illustrates a filtration device according to a second embodiment of the invention ;
- figures 8 and 9 illustrate the second filter of a filtration device according to a third embodiment of the invention;
- figure 10 is a perspective view of a filtration device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;
- figure 11 is a cross sectional view of the filtration device of figure 10.
Detailed description of preferred embodiment
Figure 1 illustrates a dispensing container according to the invention.
This existing dispensing container classically includes:
-a reservoir 5 for holding the fluid product 18 to be dispensed under pressure,
-a collar 8 mounted on the reservoir 5,
-a dispensing system of a pump 6 type, received in the collar 8,
-and a nozzle 9 of the pushbutton type connected to the pump 6 for dispensing the fluid product 18.
The pump 6 has a dip-tube 4 dipping into the fluid product 18.
When the nozzle 9 is pressed down, the fluid product 18 stored in the reservoir 5 is drawn into the dip-tube 4, and finally pumped out through a dispensing orifice 10 of the nozzle 9 for use. The product 18 stored in the reservoir 5 is thus dispensed for example, in the form of a drop or a continuous stream.
In an example of application, the product 18 is a lotion, a gel, a perfume or a cream, for cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.
In the dispensing container of the invention, the reservoir 5 stores not only a fluid product 18, but also colorful fragments 19, 20, such as flowers or petals, or any other kind of decorating fragments 19, 20.
A filtration device 1 is mounted on the lower end of the dip-tube 4. This lower end corresponds to the free end of the dip-tube 4 that is usually located at the bottom of the reservoir 5. This filtration device 1 is thus entirely immersed in the fluid product.
This filtration device 1 is more precisely depicted in figures 2 and 3.
The filtration device 1 is provided with a cylinder 2, a skirt 3, and a perforated disc 13 at the bottom of the cylinder 2.
The cylinder 2 is hollow, and defines a channel 23 with an upper opening corresponding to an outlet orifice 21, and a lower opening corresponding to an inlet orifice 22 for the filtered fluid product 18 (see figure 11) . This lower opening is closed by the perforated disc 13.
The dip-tube 4 is inserted into the upper opening of this cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 is thus provided with a free end 17 directed towards the bottom of the reservoir 5.
The skirt 3 is extending radially outwardly and downwardly from the external wall of the cylinder 2. The skirt 3 surrounds the cylinder 2. The cylinder 2 is axially located in the skirt 3.
In this embodiment, the skirt 3 is approximately fixed halfway up the cylinder 2. But the skirt 3 could be fixed at the upper end of the cylinder 2, or at any other height of the cylinder 2.
The skirt 3 includes a plurality of flared free ends 11 separated by longitudinal slots 12. That means that the slots 12 are directed along the longitudinal direction of the cylinder 2.
The skirt 3 includes at least two flared free ends separated by two slots 12. The slots 12 are thin compared to the flared free ends 11.
Preferably, the skirt 3 is divided into four flared free ends 11 separated by four slots 12. The aim is to enable the fluid product 18 to pass through the skirt 3 by means of little inlets, i.e. the slots 12, in order to reach the cylinder 2.
The slots 12 are designed so as to let the fluid product 18 pass through, but block the fragments, especially the big fragments 19 like petals or flowers. Each slot 12 is thus dimensioned smaller than the size of these kinds of fragments 19 in a wet state. According to the fragments 19 stored in the reservoir 5, the slots 12 can be designed smaller or bigger.
For example, the width of a slot 12, i.e. the distance between two flared free ends 11, is comprised between 3mm and 0.5mm. Preferably, the width of a slot 12 is comprised between 2.5mm and 1mm. More preferably, the width of a slot 12 is equal to 1.5mm.
For example, the big fragments 19 are bigger than 1mm.
Advantageously, the slots 12 are not cut along the whole length of the skirt 3, that means that they do not touch the cylinder 2 from where the skirt 3 extends. For example, the slots 12 are cut halfway up the skirt 3. It enables the skirt 3 to keep a rigidity and to avoid any deformation of the flared free ends 11 that could be caused by the overpressure into the reservoir 5 when pumping.
Preferably, the skirt 3 is a revolution piece with a central X axis. The skirt 3 has a dome shape. For example, the skirt 3 can have a general hemispheric shape. The flared free ends 11 are then shaped in arcs to reduce fluid resistance, with which the fluid product 18 could be drawn into the dip-tube 4 smoothly.
In another variant, the skirt 3 could have a spherical shape, with the same slots 12 being homogeneously distributed all over the sphere. In this case, there is no more flared free ends 11, or there can be free ends having each a petal shape, i.e. with a central flared part. The lower part of the cylinder 2 with the second filter would be hidden into the skirt 3.
The perforated disc 13 provided at the bottom of the cylinder 2, i.e. at the lower opening of the cylinder 2, corresponds to a mesh grid in figures 2, 3 and 10.
The perforations 24 of the mesh grid are designed smaller than the slots 12 of the skirt 3, because their role is to stop the little fragments 20 that have not been previously blocked by the slots 12.
The skirt 3 with the slots 12 correspond to a first filter for filtering big fragments 19, and the perforated disc 13 corresponds to a second filter for filtering small fragments 20.
These small fragments 20 can be particles coming from the flowers, for examples pollen, pistil, stamen, etc.
The fluid product 18 that arrives into the channel 23 of the cylinder 2 has passed successively through the first filter and the second filter. These two levels of filter enable to dispense a fluid product 18 of good quality, without any asperity into it.
Both sizes of the slots 12 and the perforations 24 can be adjusted per the actual fragment 19, 20 size requirements.
It is important for the first filter to have slots 12 that are designed bigger than the perforations 24 of the second filter to stop bigger fragments 19, otherwise these fragments 19 may block the mesh grid. For example, a petal can cover the mesh grid, and prevent the fluid product 18 to pass through the second filter.
For this reason, as depicted in figures 10 and 11, the perforated disc 13 is advantageously provided with a boss 14 centrally located. This boss 14 corresponds to a pin extending axially outwardly from the disc 13, with a height H1 comprised between 0.2mm and 0.35mm, and preferably equal to 0.3mm. This height H1 is dimensioned so as to keep the big fragments 19 away from the perforations 24. With such a boss 14, a petal or a flower cannot be stuck onto the perforations 24.
More precisely, the boss 14 enables the perforated disc 13 to have an irregular surface, such that:
- a petal cannot stick flat onto the perforated disc 13;
- a planar contact cannot be achieved between the perforated disc 13 and the bottom of the reservoir 5, so that the fluid product can enter into the inlet orifice 22 of the channel 23.
This boss 14 improves the filtering effect.
Advantageously, the cylinder 2, the skirt 3 and the perforated disc 13 are made in one-piece in one process, such as injection, as illustrated in figures 2 and 3.
In this embodiment, the perforations 24 consists in an arrangement of openings having each a square profile or a circular profile.
For example, each opening has a square profile with a length comprised between 0.2mm and 6mm. Preferably, the length of the square is between 0.3mm and 0.5mm. More preferably, the length of the square is 0.4mm.
Alternatively, each opening has a rectangular profile with a long side having a length between 0.6mm and 0.22mm.
For example, a small fragment 20 has a size comprised between 0.5mm and 1mm.
In another embodiment depicted in figure 8 and 9, the perforated disc 13 consists in intersecting ribs, forming for example a star at the bottom of the cylinder 2. Other shapes can be suitable. The free spaces between adjacent ribs correspond to the perforations 24. In these figures, the skirt 3 is not depicted for better clarity.
However, due to the limitation of an injection process, the opening size of the perforations 24 is limited. For this reason, alternatively, the filtration device 1 can be made in two pieces as illustrated in figure 7. In this embodiment, the cylinder 2 and the skirt 3 are made in one-piece in one process, while the perforated disc 13 is another piece which is made from certain materials, such as nylon, such that the perforations 24 of the mesh grid can be sized smaller. In this case, the mesh grid is connected to the bottom side of the cylinder 2 by such as ultrasonic welding. Other kinds of well-known type of connection can be used. Advantageously, the perforated disc 13 is made of sintered polypropylene, or sintered polyethylene.
As shown in figures 4 and 5, the dip-tube 4 is designed to be long enough such that the filtration device 1 can reach the bottom of the reservoir 5. More precisely, the flared free ends 11 of the skirt 3 rest on the bottom of the reservoir 5 or in a corner of the reservoir 5. In this manner, the fluid product 18 has to pass first through the filtration device 1 before reaching the channel 23 and the dip-tube 4.
Optionnaly, the skirt 3 extends axially beyond the free end 17 of the cylinder 2. That means that the skirt 3 is longer than the cylinder 2, so that the cylinder 2 does not rests on the bottom of the reservoir 5, otherwise the fluid product 18 could not reach the second filter. The skirt 3 acts like a booster seat. The skirt 3 protrudes from the cylinder 2 of a height H2 as depicted in figure 11. This height H2 is comprised between 0.4mm and 0.6mm. Preferably, the height H2 is equal to 0.5mm.
The skirt 3 is dimensioned so as to create a sufficient annular volume between the skirt 3 (i.e. the first filter) and the perforated disc 13 (i.e. the second filter) , in a manner to avoid an accumulation of small particles (i.e. particles that pass through the first filter, but that are blocked by the second filter) .
To this end, the radial distance D, as depicted in figure 11, between the free end of the skirt 3 and the free end 17 of the cylinder 2 must be:
- big enough so as to avoid the accumulation of particles and the blockage of the second filter;
- small enough so as to avoid having an oversized skirt 3 leading to an oversized gap between the circular free end of the skirt 3 and the reservoir 5.
This kind of gap is depicted in figure 6a, when the filtration device 1 is located in a corner, as the sucked fluid product will by-pass the first filter. Such a gap can corresponds to the distances d1 and d2 between the circular free end of the skirt 3 and the lateral wall 5a of the reservoir 5, and to the distances d3 and d4 between the circular free end of the skirt 3 and the bottom wall 5b of the reservoir 5,
In this case, the skirt 3 has a contact point C1 with the lateral wall 5a of the reservoir 5, and a contact point C2 with the bottom wall 5b of the reservoir 5.
For example, the radial distance D is comprised between 1.5 and 5 mm, and preferably between 2mm and 4mm. More preferably, the radial distance D is comprised between 2.5mm and 3.5mm.
The external diameter of the skirt 3 is comprised between 8mm and 16mm. Preferably, the external diameter of the skirt 3 is comprised between 10mm and 14mm.
Figure 6c illustrates a large skirt 3. The dotted line represents the limit allowing the blockage of large objects 19 like petals. Here the large petals 19 can reach the second filter 13 as they travel along the Z direction between the walls 5a, 5b of the reservoir 5 and the dotted line. The petals 19 in dotted lines are blocked by the skirt 3.
Figure 6b illustrates a skirt is of so small dimension that all the big objects 19 like petals are stopped by the first filter (i.e. skirt 3) and none of them can reach the second filter 13. Nevertheless, the volume between the walls 5a, 5b of the reservoir 5 and the dotted line is so narrow that the small particles 20 (that passed the first filter 3) accumulate and finally deteriorate the quality of filtration of the second filter 13. Actually, this zone is too narrow for the small particles 20 to freely move without accumulating in front of the second filter 13.
Optionally, the dip-tube 4 abuts on a shoulder 15 provided into the internal wall of the cylinder 2, as depicted in figure 11.
Advantageously, the internal wall of the cylinder 2 is provided with a narrow part 16 at the vicinity of the outlet orifice 21, enabling to create a seal at the junction between the cylinder 2 and the dip-tube 4.
Preferably, the filtration device 1 is made of a material having a suitable transparency in order to facilitate a desirable low visibility optical effect of the filtration device 1 when immersed in a liquid fragrance. To this end, the filtration device 1 is made from a material:
- having an index of refraction within a range between about 1.36 and 1.44, as it corresponds to the traditional index of refraction of the fragrance made of acetone or alcohol;
- and containing fluorine.
Although the filtration device 1 of the invention has been described above by reference to a specific embodiment shown in the drawing figures, it should be understood that modifications and variations could be made to the first filter and the second filter without departing from the intended scope of the following claims.

Claims

Filtration device 1 for a system for dispensing a fluid product 18 mixed with fragments 19, 20 not intended to be dispensed, said filtration device 1 comprising:

- a first filter for filtering a first kind of fragments 19;

- a second filter for filtering a second kind of fragments 20 having a smaller dimension than the dimension of the first kind of fragments 19;

said filtration device 1 being provided with a hollowed central cylinder 2 defining a channel 23 where flows the fluid product 18 once filtered, said channel 23 being delimited by an inlet orifice 22 and an outlet orifice 21, said second filter being located into said channel 23, the first filter consisting in an apertured skirt 3 extending outwardly from the cylinder 2 and surrounding the second filter so as the first kind of fragments 19 is blocked by the skirt 3 and does not reach the second filter.
Filtration device 1 according to claim 1, wherein the skirt 3 has a dome shape, the cylinder 2 being axially located into the dome shape.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 2, wherein the skirt 3 includes a plurality of flared free ends 11 separated by longitudinal slots 12.
Filtration device 1 according to claim 3, wherein the width of the slots 12 is smaller than the dimension of the first kind of fragments 19.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 2 to 3, wherein the flared free ends 11 of the skirt 3 are shaped in arcs.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 5, wherein the skirt 3 extends axially beyond a free end 17 of the cylinder 2 located at the vicinity of the inlet orifice 22.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 6, wherein the second filter consists in a perforated disc 13 closing the inlet orifice 22, the size of each perforation being smaller than the size of the second kind of fragments 19, 20.
Filtration device 1 according to claim 7, wherein the perforated disc 13 consists in a mesh grid.
Filtration device 1 according to claim 7, wherein the perforated disc 13 consists in intersecting ribs.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 9, wherein the cylinder 2 and the skirt 3 are made in one-piece.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 10, wherein the cylinder 2 and the perforated disc 13 are made in one-piece.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 7 to 11, wherein the perforated disc 13 is provided with a boss 14 centrally located in the disc 13 and extending outwardly from the channel 23.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 12, wherein it is made from a material having an index of refraction within a range between 1, 36 and 1, 44.
Filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 13, wherein it is made from a material containing fluorine.
System for dispensing a fluid product 18 comprising a dip-tube 4 at the end of which is fixed the filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 14.
Dispensing container containing a fluid product 18 mixed with fragments 19, 20 not intended to be dispensed, said container comprising a reservoir 5 where the fluid product 18 and the fragments 19, 20 are stored, and further comprising a dispensing system having a fluid product retrieving path starting from the reservoir 5 and ending in a dispensing orifice 10, said retrieving path being partially formed by a dip-tube 4 at the end of which is fixed the filtration device 1 according to claims 1 to 14, enabling a filtration of the fragments 19, 20.
Dispensing container according to claim 16, wherein the dip-tube 4 comprises a first end connected to a pumping device 6 of the dispensing system, and a second end inserted into the outlet orifice 21 of the cylinder 2 of the filtration device 1.
Dispensing container according to claims 16 to 17, wherein the filtration device 1 rests on the bottom of the reservoir 5.