FR2647757A1 - Dispenser of predetermined doses of a liquid or pasty product, in particular of a food or cosmetic product - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser of predetermined doses of a liquid or pasty product, in particular of a food or cosmetic product, contained in a closed reserve connecting with the dispenser. According to the invention, this dispenser is characterised in that it comprises a transverse support 10 receiving a shell 15 forming with the support a clearance 14 respectively connecting with an inlet duct 34 connected to the inside of the reserve 3 of the product 2 to be dispensed and with an outlet duct 35, these ducts being provided with reverse-mounted valves 49, 50 such that one is open when the other is closed and vice-versa, the clearance 14 being connected to a cavity 21 inside the shell in which is mounted a piston 26 sliding in such a way that its displacement in one direction causes the opening of the valve 49 mounted in the inlet duct 34 and the filling of the cavity by drawing in a dose of product equal to the volume displaced by the piston, and that the return displacement in the opposite direction of the piston expels the drawn-in dose through the outlet duct 35.

Description

DISTRIBUTOR OF PREDETERMINED DOSES OF A PRODUCT
LIQUID OR PASTY, ESPECIALLY FOOD OR
COSMETIC
The present invention relates to a dispenser of predetermined doses of a liquid or pasty product, in particular a food or cosmetic product, contained in a closed reserve, devoid of air and communicating with the dispenser, the latter comprising control members capable of of alternating and transverse movements, back and forth, such as they successively and in one direction, the aspiration into a sealed cavity of the dose of product to be dispensed taken from the reserve and, in the other direction, the expulsion of this dose outside the dispenser through an appropriate outlet.

 Distributors of liquid or pasty products are already known, in particular in the hygiene or food products industry, such as jars of cosmetic creams or tubes for foodstuffs such as syrups, mustards, various sauces ... But these devices are generally not automatic and in particular watertight from the outside. In addition, they do not usually make it possible to deliver specific doses, possibly of volume adjustable on demand, which are exactly identical from one to the other for each sample.

 In addition, all these pumping systems involve a pressure device from top to bottom relative to the reserve of product and are therefore mounted in the vertical axis thereof.

 With a jar of cream, usually consisting of a container closed at one end by a bottom generally curved inward, and open at the other after removal of a screwed or pressed lid on the corresponding rim of the container and, the if necessary, after removal of a thermoplastic film sealed in place and to be torn off when using the jar for the first time, the samples are taken with the finger flush with the surface of the cream in the jar and moved thereon. operation being repeated as many times as necessary to provide the user with the desired amount of cream. However, this type of manual withdrawal has drawbacks, in particular because of the risks of contamination of the product by the microbes deposited and entrained by the finger, or even because the jar is not permanently closed and the cream is thus in contact with the ambient air as long as the cover of the pot is not replaced. For these same reasons, the jar is most often reserved for the use of a single person and cannot be suitable for family use or for several separate successive people.

 The same applies if the container contains a food product and is in the form of a plastic or metalloplastic tube closed by a generally screwed cap and the user presses on demand, after removing the cap, to deliver a dose. given the product whose precise volume is then difficult to assess. In addition, in this case, the filling of the tube is not perfect and in particular, leaves in it a pocket of residual air which can again contaminate the product during periods of non-use of the tube.

 In addition, for certain food products, dispensers have already been made comprising at their upper part a conventional pump, with a dip tube vertically penetrating into the reserve of the product. However, it happens that in this case, forms around the tube in the reserve a crater zone, leaving in contact with the internal walls a significant amount of product forming around the end of the tube a concave meniscus all the more pronounced that the viscosity of the product is higher. This results in that, with each movement of the pump, the quantity of product delivered varies; in addition, when the pump no longer delivers, a significant quantity of unused product still remains in the reserve, discarded with the dispenser which has become unusable.

 The present invention relates to an automatic dispenser which avoids these drawbacks, by providing assured repeatability of the doses delivered, with each time a volume of the latter equal to itself, this until the reserve is completely exhausted and under suitable conditions. 'total hygiene and in particular safe from any microbes or bacteria, which is easy to implement, inexpensive to manufacture and which has a satisfactory aesthetic.

 To this end, the distributor considered is characterized in that it comprises a fixed support, extending transversely and having a wall delimiting a cylindrical recess open at one end by which it receives a shell which is also cylindrical and coaxial with the recess, closing the end of the latter while providing an intermediate clearance with the wall of the support communicating respectively with an intake duct in connection with the interior of a reserve of the liquid or pasty product to be dispensed and with a duct evacuation of this product, the inlet and outlet conduits being provided with valves, mounted inverted with respect to each other, so that one is open when the other is closed and vice versa, the clearance between the shell and the support being joined to a cavity internal to the shell in which a movable piston is mounted, sliding in this cavity in such a way that the displacement of the piston dan s one direction causes the valve mounted in the intake duct to open and the cavity to be filled by suction of a dose of product equal to the volume displaced by the piston, introduced into the cavity by the intermediate clearance provided between the support and the shell, and that the backward displacement of the piston expels the dose sucked through the discharge pipe.

 Preferably, each valve, mounted respectively in the inlet and outlet ducts, is constituted by a flexible tongue, made of plastic or other material, extending transversely in the duct and secured on part of its periphery with a sleeve support disposed coaxially to the conduit, the tongue pivoting relative to the sleeve, opening or closing the conduit by cooperating with a support seat forming a stop, formed therein.

Alternatively, it is also possible to form the two valves, or even only one of them, by means of a plastic ball, glass or similar material, cooperating with a seat against which it is spread or applied, under the effect of a support spring or equivalent, also made of plastic, mounted in the associated conduit.

 In particular, the use of metal parts is prohibited, the compatibility of which with the products to be distributed, cosmetic or food, is generally not guaranteed.

 According to a particular characteristic of the distributor considered, the shell has an external lateral surface, directed towards the intermediate clearance formed with the internal wall of the cylindrical recess of the support, comprising a set of parallel grooves, distributed around the axis of the shell to ensure the centering of the latter in the support, by providing flow channels for the dose of the product, sucked through the intake duct. Advantageously, the shell has an end face parallel to the bottom of the recess of the support and in which are provided radial grooves, communicating respectively with the lateral channels and the discharge duct.

 In a preferred embodiment, the radial grooves of the end face of the shell are four in number and open into a central orifice, communicating with the internal cavity of the shell and the discharge duct.

 According to yet another characteristic of the distributor considered, the movable piston sliding in the cavity comprises a head, in leaktight contact with the internal surface of the latter, a rod extending the head outwards opposite the face of end of the shell and passing through a seal closing the cavity. Preferably, the cover comprises, outside the cavity, an open groove for supporting and immobilizing a return spring, arranged coaxially with the rod and applied opposite to a control push button. displacement of the piston in the cavity for the successive aspiration and evacuation of the doses of product withdrawn. Preferably also, the stroke of the piston in the cavity is limited by a fixed stop, provided on the support, the push button comprising projections of different thicknesses, brought by rotation of the button opposite the fixed stop by modifying the length of the maximum movement of the button against the return spring.

 According to various alternative embodiments of the dispenser of the invention, the evacuation duct is provided in the bottom of the support in line with the central orifice formed in the end face of the shell, or even in the side wall of the support , this duct possibly being provided with a spout extending it. Where appropriate, the support is associated with a fixed or removable cover, mounted on the support by clips or the like. In addition, the cover advantageously comprises a detachable tamper-evident tab, by breaking and tearing, protecting the push button so that the control of the piston in the cavity can only be carried out after removal of the tab.

 In another alternative embodiment, more particularly suitable for mounting the dispenser on a reserve of a pasty product, such as a cosmetic cream or the like, the support is secured to the side wall of a jar, preferably cylindrical, containing the product to be withdrawn, this pot being closed by a flat bottom, slidably mounted in the pot as and when the doses are withdrawn, this bottom forming a piston for discharging the product towards the intake duct.

Advantageously, the flat bottom has a sealing lip, applied against the side wall of the pot. In addition and according to another particular characteristic, the side wall peddles, at its open end opposite to the support receiving the bottom, projecting ribs, capable of deforming the sealing lip of the piston, during the engagement of the bottom to allow , after filling of the reserve with the product, the exhaust of the residual air contained in it.

 In another embodiment applied to the distribution of food products, the support comprises a nozzle, connected to the intake duct and comprising an internal thread on which the head of the product reserve is screwed, thus made removable with respect to the support . Preferably, the reserve of product is constituted by a flexible plastic or metalloplastic tube, mounted on the end piece and surrounded by an external protective box secured to the support. Advantageously, the tube has a shoulder of conical shape, raised upward and surrounding the head of the tube, itself carrying a thread suitable for its screwing on the end piece, this shoulder limiting the volume of lost product remaining in the tube after exhaustion of this one.

 Preferably also, the flexible tube encloses at its lower end a transverse plate of plastic foam, introduced into the tube following its filling with the product and before crimping of its end, in a manner in itself conventional.

 Finally, and in a preferred embodiment, the tube is closed by a removable plug, to be removed before mounting on the end piece of the support, this plug comprising a unscrewing imprint, able to cooperate with a key of the same profile provided in the protective case back.

Other characteristics of a liquid or pasty product dispenser established in accordance with the invention will become more apparent from the following description of several exemplary embodiments, given below by way of indication and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings. on which ones:
- Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention, suitable in particular for mounting on the dispenser of a reserve of a food product packaged in a flexible tube.

 - Figures 2 and 3 are partial sectional views on a larger scale of the dispenser according to Figure 1, to better understand the operation thereof.

 - Figure 4 is a detailed perspective view of the end of the shell used in the dispenser according to Figures 1 to 3.

 - Figure 5 illustrates a variant of the flexible tube, forming a reserve of the product.

 - Figure 6 is a detail view to clarify how the tube is filled.

 Figure 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the tube of Figure 5.

- Figure 8 is a bottom view of the housing and the means carried by it to control the unscrewing of the tube closure plug according to the
Figure 7.

 - Figures 9 and 10 illustrate, respectively in cross section and in top view, another embodiment for the distribution of a pasty product, in particular for cosmetic use.

 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the distributor considered, designated as a whole under the reference 1, is more particularly intended to allow the supply of determined doses of a product 2, liquid or if necessary more or less pasty consistency, contained inside a reserve 3, which is, in itself known, in the form of a flexible tube 4 closed at its lower end 5 by pinching and crimping the tube , suitably flattened there. The tube comprises, at its opposite end, an orifice 6 for the outlet of the product 2, formed in the center of an end portion 7 externally threaded and onto which a closure plug is normally screwed (not shown in the above-mentioned figures but seen in particular on the example of Figure 5).

 The threaded part 7 of the reserve 3 is arranged so that, after removing the plug, it can be screwed into a corresponding thread 8, housed inside a nozzle 9 secured to a support 10 incorporating the means allowing to carry out, in accordance with the invention, first of all the withdrawal of a determined dose of the product 2 inside the reserve 3, then secondly, the expulsion of this dose towards the outside of the dispenser.

 The support 10 has for this purpose a base plate 11 of which the end piece 9 is integral, this plate being shaped, on the side opposite this end piece, so as to have a bottom 12 extending perpendicularly to the plate and a wall in return 13, delimiting with the bottom and the plate a transverse recess of cylindrical shape 14, open opposite the bottom 12. This recess can thus receive a hollow shell 15, also of cylindrical shape and mounted inside the transverse recess, coaxial to the latter.

In its external surface directed towards the wall 13, the shell 15 comprises a series of grooves 16 (see Figure 4), limiting two by two around the shell of the channels 17 for the flow of the product 2 in the manner indicated below. The shell 15 furthermore comprises, in its end face 18 parallel to the bottom 12, grooves 19 four in number in the embodiment more particularly shown in the drawings, these grooves extending in two perpendicular directions l ' one to the other and communicating, on the one hand at one of their ends with the channels 17 and opening, on the other hand, in a central orifice 20, making communicate the recess 14, formed between the face 18 and the bottom 12 with the cavity forming the internal region 21 of the shell 15.

 At its end opposite the bottom 12, the transverse recess 14 is closed by a cover 22 extending transversely and comprising a return towards the interior 23, penetrating into the internal region 21 of the shell while maintaining the latter tightly blocked against the internal surface of the wall 13. The cover 22 also comprises, in its central part, a flange 24, in which a cylindrical rod 25 can freely slide.

The latter is secured, in the internal region 21 of the shell 15, to a flat piston 26, comprising a peripheral lip 27, applied against the internal surface of the shell 15 and ensuring the sealing of the region 21 vis-à-vis -visible from the outside, in particular at the right of the passage of the rod 25 in the flange 24 provided in the center of the cover 22. The piston 26 advantageously comprises, opposite the lip 27, a cylindrical lip 28, suitable for abutting against the end of the return 23 of the cover, thereby limiting the return stroke of the piston to the left, as illustrated in particular in Figure 2. The flange 24 is joined to the cover by an edge 29 , delimiting with it a groove 30, open towards the outside and in which abuts the end of a return spring 31, mounted coaxially with the rod 25. At its other end, this spring 31 penetrates into a housing 32, machined in the corresponding part of a push button 33 integral with the rod 25 and allowing, by a thrust force exerted against the spring 31, the displacement to the right of the piston 26 in the internal region 21 of the shell, the relaxation of this determining force, thanks to the spring , return to the initial position of the button and the piston.

In the base plate 11 of the support 10, in line with the end piece 9, a passage 34 is formed, constituting with the end piece the intake duct through which the product 2 taken from the reserve 3 is drawn into the dispenser 1 , before being expelled therefrom by an evacuation duct 35, which in the embodiment shown in the
Figures 1 to 3, is substantially bent at right angles and opens into the bottom 12, in the extension of the orifice 20 provided in the end face 18 of the shell 15. The support 10 further comprises, at the periphery of the base plate 11, a circular edge 36 allowing the threaded end 37 of a housing 38 to be screwed onto the distributor 38 for the external protection of the reserve 3. This housing 38 comprises a bottom 39, having a collar 40, suitable for be forcibly engaged in the open end of the housing 38. A hole 39a is provided in the bottom 39 to allow the evacuation of air during installation on the housing.

 The support 10 finally comprises, opposite the base plate 11, projecting reinforcements 41 allowing the mounting and centering on the top of the dispenser, of a cover or cover 42, capable of being fitted onto the support by means of notches 43, provided at the lower end of its side wall 44. Advantageously, the cover 42 has, in the region of the latter which covers the push button 33, a tamper-evident tab 45, suitable for being detached of the cover by tearing off the latter, following a rupture created in line with a weakening zone 46, connecting this tab to the cover. The latter finally comprises a pouring spout 47 with an appropriate profile and by which the dose of product withdrawn is finally delivered by the dispenser, this spout 47 communicating by a connecting duct 48 molded or otherwise formed inside the cover 42, with the end of the exhaust duct 35.

 According to the invention, the inlet 34 and outlet 35 respectively of the product 2 taken from the reserve 3, are provided with valves whose mounting is such that, when one of these is open, the other is closed and vice versa, the successive openings and closings of these valves resulting from the movements of the piston 26 in the internal region 21, by successively taking out a determined dose of the product and then expelling it in the same manner which will be better specified later. In the Figures, these valves are respectively designated by the references 49 for that associated with the intake duct 34, and 50 for that mounted in the exhaust duct 35.

Each of these valves essentially consists of a flexible tongue 51, joined by a connection zone 52 constituting a fraction of its periphery, connecting it to the internal wall of a support sleeve 53, the assembly preferably being made of a suitable plastic material giving the tongue the necessary suppleness and flexibility. It should be noted that the use of valves 49 and 50 is here all the more preferable since the recess 14 of the distributor extends transversely with respect to the axis of the housing 38.

 In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, the valve 49 is mounted in the end part 7 of the tube 4 constituting the envelope of the reserve 3, the sleeve 53 having its upper end slightly below the outlet orifice of the tube once it has been screwed into the end piece 9. In the normal position, in particular when no depression is created in the internal region 21 of the shell 15 in order to draw up a dose of product to be withdrawn , the flexible tongue 51 rests on a seat 54 which has come from manufacture with the tube 4, thereby closing the latter in addition to the usual closure produced by the plug (not shown) screwed onto the thread of the terminal part 7. In on the other hand, during the product sampling phase, the tongue 51 pivots around its connection zone 52 while releasing the seat 54, freeing up the passage then necessary for the product to leave the reserve 3.

 The valve 50 mounted in the evacuation conduit 35 has exactly the same structure and operates in the same way as the valve 49 to allow, as the case may be, the closing or opening of this conduit, the flexible tongue 51 cooperating in that -this with a seat 55. The two valves can be made with the same plastic material or, where appropriate, with different materials, in particular because, in the example considered, the valve 49 is renewed each time the change of the reserve 3 of the product, while the valve 50 remains permanently mounted in the support 10 of the dispenser. Particular attention must therefore be paid to the manufacture of this second valve to ensure it has a suitable longevity.

 The operation of the dispenser 1 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is therefore easily deduced from the indications already given in the foregoing.

Initially, the user, having the dispenser and in particular the support 10 with all of its accessories, unscrews the protective housing 38 opposite this support, to introduce the reserve 3, including the tube 4 forming the envelope has previously been stripped of its own closure cap. The reserve is in particular screwed onto the end piece 9, the device being ready to be used, once the housing 38 has been replaced.

 If it is a first use, the user then proceeds to tear off the tamper-evident tab 45, by breaking it around its point of weakness 46 connecting it to the cover 42 by exerting on this tongue a pivoting force towards the rear, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1.

 At this instant, the apparatus is ready to supply on demand a determined dose of product, delivered by the pouring spout 47, following the movements of movement of the piston 26 inside the shell 15. Thus, the push button 33 being previously depressed until the piston 26 comes to bear against the end face 18 of the shell, it is understood that the return of this knob under the effect of the return spring 31, will create in the region 21 an effect of depression, successively causing the raising of the tongue 51 of the valve 49 and the aspiration from the reserve 3 of the product 2 which it contains, the latter flowing through the passage 34 in the channels 17 provided in the outer surface of the shell 15, then in the grooves 19 formed in the end face 18 to finally fill the region 21 through the orifice 20, this as the piston moves back up at final stop on the return 23 of the op cover 22. In this product suction phase, the flexible tongue 51 of the valve 50 mounted in the evacuation duct 35 remains, on the contrary, firmly applied to its seat 55, thereby closing this duct.

 In the next step, the push button 33 being pushed back towards the end face 18 of the shell 15, the piston 26 expels the dose previously withdrawn. In this phase, the pressure created by the displacement of the piston causes, conversely, the application of the flexible tab of the valve 49 on its seat 54 and, simultaneously, the tilting of the tab of the valve 50, opening the duct 35 to allow the flow of the dose thus expelled to the spout 47.

 Each movement in one direction of the piston 26 under the effect of the push button 32, is thus taken a determined dose whose volume corresponds to that defined by the stroke of the piston. Inside the internal region 21 of the shell 15, the movement in the opposite direction causing the expulsion of this same dose which therefore always remains equal to itself at each stroke of the piston back and forth. Note, however, that this volume can be modified at the option of the user, that is, when the user does not exert on the push button, sufficient force to push the piston back until it comes into contact with the end face 18, either by mechanically limiting the useful stroke of the piston. For this purpose, the profile of the push button 33 can advantageously be arranged by making it comprise, in its face directed towards the cover 22, several protruding parts forming dogs, for example two in number, 56 and 57 respectively in the example considered. , and suitable for cooperating with a bearing stop 58 on the cover 22, the choice of the desired dog clutch being carried out by simple rotation of the button 33 around its axis to bring this dog clutch opposite the counter 58. It is in fact understood that, due to their difference in thicknesses, the dogs thus vary the maximum possible stroke of the piston 26 and consequently the volume of the dose withdrawn with each back and forth movement thereof.

 The operation of the dispenser thus implemented can be envisaged as long as the reserve 3 contains product 2 to be delivered, the flexibility of the tube 4 allowing, as and when the samples are taken, a progressive crushing of its wall until the product is exhausted. , due to the depression created in the tube.

 However, experience shows that with a tube of conventional design, this exhaustion of the product is never total, a non-negligible residual fraction always remaining trapped in the tube and consequently thrown with it, which is in itself detrimental.

 To overcome this drawback, it is advantageously possible, according to another arrangement of the invention, to shape the upper end of the tube 4 with a shoulder 59 of conical shape, coaxially surrounding the terminal end 7 of this tube, in the manner shown in Figure "5. This shoulder 59 is connected by welding. or other suitable connection means with the end 60 of the tube 4. With such an arrangement, the progressive crushing of the tube, produced according to its median plane 61 in which is located at its flattened lower end 5, can be carried out up to the immediate vicinity of the terminal part 7, the residual space 62 in which the product can still remain being reduced to a minimum. plug 63 normally closing the tube 4, before, after removal of this plug, the reserve is placed on the nozzle 9 of the dispenser in the already explicit manner.

 Figure 6 shows schematically the implementation of an additional improvement contributing, in addition to the conical shoulder 59 envisaged above, to ensure better filling of the tube 4 and consequently a more complete emptying of it as and as samples are taken by the distributor. In this figure, the tube 4 is shown upside down, with its upper end 64 open ?. by which the filling of the reserve 3 is carried out with the product 2. Once this operation has been carried out, a plate 65 is advantageously introduced into the tube, preferably made of a flexible material, of the foam-plastic type, which equalizes the surface next to the product 2 previously introduced, before the tube is pinched to flatten it along the end edge 5. The foam plate in particular makes it possible to expel the air possibly trapped in the tube during this pinching and thus avoid any dead volume not filled by the product.

 Figures 7 and 8 illustrate yet another improvement that can be implemented with the dispenser according to the invention. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 7, the end part 7 of the tube 4 closing the reserve 3 is associated with an end plug 66 of particular design, comprising in particular a central collar 67 engaging in the axis of this part terminal up to the tongue 51 of the valve 49, and a head 68 whose transverse dimension is chosen such that in the closed position of the tube, it abuts against the conical shoulder 59, possibly being immobilized against it by small projecting lugs (not shown). your head 68 of the plug 66 furthermore has a hollow imprint 69 of determined geometrical shape capable of cooperating with a key of corresponding complementary shape 70, formed in the bottom 39 closing the housing 38. In the example considered and as illustrated in the Figure 8, the key 70 has a square outline, corresponding to that of the imprint 68; of course other shapes would be possible, for example triangular, star or other, allowing the normal unscrewing of the plug 66 only by the user having the housing 38 and the bottom 39 thereof with the appropriate key 70, in thus making the implementation of the dispenser practically essential for unscrewing such plugs.

 In addition, each product refill corresponds to a specific profile key, in order to avoid the introduction of successive refills of different products, which may lead to untimely mixing.

 Figures 9 and 10 illustrate another alternative embodiment, more particularly suitable for the use of the dispenser with a reserve 3 containing a product 2 of pasty consistency and in particular a cream for cosmetic or other use.

 In this variant, which naturally incorporates the essential characteristics of the dispenser proposed with the example according to Figures 1 to 3, identical reference numerals have been used to designate the same organs or those which play the same role in one and the same. 'other case.

 In this variant, however, the reserve 3 of the product 2 is directly delimited between the base plate 11 of the support 10 which extends the internal wall of the housing 38. In addition, the cover 42 is advantageously covered by a cover 71, removable and normally placed in place on the housing 38 forming a pot, by screwing at 73 to the part. In its center, the cover comprises, directed towards the cover 42, a protuberance 74 which comes to close in leaktight manner an orifice 75 formed in the cover 42 in line with the evacuation duct 35. The cover 42 is normally placed on the housing 38 by means of latching projections 72 formed in the internal surface of the cover and cooperating with recesses of the same profile, provided on a crown 72a, rising upwards from the base plate 11.

 In this variant, the intake duct 34 opens directly inside the reserve 3 through the base plate 11, the associated valve 49 being mounted between the internal region 21 of the shell 15 and housed inside the end of this intake duct. The outlet orifice 20 of the dose withdrawn is arranged here in the side wall of the shell and communicates with the channel 14 formed in the external surface of the latter, this channel communicating in turn with the discharge conduit 35 provided of its valve 50.

 In this variant, the removable bottom 39 of the housing 38 includes a peripheral sealing lip 76 and a flat central part 77 which acts as a piston, by pushing the product 2 into the reserve in the direction of the dispenser support, at the as and when the samples taken by control of the push button 33 and operation of the piston 26 in the region 21 of the shell. Advantageously are provided at the open end of the housing 38, opposite the base plate 11, projecting ribs 78, adapted to slightly deform during assembly the lip 76 at the periphery of the bottom 39, once the housing 38 filled with product 2, the lip resuming its shape after engagement of the bottom by expelling the air enclosed in the housing. These ribs 78 form notches for the piston 77, once the latter has been put in place, preventing the product 2 from escaping from the housing.

 The operation of the distributor in the embodiment shown above is of course analogous to that already explained with the first variant, the movements back and forth of the piston under the control of the push button successively performing the suction, then the delivery, of a given dose of the product, the depression created progressively in the housing 38 allowing the bottom 39 to move gradually, pushing the remaining product until the final exhaustion of the latter.

 A dispenser of liquid or pasty products is thus produced, of very simple design and which offers particularly appreciable hygiene guarantees by eliminating any contact of the product itself with the ambient air, until the chosen dose is definitively issued for the desired job. The dispenser is easy to produce, inexpensive and can have an external aesthetic well suited according to the nature of the products and their uses. In particular, the case and the cover can be made and decorated as desired, with the greatest latitude as to the inspiration of the designer. The recommended pumping means are also designed so as to be arranged as close as possible to the sealing valves, allowing the latter to be applied to their respective seats under the best conditions of reliability. Finally, the stroke of the piston, therefore the volume of the delivered dose can be adjusted in the indicated manner, which has another advantage by avoiding unnecessary waste of the product.

 The construction of the dispenser according to the invention also lends itself effectively to mounting the shell 15 and the support 10, as well as the piston 26, in a vertical plane, on machines with high production rate; the pump thus formed is then arranged horizontally, its valves ensuring in any position the essential seals.

 Of course, it goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiments more especially described and represented above; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants. In particular, it is conceivable to produce the valves mounted in the intake and exhaust conduits, no longer by means of flexible tongues of plastic or other material but with balls applied to their seat under the effect of a spring. or equivalent elastic means. Likewise, provision could be made to arrange the return spring of the push button, not outside the shell cavity but in the latter, provided that the nature of the material constituting this spring cannot pollute the product contained in this cavity.

Claims (22)

 1. Distributor of predetermined doses of a liquid or pasty product, in particular a food or cosmetic product, contained in a closed reserve communicating with the distributor, characterized in that it comprises a fixed support (10), having a wall (13) delimiting a transverse cylindrical recess open at one end by which it receives a shell (15) also cylindrical and coaxial with the recess, closing the end of the latter while providing an intermediate clearance (14) communicating with the wall of the support respectively with an inlet duct (34) in connection with the interior of the reserve (3) of the liquid or pasty product (2) to be dispensed and with an outlet duct (35) for this product, the ducts for inlet and outlet being provided with valves (49.50), mounted inverted with respect to each other, so that one is open when the other is closed and vice versa, the clearance (14 ) between the shell and the sup port being joined to an internal cavity (21) in the shell in which is mounted a movable piston (26), sliding in this cavity in such a way that the displacement of the piston in one direction causes the opening of the valve (49) mounted in the intake duct (34) and the filling of the cavity by aspiration of a dose of product equal to the volume displaced by the piston, introduced into the cavity by the intermediate clearance provided between the support and the shell, and that the displacement back in the opposite direction of the piston expels the dose sucked through the discharge pipe (35).  2. Distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that each valve (49.50), mounted respectively in the intake ducts (34) and discharge (35), is constltuated by a flexible tongue (51), plastic or other material, extending transversely in the conduit and secured on a part of its periphery with a support sleeve (53) disposed coaxially with the conduit, the tongue pivoting relative to the sleeve, opening or closing the conduit by cooperating with a support seat (54, 55) forming a stop, formed therein.  3. Distributor according to claim 1, characterized in that the two valves, or even only one of them, is constituted by means of a plastic ball, glass, or a similar material, cooperating with a seat against which it is spread or applied, under the effect of a support spring or equivalent, also made of plastic, mounted in the associated duct.  4. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the shell (15) has an external lateral surface, directed towards the intermediate clearance (14) formed with the internal wall (13) of the cylindrical recess of the support (10), comprising a set of parallel grooves (16), distributed around the axis of the shell to ensure the centering thereof in the support, providing flow channels (17) of the dose of the product, sucked through the intake duct.  5. Distributor according to claim 4, characterized in that the shell (15) has an end face parallel to the bottom (12) of the recess of the support (10) and in which are provided radial grooves (19), communicating respectively with the lateral channels (17) and the evacuation duct (35).  6. Dispenser according to claim 5, characterized in that the radial grooves (19) of the end face (18) of the shell (15) are four in number and open into a central orifice (20), communicating with the internal cavity (21) in the shell and the discharge duct (35).  7. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the movable piston (26) sliding in the cavity (21) comprises a head, in sealed contact (27) with the internal surface of the latter, a rod (25) extending the head outwards opposite the end face of the shell <15) and passing through a cover (22) closing the cavity.  8. Distributor according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover (22) comprises, outside the cavity, an open groove (30) for supporting and immobilizing a return spring (31) , arranged coaxially with the rod (25) and applied opposite to a push button (33) controlling the movement of the piston (26) in the cavity (21) for the successive aspiration and evacuation of the doses of product collected.  9. Dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the stroke of the piston (26) in the cavity (21) is limited by a fixed stop (58), provided on the support (10), the push button comprising projections (56, 57) of different thickness, brought by rotation of the button opposite the fixed stop by modifying the length of the maximum displacement of the button against the return spring (31).  10. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the evacuation duct (35) is provided in the bottom (12) of the support (10) in line with the central orifice (20) formed in the end face (18) of the shell (15).  11. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the discharge duct (35) is formed in the side wall of the support.  12. Distributor according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the duct (35) is provided with a pouring spout (47) extending it.  13. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the support (10) is associated with a cover (42) fixed or removable, fixed to the support by clips (43,72) or the like.  14. Dispenser according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover (42) comprises a detachable tamper-evident tab (45) by rupture and tearing, protecting the push button (33) so that the piston control (26) in the cavity (21) can only be done after removing the tongue.  15. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the support (10) is secured to the side wall of a pot or housing (38), preferably cylindrical, containing the product (2) to withdraw, this pot being closed by a flat bottom (39), slidably mounted in the pot as and when the doses are withdrawn, this bottom forming a piston for discharging the product towards the intake duct (34).  16. Distributor according to claim 15, characterized in that the flat bottom (39) comprises a sealing lip (76), applied against the side wall of the pot (38).  17. Dispenser according to claim 16, characterized in that the side wall of the pot (38) comprises, at its open end opposite the support receiving the bottom, projecting ribs (78), suitable for compressing the sealing lip ( 76) of the bottom (39) during the engagement of the bottom in the reserve against the wall, forming stops of the bottom thus put in place in the pot, after filling with the product.  18. Distributor according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the support (10) comprises a nozzle (9), connected to the intake duct (39) and comprising an internal thread (8) on which is screws the head (7) of the reserve (3) of the product (2), thus made removable with respect to the support.  19. Distributor according to claim 18, characterized in that the reserve (3) of product (2) consists of a flexible plastic or metalloplastic tube (4), mounted on the end piece and surrounded by an external protective housing (38 ) secured to the support (10).  20. Dispenser according to claim 19, characterized in that the tube (4) has a conical shoulder (59), raised upwards and surrounding the head (7) of the tube (4), itself carrying a thread specific to its screwing on the end piece (9), this shoulder limiting the volume of lost product remaining in the tube after exhaustion thereof.  21. Dispenser according to one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that the flexible tube (4) encloses at its lower end a transverse plate of plastic foam (65), introduced into the tube following its filling with the product ( 2) and before crimping its end (5).  22. Distributor according to claim 18, characterized in that the tube is closed by a removable plug (66), to be removed before mounting on the end piece of the support, this plug comprising a unscrewing imprint (69), capable of cooperating with a key (70) of the same profile provided in the bottom of the protective housing (38).