FR2756899A1 - Unidirectional valve or distribution of cosmetic products from container - Google Patents

Abstract

The unidirectional valve (10) with instantaneous closure consists of a feed pipe (11), a product of a liquid or cream consistency, an exit orifice (20) and a opening and closing bladder on the (X) axis which is defined by two superimposed faces (13,14) joined by lines of attachment (15,17) situated in the same plane, on either side of the (X) axis. The bladder has two ends (16,20), the feed pipe being connected to the bladder in the neighbourhood of the end (16) whilst the other end (20) forms an exit orifice to allow the selective discharge of the product. The bladder is formed from a supple material which is non-deformable elastically. The attachment lines (15,17) being able to move in and out on the plane during the opening and closing of the bladder.

Description

The present invention relates to a one-way valve with instant closure, as well as a distributor of liquid consistency product, creamy or gelled, comprising a dispensing head equipped with this valve.

More particularly, the dispenser to which the invention relates is an integrated pump dispenser, that is to say a dispenser comprising a dispensing head provided with a pumping chamber receiving the product contained in a reservoir by a unidirectional valve. intake, a dispensing valve discharging said product to a distribution channel and / or an outlet and pumping means, adapted to vary the volume of the pumping chamber.

A distributor comprising an intake valve and a dispensing valve, at least one of which is a valve according to the invention, can be used for the distribution and / or the application of a cosmetic, dermopharmaceutical or household product , such as a shampoo, a cream or body milk, a liquid foundation, a sunscreen, a styling gel, a dermatological ointment, or a household cleaner.

Document US-A-3 820 689 discloses a dispenser provided with a dispensing head comprising a compressible pumping chamber, in communication with an intake valve and a dispensing valve, each of said valves being constituted by a Elastomer valve resting against a rigid seat. FIG. 1b of US-A-5 100 027 also discloses a dispensing pump, in which the intake valve is constituted by a calibrated ball, forming a valve, closing off, using of a helical spring, the inlet channel of the pumping chamber. These two known distributors have the following drawbacks:
To ensure a satisfactory closure to the operation, especially when the product to be dispensed is a gelled product or a viscous product, or a liquid product comprising a dispersed powder, the valves of each valve must exert a certain amount of bearing force against their respective seats. . However, during the passage of the product being dispensed, the thrust of the product causes the spacing of each valve of its respective seat, which represents, in some cases, a considerable loss of load.

The present invention aims an instantaneous closure valve, and respectively, a pump equipped with this valve, this pump having a pressure drop as low as possible. A pump equipped with one or better two of these valves has a reduced actuating force compared to a pump known in the state of the art. In addition, by reducing the reduced actuating force, the pump of the invention makes it possible to dispense small quantities of product in a metered manner.

Thus, a first object of the present invention is constituted by a unidirectional valve with reduced pressure drop for a product of liquid or creamy consistency, able to allow the passage of said product in one direction, and to prohibit the passage of the product in the reverse.

Another object of the invention is constituted by a dispensing head adapted to equip a product dispenser, the dispenser comprising a suitable container containing said product, said dispensing head comprising one or two valves according to the invention.

The valve of the invention comprises a rigid or semi-rigid supply duct, an outlet orifice of the product, and an opening / closing member, having a longitudinal axis delimited by two superimposed faces, integral with one of the other by two lines of attachment located substantially in a plane, on either side of the longitudinal axis, said opening / closing member having first and second ends, the supply conduit being in communication with the opening / closing member in the vicinity of the first end, the second end forming the outlet, said opening / closing member being selectively movable from an open position in which, under the effect of the pushing the product, said faces deviate relative to each other between the two lines of attachment to form an outlet channel for dispensing the product through the outlet orifice, to a closed position in which, under the effect of a the depression on the side of the supply duct relative to the outlet orifice, said faces are pressed against one another in a sealed manner. It is characterized in that said opening / closing member consists of a flexible material, substantially not elastically deformable, and in that the attachment lines can move in said plane, the opening (respectively, the closure ) of the opening / closing member occurring essentially by relative approximation (respectively, by relative spacing) of said lines of attachment.

Advantageously, the faces have a thickness of less than 0.5 mm. Preferably, these faces have a thickness of between 0.005 mm and 0.2 mm. In the case where the lines of attachment are parallel to each other, they move in said plane in a direction substantially perpendicular to themselves.

Generally, the thickness of the faces is chosen according to the viscosity of the product, that is to say a low thickness for a low viscosity product and vice versa. Thus, the Applicant has found that the valve of the invention performs suitably its function for any product whose viscosity is between the viscosity of water and that of a care cream.

Typically, this viscosity is, for example, between 0.8 mPa s and 10 Pa s, and particularly between 1 mPa s and 8 Pas.

Unlike an elastically deformable material which, when stretched, returns to its original dimensions when the stretching action ceases, a non-elastically deformable material is a material which, when stretched, substantially does not return to its initial dimensions when the stretching action ceases. However, according to the invention, the material used according to the invention is flexible, when it is presented in the form of a sheet of small thickness.

Thus, advantageously the faces are made of a flexible material selected from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyacetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane or non-stretchable elastomers.

According to a first embodiment, an end of the supply duct is fitted in a sealed manner on the first end of the opening / closing member, said supply duct having a central axis substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the opening / closing member, said outlet channel having, in the open position, a cross section substantially identical to the cross section of the supply duct. Thus, the faces are arranged to form a cylindrical sleeve portion fitted on the feed duct and protruding therefrom, so that a depression on the seat side or an overpressure on the side of the sleeve causes a flattening of the sleeve. end portion of said faces forming the sleeve, and thus causing the closure of the valve, an inversion of the pressure conditions causing the opening of the valve and allowing the outlet of the product, so that the supply and the output of said product perform on the same axis.

According to a second embodiment, one end of the supply duct is sealed in a first face adjacent the first end of the opening / closing member, said supply duct having a substantially perpendicular central axis. to the longitudinal axis of the opening / closing member, said outlet channel having, in the open position, a cross section substantially identical to the cross section of the supply duct. According to this embodiment, one of the faces comprises a bore, traversed by the feed duct.

For the two aforementioned embodiments, the supply duct may have an outer diameter of between 2 mm and 12 mm.

Advantageously, the two faces are arranged one on the other so that the two lines of attachment have a distance of between 2 mm and 30 mm, measured at the free ends of said faces which constitute the exit orifice of the valve.

These lines of attachment can be made by heat sealing or gluing said faces. Alternatively, the two faces can be obtained by flattening a cylindrical or oval sleeve, followed by stamping or welding of the fold lines.

Generally, the attachment lines are oriented, in parallel. It is possible, however, depending on the consistency of the product and the required geometry of the valve, to orient them, one relative to the other, divergently or convergently. Thus, when the attachment lines are divergently oriented, the distribution duct flares from the supply duct to the outlet port. When the attachment lines are converging, the distribution duct gradually narrows from the supply duct to the outlet orifice. In the particular case, where the two faces are constituted by a cylindrical or oval sleeve, after flattening of the free end of the sleeve, the lines of attachment can be formed, in a convergent or divergent manner, from each fold line to the free ends of the faces delimiting the outlet orifice.

A dispensing head equipped with one or two valves as described above is intended to communicate with a suitable container containing a product to be dispensed. She understands
a variable volume chamber serving as a pumping chamber,
elastic means for selectively varying the volume of
said room,
a conduit for supplying the product, in communication with said chamber,
a first unidirectional valve being disposed in this channel,
opening towards the room,
a distribution pipe terminated by a dispensing orifice and
communication with said chamber, a second valve
unidirectional being disposed in this conduit, opening towards
the dispensing orifice, the at least first valve being as described
previously.

The means for varying the volume of the chamber may be constituted by an elastically deformable membrane, for example in the form of a dome, adjacent to said chamber. Alternatively, the means for varying the volume of the chamber are constituted by a deformable bellows elastically adjacent to said chamber.

Alternatively, the means for varying the volume of the chamber are constituted by a piston mounted elastically in a cylinder forming part of said chamber. In this case, advantageously, the piston is connected to an actuating member.

According to a particular embodiment, the dispensing head may comprise a second valve consisting of a closure system located at the end portion of the dispensing duct and comprising a shutter of elastically deformable material and a rigid seat which is part of the head. of distribution. The shutter is in contact with the seat when there is no distribution, deviating from said seat by elastic deformation under the thrust of the product to be dispensed and returns elastically in contact with the seat when distribution stops. Such a shutter is described, for example, in EP-A-0 410 858 and EP-A-0 649 795.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements described above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:
Figure 1 shows an elevational view of a valve according to the invention a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an axial section of the valve of Figure 1 along the plane ll-ll of Figure 1. The valve is in the closed position.

FIG. 2a represents a section perpendicular to the X axis of the valve of FIG. 2 at the free end 9.

Figure 3 shows an axial section of the valve of Figure 2 in the open position.

FIG. 3a represents a section perpendicular to the X axis of the valve of FIG. 3 at the free end 9.

Figure 4 shows an elevational view with torn parts of a valve according to the invention a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 represents an axial section of the valve of FIG. 4 according to the plane
VV of Figure 4. The valve is in the closed position.

Figure 6 shows an axial section of the valve of Figure 5 in the open position.

FIG. 7 represents an axial section of a pump dispenser equipped with two valves in accordance with that shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 8 shows an axial section of a pump dispenser equipped with a valve according to that shown in Figures 1 to 3 and a unidirectional elastic valve.

Figure 9 shows an axial section of a pump dispenser equipped with a valve according to that shown in Figures 4 to 6 and a unidirectional elastic valve.

In Figures 1 to 3, there is designated by reference 1 a valve according to a first embodiment of the invention. This valve comprises a rigid supply duct 2 of Y axis, of cylindrical or oval shape, a free end 2a is intended to be placed in communication with a product of fluid consistency. On a second end 2b is fitted a sleeve 3 which is secured by welding or gluing, for example, on the end 2b. The sleeve 3 is formed by two flexible faces 4, 5 arranged vis-à-vis. These faces are constituted by two sheets, secured to one another by two attachment lines 6, 7. The sheets are made of, for example polyethylene with a thickness of about 0.4 mm. The lines of attachment may be convergent or divergent. Preferably, these lines are parallel.

Thus, between the two sheets 4, 5, there is defined an output channel 7 of X axis product (see Figure 3). The width of this channel is, between the two lines of attachment, in the vicinity of the free end 9, for example, 10 mm, its length about 20 mm. The X axis is aligned with the Y axis of the supply duct.

On the side of the supply channel 2, the sleeve 3 is shaped at one cylindrical end 8, while the free end 9 has a structure where the two sheets 4, 5 are pressed against each other as shown in FIG. Figure 2, on which the valve is shown in the closed position, which corresponds to the rest position. In this position, illustrated in Figure 2a, the attachment lines 6, 7 are separated by a distance do (of the order of 10 mm). In the open position illustrated in Figure 3a, the sheets 4, 5 are spaced relative to each other under the thrust of the product to be dispensed. The lines of attachment 6, 7 are closer and are now separated by a distance d1 <do. Typically, d is of the order of 6 mm to 8 mm.

Alternatively, the two sheets 4,5 may be constituted by a cylindrical sleeve, one end 8 is threaded on the supply conduit 2, and the free end 9 has been mechanically flattened. In this case, the attachment lines 6, 7 have been formed, for example by hot stamping, and in particular by welding.

FIGS. 4 to 6 show a second valve embodiment according to the invention, designated by the reference numeral 10.

The valve 10 comprises a product feed duct 11 terminating directly in a volume 12 defined between two flexible sheets 13, 14 superimposed, three edges 15, 16, 17, substantially U-shaped, forming a line of attachment for make the leaves stand together. The attachment line has two portions 15, 17, oriented substantially along the X axis. The flexible sheets are of the same type as those of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3. The attachment line can be obtained by gluing, by welding or any other suitable means. The feed duct 11 comprises a circular flange 18 whose lower face forms an annular zone for fixing said duct 11 in a circular opening made in one of said sheets 14, in the vicinity of the closed end 16. The open side U-shaped forms an end 20 which constitutes an outlet for the output of the product. As shown in Figure 5, in the rest position, the sheets 14, 15, at the end 20, are pressed against each other. The distance d 0 between the lines of attachment 15, 17 may vary between 3 mm and 15 mm; the distance measured between the supply duct 11 and the outlet orifice 20 is about 20 mm. In the open position, under the pressure of the product, the distance d1 between the lines 15 and 17 can vary between 2 mm and 10 mm.

In the two embodiments just described, when a vacuum is applied to the supply duct 11, the suction of the product through the outlet orifice 20 is not possible because the sheets 14, 15, thanks to their flexibility, flatten against each other, thus prohibiting any aspiration of product. When the product is conveyed in the valve 10, as symbolized by the arrows F in FIG. 6, under the pressure of the product, the sheets 14, 15 diverge at the exit orifice 20. It should be noted that the spacing of the sheets 14, 15 occurs at the least effort. Thus during the passage of the product through this valve, a loss of almost zero load is to be observed.

In Figures 7 to 9, there is illustrated the use of a valve according to the invention in a dispensing head equipping a distributor of liquid or pasty product.

FIG. 7 shows a dispenser 100 comprising a reservoir 101 of product and a dispensing head 102. The reservoir 101 comprises a neck 103 on which is fixed a fixing ring 104, carried by the dispensing head 102.

The dispensing head comprises an outer body 105 in which is provided a pumping chamber 106, an elastic actuating member 107 closing the pumping chamber, a product supply duct 108 equipped with a first unidirectional valve 109 according to the invention. invention, an outlet channel 110 equipped with a second unidirectional valve 111 according to the invention, and a dispensing orifice 112 closed by an elastic valve 113 adapted to close the orifice 112 when the dispenser is at rest, and opening under the thrust of the product during the distribution of the product. The pumping chamber communicates with the supply duct 108 and the outlet channel 110.

The supply duct 108 is disposed in the center of the fixing ring 104.

This conduit 108 extends, on the opposite side of the dispensing head, by a dip tube 118 substantially to the bottom 117 of the tank 101. The elastic actuating member 107 is in the form of a flexible dome, made of an elastomeric material . The dome 107 is provided with a base 114 carrying a peripheral bead 115 able to engage, sealing in an annular groove 116a formed in a wall 116 of the pumping chamber 106. The first valve 109 is arranged so as to leave pass the product from the tank to the pumping chamber, but prohibiting a product passage in the opposite direction. On the other hand, the second valve is arranged so as to pass the product of the pumping chamber to the outlet orifice, but prohibiting a product passage in the opposite direction.

The valve 113 is an elastically deformable closure member located at the end of the distribution channel and incorporated in a smooth gripping surface January 02a. This valve consists of a flap Il 3a which is shaped so as to close the orifice 112 in a smooth manner. The flap 113a is integral with an anchor heel 113b which is engaged in a suitable notch, formed in the body 105 of the dispensing head, in the vicinity of the outlet orifice.

The operation of the dispenser 100 is as follows:
By exerting pressure on the flexible dome, the volume of the pumping chamber 106 is decreased. Simultaneously, air is expelled through the second valve 111, the first valve 109 being closed. When pressure stops on the dome, the latter resumes its initial shape by creating a depression inside the pumping chamber; the original volume is restored by sucking the product from the tank via the dip tube 118 and the conduit 108, and until the pressure equilibrium. During a new pressure on the dome, the product contained in the pumping chamber is expelled via the second valve 11. Under the thrust of the product, the valve 113 releases the opening 112, and returns to its initial position when the product distribution. The product accumulated on the gripping surface 102a can then be taken by the user, under clean conditions, for its application on the desired location.

In the figure, 8 there is shown another reference distributor 200, which is a variant of the distributor of Figure 7. The similar parts or providing the same function, bear the references of Figure 7 plus 100. Their description will be recovery only succinctly.

The dispenser 200 differs from that of FIG. 7 in that the dispensing head 202 comprises, as an elastic member, a pivoting actuating key 207 articulated with the body 205 of the dispensing head by a film hinge. 207a and against a helical spring 207b. In addition, the end valve 213 is formed as a sealed outlet valve (the equivalent of the valve 111 is not realized). Indeed, the flap 213a of the valve 213 is integrated in a seat 213b so as to prohibit, in the rest position, a return of ambient air. In addition, a portion of the pumping chamber 206 comprises a cylindrical portion 220 in which is slidably disposed a piston 221. The piston 221 is integral with the actuating key 207 via a connecting rod 222 articulated with the key 207 by a articulation 223. A stop system 224 is provided on the key 207, at the opposite end of the film hinge 207a, cooperating with a complementary stop 225 carried by the body 205 of the dispensing head. The distribution of the product is carried out by successive presses on the actuating key 207. The operation is, in addition, similar to the operation of the dispenser 100 described above, the valve 213 ensuring the closing function of the valve 111 of the dispenser 100.

Finally, FIG. 9 illustrates a distributor 300, equipped with a valve 310, according to the embodiment of the valve of FIGS. 4 to 6.

The dispenser 300 comprises a product reservoir 301 provided with an opening 303. In this opening 303 is inserted the product supply conduit 311 of the valve 310. The reservoir 301 is capped by a dispensing head so as to create a pumping chamber 306, in which ends the outlet channel 320 of the valve 310. A plunger tube 318 extends the supply line to the bottom of the tank. The dispensing head is provided with a circular opening 314, the edge of which is fixed, for example by snapping or gluing, the edge of an elastic dome 307. In the dispensing head 302 is provided, in addition, a dispensing orifice 312, closed by a closure valve 313, similar in construction to the valve 213 described above. Here, the valve 313 also comprises an elastic flap 313a housed, so as to prohibit a return of air, in a seat 313c. A fixing lug 313b is provided, and is engaged in a notch formed in the body 305 of the dispensing head, in the vicinity of the outlet orifice 312.

The operation of the dispenser 300 is analogous to the operation of the dispenser 100.

Note, however, that the valves 113,213, 313 located at the end of the distribution channel are configured substantially in accordance with those described in European Patent Applications EP-A-0 410 858 and EP-A-0 649 795 in the name of of the plaintiff.

The dispensers according to FIGS. 7 to 9 may comprise an internal bag (not shown) containing the product and / or be equipped with a tank air intake system (not shown).

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (16)

1. - One-way valve (1,10) with instant closure comprising a conduit  rigid or semi-rigid feed (2, 11) of a product of liquid consistency to  cream, an outlet (9, 20) of the product, and an organ  opening / closing, axis (X), delimited by two superposed faces (4,5  13, 14) secured to one another by two lines of attachment (6, 7, 15, 17).  located substantially in a plane, on either side of the axis (X), said member  opening / closing having a first (8, 16) and a second (9, 20)  ends, the supply duct being in communication with the organ  opening / closing in the vicinity of the first end, the second  end forming the outlet orifice (9, 20), said opening / closing member  selectively passing from an open position in which, under  the effect of the thrust of the product, said faces (4,5; 13,14) deviate one by  to the other between the two lines of attachment (6,7, 15,17) to form a  outlet channel (21) for dispensing the product through the orifice  output (9, 20) to a closed position in which, under the effect of a  depression on the side of the supply duct (2, 11) with respect to the outlet orifice  (9, 20), said faces (4.5, 13, 14) are pressed against one another  characterized in that said opening / closing member is  made of a flexible material, substantially not elastically deformable,  and in that the lines of attachment (6, 7; 15, 17) can move in said  plan, opening (respectively, closing) of the organ  opening / closing occurring essentially by relative approximation  (respectively, by relative spacing) of said attachment lines (6,7; 15,17). 2. - Valve according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of said  faces (4,5; 13,14) is less than 0.5 mm. 3. - Dispense valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that  the thickness of said faces (4,5; 13,14) is between 0.005 mm and 0.2  mm. 4. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that  that said flexible material, substantially non-elastically deformable is  selected from the following materials: polyethylenes, polypropylenes,  polyacetate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane or elastomers  non-stretchable. 5. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that  one end of the supply duct (2, 11) is  sealed on the first end (8) of the opening / closing member, said  supply duct having, in the open position, an axis (Y) substantially  aligned with the axis (X), said outlet channel (21) having a cross-section  substantially identical to the cross section of the supply duct (2). 6. Valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that  one end (18) of the supply duct (11) is  in a first face (14) in the vicinity of the first end  (16) of the opening / closing member, said feed duct having an axis  (Y) substantially perpendicular to the axis (X), said outlet channel (21) having,  in the open position, a cross section substantially identical to the  cross section of the supply duct (11).  mm and 12 mm.  the supply duct (2, 11) has an external diameter of between 2 7 - Dispense valve according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that  level of the free end (9, 20) of said sheets.  closing distance, a distance d0 between 2 mm and 30 mm, measured at  that the two lines of attachment (6, 7, 15, 17) present to each other, in position 8 - Dispensing valve according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that  that the second face (14) is traversed by the supply duct (11). 9 - Dispense valve according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that  that the lines of attachment (6,7; 15,17) are made of parthermosoudage. 10 - Dispense valve according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that 11. - Distribution head (1) with reduced pressure drop for a product of  liquid or creamy consistency, intended to communicate with a reservoir  container containing said product, comprising:  - a variable volume chamber,  elastic means for selectively varying the volume of said  bedroom,  a product delivery channel, in communication with said chamber, a  first unidirectional valve being disposed in this channel, opening in  direction of the room,  a distribution pipe terminated by a dispensing orifice and  communication with said chamber, a second one-way valve  being disposed in this conduit, opening towards the orifice of  distribution, characterized in that the first valve and / or the second valve  are in accordance with any one of the preceding claims. 12. - Dispensing head according to claim 11, characterized in that the  means for varying the volume of the chamber are constituted by a  elastically deformable membrane, adjacent to said chamber. 13. - Dispensing head according to one of claims II or 12, characterized in  what the means for varying the volume of the chamber are made up  by an elastically deformable bellows adjacent to said chamber.  piston mounted elastically adjacent said chamber.  means for varying the volume of the chamber are constituted by a 14 - Dispensing head according to claim 11, characterized in that the 15. - Dispensing head according to one of claims II to 14, characterized in  what the second valve consists of a closure system located at the  end portion of the dispensing duct and comprising a shutter in  elastically deformable material and a rigid seat forming part of the head  of dispensing, the shutter being in contact with the seat when there is no  product distribution, deviating from said seat by elastic deformation under the  thrust of the product to be distributed and returning by elasticity in contact with the  seat when the distribution stops. 16.- Liquid or viscous product dispenser, characterized in that  has a dispensing head in accordance with any of the  claims 15 to 15, in communication with a tank containing said  product.