FR2788500A1 - PACKAGING AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY OF A PRODUCT EQUIPPED WITH A PUMP AND A FLEXIBLE TANK - Google Patents

Abstract

Packaging and distribution assembly (1) of a product (P) comprising: a) a reservoir (2) with flexible walls, able to contract on themselves in response to a vacuum inside the reservoir, b ) a pump (26) mounted on said reservoir and capable, in response to an actuation command, of dispensing said product through an outlet orifice (38), said reservoir being disposed inside an enclosure outer (4) whose walls have a sufficient thickness to ensure shape stability to said assembly, said walls being made of an elastomeric material so as to be able to deform reversibly, in response to a pressure resulting from the grip by the user of said set.

Description

PACKAGING AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY OF A PRODUCT

  EQUIPPED WITH A PUMP AND A FLEXIBLE TANK

  The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a liquid. The products to be distributed, targeted by the invention are, in particular, cosmetic, pharmaceutical or

dermo-pharmaceutical.

  More particularly, the invention relates to a packaging assembly of the type which includes a reservoir with flexible walls, and therefore of variable volume, of the pouch type, containing the product to be dispensed. To dispense the product, the reservoir is in communication with a manual pump, surmounted by a push button fitted with a dispensing orifice,

user operated.

  When you want to package a product to be stored away from air

  ambient - what is necessary for many cosmetic or dermo- products

  pharmaceutical - the pump fitted to the assembly must be a pump with no return air, thus ensuring the absence of any re-entry of air into the tank, after dispensing a dose of product. In such a dispenser, as the product is dispensed, the reservoir retracts, and the handling of the assembly becomes increasingly difficult, in particular, when the user wishes to actuate the pump. Indeed, following the retraction of the reservoir, the external gripping surface becomes ill-suited to easily press on the

pushbutton.

  Certainly, numerous embodiments have been proposed for enclosing a flexible-walled tank in a rigid or semi-rigid enclosure. By way of example, such distributors are described in documents EP-A-0 486 355 and EP-A-0 628 355, in the name of the applicant, or also in document US-A-3 420 413. These distributors have a rigid outer enclosure, in which is arranged a flexible bag filled with product. The pocket is in communication

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  with a manual pump, itself fixed on a more or less rigid neck or base, integral with the enclosure. In these distributors, the pump is surmounted by a push button allowing the pump to be actuated and the

product distribution.

  In general, this kind of dispenser is satisfactory, provided that it is correctly grasped with the fingers of one hand and that the index finger of this hand is appropriately placed on the push-button to push it in. Sometimes, the handling of such a dispenser and its handling can be judged as not very easy, from an ergonomic point of view. Indeed, it can escape from the hand,

  in particular, when it is necessary to shake the tank before application.

  Also, is it a first object of the invention to provide a distribution assembly having improved ergonomics during its handling and its

handling.

  Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser whose touch is soft,

and therefore more pleasant.

  Yet another object of the invention consists of a dispenser whose body is flexible, capable of individually adapting, when in use, to the physiognomy

from the user's hand.

  Yet another object of the invention is to create an external shape,

  non-slip, modeled "in situ" on the crevices of the hand.

  Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

  Also, the present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and distributing a product, in particular a liquid, comprising: a) a reservoir with flexible walls, capable of contracting on themselves in response to a vacuum inside of the reservoir, b) a pump mounted on said reservoir and suitable, in

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  response to an actuation command, to distribute said product through an outlet orifice, said reservoir being disposed inside an external enclosure whose walls have a thickness sufficient to ensure shape stability for said assembly, said walls being made of an elastomeric material, so as to be able to deform reversibly, in response to pressure

  resulting from the user taking charge of said assembly.

  By this arrangement, a particularly ergonomic grip is obtained, because by the reversible deformation of the enclosure, a modeling of the external surface is created, adapting individually, according to the shape of the user's hand. In particular, the handling of the distribution assembly according to the invention provides a particularly solid hold, so that the actuation of the pump is easily carried out. This aspect is important, in particular, when the pump is a precompression pump, requiring an actuating force.

  more important than a conventional pump.

  The thickness of the walls of the enclosure is advantageously chosen as a function of the flexibility, in particular in compression, of the elastomeric material. By "shape stability" is meant a stability which is at least such that the outer enclosure does not deform under the effect of its own weight, when the device rests on a support. For this purpose, areas can be provided on the

  walls of the enclosure whose thickness is greater than the rest of the enclosure.

  Also, according to an advantageous embodiment, the walls of said outer enclosure are of variable thickness, so as to define preferred deformation zones, in response to the user taking hold of the assembly.

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  Advantageously, the thickness of said walls can vary, both in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said assembly, and in a passing plane

  by the longitudinal axis of the assembly.

  According to one embodiment, the pump is mounted on the reservoir via a mounting part. In this way, for economic aspects, it is possible to use a commercially available pump. The mounting piece may be a base comprising, according to one embodiment, a transverse bottom connected to a peripheral cylindrical edge extending at least partially on the side opposite to the reservoir. The base is traversed by an axial chimney capable of receiving the pump. Generally, the pump can be mounted on the workpiece

  mounting by snap-fitting, mounting by force, gluing or any other suitable means.

  Preferably, the pump fitted to the distribution assembly is of the type without air intake. In this case, means can be provided to allow balancing of the air pressure in the volume delimited between the flexible-walled tank and the external enclosure. To this end, advantageously, a vent orifice is drilled in one of the walls of the enclosure. In this way, the creation of a depression in said volume, and therefore a deformation of the external enclosure, is avoided during the emptying of the tank. The vent orifice may be formed or bottom of the outer enclosure. It is also possible to provide longitudinal vent streaks located between the mounting part and

  the outer enclosure, in the attachment area of the two parts.

  To allow the pump to be actuated and to ensure the distribution of the product, advantageously, the assembly of the invention is further equipped with a push button mounted on the pump, provided with a dispensing orifice. A connection means is provided, capable of putting the pump in communication with the dispensing orifice. Furthermore, the push-button may include an external skirt, capable of sliding inside said peripheral edge formed in the part.

mounting.

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  The elastomeric material constituting the external enclosure is preferably chosen from silicone, butyl and polynorbornene rubbers; thermoplastic elastomers of polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, block copolymers of styrene and butadiene (SEBS), of copolymers of ethylene, of propylene and of a diene / polymethylene (EPDM), of polyurethane , etc. If necessary, these materials can also be used in the form of closed-cell foam.

or semi-closed.

  Advantageously, the elastomeric material has a Shore A hardness

between 20 and 60.

  The external enclosure can be made of transparent, frosted, opaque material, of mono- or multi-color appearance. Its shape can be complex, because the elasticity of the material constituting it allows achievements undercut, thus allowing great freedom in the realization of the most varied shapes, not demouldable in a rigid material. In particular, when the elastomeric material is transparent, it may include UV filters. By this arrangement, it is possible to protect a product sensitive to UV rays, placed in

an internal transparent pocket.

  According to another embodiment, one of the walls of the external enclosure comprises a portion in the form of a suction cup. Thus, the distribution assembly can be fixed on a flat, vertical surface, such as for example the tiles.

bathroom murals.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir is a deformable pocket consisting, for example of a thermoplastic sheet or of a sheet of a complex material, such as a sheet composed of a triple layer: thermoplastic layer / metallic layer / thermoplastic layer. Such a pocket is fixed, advantageously on a skirt carried by the base and sandwiched

  between the base and a portion of the outer enclosure.

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  The whole of the invention which has just been described is, in particular, usable for the packaging and distribution of a cosmetic product, in particular a hair product,

  pharmaceutical, or dermo-pharmaceutical.

  The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of 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 is an axial sectional view of a packaging and distribution assembly, according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows a sectional view along the plane 11-11 of Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a sectional view along the plane 111-111 of Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a sectional view according to Figure 3, after the user takes it in hand, the initial shape being shown in dotted lines; - Figures 5 to 8 show sectional views in accordance with other embodiments of the external flexible enclosure; Figure 8 is an axial sectional view of a distribution assembly, according to a

yet another mode of the invention.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a packaging and distribution assembly is seen, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, generally designated by the reference 1. This assembly, of axis X, comprises a deformable reservoir 2 containing a liquid or viscous P product, such as a cream, gel, body milk or lotion. This reservoir 2 is housed in an external enclosure 4, made of an elastomeric material. This enclosure 4 is produced, for example

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  into a copolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene / polymethylene (EPDM).

  Advantageously, the Shore A hardness of the elastomeric material chosen is

about 35.

  The reservoir 2 is in the form of a pocket and consists of a flexible plastic sheet, for example of polyethylene, or of a complex formed by a metallic layer and at least one plastic layer. The bottom of the bag 2 is closed by a weld line 6. To allow balancing of the internal pressure, during the emptying of the bag, in the volume V defined between the bag 2 and the internal walls of the enclosure 4, the bottom 8 of the enclosure is provided with a vent opening 10. The enclosure 4 has a side wall whose

  the open end bears the reference 5.

  The free upper edge 12 of the pocket 2 is fixed, by gluing, welding or any other suitable means, to a peripheral skirt 14, formed on a rigid base 16. The section of the peripheral skirt 14, in a plane perpendicular to the axis

  X, can be circular, oval, rectangular, etc.

  The peripheral skirt 14 is provided with a peripheral bead 14a, capable of cooperating with a complementary groove 5a provided on the internal wall of the enclosure 4, in the vicinity of its free end 5. By this arrangement, the free end 12 of the pocket 2 is sandwiched between the free edge 5 of

  the enclosure 4 and the peripheral skirt 14 of the base 16.

  The base 16 is in the form of a bowl provided with a transverse bottom 20 crossed by a cylindrical chimney 18. This chimney is directed towards the outside of the tank. In this chimney is mounted, from above, the body of a pump 26. The pump 26 comprises an emerging rod 28 serving both for actuating the pump and for dispensing the product P. The free end of the pump rod 28 is engaged in a push button 30. A removable protective cover 32 is provided to protect the push button 30 from any

accidental activation.

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  The pump 26 is advantageously a pump without air intake. Thus, during the distribution of the product P, the bag 2 retracts, and the volume V defined between the

  pocket 2 and the internal walls of the enclosure 4 increases.

  The push button 30 has an upper surface 34 constituting a support zone, on which the user presses to actuate the pump 26, in order to dispense a dose of product. A distribution channel 36 connects the pump rod 28 to a distribution orifice 38. The push-button has a body 40 in the general shape of a dome, the base 44 of which forms an outline capable of being housed in the internal part of the skirt peripheral 14. By this arrangement, a suitable axial guidance of the push button 30 in the skirt 14 is ensured, during actuation

of the pump.

  As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the enclosure 4 is formed by walls whose thickness varies from place to place. It can be seen that a zone 4a surrounding the skirt 14 is formed of a portion of relatively large thickness to ensure a

  reliable mounting of the base 16 in the enclosure 4.

  Other portions 4b, 4c and 4d have a thickness significantly greater than the thickness of the portions 4e and 4f. The thicker portions 4b, 4c

  and 4d are provided to give the assembly good shape stability.

  The thinner portions 4e and 4f are easily elastically deformable, easily adapting to the shape of the corresponding zone of the hand coming into contact with said portions 4e and 4f. Advantageously, the transition from a thin portion to a thick portion

important is progressive.

  Figure 2 shows a cross section along line 11-11 of Figure 1. We see that the enclosure has at this height a substantially oval section. The faces 4g and 4h have a significantly smaller thickness than the lateral sides 4b and 4d. These lateral sides 4b, 4d ensure the holding of the assembly,

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  while the sides 4g and 4h are more easily deformable than the sides 4b,

4d, by compression.

  Figure 3 shows a cross section along the line 111-111 of Figure 1. We see that the shape of the section here approaches rather a circular shape. At this height, the portions 4c and 4e are of greater width compared to the

  corresponding sections of the section of figure 2.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the deformation of the section of the external enclosure 4, when the assembly is taken in hand. We see that the outline of the elastomeric enclosure 4 follows the profile of the hand. In particular, the portions in contact with the thumb and middle finger undergo a deformation

  important, which is the case, thin portions 4th, 4g and 4h.

  (The index is not shown because it is placed on the push button). It will be understood that the deformations will always be different when taking hold from one individual to another, capable of improving the gestures adapted to each. In other words, the addition of a flexible and elastically deformable material allows easy handling by any user. In a way, the shape of the outer enclosure is individually "shaped" by hand, whether

  with a left hand or a right hand, with a small hand or with a large hand.

  The thin portions, depending on the pressure exerted by the user's hand, deform more than the thicker portions. However, even areas of significant thickness undergo a

  significant deformation, when compression is applied, as mentioned above

  above, for example between the thumb and middle finger. The grip of such an assembly is ergonomic, pleasant to touch and allows a solid holding of the assembly in the hand. When the user activates the pump by pressing the push button with the index finger, the pump is easily actuated, without the risk of the side wall of the enclosure slipping.

in the hand.

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  After use, the enclosure regains its initial shape, thanks to the elastic properties of the materials used. Unlike the handling of a collapsible tube, the feeling of the handling of the assembly according to the invention is constant throughout the period of use. Indeed, the filling rate of the pocket does not influence the shape of the outer enclosure, due to the

presence of the vent orifice 10.

  Certain elastomeric materials, such as block copolymers of styrene and butadiene (SEBS), known for their non-slip properties, can be used for a distribution assembly specially designed for

  be used in the shower or in the bath.

  The embodiment described also allows, thanks to the conformation of the base 16 in a bowl, to manufacture a packaging unit, of aesthetic appearance, at a particularly attractive price. Thus, it is possible to provide a reservoir surmounted by a dispensing head and comprising an "integrated" push button, of particularly low layout. Thanks to the invention, such a packaging unit can be produced by simple mounting means. Figures 5 to 8 illustrate other embodiments of the invention. Among these figures, Figure 5 shows the cross section of an outer enclosure, according to a second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the enclosure 41 has a substantially square section with rounded angles 41a. The portion in the vicinity of the angled portion 41a has a thickness significantly smaller than the

  portions 41 b formed by the faces of the square.

  Figure 6 shows the cross section of an outer enclosure, according to another embodiment. In Figure 6, the enclosure 42 has a substantially square section with rounded corners 42a. The portions 42a have a significantly greater thickness than the portions 42b formed by the faces

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  of the square. The transition between the thin portions 42b and the portions

  of significant thickness 42a is progressive.

  Figure 7 illustrates the cross section of an outer enclosure 43, according to another embodiment. In FIG. 7, the enclosure 43 has a section in

  form of a "portal", the upper part 43a of which is shaped like a semi-circle.

  The base 43b and as well as the sides 43c of the "portal" have a small thickness, while the upper part 43a is formed by a thick portion whose thickness gradually increases towards the top, then decreases

gradually from the top.

  FIG. 8 shows a view of the cross section of an external enclosure 44, according to another embodiment. In FIG. 8, the section of the enclosure 44 has a diamond shape, having two diametrically opposite portions 44a, located at the acute angles of the diamond. Two other diametrically opposite portions 44b are formed at the obtuse angles of the rhombus. The portions 44a have a large thickness, gradually decreasing in the direction of the portions 44b. The portions 44a thus ensure the shape stability of the enclosure, while the portions 44b having a

  deformability, preferred during user handling.

  FIG. 9 shows a view in longitudinal section of a dispensing assembly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. This assembly is provided with hooking means 68, making it possible to temporarily fix the assembly on a smooth surface S, such as the tiles of a bathroom or a shower cabin. According to FIG. 9, the free end 55 of a flexible bag 52, filled with a liquid to pasty product P, is fixed to a peripheral portion 59 of a rigid base 56. The base 56 is crossed by a chimney axial 57 in which is mounted a pump 58 without air intake. The pump 58 is provided with a hollow actuating rod whose free end is engaged in

  a cylindrical portion 61 of a push button 62. Inside the button

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  pusher is made a distribution channel 64 allowing the routing of the

  product P to an outlet 66.

  At the height of the portion 59, the free end 55 of the pocket 52 is sandwiched between the base 56 and the free end 53 of an external enclosure 54. As in the embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 , this outer enclosure is made of an elastomeric material. The section of the device in a plane passing through its main axis shows that the wall has zones of variable thickness. Thus, it comprises zones of thin thickness 54a and zones of significant thickness 54b, 54c. The bottom 54c is provided with an orifice

vent 10.

  The attachment means 68 are produced on a wall of substantial thickness 54b. These means 68 are in the form of a suction cup, generally circular, comprising a concave central part 70. In known manner, the circular periphery 72 of the suction cup is formed by a wall of decreasing thickness. This arrangement makes it possible to temporarily fix the distribution assembly 50, for example on a wall tile in the bathroom or on a mirror.

  In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of

  particular realization of the invention. It is obvious that variants, in particular of the shape of the enclosure and the thicknesses of its walls, can be there.

  made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

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Claims (12)

  1. - Packaging and distribution assembly (1, 50) of a product (P) comprising: a) a reservoir (2, 52) with flexible walls, able to contract on themselves in response to a vacuum at inside the tank, b) a pump (26, 58) mounted on said tank and capable, in response to an actuation command, of dispensing said product through an outlet orifice (38,66),   said reservoir (2, 52) being disposed inside an external enclosure (4, 41-   44, 54) whose walls have a sufficient thickness to ensure shape stability to said assembly, said walls being made of an elastomeric material so as to be able to deform reversibly, in response   at a pressure resulting from the user taking hold of said assembly.   2. - assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the walls of said outer enclosure (4, 41-44, 54) are of variable thickness, so as to define preferred deformation zones (4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 41a, 42b, 43b, 44b, 54a) in   response to said handling by the user of said assembly.   3. - assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the thickness of said walls varies in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (X) of said assembly. 4. - assembly according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the thickness of   walls varies in a plane passing through a longitudinal axis (X) of said assembly.   5. - assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in   that the pump (26, 58) is of the type without air intake, means (10) being provided to allow an air intake in the volume (V) delimited between the   tank (2) with flexible walls and the outer enclosure (4). 14 2788500   6. - assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in   that the pump (26, 58) is mounted on the reservoir (2, 52) via a piece of mounting (14, 59).   7. - assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elastomeric material is chosen from silicone, butyl and polynorbornene rubbers; thermoplastic elastomers of polyvinyl chloride, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene / polymethylene (EPDM), block copolymers of styrene and butadiene (SEBS) or polyurethane.   8. - assembly according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that said elastomeric material has a Shore A hardness between 20 and 60.   9. - assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in   that the walls of the enclosure (54) form a portion (68) in the form of a suction cup.   10. - assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in   that the walls of the tank (2, 54) have one end (12, 55) sandwiched between said mounting piece (14, 59) and a free end (5, 56) of the enclosure (4, 54).   11. - assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in   which it further comprises, a push button (30, 62) provided with said orifice   outlet (38, 66) in communication with said pump (26, 58), said button   pusher comprising an external skirt (44) capable of sliding inside an edge   device (14a) formed in said mounting piece (14). 2788500   12. - Use of an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11,   for the packaging of a cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermo- product pharmaceutical.