FR2802512A1 - SECURITY CONNECTION FOR CONNECTING A TANK TO A DISPENSING APPARATUS AND DEVICE THEREOF - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connector for establishing a fluid passage communication between a dispensing device (11) and a reservoir (10) to be connected to said device (11), this connector comprising at least one pierceable element (14) and at least one needle (15) intended to perforate said perforable element (14). According to the invention, the connector comprises a protection means (20) preventing access to the needle (s) (15) when the reservoir (10) is not connected to said device (11), this protection means (20) preferably comprising a movable, spring loaded protective plate which moves upon introduction of the reservoir (10) into said apparatus (11) in order to allow the needle (s) to puncture said perforable element (14).

Description

The present invention relates to a device comprising a reservoir and a

  dispensing apparatus with an improved connection between said reservoir and

said device.

  The use of spraying devices is known for household cleaning tasks, for example for cleaning hard surfaces, such as glass panes, baths and ovens, as well as for the removal of floor coverings, such as carpets. and carpets. Most spray devices, which are currently commercially available, are manually or electrically operated, i.e., include a pump which is operated or operated by the user. Most often, a pressure of liquid is, in service, generated in a chamber by means of a positive displacement pump, which then propels the liquid from the chamber, usually through a diffusion nozzle. Many configurations are possible for the diffusion of the product, but a conical spray is the most common configuration. Such spraying devices usually include a reservoir filled with an active composition as well as means for dispensing the composition from the reservoir. In addition, the spraying devices typically comprise a conventional connection system for fixing the reservoir to the distribution means, in order to establish communication between the two for the

passage of a fluid.

  Some of these connection systems include a needle which, by passing through a perforable element, connects together the means of

  distribution and the tank in a leak-tight manner.

  The prior documents which follow relate to devices comprising a reservoir and a dispensing means which are connected to each other using a needle associated with a perforable element: US Pat. No. 5,389,085 discloses a protector 'self-positioning needle, intended in particular to be used on a syringe. The needle shield comprises a cylinder mounted to slide, by means of a spring, on the syringe. In the normal position, the spring pushes the cylinder, which then surrounds the needle. When vertical pressure is exerted on the cylinder, it slides downward, releasing

thus access to the needle.

  US Patent 5,486,163 discloses a shielding element for protecting the needle of a syringe, comprising an annular connector intended to connect the two elements and comprising at least one protective arm articulated on the connector and able to pivot between a first position of protection and a second open position. Although providing a solution to certain problems, the prior systems, mentioned above, still carry some drawbacks. Once the reservoir has been removed from the dispensing device, the needle is accessible by anyone who places their hand in the connection cavity of the device. The needles used are generally very sharp and their contact is likely to cause injuries, more particularly if the dispensed product has remained on them. This is true for all categories of users, but especially for children. It has in fact been found that children are very curious and that when playing, they are tempted to put their hands in the cavity of the dispenser. This is why the present invention has set itself the main purpose of providing users with a device for delivering a liquid, comprising a reservoir placed in the atmosphere, filled with a liquid, and a dispensing device, which are connected to each other in a manner preventing leakage during use of the device, and wherein the connection between the dispensing apparatus and the reservoir is such that it prevents any access to the needle which 'it includes, when said reservoir is removed from said device. To do this, the subject of the present invention is a connector for establishing a communication for the passage of a fluid, leaktight against leaks, between a dispensing device and a reservoir to be connected to said device, said fitting comprising at least a perforable element and at least one needle intended to perforate said perforable element, characterized in that said connector comprises protective means intended to prevent access to said needle (s) when said reservoir

  is not connected to said dispensing device.

  The present invention further relates to a device comprising a dispensing apparatus and a reservoir which are connected to each other so as to

  separable, by means of a fitting as defined above.

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  The invention comprises the following characteristics, taken individually or in combination: The protection means comprises a movable protection plate loaded by a spring which prevents access to said needle (s) when said reservoir is not connected to said device, said protective plate moving during the introduction of said reservoir into said apparatus in order to allow said needle or needles to perforate said perforable element thereby establishing a passage communication of a

  fluid, leak tight, in between.

  Said needle (s) and said protective means are located

  on said apparatus and said perforable element is located on said reservoir.

  Said perforable element is a perforable elastomer membrane.

  Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail, but only by way of nonlimiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figures 1A to 1C are schematic side views, in section , showing a first embodiment of the structure constituting the connector according to the invention, with the tank respectively detached, partially connected and completely connected to the dispensing device, - Figures 2A to 2D are schematic side views, in section, showing another embodiment of the structure constituting the connector according to the invention, with the tank respectively detached, partially connected and completely connected to the dispensing device, - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a mode for producing a spring intended to load the protective plate, and - Figure 4 is a side view of a dispensing device in which

is adjusted a tank.

  In the present invention, there is provided a device 1 for distributing a product on a surface, in particular a cleaning product, more particularly a cleaning product for treating carpets, rugs or other large textile coverings. This device 1 is formed by the combination of a reservoir 10 intended to contain a composition, preferably a liquid cleaning product, with an apparatus for dispensing the product. Any type of device including a dispensing device and a reservoir can use a fitting

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  according to the invention, as described below, in order to establish a communication for the passage of a fluid between said reservoir and said

  dispensing device. However, in the remainder of this description and

  for the sake of clarity, there will be described in more detail an embodiment of a dispensing device 11 which preferably comprises a housing, a projection rod 12 and a means for conveying product from the reservoir 10

up to the projection rod.

  Preferably, the dispensing device 11 comprises a manually or electrically controlled pump. More preferably, said dispensing device 11 comprises an electrically controlled pump which serves to pump product into the tank 10 to send it through the projection rod and outside the orifice or diffusion orifices of the product, located in the projection rod, up to the surface to be treated. In this way, the dispensing device 11, connected to a reservoir 10, constitutes an electrical projection device 1, as shown for example in FIG. 4. The product diffusion orifices are preferably formed by nozzles which are chosen in such a way that the sprayed product takes the form of either a jet or a continuous film, or a jet or a film

  discontinuous fine particles, either still from a mist or foam.

  The form of projection in fine particles is by far to be preferred, because it constitutes the most effective means to cover a large surface with

  a small volume of product, while ensuring uniform recovery.

  In general, the output rate of the product is from about 20 nil / minute to about 400 ml / minute and, preferably, from about 150 ml / minute to about 250 ml / minute, the product then being generally suitable for the carpet cleaning. Devices which can use a connector according to the present invention are, for example, devices for spraying household cleaning or laundry products, or even perfume sprayers. In a preferred embodiment, such devices are used to dispense a cleaning solution for cleaning surfaces such as fabrics, carpets or rugs, floors

and ceilings.

  It is preferable that the projection rod 12 comprises a single nozzle 13, but it can also comprise several positioned in the direction of its length. The projection rod 12 makes it easier to direct the cleaning product to the precise location where it is to be projected. For example; when cleaning carpets, the projection rod 12 makes it easier to avoid product splashing on furniture and walls and also makes it possible to access locations in the corners, which would otherwise be difficult to reach. Furthermore, an ergonomic configuration of the projection rod 12 avoids the user having to bend the back during the projection of the product. The projection rod 12 is

  preferably extendable and / or separable from the housing of the dispensing device.

  The dispensing device In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connector, which will be described below, is intended to be used in a dispensing device 11 which comprises means for conveying the product from the reservoir 10, through the projection rod 12, up to the product diffusion orifice through which said product is delivered. Said means for conveying the product are connected to the reservoir 10 and to the projection rod 12, for example by means of pipes, which can for example be flexible plastic pipes, and, more importantly, through a connection system which will be described in more detail below. The means of conveying the product from the reservoir 10 to the projection rod 12 are preferably housed in

  the housing, as well as the pipes, if applicable.

  For any type of device 1 in which a connector according to the present invention is to be used, it is essential that the dispensing device 11 comprises a perforation means or a perforable element, which is respectively adapted to a corresponding perforable element or to a corresponding perforation means of the reservoir 10. Preferably, said dispensing apparatus comprises a perforation means which fits into a corresponding perforable element of the reservoir. More preferably, said means for perforating the dispensing device consists of at least one needle 15, which is associated with a perforable element of the reservoir 10, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. Also more preferably, the perforable element of the reservoir is integrated into a cap which closes this reservoir. Even more preferably, said perforable element is an elastomeric membrane (or diaphragm), and the dispensing device comprises two needles, one of which is connected to the pumping means and the other comprising a one-way valve or a venting membrane to allow air to enter the reservoir 10 while its contents are withdrawn therefrom, which makes it play the role of a venting system. As a variant, said perforation means is located on the reservoir and said perforable element is located in the dispensing device. In the following

  of the present description, only the preferred embodiment having the

  or the needle (s) on the dispensing device and the perforable element on the reservoir will be explained in more detail, but this should in no way

  be considered a limitation of the scope of the present invention.

  At the first use, when the user has introduced the reservoir into the dispensing device 11, the elastomer membrane 14 is perforated, as shown in FIG. 1C, thereby establishing a fluid passage communication, tight for leaks, between the interior of the reservoir 10 and the dispensing device 11. Then, the content of the reservoir is pumped through a needle 15, by the pump, to the nozzles of the projection rod, and is then distributed over the surface to be treated. There is therefore a device in which the operation of inserting the reservoir into the housing of the dispensing device, which makes it possible to establish a communication for the passage of a fluid, but leaktight, between the two, is very easy and obvious to the user, as is the operation of removing the tank from the housing. There is also a connection which is not very complex (being simply made up of a needle and an elastomer membrane) and which is therefore of production cost.

relatively moderate.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for conveying the product from the reservoir 10 through the projection rod 12, to the product diffusion orifice, comprise an electrically controlled pump. The electrically operated pump can be, for example, a gear pump, a propeller pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump or any other miniature pump. In one embodiment, the pump is a gear pump whose characteristic speed is located

between 6000 and 12000 rpm.

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  The electrically operated pump must be driven by means such as an electric motor. The electric motor generally develops a torque between 1 and 50 mN.m. The electric motor, for its part, must be associated with a source of electric energy. The source of electrical energy can be either the network (possibly through a transformer), or a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. One or more rechargeable or disposable batteries are far to be preferred, these batteries then being housed in the housing. The output voltage of the battery is typically between 1.5 and 12 volts, a preferred output voltage being between 3 and 6 V. In one embodiment of the present invention, the pump is designed so to be reversible, in order to be able to discharge liquid from the reservoir 10 and suck liquid on a surface, or only in the pipes of the diffuser device 11, in order to bring it back into the same reservoir 10 or, preferably, into another tank. In general, only small amounts of liquid can be re-aspirated on a surface, such a reversible pump is not in fact intended to replace the use of a vacuum cleaner. Several modes of reversing the rotation of the pump can be implemented. In one example, the pump and the motor are connected to a timer and to an electronic circuit, so that after a determined period of time (for example 15 seconds) after the motor has been stopped, it it automatically restarts and reverses its direction of rotation. In this way, the product remaining in the pipes and in the extension of the dispensing device 11 is sucked back into the tank 10. It follows that when it is desired to replace one product with another, it is easy change the product without mixing new product with old product. For example, the user can use the dispensing device 11 to deliver a first composition, then wait until the pump has re-aspirated said first composition in the pipes, and then change the reservoir 10 or its contents in order to deliver a second composition, without both

  compositions mix inside the pipes.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing apparatus 11 includes at least one recess and / or at least one projecting element 17 intended to engage with respectively

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  at least one corresponding projecting element and / or at least one corresponding recess 16 of the reservoir, said reservoir 10 then being fixed in a separable manner in the dispensing device 11, in a manner ensuring leaktightness, so that a communication for the passage of a fluid is established between said reservoir 10 and said device, only when said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) are in mutual engagement and said element (s) ) protruding (s) and said recess (s) 16 of the reservoir 10 have shapes complementary to those of said recess (s) and / or said protruding element (s) 17 which correspond to them respectively said dispensing device 11. Preferably, the dispensing device comprises at least one projecting element which adjusts in a corresponding and complementary recess in the reservoir, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. Also preferably, said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) 16 of the reservoir 10 have shapes which are perfectly complementary to those of said recess (s) and / or said element (s) ) protruding (s) 17 which correspond to them respectively on the dispensing device 11. In fact, it is preferable that all of the contours of the reservoir conform to all of the contours of the dispensing device, so as to ensure reinforced retention of said reservoir. However, the shape of the reservoir can be such that it differs from the shape of the housing of the dispensing apparatus, but that it always adjusts inside the latter so that a connection for the passage of a fluid be established between the two. However, it will be readily understood that the risk of leaks is increased in the case where all the contours of the reservoir are not held correctly by the contours of the dispensing device. The means of handling The device 1 according to the present invention is preferably held in the hand and, consequently, it preferably comprises a gripping means, which is more preferably integrated into the housing of the dispensing device 11. The gripping means can be constituted by all kinds of handles 18 which will allow the user to grasp the device 1 and to

  transport to the location where the product projection must be carried out.

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  The handle 18 may be part of the reservoir 10 or of the casing of the dispensing device 11. The device 1 is capable of being transported over the entire extent of a room, when a carpet is being cleaned, and / or be manipulated in all directions during use. The handle 18 can be a simple raised or hollow part which can be gripped by the user, or it can also have a more

  sophisticated for ergonomic reasons.

  According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the housing of the dispensing device 11 comprises means allowing the user to transport it without making use of his hands. In a first example, the box has a clip which allows the user to hang it on a belt. In another example, the case includes at least one strap which allows it to be worn on the shoulder or the back. We can set up other means of this type, which allow the user to use his

  two hands to accomplish other tasks.

  The reservoir The device I comprises at least one reservoir 10 which can be of any type capable of containing a product in liquid form, it being specified that under the term "liquid", it is necessary to include all the forms of composition of the product which comprise a substance solid and a solvent intended to gradually dissolve said solid substance. Also included are liquids with small suspended particles. Said reservoir is preferably positioned in the casing of the dispensing device 11 and can be made of any suitable material, such as a metal, an alloy or glass, but it is preferably made of a plastic material. he

  comprises at least one compartment containing at least one composition.

  Also preferably, the tank is vented. This means that the reservoir 10 includes a means for connecting it to the dispensing device 11, which provides a connection for the passage of a fluid between the two and allows fluid to leave said reservoir to enter said dispensing device 11, but which also allows simultaneous admission of air into the reservoir 10 in order to compensate for the reduction in its content. Such a tank placed in the atmosphere is obviously necessary, in particular in the case where the tank is rigid and its contents are pumped by an electric pump, in a continuous manner, and / or is used over a long period of time without the distribution of the product contained in the tank being interrupted. Indeed, while the contents are withdrawing from the tank, an identical volume of gas or air must replace it, because otherwise a vacuum is created which stops the pump after a while. Other solutions could be envisaged, such as for example a reservoir made up of two parts, namely a rigid outer shell combined with a flexible deformable inner pocket, or else a flexible pocket having at least one rigid part, for example the spout pourer. In such a system, the inner pocket would gradually collapse during the dispensing of the product, which would avoid the need to replace the content delivered by a gas and, therefore, the need to provide a system for putting the 'atmosphere. However, it has been found that these alternative systems are technically difficult to manufacture and

are expensive.

  In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispensing device comprises two needles, one being provided for dispensing the liquid from the reservoir and the other for admitting air into said reservoir, in order to ensure that the decrease in content inside it is compensated. Such a connection system ensures that the tank is properly vented, which ensures proper continuous pumping and distribution of its contents. Alternatively, the tank can be vented using a valve

  unidirectional or by means of a venting membrane.

  The reservoir 10 or each of the reservoirs 10 can be permanently fixed in the casing of the dispensing device 11 and, in this case, it preferably comprises an opening, more preferably an opening that can be closed. As a variant, the reservoir 10 or each of the reservoirs 10 can be removable with respect to the housing of the dispensing device 11, so that it can be replaced once empty or can be refilled,

  for example with tap water.

  In a first embodiment, the dispensing device 11 comprises a single reservoir 10 comprising a single compartment, which contains one or more composition (s), preferably only one

composition.

  In a second embodiment, the dispenser 1 L comprises a single reservoir 10 comprising at least two different compartments, which may respectively contain different compositions, for example immiscible compositions or two chemically reactive solutions which react once mixed. Such a tank

  is produced, for example, by an extrusion blow molding process.

  In a third embodiment, the dispensing device 11 comprises at least two separate reservoirs. These reservoirs can have different shapes, which can then for example be provided with complementary shapes. Alternatively, different tanks can be inserted into the dispensing apparatus 11 at different locations. Said tanks may include one or more compartments containing the

  same product, but more preferably different products.

  In a fourth embodiment, the dispensing device 11 comprises at least one part intended to be connected to a reservoir 10 containing a liquid, such as a solvent or water, and at least one additional part intended to be connected to a small cartridge of a concentrated composition, for example in the form of a liquid, a gel or granules. When the user uses the dispensing device 11, the composition contained in the cartridge will be dissolved in solvent or water, and the active liquid composition obtained will be delivered through the spray nozzle 13. As a variant, said cartridge is mounted directly in a part of a reservoir 10. The cartridge can for example be screwed into a suitable opening of the housing or of the reservoir 10. It comprises a sealing part, so that when it is completely screwed ,

  it seals said suitable opening.

  In all of the previously mentioned embodiments, when the dispensing device 11 comprises more than one reservoir 10, the proportion of product pumped may differ from one reservoir 10 to another. This is obtained, for example, by the choice of pipes of different diameters for one tank 10 and for another, or else by the incorporation of a means of

  flow control in the pipes between a reservoir 10 and the pump.

  According to another embodiment, there is also proposed a cleaning kit which comprises the dispensing apparatus 11 and at least one reservoir 10 containing a product, said apparatus and said reservoir being

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  adaptable to each other by means of a connector according to this.

  invention. Preferably, the cleaning kit includes the dispenser 11 and an assortment of several removable tanks, each of which contains a different product. These products which are different from each other may be products intended for the treatment of different surfaces, such as rugs or carpets, kitchen surfaces,

  bathroom, car or other surfaces.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the neck of the reservoir 10 is eccentric in the transverse sectional plane of said reservoir 10, with respect to the central axis of the latter, and the reservoir 10 is of non-cylindrical shape. Such a shape prevents the reservoir 10 from moving sideways and / or rotating inside the casing of the dispensing apparatus, in particular during its use, this

which prevents any leakage.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir 10 comprises at least one projecting element and / or at least one recess 16 intended to come into engagement with at least one corresponding recess and / or at least one corresponding projecting element 17 of the dispensing device 11 of the device, said tank 10 then being detachably fixed in the dispensing device 11, in a manner ensuring leaktightness, so that a communication for the passage of a fluid is established between said tank 10 and said apparatus, only when said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) are engaged with each other and said protruding element (s) and said protrusion (s) recess (s) 16 of the reservoir 10 have shapes complementary to those of said recess (s) and / or said protruding element (s) 17 which correspond to them respectively on said device reil distributor 11. Preferably the reservoir 10 comprises at least one recess 16 in which engages a corresponding and complementary projecting element 17 of the distributor apparatus 11, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. Preferably also, said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) 16 of said reservoir 10 have shapes perfectly complementary to those of said recess (s) and / or said element (s) ) protruding (s) 17 which correspond to them respectively on said dispensing device 11, for the reasons

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  exposed above. The recess can be an integral part of the walls of the tank, but as a variant said recess is also provided when a plug is applied to the neck of the tank and this plug has an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the neck of the tank. Locking mechanism between the reservoir and the dispensing device It has been revealed that devices which are constituted by the assembly of a dispensing device and a reservoir and which are subjected to movements in all directions during use, are subject to leaks appearing between said reservoir 10 and said dispensing device 11. This leads to the product spreading over areas where it was not intended, which is obviously messy and can even be dangerous, depending

  the nature of the product that is distributed.

  Preferably, the reservoir 10, which is provided, is of non-cylindrical shape and has an eccentric neck. This provides stability and prevents lateral and rotational movements of said reservoir 10 inside the housing of the dispensing apparatus. In particular, the non-cylindrical shape of the tank prevents rotational movements. However, there may still be some leaks due to the axial movement of the tank

  , that is to say its movement along the longitudinal axis of the tank.

  In order to prevent these axial movements, the device 1 is also preferably equipped with a releasable locking mechanism 25 between the reservoir 10 and the casing of the dispensing device. Thus, a very preferred characteristic of the present invention resides in the fact that the reservoir 10 comprises at least one recess and / or at least one projecting element and that the dispensing device 11 comprises at least one corresponding projecting element and / or at least a corresponding recess, said reservoir 10 then being releasably blocked with respect to the dispensing device 11, in a manner ensuring a seal against leaks, so that a communication for the passage of a fluid is established between said reservoir 10 and said apparatus, only when said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) are engaged with each other and said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) (s) of the reservoir 10 have complementary shapes to those of said recess (s) and / or of said protruding element (s) corresponding to them respectively on the app areil distributor 11. Preferably, said protruding element (s) and said recess (s) 16 of the reservoir 10 have shapes perfectly complementary to those of said recess (s) and / or said recess (s) protruding element (s) 17 which correspond to them respectively on

  said dispenser 11, this for the reasons explained above.

  In a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the reservoir 10 comprises a recess 16 which is located in one of its side walls, that is to say in the part forming its body. The dispensing device 11 has a protruding element 17 which is positioned in such a way that, when the needle 15 of said dispensing device 11 has perforated the elastomer membrane 14 of the reservoir cap and that a passage communication from a fluid is established with the reservoir, the projecting element 17 fits perfectly in the recess 16 of the latter. In this way, the reservoir 10 is firmly held in place in the housing of the apparatus 11, which prevents any leakage of the product at

  level of the interface between the needle 15 and the perforable membrane 14.

  In a second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the reservoir 10 has a recess which is located near its top, for example on the neck or directly on the cap 28, or else , as a variant, the recess is defined by the difference in outside diameter between the neck of the reservoir and the cap 28. In the latter case, if the outside diameter of the cap 28 is greater than the outside diameter of the neck of the reservoir, a recess is provided after the cap has been fixed on said neck. The dispensing device 11 comprises a projecting element which is positioned in such a way that, when the needle 15 of said dispensing device 11 has perforated the elastomer diaphragm 14 of the cap 28 of the reservoir and that a communication of passage from a fluid is established with the reservoir, the projecting element fits perfectly in the recess of the latter. This second embodiment could be preferred to the first. Indeed, the reservoir is preferably manufactured by a blow molding process. Therefore, the degrees of tolerance in the tank are not as precise as the degree of tolerance on a part that is injection molded. There is a need to have high precision in the interpenetration of the elements of the connection and locking system, in order to prevent any movement of the reservoir 10 inside the housing of the dispensing device. This is particularly critical in the region of the connection between the needle 15 and the elastomer membrane 14, where the risk of leakage is greatest. It has been found that by reducing to a minimum the distance between the locking mechanism 25 and the location of the connection between the membrane and the needle, it ensures better retention of the reservoir 10 in the housing, at the level of the region of the connection between the membrane and

the needle.

  In all cases, a preferred characteristic of the device 1 in accordance with the present invention lies in the fact that the recess or each of the recesses and / or the projecting element or each of the projecting elements of the reservoir 10 is located within 25 cm, preferably less than 20 cm, more preferably less than 10 cm, from the top of said

tank 10.

  As shown in Figures 1A to 1C, it is very preferable that the locking mechanism 25 between the reservoir 10 and the dispensing device 11 is releasable. For this purpose, the projecting element or each of the projecting elements is displaceable so as to be able to come into engagement in the corresponding recess and to be able to disengage therefrom. This is preferably obtained by providing a locking mechanism 25 of the push-button type or any other suitable means for releasing the protruding element (s) from the recess (s). More preferably, the locking mechanism 25 is a releasable push button locking mechanism. It comprises a movable projecting element 17 which is mounted using a spring 27, for example a helical metal spring, or a plastic leaf spring. The projecting element 17 is connected to a push button,

  which the user can access from outside the device housing.

  When the reservoir 10 is in place and is locked inside the housing, the user can exert a pressure on the button, in order to release the projecting element 17 from the depression of the reservoir and thus to be able to remove

the reservoir 10 of the device 1.

  The protruding element may have any shape, provided that

  it is a form perfectly complementary to that of the recess.

  For example, it can be a simple pin, but it can also have the shape of a hook or it can even have a more

  complex, like that of a door lock key.

  As will now be described in more detail, an essential characteristic of the present invention resides in the fact that the needles 15, which are mounted on the dispensing apparatus 11, are protected against access by a user, by means of a protective plate 20 loaded by a spring, which prevents access to said needles 15, when the dispensing device does not contain a reservoir 10, and which frees access to the needles 15 each time that a reservoir 10 is completely inserted

in said apparatus 11.

  In a very preferred embodiment of the present invention, the movable protruding element 17 loaded by a spring, which releasably locks the reservoir 10 inside the receiving cavity provided in the dispensing apparatus, is furthermore provided with a means for locking the protective plate 20 in the position in which it prevents access to the needles 15, as shown in Figure 1A. This provides double security since the protective plate 20 cannot be moved without first of all pushing on the movable projecting element. In practice, the coordinated movements of thrust on said movable protruding element and of simultaneous movement of the protective plate 20, opening access to the needles 15, cannot be done accidentally, since said movable protruding element and said plate protection 20 are not arranged in the same place. They are even more difficult to achieve for a child who would have fun with the dispenser, even if he spent time there. Thus, this control system of the protective plate 20, loaded by a spring, to the locking mechanism 25 gives an additional advantage to the

  device 1, constituting a means opposing resistance to children.

  In a second embodiment of the present invention, the protective plate 20, to prevent access to the needles, is locked in the locked position by a clip 21, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D. As shown in Figure 3, the clip 21 is a substantially circular flexible spring, preferably made of metal, but may be made of any other suitable flexible material. This clip includes

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  a main ring 23, which is interrupted in its middle part, as well as two extensions 24 of this main ring 23, which extend upwards. Said clip 21 is inserted between the connector of the dispensing device 11 and the protective plate 20. In normal position, the main ring 23 of the clip has a diameter which is less than the outside diameter of the base of the plate. protection 20, so that said protection plate cannot descend to the bottom of the connector of the dispensing device and that it is thus locked in the "needle protection" position. Each time the reservoir 10 is introduced into the device 11, the shoulders of the reservoir push the extensions 24 of the clip 21, which has the effect of increasing the diameter of the main ring 23, as shown in the figures. 2C and 2D, so that said diameter of the main ring 23 becomes larger than the outside diameter of the protective plate 20. It follows that said protective plate 20 is free to slide down and give access to the needles 15 which can then perforate the membrane 14 of the reservoir, as shown in

Figure 2D.

  Tank / dispensing device connection As already described above, the tank 10 is connected to the dispensing device 11 by means of at least one perforating element, for example at least one needle 15, which pierces at least one pierceable element 14. Preferably, the needle (s) 15 is or are disposed in a cavity of the dispensing device, in which said reservoir 10 is normally placed during use, while

  said perforable element 14 is located on the reservoir 10.

  The needle 15, which is possibly used in several copies in the context of the present invention, may have various shapes or be made of various materials, such as stainless steel, tantalum, zirconium, etc., but it is preferably made of No. 304 stainless steel or a similar stainless steel. It preferably has an outside diameter in the range of 0.7 to 7 mm and, more preferably, an outside diameter in the range of 0.7 to 2.5 mm. Preferably also, it has an internal diameter in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm and, even more preferably, a diameter

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  interior in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 mm. In the event that said-

  needle is a needle with a bevel point, the angle formed by the bevel of the needle point is preferably in the range from to 30 and, even more preferably, this angle is 21. However, other forms of needle can be used. It has been found that needles with a beveled tip can be closed, at least partially, by a piece of the membrane, which can render the dispensing device non-operative. This is due to the fact that the heel of the bevel of the needle is extremely sharp and that at the moment when the needle is planted in the membrane, this sharp heel can, by puncturing the membrane, tear off and take with it a small piece of the membrane, which then slides into the inner canal of the needle, leading to its obturation. One solution to avoid this problem is to use a non-cutting needle, which is defined as being a needle configured and manufactured so that it cannot tear off a piece of the material in which it is planted. There are different types of non-cutting needles. For example, this type of needle can be obtained by sandblasting the heel of the bevel, in order to erode it until it is no longer sharp. Alternatively, the needle may have a shape similar to that of a pen tip, with its orifice disposed on one side of the needle, and not on the tip itself, so that it there is no sharp bevelled edge which can cut and detach a piece of the perforated material. Alternatively, the tip of the needle may be in the form of a scalpel blade, with the orifice located on one side of the needle, and not on the blade itself, so that it does not There is no sharp bevelled edge that can cut and detach a piece of the perforated material. Such non-cutting needles are known in the art and those skilled in the art can choose the shape and the dimensions which are suitable for a

  needle so that it meets the objectives of the present invention.

  Ul has been found that after the withdrawal of the reservoir 10 from the dispensing device, anyone who puts their hand in the cavity of the latter can access the needle 15. Such needles 15 are generally very sharp and their contact is likely to cause injury, especially if dispensed product is left on it. This is true for

  all categories of users, but more specifically for children.

  It turned out that children are very curious and that when they play, they have-

  tendency to put their hands in the cavity of the dispenser 11.

  An essential characteristic of the connection, in accordance with the present invention, between the reservoir and the dispensing device is that it includes a protective means 20 preventing access to the needle (s) 15, to

  unless said tank 10 is connected to said device.

  Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the protection means 20 consists of a movable protection plate. More preferably, this protective plate 20 includes a recess 22 having the shape of the plug. Said protection plate 20 is loaded by a spring, in order to automatically return to a position in which access to the needles 15 is prevented, each time the reservoir 10 is removed from the dispensing device. Any type of spring can be used, but preferably the springs 27 are helical springs, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C. At the moment when the reservoir 10 is introduced into the connection end piece of the dispensing device, its neck and / or its closure push against said protective plate 20, so that the needles 15 become accessible and can perforate the perforable element 14 for establishing a communication for the passage of a fluid, in a manner ensuring a seal against leaks, between said reservoir 10 and said device

distributor 1 1.

  Perforable element After removing the reservoir 10 from the dispensing device, the user could be in a situation where a certain quantity of product remains in said reservoir 10, for example in the case where the user wishes to use the device temporarily distributor 11 for distributing another type of product. In this case, the remaining product can easily leak through the open perforable element 14 of the reservoir 10, which is not at all desirable for the user. Likewise, during the use of the device 1, it is essential that the connection between the reservoir 10 and the dispensing device 11 is tight, in order to prevent liquid from coming into contact with the interior of the apparatus. Indeed, in some cases, this device is electric and, consequently, any leakage of

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  liquid inside the electrical circuits can lead to damage to the device, or even cause injury to

  the user, which of course is not at all desirable.

  In the following description, for the sake of clarity, only the mode of

  embodiment in which the perforable element 14 of the reservoir 10 is a perforable membrane will be discussed. However, this should in no way limit the scope of the present invention, since the perforable element 14 can, as a variant, be materialized in other forms. For example, the perforable element 14 can be a part of the wall of the tank, which is for example molded integrally with said tank 10 by a co-injection molding process, just as it can be constituted by a part which is attached to the walls of the tank 10 by means of a process

bonding or welding.

  After the reservoir 10 has remained in place inside the dispensing apparatus for a month or more, it has become apparent that most of the known membranes remain in a deformed configuration, more particularly retains the shape of the needle 15 which perforated them, by the presence of one or more holes which, of course, cause the container to be subject to leaks. This phenomenon is usually called freezing and manifests itself a few weeks after needle 15 has been inserted into the membrane. It has been found, surprisingly, that a perforable membrane 14, as described below, offers an excellent seal against leaks once it has been perforated by the needles 15 of the device. distributor. In addition, it has the very appreciable advantage that, once the reservoir 10 has been removed from said device, the membrane 14 is closed in such a way that freezing and therefore the appearance of vanishing points are prevented, even after the reservoir 10 has remained in place inside the apparatus for a month or more. Such a membrane is to be preferred in the context of a connection in accordance with this

invention.

  This result is obtained by making a membrane 14 which does not freeze after being perforated. It has been found that this effect can be obtained by producing the membrane 14 in the form of at least one layer of one or more material (s), comprising at least one layer of an elastomeric material. Preferably, the membrane 14 consists of at least one

  layer of elastomeric material which will have the property of having a very

  good resealability, which means that whenever the membrane 14 is punctured and even if the puncturing element 15 remains in the membrane 14 over a long period of time, the elastomer layer will prevent the membrane 14 from freeze, and it will guarantee that once the perforating element 15, for example the needle 15, has been removed from the membrane 14, the latter will regain its original closed shape, thus avoiding leaks. Additional layers made of different materials can be used, a layer of a material chemically resistant to the contents of the reservoir 10 which can, for example, constitute the inner layer of the membrane 14. Alternatively, materials such as a metal, a plastic, aluminum, alloys, paper or cardboard, polytetrafluoroethylene, or any other suitable material, can be added to the layer of elastomeric material, in a combination

any of layers.

  In a first preferred embodiment, the membrane 14 consists of a layer of silicone, which gives it an excellent memory of material, as well as good chemical resistance to the contents of the reservoir. In a second embodiment, the membrane 14 consists of a combination of silicone and an inert PET (polyethylene). The silicone provides an excellent memory to the materials, so that the membrane 14 will close after being perforated, while the inert PET provides chemical resistance to the product contained inside the tank 10. In a mode most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastomeric membrane 14 consists of two layers, namely an inner layer of inert PET, which comes into contact with the interior of the reservoir 10 and which is especially intended to resist chemically to its content, and an outer layer which is in contact with

  the atmosphere and which is made of a silicone.

  In the two previously mentioned embodiments, the thickness of the membrane 14 is an important parameter and has an influence on the memory of the material. Preferably, the membrane 14 has a thickness of less than 1 cm, more preferably less than 6 mm and, even more preferably, less than 4 mm, all these thicknesses being measured in the part of the membrane. 14 which is located atl

  middle of the latter, that is to say in the region which will be perforated.

  The membrane 14 may have any suitable shape, but it preferably has a circular shape, having an overall diameter preferably in the range of 0.5 to 5 cm, more preferably in the range of 0.7 to 2 cm and, even more preferably, in the range of 0.9 to 1.1 cm. It has been found that a thickness of 3.6 mm in the perforable middle part, for an overall diameter of 1 cm, provides good memory properties to a membrane 14 formed of a layer of silicone and prevents, in very good conditions, that it freezes. As described above, the perforable membrane 14 can be part of the dispensing device, but it is preferable that it forms part of the reservoir 10 or of the cap 28 closing off said reservoir 10 and, in the embodiment most preferred of the present invention, said perforable membrane 14 is fixed to the upper part of the plug 28. It must be fixed in such a way that it is very difficult to remove it without the use of a tool. It can be inserted mechanically by means of ribs engaging in grooves or it can be fixed by other means, such as for example by heat sealing, gluing or welding. It can also be molded by co-injection in the same injection mold as the stopper itself, which provides the advantage of inexpensive production. In the case where it is made of silicone or a similar elastomeric material, the membrane 14 can also be molded by

casting, then be UV cured.

  The plug can have any suitable shape and, for example, it can have a frustoconical profile. It can be screwed onto the neck of the reservoir 10, for example by means of one or more threads, but it can also be fixed by any other suitable means, such as a bayonet fitting, a means clamps or the like. However, a device 1 using a connector in accordance with the present invention is even better designed if the reservoir 10 is provided with a perforable cap carrying a silicone membrane 14, as described above, and which can be fixed on the neck of said reservoir but does not cannot be removed. In such an embodiment, the tank 10 is difficult to open by children, because

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  if the adult user needs to remove the reservoir 10 from the dispensing device when said reservoir is not yet empty, the product contained inside said reservoir 10 cannot leak due to the fact that the perforable membrane 14 closes when the tank is removed10 and the cap cannot even be removed without the use of a tool and without the application of substantial leverage. This means that there is little chance that a small child will come to touch the composition contained inside. Such a non-removable connector can be produced by any suitable means, such as for example using threads comprising triangular non-return tongues, which allow the cap to be screwed in,

but prevent them from being unscrewed.

Claims (5)

  1. Connection for establishing a communication for the passage of a fluid between a dispensing device (11) and a reservoir (10) to be connected to said device (11), said fitting comprising at least one perforable element (14) and at least one needle (15) intended to perforate said perforable element (14), characterized in that it comprises protective means (20) intended to prevent access to said needle (s) (15) when said   tank (10) is not connected to said device (11).   2. Device comprising a dispensing device (11) and a reservoir (10) for said device (11), characterized in that said device (11) and said tank (10) can be connected to each other, way   separable, by means of a connector according to claim 1.   3. Connection according to claim 1, characterized in that said protective means (20) comprises a movable protective plate loaded by a spring, which prevents access to said one or said needle (s) (15) when said reservoir (10 ) is not connected to said device (11), said protective plate (20) moving during the introduction of said reservoir (10) into said device (11) in order to allow said needle (s) (15) ) to perforate said perforable element (14), thereby establishing a communication for the passage of a fluid, impervious to leaks, between the two.   4. Connection according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that   that said needle (s) (15) and said protective means (20) are located on said apparatus (11) and said perforable element (14) is located on said tank (10).   5. Connection according to one of claims 1, 3 or 4, characterized in   that said perforable element (14) is a perforable elastomer membrane.