FR2838407A1 - ASSEMBLY FOR DELIVERING A FLUID, COMPRISING A FLEXIBLE POCKET AND AN ELASTICALLY DEFORMABLE BOTTLE - Google Patents

Abstract

Assembly (1) for dispensing a fluid, in particular a cosmetic fluid (16), comprising: - a flexible bag (2) airtight having an internal volume intended to contain the fluid, - closure means (18 , 20, 24) of the pocket presenting:. an active state preventing any fluid communication between the internal volume of the bag and the surrounding environment (3), when the internal volume is at the same pressure as the surrounding environment, and. an inactive state allowing the fluid to exit when the difference between the pressure in the internal volume of the bag and the pressure of the surrounding environment is positive and greater than a determined threshold, - an elastically deformable bottle (4) surrounding the flexible bag and containing a layer of air between it and the bag, - suction means (14) for air in the bottle.

Description

: The subject of the invention is an assembly intended to distribute a fluid,

  in particular a cosmetic fluid.

  It is more particularly a question of proposing an assembly making it possible to maintain the fluid without contact with air or more generally any other external element, such as water and dust in particular. There are already known pump systems for fulfilling this function. However, the object of the invention is to propose a simpler solution,

  with fewer parts and therefore cheaper.

  To do this, the invention proposes that the assembly comprises: o - a flexible pouch which is airtight, in particular air and water, having an internal volume intended to contain the fluid, - means for closing the pouch having: inactive state authorizing the exit of the fluid, when the difference between the pressure in the internal volume of the bag and the pressure of the surrounding medium is positive and greater than a determined threshold, and an active state preventing any fluid communication between the internal volume of the bag and the surrounding medium, when the difference between the pressure in the internal volume of the bag and the pressure of the surrounding medium is less than said determined threshold, - an elastically deformable bottle surrounding the flexible bag and enclosing a layer of air between it and the pocket, - suction means for: allowing the entry of air into the elastically deformable bottle, when the pressure in the bottle is lower at the pressure of the surrounding medium, and control (limit or prevent) the exit of the air contained in the elastically deformable bottle, in order to obtain, by pressure on said bottle, an overpressure (pressure difference) greater than said threshold relative to in the surrounding medium in said layer of air. Thus, by pressing on the bottle, the user compresses the layer of air between the bottle and the bag. This pressure is transmitted to the flexible bag and causes the fluid to flow out, causing the closure means to be inactivated. When the pressure on the bottle is released, air enters through

  the suction means to replace the volume of fluid dispensed.

  This assembly therefore makes it possible to carry out substantially the same functions as a pump, but for much less money. In addition, it has substantially the same advantages as a flexible tube, plus the absence of contact between the fluid and the surrounding medium and an external shape.

  unchanged whether the pocket is full or empty.

  The best would be that the suction means prevent the exit of the air contained in the elastically deformable bottle. However, a limited leak does not prevent the operation of the assembly. In addition, advantageously said pressure threshold is not zero. This ensures a safety margin as to the entry of an external element (air, water, dust, ...). In addition, advantageously the sealing means comprise a

  unidirectional spring return valve.

  This solution is simple and effective both for distributing the fluid and for ensuring insulation between the internal volume of the bag and the surrounding environment. An advantageous embodiment consists in that the bottle has an internal volume of between 100 milliliters and 300 milliliters and that the suction means comprise at least one hole made in the bottle defining an air passage whose cross section is between 0, 03 millimeter

square and 0.2 square millimeter.

  The use of holes as suction means is particularly simple; but still effective. If the hole (s) is (are) not too large relative to the volume of the bottle, when the user applies pressure on the bottle, the air escaping through the hole (s) represents only '' a small leak does little to drop the pressure of the air layer. Conversely, if the hole (s) is (are) not too small, when the pressure is released, the volume of fluid dispensed is replaced enough

  quickly by air by elastic return of the bottle.

  Of course, it is possible to use one or more holes, where the main thing to take into account is the sum of the sections of each of the holes. The optimal passage section for air suction varies according to the internal volume of the bottle. The larger this, the larger the cross-section

can be increased.

  The invention will appear even more clearly in the description

  which follows, made with reference to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a view in median section of an assembly according to the invention, in the absence of external pressure, - Figure 2 is a view in accordance with the Figure 1, the bottle being

  subject to user pressure.

  Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an assembly 1 comprising a flexible pouch 2 waterproof in particular to water and air, a bottle 4 elastically

deformable and a capsule 6.

  The bottle is pierced with at least one suction hole, here two suction holes 14 located in the lower part. It has an internal volume 12 and

  comprises a neck 8 on which the capsule 6 is fixed in the upper part.

  The bag 2 has an internal volume filled with a cosmetic fluid 16. It is disposed in the internal volume 12 of the bottle 4 and held in a sealed manner on the neck by means of a ring 10 secured to the bag 2 inserted between the neck 8 and the capsule 6. Thus, the internal volume 12 of the bottle communicates with the surrounding medium 3 only through the suction holes 14 and the bag cannot communicate with the medium

  surrounding only through the capsule 6.

  The capsule 6 has a valve 18 with an elastically stretchable and prestressed rod 20. In the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the valve is in the active closure position under pressure on its seat 24 and any communication between the cosmetic fluid 16 and the surrounding medium 3 is impossible. o When the user exerts pressure on the outside of the bottle 4, as illustrated by the arrows 22 in FIG. 2, the bottle deforms which compresses its internal volume 12. The layer of air between the bottle and the bag 2 is thus compressed and transmits the pressure to the bag 2, as illustrated by the arrows 26. Only a small amount of air escapes through the suction holes 14, as illustrated by the arrows 30 in FIG. 2. When the pressure of the cosmetic fluid 16 on the valve 18 exerts a force greater than the preload of the rod 20, the valve comes off from its seat 24. An amount of cosmetic fluid 16 escaping from the volume internal of the pocket 2 passing between the valve 18 and its seat 24 is then

  distributed to the user, as shown by arrows 34.

  The user then stops pressing on the bottle 4. By elastic return, the bottle returns to its initial shape, as illustrated by the arrows 28 in FIG. 1. The internal volume 12 of the bottle is then under pressure,

  since the bag 2 contains less cosmetic fluid 16.

  The fluid is therefore itself slightly under pressure relative to the surrounding medium 3 and therefore the valve 18 returns to

  support on its seat 24 in the closed position.

  In addition, the internal volume 12 of the bottle being under pressure relative to the surrounding medium 3, air is sucked in through the suction holes.

  14 in the internal volume 12, as illustrated by the arrows 32 in FIG. 1.

  Advantageously, for a bottle 4 whose internal volume 12 is 200 milliliters, the suction holes each have a section of 0.03

  square millimeter, i.e. a total passage cross section of 0.06 square millimeter.

  In addition, the capsule 6 comprises a movable cap 36 locking

the valve 18 in the closed position.

  Preferably, the bottle is made of polypropylene (PP) or 0 low polyethylene (LDPE) or high density (HDPE) and the bag is made

  polypropylene, polyethylene or an aluminum-plastic complex.

  Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment which has just been described by way of nonlimiting example. So we could plan

  1 single or more than two suction holes 14.

  One could also provide a one-way valve in the suction holes to prevent air leaks when the user presses the

  bottle, to the detriment, however, of the price of the set.

  One could also provide another type of valve or

  closure means other than a valve.

Claims (4)

claims   1. Assembly (1) for dispensing a fluid, in particular a cosmetic fluid (16), comprising: - a flexible pouch (2) which is airtight and water-tight in particular, having an internal volume intended to contain the fluid, - sealing means (18, 20, 24) of the bag having: an inactive state authorizing the exit of the fluid, when the difference between the pressure in the internal volume of the bag and the pressure of the surrounding medium is positive and greater at a determined threshold o, and an active state preventing any fluid communication between the internal volume of the bag and the surrounding medium (3), when the difference between the pressure in the internal volume of the bag and the pressure of the surrounding medium is less at said determined threshold, i - an elastically deformable bottle (4) surrounding the flexible pocket and enclosing a layer of air between it and the pocket, - suction means (14) for: allowing the entry of air into the elastic bottle ent deformable, when the pressure in the bottle is lower than the o pressure of the surrounding medium, and control the outlet of the air (12) contained in the elastically deformable bottle, in order to obtain, by pressure on said bottle, an overpressure with respect to in the surrounding environment   above said threshold, in said layer of air.   2. Assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said threshold pressure is not zero.   3. Assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the closure means comprise a one-way valve (18) with elastic return.   4. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the bottle (4) has an internal volume (12) of between 100 milliliters and 300 milliliters and that the suction means comprise at least one hole (14) formed in the bottle defining an air passage whose cross section is between 0.03 square millimeter and 0.2 square millimeter.