FR2845358A1 - Dispenser for e.g. perfume, cosmetics, has reservoir with deformable actuating wall extending over frame to reduce reservoir volume, and return spring part urging wall to define maximum volume and formed integrally by body - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has a reservoir (17) with an actuating wall (2) and a dispensing orifice (10). A body (1) defines a frame (10) having a thickness to determine defined inscribed volume (Vi). The wall extending over the frame is deformable to reduce the reservoir volume. A return spring part (16) urging the wall into a rest configuration defines maximum reservoir volume. The spring part is formed integrally by the body.

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid fluid dispenser

  or powder comprising a reservoir provided with at least one deformable actuating wall and a dispensing orifice. Thus, by pressing on the actuating wall, the internal volume of the reservoir is reduced so as to discharge fluid product through the dispensing orifice. This kind of dispenser can for example be used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense liquids or powders. Numerous dispensers of this type already exist in the prior art using the deformation capacity of a portion of the reservoir to pressurize the fluid under pressure so as to discharge it through a dispensing orifice. For example, document FR 2 791 645 can be cited which is in the form of two flexible sheets welded together on their periphery so as to define a reservoir. A rigid distribution piece is preferably inserted between the two sheets: this dispensing piece advantageously forms the dispensing orifice. In addition, a spring can be arranged between the two sheets to perform the elastic return function. In this document, it is even planned to close the dispensing orifice while the spring is compressed to its maximum state. Thus, there is a fluid dispenser particularly flat, which can for example be included inside

  of magazine as a free sample.

  The disadvantage with this distributor of the prior art lies in the fact that the spring is kept compressed to its maximum state for a relatively long period, that is to say from its manufacture until its use. From experience, it has been noted that a plastic spring no longer relaxes after having been maintained for a certain time at its maximum compressed state. This is because the plastic tends to flow over time. On the other hand, when making the metal spring, this implies that it remains for a long period of time in contact with the fluid to be dispensed. In some cases, this can be disadvantageous or even harmful, depending on the fluid product to be dispensed. So there is a real problem with this

  kind of distributor at the return spring.

  The object of the present invention is to overcome this aforementioned disadvantage of the prior art by defining a relatively flat distributor whose spring means are not compressed or at least very weakly when a flat pressure is exerted on the distributor. The distributor must for example be able to be included in magazines without risk of compressing too strongly

the spring means.

  To achieve this object, the present invention provides that the dispenser 10 comprises a body defining a frame having a thickness defined to define a defined defined volume, said actuating wall extending on said frame and being deformable so as to reduce the volume of the tank and enter the volume listed. Thus, even if the distributor is included between two substantially flat surfaces and pressure is exerted on its surfaces, there is no risk of reducing the useful volume of the

  tank below the inscribed volume defined by the thickness of the frame.

  Of course, the present invention can be applied to a dispenser devoid of return spring means. However, when spring means are provided for biasing the actuating wall in a rest configuration defining the maximum volume of the reservoir, it is advantageous for the spring means to be integrally formed by the body already forming.

  the framework. For example, the plastic body can be made.

  According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the spring means extend inside said frame. The spring means may even extend into the rest position within said inscribed volume. As a variant, the spring means can extend in the rest position outside said inscribed volume. In the first case, the spring means do not bias the actuating wall or walls in the rest position. Only after pressing the walls, the spring means bring the actuating wall or walls in the rest position. On the other hand, when the spring means extend beyond the inscribed volume, they urge the actuating wall or walls, even in the rest position. This will result in a bending of the actuating wall at the level of

  the spring means are in contact with the wall.

  According to a practical embodiment, the spring means may comprise at least one flexible blade which extends across said frame. The frame may for example have a constant thickness of the order of two to

four millimeters.

  In a practical form, the dispenser may comprise two actuating walls defined by two flexible sheets fixed in a sealed manner.

both sides of said frame.

  According to another characteristic, the frame is substantially indeformable.

  Thus, the spring return function is fully ensured by the means of

spring and not by the frame.

  In a practical form, the frame can be substantially under the

shape of a ring.

  According to another characteristic, the dispensing orifice is formed by the

  frame, advantageously on its periphery.

  The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention. In the figures: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the dispenser of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through FIG. Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the dispenser of Figure 1, and Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 for a modification of the dispenser of Figure 1;

  embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention.

  The fluid dispenser used to illustrate the present invention comprises three constituent elements, namely a body 1 and two flexible sheets 2. Optionally, the dispenser may further comprise a piece of

porous material 3.

  The body 1 comprises a frame 10, preferably substantially indeformable, which forms a loop closed on itself. The frame here is substantially circular, but it could also be polygonal, for example triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. The frame 10 forms a dispensing head 13 which is integrated in the frame. In the example shown in the figures, the head 13 breaks the circularity of the frame 10 so as to give a drop-shaped appearance. It can still be considered that the head 13 is an integral part of the frame 10. Thus, the frame 10 defines a peripheral surface 11 which is here substantially cylindrical. The frame 10 also forms two substantially planar edges 12, but of annular shape. Each edge 12 may for example be provided with a solder ring 121 which protrudes around the entire periphery of the frame 10. This is visible in FIG. 2. The dispensing head 13 defines a dispensing orifice 14 which establishes a communication between

  the inside of the frame and the outside of the frame. The dispensing orifice opens at the peripheral surface 11. This is more visible in FIGS. 3 and 4.

  In addition, the dispensing head 13 optionally forms an insertion housing 15 for optionally receiving the piece of porous material 3 which can advantageously be configured with an insertion appendage 34 intended to be inserted into the housing 15 by force. Thus, the piece of porous material 3 extends freely from the appendix 34 inside the frame 11 forming a body 31, of course, made of porous material. The purpose of this piece of porous material 3 is to imbibe or impregnate fluid, liquid or powder product so that the dispensing orifice 14 is always supplied with fluid. Of course, we can do without such a piece of porous material 3 in some cases of application, and in particular

  when the fluid product is powdery.

  This frame 11 has a defined thickness which corresponds to the height of the peripheral wall 11. In the example used for the present invention, this thickness is constant over the entire periphery of the frame 11. It can however be imagined that this thickness varies locally. . The body 10 is at least indeformable in the direction of the thickness of the frame 11. In other words, the thickness of the frame It can not be altered or modified even when subjected to significant pressure. On the other hand, the frame 11 can be deformable in the width direction so that the loop or ring can be

  slightly distorted. However, preferably, the ring is also dimensionally stable. Thus, the frame 1 1 defines an inscribed internal volume Vi which is equal to the area defined by the interior of the frame 11 multiplied by the thickness of the frame 1.

  This corresponds to the volume of the frame when it is placed between two perfectly flat surfaces. Since the thickness of the frame is indeformable or

  unalterable, this volume inscribes Vi is constant and defined.

  The body 10 can also integrally form return spring means, which are here in the form of two flexible blades 16 which extend transversely in the frame 11. A blade 16 can be concave 15 while the other can be convex as can be seen in Figure 2. The two blades 16 can be fully inscribed inside the volume Vi, as shown in Figure 4. Alternatively, the blades 16 can extend to

  least partially out of the volume Vi, as shown in FIG. 5.

  According to the invention, the body 1 is associated with two flexible sheets 2 which are attached and fixed sealingly on both sides of the frame 11.

  sheets 2 are preferably heat-welded on their periphery at the welding rod 121 formed on the two edges 12 of the frame 11. In practice, a sheet is first welded to the frame 11 so as to form a container. Fluid product can thus be introduced into this container. Then, it is sufficient to weld the other sheet 2 to seal this container and thus form a reservoir 17.

  It is easily understood from Figures 4 and 5 that the inscribed volume Vi is different from the internal volume of the reservoir 17. In the case of Figure 4, the volume Vi is equal to the internal volume of the reservoir 17 when the dispenser is at rest.

  On the other hand, as soon as the sheets 2 are pressed so as to bring them together, the blades 16 are deformed and the internal volume of the reservoir 17 is reduced, which is then less than the inscribed volume Vi. In the case of Figure 5, the internal volume of the reservoir 17 is greater than the registered volume Vi in the rest position, since the blades 16 protrude in the rest position out of the volume Vi. The volume of the reservoir 17 would be equal to the volume Vi only in the case where the distributor would for example be disposed between two plane surfaces so as to bring the blades 16 back inside the volume Vi. We then find ourselves in the configuration of FIG. 4, with the difference that the blades 16

  are then partially constrained.

  In all cases, whether the blades 16 are inscribed or not inside the volume Vi, there is a distributor whose registered volume is constant and defined. Thus, by filling the reservoir 17 with a quantity of fluid product equal to or less than the volume Vi, it is ensured that the fluid product will not be subjected to any excessive pressure when it is disposed between two flat surfaces, as is the case by example when the distributor is included in magazines arranged in stack. In addition, it is ensured that the spring means 16 are not compressed to an excessive state. Thus, it ensures a correct operation of the spring means, even when the use of the dispenser is very far in time of its manufacture. Of course, when using the dispenser, the volume of the reservoir 17 will of course decrease below the value of the volume Vi, since the sheets 2 are deformable and the blades 16 are flexible. One can achieve a configuration in which the blades 16 extend substantially in the same plane with the sheets 2 plated on both sides. On the other hand, as soon as the pressure on the sheets 2 is released, they return substantially to their rest position under the action of the blades

16 who relax.

  Thanks to the invention, there is a distributor which is both extremely flat, but not deformable, and whose possible spring means

  do not need to be compressed during storage.

Claims (12)

claims   1. A liquid or powder fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir (17) provided with at least one deformable actuating wall (2) and a dispensing orifice (14), characterized in that it comprises a body (1) defining a frame (10) having a thickness defined to delimit a defined inscribed volume (Vi), said actuating wall (2) extending over said frame (10) and being deformable so as to reduce the volume of the tank and enter the volume listed. 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, comprising return spring means (16) urging the actuating wall (2) in a   idle configuration defining the maximum volume of the tank.   3. Dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the means of   spring (16) are integrally formed by the body (1).   4. Dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the means   spring (16) extend inside said frame (10).   5. Dispenser according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the spring means (16) extend, in the rest position, inside said inscribed volume (Vi).   6. A dispenser according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the spring means (16) extend, in the rest position, out of said volume. registered (Vi).   7. Dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 6, in   wherein the spring means comprises at least one flexible blade (16) extending across said frame (10).   8. Dispenser according to any one of the claims   in which the frame (10) has a constant thickness of the order of 2 to 4 millimeters.   9. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two actuating walls defined by two   flexible sheets (2) sealingly fixed on either side of said frame (10).   10. Dispenser according to any one of the claims   in which the frame (10) is substantially indeformable.   11. Dispenser according to any one of the claims   in which the frame (10) is substantially under the shape of a ring.   12. A dispenser according to any one of the claims   previous, wherein the dispensing orifice (14) is formed by the frame o0 (10), preferably on its peripheral surface (11). * * *