FR2877325A1 - Viscous fluid product e.g. lotion, dispensing unit e.g. pump, for e.g. cosmetic field, has elastically deformable part formed by monoblock part forming rigid part displaced axially in to and fro manner by deforming deformable part - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a variable volume fluid product chamber with inlet and outlet valves (3, 4) and an elastically deformable part (22) whose deformation varies the volume of the product chamber. The deformable part is formed by a monoblock part (2) which forms a rigid part (23) defining a conduit (24) which leads to the valve (4). The part (23) is displaced axially in to and fro manner by deforming the part (22).

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser member

  intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir. The dispensing member, which may be a pump, typically comprises a fluid chamber of variable volume provided with an inlet valve and a check valve.

  exit. Such dispensing members are very frequently used in the field of cosmetics, perfumery or pharmacy to dispense fluid products more or less viscous, such as perfumes, lotions, creams or pastes.

  Such dispensing members generally comprise a fluid chamber of variable volume provided with an inlet valve and preferably an outlet valve. The fluid is pressurized in the chamber, which closes the inlet valve and opens the outlet valve. As a result, a dose of fluid is pumped out of the chamber through the open outlet valve. Conventionally, the dispensing member comprises a dispensing head, for example in the form of a pusher, which can be pressed to actuate the dispenser member, that is to say to vary the volume of the chamber of fluid product. The dispensing head typically comprises a dispensing channel connecting the outlet of the valve to a dispensing orifice at which the user can collect the fluid product.

  There are several fluid volume chamber designs with variable volume. A particular design provides for forming the chamber with an elastically deformable portion whose deformation varies the volume of the chamber. Document FR-2,671,330 describes a pump comprising two rigid walls each provided with a valve and connected together by a deformable peripheral membrane so as to allow the approximation and the separation of the rigid walls. One of the rigid walls is fixed on a fluid reservoir while the other rigid wall forms a pusher on which one can press to deform the elastic membrane and thus reduce the useful volume of the pump chamber. In this document, the inlet and outlet valves are respectively mounted sealingly on the two rigid walls. On the other hand, the elastic membrane comprises two anchoring heels in respective sealed engagement with the two rigid walls. The multiplication of watertight seals constitutes a certain cause or a certain risk of leakage.

  On the other hand, the elastically deformable membrane connecting the bottom wall with the rigid pusher wall provides no axial guidance of the rigid pusher wall. As a result, the deformation of the elastic membrane may be irregular due to a pressure that is not perfectly in the axis.

  The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a pump-type distribution member that minimizes the risk of leakage and at the same time ensures perfect axial guidance of the pusher.

  To achieve these objects, the present invention provides fluid product dispensing member intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir, said member comprising a fluid chamber of variable volume provided with an inlet valve and a valve outlet, said chamber comprising an elastically deformable portion whose deformation varies the volume of the chamber, characterized in that the deformable portion is formed by a one-piece piece which furthermore forms a substantially rigid portion defining a duct which leads to the valve of output, said rigid portion being movable axially back and forth deforming the deformable portion. The rigid portion can thus be easily used to ensure perfect axial deformation of the elastically deformable portion. It suffices to guide the rigid part by means of any part of the dispensing member. Preferably, the piece providing guidance is not formed by the pusher. An inventive aspect of the invention lies in the fact that one and the same one-piece piece forms both a rigid part and an elastically deformable part. According to one embodiment, the rigid portion may have a wall thickness greater than that of the deformable portion. The rigid portion can also derive its rigidity only because it is axially disposed in the manner of a tube that has inherent stiffness when subjected to axial force. Alternatively, the rigid portion and the deformable portion may be molded bi-injection with different plastic materials.

  According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rigid part of the one-piece part forms a fixing seat for the outlet valve. The outlet valve is thus directly fixed on the one-piece piece and not on a rigid pusher wall as in the prior art.

  According to another aspect of the invention, the dispensing member further comprises a dispensing head (or pusher) on which is pressed axially to move the rigid portion and the outlet valve by deforming the deformable part o, said head forming a distribution channel opening at a dispensing orifice, said head being mounted on the rigid part of the single piece. Advantageously, the head presses the outlet valve on the fixing seat. The outlet valve is thus wedged between the rigid part of the single piece and the dispensing head.

  According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the outlet valve is a self-sealing slit valve closed in a sealed manner in the absence of pressure in the chamber and open in case of sufficient pressure in the chamber, the rigid part of the the one-piece piece forming a support seat on which the slit valve bears in the closed position of rest. Advantageously, an elastically deformable membrane, said membrane being pierced by a slot whose edges are contiguous in the absence of stress, the membrane then resting on the support seat disposed centrally axial. Such a slit valve is especially described in EP-1 056 654, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  According to an interesting embodiment of the invention, the dispensing member further comprises a body forming the fluid product chamber together with the one-piece piece, the one-piece piece being sealingly attached to the body, a ring engaged with the body.

  In another aspect, the ring maintains the one-piece piece in contact sealingly pressed against the body. Advantageously, the ring forms fastening means on a fluid container neck. In addition, the ring can form a high stop for the one-piece piece 2 defining the rest position of the deformable part. All these features of the ring can be implemented individually or cumulatively.

  According to another advantageous characteristic, the guide means of the ring comprise an axial guide sleeve which extends around the rigid part of the single piece. It can thus be seen that the ring fulfills many functions, some of which may also be performed by the body, such as in particular a portion of the axial guiding means.

  The invention will now be more fully 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 an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid dispenser member according to an embodiment of the invention mounted on a tank partially shown, FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5; represent different mounting and operating steps of the dispenser of FIG. 1, and FIGS. 6a and 6b are very greatly enlarged vertical cross sectional views of the outlet valve, respectively in the closed rest position and in the open dispensing position.

  Referring firstly to Figure 1 which shows a fluid dispenser member according to the invention referenced as a whole by the numerical reference 1. This dispensing member is here a pump, and reference will be made to a pump 1 in the following description. Thus, the pump 1 is mounted on a container, reservoir or bottle 8 intended to contain the fluid product to be dispensed by the pump 1.

  This reservoir 8 is here a reservoir of variable useful volume, comprising a follower piston 83 slidably engaged sealingly inside a drum 81 which is preferably perfectly circular cylindrical. The follower piston 83 comprises one or two sealing lips 831 for sealingly sliding inside the barrel 81. This is a quite conventional system for a follower piston tank. Optionally, the barrel 81 may be provided with a bottom 84 which closes the lower end of the barrel. In the initial position, the follower piston 83 can abut on the bottom 84. At its upper end, the barrel 81 forms an inward shoulder which is then extended by a neck 82. This neck 82 may be provided with a or several external fastening ribs 821 as well as an internal sealing ring 822. Thus, as fluid is extracted from the reservoir formed by the barrel 81 and the follower piston 83, this last goes up in the barrel so as to reduce the useful volume of the tank. Instead of this reservoir 8, it is also possible to use a conventional reservoir Io in the form of a vial of constant useful volume. It is also possible to use a flexible pouch or a deformable container. The tank 8, in the present invention, can indeed be of any type with or without air intake.

  The pump 1 is mounted on the reservoir 8 by attaching to the neck 82, and more particularly to the rib or ribs (s) 821. In addition, the seal is can be performed at the inner ring 822.

  The pump 1 comprises several constituent elements, namely a body 6, a ring 7, a one-piece piece 2, a dispensing head 5, an inlet valve 3 and an outlet valve 4. Some elements can be removed or merged together . For example, the outlet valve may be omitted. These elements or at least a part of them can be made by injection molding plastic material appropriate.

  The body 6 comprises a central anchoring pipe 61 surrounded by one or more inlet openings 62. Beyond these openings 62, the body forms an annular roof 64 which extends on its outer periphery by a cylindrical section 66 provided with at its upper end of an outward flap 67. At the junction between the roof 64 and the cylindrical section 66, the body forms an anchoring housing 65. The roof 64 forms on its inner periphery a valve seat 63 surrounds the entrance openings. In addition, the tubing 61 can serve as a support for the plugging of a dip tube (not shown).

  The body 6 is engaged in the neck 82 of the tank 8 in a sealed manner. The roof 64 closes the passage formed by the neck 82 so that the interior of the tank 8 communicates with the outside only through the inlet openings 62 formed around the anchoring sleeve 61. The cylindrical section 66 is in contact sealing with the inner wall of the neck 82 and more particularly with the sealing ring 822. It may be noted that the rod 822 is located in the lower part of the neck 82 so that the seal between the body 6 and the neck 82 does not is carried out at the end of engagement of the body inside the neck. Indeed, the body is engaged in the neck from above until the flap 67 protrudes abutting the annular upper end of the neck 82. This avoids trapping a large amount of air in the tank during mounting the pump on the tank.

  In this embodiment, the neck 6 does not achieve the direct and definitive attachment to the reservoir 8. However, this is possible, for example by extending the body 6 at the outward flap 67 so as to engage with the ribs. clashes 821 formed on the outer wall of the neck 82.

  The inlet valve 3 may be made of a flexible material, for example elastomer. The inlet valve 3 comprises an anchor foot 32 engaged within the anchoring pipe 61. The valve 3 also comprises a flexible disc 31 which extends around the upper end of the foot of the foot. anchoring 32. This flexible disk 31 rests at its outer periphery on the inlet valve seat 63 formed by the body 6 at the outer periphery of the roof 64 all around the inlet openings 62. In rest position shown in Figure 1, the disc 31 is in sealing contact, preferably pressed or prestressed, on the seat 63. Thus, the disc 31 closes the openings 62. On the other hand, by deformation of the disc 31, it is possible to take off its seat 63 so as to create a passage for the fluid from the reservoir 8. This is a design already known for an inlet valve. Other embodiments for the outlet valve may be made within the scope of the present invention.

  The one-piece piece 2 may also be made of a flexible or relatively flexible material such as an elastomer. From bottom to top in FIG. 1, the one-piece part first forms an anchor ring 21, which is in sealing engagement inside the housing 65 formed by the body 6. From this ring 21 which presents a certain rigidity, the one-piece piece then forms an elastically deformable flexible portion 22 which is here in the form of a stepped dome. One can of course imagine all geometric shapes for the elastically deformable portion 22. The dome thus formed by the elastically deformable portion narrows towards its upper end to then extend by a substantially rigid portion 23. This substantially rigid portion 23 extends from central axial vertical way. It defines internally an axial discharge conduit 24. The substantially rigid portion 23 may be perfectly cylindrical, circular. As shown in the figures, the conduit 24 may be surrounded by one or more vertical reinforcing ribs which extend radially in a star around the conduit. These ribs increase the axial rigidity of the rigid part. The ribs extend upwardly from the deformable portion. However, in the embodiment of Figure 1, the substantially rigid portion 23 forms an upper turret 26, the annular upper end edge forms a fastening seat 27 for the outlet valve, as will be seen below. At its lower end, the turret 26 forms a hooking profile 25. On the other hand, the substantially rigid portion 23 also forms a needle 28 which extends inside the turret 26. The upper end of the needle 28 forms a support seat 281, as can be seen in Figures 6a and 6b. The space defined between the body 6 and the one-piece piece 2 forms a pump chamber 20 closed at its lower end by the valve 3 and at its upper end by the valve 4, as will be seen below. By deforming the flexible part 22, it is possible to vary the useful volume of the pump chamber 20 and thus to push fluid product through the conduit 24 and then the turret 26 to the outlet valve 4 which will then be forced to open. . The flexible portion 22 also serves as a return spring which makes it possible to return the pump chamber to its initial rest configuration, which corresponds to its maximum working volume. In FIG. 1, the chamber 20 is in this configuration of maximum useful volume.

  According to the invention, the one-piece part 2 forms both a flexible part 22 and a rigid part 23. This difference in flexibility or rigidity can be obtained by varying the wall thickness of the one-piece part 2. In fact, as seen in Figure 1, the flexible portion 22 has a lower wall thickness than the rigid portion 23, or even the anchor foot 21. This is only a possibility to confer to the one-piece part 2 at the same time a rigid part and a flexible part. It is also possible to provide a single piece of constant or substantially constant wall thickness. The flexibility of the part 22 can be obtained by its bell-shaped or bellows-shaped geometrical configuration while the rigidity of the part 23 can be obtained because it extends axially in the manner of a tube. It is also possible to produce the one-piece part by bi-injection of two different plastics in the same mold.

  The dispensing head 5 is here in the form of a pusher which is pressed with one or more fingers of one hand to actuate the pump 1. Thus, the upper part of the head 5 is formed by a bearing surface 51 which extends on its outer periphery downwardly by a skirt 58, thus giving the head an inverted cup shape. The skirt 58 comprises a lower portion 521 which will serve for the axial guidance of the head 5 as will be seen below. On the other hand, the head 5 forms a distribution channel 53 that opens out of the head 5 at a dispensing orifice 55. Upstream, the distribution channel 53 communicates with an outlet chamber 54 formed by the head 5. This chamber 54 is delimited at the periphery by a support sleeve 56 whose lower end engages the outlet valve 4 as will be seen hereinafter. Around this sleeve 56, the head 5 forms a fixing sleeve 57 defining at its lower end a fastening profile 58 which projects inwards. This fastening profile 58 is engaged with the fastening profile 25 formed by the rigid part 23 of the one-piece part 2. The sleeve 57 extends around the turret 26. The sleeve 57 with its attachment profile 58 serves therefore to the definitive and integral fastening of the head 5 on the one-piece piece 2, and more particularly on the rigid part 23 of this one-piece piece.

  The outlet valve 4, which is visible in FIGS. 6a and 6b, comprises a peripheral anchoring pin 42 which is wedged or compressed between the turret 26 and the sleeve 56. More specifically, the sleeve 56 bears the anchor heel 42 on the fastening seat 27 formed at the upper end of the turret 26. Inside the anchoring heel 42, the valve forms an elastically deformable membrane 41 which is provided with a slot 43 which may have the shape with a line or a cross. This membrane 41 at this slot 43 bears on the upper end of the needle 28 which forms for this purpose a bearing seat 281. In the rest position, as shown in Figure 6a, the membrane 41 rests on the On the other hand, when the pressure inside the chamber 20 is sufficient to deform the membrane 41, the latter is deformed in such a manner as to make the slot 43 open and to detach it from the support seat 281. This is shown in Figure 6b. There is thus created an outlet passage for the fluid product between the needle 28 and the membrane 41 and through the slot between open 43. As soon as the pressure inside the chamber 20 falls below a determined threshold the membrane 41 returns to its initial rest position of FIG. 6a. This type of valve is a valve with self-sealing slots whose edges are contiguous or sealed in the rest position and ajar or open in the actuated position. The needle 28 forming the bearing surface 281 supports the membrane 41 in the rest position, that is to say in the absence of pressure inside the chamber 20, or in the presence of a vacuum . Thus, when the outlet valve is opened as shown in FIG. 6b, the pressurized fluid product inside the chamber 20 can exit from this chamber through the open valve to reach the outlet chamber 54, then the distribution channel 53 to be finally distributed through the orifice 55.

  The ring 7, which may be made of a rigid plastic material, comprises from inside to outside a first inner axial guide sleeve 71 which has at its lower end a thrust ring 712. This axial guide sleeve 71 can be in the form of a circular cylindrical section. From its lower end, the bushing 71 is connected to a substantially annular flange 73 are the outer periphery is connected to a skirt 73 whose lower end 731 engages the anchoring ring 21 of the one-piece piece 2. The end 731 makes it possible to press or catch the ring 21 in the housing 65 formed by the body 6. At its upper end, the skirt 73 extends outwards by a connecting flange 74 which in turn extends downwards by an attachment sleeve 75 in engagement with the hooking ribs 821 formed by the external wall of the neck 82 of the tank 8. Thus, it is the ring 7 which carries out the attachment of the pump 1 to the reservoir 8. The outward flap 67 of the body 6 is wedged between the upper end of the neck 82 and the connecting flange 74 of the ring 7. On the other hand, the ring 6 forms another external axial guide sleeve 76, the bottom end comes to bear on the shoulder of the reservoir 8. This outer guide sleeve 76 extends around the lower portion 521 of the skirt 58 of the head 5. More specifically, the lower portion 521 is guided axially in a housing formed between the outer guide sleeve 76 and the On the other hand, the sleeve 57 of the head is also guided axially inside the inner guide sleeve 71. This double axial guide provided by the ring 7 ensures a perfectly axial displacement of the head 5. , and thus of the rigid part 23 of the one-piece part 2. By pressing on the bearing surface 51 of the head 5, the latter moves together with the outlet valve 4 and the rigid part 23 by deforming the flexible portion 22 in a uniform and centered manner.

  Referring now to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 to explain the assembly and operation of the pump 1. In Figure 2, we see the pump 1 further equipped with a protective cover 9 which covers the head 5. The cover 9 can engage around the outer guide sleeve 76. A snap of the cover 9 on the sleeve 76 can be provided. The mounting of the pump 1 on the tank 8 is very simple since it is sufficient to return the pump 1 on the neck 82 and apply a fast and strong pressure on the cover 9. This operation is commonly referred to by the term of breakdown pump on the tank. However, before slamming the pump on the tank, it is filled with fluid. It is only then that the pump 1 is slammed on the tank. It is then in the configuration shown in Figure 3. The inlet valve 3 rests in a sealed manner on its seat, and the valve 4 is also at rest with its waterproof slot resting on the seat 281. Pressing the head in the direction of the arrow F, the rigid portion 23 is lowered while deforming the flexible portion 22. The fluid product chamber is then reduced in volume until the rigid portion 23 bears against the valve member. 3. This is shown in FIG. 4. A dose of fluid product Pf is then distributed at the orifice 55. During dispensing, the inlet valve 3 is closed while the valve 4 is open from the as shown in Figure 6b. By releasing the pressure on the head 5, it returns to its initial position due to the elastic restoring force generated by the flexible portion 22. This return to the rest position is accompanied by an increase in the volume of the chamber 20 which generates a depression. This depression has the effect of opening the inlet valve 3 to let in fluid from the reservoir 8 into the chamber 20. This is shown in Figure 5. When the head 5 has returned to its initial position, we find ourselves in the configuration of Figure 3. The flexible portion 22 bears in 221 against the bearing ring 712 formed by the ring.

  Thanks to the invention, the pump does not include a metal spring or metal valve. The return spring function is provided by the one piece piece 2 which also forms a rigid seat for the outlet valve 4. The mounting of the pump on the tank is also very simple.

Claims (13)

claims   1.- fluid product dispensing member (1) intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir (8), said member comprising a fluid chamber of variable volume (20) provided with an inlet valve (3); ) and an outlet valve (4), said chamber comprising an elastically deformable part (22) whose deformation varies the volume of the chamber, characterized in that the deformable part (22) is formed by a single piece ( 2) which furthermore forms a substantially rigid part (23) defining a duct (24) which leads to the outlet valve (4), said rigid part (23) being axially displaceable back and forth by deforming the part deformable (22).   2. The dispensing member according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion (23) of the one-piece piece (2) forms a fastening seat (27) for the outlet valve (4).   3.- dispensing member according to claim 2, further comprising a dispensing head (5) on which is pressed axially to move the rigid portion (23) and the outlet valve (4) by deforming the deformable portion (22) , said head (5) forming a distribution channel (53) opening at a dispensing orifice (55), said head being mounted on the rigid part of the one-piece piece.   4. A dispensing member according to claim 3, wherein the head (5) presses the outlet valve (4) on the attachment seat (27).   5. A dispensing member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet valve (4) is a self-sealing slit valve (43) sealingly closed in the absence of pressure in the chamber and open in case of sufficient pressure in the chamber, the rigid portion (23) of the one-piece piece (2) forming a bearing seat (281) on which the slit valve (4) abuts in the closed rest position.   6. A dispensing member according to claim 5, wherein the slit valve (4) comprises an elastically deformable membrane (41), said membrane being pierced by a slot (43) whose edges are contiguous in the absence of stress , the membrane then resting on the support seat (281) arranged centrally axial.   7. A dispensing member according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - a body (6) forming the fluid product chamber (20) together with the one-piece piece (2), the one-piece piece being fixed so tight on the body, and - a ring (7) engaged with the body (6).   8. A dispensing member according to claims 3 and 7, wherein the ring (7) forms axial guide means (71, 76) for the head (5).   9. A dispensing member according to claim 7, wherein the ring (7) maintains the one-piece piece (2) in sealing contact with the body (6).   10. A dispensing member according to claim 7, wherein the ring (7) forms fastening means (75) on a neck (82) of fluid container.   11. A dispensing member according to claim 7, wherein the ring (7) forms a high stop (712) for the one-piece piece (2) defining the rest position of the deformable portion (22).   12. A dispensing member according to claim 8, wherein the guide means comprise an axial guide sleeve (71) which extends around the rigid portion (23) of the one-piece piece (2).   13. A dispensing member according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rigid portion (23) has a wall thickness greater than that of the deformable portion (22).