FR2951141A1 - SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING A FLUID PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a flexible body (1) delimiting a variable internal volume by deformation of said body, said body having a tube (2) provided with an open end (3) and a end (4) equipped with an upper flange (5) which is surmounted by a neck (6) in which a dispensing device (7) is sealingly mounted, said system further comprising a partition member (15) disposed inside the body (1) being in sealing contact on the inner wall of said body, said member delimiting, on either side, a conditioning volume (17) which is in communication with the open end (3) as well as with feeding means (10) of the dispensing device (7) and a dead volume (18) formed within at least a part of the flange (5) and the neck (6) to be isolated from the open end (3).

Description

The invention relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product and a method of packaging a fluid product in such a dispensing system.

In particular, the fluid product to be dispensed may be a liquid or a cream, for example a perfume, a cosmetic product or a pharmaceutical product.

Distribution systems are known comprising a flexible body delimiting an internal volume which is variable by deformation of said body, said volume being intended for the packaging of the product to be dispensed. In particular, the body may have a flexible tube provided with an open end and an end equipped with an upper flange which is surmounted by a neck in which a dispensing device is sealingly mounted.

Thus, these dispensing systems can be delivered to the conditioners which, after filling the flexible body with the fluid product through the open end, close said end to seal the conditioning volume which is formed inside. of said body.

In particular, the dispensing device may be a manually operated pump, in particular without air intake. Thus, as and when dispensing the product, the flexible body deforms by suction of the product so as to adapt the volume of packaging to the amount of product it contains. The distribution of the product may also be actuated directly by deformation of the body, in particular by manual support, the dispensing device may then comprise a sampling tube optionally provided with a non-return valve and / or an applicator. However, the presence of the collar induces a local stiffening of the body which, during the distribution of the product, limits the approximation of the body walls in the area near said collar. Thus, the resistance to deformation of this zone makes it impossible to dispense the product it contains, which therefore limits the rate of distribution of the product contained in the body.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a dispensing system comprising a flexible body in which the rate of distribution of the product is improved.

For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a system for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a flexible body delimiting a variable internal volume by deformation of said body, said body having a tube provided with an open end. and an end provided with an upper flange which is surmounted by a neck in which a dispensing device is sealingly mounted, said system further comprising a partition member disposed within the body in sealing engagement with the inner wall of said body, said member delimiting, on either side, a conditioning volume which is in communication with the open end as well as with feeding means of the dispensing device and a dead volume formed in the interior of at least a portion of the flange and collar to be isolated from the open end.

According to a second aspect, the invention proposes a method of packaging a fluid product in such a dispensing system, said method providing for the arrangement of the body so that the open end of the tube is disposed above the neck, introducing the product into said open end to fill the conditioning volume without introducing product into the dead volume, then closing said open end to seal said volume of packaging.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal section of a distribution system according to a first embodiment of the invention; ; FIG. 2 shows in partial longitudinal section an alternative embodiment of the distribution system according to FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a partial longitudinal section of a distribution system according to a second embodiment of the invention, respectively being the pump in the neck with the partitioning member in the retracted state (FIG. 3a) and in the mounted position with said member in the unfolded partitioning state (FIG. 3b).

In the description, the positioning terms in space are taken in ~ o reference to the position of the dispensing system shown in the figures.

In connection with the figures, there is described below a system for containing a fluid for distribution. In particular examples, the product may be a liquid or a cream, for example a perfume, a cosmetic product or a pharmaceutical product.

The dispensing system comprises a flexible body 1 delimiting a variable internal volume by deformation of said body, said volume being intended for packaging the product to be dispensed. In particular, the body 1 may be made by extrusion of one or more plastics, optionally coiled with an aluminum foil, or by high pressure injection.

The body 1 has a tube 2 provided with an open bottom end 3 and, opposite said open end, an upper end 4 which is equipped with an upper flange 5 surmounted by a neck 6. In particular , the collar 5-collar 6 assembly is formed of a single piece on the upper end 4 of the tube 2, either by being integral with it or by being attached, for example by overmolding, welding or gluing.

In the embodiments shown, the neck 6 has an internal dimension which is smaller than the internal dimension of the tube 2, the collar 5 having a variable internal dimension to make the junction between said neck and said tube. In particular, the neck 6 and the tube 2 have a cylindrical geometry 4 of revolution and the flange 5 has a frustoconical geometry of revolution.

The dispensing system also comprises a dispensing device 7 which is sealingly mounted in the neck 6. In particular, the body 1 having an open bottom end 3, the dispensing device 7 is mounted in the neck 6 before the product is introduced into the body 1, the inner volume of the body 1 being free of product to be dispensed when the dispensing device 7 is mounted in the neck 6.

In the figures, the dispensing device is a manually operated pump 7 of the type without air intake, the dispensing of the product then not being compensated by an introduction of air inside the body 1. As the product is dispensed, the suction of the product into the pump 7 induces a decrease in the internal volume of the flexible body 1 by deformation thereof.

In a variant not shown, the dispensing device 7 may comprise a sampling tube possibly equipped with a non-return valve and / or an applicator, the dispensing of the product then being actuated by manual deformation of the flexible body 1.

The pump 7 shown comprises a body 8 (uncut in the figures) which is equipped, in the upper part, with a nozzle 9 and, in the lower part, a supply port 10 of product to be dispensed. Furthermore, the nozzle 9 is surmounted by a push button 11 equipped with a dispensing orifice 12.

According to a known embodiment, the push button 11 actuates in reversible translation the nozzle 9 on a distribution / suction stroke, the body 8 incorporating a piston allowing the pressurization of the product to ensure its distribution through the nozzle 9 and the suction of the product through the orifice 10. However, the invention is not limited to a particular embodiment of the pump 7.

Furthermore, the figures show the mounting and fixing of the pump 7 in the neck 6 by means of a sleeve 13 comprising means for fixing the pump on said sleeve and means for fixing said sleeve on the neck 6, said sleeve further having an outer bearing surface 14 for masking the neck 6. However, the invention is not limited to a particular mounting mode of the pump 7 in the neck 6.

The dispensing system further comprises a partition member 15 ~ o which is disposed within the body 1 being in sealing contact on the inner wall of said body. In particular, the partitioning member 15 may have a disc 16 whose periphery is in sealing contact on the inner wall of the body 1.

The partition member 15 delimits, on either side: a lower conditioning volume 17 which is in communication with the open end 3 as well as with the supply port 10 of the pump 7; and an upper dead volume 18 which is formed within at least a portion of the flange 5 and the neck 6 to be isolated from the open end 3, said dead volume being sealed at the top by the mounting of the pump 7 in the neck 6.

In the embodiments shown, the body 8 of the pump 7 is disposed in the dead volume 18, the lower portion 8a of said body sealingly passing through the partition member 15 to bring the supply port 10 into communication with each other. with the conditioning volume 17.

Packaging of the product in the system can be achieved by arranging the body 1 so that the open end 3 of the tube 2 is disposed above the neck 6, in particular by placing the body 1 upside down with the open end 3 in the upper part. Then, the product can be introduced into the open end 3 to fill by gravity the volume of packaging 17 without introducing product into the dead volume 18. In fact, the partitioning member 15 defining the bottom of the volume of packaging 17, it forms an obstacle to the flow of the product from said conditioning volume into the dead volume 18.

Finally, the conditioning volume 17 can be sealed by closing the open end 3, in particular by welding the edges of said end. The product thus packaged can then be distributed via the pump 7, in particular in that the decrease in the volume of packaging 17 as and when said distribution allows to maintain the supply of said pump packaged product.

In particular, the geometry of the flange 5 opposes the approximation of its inner wall during the deformation of the body 1 and the presence of the partitioning member 15 makes it possible to have no product in the vicinity of said flange. Thus, it avoids the non-distribution of this product during the deformation of the body 1. It therefore results in an improvement in the rate of distribution of the product contained in the body 1, and this particularly simple and low cost.

In the embodiments shown, the partitioning member 15 is made in a separate part from the pump 7, said member being mounted on said pump. In particular, the partition member 15 may have a central sleeve 19 provided with a bore 20 in which the lower portion 8a of the body 8 of the pump 7 is sealingly mounted. Alternatively not shown, it can be provided that the partition member 15 is formed integrally with the pump 7, including extending from the body 8 of said pump.

In connection with FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment is described below in which the partitioning member 15 is inserted into the body 1 30 prior to the mounting of the pump 7 in the neck 6. In particular, the partitioning member 15 is mounted through the open end 3, the periphery of the disk 16 being clamped on the inner wall of the body 1 so as to seal. Next, the pump 7 is mounted in the neck 6 by arranging its lower part 8a in [bore 20, [supply port 10 being disposed in communication with the conditioning volume 17. To do this, [partitioning member 15 is disposed at the corresponding height in the body 1 and its tightening in said body ensures its maintenance during [fitting of the pump 7 in [bore 20.

FIG. 1 shows a sleeve 19 whose frustoconical lower part is provided with an orifice 21 corresponding to [feed orifice 10, FIG. 2 showing a cylindrical sleeve 19 under which the lower part 8a and the feed orifice 10 are arranged. Moreover, the pump 7 is positioned in the body 1 so that the supply orifice 10 extends axially in the vicinity of the junction zone between the flange 5 and the tube 2, that is to say in [opening 4, especially just below said opening so as to ensure [product supply during the deformation of the conditioning volume 17.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, [partitioning member 15 may be rigid relative to the deformation of the body 1, to facilitate its positioning and to improve the seal imparted between said member and the body 1 during deformation of said body. In particular, [partitioning member 15 may be made of polypropylene or polyethylene. In addition, the disc 16 may be substantially flat or slightly curved to improve the tightening of its periphery on the inner wall of the body 1.

In FIG. 1, the partitioning member 15 is in sealing contact on an area of the inner wall of the tube 2 which is adjacent to the flange 5. The dead volume 18 then extends to [inside the entire flange 5 and the neck 6. In FIG. 2, the partitioning member 15 is arranged higher, namely on the lower zone of the inner wall of the collar 5, the dead volume 18 then extending inside the most of the flange 5 and the whole of the neck 6. 8 Moreover, Figure 2 shows a variant in which the inner wall of the body 1 has a ring 22 for holding in position the partition member 15 in said body. In particular, the rod 22 is made in relief towards the inside of the body 1 to snap the periphery of the disc 16 above it, said ring further improving the seal between said periphery and the inner wall of the body 1.

In relation to FIGS. 3, a second embodiment of a dispensing system is described below in which the partitioning member 15 is integral with the dispensing device 7 prior to its mounting in the neck 6. Moreover, the partitioning member 15 is deformable between a retracted mounting state of the device 7 in the neck 6 (Figure 3a) and an expanded state of partitioning (Figure 3b).

More specifically, the partitioning member 15 shown comprises a disc 16 which is elastically deformable between its retracted and deployed states, said disc being arranged for, during assembly of the dispensing device 7, that its periphery remains in sliding contact along the internal walls of the neck 6 (Figure 3a) and the collar 5 (Figure 3b).

In particular, the disc 16 may have an inverted umbrella geometry which opens by elastic radial compression as a function of the dimension of the inner wall on which its periphery is in contact. According to one embodiment, the disc 16 may be made of polyolefin type material with shape memory or elastomeric material. The disk 16 may also comprise a compressible profile, for example by presenting puckers.

In FIG. 3b, the partitioning member 15 is positioned in sealing contact on the inner wall of the flange 5, in particular by providing that the disc 16 is slightly concave towards the dead volume 18 so as to improve the plating of said disc on the internal wall of the flange 5 during the deformation of the body 1. However, one can provide a lower positioning, 9 in particular on the inner wall of the tube 2, the periphery of the disc 16 being then arranged to remain in sliding contact along said wall.

Moreover, in this embodiment as well as in the embodiment previously described, the partitioning member 15 may be mounted detachably on the dispensing device 7. Thus, providing that this assembly is arranged for, in case disassembly between the dispensing device 7 and the body 1, cause detachment of said body, it is possible to further benefit from a tamper evidence of the dispensing system.

In particular, in the embodiment of FIGS. 3, the disk 16 by its concavity is arranged so as not to be able to go from its deployed state to its retracted state when the pump 7 is disassembled. Thus, during a disassembly of the pump 7, a detachment torque is induced between said pump and the partition member 15, in particular by pressing the periphery of the disc 16 on the inner wall, so as to leave said partition member inside the body 1 .

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. System for dispensing a fluid product, comprising a flexible body (1) delimiting a variable internal volume by deformation of said body, said body having a tube (2) provided with an open end (3) and an end (4) equipped an upper flange (5) which is surmounted by a neck (6) in which a dispensing device (7) is sealingly mounted, said system being characterized in that it further comprises a partition member (15) arranged inside the body (1) being in sealing contact on the inner wall of said body, said member delimiting, on either side, a conditioning volume (17) which is in communication with the open end (3). ) as well as with feeding means (10) of the dispensing device (7) and a dead volume (18) formed inside at least a part of the flange (5) and the neck (6) to be isolated from the open end (3). 2. Dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) is formed in a separate part of the dispensing device (7), said member being mounted on said device. 3. Dispensing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) is detachably mounted on the dispensing device (7), said assembly being arranged for, in case of disassembly between the device of distribution (7) and the body (1), cause detachment of said organ. 4. Dispensing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) has a disc (16) whose periphery is in sealing contact on the inner wall of the body (1) and a bore ( 20) in which the dispensing device (7) is sealingly mounted. 5. Dispensing system according to rune any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the dispensing device (7) is of the type without reprise11 air so as to induce deformation of the flexible body (1) as and when of distribution. 6. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the dispensing device is a pump (7) manually operated. 7. Dispensing system according to claim 6, characterized in that the pump (7) has a lower portion (8a) provided with a supply port (10), the partition member (15) being disposed of sealingly around said lower part. 8. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the neck (6) has an internal dimension which is smaller than the internal dimension of the tube (2), the collar (5) having a variable internal dimension for making the junction between said neck and said tube. 9. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) is rigid relative to the deformation of the body (1). 10. Dispensing system according to rune any of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the partition member (15) is inserted into the body (1) prior to mounting the dispensing device (7) in the neck (6) Said member being held in said body so that said device can be mounted thereon by disposing the supply means (10) in communication with the conditioning volume (17). 11. Dispensing system according to claim 10, characterized in that the inner wall of the body (1) has at least one ring (22) for holding in position the partitioning member (15) in said body. 12. Dispensing system according to claim 8, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) is integral with the dispensing device (7) prior to its mounting in the neck (6), said member being deformable between a retracted mounting state. said device in said neck and an expanded state of partitioning. 13. Dispensing system according to claim 12, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) comprises a disc (16) elastically deformable between its retracted and deployed states, said disc being arranged so that its periphery remains in sliding contact. along the inner walls of the neck (6), the flange (5) and optionally the tube (2) during assembly of the dispensing device (7). 14. Dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the partitioning member (15) is in sealing contact on the inner wall of the collar (5) or on an area of the inner wall of the tube ( 2) which is adjacent to said flange. 15. A method of packaging a fluid product in a dispensing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it provides for the disposition of the body (1) so that the open end (3) of the tube ( 2) is disposed above the neck (6), [introducing the product into said open end to fill the conditioning volume (17) without introducing product into the dead volume (18), then closing said open end to sealing said conditioning volume.