FR3012434A1 - - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a liquid dispensing device (1) for dispensing a homogenized liquid mixture, comprising: - a container (6); - a variable volume pocket (3) placed inside the container (6); - a distribution command (4); and - at least one solid homogenization inclusion (5) placed inside the pocket (3); wherein the container (6), the bag (3) and the dispensing control (6) are assembled to one another to form an inner chamber (21) for receiving the homogenized liquid mixture and an external space ( 11) for receiving a pressurized gas so that, in use, the pressurized gas clamps the bag (3) when actuated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the technical field of liquid dispensing devices, and more particularly dispensing devices commonly called "pocket valve" dispensing devices. STATE OF THE ART Liquid dispensing devices for dispensing homogenized liquid mixtures are known. An example of such liquid dispensing devices is described for example in WO 2006/087462 and EP 2 129 598, and comprises a container, a variable volume bag inserted inside the container and a dispensing control. The pouch has an open end that is attached to the dispensing control to form an interior chamber. A seal placed between the bag and the dispensing control ensures fluid tightness of the inner chamber. The container, pouch and dispensing control together form a pocket-enclosing and fluid-tight space. The fluid-tight space is filled with pressurized gas and the inner chamber with a liquid formulation. Thus, the liquid formulation is not directly in contact with the pressurized gas. This type of fluid dispensing device is commonly referred to as a "pocket valve" dispensing device. Such "pocket valve" dispensing devices are satisfactory for the distribution of homogenized liquid mixtures which are stable over time, that is to say which do not destabilize and in which the constituents do not separate one another. others. Unfortunately, some homogenized liquid mixtures are not sufficiently stable over their shelf life and begin to destabilize with the separation of their constituents. They can not then be satisfactorily distributed with a pocket valve dispensing system. For example, when the homogenized liquid mixture is a suspension of solid particles in a solvent, the solid particles thereof can begin to settle to the bottom of the pocket or float on the surface of the solvent. When the homogenized liquid mixture is an emulsion of several liquids of different densities, the emulsion may begin to separate into several liquid phases, for example due to flocculation, skimming, coalescence or maturation of Ostwald.

The invention therefore aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art in order to provide a liquid valve valve dispensing device for dispensing a homogenized liquid mixture and guaranteeing the homogeneity of the liquid mixture when it is distributed. The invention therefore proposes a liquid dispensing device for dispensing a homogenized liquid mixture which comprises: a container; a pocket of variable volume placed inside the container; and a dispensing control with a container valve, the bag and the dispensing control are assembled together to form an inner chamber enclosed by the bag for receiving the homogenized liquid mixture and an outer space between the container and the bag for receiving a pressurized gas so that, in use, the pressurized gas presses the bag, thereby causing the homogenized liquid mixture of the inner chamber to pass through the valve of the dispensing control into the ambient atmosphere when the valve is actuated; and wherein the liquid dispensing device further comprises at least one solid homogenizing inclusion placed inside the pocket.

Thus, before use, the user can shake the liquid dispensing device in the case where the homogenized liquid mixture begins to destabilize so that it is homogenized again. While the liquid dispensing device is shaken or agitated, the at least one solid homogenizing inclusion moves within the interior chamber and contributes to the increased turbulence created by shaking the device and a effective re-mixing of the various constituents of the homogenized liquid mixture when it begins to destabilize. In addition, the physical separation of the pressurized fluid and the homogenized liquid mixture ensures that it remains aseptic throughout its shelf life. Other optional and nonlimiting features are as follows.

The at least one solid homogenization inclusion may be pearl or pin shaped. The at least one solid inclusion of homogenization can have the form of an at least partially concave polyhedron, more particularly the form of a star polyhedron. The at least one solid homogenization inclusion may consist of a material inert to the homogenized liquid mixture, for example stainless steel, glass or a polymer. The pocket may be devoid of projecting angles when filled to its maximum capacity, for example with a substantially cylindrical side wall and an outwardly domed bottom wall extending from one end of the pocket. the cylindrical wall, the other end of the cylindrical wall extending into a wall whose extent is increasingly reduced and having the filling opening attached to the distribution control. In particular, the cross section of the cylindrical wall may be star-shaped with rounded branches. The bag may be of a material selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), Nylon®, HDPE (high density polyethylene) (also called HDPE), PC (polycarbonate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide) and mixtures or assemblies thereof. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing the liquid dispensing device described above. The method comprises: - inserting the at least one solid homogenization inclusion inside the pocket through a filling opening thereof; - inserting the dispensing control at least partially through the filling opening of the pocket; - Attaching the pocket to the dispensing control through a fastening edge of the pocket, thereby forming an inner chamber; inserting the bag through an opening for insertion of the container, the bag being entirely placed inside the container to form an outer space between the container and the bag; filling the outer space with a pressurized fluid; and - attaching the container to the bag and / or the dispensing control through an attachment edge of the container; thereby obtaining the liquid dispensing device.

The invention further provides a liquid dispensing assembly for a liquid dispensing device with a container as described above. The liquid dispensing assembly comprises: - a variable volume bag to be placed inside the container; and - a dispensing control with a valve; wherein the bag and the dispensing control are assembled to each other to form an inner chamber enclosed by the bag for receiving the homogenized liquid mixture; and wherein the liquid dispensing assembly further comprises at least one solid homogenizing inclusion positioned within the pocket. The aforementioned optional and non-limiting features of the liquid dispensing device are also applicable to this liquid dispensing assembly. In addition, the present invention provides a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned liquid dispensing assembly. This method comprises: - inserting the at least one homogenization solid inclusion inside the pocket through the pocket filling opening; - insertiàn the distribution control at least partially through the filling opening of the pocket; - Attaching the fixing edge of the bag to the dispensing control to form an inner chamber; thereby obtaining the liquid dispensing assembly. Drawings The following drawings show examples of embodiments of the present invention. Identical reference numbers refer to features having an identical or similar function and / or having the same purpose. Identical reference numbers may also relate to identical or similar elements. Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a liquid dispensing device according to the invention with the pocket inserted inside the container and respectively before and after the filling of the bag; Figure 3 is an elevational view of a spindle-shaped homogenization solid inclusion; and Figures 4 and 7 illustrate four examples of homogenization solid inclusions in the form of star polyhedra. Description A liquid dispensing device A liquid dispensing device according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The liquid dispensing device 1 can be used to dispense a homogenized liquid mixture, such as a formulation comprising various constituents, produced in the form of a suspension or an emulsion, for example cosmetics, perfumes, sunscreens, technical products, etc.

The term "homogenized liquid mixture" designates, in the context of the present application, any emulsion or suspension made homogeneous but always liable to separate or destabilize over time, that is to say at a certain moment during its shelf life, for example due to flocculation, skimming, coalescence, Ostwald maturation or sedimentation. The liquid dispensing device 1 comprises a container 6, a variable volume bag 3 placed inside the container 6 through an insertion opening 63 thereof, and a dispensing control 4 with a valve 41. The container 6, the bag 3 and the dispensing control 4 are assembled together to form an outer space 11 between the container 6 and the bag 3 to receive a pressurized fluid therein, and a inner chamber 21 enclosed by the bag 30 to receive the homogenized liquid mixture. The pressurized fluid may be a pressurized gas such as pressurized nitrogen, pressurized air or liquefied petroleum gas. The pressure of the pressurized fluid is increased during the filling of the bag. The container 6 may be provided in the form of a bobbin having a cylindrical side wall 61 with an inward dome bottom wall 62 extending from an end 611 of the cylindrical wall. The other end 612 of the cylindrical wall forms the insertion opening 63 through which the pocket 3 can be inserted.

Nevertheless, the container 6 can have various other forms provided to withstand pressures of 1 bar to 20 bar and have an insertion opening 63 for the insertion of the bag 3 inside the container 6. The container 6 may have an attachment edge 64 surrounding the insertion opening 63 for attachment to the pocket 3 and / or the distribution control 4, for example by crimping the fastening edge 64 on the pocket 3 and / or on the dispensing control 4, to form the outer space 11. A first seal 7, for example a flat annular seal, can be provided between the container 6 and the bag 3 and / or the dispensing control 4 for sealing the fluids, particularly gases, of the external space 11. The container 6 can generally be made of metal or plastic. When the container is made of metal, the metal is selected from the group consisting of: aluminum, tin plate. If the container is plastic, the plastic is selected from the group consisting of: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), Nylon®, HDPE (high density polyethylene) (also called HDPE), PC (polycarbonate), PP (polypropylene), PA (polyamide) and mixtures or assemblies thereof. Preferably, the pouch is made of PET by an extrusion blow molding process, as known to those skilled in the art.

The bag 3 has a filling opening 31 through which the inner chamber 21 is filled with the homogenized liquid mixture. The pocket 3 may have an attachment edge 32 surrounding the filling opening 31 for attachment to the dispensing control 4 and / or the container 6, for example by crimping. A second seal 8, for example a flat annular seal, between the fixing edge 32 of the bag and the dispensing control 4 and / or the container 6 ensures the sealing of fluids, particularly liquids, of your room 21. The pocket 3 is preferably free of protruding angle when filled to its maximum capacity (see Figure 2), that is to say that it has no angle between walls forming a vertex of radius of curvature less than half the radius of the smallest of the at least one solid inclusion homogenization. Indeed, when the pocket has salient angles, when filling up to its maximum capacity, such as a pocket made of a rectangular laminated film folded and sealed at its edges (also called pillow pocket) or a pocket made of Three parts of laminated film, called Doypack pocket, the salient angles can trap the solid inclusion of homogenization. The risk of trapping becomes greater as the bag empties. In a particular embodiment, the pocket 3 may also have a substantially cylindrical side wall 33 and an outwardly domed bottom wall 34 extending from an end 331 of the cylindrical side wall. The other end 332 of the cylindrical wall is extended by a wall 35 whose extent is increasingly reduced and having the filling opening 31, optionally surrounded by an attachment edge 32. The cross section of the cylindrical wall may be star-shaped with rounded branches, particularly before introducing the bag into the container and before filling the bag with the homogenized liquid mixture. In this case, the star-shaped cross section has an empty center whose size is capable of allowing the insertion of the at least one solid inclusion of homogenization therethrough. Alternatively, the cylindrical sidewall 33 may be described as having folds which extend collinearly to the longitudinal axis A of the cylindrical wall. When the inner chamber 21 is filled with the homogenized liquid mixture, the cylindrical side wall 33 extends in the manner of a bellows or an accordion. The dispensing control 4 may further include an actuator 42 for actuating the valve 41 to move it from a closed position to an open position at which the homogenized liquid mixture is dispensed. The dispensing control 4 may also comprise a mounting cup 43 to which the attachment edge 64 of the container and / or the fixing edge 32 of the bag are fixed, for example by crimping as is commonly known to the man of the job. The liquid dispensing device 1 further comprises at least one homogenization solid inclusion 5 placed inside the bag to homogenize the homogenized liquid mixture. Solid inclusion of homogenization is any solid object. The size of this solid object and the size of the filling opening 31 of the bag are adapted to each other to allow the insertion of the solid object into the inner chamber 21. The at least one inclusion solid homogenization 5 can be pearl-shaped or spindle. In particular, a solid pin-shaped homogenization inclusion 5 is generally cylindrical in shape, but may include a frustoconical end portion (see Fig. 3). Although they can be used for any homogenized liquid mixture, these forms are more suitable for suspensions. The diameter of a lossy homogenization solid inclusion may be about 0.5 mm up to the size of the filler opening, preferably about 1 mm up to the size of the filling opening. The size of the filling opening is its diameter. The dimensions of a solid pin-shaped homogenization inclusion may be about 0.5 mm up to the size of the filling opening, preferably about 1 mm up to the size of the filling opening, in diameter, and from about 5 mm to about 20 mm, preferably from about 7.5 mm to about 17.5 mm, and more preferably about 15 mm, in length. Alternatively, the at least one solid homogenization inclusion 5 may be in the form of an at least partially concave polyhedron, i.e. having at least one inwardly sinking side or vertex. Although this form is suitable for any type of homogenized liquid mixture, it can be advantageously used for emulsions. Indeed, the concavity of the polyhedron generates friction with the liquid phases which help to re-mix the liquid phases of the homogenized liquid mixture beginning to destabilize. The more the polyhedron is concave, the more it is adapted to generate friction within the homogenized liquid mixture. Thus, the partially concave polyhedron is preferably a star polyhedron. A star polyhedron is a polyhedron with a repetitive non-convexity property that gives it a star visual appearance. Such a polyhedron is described in the following articles: "Uniform polyhedra", H.S.M. Coxeter, M. S. Longuet-Higgins and J. C. Miller, in Pil. Trans., 246 A (1954), pp. 401-450; "Regular Polytopes", H.S.M. Coxeter, Dover Publications, 1973, pp. 263 and seq .; and "The Symmetries of Things," Conway, John H., Heidi Burgiel, Chaim Goodman-Strass, 2008. Four examples are shown in Figures 4 to 7; their vertices are rounded to avoid perforating the pocket. The star-shaped solid polyhedron homogenization inclusion may be considered to be virtually enclosed within a sphere whose diameter is approximately 0.5 mm up to the size of the filling aperture preferably about 1 mm to the size of the filling opening. The density of the homogenization solid inclusion is preferably greater than the density of the liquid constituents of the homogenized liquid mixture.

More precisely, the size and the density of the homogenization solid inclusion are determined as a function of the viscosity of the homogenized liquid mixture and, for the size only, as a function of the size of the filling opening. The viscosity of the homogenized liquid mixture is chosen to allow mechanical spraying of the homogenized liquid mixture. The at least one solid homogenization inclusion 5 is preferably made of a material inert to the homogenized liquid mixture, for example stainless steel, glass or a polymer. There can be a solid homogenization inclusion, two solid homogenization inclusions, three or more solid homogenization inclusions. The solid inclusions of homogenization may be of different shapes and sizes different from each other. The combination of the ladle 3, the distribution control 4 and the at least one solid homogenization inclusion 5 may constitute a semi-finished product called a liquid distribution assembly 2. A method of manufacturing a dispensing device Liquid Dispensing A method of manufacturing a liquid dispensing device as described above will be described in detail hereinafter. The method comprises: - inserting the at least one solid homogenization inclusion inside the pocket through the pocket filling opening; the insertion of the dispensing control at least partially through the filling opening of the bag; - Fixing the fixing edge of the bag to the dispensing control, thereby forming an inner chamber; inserting the bag through the container insertion opening, the bag being fully positioned within the container to form an outer space between the container and the bag; filling the outer space with a pressurized fluid; and - fixing the fixing edge of the container to the bag and / or the distribution control; thereby obtaining the liquid dispensing device. The fixing steps can be carried out in many ways, in particular by crimping.

The outer space is preferably filled with pressurized fluid to a pressure value of about 1.5 bar to about 3.5 bar, the precise value of the pressure value being chosen depending on the nature of the liquid mixture homogenized to distribute.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Liquid dispensing device (1) for dispensing a homogenized liquid mixture, comprising: - a container (6); - a variable volume pocket (3) placed inside the container (6); and - a dispensing control (4) with a valve (41); wherein the container (6), the bag (3) and the dispensing control (6) are assembled together to form an inner chamber (21) enclosed by the bag (3) to receive the homogenized liquid mixture and a outer space (11) between the container (6) and the bag (3) for receiving a pressurized gas so that, in use, the pressurized gas presses the bag (3), thereby causing the homogenized liquid mixture to pass through the inner chamber (21), through the valve (41) of the dispensing control, into the ambient atmosphere when the valve (41) is actuated; and wherein the liquid dispensing device (1) further comprises at least one solid homogenising inclusion (5) placed inside the pocket (3). The liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one homogenising solid inclusion (5) may be pearl or pin shaped. 3. Liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one homogenization solid inclusion (5) has a shape of an at least partially concave polyhedron. 4. Liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the partially concave polyhedron is a star polyhedron. 5. Liquid dispensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one homogenization solid inclusion (5) consists of a material inert homogenized liquid mixture. The liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the inert material is stainless steel, glass or a polymer. 7. Liquid dispensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pocket (3) is free of projecting angles when filled to its maximum capacity. The liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 7, wherein the bag (3) has a substantially cylindrical side wall (33) and an outwardly domed bottom wall (34) extending from one end (331) of the cylindrical wall, the other end (332) of the cylindrical wall extending by a wall (35) whose extent is increasingly reduced and having a filling opening (31) attached to the dispensing control (4). The liquid dispensing device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the cross section of the cylindrical side wall (33) is star-shaped with rounded branches. 10. Liquid dispensing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the bag (3) is made of a material selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), Nylon®, HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) (also called HDPE), PC (Polycarbonate), PP (Polypropylene), PA (Polyamide) and mixtures or assemblies thereof. 11. Liquid distribution assembly (2) for a liquid dispensing device with a container, particularly those able to dispense a homogenized liquid mixture, the liquid dispensing assembly (2) comprising: - a variable volume bag (3) to be placed inside the container; and - a dispensing control (4) with a valve (41); wherein the bag (3) and the dispensing control (4) are assembled to each other to form an inner chamber (21) enclosed by the bag for receiving the homogenized liquid mixture; and wherein the liquid dispensing assembly (2) further comprises at least one solid homogenizing inclusion (5) positioned within the pocket (3). 12. A method of manufacturing a liquid dispensing assembly comprising: - a variable volume bag with a filling opening surrounded by a fixing edge; - a dispensing control with a valve; and at least one solid inclusion of homogenization; the method comprising: - inserting the at least one homogenization solid inclusion within the pocket through the pocket filling opening; - inserting the dispensing control at least partially through the filling opening of the pocket; - Attaching the fixing edge of the bag to the dispensing control to form an inner chamber; thereby obtaining the liquid dispensing assembly. A method of manufacturing a liquid dispensing device comprising: - a container with an insertion opening surrounded by an attachment edge; a pocket of variable volume with a filling opening surrounded by a fixing edge; - a dispensing control with a valve; at least one solid inclusion of homogenization; the method comprising: - inserting the at least one homogenization solid inclusion within the pocket through the pocket filling opening; - inserting the dispensing control at least partially through the filling opening of the pocket; fastening the fastening edge of the pouch to the dispensing control, thereby forming an inner chamber; - The insertion of the bag through the opening of insertion of the container, the bag being entirely placed inside the container to form an outer space between the container and the bag; filling the outer space with a pressurized fluid; and fixing the attachment edge of the container to the bag and / or dispensing control, thereby obtaining the liquid dispensing device.