FR3114307A1 - Device for packaging and distributing a product - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for packaging and dispensing a product Device (1) for packaging and dispensing a product (P), comprising: - a reservoir (2) containing the product (P) under pressure, - a valve (4) dispenser mounted on the reservoir (2), comprising a valve stem (5) the actuation of which causes the product (P) to come out of the reservoir (2), - a diffuser (6) making it possible to manually actuate the valve stem valve (5), comprising an end piece (7) in which the valve stem (5) is engaged, in contact with the latter, - a flow reducer (8) fitted in the end piece (7) in front of the stem valve (5), having an orifice (9) through which the product (P) leaves the valve stem (5) to reach the diffuser (6). Figure for abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Device for packaging and distributing a product

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, and a corresponding manufacturing method.

It is known to package a product in a pressurized container equipped with a dispensing valve comprising a rod on which is mounted a diffuser, generally in the form of a push button. When the user presses on it, the valve opens and the product gains under pressure an outlet nozzle of the diffuser.

The propulsion of the product is ensured for many devices present on the market by a liquefied gas, which is typically a hydrocarbon today.

However, there is a need to further improve the environmental footprint of these devices by replacing this liquefied gas with a compressed gas.

In this case, the product is usually mounted in a flexible pocket inside the canister, which is pressurized by the compressed gas present inside the canister.

In devices where the propellant gas is a liquefied gas, the gas comes out with the product in the form of droplets which vaporize on the outside and contribute to the formation of a good quality, weakly wetting spray.

When the propellant gas is a compressed gas, this phenomenon no longer exists, which requires the use of a diffuser specially adapted to the use of a compressed gas.

The propellant gas comes out with the product in a small quantity when using compressed gas and in a higher proportion when using liquefied gas.

The change of propellant thus implies changing the diffuser, to keep an acceptable spray.

However, to limit the costs and benefit from the investments already made for the manufacture of the diffusers fitted to the containers pressurized by a liquefied gas, it could be advantageous to keep the same diffuser.

WO2019174970 describes a flow reducer for a pressurized product dispenser equipped with a diffuser and a valve equipped with a valve stem. The flow reducer is a part separate from the valve stem and the diffuser, partially inserted into a nozzle of the diffuser and which caps the projecting end of the stem, the reducer comprising a skirt able to at least partially surround the stem valve.

There is thus a need to be able to easily modify the characteristics of a spray by making minimal modifications to an existing device, while affecting the manufacturing and filling rate as little as possible.

The invention aims to meet this need.

It achieves this through a device for packaging and distributing a product, comprising:

• a tank containing the pressurized product,
• a dispensing valve mounted on the tank, comprising a valve stem, the actuation of which causes the product to come out of the tank,
• a diffuser for manually actuating the valve stem, comprising an end piece in which the valve stem is engaged, in contact with the latter,
• a flow reducer added in the nozzle in front of the valve stem, presenting an orifice through which the product leaves the valve stem to reach the diffuser.

Thanks to the presence of the flow reducer entirely placed in the tip of the diffuser, the flow of product reaching the diffuser when the valve is opened can be reduced, and the characteristics of the spray modified as desired, without however requiring a change of the valve or the diffuser.

It is also easy to change the flow restrictor to adapt the flow to a new formulation, if necessary.

Compared to use without a flow restrictor, it is possible to make the characteristics of the spray acceptable over a greater operating range, during tank emptying. Thanks to the invention, the valve may not be modified and its stem may retain its internal section, which makes it possible not to affect the filling step when this is carried out through the stem of the valve. Thus, the filling rate can remain compatible with mass production.

The nozzle of the diffuser makes it possible to receive and advantageously to maintain the flow restrictor and the upper part of the valve stem. In particular, the valve stem comes directly via its substantially cylindrical outer surface into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface of the endpiece, in an upper part of the valve stem.

The nozzle of the diffuser may have an abutment on the inside, in particular a shoulder. In this case, the flow restrictor can be inserted between the stopper and the valve stem. The flow restrictor can be press-fitted into the nozzle.

The product circulates in the diffuser from the tip through a channel to at least one outlet, which can be equipped with a spray nozzle.

The inner section of the diffuser is preferably smaller than that of the mouthpiece.

It can also be smaller, if necessary, than the inlet orifice of said channel, through which the product circulating in the end piece reaches the channel communicating with the nozzle. This channel can emerge via the inlet orifice laterally in the end piece, or in the bottom of the latter.

For the same product at a given pressure in the tank and for the same atmospheric pressure, the product flow depends on the minimum section offered to the fluid between the valve and the diffuser. Thus, a flow reducer having a minimum section Si less than the internal section Se of the endpiece and, where applicable, than that of said aforementioned inlet orifice makes it possible to reduce the flow rate of product dispensed.

Advantageously, the minimum internal section Si of the flow restrictor and the internal section Se of the nozzle in front of the flow restrictor satisfy the relationship 10Si<Se, better 20Si<Se, better 30Si<Se, even better 200Si<Se . For example, Si is equal to approximately 0.3 mm² and Se is equal to approximately 50 mm², ie 165Si<Se.

The flow restrictor preferably has an inner section which passes through a minimum between the inlet and the outlet. Indeed, it is mainly the minimum internal section offered to the product passage which makes it possible to limit the flow that can pass through the flow reducer.

The minimum inner section Si of the flow reducer is advantageously between 0.05 and 5 mm², better still 0.05 and 1 mm ² , better still between 0.07 and 0.8 mm ² .

The flow reducer has an outer diameter Di preferably between 0.05 and 2 mm approximately, in particular between 0.1 and 1 mm approximately, preferably equal to 0.3 mm approximately.

The flow reducer has a thickness Ei preferably between 1 and 20 mm approximately, in particular between 1 and 10 mm approximately. When it is thin, the flow restrictor can be easily attached to different types of end piece and does not compromise the mounting of the valve stem in the diffuser. The flow reducer is advantageously interposed axially between a shoulder of the endpiece and the valve stem.

The flow restrictor is preferably in contact only with the apex end of the valve stem. In particular, the flow restrictor preferably does not comprise a cylindrical skirt covering the inside and/or the outside of the upper part of the valve stem.

The flow reducer preferably has an outer diameter Di substantially equal to the inner diameter De of the endpiece, or even greater than the diameter De, in particular so as to be retained by clamping therein and to be applied in a substantially sealed manner at its periphery on the inner surface of the tip.

The flow restrictor can be snap-fitted and/or clamped into the nozzle.

The valve stem is preferably depress-release or rocker-release.

The inside diameter De of the tip is advantageously substantially equal to, or even greater than, the outside diameter Dv of the valve stem. In this way, product leakage can be avoided at the junction of the valve stem and the nozzle.

The minimum internal area Si of the flow restrictor is preferably less than or equal to the internal area Sv of the outlet of the valve stem. Preferably,the minimum internal section Si of the flow restrictor and the internal section Sv verify the relationship 10Si<Sv, better 20Si<Sv, better 30Si<Sv, even better 200Si<Sv.

The diffuser may comprise a body that is fixed relative to the reservoir, and an actuating part that is movable relative to the body. In this case, the end piece is carried by the movable actuating part. Alternatively, the entire diffuser is movable with the valve stem. The diffuser is conventionally produced by injection molding of one or more thermoplastic materials. The valve stem is conventionally made of plastic.

The product is preferably pressurized inside the tank by means of a compressed and non-liquefied propellant gas.

The propellant gas may or may not be mixed with the product leaving the valve stem when the latter is actuated.

The product can be contained inside the tank in a flexible bag. In this case, the reservoir may contain around the pocket a propellant gas, in particular a compressed and non-liquefied gas, in particular compressed air or compressed nitrogen. The gas pressure is for example between 1 and 15 bar approximately before the first use.

The diffuser can be arranged in such a way that the product leaves the diffuser in the form of a spray, and have one or more nozzles, with vortex channels or others.

The flow reducer is advantageously made of a non-elastomeric thermoplastic polymer material, for example a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer material (TPE) or a thermosetting polymer material

Manufacturing process

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, in combination with the foregoing, is a process for manufacturing the packaging and dispensing device as defined above, comprising the following steps:

• fill the tank with product by injecting it through the valve stem already mounted on the tank,
• mount a diffuser on the valve stem whose tip receiving the valve stem has been previously fitted with the flow restrictor.

Thanks to the invention which provides for the equipment of the diffuser with a flow reducer at the nozzle of the diffuser, the cost and the packaging time of such a packaging and distribution device are improved in comparison with the costs and time required for packaging a packaging and dispensing device comprising a flow restriction directly placed in the orifice of the valve.

The diffuser is advantageously an already existing model for spraying a product under the pressure of a propellant gas, in particular stored in the liquefied state, in the tank on which the diffuser is mounted.

In this case, it is not necessary to develop and produce a new diffuser. In addition, the fill rate is not affected.

Range device s

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, in combination with the foregoing, is a range of devices for packaging and dispensing a product comprising at least a first device according to the invention, as defined more top and a second packaging and dispensing device, which may or may not be according to the invention, or may not include a flow reducer.

This second device comprises a reservoir containing a product and a propellant gas, fitted with a dispensing valve comprising a valve stem, the actuation of which causes the product to come out of the reservoir.

The second device comprises a diffuser for manually actuating the valve stem, comprising an endpiece receiving the valve stem, in which the latter is engaged and in contact with the endpiece.

The fittings for mounting the diffusers of the first and second devices are identical.

The valve stems of the valves of the first and second devices are also identical.

Preferably, the second device is a device according to the invention. The flow restrictor of the second device has, in this case, a minimum internal section Si different from the minimum internal section Si of the flow restrictor of the first device.

Alternatively, the second device has no flow reducer.

Brief description of figures

The invention may be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

there represents, schematically, in side view, an example of a dispensing and packaging device according to the invention,

there is seen in a schematic partial axial section of part II of the device of the ,

there schematically represents, in an isolated and partial manner, in longitudinal section, the nozzle of the diffuser of the device of the , fitted with the flow reducer,

there schematically represents, in top view and in isolation, the flow reducer of the ,

there is a schematic view, in longitudinal section along V, of the flow reducer of the ,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a view similar to the another example of a flow reducer,

there is a graph illustrating the evolution of the quality of the spray as a function of the emptying of the reservoir for a device according to the invention and for a device without a flow reducer,

there is a block diagram illustrating the steps of an exemplary method according to the invention,

there represents, in partial longitudinal section and schematically, a range of devices according to the invention, and

there is a view analogous to of another example of a device according to the invention.

detailed description

In the remainder of the description, identical elements or identical functions bear the same reference sign. For the purpose of conciseness of the present description, they are not described with regard to each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described.

In the figures, the actual proportions have not necessarily been respected, for the sake of clarity.

There is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 an example of device 1 for distribution and packaging according to the invention.

As visible in Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 comprises a reservoir 2 containing a product P, in this example a cosmetic product, which extends along a longitudinal axis Z and a diffuser 6, mounted on the reservoir 2, being by example snapped or otherwise attached to the tank at its upper end.

The product P is contained inside the reservoir 2. In this embodiment, the product P is contained in a flexible pocket 10, represented schematically and partially in dotted lines, and the reservoir 2 contains, around the pocket 10, a non-liquefied propellant gas 11, for example compressed nitrogen gas.

The device 1 comprises a dispensing valve 4 mounted on the reservoir 2 in a manner known per se, for example by means of a crimped metal cup, and comprising a valve stem 5 extending along the longitudinal axis Z and the actuation of which causes the product P to exit from the reservoir 2. In this example, the valve stem 5 is triggered by depression.

In a variant illustrated on the , the product P is pressurized inside the tank 2 by means of a compressed and non-liquefied propellant gas 11, and mixed with the product, the gas then leaving the tank with the product via the valve stem 5 when the latter is actuated.

The diffuser 6 makes it possible to manually actuate the valve stem 5 and comprises an end piece 7 receiving the valve stem 5 and in which the valve stem 5 is engaged, being in contact with the end piece 7. The valve stem 5 comes directly via its substantially cylindrical outer surface 15 into contact with the substantially cylindrical inner surface 16 of the endpiece 7, in the upper part of the valve stem 5.

In this example, the diffuser 6 comprises a body 18 fixed relative to the reservoir 2, and an actuation part 19 movable relative to the body 18. The end piece 7 is carried by the actuation part 19.

The diffuser 6 is for example arranged such that the product P leaves it in the form of a spray.

As visible in Figures 2 and 3, the device 1 comprises a flow reducer 8 inserted into the endpiece 7 through the lower opening 24 thereof. In this example, the endpiece 7 comprises a shoulder 25 formed by a narrowing of its inner section and on which the flow reducer 8 comes to rest axially.

The flow restrictor 8 extends longitudinally between a lower end 13 and an upper end 14.

It should be noted that the flow reducer 8 is in contact, via its lower end 13, only with the top end 12 of the valve stem 5.

The flow reducer 8 has an orifice 9 extending from the lower end 13 to the upper end 14 and crossed by the product P leaving the valve stem 5 to reach the diffuser 6.

The flow reducer 8 has a minimum internal section Si which is smaller than the section Se of the nozzle downstream of the reducer 8, at 21, just above the shoulder 25.

The section Se is for example about ten times greater than the internal section Si in the example of the .

The flow reducer 8 is interposed axially between the shoulder 25 and the valve stem 5 in the end piece 7. The upper end 14 of the flow reducer 8 is in contact with the shoulder 25.

The inside diameter De of the endpiece 7 below the reducer 8 is substantially greater than the outside diameter Dv of the valve stem 5 so that the latter is forced into the endpiece. In this way, it is possible to ensure the hold of the diffuser 6 on the valve stem 5 as well as the sealing between the end piece 7 and the valve stem 5.

The flow reducer 8 has an outer diameter Di, as seen in the , in this example substantially greater than the inside diameter De, being for example equal to approximately 2 mm. The flow reducer 8 is, in this example, force-fitted in the end piece 7 in order to improve the sealing and its holding.

As seen on the , the orifice 9 of the flow reducer 8 has an inlet 28 and an outlet 29 and its minimum section Si, in this example equal to 0.196 mm², is located at a distance d from the outlet 29, for example equal to 0, 3mm.

Entry 28 has in axial section an entry fillet 31, the radius of curvature of which is 0.2 mm in this example.

The outlet 29 has in axial section an outlet fillet 33, the radius of curvature of which is 0.2 mm in this example.

The orifice 9 of the flow reducer 8 has a shape of revolution and defines between the inlet 28 and the minimum section Si a convergent portion 34 of substantially frustoconical shape, with a half-angle i at the top for example equal to 30°.

In this example, the flow reducer 8 has an outside diameter Di of 2.50 mm and a thickness Ei of 1 mm. The flow reducer 8 also has an outer contour 26 having on its entire periphery, in the lower and upper part, a fillet 27 whose radius of curvature is, in this example, 0.2 mm.

The flow restrictor 8 of the is made of a non-elastomeric thermoplastic material, in this example polypropylene.

The shape of the through hole 9 of the reducer 8 as well as its minimum section Si can vary according to requirements. Figures 6 to 12 illustrate variations of flow restrictor 8, among others.

The flow restrictor 8 shown in the has a minimum section Si equal to 0.071 mm².

In the example of the , the flow reducer 8 has a minimum section Si equal to 0.502 mm².

In the example of the , the flow reducer 8 has a minimum section Si equal to 0.785 mm².

In the example of the , the flow reducer 8 has a minimum section Si equal to 0.071 mm².

Furthermore, the convergent portion 34 of the flow reducer 8 of the is only very slightly convergent, having a half-angle i at the apex equal to 1° in this example, in particular so as to create a greater pressure drop.

In the example of the , the flow restrictor 8 is similar to that of the but has a minimum section equal to 0.196 mm².

In the example of the , the flow reducer 8 has a minimum section Si equal to 0.502 mm².

In the example of the , the flow reducer 8 has a minimum section Si equal to 0.785 mm².

The graph of the illustrates the quality Q of the spray, that is to say the evolution of the flow rate and/or the pressure as a function of the time of use of a device according to the invention, comprising a flow reducer (curve A ), and a device not in accordance with the invention, comprising the same reservoir, the same product (for example contained in a pocket) at the same pressure, the same propellant gas, the same valve and the same diffuser as the device according to the invention, but without the flow reducer (curve B).

As can be seen, there is a difference E in the quality of the spray between the two devices, the quality of the spray decreasing over time in both cases. The device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a better quality of spray than the device without reducer.

In addition, in this figure line C illustrates the limit of acceptability of the quality of the spray. It can be seen that the device according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory spray quality (above the limit C) for an operating time t2 greater than that t1 of the device without a flow reducer.

To manufacture the device, one can implement the two successive steps illustrated on the .

In a first step 51, the reservoir 2 of the device 1 is filled with product P by injecting the latter through the valve stem 5 already mounted on the reservoir 2 pressurized with the compressed gas.

In a second step 52, the diffuser 6, previously equipped with the flow reducer 8, is mounted on the valve stem 5.

It is possible to provide identical containers with different reducers or some with reducers and others not, depending on the needs, thus forming a range 60 of at least two packaging and dispensing devices, as illustrated in the .

This range 60 comprises for example devices 1a and 1b which differ by the flow reducers 8 used, the products to be sprayed being for example different, each flow reducer 8 being sized so as to optimize the quality of the spray according to the product P, and possibly the pressure of the propellant gas used.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

In particular, the flow reducer 8 may have a different geometry without departing from the scope of the invention, for example a cross-shaped internal section, or with multiple openings in order to generate a higher pressure drop.

The flow reducer 8 can be mounted in the endpiece by resting on a stop other than a shoulder, for example resting against the bottom of the endpiece.

The valve 4 can have a different trigger mode, in particular a tilt trigger.

The flow reducer 8 can be made of another material, for example another polyolefin or a PET.

Claims (11)

Device (1) for packaging and dispensing a product (P), comprising:

• a tank (2) containing the product (P) under pressure,
• a dispensing valve (4) mounted on the tank (2), comprising a valve stem (5) the actuation of which causes the product (P) to come out of the tank (2),
• a diffuser (6) for manually actuating the valve stem (5), comprising an end piece (7) in which the valve stem (5) is engaged, in contact with the latter,
• a flow reducer (8) attached to the end piece (7) in front of the valve stem (5), having an orifice (9) through which the product (P) passes, leaving the valve stem (5) to reach the diffuser (6).

Device according to the preceding claim, in which the minimum internal section (Si) of the flow reducer (8) and the internal section (Se) of the end piece (7) in front of the flow reducer (8) verify the relationship 10Si<Se, better 20Si<Se, better 30Si<Se, even better 200Si<Se, the minimum internal section (Si) of the flow reducer (8) preferably being between 0.05 and 5 mm², better still between 0 0.05 and 1 mm ² , better still between 0.07 and 0.8 mm ² , the flow reducer (8) preferably having an outer diameter (Di) of between 0.05 and 2 mm approximately, in particular between 0 , 1 and 1 mm approximately, preferably equal to 0.3 mm approximately, the flow reducer (8) preferably having a thickness (Ei) comprised between 1 and 20 mm approximately, in particular between 1 and 10 mm approximately. Device according to one of the preceding claims, the flow restrictor (8) having an internal section which passes through a minimum between the inlet (28) and the outlet (29). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the flow restrictor (8) interposing axially between a shoulder (25) of the end piece (7) and the valve stem (5). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the flow reducer (8) having an outside diameter (Di) substantially equal to the inside diameter of the endpiece (De), or even greater than the diameter De. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the minimum internal section (Si) of the flow restrictor being less than or equal to the internal section (Sv) of the outlet of the valve stem (5). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the product (P) being pressurized inside the tank (2) by means of a compressed and non-liquefied propellant gas (11), the propellant gas (11) being mixed with the product (P) leaving the valve stem (5) when the latter is actuated. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the product (P) being contained inside the reservoir (2) in a flexible pocket (10), the reservoir (2) containing around the pocket (10) a propellant gas (11), in particular a compressed and non-liquefied gas, in particular compressed air or compressed nitrogen. Method of manufacturing a packaging and dispensing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps:

• fill the tank (2) with product (P) by injecting it through the valve stem (5) already mounted on the tank (2),
• mount on the valve stem (5) a diffuser (6) whose end piece (7) receiving the valve stem (5) has been previously equipped with the flow reducer (8),

the diffuser (6) preferably being an already existing model for spraying a product (P) under the pressure of a propellant gas (11), in particular stored in the liquefied state, in the tank (2) on which the diffuser (6) is mounted. Range (60) of packaging and dispensing devices for a product comprising at least a first device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a second packaging and dispensing device comprising a reservoir (2) containing a product (P) and a propellant gas (11), provided with a dispensing valve (4) comprising a valve stem (5) the actuation of which causes the product (P) to leave the reservoir (2),
the second device (1) comprising a diffuser (6) making it possible to manually actuate the valve stem (5), comprising an end piece (7) receiving the valve stem (5), in which the latter is engaged in contact with the endpiece (7), the endpieces (7) for mounting the diffusers (6) of the first and second devices (1) being identical, the valve stems (5) of the valves (4) of the first and second devices (1) being identical,
range in which the second device is according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the flow reducer (8) of the second device having a minimum internal section (Si) different from the minimum internal section (Si) of the flow reducer flow (8) of the first device (1). Range (60) of packaging and dispensing devices for a product comprising at least a first device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and a second packaging and dispensing device comprising a reservoir (2) containing a product (P) and a propellant gas (11), provided with a dispensing valve (4) comprising a valve stem (5) the actuation of which causes the product (P) to leave the reservoir (2),
the second device (1) comprising a diffuser (6) making it possible to manually actuate the valve stem (5), comprising an end piece (7) receiving the valve stem (5), in which the latter is engaged in contact with the endpiece (7), the endpieces (7) for mounting the diffusers (6) of the first and second devices (1) being identical, the valve stems (5) of the valves (4) of the first and second devices (1) being identical,
range in which the second device has no flow reducer.