JP2011105390A - Assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid, particularly cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a packaging and dispensing assembly having a relatively simple structure wherein liquid can be dispensed in a relatively accurate fashion. <P>SOLUTION: The packaging and dispensing assembly (1) for the liquid comprises a liquid container (2) and a refillable unit (10). The refillable unit comprises a body (25) and a piston (32) which cooperates with the body so as to define a storage chamber (55) of a variable volume for storing the liquid. The storage chamber (55) can be disposed in fluid communication with the container. Further, the refillable unit comprises a pump (150) which can take the liquid from the container when the refillable unit is mounted thereon, and can take the liquid from the storage chamber (55) when the refillable unit is separated from the container. The pump comprises a pump chamber (157) which is different from the storage chambers (55; 338). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a packaging and dispensing assembly for cosmetics containing liquids, especially care products.

  In the sense of the present invention, the term “cosmetics” is used to denote cosmetics as defined in Directive 93/35 / EEC dated 14 June 1993 which amends Directive 76/768 / EEC.

French Patent Application No. 2,773,443 discloses a refillable atomizer spray having a body with a chamber for storing a liquid. The atomizer further includes a piston that is slidably received within the body and that can be depressed to reduce the volume of the chamber and dispense liquid. The amount of material dispensed is determined by the length of the piston downstroke, and the chamber is completely emptied when the piston is pushed down over its full stroke. With this atomizer, it is not easy to dispense an accurate amount of liquid corresponding to a portion of the maximum capacity of the chamber.
French patent application 2,705,039 describes a dispenser device containing a liquid and having a container with a first pump and a refillable bottle with a second pump. is doing. The bottle can be refilled with liquid via the first pump. To dispense the liquid contained in the bottle, the user separates the bottle from the container and then activates the second pump.

French patent application 2,813,291 describes a system for filling an auxiliary bottle from a main bottle. The main bottle includes a tube that allows the main bottle and the auxiliary bottle to be in fluid communication with each other. The auxiliary bottle is equipped with a pump, which must be removed before interconnecting the main bottle and the auxiliary bottle for refilling.
French Patent 2,802,447 describes a refillable spray system having a tank and a spray with a pump. The tank and the spray are provided with ducts suitable for being temporarily connected to one another in order to be able to refill the spray. The duct extending into the spray is open at the top end to allow liquid to flow directly into the tank of the spray system.
French Patent Application No. 2,556,091 describes a detachable refillable device having a body and a piston slidably received within the body. This device does not include a pump.

  The present invention seeks to provide a packaging and dispensing assembly that is relatively simple and has a structure that can dispense liquid relatively accurately.

Thus, the present invention is a liquid packaging and dispensing assembly,
A container containing liquid;
A refillable unit that is separably attached to the container,
A main body and a piston that is movable relative to the main body and that cooperates with the main body to form a variable volume storage chamber, the storage chamber being attached to the container with a refillable unit; The refillable unit can be placed in fluid communication with the container to be filled from the container,
-When the refillable unit is attached to the container, the liquid can be removed from the container, and when the refillable unit is separated from the container, the apparatus further comprises a pump that can remove the liquid from the storage chamber; In the above assembly having a pump chamber different from the chamber, i.e. not coincident with the storage chamber,
The storage chamber provides an assembly that is formed above the piston when the refillable unit is viewed with its top on top.

In accordance with the present invention, when a refillable unit is used separately from a container, one or more metered amounts of liquid can be dispensed relatively accurately, each amount being part of the maximum volume of the storage chamber. It corresponds to only. The amount dispensed is determined by the maximum capacity of the pump chamber, where the maximum capacity of the pump chamber is smaller than the maximum capacity of the storage chamber.
Moreover, the liquid contained in the container can be taken out using the pump.
If the container has an outlet orifice suitable for being in fluid communication with the reservoir of the refillable unit for refill purposes, the container need not be equipped with a pump that can supply liquid to the outlet orifice. Thus, the structure of the container is relatively simple.
Thus, the assembly of the present invention can have only one pump, i.e., a pump of a refillable unit, thus reducing costs.
Advantageously, the refillable unit is arranged to generate a suction force in the storage chamber so that it can be filled at least when the storage chamber is in fluid communication with the container.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pump chamber is isolated from the storage chamber at least while the pump is dispensing liquid.
In an embodiment of the invention, the pump has a suction orifice, and when the refillable unit is attached to the container, the suction orifice of the pump is proximate to the outlet orifice of the container, for example in a vertical alignment with the outlet orifice. It is suitable to be arranged.
Thus, liquid exiting the container through the outlet orifice can follow a relatively short path toward the pump's suction orifice, thereby limiting head loss.

In an embodiment of the invention, the pump is an “airless” pump, ie a pump that does not have an air intake. The pump may be pre-compressed or may not be pre-compressed.
The container may have a support configured to receive a refillable unit, the support being stationary with respect to other parts of the container, for example. The support may be constituted by a separate part, or may be formed integrally with the container.
Each of the refillable unit and the container may have a fastening part suitable for cooperating with each other, in particular releasable by snapping, screw fastening, plug-in fastening, friction or any other method. This allows the refillable unit to be secured to the container while the storage chamber is filled with liquid and / or while the pump of the refillable unit is used to remove liquid from the container.

Advantageously, at least one of the refillable unit and the container, when at least using the refillable unit to remove liquid from the container, isolates the pump suction orifice from the outside in a leak-tight manner and It has an uneven part suitable for cooperating with the other of the containers.
The container may receive an air intake passage through which air can be taken in when the refillable unit pump is used to remove liquid from the container.

As a variant, the container is not equipped with an air intake and in particular has a piston or bag in contact with the liquid. In one example, the container may have a piston that moves in response to liquid being withdrawn from the container. As an example, as a modification, the liquid may be placed in a soft bag.
Preferably, the volume of the storage chamber is at its minimum when the refillable unit is attached to the container, particularly with the pump in communication with the container's dip tube, so that the pump can remove liquid from the container. For example, it is substantially zero.
The piston may have an orifice suitable for fluid communication of the container to the storage chamber.
The piston advantageously has a shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the pump, so that the amount of liquid remaining in the refillable unit can be reduced when the reservoir volume is in its final state.
The refillable unit has a check valve that can move between a first position that closes the orifice of the piston and a second position that allows liquid to flow through the orifice. Is good. The check valve may have a body with an internal passage.

Alternatively, the check valve has a ball and the refillable unit has an elastic return member configured to apply a force to the ball that tends to return the ball to the closed first position.
The piston may have a fastening part suitable for releasably cooperating with the fastening part of the container, particularly by screw fastening or snapping, when the refillable unit is attached to the container.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the piston has a skirt that defines a passage that communicates with the orifice of the piston, and the skirt has a fastening portion.

As a variant, the piston has substantially coaxial inner and outer skirts, the fastening part being provided in the outer skirt, which in particular constitutes a passage in communication with the piston orifice.
The container may have a central portion suitable for fitting into the body of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is attached to the container, the central portion cooperating with the fastening portion of the piston. It has a fastening part suitable for. The central portion may be adapted to fasten a dip tube.
The container can contain cosmetic or care products, in particular perfume. The liquid may be a cream, for example.

The present invention is also a refillable unit configured to be separably attached to a container comprising:
A body and a piston that can move relative to the body and that cooperates with the body to form a variable volume storage chamber and attach a refillable unit to the container to be filled from the container And the storage chamber can be in fluid communication with the container and the refillable unit is
A pump further capable of removing liquid from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container and capable of removing liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separated from the container; In the refillable unit having a pump chamber different from the storage chamber,
The storage chamber provides a refillable unit that is formed above the piston when the refillable unit is viewed with its top on top.

At least when the storage chamber is in fluid communication with the container, the refillable unit may be configured to generate a suction force in the storage chamber so that the suction chamber can be filled by this suction force.
The volume of the pump chamber is preferably smaller than the maximum volume of the storage chamber.
The piston may have an orifice that allows the container to be in fluid communication with the storage chamber.

The invention also in another aspect is a method of dispensing a liquid comprising:
Providing a container for storing liquid and a packaging and dispensing assembly having a refillable unit as described above;
Using a refillable unit, remove the liquid from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container, or remove the liquid from the reservoir of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is separated from the container Stages,
-Dispensing a certain amount of liquid withdrawn by the refillable unit by operating the pump at full stroke, the amount of liquid being dispensed is only a part of the maximum volume of the storage chamber In particular, the method is characterized by being less than 1/10 of that.

If the pump has a suction orifice and the container has an outlet orifice, the method
Communicating the suction orifice with the outlet orifice;
Removing the liquid from the container.
When the refillable container has a main body and a piston that slides within the main body, the above method comprises:
Attaching the refillable unit to the container;
Moving the piston relative to the body to increase the volume of the storage chamber, the piston moving away from the pump during this movement.

It is a general | schematic fragmentary view of the packaging combined use dispensing assembly of this invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic partial axial sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic partial axial sectional view of the releasable unit of the assembly of FIG. 2 separated from the container. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial axial sectional view of a pump of the refillable unit of the assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3. It is a general | schematic partial axial sectional view of the packaging and dispensing apparatus which comprises another embodiment of this invention. It is a general | schematic fragmentary axial sectional view which shows the packaging assembly which comprises another embodiment of this invention in one of two mutually different positions. It is a general | schematic fragmentary axial sectional view which shows the packaging assembly which comprises another embodiment of this invention in the other of two mutually different positions.

The subject matter of the present invention can be better understood after reading the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments thereof and referring to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a packaging and dispensing assembly or dispenser type packaging assembly 1 according to the present invention.
The assembly 1 has a container 2 including a container body 3 and a support 4 fixed to the container body 3.
The container 2 contains a liquid.
In this embodiment, the liquid is a cosmetic product, in particular a perfume or some other low viscosity liquid containing for example an alcoholic solvent.

In a variant, the liquid may be a cream, such as a care product, lotion or some other liquid applied to a part of the body or face (including hair).
The support 4 comprises an assembly skirt 5 that can be screwed onto the neck 6 of the container body 3, a substantially cylindrical wall 8 with an axis X that forms a housing 9 for receiving a refillable unit 10, and a housing 9. And a central portion 15 extending inside. The cross section of the wall 8 may be circular, elliptical or some other shape.
In this example, the assembly skirt 5 is screwed to the neck 6, but in a variant it may be fixed in some other way, in particular by snapping or crimping.
If necessary, at least one of the neck 6 and the support 4 may have an anti-rotation means for preventing the support 4 from rotating with respect to the container 2, for example, an uneven portion (not shown).
The support 4 is pressed against the neck 6 in order to prevent liquid from escaping while maintaining an air intake passage between the inside and the outside of the container 2.

In a variant, the container need not be provided with an air intake between the inside and the outside.
The cross section of the wall 8 may be circular, elliptical or some other shape.
The central portion 15 has a tubular wall 16 with an axis X that is slightly frustoconical and tapers upward and whose bottom end is connected to the wall 8 via the bottom wall 17.
In a variant, the shape of the wall 16 may be some other shape.
A dip tube 99 is secured in the interior space defined by the tubular wall 16, and the dip tube 99 opens at the outlet orifice 19 formed at the central portion 15 at its top end.
Above the exit orifice 19, the top end of the central portion 15 has a fastening portion 20, which in this example comprises an annular bead 21, the purpose of which will be described below.

The central portion 15 has an internal annular groove 22 between the fastening portion 20 and the orifice 19.
The refillable unit 10 has a body 25 with a cylindrical wall 26 and a bottom wall 27 with an axis X. The bottom wall 27 has an opening 28 through which the central portion 15 can be inserted when the refillable unit 10 is inserted into the housing 9.
The body 25 includes splines 30 at the bottom, which are parallel to the axis X and are designed to serve as abutments as described below.
The refillable unit 10 has a piston 32 that presses against the inner surface of the body 25 via a bottom annular lip 33 and a top annular lip 34.

The piston 32 cooperates with the main body 25 to form a variable volume storage chamber 55 above the piston 32. The piston 32 has a skirt 35 extending below the lips 33, 34, and this skirt 35 constitutes a passage 36 that allows the space above the piston 32 to communicate with the space below the piston.
The skirt 35 has an inner annular bead 37 at the top and an orifice 38 into which a check valve 39 is fitted at the bottom.
In this example, the bottom of the skirt 35 is connected to a fastening portion 42 having an annular groove 48, and the annular bead 21 of the container 2 can be fitted into the annular groove 48 by snapping.

The check valve 39 has a hollow body provided with an internal passage 45 having an axis X, and the top of the internal passage 45 is open to the outside through a side opening 47.
The check valve 39 has an annular bead 46 on its outer surface, which is suitable for snapping into the groove 22 of the container 2 so that the check valve 39 and the container 2 A leak-proof bearing with the central portion 15 and fastening between them are performed.
An additional annular bead 51 is provided on the outer surface of the check valve 39 above the annular bead 46, such that when the check valve 39 is moved upward in the orifice 38, a certain amount of frictional force is applied. When the refillable unit 10 is attached to the container 2 at a fixed position by pressing against the inner surface of the skirt 35, the movement of the check valve 39 is limited.
The bead 51 can also maintain the check valve 39 in the closed position when the refillable unit 10 is used separately from the container 2 so that the refillable unit 10 is leak-proof.

The check valve 39 comprises a frustoconical top 49, which is suitable for pressure contact with the frustoconical surface 52 of the skirt 35, whereby the refillable unit 10 is illustrated. As can be understood from FIG. 3, when separated from the container 2, the orifice 38 of the piston 5 is closed.
The refillable unit 10 has a top wall 54 with an assembly skirt 56 that is secured within the body 25.
The skirt 56 also serves to hold the airless pump 150 with the pump chamber 157.
The pump 150 has a duct 162 that is relatively short compared to the height of the main body 25, and a suction orifice 163 at the bottom end of this duct.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pump 150 may have a body 151 fixed to the skirt 56 by, for example, snapping.
The operation rod 152 is provided in the main body 151 so as to slide against the action of the return spring 153 that works in the compressed state. An end component 154 is fixed to the bottom end of the operation rod 152.
As can be understood from FIG. 2, a push button 98 that functions as an actuator member and as a dispenser member is fitted as a pressure fit on the top end of the operation rod 152.
The operating rod 152 has an axial bore 158 that extends to its top end and opens into the pump chamber 150 via a radial orifice 155.
A piston 156 is provided to slide around the operation rod 152, and the piston 156 forms a pump chamber 157 in cooperation with the main body 151.
The main body 151 forms a seat for a ball 159, which closes the orifice 163 in the rest state.
When the operating rod 152 is in a rest state, the orifice 155 is closed by the piston 156.

When the user presses the push button 98, the operation bar 152 is pushed down into the main body 151. The piston 156 is not driven by the operating rod 152 at the start of the pressing stroke. Thus, the operating rod moves relative to the piston 156, thereby releasing the orifice 155. As the operating rod 152 continues to push down, this entrains the piston 156 downward. Next, the liquid in pump chamber 157 is compressed and flows through orifice 155 and into bore 158 for dispensing.
While the operating rod 152 is moving downward, the ball 159 remains pressed against its seat on the bottom of the main body 151, thereby isolating the pump chamber 157 from the storage chamber 55.

When the user releases the push button 98, the operation bar 152 starts to move by sliding in the piston 156 and finally comes into contact with the end piece 154 at the top.
Then, the axial bore 158 is isolated from the pump chamber 157, and the operating rod 152 receives the driving force from the spring 153 and continues to move upward, whereby a suction force is generated in the pump chamber 157. 159 is lifted and liquid is drawn into the pump chamber 157.
Of course, the pump 150 may be of some other construction without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular using a suction check valve made of e.g. elastomer instead of the ball 159. Also good.

The piston 32 has a shape that substantially matches the outer shape of the pump 150 so that the volume of the reservoir and passage 36 is as small as possible when the piston is fully lifted.
The orifice 163 is located far from the top wall of the storage chamber 55 so as to be immersed in the liquid, even if the layer of air is located above the liquid in the top of the storage chamber 55. ing.
In this example, the skirt 35 surrounds the pump duct 162 with a slight gap, and the bead 37 presses against the pump 150 in a leak-proof manner.
The assembly 1 can be used in various ways.
For the purpose of taking out and dispensing the liquid contained in the container 2, the user attaches the refillable unit 10 to the container 2, and the fastening portion 42 of the piston 32, as shown in FIG. It is made for it to be in a fitting state in the fastening part 21.

The closure member 39 is moved upward to open the side opening 47 so that the internal passage 45 first communicates with the passage 36 of the skirt 35 and then with the outlet orifice 19 of the container 2. it can.
When the refillable unit 10 is secured to the container 2, the volume of the storage chamber 55 is at its minimum, the piston 32 is pushed until it presses against the pump 150, and the annular bead 37 can be seen in FIG. The pump 150 is pressed against the duct 162 in a leak-proof manner.
When the user presses the push button 98, the liquid contained in the pump chamber of the pump 150 is dispensed.
By releasing the push button 98, the pump 150 draws in the liquid contained in the container 2, and the liquid passes through the dip tube 99, the outlet orifice 19, the check valve internal passage 45 and the passage 36 of the skirt 35. Flows along the path.

When an additional pressure is applied to the push button 98, the liquid sucked in this way can be dispensed.
To fill the storage chamber 55, the user moves the body 25 of the refillable unit upward relative to the container 2, and the piston 32 remains fixed to the fastening part 20 of the container 2.
Thus, the piston 32 slides downward with respect to the main body 25, thereby generating a suction force in the storage chamber 55, and the suction force causes the liquid contained in the container 2 to flow through the internal passage 45 of the closure member 39. Can be inhaled via.

At the end of the stroke, the bottom lip 33 of the piston 32 presses against the spline 30 through a relatively stiff portion and the user continues to move the refillable unit 10 upwards,
The skirt 35 is released from the central portion 15 and the check valve 39 remains fixed to the central portion 15;
The frustoconical portion 49 presses against the corresponding frustoconical surface 52 of the skirt 35 to close the orifice 38;
The check valve 39 is released from the central portion 15.

Such a sequence allows the check valve 39 to be in the closed position when the refillable unit 10 is removed.
When the refillable unit 10 is separated from the container 2, the user can dispense the liquid contained in the storage chamber 55 by operating the pump 150.
The piston 32 moves up in the main body 25 when the storage chamber 55 becomes empty.
When the refillable unit 10 is partially filled with liquid, by attaching the refillable unit to the container 2 in place, the liquid that has entered the storage chamber 55 is expelled into the container 2 and vice versa. The stop valve 39 moves to the open position before the piston 32 is fastened to the central portion 15. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

FIG. 5 shows a packaging and dispensing assembly or dispenser type packaging assembly 200 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The assembly 200 has a refillable unit 10 'that is substantially identical to the refillable unit described above.
The refillable unit 10 ′ may have a shorter height and a larger cross section than the refillable unit 10.
The refillable unit 10 ′ can be refilled by a container 202, which has a container body 203 with a neck 206 to which a support 204 is fixed, for example by snapping.
In one example, the support includes an axial X tubular skirt 205 that extends over the neck 206 of the container body 203 to receive the refillable unit 10 '.

6 and 7 show a packaging assembly 300 according to another embodiment of the present invention.
The assembly 300 includes a container 301 including a container main body 302 and a support 303 fixed to the main body 302.
The support 303 includes an assembly skirt 304 through which the container body 302 can be screwed onto the neck 305, a lateral wall 307 that presses against the top segment of the neck 305, and a substantial axis X that forms a housing 309 that receives the refillable unit 310. And a cylindrical wall 308.
Most of the wall 308 extends below the lateral wall 307 when the assembly 300 is viewed with the head up (head up), and the wall 308 is above the lateral wall 307 and the cylindrical portion 312. Form.

The support 303 further has a central portion 313 extending into the housing 309 that is substantially cylindrical with an axis X having a bottom end connected to the wall 308 via the bottom wall 315. Wall 314.
The wall 314 has a fastening portion 317 with a groove 318 at its top end, the purpose of the groove 318 being described below.
The central portion 313 has an end piece 319 that extends into the interior space defined by the wall 314, which has a frustoconical wall 320 connected to the wall 314 below the fastening portion 317.
A cylindrical portion 322 of axis X is provided as an extension of the frustoconical wall 320, the cylindrical portion 322 having a top end communicating with the outlet orifice 323.
A dip tube 99 is secured within the interior space defined by the cylindrical portion 322, and the dip tube 99 opens at the top end toward the exit orifice 323.

The refillable unit 310 has a body 330 with a tubular wall 331 having an axis X, which has a return edge 332 at its bottom end.
The edge 332 is of a slightly frustoconical shape with an annular edge or rim 333 that tapers upward and has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than the maximum diameter of the fastening portion 317.
The rim 333 includes an opening 335 through which the central portion 313 can be inserted when the refillable unit 310 is inserted into the housing 309 of the container 301.
The refillable unit 310 has a piston 337 that cooperates with the body 330 to form a variable volume reservoir 338 above the piston 337.
The piston has outer and inner coaxial skirts 340, 341, which are connected to the inner surface of the outer skirt 340 at substantially the middle of the outer skirt 340 and are substantially tapered downwardly. An opening 342 having a conical shape is formed.

Piston 337 is connected to outer skirt 340 and has a bottom and top annular lips 345, 346 that are in pressure contact with the inner surface of body 330.
The outer skirt 340 has a fastening portion 347 with an annular bead 348 that snaps into a groove 318 in the fastening portion 317 of the container 301 when the refillable unit 310 is inserted into the container housing 309. It is comprised so that it may be in the state fitted by the clasp.
The inner skirt 341 forms a housing 350 configured to receive a check valve having a ball 351, which can press the ball 351 to close a passage 353 formed by the inner skirt 341. A bearing surface 352 is provided.

The refillable unit 310 has an elastic return member 354 configured to exert a force on the ball 351, which presses the ball against the bearing surface 352 so as to close the passage 353.
In this example, the elastic return member 354 is formed of a spiral spring. One end of the spiral spring is in pressure contact with the ball 351, and the opposite end is in pressure contact with the piston 337.
The annular bearing surface 352 constitutes an orifice 355 suitable for fluid communication with the outlet orifice 323 of the container.
The main body 330 has a bead 357 at its top end, and the bead 357 allows the pump 150 to be placed in place by a fret 358.
The pump 150 has a duct 162 suitable for fitting into the passage 353 of the piston 337 through the opening 342.

The piston has a shape that substantially matches the outer shape of the pump 150.
The assembly 300 can be used in various ways.
For the purpose of taking out and dispensing the liquid contained in the container 301, the user can refill by attaching the refillable unit 310 to the container 301 and inserting a bead 348 into the groove 318 as shown in FIG. 6. The fastening portion 347 of the unit 310 is fitted into the fastening portion 317 of the container.
The inner skirt 341 of the piston 337 is pressed against the container end piece 319 in a leak-proof manner.
Pushing the end piece 319 upward against the force exerted by the spring 354 displaces the ball 351, thereby causing it to move away from the bearing surface 352 and open the orifice 355.

When the refillable unit 310 is secured to the container 301, the volume of the storage chamber 338 is at its minimum and the piston 337 is pushed until it presses against the pump 150.
Pump 150 is pressed against piston 337 in a leak-proof manner.
The user dispenses the liquid contained in the pump chamber of the pump 150 by pressing the push button 98.
By releasing the push button 98, the pump 150 draws in the liquid contained in the container 301, and the liquid flows along a path that passes through the dip tube 99, the outlet orifice 323 and the passage 353 of the skirt 341.
To fill the reservoir 338, the user moves the body 330 of the refillable unit upward relative to the container 301 and the piston 337 remains fixed to the container fastening portion 317.

Thus, the piston 337 slides relative to the main body 330, thereby generating a suction force in the storage chamber 338, and the suction force causes the liquid contained in the container to pass through the orifice 323 of the container and the passage of the piston 337. You can inhale via 353.
At the end of the stroke, the annular edge 333 of the body 330 is pressed against the fastening portion 317 of the container and the fastening portion 347 of the piston 337, thereby contributing to the release of the annular bead 348 from the groove 318 of the container due to elastic deformation.
When the refillable unit 310 is removed from the container, the spring 354 returns the ball 351 and applies it to the bearing surface 352 to close the orifice 355 as shown in FIG.
The user can dispense the liquid contained in the storage chamber 358 by operating the pump 150.
The piston 337 moves up in the main body 330 when the storage chamber 338 is empty.

The present invention includes the following embodiments.
Embodiment [1] of the present invention is a liquid packaging and dispensing assembly (1; 300),
A container (2; 202; 301) containing liquid;
A refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) that is separably attached to the container, the refillable unit comprising:
A main body (25; 330) and a piston (32; 337) which can move relative to the main body and which cooperate with the main body to form a variable volume storage chamber (55; 338). The storage chamber (55; 338) can then be placed in fluid communication with the container so that it can be filled from the container when the refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) is attached to the container (2; 301). Yes, the refillable unit is
• A pump (150) that allows liquid to be removed from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container and can be removed from the storage chamber (55; 338) when the refillable unit is separated from the container. The assembly further comprises a pump having a pump chamber (157) different from the storage chamber (55; 338);
The storage chamber (55) is formed above the piston (32; 337) when the refillable unit is viewed with its top up, the liquid packaging and dispensing assembly (1) 300).

  Embodiment [2] of the present invention is that the refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) generates a suction force in the storage chamber at least when the storage chamber (55) is in fluid communication with the container, The assembly according to [1], wherein the assembly is configured to be able to be filled in a storage chamber.

  Embodiment [3] of the present invention is that the container has an outlet orifice (19; 323) in fluid communication with the reservoir (55; 338) of the refillable unit for filling purposes, the container being said outlet orifice. (19; 323) The assembly according to [1] or [2] above, wherein the assembly is not equipped with a pump capable of sending liquid.

  Embodiment [4] of the present invention is characterized in that the pump chamber (157) is isolated from the storage chamber (55; 338) at least while the pump is dispensing liquid. [3] The assembly according to any one of [3].

  In the embodiment [5] of the present invention, any one of the above [1] to [4], wherein the volume of the pump chamber (157) is smaller than the maximum volume of the storage chamber (55; 338). The assembly described in 1.

  In the embodiment [6] of the present invention, the pump has a suction orifice (163), and when the refillable unit is attached to the container, the suction orifice (163) of the pump (150) is perpendicular to the outlet orifice. The assembly according to any one of the above [1] to [5], wherein the assembly is suitable for being placed close to the outlet orifice (19; 323) of the container. .

  Embodiment [7] of the present invention is the assembly according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the pump (150) is an airless pump.

  In an embodiment [8] of the present invention, the container has a support (4; 204; 303) configured to receive a refillable unit, said support (4; 204; 303) being the rest of the container The assembly according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the assembly is stationary.

  Embodiment [9] of the present invention is that the refillable unit and the container each have a fastening portion (41, 42; 317; 347) suitable for releasable cooperation, in particular by snapping or screw fastening. The assembly according to any one of [1] to [8], which is characterized in that

  In the embodiment [10] of the present invention, at least one of the refillable unit and the container isolates the pump suction orifice (63) from the outside in a leak-tight state when at least the refillable unit is used to remove liquid from the container. Among the above [1] to [9], characterized by having a concavo-convex portion (49; 22; 46; 318; 348) suitable for cooperating with the other of the refillable unit and the container. The assembly according to any one of the above.

Embodiment [11] of the present invention is the assembly according to any one of [1] to [10], wherein the container has an air intake passage.
Embodiment [12] of the present invention is the assembly according to any one of [1] to [10] above, wherein the container does not include an air intake port.

  Embodiment [13] of the present invention is that the refillable unit (10; 310) is placed in a container (10; 310) so that the pump can remove liquid from the container, particularly with the pump in communication with the dip tube (99) of the container. 2) The assembly according to any one of [1] to [12] above, wherein the volume of the storage chamber (55; 338) is in its minimum state when attached to 2).

  In an embodiment [14] of the present invention, the piston (32; 337) has an orifice (38; 355) suitable for fluidly communicating the container (2; 301) to the storage chamber (55; 338). The assembly according to any one of [1] to [13], wherein the assembly is characterized.

  Embodiment [15] of the present invention is that a refillable unit (10; 310) has a first position that closes the orifice (38; 355) of a piston, and liquid passes through the orifice (38; 355). The assembly according to [14] above, characterized by having a check valve (39; 351) that can move between a second position that allows flow.

  An embodiment [16] of the present invention is the assembly according to the above [15], wherein the check valve (39) has a main body provided with an internal passage (45).

  In an embodiment [17] of the present invention, the check valve has a ball (351) and the refillable unit (310) applies a force to the ball that tends to return the ball to the closed first position. The assembly according to the above item [15], comprising an elastic return member (354) configured as described above.

  Of the above-mentioned [1] to [17], the embodiment [18] of the present invention is characterized in that the piston (32; 337) has a shape substantially matching the outer shape of the pump (150). The assembly according to any one of the above.

  An embodiment [19] of the present invention is that the piston (32; 337) has a fastening portion (suitable for releasably cooperating with the fastening portion (20; 317) of the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container. 42; 347), The assembly according to any one of [1] to [18] above.

  In the embodiment [20] of the present invention, the piston (32) has a skirt (35) that forms a passage communicating with the orifice (38) of the piston, and the skirt (35) has a fastening portion (42). The assembly according to [19] above, wherein

  Embodiment [21] of the present invention is characterized in that the piston has substantially coaxial inner and outer skirts (341; 340), and the fastening portion (347) is provided on the outer skirt. The assembly according to [19] above.

  Embodiment [22] of the present invention is that the container (2) has a central portion (15;) that fits into the body (26; 330) of the refillable unit (10) when the refillable unit is attached to the container. 313), and the central portion (15; 313) has a fastening portion (20) that cooperates with a fastening portion (42; 347) of the piston. The assembly according to any one of them.

  An embodiment [23] of the present invention is the assembly according to the above [22], wherein the central portion (15; 313) is adapted to fasten the dip tube (99).

  Embodiment [24] of the present invention is the assembly according to any one of the above [1] to [23], wherein the container contains a care product, particularly a cosmetic containing perfume.

  An embodiment [25] of the present invention is the assembly according to the above [24], wherein the liquid is a cream.

An embodiment [26] of the present invention is a refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) configured to be separably attached to a container,
A main body (25; 330) and a piston (32; 337) which can move relative to the main body and which cooperate with the main body to form a variable volume storage chamber (55; 338). However, when the refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) is attached to the container (2; 301) so that it is filled with liquid from the container, the storage chamber (55; 338) is in fluid communication with the container. The refillable unit is
• A pump that allows liquid to be removed from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container, and liquid to be removed from the storage chamber (55; 338) when the refillable unit is separated from the container. 150), wherein the pump has a pump chamber (157) different from the storage chamber (55; 338).
The storage chamber (55) is formed above the piston (32; 337) when the refillable unit is viewed with its top on top.

  In the embodiment [27] of the present invention, at least when the storage chamber (55; 338) is in fluid communication with the container (2), the refillable unit generates a suction force in the storage chamber. The refillable unit according to the above [26], wherein the refillable unit is configured to be able to be filled.

  An embodiment [28] of the present invention is the refillable unit according to [26] or [27], wherein the volume of the pump chamber (157) is smaller than the maximum volume of the storage chamber (55; 338). .

  Embodiment [29] of the present invention is characterized in that the piston (32; 337) has an orifice (38; 355) for fluidly communicating the container (2; 301) to the storage chamber (55; 338). The replenishable unit according to any one of [26] to [28].

Embodiment [30] of the present invention is a method for dispensing a liquid, comprising:
Providing a packaging and dispensing assembly (1; 300) having a container (2; 301) for containing liquid and a refillable unit (10; 310) according to any one of claims 26-29; ,
Using the refillable unit to remove the liquid from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container, or to remove the liquid from the reservoir of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is separated from the container; ,
-Dispensing a certain amount of liquid withdrawn by the refillable unit by operating the pump at full stroke, the amount of liquid dispensed being only part of the maximum volume of the storage chamber , In particular less than 1/10 of that.

In an embodiment [31] of the present invention, the pump has a suction orifice (163), the container has an outlet orifice (19; 323), and the method comprises:
Communicating the suction orifice (163) to the outlet orifice (19);
-The method according to [30] above, comprising the step of removing the liquid from the container.

Embodiment [32] of the present invention provides:
Attaching the refillable unit (10; 310) to the container (2; 301);
And moving the piston relative to the main body to increase the volume of the storage chamber, wherein the piston moves away from the pump during this movement.
Throughout this specification, with respect to the number of components, the term “comprises a” means “comprises at least of” unless otherwise specified. Should be understood to be synonymous with.

1,300 Liquid packaging and dispensing assembly 2,202,301 Container 10,10 '310 Refillable unit 19,323 Outlet orifice 25,330 Body 32,337 Piston 55,338 Storage chamber 150 Pump 157 Pump chamber

Claims (32)

A liquid packaging and dispensing assembly (1; 300),
A container (2; 202; 301) containing liquid;
A refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) that is separably attached to the container, the refillable unit comprising:
A main body (25; 330) and a piston (32; 337) which can move relative to the main body and which cooperate with the main body to form a variable volume storage chamber (55; 338). The storage chamber (55; 338) can then be placed in fluid communication with the container so that it can be filled from the container when the refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) is attached to the container (2; 301). Yes, the refillable unit is
• A pump (150) that allows liquid to be removed from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container and can be removed from the storage chamber (55; 338) when the refillable unit is separated from the container. The assembly further comprises a pump having a pump chamber (157) different from the storage chamber (55; 338);
An assembly characterized in that the storage chamber (55) is formed above the piston (32; 337) when the refillable unit is viewed with its top on top.   The refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) is configured to generate a suction force in the storage chamber so that the storage chamber can be filled at least when the storage chamber (55) is in fluid communication with the container. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the assembly is provided.   The container has an outlet orifice (19; 323) in fluid communication with the reservoir (55; 338) of the refillable unit for filling purposes, and the container delivers liquid to said outlet orifice (19; 323) The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pump is not provided.   4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump chamber (157) is isolated from the storage chamber (55; 338) at least while the pump is dispensing liquid.   5. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the pump chamber (157) is smaller than the maximum volume of the storage chamber (55; 338).   The pump has a suction orifice (163), and when the refillable unit is attached to the container, the suction orifice (163) of the pump (150) is aligned vertically with the outlet orifice and the outlet orifice of the container The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it is suitable for being placed close to (19; 323).   The assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (150) is an airless pump.   The container has a support (4; 204; 303) configured to receive a refillable unit, said support (4; 204; 303) being stationary relative to the rest of the container The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   9. The refillable unit and the container each have fastening parts (41, 42; 317; 347) suitable for releasable cooperation, in particular by snapping or screw fastening. The assembly according to any one of the above.   At least one of the refillable unit and the container is provided with a refillable unit and / or container for isolating the pump suction orifice (63) from the outside in a leak-tight manner when at least the refillable unit is used to remove liquid from the container. 10. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has irregularities (49; 22; 46; 318; 348) suitable for cooperating with the other.   The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container has an air intake passage.   The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container does not include an air inlet.   When the refillable unit (10; 310) is attached to the container (2) so that the pump can remove liquid from the container, particularly with the pump in communication with the dip tube (99) of the container, the reservoir (55 338) is in its minimum state, the assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.   14. The piston (32; 337) has an orifice (38; 355) suitable for fluid communication of the container (2; 301) with the storage chamber (55; 338). The assembly according to any one of the above.   A refillable unit (10; 310) has a first position that closes the orifice (38; 355) of the piston and a second that allows liquid to flow through the orifice (38; 355). 15. Assembly according to claim 14, characterized in that it has a check valve (39; 351) which can move between positions.   16. Assembly according to claim 15, characterized in that the check valve (39) has a body with an internal passage (45).   The check valve has a ball (351) and the refillable unit (310) is an elastic return member (354) configured to apply a force to the ball that tends to return the ball to the closed first position. 16. An assembly according to claim 15, comprising:   18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the piston (32; 337) has a shape substantially corresponding to the outer shape of the pump (150).   The piston (32; 337) has a fastening part (42; 347) suitable for releasably cooperating with the fastening part (20; 317) of the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18.   The piston (32) has a skirt (35) defining a passage in communication with the orifice (38) of the piston, the skirt (35) having a fastening portion (42). Assembly.   20. An assembly according to claim 19, characterized in that the piston has substantially coaxial inner and outer skirts (341; 340) and the fastening portion (347) is provided on the outer skirt.   The container (2) has a central portion (15; 313) that fits into the body (26; 330) of the refillable unit (10) when the refillable unit is attached to the container, Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein 15; 313) has a fastening part (20) cooperating with a fastening part (42; 347) of the piston.   23. Assembly according to claim 22, characterized in that the central part (15; 313) is adapted to fasten a dip tube (99).   24. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that the container contains a care product, in particular a cosmetic containing perfume.   25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the liquid is a cream. A refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) configured to be separably attached to a container,
A main body (25; 330) and a piston (32; 337) which can move relative to the main body and which cooperate with the main body to form a variable volume storage chamber (55; 338). However, when the refillable unit (10; 10 '; 310) is attached to the container (2; 301) so that it is filled with liquid from the container, the storage chamber (55; 338) is in fluid communication with the container. The refillable unit is
• A pump that allows liquid to be removed from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container, and liquid to be removed from the storage chamber (55; 338) when the refillable unit is separated from the container. 150), wherein the pump has a pump chamber (157) different from the storage chamber (55; 338).
The storage chamber (55) is formed above the piston (32; 337) when the refillable unit is viewed with its top on top.   When at least the storage chamber (55; 338) is in fluid communication with the container (2), the refillable unit is configured to generate a suction force in the storage chamber and fill the storage chamber with the suction force. 27. A refillable unit according to claim 26.   28. Refillable unit according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the volume of the pump chamber (157) is smaller than the maximum volume of the storage chamber (55; 338).   The piston (32; 337) has an orifice (38; 355) that fluidly connects the container (2; 301) to the storage chamber (55; 338). Refillable unit as described. A method for dispensing a liquid,
Providing a packaging and dispensing assembly (1; 300) having a container (2; 301) for containing liquid and a refillable unit (10; 310) according to any one of claims 26-29; ,
Using the refillable unit to remove the liquid from the container when the refillable unit is attached to the container, or to remove the liquid from the reservoir of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is separated from the container; ,
-Dispensing a certain amount of liquid withdrawn by the refillable unit by operating the pump at full stroke, the amount of liquid dispensed being only part of the maximum volume of the storage chamber , In particular less than 1/10 of that. The pump has a suction orifice (163) and the container has an outlet orifice (19; 323), the method comprising:
Communicating the suction orifice (163) to the outlet orifice (19);
31. The method of claim 30, comprising the step of removing the liquid from the container. Attaching the refillable unit (10; 310) to the container (2; 301);
32. The method of claim 31, comprising moving the piston relative to the body to increase the volume of the storage chamber, the piston moving away from the pump during this movement.

Images