NL2028014B1 - Personal care fluid manual dosing device and method for dispensing a fluid content from a fluid container with such a fluid manual dosing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a personal care fluid manual dosing device, comprising: a housing, a micropump, a housing cap, a dispensing spring, and a lock for blocking the movement of a micropump plunger stem, wherein the lock is moveable between a locked position and a release position. The present invention also relates to an assembly of such a personal care fluid dosing device and a personal care fluid container as well as to a method for dispensing a fluid content from a fluid container.

Description

Personal care fluid manual dosing device and method for dispensing a fluid content from a fluid container with such a fluid manual dosing device The present invention relates to a personal care fluid manual dosing device. With such a manual dosing device fluids may be dispensed for — non limitative - medical and/or cosmetic purposes. Examples of such dispensers are dispensers to dispense various types of spays, drops, creams and/or emulsions in body orifices like nose, ear, mouth, anus and/or eye but also to dispense such spays, drops, creams, gels, pastas and/or emulsions on body surfaces (like the face, skin in general, arm pits and so on). Furthermore is noted that in the context of this application the word “fluid” is to be interpreted as any pumpable material like liquids, gases, liquid/gas mixtures or any further mixtures containing liquids and/or gases as well as solid particles. More specific examples are thus for instance nose spray dispensers, eye drop dispensers, deodorant sprays, sunscreen pump bottles and skin care cream manual dosing devices. The present invention also relates to an assembly of such a personal care fluid manual dosing device and a personal care fluid container and to a method for dispensing a fluid content from a fluid container with the fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention.

Inthe prior art the outflow of a dispenser may be generated (“driven”) by an overpressure of the fluid to be dispensed, in which case only an outflow opening has to be opened or closed or as an alternative the outflow may be generated by a manual operated (micro)pump that is incorporated in the dispenser, which (micro)pump generates an overpressure (in a pump chamber) as a result of operating the (micro}pump by a user. The present invention is only related to the manual operated dispenser type where a (micro)pump is incorporated in the dispenser and which (micro)pump is driven by a manual operation. In the existing manual operated dispensers the output (outflow) of manual personal care dispensers is related with the time, speed and/or force of operating the (micro)pump of the dispenser. This results in outflow of the manual dispenser that both in character as in volume is difficult accurately to control. The goal of the present invention is to provide an improved personal care fluid manual dosing device that enables to dispense an accurately controlled outflow in volume, speed and quality which outflow is independent from the manual operation characteristics of the (micro)pump.

To realize that goal the present invention provides a personal care fluid manual dosing device, comprising: a housing connectable to a personal care fluid container; a micropump, having a micropump basis including a pump chamber that is stationary connected to the housing and that is provided with a feed opening towards the personal care fluid container, and having a micropump plunger with a micropump filling-spring that is moveable relative to the micropump chamber and that is provided with a micropump plunger stem incorporating a personal care fluid transit channel leading towards a fluid nozzle; a housing cap moveable connecting to the housing covering the housing and the micropump, provided with a central opening leaving through the nozzle side of the micropump plunger stem; a dispensing spring on one side supported by the inner side of the housing cap and on the other side supported by a spring support stationary connected to the micropump plunger stem; a lock moveable between a micropump plunger stem supporting position wherein the micropump plunger stem is blocked against movement by the dispensing spring and a release position wherein the micropump plunger stem is free to be moved by the dispensing spring, wherein the lock is moveable by at least one guide element that is integrated with the housing cap between the locked position and the release position.

With such a dispenser there is no outflow of fluid at all until enough energy is “stored” in the dispensing spring, at with moment the lock will be activated to unlock the dispensing spring.

By unlocking the dispensing spring the actual outflow operation is activated as the energy stored in the dispensing spring is freed to actuate the micro(pump). The drive of the (micro)pump is fully controlled (force, stroke) by the release of the dispensing spring which results in the unloading of dispensing spring energy being a standardized, always identical, operation which thus results in a fully controlled fluid outflow.

Each dosing stroke results in the (very well controlled) outflow of an identical fluid volume to be dispensed and also the dosing pattern will be identical (or at least very well controlled) as also the speed of operating the (micro)pump is controlled.

To reset the (micro)pump the (micro)pump is spring loaded by the micropump filling-spring to return to its filled starting position during which reset operation a new load of fluid enters the pump chamber of the {micro)pump basis. In an embodiment the preferred position of the rotatable lock is spring loaded in the locked position. The lock is moveable between the position wherein the micropump plunger stem is blocked and a release position wherein the micropump plunger stem is free to be moved by the dispensing spring. The direction of movement of the lock may be rotatable, linear or have another movement path, only relevant is that the lock is able to block and unblock the movability of the micropump plunger stem. When the preferred position of the rotatable lock is spring loaded in the locked position the standard operation status is that the dispenser is closed/blocked and that only when an active operation unlocks the spring load that activates the (micro)pump the outflow of fluid is initiated. This ensures that an unwanted activation of the fluid outflow will be prevented.

In a preferred embodiment the lock positioning spring is incorporated in the lock, this may for instance be embodied by incorporating a resilient element in the lock which resilient body part forces the lock to the locked position. Only when such resilient body part is plastically deformed the lock may me moved to the unlocked position. Incorporating the lock positioning spring in the lock allows to limit the number of parts required to manufacture the dosing device according to the present invention and makes it cheaper and more reliable. To limit the volume of the dosing device it is advantageous if the lock is cylinder shaped surrounding the micropump plunger stem. Furthermore the micropump may be located at the central axis of the pump chamber, which type of (micro)pumps are compact and off the shelf available. The micro-pump filling spring is to be loaded before the activation (release) of the pump chamber so that after release or a load from the dosing device the micropump plunger stem will “automatically” be returned to the position wherein the pump chamber is filled again with fluid. The feed opening of the pump chamber of the micropump basis is preferably provided with a one way valve enabling to flow fluid in the micropump basis from a fluid container and thus to allow a new fluid load into the pump chamber, and to prevent the fluid to flow back in the fluid container when the pump is activated. For even further simplification of the build and construction of the dosing device according to the present invention the housing and micropump basis may be integrated. Likewise also the fluid-nozzle and micropump plunger stem may be integrated. To, among others, allow the construction easy to combine with the neck of a bottle (which bottle is the fluid container) the housing, housing cap, micropump and/or lock may be (substantially) rotation symmetrical leading to a substantially cylindrical shaped personal care fluid manual dosing device. In a further preferred embodiment the dosing device may also comprise a lever to control the position of the housing cap. For operating the dosing device the housing cap has to be moved.

To enhance the useability of the dosing device according to the present invention the operation of the housing cap (also to be referred to as “button”) may be simplified by a lever that on one side acts on the housing cap and on the other side is rotatable attached to the housing.

Preferably the dosing device may also comprises a pressure guide (also referred to as a “leader” to at least partially, but preferably fully, eliminate the force resulting from the compression of the micropump filling-spring. The pressure guide preferably works in the same direction as the dispensing spring and the micropump-filling-spring and has a smaller spring rate than the dispensing spring. The dosing device may also comprises a positioning aid, which positioning aid is enclosing the housing cap, is attached to the housing and is provided with an opening for the nozzle. With such a positioning aid, that may be designed to fit a specific use (e.g. positioning in throat, nose or ear) and to ensure the correct positioning of the personal care fluid manual dosing device for the supply of medium to the affected body part. This positioning aid may preferably be in a position fixed to the housing, however in such a situation a lever to control the position of the housing cap is also preferred. The positioning aid may be optimised for specific applications. The present invention also provides an assembly of a personal care fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention and a personal care fluid container. The dosing device and the fluid container (often a substantially cylindrical bottle) are produced and sold as a single unit guaranteeing a correct

(fluid tight) connection between the dosing device and the fluid container. Also any undesired spill of the content of fluid during coupling of the dosing device and the fluid container may thus be prevented.

5 The present invention also provides a method for dispensing a fluid content from a fluid container with a fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention, comprising the method steps: A) forcing the housing cap towards the fluid container and spring loading the dispensing spring; B) moving the lock to a release position by bringing the guide element of the housing cap in contact with the lock; and C) automatically allowing the dispensing spring to actuate the micropump. With such method the speed and force executed during the “loading stroke” (= method step A) is not influencing the dosing of the fluid, the only prerequisite is that during the loading stroke a threshold value of energy is exceeded. The loading stroke (method step A) may partially overlap the unlock stroke {method step B) during which stroke the release of the dispensing spring is arranged. In the further “dosing stroke” (method step C) the dosing that is generated by the loaded dispensing spring is “automatically” provided as soon as the unlock stroke released the dispensing spring. With this method the advantages as already mentioned above in relation to the personal care fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention may be realised. These advantages are herewith included by reference in relation to the dispensing method according the present invention.

After method steps A) — C) in a subsequent method step D) the fluid manual dosing device may be reset, during which method step D)the housing cap is returned to the idle position further away from the fluid container and the micropump is returned to the starting position during which return movement fluid is sucked in the pump chamber, finally the lock is returned to the locked position. This will bring the fluid manual dosing device back in a start (or idle) position so that a new dosing cycle may be started. During this reset movement the micropump filling-spring drives the suction of a new fluid load in the pump chamber.

The invention will further be illuminated in relation to the non-limitative embodiments shown in the attached figures. Herein shows:

figure 1 an taken apart overview of a personal care fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention and a fluid container in cross section; figure 2 a cross section through a personal care fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention in an idle condition; figure 3 a cross section through the personal care fluid manual dosing device shown in figure 2 in a priming condition; figure 4 a cross section through the personal care fluid manual dosing device shown in the figures 2 and 3 in an actuating condition; figures 5 and 6 cross sections through the personal care fluid manual dosing device shown in the figures 2 - 4 during the return stoke; figure 7 a partially cutaway perspective view on a personal care fluid manual dosing device shown in the previous figures; figure 8 a cross section through an alternative embodiment of a personal care fluid manual dosing device according to the present invention; and figure 9 an external view on an assembly of a of a personal care fluid dosing device according to the invention and a personal care fluid container.

Figure 1 shows a taken apart personal care fluid manual dosing device 1 of which a lower housing part 2 is attached to a fluid container 3. The lower housing part 2 is holding a micropump 4, showing a micropump basis 5 with a pump chamber 6 with a feed opening 7 towards the fluid container 3. In the feed opening 7 a valve 8 allows fluid to flow from the fluid container 3 into the pump chamber 6 but a return flow from the pump chamber 6 to the fluid container 3 is prevented by the valve 8. Inthe pump chamber 6 a micropump plunger 9 is moveable and the micropump plunger 9 is carried by a micropump plunger stem 10 with a fluid transit channel 11. The fluid transit channel 11 is connected to a fluid nozzle 12 which is represented here in a detached orientation.

An operating unit 13 with a lever 14 for driving the micropump 4 is to be placed on top of the micropump 4, which operating unit 13 will be elucidated in more detail in relation to the subsequent figures.

Also a micropump filling spring 15 is depicted surrounding the micropump plunger 9, which micropump filling spring 15 is used to drive the micropump plunger 9 when refilling the pump chamber 6 by moving the micropump plunger 9 away from the feed opening 7 so that a new fluid load is allowed to enter the pump chamber 9 through the feed opening 7.

In figure 2 the operating unit 13 is attached to the lower housing part 2, which also contains the fluid nozzle 12. Here an idle condition of the operating unit 13 is shown, thus the situation before a dosing operation starts. The lower housing part 2 is assembled with an upper housing part 20, which upper housing part 20 moveable holds a housing cap 21 (also referred to as a “button”). In the housing cap 21 a central opening 22 leaves the fluid nozzle 12 free. For operating the dosing device 1 the housing cap 21 has to be pressed towards the fluid container 3. To simplify the pressing of the housing cap 21 the lever 14 is provided, that on side is pivotable connected with a pivot 23 that is firmly connected to the upper housing part 20.

A dispensing spring 24 inside the housing cap 21 rests on one side against the inner side of the housing cap 21 and on the other side on a support 25 that is stationary connected to the micropump plunger stem 10. The support 25 is backed up by a rotating lock 26 that in the idle condition of the operating unit 13 holds the support 25 so that the plunger stem 10 and micropump plunger 9 are blocked in an upper position as depicted.

In figure 3 the operating unit 13 is shown in a priming condition, thus the situation before a dosing operation starts. The lever 14 is pushed down (when compared to the idle condition as shown in figure 2) resulting is that also the housing cap 21 is moved down (towards the fluid container 3) compressing the dispensing spring 24, here a coil compression spring 24. At the end of the movement of the housing cap 21 also a pressure guide 27 is contacted by the inner side of the housing cap 21 (see also figure 2 where the pressure guide 27 does not yet abuts the inner side of the housing cap 21), resulting in the compression of the micropump spring 15. The compression of this micropump spring 15 stores the energy to draw a new load of fluid in the pump chamber 6 when the operating unit 13 returns to the idle condition (see also figures 5 and 2). At the end of the stroke towards the priming condition the inner side of the housing cap 21 abuts the rotating lock 26 at which moment a guide element 30 (also see figure 7) of the housing cap 21 contacts and rotates the rotating lock 26 to release the support 25 and the micropump plunger stem 10. The operating unit is now “loaded” and ready for the dosing stroke which is totally {and well) controlled by the dispensing spring 24.

The final situation after the actuating condition is shown in figure 4 where the dispensing spring 24, now partially released as the rotating lock 26 is not blocking the support 25 anymore, pushed the support 25 and thus also the plunger stem 10 towards the fluid container 3. The micropump plunger 9 is thus driven in the pump chamber 6 and the fluid from the pump chamber 6 is pushed (thrusted) though the fluid transit channel 11 in the plunger stem 10 out of the nozzle 12. The housing cap 21 and the lever 14 are still in their lower (pushed in) positions.

In figures 5 and 6 the subsequent conditions during the return stoke are shown wherein figure 5 shows that the housing cap 21 is partially moved away from the fluid container 3. In figure 6 the housing cap 21 is fully returned to its starting position that corresponds with the idle condition of the operating unit 13 as shown in figure 2. The return stroke is supported by the expansion of the micropump spring 15. Also visible is that the micropump plunger 9 is moved away from the fluid container 3 thus creating space in the pump chamber 6. With this movement of the micropump plunger 9 a new load of fluid is sucked into the pump chamber 6 through the valve 7. The operating unit 3 is now ready for a subsequent dosing operation.

Figure 7 shows the a personal care fluid manual dosing device 1 attached to the fluid container 3 in a partially cutaway perspective view. The reference signs used here correspond to the reference signs used in the previous figures. Clearly visible in this figure is the guide element 30 connected to the housing cap 21 contacts the rotating lock 26. Due to the contact of the guide element 30 with a guide track 31 integrated with the rotating lock 26 the rotating lock 286 is twisted enabling the support 25 to be moved by the dispensing spring 24 (both not visible in figure 7). By twisting the rotating lock 26 a resilient leg 32 on the lower side of the rotating lock 26 is deformed from a straight to — as depicted — a slanting orientation. After release of the contact of the housing cap 21 with the rotating lock 26 (or more specific; when the guide element 30 and the guide track 31 are disconnected again) the resilient leg 32 will return the rotating lock 26 back to its support 25 locking orientation.

Figure 8 shows a cross section through an alternative embodiment of a personal care fluid manual dosing device 40 according to the present invention wherein an attachment 41 is placed on the upper housing part 20. With this attachment 41 the dosing is easy and exact to position in relation to, for example, throat, nose or ear. The position of the attachment 41 is not influenced by the use of the dosing device 40; parts that are covered by the attachment may move without influencing the position of the attachment 41 and vice versa. Figure 9 finally shows an external view on an assembly 50 of a of a personal care fluid dosing device 51 according to the invention and a personal care fluid container 52 showing a lever 53, a housing cap 54, a nozzle 55 and an upper housing part

56. The attachment 41 as shown in figure 8 is not depicted in this figure 9 but will in practise normally also be part of the assembly 50. An attachment 41 (e.g. to fit the opening of an ear or nose) as shown in figure 8 is not included in this figure but may be attached as desired.

Claims (15)

Conclusions A manual personal care fluid dispensing device, comprising: - a housing which can be coupled to a personal care fluid container; - a micropump, having a micropump base, comprising a pumping chamber stationary connected to the housing and having a supply opening to the personal care fluid container, and having a micropump piston with a micropump filling spring movable relative to the micropumping chamber and includes a micropump piston stem incorporating a personal care fluid transfer channel leading to a fluid nozzle; - a housing cap movably connected to the housing, and covering the housing and the micropump, provided with a central opening through which the nozzle side of the micropump piston stem; - a metering spring which on one side rests on the inside of the housing cover and on the other side on a spring support which is stationary connected to the micropump piston; - a lock movable between a support position for the micropump piston stem, wherein the micropump piston stem is blocked against movement by the metering spring, and a release position wherein the micropump piston stem is released to be moved by the metering spring, the lock being movable by at least one guiding element integrated in the housing cover, between the locking position and the releasing position. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that a preferred position of the rotatable lock is spring loaded in the lock position. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the spring positioning the lock is included in the lock. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lock is cylindrical and surrounds the micropump piston stem. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the micropump is located at the central axis of the pump chamber. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet opening of the pump chamber of the micropump base is provided with a one-way valve. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing and the micropump base are integrated. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid nozzle and the micropump piston stem are integrated. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing, housing cap, micropump and/or lock are (substantially) rotationally symmetrical. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser further comprises a lever to control the position of the housing cap. A manual personal care fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispenser further comprises a pressure guide to at least partially, but preferably completely, eliminate the force generated by depressing the micropump filling feather. A manual personal care fluid dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device further comprises a positioning aid, said positioning aid surrounding the housing cap and being attached to the housing and having an opening for the nozzle. A manual personal care fluid dispenser assembly as claimed in any preceding claim and a personal care fluid container. A method of dispensing an amount of fluid from a fluid container by means of a manual personal care fluid dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims 1-12, comprising the method steps of: A) forcibly moving the housing cap toward the fluid container and loading the dosing spring; B) moving the lock to a release position by bringing the guide member of the housing cover into contact with the lock; and C) allowing the metering spring to move the micropump automatically. A method for dispensing an amount of fluid from a fluid container according to claim 14, characterized in that after method steps A) -C) a subsequent method step D) is performed in which the manual dosing device for a fluid is reset, wherein during method step D) the housing cover is returned to the free position further away from the fluid container, and the micropump is returned to the start position with fluid being drawn into the pump chamber during the return movement, and finally the lock is returned to the lock position.