NZ620288B2 - Portable refillable cream dispenser - Google Patents
Portable refillable cream dispenser Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ620288B2 NZ620288B2 NZ620288A NZ62028812A NZ620288B2 NZ 620288 B2 NZ620288 B2 NZ 620288B2 NZ 620288 A NZ620288 A NZ 620288A NZ 62028812 A NZ62028812 A NZ 62028812A NZ 620288 B2 NZ620288 B2 NZ 620288B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- dispenser
- upper cavity
- dispensing
- refillable
- viscous composition
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 title description 16
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 59
- 239000011345 viscous material Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004606 Fillers/Extenders Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000001808 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006210 lotion Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007664 blowing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003466 anti-cipated Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000012970 cakes Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000000084 colloidal system Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005189 flocculation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000016615 flocculation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000006072 paste Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002304 perfume Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004062 sedimentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008257 shaving cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000344 soap Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003068 static Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B05B11/00416—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0037—Containers
- B05B11/0056—Containers with an additional opening for filling or refilling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
- B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
- B05B11/0005—Components or details
- B05B11/0097—Means for filling or refilling the sprayer
-
- B05B11/3023—
Abstract
refillable dispenser for viscous compositions is disclosed. The dispenser comprises a bottle (111) having walls defining an upper cavity (114) and a lower cavity (116) and a gasket (105) configured to substantially seal the upper cavity from the lower cavity. A viscous composition refill mechanism (106) allows viscous composition to enter the upper cavity when the refill mechanism is fluidly coupled to a viscous composition source. A viscous composition dispensing mechanism (102) allows viscous composition to be dispensed from the upper cavity (114) to outside the bottle when the dispensing mechanism is actuated. The gasket (105) is capable of moving towards the upper cavity solely upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism (102) and moving towards the lower cavity (116) upon entrance of the viscous composition into said upper cavity (114). (106) allows viscous composition to enter the upper cavity when the refill mechanism is fluidly coupled to a viscous composition source. A viscous composition dispensing mechanism (102) allows viscous composition to be dispensed from the upper cavity (114) to outside the bottle when the dispensing mechanism is actuated. The gasket (105) is capable of moving towards the upper cavity solely upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism (102) and moving towards the lower cavity (116) upon entrance of the viscous composition into said upper cavity (114).
Description
PORTABLE REFILLABLE CREAM DISPENSER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to dispensers of viscous materials such as creams.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
WO2005/101969 describes a refill bottle adapted to repeatedly receive and dispense
liquid such as perfume. The refill bottle comprises a bottle having a bottom portion and
an upper portion, an opening provided in the upper portion wherein the opening is
adapted to be covered, and a refill mechanism provided in the bottom portion. The
liquid is received through the refill mechanism from a regular bottle preferably provided
with a spraying mechanism and is dispensed through the opening
The refill bottle described in WO2005/101969 is unsuitable for viscous materials such
as pastes, creams and liquid soaps. For example, cream might accumulate in large
amounts in areas of the dispenser interior that are inaccessible to dispensing means of
the bottle.
Commercially available cream dispensing bottles are not reusable; moreover, they are
usually made of hard and thick plastic to endure mechanical abuse such as accidental
drops, and are thus a serious environmental liability.
One object is to provide a cream bottle that is refillable; another object is to configure
such bottle to allow refilling it in small amounts which are essentially dispensable from
the bottle; another object is to configure the bottle so that the cream in the bottle can
be substantially emptied out of the bottle by operating a dispensing mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the claims, the word “comprise”, and variations thereof such as “comprises”,
“comprising” and the like indicate that the components listed are included, but not
generally to the exclusion of other components.
According to one aspect, a refillable dispenser for viscous compositions is provided,
the dispenser comprising:
a bottle having walls defining an upper cavity and a lower cavity;
a viscous composition refill mechanism configured to allow viscous
composition to enter said upper cavity when said refill mechanism is fluidly
coupled to a viscous composition source;
a viscous composition dispensing mechanism configured to allow viscous
composition to be dispensed from said upper cavity to outside the bottle when
the dispensing mechanism is actuated;
a gasket configured to substantially seal said upper cavity from said lower
cavity wherein said gasket is capable of moving towards the upper cavity upon
actuation of the dispensing mechanism and moving towards the lower cavity
upon entrance of the viscous composition into said upper cavity.
In some embodiments, the refill mechanism extends throughout the gasket to the
upper cavity.
For example, a tube extends into the upper cavity.
Alternatively, the refill mechanism directly extends into the upper cavity.
In some embodiments, the refill mechanism comprises a check-valve.
In some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism comprises a check valve.
In some embodiments, the refill mechanism and the dispensing mechanism each
comprise a check-valve.
According to another aspect, a kit is provided, comprising: any of the refillable
dispensers defined above and at least one adapter, the adapters each configured to
allow sealingly and fluidly coupling a non-refillable dispenser for viscous compositions
with the refill mechanism of the refillable dispenser.
In some kit embodiments the kit comprises: the refillable dispenser and a non-refillable
dispenser for viscous compositions, the refillable dispenser and a non-refillable
dispenser sealingly and fluidly coupleable thereto.
Typically, the non-refillable dispenser is substantially larger than the refillable
dispenser.
In embodiments comprising a tube, gasket is preferably sealingly sleeved on the tube
and in the bottle.
Some embodiments further comprise a sealing ring situated between the refill
mechanism and outside the dispenser.
In some embodiments the walls are rigid, configured to allow making a negative air
pressure in the upper cavity, the negative pressure thereby facilitating filling of the
upper cavity with the viscous composition.
There may be essentially no take up of air in the upper cavity in compensation for the
viscous composition dispensed.
In some embodiments wherein the filling is facilitated by the negative pressure, the
dispensing mechanism comprises a vent hole that is arranged to compensate for
dispensed viscous composition with air.
In some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism is mounted on the body in a
storage position in which the vent hole is closed off, said dispensing mechanism being
movable with respect to the body in a dispensing position which said vent hole is free
to enable air to be taken up.
The refill mechanism may be covered reversibly by a sealing cap.
The refill mechanism may have a seat that is movable and/or deformable between a
stable state of sealed closure of the upper cavity and a stressed state of putting a non-
refillable dispenser in communication with said upper cavity.
The refill mechanism may be disposed on a lower end of the bottle.
The dispensing device may comprise a dispensing pump actuatable by means of a
push button, the push button mounted on a nozzle of the pump, the push button
comprising an upper region enabling exertion of finger pressure on said push button in
order to be able to move said button axially, thereby actuating the pump;
the pump comprising:
a body equipped with a plunger tube disposed in the upper cavity, said tube
being equipped with a valve for admitting the viscous material into the pump;
a piston mounted around said nozzle in order to delimit a metering chamber in
the body; the piston enabling supply orifices of the nozzle to open--or respectively
close--over a dispensing--or respectively suction--travel of said nozzle;
an extender within the body;
a spring in abutment with a bottom of the extender,
return of the push button over its suction travel being affected by a spring in
said pump.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
In order to better understand the present invention and appreciate its practical
applications the following figures are provided. Like components are denoted by like
reference numerals It should be noted that the figures are given as examples and
preferred embodiments only and in no way limit the scope of the present invention as
defined in the Detailed Description and Claims chapters.
is a frontal, sectional view of one embodiment;
is a frontal view of an embodiment such as shown in filled from the
bottom part of the embodiment;
Fig. 3 presents another embodiment, empty.
Fig. 4 depicts the embodiment partially filled;
Fig. 5 depicts the embodiment full.
illustrates another embodiment, filled from the top part of the embodiment.
is a view of the embodiment and a master bottle holding cream to be refilled in
the refill bottle, as well as a filling operation.
Fig. 8 shows cream moving from the master bottle to the refill bottle.
Fig. 9 illustrates the top portion of an embodiment without take up of air in the upper
cavity in compensation for the volume of product dispensed, wherein,
the body of a dispensing pump has no vent hole.
Fig. 10 shows the top part of a similar embodiment; however the body of the
dispensing pump does have vent holes.
Fig. 10a is an exploded view of a portion of the part shown in Fig. 10.
Fig. 11 shows the top part of an embodiment in which the pump is mounted so as to
be able to slide with respect to the body to a lower position in which the
vent hole is free to enable air to be taken in.
Fig. 11a is an exploded view of a portion of the part shown in Fig. 11.
Fig. 12 shows the top part of an embodiment depicted in Fig. 11, wherein the pump is
in a higher storage position, in which the vent hole is not free to enable
air to be taken in.
Fig. 12a is an exploded view of a portion of the part shown in Fig. 12.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention addresses the problem of waste of containers of viscous
compositions, as the containers are normally discarded after one use. Additionally,
due to the high viscosity of the compositions, a large amount of material is left stuck to
the walls of the containers etc and is discarded together with the container.
Adding to the containers a refill mechanism allows the containers to be reused, and
miniaturization of the refillable containers also allows to do two important things: 1) to
put the containers in pocket/purse/wallet etc for convenient use outside home due to
small size, and 2) to take small samples of a first viscous composition (e.g. cream),
and then take small samples of a second viscous composition, i.e. the user can easily
vary the composition. However, the miniaturization also exacerbates waste of material
since a relatively large amount of material remains stuck inside the container, that
might spoil, dry up and cake etc., and might adversely affect a different composition
that is introduced into the container. Therefore, it is important to include in the
dispenser a mechanism that allows thoroughly emptying viscous compositions out of
the container.
Thus, according to one aspect, a refillable dispenser for viscous compositions is
provided that is intended to solve all these problems. Referring to Figure 1, the
dispenser 100 comprises:
A bottle 111 having walls defining an upper cavity 114 and a lower cavity 116;
a viscous composition refill mechanism 106 configured to allow viscous composition to
enter said upper cavity 114 when said refill mechanism 106 is fluidly coupled to a
viscous composition source;
a viscous composition dispensing mechanism 102 configured to allow viscous
composition 7 to be dispensed from said upper cavity 114 to outside the bottle
111 when the dispensing mechanism 102 is actuated;
a gasket 105 configured to substantially seal said upper cavity 114 from said
lower cavity 116 wherein said gasket 105 is capable of moving towards the upper
cavity 114 upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism 102 and moving towards
the lower cavity 116 upon entrance of the viscous composition 7 into said upper
cavity 114.
When the dispensing mechanism 102 is actuated, some viscous material 7 such as
cream is ejected from the dispensing mechanism 102 to outside the bottle 111. In
some embodiments, the material ejected from the mechanism 102 is replaced by more
material drawn in by the dispensing mechanism 102 from the same actuation. As the
material 7 is drawn out of the upper cavity 114, gasket 105 may rise, thus maintaining
pressure in the upper cavity 114 and keeping the (smaller) cavity 114 full of cream. Air
may concomitantly enter via hole 171 into the lower cavity 116, thus preventing
creation of sub-pressure in lower cavity 116. When the refill mechanism 106 is
actuated, the material 7 enters the upper cavity 114 and forces the gasket 105
downwards, i.e. the upper cavity 114 expands and the lower cavity 116 contracts,
releasing air via the hole 171.
Other embodiments have alternative exhaust/pressure maintenance means.
Some embodiments may entirely lack holes 171 in the walls, such that the only
openings in the bottle 111 are for the refilling mechanism and the dispensing
mechanism.
The dispensing mechanism 102 may comprise a pump: when the pump is actuated,
e.g. in some embodiments pushed down, thus compressing the space inside the pump
containing viscous material, the pump pushes viscous material out. When the pump is
released, viscous material is drawn up from the upper cavity 114 into the pump. In
preferred embodiments, the pump is configured to not allow air into the upper cavity.
In other embodiments, air is allowed into the upper cavity but is pumped out with
actuation of the pump.
The dispenser 100 may be a foam dispenser: In embodiments having foam
dispensers, the dispenser may comprise dual or more pumps, which when used move
both air and the viscous composition through a small opening to create lather, e.g.
shaving cream. In preferred embodiments, the air is preferably introduced to the
pump/s from outside the bottle 111.
In some embodiments, the dispenser is automatic, activated by a signal such as time-
activation.
As shown in Figure 2, the dispenser 100 further comprises a cap 103 to cover the
dispensing mechanism 102 and an external bottle body 112 that complements the cap
103. The external body 112 has a transparent window 121 through which the material
7 level can be measured to assess when to refill the dispenser 100. However, some
embodiments lack these features, as shown in Figure 3. The dispenser 200 similarly
comprises a bottle 211, a dispensing mechanism 202, a refill mechanism 206 and a
gasket 205. The dispenser as depicted is empty.
Figure 3 presents another embodiment 200, empty, which includes bottle 211,
dispensing mechanism 102, gasket 205, and filling mechanism 206.
Figure 4 shows the bottle 211 partially full, and Figure 5 shows the same bottle 211
completely full with a viscous composition 7.
The refill mechanism in Figure 1 is defined as including the tube 104. Thus, the refill
mechanism extends from outside the bottle 111 and throughout the lower cavity 116
and the gasket 105, so that the composition 7 can be conveniently provided from the
bottom of the bottle 111. The gasket 105 is sealingly sleeved on the tube and in the
bottle. In some embodiments the tube may be proximal or flush with or even part of
the wall, in which case the gasket may not be holed, yet it may nevertheless effectively
seal the upper cavity from the lower cavity.
Fig. 6 shows an embodiment 300 wherein the refill mechanism 306 does not extend
throughout the lower cavity 316. Instead, the refill mechanism 306 is installed in the
dispenser 300 such that it directly extends to or into the upper cavity 314. The
dispenser 300 may be particularly useful for filling the dispenser 300 from containers
having dispensing heads with orifices facing downwards.
Figures 7 and 8 illustrate filling of the refillable dispenser 200 by non-refillable
dispensers 400, 400'. The dispensing mechanism 409 of the dispenser 400 shown in
Figure 7 is actuated by a pumping action, whereas the dispensing mechanism 409' of
the dispenser 400' shown in Figure 8 is actuated by pressing the refillable dispenser
200 and the non-refillable dispenser 400' toward each other. Bottle 411 containing the
viscous composition may be pressurized.
In some embodiments the refill mechanism comprises a check-valve.
In some embodiments, the dispensing mechanism comprises a check valve (to help
prevent entrance of air into the upper cavity 114 via the valve).
In some embodiments, both the refill mechanism and the dispensing mechanism each
comprise a check-valve.
Commercially available dispensers can perhaps be refilled by removing their
dispensing mechanism, but for all practical purposes such refilling is time consuming
and difficult, and thus they are essentially non-refillable. Furthermore, their size,
typically 250 mL or larger, is substantially larger than the refillable dispensers, which
are typically less than 100 mL size, so that there is little motivation to refill the larger
dispensers.
Thus according to another aspect, a kit comprising any refillable dispenser of the types
described above, and at least one adapter is provided, the adapters each configured
to allow sealingly and fluidly connecting a non-refillable dispenser for viscous
compositions with the filling mechanism of the refillable dispenser. Each adapter is
suitable for a particular structure of dispensing mechanism of the non-refillable
dispenser. Thus, a set of adapters may serve to couple the first refillable dispenser
with various commercially available non-refillable d dispensers.
Many commercially available dispensers have a dispensing head (not shown) that may
be removed in order to expose the dispensing mechanism 409 of the non-refillable
dispenser 400, the exposed mechanism 409 may then be easily coupleable to the refill
mechanism. Such removal will typically expose a structure such as a stem 415 of the
dispensing mechanism 409 (see Figure 7).
The adapter may be a tube having ends with the same or different sizes. Typically,
one end tightly fits into the refill mechanism of the refillable dispenser, and the other
end tightly fits onto a stem of the dispensing mechanism of the non-refillable dispenser
to make a sealed connection for transfer of the viscous composition from the non-
refillable dispenser to the refillable one. Alternatively, the adapter may be a
dispensing mechanism itself that replaces the original dispensing mechanism of the
non-refillable dispenser.
In other embodiments the non-refillable dispenser is simply a receptacle without any
dispensing mechanism at all, for example a jar for cream with a thread at the top and a
lid with a matching thread, and the adapter is then coupled to the jar without the lid. In
preferred embodiments, the refill mechanism of the refillable bottle further comprises
at least one sealing ring, as shown in Figure 1 ring 161 in a refill hole 160 below a
check valve (in Figure 1 comprising a ball 162 and compression spring 163) to provide
a sealed connection.
According to another aspect, a kit comprising the refillable dispenser and a non-
refillable dispenser is provided. The uniqueness of the non-refillable dispenser in this
embodiment is that the refillable dispenser and the non-refillable dispenser are
configured to allow sealingly connecting the non-refillable dispenser with the refill
mechanism, preferably without need for an adapter. Such non-refillable dispenser
may be a commercially available dispenser, the refillable dispenser being specially
fitted in the dimensions of the refill mechanism to the dispensing mechanism of the
non-refillable dispenser, but perhaps more typically the non-refillable dispenser is also
specially designed to easily and tightly fit with the refillable dispenser.
Typically, the non-refillable dispenser will be economy-sized and too large to carry in a
wallet, pocket etc. The non-refillable dispenser further minimizes waste of material.
It is notable that while the non-refillable refillable dispenser is ideal to use at home, the
refillable dispenser is ideal for use on airplanes, since at present only very small
containers of viscous compositions are allowed to be airborne in a flight cabin.
Some embodiments may be manipulated to have a sub-pressure in the upper cavity,
at least when the upper cavity is essentially empty of material and ready to receive
more material. This may be accomplished by having a gasket that cannot travel all the
way up to the top of the upper cavity, thus a space may be left after dispensing is
finished, in which a sub-pressure may be created.
For example, see Figures 9-12.
The dispenser 500 comprises a rigid body 501 in which there is upper cavity 502
sealed from lower cavity 516 by gasket 530. In particular, the body 501 has sufficient
rigidity so that the volume of the upper cavity 502 remains substantially constant. The
upper cavity 502 may have for example a capacity of between 1 and 20 ml (whereby
the dispenser is conveniently pocket-sized).
The body 501 may be in a single piece, for example produced by injection blowing or
extrusion blowing, or in several parts injected and then assembled, for example by
ultrasonic welding, made from rigid plastics material, metal, for example aluminium, or
glass.
The dispenser 500 also comprises a dispensing device 503 that is mounted sealingly
on the body 501, in particular in the top opening of said body. In the embodiments
shown, the dispensing device comprises a dispensing pump 503 actuated manually by
means of a push button 504.
The pump 503 comprises a body 505 equipped with means of supplying the material.
In the figures, the supply means comprise a plunger tube 506 disposed in the upper
cavity 502, said tube being equipped with a valve 507 for admitting the product
(viscous material) into the pump 503. The push button 504 is mounted on the nozzle
508 of the pump 503, which comprises a piston 509 mounted around said nozzle in
order to delimit a metering chamber 510 in the body 501. The piston 509 enables the
supply orifices 511 of the nozzle 508 to open--or respectively close--over a dispensing-
-or respectively suction--travel of said nozzle.
The push button 504 comprises an upper region enabling the user to exert finger
pressure on said push button in order to be able to move it axially over its travel for
actuation of the pump 503, the return of the push button 504 over its suction travel
being conventionally effected by a spring 512. In the embodiment shown, the interior
of the body 505 of the pump 503 is equipped with an extender 513 on which the
bottom end of the spring 512 is in abutment.
The push button 504 is equipped with a head 514 that is arranged to distribute the
product radially. However, the invention is not limited to a particular method of
dispensing the product.
The dispensing method makes provision, prior to the initial filling of the upper cavity
502 with product, for putting said empty product reservoir in communication with an air
suction device and activating said device in order to create a negative pressure inside
said reservoir.
According to one embodiment, the air suction device comprises a vacuum bell in
which the dispensing mechanism 505 is disposed, the sealed mounting of the take-off
device 503 on the body 501 being achieved after activation of said bell. Thus the
negative pressure is formed in the upper cavity 502 and then the take-off device 503 is
mounted sealingly so as to maintain said negative pressure.
According to another embodiment, the air suction device, for example a vacuum
pump, is put in communication with the take-off device 503 after sealed mounting
thereof on the body 501, the suction of the air from the upper cavity 502 being effected
through said take-off device. In a variant, the suction of air could be effected through
the refill mechanism (not shown) by making provision to put it into communication with
the air suction device after sealed mounting of the take-off device 503 on the body
501.
The dispensing method makes provision for subsequently effecting the initial filling of
the upper cavity 502 by putting a product source in sealed communication with said
upper cavity 502 by means of the refill mechanism so that the negative pressure
causes the filling of said reservoir by suction of the product contained in said source.
Next, the customer can actuate the take-off device 503 in order to dispense the
packaged product.
A single press on the refill mechanism may cause the opening of a valve in the refill
mechanism, as well as possibly the opening of a pump of a non-refillable dispenser, so
as to form a transfer path of product between the source and the upper cavity 502.
Compensation for the negative pressure then allows filling. Next, when the upper
cavity 502 is filled, the suction negative pressure becomes zero and the valve of the
refill mechanism is then closed and the product contained in the upper cavity 502 can
be dispensed subsequently by means of the take-off device 503.
The 500 that is supplied to the distributors may therefore be empty of product and
have a negative air pressure, said negative pressure making it possible to
subsequently effect the initial filling, in particular at the time of handing the dispenser
500 to the customer according to the product that they wish to purchase and/or test.
The method therefore allows a particularly versatile initial filling, which in particular
allows simplified management of the dispenser 500s by the distributors, in particular
sample test dispenser 500s.
The versatility of the dispensing method can also be improved by providing the
association of a label on the body 501 at the time of initial filling of the upper cavity 502
with product, in particular according to said product. The label can have a detachable
part comprising a sales offer particular to the distributor in order to encourage the
customer to return and purchase the sampled product.
In relation to FIGS. 9 and 10, the take-off device in embodiments 500, 600 is of the
airless type without the take up of air in the upper cavity in compensation for the
volume of product dispensed. To do this, the body 505 of the pump 503 in
embodiment 500 has no vent hole.
However, since pumps with a vent hole are the most usual, it may be advantageous to
create a negative pressure in the upper cavity even with this type of pump. To do this,
as shown in embodiment 600 in , body 605 is provided with a vent hole 626
that is closed off sealingly by mounting thereof in the rigid body 601 (a). In
particular, the seal between the body 605 and rigid body 601 is then made at least
below the vent hole 626 so as to prevent the passage of air from the pump 603 into
the upper cavity 602 by means of said hole. In , the seal is also achieved
above the vent hole 626, which does not impair the functioning without take up of air
and is a little simpler to achieve.
The product sample without take up of air in the upper cavity 602 makes it possible to
create in said upper cavity 602 a negative pressure that increases along with
dispensing. In particular, in order to ensure total emptying of the upper cavity 602, the
ceiling of air above the product during initial filling must be such that the negative
pressure reached at the end of emptying is at a maximum equal to the negative
pressure achievable by the pump 603.
In this embodiment, the dispensing method then provides for the possibility of
subsequent filling of the upper cavity 602 by the sealed putting in communication of
the product source (non-refillable dispenser) with said upper cavity 602 by means of
the refill mechanism so that the negative pressure causes the filling of said upper
cavity 602 by suction of the product contained in said source.
In relation to FIGS. 11 and 12, the product is taken off with take up of air in the upper
cavity so as to prevent the subsequent filling of said upper cavity by suction. To do
this, the pump comprises a vent hole that is arranged to make it possible to
compensate for the volume of product taken off in the upper cavity with air.
In relation to , the pump 703 in the embodiment 700 is mounted in the body
701 by means of a sleeve 727 in which the body 705 is fitted sealingly. The vent hole
726 is formed in the body 702 radially opposite an increased diameter 727a that is
formed on the sleeve 727 so as to leave free said hole in order to enable air to be
taken into the upper cavity 702 (a).
According to one embodiment, the dispensing method may, prior to the initial filling of
the upper cavity with product, provide for the mounting of the take-off device on the
body in a storage position in which the air tightness of the upper cavity is reinforced,
said take-off device subsequently being moved into a dispensing position. This is
because, in the dispensing position, the static air tightness of the upper cavity having a
negative pressure may be insufficient, in particular in the presence of a vent hole, to
guarantee the maintenance of this negative pressure at the end of prolonged storage.
In addition, still in order to improve the maintenance of the negative pressure over
time, the refill mechanism may be reversibly covered with a sealing cap (not shown).
The cap may be welded in a recess formed on the free end of a trim (not shown) so
that said cap completely covers the refill mechanism, said cap having a free edge
enabling it to be withdrawn with a view to the initial filling.
In relation to FIGS. 11 and 12, the pump 703 is mounted so as to be able to slide with
respect to the body between an upper storage position in which the vent hole is closed
off () and a lower dispensing position () in which said vent hole 726 is
free to enable air to be taken in.
In particular, the body 703 is mounted in the sleeve 727 with clamping suitable for
enabling sliding, the passage between these positions being achieved by pressing on
the push button 704 when the pump 703 is first actuated. The sleeve 727 has a step
727b delimiting an upper diameter 727c for sealed mounting of the body 705 in order
to close off the vent hole 726 and an increased lower diameter 727a leaving said vent
hole free, said pump body having a stop 729 for the end of sliding travel in the sleeve
727.
The sub-pressure may facilitate refilling the dispenser 700. Such embodiments are
more useful when the material is not overly viscous, such as various lotions. Shaking
the lotion (thereby sometimes reducing the viscosity) just prior to refilling may facilitate
the refilling in such cases.
Some creams and lotions and colloids may undergo sedimentation, flocculation etc,
such that the separation of solids is both undesirable as a product to be applied, and
may in some embodiments interfere with the operation of the dispenser, in which case
it may be advantageous to shake the dispenser shortly before dispensing. In such
cases excessive shaking may be ill-advised, as the shaking may overly reduce the
viscosity of the viscous material. Some experimentation may be required to produce
the most desirable results, both in respect of the quality of the material, and in respect
of the more satisfactory operation of the dispenser. Some embodiments may be more
suitable for particular types of viscous materials.
Returning to Figure 1, note that the top of gasket 105 is bullet-shaped, i.e. narrower at
the top, as is the part of the upper cavity 114, facilitating emptying the bottle 111 of
viscous material 7. The top part of the gasket 105 may generally conform to the shape
of the top part of the upper cavity, so that the gasket 105 can easily reach the topmost
part of the upper cavity 114 and essentially exhaust the bottle 111 of the viscous
material if so desired. However, in other embodiments the top of the bottle 111 is not
bullet shaped. Furthermore, the gasket is preferably flexible, and so in embodiments
having bullet-shaped upper cavities, the gasket may be capable of being easily moved
and conforming in shape to the walls at the top of the upper cavity.
The examples described above present various selected embodiments of a refillable
cream dispenser. It is noted that further embodiments are anticipated which also fall
within the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined
by the claims and includes both combinations and sub combinations of the various
features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof, which
would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
Claims (20)
1. A refillable dispenser for viscous compositions comprising: a bottle having walls defining an upper cavity and a lower cavity; 5 a viscous composition refill mechanism configured to allow viscous composition to enter said upper cavity when said refill mechanism is fluidly coupled to a viscous composition source; a viscous composition dispensing mechanism configured to allow viscous composition to be dispensed from said upper cavity to outside the 10 bottle when the dispensing mechanism is actuated; a gasket configured to substantially seal said upper cavity from said lower cavity wherein said gasket is capable of moving towards the upper cavity solely upon actuation of the dispensing mechanism and moving towards the lower cavity upon entrance of the viscous composition into 15 said upper cavity.
2. The refillable dispenser of claim 1, wherein the refill mechanism extends throughout the gasket to the upper cavity. 20
3. The refillable dispenser of claim 2, the refill mechanism comprising a tube extending into the upper cavity.
4. The refillable dispenser of claim 2, the refill mechanism directly extending into the upper cavity.
5. The refillable dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refill mechanism comprises a check-valve.
6. The refillable dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dispensing 30 mechanism comprises a check valve.
7. The refillable dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the refill mechanism and the dispensing mechanism each comprise a check-valve. 35
8. A kit comprising: the refillable dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4 and at least one adapter, the adapters each configured to allow sealingly and fluidly coupling a non-refillable dispenser for viscous compositions with the refill mechanism of the refillable dispenser.
9. A kit comprising: the refillable dispenser of any one of claims 1 to 4 and a non- 5 refillable dispenser for viscous compositions, the refillable dispenser and the non-refillable dispenser sealingly and fluidly coupleable thereto.
10. The kit of claim 9, wherein the non-refillable dispenser is substantially larger than the refillable dispenser.
11. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the gasket is sealingly sleeved on the tube and in the bottle.
12. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a sealing ring situated 15 between the refill mechanism and outside the dispenser.
13. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2, wherein the walls are rigid, configured to allow making a negative air pressure in the upper cavity, the negative pressure thereby facilitating filling of the upper cavity with the viscous composition.
14. The dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that there is essentially no take up of air in the upper cavity in compensation for the viscous composition dispensed. 25
15. The dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that the dispensing mechanism comprises a vent hole that is arranged to compensate for dispensed viscous composition with air.
16. The dispenser according to claim 14, characterized in that the dispensing 30 mechanism is mounted on the body in a storage position in which the vent hole is closed off, said dispensing mechanism being movable with respect to the body in a dispensing position which said vent hole is free to enable air to be taken up. 35
17. The dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that the refill mechanism is covered reversibly by a sealing cap.
18. The dispenser according to claim 12, characterized in that the refill mechanism has a seat that is movable and/or deformable between a stable state of sealed closure of the upper cavity and a stressed state of putting a non-refillable 5 dispenser in communication with said upper cavity.
19. The dispensing bottle according to claim 12, characterized in that the refill mechanism is disposed on a lower end of the bottle. 10
20. The dispenser of claim 1 or 2, wherein: the dispensing device comprises a dispensing pump actuatable by means of a push button, the push button mounted on a nozzle of the pump, the push button comprising an upper region enabling exertion of finger pressure on said push button in order to be able to move said button 15 axially, thereby actuating the pump; the pump comprising: a body equipped with a plunger tube disposed in the upper cavity, said tube being equipped with a valve for admitting the viscous material into the pump; 20 a piston mounted around said nozzle in order to delimit a metering chamber in the body; the piston enabling supply orifices of the nozzle to open--or respectively close--over a dispensing--or respectively suction-- travel of said nozzle; an extender within the body; 25 a spring in abutment with a bottom of the extender, return of the push button over its suction travel being effected by a spring in said pump.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CN201110219030.8 | 2011-07-26 | ||
CN2011102190308A CN102259714B (en) | 2011-07-26 | 2011-08-02 | Portable emulsifiable paste charging bottle |
PCT/IB2012/053793 WO2013014626A2 (en) | 2011-07-26 | 2012-07-25 | Portable refillable cream dispenser |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ620288A NZ620288A (en) | 2015-08-28 |
NZ620288B2 true NZ620288B2 (en) | 2015-12-01 |
Family
ID=
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