Patent Application
20240066540
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid.
Such a device allows a user to dispense a fluid or product. The field of the invention is more particularly that of the dispensing of products such as liquids, gels or creams, for example for the pharmaceutical or cosmetic or agro-food industry.
Fluid dispensers are known, as disclosed for example by the document WO2015155318.
In this area, manufacturers are making constant efforts to try to improve and/or simplify the compactness, use, ergonomics, manufacture and refilling of such fluid dispenser devices, to improve hygiene, recycling.
The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of these problems.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is proposed a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
The filling holes may be two in number and are located on either side of the outlet.
Each filling hole may pass through an end piece.
The end piece may be inserted into a wall of the reservoir so that the pocket is inserted into the reservoir.
A single plug may be arranged to simultaneously:
The cap may be removable by means of a hinge.
The filling holes may be two in number and be formed in an end piece and be located on either side of the outlet.
Each filling hole may pass through the end piece.
The end piece may be inserted into a wall of the reservoir so that the pocket is inserted into the reservoir.
The end piece may sink into the plug, a fluid dispensing surface being able to be formed by the plug and the end piece.
The end piece may comprise two notches arranged to hold the device during filling and/or closing.
The cap may comprise two pins arranged to be positioned with the end piece during assembly.
The device according to the invention may further comprise:
The cavity may include the plug between the pins.
A single plug may be arranged for simultaneously:
The cap may be removable by means of a hinge or a flexible link.
The outlet may include small shapes (typically grooves, bumps and/or depressions) in its inner perimeter so that when a plug is inserted into the outlet, the space of the small shapes (typically grooves, bumps and/or hollow) between the inner perimeter of the outlet and the cap prevents the passage of the fluid to be dispensed but allows an air passage through the outlet.
The plug may comprise a deformable wall delimiting at least partly the interior volume of the pocket.
The invention also relates to a method implemented in a device according to the invention, characterized in that:
According to another aspect of the invention, a system is proposed for implementing this method of priming a device according to the invention, this system comprising:
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is proposed a device for dispensing a fluid comprising:
The reservoir may be delimited by:
The reservoir may be provided with a neck for filling the reservoir.
The reservoir may be placed in a container, the wall may include:
The plug, the bottom wall and its fixing means may be made in one part.
The plug may slide with the bottom wall during the screwing of the plug on the neck. The device may comprise a bottom wall connected to side walls, preferably fitted together with the bottom wall and arranged to:
The flexible wall can be attached to the pocket:
The area of a section of the upper opening can be at least eight times smaller than the area of a section of the lower opening.
The flexible wall can be arranged to deform so as to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir when the fluid exits from the reservoir.
The device can be arranged to immobilize the reservoir in rotation and/or in translation relative to the container when the neck is closed after filling the reservoir and while the reservoir is located inside the container.
The flexible wall may be made by blowing the anti-rotation means which are at least one relief such as a bump of the flexible wall.
The device may comprise a rigid wall inside which a piston slides and at least one hole made in the piston or between the piston and the side wall, said hole is arranged to bring the air out of the reservoir 6 when inserting a part of the piston 86 into the reservoir.
The device may comprise a piston with two lips, a first upper lip of which is arranged to enter the reservoir in a non-sealed manner and a second lower lip arranged to enter the reservoir in a sealed manner.
The device may comprise a piston, a lower lip of which is attached to the bottom wall by elastic means arranged to disengage during introduction into the lower opening.
The device may comprise a deformable wall and a container arranged to contain the piston or the flexible walls, the deformable wall and the container being grouped together in a single part of the same material without material discontinuity, or, manufactured in the same part by overmolding or bi-injection.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is proposed a device for dispensing a fluid comprising:
The device may comprise means for immobilizing the reservoir in rotation and/or in translation relative to the container when the neck is closed after filling the reservoir and while the reservoir is located inside the container.
The device may comprise at least one intermediate part connecting the container to the walls of the reservoir, this intermediate part being connected to the container and to the walls of the reservoir in a removable manner, preferably by screwing.
The device may not include any other intermediate part connecting the container to the walls of the reservoir over at least half, or even preferably at least two thirds, of the elongation of the container and/or the walls of the reservoir from the neck but outside the neck.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed a device for dispensing a fluid comprising:
The dispensing valve may be located inside a part carried by the movable wall.
The movable wall can be in continuity of material or overmolded or bi-injection with the part in which the dispensing valve is located.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed a device for dispensing a fluid comprising:
The cap and the bottom wall may be arranged so that the bottom wall is mounted in the cap according to an assembly by insertion into the cap from the side of the at least one sealing line and according to an insertion direction, the pressing surface and the outlet preferably both being located on top of the cap so that:
The bottom wall may have a convex domed shape on the side of the interior volume of the pocket.
The cap may have a concave convex shape on the side of the interior volume of the pocket.
The majority of the interior volume of the pocket may be located in at least one cavity extending into the bottom wall towards the inside of the bottom wall.
The device according to the invention may not include a weld between the bottom wall and the cap.
The pressing surface may comprise structures making it possible to visualize this pressing surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
At least 20% of the internal volume of the reservoir may be contained in the insert.
The interior volume of the reservoir may sink at least 20 mm or 25 mm or 30 mm or even 35 mm inside the insert.
The feed valve may be carried by the insert.
The dispensing valve may be carried by the cap.
The output may be carried by the cap.
The outlet may carry an applicator and/or a dispensing surface.
The internal volume of the reservoir may be delimited at least partly by the insert.
The internal volume of the reservoir may be delimited at least partly by a flexible wall contained at least partly in the insert.
The pocket may surround the reservoir 360° around the reservoir.
The tightness of the interlocking of the insert in the cap may be ensured by at least one sealing contact line, the interior volume of the pocket preferably being at least twice as small as the interior volume of the cap delimited by a plane passing through the at least one line.
The pocket:
The insert may extend outside of the cap.
The device according to the invention may comprise a vent connecting the exterior of the device to the interior of the insert.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
the device according to the invention further comprises a button equipped with a screw thread and screwed to an element integral with the deformable or movable wall, said screw thread being arranged to adjust a maximum possible amplitude of the movement of the button on the wall, and therefore set a maximum quantity of product delivered through the outlet of the device according to the invention when pressing on the pressing surface.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
Preferably, the movable wall is arranged to translate, preferably inside a conduit or cylinder or outside a piston, and has a translation movement guided by a rail which is coupled to a slide, each rail and/or slide thus being arranged to guide the pressing surface.
Preferably, the deformable wall of the pocket can be formed at least partly by a folding wall comprising an assembly of strips or parts.
A first kind of part or strip can be arranged to be able to buckle or deform under the action of a force exerted on the pressing surface. A second kind of part or band may be formed by flexible material and/or passages.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for dispensing a fluid, comprising:
The device may comprise a cap formed in one part comprising:
The bottom part may comprise a skirt extending from the bottom wall arranged to be fixed on a reservoir.
The cap may comprise a movable or deformable wall partly delimiting the pocket.
The bottom part may include at least one orifice or filling hole opening onto the inside of the reservoir.
The cap may comprise at least one plug arranged to block the at least one orifice.
The device may comprise a dispensing orifice passing through the bottom part and arranged to let fluid out from inside the pocket, the cap being arranged to rotate between the open position and a closed position of the cap for which the cap blocks a fluid outlet through the dispensing orifice to the outside of the device, the outlet orifice communicating with the dispensing orifice without passing through the pocket.
The bottom wall may comprise one or more bumps arranged to reduce the volume of air in the pocket during the compression of the pocket during the priming of the device, and/or,
a member of the bottom wall may partly cover the feed valve with respect to a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall.
The device may comprise a flexible edge arranged so that, during an exercise of the pressing force on the pressing surface from the outside of the pocket, transmitting at least part of this pressing force to the feed valve by pressing on the feed valve and/or transmitting at least part of this pressing force to the dispensing valve by pressing on the dispensing valve.
The device may comprise a concave part of the deformable wall surrounded by a flexible edge forming with the concave part a junction line, this junction line being arranged to move before at least 10% compression of the pocket.
All the preceding technical characteristics may be claimed independently of each other.
Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, and of the following appended drawings:
These embodiments being in no way limiting, variants of the invention may in particular be considered comprising only a selection of characteristics described or illustrated below isolated from the other characteristics described or illustrated (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence including these other features), if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, and/or with only part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art anterior. Preferably the product to be dispensed is a fluid.
We will first describe, with reference to
Unless otherwise stated and in a purely illustrative manner:
The fluid comprises a liquid and/or a gas, and is preferably a liquid, cream, paste, gel or mixture thereof.
The device 101 for dispensing a fluid comprises a pocket 2 having an interior volume arranged to contain the fluid, the interior volume being delimited at least partly by a deformable wall 22. The deformable wall is optional. In general, we speak of a movable wall 22, because it is the pocket which is deformable, whether by a deformable wall or by rigid walls having a relative movement such as a piston.
The pocket 2 is formed by a bottom wall 21 (also called pocket wall 21) and by the flexible deformable wall 22.
The pocket walls 21 and the deformable wall 22 face each other.
The deformable wall 22 has a concave shape oriented towards the bottom wall 21.
The deformable wall 22 is fixed or welded to the bottom wall 21.
The bottom wall 21 is a rigid wall, that is to say more rigid than the wall 22.
The walls 21 and 22 are for example made of polypropylene or polyethylene.
The device 101 comprises a dispensing part 23 comprising a dispensing cavity 8. The pocket 2 is connected to the dispensing cavity 8.
The device 101 comprises a pressing surface 25 arranged to, under the exertion of pressure, reduce the interior volume of the pocket 2 by deforming the deformable wall 22.
The device 101 includes an outlet 24.
The outlet 24 leads to the outside of the device 101.
The outlet 24 is preferably located on the dispensing part 23.
The device 101 comprises a dispensing orifice 18 or 355 connecting the pocket 2 to the dispensing cavity 8.
The device 101 comprises a dispensing valve 5 located in the dispensing cavity 8, and which in an open state, allows a passage of fluid from the interior of the pocket 2 to the outlet 24 passing through the dispensing orifice 18 and through the dispensing cavity 8, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of fluid from the inside of the pocket 2 towards the outlet and through the dispensing cavity 8.
The pressing surface 25 is arranged to, under the exertion of pressure, reduce the interior volume of the pocket 2 by deforming the deformable wall 22, more precisely by crushing it in the direction of the pocket wall 21.
The dispensing part 23 is arranged to, by exerting pressure on the pressing surface 25, move at least according to a translational movement.
The deformable wall 22 has a shape memory. When this wall 22 is not subjected to any external constraint, it resumes or remains in its shape (preferably concave) which maximizes the volume of the pocket 2.
The device 101 comprises a feed orifice 41 connected with a reservoir 6 of fluid.
The reservoir 6 is delimited at least partly by a flexible wall 108 or a flexible bag 14, typically a multilayer film.
The device 101 comprises a feed orifice 41 connecting the reservoir 6 to the interior volume of the pocket 2. The orifice 41 coincides with an opening 124 of the reservoir 6 connecting it to the pocket 2.
The device 101 comprises a feed valve 4 which, in an open state, allows a passage of fluid from the reservoir 6 towards the interior of the pocket 2 passing through the feed orifice 41, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of fluid towards the interior of the pocket 2 passing through the feed orifice 41.
The feed valve 4 is located inside the pocket 2 and is arranged to:
The feed valve 4 (movable between its closed and open positions) is, in its closed state, held pressed against a part stationary (called feed seat, which at least partially surrounds the periphery of the feed orifice 41 associated) and “rigid” (i.e. not made of flexible material) of an internal wall of the pocket 2. More precisely, the feed valve 4 comprises a membrane which, in the closed state of the feed valve 4, is held pressed against the feed seat, and moves away from this feed seat in its open state.
The feed seat is located inside pocket 2, on pocket wall 21.
At rest, that is to say without the device 101 undergoing stress or external force, the valve 5 is in its closed state.
Preferably, even if it is less essential, at rest, that is to say without the device 101 undergoing stress or external force, the valve 4 is also in its closed state.
When the pocket 2 is filled with fluid to be dispensed and the volume of the pocket 2 decreases (for example due to an increase in pressure on the pressing surface 25):
When pocket 2 is filled with fluid to be dispensed and the volume of the pocket 2 increases (for example by releasing pressure on the pressing surface 25):
A dispensing channel connects the outlet 24 inside the pocket 2. This dispensing channel includes the cavity 8.
The bottom wall 21 is integral with an end piece 89 also called “eye” 89.
The device 101 comprises the reservoir 6 delimited by the walls 14, 108 which are fixed to the end piece 89, or more precisely a flexible bag 14, 108 welded to the end piece 89.
The pocket 2 is located inside the reservoir 6 or bag 14.
The outlet 24 is arranged to dispense fluid in a direction substantially parallel to the pressing surface 25.
A plug 77 to block the outlet 24 is arranged to pass between two positions:
The pocket 2 is located inside the reservoir 6.
The device 101 comprises the feed valve 4 which, in an open state, allows a passage of fluid from the feed conduit towards the inside of the pocket 2 passing through the feed orifice 41, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of fluid from the feed conduit to the inside of the pocket 2 through the feed orifice.
The feed valve 4 is integral with the dispensing valve 5.
The feed valve 4 and the dispensing valve 5 are in a single part of a single material.
The part 23 and the pocket wall 21 are in one and the same part with no material discontinuity.
The end piece 89 and the part 23 are in one and the same part without material discontinuity.
There are one or two filling holes 87, 87b each opening onto the inside of the reservoir 6.
Preferably, these filling holes are two in number and are located on either side of the outlet 24.
These filling holes go through the piece 89.
A single plug 310 is arranged to simultaneously:
The plug 310 includes a plug 77 which is removable by means of a hinge.
The plug 310 comprises 2 cylindrical pins 313 which fit together with a slight tightening (preferably with a snap) in the end piece 89 at the position of the filling holes 87 and 87b in order to adjust and precisely maintain the plug 310 with the end piece 89 during assembly. This is the preponderant fixing means in the assembly of the plug 310 on the end piece 89, complementary independent clips make it possible to maintain the fitting assembled. The diameter of the pins 313 is preferably more than 3 mm and even more than 4 mm. Preferably the two holes 87, 87b are open, however in a version not shown one of the holes 87 or 87b is not open, this non-open hole is called adjustment or positioning hole.
The end piece 89 comprises 2 lateral notches 130 arranged to hold the device during filling and/or closing by fitting the plug 310 into this end piece 89. Typically the end piece 89 is arranged to slide in rails of a device for conditioning. The notches are located on the side ends of the end piece 89 towards the side edges of the reservoir 14.
The plug 310 comprises a cavity 312 arranged to receive the end of the dispensing part 23 provided with the outlet 24. The dispensing part 23 passes through the plug 310.
The bag 14 is welded to the eye 89 more precisely on fins. In another variant, the eye comprises a welding wall extending along the axis of the dispensing channel 114, the cavity formed between the welding wall and the dispensing part 23 is hidden by the plug 310.
Referring to
Referring to
The device according to the invention may include an air pocket, and this air pocket may include an extraction hole 11 arranged to extract the air from this pocket. This extraction hole is located at a distance of less than 3 cm from at least one of the filling holes, so that the fluid to be dispensed does not come out through the filling hole when placing the device under vacuum.
The wall 22 is provided with a skirt 155 having a height at minimum at least as high, in the same direction of measurement, as the height at the entrance to the cavity 8 on the side of the pocket 2 (i.e. minimum of 2 or 3 mm).
This skirt 155 allows the insertion of the valve 5 into the cavity 8 from inside the pocket 2 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of measurement of the height of this skirt 155.
The end piece 89 sinks into the plug 310. The dispensing surface 207 is formed by the plug 310 and the end piece 89.
The cavity 312 includes plug 310 between pins 313.
In this variant, the end piece 89 comprises three parts:
these connecting walls 9 being arranged to leave at least one empty space 15 between the outer crown of the end piece 89 and the central part of the end piece 89, this at least one empty space 15 being arranged to allow passage of a filling pipe 46 which, passing through this at least one empty space 15, penetrates to the inside of the reservoir 6 (typically along the outside of the pocket 22).
It is thus noted that the pocket 22 does not have a form of symmetry of revolution around the longitudinal axis of the device 101 to allow the passage of the pipe 46.
Thus, a method according to the invention typically comprises, while the plug 310 is dismantled from the rest of the device 101, a filling of the reservoir 6 by the filling pipe 46 which passes through this at least one empty space 15 and penetrates up to inside the reservoir 6 (typically along the outside of the pocket 22), and thus performs a filling of the reservoir 6 by a fluid coming from the outside of the device 101 passes through the pipe 46 into the reservoir 6.
After this filling, the plug 310 can be reassembled on the neck 85. For this, the neck 85 comprises an external screw thread 16, which is advantageous compared to an internal screw thread which would push the end piece 89 and the outlet 24 inside the device 101 and would make the latter less compact.
The neck 85 is integral (and in the extension) of the walls of the reservoir 6.
We also note that this space 15 allowing the passage of the pipe 46 for filling the reservoir 6 is also present in
Each of the embodiments of the device 102, 104, 105, 106, 107 for dispensing a fluid comprises:
The lower opening 87 is arranged to allow a passage of the fluid, preferably a passage of a cannula (or filling pipe) transporting the fluid, so as to fill the reservoir 6 with fluid at least partly at least up to the feed valve 4 so that the fluid is in contact with the feed valve 4 and preferably so as to also fill the interior volume of the pocket 2 with at least part of the fluid.
The feed valve is arranged to allow the pipe or cannula to pass, for example by bending.
Referring to
Note that the deformable wall 22 is not movable in the cap 70. There is no part of the movable pocket function in the cap 70. The cap 70 is mounted superimposed on the flexible wall 22. The wall 22 is a bellows or the base of a dome with an upper edge 228 connected to the cap 70 in continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection, and a lower edge 229 connected to the wall 118 of reservoir 6 in continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection.
The junctions and/or connection with the edges 229 and 228 are sealed.
The deformable wall 22 is mounted superimposed on the wall 118 of the reservoir 6.
The dispensing part 23 comprises a cap 70,
The deformable wall 22 and the cap 70 are:
The dispensing valve 5 is in a cavity located inside the at least one part 70 (of the dispensing part 23) having a continuity of material with the wall 22, this cavity is lateral and is positioned between the pocket 22 and the outlet 24. The connection between the cap 70 and the insert is sealed so as to have a pocket 38 of air or gas sealed.
The reservoir 6 arranged to contain the fluid and comprising two openings, the upper opening 124 of which is oriented towards the pocket 2 and a lower opening 87, said reservoir 6 being arranged to reduce its internal volume when fluid exits from the reservoir during pressing on the wall 25 once the device has been initiated, this phase is subsequently called the pumping operation.
The reservoir 6 comprises a rigid wall 99 inside which a piston 86 slides. The piston 86 is between the reservoir 6 and a bottom wall 91. The piston 86 is inserted into the opening 87 after filling the reservoir 6 through the opening 87, it forms a plug 310. The reservoir 6 has a cylindrical shape and elongated
Reservoir 6 includes a side wall 118 or container 118 between bottom wall 91 and pocket wall 21.
The side wall 118 is part of a part 10 arranged to:
The deformable wall 22 and the wall 10 are:
At least one hole 95 made in the piston 86 or between the piston and the wall 99 allows the air to come out of the reservoir 6 when inserting a part of the piston 86 (more precisely the upper part) into the reservoir. Thus the piston 86 comprises two lips of which a first upper lip 88 (oriented towards 124) is arranged to enter the reservoir in a non-sealed manner since it is provided with at least one hole 95, and a second lower lip 28 (oriented towards the bottom 91) arranged to enter the reservoir 6 in a sealed manner. Note that the piston 86 consists of a single part, it is not provided with a valve.
In order to reduce the air, the piston preferably comprises a domed wall 26. The dome shape 26 makes it possible to reduce the air between the piston and the product and to expel the cream or product to be dispensed on the sides against the wall 99 during inserting the piston into the reservoir.
As long as the lower lip 28 of the piston is not fitted into the internal walls 99 of the reservoir 6, the air contained in the reservoir can escape from the device.
The at least one hole 95 is arranged to also allow passage of the fluid between the reservoir 6 and a sealing zone 97 between the piston 86 and the wall 99.
Typically there are several holes 95. The openings 95 may be slots around upper lip 88.
With reference to
The removable plug 310 is screwed onto the piston 86.
The piston 86 is between the reservoir 6 and a bottom wall 91, said preferably rigid bottom wall 91 being provided with means 93 to block the rotation of the piston 86 during the screwing of the plug 310 on the piston 86 when the piston 86 is in contact with the bottom wall 91.
The bottom wall 91 is provided with fastening means 45 to fit together preferably by snap-fastening with the rigid wall 118 of the reservoir.
Different variants of this embodiment can be combined with each other:
Referring to
After the reservoir has been filled, the piston 86 is placed therein, more precisely it is placed by sliding in the cylinder 87, 118, preferably during this step the bottom wall 91 is fixed to the piston.
The lower lip 28 is attached to the bottom wall 91 by elastic means 32 at least before the introduction into the opening 87.
During the introduction into the opening 87 the lip 28 provided with the elastic means 32 is deformed which has the effect of the displacement of the elastic means 32 towards the axis of the piston. This movement has the effect of separating the elastic means 32 from the bottom wall 91. In order to accentuate this deformation, it is advantageous to add a local surplus of material to the internal walls 99 of the reservoir 6, such as a ring material 29. The elastic means 32 are arranged to detach easily from the bottom 91 from the first pumping operations (before the first 10 pumping operations), that is to say when the wall 22 is crushed once the device started.
Projecting walls 31 of the bottom 91 are arranged to hook with the elastic means 32 and raise the piston 86 relative to the bottom wall 91. At least a part of the projecting walls 31 are introduced between the elastic means 32 and the lip 28. The elastic means 32 can be clipped onto the projecting wall 31.
The piston 86 includes lips.
The upper part 88 of these lips (or “upper lips”) is the first to enter the reservoir 6 when the piston 86 is inserted through the opening 87.
The lower part 96 of these lips (or “lower lips”) is the second (or last) to enter the reservoir 6 when the piston 86 is inserted through the opening 87.
The upper lips 88 are provided with reliefs or ribs or studs 197 which separate the upper lips 88 from the internal walls 99 in order to allow air or product to be dispensed to escape from the reservoir 6 through the opening 87 passing between reliefs or ribs or studs 197 during the insertion of the piston 86 through the opening 87.
The lower lips 96 are arranged to seal the opening 87 between the inside of the reservoir 6 and the outside of the device once these lower lips 96 enter between the walls 118 by the opening 87.
Side openings 94 inside piston 86 allow air to escape and prevent an air bubble from forming in piston 86 when inserting piston 86 through the opening 87
The piston 86 comprises means 98 for holding the piston 86 to the wall 91. There is no outer wall of the part 91 which surrounds the outside of the piston, even partially. In order to improve the holding of the piston, a wall of part 91 (not shown) can fit inside the piston 86. These holding means 98 typically comprise:
The wall 108 is flexible or mainly comprises flexible walls (hereinafter referred to as “flexible wall 108” or “wall 108”).
The reservoir 6 arranged to contain the fluid is delimited by:
The plug 310 is integrated into the wall 91.
The flexible wall can for example be injected or thermoformed.
The area of a section of the upper opening 124 (this section being chosen to minimize the area of the upper opening 124) is at least six times (and even at least eight times) smaller than the area of a section of the lower opening 87 (this section being chosen to minimize the area of the lower opening 87).
The flexible wall 108 is arranged to deform so as to reduce the internal volume of the reservoir 6 when fluid exits from the reservoir 6.
The edge 43 and/or the skirt 42 is arranged to seal between the inside of the reservoir and the outside of the device.
The device 105, more precisely the rigid wall 91, is arranged to keep the position of the lower opening 87 in the device 105 fixed with respect to the position of the upper opening 124 in the device 105.
The flexible wall 108 is fixed to the pocket 2 according to a hermetic junction.
The flexible wall 108 comprises a cylinder 81 above the reservoir 6 allowing sealing. To have the tightness, either this cylinder 81 is compressed (case of
The device 105 comprises means 110 (optional) for internal guiding of the cap 70 (which is the part forming the internal volume of the pocket 2 and further containing the dispensing valve 5). The means 110 are arranged to guide a movement of the cap. The means 110 take the form of a small wall 110 emerging from the bottom wall 21.
Different variants of this embodiment 105 can be combined with each other:
Referring to
In the case of a flexible wall 108 obtained by thermoforming in order to refine its thickness, typically around 0.2 mm, it is proposed a deformation of the raw material (typically a sheet or a film) of a thickness deeper than the thickness of the reservoir thus forming a “thick part” (for example a deformation 1.5 or 2 times deeper) then a partial cutting of this “thick part” to extract the pocket 108.
Note that the bottom wall 21 includes a ring 48 at the position of the opening 124, this ring is deformed (in a direction opposite to the center of the hole 41) preferably by ultrasound and is arranged to compress the wall 108 of the reservoir.
The lower opening 87 takes the form of a neck referenced 85 or 87.
This neck 87 of reservoir 6 forms an inlet orifice to fill reservoir 6 when this neck is not screwed to wall 91.
The wall 91 therefore forms a plug for this neck 87. The wall 91 integrates in a single part, preferably in the same material, the plug 310 arranged to be screwed onto the neck 87 and fixing means 45 arranged to fit together with the wall 12, preferably by snap-fastening.
The wall 91 is connected to side walls 12 arranged to, when this neck is screwed to the wall 91:
The wall 12 surrounds a wall 108 delimiting an internal volume of the reservoir 6 (delimiting at least 50% and even at least 75% of the internal volume of the reservoir 6).
These side walls 12 are nested or snapped with the wall 91. The wall 91 comprises snap-fastening means 45.
The reservoir is blown in PE (Polyethylene) or PP (Polypropylene).
Reservoir 6 includes a bump 60 arranged to be welded to bottom wall 21.
The wall 12 and the wall 21 form a container 122 arranged to contain the reservoir 6.
The side wall 12 is part of a part 100 or wall 100 arranged to:
The deformable wall 22 and the wall 100 are:
The wall 91 comprises screwing means 310 making it possible to close or plug the reservoir 6 in a leaktight manner. During the screwing operation, the reservoir can lift (translate towards the wall 91) and/or deform by extending towards the bottom wall 91. Only the bottom wall 91 is rotated by an external tool (not shown) in order to close the neck of the reservoir 6.
Once the screwing operation is complete, an axial force on the wall 91 towards the reservoir makes it possible to fix the wall 91 with the wall 12.
The wall 91 comprises fixing means 45 to the container 122. The fixing means may preferably comprise interlocking, and more preferably an interlocking with snap-fastening of the wall 91 with the container 122, more precisely with the wall 12.
The wall 91 makes it possible to close or block the container 122, preferably in a non-airtight manner.
The deformable wall 22 and the wall 12 of the container 122 are:
With reference to
The flexible wall 108 of the reservoir 6 is itself enclosed in a wall 12 of a container 122.
First of all, it includes an anti-rotation system of the reservoir 6:
The walls 108 and the reliefs 40 are preferably made by injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding. It is noted that the relief(s) 40 are made on a side wall 108 of the reservoir (relative to the axis of elongation of the reservoir).
The neck 87 and the bump 60 are more rigid than the side walls of the reservoir 6.
The flexible side walls of the reservoir 6 are typically around 0.15 to 0.4 mm in order to optimize its emptying. These thin walls pose a problem of rigidity when closing the reservoir. Contrary to the device of
The wall 91 and the plug 310 are two separate parts.
The rails 90 allow the plug 310 to slide with the bottom wall 91. These rails make it possible to drive the plug 310 in rotation when the wall 91 is turned, this sliding prevents the reservoir from lifting when screwing, the plug 310 can translate even if the bottom wall 91 comes into contact with the end of the side wall 12 before interlocking, in particular at the position of the interlocking or snap-fastening means 45. The plug is arranged to slide with the bottom wall 21 at least at the end of tightening.
The plug 310 is held in the part 91 (for example by clipping means with a clearance allowing axial sliding) and can slide in the part 91.
The plug is held with the wall 91 at the start of the pumping operations but can detach from the bottom 91 after a certain number of pumping operations.
The walls 108 of the reservoir 6 include a neck 85.
The neck 85 of the walls 108 of the reservoir 6 comprises threads arranged to cooperate with the plug 310.
The walls 108 are pierced opposite the neck 85 so as to form the opening 124 fixed to the bottom wall 21.
The plug 310 includes a hollow 311 so as to reduce the air in the reservoir 6 after closure.
The container 122 is closed by pressing on the part 91 after the screwing phase of the plug 310 with the neck 85.
A rib or fin 19 in the container 122 is arranged to block the walls 108 of the reservoir 6.
Referring to
Note that the elements 91 and/or 310, connected to the neck 85, is an intermediate part between the walls 12 and 108. The part 91 and/or 310 is located at one of the ends of the device 106. Apart from the intermediate part(s) 91, 310 connected to the neck 85, there is no other intermediate part connecting the walls 12 and 108 over at least one half (or even at least two thirds) of the elongation of the walls 12, 108 from neck 85 but outside neck 85.
It is further noted that this or these intermediate parts 91 and/or 310 are connected to the walls 12, 108 without gluing or welding or coextrusion, which is advantageous for the recycling of the device.
This or these intermediate parts 91 and/or 310 are therefore removable (by screwing, disengagement) with respect to the walls 12, 108.
The dispensing valve 5 is located inside the rigid part 70 carried by the movable wall 22 so that this rigid part 70 is arranged to translate by deformation of the movable wall 22.
The wall 22 is in continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection with the part 70.
Referring to
The means 84 are a border or a hollow at the position of the neck 85.
A tool 82 keeps the means 84 immobile (attached to the neck 85) during the insertion of the plug 310.
In the embodiment of
Conversely, in the embodiment of
Referring to
Unlike the previous embodiments for which the openings 87, 124 were distinct and located on either side of the reservoir 6 at two different locations (preferably opposite) of the reservoir 6, the device 1060 comprises orifices 87 and 124 coincident at the same position. The bottom wall 21 acts as a rigid wall 91 is provided with screwing means 310. These screwing means 310 may be arranged to slide in the bottom wall 21 in a sealed manner, this prevents the reservoir 6 from lifting when screwing the bottom wall 21 (more precisely the wall 44). Once the screwing operation is complete (the skirt of the plug allowing sealing), an axial force towards the reservoir at the foot of the deformable wall 22 allows the snap-fastening of the head of the device 1060 (more particularly of the dispensing head) thanks to the snap-fastening means 47.
Referring to
The head 400 comprises a dispensing surface 7 which borders or surrounds the outlet 24 preferably with a surface of at least 50 mm2 and even of at least 70 mm2. The dispensing part 23 comprises the dispensing surface 7 and is fitted or screwed to one end of the hollow member 406, the other end of the hollow member 406 being connected to the wall 22 by continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection. This dispensing surface 7 is arranged for the massage and to exert the tilting force on the device.
The intake valve 4 is of the “duck-bill” type, which is particularly leaktight and allows the introduction of a needle through the valve 4. In the present description, the “duck-bill” may be single-slit or cross-slit valve.
The valve 4 can be made by overmolding on the bottom wall 21.
The bottom wall 21 forms a plug or insert for insertion into the pocket 2.
A degassing element 411 is arranged to allow gas to pass from pocket 2 to reservoir 6 when filling pocket 2 with a liquid and/or gel by means of a needle passing through the valve 4 (or filling valve) inserted from the side of the reservoir 6 whose plug 91 is open and the piston 86 absent during this filling.
This element 411 typically comprises a valve or a clearance or interstice between the wall 21 and the pocket 2 or a slot in the bottom wall 21. The pocket 2 comprises degassing means 411 at the position of the bottom wall 21, the degassing means 411 are on the side of reservoir 6, oriented towards reservoir 6. With reference to
The wall 22 is connected and integral with the wall 118.
The wall 22 is in continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection with the wall 118 of the reservoir 6 (as illustrated in
The wall 118 of the reservoir 6 delimits the internal volume of the reservoir 6 (delimiting at least 50% and even at least 75% of the internal volume of the reservoir 6). The wall 12 surrounding a wall 118 delimiting an internal volume of the reservoir 6 (delimiting at least 50% and even at least 75% of the internal volume of the reservoir 6).
The rigid wall of the head 400 has its inclination limited by a passage hole 412 and/or by the wall 21 according to several contact points 401 (with the hole 412), 404 (with the hole 412), 402 (with the hole 412), 403 (with wall 21). The head 400 optionally comprises, in addition to the part 23, a massage element 408 provided with two lateral massage faces with respect to the outlet of the product, the contact points are arranged to block the inclination during the massage.
The dispensing valve 5 is located inside the rigid part 400 carried by the movable wall 22 so that this rigid part 400 is arranged to tilt and/or translate by deformation of the movable wall 22.
The wall 22 is in continuity of material or overmolding or bi-injection with the part 400. It is noted that the axis of elongation of the head 400 is substantially the same as the axis of elongation of the reservoir 6.
In this embodiment, the valve 4 (more precisely one end) is trapped or wedged between the bottom wall 21 and the periphery or the foot of the wall 22, in particular between the bottom wall 21 and the lid 222.
A degassing element 411 is arranged to allow gas to pass from the pocket 2 to the reservoir 6 when filling the pocket 2 with a liquid and/or gel by means of a needle passing through valve 4 inserted from the side of the reservoir 6 whose plug 91 is open during this filling. As illustrated in
A degassing channel 211 connects the element 411 to the feed orifice 41. This element 411 typically comprises a valve or a clearance or interstice between the wall 21 and the pocket 2 or even a slot in the bottom wall.
The degassing means 411, 211 are preferably oriented towards the reservoir 6. It is preferable that the valve used for filling the pocket 2 be arranged so that its seat in the bottom wall 21 is at a position down to the reservoir 6 therefore preferably like the valve 4b, however at the same time it is preferable for the feed valve 4 to be closest to the deformable wall 22. In another variant not shown, the dispensing valve 5 is further away of the reservoir 6 than the feed valve 4.
Referring to
Each rail 112 and/or slide 113 is integral with the cap 70.
This rail/slide pair can be replaced or supplemented by another rod/cylinder pair arranged so as not to compress the product. Preferably at least one rail/slide pair is arranged to have a transverse support in all directions as shown in
The intake valve 4 is of the “duck-bill” type, which is particularly leaktight and allows the introduction of a needle through the valve 4.
The dispensing valve 5 comprises a stud 90 (or a rod 90) secured to a movable member of the valve 5.
The stud 90 is:
The movable member of the valve 5 is entirely included inside the deformable chamber 2.
The dispensing valve 5 is:
The stud 90 has an end that:
The movable member of the valve 5 is arranged to move under the effect of an overpressure of the fluid, in the interior volume of the chamber 2, greater than a pressure threshold (depending in particular on the total stiffness of return means 696) with respect to the state of equilibrium of chamber 2, so as to move the stud 90 away from the outlet 24 of chamber 2 so as to move the dispensing valve 5 from its closed state to its open state. Such an overpressure may be caused by a reduction in the internal volume of the chamber 2 filled with fluid to be dispensed, for example when a user presses on the pressing surface 25.
The movable member of the valve 5 is also arranged, in other cases, to keep the valve 5 closed or to move so as to move the stud 90 in the direction of the outlet 24 of the chamber 2 so as to move the dispensing valve 5 from its open state to its closed state.
The movable member of the valve 5 comprises at least one movable wall 691 of at least one gas pocket 92.
Each movable wall 691 is entirely included inside the deformable chamber 2.
The at least one gas pocket 92 contains a gas (typically air) preferably without it being able to leave this pocket 92. The at least one gas pocket 92 is arranged to isolate this gas (represented by small dots in the figures) with respect to the fluid contained in the deformable chamber 2.
The gas pocket 92 is completely surrounded (along a closed loop surrounding this pocket 92 at 360° around this pocket 92) by the fluid contained in the chamber 2.
The movable wall 691 of each gas pocket 92 has a contact surface 697 arranged to be fully in contact with the fluid contained in the chamber 2.
This contact surface 697 of the pocket 92 is defined as being the surface of the wall 691 (typically less than 1 mm thick or preferably less than 500 μm) which is on a main side arranged to be in contact with the fluid contained in chamber 2 and on another side opposite the main in contact with the gas of this pocket 92; the surface of the stud 90 is therefore not counted.
The sum of the areas of the contact surfaces 697 of the gas pocket(s) 92 is at least 50 mm2 and even greater than 70 mm2 and even greater than 90 mm2.
The device 6000 comprises a movable wall 691 of a gas pocket 92 aligned along an axis of elongation of the stud 90, this axis of elongation also being an axis of displacement of the stud 90 between the open position and the closed position of the valve 5.
The pressure inside each gas pocket 92 is typically:
The dispensing valve 5 and the at least one gas pocket 92 are part of a module 693 which is inserted into the device 6000 from outside the device 6000. The module 693 is fitted into the rest of the device 6000, more exactly to the cap 70.
The module 693 is fitted into the rest of the device 6000 in a sealed manner.
The module 693 comprises a reservoir or tube 602 comprising two diameters:
The module 693 comprises a lid 603 fixed (typically welded or fitted) to the reservoir or tube 602 and delimiting the interior of the pocket 92 with the wall 691.
The stud 90 and/or the movable member of the valve 5 are arranged to be in contact with the fluid contained in the deformable chamber 2.
The stud 90 is only arranged to be partially in contact with this fluid contained in the chamber 2: indeed, in the closed position of the valve 5, the end of the stud 90 is hidden from inside the chamber 2 by the outlet 24.
The movable member of the valve 5 is arranged only to be partially in contact with this fluid contained in the chamber 2: indeed, the movable wall 691 has an internal wall in contact with the gas of its pocket 92. The movable wall 691 is a succession of bellows forming a thread.
The device 6000 comprises at least one return means 696 arranged to exert on the stud 90 a return force so as to push the stud 90 in the direction of the outlet 24 of the chamber 2 so as to return the dispensing valve 5 from its open position to its closed position.
The at least one return means 696 comprises a movable wall 691 in the form of bellows.
The movable wall 691 is arranged to deform during its movement.
Each gas pocket 92 facilitates, for a user, the passage of the valve 5 from its closed state to its open state, while ensuring good closure of the valve 5 in its closed state.
The interior volume of the deformable chamber 2 is delimited at least partly by the cap 70.
The interior volume of the deformable chamber 2 is delimited at least partly by the bottom wall 21 forming a plug inserted into the pocket 2.
The dispensing seat is formed by all of the contact points, of the module 693, between the dispensing valve 5 and the module 693 when the valve 5 is in its closed state.
Note that there is no valve on the fluid circulation path between the inlet 41 (and/or valve 4) and the dispensing valve 5.
Note that there is no mechanical connection between the cap 70 and the at least one pocket 92, the only connection between the wall 25 and the at least one pocket 92 being via the fluid to be dispensed.
Referring to
The part 694 is an independent flexible part mounted with a clamp between the internal walls of the reservoir or tube 602.
The stud 90 is more rigid or harder than the flexible part and than the rigid part (the hardnesses compared being measured in the same unit from Shore A or Shore D).
For the stud 90:
The stud 90 is flush (as shown) or protrudes less than 1 mm from outlet 24.
The end of the stud 90 is less than 1 mm from the outlet 24 (in front or behind the outlet 24).
In the closed position of the dispensing valve 5 illustrated in
The edge 651, in section view of the stud 90, forms an angle less than 150° or even 90 degrees on the side of the stud 90.
In the closed position of the dispensing valve 5 illustrated in
The edge 652, in sectional view of the cap 70, forms an angle less than 150° on the side of the reservoir 602.
Note on the part 694 that the face just behind the contact line 651 is not in contact with a rigid part 695, there is a space 699 between parts 695 and 694, this allows additional flexibility to more easily obtain the two contact lines 651 and 652.
The stud 90 is arranged so that, when the valve 5 passes from its open position to its closed position, the first contact line is formed before the second contact line.
The maximum distance between the first contact line and the outside of the chamber 2 on the side of the outlet 24 is less than 6 mm or even 4 mm.
Referring to
More exactly, this hole 65 is located on a side wall of the module 693.
The hole 65 allows air to escape from the module 693 when filling the reservoir 6 and/or the pocket 2 and/or the valve 5 with the product to be dispensed, for example by a filling pipe passing through the opening 87 then through the opening 41.
Preferably, opening 87, opening 41, and opening 65 are aligned in that order, i.e. a straight line can pass through these three openings in that order.
In this embodiment, the at least one return means 696 comprises a convex and flexible movable wall 691 forming a dome.
Referring to
This stem 160 emerges from the surface 22 and/or 25, and therefore connects the surface 22 and/or 25 located at one of the ends of the stem 160 to the valve 5 and the outlet 24 located at the other end of the stem 160.
This stem 160 includes a channel which connects the pocket 2 to the outlet 24.
The length 161 of the stem 160 between on one side the surface 25 and the outlet 24 is at least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm or even at least 45 mm.
The intake valve 4 is of the “duck bill” type (“duck valve”), which is particularly leaktight and allows the introduction of a needle through the valve 4.
The valve 4 can be made by overmolding on the bottom wall 21.
The feed valve 4 is provided with a protection means 204 arranged to protect the valve 4 during the insertion of a syringe through the feed orifice 41.
This means 204 takes the form of a cone or a ring which is inserted at the foot of the valve 4 (on the side of the reservoir 6). This cone or ring 204 is either a part of the bottom wall 21 or an added part distinct from the bottom wall 21 (but which is preferably fixed to the bottom wall 21).
The wall 691 is inserted into the wall of an applicator 208 where the outlet 24 emerges.
This applicator 208 makes it possible to spread the product to be dispensed, to massage a part of a body (for example a face and/or a cheek and/or lips and/or an eye contour) with the product to be dispensed, etc.
The wall of the applicator is composed of a superposition of two layers, preferably:
The applicator 208 has a dispensing surface which borders or surrounds the outlet 24 preferably with an area of at least 50 mm2 and even at least 100 mm2.
In this embodiment, the stem 160 emerges from the surface 22, and therefore connects the surface 22 located at one end of the stem 160 to the valve 5 and the outlet 24 located at the other end of the stem 160. The length 161 of the stem 160 between on one side the surface 22 and the outlet 24 is at least 25 mm, preferably at least 35 mm or even at least 45 mm.
Due to the flexibility or the ability of the wall 22 to deform, the stem 160 is arranged to tilt.
In this embodiment, the pocket 2 is delimited:
The means 204 take the form of a cone or a ring which is inserted at the foot of the valve 4 (on the side of the reservoir 6). This cone or ring 204 is either a part of the bottom wall 21 (as illustrated in
The valve 4 is wedged between the means 204 and/or the bottom wall 21 on one side and a rigid extension integral with the wall 22 on the other side.
The wall 691 and/or the valve is fixed between the massage element 408 and the outlet 24 and/or the applicator 208.
The wall 12 and the wall 21 form a container 122, arranged to contain the reservoir 6 and the pocket 2.
The container includes a joint 175 between an upper part 170 of the container 122 and a lower part 180 of the container 122.
This joint 175 is:
This joint is arranged to allow the inclination of the head 400.
The head 400 passes through a hole 173 made in the container 122, so that the head 400 comprises at least one part 152 outside the container 122 and at least one part 202, 5, 22 inside the container 122.
The part 23 includes fixing means allowing an fixation of the head 400 to the container 122, for example:
The reservoir 6 and the head 400 therefore form a cartridge 200 which can be replaced within the device according to the invention 9000 by unlocking the fixing means 151, 152 and opening a cover 176 fixed to the lower part 180.
The container 122 is arranged to allow a translational movement (in a cavity 181 formed in the reference 176 and/or 180) between the reservoir 6 and the container 122 when the head 400 is tilted.
The device 9000 comprises an adjustment means 172 arranged to modify the stiffness of the joint 175. This adjustment means 172 typically comprises a tongue (metal) sliding between the parts 170 and 180 so as to have several possible positions more or less distributed on the parts 170 and 180.
This device 10000 differs from the device 9000 in that the head 400 and the container 122 are not tiltable.
The part 175 is then no longer a joint but a pressing surface arranged to deform the wall 22 of the head 400.
The device 10000 is shaped like a pen.
In this embodiment, the bottom wall 21 (or forming a plug or insert 123 pressed into the cap 70) has a convex domed shape on the side of the interior volume of the pocket 2.
The cap 70 is formed in one part.
Typically, the cap 70:
The cap 70 has a concave curved shape on the side of the interior volume of the pocket 2 and which matches the convex shape of the bottom wall 21 while leaving an intermediate space 2a between these concave and convex shapes so that this intermediate space forms less partly the interior volume of pocket 2.
The majority 2b (at least 70%, preferably at least 80%) of the internal volume of the pocket 2 is located in at least one cavity sinking towards the inside of the bottom wall 21, and is distinct from the part 2a.
The total interior volume of the pocket is made up of the sum of parts 2a and 2b.
The cap 70 is fitted onto the bottom wall 21, without welding. This fitting comprises a snap 161. The tightness of this fitting is ensured by at least one sealing contact line 260 (or sealing crown) between the cap 70 and the bottom wall 21.
There may be several sealing contact lines 260 (or sealing crowns), possibly grouped together in the form of a sealing band.
The edge of the interior volume of pocket 2 is remote and offset with respect to these sealing contact lines 260.
In the bottom wall 21 is formed a hollow 2b delimiting at least part of the interior volume of the pocket. The sealing contact lines 260 are remote from this hollow 2b or even generally from the interior volume of the pocket 2, sometimes by more than 10 millimeters.
The periphery of the hollow 2b is smaller, at least 30% smaller or even preferably at least 50% smaller, and even 70% smaller, than the periphery of each contact line 260.
The sealing lines 260 surround but do not border the interior volume of the pocket 2.
The ring 109, in addition to compressing the flexible wall 108 in leaktight manner, has the additional function of holding the feed valve 4 more precisely by compressing the foot of the valve 4 on a skirt of the bottom wall. The ring 109 is placed between two cylinders of the bottom wall and is arranged to clip onto the outer walls of the smaller cylinder.
The feed valve 4 is provided with a protection means 204 arranged to protect the valve 4 during the insertion of a syringe through the feed orifice 41. This means 204 advantageously, formed on the ring 109, takes the form of a cone or a ring which is inserted at the foot of the valve 4 (on the side of the reservoir 6) and/or comprises an orifice 41 smaller than the orifice 137 of the foot of the valve 4 (preferably a diameter at least 15% smaller).
The valve 4 is held between ring 109 and bottom wall 21.
Above the contact lines 260, a part of the reservoir penetrates inside the bottom wall 21 which is convex on the side of the pocket 2 but concave on the side of the reservoir 6.
The volume of the pocket 2 is at least 2, 3 or 4 times smaller than the internal volume of the cap 70 delimited by a (middle) plane passing along the lines 260.
The cap 70 and the bottom wall 21 are arranged so that the wall 21 is mounted in the cap 70 according to an insertion assembly in the cap 70 from the side of the lines 260 and in an insertion direction 125.
The pressing surface 25 and the outlet 24 are not lateral i.e. are both located on top of the cap 70 so that:
The pressing surface 25 comprises structures 133 making it possible to visualize this surface 25.
Thus, the device 11000 for dispensing a fluid comprises:
In addition, the bottom wall 21 comprises three distinct parts:
The line 260 forms a perimeter loop of at least 200 mm, preferably more than 250 mm or even 300 mm.
The pressing surface 25 and the outlet 24 are frontal, i.e. both located on the top of the cap 70 so that:
The part 2b of the interior volume of pocket 2 further comprises an additional volume (typically in the shape of a crescent moon and/or which surrounds valve 4). This additional volume makes it possible to increase the internal volume of the pocket 2 and therefore to reduce the pressure in the pocket 2 when pressing on the surface 25.
The curved or dome-shaped wall 22 or 25 (or spherical cap) may be replaced by a wall 22b having a point-shaped apex and/or being conical in shape (basically circular, oval, elliptical, etc.) or pyramidal (possibly having more than 3 sides) and preferably slightly higher than a spherical cap which would rest on walls at the feet of this wall 22b, or spherical cap which would rest more towards the top at a height of 25% of the height of this wall 22b (which would rest on average walls if the shape is not spherical). The wall 22b, higher by at least 0.3 mm than the wall 22, deforms more gradually. The ratio, between the perimeter of the foot of the pocket 22b and the height of the pocket 22b, has a ratio of less than 20 and even less than 19.
The line 260 forms a perimeter loop of at least 200 mm, preferably more than 250 mm or even 300 mm.
The wall 22 is not in the reservoir 6, the outlet 24 is lateral with respect to the axis of elongation of the device and/or the pressing surface, the device comprises a plug 241 for filling the reservoir 6 fixed or screwed onto the deformable wall 22. The device is provided with a rigid pressing wall 128 (coming from molding with the plug 241) to press the deformable wall 22. This pressing wall 128 is integral with the plug 241 and comprises a width at least equal to one third of the width of the deformable wall 22 (measured along a measurement axis parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21).
The wall 22 is provided with a skirt 155 having a height at minimum at least as high, in the same direction of measurement, as the height at the entrance to the cavity 8 on the side of the pocket 2 (i.e. a minimum 1 mm or 2 mm).
This skirt 155 allows the insertion of the valve 5 into the cavity 8 from inside the pocket 2 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of measurement of the height of this skirt 155.
Thanks to this skirt 155, the bottom wall 21 takes the form of a flat surface 156 and facilitates the welding of the reservoir 6 or 14 or 108 to the bottom wall 21.
In this embodiment, the pocket 2 is in lateral, i.e.:
The pocket 2 goes around the reservoir 6 and the insert 123 at 360° around the direction 125.
There are (as for the device 101) one or two filling holes 87, 87b each opening onto the inside of the reservoir 6.
Preferably, these filling holes are two in number and are located on either side of the outlet 24.
These filling holes pass through the cap 70 and the insert 123 which together form an end piece 89 (equivalent to the end piece 89 of the device 101).
A single plug 310 is arranged to simultaneously:
At least partially form an applicator 208 and/or a dispensing surface 207. The plug 310 includes a plug 77 which is removable by means of a hinge.
The plug 310 comprises 2 cylindrical pins 313 which fit together with a slight tightening in the end piece 89 at the position of the filling holes 87 and 87b in order to adjust and precisely maintain the plug 310 with the end piece 89 during of assembly. This is the preponderant fixing means in the assembly of the plug 310 on the end piece 89, complementary independent clips make it possible to maintain the fitting assembled. The diameter of the pins 313 is preferably more than 3 mm and even more than 4 mm. Preferably the two holes 87, 87b are open, however in a version not shown one of the holes 87 or 87b is not open, this non-open hole is called adjustment or positioning hole.
The plug 310 comprises a cavity 312 arranged to receive the end of the dispensing part 23 provided with the outlet 24. The dispensing part 23 passes through the plug 310 or not.
The device 14000 comprises a dispensing surface 207 on which the outlet 24 opens.
The dispensing surface 207 has an area of at least 80 mm2 even at least 160 mm2.
The dispensing surface 207 can be formed by the plug 310 and the end piece 89.
The plug 310 includes an applicator 208 with a domed shape 308 or with a spout shape 309 at least partly formed by 310.
The insert 123 contains or at least partly contains a deformable wall 108 which delimits at least partly the interior volume of the reservoir.
The insert contains at least 20% of the internal volume of the pocket 6. The insert contains at least 3 ml or 10 ml, and even at least 20 ml of product to be dispensed depending on the nature of the device. On the part that contains the insert at least 80% and even 90% of the reservoir 6 is deformable.
The reservoir (its internal volume) does not exceed the feed valve 4 towards the outlet, there is not a part of the reservoir between the feed valve and the dispensing valve along the axis 125.
The wall 108 is blown (typically either injected blown, or extruded blown), so as to form a reservoir 6 whose neck is fixed on the insert 123.
An indexing means 236 (typically comprising a finger) of the cap 70 relative to the insert 123 is arranged to be housed in a hollow 234 of the insert 123.
Referring to
The line 260 forms a perimeter loop of at least 200 mm, preferably more than 250 mm or even 300 mm.
The container 122 has clipping means 235 on the insert 123 or on the cap 70 and which are arranged to allow dismantling of the cartridge or refill 200.
The wall 108 is deformable (including inside the insert 123) and is arranged to fold up or shrink towards the inside of the insert 123 when the reservoir 6 empties of the fluid to be dispensed. At least 10% or 20% or even 30% of the reservoir's maximum volume is within insert 123. There is at least one cross-section perpendicular to the direction 125 and passing through the pocket 2 and through the reservoir 6 (in particular by a part of the wall 108 folding back or being reduced towards the inside of the insert 123 when the reservoir 6 empties of the fluid to be dispensed), i.e. the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6 are at least partly at the same position, at least 20% or 30% or even 40% of the length of the pocket depending on the direction 125 is at the level of the reservoir 6. At least 6 mm or 15 mm or even 25 mm of the length of the pocket depending on the direction 125 is the same level of the reservoir 6.
There is at least one cross section perpendicular to the direction 125 and passing through the deformable wall 25 and through the reservoir 6, i.e. the deformable wall 25 and the reservoir 6 are at least partly at the same level. At least 15% or 25% or even 35% of the length of the deformable wall 25 along the direction 125 is at the level of the reservoir 6. At least 4 mm or 8 mm or even 15 mm of the length of the deformable wall 25 along the direction 125 is the level of the reservoir 6.
Note that the junction and/or the seal between the cap 70 and the insert 123 can be inside the cap 70 (as illustrated in
The pocket 2 is delimited at least partly between the insert 123 and the cap 70.
The pocket 2 surrounds the reservoir 6 at 360° around the direction 125. The pocket 2:
Compared to the previous embodiment, in the device 15000 the flexible wall 108 is fixed (by clamping or other) between the cap 70 and the insert 123.
Thus, the internal volume of the reservoir is delimited:
However, when the reservoir 6 is filled to its maximum with the fluid to be dispensed, there is not at least one transverse section perpendicular to the direction 125 passing through the pocket 2 and through the flexible wall 108 folding or reducing towards the inside the insert 123 when the reservoir 6 empties of the fluid to be dispensed, there is at least one transverse section perpendicular to the direction 125 (closer to the valve 4 than the section previously described) and passing through the pocket 2 and through the reservoir 6 (in particular through a rigid part 240 of the wall of the reservoir and not not folding or reducing towards the inside of the insert 123 when the reservoir 6 empties of the fluid to be dispensed).
The volume of reservoir 6 outside insert 123 is at least 40% larger than the volume of reservoir 6 inside insert 123.
Such an assembly is made possible thanks to the holes 87 making it possible to pull the insert 123 towards the cap 70.
In this embodiment 16000, the insert 123 extends outside of the cap 70.
The interior volume of the reservoir 6 is no longer delimited (even partly) by a flexible deformable wall 108, but is delimited by the insert 123 and by a movable piston 86 moving in the insert 123 according to the quantity of fluid to be dispense contained in the reservoir 6.
This embodiment 16000 includes a vent 321, which makes it possible to circulate the air between the exterior of the device 16000 and the part (of variable volume depending on the position of the piston 86) located in the insert 123 but at the exterior of the reservoir 6.
The vent 321 passes through the pocket 2.
The wall 22 (preferably flexible) is wedged between the cap 70 and the insert 123.
There is at least one transverse section perpendicular to the direction 125 and passing through the pocket 2 and through the reservoir 6 (and through the insert 123 but not through the cap 70), i.e. the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6 are at least partly at the same level.
The device 16000 comprises means 233 for sealing between the insert 123 and the wall 22 at the position of the vent 321.
The pocket 2 is delimited at least partly between the insert 123 and the wall 22 held between the cap 70 and the insert 123.
The pocket 2 surrounds the reservoir 6 at 360° around the direction 125.
The pocket 2:
The insert 123 includes the bottom wall 21.
The interior volume of the pocket 2 is at least twice smaller (preferably at least four times smaller) than the interior volume of the reservoir 6.
Holes 237 through the insert 123 connect two parts of the pocket 2: the part located between the insert 123 and the cap 70 and the part located between the insert 123 and the deformable flexible wall 22.
The insert 123 therefore has several functions:
All these functions are therefore provided by one part 123 of the end piece 89. The end piece 89 (more precisely the insert 123) forms the side walls of the reservoir 6.
In this embodiment 16000, there are:
The reservoir 6 is between the valve 4 and the vent 321.
There is at least one transverse section perpendicular to the direction 125 and passing through the pocket 2 and through the reservoir 6 (and through the insert 123 but not through the cap 70), i.e. the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6 are at least partly at the same level.
The internal volume of pocket 2 is delimited at least partly between the insert 123 and the wall 22 held between the cap 70 and the insert 123.
The wall 22 has a shape of outer pocket.
The wall 22 forms at the same time both side outer walls and a bottom outer wall of the device on the side of the wall 91.
The cap 70 is fixed to the open end of the pocket 2 formed by the wall 22.
The reservoir 6 is located at least partly inside the pocket 2.
In a variant not shown in
In this embodiment, the insert 123 extends outside of the cap 70.
As for the embodiment of
This flexible wall 108 is inside the insert 123.
The device 17000 includes a refill connector 225 arranged to allow fluid to be recharged inside the device 17000 (more exactly inside the reservoir 6) without this fluid passing through the pocket 2 or the dispensing valve 5 or the feed valve 4.
The connector 225 includes a refill valve that:
The connector 225 is removable.
The reservoir 6 more precisely the wall 91 emerges outwards so as to form a neck having a slope 224 avoiding trapping air in the reservoir 6.
In addition, sealing means 218 of the device, more precisely in the connector 225 or at the position of the neck 85, make it possible to prevent air from entering the reservoir 6 when recharging the reservoir 6.
The valve of connector 225 opens into reservoir 6.
The connector 225 passes through the wall 91.
The insert 123 is wedged between the wall 22 and the wall 91.
There is at least one transverse section perpendicular to the direction 125 and passing through the pocket 2 and through the reservoir 6 (and through the insert 123 and through the wall 108), i.e. the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6 are at least partly at the same level.
The internal volume of the pocket 2 is delimited at least partly between the insert 123 and the wall 22.
The pocket 2 (and wall 22) surrounds the reservoir 6 at 360° around the direction 125.
The reservoir 6 is located at least partly inside the pocket 2.
The connector 225 is at the position of the opening 87 and is blocked by the plug 310. The connector 225 can make it possible to fill both the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6.
A cover or handle 226 covers the neck 85 of the connector 225 and the wall 91 so as to hide them from the outside of the device.
In another variant not illustrated on the connector 225 and/or the valve 4 comprises a valve of the “duckbill” type (“duck valve” in English), to allow the introduction of a filling pipe 46 allowing to fill the reservoir 6 and/or the pocket 2 with fluid to be dispensed.
The filling pipe may include two holes, including:
It is noted that in this variant the refill is not done under pressure.
A spring element 212 is interposed between the insert 123 (more exactly the bottom wall 21 of the insert 123) and the wall 22. This element 212 may be present in each of the variants of
The wall 22 is fixed on the insert 123, more exactly in a groove of the insert 123. The device comprises a clipping means 213 for clipping the pocket 22 on the insert 123, more precisely a ring 213 is clipped in a groove of the insert 123.
This ring 213 further comprises a fixing means 214 for fixing the applicator 208 such as a border 223 or a border section surrounding the device laterally so as to hold the edge of the applicator 208. The applicator is removable and is provided on its periphery with a less elastic edge element coming to cling to the edge 223.
The wall 22 is flexible and is injected in thermoplastic elastomer, for example in TPO.
The dispensing valve 5 is inserted into the wall 22. The valve 5 is more flexible than the wall 22 at the position of an extra thickness of the wall 22 in which the valve 5 is housed.
In another variant illustrated in
A method of filling the device 17000, but which would also be applicable to any embodiment or variant of device according to the invention equipped with the orifice 87, is as follows:
1) the reservoir 6 and/or pocket 2 are filled through the orifice 87 even though this orifice is not equipped with connector 225, as illustrated in
Typically, one may use a filling pipe 46 comprising two holes or at least two holes, including:
2) the orifice 87 is equipped with the connector 225 if the device does not comprise a “duck valve” used for filling in step 1.
3) The reservoir 6 and/or the pocket 2 are at least partially emptied using the device, then
4) the reservoir 6 and/or the pocket 2 are filled through the orifice 87 while this orifice is equipped with the connector 225 and/or the sealing means 218, as shown in
In a variant, illustrated in
The filling is done through a refill valve 219 of the “duck valve” type which leads to reservoir 6.
Two means or filling heads 220 and 221 make it possible to fill respectively:
A description will now be given, with reference to
All these embodiments of these
The rail 112 or the slide 113 is secured to the cap 70 (more precisely formed in the cap 70), while respectively the slide 113 or the rail 112 is secured to the bottom wall 21 or to the part 430, (or part fixed delimiting at least partly the interior volume of the pocket). This rail/slide couple may be replaced or supplemented by another rod/cylinder couple arranged so as not to compress the fluid does not delimit the pocket 2.
Preferably at least one rail/slide pair is arranged to have transverse support (perpendicular to the pressing direction 140) in all directions.
The outlet 24 is equipped with a nozzle 59 arranged to generate a spray.
A description will now be given, with reference to
In this embodiment, the deformable wall 22 does not at least partially delimit the interior volume of the pocket 2. The deformable wall 22 is in contact with an air pocket 34 (an outer pocket 34 comprising air).
In this embodiment, the movable wall 420 delimits at least partly (with the conduit 430) the interior volume of the pocket 2.
The cap 70 further comprises a dispensing spout 30 carrying the outlet 24. This dispensing spout 30 extends laterally beyond the width of the side walls 118 delimiting or containing the reservoir 6. The dispensing spout comprises the dispensing cavity 8 which extends to the side walls 118 or beyond.
The movable part 420 sunk to the maximum in or around the part 430 leaves a part 36 of the part 430 in which the part 420 has not sunk by a length of at least 20 mm or even at least 30 mm.
The pocket 2 leaves a portion 36 with a length of at least 20 mm or even 30 mm between the feed orifice 41 and the bottom wall 21.
The spout 30 is equipped with a nozzle 59 arranged to generate a spray.
This embodiment further comprises a rib 37 coming from the bottom wall 21 arranged to prevent the pocket 108 from sinking into the device around the pocket 2, in particular around its part 36.
The whole 108, 112, 6, 87, 2, 70122 is placed in a case 170, 180 formed by an assembly of an upper part 170 of the case and a lower part 180 of the case.
The spout emerges from the case, preferably:
The spout 30 is part of the cap 70 in the form of a single part of the same material (without material discontinuity).
A cartridge 200 is formed by assembling the reservoir 6 and the chamber 2 (and also preferably the cap 70 and/or the valve 4 and/or the valve 5).
When the parts 170 and 180 are assembled, a skirt 145 of the upper part blocks the cartridge or refill 200 in order to prevent this cartridge 200 from moving within this embodiment of the device according to the invention, even when pressing on the cap 70.
Referring to
A description will now be given, with reference to
In this embodiment, the deformable wall 22 does not at least partially delimit the interior volume of the pocket 2.
The deformable wall 22 may include resilient tongues extending over bottom wall 21 outside of piston 420.
In this embodiment, the movable wall 420 delimits at least partly (with the conduit 430) the interior volume of the pocket 2. The outlet 24 is equipped with a nozzle 59 arranged to generate a spray. The device 19000 does not comprise a cap 70. The bottom part 289 comprises the bottom wall 21. The bottom part 289 comprises a fixing means 89 to the reservoir or the end piece 89.
The deformable wall 22 is in contact with an outer pocket 34, comprising fluid surrounding the pocket 2, connecting the pocket 2 to the reservoir via an orifice 163, and being arranged to receive fluid coming from the reservoir. The volume of the pocket 34 is larger than the volume of the pocket 2, preferably at least twice as large.
A button 250 comprising the deformable wall 22 delimits, with the bottom part 289 or 245, an elastic pocket 255 comprising the pocket 2 and the pocket 34, the pocket 34 in this device is arranged to form a fluid passage from the reservoir 6 to the pocket 2.
The elastic pocket 255 is delimited by the bottom wall 249 of the bottom part 289 or 245 and the button 250. The button 250 provided with the deformable wall 22 comprises a continuous or non-continuous curve which may be interpolated by two or three discontinuous slopes, including:
This first slope or central part 50 located substantially in the center of the button is more rigid than the deformable wall 22 surrounded by the deformable wall 22 (typically formed by a thicker wall) therefore more rigid than the slopes 51 and/or 52.
The deformable wall 22 of the button is integral with the central wall 50. This additional thickness of the slope 50 or central wall 50 constitutes a braking means 55 of the wall 22 but also a hollow and/or a bump at the position of the rail/slide pair or even the fitting of the piston 420 in the conduit 430 may increase this braking.
The braking means 55 is created by the part 50 arranged to deform a larger perimeter of the wall 22 compared to the pressing that would be more point-like without part 50. The wall 50 comprises a surface of at least 50 mm2, even at least 70 mm2 and even at least 100 mm2 having a movement guided by a guide means 251 in order to prevent the wall 50 from yielding to the maximum pressing force. The central wall 50 of the button 250 has a width of at least 8 mm, even at least 10 mm and even at least 12 mm (measured on the plane perpendicular to the compression axis 290 of the pocket 2). The compression axis 290 of the pocket 2 corresponds to the axis of movement of the part 50 and is parallel to the guide means 251.
The pressing force is arranged to decrease by at least 30% or at least 40% at the start of the movement of the central part 50 (from its rest position). Preferably, the maximum pressing force 140 on the pressing surface 25 (in the undeformed state of the wall 22) to trigger the deformation of the wall 22 is at least 1.6 times and even 1.8 times or even even at least 2 times greater than the force that must be exerted on the button to continue the deformation between the first and the second millimeter of displacement of the pressing wall 25 towards the bottom wall 21 and/or between the second millimeter and the third millimeter of displacement of the pressing wall towards the bottom wall 21.
The guide means 251 comprise at least one guide wall and preferably at least one rail 112 and/or a slide 113, these guide means 251 being integral with the central wall 50. The guide means 251 preferably comprise merely 1 to 3 guide means (or rail 112 and/or a slide 113) but preferably two guide means (or rail 112 and/or a slide 113). In the case of a guide means, it may comprise a cylinder that is preferably open by at least 240 degrees.
The central wall 50 of the button 250 comprises walls being thicker than the wall 22 and/or stiffened by the guide means 251 and integral with the wall 22 or parts of the wall 22 if it comprises for example strips. The guide element 251 is a wall oriented towards the bottom wall 249 of the elastic pocket 255 and substantially parallel to the direction 140 and 290, preferably substantially perpendicular to the wall 50 (perpendicular to the surface of the wall 50 on the side of the elastic pocket 255).
The guide means 251 (more precisely the rail 112 and/or the slide 113) is arranged to guide the pressing surface. The element 251 is placed in the pocket 34 but is not in the pocket 2, it does not pass through the bottom wall 249 (or the bottom wall 21).
The guide means 251 of the button 250 (or guide wall 251) and the central wall 50 are arranged to translate and to guide the pressing surface 25.
The guide means 251 of the button are arranged to cooperate with a fixed element 252 and/or hollow 252 of the bottom wall 249 of the bottom part 289.
The movable wall 420 is integral with the central part 50 being itself integral with the wall 22, there is continuity of material between the deformable wall 22, the wall 50 and the piston 420.
The pocket 34 surrounds the pocket 2 and is delimited by the wall 22 and is delimited partly by the wall 50 for at least 10% and even at least 20%.
The walls 22 of the button 250 form a return means for the movable wall 420 and the wall 50, the piston 420 being arranged to translate, inside the conduit 430 or outside the piston 430. Around the piston 420 and the conduit 430 or piston 430 the guide means 251 cooperates with the bottom wall 249 (a fixed element 252 and/or hollow 252) (preferably rails 112 and/or slides 113) being arranged to guide the central part 50 and the wall 420 by translation. The rail 112 or the slide 113 is fixed to the part 50 while respectively the slide 113 or the rail 112 is fixed to the bottom wall 249. The guide means 251 are arranged around the piston 420 preferably separated by at least 7 mm and even at least 10 mm (measured relative to the plane perpendicular to the compression axis 290 of the pocket 2). The pair 251/252 is arranged so as not to compress the fluid. The pair 251/252 does not delimit pocket 2.
Preferably the wall 50 of the button 250 is substantially in the continuity of the wall 22. The pockets 2 and 34 have an interior volume delimited partly by the wall 50, pressing the pressing surface 25 causes a simultaneous reduction of the pockets 2 and 34.
The wall 22 is integral with the wall 50 itself integral with the movable wall 420 and the rails 112 and/or slides 113, the movable wall 420 being arranged to translate, the translational movement being guided by the means 251 cooperating with an fixed element 252 and/or hollow 252 preferably rail 112/slide 113 pair, each rail 112 and/or slide 113 is arranged to guide the pressing surface 25. The central wall 50, the deformable wall 22, the piston 420, the guide means 251 (or wall 251) are made in one part without discontinuity of material preferably polypropylene of bending modulus of at least 300 Mpa and even at least 500 Mpa and less than 14000 Mpa (Megapascal).
On average, this extra thickness of the wall 50 is preferably at least twice as thick as the parts 51 and/or 52 of the wall 22.
The part of the wall 22 forming the slope 50 is at least 1.5 times and even 2 times wider (according to a measurement axis parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21) or (measured on the plane perpendicular to the compression shaft 290 of the pocket 2).
With reference to
The deformable walls 22 of the elastic pocket 255 and of the pocket 2 are formed at least partly by a foldable wall 301 (preferably forming a closed curve) comprising an assembly of strips or parts 146, 147 (preferably by successive alternation of parts 146 and 147). The parts 146 are arranged to be able to deform or even buckle under the action of a force exerted on the pressing surface 25. The parts 147 are formed by a flexible material, preferably elastic (more flexible than the strips or parts 146) and/or by openings or fluid passages allowing the passage of the fluid between the interior volume of the pocket 2 and the reservoir 6.
During the buckling or sudden deformation of the parts 146, each strip or part 147 is widened so that:
The strips 146 form elastic tongues preferably being in a rigid or semi-rigid material (for example a polypropylene with a flexural modulus of between 500 MPa and 1200 MPa) making it possible to resist a pressing force in a direction 140 in order to create a threshold force until the buckling (or sudden deformation) of the parts 146, the strips 147 are preferably made of elastomer (for example a TPO with a flexural modulus of between 10 MPa and 80 MPa). The parts 147 are arranged to form return means additional to the return means specific to the parts 146 (to restore the rest position, after the pressing force 140 on the wall 25 has been removed). The parts 147 are arranged to reduce the lateral stresses (at the position of L2 in the plane perpendicular to the compression axis 290 of the pocket 2) of the strips 146 avoiding deformation beyond the elastic limits of the material, the strips 147 are arranged to absorb the majority of the lateral deformation L2 minus L1. Preferably, the strips or parts 147 are wider than the strips or parts 146, these strips or parts 146 and 147 being made by overmolding or bi-injection in a single part with the central part 50, the strips 146 being in the same material as part 50. The strips or tongues 146 extend over the height of a cylinder forming an angle of less than 30 degrees with respect to the axis 290. Preferably the wall 301 substantially forms a cylinder generated by the strips 146.
The button 250 comprises on its side part the foldable wall 301 or wall 22 surrounding the movable wall 420 and comprising the guide means 251 between the movable wall 420 and the foldable wall 301. Preferably the wall 22 or 301 comprises at least 3 strips or tongues 146 forming an angle of less than 30 degrees with respect to the axis 290, and comprises at least 2 flexible parts 147 between two tongues 146.
In a variant with respect to
The button 250 comprises in its central part the foldable wall 301 or deformable 22, and comprises the guide means 251 at the end of the wall 50 (forming a skirt) surrounding the foldable wall 301 or deformable wall 22. It is noted that the guide means 251 comprises a single guide wall forming a cylinder comprising rails and/or slides formed by slots inside or outside the cylinder.
The pocket 2 is delimited partly by a foldable wall 301 or deformable wall 22 arranged to block or close the feed orifice 41. The movable or deformable wall 22 comprises a flexible part 435 preferably obtained by overmolding or bi-injection on a part 146 which is more rigid than part 435 in the same material as the flexible parts 147, this flexible part 435 is in the pocket 2 and is oriented towards the bottom wall. The part 435 is not movable relative to the wall 22 (except for the compression of the material) and is arranged on a part of the wall 22 or a part integral with the wall 22 like the part 50, the guide means 251 or even the cap 70. The part 435 is arranged for, during an exercise of the pressing force 140 on the pressing surface 25 from the outside of the pocket 2, transmitting at least partly this pressing force 140 to the flexible part 435 by pressing on the bottom wall or a part secured to the bottom wall. It is noted that the fluid passes through an orifice 41 formed in the bottom wall and/or passes through a variable orifice 41 arranged to close or open between the wall 22 and the bottom wall 21, more precisely the periphery of the wall 22 on the side of the bottom wall comprising a flexible edge 426 which in a closed position is arranged to press against or fit into the bottom wall 21 to block or limit the passage of fluid from the pocket 2 to the reservoir 6 and/or part 34. In the open position, the wall 22 is arranged to move away from the bottom wall 21 to allow the fluid to enter the pocket 2 (this open position is obtained when the pressure on the pressing wall 25 is released in particular if the closure between the part 426 and the bottom wall is not completely sealed to avoid a suction effect). The wall 22 with its edge 426 forms a valve 4. In the case of the orifice 41 formed in the bottom wall (which can be combined with the variable orifice between the wall 22 and the wall 21), when a pressing 140 is on the pressing surface 25, the flexible part 425 blocks a passage of fluid from the pocket 2 to the part 34 or the reservoir 6; when the pressing 140 is released, the device is arranged so that the part 425 can move away from the wall 21, for example by having a slight hollow on the flexible part 425 to break the seal between the wall 22 and the wall 21.
In a variant with respect to
With reference to
A description will now be given, with reference to
The parts 146 and 147 can be visible from outside the device. The pocket 34 surrounding the pocket 2 (between the foldable wall 301 and the piston 420/cylinder 430 pair) preferably includes air and does not include a fluid inlet orifice 163.
The parts 147 are formed by a flexible material and/or by air passages. The parts 146 and 147 surround (completely or not) the sealed piston 420 and the conduit or cylinder 430 which delimits the interior volume of the pocket 2. The cap 70 comprises at its base shoulders 302 which extend towards the outside of the device. The cap 70 is superimposed on the foldable wall 301 at the position of the shoulders 302. The strips or parts 146 and 147 are substantially parallel to the axis of elongation of the device and/or to the axis of the cap 70 and are made of a single part by overmolding or bi-injection with the cap 70. In a variant not shown with respect to
A description will now be given, with reference to
In this embodiment the pocket 2 is outside the reservoir, the pressing surface 25 comprises the central wall 50. In this embodiment, the movable wall 420 does not delimit at least partly the interior volume of the pocket 2.
In this embodiment, the deformable wall 22 at least partly delimits the interior volume of the pocket 2. The elastic pocket 255 coincides with the pocket 21, the bottom wall 249 coincides with the bottom wall 21 (relative to the device 19000, in the description the pocket 255 may be replaced by the pocket 2 and the bottom wall 249 replaced by the bottom wall 21). There is no piston 420 and cylinder 430 forming the pocket 2, the fluid arrives directly in the pocket 2 through the membrane of the intake valve 4 without passing through an intermediate pocket 34.
In this embodiment, the wall 22 is arranged to press directly or indirectly on the valve 4 more precisely the wall 22 comprises at its periphery a part 53 arranged to, during an exercise of the pressing force 140 on the pressing wall 22 from outside the pocket 2, transmit at least partly this pressing force 140 to the feed valve 4, either directly to the feed valve 4, or either as shown in
The feed valve 4 (more exactly on its membrane) comprises a bubble or a bump 135 (to join the pin 139 and have a more centered effort) which can be in contact with the bottom wall 21 by forming a spring.
The part 50 integral with the wall 22 forming the slope 50 has a width 54a (along a measurement axis parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21 or measured on the plane perpendicular to the compression axis 290 of the pocket 2) equal on average to at least 0.3 times or even at least 0.4 times the width 54b of the pocket 2 (measured for the part of the pocket 2 closest to the wall 21 and measured along an axis parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21). The width 54a of the central wall 50 is greater than 0.4 times or even 0.5 times the width 54c corresponding only to the part of the wall 22 which moves or deforms towards the wall the pressing axis 140 (measured on the plane perpendicular to the compression axis 290 of the pocket 2).
In this device with reference to
The wall 22 and/or the bottom wall 22 is provided with a skirt 155 having a height at least at least as high, in the same direction of measurement, as the height at the entrance to the cavity 8 on the pocket side. 2 (i.e. minimum of 1.5 mm or 3 mm).
This skirt 155 allows the insertion of the valve 5 into the cavity 8 from inside the pocket 2 or the outlet 24 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of measurement of the height of this skirt 155. Thanks to this skirt 155, the bottom wall 21 takes the form of a flat or substantially flat surface 156 and facilitates the welding of the bottom wall 21 to a face 56 of the flexible bag 14 forming the reservoir 6.
The bag 14 is an open film before being welded to the wall 21, then is folded (along the fold 144) and closed on itself in order to form the interior space of the reservoir 6, the outlet 24 is lateral the dispensing spout 30 is located at the position of the fold 144. The dispensing spout 30 protrudes less than 3 mm and even protrudes less than 1 mm with respect to the edge of the bag 14 once formed.
With reference to
It is noted that the part of the wall 22 forms a hollow 57 which surrounds the movable part of the wall 22, thus the force 140 is better centered, the movable part of the wall 22 is protected and the thickness of the device is less for the same dose distributed. It is noted that the deformable wall 22 forming the hollow 57 is located opposite the orifice of the valve cavity 8. There is a straight line passing through the cavity 8 of the dispensing valve and crossing three times or four times the deformable wall 22.
With reference to
This screw thread 164 is arranged to, depending on the screwing of the plug 162 on the wall 22, adjust a space between the plug 162 and the bottom wall 21 or another part of the device according to the invention, or in general to adjust the maximum possible amplitude 165 of the movement of the button 162 on the wall 22, and therefore adjust the maximum quantity or product delivered by the outlet 24 of the device according to the invention when the button 162 is pressed (and therefore adjust different states compression of the pocket 2 by the button 162).
The pressing surface 25 can be located at least partly on the button 162 and/or on the cap 70 (which can protrude from the button 162 or pass through the button 162) and/or on the support 166 (which can protrude from the button 162 or cross button 162).
The device according to the invention may comprise (between the button 162 and another part of the device such as for example on a crown 158 surrounding the pocket 2 and in contact with the button 162) sensitive notches 167b and/or dosage notches 167a arranged to block different screwing positions of the button 162 on the element 70 or 166 fixed to the wall 22 and therefore different states of compression of the pocket 2 by the button 162. The crown 158 comprises on its internal face grooves arranged to cooperate with at least one tongue 159b of the button 162 and comprises on its outer face hollows arranged to cooperate with at least one bump or a small wall 159a integral with the side walls of the button 162. The hollows indicate a metering marked on a wall of the device, more precisely on the bottom wall 21. The device is arranged so that between a minimum metering position and a maximum metering position the rotation of the button is less than 360 degrees. In the maximum dosage position, the button is arranged so as not to unscrew, for example a finger on the bottom wall comes into abutment with the tongue 159b. Referring to
With reference to
In a method according to the invention for all the embodiments of devices according to the invention previously described:
This method of priming a device according to the invention is implemented by a system comprising:
Referring to
The dispensing channel 114 comprises means 136 arranged to push the junction element 115 against the internal walls of the dispensing channel.
These means 136 typically comprise at least one element (such as teeth or small walls) which emerges from the internal walls of the dispensing channel and which is inserted into a hollow 137 of the junction element so as to push, from the inside of the junction element, two parts of the junction element in two opposite directions but both directed towards at least one of the internal walls of the dispensing channel.
The end of the membrane 116 (opposite the end of the membrane 116 joining with the junction element 115) carries a pin 117.
This pin 117 is inserted into a part comprising a nozzle 59 and arms 132.
The stud 117 and the nozzle 59 are arranged to leave between them at least one channel arranged to create a vortex of the fluid to be dispensed.
The arms 132 are arranged to push the valve 5 into the channel 114 during the insertion of the nozzle 59 into the channel 114.
With reference to
In this device 22000, the movable or deformable wall 22 is not in the reservoir, it is superimposed on the reservoir 6. The bottom wall 21 is substantially horizontal. The vertical and the horizontal are not defined with respect to the direction of earth's gravitation. We choose the vertical and horizontal terms by convention as two orthogonal directions. The wall 22 is preferably a deformable wall but may also be a movable wall.
The bottom part 289 includes the bottom wall 21. The end piece 89 or the skirt 148 is arranged to fix the bottom wall to the reservoir. The bottom wall is horizontal or substantially horizontal, the dispensing conduit 114 is horizontal or substantially horizontal.
The device comprises a cap 70, said cap being placed above the bottom wall 21. The cap 70 comprises the deformable wall 22 and the pressing surface 25. The pocket 2 is delimited by the cap 70 and by the bottom part 289.
The cap 70 is formed in one part:
The cap 70 includes a skirt 149 extending vertically or substantially vertically from the pressing wall 25 or from the top of the cap 70. The bottom part 289 includes a skirt 148 extending from the bottom wall 21 arranged to fix the bottom wall 21 to the reservoir 6 and receive the cap 70, the bottom part and bottom wall is fixed by interlocking, by screwing or even gluing or welding. The skirt 149 of the cap 70 fits over the skirt 148 of the bottom part 289.
Referring to
The reservoir 6 comprises at least one layer of sealing material 352 such as a PE or PP or an adhesive arranged to be welded or glued to the skirt 148 of the bottom part 289. Preferably the reservoir comprises a layer 360 which is more rigid at the exterior than the interior layer 352 such as cardboard or cellulose material.
It is noted that the skirt may include a return or transverse wall 352 forming an abutment during the insertion (for the welding or gluing operation) of the bottom part 289 from inside the reservoir 6.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is proposed a method for manufacturing a device comprising a reservoir of fluid to be dispensed, a part of and a cap provided with a plug, comprising:
The walls 118 of the reservoir are fixed between the skirt 148 and/or the return 361 and the cap 70.
Preferably, the outlet orifice 24 is elongated so as to take the form of a channel 189 inside a spout 30, this spout 30 being part of the cap 70, the orifice 24 being connected to the cap orifice 188 close to and preferably in contact with the skirt 148 of the bottom part or the bottom part 289. The channel 189 connects the dispensing orifice 24 to the cap orifice 188 by crossing the skirt 149, the outlet orifice 24 passes through the skirt 149. The outlet 24 and/or the channel 189 is lateral.
The outlet orifice 24 is arranged so that the fluid exits in a lateral direction; the channels 114 and 189 have substantially the same lateral direction.
The dispensing conduit 114 connects the dispensing orifice 355 to the outlet orifice 24. The dispensing conduit 114 and the bottom wall 21 is formed in the bottom part 289 and opens into an orifice 340.
The device 22000 comprises a feed orifice 41 passing vertically through the bottom part 289 (more exactly passing through the wall 21) and arranged to let the fluid pass to the inside of the pocket 2.
The device 22000 comprises a dispensing orifice 355 passing vertically through the bottom part (more exactly passing through the wall 21) and arranged to let fluid out from inside the pocket, preferably at least into the dispensing conduit 114.
The dispensing valve 5 which, in an open state, is arranged to let out fluid from inside the pocket 2 through the dispensing orifice 355, and, in a closed state, is arranged not to let out fluid from inside pocket 2 through dispensing orifice 355.
Preferably, the valves 4 and 5 form a single part via a junction element 115. The dispensing valve 5 comprises a so-called dispensing membrane 116.
The feed valve 4 comprises a so-called feed membrane 119.
In its closed state, the feed valve 4 (more exactly the membrane 119) blocks the orifice 41, and is pressed against the bottom part 21. In the closed state of the valve 4, the membrane 119 extends according to the elongation of the conduit 114, that is to say horizontally or substantially horizontally.
In its open state, the feed valve 4 (more exactly the membrane 119) does not block the orifice 41, and is separated at least partly from the bottom part 21 (more precisely separated from the seat 127) with respect to its closed state.
In its closed state, the dispensing valve 5 (more exactly the membrane 116) blocks the orifice 355, and is pressed against the bottom part 21. In the closed state of the valve 5, the membrane 116 extends horizontally or substantially horizontally.
In its open state, the dispensing valve 5 (more precisely the membrane 116) does not block the orifice 355, and is separated at least partly from the bottom part 21 with respect to its closed state.
The feed valve 4 is fixed to the wall 21 by a junction element 115. The dispensing valve is fixed to the bottom wall by junction element 115. The intake 4 and/or distribution 5 valves are independent and removable.
The intake valve 4, more precisely the membrane 119 is not part of the cap (is not part of the cap), is not manufactured or injected with the cap 70 or the bottom part 289, it is not there is no continuity of material from the intake valve 4 with the cap 70 or the bottom part 289. The dispensing valve 5 or its seat is not part of the cap, and is not manufactured or injected with the cap or the bottom part 289, there is no continuity of material from the dispensing valve 5 with the cap 70 or the bottom part 289. The bottom wall is fixed, the bottom wall 21n is not movable relative to the skirt 148.
The device 22000 may further comprise:
The device comprises means to facilitate priming, a first means as illustrated in
An element 126 of the bottom wall 21 only partly covers the valve 4 with respect to a direction 140 perpendicular to the bottom wall 21, preferably so that pressing on the surface 25 along this direction 140 cannot lift the valve 4 or limits the lifting of the valve 4 by an overpressure effect in the pocket 2 during the compression phase of the pocket 2.
In the cavity 134 is inserted at least a part of the movable periphery 370 (370 only indicates the movable part of the membrane 119 during product pumping operations) of the feed membrane 119.
More exactly:
The front movable edge 376 is farther from the junction element 115 than the movable edges 371 and 372.
Preferably at least 50% of the movable perimeter (371,372,376) is housed between the cavity 134 more precisely between the feed seat 127 and the element 126. It is noted that the perimeter 370 is tapered so as to marry the seat of feed 127. The feed membrane 119 comprises a thickness which becomes thinner in the direction of at least a part (371, 372, 373) of the periphery of the feed membrane.
Another means to facilitate priming of the device consists of a bump 350 or bumps 350 on the periphery of the bottom wall, these bumps being discontinuous or not (for example four bumps if the pocket is square) these bumps 350 are distributed the periphery of the bottom wall 21 except at the center. Referring to
With reference to the variant
With reference to
The priming is thus facilitated by preventing air from passing through the orifice 41. The part 53 or the pin 198 (or rigid part) of the wall 22 or the pressing member 139 comes into contact with the valve 4.
The tongue 138 extends horizontally in the feed orifice 41. The pressing member 139 of the feed valve 4 is integral with the bottom part 289 (more exactly integral with the bottom wall 21) but step of the pressing surface 25. The member 139 belongs to the same part as the bottom part 21. The member 139 comes from the molding of the bottom wall 21 and of the channel 114, the pin 198 of the member 139 is preferably vertical, extending from the bottom part, more precisely from the tongue 138.
Referring to
The pressing member 339 of the dispensing valve 5 is integral with the bottom part 289 (more exactly integral with the bottom wall 21 and has just been molded, with the pin which forms the channel 114).
During the compression of the pocket 2 the pressing member 339 of the dispensing valve 5 is arranged to move after the pressing member 139 of the intake valve arranged during an exercise of the pressing force 140 on the pressing wall 25 from outside the pocket 2. The pressing member 139 of the intake valve is arranged to move in the inlet orifice 41 and the pressing member 339 of the dispensing valve is arranged to move into the dispensing orifice 355.
Note that the wall 21 includes a tongue 138 which extends (preferably horizontally) into the feed orifice 41.
The wall 21 includes a tongue 338 which extends (preferably horizontally) into the dispensing orifice 355.
With reference to
The pressing wall 25 comprises, on the pocket 2 side, a concave surface or part 254 of the movable or deformable wall 22 being surrounded by a flexible edge 253 of the movable or deformable wall 22 and being surrounded by the pressing surface 25. The edge 253 comprises the part 53 and/or the part 153, these parts being placed preferably on a flexible part of the edge 253 forming a flexible portion of at least 180 degrees, and even 360 degrees around pressing surface or the compression axis 290 (perpendicular to bottom wall 21 around the center of the bottom wall).
The part 254 of the wall 22 forms with the edge 253 a junction line 293 of the wall 22 (preferably forming a circle), this junction line 293 of the wall 22 is not resting on the wall 21, the edge 253 is cantilevered and rests on the periphery of the bottom wall 21 and/or on the skirt 148 (towards the peripheral edge of the pocket 2) forming a support line 292 of the flexible edge 253. The flexible edge 253 is between the junction line 293 and the support line 292 having a width of at least 3 mm and even a width of at least 4 mm or even at least 5 mm (measured in a plane perpendicular to axis 140).
During a pressing 140 on the pressing surface, the flexible edge 253 surrounding the pressing surface or surrounding the part 254 deforms towards the bottom wall at the position of the junction line 293, preferably the entire junction line 293 preferably moves substantially parallel to the bottom wall 21 (or moves at an angle of less than 20 degrees relative to the bottom wall 21) preferably at the start of the compression of the pocket 2, before 10% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2, or at least before 30% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2, or at least before 50% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2 (along the compression axis 290 at the center of the pocket 2). The flexible edge 253 comprising part 53 and/or 153 deforms (at least at part 53 and/or part 153) by at least 0.1 mm or even 0.3 mm towards the bottom wall before 10% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2, or at least before 30% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2, or at least before 50% (from the initial volume of the pocket 2) of the compression of the pocket 2 (along the compression axis 290 at the center of the pocket 2). Preferably the entire edge 253 moves at least 0.2 mm and even at least 0.4 mm (and even at least 0.8 mm if the edge 253 comprises a flexible material) towards the bottom wall before 30% of the compression of pocket 2 at its junction line 293.
It is noted that the pins 198 and 398, being respectively secured to the part 53 and the part 153, move towards the bottom wall by the same distance as the parts 53 and 153 respectively.
Referring to
The edge 253 is preferably substantially planar parallel to the bottom wall or forming an angle of less than 20 degrees with the bottom wall. The pressing wall or pressing surface 25 comprises the deformable or movable wall 22. The surface 253 can comprise a flat part and/or comprise at least one hollow or hollows and/or bump(s) in order to create a zone more flexible (and deformable) in order to have more stroke towards the valve 4 and/or 5 and to have a greater displacement. The part 53 and 253 is less thick than the part 254 on average or the part 253 is made of a more flexible material than the part 254, more flexible at least than a part of the pressing surface 25, and preferably more flexible than the top of the pocket 2.
Referring to
The part 53, the part 153, the pins 198, the pin 398, the flexible part 435 (valve 4) all these parts are integral with the edge 253. The edge 253 is arranged to, during an exercise of the pressing force 140 on the pressing surface 25 from the outside of the pocket 2 (delimited partly by a movable or deformable wall), transmit at least partly this pressing force 140 to the feed valve 4 to press the valve 4 on the bottom wall and/or transmit at least part of this pressing force 140 to the dispensing valve 5 by pressing on the dispensing valve to detach the dispensing valve from the bottom wall 21, more precisely to detach the membrane 116 of the dispensing valve 5 from the dispensing seat of the valve 5 formed on the bottom wall 21.
All the aspects of the different variants facilitating priming may be combined in particular, the bump 350, the protection element 126, the pressures on the intake valve 4 and/or the dispensing valve 5.
In the variants of
The cap 70 is arranged to rotate around with respect to the bottom part 289 (preferably around a vertical axis perpendicular to the wall 21, this axis preferably passing through the center of the wall 21) between the open position and a cap 70 closed position for which the cap 70 (more exactly the skirt 149) blocks a fluid outlet through the dispensing orifice 355 to the outside of the device. The cap 70 is arranged to block or stop the dispensing of the pocket 2 (up to the filling of the channel 114) in a closed position the orifice 340 is covered by the skirt 149 and in an open position the orifice 340 is released and communicates with the orifice 188 opening the passage from the channel 114 to the channel 189.
The bottom part 289 or the bottom wall 21 is clipped onto the neck 85 and may rotate relative to the reservoir 6, so as to be orientable by a user. Thus, to achieve the closure, either the bottom part 289 is held by a part 195 and the cap 70 is turned, or the cap 70 is held and the bottom part 21 is turned with the part 195. The channels 114 and 189 may rotate relative to the same axis and communicate when they are more or less opposite. An orifice 188 of the cap 70 is in communication with an orifice 340 of the bottom part.
Visual markers 365, 366 make it possible to make the visual distinction, from outside the device, between the open and closed positions of the cap 70. The skirt 148 comprises the part 195 of the bottom part 89 visible from the outside of the device being longer than the skirt 149, this visible part 195 does not go around the wall 21 and includes the notches or visual marks 366 while the skirt 149 includes the notches or visual marks 365.
In this closed position, the dispensing conduit 114 does not lead to the outlet orifice 24 or the orifice 188 so that the cap 70 (more exactly the skirt 149) blocks the dispensing conduit 114.
Referring to
In all the embodiments, the reservoir can comprise external walls made of cardboard (more generally made of cellulose) and internal walls or film made of plastic.
Note that in all the embodiments described above, the device is arranged to operate (i.e. to distribute fluid through the outlet via the feed and/or dispensing valves) with its distribution head upwards (i.e. outlet 24 located above reservoir 6) or downwards (i.e. outlet 24 located below reservoir 6).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2100450 | Jan 2021 | FR | national |
| 2103748 | Apr 2021 | FR | national |
| 2107110 | Jun 2021 | FR | national |
| 2112418 | Nov 2021 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FR2022/000003 | 1/17/2022 | WO |
