EP1896189A2

EP1896189A2 - Fluid product dispenser and method for filling same

Info

Publication number: EP1896189A2
Application number: EP06764830A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Firmin Garcia; Bruno 23 rue d'Elbeuf STUART; Patrick Muller; Yannick Pointel
Original assignee: Valois SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2005-06-03
Filing date: 2006-06-01
Publication date: 2008-03-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-06-01
Also published as: FR2893598B1; WO2006129044A2; FR2886633A1; DE602006003557D1; FR2893598A1; FR2886633B1; ES2317563T3; WO2006129044A3; EP1896189B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispenser comprising: a reservoir (10) for containing the fluid product at atmospheric pressure, said reservoir including an outlet (11); a dispensing member (4), such as a pump, mounted in the outlet (11) to draw and dispense the fluid product from the reservoir (10). The invention is characterized in that it further comprises: an intake valve (121, 13) for introducing the fluid product into the reservoir, said valve including a seat (121) and a mobile member (13) urged by elastic return means (14) on said seat; and a venting channel for communicating the inside of the reservoir with outside, the channel being provided with sealing means (15) mobile along an axis Z between an open position and a closed position.

Description

Fluid dispenser and method of filling such a dispenser.

The present invention relates to a refillable fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir, a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve mounted on an outlet opening of the reservoir. The dispensing member serves to collect and distribute the fluid product stored in the reservoir. The present invention also relates to a method for filling such a refillable fluid dispenser. The invention may find a preferred application in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy.

There already exist in the prior art fluid dispensers refillable. In general, in the context of the present invention, the fluid product is stored in the tank without adding a propellant. Thus, the tank is filled with fluid and air. In general, the fluid product stored inside the tank is not pressurized: it is advantageously at atmospheric pressure. Once the reservoir of such a fluid dispenser is empty, it is possible to fill it again by removing the dispenser member from the reservoir, so that it is possible to introduce the fluid product to the inside the tank through the outlet opening in which is mounted the dispensing member. This is a quite conventional technique for refilling a fluid dispenser.

However, it is increasingly common that the dispensing member (pump or valve) is permanently attached to the reservoir, so that it is no longer possible to remove the dispenser member for the purpose of fill the tank through the outlet opening.

In a neighboring field very different from that of the present invention, it is known that there are pressurized fluid dispensers comprising a reservoir containing a fluid under pressure. The dispenser is then generally provided with a valve on which one can press to let escape the fluid under pressure. In general, the fluid product is mixed with a propellant gas. In some cases, such aerosol dispensers are provided with an inlet valve separate from the dispensing valve through which the fluid product under pressure can be injected again inside the tank. The injection of the fluid product mixed with its propellant gas is possible because the reservoir is at a pressure lower than that of the refill container in which the fluid filling product is stored. This type of technique is not transposable in the field of the present invention, since the fluid dispenser comprises a reservoir containing fluid at atmospheric pressure. Even providing an inlet valve at the reservoir, the fluid would penetrate with difficulty in the tank, since it is filled with air at atmospheric pressure.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a refillable fluid dispenser whose fluid product is stored at atmospheric pressure in the reservoir, without the addition of many elements, and without remove the dispenser from the tank. It must be possible to fill the dispenser without disassembling the dispenser. It must be possible to fill the dispenser in a single operation.

To achieve these aims, the present invention provides an inlet valve for introducing fluid into the reservoir, the valve comprising a seat and a movable member biased by resilient return means on this seat, a vent passage allowing communicating the interior of the tank with the outside, the passage being provided with shutter means movable along an axis between an open position and a closed position. Advantageously, there is provided a locking member to bring these shutter means in the open position. Thus, the present invention uses an inlet valve separate from the dispensing member, but also a passage or venting system to allow air to escape from the reservoir as fluid is introduced into the reservoir. through the open inlet flap. Thus, to recharge the dispenser, one can block the shutter means in the open position and fill the reservoir through the inlet valve that is forced into the open position. Blocking the shutter means in the open position makes it possible to fill the tank without worrying about venting the tank.

Advantageously, the locking means are movable between several positions, comprising at least one venting position in which means shutter are in the open position and an actuating position in which the dispensing member is operable to dispense fluid and the closure means in the closed position. Preferably, the locking means are further movable in a locking position in which the dispenser member is blocked and the closure means in the closed position. Thus, the locking means are movable between three different positions respectively for blocking the dispenser to prevent inadvertent or inadvertent dispensing, to block the shutter means in the open position to ventilate the reservoir when filling the reservoir and a position of operation of use or distribution. The blocking position of the closure means in the open position, or venting position, may be an intermediate position between the two others.

According to another aspect of the invention, the locking means are displaceable in translation along an axis Y which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of displacement X; Z shutter means. A rotational movement is not excluded, however.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the distributor further comprises a control member movable so as to move the locking member, the control member being movable transversely to the locking member, the locking member advantageously forming elastic return means for biasing the locking member in the actuating position.

According to a first embodiment, the vent passage is formed by the dispensing member, the dispensing member comprising an axially displaceable pusher which is pressed from a rest position to actuate the dispenser member , the closure means being in the open position when the pusher is pressed and in the closed position when the pusher is in the rest position. In general, the dispensing member is a pump equipped with a conventional integrated venting system. Normally, the pump is provided with the venting system for the purpose of allowing air to enter the tank as fluid is removed from the tank for distribution through the pump. In the present invention, the venting passage formed by the venting system is used, not to allow air to enter the tank, but to let air out of the tank when refilling the fluid reservoir. This is a particular use of the venting system of a conventional pump whose sole and unique function is only to allow air to enter from the outside into the tank. A clever principle of the present invention is therefore to use in combination an inlet valve and the venting system of a conventional dispensing member. As soon as the pusher is pressed, the vent passage is opened, which allows air to be communicated between the outside of the dispenser and the inside of the tank. Thus, when one wants to fill the tank of the refillable dispenser, just press lightly on the pusher and introduce the fluid through the open inlet valve.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the locking member blocks the pusher in a supported position other than the rest position. Preferably, the locking member and the pusher are connected together by a hooking system that can be defeated by pressing on the pusher. It is thus possible to lock the pusher in a resting position other than the rest position so as to keep the vent passage open. The user does not need to maintain pressure on the pusher while filling the dispenser through the inlet valve. The hooking system makes it possible to prevent the pusher from returning to its rest position during the filling operation of the tank. At the end of filling, it is sufficient for the user to press the pusher and move the locking member to let the pusher return to its rest position.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the vent passage comprises a vent valve defining a vent valve seat formed at the reservoir and a movable vent valve member biased by resilient means of recall on the seat, the locking member engaging with the movable member to move against the biasing means out of sealed contact with its seat to thereby clear the vent passage. Advantageously, the elastic return means of the inlet valve and the vent valve are common. Advantageously, the movable member of the inlet valve and the movable member of the vent valve are movable along the same axis Z, the means of resilient return being located between the two movable members. Preferably, the two movable members and the common resilient return means are formed by a single piece of one-piece valve. Advantageously, the two movable members are housed in the reservoir and guided axially by respective axial guide elements. In this case, the venting passage is external to the dispensing member, and it is the simple positioning of the locking member which allows the venting passage to be disengaged by displacing and temporarily blocking the means. shutter in the open position.

The invention also defines a method of filling a fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir intended to contain fluid, this reservoir comprising an outlet opening,

an inlet valve for introducing fluid into the reservoir,

a dispensing member mounted in the outlet opening for taking and dispensing fluid from the reservoir,

a vent passage which makes it possible to communicate the inside of the tank with the outside, the passage being provided with shut-off means movable between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising the following steps:

- Put the shutter means in the open position, and

- Introduce fluid through the inlet valve.

When the dispenser is equipped with a pusher that controls the venting system, the method also provides for pressing the pusher and simultaneously introducing the fluid into the reservoir through the inlet valve.

The present invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting examples two embodiments of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention in a locked rest position, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking member according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 represent the upper part of the dispenser of FIG. 1, respectively in the non-locked resting position, in the depressed position, and in the depressed locked position,

FIG. 6 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 for a variant of the first embodiment in the unblocked rest position, and

FIG. 7 is a view of the dispenser of FIG. 6 in the depressed locked position,

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking member of the variant embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, and

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are views in vertical cross section through a distributor according to a second embodiment of the invention, respectively in the locked position, the dispensing position and the filling position.

In both embodiments illustrated in the figures, the refillable fluid dispenser according to the invention comprises a fluid reservoir 1, an inlet valve 121, 13, a dispensing member in the form of a pump 4 , an actuating pusher 6 and locking means. The two embodiments differ mainly in the positioning of the vent passage. Therefore, the description of the first embodiment is also valid for the second embodiment, with respect to the common features.

The reservoir 1 can be made of any material and preferably has a useful volume which is constant because the walls of the reservoir are rigid or substantially rigid. The tank can be made from two pieces, namely a tank body la and a bottom Ib reported in the body to define together the useful volume of the tank. The reservoir comprises an inlet opening 12 located for example at the bottom Ib of the tank. The tank 1 also comprises an outlet opening 11 which is preferably located at the level of the upper part of the tank. The tank can be made from a single piece or several pieces as is the case in Figure 1. The tank also forms, at the inlet opening 12, a valve seat 121 who is extends upwardly by a sleeve 122. On the other hand, the reservoir 1 forms a support rod 123 which extends downwards towards the sleeve 122. At its outlet opening 11, the reservoir forms a neck 111 provided with internal fixing means. The reservoir 1 also forms a relatively complex profile around the neck, this complex profile including among others a boss 17 whose function will be given below. The interior of the tank thus communicates with the outside through the inlet opening 12 and the outlet opening 11.

The valve seat 121 selectively receives a movable valve member 13 which may for example be in the form of a spherical ball. The movable member 13 is prestressed on the seat 121 by a spring 14 which is supported on the lower end of the support rod 123. The spring is partially housed in the sleeve 122.

The outlet opening 11 is closed by a dispensing member, which is here a pump 4. This pump 4 comprises a pump body 41 which extends partially inside the tank. The body 41 is pierced with a vent orifice 42 which communicates the outside of the body with the inside of the body. This vent port 42 is part of a venting system of the pump. Indeed, this pump 4 is a venting pump that allows air to pass through the pump in order to allow air to enter the interior of the tank as the fluid product is extracted. The pump 4 further comprises a piston 43 mounted on an actuating rod 44. The vent passage, formed by the pump venting system, extends around the piston 43 and the sleeve 44. Thus, the air in the tank can exit the tank through the vent hole 42, then pass around the piston 43. Beyond the piston, the air passes around the actuating rod 44 and thus reaches outside. This will be explained more fully with reference to FIG. 5. The vent orifice 42 thus forms part of the venting passage formed by the dispenser member. At rest, the venting orifice is closed by the piston 43 which thus acts as selective sealing means.

The pump 4 is held in place in the outlet opening 11 at the neck 16. To seal the pump in the opening 11, there is provided a neck seal 5. The pusher 6 is mounted on the free upper end of the actuating rod 44. The pusher 6 comprises a bearing surface 61 on which one can press with the aid of one or more fingers to move the rod of actuation 44 and the piston 43 within the pump body and thereby dispense fluid through the actuating rod 44. The piston 6 also includes a peripheral skirt 62 which extends downwardly from the bearing surface 61. It may be noted that the skirt 61 is provided at its lower end with an external hook 62, whose function will be given below. The pusher, the actuating rod and the piston are axially displaceable along an actuating axis X.

The dispenser may also include a cover 8 which extends around the pusher 6 and is connected to the reservoir 1.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 to 5, the refillable dispenser comprises locking means 7, which comprise a locking member as represented in FIG. 7 are only constituted by this blocking member. The locking member 7 may advantageously be made in one piece. The locking member 7 comprises a first right lateral portion 70, a second left lateral portion 74 and a median portion 77. The right portion 70 comprises a push pin 71 connected to a carriage 73. In addition, the straight portion 70 forms a 72. The left portion 74 also comprises a push pin 75 which may be identical to that of the right portion 70. This pin 75 is also connected to a carriage 76 which may be substantially identical to the carriage 73 of the part 70 The left portion 74 has no hooking tab, such as the tab 72 of the portion 70. The two carriages 73 and 76 are connected to the middle portion 77 which is in the form of an oblong crown.

The locking member 7 is mounted in the refillable dispenser of the invention at the upper part of the reservoir 1, so that the neck 16 of the reservoir extends through the crown of the middle part 77. The right part 70 extends so that the pusher pin 71 is located at the cover 8. It is the same for the left part 74 whose pusher pin 75 even projects laterally through an opening in the cover. The ergot 71 of the part right 70 is also visible and accessible through a symmetrical opening formed by the cover 8. The complex profile formed at the upper part of the tank 1 is adapted to engage with carriages 73 and 76 to allow guided translational movement the locking member 7 in a horizontal plane along an axis Y, that is to say perpendicularly to the axis of actuation X. The carriages 73 and 76 are therefore intended to guide the locking member 7 on the pusher 1. The oblong shape of the middle portion 77 is imposed because the crown must move with the neck 16 housed inside.

In Figure 1, the dispenser is in a rest position blocked. The pusher 6 is in the rest position, that is to say subject to no thrust. The locking member 7 is positioned in the distributor, so that the hooking tab 72 is located just below the hook 62 formed by the pusher 6. Similarly, the ring formed by the middle portion 77 is positioned at the level of its left side just below the skirt 61. Thus, it is not possible to move the pusher 6 even by pressing the surface 60. In this position, the locking member serves to lock the distributor in position rest.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the locking member 7 has been moved to the right with respect to the position shown in FIG. 1. It can indeed be noted that the lug 71 is now projecting out of the cladding. 8, while the lug 75 is housed inside the casing. In this position, the tab 72 is no longer located below the hook 62. Similarly, the belt 77 is no longer located below the skirt 61. In this position, it is possible to press the pushbutton 6 to push the actuating rod 44 into the pump body, and thus dispense a dose of fluid. The fully depressed position is shown in Figure 4. The locking member is then in the disengaged position.

According to the invention, it is then possible to move the locking member 7 to the left so as to bring the hooking tab 72 above the hook 62. By releasing the pusher 6, the hook 62 will come into locked engagement with the hooking tab 72. The pusher 6 can not then return to its rest position shown in Figures 1 and 3. In this position, as in that of Figure 4, the pump venting system is in working condition. In other words, a continuous venting passage is formed between the interior of the tank and outside. In FIG. 5, this venting passage is represented in dotted dashed lines designated E. It can notably be seen that the air present in the reservoir can pass through the vent orifice 42 and then around the piston 43 and then around of the actuating rod 44 to reach below the pusher 6. From there, the air can bypass the pusher and reach the cover 8 before escaping outwardly above the pusher 6. Therefore in the position shown in Figure 5, there is an air passage between the inside of the tank and the outside. It is then possible to fill the tank through the inlet opening 11, of course by pushing the inlet valve 2 of its seat 12. This can for example be achieved by means of a suitable nozzle mounted on a refill can. The fluid product can thus fill the tank because the air initially present in the tank can escape through the open venting system of the pump 4. The blocking member 7 makes it possible to maintain this venting passage open throughout the filling phase of the tank. Once the filling is finished, simply press the pusher 6 so as to disengage the hook 62 from the tab 72 and then move the locking member 7 to the right to bring it back to the position of FIGS. and 4. By releasing the pressure on the pusher 6, it can then return to its rest position of Figure 3. The vent hole is again closed by the piston.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 6 to 8 to explain a variant of the first embodiment of the invention. All the components of the dispenser may be identical except for the locking means which comprise here a locking member 7 'and a control member 9. The locking member 7' has a general configuration substantially similar to that of the blocking member 7 of the first embodiment. However, the locking member 7 'is free of push pins 71 and 75. Instead, the right portion 70' comprises a thrust plate 71 '. However, the right part 70 'also forms a hooking tab 72. On the other hand, the left part 74' forms a resilient flexible tongue 75 'whose function is to serve as an elastic return means, as will be seen now. The locking member 7 'is mounted in the distributor in a manner substantially identical to that of the first embodiment. The hooking lug 72 can cooperate with the pusher in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The locking member 7 'can indeed be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of displacement of the pusher and the actuating rod. However, the displacement of the locking member 7 'is not carried out directly by pressing on it, but by means of the control member 9 which can be in the form of a slide which moves parallel to the axis of movement of the pusher and the actuating rod. The controller 9 may include an actuator slider 92 and a cam head 91 for engaging with the thrust plate 71 '. In the rest position shown in Figure 6, the locking member 7 'is in the released position, that is to say non-blocking. The elastic tab 75 'is practically not constrained. The cam head 91 is located above the hook tab 72. By moving the slider 92 downward, the cam head 91 will engage the push plate 71 '. This has the effect of moving the locking member 7 'to the left, which allows to position the hooking tab 72 either directly below the hook 62, or directly above the hook 62, as shown in Figure 7 In this position, the elastic tab 75 'is deformed against the inner wall of the cover 8. By moving the cursor 92 up again, the locking member 7' will move automatically to the right under the effect of the elastic return force exerted by the deformable tab 75 '.

In this first embodiment, the hooking tab 72 and the hook 62 together form a hooking system which can be defeated by pressing the pushbutton 6. The hooked profiles of the hook 62 and the tab 72 prevent the movement of the hook. the locking member 7 or 7 '. This ensures that the filling of the tank can not be disturbed because it is accidentally pressed on the locking member. In order for the locking member to regain its freedom of movement, it is first necessary to press down on the pusher 6 and then move the locking member. Thus, the pusher 6 constitutes locking means for the locking member.

It should be noted that in the present invention, the locking member 7 or 7 'allows both to block the pusher in the rest position and in the depressed or pressed position. Indeed, it is not necessary that the pusher is pressed as far as possible, but simply pressed to open the venting system. The passage venting is formed by the venting system incorporated in the dispensing member, and the piston acts as means for closing the vent passage. Of course, this shutter function can be provided by another component of the dispenser member without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to Figures 9 to 11 which show a fluid dispenser according to the second embodiment of the invention. The overall configuration of this dispenser according to this second embodiment is substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, particularly in its variant embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8. In fact, the dispenser comprises a reservoir 1 comprising a reservoir body 1a. and a bottom Ib reported on the body to form the useful volume 10 of the reservoir. The reservoir comprises an opening 11 in which is mounted a dispensing member 4 which may also be a pump. This pump may be identical to that of the first embodiment. The pump is also provided with a pusher 6 which can be pressed to actuate the pump and dispense fluid. The dispenser also comprises a locking member 7 "which is movable so as to be able to act on closure means to clear a venting passage.It is here that lies the major difference with the first embodiment. As will be seen below, the dispenser also comprises a control member 9 'which makes it possible to move the locking member 7 ".

As in the first embodiment, the reservoir defines an inlet opening 12 through which the reservoir can be filled. This input 12 is for example made at the bottom Ib of the tank. The inlet 12 forms an inlet valve seat 121 which is extended by a guide sleeve 122. The inlet 12 is sealingly closed at its seat 121 by a movable member 13 of the product inlet flap fluid. This movable member 13 is slidably engaged within the sleeve 122 which ensures a perfect axial displacement of the movable member 13 within the sleeve. The movable member 13 can thus move axially along an axis of displacement Z, visible in FIG. 9. The movable member 13 comprises an actuating pin 133 which is accessible from the outside, and which constitutes the visible part of the movable member 13 from the outside, that is to say from the bottom of the dispenser. The movable member 13 rests sealingly on the seat 121 by means of an O-ring 132. On the other hand, the movable member 13 comprises one or more axial grooves 134 which guarantee that there is no contact between the movable member 13 and the sleeve 122. Thus, the movable member 13, from the O-ring 132, is positioned inside the tank 10.

In a completely symmetrical manner axially with respect to the axis of displacement Z, the tank 1 also comprises a venting outlet 16 which defines a vent valve seat 161. This seat 161 is also extended by a guiding sleeve. 162. The venting outlet 16 is selectively closed off by a movable vent valve member 15 which may be similar or perfectly identical to the movable member 15 of the fluid inlet valve. Indeed, the movable member 15 may also comprise an actuating pin 153 which is accessible from the outside of the venting outlet 16. The movable member 15 may also comprise an O-ring 152 which bears The movable member 15 may also comprise one or more axial grooves 154 which make the movable member 15 communicate from the O-ring 152 with the reservoir 10.

To ensure a tight contact of the movable members 13 and 15 at their respective seats 121 and 161, there are provided elastic return means 14, which advantageously have the distinction of being common to both movable members 13 and 15. In particular, In other words, the two movable members 13 and 15 may be connected together by elastic return means 14, which may advantageously be in the form of resiliently deformable flexible tabs. The movable member 15 is also arranged axially along the axis of displacement Z. Preferably, the two movable members 13 and 15 as well as the elastic return means 14 are made in one piece integral piece of valve 2. This piece valve 2 preferably has axial symmetry along the Z axis, but may also have a mirror symmetry passing in the center of the elastic return means 14. If this is the case, it is not possible to differentiate the movable member 13 of the movable member 15. Thus, it is possible to position the valve part 2 in any direction inside the tank 10 without worrying about the orientation of the part, since the mobile member 13 is strictly identical to the movable member 15. The mounting of the valve part 2 in the tank 10 is possible because the tank 10 is made in two parts, namely a body la and a bottom Ib. The fluid product inlet 12 is formed by the bottom Ib then that the venting outlet 16 is made by the body la. The two movable members 13 and 15 are movable along the common axis Z, for example by pressing on their respective actuating pins 133 and 153.

The blocking member 7 "may have an overall configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment, since the locking member 7" can also be engaged around the actuating rod of the pump below the The locking member 7 "is also displaceable in translation along an axis Y which extends substantially perpendicular to the axis Z. The locking member 7" also comprises abutment studs 74 "and 70 "on which the skirt 61 of the pusher can come into abutment in the locked position. This is shown in Figure 9. On the other hand, the locking member 7 "comprises an additional pad 77 'on which the pusher abuts at the level of the actuating rod. 7 "locking includes an actuating pin 78 which points downwards from the stud 74" This lug 78 will serve to actuate the vent valve, and more particularly to push the movable member 15 inwards of the reservoir 10 so as to clear a vent passage which communicates the interior of the tank 10 with the outside through the venting outlet 16. In the locked position of rest shown in Figure 9, this pin 78 is located to the right of the Z axis near the actuating pin 153. Furthermore, the locking member 7 "is guided at the stud 70" by engaging a heel 79 inside a path cam guide 91 'formed by the control member 9', engaging the heel 79 in the guide The cam member 91 'allows the control member 7 "to be displaced by movement of the control member 9', the locking member 7" being constrained to follow the cam path 91 'because the heel 79 in is a prisoner. In other words, the locking member 7 "is moved by pushing and pulling exerted by the control member 9 '.

Referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that the locking member 7 "has been moved to the right so that the abutment pads 74" and 70 "are no longer located below the skirt 61 of the pusher 6 which can thus be moved axially and allow the distribution of fluid product. The displacement to the right of the locking member 7 "has been generated by the downward displacement of the control member 9 ', in particular that the heel 79 of the locking member is located in the upper part of the cam guide path 91 'It can then be observed that the actuating pin 78 has been moved to the right of the actuating pin 153 of the movable member 15. The position shown in FIG. actuation, use or distribution, in which it is possible to press the pusher 6 which can move axially and thus actuate the pump 4 to dispense a dose of fluid product In this position, the locking member 7 "is totally inoperative.

Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that the locking member 7 "is positioned in an intermediate position between the positions of FIGS. 9 and 10. The stop pads 74" and 70 "are always positioned below the skirt 61 of the pusher 6, so that it is not possible to actuate the pusher The heel 79 is located approximately halfway in the cam guide 91 '. actuating pin 78 is positioned above the actuating pin 161. Thus, the movable member 15 has been moved axially inwardly of the reservoir 10 by the actuating pin 78 so that the inside of the tank 10 communicates with the outside through a vent passage which extends around the movable member 15. This venting passage is favored by the presence of the grooves 154. It can be seen in particular in Figure 11 that the seal O-ring 152 is detached from the seat 161 which releases the passage of venting. movable ane 15 by the lug 78 is possible, because the actuating needle 161 protrudes slightly out of the venting outlet 16 and is therefore in the path of movement of the lug 78, as one can see Figure 9 and 10. When the lug is positioned on the Z axis, it pushes the needle 161 in the vent outlet and thereby clears the vent passage. FIG. 11 also shows the opening of the fluid product inlet valve via a discharge tube 3 of fluid product forming part of a refill (not shown). The discharge tube 3 is brought into engagement with the actuating pin 133 of the movable member 13. By pressing the tube 3 against the needle 133, the movable member 13 is moved towards the inside of the reservoir 10 and releases and a fluid product passage so that the fluid from the refill can flow into the reservoir 10, and thus fill it. The filling of the reservoir 10 with fluid can obviously be performed only if the vent passage is open. It is therefore necessary that the two fluid inlet and venting valves are open at the same time, which is shown in FIG. 11. The movable member 13 is moved upwards while the movable member 15 is moved down. This is possible simultaneously by deforming the elastic return means 14.

In summary, in the filling position of Figure 11, the two inlet and vent valves are open and the pusher is further blocked. The control member 9 'is in an intermediate position, which corresponds to the intermediate position of the locking member.

It is particularly interesting in this second embodiment that the movable members 13 and 15 are made integrally by one and the same piece of integral valve 2. In addition, this piece 2 does not need to be oriented. The displacement of the locking member allows very simply and very directly to act on the movable member 15 of the vent valve to lock it in the open position. Outside this venting position, the blocking member leaves the vent valve closed.

In both embodiments, blocking means are used to act on closure means to constrain them in the open position so as to clear a vent passage. This vent passage may be integrated with the dispensing member or formed at the reservoir. It is advantageous that this locking member can further ensure the complete blocking of the dispenser so as to prevent accidental or inadvertent actuation. The locking member may be actuated manually, or by means of a control member.

Of course, certain features specific to one embodiment may be implemented in the other embodiment as a substitution or in addition to the features of this embodiment. In other words, the features of the various embodiments are combinable.

Claims

claims

1.- Fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir (10) intended to contain fluid product at atmospheric pressure, this reservoir comprising an outlet opening

(H),

- A dispensing member (4), such as a pump, mounted in the outlet opening (11) for taking and dispensing fluid from the reservoir (10), characterized in that it further comprises:

an inlet valve (121, 13) for introducing fluid into the reservoir, this valve comprising a seat (121) and a movable member (13) biased by elastic return means (14) on this seat, and

- A vent passage for communicating the interior of the tank with the outside, the passage being provided with closure means (43; 15) movable along an axis (X; Z) between an open position and a position closed.

2. A fluid dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a blocking member (7; 7 '; 7 ") for bringing the closure means to the open position, the locking means being movable between several positions, comprising at least one venting position in which the closure means are in the open position and an actuating position in which the dispensing member is operable to dispense fluid and the closure means in the closed position.

3. Fluid dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the locking means are further movable in a locking position in which the dispenser member is locked and the closure means in the closed position.

4. Fluid dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the locking means are movable in translation along an axis Y which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of movement X; Z shutter means.

5.- fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a control member (9; 9 ') movable so as to move the locking member (T; 7 "), the control member being movable transversely to the locking member, the locking member advantageously forming elastic return means (75 ') for biasing the locking member in the actuating position.

6. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the venting passage comprises a vent valve defining a vent valve seat (161) formed at the reservoir and an organ movable vent valve (15) biased by elastic return means (14) on the seat, the locking member (7 ") engaging with the movable member (15) to move against the means of reminder (14) out of sealed contact of its seat (161) to thereby clear the vent passage.

7. Fluid dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the elastic return means (14) of the inlet valve and the vent valve are common.

8. Fluid dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the movable member (13) of the inlet valve and the movable member (15) of the vent valve are movable along the same axis Z, the elastic return means (14) being located between the two movable members.

9. A fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the two movable members (13, 15) and the common elastic return means (14) are formed by a single piece of one-piece valve (2). ).

10. Fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the two movable members (13, 15) are housed in the tank (1) and guided axially by respective axial guide elements (122, 162).

Fluid dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the venting passage is formed by the dispensing member (4), the dispensing member comprising an axially displaceable pusher (6). which is pressed from a rest position to actuate the dispensing member, the closing means being in the open position when the pusher is pressed and in the closed position when the pusher is in the rest position.

12. A fluid dispenser according to claim 11, wherein a locking member (7; 7 ') blocks the pusher (6) in a supported position other than the home position.

13. A fluid dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the locking member (7; 7 ') engages with the pusher (6) in the depressed position, the locking member and the pusher being connected together by an attachment system (62, 72) that can be defeated by pressing on the pusher.

14. A method of filling a fluid dispenser comprising:

a reservoir (1) intended to contain fluid product, this reservoir comprising an outlet opening (11), an inlet valve (121, 13) for introducing fluid into the reservoir,

a dispensing member (4) mounted in the outlet opening (11) for taking and dispensing fluid from the reservoir,

a vent passage which makes it possible to communicate the interior of the tank with the outside, the passage being provided with closure means (43; 15) movable between an open position and a closed position, the method comprising the steps; following:

- Put the shutter means in the open position, and

- Introduce fluid through the inlet valve.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the dispensing member comprises a pusher (6) movable axially on which is pressed from a rest position to actuate the dispensing member, the vent passage being open when the pusher is pressed and closed in the rest position of the pusher, the method comprising the step of pressing the pusher and simultaneously introducing fluid through the inlet opening.