EP2943285B1 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Description

• un réservoir de produit fluide définissant un col et un fond,
• un clapet de remplissage monté dans le fond, le clapet de remplissage comprenant un organe mobile et un élément fixe formant un siège de clapet pour l'organe mobile,
• un organe de distribution, tel qu'une pompe, montée sur le réservoir pour prélever du produit fluide,
• un poussoir monté sur l'organe de distribution,
• un canal d'éventation qui s'étend le long du réservoir de produit fluide pour faire communiquer le réservoir de produit fluide avec l'extérieur, ce canal d'éventation définissant une entrée à proximité du col et une sortie débouchant au niveau du fond.

The present invention relates to a rechargeable fluid product dispenser comprising:

• a fluid reservoir defining a neck and a bottom,
• a filling valve mounted in the bottom, the filling valve comprising a movable member and a fixed element forming a valve seat for the movable member,
• a dispensing member, such as a pump, mounted on the reservoir for withdrawing fluid,
• a pusher mounted on the dispensing member,
• a vent channel which extends along the fluid reservoir to communicate the fluid reservoir with the outside, this venting channel defining an inlet near the neck and an outlet opening at the bottom.

The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, not to mention cosmetics or pharmacy.

In the prior art, the document is already known US 3559701 which discloses a refillable dispenser comprising a reservoir, a refill valve mounted at the bottom of the reservoir, a dispensing member in the form of a valve, a pusher mounted on the valve, and a venting channel which extends along from the bottom of the tank to near the neck. When fluid is injected into the reservoir through the forced fill valve in the open state, air in the reservoir can vent through the vent channel. In this document of the prior art, the venting channel is in the form of a thin tube which is mounted on the bottom of the tank and which extends freely inside the tank. It is readily understood that this venting channel design is difficult to implement with a relatively low cost. It must be noted that this document is over forty years old.

The document is also known GB-2229380 which describes a refillable dispenser comprising a reservoir, a pump, a pusher and a venting channel which is integrally formed with the reservoir. This refillable dispenser does not really include a fill valve: instead, a cone defining a reduced passageway permits receipt of the actuating rod of a pump from a source vial. Fluid can be injected into the tank, and the air it contains can escape through the vent channel. This refillable dispenser also includes a removable cap that is adaptable to the bottom of the tank so as to close both the cone and the exit of the vent channel. As such, the design of the vent channel integrated tank is not feasible industrially with moderate cost. Indeed, the venting channel is represented with a constant section over its entire length, which would mean that it was made using a fine pin of constant section, which is not feasible in practice . Indeed, such a pin could not be removed from the channel after molding because of its great length and extreme finesse.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a rechargeable distributor whose venting channel is integrated into the tank without causing complications in the molding of the tank and its venting channel . The venting channel must be able to be molded and demolded with a sturdy spindle at fast rates.

To achieve these objects, the present invention proposes a refillable fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir defining a neck, and a bottom provided with an opening, a filling valve mounted in the bottom opening, the filling valve comprising a movable member and a valve seat for the movable member, a dispensing member, such as a pump, mounted on the reservoir for withdrawing fluid, the dispensing member comprising a body and an actuating rod axially displaceable back and forth, a pusher mounted on the actuating rod of the dispenser member, a channel venting device which extends along the fluid reservoir to communicate the fluid reservoir with the outside, this venting channel defining an inlet near the neck and an outlet opening at the bottom, the channel venting being carried out integrally with the fluid reservoir, characterized in that the distributor comprises a fixed element mounted on the bottom of the fluid reservoir, this fixed element forming a vent passage which connects the outlet of the channel venting outdoors. Thus, the fixed element forms a kind of extension of the venting channel forming a terminal vent passage before opening outwardly. Therefore, it is possible to realize the venting channel with a larger section, and a shape for example conical or tapered. Thus, the outlet of the venting channel has a larger passage section than that of the inlet. The vent channel may have a flared configuration toward its outlet.

On the other hand, the vent passage that connects the outlet of the vent channel to the outside may have a passage section smaller than that of the venting channel so as to create a significant pressure drop, thus preventing any leakage of fluid product. The vent passage has for example a passage section smaller than that of the outlet.

In a very simple embodiment, the vent passage includes a vent hole disposed at the outlet. However, in the case where the vent hole directly connects the outlet of the vent channel to the outside, an orientation of the fixed member is necessary, since the vent channel is eccentrically disposed. Thus, preferably, the vent passage comprises an annular conduit and a vent hole, the annular conduit connecting the outlet to the vent hole. In this way, it is not necessary to index the orientation of the fixed element, since the annular duct, because of its annular shape, is always located or straight from the exit of the venting channel. In addition, the annular duct constitutes a vent passage section that can be made with a very restricted section.

According to a practical embodiment, the fixed element comprises a disk provided with an annular groove in which is formed a vent hole which passes through the thickness of the disk.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fixed element also forms the valve seat of the filling valve. The valve seat may for example be formed in the center of the disc.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the movable member of the filling valve comprises a flexible split membrane which rests sealingly on the valve seat in the rest position. Preferably, the slotted flexible membrane is formed by a flexible piece which further comprises an annular anchoring heel in which the split flexible membrane extends, the annular anchoring heel being wedged between the bottom and the fixed member.

According to another aspect of the invention, the dispenser further comprises a removable cover which sealingly covers the fixed element.

The spirit of the invention starts from the fact that it is easier and less expensive to integrate the venting channel with the tank. However, this one-piece molding requires a certain section and a certain shape for the venting channel, which could lead to leakage risks. In order to eliminate these risks of leakage, the venting channel is extended by a smaller section venting passage formed by a fixed element attached to the bottom of the tank. Cleverly, this fixed element also forms the seat of the filling valve.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur réalisé selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée du distributeur de la figure 1,
• La figure 3 est une vue agrandie de la partie inférieure du distributeur de la figure 1,
• La figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 au cours d'une opération de remplissage,
• La figure 5 est une vue selon la ligne de coupe CC de la figure 3,
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective de l'élément fixe du clapet de remplissage, et
• La figure 7 est une vue en perspective de l'organe mobile du clapet de remplissage.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a distributor made according to the invention,
• The figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 3 is an enlarged view of the bottom of the dispenser of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 during a fill operation,
• The figure 5 is a view along the section line CC of the figure 3 ,
• The figure 6 is a perspective view of the fixed element of the filling valve, and
• The figure 7 is a perspective view of the movable member of the filling valve.

We will first refer to Figures 1 and 2 to describe in a global manner the structure of a rechargeable fluid product dispenser according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The distributor comprises the following constituent elements, namely a fluid reservoir 1, a filling valve 2, an optional removable cover 3, a dispensing member 4, a fixing ring 5 and a pusher 6.

The dispensing member 4 may for example be a pump comprising a pump body 41 provided at its lower end with a plunger tube 42 and at its upper end with a retaining flange 43. The pump also comprises a stem of FIG. actuator 44 which is axially displaceable back and forth within the body 41 so as to vary the volume of a pump chamber (not shown). In a completely conventional manner, this pump 4 is provided with an inlet valve and an outlet valve on either side of the pump chamber so that fluid can enter the pump chamber. through the plunger tube 42 and the open inlet valve, and out of the pump chamber, when pressurized, through the open outlet valve and the actuator rod 44. there a design quite classic for a pump in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy.

The fixing ring 5 makes it possible to mount the dispensing member 4 in the reservoir 1 in a fixed and sealed manner. This fixing ring can even be integrated into the dispenser member 4. It comprises means receiver 54 for receiving in a fixed and stable manner the retaining collar 43 of the body 41, a fixing skirt 51 engaged inside or outside the reservoir, and a plate 52 which can abut on the upper end of the tank. The particular design of the fixing ring 5 is not critical for the present invention.

The pusher 6 is mounted on the free end of the actuating rod 44 of the dispensing member 4. It comprises a connecting sleeve 61 which is fitted on the free end of the actuating rod 44. This sleeve connection 61 is extended by an internal conduit 62 which leads to a dispensing orifice 63, for example in the form of a spray nozzle. This is a general design quite classic for a push in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy. Since the pusher is not a critical element of the present invention, it need not be described in more detail.

The fluid reservoir 1 comprises a barrel 10 which is generally cylindrical. At its upper end, the barrel 10 defines a neck 11 within which the fixing skirt 55 of the ring 5 is fixedly engaged and sealed. At its lower end, the barrel 10 forms a bottom 13 provided with an opening 14, which is advantageously arranged centrally. The bottom 13, at this opening 14, forms an annular shoulder 15 whose function will be given below. The bottom 13 also defines, at this central opening 14, a latching groove 16. On its outer wall, the bottom 13 forms a thread 17. The opening 14 crosses the bottom from side to side so that the Inside the tank 1 can communicate with the outside through this opening. On the other hand, the barrel 10 also forms a venting channel 12 which extends over most of the height of the container 1. This venting channel comprises an inlet 121 which is disposed near the neck 11. This does not exclude that the inlet 121 is disposed at a distance from the neck 11. The venting channel 12 also comprises an outlet 122 which opens at the bottom 13, next to the opening 14. This venting channel 12 is made integrally with the remainder of the tank 11. In a manner in fact conventional, the tank with its venting channel 12, can be made by injection molding of suitable plastic material. The venting channel 12 may be formed using a molding pin, which is extracted from said channel after molding. Advantageously, this molding pin may have a tapered or frustoconical shape, so that the passage section of the venting channel 12 increases from the inlet 121 to the outlet 122. It can thus be noted on the figure 1 that the vent channel 12 has a flared configuration to the outlet 122. With such a molding pin and vent channel configuration, it is ensured that the molding pin is more robust and that its demoulding is facilitated. It may be noted that the passage section of the venting channel 12 at its outlet 122 substantially corresponds to the diameter of the plunger tube 42, which is of the order of 2 to 3 mm.

The filling valve 2 is mounted on the bottom 13 of the reservoir and extends mainly through the central opening 14. This filling valve 2 is formed by a fixed element 20 and a flexible part 25. In a very general way, the fixed member 20 forms a valve seat 24 and the flexible member 25 forms a movable member 27 which selectively and sealingly rests on the valve seat 24. In the absence of any fluid fluid under pressure, the movable member 27 rests tightly on the seat 24. When the movable member is subjected to a fluid product having sufficient pressure, it detaches from its seat so as to create a passage for connecting the outside of the tank inside the tank.

In more detail, the flexible part 25 comprises a flexible membrane 27 which has a slot 28, for example in the form of a cross clearly visible on the figure 7 . This flexible membrane 27 is surrounded by an annular anchoring heel 26 which is intended to engage against the shoulder 15 formed inside the opening 14 of the bottom 13. The upper face of the membrane 27 is oriented inwardly of the tank 1. Its lower face rests on the valve seat 24 formed by the fixed element 20. More specifically, the fixed element 20 comprises a ring 21 forming an outside snap cord 211 which is received in the throat detent 16 of the bottom 13 inside the opening 14. The upper end of this ring 21 comes into contact with the anchoring heel 26 of the movable member 25, and pushes it strongly against the shoulder 15. Thus, the flexible part 25 is fixedly and sealingly held inside the opening 14. The fixed element 20 also forms the valve seat 24 which comes into contact with the lower face of the flexible membrane 27. This valve seat 24 may be in the form of a needle arranged concentrically inside the ring 21. This needle can be connected to the ring 21 by several axial bars so as to define between them supply ducts. 242 which lead to the underside of the flexible membrane 27. On its lower face, the valve seat 24 can form one or more abutment stud (s) 241 on which a receiving housing 23 opens.

Referring to the figure 3 , we see the filling valve 2 in the state of rest. The flexible membrane 27 is sealingly applied to the valve seat 24. On the figure 4 , the free end of an actuating rod S2 of a dispensing member S1 belonging to a source bottle S is engaged inside the receiving housing 23 so as to abut against the studs 241. Pressing strongly the actuating rod S2 in the housing 23, the dispensing member S1 is actuated and pressurized fluid is pushed through the actuating rod, so as to flow under pressure through the conduits of supply 242 to reach the underside of the flexible membrane 27, which is then raised by widening the slot 28. The fluid can then enter the interior of the tank 1. It can be noted that the opening of the flap filling 2 is carried out under the action of the fluid under pressure, and not by the mechanical pressure directly exerted by the actuating rod S2.

The fixed element 20 also forms a disc 22 which extends radially outwardly from the ring 21. This disc 22 can be made integrally with the ring 21: alternatively, this disc 22 can be reported around of the crown 21. This disc 22 comes in contact of the lower face of the bottom 13 and covers the outlet 122 of the vent channel 12. According to the invention, the disc 22 forms a vent passage which connects the outlet 122 of the vent channel 12 to the outside. This venting passage may for example be formed by a vent hole 222 which passes through the thickness of the disc 22, and which is advantageously arranged at the outlet of the venting channel 12. Thus, this hole 122 directly connects the channel 12 outside. Advantageously, this hole 122 has a passage section which is smaller than that of the venting channel 12, and more particularly that of its outlet 122. This is very clearly visible on the figures 2 , 3 and 4 . Thus, this vent hole 222 constitutes an outlet passage of reduced section relative to that of the channel 12. Thus, any risk of leakage or loss of fluid product is avoided. The reduction in section conferred by this vent hole 122 makes it possible to mold the venting channel 12 with a molding spindle of large section, which improves its solidity. In a preferred variant, the vent hole 122 is combined with an annular duct 221 which is disposed between the outlet 122 and the hole 222. This annular duct 221 may for example be in the form of an annular groove 221 '(visible on the figure 6 ) which is formed at the upper face of the disc 22. This annular groove 221 ', when applied against the bottom face of the bottom 13, forms the annular conduit 221. This annular conduit is preferably circular, and has a diameter such that the annular duct 221 is disposed in line with the outlet 122 of the channel 12. With this annular duct 221, it is no longer necessary to orient disc 22: the vent hole 222 can be located anywhere where relative to the outlet 122. This annular duct 221 also makes it possible to produce a relatively long vent passage section between the outlet 122 and the vent hole 222. In addition, the passage section of this annular duct 221 is much lower than that of the outlet 122, thus further reducing any risk of leakage of fluid product at the vent hole 222.

The annular channel 221 and the vent hole 222 are here formed by the disk 22 which is an integral part of the fixed element 20. However, without out of the scope of the invention, it is possible to form the annular conduit 221 and the vent hole 222 in a disk attached to the bottom of the tank, but which is not integral with the filling valve 2.

The removable cover 3 comprises a bottom wall 31 which is provided with an O-ring 32 intended to be crushed against the disk 22 so as to seal the vent hole 222. In order to compress the seal 32, the cover 3 comprises a threaded skirt 33 which can engage with the thread 17 of the body 1, as can be seen very clearly on the figure 3 . Of course, the bottom wall 31 of the cover 3 also covers the filling valve 2.

In the configuration shown on the figure 3 , the dispenser can be used in a conventional manner by operating the pusher 6 so as to dispense doses of fluid. Once empty, the removable cap 3 can be removed and the actuating rod S2 of a source bottle S can be inserted into the receiving housing 23, as shown in FIG. figure 4 . It suffices then to push the actuating rod S2 to dispense successive doses of fluid that are injected into the reservoir through the filling valve whose flexible membrane 27 is forced to the open state. The figure 5 represents a cross-sectional view along a section CC of the figure 3 . In particular, it is possible to see, through the venting channel 12, a short section of the annular duct 121 and the rotation hole 222. It can also be seen the flexible membrane 27 with its cross-shaped slot 28. figure 6 it can be seen the upper ends of the supply ducts 242 which extend between the ring 21 and the valve seat 24. The ring 21 is surrounded by the disc 22 which forms on its upper face the annular groove 221 at the bottom of the which the vent hole 222 is formed.

Thanks to the present invention, the vent channel can be made integrally with the reservoir without having to dangerously reduce the section of the molding spindle, since this venting channel communicates with the outside through a vent passage whose passage section is reduced.

Claims (11)

1. A refillable fluid dispenser comprising:

   • a fluid reservoir (1) defining a neck (11) and a bottom wall (13) provided with an opening (14);

   • a filling valve (2) that is mounted in the opening (14) of the bottom wall (13), the filling valve (2) including a movable member (27) and a valve seat (24) for the movable member (27);

   • a dispenser member (4), such as a pump, that is mounted on the reservoir (1) so as to take the fluid, the dispenser member (4) including a body (41) and an actuator rod (44) that is axially movable down and up;

   • a pusher (6) that is mounted on the actuator rod (44) of the dispenser member (4);

   • a vent channel (12) that extends along the fluid reservoir (1) so as to put the fluid reservoir (1) into communication with the outside, the vent channel (12) defining an inlet (121) in the proximity of the neck (11), and an outlet (122) that opens out at the bottom wall (13), the vent channel (12) being made integrally with the fluid reservoir (1);

   the dispenser being characterized in that it includes a stationary element (20) that is mounted on the bottom wall (13) of the fluid reservoir (1), the stationary element (20) forming a vent passage (221, 222) that connects the outlet (122) of the vent channel (12) to the outside.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the outlet (122) of the vent channel (12) presents a flow section that is larger than the flow section of the inlet (121).
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the vent channel (12) presents a configuration that flares towards its outlet (122).
4. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vent passage (221, 222) presents a flow section that is smaller than the flow section of the outlet (122).
5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vent passage comprises a vent hole (222) that is arranged at the outlet (122).
6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the vent passage comprises an annular duct (221) and a vent hole (222), the annular duct (221) connecting the outlet (122) to the vent hole (222).
7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the stationary element (20) includes a disk (22) that is provided with an annular groove (221') in which there is formed a vent hole (222) that passes through the thickness of the disk (22).
8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the stationary element (20) also forms the valve seat (24) of the filling valve (2).
9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the movable member of the filling valve (2) comprises a slotted flexible diaphragm (27) that bears in leaktight manner on the valve seat (24), in the rest position.
10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the slotted flexible diaphragm (27) is formed by a flexible part (25) that further includes an annular anchor band (26) in which the slotted flexible diaphragm (27) extends, the annular anchor band (26) being jammed between the bottom wall (13) and the stationary element (20).
11. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, further comprising a removable cap (3) that covers the stationary element (20) in airtight manner.

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