EP2977110B1 - Refillable fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a refillable fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing pump, a variable volume reservoir and a filling valve connected to the reservoir, the reservoir comprising a fixed shaft on which the pump is mounted and a sliding member comprising a movable piston. which slides in the fixed shaft so as to vary the volume of the reservoir, the sliding member being movable between a depressed position in which the sliding member is located near the pump and an extended position in which the sliding member is away from the pump. The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. This type of refillable dispenser is often referred to as a "nomadic" distributor. It generally has a low capacity tank of the order of 10 ml at most.

In the prior art, the document is known EP1588775 which describes a refillable dispenser comprising a pump, a fixed barrel, and a sliding member comprising a movable piston able to slide in the fixed barrel to vary the volume of the tank and a filling valve mounted on the movable piston to fill the tank in fluid product. This refillable dispenser is adapted to be mounted on a source bottle which comprises a connecting rod adapted to come into engagement with the movable member so as to force the filling valve to the open state. When the reservoir of the refillable dispenser is empty, the movable piston is placed near the pump and its downward movement by pulling on the connection rod of the source bottle, creates a depression inside the reservoir, so that Fluid product from the source flask is sucked into the tank through the forced fill valve in the open state. When the movable piston abuts against the lower end of the fixed barrel, the connecting rod is detached from the sliding member so that the filling valve can return to its closed rest position. The reservoir of the refillable dispenser is then refilled with fluid, and the user can use it by simply pressing the pusher of the pump, in a very traditional way.

Therefore, the refillable document dispenser EP1588775 is rechargeable by pulling, that is by grasping the refillable dispenser and pulling it upward away from the source bottle, and finally detaching it. Beforehand, it is of course necessary to bring the empty refillable dispenser to the source bottle until the connecting rod comes into engagement with the sliding member which forms the movable piston supporting the filling valve. As a result, the gestures necessary for reloading this dispenser are not intuitive or obvious. In addition it is necessary to keep the nomadic flask resting on the pump of the source flask in order to keep the top flap of the pump of the source flask open. This antagonistic gesture maintaining support towards the source bottle and stretching of the syringe upward is not ergonomic and can lead to degrade the process of filling the nomad.

It should also be noted that another characteristic of the refillable dispenser of this document is that it is possible to use the refillable dispenser while it is mounted on the source bottle, because of the direct connection between the pump and the stem connection without passing through the reservoir of the refillable dispenser. This document describes a dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1.

The document WO2015 / 166442 A2 discloses the content of the European patent application EP 15785525.5 which is regarded as prior art within the meaning of Article 54 (3) EPC. The dispenser of this document does not include a fixed piston against which the sliding member slides. The present invention aims to define a refillable dispenser whose gesture for reloading is simpler, more intuitive or more obvious to an uninformed user. Another object of the present invention is to refill the refillable dispenser with a standard source bottle equipped with a conventional valve stem, unlike the source bottle of the document EP1588775 . Yet another object of the present invention is to seek a variable volume reservoir architecture that generates or imposes a different manipulation gesture.

To do this, the present invention proposes that the reservoir defines a maximum volume in the depressed position and a minimum volume in position extended, so that the tank volume increases when the sliding member is pushed into the barrel to its depressed position. Thus, filling the tank by pressing the dispenser against the source bottle, not by pulling the dispenser as is the case in the document EP1588775 . This responds to a gesture quite classic intuitive that wants to press the source bottle to fill or refill the tank.

According to the invention, the fixed shaft comprises a fixed piston against which the sliding member slides, the fixed piston being mounted at one end of the fixed shaft opposite the pump, so that the movable piston slides in the fixed shaft between the pump and the fixed piston, the reservoir being formed between the movable piston and the fixed piston. In other words, the reservoir is not formed between the movable piston and the pump, as is the case in general. It can thus be said that the tank moves away from the pump as the movable piston moves towards the fixed piston. With this particular configuration, the tank increases in volume when the sliding member is pushed into the fixed barrel. One could also say that the distributor defines a compact configuration in which the sliding member is moved as far as possible towards the pump and an extended configuration.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the sliding member comprises an axial tube supporting the movable piston, the fixed piston sliding around this axial tube. Thus, the axial tube slides in a sealed manner in the fixed shaft at its movable piston, and the fixed shaft slides around the axial tube at its fixed piston.

According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the axial tube is hollow and defines internally a filling conduit which connects the filling valve to the reservoir. This filling duct is of course adapted to convey the fluid from the source flask into the tank. Additionally, this same filling duct can be used to convey outside air into the tank as fluid is withdrawn from the pump. In this case, the filling duct then serves as an air introduction duct.

Furthermore, the axial tube can define a plunger that connects the tank to the pump. The function of this plunger is quite conventional, and is usually filled by a simple dip tube. It should be noted, in the present invention, that the hollow axial tube internally defines both a filling duct and a plunger which do not intersect at any point. According to a practical embodiment, the axial tube may contain a fixed rod so as to define between them the filling duct and the plunger duct.

According to another interesting aspect of the present invention, the plunger pipe is connected to the pump in the depressed position. This implies that the plunger is disconnected from the pump when the sliding member leaves its depressed position. Therefore, the dispensing of fluid product by actuation of the pump is possible only when the sliding member is in the depressed position. This ensures that the pump is inoperative during the filling phase of the tank.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the axial tube defines an air evacuation passage, advantageously provided with an evacuation valve, for evacuating the air from the reservoir when the sliding member is moved towards the position extended. Indeed, with the features of the present invention, the tank decreases in volume when moving the sliding member to the extended position. Therefore, when the tank is empty of fluid and filled with air. Following use of the dispenser, it is necessary to evacuate the air from the tank to vary its volume to a minimum value, or even zero. This is why it is necessary to provide an exhaust air passage, and according to the invention, this passage is defined by the axial tube. Preferably, the tank contains a float that closes the air exhaust passage, when there is more air in the tank. The float thus ensures that there can be no leakage of fluid through the exhaust air passage.

According to another practical aspect of the present invention, a movable insert is engaged in the axial tube and in engagement with an inlet of the pump, this movable insert defining a duct access passage. plunger, this access passage being closed by a sealing lip formed by the axial tube, when the sliding member is biased towards the extended position, the movable insert being advantageously biased by a return spring in a rest position wherein the access passage is closed by the sealing lip. Thus, the plunger duct is closed when the sliding member leaves its depressed position.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the filling valve is mounted at the lower end of the axial tube.

According to another particularly advantageous feature of the invention, the sliding member is biased by a return spring in the extended position. Advantageously, the sliding member is locked in the depressed position with the return spring compressed to the maximum, an unlocking element being provided to unlock the sliding member, which is then immediately biased by the return spring to its extended position. Thus, it is sufficient to act on the unlocking element to release the sliding member which is automatically returned to its extended position. With this arrangement, the user does not even have to grasp the sliding member to manipulate it with respect to the fixed barrel.

According to a practical embodiment, the fixed shaft can be disposed in an outer shell, the sliding member moving in this outer shell, so that the position of the sliding member relative to the outer shell, when the body sliding is biased towards the extended position, gives an indication as to the filling state of the reservoir, the sliding member being advantageously provided with graduations. The extended position is indeed limited in its amplitude by the volume remaining in the tank.

Advantageously, the sliding member comprises a sleeve, advantageously provided with graduations, which slides between the outer shell and the fixed barrel, the sleeve comprising at least one locking tab which engages with a profile of the outer shell, a button of unlocking so provided to disengage the tab of the profile and thus release the sliding member which is biased by a spring to the extended position. Of Preferably, the socket is formed by a base which also defines a ring which supports an axial tube in which the filling valve is mounted, the ring forming a receiving cup which provides access to the filling valve for connection to a source of filling fluid product.

The spirit of the present invention resides in reconfiguring the reservoir so that its filling is effected with a displacement of the sliding member which is the opposite of that for a traditional syringe, where it is necessary to draw on the piston to fill the tank. The formation of the filling duct and the plunger duct by the engagement of a rod in a tube, the formation of an air exhaust passage, the implementation of a mobile insert, the use of a closing float, the locking and the elastic return of the sliding member to the extended position and the graduation of the sliding member are features of the invention which can be implemented individually or in combination.

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, with two variants.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur rechargeable selon l'invention en condition d'utilisation/distribution avec son réservoir à moitié rempli,
• La figure 2a est une vue agrandie de la partie supérieure de la figure 1,
• La figure 2b est une vue en coupe transversale horizontale selon la ligne de coupe AA de la figure 2a,
• La figure 3 est une vue explosée du distributeur de la figure 1,
• La figure 4a est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers le tube axiale et la tige fixe selon l'invention,
• La figure 4b est une vue en coupe transversale horizontale BB de la figure 4a,
• La figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 avec le réservoir à l'état vide,
• La figure 6a est une vue similaire à la figure 1 avec l'organe coulissant partiellement extrait,
• La figure 6b est une vue agrandie de la partie supérieure de la figure 6a,
• La figure 7a est une vue similaire à la figure 1 avec l'organe coulissant en position étendue et le réservoir avec un volume minimum,
• La figure 7b est une vue agrandie de la partie centrale de la figure 7a,
• La figure 8a est une vue similaire à la figure 1 avec l'organe coulissant raccordé à un flacon source et se déplaçant vers la position enfoncée de manière à remplir le réservoir,
• La figure 8b est une vue agrandie découpée des parties centrale et inférieure de la figure 8a,
• La figure 9a est une vue similaire à la figure 1 avec le réservoir rempli de produit fluide et l'organe coulissant en position enfoncée,
• La figure 9b est identique à la figure 1 avec le réservoir à moitié rempli,
• La figure 10a est une vue similaire à la figure 9b avec l'organe coulissant extrait à moitié de sorte que le réservoir ne contient plus que du produit fluide,
• La figure 10b est une vue agrandie de la partie centrale de la figure 10a,
• Les figures 11a à 11f illustrent schématiquement les différentes phases d'utilisation et de remplissage d'un distributeur selon l'invention,
• Les figures 12a à 12e illustrent une première variante de réalisation comprenant des moyens de verrouillage/déverrouillage de l'organe coulissant pour le bloquer en position enfoncée et le renvoyer élastiquement en position vers la position étendue, et
• Les figures 13 à 13f illustrent une seconde variante de réalisation avec des seconds moyens de verrouillage/déverrouillage de l'organe coulissant.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a refillable dispenser according to the invention in condition of use / distribution with its half-filled reservoir,
• The figure 2a is an enlarged view of the upper part of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 2b is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the section line AA of the figure 2a ,
• The figure 3 is an exploded view of the distributor of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 4a is a vertical cross-sectional view through the axial tube and the fixed rod according to the invention,
• The figure 4b is a horizontal cross-sectional view BB of the figure 4a ,
• The figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 1 with the reservoir in the empty state,
• The figure 6a is a view similar to the figure 1 with the partially extracted sliding member,
• The figure 6b is an enlarged view of the upper part of the figure 6a ,
• The figure 7a is a view similar to the figure 1 with the sliding member in extended position and the tank with a minimum volume,
• The figure 7b is an enlarged view of the central part of the figure 7a ,
• The figure 8a is a view similar to the figure 1 with the sliding member connected to a source bottle and moving towards the depressed position so as to fill the reservoir,
• The figure 8b is an enlarged cut-out view of the central and lower parts of the figure 8a ,
• The figure 9a is a view similar to the figure 1 with the reservoir filled with fluid and the sliding member in the depressed position,
• The figure 9b is identical to the figure 1 with the tank half full,
• The figure 10a is a view similar to the figure 9b with the sliding member half extracted so that the tank contains only fluid,
• The figure 10b is an enlarged view of the central part of the figure 10a ,
• The Figures 11a to 11f schematically illustrate the different phases of use and filling of a dispenser according to the invention,
• The Figures 12a to 12e illustrate a first embodiment comprising means for locking / unlocking the sliding member to lock it in the depressed position and return it elastically in position towards the extended position, and
• The Figures 13 to 13f illustrate a second embodiment with second locking / unlocking means of the sliding member.

We will first refer to Figures 1 to 4b to describe in detail the structure of a dispenser made according to the invention. The refillable dispenser comprises two separate subassemblies, namely a dispensing head and a container which are associated to form the dispenser together. The dispensing head may be a very conventional dispensing head, comprising, for example, a pump P comprising a pump body defining a fluid product inlet in the form of an axial inlet manifold E. The pump P also comprises an actuating rod (not shown) on which is mounted a pushbutton B. By pressing the pushbutton B, fluid is pressurized in a pump chamber defined inside the pump body. The pushbutton B may define a dispensing orifice through which the fluid product discharged from the pump chamber is dispensed in sprayed form, spray or drops. For fixing the pump P on the container, there is provided a fastener F which holds the pump body fixedly and which clings to a neck or an opening of the container. This is a very classic design for a dispensing head in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. Since the dispensing head is not the critical entity of the present invention, it will not be described further.

The container of the invention comprises two main elements, namely a fixed shaft 1 and a sliding member 2 which are associated so that the sliding member 2 slides inside the fixed shaft 1. The vessel may also comprise a hull 8 which at least partially envelops the sliding member 2 and the fixed shaft 1.

The fixed shaft 1 is in the form of a very generally cylindrical element with a hollow interior through. At its upper end, the fixed shaft defines a neck 11 on which the fixing member F is fixedly and sealingly attached. Below the neck 11, the fixed shaft defines a shoulder 12 which protrudes outwardly. Below this shoulder 12, the fixed shaft forms an air evacuation hole 13 whose function will be given below. Below this hole 13, the shaft forms a main section cylindrical internally defining a sliding surface 10. At its lower end, the fixed shaft defines an annular mounting flange 14 on which is mounted a fixed piston 15 defining an inner sealing lip 16. The fixed shaft 1 with its fixed piston 15 may have perfect symmetry of revolution, except at the evacuation hole 13.

The outer shell 8, which is optional, encloses or surrounds the fixed shaft 1 and comprises at its upper end an annular flange 82 which bears on the shoulder 12 of the fixed shaft. At its opposite end, the outer shell 8 forms an annular edge 81 which extends substantially at the same level as the fixed piston 15. The outer shell 8 preferably has a circular cross section, but other shapes, such as polygonal or elliptical, are also possible. It can be noted that the shell 8 surrounds the fixed shaft 1 by defining between them an annular space which serves as a housing for a portion of the sliding element 2, as will be seen below.

The sliding member 2 results from the assembly of several distinct parts, namely a base 20, an axial tube 30, a fixed rod 40, a movable insert 6, an axial compression seal 66, an insert spring 65, an air outlet valve seal 67, and a filling valve 7. Of course, this is only a particular embodiment and is both simple and effective. The sliding member 2 could comprise other parts with a different arrangement: however, an essential characteristic of the sliding member 2 is that it comprises a movable piston 31 which slides in a sealed manner against the sliding surface 10 of the fixed shaft 1. Thus, a reservoir of fluid product R of variable volume is defined between the fixed piston 15 and the movable piston 31. Its volume varies as one moves the sliding member 2 relative to the fixed shaft 1 so as to sliding the movable piston 31 inside the fixed shaft 1 towards or away from the fixed piston 15. We will now describe in more detail the preferred embodiment for this sliding member 2 with the aforementioned parts.

The base 20 comprises a ring 21 from which extends a cylindrical sleeve 24. The ring 21, as visible on the figure 1 is located below the fixed shaft 1 and the annular edge 81 of the outer shell 8. This ring 21 defines a through central bore 22, and a receiving cup 23 for a source bottle. The sleeve 24 extends in the annular space defined between the outer shell 8 and the fixed shaft 1, for example just near the piston 31, as visible on the figure 1 . The ring 21 can abut against the annular edge 81 and / or the fixed piston 15, when the piston 31 is depressed as far as possible in the fixed shaft 1, as can be seen on FIG. figure 1 .

The axial tube 30 has a length that is substantially equal to that of the fixed shaft 1. This axial tube 30 forms the movable piston 31 which slides sealingly against the sliding surface 10 of the fixed shaft 1. This movable piston 31 can for example be in the form of a double lip piston. At its upper end, the axial tube 30 comprises a sealing lip 32 whose function will be given below. The axial tube 30 also defines an air discharge passage 33, which is here formed at the level where the movable piston 31 connects to the body of the tube. The air exhaust passage extends substantially axially. The axial tube 30 also defines a filling hole 34 which is located near the piston 31, the lip 32 and the passage 33. The inside of the axial tube 30 is substantially circular over its entire periphery, except at the level of a groove 35a which advantageously extends diametrically opposite to the filling hole 34. This groove 35a extends from top to bottom to a feed hole 36 which passes through the wall of the axial tube 30. The bleeding 35a ends near the feed hole 36. In its lower part, the axial tube 30 defines a mounting heel 37 which is engaged in fixing engagement to the inside of the central bore 22 of the ring 20, so that that the axial tube 30 is integral with the base 20.

The fixed rod 40 is engaged inside the axial tube 30, as can be seen more precisely on the Figures 4a and 4b . This fixed rod 40 is advantageously solid and of substantially cylindrical cross section circular, except at a flat portion 41a which extends over substantially the entire height of the tube, except at its upper end. More precisely, the flat portion 41a extends from the anchoring heel 37 to the filling hole 34 and ends shortly thereafter, so that it does not extend as far as the piston 31 and the lip 32. fixed rod 40 is simply engaged in force inside the axial tube 30, for example from its anchor heel 37. Thus, a filling duct 41 is defined between the tube 3 and the rod 40 at the flat part 41a. This filling duct 41 connects the anchor heel 37 to the filling hole 34. In a diametrically opposed manner, a plunger duct 35 is defined at the level of the groove 35a: this plunger duct connects the closure lip 32 to the hole of FIG. Thus, it can be said that the axial tube 30 internally defines distinct ducts, namely the filling duct 41 and the plunger duct 35.

Referring to the figure 2a , the structure of the distributor can be seen in detail at the upper end of the sliding member 2. The movable insert 6 is engaged inside the axial tube 30 so as to come into contact with watertight friction with the closure lip 32. More specifically, the movable insert 6 comprises a bucket-shaped main body 60 which is disposed axially above the fixed rod 4. This main body 60 defines a lateral hole forming a passageway. access 62 which communicates the plunger duct 35 with the interior of the main body 60, and thence the fluid flows through the inlet manifold E and the pump P, as represented by the arrow line. Internally, the main body 60 defines a bearing shoulder 61 on which rests the axial compression seal 66. As can be seen on the figure 2a this seal 66 is compressed by the inlet pipe E on the bearing shoulder 61. Thus, a seal is made between the movable insert 6 and the pump P. The plunger pipe 35 then communicates without risk of leakage with the pump P through the movable insert 6, the seal 66 and the inlet manifold E. It may be noted that in the position of the figure 2a , the lateral hole 62 is located just below the sealing lip 32 which seals between the movable insert 6 and the axial tube 30. The movable insert 6 also comprises an outer flap 64 in which is disposed an insert spring 65 which bears with its lower end on an air outlet seal 67 which rests on the axial tube 30 at the outlet of the air evacuation passage 33. Thus, this air evacuation seal 67 biased by the insert spring 65 on the outlet of the evacuation passage of air 33 forms an air exhaust valve adapted to selectively close the air evacuation passage 33 which starts from the reservoir R. In the position shown in FIG. figure 2a the insert spring 35 is compressed as the inlet manifold E presses on the axial compression seal 66, which itself rests on the inner shoulder 61 of the movable insert 6. Therefore, the air outlet seal 67 is urged by the insert spring 65 on the outlet of the exhaust air passage 33, which is then hermetically closed. It should be noted that the inlet pipe E is engaged inside a section 63 of the main body 60 without radial clamping. In other words, the inlet pipe E can be engaged and disengaged from this section 63 without friction. The seal is entirely ensured by the axial compression of the seal 66.

The figure 2b is a cross-sectional view along the AA line of the figure 2a , and reveals, from the outside towards the inside, the outer shell 8, the sleeve 24 which forms centering bosses 24a, the barrel 1, the tank R, the axial tube 30 with its feed hole 34 and its groove 35a and the fixed rod 40 with its flat part 41 so as to form between them the filling duct 41 and the plunger duct 35.

The figure 3 is an exploded view showing the various essential and optional components of the dispenser made according to the invention. One can notably notice the presence of a float 5 which is visible on the figure 1 . This float 5, which is made of a less dense material than the fluid product stored in the tank R, comprises a ring 51 which is engaged around the axial tube 30 inside the fixed shaft 1. This ring 51 is free to slide along the axial tube 30 at the surface of the fluid product stored in the reservoir R. At its upper end, the ring 51 comprises one or more elastic tab (s) 52. The ring 51 is not adapted to close the However, when it is pushed by the fluid against the piston 31, it hermetically closes the air outlet passage 33. Therefore, the float 55 fulfills a closing function of the air evacuation passage 33 when the fluid product stored in the reservoir pushes the ring 51 against the piston 31 against the resistance generated by the elastic tabs 52.

On the figure 3 it is also possible to note the filling valve 7 which comprises a movable body 70, a valve spring 74 and a valve seat 75. Returning to the figure 1 , it can be seen that the filling valve is mounted inside the anchoring heel 37 of the axial tube 30. More specifically, the valve spring 74 bears against the lower end of the fixed rod 40 and urges the body movable 70 against the valve seat 75 which is engaged in force within the anchor heel 37. The movable body 70 defines an actuating pin 71 which is accessible from the receiving cup 23, so that the valve stem of a source bottle can be pressed against this actuating needle 71 so as to push the movable body 70 away from its valve seat 75. This is a more or less conventional design for a refill valve of a refillable dispenser. It may be noted that the fluid product from a source bottle can flow through the filling valve in the open state, and from there through the filling line 41 and the filling hole 34 which opens into the reservoir R .

On the figure 1 , the reservoir R is approximately half filled, since the float 5 is located substantially midway between the movable piston 31 and the fixed piston 15. The dispenser is in its normal use configuration, so that the user can press the pushbutton B to dispense one or more dose (s) of fluid taken by the pump P into the tank R through the feed hole 36, the plunger 35, the lateral hole 62 , inside the movable insert 6, through the axial compression seal 66 and the inlet manifold E. This flow of fluid product is shown on the figures 1 and 2a by an arrow line. The user can use the refillable dispenser until the reservoir is completely empty, as shown on the figure 5 , where the float 5 is in abutment against the fixed piston 15. Up to now, the sliding member 2 has remained static with respect to the fixed shaft 1 in a depressed position, in which the movable piston 31 is located near the P. It could also be said that this depressed position is characterized by the fact that the movable piston 31 is engaged as far as possible inside the fixed shaft 1. This position is also characterized by the fact that the ring 21 abuts against the annular edge 81 and / or the fixed piston 15. In this position, it has been seen that the movable insert 6 is moved as far as possible inside the axial tube 30 by compressing the insert spring 65 so as to press the air outlet seal 67 on the outlet of the exhaust air passage 33. The sealing lip 32 is then located just above the access passage 62, so that the communication is established between the plunger duct 35 and the inlet manifold E.

We will continue to describe in detail the different operating cycles possible from the depressed position of distribution shown on the figures 1 and 5 . By maintaining for example the outer shell 8 of a hand, it is possible to extract the sliding member 2 out of the shell 8 and the barrel 1 by grasping the crown 21 which is accessible below the annular edge 81 of 8. It is sufficient for this to pull the crown 21 away from the shell 8 as shown on the figure 6a . Since the axial tube 30 which forms the movable piston 31 is integral with the base 20, the displacement of the sliding member 2 causes the sliding piston 31 to slide in the fixed shaft 1. This has the effect of reducing the volume. reservoir R, since the movable piston 31 is close to the fixed piston 15. The float 5 remains in abutment on the fixed piston 15, since there is more fluid in the tank. It is interesting to observe the upper part of the sliding member 2, as shown in FIG. figure 6b . Since the sliding member 2 is moved from its depressed position ( figure 1 ), the insert spring 65, which was hitherto compressed, pushes the movable member 6 against the inlet pipe E until it is fully relaxed. Then, the mobile insert 6 is disengagement of the inlet manifold E, as shown in figure 6b . The sealing lip 32 of the axial tube 30 is then disposed in front of the access passage (lateral hole) 62 of the movable insert 6 so as to seal it sealingly. On the other hand, the air evacuation seal 67, which is no longer biased by the insert spring 65, can separate from the air outlet passage 33, so that the air contained in the reservoir can escape through the open air evacuation passage 33, then through a cavity C, and finally through the air evacuation hole 13 formed in the fixed shaft 1. The path of air is represented on the figure 6b by an arrow line. In this way, the air contained in the tank R can be discharged into the atmosphere so as to allow its total emptying, as shown on the Figures 7a and 7b . The float 5 is then wedged between the movable piston 31 and the fixed piston 15, with the elastic tabs 52 compressed to the maximum. The cavity C then defines a maximum volume, while the reservoir R defines a minimum volume. The sliding member 2 has then reached its extended position, in which the movable piston 31 is at a maximum distance from the pump P. This depressed position can also be defined as that in which the piston 31 is disposed as close as possible to the fixed piston 15 It should be noted that the filling duct 41 remains inoperative, since the filling valve remains closed. On the other hand, the plunger duct 35 is rendered inoperative, since the movable insert 6 is no longer in contact with the inlet duct E, and this since the moment when the insert spring 65 is completely relaxed. . It should also be noted that the plunger duct 35 is closed upstream by the sealing lip 32 which blocks the lateral access passage 62. The air evacuation valve formed by the evacuation seal 67 remains open to allow exhausting the air from the reservoir until the sliding member 2 reaches its extended position.

When the dispenser is in the extended position, it can be attached to the outlet of a source bottle S shown in dotted lines on the Figures 8a and 8b . The source bottle comprises a valve stem S1 which can be introduced into the valve seat 75 so as to come into bearing contact with the actuating pin 71 of the movable body 70, which is then pushed out of contact of the seat 75 against the valve spring 74. The filling duct 41 is then in fluid communication with the valve stem S1 of the source bottle S. It is then sufficient for the user to press the dispenser against the source bottle S by seizing for example the outer shell 8. This has the effect of pushing the sliding member 2 again in the fixed shaft 1 and the shell 8, which causes an increase in the volume of the reservoir R, and thus a vacuum which has the effect of sucking fluid from the source bottle S through its valve stem S1, the filling valve 7 forced to the open state, the filling duct 41, and the filling hole 34 which opens into the tank R, as can be seen on the figure 8b where the flow of the fluid product is represented by an arrow line. It should be noted that the air evacuation hole 33 is closed hermetically by the evacuation seal 67 which is pressed against the outlet of the passage 33 by the depression which reigned inside the reservoir R. the filling operation continues thus until the sliding member 2 returns to its depressed position, as shown in FIG. figure 9a . The refillable dispenser can then be removed from the source bottle, which has the effect of closing the filling valve 7. The float 5 is again located near the movable piston 31. The crown 21 of the base 20 is again in position. The dispenser is then ready to be used by pressing on its pushbutton B so that the pump P takes fluid from the reservoir R through the plunger duct 35.

Suppose now the case where the tank R is not emptily empty, but that the user still wants to fill it. The figure 9b represents the distributor in the same configuration as that of the figure 1 , with the reservoir R approximately half filled, the float 5 being located approximately halfway between the two pistons. The user then grasps the sliding member 2 by its ring 21 and exerts a pull away from the shell 8. The sliding will continue until the float 5 comes into abutment against the movable piston 31. This is more visible on the enlarged view of the figure 10b . The ring 51 of the float 5 then comes into sealed contact with the piston 31 and / or the main part of the axial tube 30 so as to cut off access to the air exhaust passage 33. The flexible tabs 52 are then constrained as far as possible between the piston 31 and the ring 51. The float 5 thus fulfills a function of closing or blocking preventing the fluid product of the tank R from leaking through the air exhaust passage 33. As soon as the user feels a resistance or a stop when sliding the sliding member 2 out of the shell 8, it knows that it can bring the dispenser on the source bottle to refill in the manner described above with reference to Figures 8a and 8b . The tank contains only fluid. The flexible tabs 52 will have the function of pushing the ring 51 to prevent jamming in the closed position.

The Figures 11a to 11f schematically illustrate the different cases of use of the refillable dispenser of the invention. On the figure 11a the dispenser is in its rest or storage condition. On the figure 11b , the dispenser is actuated by pressing the push button B so as to diffuse a dose of fluid product. On the figure 11c , the dispenser is in its extended position, with the ring 21 separated from the shell 8. In this respect, it can be seen that the sleeve 24 is provided with graduations 24b which make it possible to give a visual indication to the user as to the filling state of the tank. On the figure 11c , the reservoir is empty since the indicated graduation is zero. On the figure 11d , the dispenser was reported on a source bottle S. On the figure 11e , the user presses the dispenser by grasping the shell 8 on the source bottle S, so as to drive the sliding member 2 inside the shell 8. On the figure 11f the filling operation is completed, the ring 21 being again in abutment against the shell 8.

Thanks to the refillable dispenser of the invention, the reservoir is filled by moving the sliding member 2 from its extended position to its depressed position, which is exactly the opposite of a conventional syringe. The management of the different streams is entirely controlled by the sliding member 2: the filling fluid product is through the filling conduit 41, the pump is fed through the In the case of the plunger duct 35, the external air inlet into the tank to compensate for the outlet of the fluid product is also effected through the filling duct 41 and the air outlet of the tank R is effected through the air passage. air vent 33 provided with the exhaust valve 67 and optionally the float 5. In the embodiment just described, the displacement of the sliding member 2 is manually performed by the user by entering the distributor on the one hand by the shell 8 and secondly by the ring 21. The displacement of the sliding member 2 is therefore performed by overcoming the friction forces and the pressure drops of the system.

We will now refer to Figures 12a to 12e to describe a variant allowing the automatic displacement of the sliding member 2. On the figure 12a it may be noted that there is no longer a crown 22 located below the outer shell 8, but that there is a cover 9 mounted on the upper end of the shell 8. This cover 9 includes a chimney 91 in which is disposed the push button B. Below this chimney, the cover 9 defines an annular range 92 which forms an unlocking element 94, for example in the form of a flexible blade on which can be pressed axially towards the low. The cover 9 also comprises a mounting ring 93 intended to engage around the upper end of the shell 8 to maintain the cover 9 on the shell 8. By pressing on the unlocking element 94, the body sliding 2 automatically leaves the shell 8 and is biased towards its extended position, as shown on the figure 12b . It may be noted that the sliding member 2 is only materialized from the outside by the sleeve 24 which extends to its lower end. Referring to the figure 12c it can be seen that the bushing 24 comprises a locking lug 25 defining near its upper end a locking tooth 26 which protrudes outwards. On the other hand, the shell 8 defines near its upper end a locking profile 83 which can be in the form of a through window. The cover 9 is attached to the shell 8 so that the unlocking element 94 is positioned just above the on the other hand, the sliding member 2 is introduced into the shell 8 with the interposition of a return spring 27 so that the locking tooth 26 comes into engagement with the profile locking 83 of the hull 8. The figure 12d is explicit, since we see the locking tooth 26 engaged with the locking profile 83 and the unlocking element 94 in engagement with the locking tooth 86. On the other hand, we see the return spring 27 which is supported between the sleeve 24 and the annular flange 82 of the shell 8. Due to the configurations of the unlocking element 94 and the locking tooth 26, it is easy to understand that an axial support on the unlocking element 94 has the effect of moving the locking tooth 26 inwardly so as to disengage it from the locking profile 83. As a result, the sliding element 2 is released and the return spring 27 pushes it automatically towards the extended position shown on FIG. the figure 12b . The figure 12e shows greatly enlarged the upper part of the distributor with the cover 9, and in particular the unlocking element 94 in the form of an elastic blade.

The Figures 13a to 13f illustrate a second embodiment for automatically returning the sliding member 2 to its extended position by simply pressing on an unlocking element. While the actuation is axial in the previous embodiment of Figures 12a to 12e , the actuation is here lateral. While the cover 9 is in one piece, the cover 9 'of this alternative embodiment is made in two parts, namely a main cover 9a and an actuating member 9b. The main cover 9a has a configuration substantially similar to that of the previous embodiment, namely with a chimney 91, an annular plate 92 and a fixing ring 93 'in which a side window 95 is formed. 9b actuation, it is in the form of a split ring or a horseshoe with two arcuate side arms 96. The actuating member 9b comprises a lateral pusher 97 which serves as an unlocking element. The actuating member 9b is disposed inside the main cover 9a so that the button 97 is accessible through the side window 95. On the other hand, the sliding member 2 comprises a bushing 24 which is formed with two locking lugs 25 each terminating with a locking tooth 26, which may be similar to that of the previous embodiment. The annular flange 82 of the shell 8 is formed with two through-windows 83 'through which the locking teeth 26 pass. More specifically, the teeth 26 come to rest on the upper surface of the flange 82 so as to lock the organ sliding 2 in the hull 8. On the figure 13d it can be seen how the two arcuate arms 96 extend on either side of the locking teeth 26. figure 13e shows how the teeth 26 cooperate with the shell 8. By pressing the side button 97, the arcuate arms 96 act on the locking teeth 26 so as to move them radially inwards to disengage the windows 83 'of 8. Thus, the sliding member 2 is released, and the return spring 27 urges automatically to its extended position.

Thanks to the locking / unlocking of the sliding member 2 and its automatic return to its extended position by means of a return spring, the user no longer has to directly manipulate the sliding member 2, which avoids any damage that may result from improper handling. Thus, with this automatic return system, the user only has to press any unlocking element (axial or lateral, or rotary) to immediately check the filling / emptying status of the tank and possibly proceed to filling it by bringing the dispenser to a source bottle and simply pressing it downwards until the sliding member 2 is locked again inside the shell.

In the two embodiments that have been described, the locking of the sliding member has been achieved by means of one or two locking tab (s) integral with the sleeve 24 and which engage with a or two profiles (s) corresponding (s) of the shell 8. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible to achieve the locking / unlocking differently with other elements of the dispenser.

Whether the displacement of the sliding member is manual or automatic, the operation of the dispenser remains the same, namely that its filling is simply by pushing the dispenser on a source bottle.

Claims (15)

1. A rechargeable fluid product dispenser comprising a distributing pump (P), a variable volume reservoir (R), and a filling valve (7) connected to the reservoir (R), the reservoir (R) comprising a fixed drum (1) on which the pump (P) is mounted and a sliding member (2) comprising a movable piston (31) which slides in the fixed drum (1) so as to vary the volume of the reservoir (R), the sliding member (2) being movable between a depressed position in which the sliding member (2) is situated in proximity to the pump (P) and an extended position in which the sliding member (2) is remote from the pump (P),
   characterized in that the reservoir (R) defines a maximum volume in the depressed position and a minimum volume in the extended position, so that the volume of the reservoir (R) increases when the sliding member (2) is pressed into the fixed drum (1) toward its depressed position
   and in that the fixed drum (1) comprises a fixed piston (15) against which the sliding member (2) slides, the fixed piston (15) being mounted at an end of the fixed drum (1) opposite to the pump (P), so that the movable piston (31) slides in the fixed drum (1) between the pump (P) and the fixed piston (15), the reservoir (R) being formed between the movable piston (31) and the fixed piston (15).
2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the sliding member (2) comprises an axial tube (30) supporting the movable piston (31), the fixed piston (15) sliding around this axial tube (30).
3. The dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the axial tube (30) is hollow and internally defines a filling conduit (41) which connects the filling valve (7) to the reservoir (R).
4. The dispenser according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the axial tube (30) defines a dip conduit (35) which connects the reservoir (R) to the pump (P).
5. The dispenser according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the axial tube (30) contains a fixed rod (40) so as to define between them the filling conduit (41) and the dip conduit (35) .
6. The dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the dip conduit (35) is only connected to the pump (P) in the depressed position.
7. The dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the axial tube (30) defines an air discharge passage (33), advantageously provided with a discharge valve (66) for discharging the air from the reservoir (R) when the sliding member (2) is moved toward the extended position.
8. The dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the reservoir (R) contains a float (5) which closes the air discharge passage (33) when there is no more air in the reservoir (R).
9. The dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein a movable insert (6) is engaged in the axial tube (30) and engaged with an inlet of the pump (P), this movable insert (6) defining an access passage (62) to the dip conduit (35), this access passage (62) being closed by a sealing lip (32) formed by the axial tube (30), when the sliding member (2) is biased toward the extended position, the movable insert (6) being advantageously biased by an insert spring (65) in a rest position in which the access passage (62) is closed by the sealing lip (32).
10. The dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the filling valve (7) is mounted at the lower end of the axial tube (30).
11. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding member (2) is biased by a return spring (27) in the extended position.
12. The dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the sliding member (2) is locked in the depressed position with the return spring (27) maximally compressed, an unlocking element (94) being provided for unlocking the sliding member (2), which is then immediately biased by the return spring (27) toward its extended position.
13. The dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed drum (1) is disposed in an outer shell (8), the sliding member (2) moving in this outer shell (8) so that the position of the sliding member (2) with respect to the outer shell (8), when the sliding member (2) is biased toward the extended position, provides an indication as to the filling status of the reservoir (R), the sliding member (2) being advantageously provided with graduations (24b).
14. The dispenser according to claim 13, wherein the sliding member (2) comprises a socket (24), advantageously provided with graduations (24b), which slides between the outer shell (8) and the fixed drum (1), the socket (24) comprising at least one locking tab (25) which engages with a profile (83; 83') of the outer shell (8), an unlocking element (94; 97) being provided to disengage the locking tab (25) from the profile (83; 83') and thus releasing the sliding member (2) which is biased by a return spring (27) toward the extended position.
15. The dispenser according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the socket (24) is formed by a base (20) which also defines a rim (21) which supports an axial tube (30) in which is mounted the filling valve (7), the rim (21) forming a reception cup (23) which provides access to the filling valve (7) for connection to a fluid product filling source (S).

Images