EP3094418B1 - Fluid tank and dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid reservoir comprising a neck defining a wide opening which is closed by a cup in fixed engagement and sealed with the neck. This reservoir is intended to be associated with a dispensing member, such as a pump, to constitute a fluid dispenser. The term "cup" must be understood in its widest definition, that is to say encompassing any closing, covering or sealing element able to close off the wide opening of the neck, in order to preserve the contained fluid product. in the tank any deterioration, contamination or damage. The term "cup" may for example extend to a lid, a cap, a capsule, a roof, a lid, etc. The reservoir of the present invention finds a preferred application as a refill or cartridge adapted to be associated with a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump. The tank must be sealed off until it is associated with the dispensing member. On the other hand, as soon as it is associated with the dispensing member, a supply opening makes it possible to convey the fluid product stored in the reservoir to the dispensing member to be dispensed with each actuation of the dispensing member. . The preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of cosmetics, pharmacy, or even perfumery.

In the prior art, containers of fluid product in the form of pot having a massive and squat configuration have long been known. In general, these pots comprise a neck defining a wide opening which is closed by a screwed or latched cover. Alternatively or additionally, the wide opening of the neck can also be closed by a lid which is glued or welded to the edge of the neck. It is also known in the general field of reservoirs to provide the neck of a membrane or a cover which is pierced during the installation of the tank on a dispenser. For example, the document is known US 5,025,950 and the document US 5,642,838 .

All these shutter elements of the prior art have their own drawbacks related to their design. A cover to be unscrewed or torn off may be partially coated with fluid, which will tend to dry out or deteriorate over time. On the other hand, such a cover can fall and create soil. The operculum to tear off has even more disadvantages: not only is it difficult to remove, but in addition it is often in contact with the fluid, so that one can create soil. On the other hand, the covers often tend to tear so that their removal is complicated. As for the membranes or lids to be pierced, this can produce small debris that will integrate with the fluid product stored in the tank.

The documents US5642838 and US5025955 describe tanks equipped with cups that form lids that can be partially cut so that they pivot while remaining connected to the tank. The opening thus created depends on how the lid has been cut and how it has been rotated.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a fluid reservoir, for example of the refill or cartridge type, which is equipped with a closure cup capable of defining a feed opening guaranteed, dimensioned, clean, and that without creating a part to throw, to drill or debris in the fluid product.

To do this, the present invention provides a fluid reservoir comprising a neck defining a wide opening which is closed by a cup in fixed engagement and sealed with the neck, characterized in that the cup comprises a main body engaged with the neck and a plug removably mounted on the main body, the plug being movable between a closed initial position in which the plug is mounted on the main body in a sealed manner and an open end position in which a feed opening is formed between the body main and the cap. The cup therefore has the vocation to remain in place in the wide opening of the neck, only the plug moving to create the feed opening. It should be noted that the feed opening is formed between the main body and the plug, and not only by the main body. This means that the stopper is accurately and accurately positioned relative to the main body in the open end position. In other words, the displacement of the plug does not cause its uncontrolled fall inside the tank. However, the cap is separated from the main body in the open end position. Alternatively, it is also possible for the cap to remain in contact with the main body in the open end position, while providing a feed opening therebetween.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the feed opening is annular. In other words, the feed opening extends around the plug.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the cap is axially displaceable in translation relative to the main body between the initial closed and final open positions.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the cap may comprise holding means through which the cap is gripped by an external thrust member to move it from its initial closed position to its final open position. The external thrust element may advantageously be formed by the dispensing member that will be associated with the reservoir to form a fluid dispenser. The external thrust member will thus maintain the cap in the open end position, with a precise and determined disposition relative to the main body of the cup. It can also be said that the plug is secured to the main body of the cup in the closed initial position, and secured to the external thrust element in the open end position.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the plug can be snapped into the main body in the initial closed position. The snap is advantageously sealed. Alternatively, the plug can be connected monobloc way to the main body in closed initial position. The cap may for example be connected to the main body by an annular rupture zone, for example constituted by a wall thinning.

According to another aspect of the invention, the main body can define at least one annular sealing lip which protrudes upwards. Advantageously, the plug is mounted in the annular sealing lip in the closed initial position. As mentioned above, the cap can be snapped or integrally formed. This or these annular sealing lip (s) will advantageously cooperate with the dispensing member to create seals between the reservoir and the dispenser member.

The invention also relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump, associated with a fluid reservoir as defined above. The dispensing member includes a biasing member that engages the plug to move it from its initial closed position to its open end position. Advantageously, the thrust member holds the cap in the open end position.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dispenser member comprises a chamber in which the fluid product is pressurized, this chamber comprising at least one inlet which communicates with the reservoir, this inlet being arranged around the element thrust. The inlet may for example be formed by several orifices arranged around the thrust element.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the dispensing member may form at least one annular sealing groove in which is received an annular sealing lip formed by the cup.

One of the principles of the invention is to provide a fluid reservoir with a cup comprising a movable plug that will be moved, when the tank is associated with a dispensing member (pump), to create a feed opening defined between the main body and the plug. It should be noted that the cup of the invention does not generate any waste or debris, since the only mobile element, namely the plug, adopts a precise and determined position relative to the rest of the cup when the reservoir is associated with a pump or a valve.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention, with a variant.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un réservoir de produit fluide selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 représente une variante de réalisation de la coupelle selon l'invention,
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur de produit fluide en configuration non assemblée,
• La figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 en configuration assemblée, et
• La figure 5 est une vue agrandie du détail A de la figure 4.

On the drawings:

• The figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid reservoir according to the invention,
• The figure 2 represents an alternative embodiment of the cup according to the invention,
• The figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser in an unassembled configuration,
• The figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 in assembled configuration, and
• The figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail A of the figure 4 .

We will first refer to the figure 1 to describe in general a fluid reservoir produced according to the invention. The fluid reservoir, generally designated by the letter R, comprises a pot 1 relatively large and stocky. This pot 1 comprises a sliding shaft 11 defining at its upper end a neck 10 forming a wide opening. At its lower end, the sliding shaft 11 is closed by a bottom 13, optionally pierced by one or more holes (s) venting. The pot 1 optionally comprises an outer casing shell 14 which surrounds the barrel 11 and the bottom 13. The neck 10 may advantageously form an outwardly protruding flange which rests on the upper end edge of the casing. 14. An external thread may also be provided at the neck 10 or the lining 14, as is the case on the figure 1 .

A follower piston 2, advantageously formed with two annular sealing lips 21, is engaged in leaktight sliding inside the barrel 11. The follower piston 2 comprises a bottom plate 22 which is in contact with the bottom 13 when the reservoir is filled with fluid product.

The fluid reservoir R has a configuration quite conventional or conventional with its pot 1, which is more particularly intended to contain a viscous fluid product, such as cream, gel, ointment, etc..

According to the invention, the fluid reservoir R also comprises a cup C which is fixedly engaged and sealed in the neck 10 so as to close its wide opening. The cup C comprises a main body 3 and a plug 4 which are associated on the figure 1 . The main body 3 comprises a protruding peripheral flange 30 intended to bear axially on the upper edge of the neck 10. This flange 30 extends inwards and downwards by a cylindrical ring 31 which engages with the The crown 31 extends downwardly and inwardly by a frustoconical section 32 which is itself extended radially inwardly to form a central recess 35. The main body 3 can also form a recess. first outer annular sealing lip 33 which protrudes upwardly. The main body 3 can form a second inner annular sealing lip 34, which advantageously borders the housing 35. This second sealing lip 34 is arranged concentrically inside the outer sealing lip 33 and also extends upwards. This particular configuration of the main body 3 should not be considered as limiting: indeed, many parts can be modified in their form without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, one can imagine a main body 3 devoid of frustoconical section 32. One can also imagine a main body 3 forming only one sealing lip, or none. One can also imagine that the housing 35 is located at the same level of the flange 30. However, it is essential that the main body 3 is sealed, and advantageously permanent, inside or on the neck 10. It is also preferable that the main body 3 defines a housing 35 for the plug 4, as will be seen below.

In this regard, the plug 4 comprises an outer flange 44 which is sealingly engaged in the housing 35, and more particularly inside the inner annular sealing lip 34. Referring quickly to the figure 5 it may even be noted that the flange 44 may be provided with an annular snap groove 44a adapted to cooperate with a projecting profile formed inside the lip 34 to ensure both a stable attachment and an annular seal. Advantageously, the plug 4 also forms holding means 41 through which the plug can be grasped and held firmly. The holding means 41 may for example be in the form of a gripping housing, advantageously formed with vertical contact ribs disposed on its periphery. We can also consider holding means in the form of a rod formed with attachment profiles. One can also imagine holding means in the form of a latching housing. Any configuration or feature making it possible to make a connection with the plug 4 constitutes holding means.

So, in the initial closed position shown on the figure 1 , the plug 4 sealingly closes the central housing 35 formed by the main body 3. No fluid product passage is possible through the cup C. The seal can be obtained by means of the sealing flange 44 in FIG. sealing engagement, and advantageously snapped, with the inner sealing lip 34. As a variant shown in FIG. figure 2 it is also possible to make a plug 4 ', always provided with holding means 41, which is integrally connected to the main body 3 by an annular rupture zone 43, which may be in the form of an annular film thin to be easily broken. In both embodiments, the plug 4, 4 'sealingly closes the central housing 35 of the main body 3. This corresponds to the initial closed position which allows the fluid product stored in the pot 1 to be stored at the same time. shelter from the outside environment.

We will now refer to the figure 3 which shows the fluid reservoir R of the figure 1 ready to be associated with a distribution body D, which can integrate a pump or a valve. In a very general manner, the function of the dispensing member D is to take fluid from the inside of the tank R and to distribute it so that it can be retrieved by a user. Without this being limiting, the distribution member D of the figure 3 incorporates a pump forming a pump chamber 71 of variable volume. To do this, the pump comprises an elastically deformable membrane 7 which is deformed by pressing a pusher 8. The membrane 7 is associated with a base 5 which defines a fluid product inlet 55 in the form of a plurality of distributed inlet ports. annular manner around an axial tube 51 which extends downwards. This tube 51 advantageously serves to anchor an inlet valve 6 adapted to selectively seal the fluid inlet 55. This valve 6 comprises an anchor heel 61 engaged inside the central tube 51, as can be seen very precisely on the figure 5 . The base 5 forms an annular space 54 around the central tube 51: the inlet orifices forming the inlet 55 are arranged at this annular space 54 all around the central tube 51. It can also be noted that the base 5 forms an annular sealing groove 53 which extends concentrically around the annular space 54. Optionally, the dispensing member D may also comprise a protective cover 9 which caps and protects the pusher 8. The operation of this dispensing member D is quite conventional: by pressing the pusher 8, the volume of the pump chamber 71 decreases, which has the effect of putting the fluid contained therein under pressure so as to repress it to through an outlet duct to a dispensing orifice (not shown). As soon as the pressure on the pusher 8 is released, the volume of the pump chamber 71 increases again so as to create a depression that has the effect of opening the inlet valve 6 and of introducing fluid into the the pump chamber 71 through the inlet 55.

According to the invention, the central tube 55 of the base 5 will act as a pushing element capable of coming into engagement with the holding means 41 of the plug 4 to move it by translation of its initial closed position. ( Figures 1, 2 and 3 ) to its open end position ( Figures 4 and 5 ). More specifically, the free lower end of the thrust member 51 frictionally penetrates inside the holding means 41 made in the form of an open housing upwards. On the figure 3 the thrust element 51 is seen at the moment when it will come into engagement with the means for holding the plug 4. It is easily understood that the lowering of the dispensing member D on the tank R will have the effect of engaging the the lower end of the central tube 51 inside the holding housing formed by the holding means 41. Then, an additional thrust on the dispensing member D, for example on its cover 9, has the effect of axially displacing the cap 4 by dislodging it from the main body 3. This is shown on the Figures 4 and 5 . It can be seen that the sealing flange 44 has left its sealing contact with the inner lip 34, so as to disengage from the central housing 35 and to form a feed opening O, which is defined between the plug 4 and the main body 3. More precisely, as can be seen from the figure 5 , the feed opening O is formed between the top of the sealing flange 44 and the foot of the sealing lip 34. This feed opening O allows the fluid product stored in the tank to gain the orifices forming the fluid product inlet 55. It can clearly be seen that the thrust element 51 is engaged inside the holding means 41 in a perfectly stable manner, so that the positioning of the plug 4 is precise and determined with respect to to the main body 3. It can also be said that the displacement of the plug 4 makes it possible to put the central housing 35 in communication with the annular space 54.

We can also notice on the figure 5 that the inner sealing lip 34 is received within the annular space 54 so as to create a cylindrical annular sealing area. On the other hand, referring again to figure 4 it can be seen that the outer sealing lip 33 is received inside the annular sealing groove 53 formed by the base 5. Again, an annular sealing zone is formed which advantageously extends around the first zone annular sealing formed by the inner lip 34. In this way, it ensures a perfect seal between the dispensing member D and the cup C of the reservoir R. It can also be noted that the configuration of the lower part of the organ D distributor adapts correspondingly with the cup C. For attachment of the dispensing member D on the tank R, it can for example provide a fastening by screwing, to allow a quick and easy separation, for example in order to set up a new tank filled as a refill or cartridge.

Thanks to the invention, there is a shutter element which fits into the neck of the tank and which allows to create a feed opening O size and configuration determined, and without creating a room or free element that could interfere with the operation of the dispenser. The embodiment used to illustrate the present invention is particularly adapted to a dispensing member equipped with a central thrust element and a peripheral fluid product inlet, but it is possible to imagine other embodiments adapted to a dispensing member whose input is central with a peripheral thrust element capable of creating a fluid communication between the reservoir and the pump chamber 71. It should also be noted that the withdrawal of the dispensing member D of the reservoir R has the effect of replacing the plug 4 in the central opening 35 of the main body 3, so as to seal the tank sealingly by replacing it in its initial closed position.

Claims (13)

1. A fluid reservoir (R) including a neck (1) defining a wide opening that is closed by a dish (C) in stationary and leaktight engagement with the neck (1), the reservoir being characterized in that the dish (C) comprises a main body (3) in engagement with the neck (1) and a stopper (4; 4') that is mounted on the main body (1) in removable manner, the stopper (4; 4') being movable between a closed initial position in which the stopper (4; 4') is mounted on the main body (3) in leaktight manner, and an open final position in which a feed opening (O) is formed between the main body (3) and the stopper (4; 4').
2. A reservoir (R) according to claim 1, wherein the stopper (4; 4') is separate from the main body (3) in its open final position.
3. A reservoir (R) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the feed opening (O) is annular.
4. A reservoir (R) according to any preceding claim, wherein the stopper (4; 4') includes holder means that are suitable for coming into engagement with an external thrust element so as to move it from its closed initial position to its open final position.
5. A reservoir (R) according to any preceding claim, wherein the stopper (4) is snap-fastened in the main body (3) in its closed initial position.
6. A reservoir (R) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the stopper (4') in its closed initial position is formed integrally as a single piece with the main body (3).
7. A reservoir (R) according to any preceding claim, wherein the main body (3) defines at least one annular sealing lip (33, 34) that projects upwards.
8. A reservoir (R) according to claim 7, wherein the stopper (4; 4') is mounted in the annular sealing lip (34) in the closed initial position.
9. A reservoir (R) according to any preceding claim, wherein the stopper (4; 4') is movable axially in translation relative to the main body (3) between its closed initial position and its open final position.
10. A fluid dispenser comprising a dispenser member (D), such as a pump, associated with a fluid reservoir (R) according to any preceding claim, the dispenser member (D) including a thrust element (51) that comes into engagement with the stopper (4; 4') so as to move it from its closed initial position to its open final position.
11. A dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the thrust element (51) holds the stopper (4; 4') in its open final position.
12. A dispenser according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the dispenser member (D) includes a chamber (71) in which the fluid is put under pressure, the chamber (71) including at least one inlet (55) that communicates with the reservoir (R), the inlet (55) being arranged around the thrust element (51).
13. A dispenser according to claim 10, 11, or 12, wherein the dispenser member (D) forms at least one annular sealing groove (53) in which an annular sealing lip (33) that is formed by the dish (C) is received.

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