FR3100993A1 - Multiple valve foam dispensing system for one dispenser and associated foam dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a foam dispensing system for a dispenser comprising a reservoir storing cosmetic product, said system comprising a product pump and an air pump, said product pump comprising a volume product metering chamber (13). variable defined at least in part by a deformable element (2), said system comprising at least five valves, namely a product inlet valve to the product metering chamber (13), a product outlet valve from the product metering chamber (13), an air inlet valve in an air metering chamber (14) of the air pump, an air outlet valve from the air metering chamber ( 14), an air return valve from the tank. The deformable element (2) has at least four flaps movable between a valve open state and a valve closed state. Figure for abstract: Figure 1

Description

Multi-valve foam dispensing system for one dispenser and associated foam dispenser

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a foam dispensing system for a foam product dispenser, in particular a cosmetic foam product.

This distribution system comprises an air pump and a product pump, matched with multiple valves, in this case an air inlet valve, an air outlet valve, an air return valve, a product inlet valve and a product outlet valve. The invention also relates to a foam dispenser comprising such a dispensing system.

Foam dispensers include two pumps, namely an air pump and a product pump. The mixture of air and product makes it possible to obtain a foam at the outlet of the distributor.

The product pump is configured to suck the cosmetic product contained in a reservoir of the dispenser, while the air pump is configured to suck air coming from outside. The air and product mixture is then distributed, for example by means of a nozzle or by a simple opening. The foaming product can thus be extracted or sprayed from the device in order to allow its application.

Pumps are often operated by means of a push button which the user presses to trigger the operation of the pumps.

Each pump comprises in particular a metering chamber whose volume varies to allow the suction of the product or the air in the chamber through an inlet orifice, when the volume increases, then its expulsion outside the chamber through a exit orifice, when the volume of the chamber decreases. The product and the air leave their respective chamber towards a common conduit which leads them to the opening or to the nozzle usually arranged on the push button.

Technical background

Distributors of fluid products are known comprising product pumps with an elastic membrane, with a rod passing through the membrane at the level of an elastic annular lip extending from the membrane. This annular lip in contact with the rod forms an outlet valve for the pump. In the rest position, the push button is held at the top stop under the effect of the elasticity of the membrane, and the annular lip is in contact with the stem and ensures leaktight closure of the outlet valve. When the button is pressed, the volume of the metering chamber of the pump decreases, which causes an increase in pressure of the fluid product within the chamber. The outlet valve opens by deformation of the elastic lip and the product is dispensed. At the end of dispensing, when the elastic membrane returns to the prestressed position, a depression forms within the chamber, causing the suction of product from the reservoir towards the chamber, via a product inlet valve, formed in part by an inlet lip also extending from the membrane.

This type of pump works well for airless pumps, i.e. without air intake. But it can also work for pumps with air intake. In this case, the device comprises an air intake valve, making it possible to introduce air into the reservoir after the delivery of a dose of product, to make up for the reduction in the quantity of product within the reservoir. This air intake valve may be formed in part by an air intake lip belonging to the membrane.

In practice, diaphragm pumps are intended to dispense a liquid fluid product, of the lotion or perfume type. These diaphragm pumps are not intended to distribute foam, as an air supply is necessary for the formation of foam. And this air supply is generally formed by an additional piston pump, independent of the product pump, and therefore of the membrane. The existence of two pumps (for the product and for the air) in a foam dispensing device leads to an increase in the overall size of the device, an increase in the number of parts of the device, and therefore an increase in the time of manufacture of the device.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the various drawbacks stated above, by means of a foam distribution system which integrates an air pump and a product pump while being compact, with a minimum of parts constituting the pumps , and of simple construction.

This object is achieved by means of a foam dispensing system for a dispenser comprising a reservoir storing cosmetic product, the foam being obtained from a mixture between said product and air, said system comprising a product pump and a pump air-operated, said product pump comprising a variable volume product metering chamber defined at least in part by a deformable element, the product pump operating by varying the volume of the product metering chamber by elastic deformation of a membrane of the deformable element between an initial state where the volume is maximum and a deformed state where the volume is minimum, said system comprising at least five valves, namely a product inlet valve to the product metering chamber, a product outlet valve from the product metering chamber, an air inlet valve into an air metering chamber of the air pump, an air outlet valve from the air, and a tank air return valve.

This system is mainly characterized in that the deformable element comprises at least four valves movable between a valve opening state and a valve closing state.

According to the invention, said four valves belong to four of the five valves of the system.

Preferably, the deformable element comprises five valves belonging to the five valves.

The main idea of this invention consists in providing a single part called a deformable element, which pools many functions for the circulation of air and product within the distribution system. In this case, this deformable element includes the membrane (to define the volume of the product metering chamber), the product inlet and outlet valves (for the operation of the product pump), and the valves for air inlet and outlet (for air pump operation). The existence of a single element to fulfill all these functions makes it possible to reduce the number of parts within the distribution system, and also makes it possible to create a technical synergy between the air pump and the product pump.

It is even possible to go further in this approach, by providing an additional functionality on the deformable element, namely an air intake valve, which is necessary in the case of a distributor with air intake. The distribution system then comprises a tank air intake valve formed in part by this air intake valve belonging to the deformable element.

The deformable element according to the invention is a very compact part, and is easy to produce, preferably by molding.

It is designed in a single material with elastic properties. It is preferably a polymer material, of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) type.

According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

• the system comprises an actuation head comprising a barrel developing in the direction of the membrane and against which an air outlet valve belonging to the deformable element rests, the barrel and the air outlet valve forming the air outlet valve, said shaft being configured to exert pressure on the membrane so as to deform it to pass from the initial state to the deformed state.
• the air outlet valve consists of an annular lip which is pressed against the barrel.
• the deformable element has a chimney through which a guide rod passes, said chimney sliding along the rod when the membrane undergoes said deformation, said chimney having a body surmounted by a product outlet valve surrounding the rod and separated part of the body through a slot, the chimney forming the product outlet valve, the product being capable of exiting through the slot.
• said product outlet valve consists of a washer enclosing the stem.
• the slot is defined by two edges, namely a first edge belonging to the outlet valve and a second edge belonging to the body, said first and second edges being in contact with each other when the product outlet valve is closed , and separated from each other when the product outlet valve is open: the slot thus closes "edge to edge" by contact of said edges.
• the system comprises a base on which the deformable element is fixed, said base comprising a bottom forming part of the product metering chamber, at least one product passage hole being made in the bottom, said hole being closed by a valve product inlet belonging to the deformable element, the product inlet valve and the bottom forming the product inlet valve.
• said product inlet valve consists of a flexible flange which is pressed against the bottom.
• the system comprises a hoop having an inner sleeve on which the deformable element is positioned, said sleeve being adapted to be mounted on the reservoir of the dispenser, said sleeve comprising a rim against which the air intake valve rests, the rim and the air intake valve forming the air intake valve.
• said air intake valve consists of a flexible lip which is pressed against the rim.
• the system comprises an actuation head comprising a cylinder having a side wall forming part of the air metering chamber, an air inlet valve belonging to the deformable element resting on this side wall, the wall side and the air inlet valve forming the air inlet valve.
• said air inlet valve consists of a flexible lip which is pressed against the side wall of the cylinder.

The invention also relates to a dispenser for foam, in particular for cosmetic foam, comprising a reservoir capable of storing a foaming product and on which is mounted a dispensing system as described above.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which will follow for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axial sectional view in perspective of a foam distribution system in the rest position;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the dispensing system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the dispensing system, according to Figure 1, in the rest position;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the area circled in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the dispensing system at the start of actuation;

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area circled in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the dispensing system in the actuating position;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the distribution system in the ascent phase towards the rest position;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view of the area circled in Figure 8.

Detailed description of the invention

The invention relates to a foam dispensing system for a foam product dispenser, in particular a cosmetic foam product.

This dispensing system includes an air pump and a fluid pump, along with multiple valves to create fluid and air circulations within the system, so that the air and fluid mix and form a foam that will be distributed as output.

This dispensing system is capable of being positioned on a reservoir (not shown) intended to contain the foaming cosmetic product, in particular liquid soap.

As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3, the dispensing system is mainly composed of an actuation head 1, a deformable element 2, a base 3, and a hoop 4. More Concretely, the actuating head 1 consists of a push button 5 surmounting a cylinder 6. The system thus consists of only five parts. By limiting the number of parts, considerable time is saved when assembling the distribution system.

A seal 7 is located between the hoop 4 and the neck of a tank to ensure the tightness of the tank.

This distribution system does not include any metal parts. It is intended for use on any type of tank.

All the references used in this description are annotated in FIG. 3. The other figures do not report all the references for the sake of readability.

The push button 5 has the function of allowing the actuation of the pumps by a user.

The push-button 5 here has a cylindrical body capable of fitting onto the cylinder 6. This cylindrical body is surmounted by an upper part in which there is a nozzle 52 facing an outlet orifice 53, this upper part having an upper support wall 51 on which the user exerts pressure to actuate the pumps.

The nozzle 52 makes it possible to create foam from a mixture of product and air which arrives at the inlet of the push button 5. This foam is distributed via the outlet orifice 53 of the push button.

At the level of its body, the push-button 5 has a central cylindrical section 54 suitable for fitting onto a corresponding central cylindrical section 63 provided on the cylinder 6. The two cylindrical sections 54, 63 can be snapped on thanks to annular rods For example. Any other fixing system can be envisaged.

The mixture of product and air circulates through these two cylindrical sections 54, 63 and arrives in a mixing chamber 15 located upstream of the nozzle 52 within the upper part of the push-button 5, before passing through from the nozzle 52 and out of the dispensing system in the form of foam. The nozzle 52 comprises two sieves, one 55 placed at the inlet of the nozzle 52, and the other 56 placed at the outlet of the nozzle 52, which make it possible to create the foam.

The push button 5 is preferably made from a single material, for example polypropylene. The same is true for nozzle 52.

The cylinder 6 of the actuating head 1 has a cylindrical side wall 61 closed at the top by a piston 62 from which extends the cylindrical central section 63 accommodating the push-button 5. In the opposite direction, another section extends central cylindrical 64 from the piston 62, that is to say in the direction of the reservoir. This other cylindrical central section is called shaft 64 for clarity. This drum 64 cooperates with the deformable element 2 mentioned above, and actively participates in the operation of the air pump as well as the product pump, as will be explained in the following description. This drum 64 has notches at its free end for the passage of air to the inside of the drum 64.

The side wall 61 of the cylinder 6 slides inside the hoop 4. The cylinder 6 is movable between a raised position, therefore of rest of the distribution system, and a depressed position, therefore of activation of the distribution system.

The actuating head 1 (that is to say the push-button 5 and cylinder 6 assembly) is thus movable in translation with respect to the hoop 4, deformable element 2 and base 3 assembly.

The cylinder 6 is designed in a single material, rigid, for example polypropylene or polyethylene.

The hoop 4 consists of an outer decorative wall 41, connected to an inner sleeve 42. The outer decorative wall 41 and the sleeve 42 are U-shaped in section view, and form a housing 11 inside the U in which the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6 slides. The housing 11 of the hoop 4 therefore serves means for guiding the actuating head 1. As a safety measure, to avoid any exit of the actuating head 1 relative to the housing 11 when it passes from its depressed position to its raised position, the cylindrical side wall 61 of cylinder 6 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 65 capable of coming into abutment against an internal ring rim

located at the free end of the outer decorative wall 41 of hoop 4.

The sleeve 42 can be mounted on a reservoir containing the cosmetic product. For example, the sleeve 42 may have an internal thread so that it can be screwed onto a threaded neck of the tank. Any other fixing device between the sleeve 42 and the neck of the reservoir can be envisaged.

The sleeve 42 is closed at the top by a receiving support 45 for the base 3 and the deformable element 2. This receiving support 45 comprises a central socket 46 capable of receiving a dip tube immersed in the tank.

Preferably, the reception support 45 and its sleeve 46 extend in an axial and radial space exclusively delimited by the sleeve 42. Optionally, the sleeve 46 can descend a little within the tank if necessary, depending on the dip tube associated.

The hoop 4 is preferably made from a single material, for example polypropylene.

The deformable element 2 is positioned in the center of the distribution system, that is to say inside the cylinder 6 and the hoop 4. It constitutes the heart of the product pump and also partly defines the pump air.

The deformable element 2 comprises a flexible membrane 21 which is elastically deformable and has the shape of a rounded dome when the dispensing system is in the rest position (that is to say when the actuating head 1 is raised) and a dome shape folded when the dispensing system is in the actuating position (that is to say when the actuating head 1 is depressed).

This membrane 21 ends in the lower part with an inner collar 27 directed towards the inside of the dome.

The deformable element 2 also comprises an outer crown 22 developing around the lower part of the membrane 21.

This ring 22 rests on the base 3, and is in contact with the sleeve 42 and the cylinder 6. In this case, it has an upper skirt 23 coming into contact with the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6 and being capable of sliding the along this side wall 61 during actuation of the system. It also has a lower skirt 25 coming into contact with a flange 49 provided on the reception support 45 of the sleeve 42.

Finally, the crown 22 has a hook tab 26 with the base 3.

The deformable element 2 comprises a chimney 29 developing around an upper part of the membrane 21. More precisely, this chimney 29 develops from the top of the dome, and is directed towards the push-button 5. The chimney 29 is inserted inside the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6. From this chimney 29 extends an annular lip 28, visible in FIG. 4, capable of coming into contact with the inner wall of the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6. In this way , the chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 is centered with respect to the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6.

The upper end of the chimney 29 is constricted, and thus has a smaller inside diameter than the rest of the chimney, namely the body of the chimney 29. This upper end is called "washer 20" for clarity.

The deformable element 2 is here formed of a single elastic material, preferably a polymer material, for example thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It has zones that are more or less flexible depending on their thickness. In this case, the most flexible zones, having the most flexibility, correspond to the inner collar 27, the upper skirt 23, the lower skirt 25, the washer 20 and the annular lip 28 around the chimney 29. All these flexible zones constitute flaps for the passage of product or air.

The base 3 is a part which cooperates with the deformable element 2. The base 3 has a hooking tab 36 able to snap into place with the hooking tab 26 of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2. These two tabs 36, 26 have an annular ring allowing them to be snapped into place. Any other form of interlocking or joining could be envisaged.

This base 3 has a bottom 31 from which extends a rod 33 for guiding the deformable membrane 21. This guide rod 33 passes entirely through the deformable element 2. This rod 33 is arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis X of the deformable element 2, which is coaxial with the central axis of the sleeve 42 as well as the central axis of the push-button 5 and of the cylinder 6. This guide rod 33 passes through the deformable element 2, so that the latter slides along the rod 33 when it undergoes a deformation. The rod 33 has a body surmounted by a head 34 at its free end, having a diameter greater than that of the body of the rod 33. There is therefore a shoulder between the head 34 and the body of the rod 33, as this is illustrated in Figure 4.

The body of the rod 33 passes through the deformable membrane 21 and the chimney 29. The rod head 34 protrudes from the chimney 29. As said previously, the chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 has a narrowing at its free end, called washer 20, located just upstream of the rod head 34, that is to say under the rod head 34. More precisely, the walls of the chimney 29 are at a distance from the body of the rod 33, while the washer is in contact with the rod body 33, and is pressed against the shoulder formed by the rod head 34. The washer 20 therefore comes into axial abutment against the rod head 34.

A cut is made in the body of the chimney 29, in the vicinity of the washer 20, so as to form a slot 10. Thus, the washer 20 of the chimney 29 can open and be offset with respect to the body of the chimney 29 when activating the system. This washer 20 opens and closes relative to the body in the form of a valve.

The opening amplitude of the washer 20 is limited by a plurality of ribs 66 extending radially from the piston 62, between the two central cylindrical sections 63, 64 of the cylinder 6. When it opens, the washer 20 comes into abutment against these ribs 66.

The inner collar 27 of the flexible membrane 21 rests on the bottom 31 of the base 3.

The bottom 31 of the base 3 also has a protuberance 35 capable of being housed in a notch 48 provided for this purpose in the receiving support 45 of the sleeve 42. Preferably, this protuberance 35 is capable of snapping into the notch 48 so as to secure the base 3 with the sleeve 42. Any other form of securing could be envisaged within the scope of the present invention.

The base 3 is preferably made from a single material, for example polypropylene.

The bottom 31 of the base 3 and the deformable membrane 21 define a product metering chamber 13 belonging to the product pump of the distribution system. This product metering chamber 13 is located inside the membrane 21. There is a product inlet valve inside the product metering chamber 13, as well as a product outlet valve.

The admission of the product is carried out by means of at least one admission hole 32 made in the bottom 31 of the base 3. Preferably, there are several holes 32 distributed in the bottom 31. This hole 32 is covered by said inner collar 27 of the membrane 21. This collar 27 is capable of lifting relative to the bottom 31 to allow product to enter the product metering chamber 13 via the hole 32, or to press against the bottom 31 to close the inlet valve and seal the product metering chamber 13. The inner flange 27 thus constitutes a product inlet valve, while the bottom 31 of the base 3 constitutes the seat of the inlet valve.

The product is exhausted by means of the slot 10 made in the chimney 29. Indeed, when the washer 20 is pressed against the body of the chimney 29, the product outlet valve is closed. On the other hand, when the washer 20 is detached from the body of the chimney 29, thanks to the opening of the slot 10, then the product outlet valve is open, and product can escape from the metering chamber. of product 13. The washer 20 therefore constitutes the flap of the outlet valve. The slot 10 is defined by two edges, namely a first edge belonging to the outlet valve and a second edge belonging to the body, said first and second edges being in contact with each other when the product outlet valve is closed, and separated from each other when the product outlet valve is open: the slot thus closes "edge to edge" by contact of said edges.

The membrane 21 of the deformable element 2 is deformable between an initial state, in the shape of a rounded dome, in which the product metering chamber 13 has a maximum volume, and a deformed state, shown in FIG. 7, in which the product metering chamber 13 has a minimum volume.

The rod 33 has the function of guiding the membrane 21 when it passes from the initial state to the deformed state, then from the deformed state to the initial state. The membrane 21 is thus configured to be able to fold the top of the dome towards the base of the dome, that is to say in the direction of the inner collar 27. The chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 also moves towards the base of the dome along the rod 33. Thanks to the rod 33, the membrane 21 remains centered around the longitudinal axis X of the distribution system. This avoids the risk of poorly controlled folding of the membrane 21.

To deform the deformable element 2, the actuating head 1 comprises a deformation means arranged outside the product metering chamber 13 and configured to exert pressure on the membrane 21 when the push-button 5 is actuated. . This deformation means is the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6 which has an open end in contact with the membrane 21. The chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 extends inside the barrel 64, and the end of the barrel 64 is in contact with the top of the dome, and presses on the dome when the system is actuated to deform the membrane 21.

The cylinder 6 and the deformable element 2 define an air metering chamber 14 belonging to the air pump of the distribution system. This air metering chamber 14 is located outside the membrane 21. In this way, the air metering chamber 14 develops around the product metering chamber 13.

There is an air inlet valve to the inside of the air metering chamber 14, as well as an air outlet valve.

The air intake is achieved via the contact between the upper skirt 23 of the deformable element 2 and the cylindrical side wall 61 of the cylinder 6. In this case, the end of the upper skirt 23 is thinned and forms a lip 24 which bears against the inner surface of the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6. The lip 24 of the upper skirt 23 constitutes an air intake valve within the air metering chamber 14. Indeed, the lip 24 of the upper skirt 23 is movable between a position pressed against the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6, where the air inlet valve is then closed, and a raised position relative to the side wall 61 of cylinder 6, where the air inlet valve is then open, and air can enter by passing between the upper skirt 23 and the side wall 61 of cylinder 6.

The exhaust of the air is achieved via the contact between the annular lip 28 projecting from the chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 and the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6. In this case, the annular lip 28 comes to rest against the inner surface of the barrel 64. The annular lip 28 thus constitutes an air outlet valve within the air metering chamber 14. Indeed, the lip 28 is movable between a position pressed against the barrel 64, where the air outlet valve is then closed, and a raised position relative to the barrel 64, where the air outlet valve is then opened, and air can exit the chamber 14 by passing between the annular lip 28 and barrel 64.

When the dispensing device is actuated, the cylinder 6 slides in the hoop 4, and the piston 62 of the cylinder 6 is movable between a raised position located at a distance from the crown 22 of the deformable element 2, and a depressed position located in the vicinity of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2. In the raised position of the piston 62, the volume of the air metering chamber 14 is maximum. In the depressed position of the piston 62, the volume of the air metering chamber 14 is minimal. The volume of the air metering chamber 14 therefore varies according to the position of the piston 62.

The piston 62 has a shape complementary to that of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2. Thus, when the piston 62 is in the depressed position, there is hardly any space left between the piston 62 and the crown 22 of the deformable element 2, since one hugs the profile of the other.

The volume of the metering chamber thus approaches zero, which improves the compactness of the air pump. Virtually zero volume allows:

• better product delivery rate as the entire chamber is emptied;
• better suction of product afterwards because the depression is more pronounced.

In this spirit, the piston 62 even has a recess 67 in which is housed the upper skirt 23 of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2 to follow the profile even better.

The dispensing system further comprises a tank air intake valve formed in part by an air intake valve belonging to the deformable element 2, which is necessary in the case of a dispenser with air intake .

In this case, the lower skirt 25 of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2 consists of a flexible lip coming into contact with the rim 49 formed on the receiving support 45 of the sleeve 42, as mentioned above. This lower skirt 25 forms the air intake valve. Indeed, this lower skirt 25 is movable between a position pressed against the rim 49, where the air intake valve is then closed, a position detached from the rim 49, where the air intake valve is then open , and air can pass between the deformable element 2 and the sleeve 42, until it reaches the inside of the tank by means of an air intake orifice 47 made in the reception support 45.

We will describe below the operation of the distribution system with its two pumps.

In Figures 3 and 4, the distribution system is at rest . In this position, the product pump is sealed. Indeed, the elastic reaction of the prestressed membrane 21 tends to push the washer 20 upwards and wedge it under the rod head 34. The washer 20 then finds itself pinched between the rod head 34 and the body of the chimney 29 In this case, the slot 10 is closed, which means that the product outlet valve is closed.

The membrane 21 is in its initial state, therefore in the shape of a dome, with a maximum volume of product in the product metering chamber 13. The inner collar 27 of the membrane 21 is pressed against the bottom 31 of the base 3: the product inlet valve is therefore closed.

The actuating head 1 is in the raised position, and the piston 62 is therefore located at a distance from the crown 22 of the deformable element 2. The volume of the air metering chamber 14 is therefore maximum. In this position, the air pump is sealed. Indeed, the upper skirt 23 of the deformable element 2 is pressed against the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6, and the annular lip 28 of the deformable element 2 is pressed against the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6.

The air intake valve is also closed since the lower skirt 25 of the deformable element 2 is pressed against the rim 49 of the sleeve 42.

In Figures 5 and 6, a user presses the push-button 5. The dispensing system is in a start actuation position.

Cylinder 6 slides inside housing 11 formed in hoop 4 and moves towards the bottom of hoop 4.

In its travel, the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6 presses on the top of the dome of the elastic membrane 21, so as to deform it. The volume of the product metering chamber 13 thus decreases, and the pressure in the product metering chamber 13 increases. In its travel, the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6 also causes the chimney 29 of the deformable element 2 to descend in the direction of the base 3. The washer 20 being tight on the rod 33, it tends to remain in place then finally to slide with restraint while the body of the chimney 29 descends easily, which causes the opening of the slot 10, thus freeing the passage of the product (or the passage of the air during the priming of the system). The product outlet valve is then open, and the product can escape from the product metering chamber 13 via the chimney 29, then via the slot 10, then pass between the ribs 66 of the piston 62, until arriving in the mixing chamber 15 of the push-button 5, as shown by the long arrow on the right in FIG. 6. The product inlet valve remains closed. In other words, the internal pressure in the product metering chamber 13 as well as the elasticity of the membrane 21 tends to press the inner collar 27 of the membrane 21 against the bottom 31 of the base 3.

In its stroke, the piston 62 of the cylinder 6 approaches the crown 22 of the deformable element 2, and the volume of the air metering chamber 14 decreases. The pressure then increases in the air metering chamber 14, which has the effect of pressing the upper skirt 23 of the crown 22 against the inner surface of the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6, and which also has the effect of take off the annular lip 28 relative to the barrel 64. The annular lip 28 thus approaches the chimney 29, as shown by the two small arrows in Figure 6. The air outlet valve is then open, and the the air trapped in the air metering chamber 14 can thus escape by passing between the barrel 64 and the annular lip 28, then between the ribs 66 of the piston 62, until arriving in the mixing chamber 15 of the knob - pusher 5, as shown by the long left arrow in figure 6.

At the end of the travel of the actuating head 1, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the dispensing system is in the end of actuation position. The side wall 61 of the cylinder 6 reaches the end of the housing 11 provided in the hoop 4. During this sliding of the cylinder 6 in the hoop 4, the air initially contained in the housing 11 is gradually evacuated via a plurality orifices 12 provided in the bottom of the housing 11 to avoid overpressure inside the housing 11.

The barrel 64 of the cylinder 6 has deformed the membrane 21 to the maximum and it finds itself in a folded position corresponding to its deformed state, with the top of the dome which comes into contact with the bottom of the base 3. The volume of the metering chamber of product 13 is minimal. A maximum of product contained in the product metering chamber 13 is released via the outlet valve. The washer 20 still remains offset with respect to the body of the chimney 29, the slot 10 is still open.

The piston 62 is found in the depressed position, in the vicinity of the crown 22 of the deformable element 2. The volume of the air metering chamber 14 is minimal. A maximum of air is released from this chamber 14 via the air outlet valve. The annular lip 28 is still detached from the shaft 64, and the upper skirt 23 is still pressed against the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6. When the actuation head 1 is actuated, this upper skirt 23 has slid along the side wall 61, while maintaining permanent contact with it.

The return air valve is always closed.

All the air and product that was evacuated from the dosing chambers was transferred to the mixing chamber 15 of the push button 5 and then passed through the nozzle 52 which transformed them into foam which was then dispensed via the outlet orifice 53 of push button 5.

In Figures 8 and 9, the user releases the pressure exerted on the push-button 5, and the latter then begins to rise towards its rest position , thanks to the elastic reaction of the membrane 21 which tends to push on the barrel 64 of cylinder 6 to raise it, as shown by the two small arrows located under the top of the folded dome in figure 8.

When the membrane 21 is raised, the chimney 29 rises along the rod 33, and the washer 20 slides along the rod 33. The raising of the body of the chimney 29 makes it possible to close the slot 10, and therefore to close the product outlet valve.

This raising of the membrane 21 and of the chimney 29 causes the volume of the product metering chamber 13 to increase, which causes an internal depression within the product metering chamber 13. This depression, associated with the thrust product from the tank, causes the product inlet valve to open. In this case, the internal flange 27 rises relative to the bottom 31 of the base 3, as illustrated by a small arrow in Figure 8, and the product can thus pass from the reservoir to the product metering chamber 13 through the socket 46 of the sleeve 42, then between the reception support 45 and the bottom 31, then through the product inlet 32 provided in the bottom 31, as shown by the long arrow in Figure 8.

Furthermore, the rise of the piston 62 causes the volume of the air metering chamber 14 to increase, which causes an internal depression within the air metering chamber 14. This depression causes the opening of the air inlet valve. In this case, the upper skirt 23 moves away from the side wall of the cylinder 6, as illustrated by the small arrows in Figure 8, and air can thus pass between the upper skirt 23 and the cylinder 6 to arrive in the air metering chamber 14. This air comes from outside, passes inside the housing 11 of the hoop 4, passing first of all, either between the outer decorative wall 41 of the hoop 4 and the side wall 61 of cylinder 6, or through the orifices 12 of collar 4, then going up between side wall 61 of cylinder 6 and sleeve 42 until reaching the level of upper skirt 23.

Part of this outside air also enters the tank via the opening of the air intake valve. Indeed, when the push-button 5 rises, the admission of product within the product metering chamber 13 causes a depression within the tank containing the product, which causes air aspiration permitted via this air intake valve.

In particular, the air suction will tend to move the lower skirt 25 of the deformable element 2 apart from the rim 49 of the sleeve 42. The lower skirt 25 thus approaches a ring 44 provided on the support of reception 45, as illustrated by the small arrow in Figure 9. The seal is thus broken, and the outside air can thus pass first through notches provided on the rim 49, then between the lower skirt 25 and the rim 49, then through slots provided in the ring 44 of the reception support 45, then between the bottom 31 of the base 3 and the reception support 45, and finally through the air 47 allowing it to reach inside the reservoir containing the cosmetic product.

This path of the outside air towards the air metering chamber 14 and towards the tank is illustrated by the two long arrows in figure 9.

The suction of air and product continues until the washer 20 comes into abutment against the head 34 of the rod.

The dispensing device then returns to its initial state of rest , as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The elastic reaction of the prestressed dome during assembly of the system allows the plating of the washer 20 on the body of the chimney 29. The depression having dropped, the inner flange 27 presses against the inlet 32 of the product. The product metering chamber 13 is then sealed.

In the same way, the vacuum having dropped in the air metering chamber 14, the upper skirt 23 presses against the side wall 61 of the cylinder 6 and the annular lip 28 presses against the barrel 64 of the cylinder 6. The chamber air metering 14 is then airtight.

The lower air intake skirt 25 comes back into place, and presses against the edge 49 of the sleeve 42. The tank is then sealed again.

The air metering chamber 14 and the product metering chamber 13 each contain a new dose of product and air ready to be delivered so as to form a dose of foam at the outlet of the dispensing device.

We will describe below the advantages of the distribution system with its two nested pumps.

First of all, the actuation head 1 is movable between a rest position, that is to say a raised position, and an actuation position, that is to say a depressed position. In the actuating position, the head coaxially surrounds said sleeve 42. More precisely, the cylinder 6 of the actuating head 1 enters the housing 11 of the hoop 4 and is positioned around the sleeve 42, being completely " hidden" in hoop 4. This overlap between cylinder 6 and hoop 4 makes it possible to limit the axial size of the system.

In addition, the product metering chamber 13 is integrated inside the air metering chamber 14. The two chambers are thus also nested one inside the other, so as to limit their size within the system. Said product and air chambers extend in an axial and radial space exclusively delimited by the sleeve 42 and the actuating head 1. When the system is mounted on a tank, the product and air pumps extend to the above the reservoir, and in the neck of the reservoir. Under no circumstances do the pumps penetrate lower than the tank neck. They are therefore not in contact with the product contained in the tank. This limits the risk of product contamination. In addition, they free up space in the tank and it can therefore contain more product.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the deformable element 2 comprises, for each valve, a movable valve between an open state of the valve and a closed state of the valve.

The idea is to provide a single part, namely the deformable element 2, which pools many functions for the circulation of air and product within the distribution system. In this case, this deformable element 2 includes the membrane 21 (to define the volume of the product metering chamber 13), the product inlet 27 and outlet 20 valves (for the operation of the product pump) , and the air inlet 23 and outlet 28 valves (for the operation of the air pump), and the air intake valve 25 (necessary in the case of a distributor with air intake in The reservoir). The existence of a single element 2 to fulfill all these functions makes it possible to reduce the number of parts within the distribution system, and also makes it possible to create a technical synergy between the air pump and the product pump.

The deformable element 2 according to the invention is a part which can be folded very compactly, and is easy to produce, preferably by molding.

Another advantage of the present invention consists in using parts which take part in the definition and the activation of the two pumps simultaneously. In this way, there are parts in common for both pumps in the system, and the number of parts in the system is reduced. In this case, the deformable element 2 pools several functions, namely that of delimiting the product metering chamber 13, that of delimiting the air metering chamber 14, and that of varying the volume of the chamber product metering 13 by elastic deformation. The same is true for the cylinder 6 belonging to the actuation head 1, which makes it possible to participate in the actuation of the system, which makes it possible to delimit the air metering chamber 14, which makes it possible to vary the volume of the air metering chamber 14 by transverse displacement, and which makes it possible to deform the membrane 21 of the product metering chamber 13.

In general, the design of the air pump is greatly simplified since the air metering chamber 14 is defined by two parts of the system only, namely the cylinder 6 and the deformable element 2.

The same is true for the product pump which is greatly simplified since the product metering chamber 13 is defined by only two parts of the system, namely the base 3 and the deformable element 2.

The configurations shown in the figures cited are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which, on the contrary, encompasses the variants of shapes and designs within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims (16)

Foam dispensing system for a dispenser comprising a reservoir storing cosmetic product, the foam resulting from a mixture between said product and air, said system comprising a product pump and an air pump, said product pump comprising a product metering chamber (13) with variable volume defined at least in part by a deformable element (2), the product pump operating by varying the volume of the product metering chamber (13) by elastic deformation d a membrane (21) of the deformable element (2) between an initial state where the volume is maximum and a deformed state where the volume is minimum, said system comprising at least five valves, namely a product inlet valve to the product metering chamber (13), a product outlet valve from the product metering chamber (13), an air inlet valve in an air metering chamber (14) of the pump air valve, an air outlet valve from the air metering chamber (14), an air intake valve from the reservoir, characterized in that the deformable element (2) comprises at least four movable valves between a valve open state and a valve closed state. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said four valves belong to four of the five valves of the system. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the deformable element (2) comprises five valves belonging to the five valves. Foam distribution system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable element (2) is made of an elastic material, preferably a polymer material, of the thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) type. Foam distribution system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an actuating head (1) comprising a shaft (64) developing in the direction of the membrane (21) and against which an air outlet valve belonging to the deformable element (2), the barrel (64) and the air outlet valve forming the air outlet valve, said barrel (64) being configured to exert pressure on the membrane (21) so as to deform it to pass from the initial state to the deformed state. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the air outlet valve consists of an annular lip (28) which is pressed against the drum (64). Foam distribution system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable element (2) has a chimney (29) through which a guide rod (33) passes, the said chimney (29) sliding along of the rod (33) when the membrane (21) undergoes said deformation, said chimney (29) having a body surmounted by a product outlet valve surrounding the rod (33) and partly separated from the body by a slot (10 ), the chimney (29) forming the product outlet valve, the product being capable of exiting through the slot (10). Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said product outlet valve consists of a washer (20) enclosing the rod (33). Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the slot (10) is defined by two edges, namely a first edge belonging to the outlet valve and a second edge belonging to the body, the said first and second edges being touching each other when the product outlet valve is closed, and separated from each other when the product outlet valve is open. Foam distribution system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a base (3) on which the deformable element (2) is fixed, the said base (3) comprising a bottom (31) forming part of the product metering chamber (13), at least one product passage hole (32) being formed in the bottom (31), said hole (32) being closed by a product inlet valve belonging to the deformable element (2), the product inlet valve and the bottom (31) forming the product inlet valve. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said product inlet valve consists of a flexible collar (27) which is pressed against the bottom (31). Foam distribution system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hoop (4) having an inner sleeve (42) on which the deformable element (2) is positioned, said sleeve (42) being adapted to be mounted on the reservoir of the dispenser, said sleeve (42) comprising a rim (49) against which a return air valve rests, the rim (49) and the return air valve forming the valve air intake. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said air intake valve consists of a flexible lip (25) which is pressed against the rim (49). Foam dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an actuation head (1) comprising a cylinder (6) having a side wall (61) partly forming the air (14), an air inlet valve belonging to the deformable element (2) resting on this side wall (61), the side wall (61) and the air inlet valve forming the air inlet valve. Foam distribution system according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said air inlet valve consists of a flexible lip (24) which is pressed against the side wall (61) of the cylinder (6). Foam dispenser, in particular cosmetic foam dispenser, comprising a reservoir capable of storing a foaming product and on which is mounted a dispensing system according to one of the preceding claims.