EP2919612B1 - Fluid-product dispenser - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir containing fluid, a fluid volume suction chamber having a sampling and application space, a dip tube connecting the reservoir to the chamber at an orifice, suction means for sucking, during a suction phase, the fluid product from the reservoir into the chamber through the orifice, a sampling and application member which partially defines the suction chamber and the suction means, this sampling and suction member defining the sampling and application space. The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

In the prior art, the document is already known FR-2 924 696 which describes a distributor of this type. The operation and use of this dispenser are relatively simple. The user holds the tank with one hand and removes the sampling and application member with the other hand, which has the effect of drawing fluid in the metering chamber through the dip tube connected to the tank. The filling of the metering chamber also allows the filling of the sampling and application space which is integral with the fluid applicator. It should be noted that the volume of this space is fixed and constant: it undergoes no deformation or modification. When the fluid applicator is completely removed from the reservoir, it is separated from it, the metering chamber is open to the outside and the sampling space, which is integral with the fluid applicator, can be contact with an application surface, such as the skin of the user. The actual application of the fluid product is carried out either by successive point contact with the skin, or by moving the sampling zone in contact with the skin. In both cases, the fluid product stored in the sampling space is progressively transferred by a phenomenon of surface tension on the skin of the user.

Of course, to allow such a transfer of the sampling space to the application surface of the user, it is necessary that the fluid has a relatively low viscosity. Indeed, with a product of higher viscosity, such as a cream or a gel, it would remain adhered to the internal walls of the sampling space so that a limited portion of the product could be applied to the surface of the sample. 'application. Therefore, the document distributor FR-2 924 696 , which has a fixed and constant volume sampling space, is not suitable for dispensing viscous fluids such as creams, gels, ointments, etc.

The document FR 2 556 091 discloses a fluid dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the document of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser based on the same principle but allowing application of viscous fluid product. An object of the present invention is to ensure both a total filling of the sampling space during removal of the applicator and a total emptying of the sampling space during the application of the fluid product on the surface of the 'application. Another object of the present invention is to maintain a particularly simple structure and architecture of the fluid dispenser. Yet another object of the present invention is to preserve the gesture of use of the fluid dispenser of the prior art. Yet another object of the present invention is to avoid the use of non-recyclable material, such as metal.

To achieve these various objects, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser according to claim 1. Thus, the dispenser can be made from molded plastic element, excluding any metal element. The variation of the volume of the sampling and application space makes it possible on the one hand to facilitate its filling by multiplying the suction means and on the other hand to empty it gradually as the fluid product is applied to the surface. application. This is not the case in the document of the aforementioned prior art whose sampling space has a fixed volume. Due to the absence of elastic biasing force on the sleeve, the application of the fluid product, for example on the skin, is carried out without having to overcome an elastic resistance, which results in a softer and pleasant contact at the level of the skin.

Advantageously, the sampling and application space comprises an open application end communicating with the remainder of the suction chamber and a closed end, the open and closed ends being movable relative to one another. The relative displacement of the two ends of the sampling and application space can be done in various ways, such as sliding in the manner of a piston or by elastic deformation of a flexible element.

According to the invention the sampling and application member thus comprises a manual gripping element intended to be grasped by the hand of a user, a fixed rod secured to the gripping element and a sliding sleeve which is mounted slidably on the fixed rod to form the space of sampling and application of variable volume. Thus, the fixed rod performs a piston function which moves in a sealed manner within a sliding shaft defined by the sliding sleeve. Advantageously, the sliding sleeve forms the open end of application of the sampling and application space and the stationary rod forms the closed end of the sampling and application space. The open end of application of the sleeve may be in the form of an annular edge intended to come into contact with the application surface, while the closed end of the fixed rod may be in the form of the free end of the fixed rod which has a perimeter corresponding to that of the open end of application.

According to another aspect of the invention, the sleeve slides further in a fixed lip integral with the reservoir to define the suction means. Thus, the sliding sleeve is movable both with respect to the fixed rod and relative to the fixed lip of the tank. The fixed shaft performs a piston function within the sleeve to define the sample and application space, and the slide sleeve performs a piston function by sealingly sliding within the fixed lip to define suction means and the fluid suction chamber.

According to the invention, the sleeve thus slides the fixed rod with friction forces which are lower than those of the suction means. Thus, when the withdrawal and application member of the reservoir is removed, the sliding sleeve remains fixed relative to the fixed lip while the fixed rod moves inside the sliding sleeve so as to increase the volume. sampling and application space. Then, when the sampling and application space has reached its maximum volume, the sliding sleeve begins to slide into the fixed lip so as to further increase the volume of the fluid suction chamber.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the sliding sleeve is in abutment against the fixed rod when the sampling and application space has a maximum volume. This stop between the sliding sleeve and the fixed rod of course defines the maximum volume of sampling and application, but also marks the beginning of the sliding of the sleeve sliding inside the fixed lip secured to the reservoir.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the sliding sleeve is in abutment against the fixed rod and / or the gripping element when the sampling and application space has a minimum volume. According to a mounting mode of the dispenser, the sliding sleeve is engaged around the fixed rod before the fixed rod is fixedly connected to the gripping element. Thus, the sliding sleeve can in no case disengage from the fixed rod so that the sampling and application member is a captive integral entity.

As in the document of the aforementioned prior art, the suction chamber is open to the outside when the sampling and application member is separated from the reservoir. On the other hand, the suction chamber comprises a barrel to which the plunger tube is connected, the barrel being provided with a sealed sliding lip intended to cooperate with the sampling and application member to form the means for aspiration.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of varying the volume of the sampling and application space during its filling phase, but also during the application phase of the fluid product on a surface desired application. For this purpose, the volume of the sampling and application space grows progressively as the sampling and application space of the reservoir is withdrawn and decreases progressively as the fluid is applied to the reservoir. desired surface of application. The sampling and application space thus acts in the manner of a pump chamber, which is itself included in a suction chamber connected to the reservoir by a dip tube. The volume increase of the sampling and application space can be done before the volume increase of the rest of the suction chamber, or after the increase in volume of the remainder of the suction chamber, or at the same time.

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.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur de produit fluide réalisé selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue de l'organe de prélèvement et d'application de la figure 1,
• La figure 3 est une vue explosée en coupe transversale verticale du distributeur de la figure 1, à l'exception du réservoir,
• Les figures 4a, 4b, 4c et 4d illustrent différentes phases de remplissage de l'espace de prélèvement et d'application du distributeur des figures précédentes,
• La figure 5 illustre une phase ultérieure d'application du produit fluide sur la main d'un utilisateur, et
• La figure 6 illustre une phase ultime de repositionnement de l'organe de prélèvement et d'application sur le réservoir de produit fluide.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser made according to an embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 2 is a view of the organ of sampling and application of the figure 1 ,
• The figure 3 is an exploded view in vertical cross section of the dispenser of the figure 1 , with the exception of the tank,
• The Figures 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d illustrate different filling phases of the sampling and dispensing space of the distributor of the preceding figures,
• The figure 5 illustrates a subsequent phase of application of the fluid product on the hand of a user, and
• The figure 6 illustrates an ultimate phase of repositioning of the sampling and application member on the fluid reservoir.

We will first refer to Figures 1 to 3 to describe in detail a non-limiting embodiment for a fluid dispenser according to the invention. The dispenser comprises in a very comprehensive manner a fluid reservoir 1 which is associated with a dispensing member according to the invention. The tank 1 is not critical for the present invention, and can therefore have very diverse characteristics. It can be made of any material such as glass, plastic, metal, etc. and present very varied forms. In a very conventional manner, the reservoir comprises a bulky body, in which the fluid product is stored, and a neck 11 which defines an opening which communicates the interior of the body with the outside. The dispensing member of the invention is mounted fixedly, and preferably permanently, on the neck 11 of the reservoir so as to take fluid product.

The dispensing member of the present invention comprises two distinct subsets, namely a first integral subassembly of the reservoir, and a second subassembly forming a sampling and application member P which can be separated from the first one. subset. In the embodiment of the figures, the first integral subassembly of the reservoir comprises a ring 2 mounted on and in the neck 11 of the tank in a fixed and preferably permanent sealed manner. The ring 2 cooperates with a sealing ring 3, a neck gasket 4 and a locking and cladding ring 5. These four constituent elements 2, 3, 4 and 5 constitute the first subassembly which is mounted so that fixed on the reservoir 1. The second subassembly forming the sampling and application member P comprises a gripping element 6 intended to be manually gripped by the user, a fixed rod 7 secured to the gripping element 6 and a sliding sleeve 8 which is displaceably engaged by sliding around the fixed rod 7.

The ring 2 comprises a cylindrical sliding shaft 21 which forms at its lower end an orifice 22 which communicates with a connecting sleeve 23 in which is engaged a dip tube 24. In a variant not shown, the dip tube 24 can be made in a in one piece with the connecting sleeve 23. At its opposite end, the barrel 21 is extended by a flange 25 which is threaded externally. Internally, the flange 25 serves as a support for the sealing ring 3 which defines at its lower free end a sealing lip 31 whose function will be given below. The flange 25 extends radially outwardly forming a plate which is connected to a fastening skirt 26 in engagement with the neck 11 of the reservoir 1. This skirt 26 may for example be made in the form of several tabs separated by slits, each tab forming one or more head (s) attachment (s) intended (s) to engage under an annular reinforcement formed by the neck 11. This is a characteristic quite conventional for fixing a dispensing member on a tank neck. To maintain the hooking skirt 26 in engagement with the neck, it is customary to use a locking and wrapping band 5 which is in the form of a cylinder which is engaged around the skirt in such a way that clasping. Again, this is a quite classic feature for attaching a skirt around a collar. In doing so, the neck seal 4 is crushed by the ring on the upper annular edge of the neck 11. This is again a characteristic quite conventional.

The sealing ring 3 can simply be attached to the flange 25, or preferably the sealing ring 3 can be overmolded in the flange 25. The sealing ring 3 can be made of an elastomeric material so as to impart a certain elasticity to the sealing lip 31. Although not shown, it is possible to achieve the sealing ring 3 integrally with the ring 2. It is also possible to dispense with the seal 4. Although not shown, it is also possible to dispense with the hoop 5 by providing a sufficiently strong skirt 26 to ensure alone the mounting of the ring on the neck 11. It is also possible to provide a skirt 26 which cooperates with the inside the neck 11, and not with the outside as shown in the figures.

When the ring 2 is thus mounted on the neck 11 of the reservoir, the sliding shaft 25 extends inside the neck 11 and the dip tube 24 extends into the reservoir to near its bottom (not shown ). At the opposite end, the barrel 21 is widely open with its sealing ring 3. The collar is no longer visible, since it is masked both by the attachment skirt 26 and the locking collar and dressing 5.

The sampling and application member P is intended to cooperate with the first subassembly, and in particular with the ring 2 and the sealing ring 3.

The gripping element 6 defines a gripping appendage 61 which is intended to be grasped directly by the fingers of the user. This gripping appendix 61 may have the most diverse forms and preferably ergonomic to facilitate its grip. The gripping element 6 defines internally a blind bore 63 which is concentrically surrounded by an annular groove 65. The blind bore 63 is separated from this annular groove 65 by a small pipe 64. At its lower end, the element gripper 6 defines an internal thread 62 intended to cooperate with the threaded collar 25 of the ring 2.

The fixed rod 7 comprises an anchor pin 71 fixedly and preferably permanently engaged inside the blind bore 63 of the gripping element 6. The fixed rod 7 also defines a guiding section 73 which connects to the anchoring pin 71 by forming an annular shoulder 72. In its lower part, the guiding section 73 forms a stop 74, a piston ring 75 and defines a lower end 76. It may be noted that the shoulder 72 comes into contact with the free end of the small pipe 64 when the anchor pin 71 is fully engaged in the blind bore 63 The guiding section 73 is largely projecting downwardly beyond the internal thread 62 of the gripping element 6.

The sliding sleeve 8 is engaged around the fixed rod 7, and more precisely around the guiding section 73. The sliding sleeve 8 comprises an annular base 81 which is engaged inside the annular groove 65. Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the annular base 81 even abuts against the bottom of the annular groove 65. Beyond this annular base 81, the sliding sleeve 8 forms a reentrant shoulder 82 which abuts against the free end of the small tubing 64. Beyond this retracting shoulder 82, the sliding sleeve 8 forms a guide segment 83 which slides with a reduced fit with the guide section 73 of the fixed rod 7. Beyond this segment of 83, the sleeve 8 forms another shoulder 84 from which the sleeve defines a sealed sliding section 85 which terminates in an open lower application end 86. Figures 1 and 2 it can be seen that the lower end 76 of the fixed rod 7 is aligned with the lower application end 86 of the sleeve 8. It may also be noted that the piston ring 75 is in sealing contact within the sliding section 85. It can also be seen that the shoulder 84 is away from the stop 74. According to the invention, the sliding sleeve 8 can move by leaktight sliding along the fixed rod 7 between two end stop positions , namely that represented on the Figures 1 and 2 and another stop end defined when the shoulder 84 abuts against the stop 74.

It may be noted that the configuration of the gripping element 6, the fixed rod 7 and the sliding sleeve 8 is such that it is possible to assemble them by first engaging the sleeve 8 around the rod 7 and then engaging the rod 7 in the gripping member 6. Thus, it is not necessary to place the sleeve 8 on the rod 7 by force or by elastic deformation. In addition, the gripping member and application P is a unitary unit in which the sleeve 8 is no longer separable.

On the figure 1 it can be seen that the sampling and application member P is mounted on the ring 2. The thread 62 of the gripping member 6 is screwed fully onto the threaded flange 25 of the ring 2. The sliding sleeve 8 is engaged inside the barrel 21 by defining an annular sealing contact with the sealing lip 31 of the ring 3. Thus, a suction chamber C is formed between the barrel 21, the sleeve 8 and the fixed rod 7 This suction chamber C communicates with the reservoir 1 through the orifice 22 and the dip tube 24. On the Figures 1 and 2 , this suction chamber C defines a minimum volume. The configuration represented on the Figures 1 and 2 is the rest position and storage of the distributor.

We will now refer to Figures 4a to 4d to describe a first operating cycle of withdrawal of the sampling and application member P. on the figure 4a , the gripping element 6 has already been unscrewed from the threaded flange 25, which has generated a sliding translational movement between the fixed rod 7 and the sliding sleeve 8. More precisely, the sliding sleeve 8 has remained in place relative to the 21, while the fixed rod 7 has moved inside the sliding sleeve 8. This is made possible since the frictional forces between the lip 31 and the sleeve 8 are greater than those between the sleeve 8 and the fixed rod 7. With this relative translational movement, a sampling and application space E has been created inside the sleeve 8 just above the rod 7. This sampling and application space E is part integral part of the suction chamber C, since this space E communicates directly with the chamber C at the open application end 86 of the sleeve 8. On the figure 4b , the gripping element 6 has been further removed, which has led to a further increase in the volume of the sampling and application space E. It may be noted that the sleeve 8 is still static with respect to the drum 21. On the figure 4b , the sampling and application space E has reached its maximum volume corresponding to the abutment of the shoulder 84 with the abutment 74. From this moment, additional traction on the gripping element 6 causes a sliding of the sleeve 8 inside the barrel 21. This is represented on the figure 4c . Even if the sampling and application space E no longer increases in volume, the suction chamber C increases in size due to the displacement of the sleeve 8. The increase in the volume of the suction chamber C continues until the lower end of sleeve 8 leaves contact with lip 31, which is shown in FIG. figure 4d . The suction chamber C is then open on the outside. The sampling and application space E remains, however, filled with fluid product by a phenomenon of capillarity, viscosity and surface tension.

During the increase in volume of the sampling and application space E and the suction chamber C, the fluid product from the reservoir was sucked into the space E and the Chamber C through the dip tube 24. The cooperation of the sleeve 8 with the sealing lip 31 constitutes suction means allowing the fluid product of the tank to go up through the dip tube 24. Any fluid product may be packaged in the dispenser of the present invention, but a preferred application is found with viscous products, such as creams, gels, ointments, etc. Indeed, the relative displacement of the sleeve 8 relative to the rod 7 makes it possible to vary the volume of the sampling and application space E and to create a piston effect which makes it possible to draw the fluid product to the interior of the space E. While the volume of the space E is zero on the figure 1 , it increases gradually as can be seen through the Figures 4a to 4d to finally reach a maximum volume. We can still say that the sampling and application space E defines an open end of application formed by the lower end 86 of the sleeve 8 and a closed end formed by the lower end 76 of the rod 7. These two ends move the relative to each other so as to vary the volume of the space E.

In other words, the sampling and application space E has a variable volume between a minimum volume when the suction chamber C has a minimum volume and a maximum volume when the suction chamber C has a maximum volume .

Once the sampling and application member P removed from the ring 2, with its sampling and application space E filled, it is possible to apply the open application end 86 of the sleeve 8 to an application surface. desired, such as the skin of the user. This is represented on the figure 5 . As the skin is pressed, the sleeve 8 moves relative to the rod 7, which has the effect of reducing the volume of the space E. The fluid product (cream, gel) that it contains is thus pushed back on the skin of the user. The application of the fluid product ends when the end 76 of the rod is again aligned with the open application end 86 of the sleeve 8 as shown in FIG. figure 6 . The sampling and application member P can then be replaced again in the ring 2 to arrive at the configuration shown in FIG. figure 1 . A complete operating cycle is then completed.

It can be noted that the increase in volume of the space E occurs before the sleeve 8 slides inside the sealing lip 31. This sequence order is defined by the friction values that exist. a part between the sleeve 8 and the lip 31 and secondly between the sleeve 8 and the rod 7. By reversing these friction values, it would be possible to reverse the sequence order, so that the sleeve 8 would begin to move in the lip 31 before the volume increase of the space E. However, in this case, it would be necessary to provide means to stop the sliding of the sleeve 8 in the lip 31 before separation to allow the increased volume of space E and filling by suction with fluid from the reservoir. One could for example consider making the sleeve 8 with a slightly frustoconical outer shape so that the frictional forces with the lip 31 increase as it withdraws.

It can also be noted that the displacement of the sleeve 8 relative to the rod 7 and to the lip 31 takes place without any elastic bias, for example generated by a return spring. It follows that the dispenser of the invention can be made without metal and provide a soft contact on the skin.

Thanks to the invention, there is obtained a distributor comprising a suction chamber C defining a sampling and application space E of variable volume so as to improve its filling and to promote emptying. This guarantees a complete filling and a complete emptying of the sampling and application space E.

Claims (9)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

   • a fluid reservoir (1) containing fluid;

   • a fluid suction chamber (C) of variable volume comprising an extraction and application space (E) that presents a volume that varies between a minimum volume when the suction chamber (C) presents a minimum volume, and a maximum volume when the suction chamber (C) presents a maximum volume;

   • a dip tube (24) that connects the reservoir (1) to the suction chamber (C) at an orifice (22);

   • suction means (31, 8) for sucking, during a suction stage, fluid from the reservoir (1) into the chamber (C) through the orifice (22);

   • an extractor and applicator member (P) that defines, in part, the suction chamber (C) and the suction means (31, 8), the extractor and applicator member (P) defining the extraction and application space (E);

   wherein the extractor and applicator member (P) comprises a handle (6) for being gripped by the hand of a user, a stationary stem (7) that is secured to the handle (6), and a slidable sleeve (8) that is mounted in slidable manner on the stationary stem (7) so as to form the extraction and application space (E) of variable volume, the sliding of the slidable sleeve (8) over the stationary stem (7) does not involve any resilient driving force, and the slidable sleeve (8) slides over the stationary stem (7) with friction forces, and the volume of the extraction and application space (E) decreases progressively as the fluid is applied to a desired application surface,
   characterized in that the volume of the extraction and application space increases progressively, as the extraction and application space is removed from the reservoir and in that the friction forces of the slidable sleeve (8) over the stationary stem (7) are less than the friction forces of the suction means (31, 8).
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the extraction and application space (E) includes an open applicator end (86) that communicates with the remainder of the suction chamber (C), and a closed end (76), the open and closed ends being movable relative to each other.
3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the slidable sleeve (8) forms the open applicator end (86) of the extraction and application space (E), and the stationary stem (7) forms the closed end (76) of the extraction and application space (E).
4. A dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the slidable sleeve (8) also slides in a stationary lip (31) that is secured to the reservoir (1) so as to define the suction means.
5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the slidable sleeve (8) is in abutment against the stationary stem (7) when the extraction and application space (E) presents a maximum volume.
6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the slidable sleeve (8) is in abutment against the stationary stem (7) and/or the handle (6) when the extraction and application space (E) presents a minimum volume.
7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the slidable sleeve (8) is engaged around the stationary stem (7) before the stationary stem (7) is connected in stationary manner to the handle (6).
8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the suction chamber (C) is open to the outside when the extractor and applicator member (P) is separated from the reservoir (1).
9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the suction chamber (C) comprises a cylinder (21) to which the dip tube (24) is connected, the cylinder (21) being provided with a leaktight sliding lip (31) for co-operating with the extractor and applicator member (P) so as to form the suction means (31, 8).

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