EP3099419A1 - Two-channel dispensing device intended to close a bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a two-channel dispensing device intended to close a bottle. The device is provided with two reservoirs (13, 14), two channels of which the first end, referred to as the inlet end, opens into one of the reservoirs and of which the second end, referred to as the outlet end, opens out of said reservoir. First open/close means are provided in each channel and can pass from a closed position, in which a product contained in the corresponding reservoir cannot exit said reservoir, to an open position, in which a product contained in the corresponding reservoir can exit said reservoir. The two channels are isolated from one another at least between their inlet ends and their respective open/close means. The inlet ends of the two channels are separated and at a distance from one another. In accordance with the invention, the reservoirs are formed by a single flexible pouch that is separated into a first and a second compartment (13, 14) by a central separator (12), the first compartment (13) fulfilling the function of the first reservoir and the second compartment (14) that of the second reservoir. The inlet end of the first channel opens into the first compartment (13) and the inlet end of the second channel opens into the second compartment (14) such that the two compartments are isolated from one another. Thus, a single pouch can form two reservoirs. Thus, all that is necessary is to position a single pouch and fix it, for example by welding, at the inner ends of each channel.

Description

 Description

TWO-WAY DISTRIBUTION DEVICE FOR CLOSING A BOTTLE 5 TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a two-way dispensing device for closing a bottle. i o TECHNIQUES ANTÉRI EURES

Such devices are in particular in the form of two-way valves for aerosol containers or in the form of two-way pumps. They are used to collect and distribute products stored in two different tanks. Both products must come into contact only at the time of use, either because of their incompatibility or because of their responsiveness.

In general, two separate containers are used, each of which must be attached to one of the exit channels. This requires storing tanks and securing them separately.

20

 Such dispensing devices are generally provided in addition to the two tanks, also a first channel whose first end, said first inlet end, opens into the first tank and the second end, said first end outlet, opens out of the first tank, and a second lane whose

The first end, said second inlet end, opens into the second tank and the second end, said second outlet end, opens out of the second tank. First and second sealing means are provided in the first and in the second channel, said sealing means being able to pass from a closed position, in which a product contained in the corresponding reservoir

30 can not exit from said tank, to an open position, in which a product contained in the corresponding tank can exit said tank. The sealing means can return to the closed position. The two channels are isolated from each other at least between their input ends and their respective closure means.

There is a distinction between the concentric two-way and the two-way parallel distribution devices. In the first case, one way surrounds the other at least in the section located between their inlet ends and the closure means. In the second case, the case concerned by the present invention, the input ends of the two channels are separated and at a distance from one another. The object of the invention is to simplify the manufacture of such dispensing devices. Another objective is to obtain reservoirs which optimally occupy the space defined by the receptacle on which the dispensing device is to be fixed.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is achieved because the reservoirs consist of a single flexible pouch separated into a first and a second compartment by a central separation, the first compartment fulfilling the function of the first reservoir and the second compartment that of the first reservoir. second reservoir, the inlet end of the first channel opening into the first compartment and the input end of the second channel opening into the second compartment so that the two compartments are isolated from one another. Thus, a single pocket makes it possible to constitute two reservoirs. It is therefore sufficient to place a single pocket and fix it, for example by welding, at the input ends of each channel.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bag consists of two substantially trapezoidal panels each having two opposite edges that can be parallel at least at the level of the central separation, the first called the upper edge and the second lower edge, and two lateral edges, the central separation extending from the upper edge to the lower edge, the upper, lower and lateral edges of the two panels being connected together so as to form a sealed assembly, a part of the first channel being interposed between the upper edges of the first and second pan on one side of the central partition and a portion of the second channel being interposed between the upper edges of the first and second pan on the other side of the central partition. Each pan has an inner face and an outer face, the inner faces being directed toward each other, the central separation being obtained by fixing one on the other the inner faces of the two faces while the upper edge and the lower edge are obtained at least in part by fixing one on the other the inner faces of the two panels at the central separation, interposing the first and the second channel. A simple way of making such a two-compartment pouch is to use a single band folded in half along the lower edge, the central separation and the connection of the side edges and the upper edge being obtained by fixing the two panels one on the other by their inner faces.

In order to optimize the space occupied in the container by the filled bag, it is preferable to fold the lateral edges of the bag between the two panels in the direction of the central separation so as to form in each tank a bellows with two folds. Each bellows is defined by two folds which each extend from the upper edges to the lower edges of the sides of the pocket. In this embodiment with bellows, it is also preferable that the pocket consists of a single band folded on itself by forming the two bellows. The strip has an inner face and an outer face and is folded such that the inner face faces inwards. The connection between the two panels at the upper edge and the lower edge can then be achieved in part by fixing the two panels on one another by their inner faces (near the central separation in particular) with interposition of part of the tracks, and partly by fixing on itself a pan by its inner face (at the level of the folds). Some or all of the corners of the folds forming the bellows and which are opposed to the central separation may be cut. In this case, the lower edge and / or the upper edge incline towards the opposite edge away from the central separation. The four upper corners and / or the four lower corners can be cut. It may also be sufficient to simply tilt the top edge and / or the bottom edge towards the other edge away from the central partition, without cutting the angle above or below the sloped portion of the edge. In this variant, one moves away more or less from the trapezoidal shape as a function of the inclination of the edges and the upper and lower edges, at least in their inclined parts, are no longer parallel. Whether or not the compartments are gusseted, the parts of the tracks interposed in the upper edge preferably each have a diamond-shaped outer cross-section, the corners of the major axes of the diamonds being pointed and the corners of the small axes being rounded, the angles of the major axes of the two passages being aligned in the same plane. For better fixing of the bag on the dispensing device, especially at the central separation, it is preferable to connect the two parts of the channels interposed in the upper edges by a wall of a sharp angle from the end of the first lane to the adjacent sharp corner of the end of the second lane.

The different fasteners of the panels on one another, in particular the fixing of the lateral edges, the upper and lower edges and the central separation can be obtained in different ways, in particular by gluing or by heat-sealing, in particular by welding.

In order to facilitate the introduction of the bag into a container, it is preferable to wrap the bag around the central partition or fold it accordion on both sides of the central separation, retaining means preferably being provided to hold the pocket in this position.

The dispensing device of the invention can be applied to two-way valves for aerosol containers as well as to two-way pumps.

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of the following figures:

Figure 1 exploded view of the main elements of a two-way valve provided with a pocket with two compartments;

 Figure 2 perspective view of the assembly consisting of a two-way valve and a pocket with two compartments;

 Figure 3 sectional view of the assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 4 top view of the assembly of Figure 2;

Figure 5 perspective view of the assembly of Figure 2 wherein the pocket is rolled around the main longitudinal axis of the valve;

 Figure 6 section through the rolled pocket;

Figure 7 schematic perspective view of the assembly of Figure 2 in which the bag is filled;

 Figure 8 perspective view of the two-way valve;

Figure 9 sectional view through the two-way valve. MODE OF REALIZATION

The invention relates to a two-way dispensing device for closing a container. It is particularly well suited to separate two-way valves for aerosol containers or separate two-way pumps. The example presented here relates to an aerosol valve. It can be easily generalized to other dispensing devices such as two-way pumps.

The dispensing device provided with the double bag is intended to be fixed on a container. In the assembled state, the dispensing device has an inner side directed towards the interior of the container and an outer side, directed towards the outside of the container. The terms "inside" and "outside" refer to this mounted state, even when the dispensing device is considered alone. In addition, the container and the dispensing device usually have a certain symmetry of rotation about a main axis passing through the bottle and the dispensing device. The adjectives "axial" or "radial" refer to this main axis and define an element parallel to the axis or perpendicular to this axis respectively.

By two-way distribution device is meant a device having two separate passages or channels (21, 22) each connecting, when the device is mounted on a container, the inside of said container outside the container. These devices are used to collect two different products stored in two different tanks to prevent them from coming into contact with each other before sampling. Each passage (21, 22) is characterized by a first end (21 1, 221), said inlet end, located on the inside of the sampling device and by a second end (212, 222), called the exit end, located on the outside of the sampling device. Closing means (231, 253, 232, 254, 233) are provided inside the dispensing device for sealing each of the passages so that, when the dispensing device is in the closed position, the parts of the passages located upstream of the closure means (that is to say between the inlet ends (21 1, 221) and the closure means) do not communicate with each other. Downstream of the closure means, the passages can meet in a common passage or on the contrary be separated to the outlet of the valve as is the case in the embodiment shown here. The present invention relates to two-way distribution devices whose passages, on the inner side, are separated and at a distance from one another. They can be extended on the inner side by dip tubes (213, 223). In the example presented here, the valve (2) consists essentially of a valve body (24), a stem (25), a first seal (231) and a second seal (232) , a crenellated annular spacer (26) separating the two seals, a spring (233) and a cup (27). The cup serves to fix the valve on the neck of a not shown housing. The stem (25) is provided with two concentric channels (251, 252) opening at the outer lateral surface of the stem each with one or more orifices (253, 254). The orifices of a channel are all placed in the same radial plane relative to the main axis. The radial plane into which the orifices (253) of the first channel (251) open is distinct from the radial plane in which the orifices (254) of the second channel (252) open. The channels (251, 252) and their orifices (253, 254) each constitute the portion of the passages (21, 22) located downstream of the closure means. These channels do not have to be concentric; they could be separate and at a distance from each other. The valve is crimped on the cup (27). The first seal (231) has the shape of a circular flat seal whose inner diameter corresponds to the outside diameter of the stem at the first ports (253), while the second seal (232) has a generally cylindrical shape whose diameter inside corresponds to the outer diameter of the stem at the second orifices (254). The spring (233) tends to push the stem outwards (upwards in the figures) in the closed position. The stem (25) is retained in the closed position by a shoulder (255) which abuts against the first seal (231). In the closed position of the valve, the first ports (253) are aligned with the first seal (231) and the second ports (254) with the second seal (232). The passages (21, 22) are interrupted at these two seals and the interior of the container is isolated from the outside. When the stem (25) is pressed into the container against the effect of the spring (233), the orifices (253, 254) are closer to the interior of the container and are no longer in contact with the seals. The passages (21, 22) are open and the products can exit. The first seal (231), the ends of the first ports (253) in contact with the first seal and the spring (233) constitute the first closure means, while the second seal (232), the second ends (254) ) in contact with the second seal and the spring (233) constitute the second sealing means. As soon as the pressure exerted on the stem is removed, it returns to its initial position under the effect of the spring. The valve, and therefore with it the sealing means, can be opened and closed at will. Rather than using two separate pockets or two containers, one for each passage, the invention provides for the use of a dual pocket. The double bag (1) is preferably constituted by two substantially trapezoidal panels (101, 102) superimposed. In practice, essentially rectangular panels will be used. Each pan has an inner face and an outer face which may be of the same or different nature. The two sides face each other by their inner faces. In addition, each pan has two opposite edges which may be at least partly parallel, the first called upper edge (15) and the second lower edge (1 1), and two side edges (103, 104). If the sides are rectangular, the two side edges are parallel to each other. The upper, lower, and lateral edges of the two panels are connected together to form a sealed assembly forming the top edge, the bottom edge, and the side edges of the pocket. The central partition (12) is obtained by fastening the two panels (101, 102) on one another by their inner faces. It extends from the upper edge to the lower edge of the pocket. Part of the first path, for example its entry end (21 1), is interposed in the upper edge of the pocket between the upper edges of the first and second pan on one side of the central partition and a portion of the second channel, for example its input end (221), is interposed in the upper edge of the pocket between the upper edges of the first and second pan on the other side of the central partition.

In a first simple embodiment of the invention, the pocket is constituted by a single band folded in two along the lower edge, the central separation and the connection of the side edges and the upper edge being obtained by fixing the two sides. one on the other while the fold constitutes the lower edge of the pocket. The attachment can be obtained for example by heat-sealing or gluing. The pocket is thus separated into two separate compartments (13, 14) by the central separation. Several modes of manufacture are possible. The pouch can be manufactured in a first step and fixed to the valve in a second step, the central separation being performed in one or the other step. It is also conceivable to form the pocket by folding and insert the valve before the realization of the various welds.

For example, the band is folded on itself along the lower edge of the pocket, the inner face is welded on itself on the one hand all along the side edges forming the side edges of the pocket and other part in its central part, since the fold towards the upper edge of the pocket, forming a central weld. The double bag is thus divided into two separate compartments (13, 14) separated from each other by the central weld (12). It is still open on the upper edge. The valve (2) is then introduced into the upper opening with the first inlet end (21 1) in the first compartment (13) and the second inlet end (221) in the second compartment (14). Finally, the inner face of the double bag is welded at its upper edge partly on itself and partly on the outer walls of the inlet ends (21 1, 221) of the two channels. The central weld (12) extends to this upper weld so that the two compartments are sealed and completely separated from each other. Their contents can not come into contact without going through the valve.

After being fixed on the valve, the double bag is preferably wound around the main longitudinal axis of the valve or folded accordion on either side of this main axis. The pocket is held in this position for example using one or more adhesive strips. When filling a bottle equipped with a two-way valve equipped with a double bag of the invention rolled or folded accordion, the two compartments (13, 14) swell, the adhesive tape gives way and the two compartments can be deployed inside the bottle.

During filling, the machine fills the two pockets successively. When the pockets are wound, it happens that the lateral edge of the second pocket is wedged between the first inflated pocket and the wall of the housing. It has been observed in this case a tear of the second compartment or a rupture of the second channel when filling the second tank. Moreover, once filled, the tanks have substantially the shape of cylinders that do not occupy optimally the space of the housing.

To circumvent these two disadvantages, it is provided in a second embodiment of the bag to provide each compartment (13, 14) with a vertical bellows (16, 17). For this, the lateral edges (103, 104) of the bag are folded between the two panels in the direction of the central partition (12) so as to form in each reservoir a bellows (16, 17) with two folds. At the bellows, due to the flap of the side edges between the two sides, the two sides are no longer face; each pan is facing itself. In practice, it may for example take a rectangular strip whose two opposite edges are fixed to each other forming a tubular sleeve having an inner face and an outer face. Part of the sleeve is the first pan and the other part the second pan of the pocket. The two edges of the strip may overlap so that the inner face of one edge is on the outer face of the other edge. It is also possible to superimpose the two edges so that the two inner faces are in contact. It is also possible to place the two side edges side by side and to fix them together by a strip welded on their inner and / or outer faces. The two bellows (16, 17) are obtained by folding the side edges (103, 104) between the two panels (101, 102) towards the center of the pocket. Each bellows (16, 17) thus has two folds and extends from the lower edge to the upper edge of the pocket. In the example presented here, the width of a fold is approximately 1/6 of the width of each pan (101, 102). It is now possible to weld the pocket on itself by its inner face, on the one hand at the lower edge forming a lower weld (1 1) and secondly in its central portion (12), since the lower weld (1 1) towards the upper edge. The two folds forming a bellows are not welded to one another, the lower weld (1 1) separating at each fold. This is clearly visible in Figure 4. Indeed, only the inner face of the tubular wall is fixed on itself. This will be easily achieved by using a laminated strip whose first side can weld on itself while the second side can not. The first face is directed towards the inside of the pocket, while the second is directed towards the outside. The inside of the folds can be welded at the upper and lower edges, while the outer face of the first fold does not weld on the outer face of the second fold. It would be conceivable, although it is not necessary, that the outer face of the folds is also welded. The double bag thus has two compartments (13, 14) separated from each other by the central weld (12) and each provided opposite the central weld (12) of a bellows (16, 17). . The folds forming the bellows are in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis of the valve. As in the first embodiment of the invention, the valve (2) is introduced into the upper opening of the double bag with the first inlet end (21 1) in the first compartment (13) and the second end input (221) in the second compartment (14). The double bag is welded at its upper edge partly on itself and partly on the outer walls of the inlet ends (21 1, 221) of the passages forming an upper weld (15). As at the lower edge, the folds of a bellows are not welded to one another, the upper weld being divided at each fold. This is clearly visible in FIG. 4. The central weld (12) extends to this weld upper (15) so that the two compartments are fully separated from one another and their contents can not come into contact without passing through the valve. The order of realization of the folds and the different welds, including that concerning the central separation, does not matter. In particular, it is conceivable to simultaneously form the folds and the welding of the lateral edges of the strip, and to achieve the central separation, the lower and upper welds than in a subsequent step.

As in the first embodiment, the double bag can be wound around the main axis or be folded accordion on both sides of this axis. It is held in this position by means of one or more retaining strips until the tanks are filled. During filling, the retaining strips yield under the pressure of the product and the compartments inflate. Thanks to the bellows, the width of the double bag before filling is lower. The outer lateral edges of the bellows, that is to say the tops of the folds, therefore rub less time when unwinding against the wall of the container. When filling the compartments, the bellows unfold and each compartment occupies a space close to half a cylinder. This is shown schematically in FIG. 7.

Often the bottoms and / or the tops of the casings have a dome shape. To prevent the lower or upper edges of the folds forming the bellows from rubbing against the bottom or top of the tank, it is possible to cut the lower or upper outer corners of the folds as shown in Figure 3. In this case, the weld corresponding follows the cut edge. It may be sufficient to provide that the weld tilts towards the center of the pocket, approaching the lateral edges, without the surplus material being cut. The angles thus left do not swell during filling and they do not offer sufficient strength to risk tearing the pocket.

To ensure a good attachment of the double bag on the inlet ends (21 1, 221) of the passages, they each preferably have a diamond-shaped outer cross section. The angles (241) of the large axes of the diamonds are pointed and the angles (242) of the small axes are rounded. In addition, the angles (241) of the major axes of the two passages are aligned in the same radial plane. In order to ensure good resistance of the weld between the two inlet ends (21 1, 221), provision can be made to join the latter (21 1, 221) by a radial wall (243) extending from one pointed angle (241) from the first input end (21 1) to the adjacent pointed angle (241) of the second input end (221).

The central weld (12) is not necessarily located in the middle of the tubular wall. It can be off-center to form two compartments of different volume. Similarly, the bellows compartments are not necessarily the same depth. This also makes it possible to form pockets of different volumes.

The attachment of the two panels to one another, in particular at the central separation (12) and the lateral, upper and lower edges (1 1, 15) can be carried out by any appropriate means, in particular by heat sealing, for example by ultrasound, induction, heating jaws, laser, jet of hot air. Depending on the materials used, these fasteners can be obtained by other means such as gluing. The pouch can be made of a single material or of several layers of different materials. By way of example, mention may be made of laminated films composed of polyethylene terephthalate / aluminum / polyamide / polyethylene or polypropylene.

The two-way valve equipped with a pocket of the invention can be used in many fields, in particular in the pharmaceutical or cosmetic industry, for technical products or food processing, household products for maintenance (wax for furniture), deodorants, insecticides, etc.

By fixing one another on the two sides of the pocket at the level of the central partition, it is not necessary to interpose between the two compartments an additional wall in the form of, for example, a third panel. The central separation is in the same plane as the upper and lower edges of the pocket. Similarly, by forming folds by folding a single band, it avoids having to weld folds between two separate sections. A single band makes it possible to form the two faces, the central separation and, if appropriate, the bellows.

List of references:

 1 double pocket

 101 Previous Pan

5 102 Posterior poster

103 ^1st side edge 104 ^2nd side edge

 1 1 Bottom weld

 12 Central welding (central separation)

13 ¹ compartment

14 ^2nd compartment

 15 Superior welding

16 ¹ vertical bellows

17 ^2nd vertical bellows

Two-way valve

January 21 ^st way

21 1 inner end of the channel 1 ^st (1 ^st input end)

212 outer end of the channel 1 ^st (1 outlet end ^AD)

213 Dip tube

22 ^2nd track

221 Inner end of ^2nd track ( ^2nd end of entrance)

222 External end of the ^2nd track ( ^2nd exit end)

223 Dip tube

 23 Means of sealing

231 1 ^st seal

232 ^2nd seal

 233 Spring

 24 Valve body

 241 Angles of the major axes of the lozenges

 242 Angles of the small axes of the lozenges

 243 Radial wall

 25 Stem

251 ^1st channel

252 ^2nd channel

253 Exit ports of the ^1st channel

254 Exit ports of the ^2nd channel

 255 Shoulder

 26 Crenellated ring spacer

 27 cup

Claims

claims 1. Two-way dispensing device (2) for closing a vial, which device is provided with  - two tanks,  a first path (21) whose first end (21 1), called the first inlet end, opens into a first reservoir and whose second end, called the first outlet end, opens out of the first reservoir, and a second path (22) whose first end (221), called the second inlet end, opens into a second reservoir and whose second end, called the second outlet end, opens out of the second reservoir,  first closure means being provided in the first channel and second shutter means being provided in the second channel, said shutter means being able to move from a closed position in which a product contained in the corresponding reservoir can not exit from said reservoir to an open position in which a product contained in the corresponding reservoir can exit said reservoir, the two channels (21, 22) being isolated from each other at least between their ends input (21 1, 221) and their respective closing means, the input ends (21 1, 221) of the two channels being separated and at a distance from one another, characterized in that the reservoirs are constituted by a single flexible bag (1) separated into a first and a second compartment (13, 14) by a central partition (12), the first compartment (13) fulfilling the function of the first reservoir and the second compartment (14) that of the second tank, the inlet end (21 1) of the first channel opening into the first compartment (13) and the input end (221) of the second channel opening into the second compartment (14) so that the two compartments are isolated from each other. 2. Dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (1) consists of two superimposed trapezoidal sections (101, 102) each having two opposite edges, the first called the upper edge and the second lower edge, and two lateral edges, the upper, lower and lateral edges of the two panels being connected together so as to form a sealed assembly forming the upper edge, the lower edge and the side edges of the pocket, the central partition (12) extending from the upper edge to the lower edge of the pocket, part of the first being interposed in the upper edge of the pocket between the upper edges of the first and the second pan on one side of the central partition and a portion of the second path being interposed in the upper edge of the pocket between the upper edges of the first and second the second pan on the other side of the central separation. 3. Dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the pocket is constituted by a single band folded in two along the lower edge, the central separation (12) and the connection of the lateral edges and the upper edge being obtained by fastening the two sides one on the other. 4. A dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the lateral edges of the bag are folded between the two panels in the direction of the central partition (12) so as to form in each reservoir a bellows (16, 17) to two folds. 5. Dispensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the pocket consists of a single band folded on itself forming the two bellows (16, 17). 6. Dispensing device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the connection between the two panels at the upper edge and the lower edge is formed in part by fixing the two panels on one another and partly by fixing on itself a pan at the folds. 7. Dispensing device according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a part or all of the corners opposite the central separation of the folds forming the bellows are cut. 8. Dispensing device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the parts (21 1, 221) of the channels interposed in the upper edges of the two sides each have a diamond-shaped outer cross section, the angles (241) large axes of the rhombs being pointed and the corners (242) of the small axes being rounded, the angles (241) of the major axes of the two passages being aligned in the same plane. 9. Dispensing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the two parts (21 1, 221) of the channels interposed in the upper edges of the panels are connected by a wall (243) extending from a pointed angle (241) of the portion (21 1) of the first channel interposed between the two panels to the adjacent pointed angle (241) of the portion (221) of the second way interposed between the two sides. 10. Dispensing device according to one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that the fixing of the side edges, the upper and lower edges and the central separation are obtained by heat sealing. 1 1. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pocket (1) is wound around the central partition (12) or folded accordion on either side of the central partition, retaining means being preferably provided to maintain the pocket in this position. 12. Dispensing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed in the form of a two-way valve for aerosol containers. 13. Dispensing device according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that it is designed as a two-way pump.