EP3782736A1 - Method for refilling a product in a travel dispenser and travel dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for re-filling a travel dispenser (10) with product which comprises two assemblies (12, 14) mechanically coupled to one another for dispensing product: - a first assembly ( 12) comprising a bottle (10) of product, a passage for venting capable of being opened to put the inside and the outside of the bottle into communication and a pump (22) mounted on the bottle and capable of occupy a high rest position in which the passage is closed and a low position in which the passage is open, - a second assembly (14) comprising a device (16) for dispensing product. The method comprises the following steps: -blocking of the pump (22) in the lower position, -discoupling of the two assemblies (12, 14) from one another to allow the bottle (10) to be refilled with product to through the open vent passage of the first assembly (12) in refill mode.

Description

The present invention relates to a process for re-filling a product in the form of liquid, gel or cream from a travel dispenser of said product.

Travel dispensers are known which are sometimes called "bag cases" because their capacity allows them to be carried in a handbag. These travel dispensers are used in a known manner to dispense, more particularly to vaporize, liquid product, for example perfume.

• une pompe reliée à un tube plongeur qui s'étend à l'intérieur du flacon, la pompe étant apte à occuper, d'une part, une position haute de repos dans laquelle un passage de mise à l'air libre entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur du distributeur est fermé et, d'autre part, une position basse dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert,
• un bloc poussoir qui comprend un dispositif de vaporisation de parfum à l'extérieur du distributeur de voyage et qui, sous l'effet d'un appui externe vertical de la part de l'utilisateur, est apte à actionner la pompe en position basse afin de permettre l'acheminement du parfum du flacon jusqu'au dispositif de vaporisation, le passage de mise à l'air libre s'ouvrant lors de l'actionnement de la pompe.

A known type of such a travel dispenser comprises a bottle containing perfume and, mounted on said bottle in a removable manner, for example by screwing-unscrewing, a non-removable unit assembly which is formed by:

• a pump connected to a dip tube which extends inside the bottle, the pump being able to occupy, on the one hand, a high rest position in which a passage for venting between the interior and the outside of the distributor is closed and, on the other hand, a low position in which the vent passage is open,
• a push unit which comprises a device for vaporizing perfume outside the travel dispenser and which, under the effect of a vertical external support on the part of the user, is able to actuate the pump in the low position in order to to allow the delivery of the perfume from the bottle to the vaporization device, the vent passage opening when the pump is actuated.

When this type of dispenser is empty, in order to be able to be used again, it needs to be refilled with perfume. To do this, it is necessary to dismantle the aforementioned unitary assembly, for example by unscrewing, from the bottle in order to separate the two elements. This bottle must then be filled with a bottle serving as a reservoir, also called a source bottle, and which generally has a large capacity. The source bottle obviously needs to be able to be easily opened in order to allow perfume to be poured inside the bottle to be refilled. Usually, the source vial is a stopper type vial.

During this refilling operation, the perfume is in contact with air when it is poured from the source bottle to the bottle to be refilled and it can therefore oxidize, thus leading to a possible deterioration of the product.

Moreover, during this refilling operation, it is not uncommon to pour perfume next to the bottle to be refilled and on its outer wall, which requires wiping it before it can be used. or put it away. When wiping the vial to refill the user should be careful not to spill the source vial. In addition, the product, quite often very expensive, is wasted during this operation.

In addition, when the refilling operation is completed, the user has two open vials in front of him and he must therefore take precautions when closing the first vial, whatever it may be, so as not to spill the bottle. second bottle.

We also know from the document WO2005 / 101969 a system for refilling a bottle in which the bottle is equipped, on the one hand, at its upper end with a vaporization device mounted on a pump connected to a dip tube which extends inside the bottle and, on the other hand, at its opposite lower end with a specific bottom provided with a valve system mounted on a spring to allow, when the valve system is actuated (compressed spring) by the stem of a source bottle containing perfume, to refill said bottle from its bottom.

However, this solution has the drawback of requiring for its implementation a specific bottle insofar as the conventional bottles do not have a bottom equipped with a valve system. This solution is therefore complicated and expensive to implement and cannot be adapted to conventional bottles.

In view of the above, it would therefore be very useful to be able to refill a bottle of a travel perfume dispenser, or in general a travel dispenser with a product in the form of a liquid, gel or cream, while avoiding at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

• un premier ensemble comportant un flacon contenant du produit, un passage de mise à l'air libre qui est apte à être ouvert pour mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur du flacon et une pompe montée sur le flacon qui est apte à occuper, d'une part, une position haute de repos dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est fermé et, d'autre part, une position basse dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert, les positions haute et basse étant considérées lorsque la pompe est disposée dans la partie supérieure du flacon,
• un deuxième ensemble comportant un dispositif de distribution de produit à l'extérieur du distributeur, caractérisé en ce que le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes :
  • blocage de la pompe en position basse,
  • désaccouplement des deux ensembles l'un de l'autre pour permettre le re-remplissage du flacon en produit à travers le passage de mise à l'air libre ouvert du premier ensemble en mode de re-remplissage.

The present invention thus relates to a process for refilling a product in the form of liquid, gel or cream from a travel dispenser. of said product, the travel dispenser comprising two assemblies which are mechanically coupled to one another for dispensing product in dispensing mode:

• a first assembly comprising a bottle containing the product, a vent passage which is able to be opened to put the inside and the outside of the bottle into communication and a pump mounted on the bottle which is able to occupy , on the one hand, a high rest position in which the vent passage is closed and, on the other hand, a low position in which the vent passage is open, the positions high and low being considered when the pump is placed in the upper part of the bottle,
• a second assembly comprising a device for dispensing product outside the dispenser, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps:
  • blocking of the pump in the low position,
  • disconnection of the two sets from each other to allow the product to be refilled from the bottle through the open vent passage of the first set in refill mode.

The new design of this travel dispenser makes it possible to separate / uncouple the constituent elements of the dispenser in a different way from the prior art into two distinct sets and to block the pump of one of the two sets in a low position with the setting passage. to the open air in order to be ready for a refill operation which will take place through the vent passage (the method referred to above can be seen as a method of positioning a travel dispenser in refill mode). The pump therefore does not need to be separated from the bottle to allow refilling. The bottom of the bottle which is placed at the opposite end of said bottle is not used to refill the bottle as in one of the known techniques presented above. The dispenser bottle therefore does not need to be opened, which avoids product oxidation, the risk of product loss and soiling of the bottle to be refilled, as well as of the surface used for the operation. of re-filling. The number of operations which are necessary to put the dispenser in the refill position is also reduced. The operations targeted by the above process and which are to be performed by a user are particularly easy to perform. Furthermore, the bottle to be refilled can be of the conventional type and, in particular, therefore does not need to have an unconventional bottom. It will be noted that the pump is generally of the type comprising a top valve and a bottom valve (when the pump is placed in the upper part of the bottle, that is to say when the dispenser is in a vertical position in dispensing mode). The lower position of the pump which is mentioned above corresponds to a position of the pump (called the pre-filling or pre-refilling position) in which the vent passage is open and, when the pump is turned over (when the first assembly carrying the pump is turned over), the top and bottom valves of the pump are opened either by gravity or under the increase in pressure in the bottle during the introduction of the refill product. The opening of these valves (by gravity or increase in pressure in the bottle) makes it possible, during the refilling operation, to introduce the refill product, such as liquid, through the charging passage. the free air, while the air present in the bottle is expelled outside the bottle through the open valves of the pump as the volume of product is introduced into the bottle. The valves can adopt any suitable configuration.

• le deuxième ensemble comporte un dispositif d'actionnement qui, en mode de distribution, est apte, sous l'effet d'une action externe, à actionner la pompe en position basse et à ouvrir le passage de mise à l'air libre afin de permettre l'acheminement de produit du flacon jusqu'au dispositif de distribution ;
• le dispositif d'actionnement est un bloc poussoir qui est apte à recevoir un appui externe ;
• le procédé comporte plus particulièrement les étapes suivantes :
  • actionnement du dispositif d'actionnement pour actionner la pompe en position basse,
  • actionnement d'un mécanisme de blocage du distributeur pour bloquer la pompe en position basse,
  • séparation du premier ensemble et du deuxième ensemble;
• le procédé comporte en outre les étapes suivantes:
  • retournement du premier ensemble dont le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert et la pompe est bloquée en position basse,
  • positionnement dudit premier ensemble sur une pompe d'un flacon source contenant du produit de manière à accoupler mécaniquement le passage de mise à l'air libre ouvert du premier ensemble avec ladite pompe du flacon source (par exemple par l'intermédiaire d'une interface de remplissage), actionnement de la pompe du flacon source afin d'acheminer du produit dudit flacon source au flacon à re-remplir par l'intermédiaire du passage de mise à l'air libre ouvert; l'actionnement de la pompe du flacon source peut être effectué en réalisant au moins un appui sur le premier ensemble retourné (un appui pouvant suffire lorsqu'une dose de produit de la pompe du flacon source est suffisante pour remplir le flacon à re-remplir), voire des appuis successifs afin d'actionner successivement la pompe du flacon source lorsque la dose distribuée par celle-ci n'est pas suffisante à elle seule pour re-remplir le flacon à re-remplir ; - la pompe est apte à occuper plusieurs positions basses successives dans chacune desquelles le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert.

According to other possible characteristics:

• the second assembly comprises an actuating device which, in dispensing mode, is able, under the effect of an external action, to actuate the pump in the low position and to open the vent passage in order to allow the product to be conveyed from the vial to the dispensing device;
• the actuating device is a push unit which is able to receive an external pressure;
• the method more particularly comprises the following steps:
  • actuation of the actuator to actuate the pump in the low position,
  • actuation of a distributor blocking mechanism to block the pump in the low position,
  • separation of the first set and the second set;
• the method further comprises the following steps:
  • turning over of the first assembly, the vent passage of which is open and the pump is blocked in the lower position,
  • positioning said first assembly on a pump of a source vial containing product so as to mechanically couple the open vent passage of the first assembly with said pump of the source vial (for example via an interface filling), actuation of the source vial pump in order to convey product from said source vial to the vial to be refilled via the open vent passage; the actuation of the pump of the source bottle can be carried out by making at least one pressure on the first inverted assembly (a pressure that may be sufficient when a dose of product from the pump of the source bottle is sufficient to fill the bottle to be refilled ), or even successive presses in order to successively actuate the pump of the source bottle when the dose dispensed by the latter is not sufficient on its own to refill the bottle to be refilled; - The pump is able to occupy several successive low positions in each of which the vent passage is open.

• un premier ensemble comportant un flacon contenant du produit, un passage de mise à l'air libre qui est apte à être ouvert pour mettre en communication l'intérieur et l'extérieur du flacon et une pompe montée sur le flacon qui est apte à occuper, d'une part, une position haute de repos dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est fermé et, d'autre part, une position basse dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert, les positions haute et basse étant considérées lorsque la pompe est disposée dans la partie supérieure du flacon,
• un deuxième ensemble comportant un dispositif de distribution de produit à l'extérieur du distributeur,

caractérisé en ce que le distributeur de voyage comprend en outre :

• un premier mécanisme de blocage de la pompe qui est apte à être activé sous une action externe d'un utilisateur lorsque la pompe est actionnée en position basse,
• un deuxième mécanisme qui est configuré pour, sous une action externe d'un utilisateur, déplacer les deux ensembles l'un par rapport à l'autre d'une première position dans laquelle les deux ensembles sont liés axialement à une deuxième position dans laquelle les deux ensembles sont aptes à être écartés axialement l'un de l'autre.

The invention also relates to a travel dispenser comprising two assemblies which are mechanically coupled to one another for the dispensing of product in dispensing mode:

• a first assembly comprising a bottle containing the product, a vent passage which is able to be opened to put the inside and the outside of the bottle into communication and a pump mounted on the bottle which is able to occupy , on the one hand, a high rest position in which the vent passage is closed and, on the other hand, a low position in which the vent passage is open, the positions high and low being considered when the pump is placed in the upper part of the bottle,
• a second assembly comprising a device for dispensing product outside the dispenser,

characterized in that the travel dispenser further comprises:

• a first pump locking mechanism which is able to be activated under an external action by a user when the pump is actuated in the low position,
• a second mechanism which is configured to, under an external action of a user, move the two sets relative to each other by a first position in which the two sets are axially linked to a second position in which the two sets are able to be axially separated from one another.

The travel dispenser has the same advantages as the method briefly described above and therefore will not be repeated here. This dispenser simply requires fitting, in the first assembly, in its part located outside the bottle, as well as in the second assembly, mechanisms to block the pump in the low position and to allow the mechanical separation of the two assemblies when the user wishes to refill the bottle which is empty or almost empty. The pump and bottle do not need to be changed. These mechanisms require, for the user, very simple gestures such as one or more rotations and / or one or more translations of an assembly (or of a part of an assembly) with respect to the other.

• chaque mécanisme comprend un ou plusieurs organes de blocage qui sont aptes chacun à coopérer avec au moins un élément de butée correspondant en position de blocage, le ou les organes de blocage et ledit au moins un élément de butée correspondant étant aptes à se déplacer dans un mouvement (ex : rotation) relatif l'un par rapport à l'autre sous une action externe d'un utilisateur (rotation et/ou translation), à la fois pour atteindre la position de blocage et pour atteindre une position de déblocage ; les mécanismes peuvent ainsi être de conception simple et efficace et leur mise en œuvre par un utilisateur est particulièrement simple ;
• le ou les organes de blocage et ledit au moins un élément de butée correspondant sont différents pour les deux mécanismes ;
• le ou les organes de blocage et ledit au moins un élément de butée correspondant comprennent au moins un organe et au moins un chemin de came correspondant par rapport auquel ledit au moins un organe est apte à se déplacer ou inversement ; ce type de mécanisme est particulièrement simple et efficace et, selon la conception, l'un ou l'autre des éléments constitutifs de ce mécanisme être mobile tandis que l'autre est fixe ;
• le premier ensemble comprend, d'une part, une pièce liée axialement et en rotation à la pompe et, d'autre part, au moins une pièce, l'une des deux pièces définissant un chemin de came pour au moins un organe de l'autre pièce, l'une des deux pièces étant liée temporairement au deuxième ensemble pour que, suivant un mouvement de rotation du deuxième ensemble par rapport au premier ensemble sous l'action externe d'un utilisateur, ledit au moins un organe soit déplacé dans une portion du chemin de came correspondant qui est configurée pour empêcher une remontée axiale de la pompe dans une position haute ; -le premier ensemble et le deuxième ensemble sont aptes à tourner l'un par rapport à l'autre et comporte deux pièces dont l'une est configurée pour former au moins un chemin de came fermé à une première extrémité et ouvert axialement à une deuxième extrémité opposée et l'autre pièce est configurée pour porter au moins un organe, ledit au moins un organe et ledit au moins chemin de came étant aptes à se déplacer suivant un mouvement de rotation relatif d'une pièce par rapport à l'autre, ledit au moins un chemin de came étant configuré pour que, sous l'action d'un mouvement de rotation relatif imparti par un utilisateur suivant une plage angulaire prédéterminée, ledit au moins un organe soit disposé en regard de la deuxième extrémité opposée ouverte axialement du chemin de came correspondant, permettant, sous l'action d'une translation axiale exercée par l'utilisateur de sortir ledit au moins un organe dudit chemin de came correspondant et donc d'écarter axialement les deux ensembles l'un de l'autre.

According to other possible characteristics:

• each mechanism comprises one or more blocking members which are each able to cooperate with at least one corresponding stop element in the blocking position, the one or more blocking members and said at least one corresponding stop element being able to move in a movement (eg: rotation) relative to each other under an external action of a user (rotation and / or translation), both to reach the locked position and to reach an unlocked position; the mechanisms can thus be of simple and efficient design and their implementation by a user is particularly simple;
• the blocking member or members and said at least one corresponding stop element are different for the two mechanisms;
• the blocking member (s) and said at least one corresponding stop element comprise at least one member and at least one corresponding cam path with respect to which said at least one member is able to move or vice versa; this type of mechanism is particularly simple and efficient and, depending on the design, one or other of the constituent elements of this mechanism can be mobile while the other is fixed;
• the first assembly comprises, on the one hand, a part connected axially and in rotation to the pump and, on the other hand, at least one part, one of the two parts defining a cam track for at least one member of the other part, one of the two parts being temporarily linked to the second assembly so that, following a rotational movement of the second assembly relative to the first assembly under the external action of a user, said at least one member is moved in a portion of the corresponding cam track which is configured to prevent an axial rise of the pump in a high position; the first assembly and the second assembly are able to rotate relative to each other and comprises two parts, one of which is configured to form at least one cam track closed at a first end and axially open at a second opposite end and the other part is configured to carry at least one member, said at least one member and said at least cam track being able to move in a relative rotational movement of one part with respect to the other, said at least one cam track being configured so that, under the action of a relative rotational movement imparted by a user over a predetermined angular range, said at least one member is disposed facing the second opposite end open axially of the Corresponding cam track, allowing, under the action of an axial translation exerted by the user to remove said at least one member from said corresponding cam track and therefore to axially separate the two sets from the u n on the other.

Brief description of the drawings

• [Fig. 1] La Figure 1 est une coupe longitudinale schématique d'un distributeur de voyage de produit selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• [Fig. 2] La Figure 2 est une vue schématique éclatée des différents composants du distributeur de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 3] La Figure 3 est une vue schématique agrandie partielle du distributeur de la figure 1 ;
• [Fig. 4] La Figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 mais avec la pompe actionnée en position basse et le deuxième ensemble 14 retiré ;
• [Fig. 5A], [Fig. 5B], [Fig. 5C], [Fig. 5D], [Fig. 5E] L'ensemble des figures 5A à 5E illustre une suite d'opérations pour désaccoupler les premier et deuxième ensemble du distributeur des figures 1 et 2 ;
• [Fig. 5F] La Figure 5F illustre le début de l'opération de re-remplissage du flacon avec le deuxième ensemble 12 en position retournée ;
• [Fig. 5G] La Figure 5G illustre la suite de l'opération de re-remplissage du flacon au cours de laquelle la pompe du flacon source est actionnée ;
• [Fig. 6A] La Figure 6A est une vue schématique partielle agrandie de la partie supérieure du distributeur, sans la frette 40 des figures 1 et 2, dans une position du distributeur qui correspond à la position de la figure 5A ;
• [Fig. 6B] La Figure 6B représente le distributeur dans la même position que sur la figure 6A, sans l'insert de frette 48 et avec une portion arrachée montrant en transparence la pièce de transfert 30 derrière la came supérieure 36 ;
• [Fig. 6C] La Figure 6C représente le distributeur dans la même position que sur la figure 6B mais sans la came supérieure 36 afin de faire apparaître la came inférieure 26 et la position de l'organe 30c de la pièce de transfert 30 au-dessus une butée axiale 26a ;
• [Fig. 6D] La Figure 6D est une vue analogue à celle de la Figure 6A, dans une position du distributeur qui correspond à la position de la figure 5B ;
• [Fig. 6E] La Figure 6E représente le distributeur dans la même position que sur la figure 6D mais sans l'insert de frette 48 ni la came supérieure 36 afin de faire apparaître la position de la pièce de transfert 30 par rapport aux butées axiales de la came inférieure 26 ;
• [Fig. 6F] La Figure 6F est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 6D, dans une position du distributeur qui correspond à la position de la figure 5C ;
• [Fig. 6G] La Figure 6G représente le distributeur dans la même position que la sur la figure 6F mais sans l'insert de frette 48 ni la came supérieure 36 afin de faire apparaître la position décalée radialement de l'organe 30c par rapport à la butée 26b de la came inférieure 26 ;
• [Fig. 6H] La Figure 6H est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 6F, dans une position du distributeur qui correspond à la position de la figure 5D ;
• [Fig. 6I] La Figure 6I représente le distributeur dans la même position que sur la figure 6H mais sans l'insert de frette 48 et avec une portion arrachée de la came supérieure 36 pour faire apparaître en transparence la position de l'organe 30c en butée contre la butée axiale 26a de la came inférieure et contre l'élément de butée supérieure 36d de la came supérieure ;
• [Fig. 6J] La Figure 6J est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 6H, dans une position du distributeur qui correspond à la position de la figure 5E;
• [Fig. 6K] La Figure 6K représente le distributeur dans la même position que sur la figure 6J mais avec la frette 40 par-dessus ;
• [Fig. 6L] La Figure 6L représente le distributeur des figures précédentes 6A-K dont on a retiré le deuxième ensemble 14 ;
• [Fig. 7] La Figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 4 mais avec le premier ensemble 12 en position retournée et connecté au flacon source comme représenté sur la figure 5F.

Other characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• [ Fig. 1 ] The Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal section of a product travel dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention;
• [ Fig. 2 ] The Figure 2 is an exploded schematic view of the various components of the distributor of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 3 ] The Figure 3 is a partial enlarged schematic view of the distributor of the figure 1 ;
• [ Fig. 4 ] The Figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 but with the pump actuated in the down position and the second assembly 14 withdrawn;
• [ Fig. 5A], [Fig. 5B ], [ Fig. 5C], [Fig. 5D ], [ Fig. 5E ] All of the figures 5A to 5E illustrates a series of operations for uncoupling the first and second assembly from the distributor of the figures 1 and 2 ;
• [ Fig. 5F ] The Figure 5F illustrates the start of the operation of refilling the bottle with the second assembly 12 in the inverted position;
• [ Fig. 5G ] The Figure 5G illustrates the continuation of the operation of refilling the bottle during which the pump of the source bottle is actuated;
• [ Fig. 6A ] The Figure 6A is an enlarged partial schematic view of the upper part of the distributor, without the hoop 40 of the figures 1 and 2 , in a position of the distributor which corresponds to the position of the figure 5A ;
• [ Fig. 6B ] The Figure 6B represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6A , without the hoop insert 48 and with a cut away portion showing in transparency the transfer part 30 behind the upper cam 36;
• [ Fig. 6C ] The Figure 6C represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6B but without the upper cam 36 in order to reveal the lower cam 26 and the position of the member 30c of the transfer part 30 above an axial stop 26a;
• [ Fig. 6D ] The Figure 6D is a view similar to that of the Figure 6A , in a position of the distributor which corresponds to the position of the figure 5B ;
• [ Fig. 6E ] The Figure 6E represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6D but without the hoop insert 48 or the upper cam 36 in order to show the position of the transfer part 30 relative to the axial stops of the lower cam 26;
• [ Fig. 6F ] The Figure 6F is a view similar to that of the figure 6D , in a position of the distributor which corresponds to the position of the figure 5C ;
• [ Fig. 6G ] The Figure 6G represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6F but without the hoop insert 48 or the upper cam 36 in order to show the radially offset position of the member 30c relative to the stop 26b of the lower cam 26;
• [ Fig. 6h ] The Figure 6H is a view similar to that of the figure 6F , in a position of the distributor which corresponds to the position of the figure 5D ;
• [ Fig. 6I ] The Figure 6I represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6H but without the hoop insert 48 and with a portion cut away from the upper cam 36 to show in transparency the position of the member 30c in abutment against the axial stop 26a of the lower cam and against the upper stop element 36d of the upper cam;
• [ Fig. 6J ] The Figure 6J is a view similar to that of the figure 6H , in a position of the distributor which corresponds to the position of the figure 5E ;
• [ Fig. 6K ] The Figure 6K represents the distributor in the same position as on the figure 6J but with the 40 fret on top;
• [ Fig. 6L ] The Figure 6L shows the distributor of the preceding figures 6A-K from which the second assembly 14 has been removed;
• [ Fig. 7 ] The Figure 7 is a view similar to that of the figure 4 but with the first assembly 12 in the inverted position and connected to the source vial as shown in figure 5F .

Description of embodiment (s)

An embodiment of a travel product dispenser according to the invention as well as an embodiment of a method according to the invention for refilling with product such a travel dispenser are illustrated in the figures. appended to the present description and will be described below. Other embodiments of the travel dispenser and of the refilling method can of course be envisaged within the framework of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the travel dispenser makes it possible to dispense a product in the form of liquid, gel or cream and it comprises, for this purpose, a device for dispensing product outside the dispenser which is suitable for the product to be distributed. In particular, when it comes to dispensing a perfume by vaporizing it outside the dispenser, the dispensing device is a vaporizer.

In general, the travel dispenser has a relatively small footprint since, as its name suggests, it is intended to be moved with a user and in particular to be transported, for example inside a travel bag, of a suitcase or purse. The distributor of travel must therefore not be too bulky or too heavy to be easily transportable. Being not very bulky, its product capacity is therefore limited and it is therefore intended to be refilled numerous times over time. For this, it is therefore particularly useful to be able to refill the dispenser in a simple and reliable manner, without however altering the product during the refilling operations.

Generally, the travel dispenser comprises two assemblies which are mechanically coupled to one another when the dispenser is able to operate in product dispensing mode. The dispenser is in this mode, for example when it is carried by the user and also when it is about to be used, in use by the latter or before being transformed to be placed in another mode called refill mode. The travel dispenser is in this other mode of use when the user wishes to put product back inside the dispenser (refill). To be positioned in this second mode, the two sets must be mechanically uncoupled / separated from each other.

More particularly, the distributor 10 of the figure 1 comprises a first assembly 12, here called lower assembly (when the dispenser is in a vertical position and placed on a flat surface), which is mechanically coupled with a second assembly 14, called upper, forming a cover and which, in general, comprises the product dispensing device 16 already mentioned above and an actuating device (for example a push block) of the dispenser. The components of the distributor are shown very schematically on the figure 1 and additional details will be visible in the other figures and in particular on the exploded view of the figure 2 . The realization details that appear on the figures 3 and following do not necessarily correspond to the details appearing on the figure 1 . However, this in no way modifies the explanations and the principle of the invention.

• un flacon 20 qui contient du produit destiné à être distribué à l'extérieur du distributeur,
• un passage de mise à l'air libre (non représenté sur la figure 1) qui est apte à être ouvert pour mettre en communication l'intérieur avec l'extérieur du flacon et ainsi compenser la dépression causée par la distribution d'un volume de produit à l'extérieur du flacon,
• une pompe 22 qui est montée sur le flacon 20 (de manière indissociable ou non) et qui est apte à occuper, d'une part, une position haute dite de repos dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est fermé (dans une telle position de la pompe aucune utilisation du distributeur n'est possible) et, d'autre part, une position basse dans laquelle le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert (on notera que la pompe peut occuper plusieurs positions basses successives, obtenues chacune par mise en œuvre du dispositif d'actionnement mentionné ci-dessus, et dans chacune desquelles le passage de mise à l'air libre est ouvert).

The first set 12 includes:

• a bottle 20 which contains product intended to be distributed outside the dispenser,
• a vent passage (not shown on the figure 1 ) which is adapted to be opened to put the interior in communication with the exterior of the bottle and thus compensate for the depression caused by the distribution of a volume of product outside the bottle,
• a pump 22 which is mounted on the bottle 20 (inseparably or not) and which is able to occupy, on the one hand, a so-called high position of rest in which the venting passage is closed (in such a position of the pump, no use of the distributor is possible) and, on the other hand, a low position in which the vent passage is open (it will be noted that the pump can occupy several successive low positions , each obtained by implementing the actuating device mentioned above, and in each of which the vent passage is open).

The pump 22 is arranged in the upper part of the bottle 20 (the pump is engaged in the opening of the bottle 20, opening opposite the bottom, and is partly in the bottle and outside it) when the dispenser is in a vertical or substantially vertical position, ready to be used in dispensing mode, as is the case on the figure 1 . The vent passage is generally circumscribed inside the first assembly 12, and takes the form of an internal passage arranged between the pump and the bottle. As the pump is axially movable (vertical on the figure 1 ), the configuration of the internal passage changes as a function of the axial position of the pump inside the bottle. This is how this internal passage is closed when the pump is in the high position, thus preventing outside air from entering the interior of the bottle. On the contrary, when the pump is in a low position, the outside air can penetrate inside the bottle through the internal passage open between the pump and the inside of said bottle. This passage is particularly visible on the figures 3 and 4 .

It will be noted that the pump and the bottle are standard / conventional components on the market. This means that the dispenser 10 can be made without having to question the design of the pump and the bottle, which is very advantageous over existing solutions which may require having a specific bottle and / or pump.

The pump 22 is connected in the lower part to a dip tube 23 which extends in the direction of the bottom of the bottle and communicates with the lower part of the bottle in order to withdraw product therefrom. The pump is for example of a known type and, for this purpose, comprises a pumping system with two internal valves, namely a high valve and a low valve. In distribution mode, when the pump is pressed and in particular at the end of the pump stroke (lowest position), the top valve is open while the bottom valve is closed in this pump configuration. When the support is released, the top valve closes and the bottom valve opens. In refill mode, when the pump is in the inverted position, the two valves will be opened either by gravity or as a result of the pressure rise in the bottle during the introduction of the refill product. The low position of the pump that is sought to be obtained by actuating said pump in order to be able to then proceed to refilling the bottle is a low or depressed position of the pump for which the vent passage is open and for which, in the inverted position of the pump, the two top and bottom valves are open or able to open with the pressure inside the bottle. The valves do not necessarily have the configuration illustrated in the figures. This low position can be qualified as a low pre-refill position. In the remainder of the description, when it comes to the low position of the pump, it should be understood that this is the low pre-refilling position unless it is agreed otherwise.

The first assembly 12 also comprises in this embodiment a refill interface 24 which is mounted above the pump 22 and the bottle ( fig. 1 ), and more particularly between the actuating device of the second assembly 14 and the pump. The refill interface 24 integrates an internal path to allow, in refill mode, the routing of the refill product from an external zone or part of the interface where the product is located to the entry of the vent passage described above between the pump and the bottle. As will be seen later, this internal path is plugged / closed by a closure member when the dispenser is in dispensing mode and it is only open under the pressure of the refill fluid when the dispenser is in dispensing mode. of re-filling.

In travel dispenser delivery mode ( figs. 1 and 2 ), the second upper assembly 14 is configured to be able, under the effect of an external action (action which is generally exerted by the finger of a user exerting a downward vertical pressure F1 on the actuator), to actuate the pump 22 of the first assembly 12 in the low position (depending on the exerted by the user, the axial / vertical position of the pump can be more or less low) and open the passage for venting this assembly in order to allow the product to be conveyed from the bottle to the distribution 16.

We will now describe with reference to figures 1 to 3 components involved in the constitution of an embodiment of a dispenser according to the invention.

• une came inférieure 26 destinée à être positionnée et fixée autour du col du flacon 20, entourant ainsi la pompe 22 ; la came inférieure 26 comporte une ou plusieurs butées (par exemple en forme de créneaux) qui sont ici au nombre de deux, 26a-b, diamétralement opposées et agencées sur une circonférence d'un bord supérieur d'une paroi sensiblement cylindrique 26c de la came 26 (une seule butée peut suffire); la came inférieure comporte également, en dessous de la paroi sensiblement cylindrique 26c, une base élargie radialement 26d qui comporte un rebord externe annulaire 26e;
• un joint plat 28 de diamètre inférieur à celui de la came 26 et qui est percé dans sa partie centrale de manière à pouvoir être positionné autour de la portion supérieure 22a de la pompe 22 débouchant du flacon;
• une pièce de transfert 30 comportant une partie inférieure 30a ouverte axialement vers le bas pour recevoir le joint 28 et qui comporte des dimensions inférieures à celles de la came inférieure 26 de manière à pouvoir s'engager au moins en partie dans le volume interne défini par cette came et à prendre appui sur celle-ci (figs. 2 et 3) ; la pièce de transfert 30 comporte également une partie supérieure 30b qui s'étend axialement au-dessus de la came inférieure lorsque la pièce 30 est engagée partiellement dans ladite came inférieure, et qui définit un logement axial interne ouvert vers le haut pour recevoir tout ou partie d'éléments de l'assemblage disposés au-dessus dans la représentation de la figure 2; la pièce de transfert 30 présente également une fente f ouverte axialement dans cette partie supérieure 30b, ce qui permet à la pièce de transfert, en coopération avec un élément saillant du deuxième ensemble 14 engagé dans cette fente, d'être lié temporairement en rotation avec le deuxième ensemble 14; la pièce de transfert 30 est percée dans sa partie centrale pour être traversée par le dessous par la portion débouchante 22a de la pompe et permettre ainsi l'acheminement du liquide extrait du flacon jusqu'au dispositif de distribution 16; la pièce de transfert 30 comporte en outre deux organes de blocage/éléments saillants tels que des ergots 30c-d disposés de manière diamétralement opposée sur sa surface externe et qui s'étendent radialement en éloignement de celle-ci (un seul ergot 30c est représenté sur la figure 2) de manière à être positionnés à l'aplomb du bord supérieur 26f de la paroi 26c de la came inférieure (figs.1 et 3); la présence de deux ergots diamétralement opposés permet de répartir les efforts exercés sur la structure du distributeur ;
• un joint de transfert 32 qui assure une fonction d'étanchéité et de séparation des chemins de fluide comme on le verra par la suite et dont une partie joue le rôle de l'organe d'obturation de l'interface de re-remplissage 24 ; le joint est disposé au fond du logement axial interne de la pièce de transfert 30, au-dessus de la portion débouchante 22a, et est percé d'au moins un orifice traversant pour l'acheminement de liquide jusqu'au dispositif de distribution (figs. 1 et 3) ;
• une pièce formant connecteur 34 qui vient se positionner dans le logement axial interne de la pièce de transfert 30, au-dessus du joint de transfert 32 et en contact avec ce dernier ; la pièce 34 comporte une base 34a sensiblement cylindrique creuse, ouverte axialement vers le haut et qui possède un fond 34b (fig.3) fermant ladite base dans sa partie inférieure, le fond étant percé à plusieurs endroits dans son épaisseur, en correspondance avec le ou les orifices traversants du joint de transfert 32 disposé en dessous, pour le passage du produit en mode de distribution et aussi en mode de re-remplissage ; la pièce 34 comporte également une cheminée centrale 34c qui s'étend axialement à partir du fond 34b vers le haut, et qui est creuse de manière à intégrer un canal 34d (fig. 3) formant une portion du chemin interne de l'interface 24 pour l'acheminement du produit de re-remplissage ; comme représenté sur la figure 3, la cheminée 34c peut être surmontée d'une pièce 34e qui s'insère partiellement à l'intérieur de la cheminée et présente une forme évasée (en forme d'entonnoir) dans sa partie externe ; cette pièce, optionnelle, est plus particulièrement utilisée comme pièce de connexion lors de l'opération de re-remplissage ;
• une came supérieure 36 qui entoure la pièce de transfert 30 dans sa partie supérieure lorsque les éléments sont assemblés les uns avec les autres et qui vient, par sa partie inférieure, prendre appui sur le rebord externe 26e de la came inférieure 26 et en contact avec la paroi 26c qu'elle entoure ; la came supérieure 36 a une forme générale sensiblement cylindrique délimitée par une paroi externe 36a, pourvue sur sa surface externe, par exemple, de deux organes de blocage/éléments saillants tels que des ergots diamétralement opposés 36b-c s'étendant radialement en éloignement de la surface (un seul ergot 36b est représenté sur la figure 2 ; selon une variante un seul ergot peut suffire et est par exemple disposé sensiblement à l'aplomb de la buse 46 du deuxième ensemble 14 afin de faciliter le repérage pour l'utilisateur) ;la came supérieure 36 est globalement creuse, ouverte axialement à ses deux extrémités opposées et est disposée dans l'assemblage des figures 1 et 3 de manière à entourer et être au contact de la pièce de transfert 30.

The refill interface 24 of the first assembly 12 may more particularly comprise the following elements engaged / assembled into one another in the manner of an axial stack (along the longitudinal axis of the bottle which, on the figures 1 and 2 , corresponds to the vertical axis Z), starting from the element of the stack located lowest on the figure 2 :

• a lower cam 26 intended to be positioned and fixed around the neck of the bottle 20, thus surrounding the pump 22; the lower cam 26 comprises one or more stops (for example in the form of crenellations) which are here two in number, 26a-b, diametrically opposed and arranged on a circumference of an upper edge of a substantially cylindrical wall 26c of the cam 26 (a single stop may suffice); the lower cam also comprises, below the substantially cylindrical wall 26c, a radially widened base 26d which comprises an annular outer rim 26e;
• a flat seal 28 of diameter smaller than that of the cam 26 and which is drilled in its central part so as to be able to be positioned around the upper portion 22a of the pump 22 emerging from the bottle;
• a transfer part 30 comprising a lower part 30a open axially downwards to receive the seal 28 and which has dimensions smaller than those of the lower cam 26 so as to be able to engage at least partly in the internal volume defined by this cam and to rest on it ( figs. 2 and 3 ); the transfer part 30 also comprises an upper part 30b which extends axially above the lower cam when the part 30 is partially engaged in said lower cam, and which defines an internal axial housing open upwards to receive all or part of the assembly elements arranged above in the representation of the figure 2 ; the transfer part 30 also has a slot f open axially in this upper part 30b, which allows the transfer part, in cooperation with a projecting element of the second assembly 14 engaged in this slot, to be linked temporarily in rotation with the second assembly 14; the transfer part 30 is pierced in its central part to be traversed from below by the emerging portion 22a of the pump and thus allow the conveyance of the liquid extracted from the bottle to the distribution device 16; the transfer part 30 further comprises two locking members / projecting elements such as lugs 30c-d arranged diametrically opposed on its outer surface and which extend radially away from it (a single lug 30c is shown on the figure 2 ) so as to be positioned directly above the upper edge 26f of the wall 26c of the lower cam ( figs. 1 and 3 ); the presence of two diametrically opposed lugs makes it possible to distribute the forces exerted on the structure of the distributor;
• a transfer seal 32 which performs a sealing function and separating the fluid paths as will be seen below and part of which acts as the closure member of the refill interface 24; the seal is disposed at the bottom of the internal axial housing of the transfer part 30, above the opening portion 22a, and is pierced with at least one through orifice for the delivery of liquid to the distribution device ( figs. 1 and 3 );
• a part forming a connector 34 which is positioned in the internal axial housing of the transfer part 30, above the transfer joint 32 and in contact with the latter; the part 34 comprises a substantially hollow cylindrical base 34a, open axially upwards and which has a bottom 34b ( fig.3 ) closing said base in its lower part, the bottom being drilled in several places in its thickness, in correspondence with the through-hole (s) of the transfer seal 32 disposed below, for the passage of the product in distribution mode and also in mode of re-filling; the part 34 also comprises a central chimney 34c which extends axially from the bottom 34b upwards, and which is hollow so as to integrate a channel 34d ( fig. 3 ) forming a portion of the internal path of the interface 24 for conveying the refill product; as shown on the figure 3 , the fireplace 34c can be surmounted by a part 34e which fits partially inside the fireplace and has a flared shape (funnel-shaped) in its external part; this optional part is more particularly used as part connection during the refilling operation;
• an upper cam 36 which surrounds the transfer part 30 in its upper part when the elements are assembled with each other and which comes, through its lower part, to bear on the outer edge 26e of the lower cam 26 and in contact with the wall 26c which it surrounds; the upper cam 36 has a generally substantially cylindrical shape delimited by an outer wall 36a, provided on its outer surface, for example, with two locking members / projecting elements such as diametrically opposed lugs 36b-c extending radially away from the surface (a single lug 36b is shown on the figure 2 ; according to a variant, a single lug may suffice and is for example disposed substantially in line with the nozzle 46 of the second assembly 14 in order to facilitate identification for the user); the upper cam 36 is generally hollow, open axially at its two opposite ends and is disposed in the assembly of figures 1 and 3 so as to surround and be in contact with the transfer part 30.

• un capot ou frette 40 formant un habillage externe d'extension axiale pour le deuxième ensemble, qui est ouvert dans sa partie supérieure et sur un de ses côtés (suivant un pan incliné) et qui est percé radialement d'une ouverture traversante dans l'habillage pour la distribution de produit à l'extérieur du distributeur ;
• une pièce 42 formant un surpoussoir, par exemple en forme de coiffe, qui est destinée à être logée dans la partie supérieure de la frette et qui est également percée d'une ouverture traversante dans sa paroi périphérique, en correspondance avec l'ouverture traversante de la frette 40 lorsque le surpoussoir est inséré à l'intérieur de celle-ci ;
• une pièce 44 formant poussoir qui forme une partie du dispositif de distribution de produit 16 déjà mentionné ci-dessus et qui intègre un canal interne 45 (fig. 1) d'acheminement du liquide jusqu'à la buse 46 montée de manière rapportée (par exemple par emboîtement) sur la surface externe du poussoir 44 ; le poussoir 44 comporte dans sa partie supérieure une excroissance axiale 47 (fig.3) dirigée le bas de manière à s'insérer dans la partie externe évasée 34e de la pièce 34 et à obturer le chemin interne 34d lorsque le deuxième ensemble 14 est toujours accouplé/assemblé avec le premier ensemble 12 du distributeur ; le poussoir 44 comprend un élément saillant agencé en dessous de la buse 46 et qui prend par exemple la forme d'une nervure ou d'une clavette, cet élément saillant étant engagé dans la fente axiale ouverte f de la pièce de transfert 30 décrite ci-dessus afin d'entraîner cette dernière en rotation ; le surpoussoir 42 coiffe le poussoir 44 lors de l'assemblage/emboîtement des éléments les uns dans les autres comme représenté sur les figures 1 et 3 ;
• une pièce 48 appelée insert de frette englobe partiellement les poussoir 44 et surpoussoir 42 emboîtés l'un dans l'autre et vient s'insérer à l'intérieur de la frette 40 ; l'insert de frette 48 a une forme générale globalement cylindrique ouverte dans sa partie supérieure et sur le côté suivant un pan incliné correspondant à celui de la frette 40 ; l'insert de frette 48 est monté dans l'assemblage de manière à s'étendre à partir de la came inférieure 26 en remontant vers le haut pour entourer la came supérieure 36 (fig.1) ; l'insert de frette possède une paroi sensiblement cylindrique 48a dans laquelle sont pratiquées deux rainures traversantes 48b et 48c formant chacune un chemin de came pour l'un des organes de blocage/ergots 36b et 36c de la came supérieure 36 (ces chemins de came forment des éléments de butée correspondants pour les organes de blocage de la came supérieure 36 suivant la disposition relative des chemins de came par rapport aux organes de blocage) ; chaque rainure s'étend, suivant une vue en section transversale, sur un secteur angulaire inférieur à celui de la demi-circonférence du cylindre et coopère avec l'ergot correspondant.

The second assembly 14 may comprise, more particularly, the following elements engaged / assembled into one another in the manner of an axial stack, starting from the element of the stack located uppermost on the figure 2 :

• a cover or hoop 40 forming an external covering of axial extension for the second assembly, which is open in its upper part and on one of its sides (along an inclined face) and which is drilled radially with a through opening in the dressing for dispensing product outside the dispenser;
• a part 42 forming a pushbutton, for example in the form of a cap, which is intended to be housed in the upper part of the hoop and which is also pierced with a through opening in its peripheral wall, in correspondence with the through opening of the hoop 40 when the pushbutton is inserted inside the latter;
• a part 44 forming a pusher which forms part of the product dispensing device 16 already mentioned above and which incorporates an internal channel 45 ( fig. 1 ) conveying the liquid to the nozzle 46 mounted in an attached manner (for example by interlocking) on the external surface of the pusher 44; the pusher 44 has in its upper part an axial protuberance 47 ( fig.3 ) directed downwards so as to fit into the flared external part 34e of the part 34 and to close the internal path 34d when the second assembly 14 is still coupled / assembled with the first assembly 12 of the distributor; the pusher 44 comprises a projecting element arranged below the nozzle 46 and which for example takes the form of a rib or a key, this projecting element being engaged in the open axial slot f of the transfer part 30 described below above in order to drive the latter in rotation; the push-button 42 covers the push-button 44 during the assembly / nesting of the elements one inside the other as shown in the figures 1 and 3 ;
• a part 48 called the hoop insert partially encompasses the pusher 44 and push-button 42 nested one inside the other and comes to be inserted inside the hoop 40; the hoop insert 48 has a generally generally cylindrical shape open in its upper part and on the side following an inclined face corresponding to that of the hoop 40; the hoop insert 48 is mounted in the assembly so as to extend from the lower cam 26 upwardly to surround the upper cam 36 ( fig.1 ); the hoop insert has a substantially cylindrical wall 48a in which are formed two through grooves 48b and 48c each forming a cam track for one of the locking members / lugs 36b and 36c of the upper cam 36 (these cam tracks form corresponding stop elements for the locking members of the upper cam 36 depending on the relative arrangement of the cam tracks with respect to the locking members); each groove extends, in a view in cross section, over an angular sector smaller than that of the half-circumference of the cylinder and cooperates with the corresponding lug.

The aforementioned elements 42 and 44 together form a push unit which constitutes an actuating device 18 of the dispenser 10 and includes the dispensing device.

As shown on figures 1 to 3 , the dispenser 10 comprises a lower outer casing or barrel 50 in which the bottle 20 is housed and which forms, together with the upper outer casing 40 of the second assembly 14, the outer casing of the travel distributor 10. It will be noted that the drum 50 can be part of the first assembly 12 described above.

The dispenser may include an element of absorbent material 52, such as an absorbent felt, of generally annular shape which is arranged around the lower part 26b of the lower cam enclosing the neck 21 of the bottle. Thus, the element 52 is placed between said lower part 26b and the internal face of the barrel 50 when the dispenser is assembled as shown in the figures. figures 1 and 3 . Various implementation details may appear in the figures and will not be described because they are not necessary for the understanding of the invention.

In addition, a protective capsule 54 ( fig. 3 ), known per se, is mounted, for example by crimping, around the neck 21 of the bottle and the projecting portion 22a of the pump emerging from the neck so as to define an opening O through which this portion of the pump passes to exit the bottle . This opening O is in a way an opening of the bottle since it allows access to the interior of said bottle when the cap is in place. An annular part 55 is placed against the internal face of the capsule and externally borders the opening O of said capsule. This part 55 serves as a support for a part (for example a shoulder 22b) of the pump when the latter is in the high position and makes it possible, in cooperation with said pump, to close the vent passage which originates behind the opening O of the capsule, inside the latter.

We will now describe with reference to figures 3 and following an embodiment of a process for refilling the dispenser 10 with product.

More particularly, a method of positioning the dispenser in refilling mode is illustrated by the main successive steps / operations of the figures 5A to 5E which lead to the disconnection of the two assemblies 12 and 14 of the distributor. The figures 5F and 5G illustrate, for their part, the following steps / operations of refilling the dispenser bottle.

The Figure 5A illustrates an optional position of the dispenser in which the dispenser is in the blocked / locked position: no actuation of the pump is possible. This position is made possible by the presence of a mechanism for locking the actuation of the pump which will now be described with reference to figures 6A-C which are partial enlarged views of the top of the dispenser.

• sur la figure 6A, la frette 40 des figures 1 à 3 et 5A été retirée par souci de clarté des explications;
• sur la figure 6B, l'insert de frette 48 a également été retiré et un trou fictif a été matérialisé dans la came supérieure 36 afin de représenter en transparence la position de l'ergot 30c de la pièce de transfert 30 (entourée par la came supérieure 36) au-dessus de la butée axiale 26a de la came inférieure 26 ;
• sur la figure 6C la came supérieure 36 a été retirée afin de montrer clairement le positionnement de la pièce de transfert 30 au-dessus de la came inférieure 26.

In order to better understand this blocking mechanism:

• on the figure 6A , the 40 fret of figures 1 to 3 and 5A been withdrawn for the sake of clarity;
• on the figure 6B , the hoop insert 48 has also been removed and a fictitious hole has been materialized in the upper cam 36 in order to transparently represent the position of the lug 30c of the transfer part 30 (surrounded by the upper cam 36) at the -above the axial stop 26a of the lower cam 26;
• on the figure 6C the upper cam 36 has been removed in order to clearly show the positioning of the transfer piece 30 above the lower cam 26.

• l'ergot 36b est en butée contre le fond 48b1 de la rainure traversante formant le chemin de came 48b (fig 6A) et il en est de même avec l'ergot 36c (non visible ici) dans le chemin de came 48c, empêchant ainsi à la came supérieure 36 de subir une rotation dans le sens anti horaire) ; les ergots étant en butée sur le bord inférieur du chemin de came correspondant, ils empêchent également la descente verticale de la came supérieure (butée axiale); cet agencement permet de lier mécaniquement l'insert de frette 48 du deuxième ensemble à la came supérieure 36 du premier ensemble et d'assurer un blocage en rotation de l'un par rapport à l'autre dans un sens de rotation ainsi qu'un blocage axial de l'un par rapport à l'autre; on notera que la rotation en sens inverse (sens horaire) est, quant à elle, possible comme on le verra par la suite ;
• l'ergot 30c vient, en cas d'appui vertical sur le poussoir, en butée axiale contre la butée 26a (figures 6B-C) et il en est de même pour l'ergot 30d symétrique avec la butée 26b.

As shown in these figures, the pins 36b and 30c are both brought into abutment in the position of the figure 5A :

• the lug 36b is in abutment against the bottom 48b1 of the through groove forming the cam track 48b ( fig 6A ) and it is the same with the lug 36c (not visible here) in the cam track 48c, thus preventing the upper cam 36 from undergoing a rotation in the anti-clockwise direction); the lugs being in abutment on the lower edge of the corresponding cam track, they also prevent the vertical descent of the upper cam (axial stop); this arrangement makes it possible to mechanically link the hoop insert 48 of the second assembly to the upper cam 36 of the first assembly and to ensure a locking in rotation of one relative to the other in a direction of rotation as well as a axial locking of one relative to the other; it will be noted that rotation in the opposite direction (clockwise) is, for its part, possible as will be seen below;
• the lug 30c comes, in the event of vertical support on the pusher, in axial abutment against the stop 26a ( figures 6B-C ) and the same is true for the symmetrical lug 30d with the stop 26b.

As the lug 30c is linked to a part 30 which is integral with or itself linked to the actuating device of the distributor, the pump cannot therefore be actuated in vertical translation. The lug 30c and its stop therefore form the pump actuation locking mechanism. Other mechanisms for locking in rotation and for axial locking between parts linked to the two assemblies can alternatively be used.

More particularly, as illustrated on figure 6A , the cam track 48b (the following description also applies to the cam track 48c which cooperates with the lug 36c) extends first from the bottom 48b1 which forms a closed end of the groove, over a first portion P1 of length or circumference of the cam track which corresponds to a first angular sector. This first portion P1 extends horizontally, therefore at the same axial position or altitude (position which is defined along the vertical axis of the assembly / stacking of the various elements on the figures 1 and 6A ). When the lug 36b moves on this portion of the cam track (while being guided by the latter) it maintains the same axial position or altitude relative to the axis of the distributor. The cam track 48b then extends over a second portion P2 inclined along its length (visible on the figure 6H ) which corresponds to a second angular sector while orienting itself progressively downwards so as to lower / decrease the axial position or altitude of the groove until it reaches, at the opposite end of the groove, a portion of vertical groove P3 which makes it possible to axially disengage the lug 36b (and the lug 36c in the vertical groove portion of the corresponding cam track 48c) and thus to axially release the hoop insert 48 which is then ready to be withdrawn (withdrawal of the second set 14).

The position of the Figure 5B corresponds to an unlocked or axially unlocked position of the distributor which is obtained as illustrated in figures 6D and 6E respectively analogous to figures 6A and 6C .

More particularly, the second assembly 14 (in particular the hoop insert 48) is rotated in the counterclockwise direction indicated by the arrow on the figure 6D , which allows the lug 36b to slide inside its cam track 48b (it is the cam track which moves here), on its portion P1, and thus to modify the radial position of the lug 30c relative to the radial position of the lower axial stop 26a so as to be radially offset from the latter as illustrated in figure 6E . By way of example, the rotation is carried out along an angular sector of approximately 30 °. In this position, the lug 36b is no longer in abutment at the bottom of the housing 48b1 ( fig. 6D ) but still remains blocked / guided in translation inside its cam track and the lug 30c is no longer positioned above the axial stop 26a of the lower cam 26 but is released from it ( fig. 6E ). The same is true for the lug 36c in its cam track 48c and for the lug 30d relative to the axial stop 26b). Therefore, the The pump blocking / locking mechanism is deactivated (release of the pump stroke) and the pump can therefore be actuated by an external (axial) vertical support on a stroke corresponding to the height of the axial stops 26a-b.

The position of the Figure 5C corresponds to a position of the dispenser in which the pump has been actuated in the low position by a vertical support of the finger of a user on the actuating device of the dispenser. This position is obtained as shown on the figures 6F and 6G respectively analogous to figures 6D and 6E . In these figures, the pump has been depressed in the low refill position but is not yet blocked in this low position.

Pressing the push-button block, as illustrated by the arrow F1 on the figure 6F , causes the axial translation of the lug 30c (as shown in the figure 3 , the pusher rests on the transfer part 30) along the slot 26b of the lower cam 26 ( figs. 6E and 6G ; the same is true for the diametrically opposed lug 30d, not visible here, along the notch 26a) and therefore the axial actuation of the pump in the low position, while the lug 36b of the figure 6F (respectively 36c) remains maintained in the horizontal portion P1 of the cam track 48b (respectively 48c) insofar as there has been no rotational movement of the second assembly 14 of the distributor.

As shown on figure 3 , the upper cam 36 surrounds the transfer part 30 and comprises on its internal surface two internal cam tracks 36d and 36e, diametrically opposed, arranged respectively above the lugs 30c and 30d so as to guide the latter during a movement of relative rotation between the two parts 36 and 30. Each internal cam track 36d, 36e, is inclined in the general shape of a propeller portion so that the axial position of the sliding lug along this cam track gradually descends along the axis of the distributor. It will be noted that the internal symmetrical cam tracks 36d, 36e serve to block the pump in the low refilling position by preventing said pump from rising ( figs 6I and 6J ) and are also used to accompany a smooth ascent of the pump (the shape of the propeller or portion of the propeller of the cam tracks ensures this gentle rise) under the pressure of the pump spring during the unlocking / unlocking operation, in order to return to distribution mode.

During this vertical movement of the pusher block and of the pump, product is distributed through the distribution device described above. This movement of placing the pump in the low position with a view to refilling is a usual movement for the user, which therefore does not change his habits. As shown on figure 6G , the lug 30c rests in abutment on the upper edge 26f of the axial wall 26c of the lower cam and it is the same for the lug 30d not visible here.

The position of the Figure 5D corresponds to a position of the dispenser in which the pump which is in the lower position will be blocked / locked and the second assembly 14 will be separated from the first assembly 12 of the dispenser. This position is obtained as shown on the figures 6H to 6J .

More particularly, the aforementioned position is obtained by rotating the second assembly 14 (in particular the hoop insert 48) in the anti-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow on the figure 6H in order to slide the lug 36b in the portion P2 of its cam track 48b (it is the cam track which moves here) until it reaches the vertical portion P3 facing the open end of the cam track (the same applies to the lug 36c which moves simultaneously in its corresponding cam track 48c). By way of example, the rotation is carried out according to an angular sector of approximately 110 °.

During this rotational movement, the downward movement of the lugs 36b and 36c in their corresponding cam track (or the upward movement of the cam paths relative to the lugs) causes the second assembly 14 to rise as indicated by the vertical arrow on the figure. figure 6H . As will be seen below with reference to the figures illustrating cross sections of the dispenser, during this rotational and lifting movement, the pusher block 18 which incorporates the dispensing device is axially unhooked / disconnected from the first assembly 12 and in particular from the transfer part and the connector 34.

Simultaneously, the lug 30c (respectively the lug 30d) of the transfer part 30 moves on the upper edge 26f of the lower cam, while being guided above by the upper internal cam track 36d corresponding to the upper cam 36 shown in figures 2 and 3 (on the figure 6I , a fictitious hole has been materialized in the axial wall of the upper cam 36 in order to illustrate by transparency the position of the lug 30c and of its upper internal cam guide path 36d which corresponds here to the upper edge of the fictitious hole) . The presence of the upper internal cam track 36d (corresponding stop element) prevents the raising of the lug 30c (it is the same with the upper internal cam path 36e for the lug 30d) and therefore of the pump which is partially inserted by its upper open end 22a in the transfer part 30, as shown in figure 3 . The pump is thus axially blocked / locked in the low position, that is to say in a refilling position. It will be noted that the cam track of the lug 30c (respectively of the lug 30d) is made in two parts: the lower cam 26 carrying the lower cam track and the upper cam 36 carrying the upper cam track. The corresponding lug of the transfer part is thus trapped inside its cam track. As a variant, the cam track of each of the lugs 36b, 36c can be made in two parts.

On the figure 6I , the hoop insert 48 has been intentionally omitted for the sake of visibility and the lug 30c is shown transparently through the fictitious hole (after its guided movement inside its cam track) in position against the axial stop 26a. Correspondingly, the lug 30d is positioned against the corresponding diametrically opposed axial stop 26b.

The position of the Figure 5E corresponds to a position of the distributor in which the two assemblies 12 and 14 are mechanically uncoupled from one another, the second assembly 14 being axially distant from the first assembly 12 in order to be physically separated from it, as explained with reference to figures 6J and 6K .

In the position shown on the figure 6H the lugs 36b and 36c (the latter is not visible in the figure) are aligned with the vertical portion of their cam track. The second assembly 14 can therefore be lifted axially (the hoop insert 48 thus slides axially upward along the upper cam 36) and separated from the first assembly 12, according to the movement illustrated by the vertical upward arrow F2 on the figure 6J . The pins 36b and 36c are thus disengaged axially from the hoop insert 48, while the lugs 30c and 30d remain in abutment against their upper internal cam track of the upper cam 36, as shown in FIG. figure 4 where the second set was taken from the dispenser. The Figure 6K represents the same position as the figure 6J but with the hoop 40 as it is normally permanently arranged on the distributor when the two sets are uncoupled.

The mechanism or mechanisms which have just been described involve different cam paths of the lower and upper cams and of the hoop insert for guiding one or more assembly members (eg: lug (s)) of moving parts (upper cam and transfer part) in order to position and lock the dispenser pump in the low refill position, while uncoupling / disassembling the second set of the dispenser from the first set. Other mechanisms making it possible to perform these functions can be used instead of the one or those which have just been described.

The Figure 6L illustrates the remaining part of the travel dispenser 10, namely the first assembly 12, after removing the second assembly 14 as explained with reference to the previous figures. In this position, the dispenser is ready to be refilled as will be explained later.

The figures 3 and 4 illustrate the arrangement of the various parts internal to the distributor (in cross section) in the high position of the pump, or rest position ( figure 3 ), and in the lower position of the pump, or actuated position, after separation of the second assembly 14 and the first assembly 12 ( Figure 4 ).

On the figure 3 the vent passage defined above is closed because the pump is in the upper axial position. In this position the dispenser does not work, but a vertical support as shown in the figure is sufficient. figure 1 to activate the dispensing mode of the dispenser, that is to say to actuate the pump in the low position and allow the dispensing of product. To compensate for the volume of product dispensed outside the dispenser, compensating air naturally enters the latter, in particular at zone A ( fig.3 ) between the push rod 42 and the hoop 40, then passes successively between the hoop insert 48 and the pusher 44, between the upper cam 36 and the transfer part 30 and passes below the latter to reach the opening O for entering the bottle and then take the vent passage (open following the lowering of the pump). In this position the valve C1 of the pump is closed and the bottom valve C2 is also closed.

As described above, the transfer joint 32 extends horizontally inside the transfer part 30 and the bottom 34b of the connector 34 rests on top of this seal which locally forms a movable part of said bottom. It will be noted that the seal 32 is shown partially superimposed on the lower part of the manifold 34 to show that the seal is compressed in this arrangement.

The bottom of the transfer part 30 is internally structured so as to create two internal zones Z1 and Z2 separated from each other in a sealed manner by an axial wall p. Zone Z1 communicates, on one side, with the interior of the pump through which the product to be dispensed passes and, on the opposite side, with the passage hole t produced by the geometric matching of two drilled through orifices. respectively in the seal 32 and in the bottom 34b of the connector. The product leaving the zone Z1 takes the passage hole t and then enters the internal channel 45 of the pusher 44 for its distribution through the nozzle 46. The zone Z2 is used during the re-filling with product and is part of the path internal to the first assembly 12, in the same way as the internal channel 34d, to convey the product from the outside to the passage for venting the bottle.

On the figure 4 the pump is in the low axial position and the vent passage is therefore open. As shown in this figure, the part 22b of the pump bearing against the annular part 55 is axially remote from the latter, thus opening the passage internal to the pump. In the configuration shown on figure 4 , the cage C in which the pump 22 is housed comprises in its peripheral wall a through orifice Co which allows the compensation air (entering the capsule and into the pump through the opening O) to exit this cage and d 'reach the space inside the bottle 20. In this low position of the pump, the top valve C1 of the pump is open while the bottom valve C2 remains closed.

The figures 5F and 5G illustrate the refill operation, as well as the partial enlarged view of the figure 7 .

To re-fill the bottle 20, the first assembly 12 of the dispenser of the figure 4 is returned, as shown in the figures 5F-G and 7 , and this assembly is positioned on a pump Ps of a source bottle, the free end of which projects outside the bottle as described above for the bottle to be refilled. In this position, the valve C2 opens under the effect of gravity. Alternatively, in another configuration, the valve (movable sealing member) could only open with the introduction of product (eg liquid) into the vent passage. According to yet another configuration, it could be already open in the pre-refill position of the figure 4 . More particularly, the first assembly 12 is mounted for example by means of its connection piece 34e which fits onto the stem ts of the pump Ps to obtain a sealed connection. Other means or alternative devices for tight mechanical mounting of the first assembly 12 on the pump Ps of the source bottle are of course conceivable.

In this position, the passage for venting the pump of the first assembly 12 is open as described above with reference to figure 4 but the path internal to the first assembly for conveying the refill product to the vent passage is closed. This path opens only when the product under pressure penetrates inside this path and locally and temporarily (elastic deformation) deforms the aforementioned closure member, namely here a free portion 32a of the transfer joint located at adjacent to zone Z2, as illustrated in figure 7 .

The aspiration of the refill product is carried out by pressing (for example by successive pressing) of the user on the first assembly 12 of the dispenser, as illustrated in the figures 5F and 5G . This enables the pump Ps of the source bottle S to be actuated and product to rise from the inside of the source bottle to the inside of the bottle 20 as illustrated by the arrows on the figure 7 , successively, by borrowing the internal channel 34d, by crossing the bottom 34b of the connector in its locally deformable part which is formed by the deformable portion 32a of the transfer joint, by crossing the zone Z2, then the drilled bottom of the transfer part 30, to finally enter the capsule 54 through its opening O and in the passage for venting which leads to the interior of the bottle 20 as explained above.

It will be noted that the process for re-filling a bottle with another bottle, called the source bottle, is widely described in the French patent. FR 3,037,577 .

Claims (12)

A method of refilling a product in the form of liquid, gel or cream from a travel dispenser (10) of said product, the travel dispenser comprising two assemblies (12, 14) which are mechanically coupled to one another. '' other for product distribution in distribution mode: - a first assembly (12) comprising a bottle (10) containing the product, an air vent passage which is able to be opened to put the inside and the outside of the bottle into communication and a pump (22 ) mounted on the bottle which is able to occupy, on the one hand, a high rest position in which the venting passage is closed and, on the other hand, a low position in which the venting passage in the open air is open, the high and low positions being considered when the pump is above the bottle, - a second assembly (14) comprising a device (16) for dispensing product outside the dispenser, characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: - blocking of the pump (22) in the low position, - uncoupling of the two sets (12,14) from one another to allow the bottle (10) to be refilled with product through the open vent passage of the first set (12) in mode of re-filling. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second assembly (14) comprises an actuating device (18, 42, 44) which, in dispensing mode, is capable, under the effect of an external action, of actuate the pump (22) in the low position and open the vent passage to allow the product to be conveyed from the bottle to the dispensing device (16). Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the actuating device (18, 42, 44) is a push block which is able to receive an external support. Process according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the process more particularly comprises the following steps: - actuation of the actuating device (18, 42, 44) to actuate the pump (22) in low position, - actuation of a distributor blocking mechanism (10) to block the pump in the low position, - separation of the first set (12) and the second set (14). Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that it further comprises the following steps: - reversal of the first assembly (12), the vent passage of which is open and the pump (22) is blocked in the low position, - positioning of said first assembly (12) on a pump (Ps) of a source bottle (S) containing product so as to mechanically couple the open vent passage of the first assembly (22) with said pump ( Ps) from the source bottle, - Actuation of the pump (Ps) of the source vial in order to convey product from said source vial to the vial (10) to be refilled via the open vent passage. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pump (22) is able to occupy several successive low positions in each of which the vent passage is open. Travel dispenser (10) comprising two assemblies (12, 14) which are mechanically coupled to each other for dispensing product in dispensing mode: - a first assembly (12) comprising a bottle (10) containing the product, an air vent passage which is able to be opened to put the inside and the outside of the bottle into communication and a pump (22 ) mounted on the bottle which is able to occupy, on the one hand, a high rest position in which the venting passage is closed and, on the other hand, a low position in which the venting passage in the open air is open, the high and low positions being considered when the pump (22) is placed in the upper part of the bottle (10), - a second assembly (14) comprising a device (16) for dispensing product outside the dispenser, characterized in that the travel dispenser further comprises: - a first pump locking mechanism (22) which is able to be activated under an external action by a user when the pump is operated in the low position, - a second mechanism which is configured to, under an external action by a user, move the two assemblies (12, 14) relative to each other from a first position in which the two assemblies are axially linked to a second position in which the two assemblies are able to be axially separated from one another. Travel dispenser according to Claim 7, characterized in that each mechanism comprises one or more blocking members which are each able to cooperate with at least one corresponding stop element in the blocking position, the one or more blocking members and said at least a corresponding stop element being able to move in a movement relative to one another under an external action by a user, both to reach the locked position and to reach an unlocked position. Travel dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the blocking member (s) and said at least one corresponding stop member are different for the two mechanisms. Travel dispenser according to one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the locking members and said at least one corresponding stop element comprise at least one member and at least one corresponding cam track with respect to which said at least an organ is able to move or vice versa. Travel dispenser according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the first assembly (12) comprises, on the one hand, a part (30) linked axially and in rotation to the pump (22) and, on the other hand, at least one part (26, 36), one of the two parts (30, 26,36) defining a cam track for at least one member of the other part, one of the two parts (30 ) being temporarily linked to the second assembly (14) so that, following a rotational movement of the second assembly relative to the first assembly under the external action of a user, said at least one member is moved in a portion of the cam track correspondent who is configured to prevent an axial rise of the pump in a high position. Travel dispenser according to one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the first assembly (12) and the second assembly (14) are able to rotate with respect to each other and comprises two parts (36, 48) one of which is configured to form at least one cam track (48b) closed at a first end and axially open at an opposite second end and the other part is configured to carry at least one member (36b), said at least one member and said at least cam track being able to move according to a relative rotational movement of one part with respect to the other, said at least one cam track being configured so that, under the action of 'a relative rotational movement imparted by a user over a predetermined angular range, said at least one member (36b) is disposed facing the second axially open opposite end (P3) of the corresponding cam track (48b), allowing, under the action of an axial translation exerted by the uti Liser to take out said at least one member of said corresponding cam track and therefore to move the two assemblies (12, 14) apart axially from one another.

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