WO2006006058A2

WO2006006058A2 - A dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid

Info

Publication number: WO2006006058A2
Application number: PCT/IB2005/001950
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claire Griffon
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2004-07-08
Filing date: 2005-07-08
Publication date: 2006-01-19
Also published as: WO2006006058A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising: - a casing (2); - a fluid refill (11) contained in the casing; - a manually operated pump (15) for taking the fluid from the refill without air inlet; - a control member (4) for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice (17), the casing comprising a base having an extension (61) extending beneath the dispenser orifice (17); and - a space (3) enabling a hand to be inserted so as to receive a dose of dispensed fluid, said space being formed between the base extension (61) and the control member (4), the control member being operable by the hand that receives the fluid. and being at least partially situated above the extension (61) of the base. The dispenser may also includes a flattener or a drawer.

Description

A DISPENSER FOR DISPENSING DOSES OF A FLUID The present invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid.

French patents 2 028 651 and 2 151 586 describe wall-mounted dispensers for dispensing doses of a fluid or a paste, in particular a liquid soap or a detergent cream.

European patent application EP 0 655 395 describes a dispenser in which the fluid is contained in a receptacle under pressure from a propellant gas.

British patent 1 113 680 describes a dispenser in which fluid is dispensed by pressing against a hinged plate with the back of the hand, the fluid being contained in a receptacle disposed below the space receiving the hand during dispensing.

Swiss patent 294 181 describes a wall-mounted dispenser for dispensing a paste, in particular toothpaste.

US 5 941 426 discloses a dispenser comprising a pump with an air inlet.

International application WO 97/47556 discloses a beverage dispenser comprising a manually operated pump.

US 5 992 685 describes a beverage dispenser comprising an electrically operated pump. A need exists to benefit from a dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid, e.g. a cosmetic cream, and that is suitable for use at a point of sale, in particular a hypermarket or a department store, e.g. by being disposed on a shelf display. In one of its aspects, the invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising:

- a casing;

- a fluid refill contained in the casing;

- a pump for taking the fluid from the refill; - a control member for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice, the casing comprising a base having an extension extending beneath the dispenser orifice; and

- a space enabling a hand to be inserted so as to receive a dose of dispensed fluid, said space being formed between the base extension and the control member, the control member being at least partially situated above the extension of the base.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the pump may be manually operated and/or without air inlet in the pouch (airless pump) . The control member may be operable by the hand that receives the product.

The dispenser may be at least one of a cosmetic, care or dermatological dispenser. The fluid refill may contain one of a cosmetic, care or dermatological fluid. If desired, the invention enables a dispenser to be made that is particularly suitable for being used on a shelf display.

In particular, the dispenser can be made relatively small in height, thereby enabling it to be positioned in the space existing between two shelves of a display in a cosmetics department.

In addition, the base extension can prevent a goblet or some other collector receptacle from being inserted beneath the dispenser orifice for the purpose of collecting fluid in the event of the dispenser being used dishonestly. The maximum height of the space enabling the hand to be inserted may be less than or equal to 8 centimeters (cm), for example.

The extension of the base may be made without any complex mechanism and without any clearance between parts, which could otherwise make it difficult to clean in the event of any of the dispensed fluid becoming deposited on the extension of the base. Where appropriate, the extension of the base may comprise a dish for collecting any residual drops of fluid.

The refill may comprise a flexible pouch. Such packaging makes the refill difficult to use without the casing of the dispenser, thereby reducing the risk of it being stolen by dishonest consumers.

The flexible pouch can also be emptied without air being let in. Thus, the pump need not have an air inlet. This can be desirable in case the flexible pouch contains an air sensitive fluid.

The pump may be secured to the refill at least while said refill is being replaced. This makes it possible to use a standard pump, and to use the same casing for dispensing different fluids in succession without fear of contaminating one fluid with another, and it also offers additional guarantees in terms of hygiene.

The casing may be configured so that the refill presents a longitudinal axis that slopes towards the pump and downwards over at least a fraction of its length. Such an orientation can reduce the risk of fluid being retained during emptying.

The casing may be configured so as to enable it to be positioned on a shelf display. To this end, the ^■ extension of the base may comprise a notch, for example.

The casing may comprise a flap giving access to the refill with a view to replacing it. The flap may be provided with a lock preventing it from being opened without a key. The flap may pivot.

The flap may be configured to assist in preventing the pump and/or the refill from moving inside the casing while the flap is in its closed position. The flap can thus comprise a holding element that becomes positioned above the pump while the flap is closed.

The flap may carry a support that is suitable for receiving a display label.

The casing may include an opening through which an operator can insert a finger with a view to removing the refill and/or the pump from the casing for the purpose of replacing the refill. The control member may comprise a lever that is hinged onto the casing. The dispenser may comprise a bracket that is hinged onto the lever and that is arranged so as to press a pushbutton of the pump. The control member may comprise the pushbutton of the pump, optionally covered by a diaphragm. The control member may comprise the pushbutton of the pump, this pushbutton being directly operable via an orifice in the casing and/or the flap. The dispenser may comprise a cradle for preventing the pump from moving axially while the refill is in place in the casing.

The pump may be configured so as to dispense a quantity of fluid that is not greater than 200 microliters (μl) , in particular about 150 μl, each time the control member is actuated. Thus, filling a 50 milliliter (ml) goblet would require a large number of actions on the part of a dishonest consumer, which could turn out to be dissuasive. In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid, said dispenser comprising:

- a casing that is configured so as to enable it to be secured to a shelf display; - a refill containing the fluid to be dispensed; and

- a pump for taking the. fluid from the refill and for dispensing a dose of fluid while the user performs a predefined action on the dispenser, the dose of fluid corresponding to a quantity of fluid that is not greater than 200 μl. ^'

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid, said dispenser comprising:

- a casing; - a refill containing the fluid and received in the casing; and

- a pump for taking the fluid from the refill; - a control member for actuating the pump;

- a flap that is movable between a position giving access to a housing of the casing containing the refill, and a closed position preventing said access, the flap being arranged, when in its closed position, to assist in holding at least one of the refill and the pump inside the housing.

- a casing presenting a housing;

- a fluid refill disposed in the housing;

- a pump for taking the fluid from the refill;

- a control member that is displaced so as to actuate the pump; in which dispenser the refill presents an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis that does not extend vertically while the refill is in place in the housing.

If desired, the pump may be an airless pump. In another of its aspects the invention also provides a fluid dispenser comprising:

- a casing;

- a fluid refill;

- a drawer configured for containing the fluid refill, the drawer being movable between an opened position giving access to the refill, for example to replace it, and a closed position preventing access to the fluid refill;

- a pump for taking the fluid from the refill; - a control member for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice. The casing may comprise a base having an extension extending beneath the dispenser orifice.

The control member may be at least partially situated above the extension of the base.

The dispenser may comprise a space enabling a hand to be inserted so as to receive a dose of dispensed fluid, said space being formed between the base extension and the control member.

The drawer may slide in the casing from its opened to its closed position and vice versa.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drawer contains the fluid refill. There may be at least one opening through the drawer to allow the fluid to be dispensed and/or to provide access to the control member. The fluid may be dispensed through an opening in a bottom side of the drawer. The control member may comprise pushbutton that may be pressed via an opening in a side wall of the drawer. The fluid refill may be fastened to the drawer. For example, the drawer may include a cradle for preventing the pump from moving axially while the refill is in place in the drawer.

In exemplary embodiment where the bottom side of the casing is horizontal, the bottom side of the drawer may be configured so that the refill has a longitudinal axis that slopes towards the pump and downwards over at least a fraction of its length.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention comprising a drawer, as least one of the control member, the fluid refill, and the pump may be kept connected to the drawer when the drawer slides from its opened to its closed position and vice versa.

The drawer may have similar features as those disclosed for the flap.

For example the pushbutton may be directly operable through an opening in the drawer.

The drawer may also carry a support that is suitable for receiving a display label.

The drawer may be provided with a lock preventing it from being opened without a key. The drawer may be configured to assist in preventing the pump and/or the refill from moving inside the casing while the drawer is in its closed position. In another of its aspects the invention also provides a fluid dispenser comprising:

- a casing; - a fluid refill contained in the casing;

- a pump for taking the fluid from the refill;

- a control member for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice;

- means for compressing the fluid refill while it is being emptied.

The means for compressing the fluid refill may comprise a member pressed against the pouch. The member may for example be pressed by the action of a spring, a gas and/or a weight. The casing may comprise a base having an extension extending beneath the dispenser orifice. The control member may be at least partially situated above the extension of the base.

The means for compressing the fluid refill may be useful when the fluid to be dispensed is viscous. The means for compressing the fluid refill may be an alternative or a complement to an inclined fluid refill and may force the fluid remaining in the refill towards the pump as does gravity when the refill is inclined.

Both an inclined fluid refill and means for compressing the fluid refill may be used at the same time.

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a method of promoting the sale of a fluid, in which method a dispenser as defined above is used, disposed on a shelf display. The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of a dispenser made in accordance with the invention;

- Figure 2 shows the Figure 1 dispenser after the flap for accessing the fluid refill has been pivoted;

- Figure 3 is a fragmentary view from below of the Figure 1 dispenser;

- Figure 4 shows the Figure 1 dispenser after the casing has been partially dismantled;

- Figure 5 shows the fluid refill and its associated pump in isolation; - Figure 6 shows the pump being actuated so as to dispense a dose of fluid; ,

- Figure 7 shows part of the actuator mechanism of the pump, with said pump being removed;

- Figure 8 shows the pump being held by the flap, once said flap is in its closed position;

- Figure 9 shows a key being used to unlock the flap;

- Figure 10 shows a pump containing a directly operable pushbutton; - Figure 11 shows a dispenser made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention after the drawer for accessing the fluid refill has been slided out;

- Figure 12 is a fragmentary view of a drawer of a dispenser made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention with means for compressing the fluid refill; and

- Figure 13 shows the dispenser of figure 1 in place on a shelf display; The dispenser 1 shown in the figures 1 to 9 and 13 comprises a casing 2 defining a space 3 that is open at the front and at the sides, thereby enabling a consumer's hand to be inserted so as to actuate a control member 4, to cause a dose of fluid to be dispensed.

The control member is thus operable by the hand that receives the fluid. Dispensing is performed through an opening 5 of the casing 2, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The casing 2 includes a flap 8 that can pivot about a substantially horizontal axis, and that can tilt forwards into its open position, as shown in Figure 2. The flap 8 carries a support 30 which is made, at least in part, out of a transparent plastics material, and which comprises a housing that is suitable for receiving a display label 31, said label informing the user of the characteristics of the dispensed fluid, for example.

The inside of the casing 2 defines a housing 10 containing a refill 11 of the fluid to be dispensed, as can be seen in Figure 4.

When tilted forwards, the flap 8 gives access to the housing 10 for replacing the fluid refill 11.

With reference to Figure 5, it can be seen that the refill 11 is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, and in the embodiment under consideration, comprises a flexible pouch comprising two sheets that are heat-sealed together at their periphery and that are assembled around an endpiece 13 through which the fluid flows before leaving the refill 11.

In the embodiment under consideration, the endpiece 13 comprises a collar 14, and serves to mount the pump 15 on the refill. The pump comprises an outer skirt 37, and a pushbutton 16 that is movable relative to the outer skirt 37, and that is provided with a dispenser orifice 17. A groove 58 is formed between the collar 14 and the outer skirt 37. The housing 10 is configured so that the refill 11 slopes downwards and forwards while it is in place in the casing 2, thereby contributing to the fluid flowing towards the pump 15.

In the embodiment under consideration, the casing 2 comprises a main body 20 onto which two side panels 21 are fastened by means of screws 22, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present invention for the casing 2 to be made in some other way, e.g. with side panels that are snap-on rather than screw-on.

The casing 2 comprises a cradle 35 on which the pump 15 can be placed, as can be seen in particular in Figure 8.

By way of example, said pump is prevented from moving axially by inserting the cradle 35 in the groove 58. While said flap is closed, the pump 15 is held engaged on the cradle 35 by a holding element 39 projecting from the rear face of the flap 8. The holding element 39 presents a concave face 40 matching the shape of the outer skirt 37.

The control member 4 is a lever that is hinged onto the casing 2 by means of metal pins 41 that are engaged in arms 43 that open out in the housing 10. A bracket 46 is hinged onto the arms 43 of the control member 4 by means of metal pins 47. In Figure 7, the bracket 46 is shown tilted backwards so as to make it easier to see the above-mentioned pins 41.

The bracket 46 is configured so as to press on the pushbutton 16, and to this end includes a notch 50 substantially matching the shape of the free end of the pushbutton 16, as can be seen in Figure 6. When the user pulls the control member 4 forwards, the bracket 46 is displaced backwards as shown in Figure 6, and the pump 15 is actuated. A measured quantity or "dose" of fluid is expelled from the dispenser orifice 17, and after passing through the opening 5 of the casing, it falls into the space 3 where it can be caught in the user's hand. The pump is manually operated and the same hand may both operate the pump and receive the fluid.

The pump 15 incorporates resilient return means which return the pushbutton 16 into its initial position as soon as it ceases to be pressed on, so that when the user releases the control member 4, the return movement of the pushbutton 16 returns the control member 4 into its initial position.

In the embodiment under consideration, the pump 15 is a pump that does not have an air inlet (airless pump) , and the dose of fluid that is dispensed each time the control member 4 is actuated is relatively small, e.g. lying in the range 125 μl to 175 μl, and in particular about 150 μl. The slope of the refill 11 prevents pockets of fluid forming and remaining trapped in the refill 11 while said refill is being emptied.

In order to replace the refill 11, the user tilts down the flap 8. As can be seen in particular in Figure 2, the flap can advantageously be fitted with a lock 50 comprising a lug 51 that is capable of being engaged in a corresponding hole 52 in the top wall of the casing 2, thereby requiring the operator to insert a key

54 into the opening 52 so as to push the lug 51 out of the way,^' and enable the flap 8 to be tilted.

In the embodiment under consideration, in order to make it easier to disengage the pump 15, an opening 56 is provided in the casing 2, beside the opening 5 through which the fluid is dispensed, as can be seen in Figure 3. Thus, the operator can insert a finger into the opening

56 so as to push the pump 15 upwards and disengage it.

The casing 2 comprises a base 60 having an extension

61 that extends beneath the opening 5 through which the fluid is dispensed. The top of the extension 61 may include a dish 68 enabling any residual drops of fluid to be collected once dispensing has been performed. The bottom of the extension 61 is advantageously shaped so that it can be placed on a shelf 70 of a display in a shop, as shown in Figure 10, e.g. between boxes 71 containing the same fluid as the fluid which is dispensed by the dispenser 1.

The extension 61 may comprise a notch 63 having a bottom wall 64 that presents a shape that is adapted to the shelf, e.g. that is adapted to the shape of a support strip for supporting price tags, the bottom wall 64 sloping slightly downwards and forwards, for example.

The presence of the notch 63 can enable the dispenser to be positioned as close as possible to the front edge of the shelf, thereby making it easier for consumers to use. As can be seen in figure 11, the dispenser comprises a drawer 90 that is movable between an opened position giving access to the refill, for example for replacing it, and a closed position preventing access to the fluid refill. By actuating the control member 4, a dose of fluid is dispensed similarly to the dispenser of figure 1.

In figure 11, the drawer slides along an horizontally axis between its opened and its closed position. However, the drawer could slide along an inclined axis, for example an axis oriented toward the pump and downward.

The drawer may be closed and opened with a key that may be inserted in the hole 52.

As can be seen in figure 10, the control member comprises a pushbutton 16 which can be pressed directly through the opening 5. Pushing the pushbutton activates the pump which delivers a dose of fluid. In this exemplary embodiment, the pushbutton is pressed and the fluid is delivered via the dispenser orifice 17 through the same opening 5 but there could be two separated openings.

The drawer comprises an inclined bottom side, for facilitating the flowing of the fluid contained in the pouch towards the pump. However, the bottom side of the drawer could also be flat.

The cradle 35 is configured to maintain the pump in the drawer. As can be seen in figure 12, the dispenser may comprise a flattener 82 for compressing the fluid refill while it is being emptied. The flattener may be hinged to the bottom side 91 of the drawer. A torsion spring 81 forces the flattener to compress the refill 11. In order to replace the fluid refill, the drawer 90 is opened, the flattener is moved up, the fluid refill is removed and replaced by another one, the drawer is closed. In this embodiment, the bottom side 91 is flat.

The flattener may be configured to squeeze the fluid refill on a part of its length, for example a major part. The flattener may also be configured to squeeze the fluid refill on its entire length. The flattener preferably squeezes the fluid refill along a portion comprising the end of the refill opposite to the pump in order to reduce the risk of fluid being retained during emptying.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

In particular, numerous modifications can be applied to the refill 11, to the pump 15, to the casing 2, to the control member 4, to the drawer 90 and to the means for compressing the fluid refill 80.

Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser comprising:

- a casing (2) ; - a fluid refill (11) contained in the casing;

- a manually operated pump (15) for taking the fluid from the refill without air inlet;

- a control member (4) for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice (17) , the casing comprising a base having an extension (61) extending beneath the dispenser orifice (17) ; and

- a space (3) enabling a hand to be inserted so as to receive a dose of dispensed fluid, said space being formed between the base extension (61) and the control member (4) , the control member being operable by the hand that receives the fluid and being at least partially situated above the extension (61) of the base.

2. A fluid dispenser comprising: - a casing (2) ;

- a fluid refill (11) ;

- a drawer (90) configured for containing the fluid refill (11) , the drawer (90) being movable between an opened position giving access to the refill and a closed position preventing access to the fluid refill;

- a pump (15) for taking the fluid from the refill

(11) ; a control member (4) for displacing to actuate the pump (15) , the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice (17) .

3. A fluid dispenser comprising:

- a casing (2) ; - a fluid refill (11) contained in the casing;

- a pump (15) for taking the fluid from the refill; - a control member (4) for displacing to actuate the pump, the fluid being dispensed via a dispenser orifice

(17);

- means for compressing the fluid refill (80) .

4. A dispenser according to claims 2 or 3, in which the pump (15) is an airless pump.

5. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the control member (4) is operable by the hand that receives the fluid.

6. A dispenser according to any one of claims I₇ 2, 4 and 5, in which the dispenser further comprises means for compressing the fluid refill (80) .

7. A dispenser according to claim 6, in which the means for compressing the fluid refill comprises at least one of a weight and a spring (81) .

8. A dispenser according to any one of claims 1 and 3 to I₁ in which the dispenser further comprises a drawer (90) being movable between an opened position giving access to the refill and a closed position preventing access to the fluid refill.

9. A dispenser according to one of claims 2 or 8, in which the drawer (90) is provided with a lock preventing it from being opened without a key (54) .

10. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2, 8 and 9, in which said drawer (90) has a bottom side (91) which is configured so that the refill (11) has a longitudinal axis that slopes towards the pump (15) and downwards over at least a fraction of its length.

11. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 10, in which the casing comprises a base having an extension (61) extending beneath the dispenser orifice (17) , the control member (4) being at least partially situated above the extension (61) of the base.

12. A dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 11, in which the casing comprises a space (3) enabling a hand to be inserted so as to receive a dose of dispensed fluid, said space being formed between the base extension (61) and the control member (4) .

13. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the refill (11) comprises a flexible pouch.

14. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the pump (14) is secured to the refill (11) at least while said refill is being replaced.

15. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the casing is configured so that the refill (11) presents a longitudinal axis that slopes towards the pump (15) and downwards over at least a fraction of its length.

16. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the casing (2) is configured so as to enable it to be positioned on a shelf display (10) .

17. A dispenser according to the preceding claim, in which the extension of the base comprises a notch (63) .

18. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the casing (2) comprises a flap (8) giving access to the refill (11) with a view to replacing it.

19. A dispenser according to the preceding claim, in which the flap (8) is provided with a lock (50) preventing it from being opened without a key (54) .

20. A dispenser according to any one of the two preceding claims, in which the flap (8) pivots.

21. A dispenser according to any one of claims 18 to 20, in which the flap (8) is configured to assist in preventing the pump (15) and/or the refill (11) from moving inside the casing (2) while the flap (8) is in its closed position.

22. A dispenser according to any one of claims 18 to 21, in which the flap (8) carries a support (30) that is suitable for receiving a display label (31) .

23. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the extension (61) of the base comprises a dish (68) for collecting any residual drops of fluid.

24. A dispenser according to any one of claims 1 and 12, in which the maximum height of the space (3) enabling the hand to be inserted is not greater than 8 cm.

25. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the casing (2) comprises an opening (56) through which an operator can insert a finger with a view to removing the refill (11) and/or the pump (15) from the casing in order to replace the refill (11) .

26. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the control member (4) includes a lever that is hinged onto the casing (2) .

27. A dispenser according to any on of claims 2 and 8 to 10, in which the control member (4) comprises a lever that is hinged onto the drawer (90) .

28. A dispenser according to any one of claims 26 and 27, comprising a bracket (46) that is hinged onto the lever (4) and that is arranged so as to press a pushbutton (16) of the pump.

29. A dispenser according to any one of claims 1 to 25, in which the control member (4) comprises the pushbutton (16) of the pump (15) , said pushbutton being directly operable.

30. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, comprising a cradle (35) for preventing the pump (15) from moving axially while the refill (11) is in place in the casing (2) .

31. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the pump (15) is configured so as to dispense a quantity of fluid that is not greater than 200 μl, in particular about 150 μl, each time the control member is actuated.

32. A dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid, said dispenser comprising:

- a casing (2) that is configured so as to enable it to be secured to a shelf display (70) ; - a refill (11) containing the fluid to be dispensed; and

- a pump (15) for taking the fluid from the refill and for dispensing a dose of fluid while the user performs a predefined action on the dispenser, the dose of fluid corresponding to a quantity of fluid that is not greater than 200 μl.

33. A dispenser for dispensing doses of a fluid, said dispenser comprising:

- a casing (2) presenting a housing (10) ;

- a fluid refill (11) disposed in the housing; - a pump (15) without air inlet for taking the fluid from the refill; and

- a control member (4) that is displaced so as to actuate the pump (15) ; in which dispenser the refill (11) presents an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis that does not extend vertically while the refill (11) is in place in the housing (10) .