WO2018172624A1

WO2018172624A1 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2018172624A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/050646
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandra CHAUVIGNÉ; Mourad DAIRE; Francis Moreau
Original assignee: Aptar France Sas
Priority date: 2017-03-20
Filing date: 2017-03-20
Publication date: 2018-09-27

Abstract

A fluid product dispenser comprising a main tank (R1), - a dispensing member (P), such as a pump, mounted on the opening of the main tank (R1) and connected to the main tank (R1) by a main dip tube (R24), and - a secondary tank (R2) of fluid product connected to the dispensing member (P) by a secondary dip tube (R25), characterised in that the main dip tube (R24) extends through the secondary tank (R2).

Description

Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a main reservoir of fluid product defining an opening and a bottom wall and a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the opening of the main reservoir and connected to the main tank by a main dip tube. The dispenser also comprises a secondary fluid reservoir connected to the dispensing member (pump or valve) by a secondary plunger tube. The preferred fields of the present invention are those of cosmetics, pharmacy, body care products, or even food.

In the prior art, document FR2978743 describes a fluid dispenser comprising two tanks and three pumps: one of the pumps being connected to the two tanks by two respective dip tubes. On the other hand, the other two pumps are connected respectively to the two tanks. Thus, it is possible to distribute the two fluid products individually by operating a choice of one of the two pumps, or to distribute a mixture of the two fluid products by operating the pump which is connected to the two tanks.

This document FR2978743 describes yet another embodiment in which the third pump comprises a dip tube which takes fluid from a buffer tank, itself connected by two tubes to the other two tanks of the dispenser.

In one embodiment or the other, the dispensers of this document FR2978743 have a complicated architecture and an assembly even more complicated, since the same pump must be connected to two separate tanks by means of conventional dip tubes consisting of flexible tubing segments, generally of polyethylene or polypropylene. On the other hand, the arrangement of the tanks side by side does not favor the overall aesthetic appearance of the dispenser, which moves away from conventional standards. The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a dispenser, preferably of conventional appearance, defining two separate tanks with respective dip tubes of completely original design. One of the aims of the present invention is also to depart from the use of traditional flexible tubes to form the plunger tubes. Yet another object of the present invention is to be able to use the dispenser with only a reservoir and a conventional flexible dip tube. Yet another object of the present invention is to mask the dip tubes, so that the user does not see them through the main tank. Yet another object of the present invention is to involve the user in the production of the two-tank dispenser. Yet another object of the invention is to provide the secondary reservoir as a replaceable refill.

To achieve these various objects, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising a main fluid reservoir defining an opening and a bottom wall, a dispensing member, such as a pump, mounted on the opening of the main reservoir. and connected to the main reservoir by a main dip tube, and a secondary fluid reservoir connected to the dispensing member by a secondary dip tube, the main dip tube extending through the secondary reservoir.

Thus, the main plunger tube may be formed from a conventional flexible tube segment that is inserted through a passageway formed through the secondary reservoir. Preferably, the main plunger tube is formed by the secondary reservoir. In this case, we dispense with the conventional flexible tube, since it is the secondary tank itself which constitutes the main plunger tube.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the secondary plunger tube is formed by the secondary reservoir. Thus, the secondary reservoir can form the main dip tube or the secondary dip tube, or both at once. According to a particular embodiment, the main plunger tube and the secondary plunger tube may extend parallel in an adjacent manner by defining between them a common partition wall. In other words, the two dip tubes are not concentric.

According to a practical embodiment, the secondary reservoir may comprise a monobloc secondary reservoir body forming externally a peripheral outer wall, and internally the main dip tube and the secondary dip tube. The two plunger tubes together form a kind of hollow rod which extends substantially axially inside the peripheral outer wall. Advantageously, the monoblock secondary tank body also forms a receiving housing for the dispensing member, this receiving housing communicating with the two plunger tubes. Preferably, the dispensing member comprises an elongated body member which is for the most part inserted into the receiving housing. Thus, the secondary reservoir is maintained perfectly fixed and sealed on the dispenser member. In addition, the secondary tank thus goes up very high in the main tank, so as to have a maximum capacity.

According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the secondary tank comprises a base piece attached to the one-piece secondary tank body, this bottom piece being traversed by a connecting passage connecting the main dip tube to the main tank, this bottom piece. also forming a connecting end connecting the secondary plunger tube to the secondary reservoir. This bottom piece, in addition to connecting the two dip tubes to their respective two tanks, seals the secondary tank at its lower end.

Preferably, the bottom piece is received in a centering housing formed by the main tank, the bottom piece advantageously forming centering fins which come into contact with the centering housing while allowing a fluid communication between the main tank and the link passage. So the secondary tank is held perfectly fixed and centered inside the main tank. Any risk of noise due to the clash between the two tanks is also avoided.

In order to maximize the volume of the secondary tank, it is preferable that it extends from the bottom wall of the main tank to near the opening of the main tank.

To ensure complete emptying of the secondary tank, it is possible to equip it with a vent valve, preferably at its upper end, near the opening of the main tank.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the secondary reservoir is inserted into the main reservoir through the opening. This implies that the secondary tank can be removed from the main tank through the opening. Thus, the user can replace the secondary tank at will, and especially when it is empty.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the secondary tank may be initially provided, before its connection to the dispenser member, with a removable plug which closes the secondary dip tube. The secondary reservoir is then in the form of a cartridge or refill that the user can connect to the dispenser member, after removing it from the main reservoir.

The present invention also defines a method of filling the secondary tank, in which the one-piece secondary tank body, provided with its removable cap but without its bottom piece, is arranged upside down, filled with fluid and then sealed at the bottom. middle of the bottom piece.

On the other hand, the present invention also defines a kit comprising a main reservoir of fluid product comprising an opening on which a dispensing member, such as a pump, is removably mounted, and a secondary reservoir of fluid product forming a main dip tube extending through the secondary tank and a secondary dip tube. This kit can be offered as is commercially available, and it is the user who will proceed with the following steps:

a) removing the dispensing member from the main reservoir,

b) connect the secondary reservoir to the dispensing member, c) insert the secondary reservoir through the opening, and

d) mount the dispensing member on the main tank.

Thus, the user can participate in the production of the fluid dispenser of the invention from a conventional dispenser (however devoid of a dip tube) and a secondary reservoir in the form of a cartridge or refill from which the plug can be removed for connection to the dispensing member of the main tank.

The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of using the secondary reservoir to form one or two dip tubes, respectively for the two main and secondary tanks. In some cases of application, the secondary tank can simply be used to mask a dip tube, or both.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view partially in vertical cross-section through a dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the dispenser of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view partially in vertical cross-section through the secondary reservoir of FIGS. 1 and 2, equipped with a plug,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3, with the cap removed,

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the secondary reservoir of FIGS. 3 and 4,

Figures 6a, 6b and 6c are views for explaining how to use a kit to make a dispenser according to the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the fluid dispenser of the present invention comprises several constituent elements, namely a main reservoir R1, a dispensing member P provided with a pushbutton B and mounted by means of a fixing ring C on the main tank R1. On the other hand, the fluid dispenser of the invention also comprises a secondary tank R2 which is connected to the dispensing member P so as to be entirely disposed within the main tank R1. This is the overall architecture of the fluid dispenser of the present invention.

The main tank R1 may have a configuration quite conventional in the field of cosmetics, pharmacy or food. The main tank R1 comprises a side wall R1 1 which is here cylindrical, but which can have any shape. The main tank R1 also comprises an upper shoulder R12 which extends upwards by a neck R13 internally defining an opening R14, as can be seen in Figures 6b and 6c. The neck R13 can be provided with hooking profiles such as screw threads or a ratchet bead. At its lower end, the main tank R1 comprises a bottom R15 which defines a centering housing R16, which is advantageously in the form of a bowl with a raised peripheral edge, for example of frustoconical shape. The main tank R1 can be made of any suitable material, such as glass, metal, a suitable plastic, etc. The main tank R1 can be transparent, translucent, or otherwise completely opaque. When it is transparent or translucent, and the fluid it contains is also transparent or translucent, the secondary tank R2 can be seen through the main tank R1 and the fluid product.

The dispensing member P is preferably a pump, but it could also be a valve in some cases. In a quite conventional manner, the dispensing member P comprises an elongate member body P1 in which a valve stem (not shown) is axially movable back and forth. A push button B is mounted on the end free of the valve stem. In the case of a pump, the valve stem is equipped with a piston that slides sealingly within a sliding barrel formed by the elongate member body P1. In a quite conventional manner, the elongated member body P1 forms an inlet pipe P1 1 which is connected to a main cylindrical portion P12 by a frustoconical connecting section P13. Thus, the diameter of the inlet pipe P1 1 is smaller than the diameter of the main portion P12. This is a configuration quite conventional for a pump in the field of cosmetics or pharmacy. The fixing ring C, which can be considered as an integral part of the dispensing member P, makes it possible to receive the elongated member body P1 in a fixed and sealed manner, in particular by snapping. The fixing ring C clings firmly and tightly to the collar R13. Advantageously, the mounting of the fixing ring C on the neck R13 is removable: reversible screwing or snapping are preferred conventional techniques.

In the absence of the secondary tank R2 and connecting a conventional flexible plunger tube to the inlet pipe P1 1, a fluid dispenser of completely conventional design is obtained.

However, the implementation of the secondary tank R2, substantially in place of a conventional dip tube, allows to confer additional functionality to the fluid dispenser. In this case, the inlet pipe P1 1 is connected, thanks to the secondary tank R2, to both the main tank R1 and the secondary tank R2. In this case, the secondary tank R2 defines internally, substantially centrally, both a main plunger tube R24 and a secondary plunger tube R25 respectively connecting the main reservoir R1 and the secondary reservoir R2.

In more detail, the secondary tank R2 comprises a one-piece secondary tank body R20 which advantageously forms the two main plunger tubes R24 and secondary plunger R25. They extend axially and parallel to each other in an adjacent manner. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the main plunger tube R24 has a shaped section crescent moon that somewhat surrounds the secondary dip tube R25 which has a circular shape. The two plunger tubes R24 and R25 are separated by a common partition wall R26, which has a curved shape. The main plunger tube R24 extends further down than the secondary plunger tube R25. At their upper ends, the two plunger tubes R24 and R25 start at the same level. They both open into a receiving housing R23, which is also formed by the one-piece secondary tank body R20. It may be noted that this receiving housing R23 comprises a lower section of narrowed diameter R231 which receives in a fixed and sealed manner the inlet pipe P1 1 and an upper section of increased diameter R232 which receives in a fixed manner, and advantageously sealed, the main part P12 of the elongate body body P1. It can thus be said that the secondary reservoir R2 is perfectly fixed and sealed around the elongated member body P1. It should also be noted that the inlet of the inlet pipe P1 1 communicates directly with both the main dip tube R24 and the secondary dip tube R25.

The receiving housing R23 is extended at its upper end by an annular flange R22 which serves to support a vent valve R221. It may be noted that this vent valve R221 is located near the opening R14, that is to say at the upper end of the main tank R1. The radial flange R22 is then connected to a peripheral outer wall R21, which is here circular cylindrical. This peripheral outer wall R21 terminates substantially at the same level as the lower end of the plunger tubes R24 and R25. Thus, the interior of the R20 monoblock secondary tank body is widely open at its lower end. Looking inward, one can see a kind of hollow rod of substantially circular section internally forming the main plunger pipes R24 and secondary R25.

The secondary tank R2 also comprises a bottom part F whose primary function is to seal the one-piece secondary tank body R20 so as to define the useful volume of the secondary tank. R2. For this, the bottom part F is fixedly and sealingly connected to both the outer peripheral wall R21 and the hollow rod forming the two plunger tubes R24 and R25. However, the bottom part F is traversed by a connecting passage F1 which connects the main plunger tube R24 with the interior of the main tank R1. On the other hand, the bottom part F forms a connecting end F2 which connects the secondary plunger tube R25 with the inside of the secondary reservoir R2. It may be noted in particular that the connecting passage F1 extends axially while the outlet of the secondary plunger tube R25 is lateral. With the establishment of the bottom part F, the secondary tank R2 is complete and functional.

Optionally, the bottom part F is provided with a plurality of radial fins F3 which come into contact with the raised edges of the centering housing R16 to ensure a perfectly axial retention of the secondary tank R2 in the main tank R1, while allowing the passage of product fluid from the main tank R1 to the connecting passage F3, and beyond to the main dip tube R24.

With such a fluid dispenser, it is possible with a single dispensing member P to simultaneously take two distinct fluid products through two separate plunger tubes connected to two separate tanks. The mixture of the two fluid products takes place directly at the inlet pipe P1 1, and this fluid mixture is conveyed to the dispensing orifice B1 located at the push button B. The passage sections R24 and R25 plunger tubes, but also the viscosity and the rheological behavior of the two fluid products, are all parameters that will affect the proportion of the two fluids when they are mixed from the inlet pipe P1 1. In the present case, since the passage section of the crescent-shaped main dip tube 24 is larger than the passage section of the circular-shaped secondary dip tube R25, the fluid mixture would have a larger proportion of product. fluid from the main reservoir R1 that the secondary reservoir R2, with substantially identical viscosities and rheological behaviors. The mixture of two fluid products having different viscosities and rheological behaviors can therefore disturb the strict ratio of the passage sections in the final mixing ratio.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the secondary reservoir R2 can be seen outside the main reservoir R1. It can be noted that the secondary tank R2 is provided with a plug S which is inserted into the receiving housing R23 resting on the annular flange R22, thus masking the vent valve R221. The plug S comprises a gripping appendix S1 that the user can grasp to remove the plug of the tank R2. It is this gripping appendix S1 which extends over the annular flange R22. The plug S also comprises a tab S2 which extends inside the receiving housing R23 to the level of the lower section R231 where it closes the inlet of the secondary dip tube R25. Thus, the interior of the tank R2 is isolated from the outside.

The secondary tank R2 with its plug S is a unitary entity that can be handled without risk of fluid leakage. This entity can be considered as a cartridge or refill capable of being connected to the elongate member body P1 of the dispensing member P, once the plug S removed. Thus, the fluid dispenser of the invention can be presented in the form of a kit, visible in Figure 6a, that the user will manipulate to form the dispenser of Figure 1. This kit (Figure 6a) comprises on the one hand the main tank R1 with its dispensing member P removably mounted and secondly the secondary tank R2 which forms the main plunger tubes R24 and R25 secondary. Thus, the user can initially remove the dispensing member P from the main tank R1, remove the plug S from the secondary tank R2, connect the secondary tank R2 to the dispensing member P (FIG. 6b), and then insert the secondary tank through the opening R14 of the main tank R1 (Figure 6c) and finally mount, by screwing or snapping, the dispensing member P on the main tank R1, by means of the fixing ring C (Figure 1) . This manipulation allows the user to participate in the development of the fluid dispenser and fully understand its constitution and operation.

According to an embodiment not shown, the secondary tank R2 can only be used to mask a dip tube or two dip tubes, without forming them. In the case, the secondary tank will have a function of passage of dip tube.

It should also be noted that the secondary tank R2 is inserted inside the main tank R1 through the neck R13 of the main tank R1, which forms an opening R14 which is narrowed relative to the cross section of the side wall R1 1. By setting the outer diameter of the secondary tank R2 to a value slightly lower than the internal diameter of the neck R13 and fixing the height of the secondary tank R2 to a maximum value taking into account the bulk of the dispensing member P, it is possible to optimize the capacity of the secondary tank R2. In the example shown in the figures, the radial flange R22, which forms the upper end of the secondary tank R2, is located near the neck R13.

The secondary tank R2 also has the distinction of being filled upside down with the plug S in place and the bottom part F removed.

In variant not shown, it can very well dispense with the vent valve R221 and provide only a small vent hole that would be closed by the plug S, before connecting the secondary reservoir to the dispenser member. Furthermore, the secondary tank body R20 has been described as being made in one piece. Without departing from the scope of the invention, it would also be possible to make it into several pieces. For example, the two plunger tubes and the receiving housing could be formed by a first piece that would be reported in a second piece forming the outer peripheral wall. The annular flange would be transformed into assembly means of the two parts.

Thanks to the invention, there is a fluid dispenser which has a completely conventional external appearance, with a main reservoir which however contains a secondary reservoir, advantageously insertable through the neck of the main tank, and which makes it possible to mask, support, or even advantageously to form the two dip tubes that connect the inlet of the dispenser member to the two tanks respectively.

Claims

claims

1. - Fluid product dispenser comprising:

a main fluid reservoir (R1) defining an opening (R14) and a bottom wall (R15),

a dispensing member (P), such as a pump, mounted on the opening (R14) of the main tank (R1) and connected to the main tank (R1) by a main plunger tube (R24), and

a secondary reservoir (R2) of fluid product connected to the dispensing member (P) by a secondary plunger tube (R25),

characterized in that the main plunger tube (R24) extends through the secondary reservoir (R2).

2. - fluid dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the main plunger tube (R24) is formed by the secondary reservoir (R2).

3. - Fluid dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the secondary plunger tube (R25) is formed by the secondary reservoir (R2).

4. - Fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the main plunger tube (R24) and the secondary plunger tube (R25) extend parallel in an adjacent manner by defining between them a common partition wall ( R26).

5. - Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary reservoir (R2) comprises a one-piece secondary tank body (R20) externally forming a peripheral outer wall (R21), and internally the main dip tube (R24) and the secondary dip tube (R25).

6. A fluid dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the one-piece secondary tank body (R20) also forms a receiving housing (R23) for the dispensing member (P), said receiving housing (R23) communicating with the two dip tubes (R24, R25).

7. A fluid dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the dispensing member (P) comprises an elongate member body (P1) which is substantially inserted into the receiving housing (R23).

8. A fluid dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the secondary tank (R2) comprises a bottom piece (F) attached to the one-piece secondary tank body (R20), this bottom piece (F) being traversed by a connecting passage (F1) connecting the main plunger tube (R24) to the main reservoir (R1), this bottom piece (F) also forming a connecting end (F2) connecting the secondary plunger tube (R25) to the secondary reservoir (R2) ).

9. - Fluid dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the bottom piece (F) is received in a centering housing (R16) formed by the main tank (R1), the bottom piece (F) advantageously forming centering fins (F3) which engage the centering housing (R16) while allowing fluid communication between the main reservoir (R1) and the connecting passage (F1).

10. - fluid dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the secondary reservoir (R2) extends from the bottom wall (R15) to near the opening (R14).

1 1. Fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary reservoir (R2) comprises a vent valve (R221).

12. - fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary reservoir (R2) is inserted into the main reservoir (R1) through the opening (R14).

13. - fluid dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the secondary reservoir (R2) is initially provided, before its connection to the dispensing member (P), a removable cap (S) which closes the secondary dip tube (R25).

14. - A method of filling the secondary reservoir (R2) of the fluid dispenser according to claims 8 and 13, wherein the one-piece secondary tank body (R20), provided with its removable cap (S) but without its piece of bottom (F), is arranged upside down, filled with fluid and then sealed by means of the bottom piece (F).

15. - Kit comprising:

a main fluid reservoir (R1) comprising an opening (R14) on which a dispensing member (P), such as a pump, is removably mounted, and

- a secondary reservoir (R2) of fluid product forming a main plunger tube (R24) extending through the secondary reservoir (R2) and a secondary plunger tube (R25).

16. - Use of the kit of claim 15, consisting of:

a) removing the dispensing member (P) from the main reservoir (R1), b) connect the secondary tank (R2) to the dispenser member c) insert the secondary tank (R2) through the opening (R14), d) mount the dispensing member (P) on the main tank