EP3755645B1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Fluid product dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3755645B1
EP3755645B1 EP19714709.3A EP19714709A EP3755645B1 EP 3755645 B1 EP3755645 B1 EP 3755645B1 EP 19714709 A EP19714709 A EP 19714709A EP 3755645 B1 EP3755645 B1 EP 3755645B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dispenser
valve
axial
pusher
axial bearing
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP19714709.3A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3755645A1 (en
Inventor
Sébastien Bilquez
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Aptar France SAS
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Aptar France SAS
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Publication of EP3755645A1 publication Critical patent/EP3755645A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/16—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means
    • B65D83/20—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant characterised by the actuating means operated by manual action, e.g. button-type actuator or actuator caps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/38—Details of the container body
    • B65D83/384—Details of the container body comprising an aerosol container disposed in an outer shell or in an external container
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices
    • B65D83/52—Valves specially adapted therefor; Regulating devices for metering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
    • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
    • B65D83/60—Contents and propellant separated
    • B65D83/62—Contents and propellant separated by membrane, bag, or the like

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir containing fluid under pressure, a valve through which the fluid under pressure is discharged, and a dispensing head which cooperates with the valve to dispense fluid through a dispensing orifice.
  • the dispensing head comprises a dispensing tip connected to the valve and defining a supply conduit which connects the valve to the dispensing orifice, as well as a pusher for moving the dispensing tip along an actuation axis X between a rest position in which the valve is closed and a depressed position in which the valve is open.
  • Dispensing continues continuously as long as the plunger remains depressed, and the valve thereby open, the dispensing nozzle being biased towards its rest position by an internal return spring of the valve.
  • This type of dispenser can be described as an aerosol and finds a preferred application in the fields of cosmetics or even pharmacy, without excluding food and household products.
  • a known distributor is presented in US 6,352,184 B1 .
  • a particular type of aerosol implements an outer shell which encloses a flexible bag mounted at the inlet of the valve.
  • a pressurized gas is introduced between the shell and the pocket to pressurize the latter.
  • the fluid product to be dispensed can be introduced under pressure into the flexible bag, so that the fluid product can thus be stored under a pressure of the order of 8 bars at the start and still close to 3 bars when the bag is almost empty.
  • This type of aerosol without propellant gas mixed with the fluid product to be dispensed, is known under the designation of "Bag on Valve" and provides many advantages, such as a total separation between the fluid product and the propellant gas and a restitution approaching 100%.
  • the object of the present invention is to produce a dispenser with discrete or metered dispensing, similar to that of a pump, but from a dispenser of the aerosol type with continuous dispensing, as described above, and in particular an aerosol of bag-on-valve type. More specifically, a problem of the invention is to intervene between the pusher and the dispensing tip so that a conventional press on the pusher generates a short-term dispensing which is independent of the duration of the press on the pusher , but only of the tracking force which is that of a conventional aerosol pusher. In other words, even prolonged pressure on the push-button must produce a spray or a brief, succinct or ephemeral jet, the duration of which is reproducible.
  • the total stroke of the pusher must be at least equal to the limited axial stroke of the dispensing endpiece and preferably slightly or clearly greater, in particular at the end of the stroke, in order to guarantee the release of the dispensing endpiece at the end of its limited axial travel.
  • the pusher can therefore continue its travel after the release of the dispensing nozzle.
  • the pusher can thus remain depressed, but this has no effect on the dispensing of fluid product, given that the valve has already closed.
  • the user can press quite normally on the pusher, without worrying about the length of his press. It is only the support speed that could have a marginal influence on the duration of the distribution.
  • the dispensing nozzle comprises an axial support collar and the limited thrust member comprises at least one axial support profile which selectively comes into engagement with the axial support collar to drive the nozzle distribution on its limited axial stroke.
  • the end of the limited axial travel is characterized by the disengagement of the axial support profile from the axial support collar.
  • the axial support profile is in pressed engagement against the axial support collar only during the limited axial stroke.
  • the thrust release member may comprise cam means for moving said at least one axial bearing profile radially outwards to release the axial bearing collar.
  • said at least one axial support profile can be formed on an elastically deformable tab.
  • the cam means may comprise a conical surface on which the elastically deformable tab slides while deforming radially outwards, at least until the axial bearing flange is released from said at least one axial support profile. The support profile, while pressing axially on the support collar therefore moves outwards under the stress of the conical surface which deforms the elastic tab until the collar escapes from the profile. From this moment, the dispensing nozzle is returned to its rest position by the internal spring of the valve.
  • the conical surface can be formed by a covering part which is fixedly mounted on the reservoir of fluid product, and which advantageously guides the pusher in its axial movement.
  • the dispensing head further comprises a return spring to return the plunger and the limited thrust member to an initial position, this return spring being advantageously formed by the limited thrust member.
  • this return spring being advantageously formed by the limited thrust member.
  • said at least one axial support profile can be located axially away from the axial support flange, when the pusher and the limited thrust member are in the initial position and the dispensing endpiece in the rest position, so that the pusher and the limited thrust member perform an initial idle stroke before said at least one axial support profile comes into contact with the axial support collar.
  • the limited thrust member may comprise several elastically deformable tabs separated by axial slots, each elastically deformable tab internally forming an axial support profile, advantageously in the form of a shoulder facing downwards , the dispensing endpiece comprising an axial section having a connection end connected to the valve and forming the axial support flange, the dispensing endpiece advantageously comprising a transverse section forming the dispensing orifice.
  • the fluid reservoir comprises a flexible pouch pressurized by an external gas.
  • a “Bag on Valve” which is particularly advantageous with the present invention, because the residual pressure in the flexible bag is still high (approximately 3 bars), when it is almost empty. Indeed, this residual pressure makes it possible to generate a dose of fluid product which is substantially identical to or approaching the dose of fluid product when the pocket is full with 8 bars of pressure. With a conventional aerosol with propellant gas mixed with the fluid product to be dispensed, the residual pressure is too low to generate an acceptable dose.
  • the spirit of the invention resides in the fact of decoupling the pusher (on which one presses) from the part (dispensing tip) which directly actuates the valve to release it at a given moment or place of the stroke of the pusher so that the valve can close independently of the pressing force exerted on the pusher. The plunger can then be pressed fully, while the valve is closed again. It is therefore necessary to temporary thrust means for driving the dispensing nozzle and release means for stopping the driving of the dispensing nozzle.
  • the distributor of figure 1 comprises two separate sub-assemblies, namely a fluid reservoir 1 and a dispensing head 3.
  • the dispensing head 3 can be completed with a removable protective cover 8.
  • the fluid reservoir 1 comprises, in this non-limiting embodiment, a rigid outer canister 12 enclosing a flexible pocket 11.
  • the outer canister 12 is provided with a mounting cup 21 on which is mounted a valve 2.
  • the pocket flexible 11 is attached in a sealed manner to the valve 2.
  • the flexible pouch 12 is pressurized by means of a gas G which is present between the container 12 and the pouch 11. Initially, when the pouch 11 is full, the gas G can be at a pressure of the order of 8 to 12 bars, and when the pocket 11 is empty or almost empty, the gas G can still be at a pressure of about 2 to 5 bars.
  • This fluid reservoir 1 is often referred to as a “Bag on Valve”, in the sense that the flexible pouch 11 is (directly or indirectly) mounted on the valve 2. It should be noted that there is no gas thruster inside pocket 11.
  • the valve 2 comprises a receiving housing 22 for the dispensing endpiece 4, as well as a seal 23 which can produce a seal with this dispensing endpiece 4.
  • the valve 2 also comprises a return spring 24 which urges it in a closed state.
  • the dispensing head 3 here comprises four constituent elements, apart from the removable protective cover 8, namely a dispensing endpiece 4, a pusher 5, a limited thrust member 6 and a covering part 7. All these parts can be made by injection/moulding of suitable plastic material.
  • the pusher 5 and the covering part 7 can optionally be made of another material, such as metal for example.
  • the dispensing endpiece 4 is the part which makes it possible to convey the fluid product coming from the valve 2 to a dispensing orifice 41, at the level of which the fluid product leaves the dispenser, for example in the form of a foam, a jet , spray, cord or hazelnut.
  • the dispensing endpiece 4 firstly comprises a connection end 43 which is engaged in a leaktight manner in the housing 22 of the valve 2, being surrounded by the seal 23.
  • This connection end 43 is part of a section axial 44 which forms on its outer periphery an axial bearing flange 46 which projects outwards. It can thus be said that this axial bearing flange 46 forms a shoulder facing upwards.
  • the dispensing nozzle 4 also comprises a transverse section 45 which extends radially outwards from the upper end of the axial section 44.
  • the axial section 44 and the transverse section 45 are crossed by a supply conduit 42 which defines at its downstream end the dispensing orifice 41.
  • the transverse radial section 45 extends substantially at right angles to the axial section 44.
  • the radial section 45 could, however, have other orientations.
  • the dispensing orifice 41 preferably opens laterally.
  • the pusher 5 is a cup-shaped part comprising an upper bearing wall 51 located on the X axis and a peripheral skirt pierced with a notch 52.
  • the pusher 5 also comprises a mounting sleeve 56 which extends towards the down inside the bucket.
  • This sleeve 56 has a perfectly or partially cylindrical shape.
  • the pusher 5 comprises an external attachment profile 53, the function of which will be given below.
  • the pusher 5 does not act directly on the dispensing nozzle 4, but via the limited thrust member 6, which is secured to the pusher 5 via a chimney 65 in engagement with the mounting sleeve 56.
  • the pusher 5 and the limited thrust member 6 could be made in one piece, but for reasons of ease of molding, they are made separately, then reported the one over the other permanently.
  • the limited thrust member 6 also comprises a crown 60 which extends downwards, substantially in the extension of the chimney 65.
  • This crown 60 comprises several elastically deformable lugs 61 which are separated by axial slots 61a.
  • Each tab 61 internally forms an axial support profile 62, in the form of a shoulder facing downwards.
  • Each leg 61 also defines a free sliding end 63.
  • the limited thrust member 6 also comprises leaf springs 64, which here are three in number. Blades 64 extend helically around crown 60. These blades 64 can be replaced by a conventional spring.
  • Trim part 7 is visible in detail on the picture 3a .
  • this trim piece 7 comprises an outer jacket 71 which is pierced with a window 72 for the passage of the dispensing nozzle 4.
  • this jacket 71 may comprise a profile for the attachment of the pusher 5 at its hooking profile 53.
  • the covering part 7 comprises also an annular assembly housing 73 in which the hemmed edge of the cup 21 is received. The covering part 7 then extends radially inwards, forming an annular flange 23, then a conical surface 75.
  • the axial section 44 of the dispensing tip 4 extends inside the crown 60.
  • the axial support profiles 62 are located a short distance axially above the bearing flange 46.
  • the free sliding ends 63 are arranged axially away from the conical surface 75.
  • the transverse section of the dispensing nozzle 4 extends through the notch 52 of the pusher 5 and through the window 72 of the trim piece 7. It can also be seen that the leaf springs 64 rest on the annular flange 74 of the trim piece 7.
  • a user can press on the support surface 51 of the pusher 5 so as to push it along an actuating axis X inside the covering part 7, which is mounted fixedly on the tank 1.
  • the pusher 5, and its limited thrust member 6, will first travel a dead stroke, that is to say that it generates no effect on the distribution of fluid product.
  • the limited thrust member 6 will thus move until the axial support profiles 52 come into contact with the axial support flange 46, which is shown on the figure 3b .
  • the free sliding ends 63 can simultaneously come into contact with the conical surface 75.
  • the dispensing nozzle 4 has not yet moved and the valve 2 is closed. There is no smooth product dispensing yet.
  • the displacement of the pusher 5 and of its limited thrust member 6 into this position takes place at against the leaf springs 64, which presses more strongly on the annular flange 74.
  • the dispensing of fluid product takes place only in the driving phase of the dispensing nozzle 4 until its release, which marks the closing of the valve 2 and the end of the dispensing.
  • the user when he presses on the bearing surface 51 of the pusher 5, does not realize how the various phases described above are proceeding. He presses button 5 naturally and instinctively, so that there is no downtime between the different phases described above.
  • the driving of the dispensing endpiece 4 by the limited thrust member 6 takes place only over part of the total stroke of the pusher 5.
  • the proportion of the stroke corresponding to the driving of the dispensing endpiece 4 can be adjusted by acting on the length of the legs 61 and the inclination of the conical surface 75.
  • the radial projection of the profiles 62 also influences the length of the drive stroke. The brevity of the dispensing therefore depends on the stroke length corresponding to the drive of the dispensing nozzle 4.
  • valve-operated fluid dispenser which by definition provides continuous dispensing of fluid
  • pseudo-pump dispenser in the sense that the dispensing of fluid is automatically completed, as soon as when the pusher is fully pressed.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne un distributeur de produit fluide comprenant un réservoir de produit fluide contenant du produit fluide sous pression, une valve à travers laquelle le produit fluide sous pression est refoulé, et une tête de distribution qui coopère avec la valve pour distribuer du produit fluide à travers un orifice de distribution. La tête de distribution comprend un embout de distribution raccordé à la valve et définissant un conduit d'alimentation qui relie la valve à l'orifice de distribution, ainsi qu'un poussoir pour déplacer l'embout de distribution selon un axe d'actionnement X entre une position de repos dans laquelle la valve est fermée et une position enfoncée dans laquelle la valve est ouverte. En appuyant sur le poussoir, la valve s'ouvre et le produit fluide sous pression traverse l'embout de distribution et sort au niveau de l'orifice de distribution. La distribution se poursuit de manière continue tant que le poussoir reste enfoncé, et la valve de ce fait ouverte, l'embout de distribution étant sollicité vers sa position de repos par un ressort de rappel interne de la valve. Ce genre de distributeur peut être qualifié d'aérosol et trouve une application privilégiée dans les domaines de la cosmétique ou encore de la pharmacie, sans exclure l'alimentaire et les produits ménaers. Un distributeur connu est présenté dans US 6 352 184 B1 .The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir containing fluid under pressure, a valve through which the fluid under pressure is discharged, and a dispensing head which cooperates with the valve to dispense fluid through a dispensing orifice. The dispensing head comprises a dispensing tip connected to the valve and defining a supply conduit which connects the valve to the dispensing orifice, as well as a pusher for moving the dispensing tip along an actuation axis X between a rest position in which the valve is closed and a depressed position in which the valve is open. By pressing the push button, the valve opens and the pressurized fluid passes through the dispensing tip and exits at the dispensing orifice. Dispensing continues continuously as long as the plunger remains depressed, and the valve thereby open, the dispensing nozzle being biased towards its rest position by an internal return spring of the valve. This type of dispenser can be described as an aerosol and finds a preferred application in the fields of cosmetics or even pharmacy, without excluding food and household products. A known distributor is presented in US 6,352,184 B1 .

Un type d'aérosol particulier met en oeuvre une coque extérieure qui renferme une poche souple montée à l'entrée de la valve. Un gaz sous pression est introduit entre la coque et la poche pour mettre cette dernière sous pression. En outre, le produit fluide à distribuer peut être introduit sous pression dans la poche souple, de sorte que le produit fluide peut ainsi être stocké sous une pression de l'ordre de 8 bars au départ et encore près de 3 bars lorsque la poche est presque vide. Ce type d'aérosol, sans gaz propulseur mélangé au produit fluide à distribuer, est connu sous la désignation de « Bag on Valve » et procure de nombreux avantages, tels qu'une séparation totale entre le produit fluide et le gaz propulseur et une restitution approchant les 100%.A particular type of aerosol implements an outer shell which encloses a flexible bag mounted at the inlet of the valve. A pressurized gas is introduced between the shell and the pocket to pressurize the latter. In addition, the fluid product to be dispensed can be introduced under pressure into the flexible bag, so that the fluid product can thus be stored under a pressure of the order of 8 bars at the start and still close to 3 bars when the bag is almost empty. This type of aerosol, without propellant gas mixed with the fluid product to be dispensed, is known under the designation of "Bag on Valve" and provides many advantages, such as a total separation between the fluid product and the propellant gas and a restitution approaching 100%.

La présente invention a pour but de réaliser un distributeur à distribution discrète ou dosée, similaire à celle d'une pompe, mais à partir d'un distributeur de type aérosol à distribution continue, tel que décrit ci-dessus, et notamment un aérosol de type « Bag on Valve ». Plus précisément, un problème de l'invention est d'intervenir entre le poussoir et l'embout de distribution afin qu'un appui classique sur le poussoir génère une distribution de courte durée qui est indépendante de la durée de l'appui sur le poussoir, mais uniquement de la force d'appui qui est celle d'un poussoir d'aérosol conventionnel. En d'autres termes, un appui, même prolongé, sur le poussoir doit produire un spray ou un jet bref, succinct ou éphémère, dont la durée est reproductible.The object of the present invention is to produce a dispenser with discrete or metered dispensing, similar to that of a pump, but from a dispenser of the aerosol type with continuous dispensing, as described above, and in particular an aerosol of bag-on-valve type. More specifically, a problem of the invention is to intervene between the pusher and the dispensing tip so that a conventional press on the pusher generates a short-term dispensing which is independent of the duration of the press on the pusher , but only of the tracking force which is that of a conventional aerosol pusher. In other words, even prolonged pressure on the push-button must produce a spray or a brief, succinct or ephemeral jet, the duration of which is reproducible.

Ce but est atteint selon l'invention en ce que la tête de distribution comprend en outre:

  • un organe de poussée limitée qui transmet la force axiale de poussée du poussoir à l'embout de distribution pour le déplacer axialement sur une course limitée qui est cependant suffisante pour ouvrir la valve,
  • un organe de libération de poussée qui agit sur l'organe de poussée limitée en libérant l'embout de distribution de la force axiale de poussée du poussoir transmise par l'organe de poussée limitée à la fin de la course axiale limitée, de sorte que l'embout de distribution retourne à sa position de repos et la valve se ferme, l'embout de distribution comprenant une collerette d'appui axial et l'organe de poussée limitée comprenant au moins un profil d'appui axial qui vient sélectivement en prise avec la collerette d'appui axial pour entraîner l'embout de distribution sur sa course axiale limitée.
This object is achieved according to the invention in that the dispensing head further comprises:
  • a limited thrust member which transmits the axial thrust force of the pusher to the dispensing nozzle to move it axially over a limited stroke which is however sufficient to open the valve,
  • a thrust release member which acts on the limited thrust member by releasing the end piece for distributing the axial thrust force of the tappet transmitted by the limited thrust member at the end of the limited axial stroke, so that the dispensing nozzle returns to its rest position and the valve closes, the dispensing nozzle comprising an axial support collar and the limited thrust member comprising at least one axial support profile which selectively engages with the axial support flange to drive the dispensing end piece on its limited axial travel.

Ainsi, la course totale du poussoir doit être au minimum égale à la course axiale limitée de l'embout de distribution et de préférence légèrement ou franchement supérieure, notamment en fin de course, afin de garantir la libération de l'embout de distribution à la fin de sa course axiale limitée. Le poussoir peut donc continuer sa course après la libération de l'embout de distribution. Le poussoir peut ainsi rester enfoncé, mais cela n'a aucun effet sur la distribution de produit fluide, étant donné que la valve s'est déjà refermée. L'utilisateur peut appuyer tout à fait normalement sur le poussoir, sans se soucier de la longueur de son appui. Ce n'est que la vitesse d'appui qui pourrait marginalement avoir une influence sur la durée de la distribution.Thus, the total stroke of the pusher must be at least equal to the limited axial stroke of the dispensing endpiece and preferably slightly or clearly greater, in particular at the end of the stroke, in order to guarantee the release of the dispensing endpiece at the end of its limited axial travel. The pusher can therefore continue its travel after the release of the dispensing nozzle. The pusher can thus remain depressed, but this has no effect on the dispensing of fluid product, given that the valve has already closed. The user can press quite normally on the pusher, without worrying about the length of his press. It is only the support speed that could have a marginal influence on the duration of the distribution.

Selon l'invention, l'embout de distribution comprend une collerette d'appui axial et l'organe de poussée limitée comprend au moins un profil d'appui axial qui vient sélectivement en prise avec la collerette d'appui axial pour entrainer l'embout de distribution sur sa course axiale limitée. La fin de la course axiale limitée est caractérisée par le désengagement du profil d'appui axial de la collerette d'appui axial. En d'autres termes, le profil d'appui axial n'est en prise appuyée contre la collerette d'appui axial que pendant la course axiale limitée.According to the invention, the dispensing nozzle comprises an axial support collar and the limited thrust member comprises at least one axial support profile which selectively comes into engagement with the axial support collar to drive the nozzle distribution on its limited axial stroke. The end of the limited axial travel is characterized by the disengagement of the axial support profile from the axial support collar. In other words, the axial support profile is in pressed engagement against the axial support collar only during the limited axial stroke.

Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, l'organe de libération de poussée peut comprendre des moyens de came pour déplacer ledit au moins un profil d'appui axial radialement vers l'extérieur pour libérer la collerette d'appui axial. De préférence, ledit au moins un profil d'appui axial peut être formé sur une patte élastiquement déformable. D'autre part, les moyens de came peuvent comprendre une surface conique sur laquelle la patte élastiquement déformable glisse tout en se déformant radialement vers l'extérieur, au moins jusqu'à ce que la collerette d'appui axial soit libérée dudit au moins un profil d'appui axial. Le profil d'appui, tout en appuyant axialement sur la collerette d'appui se déplace donc vers l'extérieur sous la sollicitation de la surface conique qui déforme la patte élastique jusqu'à ce que la collerette échappe au profil. Dès cet instant, l'embout de distribution est renvoyé dans sa position de repos par le ressort interne de la valve.According to another characteristic of the invention, the thrust release member may comprise cam means for moving said at least one axial bearing profile radially outwards to release the axial bearing collar. Preferably, said at least one axial support profile can be formed on an elastically deformable tab. On the other hand, the cam means may comprise a conical surface on which the elastically deformable tab slides while deforming radially outwards, at least until the axial bearing flange is released from said at least one axial support profile. The support profile, while pressing axially on the support collar therefore moves outwards under the stress of the conical surface which deforms the elastic tab until the collar escapes from the profile. From this moment, the dispensing nozzle is returned to its rest position by the internal spring of the valve.

Selon un mode de réalisation pratique, la surface conique peut être formée par une pièce d'habillage qui est montée fixement sur le réservoir de produit fluide, et qui guide avantageusement le poussoir dans son déplacement axial.According to a practical embodiment, the conical surface can be formed by a covering part which is fixedly mounted on the reservoir of fluid product, and which advantageously guides the pusher in its axial movement.

Avantageusement, la tête de distribution comprend en outre un ressort de rappel pour renvoyer le poussoir et l'organe de poussée limitée dans une position initiale, ce ressort de rappel étant avantageusement formé par l'organe de poussée limitée. On peut éventuellement se passer de ce ressort de rappel dans le cas où l'élasticité de la ou des pattes élastiques est suffisamment puissante.Advantageously, the dispensing head further comprises a return spring to return the plunger and the limited thrust member to an initial position, this return spring being advantageously formed by the limited thrust member. We can possibly do without this spring recall in the event that the elasticity of the elastic lug(s) is strong enough.

Selon un autre aspect intéressant de l'invention, ledit au moins un profil d'appui axial peut être situé en éloignement axial de la collerette d'appui axial, lorsque le poussoir et l'organe de poussée limitée sont en position initiale et l'embout de distribution en position de repos, de sorte que le poussoir et l'organe de poussée limitée effectue une course morte initiale avant que ledit au moins un profil d'appui axial vienne en contact de la collerette d'appui axial.According to another interesting aspect of the invention, said at least one axial support profile can be located axially away from the axial support flange, when the pusher and the limited thrust member are in the initial position and the dispensing endpiece in the rest position, so that the pusher and the limited thrust member perform an initial idle stroke before said at least one axial support profile comes into contact with the axial support collar.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, l'organe de poussée limitée peut comprendre plusieurs pattes élastiquement déformables séparées par des fentes axiales, chaque patte élastiquement déformable formant intérieurement un profil d'appui axial, avantageusement sous la forme d'un épaulement orienté vers le bas, l'embout de distribution comprenant un tronçon axial ayant une extrémité de raccordement reliée à la valve et formant la collerette d'appui axial, l'embout de distribution comprenant avantageusement un tronçon transversal formant l'orifice de distribution.According to a preferred embodiment, the limited thrust member may comprise several elastically deformable tabs separated by axial slots, each elastically deformable tab internally forming an axial support profile, advantageously in the form of a shoulder facing downwards , the dispensing endpiece comprising an axial section having a connection end connected to the valve and forming the axial support flange, the dispensing endpiece advantageously comprising a transverse section forming the dispensing orifice.

Selon une application privilégiée, le réservoir de produit fluide comprend une poche souple mise sous pression par un gaz extérieur. On est alors dans le cas d'un « Bag on Valve », qui est particulièrement avantageux avec la présente invention, du fait que la pression résiduelle dans la poche souple est encore élevée (environ 3 bars), lorsqu'elle est presque vide. En effet, cette pression résiduelle permet de générer une dose de produit fluide qui est sensiblement identique ou approchante de la dose de produit fluide lorsqu'elle la poche est pleine avec 8 bars de pression. Avec un aérosol conventionnel avec gaz propulseur mélangé au produit fluide à distribuer, la pression résiduelle est trop faible pour générer une dose acceptable.According to a preferred application, the fluid reservoir comprises a flexible pouch pressurized by an external gas. We are then in the case of a “Bag on Valve”, which is particularly advantageous with the present invention, because the residual pressure in the flexible bag is still high (approximately 3 bars), when it is almost empty. Indeed, this residual pressure makes it possible to generate a dose of fluid product which is substantially identical to or approaching the dose of fluid product when the pocket is full with 8 bars of pressure. With a conventional aerosol with propellant gas mixed with the fluid product to be dispensed, the residual pressure is too low to generate an acceptable dose.

L'esprit de l'invention réside dans le fait de découpler le poussoir (sur lequel on appuie) de la pièce (embout de distribution) qui actionne directement la valve pour la libérer à un moment où endroit donné de la course du poussoir pour que la valve puisse se refermer indépendamment de la force d'appui exercée sur le poussoir. Le poussoir peut alors être enfoncé à fond, alors que la valve est à nouveau fermée. Il faut donc des moyens de poussée temporaire pour entrainer l'embout de distribution et des moyens de libération pour stopper l'entrainement de l'embout de distribution.The spirit of the invention resides in the fact of decoupling the pusher (on which one presses) from the part (dispensing tip) which directly actuates the valve to release it at a given moment or place of the stroke of the pusher so that the valve can close independently of the pressing force exerted on the pusher. The plunger can then be pressed fully, while the valve is closed again. It is therefore necessary to temporary thrust means for driving the dispensing nozzle and release means for stopping the driving of the dispensing nozzle.

L'invention sera maintenant plus amplement décrite en référence aux dessins donnant à titre d'exemple non limitatif un mode de réalisation de l'invention.The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

Sur les figures :

  • La figure 1 est une vue en perspective éclatée d'un distributeur selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention,
  • Les figures 2a, 2b et 2c sont des vues en perspective selon différents angles de l'organe de poussée limitée mis en oeuvre dans le distributeur de la figure 1, et
  • Les figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f et 3g sont des vues en coupe transversale verticale à travers le distributeur de la figure 1 illustrant un cycle d'actionnement du distributeur.
In the figures:
  • There figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention,
  • THE figures 2a, 2b and 2c are perspective views from different angles of the limited thrust member implemented in the distributor of the figure 1 , And
  • THE figures 3a, 3b, 3c , 3d, 3e, 3f and 3g are vertical cross-sectional views through the distributor of the figure 1 illustrating a dispenser actuation cycle.

Le distributeur de la figure 1 comprend deux sous-ensembles distincts, à savoir un réservoir de produit fluide 1 et une tête de distribution 3. Avantageusement, la tête de distribution 3 peut être complétée avec un capot de protection amovible 8.The distributor of figure 1 comprises two separate sub-assemblies, namely a fluid reservoir 1 and a dispensing head 3. Advantageously, the dispensing head 3 can be completed with a removable protective cover 8.

Le réservoir de produit fluide 1, comprend dans ce mode de réalisation non limitatif, un bidon externe rigide 12 renfermant une poche souple 11. Le bidon externe 12 est pourvu d'une coupelle de montage 21 sur laquelle est montée une valve 2. La poche souple 11 est fixée de manière étanche à la valve 2. La poche souple 12 est mise sous pression au moyen d'un gaz G qui est présent entre le bidon 12 et la poche 11. Initialement, lorsque la poche 11 est pleine, le gaz G peut être à une pression de l'ordre de 8 à 12 bars, et lorsque la poche 11 est vide ou presque vide, le gaz G peut encore être à une pression d'environ 2 à 5 bars. Ce réservoir de produit fluide 1 est souvent qualifié de « Bag on Valve », en ce sens que la poche souple 11 est (directement ou indirectement) montée sur la valve 2. Il est à noter qu'il n'y a pas de gaz propulseur à l'intérieur de la poche 11.The fluid reservoir 1 comprises, in this non-limiting embodiment, a rigid outer canister 12 enclosing a flexible pocket 11. The outer canister 12 is provided with a mounting cup 21 on which is mounted a valve 2. The pocket flexible 11 is attached in a sealed manner to the valve 2. The flexible pouch 12 is pressurized by means of a gas G which is present between the container 12 and the pouch 11. Initially, when the pouch 11 is full, the gas G can be at a pressure of the order of 8 to 12 bars, and when the pocket 11 is empty or almost empty, the gas G can still be at a pressure of about 2 to 5 bars. This fluid reservoir 1 is often referred to as a “Bag on Valve”, in the sense that the flexible pouch 11 is (directly or indirectly) mounted on the valve 2. It should be noted that there is no gas thruster inside pocket 11.

En variante non représentée, il est également possible d'utiliser un réservoir de produit fluide 1 équipé d'une valve 2, mais dont le réservoir contient un mélange de produit fluide et de gaz propulseur.In a variant not shown, it is also possible to use a reservoir of fluid product 1 fitted with a valve 2, but the reservoir of which contains a mixture of fluid product and propellant gas.

Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 3a, la valve 2 comprend un logement de réception 22 pour l'embout de distribution 4, ainsi qu'un joint 23 qui peut réaliser une étanchéité avec cet embout de distribution 4. La valve 2 comprend également un ressort de rappel 24 qui la sollicite dans un état fermé.As can be seen on the picture 3a , the valve 2 comprises a receiving housing 22 for the dispensing endpiece 4, as well as a seal 23 which can produce a seal with this dispensing endpiece 4. The valve 2 also comprises a return spring 24 which urges it in a closed state.

La tête de distribution 3 comprend ici quatre éléments constitutifs, hormis le capot de protection amovible 8, à savoir un embout de distribution 4, un poussoir 5, un organe de poussée limitée 6 et une pièce d'habillage 7. Toutes ces pièces peuvent être réalisées par injection/moulage de matière plastique appropriée. Le poussoir 5 et la pièce d'habillage 7 peuvent éventuellement être réalisés en un autre matériau, comme par exemple du métal.The dispensing head 3 here comprises four constituent elements, apart from the removable protective cover 8, namely a dispensing endpiece 4, a pusher 5, a limited thrust member 6 and a covering part 7. All these parts can be made by injection/moulding of suitable plastic material. The pusher 5 and the covering part 7 can optionally be made of another material, such as metal for example.

L'embout de distribution 4 est la pièce qui permet d'acheminer le produit fluide issu de la valve 2 jusqu'à un orifice de distribution 41, au niveau duquel le produit fluide sort du distributeur, par exemple sous forme de mousse, de jet, de spray, de cordon ou de noisette. L'embout de distribution 4 comprend tout d'abord une extrémité de raccordement 43 qui est engagée de manière étanche dans le logement 22 de la valve 2, en étant entourée par le joint 23. Cette extrémité de raccordement 43 fait partie d'un tronçon axial 44 qui forme sur sa périphérie externe une collerette d'appui axiale 46 qui fait saillie vers l'extérieur. On peut ainsi dire que cette collerette d'appui axiale 46 forme un épaulement orienté vers le haut. L'embout de distribution 4 comprend également un tronçon transversal 45 qui s'étend radialement vers l'extérieur à partir de l'extrémité supérieure du tronçon axial 44. Le tronçon axial 44 et le tronçon transversal 45 sont traversés par un conduit d'alimentation 42 qui définit à son extrémité aval l'orifice de distribution 41. Sur les figures, on peut voir que le tronçon radial transversal 45 s'étend sensiblement à angle droit par rapport au tronçon axial 44. Le tronçon radial 45 pourrait toutefois avoir d'autres orientations. L'orifice de distribution 41 débouche de préférence latéralement.The dispensing endpiece 4 is the part which makes it possible to convey the fluid product coming from the valve 2 to a dispensing orifice 41, at the level of which the fluid product leaves the dispenser, for example in the form of a foam, a jet , spray, cord or hazelnut. The dispensing endpiece 4 firstly comprises a connection end 43 which is engaged in a leaktight manner in the housing 22 of the valve 2, being surrounded by the seal 23. This connection end 43 is part of a section axial 44 which forms on its outer periphery an axial bearing flange 46 which projects outwards. It can thus be said that this axial bearing flange 46 forms a shoulder facing upwards. The dispensing nozzle 4 also comprises a transverse section 45 which extends radially outwards from the upper end of the axial section 44. The axial section 44 and the transverse section 45 are crossed by a supply conduit 42 which defines at its downstream end the dispensing orifice 41. In the figures, it can be seen that the transverse radial section 45 extends substantially at right angles to the axial section 44. The radial section 45 could, however, have other orientations. The dispensing orifice 41 preferably opens laterally.

Le poussoir 5 est une pièce en forme de godet comprenant une paroi supérieure d'appui 51 située sur l'axe X et une jupe périphérique percée avec une échancrure 52. Le poussoir 5 comprend également une douille de montage 56 qui s'étend vers le bas à l'intérieur du godet. Cette douille 56 présente une forme parfaitement ou partiellement cylindrique. Avantageusement, le poussoir 5 comprend un profil d'accrochage extérieur 53, dont la fonction sera donnée ci-après.The pusher 5 is a cup-shaped part comprising an upper bearing wall 51 located on the X axis and a peripheral skirt pierced with a notch 52. The pusher 5 also comprises a mounting sleeve 56 which extends towards the down inside the bucket. This sleeve 56 has a perfectly or partially cylindrical shape. Advantageously, the pusher 5 comprises an external attachment profile 53, the function of which will be given below.

Selon l'invention, le poussoir 5 n'agit pas directement sur l'embout de distribution 4, mais par l'intermédiaire de l'organe de poussée limitée 6, qui est rendu solidaire du poussoir 5 par l'intermédiaire d'une cheminée 65 en prise avec la douille de montage 56. Idéalement, le poussoir 5 et l'organe de poussée limitée 6 pourraient être réalisés de manière monobloc, mais pour des raisons de facilité de moulage, ils sont réalisés de manière séparée, puis rapportés l'un sur l'autre de manière définitive. Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 2a, 2b et 2c, l'organe de poussée limitée 6 comprend également une couronne 60 qui s'étend vers le bas, sensiblement dans le prolongement de la cheminée 65. Cette couronne 60 comprend plusieurs pattes élastiquement déformables 61 qui sont séparées par des fentes axiales 61a. Chaque patte 61 forme intérieurement un profil d'appui axial 62, sous la forme d'un épaulement orienté vers le bas. Chaque patte 61 définit également une extrémité libre de glissement 63.According to the invention, the pusher 5 does not act directly on the dispensing nozzle 4, but via the limited thrust member 6, which is secured to the pusher 5 via a chimney 65 in engagement with the mounting sleeve 56. Ideally, the pusher 5 and the limited thrust member 6 could be made in one piece, but for reasons of ease of molding, they are made separately, then reported the one over the other permanently. As can be seen on the figures 2a, 2b and 2c , the limited thrust member 6 also comprises a crown 60 which extends downwards, substantially in the extension of the chimney 65. This crown 60 comprises several elastically deformable lugs 61 which are separated by axial slots 61a. Each tab 61 internally forms an axial support profile 62, in the form of a shoulder facing downwards. Each leg 61 also defines a free sliding end 63.

L'organe de poussée limitée 6 comprend également des lames de ressort 64, qui sont ici au nombre de trois. Les lames 64 s'étendent de manière hélicoïdale autour de la couronne 60. Ces lames 64 peuvent être remplacées par un ressort classique.The limited thrust member 6 also comprises leaf springs 64, which here are three in number. Blades 64 extend helically around crown 60. These blades 64 can be replaced by a conventional spring.

La pièce d'habillage 7 est visible en détail sur la figure 3a. cette pièce d'habillage 7 comprend une chemise externe 71 qui est percée d'une fenêtre 72 pour le passage de l'embout de distribution 4. Avantageusement, cette chemise 71 peut comprendre un profil pour l'accrochage du poussoir 5 au niveau de son profil d'accrochage 53. La pièce d'habillage 7 comprend également un logement annulaire de montage 73 dans lequel est reçu le bord ourlé de la coupelle 21. La pièce d'habillage 7 se prolonge ensuite radialement vers l'intérieur en formant une bride annulaire 23, puis une surface conique 75.Trim part 7 is visible in detail on the picture 3a . this trim piece 7 comprises an outer jacket 71 which is pierced with a window 72 for the passage of the dispensing nozzle 4. Advantageously, this jacket 71 may comprise a profile for the attachment of the pusher 5 at its hooking profile 53. The covering part 7 comprises also an annular assembly housing 73 in which the hemmed edge of the cup 21 is received. The covering part 7 then extends radially inwards, forming an annular flange 23, then a conical surface 75.

Sur la figure 3a, on peut voir de quelle manière sont agencés les différents éléments constitutifs de la tête de distribution 3. Le tronçon axial 44 de l'embout de distribution 4 s'étend à l'intérieur de la couronne 60. Les profils d'appui axial 62 sont situés à une courte distance axialement au-dessus de la collerette d'appui 46. Les extrémités libres de glissement 63 sont disposées en éloignement axial de la surface conique 75. Le tronçon transversal de l'embout de distribution 4 s'étend à travers l'échancrure 52 du poussoir 5 et à travers la fenêtre 72 de la pièce d'habillage 7. On peut également remarquer que les lames de ressort 64 prennent appui sur la bride annulaire 74 de la pièce d'habillage 7.On the picture 3a , one can see how the different constituent elements of the dispensing head 3 are arranged. The axial section 44 of the dispensing tip 4 extends inside the crown 60. The axial support profiles 62 are located a short distance axially above the bearing flange 46. The free sliding ends 63 are arranged axially away from the conical surface 75. The transverse section of the dispensing nozzle 4 extends through the notch 52 of the pusher 5 and through the window 72 of the trim piece 7. It can also be seen that the leaf springs 64 rest on the annular flange 74 of the trim piece 7.

La figure 3a correspond à une position de repos, la valve 2 étant fermée, l'embout de distribution 4 repoussé au maximum par le ressort 24 de la valve 2 et le poussoir 5 également repoussé au maximum par les lames de ressort 64. La surface supérieure d'appui 51 du poussoir 5 peut même faire légèrement saillie au-delà de la pièce d'habillage 5.There picture 3a corresponds to a rest position, the valve 2 being closed, the dispensing nozzle 4 pushed back to the maximum by the spring 24 of the valve 2 and the pusher 5 also pushed back to the maximum by the spring blades 64. The upper surface of support 51 of pusher 5 can even protrude slightly beyond trim piece 5.

A partir de cette position de repos, un utilisateur peut appuyer sur la surface d'appui 51 du poussoir 5 de manière à l'enfoncer selon un axe d'actionnement X à l'intérieur de la pièce d'habillage 7, qui est montée fixement sur le réservoir 1. Le poussoir 5, et son organe de poussée limitée 6, vont d'abord parcourir une course morte, c'est-à-dire qu'elle ne génère aucun effet sur la distribution de produit fluide. L'organe de poussée limitée 6 va ainsi se déplacer jusqu'à ce que les profils d'appui axial 52 viennent en contact avec la collerette d'appui axial 46, ce qui est représenté sur la figure 3b. Les extrémités libres de glissement 63 peuvent simultanément venir en contact avec la surface conique 75. Dans cette position, l'embout de distribution 4 n'a pas encore bougé et la valve 2 est fermée. Il n'y a pas encore de distribution de produit fluide. Le déplacement du poussoir 5 et de son organe de poussée limitée 6 jusque dans cette position se fait à l'encontre des lames de ressort 64, qui appuie plus fortement sur la bride annulaire 74.From this rest position, a user can press on the support surface 51 of the pusher 5 so as to push it along an actuating axis X inside the covering part 7, which is mounted fixedly on the tank 1. The pusher 5, and its limited thrust member 6, will first travel a dead stroke, that is to say that it generates no effect on the distribution of fluid product. The limited thrust member 6 will thus move until the axial support profiles 52 come into contact with the axial support flange 46, which is shown on the figure 3b . The free sliding ends 63 can simultaneously come into contact with the conical surface 75. In this position, the dispensing nozzle 4 has not yet moved and the valve 2 is closed. There is no smooth product dispensing yet. The displacement of the pusher 5 and of its limited thrust member 6 into this position takes place at against the leaf springs 64, which presses more strongly on the annular flange 74.

A partir de la position de la figure 3b, l'utilisateur continue à appuyer sur la surface d'appui 51 du poussoir 5, ce qui a pour effet d'enfoncer l'embout de distribution 4, étant donné qu'il est entraîné par sa collerette d'appui radial 46 qui est sollicitée par les profils d'appui axial 62 de la couronne 60. La valve 2 s'ouvre et du produit fluide est ainsi refoulé à travers le conduit d'alimentation 42 jusqu'à son orifice 41.From the position of the figure 3b , the user continues to press on the bearing surface 51 of the pusher 5, which has the effect of pushing in the dispensing tip 4, given that it is driven by its radial bearing collar 46 which is urged by the axial support profiles 62 of the crown 60. The valve 2 opens and the fluid product is thus discharged through the supply conduit 42 to its orifice 41.

Il faut remarquer sur la figure 3c que les profils d'appui axial 62 se sont déjà décalés radialement vers l'extérieur, sous l'action de la surface conique 75 sur laquelle glissent les extrémités libres de glissement 63 des pattes 61. En d'autres termes, les profils d'appui axial 62 se déplacent axialement vers le bas, mais se déplacent simultanément radialement vers l'extérieur.It should be noted on the figure 3c that the axial support profiles 62 have already shifted radially outwards, under the action of the conical surface 75 on which the free sliding ends 63 of the legs 61 slide. In other words, the profiles of axial support 62 move axially downward, but simultaneously move radially outward.

Ce déplacement combiné des profils axiales 62 se poursuit jusqu'à ce qu'ils ne soient plus en prise avec la collerette d'appui axial 46, ce qui est représenté sur la figure 3e. Les pattes 61 sont alors suffisamment écartées par la surface conique 75 pour que la collerette 56 se désengage de sa prise avec les profils 62. La position représentée sur la figure 3e est extrêmement éphémère, puisque l'embout de distribution 4 est directement renvoyé dans sa position de repos par le ressort 24 de la valve 2, comme représenté sur la figure 3f. La collerette 46 est alors située axialement au-dessus des profils 62. Le poussoir est enfoncé à fond, alors que l'embout de distribution 4 est dans sa position de repos. Les lames élastiques 64 sont déformées au maximum.This combined movement of the axial profiles 62 continues until they are no longer in engagement with the axial support flange 46, which is shown in the figure 3e . The lugs 61 are then sufficiently separated by the conical surface 75 for the collar 56 to disengage from its engagement with the profiles 62. The position represented on the figure 3e is extremely ephemeral, since the dispensing nozzle 4 is directly returned to its rest position by the spring 24 of the valve 2, as shown in the figure 3f . The collar 46 is then located axially above the profiles 62. The pusher is fully depressed, while the dispensing endpiece 4 is in its rest position. The elastic blades 64 are deformed to the maximum.

A partir de la position 3f, l'utilisateur peut relâcher sa pression sur la surface d'appui 51, de sorte que le poussoir 5 et son organe de poussée limitée 6 peuvent regagner leur position de repos sous l'action des lames de ressort 64. Ceci est représenté sur la figure 3g, qui correspond à la figure 3a. Le cycle d'actionnement complet est alors achevé. On se retrouve à nouveau avec les profils 62 situés axialement au-dessus et en éloignement de la collerette 46. Les extrémités libres de glissement 63 sont à nouveau disposées axialement en éloignement de la surface conique 75.From position 3f, the user can release his pressure on the support surface 51, so that the pusher 5 and its limited thrust member 6 can return to their rest position under the action of the spring blades 64 This is shown on the figure 3g , which corresponds to the picture 3a . The complete actuation cycle is then completed. We are again left with the profiles 62 located axially above and away from the flange 46. The free sliding ends 63 are again arranged axially away from the conical surface 75.

Ainsi, au cours d'un cycle complet d'actionnement, on trouve les phases suivantes :

  1. 1- course morte du poussoir 5,
  2. 2- entrainement de l'embout de distribution 4,
  3. 3- libération de l'embout de distribution 4,
  4. 4- relâchement du poussoir.
Thus, during a complete actuation cycle, there are the following phases:
  1. 1- dead stroke of pusher 5,
  2. 2- drive of the dispensing nozzle 4,
  3. 3- release of the dispensing nozzle 4,
  4. 4- release the pusher.

La distribution de produit fluide ne s'opère que dans la phase d'entraînement de l'embout de distribution 4 jusqu'à sa libération, qui marque la fermeture de la valve 2 et la fin de la distribution.The dispensing of fluid product takes place only in the driving phase of the dispensing nozzle 4 until its release, which marks the closing of the valve 2 and the end of the dispensing.

L'utilisateur, lorsqu'il appuie sur la surface d'appui 51 du poussoir 5, ne se rend pas compte du déroulement des différentes phases d'écrites ci-dessus. Il appuie de manière naturelle et instinctive sur le poussoir 5, de sorte qu'il n'y a pas de temps d'arrêt entre les différentes phases décrites ci-dessus. L'entraînement de l'embout de distribution 4 par l'organe de poussée limitée 6 ne s'opère que sur une partie de la course totale du poussoir 5. La proportion de la course correspondant à l'entraînement de l'embout de distribution 4 peut être ajustée en jouant sur la longueur des pattes 61 et l'inclinaison de la surface conique 75. La projection radiale des profils 62 influe également sur la longueur de la course d'entrainement. La brièveté de la distribution dépend donc de la longueur de course correspondant à l'entraînement de l'embout de distribution 4.The user, when he presses on the bearing surface 51 of the pusher 5, does not realize how the various phases described above are proceeding. He presses button 5 naturally and instinctively, so that there is no downtime between the different phases described above. The driving of the dispensing endpiece 4 by the limited thrust member 6 takes place only over part of the total stroke of the pusher 5. The proportion of the stroke corresponding to the driving of the dispensing endpiece 4 can be adjusted by acting on the length of the legs 61 and the inclination of the conical surface 75. The radial projection of the profiles 62 also influences the length of the drive stroke. The brevity of the dispensing therefore depends on the stroke length corresponding to the drive of the dispensing nozzle 4.

Grâce à l'invention, on peut transformer un distributeur de produit fluide à valve, qui par définition, fournit une distribution continue de produit fluide, en un pseudo distributeur à pompe, en ce sens que la distribution de produit fluide est automatiquement achevée, dès lors que l'on enfonce le poussoir à fond.Thanks to the invention, it is possible to transform a valve-operated fluid dispenser, which by definition provides continuous dispensing of fluid, into a pseudo-pump dispenser, in the sense that the dispensing of fluid is automatically completed, as soon as when the pusher is fully pressed.

Claims (10)

  1. A fluid dispenser, comprising:
    - a fluid reservoir (1) containing fluid under pressure;
    - a valve (2) through which the fluid under pressure is driven, the valve (2) including an internal return spring (24),
    - a dispenser head (3) that co-operates with the valve (2) so as to dispense the fluid through a dispenser orifice (41), the dispenser head (3) comprising:
    - a dispenser endpiece (4) that is connected to the valve (2) and that defines the dispenser orifice (41), and a feed duct (42) that connects the valve (2) to the dispenser orifice (41),
    - a pusher (5) for moving the dispenser endpiece (4) along an actuation axis X between a rest position in which the valve is closed and a depressed position in which the valve is open, the dispenser endpiece (4) being urged towards its rest position by the internal return spring (24) of the valve (2),
    the dispenser head (3) further comprising:
    - a limited thrust member (6) that transmits the axial thrust force from the pusher (5) to the dispenser endpiece (4) so as to move it axially over a stroke that is limited, but that is sufficient to open the valve (2),
    - a thrust release member (75) that acts on the limited thrust member (6), releasing the dispenser endpiece (4) from the axial thrust force from the pusher (5), as transmitted by the limited thrust member (6), at the end of the limited axial stroke, so that the dispenser endpiece (4) returns to its rest position and the valve (2) closes, characterized in that the dispenser endpiece (4) includes an axial bearing collar (46), and the limited thrust member (6) includes at least one axial bearing profile (62) that selectively comes into engagement with the axial bearing collar (46) so as to entrain the dispenser endpiece (4) over its limited axial stroke.
  2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the thrust release member (75) comprises cam means for moving said at least one axial bearing profile (62) radially outwards so as to release the axial bearing collar (46).
  3. A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein said at least one axial bearing profile (62) is formed on an elastically-deformable tab (61).
  4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the cam means comprise a conical surface (75) over which the elastically-deformable tab (61) slides while deforming radially outwards, at least until the axial bearing collar (46) is released from said at least one axial bearing profile (62).
  5. A dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the conical surface (75) is formed by a cover piece (7) that is mounted in stationary manner on the fluid reservoir (1), and that advantageously guides the pusher (5) in its axial movement.
  6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser head (3) further includes a return spring (64) for returning the pusher (5) and the limited thrust member (6) into an initial position, the return spring (64) advantageously being formed by the limited thrust member (6).
  7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one axial bearing profile (62) is situated axially at a distance from the axial bearing collar (46) when the pusher (5) and the limited thrust member (6) are in their initial position and the dispenser endpiece (4) is in its rest position, such that the pusher (5) and the limited thrust member (6) move along an initial dead stroke before said at least one axial bearing profile (62) comes into contact with the axial bearing collar (46).
  8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the limited thrust member (6) includes a plurality of elastically-deformable tabs (61) that are separated by axial slots (61a), the inside of each elastically-deformable tab (61) forming an axial bearing profile (62), advantageously in the form of a downwardly-directed shoulder, the dispenser endpiece (4) including an axial segment (44) having a connection end (43) that is connected to the valve (2) and forming the axial bearing collar (46), the dispenser endpiece (4) advantageously including a transverse segment (45) forming the dispenser orifice (41).
  9. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the dispenser orifice (41) opens out laterally, and the pusher (5) includes a bearing surface (51) that is situated on the actuation axis X.
  10. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid reservoir (1) includes a flexible pouch (11) that is put under pressure by an external gas.
EP19714709.3A 2018-02-20 2019-02-15 Fluid product dispenser Active EP3755645B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1851437A FR3078061B1 (en) 2018-02-20 2018-02-20 FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER.
PCT/FR2019/050339 WO2019162597A1 (en) 2018-02-20 2019-02-15 Fluid product dispenser

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3755645A1 EP3755645A1 (en) 2020-12-30
EP3755645B1 true EP3755645B1 (en) 2023-04-05

Family

ID=62597621

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19714709.3A Active EP3755645B1 (en) 2018-02-20 2019-02-15 Fluid product dispenser

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3755645B1 (en)
CN (1) CN111788125B (en)
FR (1) FR3078061B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2019162597A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR3129612A1 (en) * 2021-11-29 2023-06-02 Silgan Dispensing Systems Le Treport FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSER HEAD AND ASSOCIATED FLUID PRODUCT BOTTLE

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2370213A1 (en) * 1976-11-04 1978-06-02 Oreal DOSING VALVE FOR PRESSURIZED CONTAINER OF THE "AEROSOL BOMB" TYPE AND CORRESPONDING CONTAINER
US6152335A (en) * 1993-03-12 2000-11-28 Homax Products, Inc. Aerosol spray texture apparatus for a particulate containing material
US7374068B2 (en) * 2004-10-08 2008-05-20 Homax Products, Inc. Particulate materials for acoustic texture material
EP2135822B1 (en) * 2008-06-20 2013-08-21 Aptar Dortmund GmbH Dispensing device
NL2011199C2 (en) * 2013-07-19 2015-01-21 Jan Kelders Beheer B V Dispenser and method for dispensing fluids from a liquid holder.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN111788125B (en) 2023-02-21
CN111788125A (en) 2020-10-16
BR112020016520A2 (en) 2020-12-15
WO2019162597A1 (en) 2019-08-29
FR3078061B1 (en) 2020-10-23
FR3078061A1 (en) 2019-08-23
EP3755645A1 (en) 2020-12-30

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