Fluid product dispenser
By adopting axial and rotary abutment devices in the fluid product dispenser, combined with the design of threaded annular part and bushing, the problem of seal installation difficulties caused by the lack of rigidity of the flexible bag is solved, and the firm holding and sealing of the neck is achieved. Simplifies the use of the distributor.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380039829.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-05-11
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-10
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-27
AI Technical Summary
While existing fluid product dispensers ensure neck sealing and firm holding, it is difficult to install the dispensing member on the neck or housing of the reservoir, especially due to the lack of rigidity and freedom of movement of the flexible bag, the seal installation is difficult. .
A fluid product dispenser is designed including an outer housing formed with a neck and a threaded bushing, through an axial abutment device and a rotary abutment device, axial thrust lock is applied by means of the engagement of the threaded annular portion with the threaded bushing. The neck is sealed by sealing or self-sealing lips to ensure a secure connection between the dispensing member and the neck.
It realizes the refillable dispenser that manually separates the reservoir and the housing without using tools, ensures the sealing and firm holding of the neck, simplifies the installation process of the dispenser, and improves the convenience of the dispenser and sealing effect.
Smart Images
Figure CN119212800A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid product dispenser, more specifically, to a refillable dispenser. The dispenser comprises a reservoir formed with a neck and an outer housing formed with a threaded bushing, the threaded bushing defining a central opening for passing the neck. The dispenser also comprises a dispensing member, which is provided with a threaded annular portion to be screwed onto the threaded bushing. Preferably, the neck of the reservoir is removably or reversibly retained in the outer housing so that the user can remove the reservoir from the housing in order to replace it with another reservoir. Preferred fields of application of the present invention are cosmetics, household products or food. Background Art
[0002] The reservoir with a flexible bag itself lacks strength or rigidity, which is why the advantage of the deformation of the flexible bag is exploited to reduce the useful volume of the reservoir when the fluid product is extracted from the reservoir by the dispensing member. Therefore, due to the freedom of movement of the flexible bag inside the housing, it is difficult to install the dispensing member on the neck of the reservoir or on the housing while ensuring the tightness of the dispenser. Since the reservoir is introduced into the housing via its open bottom and installed by screwing, it is more difficult to install the dispensing member on the neck of the reservoir or on the housing in a sealing manner. Summary of the invention
[0003] The object of the present invention is to be able to screw the dispenser member onto the housing while ensuring that the neck is securely held in the housing and that the seal between the neck and the dispenser member is intact.
[0004] To this end, the present invention proposes a fluid product dispenser, comprising:
[0005] - a fluid reservoir formed with a neck defining an upper annular edge,
[0006] - an external housing comprising a threaded bushing defining a central opening for the neck to pass through, the fluid reservoir extending in the housing along a longitudinal axis X,
[0007] - a dispenser member provided with a threaded annulus intended to be threadedly engaged with a threaded bushing of the external housing, the dispenser member bearing axially on the neck when screwing of the threaded annulus onto the threaded bushing is completed,
[0008] the neck and the threaded bushing together form axial abutment means for axially locking the neck in the threaded bushing by applying an axial thrust to the neck by the dispensing member,
[0009] The outer shell includes:
[0010] - a housing formed with an upper threaded edge, and
[0011] - a cover comprising a threaded skirt intended to engage threadedly with the upper threaded edge of the casing, the cover being formed with a central opening for the passage of the neck of the rigid end piece.
[0012] In other words, the dispensing member is fixed to the outer housing by screwing and also engages with the neck of the reservoir, thereby achieving axial abutment between the neck and the threaded bushing. Therefore, the neck is firmly held relative to the outer housing and also firmly held relative to the dispensing member. A seal can be formed between the neck and the dispensing member by causing the dispensing member to apply an axial thrust to the neck, for example by pressing a neck seal against the upper annular edge of the neck. In a variant, the dispensing member can include a self-sealing lip that contacts the interior of the neck in a radially sliding manner.
[0013] In a refillable dispenser, the axial abutment means must be removable or reversible so that the user can easily deactivate them to separate the reservoir from the outer housing. It must be possible to separate the two parts manually without the use of tools. Axial and / or rotational displacement must be sufficient to separate the two parts.
[0014] According to a practical embodiment, the axial abutment device comprises: at least one peripheral support flange formed by one of the neck and the threaded bushing; and at least one lug formed by the other of the neck and the threaded bushing, which lug is intended to be axially aligned with the peripheral support flange by mutual rotation of the neck in the threaded bushing, and to be axially supported by the peripheral support flange by an axial thrust applied to the neck.
[0015] Advantageously, the neck and the threaded bushing can also together form a rotational abutment for preventing the neck from turning in the threaded bushing, in particular when the threaded ring is screwed onto the threaded bushing. The neck is then locked axially and rotationally inside the threaded bushing: it can be said that the neck is preferably fixed to the bushing in a removable or reversible manner.
[0016] According to a practical embodiment, one of the neck and the threaded bushing formed with the peripheral support flange can also be formed with an axial locking flange, against which the lug is forced to abut when the drive neck is rotated in the threaded bushing. Preferably, the peripheral support flange and the axial locking flange are connected together substantially at right angles.
[0017] Furthermore, the one of the neck and the threaded bushing formed with the peripheral support flange may also be formed with an approach ramp for axially aligning the lug with the peripheral support flange.
[0018] According to another aspect, the one of the neck and the threaded bushing formed with the axial locking flange may also be formed with an approach ramp for abutting the lug against the axial locking flange.
[0019] Preferably, the peripheral support flange and the approach ramp are connected together to form an obtuse angle, for example, about 150 degrees.
[0020] In summary, the lugs (which may be three in number, for example) are displaced by the rotation of the neck in the bushing until they come into contact with their respective approach ramps. The rotation is continued, the lugs are guided by sliding on the ramps until they reach their respective peripheral support flanges: the lugs and peripheral support flanges are then axially aligned in pairs. The rotation is continued, the lugs are guided by sliding along their respective peripheral support flanges, thus guiding them into abutment against the respective axial locking flanges.
[0021] Screwing the dispensing member onto the threaded bushing forces the lugs to bear against their respective peripheral bearing flanges by contact while remaining against their respective axial locking flanges. Sealing is provided by pressing a neck seal against the annular edge of the neck or by a self-sealing lip.
[0022] The general arrangement is similar to a bayonet fastening, wherein a lug or pin is guided in a housing formed with a ramp which forms an axially and rotationally locked final position. The housing may be formed by the neck and the lug by the housing, or vice versa.
[0023] It should be noted that this general arrangement (axial abutment + rotational abutment + possible approach ramp) can be implemented in any housing, which does not necessarily include a shell and a cover. Therefore, a separate protection can be sought for this general arrangement. The housing can, for example, form an open bottom. The reservoir is then introduced via the open bottom of the housing, neck first. The reservoir is axially displaced in the housing until the neck engages inside the threaded bushing. Axial and / or rotational displacement enables the axial abutment to be assembled. The dispensing member is then screwed onto the threaded bushing, thereby achieving axial abutment and sealing.
[0024] Preferably, the fluid reservoir comprises a rigid end piece formed with a fixing area and a neck and a flexible bag connected to the fixing area in an impermeable manner. This is an advantageous embodiment for a reservoir with a variable volume. In the case of the present invention, a deformable tank or a follower piston system can also be used.
[0025] The flange and ramp may be formed by the neck and the lug by the cover, or vice versa.
[0026] By means of this two-part design (shell and cover), two modes of operation can be achieved. The first mode of operation consists in introducing the bag of the reservoir into the housing and then attaching the cover to the neck of the reservoir. The cover is then driven in rotation so as to screw it onto the housing. In this way, the lugs will engage with the ramps to guide the lugs into engagement with the peripheral support flange and the axial locking flange, respectively. This requires that the bag cannot rotate in the housing when the lugs engage with the ramps and the flanges. It can be ensured by friction that the bag is locked in the housing and cannot rotate.
[0027] The second mode of operation consists in mounting the cover on the reservoir before introducing it into the housing. The user can grasp the bag with one hand and the cover with the other hand: rotate the cover on the reservoir so that the lugs engage with the ramps and the ridges. The bag can then be inserted into the housing and the cover screwed onto the shell.
[0028] In both operating modes, the dispensing member can then be attached to the threaded bushing of the cover and the threaded ring can be screwed onto the bushing. When screwing is completed, the lugs are respectively pushed against the peripheral support flange. Screwing the ring onto the bushing has the effect of pushing the neck down into the interior of the housing.
[0029] The idea of the invention is to lock the reservoir axially (and advantageously also rotationally) in the housing, making it possible to screw the threaded annular portion of the dispensing member onto the threaded bushing of the housing, which can be made in two parts. The invention is applicable to any dispenser, but more particularly to refillable dispensers in which the reservoir (of fixed or variable volume) constitutes a replaceable element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] In the attached picture:
[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a reservoir ready to be inserted into a housing,
[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a housing (with a reservoir therein) ready to receive a cover to form an outer casing,
[0033] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a cover in FIG.
[0034] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a rigid end piece of a reservoir in FIG.
[0035] Figure 5 It is arranged through Figure 2 Inside the shell Figure 1 A vertical cross-sectional view of the reservoir in FIG.
[0036] Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken through a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
[0037] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a cover according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0038] Figure 8 is a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 A similar view to the view in . DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] First reference Figures 1 to 6 A first embodiment of the invention will be described in the accompanying drawings. As can be seen in these drawings, the dispenser comprises three components, namely an external housing H, a fluid reservoir R and a dispenser member D. The reservoir R is received inside the housing H and the dispenser member D is removably mounted on the housing H so as to communicate with the reservoir R.
[0040] The fluid product reservoir R can be of any type, as long as it defines a neck that allows the interior of the reservoir to communicate with the external environment. The fluid product reservoir R can be rigid, but for reference, it has a variable volume. Known reservoirs with variable volumes include a deformable tank and a follower piston system. Figures 1 to 6 The example in FIG. 1 uses a reservoir R with a flexible bag here. More precisely, the reservoir R comprises a rigid end piece 3 and a flexible bag P. The rigid end piece 3 is formed with a fixing area 30 (at Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6 ) and a neck 31. The flexible bag P is connected to the fixing area 30 in a sealed manner, for example by welding or bonding. The flexible bag P is of a specific type here: in fact, the flexible bag is formed by four sheets, namely two main sheets F1 and F2 connected together to form a columnar body, a top sheet F3 fixed on the fixing area 30, and a bottom sheet. The top sheet F3 and the bottom sheet are connected to the main sheets F1 and F2. This bag P made of four sheets has the advantage that a large available volume is defined, while being able to dispense the most fluid product. Obviously, this is only a non-limiting example.
[0041] exist Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 6, it can be seen that the neck 31 of the rigid end piece 3 extends upwardly from the fixing area 30. The neck 31 is defined by an upper annular edge 32 and a plurality of lugs 33 extending radially outwardly from the outer wall of the neck 31. As an example, three lugs 33 can be provided. Each lug 33 can be in the form of a smaller horizontal slat. Below the lug 33, close to the fixing area 30, the neck 31 is formed with an annular collar 34 protruding radially outwardly. The function of the annular collar will be described below. Finally, the neck 31 can initially be closed by a seal 30, which is fixed to the upper annular edge 32 of the neck 31 in an impermeable manner.
[0042] The housing H can be made as a single piece with an open bottom so that the reservoir R can be inserted. Preferably, the housing H comprises two separate components, namely, an outer shell 1 and a cover 2 attached to the outer shell 1. The outer shell 1 may simply be in the form of a cylindrical body including an upper threaded edge 11. The bottom of the shell 1 may be open or closed. The cross section of the outer shell 1 may be circular or have other geometric shapes depending on the configuration of the reservoir R.
[0043] The cover 2 comprises a threaded skirt 21 adapted to be engaged with the threaded edge 11 of the housing 1 by means of a thread or screw. The cover 2 further comprises an annular plate 22 which may be flat or inclined. The cover 2 comprises a bushing 23 which defines an opening 20 internally. Externally, the bushing 23 is provided with a threaded portion 24. Internally, the bushing 23 is formed with a plurality of flanges protruding radially inwardly. First, there is a peripheral axial support flange 25 extending horizontally. Then, there is a vertical axial rotation locking flange 26, the lower end of which is connected to the peripheral support flange 25. There is also a ramp 27 in the form of an inclined flange, which is connected to the other end of the peripheral support flange 25. These three flanges 25, 26 and 27 form a set of flanges, and it is necessary to provide as many sets of flanges as the number of lugs 33. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, there are three lugs 33 and three sets of flanges.
[0044] Figure 5 The cooperation between the bushing 23 and the neck 31 is clearly shown, and more specifically the cooperation between the lugs 33 of the neck 31 and the flanges 25, 26 and 27 of the bushing 23. It can be seen that two lugs 33 rest on the two peripheral bearing flanges 25: these two lugs 33 also abut against the axial rotation abutment flanges 26. The lugs 33 are therefore locked axially and in rotation. In order to reach Figure 5In the position shown in FIG. 1 , the lug 33 can be slid on the ramp 27 by rotating the neck 31 in the counterclockwise direction inside the bushing 23. The axial retention of the neck 31 inside the bushing 23 is also reinforced by the annular collar 34 of the neck 31, which is almost in contact with the inner wall of the bushing 23. Figure 5 It can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the threaded skirt 21 of the cover 2 is threadedly engaged with the upper threaded edge 11 of the housing 1 .
[0045] Now refer to Figure 6 , the figure shows the installation Figure 5 The dispensing member D comprises a housing H in the container and a dispensing member D on the reservoir R. The dispensing member D can be of a completely conventional design. It comprises firstly a pump 41, which in this case is a bellows pump. The dispensing member D also comprises an actuator 42, which the user can press with the aid of a finger to actuate the pump 41. The dispensing member D is also provided with a threaded annular portion 43, which is threadedly engaged with the threaded portion 24 of the bushing 23. The dispensing member D also comprises a support plate 44, which enables the neck seal 45 to be pressed against the upper annular edge 32 of the neck 31. For this purpose, it should be noted that in Figure 6 In the embodiment of the present invention, the upper annular edge 32 protrudes slightly from the bushing 23 to enable the neck seal 45 to be pressed. Thus, the removable attachment is ensured by the threaded engagement of the threaded annular portion 43 with the threaded portion 24 of the bushing 23, and the sealing is ensured by the support plate 44 on the upper annular edge 32 of the neck 31 pressing the neck seal 45. The neck seal 45 does not need to be in contact with the bushing 23 in an impermeable manner.
[0046] It should be noted that the lugs 33 bear firmly on the peripheral bearing flange 25. In other words, the rigid end piece 3 is pushed downwards by the dispensing member D inside the housing H.
[0047] During the assembly operation, the cover 2 is first removed from the housing 1. The reservoir R can then be inserted into the housing 1, as shown. Figure 1 The reservoir R may be prevented from rotating inside the shell 1 by friction between the sheets F1 , F2 and the inner wall of the shell 1 or by the shape of the shell 1 .
[0048] After the reservoir R is located inside the housing 1, Figure 2 As shown in , the cover 2 can be attached to the housing 1 and driven in a rotational manner to bring the lug 33 onto the peripheral support flange 25 by sliding it on the ramp 27 and bringing it into contact with the axial rotation abutment flange 26. By continuing to rotate the cover 2 on the shell 1, the threaded skirt 21 also engages with the upper threaded edge 11 of the shell 1. Thus, in a single rotational movement, the cover 2 is attached to the shell 1 and the lug 31 engages with the flanges 25 and 26.
[0049] In a variant, the cover 2 may first be mounted on the reservoir R. Next, the reservoir R with the cover 2 mounted may be introduced into the housing 1 and finally, the cover 2 may be screwed onto the housing 1. This second step does not require locking the bag inside the housing.
[0050] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , these figures show a second embodiment in which the positions of the lugs 33 and the flanges 25, 26 and 27 are reversed. Figure 7 In the embodiment, it can be seen that the neck 31' of the rigid end piece 3' is formed with a peripheral support flange 35 and an upwardly inclined ramp 37. The neck 31' is also formed with an axial rotation abutment flange 36 connected to the peripheral support flange 35. The axial rotation abutment flange 36 then extends to an annular collar 38. As in the first embodiment, the number of groups of multiple groups of flanges 35, 36 and 37 is as many as the number of lugs, i.e. three.
[0051] exist Figure 8 In the figure, a distribution member D can be seen, which can be the same as the distribution member in the first embodiment. However, the cover 2' differs from the cover 2 in the first embodiment in that the bushing 23' forms three lugs 28 inside, replacing the flanges 25, 26 and 27. These lugs 28 cooperate with multiple sets of flanges 35, 36 and 37 in the same but opposite way as in the first embodiment. The lugs 28 slide along the ramp 37 to be stuck against both the peripheral flange 35 and the axial flange 36. Therefore, due to the axial thrust applied to the upper annular edge 32 of the neck 31' by pushing the neck seal 45 through the support plate 44, screwing the distribution member D has the effect of pushing the lugs 28 against the peripheral flange 35.
[0052] Thus, the lugs may be formed on the outside of the neck 31 or on the inside of the bushing 23'. Similarly, multiple sets of flanges may be formed on the inside of the bushing 23 or on the outside of the neck 31'. In both cases, when the cover 2 or 2' is screwed onto the housing 1, the lugs 33 or 28 engage with the corresponding set of flanges. The user does not need to perform a preliminary operation to engage the lugs with the corresponding flange assembly. It is sufficient to simply rotate the cover 2 or 2' on the housing 1 to perform this operation in an imperceptible manner.
[0053] The housing H shown here is divided into two parts, namely the housing 1 and the cover 2 or 2 '. However, in the case of a one-piece housing, a preliminary operation needs to be performed to engage the lugs 33 or 28 with their corresponding set of flanges, because the reservoir R needs to be engaged inside the housing via the open bottom of the housing 1 and then rotated inside the housing so that the lugs engage with their corresponding set of flanges. Obviously, this operation is not intuitive, because the user does not know that the reservoir R must be rotated inside the housing in order to lock the reservoir axially and in rotation. This is why the first embodiment with a two-piece housing is preferred.
[0054] Instead of the neck seal 45, it is also possible to envisage a self-sealing lip which contacts in a sealing manner around the neck 31 or 31 ′. The axial rotation locking flanges 26 and 36 and the ramps 27 and 37 are optional, but preferred.
[0055] Of course, it should be noted that screwing the threaded annular portion 43 onto the bushing 23 has the effect of pushing the neck 31 or 31 ′ into the interior of the housing, which enables the lugs 33 or 28 to abut against their peripheral support flanges 35 or 25 .
Claims
1. A fluid product dispenser, comprising: - a fluid reservoir (R) formed with a neck (31; 31') defining an upper annular edge (32), - an external housing (H) comprising a threaded bushing (23; 23') defining a central opening (20) for the neck (31; 31') to pass through, the fluid reservoir (R) extending in the housing (H) along a longitudinal axis X, - a dispensing member (D) provided with a threaded annulus (43) intended to be threadedly engaged with the threaded bushing (23; 23') of the external housing (H), the dispensing member (D) being axially supported on the neck (31; 31') when the threaded annulus (33) is screwed onto the threaded bushing (23; 23'), The neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23') together form axial abutment means (25, 33; 35, 28) for axially locking the neck (31; 31') in the threaded bushing (23; 23') by applying an axial thrust to the neck (31; 31') by the dispensing member (D), Characterized in that the outer shell (H) comprises: - a housing (1) formed with an upper threaded edge (11), and - a cover (2; 2') comprising a threaded skirt (21) intended to be threadedly engaged with the upper threaded edge (11) of the housing (1), the cover (2; 2') is formed to define the neck (31; The threaded bushing (23; 23') of the central opening (20) is passed through by the threaded bushing (23; 23').
2. The dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: The neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23') together form a rotational abutment (26, 33; 36, 28) for preventing the neck (31; 31') from rotating in the threaded bushing (23; 23'), in particular preventing the neck from rotating in the threaded bushing when the threaded ring (33) is screwed onto the threaded bushing (23; 23').
3. The dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The axial abutment means (25, 33; 35, 28) comprises an axial abutment means (25, 33; 35, 38) comprising: at least one peripheral support flange (25; 35) formed by one of the neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23'); and at least one lug (33; 28) formed by the other of the neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23'), the lug (33; 28) being intended to engage with the peripheral support flange (25; 35) by mutual rotation of the neck (31; 31') in the threaded bushing (23; 23'). 35) are axially aligned and the lugs are axially abutted against each other with the peripheral support flange by an axial thrust exerted on the neck (31; 31').
4. The dispenser according to claim 3, wherein: One of the neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23') formed with the peripheral support flange (25; 35) is also formed with an axial locking flange (26; 36), and when the neck (31; 31') is driven to rotate in the threaded bushing (23; 23'), the lug (33; 28) is forced to abut against the axial locking flange.
5. The dispenser according to claim 4, wherein: The peripheral support flange (25; 35) and the axial locking flange (26; 36) are connected together approximately at a right angle.
6. A dispenser according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein: The one of the neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (19; 19") formed with the peripheral support flange (25; 35) is also formed with an approach ramp (27; 37) for axially aligning the lug (33; 28) with the peripheral support flange (25; 35).
7. The dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The one of the neck (31; 31') and the threaded bushing (23; 23') formed with the axial locking flange (26: 36) is also formed with an approach ramp (27; 37) for abutting the lug (33; 28) against the axial locking flange (26; 36).
8. The dispenser according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The peripheral support flange (25; 35) and the approach slope (27; 37) are connected together to form an acute angle.
9. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The dispensing member (D) comprises an annular plate (44) which presses a neck seal (45) against the neck (31; 31').
10. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The fluid reservoir (R) comprises a rigid end piece (3; 3') and a flexible bag (P), wherein the rigid end piece (3; 3') is formed with a fixing area (30) and said neck (31; 31'), said flexible bag (P) being connected in an impermeable manner to said fixing area (30).
11. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: During the mounting of the cover (2; 2') on the fluid reservoir (R), the fluid reservoir (R) is locked against rotation in the housing (1).