Dispensing device for dispensing fluid substance

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid substance, said dispensing device comprising an outer container (2) removably secured to a collar (3), a pump (4) securely secured to the collar (3), an inner container (5) in which a deformable pouch (6) is received, said inner container (5) being characterized by a neck (5A) equipped with first connecting means (7) for connecting to the collar (3), the inner container (5) and the outer container (2) are provided with first connecting means (8) configured to cooperate with second connecting means (8) for connecting the collar (3) to removably secure the inner container (5) to the collar (3), the collar (3) and the outer container (2) being removably secured by a tubular element (9) having a plurality of first fins (9A), which secure the collar (3) to the tubular element (9), and second fins (9B), which secure the collar (3) to the tubular element (9), the first fins (9A), which secure the collar (3) to the tubular element (9), and the second fins (9B), which secure the collar (3) to the tubular element (9). The second fins fix the outer container (2) to the tubular element (9).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid material dispensing device.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a fluid substance, wherein at least a portion of the dispensing device is refillable (once emptied) or reusable. Background Art

[0003] There is a known device for dispensing a fluid substance (eg a cream etc.) comprising a container and a manual pump coupled to the container. Activation of the pump allows dispensing a predetermined amount of the fluid substance.

[0004] In some cases, the fluid substance is contained in a deformable bag and the pump is an airless pump. Like this, the substance contained in the deformable bag cannot be contaminated by the outside air.

[0005] When all the substance contained in the known device has been dispensed, the known device is thrown away.

[0006] In certain cases, filling systems can be envisaged, which however force the consumer to perform a difficult and far from simple operation.

[0007] In any case, even if refilling is possible, known devices are discarded at the end of their useful life.

[0008] US 2011 / 024452 and JP 4818867 describe a known device. Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved device compared with the prior art.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that can include at least one component that can be used for a purpose other than that for which it was originally designed, once all the fluid substance has been dispensed.

[0011] This and other objects are achieved by a dispensing device according to the technical teaching of the appended claims.

[0012] Advantageously, the device can be refilled before the component is reused.

[0013] Even more advantageously, the refilling process is made simple and quick, and is designed to minimize the risk of pump failure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the device, which is illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a partial axial cross-sectional view of a device according to the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A detailed side view of a portion of the device in;

[0017] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Axial cross-section of detail in;

[0018] Figure 4 It is used before connecting to the device. Figure 1 a refill for a device in;

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Magnified view of the circled detail;

[0020] Figure 6 yes Figure 4 Magnified view of the circled detail;

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 a cross-section view of a container with certain details removed (more specifically, the outer container and the inner container removed);

[0022] Figure 8 After removing the outer container Figure 1 A perspective view of the device in;

[0023] Fig. 9 is shown for sealing Figure 1 A side partial cross-sectional view of a possible sealing system for the device in;

[0024] Fig.10 is shown for sealing Figure 1 Axial partial cross-sectional view of a possible system of the device in;

[0025] Fig.11 is used for Fig.10 A partial side view, partially in section, of a refill of the device in the embodiment of the present invention prior to coupling with the device; and

[0026] Fig.12 yes Figure 1 A side view of the inner container of the device with certain details removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] With reference to said drawings, reference numeral 1 is used to indicate generally a fluid substance dispensing device.

[0028] In this document, the term "fluid substance" may refer to liquids of different densities, such as creams or sprayable substances, which are preferably used in the cosmetic or medical fields.

[0029] The dispensing device for dispensing a fluid substance comprises an outer container 2 removably secured to a collar 3, a pump 4 securely secured to the collar 3, and an inner container 5 housing a deformable bag 6 therein.

[0030] The collar 3 may comprise a tubular extension 500 housing in a substantially telescopic manner a dispense button 501 coupled to the stem of the pump 4, preferably such that a lower edge 502 of the dispense button 501 is hidden when said dispense button is in the upper end-of-stroke position.

[0031] The inner container 5 can be decoupled from the collar 3 for a refilling process.

[0032] Advantageously, once the contents of the deformable bag 6 are completely used up, the outer container 2 can be separated from the collar 3, and the inner container 5 and the deformable bag 6 contained therein can also be removed ( Figure 8 ).

[0033] At this point, the inner container 5 is separated from the collar (for example by unscrewing it), and a new inner container 5 with a filled deformable bag 6 is coupled to the collar 3 .

[0034] The outer container 2 may have a bottom 2A and a side wall 2B.

[0035] The bottom 2A (or base) and the side walls 2B are preferably made of a single piece of glass.

[0036] If the outer container 2 is made of metal or wood, the side walls and the bottom can also be made in two separate pieces which are subsequently assembled in a substantially immovable manner.

[0037] The outer container may be decorated on the inside or outside and may also be decorated with embossing and / or relief.

[0038] The side wall 2B has a free end 300 which forms an opening 400 (or mouth) in the outer container 2 .

[0039] The side wall 2B, in particular on its inner face, is preferably (completely) free of any depressions or macroscopic reliefs for coupling with the collar 3 .

[0040] Therefore, at the area of ​​mutual connection with the tubular element 9 that allows coupling with the collar 3 (as will be described later), the outer container 2 has no protrusions or recesses for coupling with said tubular element 9 .

[0041] As an exception, as already mentioned, decorative recesses or protrusions may be present in this region.

[0042] In this way, the outer container 2 can be used as a glass, vase or general container once it is disconnected from the collar 3, for example at the end of the useful life of the device or when one no longer intends to refill the device with a new inner container 5.

[0043] Advantageously, the side wall 2B of the outer container 2 is cylindrical or polygonal (eg square, hexagonal, etc.). The base 2A may have a configuration corresponding to the perimeter of the cross section of the side wall 2B.

[0044] Advantageously, the opening 400 formed at the free end of the side wall 2B has a surface area comparable to or slightly larger than the surface area of ​​the base 2A.

[0045] Thus, the side wall 2B may taper towards the base 2A, wherein the side wall 2B has a slightly frusto-conical shape.

[0046] It should be noted that the outer surface of the side wall 2B may have reliefs or recesses which, however, have purely decorative purposes and do not have the function of coupling with the collar 3 .

[0047] Thus, the outer portion of the side wall 2B may also be finely decorated, including having a relief decoration therein.

[0048] The inner container 5 , preferably made of plastic, has a neck 5A equipped with first connection means 7 for connection to the collar 3 , configured to cooperate with second connection means 8 for connection to the collar 3 to removably secure the inner container 5 to the collar 3 .

[0049] The second connecting device is Figure 7 The second connection means is essentially a tooth protruding from the collar 3, preferably three teeth.

[0050] The first connecting device 7 (i.e., the connecting device on the inner container 5) is Fig.12 Preferably, the first connecting device is constituted by a thread.

[0051] This thread may have an inclined section 7A terminating in a substantially horizontal section 7B (or more precisely, perpendicular to the axis A of the inner container 5 ).

[0052] The substantially horizontal section 7B is very useful for presetting the maximum load provided by the coupling with the collar, so as to apply a load to the sealing means 13, 14, 18 (described later) to ensure perfect sealing thereof.

[0053] This facilitates proper operation of the pump when the user replaces the inner container 5 during the refilling process.

[0054] Advantageously, the first connection means 7 also has a relief 7C which, when cooperating with the teeth 8 on the collar, creates a snap which is clearly perceptible to the user.

[0055] Therefore, when the user feels the snap, they know the tightening process is complete and the seal is guaranteed.

[0056] The relief 7C is preferably positioned at the substantially horizontal portion 7B, or at the transition zone between the substantially horizontal portion 7B of the thread and the inclined portion 7A of the thread.

[0057] Advantageously, the second connection means 7 may also have a stop 7D which intercepts the tooth 8 once it has been tightened, thereby preventing a further rotation of the collar 3 relative to the inner container 5 .

[0058] The collar 3 and the outer container 2 are removably fixed by means of a tubular element 9 endowed with a plurality of first fins 9A fixing the collar 3 to the tubular element 9 (by bending) and second fins 9B fixing the outer container 2 to the tubular element 9 (also by bending).

[0059] The tubular element 9 is therefore preferably a separate piece with respect to the collar 3 and obviously also with respect to the outer container 2 .

[0060] The tubular element is preferably made of a relatively soft plastic material, such as low density polyethylene, rubber, silicone, SANTOPRENE, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and styrene block copolymer (SEBS).

[0061] Furthermore, when the inner container 5 is fixed to the collar 3 (e.g. Figure 8 As shown, the first part 5B of the inner container 5 ( Figure 1 ) rests on the second part 9C of the tubular element 9 to keep the tubular element 9 permanently connected to the collar 3.

[0062] In practice, the tubular element 9 is positioned between the inner container 5 and the collar 3 and is thus locked in place.

[0063] This is particularly useful when the collar 3 is to be removed from the outer container 2 .

[0064] The outer container 2 is separated by pulling the collar 3 away from it, the tubular element remaining perfectly locked to the collar 3 due to the presence of the inner container 5 threaded onto said collar.

[0065] For fixing to the tubular element, the collar 3 may define a groove 10 in which one end of the tubular element 9 engages, on which end the first fin 9A is present.

[0066] Advantageously, as in Figure 2 and 3 As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 , the first portion 11 of the tubular element 9 having the first fins 9A has a smaller diameter than the second portion 12 of the tubular element 9 having the second fins 9B.

[0067] The second component 9C (the component resting on the inner container 5 ) is made to correspond to the connection portion between the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 of the tubular element 9 .

[0068] Advantageously, the first fin 9A (and the second fin 9B) extend perpendicularly to the axis A of the tubular element (which coincides with the axis A of the device 1 , the inner container 5 and the outer container 2 ).

[0069] Optionally, the outer surface defined by the second fins (ie the surface acting on the inner surface at the mouth 400 of the outer container 2) may have a slight taper α between 0.5° and 5°, preferably 3°; thus, the second fins may not all have the same extension.

[0070] The number of the second fins 9B may be smaller than the number of the first fins 9A.

[0071] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 4 , four second fins are provided.

[0072] Advantageously, the outer surface of the second fin 9B may have vents S for trapping air, for example air trapped in the outer container 2 during coupling with the collar.

[0073] like Figure 2 As shown, ventilation holes S may be provided at other positions of the second fin 9B, and ventilation holes S may also be provided for the first fin 9A.

[0074] Possibly, the fin 9B may have other types of air passages, such as through holes (not shown) formed on the surface of the second fin 9B.

[0075] The through holes may be a supplement to the vents S, or they may be the only channel for venting trapped air.

[0076] Sealing elements 13 , 14 , 18 are provided between the pump 4 , which may be an airless type pump, and the deformable bag 6 .

[0077] The sealing element may be of conventional type and is therefore essentially an O-ring 13 coupled to the pump, or better yet, to the body 4A of the pump.

[0078] In this case, the O-ring 13 remains coupled to the pump during the refilling process.

[0079] In order to improve the effectiveness of the sealing elements 14, 18, even after the pump 4 has been coupled to the refill several times, the pump may be fixed to the inner container 5 (e.g. Fig.10 or fixed to a deformable bag 6 (such as Fig. 9 ), so as to be disconnected from the pump 4 when the inner container 5 is separated from the collar 3.

[0080] Thus, the sealing element remains new when each new refill is inserted.

[0081] exist Fig.10 In the example of , the sealing element 14 is fixed to the neck 5A of the inner container 5, for example by a snap-fit ​​device or an undercut device, and has a first sealing lip 14A on the body 4A of the pump 4 and a second sealing lip 14B on the neck of the deformable bag 6.

[0082] Therefore, the sealing element 14 is disc-shaped and all its diameter sections are the same as Fig.10 Same as shown in .

[0083] However, in Fig. 9 In the example of , the sealing element 18 forms a single piece together with the deformable bag 6 and engages in a sealing manner in a groove 4B specially provided in the pump 4 .

[0084] To complete the foregoing, it must be emphasized that the inner container 5 may have a removable cap 20 with a thread 22 that removably cooperates with the first connection means 7 when it is uncoupled from the collar 3 , for example when used as a refill.

[0085] Furthermore, the removable cap 20 may be provided with a projection 21 which engages in a sealing manner with the deformable bag 6 (e.g. Figure 6 in) or with the sealing gasket 14 (such as Fig.11 Chinese) cooperation.

[0086] Various embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein, but other embodiments may also be conceived using the same innovative concepts.

Claims

1. A dispensing device (1) for dispensing a fluid substance, the dispensing device comprising an outer container (2) removably attached to a collar (3), a pump (4) firmly attached to the collar (3), an inner container (5) in which a deformable bag (6) is accommodated, the inner container (5) having a neck (5A), the neck being provided with a first connecting device (7) connected to the collar (3), the first connecting device (7) being configured to cooperate with a second connecting device (8) of the collar (3) to removably attach the inner container (5) to the collar (3), the collar (3) and the outer container (2) being removably fixed by a tubular element (9), the tubular element being provided with a plurality of first fins (9A) and a second fin (9B), the plurality of first fins (9A) constraining the collar (3) to the tubular element (9), and the second fins constraining the outer container (2) to the tubular element (9).

2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: When the inner container (5) is fixed to the collar (3), the first part (5B) of the inner container (5) meets the second part (9C) of the tubular element (9) to keep the tubular element (9) permanently connected to the collar (3).

3. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The collar (3) defines a groove (10) in which the end of the tubular element (9) engages, in which end the first fin (9A) is present.

4. Dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The diameter of the first portion (11) of the tubular element (9) formed with the first fin (9A) is smaller than the diameter of the second portion (12) of the tubular element (9) formed with the second fin (9B).

5. Dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein: The second component (9C) is formed corresponding to the connection portion between the first portion (11) and the second portion (12) of the tubular element (9).

6. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: A sealing element (13, 14, 18) is arranged between the pump (4) and the deformable bag (6).

7. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing element (14) is constrained to the inner container (5) or the deformable bag (6) so as to be removed from the pump (4) when the inner container (5) is separated from the collar (3).

8. Dispensing device according to the preceding claim, wherein The sealing element (14) is snap-fitted to the neck (5A) of the inner container (5) and has a first sealing lip (14A) located on the body (4A) of the pump (4) and a second sealing lip (14B) located on the neck of the deformable bag (6).

9. The dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein: The sealing element (18) is formed as a single piece with the deformable bag (6) and sealingly engages in a groove (4B) of the pump (4).

10. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein: The outer container (2) has no protrusions or recesses for coupling with the tubular element (9) at the interconnection area with the tubular element (9).

11. Dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein When the inner container (5) is uncoupled from the collar (3), the inner container has a removable cap (20) provided with a thread (22), the thread being coupled to the first connecting device (7), the removable cap (20) being provided with a protrusion (21), the protrusion of the removable cap (20) cooperating in a sealing manner with the deformable bag (6) or with the sealing element (14).

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