Double distributor

Abstract

The invention relates to a dual dispenser comprising an outer reservoir (R1) and an inner reservoir (R2), and further comprising two pumps (P1, P2) respectively communicating with one of the reservoirs (R1, R2). The inner reservoir (R2) comprises an outer housing (R21) and an inner sleeve (R22) extending inside the outer housing (R21) through which one pump (P1) from the pumps (P1, P2) communicates with the outer reservoir (R1) and the other pump (P2) from the pumps (P1, P2) communicates directly with the inner reservoir (R2). The invention is characterized in that the inner sleeve (R22) and the outer shell (R21) are two separate parts, the inner sleeve (R22) defining a lower end (R222) in sealing contact with the outer shell (R21), which lower end (R222) opens directly into the outer reservoir (R1).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dual dispenser comprising two reservoirs, an outer reservoir and an inner reservoir, and two pumps respectively connected to the reservoirs. Typically, a common button allows the two pumps to be operated simultaneously. The preferred field of application of the invention is the cosmetic field, but it can also be applied in the pharmaceutical, household products or food fields.

[0002] In the prior art, document US2001025859A1 is known, which describes a specific type of double dispenser comprising a single mixing pump that obtains the fluid product from two nested reservoirs. More specifically, a small reservoir suspended from the pump is arranged inside a large reservoir on which the pump is mounted. The pump is provided with two dip tubes: a short dip tube extending into the small reservoir and a long dip tube extending through the small reservoir into the large reservoir. The seal between the long dip tube and the small reservoir is not discussed in this document, but it seems to be a problem. In addition, filling the small reservoir is technically impossible.

[0003] Firstly, the present invention differs from this prior art document in that the dual dispenser of the present invention comprises two pumps, instead of a single mixing pump, so that the two pumps can be standard, with different or identical doses. In addition, the present invention seeks to simplify as much as possible the operations of filling and assembling the dispenser, in particular the dip tube of the pump introducing the external reservoir.

[0004] Documents US2019255548A1 and US2019357656A1 are also known, which describe a dual dispenser comprising two pumps, wherein the inner reservoir is arranged inside the outer reservoir. One of the pumps is connected to the outer reservoir via an inner sleeve formed by the inner reservoir, which is a one-piece part suspended in the outer reservoir. In document US2019255548A1, the sleeve and the inner reservoir are arranged side by side, so that the volume of the inner reservoir is very limited. In document US2019357656A1, the inner reservoir surrounds the sleeve, which extends along the axis of the dispenser, so that one pump is arranged axially in the center and the other pump is arranged eccentrically.

[0005] Both of these dual distributors have disadvantages which the present invention seeks to overcome.

[0006] To this end, the present invention proposes that the inner reservoir comprises two separate parts, namely an outer reservoir and an inner sleeve extending inside the outer reservoir, through which one of the pumps is connected to the outer reservoir, and the other pump is directly connected to the inner reservoir. It goes without saying that the inner reservoir is arranged inside the outer reservoir. The inner sleeve defines a lower end portion in sealing contact with the housing, which lower end portion directly opens outwardly to the outer reservoir.

[0007] Advantageously, the inner sleeve can comprise a body terminating in a lower end which is sealingly connected in the opening of the outer shell by means of a sealing ring.

[0008] Advantageously, the body may define at its upper end a mouth having a substantially larger passage section than at the lower end, the body advantageously having a generally funnel-shaped configuration with a gradually decreasing passage section.

[0009] Advantageously, the inner sleeve defines an inner space that communicates with the outer reservoir. It can be said that the inner space of the inner sleeve forms an extension of the outer reservoir, or that the inner space of the inner sleeve is an integral part of the outer reservoir.

[0010] Advantageously, the pump of the outer reservoir comprises a dip tube which extends through the inner sleeve into the outer reservoir. It can also be said that the dip tube protrudes beyond the inner sleeve into the outer reservoir. The dip tube is immersed in the fluid product of the outer reservoir, which fluid product rises in the inner sleeve. There is no seal between the dip tube and the inner sleeve. Therefore, it is easy to insert the dip tube into the inner sleeve. Alternatively, the pump can also extend inside the inner sleeve.

[0011] According to an interesting feature of the invention, the inner sleeve can extend off-axis or eccentrically inside the housing. The inner sleeve then has no rotational symmetry. This allows the dip tube to lead centrally or axially outwardly to the outer reservoir at the outlet of the inner sleeve relative to the outer reservoir, while the pump is mounted off-axis or offset. The inner sleeve forces the dip tube to bend. Advantageously, the bottom end of the inner sleeve defines a minimum channel cross section. The inner sleeve can then be regarded as a funnel, which facilitates the insertion, guidance and entry of the dip tube into the outer reservoir. The upper end of the inner sleeve can define a maximum channel cross section to facilitate the insertion of the free end of the dip tube. The channel cross section of the inner sleeve can then be reduced to its bottom end.

[0012] According to another feature, the inner sleeve may define an upper end communicating with the outer reservoir through a pressure equalization duct which advantageously forms an air bridge across the inner reservoir. In the normal position of use and storage, the upper end is not immersed in the fluid product but is surrounded by air so that the air can communicate directly between the inner sleeve and the outer reservoir to keep the two volumes at the same pressure. More precisely, the dispenser may comprise a pump support forming two receiving housings respectively for the two pumps, one communicating with the inner sleeve and the other communicating with the inner reservoir, the pump support forming the main part of the pressure equalization duct connecting the inner sleeve to the outer reservoir.

[0013] Furthermore, the dispenser may comprise a common seal which is in sealing contact with the outer reservoir, the outer shell and the inner sleeve simultaneously. Advantageously, the common seal is compressed onto the outer reservoir, the outer shell and the inner sleeve by the pump support.

[0014] Preferably, the outer shell is supported by the outer reservoir and the inner sleeve is supported by the outer shell.

[0015] The object of the invention is to extend the outer reservoir inside the inner reservoir so that the outer reservoir extends around and inside the inner reservoir, so that the outer reservoir can have an annular cross section. This extension of the outer reservoir is formed by the internal space of the inner sleeve, which also forms the inner wall of the inner reservoir. The outer reservoir and the inner sleeve together form a kind of concentric siphon, which is in fluid communication at the lower part, but is also in air communication at the upper part through pressure balance or internal ventilation ducts. This ensures that the liquid level of the fluid product in the outer reservoir and the inner sleeve is the same. The design of the inner sleeve in the form of a funnel or reduced cross section facilitates the installation of a dip tube, which is guided by the inner sleeve until it reaches the bottom of the outer reservoir.

[0016] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown as non-limiting examples.

[0017] In the attached picture:

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a double dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0019] Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the dual distributor of the present invention along a vertical plane passing through the two pumps,

[0020] Figure 3 is similar to Figure 1 along the direction perpendicular to Figure 1 A view of a vertical plane and a plane passing through the ventilation duct.

[0021] Also refer to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 To describe the structure of a dual dispenser according to a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the dual dispenser comprises two reservoirs arranged one inside the other, namely an outer reservoir R1 and an inner reservoir R2.

[0022] The outer reservoir R1 may be in the form of a shell comprising a side wall R11 of generally cylindrical shape, a bottom R12 allowing the dispenser to remain upright, and a neck R13, which may optionally be provided with a latching device. The neck R13 is connected to the side wall by two inner shoulders R14 and R15, which are arranged as concentric steps. The function of the inner shoulders R14 and R15 will be given below. The outer reservoir R1 may advantageously be made of a transparent material so as to reveal its contents.

[0023] The inner reservoir R2 is arranged inside the outer reservoir R1. The reservoir R2 includes an outer shell R21 and an inner sleeve R22 extending inside the outer shell R21. The outer reservoir R21 includes a barrel R211 of a generally cylindrical shape, which is extended by a bottom R212 forming a central opening R213. At the top end of the outer shell R21, the outer shell R21 forms an annular collar R214, which rests on the inner shoulder R14 of the outer reservoir R1. The barrel R211 forms an inner shoulder R216 near the annular collar R214. The inner shoulder R14, the annular collar R214 and the inner shoulder R216 can be circular. The barrel R211 and the bottom R212 extend in the outer reservoir R1 at a distance that separates the barrel and the bottom from the outer reservoir to form a barrel-shaped effective volume V1. The inner sleeve R22 comprises a body R220 which terminates in a lower end R222 which is sealingly connected in the opening R213 by means of a sealing ring R23. At its top end, the body R220 defines a mouth R224 having a passage section much larger than that of the bottom end R222. The body R220 thus presents a generally funnel-shaped configuration with a gradually decreasing passage section. Figure 2 In FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the body R220 defines two opposite walls R221 and R222 which are different: the wall R222 is straight and vertical, while the wall R221 is straight and vertical first from the mouth R224, then slopes and is straight again at the lower end R222. Figure 3 In the figure, it can be seen that the relative walls of the body R220 are symmetrical and have a configuration similar to the wall R221 but with a less inclined inclined cross section. It should be noted that the mouthpiece R224 is arranged eccentrically, off-axis or offset inside the neck R214. However, the lower end R222 is arranged in a completely axial or centered manner so that the body R220 extends inside the outer reservoir R21 in an off-axis manner. More precisely, the inner sleeve R22 also defines a support ring R225, which extends around the mouth R224 but eccentrically. The support ring R225 forms an area extending around the mouth R224 in the shape of a crescent. This area forms a passage opening R226, which provides a direct entrance to the inner reservoir R2. The support ring R225 rests on the inner shoulder R216 of the shell R21. Figure 2 The mouth R224 and passage opening R226 are shown side by side. Figure 3 The mouth R224 is shown centered in the support ring R225. The support ring R225 may be circular, but the mouth R224 may have any geometric or non-geometric shape.

[0024] Thus, the outer shell R21 and the inner sleeve R22 define between them an effective volume V2. The sleeve R22, or more precisely, its body R220, also defines an internal space E which communicates with the effective volume V1 through the lower end R222 of the inner sleeve R22. Thus, the outer reservoir R1 defines a total effective volume corresponding to the sum of the effective volume V1 and the internal space E. In other words, it can be said that the effective volume V1 of the outer reservoir R1 extends inside the inner sleeve R21 which defines the internal space E. As can be seen in the figure, the effective volume V1 and the internal space E are initially filled with the first fluid product F1, which therefore also extends both around and inside the inner reservoir R2. As for the inner reservoir R2, it is initially filled with a second fluid product F2, which may be identical to the fluid product F1 or, preferably, is different.

[0025] Filling the reservoirs R1 and R2 is very simple. By way of example, the reservoir R1 can be half-filled and the reservoir R2 can then be introduced into the partially filled reservoir R1. This is sufficient to fill the reservoir R2. Alternatively, the reservoir R1 can be filled through the inner sleeve R22 and then the reservoir R2.

[0026] The dual dispenser of the invention also comprises two pumps P1 and P2, pump P1 being associated with the inner reservoir R1 and pump P2 being associated with the inner reservoir R2. Pumps P1 and P2 may be identical or, preferably, different, in particular as regards their dosages.

[0027] The design of the pumps P1 and P2 is not essential for the invention and will not be described in detail. However, it can be said that each pump P1, P2 comprises a pump body P11, P21 in which an actuating rod P12, P22 can move axially back and forth. The pumps P1, P2 also each comprise a dip tube P13, P23 of P23: the dip tube P13 extends inside the inner sleeve R22 and defines a lower end positioned close to the bottom R12 of the outer reservoir R1. As for the dip tube P23, the dip tube P23 extends straight into the inner reservoir R2 until it is close to the bottom R212.

[0028] It should be noted that due to the off-axis design of the inner sleeve R21, the dip tube P13 is slightly bent in order to position the lower end of the dip tube P13 substantially axially or centrally relative to the bottom R12 of the outer reservoir R1. The design of the funnel-shaped inner sleeve R21 makes it easy to engage the bottom end of the dip tube P13 through the mouth R224. The constricted body R220 then guides the dip tube P13 towards the lower end R223 and beyond into the outer reservoir R1. In fact, in Figure 1It can be noted that the pump P1 is offset relative to the lower end R223, so that the dip tube P13 must undergo a deflection following the funnel shape of the inner sleeve R21.

[0029] The double dispenser of the invention also comprises a pump support S defining two receiving housings S1 and S2 for the pumps P1 and P2, respectively. By way of example, the pump bodies P11 and P21 can be received in the receiving housings S1 and S2 by snap fastening. Through a passage opening R226 through the support ring R225, the pump P1 can extend inside the mouth R224 of the inner sleeve R22, and the pump P2 can extend inside the housing R21.

[0030] To ensure the sealing of the reservoirs, a neck seal J is also provided, which is compressed on the inner shoulder R15 of the outer reservoir R1, on the annular collar R214 of the outer reservoir R21, on the upper edge of the mouth R224 and on the support ring R225 of the inner sleeve R22. The compression of this neck seal J is ensured by the pump support S.

[0031] like Figure 3 As can be seen in Figure 2 , the double dispenser also defines a pressure-balancing duct Q, which connects the internal space E of the inner sleeve R22 with the effective volume V1 of the outer reservoir R1. The upper part of the reservoir is not filled with fluid but with air. Therefore, the pressure-balancing duct Q makes it possible to communicate the air between the inner sleeve R22 and the outer reservoir R1, so that the pressure in these two spaces is always the same. Therefore, the liquid level of the fluid product F1 in the internal space E and the effective volume V1 is the same. In more detail, the pressure-balancing duct Q includes a main section S12 extending horizontally through the support S, and two vertical sections J1 and J2 formed through the seal J. One of the vertical sections, J1, extends through the annular collar R214 at R215. The pressure-balancing duct Q forms a kind of air bridge across the inner reservoir R2. This can be seen in Figure 2 . Figure 3 It can be seen in.

[0032] It can therefore be said that the internal space E is in communication with the effective volume V1 both at the lower portion through the end R222 and at the upper portion through the pressure equalization conduit S12.

[0033] The pump support S is mounted on the neck R13 of the outer reservoir R1 by means of a cap C engaging both the pump support S and the neck R13. Finally, the two actuation levers P12 and P22 are covered by a common button B which defines a common outlet orifice B1. Alternatively, two separate outlet orifices may also be provided, one for the pump P1 and the other for the pump P2. The button B is axially guided in the cap C and the common outlet orifice B1 is axially moved through a window C1 of the cap C, as shown in FIG. Figure 1From the outside, the dual dispenser only reveals the outer reservoir R1, the cap C, the button B and the common outlet orifice B1. When the outer reservoir R1 is transparent, the housing R21 of the inner reservoir R2 can also be seen.

[0034] Here, the inner reservoir R2 is made of a sealed assembly of two parts, namely the outer shell R21 and the inner sleeve R22. This two-piece embodiment is explained by the fact that the inner sleeve R22 has a complex shape without an axis of symmetry. However, other embodiments can be envisaged in which the body R220 of the inner sleeve R21 has an axial symmetry and is thus cylindrical. In this case, it is conceivable to produce the outer shell R21 and the inner sleeve R22 as a single piece.

[0035] In this embodiment, the dip tube P13 is fitted to the inlet of the pump P1. Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is also conceivable that the dip tube P13 can be made in a single piece or integral with the inner sleeve R22. In this case, when the pump P1 is mounted on the pump support S, the pump P1 will be sleeved in the end piece formed at the inlet of the dip tube.

[0036] In this embodiment, the housing R21 extends axially or centrally inside the reservoir R1. Other shapes for the housing R21 that are less symmetrical or central may be envisioned without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0037] The invention thus provides a double dispenser with an outer reservoir extending or prolonging inside the inner reservoir. The inner sleeve thus defines a complementary reservoir for the outer reservoir and also makes it possible to receive the pump P1 in an off-axis manner while arranging the lower end P131 of the dip tube P13 in a central axial manner.

Claims

1. A dual dispenser, comprising an outer reservoir (R1) and an inner reservoir (R2), and two pumps (P1, P2) respectively connected to the reservoirs (R1, R2), wherein the inner reservoir (R2) comprises an outer shell (R21) and an inner sleeve (R22) extending inside the outer shell (R21), one of the pumps (P1, P2) is connected to the outer reservoir (R1) through the inner sleeve (R22), and the other of the pumps (P1, P2) is directly connected to the inner reservoir (R2), It is characterized in that The inner sleeve (R22) and the outer shell (R21) are two separate parts, and the inner sleeve (R22) defines a lower end (R222) in sealing contact with the outer shell (R21), and the lower end (R222) directly leads to the outer reservoir (R1).

2. The double distributor according to claim 1, in, The inner sleeve (R22) comprises a body (R220) terminating at the lower end (R222), the body being connected in a sealed manner in an opening (R213) of the outer shell (R21) by means of a sealing ring (R23).

3. The double distributor according to claim 1 or 2, in, The lower end portion (R222) defines a minimum channel cross section.

4. A double distributor according to claim 1, 2 or 3, in, The inner sleeve (R22) extends in an off-axis manner inside the outer shell (R21).

5. Double dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The body (R220) defines a mouth (R224) at the upper end of the body (R220), the channel cross section of the mouth being much larger than the channel cross section of the lower end (R222), and the body (R220) advantageously has a generally funnel-shaped configuration with a gradually decreasing channel cross section.

6. Double dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The inner sleeve (R22) defines an upper end portion which is in communication with the outer reservoir (R1) via a pressure equalization conduit (Q).

7. The double distributor according to claim 1, in, The pressure equalization duct (Q) forms an air bridge across the inner reservoir (R2).

8. Double dispenser according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pump support (S), which forms two receiving housings (S1, S2) for two pumps (P1, P2), one receiving housing (S1) communicating with the inner sleeve (R22) and the other receiving housing (S2) communicating with the inner reservoir (R1), the pump support (S1, S2) forming the main section (S12) of a pressure equalization duct (Q) connecting the inner sleeve (R22) to the inner reservoir (R1).

9. Double dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a common seal (J) which is in sealing contact simultaneously with the outer reservoir (R1 ), the outer casing (R21 ) and the inner sleeve (R22).

10. The double distributor according to claim 9, in, The common seal (J) is compressed by the pump support (S) against the outer reservoir (R1), the outer casing (R21) and the inner sleeve (R22).

11. Double dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The outer shell (R21) is supported by the outer reservoir (R1), and the inner sleeve (R22) is supported by the outer shell (R21).

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