Fluid product dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser comprising a reservoir (R) and a dispensing head (T) mounted on the reservoir (R), wherein the reservoir (R) comprises an inner bag (P) containing a fluid product and an outer shell (S) containing the inner bag (P), the outer shell (S) comprising an elastically deformable shell (S1) and a rigid shell neck (S2), the inner bag (P) comprising a flexible bag body (P1) arranged inside the shell (S1) and a rigid bag neck (P2) arranged inside the shell neck (S2), and wherein the dispensing head (T) comprises an air inlet valve (24, S2) and a sealing element (161) in permanent sealing contact with the bag neck (P2), the air inlet valve comprising a valve seat, characterized in that the valve seat of the air inlet valve is formed by the shell neck (S2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a fluid product dispenser comprising a flexible inner bag and an elastically deformable outer shell. Preferred applications of this application are in the cosmetics, perfume, pharmaceutical, food, or pharmacy industries. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, document EP3414018 is known, which describes a fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir and a dispensing head mounted on the fluid product reservoir. The reservoir includes an inner bag containing the fluid product and an outer shell containing the inner bag. The outer shell includes a resiliently deformable housing and a rigid neck. The inner bag includes a flexible bag body and a rigid neck. The flexible bag body is disposed within the resiliently deformable housing, and the rigid neck is disposed within the rigid neck. The dispensing head includes an inlet valve and a sealing element that is in permanent sealing contact with the rigid neck. The inlet valve includes an umbrella-shaped movable valve member that is movable relative to a valve seat formed by the dispensing head. Therefore, the dispensing head must be mounted on the rigid neck in a completely sealed manner. Furthermore, the movable valve member is horizontally mounted on the dispensing head, making installation difficult. Additionally, the inner flexible bag is formed by welding a bag to a rigid bag support. Therefore, welding operations and the insertion of the flexible bag into the resilient housing are required.

[0003] In document KR102188511B1, the intake valve is formed between the inner bag shoulder and the outer shell. The distribution head is installed in the neck of the inner bag and does not interact with the outer shell.

[0004] In document JP6845866B2, the intake valve is formed on the outer casing and does not interact with the inner bag. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application aims to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a dispenser that is simpler to assemble and requires less sealing area. This application also proposes another storage device that requires no assembly.

[0006] Therefore, this application proposes that the fluid product distributor also include an inlet valve formed by both the fluid product reservoir and the dispensing head. The inlet valve includes a movable valve member formed by the dispensing head and a valve seat formed by the housing neck. Thus, the inlet valve seat is no longer formed by the dispensing head as in document EP3414018, but is directly formed by the neck of the housing. In other words, in this case, the inlet valve is formed between the dispensing head and the housing. The outlet valve can be constructed simply by mounting the dispensing head onto the reservoir, whereas document EP3414018 requires cumbersome installation procedures.

[0007] Advantageously, the intake valve includes a flexible sealing lip integrally formed with the dispenser head, which selectively seals against the housing neck, allowing outside air to infiltrate between the outer housing and the inner bag by temporarily breaking the seal between the sealing lip and the housing neck. Thus, the flexible sealing lip constitutes the only sealing point between the dispenser head and the housing.

[0008] Advantageously, the rigid neck includes an inner wall to which a flexible sealing lip selectively makes sealing contact. Thus, the sealing lip engages within the neck of the housing. Needless to say, the sealing lip is annular, since the inner wall of the neck is obviously annular or cylindrical.

[0009] According to one aspect of this application, the rigid bag neck may be at least partially spaced from the inner wall of the rigid shell neck, thereby defining an air passage between the rigid bag neck and the inner wall of the rigid shell neck, the air passage connecting the dispenser externally to the bag body and the shell via an air inlet valve. This air passage does not pass through the shell neck or the bag neck.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the inner wall of the rigid shell neck extends beyond the rigid bag neck, and the flexible sealing lip selectively seals against the inner wall above the bag neck. Alternatively, the bag neck is positioned axially rearward inside the shell neck.

[0011] According to the features of this application, the dispensing head may include a head body that forms a sealing element that permanently seals against a rigid bag neck and supports a flexible sealing lip that selectively seals against a rigid shell neck.

[0012] Advantageously, the head body includes an inner tube that forms a sealing element at its free end, the sealing element being sealed into a rigid bag neck, and the interior of the inner tube housing a fluid product outlet valve.

[0013] Advantageously, the fluid product outlet valve includes a movable valve member and a valve seat, the valve seat being formed by an insert fixedly engaged in an inner tube, the insert advantageously having a capillary retaining device formed upstream of the valve seat for retaining the fluid product inside the insert.

[0014] Preferably, the flexible sealing lip is formed by a ring arranged around the inner tube, advantageously formed by overmolding.

[0015] Advantageously, the head body forms a distribution port and a fixed bushing that engages with the rigid shell neck.

[0016] According to an advantageous aspect of this application, the fluid product reservoir is obtained by a blow molding method, such that the flexible bag body and the elastically deformable shell are initially in close contact across their respective entire extents. This blow molding method is described in document EP2148770.

[0017] Advantageously, the elastically deformable outer shell and the rigid neck are integrally molded, and the flexible bag body and the rigid bag neck of the inner bag are also integrally molded.

[0018] The main point of this application is that the seal between the reservoir and the dispensing head simultaneously functions as an intake valve, which allows external air to enter between the bag and the housing. The movable valve member of the intake valve is formed by the dispensing head, while the valve seat of the intake valve is formed by the neck of the housing. From an assembly perspective, the reservoir is manufactured using a pre-formed blow molding method, making the reservoir a single, assembly-free unit. On the other hand, the dispensing head is easy to assemble because all its components are mounted axially, except for the ring (forming a sealing lip) that can be overmolded onto the head body. Axially mounting the dispensing head onto the reservoir achieves radial contact between the movable valve member of the intake valve and the valve seat. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present application will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present application by way of non-limiting example.

[0020] In the attached diagram: Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view of the fluid product dispenser of this application; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Vertical sectional view of a fluid product dispenser; Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of the fluid product distributor. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The fluid product dispenser of this application includes a fluid product reservoir R and a dispensing head T mounted on the fluid product reservoir R. Therefore, it can be said that the dispenser comprises two independent units that can be assembled via axial movement.

[0022] The fluid product reservoir R includes a housing S and an inner bag P disposed inside the housing S. This is in Figure 2The details are more clearly visible in the middle. The outer shell consists of an elastically deformable shell S1 and a rigid shell neck S2. As for the inner bag P, it consists of a flexible bag body P1 and a rigid bag neck P2. The outer shell S is integrally formed: the shell neck S2 is integrally connected to the shell S1. The same applies to the flexible bag; the bag neck P2 of the flexible bag is integrally connected to the bag body P1. Therefore, the bag neck P2 and the shell neck S2 are rigid, while the bag body P1 and the shell S1 are flexible. The bag neck P2 and the shell neck S2 are mainly cylindrical, protruding upwards from the bag body P1 and the shell S1 and extending concentrically. The rigidity of the bag neck and the shell neck comes from the increase in wall thickness, while the deformability of the bag body and the shell comes from the smaller wall thickness. The shell S1 is elastically deformable, so that it can return to its initial state once the pressure is released. However, the bag body P1 is only flexible and cannot return to its initial shape after the pressure is released. In order for the shell S1 to return to its initial state while keeping the bag body deformable, external air must permeate between the outer shell S and the inner bag P. Therefore, the bag P1, initially flat against the shell S1, gradually separates from the shell as external air seeps between the shell S and the bag P. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen, a channel or space E is provided between the bag neck P2 and the shell neck S2. This channel E allows external air to be introduced between the bag neck and the shell neck and reach the bag body P1 and the shell S1. This channel E does not pass through the bag neck P2 or the shell neck S2, but extends between the inner wall of the shell neck S2 and the outer wall of the bag neck P2.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment, the reservoir R is manufactured by blow molding, a method comprising first manufacturing preforms of the outer shell S and the inner bag P. After these preforms are manufactured, the bag preform is advantageously introduced into the shell preform by molding, and pressurized air, optionally heated pressurized air, is injected into the adjacent preform, causing the bag to expand and come into close contact with the shell S1, which then expands. The preforms can be heated to the level of the bag, thereby keeping the bag neck and shell neck at a low temperature, preventing deformation of the bag neck and shell neck. This results in... Figure 2 The storage container R shown has a bag body P1 that rests flat against a housing S1 over its entire length, while the bag neck P2 and the housing neck S2 are at least partially spaced apart, thereby defining the channel or space E.

[0024] More specifically, it can be seen that the shell neck S2 defines the upper annular edge S3, the inner wall section S4, and the outer annular collar S5. As for the bag neck P2, the bag neck P2 is arranged inside the shell neck S2 through its upper annular edge P3, which is recessed and arranged inside the shell neck P2, leaving the inner wall section S4 free. Alternatively, it can be said that the shell neck S2 protrudes beyond the bag neck P2: the upper annular edge P3 is arranged axially below the inner wall section S4.

[0025] Of course, in addition to obtaining the reservoir R through preform blow molding, any reservoir including a housing containing an inner bag can also be used. This is merely a preferred manufacturing method, the advantage of which is that the reservoir does not require assembly.

[0026] In this particular embodiment, the dispensing head T comprises five components: a head body 1, a ring 2, an insert 3, a valve 4, and an optional protective cover C.

[0027] The head body 1 is the visible portion and is connected to the reservoir R via an edge 13 of a protrusion S13 surrounding the outer casing S. The head body 1 defines an outlet or dispensing port 11 arranged axially at its upper end. Between the dispensing port 11 and the edge 13, the head body 1 defines a dome 12, which contributes to the aesthetic appeal of the dispenser. A cover C covers the head body 1 and advantageously closes the dispensing port 11. Other components, namely the ring 2, the insert 3, and the valve 4, are arranged inside the head body 1 such that once the dispensing head T is mounted on the reservoir R, the ring 2, the insert 3, and the valve 4 are not visible from the outside.

[0028] First, a retaining bushing 14 is formed inside the head body 1, which advantageously engages with an annular collar S5 formed on the neck S2. This retaining ensures the stability of the dispensing head T on the reservoir R. The head body 1 also forms an inner tube 16, which extends coaxially within the retaining bushing 14. The free end of the inner tube 16 forms a static sealing element 161, which is a cylindrical lip that seals against the inside of the neck P2. Since the retaining bushing 14 is ultimately mounted around the collar S5, the sealing element 161 is ultimately sealed against the inside of the neck P2. This can be referred to as a permanent seal.

[0029] Ring 2 is arranged around inner tube 16. The ring includes a cylindrical portion 21 that contacts inner tube 16 and a lower sealing lip 24 that contacts the inner wall S4 of neck S2. A flange 15 formed by head body 1 may extend around cylindrical portion 21 to improve its stability. Ring 2 may be axially attached and engaged around inner tube 16, inside flange 15. In a variant, ring 2 may be overmolded onto head body 1. In any case, sealing lip 24 is intended to make sealing contact with inner wall S4. However, in the event of negative pressure at channel E, external air may push sealing lip 24 away from inner wall S4, thereby creating an external air inlet channel that extends not only to channel E but also to the space between bag body P1 and housing S1. Sealing lip 24 and inner wall S4 of neck S2 together form an air inlet valve that supplies external air to air channel E and the interface between bag body P1 and housing S1: neck acts as a valve seat, while sealing lip 24 acts as a movable valve component.

[0030] Insert 3 is axially mounted inside inner tube 16. Insert 3 can be held in place by snapping or clamping. Insert 3 forms housing 31 that accommodates valve 4. Insert 3 also forms an annular valve seat 32 extending around opening 33. Insert 3 extends axially to the bottom of bag neck P2 and housing neck S2, and internally forms vertical or axial ribs that retain fluid through capillary action. This ensures that valve 4 is always supplied with fluid.

[0031] As for the valve element 4, it may include, for example, an anchoring ring 41 snapped into the housing 31, a movable valve member 442 selectively sealingly contacting the valve seat 32, and a flexible tab or strip 43 connecting the movable valve member 42 to the anchoring ring 41. Thus, the movable valve member 42 can move axially by deforming the flexible tab 43 to allow fluid product passage, or conversely, to ensure a seal with the valve seat 32. In practice, the design of the valve element 4 is not critical to this application. The valve element 4 only needs to perform the conventional function of a check valve by pressing the valve seat. More generally, the movable valve member 42 and the valve seat 32 together form a fluid product outlet valve, which is housed in the head body 1, more specifically in the inner tube 16.

[0032] It should be noted that installing the dispensing head T onto the fluid product reservoir R creates three different types of contact. First, the retaining bushing 14 engages with the collar S5. Second, the sealing element 161 forms a permanent sealing contact inside the bag neck P2. Third, the sealing lip 24 forms a non-permanent sealing radial contact with the shell neck S2. These three contacts are achieved almost simultaneously during the installation of the dispensing head T onto the reservoir R. It can be observed that the passage or space E is isolated from the outside on the one hand by the permanent sealing contact between the sealing element 161 and the bag neck P2, and on the other hand by the selective sealing contact between the sealing lip 24 and the inner wall S4 of the shell neck S2.

[0033] Because of these three nearly simultaneous contacts, the installation of the dispenser in this application is greatly simplified. Furthermore, it can be noted that the valve 4 is axially mounted in the insert 3, which itself is axially mounted inside the inner tube 16. The same applies to the ring 2, which can be axially mounted around the inner tube 16. Therefore, all components of the dispenser can be assembled via simple axial movement.

[0034] Variations of the embodiments may be provided without departing from the scope of this application, wherein the sealing lip 24 selectively seals against the outer wall of the housing neck S2. Thus, the ring 2 may (e.g., by overmolding) be connected to the retaining bushing 14, the dome 12, and / or the flange 15. Therefore, more generally, it can be said that the intake valve is formed by the sealing lip 24 and the housing neck S2.

[0035] In addition, without departing from the scope of this application, double or even triple sealing lips may be provided, i.e., multiple overlapping lips may be provided.

Claims

1. A fluid product dispenser, comprising a fluid product reservoir (R) and a dispensing head (T) mounted on the fluid product reservoir (R). in, The fluid product reservoir (R) includes an inner bag (P) for containing the fluid product and an outer shell (S) for containing the inner bag (P). The outer shell (S) includes an elastically deformable shell (S1) and a rigid neck (S2). The inner bag (P) includes a flexible bag body (P1) and a rigid neck (P2). The flexible bag body (P1) is disposed inside the shell (S1), and the neck (P2) is disposed inside the neck (S2). The fluid product dispenser is characterized in that it further includes an intake valve (24, S2) formed by the fluid product reservoir (R) and the dispensing head (T), the intake valve (24, S2) including a movable valve member (24) formed by the dispensing head (T) and a valve seat formed by the housing neck (S2).

2. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein, During the process of axially mounting the dispensing head (T) onto the fluid product reservoir (R), the movable valve member (24) is in radial contact with its valve seat.

3. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The movable air intake valve component includes a flexible sealing lip (24) integrally formed with the distribution head (T), which selectively seals against the housing neck (S2) to allow external air to infiltrate between the outer shell (S) and the inner bag (P) by temporarily breaking the seal between the sealing lip (24) and the housing neck (S2).

4. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein, The neck (S2) includes an inner wall (S4), and the movable valve component (24) makes selective sealing contact with the inner wall (S4).

5. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 4, wherein, The bag neck (P2) is at least partially spaced from the inner wall (S4) of the shell neck (S2), thereby defining an air passage (E) between the bag neck (P2) and the inner wall (S4) of the shell neck (S2), the air passage connecting the dispenser to the outside of the bag body (P1) and the shell (S1) via the air inlet valve (24, S2).

6. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The inner wall (S4) extends beyond the bag neck (P2), and the sealing lip (24) selectively seals against the inner wall (S4) above the bag neck (P2).

7. The fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The dispensing head (T) includes a head body (1) that forms a sealing element (161) in permanent sealing contact with the bag neck (P2) and supports a sealing lip (24) in selective sealing contact with the shell neck (S2).

8. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 6, wherein, The head body (1) includes an inner tube (16) forming the sealing element (161) at its free end, the sealing element sealingly engaging in the bag neck (P2), and the inner tube (16) internally accommodating fluid product outlet valves (32, 42).

9. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 8, wherein, The fluid product outlet valve includes a movable valve member (42) and a valve seat (32), the valve seat (32) being formed by an insert (3) fixedly engaged in the inner tube (16), the insert (3) advantageously forming a capillary retaining device (34) upstream of the valve seat (32) for retaining the fluid product inside the insert (3).

10. The fluid product dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein, The sealing lip (24) is formed by a ring (2) arranged around the inner tube (16), which is advantageously formed by overmolding.

11. The fluid product dispenser according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein, The head body (1) forms a distribution port (11) and a fixed bushing (14) that engages with the shell neck (P2).

12. The fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fluid product reservoir (R) is obtained by blow molding, such that the bag body (P1) and the shell (S2) are initially in close contact over their respective entire extent.

13. The fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The outer shell (S) has its shell (S1) and neck (S2) integrally formed, and the inner bag (P) has its bag body (P1) and neck (P2) integrally formed.

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