SOURCE BOTTLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a source bottle intended to refill a refillable fluid dispenser, as well as a dispensing assembly comprising a source bottle and a refillable dispenser. The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy. This type of refillable dispenser is often referred to as a "nomadic" dispenser. It generally has a low-capacity reservoir of around 10 ml at most.

[0002] In the prior art, for example, documents US 6 186 368 B1, EP 2 335 833 A1, EP 3 085 459 A1, GB 2 483 087 A and FR 3000944 are known. Document FR3000944 describes a refillable or "nomadic" dispenser comprising a pump, a rigid reservoir of fixed volume and a filling valve. It also comprises a venting channel allowing the air contained in the reservoir to escape when it is filled through the filling valve. Indeed, venting (evacuation of air) from the reservoir is absolutely essential for the operation of the dispenser, otherwise the fluid product introduced into the reservoir would create compression of the air and therefore unacceptable overpressure.

[0003] However, this vent channel has several disadvantages, including that of not being aesthetically pleasing. When the tank is transparent, this vent channel is visible, which is often added to the dip tube, which is not more aesthetically pleasing. Then, from an operational point of view, fluid product can be forced back through the vent channel, when the user continues to refill the dispenser while its tank is full. The excess fluid product then escapes through the vent channel and contaminates the dispenser and the user's hands.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to define a refillable dispenser without a venting channel and the refilling of which does not risk producing a backflow of fluid product.

[0005] To achieve this, the present invention proposes that the refillable reservoir be of variable volume. In other words, the volume of the reservoir of the "nomadic" dispenser varies with the quantity of fluid product it contains. It is at its maximum volume when the reservoir is full and at its minimum volume when the reservoir is empty. There is no air or almost no air in the reservoir, regardless of its state of filling. Thus, it is no longer necessary to have a vent channel.

[0006] Advantageously, the refillable reservoir comprises a flexible pouch, which is advantageously elastically deformable. Thus, the flexible pouch is stretched when filled and retracts when emptied. Such an elastically deformable flexible pouch makes it possible to optimize the maximum useful volume, given that it can be deployed in a confined space, occupying it entirely. The refillable reservoir could also comprise a follower piston: however, this takes up a lot of space for a limited reservoir capacity. This is why the flexible pouch will be preferred in most cases.

[0007] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dispensing member defines an actuation axis X and the filling valve defines an actuation axis Y, the axes X and Y extending perpendicular to each other. In other words, if the valve is positioned upright or vertically, the pump is lying down or arranged horizontally. This configuration makes it possible to produce “nomadic” dispensers with a lateral filling valve.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the filling valve defines an inlet which is advantageously bordered by a wide docking area. This area extends substantially perpendicular to the actuation axis Y of the filling valve. Its function will be given below.

[0009] The present invention also defines a distribution assembly comprising: a refillable dispenser comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, provided with a dispensing head, a refillable reservoir of variable volume and a filling valve connected to the refillable reservoir, and a source bottle comprising a source reservoir and a pump defining a pump chamber, the pump comprising a valve stem adapted to connect to the filling valve, characterized in that the pump comprises a return valve capable of discharging fluid product from the pump chamber into the source reservoir, when the refillable reservoir is filled.

[0010] When the refillable reservoir is completely empty, the entire dose from the pump chamber is injected into the refillable reservoir. On the other hand, if the refillable reservoir still contains fluid product, part of the dose from the pump chamber is injected into the refillable reservoir until it is completely full, and the other part of the dose from the pump chamber is returned or returned to the source reservoir through the return valve. This of course assumes that the return valve opens at a pressure lower than that of the pump outlet valve (or valve) of the "nomadic" dispenser, but higher than that of its filling valve. Thanks to this return valve, the refillable reservoir is guaranteed to be completely filled, without any risk of overflow, backflow or leakage, particularly at the contact between the valve stem of the source bottle and the inlet of the filling valve of the "nomadic" dispenser.

[0011] It should be noted that such a source bottle, equipped with a pump provided with a return valve, can be implemented with any refillable dispenser, including a variable or constant volume reservoir, and could therefore be the subject of protection in itself.

[0012] According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the source bottle comprises a wide docking plate from which the valve stem projects, the filling valve of the refillable dispenser defines an inlet which is bordered by a wide docking area, the docking plate and the docking area defining substantially complementary shapes, so as to be able to come into extended stable contact. The plate and the docking area may have a substantially or perfectly planar, slightly concave / convex or even spherical configuration. All complementary shapes are possible.

[0013] Another recurring problem with refillable dispensers is that there are often, if not always, fluid leaks at the contact between the valve stem of the source bottle and the inlet of the filling valve of the "nomadic" dispenser. Except in the case where the refillable tank is filled, as mentioned above, these leaks come from the fact that the axis of the valve stem is not perfectly and constantly in line with the axis of the filling valve. This misalignment of the axes is inevitable, because the only contact between the refillable dispenser and the source bottle takes place at the end of the valve stem. Thus, when the user presses the refillable dispenser against the valve stem of the source bottle, it inevitably misaligns the refillable dispenser, which creates a leak at the outlet of the valve stem, which is no longer in leak-proof contact with the inlet of the filling valve.Thanks to the invention, by creating a stable extended contact between the refillable dispenser and the source bottle, during the filling operation, the alignment of the axes is ensured and thus any risk of leakage is eliminated.

[0014] It is noted that this extended stable contact between the refillable dispenser and the source bottle is a feature that can be implemented regardless of whether the refillable reservoir is of variable volume or whether the source bottle is equipped with a pump provided with a return valve. An assembly comprising any refillable dispenser and source bottle, forming extended stable contact areas around the valve stem and the inlet of the filling valve, respectively, could be protected in itself.

[0015] Advantageously, the filling valve is open when the docking plate and the docking area are in extended stable contact. In this way, the fluid product coming from the valve stem encounters only a small pressure loss, which further reduces the risk of leakage.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the docking plate and the docking area are brought into extended stable contact by magnetic means, such as permanent magnets. In practice, simply placing the refillable dispenser on the docking plate of the source bottle is sufficient to open the filling valve: the weight of the refillable dispenser combined with the magnetic attraction is sufficient for the valve stem to move a movable member of the filling valve into an open state. The magnetic attraction, combined with the geometric configuration of the plate and the docking area, can also be used to automatically bring the refillable dispenser into the final position on the docking plate of the source bottle, with the valve stem aligned with the inlet of the filling valve. The magnetic attraction can generate a slight sliding of the refillable dispenser on the docking plate to the final position.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the refillable dispenser may comprise at least one large face which forms the docking area. The refillable dispenser may be in the form of a substantially flat pebble or a flattened parallelepiped. The refillable dispenser may be arranged lying down on the source bottle and used in a standing or lying position.

[0018] According to a practical embodiment, the refillable dispenser may comprise two outer half-shells, the docking area being formed by one of the outer half-shells.

[0019] According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the refillable dispenser can be held in a locked position on the source bottle with the refillable reservoir filled and the pump chamber emptied. The locked position can be achieved by means of a locking / unlocking system identical to that of retractable tip pens, namely that each press on the refillable reservoir positioned on the source bottle allows switching from a lower locked position to an upper unlocked position, and vice versa. Thus, the source bottle hides the majority of the refillable dispenser in a locked position.

[0020] The present invention therefore defines three major characteristics which can be combined or separated, namely: 1) Refillable reservoir of variable volume, preferably in the form of a flexible bag, advantageously elastically deformable or stretchable, 2) Source bottle equipped with a pump with a return valve to the reservoir, 3) Extended docking area to guarantee alignment of the axes.

[0021] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, two embodiments of the invention.

[0022] In the figures: There figure 1 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through a dispensing assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, with the refillable dispenser just deposited on the source bottle, The figure 2 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 , with the refillable dispenser in a locked position in the source bottle, The figure 3 is a view practically identical to that of the figure 1 , aimed at illustrating the case where the mobile dispenser still contains fluid product, and The figures 4a à 4e are perspective views intended to illustrate the cooperation between a nomadic dispenser and its source bottle, according to an alternative embodiment.

[0023] We will first refer to the figure 1 to describe in detail the structure of the dispensing assembly of the invention, consisting of or comprising a refillable or “nomadic” dispenser N and a source bottle S. The association of these two entities in order to constitute the dispensing assembly of the invention aims to fulfill three main functions, namely: the precise positioning of the nomadic dispenser N on the source bottle S, the filling of the nomadic dispenser N by the source bottle S, and the storage in the locked position of the nomadic dispenser N in the source bottle S.

[0024] The source bottle S may have a completely conventional overall design for a fluid product dispenser, in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. The source bottle S comprises a fluid product reservoir 20 which can be referred to as the “source reservoir”. A pump 21 is mounted in a fixed and sealed manner on the source reservoir 20. This pump 21 comprises a pump body 22 in which a piston 23 slides in a sealed manner, which is connected to an actuating rod 25. In its lower part, the pump body 22 comprises an inlet valve 221 which connects the source reservoir 20 via a dip tube 222.

[0025] According to the invention, the pump body 22 defines at least one return passage 223 which is selectively closed by a return valve 224, which may for example be in the form of a disc or a corolla which comes into sealed contact around the return passage 223. The particular shape of the return valve 224 is not critical for the present invention. It is sufficient that this valve allows selective passage between the pump chamber 221 and the pump 20 and the source reservoir 20 under conditions which will be determined below.

[0026] The actuating rod 25 communicates with the pump chamber 210 via an outlet valve 24 which opens when the pressure of the fluid product inside the pump chamber 210 reaches and exceeds a predetermined threshold. The pressurized fluid product can then flow from the pump chamber 210 through the open valve 24 and the actuating rod 25.

[0027] According to the invention, the pump 21 is provided with a docking plate 26 which is integral with the actuating rod 25 and the piston 23. This docking plate 26 surrounds the actuating rod 25. However, the free end of the actuating rod 25 projects vertically relative to this docking plate 26. In order to return the actuating rod to its rest position, a return spring 226 acts between the pump body 22 and the docking plate 26. The return spring could also be integrated into the pump chamber 210. Its positioning is therefore not critical for the present invention.

[0028] According to another characteristic of the invention, a permanent magnet 27, in the form of a ring, is positioned under the docking plate 26 around the actuating rod 25. Its magnetic attraction force is sufficient to pass through the thickness of the docking plate 26.

[0029] The source bottle S also comprises a fixed crown 28 which is fixedly mounted on the source reservoir 20. This crown 28 can for example be screwed or snapped onto the source reservoir 20. Internally, the crown 28 defines a locking / unlocking system 281 which operates in a similar or identical manner to that of a retractable tip pen. In other words, a first axial pressure allows locking in a depressed position, and a subsequent axial pressure allows release from this locking position. The peripheral edge of the plate 26 is engaged with this locking / unlocking system 281 between a locked depressed position and an unlocked extended position. On the figure 1 , the plate 26 is in the unlocked extended position. Its peripheral edge abuts against a retracted flap formed by the fixed crown 28. This unlocked extended position is also ensured by the return spring 226. The pump chamber 210 is then in its maximum volume state, with the inlet valve 221 closed and the outlet valve 24 also closed.

[0030] The refillable dispenser N, which can also be described as a portable dispenser, comprises a portable reservoir 10, which is in this case in the form of a flexible pouch of variable volume. Preferably, the material constituting the flexible pouch 10 is elastically deformable, thus allowing the pouch to occupy a maximum volume. The portable dispenser N comprises a dispensing member 11, which can be a pump, or a valve. The dispensing member 11 is provided with a dispensing head 12 defining a dispensing orifice 121, which can form a spray, a stream, or a dab of fluid product. It can be noted that the dispensing member 11 extends along an axis X, which is horizontal on the figure 1 . The dispensing orifice 121 extends along a perpendicular axis. The inlet of the dispensing member 11 is arranged inside the flexible pouch 10. The portable dispenser N also comprises a filling valve 13 whose axis Y extends perpendicular to the axis X of the dispensing member 11. The filling valve 13 defines an inlet 131 which communicates with the interior of the flexible pouch 10 when the filling valve 13 is forced into the open state. In the closed state, the interior of the flexible pouch 10 is isolated from the outside. Around the filling valve 13, a permanent magnet 15 or a ferromagnetic ring is arranged.

[0031] According to a practical embodiment, the nomadic dispenser N comprises two half-shells 14a and 14b enclosing the flexible pouch 10, the dispensing member 11 and the filling valve 13. The dispensing head 12 is accessible from the outside by being arranged in a notch formed by the two half-shells 14a and 14b. It can be noted that the inlet 131 of the filling valve 13 is bordered by a docking area 141 which is formed by a large face or side 14b1 of the lower half-shell 14b. In the embodiment of the figure 1 , the docking area 141 extends over the entirety of the large lower face 14b1 of the lower half-shell 14b. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the docking area 141 may define only a portion of the large lower face 14b1 of the half-shell 14b. The docking area 141, like the docking platform 26, may be perfectly flat, as shown in the figure 1 , or on the contrary present complementary geometric or more complex shapes. The platform and the docking area can thus come into stable extended support contact.

[0032] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, this stable extended support contact is obtained by means of the permanent magnets 27 and 15, the magnetic attraction force of which urges the area 141 towards the plate 26. Preferably, the elastic force necessary for opening the filling valve 13 is less than the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnets 27 and 15. Thus, the filling valve 13 is open, as soon as the nomadic dispenser N is placed on the docking plate 26 of the source bottle S. On the other hand, the outlet valve 24 of the pump 21 of the source bottle S is closed, in the position shown in the figure 1 .

[0033] Referring to the figure 2 , we see the entire distribution of the figure 1 in a locked, depressed position. To move from the position of the figure 1 at the position of the figure 2 , the user simply has to press the upper shell 14a of the refillable dispenser N in the direction of the Y axis towards the source bottle S. In doing so, the portable dispenser N, in stable support on the docking plate 26, penetrates inside the fixed crown 28. Simultaneously, the piston 23 slides in the pump body so as to reduce the useful volume of the pump chamber 210. The fluid product under pressure in the pump chamber 210 is discharged through the open outlet valve 24 and the actuating rod 25 so as to flow through the open filling valve 13. The fluid product finally reaches the reservoir 10 of the portable dispenser N. Advantageously, the maximum volume discharged by the pump 21 from the source bottle S corresponds approximately to the maximum volume of the reservoir of the flexible bag 10 of the portable dispenser N. Thus, in a single actuation, the flexible bag 10 can be filled.It is also possible to envisage that the filling of the pocket 10 is carried out by several actuations of the pump 21 of the source bottle.

[0034] When the user has fully pushed the nomadic dispenser N into the crown 28 of the source bottle S, he feels a point of hardness, which makes him understand to release his pressing force. The nomadic dispenser N will then perform a very short upward stroke until the plate 26 comes into the locked position pushed inside the crown 28, due to its cooperation with the locking unlocking system 281 described previously. The dispenser is then in the configuration shown in the figure figure 2 . The pump chamber 210 is practically in its minimum volume state. Its outlet valve 24 has closed, but the filling valve 13 remains open due to the magnetic force generated by the permanent magnets 27 and 15. The flexible bag 10 of the portable dispenser N is then full. It can be seen that the major part of the portable dispenser N is inserted inside the fixed crown 28 of the source bottle S. Only the large upper face of the upper half-shell 14a projects outside the crown 28. The same is true for the dispensing orifice 121. The configuration of the figure 2 corresponds to a state of rest and storage, in which the portable dispenser is perfectly protected. Involuntary or untimely actuation of its dispensing head 12 is prevented by the fixed crown 28. Even when pressing on the large upper face of the upper half-shell 14a, nothing happens, since the pump 21 is in its depressed position.

[0035] Referring now to the figure 3 , we project ourselves into the particular configuration in which the flexible pocket 10 is partially or completely filled, when we come to dock the nomadic distributor N on the source bottle S. We can say that we are in the same configuration as that of figure 1 , but with the flexible bag 10 not empty. Thus, as soon as the user presses on the upper half-shell 14a, the volume of the pump chamber 210 will decrease. And since the fluid product can no longer be forced back through the actuating rod 25 because the flexible bag 10 is already filled, the fluid product will be forced back into the source reservoir 20 through the return passage 223 and the return valve 224, forced into the open state by the overpressure which prevails inside the pump chamber 210. Of course, the return valve 24 must be calibrated so that it opens before the outlet valve of the dispensing member 11 of the portable dispenser N, but after the filling valve 13.In other words, opening the return valve 224 requires a force greater than that of the outlet valve 24 of the pump 21 of the source bottle S, but less than that allowing the distribution of fluid product through the distribution member 11 of the portable dispenser N.

[0036] Referring to the figures 4a à 4e , we can see a distribution assembly according to a variant of the invention. This distribution assembly also comprises a source bottle S' and a portable refillable dispenser N'. The source bottle S' can be almost identical to that of the first embodiment of the figures 1 à 3 : the difference lies mainly in the design of the docking plate 26', which is not flat, since it defines a bowl 261 at the bottom of which the free end of the actuating rod 25 projects. It can be said that the central bowl 261 is bordered by a peripheral contour. In this variant embodiment, only the bowl 261 will form the extended docking zone of the refillable dispenser N'.

[0037] As for this refillable dispenser N', it differs from the dispenser N of the first embodiment in that it comprises an extended convex-shaped docking range, corresponding to the shape of the central bowl 261. Thus, as soon as the refillable dispenser N' is placed on the source bottle S', even randomly, the complementary concave / convex shapes, associated with the permanent magnets 27 and 15, will automatically position the nomadic dispenser N' correctly on the source bottle S, with the free end of the actuating rod 25 engaged inside the inlet 131 of the filling valve 13, which is thus forced into its open state. This corresponds to the figure 4b .

[0038] The refillable dispenser N' also differs from the dispenser N of the first embodiment in that it comprises a pusher 12' which is separate from the dispensing orifice 121', which opens onto the edge of the dispenser.

[0039] Apart from these few differences, the cooperation of the nomadic dispenser N' with its source bottle S' is strictly identical to that of the first embodiment. In fact, the user positions the nomadic dispenser N' above its source bottle S' and places it, even randomly, on the docking platform 26'. The permanent magnets 27 and 15 will then recenter the nomadic dispenser N' on the docking area 26, as shown in the figure 4b The user can then press the nomadic dispenser N' (without actuating the push button 12'), so as to push the nomadic dispenser N' inside the crown 28 of the source bottle S'. When the nomadic dispenser N' is pushed in fully, its flexible pocket 10 is then filled with fluid product and the user can release its pressure. After a slight return, the nomadic dispenser N' remains blocked in the pushed-in position locked inside the crown 28, as explained previously. We are then in the configuration shown in the figure 4c . It can be noted that the upper face of the nomadic dispenser N' is flush with the upper edge of the hoop 28 and that the dispensing orifice 121' is also masked. The dispensing assembly of the invention is then in the storage position and can be transported without risk of untimely dispensing. When the user wants to remove the nomadic dispenser N' from its source bottle S' again, he presses on the nomadic dispenser N' until it encounters a stop. We are then in the configuration shown in the figure 4d From this position, the user releases pressure on the nomadic distributor N' which is then automatically pushed out of the crown 28, as shown in the figure 4e The user can then detach the N' portable dispenser from its S' source bottle to use it.

[0040] Thanks to the invention, a coherent distribution assembly is provided which integrates a source bottle and a portable refillable dispenser. The implementation of a variable volume reservoir, preferably in the form of a flexible bag, advantageously elastically deformable, makes it possible to dispense with any venting system for the portable reservoir. The implementation of a return valve at the pump of the source bottle makes it possible not to put the portable reservoir of the portable dispenser under pressure, while ensuring its filling. Finally, an extended docking zone around the filling valve allows very stable positioning of the portable dispenser on the source bottle, thus guaranteeing perfect alignment of the valve stem and the filling valve.

Claims

1. A source bottle (S; S') intended to refill a refillable distributor (N; N') comprising a refillable reservoir (10) and a filling valve (13) connected to the refillable reservoir (10), the source bottle (S; S') comprising a source reservoir (20) and a pump (21) defining a pump chamber (210), the maximum dose of which is advantageously substantially equal to the maximum volume of the refillable reservoir (10), the pump (21) comprising a valve rod (25) adapted to be connected to the filling valve (13) of the refillable distributor (N; N'), characterised in that the pump (21) comprises a return valve (223, 224) able to discharge the fluid product from the pump chamber (21) into the source reservoir (20), the return valve (223, 224) being discharged in the open state by the excess pressure that prevails inside the pump chamber 210.

2. A distributor assembly comprising: a. refillable distributor (N; N') comprising a distributor member (11), such as a pump or a valve, having a distributor head (12; 12'), a refillable reservoir (10) and a filling valve (13) connected to the refillable reservoir (10), and b. a source bottle (S' S') comprising a source reservoir (20) and a pump (21) defining a pump chamber (210), the maximum dose of which is advantageously substantially equal to the maximum volume of the refillable reservoir (10), the pump (21) comprising a valve rod (25) adapted to be connected to the filling valve (13) of the refillable distributor (N; N'), characterised in that the pump (21) comprises a return valve (223, 224) able to discharge the fluid product from the pump chamber (21) into the source reservoir (20) when the refillable reservoir (10) is full.

3. The distributor assembly according to claim 2, wherein the refillable reservoir is of variable volume, advantageously in the form of a flexible pouch (10).

4. The distributor assembly according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the distributor member (11) defines an actuation axis X and the filling valve (13) defines an actuation axis Y, the axes X and Y extending perpendicularly with respect to each other.

5. The distributor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filling valve (13) defines an inlet (131) which is bordered by a large docking area (141).

6. The distributor assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source bottle (S; S') comprises a large docking plate (26; 261) from which the valve rod (25) projects, the filling valve (13) of the refillable distributor (N; N') defines an inlet (131) which is bordered by a large docking area (141), the docking plate (26; 261) and the docking area (141) defining substantially complementary shapes, so as to be able to come into stable bearing contact.

7. The distributor assembly according to claim 6, wherein the filling valve (13) is open, when the docking plate (26; 261) and the docking area (141) are in stable bearing contact.

8. The distributor assembly according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the docking plate (26; 261) and the docking area (141) are brought into stable bearing contact by magnetic means (15, 27), such as permanent magnets.

9. The distributor assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the refillable distributor (N; N') comprises at least one large face (14b1) which forms the docking area (141).

10. The distributor assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the refillable distributor (N; N') comprises two outer half-shells (14a, 14b), the docking area (141) being formed by one (14b) of the outer half-shells (14a, 14b).

11. The distributor assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the refillable distributor (N; N') is held in a locked position on the source bottle (S; S') with the refillable reservoir (10) full and the pump chamber (210) emptied.

12. The distributor assembly according to claim 11, wherein the source bottle (S; S') masks most of the refillable distributor (N; N') in a locked position.