DISPENSERS FOR LIQUID PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refillable fluid product dispenser, which can be used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy to dispense various fluid products such as perfume, creams, lotions, etc.

[0002] In the prior art, dispensers are already known whose fluid product reservoir is in the form of a refill or a cartridge which is removably connected to an assembly comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve. Thus, the reservoir, once empty, can be replaced by a full reservoir. To allow connection / disconnection of the reservoir, snap-on or screw-on connection means are frequently used. This requires that the reservoir can be grasped firmly enough to unscrew or unsnap it. For this, at least a significant portion of the reservoir must remain accessible, and therefore visible, which can detract from the overall aesthetics of the dispenser.

[0003] Document EP2916964 overcomes this drawback with a removable connection system of the retractable pen type, allowing connection and disconnection by simply pressing on the bottom of the tank. A first press followed by a release brings the tank into the sealed assembled position and a new press followed by a release allows the tank to be ejected, so that it can then be completely removed. A cam system associated with a spring makes it possible to generate these successive operations by simply pressing axially on the tank.

[0004] The reservoir is housed in a sliding crown, which is itself housed in a rotating ring. The connection system is complicated by the fact that it is fully integrated into the assembly: the reservoir is simply received in the crown by friction or possibly with a slight snap. There is no locked connection between the reservoir and the assembly. The assembly's connection system only serves to extract the reservoir from the case, but not to retain it in it. Accidental extraction of the reservoir is possible.

[0005] Document US10835014 describes a dispenser comprising a reservoir with a neck with at least one cam path, and an assembly comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, with at least one lug adapted to follow the cam path. A spring being provided to urge the lug out of the cam path.

[0006] The disadvantage with this dispenser is that the tank is rotated because the lug is forced to follow the cam path. Therefore, the user's grip on the tank opposes or hinders the rotation of the tank.

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome this drawback of the prior art by proposing a fluid product dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir comprising a neck, and an assembly comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, the dispenser comprising at least one cam path and at least one lug adapted to follow the cam path and a spring for urging the lug out of the cam path, the cam path being integral with one of the fluid reservoir and the assembly and the lug being integral with the other of the fluid reservoir and the assembly, characterized in that one of the cam path and the lug is formed by a rotary member.

[0008] Thus, even if the user grips the tank in such a way as to block its rotation, the lug will still be able to follow its cam path, since it is the lug or the cam path that rotates. Thus, the tank does not undergo any rotation during the path of the lug in the cam path. This provides a feeling of stability and quality to the user, who does not even perceive the operation of the removable connection.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the rotating member is a rotating sleeve, the assembly forming said at least one lug, said at least one cam path is formed by a ring fixedly mounted on the neck of the tank. Advantageously, the assembly comprises a housing in which the rotating sleeve is retained axially.

[0010] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the rotating member is a rotating ring of the reservoir forming the cam path, the lug being formed by a shell of the assembly. Advantageously, the rotating ring is rotatably mounted around the neck of the reservoir.

[0011] Two other embodiments are also possible: Rotating lug formed by the reservoir, and Rotating cam path formed by the assembly.

[0012] In any case, the cam path may include: a locking housing in which the lug is biased by the spring into the connected position, first and second lower stops on either side of the locking housing, and first and second cam surfaces on which the lug slides under the action of axial pressure against the spring, the first cam surface driving the lug to the first lower stop, the release of the axial pressure then bringing the lug into the locking housing, a new axial pressure causing the lug to slide on the second cam surface to the second lower stop and a new release of the pressure causing the lug to be released from the cam path under the action of the spring.

[0013] Preferably, the dispenser further comprises at least one ramp for leading the lug to the cam track. This ramp is formed by the element that forms the cam track. This ramp allows the user to not have to search by trial and error for the angular position of the entrance to the cam track. The lug slides on the ramp which ends at the entrance to the cam track.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the assembly may comprise a case provided with an insertion / extraction opening and defining an insertion / extraction axis X, the fluid product reservoir being engaged in the case through the insertion / extraction opening, the reservoir comprising a bottom accessible at the level of the insertion / extraction opening to exert an axial thrust on the reservoir against the spring.

[0015] According to another interesting characteristic of the invention, the neck of the reservoir defines an opening and an upper annular edge, the reservoir being provided with a closure member which seals the opening of the neck, the closure member comprising a pierceable membrane which is arranged inside the neck axially away from the upper annular edge. Furthermore, the assembly may comprise piercing means forming a piercing pin at the lower end of a sheath in which the dispensing member is received.

[0016] Advantageously, the sealing member may comprise a sleeve which extends into the neck from the upper annular edge, the pierceable membrane being connected to a lower end of the sleeve, the sheath advantageously coming into sealed annular radial contact with the sleeve.

[0017] Advantageously, the neck projects from a shoulder, the pierceable membrane being positioned substantially at this shoulder, with the sleeve extending substantially over the entire height of the neck.

[0018] In the first embodiment of the invention, the closure member may comprise an annular collar which rests on the upper annular edge, the sleeve being connected to the annular collar, the reservoir further comprising a ring which engages with the annular collar to press it on the upper annular edge, the ring forming the cam path.

[0019] In the context of the second embodiment of the invention, the closure member may comprise an external skirt which is engaged around the neck of the tank, the rotating ring which forms the cam path being rotatably mounted on the external skirt.

[0020] The spirit of the invention lies in making a pen-like connection that does not induce rotation of the tank, so that it can be moved without rotating as a whole.

[0021] The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

[0022] In the figures: There figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the reservoir of a fluid dispenser according to the invention, The figure 2 is a front view of the tank of the figure 1 , There figure 3 is an enlarged view of a detail of the figure 1 , There figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the assembly of a fluid product dispenser according to the invention, intended to be associated with the reservoir of the figure 1 , There figure 5 is an enlarged view of a detail of the figure 4 , There figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the fluid dispenser resulting from the combination of the reservoir and the assembly according to the invention, The figure 7 is an enlarged view of a detail of the figure 6 , There figure 8 is a view similar to that of the figure 4 for a second embodiment of the invention, The figure 9 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 for a second embodiment of the invention, and The figure 10 is a view similar to that of the figure 6 for a second embodiment of the invention.

[0023] The dispenser of the invention comprises an assembly E incorporating a dispensing member P and a reservoir R containing a fluid product. The reservoir R is connected to the assembly E in a removable or permanent manner.

[0024] We will now refer to the figures 1 à 3 to describe in detail the fluid product reservoir R. It comprises a receptacle R0 intended to contain the fluid product, which may be a cream, a gel, a lotion, a serum, a perfume, etc. This receptacle R0 comprises a cylindrical barrel R1, in which a follower piston F slides. Instead of the follower piston F, a flexible bag can also be used. The lower end of the barrel R1 is advantageously closed by a bottom L. At its opposite end, the barrel R1 is connected to a shoulder R2, which itself is extended by a neck R3 which projects upwards. This neck R3 forms an upper annular edge R4 and internally defines an opening R5, which connects the receptacle R0 with the outside. This is a classic design for a fluid product reservoir.

[0025] According to the invention, the reservoir R is further provided with a closure member 1 which seals the opening R5 in a leaktight manner. This closure member 1 comprises a pierceable membrane 11, which may be provided with tear lines 111 of lesser thickness. This membrane 11 here has a conical shape with the tip facing downwards, i.e. towards the follower piston F. The membrane 11 may have another shape, in particular a flat one. It may be noted that the membrane extends at the shoulder R2, at the lower end of the neck R3, and therefore axially away from the upper annular edge R4.

[0026] The closure member 1 also comprises a sleeve 12 which may be cylindrical. This sleeve 12 extends over at least part of the height of the neck R3 and preferably almost over the entire height of the neck R3. The sleeve 12 may come into sealed contact with the internal wall of the neck R3 which defines the opening R5. The pierceable membrane 11 is connected to the sleeve at its lower annular edge. It may be noted that the sleeve 12 has a wall thickness greater than that of the pierceable membrane 11. It may be said that the sleeve 12 serves as a support for the membrane 11, so as to position it at the shoulder R2, so as to together constitute the roof of the receptacle R0, opposite the follower piston F.

[0027] The closure member 1 also comprises an annular collar 13 which rests on the upper annular edge R4. This collar 13 projects radially outwards from the upper end of the sleeve 12. It can be seen on the figure 3 that an annular sealing rib 121 is formed on the internal wall of the sleeve 12 at the level of the collar 13. It can also be said that the collar 13 internally forms the annular sealing rib 121. Its function will be given below. This rib 121 could be located elsewhere on the height of the sleeve 12.

[0028] Optionally, the closure member 1 can be provided with a cover 15 fixed on the collar 13 or on the upper end of the sleeve 12. This cover 15 is removable or piercable.

[0029] This closure member 1 makes it possible to seal the reservoir R inside the neck R3, so that there is no or practically no air in the reservoir. Indeed, the reservoir can be filled with fluid product approximately up to the level of its shoulder R2 or a little below. The closure member 1 is then inserted into the neck R3 allowing the air to escape. Its pierceable membrane then comes close to or even into contact with the fluid product, leaving no or very little air in the reservoir R. In addition, thanks to its recessed position, the membrane 11 is protected against accidental piercing.

[0030] The tank also comprises a ring 2, which is mounted on the neck R3 so as to surround it. The fixing of the ring 2 on the neck R3 can be carried out by any means, such as snap-fastening, force-fitting, screwing, gluing, welding, etc. The fixing can be removable or permanent. The ring can come into contact with the shoulder. The ring comprises a support flange 21 which projects radially inwards. This flange 21 comes into contact with the collar 13 of the closure member 1, so as to compress it on the upper annular edge R4 of the neck R3. It can be said that the ring 2 makes it possible to lock the closure member 1 on the neck R3.

[0031] According to the invention, the ring 2 externally forms connection means intended to cooperate with the assembly E to connect the reservoir R to the assembly E. Advantageously, these are removable connection means, making it possible to remove the reservoir R from the assembly E. These connection means may comprise at least one cam path 22. On the figure 3 , it can be understood that there are three cam paths 22 on the ring 2. Each cam path 22 comprises a locking housing 223, a first lower stop 222, a second lower stop 225 on either side of the locking housing 223, a first cam surface 221 and a second cam surface 224. The path of a lug through this cam path is as follows: first cam surface 221, first lower stop 222, locking housing 223, second cam surface 224, second lower stop 225, then the exit of the cam path 22.

[0032] In order to bring the lug into a cam path from any angular orientation, the ring 2 advantageously forms ramps 23 which converge towards the cam paths 22.

[0033] It should be noted that a reservoir with a closure member 1, but without a cam path 22 is conceivable, just as a reservoir with a cam path 22 but without a closure member 1. Preferably, the reservoir R comprises both a closure member and at least one cam path 22.

[0034] We will now refer to the figures 4 et 5 to describe the set E in detail.

[0035] The dispensing member P of the assembly E may be a pump or a valve, which is provided with a pusher B to actuate it and thus dispense fluid product. The dispensing member P is not critical to the invention and will therefore not be described in detail. When it is a pump, it conventionally comprises a pump body with a fluid product inlet. A piston slides in a sealed manner in the pump body to put a dose of fluid product under pressure. The piston is mounted on an actuating rod which moves back and forth against a return spring. The dose of pressurized fluid product escapes through an outlet valve towards the pusher B which comprises a fluid product outlet. This design is entirely conventional for a pump in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery or pharmacy.

[0036] The assembly E comprises a housing 3 forming an outer shell 31, which is cylindrical. The shell 31 internally forms a retaining rib 31 and at its upper end an annular plate 33. A sleeve 4 is received between the retaining rib 31 and the plate 33, so as to be axially locked, while being free to rotate on itself. This rotating sleeve 4 forms at least one cam lug 41, and preferably three, on its inner wall. These cam lugs 41 are located near the lower edge of the sleeve 4. The housing 3 also forms an anchoring profile 34 for a spring 5 which extends freely downwards inside the sleeve 4. The housing also comprises receiving means 35 for the dispensing member P.

[0037] Advantageously, the housing 3 further comprises a sheath 36 which extends freely downwards inside the shell 31, the sleeve 4 and the spring 5. This sheath 36 forms at its lower end a piercing needle 37, adapted to pierce the membrane 11 of the tank R, as will be seen below. The needle 37 comprises at least one opening 371, visible on the figure 5 , which communicates directly with the inlet of the distribution member P. The needle 37 may have a conical shape. The sheath may form a lower section 361 of small diameter and an upper section 362 of larger diameter. The major part of the distribution member P is housed in the sheath 36 and occupies almost the entire volume of the sheath. The external wall of the distribution member P may possibly come into contact with the internal wall of the sheath 36.

[0038] The assembly E also comprises a case 6 which is connected to the lower end of the shell 31. The case 6 could be made in a single piece with the shell 31. This case 6 defines an insertion / extraction opening 61 and an insertion / extraction axis X.

[0039] According to the invention, the reservoir R is connected to the assembly E in the following manner. The reservoir R is inserted into the case 6 through its opening 61 with the neck R3 at the head. The axial insertion continues until the piercing needle 37 comes into abutment against the pierceable membrane 11. The seal 15 has previously been removed or pierced by the needle 37. Sufficient axial pressure allows the needle 37 to rupture the membrane 11, preferably at its tear lines 111. The axial insertion can then continue until the cam lugs 41 come into contact with the ring 2. This axial insertion is done against the spring 5. In most cases, the lugs 41 will come into contact with the ramps 23. From this moment, axial pressure on the reservoir R will cause the sleeve 4 to rotate in the shell 31. The lugs 41 will slide on the ramps 23 to reach the level of the inlets of the cam tracks 22.From there, each lug 41 will follow the following path. The lug 41 slides under the action of an axial thrust against the spring 5 on the first cam surface 221 which leads it to the first lower stop 222. A release of the axial pressure then brings the lug 41 into the locking housing 223 under the action of the spring 5. The reservoir is then connected to the assembly E. The seal between the reservoir R and the housing 3 is ensured by the annular radial contact of the upper section 362 of the sheath against the sealing rib 121 of the closure member 1. The user can then use the dispenser by actuating the pusher B using a finger. Fluid product from the reservoir R is then dispensed by the dispensing member P.

[0040] When the reservoir R is empty, axial pressure on the reservoir R extracts the lug 41 from the locking housing 123 and causes it to slide on the second cam surface 224 to the second lower stop 225. A release of the pressure then causes the lug 41 to be released from the cam path 22 under the action of the spring 5. The reservoir R can then be freely extracted from the case 6. A new reservoir R can then be put in place in the assembly E in the manner described above.

[0041] It should be noted that the rotating socket 4 allows the tank R to be connected to the assembly E without rotating it, since it is the socket that rotates on itself. This provides a more pleasant sensation and completely masks the operation of the connection.

[0042] It may also be noted that an assembly E with a needle 37, but without a connection system (sleeve 4 and spring 5), can be associated with a reservoir R with a closure member 1, but without a cam track 22. Similarly, an assembly E with a connection system (sleeve 4 and spring 5), but without a needle 37, can be associated with a reservoir R with cam tracks 22, but without a closure member 1. Furthermore, an assembly E with a connection system (sleeve 4 and spring 5), but without a needle 37, can be associated with a reservoir R with cam tracks 22 and a closure member 1. And again, an assembly E with a needle 37, but without a connection system (sleeve 4 and spring 5), can be associated with a reservoir R with a closure member 1, but without a cam track 22: the connection between the reservoir and the assembly is then made by any known connection means, such as for example snap-on, screw-on, bayonet, etc.

[0043] Referring to the figures 8 à 10 , we see a second embodiment of the invention, which differs from the first in that the cam paths of this second embodiment are formed by a rotating member, whereas they are fixed in the first embodiment, where the lugs are formed by a rotating member, namely the rotating sleeve 4.

[0044] On the figure 8 , the assembly E' comprises a housing 3' having an external shell 31' to which the case 6 is connected. The external shell 31' internally forms three lugs 311, which are therefore fixed. Optionally, the shell 31' comprises a side window 312. The sheath 36 with its needle 37 are made in a single piece with the shell 31'. The assembly E' also comprises a spring 5'.

[0045] On the figure 9 , the neck R3 of the reservoir R' is surrounded by an external skirt 16, which is advantageously made in a single piece with the sleeve 12 and the membrane 11 of the closure member 1'. This external skirt 16 is therefore fixedly mounted on the neck R3. It is surrounded by a ring 2', which is rotatably mounted on the skirt 16. The ring 2' can therefore freely rotate on itself around the skirt 16, which is fixedly mounted around the neck R3. The rotating ring 2' externally forms three cam paths 22', which are identical or similar to those of the first embodiment. The ring 2' can also form ramps, identical or similar to the ramps 23.

[0046] On the figure 10, the reservoir R' is in place inside the assembly E'. The needle 37 has pierced the membrane 11 and the lugs 311 are engaged with the cam tracks 22', in the same way as in the first embodiment. During connection, the ring 2' rotates around the skirt 16, so that the barrel R1 can remain static in rotation.

[0047] This second embodiment therefore consists of moving the rotating element of the assembly E onto the reservoir R', while maintaining the lugs on the assembly and the cam tracks on the reservoir. Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is also possible to form the lugs on the reservoir and the cam tracks on the assembly. There are therefore four possible embodiments: Rotating lugs formed by the assembly (1st embodiment), Rotating cam tracks formed by the reservoir (2nd embodiment), Rotating lugs formed by the reservoir, and Rotating cam tracks formed by the assembly.

Claims

1. Fluid product dispenser comprising: - a fluid product reservoir (R; R') comprising a neck (R3), and - an assembly (E; E') comprising a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, the dispenser comprising at least one cam track (22; 22') and at least one lug (41; 311) designed to follow the cam track (22; 22') and a spring (5, 5') for urging the lug (41; 311) out of the cam track (22; 22'), the cam track (22; 22') being integral with one of the fluid product reservoir (R; R') and the assembly (E; E') and the lug being integral with the other of the fluid product reservoir (R; R') and the assembly (E; E'), characterized in that one of the cam track (22; 22') and the lug (41; 311) is formed by a rotary member (4; 2').

2. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member is a rotary socket (4), the assembly (E) forming said at least one lug (41), said at least one cam track (22) is formed by a ring (2), fixedly mounted on the neck (R3) of the reservoir (R).

3. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the assembly (E) comprises a casing (3), wherein the rotary socket (4) is axially retained.

4. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the rotary member is a rotary ring (2') of the reservoir (R') forming the cam track (22'), the lug (311) being formed by a shell (31') of the assembly (E').

5. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the rotary ring (2') is rotatably mounted around the neck (R3) of the reservoir (R').

6. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cam track (22; 22') comprises: - a locking housing (223), wherein the lug (41; 311) is urged by the spring (5; 5') in the connection position, - a first and a second low abutment (222, 225) on either side of the locking housing (223), and - a first and a second cam surface (221, 224) over which the lug (41; 311) slides under the action of an axial thrust against the spring (5; 5'), the first cam surface (221) driving the lug (41; 311) to the first low abutment (222), the release of the axial pressure thus bringing the lug (41; 311) into the locking housing (223), another axial pressure bringing the lug (41; 311) to slide over the second cam surface (224) to the second low abutment (225) and another release of the pressure bringing the lug (41; 311) to be released from the cam track (22; 22') under the action of the spring (5; 5').

7. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one ramp (23) to drive the lug (41; 311) to the cam track (22; 22').

8. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly (E; E') comprises a case (6) provided with an insertion / extraction opening (61) and defining an insertion / extraction axis X, the fluid product reservoir (R; R') being engaged in the case (6) through the insertion / extraction opening (61), the reservoir (R; R') comprising a bottom (L) accessible at the insertion / extraction opening (61) to exert an axial thrust on the reservoir (R; R) against the spring (5).

9. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein - the neck (R3) of the reservoir (R; R') defines an opening (R5) and an upper annular edge (R4), the reservoir (R; R') being provided with a blocking member (1; 1') which seals the opening (R5) of the neck (R3), the blocking member (1; 1') comprising a pierceable membrane (11) which is disposed inside the neck (R3) axially away from the upper annular edge (R4), - the assembly (E; E') comprises piercing means (36, 37) forming a piercing tip (37) at the lower end of a sheath (36) in which the dispensing member (P) is received.

10. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the blocking member (1; 1') comprises a sleeve (12) which extends into the neck (R3) from the upper annular edge (R4), the pierceable membrane (11) being connected to a lower end of the sleeve (12), the sheath (36) advantageously coming into sealed annular radial contact with the sleeve (12).

11. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the neck (R3) projects from a shoulder (R2), the pierceable membrane (11) being positioned substantially at this shoulder (R2), with the sleeve (12) extending substantially over the entire height of the neck (R3).

12. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the blocking member (1) comprises an annular collar (13) which rests on the upper annular edge (R4), the sleeve (12) being connected to the annular collar (13), the reservoir (R) further comprising a ring (2) which engages with the annular collar (13) to press it on the upper annular edge (R4), the ring (2) forming the cam track (22).

13. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the blocking member (1') comprises an external skirt (16) which is engaged around the neck (R3) of the reservoir (R'), the rotary ring (2') which forms the cam track (22') being rotatably mounted on the external skirt (16).