DISPENSER FOR LIQUID PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir on which is mounted a fluid metering device, liquid to pasty, of a particular type, described for example in document EP2746733. This metering device is generally associated with a fluid reservoir, which can be manually crushed, in order to force the fluid through the metering device. Alternatively, the fluid can also flow by gravity alone through the metering device.

[0002] The metering device of document EP2746733 comprises a chamber defining an inlet, a stop, an outlet and a sealing seat, the stop being separated from the sealing seat by a stroke distance. The metering device also comprises a shutter, which may be a floating ball, movable in the chamber over a stroke defined between a rest position, in which the shutter is biased by a return force (density differential between the fluid and the shutter and / or spring) towards the stop, and an extreme position, in which the shutter is selectively driven towards the sealing seat against the return force by the fluid flowing in the chamber from the inlet to the outlet.

[0003] In other words, the shutter is trapped in the chamber, but can move axially between the stop and the sealing seat under the opposing actions of the return force and the fluid flow heading towards the outlet. Thus, when a user squeezes the reservoir, a flow of fluid is directed towards the outlet and as this flow of fluid passes through the chamber, it carries the shutter with it on a stroke which ends when it comes into sealed contact with the seat. The fluid flow is then abruptly stopped: the quantity of fluid dispensed corresponds to a previously defined dose.

[0004] In the prior art, documents EP3315922A1, US2021278264A1, US10071836B2, US10471452B2, US8851333B2 and DE102014206568A1 are known, all of which describe dispensers incorporating metering devices that are provided with adjustment means capable of modifying the travel of the shutter. These adjustment means all comprise a thread and an external rotary actuating member, which the user can manipulate by turning it. Thus, the travel of the shutter can certainly be modified, and repeatedly, but the dose of fluid product is not adjusted according to the fluid product.

[0005] Indeed, the fluid dose is dependent on many parameters and in particular on the characteristics of the fluid, such as its viscosity or surface tension. Its flow also depends on the configuration of the metering device, but for a given metering device design, only the characteristics of the fluid come into play. Thus, a metering device may very well be adapted to a very specific type of fluid and be unsuitable for another. Consequently, the metering devices must be adapted on a case-by-case basis for each type of fluid. This is not possible with the dispensers in the aforementioned documents, because it is the user who varies the travel of the shutter according to his desire and not according to the characteristics of the fluid product.

[0006] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback of the prior art by proposing adjustment means which are manipulated only once in the factory before the final assembly of the dispenser according to the characteristics of the fluid product.

[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes a product dispenser comprising a reservoir on which is mounted a metering device comprising a chamber defining an inlet, a stop, an outlet and a sealing seat, the stop being separated from the sealing seat by a stroke distance, and a shutter movable in the chamber over a stroke defined between a rest position, in which the shutter is urged by a return force towards the stop, and an extreme position, in which the shutter is selectively driven towards the sealing seat against the return force by the fluid circulating in the chamber from the inlet to the outlet, the metering dispenser comprises means for adjusting the stroke of the shutter capable of adjusting the stroke distance separating the stop from the sealing seat, characterized in that the adjustment means are located inside the dispenser,and more particularly inside the fluid reservoir, so that they are inaccessible from outside the fluid dispenser. Thus, the invention proposes to confine the adjustment means inside the dispenser, so that a user cannot manipulate them. It can also be said that the adjustment means are entirely arranged in the dispenser, in particular in the reservoir, without any part of the adjustment means opening onto the outside of the dispenser.

[0008] Advantageously, the chamber can be formed by at least two parts attached to one another and defining between them several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

[0009] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the chamber may comprise a cage forming the inlet and the stop, and a head forming the outlet, the cage being integral with the head. Advantageously, the cage may comprise a cage body and a cage cap, the body and the cap defining between them several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances. The body may form snap-on notches and the cap may form snap-on teeth capable of snap-engaging with the snap-on notches. Alternatively, the body may form a thread and the cap may form threads capable of threadedly engaging with the thread. The notches and teeth are preferred, because their mutual positioning is fixed and definitive, once the dispenser is assembled. This is not the case for the thread and the threads, the mutual positioning of which could move over time, for example under the action of shocks or the flow of fluid product.The notches and teeth, or more generally the snap-in, therefore offer(s) durability compared to threads and nets.

[0010] Advantageously, the cage body and the cage cover are made in one piece with breakable material bridges. The cover can form the stop. The body and the head can be made in one piece.

[0011] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the cage and the head can define between them several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

[0012] According to another characteristic of the invention, the dosing device may comprise a ring which forms the sealing seat. In the second embodiment, the cage and the ring may define between them several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

[0013] The ring can be considered part of the cage or the head.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the metering device may further comprise a slotted valve, held in place by the cage which advantageously forms the sealing seat or by a ring which advantageously forms the sealing seat. The position of the slotted valve, relative to the low position of the shutter, may also be defined to create a mechanical movement during the suction return, and thus cause the detachment of the ball, which under certain conditions (nature of the fluid), may tend to remain stuck on the sealing seat and thus block the metering device.

[0015] According to a third embodiment of the invention, the chamber stop may be formed with at least one fracture initiation point, at which the stop may be broken, thereby increasing the stroke distance. Alternatively, instead of breaking a segment of the stop, it may be considered to fold it back while remaining attached. The result is the same, namely increasing the stroke distance.

[0016] Thus, the dosing device can integrate one or more of the following characteristics: Cap snapped or screwed onto the cage body, One-piece stop with the cage body, One-piece cage body and cage cap with breakable bridges, Cage body snapped or screwed into the ring, Sealing seat formed by the cage or ring, Slotted valve held by the cage or ring, Breakable stop alone or combined with snapping or screwing.

[0017] The spirit of the present invention is based on being able to adjust the stroke distance of the dosing device before assembling the dispenser, using known techniques, such as snap-fastening, screwing, breaking or bending.

[0018] The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the attached drawings, giving, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

[0019] In the figures: There figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid metering device according to one embodiment of the invention, The figure 2 is a perspective view of a fluid product dispenser comprising a dosing device of the invention ready to be mounted on a fluid reservoir, The figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the metering device of the figure 1 in the assembled state, The figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper part of the metering device of the figure 3 , THE figures 5 et 6 show the dosing device of the figure 3 in two different configurations, The figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a metering device according to a second embodiment of the invention, The figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a metering device according to a third embodiment of the invention, and The figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a metering device according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

[0020] The fluid product dispenser of the invention, whatever the embodiment, comprises a fluid product reservoir R on which a dosing device of the invention is mounted.

[0021] We will first refer to the figure 1 to describe the various constituent elements of the fluid dosing device D according to the first embodiment of the invention. All the constituent elements of the dosing device can be produced by injection / molding of suitable plastic material.

[0022] The metering device comprises a head 1, a cage 2, a shutter 3 in the form of a ball, a ring 4 and a slotted valve or flap 5. The ring 4 is fixedly received in the head 1 and the cage 2 is mounted in the ring 4 by wedging the slotted valve 5 between them and trapping the shutter 3 inside the cage 2. The ring 4 can be snapped into the head 1 and the cage 2 can be snapped into the ring 4. The ring 4 can be considered as part of the head 1 or the cage 2, given that the ring 4 is the intermediate piece between the cage 2 and the head 1.

[0023] Thus, the ring 4 comprises a mounting heel 41 which engages with the head 1 and a mounting cup 42, in which the cage 2 is fixedly received. Preferably, the mounting heel 41 is snapped into the head 1 and the cage 2 is snapped into the cup 42.

[0024] The cage 2 comprises a cage body 20, with which is associated a cover 24, capable of being mounted at different heights on the cage body 20. The cage body 20 and the cage cover 24 together form means for adjusting the stroke of the shutter 3: the cover 24 forming a movable member of the adjustment means and the cage body 24 forming a fixed member of the adjustment means.

[0025] The cage body 20 comprises a mounting base 21 of annular shape, which is intended to be received in a fixed manner in the collar 42 of the ring 4, for example by snap-fastening. From this base 21 extend four tabs 22 which are externally provided with snap-fastening notches 221, which extend horizontally one below the other over a portion of the height of the tabs 22. It can also be said that the notches 221 extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body of the cage 2 defined by the tabs 22. The tabs 22 are here four in number, separated by axial longitudinal slots 23. The tabs 22 have free upper ends: in other words, they do not meet at their upper portion.

[0026] The cover 24, which is part of the cage 2, is mounted on the free ends of the legs 22 and comprises four loops 26 intended for the respective passage of the four legs 22. The cooperation between the cover 24 and the cage body 20 will be described in more detail below.

[0027] The obturator 3 is here in the form of a ball, which is advantageously made so as to have a density lower than that of the liquid to be dispensed. The ball 3 may for example be hollow and made of a suitable plastic material. It may be formed by joining two hemispheres. Instead of this ball, other forms of obturators may be imagined, capable of moving inside the cage 2. It is even possible to envisage an obturator in the form of a piston acted upon by a spring, which replaces or reinforces the buoyancy.

[0028] The slit valve 5 may be of a completely conventional design with a flexible membrane 52 which is pierced by a slit 53, for example in the shape of a cross. The membrane 52 is surrounded by a mounting ring 51 intended to be wedged between the base 21 of the cage body 20 and the ring 4.

[0029] The cage 2 thus defines a chamber C, in which the shutter 3 can move axially between the cap 24 and the valve 5.

[0030] As already mentioned, the ring 4 is mounted in the head 1 and the cage 2 is mounted on the ring 4, holding the slotted valve 5 between them and trapping the ball 3 inside the cage 2. The dosing device D can thus be mounted on a fluid reservoir R, as shown in the figure 2 . The head 1 may for example comprise a screw ring 11 intended to come into threaded engagement with a threaded neck R2 of the reservoir R. The reservoir R advantageously comprises a deformable wall R1 that a user can crush to put the fluid contained in the reservoir R under pressure. Thus, when the user turns the dispenser over so as to place the metering device D at the bottom, the fluid contained in the reservoir fills the cage 2 and the shutter 3 floats in the fluid so as to rise to come into contact with the cap 24. By pressing on the deformable wall R1, a flow of fluid is forced through the cage 2, carrying with it the shutter 3 which moves towards the slotted valve 5. At the end of its travel, the shutter 3 closes the metering device D and the distribution of fluid is then stopped. The operation of the metering device D is identical to that described in the aforementioned document EP2746733.

[0031] We will now refer to the figures 3 et 4 to describe in detail the structure of the dosing device D according to this first embodiment of the invention. The head 1 comprises a head body 10, on which is articulated a cover 15 connected to the head body 10 by a hinge 16. The head body 10 comprises a screw-on ring 11 provided with an internal thread capable of cooperating with the threaded neck R2 of the reservoir R of the figure 2 . The head body 10 also comprises a mounting flange 12 which is internally formed with a snap-in profile. The head body 10 also forms an annular bearing edge 13 and a fluid outlet 14 which is hermetically sealed by a tube 17 formed by the hinged cover 15.

[0032] The ring 4, as briefly described above, comprises a mounting heel 41 which is engaged in the mounting flange 12, advantageously by snap-fastening. The ring 4 also comprises a mounting collar 42 internally defining a snap-fastening profile. In addition, the ring 4 forms an annular sealing seat 44, on which the shutter 3 can come into sealing contact.

[0033] The valve or slotted flap 5 is arranged between the ring 4 and the head body 10: more precisely, the mounting ring 51 of the valve 5 is held between the support profile 43 of the ring 4 and the annular support edge 13 of the head body 10. The flexible membrane 52 is free to deform, and even to curl up. Its slot 53 opens and closes in response to variations in fluid pressure.

[0034] The base 21 of the cage body 20 is received inside the mounting collar 42 of the ring 4, advantageously by snap-fastening. It should be noted that the ring 4 can be mounted on the cage body 20 and that the assembly can then be mounted on the head body 10. In this case, it can be considered that the ring 4 is an integral part of the cage 2. Alternatively, the ring 4 can be previously mounted on the head body 10, and the cage body 2 can then be mounted in the ring 4. In this case, it can be considered that the ring 4 is an integral part of the head 1.

[0035] In the initial state, when leaving the mold, the cap 24 is located at the upper end of the legs 22: more precisely, the cap is connected to the legs 22 by breakable material bridges 222 resulting from the molding. It can thus be said that the cap 24 is molded in a single piece with the cage body 20. This is shown in the figure 4 . It may also be noted that the cap 24 forms a crown 25, around which the loops 26 are arranged. Each loop 26 internally forms at least one latching tooth 261 intended to engage with the latching notches 221 of the tabs 22. In the initial molding position, the teeth 221 are not engaged with the notches 221. The crown 25 internally defines a blade 27 which forms a stop 28 oriented towards the inside of the cage 2. Preferably, two blades 27 may be provided arranged in a cross with the stop 28 arranged at the intersection of the two blades 27. It should be noted above all that the cap 24 defines a fluid inlet through its crown 25 between the blades 27. Other inlets are also defined at the level of the slots 23 which separate the tabs 22.

[0036] The cage 2 with its ring 4 thus defines a chamber C in which the shutter 3 is captive, with however a degree of axial freedom. Indeed, the shutter 3 can move over a maximum stroke defined on the one hand by the stop 28 and on the other hand by the sealing seat 44. A stroke distance is thus defined between the stop 28 and the seat 44. On the figure 3 , the shutter 3 is shown in contact with the seat 44, corresponding to the state of the metering device in the absence of fluid or under the action of a flow of fluid passing through. On the figure 4 , the shutter 3 is arranged in contact with the stop 28, corresponding to a state of the metering device immersed in a fluid in the absence of a flow of fluid passing through.

[0037] From the configuration shown in the figure 3 , it is easily understood that it is possible to axially move the cap 24 on the legs 22, after breaking the material bridges 222 which initially connected them together. Very quickly, the teeth 261 of the loops 26 will come into snap-fit ​​engagement with the notches 221 of the legs 22. This is shown on the figure 5 . The teeth 261 are here engaged with the first row of notches 221 of the lugs 22. This configuration corresponds to a maximum travel distance separating the stop 28 from the seat 44. The shutter 3 is shown in contact with the seat 44, but also in dotted lines in contact with the stop 28. It is thus possible to visualize on the figure 5 the two extreme positions of the shutter travel 3.

[0038] On the figure 6 , it can be seen that the cap 24 has been moved axially downwards along the legs 22, so as to considerably reduce the travel distance separating the stop 28 from the seat 44. This configuration does not, however, define the minimum travel distance, since it can be seen that there are still notches 221 below the cap 24.

[0039] It is then understood that the adjustment of the stroke distance, and therefore of the stroke of the shutter 3, is done very simply by arranging the cap 24 at the desired axial height along the notched lugs 22. Thus, the dose of fluid dispensed can be adjusted according to the nature and characteristics of the fluid. The desired final positioning of the cap 24 can be carried out directly at the outlet of the mold, in the factory, before mounting the metering device D on the reservoir R. The cap 24, which acts as a movable member of the adjustment means, is entirely arranged in the reservoir R, so that it is not accessible from outside the dispenser and therefore cannot be manipulated by a user.

[0040] There figure 7 represents a second embodiment of the invention which differs from the first essentially in two aspects. Firstly, the cap 24' is here screwed onto the lugs 22', and no longer snapped on. To do this, the loops 26' internally define threads 261' and the lugs 22' externally define a thread 221'. Apart from this, the axial displacement of the cap 24' remains substantially identical to that of the cap 24 of the first embodiment. Secondly, the cage body 20' is here produced in a single piece with the head body 10', which can also be substantially identical to that of the first embodiment. Due to this single-piece construction, the ring 4' does not include a mounting collar, but otherwise remains identical in every respect to the ring 4 of the first embodiment.

[0041] There figure 8 shows a third embodiment which is distinguished mainly from the two previous ones by the absence of ring 4 or 4'. Indeed, the base 21" of the cage body 20" defines in its lower part a snap-fastening profile 211 which is in snap-fastened engagement in a mounting flange 12" forming an integral part of the head 1". The cage body 20" also forms a support profile 213 which holds the slot valve 5 on an annular support edge 13" formed by the head 1". Finally, the cage body 20" forms an annular support seat 214, against which the shutter 3 can come into sealed support.

[0042] Apart from the absence of ring 4 and the particular configuration of the base 21", the other functionalities of the dosing device are substantially the same. The cap 24" includes a stop 28" and loops 26 form teeth 261 at the end of elastic tabs 262. The teeth 261 are intended to cooperate with the notches 221 formed on the outer wall of the tabs 22".

[0043] In this embodiment, the shutter 3 must be arranged inside the cage body 20" before attaching the cap 24". The cage 2" thus formed can then be mounted in the head 1" by wedging the slotted valve or flap 5 between them. The adjustment of the stroke distance is carried out in the same way as in the previous embodiments, namely by moving the cap 24" to the desired axial height along the notched part of the legs 22".

[0044] On the figure 9 , we see a metering device D"' according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. The head 1, the shutter 3 and the slotted valve 5 may be identical to those of the first embodiment. The ring 4‴ is distinguished from the other rings already described in that the mounting collar 42 has been extended and is now in the form of a mounting sleeve 42"' internally defining several snap-fastening profiles 421 arranged at different axial heights. As for the cage 2"', it comprises a base 21‴ which externally forms several snap-fastening housings 211, intended to cooperate with the profiles 421 of the sleeve 42"'. On the figure 9, three profiles 421 and three housings 211 are shown. The base 21‴ is fully engaged inside the sleeve 42‴. However, it can be understood that the base 21‴ can be engaged less deeply inside the sleeve 42"', while still ensuring the engagement of the profiles 421 in housings 211. Thus, the engagement of the cage 2'" in the sleeve 42"' at different axial heights makes it possible to adjust the stroke distance.

[0045] Cumulatively or alternatively, the cage 2‴ also forms a stop 28‴, the axial extent of which is adjustable. More precisely, the stop 28‴ comprises several segments 281 connected by breaking or bending incipients 282. In this way, it is possible to remove or bend one or more segment(s) 281, so as to reduce the axial height of the stop 28‴.

[0046] The 42" sleeve and 28" stop can be used together or separately. When used together, this significantly increases the stroke distance adjustment possibilities.

[0047] It should be noted that the means of the invention for adjusting the travel distance, and therefore the travel of the shutter 3, did not generate the implementation of additional parts, since the adjustment cap 24 can be produced in a single piece with the cage body and the sleeve 42"' only results from the axial extension of the mounting collar 42. The same is true for the adjustable stop 28"'.

[0048] In all the embodiments which have just been described, it should be noted that the adjustment means are always located in the fluid reservoir, being inaccessible from outside the fluid dispenser, so that they can no longer be manipulated once the dispenser is assembled. In other words, a user of the dispenser cannot actuate the adjustment means of the invention, except by dismantling it, that is to say separating the dosing device from the reservoir.

[0049] Thanks to the invention, a dosing device is obtained whose dose is very easily adjustable in the factory according to the fluid to be distributed, before the final assembly of the dispenser.

Claims

1. A fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir for fluid product (R) and a metering device (D; D'; D"; D‴) for fluid product mounted on the fluid reservoir (R), the dispensing device (D; D'; D"; D‴) comprising: - a chamber (C) defining an inlet (25, 23), an abutment (28; 28"; 28‴), an outlet (14) and a sealing seat (44; 21"), the abutment (28; 28"; 28‴) being separated from the sealing seat (44; 21") by a stroke distance, - a shutter (3) which can be displaced in the chamber (C) over a stroke defined between a rest position, in which the shutter (3) is biassed towards the abutment (28; 28"; 28‴) by a restoring force, and an extreme position, in which the shutter (3) is selectively urged towards the sealing seat (44; 21") against the restoring force by the fluid circulating in the chamber (C) from the inlet (25, 23) towards the outlet (14), - means (24; 24'; 24"; 21‴; 28‴) for adjusting the stroke of the shutter (3) which are capable of adjusting the stroke distance separating the abutment (28; 28"; 28‴) from the sealing seat (44; 21"), characterized in that the adjustment means (24; 24'; 24"; 21‴; 28‴) are located inside the dispenser in a manner such that they are inaccessible from the exterior of the fluid product dispenser.

2. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1, in which the adjustment means (24; 24'; 24"; 21‴; 28‴) are entirely located inside the dispenser, and advantageously inside the fluid reservoir, in a manner such that a user cannot manipulate them.

3. The dispenser as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the chamber (C) is formed by at least two parts (20, 24; 20', 24'; 20"; 24"; 21‴, 42‴) attached to each other and between them defining several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

4. The dispenser as claimed in claim 3, in which the chamber (C) comprises a cage (2; 2'; 2"; 2‴) forming the inlet (25, 23) and the abutment (28; 28"; 28‴), and a head (1; 1'; 1") forming the outlet (14), the cage (2; 2'; 2"; 2‴) being integral with the head (1; 1'; 1").

5. The dispenser as claimed in claim 4, in which the cage (2; 2'; 2") comprises a cage body (20; 20'; 20") and a cage cap (24; 24'; 24"), the body (20; 20'; 20") and the cap (24; 24'; 24") between them defining several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

6. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, in which the body (20; 20") forms snap fitting notches (221) and the cap (24; 24") forms snap fitting teeth (261) which are capable of coming into snap fitting engagement with the snap fitting notches (221).

7. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, in which the body (20') forms a screw thread (221') and the cap (24') forms threads (261') which are capable of coming into threaded engagement with the screw thread (221').

8. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, claim 6 or claim 7, in which the cap (24; 24'; 24") forms the abutment (28; 28"; 28‴).

9. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, in which the cage body (20) and the cage cap (24) are produced as a single piece with bridges of breakable material (222).

10. The dispenser as claimed in claim 5, claim 6, claim 7 or claim 8, in which the cage body (20') and the head (1') are produced as a single piece.

11. The dispenser as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 10, in which the cage cap (24; 24'; 24") is entirely disposed in the fluid product reservoir (R).

12. The dispenser as claimed in claim 4, in which the cage (2') and the head (1') between them define several possible assembly positions corresponding to different stroke distances.

13. The dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a ring (4; 4'; 4") which forms the sealing seat (44).

14. The dispenser as claimed in claim 4 or claim 13, further comprising a slit valve (5), held in place by the cage (2") which advantageously forms the sealing seat (21") or by a ring (4; 4'; 4‴) which advantageously forms the sealing seat (44).

15. The dispenser as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the abutment (28‴) of the chamber (C) is formed with at least one line of weakness (282), at the level of which the abutment (28‴) can be broken, thereby enabling the stroke distance to be increased.