Fluid dispenser

Abstract

Fluid product application device comprising: - a base part (1) mounted on a main reservoir (R) and comprising a dip tube (17) connecting a cup (15) provided with a piston lip (16), and - a removable member (1) mounted on the base part (1) and comprising a tube (A1) able to slide against the piston lip (16) and an applicator (A2) able to retain a dose of fluid product injected by suction generated by the tube (A1) sliding in a sealed manner against the piston lip (16), the fluid product being injected into the applicator (A2) through the dip tube (17), the removable member (2) further comprising a teat (T) communicating with the applicator (A2) and the dip tube (17), characterized in that the teat (T) internally defines a secondary fluid product reservoir (Tr) for supplying the applicator (A2) with fluid product.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid product application device for applying a fluid product to a target surface using an applicator. The transfer of fluid product from the applicator, which is an integral part of the fluid product dispenser, is carried out by contact of the applicator with the target surface, which may for example be the skin of a user. The fluid product may be of low viscosity, such as perfume, but preferably, it will be a more viscous fluid product, such as oil or serum.

[0002] In the prior art, document US10806232B2 is known which describes a fluid product applicator device comprising a base part mounted on a fluid product reservoir, the base part comprising a dip tube connecting a cup provided with a piston lip. The applicator device also comprises a removable member removably mounted along a sliding axis on the base part. The removable member comprises a tube or pipette capable of sliding along a sliding axis in a sealed manner against the piston lip over a sealed axial stroke and an applicator capable of retaining a dose of fluid product from the reservoir by suction generated by the sealed sliding of the tube against the piston lip: the applicator being formed in the tube. The fluid product would thus be injected into the applicator through the dip tube. The removable member further comprises a nipple communicating with the applicator and the dip tube.

[0003] In this document US10806232B2, it is not provided to suck fluid product into the applicator using the nipple, which is only provided to expel the fluid product that has been sucked into the applicator during the sealed sliding. In any case, in this prior art applicator device, it would only be possible to bring fluid product back up into the applicator, given that the volume of the nipple is much less than the cumulative volumes of the applicator and the dip tube.

[0004] The present invention aims to define a fluid product application device which has greater application autonomy. Another aim is to create a new actuation gesture for loading the applicator.

[0005] To do this, the present invention proposes a fluid product applicator comprising: a base part mounted on a main reservoir of fluid product, the base part comprising a dip tube connecting a cup provided with a piston lip, and a removable member mounted in a removably manner on the base part, the removable member comprising a tube capable of sliding in a sealed manner against the piston lip over a sealed axial stroke and an applicator capable of retaining a dose of fluid product injected by suction generated by the sealed sliding of the tube against the piston lip, the applicator being formed in the tube, the fluid product being injected into the applicator through the dip tube, the removable member further comprising a nipple communicating with the applicator and the dip tube, characterized in that the nipple internally defines a secondary reservoir of fluid product for supplying the applicator with fluid product.

[0006] Thus, the removable organ has its own reservoir, once it has been removed from the base part. This provides greater autonomy to the applicator, which can be supplied from the secondary reservoir by crushing the teat. This new function conferred to the teat clearly stands out from the overall teaching of document US10806232B2.

[0007] Advantageously, the teat defines a useful actuation volume which corresponds to the difference between its maximum volume at rest and its minimum volume after maximum compression, this useful volume being greater than the volume of the applicator, by approximately 2 to 4 times at least, by approximately 4 to 5 times advantageously, and by more than 5 times preferably. Thus, the removable member can have a reserve of refill doses for the applicator. The user can constantly and gently press the teat to continuously supply the applicator.

[0008] According to one aspect of the invention, the removable member defines an axial height Ho and the applicator defines an axial height Ha, Ha preferably being at most equal to half of Ho. According to another aspect of the invention, the applicator defines an axial height Ha and the teat defines an axial height Ht, Ha advantageously being at most equal to and preferably less than Ht. In short, the applicator of the invention is short compared to a conventional applicator, such as that of US10806232B2, which can be described as an elongated pipette, the length of which corresponds approximately to twice that of the teat. Because the user grasps and manipulates the removable member by the teat, the application precision decreases with the length of the teat. However, by reducing the length of the applicator, the application precision is certainly increased, but its capacity is reduced and therefore the quantity of fluid product to be applied.To overcome this drawback, the invention provides the teat with a secondary reservoir function, which will supply the "short" applicator during the application phases, during which the removable member is of course separated from the main reservoir. In other words, the reservoir integrated into the teat makes it possible to compensate for the drawback linked to the reduced length of the applicator, which offers good application precision.

[0009] According to an interesting characteristic of the invention, an extension tube can extend from the bottom of the cup in the extension of the plunger tube towards the teat, when the removable member is in place on the base part. Advantageously, the extension tube comes close to or even into contact with the teat, when the removable member is in place on the base part. According to one embodiment, the teat comprises an inlet defining a seat, the extension tube comprising a free upper end which can come into sealed contact with the seat of the teat. Thus, whether or not the extension tube comes into contact with the teat, it makes it possible to neutralize at least part of the volume of the applicator, when filling the teat with fluid product. Indeed, the fluid product present in the applicator around the extension tube can be considered as a dead volume, given that it is located in a dead end closed by the piston lip.When the teat is compressed, only the volume between the free end of the extension tube and the teat inlet will be evacuated through the dip tube: the dead volume remains inactive. Therefore, the closer the extension tube is to the teat inlet, the less volume there is to evacuate. When the extension tube is in contact with the teat, only the volume of the extension tube remains to be evacuated into the applicator.

[0010] According to another interesting characteristic of the invention, the teat defines a useful actuation volume which corresponds to the difference between its maximum volume at rest and its minimum volume after crushing, this useful volume being greater than the cumulative volumes of the dip tube and the extension tube, by at least approximately 2 to 4 times, advantageously by approximately 4 to 5 times, and preferably by more than 5 times. This means that the secondary reservoir of the teat can contain more than five times more than the dip tube and the extension tube combined.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the extension tube can occupy more than 50% of the volume of the applicator, advantageously more than 75% of the volume of the applicator, and preferably more than 90%. Total occupancy is ideal, but only in theory. An occupancy greater than 90% is already very satisfactory.

[0012] According to a practical embodiment, the extension tube may be formed in a single piece with the cup or with the dip tube. It is even possible to envisage the dip tube with the single-piece extension tube being slidably mounted in the cup to ensure that the extension tube comes into good contact with the inlet of the teat.

[0013] The present invention also defines a method for loading a fluid product applicator as defined above, comprising the following successive steps: a) Squeeze the nipple, then release it, to draw fluid from the main reservoir into the secondary reservoir of the nipple, and b) Remove the removable part from the base part to fill the applicator by drawing fluid from the main reservoir and / or the secondary reservoir.

[0014] Thus, the operation of crushing and releasing the teat, when the removable member is in place on the base part, does not serve to fill the applicator, but the secondary reservoir defined by the teat. The filling of the applicator is independent of the teat, since it is done by suction when the removable member is removed. Then, during the application of the fluid product, the teat is used to supply the applicator with fluid product from the secondary reservoir.

[0015] The spirit of the invention lies in using the teat as a reservoir of fluid product which will supply the applicator during the application of the fluid product, and not suction means to fill the applicator.

[0016] The invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the attached drawings, giving, as non-limiting examples, three embodiments of the invention with two variants.

[0017] In the figures: There figure 1 is an exploded vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid product application device according to a first non-limiting embodiment of the invention, The figure 2 is an enlarged view of the application device of the figure 1 in the assembled state, The figures 3 And 4 respectively represent two other embodiments of the invention.

[0018] First of all, the volumes defined below are understood as the volumes of the elements and not the volumes of the constituent material of the elements, unless expressly specified. For example, Va is the volume written inside the applicator: this volume Va can be filled with fluid product.

[0019] We will refer to the figures 1 à 2 to describe a first non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The fluid product application dispenser of the invention comprises a main fluid product reservoir R, which may be of any nature and shape. It comprises an opening, generally in the form of a neck R1. The main reservoir R is not a critical element for the present invention.

[0020] The fluid product application device further comprises two main constituent elements, namely a fixed base part 1 and a removable member 2. The base part 1 is intended to be mounted in a fixed and sealed manner on the neck R1 of the main reservoir R. The removable member 2 is mounted in a removable manner on the base part 1.

[0021] The base part 1 comprises a fixing skirt 11 intended to cooperate with the main tank R to stably and tightly fix the base part 1 on the main tank R. The fixing skirt 11 may for example comprise hooking heads intended to engage with a suitable profile formed by the neck R1 of the main tank R. It is also possible to envisage forming the fixing skirt 11 with an internal thread intended to cooperate with an external thread formed by the neck R1 of the main tank R. Here again, the type of hooking technique for mounting the fixing skirt 11 on the tank R is not critical for the present invention. The fixed base part 1 also comprises an annular plate 12 which may optionally serve to crush a neck seal J on the annular upper edge of the neck R1 of the main tank R. The base part 1 also forms a sleeve 13 which is internally threaded.The base part 1 may be provided with an outer casing 14 which surrounds the skirt 11 and the sleeve 13 and comes into contact with the main reservoir R.

[0022] The base part 1 also forms a cup 15 which is connected to the plate 12 by extending into the neck R1 of the main reservoir R. The cup 15 defines a large upper opening 151 and a small lower orifice 152. At its upper opening 151, the cup 15 forms or is provided with a piston lip 16, which advantageously points downwards and inwards. At its lower orifice 152, the cup 15 forms or is provided with a dip tube 17, which extends downwards into the main reservoir R to its bottom. Also at its lower orifice 152, the cup 15 forms or is provided with an extension tube 18, which extends upwards inside the cup 15 to its upper opening 151, and even beyond. This extension tube 18 extends substantially or perfectly in line with and in alignment with the plunger tube 17.The extension tube 18 is made in a single piece with the cup 15, but it could also be formed in a single piece with the dip tube 17. In this case, the extension tube 18 would be presented as an upper portion of the dip tube 17 which extends into the cup 15. It can be seen that the lower orifice 152 forms the junction between the dip tube 17 and the extension tube 18.

[0023] Thus, a bucket volume Vg is defined in the bucket around the extension tube 18, which defines a volume Vte. As for the dip tube 17, it defines a volume Vtp.

[0024] The movable member 2 essentially comprises two constituent parts, namely an applicator element A and a teat T which are fixedly connected to each other. The applicator element A is preferably made of a hard material, while the teat T is made of a soft material, since it is intended to be crushed by the user, for example between his thumb and index finger.

[0025] The applicator element A comprises a tube A1 which internally defines an applicator A2 of volume Va and externally an external sliding surface A3, intended to come into sealed sliding contact with the piston lip 16. The tube A1 extends axially downwards from the inner periphery of an annular flange A4, which thus forms a projecting collar at the upper end of the tube A1. The outer periphery of the flange A4 connects to a ring A5 which is externally threaded and which is adapted to come into threaded engagement with the threaded sleeve 13. At its upper end, the ring A5 forms a housing A6, the function of which will be given below. The ring A5 is surrounded by a gripping ring A7. The applicator element A is provided with a hoop A8 which forms a retracting flap A86 which closes the housing A6.

[0026] The nipple T comprises an anchoring heel T1 which forms an inlet T2. The anchoring heel T1 is received in the ring A5 and abuts on the flange A4. The inlet T2 can narrow the upper opening of the tubing A1. The heel T1 forms a fixing collar A6 which is received in the housing A6 and held in place by the retracting flap A86 of the band A8. Beyond the anchoring heel T1, the nipple T forms a bulb T3, the function of which is to be crushed between the user's fingers. This bulb defines a peripheral wall A4 and an upper wall A5. The user will exert his digital pressure on opposite faces of the peripheral wall A5. The crushed state is shown in the figure 2 in dotted lines. As will be seen below, the teat T fulfills a secondary reservoir function Tr, whose useful actuation or suction volume Vu corresponds to the difference between the maximum volume VM of the teat in the resting state (represented in solid lines on the figure 2 ) and the minimum volume Vm of the teat in the completely crushed state (shown in dotted lines on the figure 2 ). The VM / Vm ratio is preferably greater than ½.

[0027] On the figure 1 , the removable member 2 is separated or removed from the base part 1 mounted on the tank R. On the figure 2 , the removable member 2 is in place on the base part 1, with the tubing A1 engaged in the cup 15 around the extension tube 18 and the threaded ring A5 engaged with the threaded sleeve 13. More precisely, the external sliding surface A3 is in sealed contact with the piston lip 16 and the free end of the extension tube 18 is in sealed contact with the inlet T2 of the nipple T, which thus forms a seat: the extension tube 18 is therefore directly connected to the nipple T by shunting the cup 15. We can thus define a closed volume Vc which extends on either side of the tubing A1, from the piston lip 16 to the inlet T2 closed by the extension tube 18. We can say that Vc is equal to Va minus the volume of the material constituting the tubing A1 and the extension tube 18 minus the Vte. Furthermore, it can be noted that the extension tube 18 occupies more than 50% of the volume Va of the applicator A2, advantageously more than 75% and preferably approximately 90%.

[0028] According to the invention, in this embodiment, Vu > Vte + Vtp. Advantageously, 2(Vte + Vtp) < Vu < 4(Vte + Vtp). More advantageously, 4(Vte + Vtp) < Vu < 5(Vte + Vtp). It is even conceivable that Vu > 5(Vte + Vtp). As a non-limiting example, Vu = 600 mm 3< , Vtp = 90 mm 3< , Vte = 30 mm 3< and Va = 120 mm 3< .

[0029] On the other hand, the removable member 2 defines an axial height Ho and the tubing A2 or the applicator A2 defines an axial height Ha: Ha < Ho / 2. In addition, the teat T defines an axial height Ht: Ht > Ha.

[0030] The applicator device operates as follows starting from the assembled state of the figure 2 , in which the nipple T, the dip tube 17 and the extension tube 18 are empty of fluid product.

[0031] First, the user begins by grasping the teat at its peripheral wall T4 and exerts pressure with his thumb and index finger. The air present in the teat T, the dip tube 17 and the extension tube 18 is then expelled into the reservoir R. The user then releases the pressure on the teat T, which will return to its initial rest position due to its elastic shape memory. In doing so, fluid product is sucked into the teat T through the dip tube 17 and the extension tube 18. The teat T is then partially filled with fluid product. This is possible given that Vu is greater than Vte + Vtp, and preferably much greater, up to more than 5 times. And since Vu is greater than Va, and preferably much greater, up to more than 5 times, the secondary reservoir Tr of the teat T is filled with a quantity of fluid product which corresponds to several doses of the applicator A2.

[0032] In a second step, the user unscrews the removable member 2, which has the effect of sliding the tubing A1 in a sealed manner in the piston lip 16. Simultaneously, the contact between the inlet T2 of the teat T and the extension tube 18 is broken, so that the closed volume Vc then communicates with the secondary reservoir Tr and the extension tube 18. The sealed sliding generates a vacuum which will suck fluid product into the applicator whose volume is increasing. The fluid product comes from the main reservoir R or from the secondary reservoir Tr, or from both reservoirs at the same time, in proportions which are dependent on the pressure losses of the flows. In any case, the filling of the applicator A2 is thus ensured, with still some doses in reserve in the teat T.

[0033] The user can then apply the fluid product as desired by placing the free end of the tubing A1 in contact with the target (skin, nail, hair, etc.). During application, the user gently and continuously presses the nipple T to force the fluid product from the secondary reservoir Tr into the applicator A2.

[0034] Once the teat T has been emptied of its fluid product, the user puts the movable member 2 back in place on the base part 1 by first engaging the tubing A1 around the extension tube 18 and screwing the threaded ring A5 into the threaded sleeve 13. As soon as the tubing A1 comes into sealed sliding contact with the piston lip 16, the air and fluid product contained in the cup 15, the extension tube 18 and the plunger tube 17 are discharged into the main reservoir R. The end of the screwing corresponds to the engagement of the extension tube in the inlet T2 of the teat T. We have then returned to the starting position of the figure 2 . It may be noted that it is not necessary to completely screw back the movable member 2 to refill the nipple T. In fact, as soon as the tubing A1 comes into sealed contact with the piston lip 16, the nipple T can be crushed and its elastic return will suck fluid product from the main reservoir R into the nipple T.

[0035] There figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention, in which the base part 1' differs from the first embodiment in that the cup 15, the dip tube 17 and the extension tube 18' are in one piece. In addition, the extension tube 18' occupies more than 90%, or even 95%, of the volume Va of the applicator A2', which is formed by a tube A1', which occupies more than 90%, or even 95%, of the volume Vg of the cup 15. The free end of the tube A1' comes into contact or almost with the bottom of the cup 15. Thus, the free volume remaining in the cup 15 is minimal. It can also be noted that the extension tube 18' is separated from the teat T' by a conduit A42, which is formed by an insert A41 of the applicator element A'. This insert A41 extends into the teat T', so as to reduce its dead volume. The conduit A42 defines an inlet A43 which communicates directly with the applicator A2' and an outlet A44 which communicates directly with the teat T'.It should be noted that the conduit A42 extends in the extension and alignment of the extension tube 18', but there is no contact between the extension tube 18' and the insert A41: they are separated by a distance of the order of a few tenths of a millimeter, or even one or two millimeters. Thus, even in the rest position, the teat T' and the extension tube 18' communicate with the residual volume defined on either side of the tubing A1'.

[0036] The operation of this variant is identical to that of the first embodiment of the figures 1 And 2 The absence of watertight contact between the extension tube 18' and the conduit A42 does not at all disturb the filling of the teat T', given that the residual volume is very low and constitutes a dead end.

[0037] Here too, Vu is greater than the cumulative volumes of the dip tube 17, the extension tube 18' and the conduit A42. Vu can be more than 5 times greater than these cumulative volumes. Similarly, the removable member 2' defines an axial height Ho and the tubing A1' or the applicator A2' defines an axial height Ha: Ha < Ho / 2. In addition, the nipple T' defines an axial height Ht: Ht > Ha.

[0038] The method of realization of the figure 4 differs from the previous ones firstly in that there is no extension tube. The applicator A1" is empty and fills the cup 15 to more than 90%. It directly connects the dip tube 17 to the teat T", which includes a bellows T4' and an internal stud T7 to reduce the dead volume of the teat T", so that the useful actuation volume Vu is close to the maximum volume at rest. The user presses on the upper wall of the internal stud T7.

[0039] Here again, Vu is greater than the cumulative volumes of the dip tube 17 and the applicator A1". Vu can be more than 5 times greater than these cumulative volumes. Similarly, the removable member 2' defines an axial height Ho and the tubing A1" or the applicator A2" defines an axial height Ha: Ha < Ho / 2. In addition, the nipple T" defines an axial height Ht: Ht > Ha, which makes it possible to have a short applicator with increased application precision.

[0040] It should be noted that the piston lip 16 could possibly be removed in this variant.

[0041] In all embodiments, the nipple serves as a secondary reservoir to supply the applicator during the application operation. To do this, the cumulative volumes of the elements upstream of the nipple are less than the useful suction volume of the nipple. The sealed sliding of the tubing in the piston lip allows the applicator to be filled once the nipple is full. The implementation of the extension tube allows optimal filling of the nipple by reducing, or even neutralizing, the dead or closed volumes of the cup.

[0042] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the pacifier could be crushed by an intermediate element, on which the user will act: the pressure would therefore no longer be exerted directly by the user on the pacifier.

[0043] Thanks to the invention, we have a fluid product application dispenser whose removable member can contain several doses to supply the applicator. This removable member can be compared or assimilated to a portable dispenser that is attached to a source bottle to refill its own reservoir.

Claims

1. A fluid product application device, comprising: - a base part (1; 1') mounted on a main fluid product reservoir (R), the base part (1) comprising a dip tube (17) connecting a cup (15) provided with a piston lip (16), and - a removable member (2; 2'; 2") that is mounted on the base part (1; 1') in a removable manner, the removable member (2; 2'; 2") comprising a tube (A1; A1'; A1") able to slide in a fluid-tight manner against the piston lip (16) over a fluid-tight axial stroke, and an applicator (A2; A2'; A2") able to retain a dose of fluid product injected by suction generated by the fluid-tight sliding of the tube (A1; A1'; A1") against the piston lip (16), the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") being formed in the tube (A1; A1'; A1"), the fluid being injected into the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") through the dip tube (17), the removable member (2; 2'; 2") further comprising a nipple (T; T'; T") communicating with the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") and the dip tube (17), characterized in that the nipple (T; T'; T") internally defines a secondary fluid reservoir (Tr) for supplying the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") with fluid.

2. The application device as claimed in claim 1, in which the nipple (T; T'; T") defines a useful actuation volume Vu that corresponds to the difference between its maximum volume at rest and its minimum volume after maximum flattening, the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") defines a volume Va, the useful volume Vu being greater than the volume Va of the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") by a minimum of approximately 2 to 4 times, advantageously by approximately 4 to 5 times, and preferably by more than 5 times.

3. The application device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which the removable member (2; 2'; 2") defines an axial height Ho, the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") defines an axial height Ha, Ha being at most equal to half of Ho.

4. The application device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the applicator (A2; A2'; A2") defines an axial height Ha and the nipple (T; T'; T") defines an axial height Ht, Ha being at most equal to and preferably less than Ht.

5. The application device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which an extension tube (18; 18') extends from the bottom of the cup (15) in the extension of the dip tube (17) in the direction of the nipple (T; T') when the removable member (2; 2') is in place on the base part (1; 1').

6. The application device as claimed in claim 5, in which the extension tube (18; 18') comes into the proximity of the nipple (T; T') when the removable member (2; 2') is in place on the base part (1; 1').

7. The application device as claimed in claim 6, in which the nipple (T) comprises an inlet (T2) defining a seat, the extension tube (18) comprising a free upper end that comes into leak-tight contact with the seat of the nipple (T).

8. The application device as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, in which the nipple (T; T') defines a useful actuation volume Vu that corresponds to the difference between its maximum volume at rest and its minimum volume after flattening, this useful volume Vu being greater than the cumulative volumes of the dip tube (17) and the extension tube (18; 18') by a minimum of approximately 2 to 4 times, advantageously by approximately 4 to 5 times, and preferably by more than 5 times.

9. The application device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, in which the extension tube (18; 18') occupies more than 50% of the volume of the applicator (A2; A2'), advantageously more than 75% of the volume of the applicator (1), and preferably approximately 90%.

10. The application device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9, in which the extension tube (18; 18') is formed integrally with the cup (15) with the dip tube (17).

11. A method for filling a fluid product application device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps in succession: a) flattening the nipple (T; T'; T"), then releasing it in order to suck fluid from the main reservoir (R) into the secondary reservoir (Tr) of the nipple (T; T'; T"), and b) removing the removable member (2) from the base part (1) in order to fill the applicator (2; 2'; 2") by sucking fluid product from the main reservoir (R) and / or the secondary reservoir (Tr).

Images