Device for dispensing a fluid product

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a non-expandable external container (10) having an opening (105), a closed internal reservoir (11) having a flexible wall (111) containing the product, which closed internal reservoir is arranged in the external container and provided with a spout for dispensing the product (113) extending laterally out of the external container, and a pressurising system (12) configured to let air into the external container, into an inside space in the external container outside the internal reservoir, the system being manually actuatable and reversibly attached to the assembly formed by the external container and the internal reservoir. The external container (10), the internal reservoir (11) and the pressurising system (12) are configured and assembled together so as to close the opening in the external container and prevent any air from escaping therefrom.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A FLUID PRODUCT

[0002] The present invention falls within the field of fluid product dispensing devices of the manual pump type.

[0003] More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid product, as well as a method of assembling and a method of disassembling such a device. The invention also relates to an internal reservoir, as well as an assembly of internal reservoir and external container, for such a device.

[0004] A particularly preferred field of application of the invention, although not limiting in any way, is that of the storage and dispensing of fluid cosmetic products, such as milks, creams, liquid soaps, etc. Numerous dispensing devices have been proposed by the prior art for such an application. Typically, these devices comprise a container for receiving the product and a dosing pump equipped with a dip tube, one end of which is immersed in the product. Manual actuation of the pump creates a suction drawing the product inside the dip tube, up to a nozzle which dispenses it out of the container. When all of the product contained in the container has been dispensed, the assembly is discarded.

[0005] Documents US 5,454,488, US 9,272,835, US 2008 / 10571 1 and JP H10 120054 describe devices for dispensing fluid products of various constructions, with a manual metering pump. These devices are not intended to be at least partially reused when the entire product they contain has been dispensed. They are not reusable, or their reuse requires prior complex disassembly, cleaning operations to ensure the cleanliness of a new product to be dispensed, and reassembly.

[0006] Document US 2015 / 284147 describes a toothpaste dispensing device, some of which can be reused, but only after cleaning. Environmental protection has become a key concern for both industrial players and consumers in recent years. Reducing waste, as well as reducing its ecological impact, are major levers. It is therefore particularly desirable to limit packaging, favor the use of reusable items, and promote the use of recyclable materials. Different waste recycling channels have been developed to reduce the quantity of waste incinerated or buried in the ground and to recover it. These channels require selective sorting of waste by type of constituent material, and are not currently able to recycle complex products made from mixtures of different materials.

[0007] The present invention falls within the framework of reducing the ecological impact of waste, and more particularly of devices for dispensing fluid products equipped with a manual pump. More particularly, the present invention aims to propose such a device of which at least one part is reusable, preferably easily, without requiring a cleaning operation, and by the consumer himself. An additional objective of the invention is that the non-reusable part of this device is suitable for treatment by current recycling channels.

[0008] In order to meet these objectives, according to a first aspect, the present invention proposes a device for dispensing a fluid product, which comprises:

[0009] - a non-expandable external container, comprising a bottom wall and a side wall comprising, opposite this bottom wall, an upper part and an upper edge defining an opening,

[0010] - a closed internal reservoir containing the product to be dispensed, arranged at least partly in the external container, comprising a flexible wall and a product dispensing spout which extends laterally outside the external container, the lateral direction being here defined as a direction having an inclination relative to a longitudinal direction extending from the lower wall towards the upper edge of the side wall of the external container, along this side wall, in particular a direction substantially perpendicular to this longitudinal direction, said flexible wall and said dispensing spout forming a single-piece structure,

[0011] - and a pressurizing system configured to introduce air into the outer container, into a space inside the outer container outside the inner tank, this pressurizing system being manually operable and being reversibly attached to the assembly formed by the outer container and the inner tank. The outer container, the inner tank and the pressurizing system are configured and assembled together to close the opening of the outer container and prevent any air from escaping from the outer container.

[0012] The pressurizing system may be reversibly attached, depending on the embodiments, either to the upper portion of the side wall of the outer container or to an upper portion of the inner tank in configurations in which such an upper portion protrudes outside the outer container. By reversibly attached, it is meant that the pressurizing system may be detached from the assembly formed by the outer container and the inner tank without destruction, so that it may be attached to it again as many times as necessary.

[0013] The flexible wall and the dispensing spout of the internal tank form a single-piece structure. This means that they are either manufactured in one piece or have been irreversibly joined together, for example by gluing or welding, so that they cannot be separated from each other without destruction.

[0014] In the present description, the term “fluid product” means a liquid or pasty product capable of flowing, in particular having a dynamic viscosity, determined using a rotating spindle viscometer, for example of the Rheomat RM200 type, under a shear of 10 s -1 and at room temperature (25°C), which is between 5,000 and 30,000 mPa.s.

[0015] A non-expandable external container is understood to mean a container whose internal volume cannot increase. Preferably, it is also non-compressible, i.e. its internal volume cannot decrease. This does not exclude the external container from being deformable, although such deformation cannot be accompanied by a variation in its internal volume.

[0016] The internal reservoir forming part of the device according to the invention is delimited at least in part by a flexible wall, so that its internal volume can vary, in particular in the direction of a reduction.

[0017] In the device according to the invention, the internal reservoir and the external container advantageously form two components that are quite distinct from each other. In particular, they do not share any common wall, so that they are entirely separable. When using the device according to the invention, actuation of the pressurization system causes air to be introduced into the external container, into the space surrounding the internal reservoir contained therein. Due to the non-expandable nature of the external container, and the absence of any possibility for air to escape therefrom, this has the effect of compressing the internal reservoir, thus causing the product to be dispensed from the device, through the dispensing spout. The quantity of product dispensed is controlled by the level of actuation of the pressurization system.The compression of the internal reservoir is irreversible, so that each subsequent actuation of the pressurizing system causes the dispensing of a quantity of the product contained in the internal reservoir. The device according to the invention is further configured such that throughout these steps, only the internal reservoir, and in particular its flexible wall and its dispensing spout, comes into contact with the product. The other elements, external container and pressurizing system, are never touched by the product.After separation of the internal reservoir, which proves to be particularly easy in particular due to the formation in a single piece of the flexible wall and the dispensing spout, these other elements are thus, at least as regards the pressurization system, and also as regards the external container in preferred embodiments of the invention, easily and immediately reusable, without it being necessary to clean them beforehand. It is then sufficient to assemble these elements in an appropriate manner with a new internal reservoir filled with product, this product being able to be identical to the previous one, or different, to obtain a product dispensing device which is operational again. In this, the device according to the invention perfectly meets the pro-environmental objective which the present invention has set itself, in terms of reducing waste and implementing reusable articles.Its reuse in particular never requires cleaning, but only the replacement of the internal tank.

[0018] The device according to the invention may also meet one or more of the characteristics described below, implemented in isolation or in each of their technically effective combinations.

[0019] The internal reservoir is preferably formed from recyclable material(s). Optionally, this or these material(s) may meet the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia for compatibility with food contact. The internal reservoir is preferably formed more than 80%, preferably more than 85%, in particular 100%, from a single material. It is preferably formed from plastic material(s) such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate. These materials may in particular have themselves been obtained by recycling. The thickness of the flexible wall of the internal reservoir is chosen according to the specific material used, to obtain the desired compressible character. Such a choice is within the competence of a person skilled in the art.

[0020] The outer container is also preferably formed from a single material, preferably recyclable, and in one piece. This material may in particular be a plastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate, or a material based on natural fibers, in particular cellulose fibers, such as cardboard. The thickness of the walls of the outer container is chosen according to the specific material used, to obtain the desired non-extensible character. Here again, such a choice is within the competence of a person skilled in the art.

[0021] The pressurization system is preferably also made of recyclable material(s), in particular plastic material(s) such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0022] Any sealing members that the device may include, which will be described further in this description, may be formed from elastomer, rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, or any other material conventional in itself for producing sealing members.

[0023] In particular embodiments of the invention, the dispensing spout extends laterally above the upper edge of the side wall of the external container. Such an embodiment advantageously promotes the assembly of the different elements with each other, in particular the internal reservoir and the external container, to be airtight in order to prevent any air from escaping from the latter.

[0024] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the dispensing spout extends through the side wall of the outer container, preferably in the upper part of this side wall, for example in a notch drilled for this purpose in the thickness of the side wall, preferably from the upper edge of the latter.

[0025] The dispensing spout is preferably equipped, preferably at its free end located outside the external container, with a non-return valve, preventing any entry of external substance into the internal tank. Such a feature ensures optimal protection of the product contained in the internal tank against air and ambient impurities, in particular microbiological contaminants. This non-return valve can be assembled in the dispensing spout in a removable or non-removable manner. In the latter configuration, it is part of the single-piece structure formed by the flexible wall and the dispensing spout of the internal tank.

[0026] In particular embodiments of the invention, the dispensing spout is closed by a removable shutter. This shutter may be of the irreversibly removable type, such as a breakable shutter. It then has, apart from a function of protecting the product contained in the internal reservoir against external contaminants, the function of first use indicator. Alternatively, this shutter may be of the reversibly removable type, such as a shutter with a valve or a member that can be moved, for example by pivoting, between an open position and a closed position of the spout. Any reversible fastening system that is conventional in itself may be implemented for fastening the pressurizing system to the assembly formed by the external container and the internal reservoir.This fixing can, for example, be achieved by snap-fastening or screwing, the pressurization system and the external container or the internal tank being in either case provided with cooperating means suitable for this purpose.

[0027] Preferably, the pressurizing system is fixed to the external container or the internal tank so as to form a cap for the assembly, covering the entire opening of the external container and the entire upper part of the internal tank, with the exception of the dispensing spout which projects outside the device. The pressurizing system then preferably comprises a lower peripheral skirt fixed reversibly all around the upper part of the side wall of the external container or a possible upper part of the internal tank protruding above the external container, depending on the configuration of the device.

[0028] In particular embodiments of the invention, the external face of the upper part of the side wall of the external container is provided with a thread, and the internal face of the lower peripheral skirt of the pressurizing system is provided with a cooperating thread. Optionally, one of these threads, preferably the thread of the external container, may be provided in its groove with a protrusion inducing resistance to screwing, indicating a sufficient level of screwing, in particular to obtain the hermeticity of the assembly between the pressurizing system and the external container. It is within the skills of a person skilled in the art to know how to position such a protrusion at the appropriate location for this purpose.

[0029] Alternatively, the pressurizing system may be attached to the external container by a hinge securing it to the latter and allowing its movement between a closed position in which it covers the opening of the external container and an open position in which it allows access to it. The pressurizing system and the external container are then further provided with cooperating members to ensure reversible locking in the closed position.

[0030] In embodiments in which the pressurizing system comprises a lower peripheral skirt secured around the outer container or an upper portion of the inner tank projecting above the outer container, this lower peripheral skirt may be pierced with a notch. The dispensing spout of the inner tank is then arranged so as to extend laterally, above the upper edge of the side wall of the outer container, through this notch.

[0031] More generally, in particular embodiments of the invention, the pressurizing system comprises a lower peripheral skirt fixed reversibly to the assembly formed by the external container and the internal tank, this lower peripheral skirt being pierced with a notch through which the dispensing spout extends laterally above the upper edge of the side wall of the external container.

[0032] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the outer container is pierced in the upper part of its side wall with a notch, preferably longitudinal, and preferably opening at its upper edge, and through which the dispensing spout extends laterally outside said outer container.

[0033] In particular embodiments of the invention, the internal reservoir is fixed to the external container by reversible hermetic fixing means, for example by screwing or snapping.

[0034] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the internal reservoir is fixed to the external container by non-reversible hermetic fixing means. The external container is then not reusable. In such a configuration, it is then preferably formed from recyclable material, preferably bio-sourced, for example based on cellulose fibers, in the interests of environmental protection and the use of renewable resources. The irreversible fixing system is furthermore preferably of the easily destructible type, such as welding by a fine welding bead, configured to ensure, on the one hand, good resistance during use of the device, and on the other hand to allow easy detachment when the internal reservoir has been emptied, allowing recycling of the internal reservoir, on the one hand, and of the external container, on the other hand, by specialized recycling channels.The reversible fixing of the pressurization system is then further preferably carried out on a rigid upper part of the internal tank protruding above the external container, for example by screwing or preferably by snap-fastening, the pressurization system and the internal tank being provided with suitable cooperating means for this purpose.

[0035] In still other variants of the invention, the internal reservoir and the external container are not fixed to each other. The internal reservoir is simply arranged inside the external container, and is held there by the pressurization system fixed to the external container so as to form a cap. In such a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the external container can be easily reused, after it has been detached from the pressurization system and separated from the internal reservoir, which is simply removed for this purpose.

[0036] The pressurization system of the device according to the invention is preferably of the type allowing the distribution of a predetermined quantity of product. It can then be described as a metering pump.

[0037] In particular embodiments of the invention, the pressurization system comprises:

[0038] - a suction and compression chamber delimited by an upper wall and a peripheral side wall, one zone of which is elastically deformable, for example forming an elastically deformable bellows,

[0039] - and an air circulation channel from the external environment to this chamber, equipped with a non-return valve.

[0040] The system is further preferably configured so that the upper wall is manually movable between a high rest position in which the elastically deformable zone is relaxed, the internal volume of the chamber then being at its maximum value, and a low actuation position in which the elastically deformable zone is compressed, reducing the internal volume of the chamber. The outer container, the inner tank and the pressurization system are arranged to allow air to circulate unidirectionally from the chamber to the outer container, in the interior space of the outer container outside the inner tank. Such a configuration advantageously makes it possible to control the volume of product dispensed at each actuation of the system, this volume corresponding to the loss of internal volume of the chamber caused by the movement of its upper wall towards the low position.

[0041] The unidirectional nature of the air flow from the pressurization system to the external container is preferably ensured by a one-way valve arranged in a passage used by this air flow to circulate from the pressurization system to the external container. This one-way valve may in particular be integrated into the internal tank or the pressurization system.

[0042] Throughout this description, the terms unidirectional or non-return will be used interchangeably to designate a valve allowing air to flow through it in only one direction.

[0043] In particular embodiments of the invention, particularly suited to simple configurations of the internal tank, the pressurizing system comprises a plate fixed, in particular removably, for example by snap-fastening, under the suction chamber, preferably inside the lower peripheral skirt. This plate is sized to occupy the entire transverse surface of the lower peripheral skirt. It is pierced with a through-orifice guiding the flow of air expelled from the suction chamber to the external container. In this through-orifice is preferably arranged a one-way valve allowing the passage of air from the suction chamber of the pressurizing system to the external container, and preventing the passage of air in the opposite direction.

[0044] In particular embodiments of the invention, the internal reservoir is a simple flexible bag, equipped with a product dispensing spout. This flexible bag may or may not be equipped with a bottom gusset allowing it to stand upright. In such embodiments, the internal reservoir is preferably arranged in the external container without being fixed thereto, and the one-way valve ensuring the one-way nature of the air flow from the pressurizing system to the external container is preferably integrated into the pressurizing system, in particular in a plate equipping the latter and arranged under the suction chamber, as described above.

[0045] In alternative embodiments of the invention, the internal reservoir comprises:

[0046] - a flexible-walled pouch containing the product, comprising an opening at an upper end,

[0047] - a collar, preferably annular, rigid fixed to the upper end of this pocket, with an external peripheral contour coinciding with that of the upper edge of the side wall of the external container, comprising an upper face and an opposite lower face, the pocket extending from an internal peripheral zone of the lower face of the collar, the collar resting by an external peripheral zone of its lower face on the upper edge of the side wall of the external container and being pierced, between the external peripheral zone and the internal peripheral zone of its lower face, with a through orifice, extending between its upper face and its lower face, in hydraulic communication with the pressurization system and with the internal volume of the external container, - a dispensing spout in hydraulic communication with the internal volume of the pocket,

[0048] - and a sealing member fixed in the collar and sealing the opening of the pocket.

[0049] Preferably, the through-hole provided in the collar is fitted with a one-way valve allowing the passage of an air flow from the upper face to the lower face of the collar.

[0050] Such an embodiment proves to be particularly advantageous in terms of the production of the cooperating assembly of the different elements of the device according to the invention with each other, since it is the internal reservoir itself which ensures the passage of air, preferably according to a unidirectional flow, from the pressurization system to the external container, when the collar is inserted between the latter, via the through orifice pierced in this collar.

[0051] The soft-walled pouch, the dispensing spout and the collar preferably form a single-piece structure. Thus, they have either been manufactured as an integral part, or they have been manufactured independently of each other and assembled to form a non-removable assembly. The soft-walled pouch and the collar are preferably formed from the same material, but not necessarily by the same technique. Thus, preferably, the soft-walled pouch is formed by blowing or extruding film and then welding, or by extrusion and lamination, so as to form a thin wall, ensuring the compressibility of the pouch, and the collar is preferably formed by injection so as to give it a greater thickness and the required level of rigidity.The pocket and the collar can be connected to each other directly, for example by welding, or by an intermediate sleeve, or any other intermediate connecting element, the presence of which is dictated by the requirements of industrial manufacturing.

[0052] In particular embodiments of the invention, the internal reservoir is installed in the external container in a position such that the collar rests on the upper edge of the side wall of the latter, the flexible-walled pocket extending, from the collar, into the internal volume of the external container. Such a feature facilitates the assembly of the constituent elements of the device according to the invention to each other to close the opening of the external container and prevent any escape of air from the latter. The pressurization system then preferably forms a cap covering the assembly, as described above.

[0053] Preferably, in order to ensure good hermeticity of the assembly:

[0054] - the lower face of the collar is provided, at its external peripheral zone, with a peripheral sealing member and the collar rests on the upper edge of the side wall of the external container by this sealing member, or the upper edge of the side wall of the external container is provided with a sealing member and the collar rests by its lower face on this sealing member,

[0055] - and / or the upper face of the collar is provided, at the level of the external peripheral zone of its upper face, with a peripheral sealing member and the pressurizing system rests on this sealing member, or the pressurizing system comprises a wall provided with a peripheral sealing member and rests on the external peripheral zone of the upper face of the collar by this sealing member, the lower peripheral skirt of the pressurizing system then preferably extending from this wall, at the periphery of the sealing member, to be fixed reversibly to the upper part of the side wall of the external container or to the outer edge of the collar.The space formed between the upper face of the collar and this wall of the pressurizing system can advantageously be used for the circulation of air expelled from the chamber of the pressurizing system towards the external container, via the through-orifice, if necessary provided with a one-way valve, formed in the collar, when using the device.

[0056] The sealing members used in the device according to the invention may be of any conventional type in itself. Each of these sealing members may in particular be a sealing lip, formed integrally with the element which carries it, or a sealing gasket fixed to this element, in particular in a removable manner, for example by snap-fastening.

[0057] In particular embodiments of the invention, the dispensing spout extends laterally outwardly through the collar of the internal reservoir. Such a feature advantageously further promotes the hermetic assembly of the different elements of the device with each other.

[0058] The closure member closing the flexible-walled pouch may or may not be removable. It may be attached to the collar by any conventional means in itself, for example by snap-fastening or screwing in embodiments in which it is a cap, or by heat-sealing, ultrasonic or induction attachment, in embodiments in which it is a seal. In particular embodiments of the invention, the closure member is formed in one piece with the collar, the assembly then forming a solid and continuous plate.

[0059] The device according to the invention can contain any fluid product, in particular chosen from food products, pharmaceutical products, medical devices and cosmetic products.

[0060] Preferably, the product is a cosmetic product, such as a body lotion, a cream, a liquid soap, etc.

[0061] The internal reservoir can have any capacity, including between 15 milliliters and 1 liter. The pressurization system can, for example, be configured to deliver a dose of between 0.15 and 5 milliliters with each actuation.

[0062] For example, the device may have a product storage capacity of 15 ml, the pressurization system, in particular its variable volume chamber, then being configured so that each actuation, in particular each maximum reduction in the internal volume of the chamber, causes the delivery of 0.15 ml of product (corresponding to a reduction of 0.15 cm 3 of the internal volume of the chamber). Alternatively, the device may, for example, have a product storage capacity of 1000 ml, the pressurization system, in particular its variable volume chamber, then being configured so that each actuation, in particular each maximum reduction of the internal volume of the chamber, causes the delivery of 5 ml of product (corresponding to a reduction of 5 cm 3 of the internal volume of the chamber).

[0063] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of assembling a device according to the invention. This method comprises reversibly hermetically fixing the pressurizing system to the assembly formed by the outer container containing the inner reservoir in a position in which the dispensing spout extends laterally outside the outer container, preferably above the upper edge of the side wall of the outer container or through the upper part of the side wall of the outer container.This fixing can in particular be achieved by screwing or snapping a lower peripheral skirt of the pressurizing system at the external face of the upper part of the side wall of the external container or at the external edge of a collar of the internal tank resting on the upper edge of the side wall of the external container, the different elements of the device being assembled together so as to prevent any air from escaping from the external container, and the dispensing spout preferably being positioned so as to extend through a notch provided for this purpose in the lower peripheral skirt of the pressurizing system or in the side wall of the external container.

[0064] Previously, the assembly method according to the invention may comprise a step of arranging the internal reservoir in the external container, in a position in which the dispensing spout extends laterally outside the external container, preferably above the upper edge of the side wall of the external container or through the side wall of the external container, in a notch formed for this purpose in this wall, and so as to ensure the hermeticity of the assembly.

[0065] Preferably, all of these operations are carried out while the dispensing spout is closed by a removable shutter.

[0066] A method of using the device according to the invention then comprises opening the dispensing spout, by removing the removable shutter, then actuating the pressurization system as many times as necessary, to successively dispense doses of the product contained in the internal reservoir.

[0067] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for disassembling a device according to the invention, which can in particular, but not limited to, be implemented when the entire product contained in the internal reservoir has been dispensed. This method comprises the separation of the pressurization system and the assembly formed by the external container and the internal reservoir, then the detachment of the external container and the internal reservoir. The pressurization system, which has remained clean and has not been in contact with the product, can easily be reused, as can, where appropriate, depending on the embodiment of the device, the external container. Otherwise, the latter can be recycled. The empty internal reservoir can also be recycled.

[0068] A new refill, formed from an internal reservoir containing a fluid product to be dispensed, if necessary attached to an external container, can then be used to reconstitute a device according to the invention by assembly with the pressurization system.

[0069] Thus, another aspect of the invention relates to a reservoir for a device according to the invention, usable as an internal reservoir within this device, and comprising:

[0070] - a flexible-walled pouch containing a fluid product, comprising an opening at an upper end,

[0071] - a collar, preferably annular, rigid fixed to the upper end of this pocket, comprising an upper face and an opposite lower face, the pocket extending from an internal peripheral zone of this lower face, the collar being pierced, between an external peripheral zone and an internal peripheral zone of its lower face, with a through orifice extending between its upper face and its lower face, this orifice being optionally provided with a one-way valve allowing the passage of an air flow, only, from the upper face to the lower face,

[0072] - a sealing member fixed in the collar and sealing the opening of the pocket,

[0073] - and a dispensing spout in hydraulic communication with the internal volume of the pocket, extending laterally outwards through the collar, the dispensing spout being closed by a removable shutter.

[0074] This reservoir may meet one or more of the other characteristics described above with reference to the internal reservoir of the device according to the invention. In particular, the lower face of the collar may be provided, at its external peripheral zone, with a peripheral sealing member, formed integrally with the collar or fixed to the latter, in particular in a removable manner. The pocket, the dispensing spout and the collar preferably form a single-piece structure. The invention also relates to an assembly of internal reservoir and external container for the device of the invention, this assembly comprising:

[0075] - a tank as defined above,

[0076] - and a non-expandable external container, comprising an upper edge defining an opening, inside which the pocket is arranged, and hermetically, and preferably irreversibly, fixed by its upper edge to the external peripheral zone of the lower face of the collar.

[0077] This internal reservoir and this external container may meet one or more of the other characteristics described above with reference respectively to the internal reservoir and the external container of the device according to the invention.

[0078] In particular, the collar of the internal tank may include, on its outer edge, means for its reversible attachment to the pressurization system of the device according to the invention.

[0079] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly in the light of the examples of implementation below, provided for purely illustrative purposes and in no way limiting the invention, with the support of figures 1 to 7, in which:

[0080] Figure 1 represents a general view of the different constituent elements of a device for dispensing a fluid product in accordance with the invention;

[0081] Figure 2 represents a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of the upper part of the internal reservoir of the device of Figure 1;

[0082] Figure 3 represents a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of the pressurization system of the device of Figure 1;

[0083] Figure 4 represents a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of a variant of the pressurization system of Figure 3;

[0084] Figure 5 represents a general view of the device of Figure 1 after assembly of its constituent elements;

[0085] Figure 6 represents a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of the upper part of the device of Figure 5 in a rest configuration.

[0086] Figure 7 represents a sectional view along a longitudinal plane of the upper part of the device of Figure 5 in an actuation configuration.

[0087] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the constituent elements of the device according to the invention have a generally circular outline, such a shape however being in no way limiting of the invention.

[0088] The device for dispensing a fluid product according to the invention comprises three constituent elements: an external container 10, an internal reservoir 11 and a pressurization system 12, which can also be described as a manual metering pump. Examples of embodiments of these constituent elements are shown in Figure 1, separated from each other.

[0089] The external container 10 is of the non-expandable type, i.e. its internal volume cannot increase, and preferably also non-compressible, i.e. its internal volume cannot decrease. It comprises a bottom wall 101 and a side wall 102 extending from this bottom wall, which together define an internal volume 107 of the external container 10. All of these walls are preferably formed in one piece. The side wall 102 comprises, opposite the bottom wall 101, an upper part 103 and an upper edge 104 defining an opening 105. The bottom wall 101 and the side wall 102 are solid. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the external container 10 further comprises a thread 106 intended to ensure its reversible attachment to the pressurization system 12.Such an embodiment is however in no way limiting of the invention, and the external container 10 may be provided with any other reversible fixing member, in particular of the type allowing fixing by snap-fastening, of the pressurization system 12. The pressurization system 12 may otherwise for example be fixed to the external container 10 on one side by a hinge allowing its movement for opening or closing the external container 10, and on an opposite side by a reversible locking system in the closed position of the external container 10, comprising means fixed to the pressurization system 12 and cooperating means fixed to the external container 10, these means being able to be of any conventional type in itself.

[0090] The internal reservoir may be formed from a simple flexible-walled bag fitted with a product dispensing spout, this bag and this dispensing spout forming a single-piece structure.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the internal reservoir 11 is of a more complex configuration, and comprises a pocket 110 with a flexible wall 111 defining an internal volume 1114 containing the product 13, an annular collar 112 fixed to an upper end 1112 of the pocket 110 by means of an intermediate sleeve 114 and a product dispensing spout 113 extending laterally towards the outside of the device through the collar 112.

[0092] The upper part of the internal reservoir 1 1 is shown in more detail, in sectional view, in Figure 2. At its upper end 1 1 12, the flexible-walled pouch 1 1 1 has an opening 1 1 13. The pouch 1 10, the sleeve 1 14, the collar 1 12 and the dispensing spout 1 13 preferably form a single-piece structure, preferably but not limited to the same material, preferably plastic. These parts are however of different thicknesses, the wall 1 1 1 of the pouch 1 10 being of thin thickness, giving it great flexibility, while the collar 1 12 is much thicker, so as to give it the required level of rigidity.

[0093] The pocket 1 10 may comprise one or more welds, in particular longitudinal and / or in the lower part opposite its opening 1 1 13, this weld or these welds having for example made it possible to close it on itself after its filling.

[0094] The collar 112 has a lower face 1121, at which the pocket 110 is secured to it by means of the sleeve 114, and an opposite upper face 1122. More precisely, the wall 111 of the pocket 110 is secured to the lower face 1121 of the collar 112 at the internal peripheral zone of this face, that is to say the peripheral zone of this face located towards the center of the device.

[0095] The external peripheral contour of the collar 112 substantially coincides, in shape and dimensions, with the upper edge 104 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10. Thus, in the embodiment shown in the figures in which the external container 10 is of generally cylindrical shape, the external peripheral contour of the collar 112 is circular, of the same diameter as that of the opening 105 of the external container 10.

[0096] At its lower face 1 121 , in the external peripheral zone of the latter, that is to say the peripheral zone located towards the outside of the device, the collar 112 is provided with a sealing member, more particularly, in the embodiment shown in the figures, a prominent peripheral sealing lip 1 123. Between this peripheral lip 1123 and the internal peripheral zone of its lower face 1 121 , the collar 1 12 is pierced with a through orifice 1 124 equipped with a non-return valve 1 125, this non-return valve being shown diagrammatically in the figures, like all the non-return valves of the device, by a cross.The number, dimensions and positioning of the non-return valves shown in the figures are in no way limiting of the invention, and all other numbers, dimensions and positions of such valves fall within the scope of the invention, insofar as they make it possible to obtain the same function as the non-return valves specifically shown in the figures. The non-return valve 1125 is configured to allow the passage of air only from the upper face 1122 to the lower face 1121 of the collar 112. At the lower face 1121, the through-orifice 1124 opens outside the pocket 111, into the cylinder of revolution in which the collar 112 is inscribed.

[0097] The dispensing spout 1 13 is in hydraulic communication, via the interior spaces of the collar 1 12 and the sleeve 1 14, with the internal volume 1 1 14 of the pocket 1 10, and opens outside the device at an opposite free end 1131. Its internal channel 1 132 is provided with a non-return valve 1 133 allowing passage only from the internal volume 1 1 14 of the pocket 1 10 to the free end 1 131. The dispensing spout 1 13 can optionally be closed, at its free end 1 131, by a removable shutter 1 134. This shutter can be of the irreversibly removable type, such as a breakable tip, or of the reversibly removable type.

[0098] The internal reservoir 11 further comprises a closure member 115 hermetically fixed inside the collar 112 so as to close the opening 1113 of the pocket 110. This closure member, making it possible in particular to close the pocket 110 after it has been filled, may or may not be removable. It may in particular be a stopper, fixed to the collar 112 by friction-type fastening, and optionally comprising a handle 1151 facilitating its handling for this purpose. It may otherwise be a cover, for example fixed to the collar 112 by heat sealing. In variants of the invention, not shown in the figures, the closure member 115 is formed in a single piece with the collar 112, the assembly then forming a solid and continuous plate.Whatever the embodiment, the closure member 115 is fixed in the collar 112 so as not to block the dispensing spout 113, and to allow the circulation of product 13 from the internal volume 1114 of the pocket 110 to the dispensing spout 113.

[0099] The pressurizing system 12, also called a metering pump, comprises, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an annular wall 123 with an external diameter slightly greater than that of the upper edge 104 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10. From this annular wall 123 extend substantially perpendicularly, on a first face, at the external peripheral edge of the annular wall 123, a lower peripheral skirt 121, and, on a second face opposite the first face, at the internal peripheral edge of the annular wall 123, an upper peripheral skirt 124.

[0100] The lower peripheral skirt 121 is pierced with a notch 122 extending substantially over its entire height. This lower peripheral skirt 121 is further provided, on its internal face, with reversible fixing means cooperating with the reversible fixing means carried by the external container 10, and described above, for example a thread (not visible in the figures) capable of cooperating with a thread carried by the external container 10. The internal diameter of the lower peripheral skirt 121 is for this purpose substantially equal to the external diameter of the upper part 103 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10.

[0101] The pressurization system 12 further comprises a push button 125 which is partly located inside the upper peripheral skirt 124.

[0102] An embodiment of this push button is shown in Figure 3. It comprises a so-called suction and compression chamber 126 delimited by an upper wall 127 and a peripheral side wall 128 whose lower zone 129, arranged inside the upper peripheral skirt 124, is elastically deformable. In the embodiment shown in the figures, this elastically deformable zone forms an elastically deformable bellows 129. The chamber 126 is not closed in its lower part. The upper wall 127 is manually movable between a high rest position in which the bellows 129 is relaxed and a low actuating position in which the bellows 129 is compressed, reducing the internal volume of the chamber 126.

[0103] The annular wall 123 is further pierced in its thickness with a through channel 1231 allowing the circulation of air from the environment outside the device towards the chamber 126. This channel 1231 is equipped with a non-return valve 1232 preventing passage in the opposite direction.

[0104] The annular wall 123 is further provided, at its face from which the lower peripheral skirt 121 extends, in the immediate vicinity of this skirt, with a member, here a lip, for peripheral sealing 1233.

[0105] In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, the pressurizing system 12 comprises a plate 1211 fixed under the annular wall 123, inside the lower peripheral skirt 121, so as to occupy the entire transverse surface of the latter. This fixing is for example carried out by snap-fastening, and so as to provide a space 1212 for the circulation of air between the annular wall 123 and the plate 1211. The latter is further pierced with a through orifice 1213, provided with a non-return valve 1214 allowing the passage of air only in the direction coming from the suction chamber 126.

[0106] The external container 10, the internal reservoir 11 and the pressurizing system 12 are assembled together so as to form a device according to the invention, shown schematically in Figure 5 and in which the pocket 110 of the internal reservoir 11 containing the product (shown by dotted lines in Figure 5) is located in the external container 10, the pressurizing system 12 covering the whole and the dispensing spout 113 extending laterally outside the external container 10. The assembly is carried out so as to close the external container 10 hermetically, allowing only the passage of air coming from the pressurizing system 12 towards its internal volume 107, and no air to escape from the external container.

[0107] This assembly is illustrated in more detail in Figure 6. The bag 110 is arranged in the external container 10. It is surrounded there by a free space 108. The collar 112 rests, by the sealing lip 1123, on the upper edge 104 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10. The dispensing spout 113 extends laterally outwards, above this upper edge 104. The lower peripheral skirt 121 of the pressurizing system 12 is reversibly fixed, by fixing means not shown in the figure, around the upper part 103 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10. In this position, the sealing lip 1233 of this system is pressed against the upper face 1122 of the collar 112 and the sealing lip 1123 of the lower face 1121 of the collar 112 is pressed against the upper edge 104 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10, ensuring the sealing of the assembly.

[0108] Assembling all of these elements together is particularly simple.

[0109] In the initial rest position, shown in Figure 6, the chamber 126 of the pressurizing system 12 has its maximum volume, having been filled with air coming from the outside via the channel 1231 with which it is in hydraulic communication, as shown at 14 in Figure 6. The distribution spout 113 is optionally closed by the shutter 1134.

[0110] Before first use, the shutter 1134 is removed. To use the device, the upper wall 127 of the chamber 126 is pushed by the user towards the external container 10, as illustrated at 15 in Figure 7. This has the effect of compressing the bellows 129, thus reducing the volume of the chamber 126. The expelled air flow is then guided, as indicated at 16 in Figure 7, through the through-orifice 1122 of the collar 112, to the space 108 surrounding the pocket 110 in the external container 10. This supply of air compresses the pocket 110, as indicated at 17 in Figure 7, and causes the expulsion of the product 13 contained therein, along the path 18, out of the dispensing spout 113. Since no air is allowed to escape from the external container 10, the compression of the pocket 110 is definitive.The volume of product 13 dispensed is equal to the volume lost by the chamber 126 during manual actuation of the upper wall 127 of the pressurizing system 12. In parallel, the chamber 126 is refilled with air coming from the outside, via the channel 1231, by the elastic return effect of the bellows 129 which spontaneously returns to its relaxed position as soon as the pressure on the upper wall 127 is stopped. The relaxation of the bellows 129 returns the upper wall 127 to its initial high rest position, thereby creating a suction of air into the chamber 126. These operations were very simple to carry out by the user, who can in particular carry them out with one hand. Where appropriate, when the pouch 110 initially contains a small quantity of air, one or more initial actuations of the upper wall 127 of the chamber 126 are necessary before the first delivery of product 13.

[0111] During all of these operations, the product 13 has not come into contact with anything other than the internal reservoir 11. When the latter is empty, the user simply has to detach the pressurizing system 12 from the external container 10 and remove the internal reservoir 11 from the latter. The pressurizing system 12 and the external container 10 can easily be reused to reconstitute a device according to the invention, by assembling them as described above with a new internal reservoir 11 filled with product. The used internal reservoir 11 can be recycled.

[0112] In a variant of the invention, not shown in the figures, the external container 10 and the internal tank 11 are hermetically fixed to each other in an irreversible manner, for example by a weld bead replacing the sealing lip 1123 of the collar 112. In such a case, the external container cannot be reused, but it can be recycled after its separation from the internal tank by destruction of the irreversible fixing means. In such a configuration, it is further advantageous that the reversible fixing means to the lower peripheral skirt 121 of the pressurizing system 12 are carried not by the upper part 103 of the side wall 102 of the external container 10, but by the collar 112, at an outer peripheral edge 1126 of the latter.

Claims

DEMANDS 1. A device for dispensing a fluid product (13), characterized in that it comprises: - an external container (10) that is not expandable, comprising a lower wall (101) and a side wall (102) having, opposite said lower wall (101), an upper part (103) and an upper edge (104) defining an opening (105), - an internal closed reservoir (11) containing said product (13), disposed in said external container (10), comprising a flexible wall (111) and a product dispensing nozzle (113) extending laterally outside said external container (10), said flexible wall (111) and said dispensing nozzle (113) forming a single-piece structure, - and a pressurization system (12) configured to introduce air into said external container (10), into an internal space (108) of said external container (10) outside said internal tank (11), manually actuable, and reversibly fixed to the assembly formed by said external container (10) and said internal tank (11), said external container (10), said internal tank (11) and said pressurization system (12) being configured and assembled together to close the opening (105) of said external container (10) and prevent any air from escaping said external container (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said dispensing nozzle (113) is equipped with a non-return valve (1133).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which said dispensing nozzle (1 13) is closed by a removable obturator (1 134).

4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said inner reservoir (11) is fixed to said outer container (10) by reversible airtight fastening means.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said inner reservoir (11) is fixed to said outer container (10) by non-reversible airtight fastening means.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said inner reservoir (11) and said outer container (10) are not fixed to each other. the other one.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said pressurization system (12) comprises a lower peripheral skirt (121) reversibly fixed to the assembly formed by said external container (10) and said internal tank (11), said lower peripheral skirt (121) being pierced with a notch (122) through which said dispensing nozzle (113) extends laterally above the upper edge (104) of the side wall (102) of said external container (10).

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said external container (10) is pierced in the upper part (103) of its side wall (102) with a notch through which said dispensing spout (113) extends laterally outside said external container (10).

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said pressurization system (12) comprises: - a suction and compression chamber (126) delimited by an upper wall (127) and a peripheral side wall (128) of which a zone is elastically deformable (129), - and an air circulation channel (1231) from the external environment to said chamber (126), equipped with a non-return valve (1232), said upper wall (127) being manually movable between a high rest position in which said elastically deformable zone (129) is relaxed and a low actuation position in which said elastically deformable zone (129) is compressed, reducing the internal volume of said chamber (126), said external container (10), said internal reservoir (11) and said pressurization system (12) being arranged to permit unidirectional air circulation from said chamber (126) to said external container (10), in said internal space (108) of said internal container (10) outside said internal reservoir (11).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said product (13) is a cosmetic product.

11. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said internal reservoir (11) comprises: - a flexible-walled pouch (110) containing said product (13), comprising an opening (1113) at an upper end (1112), - a rigid collar (112) fixed to the upper end (1112) of said pouch (110), with an external peripheral contour coinciding with that of the upper edge (104) of the side wall (102) of said external container (10), comprising an upper face (1122) and an opposite lower face (1121), said pouch (110) extending from an internal peripheral zone of said lower face (1121), said collar (112) resting by an external peripheral zone of its lower face (1121) on the upper edge (104) of the side wall (102) of said external container (10) and being pierced, between the external peripheral zone and the internal peripheral zone of its lower face (1121), by a through orifice (1124) extending between its upper face (1122) and its lower face (1121), in hydraulic communication with said pressurization system (12) and with the internal volume (107) of said external container (10), - a dispensing nozzle (1 13) in hydraulic communication with the internal volume (1 1 14) of said pocket (1 10), - and an obturator (1 15) fixed in said collar (1 12) and obturating the opening (1 1 13) of said pocket (110).

12. Device according to claim 1 1 , in which the lower face (1121 ) of said collar (1 12) is provided, at the level of its external peripheral area, with a peripheral sealing element (1 123), and said collar (1 12) rests on the upper edge (104) of the side wall (102) of said external container (10) by said peripheral sealing element (1 123).

13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein said dispensing nozzle (113) extends laterally outwards through said collar (112).

14. Method of assembling a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the reversible hermetic attachment of said pressurization system (12) to the assembly formed by said external container (10) containing said internal reservoir (11) in a position in which said dispensing nozzle (113) extends laterally outside said external container (10).

15. Assembly method according to claim 14, comprising a step prior to the disposition of said internal reservoir (11) in said external container (10), in a position in which said dispensing spout (113) extends laterally outside said external container (10).

16. Method of disassembling a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising separating said pressurization system (12) from the assembly formed by said external container (10) and said internal tank (11), then uncoupling said external container (10) and said internal tank (11).

17. Reservoir (1 1 ) for a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: - a flexible-walled pouch (110) containing a fluid product (13), comprising an opening (1113) at an upper end (1112), - a rigid collar (1 12) fixed to the upper end (1 1 12) of said pouch (1 10), comprising an upper face (1 122) and an opposite lower face (1 121), said pouch (1 10) extending from an internal peripheral zone of said lower face (1121), said collar (1 12) being pierced, between an external peripheral zone and an internal peripheral zone of its lower face (1 121), by a through orifice (1 124) extending between its upper face and its lower face, - a sealing device (1 15) fixed in said collar (112) and sealing the opening (1 1 13) of said pocket (110), - and a dispensing nozzle (1 13) in hydraulic communication with the internal volume (1 1 14) of said pouch (1 10), extending laterally outwards through said collar (1 12), said dispensing nozzle (1 13) being closed by a removable obturator (1134), said pouch (1 10), said collar (112) and said dispensing nozzle (1 13) forming a monobloc structure.

18. An assembly of an internal reservoir (11) and an external container (10) for a device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising: - a reservoir (1 1 ) according to claim 17, - and a non-expandable external container (10), comprising an upper edge (104) defining an opening (105), inside which said pouch (110) is disposed, and hermetically fixed by said upper edge (104) to the outer peripheral area of ​​the lower face (1121) of said collar (112).

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