Refillable powder dispenser
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-05-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing powder dispensers are not refillable, limiting their functionality and usability in applications such as cosmetics, food, hygiene, and pharmaceuticals.
A refillable powder dispenser design that combines axial and rotational movements, featuring a removably mounted actuating head and dispensing member, where the actuation member transforms axial thrust into rotational movement through a helical cam path and lug system, allowing the dispensing head to be unscrewed and removed without disturbing the dispensing member, enabling easy refilling and reconnection.
Enables the powder reservoir to be easily accessed for refilling, inspection, or draining without affecting the dispensing mechanism, ensuring consistent powder distribution and maintaining the dispensing member's position during removal and reinstallation.
Smart Images
Figure FR2024050682_05122024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Refillable powder dispenser
[0002] The present invention relates to a powder dispenser comprising a powder reservoir defining a longitudinal axis and forming an inner wall, an inlet and an outlet. The powder dispenser also comprises an actuating head mounted on the inlet of the powder reservoir, the actuating head comprising an actuating member. The powder dispenser also comprises a dispensing member mounted in the powder reservoir and connected to the actuating head, the actuation of the actuating member moving the dispensing member so as to allow a flow of powder through the outlet. The preferred field of application of the invention is that of the dispensing of cosmetic, food, hygiene or even pharmaceutical powder.
[0003] In the prior art, document US1354626 is already known, which describes a powder dispenser comprising a dispensing rod which is axially movable against a spring, by pressing on an emerging end of the rod, while its opposite end selectively closes an outlet of the powder reservoir. The reservoir comprises a removable cover, which forms a central hole through which the emerging end of the dispensing rod projects. However, the emerging end is not separable from the rest of the dispensing rod, when the cover is removed from the reservoir. Consequently, the cover and the emerging end do not constitute a dispensing head connected to the dispensing rod.
[0004] Also known is document US4906120, which describes a powder dispenser comprising a dispensing rod which is rotated by a rotary or axially moving pusher. The dispensing rod is similar to a worm screw, which is engaged in an outlet of the reservoir, so that the reservoir is never truly closed. Document US9386840 describes a powder dispenser of the same type, with a worm screw rotated by a rotary or axially moving pusher. The disadvantage with these prior art powder dispensers is that they are not refillable with powder.
[0005] In the prior art, document TWI756934B is also known, which describes a refillable powder dispenser, comprising a head which is screwed onto the reservoir. The head comprises an axially movable actuating member, which is removably engaged with a transmission rod connected to an outlet valve.
[0006] Also known is document DE29502506U1, which describes a powder dispenser comprising a rotating cover, which is removably mounted on the reservoir by means of a screw.
[0007] The aim of the present invention is to provide a refillable powder dispenser combining axial movement and rotational movement.
[0008] To achieve this goal, the present invention provides a powder dispenser comprising:
[0009] - a powder reservoir defining a longitudinal axis and forming an internal wall, an inlet and an outlet,
[0010] - an actuating head mounted on the inlet of the powder reservoir, the actuating head comprising an actuating member, and
[0011] - a dispensing member mounted in the powder reservoir and connected to the actuating head, actuation of the actuating member moving the dispensing member so as to allow a flow of powder through the outlet, wherein the actuating head is removably mounted on the inlet of the powder reservoir and removably connected to the dispensing member, so that the actuating head can be removed to access the powder reservoir for filling it, characterized in that the actuating member and the dispensing member can together form a system for transforming an axial thrust on the actuating member into a rotation of the dispensing member, the transformation system comprising a first part formed by the actuating member and a second part formed by the dispensing member,these two parts engaging each other in such a way that an axial movement of the first part induces a rotation of the second part, the first part disengaging from the second part, leaving it static, when the actuating head is removed from the powder reservoir. Advantageously, the transformation system may comprise at least one helical cam path formed by one of the actuating member and the dispensing member and at least one lug formed by the other of the actuating member and the dispensing member, the lug being engaged in the helical cam path and following it during the axial movement of the actuating member.,
[0012] According to a practical embodiment, the first part may comprise an axial sleeve open in the direction of the outlet, this axial sleeve being formed with at least one helical slot acting as a helical cam track and the second part comprises a rod end forming at least one lug, the rod end being received axially in the axial sleeve with the lug engaged in the helical slot. Advantageously, the axial sleeve may comprise several helical slots separated by inclined tabs and the rod end forms as many lugs as there are inclined tabs, the lugs each defining an inclined flat and the inclined tabs each defining an inclined free end, the inclinations of the flats and the free ends being substantially equal.Preferably, the actuating head is removably screwed onto the powder reservoir by means of respective threads having a determined thread inclination, which is close to or substantially equal to the inclinations of the flats and the free ends, so that, when screwing or unscrewing the actuating head, the lugs are positioned between the inclined tabs at the entrance to the helical slots without there being any contact between the lugs and the inclined tabs. Thus, if one starts from the mounted or screwed configuration after a final actuation of the distributor, the lugs of the rod end are respectively positioned at the entrances of the helical slots. Unscrewing the actuating head then has the effect of rotating the helical slots, while the transmission rod remains stationary in the reservoir.Thanks to the inclined flats of the lugs and the inclined free ends of the legs, the legs will pass over the lugs with an upward trajectory whose inclination is that of the threads. And during screwing, the dynamics are identical, but in reverse: the legs will pass over the lugs and position themselves between the lugs with a downward trajectory whose inclination is close to that of the threads.
[0013] Thus, the actuator head is removably connected to both the powder reservoir inlet and the dispensing member, so that once removed, the reservoir is widely accessible for filling, inspection, or emptying. The actuator head can be said to act as a removable cap for the powder reservoir.
[0014] According to an interesting characteristic of the invention, the actuating head can be removably screwed onto the inlet of the powder reservoir, so that the actuating head can be removed from the powder reservoir by unscrewing.
[0015] According to a practical embodiment, the actuating head may comprise a threaded ring in threaded engagement with a thread of the inlet of the powder reservoir, the actuating member being mounted to slide axially in the threaded ring.
[0016] Advantageously, the dispensing member comprises a transmission rod which extends axially through the powder reservoir and a dispensing portion engaged with the outlet, the transmission rod being integral with the dispensing portion and removably connected to the actuating member. In this case, the dispensing member can be rotated without axial movement in the powder reservoir by the actuating member, the dispensing portion being advantageously formed by a perforated rotating disc arranged on a bottom of the powder reservoir forming the outlet, so as to be able to align by rotation the perforation(s) of the rotating disc with the outlet(s) of the powder reservoir.The bottom of the reservoir may for example define three outlet holes and the rotating disc may define three corresponding perforations, so that the holes and perforations may be axially superimposed by rotation of the disc driven by the actuating member of the head. Preferably, the transmission rod may comprise several radial blades defining free ends which extend close to the inner wall of the reservoir, so as to maintain the transmission rod in the longitudinal axis of the powder reservoir. For example, several pairs of blades may be provided distributed over the height of the transmission rod to increase its maintenance in the axis of the reservoir. The primary function of these radial blades is to deagglomerate, disintegrate or decompact the mass of powder stored in the powder reservoir.These radial blades have a second function here, namely that of maintaining the distribution member perfectly in the longitudinal axis, on which the transmission rod extends.
[0017] The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of being able to remove the dispensing head from the reservoir, preferably by unscrewing, while simultaneously disconnecting it from the dispensing member, and this without moving it, either in rotation or axially. Once the reservoir is refilled with powder, the dispensing head of the reservoir is replaced on the reservoir, preferably by screwing, while simultaneously connecting it to the dispensing member, and this without moving it, either in rotation or axially. In other words, the dispensing member is not moved in the reservoir by the dispensing head, either when it is removed or when it is replaced.
[0018] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] In the figures:
[0020] Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a powder dispenser according to the invention,
[0021] Figures 2a and 2b are perspective views with the reservoir partially cut out, respectively in the rest position and in the actuated position, and Figures 3a, 3b and 3c are perspective views of the transformation system, respectively in the assembled configuration at rest, during unscrewing and at the end of unscrewing.
[0022] As can be seen in Figure 1, the powder dispenser of the invention comprises three main constituent entities, namely a powder reservoir 1, an actuating head T and a dispensing member 5.
[0023] The powder reservoir defines a longitudinal axis of revolution X and comprises a main barrel 10, advantageously of cylindrical shape. This barrel 10 defines at its upper end an inlet 11 with an internal thread 12, which may comprise one or more threads. At its lower end, the barrel 10 forms a bottom 13 which is provided with several outlet holes 14, together defining an outlet of the reservoir 1. The barrel extends below the bottom 13 to form an external skirt 16. The bottom 13 is also provided with a central tube 15, which extends axially inside the outlet holes 14, which are surrounded by the external skirt 16.
[0024] The actuating head T comprises a threaded ring 2, an actuating member 3 and a return spring 4. The actuating head T is screwed onto the inlet 11 of the powder reservoir 1 and can be removed therefrom by unscrewing.
[0025] The threaded ring 2 comprises an axial guide sleeve 20, which extends downwards by a skirt 21 defining an external thread 22, which may comprise one or more threads. The threaded ring 2 internally forms a support flange 23 and a sealing lip 24. The external thread 22 is engaged with the internal thread 12 of the inlet 11 of the powder reservoir 1. These two threads 12 and 22 have a thread inclination determined relative to the axis X.
[0026] The actuating member 3 can be described as an axially moving pusher. It is slidably mounted in the threaded ring 2, and more particularly in its axial guide sleeve 20 and in its sealing lip 24. The actuating member 3 comprises an outer ring 31, which is axially slidably engaged in the axial guide sleeve 20. The actuating member 3 also comprises an upper thrust wall 32, on which a user can press using a finger, for example the index finger. The outer ring 31 extends downwards from the outer periphery of the upper thrust wall 32. An axial sleeve 33 also extends downwards from the lower face of the upper thrust wall 32. This axial sleeve 33 is slidably and tightly engaged in the sealing lip 24.At its lower end, the axial sleeve 33 forms inclined tabs 35 defining between them helical slots 34 open downwards, acting as helical cam tracks, as will be seen below. For example, three tabs 35 and three slots 34 can be provided. The inclined tabs 35 define free ends 351, which are inclined, with an inclination, which is substantially identical to the determined thread inclination of the threads 12 and 22. Each inclined tab 35 thus forms a sharp edge 352 and a rounded edge 353, as visible in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c.
[0027] The return spring 4 extends around the axial sleeve 33 and bears on the one hand on the support flange 23 and on the other hand under the upper thrust wall 32. It can be in the form of a bellows, or even a coil spring.
[0028] The dispensing member 5 is housed inside the powder reservoir 1 from the bottom 13 to the axial sleeve 33 of the actuating member 3. The dispensing member 5 comprises a transmission rod 51, which extends on the axis X over the entire height of the main barrel 10. At its lower end, the transmission rod is connected to a dispensing part 55, which is in the form of a rotating disc provided with several windows or perforations 56, the same number as the outlet holes 14 of the bottom 13. In the rest position, as shown in Figure 2a, the perforations 56 and the outlet holes 14 are offset, so that the reservoir is closed at its outlet. From this rest position, the perforations 56 can be brought by rotation of the dispensing member 5 into alignment with the outlet holes 14, as shown in Figure 2b.A portion of the powder present in the reservoir 1 can then escape through the aligned perforations and holes. The dispensing member 5, below the rotating disc 55, forms a snap-in sleeve 57 provided with a snap-in profile 57s in loose snap-in engagement inside the central tube 15 of the bottom 13. Indeed, the engagement of the snap-in sleeve 57 inside the central tube 15 must simply ensure axial retention, while allowing easy rotation of the rotating disc 55. It will be seen below that the axial retention can be improved and guaranteed.
[0029] The transmission rod 51 is advantageously provided with several radial blades 54, which extend from the rod 51 radially towards the inner wall 10i of the barrel 10. It can be noted in FIG. 1 that the free ends 54e of the radial blades 54 come almost into contact with the inner wall 10i. A gap of the order of a tenth of a millimeter can be provided. The radial blades 54 are here arranged in opposite pairs at different heights of the transmission rod 51. For example, three pairs of radial blades 54 can be provided, namely a lower pair near the rotating disc 55, an upper pair near the axial sleeve 33 and an intermediate pair: the lower and upper pairs having the same orientation, while the intermediate pair is rotated by 90 degrees.Thus, the radial blades 54, with their free ends 54e very close to the internal wall 10i, ensure that the transmission rod 51 is held in the axis inside the powder reservoir 1. When the blades 54 rotate around the transmission rod, it performs a function of deagglomeration, disintegration or decompaction of the powder contained in the powder reservoir 1. Indeed, the powder tends to form dome structures, which must be broken to allow it to flow.
[0030] The transmission rod 51 forms at its upper end a rod end 52, which is engaged in the axial sleeve 33, without blocking friction, so that the rod end 52 can be extracted from the axial sleeve 33 without any difficulty. At its base, the rod end 52 forms several lugs 53, for example three, which project radially outwards. Each lug 53 is intended to engage in a respective helical slot 34, so that a downward axial movement of the actuating member 3 has the effect of engaging the lugs 53 more deeply inside their respective helical slots 34 and consequently of driving the transmission rod 51 and its disc 55 in rotation inside the powder reservoir 1. The cooperation of the lugs 53 and the helical slots 34 defines a system for transforming an axial thrust on the actuating member 3 into a rotation of the dispensing member 5.The transformation system comprises a first part formed by the actuating member 3 and a second part formed by the dispensing member 5, these two parts engaging each other in such a way that an axial displacement of the first part induces a rotation of the second part. In Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, it can be seen that each lug 53 forms an inclined flat 531 in the manner of an acute accent, with an inclination, which is close to or substantially identical to the determined thread inclination of the threads 12 and 22 and that of the free ends 351 of the inclined tabs 35. The inclination of the threads 12 and 22 may be a little greater than that of the flats 531 and the free ends 351, so that the space between the free ends 351 and the lugs increases as the dispensing head T is unscrewed.
[0031] Optionally, the powder reservoir 1 can be provided with a dispensing nozzle 6 comprising a mounting ring 61 tightly engaged in the external skirt 16 and a nozzle 62 defining a dispensing orifice 63. The powder from the outlet holes 14 can thus flow by gravity into the nozzle 62 and exit the dispenser through the dispensing orifice 63. The dispensing nozzle 6 also forms a bar 64 which supports a plug 65 engaged inside the snap-on sleeve 57 to ensure its axial retention, while allowing its rotation.
[0032] In this dispenser of the invention, it has been seen that the actuating head 3 is mounted by screwing onto the powder reservoir 1 and that the rod end 52 is loosely engaged in the axial sleeve 33. It is therefore possible to remove the actuating head 3 from the powder reservoir 1 by simple unscrewing: the rod end 52 being simultaneously extracted from the axial sleeve 33 by simple axial disengagement resulting from the unscrewing, which conventionally combines a rotary component and an axial component. Referring to Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, we will now explain the displacement of the helical slots 34 and the inclined tabs 35 relative to the lugs 53.
[0033] Figure 3a shows the screwed or mounted configuration, with the actuating member at rest, as seen in Figures 1 and 2a. In this configuration, the lug 53 is positioned at the entrance to its respective helical slot 34, between two adjacent inclined tabs 35. The lug 53 can come into abutment with the inclined tab located on the right, at its inclined edge close to the sharp edge. It is easily understood that a downward movement of the axial sleeve 33, by axial thrust on the upper thrust wall 32, has the effect of causing the lug 53 to penetrate more deeply inside its respective helical slot 34 towards its bottom, which causes the rod end 52 to rotate.As soon as the thrust on the upper thrust wall 32 is released, the return spring returns the actuating member to the rest position, so that the lug 53 makes the reverse path in its respective helical slot 34 to return to its initial position in Figure 3a.
[0034] Figure 3b shows the configuration during unscrewing: the external thread 22 of the ring 2 can be seen. The lug 53 has left its contact with the right-hand inclined tab 35 and is positioned, with its inclined flat 531, below the inclined end 351 of the inclined tab 35, which was initially located to the left of the lug 53. The lug 53 is closer to the rounded edge 353 than to the sharp edge 352. The movement of the inclined tabs 35 follows a path substantially aligned or parallel with the inclination of the inclined free ends 351 and the inclined flats 531, given that their inclination is substantially identical to that of the threads 12 and 22. The “planing” of the inclined tabs 35 and the lugs 53 allows the tabs 35 to pass above the lugs 53 without there being any contact between them, which could have caused the lugs and the transmission rod to rotate.We even see in Figure 3b that there is a safety space between the inclined flat 531 and the inclined free end 351. Figure 3c represents the configuration at the end of unscrewing: we see even more of the external thread 22 of the ring 2. The lug 53 is closer to the sharp edge 352 than to the rounded edge 353, but the safety space between the inclined flat 531 and the inclined free end 351 has hardly changed, given the correspondence of the inclinations, as explained above. The actuating head T can then be separated axially from the powder reservoir 1 to complete the disengagement of the rod end 52 from the inside of the axial sleeve 33. The reservoir can then be refilled with powder, inspected or even emptied.
[0035] The operation of replacing the actuating head T on the inlet of the reservoir 1 is done very simply in reverse. The rod end 52 is first introduced into the axial sleeve 33 until the threads 12 and 22 come into abutment. It is then sufficient to screw the threaded ring 2 back onto the inlet 11. We then successively pass through the configurations of figures 3c, 3b and finally 3a, in which the lug 53 is again in abutment with its right inclined tab, at the inlet of its respective helical slot 34. The final screwing position can be indicated to the user by a hard point or a small noise. He can then press on the actuating member 3, which has the effect of rotating the dispensing member 5 in the reservoir 1, until the perforations 56 are aligned with the outlet holes 14. In doing so, the radial blades 54 rotate and break any dome structures.Part of the powder stored in the reservoir 1 then falls by gravity through the perforations 56, the outlet holes 14, the nozzle 62 and finally the distribution orifice 63. It has been observed that the quantity of powder distributed at each actuation is substantially the same, with very limited variations.
[0036] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the dispensing member 5 can be replaced by a worm screw, as in documents US4906120 and US9386840. The dispensing tip 6 can be replaced by any applicator. The positioning of the lugs and the helical slots can be reversed. The slots can be replaced by grooves. The radial blades 54 could also have been arranged in a staircase or in threes or fours on the same axial level.
[0037] Thanks to the invention, an easily refillable powder dispenser is provided, the dispensing head of which can be removed, advantageously by unscrewing, and replaced, advantageously by screwing it back in place, without disturbing the dispensing member, thus avoiding unintentional powder dispensing. Instead of screwing / unscrewing, any other method of movement can be envisaged, which would allow the removal of the dispensing head without touching the dispensing member. A cam or bayonet system can, for example, be implemented.
Claims
Claims 1. Powder dispenser comprising: - a powder reservoir (1) defining a longitudinal axis (X) and forming an internal wall (10i), an inlet (11) and an outlet (14), - an actuating head (T) mounted on the inlet (11) of the powder reservoir (1), the actuating head (T) comprising an actuating member (3), and - a dispensing member (5) mounted in the powder reservoir (1) and connected to the actuating head (T), the actuation of the actuating member (3) moving the dispensing member (5) so as to allow a flow of powder through the outlet (14), wherein the actuating head (T) is removably mounted on the inlet (11) of the powder reservoir (1) and removably connected to the dispensing member (3), so as to be able to remove the actuating head (T) to access the powder reservoir (1) to fill it, characterized in that the actuating member (3) and the dispensing member (5) together form a system (33, 53) for transforming an axial thrust on the actuating member (3) into a rotation of the dispensing member (5), the transformation system comprising a first part (33) formed by the actuating member (3) and a second part (53) formed by the distribution member (5), these two parts (33,53) engaging each other in such a way that an axial displacement of the first part (33) induces a rotation of the second part (53), the first part (33) disengaging from the second part (53) leaving it static, when the actuating head (T) is removed from the powder reservoir (1)., 2. Powder dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the transformation system comprises at least one helical cam path (34) formed by one of the actuating member (3) and the dispensing member (5) and at least one lug (53) formed by the other of the actuating member (3) and the dispensing member (5), the lug (53) being engaged in the helical cam path (34) and follows it during the axial movement of the actuating member (3).
3. Powder dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the first part comprises an axial sleeve (33) open towards the outlet (14), this axial sleeve (33) being formed with at least one helical slot (34) acting as a helical cam track and the second part comprises a rod end (52) forming at least one lug (53), the rod end (52) being received axially in the axial sleeve (33) with the lug (53) engaged in the helical slot (34).
4. Powder dispenser according to claim 3, in which the axial sleeve (33) comprises several helical slots (34) separated by inclined tabs (35) and the rod end (52) forms as many lugs (53) as there are inclined tabs (35), the lugs (53) each defining an inclined flat (531) and the inclined tabs (35) each defining an inclined free end (351), the inclinations of the flats (531) and of the inclined free ends (351) being close to or substantially equal.
5. Powder dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the actuating head (T) is removably screwed onto the powder reservoir (1) by means of respective threads (12, 22) having a determined thread inclination, which is close to or substantially equal to the inclinations of the flats (531) and the free ends (351), so that, when screwing or unscrewing the actuating head (T), the lugs (53) are positioned between the inclined tabs (35) at the entry of the helical slots (34) without there being any contact between the lugs (53) and the inclined legs (35).
6. Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating head (T) is removably screwed onto the inlet (11) of the powder reservoir (1), so that the actuating head (T) can be removed from the powder reservoir (1) by unscrewing.
7. Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the actuating head (T) comprises a threaded ring (2) in threaded engagement with a thread (12) of the inlet (11) of the powder reservoir (1), the actuating member (3) being mounted to slide axially in the threaded ring (2).
8. Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing member (5) comprises a transmission rod (51) which extends axially through the powder reservoir (1) and a dispensing part (55) engaged with the outlet (14), the transmission rod (51) being integral with the dispensing part (55) and removably connected to the actuating member (3).
9. Powder dispenser according to claim 8, in which the dispensing member (5) is driven in rotation without axial displacement in the powder reservoir (1) by the actuating member (3), the dispensing part being advantageously formed by a perforated rotating disc (55) arranged on a bottom (13) of the powder reservoir (1) forming the outlet (14), so as to be able to align by rotation the perforation (56) of the rotating disc (55) with the outlet (14) of the powder reservoir (1).
10. Powder dispenser according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the transmission rod (51) comprises several radial blades (54) defining free ends (54e) which extend close to the internal wall (10i) of the powder reservoir (1), so as to maintain the transmission rod (51) in the longitudinal axis (X) of the powder reservoir (1).