Pump system for vaporizer

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump system (2) for a vaporizer that allows the vaporizer to be used in any position. To this end, the system (2) comprises a piston (12) sliding within a hollow portion of a part (13). The piston (12) closes the upper part of the hollow portion to form a chamber (14) for receiving the liquid to be vaporized. A first conduit (17) passing through the part (13) connects the chamber (14) to a liquid reservoir. A spring (15) is pre-stressed within the chamber (14), with one end of the spring (15) connected to the piston (12) and the other end of the spring (15) being rigidly attached to a non-return device (16) that seals the first conduit (17). The spring (15) maintains the non-return device (16) in the closed position when the pressure in the chamber (14) exceeds a certain threshold, regardless of the vaporizer's position. Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Pump system for vaporizer technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a pump system for a vaporizer or atomizer, for example, for a perfume atomizer. The invention also relates to the vaporizer comprising the pump system. The invention also relates to a piece of jewelry, in particular a necklace, keychain, or bracelet, comprising the vaporizer. Technological background

[0002] It is known to use a manually operated vaporizer or atomizer to vaporize a liquid, for example perfume, contained in a reservoir of the vaporizer. Such a vaporizer generally includes a pump system for pressurizing a quantity of the liquid to be atomized and expelling it from the vaporizer.

[0003] Such a vaporizer is, for example, described in US patent 3,399,836, issued September 3, 1968. The vaporizer described in that patent comprises a single cylinder formed midway in a liquid passage between the reservoir and the outlet nozzle of the vaporizer head. When pressure is applied to the vaporizer head, a piston arranged at the lower end of a hollow rod extending downward from the vaporizer head is moved downward inside the cylinder. The liquid contained in the cylinder is then directed inside the rod to be diffused or projected out of the outlet nozzle. The liquid thus emitted mixes with the surrounding air to be sprayed or atomized into a mist of fine liquid droplets.When the spray head is released after being pressed down to apply pressure, the piston returns upwards simultaneously with the head thanks to a return spring, thus creating a vacuum in the cylinder. This vacuum causes a check valve or ball located below the cylinder to open, allowing a predetermined amount of liquid to enter the cylinder from the reservoir.

[0004] One of the problems associated with this type of sprayer is that it only works when it is in a vertical position, with the head pointing upwards, so its use is limited to certain uses only. Summary of the invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a pump system for a vaporizer allowing the vaporizer to be used in all positions.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact pump system allowing atomization of a liquid regardless of the position of the vaporizer including such a pump system.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a pump system for a vaporizer, the system comprising:

[0008] - a piston;

[0009] - a part comprising a hollow portion formed along a longitudinal axis of the part, the hollow part being open at one end along the longitudinal axis to receive the piston sliding in said hollow part and to form a chamber, the chamber being configured to receive a determined volume of a liquid;

[0010] - a first conduit passing through the room to connect the chamber to a reservoir configured to contain a reserve of the liquid, the conduit opening into an opening of the chamber arranged at a second end of the hollow part opposite the first end of the hollow part along the longitudinal axis, a first flexible silicone hose being introduced in a sealed manner into the first conduit so as to connect the reservoir to said chamber via the first conduit and the opening;

[0011] - a compression spring arranged in the chamber along the longitudinal axis, a the first end of the spring being connected to the piston and a second end of the spring being fixed in a rigid manner to a first non-return device which seals the opening in the closed position, the spring being pre-stressed so as to keep the first non-return device in the closed position when a pressure in the chamber is greater than a first threshold.

[0012] According to one variant, a counterweight is connected to one end of the first flexible hose plunging into the tank so as to keep the end of the first flexible hose towards the bottom of the tank.

[0013] According to another variant, the counterweight has a mass greater than or equal to 0.1 g and a shape of the counterweight belongs to a set of shapes including: an anchor shape, a boat shape, a star shape, a square shape, a spherical shape, an ingot shape, a triangular shape, a parallelogram shape, a rhombus shape, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a pyramidal shape, a prism shape, a fish shape, a hook shape, a revolver shape, a fruit shape and a musical instrument shape.

[0014] According to yet another variant, the counterweight is connected to the end of the first flexible hose:

[0015] - by crimping a sleeve included in the counterweight onto the end; or

[0016] - by inserting a pin attached to the counterweight into a transverse hole in the first flexible hose at the end; or

[0017] - by magnetic cooperation with a magnet included in the end; or

[0018] - by inserting a ring into a transverse hole in the first flexible hose at at the end level, the ring forming the counterweight or retaining the counterweight; or

[0019] - by inserting two rods into a transverse bore of the first flexible hose at at the end level, the two rods are inserted opposite each other in the bore and cooperate with each other to form the counterweight or to retain the counterweight.

[0020] According to another variant, the length of the first flexible hose is provided such that the end of the first flexible hose reaches at least every point of the tank.

[0021] According to an additional variant, the first non-return device moves into an open position when the pressure in the chamber is below the first threshold, the open position of the first non-return device releasing the opening and allowing the liquid to flow from the reservoir into the chamber.

[0022] According to a further variant, the first anti-return device corresponds to a disc having a contour of a determined height, a first face of the disc bearing, in closed position, on a bottom of the chamber or on at least one seal associated with the first face, the seal resting on the bottom of the chamber, and a second face of the disc receiving the second end of the spring.

[0023] According to yet another variant, the second face includes a circular groove configured to receive the second end of the spring in a tight fit.

[0024] According to an additional variant, the contour includes drainage means configured to drain at least some of the liquid from an area located between the bottom of the chamber and the first face into the chamber when passing into the closed position of the first non-return device.

[0025] According to yet another variant, the piston extends along the longitudinal axis, the piston comprising a second conduit passing through the piston along an axis oblique to the longitudinal axis,

[0026] the second conduit comprising a first opening at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite to the first end along the oblique axis, the first opening being at a first determined distance, along the longitudinal axis, from a base of the piston inserted into the hollow part, the second opening being at a second determined distance from the base along the longitudinal axis, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0027] According to another variant, the first opening is configured to allow expulsion of the liquid present in the chamber towards the second opening when the first opening reaches the chamber during a stroke of the piston in the hollow part reducing a volume of the chamber during a so-called compression phase until reaching a minimum volume, the first non-return device being kept in the closed position during the compression phase.

[0028] According to yet another variant, a second flexible hose is introduced in a sealed manner into the second conduit through the second opening so as to expel at least part of the liquid present in the chamber to the outside of the pump system.

[0029] According to a further embodiment, the pump system further comprises a second non-return device configured to allow expulsion of the liquid present in the chamber to the outside of the pump system in an open position of the second non-return device and to prevent any expulsion of the liquid present in the chamber to the outside of the pump system in a closed position of the second non-return device

[0030] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a pump system for a vaporizer, the system comprising:

[0031] -a piston;

[0032] - a part comprising a hollow portion formed along a longitudinal axis of the part, the hollow part being open at one end along the longitudinal axis to receive the piston sliding in said hollow part and to form a chamber, the chamber being configured to receive a determined volume of a liquid;

[0033] - a first conduit passing through the room to connect the chamber to a reservoir configured to contain a reserve of the liquid, the conduit opening into an opening of the chamber arranged at a second end of the hollow part opposite the first end of the hollow part along the longitudinal axis, the reservoir comprising a set of walls arranged to form a flow path of the liquid in the reservoir from a bottom of the reservoir to the first conduit;

[0034] - a compression spring arranged in the chamber along the longitudinal axis, a the first end of the spring being connected to the piston and a second end of the spring being fixed in a rigid manner to a first non-return device which seals the opening in the closed position, the spring being pre-stressed so as to keep the first non-return device in the closed position when a pressure in the chamber is greater than a first threshold.

[0035] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a vaporizer comprising the pump system as described above according to the first aspect of the invention or according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0036] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a piece of jewelry, in particular a bracelet, a key ring or a necklace, comprising the pump system as described above according to the first aspect of the invention or the second aspect of the invention or a vaporizer as described above according to the third aspect of the invention. Brief description of the figures

[0037] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of the non-limiting embodiments of the invention below, with reference to the attached Figures 1 to 12, in which:

[0038] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vaporizer, according to an example of a particular implementation of the present invention;

[0039] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a pump system of the vaporizer of [Fig.1] in a first phase, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the pump system of the vaporizer of [Fig.1] in a second phase, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] [Fig.4] schematically illustrates the pump system of the vaporizer of [Fig.1] in a third phase, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a first example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a first view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates the first example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a second view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates the first example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a third view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a second example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a first view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates the second example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a second view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0047] [Fig. 10] schematically illustrates the second example of a non-return device included in the pump system of figures 2 to 4 according to a third view, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention;

[0048] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates a piece of jewelry comprising a bracelet and a sprayer including a pump system, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; and

[0049] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates a reservoir of the vaporizer of the [Fig. 11], according to a particular embodiment of the present invention. Description of the implementation methods

[0050] A pump system for a vaporizer, a vaporizer and a piece of jewelry comprising such a pump system will now be described in what follows with joint reference to Figures 1 to 12. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description that follows.

[0051] [Fig-1] schematically illustrates part of a vaporizer 1, according to a view in longitudinal section, according to a particular and non-limiting example of the present invention.

[0052] The vaporizer 1 advantageously corresponds to a device comprising a liquid reservoir, a pump system, and an outlet for discharging a liquid stored in the reservoir to the outside of the vaporizer. The liquid stored in the reservoir has a viscosity value at 20°C of, for example, between 1 and 5000 mPa·s (millipascal seconds), the liquid corresponding, for example, to water, perfume, a gel (for example, a hydroalcoholic gel), liquid soap, oil, acid, etc. Depending on the nature of the liquid, the output of this liquid from the vaporizer 1 is in the form of droplets (for example, for perfume or water) or as a predetermined quantity of liquid (for example, for soap, oil, or gel).

[0053] The vaporizer 1 is also called a sprayer or atomizer. The vaporizer 1 may, for example, take the form of a bottle. The dimensions of such a bottle vary and depend on the storage capacity of the reservoir, the volume of the reservoir being, for example, between a few milliliters and a few hundred milliliters.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the vaporizer 1 is incorporated into a piece of jewelry, for example a necklace, bracelet, key ring, or brooch, worn by a person. Combining the vaporizer 1 with jewelry offers the advantage of being able to carry and wear the vaporizer and to have a specific quantity of the liquid it contains constantly available.

[0055] When integrated into a piece of jewelry, the vaporizer 1 advantageously presents di Reduced dimensions. By way of non-limiting examples, the external dimensions of a box (or a parallelepiped) enclosing the vaporizer 1 are 20.18 mm x 20.7 mm x 10.079 mm (length x width x height). As another example, the dimensions are 25 x 22 x 12 mm or 18 x 18 x 8 mm.

[0056] The vaporizer 1 advantageously comprises a body 101 receiving all the parts forming the vaporizer 1, namely means for actuating the vaporizer 1 to extract liquid from the reservoir (not shown in [Fig. 1] and shown according to particular and non-limiting examples of embodiment with reference to Figures 11 and 12), a liquid reservoir (not shown in [Fig.1] and shown according to particular and non-limiting examples of embodiment with regard to Figures 11 and 12), a pump system, means for outlet 18 of the liquid to the outside of the vaporizer 1 and optionally means for filling 102, 103 of the reservoir.

[0057] The parts forming the vaporizer are, for example, made of plastic, for example polyethylene (PE). According to one embodiment, all or part of the parts of the vaporizer 1 are metallic, for example aluminum or stainless steel. According to another embodiment, some of the parts are made of plastic and others of metal.

[0058] The parts are manufactured, for example, using any method known to a person skilled in the art, for example, by plastic injection, 3D (three-dimensional) printing, milling or machining.

[0059] The vaporizer 1 is shown in a vertical position in [Fig. 1]. The vertical position corresponds to a situation where the vaporizer 1 rests on a horizontal plane XY and for which the longitudinal axis 100 of the vaporizer extends along an axis Z of an orthonormal coordinate system XYZ. The terms 'upper', 'lower', 'top' and 'bottom' used in the remainder of the description are to be interpreted with reference to the vertical position of the vaporizer 1 shown in [Fig. 1].

[0060] The vaporizer pump system includes a piston formed from a first part 11 and a second part 12, or from a single part 12 according to one variant. The number of parts constituting the piston depends, for example, on the design and manufacturing constraints of the pump system and the vaporizer 1. In the remainder of the description, it will be assumed that the piston is formed from a single part 12 for the sake of clarity.

[0061] The actuation means of the vaporizer 1 are advantageously configured to drive the piston in translation along the axis 100, for example downwards, when pressure is exerted on these actuation means, for example by a user of the vaporizer 1. These actuation means, known to those skilled in the art, correspond for example to one or more parts which the user can push in to drive the piston 12 and are not described in more detail in this text.

[0062] The pump system also includes a part 13 having a hollow portion formed along the longitudinal axis 100, this hollow portion being open at its upper end to receive the base or the head of the piston 12 when the latter is moved downwards. The piston 12 and the hollow portion of the part 13 are mounted coaxially, along the axis 100, opposite each other to allow the piston 12 to slide within the hollow portion. The base or the head of the piston 12, i.e., the lower end of the piston 12, closes the upper portion of the hollow portion. The space formed by this hollow portion closed by the base of the piston 12 forms a chamber 14 that receives liquid or fluid from the reservoir and air.

[0063] The part 13 further includes a first conduit 17 for connecting the reservoir to the chamber 14 via an opening made in the bottom of the chamber 14, the bottom of the chamber 14 corresponding to the bottom or the lower end of the hollow part formed in the part 13. The first conduit 17 enters the chamber 14 via one of its ends and enters the reservoir via one or more of its other ends.

[0064] The pump system 2 further includes a first non-return device 16 that closes the opening in the bottom of the chamber 14 when this non-return device is in a so-called closed position. When this first non-return device 16 is in a so-called open position, the opening in the bottom of the chamber 14 is free and allows liquid from the reservoir to fill part of the volume of the chamber 14. The first non-return device 16 is a component that isolates the chamber 14 from the reservoir during a so-called compression phase and allows access to the chamber 14 during a so-called vacuum phase. Examples of such a first non-return device 16 are described in more detail with reference to Figures 5 to 10. Such a first non-return device 16 is, for example, a non-return ball, a non-return valve, or a check valve.

[0065] The pump system 2 finally includes a spring 15 connecting the piston 12 to the first non-return device 16. A first end of the spring 15, i.e. the upper end of the spring 15, is connected to the base of the piston 12. This first end is, for example, inserted into a circular groove or channel formed in the base (lower end) of the piston 12. The second end of the spring 15 (opposite to the first end along the longitudinal axis 100), i.e. the lower end of the spring 15, is fixed rigidly to the first non-return device 16.

[0066] The piston 12, the hollow part, the first non-return device 16 and the spring 15 are advantageously assembled coaxially along the axis 100. The fixed attachment of the spring 15 to the first non-return device 16 allows the spring 15 to maintain the device 16 in position and to guide it axially along the axis 100, in particular during the depression phase.

[0067] According to an alternative embodiment, one or more seals (not illustrated in [Fig. 1]) is or are associated with the first non-return device 16 on its lower face to ensure sealing between the first non-return device 16 and the bottom of the chamber 14 when the first non-return device 16. Such a seal corresponds, for example, to an O-ring inserted into a groove formed for this purpose on the lower face of the first non-return device 16.

[0068] A first flexible hose (not shown in [Fig. 1] and shown according to specific and non-limiting examples of embodiment opposite Figures 11 and 12) is introduced in a sealed manner into the first conduit 17 so as to connect the tank to the chamber 14 via the first conduit 17 and the opening.

[0069] The first pipe is advantageously made of silicone, whether the silicone is of natural origin or obtained by any industrial process known to those skilled in the art.

[0070] According to other examples, the first flexible hose is made of Teflon or nylon, or any other material suitable for the liquid stored in the tank.

[0071] The length of the first flexible tube is designed so that the free end of the first tube, which is immersed in the reservoir, reaches any point in the reservoir, regardless of the position or tilt of the vaporizer. This arrangement makes it possible to draw all the liquid contained in the reservoir, even when the liquid level is low.

[0072] By way of example, the length of the first pipe corresponds to the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle whose right angle is formed by the first and second sides of the right triangle. The first side corresponds, for example, to the height between the opening in the bottom of the chamber and the bottom of the tank along the longitudinal axis 100. The second side corresponds, for example, to a segment formed between a first point corresponding to the bottom of the tank along the longitudinal axis 100 and a second point corresponding to the point on the surface forming the bottom of the tank furthest from the first point. For example, when the tank is cylindrical, the first side corresponds to the height of the cylinder and the second side to a radius of the disk forming the base of this cylinder (corresponding to the bottom of the tank).According to another example, when the tank is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the first side corresponds to the height of the parallelepiped and the second side to half of the longest side forming the base of this parallelepiped (corresponding to the bottom of the tank).

[0073] The first flexible hose has, for example, an inner diameter of 0.85 mm and an outer diameter of 1.5 mm. According to another example, the inner diameter of the first flexible hose is 2.5 mm and the outer diameter is 3, 3.1 or 3.2 mm.

[0074] According to a particular embodiment, a counterweight (or a weight) is connected to the free end of the first flexible tube extending into the reservoir so as to keep the end of the first flexible tube towards the bottom of the reservoir. The bottom of the reservoir depends on the position or inclination of the vaporizer 1. Such a counterweight is subject to gravity and allows the free end of the first flexible tube to be drawn towards the lowest point of the reservoir under the effect of gravity, regardless of the position or inclination of the vaporizer 1.

[0075] The counterweight, for example, has a mass greater than or equal to 0.1 g. In other examples, the mass of the counterweight is greater than or equal to 0.2 or 0.3 g. A As an example, the mass of the counterweight is 0.3 g for a first flexible tube with a length of 5 cm and an inner diameter of 0.85 mm. As another example, the mass of the counterweight is 2.2 g for a first flexible tube with a length of 10 cm and an inner diameter of 2.5 mm.

[0076] The counterweight is for example made of a stainless metallic material or of any material with a higher density than that of the liquid contained in the reservoir.

[0077] The shape of the counterweight is arbitrary and corresponds for example to one or more of the following shapes, without being limited to them: an anchor shape, a boat shape, a star shape, a square shape, a spherical shape, an ingot shape, a triangular shape, a parallelogram shape, a rhombus shape, a cylindrical shape, a conical shape, a pyramidal shape, a prism shape, a fish shape, a hook shape, a revolver shape, a fruit shape and a musical instrument shape.

[0078] The counterweight is connected to the free end of the first flexible hose by any method known to a person skilled in the art, for example:

[0079] - by crimping a sleeve included in the counterweight onto the free end of the first flexible hose, the counterweight incorporating for example such a sleeve; an opening is made if necessary in the first flexible hose upstream of the sleeve so that the liquid contained in the reservoir enters the hose through this opening; or

[0080] - by inserting a pin attached to the counterweight into a transverse hole in the first flexible hose at the end; according to such an example, an opening is made in the first flexible hose upstream of the pin so that the liquid contained in the reservoir enters the hose through this opening; or

[0081] - by magnetic cooperation with a magnet included in the free end, the counterweight being made of magnetic material; or

[0082] - by inserting a ring into a transverse hole in the first flexible hose at at the level of the free end of the first flexible hose, the ring forming the counterweight or retaining the counterweight; according to such an example, an opening is made in the first flexible hose upstream of the pin so that the liquid contained in the reservoir enters the hose through this opening; or

[0083] - by inserting two rods into a transverse bore of the first flexible hose at at the end level, the two rods are inserted opposite each other in the bore and cooperate with each other to form the counterweight or to retain the counterweight; according to such an example, an opening is made in the first flexible tube upstream of the pin so that the liquid contained in the reservoir enters the tube through this opening.

[0084] The pump system according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to Figures 2, 3 and 4, which each describe a phase of operation of the pump system and the vaporizer 1 comprising it.

[0085] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates the pump system 2 of the vaporizer 1 in a first phase or in a first state of operation, according to a longitudinal cross-sectional view, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] Figure 2 illustrates the pump system 2 in a state or phase referred to as the initial or rest state of the pump system. In this phase, the system is at rest, i.e., neither in the compression nor the vacuum phase. During this initial or rest phase, the pressure in chamber 14 is, for example, equal to 1 bar.

[0087] The compression phase corresponds to the phase during which pressure is exerted by the piston 12 on the contents of the chamber 14. This compression phase corresponds to the phase during which the actuation means of the vaporizer 1 are pressed, for example by a user, with the aim of evacuating the liquid (or at least a portion of the liquid, for example 70, 80, 90, 95, or 99% of the liquid) contained in the chamber 14 to the outside of the vaporizer 1. During the compression phase, the pressure in the chamber is greater than a first threshold, the first threshold being, for example, equal to 1 bar (or 1.013 bar). The pressure during the compression phase is said to be positive when the pressure is expressed relative to, or in terms of, the effective pressure, that is, relative to a reference value corresponding to atmospheric pressure, i.e., approximately 1.013 bar, the relative pressure being positive when it is greater than the first threshold value.

[0088] The depression (or decompression) phase corresponds to the phase following the compression phase during which the piston 12 returns to its initial, or rest, position. During this depression phase, the actuation means of the vaporizer 1 are released by the user, just as during the initial or rest phase. During the depression phase, the pressure in the chamber 14 is lower than the first threshold value, i.e., less than 1 bar (or 1.013 bar). The pressure during the depression phase is said to be negative when the pressure is expressed relative to, or in terms of, the effective pressure, i.e., with respect to a reference value corresponding to atmospheric pressure, i.e., approximately 1.013 bar. The relative pressure is negative when it is lower than the first threshold value.

[0089] During the initial or rest phase, i.e., the rest phase following the assembly of the parts forming the pump system and before the first use of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1, chamber 14 contains a determined volume of air. During each subsequent rest phase (i.e., after a compression-vacuum cycle), chamber 14 contains a determined volume of liquid. (or fluid) and a determined volume of air. The determined volume of liquid comes from a previous depression phase during which liquid from the reservoir reached chamber 14, as will be explained in more detail with regard to [Fig. 4].

[0090] The first non-return device 16 is held in a so-called closed position by a force exerted by the spring 15, the spring 15 being inserted pre-stressed in the chamber 14, that is to say that the spring 15 exerts a force of a determined value on the first non-return device 16 to hold it in the closed position when the pump system 2 is in the initial or rest phase.

[0091] Since the pressure in chamber 14 is, for example, equal to 1 bar during this rest phase, the pressure force exerted by the contents of chamber 14 on the first non-return device 16 is equal to 0 N. The only force exerted on the first non-return device 16 corresponds to the compression force of the spring 15, that is, the force corresponding to the preload applied to the spring in its initial position, for example, equal to 0.31 N. This preload force is sufficient to keep the first non-return device 16 in the closed position and prevent liquid from the reservoir from entering the chamber. The spring preload thus makes it possible to keep the device 16 in the closed position and to isolate chamber 14 from the reservoir, regardless of the position of the vaporizer 1.Even when the vaporizer is in a horizontal, oblique, or inverted position (i.e., the upper part of the vaporizer 1 downwards and the lower part of the vaporizer 1 upwards), the first non-return device 16 is held in the closed position by the compressive force of the spring 15 generated by the pre-stress of the spring 15.

[0092] The first non-return device 16 is held in the closed position by the spring 15 when the pressure in the chamber 14 is greater than a first threshold, typically 1 bar.

[0093] The seal between the lower face of the first non-return device 16 and the bottom of the chamber 14 is ensured for example via a level of smoothness 'Ra' equal to or less than 2 pm for each of the 2 surfaces in contact with each other when the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position.

[0094] According to one embodiment, a seal, for example an O-ring, is integrated into the bottom of the chamber 14 so as to surround the opening 24 and so that the lower face of the first non-return device 16 rests on this seal in the closed position.

[0095] According to yet another variant, the seal is integrated into the lower face of the first non-return device 16 to ensure sealing between the first non-return device 16 in the closed position and the bottom of the chamber 14.

[0096] The seal between, on the one hand, chamber 14, at the level of the open end of the The hollow portion of part 13 is closed by the base 212 of the piston 12, and the piston 12 is further sealed by one or more seals 22, 23, for example, one or more O-rings. These seals 22, 23 prevent the liquid and air contained in the chamber 14 from escaping when the piston 12 is in its initial or rest position.

[0097] The piston 12 advantageously comprises a second conduit 20 passing completely through the piston 12, the second conduit being formed transversely along an oblique axis with respect to the longitudinal axis 100 of the piston. This second conduit opens on one side of the body of the piston 12 at an opening 201 formed at one end of this conduit. According to an alternative embodiment, the body of the piston is slightly recessed around the opening 201, i.e., the opening 201 of the second conduit has a flared shape to facilitate the evacuation of the liquid contained in the chamber 14 when the piston slides and descends in the chamber 14 until the opening 201 reaches the recessed portion of the part 13.

[0098] A second flexible tube, corresponding to the liquid outlet means 18, is advantageously inserted or embedded at the other end of the second conduit 20. This second flexible tube is inserted in a sealed manner to force the liquid from the chamber, entering the second conduit 20 through the opening 201, into the second flexible tube 18. This allows the liquid expulsion to be directed in the desired direction by orienting the external orifice 202 of the flexible tube in that direction. To achieve this, the external diameter of the second flexible tube 18 is equal to or very slightly smaller than the diameter of the second conduit 20. The insertion of the second flexible tube 18 is possible by taking advantage of the deformation of the second flexible tube 18 due to the material used to manufacture it.

[0099] Optionally and according to a particular embodiment, an additional O-ring 25 is provided between the part 13 and a part guiding the piston 12 when the latter is out of the hollow part to maintain the seal outside the seals 22, 23.

[0100] The volume of chamber 14 is advantageously determined to provide optimal efficiency to the pump system 2. The objective is to have a chamber 14 capable of exchanging a liquid with an adiabatic index y, taking into account the maximum compression of the liquid with the best possible efficiency. In other words, this amounts to determining the final volume V of chamber 14 at the end of the compression phase (or equivalently the maximum volume of the piston Vp inserted into the hollow part / chamber 14) for an initial volume V0 of chamber 14.

[0101] To determine this volume V0, the general efficiency formula is used to establish an equation taking into account all the constraints of the pump system 2. This efficiency equation works regardless of the pressure phase analyzed, since it is a reversible system. In the following calculations, the compression phase will be considered. If the vacuum phase were considered, the inlet would be the liquid from the reservoir entering chamber 14 via the first conduit 17 and the opening 24 in the bottom of chamber 14, and the outlet would be the piston 12 returning to its rest position, causing a decompression force.

[0102] Considering the compression phase, the output power corresponds to the liquid pumped out of chamber 14 (via the second conduit 20) and the input of the equation corresponds to the piston 12 inserting itself into the hollow part of the part 13 from its rest position, generating a compression force.

[0103] The general efficiency equation of the system corresponds to the following equation 1:

[0104] [Math.l]

[0105] With:

[0106] q(V) corresponding to the yield as a function of the volume V,

[0107] Ps corresponding to the output power of the pump system (in watts),

[0108] Pe corresponding to the input power into the pump system (in watts),

[0109] Fs corresponding to the output force of the pump system (in Newtons),

[0110] Fe corresponding to the input force into the pump system (in Newtons),

[0111] Vs corresponding to the exit velocity of the liquid (in m / s), and

[0112] Ve corresponding to the liquid inlet velocity (in m / s).

[0113] It is considered that the output force Fs of such a pump system 2 is the force of the liquid which derives its force from the flow of the pump system 2 in m3 / s. The flow being volumetric, the volume expelled at a time 't' is equal to the volume of the piston Vp entering the hollow part and corresponds to the difference between the initial volume V0 of chamber 14 and the final volume V of the chamber.

[0114] This leads to the following equation 2:

[0115] [Math.2] dV (V0 ~ V) Fs = nd * ~ — * p * g ~-------* p * g

[0116] With:

[0117] ml corresponding to the mass of the liquid (in kg),

[0118] g corresponding to the gravitational constant (in m / s2),

[0119] p corresponding to the density of the liquid (in kg / m3),

[0120] dV / dt corresponding to the volumetric flow rate of the liquid (in m3 / s).

[0121] It is considered that the inlet force Fe of such a pump system is proportional to the pressure generated within the chamber 14 and to the surface area S 212 of the piston 12 inserted into the chamber 14 (i.e., the hollow part of the component 13). To determine the resulting compression, it is necessary to analyze the system formed by the chamber 14. Since this is a reversible system without heat exchange (adiabatic system), the system obeys Laplace's laws, according to the following equation 3:

[0122] [Math.3] P.Vv = PQVQy

[0123] With:

[0124] P corresponding to the compression pressure (in Pascals, Pa),

[0125] V corresponding to the final volume of chamber 14 (in m3),

[0126] PO corresponding to the initial pressure in chamber 14 (in Pascal, Pa), and

[0127] V0 corresponding to the initial volume of chamber 14 (in m3).

[0128] The input force Fe is then obtained from the following equation 4:

[0129] [Math.4] p# = P * $ = PO « ™ * S y Y

[0130] With S corresponding to the surface of the piston 12 in contact with the inside of the chamber 14, i.e. the surface of the base 212 of the piston 12 (in m2).

[0131] By combining equations 3 and 4 with equation 1 we obtain the following equation 5:

[0132] [Math.5] > p - g - Vs (WF) xF? *p-g* Vs (PG-y vi) pO . Q ... PCP t x. 5 ;ÿ V

[0133] To determine the maximum yield, it is sufficient to differentiate equation 5. The derivative of a function of a real variable allows us to determine the magnitude of the change in the value of the function (output value) with respect to a small change in its argument (input value).

[0134] Typically, a function is differentiable if it has no peak, break in slope, or vertical portion. Since the yield measures physical values, the function does not have a peak between the beginning and end of the compression phase. The yield q is thus characterized as a real-valued function defined on any union of non-trivial intervals, V belonging to the set [0 ; +oo[.

[0135] The derivation can only be done with respect to a derivation variable (f(x) with respect to x). Since V0 is a determined value and it is desirable to maximize the flow rate, it is then necessary to differentiate with respect to the volume variable V, given that it is the variation of volume V that generates the compression and determines the output flow rate.

[0136] We then obtain the following equation 6:

[0137] [Math.6]

[0138] From equation 6, the following equations 7, 8, 9 and 10 are deduced:

[0139] [Math.7] (y*yo*y^1 - (i + f) tp * § = o

[0140] [Math.8] y * FO FV" 1 vp. g = (1 + y) * * p * g * Vs

[0141] [Math.9]

[0142] [Math. 10]

[0143] Equation 10 above then allows us to determine the value of V according to the value of V0 chosen for the hollow part of the part 3 corresponding to the chamber 14 when the piston 12 is in the rest position.

[0144] Taking water as the reference liquid (y = 1.33 at 20°C) and a dV of 0.14 ml (0.000000137293 m3) at the pump outlet at each compression.

[0145] [Math. 11]

[0146] [Math. 12]

[0147] [Math. 13] FO = 0.000000137293 * 133

[0148] [Math. 14] FO = L826E — 07 m3

[0149] According to a particular non-limiting embodiment, the initial volume of the chamber is equal to 0.1827 ml in order to be able to expel a dV of 0.14 ml.

[0150] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates the pump system 2 of the vaporizer 1 in a second phase or in a second state of operation, according to a longitudinal cross-sectional view, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0151] Figure 3 illustrates the pump system 2 in a state or phase known as com pressure, corresponds to the phase during which pressure is exerted by the piston 12 on the contents of the chamber 14. This compression phase corresponds to the phase during which the actuation means of the vaporizer 1 are pressed by a user for example, with the aim of evacuating the liquid (or at least a part of the liquid, for example 70, 80, 90, 95 or 99% of the liquid) contained in the chamber 14 to the outside of the vaporizer 1. During the compression phase, the pressure in the chamber is positive and greater than 1 bar, this pressure increasing as the piston 12 travels in the hollow part of the part 13, that is to say as the volume of the chamber 14 decreases.

[0152] The compression phase corresponds to the phase during which the volume of chamber 14 changes from the initial volume V0 (maximum value of the volume of chamber 14) to the final volume V (minimum value of the volume of chamber 14). The decrease in the volume of chamber 14 is caused by the penetration of the piston body 12 into the hollow part of the part 13; the volume of chamber 14 is smaller the greater the stroke of the piston 12 (or the greater the volume occupied by the piston 12 in the hollow part of the part 13).

[0153] The greater the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow part of the part 13, the more the spring 15 is compressed.

[0154] The force exerted on the first non-return device 16 is greater the longer the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow part. This force is the sum of two components, namely the compressive force of the spring and the force resulting from the pressure in the chamber 14. As the compressive force of the spring 15 increases with the stroke of the piston 12 entering the hollow part, and as the pressure in the chamber 14 also increases with the stroke of the piston 12 entering the hollow part, the force exerted on the first non-return device 16 is consequently increasingly greater as the piston 12 sinks into the hollow part.

[0155] By way of example, the spring 15 has a stiffness k of 1 N / mm and a spring preload Fr exerting a force on the device 16 equal to 0.31 N (i.e., a preload of 0.31 mm). When the stroke of the piston 12 is equal to 1 mm (i.e., when the distance traveled by the base of the piston 212 from its rest position illustrated in [Fig. 2] is equal to 1 mm), the pressure force 'Fpa' exerted by the contents of the chamber 14 on the first non-return device 16 is equal to 2.75 N and the compression force 'Fr' exerted by the spring 15 on the first non-return device 16 is equal to 1.31 N. The total resulting force of Fpa and Fr is therefore equal to 4.06 N.

[0156] The resultant force of these two forces makes it possible to compress the first non-return device 16 on the bottom of the chamber 14, keeping closed the opening 24 of the first conduit 17 and preventing any leakage of the liquid contained in the chamber 14 towards the first conduit 17 and the reservoir, regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical or inclined).

[0157] When the stroke of the piston 12 reaches and exceeds a predetermined value, for example equal to 2 mm, the opening 201 of the second conduit 20 begins to penetrate the hollow part of the component 13, passing over the seal(s) 22, 23. The liquid contained in the chamber and pressurized by the air contained in the chamber 14 (which is itself compressed by the stroke of the piston) then escapes from the chamber 14 via the opening 201 and the second conduit 20. This liquid is then expelled from the chamber 14, the pump system 2 and the vaporizer via the outlet 202 of the second flexible hose 18 inserted into the second conduit 20. The piston 12 continues its stroke while the liquid is expelled from the chamber 14 under the force exerted by the user on the control means, until it reaches a maximum stroke, for example equal to 3 mm. The force applied to the first non-return device 16 reaches its maximum value, for example equal to 11.56 N, at the end of the stroke of the piston 12, maintaining the first non-return device 16 in the closed position and preventing any liquid from the reservoir from entering the chamber, regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical or inclined), the spring 15 being compressed to the maximum by the piston 12 on the first non-return device 16. .

[0158] At the end of the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow part, the liquid (or at least a part of the liquid, for example 70, 80, 90, 95 or 99% of the liquid) contained in the chamber 14 is expelled to the outside via the second conduit 20 and the chamber returns to a neutral pressure, the chamber 14 being connected to the outside atmosphere via the opening 201 and the second conduit 20.

[0159] When the user releases the control means of the vaporizer 1, the piston 12 is returned upwards by the restoring force of the spring 15. When the distance traveled by the piston in its return stroke (the reverse stroke relative to the stroke generating the compression) is such that the opening 201 is no longer in the hollow section (the stroke of the piston 12 returns to the determined value, for example, 2 mm) and the seal(s) 22, 23 again ensure the sealing of the hollow section and the chamber 14 with respect to the outside of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1, a vacuum begins to form. At this instant, corresponding to the beginning (t0) of the vacuum phase, the first non-return device 16 is forced into the closed position solely by the spring, which exerts a force of, for example, 2.31 N (the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow section being 2 mm).This force makes it possible to keep chamber 14 sealed against the first conduit 17 and the reservoir and to prevent liquid from the reservoir from entering chamber 14, regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical or inclined).

[0160] [Fig-4] schematically illustrates the pump system 2 of the vaporizer 1 in a third phase or in a third state of operation, according to a longitudinal cross-sectional view, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0161] Figure 4 illustrates the pump system 2 in a state or phase known as depression (or decompression), which corresponds to the phase following the compression phase. During the depression phase, the first non-return device 16 rises to the open position and liquid is drawn from the reservoir into the chamber via the first conduit 17 and the opening 24, until the first non-return device 16 returns to the closed position and the piston 12 returns to its rest position as described opposite Figure 2. During this depression phase, the actuation means of the vaporizer 1 are released by the user.

[0162] During the depression phase, the chamber 14 is isolated from the external environment by the seal(s) 22, 23, the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow part being less than 2 mm, the piston moving upwards.

[0163] At the beginning of the depression phase, the first non-return device 16 is held in the closed position only by the compression force Fr exerted by the spring, for example equal to 2.31 N. At this instant, the depression (resulting from a negative pressure in the chamber 14) generated by the upward movement of the piston 12 is too weak for the force generated by this depression to drive the first non-return device 16 upwards (the depression force is opposite to the compression force Fr of the spring 15, and for the moment less than this force Fr).

[0164] As the piston 12 moves upwards (the stroke of the piston 12 in the hollow part decreases, i.e. the volume occupied by the body of the piston 12 in the hollow part decreases), the compressive force Fr of the spring 15 exerted on the first non-return device 16 (keeping it in the closed position) decreases and the force 'Fpb' exerted by the depression and tending to make the first non-return device 16 rise upwards to make it pass into the open position increases.

[0165] For example, when the piston is raised 2 mm upwards (the stroke of the piston in the hollow part being then equal to 1 mm), the force Fr is equal to 1.31 N and the force Fpb in the opposite direction generated by the depression is equal to 0.928 N. Fr being greater than Fpb, the first non-return device 16 is then kept in the closed position, regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical or inclined).

[0166] According to another example, when the piston is raised 2.5 mm (the piston stroke in the hollow part then being 0.5 mm), the force Fr is 0.81 N and the opposing force Fpb generated by the vacuum is 1.392 N. Since Fr is less than Fpb, the first non-return device 16 automatically opens, freeing the opening 24 of the first conduit 17, regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical, or inclined). Liquid is then automatically drawn into the chamber 14 from the reservoir via the first conduit 17 and the opening 24.

[0167] The first non-return device 16 goes into the open position when the pressure falls below a second threshold, for example equal to the first threshold (for example equal to 1 bar or 1.013 bar), for example when the pressure in the chamber 14 is less than 1 bar.

[0168] The aspirated liquid is in the same quantity as in a state-of-the-art pump system in which the first non-return device 16 is not attached to the spring 15. Indeed, even if the first non-return device 16 of the pump system 2 according to the invention is held in the closed position for longer thanks to the spring 15 compared to a state-of-the-art system, the suction force remains identical, the liquid simply being aspirated more quickly than in a state-of-the-art system.

[0169] When the piston reaches its rest position, i.e., when it has risen 3 mm (and its stroke in the hollow part is finally equal to 0 mm), the force Fpb generated by the vacuum reaches, for example, a maximum value of 1.856 N, and the volume of liquid that has entered chamber 14 is, for example, equal to dV, i.e., 14 ml, according to the example in [Fig. 2]. When the piston 12 reaches its rest position, the pressure in chamber 14 returns to equilibrium, i.e., 1 bar, and the compressive force Fr of the spring is again equal to the preload value, for example, equal to 0.31 N. The first non-return device 16 is then constrained by the spring 15 and returns to the closed position by means of a sliding action. controlled, closing the opening and the first conduit (chamber 14 is sealed with respect to the reservoir and with respect to the outside atmosphere), and this regardless of the position of the pump system 2 and the vaporizer 1 (horizontal, vertical or inclined).

[0170] It is possible to estimate the instant corresponding to the start of liquid aspiration in chamber 14, that is, the instant at which the first non-return device 16 moves to the open position. This instant is expressed as the stroke of piston 12.

[0171] The triggering of the first anti-return device 16 (opening) takes place when the current vacuum force Fpb becomes greater than the current compression force Fr of the spring 15.

[0172] Fpb: current depression force, expressed in N, according to the displacement or stroke of piston 12.

[0173] Fr: current compression force of spring 15, expressed in N.

[0174] When Fpb > Fr, then the opening of the first non-return device 16 is triggered. Fpb is greater than Fr when one of the following conditions is met:

[0175] (X / Amm) * Fpbt > k * Ci + k*(Amm - X)

[0176] (X / Amm) * Fpbt > k*Ci + k*Amm - k*X

[0177] X*((Fpbt / Amm) + k) > k*Ci + k*Amm

[0178] The first non-return device 16 is triggered (opens) when the stroke X of the piston 15 fulfills the condition expressed by the following formula:

[0179] [Math. 15] v. k*(Ci + Amm) x Fpbt ârnm + ';

[0180] With Ci: initial compression of spring 15 (in N),

[0181] Amm: total intended displacement of piston 12 (in mm),

[0182] Fpbt: Total depression force (in N),

[0183] k: Spring stiffness (N / mm)

[0184] X: distance in mm that the piston 12 will travel back to the initial position before the first anti-return device 16 is lifted.

[0185] The piston 12 begins the suction phase when it has reached the end of its stroke, fully retracted into the chamber 14, and the pressure has returned to neutral. In this position, X=0. Then the piston 12 begins to retract, and X becomes greater than 0. The maximum value of X is equal to Amm. If X ever increases to more than x% (where x is an integer) of Amm, then there is a risk that the non-return device 16 will not activate. If Ci ever exceeds x% of Fpbt, then there is a risk that the non-return device 16 will not activate.

[0186] The losses of the non-return device are calculated as follows:

[0187] Losses in % = (Ci / Fpbt)* 100

[0188] These losses are, for example, in the order of 4 to 10%.

[0189] Such a pump system 2 allows the vaporizer to be used in all positions (horizontal, vertical, or inclined) thanks to the action of the spring 15 on the first non-return device 16 to which it is rigidly attached (for example, press-fitted, glued, or welded). Indeed, such a system eliminates the force resulting from gravity, the mass of the first non-return device 16 being such that the force resulting from gravity is significantly less than, or even negligible than, Fr, Fpa, or Fpb.

[0190] The fixed connection between the spring 15 and the first non-return device 16 allows the spring 15 to maintain and axially guide (along axis 100) the first non-return device 16, preventing the latter, when in the open position, from moving into a position that would prevent it from returning to the closed position and ensuring a seal between the chamber 14 and the reservoir. The cylindrical shape of the first non-return device 16 incorporated into a larger cylinder, i.e., the hollow portion of part 13, allows for controlled sliding operation, which provides total control of the movement of the first non-return device 16, independent of gravity. The same advantage is obtained with a first non-return device 16 of parallelepiped shape and a hollow portion of the same parallelepiped shape; only the dimensions of the device 16 and the hollow portion receiving this device 16 are different.

[0191] The opening 24 is of arbitrary shape. According to a first example, the opening corresponds to a hole of the same diameter as the first conduit 17. According to another example, the opening has a flared shape, the diameter of the opening 24 at the bottom of the chamber 14 being greater than the diameter of the first conduit 17. According to yet another example, the opening 24 corresponds to a cylinder with a diameter greater than the diameter of the first conduit 17.

[0192] According to an optional embodiment, a second flexible tube is inserted in a sealed manner into the first conduit so as to connect the reservoir to the chamber 14 via the first conduit 17 and the opening 24. This second tube is inserted into the end of the first conduit 17 opposite the opening 24 and is of a length suitable for reaching the bottom of the reservoir. According to an advantageous embodiment, a counterweight or weight is attached to the end of this second flexible tube extending into the reservoir so as to maintain the end of the second tube at the bottom of the reservoir, i.e., at the bottom of the liquid (or fluid) contained in the reservoir, regardless of the position of the reservoir and the vaporizer 1.Thanks to this counterweight or weight, the end of the second flexible hose remains immersed in the liquid contained in the reservoir, which allows the liquid to be drawn in during the vacuum phase, the counterweight keeping the end of the second flexible hose at the bottom of the. A reservoir receives the liquid by gravity. This counterweight or weight corresponds, for example, to a ring of a specific mass surrounding the end of the second flexible hose and attached to it (for example, by gluing). In another example, this counterweight or weight corresponds to an anchor attached to the second hose.

[0193] The first non-return device 16 is advantageously shaped to facilitate the transition from the open position to the closed position of the first non-return device 16, by facilitating the flow of the liquid present between the lower face of the first non-return device 16 resting on the bottom of the chamber 14 in the closed position and the bottom of the chamber 14.

[0194] Examples of such a first anti-return device 16 are described below with reference to figures 6 to 10.

[0195] [Fig.5] schematically illustrates a first view of a first example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0196] [Fig.6] schematically illustrates a second view of the first example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0197] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a third view of the first example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0198] Fig. 5 illustrates the first anti-return device 16 in a front view, corresponding to the top view along axis 100.

[0199] Fig. 6 illustrates the first non-return device 16 from a side view, for example a left view.

[0200] Fig. 7 illustrates the first non-return device 16 according to an isometric view.

[0201] According to this first example, the first non-return device 16 has the general shape of a disc or a token. The first non-return device 16 has a first face 55 (also called the lower face or bottom face when the vaporizer 1 is in a vertical reference position corresponding to the position illustrated opposite [Fig. 1]) corresponding to the face bearing against the bottom of the chamber 14 when the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position. The first non-return device 16 has a second face 54 (also called the upper face or top face) corresponding to the face receiving the spring 15.

[0202] The first face 55 is, for example, flat, particularly when the bottom of the chamber 14 receiving this first face 55 is also flat. According to an alternative embodiment, this first face 55 has a hemispherical shape or at least a part of this first face 55 has a hemispherical shape, the hemi spherical shape closing the opening 24 made in the bottom of the chamber 14, the diameter of the hemispherical shape being adapted to the diameter of the opening 24 so as to fit at least partially into the opening 24 when the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position.

[0203] The first non-return device 16 comprises a contour of a determined height, for example, a few millimeters. According to the particular example shown in Figures 5 to 7, the contour comprises an alternation of notches 51 and drainage means 52. The drainage means 52 correspond, for example, to one or more grooves formed in the contour, in the longitudinal direction of the contour. The drainage means or grooves 52 are configured to facilitate the flow of the liquid located between the first face 55 and the bottom of the chamber 14, particularly when the first non-return device 16 moves from the open position to the closed position.

[0204] The number of grooves is between 1 groove and 8, 10, 12 or more grooves, a notch corresponding to a piece of the contour included between two grooves.

[0205] The first anti-return device 16 also includes a circular groove 53 (also called a circular groove) configured to receive the end of the spring 15, which is fixed securely to the first anti-return device 16. The circular groove 53 is formed on the periphery of the second face 54, inside the contour closing the disc corresponding to the first anti-return device 16. The depth of the groove 53 is, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm. The lower end of the spring 15 is advantageously inserted into the circular groove 53 by means of an interference or press fit to ensure a secure connection between the first anti-return device 16 and the spring 15.

[0206] Such an arrangement of the first non-return device 16 offers several advantages. The fixed connection between the spring 15 and the device 16, combined with the stiffness of the spring 15, allows the spring 15 to maintain the first non-return device 16 in a stable position, whether the first non-return device 16 is in the open or closed position. The fixed connection between the spring 15 and the device 16 also allows the spring 15 to guide the movement of the non-return device along the axis 100 to move from the closed position to the open position and vice versa, preventing, for example, the non-return device from becoming misaligned with respect to the axis 100, particularly when the latter is in the open position.Correctly guiding and maintaining the device 16 in the correct position, for example in the open position, allows the device to return correctly to its previous position, for example in the closed position, so that it fully performs its function (for example, closing the opening 24 and isolating the chamber 14 from the liquid reservoir). The notches 51 (or tabs) also contribute to the proper return of the first non-return device 16 to its previous position.

[0207] The drainage means 52 also facilitate the return to the closed position by facilitating the flow of liquid. Furthermore, such drainage means 52 significantly limit the occurrence of turbulence or bubbling under the first face 55, particularly during the transition from the closed to the open position. Limiting turbulence thus facilitates proper guidance and retention in the correct position of the first non-return device 16 by the spring 15.

[0208] According to one embodiment, a seal is fixed to the first face 55 to improve the seal between the first non-return device 16 and the bottom of the chamber 14 in the closed position. This seal corresponds, for example, to an O-ring pressed into a circular groove formed in the first face 55 and provided to receive the seal.

[0209] According to another embodiment, the second face 54 has a domed, conical, cylindrical, or hemispherical shape rising vertically along the axis 100. According to this embodiment, the base 212 of the piston has a complementary shape to accommodate this domed, cylindrical, hemispherical, or conical shape when the piston 12 is at the end of its stroke in the hollow part and the volume of the chamber 14 is at its minimum. Such a shape facilitates the flow and good distribution of the liquid around the device 16, particularly during the compression phase. Such a shape also facilitates the flow of the fluid present in the chamber when the device 16 moves from the closed position to the open position.

[0210] [Fig.8] schematically illustrates a first view of a second example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0211] [Fig.9] schematically illustrates a second view of the second example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0212] [Fig.7] schematically illustrates a third view of the second example of a first non-return device 16 included in the pump system 2, according to a particular and non-limiting embodiment of the present invention.

[0213] Fig. 8 illustrates the first non-return device 16 in a front view, corresponding to the top view along axis 100.

[0214] Fig. 9 illustrates the first non-return device 16 from a side view, for example a left view.

[0215] Fig. 10 illustrates the first non-return device 16 according to an isometric view.

[0216] According to this second example, the first non-return device 16 has the general shape of a disc or token. The first non-return device 16 has a first face 62 (also called the lower face or bottom face when the vaporizer 1 is in a vertical reference position corresponding to the position illustrated opposite the [Fig. 1]) corresponding to the face facing the bottom of chamber 14 when the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position. This first face advantageously comprises in its center a downward-extending hemisphere 63, the base of which belongs to the first face 62. This hemisphere 63 is adapted to bear against the edges of the opening 24 to close the opening 24 when the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position. This hemisphere 63 also advantageously serves as a drainage means to facilitate the flow of liquid located between the first face 62 and the bottom of chamber 14 when the non-return device moves from the open to the closed position. The first non-return device 16 has a second face 64 (also called the upper face or top face) corresponding to the face receiving the spring 15.

[0217] The first anti-return device 16 comprises a contour 61 of a determined height, for example a few millimeters. According to the particular example in Figures 8 to 10, the contour 61 is solid and corresponds to a peripheral ring closing the disk.

[0218] The first anti-return device 16 also includes a circular groove 65 (also called a circular groove) configured to receive the end of the spring 15, which is fixed securely to the first anti-return device 16. The circular groove 65 is formed in the second face 64 on its periphery, inside and along the contour 61. The depth of the groove 65 is, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 mm, depending on the available material. The lower end of the spring 15 is advantageously inserted into the circular groove 65 by means of an interference or press fit to ensure a secure connection between the first anti-return device 16 and the spring 15.

[0219] According to one embodiment, at least a part of the upper edge of the contour 61 has a part that folds down into the second face 64 to block the spring 15 in translation along the axis 100 and prevent the spring 15 from coming out of the groove 65.

[0220] Of course, the secure attachment of the spring 15 to the first anti-return device 16 is not limited to a tight fit of one end of the spring 15 in a groove 53, 65 but extends to all means of attachment, for example by gluing or welding the lower end of the spring 15 to the second face 54, 64.

[0221] [Fig. 11] schematically illustrates a piece of jewelry 7 comprising a bracelet 71 and a va porisateur 70, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0222] The jewel 7 according to the example in [Fig. 11] corresponds to a jewel worn on a wrist by means of a bracelet 71. The bracelet is made of any known material, for example leather, plastic, silicone, metallic material.

[0223] The bracelet is, for example, made of a material compatible with and resistant to hydroalcoholic gel, for example nylon, PETG (PET + glycol, a derivative and therefore same chemical composition as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), Polypropylene, Polyethylene, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), polycarbonate, TPU (thermoplastic elastomers), ASA (amorphous thermoplastic similar to ABS), PEI (polyaryletherketone), etc.

[0224] A vaporizer 70 is attached to the bracelet 70 to form the jewelry 7. Such a vaporizer includes a pump system according to the invention, for example the pump system as described opposite Figures 1 to 10.

[0225] According to a particular embodiment corresponding to the illustration in [Fig. 11], the pump system differs from that shown opposite Figures 1 to 4 in that the evacuation of the liquid aspirated into the chamber 14 to the outside is done via a conduit formed along the longitudinal axis of the vaporizer, via the variant opening 701 (and not via the second flexible hose 18).

[0226] The elements common to the pump system of Figures 1 to 4 on the one hand and the pump system of [Fig. 11] bear the same reference numbers and are not described again in detail.

[0227] According to the example of [Fig.1 1], the pump system further includes a second check valve 702 configured to permit expulsion of the liquid present in the chamber 14 to the outside of the pump system (via the opening 701) in an open position of the second check valve 702 and to prohibit any expulsion of the liquid present in the chamber 14 to the outside of the pump system in a closed position of the second check valve 702.

[0228] The second non-return device 702 has, for example, a shape equal or similar to that of the first non-return device 16. According to one variant, the shape of the second non-return device 702 is different from that of the first non-return device 16.

[0229] The second non-return device 702 is constrained via a spring 703, a first end of the spring 703 bearing against the inner face of a support element 700 of the pump system and a second end of the spring bearing against the upper face of the second non-return device 702.

[0230] The spring 703 is configured to return the second non-return device 702 to the closed position when the liquid, or at least part of the liquid, contained in the chamber 14 has been expelled from the chamber 14 to the outside of the vaporizer when a user presses the element 700.

[0231] Such a second non-return device allows for continuous expulsion of the liquid during the time interval in which the second non-return device 702 is in the open position (and the first non-return device 16 is in the closed position).

[0232] According to the particular example of [Fig. 11], the first non-return device 16 is provided with a seal 704 on its lower face, such a seal 704 making it possible to ensure the seal between the chamber 14 and the reservoir 706 in the closed position of the first non-return device 16.

[0233] According to the particular example of [Fig. 11], the second non-return device 702 is provided with a seal 707 on its lower face, such a seal 707 ensuring a seal between the chamber 14 and the conduit connecting the chamber 14 to the outside via the opening 701 in the closed position of the second non-return device 702

[0234] The first flexible hose 705 connecting the first conduit 17 to the reservoir 706 is illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0235] [Fig. 12] schematically illustrates a reservoir 8, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0236] The reservoir 8 is adapted to be integrated into the vaporizer 1 or the vaporizer 70. Such a reservoir 8 comprises a set of internal walls 81 formed so as to define a flow path (or passage) of the liquid in the reservoir from a bottom of the reservoir to the first conduit 17.

[0237] The walls 81 are formed in such a way as to limit pressure losses while maximizing the available space in the reservoir 8 for storing liquid.

[0238] When such a reservoir 8 is fitted to a vaporizer, the pump system of the vaporizer does not include the first flexible hose 705, the latter 705 being replaced by the liquid flow path formed by the internal wall system 81.

[0239] In such a reservoir, a bore is advantageously provided in the bottom of the reservoir (the bottom corresponding to the face of the reservoir opposite the opening formed in the bottom of the chamber (connected to the first conduit 17)). Such a bore is provided to allow air to enter the reservoir as the liquid passes from the reservoir 8 into the chamber 14 during the liquid suction phases induced by the movement of the piston 12.

[0240] The bore advantageously has a diameter as small as possible to avoid any leakage of liquid from the reservoir, for example a diameter less than or equal to 1 mm, for example equal to 0.3, 0.5 or 0.7 mm.

[0241] The invention also relates to a piece of jewelry comprising the vaporizer 1. The piece of jewelry corresponding, for example, to one of the following:

[0242] - a necklace, the vaporizer being associated (for example connected) to a chain, a cord or a ribbon via a fastening system;

[0243] - a bracelet, the vaporizer being associated (for example connected) to a chain, a cord or ribbon (made of leather, silicone or metal for example) via a fastening system (for example via a pump);

[0244] - a belt to which the vaporizer is attached;

[0245] - a pin, the vaporizer being associated, for example connected, to a needle of pin fixing;

[0246] - a key ring, the vaporizer being associated, for example connected, to a configured ring to receive one or more keys, a chain or a cord connecting the ring to the vaporizer 1.

[0247] Vaporizer 1 is perfectly suited for integration into jewelry since the vaporizer is designed to be used in all positions thanks to the pump system 2 or 70 that it integrates.

[0248] The pump system has a small footprint, for example with an outer radius of 5.4 mm for a length of 14.38 mm, for a total footprint of 1316 mm3. According to such an example, the pump system is configured to pump a volume of 0.1 ml of liquid.

[0249] According to another example, a pump system (for example mounted on a bracelet) has an outer radius of 7 mm for a length of 17 mm, for a total overall size of 11343 mm3. According to such an example, the pump system is configured to pump a volume of 2.23 ml of liquid.

Claims

Demands

1. Pump system (2) for vaporizer (1), said system (2) comprising: - a piston (12); - a part (13) comprising a hollow part formed along a longitudinal axis (100) of said part (13), said hollow part being open at a first end along said longitudinal axis (100) to receive said piston (12) sliding in said hollow part and forming a chamber (14), said chamber (14) being configured to receive a determined volume of a liquid;- a first conduit (17) passing through said part (13) to connect said chamber (14) to a reservoir (8) configured to contain a reserve of said liquid, said first conduit (17) opening into an opening (24) of said chamber (14) arranged at a second end of said hollow part opposite said first end of the hollow part along said longitudinal axis (100), said reservoir (8) comprising a set of walls (81) internal to said reservoir (8), said walls being arranged to form a flow path of said liquid in said reservoir (8) from a bottom of said reservoir to said first conduit (17);- a spring (15) arranged in said chamber (14) along said longitudinal axis (100), a first end of said spring (15) being connected to said piston (12) and a second end of said spring (15) being fixed in a rigid manner to a first non-return device (16) sealing said opening (24) in the closed position, said spring (15) being pre-stressed so as to maintain said first non-return device (16) in said closed position when a pressure in said chamber (14) is greater than a first threshold.;

2. Pump system according to claim 1, wherein said first non-return device (16) corresponds to a disc having a contour of a determined height, a first face (55) of said disc bearing, in closed position, on a bottom of said chamber (14) or on at least one seal associated with said first face, said seal resting on said bottom of said chamber (14), and a second face (54) of the disc receiving the second end of said spring (15).

3. Pump system according to claim 2, wherein said second face (54) comprises a circular groove (53) configured to receive the second end of said spring (15) in tight assembly.

4. A pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said piston (12) extends along said longitudinal axis (100), said piston comprising a second conduit (20) passing through said piston (12) along an axis oblique to said longitudinal axis (100), said second conduit (20) comprising a first opening (201) at a first end and a second opening at a second end opposite said first end along said oblique axis, said first opening (201) being at a first determined distance, along said longitudinal axis (100), from a base (212) of said piston (12) inserted into said hollow part, said second opening being at a second determined distance from said base (212) along said longitudinal axis (100), said second distance being greater than said first distance,said first opening (201) being configured to allow expulsion of said liquid present in said chamber (14) towards said second opening when said first opening (201) reaches said chamber (14) during a stroke of said piston (12) in said hollow part reducing a volume of said chamber (14) during a said compression phase until reaching a minimum volume, said first non-return device (16) being maintained in said closed position during said compression phase.

5. Pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second check valve (702) configured to permit expulsion of said liquid present in said chamber (14) to the outside of said pump system in an open position of said second check valve and to prohibit any expulsion of said liquid present in said chamber (14) to the outside of said pump system in a closed position of said second check valve (702).

6. Jewellery comprising the pump system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

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