Cap for fluid sample dispenser.

Abstract

Stopper for dispensing fluid samples. The invention relates to a special stopper (1) for dispensing samples of fluids of varying viscosities, such as cosmetics or food products. This stopper (1) comprises means (2, 5) for sealing the container to which it is to be attached, a motorized rod (3) comprising a longitudinal conduit (4) passing through the sealing means (2, 5) and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the plane of the container's opening, and at the end of which at least one blade (7) is fixed, and a motor (8) for actuating the rotating rod (3). The conduit of a dispensing pump (30) can be inserted into the rod (3), and the actuation of the blades (7) allows the product to be drawn towards the center and prevents air from being pumped. [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Cap for fluid sample dispenser.

[0001] The invention relates, in general, to the distribution of samples of more or less viscous fluids, such as for example cosmetics or even food products.

[0002] Traditionally, perfume and cosmetics stores offer their customers the opportunity to try various products, both perfumes, which are very liquid, and creams, which are much more viscous. Typically, a commercial container of the product is unpacked and left for self-service. Each customer handles it as they wish, which can pose several problems. On the one hand, there is a hygiene problem, as all customers handle the object freely and possibly spill product on the displays. On the other hand, there is also a problem of waste, as the quantities taken are not at all controllable and the bottoms of the pots are often unused. The product is systematically changed when only about 30% remains. There is also a problem of space, as the samples are often placed on fairly large shelves in front of the shelves.

[0003] A large number of these products are packaged in bottles closed by a dosing pump system also called a cosmetic pump, or dispensing pump. The operating principle of these pumps is well known. A circuit (a tube) connects the dispensing outlet of the pump located in the pump head with the inside of the bottle, generally the bottom of the bottle. In the pump head, a chamber is inserted, closed at the bottom by a "ball" type valve which only allows the fluid to move in this circuit in one direction, towards the outlet. When the pump head is pressed, the pressure presses on the ball which closes the circuit, at the same time, the volume of the chamber is reduced which forces its contents to be evacuated towards the pump outlet. When the pressure is released, the vacuum lifts the ball and fluid is sucked from the bottle towards the chamber whose volume returns to its initial dimension.The pump head serves as both a cap and a means of dispensing the product. It is essential that this cap seals the bottle tightly.

[0004] This system is not, however, suitable for all products, and in particular for viscous products such as certain creams, which are then distributed in pots with screw-on "lids" several centimeters in diameter. Indeed, during the suction phase with the dosing pump, if the viscosity is too high, a vacuum forms at the base of the tube in the bottom of the bottle, and at the next suction, air is sucked in, creating bubbles in the system. The quantity dispensed at each pressure then becomes random, or even zero because after a few actuations of the pump, the product in the circuit is completely replaced by air.

[0005] The applicant therefore considered it necessary to develop a dispenser adapted to these products, making it possible to control, or even automate, the delivery of the product, with a dosing pump system and taking up very little space.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a stopper for a container comprising: - means for sealing the container, - A motorized rod comprising a longitudinal conduit and passing through the sealing means and having an axis of rotation perpendicular to the opening plane of the container, and at the end of which at least one blade is fixed, and - A motor for actuating the rotating rod.

[0007] A cap for a container here broadly designates both a cap for a bottle neck or a lid for a jar, without limitation of diameter. The cap comprises means for fixing to a container, which may for example comprise a complementary tapping of a thread on the container, and / or clamps for gripping the container or means for clipping onto the container.

[0008] The means for sealing the container in a sealed manner designates means for preventing the circulation of air and other fluids between the inside and the outside of the container other than via the longitudinal conduit included in the stem. This is important for the preservation of the product contained in the container. The sealed sealing means are intended to cover the opening of the container and therefore generally have a disc shape whose diameter is substantially that of the opening of the container. The sealed sealing means may comprise a seal (to be arranged at the level of the opening periphery of the container), a disc, a spring (to allow the adjustment of a contact between two parts), ...

[0009] The motorized rod is arranged to pass through the sealing means. A part of the rod is therefore intended to be introduced into the container, the other part emerges from the stopper on the other side. Its axis of rotation is perpendicular to the opening plane of the container and therefore by extension to the sealing means which are intended to be arranged in the opening plane of the container to ensure sealing.

[0010] At least one blade is fixed to the end of the rod, preferably between two and four blades, and more preferably two blades. The blades are intended to rotate against the bottom of the container. They are therefore preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rod, i.e. horizontally in operational mode. Their shape can be adjusted to the shape of the bottom of the container.

[0011] Preferably, the motorized rod is arranged to be movable along its axis through the means of airtight sealing. This allows the length of the rod to be easily adapted to the size of the container so that the blades reach the bottom of the container.

[0012] The rod can be rotated by means of a motor, preferably housed on the external part of the cap and coupled to the rod. This is an electric motor which can be battery-powered, also included in the cap, or include a connection port to a current source.

[0013] The electric motor may operate intermittently or continuously. Preferably, the motor operates intermittently, more preferably intermittently after a product dispensing.

[0014] By actuating the rod, the blades are set in rotation to move the contents at the bottom of the container towards the center in order to overcome the problem of the formation of an air hole following the removal of material from the container and thus avoid the formation of bubbles in a distribution circuit of a metering pump which can be coupled to the cap of the invention.

[0015] The axis of rotation of the rod is preferably centered relative to the container (and the closure means) to allow rotation

[0016] Moreover, the rod comprises a longitudinal conduit to allow the insertion of the sampling tube of a metering pump. The longitudinal conduit may comprise a seal for sealing the container when a sampling tube of a metering pump is inserted therein.

[0017] The cap may be composed of one or more parts. When the cap is composed of several parts, which can be assembled by any means of sealed assembly. When the cap is composed of several parts, it may be for example the stem with its blades, a part supporting the motor, and an adapter part on the container. It is thus easy to manufacture the stem and the motor part in a standard way and to provide a variety of adapter parts (less expensive) to be able to easily vary the products.

[0018] The invention therefore also relates to the assembly formed by:

[0019] -the stopper of the invention and

[0020] - a metering pump comprising a dispensing piston with a chamber and a non-return valve, connected to a sampling tube,

[0021] The sampling tube being inserted into the longitudinal conduit of the plug.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the rod actuating motor is arranged to actuate in synchronization with the actuation of the pump dispensing piston. Thus, the rod motor only operates intermittently, when product is withdrawn from the container, to re-homogenize the contents of the bottom of the container before a new withdrawal.

[0023] Advantageously, for this, the distribution pump can also be motorized, and the dispensing motor is then synchronized with the rod actuating motor. In this case, a power supply is provided for the dispensing motor, for example a battery or a mains connection. There are several ways known to those skilled in the art to motorize such a pump. For example, the movement of the piston and / or the movement of the chamber can be motorized.

[0024] The metering pump may further comprise a sensor coupled to the motor of the dispensing piston. The sensor is, for example, a pressure detector (such as a button that is pressed), a movement or presence detector which detects, for example, the passage or presence of a hand or an object under the dispensing piston.

[0025] Installed in a shop, the dosing pump can be more or less distant from the cap of the invention and the container on which it is fitted, the sampling tube is then longer than traditionally. This makes it possible, for example, to place several dosing pumps together in a reduced space and to place the caps and containers a little further away in a closed cabinet in locations that optimize space.

[0026] In the case where each dosing pump is equipped with a sensor, the user can then choose the product he wishes to test by passing his hand or an object under the corresponding dosing pump (identified for example by a suitable label or any other means of identification). An indicator light can be added to confirm which dosing pump is dispensing the product.

[0027] Generally speaking, the hermeticity of the pump-cap-container assembly is important for the proper functioning of the sample dispenser and compliance with the microbiology of the products.

[0028] Another important parameter is the compatibility of the materials of the parts intended to be in contact with the products themselves, so that there is no contamination of the products. A person skilled in the art will be able to identify the appropriate materials depending on the use.

[0029] Generic materials that can be used in cosmetics, for example for the stem and the blades of the cap, are for example nitrile (Nitrile FDA), Teflon (PTFE), a PP / PE mixture, or stainless steel. These can also be materials such as Trea-Seal® marketed by Tekniplex.

[0030] The cap of the invention can be used for any type of sample distribution for testing products, and in particular for products requiring particular hygiene standards for their handling, such as cosmetic products (creams, makeup, etc.), food products (oils, yogurts, dessert creams, drinks, alcohols, syrups, etc.). It is mainly intended to be used in any place where a product demonstration is necessary, such as stores, offices, events, fairs or exhibitions or in public places such as stations, airports, outdoor spaces.

[0031] It allows the handling of products with a certain viscosity which could not previously be used with dosing pumps, such as creams or emulsions.

[0032] The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description of several embodiments, corresponding to the drawing in which: - [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a stopper according to the invention; - [Fig.2] is a sectional view of the cap of [Fig.l]; - [Fig.3] illustrates a stopper-pump assembly of the invention; - [Fig.4] illustrates another implementation of a pump cap assembly according to the invention.

[0033] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a cap 1 for a container (shown in dotted lines) according to the invention comprises means 2 for sealing the container, here a lid that can be screwed onto a container. A motorized rod 3 passes through the lid 2. A longitudinal conduit 4 extends in the center of the rod, over its entire length. The axis of the rod AA' also corresponds to its axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the opening plane of the container, i.e. here to the surface 5 of the lid. The lower end 6 of the rod is intended to penetrate into the container. At this end is fixed a blade 7, which can be considered as a double blade. The longitudinal conduit 4 running through the rod opens here at the center of the blade. A motor 8 is housed in a protected compartment on top of the cap. It is adapted to drive the rod 3 in rotation, in a manner well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0034] The cap 1 is here screwed tightly onto the container. Although this is not the case here, an annular seal could also be wedged between the cap and the edges of the opening to ensure sealing.

[0035] The rod 3 can here slide through the lid, so that its length in the container allows it to reach the bottom of the container. However, this feature is optional, and the rod could be fixed, for example if the container used is always the same.

[0036] A double flat blade is illustrated here at the end of the rod, but the number and shape of the blade(s) may be different. The blades may for example be inclined, curved, etc. Their shape may be adapted according to the viscosity of the product to be dispensed, the size of the container (its width as well as its depth), etc. The blades may be rigid, or have a certain flexibility.

[0037] The cap is shown here assembled in one piece, but it can also be in several pieces: for example, the surface 5 of the cover could have an opening and a thread, the motor unit could have an additional thread and be screwed onto the cover, the rod could then be inserted from below, or the rod 3 could be pre-assembled with the motor 8. This flexibility of the cap allows for example to change only the cover and the stem when the product or the batch of product in the container is changed, and to keep the motor unit which is the most expensive to produce.

[0038] With reference to [Fig. 3], the cap 1 is associated with a relatively conventional metering pump 30. It comprises a distribution piston 31, which can vary between a rest position (solid line) and a distribution position (dotted lines). A chamber 32 is present under the piston, the volume of this chamber varying according to the position of the piston. A sampling tube 33, or pipe, extends the chamber. It is inserted into the longitudinal conduit 4 of the rod 3 of the cap 1, up to the opening made at the level of the blades. A seal may be provided in the longitudinal conduit to ensure the sealing of the system when the pipe is inserted therein. A non-return valve 34, here a ball valve, is inserted between the chamber 32 and the pipe 33.

[0039] The valve is arranged so that, when pressure is applied to the distribution piston 31, it is closed and the fluid contained in the chamber whose volume decreases is discharged towards the outlet of the piston 30, and, when the pressure is released, the valve 34 opens and fluid rising in the tube 33 fills the chamber 32 whose volume increases.

[0040] It may be envisaged to associate the distributor piston with a sensor connected to a control unit of the motor 8 for actuating the rod. Thus, pressure on the distributor piston could trigger the actuation of the motor and the rotation of the blades. Thus, when fluid is taken from the container, this fluid is homogenized to prevent the formation of air in the tube 33.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, illustrated in [Fig. 4], a dispensing pump, such as for example the pump 30, is installed in a housing 40 (illustrated in dotted lines) having an opening 41 at the outlet of the dispensing piston 31. A motor 35 actuating a piston 36 is installed inside the housing so as to place the piston 36 in contact with the dispensing piston 31. A sensor 37, here for example a movement detector, is positioned in the housing at an opening provided close to the opening 41. The sensor 37 can therefore detect a movement outside the housing, close to the dispensing nozzle. The sensor 37 is connected to the motor 35, and an integrated circuit associates the detection of a movement by the sensor 37 with the activation of the motor 35, which causes the movement of the piston 36 which presses on the distribution piston 31 to distribute fluid.Advantageously, the motor 35 is synchronized with the motor 8 for actuating the rod 3.

[0042] This is only one example of implementation of the automation of the dosing pump. First of all, the dispensing piston can have other shapes than that shown, other actuation means can be envisaged, either external (non-physical part ically connected) to the installation pump as such, or as an integral part (part inserted into the installation pump) for the metering pump. Likewise, the electrical connections are not shown here, because there are multiple possibilities well known to a person skilled in the art.

[0043] A case like the case 40 illustrated in [Fig.4], or any other type of case, allows on the one hand to protect the mechanism of the dosing pump, and on the other hand to facilitate the juxtaposition of several dosing pumps. This is particularly interesting in a shop, to save space. Such cases can for example be fixed under shelves or in a piece of furniture, the user does not need to see the mechanism of the pump, nor of the cap.

[0044] A screw cap on the container has been illustrated here. The means of fixing the cap on the container can however be varied. It could for example be a cap fitting hermetically into the opening of the container, a spring or clamp jaw having at least two lugs or jaws which grip the container. To ensure sealing, in addition to the lugs for example, a sealing disc of the same diameter as the opening of the container can be provided, for example with a spring to be firmly pressed against the opening of the container. This type of fixing can allow a certain flexibility on the diameter of the opening of the container.

Claims

Claims

1. Cap (1) for a container comprising: - means (2, 5) for sealing the container, - a motorized rod (3) comprising a longitudinal conduit (4) and passing through the sealing means (2, 5) and having an axis of rotation (A') perpendicular to the opening plane of the container, and at the end of which is fixed at least one blade (7), and - a motor (8) for actuating the rod (3) in rotation.

2. A cap (1) according to claim 1, further comprising means for securing to said container.

3. Stopper (1) according to one of claims 1 and 2, in which the motorized rod (3) is arranged to be movable along its axis through the sealing means (2, 5).

4. Stopper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising between two and four blades (7).

5. Stopper (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the blades (7) are arranged substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rod (3).

6. Plug (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the longitudinal conduit (4) comprises a sealing joint.

7. Cap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6 comprising several parts.

8. Assembly formed by: - ​​the cap (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7 and - a dosing pump (30) comprising a dispensing piston (31) with a chamber (32) and a non-return valve (34), connected to a sampling tube (33), the sampling tube (33) being inserted into the longitudinal conduit (4) of the cap (1).

9. Assembly according to claim 8, in which the actuating motor (8) of the rod (3) is arranged to actuate in a synchronized manner with the actuation of the distribution piston (31) of the pump.

10. Assembly according to one of claims 8 and 9, in which the distribution pump (30) is also motorized, and the distribution motor (35) is then synchronized with the actuating motor (8) of the rod (3).

11. Assembly according to one of claims 8 to 10, in which the metering pump (30) comprises a sensor (37) coupled to the motor of the dispensing piston (31).

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