Device for dispensing a fluid substance

Abstract

Device, comprising a cup-shaped outer container made of glass and an intermediate element made of plastic and configured to removably attach to the outer container and support at least one inner container, and, directly or indirectly, a hand pump, coupled to the inner container for dispensing a fluid substance contained therein, the outer container having a bottom and a side wall (2B), the side wall (2B) having a free end which defines an opening of the outer container and being completely devoid of macroscopic hollows or reliefs functional for coupling with the intermediate element (5), the intermediate element comprising a stop (5A) abutting against the free end and at least one coating configured to penetrate into said opening, the coating supporting at least one elastic element (9) configured to frictionally couple to a part inside the container,on said side wall (2B). Figure for abstract: Figure 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Device for dispensing a fluid substance FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid substance.

[0002] In particular, the invention refers to a device for dispensing a fluid substance in which at least a part of it is refillable (once emptied) or reusable. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Devices are generally known for dispensing fluid substances, such as creams or the like, which comprise a container and a hand pump coupled thereto. Activation of the pump allows dispensing of a predetermined quantity of fluid substance.

[0004] In some cases the fluid substance is housed inside a deformable bag and the pump is of the airless type. In this way, the substance contained in the deformable bag is not contaminated by the outside air.

[0005] When all the substances contained in the commonly known devices have been dispensed, said devices are discarded.

[0006] In certain cases, recharging systems can be considered, which however require the consumer to carry out difficult and far from simple operations.

[0007] In any case, even if recharging is possible, commonly known devices are discarded at the end of their life. Summary of the invention

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a device which is improved over the state of the art.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a device which, once all of the fluid substance has been dispensed, may include at least one portion which may be intended for a use different from that for which it was originally intended.

[0010] This and other objects are achieved by means of a device for dispensing a fluid substance, comprising an outer container which is cup-shaped and made of glass, and an intermediate member made of plastic configured to removably attach to the outer container and support at least one inner container, and, directly or indirectly, a hand pump coupled to the inner container for dispensing a substance contained therein, the outer container having a bottom and a side wall, the side wall having a free end defining an opening of the outer container, the side wall being completely free of macroscopic hollows or reliefs functional for coupling with the intermediate element, the intermediate element comprising a stop resting against the free end of said side wall and at least one internal coating configured to penetrate into said opening, the internal coating supporting at least one elastic element configured to couple by friction to an internal part of the container, on said side wall.

[0011] According to special provisions, which can be combined:

[0012] - the elastic element is co-molded with the intermediate element;

[0013] - the elastic element provides a contact surface with said side wall having reliefs and hollows;

[0014] - the elastic element provides a contact surface with said side wall which is smooth ;

[0015] - the elastic element is an O-ring, housed in a suitable annular seat of the intermediate element, the intermediate element optionally providing two annular seats each housing an O-ring;

[0016] - the intermediate element defines a neck having a diameter less than the diameter of the opening defined by the free end of said side wall, the neck being provided with a free end on which rests a first flange of the internal container which is a deformable bag housed in the external container, on the first flange resting a second flange of the pump, the device further comprising a nut locked to said neck, the first flange and the second flange being closely interposed between said free end and said nut;

[0017] - the nut is locked onto the neck by means of a thread or by means of a snap coupling;

[0018] - the intermediate element defines a cup having, on an internal wall thereof, means for engaging a neck of the inner container, said neck being at least partially housed in the cup;

[0019] - the top of the cup is defined by a flange wall, on the flange wall resting a second flange of the pump, on the second flange of the pump, on the opposite side with respect to the flange wall resting the free end of a deformable bag housed in the internal container;

[0020] - the coupling means comprise a snap-on coupling or a thread;

[0021] - the deformable bag is a separate part from the internal container, or is at least one partial removable inner lining of the inner container;

[0022] - said side wall of the external container is cylindrical or polygonal, the surface external side wall optionally presenting decorative reliefs or hollows;

[0023] - said side wall is manufactured in one piece with the bottom of the container external ;

[0024] - there is a decorative element fixed to the intermediate element and arranged internally on the outer container configured to at least partially obscure the view of the inner container through the wall of the outer container;

[0025] - the decorative element has a tubular configuration with a lower end open and with an upper end inserted and fixed in a groove defined in the intermediate element.

[0026] Advantageously, the device can be recharged before said part is reused. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Other features and advantages of the innovation will become clearer in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device, illustrated - by means of a non-limiting example - in the drawings attached hereto, in which:

[0028] [Fig.l] is a sectional view of the device according to the present invention;

[0029] [Fig. 2] is an enlargement of the part shown in the larger circle in [Fig.l];

[0030] [Fig.3] is a sectional view of an outer container, which may also be transformed, of the device in [Fig.l];

[0031] [Fig.4] is a simplified sectional view taken along line IV-IV in [Fig.l];

[0032] [Fig.4A] is an enlargement of the portion shown in the smaller circle in [Fig.l];

[0033] [Fig.5] is a sectional view of a variant of the device in [Fig.l];

[0034] [Fig.6] is an enlargement of the portion circled in [Fig.5];

[0035] [Fig.7] is a sectional view of a variant of the device in [Fig.l];

[0036] [Fig.8] is an enlargement of the portion circled in [Fig.7];

[0037] [Fig.9] is a sectional view of a variant of the device in [Fig.l];

[0038] [Fig. 10] is an enlargement of the portion circled in [Fig.9];

[0039] [Fig. 11] is a sectional view of yet another variation of the device in the [Fig.l];

[0040] [Fig. 12] is an enlargement of the circled portion in [Fig. 10];

[0041] [Fig. 13] shows, in a sectional view, a part of the device in the [Fig.11] ;

[0042] [Fig. 14] shows, also in a sectional view, another variant of the part in [Fig. 13]; and

[0043] [Fig. 15] is a partly sectional view of a detail of the device in [Fig. 11]. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] With reference to the figures shown, a reference numeral 1 is used to designate, as a whole, a device for dispensing a fluid substance.

[0045] In this document, the term "fluid substance" can mean a more or less dense liquid, such as a cream, which is preferably used in the cosmetic and medical fields.

[0046] The fluid substance dispensing device 1 comprises a cup-shaped external container 2 made of glass, metal, ceramic, or wood.

[0047] The device further comprises an intermediate element 5, 5' made of plastic and configured to be removably attached to the external container 2 and to support at least one internal container 6, 60 and, directly or indirectly, a manual pump 7, the latter being coupled in a sealed manner to the internal container 6, 60 for the dispensing of a substance S contained therein.

[0048] It should be noted that the outer container 2 has a bottom 2A and a side wall 2B.

[0049] The bottom 2A (or base) and the side wall 2B are preferably composed of a single piece of glass. If the outer container 2 is composed of metal or wood, it is also possible for the side wall and the bottom to be composed of two separate pieces which are then assembled in a substantially immobile manner.

[0050] In all cases, the side wall 2B has a free end 3 which forms an opening 4 (or mouth) in the external container 2.

[0051] According to the invention, the side wall 2B is completely devoid of hollows or macroscopic reliefs which are directly functional for coupling with the intermediate element 5.

[0052] In this way the external container 2 can be used as a glass, a vase, or a generic container once separated from the intermediate element 5.

[0053] Advantageously, the side wall 2B of the outer container is cylindrical or polygonal (e.g., square, hexagonal, etc.). The base 2A may have a conformation that corresponds to the perimeter of a cross-section of the side wall 2B.

[0054] Advantageously, the opening 4 at the free end of the side wall 2B has a surface area which is comparable to or greater than that of the base 2A.

[0055] The side wall 2B can thus be conical in the direction of the base 2A, with the side wall 2B slightly frustoconical.

[0056] It should be noted that the external surface of the side wall 2B may have reliefs or hollows which, however, have a purely decorative purpose and are not functional for coupling with the intermediate element 5.

[0057] Therefore, the outer and / or inner face of the side wall 2B may also be finely decorated, having within it relief decorations, paint, or treatments for particular surface finishes (such as acid etching, photoengraving, laser treatment, etc.), so that such reliefs and recesses are simply decorations and in any case are not macroscopic reliefs which are directly functional for coupling with the intermediate element 5.

[0058] To clarify this point, said decorative reliefs cannot form a thread or groove for snap-fastening.

[0059] In fact, when the outer container 2 is transformed, it must not and cannot have any unsightly thread, groove or protrusion (for example, for snap-on purposes) because this would ruin the aesthetic appearance of said outer container 2, depending on how it is transformed (for example a vase or glass).

[0060] The intermediate element 5, once removed, also removes the internal container 60, the pump, and any other element other than the external container 2, consequently leaving the external container 2 perfectly transformable or refillable.

[0061] Therefore, once the substance to be dispensed is finished, it is possible to keep the external container 2, which - as already mentioned - can also be of very fine execution, and to couple it again to a new intermediate element 5, 5' which, supporting the pump and the internal container 6, 60, serves as a refill.

[0062] For coupling the external container 2, the intermediate element comprises a stop 5A which abuts on the free end of said side wall 2B, and at least one internal coating 8 configured to penetrate into said opening 4.

[0063] The stop 5A may be a flange or a step, as can be seen in Figures 2, 6, 8 and 10.

[0064] The internal coating 8 supports at least one elastic element 9 configured to frictionally couple to a portion inside the container on said side wall 2B.

[0065] The elastic element 9 may be composed of one or more of the following materials: PP - LDPE - HDPE - SILICONE - POLYAMIDE - EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE, RUBBER, or mixtures thereof.

[0066] The internal coating 8 may have a perfectly cylindrical or slightly conical configuration (consequently conical in the direction of the bottom 2A of the container external 2), with an outward taper angle (towards wall 2B) of between 0.5 and 8°, preferably 2°.

[0067] In practice, the coupling between the intermediate element 5, 5' and the external container occurs only at the level of the elastic element 9, thus making possible a coupling which can be uncoupled by hand.

[0068] It should be noted that the elastic element 9 can simply be fitted onto the inner liner 8, or the elastic element 9 can be co-molded with the intermediate element 5, exactly at the level of the inner liner 8.

[0069] As can be seen in [Fig.4], the shape of the internal coating 8 (shown in a sectional view) may correspond to that of the side wall 2B at the opening 3.

[0070] The shape of the elastic element 9 may also correspond to that of the opening 3 (shown in a sectional view). The elastic element may cover or completely surround the internal covering 8.

[0071] Furthermore, the internal coating 8 (shown in a sectional view, see again [Fig.4]) may be devoid of vertical spaces or lightened areas, as these would make the internal coating too deformable, consequently weakening the attachment between the external container 2 and the intermediate element 5.

[0072] As can be seen in the detail shown in [Fig.2], the elastic element 9 may have a surface for contact with said side wall 2B, said surface being provided with reliefs and hollows. Said reliefs and hollows may be substantially perimetric and present over the entire external perimeter surface (the wall facing the surface 2B) of the elastic element.

[0073] Advantageously, the hollows and reliefs are formed by perimeter grooves (annular grooves) present on the contact surface between the elastic element and the side wall 2B.

[0074] The seal (or elastic element 9) is configured to offset even considerable tolerances of the external container 2, therefore it can also have a significant thickness (in section), which advantageously measures between 0.15 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.30 and 0.80 mm.

[0075] As can be seen in the sectional view in [Fig.4], notches 9A may be present to release any air inside the container when subjected to slight pressure, which may have been trapped during the operations to couple the intermediate element 5 and the outer container 2.

[0076] These notches 9A can extend vertically in the elastic element so as to to connect a surface thereof directed towards the interior of the internal container to a surface thereof directed towards the intermediate element 5.

[0077] Or, as in [Fig.8], the elastic element 9 may simply have a surface for contact with said perfectly smooth side wall 2B.

[0078] Furthermore, as can be seen in detail in [Fig. 10], the elastic element 9 may be a simple O-ring 9', housed in a special annular seat 8A in the intermediate element 5.

[0079] The seat 8A can be made in the internal covering 8.

[0080] Preferably, the intermediate element 5 has two annular seats 8A, each housing an O-ring 9'.

[0081] To continue with the description relating to the configurations of figures 1, 5, 7 and 9, it is noted that the intermediate element 5 can form a neck 10 with a diameter smaller than that of the opening 4 formed by the free end 3 of said side wall 2B.

[0082] The diameter of the neck 10 may be similar to that of traditional containers, precisely to allow connection to a conventional, albeit airless, pump 7.

[0083] The neck 10 (see the detail in [Fig.4A], on page 2) can be provided with a free end 10A on which a first flange 11 of the internal container 6 rests, said container being a deformable bag housed in the external container 2.

[0084] A second flange 13 of the pump 7 may be placed on the first flange 11 (or a raised portion thereof).

[0085] The device may also comprise a locking nut 14 locked to said neck 10, the first flange 11 (of the bag) and the second flange (13 (of the pump) being interposed between said free end 10A and said locking nut 14.

[0086] It should be noted that, if the locking nut 14 is present, it may have a skirt 14A. For aesthetic reasons, the skirt 14A may preferably be aligned (subject to normal manufacturing tolerances of the outer container, which also depend on the material and manufacturing technologies with which said container is manufactured) with the outer perimeter of the side wall 2B, so that the coupling between the outer container 2 and the intermediate element 5 is free of obvious steps or changes in diameter.

[0087] Obviously, the locking nut 14 can be locked onto the neck 10 by means of a thread (as in figures 1 and 7) or by means of a snap-fastening as shown in figures 5 and 9.

[0088] A suitable seal 90 may be present between the (airless) pump 7 and the internal container, which guarantees a perfect seal.

[0089] Reference should now be made to [Fig.l 1] and the following figures, which represent a slightly different configuration of the device 1.

[0090] Here, both the intermediate element 5' and the internal container 60 have a different configuration from those previously illustrated.

[0091] The intermediate element 5' may form a cup 61 provided, on one of the internal walls thereof, with means for coupling to a neck 62 of the internal container 60, said neck 62 being housed in the cup 61.

[0092] The inner container 60 can be seen more clearly in [Fig. 13].

[0093] It should be noted that the coupling means between the neck 62 of the internal container and the cup 61 may, alternatively, be threaded 72 or snap-fit ​​(not shown).

[0094] The top of the cup 61 can be formed by a flange wall 25 (bored for the passage of the pump 7).

[0095] A second flange 13 of the pump 7 may rest on the flange wall 25. Consequently, the free end 70 of a deformable bag 71 housed in the internal container 60 may rest on the second flange 13 of the pump 7, on the side opposite that on which it rests on the flange wall 25.

[0096] In practice, the second flange 13 of the pump and the free end 70 (which may also have a flange conformation) of the deformable bag 71 are interposed between the free end of the internal container 60 (at the mouth thereof) and the flange wall 25 of the intermediate element 5'.

[0097] In this configuration, the stop 5A may be the free end of an external skirt 5B of the intermediate element 5', as can be clearly seen in [Fig. 12].

[0098] It should be noted that for aesthetic reasons, the outer skirt 5B may preferably be aligned with the outer perimeter of the side wall 2B, so that the coupling between the outer container 2 and the intermediate element 5' is free of obvious steps or changes in diameter.

[0099] It has been seen that the locking nut 14 shown in the configurations described above is not present in this configuration. The different conformation of the intermediate element 5' is designed to support an internal container 60 with its own structure (therefore substantially rigid), which houses the deformable bag 71.

[0100] The deformable bag 71 may be a separate part of the inner container 60, as in Figures 11 and 13, or it may be an internal liner (at least partial) which may detach from the inner container 60 as a result of the vacuum generated by the pump 7 during use (as in [Fig. 14]).

[0101] It should be noted that the inner container 60 thus formed is adapted to be closed, for example by a screw-on or snap-on cap, so that it can be sold separately as an individual refill unit.

[0102] As can be seen in [Fig.15], the neck 62 of the internal container 60 may have recesses 62A which allow the admission of external air into said neck when the deformable bag 71 empties.

[0103] To conclude the description, it should be emphasized that the device 1 may comprise a decorative element 80 fixed to the intermediate element 5 or 5' arranged internally on the outer container 2 and configured to at least partially hide the view of the inner container 6, which can be seen through the wall 2B of the outer container 2.

[0104] An example is shown in [Fig.5].

[0105] For example, the decorative element 80 may have a tubular configuration (with a circular section for example) with an open lower end 80A and an upper end 80B inserted and fixed in a groove 81 formed in the intermediate element 5.

[0106] It should be noted that the decorative element 80 can also be applied to the configuration of [Fig.l 1], by simply creating a groove in the intermediate element 5' present (diametrically) inside the internal coating 8.

[0107] The decorative element 80 may be a printed tubular card or a decorated cylindrical element, composed of plastic.

[0108] Various embodiments of the innovation have been disclosed herein, but other embodiments may also be designed using the same innovative concept.

Claims

Claims

1. A device (1) for dispensing a fluid substance, comprising an outer container (2) which is cup-shaped and made of glass, and an intermediate element (5, 5') made of plastic configured to removably attach to the outer container (2) and support at least one inner container (6), and, directly or indirectly, a hand pump (7) coupled to the inner container (6, 60) for dispensing a substance (S) contained therein, the outer container (2) having a bottom (2A) and a side wall (2B), the side wall (2B) having a free end (3) defining an opening (4) of the outer container (2), the side wall (2B) being completely devoid of functional macroscopic hollows or reliefs for coupling with the intermediate element (5),the intermediate element comprising a stop (5A) resting against the free end of said side wall (2B) and at least one internal coating (8) configured to penetrate into said opening (4), the internal coating (8) supporting at least one elastic element (9) configured to couple by friction to an internal part of the container, on said side wall (2B).,

2. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the elastic element (9) is co-molded with the intermediate element (5).

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (9) provides a contact surface with said side wall (2B) having reliefs and hollows.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element (9) provides a contact surface with said side wall (2B) which is smooth.

5. Device according to claim 1, in which the elastic element (9) is an O-ring, housed in a suitable annular seat (8A) of the intermediate element (5), the intermediate element (5) optionally providing two annular seats (8A) each housing an O-ring.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element (5) defines a neck (10) having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the opening defined by the free end of said side wall (2B), the neck (10) being provided with a free end (10A) on which rests a first flange (11) of the internal container (6) which is a deformable bag housed in the external container (2), on the first flange (11) resting a second flange (13) of the pump (7), the device further comprising a nut (14) locked to said neck (10), the first flange (11) and the second flange (13) being closely interposed between said free end (10A) and said nut (14).

7. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the nut (14) is locked onto the neck (10) by means of a thread or by means of a snap-on coupling.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate element (5') defines a cup (61) having, on an inner wall thereof, means for engaging a neck (62) of the inner container (60), said neck (62) being at least partially housed in the cup (61).

9. Device according to the preceding claim, in which the top of the cup (61) is defined by a flange wall (25), on the flange wall (25) resting a second flange (13) of the pump, on the second flange (13) of the pump (7), on the opposite side with respect to the flange wall (25) resting the free end (70) of a deformable bag (71) housed in the internal container (60).

10. A device according to claim 8, wherein the coupling means comprises a snap-on coupling or a thread (72).

11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the deformable bag (71) is a separate part of the inner container (60), or is at least a partial removable inner liner of the inner container (60).

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein said side wall (2B) of the outer container is cylindrical or polygonal, the outer surface of the side wall optionally having decorative reliefs or hollows.

13. Device according to claim 1, wherein said side wall (2B) is manufactured in one piece with the bottom (2A) of the external container (2).

14. Device according to claim 1, wherein there is a decorative element (80) fixed to the intermediate element (5, 5') and arranged internally on the outer container (2) configured to at least partially hide the view of the inner container (6) through the wall (2B) of the outer container (2).

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein the decorative element (80) has a tubular configuration with an open lower end (80A) and with an upper end (80B) inserted and fixed in a groove (81) defined in the intermediate element (5).