Refillable dispenser

Abstract

Refillable dispenser comprising a filling and venting system (S) comprising a first external end (Se) forming an air outlet duct (12) and a liquid inlet duct (11) and a second internal end (Si) forming an air inlet duct (22) and a liquid outlet duct (21), characterized in that the filling and venting system (S) further comprises a pull-opening valve (15, 24) arranged in a chamber (C), in which the air and liquid flows passing through the outlet (12) and air inlet (22) and inlet (11) and liquid outlet (21) ducts meet and cross, when the pull-opening valve (15, 24) is open. "figure for abstract: figure 3"

Description

Title of the invention: Refillable dispenser

[0001] The present invention relates to a refillable dispenser, which can be refilled by gravity using a source bottle. The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy. This type of refillable dispenser is often referred to as a “nomadic” dispenser. It generally has a small capacity reservoir of around 10 ml and is equipped with a pump that can be operated by pressing a push button. It also includes a filling and venting system at its lower end, opposite the push button.

[0002] In the prior art, for example, document EP2791031A2 is known, which describes a refillable dispenser equipped with a filling system that can be actuated by means of the actuating rod of a pump mounted on a source bottle. The refillable dispenser also incorporates a vent valve that evacuates air from the reservoir of the refillable dispenser to the outside. The disadvantage is that the fluid product at the end of filling is also evacuated through the vent valve, which contaminates the refillable dispenser and the source bottle. This is not acceptable.

[0003] Document EP2500277A1 is also known, which describes a dispensing assembly, the source bottle of which is equipped with a cross-flow filling and venting system. The refillable dispenser does not include a filling valve: its dispenser head must first be removed in order to screw the filling and venting system onto its threaded neck. At the end of the filling operation, the dispensing head must be screwed back onto the reservoir of the refillable dispenser. In all, two unscrewings and two screwings must therefore be carried out. This is tedious and causes loss of fluid product.

[0004] Document EP2719466 is also known, which describes a dispensing assembly, the refillable dispenser of which is equipped with a filling and venting system that is mounted on a source bottle by means of a specific bayonet connection. More specifically, a socket is permanently mounted on the non-threaded neck of the source bottle. Furthermore, the filling and venting system comprises a valve that opens by gravity and is held in the closed position by a magnetic attraction generated by a magnet mounted in a cap covering the filling and venting system. Thus, as soon as the cap is removed, the refillable dispenser may leak if it is tilted or overturned. This is not acceptable.

[0005] The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a refillable dispenser which can easily be mounted on a standard source bottle. Another aim is that the filling is conditioned by the controlled actuation of a valve.

[0006] To this end, the present invention proposes a refillable dispenser comprising or integrating a filling and venting system defining a first external end forming an air outlet duct and a liquid inlet duct and a second internal end, opening into the reservoir, and forming an air inlet duct and a liquid outlet duct, characterized in that the filling and venting system further comprises a pull-opening valve arranged in a chamber, in which the air and liquid flows passing through the air outlet and inlet ducts and liquid inlet and outlet ducts meet and cross, when the valve is open.

[0007] By "pull-opening valve" is meant a valve that can be actuated by the user by exerting traction between the refillable dispenser held by its reservoir for example and the source bottle on which the refillable dispenser is mounted. The filling and venting system is connected to the source bottle and the traction exerted by the user causes the valve to open, allowing the air and liquid flows to cross. The closure of the pull-opening valve can be done automatically under the action of a return spring or by a push from the user in the direction opposite to the traction. This pull-opening valve does not require any rotating component, such as pure rotation or screwing.

[0008] Each conduit of the filling and venting system has its own function, which is defined by its configuration, such as its length, its passage section, its axial position, etc. The user only has to pull on the source bottle while holding the refillable dispenser fixedly to trigger the flow of air and liquid streams, without having to worry about the flow path. At the end of filling, the user releases the pull and exerts a push to close the valve or does nothing in the case where the valve is biased back by a return spring.

[0009] Advantageously, the air outlet duct and the liquid inlet duct are separated from the air inlet duct and the liquid outlet duct by the valve and the chamber.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the air inlet duct and the liquid outlet duct can communicate permanently with the chamber. Furthermore, the air outlet duct and the liquid inlet duct can be separated from the chamber by the valve.

[0011] According to another characteristic of the invention, all the conduits (air and liquid inlet and outlet) can extend axially.

[0012] Advantageously, the air outlet duct is axially longer than the liquid inlet duct. This difference in length makes it possible to impose the nature of the fluid (air or liquid) which will travel through these conduits, namely air in the longer conduit and liquid in the shorter conduit.

[0013] On the other hand, the liquid outlet duct may have a larger passage section than that of the air inlet duct. This difference in section makes it possible to impose the nature of the fluid (air or liquid) which will travel in these ducts, namely air in the narrower duct and liquid in the wider duct.

[0014] Preferably, the pull-opening valve is biased into the closed position by a return spring. Thus, the flows are stopped as soon as the user releases the pull. It can interrupt the filling when the reservoir of the refillable dispenser is full or only partially filled.

[0015] According to a very advantageous characteristic, the refillable dispenser comprises a threaded sleeve allowing the refillable dispenser to be screwed directly onto a threaded neck of a source bottle. The user can proceed as follows: he begins by removing the pump from the source bottle by unscrewing it. He then returns the refillable dispenser to the right position on the source bottle by screwing the threaded sleeve onto the threaded neck of the reservoir of the source bottle. He then turns the screwed assembly over to place the source bottle above the refillable dispenser. He exerts traction between the source bottle and the refillable dispenser by, for example, holding the refillable dispenser fixedly (resting on a table) and moving the source bottle upwards away from the refillable dispenser. The filling valve is then opened and the air and liquid flows cross.When the user judges that the reservoir of the refillable dispenser is sufficiently full, he releases the traction and the valve closes under the action of the return spring. He can turn the screw assembly over and unscrew the refillable dispenser from the source bottle, then screw the pump back onto the source bottle. The user then has a refillable dispenser and a source bottle that are both operational again.

[0016] According to a practical embodiment, a moving part forms in a single piece the air outlet duct, the liquid inlet duct and the threaded sleeve. Advantageously, the moving part forms a part of the chamber and a valve seat for the pull-opening valve.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, a fixed part can form in a single piece the air inlet duct, the liquid outlet duct and a valve member for the pull-opening valve. Advantageously, the fixed part forms a lip which slides in a sealed manner in the chamber. More precisely, the lip slides in a sealed manner in a sliding barrel formed by the moving part.

[0018] The spirit of the invention lies in the fact of inserting a chamber and a pull valve between the two pairs of conduits, in order to impose the paths of the air and liquid flows and to facilitate the control of the filling. Indeed, the pull valve allows a precise dosage of the liquid that is introduced into the reservoir of the refillable dispenser, since the user only needs to release the traction, especially when the valve is equipped with a return spring. The direct screwing onto the standard neck of the source bottle is a particularly advantageous feature, which facilitates the filling operation.

[0019] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] In the figures:

[0021] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a vertical cross-sectional view through a distributor rechargeable according to the invention,

[0022] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a vertical cross-sectional view through the system of filling and venting the refillable dispenser of [Fig.l] in the inverted and closed position, and

[0023] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.2] in the open position.

[0024] The refillable dispenser of the invention is intended to be temporarily connected to a source bottle F, partially shown in [Fig. 3]. The assembly thus formed is then arranged upside down with the source bottle F above the refillable dispenser of the invention, so that the liquid from the source bottle F flows by gravity into the reservoir of the refillable dispenser of the invention, while the air contained in the refillable dispenser of the invention is evacuated upwards into the source bottle F.

[0025] The source bottle F, which cooperates with the refillable dispenser of the invention, may be of a completely conventional type, comprising for example a single-piece glass reservoir provided with a threaded neck F1 and a conventional dispensing head (not shown) mounted on the threaded neck of the reservoir simply by screwing. The dispensing head may comprise a pump actuated by means of a push button.

[0026] Referring to [Fig.l], it can be seen that the refillable dispenser of the invention firstly comprises a reservoir R, on which is mounted a dispensing head T comprising a pump P and a push button B forming an outlet orifice O. The dispensing head T can be mounted by any suitable means on the reservoir R, which can form a profiled neck for this purpose. The reservoir R can be made of any suitable material, such as for example glass, plastic, metal, etc. At its lower end, the reservoir R is provided with a filling and venting system S of the invention. A protective cover 6 can protect the system S, when it is not in use. The system S comprises a first external end Se capped by the protective cover 6 and a second internal end Si facing the inside of the reservoir R.The S system can be connected to the R tank by any suitable means, such as snap-on, . force fitting, gluing, welding, screwing, etc.

[0027] Reference will now be made to [Fig. 2], which shows the filling and venting system S in an inverted position, relative to [Fig. 1]. This inverted position corresponds to the filling position of the reservoir R, as will be seen below. The system S comprises two main constituent elements, namely a moving part 1 and a fixed part 2. The moving part 1 is the one intended to be temporarily connected to the source bottle F. As for the moving part 2, it is fixedly mounted in the reservoir R, advantageously by means of a flexible mounting sheath 5 which can form one or more crushable sealing bead(s).

[0028] The movable part 1 is preferably made in one piece from a suitable plastic material, such as polypropylene or high-density polyethylene. This movable part 1 firstly comprises a threaded sleeve 13, which is formed with an internal thread, intended to come into threaded engagement with the threaded neck F1 of the source bottle F. A neck seal 14 makes it possible to achieve sealing when the threaded sleeve 13 is screwed onto the threaded neck F1 of the source bottle. Inside this threaded sleeve 13, the movable part 1 forms a liquid inlet duct 11 and an air outlet duct 12. The threaded sleeve 13 and the ducts 11 and 12 are located at the first external end Se. The liquid inlet duct 11 may partially extend around the air outlet duct 12 in the shape of a crescent moon. It can be noted that the axial height of the air outlet duct 12 is much greater than that of the liquid inlet duct 11.The upper end of the air outlet duct 12 may extend at the same level as the upper annular edge of the threaded sleeve 13. It can be said that the height of the liquid inlet duct 11 corresponds to approximately half of the air outlet duct 12. Just below the ducts 11 and 12, the moving part 1 forms a valve seat 15 of annular shape and preferably defining a frustoconical or rounded internal wall. Around this valve seat 15, the moving part 1 forms a chimney 16 which extends downwards. In its upper part, the chimney 16 internally forms a sliding barrel 16a and externally a stop shoulder 16b. Below the sliding barrel 16a, the chimney 16 extends downwards to end in a support rim 17 which projects outwards. Shoulder 16b faces downwards to bearing rim 17. .

[0029] The fixed part 2 is preferably made in a single piece from a suitable plastic material. The fixed part 2 forms a liquid outlet duct 21 and an air inlet duct 22. These two ducts 21 and 22 open downwards at the second internal end Si. It can be noted that the passage section of the air inlet duct 22 is much smaller than that of the liquid outlet duct 21. On the other hand, they have a substantially identical height. The air inlet duct 22 may extend partially around the liquid outlet duct 21 in the form crescent moon. The fixed part 2 also forms an axial support rod 23, which supports a valve member 24 intended to come into selective sealed contact with the valve seat 15 formed by the moving part 1. The valve member 24 can be made of a flexible material. The fixed part 2 also forms a sealing lip 25 which comes into sealed sliding contact inside the sliding barrel 16a of the moving part 1. Thus, a chamber C is formed inside the sliding barrel 16a between the valve seat 15 and the sealing lip 25. Due to the sealed contact of the valve member 24 with its valve seat 15, the air outlet ducts 12 and liquid inlet ducts 11 are separated from the chamber C. On the other hand, the liquid outlet ducts 21 and air inlet ducts 22 communicate permanently with the chamber C. This amounts to saying that the interior of the reservoir R communicates permanently with the chamber C.It can also be said that the liquid inlet ducts 1 and the air outlet ducts 12 are separated from the liquid outlet ducts 21 and the air inlet ducts 22 by the chamber C and the valve formed by the valve member 24 and its seat 15.

[0030] As mentioned above, the fixed part 2 may be provided with a mounting sheath 5 which is preferably made from a flexible plastic material. This sheath 5 may form one or more crushable sealing bead(s) which come into contact with the internal wall of the tank R.

[0031] The fixed part 2 is also provided with a ring 3 which is fixedly mounted on the fixed part 2 so as to constitute an entity. The connection between the fixed part 2 and the ring 3 can be made by any suitable means, such as for example snap-fastening, welding or even gluing. This ring 3 forms an envelope 31 which surrounds the threaded sleeve 13, as well as the sliding barrel 16a. At its lower end, the ring 3 forms a stop 32 intended to cooperate with the shoulder 16b of the moving part 1. A return spring 4 is mounted around the chimney 16 between the stop rim 17 and the stop 32. Thus, the valve member 24 is elastically urged against its valve seat 15. By pulling the threaded sleeve 13 out of the casing 31, the valve member 24 detaches from its valve seat 15 and the return spring 4 is compressed.However, as soon as the force on the threaded sleeve 13 is released, the moving part 1 returns to its rest state under the action of the return spring 4. The valve is then closed again: its valve member 24 is again in sealed contact with its seat 15.

[0032] It can therefore be said that the valve of the filling and venting system S is a pull-opening valve, which operates by partially extracting the threaded sleeve 13 from the casing 31. When this threaded sleeve 13 is screwed onto a threaded neck F1 of the source bottle F and the refillable dispenser is arranged below the source bottle F, the user simply needs to hold the reservoir R of the refillable dispenser fixedly and pull on the source bottle F to open the valve and thus establish a fluid communication between the various conduits 11, 12, 21 and 22 through the chamber C. The liquid coming from the source bottle F will flow through the liquid inlet conduit 11, cross the chamber C and then flow through the outlet conduit 21. As for the air contained in the reservoir R of the nomadic dispenser, it flows through the air inlet conduit 22, then through the chamber C and then through the air outlet conduit 12 to return to the source bottle F. As a result, the air and liquid flows intersect inside the chamber C, when the valve is open. This is shown in [Fig. 3], where the incoming and outgoing air and liquid flows are represented by arrows A and L for air and liquid, respectively. It can be seen that the spring 4 is compressed between the stop rim 17 and the stop 32 and that the sealing lip 25 has been moved downwards inside the sliding barrel 16a.The air and liquid flows intersect inside the filling and venting system S until the user decides to release the traction exerted between the source bottle F and the reservoir of the portable dispenser. From then on, the return spring 4 performs its action and pushes the moving part 1 back inside the casing 31, which has the effect of bringing the valve member 24 into sealed contact with its seat 15. We have then returned to the rest position of [Fig.2].

[0033] It should be noted that the flow of liquid entering the chamber C through the liquid inlet duct 11 and the flow of air entering the chamber C through the air inlet duct 22 intersect, or even mix, in the chamber, but exit this chamber C respectively on the one hand through the liquid outlet duct 21 and on the other hand through the air outlet duct 12. The path of the air and liquid flows through the ducts 11, 12, 21 and 22 is imposed by the configuration of the ducts, and in particular by their length, their passage section, their axial height, etc.

[0034] It can be noted in this filling and venting system S that all the conduits 11, 12, 21 and 22 extend in the same axial direction. They are arranged in pairs downstream and upstream of the chamber C, in which the pull-opening valve 24, 15 is arranged.

[0035] Thanks to the invention, a portable dispenser is available, easily connectable to a source bottle by screwing, whose air and liquid flows intersect without difficulty and whose central valve is manually operated by traction.

Claims

Claims

1. A refillable dispenser comprising a filling and venting system (S) comprising a first outer end (Se) forming an air outlet duct (12) and a liquid inlet duct (11) and a second inner end (Si) forming an air inlet duct (22) and a liquid outlet duct (21), characterized in that the filling and venting system (S) further comprises a pull-opening valve (15, 24) arranged in a chamber (C), in which the air and liquid flows passing through the outlet (12) and air inlet (22) and inlet (11) and liquid outlet (21) ducts meet and cross, when the pull-opening valve (15, 24) is open.

2. A refillable dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the air outlet duct (12) and the liquid inlet duct (11) are separated from the air inlet duct (22) and the liquid outlet duct (21) by the pull-open valve (15, 24) and the chamber (C).

3. A refillable dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air inlet duct (22) and the liquid outlet duct (21) communicate permanently with the chamber (C).

4. A refillable dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the air outlet duct (12) and the liquid inlet duct (11) are separated from the chamber (C) by the pull-open valve (15, 24).

5. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein all conduits (11, 12, 21, 22) extend axially.

6. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the air outlet duct (12) is axially longer than the liquid inlet duct (11).

7. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the liquid outlet duct (21) has a larger passage section than that of the air inlet duct (22).

8. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the pull-open valve (15, 24) is biased into the closed position by a return spring (4).

9. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, comprising a threaded sleeve (13) for screwing the refillable dispenser onto a threaded neck (F1) of a source bottle (F).

10. A refillable dispenser according to claim 9, wherein a moving part (1) forms in a single piece the air outlet duct (12), the liquid inlet duct (11) and the threaded sleeve (13).

11. A refillable dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the movable part (2) forms a part of the chamber (C) and a valve seat (15) for the pull-open valve (15, 24).

12. A refillable dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein a fixed part (2) forms in a single piece the air inlet duct (22), the liquid outlet duct (21) and a valve member (15) for the pull-open valve (15, 24).

13. A refillable dispenser according to claim 12, wherein the fixed part (2) forms a lip (25) which slides in a sealed manner in the chamber (C). * * *

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