Liquid product dispenser

Abstract

A dispenser comprising a reservoir (R) and a dispensing head (T) mounted on the reservoir (R), wherein the reservoir (R) comprises an inner pouch (P) containing the fluid product and an outer shell (S) containing the inner pouch (P), the shell (S) comprising an elastically deformable shell body (S1) and a rigid shell neck (S2), the pouch (P) comprising a flexible pouch body (P1) and a rigid pouch neck (P2), the flexible pouch body (P1) being disposed inside the shell body (S1), the pouch neck (P2) being disposed inside the shell neck (S2), and wherein the dispensing head (T) comprises an air inlet valve (24, S2) and a sealing element (161) in permanent airtight contact with the pouch neck (P2), the air inlet valve comprising a valve seat, characterized in that the valve seat of the air inlet valve is formed by the hull neck (S2). "Figure for the abbreviation: figure 2"

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid product dispenser

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid product dispenser comprising a flexible inner pouch and an elastically deformable outer shell. The preferred areas of application for the present invention are cosmetics, perfumery, drugstore, food, and pharmaceuticals.

[0002] In the prior art, document EP3414018 is known, describing a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir and a dispensing head mounted on the fluid reservoir. The reservoir comprises an inner pouch containing the fluid and an outer shell containing the inner pouch. The outer shell comprises an elastically deformable body and a rigid neck. The inner pouch comprises a flexible pouch body and a rigid neck. The flexible pouch body is disposed inside the elastically deformable body, and the rigid neck is disposed inside the rigid neck. The dispensing head comprises an air inlet valve and a sealing element in permanent airtight contact with the rigid neck.This air inlet valve includes a movable valve element in the form of an umbrella, which can move relative to a valve seat formed by the distributor head. Therefore, it is imperative that the distributor head be mounted with a perfectly airtight seal on the rigid shell neck. Furthermore, the movable valve element is mounted horizontally on the distributor head, which is not easy. In addition, the internal flexible pouch is formed from a pouch welded to a rigid pouch support. This requires both a welding operation and an insertion operation of the flexible pouch into the deformable outer shell.

[0003] The present invention proposes to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned prior art by defining a dispenser that is simpler to assemble and has fewer areas to seal. The invention also proposes another type of reservoir, which does not require assembly.

[0004] To this end, the present invention proposes that the air inlet valve comprise a valve seat, which is formed by the neck of the shell. Thus, it is no longer the distribution head that forms the air inlet valve seat, as in document EP3414018, but directly the neck of the shell. In other words, the air inlet valve is formed here between the distribution head and the outer shell. Simply mounting the distribution head onto the tank is sufficient to constitute the air outlet valve, whereas a laborious mounting operation is required in document EP3414018.

[0005] Advantageously, the air inlet valve comprises a flexible sealing lip, integral with the distribution head, which makes selective airtight contact with the neck of The shell is designed so that outside air can penetrate between the outer shell and the inner pocket, momentarily breaking the airtight seal between the sealing lip and the shell neck. Thus, the flexible sealing lip is the only point of contact between the head and the outer shell.

[0006] Advantageously, the rigid hull neck comprises an inner wall, with the flexible sealing lip making selective, watertight contact with this inner wall. The lip is thus engaged inside the neck of the outer hull. It goes without saying that the sealing lip is annular, since the inner wall of the hull neck is obviously annular or cylindrical.

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, the rigid pouch neck can be at least locally spaced from the inner wall of the rigid shell neck, so as to define an air passage between them connecting the outside of the dispenser to the pouch and shell bodies through the air inlet valve. The air passage does not pass through either the shell neck or the pouch neck.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the inner wall of the rigid shell neck extends beyond the rigid pocket neck, with the flexible sealing lip making selective, watertight contact with the inner wall above the pocket neck. Alternatively, the pocket neck can be said to be located axially recessed within the shell neck.

[0009] According to one feature of the invention, the distribution head may include a head body forming the sealing element in permanent tight contact with the rigid pocket neck and supporting the flexible sealing lip in selective tight contact with the rigid shell neck.

[0010] Advantageously, the head body includes an internal tube forming at its free end the sealing element which is engaged hermetically in the rigid pocket neck, the internal tube internally receiving a fluid product outlet valve.

[0011] Advantageously, the fluid product outlet valve comprises a movable valve element and a valve seat, the valve seat being formed by an insert fixedly engaged in the internal tubing, this insert advantageously forming upstream of the valve seat capillary retention means to retain fluid product inside the insert.

[0012] Preferably, the flexible sealing lip is formed by a ring arranged around the internal tubing, advantageously by overmolding.

[0013] Advantageously, the head body forms a distribution orifice and a fixing socket in contact with the rigid shell neck.

[0014] According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, the fluid product reservoir is obtained by a blow molding process, such that the flexible pouch body and the elastically deformable shell body are initially in intimate contact over their entire respective extents. Such a blow molding process is described in document EP2148770.

[0015] Advantageously, the elastically deformable shell body and the rigid shell neck of the outer shell are made in one piece, the flexible pocket body and the rigid pocket neck of the inner pocket are also made in one piece.

[0016] The essence of the invention lies in the fact that the seal between the reservoir and the dispensing head also serves as an air inlet valve, allowing outside air to enter between the bladder and the casing. From an assembly standpoint, the reservoir is produced by a preform blow molding process, so that it constitutes a single unit that does not require assembly. Furthermore, the dispensing head is easy to assemble, as all its constituent elements are mounted axially, except for the ring (which forms the sealing lip) which can be overmolded onto the head body.

[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] In the figures:

[0019] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a product dispenser fluid of the invention,

[0020] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the distributor of fluid product of the [Fig.1], and

[0021] [Fig.3] Fig.3 is a highly enlarged view of part of the distributor of fluid product of the [Fig.2].

[0022] The fluid product dispenser of the invention comprises a fluid product reservoir R and a dispensing head T which is mounted on the fluid product reservoir R. It can thus be said that the dispenser comprises two distinct entities, which can be assembled by an axial movement.

[0023] The fluid product reservoir R comprises an outer shell S and an inner pouch P located inside the outer shell S. This is more clearly visible in [Fig. 2]. The outer shell comprises an elastically deformable shell body SI and a rigid shell neck S2. The inner pouch P comprises a flexible pouch body PI and a rigid pouch neck P2. The outer shell S is made in one piece: the shell neck S2 is connected in one piece to the shell body SL. The same is true for the flexible pouch, whose pouch neck P2 is connected in one piece to the pouch body PL. Thus, the necks P2 and S2 are rigid, while the bodies PI and SI are flexible. The rigidity of the necks results from the increased wall thickness, while the deformability of the bodies results from a thin wall thickness. The shell body SI is elastically deformable, so that it returns to its initial state as soon as the pressure is released.In contrast, the PI pouch body is simply flexible and does not return to its original shape after pressure is released. To allow it to return to its initial state as the SI shell body, leaving the pouch body deformed, external air must penetrate between the outer shell S and the pouch. The inner wall P. Thus, the pocket body PI, initially pressed against the shell body SI, can gradually separate as outside air enters between the shell S and the pocket P. Figures 2 and 3 show that a passage or space E is provided between the two necks S2 and P2. This passage E allows outside air to enter between the two necks and reach the bodies SI and PI. This passage E does not pass through the neck S2 or P2, but extends between the inner wall of the shell neck S2 and the inner wall of the pocket neck P2.

[0024] According to an advantageous embodiment, the reservoir R is produced by means of a blow molding process, which involves first producing preforms for the outer shell S and the inner pouch P. Once these preforms have been produced, advantageously by molding, the pouch preform is introduced into the shell preform, and pressurized air, optionally heated, is injected into the inner preform, causing the pouch body to expand and come into intimate contact with the shell body SI, which is in turn enlarged. The preforms can be heated at the body level while leaving the necks at a lower temperature to prevent deformation. This results in a reservoir R, as shown in [Fig. 2], with the pouch body PI pressed against the shell body SI along its entire length, while the necks S2 and P2 are at least locally spaced to define this passage or gap E.

[0025] In more detail, it can be seen that the shell neck S2 defines an upper annular edge S3, an internal wall section S4, and an external annular collar S5. As for the pocket neck P2, it is located inside the shell neck S2, with its upper annular edge P3 set back inside the shell neck P2, leaving the internal wall section S4 free. It can also be said that the shell neck S2 projects beyond the pocket neck P2: the upper annular body P3 being positioned axially below the internal wall section S4.

[0026] Of course, instead of this R-shaped tank obtained by a preform blow molding process, it is possible to use any tank comprising an outer shell containing an inner pouch. This is simply a preferred manufacturing process, which has the advantage of producing a tank that does not require assembly.

[0027] The distribution head T comprises, in this particular embodiment, five constituent elements, namely a head body 1, a ring 2, an insert 3, a valve piece 4 and a protective cover C, which is optional.

[0028] The head body 1 is the visible part, which connects to the reservoir R at a rim 13 surrounding a raised section S13 of the outer shell S. At its upper end, the head body 1 defines an outlet or distribution orifice 11, which is arranged along its axis. Between this distribution orifice 11 and the rim 13, the head body 1 defines a dome 12, which contributes to the aesthetic effect of the distributor. The cover C then caps the head body 1 and advantageously seals the distribution orifice 11. The other constituent elements, namely the ring 2, the insert 3 and the valve piece 4 are arranged inside the head body 1, so that they are not visible from the outside, once the distribution head T is mounted on the tank R.

[0029] First, the head body 1 forms an internal mounting sleeve 14, which advantageously snaps into place the annular collar S5 formed by the neck of the shell S2. This mounting ensures the stability of the distribution head T on the reservoir R. The head body 1 also forms an internal tube 16 that extends coaxially inside the mounting sleeve 14. The free end of this internal tube 16 forms a static sealing element 161, in the form of a cylindrical lip that makes a tight seal inside the neck of the pocket P2. Since the mounting sleeve 14 is permanently mounted around the collar S5, the sealing element 161 is permanently and tightly mounted inside the neck of the pocket P2. This can be described as a permanent seal.

[0030] The ring 2 is arranged around the inner tube 16. It comprises a cylindrical portion 21 in contact with the inner tube 16 and a lower sealing lip 24, which comes into contact with the inner wall S4 of the neck of the shell S2. A flange 15 formed by the head body 1 can extend around the cylindrical portion 21 to increase its stability. The ring 2 can be attached and axially engaged around the inner tube 16, inside the flange 15. Alternatively, the ring 2 can be overmolded onto the head body 1. In either case, the sealing lip 24 is intended to make a tight contact with the inner wall S4.However, in the event of a depression at the level of the passage E, outside air can push the sealing lip 24 away from the internal wall S4, thus creating an inlet passage for outside air which will reach not only the passage E but also the space between the two body parts PI and SL. The sealing lip 24 and the internal wall S4 of the neck of the shell S2 together form an air inlet valve capable of supplying the air passage E and the interface of the two bodies SI and PI with outside air: the neck of the shell fulfilling a valve seat function, while the sealing lip 24 fulfills a valve moving element function.

[0031] The insert 3 is mounted axially inside the internal tube 16. It can be held in place by snap-fitting or by tightening. The insert 3 forms a recess 31 into which the valve piece 4 is received. The insert 3 also forms an annular valve seat 32 that extends around an opening 33. The insert 3 extends axially to the bottom of the necks S2 and P2 and forms internal vertical or axial ribs, the function of which is to retain fluid by capillary action. This ensures that the valve piece 4 is always supplied with fluid.

[0032] As for this valve element 4, it may comprise an anchoring ring 41 received, for example, by snap-fitting into the housing 31, a movable valve element 42 which makes selective, leak-proof contact with the valve seat 32, and flexible tabs or blades 43 which connect the movable element 42 to the anchoring ring 41. Thus, the movable element 42 can move axially by deformation of the flexible tabs 43 to allow the passage of fluid or, conversely, to ensure a seal with the valve seat 32. In fact, the design of the valve element 4 is not critical for the present invention. It is sufficient that this valve element 4 performs a conventional one-way valve function by bearing against a valve seat. In general, the moving part 42 and the valve seat 32 together form a fluid product outlet valve, which is received in the head body 1, and more specifically in the internal tubing 16.

[0033] It should be noted that mounting the dispensing head T on the fluid reservoir R produces three contacts of different types. First, the mounting sleeve 14 engages with the flange S5. Second, the sealing element 161 makes permanent sealing contact inside the pocket neck P2. Third, the sealing lip 24 makes non-permanent sealing contact with the shell neck S2. These three contacts occur almost simultaneously when the dispensing head T is mounted on the reservoir R. It can be noted that the passage or space E is isolated from the outside by, on the one hand, the permanent sealing contact between the sealing element 161 and the pocket neck P2, and on the other hand, by the selective sealing contact between the sealing lip 24 and the inner wall S4 of the shell neck S2.

[0034] Thanks to these three almost simultaneous contacts, the assembly of the distributor of the invention is greatly facilitated. Furthermore, it can be noted that the valve piece 4 is mounted axially in the insert 3, which is itself mounted axially inside the inner tube 16. The same applies to the ring 2, which can be mounted axially around the inner tube 16. Thus, all the constituent elements of the distribution head can be assembled by simple axial movements.

[0035] Without departing from the scope of the invention, an alternative embodiment can be envisaged in which the sealing lip 24 makes selective, airtight contact with the external wall of the hull neck S2. The ring 2 could then be connected (for example by overmolding) to the fixing sleeve 14, the dome 12 and / or the flange 15. Thus, more generally, it can be said that the air inlet valve is formed by the sealing lip 24 and the hull neck S2.

[0036] Still without going out of the scope of the invention, a doubled or even tripled sealing lip can be provided, with several superimposed lips.

Claims

Demands

1. Fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir (R) and a dispensing head (T) mounted on the fluid product reservoir (R), wherein the fluid product reservoir (R) comprises an inner pouch (P) containing the fluid product and an outer shell (S) containing the inner pouch (P), the outer shell (S) comprising an elastically deformable shell body (SI) and a rigid shell neck (S2), the inner pouch (P) comprising a flexible pouch body (PI) and a rigid pouch neck (P2), the flexible pouch body (PI) being disposed inside the shell body (SI), the pouch neck (P2) being disposed inside the shell neck (S2), and wherein the dispensing head (T) comprises an air inlet valve (24, S2) and a sealing element (161) in permanent airtight contact with the pouch neck (P2), the air inlet valve comprising a valve seat,characterized in that the valve seat of the air inlet valve is formed by the shell neck (S2).

2. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 1, in which the air inlet valve includes a flexible sealing lip (24), integral with the distribution head (T), which comes into selective airtight contact with the shell neck (S2), so that outside air can penetrate between the outer shell (S) and the inner pocket (P) by momentarily breaking the airtight contact between the sealing lip (24) and the shell neck (S2).

3. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 2, in which the neck of the shell (S2) comprises an inner wall (S4), the sealing lip (24) coming into selective leak-proof contact with this inner wall (S4).

4. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the pouch neck (P2) is at least locally spaced from the inner wall (S4) of the shell neck (S2), so as to define between them an air passage (E) connecting the outside of the dispenser to the pouch body (PI) and shell body (SI) through the air inlet valve (24, S2).

5. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inner wall (S4) extends beyond the pocket neck (P2), the sealing lip (24) coming into selective watertight contact with the internal wall (S4) above the pocket neck (P2).

6. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the dispensing head (T) comprises a head body (1) forming the sealing element (161) in permanent leak-proof contact with the pocket neck (P2) and supporting the sealing lip (24) in selective leak-proof contact with the shell neck (S2).

7. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 5, in which the head body (1) includes an internal tube (16) forming at its free end the sealing element (161), which is engaged hermetically in the pocket neck (P2), the internal tube (16) internally receiving a fluid product outlet valve (32, 42).

8. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 7, wherein the fluid product outlet valve comprises a movable valve element (42) and a valve seat (32), the valve seat (32) being formed by an insert (3) fixedly engaged in the internal tubing (16), this insert (3) advantageously forming upstream of the valve seat (32) capillary retention means (34) for retaining fluid product inside the insert (3).

9. Fluid product dispenser according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sealing lip (24) is formed by a ring (2) arranged around the internal tubing (16), advantageously by overmolding.

10. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the head body (1) forms a dispensing orifice (11) and a fixing sleeve (14) engaging with the shell neck (P2).

11. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid product reservoir (R) is obtained by a blow molding process, such that the pouch body (PI) and the shell body (S2) are initially in intimate contact over their entire respective extent.

12. Fluid product dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shell body (SI) and the shell neck (S2) of the outer shell (S) are made in a single piece, the pouch body (PI) and the pouch neck (P2) of the inner pouch (P) are also made in a single piece.

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