Simplified airless pocket pump motor

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for conditioning and dispensing a cosmetic product with a longitudinal axis (X), comprising an airless pump motor having a pump body (3) for mounting on the neck (50) of the container (2) and a tray (11) equipped with a connection nozzle (14) and a bottom non-return suction valve (8), an external assembly (1) comprising a base portion (12) extended by a push button (18), the tray (11) delimiting a dose chamber (31) for storing the product before dispensing, and the container (2) having an air vent (5) and comprising a flexible pouch (20) containing the product. Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Simplified airless pump motor with pocket

[0001] The present invention relates to a simplified pump motor. It also relates to a cosmetic device comprising this pump motor as well as a cosmetic method implementing such a device.

[0002] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products. Technological background

[0003] The operating principle of metering pumps for dispensing fluid, liquid or pasty products is well known. They are mounted on a bottle containing the product to be dispensed and they consist of a metering chamber having a determined volume, a piston capable of moving in the chamber under the action of a pusher, and at least two valves. The lower valve, or inlet valve, located at the entrance to the chamber and controlling communication with the interior of the bottle, is closed when the pusher is pressed while the upper valve, at the outlet of the chamber, is open, allowing the product expelled from the chamber by the movement of the piston to pass through, then, when the pusher is released, the piston rises in the chamber under the action of a spring system, the upper valve closes while the lower valve opens, allowing the chamber to be filled with a view to dispensing a new dose of product.

[0004] Various types of pumps have already been proposed such as in documents KR101475631, KR102375017, FR2910885, CN214567479U, DE3420678, FR2671330, US5377880, WO200191913, FR2907034, WO2009141510, WO201089599, WO201427041.

[0005] Pumps of simplified design have already been proposed.

[0006] Document WO2006046802 discloses a device, in particular usable for an “airless” system (without air intake in the container containing the product), comprising a container part for containing a liquid; a first valve installed on an opening of the container part, the first valve being designed to allow the flow of the liquid into the container part and prevent the exit of the liquid into the container part; a pressure part for forming a pressure space on an outer side of the first valve, the pressure part being made of a flexible material; and a second valve installed on the pressure part, the second valve allowing the flow of the liquid into the pressure part and preventing the entry of the liquid into the pressure part.

[0007] According to this document, the pump motor has between four and six parts. For four pieces, the valves are made in one piece with the other adjacent components and for six pieces, each valve constitutes a separate part.

[0008] There is still work to be done to improve pump motors, particularly by:

[0009] Reducing the number of constituent parts thereof,

[0010] Removing the non-recyclable metal spring part,

[0011] Reducing the costs of production of parts and their assembly,

[0012] Improving their recyclability,

[0013] Reducing the number of constituent materials, ideally to move towards single-material pumps.

[0014] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions whose design and development take into account environmental issues is becoming a major concern to contribute to meeting global challenges. It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the quantity of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0015] In this context, it is important to offer recyclable products containing in particular separable elements and / or made up of a minimum of materials and / or free from materials that are difficult to recycle in order to facilitate their end of life. Thus, it is necessary to develop products made up of environmentally friendly recyclable materials to enable the revaluation of end-of-life products and avoid pollution of recycling channels.

[0016] In this context, it becomes important to replace certain materials with alternatives that have a better environmental footprint.

[0017] In this context, it is important to develop products that generate less waste, particularly those optimized for the quantity of products transported, notably by redesigning and / or resizing them in order to reduce the volume and weight of the quantity of packaging. The objective is to offer eco-responsible products made from a minimum number of parts.

[0018] The French patent application filed by the Applicant on December 5, 2022 under number 2212765 relates to a pump motor with a longitudinal axis X intended to be fixed to a neck defining an opening of a container comprising a cosmetic product, the neck being provided with an air intake orifice separate from the opening, the pump motor comprising:

[0019] a pump body equipped with a fixed part forming a plate mounted on the opening of the container,

[0020] an external assembly movable relative to the plate between an actuating position and a rest position, and defining with the plate a pumping chamber of variable volume, the external assembly comprising a first valve for dispensing the product and a base part for fixing the pump motor to the neck of the container,

[0021] a second valve arranged on the pump body allowing the pumping chamber to communicate with the interior of the container,

[0022] the pump body comprises a third valve designed to (i) open the air intake port, when the user releases the external assembly from its actuating position and to (ii) close the air intake port, when the external assembly is in its rest position.

[0023] The aim of this invention is to provide a simplified airless pump with fewer parts for better cost-effectiveness and durability (recyclable), but also for ease of use and adaptability to different types of products. The pump can also be easy to clean and therefore reusable. The pump is especially of interest when contact with air could have an impact on the quality of the product.

[0024] In addition, a more controllable design during manufacturing is sought.

[0025] To achieve this aim, the invention proposes a simplified airless pump motor, in particular with 4 or 6 parts made by injection with rigid parts for assembly and robustness and more flexible parts for operation and comfort. In the case of parts made by injection, they have variants in terms of the thickness, structure or hardness of certain parts of the component, depending on its functionality, such as for example, having rigid parts for assembly and robustness and flexible parts for operation and comfort.

[0026] The pump motor can be used on different neck sizes, for different types of products and dosages. It is quite advantageous from the point of view of its construction and dimensions. Definition of invention

[0027] The invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product with a longitudinal axis X comprising an airless pump motor with a longitudinal axis X intended to be fixed to a neck of a container containing a reserve of cosmetic product to be dispensed, the pump motor comprising:

[0028] a pump body intended to be mounted on the neck of the container and comprising a plate provided with a connection end piece and a lower non-return suction valve,

[0029] an external assembly comprising a base part made of rigid material intended to be secured to the neck of the container, this base part being extended by a push button made of flexible material actuable by a user, the push button is movable relative to the plate between a depressed position and a rest position and the external assembly defines with the plate a pumping chamber of variable volume, the push button is provided with a high non-return discharge valve for the dispensing of the product, the tray delimits a dose chamber for storing the product before its dispensing and the container is provided with an air return hole and comprises a flexible bag containing the product and coupled to the connection tip and, after priming of the pump motor, the flexible bag contracts when the user releases the push button from the depressed position, due to a depression generated by a reduction in volume of the product reserve, which causes the filling of the dose chamber with a dose of product, the air return hole being designed to let air enter the container and rebalance a pressure between the outside and the outside of the container after a contraction of the bag.

[0030] The airless pump motor according to the invention can group together the functions which exist in different components of current pumps into fewer parts, in particular into only four parts, in order to reduce the quantity and obtain a distribution system which is always efficient.

[0031] The lower valve according to the invention allows the product to enter the dose chamber. The upper valve according to the invention allows the product to be dispensed.

[0032] Thanks to the particular structure of the pump motor according to the invention, its parts can be formed from a lightweight mono-material suitable for paper bottle packaging for recyclability, for example.

[0033] Advantageously, the upper valve is not a functional part of the external assembly, but an isolated part which is assembled inside the product conduit present on the spout of the external assembly.

[0034] The invention also relates to a cosmetic product refill intended to be assembled to a container and the refill comprises a pocket assembled to a pump motor as defined above, in particular to a part of the pump motor (the plate). The consumer could only purchase the lower part and reuse the upper part of the pump and also the container (bottle for example).

[0035] The invention also relates to a cosmetic process comprising the implementation of a device as described previously or a refill as described previously.

[0036] Preferably, the pump motor is primed by pressing the push button to expel the air present in the dose chamber until the dose chamber fills with product.

[0037] The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a device as defined above, comprising the operations consisting of: (i) manufacturing the pump body by injection molding, (ii) manufacturing the external assembly by injection molding, (iv) fixing the bag to the pump body, (v) introducing the bag into the container, (vi) assembling the external assembly and the container, (vii) providing an air intake hole in the container.

[0038] Preferably, the manufacturing method comprises the operations of (viii) assembling the upper non-return discharge valve in the push button of the external assembly, (ix) optionally, assembling the lower non-return suction valve in the connection end piece.

[0039] Preferred Embodiments

[0040] Preferably, the pump motor according to the invention has one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in combination:

[0041] The low suction check valve is formed in one piece with the pump body. This provides technical and potentially economic advantages, as it reduces the assembly steps and potential defects associated with this.

[0042] The low suction non-return valve forms a detachable part of the pump body. This provides a technical advantage of simplifying the design, for the use of simpler manufacturing processes.

[0043] The base portion includes a mounting skirt. The base portion may contribute to the sealing of the system.

[0044] The external assembly has a flexible central portion forming the push button and on which the user can press to release the product. Several functions are grouped into a single part, which is the advantage compared to conventional pumps with different isolated parts for each function.

[0045] The lower valve forms a projection in the opposite direction to the container, the projection comprising a slot capable of opening and closing elastically. There is the possibility of reworking the configuration of the valve according to the type of formula / product to adapt it by changing the format of the outlet end as well as the slots, in particular a single one or two cross-shaped ones.

[0046] The pump body is formed in one piece and the external assembly is formed in one piece. This embodiment leads to a simplification of the operation of the pump, reduction of assembly costs and time, and total recyclability of the motor.

[0047] The upper valve is inserted inside the external assembly in an exhaust duct. The upper valve also functions as an extreme closure system, preventing the product from remaining in contact with the air. There is the possibility of making everything in one piece, with other technologies, such as plastic injection with soluble mold.

[0048] The pump motor is removably assembled on the container. This provides an improvement in environmental impact due to the fact that it can be reused.

[0049] The orifice is provided in the bottom of the container or on the neck of the container. In this way, the aesthetics of the bottle are not affected and it is less visible.

[0050] The pocket is filled without air for good preservation of the product.

[0051] The engine is monomaterial. The engine could also have components of different materials but which would all be recyclable (PE / PP / PET). Description of figures

[0052] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the detailed description which follows, from non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and from examining the attached drawing, in which:

[0053] [Fig.l]

[0054] [Fig.l] represents a longitudinal section of an example of a device according to the invention in the priming phase,

[0055] [Fig.2]

[0056] [Fig.2] represents a longitudinal section of the device of [Fig.l] after priming.

[0057] The packaging and dispensing / dosing device with longitudinal axis X shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a pump motor 10 mounted on a neck 50 defining an opening of a cylindrical container 2, containing a product to be dispensed.

[0058] In the example shown, the pump motor 10 is formed in three parts. This construction of the motor constitutes a major advantage of the invention, allowing for savings in labor and manufacturing costs.

[0059] The pump motor 10 comprises a pump body 3 equipped with a plate 11 mounted on the opening of the container 2 and an external assembly 1 formed by a base part 12 made of rigid material screwed onto the neck 50 of the container, surmounted by a dome-shaped push button 18 made of flexible material on which the user can exert pressure to cause the product to come out. The push button 18 could also be of another shape.

[0060] The plate 11 is formed by a circular rigid or semi-rigid part in which is provided a central cylindrical connecting end piece 14 with longitudinal axis X oriented towards the container 2 on which a flexible bag containing the product can be fixed. The plate 11 extends towards the push button 18 by a lower valve 8 coaxial with the end piece 14. The plate 11 is sandwiched, at its external periphery 45, between the upper edge of the container 2 and the external assembly 1. The plate 11 is provided with a central lower valve 8 with longitudinal axis X whose circular inlet section is smaller than the circular inlet section of the end piece 14, the sections being measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0061] An air intake hole 5 is provided on the wall of the container 2, in particular in the bottom 24.

[0062] The rigid base part 12 is formed by a mounting skirt 21, internally threaded, intended to be secured to the neck 50 of the container 2 by screwing. The part of base 12 could be fixed otherwise on the neck 50 of the container 2 without departing from the scope of the present invention, by snap-fastening, gluing, welding or crimping for example.

[0063] The external assembly 1 comprises a top distribution valve 6, inserted in a tubular discharge conduit 17 while the pump body 3 comprises the bottom valve 8. The product present in the pocket 20 will pass through the bottom valve, which will cause the pocket to shrink. It is due to the reduction of the pocket 20 that there will be the depression effect inside the container 2 and therefore which will cause air to enter the container 2. This will create a pressure balance which will avoid potential deformations of the container 2.

[0064] The two valves 6 (top) and 8 (bottom) are the two fluid management valves inside the dose chamber 31. Advantageously, the external assembly 1 and the pump body are made with materials allowing variability of their flexibility / rigidity such as elastomers, polyethylenes, high and low density for example. According to the invention, the levels of rigidity / flexibility will be varied in order to adapt these parameters with respect to the product characteristics that will be available. For example, for a thick juice, an external assembly with sufficient shape memory will be chosen to return to its starting position, the rigid part for assembly to the neck of the bottle will also be adapted according to the material of the bottle.

[0065] The external assembly 1 also includes a flexible central portion or push button 18 in the shape of a dome on which the user can press to release a dose of product. This flexible part forms an actuation zone and acts as both the spring and the pumping chamber. The external assembly 1 could have a completely different shape than that shown.

[0066] The pocket 20 forms a compression chamber. It can be fixed to the end piece 14 in a removable manner or be fixed permanently to the end piece 14. It can be formed by at least one of the following elements: normally these are rather PE / PP or even aluminum base pockets but which are dependent on the material and the manufacturing technology of the container.

[0067] The plate 11 defines with the external assembly 1 a pumping chamber 13, of variable volume.

[0068] The mounting skirt 21 is extended upwards by a central portion, the lower valve 8 preferably being formed in the central portion. The plate 11 is held between the upper end of the neck 50 of the container 2 and the lower end of the internal projection 17 of the push button 18. In other words, the central part defines with the neck 50 of the container 2 an open annular space extending perpendicular to the axis X towards the inside of the device and in which the plate 11 is engaged.

[0069] The lower face of the radially outer portion of the plate 11 comes nor normally be applied against the edge of the neck 50 of the container 2, in a sealed manner. In the case of the airless version, the product is in the pocket, and therefore will not spill. However, the plate provides a seal against the air, so that there is only one place for the air to pass through, which is the air intake. Similarly, the upper face of the radially outer portion of the plate 11 normally comes to be applied against the external assembly, in a sealed manner, to prevent the product contained in the pumping chamber 13 from flowing outwards, between the external assembly 1 and the neck 50 of the container 2.

[0070] It follows that the plate 11 acts as a seal between the container 2 and the external assembly.

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump body 3 comprises a low valve 8, located in the example considered in the center of the plate 11, and making it possible to put the pumping chamber 13 in communication with the interior of the pocket, which will then have an impact on the volume of air present inside the container, when the external assembly 1 is released after actuation, the volume of the pumping chamber 13 then being filled.

[0072] Here, in the example shown, the lower valve 8 forms a dome projecting towards the outside of the container 2 and is formed with at least one slot. The lower valve 8 could for example also form a cone or a pyramid or an ogive, like the upper valve.

[0073] In such a situation, at least the dome is formed of a flexible material so that the slot is opened and closed elastically. In particular, this can be the case for both flaps (upper flap 6, lower flap 8).

[0074] The slot opens to allow the flow of the product towards the pumping chamber 13 when the pressure in the pumping chamber 13 is lower than the pressure inside the container 2, and the slot is closed to prevent the return of the liquid into the container 2 when the pressure inside the pumping chamber 13 is greater than or equal to the pressure inside the container 2.

[0075] Further, a plurality of slots may also be arranged radially on the projection.

[0076] The external assembly comprises a high valve 6 for the exit of the product in the form of a dose of product.

[0077] The external assembly 1 may include an evacuation conduit 17 allowing the product to reach the upper valve 6.

[0078] The lower valve 8 forms a dome of flexible material converging towards the bottom of the pumping chamber 13. In the example shown, the lower valve 8 is located above the opening 19 of the container 2 and below the upper valve 6, relative to the longitudinal axis X. The lower valve 8 could be positioned differently relative to the upper valve 6. For example, in another format, the spout could be at the level of the plate. Depending on the final aesthetics of the pump, the discharge conduit 17, the push button 18 and the mounting skirt 21 may change aesthetically, as they also have an aesthetic function.

[0079] When a depression exists inside the container 2 due to the release of the external assembly after its actuation, air can be sucked into the container 2 through the air intake hole 5, due to the compression of the pocket and its reduction in volume.

[0080] [Fig.l] shows the device according to the invention in the priming phase. The dose chamber 31 is still empty until the pump motor 10 is primed.

[0081] [Fig. 2] shows the device according to the invention after priming. The pump motor 10 will dispense the equivalent of a full dose at this time. For this, the flexible bag 20 will contract with the depression created inside and will cause the equivalent of the new dose to rise into the dose chamber 31.

[0082] The container 2 will not have a “squeezing” effect, that is to say will not deform, thanks to the air intake hole 5 present either in the bottom 24 (as shown in the figures) or at the neck 50, which allows air to enter the container 2 and equalize the pressure inside the container 2 after dispensing a dose of product.

[0083] In the priming phase, the user presses on the dome, which expels the air from the dose chamber 31, until the dose chamber 31 fills with product. At the same time as product is pumped into the dose chamber 31, a vacuum is created inside the container 2 which causes air to enter through the air intake hole 5.

[0084] Once the dose chamber 31 is filled with product, a dose of product will be available at each actuation.

[0085] The operation of the device is as follows.

[0086] It is assumed that the device is used initially in its rest position.

[0087] To dispense product, the user exerts downward pressure on the area actuating the external assembly 1, which moves relative to the plate 11, so that the pressure contained in the pumping chamber 13 increases.

[0088] When the actuation zone is sufficiently depressed, the pressure exerted on the second valve 8 keeps it closed, and on the first valve 6 causes it to open, thus allowing priming or dispensing of the dose once the dose chamber is filled with product.

[0089] When the user stops pressing on the external assembly 1, the product is sucked into the pumping chamber 13 under the effect of the depression which is created therein. The air intake can be carried out along the path shown by arrows in Figures 1 and 2 from the air intake orifice 5, to compensate inside the container 2 the volume of product taken by the pump motor 10 causing a reduction in the volume of the flexible bag 20.

[0090] When the pump motor 10 returns to its rest position, product may remain inside the pumping chamber 13 because the upper valve 6 and the lower valve 8 remain closed.

[0091] All valves are one-way:

[0092] Upper valve 6: prevents air from entering the dose chamber 31,

[0093] Lower valve 8: prevents the product from falling back into the pocket 20.

[0094] Of course, the invention is not limited to the example of implementation which has just been described.

[0095] The pump body 3 may in particular comprise valves having a completely different structure.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product with a longitudinal axis (X) comprising an airless pump motor (10) with a longitudinal axis (X) intended to be fixed on a neck (50) of a container (2) containing a reserve of cosmetic product to be dispensed, the pump motor (10) comprising: a pump body (3) intended to be mounted on the neck (50) of the container (2) and comprising a plate (11) provided with a connection end piece (14) and a low non-return suction valve (8), an external assembly (1) comprising a base part (12) made of rigid material intended to be secured to the neck (50) of the container (2), this base part (12) being extended by a push button (18) made of flexible material actuable by a user,the push button (18) is movable relative to the plate (11) between a depressed position and a rest position and the external assembly (1) defines with the plate (11) a pumping chamber (13) of variable volume, the push button (18) is provided with a high non-return discharge valve (6) for dispensing the product, characterized in that the plate (11) delimits a dose chamber (31) for storing the product before its dispensing and the container (2) is provided with an air intake hole (5) and comprises a flexible pocket (20) containing the product and coupled to the connection end piece (14) and, after priming of the pump motor (10), the flexible pocket (20) contracts when the user releases the push button (18) from the depressed position, due to a depression generated by a reduction in the volume of the product reserve, which causes the filling of the dose chamber (31) by a dose of product,the air return hole (5) being designed to let air enter the container (2) and rebalance a pressure between the outside and the outside of the container (2) after a contraction of the bag (20).,

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower suction non-return valve (8) is formed in one piece with the pump body (3).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the low suction non-return valve (8) forms a detachable part of the pump body (3).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, ca- characterized by the fact that the base part (12) comprises a mounting skirt (21).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the external assembly (1) comprises a flexible central portion forming the push button (18) and on which the user can press to release the product.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower valve (8) forms a projection in the direction opposite to the container (2), the projection comprising a slot capable of opening and closing elastically.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump body (3) is formed in a single piece and the external assembly (1) is formed in a single piece.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper valve (6) is inserted inside the external assembly (1) in an evacuation conduit (17).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump motor (10) is removably assembled on the container (2).

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orifice (5) is provided in a bottom of the container (2) or on the neck of the container (2).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pocket (20) is filled without air for good preservation of the product.

12. Cosmetic product refill intended to be assembled to a container (2), characterized in that it comprises a pocket (20) assembled to a pump motor (10) of a device as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

13. Cosmetic method comprising the implementation of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a refill according to the preceding claim.

14. Cosmetic method according to claim 13, characterized in that the pump motor is started by pressing the push button (18) to expel the air present in the dose chamber (31) until the dose chamber fills with product.

15. A method of manufacturing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: (i) manufacturing the pump body (3) by injection molding, (ii) manufacturing the external assembly (1) by injection molding, (iv) fixing the bag (21) to the pump body (3), (v) introducing the bag (21) into the container (2), (vi) assembling the external assembly (1) and the container (2), (vii) providing an air intake hole in the container (2).

16. Method of manufacturing a pump motor (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises the operations consisting of (viii) assembling the upper non-return discharge valve (6) in the push button (18) of the external assembly (1), (ix) optionally, assembling the lower non-return suction valve (8) in the connection end piece (14).

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