Fluid product dispensing device for bottle with increased product recovery potential

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (14) for dispensing fluid product, adapted to cooperate with a bottle (12) having a bottom surface (T) and which is provided with a neck (42) delimiting an opening (40), comprising: - a pump (16) including a pump body (22); - a dip tube intended to extend through the opening; and - a tool (50) for manually recovering product from the bottle comprising: -- a sleeve (52), attached to the pump body, intended to extend in tight fit on the neck through the opening of the bottle, comprising a flexible outer casing (56) in which the dip tube extends; - a product recovery member (54), carried by the sleeve, provided with a blade to bear against the bottom surface. Figure for the abstract: Fig.5

Description

Title of the invention: Device for dispensing fluid product for a bottle with increased product recovery potential TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of fluid product packaging, and more particularly concerns a dispensing device intended to be associated with a bottle to extract the fluid product that it contains. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Fluid product dispensers are conventionally presented in the form of an assembly formed of a bottle containing a fluid product, such as a lotion, a cream or even a gel, and a dispensing device attached to the bottle to allow the fluid product to be extracted.

[0003] Usually, a dispensing device, particularly in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical field, is provided with a pump, an outlet nozzle and a dip tube which communicates with the outlet nozzle by extending into the bottle to immerse in the product. The pump, often actuated by means of a push button on which the user exerts pressure, generates a suction effect making it possible to convey the product along the dip tube to collect it at the outlet nozzle.

[0004] In practice, this conventional architecture does not allow all of the product initially contained in the bottle to be returned. At the end of emptying the bottle, namely when the actuation of the pump no longer allows the product to be collected, and due to its high viscosity, a residual part of this product often lines the bottom and the internal lateral walls of the bottle, remaining out of reach of the dip tube.

[0005] Given the often expensive nature of the product, users tend to remove the dispensing device from the bottle at the end of emptying to try to recover this residual part which cannot be pumped.

[0006] To facilitate this process, it is known, in particular from document US2017128990A1, to mount on the dip tube a member in the form of a spatula. This member, forming an extension of the dip tube, allows the dispensing device to be used like a spoon to manually collect the remaining product lining the bottom of the bottle.

[0007] It has been observed that extracting the product using this solution is tricky, and often leads to drips falling onto the user's hands or clothing. It follows that this solution is perfectible.

[0008] The idea behind the invention is to propose a solution that makes it possible to simplify this process of manual product recovery using a distribution device. Statement of the invention

[0009] To this end, the invention relates to a fluid product dispensing device adapted to be reversibly detached and reattached to a bottle, intended to contain a fluid product, which is provided with a neck delimiting an access opening towards the interior of this bottle and delimited internally by a bottom surface, the dispensing device comprising: — a pump including a pump body; — a fluid product outlet nozzle; — a dip tube with a longitudinal axis intended to extend through the opening of the bottle to provide a routing path for fluid product from the inside of the bottle to the outlet nozzle when the pump is actuated, this dip tube being delimited longitudinally by a first end which is rigidly carried by the pump body and by a second end intended to extend into the bottle to form a fluid product inlet mouth in the dip tube; and — a tool for manually recovering the product from the bottle; in which the tooling includes: - a sleeve intended to extend through the opening of the bottle while being centered on the longitudinal axis, the sleeve comprising a flexible outer casing in which the dip tube extends, this outer casing being delimited longitudinally by a first end attached to the pump body and a second end defining an orifice for the passage of the fluid product towards the second end of the dip tube, the outer casing being shaped to have a longitudinal section that is both flexible and oversized relative to the opening of the bottle to allow its passage through this opening in a tight fit on the neck; - a product recovery member carried by the sleeve and adapted to pass through the opening, this recovery member comprising: — a foot extending the second end of the outer casing of the sleeve; and — a blade which extends the foot and is adapted to bear against the bottom surface of the bottle when the dispensing device is attached to the bottle, the blade being adapted to form a receptacle for the product which can be withdrawn when the dispensing device is detached from the bottle.

[0010] The invention also relates to a dispensing device thus defined, in which at least one groove is formed along the longitudinal section of the envelope ex outer part of the sleeve to delimit, together with the neck of the bottle, an air communication path between the exterior and the interior of the bottle.

[0011] The invention also relates to a dispensing device thus defined, in which sealing means are provided between the outer casing of the sleeve and the dip tube to ensure delivery of the fluid product engaging through the opening towards the second end of the dip tube.

[0012] The invention also relates to a distribution device thus defined, in which the second end of the outer casing is extended, internally to the sleeve, by a base in which the second end of the dip tube engages to form sealing means.

[0013] The invention also relates to a distribution device thus defined, in which the sleeve is secured to the pump body by snap-fastening.

[0014] The invention also relates to a distribution device thus defined, in which the snap-fastening of the sleeve onto the pump body corresponds to the engagement of a collar formed at the first end of the sleeve in a groove of the pump body.

[0015] The invention also relates to a dispensing device thus defined, in which the outer casing of the sleeve is formed from elastomer.

[0016] The invention also relates to a dispensing device thus defined, in which the tooling is formed from a single piece.

[0017] The invention also relates to a fluid product dispensing assembly comprising: - a bottle, intended to contain a fluid product, which is delimited internally by a bottom surface and which is provided with a neck delimiting an access opening to the interior of this bottle; and - a fluid product dispensing device adapted to be reversibly detached and reattached to the bottle, the dispensing device comprising: — a pump including a pump body; — a fluid product outlet nozzle; — a dip tube with a longitudinal axis intended to extend through the opening of the bottle to provide a routing path for fluid product from the inside of the bottle to the outlet nozzle when the pump is actuated, this dip tube being delimited longitudinally by a first end which is rigidly carried by the pump body and by a second end intended to extend into the bottle to form a fluid product inlet mouth in the dip tube; and — a tool for manually recovering the product from the bottle; in which the tooling includes: - a sleeve intended to extend across the opening of the bottle while being centered on the longitudinal axis, the sleeve comprising a flexible outer casing in which extends the dip tube, this outer casing being delimited longitudinally by a first end attached to the pump body and a second end defining an orifice for the passage of the fluid product towards the second end of the dip tube, the outer casing being shaped to have a longitudinal section which is both flexible and oversized relative to the opening of the bottle to allow its passage through this opening in tight fit on the neck; - a product recovery member carried by the sleeve and adapted to pass through the opening, this recovery member comprising: — a foot extending the outer casing of the sleeve; and — a blade which extends the foot and is adapted to bear against the bottom surface of the bottle when the dispensing device is attached to the bottle, the blade being adapted to form a receptacle for the product which can be withdrawn when the dispensing device is detached from the bottle.

[0018] The invention also relates to a distribution assembly thus defined, in which - the foot is shaped to be flexible and protrudes from the second end of the outer casing of the sleeve; - the blade extends in the longitudinal direction in the extension of the foot; and - the bottle and the dispensing device are configured to impose a pressing of the blade against the bottom surface of the bottle by elastic bending of the foot. Brief description of the drawings

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - [Fig.l] is a perspective and exploded view of a product dispenser, comprising a bottle and a pump dispensing device which is installed on the bottle; - [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view of the product dispenser according to [Fig.l] in which the dispensing device is mounted on the bottle; - [Fig.3] is a detailed view of the pump of the product dispensing device in accordance with [Fig.l], comprising in particular a pump body which carries a dip tube inserted into the bottle; - [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the dispensing device according to [Fig.1] and enhanced with tooling according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.5] illustrates the engagement in the bottle of the product dispensing device equipped with the tooling in accordance with the invention, this tooling comprising a sleeve which is carried by the pump body extending around the dip tube and a product recovery member carried by the sleeve; - [Fig.6] is a perspective and sectional view along line AA of [Fig.5] of the distribution device according to the invention; - [Fig.7a] - [Fig.7d] successively illustrate the installation protocol of the tooling according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.8] is a detailed view of the sealing solution between the dip tube and the tool sleeve; - [Fig.9] is seen in perspective and in section along line BB of [Fig.5] of the distribution device according to the invention; - [Fig. 10] is a detailed view of the engagement of the recovery member in the opening of the bottle; - [Fig. 11] is a view corresponding to that of [Fig.5] when the dispensing device is installed on the bottle; - [Fig. 12] illustrates the dynamics of product recovery using the tool at the end of emptying the bottle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a fluid product dispenser 10 is presented in the context of the invention in the form of an assembly comprising a bottle 12, designed to contain fluid product, and a product dispensing device 14 which is installed on the bottle 12.

[0021] The dispensing device 14 corresponds to an actuator ensuring the extraction of the product contained in the bottle by pumping. This device 10 comprises in particular a pump 16, a dip tube 18 designed to extend into the bottle, and an outlet nozzle 20 which communicates with the dip tube 18. The pump 16 ensures routing of the fluid along the dip tube 18 to emerge towards the outside through the outlet nozzle 20.

[0022] In the example of the illustrated figures, the pump 16 is in the conventional form of a manual push-button pump. It should be noted, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular pump architecture.

[0023] As illustrated in detail in [Fig. 3], the pump 16 comprises a pump body 22 in the form of a part of revolution, with an axis AX in a longitudinal direction. This pump body 22 delimits a chamber 24 and a connecting sleeve 26 which extends the chamber 24 in a manner centered on the longitudinal axis AX.

[0024] The connecting sleeve 26 is shaped to receive by fitting a first end 18a of the dip tube 18. This first end 18a forms an outlet mouth for the fluid having traveled along the dip tube 18 towards the outlet nozzle 20.

[0025] Also, this connection sleeve 26 provides support for an inlet valve 28 preventing the return of fluid from the chamber 24 to the dip tube 18.

[0026] The pump 16 also comprises an actuating rod 30 installed in the pump body 22. This actuating rod 30 is capped with a push button 32 installed in a cylinder 34, commonly called a sliding barrel, defined by the pump body 22. The push button 32 is equipped with an elastic return member 36 which passively maintains it at a predetermined distance from the chamber 24.

[0027] The actuating rod 30 and the push button jointly delimit an internal channel 38 which connects the chamber 24 to the outlet nozzle 20. The internal channel 38 is closed at the junction between the push button 32 and the actuating rod 30 by an outlet valve 39 preventing the return of fluid from the outlet nozzle 20 to the chamber 24.

[0028] In practice, initially, pressing the push button 32 towards the chamber 24, against the stress of the elastic member 36, induces on the one hand the maintenance of the sealing of the inlet valve 28 and on the other hand the mechanical opening of the outlet valve 39, allowing the passage of the fluid along the internal channel 38 towards the outlet nozzle 20. In a second step, the elastic return member 36 returns to its rest position driving the push button 32. This movement causes on the one hand the mechanical closing of the outlet valve 39 and on the other hand induces a depression in the chamber 24. This depression causes the opening of the inlet valve 28, allowing the passage of the fluid from the dip tube 18 towards the chamber 24 by suction.

[0029] In the example of the figures, the retention of the dispensing device 14 on the bottle 12 is ensured by screwing after insertion of the dip tube 18, in a direction noted I through an opening 40 of the bottle 12, delimited by a cylindrical neck 42, to immerse in the product. This insertion is carried out by engaging the dip tube 18 by its second end 18b, opposite the first end 18a, which forms the inlet mouth in the dip tube 18 of the fluid initially contained in the bottle 12.

[0030] In detail, the pump 16 comprises a ring 44 rigidly carried by the pump body 22, surrounding it radially to the axis AX. This ring 44 is provided with a thread 46 intended to cooperate with an external thread 48 formed on the external surface of the neck 42 once the dip tube 18 has descended sufficiently into the bottle 18 to allow their engagement by means of a rotational movement.

[0031] As can be seen in detail in [Fig. 3], the pump body 22, and more particularly the connecting sleeve 26, advantageously extends into the bottle 12 once the dispensing device 14 is screwed onto the neck 42. As is understood, the connecting sleeve 26 is shaped in this embodiment to be able to pass to the through the opening 40 of the bottle 12 during assembly of the dispensing device 14 on the bottle 12.

[0032] Also, it is recommended that the dip tube 18 can advantageously extend linearly in the bottle 12, namely without having to distort, in the extension of the pump body 22. Concretely, this amounts to dimensioning the dip tube by ensuring that there can remain a space measured longitudinally, noted e in [Fig.2], between the second end 18b of the dip tube 18 and the bottom of the bottle marked by T.

[0033] The idea behind the invention lies in the desire to instrument the dispensing device 14 to allow a user to manually and in a controlled manner recover product from the bottle 12, in particular when the actuation of the pump 16 no longer allows this.

[0034] To this end, the major feature of the invention consists in enriching the distribution device 14 as described on the basis of [Fig. 1] to 3 with a tool 50.

[0035] In the following, the tool 50 will be described with respect to its destination location, namely as an integral part of the distribution device 14.

[0036] With reference to Figures 4 to 10, the tool 50 comprises a sleeve 52 and a product recovery member 54 which is carried by the sleeve 52.

[0037] The sleeve 52 is in the form of a generally cylindrical and hollow body attached to the pump 16. It extends the pump 16 in a manner centered on the axis AX by radially surrounding the plunger tube 18 along its longitudinal extent. As understood, the plunger tube 18 extends inside the sleeve 52 while both are carried by the pump 16.

[0038] In the context of the invention, it is recommended that the sleeve 52 surrounds the dip tube 18 without hindering its installation in the bottle 12, nor altering its function of collecting and routing the fluid product towards the outlet nozzle 20.

[0039] In this regard, the sleeve 52 is conditioned to be able to pass through the opening 40, as illustrated in [Fig.5], and to allow passage of fluid product contained in the bottle 12 towards the inlet end 18b of the dip tube 18.

[0040] In detail, the sleeve 52 is delimited by a tubular outer casing 56 which is bounded longitudinally by two open ends 56a, 56b extending on either side of the ends 18a, 18b of the dip tube 18, including: - a first end 56a at which the sleeve 52 is attached to the pump 16; and - a second end 56b which delimits an orifice 58 aligned longitudinally with the inlet end 18b of the dip tube 18. This orifice 58 thus allows the fluid contained in the bottle 12 to access the dip tube 18.

[0041] The sleeve 52 is advantageously made integral with the pump 16 by snap-fastening. of the tubular outer casing 56 on the pump body 22, and more specifically on the connecting sleeve 26.

[0042] In the example of the figures, this snap-on connection is ensured by engagement of an internal collar 60, formed at the first end 56a of the external casing 56, in a groove 62 formed on the external surface of the connecting sleeve 26.

[0043] As illustrated in detail in Figures 7a to 7d, the assembly of the sleeve 52 on the pump 16 consists of inserting the dip tube 18 into the sleeve 52, like a sword in its scabbard. The dip tube 18 is inserted by first engaging its second end through the first end 56a of the outer casing 56, until the collar 60 meets the groove 62. Before reaching the groove 62, the collar 60 slides over a portion of the connecting sleeve 26 forming a flare 64. This flare 64 induces a local elastic widening of the outer casing 56 at the collar 60, shown by arrows in [Fig.7c]. This elastic widening is observed because the connecting sleeve 26 flares to the point of presenting upstream of the groove 62 an external diameter D64 which is greater than the internal diameter D60 of the external casing 56 measured at the level of the collar 60, as highlighted in [Fig.7b].The outer casing 56 seeking to return to its original shape by elastic return, it follows that the collar 60 spontaneously engages in the groove 62 once it arrives in its radial alignment, thus resulting in the snap-fastening of the sleeve 52 onto the pump body 22.

[0044] The snap-fastening of the sleeve 52 onto the pump 16 as described corresponds to a preferred embodiment according to the invention. It should be noted, however, that any other assembly solution may be used as a substitute, such as, for example, by gluing, joining or direct crimping of the sleeve 52 onto the pump 16, or by assembly using an interface part.

[0045] As stated previously, the orifice 58, defined at the second end 56b of the outer casing 56 of the sleeve 52, provides a routing path for the fluid contained in the bottle 12 towards the inlet end 18b of the dip tube when the pump 16 is actuated.

[0046] With reference to [Fig. 8], it is advantageously aimed within the scope of the invention to ensure satisfactory sealing between the sleeve 52 and the dip tube 18 as the fluid passes through the opening 58 so that it is conveyed in its entirety towards the inlet end 18b of the dip tube 18, following the path denoted V. Concretely, this involves avoiding the appearance of a leak path F, shown schematically in dotted lines, allowing a portion of fluid to bypass the inlet end 18b to fill the space available between the outer casing 56 of the sleeve 52 and the dip tube 18. Indeed, any bypass of fluid product passing through the sleeve 52 is comparable to a loss, which goes against the desired objective. within the framework of the invention, namely to maximize the potential for product recovery by the user.

[0047] Thus, to guarantee this sealing, it may be retained in accordance with the illustrated example to form an annular base 66 in the extension of the opening 58 and inside the sleeve 52. This base 66, advantageously formed in one piece with the outer casing 56, forms a continuity of material centered on the longitudinal axis AX to receive by fitting the inlet end 18b of the plunger tube 18 when it is inserted into the sleeve 52. As understood, the engagement of the plunger tube 18 in the base 66 makes it possible to guide the fluid contained in the bottle 12 towards the second end 18b forming the inlet mouth of the plunger tube 18.

[0048] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to this particular fitting solution described on the basis of [Fig. 8], and more generally is not limited to the fact that the dip tube 18 contacts the sleeve 52 to achieve a satisfactory seal. For example, a seal may be provided between the outer casing 56 and the dip tube 18 to form an interface preventing the fluid from bypassing the inlet end 18b of the dip tube 18.

[0049] As regards the recovery member 54, it is advantageously in the general form of a spatula forming an extension of the sleeve 52. This recovery member 54 is specifically provided to form a receptacle at the level of which the user can recover product, advantageously with the finger, once the dispensing device 14 is removed from the bottle 12.

[0050] According to a particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in the figures, the recovery member 54 is specifically adapted to collect product at the bottom T of the bottle 12. In detail, the recovery member 54 comprises a blade 70, intended to contact the bottom T of the bottle 12 so as to be able to scrape the product which lines it, and a foot 72 which connects the blade 70 to the sleeve 52.

[0051] To allow the blade 70 to extend over the bottom T of the bottle without exposing the user to splashes of product when removing the dispensing device 14 from the bottle 12, it is advantageously recommended that: - the recovery member 54 is shaped so that the blade 70 extends naturally in the longitudinal direction, namely in the absence of stress, as visible in [Fig.5]; - the foot 72 can flex when the recovery member 54 comes to bear against the bottom T of the bottle.

[0052] With this arrangement, it is understood that the blade 70 can both adequately scrape the bottom T of the bottle 12 when the dispensing device 14 is mounted on the bottle 12, and be easily extracted from the bottle 12 by spontaneously orienting itself in the longitudinal alignment of the opening 40. During the withdrawal of the dispensing device 14 by the user to recover product at the recovery member 54, a risk of unexpected splashing of product is thus eliminated due to the fact that the blade 70 has already resumed its longitudinal orientation within the bottle 12 before passing at the opening 40. In the opposite case, namely if the blade 70 extended radially to the longitudinal axis AX, it would undergo a reversal of orientation at the moment when it is extracted from the neck 42 of the bottle 12, which could lead to splashes of product.

[0053] The pressing of the blade 70 against the bottom T of the bottle 12 is conditioned by the dimensioning / shape of the tooling 50 and of the bottle 12. Concretely, the longitudinal extent of the sleeve 52 as well as the size and / or shape of the recovery member 54 are defined relative to the template of the bottle 12, so as to result in a bending of the foot 72 which maximizes the contact surface of the blade 70 against the bottom T of the bottle 12, as illustrated in [Fig. 11].

[0054] Additionally, the longitudinal extent of the sleeve 52, as well as the size / shape of the recovery member 54, are also defined so as to avoid any blocking by the recovery member 54 of the orifice 58 formed in the outer casing 56, without which asphyxiation of the pump 16 could occur. In other words, it is a matter of ensuring that there is always a functional clearance, denoted ef in [Fig. 11], measured longitudinally between the orifice 58 and the recovery member 54 deformed against the bottom T of the bottle 12, to guarantee the passage of the fluid product through the orifice 58.

[0055] In the example of the figures, the foot 72 extends an angular sector of the second end 56b of the outer casing 56 of the sleeve 52 by forming an elbow ensuring a transition from radial to longitudinal orientation. As understood, the foot 72 is progressively oriented in the longitudinal direction from its attachment to the sleeve 52 so as to impose a longitudinal orientation of the blade 70.

[0056] In this example case, the outer casing 56 of the sleeve 52 is in particular chamfered at the second end 56b to ensure that the foot 72 does not protrude radially to the point of preventing its passage through the opening 40 of the bottle 12.

[0057] Also, it is advantageously suggested to form the blade 70 in one piece with the foot 72 for convenience, in a flexible material.

[0058] In such a case, to ensure a bending of the foot 72 when the member 54 comes to bear against the bottom T of the bottle so as to adapt the orientation of the blade 70 to the bottom surface of the bottle 12, rather than observing an uncontrolled deformation of the blade 70, it may be retained for example to: - form the foot 72 thinner than the blade 70 which is in its extension, as illustrated in the figures; and / or - play on the thickness and curvature of the blade 70 to give it greater rigidity than that of the foot 72.

[0059] It should of course be noted that it is possible to form the blade 70 and the root 72 separately from different materials, and in particular to form the blade from a more rigid material than that of the root 72, before attaching them together, for example via edge bonding.

[0060] As regards the shape of the blade 70, it is notably defined as a function of the quantity of product that one aims to recover in one pass with the tool 50 according to the invention.

[0061] In the example of [Fig. 10], the blade 70 is shown with an extent in longitudinal section which is greater than the diameter of the opening 40 of the bottle 12, noted D40. This particularity is permitted in the case where the blade is flexible enough to allow it to flex elastically as it passes through the neck 42.

[0062] In such a case, recesses 74 may optionally be formed in the blade 70 to give it the flexibility necessary for its passage at the neck 42 of the bottle 12. In practice, these recesses 74 are sized taking into consideration the viscosity of the product and the phenomenon of surface tension so that the product remains stuck to the blade 70, otherwise so that it cannot escape from the blade 70 through these recesses 74.

[0063] The invention has been described as relating to a dispensing device 14 providing a function of manually withdrawing product contained in a bottle 12 by means of a recovery member 54. This recovery member 54 is carried by a sleeve 52 carried by the pump 16 by enveloping the plunger tube 18, and not carried directly by the plunger tube 18.

[0064] This arrangement is of specific interest within the framework of the invention in the sense that the sleeve 52 is designed to also provide a so-called wringing function, making it possible to guarantee manual recovery of the product with complete control.

[0065] In detail, the sleeve 52 ensures this wringing function by means of its outer casing 56 which: - forms along a major part of its longitudinal extent a section, marked 56c in [Fig.6], with a constant section whose external diameter is slightly greater than the diameter measured at the level of the opening 40 of the bottle 12; and additionally - is formed from a flexible material, advantageously elastomer.

[0066] This particularity of shaping of the outer envelope 56 results in a tight fit of the neck 42 of the bottle 12 around the sleeve 52. Concretely, the passage of the sleeve 52 into the opening 40 of the bottle 12 is carried out by means of a local crushing of the outer casing 56 against the inner wall of the neck 42. The outer casing 56 is thus compressed radially in line with the neck 42, matching its surface.

[0067] On this basis, if a quantity of fluid product covers the outer casing 56 of the sleeve 52 within the bottle 12, it is expelled when the device 14 is removed from the bottle 12 due to the inability to hold itself on it when passing through the neck 42, comparable to a bottleneck. This dynamic will be explained in detail below on the basis of [Fig.II],

[0068] By placing oneself at a time T0 called the end of emptying, the fluid product noted P, is found in insufficient quantity at the bottom T of the bottle 12 to be reached by the second end 18b of the dip tube 18. The sleeve 52 having bathed in the fluid product P, it is coated with a film of this product P.

[0069] In practice, if no product is received at the nozzle outlet 20 in response to the actuation of the pump 16, the user understands that the pumping has become ineffective. He will then seek to recover the product manually by means of the recovery member 54 of the dispensing device 14. To do this, the user removes the dispensing device 14 by holding it judiciously by the pump 16 which constitutes a gripping means protruding from the bottle 12.

[0070] During this phase of withdrawal of the dispensing device 14, the tool 50 translates through the opening 40, corresponding to the passage from time T0 to time T1 then from time T1 to time T2, until it is completely extracted from the bottle at time T3.

[0071] When the section 56c passes at the opening 40 of the bottle, the envelope 56 is compressed against the inner surface of the neck 42. The film of product P cannot follow the envelope 56 to the base of the neck 42, namely at the intersection of the neck 42 with the sleeve 52, due to lack of space, it is forced out.

[0072] As the sleeve 52 is extracted from the bottle 12, the product trickles down and accumulates along the part of the outer casing 56 still extending at this stage into the bottle 12 and along the recovery member 54 (time T1), before finally falling under the effect of gravity to the bottom of the bottle 12 (time T2).

[0073] When the recovery member 54 passes the opening (time T3), marking the complete extraction of the sleeve 52 from the bottle 12, the blade 70 rubs on the neck 42. This has the effect of expelling the excess product still present on it.

[0074] Thus, once the dispensing device 14 is removed from the bottle 12, the sleeve 52 has a clean outer surface, at least along the section 56c which constitutes almost the entire extent of its outer envelope 56. It follows that the user can comfortably recover fluid product P in the necessary and sufficient quantity. on the blade 70, for example with a finger, without being concerned about the risk of the product dripping onto one's hands or clothing.

[0075] If the user wishes to recover more product, it is a matter of repositioning the tool 50 in the bottle 12 so as to dip the blade 70 in the product before extracting it again. Note that the user can also try to actuate the pump 16 to the extent that the film of product P having been eliminated along the sleeve 52 has fallen into the bottom of the bottle, which has had the consequence of raising the level of the product to the point of potentially reaching the dip tube 18.

[0076] The dynamics of manual recovery of the product in the bottle 12 have just been explained by considering a situation at the end of emptying. It should be noted that the use of the tool 50 according to the invention is not strictly limited to this given application.

[0077] In practice, manually recovering the product may be necessary in the event of an untimely malfunction of the pump 16, which may occur regardless of the quantity of product remaining in the bottle 12.

[0078] In such a case, the dispensing device 14 according to the invention is particularly effective since it allows comfortable and smudge-free recovery of product by the user at each pass. Indeed, assuming that a significant quantity of product remains in the bottle, the wringing function provided by the sleeve 52 always ensures, at each insertion-extraction cycle of the dispensing device 14, a clean and controlled recovery of product by the user. As understood, even if the tool 50 is again immersed in product once reinserted into the bottle 12, the film of product P which spontaneously attaches to the sleeve 52 will be expelled during the next phase of withdrawal of the dispensing device 14.

[0079] It should also be emphasized that in the example of the figures, the inner surface of the casing 56 of the sleeve 52 extends at a distance from the dip tube 18 along the section 56c. This feature, combined with the elasticity of the casing 56, allows the sleeve 52 to be inclined relative to the axis of the opening 40 of the bottle 12 during its insertion, by crushing on the neck 42 of a local portion of its circumference. In this way, it is possible to orient it so that the recovery member 54 can come into contact with the side walls of the bottle, denoted L in [Fig.2]. As understood, the user can thus recover not only the fluid remaining on the bottom T of the bottle but also on the side walls L thereof.

[0080] In practice, during the installation of the dispensing device 14 on the bottle 12, the friction of the sleeve 52 against the inner surface of the neck 42, as well as the resistance to penetration that the fluid product may oppose, tends to distort the outer envelope 56 which is flexible.

[0081] This deformation, which may negatively impact the functionality of the tool 50, is nevertheless prevented, or at least substantially limited, by the plunger tube 18 which extends rigidly in the sleeve 52, acting in the manner of a skeleton.

[0082] The formation of the base 66 in one piece with the outer casing 56 of the sleeve, to receive by fitting the second end 18b of the dip tube 18 as described with reference to [Fig.8] for sealing purposes, is advantageously retained as a particularly powerful solution to also guarantee optimal axis stability of the sleeve 52.

[0083] Note that generally, it is suggested to form the tool 50 in one piece, in particular by molding.

[0084] Also, given that the sleeve 52 is oversized relative to the opening 40 defined by the neck 42 of the bottle 12 to ensure the wringing function, it is advantageously recommended to hollow out at least one groove 76 along the section 56c to maintain an air communication path between the exterior and the interior of the bottle 12.

[0085] In the example of the figures, the sleeve 52 defines four grooves 76 open radially to the outside, in other words hollowed out from the peripheral surface of the outer casing 56. These grooves 76 extend longitudinally along the section 56c while being distributed at regular intervals around the axis AX.

[0086] As visible in section in [Fig.9], these grooves 76 prevent uninterrupted surface contact of the sleeve 52 against the inner surface of the neck 42 by delimiting, together with the neck 42, channels C which allow air circulation between the exterior and the interior of the bottle 12.

[0087] This air communication between the exterior and the interior of the bottle 12 is favored to avoid the appearance of a “suction cup” effect during the sliding of the tool through the opening 40 defined by the neck 42.

[0088] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the number of grooves formed, nor even to their orientation since air communication between the exterior and the interior of the bottle is established. For example, it may be chosen to form a single groove which extends helically along the section 56c.

[0089] The dispenser 10 according to the invention has been described as comprising a bottle 12, intended to contain fluid product, which is provided with a neck 42 delimiting an opening 40; and a dispensing device 14 with pump 16 which comprises: - a dip tube 18 carried by the pump 16 and inserted through the opening 40 to ensure the routing of the fluid product towards the outside; - a 50 tool which includes: — a flexible sleeve 52 carried by the pump 16 surrounding the plunger tube 18, this sleeve 52 being slightly oversized relative to the opening 40 to ensure a wringing function; — a recovery member 54 comprising a foot 72 carried at the end of sleeve 52 and a blade 70 which extends the foot to scrape the product at the bottom of the bottle.

[0090] It should be emphasized that the invention is not strictly limited to the recovery member 54 ensuring recovery of product at the bottom T of the bottle. A different shape of foot 72 and blade 70 may be chosen to allow scraping of product from the side wall of the bottle without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0091] It should also be noted that the sleeve 52 can support several recovery members, for example one intended to scrape the bottom T of the bottle, and another provided to scrape the side wall of the bottle.

[0092] Finally, in the example of the figures, the sleeve 52 is formed with a circular longitudinal section to match the contour of the opening 40 delimited by the neck 42 of the bottle 12 which is defined with a circular section. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to this particular shape.

[0093] In practice, any shape in cross-section of opening 40 of bottle 40 can be retained, such as for example parallelepiped, square, oval or oblong. The sleeve 52 is then shaped in correspondence of shape to form the negative of the opening 40. In such a case, a solution for attaching the dispensing device 14 to the bottle 12 other than by screwing is to be provided, understood that the sleeve 52 cannot rotate in the opening 40.

Claims

Claims

1. Device (14) for dispensing fluid product adapted to be reversibly detached and attached to a bottle (12), intended to contain a fluid product (P), which is provided with a neck (42) delimiting an opening (40) for access to the interior of this bottle (12) and which is delimited internally by a bottom surface (T); the dispensing device (14) comprising: — a pump (16) including a pump body (22); — an outlet nozzle (20) for fluid product (P); — a dip tube (18) with a longitudinal axis (AX) intended to extend through the opening (40) of the bottle (12) to provide a routing path for fluid product (P) from the inside of the bottle (12) to the outlet nozzle (20) when the pump (16) is actuated, this dip tube (18) being delimited longitudinally by a first end (18a) which is rigidly carried by the pump body (22) and by a second end (18b) intended to extend into the bottle (12) to form an inlet mouth for fluid product (P) in the dip tube (18); and — a tool (50) for manually recovering (54) product (P) from the bottle (12); the distribution device being characterized in that the tool (50) comprises: - a sleeve (52) intended to extend through the opening (40) of the bottle (12) while being centered on the longitudinal axis (AX), the sleeve (52) comprising a flexible outer casing (56) in which the dip tube (18) extends, this outer casing (56) being delimited longitudinally by a first end (56a) attached to the pump body (22) and a second end (56b) defining an orifice (58) for the passage of the fluid product (P) towards the second end (18b) of the dip tube (18), the outer casing (56) being shaped to have a longitudinal section (56c) which is both flexible and oversized relative to the opening (40) of the bottle (12) to allow its passage through this opening (40) in a tight fit on the neck (42); - a product recovery member (54) carried by the sleeve (52) and adapted to pass through the opening (40), this recovery member (54) comprising:

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9. — a foot (72) extending the outer casing (56) of the sleeve (52); and — a blade (70) which extends the foot (72) while being adapted to come into contact with the bottom surface (T) of the bottle (12) when the dispensing device (14) is attached to the bottle (12), the blade (70) being adapted to form a receptacle for the product which can be withdrawn when the dispensing device (14) is detached from the bottle (12). Dispensing device (14) according to claim 1, wherein at least one groove (76) is formed along the longitudinal section (56c) of the outer casing (56) of the sleeve (52) to delimit, together with the neck (42) of the bottle (12), an air communication path between the exterior and the interior of the bottle (12). Dispensing device (14) according to claim 1 or 2, in which sealing means are provided between the outer casing (56) of the sleeve (52) and the dip tube (18) to ensure routing of the fluid product (P) engaging through the opening (58) towards the second end (18b) of the dip tube (18). Dispensing device (14) according to claim 3, in which the second end (56b) of the outer casing (56) is extended, internally to the sleeve (52), by a base (66) in which the second end (18b) of the dip tube (18) engages to form sealing means. Dispensing device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sleeve (52) is secured to the pump body (22) by snap-fastening. Dispensing device (14) according to claim 5, in which the snap-fastening of the sleeve (52) onto the pump body (22) corresponds to the engagement of a collar (60) formed at the first end (56a) of the sleeve (52) in a groove (62) of the pump body (22). A dispensing device (14) according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer casing (56) of the sleeve (52) is formed from an elastomer. A dispensing device (14) according to any preceding claim, wherein the tooling (50) is formed in one piece. Fluid product distribution assembly (10) comprising: - a bottle (12), intended to contain a fluid product (P), which is delimited internally by a bottom surface (T) and which is provided with a neck (42) delimiting an opening (40) for access to the interior of this bottle (12); And - a dispensing device (14) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A dispensing assembly (10) according to claim 9, wherein - the foot (72) is shaped flexible and protrudes from the second end (56b) of the outer casing (56) of the sleeve (52); - the blade (70) extends in the longitudinal direction in the extension of the foot (72); and - the bottle (12) and the dispensing device (14) are configured to impose a pressing of the blade (70) against the bottom surface (T) of the bottle (12), opposite the opening (40), by means of an elastic bending of the foot (72).

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