Product dispensing device and associated filling method.

Abstract

A method of filling a product dispensing device, said method comprising inserting a filling conduit (77) into a filling inlet orifice (30), until a sealing zone (20) is created between the filling conduit and the exterior of the device so that product injected into the filling inlet orifice is directed into a filling circuit, said filling circuit comprising at least part of the interior volume of a pocket (2), a feed orifice (41), and at least part of the interior volume of the reservoir (6), the filling inlet orifice and a filling outlet orifice (31) being located respectively at the two ends of the filling circuit. Figure for abstract: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Product dispensing device and associated filling method. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a product dispensing device. It also relates to an associated filling method. State of the prior art

[0002] Devices for dispensing product or product are known.

[0003] However, filling these devices according to the state of the art can pose certain priming problems in that it can be difficult to expel a maximum of gas or air from them when filling them before their first use.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is to solve this problem. Statement of the invention

[0005] This objective is achieved with a method of filling a product dispensing device, said device comprising: - a deformable pocket having an interior volume designed to contain the product, - a tank, - a feed orifice, preferably provided with a feed valve which, in an open state, allows the product to pass from the reservoir into the inside of the bag, and, in a closed state, does not allow the product to pass from the reservoir into the inside of the bag, - a filling inlet, - a filling outlet, - an exit,

[0006] said method comprising inserting a filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice, until a sealing zone is created between the filling conduit and the exterior of the device so that product injected into the filling inlet orifice is directed into a filling circuit, said filling circuit comprising at least a portion of the interior volume of the bag, the feed orifice, and at least a portion of the interior volume of the reservoir, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice being located respectively at the two ends of the filling circuit.

[0007] In a first variant: - the filling inlet can be located between: • on the one hand the output of the device and / or a distribution housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows passage of product from inside the bag and / or reservoir to the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow passage of product from inside the bag and / or reservoir to the outlet, and • on the other hand the filling circuit, and / or - the filling outlet may include a vent

[0008] In this first variant, the product preferably fills the filling circuit from the filling conduit while the dispensing valve is absent from the dispensing housing.

[0009] In this first variant, the method preferably further comprises, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, an insertion of the dispensing valve into the dispensing housing.

[0010] In this first variant, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice can both open into the distribution housing, the sealing zone separating the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice.

[0011] In a second variant: - the filling outlet can be located between: • on the one hand the outlet of the device and / or a dispensing housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and • on the other hand the filling circuit

[0012] Whatever the variant considered, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, the dispensing housing may comprise a plug inserted into the dispensing housing, the plug being integral with the dispensing valve, the plug preferably being arranged to fill the dispensing housing while:

[0013] - by closing, with the distribution valve, one of the rem inlet orifice pleating and the filling outlet, and / or - by hermetically sealing the other of the filling inlet and the filling outlet

[0014] The method according to the invention may comprise, during the filling of the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, a fixed maintenance of the position of the filling inlet orifice.

[0015] The product can be injected, at the outlet of the filling conduit, with an overpressure of at least 0.05 bar, preferably at least 0.2 bar, compared to atmospheric pressure for water.

[0016] The filling inlet orifice may have an at least partially conical shape arranged to guide an insertion of the filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice.

[0017] The sealing area may be located deep in the filling inlet.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a product dispensing device, said device comprising: a deformable pocket having an interior volume arranged to contain the product, a tank, a feed orifice, preferably provided with a feed valve which, in an open state, allows the passage of product from the reservoir to the inside of the bag, and, in a closed state, does not allow the passage of product from the reservoir to the inside of the bag, a filling inlet, a filling outlet, an exit,

[0019] the filling inlet orifice being arranged to accommodate an insertion of a filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice, until a sealing zone is created between the filling conduit and the exterior of the device and so that product injected into the filling inlet orifice is directed into a filling circuit, said filling circuit comprising at least a portion of the interior volume of the bag, the supply orifice, and at least a portion of the interior volume of the reservoir, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice being located respectively at the two ends of the filling circuit.

[0020] According to a first variant: the filling inlet can be located between: on the one hand the outlet of the device and a dispensing housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and on the other hand the filling circuit, and / or the filling outlet includes a vent.

[0021] According to the first variant, the device can be arranged so that the product can fill the filling circuit from the filling conduit while the dispensing valve is absent from the dispensing housing.

[0022] According to the first variant, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice can both open into the distribution housing, the sealing zone separating the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice.

[0023] According to a second variant: - the filling outlet may include: • the output of the device and • a dispensing housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the bag and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the bag and / or reservoir towards the outlet.

[0024] Whatever the variant considered, when the filling circuit is filled with the product to be dispensed, the dispensing housing may comprise a plug inserted into the dispensing housing, the plug being integral with the dispensing valve, the plug preferably being arranged to fill the dispensing housing while:

[0025] - by closing, with the distribution valve, one of the rem inlet orifice pleating and the filling outlet, and / or - by hermetically sealing the other of the filling inlet and the filling outlet

[0026] The device according to the invention may comprise a rim or groove integral with the filling inlet orifice and arranged to be held in such a way as to keep the position of the filling inlet orifice fixed.

[0027] The filling inlet orifice may have an at least partially conical shape arranged to guide an insertion of the filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice.

[0028] The sealing area may be located deep in the filling inlet. Description of figures and embodiments

[0029] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings:

[0030] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a side sectional view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention assembled,

[0031] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of device according to the invention before filling according to a first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention,

[0032] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of device according to the invention being filled according to the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of device according to the invention after filling according to the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention, while the dispensing valve is being inserted into the dispensing housing,

[0034] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a side sectional view of a second embodiment of device according to the invention assembled,

[0035] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of device according to the invention before filling according to a second embodiment of the filling method according to the invention, and

[0036] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of device according to the invention being filled according to the second embodiment of the filling method according to the invention,

[0037] These embodiments being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of characteristics described or illustrated subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described or illustrated (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence comprising these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one preferably functional characteristic without structural details, and / or with only a part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0038] We will first describe, with reference to Figures 1 to 4, a first embodiment of device 101 according to the invention and its first embodiment of filling method.

[0039] The device 101 comprises: - a deformable pocket 2 having an interior volume arranged to contain the product to be dispensed, - a tank 6, - a feed orifice 41, provided with a feed valve 4 which, in an open state, allows product to pass from the reservoir to the inside of the pocket 2, and, in a closed state, does not allow product to pass from the reservoir 6 to the inside of the pocket 2, - a filling inlet orifice 30, - a filling outlet orifice 31, - exit 24, - a dispensing housing 13, arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve 5, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the pocket 2 and / or reservoir 6 towards the outlet 24, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the pocket 2 and / or reservoir 6 towards the outlet 24.

[0040] The device 101 is arranged to evacuate the product 7 and / or gas from the pocket 2 or a reservoir 6 of product 7 towards the outlet 24.

[0041] Product 7 is a product to be dispensed, preferably comprising a liquid and / or a gel and / or a cream and / or an oil and / or an emulsion.

[0042] The gas is preferably air.

[0043] The device 101 comprises the dispensing valve 5 which, in an open state, allows a passage of product 7 from the inside of the pocket 2 or reservoir 6 towards the outlet 24, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product 7 from the inside of the pocket 2 or reservoir 6 towards the outlet 24.

[0044] The pocket 2 is a deformable pocket having an interior volume arranged to contain the product 7.

[0045] The reservoir 6 is arranged to contain product 7.

[0046] The reservoir 6 is also flexible and comprises a flexible wall 14. Thus, the reservoir 6 is arranged to deform by reducing its volume as it empties of product 7.

[0047] The wall 14 (which forms a bag) is fixed (preferably welded, for example by thermal or ultrasonic welding) to a nozzle 89 before having filled the reservoir 6 with product 7, which leaves gas in the reservoir 6 and / or the bag after welding.

[0048] The filling inlet orifice 30 and the filling outlet orifice 31 are both made in the nozzle 89.

[0049] This tip 89 is the part which includes the housing 13.

[0050] This end piece 89 is the part which includes the bottom wall 21.

[0051] The housing 13 comprises clipping or snap-fastening means arranged to hold a cap 23, secured to the valve 5, in the housing 13.

[0052] The device 101 comprises a distribution orifice 51 which connects the interior volume of the pocket 2 to the interior volume of a channel (this channel being the housing 13 in the particular case of the device 101).

[0053] The device 101 comprises a supply orifice 41 which connects the interior volume of the pocket 2 to the interior volume of the reservoir 6.

[0054] The device 101 comprises the supply valve 4 which in an open state, allows a passage of product 7 from the reservoir 6 to the inside of the pocket 2, and, in a closed state, does not allow (or almost not) a passage of product 7 from the reservoir 6 to the inside of the pocket 2 (preferably, this supply valve 4 is not perfectly sealed and can allow a slight backflow in its closed state.).

[0055] The deformable pocket 2 comprises: - a deformable or movable wall 22 on which one can press to reduce the internal volume of the pocket 2, and - a rigid and non-deformable bottom wall 21.

[0056] The pocket 2 is arranged for: - when pressing on wall 22: • reduce the internal volume of pocket 2, • by overpressure, open the distribution valve 5 and / or release product 7 from bag 2 to outlet 24, • by overpressure, close the supply valve 4 if it is present - when you stop pressing on the wall 22: • increase the internal volume of pocket 2 up to its maximum internal equilibrium volume in the absence of force exerted on wall 22, • by depression, open the supply valve 4 if it is present and / or release product 7 from the tank 6 into the interior volume of the pocket 2, • by depression, close the distribution valve 5

[0057] The outlet 24 of the device 101 is equipped with a spray nozzle 26.

[0058] This nozzle 26 is carried inside the cap 23.

[0059] The outlet 24 is located in the vertical axis connecting the pocket to the reservoir.

[0060] In other words, the device 101 is arranged so that the product 7 comes out vertically. from exit 24.

[0061] The deformable wall 22 may comprise a rigid piston partially delimiting the pocket 2. The deformable wall 22 comprises either a tab centered on the pocket 2 and extending along the distribution channel connecting the pocket 2 to the housing 13.

[0062] Furthermore, device 101 comprises at least one orifice or hole or vent 133 connecting the interior volume of the reservoir 6 directly to the housing 13 and without passing through the pocket 2.

[0063] Figures 1 to 4 describe the case of at least one vent 133 (exactly one for the example of these figures) connecting the interior volume of the reservoir 6 to the housing 13. In this case, the cap 23 comprises at least one sealing line 11, 12 arranged to isolate the vent 133 so that product or gas cannot pass from the vent 133 to the outside of the device 101 without passing through the dispensing valve 5.

[0064] In this embodiment, the vent 133 opens into the distribution housing 13.

[0065] In the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 101, a filling conduit 77 is inserted into the filling inlet orifice 30, until a sealing zone 20 is created (the conduit being for this purpose preferably provided with a seal 37 on its outer periphery) between the filling conduit 77 and the exterior of the device 101 so that the product injected into the filling inlet orifice 30 is directed into a filling circuit preferably without being able to escape to the exterior of the device 101 without passing through the pocket 2, said filling circuit comprising at least a portion of the interior volume of the pocket 2, the supply orifice, and at least a portion of the interior volume of the reservoir 6.

[0066] When the product travels through the filling circuit, it travels: - first of all a first portion of the filling circuit substantially in a first direction 18 (passing through the filling inlet orifice 30 then the interior volume of the pocket 2 then the reservoir 6), - then a second portion of the filling circuit substantially in a second direction 19 (passing through the reservoir 6 then the filling outlet orifice 31)

[0067] directions 18 and 19 being substantially in opposite directions (at plus or minus 20°).

[0068] The sealing zone (preferably annular) 20 is located deep in the filling inlet orifice 30.

[0069] Thus, gas initially located in the pocket 2 and / or the reservoir 6 is expelled from the device 101 through the filling outlet orifice 31 during the filling of the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit 77.

[0070] In the case of the device 101, the filling inlet orifice 30 is located between: • on the one hand the outlet 24 of the device and / or the distribution housing 13, and • on the other hand the filling circuit

[0071] In the case of the device 101, the filling outlet orifice 31 comprises the vent 133.

[0072] The filling inlet orifice 30 has an at least partially conical shape arranged to guide an insertion of the filling conduit 77 into the filling inlet orifice.

[0073] In the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 101, the product is injected, at the outlet of the filling conduit 77 into the housing 13, with an overpressure of at least 0.05 bar, preferably at least 0.2 bar, relative to atmospheric pressure for water.

[0074] In the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented implemented in the device 101, this method comprises, during the filling of the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit 77, a fixed maintenance of the position of the filling inlet orifice 30 (by a mechanical maintenance of a rim 9 integral with the filling inlet orifice 30).

[0075] In the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 101, the product fills the filling circuit from the filling conduit 77 while the dispensing valve 5 is absent from the dispensing housing.

[0076] The filling inlet orifice 30 and the filling outlet orifice 31 both open into the distribution housing 13, the sealing zone 20 separating the filling inlet orifice 30 and the filling outlet orifice 31.

[0077] In the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 101, this method further comprises, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, an insertion of the dispensing valve 5 (and therefore of the cap 23) into the dispensing housing 13, as illustrated in [Fig.4].

[0078] Thus, in the first embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 101, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit 77, the dispensing housing 13 comprises a plug 23 inserted into the dispensing housing 13, the plug 23 being integral with the dispensing valve 5, the plug 23 being arranged to fill the dispensing housing 13 while:

[0079] - by closing, with the distribution valve 5, one of the rem inlet orifice pleating and the filling outlet (the filling inlet in the case of Figures 1 to 4), and - by hermetically sealing (by a groove or sealing zone 15) the other of the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice (the filling outlet orifice in the case of Figures 1 to 4)

[0080] We will now describe, with reference to Figures 5 to 7, a second embodiment of device 102 according to the invention and its second embodiment of filling method, only for their differences compared to the first embodiment of device 101 and method of Figures 1 to 4.

[0081] In this embodiment 102, the device 102 comprises at least one orifice or hole or vent 133 connecting the interior volume of the reservoir 6 directly to the exterior of the device 102 without passing through the housing 13 and without passing through the pocket 2.

[0082] In the second embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 102: - the filling outlet is located between: • on the one hand the outlet 24 of the device 102 and / or the housing 13 arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet. • On the other hand the filling circuit - the filling inlet orifice includes the vent 133.

[0083] The fluid fills the filling circuit from the filling conduit while the dispensing valve 5 is absent from the dispensing housing 13 or only partially inserted into the dispensing housing 13, said method further comprising, after the filling of the filling circuit with fluid from the filling conduit 77, an insertion or a finalization of the insertion of the dispensing valve 5 (and therefore of the cap 23) into the dispensing housing 13.

[0084] Thus, in the second embodiment of the filling method according to the invention implemented in the device 102, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit 77, the dispensing housing 13 comprises the plug 23 inserted in the dispensing housing 13, the plug 23 being integral with the dispensing valve 5, the plug 23 being arranged to fill the dispensing housing 13 while:

[0085] - by closing, with the distribution valve 5, one of the rem inlet orifice pleating and the filling outlet (the filling outlet in the case of Figures 5 to 7), and - by hermetically sealing (by a groove or sealing zone 15) the other of the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice (the filling inlet orifice in the case of figures 5 to 7)

[0086] When the product travels through the filling circuit, it travels: - first of all a first portion of the filling circuit substantially in a first direction 18 (passing through the filling inlet orifice 30 then the reservoir 6), - then a second portion of the filling circuit substantially in a second direction 19 (passing through the reservoir 6 then the interior volume of the pocket 2 then the filling outlet orifice 31)

[0087] the general flow in directions 18 and 19 being substantially in opposite directions (at more or less 30°).

[0088] These two embodiments or variants preferably make it possible to fill with a product flow rate of at least 1 cm3 of the total internal volume of pocket 2 and / or reservoir 6 per second.

[0089] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0090] Of course, the various characteristics, forms, variants and embodiments of the invention can be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, all the variants and embodiments described above can be combined with each other.

Claims

Claims

1. Method of filling a product dispensing device, said device comprising: - a deformable pocket (2) having an interior volume arranged to contain the product, - a tank (6), - a feed orifice (41), preferably provided with a feed valve (4) which, in an open state, allows the product to pass from the reservoir into the inside of the pocket, and, in a closed state, does not allow the product to pass from the reservoir into the inside of the pocket, - a filling inlet, - a filling outlet, - an exit, said method comprising inserting a filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice, until a sealing zone is created between the filling conduit and the exterior of the device so that product injected into the filling inlet orifice is directed into a filling circuit, said filling circuit comprising at least part of the interior volume of the bag, the feed orifice, and at least part of the interior volume of the reservoir, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice being located respectively at the two ends of the filling circuit.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the filling inlet is located between: • on the one hand the outlet of the device and / or a dispensing housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the inside of the pocket and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and • on the other hand the filling circuit the filling outlet includes a vent the product filling the filling circuit from the filling conduit while the dispensing valve is absent from the dispensing housing, said method further comprising, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, inserting the dispensing valve into the dispensing housing.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice both open into the distribution housing, the sealing zone separating the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that: - the filling outlet orifice is located between: • on the one hand the outlet of the device and / or a dispensing housing arranged to accommodate a dispensing valve, which in an open state, allows passage of product from the inside of the bag and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and, in a closed state, does not allow passage of product from the inside of the bag and / or reservoir towards the outlet, and • on the other hand the filling circuit

5. Method according to any one of claims 2, 3, or 4, characterized in that, after filling the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, the dispensing housing comprises a plug (23) inserted into the dispensing housing, the plug being integral with the dispensing valve, the plug being arranged to fill the dispensing housing while: - closing, with the dispensing valve, one of the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice, and - hermetically sealing the other of the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, during the filling of the filling circuit with product from the filling conduit, a fixed maintenance of the position of the filling inlet.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is injected, at the outlet of the filling conduit, with an overpressure of at least 0.05 bars, preferably at least 0.2 bars, relative to atmospheric pressure.

8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling inlet orifice has an at least partially conical shape arranged to guide an insertion of the filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing zone is located deep in the filling inlet orifice.

10. Product dispensing device, said device comprising: - a deformable pocket (2) having an interior volume arranged to contain the product, - a reservoir (6), - a feed orifice (41), preferably provided with a feed valve (4) which in an open state, allows a passage of product from the reservoir to the interior of the pocket, and, in a closed state, does not allow a passage of product from the reservoir to the interior of the pocket, - a filling inlet orifice, - a filling outlet orifice, - an outlet, the filling inlet orifice being arranged to accommodate an insertion of a filling conduit into the filling inlet orifice, until a sealing zone is created between the filling conduit and the exterior of the device and so that product injected into the filling inlet orifice is directed into a filling circuit,said filling circuit comprising at least part of the interior volume of the bag, the feed orifice, and at least part of the interior volume of the reservoir, the filling inlet orifice and the filling outlet orifice being located respectively at the two ends of the filling circuit.,

Images