Fluid product dispensing device comprising a pump

Abstract

A fluid product dispensing device comprising a pump (10) having a pump body (11) fixed to a neck (2) of a reservoir (1) containing a fluid product to be dispensed, said neck (2) having an upper axial edge (3), said pump comprising a turret (50), said turret (50) having a mounting portion (51) for directly attaching to said pump body (11), a flange portion (52) for cooperating in the assembled position directly with said upper axial edge (3) of said neck (2), and a fitting sleeve (53) extending axially downwards under said flange portion (52), said fitting sleeve (53), upon assembly of said pump (10) onto said reservoir (1), fitting into said neck (2) of said reservoir (1), said fitting sleeve (53) having a radial sealing profile (54) which, after assembly, cooperates in a leak-proof manner with said neck (2) of said reservoir (1),said sealing profile (54) being substantially non-deformable and comprising a peripheral end surface (54') having an axial height h between 0.10 and 0.20 mm, advantageously about 0.15 mm. "Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1",

Description

Title of the invention: Fluid product dispensing device comprising a pump

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid product distribution device comprising a pump.

[0002] A conventional pump comprises a pump body defining a pump chamber, with at least one piston sliding within said pump body to dispense a dose of a fluid product contained in a reservoir to which the pump is attached. The pump is fixed to the neck of a reservoir by means of a mounting ring, and generally includes a swivel, which is an element fixed to the pump body and which contacts a neck seal provided to ensure a tight seal at the reservoir neck.

[0003] One disadvantage of this type of pump is that the fluid product may come into contact with the neck seal, which may in particular absorb some of the fluid.

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that does not reproduce the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0005] The present invention aims in particular to provide a fluid product distribution device which eliminates the risks of absorption of the fluid product by a neck seal, and in particular which eliminates the neck seal.

[0006] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that allows for relatively high manufacturing tolerances.

[0007] The present invention also aims to provide a fluid product distribution device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble and reliable to use, while ensuring perfect sealing.

[0008] The present invention therefore relates to a fluid product distribution device comprising a pump having a pump body fixed to the neck of a reservoir containing a fluid product to be distributed, said neck having an upper axial edge, said pump comprising a turret, said turret having a fixing portion for attaching directly to said pump body, a flange portion for cooperating in the assembled position directly with said upper axial edge of said neck, and a fitting sleeve extending axially downwards under said flange portion, said fitting sleeve, upon assembly of said pump onto said reservoir, fitting into said neck of said reservoir, said fitting sleeve having a radial sealing profile which, after assembly, cooperates in a hermetic manner with said neck of said reservoir, said sealing profile being substantially non-deformable and having a peripheral end surface. having an axial height h between 0.10 and 0.20 mm, advantageously about 0.15 mm.

[0009] Advantageously, said peripheral end surface is connected to said fitting sleeve by a flared part which extends radially outwards.

[0010] Advantageously, said flared part is frustoconical or concave.

[0011] Advantageously, said turret is made from a single piece, in particular by molding.

[0012] Advantageously, said pump is fixed to said neck of said reservoir by a fixing ring screwable onto a thread of said neck.

[0013] Advantageously, the device includes anti-unscrewing means.

[0014] Advantageously, said anti-unscrewing means comprise a projection formed in said screw thread of said neck, said projection comprising on one side an inclined ramp and on the other side a blocking wall, said fixing ring, at the end of screwing, being adapted to pass over said projection by sliding on said inclined ramp to snap behind said blocking wall.

[0015] Advantageously, said turret is a one-piece fixed directly to said pump body, which is adapted to cooperate directly with said upper axial edge of said neck, and which is adapted to cooperate directly with the inside of said neck.

[0016] Advantageously, said device is devoid of a neck seal.

[0017] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic cross-sectional view of a distribution device a fluid product incorporating a pump

[0019] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic cross-sectional view, showing in detail the neck of the reservoir, the turret and the fixing ring, after assembly of the pump onto the reservoir, according to an advantageous embodiment,

[0020] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic detail view, showing the sealing part of the tourette according to an advantageous embodiment, and

[0021] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of the threaded neck of the reservoir.

[0022] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "top", "bottom", "upper" and "lower" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig. 1].

[0023] The following description will be made with reference to one embodiment, but it is understood that other variants are possible.

[0024] The device comprises a reservoir 1 provided with a neck 2, a pump 10 being assembled on said neck 2 of the reservoir 1 by means of a fixing ring 5.

[0025] Unlike conventional devices, the present invention does not provide any neck seal, either to achieve sealing, or to compensate for the dimensional tolerances of the parts and thus ensure a reliable fixing in all circumstances.

[0026] The pump 10 comprises a pump body 11 having an upper end rim 12. A piston 20 slides in a sealed manner inside said pump body 11 at each actuation to distribute a dose of product from the reservoir 1.

[0027] The internal structure of the pump will not be described in further detail below, as the present invention applies to all types of pumps, and is in no way limited by the specific characteristics of the pump given as an example in [Fig.1].

[0028] In a conventional manner, the piston 20 is integral, in particular monobloc, as shown in the drawings, with an actuating rod 30 on which is assembled a distribution head 60 or pusher on which the user presses to actuate the pump 10.

[0029] The pump body 11, in particular its upper end edge 12, is fixed in a turret 50 at the level of a fixing part 51 of said turret.

[0030] The turret 50 also includes a flange part 52, preferably formed by a radial annular wall, which cooperates during assembly with the upper edge 3 of the neck 2.

[0031] The turret 50 includes a fitting sleeve 53 extending axially downwards under said compression part 52, said fitting sleeve 53 being fitted during assembly into the axially upper part of the neck 2 of the reservoir 1.

[0032] The turret 50 therefore forms a single piece which on the one hand is fixed directly to the pump body 11, which on the other hand cooperates directly with the upper axial edge 3 of the neck 2, and which finally cooperates directly with the inside of said neck 2 of the reservoir 1.

[0033] The turret 50 is advantageously made by molding in a suitable plastic material.

[0034] A ferrule 55 is assembled inside the pump body 11, and cooperates with the piston 20 to define the rest position of the latter.

[0035] In the example of [Fig.1], the ferrule 55 is formed as a single piece with the turret 50.

[0036] The sleeve fitting 53 has a radial sealing profile 54 which cooperates in a hermetic manner with the neck 2 of the reservoir 1.

[0037] This sealing profile 54 creating a watertight contact with the inside of the neck 2 of the tank 1, it is no longer necessary to provide a neck seal, which is therefore eliminated.

[0038] According to the invention, said sealing profile 54 is substantially non-deformable during its assembly, and comprises a peripheral end surface 54' having an axial height h between 0.10 and 0.20 mm, advantageously about 0.15 mm.

[0039] The seal is therefore formed not by elastic deformation, which is difficult to control, but by friction of the peripheral end surface 54' on the inside of the neck 2.

[0040] With the removal of the neck seal, the presence of a sealing surface 54' with sufficient dimensions is necessary to absorb any possible dimensional variability, particularly in glass necks.

[0041] As can be seen in [Fig.3], the peripheral end surface 54' is connected to the sleeve 53 by a flared part 58 which extends radially outwards, which may be frustoconical or similar, for example concave.

[0042] Below the peripheral end surface 54', advantageously a chamfered portion 59 is provided which returns radially towards the inside, and which facilitates the assembly of the turret 50 in the neck 2 of the reservoir 1.

[0043] Preferably, the turret, and in particular the fitting sleeve with its sealing profile 54, is made in one single piece, in particular by molding.

[0044] Preferably, the fixing ring 5 is a screw-on ring, as illustrated in the drawings.

[0045] Advantageously, to prevent the fixing ring from unscrewing, with a risk of loss of sealing, anti-unscrewing means are provided. These anti-unscrewing means can be implemented in any way, for example by means of a projection 70 formed in the screw thread 4 of the neck 2 of the tank 1, this projection 70 having on one side an inclined ramp 71 and on the other side a blocking wall 72, as seen in [Fig. 4].

[0046] A suitable complementary profile (not shown in the drawings) provided in the fixing ring 5 can, at the end of screwing, pass over the projection 70 by sliding on the inclined ramp 71 to snap into place behind the blocking wall 72, blocking unscrewing.

[0047] An essential advantage of the present invention is that any risk of contact between the fluid product contained in the tank 1 and a neck seal capable of absorbing fluid is avoided by the elimination of the neck seal, replaced by the radial sealing profile 54.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is understood that this description is not limiting and that a person skilled in the art may make any useful modification to it without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. A fluid product dispensing device comprising a pump (10) having a pump body (11) fixed to a neck (2) of a reservoir (1) containing a fluid product to be dispensed, said neck (2) having an upper axial edge (3), said pump having a turret (50), said turret (50) having a mounting portion (51) for directly attaching to said pump body (11), a flange portion (52) for cooperating in the assembled position directly with said upper axial edge (3) of said neck (2), and a fitting sleeve (53) extending axially downwards under said flange portion (52), said fitting sleeve (53) being, upon assembly of said pump (10) onto said reservoir (1), fitting into said neck (2) of said reservoir (1), said fitting sleeve (53) having a radial sealing profile (54) which, after assembly, cooperates in a leak-proof manner with said neck (2) of said reservoir (1),characterized in that said sealing profile (54) is substantially non-deformable and comprises a peripheral end surface (54') having an axial height h between 0.10 and 0.20 mm, advantageously about 0.15 mm.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral end surface (54') is connected to said fitting sleeve (53) by a flared portion (58) which extends radially outwards.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein said flared part (58) is frustoconical or concave.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said turret (50) is made of a single piece, in particular by molding.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pump (10) is fixed to said neck (2) of said reservoir (1) by a fixing ring (5) screwable onto a thread (4) of said neck (2).

6. Device according to claim 5, comprising anti-unscrewing means.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said anti-unscrewing means comprise a projection (70) formed in said screw thread (4) of said collar (2), said projection (70) comprising on one side a inclined ramp (71) and on the other side a blocking wall (72), said fixing ring (5), at the end of screwing, being adapted to pass over said projection (70) by sliding over said inclined ramp (71) to snap into place behind said blocking wall (72).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said turret (50) is a single piece fixed directly to said pump body (11), which is adapted to cooperate directly with said upper axial edge (3) of said neck (2), and which is adapted to cooperate directly with the inside of said neck (2).

9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said device is devoid of a neck seal.

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