Dispensing device

Abstract

Device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a dispensing assembly (11), comprising: a deformable chamber (16) configured to contain the dose of said product to be dispensed, and to deform following the action of a user aimed at activating said device in order to obtain the dispensing of said product, an outlet valve (18) positioned downstream of said deformable chamber (16) configured to allow the exit of said product, a container (6) positioned upstream of said deformable chamber (16) and configured to contain said product and not to deform following the action of a user aimed at activating said device in order to obtain the dispensing of said product, and characterised by the fact that it further comprises a porous septum (14) positioned between said container (6) and said deformable chamber (16) configured to allow the passage of a controlled quantity of said product towards said deformable chamber (16).

Description

[0001] DISPENSING DEVICE

[0002] The present invention relates to a dispensing device, in particular a device for dispensing fluid products.

[0003] There are known devices for dispensing fluid products that allow the dispensing of defined quantities of product following the pressing of a button by the user.

[0004] However, these devices are not completely satisfactory if you want to regulate the quantity of product that the device itself can dispense in a certain time interval. In fact, if a user decides to want to obtain a greater quantity of product, with the known devices it is sufficient to activate the dispensing mechanism several times. This is particularly undesirable if the product to be dispensed is particularly expensive, or in any case must be used in limited or in any case determined quantities in order to avoid waste.

[0005] Furthermore, in order to limit, or in any case determine the quantity of product that can be dispensed in a given time interval, it is known that it is possible to use dispensing devices that include electronic parts designed to control the quantity of product dispensed in a unit of time. However, these electronic dispensing devices are not fully satisfactory because the electronic components can break and are more expensive to produce. Furthermore, it is necessary to carry out an accurate calibration of all the components in order to obtain adequate operation.

[0006] The state of the art also includes documents US 4393982, US 2013 / 0056497 and US5082150.

[0007] The aim of the present invention is to propose a dispensing device that overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions.

[0008] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that allows the dispensing of a determined quantity of product in a defined interval of time.

[0009] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that limits the quantity of product that can be dispensed in a unit of time.

[0010] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that requires only the use of mechanical parts, avoiding the use of electronic parts.

[0011] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that is simple and economical to produce.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that exploits the properties of innovative materials.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is to propose a device that can be associated with containers of different products already existing on the market.

[0014] Another purpose of the invention is to propose a device that is an alternative and / or improvement on known devices.

[0015] All these purposes, and others which will clearly result from the description, are obtained by means of a dispensing device having the characteristics described in claim 1.

[0016] Other structural and functional features of the present invention and the related advantages with respect to the known art will become even clearer and more evident from an examination of the following description, referring to an exemplary and preferred, but not limiting, embodiment of the dispensing device, object of the present invention, and from the attached drawings, where:

[0017] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a lateral perspective view of the device according to the invention,

[0018] Figure 2 shows it in front view,

[0019] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the container and the dispensing complex before dispensing,

[0020] Figure 4 shows them after dispensing,

[0021] Figure 5 shows a detail of the dispensing complex in a schematic manner,

[0022] Figure 6 shows a side section of the dispensing complex and the dispensing element,

[0023] Figure 7 shows the variation of the filling time of the deformable chamber as the hardness of the venting valve varies,

[0024] Figure 8 shows the variation of the filling time of the deformable chamber as the hardness of the elastic element varies,

[0025] Figure 9 shows the variation of the filling time of the deformable chamber as the diameter of the restriction varies, and

[0026] Figure 10 shows the variation of the filling time of the deformable chamber as the viscosity of the fluid varies.

[0027] As can be clearly seen from the figures, the present invention relates to a dispensing device, indicated as a whole by the number 1. In particular, the dispensing device according to the invention can be configured to dispense a predefined quantity or in any case selected by the user, or a multiple of said predefined quantity, of a fluid product. In particular, the fluid product can be a liquid, preferably a viscous fluid, with a well-defined viscosity. By viscous fluid, it is also meant a product in the form of a fine powder, whose overall rheology is substantially similar to that of a viscous fluid. In particular, it can have a viscosity between 0.2 and 20,000 centipoise, and preferably 1 ,500 centipoise. Suitably, the device 1 can comprise an external casing 2, configured to contain the various additional components of the device itself.

[0028] Advantageously, a dispensing element 4 can be defined on the external container, which is configured, when operated by a user, to in turn operate a dispensing complex 11 , in order to allow the dispensing of the product contained within a container 6, and in particular its exit from the container 6 towards the external environment 10. For example, said dispensing element 4 can comprise a button that is movable with respect to the rest of the container, and is configured to be pressed in order to obtain the dispensing of the product, as will be clear later. In particular, the dispensing element 4 can be configured to return to the starting condition when the user's action is interrupted. Alternatively, the button can be replaced by any alternative means, such as a switch, a dispensing wheel or other.

[0029] The device also comprises a first container 6 configured to contain the product to be dispensed. Suitably, the container 6 can be made of flexible and / or elastic material. In particular, it can be configured to deform and / or contract following the dispensing of the product, and subsequently to return to the original shape and / or size at a later time, as will be clear below. Alternatively, in a preferred embodiment, the container 6 can be rigid. Preferably, the container 6 can be made of polymeric material, for example, it can be made of Polypropylene, Polyethylene, High Density Polyethylene, Low-Density Polyethylene, Linear Low-Density Polyethylene, or Polyethylene Terephthalate or, alternatively, of glass or metal. Advantageously, the material from which the container 6 is made may comprise, within it, a substantially homogeneous dispersion of recycled polymers, in order to reduce the environmental impact of the device 1 . Preferably, the container 6 may be made from a material having a Young's modulus between 0.1 GPa and 3 GPa in the case of polymeric materials, approximately 50GPa in the case of glass and approximately 200GPa in the case of steel.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the container 6 may have a substantially cylindrical shape, with rounded dihedrals. Preferably, the lateral surface may be substantially concave, in order to better distribute the pressure and / or depression, as will be clear later.

[0031] In one embodiment, the outer casing 2 may not be present, and the dispensing device 1 may simply be associated with an existing container in order to allow controlled dispensing of the product contained therein.

[0032] In particular, in one embodiment the casing 2 may comprise two different portions 3, 3', which are separable from each other. A first portion 3 configured to contain, at least partially, a container 6 of the product to be dispensed, and a second portion 3' configured to contain, at least partially, the dispensing assembly 11 , as will be clear later. Advantageously the dispensing element 4 may be defined in said second portion 3'.

[0033] The device may conveniently comprise a venting valve 8, configured to allow the passage of air from the external environment 10 to the inside of the container 6. Conveniently, the venting valve 8 may be configured to allow the passage of air only when the pressure inside the container 6 is lower than the pressure of the external environment, and in particular when the pressure inside the container 6 is lower by a predefined value than that of the external environment. Advantageously, the venting valve 8 may be configured to allow a regular flow of air to the inside of the container 6, and in particular a flow of 1 ml in an interval between 1 and 30 s, and preferably every 10 s. Advantageously, the venting valve 8 may be of the non-return type, i.e. it may be configured to prevent the escape of any fluid - i.e. air and / or product to be dispensed - from the inside of the container 6 to the outside of the container 6 through the opening of the valve itself. In particular, therefore, the venting valve 8 can be positioned substantially upstream of the container 6. As is clearly shown in figures 3 - 5, advantageously the venting valve 8 can be positioned at the lower end of the container 6 - i.e. when the container 6 contains a quantity, even a small one, of fluid to be dispensed, the venting valve 8 can be facing the fluid to be dispensed. Therefore, substantially the venting valve 8 can face the air of the external environment 10 on one side, and the fluid to be dispensed on the other.

[0034] Furthermore, the device 1 may comprise a cap 12 configured to regulate the flow of product exiting the container 6. In particular, the cap 12 may comprise a porous septum 14 configured to regulate the speed with which the product can exit the container 6 in the dispensing direction. Furthermore, the porous septum 14 may be configured to prevent the passage of the product to be dispensed from the deformable chamber 16 located downstream towards the container 6 located upstream - i.e. in the opposite direction to that of dispensing. In particular, therefore, said cap 12 may be positioned downstream of said container 6. Advantageously, said porous septum 14 may comprise a membrane in which a plurality - i.e. a quantity not easily countable - of holes are defined, preferably of micro and / or nanoscopic size.

[0035] In an embodiment not shown, said porous septum 14 can be replaced or assisted by a restriction.

[0036] The device 1 may also comprise a deformable chamber 16 configured to reduce or in any case modify its shape and / or size following the dispensing of the product by the device 1 , and to return to the original shape and / or size after a defined time interval. Suitably, said deformable chamber may be positioned downstream of said cap 12. Advantageously, said deformable chamber may be made of a material that has a hardness between 20 and 100 shore. Advantageously, every time a user activates the dispensing element 4, the device may be configured to dispense substantially the entire volume of fluid contained within the deformable chamber 16. In particular, therefore, the deformable chamber 16 may be configured to have a dead volume that is negligible or in any case reduced compared to the dimensions of the chamber itself.

[0037] The device 1 may also comprise an outlet valve 18 configured to allow the product to be dispensed to escape. Preferably, the outlet valve 18 may be positioned downstream of the deformable chamber. Suitably, the outlet valve 18 may be configured to allow the product to be dispensed to escape only when the pressure inside the deformable chamber 16 exceeds a predefined value or selected by the user.

[0038] Suitably, the outlet valve 18 may be of the non-return type, and, in particular, may be configured to prevent the passage of air in the direction of the deformable chamber 16.

[0039] The operation of the device is clearly evident from what has been said above.

[0040] In particular, the user can operate the dispensing element 4 in order to cause the contraction of the deformable chamber 12. This causes an increase in the pressure upstream of the outlet valve 16, which consequently allows the dispensing of the product.

[0041] The product then begins to flow out of the container 6 through the cap 12 towards the deformable chamber 14 in order to fill it again and allow a subsequent dispensing. This flow out occurs slowly thanks to at least one, and preferably a combination of two or more of the following factors:

[0042] - the air that must replace the product inside the container 6 in order to maintain the pressure inside it equal to the external one, can flow inside the container 6 only through the venting valve 8, and is therefore regulated,

[0043] - the material - and in particular its rheology - and the shape of the container 6 can make its return to the shape and / or size prior to dispensing more or less rapid, thus delaying the pressure equilibrium between the two sides of the cap 12,

[0044] - the material - and in particular its rheology - and the shape of the deformable chamber 16 can make its return to the shape and / or size prior to dispensing more or less rapid, thus delaying the pressure balance between the two sides of the cap 12 and upstream of the outlet valve 18.

[0045] In this way the device will be ready for a new dispensing not before a predefined time interval which depends, in fact, on the different shapes and / or materials used for at least one of the components of the dispensing complex 11 and / or the container 6, as well as on the rheology - and in particular the viscosity - of the product to be dispensed.

[0046] It is clearly apparent from what has been said that the product dispensed by the device 1 according to the invention substantially has the same properties and / or the same chemical / physical characteristics as the product contained inside the container 6. In particular, therefore, the device 1 according to the invention allows the organoleptic properties or in any case the chemical / physical properties of the starting product to be safeguarded for a long period of time.

[0047] From what has been said it is clear that the dispensing device according to the invention is particularly advantageous, indeed optimal, as it allows a specific quantity of product to be dispensed in a unit of time without the use of electronic components.

[0048] In particular, compared to previous documents US 4393982, US 2013 / 0056497 and US5082150, the presence of a porous membrane allows for accurate management of the quantity of fluid dispensed with each dispensing.

[0049] Finally, it is evident that numerous other variations can be made to the fastening and joining system in question, without departing from the principles of novelty inherent in the inventive idea as claimed in the attached claims, just as it is clear that, in the practical implementation of the invention, the materials, shapes and dimensions of the illustrated details may be any according to the needs and the same may be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . Device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a dispensing assembly (11 ), comprising: a deformable chamber (16) configured to contain the dose of said product to be dispensed, and to deform following the action of a user aimed at activating said device in order to obtain the dispensing of said product, an outlet valve (18) positioned downstream of said deformable chamber (16) configured to allow the exit of said product, a container (6) positioned upstream of said deformable chamber (16) and configured to contain said product and not to deform following the action of a user aimed at activating said device in order to obtain the dispensing of said product, and characterised by the fact that it further comprises a porous septum (14) positioned between said container (6) and said deformable chamber (16) configured to allow the passage of a controlled quantity of said product towards said deformable chamber (16).

2. Device according to claim 1 characterised in that said porous septum (14) comprises a porous membrane.

3. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that a plurality of holes of microscopic size are defined in said membrane.

4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that between said container (6) and said deformable chamber (16) there is at least one restriction.

5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said outlet valve (18) is configured to prevent the passage of air towards said deformable chamber (16).

6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said container (6) is associated with a venting valve (8) configured to allow the entry of air into the container (6).

7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised by comprising a dispensing element (4) configured to be operated by the user in order to obtain the dispensing of the product by the device, and configured to deform the deformable chamber (16).

8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said porous septum (14) and / or said restriction are configured to prevent and / or limitthe passage of said product from said deformable chamber (16) towards said container (6).

9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said venting valve (8) is the only element that allows air to enter the container (6).

10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said venting valve (8) is positioned in a lower position with respect to the container (6).11 . Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that each time a user activates said dispensing element (4) the device can be configured to dispense substantially the entire volume of fluid contained within said deformable chamber (16).

12. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said deformable chamber (16) can be configured to present a dead volume that is negligible or in any case reduced compared to the dimensions of the chamber itself.

13. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that when said container (6) contains a quantity, even a small one, of fluid to be dispensed, said venting valve (8) can be facing the fluid to be dispensed.

14. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said outlet valve (18) is unidirectional.

15. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said deformable chamber (16) is made of a material with a hardness between 20 and 100 shore.

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