Powder dispenser

Abstract

Disclosed is a powder dispenser comprising a powder bottle (F) and a dispensing head () which together define a powder reservoir (R) which extends from a bottom (F1) of the powder bottle (F) to a closure wall (25) of the dispensing head (T) formed by a fixed part (Pf) of the dispensing head (T) that is fixed with respect to the powder bottle (F), the closure wall (25) forming a peripheral outlet lip (26) in selective sealing contact with an outlet seat (32) formed by a moving part (Pm) of the dispensing head (T) that is movable with respect to the powder bottle (F), the outlet lip (26) leaving its contact with the outlet seat (32) during actuation of the dispenser in order to allow the powder to exit the reservoir (R) under the effect of gravity, the fixed part (Pf) comprising a passage sleeve (21) connected to the closure wall (25) by connection means (23), characterized in that the connection means (23) are annular, without an axial central element, such that the powder reservoir (R) extends continuously from the bottom (F1) of the powder bottle (F) to a closure wall (25) of the dispensing head (T).

Description

Powder dispenser

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder dispenser which delivers powder by gravity. This type of dispenser generally comprises a powder reservoir which extends from a bottom of the powder bottle to a closure wall in selective sealing contact with an outlet seat: the outlet lip leaving its contact with the outlet seat when the dispenser is actuated to allow the powder to exit the reservoir by gravity.

[0002] Such a dispenser is known in particular from document DE19832419A1, in which the reservoir forms a sort of funnel which leads to a dosing chamber. The closure wall at the outlet of the dosing chamber is movable laterally at the same time as a dosing wall at the inlet of the dosing chamber. Thus, the powder stored in the dosing chamber is isolated from the reservoir by the dosing wall and can flow by gravity out of the dosing chamber through an opening in the closure wall which is aligned with the outlet of the dosing chamber.

[0003] This dispenser of document DE19832419A1 is suitable for dispensing sugar or coffee, namely products that are more granular than powdery, which have less tendency to agglomerate than fine, moist and / or greasy powders. Indeed, the dispenser of document DE19832419A1 is not suitable for dispensing fine, moist and / or greasy powders: these can agglomerate and form plugs at the reservoir funnel, the inlet into the dosing chamber or inside the dosing chamber.

[0004] Document WO2021015985 describes a powder dispenser comprising a pusher connected to a closure wall by a central axial rod. In addition, the powder reservoir forms a funnel at the bottom, so that this dispenser suffers from the same problems as that of document DE19832419A1.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to design a powder dispenser which is particularly well suited for the distribution of more or less fine, moist and / or greasy powders, some of which tend to agglomerate.

[0006] To this end, the present invention provides a powder dispenser comprising a powder bottle and a dispensing head which together define a powder reservoir which extends from a bottom of the powder bottle to a closure wall of the dispensing head formed by a fixed part of the dispensing head relative to the powder bottle, the closure wall forming a peripheral outlet lip in selective sealed contact with an outlet seat formed by a movable part of the dispensing head relative to the powder bottle, the outlet lip leaving its contact with the outlet seat when the dispenser is actuated to allow the powder to exit the reservoir by gravity, the fixed part comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means, in which the connecting means are annular, without an axial central element,so that the powder reservoir extends continuously from the bottom of the powder bottle to a closure wall of the dispensing head. Thus, the powder has a clear (unobstructed) flow path of large cross-section inside the dispensing head. There is nothing in this flow path that could generate an agglomeration of powder and therefore a plug, which would stop the flow. The closure wall is supported on its periphery, and not axially and / or centrally, which frees up a central passage for the powder. The spirit of the invention is to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the powder flow, in order to avoid an agglomeration of powder and a plug in the flow.,

[0007] According to another characteristic of the invention, the connecting means can form lateral outlet windows which communicate with the outside of the dispenser when the outlet lip leaves its contact with the outlet seat. Figuratively, the dispensing head defines a pipe formed by the passage sleeve, which is closed at its lower end by the closure wall. The outlets of this pipe are formed by the lateral windows, which direct the flow of powder outwards towards the outlet lip, which is detached from its seat, when the dispenser is actuated. In other words, the flow or flow of powder inside the dispensing head does not encounter any passage restriction or constriction, which would have the consequence of densifying the powder. On the contrary, the flow or flow of powder inside the dispensing head is cylindrical and / or divergent, but never convergent.All of the powder passing through the passage sleeve falls axially onto the closure wall and is deflected by this closure wall through the side windows to finally reach the opening passage formed between the outlet lip and its seat. The side windows and the outlet lip both successively direct the powder flow radially outwards, which has the effect of dispersing or de-densifying the powder, thus preventing any agglomeration and / or blockage. The dispensing head of the invention operates in exactly the opposite way to a funnel: instead of concentrating the powder towards a central axial orifice of reduced diameter, the present invention teaches to diffract the powder outwards like a sprinkler, which spreads the fluid. The spirit of the invention is always to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the powder flow, in order to avoid powder agglomeration and a blockage in the flow.

[0008] According to another characteristic of the invention, the connecting means can extend axially substantially in the extension of the passage sleeve, so that the passage sleeve opens directly onto the closure wall. For example, if the passage sleeve has a diameter of 30 mm, the connecting means can together define a diameter of 30 ± 5 mm. Advantageously, the connecting means together define a diameter of 28 to 35 mm. Preferably, the connecting means extend axially in the extension or outside the passage sleeve. The spirit of the invention is still to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the flow of powder, in order to avoid agglomeration of powder and a blockage in the flow.

[0009] According to another characteristic of the invention, the outlet lip has an external diameter which is substantially equal to, and advantageously greater than, the internal diameter of the passage sleeve. For example, if the passage sleeve has a diameter of 30 mm, the outlet lip has an external diameter of 30 to 40 mm. Preferably, the connecting means extend axially in the extension of the passage sleeve and the outlet lip has an external diameter greater than the diameter of the passage sleeve. The spirit of the invention is once again to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the flow of powder, in order to avoid agglomeration of powder and a blockage in the flow.

[0010] According to another aspect of the invention, the powder bottle may comprise a neck which has an internal diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the passage sleeve. In this case, the powder passing through the neck is not further constrained by its passage through the passage sleeve. The spirit of the invention always remains to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the flow of powder, in order to avoid agglomeration of powder and a blockage in the flow.

[0011] According to another aspect of the invention, the powder reservoir, at the level of the dispensing head, may have a maximum internal diameter at the level of the outlet lip. This implies that the powder is dispersed or scattered when it arrives at the level of the outlet lip, detached from its seat when the dispenser is actuated. Here again, the spirit of the invention is the same: to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the flow of powder, in order to avoid agglomeration of powder and a blockage in the flow.

[0012] According to yet another aspect of the invention, the powder reservoir, at the dispensing head, may have a minimum internal diameter greater than about 30 mm. Empirically, it has been found that fine, wet and / or greasy powders have a strong tendency to agglomerate when passing through passage sections smaller than about 30 mm. The term "about" can be defined as ± 10%. Once again, the spirit of the invention is the same: to prohibit any constriction or restriction of passage for the powder flow, in order to avoid powder agglomeration and blockage in the flow.

[0013] According to an additional feature, the passage sleeve may be provided with a sealing lip which slides in a sealed manner in a cylindrical barrel secured to the outlet seat. This sealing lip makes it possible to seal the reservoir when it is open and closed, so that the powder can only escape to the outside of the dispenser by gravity. Incidentally, this sealing lip may also serve to push or discharge the powder through the outlet opening formed between the outlet lip and its seat in the actuated or open position of the dispenser.

[0014] According to a practical embodiment, the fixed part of the dispensing head may comprise a mounting part which supports the passage sleeve and which receives the neck of the powder bottle in a removable manner, advantageously by screwing, the passage sleeve and the neck of the powder bottle preferably being received inside the mounting part. Thus, the neck and the sleeve may have substantially the same diameter, so that they do not cause any restriction of flow passage.

[0015] According to another practical aspect, the movable part of the dispensing head may comprise an internal sleeve which forms the outlet seat and a dispensing nozzle, into which the powder is channeled as it falls by gravity between the peripheral outlet lip and the outlet seat, a return spring acting between the internal sleeve and the fixed part to bring the peripheral outlet lip into sealed contact with its outlet seat. Thus, the internal sleeve can be applied to the target surface to be powdered and the user can exert pressure on the bottle towards the target surface, which has the effect of separating the outlet lip from its seat. A portion of the powder present in the dispensing head can then flow through the passage sleeve, the side windows and the outlet opening formed between the outlet lip and its seat.Then, the powder, already dispersed, spreads into the distribution nozzle, below the closure wall to finally fall by gravity onto the target surface delimited by the distribution nozzle.

[0016] Advantageously, the closure wall may be convex towards the inside of the reservoir and includes a top which extends between the connecting means and possibly into the connecting sleeve. The closure wall may be curved, in the form of a dome, or even have a conical shape, to direct the powder through the side windows.

[0017] The powder dispenser of the invention finds a preferred application for dispensing powders, which can be particularly agglomerating, clumping, aggregating, compacting or more simply sticky. These powders are known to be difficult to dispense with conventional dispensers.

[0018] The spirit of the invention lies in providing the least possible catch and the largest possible passage section for the powder, so that the powder can flow without obstacle in a substantially cylindrical hollow path, before being evacuated towards the outside with a radial component which allows its dispersion.

[0019] The present invention may be defined as a powder dispenser comprising a powder bottle and a dispensing head which together define a powder reservoir which extends from a bottom of the powder bottle to a closure wall forming a peripheral outlet lip in selective sealed contact with an outlet seat, the outlet lip leaving its contact with the outlet seat when the dispenser is actuated to allow the powder to exit the reservoir by gravity, and having one or more of the following characteristics, taken individually or cumulatively: - the dispensing head comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means, the connecting means are annular, without an axial central element, so that the powder reservoir extends continuously from the bottom of the powder bottle to a closure wall of the dispensing head,- the dispensing head comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means, the connecting means forming lateral outlet windows which communicate with the outside of the dispenser when the outlet lip leaves its contact with the outlet seat,- the dispensing head comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means, the connecting means extend axially substantially in the extension of the passage sleeve, so that the connecting sleeve opens directly onto the closure wall,- the dispensing head comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means, the outlet lip has an external diameter which is substantially equal to, and advantageously greater than, the internal diameter of the passage sleeve,- the dispensing head comprising a passage sleeve connected to the closure wall by connecting means,the powder bottle comprises a neck which has an internal diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the passage sleeve,- the powder reservoir, at the level of the dispensing head, has a maximum internal diameter at the level of the outlet lip,- the powder reservoir, at the level of the dispensing head, has a minimum internal diameter greater than approximately 30 mm.,

[0020] Therefore, protection could, for example, be sought for a dispenser whose reservoir, at the level of the dispensing head, has a minimum internal diameter greater than approximately 30 mm.

[0021] Thus, the present invention can be defined through various different characteristics, which nevertheless respond to the same and single problem, namely eliminating any constriction or restriction of passage for the flow of powder, in order to avoid agglomeration of powder and a blockage in the flow, particularly for fine, humid and / or greasy powders, which are clumpy at ambient temperature and humidity.

[0022] The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention.

[0023] In the figures:

[0024] This is a perspective view of a powder dispenser according to the invention,

[0025] This is a vertical cross-sectional view through the powder dispenser of the, which is in the rest position,

[0026] This is a sectional and perspective view of the powder dispenser from another sectional angle,

[0027] This is an exploded perspective view of the powder dispenser of Figures 1 to 3,

[0028] This is a view similar to that of the in the operated position, and

[0029] This is a similar view to that of the in the actuated distribution position.

[0030] The powder dispenser of the invention comprises two separate entities, namely a powder bottle F and a dispensing head T, on which the powder bottle F is removably mounted upside down. It can be noted that the general configuration of the dispenser is slightly conical or pyramidal, tapering upwards. The dispensing head T is thus wider than the bottle F. It can also be noted that the horizontal cross-section through the dispenser is substantially square in shape, with more or less flat or curved walls and more or less rounded edges. This square cross-section makes it easier to grip and hold the dispenser in the hands. However, it is not excluded that the dispenser of the invention may also have a round or even oval cross-section. This does not constitute a critical characteristic for the invention.

[0031] With reference indifferently to figures 2, 3 and 4, we will now describe in detail the different elements which constitute the powder dispenser of the invention.

[0032] First of all, the powder bottle F can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass, metal, etc. The powder bottle F comprises a bottom F1 which is located at the top, given that the powder bottle F is arranged upside down on the dispensing head T. This bottom F1 can optionally be capped with a cap F11. The powder bottle F also comprises four side walls F2, which are substantially flat or slightly curved. These side faces F2 extend downwards by a more or less annular shoulder F3, given the square section of the bottle. From this shoulder F2, the bottle F forms a neck F4, which is of course circular cylindrical. The neck is provided with an external thread F5. The internal diameter of the neck F4 is relatively large, and of the order of 30 mm or more. The internal wall of the neck F4 is preferably cylindrical and smooth so as not to allow the powder to catch.

[0033] The dispensing head T comprises a fixed part Pf and a movable part Pm. When the powder bottle F is mounted on the dispensing head T, the fixed part F is fixed relative to the bottle F, while the movable part is movable relative to both the bottle F and the fixed part F. It is the relative movement between the fixed part Pf and the movable part Pm that allows the powder stored in the bottle F and in the dispensing head T to exit by gravity.

[0034] The fixed part Pf here comprises a mounting part 1 and a closing part 2. These two parts 1 and 2 are secured to each other by any suitable means, such as for example a force fitting, a snap-fit, welding, gluing, etc. It can even be envisaged that these two parts 1 and 2 are produced in a single piece, by bi-injection or overmolding.

[0035] The mounting part 1 comprises a cylindrical part 11, in which the closure part 2 is engaged. Above this cylindrical part 11, the mounting part 1 forms a threaded ring 12, into which the threaded neck F4 of the bottle F is screwed. To ensure sealing, a neck seal J is provided, which is preferably subjected to radial stress. Beyond the threaded ring 12, the mounting part 1 forms a more or less wide annular plate, which connects outwardly a first square section 14 which extends downwards and which connects to a second square section 16 by forming between them a small shoulder 15. Thus, the first square section 14 extends around the threaded ring 12 and the second square section 16 extends substantially around the cylindrical part 11, which has a circular section.

[0036] The closure part 2 is advantageously made of a plastic material which is more flexible than that used to make the mounting part 1. For example, an elastomer thermoplastic can be used for the closure part 2. This part 2 comprises a passage sleeve 21 of circular section which is force-fitted inside the circular cylindrical part 11 of the mounting part 1. It can be noted that the sleeve 21 is separated from the neck F4 of the bottle F by a section of the cylindrical part 11. It can also be noted that the internal diameter of the neck F4 is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the passage sleeve 21. Thus, the volume formed by the neck F4, the cylindrical part 11 and the passage sleeve 21 is generally or practically cylindrical, only the section of the cylindrical part 11 making a slight outward indentation between the neck F4 and the sleeve 21.We can thus say that the internal diameter of the passage sleeve 21 is of the order of 30 mm or more, as is the case for the neck F4 of the bottle F.

[0037] At its lower end, the passage sleeve 21 forms a sealing lip 22, which extends radially outwards below the lower end of the cylindrical part 11. The closure part 2 also comprises a closure wall 25 arranged below the passage sleeve 21 and connected to the latter by connecting means 23, which form between them lateral outlet windows 24. These connecting means 23 are here in the form of tabs or bridges which extend downwards in the extension of the passage sleeve 21 to connect the closure wall 25 near its external periphery. This closure wall 25 defines on its external periphery an outlet lip 26, and preferably a double outlet lip 26. The diameter of this outlet lip 26 is greater than the internal diameter of the passage sleeve 21.The outlet lip 26 may have a diameter that is identical or substantially identical to that of the sealing lip 22 which is arranged above. It can thus be noted that the connecting means 23 and the side windows 24 are arranged between the sealing lip 22 and the (double) outlet lip 26. The closure wall 25 is preferably curved inwards and may be in the form of a rounded dome or a cone. The apex 25s of the closure wall 25 extends between the connecting means 23 and may even extend to the inside of the passage sleeve 21. The shape of the closure wall 25 may be optimized to promote the flow of the powder by gravity.

[0038] The mobile part Pm here comprises two separate parts, namely an internal sleeve 3 and an external covering 4. It is not excluded to produce these two parts in a single piece.

[0039] The inner sleeve 3 comprises a cylindrical barrel 31, which ends at its upper end in a re-entrant rim 33. At its lower end, the cylindrical barrel 31 forms an outlet seat 32 for the outlet lip 26 of the closure wall 25. The cylindrical barrel 31 also forms a sealed sliding wall for the sealing lip 22. Below the outlet seat 32, the inner sleeve 3 forms a nozzle 34, which flares radially outwards. At its lower end, the nozzle 34 is connected by a more or less wide area to the outer covering 4, which has a substantially square cross-section. More precisely, this outer covering 4 comprises a main body of substantially square section, which has at its upper end a re-entrant shoulder 42 and which is connected at its lower end 43 to the annular area 35.It can be noted that the upper part of the body 41 extends around the second square section 16 of the mounting part 1. The re-entrant shoulder 42 bears on the shoulder 15 formed between the first square section 14 and the second square section 16 of the mounting part 1.

[0040] Finally, a return spring S is arranged inside the dispensing head T between the fixed part Pf and the moving part Pm, for example bearing on the retracting rim 33 of the internal sleeve 3. This return spring S urges the closure wall 25 inside its outlet seat 32 and the shoulder 15 against the retracting shoulder 42. The powder dispenser is then in its rest position.

[0041] The bottle F and the dispensing head T together define a powder reservoir R, which extends from the bottom F1 of the bottle F to the closure wall 25. This powder reservoir R also extends through the side windows 24 to the level of the cylindrical barrel 31. This powder reservoir R is completely isolated from the outside, on the one hand by the neck seal J, and on the other hand by the lips 22 and 26.

[0042] It can be noted that there is no element, part or piece located between the neck F4 and the closure wall 25. It can be said that the neck F4 and the passage sleeve 21 open directly downwards onto the closure wall 25. Thus, the powder stored inside the reservoir R can fall by gravity without obstacle onto the closure wall 25 and from there, slide outwards through the side windows 24 to come into contact with the sliding barrel 31 and the outlet lip 26.

[0043] We will now refer to Figures 5 and 6, which show the dispenser in the actuated gravity dispensing position. The powder dispenser of the invention is manipulated in the following manner. The user begins by placing the dispenser on the desired target surface, resting the annular pad 35 on the target surface. The user can then exert a vertical thrust or pressure on the powder bottle F, so as to move the mounting part 1 and the closure part 2 downwards inside the internal sleeve 3 and the external covering 4. This has the effect of compressing the return spring S, but above all of detaching the outlet lip 26 from the outlet seat 32 formed by the cylindrical barrel 31. It should be noted that the sealing lip 22 always remains in sealed contact inside the cylindrical barrel 31, which is now located substantially at the level of the outlet seat 32. An outlet passage is thus formed for the powder between the outlet lip 26 and the nozzle 34.The powder is, however, confined inside the nozzle 34, given the more or less sealed contact between the annular area 35 and the target surface. The powder is thus dispensed with an annular pattern all around the outlet lip 26 inside the nozzle 34. Once the powder has been dispensed, the user simply needs to release the pressure on the bottle F, so that the dispenser returns to its initial rest state under the action of the return spring S.

[0044] This powder dispenser of the invention has the particularity that the passage section of the reservoir inside the dispensing head T is devoid of any central or axial element, which could promote the accumulation of powder and the formation of a plug. On the contrary, the passage section is completely free or clear and extends without restriction or constriction up to the level of the closure wall 25, which also does not create any passage restriction. On the contrary, the closure wall 25 directs the powder radially outwards, so as to promote its dispersion, and consequently its fluid flow. The only elements which could possibly disturb the flow are the connecting means 23, which can be made in the form of very thin bridges.

[0045] From a dimensional point of view, it is preferable that the passage section of the reservoir R inside the dispensing head is at least of the order of 30 mm. As for the closure wall 26, its outlet lip 26 has in any case a diameter greater than 30 mm, given that the lip projects outwards relative to the passage sleeve 21.

[0046] The hollow and empty configuration of the reservoir R in the distribution head T, with a large diameter of the order of 30 mm or more, considerably promotes the gravity flow of the powder, avoiding any formation of agglomerate or plug.

[0047] The powder dispenser just described is particularly suitable for dispensing more or less fine, moist and / or greasy powders, some of which tend to clump together.

Claims

Powder dispenser comprising a powder bottle (F) and a dispensing head () which together define a powder reservoir (R) which extends from a bottom (F1) of the powder bottle (F) to a closure wall (25) of the dispensing head (T) formed by a fixed part (Pf) of the dispensing head (T) relative to the powder bottle (F), the closure wall (25) forming a peripheral outlet lip (26) in selective sealed contact with an outlet seat (32) formed by a movable part (Pm) of the dispensing head (T) relative to the powder bottle (F), the outlet lip (26) leaving its contact with the outlet seat (32) when the dispenser is actuated to allow the powder to exit the reservoir (R) by gravity, the fixed part (Pf) comprising a passage sleeve (21) connected to the closure wall (25) by connecting means (23), characterized in that the connecting means (23) are annular, without an axial central element,such that the powder reservoir (R) extends continuously from the bottom (F1) of the powder bottle F() to a closing wall (25) of the dispensing head (T)., Powder dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the connecting means (23) form lateral outlet windows (24) which communicate with the outside of the dispenser when the outlet lip (26) leaves its contact with the outlet seat (32). Powder dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, in which the connecting means (23) extend axially substantially in the extension of the passage sleeve (21), so that the passage sleeve (21) opens directly onto the closure wall (25). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outlet lip (26) has an external diameter which is substantially equal to, and advantageously greater than, the internal diameter of the passage sleeve (21). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the powder bottle (F) comprises a neck (F4) which has an internal diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the passage sleeve (21). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the powder reservoir (R), at the dispensing head (T), has a maximum internal diameter at the outlet lip (26). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the powder reservoir (R), at the dispensing head (T), has a minimum internal diameter greater than approximately 30 mm. Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the passage sleeve (21) is provided with a sealing lip (22) which slides in a sealed manner in a cylindrical barrel (31) integral with the outlet seat (32). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixed part (Pf) of the dispensing head (T) comprises a mounting part (1) which supports the passage sleeve (21) and which receives the neck (F4) of the powder bottle (F) in a removable manner, advantageously by screwing, the passage sleeve (21) and the neck (F4) of the powder bottle (F) being preferably received inside the mounting part (1). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the movable part (Pm) of the dispensing head (T) comprises an internal sleeve (3) which forms the outlet seat (32) and a dispensing nozzle (34), into which the powder is channeled as it falls by gravity between the peripheral outlet lip (26) and the outlet seat (32), a return spring (S) acting between the internal sleeve (3) and the fixed part (Pf) to bring the peripheral outlet lip (26) into sealed contact with its outlet seat (32). Powder dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the closure wall (25) is convex towards the inside of the reservoir (R) and comprises a top (25s) which extends between the connecting means (23) and possibly into the connecting sleeve (21).

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