Abstract:
A device for dispensing a fluid material from a container, including a conventional pump or valve comprising a fixed body in which an actuating rod ( 11 ) is movable between an inoperative position and a dispensing position, said rod ( 11 ) being hollow so that it defines a discharge channel ( 15 ) providing fluid communication between at least one part of said fluid material and outlets ( 12 ) on the rod; and a dispensing member ( 3 ) secured to said body and provided with a fixed dispensing outlet ( 20 ) and means ( 31, 34 ) for providing fluid communication between said movable outlets ( 12 ) and the fixed dispensing outlet ( 20 ), at least in the dispensing position, as well as a push button ( 13 ) mounted on the actuating rod ( 11 ) for sealing the top end of the discharge channel ( 15 ).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention concerns a dispensing device of fluid product with a liquid to pasty consistency contained in a container, said dispensing device dispensing fluid product in the form of a fixed spray. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     “Fixed spray” is understood to mean a jet of fluid product in sprayed form that is not displaced during actuating of the device. In fact, most of the dispensing devices are actuated by transfer displacement with a button incorporating the nozzle which is acted upon with a finger or an actuating device. The steadiness of the spray is therefore taken by comparison with the container. The fixed spray dispensing devices, which may or may not be a simple pump or with precompression or a measuring valve, can for example find usefulness in the applications connected with pharmacology in which the precision of the jet is important. 
     Fixed spray dispensing devices are already known from the prior art, for example from documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,198, FR-A-2015035, WO 93/03857 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,628. In these devices of the prior art, the actuating of the button makes a plunger descend into a chamber that is provided in the lower part of a valve device that communicates with a discharge channel. The complexity of this type of dispensing device is due to the steadiness of the spray; the escape of the fluid product outside the chamber being made through a dispensing channel independent of the button, while in the conventional pump in which the spray is not fixed, the discharge of the product outside the chamber is done usually through the hollow actuating rod which is used from discharge channel towards the push button mounted on the upper extremity of the actuating rod. Every structure of this type of device of the prior art is therefore concerned with the fact that the spray is fixed. The button, the exit valve chamber, as well as the discharge and dispensing channel are of a specific design and little known by comparison with a conventional dispensing device not producing a fixed spray. This structural complexity makes the device relatively costly. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One goal of the present invention is to provide a fixed spray dispensing device for fluid product that may be less costly to manufacture. The invention is proposed to use conventional dispensing devices without fixed spray modified so that their spray is fixed. 
     To do this, the goal of the present invention is a dispensing device of fluid product contained in a container, said device including: 
     a pump or a valve of the conventional type including a fixed body in which an actuating rod is movable between a resting position and a dispensing position, said rod being hollow so that it forms a discharge channel providing fluid communication between at least one part of said fluid product and outlets formed on the rod, 
     characterized in that the device includes in addition: 
     a dispensing member secured on said body, said dispensing member presenting a fixed dispensing outlet and means of communication for providing fluid communication with said movable outlets with the fixed dispensing outlet at least in dispensing position, and 
     a push button mounted on the actuating rod so as to seal the discharge channel at its upper extremity. 
     In contrast to the devices of the prior art described above, the fluid product is expelled outside the chamber through the discharge channel incorporated in the movable actuating rod. While in the prior art one sought to avoid passing the fluid product through the button or the actuating rod because of their mobility, in the present invention, the fluid passes through the actuating rod allowing the use of conventional dispensing devices that do not produce a fixed spray. This stationary dispensing member allows the spray to be fixed due to fluid communication with the outlet means of the actuating rod. 
     The actuating rod could or could not be a valve rod with a valve or an actuating rod with a precompression pump. The valve or the pump is an absolutely conventional type and therefore relatively low in cost. Consequently, by simple adaptation of the dispensing member and the push button on the rod, a fixed spray dispensing device is obtained. 
     According to one form of execution, the communication means include an outlet chamber secured to the dispensing member in which one part of the rod comprising at least the outlet means is mounted so that it can slide in a leaktight manner, said chamber, at least in the dispensing position, causing the outlets of the rod communicate with the dispensing outlet. 
     Advantageously, the exit chamber surrounds the rod at a height s approximately equal to the height of defined movement between the resting position and the dispensing position of the rod. 
     In order to guarantee the leaktightness, the exit chamber is provided with two annular leaktight lips in leaktight sliding contact with the rod. 
     The fluid product discharged by the discharge channel through the outlet means arrives therefore in a chamber sufficiently high to allow it, by means of exit outlets to be at any moment in communication with this exit chamber at least on one part of the movement of the rod up to its dispensing position. In fact, the outlet means according to one form of execution can be at any moment in communication with the exit chamber all along the movement of the rod between the resting position and the dispensing position. In this case, the dispensing device should be provided with an exit valve. As a variation, the outlet means of the rod, can be isolated from the dispensing member in resting position. 
     In other words, the outlet means of the rod are situated outside the exit chamber in resting position. In this case, the obstruction of the outlet means in resting position acts as exit valve means. With little movement of the rod, the outlet means are therefore hidden. This variation of execution is particularly well adapted in the case where the rod is an actuating rod with a precompression pump, in which a small initial movement of the rod is used to pressurize the fluid product. 
     Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following detailed description of two forms of execution given by way of nonlimiting example compared with attached drawings. 
    
    
     In the drawings: 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a view in section of a dispensing device according to a first form of execution of the present invention, and 
     FIG. 2 is view in section of a dispensing device according to a second form of execution of the present invention, showing the internal structure of the device. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is applied to any dispensing device with an actuating rod movable between a resting position and a dispensing position. As dispensing device of this type, simple pumps can be mentioned with or without precompression and measuring valves. In FIG. 1 a dispensing device is represented, designated with the reference number  1 , where the internal structure is not visible. It must be understood that it can concerns a pump as well as a valve. As can be seen, the dispensing device  1  is mounted on the neck  2  of a container to which it is fixed by crimping  14 . The container may or may not be a pressurized container. The dispensing device  1  includes a fixed body  10  in which an actuating rod  11  with mounted actuating button  13  is movable between a resting position and a sunken dispensing position. The actuating rod  11  is hollow and causes the dispensing chamber to communicate through an internal discharge channel  15  in the case of a pump or a measuring valve, or the container itself in the case of a nonmeasuring valve, with one or several or outlets  12  formed laterally in the actuating rod  11 . Conventionally, with each depression of button  13  leading the actuating rod  11  toward its dispensing position, product is discharged by doses, or by continuous jets in the case of a nonmeasuring valve, through the hollow actuating rod  11 , then through the outlet(s)  12 . It happens that this is an absolutely conventional design for a dispensing device (pump or valve). Therefore, practically any conventional pump and valve currently on the market can be used, with the single condition that they are provided with a hollow actuating rod moving within a fixed body. 
     According to the invention, a dispensing member is provided, designated in its entirety by the reference number  3 , which is mounted on the dispensing device in a stationary or static manner by comparison with the container. That means that the dispensing member is not moved during depression of the push button  13 . The dispensing member  3  causes the outlet(s)  12  of the actuating rod  11  to communicate with a dispensing outlet  30  which allows a projection of fluid product in the form of jets of fine sprayed droplets. The dispensing outlet  30  can be of any appropriate nozzle with or without a swirling chamber. In the form of execution represented in FIG. 1, the dispensing member covers the dispensing device with a cylindrical case  33  which extends over the crimping  14  until it is in contact with the base of the neck  2  of the container. This exterior case  33  incorporates the nozzle  30  and also allows depression of the button  13  on the interior of the case until the upper surface of the button  13  is flush with the upper edge of the case  33 . The dispensing member  3  comprises in addition an annular brace  36  that extends from the exterior case  33  towards the interior. This annular brace  36  incorporates a dispensing duct  34  which extends from the nozzle  30  towards the interior where it opens into an exit chamber  31  formed by a leaktight mantle  32  which is formed in a single piece with the annular brace  36  and the exterior case  33 . The annular brace  36  also incorporates a vent hole  35  that allows entrance of air as fluid product is dispensed in the case of a non-airless pump. Ratcheting fasteners  37  extend from the lower face of the annular brace  36  and are engaged with the dispensing device for constraint of the dispensing member  3  on the dispensing device  1 . The ratcheting fasteners  37  must be sufficiently resistant to prevent any movement related to the distribution member  3  by comparison with the dispensing device  1 . The dispensing member  1  [sic;  3 ] is therefore ratcheted on the dispensing device  1 . 
     On the other hand, it is to be noted that the push button  13  acts as a stopper to seal the open upper extremity of the actuating rod, which is normally connected to a conventional dispensing head incorporating a tip or a nozzle. To ensure good leaktightness as well as good maintenance, the push button  13  is ratcheted in the actuating rod; an annular leaktight cord can for example improve the leaktightness. 
     Also, due to the dispensing member  3  and the push button  13  of the invention, it is possible to transform practically any conventional pump or valve into a fixed spray dispenser, the dispensing member  3  allowing the fluid arising from the mobile actuating rod to be led to the fixed nozzle and the push button allowing the open upper extremity of the discharge channel  15  of the actuating rod  11  to be sealed. 
     According to an interesting characteristic of the invention, the exit chamber  31  formed by the sleeve  32  is crossed by the actuating rod  11  of the dispensing device  1 . As can be seen in FIG. 1, the exit chamber  31  is made leaktight due to two annular leaktight lips  320 ,  321  which are in leaktight sliding contact with the actuating rod  11 . The effective volume of the exit chamber  31  is therefore defined by the annulus formed between the sleeve  32  and the actuating rod  11 . In the form of execution of FIG. 1 that is represented in resting position, it can be noted that the outlet(s)  12  of the actuating rod  11  are situated within the exit chamber  31 . Consequently, in resting position, the hollow actuating rod  11  is in communication by fluid with the outlet  30  through the outlet(s)  12 , the exit chamber  31  and the dispensing duct  34 . To allow the actuating of the dispensing device by depression of the button  13 , the exit chamber  31  must have sufficient height to allow the outlets  12  to be within the exit chamber  31  when the actuating rod reaches its dispensing position, that is the lowest position. It is essential that the outlet(s) of the actuating rod  11  be situated within the exit chamber  31  at least in the dispensing position. Of course, in the case represented in FIG. 1, where the outlets  12  are situated in the exit chamber  31  in resting position, it is essential that the dispensing device be equipped with an internal exit valve (not shown) to isolate the interior of the dispensing device from the atmosphere. It will be otherwise for the form of execution represented in FIG. 2 that will be described below. 
     A cycle of actuating will now be rapidly described to understand its operation. In the resting state represented in FIG. 1, the actuating rod  11  is pushed back by internal spring return means on the device (not visible) towards its high resting position. The outlet(s)  12  of the actuating rod  11  are situated in the upper part of the exit chamber  31  and consequently communicate with the dispensing outlet  30  by the chamber  31  and the dispensing duct  34 . A push exerted on the push button  13  axially allows the actuating rod  11  to be pushed into the dispensing device, which cause lowering of the outlet(s)  12 . According to the type of dispensing device the fluid product is discharged through the actuating rod  11 , either from the beginning of the movement of the rod towards its dispensing position, or from a certain length of movement during which no fluid product is dispensed. This is especially the case with a precompression pump in which the product is only dispensed after a certain distance of movement of the actuating rod that allows one to overcome a precompression spring. Be that as it may, when the actuating rod  11  has reached its dispensing position, the interior of the dispensing device must be in communication by fluid with the dispensing outlet  30 . Given that the outlet(s) of the actuating rod  11  are permanently situated within exit chamber  31 , it can be ensured that the entire fluid product is dispensed through the dispensing outlet  30 . 
     The dispensing member  3  according to the invention allows, due to its exit chamber  31 , the effects of the movement of the actuating rod  11  on the jet of sprayed fluid product to be erased at the exit. The dispensing chamber  31 ′ therefore allows the steadiness of the sprayed jet to be reestablished. The steadiness of the jet is particularly appreciated in the case of uses of the dispensing devices in which the precision of the jet is important, as is the case in the pharmaceutical field. 
     It is also to be noted that the dispensing member of the invention can be adapted to practically any dispensing device with an actuating rod. 
     By referring now to FIG. 2, a second form of execution will be described in detail according to the invention. This form of execution will show the internal structure of the dispensing device, with the occurrence of a precompression pump. Spring return  17  pushes the actuating rod  11  towards its resting position that is that represented in FIG.  2 . The precompression necessary to obtain a good quality of the jet of sprayed product is ensured by a second fixed precompression spring  16 . A detailed explanation of the operation of a precompression pump will not be given here, and one can for example refer to document FR-2403465 for more extensive explanations. What is to be noted is that the discharge of the product into such a pump is not produced from the actuating the push button  13  but after a certain distance of movement which allows the fluid product to be put under a determined pressure in the dispensing chamber. The exit valve of such a pump is therefore adapted to be opened only when the pressure in the dispensing chamber of the pump has reached the determined precompression pressure. 
     In the form of execution represented in FIG. 2, the precompression pump has been slightly modified in that it no longer comprises an exit valve, the function of which is now ensured by the dispensing member  3 . In fact, the actuating rod  11  opens directly into the pump chamber. In contrast to the form of execution represented in FIG. 1, the outlet(s)  12  of the actuating rod  11  are not situated in the exit chamber  31  of the distribution member in the resting position. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the outlets  12  are situated, in the resting position, in an isolated chamber  315  closed by two annular airtight lips  320  and  325 . Consequently, the outlets  12  of the actuating rod  11  in the resting position are isolated from the exterior by double rows of annular lips  320  and  325 . Thus, the isolated chamber  315  fills the function of the chamber of exit valve by isolating the pump chamber from the exterior. The outlets  12  are therefore not positioned in the exit chamber  31  of the dispensing member in the resting position. As can be understood from FIG. 2, the outlets  12  will be in communication with the exit chamber  31  only after the actuating rod  11  has gone a certain distance of movement. The actuating rod  11  must reach the exit chamber  31  with the outlets  12  which is also delimited by a double row of annular lips  320  and  321 . The annular lip  320  delimits the separation between valve chamber  315  and the exit chamber  31 . It is therefore only when the outlets  12  have cleared the airtight annular lip  320  that the pressurized fluid product in the pump chamber will be discharged through the actuating rod  11 , the outlets  12 , the exit chamber  31 , the dispensing duct  34  and finally the dispensing outlet  30  of the nozzle. 
     In this particular case illustrated in FIG. 2, the dispensing member of the invention fills therefore a double function: that of exit valve for a precompression pump and that of steadiness of the jet of the sprayed fluid product. As for the push button  13  it also fills here the function of sealer of the discharge channel  15 .