Patent Publication Number: US-8978933-B2

Title: Fluid product distributor

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR2012/050359 filed Feb. 20, 2012, claiming priority based on French Patent Application No. 11 51470 filed Feb. 23, 2011, the contents of all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir on which there is mounted a dispenser member such as a pump. The dispenser member comprises a body and an actuator rod on which there is mounted a pusher that the user may depress by means of one or more fingers. Advantageous fields of application of the present invention are the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmacy. 
     In the prior art, refillable fluid dispensers are already known having a reservoir that includes a filling valve. In addition, the dispenser forms a vent passage that puts the reservoir into communication with the outside. The vent passage may be closed by means of closure means that are urged by means of control means. The closure means may thus be brought into a closed condition, in which they close the vent passage, from an open or vent condition, in which the reservoir communicates with the outside through the vent passage. By way of example, document EP 1 896 189 is known which describes a refillable fluid dispenser having a reservoir that includes a bottom wall that is provided with a filling valve. In addition, a vent passage is formed either through the dispenser member or through a hole that is formed in the reservoir and that is closable by means of a valve that may be moved by means of a slidable control. In both embodiments, it is difficult to open or close the vent passage. In both embodiments, it is necessary to perform a specific operation that is not very conventional and that users are not used to doing. As a result, the user must study the instructions for the dispenser beforehand, in order to understand how it is possible to open the vent passage, so as to enable the air in the reservoir to escape while filling with fluid through the filling valve. In general, users are unwilling to use any operating mode that is unconventional or not intuitive. 
     An object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining an operating mode that is particularly simple for causing the control means to urge the closure means to close the vent passage. Another object of the present invention is to reduce the number of component parts of the fluid dispenser to as few as possible. Still another object of the present invention is to make a dispenser that can be mounted or assembled in extremely simple and achievable manner by means of machines that are not very sophisticated. 
     To achieve these objects, the present invention defines a fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir defining a neck and a bottom wall provided with a filling valve; a dispenser member, such as a pump, that is mounted on the reservoir so as to take the fluid, the dispenser member including a body and an actuator rod that is movable downwards and upwards along an axis X; a pusher that is mounted on the actuator rod of the dispenser member in such a manner as to turn about the axis X of the rod; a vent passage that puts the reservoir into communication with the outside; closure means for selectively closing the vent passage; and control means for urging the closure means into a closed condition, in which they close the vent passage, from an open condition, in which they do not close the vent passage; the dispenser being characterized in that the control means are turned by the pusher so as to switch the closure means between their open condition and their closed condition. Thus, by turning the pusher about its own axis, the user unconsciously opens or closes the vent passage. 
     It is even possible to envisage that the control means are incorporated in the pusher, in such a manner that they cannot be separated therefrom. Thus, the operating mode of the control means is extremely limited, since it is imposed directly by the kinds of movement that the pusher can perform, namely axially along the axis X and/or in turning about the same axis X. Either way, such movements are well known and are extremely widespread. 
     In an advantageous embodiment, the control means are in engagement with a cam path that defines two offset axial positions for moving the control means axially between the closed and open conditions. Preferably, the cam path is formed by a bushing that is secured to the reservoir. Thus, by turning the pusher about its own axis, the control means follow the cam path so as to move it axially and thus release or engage the vent passage closure means. 
     In a practical embodiment, the device includes fastener means for fastening the dispenser member in the reservoir, the fastener means comprising a fastener ring in leaktight engagement in the neck of the reservoir, and reception means for receiving the body of the dispenser member, the fastener ring being connected to the reception means via an annular disk. Advantageously, the bushing is formed by the fastener means, advantageously in axial alignment with the fastener ring. 
     Advantageously, the vent passage comprises a vent hole that is formed in the fastener means, advantageously at the annular disk. In a practical embodiment, the closure means comprise an annular gasket that is arranged on the annular disk in such a manner as to be able to be compressed between the control means and the fastener means. Thus, the control means are constrained to turn with the pusher, but may move axially relative to the pusher in such a manner as to be able to follow the cam path so as to move it axially. The axial movement of the control means makes it possible to compress or release the annular gasket that acts as closure means over the vent hole that is formed at the annular disk of the fastener means. 
     In another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the reception means comprise a tube in which the body of the dispenser member is interfitted in leaktight manner. Advantageously, the tube extends into the proximity of the bottom wall of the reservoir, a gauge ring being engaged freely around the tube in such a manner as to float in guided manner in the fluid of the reservoir so as to indicate the level of fluid in the reservoir. In addition or in a variant, the tube extends into the proximity of the bottom wall of the reservoir, the dispenser member being provided with a dip tube that extends into the reservoir, the tube surrounding the dip tube so as to guide it into the reservoir and/or hold it therein, in particular at the bottom of the reservoir. The dip tube usually presents a slight curve that deflects it from the axis of the reservoir and that could prevent or hinder proper operation of the bottom filling valve. By holding it in this way substantially on the axis, it is possible to avoid any interference with the filling valve. In addition or in a variant, the tube extends into the proximity of the bottom wall of the reservoir, the filling valve comprising a valve seat formed in the bottom wall of the reservoir and a valve member received in the reservoir and further comprising a closure pin for selectively coming into leaktight contact with the valve seat, the pin being connected to resilient drive elements, the tube pressing on the resilient elements so as to urge the pin against its seat. Thus, the tube is used to perform several functions, namely receiving the pump body, guiding the gauge ring, holding the dip tube stationary, and pre-stressing the pin of the filling valve. 
     In another very advantageous aspect of the present invention, the device further includes a locking system for locking the pusher, preventing it from moving axially in a locked position and allowing it to move axially in an actuation position, the pusher switching from one position to the other by turning about the axis X. Advantageously, the locking system is formed by the pusher and the bushing. In the prior art, pusher locking systems are already known that function by turning the pusher about the axis X. By way of example, document FR 2 819 793 may be mentioned. Thus, without even realizing it, the user closes and opens the vent passage, while being aware only of locking or unlocking the pusher of the dispenser. The vent passage is thus opened or closed without it being necessary to implement a particular and/or additional operating mode. It suffices to inform the user that the reservoir can be filled only when the pusher is in its unlocked position, without the user ever needing to know that the dispenser incorporates a vent passage, closure means, and control means. 
     The spirit of the invention resides in making operation of the vent passage closure control means depend on moving the pusher in conventional manner, namely axially and/or in turning about its own axis. Turning about its own axis is advantageous since that may be associated with a locking system for locking the pusher. 
    
    
     
       The invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which shows an embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example. 
       In the figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a vertical section view through a dispenser made in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the  FIG. 1  dispenser; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the top portion of the dispenser in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to the view in  FIG. 3  for the bottom portion of the dispenser; 
     
    
    
     Reference is made to  FIGS. 1 to 4  taken together in order to describe in detail the structure and the operation of a fluid dispenser made in accordance with a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. 
     The dispenser includes a fluid reservoir  1  forming a cylinder  10  that is substantially cylindrical, which cylinder is closed at its bottom end by a bottom wall  12  that defines a valve seat  13 . At its opposite end, the cylinder  10  defines an opening in the form of a neck  11  that internally forms fastener profiles. The cylinder  10  includes four viewing windows  14 ,  14   a ,  14   b  through which it is possible to see the inside of the reservoir. By way of example, it is possible to provide two top windows and two bottom windows. One of the top windows  14   b  may be provided with a magnifying lens, just like one of the bottom windows  14   a . Instead of the windows, provision may also be made for all or part of the cylinder  10  to be transparent. It is also possible to imagine one or more vertical windows that extend over all or part of the height of the cylinder  10 . The essential point is that the user can see the inside of the reservoir, at least at its bottom portion and at its top portion that correspond to the empty and full configurations of the reservoir. 
     The reservoir  1  also includes a valve member  15  that is arranged in the reservoir in the proximity of the bottom wall  12 . The valve member  15  includes a valve pin  16  for selectively coming into leaktight contact with the seat  13  of the bottom wall  12 , there forming a filling valve. The pin  16  is urged by resilient tabs or blades  17  that join a mounting collar  18  that is engaged inside the reservoir. By way of example, provision may be made for the tabs  17  to be stressed a little so that the pin  16  also bears against its seat  13 . The valve is opened by pushing the pin  16  out of contact with the seat  13  by stressing the resilient tabs  17 . 
     The dispenser also includes fastener means  2  making it possible to fasten a dispenser member  5  in stable and leaktight manner in the neck  11  of the reservoir  1 . The fastener means  2  comprise a fastener ring  24  in leaktight engagement in the neck  11 , an annular disk  25  that extends inwards from the top end of the fastener ring  24 , and a tube  21  that extends downwards from the inner periphery of the disk  25  inside the fastener ring  24 . The tube  21  is substantially cylindrical and extends into the proximity of the bottom wall  12 . It should be observed that the bottom edge  22  of the tube  21  comes into contact with the resilient tabs  17 , so as to pre-stress them in such a manner as to press the pin  16  against the seat  13 . Thus, the tube  21  performs a first function of pressing and pre-stressing the resilient tabs  17 . It should also be observed that the tube  21  is surrounded by a gauge ring  19  that is movable freely along the tube  21 . Thus, the dip tube  21  performs an axial guide function for the gauge ring  19 . The gauge ring  19  is made of a material that is less dense than the fluid contained in the reservoir, such that it floats to the surface of the fluid. Thus, the gauge ring  19  gives a direct visual indication of the fluid level inside the reservoir. In the position shown in  FIG. 1 , the reservoir is substantially empty and the gauge ring  19  rests on the mounting collar  18  of the valve member  15 . The gauge ring  19  is thus visible through the window  14   a . When the reservoir is full, the gauge ring  19  is situated in the proximity of the top window  14   b  and may be observed by the user. Advantageously, the gauge ring  19  includes two coaxial sealing edges  19   a ,  19   b  for coming into leaktight contact with two annular sealing seats  21   b  and  24   a  respectively formed on the tube  21  and on the fastener ring  24 . Leaktight contact is established when the reservoir is full and when the ring  19  is visible through the window  14   b.    
     In the invention, a vent passage  26  is formed through the disk  25  and puts the inside of the reservoir  1  into communication with the outside. Thus, when fluid is injected into the reservoir through the filling valve (formed by the seat  13  and the pin  16 ), the air initially present in the reservoir can escape through the vent hole  26 . The reservoir is filled until the gauge  19  comes into leaktight contact with the seats  21   b  and  24   a : the reservoir is thus completely full. In a variant, when the gauge ring  19  does not provide sealing with the fastener means  2 , filling takes place until the fluid reaches the vent hole  26 . The way in which the vent hole  26  is closed so as to avoid any leakage is described below. 
     As mentioned above, the tube  21  serves as reception means for receiving a dispenser member  5  that may be a pump or a valve. More precisely, the dispenser member  5  includes a body  51  that is interfitted in stationary and leaktight manner in the tube  21 . The dispenser member  5  also includes an actuator rod  56  that is movable downwards and upwards along a vertical axis X. Thus, by driving the rod  56  into the body  51 , fluid is driven, in optionally-metered manner, through the actuator rod  56 . This design is entirely conventional for a pump or a valve in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, and even pharmacy. It should be observed that the dispenser member  5  also includes a dip tube  52  that extends inside the tube  21  into the proximity of the bottom wall  12 . The dip tube  52  is held or guided in completely axial manner and is held stationary by a small holding lip  23  that is formed at the bottom end of a small cone that extends downwards in the tube  21 . Thus, the dip tube  52  is guided into the cone so as to pass finally through the holding lip. Consequently, the tube  21  also performs a holding function for holding the dip tube, thereby preventing it from disturbing proper operation of the filling valve. 
     By masking the often unattractive dip tube  52 , the tube  21  performs a decorative function or it may support decoration. Scale marks may also be made thereon so as to make it easier to read the fluid level in the reservoir. 
     The dispenser of the invention also includes a pusher comprising a core  6  and an outer casing  7 . The core  6  may be made by injection-molding plastics material, whereas the casing  7  may be made of metal for appearance reasons. The core  6  includes a connection sleeve  65  that is engaged on the end of the actuator rod  56 . The connection sleeve  65  extends in the core  6  as far as a nozzle  63  that forms a dispenser orifice  60 . The casing  7  is made with a hole  73  at the nozzle  63 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3 , the core  6  forms annular reinforcement  61  in which a housing  62  is formed for receiving the nozzle  63 . Below the annular reinforcement  61 , the core  6  forms a skirt  64 . Except for the configuration of the skirt  64 , the pusher  6 ,  7  is of conventional design. The skirt  64  differs by the fact that it presents a horizontal cross-section of shape that is oblong or roughly rectangular. The skirt comprises two long parallel plane side faces  64   a  that are interconnected via two short curved faces  64   b.    
     Returning to the fastener means  2 , they also include a bushing  27  that extends upwards from the disk  25 , substantially in alignment with the fastener ring  24 . However, it is possible to envisage that the bushing  27  does not really extend in alignment with the bushing  24 . The bushing  27  forms one or more cam paths  28  that can be seen more clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Each cam path  28  includes a top section  28   a  that is connected to a bottom section  28   b . Thus, the two sections define two positions that are axially offset. By way of example, provision may be made for the offset between the two sections to be about one or a few tenths of a millimeter. Two or three cam paths  28  may be provided. Still with reference to  FIG. 3 , it should also be observed that the bushing  27  forms two notches  29   a  that are arranged in diametrically-opposite manner and that are separated by two ridges  29   b  that are higher axially. The crenelated profile formed by the notches  29   a  and the ridges  29   b  co-operates with the skirt  64  of the core  6  of the pusher to constitute a locking system for locking the pusher. When the skirt  64  is situated on the ridges  29   b , it is impossible to move the pusher: the faces  64   a  or  64   b  rest on the ridges  29   b . In contrast, when the plane long faces  64   a  of the skirt  64  are engaged in the notches  29   a , the pusher is axially movable down and up. The pusher  6 ,  7  may thus be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position in one-fourth of a turn. 
     In the invention, the vent hole  26  formed in the disk  25  is closable by means of a flat annular gasket that acts as closure means  3 . The gasket  3  is arranged on the disk  25 . It can easily be understood that by pressing the gasket  3  against the disk  25 , the vent hole  26  is closed. In contrast, when the pressure on the gasket  3  is relaxed, the vent hole  26  communicates with the outside by defining a vent passage. In order to urge the gasket  3  selectively against the vent hole  26 , the present invention provides control means  4  that co-operate with the pusher, the fastener means, and the closure means. More precisely, the control means  4  co-operate with the skirt  64  of the core  6 , with the cam paths  28  of the bushing  27 , and with the gasket  3 . To do this, the control means  4  include a crenelated ring  41  that forms two cutouts  46  for receiving the skirt  64  of the core  6 : the two plane long faces  64   a  passing through the cutouts  46 . The pusher and the control means are thus constrained to turn together, but may move axially relative to each other. The crenelated ring  41  also forms two cam lugs  42  in engagement in the two cam paths  28  of the bushing  27 . The cam lugs  42  project radially outwards and are situated in diametrically-opposite manner below the two cutouts  46 , as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . The control means  4  also include an annular flange  43  that extends just above the gasket  3  and that has a function of flattening it against the disk  25 . 
     In order to flatten the gasket  3  against the disk  25 , it suffices to turn the pusher about the axis X. The pusher turns the control means  4 , given that the skirt  64  is held captive in the two cutouts  46 . However, the control means  4  are not constrained to move with the pusher in the axial direction X. In other words, the skirt  64  may move axially inside the cutouts  46 . Conversely, the control means  4  may move axially relative to the pusher. This enables the control means  4  to move axially over a very short distance by following the cam paths  28 . The two lugs  42  of the control means  4  are engaged inside the cam paths  28  and follow the cam paths in such a manner as to pass from the top section  28   a  to the bottom section  28   b , and vice versa. When the lugs  42  are situated in the bottom sections  28   b , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the flange  43  presses hard on the gasket  3  and flattens it against the disk  25 . The vent hole  26  is thus closed. In contrast, when the lugs  42  are situated at the top sections  28   a , the disk  43  does not exert any pressure on the gasket  3 , and the vent hole  26  may communicate with the outside by forming a vent passage. 
     In addition, as mentioned above, the dispenser incorporates a pusher locking system formed by the skirt  64  co-operating with the bushing  27 . When the skirt  64  can penetrate into the notches  29   a , the pusher is in its unlocked position. In the invention, the unlocked position corresponds to the lugs  42  being positioned in the top sections  28   a  of the cam paths  28 . Conversely, when the skirt  64  is in abutment against the ridge  29   b , the lugs  42  are situated in the bottom sections  28   b . In other words, the locked position of the pusher corresponds to the closed configuration, and the unlocked position corresponds to the venting position. The vent passage is open in the unlocked position and is closed in the locked position. Functionally, it can be said that the closure means  3  are switchable between their closed condition, in which the vent passage is closed and the pusher is in its locked position, and their open condition in which the vent passage is open and the pusher is in its unlocked position. 
     Naturally, it is possible to implement the present invention without necessarily implementing a rotary locking system of the pusher. In addition, the gauge ring  19  that is guided by the tube  21  may be implemented independently of the closable vent system. The same applies for the guidance of the dip tube, which may be implemented independently. It is also possible to envisage incorporating the control means  4  in the pusher, such that the pusher comes into direct contact with the gasket  3  in the locked position and comes out of contact with the gasket  3  in the unlocked position. 
     The invention thus provides a refillable dispenser that incorporates a vent-passage closure system that is particularly simple to manipulate and/or fluid-level indicator means that are particularly advantageous.