Patent Description:
More particularly, the present Invention relates to application<CIT>, and it is defined, initially, by an outlet chamber, vertical and hermetically controlled by two extremity valve blocks, the lower one constituting a "cup" shaped plug and the upper one forming an elastomeric valve. The exit chamber with the two locks is mounted inside any nozzle which, in turn, includes means to be coupled to the end of a necessarily flexible packaging body like tube in order to be pressed. The two valve blocks work according to the internal pressure of the flexible body, that is, when pressing said flexible body, an internal pressure is created and, consequently, its contents are forced to flow into the outlet chamber. In this phase, the lower plug is moved in order to open the passage for the product, which, in turn, moves along the outlet chamber and then stresses the elastomeric valve, at which point the product is ejected in a controlled manner according to the desired amount. After that, when the flexible body of the package is no longer pressed, an opposite effect occurs, that is, the memory of the material of the package's flexible body tries to return to its original position and practically inverts that pressure. After that, a suction effect is produced and, at this point, the two extremity blocks of the outlet chamber defined by the lower plug and the elastomeric valve return to the initial watertight closing state. This watertight effect achieved by the two blockages works exclusively in conjunction with the portion of the product maintained inside the outlet chamber. This portion also functions as a third "plug" and constitutes an element that guarantees the water tightness of the two blockages, keeping them in the closed and watertight position defined together with the suction provided by the flexibility of the package's flexible body.

Therefore, the application <CIT>, provides an automatic sealing system that works through the negative pressure generated inside the bottle. The bottle performs suction on the valve through a plug (<NUM>) to the closed position (bottle memory generates negative pressure) and, consequently, the plug (<NUM>) is displaced downwards or to be seated on the sealing seat (<NUM>) of the cylindrical capsule (<NUM>), thus generating the watertightness of the mechanism.

An important detail described in PCTBR2018050189 is that the automatic sealing system occurs only after the FIRST USE of the packaging, that is, the desired negative pressure occurs after the first pressing of the bottle or first use, consequently, after the packaging is made available for sale, the internal pressure of the packaging is atmospheric, that is, the same as when it was bottled, therefore, at that moment there is no negative pressure inside the packaging capable of promoting suction (negative pressure) and moving the valve or plug (<NUM>) according to a desired pressure up to the closed (sealed) position.

Document <CIT> discloses a dispenser device having an applicator nozzle.

Therefore, it would be desirable for there to be an automatic seal also after the packaging is filled and before its first use.

In view of the above, the packaging described in application<CIT>was modified to perform an automatic seal immediately after the packaging is filled. To meet this new feature, an elastic pad was inserted between the valve or plug and the fixed nozzle part. The elastic pad has the function of a spring, that is, it remains "compressed" in the assembly, consequently, it has sufficient expansion force to keep the valve or plug pressed against its sealing seat, ensuring the desired watertightness right after the filling of the packing. Said elastic pad also presents elasticity that enables it to be compressed by the valve itself when first used and subsequent uses, because, when the packaging is pressed, the internal pressure promotes the displacement of the valve enough so that it moves away from its sealing seat and, concomitantly, the product flows to the dispensing nozzle. Once the internal pressure has ceased, the packaging memory, as already mentioned, promotes the suction and displacement of the valve until it returns to its original closed watertight position. In this last phase, the sealing occurs automatically due to the presence of suction, however, the elastic pad also expands, which generates a faster and more precise sealing.

An elastic pad means any component with parts capable of being compressed and stretched elastically, such as a spring of any material and shape, elastomeric parts, flexible plastic parts and/or others.

For a better understanding of the present invention, a detailed description is given below, making reference to the attached drawings, all of which are exemplary:.

According to these illustrations and in their details, more particularly the <FIG>, the present invention discloses an airless dispenser according to claim <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the plug (<NUM>) is made of substantially malleable material and has a cup shape with a truncated upper part (<NUM>) in the form of a cup, with the smaller diameter closed and facing downwards, from which it extends vertically to a cylindrical guide (<NUM>) that ends at the bottom part in a blind flange (<NUM>), also tapered, forming a piece with a profile that allows for it to be accommodated inside the cylindrical capsule (<NUM>), which, for this purpose, besides the sealing seat (<NUM>), presents its bottom hollowed out by a hole (<NUM>), with an internal diameter presenting equidistant radial projections (<NUM>), vertical, with upper ends form claws in the form of teeth pointed radially inward (<NUM>) and positioned at the upper end of said hole (<NUM>), through which the blind flange (<NUM>) is forced to pass due to its taper and, after that, the retention occurs; however, that part is liable to be displaced vertically below said teeth, where the mentioned flange (<NUM>) has a smaller diameter than the hole (<NUM>) and forms a passage for the product. The upper end of the hole (<NUM>) widens with several circular bands, one of which is intermediate and forms the sealing seat (<NUM>) on which the equally tapered cup-shaped (<NUM>) section of the plug (<NUM>) fits, and, at this point, the passage or tightness of the product inside the flexible container occurs (<NUM>).

As already mentioned, the packaging from PCTBR2018050189 includes an automatic sealing system that works through the negative pressure generated by the container (<NUM>). The bottle performs suction on the plug (<NUM>) to the closed position and, consequently, the plug (<NUM>) is displaced downwards or to be seated on the sealing seat (<NUM>) of the cylindrical capsule (<NUM>), thus generating the watertightness of the mechanism.

In view of the above, the packaging described in application PCTBR2018050189 was modified to perform an automatic seal immediately after the packaging is filled.

To meet this new characteristic, illustrated in <FIG>, an elastic pad (<NUM>) was inserted between the plug (<NUM>) and the bottom of the applicator nozzle (<NUM>), without causing any obstruction in the passage of product through the chamber (<NUM>).

The elastic pad (<NUM>) is of a spring-type that, after the assembly, remains "compressed", consequently, it has sufficient expansion force to keep the valve or plug (<NUM>) pressed against its sealing seat (<NUM>), ensuring the desired watertightness right after the filling of the packing.

Said elastic pad (<NUM>) also presents elasticity that enables it to be compressed by the plug itself (<NUM>) at the first use and subsequent uses, because, when pressing the container (<NUM>), the internal pressure displaces the plug (<NUM>) enough for it to move away from its sealing seat (<NUM>) and, concomitantly, the product flows to the dispensing nozzle. Once the internal pressure has ceased, the packaging memory, as already mentioned, promotes the suction and displacement of the valve until it returns to its original watertight position. In this last phase, the sealing occurs automatically due to the presence of suction, however, the elastic pad also expands, which generates a faster and more precise sealing.

An elastic pad (<NUM>) means any component with parts capable of being compressed and stretched elastically, such as a spring of any material and shape, elastomeric parts, flexible plastic parts and/or others.

In a preferred construction, illustrated in said <FIG>, the elastic pad (<NUM>) is composed of two integrated parts, being an upper horizontal ring (<NUM>) and a lower vertical rod (<NUM>), both interconnected by arched and flexible links (<NUM>). The elastic pad (<NUM>) is mounted inside the assembly with light compression, where the upper ring (<NUM>) is supported against the lower side of the applicator nozzle (<NUM>), while on the opposite side the vertical rod (<NUM>) has its bottom extremity supported on the inside of the plug (<NUM>), axially aligned with its cylindrical guide (<NUM>).

<FIG> schematically shows the operation of the present device, however, looking first at <FIG>, we can see the sealing system closed and after filling. In this condition, as already mentioned, the elastic pad (<NUM>) is slightly compressed by the assembly, consequently, the plug (<NUM>) is also lightly pressed against the sealing seat (<NUM>) and, therefore, the watertightness is maintained as long as the container (<NUM>) is not pressed. In <FIG> the automatic sealing system is activated, that is, the container (<NUM>) has been pressed, and as such the plug (<NUM>), the elastomeric valve (<NUM>) and the elastic pad (<NUM>) work automatically according to the internal pressure of the flexible container (<NUM>), that is, when pressing said flexible container (<NUM>) an internal pressure is created and, consequently, its contents are forced to flow to the outlet chamber (<NUM>). At this stage, the lower plug (<NUM>) is moved away from the sealing seat (<NUM>) and, thus, also presses the pad (<NUM>), compressing it so that the passage of the product to the outlet chamber (<NUM>) can take place and, from this, the product forces the elastomeric valve (<NUM>) and its elastic opening (<NUM>) opens sufficiently so that the product is ejected in a smooth and controlled fashion according to the desired quantity. With that, when the flexible container (<NUM>) is no longer pressed, an opposite effect occurs, that is, the memory of the flexible container material (<NUM>) tries to return to its original position, practically inverts that pressure and, with that, it produces a suction effect and, at this moment, the plug (<NUM>), the elastomeric valve (<NUM>) and the elastic pad (<NUM>) return to the initial state of watertight closure (<FIG>). This watertight effect maintains the suction pressure. This retention effect is carried out in conjunction with the portion of product kept accumulated inside the outlet chamber (<NUM>), since such product portion also functions as a sealing complement, becoming a true "plug".

The drawings are merely illustrative, since, as it is known, the packaging itself can present a considerable range of variations and its construction details do not alter the functional concept of the device in question.

The illustrated packaging lacks an overcap, since such a detail does not interfere with the construction of the present device.

For example, the applicator nozzle (<NUM>) can have variable external details according to the product and its application.

On the other hand, the lower capsule (<NUM>), although illustrated as an independent part, can be integrated into different parts that close the flexible container (<NUM>).

Claim 1:
AIRLESS DISPENSER WITH APPLICATOR NOZZLE FOR FLEXIBLE PACKAGING, comprising:
- a vertical outlet chamber (<NUM>) hermetically controlled by two blocks in its ends, one lower block in the form of a plug (<NUM>) in the lower end and one upper block in the form of an elastomeric valve (<NUM>) in the upper end of the vertical outlet chamber (<NUM>)
- the vertical outlet chamber (<NUM>) being defined by a hollow part of a cylindrical lower capsule (<NUM>), and an applicator nozzle (<NUM>) with an internal elastomeric mass (<NUM>) located inside said the applicator nozzle (<NUM>);
- the lower capsule (<NUM>) has a sealing seat (<NUM>) to drive the plug (<NUM>), so that between it and the lower capsule (<NUM>) a passage is formed which can be opened or closed for the output or water tightness of the product;
- the plug (<NUM>) is kept lightly pressed against the sealing seat (<NUM>) through an elastic pad (<NUM>);
- the lower capsule (<NUM>) and the applicator nozzle (<NUM>) are coupled by means of respective flexible part (8a) of the lower capsule (<NUM>) and flexible part (8b) of the applicator nozzle (<NUM>), coupling together to a nozzle (<NUM>) of a flexible container (<NUM>);
- the flexible container (<NUM>) suitable to be pressed and is made of a flexible plastic material with memory to return to its original shape and to cause suction inside;
- the plug (<NUM>) is housed in the sealing seat (<NUM>) with enough clearance to be moved up and down when internal pressure occurs or ceases inside the flexible container (<NUM>) and allows the product to pass through the sealing seat (<NUM>) or close it tightly;
- the elastic pad (<NUM>) having enough elasticity to be compressed concomitantly with the displacement of the plug (<NUM>) when there is internal pressure in the container (<NUM>);
- the elastomeric valve (<NUM>) has an elastic opening point (<NUM>) designed to be in open and closed position when there is pressure and when the pressure inside the flexible container is interrupted (<NUM>); and
- the plug (<NUM>), the elastomeric valve (<NUM>) and the elastic pad (<NUM>) return to the watertight closed position when the flexible container (<NUM>) is no longer pressed, and its flexible memory tries to return to its original state.