Patent ID: 12240683

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In reference to the figures in the appended drawings, the number1refers to a dispenser for pasty products, particularly toothpastes, as a whole according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The dispenser1comprises a container tube2, preferably made as a single part from plastic material, for example a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, such as polypropylene (PP).

The container tube2comprises an annular tube wall4, typically circular and cylindrical, having a central axis X. The tube wall4delimits a periphery of a tube compartment6intended to contain the pasty product. The tube wall4goes from a lower end8, which is itself open and through which the tube wall4is filled with the pasty product, to an upper end10to which a dispensing head50, to be discussed later, is applied.

The dispenser1further comprises a piston12received into the tube compartment6by an interference fit, designed to slide axially from the lower end8, where it is located when the tube compartment6is full of product, to the upper end10as the product is dispensed.

Preferably, the piston12is made of a plastic material, preferably a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, for example high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The dispenser1further comprises a main chamber20placed at the upper end10of the container tube2for containing product that is about to be dispensed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main chamber20is delimited annularly by an end section22of the tube wall4, at the bottom by a separating wall24occupying the tube compartment6diametrically, and at the top by a cap26of a pump28. The separating wall24is provided with a plurality of windows29passing through the thickness, through which the tube compartment6may communicate with the main chamber20.

Preferably, the separating wall24is made as a single piece together with the container tube2.

In addition, the separating wall24preferably comprises an annular outer portion30, preferably coaxial with the tube wall4, radially proximal to the end section22of the tube wall4, with which it forms an annular seat32for the pump28.

In addition, the separating wall24preferably comprises a functional portion34placed radially inside the outer portion30, through which said windows29are made.

Preferably, the functional portion34has the shape of a truncated cone, for example coaxial with the tube wall4, diverging toward the main chamber20.

Advantageously, the angle of the functional portion34, as well as the width of the windows29facilitate the movement of the product from the tube compartment6to the main chamber20during a suction phase, to be discussed below.

In addition, the separating wall24preferably comprises a central flat surface36connected to the functional portion34; the shape of the separating wall24preferably follows the shape of the piston12so as to allow an at least partial shape coupling when the product contained in the tube compartment has been used up, so that any residual product is kept to a minimum.

The dispenser1further comprises a fixed head40placeable on the container tube2at the upper end10. For example, the head40is snapped into the end section22of the tube wall4.

The head40comprises a dispensing tube42for connecting the main chamber20to the outside environment for dispensing the product.

Preferably, the dispensing tube42comprises an initial section44that opens directly into the main chamber20, and an end section46connected to the initial section44and ending with an opening50for dispensing the product.

Preferably, the initial section44is coaxial with the tube wall4and therefore lies along said central axis X; the end section46, however, is preferably at an angle and therefore lies along a dispensing axis Y that is inclined with respect to the central axis X.

The initial section44consists of an annular wall having an initial lateral surface44aon the inside; the end section46consists of an annular wall having a lateral end surface46aon the inside. The initial surface44aand the end surface46atogether form a lateral surface42aof the dispensing tube42.

Once the head40is placed on the container tube2, a space43is delimited between said head40and the separating wall24in which is placed the pump28, which is applied to and cooperates with the separating wall24and the dispensing tube42.

The pump28, consisting of a hollow shell, is made as a single part from plastic material, for example a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

Preferably, the pump28comprises an annular connection portion52consisting, for example, of a preferably continuous circular and cylindrical wall, designed to be housed by interference fit in the seat32formed by the tube wall4and the separating wall24.

The pump28further comprises a dome-shaped elastically deformable cap54diverging toward the connection portion52. Said cap54is designed to be deformed with respect to a rest condition in order to reduce the volume of the main chamber20and cause the product to be dispensed. Preferably, the cap54is connected to the connection portion52at a lower end.

The pump28further comprises, at the end opposite the end of the connection portion52, a pump neck55connected to the cap54and protruding axially therefrom. The pump neck55is slidably inserted into the initial section44of the dispensing tube42.

For example, the pump neck55consists of a tubular column portion56extending along a pump axis Z, preferably coaxial with the central axis X, and a tubular guide portion58connected to the column portion56, contained radially and preferably also axially therein. In other words, the guide portion58forms a flap with respect to the column portion56, thus making therewith an annular upside-down-U section. Again, in other words, an inside lateral surface56iof the column portion56faces an inside lateral surface58iof the guide portion58.

Preferably, the pump28further comprises a bottom60supported by the pump neck55and in particular by the guide portion58; the bottom60is provided with a plurality of bottom openings62arranged circumferentially.

Once the pump28and the head40are placed on the container tube2, the initial section44of the dispensing tube42is inside the guide portion58and, in an initial rest condition, the appropriately shaped free end44bof said initial section44closes said bottom openings62of the bottom60. In other words, the free end44band the bottom60provided with bottom openings62form an intermediate or shutoff valve64, the operation of which will be described below.

Preferably, the pump28further comprises an annular lip66, protruding axially from the bottom60, outside of the main chamber20. For example, the lip66comprises a substantially cylindrical lip base68connected to the bottom60and a flared sealing portion70, preferably chalice-shaped, connected to the lip base68.

Once the pump28and the head40are placed on the container tube2, the initial section44of the dispensing tube42is inside the guide portion58, whereas the sealing portion70of the lip66is inserted into the initial section44. In particular, the sealing portion70is in contact with the initial surface44aof the initial section44, forming a seal. The lip66, and in particular the sealing portion70thereof, and the dispensing tube42, and in particular the initial section44thereof, form an upper or delivery valve72, the operation of which will be described below.

In addition, the pump28comprises a plurality of flexible flaps74protruding internally, for example from the inside lateral surface54iof the cap54or from the connection area between the cap54and the connection portion52. Each flap74has an inner flap surface74ifacing the inside lateral surface54iof the cap54or the inside lateral surface52iof the connection portion52, and an opposite outer flap surface74efacing toward the main chamber20.

Each flap74is spaced circumferentially and is independent and free to move with respect to the others.

Each flap74is capable of closing a corresponding window29of the separating wall24during a dispensing phase of the dispenser's operation. The flaps74and the corresponding windows29thus form a lower or suction valve76, the operation of which will be described below.

According to one embodiment, in a disassembled configuration of the dispenser1, in which the pump28is uncoupled from the container tube2, preferably uncoupled from the separating wall24, the flaps74lie substantially parallel to the pump axis Z.

In addition, when the pump28is connected to the container tube2, the flaps74engage with the functional portion34and are deformed in a controlled way, preferably elastically. In particular, due to the effect of assembly deformation, the flaps74are brought into contact with the functional portion34in such a way as to close off the windows29in a non-deformed or rest configuration of the pump28.

According to one embodiment, with the pump28coupled to the container tube2and in the non-deformed configuration in which each flap74is engaged with a corresponding window29, each flap74converges toward the central axis X.

In other words, with the pump28coupled to the container tube2, the flaps74are incident to the central axis X in a non-orthogonal way, for example forming an angle substantially less than ninety degrees to the connection portion52, as shown inFIGS.6ato6c.

The dispenser1further comprises an actuator80, for example in the form of a button, held so as to be movable such as by rotation or translation from the head40, and designed to influence the pump28so as to cause deformation of the cap26and dispensing of the product. For example, the actuator80comprises an influence portion82in contact with the connection area between the column portion56and the guide portion58, such that the squeezing thereof causes deformation of the cap26.

Preferably, the actuator80also comprises a closing portion84for closing the opening50of the dispensing tube in a rest configuration of the dispenser.

The actuator80is made as a single part from plastic material, for example a polymer material chosen from the polyolefin group, such as polypropylene (PP).

Lastly, the dispenser1comprises a cap100that can be placed on the head40to cover the actuator80and prevent accidental or undesirable actuation.

The cap100is made as a single part from plastic material, for example a polymer material chosen from the polyolefin group, such as polypropylene (PP).

In an initial or rest configuration (FIG.6a), the pump28is in an initial non-deformed condition, the lip66has a sealed contact with the initial surface44aof the initial section44of the dispensing tube42(delivery valve closed), the bottom60is engaged with the lower end of the initial section44in such a way that the bottom openings62are blocked (shutoff valve closed), and the flaps74are engaged with the corresponding windows29so as to close them (suction valve closed). In addition, the closing portion84of the actuator80blocks the opening50of the dispensing tube42.

A dispensing phase (FIG.6b) takes place by actuation of the actuator80by gradually deforming the pump28and in particular the cap54.

When the actuator80is actuated, the closing portion84is disengaged at least partially from the opening50, leaving it free to dispense the product.

During the dispensing phase, the volume of the main chamber20is reduced and the overpressure caused by the squeezed product keeps the suction valve76in the closed configuration. In other words, the flaps74are pushed against the edges of the corresponding windows29and close them. This prevents the product contained in the main chamber20from returning to the tube compartment6of the tube2.

At the same time, due to the thrust of the actuator80, the column portion56lowers, preferably guided in this movement by the guide portion58, which slides as it is guided in contact with the dispensing tube42and in particular with the initial section44thereof.

The lowering of the column portion56causes the bottom60to lower and disengage from the initial section44of the dispensing tube42; in particular, the lower end of the initial section44comes out through the bottom openings62. The shutoff valve64thus changes to the open configuration and the product contained in the main chamber20comes through the bottom openings62of the bottom60.

At the same time, due to the action of the product which is now located between the bottom60and the initial section44of the dispensing tube42, the lip68is deformed elastically and moves away from the initial surface44aof the initial section44. The delivery valve72thus changes to the open configuration and the product may flow around the lip68through the initial section44to enter the end section46and come out through the opening50of the dispensing tube42. Deformation of the lip68provides an easy passageway for the product to flow, even if very viscous.

When the actuator80reaches the end of travel, the dispensing phase ends and, after the actuator80is released, a suction phase occurs (FIG.6c), during which time a predefined quantity of product contained in the tube compartment6enters the main chamber20.

In particular, when the actuator80is released, the pump28tends to return to the non-deformed condition and influences the actuator in that direction, which tends to return to the initial condition. Consequently, the volume of the main chamber20tends to increase and the resulting partial vacuum causes the flaps74to bend, disengaging from the corresponding windows29. In particular, each flap74is free to engage with or block a corresponding window29independently of the other flaps74.

A predefined quantity of product contained in the tube compartment6is thus drawn into the main chamber20.

At the same time, the lip66comes into contact again with the initial surface44aof the initial section44so that the delivery valve72returns to the closed configuration. This ensures that the product in the dispensing tube42between the delivery valve72and the opening50does not return to the main chamber20, nullifying the suction of new product from the tube compartment6.

At the same time, the closing portion84of the actuator80tends to return to the initial condition in which the opening50is blocked, thereby cutting off the flow of dispensed product and facilitating separation of the dispensed quantity.

Once the cap56has returned to the non-deformed condition, the bottom60also returns to the initial position in which it engages with the initial section44; the shutoff valve64thus returns to the closed configuration and, since the overpressure in the main chamber has ceased, the suction valve76also returns to the closed configuration.

According to an embodiment variant of the invention, the separating wall is a part made separately from the tube4and subsequently applied thereto.

Innovatively, the dispenser according to the present invention overcomes the drawbacks mentioned in reference to the prior art, as it is capable of dispensing pasty products, including very viscous ones, which need large passageways so as not to generate resistance to actuation, without resorting to metal parts and by means of a generally simple and low-cost structure in which the pump incorporates multiple functions.

Advantageously, the presence of independent flaps that are free to move independently of each other allows for effective deformation of each flap, optimizing the flow of product through the windows in the container tube.

Advantageously, the flaps are effectively deformed even in the presence of uneven pressure variations in the main chamber. Indeed, in such instances the flaps are subjected to differing pressures, since the paste is viscous; however, since the flaps are independent, the ones subjected to greater pressure do not keep closed the other flaps subjected to pressures suitable for causing the deformation thereof. This phenomenon is particularly evident with a pump having a single continuous flap.

Advantageously, bottlenecking phenomena in the product passageway are avoided, a very important problem with viscous pastes such as toothpastes.

Advantageously, minor allowable misalignments of the pump causing variable pressures on the viscous paste in the main chamber do not hinder the operation of the flaps.

Advantageously, the flaps are designed to deform in a controlled way when engaging with the separating wall, going from a substantially parallel orientation to one incident with the pump axis during the assembly phase.

Advantageously, the flaps are optimized to eliminate the problem of undercuts during stamping processes.

Advantageously, undesired deformations of the flaps, which could cause improper positioning in relation to the tube and result in malfunctioning of the flaps, are minimized during the stamping processes.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could make modifications to the dispenser described above, said modifications all being contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.