U.S. patent application number 09/992429 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-06 for dispensing device and methods.
Invention is credited to De Laforcade, Vincent.
Application Number | 20020066749 09/992429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8856858 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020066749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Laforcade, Vincent |
June 6, 2002 |
DISPENSING DEVICE AND METHODS
Abstract
A device for dispensing a product may comprise a container
defining an opening, with the container being configured to contain
a product and a retaining element mounted at least partially in the
opening and defining a cavity configured to contain an amount of
the product for dispensing. The device may further comprise a
separating member separating a first region of the container from a
second region of the container. The first region may be configured
so that the product resides therein when the device is in an
upright position and the second region may be disposed adjacent the
opening. At least one first passage defined by the retaining
element may have a position that defines a maximum amount of
product capable of being contained in the cavity. At least one
second passage defined by the retaining element may be in flow
communication with the second region of the container and
configured to permit passage of at least some product from the
second region into the cavity. The separating member may be
configured to permit one-way flow of product from the first region
to the second region when the device is at least partially inverted
from its upright position.
Inventors: |
De Laforcade, Vincent;
(Rambouillet, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas L. Irving
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT,
& DUNNER, L.L.P.
13001 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
8856858 |
Appl. No.: |
09/992429 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/129 ;
222/321.9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/0059 20130101;
G01F 11/262 20130101; G01F 11/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/129 ;
222/321.9 |
International
Class: |
B67D 005/56 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2000 |
FR |
00 15222 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device for dispensing a product, the device comprising: a
container defining an opening, the container being configured to
contain a product; a retaining element mounted at least partially
in the opening and defining a cavity configured to contain an
amount of the product for dispensing; a separating member
separating a first region of the container from a second region of
the container, the first region being configured so that the
product resides therein when the device is in an upright position
and the second region being disposed adjacent the opening; at least
one first passage defined by the retaining element, the at least
one first passage having a position that defines a maximum amount
of product capable of being contained in the cavity; and at least
one second passage defined by the retaining element, the at least
one second passage being in flow communication with the second
region of the container and configured to permit passage of at
least some product from the second region into the cavity, wherein
the separating member is configured to permit one-way flow of
product from the first region to the second region when the device
is at least partially inverted from its upright position.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one third passage is
defined between the container and the separation member when the
device is at least partially inverted, the third passage being
configured to permit the flow of product from the first region to
the second region.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the separation member element
slopes downward in a direction toward the second passage.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the separation member comprises
an elastically deformable diaphragm.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the separation member defines a
peripheral edge that extends substantially to an interior surface
portion of the container.
6. The device of claim 5, wherein a portion of the separation
member is configured to contact another interior surface portion of
the container when the device is in an upright position and is
configured to move away from the other interior surface portion
when the device is at least partially inverted.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the portion of the separation
member is configured to move away from the other interior surface
portion in response to pressure of the product.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the portion of the separation
member configured to come into contact with the other interior
surface portion of the container is an annular portion radially
separated from the peripheral edge of the separation member.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the other interior surface
portion is a shoulder defined by the container.
10. The device of claim 4, wherein the diaphragm is made of a
material chosen from thermoplastic elastomers and crosslinked
elastomers.
11. The device of claim 10, wherein the diaphragm is made of a
material chosen from silicones, natural lattices, synthetic
latices, EPDMs, polyurethanes, blends of polypropylene and SIBS,
blends of polypropylene and SEBS, blends of polypropylene and EPDM,
very-low-density polyethylenes, blends based on polyester glycols,
blends based on polyether glycols, and flexible polyvinyl
chlorides.
12. The device of claim 5, wherein the separation member has a
thickness that decreases toward the peripheral edge.
13. The device of claim 1, wherein the separation member is
inclined in a downward direction toward the retaining element.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the separation member forms an
angle ranging from approximately 60 degrees to approximately 90
degrees with a longitudinal axis of the device.
15. The device of claim 1, wherein the retaining element and the
separation member are molded together as a single piece.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein the retaining element comprises
a tubular member having a closed end defining a bottom of the
cavity when the device is in an upright position and having an end
opposite the closed end being mounted proximate an edge of the
opening of the container.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the end opposite the closed end
defines an opening.
18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a pump associated
with a dip tube, the dip tube extending to proximate the bottom of
the cavity.
19. The device of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a neck
portion and wherein the retaining element extends over at least
part of its height within the neck portion.
20. The device of claim 19, wherein the neck portion comprises a
free edge that defines the opening of the container.
21. The device of claim 19, further comprising a pump configured to
be mounted in the neck portion.
22. The device of claim 21, further comprising a band configured to
mount the pump in the neck portion, the band being configured to
engage with the neck portion by one of snap-fastening and
screw-fastening.
23. The device of claim 21, further comprising an actuation member
for actuating the pump.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the actuation member comprises
a pushbutton.
25. The device of claim 1, wherein the separation member extends
radially outward from the retaining element.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the separation member is
substantially planar.
27. The device of claim 25, wherein the separation member is a
solid member.
28. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one first passage
and the at least one second passage are disposed on opposite sides
of the separation member.
29. The device of claim 1, further comprising the product in the
container.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the product is chosen from a
cosmetic product and a care product.
31. The device of claim 29, wherein the product is intended to be
applied to at least one of skin, hair, fingernails, and
toenails.
32. A method of dispensing a product, the method comprising:
providing the device of claim 1; flowing product into the cavity;
and dispensing the product from the cavity.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein the dispensing of the product
from the cavity comprises dispensing substantially all of the
product within the cavity.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing the product into the cavity via the
second passage.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing the product into the cavity via the
first passage.
36. The method of claim 32, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing product from the second region of the
container through the second passage.
37. The method of claim 32, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises inverting the device.
38. The method of claim 37, further comprising forming a third
passage between the first region and the second region.
39. The method of claim 38, further comprising flowing the product
from the first region into the second region via the third
passage.
40. The method of claim 33, further comprising flowing excess
product out of the cavity via the first passage prior to dispensing
the product from the cavity.
41. A dispensing head for dispensing product from a container, the
dispensing head comprising: a tubular member defining a cavity
configured to contain an amount of product to be dispensed; and a
separation member extending radially from the tubular member and
being configured to substantially separate a first region of the
container from a second region of the container when the dispensing
head is associated with the container and the container is in an
upright position, wherein the tubular member defines at least one
first passage configured to permit flow of product therethrough and
at least one second passage configured to permit flow of product
therethrough, the at least one first passage and the at least one
second passage being disposed on opposite sides of the separation
member.
42. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the tubular member
comprises a closed end defining a bottom of the cavity when the
dispensing head is associated with the container and the container
is in an upright position.
43. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the tubular member has
an edge defining an opening configured to at least partially
receive a dispensing mechanism.
44. The dispensing head of claim 43, further comprising the
dispensing mechanism, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a
pump.
45. The dispensing head of claim 44, wherein the dispensing
mechanism further comprises a dip tube, the dip tube extending to
proximate an end of the tubular member opposite the opening.
46. The dispensing head of claim 45, wherein the end of the tubular
member opposite the opening is closed and defines a bottom of the
cavity when the dispensing head is associated with the container
and the container is in an upright position.
47. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the separation member
comprises a diaphragm.
48. The dispensing head of claim 47, wherein the diaphragm is made
of a flexible material.
49. The dispensing head of claim 48, wherein the diaphragm is made
of a material chosen from thermoplastic elastomers and crosslinked
elastomers.
50. The dispensing head of claim 49, wherein the diaphragm is made
of a material chosen from silicones, natural lattices, synthetic
latices, EPDMs, polyurethanes, blends of polypropylene and SIBS,
blends of polypropylene and SEBS, blends of polypropylene and EPDM,
very-low-density polyethylenes, blends based on polyester glycols,
blends based on polyether glycols, and flexible polyvinyl
chlorides.
51. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the separation member
has a thickness that decreases toward a peripheral edge of the
separation member.
52. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the separation member
slopes downward in a direction toward the tubular member.
53. The dispensing head of claim 52, wherein the separation member
forms an angle ranging from approximately 60 degrees to
approximately 90 degrees with a longitudinal axis of the tubular
member.
54. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the tubular member and
the separation member are molded together as a single piece.
55. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of
the separation member is flexible.
56. The dispensing head of claim 55, wherein the separation member
is configured to flex so as to permit product flow communication
between the first region and the second region of the container
when the dispensing head is associated with the container and the
container is in an at least partially inverted position.
57. The dispensing head of claim 55, wherein at least the portion
of the separation member is configured to pivot with respect to the
tubular member in response to sufficient pressure acting on the
separation member.
58. The dispensing head of claim 41, further comprising a band
configured to engage with a neck portion of the container for
mounting the dispensing head on the container.
59. The dispensing head of claim 58, wherein the band is configured
to engage the neck portion via one of snap-fastening and
screw-fastening.
60. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein an annular region of
the separation member is configured to contact an interior wall
surface of the container when the dispensing head is associated
with the container and the container is in an upright position.
61. The dispensing head of claim 60, wherein the annular region of
the separation member is radially separated from a peripheral edge
of the separation member.
62. The dispensing head of claim 60, wherein the annular region is
configured to move out of contact with the interior wall surface of
the container when the dispensing head is associated with the
container and the container is in an at least partially inverted
position.
63. The dispensing head of claim 41, further comprising a third
passage defined at least partially by the separation member when
the dispensing head is associated with the container and the
container is in an at least partially inverted position, the third
passage being configured to flow product from the first region to
the second region.
64. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the separation member
is substantially planar.
65. The dispensing head of claim 41, wherein the separation member
is a solid member.
66. An assembly for dispensing a product, the assembly comprising:
a container configured to contain a product to be dispensed; and
the dispensing head of claim 41 mounted on the container.
67. The assembly of claim 66, further comprising a product in the
container.
68. The assembly of claim 67, wherein the product is chosen from a
cosmetic product and a care product.
69. The assembly of claim 67, wherein the product is intended to be
applied to at least one of skin, hair, fingernails, and
toenails.
70. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the container comprises a
neck portion and the dispensing head is mounted at least partially
on the neck portion.
71. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the container comprises an
internal shoulder against which the separation member is configured
to abut when the container is in the upright position.
72. The assembly of claim 66, wherein the at least one first
passage is in flow communication with the first region and the at
least one second passage is in flow communication with the second
region.
73. A method of dispensing a product, the method comprising:
providing the assembly of claim 66; flowing product into the
cavity; and dispensing the product from the cavity.
74. The method of claim 73, wherein the first region of the
container is below the separation member and the second region of
the container is above the separation member when the container is
in an upright position.
75. The method of claim 73, wherein the dispensing of the product
from the cavity comprises dispensing substantially all of the
product within the cavity.
76. The method of claim 73, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing the product into the cavity via the
second passage.
77. The method of claim 76, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing the product into the cavity via the
first passage.
78. The method of claim 73, wherein the flowing of the product into
the cavity comprises flowing product from the second region of the
container through the second passage.
79. The method of claim 73, further comprising inverting the
container.
80. The method of claim 79, further comprising forming a third
passage between the first region and the second region.
81. The method of claim 80, further comprising flowing the product
from the first region into the second region via the third
passage.
82. The method of claim 73, further comprising flowing excess
product out of the cavity via the first passage prior to dispensing
the product from the cavity.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for dispensing of
a product, such as a cosmetic or care product, for example. In
particular, the device may be useful for the metered dispensing of
a product, for example, for makeup, care, and/or cleaning of the
skin, hair, fingernails, and/or toenails. Such metered dispensing
may be especially desirable when using products for hair care or
for hair regrowth, for example.
[0002] Existing devices for dispensing may comprise a retaining
member delimiting a metering cavity configured to be filled, for
example, by completely or partly inverting the device. The
dispensing of the product may be by means of a pump that typically
is actuated while the device is in the head-up position. The device
may be, for example, equipped with a pump for dispensing the
product contained in the metering cavity, with the dispensing being
performed with the pump situated above the free surface of the
liquid in the container containing the product that is to be
dispensed.
[0003] EP 0 626 321 discloses an assembly equipped with a pump and
a retention member comprising a bottom and a side wall. The
retention member has an outside diameter that is smaller than the
inside diameter of the neck of the container. The retention member
also comprises, in one embodiment, flexible tabs that stretch out
toward the neck of the container in a direction that makes an angle
with the vertical. Spaces between the tabs allow the retention
member to become filled with product to be dispensed.
[0004] Conventional metered dispensing devices may not permit
adequate filling of the retention member, particularly when nearing
the end of use of the contents of the device. In such cases, a
substantial variation in the degree of filling of the retaining
member may be observed. Such variation may be according to the way
in which the container is moved from its totally or partly inverted
position to its dispensing (i.e., upright) position.
[0005] Hence, it may be desirable to provide an assembly for the
metered dispensing of a product that solves all or some of the
disadvantages of the devices described above. In particular, it may
be desirable to provide a device that allows better repeatability
of the level of filling of the metering cavity and does so
substantially until the last use of the device.
[0006] Another desirable aspect is a device in which the degree of
filling of the metering cavity may be independent of the action
used to fill the metering cavity. Preferably, such devices will be
relatively simple and reliable to use and economical to
produce.
[0007] It should be understood that the invention could be
practiced without performing one or more of the preferred objects
and/or advantages described above. Other objects of the invention
will become apparent from the detailed description which
follows.
[0008] As embodied and broadly described herein, one aspect of the
invention includes a device for dispensing a product, the device
comprising a container defining an opening. The container may be
configured to contain a product. The device may further comprise a
retaining element mounted at least partially in the opening and
defining a cavity configured to contain an amount of the product
for dispensing. A separating member may separate a first region of
the container from a second region of the container. The first
region may be configured so that the product resides therein when
the device is in an upright position and the second region may be
disposed adjacent the opening. The device may further comprise at
least one first passage defined by the retaining element, the at
least one first passage having a position that defines a maximum
amount of product capable of being contained in the cavity. The
device also may comprise at least one second passage defined by the
retaining element, the at least one second passage being in flow
communication with the second region of the container and
configured to permit passage of at least some product from the
second region into the cavity. The separating member may permit
one-way flow of product from the first region to the second region
when the device is at least partially inverted from its upright
position.
[0009] At least one third passage also may be defined between the
container and the separation member when the device is at least
partially inverted. The third passage may permit the flow of
product from the first region to the second region.
[0010] The separation member may slope downward in a direction
toward the second passage.
[0011] The separation member may comprise an elastically deformable
diaphragm and may define a peripheral edge that extends
substantially to an interior surface portion of the container. The
diaphragm may be made of a material chosen from thermoplastic
elastomers and crosslinked elastomers. The diaphragm may also be
made of a material chosen from silicones, natural lattices,
synthetic latices, EPDMs, polyurethanes, blends of polypropylene
and SIBS, blends of polypropylene and SEBS, blends of polypropylene
and EPDM, very-low-density polyethylenes, blends based on polyester
glycols, blends based on polyether glycols, and flexible polyvinyl
chlorides.
[0012] The separation member may have a thickness that decreases
toward the peripheral edge. Such a configuration may make it easier
for the separation member to be fitted in the container and also
may facilitate the opening and closing (i.e., forming) of the at
least one third passage. Moreover, the separation member may be
inclined in a downward direction toward the retaining element. For
example, the separation member may form an angle ranging from
approximately 60 degrees to approximately 90 degrees with a
longitudinal axis of the device. This characteristic of the
separation member may encourage all or some of the product located
in the second region of the container to be conducted toward the
metering cavity.
[0013] A portion of the separation member may be configured to
contact another interior surface portion of the container when the
device is in an upright position and may be configured to move away
from the other interior surface portion when the device is at least
partially inverted. The portion of the separation member may be
configured to move away from the other interior surface portion in
response to pressure of the product. The portion of the separation
member that is configured to come into contact with the other
interior surface portion of the container may comprise an annular
portion radially separated from the peripheral edge of the
separation member. The other interior surface portion may be a
shoulder defined by the container. The shoulder may make it
possible to maintain the separation member at a desired height in
the container. It also may provide a certain amount of sealing
between the separation member and the interior surface portion of
the container without the need to use a separation member having a
peripheral edge that presses with excessive friction against the
interior surface portion in order to hold it in place. Such
excessive friction may hinder the separation member from easily
moving away from the inner surface of the container when the device
is placed in the at least partly inverted position.
[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the separation
member configured to come into contact with the interior surface
portion of the container may lie at a distance ranging from
approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 3 mm away from the peripheral
edge, for example. Such a configuration may allow for a substantial
sealing, at least to product flow, of the first region from the
second region when the device is in the upright position,
regardless of the tolerances used during its manufacture.
[0015] According to an aspect, the retaining element and the
separation member may be molded together as a single piece.
[0016] The retaining element may comprise a tubular member having a
closed end defining a bottom of the cavity when the device is in an
upright position and having an end opposite the closed end being
mounted proximate an edge of the opening of the container. The end
opposite the closed end may define an opening. A pump associated
with a dip tube may be provided, with the dip tube extending to
proximate the bottom of the cavity. The presence of the dip tube
may make it possible to produce a relatively larger-volume metering
cavity.
[0017] The container may comprise a neck portion and the retaining
element may extend over at least part of its height within the neck
portion. According to an aspect, the neck portion may comprise a
free edge that defines the opening of the container. The device may
further comprise a pump configured to be mounted in the neck
portion. A band may be configured to mount the pump in the neck
portion, for example, the band may be configured to engage with the
neck portion by one of snap-fastening and screw-fastening. There
may also be an actuation member for actuating the pump. The
actuation member may comprise a push-button, for example.
[0018] The separation member may extend radially outward from the
retaining element and may be substantially planar. The separation
member may be a solid member, for example.
[0019] The at least one first passage and the at least one second
passage may be disposed on opposite sides of the separation
member.
[0020] The device may further comprise the product in the
container. The product may be chosen from a cosmetic product and a
care product. According to an aspect, the product may be for
application to at least one of skin, hair, fingernails, and
toenails.
[0021] In yet another aspect, the invention includes a dispensing
head for dispensing product from a container. The dispensing head
may comprise a tubular member defining a cavity configured to
contain an amount of product to be dispensed. The dispensing head
also may comprise a separation member extending radially from the
tubular member and being configured to substantially separate a
first region of the container from a second region of the container
when the dispensing head is associated with the container and the
container is in an upright position. The tubular member may define
at least one first passage configured to permit flow of product
therethrough and at least one second passage configured to permit
flow of product therethrough. The at least one first passage and
the at least one second passage may be disposed on opposite sides
of the separation member.
[0022] The tubular member may comprise a closed end defining a
bottom of the cavity when the dispensing head is associated with
the container and the container is in an upright position. The
tubular member may have an edge defining an opening configured to
at least partially receive a dispensing mechanism. The dispensing
head may further comprise the dispensing mechanism, which may
comprise a pump, for example. The dispensing mechanism may further
comprise a dip tube that extends to proximate an end of the tubular
member opposite the opening. The end of the tubular member opposite
the opening may be closed and define a bottom of the cavity when
the dispensing head is associated with the container and the
container is in an upright position.
[0023] The separation member may slope downward in a direction
toward the tubular member, and may form an angle ranging from
approximately 60 degrees to approximately 90 degrees with a
longitudinal axis of the tubular member. The tubular member and the
separation member may be molded together as a single piece, which
may permit a relatively low-cost manufacture and facilitate the
fitting of the structure into the container.
[0024] According to an aspect, the separation member may flex so as
to permit product flow communication between the first region and
the second region of the container when the dispensing head is
associated with the container and the container is in an at least
partially inverted position. At least the portion of the separation
member may be configured to pivot with respect to the tubular
member in response to sufficient pressure acting on the separation
member.
[0025] The dispensing head may further comprise a band configured
to engage with a neck portion of the container for mounting the
dispensing head on the container. The band may be configured to
engage the neck portion via one of snap-fastening and
screw-fastening, for example.
[0026] An annular region of the separation member may be configured
to contact an interior wall surface of the container when the
dispensing head is associated with the container and the container
is in an upright position. The annular region of the separation
member may be radially separated from a peripheral edge of the
separation member and may be configured to move out of contact with
the interior wall surface of the container when the dispensing head
is associated with the container and the container is in an at
least partially inverted position.
[0027] According to an aspect, the dispensing head may also
comprise a third passage defined at least partially by the
separation member when the dispensing head is associated with the
container and the container is in an at least partially inverted
position, the third passage being configured to flow product from
the first region to the second region.
[0028] Yet another aspect includes an assembly for dispensing a
product comprising a container configured to contain a product to
be dispensed and a dispensing head such as those described above,
for example.
[0029] The assembly may further comprise a product in the
container. The container may comprise a neck portion and the
dispensing head may be mounted at least partially on the neck
portion.
[0030] The at least one first passage may be in flow communication
with the first region and the at least one second passage may be in
flow communication with the second region.
[0031] Yet another aspect includes a method of dispensing a product
comprising providing a dispensing device or assembly, such as those
described above, for example, flowing product into the cavity, and
dispensing the product from the cavity.
[0032] The dispensing of the product from the cavity may comprise
dispensing substantially all of the product within the cavity. The
flowing of the product into the cavity may comprise flowing the
product into the cavity via the second passage. Also, the flowing
of the product into the cavity may comprise flowing the product
into the cavity via the first passage. Further still, the flowing
of the product into the cavity may comprise flowing product from
the second region of the container through the second passage.
[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, the flowing of the
product into the cavity comprises inverting the device.
[0034] According to an aspect, the method may further comprise
forming a third passage between the first region and the second
region. The method may further comprise flowing the product from
the first region into the second region via the third passage.
[0035] In another exemplary embodiment, the method may further
comprise flowing excess product out of the cavity via the first
passage prior to dispensing the product from the cavity.
[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment, the first region of
the container may be below the separation member and the second
region of the container may be above the separation member when the
container is in an upright position.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the device and method for
dispensing may be particularly well suited to the packaging and
dispensing of a cosmetic or care product, particularly for the skin
or for the hair, for example. The product may be a root nutrient or
a scalp care product, for example.
[0038] As used herein, the expression "one-way flow . . . when the
device is at least partially inverted from its upright position"
may be understood as meaning a flow in which the rate is greater
when the device is at least partly inverted than when the device is
returned to an upright position (e.g., when the device is upright
the separating member could either prevent flow of product from the
first region to the second region or this flow could be at a
reduced rate as compared to when the device is at least partially
inverted). For example, the cross-section of the at least one third
passage may be greater when the device is at least partly inverted
than it is when the device is in the upright position.
Alternatively, there might not be a third passage when the device
is upright, for example.
[0039] The separation member may be designed so as to be open under
the pressure of the product when the device is inverted and to
close in a practically sealed manner when the device is returned to
the upright position. In other words, the separating member may
partially define the at least one third passage and substantially
prevent the return of the product which is flowed via the at least
one third passage into the second region when the device is
inverted. This may be regardless of the action involved in
inverting the device and, in particular, of the speed at which the
inverting movement is performed.
[0040] The term "providing" used herein is used broadly and may
refer to, but is not limited to, making available for use, giving,
supplying, obtaining, getting a hold of, acquiring, purchasing,
selling, distributing, possessing, making ready for use, and/or
placing in a position ready for use.
[0041] Aside from the structural and procedural arrangements set
forth above, the invention could include a number of other
arrangements, such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be
understood that both the foregoing description and the following
description are exemplary. The accompanying drawings are included
to provide a further understanding of the invention and are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The
drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain certain principles.
In the drawings,
[0042] FIG. 1A is a sectional view of a device according to an
exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0043] FIG. 1 B is a close-up view of the zone surrounded by the
dotted line in FIG. 1A;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of element 30 from the device of
FIG. 1A;
[0045] FIG. 3A is a sectional view showing the element of FIG. 2
prior to insertion in the container of FIG. 1A;
[0046] FIG. 3B is a sectional view showing the fitting of the
element of FIG. 2 into the container of FIG. 1A;
[0047] FIG. 3C is a sectional view showing a dispensing mechanism
associated with the element 30 and container of FIG. 1A;
[0048] FIG. 4A is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A in a
partly inverted position;
[0049] FIG. 4B is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A being
returned to an upright position from an at least partly inverted
position; and
[0050] FIG. 4C is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1A ready
for use to dispense product from the cavity.
[0051] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to
the same or like parts.
[0052] The device 10 depicted in FIG. 1A comprises a container 20
configured to hold a product P. The container 20 comprises a body
21 having one end closed by a bottom 22. An end opposite to the
bottom 22 has a neck portion 230. A free edge of the neck portion
230 defines an opening 200. A retaining element 30 may be mounted
at least partly within the opening 200. The exterior surface of the
neck portion 230 may have screw threading 231 designed to engage
with screw threading 500 disposed on the interior surface of a
mounting band 50. The retaining element 30 delimits a metering
cavity 300, the content of which is intended to be dispensed when
the device is in an upright position. The contents can be dispensed
by a variety of means that allow for dispensing in an upright
position. Such means are known to those skilled in the art.
[0053] As an example, a pump 40 may be provided for dispensing the
product P from the metering cavity 300. The pump 40 may be
associated with the retaining element 30, as will be described in
detail later. The pump 40 may be fixed to the container 20 via the
mounting band 50. An actuation mechanism in the form of a
push-button 60, for example, may allow the pump 40 to be actuated
so as to expel the product P through at least one outlet orifice
70. The constituent elements of the device, such as, for example,
the container 20, the retaining element 30, the pump 40, the band
50, and the push-button 60 may be obtained by molding a
thermoplastic, such as a polypropylene or a polvethvlene, for
example.
[0054] The retaining element 30 is shown in isolation in FIG. 2.
The retaining element 30 may be placed inside the device 10, as
shown in FIG. 1A. The retaining element 30 may comprise a tubular
element 350, having an outside diameter slightly smaller than the
inside diameter of the neck 230 of the container 20. One end of the
retaining element 30 may be closed by a bottom 351 thus forming the
bottom of the metering cavity 300. The other end 352 is open, and
may have a rim 353 that abuts against the free edge of the neck 230
of the container 20. Although the tubular element 350 shown has a
substantially circular cross-section, it should be understood that
hollow, tubular elements having cross-sections other than circular,
such as elliptical, square, rectangular, and triangular, for
example, also could be used and are intended to be encompassed
within the scope of the invention.
[0055] The retaining element 30 may define two substantially
diametrically opposed passages 310. The passages 310 may have a
substantially oblong shape and may be oriented substantially
longitudinally to an axis X of the device 10. The lower edge 311 of
the passages 310 may delimit the maximum filling height of the
metering cavity 300 formed below the passages 310. According to an
exemplary embodiment, the volume of the metering cavity may be on
the order of several milliliters, for example.
[0056] A separation member 320, which may be in the form of a
diaphragm, for example, may be associated with the retaining
element 30, as can be seen in FIG. 1A. The separation member 320
may substantially separate a first region A of the container 20, in
which the product P resides when the device 10 is in the upright
position, from a second region B disposed adjacent to the opening
200 of the container 20. The separation member 320 may be capable
of delimiting, in combination with the interior wall 210 of the
container, an annular passage 330 depicted in FIG. 4A, between the
first and second zones. The separation member 320 may be configured
in such a way as to allow one-way flow of the product towards the
second region B in response to an at least partial inversion of the
device, allowing the product P to flow through an annular passage
330 formed between the separation member 320 and the inner surface
of the container 20.
[0057] On the opposite side of the separation member 320 to the
passages 310, the retaining element 30 may define two substantially
diametrically opposed passages 340. These passages 340 may be
offset by approximately 90.degree., for example, with respect to
the passages 310. The passages 340 may have a substantially oblong
shape and may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis X
of the device 10.
[0058] The passages 310 may be formed in the tubular element so as
to be disposed in the first region A. The passages 340 may be
disposed in the second region B. The separation member 320
therefore may separate the passages 310 from the passages 340.
[0059] According to an exemplary embodiment, the separation member
320 may be substantially in the form of an elastically deformable
diaphragm. A peripheral edge 321 of the diaphragm extends up close
to the interior wall 210 of the container, as can be seen in FIG.
1B. The diaphragm may comprise an annular portion 322 capable of
coming into contact, for example substantially sealed contact, with
a shoulder defined by the wall 210 of the container 20 when the
device is in the upright position. The term "substantially sealed"
used herein means that most of the product which has entered the
second region is substantially prevented from flowing back into the
first region when the device is returned to the upright position.
Under the pressure of the product in response to the at least
partial inversion of the device, the diaphragm may move away from
the inner surface portion, i.e., the shoulder 220 of the container
20 so as to define, with the inner surface portion of the wall 210,
a passage 330 (FIG. 4D).
[0060] The diaphragm may be made of an elastically deformable
material chosen, for example, from thermoplastic or crosslinked
elastomers. By way of example, particular mention may be made of
silicones, natural or synthetic latices, EPDMs, polyurethanes,
blends of polypropylene and SBS, SEBS or EPIDM, very-low-density
polyethylenes, blends based on polyester glycols (TPU) or polyether
glycols (PEBA and COPE), and flexible polyvinyl chlorides (PVCs).
Such a material may have a hardness ranging from approximately 20
Shore A to approximately 40 Shore D. In an exemplary embodiment,
the hardness may range from approximately 40 Shore A to
approximately 75 Shore A. The material's elasticity may range from
approximately 0.5 MPa to approximately 5 Mpa (tensile stress at
100% elongation). In an exemplary embodiment, the elasticity may
range from approximately 0.8 MPa to approximately 2 Mpa (tensile
stress at 100% elongation). As an example, the diaphragm may be
made of a silicon elastomer.
[0061] The diaphragm 320 also may be inclined toward the metering
cavity 300. The diaphragm 320 thus may form an angle .beta. with a
longitudinal axis of the device, which may be equal to about
85.degree., for example. This inclination helps to conduct product
that has entered the second region B toward the metering cavity
300.
[0062] In order for substantially all of the product P that enters
the second region B to be conducted toward the metering cavity 300,
diaphragm 320 may form a substantially continuous annular ring
substantially without interruption. That is, the diaphragm 320 may
be a substantially solid member.
[0063] The interior surface of the wall 210 of the container may
form a shoulder 220 designed to accommodate the portion 322 of the
diaphragm when the device 10 is in the upright position. The upper
internal surface 221 of the shoulder may make an angle a with the
longitudinal axis of the container equal, for example, to about
600. This may accommodate the portion 322 of the diaphragm 320 and
keep it inclined.
[0064] To facilitate the fitting of retaining element 30 into the
device 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the diaphragm 320 may have a
thickness that decreases in a radical direction toward the wall 220
of the container 10.
[0065] According to another aspect, the separation member 320 may
be provided with at least one valve (not shown) that is capable of
opening under a pressure exerted by the product in response to at
least a partial inversion of the device. The valve may close when
the device is returned to an upright position. Those skilled in the
art would understand how such a valve may be formed.
[0066] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3C, various steps in assembling
the device may be seen. The retaining element 30, as depicted in
FIG. 3A may be obtained by molding and may be formed with the
separation member 320 as a single piece. The separation member 320
may be is molded at an angle of approximately 90.degree. with
respect to the tubular element 350. The diaphragm may be molded at
other angles to the retaining element 30. However, the diaphragm
should slope downward toward the metering cavity 300.
[0067] Once the container 20 has been filled with the product P,
the retaining element 30 and the separation member 320 may be
inserted through the opening 200 of the container 20 via the neck
portion 230, as depicted in FIG. 3B. The retaining element 30 and
separation member 320 may be inserted until, as depicted in FIG.
3C, the rim 353 abuts against the neck portion 230 of the container
20. The inclination of the separation member 320 toward the
metering cavity 300 may be obtained as a result of the portion 322
of the separation member 320 pressing against the upper interior
surface portion 221 of the shoulder 220, which may be inclined by
approximately 600, for example. Once the retaining element 30 and
the separation member 320 are fitted within the container 20, the
pump 40 may then be positioned inside the container 20, as shown in
FIG. 3C.
[0068] FIGS. 4A-4C, to which reference is now made, illustrate
various stages in the operation of the dispensing device 10, which
has just been described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and
3A-3C.
[0069] In FIG. 4A, the device 10 is partially inverted to a
head-down position so that the weight of the product P and the
flexibility of the separation member 320 allow the latter to flex
toward the opening 200 of the container 20. A passage 330 may thus
be formed between the first region A and the second region B. The
passage 330 may be defined by the peripheral edge 321 of the
separation member 320 and the interior surface of wall 210 of the
container 20. The product P may flow from the first region A into
the second region B, as indicated by the arrow F1. If the remaining
amount of product in the first region A is sufficient, some of the
product P also may flow through the passages 310 in the retaining
element 30. Part of the second region B may then fill with product
P. This second region B may have dimensions such that its volume is
significantly greater than that of the metering cavity 300.
[0070] When the device returns from the at least partly inverted
position of FIG. 4A to the upright position of FIG. 4C, an
intermediate position of which is depicted in FIG. 4B, the
separation member 320 may return to its initial position under the
combined effect of the weight of the product P in the second region
B and of the flexibility of the separation member 320. The
separation member 320 may then press on the shoulder 220 so that
the passage 330 closes again to substantially seal the first region
A from the second region B. The product P present in the second
region B of the container 20 may now flow into the metering cavity
300 via the passages 340, as indicated by the arrow F2.
[0071] By continuing the movement so as to return the device 10
more or less to the upright position, as depicted in FIG. 4C, the
product P may fill the metering cavity 300. Any excess product P in
the metering cavity 300 may drop back into the first region A of
the container 20 through overflowing via the passages 310, as
indicated by the arrow F3. The metering cavity 300 may thus fill
substantially the same way with virtually every use of the device,
regardless of the conditions under which the container is inverted
and returned to the upright position.
[0072] Next, substantially all of the product P contained in the
metering cavity 300 may be dispensed via the pump 40. The pump 40
may be actuated by means of a push-button 60, for example. The
product may pass into the pump 40 via the dip tube 400. In an
exemplary embodiment, the free end of the dip tube 400 may be
disposed proximate the bottom of the metering cavity 300.
[0073] As discussed, the dispensing device in an exemplary
embodiment is intended for the dispensing of a cosmetic and/or care
product. However, in its broadest aspects, the present invention
could be used to dispense many other types of flowable substances.
For example, various pharmaceuticals, polishes, and cleaning
products may be dispensed using the devices disclosed herein.
Furthermore, sizes of various structural parts and materials used
to make these parts are illustrative and exemplary only and one of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these materials and
sizes can be changed as necessary to product different effects or
desired characteristics of the dispensing assembly.
[0074] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure and
methodology. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is
not limited to the examples discussed in the specification. Rather,
the present invention is intended to cover modifications and
variations.
* * * * *