U.S. patent application number 11/421270 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for refill device for dispensing a cosmetic product.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alcan Packaging Beauty Services. Invention is credited to Fabrice Dieudonat, Frederic Milesi.
Application Number | 20070277902 11/421270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50158279 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277902 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dieudonat; Fabrice ; et
al. |
December 6, 2007 |
REFILL DEVICE FOR DISPENSING A COSMETIC PRODUCT
Abstract
A device for refilling a first container, fitted with a threaded
first neck and a vaporization head, includes a second container for
a liquid, a connection component including a first bearing plate
for engaging the first neck and a second bearing plate engaging the
second container, a median wall including a central orifice, and a
means of closing the second container or the central orifice. The
connection component engages an axially movable component capable
of sliding inside the connection component, to form a valve, the
movable component being able to move, under the action of an axial
constraint, from a closed position "F" to an open position "O", or,
under the action of a spring, from the position "O" to the position
"F". The movable component includes a radial projection for
engaging the first neck so that the first neck exerts an axial
constraint on the radial projection.
Inventors: |
Dieudonat; Fabrice; (Fosses,
FR) ; Milesi; Frederic; (Paris, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Alcan Packaging Beauty
Services
Chevilly-Larue
FR
|
Family ID: |
50158279 |
Appl. No.: |
11/421270 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/319 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/02 20130101;
A45D 34/00 20130101; A45D 2034/002 20130101; B65D 47/20 20130101;
B05B 11/0097 20130101; B65D 47/248 20130101; B65D 71/502
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
141/319 |
International
Class: |
B65B 3/04 20060101
B65B003/04 |
Claims
1. A device for refilling a first container having a threaded first
neck and a vaporization head, the device comprising: a) a second
container that holds a liquid product to be transferred into the
first container, b) a connection component having an axial
direction for connecting the first and second containers, the
connection component including a first bearing plate for engaging
the first neck and a second bearing plate for engaging the second
container, the first bearing plate and second bearing plate on
either side of a generally horizontal median wall including a
central orifice, the first and second necks being disposed opposite
each other, the connection component forming a path for the
transfer of the product from the second container to the first
container, and c) a closure for the second container or the central
orifice, characterized in that: 1) the connection component engages
with an axially movable component that is slidable inside the
connection component in axial travel, the movable component moving
under an axial constraint from a closed position to an open
position, and moving under a return means from the open position to
the closed position, 2) the movable component includes a peripheral
part forming a drive means for engaging the first neck, the first
neck exerting on the drive means the axial constraint when the
first neck engages the first bearing plate, and 3) the movable
component includes a central part engaging the connection component
to form the closure for the second container.
2. Device according to claim 1 wherein said the peripheral part is
a radial projection that forms a peripheral ring.
3. Device according to claim 1 wherein the connection component
includes an axial projection around the central orifice, the axial
projection forming a tube portion integral with the median wall to
provide a path for the transfer of liquid.
4. Device according to claim 3 wherein the tube portion includes an
upper tube portion above the median wall.
5. Device according to claim 3 wherein the tube portion includes a
lower tube portion below the median wall.
6. Device according to claim 1 wherein the central part engages the
central orifice or the tubes to form a valve.
7. Device according to claim 6 wherein the central part forms a
central tube capable of sliding into the central orifice or the
tube portion.
8. Device according to claim 7 wherein the tube portion includes a
lower tube portion below the median wall and the central tube
engages the lower tube portion, the central tube sliding inside the
lower tube portion.
9. Device according to claim 8 wherein the lower tube portion
includes a bottom including an orifice, the bottom being integral
with a central component including an upper flap valve and an axial
rod anchoring the central component to the lower tube portion, the
upper flap valve forming an upper stop for the central tube,
application of the axial constraint on the radial projection
forming an opening between the fixed upper flap valve and an upper
end of the central tube, the opening allowing flow of the liquid
product.
10. Device according to claim 8 wherein the lower tube portion
includes a bottom including an orifice, and wherein the central
tube includes a lower flap valve anchored to the central tube, the
lower flap valve spaced axially from a lower end of the central
tube, the lower tube portion forming a lower stop for the lower
flap valve, application of the axial constraint on the radial
projection forming a lower opening between the movable lower flap
valve and the lower end of the lower tube portion, the lower
opening allowing flow of the liquid product.
11. Device according to claim 10 wherein a rod or axial wall
anchors the lower flap valve to the central tube, the rod or axial
wall forming a unitary component with the movable component, the
lower flap valve integral with the rod or axial wall.
12. Device according to claim 9 wherein the return means is a
spring located between a lower end of the central tube and the
bottom, or between the radial projection and the median wall.
13. Device according to claim 7 wherein the central tube of the
movable component engages the upper tube portion, the central tube
sliding outside the upper tube portion and including one upper
part.
14. Device according to claim 13 wherein the upper tube portion is
closed at an upper end and includes at least one lateral orifice,
the lateral orifice being opened or closed as a result of the axial
displacement of the movable component.
15. Device according to claim 7 wherein the connection component
does not include any axial projection around the central orifice,
the central tube being sliding in the central orifice, wherein the
central tube includes a lower flap valve anchored to the central
tube by a rod or axial wall, the lower flap valve spaced axially
from the lower end of the central tube, and wherein the return
means is placed between the radial projection and the median wall,
the median wall forming a stop for the lower flap valve,
application of the axial constraint on the radial projection
forming a lower opening between the movable lower flap valve and
the median wall, the lower opening allowing flow of the liquid
product.
16. Device according to claim 6 wherein the driving means is a
radial projection and the central part includes a lower flap valve
anchored to a rod or an axial wall, a connection means anchoring
the rod or axial wall to the radial projection, the lower flap
valve stopped against the median wall or against a lower tube
portion, application of the axial constraint on the radial
projection forming a lower opening between the movable lower flap
valve and the median wall or the lower end of the lower tube
portion, the lower opening allowing flow of the liquid product.
17. Device according to claim 1 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air.
18. Device according to claims 9 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air and wherein
the axial separation wall forms or includes the axial rod.
19. Device according to claim 11 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air and wherein
the axial separation wall forms or includes the rod or an axial
wall.
20. Device according to claim 14 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air and wherein
the axial separation wall is an axial separation wall.
21. Device according to claim 15 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air and wherein
the axial separation wall is an axial separation wall typically
formed by the axial wall.
22. Device according to claim 16 wherein the central part of the
movable component includes an axial separation wall forming a
conduit for the liquid separate from a conduit for air and wherein
the lower flap valve is anchored to the axial wall, the axial wall
and the upper axial wall forming the axial separation wall.
23. Device according to claim 1 wherein the connection component
and the movable component include at least one tightness means to
provide a watertight valve.
24. Device according to claim 1 including a removable cap for
engaging the first bearing plate.
25. Device according to claim 1 wherein the axial travel between
the open and closed positions is between about 2 mm to 6 mm.
26. Device according to claim 1 wherein the second container is a
bottle with a threaded neck or a tube.
27. Device according to claim 26 wherein the tube is a plastic tube
forming a unitary component with the connection component.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to the field of cosmetic product
dispensers. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate
to the field of perfume dispensers, including refillable
dispensers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Perfume bottle refills typically include containers or
bottles that comprise a threaded neck, closed with a threaded plug.
Similarly, refillable dispensers typically include a spray head
screwed into a bottle that comprises a threaded neck. To refill the
dispenser, the usual way of proceeding is to unscrew the
vaporization head and to decant the refill content manually, after
unscrewing its plug.
[0003] Using a refill is desirable when the quality and price of
the dispenser with head render it essentially a non-disposable
object. Conversely, the value of a refill for the refillable
dispenser is related more to the value of its content than to that
of the container forming the refill, with the result that, since it
is of little intrinsic value, the dispenser refill is typically
thrown away or recycled once empty.
[0004] Given the fact that the neck of the refillable dispenser is
typically small in size, some skill or manual dexterity may be
required in order to decant or transfer the perfume from a refill
or feeder bottle to the bottle of the dispenser. The usual
consequences of a decanting operation, unless one is very skillful,
may be on the one hand a loss of product contained in the refill,
which is often a very expensive perfume, and on the other hand, a
potential to spill the product on clothes or hands, with the risk
of having a persistent and lingering odor associated with this
operation, since the product or perfume may have been able to
spread and impregnate a cloth material.
[0005] A system for filling a secondary bottle from a main bottle
is known through French Patent Application No. 00 11082. But a
system of this kind has a certain complexity both in manufacture
and implementation.
[0006] There remains a need for a means that is both cost-effective
and practical, in other words easy to implement by any user, so as
to avoid the drawbacks associated with conventional systems.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to the various embodiments of the invention, a
device for refilling a first container, typically a perfume bottle,
that is fitted with a first typically threaded neck and a
vaporization head, includes: [0008] a) a second container intended
to contain a liquid product, typically perfume, to be transferred
into the first container, [0009] b) a means of engagement having an
axial direction and forming a typically watertight component for
connecting the first and second containers, the connection
component including a first typically threaded bearing plate for
engagement with the first neck and a second typically threaded
bearing plate for engagement with the second container or with a
typically threaded second neck of the second container, the first
bearing plate and second bearing plate being arranged on either
side of a typically horizontal median wall, including a central
orifice, so as to bring the first and second necks opposite each
other, and to form a means of transferring the product contained in
the second container to the first container, and [0010] c) a means
of closing up the second container or the central orifice. [0011]
It is characterized in that: [0012] 1) the connection component
engages with an axially movable component able to slide inside the
second neck in axial travel, the movable component being able to
move, under the action of an axial constraint, from a closed
position "F" in which the central orifice is capped, to an open
position "O" in which the central orifice is open, then to move,
under the action of a return means, typically a spring, from the
position "O" to the position "F", the movable component engaging
the connection component so as to form a valve and so as to form
the closure means, [0013] 2) the movable component includes a
peripheral part forming a drive means, typically a radial
projection, intended to engage with the first neck or upper edge
thereof, the first neck or upper edge thereof exerting on the drive
means or the radial projection the axial constraint when the first
neck engages with the first neck typically by screwing the first
neck into the first bearing plate, and comes axially closer to the
median wall, [0014] 3) the movable component includes a central
part capable of engaging the connection component for the purpose
of forming the valve.
[0015] Indeed, on one hand, product decanting or transfer is
limited to two basic operations, with: [0016] the vaporization head
being unscrewed in order to disengage the first neck of the first
container, the first container corresponding to the dispenser to be
refilled, [0017] then the refill device simply being screwed to the
first neck.
[0018] Decanting or transfer of product without loss and without
mess is thus possible.
[0019] On the other hand, a device according to embodiments of the
invention forms a valve which opens automatically as soon as the
refill device is screwed onto the first neck corresponding to the
bottle to be filled, and which re-closes automatically as soon as
the refill device is unscrewed, which is extremely practical.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] All the Figures are axial cross sections along the axial
direction of the device (1), except FIGS. of 3c, 4b, 5c, 6c and 8c
which are transverse cross-sections perpendicular to the axial
direction (10).
[0021] FIGS. 1a to 4 relate to an embodiment of the refill device
(1).
[0022] FIG. 1a is a partial view of a refill device (1).
[0023] FIG. 1b is a partial view of a refill device (1') including
a cap (8).
[0024] FIG. 1c is an enlarged view of the upper part of FIG. 1a
illlustrating the upper valve (12) and a tightness means (15).
[0025] FIGS. 2a to 2d show the refill device (1) from FIG. 1a in
operation.
[0026] FIG. 2a shows the device (1) in FIG. 1a placed in use above
the first container to be filled. The first container is not yet
screwed to the first bearing plate and the valve (12) is closed
("F").
[0027] In FIG. 2b, the first container is screwed to the first
bearing plate and the valve (12) is open ("O"), the first container
being shown half full.
[0028] In FIG. 2c, the valve (12) is open ("O"), the first
container being shown full.
[0029] In FIG. 2d, the first container is unscrewed and the valve
(12) is closed ("F").
[0030] FIG. 3a is a partial left-hand half-view of FIG. 1a, the
valve (12) being in the closed position "F".
[0031] In FIG. 3b, the first container has been shown in dotted
lines screwed to the device (1), the valve (12) being in the open
position "O".
[0032] FIG. 3c is a cross-section B-B of FIG. 3b.
[0033] FIG. 4a corresponds to FIG. 3b reversed, the device (1)
being in use above the first container in such a way to allow a
flow of liquid by gravity.
[0034] FIG. 4b is a cross-section A-A of FIG. 4a.
[0035] FIGS. 5a and 5b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0036] FIG. 5c is a cross-section A-A of FIG. 5a.
[0037] FIGS. 6a and 6b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0038] FIG. 6c is a cross-section B-B of FIG. 6b.
[0039] FIG. 7a and 7b show another embodiment of the device (1). In
FIG. 7b and the following Figures, the first container is shown in
solid lines.
[0040] FIGS. 8a and 8b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0041] FIG. 8c is a cross-section A-A of FIG. 8a.
[0042] FIGS. 9a and 9b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0043] FIGS. 10a and 10b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0044] FIGS. 11a and 11b show another embodiment of the device
(1).
[0045] FIGS. 12a to 12c show the second container as a tube (2').
This tube (2') is a tube (2'') that forms a unitary component with
the connection component.
[0046] FIG. 12a shows the device (1) before the tube (2', 2'') is
filled through the opening (21) in its bottom.
[0047] FIG. 12b shows the tube filled with product (7).
[0048] FIG. 12c shows the tube closed by a welded edge (22).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] Referring to the Figures, aspects of the invention relate to
a device (1) for refilling a first container with liquid product.
The device provides a connection component for connecting the first
container with a second container that holds liquid to be filled
into the first container.
[0050] According to aspects of the invention, a radial projection
may form a peripheral ring (50). Any type of radial projection may
be suitable insofar as the radial projection allows the automatic
axial displacement of the movable component when the first
container is screwed to the device (1). The movable component is
displaced in a direction towards the median wall of the device (1)
which makes it possible to move the valve (12) from the closed
position "F" to the open position "O".
[0051] According to an embodiment of the invention such as
illustrated in all the Figures, except for FIGS. 8a to 9b, the
connection component may include an axial projection around the
central orifice, the axial projection typically forming a tube
portion integral with the median wall so as to form all or part of
the transfer means.
[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the tube portion may include an
upper tube portion located above the median wall.
[0053] As shown in FIGS. 3a, 5a, 6a, 10a and 11a, the tube portion
may include a lower tube portion located below the median wall.
[0054] Whatever the embodiment of the invention, the central part
may engage with the central orifice or with the tubes (43, 43a,
43b) so as to form the valve. This engagement, which allows an
axial displacement of the movable component relative to the
connection component, is preferably a watertight engagement, which
may require the use of tightness means, typically gaskets.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 3a, 5a, 6a, 7a and 8a, the central part
may form a central tube, the central tube being able to slide in
the central orifice or in the tube portion.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 3a, 5a and 6a, the central tube of the
movable component may engage with the lower tube portion, the
central tube being able to slide inside the lower tube portion. As
shown in FIG. 3a, the lower tube portion may include a bottom
including an orifice, the bottom being integral with a central
component including an upper flap valve and an axial rod anchoring,
typically by a snap-on process, the central component to the lower
tube portion, and typically to the bottom, the upper flap valve
forming an upper stop for the central tube, the central tube being
open at its two ends. In this way, when the axial constraint is
exerted on the radial projection, and opening is formed between the
fixed upper flap valve and the upper end of the central tube that
form the valve, the opening thus ensures flow of the liquid
product.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 5a, the lower tube portion may include a
bottom including an orifice, and the central tube may include a
lower flap valve anchored to the central tube by a rod or an axial
wall, the lower flap valve being spaced out axially from the lower
end of the central tube, in such a way that the lower tube portion
forms, typically by its lower end, a lower stop for the lower flap
valve, and in such a way that, when the axial constraint is exerted
on the radial projection, a lower end (12'a, 12'b) is formed
between the movable lower flap valve and the lower end of the lower
tube portion which form the valve, the lower opening (12'a, 12'b)
thus ensuring a flow of the liquid product. The rod or axial wall
may form a unitary component with the movable component. The lower
flap valve may either form a unitary component with the rod or
axial wall, as shown in FIG. 6a, or may be anchored, typically by
being snapped on, to the rod or axial wall, as shown in FIG.
5a.
[0058] According to aspects of the invention, the return means may
be a spring, typically a helical spring, located either between a
lower end of the central tube (5') and the bottom, or between the
radial projection and the median wall.
[0059] According to another embodiment of the invention, such as
shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the central tube of the movable component
may engage the upper tube portion, the central tube being able to
slide outside the upper tube portion, the central tube including
only an upper part (51a). In this case, the upper tube portion may
be closed at its upper end and includes at least one lateral
orifice, in such a way that the lateral orifice is able to be
closed or opened as a function of the axial displacement of the
movable component, typically by its end (510).
[0060] According to another embodiment of the invention, such as
shown in FIG. 8a, the connection component does not include an
axial projection around the central orifice. The central tube is
capable of sliding in the central orifice, and comprises a lower
flap valve anchored to the central tube by a rod or an axial wall.
The lower flap valve is spaced out axially from the lower end of
the central tube and the return means (6) or spring may be placed
between the radial projection and the median wall or radial
extension thereof, in such a way that the median wall or radial
extension thereof forms a stop for the lower flap valve.
Additionally, when the axial constraint is exerted on the radial
projection, a lower opening (12'a, 12'b) is formed between the
movable lower flap valve and the median wall or radial extension
thereof which form the valve. The lower opening (12'a, 12'b) thus
ensures flow of the liquid product.
[0061] According to another embodiment of the invention, such as
shown in FIGS. 9a and 10a, the central part may include a lower
flap valve anchored to a rod or an axial wall. A connection means
(514) anchors the rod or axial wall to the radial projection, the
lower flap valve being stopped against the median wall or against
the radial extension thereof or against a lower tube portion. In
this way, when the axial constraint is exerted on the radial
projection, a lower opening (12'a, 12'b) is formed between the
movable lower flap valve and the median wall or radial extension
thereof or the lower end of the lower tube portion, which form the
valve. The lower opening (12'a, 12'b) thus ensures flow of the
liquid product.
[0062] Whatever the embodiment of the invention, the central part
of the movable component or of the axial projection may include an
axial separation wall (52, 45), so as to form a conduit (13) for
the liquid distinct from the conduit (14) for the air. The liquid
(13') and air (14') flows have to run in counterflow, with the
liquid flow running from the second container towards the first
container, and the air flow running from the first container
towards the second container. The upper openings or the lower
openings (12'a, 12'b) form distinct openings, that is, distinct
upper openings and/or distinct lower openings (12'a, 12'b).
[0063] Although the devices in these Figures are shown in the
vertical position, in practice, they depart more or less from the
vertical, with the result that, due at least in part to the
presence of an axial separation wall (45), the liquid product will
tend to flow through the conduit (13) and the displaced air will
tend to flow through the other conduit (14), as shown in FIG. 4b,
which greatly facilitates the flow by gravity of the liquid product
from the second container towards the first container (3). In FIG.
4a, the flow or flux (13') of the liquid product in the conduit
(13) has been shown by an arrow.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 3a, the axial separation wall may be an
axial separation wall (45) forming or including the axial rod.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 5a, the axial separation wall may be an
axial separation wall (52) forming or including the rod or an axial
wall (513).
[0066] As shown in FIG. 7a, the axial separation wall may be an
axial separation wall (45), typically a central separation wall
(434) forming a partition wall of the upper tube portion.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 8a and 9a, the axial separation wall may
be an axial separation wall (52) typically formed by the axial wall
(513).
[0068] As shown in FIGS. 8a and 9a, the lower flap valve may be
anchored to the axial wall, the axial wall typically being extended
by an upper axial wall (515), the axial wall and the upper axial
wall (515) forming the axial separation wall (52).
[0069] As shown for example in FIG. 1c, the connection component
and the movable component may include a least one tightness means
(15) to provide a watertight valve.
[0070] As a shown in FIG. 1b, the device (1) may include a
removable cap (8) that engages the first bearing plate so as to
protect the movable component when the device is not in use. The
cap also avoids unintentional application of an axial constraint on
the movable component.
[0071] By way of example, the axial travel between the positions
"O" and "F" in the various embodiments may be typically from about
2 mm to about 6 mm, and preferably, from about 3 mm to about 5
mm.
[0072] According to aspects of the invention, the second container
may be a bottle with a threaded neck, of plastic or glass material,
or a tube made of plastic material.
[0073] As shown in FIGS. 12a to 12c, the plastic tube (2') may be a
tube (2'') making a unitary component with the connection component
(4).
[0074] Embodiments of the invention, on the one hand, address the
problems posed in a straightforward, efficient and cost-effective
manner. On the other hand, a variety of embodiments are provided,
which can be adapted to various situations, some including a very
limited number of components and thereby being highly
cost-effective.
[0075] Lastly, aspects of the invention make it possible to
transfer, by gravity, a perfume contained in a rigid feeder bottle
forming a second container, and to do so while maintaining control
over the quantity to be transferred. The receiving container, or
first container, has only to be unscrewed to automatically close
the valve of the device.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0076] Device A was manufactured as illustrated in FIGS. 1a to 4a.
To do this, thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0077] a) a connection component (4), which was an integral
component, including: two internally threaded bearing plates (40)
and (41), a median wall and an axial projection forming a tube
portion and more specifically a lower tube portion fitted with a
bottom having at least one orifice, [0078] b) a movable component,
which was a unitary component, including a peripheral ring (50,
50') and a central part forming a tube, and [0079] c) a central
component (44), which was a unitary component, including the upper
flap valve (440), the axial rod the lower end of which includes a
means for snapping into the bottom.
[0080] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container, fitted with a second threaded neck, and filled with
liquid product intended to refill the first container.
[0081] These components were assembled by placing the spring in the
lower tube portion, then by sliding into this lower tube portion
the lower part (51b) of the central tube, then by snapping the end
(442) of the central component into the bottom of fitted with a
central orifice for this purpose. The second container was then
screwed on.
[0082] The refill device (1) was thus obtained whereby a cap (8)
was assembled by screwing. The operation of this device (1) is
shown for example in FIGS. 2a to 2d.
Example 2
[0083] Device B was manufactured as illustrated in FIGS. 5a and 5b.
In this case, thermoplastic material molding was used to
manufacture: [0084] a) a connection component as in device A,
[0085] b) a movable component, which was a unitary component,
including a peripheral ring (50, 50') and a central part including
a tube and an axial separation wall (52) forming the rod or axial
wall and fitted with a lower snap-on end (517), [0086] c) a lower
flap valve including a central snap-on orifice of diameter selected
so that its lower edge (516) is able to be stopped against the
lower end of the lower tube portion.
[0087] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container (2). These components were assembled by snapping on the
flap valve and the lower end (517) of the movable component
(5).
Example 3
[0088] Device C was manufactured as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b. In
this case, thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0089] a) a connection component (4), which was a unitary
component, including a lower tube portion without a bottom (430),
[0090] b) a movable component, which was a unitary component,
including a peripheral ring (50, 50') and a central part including
a tube and an axial separation wall (52) forming the rod or axial
wall integral with a lower flap valve (512). The lower flap valve
includes a flexible outer edge (516') able, by its shape, to be
stopped against the lower end of the lower tube portion.
[0091] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container (2). These components were assembled by forcibly snapping
the movable component into the connection component (4), with the
lower edge (516') ensuring both the assembly of these two
components and the tightness of the lower valve (12').
Example 4
[0092] Device D was manufactured as shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b. In
this case thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0093] a) a connection component (4), which was a unitary
component, including an upper tube portion with, at its upper end
(433), lateral orifices and an arch, at its base, an outer
hollowed-out part (436), and an axial separation wall (45), [0094]
b) a movable component, which was a unitary component, including a
peripheral ring (50, 50') and a central part including an upper
tube part fitted at its base with an inner radial projection (518)
intended to engage with the hollowed-out part (436), the upper tube
part and this radial projection (518) being of a shape and
dimension to enable the connection part to be force fitted into the
movable component (5).
[0095] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container (2). These components were assembled by snapping the
connection component into the movable component with force
fitting.
Example 5
[0096] Device E was manufactured as shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b. In
this case thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0097] a) a connection component, which was a unitary component
without an axial projection and with a median wall internally
extended by an annular wall, [0098] b) a movable component, which
was a unitary component, including a peripheral ring (50, 50') and
a central part including a central tube and an axial wall fitted
with a lower snap-on end (517), [0099] c) a lower flap valve
including a snap-on orifice.
[0100] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container (2). These components were assembled by snapping the
lower end (517) into the snap-on orifice of the lower flap valve
(512).
Example 6
[0101] A device E' was also manufactured in which the movable
component and the lower flap valve form a unitary component that
can be snapped onto the connection component (4).
Example 7
[0102] Device F was manufactured as shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. In
this case, thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0103] a) a connection component, which was a unitary component
without an axial projection and with a median wall internally
extended by an annular wall, [0104] b) a movable component, which
was a unitary component, including a peripheral ring (50, 50') and
a central part including orifices (519), an upper axial wall (515)
and an axial wall fitted with a snap-on lower end (517), [0105] c)
a lower flap valve including a snap-on orifice.
[0106] A helical spring (6, 6') was provided as well as the second
container (2). These components were assembled by snapping the
lower end (517) into the snap-on orifice of the lower flap valve
(512).
Example 8
[0107] A device F' was also manufactured in which the movable
component and the lower flap valve form a unitary component that
can be snapped onto the connection component (4).
Example 9
[0108] Device G was manufactured as shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b. In
this case, thermoplastic material molding was used to manufacture:
[0109] a) a connection component (4), which was a unitary
component, including a lower tube portion, [0110] b) a movable
component, which was a unitary component, including a peripheral
ring (50, 50') and a central part including orifices (519), an
axial wall and a lower flap valve includes an outer flexible edge
(516') able, by its shape to be stopped against the lower end of
the lower tube portion, and to allow the movable component to be
snapped into the tube portion.
[0111] These components were assembled by moving the movable
component into the tube portion.
Example 10
[0112] A device G' was also manufactured as shown in FIGS. in 11a
and 11b in which the movable component includes an upper axial wall
(515).
Example 11
[0113] Device H was manufactured as shown in FIG. 12a in a similar
way to device A. In this case, thermoplastic material molding was
used to manufacture a unitary component including a tube forming
the second container and the connection component (4).
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