U.S. patent application number 16/726583 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-11 for pump for cosmetic product vial provided with air purging means.
The applicant listed for this patent is Albea Services. Invention is credited to Eric ROSSIGNOL.
Application Number | 20210039123 16/726583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005355623 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210039123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ROSSIGNOL; Eric |
February 11, 2021 |
PUMP FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT VIAL PROVIDED WITH AIR PURGING MEANS
Abstract
A pump for a vial intended to contain a cosmetic product
includes a variable-volume dosing chamber defined at least
partially by a deformable element. The pump operates by varying the
volume of the chamber by elastic deformation of a membrane of the
deformable element from an initial state wherein the chamber has a
maximum volume to a deformed state wherein the volume of the
chamber is minimal. The chamber is provided with a product inlet
orifice and a product outlet orifice, and the pump includes
deformation means of the membrane configured to exert pressure on
the membrane. Finally, the pump includes means to purge the air
from the chamber, that is activated when the membrane is in its
deformed state, the purging means enabling the dosing chamber to
communicate with the outside of the pump.
Inventors: |
ROSSIGNOL; Eric; (Chalon Sur
Saone, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Albea Services |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005355623 |
Appl. No.: |
16/726583 |
Filed: |
December 24, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F04B 9/14 20130101; F04B
53/06 20130101; G01F 11/08 20130101; B05B 11/3061 20130101; B05B
11/304 20130101; F04B 53/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B05B 11/00 20060101
B05B011/00; F04B 9/14 20060101 F04B009/14; F04B 53/06 20060101
F04B053/06; F04B 53/10 20060101 F04B053/10; G01F 11/08 20060101
G01F011/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 2018 |
FR |
1874128 |
Claims
1. A pump for a vial intended to contain a cosmetic product, said
pump comprising: a variable-volume dosing chamber defined at least
partially by a deformable element, the pump being actuated and
operating by varying the volume of the chamber by elastic
deformation of a membrane of the deformable element from an initial
state wherein the chamber has a maximum volume to a deformed state,
wherein the volume of the chamber is minimum, the chamber being
provided with a product inlet orifice and a product outlet orifice,
deformation means for the membrane configured to exert a pressure
on the membrane, means for purging air from the chamber that are
activated when the membrane is in its deformed state, said purging
means enabling the dosing chamber to communicate with the ambient
exterior, a product outlet valve, said purging means breaking the
tightness of the outlet valve at the end of the actuation of the
pump, and a guiding rod that passes through the deformable element,
the deformable element sliding along the rod when the membrane
undergoes said deformation, the deformable element comprising an
outlet lip delimiting said outlet orifice and surrounding a segment
of the rod, said outlet lip coining to bear in a sealed manner
against the rod or moving away from the rod depending on the
pressure in the chamber, said outlet lip and the rod forming said
outlet valve.
2. The pump according to claim 1, wherein the purged air is
evacuated through the product outlet orifice.
3. The pump according to claim 2, wherein said purging means
consist of at least one kerf or one decompression rib provided in
the rod.
4. The pump according to claim 3, wherein each kerf or rib extends
axially along the rod.
5. The pump according to claim 3, wherein each kerf or rib opens
into the dosing chamber.
6. The pump according to claim 3, wherein each kerf or rib extends
along a segment of the rod whereon the outlet lip is in contact
when the membrane is in its deformed state.
7. The pump according to claim 3, wherein each kerf or rib extends
over an axial length that is at least greater than a length of the
outlet lip.
8. The pump according to claim 3, wherein the membrane is
dome-shaped in the initial state and the deformable element
comprises a shaft arranged at the summit of the dome, the rod
intersecting with the shaft so that the shaft slides along the rod
during the deformation of the membrane, the outlet lip being
arranged on the shaft, each kerf or rib extending on an axial
length that is greater than the length of the shaft.
9. The pump according to claim 8, wherein each kerf or rib extends
along a segment of the rod located opposite the shaft when the
membrane is in its deformed state.
10. The pump according to claim 3, wherein the purging means
consist of two decompression kerfs or ribs provided in the rod in
diametrically opposed positions.
11. A vial, adapted for a cosmetic product, comprising: a
container; and a pump comprising: a variable-volume dosing chamber
defined at least partially by a deformable element, the pump being
actuated and operating by varying the volume of the chamber by
elastic deformation of a membrane of the deformable element from an
initial state wherein the chamber has a maximum volume to a
deformed state, wherein the volume of the chamber is minimum, the
chamber being provided with a product inlet orifice and a product
outlet orifice, deformation means for the membrane configured to
exert a pressure on the membrane, means for purging the air from
the chamber that are activated when the membrane is in its deformed
state, said purging means enabling the dosing chamber to
communicate with the ambient exterior, a product outlet valve, said
purging means breaking the tightness of the outlet valve at the end
of the actuation of the pump, and a guiding rod that passes through
the deformable element, the deformable element sliding along the
rod when the membrane undergoes said deformation, the deformable
element comprising an outlet lip delimiting said outlet orifice and
surrounding a segment of the rod, said outlet lip coining to bear
in a sealed manner against the rod or moving away from the rod
depending on the pressure in the chamber, said outlet lip and the
rod forming said outlet valve.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(a) to French patent application number 1874128, filed on Dec.
24, 2018, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a pump for a cosmetic product vial
that is provided with air purging means. The invention also relates
to a vial comprising such a pump.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] Some cosmetic product vials are provided with a pump
configured to suction the cosmetic product contained in the
reservoir of the vial for the purpose of dispensing it, for example
by means of a nozzle or a simple opening. The product can therefore
be extracted or sprayed from the vial to allow the application
thereof. The pump is often actuated by means of a push button on
which the user exerts pressure to trigger the functioning of the
pump. The pump in particular comprises a dosing chamber with a
volume that varies to enable the suction of the product into the
chamber through an inlet orifice, when the volume increases, and
its expulsion outside of the chamber through an outlet orifice,
when the volume of the chamber decreases. The product exits the
chamber through a dispensing duct, which transports it to the
opening or the nozzle conventionally arranged on the push
button.
[0004] For the dispensing of sprays, i.e. a fluid jet dispersed in
the form of droplets of less than 100 .mu.m in size, the product
must be pressurised before it can be dispensed. The product is
dispensed with sufficient energy for its flow to be destabilised
and for the product to be dispersed in the form of droplets exiting
the vial. The product can be a perfume, or a milk-type lotion of
reduced viscosity.
[0005] Such pumps, i.e. pre-compression pumps, are disclosed by the
prior art. The problem with these pumps is that they feature metal
parts, such as springs, that are in contact with the product to be
dispensed, and complicate the sorting of the components for the
recycling of the pump.
[0006] The prior art therefore proposes pre-compression pumps made
of an elastic membrane that limits the number of metal components,
and even that eliminates them completely. Fluid product dispensers
are known, said dispensers comprising such pumps with an elastic
membrane, with a rod passing through the membrane at the level of
an elastic annular lip. This annular lip, in contact with the rod,
forms an outlet valve for the pump, the rod forming the seat of the
valve. In a standby position, the actuating button is maintained in
a top abutment position under the effect of the elasticity of the
membrane, and the annular lip is in contact with the rod and
ensures a sealed closing of the outlet valve. When the button is
actuated, the volume of the dosing chamber of the pump is reduced,
which increases the pressure of the fluid product inside the
chamber. The outlet valve opens through deformation of the elastic
lip and the product is dispensed.
[0007] Nonetheless, the prior art does not provide any information
relating to the purge of the pump when air has penetrated in the
dosing chamber. For "airless" dispensing systems, air can get
trapped in the reservoir when the dispensing system is attached to
the reservoir, which is filled with the product. For "atmospheric"
systems (i.e. with air in the reservoir and an air return system),
it can happened that the end of the dip tube is located outside the
product, if the vial is tilted, when the pump is actuated, causing
air to enter into the dosing chamber through a product inlet
valve.
[0008] In a conventional dispensing pump, several actuations of the
pump purges the system.
[0009] With a pre-compression pump, actuating the pump and the
reduction of the volume of the dosing chamber containing air causes
a compression of the air present in the chamber, without generating
sufficient overpressure to cause the outlet valve to open, and
compressed air therefore remains trapped inside the dosing chamber.
Therefore, the pump cannot be primed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantage
described above, by means of an air purging system evacuating
residual compressed air from inside the dosing chamber of a
pre-compression pump.
[0011] This goal is achieved with a pump for a vial intended to
contain a cosmetic product, said pump comprising conventionally a
dosing chamber with a variable volume defined at least partially by
a deformable element, the pump functioning by causing the volume of
the chamber to vary by elastic deformation of a membrane of the
deformable element from an initial state in which the chamber has a
maximum volume to a deformed state in which the volume of the
chamber is minimal, the chamber being provided with an inlet
orifice and an outlet orifice for the product, the pump comprising
means to deform the membrane which is configured to exert pressure
on the membrane.
[0012] This pump comprises means to purge the air from the chamber,
said means being activated when the membrane is in a deformed
state, said purging means enabling the dosing chamber to
communicate with the outside of the pump.
[0013] The pump comprises a product outlet valve, said purging
means breaking the seal of the outlet valve at the end of the
actuation of the pump. The purging means therefore act directly on
the functioning of the product outlet pump.
[0014] The pump comprises a guiding rod that passes through the
deformable element, the deformable element sliding along the rod
when the membrane undergoes said deformation, the deformable
element comprising an outlet lip delimiting said outlet orifice and
surrounding a section of the rod, said outlet lip coming to bear in
a sealed manner against the rod, or moving away from the rod
depending on the pressure inside the chamber, said outlet lip and
the rod forming said outlet valve.
[0015] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a
system for purging the residual compressed air that is trapped in
the dosing chamber. The system is not active when the membrane is
not deformed to the maximum, i.e. when the actuating of the pump is
at its maximum and a maximum of product has already left the dosing
chamber. In this case only, the purging system is activated. The
purging system is neutralised in all other cases, i.e. when the
membrane is in standby, or when the membrane is in a transitory
form, passing from one state to the other.
[0016] According to the invention, the purged air is evacuated
through the product outlet orifice.
[0017] In pre-compression pumps according to the prior art, the
dosing chamber communicates with the outside, without the air
evacuation path intersecting with the product dispensing path. The
pressure of the fluid during its dispensing is therefore not
affected by the air purge. This pressure diminishes progressively
at the end of the dispensing, without being cancelled out. The
result is that at the end of the dispensing, the fluid is no longer
dispensed in the form of a spray (insufficient pressure) and large
drops can be seen falling from the outlet orifice.
[0018] In the present invention, the purged air is evacuated
through the same path as that taken by the product within the pump.
There is therefore a single path, taken both by the product and the
purged air, at different moments. By enabling the inside of the
dosing chamber to communicate with the outlet fluid circuit (outlet
channel, nozzle . . . ) at the end of the dispensing to ensure the
purging of air, the overpressure of the fluid is suddenly
interrupted and the dispensing stops abruptly, instead of ending
with large droplets. The quality of the spray at the end of the
dispensing is thus improved.
[0019] A "lip" corresponds to a flexible portion, often slightly
tapered, of a tab or a skirt, or of any other element, that tends
to be pressed against a surface to create a seal. The lip can
undergo deformation, in particular bending, so as to move away from
said surface under certain conditions, for example when there is a
pressure difference on either side of the lip, which has the effect
of breaking the seal.
[0020] Advantageously, said purging means consist of at least one
kerf or one decompression rib provided in the rod.
[0021] The term "kerf" describes a groove or a slot provided in the
rod. The term "rib" is the positive equivalent of the "kerf". The
rib is a protruding part of the rod, i.e. a raised portion.
[0022] This kerf or rib creates a space that is intended to be
taken by the air and the fluid product simultaneously. It can
feature large dimensions, facilitating its creation during the
manufacturing of the rod by plastic injection. However, according
to the prior art, the fluid product has to be prevented from
circulating through the purging means to prevent product leakage
from the body of the pump. Consequently, the purging means must be
small, and therefore complicated to manufacture industrially.
[0023] Furthermore, the air to be purged, being mixed with the
fluid to be dispensed, can contribute to further destabilising the
flow by a blow-out effect, i.e. with product and air escaping
simultaneously with a lot of power, to improve the quality of the
spray at the end of the dispensing.
[0024] According to the different embodiments of the invention,
that can be taken together or separately: [0025] a) each kerf or
rib extends axially along the rod. [0026] b) each kerf or rib opens
into the dosing chamber. Each kerf or rib is positioned to enable
the dosing chamber to communicate with the outside of the pump when
the pump is in bottom abutment position (end of the actuation).
[0027] c) each kerf or rib extends along a segment of the rod on
which the outlet lip is in contact when the membrane is in its
deformed state. The kerf extends along the bottom part of the rod.
[0028] d) each kerf extends along an axial length that is at least
greater than the length of the outlet lip. Given that the entire
length of the lip is normally pressed against the rod, the length
of the kerf or the rib must be greater than the length of the lip,
to ensure that an empty space is created over the entire length of
the lip for the passage of residual air. [0029] e) the membrane is
dome-shaped in the initial state and the deformable element
comprises a shaft arranged at the summit of the dome, the rod
intersecting with the shaft so that the shaft slides along the rod
during the deformation of the membrane, the outlet lip being
arranged on the shaft, each kerf or rib extending on an axial
length that is greater than the length of the shaft. [0030] f) each
kerf or rib extends along a segment of the rod located opposite the
shaft when the membrane is in its deformed state. [0031] g) the
purging means consist of two kerfs or decompression ribs provided
in the rod, diametrically opposed to one another This distribution
enables to balance the air flow inside the pump.
[0032] The invention also relates to a vial, in particular for a
cosmetic product, comprising a pump such as described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The invention is better understood, and other purposes,
details, characteristics and advantages of this invention will
become clearer upon reading the following detailed explanatory
description of at least one embodiment of the invention, provided
by way of example and not limited thereto, and with reference to
the appended schematic drawings.
[0034] In these drawings:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-section perspective view of the elements
of a pump according to the invention, with a first product inlet
valve form,
[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view similar to FIG. 1, in which
the pump is in standby position,
[0037] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view showing the start of the
actuation of the pump,
[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view showing the pump in a
position of maximum actuation,
[0039] FIG. 5 is a magnified view of a portion of the guiding rod
of the pump according to FIG. 4,
[0040] FIG. 6 is a view of the guiding rod and of the membrane of
the pump along the cross-section A-A of FIG. 4,
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view showing the pump when it
passes from its position of maximum actuation to its standby
position,
[0042] FIG. 8 is a view of the guiding rod of the membrane of the
pump along the cross-section B-B of FIG. 7,
[0043] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view showing the pump back in its
standby position,
[0044] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of a pump according to the
invention, with a second product inlet valve form,
[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-section perspective view of a sleeve of
the pump according to FIGS. 1 to 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] In the following description, elements featuring identical
structures or similar functions are designated by the same
references.
[0047] The invention relates to a pump 1 for a vial comprising a
reservoir (not shown) intended to contain a cosmetic product. As
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pump 1 comprises a push button 2, a
deformable element 3 and a sleeve 4 serving as a shrink ring.
[0048] The purpose of the push button 2 is to enable the actuation
of the pump 1 by a user. The push button 2 here has a cylindrical
body provided with an opening for dispensing product in which is
located a nozzle 5, and with an upper support wall 8 on which the
user exerts pressure to actuate the pump 1, the push button 2 being
inserted inside the sleeve 4 during actuation. Any other model of
push button 2 can be used.
[0049] The pump 1 further comprises a variable-volume dosing
chamber 25 defined at least partially by the deformable element 3.
The pump 1 operates by varying the volume of the chamber 25 by
elastic deformation of a membrane 33 of the deformable element 3
from an initial state shown in FIG. 2 in which the chamber 25 has a
maximum volume and a deformed state shown in FIG. 4 in which the
volume of the chamber 25 is at its minimum.
[0050] The chamber 25 has a shape that features a longitudinal axis
in the initial state. The membrane 33 in this case has a rounded
dome shape comprising a circular base 28 and a summit 29. The
deformable element 3 further has a shaft 10 on top of the dome. The
inner volume of the dome and the shaft 10 define the dosing chamber
25. The longitudinal axis of the chamber 25 passes substantially
through the centre of the base 28, through the summit 29 of the
dome, and through the shaft 10.
[0051] The deformable element 3 is in this case formed of a single
elastic material, preferably a polymer material, for instance
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It comprises zones of variable
flexibility depending on their thickness.
[0052] The sleeve 4 is primarily constituted of an upper shrink
ring 4b, a lower shrink ring 4a, and a support 23 on which the
membrane 3 is positioned. In the embodiment shown here, an
intermediate part 7 is secured between the deformable element 3 and
the support 23 of the sleeve 4. This intermediate part 7 is
snap-fitted both in the support 23 and in the deformable element 3.
More specifically, the base 28 of the deformable element 3 is
provided with an inner edge 19 able to be snap-fitted under a first
outer edge of the intermediate part 7. In the same way, the support
23 is provided with an inner edge able to be snap-fitted under a
second outer edge of the intermediate part 7. Any other attachment
means can be considered. It should be noted that the support 23 and
the intermediate part 7 can also be made of a single part.
[0053] The upper shrink ring 4b serves as a guiding means for the
push button 2, and extends from said support 23. Indeed, the
cylindrical body of the push button 2 slides inside the sleeve 4
and in particular against the peripheral wall of the upper shrink
ring 4b. For safety reasons, to prevent the push button 2 from
coming loose from the sleeve 4, the cylindrical body of the push
button 2 is provided with a circumferential shoulder 30 able to
abut against an inner edge 31 located at the free end of the
peripheral wall of the upper shrink ring 4b of the sleeve 4.
[0054] From the support 23 of the sleeve 4 also extends a lower
shrink ring 4a oriented towards the reservoir. The inner surface of
the peripheral wall of the lower shrink ring 4a comprises a thread,
for example to be screwed onto the neck of a reservoir. It is also
possible to consider snap-fitting of the sleeve 4 on the neck of
the reservoir. Any other attachment means can be considered.
[0055] The intermediate part 7 features a wall 17 on which the
deformable element 3 rests at least partially. In particular, the
deformable element 3 comprises an inlet lip 18 in the vicinity of
the base 28 that rests on the wall 17. This wall 17 comprises at
least one through-hole 27, enabling product to pass from the
reservoir to the dosing chamber 25. This hole 27 is covered by the
inlet lip 18 of the deformable element 3 when the latter is mounted
on the intermediate part 7.
[0056] This inlet lip 18 is flexible and features a thinner
thickness than the base 28, for increased flexibility. Thus, the
inlet lip 18 is able to rise to let product into the chamber
25.
[0057] In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the wall 17 is
oriented at an angle towards the inside of the sleeve 4, therefore
towards the inside of the deformable element 3, and forms a
truncated cone in the vicinity of the rod. The inlet lip 18 rests
on the truncated cone, thereby returning back up inside the dosing
chamber 25.
[0058] However, it is also possible to consider a wall 17 that is
flat, or oriented differently, as is for example the case in FIG.
10. In this FIG. 10, the wall 17 is at an angle and forms a
U-shaped well, limited near the axis of the pump by a wall 37
located in the vicinity of the rod, contrary to the truncated cone.
The inlet hole 27 is located on an inner peripheral face of said
well. The inlet lip 18 therefore covers this sloped wall 17, and
covers the hole 27 that lets the product into the dosing chamber
25. The presence of the well increases the volume of the dosing
chamber 25, and consequently the volume of the dispensed dose.
[0059] The support 23 of the sleeve 4 has a central conduit 24
inside or outside of which a product suction tube can be inserted
and immersed inside the reservoir. The product therefore passes
inside the tube and arrives in a space created between the
intermediate part 7 and the support 23, and then proceeds towards
the hole 27 provided in the wall 17 of the intermediate part 7.
When the inlet lip 18 rises, as is detailed in the following
description, the product is let into the dosing chamber 25.
[0060] The wall 17 and the inlet lip 18 form what is known as a
product inlet valve. The support wall 17 serves as a seat, and the
inlet lip 18 consists of a deformable admission lip able to be
pressed or not against the seat, depending on the pressure inside
the dosing chamber 25. When the inlet lip 18 is pressed against the
wall 17, the dosing chamber 25 is sealed with respect to the
reservoir containing the product.
[0061] According to the invention, the sleeve 4 is provided with a
rod 6 for guiding the deformable element 3, which extends from the
intermediate part 7. The rod 6 and the intermediate part 7 can be
made of two different parts, or they can be made of a single part.
In the embodiment shown, the rod 6 and the intermediate part 7 are
two different parts. A first end 15 of the rod 6 is inserted in a
central socket 16 of the intermediate part 7.
[0062] In the embodiment shown, the upper shrink ring 4b, the lower
shrink ring 4a, the support 23, and the conduit 24 form a single
part termed sleeve 4. The rod 6 and the intermediate part 7 could
also be part of the sleeve 4 as a single part.
[0063] Conversely, an assembly of several parts could also form the
sleeve 4. [0064] a) The rod 6 is arranged substantially along a
longitudinal axis of the deformable element 3, which is coaxial
with the central axis of the sleeve 4 and with the central axis of
the push button 2. This guiding rod 6 passes through the deformable
element 3, so that the latter slides along the rod 6 when it
undergoes deformation, the rod 6 passing through the chamber 25
substantially along the longitudinal axis of the chamber 25. A
second end of the rod 6 is located at the level of the end of the
shaft 10 of the deformable element 3. Indeed, the summit 29 of the
dome and the shaft 10 form a through-channel that enables the rod 6
to pass inside said channel, and therefore through the deformable
element 3. The upper end of the shaft 10 comprises a tapered part
forming a flexible outlet lip 11 delimiting an outlet orifice for
the fluid contained in the dosing chamber 25. This outlet lip 11
surrounds a segment of the rod 6 and is pressed against the rod
6.
[0065] The purpose of the rod 6 is to guide the membrane 33 when it
passes from the initial state to the deformed state, and then from
the deformed state to the initial state. The membrane 33 is thus
configured to fold its summit 29 towards its base 28, the shaft 10
of the deformable element 3 also moving towards the base 28 along
the rod 6. Thanks to the rod 6, the membrane 33 remains centred
around the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 4. There is therefore no
risk of poorly controlled folding of the membrane 33.
[0066] The outlet lip 11 and the rod 6 form what is known as a
product outlet valve. The seat of this valve is constituted by the
body of the rod 6, on which the outlet lip 11 is pressed. When an
increase of pressure occurs inside the dosing chamber 25, the
outlet valve opens by elastic deformation of the outlet lip 11 and
the product can thus leave the dosing chamber 25 to arrive at the
nozzle 5 from which it is dispensed. More specifically, the
deformation of the outlet lip 11 generates several spaces between
the rod 6 and the lip 11 through which the fluid product is able to
pass and therefore exit from the dosing chamber 25.
[0067] When a loss of pressure occurs around the pump 1, for
example when it is in a mountainous region or in the cargo hold of
an aircraft, the pressure difference between the outside and the
inside of the dosing chamber 25 increases, eventually inducing an
overpressure effect, in turn causing a deformation of the outlet
lip 11 and therefore a flow of product through the outlet valve,
which was not what the user wanted. This overpressure phenomenon
within the pump can also occur when the dispenser is left exposed
to the sun.
[0068] To avoid a deformation of the outlet lip 11 when the pump 1
is in standby position, i.e. when the volume of the chamber 25 is
at its maximum, the rod 6 is provided with means to support the
outlet lip 11. These support means consist of a clamping edge 12 of
the outlet lip 11, extending from the second end of the rod 6. More
specifically, this second end of the rod 6 is provided with a rod
head 13 from which extends a clamping edge 12 that is curved in the
direction of the first end 15 of the rod 6, so as to create an
annular groove 28 between the body of the rod 6 and the clamping
edge 12. The outlet lip 11 of the deformable element 3 can then be
inserted inside this annular groove 28. When the dosing chamber 25
has a maximum volume, the membrane 33 is deployed to the maximum
and the outlet lip 11 is force-fitted into the groove 28. The
clamping edge 12 is at an angle or curved so as to exert a pressing
force of the outlet lip 11 on the body of the rod 6. More
specifically, the inner surface of the clamping edge 12 moves into
contact with the outer surface of the outlet lip 11 to press the
latter against the body of the rod 6. Thus, even in the event of a
pressure drop outside the vial, the outlet lip 11 cannot be
deformed as it is fully inserted and maintained inside the groove
28, under the effect of the clamping edge 12.
[0069] This clamping edge 12 extends over the entire circumference
of the rod 6 so as to clamp the totality of the outlet lip 11.
[0070] Preferably, the thickness of the outlet lip 11 is greater
than the width of the groove 28, so that the outlet lip 11 is force
fitted without reaching the bottom 14 of the groove 28. This
provides a good seal.
[0071] To deform the deformable element 3, the pump 1 comprises a
deformation means arranged outside of the chamber 25 and configured
to exert a pressure on the membrane 33 when the push button 2 is
actuated. This deformation means is a dispensing duct 9 having an
open end in contact with the membrane 33. The dispensing duct 9 is
here part of the push button 2, the duct 9 extending inside the
push button 2 from the inner face of the upper wall 8. The purpose
of the dispensing duct 9 is to transport the fluid leaving the
dosing chamber 25 to the opening and the nozzle 5 of the push
button 2. The dispensing duct 9 forms a sealed contact with the
deformable element 3. For this purpose, the shaft 10 is inserted in
the dispensing duct 9, the duct 9 resting on the membrane 33. The
shaft 10 is further provided with an outer bulge 32 that enables,
on one hand, its immobilisation inside the duct 9, and on the other
hand, ensures a contact seal with the dispensing duct 9. The bulge
32 is provided all around the shaft 10, here at the junction with
the membrane 33, and is substantially sized to the dimensions of
the open end of the dispensing duct 9.
[0072] The following is a description of the functioning of the
pump 1.
[0073] In FIG. 2, the pump 1 is in a standby position. In this
position, the pump 1 is sealed. Indeed, the elastic response of the
pre-constrained membrane 33 tends to push the outlet lip 11 upwards
and to immobilise it under the head of the rod 6, i.e. under the
clamping edge 12. The outlet lip 11 is thus clamped inside the head
of the rod 6. The product outlet valve is thus closed and sealed.
The dosing chamber 25 has a maximum volume. The circumferential
shoulder 30 of the push button 2 abuts against the inner edge 31 of
the peripheral wall of the upper sink ring 4b of the sleeve 4. The
inlet lip 18 of the deformable element 3 rests in a sealed manner
on the wall 17 of the intermediate part 7. The product inlet valve
is thus closed.
[0074] In FIG. 3 a user presses on the push button 2. The push
button 2 then slides inside the sleeve 4 and moves towards the
support 23 of the sleeve 4. In doing so, the push button 2 causes
the shaft 10 of the deformable element 3 to move downwards towards
the support 23. The outlet lip 11 slides along the rod 6 and is
distant from the rod head 13. The outlet lip 11 is therefore no
longer engaged with the clamping edge 12. The dispensing duct 9 of
the push button 2 presses in parallel against the membrane 33 to
deform it by folding it inwards. The top of the dome of the
membrane 33 is thus flattened. The volume of the dosing chamber 25
thus begins to diminish and the pressure increases in the dosing
chamber 25. This overpressure in the dosing chamber 25 causes the
deformation of the outlet lip 11, which moves away from the rod 6
when a threshold constraint is exceeded, which is shown by the
small arrows. The pressurised product in the dosing chamber 25 thus
escapes through the outlet valve and penetrates in the dispensing
duct 9 of the push button 2 and reaches the dispensing nozzle 5,
shown by the big arrows. The dispensing of the product is therefore
predicated on a minimum amount of pressure for the product to reach
the nozzle 5.
[0075] At the end of the motion, as shown in FIG. 4, the
cylindrical body of the push button 2 abuts against the support 23
of the sleeve 4; in the meantime, the dispensing duct 9 has
deformed the membrane 33 to its maximum, and the volume of the
dosing chamber 25 is at its minimum. A maximum amount of product
contained in the chamber 25 leaves through the outlet valve. Since
there is no more pressure in the dosing chamber 25, the outlet
valve 11 is once again pressed against the body of the rod 6.
[0076] It is possible that residual air remains inside in the
dosing chamber 25. This air may have been trapped in the reservoir
when the dispensing system was attached to the reservoir filled
with product if the pump is an airless pump, i.e. without air
return, or the air could come from an air return system in the case
of an atmospheric pump, i.e. with air in the reservoir, or the air
can be present in the suction tube prior to first use.
[0077] In this lowered position shown in FIG. 4, the residual air
is compressed in the dosing chamber 25, but without creating
sufficient overpressure to open the outlet valve and to let the
residual air out. A purging system has therefore been provided in
the form of at least one axial decompression kerf 26 that extends
along a segment of the rod 6. In this case, it is the segment on
which the outlet lip 11 is in contact when the membrane 33 is
compressed to the maximum, and the push button 2 abuts against the
support 23 of the sleeve 4. In the example shown, there are two
axial kerfs 26 diametrically opposed to one another, as shown in
particular in FIGS. 5 and 6. At the level of these axial kerfs 26,
the outlet lip 11 is not in contact with the body of the rod 6, in
this case with the bottom of the kerf 26, and a small space is
created between the outlet lip 11 and the bottom of the kerf 26, a
space through which residual air can escape from the dosing chamber
25.
[0078] These axial kerfs 26 can be replaced by axial ribs. In this
case, the outlet lip 11 is at a distance from the body of the rod
when it passes over a rib. A space is thus created between the
outlet lip 11 and the body of the rod on the right and on the left
of the rib.
[0079] A single decompression kerf 26 is sufficient to enable air
to escape. It is also possible to consider two, three, four, or n
kerfs 26.
[0080] Each axial kerf 26 extends over an axial length that is at
least greater than the length of the outlet lip 11 of the outlet
valve, so that air can penetrate inside the kerf 26. It is also
essential that these kerfs 26 open directly into the dosing chamber
25 at the level of the shaft 10 of the deformable element 3. It
should be noted that the shaft 10 of the deformable element 3,
excluding the outlet lip 11, has an inner diameter greater than the
outer diameter of the rod 6. Preferably, each axial kerf 26 extends
over an axial length that corresponds to the total length of the
shaft 10 of the deformable element 3.
[0081] When the pump 1 is in a position of maximum actuation, the
outlet lip 11 of the outlet valve surrounds the decompression kerfs
26 of the rod 6. Therefore, the seal is broken and there is a
pressure drop in the chamber 25, causing the air to leave, as shown
by the arrow. This can also occur during the priming of the pump
1.
[0082] In a position of maximum actuation, the dosing chamber 25,
initially in a state of overpressure, communicates with the
surrounding atmosphere. The pressure in the dosing chamber 25
drops, which immediately interrupts the dispensing of the product.
Thus, it is possible to prevent the dispensing from ending in big
drops, which is the case with conventional dispensing systems.
[0083] In FIG. 7, the user releases the pressure exerted on the
push-button 2, and the latter starts rising towards its standby
position, driven by the elastic response of the membrane 33. The
outlet lip 11 is also pushed by the membrane 33 in the direction of
the head of the rod 6. This small motion by the outlet lip 11, from
a lowered position in a segment of the rod 6 with decompression
kerfs 26 to an intermediate position in a smooth, round and
kerf-less segment of the rod 6 generates a slight suction effect at
the outlet of the nozzle 5 and prevents a drop from forming at the
level of the outlet of the nozzle 5.
[0084] The rising of the membrane 33 and of the shaft 10 causes the
volume of the dosing chamber 25 to increase, which in turn causes
an internal loss of pressure inside the dosing chamber 25. This
pressure drop, associated with the push of the product from the
reservoir, causes the product inlet valve to open. In this case,
the inlet lip 18 moves away from the wall 17 (as shown by the small
arrows), and the product can pass from the reservoir towards the
dosing chamber 25 through the hole 27 of the intermediate part 7
(as shown by the big arrow). This product suction continues until
the outlet lip 11 abuts against the bottom 14 of the gorge 28 of
the head of the rod 6. The outlet lip 11 is thus back in its
initial position and clamped around the rod 6 by means of the
clamping edge 12. In FIG. 8, it can clearly be seen that the outlet
lip 11 forms a sealed contact with the rod 6. The product outlet
valve is thus properly closed when the push-button 2 rises.
[0085] The deformable element 3 is provided with an air return lip
20 located in the vicinity of the base 28 and that cooperates with
the support 23 of the sleeve 4. More specifically, the support 23
comprises an outer ring 21 and an inner ring 22 that surround the
intermediate part 7, as is shown in FIG. 11. The inner ring 22 is
interrupted so as to form passages 34. An annular gap 35 is formed
between the two rings 21, 22. The air return lip 20 of the
deformable element 3 is housed in this gap 35 and is able to press
against the inner surface of the outer ring 21, so as to form an
air return valve, the outer ring 21 then forming a seat against
which the air return lip 20 is pressed in a sealed manner. This lip
20 is tapered and is therefore flexible. The pressing of the air
return lip 20 against the outer ring 21 creates an airtight seal
between the outside of the reservoir and the inside of the
reservoir.
[0086] When the push button 2 rises, the intake of the product into
the dosing chamber 25 generates a pressure loss inside the
reservoir containing the product, which causes the air to be
suctioned through the air return valve. In particular, the suction
of air will tend to move the air return lip 20 away from the outer
ring 21 and to move it closer to the inner ring 22 (as shown by the
small arrows). The seal is thus broken, and air can pass from the
air return lip 20 to the outer ring 21, and then in the passages 34
of the inner ring 22, and then from the intermediate part 7 to the
support of the sleeve 4, and ultimately to the inside of the
reservoir. The air comes initially from the outside of the vial and
passes from the push button 2 to the sleeve 4, before arriving at
the level of the air return valve. This path is shown by a big
arrow in FIG. 7.
[0087] In FIG. 9, the pump 1 has returned to its initial standby
state, as seen in FIG. 2. The elastic response of the
pre-constrained membrane 33 tends to push the outlet lip 11 upwards
and to immobilise it under the head of the rod 6. The latter is
thus clamped inside the head of the rod 6. The pressure drop is
interrupted inside the dosing chamber 25, and the product inlet
valve is therefore closed, as the inlet lip 18 has been pressed
back against the hole 27 of the intermediate part 7 as a result of
the inherent elasticity of the TPE material of the deformable
element 3.
[0088] The air return lip 20 returns to its position against the
outer ring 21. The air return valve is thus closed and the
reservoir is airtight. The dosing chamber 25 contains a new dose of
product ready to be dispensed.
[0089] The inlet lip, the outlet lip, and the air return lip are
all collar-shaped as they extend peripherally in the deformable
element, which is a revolution part.
[0090] The configurations shown in the mentioned figures are only
some of the possible examples of the invention, which is not
limited thereto, as the invention includes the variants of shapes
and designs that are within the scope of the person skilled in the
field.
* * * * *