HK1156564B - Improved pump for an airless-reservoir distributor - Google Patents

Description

Improved pump for a dispenser having an airless reservoir

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of dispensers for products of medium or high viscosity, such as cosmetic products, gel or cream type products that require air-insulated preservation.

The invention relates more particularly to an improved pump, for example fed by a variable-volume piston-type tank (tank).

Background

There are currently so-called "airless" variable volume tank dispensers that include a flexible diaphragm, such as an electric motor element for pumping. Patent EP 0738543 describes, for example, a dispenser for viscous products comprising an airless tank for separating the product to be dispensed from the air. However, the sealing restriction requires that numerous segments/components (pieces) be arranged to create a seal of the pump chamber. The large number of segments increases the cost of production and also increases the complexity of the dispenser and the assembly time.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to obviate one or more of the drawbacks of the prior art by devising an improved pump device which allows good sealing, in particular of the pump chamber, while reducing the number of structural parts.

This object is achieved by a pump device for use in a dispenser for liquid products having medium to high viscosities, said dispenser comprising at least:

a liquid product reservoir comprising a supply opening connected to a check valve and terminating in a pump chamber, said pump chamber being made partly within an elastic diaphragm;

a movable dispensing head comprising a dispensing orifice connected to said diaphragm, extended or compressed, by support means,

characterised in that the diaphragm comprises, at the outlet end of its pump chamber, an annular receiving ring forming a transverse shoulder connected to the wall of the diaphragm and freeing the passage in its intermediate section, the shoulder extending beyond the cylinder portion at its outer edge, the dispensing head comprising an outlet tube communicating with the dispensing orifice and terminating inside the hollow member, and a valve comprising at least:

a flexible, resilient membrane connected at its outer edge to a retaining ring, said resilient membrane comprising at least one convex portion facing out of said pump chamber, said convex portion comprising at least one slit dividing said convex portion into at least two parts,

a rigid retaining ring mounted on said shoulder and abutting said cylinder portion of said receiving ring, said retaining ring having a superior seal to said slotted convex portion,

a sleeve extending said ring beyond said pump chamber and into intimate contact with the outer surface of said hollow member, said portions of said bead being separated from one another during compression of said diaphragm by pressure on said dispensing head to discharge said liquid product through said dispensing orifice, said portions of said bead being returned together to reduce said passage during extension of said diaphragm pushing said dispensing head back and creating suction of liquid product in said pump chamber through said supply opening.

According to another characteristic feature, the portions of the convex portion meet each other at the edge.

According to another characteristic feature, the hollow member comprises a tube surrounded at the dispensing head by an internal cylinder surface, which is placed at a certain radial distance from said tube, so as to form a housing space for the sleeve.

According to another characteristic feature, the inner cylinder surface of the dispensing head is connected to an inner tilted rib (reinformancemeters) which widens towards the bottom of the housing space of the cartridge.

According to another characteristic feature, the sleeve comprises, at its end, a portion that widens radially towards the outside of the sleeve, so as to form a narrowing outer surface.

According to another characteristic feature, the sleeve is supported by its end located on the dispensing head and has a specific thickness that reinforces itself, transmitting the compression or extension forces between the membrane and the dispensing head.

According to another characteristic feature, the inner cylinder surface at the dispensing head is connected to a support shoulder on the receiving ring.

According to another characteristic feature, the sleeve terminates in a soft rim, which is bent towards the inside of the sleeve.

According to another characteristic feature, the positioning ring is extended by radial arms spaced apart from each other, so as to support the support rod on the valve feeding the opening at the end of the stroke.

According to another characteristic feature, the convex part of the membrane is prolonged by a neck region extending via the positioning ring, said neck region being constituted by two tapered portions which are connected to each other by their smallest diameter edges.

According to another characteristic feature, the valve is made in a single piece by a moulding process.

According to another characteristic feature, the diaphragm and the receiving ring are made in a single piece by a moulding process, also comprising a movable disc supported by elastic arms and positioned opposite the supply opening to form a non-return valve thereof.

According to another characteristic feature, the dispensing head comprises an outer cylinder surface sliding in a cylinder guide connected to the reservoir, an outer rim at the end of the outer cylinder surface of the dispensing head abutting against an inner rim of the cylinder guide.

Drawings

Other characteristic features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a dispenser according to the invention;

figures 2, 3 and 4 show cross-sectional views of examples of resilient valves arranged on a membrane and in a dispensing head according to the invention, respectively;

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 each show a cross-sectional view of an example of a valve sealed prior to installation on a diaphragm in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 shows a bottom plan view of an example of a dispensing head;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show cross-sectional views of examples of diaphragms, respectively;

figure 11 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of a resilient valve arranged on a membrane and in a dispensing head according to the invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention will now be described with reference to the above figures. Liquid products having medium to high viscosity, such as cosmetic products, gel or cream type products requiring air-insulated preservation, are stored in a variable volume tank, the variable volume corresponding to the amount of product stored. Us patent 5152434 describes such a reservoir, for example in a dispenser comprising a pump chamber fed by the reservoir and bounded by a movable piston, the reservoir being located in a cylinder.

In a non-limiting manner, a movable piston (20) is arranged opposite the liquid supply opening (21) and slides in a cylinder (22), the cylinder (22) and the piston (20) delimiting a reservoir (2). The liquid storage tank (2) is supplied to the pump chamber (3) through a supply opening (21) having a check valve. The check valve prevents the liquid product from flowing from the pump chamber (3) to the reservoir (2) and enables the liquid product to flow from the reservoir (2) to the pump chamber (3). In a non-limiting manner, the piston (20) comprises a lower threaded hole (23) for filling the reservoir (2). The threaded hole (23) is then closed by a plug (24). The threaded hole (23) can be used as a hook for pulling the piston (20) out of the cylinder (22) when the reservoir (2) is empty. The base of the cylinder (22) will be placed, for example, on top and extended with respect to the tank (2) by receiving the elements (25) of the pump. The supply opening (21) is formed, for example, in a partition plate common to the pump chamber (3) and the base of the cylinder (22) of the reservoir (2).

In a non-limiting manner, the non-return supply valve comprises a movable disc (41) located in the pump chamber (3) and close to the supply opening (21). During the pressure increase in the pump chamber (3), the disc (41) held near the liquid supply opening moves with the liquid now flowing to the reservoir (2) and is immediately placed on the supply inlet (21). This prevents the liquid from flowing into the reservoir (2). In a non-limiting manner, the movable disc is flexible and comprises at its outer edge arms (421, 422) having a determined width and thickness so as to be elastic, allowing the disc (41) to be seated against the feed opening (21). The stationary disc (41) is kept at a minimum distance from the feed opening. In a non-limiting manner, the arms (421, 422) of the disc are straight as shown in fig. 9, or "S" shaped as shown in fig. 10.

According to another example, a slotted elastic disc is positioned in the pump chamber and supported on a support in the supply opening (21), wherein portions of the slotted elastic disc are moved away from the support to allow passage of the fluid pump. This slotted disc is for example arranged in an extension of a wall of the pump chamber, which wall is made of a partition common with the cylinder base, which partition comprises a supply opening (21). The thickness of the slotted disc determines, for example, its elastic properties.

The pump chamber (3) is partly formed by a member having an elastic diaphragm which is moulded as a single part. The diaphragm member comprises an intermediate portion (44), for example made of a deformable plastic material, which is made foldable/concertina-shaped. This intermediate portion (44), also called diaphragm, is compressed, for example under the action of the user, and returns to the non-compressed position due to its elastic properties. This intermediate elastic portion (44) is extended on one side, for example by a support cylinder ring (43) abutting against the base of the cylinder (22). This cylinder ring (43) is, for example, embedded around the supply opening (21) in a cylinder/cylindrical recess (26) of the cylinder (22) of the tank. In a non-limiting manner, as shown in fig. 2, the cylinder ring (43) widens at the junction (431) with the intermediate portion (44) and becomes foldable/accordion-shaped, which forms a flexible diaphragm for applying the insertion force of the diaphragm member into the recess of the tank cylinder (22).

In a non-limiting manner, the movable disc (41) for closing the supply opening (21) by means of its elastic supporting arms (421, 422) is made as a single part with a diaphragm member. The resilient arms (421, 422) supporting the movable disc (41) are for example connected to the inner wall of a cylinder ring (43) which is inserted into the groove (26) around the supply opening (21).

The resilient intermediate portion (44) forming the diaphragm in a foldable/concertina shape is extended to the other side opposite the reservoir (2), for example by receiving loops (45, 46) of resilient valves, which will be explained later. The ring (45, 46) receiving the elastic valve comprises a radially supported cylinder (45) embodied, for example, on the valve. The cylinder (45) is extended, for example, by a flat crown (46) defining a thickness defined by an outer circumference belonging to the cylinder (45). The flat crown (46) is bounded by an inner circumference forming an outlet for the discharged liquid. The elastic intermediate part (44) is reconnected to the receiving ring (45, 46) of the valve, for example at the level of its crown (46). The crown (46) allows lateral support of the valve. The valve is supported, for example, on the wall of the receiving ring, which forms the housing in a sealed manner. In a non-limiting manner, the cylinder insert ring (43), the resilient intermediate portion (44) and the receiving ring (45, 46) of the valve in the recess (26) of the cylinder (22) of the reservoir are made by rotation about the central axis of the diaphragm part.

Examples of resilient valves are shown in figures 5, 6 and 7 only in a non-limiting manner. The valve arranged at the outlet of the pump chamber comprises a slit-shaped convex portion (51) facing away from the pump chamber (3). In a non-limiting manner, the convex portion (51) comprises one or more slits (F) for the passage of the viscous liquid. For example, the two slits (F) intersect at the apex of the convex portion (51).

Advantageously, the convex shape of the part (51) of the outlet valve closes the pump chamber (3) during suction by preventing suction into the pump chamber. Suction in the pump chamber (3) grips the slit parts and brings them into close contact with each other, and the convex portions (51) are restrained and tightly closed. On the other hand, during the pressure increase in the pump chamber, the slit convex portion (51) of the outlet valve opens because a pushing force toward the outside of the pump chamber (3) is applied to the convex portion (51). The slits create, for example, outward separation movements or different parts that remain clamped together (sealed). At rest, the resilience of the outlet valve tends to re-close the slit convex portion. The convex rounded portion (51) has, in a non-limiting manner, an arched profile or a segment of a circle as shown in figures 5 and 6, or a bell-shaped profile as shown in figure 7.

In a non-limiting manner, the convex part (51) is extended at its outer edge by a positioning ring (52), or by a neck region which is further extended by a positioning ring (52).

As shown in fig. 6, for example, the neck region (59) includes two tapered portions joined by their edges of minimum diameter. The neck region is connected on one side to the convex part (51) and on the other side to a retaining ring (52). This neck region (59) of a determined thickness, which is connected to the convex part (51), determines, for example, the elasticity of the outlet valve.

The slotted bulge (51) is connected to a positioning ring (52) which is supported by its outer edge and clamped in the receiving ring (45, 46). During the pressure increase in the pump chamber (3), the convex rounded portion (51) opens, after which the positioning ring (52) is clamped by the receiving ring of the diaphragm member. During pumping, the retaining ring is radially and laterally supported in the groove of the diaphragm member.

The joint between the positioning ring and the receiving ring of the diaphragm member is maintained tight. The retaining ring (52) is extended in the direction opposite to the pump chamber (3) by a sleeve (534, 535, 536) inserted in the dispensing head, thus creating a seal between the outlet of the pump chamber (3) and the outlet orifice of the dispensing head.

In a non-limiting manner, as shown in fig. 5, the positioning ring (52) is radially extended by an arm (58) supporting a rod (57), which rod (57) is arranged in the pump chamber (3) and faces the movable closing disc (41) of the feed opening (21). Arms (58) supporting the rods (57) and arranged in the pump chamber (3) are distributed, for example, around the rods (57), wherein spaces for passing liquid are arranged between successive arms (58). When the diaphragm is compressed, the rod (57) produces a support that, for example, brings the movable disk (41) into close contact with the supply opening (21). In this way, at the end of the stroke, the closure of the supply opening (21) is ensured by a stem (57) arranged in the diaphragm and below the convex portion (51). In a non-limiting manner, the dispenser includes a latch element in a compressed position to allow a user to release a dispensing head held in-line by the latch element. Thereafter, the lever 57 is supported on the movable disk 41, thereby closing the supply opening 21. The blocking element in the compressed position will be explained below.

The sleeves (534, 535, 536) of the extended positioning ring 52 are supported by their inner walls against the outer wall of the tube portion (65) belonging to the dispensing head (6). The sleeve (534, 535, 536) extends beyond the thick end (54, 56) or the bent end (56), for example, to ensure a seal between the sleeve (534, 535, 536) and the tube portion (65). The tube portion communicates partly with the convex portion (51) on one side to form an outlet of the pump chamber (3) and with the outlet tube (61) on the other side through the outlet hole (612). The head comprises, for example, an external cylinder (63) positioned near the pipe portion (65) and moved apart at a determined radial distance to house the sleeve between the external cylinder (63) and the pipe portion (65). In a non-limiting manner, the receiving space of the sleeve narrows at its end to grip the end (54, 55) of the sleeve. The end of the sleeve is for example tapered and widens towards its end out of the sleeve. Reinforcing ribs (64) arranged in the sleeve housing along the outer cylinder (63) of the dispensing head form, for example, neck regions at the ends of the receiving spaces of the sleeve. Whereby the ends (54, 55) of the sleeve are clamped in its housing and the inner surface of the sleeve is placed against the outer surface of the tube portion (65) of the dispensing head.

According to another example, as shown in fig. 7, the sleeve (534, 535, 536) includes a tip (56) that is curved inward of the sleeve. The end (56) is for example made sufficiently fine to extend in the vicinity of the tube portion (65) and tightly clamp the tube portion (65).

In a non-limiting manner, as shown in fig. 4 and 11, the convex rounded portion (51) is arranged close to the outlet hole (612). The apex of the convex rounded portion (51) is positioned, for example, at the same level as the end of the sleeve (534, 535, 536) and close to the inner wall of the partition, forming the upper outer support surface of the head (S6). The volume of the interior space of the dispenser between the outlet (F) and the outlet aperture (611) of the pump chamber is thereby minimized.

In a non-limiting manner, the end of the sleeve is widened beyond a determined height to reinforce the sleeve by its end to transmit the force exerted by the user on the top of the dispensing head (S6). The sleeve transfers this force to a retaining ring (52) supported on the diaphragm member which is subjected to a compressive force. Similarly, when the user releases the dispensing head, the diaphragm member expands by elasticity and pushes the dispensing head back into place against the retaining ring (52) and the sleeve. In a non-limiting manner, the dispensing head, supported by its outer rim (62), rests in a position in which the diaphragm and the sealing rim are slightly compressed.

According to another example, an outer cylinder (63) of the dispensing head includes an inner shoulder (46) supported directly on the diaphragm member. As shown in fig. 1, the shoulder (46) is supported on the end of, for example, a receiving ring (45, 46) of the valve. The sleeve is then sealed over the tube portion (65) without the need to transmit compression and restoring forces in the non-compressed position.

For example, the outlet tube (61) terminates outside the dispensing head through the dispensing orifice (611). The outlet tube (61) terminates on one side within the dispensing head by an outlet aperture (612) surrounded by a tube portion (65). In a non-limiting manner, the dispensing head is guided transversely by a cylinder diaphragm (25) which extends the base of the cylinder (22) of the tank. The end of the outer cylinder (63) of the dispensing head comprises, for example, a rim (62) directed outwards of the dispensing head, which forms a lock against a rim (251) directed inwards on the cylinder partition (25) of the cylinder (22) of the extended reservoir (2).

In a non-limiting manner, the dispensing head comprises one or more pegs on an external part guided into the guide cylinder (25) for blocking in the compression position. This dispensing head is for example rotated to place the pins respectively in L-shaped recesses which are set in compression position against an internal guide cylinder (25) at a height corresponding to the position of the pins.

The user supports on, for example, the upper surface of the dispensing head (S6) to press the diaphragm. Thereafter, the pump chamber (3) is compressed. The non-return valve located opposite the supply opening (21) is closed. The pressure in the pump chamber (3) increases and the slit bead (51) opens to allow the passage of the liquid product to be dispensed. The lowering of the dispensing head causes the liquid product to pass through the dispensing orifice, through the tube portion (65) and out through the outlet tube (61).

Thereafter, the dispensing device is returned to its rest position by means of elasticity, and the diaphragm is returned to the extended position by means of elasticity, so that a suction in the pump chamber (3) is created. The parts of the convex circular portion (51) come together in the vicinity of the slit or slits, thereby positioning the valve at the outlet of the pump chamber (3), i.e. in the closed position. The convex shape helps to better block the parts of the convex part (51) that are tightly supported against each other. The movable disc (41) is pushed back from the supply opening (21), allowing the liquid product originating from the tank (2) to be sucked into the pump chamber (3). In a non-limiting manner, the piston (20) of the tank (2) is close to the supply opening (21), thereby reducing the volume of the tank (2).

Advantageously, the valve arranged as the outlet of the pump chamber is made as a single moulded part to act as the diaphragm member. Pumping and sealing is ensured since the two parts are mounted together and co-act with the dispensing head and the reservoir. Different parts of the same molded part will have elasticity determined, for example, by their thickness. For example, the retaining ring will have a larger section than the convex portion and thus be more rigid. The material used for moulding will comprise, for example, a plastic material or a polymer or rubber. In a non-limiting manner, a closing cap of the outlet tube is provided, which is fixed by clamping or screwing onto the dispensing head.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the field of application of the invention as claimed. The present embodiment is therefore to be considered as illustrative only, and may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without the invention being necessarily limited to the details given herein.

Claims (13)

1. A pump apparatus for use in a dispenser for medium to high viscosity liquid products, the dispenser comprising at least:

a liquid product reservoir (2) comprising a supply opening (21) connected to a non-return valve (41, 421, 422) and ending in a pump chamber (3) made partly into an elastic diaphragm (44);

a movable dispensing head (6) comprising a dispensing orifice (611) connected to said diaphragm (44) extended or compressed by support means (65, 535, 45),

characterized in that the diaphragm comprises, at the outlet end of its pump chamber (3), an annular receiving ring (45, 46) forming a transverse shoulder (46) connected to the wall of the diaphragm (44) and freeing the passage in its intermediate section, said shoulder extending beyond the cylinder portion (45) at its outer edge, the dispensing head comprising an outlet duct (61) communicating with the dispensing hole (611) and ending inside a hollow member (65), and further comprising a valve comprising at least:

-a soft elastic membrane (51, 59) connected at its outer edge to a rigid positioning ring (52), said elastic membrane comprising at least one convex portion (51) facing out of said pump chamber (3), the convex portion (51) comprising at least one slit (F) dividing said convex portion (51) into at least two parts,

a rigid retaining ring (52) mounted on said transverse shoulder (46) and abutting said cylinder portion (45) of said receiving ring, said rigid retaining ring having a superior seal to said slotted convex portion,

a sleeve (534) extending said rigid retaining ring (52) beyond said pump chamber (3) and into close contact with the outer surface of said hollow member (65), the portions of said bead (51) being separated from each other during compression of said diaphragm by pressure on said dispensing head to expel said liquid product through said dispensing orifice, said portions of said bead being returned together to reduce said passage during extension of said diaphragm pushing said dispensing head back and creating suction of liquid product in said pump chamber (3) through said supply opening.

2. The pump apparatus of claim 1, wherein portions of the convex rounded portion meet each other at an edge.

3. Pump apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hollow member comprises a tube (65) surrounded at the dispensing head by an inner cylinder surface, which is placed at a certain radial distance from the tube (65), thereby forming a receiving space for the sleeve.

4. A pump apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner cylinder surface of the dispensing head is connected to an inner tilted rib (64) which widens gradually towards the bottom of the receiving space of the sleeve.

5. The pump apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sleeve includes a radially widened portion at a distal end thereof toward an exterior of the sleeve, the portion forming a tapered outer surface.

6. Pump apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the sleeve is supported by its end on the dispensing head and has a specific thickness that reinforces itself, transmitting a compressive or extensional force between the membrane and the dispensing head.

7. The pump apparatus of claim 4, wherein the inner cylinder surface at the dispense head is connected to a support shoulder on the receiving ring.

8. The pump apparatus of claim 7, wherein the sleeve terminates in a flexible rim that curves toward an interior of the sleeve.

9. Pump apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, characterized in that the positioning ring (52) is extended by mutually spaced radial arms (58) so as to support a support rod (57) on the valve of the feed opening (21) at the end of travel.

10. Pump apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, characterized in that the convex part of the membrane is prolonged by a neck region extending via the positioning ring, which neck region is constituted by two tapering parts which are connected to each other by their smallest diameter edges.

11. Pump apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, characterized in that the valve is made in a single piece by a moulding process.

12. Pump device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, characterized in that said diaphragm and said receiving ring are made in a single piece by a molding process, said single piece further comprising a movable disc supported by elastic arms (421, 422) and positioned opposite said supply opening (21) to form a non-return valve thereof.

13. Pump apparatus according to any one of claims 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, characterized in that the dispensing head comprises a cylinder outer surface sliding in a cylinder guide connected with the reservoir, an outer rim at the end of the cylinder outer surface of the dispensing head abutting an inner rim of the cylinder guide.