WO2002062489A1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispenser comprising: a fluid product reservoir (2), a dispensing member including a perforated membrane (3) directly connected to the reservoir (2), vibrating means (34) for vibrating the perforated membrane (3), an actuator button (9) for activating the vibrating means, the reservoir (2) in normal use condition, being located above the perforated membrane (3) so that the fluid product is fed by gravity to the membrane from the reservoir. The invention is characterised in that the membrane (3) is connected to the reservoir (2) through a passage (27) provided with an intake valve (4) adapted to selectively open and close the passage (27).

Description

 Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir and a dispensing member in the form of a vibrating membrane. In general, the vibrating membrane is perforated with one or more dispensing holes through which the fluid is distributed under the effect of the vibration of the membrane. In order to vibrate this perforated membrane, vibration means are generally provided: a piezoelectric element can constitute good vibration means for vibrating the membrane. The present invention relates more particularly to the field of cosmetics, perfumery or even pharmacy. The dispenser therefore has a relatively small size capable of being grasped with the hand of the user. The user must also be able to actuate the dispenser with one hand by pressing an actuation button intended to activate the vibration means of the membrane.

In a conventional pump which works by suction and discharge, the pressure which prevails inside the tank does not directly influence the operation of the pump. Indeed, a conventional pump can operate with a tank under pressure or under vacuum, provided that it does not reach extreme values. This is not the case with a perforated vibrating membrane which does not have an inlet or outlet valve. Consequently, the fluid product must be supplied to the vibrating membrane with a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. A very slight depression or a very slight overpressure is however acceptable. Indeed, if the tank is under pressure, fluid can leak through the holes in the perforated membrane, which would result in unacceptable seepage. Conversely, a vacuum inside the tank would cause air to enter the distributor through the holes in the perforated membrane. In addition, the spray would be of very poor quality. In documents EP 0 615 470 and EP 0 696 234, there are described fluid dispensers comprising a reservoir and a membrane perforated but vibrating using a piezoelectric element. To supply the perforated membrane from the reservoir, fluid supply means are provided which make the connection between the reservoir and the membrane. Since the perforated membrane is located above the tank under normal conditions of use, it is necessary to raise the fluid against gravity. For this, the supply means are capillary conduits in which the fluid product rises naturally up to contact with the perforated membrane.

However, it is not always easy to control the feeding because it is carried out by capillary action.

Consequently, the present invention proposes to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art originating from capillary action by defining another type of supply of fluid product from the reservoir to the vibrating membrane. Documents US-4 882 096 and JP-04 236962 describe distributors with vibrating perforated membranes which are fed by gravity. However, this type of dispenser is subject to leaks at the perforated membrane due to the pressure exerted by the column of fluid formed by the reservoir located above. To solve this problem, it is provided that the reservoir, under normal conditions of use, is situated above the perforated membrane so that the fluid product is fed by gravity to the membrane from the reservoir, and that the membrane is connected to the tank by a passage provided with an intake valve able to selectively open and cut the passage. Thus, the supply of the membrane is no longer dependent on a particular physical phenomenon (capillarity) which induces a random character. Thanks to gravity, the membrane is assured and directly supplied with fluid product with a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. The expression “in normal condition of use” means the period of actuation of the button to activate the vibration means. In other words, the invention provides that the tank is located above the membrane when the actuation button is pressed.

Preferably, the vibration means and the intake valve are electrically controlled. Thanks to this inlet valve, it is possible to isolate the membrane from the tank so that it is not subjected to any pressure. This avoids any risk of leakage or seepage of fluid through the holes in the perforated membrane. Advantageously, the intake valve opens only during periods of actuation of the dispenser, that is to say when the actuation button is pressed. For example, the actuation button can simultaneously control the activation of the vibration means and the opening of the intake valve. Thus, the perforated membrane is supplied with fluid only during periods of actuation of the dispenser.

Advantageously, the dispenser comprises a bottom intended to come into rest contact with a substantially horizontal surface, the reservoir then being located above the vibrating membrane.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the reservoir comprises an upper part provided with a venting passage. Advantageously, the venting passage comprises an element of porous material. Thanks to the venting passage, it is ensured that the fluid inside the reservoir is always at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure. In addition, by placing this passage at the top of the dispenser, any leakage of fluid is avoided through the passage. These venting-related characteristics can be implemented in a distributor with a vibrating perforated membrane fed by gravity without an inlet valve. According to another characteristic, the actuation button is located at the top of the tank, the venting passage being formed around the actuation button. We can also say that the venting passage is formed between the actuation button and the upper part of the tank. Advantageously, the actuation button masks the element of porous material. We therefore use the actuation button to make and hide the vent passage. Such a vented actuation button incorporated can be implemented on a diaphragm distributor fed by gravity, but without an inlet valve.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawing, which gives an embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example. The single figure is a vertical cross section through a fluid dispenser according to the invention.

The distributor comprises a base 1 on which a reservoir 2 is mounted.

The base 1 forms a shell in two parts 10 and 12 connected together on their periphery by a latching system 13. The base 1 can have any shape in horizontal cross section, for example circular, elliptical or polygonal. In its vertical section, the base is relatively flat and comprises, at its lower shell part 10, a bottom 11 on which the dispenser can rest naturally in a stable manner. The base 1 comprises an opening 14 in which a vibrating membrane 3 is housed. This opening 14 can be located on the junction line of the lower shell part 10 with the upper shell part 12. In addition, the shell part upper 12 defines a large opening in which the tank 2 is disposed. To keep the tank 2 in the opening, the upper shell part 12 is formed with a retaining edge 15 capable of fixedly holding the tank 2 on the base 1 .

On the other hand, the base 1 contains an intake valve 4, an electromagnet 5, one or more batteries 6 as well as an electronic control system 7. The tank 2 comprises a bottom 22 and a dome 20 connected together to the level of their respective peripheries 24 and 25 with a seal 26 possibly interposed to ensure sealing. The reservoir 2 thus formed is fixedly held in the upper shell part 12 at their peripheries 24, 25. The dome 20 comprises an upper part 21 which defines the top of the dome. According to the invention, the upper part 21 is provided with an opening 210 defined by a small sleeve 211. An element of porous material 91 is inserted in the small sleeve 211 and thus blocks the passage, while letting the air pass. There is thus created a vent passage through which outside air can penetrate inside the tank as fluid is distributed through the perforated membrane 3. According to another characteristic of the invention, a button actuation 9 is also provided at the opening 210 of the upper part 21 of the dome 20. This actuation button 9 may be in the form of a touch switch. This button 9 is located just above the element of porous material 91 by defining between it and the small sleeve 211 a vent passage 92 which allows outside air to come into contact with the element of porous material 91. Thus, the venting passage is formed around the button 9 and further masks the element of porous material 91. It should be noted that the button 9 is ideally placed opposite the bottom 11 by which the dispenser can rest on a substantially horizontal surface.

On the other hand, the button 9 which can be an electrical contactor is connected by a supply line 8 in the form of a flat track, to the electronic control system 7. The supply line 8 can for example run the along the dome 20 and enter the base 1 at the retaining edge 15. Thus, by pressing the button 9 the electrical circuit is closed and the electronic control system is supplied. The bottom 22 of the tank 2 defines an outlet opening 23 which is extended by a fluid product supply passage 27 which defines just downstream of the opening 23 a first passage section 271 which is directed downwards. This first passage section 271 is defined by a tube 230 formed by the bottom 22 of the tank. This tubing 230 also serves as a connection to a valve body 40 which defines a connection sleeve 46 on the tubing 230. Beyond the first passage section 271, the valve body 40 defines a second passage section 272 at the level from which an inlet valve 4 is formed. This inlet valve 4 is an electromagnetic valve comprising a ferromagnetic core 41 located in the second passage section 272 which is closed at one end by a plug 45. The electromagnet 5 is located just behind the plug 45 so it can induce an electromagnetic field up to the level of the ferromagnetic core 41. On the other hand, a valve ball 43, made of steel for example, is pressed against a seat 44 formed by the body 4 by a spring 42. Consequently, at rest , that is to say in the absence of supply of the electromagnet 5, the ball 43 seals at the level of the seat 44 and consequently isolates the vibrating membrane 3 from the reservoir 2. On the other hand, as soon as the electromagnet 5 is energized, the ferromagnetic core 41 becomes magnetized and attracts the ball 43 which then moves against the effect of the spring 42 to detach from its seat 44 and establish communication between the second passage section 272 and a passage section 273 which is in direct communication with a space 274 situated in contact with the passage holes 30 of the perforated membrane 3.

According to the invention, the perforated membrane 3 is directly supplied with fluid from the reservoir 2 by the mere fact of gravity when the intake valve 4 is open. We can say that the membrane is then in direct contact with the fluid in the reservoir, since the passage 27 can be considered as a part or an extension of the reservoir. Indeed, one can quite well imagine embodiments in which the membrane is located directly at the level of the reservoir to form part of the wall. In other words, the membrane is directly and continuously connected directly to the reservoir, when the valve is open. This is possible because the reservoir 2 is located above the perforated membrane 3 when the dispenser is held in the position shown in the single figure, that is to say with the bottom facing down and the button. actuation directed upwards. This gravity feed is possible due to the orientation of the feed passage 27 which first extends downward with its first section 271 and then horizontally towards the membrane 3 with its sections 272 and 273. To ensure good operation, that is to say a good quality of spraying at the level of the perforated membrane 3, it suffices that the inlet valve 4 is open during the actuation periods of the dispenser. On the other hand, it is advantageous for the membrane 3 to be isolated from the reservoir 2 when the dispenser is at rest so that any leak or seepage through the holes 30 in the perforated membrane 3 is avoided. According to a practical embodiment, the button 9 can both control the powering up of the electronic control system of the piezoelectric element 34 and the electromagnet 5, and this simultaneously so that the The opening of the valve coincides with the spraying of the product through the membrane. When the valve is open, the passage establishes continuous direct communication from the tank to the perforated membrane which thus forms a wall element of the tank with its internal wall.

Thanks to the invention, a vibrating perforated membrane can be supplied with fluid from a reservoir at a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure and without risk of leakage at the membrane when the dispenser is at rest.

Claims

claims 1.- Fluid product distributor comprising: - a fluid reservoir (2), a distribution member comprising a perforated membrane (3) directly connected to the reservoir (2), - vibration means (34) for vibrating the perforated membrane (3), - an actuating button (9) for activating the vibration means, the reservoir (2), in normal condition of use, being located above the perforated membrane (3) so that the fluid product is supplied by gravity to the membrane from the tank, characterized in that the membrane (3) is connected to the tank (2) by a passage (27) provided with an intake valve (4) capable of selectively opening and cutting the passage ( 27). 2. A dispenser according to claim 1, comprising a bottom (11) intended to come into rest contact with a substantially horizontal surface, the reservoir (2) then being located above the vibrating membrane (3). 3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the vibration means (34) and the intake valve (4) are electrically controlled. 4. A dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the intake valve (4) is open at the time of actuation of the vibration means (34). 5. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the reservoir (2) comprises an upper part (21) provided with a venting passage (92). 6. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the venting passage (92) comprises an element of porous material (91). 7. A dispenser according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the actuation button (9) is located at the upper part (21) of the tank (2), the venting passage (92) being formed around the actuation button, between the actuation button (9) and the upper part (21) of the tank (2). 8. A dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the actuating button (9) masks the element of porous material (91). 9. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the perforated membrane (3) forms a wall element of the reservoir (2). ****