EP1616632B1 - Pump to spray a product in different positions and container therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The pump has a pump body with an opening (24) to communicate a pumping chamber with an interior of a receptacle. A lip (40) is fixed on the body to prevent communication between the chamber and receptacle, after the displacement of mobile assembly in a product distribution direction from a rest position. Another lip (41) is placed above the former lip to prevent the communication across an interior of the body and the opening. An independent claim is also included for a receptacle equipped with a pump.

Description

The present invention relates to a pump to be mounted on a container and for dispensing a product in different positions, including head up or head down.

We know by the request of FR Patent 2,528,122 a pump for dispensing a product head up or upside down, having a pump body and a movable assembly in the pump body, defining therewith a pumping chamber of variable volume. The pump body has an opening allowing the product contained in the container to enter the pumping chamber when the pump is used upside down. The movable assembly comprises a lip for isolating the aforementioned opening of the pumping chamber after a certain depression in the pump body. If the pump is held upside down for a long period, a risk of product leakage through this opening is not excluded, especially if the product is low viscosity.

We know by US Patent 5,622,286 a pump with an orifice in the pump body, this orifice allowing only a return of air and not the supply of the pump chamber when the pump is upside down.

We also know US 4,174,790 a pump according to the preamble of claim 1, for dispensing the product upside down.

The invention aims in particular to provide a pump which has a relatively simple structure while allowing to distribute satisfactorily a product, even low viscosity, head up or upside down.

• une partie fixe comprenant un corps de pompe,
• un ensemble mobile par rapport au corps de pompe et définissant avec celui-ci une chambre de pompage de volume variable,
• au moins une ouverture dans le corps de pompe permettant à la chambre de pompage de communiquer avec l'intérieur du récipient et disposée de manière à permettre un fonctionnement tête en bas de la pompe,
• un passage de reprise d'air entre la partie fixe et l'ensemble mobile, ce passage étant distinct de ladite ouverture, c'est-à-dire ne comprenant pas ladite ouverture,
• une première lèvre agencée pour, au moins après un déplacement de l'ensemble mobile depuis une position de repos dans le sens de la distribution du produit, s'appliquer de manière étanche sur le corps de pompe et empêcher une communication par ladite ouverture entre l'intérieur du récipient et la chambre de pompage, et
• une deuxième lèvre située au-dessus de la première lorsque la pompe est observée tête en haut, cette deuxième lèvre étant agencée pour, au moins lorsque l'ensemble mobile est dans une position de fin de course dans le corps de pompe, s'appliquer de manière étanche sur le corps de pompe et empêcher une communication à travers l'intérieur du corps de pompe et ladite ouverture entre l'intérieur du récipient et l'extérieur.

The object of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, a pump intended to be fixed on a container, comprising:

• a fixed part comprising a pump body,
• an assembly movable relative to the pump body and defining therewith a pumping chamber of variable volume,
• at least one opening in the pump body allowing the pumping chamber to communicate with the interior of the container and arranged to allow upside down operation of the pump,
• an air intake passage between the fixed part and the moving assembly, this passage being distinct from said opening, that is to say not including said opening,
• a first lip arranged for, at least after a displacement of the moving assembly from a rest position in the direction of the distribution of the product, apply sealingly to the pump body and prevent communication by said opening between the interior of the container and the pumping chamber, and
• a second lip located above the first when the pump is observed head up, this second lip being arranged for, at least when the moving assembly is in an end position in the pump body, apply sealingly to the pump body and preventing communication through the interior of the pump body and said opening between the interior of the container and the outside.

The invention can make it possible to produce the pump with an air intake passage which can extend at least partially in the pump body, for example by means of a clearance formed between a rod of the moving assembly and the fixed part. . This can avoid having to implement complex and expensive sealing means to achieve between the aforementioned rod and the fixed part.

The invention also allows in the case where the air intake is performed through a clearance between the rod and the fixed part to reduce the risk of product leakage in case of maintenance upside down the pump, whether at rest or when the moving assembly is in an end position in the pump body, since the second lip can prevent the product entering through the opening to gain from the inside of the pump body the recovery passage of air and flow out of the pump.

Preferably, the pump comprises an annular seal intended to be inserted between the fixed part and the upper end of the neck of the container on which the pump is mounted, this seal comprising a radially inner portion which on the one hand can apply to the pump body to prevent the product contained in the container from flowing outwards and secondly can deviate from it under the effect of a depression in the container to allow the air intake. Alternatively, the seal does not apply to the pump body. However, the clearance between the seal and the pump body is then low enough to prevent the passage of the product, while allowing the passage of air.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the pump comprises a base portion for fixing the pump on the container, the pump body being fixed, in particular by snapping, on this base portion.

The aforementioned air intake passage may be formed at least partially between this base portion and the pump body.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one of the first and second lips is arranged to permanently apply to the pump body, and preferably the two lips are permanently applied to the body pump.

The first lip may have a substantially frustoconical shape diverging towards the pumping chamber and the second lip concave arcuate shape towards the inner surface of the pump body, applying at the lower and upper edges to the pump body.

In the case where the pump is pre-compression, the mobile assembly may comprise a shutter arranged to close an outlet passage of the product when the volume of the pumping chamber increases and to release this passage when the volume of the chamber of pumping decreases and the pressure of the product in the pumping chamber reaches a predefined value.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the pump comprises other pre-compression mechanisms or is not pre-compression.

The movable assembly may comprise an interior space into which the outlet passage of the product opens and in which the shutter is disposed.

This shutter may comprise a tubular body closed at its upper end by a substantially frustoconical portion, adapted to close off the outlet passage of the product.

The shutter may further comprise an annular lip, outside the tubular body, adapted to be applied on a wall delimiting the aforementioned internal space, this annular lip, when the pump is observed head up, having a substantially frustoconical shape diverging upward and located below the passage or passages communicating said interior space and the pumping chamber.

The shutter can be returned to its closed position by a resilient return element disposed in the interior space, this elastic return element being for example a helical spring working in compression.

Advantageously, the pump comprises an elastic return element adapted to recall the moving assembly in its rest position. This elastic return element can be arranged in the pumping chamber and comprise a helical spring working in compression. This return element could also, without departing from the scope of the present invention, be disposed outside the pumping chamber, especially if it is desired to avoid contact with the product.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the pump body is arranged to allow the attachment of a dip tube.

The pump comprising a suction valve closing when the volume of the pumping chamber decreases and opens when the volume of the pumping chamber increases, the valve can be arranged to allow the supply of the pumping chamber produced by means of the dip tube when the pump is used upside down.

The invention also relates to a container equipped with a pump as defined above.

• la figure 1 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, une pompe conforme à un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, l'ensemble mobile étant dans sa position de repos,
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, après enfoncement du bouton-poussoir, et
• la figure 3 représente de manière schématique et partielle un détail de la pompe de la figure 2.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of an example of non-limiting implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 represents, schematically and partially, in axial section, a pump according to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the moving assembly being in its rest position,
• the figure 2 is a view similar to the figure 1 , after pressing the push button, and
• the figure 3 represents schematically and partially a detail of the pump of the figure 2 .

The pump 1 shown on the Figures 1 and 2 is intended to be mounted on a neck 52 of a container 53, apparent on the figure 3 , containing a product P to be dispensed, for example a low viscosity product such as a perfume.

This pump 1 comprises a fixed part 2 and a mobile assembly 3 that can move along an axis X with respect to the fixed part 2.

The latter comprises a base portion 4 comprising a mounting skirt 5, threaded internally, intended to be secured to the neck 52 of the container 53 by screwing in the example. The base portion 4 could be otherwise attached to the container neck without departing from the scope of the present invention by snapping, gluing, welding or crimping for example.

The fixed part 2 further comprises a pump body 16 defining with the moving assembly 3 a pumping chamber 17, of variable volume.

The moving assembly 3 comprises a piston 30 made in one piece with a hollow rod 31 at the upper end of which is fixed a push-button 25.

The mounting skirt 5 is extended upwards by a neck 7, surrounding a central portion 8 of the base portion 4. This central portion 8 comprises two tubular walls 9 and 12, coaxial, interconnected by an annular wall 11 to their upper end, and defines an annular groove open downwards, in which is engaged the pump body 16.

The central portion 8 is connected at its lower end to the neck 7 by an annular wall 10 extending perpendicularly to the axis X.

The tubular wall 12, radially innermost, defines a passage 13 for the rod 31 of the moving assembly 3. This passage 13 defines at its lower end a frustoconical surface 13a of axis X, diverging downwards, against which can sealingly supporting a corresponding frustoconical surface 31a of the rod 31, converging upwards, when the pump is at rest, as illustrated in FIG. figure 1 .

The radially outermost tubular wall 9 has, on its radially inner side, a bead 14 for snap-fastening the pump body 16 to the base part 4, the pump body 16 having for this purpose at its end upper annular bead 23.

The base portion 4 carries an annular seal 51 intended to be interposed between the annular wall 10 and the upper end of the neck 52 of the container 53, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

The radially inner portion 51a of the seal 51 normally engages against the pump body 16 to prevent the product contained in the container from flowing outwardly.

The pump body 16 has in the example considered a cylindrical portion 16a of revolution about the axis X and has at its lower end a tip 18 for fixing a dip tube 19.

The nozzle 18 defines the seat of a ball suction valve 20. The latter is retained in its housing by at least one lug 21 of the pump body 16.

According to one aspect of the invention, the pump body 16 has an opening 24, located in the example considered substantially halfway up the latter, and making it possible to put the pumping chamber 17 in communication with the inside. of the container when the mobile assembly 3 is at rest, the volume of the pumping chamber then being maximum.

The pushbutton 25 comprises a dispensing orifice 26 made with a conventional swirling channel nozzle 27, attached to the rest of the push button, which allows the dispensing of the product P in the form of a spray.

The rod 31 comprises a channel 29 allowing the product to gain this orifice 26.

In the example considered, the piston 30 comprises first 40 and second 41 annular lips.

The first lip 40 is of substantially frustoconical shape, diverging towards the bottom of the pumping chamber 14 and bears sealingly on the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 16a of the pump body 16. This first lip 40 is located above the opening 24 when the pump is in its rest position, as illustrated on the figure 1 .

The second annular lip 41 is located above the first 40, and also applies sealingly to the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 16a of the pump body 16. This second lip 41 has in the example considered a shape arcuate, concave towards the inner surface of the body 16, and is applied by lower edges 41a and upper 42b to the body 16.

The rod 31 is extended inferiorly by an end piece 32, hollow, closed at its lower end.

This end piece 32 is for example fixed by snapping on the rod 31, and has an outer shoulder 33 on which bears at its upper end a helical spring 34 working in compression, which rests at its lower end on the bottom of the pump body 16.

Passages 36 are made between the pumping chamber 17, outside the end piece 32, and the interior space 35 thereof, to allow the product contained in the pumping chamber 17 to gain the channel. 29 when the volume of the pumping chamber 17 decreases.

The moving assembly 3 comprises, in the interior space 35, a shutter 42 movable between a closed position closing the channel 29 and a dispensing position allowing the product to flow in the channel 29 to the orifice 26.

The shutter 42 comprises a tubular body 43, of axis X, closed at its upper end by a frustoconical portion 44 adapted to be applied against a seat formed in the rod 31, to close the channel 29 when the pump is at rest as shown on the figure 1 .

The shutter 42 further comprises an annular lip 46 outside the tubular body 43, adapted to be applied on the inner surface of the end piece 32.

This annular lip 46 has, when the pump is seen upside down, a frustoconical shape diverging upwards, and is positioned below the passages 36 communicating the interior space 35 with the pumping chamber 17.

A helical spring 45 working in compression recalls the shutter 42 in its closed position at rest, as can be seen in FIG. figure 1 . This spring 45 is supported at its lower end against the bottom of the end piece 32 and at its upper end against the base of the lip 46.

When a depression prevails inside the container, the air can be sucked into it by circulating between the neck 7 and the push button 25 and when the latter is depressed, in the clearance existing between the rod 31 and the tubular wall 12, between the latter and the pump body 16, between the annular wall 11 and the body 16, then between the tubular wall 9 and the pump body 16 and finally between the gasket 51 and the body 16.

We have shown on the figure 2 the return air path 50.

Between the tubular wall 9 and the body 16, the air can circulate through diametrically opposed axial grooves formed in the bead 14. The radially inner portion 51a of the annular seal 51 can move slightly away from the pump body 16 , to allow the air flowing between the tubular wall 9 and the pump body 16 to gain inside the container, as can be seen on the figure 3 .

The operation of the pump 1 is as follows.

It is assumed that the pump 1 is used upside down, being initially in its rest position illustrated on the figure 1 . It is assumed that the pumping chamber 17 is filled with product, following a previous actuation cycle of the pump.

To dispense product, the user presses down on the push-button 25, and the moving assembly 3 moves relative to the pump body 16, so that the pressure of the product contained in the pumping chamber 17 increases, the ball 20 being pressed against its seat.

The shutter 42 remains in its closed position of the channel 29 until the pressure of the product in the interior space 35 above the annular lip 46 is sufficient to overcome the return force of the spring 45.

When the movable assembly 3 is sufficiently depressed, the pressure exerted by the product on the lip 46 causes the shutter 42 to move downwards, which releases access to the channel 29.

Continued movement of the moving assembly 3 relative to the pump body 16 causes the expulsion of the product contained in the pumping chamber 17 and the interior space 35.

During this movement, the first lip 40 isolates the pumping chamber 17 from the opening 24 and the second annular lip 41 isolates the opening 24 of the air intake passage.

During the movement of the moving assembly 3, the spring 34 has compressed.

When the user stops pressing the pushbutton 25, the spring 34 drives the moving assembly 3 upwards and the spring 45 returns the shutter 42 in its closed position of the channel 29.

Continuing the upward movement of the moving assembly 3 relative to the pump body 16 is accompanied by the product suction in the pumping chamber 17 under the effect of the depression that is created therein.

The air intake can be performed along the path 50, to compensate inside the container the volume of product taken by the pump 1.

When the latter returns to its rest position, the product may remain inside the pumping chamber 17 because the ball 20 tends, under the effect of its weight, to be applied against its seat and to close the seat. communication between the dip tube and the pumping chamber 17.

When the pump is used upside down, the pumping chamber 17 can fill through the opening 24 through the fact that the air can be evacuated by the plunger tube. The distribution of the product is carried out in the same way as in head up position.

When the pump 1 is upside down at rest, the fact that the first lip 40 is sealingly applied to the pump body 16 makes it possible to avoid a risk of leakage of product by the clearance existing between the rod 31 and the central portion 8 of the base portion 4.

This risk of product leakage is also prevented or reduced if the pump is upside down with the moving assembly 3 in its end-of-travel position, by pressing the second lip 41 on the pump body 16.

Parts of the pumps with and without air intake marketed under the reference M300 by Calmar, a subsidiary of the company Saint-Gobain, can advantageously be used to manufacture a pump according to the invention.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation example which has just been described.

The pump body may notably comprise not one, but several openings 24.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the phrase "having one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (15)

1. A pump (1) for fixing on a receptacle, the pump comprising:

   a stationary portion including a pump body (16);

   a moving assembly (3) movable relative to the pump body (16) and co-operating therewith to define a pump chamber (17) of variable volume;

   - at least one opening (24) in the pump body enabling the pump chamber to communicate with the inside of the receptacle and disposed in such a manner as to enable the pump to operate in the head-down position;

   - an air intake passage between the stationary portion (2) and the moving assembly (3), said passage being distinct from said opening (24);

   - a first lip (40) arranged, after displacement of the moving assembly from a rest position in the substance-dispensing direction, to press in leaktight manner against the pump body (16) and to prevent communication via said opening (24) between the inside of the receptacle and the pump chamber (17); and

   - a second lip (41) situated above the first, when the pump is observed in the head-up position, said second lip being arranged, at least when the moving assembly is in an end-of-stroke position inside the pump body, to press in leaktight manner against the pump body and prevent communication via the inside of the pump body and said opening between the inside of the receptacle and the outside,

   the pump being characterized in that it further includes a base portion (4) enabling the pump to be fixed on the receptacle, with the pump body (16) being fixed on said base portion and being characterized by the fact that the air intake passage is formed at least in part between the base portion (4) and the pump body (16).
2. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one of the first and second lips (40, 41) is arranged to press permanently against the pump body (16), and preferably both lips press permanently against the pump body.
3. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the first lip (40) presents a substantially frustoconical shape diverging towards the pump chamber.
4. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the second lip (41) presents an arcuate shape that is concave towards the inside surface of the pump body, pressing via bottom and top edges against the pump body.
5. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the moving assembly (3) includes an outlet passage for the substance and a shutter (42) arranged to close said passage while the volume of the pump chamber is increasing and to release said passage while the volume of the pump chamber is decreasing, and once the pressure of the substance inside the pump chamber has reached a predefined value.
6. A pump according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the moving assembly has an inside space (35) into which the substance outlet passage opens out and in which the shutter (42) is disposed.
7. A pump according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized by the fact that the shutter comprises a tubular body (43) closed at its top end by a substantially frustoconical portion (44) suitable for closing the substance outlet passage.
8. A pump according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the shutter further includes an annular lip (46) outside the tubular body and suitable for pressing against a wall defining the inside space (35), said annular lip presenting, when the pump is observed in the head-up position, a shape that is substantially frustoconical, diverging upwards and situated beneath the passage(s) (36) putting the inside space (35) into communication with the pump chamber.
9. A pump according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized by the fact that the shutter is urged into its closed position by a resilient return element (45) disposed inside the inside space (35), the resilient return element preferably being a helical spring working in compression.
10. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes a resilient return element (34) suitable for returning the moving assembly into its rest position.
11. A pump according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the resilient return element (34) is disposed in the pump chamber (17).
12. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the pump body (16) is arranged to enable a dip tube (19) to be fixed thereto.
13. A pump according to the preceding claim, including a suction check valve (20) that closes while the volume of the pump chamber is decreasing and that opens while the volume of the pump chamber is increasing, the pump being characterized by the fact that this check valve is disposed in such a manner as to enable the pump chamber to be fed with substance via the dip tube when the pump is used in the head-up position.
14. A pump according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the pump body (16) is fixed to the base portion (4) by snap-fastening.
15. A receptacle fitted with a pump according to any preceding claim.

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