阅读说明：本技术 流体分配器 (Fluid distributor ) 是由 纪尧姆·鲍来思 于 2018-04-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种流体分配器。根据所考虑的本发明的实施方案或变型,根据本发明的分配器可以包括：-腔室膜71、和/或-储容器膜72、和/或-气袋92。(The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser. According to an embodiment or variant of the invention considered, the dispenser according to the invention may comprise: -the chamber membrane 71, and/or-the reservoir membrane 72, and/or-the gas bag 92.)

1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising:

-a cover (32) comprising an insertion aperture (33),

-a stop (23), the cap (32) and the stop (23) being arranged such that the stop (23) is mounted in the cap (32) in an insertion arrangement in the cap on the side of the insertion aperture (33),

the apparatus comprising a deformable chamber (2), the internal volume of the deformable chamber (2) being arranged to contain a fluid, the chamber being provided with an inlet (38), such that the apparatus is arranged to direct fluid along a circulation path of the fluid from the inlet (38) then through the chamber and to an outlet (24),

the device comprises a part called a pressing part (37) which is arranged to be movable so as to change the inner volume,

the device further comprising at least one reservoir membrane (72), said reservoir membrane (72) extending towards the outside of said cover (32) so as to form a fluid reservoir (3) communicating with said deformable chamber (2) through said inlet (38),

the at least one reservoir membrane is held by the force exerted by the stop (23) on the lid (32).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a reservoir membrane (72, 721) held by a grip between the lid (32) and the stop (23).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a reservoir membrane (72, 722) held between two walls (81, 82) of the lid (32); the two walls are arranged to move closer together to squeeze the reservoir membrane (722) under the force exerted by the stopper (23) on the lid (32) after insertion of the stopper (23) into the lid (32).

4. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a chamber membrane (71), the chamber membrane (71) at least partially defining an inner volume of the deformable chamber (2) and being arranged in contact with the pressing portion (37) of the cover (32).

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the chamber membrane is positioned between the fluid contained in the deformable chamber (2) and the cover (32) so that the cover (32) is not in contact with the fluid contained in the chamber (2).

6. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a restoring device (73) within the chamber (2), the restoring device (73) being arranged to exert a restoring force on the chamber membrane pushing the chamber membrane against the pressing surface (37).

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the chamber membrane is welded to the stop (23).

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the chamber membrane is held by a clamp between the cover (32) and the stop (23).

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the stop (23) comprises an elongated member (74) provided with two ends (75, 76), each of these ends having a periphery (750, 760) in contact with the chamber membrane, so that for each periphery the chamber membrane is located between this periphery and the cover (32).

10. The apparatus of any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the chamber membrane, and one of the reservoir membrane or the reservoir membrane are a single membrane.

11. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a dispensing valve (5), said dispensing valve (5) allowing, in an open state, the passage of fluid from the interior of the chamber (2) to the outside of the apparatus through the outlet (24) of the chamber (2) and not allowing, in a closed state, the passage of fluid, said dispensing valve (5) comprising a pin (90) and a movable member,

the pin has an end:

-in the closed condition of the dispensing valve (5), the end of the pin closes the outlet (24) of the chamber (2) and

-in the open state of the dispensing valve (5), the end of the pin is offset from the outlet (24) of the chamber (2),

the movable member is arranged to move under the effect of a reduction in the internal volume of the chamber (2), or an overpressure from the fluid in the internal volume of the chamber (2) above a certain threshold value, so as to move the pin away from the outlet (24) of the chamber (2), so as to move the dispensing valve (5) from its closed state to its open state.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said movable means comprise at least one movable wall (91) of at least one gas pocket (92), each gas pocket containing a gas that cannot leave it and being arranged to isolate it with respect to the fluid contained in said deformable chamber (2).

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the movable wall of each gas pocket has a contact face (97), the contact face (97) being arranged in full contact with the fluid contained in the chamber (2).

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that the area of the contact surface of the gas pocket, or the sum of the areas of the contact surfaces of the gas pocket, is at least 35 times larger than the smallest area of the outlet (24) for fluid through the chamber (2).

15. Apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that at least one or each contact surface is convex on the side of the fluid contained in the deformable chamber (2).

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of movable walls of several air pockets aligned along the extension axis of the pin.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the pressure within each air pocket is equal to atmospheric pressure ± 10%.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the dispensing valve (5) and the at least one gas bag are part of a module (93), the module (93) being inserted into the apparatus from the outside thereof and preferably being ultrasonically welded.

19. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 18, characterised in that the outlet (24) is defined by an outer periphery comprising a part called flexible portion (94) and a part called rigid portion (95) in a material more rigid than the flexible portion, the rigid portion being closer to the outside of the deformable chamber (2) than the flexible portion,

and in that, in the closed position of the dispensing valve (5), the end of the pin (90) is in contact with the flexible portion at a first contact line, the maximum distance between the first contact line and the outside of the chamber (2) on the outlet (24) side preferably being less than 6mm, the pin (90) preferably being more rigid than the flexible portion (94) and the rigid portion (95).

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that in the closed position of the dispensing valve (5) the end of the pin (90) is also in contact with the rigid part at a second contact line, the maximum distance between the second contact line and the outside of the chamber (2) on the outlet (24) side preferably being less than 6 mm.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 20, characterized in that said pin and said movable member are arranged in contact with a fluid contained in said deformable chamber (2).

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 21, characterized in that it comprises at least one return device (96), said at least one return device (96) being arranged to exert a return force on said pin, so as to push it towards said outlet (24) of said chamber (2), so as to return said dispensing valve (5) from its open position to its closed position.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, as far as it is considered as depending on any one of claims 12 to 18, wherein said at least one return device (96) comprises at least one movable wall of the air pocket.

24. Device according to claim 22 or 23, as considered to be dependent on any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that said at least one return means comprises, for said gas pocket or for at least one of said gas pockets, a spring in the gas pocket and in contact with said movable wall of the gas pocket.

25. Apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 24, characterized in that in the open position of the dispensing valve, the dispensing valve (5) is completely inside the deformable chamber.

26. The apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 25, characterized in that the pin (90) is flush with the outlet (24).

27. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, as far as it is concerned with claim 12, wherein each gas pocket (92) is located in the chamber (2).

28. The device according to any of the preceding claims, considered as depending on claim 12, characterized in that the dispensing valve (5) and the at least one gas bag are part of a module (93), the module (93) being inserted into the device from the outside or from the inside of the device.

29. The device according to claim 28, characterized in that the assembly (93) comprises a double wall and in that the assembly (93) is fixed to the rest of the device, preferably to the cover (32), by clamping between two walls of the double wall surrounding the pin (90).

30. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly (93) or the chamber (2) comprises a projection (305) extending at least 3mm in length towards the outlet (24).

31. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, considered as depending on claim 13, characterized in that said contact of said gas pocketThe area of the face, or the sum of the areas of the contact faces of the air pocket, is at least 70mm²。

32. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the part called the press (37) is a flexible face.

33. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stopper (23) is arranged to slide in the lid (32) with a sealing engagement between the stopper and the lid over a length of at least 10 mm.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing a fluid.

Background

An apparatus for dispensing a fluid comprising:

a chamber on which a user can press,

-a storage container for storing the liquid,

a dispensing valve for the outlet of the fluid from the chamber to the outside of the apparatus,

-a supply valve for the passage of fluid from the reservoir to the chamber.

Devices according to the state of the art may present certain problems.

The first problem is the rigidity of the dispensing valve: the dispensing valve must at the same time be able to close the device (to avoid loss of fluid or drying) and must not be too difficult to open, for example when a single finger of a user presses on the chamber.

A second problem is the storage of the fluid in the chamber, in particular without denaturing the composition of the fluid and/or avoiding possible wear or chemical attack of the chamber walls by the fluid.

A third problem is to simplify the manufacture of the device and/or to reduce the number of parts making up the device.

The object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the above problems.

Summary of The Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dispensing apparatus comprising:

a deformable chamber having an inner volume arranged to contain a fluid, the deformable chamber being provided with an outlet,

-a dispensing valve which in an open state allows fluid to flow from the interior of the chamber to the outside of the device through the outlet of the chamber and in a closed state does not allow fluid to pass.

The dispensing valve may comprise a pin and a movable member, the pin having an end:

in the closed state of the dispensing valve, the end of the pin closes the outlet of the chamber, and

in the open state of the dispensing valve, the end of the pin is offset from the outlet of the chamber

The movable member is arranged to move under the effect of a reduction in the internal volume of the chamber, or an overpressure from the fluid in the internal volume of the chamber above a certain pressure threshold, so as to move the pin by moving it away from the outlet of the chamber, so as to move the dispensing valve from its closed state to its open state.

The movable member may comprise at least one movable wall of at least one gas pocket (gas pocket), each gas pocket containing a gas that cannot leave the gas pocket and being arranged to isolate the gas from the fluid contained in the deformable chamber.

The movable wall of each air pocket may have a contact surface arranged to be in full contact with the fluid contained in the chamber.

The area of the contact area of the gas pocket, or the sum of the areas of the contact faces of the gas pocket, may be at least 35 times (preferably at least 45 times) greater than the minimum area of the fluid through the chamber outlet.

The area of the contact surface of the gas bag, or the sum of the areas of the contact surfaces of the gas bag, may be at least 50mm²Or even at least 70mm²Or even at least 90mm²。

The or each contact surface may be convex on the side of the fluid contained in the deformable chamber.

The apparatus according to this first aspect of the invention may comprise several movable walls of several air pockets aligned along the extension axis of the pin.

The pressure in each pocket may be equal to or substantially equal (± 10%) to one atmosphere, or greater than one atmosphere.

The dispensing valve (and preferably also the at least one gas bag) may be part of a module which is inserted into the device from the outside or the inside of the device and which is preferably ultrasonically welded.

The assembly may comprise a double wall and may be fixed to the rest of the apparatus according to the invention, preferably to the cover (cap), by clamping between two walls of the double wall, preferably around the pin.

The assembly or chamber may comprise a projection towards the outlet and extending for a length of at least 3 mm.

The outlet may be defined by an outer periphery comprising a part called the flexible portion, and a part called the rigid portion of a material more rigid than the flexible portion, the rigid portion being closer to the outside of the deformable chamber than the flexible portion. In the closed position of the dispensing valve, the end of the pin may contact the flexible portion at a first contact line. In the closed position of the dispensing valve, the end of the pin may also be in contact with the rigid portion at a second contact line. The pin is preferably more rigid than the flexible portion and the rigid portion.

Preferably, the pin is flush with the outlet or protrudes from the outlet by less than 1 mm.

The pin and/or the moveable member may be arranged to be in contact with a fluid contained in the deformable chamber.

The apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention may comprise at least one return means arranged to exert a return force on the pin so as to urge the pin towards the outlet of the chamber, thereby returning the dispensing valve from its open position to its closed position.

The at least one return means may comprise at least one or each movable wall of the air pocket.

For the airbag or for at least one of the airbags or for each airbag, the at least one return means may comprise a spring in the airbag and in contact with a movable wall of the airbag.

The distribution valve is capable of:

partially housed in the deformable chamber in the closed position of the dispensing valve, and/or

-in the open position of the dispensing valve completely inside the deformable chamber.

According to a second aspect of the present invention which is independent of, but potentially combinable with, the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a dispensing apparatus comprising:

a cap comprising an insertion aperture,

a stopper (stopper), the cap and the stopper being arranged such that the stopper is mounted in the cap in such a way that the stopper fits in the cap in an insertion assembly (insertion assembly) in the cap on the insertion orifice side,

the device comprises a deformable chamber, the internal volume of which is arranged to contain a fluid, said chamber being provided with an inlet, such that the device is arranged to direct the fluid from the inlet then through the chamber and to an outlet along a circulation path of the fluid, the device comprising a part called a pressing part (preferably a deformable wall and/or a flexible face), which is arranged to be movable, thereby changing the internal volume.

The device according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise a chamber membrane at least partially defining the inner volume of the deformable chamber and arranged in contact with the pressing portion of the cover.

The chamber membrane may be arranged to position itself between the fluid contained in the deformable chamber and the cover so that the cover is not in contact with the fluid contained within the chamber.

The apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention may further comprise a restoring means inside the chamber, the restoring means being arranged to exert a restoring force on the chamber membrane urging the chamber membrane against the pressing surface.

The chamber membrane may be welded to the stopper.

The chamber membrane may be sandwiched between the cover and the stop.

The stopper may comprise an elongate member provided with two ends, each of the ends having an outer periphery in contact with the chamber membrane such that for each outer periphery the chamber membrane is located between the outer periphery and the cover.

Independently but possibly in combination with the chamber membrane, the device according to the second aspect of the invention may further comprise at least one reservoir membrane extending towards the outside of the lid, thereby forming a fluid reservoir communicating with the deformable chamber through the inlet.

The at least one reservoir membrane may be held by the force exerted on the lid by the stopper.

Between the at least one reservoir membrane, the device according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise a reservoir membrane which can be clamped between the stopper and the lid.

Between the at least one reservoir membrane, the device according to the second aspect of the invention may comprise a reservoir membrane which can be held between two walls of the lid, which walls are arranged to come closer together to press the reservoir membrane under the force exerted on the lid by the stopper after insertion of the stopper into the lid.

At least one between the chamber membrane and the at least one reservoir membrane may be the same membrane.

The stopper may be arranged to slide in the cap with sealing engagement (sealing connection) between the stopper and the cap over a length of at least 5mm, even at least 6mm, even at least 10mm, even at least 15 mm.