Dispensing – Collapsible wall-type container – Plural container and/or compartment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2001-07-24
Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
Collapsible wall-type container
Plural container and/or compartment
C222S103000, C222S632000, C239S307000, C239S327000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264065
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for the biphasic dispensing, in spray form, of a single dose of fluid product. More particularly, the invention relates to a miniature spray device, preferably disposable, which is particularly suitable for samples in the field of pharmacy or perfumery.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND TECHNICAL PROBLEMS POSED BY THE PRIOR ART
The problems that arise for such a product dispenser involve, in particular, the need for inexpensive manufacturing processes. In effect, since samples are not generally intended for sale, the manufacturing cost must be as low as possible. It is therefore important to have devices whose parts are easy to produce in large series and the mounting of which can be done simply. Furthermore, since the samples are used mainly for advertising purposes, it is desirable to be able to visibly affix the brand, the logo, or any other distinctive sign corresponding to the product contained in the dispenser. Likewise, it is desirable to provide a device in a form that is original and practical for use. For example, in the case of samples to be included in magazines or journals, it is necessary for the dispenser to have a greatly reduced thickness.
The dispensing device according to the invention can also be applied in the pharmaceutical field. In this particular field, it is important for the dose of product contained in the dispenser to be completely expelled. Furthermore, it is also important for the spray to be of good quality.
For example, known through French Patent No. A-2,443,980 is a disposable sprayer produced by the fusion of a sheet of plastic material, placing between it a container as well as two channels of vortex connected to a spray opening. By pressure on the container whose walls are produced by sheets of plastic, product is discharged into the vortex channels, then through the spray opening, creating a stream of sprayed product. This disposable sprayer does not, however, make it possible to expel a defined dose of product. Moreover, the production of vortex channels by the fusion of two sheets of plastic is rather imprecise and random. According to a version of this sprayer, the container is divided into two chambers by a partition that is broken under the action of the pressure. One chamber is filled with a fluid while the other contains the product and air. Furthermore, the container is separated from the spray opening by a point of rupture. In a first step, when one presses on the container, the partition breaks, and the two fluids are to varying degrees mixed together with air. In any case, the mixture thus obtained cannot be homogeneous. By increasing the pressure, the point of rupture breaks and the nonhomogeneous mixture is discharged towards the spray opening. The stream leaving the opening is sometimes composed of the first fluid, sometimes of the second fluid, and sometimes of air, but is never composed of a homogeneous mixture of the three. It results that the stream is sometimes purely aqueous and sometimes biphasic. Its quality is therefore not constant.
The problem that the present invention proposes to solve is the production of an inexpensive dispensing device that provides a good quality of spray of a single dose of product in a constant and precise volume. In certain applications, particularly advertising applications, the dispensing device must meet certain dimensional requirements; in particular, it must have a reduced thickness.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These problems are solved, according to the present invention, by a device for dispensing, in spray form, of a single dose of fluid product, characterized by the fact that it includes:
a container of fluid product containing the single dose and connected to a spray opening,
at least one container of gas connected to the spray opening, and
some means of simultaneously emptying the containers of fluid product and of gas, in such a way as to create a biphasic spray of fluid product and gas at the site of the spray opening.
The use of a spray gas mixed with the product at the site of the spray opening guarantees a good quality of spray of the single dose of product that is expelled. The use of a spray gas makes it possible to avoid the need of the force of pressure that has to be applied in the case of a simple pump equipped with a nozzle with a vortex chamber. Less pressure is sufficient to provide a sprayed stream of good quality.
Advantageously, the containers have deformable flexible wall elements that make it possible to empty the containers by pressing on said wall elements. Just as in the aforementioned Belgian document, the pressure that makes the spraying possible is directly exerted on the container. One can thus work without a connected component such as a piston. However, the means of emptying include a component for pressing on the deformable flexible wall elements of the containers. The pressing component in effect makes it possible to completely empty the container of product, which ensures a precise quantity of expelled product.
According to an advantageous characteristic, the containers are arranged in such a way that the emptying of said container of gas, of which there is at least one, begins before the emptying of said container of fluid product. In a corresponding manner, the containers are arranged in such a way that the emptying of said gas container, of which there is at least one, is completed after the emptying of said fluid product container.
According to a practical embodiment, the pressing component presses on the flexible wall elements of said gas container, of which there is at least one, before pressing on the flexible wall element of said fluid product container. It is thus guaranteed that the entire volume of the dose is emitted with an optimal spray quality, that is to say with the simultaneous emission of gas under pressure.
According to another practical embodiment, the containers have outlet channels connecting them to the spray opening, with the pressing component being formed by an essentially rigid rounded tab articulated with respect to the containers in such a way as to progressively press on the wall elements of the containers, beginning with their ends farthest from the outlet channels. Progressive and simultaneous emptying of the containers of fluid and of gas is thus produced.
In order to guarantee a minimal thickness, that is to say less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm, the containers are formed between an essentially rigid support and a flexible barrier film forming the deformable flexible wall elements. The support can be produced from polypropylene, polyethylene, or a mixture of these; the barrier film can be produced by a superposition of layers of polyester, aluminum, polyamide, and polyethylene.
Furthermore, the tab is formed by an operating part of the support, which is shaped in a rounded manner and connected by a hinge to another main part of the support bearing the containers. Moreover, the outlet channels and the spray opening are formed between the support and the barrier film. Advantageously, the barrier film is fused to or glued on the support.
According to another characteristic, a retention and dispersion fiber is placed before the spray opening. The fiber is placed both between the outlet channels and the spray opening and between the support and the barrier film.
According to another practical characteristic, the spray opening is closed by a cap component, which can be removed. By producing or incorporating all of the components of the dispensing device between a support and a barrier film glued or fused together, it is possible to produce the device at a very low cost. The fiber placed just before the spray opening makes possible a good dispersion of the droplets of product soaked in the fiber and passed through by the flow of pressurized air coming from the gas containers.
Other characteristics and particularities of the invention will emerge from the following detailed description giving an embodiment of the present invention as a nonlimiting
Deal David
Rockey Milnamow & Katz Ltd.
Shaver Kevin
Valois S.A.
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