FLUID DISPENSER

Abstract

A robust and ergonomic fluid dispenser (1) suitable for dispensing cosmetic compositions and comprising a cylindrical outer body, an upper section having a domed applicator surface, a cylindrical lower section that forms a protective cover for a refill cartridge (13), a rotatable actuator collar (4), an axially mobile pump housing (6) carrying a pump engine inside, the rotatable actuator collar (4) and axially mobile pump housing (6) interacting by means of a cam track on one and a cam follower on the other, the pump housing (6) being reversibly attached to the refill cartridge (13), the cam follower (7) on the pump housing (6) rising on rotation of the actuator collar (4) in a first direction and thereby lifting the pump housing (6) and the refill cartridge (13) to a raised position and actuating the pump engine, the cam follower (7) on the pump housing (6) falling on rotation of the actuator collar (4) in a second direction to a rest position and thereby lowering the pump housing (6) and the refill cartridge (13).

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser (1) comprising a cylindrical outer body (2), an upper section (3) that includes an outwardly domed applicator surface (3A), a cylindrical lower section (2B) that forms a protective cover for a refill cartridge (13), a rotatable actuator collar (4), an axially mobile pump housing (6) carrying a pump engine (8) inside, the rotatable actuator collar (4) and axially mobile pump housing (6) interacting by means of a cam track (5) on one and a cam follower (7) on the other, the pump engine (8) comprising an upper valve (9), a valve chamber (10), a piston seal (11) and a lower valve (12), the pump housing (6) being reversibly attached to the refill cartridge (13), the cam follower (7) on the pump housing (6) rising on rotation of the actuator collar (4) in a first direction and thereby lifting the pump housing (6) and the refill cartridge (13) to a raised position and actuating the pump engine (8), the cam follower (7) on the pump housing (6) falling on rotation of the actuator collar (4) in a second direction to a rest position and thereby lowering the pump housing (6) and the refill cartridge (13), wherein the cam follower (7) is rotationally immobile.

2. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein actuation of the pump engine involves opening of the upper valve (9) and depression of the piston seal (11) thereby forcing fluid out of the valve chamber (10) and onto the applicator surface (3A) via the connection pipe (14) and wherein lowering of the pump engine (8) and refill cartridge (13) involves refilling of the valve chamber (10) of the pump engine (8), by the opening of the lower valve (12) and the drawing of fluid out of the refill cartridge (13) into the valve chamber (10) under suction from the rising piston seal (11).

3. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the rotatable actuator collar (4) is located around the cylindrical outer body (2) at a distance axially removed the applicator surface (3).

4. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, comprising an axially immobile inner chassis (15) that links together the upper (3) and lower (2B) sections of the dispenser (1).

5. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, comprising stop features (7L) and (19) which interact to limit rotation of the actuator collar (4) in its first direction.

6. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein one of the stop features (7L) is a part of the cam follower (7) and one of the stop features (19) is located on the inner surface of the actuator collar (4)

7. (canceled)

8. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 6, wherein there are two or more rotationally immobile cams followers (7), dispersed with radially equal spacing around the diameter of the axially mobile pump housing (6).

9. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 8, wherein the cam followers (7) protrude through vertical gaps or yokes (15A) in an inner chassis (15) as described in claim 4.

10. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, comprising a protective cap (27) designed to sit over the applicator surface (3A).

11. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1, comprising a return spring (17) for pulling the pump engine (8) back from its raised position to its rest position.

12. The fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 11, wherein the return spring (17) is a torsion spring sitting between a horizontal annular shelf (18) protruding from a chassis (15) as described in claim 4 and lower surfaces of the cam followers (7) protruding from the pump housing (6).

13. A method of applying a cosmetic composition to the surface of the human body comprising the use of a fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1.

14. A kit of parts comprising a fluid dispenser (1) according to claim 1 and replacement refill cartridges (13) suitable for use therewith.

15. The kit of parts according to claim 14, further comprising directions as to how to replace the refill cartridge.

Description

[0037] FIG. 1 is cross-section through the specific embodiment.

[0038] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of components in the upper part of the specific embodiment.

[0039] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of components in the pump engine (8) and the associated connection pipe (14).

[0040] FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of components of the pump engine (8) together with the associated connection pipe (14).

[0041] FIG. 6 is a skewed cross-sectional view of an inner chassis (15) together with components present therein and an associated torsion spring (17).

[0042] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inner chassis (15) as illustrated in FIG. 6 together with the upper section (3) of the dispenser (1).

[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates the internal features of the actuator collar (4) and the associated torsion spring (17).

[0044] FIG. 9 further illustrates features of the axially mobile pump housing (6).

[0045] FIG. 10 is a cross-section through the specific embodiment with a removable protective cap (25) in place.

[0046] Key features of the invention are illustrated in the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a fluid dispenser (1) comprising a cylindrical outer body (2), the fluid dispenser comprising an upper section (3) that includes an outwardly domed applicator surface (3A) and a cylindrical lower section (2B) which forms a protective outer casing or cartridge protector for a refill cartridge (13).

[0047] The applicator surface (3A) defines an exit orifice (3B) for fluid exiting a pump valve chamber (10) via a connection pipe (14) (vide infra).

[0048] A rotatable actuator collar (4) is located axially below the upper section (3). The actuator collar (4) interacts with an axially mobile pump housing (6), interacting by means of a cam tracks (5) on the former and cam followers (7) on the latter.

[0049] The axially mobile pump housing (6) holds within it a pump engine (8) which is shown in FIG. 3. The pump engine (8) comprises an upper valve (9), a valve chamber (10), a piston seal (11) and a lower valve (12). The upper valve (9) is a piston valve and seals against the piston seal (11) through which it passes at its centre. The lower valve (12) is a ball valve which is opened when the pressure in the valve chamber (10) is less than that the refill container (13) to which the pump engine (8) to which it is reversibly attached.

[0050] Connected to the upper (piston) valve (9) at its upper end is the connection pipe (14) which serves to allow passage of fluid from the valve chamber (10) to the applicator surface (3A) via the exit orifice (3B) when the pump engine (8) is actuated by rotation of the actuator collar (4). The connection pipe (14) is axially immobile due to its abutment against the inner surface of the upper section (3) where the top of the connection pipe (14) fits within a holding collar (3C).

[0051] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate how the upper (piston) valve (9) is held axially immobile by the connection pipe (14), the connection pipe (14) having an annular projection (14A) that fits into recesses (9A) and (9B) (not illustrated) in diagonally opposed radial projections (9C) and (9D) (not illustrated) that extend substantially down the length of the upper valve (9). This enables the upper valve (9) to create an opening to the valve chamber (10) as the valve chamber (10) and piston seal (11) are raised against it. Shortly after the upper valve (9) opens the valve chamber (10) from above, projections (14B) from the outer surface of the connection pipe (14) start to press upon the piston seal (11) and force it into the valve chamber (10) as the latter is raised upwards against it. This results in the emptying of the valve chamber (10) through the connection pipe (14) as described above.

[0052] The actuator collar (4) results in actuation of the pump engine (8) as a result of the inward projecting cam track (5) from the actuation collar (3) interacting with two cam followers (7) present on the outer surface of the axially mobile pump housing (6).

[0053] FIG. 6 illustrates how the cam followers (7) project through vertical gaps or yokes (15A) (shown in part) in an inner chassis (15) that links together the upper section (3) and the lower section (2B) of the dispenser (1). The yokes (15A) are located diagonally opposite one another. The cam followers (7) projecting from the pump housing (6) rise upwards within the yokes (15A) when the pump engine (8) is actuated and fall back downwards with the yokes (15A) when the pump engine (8) is refilling. The yokes (15A) restrict rotational movement of the pump housing (8) as a result of the cam followers protruding through them.

[0054] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate features of the binding of the upper (3) and lower (2B) sections of the dispenser (1) onto the chassis (15). The upper section (3) is firmly attached onto the chassis (15) by clips (15B) projecting inwardly from an annular surface of the latter into gaps in a vertical cylindrical wall (16) falling from the inner top surface of the upper section (3). The lower section (2B) of the dispenser (1) is firmly attached onto the chassis (15) by a screw thread (15C) on the former which screws onto a corresponding screw thread on the latter (not illustrated).

[0055] A torsion spring (17) exists between the inner chassis (15) and the axially mobile pump housing (6). This serves to return the pump housing (6) to its lowered position when torque is removed from the actuation collar (4). The torsion spring (17) sits between a horizontal annular shelf (18) protruding from the chassis (15) and lower surfaces of the cam followers (7) protruding from the pump housing (6).

[0056] In operation, torque is exerted on the actuator collar (4) forcing the pump housing upwards and the pump engine (8) to be actuated and product to be dispensed. When the torque on the actuator collar (4) is removed, the torsion spring (17) pulls the pump housing (6) back down towards its rest position, thereby refilling the pump valve chamber (10) (vide supra).

[0057] FIG. 8 shows details on the internal surface of the actuator collar (4). The cam tracks (5) (one illustrated in full and one only illustrated in cross-section at its lower end) rise around the inner surface of actuator collar (4) in a clockwise direction. Hence, rotation of the actuator collar in an anti-clockwise direction causes the axially mobile pump house (6) to rise.

[0058] Also illustrated in FIG. 8 is the torsion spring (17). The lower end (17L) of this spring is bent downwards and anchors into a hole (not illustrated) in the horizontal annular shelf (18) protruding from the chassis (15). Towards the upper end (17U) of the spring, it passes through a vertical projection (19) protruding from the inner surface of the actuator collar (4), through which it is able to slide, to a certain extent, when the actuator collar (4) is rotated. Sliding of the torsion spring (17) through the vertical projection (19) from the actuator collar (4) is restricted by its upper end (17U), which is bent upwards and abuts the anticlockwise wall of vertical projection (19) when anticlockwise rotation has proceeding somewhat.

[0059] The axially mobile pump housing (6) is illustrated by itself in FIG. 9. The pump housing (6) comprises an inner cylinder (20) that radial expands towards its lower end to form a frustoconical structure linking into an outer cylinder (21) via a narrow annular platform (22). The inner cylinder (20) holds the pump engine (8) within it and the lower part of the outer cylinder (21) reversibly holds the upper part of the refill cartridge (13) within it.

[0060] The pump housing (6) has two diagonally opposed cam followers (7) protruding from it (vide supra). Each of these cam followers (7) has an upper part (7U) which rides above the cam track (5) and a lower part (7L) which rides below the cam track (5). The lower parts (7L) of the cam tracks stop rotation of the actuator collar (4) when they reach the anticlockwise edge of the vertical projection (19) protruding from the inner surface of the actuator collar (4). This happens approximately 45 from the rest position.

[0061] Returning to FIG. 1, additional features not previously described include a base plate (22) that seals across the bottom of the cylindrical lower section (2B). Protruding upwards from this base plate (22) there is an inner cylindrical wall (23) that serves to support the bottom of the refill cartridge (13) when this is in its rest position.

[0062] Features of the refill cartridge (1) illustrated in FIG. 1 include a rubber septum (24), which rises up the refill cartridge (13) as its contents are removed via the pump engine (8). In addition, at the top of the refill cartridge (13) there is a top seal (25) defining an opening (26) in its centre through which the lower part of the pump engine (8) protrudes, enabling fluid passage between the refill cartridge (13) and the valve chamber (10) when the lower valve (12) is open. The lower part of the pump engine (8) forms a sealing fit in the opening (26) in the top seal (25) of the refill cartridge (13).

[0063] FIG. 10 is essentially the same as FIG. 1, but illustrates the presence of an optional protective cap (27).