WO2007020342A1

WO2007020342A1 - Method and device for storing and dispensing a fluid or pasty product

Info

Publication number: WO2007020342A1
Application number: PCT/FR2006/001893
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Castanet
Original assignee: Raymond Castanet
Priority date: 2005-08-18
Filing date: 2006-08-03
Publication date: 2007-02-22
Also published as: FR2889836A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and device for storing and dispensing a fluid or pasty product. According to the invention, a fluid or pasty product (C1) is stored away from ambient air in a flexible pouch (3) inside a container (1) on which a pressure (P1) is exerted by the user on at least one wall that can be deformed elastically, such as to create an internal pressure (P2) which closes a valve (2) and enables part of the product (C2) to be discharged between the flexible lips (10) of the dispensing spout (5). Upon removal of pressure P1, the flexible lips (10) are re-sealed, such as to isolate the rest of the product from contact with ambient air. When the container (1) returns to the rest position thereof, the ambient air, under atmospheric pressure, penetrates the valve (2) and enters the space defined by the inner walls of the container (1) and the outer casing of the pouch (3), such as to replace the volume of product (C2) thus dispensed. A valve system (9) and the specific configuration of particular parts (4 and 7) enable a reserve of product to be stored and doses of a pre-determined volume to be dispensed. The prolonged storage device and method can be used for the metered dispensing of a fluid product, such as food or cosmetic substances, that can have a pasty consistency, such as tomato sauce, cosmetic cream or a pharmaceutical gel.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PRESERVING AND DISPENSING A FLUID OR PASTY PRODUCT.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for preserving and dispensing a fluid or pasty product, contained and stored away from ambient air in a flexible bag contained in a container on which a pressure exerted, on a less a wall, by the user, allows to get out of the pocket part of the product while prohibiting the contact of the ambient air with the rest of the product. In general, the preservation of a product in a container, becomes random as soon as ambient air is introduced into the container and comes into contact with the product, this air intake taking place, in particular, to the occasion of a product levy.

Indeed this entry of ambient air brings various agents which are detrimental to good conservation and are likely to degrade the qualities and characteristics of the product. In particular, oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, dust, micro-organisms and other pollutants cause various deteriorations.

To limit these adverse effects, several devices and methods are already used by those skilled in the art.

For example, the content can be kept at a low temperature to limit the proliferation of microbes, resulting in a set of constraints and limitations. It is possible, by filling the container in neutral and sterile atmosphere, to obtain a longer shelf life before opening.

You can also add a preservative or an antioxidant, which, unfortunately, alters the characteristics of the product that you want to preserve. In addition, if the preserved product is a food or cosmetic product, the addition of an adjuvant can deteriorate the qualities or even be detrimental to health. Another method is to keep the product contained, away from the air and has many advantages over previous. It is implemented in various devices, for example,

In the patent application Publication No. 2,859,188 National registration No. 03 10325 concerning a manual sprayer where an internal bag can be emptied by means of a pump, by deforming so that its internal volume remains equal to that of the contained fluid, which prevents the penetration of the outside air.

_ In Patent Application Publication No. 2841159 N ⁰ National Recording 02 07 639 on a compression sprayer with internal pocket emptied by means of this pressure.

_ In the patent application publication ⁰ 2,837,184 No. 02 09 898 national registration for a water fountain, where an internal pocket can be emptied by gravity. The disadvantage of the first devices is to require a pump and a complex apparatus, difficult to manufacture and difficult to use. The disadvantage of the second is to apply to bulky containers.

All have limited fields of use which moreover only concern liquid products.

On the other hand, the method according to the invention makes it possible to design devices of very practical use, of common use and of small dimensions, easy to produce inexpensively and which allow the use of the major part of the product. even if these products are of pasty consistency, while ensuring a long shelf life. It is thus possible to preserve and distribute in a fractional and intermittent manner, liquid or pasty food substances such as tomato sauce or mustard as well as cosmetic or pharmaceutical substances such as perfumes and creams or therapeutic gel. This process and the devices that use it are therefore very economical, avoid waste, and environmentally friendly because they reduce the amount of detritus released into the environment or treated by recycling plants. The process according to the invention is particularly advantageous for all fluid or pasty products and lends itself to multiple embodiments. It is even possible to make containers for dispensing in any position, predetermined doses of pasty products with high viscosity. This method of preservation and distribution consists in keeping the product away from the ambient air, even after several samples taken by pressing on at least one wall of a container which contains a pocket in which the product is stored.

In general, a container whose at least one wall can be elastically deformed, for example a flexible plastic container, is provided with a valve allowing air to enter the container but preventing its exit. A simple hole can act as a valve if the user plugs the hole with a finger when it deforms at least one elastic wall. This container contains an internal pouch, flexible, in which the product is contained. This pocket is provided with an outlet of the product. This orifice is normally closed hermetically but opens if sufficient pressure is exerted on the flexible bag. This pocket is disposed in the container so that its outer surface and the inner surface of the container are in continuity and form a closed chamber (E). Each time the product is taken by pressing on the walls of the container, its volume is replaced by an equivalent volume of air that is housed in this chamber (E) whose volume increases as the product decreases. Indeed, thanks to the valve which is provided with the container, the outside air can enter this chamber (E). But it is closed for indoor air that can not get out. In this way, as the product is removed, the flexible bag retracts on itself and continues to keep the product, away from the harmful effects of the ambient air.

In a simple embodiment of a device according to the invention (FIG 1), a bottle (1) is provided with a valve (2) allowing air to enter the bottle but prohibiting its exit. This valve is placed in a suitable place. For example a ball valve (2) is inserted into a bore in the bottle, for example the neck of the bottle. It is also possible to use any system known to those skilled in the art, for example a membrane valve or a valve system. A flexible film (3) is pressed against the inner walls of the bottle (fig.l), (fig.2) for example by blowing (F), possibly with hot air. This film forms a pocket (3), to contain the product load (Cl) whose outer surface matches the internal contours of the bottle, to which it can adhere slightly. The film (3) thus covers the entire internal surface of the bottle and neck (fig.2) and optionally overflows (D) of the neck so that it can be fixed and secured to the upper part of the neck when the we insert a device in this collar or when we place a plug.

This film (fig.2) can also be welded (S) or glued on the upper part of the vial neck. It can also have some adhesion with the inner walls of the bottle (1)

The outer surface of the film (3) and the inner surface of the container (1) on which this film is applied form a sealed enclosure (E) (FIG. 2), which is watertight and of almost zero volume.

In a sterile atmosphere, this bottle is then filled with a product charge (Cl) which is entirely contained inside the pocket (3) which serves as an inner container with thin and flexible walls.

A dispensing cap (4), (fig.4), whose dispensing spout (5) is provided with flexible lips that can open under the pressure of the product when pressing at least one wall of the bottle is then placed on the bottle, for example screwed, crimped, encapsulated or entered in force. A closure cap (6), (fig.5), which can be screwed, capsulated or applied in force, completes this device.

To use this device just lean the container and press two opposite walls.

The dispensing cap (4) has a dispensing spout (5) made of flexible and elastic material.

This beak, tubular or more or less elliptical, ends with parts, the lips (10), having a zero internal section at rest. These normally hermetically sealed lips deviate under the pressure of the product, (fig.6), (fig.7), (fig8) and (fig.10) which allows the output of a load (C2).

The shape of this charge (C2) depends on the viscosity of the product and the shape of the dispensing lips.

For thick materials such as mayonnaise or a care cream, it can be provided, depending on the shape of these lips, the distribution of a bead of material having a decorative shape, the dispenser cap having lips (10) whose section in open position having this decorative shape.

For example (fig.6) the lips (10) of the dispensing spout (5), separated by pressure, can dispense a product ribbon (C2.a) having an elliptical section or (fig.7) a cord (C2.b) whose section has the shape of a star with 4 branches.

The device according to a simple embodiment of the method according to the invention shares with the existing devices the disadvantage of having to be used in the tilted position and having to be shaken if it contains a pasty product, to bring it near the outlet orifice, at the end of the charge. This disadvantage is practically eliminated by interposing the part (7), (FIG. 3), (FIG. 8) and (FIG. 10), between the bottle (1) and the distributor cap (4), since such a device (FIG. fig.8), (fig.10), allows the product charge to be guided to the outlet. In addition, if the flexible tube (8) down to the bottom of the container, the device is then usable in any position until almost all the load is exhausted.

Indeed, when the user exerts a pressure (P1), (FIG. 8), (FIG. 10), on at least one wall of the device, this pressure is transmitted inside the container and results in a pressure (P2) exerted in the enclosure (E) between the inner wall of the container (1) and the outer wall of the pocket formed by the flexible film (3). This pressure has the effect of closing the valve (2) and compressing the outer surface of the flexible pouch formed by the film (3) and thus exerting pressure on the product load (Cl) contained in this pocket. This product is conducted in the flexible tube (8) penetrates into the dispensing cap (4) and into the dispensing spout (5) and exerts pressure on the lips (10) which move apart and leave a product load ( C2). When the user interrupts the pressure (P1) the lips (10) close again and the product is again protected from the ambient air. When the walls of the container (1) return to their initial position under the effect of the restoring forces, the ambient air enters the enclosure (E), through the valve (2), under the effect of atmospheric pressure room. The internal volume of the enclosure (E) therefore increases by an amount substantially equal to that of the load (C2) distributed product, while the volume of the pocket formed by the film (3) decreases accordingly. As a result, this pocket retracts and is applied to the outer surface of the workpiece (7) and the tube (8) as the product load decreases. For this purpose it separates from the inner walls of the container (1), with which it can have a certain adhesion, remaining fixed to the places where it is secured, ie to the glued or welded locations (S) or to the end of the neck of the container, secured to the plug (4). When the container arrives at the end of charging, the pressure (P2) which plates the bag (3) on the flexible tube (8) compresses this tube and the vacuum of its contents. There then remains a little product, inside the dispensing cap (4).

However, an improvement (FIG. 10) makes it possible not only to minimize this quantity of product but also to predetermine the volume of the distributed load (C2).

Indeed, the piece (7) may be provided with a valve (9) which allows the penetration of the product in the dispensing cap (4) but prohibits its return. This valve bears on a flat surface (Sl) of the part (7) which constitutes the valve seat.

The amount of product contained in the dispensing cap (4) constitutes a reserve which is determined by the upper surface of the valve (9), the upper surface (Sl) of the piece (7) in continuity with the valve seat and the inner upper surface (S2) of the dispensing cap (4), as well as the small amount of product contained in the distribution nozzle duct (5) preceding the lips (10). Depending on the shape of the part (7) and that of the distributor cap (4) the quantity of product in reserve is perfectly determined.

It can be minimized to minimize the portion of product not consumed, but it can also determine a predefined volume to constitute doses of product to be distributed. In fact, if the container which raises the valve (9) and enters the dispensing cap (4) continuously flows out of the spout into a load (C2) if the container is pressed moderately continuously on the walls of the container (C2). ) as the valve (9) does not close the orifice of the conduit of the dispensing spout (5) coming to rest on the inner upper surface (S2) of the dispenser cap (4). This total closure does not occur if the distance between this surface (S2) and the surface (Sl) is greater than the stroke of the valve (9). But we can determine the distance between the surfaces (Sl) and (S2), as well as the geometry of the valve system, so that the valve rises above the valve seat a sufficient distance to its upper surface bears on the surface (S2) and closes the duct supplying the dispensing spout (5) which stops the emission of the load (C2).

It is therefore possible to determine an optimum load dose volume (C2), by choosing an adequate geometry of the valve system and an appropriate shape of the pieces (4) and (7) fixing the volume located between the surfaces (Sl) and (S2) and these parameters can be set so that the user obtains the pre-fixed dose of product by exerting a frank and natural pressure (P1) on the walls of the container (1). If, on the other hand, it exerts a moderate and continuous pressure, insufficient to lift and apply the upper part of the valve on the surface (S2), it will obtain a lower or higher dose, according to its desire. The device of the invention thus effectively protects the product contained attacks of ambient air. However, a very small part of this product is in contact with this ambient air and could be contaminated by microbial germs that could compromise long-term preservation of the product. Indeed, after emission of a charge (C2), the lips (10) close hermetically but a small amount of product may remain deposited at the commissure of these lips and in the small gap remaining between these lips. If microbial germs are deposited on these product residues, a contamination of the whole load (Cl) is not impossible.

This deposit can be reduced by manufacturing the nozzle dispenser material having a low adhesive power, for example hydrophobic material and or lipophobic. For example, Teflon, a carbon hexafluoride, can be used to machine the distributor nozzle or the parts of this nozzle so that residual product of the charge (C2) does not adhere to these surfaces and remains in contact with the nozzle. ambiant air. But, to allow the preservation of this product, even if there is a little residual product on the dispenser nozzle, without adding a preservative element, still detrimental to the intrinsic qualities of the product, it is possible to provide an additional improvement to the device according to the invention. The distributor nozzle could be manufactured in a germicidal material, but, more simply, it is sufficient to provide the closure cap (6) with a reserve of preservative, for example contained in a flexible receptacle (12), more or less elastic , for example absorbent polyethylene foam, located in the inner walls of the closure cap constituted by the parts (13) and (14) whose meeting forms the body of this plug (6). For example, it is possible to use acetic acid, to preserve a sauce that would not be affected, this could be suitable for many recipes, especially those containing vinegar or lemon juice. By closing the plug (6), the dispensing spout (5) is housed in the space (15), created by pushing or removing the material of the flexible receptacle (12) which has the effect of cleaning the dispensing spout (5). ). The preservative product contained in this receptacle impregnates the upper part of the dispensing spout and sterilize the residual product possibly deposited on this spout. The dispensing nozzle is therefore from this moment maintained in a sterilizing atmosphere that prohibits any microbial growth. The conservation of the product, to the attacks of the ambient air, is thus ensured for a long duration.

Claims

CLAIMS. l) A method for preserving and dispensing a product characterized in that the product is contained and stored away from the ambient air in a flexible bag contained in a container on which a pressure exerted on at least one The wall, which can be elastically deformed by the user, makes it possible to remove a part of the product from the bag while preventing the ambient air from contact with the rest of the product.

2) Device for preserving and dispensing a product characterized in that the product is contained and kept away from the ambient air in a flexible pouch contained in a container, at least one wall can be deformed so that elastic, this container being provided with a valve allowing air to enter the container but prohibiting its exit or being provided with a simple hole that can be plugged by the user and acting as a valve.

3) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the product is contained and kept away from ambient air in a flexible bag (3), contained in a bottle (1) provided with a valve or valve system, for example a ball or membrane valve (2), allowing air to enter the bottle but preventing its exit.

4) Process according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bottle provided with a valve system allowing air to enter the bottle but preventing its exit, on the inner wall of which is plated a flexible film, is filled, in a sterile atmosphere, with a product charge which is entirely contained within the pocket formed by this flexible film, serving as an inner container, the said bottle being then plugged by a dispensing cap including a distributor spout is provided with flexible lips that can open under the pressure of the product when pressing at least one wall of the bottle.

5) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bottle (1) is provided with a valve (2) allowing air to enter the bottle but preventing its exit, a flexible film (3) pressed against the inner walls of the bottle, for example by blowing, possibly with hot air, forming a pocket (3), which may have some adhesion with the inner walls of the bottle, secured to the upper part of the neck, optionally by welding or gluing, to contain the product charge (Cl), a dispensing cap (4) whose dispensing spout (5) is provided with flexible lips that can open under the pressure of the product when the at least one wall of the bottle is pressed, this dispensing cap (5) being placed on the bottle, for example screwed, crimped or force-filled crimped and a closure cap (6), which can be screwed, capsulated or applied in strength.

6) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the dispensing cap (4) has a dispensing spout (5) made of flexible material and elastic, optionally hydrophobic material and / or lipophobic, which can be germicidal, of tubular or more or less elliptical shape, terminating with lips (10), having a zero internal section at rest, hermetically closed, deviating under the pressure of the product, to allow the exit of a load (C2); these lips (10) having, optionally, in the open position a decorative shape, for example elliptical or in star with 4 branches.

7) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is provided with a part (7) between the bottle (1) and the distributor cap (4), to guide the product load up to at the outlet orifice, comprising a flexible tube (8) which can go down to the bottom of the container.

8) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is provided with a part (7) comprising a flexible tube (8) down to the bottom of the container and a valve (9) which allows the penetration of the product in the dispensing cap (4) but prohibits its return. 9) Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the piece (7), that of the distributor cap (4) and the geometry of the valve system (9) determine a predefined volume serving as a reserve of product.

10) Device according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the geometry of the valve system and the shape of the piece (7) and that of the distributor cap (4) allow a stroke of the valve allowing it to s raising above the valve seat a sufficient distance so that its upper surface bears against the surface (S2) of the distributor cap (4) and closes the duct supplying the dispensing spout (5). 11) Apparatus according to any preceding claim characterized in that the closure cap (6) is provided with a reserve of preservative product, for example contained in a flexible receptacle (12), more or less elastic, by example of the absorbent polyethylene foam, located in the inner walls of the closure cap constituted by the parts (13) and (14) whose assembly forms the body of this plug (6), the distributor nozzle (5) being housed in the space (15), created by pushing or removing the material of the flexible receptacle (12) which has the effect of cleaning the dispensing nozzle (5) and maintain it in a sterilizing atmosphere.