US20040129800A1 - Fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (30) of variable volume, said reservoir defining at least one movable wall (31, 32) that can be moved to vary the volume of the reservoir, the dispenser further comprising a dispensing orifice (311) in communication with the reservoir so that fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced;

said fluid dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises actuating means (1, 2) making it possible, in a first stage, to increase the volume of the reservoir by drawing air into the reservoir, and then, in a second stage, to reduce the volume of the reservoir by delivering air and fluid through the dispensing orifice.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of pending U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/442,898, filed Jan. 28, 2003, and priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a)-(d) of French patent applications No. FR-02.13319, filed Oct. 24, 2002 and FR-02.14753, filed Nov. 25, 2002.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir of variable volume and a dispensing orifice in communication with the reservoir so that fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced. The reservoir preferably has at least one wall that is deformable or movable to cause the internal volume of the reservoir to vary. Thus, by acting on said wall, it is possible to reduce the volume of the reservoir and thus to deliver fluid through the dispensing orifice. For example, such dispensers can be used in the fields of perfumes, cosmetics, or indeed pharmaceuticals.[0002]
• For example,[0003]Document FR 2 791 645 describes a dispenser made up of two deformable sheets that are sealed together over their peripheries so as to define an internal volume defining a fluid reservoir. Advantageously, a dispensing part is fixed by sealing between the two sheets. The dispensing part advantageously defines a dispensing orifice and also serves as a support part for an element made of a porous material suitable for being soaked or impregnated with fluid in liquid or powder form. In addition, the reservoir made up of the two flexible sheets contains a spring making it possible to return the two sheets to a configuration defining the maximum volume of the reservoir. That spring thus serves as a return spring which makes it possible to return the reservoir to its initial rest position in which it defines a maximum volume after each occasion on which the dispenser is actuated. The fluid reservoir contains a small quantity of the fluid and a larger quantity of gas, e.g. air. Thus, each time the dispenser is actuated, a mixture of air and of fluid is delivered through the dispensing orifice, and advantageously through the piece of porous material impregnated or soaked with fluid. In that document, provision is also made to close off the dispensing orifice by means of a removable closure member when the reservoir substantially contains fluid only, and when the spring is compressed to a state close to its maximum compressed state. Thus, so long as the removable closure member is in place, the reservoir is maintained at a minimum volume, and the fluid that it contains is substantially not in contact with air. It is only when the removable closure member is removed that the spring can relax so that the volume of the reservoir increases by means of air being drawn in through the dispensing orifice. Then, the dispenser is actuated by pressing on the flexible sheets that constitute the deformable actuating walls. Once pressure ceases to be applied to the sheets, the spring contained in the reservoir returns said reservoir to its initial maximum volume state.
• The drawback with that prior art dispenser lies in the fact that the spring situated inside the reservoir acts on the actuating walls, i.e. on the flexible walls, even when the removable closure member is in place. This results in the flexible sheets being deformed locally, which is not very attractive in appearance. In addition, when the spring is made of metal, it constitutes a large mass of metal inside the reservoir, which can be harmful to certain fluids. Furthermore, when the spring is made of a plastics material, it tends to lose its stiffness because of the tendency of plastics to creep over time.[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• An object of the present invention is to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a novel type of dispenser which does not need any permanent spring means to return the fluid reservoir to its rest position which defines the maximum volume. The dispenser can thus remain at rest with a reservoir volume that is much smaller than its maximum volume prior to dispensing.[0005]
• Another object of the invention is to define a dispenser whose reservoir can increase in volume immediately before dispensing.[0006]
• Another object of the invention is to make it possible to decrease the volume of the reservoir without squeezing the movable wall directly by hand.[0007]
• Yet another object of the invention is to obtain a full dispensing cycle by means of a single continuous action.[0008]
• To these ends, the present invention provides that the dispenser further comprises actuating means making it possible, in a first stage, to increase the volume of the reservoir by drawing air into the reservoir, and then, in a second stage, to reduce the volume of the reservoir by delivering air and fluid through the dispensing orifice. Advantageously, the actuating means comprise a press zone and a backing zone, the press zone being moved towards the backing zone generating an increase and then a decrease in the volume of the reservoir. Thus, by bringing the press zone closer to the backing zone, e.g. by using the thumb reacting against the other fingers of the same hand, the dispenser undergoes a cycle which is not apparent to the user and in which the volume of the reservoir is firstly increased to draw air into it, and then the mixture of air and of fluid is delivered so that fluid is dispensed, advantageously in the form of a spray.[0009]
• In an embodiment, the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate and a back flexible plate between which the reservoir is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges so that bringing the opposite edges of the front plate closer together by said front plate flexing leaves the opposite edges of the back plate static relative to each other and leaves the back plate stress-free in said first stage, and then, in said second stage, brings the opposite edges of the back plate closer together by said back plate flexing with curvature going in the same direction as the curvature of the front plate, so that the two plates squeeze the reservoir between them. The flexibility of the plates serves as return spring means making it possible to return the dispenser to its initial rest state. It is the two plates being flexibly deformed in asynchronous and staggered manner that makes it possible to increase the volume of the reservoir in a first stage, and then to reduce it in a second stage during which both plates are curved in the same direction, thereby bringing the back plate closer to the front plate and thus reducing the volume between them and therefore the volume of the reservoir which is situated between them. In this embodiment, the front plate defines the press zone and the backing zone.[0010]
• In a practical aspect, at least one edge of the front plate is provided with a flap defining a groove into which the corresponding edge of the back plate is engaged loosely. Advantageously, the groove forms an abutment end-wall which, at rest, is separated from the respective edge of the back plate, so that the edge of the back plate comes into abutment against the abutment end-wall of the groove only after the edges of the front plate have come closer together to a certain extent. A single groove suffices when the front plate and the back plate are made integrally. However, when the two plates are separate, a groove must be provided at each of the opposite edges of the front plate.[0011]
• In another aspect, the front plate has a curvature at rest that tends to become accentuated as the press zone moves towards the backing zone. The same may apply for the back plate with a curvature at rest that is less pronounced. Thus, it is guaranteed that the two plates bend with a curvature going in the same direction.[0012]
• According to another characteristic of the invention, the front plate is provided with an opening at which the dispensing orifice of the reservoir is positioned. Advantageously, a pouch defining the reservoir, its movable wall and the dispensing orifice is disposed in fixed manner between the front plate and the back plate with the dispensing orifice positioned at the opening. In a variant, the front plate and the back plate form the reservoir.[0013]
• In another embodiment, the reservoir contains a piece of porous material suitable for being impregnated with fluid, said piece being placed in contact with the dispensing orifice.[0014]
• In another aspect, a removable closure member is initially positioned over the dispensing orifice so as to maintain the reservoir at a minimum volume, in which it substantially contains fluid only, the back plate then being pressed against the front plate.[0015]
• In the same spirit, the present invention also provides a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir of variable volume, said reservoir defining at least one movable wall that can be moved along a first axis to vary the volume of the reservoir, the dispenser further comprising a dispensing orifice in communication with the reservoir so that the fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced, said fluid dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises actuating means defining a press zone and a backing zone, it being possible to move the press zone towards the backing zone along a second axis transverse to the first axis. Advantageously, the press zone being moved towards the backing zone generates an increase in the volume of the reservoir. In which case, the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate and a back flexible plate between which the reservoir is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges so that bringing the opposite edges of the front plate closer together by said front plate flexing leaves the opposite edges of the back plate static relative to each other, and leaves the back plate stress-free.[0016]
• In a first aspect of the invention, the front plate defines the press zone and the backing zone at its opposite edges.[0017]
• In another aspect which may be combined with the preceding aspect, the press zone moving towards the backing zone generates a reduction in the volume of the reservoir. In which case, the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate and a back flexible plate between which the reservoir is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges so that bringing the opposite edges of the front plate closer together by said front plate flexing brings the opposite edges of the back plate closer together by said back plate flexing with curvature going in the same direction as the curvature of the front plate, so that the two plates squeeze the reservoir between them.[0018]
• The general inventive concept of the present invention lies in not acting directly on the movable wall of the reservoir so that it is possible to move it in one direction and/or in the opposite direction, i.e. to increase and/or to decrease the reservoir volume. Naturally, the most advantageous solution lies in increasing and then consecutively decreasing the volume of the reservoir. This general inventive concept results firstly in actuation that makes it possible to increase and then consecutively to decrease the volume of the reservoir, and secondly in actuation whose compression component is exerted between a press zone and a backing zone along an axis that is perpendicular to the axis along which the movable wall of the reservoir is moved.[0019]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings which give embodiments of the invention by way of non-limiting example.[0020]
• In the figures:[0021]
• FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fluid dispenser in a first embodiment of the invention;[0022]
• FIG. 2[0023]ais a vertical section view through the dispenser of FIG. 1, in the assembled state, in the rest position, after the removable closure member has been removed;
• FIG. 2[0024]bis a view similar to the view of FIG. 2a, during the initial actuating stage;
• FIG. 2[0025]cis a view similar to the view in FIGS. 2aand2bshowing the dispenser in the final actuating stage;
• FIG. 3 is a vertical section view through a dispenser in a variant embodiment; and[0026]
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to the view of FIG. 3, for another variant embodiment.[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• The embodiments used to illustrate the present invention and shown in the figures implement actuating principles which can be combined or implemented individually, but which are mutually related by a common general concept which lies in the fact that the pressing needed to move a wall of a fluid reservoir is not applied to said wall. In other words, the user does not act directly on the wall of the reservoir in order to move it, instead the user applies a force between a press zone and a backing zone that are situated outside the movable wall, so as to generate either an increase in the volume of the reservoir, or a decrease in the volume of the reservoir, or indeed a consecutive combination of an increase followed by a decrease, or of a decrease followed by an increase. These actuating principles are applicable more particularly but not exclusively to reservoirs forming or including a movable wall, i.e. a wall that can move, e.g. in a reservoir body, or a wall that is deformable relative to the remainder of the reservoir. For example, the movable wall may be in the form of a follower or scraper piston that is mounted to slide in leaktight manner in a drum-shaped reservoir. The deformable wall may, for example, be a flexible wall of a pouch, as it is in the embodiments shown in the figures.[0028]
• Reference is made firstly to FIGS. 1, 2[0029]a,2b, and2cto explain the first embodiment of the invention. The fluid dispenser is a dispenser for dispensing a fluid that may be in liquid form or in powder form, and it comprises a fluid pouch given overallnumerical reference3, and handle and actuating means, formed in this example by two plates, namely afront plate1 and aback plate2. In this example, the actuating means also serve as covering means and as resilient return means for thefluid pouch3.
• The[0030]fluid pouch3 is made up of twosheets31 and32 which are advantageously made of a material that is easily deformable. Naturally, it is possible to imagine that the twosheets31,32 may be connected together along one edge so as to form a single folded-over sheet. Each sheet defines aperipheral margin zone310,320. Theseperipheral zones310,320 are designed to be joined together in leaktight manner, e.g. by a heat-sealing technique. A volume is thus defined between the twosheets31 and32 that serves as afluid reservoir30, as can be seen in FIGS. 2a,2b, and2c. One of the sheets, namelysheet31 in this example, is provided with a dispensinghole311. Thus, the fluid stored in thereservoir30 of thepouch3 can exit from the reservoir through the dispensingorifice311. Since thesheets31 and32 are made of a material that is easily deformable, each of them forms a deformable or movable actuating wall on which it is possible to act to cause the inside volume of thereservoir30 to vary. By moving them apart, the volume of the reservoir is increased, as shown in FIG. 2b, and by moving them together, the volume of the reservoir is decreased, as shown in FIGS. 2aand2c. If thesheet31 is held in fixed manner,sheet32 is then considered to be the actuating wall of thepouch3, and vice versa. Advantageously, thereservoir30 contains a piece ofporous material33 which is advantageously fixed to thesheet31 at the dispensingorifice311. It is even advantageous for thepiece33 to be in direct contact with theorifice311. The function of thepiece33 is to become impregnated or soaked with the fluid, in liquid or powder form, stored in thereservoir30 of thepouch3. Thereservoir30 may contain fluid only, but preferably it contains both the fluid and a gas, e.g. air. Thus, particularly when the pouch contains a piece ofporous material33, the air in thereservoir30 can be driven out through the piece ofporous material33 filled with fluid when the volume of the reservoir is decreased. This results in a mixture of the fluid and of air being sprayed out through the dispensingorifice311. By providing spring means for moving thesheet32 away from thesheet31, so as to define a maximum reservoir volume, it is possible to use thepouch3 as an independent fluid dispenser. This applies, for example, to the above-mentioned priorart document FR 2 791 645. However, in the present invention, it is preferable for thepouch3 not to have spring means internal or specific to it. In other words, it is preferable for thesheets31 and32 of the sheet to be freely deformable, and not urged apart or together by spring means of the pouch, even incorporated in or intrinsic to thesheets31 and32. For example, it is not necessary for one or both of the two sheets to have shape memory. However, that is not excluded either.
• Naturally, it is possible to imagine other embodiments for the[0031]pouch3. The essential point lies in the fact that thepouch3 defines a reservoir having at least one movable or deformable actuating wall so as to be able to cause the internal volume of the reservoir to vary so as to be able to deliver the fluid that it contains, optionally as a mixture with a gas, through a dispensing orifice. For example, the dispensing orifice may be formed in a separate part mounted on a sheet or between the two sheets. It is also possible to imagine using other elements to form the casing of the reservoir. For example, it is possible to imagine a support plate to which a deformable or movable membrane is fixed in leaktight manner.
• The actuating means which, in this example, are in the form of two[0032]plates1 and2, serve firstly for varying the internal volume of thereservoir30 by moving or deforming one sheet relative to the other. The actuating means can also act on the volume of the reservoir so as to increase it and/or so as to decrease it. The actuating means comprise a press zone and a backing zone via which zones the dispenser can be grasped, e.g. with one hand by positioning the thumb on the backing zone and one or more other fingers of the same hand on the press zone or vice versa. By pressing in this way with the hand on the press zone so as to move it towards the backing zone, the volume of the reservoir is caused to vary, either so that it increases or so that it decreases, or indeed so that it is subjected to a consecutive combination of an increase followed by a decrease, or of a decrease followed by an increase.
• In the embodiment shown in the figures, and in particular in FIGS. 1, 2[0033]a,2b, and2c, thefront plate1 forms the press zone and the backing zone, as explained below. Thefront plate1 comprises afront panel10 defining two opposite side edges13, atop edge11, and abottom edge12 opposite the top edge. Thepanel10 is further provided with a throughopening14 which is disposed substantially centrally in this example. In this example, thetop edge11 is formed by a longitudinal edge that extends substantially perpendicularly to the plane of thepanel10. The edge is then extended by aflap111 which extends parallel to the plane of thepanel10. The same applies for thebottom edge12 which is also formed by an edge provided with aflap121. The twoflaps111 and121 point towards each other. Thus, twogrooves112 and122 are formed that are open facing each other. Thegroove112 is formed between theflap111 and thepanel10, and it has an end-wall formed by theedge11 which forms the top edge of theplate1. In symmetrical manner, thegroove122 is formed between theflap121 and thepanel10, and it has an end-wall formed by the edge that defines the bottom edge of theplate1. In this example, theflaps111 and121 extend over the entire width of the plate. However, it is possible to imagine embodiments in which the grooves extend over only a fraction of the width of theplate1, so that thetop edge11 and thebottom edge12 occupy only portions of the edges that connect thepanel10 to theflaps111 and121. Other portions of thetop edge11 and of thebottom edge12 can then have the same shape as the side edges13.
• In the invention, the[0034]sheet1 has a certain amount of rigidity, while also having a certain amount of elastic deformability. The sheet can thus be bent or curved elastically by exerting stress between thetop edge11 and thebottom edge12. It is thus possible to move theedge11 towards theedge12 by elastically deforming thepanel10 by curving it. It is almost impossible to deform theplate1 in the other direction, especially when theflaps111 extend over the entire width of theplate1. Theflaps111 and122 reinforce the rigidity of theplate1 at theedges11 and12. In contrast, since the side edges13 are not reinforced, it is possible to deform them in flexing or buckling. It is advantageous for theplate1 to have elastic shape memory so that it always returns to its rest position. As shown in FIG. 1, thepanel10 is shown as being exactly plane. However, it is preferable for thepanel10 to have initial rounding or curvature, as shown in FIG. 2a. The initial curvature guarantees that thepanel10 is always deformed in the same direction, namely leftwards in FIG. 2a.
• The[0035]plate1 may be made of any material, such as, for example, plastic, metal, card, or a laminate of metal, of plastic, and/or of card.
• The[0036]back plate2 may be made of the same material as thefront plate1. It may also have the same rigidity and deformability characteristics as thefront plate1. Theback plate2 is in the form of apanel20 which is substantially plane or slightly curved. Theback panel20 has twoside edges23, atop edge21 and anopposite bottom edge22. If thepanel20 is made with a slight curvature, said curvature extends over the height of thepanel20, so that the side edges23 are curved, while theedges21 and22 remain rectilinear. It is advantageous for the curvature of thepanel20 to be in the same direction as the initial curvature of thefront panel10 of theplate1. Theback panel20 is uninterrupted in this example, but it may also be cut out locally if necessary. Like thepanel10, thepanel20 is entirely smooth in this example, but it is also possible to imagine panels having shaped sections for functional reasons or for reasons of appearance.
• The[0037]back plate2 is mounted on thefront plate1 by inserting thebottom edge22 in thebottom groove122, and by inserting thetop edge21 in thetop groove112. The height of theback plate2 as defined by the height of the side edges23 is advantageously greater than the distance between the end-wall of thebottom groove122 and the free bottom edge of theflap111. Thus, theback plate2 is secured to thefront plate1 and cannot become disengaged from thegrooves112 and122, since thetop edge21 of theplate2 extends beyond the bottom free edge of theflap111, as can be seen in FIG. 2a, even in the rest position. For example, it is possible to engage theplate2 in theplate1 by lateral sliding. Once theplate2 is engaged in the grooves and disposed behind theplate1, a single subassembly is obtained in which theback plate2 can nevertheless move by axial sliding and with vertical clearance. It is advantageous for thetop edge21 of theplate2 not to be in abutment against the end-wall of thegroove112, but rather for there to remain a gap that defines the vertical clearance for theplate2 behind theplate1 in the rest position. Thebottom edge22 of theplate2 may even be fixed in thebottom groove122. In which case, theplate2 can no longer slide behind theplate1, but thetop edge21 of theplate2 remains free, and the entire clearance is defined between theedge21 and the end-wall of thegroove112.
• Since the[0038]front plate1 and theback plate2 are elastically deformable to some extent, it is possible to deform thefront plate1 by holding it between its press zone defined by thetop edge11 and its backing zone defined by thebottom edge12, as can be seen in FIG. 2b. Bringing theedge11 towards theedge12 firstly deforms thefront panel10 of theplate1 by accentuating its curvature. During this time, theback plate2 remains stress-free. Thefront plate1 continues to be curved, and the back plate remains stress-free until thetop edge21 of theback plate2 comes into abutment against the end-wall of thegroove112, as shown in FIG. 2b. Since the front plate has accentuated its curvature while the back plate has remained static, thefront plate1 has moved away from theback plate2 at theopening14. It can even be observed that the volume defined between the two plates has increased between FIG. 2aand FIG. 2b.
• By continuing to press on the[0039]zone11 in reaction relative to thezone12, starting from the position shown in FIG. 2b, theback plate2 starts curving, advantageously in the same direction as thefront plate1. This can be seen in FIG. 2c. The two plates being deformed simultaneously results in theback plate2 being brought closer to thefront plate1 at theopening14. It can even be observed that the volume defined between the two plates has decreased between the position in FIG. 2band the position in FIG. 2c.
• Thus, by bringing the[0040]press zone1 closer to thebacking zone12, starting from the rest position shown in FIG. 2a, firstly the two plates are moved apart at theopening14 to reach the position in FIG. 2b. Then, by continuing to bring the press zone towards the backing zone, the two plates come closer together again at theopening14. It should be noted that the two plates moving apart and then back together is generated by a single movement whereby theedges11 and12 are brought closer together. In addition, it should also be noted that thezones11 and12 are brought together along an axis which is transverse or perpendicular to the axis along which thewalls1 and2 move at theopening14. Thus, a force exerted along one axis generates movement along a transverse or perpendicular axis. And this movement generates a variation in distance and in volume between the two plates.
• Naturally, it is possible to imagine a variant embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, in which the[0041]back plate2 is made integrally with thefront plate1. Thebottom edge22′ of FIG. 3 may, for example, be connected integrally to theflap121′.
• In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2[0042]a,2b,2c, and3, thepouch3 containing the fluid in liquid or in powder form is disposed between the twoplates1 and2. Thefront sheet1 provided with the dispensingorifice311 may, for example, be fixed to thefront panel1 around theopening14. In addition, theback sheet32 of thepouch3 may be fixed to theback plate2 substantially at the dispensingorifice311. It is preferable for the remainder of thepouch3 not to be connected to theplates1 and2. Advantageously, the dispenser may be provided with aremovable closure member4 which is received in theopening14 and which closes off the dispensingorifice311 in leaktight manner. Prior to use, theremovable closure member4 can be removed so as to unmask the dispensing orifice, as shown in FIGS. 2aand3. Provision may even be made for thereservoir30 to contain fluid only, until theremovable closure member4 has been removed. Thus, the reservoir is maintained at a minimum volume so that theback plate2 is pressed against thefront plate1. After theremovable closure member4 has been removed, air can penetrate into thereservoir30 through the dispensingorifice311 and through the piece ofporous material33. The volume of thereservoir30 can then increase slightly because the back plate can relax to return to its initial rest position shown in FIG. 2aor FIG. 3. However, it is also possible to make provision for the dispenser to be in the form shown in FIGS. 2aand3 when theremovable closure member4 is in place. In any event, after theclosure member4 is removed, the dispenser is in the form shown in FIG. 2aor FIG. 3. By pressing on thepress zone11 and on thebacking zone12, as shown in FIG. 2b, initially thefront plate1 is deformed while leaving theback plate2 stress-free, so that thefront plate1 moves away from theback plate2 at theopening14 at which thedispensing orifice1 is situated. Since thefront sheet31 is connected to thefront plate1 and theback sheet32 is connected to theback sheet2, thefront sheet31 is pulled away from theback sheet32, thereby generating an increase in the volume of thereservoir30. This can be seen in FIG. 2b. By continuing to press, theback panel2 is also deformed so that it moves closer to thefront panel1 at theopening14. This brings theback sheet2 closer to thefront sheet31, thereby reducing the internal volume of thereservoir30. During the stage going from FIG. 2ato FIG. 2b, air is drawn into thereservoir30 through the dispensingorifice311, and then, during the stage going from FIG. 2bto FIG. 2c, the air sucked in previously is delivered through the dispensingorifice311 as a mixture with some of the fluid contained initially in thereservoir30. Thus, in a single actuating action, the reservoir is firstly filled with air, and then the air is expelled as a mixture with fluid from the reservoir. This takes place without pressing directly on the actuating wall(s) of the reservoir. On the contrary, a press zone and a backing zone are used that are remote from the actuating walls of the reservoir, which makes it possible, during a single common actuating action, to increase or to decrease the volume of the reservoir, or both to increase and to decrease the volume of the reservoir.
• The invention thus should not be considered merely as lying in the capacity to increase and then to decrease the volume of the reservoir by acting on press and backing zones that are connected indirectly to the actuating walls of the reservoir. The invention may also be seen to lie in the possibility of increasing the volume of the reservoir by acting on press and backing zones along an axis that is transverse or perpendicular to the movement of the actuating walls of the reservoir. This corresponds merely to the initial stage going from FIG. 2[0043]ato FIG. 2b.
• The invention may also be seen to lie in the possibility of decreasing the volume of the reservoir by acting on press and backing zones along an axis that is transverse or perpendicular to the movement of the actuating wall(s) of the reservoir. This corresponds to the stage going from FIG. 2[0044]bto FIG. 2c.
• Naturally, the combination of these stages, namely a stage in which the volume of the reservoir is increased followed by a stage in which the volume of the reservoir is decreased is preferred, because this makes it possible, in a single common action, to generate two opposing and complementary actuating stages.[0045]
• In a variant embodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to omit the[0046]pouch3 containing the fluid, and to use the front andback plates1′ and2′ directly to form thefluid reservoir30. Thetop edge21′ of theback plate2′ may be fixed indirectly to thegroove112′, or, in a variant, it is possible to provide a flexible link so that the dispenser can also perform the initial stage of increasing the reservoir going from FIG. 2ato FIG. 2b.
• In all of the embodiments, in which the reservoir increases in volume, it is necessary for the[0047]back plate2,2′ to have rigidity and/or elasticity sufficient to enable the front plate to bend without the back plate bending, so as to enable the volume of the reservoir to be increased.
• If the back plate is too flexible, it is entrained by the front plate without generating an increase in the volume of the reservoir. The rigidities and/or elasticities of the two plates may be different: for example, the front plate may be more flexible than the back plate.[0048]
• As soon as the reservoir has reached its maximum volume, the back plate can start bending with front plate.[0049]
• By means of the invention, it is possible to obtain a preferably two-phase fluid dispenser that does not have a permanent return spring, and that, when actuated, makes it possible for the volume of the reservoir to be consecutively increased and then decreased.[0050]

Claims (21)

1/ A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (30) of variable volume, said reservoir defining at least one movable wall (31,32;1′,2′) that can be moved to vary the volume of the reservoir, the dispenser further comprising a dispensing orifice (311;15′) in communication with the reservoir so that fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced;

said fluid dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises actuating means (1,2;1′,2′) making it possible, in a first stage, to increase the volume of the reservoir by drawing air into the reservoir, and then, in a second stage, to reduce the volume of the reservoir by delivering air and fluid through the dispensing orifice.

2/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which the actuating means comprise a press zone (11) and a backing zone (12), the press zone being moved towards the backing zone generating an increase and then a decrease in the volume of the reservoir.

3/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate (1;1′) and a back flexible plate (2,2′) between which the reservoir is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges (11,12) so that bringing the opposite edges (11,12) of the front plate (1) closer together by said front plate flexing leaves the opposite edges (21,22) of the back plate (2) static relative to each other and leaves the back plate (2) stress-free in said first stage, and then, in said second stage, brings the opposite edges (21,22) of the back plate closer together by said back plate flexing with curvature going in the same direction as the curvature of the front plate, so that the two plates squeeze the reservoir between them.

4/ A dispenser according toclaim 3, in which the front plate (1) defines the press zone (11) and the backing zone (12).

5/ A dispenser according toclaim 3, in which at least one edge (11) of the front plate (1) is provided with a flap (111) defining a groove (112) into which the corresponding edge (21) of the back plate (2) is engaged loosely.

6/ A dispenser according toclaim 5, in which the groove (111) forms an abutment end-wall (11) which, at rest, is separated from the respective edge (21) of the back plate (2), so that the edge (21) of the back plate (2) comes into abutment against the abutment end-wall (11) of the groove (111) only after the edges (11,12) of the front plate (1) have come closer together to a certain extent.

7/ A dispenser according toclaim 3, in which the front plate (1) has a curvature at rest that tends to become accentuated as the press zone (11) moves towards the backing zone (12).

8/ A dispenser according toclaim 3, in which the front plate (1) is provided with an opening (14) at which the dispensing orifice of the reservoir (311) is positioned.

9/ A dispenser according toclaim 8, in which a pouch (3) defining the reservoir (30), its movable wall (31,32) and the dispensing orifice (311) is disposed in fixed manner between the front plate (1) and the back plate (2) with the dispensing orifice (311) positioned at the opening (14).

10/ A dispenser according toclaim 3, in which the front plate (1′) and the back plate (2′) form the reservoir (30).

11/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which the reservoir (30) contains a piece of porous material (33) suitable for being impregnated with fluid, said piece (33) being placed in contact with the dispensing orifice (311;15′).

12/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which the front plate (1) and the back plate (2) are connected together integrally.

13/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which a removable closure member (4) is initially positioned over the dispensing orifice (311;15′) so as to maintain the reservoir at a minimum volume, in which it substantially contains fluid only, the back plate then being pressed against the front plate.

14/ A fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid in liquid or powder form, the fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (30) of variable volume, said reservoir defining at least one movable wall (31,32;1′,2′) that can be moved along a first axis to vary the volume of the reservoir, the dispenser further comprising a dispensing orifice (311;15′) in communication with the reservoir so that the fluid from the reservoir can be delivered through the dispensing orifice when the volume of the reservoir is reduced, said fluid dispenser being characterized in that it further comprises actuating means (1,2;1′,2′) defining a press zone (11) and a backing zone (12), it being possible to move the press zone (11) towards the backing zone (12) along a second axis transverse to the first axis.

15/ A dispenser according toclaim 14, in which the press zone (11) being moved towards the backing zone (12) generates an increase in the volume of the reservoir.

16/ A dispenser according toclaim 14, in which the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate (1,1′) and a back flexible plate (2;2′) between which the reservoir (30) is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges (11,12) so that bringing the opposite edges (11,12) of the front plate closer together by said front plate flexing leaves the opposite edges (21,22) of the back plate (2) static relative to each other, and leaves the back plate stress-free.

17/ A dispenser according toclaim 14, in which the press zone (11) moving towards the backing zone (12) generates a reduction in the volume of the reservoir.

18/ A dispenser according toclaim 17, in which the actuating means comprise a front flexible plate (1;1′) and a back flexible plate (2,2′) between which the reservoir is situated, the front plate being secured to the back plate at respective opposite edges (11,12) so that bringing the opposite edges (11,12) of the front plate closer together by said front plate flexing brings the opposite edges (21,22) of the back plate closer together by said back plate flexing with curvature going in the same direction as the curvature of the front plate, so that the two plates squeeze the reservoir between them.

19/ A dispenser according toclaim 16, in which the front plate (1) defines the press zone (11) and the backing zone (12) at its opposite edges.

20/ A dispenser according toclaim 1, in which the back plate has rigidity sufficient to enable the front plate to bend without the back plate bending, so as thereby to increase the volume of the reservoir.

21/ A dispenser according toclaim 14, in which the back plate has rigidity sufficient to enable the front plate to bend without the back plate bending, so as thereby to increase the volume of the reservoir.

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