Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1081—Arrangements for pumping several liquids or other fluent materials from several containers, e.g. for mixing them at the moment of pumping
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0037—Containers
  • B05B11/0038—Inner container disposed in an outer shell or outer casing
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0027—Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0037—Containers
  • B05B11/0054—Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0078—Arrangements for separately storing several components
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/76—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for dispensing fluent contents by means of a piston
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47K—SANITARY EQUIPMENT; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR, e.g. TOILET ACCESSORIES
  • A47K5/00—Holders or dispensers for soap, toothpaste or the like
  • A47K5/06—Dispensers for soap
  • A47K5/12—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap
  • A47K5/1202—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume
  • A47K5/1204—Dispensers for soap for liquid or pasty soap dispensing dosed volume by means of a rigid dispensing chamber and pistons
  • A47K5/1207—Dispensing from the bottom of the dispenser with a vertical piston
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
  • B05B11/1009—Piston pumps actuated by a lever
  • B05B11/1011—Piston pumps actuated by a lever without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2583/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D2583/005—Dispensers provided with a replaceable cartridge, recharge or pouch located within the dispenser
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
  • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
  • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Definitions

• the invention relates to a secure envelope for a metering pump reservoir for fluid dispensing, allowing the securing of the dosage and the traceability of the distribution.
• the invention also relates to a cartridge comprising such a casing and a fluid reservoir provided with a mechanical pump, as well as to an automatic dispenser for implementing such a cartridge.
• This type of concern also concerns the field of food supplements in order to optimize the effectiveness of these supplements while limiting negative effects and / or overdoses, and by adapting in real time the composition of the solution to the actual needs. patient or consumer.
• automatic dispensers comprising at least two cartridges of different components and a mechanical pumping mechanism (syringe push type) or pneumatic.
• the patent document FR3044219 describes an automated device comprising a control interface controlling syringe pumps causing the injection of the contents of the syringes into flexible tubes which meet in a mixing zone consisting of a connector with several inputs, connected to an ejection cone of the cosmetic composition thus prepared.
• fluid any liquid, viscous or pasty product that can be dispensed by a metering pump from a reservoir to a product outlet.
• tamper-evident is meant that any removal of product outside the machine requires permanent and voluntary damage to the cartridge which cannot be camouflaged or repaired.
• the machine can only offer a limited number of cartridges, which limits the combinations of products and is not desirable.
• cartridges of different and non-standard shapes offer cartridges of different and non-standard shapes.
• the use of cartridges of the same standard form would make it possible, with a limited number of locations, to offer a very extensive catalog of products, provided that the machine can know which product is in which location in order to be able to deliver the required mixture, in the required dosage, without the possibility of bypassing or dispensing out of the machine unnoticed.
• the object of the invention is therefore to make it possible to dispense a liquid content with a precise dosage by a mechanical action of a dispenser on the cartridge, while excluding the possibility of using the product contained by the cartridge without the assistance of the distributor, that is to say by preventing recovery of the contents by a non-destructive manual action.
• the invention also aims to allow automatic and secure verification of the cartridge, that is to say without user intervention and therefore without risk of human error, to ensure the correct use of the cartridge, as well as its traceability, dosage and limit the use of the cartridge to a predefined dispensing quantity to avoid overuse, even involuntary, of a potentially dangerous product.
• An objective of the present invention is to provide a cartridge allowing precise dispensing, traceable and protected from a fluidic solution by an automated dispenser.
• the invention aims to allow precise, traceable and protected distribution of fluidic solution through the automatic actuation of the metering pump of a reservoir by an automated dispenser.
• Another objective is to provide an inexpensive cartridge making it possible to implement an inexpensive automatic dispenser.
• One of the ideas at the basis of the invention is to use product reservoirs comprising a mechanical pump of the metering pump type, but modified to be able to be actuated by the automatic dispenser while prohibiting manual actuation of the pump.
• the invention provides a simple and inexpensive solution, making it possible to use commercial reservoirs, such as those described in patents EP1412263 and EP2841206, and which allow the distribution of a product in a sterile manner.
• the invention proposes to use a standard reservoir regardless of the product, provided with a metering pump and to add a special rigid envelope which completely covers the reservoir provided with the metering pump and which is designed to allow a automatic activation and prohibit manual activation of the dosing pump, and which can integrate other functions, in particular for securing the delivery of the product.
• a cartridge according to the invention thus comprises a rigid casing in which there is a fluid reservoir provided with a mechanical metering pump making it possible to dispense a known dose by a mechanical action on the tank.
• the reservoir can be simple, or composed of a rigid part in which there is a flexible bag containing the product.
• the cartridges are used to contain a product (solution) in the form of a fluid, and are actuated mechanically by an automatic dispenser to distribute their content.
• the invention relates to an automatic dispenser for fluid products contained in cartridges, the dispenser comprising at least two fluid product cartridges each comprising a fluid reservoir provided with a mechanical pump which can be activated in one direction. axial and having a product ejection orifice in a determined direction, and a rigid protective casing comprising a first outlet orifice intended to be connected with the ejection orifice of the pump, and at least one actuation orifice , automatic distributer further comprising at least two actuator rods selectively drivable in an axial direction of activation of the mechanical pump of the cartridges, each actuator rod being intended to be inserted into the actuation port of a cartridge for actuating the mechanical pump, the actuating orifices and the actuating rods having a section of less than 9 millimeters, advantageously less than 6 millimeters, typically between 3 and 6 millimeters.
• each actuating rod can be mounted so as to pivot and be intended to be inserted into the actuation orifice of the casing and to engage in a bracket carried by the reservoir of each cartridge to press the mechanical pump of the cartridge through the actuation orifice;
• each actuator rod can be mounted to move in translation parallel to the axial direction of actuation of the pump of the cartridges, each actuator rod being intended to be inserted into an actuation orifice of a cartridge, the orifice being arranged in the axial direction with respect to the pump;
• the cartridges can also comprise an electronic chip capable of being read and / or written, the automatic dispenser comprising a system for reading / writing the electronic chip of each cartridge;
• the vending machine can include a connection to a remote information storage database via a communication network, in which the chip stores at least one serial number of the cartridge, the vending machine being programmed to read the serial number in each chip, connect to the remote database to consult the stored information corresponding to the serial number of each cartridge, adapt the actuation of the corresponding cartridge according to this information and modify this information in the remote database to take into account the actuation of the cartridge;
• the chip can store at least one information relating to the product contained in the cartridge, the dispenser being programmed to read the information stored in each chip, and allow the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the product contained in the cartridge must be dispensed and block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the product contained in the cartridge is not to be dispensed;
• the chip can store at least one cartridge usage history information, the dispenser being programmed to read the usage history information stored in each chip, adapt the actuation of the corresponding cartridge as a function of this information and modify the usage history of the cartridge in each chip to take into account the actuation of the cartridge;
• the chip can also store information on the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product, the dispenser being programmed to read the information stored in each chip, consult the usage history information, allow the actuation of the cartridge corresponding if the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product is not exceeded and block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product is exceeded;
• the chip can store at least one information on the time limit for use of the cartridge, the dispenser being programmed to read the information on the time limit for use stored in each chip, allowing the corresponding cartridge to be actuated if the time limit of use of the cartridge is not exceeded, and block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the limit of use of the cartridge is exceeded;
• the chip can store at least one piece of information on the quantity of product remaining in the cartridge, the dispenser being programmed to read the information on the quantity of product remaining in the cartridge stored in each chip, warning the user when the quantity of product remaining in the cartridge a cartridge is less than a predetermined threshold quantity; and or
• the cartridges may include a casing provided with a passive access lock movable between an access locking position of the actuation orifices and an access unlocking position of said at least one actuation orifice, the lock comprising : at least one concealing fin of said at least one actuation orifice, at least one spring tongue intended to deform elastically against at least one wedge carried by an interior surface of the casing, a drive sleeve intended to receive an unlocking member for moving said at least one concealing fin from the locking position to the unlocking position, said at least one spring tab being arranged relative to said at least one concealing fin so that unlocking position, the or each spring tab is elastically deformed against the or each wedge and said at least one concealing fin does not block said at least an activation orifice, and that in the locked position, said at least one spring tab is elastically deformed against said at least one wedge and said at least one concealment fin closes said au less one activation orifice, the dispenser comprising an unlocking member capable of cooperating with the drive
• the invention also relates to a protective casing for a fluid reservoir provided with a mechanical pump which can be activated in an axial direction and having a product ejection orifice in a determined direction, in which the casing is rigid and comprises a first outlet orifice intended to be connected with the ejection orifice of the pump, and at least one actuation orifice capable of cooperating, in use, with an actuating rod carried by an automatic dispenser above to actuate the mechanical pump, the actuation orifice having a section less than 9 millimeters, advantageously less than 6 millimeters, typically between 3 and 6 millimeters.
• This envelope therefore allows distribution by the automatic dispenser while preventing manual access to the metering pump to prevent manual distribution of the product.
• the envelope may further include a housing for an electronic chip capable of being read and / or written by a corresponding electronic system of a previous vending machine;
• the housing can be arranged in the casing, under a face of the casing perpendicular to the axial longitudinal direction;
• the housing can be arranged centrally with respect to a median longitudinal axis of the envelope
• the casing may further include a passive access lock movable between an access locking position of the actuation orifices and an access unlocking position of said at least one actuation orifice, the lock comprising : at least one concealing fin of said at least one actuation orifice, at least one spring tongue intended to deform elastically against at least one wedge carried by an interior surface of the casing, a drive sleeve intended to receive an unlocking member for moving said at least one concealment fin from the locking position to the unlocking position, said at least one spring tab being arranged relative to said at least one concealing fin so that in the unlocked position, the or each spring tab is elastically deformed against the or each wedge and said at least one fin of occultation does not block said at least one activation orifice, and that in the locked position, said at least one spring tab is elastically deformed against said at least one wedge and said at least one concealment fin closes said at least one activation orifice;
• the outlet port may be fitted with a tube for connection to the pump ejection port, in the use position;
• connection tube may have a shape such that in use, the product is ejected from the outlet port in a direction different from the ejection direction of the pump ejection port;
• the actuation orifice may be a hole with a section of less than 9 millimeters, advantageously less than 6 millimeters, typically between 3 and 6 millimeters;
• the actuation orifice may have a slit shape with a width of less than 9 millimeters, preferably less than 6 millimeters, typically between 3 and 6 millimeters;
• the casing may include a first housing part intended to receive a fluid reservoir provided with a mechanical pump which can be activated in an axial direction, and a second closure part intended to be fixed on the first housing part when the reservoir is inserted into it;
• the envelope may include a pump activation timing
• the pump inactivation wedging may comprise a flat base provided with at least one rigid locking rod intended to bear against the reservoir in the locking position, the flat base further comprising a clipping portion intended for fit into an orifice of the casing, the casing comprising, on a front face facing the pump and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, at least one orifice intended to receive said at least one locking rod, and on a lateral face parallel to the longitudinal axis, a locking orifice of the clipping portion.
• the subject of the invention is also a fluid product cartridge for a previous automatic dispenser, the cartridge comprising a previous casing and a fluid product reservoir provided with a mechanical pump which can be activated in an axial direction.
• the cartridge may also include an electronic chip capable of being read and / or written by a corresponding electronic system of the vending machine;
• the reservoir may be provided with at least one stirrup intended to receive, in use, an actuating rod driven by an automatic distributor, the stirrup being arranged so as to allow activation of the mechanical pump of the reservoir when the actuating rod is inserted into an actuation orifice of the casing and moves the caliper in the axial direction of actuation of the pump;
• the actuator port may have a slit shape of width less than the finger section of a three-year-old child, and allows actuation of the pump by pivoting of the actuator rod in use;
• the actuation orifice of the rigid casing can be arranged in the axial direction of actuation of the pump and is intended to receive, in use, an actuating rod driven in translation by the automatic distributor to allow actuation of the pump by a translation parallel to the axial direction of actuation of the pump of the actuating rod.
• FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a cartridge casing according to the invention, in which the actuation orifice has the shape of a slot to allow actuation of the metering pump by a pivoting two activation rods;
• FIG. 2 a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a reservoir intended to be inserted into the envelope of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 a schematic perspective view of the cartridge obtained by assembling the shell of Figure 1 and the reservoir of Figure 2 seen in transparency in the shell;
• FIG. 4 a schematic partial perspective view of the first embodiment of the cartridge of Figure 3 engaged with two actuating rods of an automatic dispenser according to the invention, before actuation of the metering pump;
• FIG. 5 a schematic partial perspective view of the first embodiment of the cartridge of FIG. 3 engaged with two actuating rods of an automatic dispenser according to the invention, after actuation of the metering pump;
• FIG. 6 a schematic perspective view of an advantageous embodiment of a closure part of the casing comprising the outlet orifice of the casing provided with a connecting tube to the ejection orifice of the casing. the metering pump;
• FIG. 7 a schematic plan view seen from below of the closure part of FIG. 4;
• FIG. 8 a schematic side view plan view of a closure part comprising a housing for an electronic chip
• FIG. 9 a schematic plan view from below of a second embodiment of a cartridge casing according to the invention comprising a closure part provided with actuation holes arranged in the axial actuation direction with respect to the metering pump;
• FIG. 10 a schematic perspective view of the activation of the metering pump of the embodiment of Figure 9, directly from above the pump;
• FIG. 11 a schematic perspective view of a variant of activation of the metering pump indirectly through the bottom of the tank;
• FIG. 12 a schematic perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a closure part of the casing comprising an outlet port directly connectable to the ejection port of the metering pump;
• FIG. 13 a schematic perspective view from a low angle of one embodiment of an access lock to the actuating holes of a casing according to the invention
• FIG. 14 a schematic top view of the access lock of Figure 13;
• FIG. 15 a schematic view in partial section of a cartridge provided with a casing according to the invention equipped with the access lock of Figures 13 and 14;
• FIG. 16 a schematic perspective view of the cartridge of Figure 15, the envelope of which is illustrated in transparency, and the latch of which is in the locked position, closing off the activation holes;
• FIG. 17 a schematic perspective view seen from above of the cartridge of FIG. 16;
• FIG. 18 a schematic perspective view of the cartridge of FIG. 15, the envelope of which is illustrated in transparency, and the latch of which is in the unlocked position, opening the activation holes;
• FIG. 19 a schematic perspective view seen from above of the cartridge of FIG. 18;
• FIG. 20 a schematic partial sectional view of a cartridge fitted with an accidental pump inactivation timing
• FIG. 21 a schematic perspective view of the inactivation timing of Figure 20.
• Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a casing 100 for tamper-proof protection of a cartridge according to the invention.
• the envelope 100 is intended to completely cover a fluid reservoir 200 (see Figure 2) provided with a mechanical metering pump 210 which can be activated in an axial direction X-X.
• the metering pump 210 is provided with a product ejection orifice 211 in a determined direction Fl.
• the casing 100 is rigid and includes an outlet orifice 111 intended to be opposite the ejection orifice 211 of the pump 210.
• one of the surfaces of the casing has one or more actuation openings allowing the vending machine to access the activation mechanism of the pumps to perform the dispensation.
• These orifices are significantly smaller in size than a child's finger of age to operate the metering pump (i.e. capable of applying a force of about 30 Newtons), typically a child of at least three years, and a fortiori of an adult, in order to prevent the accidental use of cartridges outside the vending machine.
• the casing 100 comprises two actuating orifices 101 intended to receive, in use, an actuating rod carried by an automatic distributor to mechanically actuate the metering pump.
• the actuation orifices 101 have a slot shape to allow actuation of the metering pump by a pivoting of two activation rods (see Figures 4 and 5).
• a slot is an oblong orifice, that is to say narrow and long. In other words, its length is much greater than its width and its depth (which corresponds to the thickness of the envelope).
• the width of the slit is less than the diameter of a finger of a three-year-old child.
• a hole is defined, in the present description, as an opening whose width and length are of the same order of magnitude, ie its length is less than twice its width.
• a hole can have a circular or polygonal section. What matters, according to the invention, is that the section of the hole is smaller than the section of a finger of a three-year-old child.
• the actuating orifices having a section (here the width) less than a finger section of a three-year-old child, which prevents him from being able to access with his fingers the mechanism of the dosing pump from the reservoir and manually trigger the delivery of product contained in the reservoir.
• a slot width 101 (or the diameter of a cylindrical orifice for the other embodiments described below) according to the invention is between 3 and 6 millimeters, typically of the order of 4 millimeters.
• the envelope is made of a solid, non-deformable material, and completely covers the reservoir provided with the metering pump.
• the inviolable nature of the casing applies to the actuation orifice and resides in the fact that in order to actuate the pump with the fingers, it is necessary to enlarge the hole, which is an alteration final and visible from the envelope.
• the casing comprises a safety lock closing the orifices when the cartridge is outside the dispenser, thus preventing the insertion of rods of diameter smaller than the section of the actuation ports.
• the casing 100 comprises a first tubular housing part 120 intended to receive the fluid reservoir and its pump, and a second closure part 130 intended to be fixed on the first housing part when the reservoir is inserted into it.
• this fixation is irreversible to avoid any invisible disassembly of the cartridge.
• the fixing can be done by means of glue or spring tabs provided with a breaking line in the event of forcing beyond a threshold pullout force.
• the joint plane between the two parts of the envelope can be covered with a sticky and tearable witness tape, making any disassembly visible.
• the disassembly of the two parts can only be done using specialized tools not marketed, so as to allow the disassembly and recycling of the different parts of the cartridge.
• Figure 2 illustrates a reservoir 200 adapted to the envelope embodiment of Figure 1.
• This reservoir 200 comprises two brackets 201 each intended to receive an actuating rod driven by an automatic distributor.
• Each caliper is arranged so as to allow the activation of the mechanical pump 210 of the reservoir when the corresponding actuating rod is inserted into an actuating orifice 101 of the casing 100 and moves the caliper 201 in the axial direction X-X of pump actuation.
• the brackets 201 are integral with the reservoir and are arranged above the pump in the figure. So when the pump is on a stationary surface, lowering the calipers lowers the reservoir relative to the pump and relative to the casing, which activates the pump and releases a dose of product.
• the reservoir 200 is inserted into the first housing part 120 of the casing 100, so that the bottom 222 of the reservoir is against the bottom 122 of the first housing part 120 of the envelope, and that the pump 210 is arranged towards the still open end of the first housing part 120 of the envelope 100.
• the envelope in the position of use, the envelope is assembled around the reservoir provided with the metering pump which is positioned upside down.
• the envelope has a shape and dimensions close to the cartridge provided with the metering pump. This ensures both a sliding of the pump or the body of the reservoir with respect to the envelope, and a good constant positioning of the reservoir in the envelope, so that the activation rods or levers can always activate the metering pump. (directly or indirectly as explained later).
• the reservoir cannot tilt in the envelope, which would prevent the activation of the pump, but can slide in the envelope, which allows the activation of the metering pump.
• the casing may include insertion guides and / or wedges for holding the reservoir fitted with the pump.
• the wedges make it possible to adapt reservoirs with a diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the envelope.
• the envelope according to the invention therefore makes it possible to adapt to a large number of tanks of different sizes, while providing a machine with standard size housings.
• the casing can advantageously comprise an inactivation wedge 600 arranged at a distance from the pump 210, bearing against the casing 100 and the reservoir 200, so that the pump 210 cannot be actuated accidentally, by the tank's own weight, in the event of jolts during transport.
• the activation timing 600 maintains a constant space between the pump and the casing.
• inactivation timing 600 comprises a flat base 601 provided with at least one, preferably two rigid locking rods 602 arranged at a distance from the pump 210 and intended, in the blocked position, to bear against the reservoir 200, at the rear of the pump 210.
• the flat base comprises a hard fixing means of the casing, arranged so that movement of the reservoir towards the flat base in the event of accidental shaking is prevented by the rods 602 and that the flat base remains fixed to the 'envelope.
• the fixing means is a notch 603 arranged at the base of the rods 602 such that when the latter are inserted into the orifice 103, the edge of this orifice s 'inserts into the notch 603.
• the flat base 601 rests on this envelope and the tank is prevented from rising towards the flat base by the rods which prevent relative movement of the tank with respect to the 'envelope.
• the fixing means could be a clipping portion extending perpendicularly to the flat base and intended to be inserted into another hole in the casing 100.
• the casing 100 comprises, on its front face 133 located opposite the pump 210 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX, orifices 103 by which are introduced the blocking rod or rods 602, and on a lateral face
• the activation timing 600 prevents the accidental ejection of product by the sheer weight of the reservoir during shaking of the cartridge. In addition, it is easily removable by the user who does not need any tools to remove it.
• this activation wedge is breakable and also serves as a security seal making it possible to ensure the origin and the integrity of the cartridge.
• a lubricant can be added between the reservoir and the casing to ensure easy and durable sliding of the reservoir and actuation of the metering pump.
• the internal surface of the casing is textured and / or covered with a material having a very low coefficient of friction, such as Teflon®.
• the inner surface 124 of the casing comprises reliefs, such as grooves or grooves, ensuring its retention in the casing, while reducing the friction surface between the casing and the reservoir, which reduces friction and ensures perfect compression of the metering pump.
• the casing and the reservoir are made of the same material, which allows an equivalent thermal expansion or contraction and limits the risks of the reservoir blocking in the casing in the event of a temperature variation.
• the contact lines can comprise lubricant or be covered with a material with a low coefficient of friction, such as Teflon®. Since only tangential contact lines are covered in this way, this saves lubricant or low friction material.
• the casing may have an oval cylindrical section, or a polygonal (triangular, square, etc.), of internal dimensions just greater than the external dimensions of the tank fitted with the metering pump to tangentially contact the tank. This ensures that the reservoir fitted with the metering pump is kept in the actuating position while limiting the friction of the body of the reservoir against the casing when the metering pump is actuated.
• the second closure part 130 is fixed on the first part 120, so that the ejection orifice 211 of the reservoir (carried by the pump) is opposite the outlet orifice 111 of the envelope.
• the outlet orifice 111 of the casing comprises a nozzle making it possible to guide the fluid leaving the pump (see Figure 6).
• FIGS 4 and 5 illustrate the actuation of the pump by an automatic distributor of which only the actuating rods 400 are illustrated
• the positioning of the cartridges in their housing engages levers 400 mounted to pivot around the Y axis and intended to engage in a bracket 201 carried by the reservoir to press the mechanical pump of the cartridge through the actuation port.
• the levers 400 are pivoted downward in the direction of arrow F3, making it possible to press the pump against the lower plate 130 of the casing in the direction of the arrow F3 parallel to the axial direction X-X of actuation of the pump.
• the actuating slots 101 have a length such that the actuating levers can press the metering pump completely during the pivoting of the levers.
• the actuation slots 101 are less than a finger section of a three year old child in width, preventing them from accessing the metering pump mechanism of the reservoir with their fingers and manually triggering the delivery of the product contained. in the tank.
• the unique shape of the actuating orifices 101 of the casing allows the passage of the levers, while preventing manual activation of the pump.
• FIG. 6 illustrates an advantageous embodiment, in which the outlet orifice 111 of the casing is provided with a connection tube 112 to the ejection orifice 211 of the pump 210, making it possible to guide the fluid coming out of the pump.
• the casing 100 and in particular, in the variant illustrated, the closure part 130, contains a tube 112 intended to be connected to the ejection orifice 211 of the pump during the assembly of the cartridge. .
• This tube allows the envelope to be easily adapted to the reservoir it contains.
• connection tube 112 has a shape such that the product is ejected through the outlet orifice 111 in a direction F4 different from the ejection direction Fl from the ejection orifice 211 of the pump. .
• This allows the ejection of doses from different cartridges to be directed to a single common area.
• connection tube 112 can potentially be changed in order to be cleaned / decontaminated.
• the closure part 130a can be shaped to include an outlet port 111a directly connectable to the ejection port 211 of the pump during assembly of the cartridge.
• the casing comprises a means for locking the reservoir in rotation with the pump around the X-X axis, and in particular a means for locking the pump in rotation relative to the casing.
• This blocking means can act on the reservoir or on the pump itself.
• the rotation locking means prevents the pump and the casing from being angularly offset, which makes it possible to ensure the alignment between the ejection orifice 211 of the pump and the outlet orifice 111 or 111a of the envelope.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the closure part 130 seen from below, revealing the outlet orifice 111.
• This figure also illustrates a variant of an embodiment of an envelope according to the invention comprising an electronic chip capable of being read and / or written by a corresponding electronic system of a vending machine.
• the closure part 130 comprises, on its outer face, a slot 131 for inserting an electronic chip 140, and on its inner face, that is to say located inside the closed envelope, a housing 132 for said chip 140 (see FIG. 8).
• the electronic chip is directly visible on the bottom or on part of the outer surface of the envelope.
• the electronic chip is placed inside the envelope, so as not to be easily accessible from the outside.
• the closure part 130 has no access slot 131, and the chip is simply positioned in its housing before the envelope is closed. Limiting access to the chip limits malicious access to the information it contains.
• the housing is arranged in the casing, under one face of the casing perpendicular to the axial longitudinal direction XX, namely the front face 133 of the casing located near the pump. 210 of the reservoir 200, or the bottom face 122 of the casing located opposite the pump.
• the housing is arranged centered with respect to a median longitudinal axis X-X of the envelope.
• the face which carries the housing has an access window allowing a metal contactor of the distributor to come into contact with the chip, when the latter is not a radio chip, but a chip with electrical contacts.
• This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it limits energy consumption and improves the security of the communication between the distributor and the chip. In addition, it prevents interference with other devices using radio waves.
• the chip 140 allows software monitoring of the cartridge. This chip 140 is read by the automatic dispenser when the cartridge is placed inside, the automatic dispenser comprising a system for reading / writing the electronic chip of each cartridge.
• the electronic chip may be of the chip card type.
• the housing of each cartridge in the dispenser must allow a read / write contact of the chip by a suitable system of the automatic dispenser.
• only the contacts are accessible from the outside of the envelope, the contact support plate being blocked in the housing to prevent any withdrawal of the smart card from the outside of the envelope.
• the housing of the chip comprises a spring for pressing the chip into the read position when the read / write system of the dispenser is in contact with the chip.
• the electronic chip is a radio chip of the NFC or RFID circuit type, so that it can be read and / or written remotely.
• the chip does not need to be accessible and can be housed safely in the enclosure, limiting any possibility of physical access and therefore of intentional or unintentional alteration.
• the chip stores at least one serial number of the cartridge.
• the vending machine according to the invention comprises a connection to a remote information storage database via a communication network, and it is programmed to read the serial number in each chip, to connect to the base. remote data to consult the stored information corresponding to the serial number of each cartridge, then adapt the actuation of the corresponding cartridge according to this information. It can advantageously be programmed to modify the information in the remote database to take into account the actuation or non-actuation of each cartridge.
• the programming of the dispenser includes a dispensing prescription, that is to say the quantity to be dispensed per dose, per period and per product.
• This prescription can be stored locally in a memory of the distributor, stored remotely in a database that can be consulted via a communication network, or read on a removable medium (smart card or NFC card type) by the distributor and owned by each user. .
• the unique identification number makes it possible to ensure the traceability of the product, from the supplier to the end user.
• the identification number also makes it possible to remotely consult a certain amount of information associated with this serial number in a remote database, in particular information on prescription, history of use, maximum quantity consumable per period of the product. product.
• these data can be adjusted remotely by the prescribing professional, this which allows the distributor according to the invention to distribute updated doses in almost real time and which take into account the progress of the user.
• the chip stores at least one item of information relating to the product contained in the cartridge.
• the dispenser being programmed to read the information stored in each chip, and allow the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the product contained in the cartridge is to be dispensed and block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the product contained in the cartridge should not be dispensed.
• the dispenser is programmed to refer to a dispensing prescription and can selectively actuate one or more cartridges depending on the product they contain.
• the product type information enables the automatic dispenser to identify the product contained, and to be able to adjust its dispensing program while avoiding a risk of human error when programming the machine, in particular. in the positioning of the cartridges in the automatic dispenser. Indeed, while the vending machine can hold multiple cartridges, identifying which product is in which location is essential. Identifying them using the chip is more reliable than entering the information manually during installation. The fact that the information relating to the contained product is stored in the cartridge itself allows the user to place the cartridges in any free places, the distributor determining on its own the location of the different products.
• the chip advantageously stores information on the history of use of the cartridge which carries it.
• the automatic dispenser is programmed to read the usage history information stored in each chip, adapt the actuation of the corresponding cartridge according to this information and modify the usage history of the device. the cartridge in each chip to take into account the possible actuation of the cartridge.
• the system By adapting the operation, it is understood whether or not the system authorizes the actuation of a cartridge according to the history information. For example, if the cartridge has already been activated within a certain period of time (eg a 24 hour period), the system will prevent actuation of the cartridge. [0135] The fact that the history information is stored in the cartridge itself prevents the user from bypassing the security system by placing the cartridge in question in another dispenser in the hope that the latter will deliver a dose to him. of product contained in this cartridge.
• the chip also stores information on the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product, for example, information on the maximum consumable quantity per day of the product.
• the automatic dispenser system is programmed to read the information stored in the chip 140 of each cartridge, to consult the usage history information, to allow the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the quantity maximum consumable per period of the product is not exceeded and to block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product is exceeded.
• the dispenser can be programmed to compare the prescribed quantity with the maximum consumable quantity per period of the product. This makes it possible to secure the dosage by ensuring that the programming of the automatic dispenser is always adapted to the product contained in the cartridge.
• the dispenser is programmed to modify the history information in the chip to take into account the actuation of the cartridge.
• the quantity of product in each cartridge is updated each time the cartridge is used by the automatic dispenser, and makes it possible to ensure that the monitoring of the quantity of usable product is carried out even in the event of use with several. different machines.
• this information can also be transmitted to the manufacturer or to the supplier by an Internet-type communication network, which makes it possible to trigger the delivery of a replacement cartridge.
• the machine queries a dedicated database to find out whether this cartridge has already been used and what quantity of product remains in the cartridge.
• the electronic chip therefore allows feedback and makes it possible to dynamically adapt the operation of the vending machine.
• the chip stores at least one item of information on the shelf life of the cartridge.
• the dispenser is programmed to read the use-by-time information stored in each chip, to allow the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the use-time limit of the cartridge is not exceeded. , and to block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the duration of use of the cartridge is exceeded.
• the chip can store at least one piece of information on the lot number.
• the dispenser is programmed to read the lot number information stored in each chip, compare it with information contained in the remote database, and block the actuation of the corresponding cartridge if the corresponding lot number is missing. manufacturing defect.
• the chip can store at least one item of information on the quantity of product remaining in the cartridge.
• the dispenser is programmed to read information on the amount of product remaining in the cartridge stored in each chip, and to notify the user when the amount of product remaining in a cartridge is less than a predetermined threshold amount.
• This threshold quantity can be zero, in which case the dispenser notifies the user when the corresponding cartridge is empty.
• the threshold quantity is greater than zero. It may be less than one dose, in which case the dispenser warns the user when the corresponding cartridge does not allow the delivery of a complete dose.
• the threshold quantity can advantageously be greater than a few doses, in which case the dispenser warns the user that the cartridge will soon have to be changed, which allows him to order one in advance, without risk of interruption in his. treatment.
• the dispenser can include a connection to a remote information storage database via a communication network, the dispenser can be programmed to connect to the remote database and to trigger automatically, when the amount of product remaining in a cartridge is less than the predetermined threshold quantity, ordering and sending one or more cartridges before the corresponding cartridge (s) present in the dispenser are unusable (empty or not containing enough product to dispense a dose) . This is particularly useful when the user has a subscription, as the subscription manager can manage shipments of replacement cartridges as precisely as possible.
• At least part of the memory of the chips is write-locked once it has left production. This helps protect the chip from reprogramming by a third party. For example, we can store in this locked part of the memory the maximum consumable quantity per day of the product, the unique identification number of the cartridge, the product contained, the expiration date of the product, quantity of product remaining in the cartridge , the prescribed quantity to be dispensed for this product.
• the information to be updated and allowing feedback in use will advantageously be stored: the history of use of the cartridge, the quantity of product remaining in the cartridge and, advantageously, the prescribed amount of dispensation of the product which can be dynamically modified, for example by the healthcare professional when it is a food supplement.
• FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment in which the actuation takes place in translation, parallel to the axial direction X-X of activation of the pump.
• the casing comprises one or more actuation orifices 101a arranged in the axial direction of actuation with respect to the pump.
• this allows actuation of the pump by a translation of one or more activation rods 401 of the distributor, parallel to the axial direction XX of actuation of the pump.
• the actuating orifice (s) need not be in the form of a slot, but they are cylindrical, of elliptical, circular, or ovoid, or polygonal (square, rectangular, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal section , etc.).
• the section of the actuating orifice is less than a finger section of a three-year-old child, that is to say, according to the aforementioned Hodendorff study, less than 9 millimeters (which corresponds to the average size of the smallest phalanx of the little finger), typically less than 6 millimeters in maximum diameter for safety, to prevent manual actuation with a finger.
• each actuating rod of the automatic dispenser is mounted movable in translation parallel to the axial direction of actuation of the pump of the cartridges, each rod being intended for s inserting into an actuating port of a cartridge, the port being arranged in the axial direction with respect to the pump.
• the activation of the pump is effected by direct support on the pump, through the orifices 101a carried by the closing part 130.
• the pump is inserted in translation relative to the reservoir. which carries it and to the rigid casing, which allows the ejection of a dose of product.
• the pump is activated by indirect support on the pump.
• the actuating rods of the automatic dispenser press on the bottom of the reservoir 222, through the orifices 101a carried by the bottom 122 of the first part 120 for housing the casing 100.
• the pump being pressed against the closing part 130, the translation of the reservoir 222, towards the closing part 130, relative to the pump and to the rigid casing causes the pump to be actuated.
• the body, top or bottom of the reservoir are sufficiently rigid to allow the force applied by the activation rods 401 to be transmitted, directly or indirectly, to the metering pump so that the latter ejects a dose of product when the Activation rods 401 press on the top or bottom of the tank.
• the actuation orifices (the slots of Figures 1 to 8 or the holes of Figures 9 to 11) can be reversibly concealed in the casing of the cartridge, so that when the cartridge is in the automatic dispenser, the latter deactivates the lock to open the orifices and thus allow the passage of the actuating rod or rods 400-401 carried by the automatic dispenser.
• the lock is automatically activated and the actuation holes are obscured, preventing the passage of any rod.
• the casing according to the invention advantageously comprises a passive access lock, that is to say it hides the actuation orifices in the absence of action on the lock, therefore when the cartridge is outside the automatic dispenser, and that it frees access to the actuation orifices when the automatic dispenser acts on the access lock.
• a passive access lock that is to say it hides the actuation orifices in the absence of action on the lock, therefore when the cartridge is outside the automatic dispenser, and that it frees access to the actuation orifices when the automatic dispenser acts on the access lock.
• Figures 13 (bottom view) and 14 (top view) illustrate an embodiment of such a lock for actuation holes arranged in the axial direction of actuation of the metering pump, that is, that is to say corresponding to the embodiments of Figures 9 to 11.
• the access lock 500 includes concealment fins 501 arranged in a PI plane.
• the lock comprises spring tabs 502, intended to cooperate in abutment against wedges 123 carried by the inner surface 124 of the casing (see Figure 15).
• the lock 500 comprises a drive sleeve 504 having a polygonal footprint intended to receive an unlocking member (not shown) of complementary shape, carried and actuated by the automatic dispenser.
• the casing 100 also includes an unlocking orifice 125 of identical shape to the imprint of the drive sleeve 504 so that the unlocking member can pass through the casing 100 and engage in the unlocking sleeve 504. .
• the spring tabs are arranged so as to bend forcibly against wedges 123 during movement of the concealment fins.
• the tabs 502 are longer than the concealment fins 501, so that the latter are not blocked in rotation against the wedges 123 which extend next to the latch 500.
• the tabs 502 may be of the same length or less than the concealment fins 501 if the wedges 123 extend below the plane PI of the concealment fins. In this way, the concealment fins can move between the wedges 123 and the bottom 122 of the casing 100.
• the concealment fins 501 are rotated to free access through the actuation holes.
• the spring tongues 502 are arranged relative to the concealing fins 501 so that the latter close the activation orifices 101a in the locking position when the spring tongues 502 are not elastically deformed against the wedges 123, and so that the concealment fins 501 do not block the activation orifices 101a in the unlocked position when the spring tongues 502 are elastically deformed against the wedges 123,
• the relative arrangement of the spring tongues 502 and the concealing fins 501 ensures that in the unlocked position, the spring tongues 502 are elastically deformed against the wedges 123 and the concealing fins 501. do not block the activation holes 101a.
• This unlocking position is obtained by the action of the unlocking member which rotates the lock forcefully by elastically deforming the spring tabs 502 against the wedges 123.
• the unlocking member stops applying a force (here a torque), so that the lock returns by itself to the locking position thanks to the elastic return of the spring tongues 502.
• a force here a torque
• FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate the cartridge in the locked position, that is to say that the holes 101a are closed by the concealment fins 501.
• the concealment fins 501 In other words, what is visible in through actuation orifices 101a, these are the concealment fins 501.
• the spring tongues 502 are not elastically deformed against the wedges 123.
• Figures 18 and 19 illustrate the cartridge in the unlocked position, that is to say that the holes 101a are open, that is to say that they are no longer blocked by the fins. concealment 501.
• the unlocking member has caused the lock to pivot by force, at the 'against the restoring force exerted by the spring tongues 502 which are deformed (here they are bent like an arc) elastically against the wedges 123.
• the lock 500 according to the invention is passive since it blocks access to the reservoir through the actuation orifices, in the absence of energy or action.
• the invention is not limited to the shape or structure of the drive sleeve described and illustrated above. What matters is that it allows the unlocking member to reversibly move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
• the drive sleeve may include a drive sleeve which is itself secure.
• it may comprise at least one bolt mounted to slide relative to a striker element carried by the casing, the unlocking member comprising a magnet or an electromagnet capable of moving the bolt in order to be able to unlock the lock by rotation or translation.
• the invention not only makes it possible to dispense a fluid content with a precise dosage by a mechanical action of an automatic dispenser on the cartridge, but it also excludes the possibility of using the product contained in the cartridge without the aid. from the distributor (inability to recover the contents by a non-destructive manual action).
• the invention also makes it possible to ensure secure verification of the cartridge by the distributor thanks to an electronic chip housing, ensuring the correct use of the cartridge, as well as its traceability.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-12-17 FR FR1914673A patent/FR3104554B1/fr active Active
• 2020
  • 2020-12-16 EP EP20824264.4A patent/EP4076764A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2020-12-16 WO PCT/EP2020/086582 patent/WO2021122852A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2020-12-16 US US17/784,308 patent/US20230042109A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2020-12-16 JP JP2022536948A patent/JP2023506276A/ja active Pending

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