Dispensing pump for product storage and dispensing container and container provided with such a pump

Abstract

A pump is arranged to be mounted on a product storage and dispensing container. It includes a variable-volume pumping chamber and a dip tube having a first end able to be inserted inside the container where it picks up product and a product-dispensing second end at the exit from the pumping chamber. The dip tube can be produced by extrusion and typically has two valves and at least one elastically deformable portion running between the valves.

1 . A dispensing pump to be mounted on a product storage and dispensing container, the dispensing pump comprising:
 a variable-volume pumping chamber disposed in a dip tube, the dip tube including a first end configured to be inserted into the container where the dip tube picks up product and including a product-dispensing second end connected to an exit of the pumping chamber,   wherein the dip tube includes two valves and at least one elastically deformable portion running between the valves, and the valves delimit the pumping chamber.   
   
   
       2 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastically deformable portion and the dip tube are a single integral piece. 
   
   
       3 . The pump according to  claim 2 , wherein the stiffness constant of the tube is between 3000 N/m and 6000 N/m. 
   
   
       4 . The pump according to  claim 3 , wherein the stiffness constant of the tube is 4000 N/m. 
   
   
       5 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end has an end region set back relative to a free end of the tube. 
   
   
       6 . The pump according to  claim 5 , wherein the first end of the tube includes a cutout. 
   
   
       7 . The pump according to  claim 6 , wherein the free first end of the tube includes at least one slot. 
   
   
       8 . The pump according to  claim 7 , wherein the slot has a triangular, square, or rectangular cross-section. 
   
   
       9 . The pump according to  claim 6 , wherein the free first end of the tube is mitred. 
   
   
       10 . The pump according to  claim 6 , wherein the free first end of the tube has an overall corrugated shape. 
   
   
       11 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the valves is a distinct component from the tube and held in the tube by friction. 
   
   
       12 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein, when at rest, the tube has a cross section of constant size. 
   
   
       13 . The pump according to  claim 12 , wherein the cross section of the tube has a diameter of between 3 mm and 15 mm. 
   
   
       14 . The pump according to  claim 13 , wherein the tube has a diameter of between 8 mm and 12 mm. 
   
   
       15 . The pump according to  claim 13 , wherein the tube has a diameter of 10 mm. 
   
   
       16 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the tube engages directly with a neck of the container. 
   
   
       17 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the valves includes at least one of a ball valve, a disc valve, a slot valve, a gate valve in which a gas has a translational movement, a flap valve in which a flap has a pivoting movement, and a needle valve. 
   
   
       18 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the tube has a self-closing peripheral wall that moves under the effect of a raised pressure caused when the pumping chamber is deformed. 
   
   
       19 . The pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a product applicator mounted on the second end of the tube. 
   
   
       20 . The pump according to  claim 1 , wherein the dip tube is an extruded tube. 
   
   
       21 . The pump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pump actuating member that deforms the pumping chamber. 
   
   
       22 . The pump according to  claim 21 , further comprising an actuating member positioned between a dispensing valve and a mouth of the container which mouth defines a mounting opening for the tube. 
   
   
       23 . The pump according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuating member comprises a clamp. 
   
   
       24 . The pump according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuating member comprises a tab accessible by a user and that allows the tube to be twisted. 
   
   
       25 . The pump according to  claim 21 , wherein the actuating member comprises a member for lengthening the tube. 
   
   
       26 . The pump according to  claim 25 , wherein the actuating member comprises a trigger equipped with a first end region that can be actuated by hand, and with a second end region, at the opposite end to the first end region with respect to an axis about which the trigger is articulated and which region is firmly attached to the tube. 
   
   
       27 . The product storage and dispensing container comprising a reservoir that stores the product, the container including a pump according to  claim 1 , mounted on the reservoir. 
   
   
       28 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the first end of the dip tube extends, inside the reservoir, to within 10 mm of the closed end of the reservoir. 
   
   
       29 . The container according to  claim 28 , wherein the dip tube is in contact with the closed end of the reservoir. 
   
   
       30 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the reservoir contains a flexible pouch on which the pump is mounted. 
   
   
       31 . The container according to  claim 30 , further comprising a rigid outer shell surrounding the reservoir. 
   
   
       32 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the reservoir comprises a rigid material, and the pump comprises an air intake passage. 
   
   
       33 . The method of dispensing a product using a pump according to  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 deforming the dip tube by locally reducing the cross section of the tube at least in the region lying between the valves;   collecting a dose of product; and   filling the pumping chamber by releasing the tube.   
   
   
       34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein deforming the tube includes bending the tube. 
   
   
       35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein deforming the tube includes compressing the tube. 
   
   
       36 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein deforming the tube includes lengthening the tube. 
   
   
       37 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein deforming the tube includes twisting the tube.