Container for a fluid product, and dispenser using such a container

Abstract

A fluid reservoir including a bottom and a duct that defines an opening, a sealing ball being engaged in the duct in such a manner as to close the opening hermetically, the ball being movable by an external thrust member in such a manner as to cause the ball to fall by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir so that the opening is thus unblocked. The duct is connected to a dip tube that extends into the proximity of the bottom of the reservoir, the duct presenting a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the dip tube, the ball being in leaktight engagement in the duct before being pushed into the dip tube in which it falls freely to the bottom of the reservoir.

1 . A fluid reservoir including a bottom and a duct that defines an opening, a sealing ball being engaged in the duct in such a manner as to close the opening hermetically, the ball being movable by an external thrust member in such a manner as to cause the ball to fall by gravity to the bottom of the reservoir so that the opening is thus unblocked;
 the duct is connected to a dip tube that extends into the proximity of the bottom of the reservoir, the duct presenting a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the dip tube, the ball being in leaktight engagement in the duct before being pushed into the dip tube in which it falls freely to the bottom of the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the ball is held captive by the dip tube. 
     
     
         3 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the duct and the dip tube are formed as a single piece by an insert. 
     
     
         4 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed by a duct that includes a projecting internal sealing bead, the sealing ball being in leaktight engagement in the duct, below the bead. 
     
     
         5 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed by a duct that includes a projecting internal sealing bead, the ball being in leaktight engagement with the projecting internal sealing bead. 
     
     
         6 . A reservoir according to  claim 1 , comprising a reservoir body forming the bottom, and an insert forming the duct and the opening, the insert also forming a collar that extends radially outwards from the duct, the collar coming into engagement with the reservoir body. 
     
     
         7 . A fluid dispenser comprising a pusher and a dispenser member, such as a pump, that is mounted in removable manner on a reservoir according to  claim 1 , the dispenser member including a thrust member that is suitable for being inserted into the opening of the reservoir, so as to push the ball and cause it to fall to the bottom of the reservoir. 
     
     
         8 . A dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the thrust member is formed by an inlet tube that communicates upstream with a chamber of the dispenser member, the inlet tube coming into leaktight engagement in the opening of the reservoir, so as to establish communication between the reservoir and the chamber. 
     
     
         9 . A dispenser according to  claim 7 , wherein the thrust member is formed by a dip tube that communicates upstream with a chamber of the dispenser member, the dip tube being connected to an inlet tube that comes into leaktight engagement in the opening of the reservoir, thereby establishing communication between the reservoir and the chamber. 
     
     
         10 . A dispenser according to  claim 7 , including a casing that surrounds the pusher, the dispenser member, and a portion of the reservoir, such that the casing is movable relative to the reservoir by moving the pusher relative to the dispenser member.