FR3087428A1 - TEMPORARY CLOSING DEVICE FOR A FEMALE ELEMENT OF A FLUID INTERCONNECTION SYSTEM BETWEEN A FIRST HOLLOW BODY AND A SECOND HOLLOW BODY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a temporary closure device for a female element of a fluid interconnection system, said female element having a through duct equipped with a valve, movable between a closed position and an open position of said. conduit, said conduit being configured to allow the introduction of a complementary male element of the interconnection system having a hollow tubular pin forming a conduit and configured to move the valve of the female element from its closed position to its position of opening during its introduction so as to establish a fluid connection and to allow the return of the valve during the withdrawal of said male element, interrupting the fluid communication. The closure device is characterized in that it comprises a body having a base configured to removably cooperate with the body of the female element and a pin similar to the pin of the male element of the interconnection system, the conduit the pin of the closure device being closed by at least one element permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids.

Description

Description Title of the invention Temporary closure device for a female element of a fluid interconnection system between a first hollow body and a second hollow body [0ool] The present invention relates to a temporary closure device, or plug, for female element of a fluid interconnection system between a first hollow body and a second hollow body.

[0002] Fluid interconnection systems are conventionally used to selectively place two hollow bodies in fluid communication, such as. tanks of the bottle or bag type, conduits or pipes.

Such interconnection systems are used in particular to install reservoirs constituting refills (first body) in an associated dispensing machine (second body).

It may in particular be. fruit juice dispensing machines, a fruit juice bag being placed inside a dispensing machine by virtue of such an interconnection system.

[0003] In certain applications, the bottle or more particularly the flexible pouch forming a refill may be contained in an overpack.

Such a configuration is generally known by the expression “bag-in-box”.

The box part surrounding the pouch is generally made of cardboard while the flexible pouch is generally an impermeable pouch typically made of a plastic material and may have a single or multi-layer structure (eg laminate comprising a metal layer, for example an aluminum strip) .

Obviously, such a pocket can also be used directly without the cardboard box.

The products generally contained in the bag or the bottle (first hollow body) can be liquid products but also powdered products which can flow.

The products can be products intended for the preparation of edible products such as drinks, syrup, liquid concentrates.

Such systems can also be used for cosmetic products in liquid, cream or fluid powder form, in particular in personalized formulation machines dosing different compounds from a set of cartridges connected to the machine by means of such interconnection systems.

Conventionally, an interconnection system according to the present application comprises two complementary elements, namely, a female element and a male element, each mounted on one of the two hollow bodies, the male and female elements are able to come mutually engaged with each other so as to establish fluid communication between the two hollow bodies.

The male and female elements can also be disengaged from one another so as to interrupt the fluid communication between the soft hollow bodies.

The female element is generally equipped with a valve system then making it possible to isolate the hollow body forming a reservoir or refill from the outside.

[00061 Interconnection systems according to the present application are described in particular in documents US5467806, WO2009017390 and WO2016138053 among others.

In these systems, the female element, mounted on the first hollow body, comprises a body having a through duct equipped with a valve.

The valve is movable between a closed position and an open position of the duct, said duct being configured to allow the introduction of a complementary male element of the interconnection system.

[0008] Thus, during the introduction of the male element, a pin moves the valve of the female element and opens the fluid communication.

Conversely, when the male element is withdrawn, the valve returns to the closed position of the duct, thus closing the reservoir or the bag.

The pin of the male element is hollow and forms a complementary conduit which the fluid connection with the conduit of the female element after displacement of the valve.

The male and female elements are also generally equipped with complementary sealing elements aimed at ensuring peripheral sealing during connection, the fluid not. can circulate only through the conduits of the male and female elements.

Such interconnection system are particularly advantageous since they allow a simple disconnection of the two elements while the product pe still present in the first hollow body, the valve ensuring the closure and isolation of the latter.

As indicated, such reconnection systems can also be used for cosmetic product reservoirs.

However, there are products which degrade over time and whose degradation leads to the release of gas.

This is particularly the case with certain hair coloring / bleaching products.

100121 This is obviously not admissible when storing such refills and it is necessary to be able to evacuate this gas, so as to avoid any overpressure of the tank over time.

100 Document WO2016138053 discusses this problem in paragraphs 12.3 and 124 (Figures 24A.

24B) and proposes to equip a mounting plate to the reservoir of the female element, with a vent comprising a membrane permeable to gases but impermeable to liquids.

100141 Such a solution requires the realization of a specific part of the sole whereas it is not necessary for the products.

This induces a significant additional cost for the manufacturer and the need to equip themselves to manufacture a specific female element model.

Thus, it would be preferable to be able to easily adapt and u all or part of the elements of an existing interconnection system.

To do this, the present application provides a temporary closure device for a female element of a fluid interconnection system between a first hollow body and a second hollow body, said female element comprising a body suitable for and mounted. on the first hollow body and having a through duct capable of allowing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said first hollow body, the duct also being equipped with a valve, movable between a closed position and a position opening of said duct, said duct being configured to allow the introduction of a complementary male element of the interconnection system comprising a body capable of being mounted on the second hollow body and having a hollow tubular pin forming a duct between the interior and exterior of the second hollow body, said pin being configured to move the valve of the conduit of the female element from its closed position to its open position during its introduction so as to establish a fluid connection between the first and the second hollow body and to allow the return of the valve from its open position to its closed position upon removal of said male element, interrupting hence fluid communication.

[00171 C7onformement to the present application, the temporary closure device, or plug, is characterized in that it comprises a body having a base configured to cooperate removably with the body of the female element and a pin similar to the pin of the male element of the interconnection system, the duct of the pin of the closure device being closed by at least one element permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids. [0018; Thus, by providing a temporary closure device or plug; therefore not connected to a second hollow body), equipped with a pin similar or even identical to the pin of the male element of the interconnection system intended to cooperate with the integral female part of the first hollow tank to move the. valve, this cap maintains the. valve of the female part in the open position, which restores fluid communication between the interior of the first body and the duct of the hollow pin.

The hollow pin is itself end rushed by an element permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids, the gases resulting from the dezradation of the product contained. in the first hollow body can escape.

[00191 The plug being based on and reusing the pin of the male element of the interconnection system, it suffices to equip the duct formed by the hollow pin of the gas permeable element.

The element permeable to gases, and impermeable to liquids. can be a gas permeable fabric. marketed by the company Core-Tex®.

According to a first embodiment, the element permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids is arranged inside the duct of the pin of the closure device. [0021; According to a first variant embodiment, the gas permeable element is welded or glued, in particular by ultrasonic welding, inside the duct of the pin of the closure device.

[0022] Alternatively, the gas permeable element is attached to the interior of the duct of the pin.

The gas permeable element comprises in particular a ring carrying a membrane, said ring being force-fitted inside the duct of the pin of the closure device. [0023; According to a second embodiment, the element permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids is arranged outside the duct of the pin, in an adjacent manner. outlet of the duct.

The outlet of the pin is defined as being the open end opposite to a head for introducing the pin into the female element.

The gas permeable element may in particular be fixed inside a cap which can be screwed onto the body of the cap, against a wall pierced with said cap. [00'24) So. advantageously complementary, the base has two lateral tabs extending from said base in a direction substantially parallel to the pin.

The side tabs are each equipped with a transverse return able to engage with a corresponding transverse plate of the body of the female element during a rotation, in particular J./4 of a turn, of the closure device. Advantageously, the base is equipped with a removable cap, in particular by screwing, capable of allowing access to the duct of the pin of the closing device.

An inner cap surface may carry the gas permeable and liquid impervious member, thereby making it easily removable.

The present invention also relates to a hollow body,. flexible bag or bottle type, intended to contain at least one fluid product (liquid or powder which can flow), said hollow body comprising a female element forming part of a fluid interconnection system for placing in communication with a second body hollow equipped with a corresponding male element, said hollow body being characterized in cc that the female element is equipped with a device (the temporary closure according to the present application.

[00771 Preferably, the fluid product is a product {leaving at least one gas by degradation, in particular by thermo-oxidative degradation.

More preferably, the product is a hair treatment product, and in particular a coloring or bleaching product.

[00291 The invention may. to be better understood at the. reading the. description which follows accompanied by non-limiting examples of its implementation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which [FIG. 1] is an overview of a prior art solo fluid interconnection system, [Fig. 2] is a longitudinal sectional view of a closure device. temporary according to the present application, [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4] are perspective views of a male element of the closure device of FIG. 2.

As indicated above, the present application relates to the field of fluid interconnection systems between a first hollow body, such as a bag or a bottle which can form a product refill, and a second hollow body, such as a pipe or conduit possibly belonging to an apparatus for dispensing the product contained in the first hollow body.

Such fluid interconnection systems make it possible to establish selective communication between the two hollow bodies by simple connection.

Although illustrated with a particular fluid interconnection system, the present application is obviously not limited to it and may relate to all fluid interconnection systems using the same general principle associating a hollow male element and an element complementary hollow female.

Figure I shows a fluid interconnection system 100 as described in document WO2009; 017390, the content of which is integrated by reference,

In general and as described in the aforementioned prior documents, a fluid interconnection system 100 according to the present application comprises a female element 110 able to cooperate with a corresponding male element 150.

Conventionally, the female element 110 is assembled on a first hollow body, such as a bag or a bottle 10, in particular by heat sealing, the male element 150 being mounted on a second hollow body (not shown) such as a duct of an associated dispensing machine.

[00 In this case, the female element 110 is designed for a "bug-in-box" system and is therefore also mounted in a side wall 11 of a cardboard box 12 housing the pocket 10. [0037! Obviously, not mentioned previously, the female element 110 can be designed for a single pocket 10 without cardboard overwrap 12.

[00381 To do this, the female element 110 comprises a suitable body to be mounted on the first hollow body 10 and having a through duct 112 capable of permitting fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said first hollow body 10.

The conduit. 112 is equipped with a valve 40, movable between a closed position and an open position of said duct 112.

The female element 110 is advantageously made in one piece in a thermoplastic material, in particular by injection-molding.

The conduit 112 of. the female element 110 is configured to allow the introduction of the male element 150 complementary to the interconnection system 100.

To this end, the male element 150 comprises a body 151 adapted to be mounted on the. second hollow body (not shown) and has a hollow tubular pin 152 forming a conduit between the interior and the exterior of the second hollow body.

Said pin 152 is shaped to move the valve 40 of the conduit 112 of the female element 110 from its closed position to its open position during its introduction so as to establish a fluid connection between the first and the second hollow body.

The pin 151 is also shaped to allow the return of the valve from its open position to its closed position when withdrawing said male element 150, thereby interrupting the fluid communication, and closing the first hollow body 10.

[00 For more details concerning the interconnection assembly 100 in itself may refer to the aforementioned documents.

As indicated above, in the case where the product contained in the first hollow body causes a release of gas by degrading over time, it is necessary to be able to evacuate the gas formed.

[00441 According to the present application, it is to do this provided a temporary closure device 200, that is to say a removable plug, making it possible to ensure this release of gas during a period of prolonged storage.

Unlike the male element 150 of the. fluid interconnection system 100, this plug 200 is not connected to one. second hollow body and is mounted on the female element 1:10 of the first hollow body .10 removably.

The temporary closure device 2.00 comprises a body having a base 201 configured to removably cooperate with the body of the female element.

The base 201 of the closure device 200 carries a pin 152b identical to the pin 1.52 of the male element 150 of the interconnection system 100 and therefore able to cooperate in the same way with the female element 110 of the first hollow body 10 for move the valve 40.

[00471 The pin 152h differs from the pin 152 in that the duct of the pin 152b of the closure device 200 is closed off by an element 218 permeable to gases and impermeable to liquids, the element 218 permeable to gases is for example real Born from of a fabric marketed by the company (fore-Tex®.

Preferably, the gas permeable element 218 comprises a ring supporting a membrane (not visible).

The ring is mounted slightly by force, in particular by clipping inside the duct of the hollow pin 152b.

The elipsage can be carried out by means of a peripheral groove capable of cooperating with a corresponding groove.

The groove can be made in an internal surface of the duct of the female element and the groove on an external surface of the gas permeable element 218, or vice versa.

Such a clipping makes it possible to ensure a good peripheral seal against the liquid, only the gases being able to escape through the permeable element 218.

Alternatively, the gas permeable element 218 can be welded or glued inside the duct of the pin 151b.

Alternatively again, the gas permeable element may belong to a cap attached, in particular by screwing, to the pin 152b at the level of the base 201.

A wall of the cap has one or more through openings, the permeable element being fixed to an interior surface of said cap so as to close these openings to liquid and only allows the escape of gases,

In order to allow the mounting and maintenance of the closure device 200 on the female element 110 of the first hollow body 10, the base 201 has two side tabs 210 extending from the base 201 in a substantially direction. parallel to the pin 152b and each equipped with a return 211 adapted to engage with a corresponding transverse plate 14 of the body of the female element 110 during a rotation, in particular 1/4 of a turn, of the closure device.

The plate 14 may in particular have an oval shape or notches capable of allowing the passage of the returns 211 and of locking them by 1/4 turn.

[00521 In a complementary manner, the base is equipped with a removable cap, in particular by screwing, capable of allowing access to the duct of the pin of the closure device.

Such a cap also constitutes a gripping element facilitating the grip and handling of the removable closure element.

The use of the temporary closure device 200 is carried out as follows.

First of all, a flexible bag or a bottle forming a first hollow body and equipped with a female element 110 is filled with a liquid product, for example a liquid cosmetic product such as a hair coloring or bleaching product. filling, the hollow body 10 is closed using a plug 200 according to the present application.

The first hollow body 10 can be filled by means of a male element 150 complementary to the interconnection system 100, said male element 150 being connected to a source of product. [0055! To do this, the pin 152b of the plug 200 is introduced into the duct 112 of the female element 110 of said hollow body 10.

In doing so, the pin 1521 moves the valve 40 to the open position, which allows setting using the hollow body 10 and will allow the evacuation of the gases generated in the event of prolonged storage.

[00561 Thus closed by the stopper 200, the hollow body 10 containing the product can be stored pending use.

When the product is to be used, for example to replace an exhausted cartridge, it is simply necessary to remove the cap 200.

The pin 152h of the plug 200 being identical to the pin 152 of the male element 150 of the interconnection system, it allows the return of the valve 40 to the closed position.

The hollow body 10 is then connected to the machine or duct forming the second hollow body by means of its female element 110 connected to a male element 150 belonging to said machine or duct forming the. second hollow body, The product contained in the. first hollow body 10 can thus be distributed and used in the second hollow body. 11

Claims (1)

Claims [Claim 1] Temporary closure device (200) for female element (110) of a fluid interconnection system (100) between a first hollow body (10) and a second hollow body, said female element comprising a body capable to be mounted on the first hollow body and having a through conduit (112) capable of allowing fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of said first hollow body, the conduit being moreover equipped with a movable valve (40) between a closed position and an open position of said conduit, said conduit being configured to allow the introduction of a male element (150) complementary to the interconnection system comprising a body capable of being mounted on the second hollow body and having a hollow tubular pin (152) forming a conduit between the interior and exterior of the second hollow body, said pin being configured to move the valve of the conduit of the female element from its closed position to its open position during its introduction so as to establish a fluid connection between the first and the second hollow body and to allow the valve to return from its open position to its closed position during the withdrawal of said male element, thereby interrupting fluid communication, the temporary closing device (200) being characterized in that it comprises a body having a base (201) configured to cooperate in a removable manner with the body of the female element and a pin (152b) similar to the pin (152) of the male element of the interconnection system, the conduit of the pin of the closing device being closed by at least one gas-permeable element (218 ) and impermeable to liquids. [Claim 2] Closing device (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas-permeable element (218) and impermeable to liquids is arranged inside the pin duct (152b) of the closing device. [Claim 3] Closure device (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the gas-permeable element (218) is welded or glued, in particular by ultrasonic welding, inside the pin duct (152b) of the closing device. [Claim 4] Closure device (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that the gas-permeable element (218) comprises a ring carrying a membrane, said ring being force-fitted inside the duct of the pin ( 152b) of the closure device, in particular by clipping. [Claim 5] Closure device (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas permeable element (218) and impermeable to liquids is arranged outside the pin duct (152b), adjacent to an outlet of the pipe opposite a head for introducing the pin into the female element (110). [Claim 6] Closing device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the base (201) has two lateral tabs (210) extending from the base in a substantially parallel direction to the pin and each equipped with a return (211) capable of engaging with a transverse plate (14) corresponding to the body of the female element (110) during a rotation, in particular% of turn, of the closing device . [Claim 7] Closing device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base (201) is equipped with a removable cap, in particular by screwing, capable of allowing access to the conduit of the pawn (152b). [Claim 8] Hollow body (10), of the flexible pouch or bottle type, intended to contain at least one fluid product, said hollow body comprising a female element (110) forming part of a fluid interconnection system (100) for placing in communication with a second hollow body equipped with a corresponding male element (150), characterized in that the female element is equipped with a temporary closing device (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 . [Claim 9] Hollow body (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the fluid product is a product forming at least one gas by degradation, in particular by thermo-oxidative degradation. [Claim 10] Hollow body (10) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the product is a hair treatment product, and in particular a coloring or bleaching product]