# US 7,743,949 B2 · Assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,949 B2 - Document ID: US7743949B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/065,137 - Filed: 2005-02-24 - Published: 2005-09-29 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-03-24 - Assignees: L'oreal - Inventors: Marc Ramet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743949B2 ## CPC - B05B 11/1023: {having an outlet valve opened by deformation or displacement of the piston relative to its actuating stem} - B05B 11/0054: {Cartridges, i.e. containers specially designed for easy attachment to or easy removal from the rest of the sprayer (attachment arrangements between pump and container B05B11/1043)} - B05B 11/0056: {with an additional opening for filling or refilling} - B05B 11/029: {located on top of the remaining content} - B05B 9/043: having pump readily separable from container - B05B: SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES (spray-mixers with nozzles B01F25/72; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces by spraying B05D) ## Abstract The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid comprising a receptacle for containing a supply of liquid and a refillable unit configured to be disposed in separable manner on the receptacle, comprising a storage chamber for containing the liquid and capable of being put into fluid communication with the receptacle in order to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle and a pump capable of taking liquid from the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed thereon, and of taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, the pump having a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid, the assembly comprising: a receptacle for containing a supply of liquid; and a refillable unit having a longitudinal axis and configured to be disposed in a separable manner on the receptacle, the refillable unit comprising: a storage chamber for containing the liquid and capable of being put into fluid communication with the receptacle in order to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle; and a pump having a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber and being configured for taking liquid from the receptacle without taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is placed thereon, and for taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, the refillable unit comprising a body and a piston that is movable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis of the refillable unit and the receptacle, the piston being of annular shape and extending all around a part of the pump. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the refillable unit is configured to enable suction to be generated in the storage chamber, at least when the storage chamber is in fluid communication with the receptacle, so as to enable the storage chamber to be filled. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle includes an outlet orifice suitable for being pushed into fluid communication with the storage chamber of the refillable unit for filling purposes, and wherein the receptacle does not include a pump arranged to feed said outlet orifice with liquid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pump chamber is isolated from the storage chamber, at least while the pump is dispensing liquid. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein a volume of the pump chamber is smaller than a maximum volume of the storage chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, the pump comprising a suction orifice, wherein, when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, said suction orifice of the pump is suitable for being placed close to an outlet orifice of the receptacle, vertically in registration with said outlet orifice. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pump comprises an airless pump. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a support configured to receive the refillable unit, said support being stationary relative to a remainder of the receptacle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the refillable unit and the receptacle have respective fastener portions suitable for co-operating in a releasable manner. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the refillable unit and the receptacle comprises portions in relief suitable for co-operating with the other one of the refillable unit and the receptacle to isolate the suction orifice of the pump in a leaktight manner from the outside. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises an air intake passage. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle does not include an air intake. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the storage chamber has a volume that is substantially constant. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the refillable unit includes a first orifice suitable for being put into fluid communication with the pump and the receptacle to enable the pump to take liquid from the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, and a second orifice distinct from the first orifice, suitable for being put into fluid communication with the receptacle to fill the storage chamber. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the second orifice is made in a bottom wall of the refillable unit. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) An assembly according to claim 13, wherein the pump comprises a suction orifice, wherein the refillable unit comprises a check valve suitable for isolating the suction orifice of the storage chamber when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, the receptacle being in a head-up position, and allowing fluid communication between said suction orifice and the storage chamber when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, with the receptacle in a head-down position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the refillable unit includes a wall configured to co-operate with a wall of the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, to form a passage outside the storage chamber arranged to put the suction orifice of the pump into fluid communication with the storage chamber, said passage being closable by said check valve. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the receptacle includes a first outlet orifice suitable for being put into fluid communication with the first orifice of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, and a second outlet orifice suitable for being put into fluid communication with the second orifice of the refillable unit when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An assembly according to claim 18, wherein the receptacle comprises a check valve arranged to close said first outlet orifice of the receptacle when the receptacle is in a head-down position, and to release said orifice when the receptacle is in a head-up position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) An assembly according to claim 14, wherein the refillable unit includes a body having the first and second orifices formed therein, and a cap configured to be releasably secured on said body when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, in order to close said first and second orifices. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cap co-operates with the said body, when the cap and the body are assembled together, to form a passage outside the storage chamber between the first and second orifices, enabling the pump to be put into fluid communication with the storage chamber. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) An assembly according to claim 20, wherein the cap co-operates with said body, when the cap and the body are assembled together, to define an air intake passage. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the piston co-operates with the body to define a storage chamber of variable volume. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) An assembly according to claim 23, wherein, when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle so that the pump can take liquid from the receptacle, the volume of the storage chamber is at a minimum. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) An assembly according to claim 23, wherein the storage chamber is formed under the piston when the refillable unit is observed in a head-up position. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) An assembly according to claim 25, wherein the refillable unit comprises a moving assembly that is movable relative to the body, the moving assembly comprising the piston. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) An assembly according to claim 26, wherein the moving assembly comprises an outer sheath slidable on the body. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) An assembly according to claim 26, wherein the moving assembly comprises a pump. ### Claim 29 An assembly for packaging and dispensing liquid, the assembly comprising: a receptacle for containing a supply of liquid; and a refillable unit configured to be disposed in a separable manner on the receptacle, the refillable unit comprising: a storage chamber for containing the liquid and capable of being put into fluid communication with the receptacle in order to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle; and a pump having a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber and being configured for taking liquid from the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed thereon, and for taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, wherein the refillable unit comprises a body and a piston that is movable relative to the body and that co-operates therewith to define a storage chamber of variable volume, the storage chamber being formed under the piston when the refillable unit is observed in the head-up position, the refillable unit comprising a moving assembly that is movable relative to the body, the moving assembly comprising the piston and a pump comprising a duct, with the piston being secured around said duct. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) An assembly according to claim 29, wherein the piston includes a bottom face that is set back from a bottom end of the duct, which duct has a portion extending it downwards beneath the piston. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) An assembly according to claim 25, wherein the body of the refillable unit includes an orifice enabling the storage chamber to be put into fluid communication with the receptacle. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) An assembly according to claim 31, wherein the refillable unit comprises a cap suitable for being fastened in a releasable manner to the body so as to close said orifice when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle. ### Claim 33 (depends on 1) An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains a cosmetic, comprising a care product. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the liquid comprises a cream. ### Claim 35 (depends on 9) An assembly according to claim 9, wherein the refillable unit and the receptacle include respective fastener portions suitable for co-operating by one of snap-fastening and screw-fastening. ### Claim 36 (depends on 17) An assembly according to claim 17, wherein said wall is a bottom wall. ### Claim 37 (depends on 24) An assembly according to claim 24, wherein the pump communicates with a dip tube of the receptacle. ### Claim 38 (depends on 32) An assembly according to claim 32, wherein a refillable unit comprises a cap suitable for being fastened in a releasable manner by one of screw-fastening and snap-fastening. ### Claim 39 (depends on 33) An assembly according to claim 33, wherein the receptacle contains a perfume. ### Claim 40 A refillable unit having a longitudinal axis and configured to be disposed in a separable manner on a receptacle, the refillable unit comprising: a storage chamber for containing liquid and capable of being put into fluid communication with the receptacle to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle; and a pump having a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber and being configured for taking liquid from the receptacle without taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is placed thereon, and for taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, the refillable unit comprising a body and a piston that is movable relative to the body along the longitudinal axis of the refillable unit and the receptacle, the piston being of annular shape and extending all around a part of the pump. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A refillable unit according to claim 40, the unit being configured to enable suction to be generated in the storage chamber, at least when the storage chamber is in fluid communication with the receptacle, so as to enable the storage chamber to be filled under an effect of the generated suction. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) A refillable unit according to claim 40, wherein a volume of the pump chamber is smaller than a maximum volume of the storage chamber. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) A refillable unit according to claim 40, wherein the storage chamber has a volume that is substantially constant. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A refillable unit according to claim 43, the unit including a first orifice suitable for being put into fluid communication with the pump and the receptacle to enable the pump to take liquid from the receptacle when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, and a second orifice distinct from the first orifice, suitable for being put into fluid communication with the receptacle to fill the storage chamber. ### Claim 45 (depends on 40) A refillable unit according to claim 40, the piston co-operating with the body to define a storage chamber of variable volume. ### Claim 46 (depends on 45) A refillable unit according to claim 45, wherein the storage chamber is situated beneath the piston when the refillable unit is observed in a head-up position. ### Claim 47 A refillable unit configured to be disposed in separable manner on a receptacle, the refillable unit comprising: a storage chamber for containing liquid and capable of being put into fluid communication with the receptacle in order to be filled therefrom when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle; and a pump having a pump chamber that is distinct from the storage chamber and being configured for taking liquid from the receptacle without taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is placed on the receptacle, and for taking liquid from the storage chamber when the refillable unit is separate from the receptacle, wherein the refillable unit comprises a body and a piston that is movable relative to the body and that co-operates therewith to define a storage chamber of variable volume, the storage chamber is situated beneath the piston when the refillable unit is observed in the head-up position and wherein the pump comprises a duct, the piston being secured around said duct, and wherein the piston includes a bottom face that is set back from a bottom end of the duct, said duct including a portion that extends the duct downward beneath the piston.