EP0752966B1 - Control mechanism with side push buttons for the distribution of a product contained in a receptacle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a control mechanism with lateral pushers for the distribution of a product contained in a container.

There are many systems for distributing a product contained in a container.

Whether a dispensing capsule for liquid or pasty product contained in a container, or whether it is a spray pump container, or still of an aerosol type, always open the capsule and / or order the aerosol container valve or valve.

To do this, an opening mechanism and / or actuation.

Known systems generally include translative cursors and / or rotating capsules.

However, to facilitate handling in particular, document US-A-3272392 describes a device which comprises an end piece movably mounted on an opening of the container and a cap which is fixedly arranged on the container in covering said nozzle and which is provided with at least one orifice for the outlet of the product, this document further suggesting the possibility of having at least two pushers lateral arranged so that a lateral pressure exerted on said pushers causes axial displacement of the nozzle from a closed position towards an open position.

The inventor proposes a control mechanism with lateral pushers for the distribution of a product contained in a container of the aforementioned general type, but which advantageously differs in that an elastic means is arranged at the base of the nozzle and comes to bear on a fixed part of the container in order to urge said tip against the effect of the pushers to allow it to resume its initial obturation position.

According to one embodiment, the lateral pushers are pushers with lever which are articulated to tilt inward and are integral with stops, while said tip has at least two radial bearing surfaces on which come to bear said abutments of the lateral pushers.

Preferably, the pushers are in one piece with the cap and are articulated by means of hinges with grooves or thinning weakening.

For example, the elastic means for returning to the initial position the end piece is constituted by at least two elastic tabs arranged at the base of the nozzle and which come to bear by their free ends on a fixed part of the container. According to a mode of particular embodiment, the elastic tabs are part of a elastic crown which has a generally frustoconical shape and which consists of a plurality of such elastic tabs.

According to one embodiment, the end piece includes a chimney central whose end is provided with at least one opening of passage for the product and which is slidably mounted watertight in a skirt of the cap arranged around the orifice of this one.

In this case for example, the orifice of the cap is formed at the end of a protuberance into which the end is introduced from the mouthpiece chimney.

More particularly, but not exclusively, for a capsule service, the end piece has an end provided for closing off the orifice of the cap while the opening for passage of the nozzle is closed by a part of the cap in the closed position of the end piece and, on the contrary, communicates with the orifice of said cap in the open position.

For a container with an opening neck, the tip is for example mounted sliding in and / or on said neck of the container and can have for this purpose an interior skirt which slides on the wall inside of the container neck.

In its application for an aerosol container, part appropriate tip is provided to come to rest on the rod the container valve so that the pushers are actuated acts on said valve.

Similarly, for a container provided with a spraying, an appropriate part of the nozzle is planned to come rely on said spray pump fitted on the container so that the actuation of the pushers acts on said pump.

According to an entirely interesting embodiment, the orifice of the cap communicates with a product applicator.

For example, the applicator is in the form of a porous element liable to soak up with product.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation et en demi-coupe d'une capsule selon l'invention en position de fermeture,
• la figure 2 correspond à la figure 1, mais en position d'ouverture,
• la figure 3 est une vue en élévation du dispositif des figures 1 et 2 du côté d'un poussoir,
• la figure 4 montre l'embout mobile du dispositif des figures 1 à 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue en élévation et en demi-coupe d'un mode de réalisation pour récipient aérosol muni d'un applicateur du type à élément poreux,
• la figure 6 est une vue de profil du dispositif de la figure 5,

The invention will be clearly understood and other particularities will appear on reading the description which follows and which refers to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a view in elevation and in half-section of a capsule according to the invention in the closed position,
• FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. 1, but in the open position,
• FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2 from the side of a pusher,
• FIG. 4 shows the mobile end piece of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3,
• FIG. 5 is a view in elevation and in half-section of an embodiment for an aerosol container fitted with an applicator of the type with a porous element,
• FIG. 6 is a side view of the device in FIG. 5,

The two embodiments shown being based on the same invention, similar or comparable means have the same reference.

In the drawings, there is shown schematically a container in 1 which contains the product to be distributed.

In Figures 1 and 2, the container 1 further comprises a col 2.

In these embodiments, the invention provides a tip 3 movably mounted on an opening of the container and in this case for Figures 1 and 2, on the neck 2 of said container.

A cover 4 has also been provided which is fixed, by example by clipping, on the container 1, so that said cover 4 is completely stationary relative to said container 1.

The cover 4 is provided with two lateral pushers 5, 5 ′ to lever (here in one piece with the rest of the cap), diametrically opposite and articulated as shown in the drawings, so that be able to tilt inwards by means for example as here, of grooved hinges or weakening thinning such as 6.

The pushers 5, 5 'are each provided with stops 7 provided to come to bear on at least two bearing surfaces 8, 8 ' radially and diametrically opposite, provided on the end piece 3.

The end piece 3 is provided with at least one passage opening 9 and the cap 4 of at least one orifice 10.

The end piece 3 further comprises a central chimney 11 provided of the opening 9 and which is slidably mounted in a sealed manner in a conjugate skirt 12 of the cap arranged around the orifice (s) 10 of it.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the orifice 10 of the cap 4 is formed at the end of a protuberance 13 in which the end of the chimney 11 of the end piece 3 is introduced, said protrusion serving as a means of payment or application of the product and can go so far as to constitute a real cannula.

Still in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the tip 3 is provided with an inner skirt 14 which slides in the neck 2 of container 1, the nozzle 3 being further provided with a skirt 15 which slides on said neck 2.

In Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5, it can also be seen that the nozzle 3 is provided with elastic tabs 16 intended to come and take support on a fixed part of the container 1 (for example around the neck 2).

In the embodiment of Figures 1, 2 and 4, the legs 16 are part of a crown of generally frustoconical shape like the shows more particularly Figure 4, while in the mode of embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, in particular because of the shape not cylindrical, the legs are for example two in number and diametrically opposite. In Figures 1, 2 and 4, the tabs 16 extend the skirt 15 of the end piece 3, while in FIG. 5, each tab 16 extends the corresponding bearing surface 8 of said tip 3.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, we see that in the closed position (Figure 1) the nozzle 3 has one end 17 which closes the orifice 10 of the cap 4, while at otherwise it releases said orifice in the open position (figure 2), thus connecting the opening 9 and the orifice 10 the end cap and the cap respectively, the opening 9 remaining tightly insulated from the rest of the cap thanks to the skirt 12 of this one.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the opening 9 and the orifice (s) 10 are always in communication for the reasons which will be mentioned below.

In the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6, the container 1 is of the aerosol type, part 19 of the nozzle 3 coming to bear on the control rod 18 of the container valve. It's that part 19 the nozzle 3 of Figure 5 which is provided with the opening 9 while that the orifice (s) 10 of the cover are for example formed in a small patch 20.

However, the container 1 could of course include a spray pump, reference 18 can quite represent the part of this pump on which part 19 rests tip 3.

In addition, the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6 is provided a product applicator, here in the form of a porous element 21 in dome shape fixed in the cap 4.

To protect the applicator 21, there is also provided here a cap 22 which covers the assembly.

We understand that Figures 1 to 4 relate more particularly a container with a simple flow dispensing capsule and that FIGS. 5 and 6 relate to an aerosol type container or pumped with an applicator with a porous element.

However, it is clear that these devices are equipped with the same mechanism and operate in the same way by acting on the side pushers 5, 5 '.

Initially, for the container of Figures 1 to 3, the end 17 of the nozzle 3 closes the orifice 10 of the cap (Figure 1), while that the container of Figures 5 and 6 is closed by the absence of pressure exerted on the control rod 18 (or respectively the pump).

By exerting pressure on the side pushers 5, 5 'in the direction of arrow P in Figure 2 (which of course applies also in FIG. 5), the stops 7 of said pushers, in the form, by example, pads or stirrups and which rest on surfaces 8, 8 'of the nozzle 3, force it to sink towards the container (we thus go from figure 1 to figure 2).

The translative pressure of the nozzle 3 therefore makes it possible to release the orifice 10 of the cover 4 (FIG. 2) or else to open the valve of the aerosol in Figures 5 and 6.

In this way, the product contained in the container 1 can flow through openings 9 and orifices 10, either directly (Figures 1 to 4), either by soaking the applicator with a porous element 21 (Figures 5 and 6).

We understand that the deflection angle of the pushers is calculated to allow sufficient translation of the nozzle 3.

In addition, we also understand that a more or less pressure important on the pushers allows a regulation of the flow.

When the pressure on the pushers stops, the elastic tabs 16 bring the tip back to its initial position.

In the case of FIGS. 5 and 6, the spring with which the aerosol valve (or pump) and / or internal pressure exerted on this one, helps to return to the initial position (the legs 16 possibly in some cases, not being essential).

Finally, it is clear that the applicator with a porous element 21 of the Figures 5 and 6 can equip a container of the type of those of Figures 1 to 3, i.e. without pump or aerosol (use by inversion and / or by pressure exerted on the sides of the repentance, which would be flexible for this purpose).

Claims (14)

1. Control mechanism with side push buttons (5, 5') for the distribution of a product contained in a receptacle (1), comprising an end piece (3) fitted so that it can move over an opening of the receptacle (1) and a cap (4) which is arranged fixed on the receptacle covering said end piece and which is provided with at least one orifice (10) for the emergence of the product and with at least two side push buttons (5, 5') disposed such that a lateral pressure exerted on said push buttons causes an axial movement of the end piece (3) from a blocking position to an open position, said mechanism being characterised in that an elastic means (16) is arranged at the base of the end piece and bears on a fixed part of the receptacle in order to move said end piece against the effect produced by the push buttons in order to allow it to return to its initial blocking position.
2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic means for returning the end piece (3) to its initial position is constituted by at least two elastic feet (16) arranged at the base of the end piece and which bear through their free ends on a fixed part of the receptacle (1).
3. Mechanism according to claim 2, characterised in that the elastic feet form part of an elastic crown (16) which exhibits a general truncated conical shape and which is constituted by a plurality of such elastic feet.
4. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the side push buttons (5, 5') are lever push buttons which are hinged to pivot inwards and are locked to stops (7), whereas said end piece (3) comprises at least two radial bearing surfaces (8, 8') on which said stops (7) of the side push buttons (5, 5') come to bear.
5. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the push buttons (5, 5') are made in a single piece with the cap (4) and are hinged by means of hinges with weakening grooves or thin parts (6).
6. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the end piece (3) comprises a central chimney (11) the end of which is provided with at least one opening (9) for passage of the product and which is fitted sliding sealingly in a skirt (12) of the cap (4) arranged around the orifice (10) of the latter.
7. Mechanism according to claim 6, characterised in that the orifice (10) of the cap (4) is formed at the end of a protuberance (13) into which the end of the chimney (11) of the end piece (3) is introduced.
8. Mechanism according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterised in that the end piece (3) comprises an end (17) designed to block the orifice (10) of the cap (4) while the opening (9) for passage in the end piece is closed by a portion of the cap (4) in the blocking position of the end piece and in contrast communicates with the orifice (10) of said cap (4) in the open position.
9. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 8 for a receptacle provided with an opening collar (2), characterised in that the end piece (3) is fitted sliding in and/or on said collar of the receptacle.
10. Mechanism according to claim 9, characterised in that the end piece (3) exhibits an inner skirt (14) which slides on the inner wall of the collar (2) of the receptacle (1).
11. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 for an aerosol receptacle (1), characterised in that an appropriate portion (19) of the end piece is designed to come to bear on the rod (18) of the valve of the receptacle such that the operation of the push buttons (5, 5') acts on said valve.
12. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 7 for a receptacle (1) with a vaporisation pump (18), characterised in that an appropriate portion (19) of the end piece (3) is designed to come to bear on said vaporisation pump (18) arranged on the receptacle such that the operation of the push buttons (5, 5') acts on said pump.
13. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the orifice (10) of the cap (4) communicates with a product applicator (21).
14. Mechanism according to claim 13, characterised in that the applicator takes the form of a porous element (21) liable to become soaked with product.

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