EP0753465B1 - Storage and dispensing device for a liquid or a paste with a dome like applicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and dispensing a liquid or pasty product, such as a product cosmetic, comprising a reservoir capable of containing said product and capable of be pressurized to dispense the product and an applicator dome shape for applying the product on a wide surface such as the skin, communicating internally with said reservoir and provided product outlet ports. The flow of product to through said outlet ports is caused by pressurization of the product upstream of these.

With known devices of this type, it is necessary, after each use, to bring on the applicator a closing cover designed to isolate the air outlet openings and prevent the product does not dry out or deteriorate.

Known from US Patent 3,618,825 a closure device intended for example to be mounted at the end of a pipe. These measures comprises an elastic membrane provided in its center with an orifice single exit. The membrane is supported by a support structure comprising a central shutter closing the outlet orifice of the membrane when it is at rest. This patent does not concern a device for applying a product on a wide surface such as the skin comprising a dome-shaped applicator provided with orifices for multiple outputs.

The object of the present invention is to propose a new device which is easier to use and which in particular avoids having to report systematically on the applicator a closing cover at the end of application of the product, while ensuring good conservation of this latest.

It achieves this through the characteristics set out in the claim 1.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said shutter pins are carried by a support structure coming from formation by molding with said internal wall. Alternatively, said shutter pins are carried by a support structure produced independently of said internal wall and to be fixed by snapping onto the latter.

Advantageously, said support structure is connected to said internal wall by a film hinge and said pins shutter are placed in the applicator by pivoting the support structure around the hinge axis of articulation film, after molding.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said support structure and said inner wall are shaped to assemble by snap at the end of the pivoting movement of said support structure.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said shutter pins are carried by support legs conforming to substantially the shape of the inner face of said inner wall and the latter comprises pairs of claws arranged so as to retaining by cooperation of shapes said support legs after breakdown of the latter on the internal wall.

As a variant, said shutter pins are carried by support hoops substantially matching the shape of the face interior of said inner wall and recesses are provided in the latter for receiving latching teeth formed at the end of the arches opposite to said film hinge.

• la figure 1 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue selon le trait de coupe II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue à échelle agrandie d'un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus selon la flèche V de la figure 2,
• la figure 6 est une coupe axiale, schématique, représentant l'applicateur en forme de dôme à la fin de son moulage et avant montage sur le réservoir,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche VII de la figure 6,
• la figure 8 est une vue selon le trait de coupe VIII-VIII de la figure 6,
• la figure 9 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 8,
• la figure 10 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un deuxième exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue selon le trait de coupe XI-XI de la figure 10,
• la figure 12 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 10,
• la figure 13 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche XIII de la figure 10,
• la figure 14 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 13,
• la figure 15 est une vue de dessus de l'applicateur en forme de dôme représenté sur la figure 10,
• la figure 16 est une vue en coupe axiale, schématique, de l'applicateur en forme de dôme après moulage et avant montage sur le réservoir,
• la figure 17 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche XVII de la figure 16,
• la figure 18 est une coupe selon le trait de coupe XVIII-XVIII de la figure 16, et
• la figure 19 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 18.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is an axial, schematic and partial section, of a packaging and distribution device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view along the section line II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a bottom view according to arrow III in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an embodiment detail of the device shown in FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a top view along the arrow V in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic axial section showing the dome-shaped applicator at the end of its molding and before mounting on the reservoir,
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view along arrow VII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 is a view along the section line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 9 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 8,
• FIG. 10 is an axial, schematic and partial section, of a packaging and distribution device according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a view along the section line XI-XI of FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 13 is a bottom view according to arrow XIII in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 14 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 13,
• FIG. 15 is a top view of the dome-shaped applicator shown in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 16 is a schematic view in axial section of the dome-shaped applicator after molding and before mounting on the reservoir,
• FIG. 17 is a bottom view along arrow XVII of FIG. 16,
• FIG. 18 is a section along the section line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16, and
• FIG. 19 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 18.

FIGS. 1 to 9 show a device 1 for packaging and distribution in accordance with a first example of realization of the invention.

This device comprises a tank wall which has shown that the upper part in Figures 1 and 2, provided with its end of an applicator 3 in the form of a dome. A hood of closure can be attached to the tank wall 2, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, to cover the applicator 3. The cover 4 has a tubular skirt 5 capable of fitting onto the wall of tank 2 until it stops by its edge against a shoulder device 6 thereof.

The applicator 3 has an internal wall 7 made of material rigid or semi-rigid plastic supporting an external membrane 8 in elastomeric plastic. The support wall 7 is fixed to its periphery at 9 on the tank wall 2 by welding, gluing, or snap-fastening. The outer membrane 8 can be welded or glued to the support wall 7 or molded onto the latter. Of preferably, the membrane 8 is produced with the internal wall 7 by bi-injection molding. Advantageously, the membrane 8 is produced in a material giving the user an impression of softness to touch. We can thus choose to make the membrane in "Santoprene" or other thermoplastic elastomer.

The support wall 7 is formed by the union of a curved part 7 a , convex towards the outside, that is to say upwards in FIGS. 1 and 2, serving as a support for the membrane 8 and d a tubular skirt 7b for fastening on the tank wall 2, extending downwardly the bulging portion 7 is at its periphery.

The convex part 7 a is in the general form of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap, centered on an axis of symmetry which is parallel to the tank wall 2 in the example described.

In projection in a plane perpendicular to this axis of symmetry, the curved part present in the example describes a shape oval elongated along a longitudinal axis X as shown in the figure 3.

The convex part 7 a is crossed in the vicinity of its top by a row of three supply orifices 10, of circular section and whose axes extend in a median plane containing the aforementioned axis X. The supply orifices 10 are equidistant and each have a section narrowing towards the outside, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The membrane 8 is crossed by three circular distribution orifices 11, each associated with a supply orifice 10 and the same axis as this. The distribution orifices 11 have a section narrowing towards the outside and their diameter, measured at their external edge, is smaller than that of the supply orifices 10, also measured at their external edge, in a ratio of one third. approximately in the example described.

Sealing pins 12 are arranged with clearance in the supply orifices 10 to close the distribution orifices 11 when the membrane 8 is at rest. More specifically, each sealing pin 12 has an upper end of frustoconical shape 12 a , of section narrowing towards the outside. The frustoconical parts 12 a are extended downwards by cylindrical parts of revolution 12 b . The shutter pins 12 are held by a support structure including three support legs 14 extending transversely to the axis X and being connected respectively to the cylindrical portions 12 b. The cylindrical portions 12 b are interconnected by bridges of material 13 extending along the axis X aforementioned. The angle and the diameter at the top of the frustoconical parts 12 a are chosen so that the sealing pins 12 conform to the shape of the distribution orifices 11 of the membrane 8 when the latter is at rest, for effective sealing of these latter. The support legs 14 are connected at their opposite end to that carrying each shutter pin 12 by a base 15 connected by a film hinge 16 to the tubular skirt 7b of the support wall 7. The support legs 14 conform to the shape of the inner face of the support wall 7, and are each formed by the union of a curved portion 14a extending opposite the domed portion 7 a of the support wall 7 and a straight portion 14 b extending opposite the tubular skirt 7 b . Each support tab 14 is held in place inside the applicator 3 by a pair of claws 17 projecting from the internal surface of the tubular skirt 7b . More specifically, each pair of claws 17 has teeth 18 facing each other for latching a conformation 19 of suitable width formed on the straight portions 14 b of the support legs 14.

There is shown in Figure 5, seen from above, the three distribution orifices 11 of the membrane 8 at rest, closed by the tapered upper ends 12 has 12 shutter pins.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the shutter pins 12 and the support structure of the latter have come from molding with the support wall 7. More precisely, the shutter pins 12 and the support structure support are molded outside the volume delimited by the support wall 7, being connected to the end edge of the tubular skirt 7b by the film hinge 16, the latter giving the support structure a possibility of pivoting about an axis of rotation parallel to the X axis.

After molding, the support tabs 14 are pivoted by about 180 ° towards the inside of the applicator 3 and snapped between the claws 17. The shutter pins are then engaged with play in the feed orifices 10 and their ends. frustoconical 12 a fit tightly in the dispensing orifices 11 of the membrane 8 at rest to close them.

An annular clearance 20 is formed between the cylindrical portions 12 b of the shutter pins 12 and the edge of the supply ports 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The operation of the device 1 is as follows.

When not in use, the shutter pins 12 isolate inside the ambient air tank 2. To distribute product, the user pressurizes the product upstream of the supply ports 10. This pressurization can be carried out by means of a reduction in the internal volume of the tank, for example by means of a known piston mechanism guided in sliding by the tank wall 2 and driven in displacement by the rotation of a screw provided at one end of a wheel training. As a variant, the tank wall 2 is flexible and the internal volume of the tank is reduced by deforming inwards the tank wall 2. Thanks to its properties elastic, the membrane 8 can lift under the effect of pressure the product for distribution and the distribution 11 are released. Product may leak through play annular 20 and by the dispensing orifices 11 as long as it is kept under pressure in the tank upstream of the orifices 10. When the user stops pressurizing the product, the membrane 8 resumes its initial position elastically rest on the support wall 7, the dispensing orifices 11 being again closed by the shutter pins 12.

The cover 4 is shaped so as to prevent, when it is in place on device 1, membrane 8 to lift to distribute product. The cover 4 is internally provided with extensions tubular 21 integral with one end 22 of the bottom of the cover and shaped to be applied by their free end 23 to the membrane 8 around the shutter pins 12. The membrane 8 is then kept pressed against the shutter pins 12, and prevents a product flow through the dispensing orifices 11 in accidental pressurization of the product in the tank.

FIGS. 10 to 19 show a device 24 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

This device 24 differs mainly from that previously described by the geometry of the supply orifices, distribution and shutter pins and by the way to maintain these in place in the supply ports. We will use in the following description of the reference numbers identical to those used for the first example of implementation, simply assigned a ', for common elements (or functionally analogous) to the two exemplary embodiments and which may by therefore not to be described again in detail.

The feed orifices 10 ′ are in the form of oblong holes, with longitudinal axes parallel to each other and inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X 'of the applicator 3'.

The distribution orifices 11 ′ are in the form of oblong holes of smaller dimensions than the orifices power supply 10 'but with a contour, similar in shape to that of the supply orifices 10 '.

Shutter pins 12 'are arranged in the holes supply 10 'to close the distribution ports 11' when the membrane 8 'is at rest.

The shutter pins 12 'have an upper end shaped to conform to the shape of the dispensing orifices 11' in order to obtain an effective shutter of the latter. The shutter pins are held in place in the supply orifices 10 'by a support structure comprising support arches 14'. The shutter pins 12 'are interconnected by bridges of material 13' extending parallel to the axis X 'and are each located at the top of a support arch 14'. The latter are connected at one end to a base 15 'connected by a film hinge 16' to the tubular skirt 7b 'of the support wall 7'. The arches 14 ′ are connected at the other end by bridges of material 25. Snap-fit teeth 26 have come into formation by molding with the bridges of material 25 and are intended to snap into recesses 27 provided for this purpose. effect in the tubular skirt 7 b 'of the support wall 7', as shown more particularly in FIG. 12.

The 12 'shutter pins, with their support structure swivel, came from formation by molding with the wall of support 7.

More specifically, as shown in Figures 16 to 19, the hoops 14 'and the shutter pins 12' are molded out of the volume interior delimited by the 7 'support wall, then rotated by 180 ° about around the hinge axis of the film hinge 16 ' until the teeth 26 click into the recesses 27 in the wall support 7 '.

The operation of the device 24 is as follows.

When not in use, the membrane 8 'rests on the wall support 7 'and the dispensing orifices 11' are closed by the shutter pins 12 '. Under the effect of product pressure, present in the 20 'ring clearance formed between each pin shutter 12 'and the edge of the supply port 10', on the inner face of the membrane 8 ′, the latter deviates from the wall of support 7 'to let product flow through the orifices of distribution 11 '. When pressurizing the product for its distribution ceases, the membrane 8 'returns to bear on the wall support 7 'and the distribution orifices 11' are again closed by the 12 'shutter pins.

Of course, various modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.

One can in particular modify the number and the geometry of supply ports, distribution ports and pins shutter.

Claims (10)

1. Device (1; 24) for applying and packaging a liquid or pasty product, such as a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir (2; 2') capable of containing the said product and capable of being pressurized in order to dispense the said product, and a dome-shaped applicator (3; 3') for applying the product to a broad surface such as the skin, communicating internally with the said reservoir and provided with outlet orifices for letting out the product that is to be dispensed, the product being made to flow through the said orifices by being pressurized upstream of these orifices, the device being characterized in that the dome-shaped applicator comprises an internal wall (7; 7') made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic, fixed to the reservoir and through which supply orifices (10; 10') pass, an external membrane (8; 8') supported by the said internal wall and having dispensing orifices (11; 11') aligned with the said supply orifices but having a smaller cross-section for the passage of the product, that the applicator furthermore internally comprises pips (12; 12') which close off the said dispensing orifices, these pips being arranged, with clearance, inside the supply orifices so that when the said product is not being pressurized in order to dispense it, these close off the said dispensing orifices, it furthermore being possible for the membrane to move elastically away from the said closing-off pips under the effect of the pressure of dispensing the said product so as to allow the product to leave the applicator.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said closing-off pips (12; 12') are borne by a support structure (14; 14') formed as a result of moulding with the said internal wall (7; 7').
3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said support structure (14; 14') is connected to the said internal wall (7; 7') by a film hinge (16; 16') and in that the said closing-off pips (12; 12') are set in place in the applicator by pivoting the support structure (14; 14') about the axis of articulation of the film hinge, at the end of moulding.
4. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said support structure (14; 14') and the said internal wall are shaped in such a way that they can be assembled by snap-fastening on completion of the pivoting movement of the said support structure.
5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said closing-off pips (12) are borne by support tabs (14) which essentially conform to the shape of the interior face of the said internal wall (7) and in that the latter comprises pairs of catches (17) designed to retain the said support tabs, by virtue of the cooperation of the shapes, after these tabs have been snap-fastened onto the internal wall.
6. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said closing-off pips (12') are borne by support hoops (14') which essentially conform to the shape of the interior face of the said internal wall (7') and in that recesses (27) are formed in this wall in order to accommodate clip-in teeth (26) formed at the opposite end of the hoop (14') to the said film hinge (16').
7. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said closing-off pips are borne by a support structure produced independently of the internal wall and to be fixed to the latter by snap-fastening.
8. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a closure cap (4; 4') shaped to cover the said dome-shaped applicator (3; 3') and keep the membrane, around the said dispensing orifices (11; 11'), pressed against the said closing-off pips (12; 12') with a view to preventing any product from getting out accidentally.
9. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said external membrane (8; 8') is made at the same time as the said internal wall (7; 7') by two-shot injection moulding.
10. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said external membrane (8; 8') is bonded onto the said internal wall (7; 7').

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