EP0758615B1 - Packaging and dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and distribution of liquid, gelled products or pasty, and in particular, but not exclusively, a device for packaging and distribution of several products sun protection cosmetics, clues different protection.

We know from the German patent application 24 44 227 a device for packaging and distributing two products liquids, including a two-compartment container for storing products separately, each compartment comprising a outlet for the product and the device comprising means for fixing a dispensing head to the container rotary to distribute the product contained in a selected compartment corresponding to an angular position predetermined head. In this device, the output of products are made through two respective distribution channels which emerge side by side. Such a device does not offer complete satisfaction, in particular because foreign bodies such as sand or dust can get into the container during the return of air which accompanies the return of the latter in its initial form after a product distribution. In addition, in the event of prolonged use of one of the products only, the other product contained in the associated distribution channel can dry or denature in contact with air.

We know from European patent application EP-A-0421860 a dispensing device comprising two bottles with mouthpiece breakable. This device is equipped with a dispensing head rotary comprising a mixing chamber in which the products mix before being discharged through a channel distribution. This device does not allow selective distribution any of the products in the vials.

The object of the present invention is in particular to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks.

It achieves this by proposing a system of packaging and distribution of a liquid, gelled or pasty, comprising a container with several compartments for store at least two products separately, each compartment comprising a product outlet mouthpiece, the device further comprising means for fixing to the container a rotating dispensing head for dispensing the product contained in a selected compartment corresponding to a predetermined angular position of the head, characterized by causes said dispensing head to have a single distribution fitted with a valve at the outlet end capable of open under the effect of the push of the product upstream, and by the the fact that said dispensing head is shaped to establish a selective communication between the mouth of said compartment selected and said distribution channel and / or exert an action selective on product extraction means associated with said audit selected compartment.

Advantageously, said valve is of the air return type.

Thanks to the invention, pollution of the products is prevented contained in the container by foreign bodies and avoid that product stagnates in the distribution channel in the event prolonged use of one of the products only. We decrease thus the risk that the distribution channel becomes blocked or that the product denatures on contact with air.

When the thrust exerted on the valve by the product ceases, the product contained in the distribution channel is advantageously brought back by the suction which accompanies the return of the device in the initial state in the associated compartment. We avoid thus, during a subsequent distribution of the product contained in the other compartment, that the products of the two compartments mix in the distribution channel.

When the packaging and distribution system is used for the packaging of cosmetic products protection against sun exposure, the user can advantageously have under the appearance of a single bottle or tube of several products with different protection indices, or of a sun protection product and a after-sun such as a moisturizer.

The term "container" should not be understood with any meaning restrictive, and includes any type of container, whether it is a single piece or formed by assembling several containers side by side elementary, in which case said compartments correspond in made to said basic containers.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the head of rotary distribution can take an angular position of closure of the device in which said channel is isolated said mouths. Opening or closing the device by rotating the dispensing head without separation of parts, problems of loss of plug or entry foreign bodies which may hinder the closing, such as sand, encountered with the tubes or bottles of the prior art, are avoided.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said means for fixing the dispensing head to the container have a cap having a tubular skirt external to click on the container and a neck for the rotational mounting of the head, the cap also being traversed by orifices communicating respectively in a sealed manner with said mouths of said compartments and opening into the interior of the neck in angularly spaced locations. Advantageously, these orifices are formed by recesses made on the face inside of the collar at its base and the cap has lips sealing rings engaging respectively in said mouthpieces when placed on the container.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the container has at least one flexible wall shaped to allow the user to chase the product contained in a container compartment by pressure on this wall. Advantageously, said flexible wall is elastically deformable, and at rest has the shape of a half-sphere projecting from the outer surface of the container.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said means for fixing the rotary dispensing head to the container allow axial movement of the head along its axis of rotation and said product outlet mouths are located on hollow control rods whose penetration acts on extraction means capable of causing a product to leave, the head having a bearing shaped so as to come to bear axial on only one control rod at a time.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said control rods are associated with respective pumps suitable for distribute each dose of the control rod a dose of product.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said valve is produced by overmolding in an elastomeric material.

Preferably, the valve is located substantially in the continuity of the external surface of the dispensing head. So, the product that comes out of the valve during dispensing can accumulate on the external surface of the front distributor head to be removed by the user with his fingers or deposited directly on the region of the body on which the product must to be applied.

Advantageously, a device as mentioned above is used to package and distribute two cosmetic products from sun protection, protection ratings or a protective product against exposure to sun and an after-sun.

However, it is not going beyond the scope of the invention to using a device as mentioned above for the application of two treatment products, one of the products before be applied in the morning for example and the other in the evening.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale, partielle et schématique, d'un dispositif de distribution et de conditionnement conforme à un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale, partielle et schématique, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un deuxième exemple de réalisation de l'invention, et
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe axiale, partielle et schématique, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un troisième exemple de réalisation de l'invention.

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

• FIG. 1 is a view in axial section, partial and schematic, of a dispensing and packaging device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view in axial section, partial and schematic, of a packaging and dispensing device according to a second embodiment of the invention, and
• Figure 3 is an axial sectional view, partial and schematic, of a packaging and distribution device according to a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for packaging and distribution in accordance with a first example of realization of the invention. This device 1 comprises a container 2 with two compartments 3, 4 intended to receive two creams of protection against sun exposure, of different indices. The container 2 is made by any technique of conformation of plastic material known per se, for example by injection blow molding or by extrusion and welding. The compartments 3 and 4 are separated by a partition 5 and open out at the end upper of container 2 by respective mouths 6, 7, parallel axes and circular cross section.

The container 2 is supported on the outside to define a step 8 intended for fixing a cap 9. The latter covers the mouths 6, 7 and the connection area of the partition 5 at the top wall region of the container extending between these. The recess 8 is delimited radially inward by a tubular wall 10 on the outer surface from which is formed an annular groove 11. The latter is intended for snapping, that is to say snap-fastening, of a bead annular 12 of complementary shape projecting radially inward on a tubular skirt 13 made in part bottom of the cap 9. The tubular skirt 13 is connected superiorly on a wall 14 transverse to the axis of the skirt tubular 13, this wall 14 being extended above by a neck 15 of axis X used for mounting a tip or head 16 rotary distribution. The axes of the mouthpieces 6,7 are parallel to the X axis. The wall 14 is provided on its underside of annular sealing lips 17 and 18 adjusting so sealed respectively in the mouths 6 and 7 of the container 2. Recesses 19 and 20 are formed at the base of the neck 15 on its radially internal surface and appear in the example of embodiment described in the form of rectilinear oriented slots parallel to the X axis of the neck 15, opening at their end lower in the mouths 6 and 7 respectively and at their upper end in neck 15 at respective locations diametrically opposite.

The dispensing nozzle 16 is delimited externally at its upper part by a wall 16 a in the shape of a dome and laterally by a tubular skirt 16 b and internally comprises two coaxial tubular skirts 21, 22 connecting at their upper end on the internal face of the wall 16 a . The tubular skirts 21 and 22 provide between them an annular space acting as a channel 23 for the passage of the product, opening at the upper end on the external face of the wall 16 a through a distribution orifice 24. The side wall 16 b is provided on its radially internal surface with an annular groove 25 snapped onto an annular bead 26 of complementary shape produced on the radially external surface of the neck 15.

The tubular skirt 21, located between the wall 16b and the tubular skirt 22 is hollowed out at its periphery from its lower end edge to form an opening 27 for the passage of the product leaving the recess 19 or 20 (depending on the angular position of the dispensing nozzle 16) towards the channel 23.

The dispensing orifice 24 is normally closed in the absence of product dispensing, by a valve 28, preferably of the air intake-type, made by overmolding an elastomeric material on the wall 16 a of dispensing nozzle 16.

The transverse wall 14 has on its upper face a first annular sealing lip 29 internally bordering the radially internal surface of the tubular skirt 21 and a second annular sealing lip 30 extending between the tubular skirt 21 and the tubular skirt 22.

Depending on the product selected, the user turns the nozzle distribution 16 around the X axis to position the opening 27 of the tubular skirt 21 opposite the recess 19 or the recess 20 and distribute the product contained in the compartment 3 or compartment 4 respectively, or in a intermediate position to close the device. After having positioned the dispensing nozzle 16 according to the compartment selected, the user presses the wall of the container 2 delimiting this compartment to distribute the product contained in the latter, the valve 28 lifting under the effect of the pressure of the product. When the user releases the container 2, the valve 28 closes thanks to its own elasticity. The closing action of valve 28 is facilitated when the container 2 is made in one flexible, elastically deformable material thanks to the suction which supports the return of the container to its original shape. This suction makes it possible to avoid, during a subsequent distribution of the product contained in the other compartment, that the products from compartments 3 and 4 do not mix in channel 23.

FIG. 2 shows a device for packaging and distribution 1 'according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention. We will use for this variant as for the following the same signs of reference to designate elements identical to those of the previous achievement, which may not be described again in details.

The container 2 'has roughly the same shape as the container 2 previously described and the cap 9 'differs from the above mainly by the shape of the inside of the neck 15. The cap 9 'has inside a tubular skirt 31 cut out on two limited angular sectors of its periphery in diametrically opposite locations to form two product passage openings 32, 33.

The dispensing nozzle 16 'rotatably mounted on the neck 15 around the axis X has an external side wall 16 b ' on which protrudes a rib 34 serving as an index to designate the selected compartment and an upper wall 16 a ' domed, crossed at its top by a central orifice 35 for the outlet of the product. A valve 36 made of elastomeric material is produced at the top of the wall 16 a 'by overmolding and it is cut in a star from its center to form several flexible blades 37 extending contiguously at rest to close the valve by absence of pressurization of the product upstream, able to deform by deviating outward under the effect of the pressure of the product to be dispensed. The dispensing nozzle 16 ′ internally comprises two coaxial tubular skirts 21 ′ and 22 ′ which are connected at the top on the internal face of the wall 16 a ′. The radially internal tubular skirt 22 'internally forms a product passage channel 23' opening at its upper end onto the orifice 35 and it is perforated at its lower end over a limited sector of its periphery to form an opening 38 for passage of product to channel 23 '. The intermediate tubular skirt 21 'fits tightly on the radially internal surface of the neck 15 above the recesses 19 and 20. It is perforated from its lower end edge over a limited angular sector of its periphery to forming an opening 39 for the passage of the product from the recesses 19 or 20 to the channel 23 '(after crossing the opening 32 or 33 and the opening 38).

To distribute product, the user positions the index 34 on the side of compartment 3 or compartment 4 depending on the product selected.

The opening 39 of the internal tubular skirt 21 'is located then either between the recess 19 and the opening 32 adjacent to this last, either between the recess 20 and the opening 33 adjacent to this latest. The product is dispensed by pressing the wall of the container delimiting compartment 3 or compartment 4 selected. The product circulates through the recess 19 or 20, opening 39 and adjacent opening 32 or 33, opening 38 of the internal tubular skirt 22 'and reaches the dispensing orifice 35 by channel 23 '. The blades of the valve 37 move apart under the effect of product pressure. When the user stops pressing the container, the latter tends by elasticity to regain its shape initial and sucks the product contained in the channel 23 '.

To close the device, the user positions the tip distribution 16 'in an intermediate angular position in which the recesses 19 and 20 are isolated from the channel 23 '.

FIG. 3 shows a device for 1 "packaging and distribution conforms to a third exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The device 1 "comprises a container 2" housing two 3 "and 4" elementary containers loaded with two respectively products to be distributed separately, for example two protection against sun exposure of different indices.

The containers 3 "and 4" are provided at their upper part with pumps 3 a "and 4 a ", known in themselves and shown diagrammatically, provided with respective hollow control rods 3 b "and 4 b ".

Pumps 3 a "and 4a" can be of the type without return air and the containers 3 "and 4" of the type in which the product is packaged in a flexible pouch able to fold on itself in response to a product departure.

The 2 "container has at its top a recess on the radially outer surface of which is formed an annular groove 11 "for mounting a 9" cap on the 2 "container with the possibility of sliding along a stroke predetermined parallel to the X axis. The 9 "cover has a 13 "tubular skirt provided in the vicinity of its end edge bottom of a 12 "annular bead engaging in the groove 11 "to hold the 9" cap on the 2 "container. The 9" cap is fitting onto the 2 "container by snapping. The tubular skirt 13 "connects to its upper part on a transverse wall 14 "generally extending perpendicular to the X axis. The wall 14 "is extended above by a 15" collar on which is rotatably mounted around the X axis a 16 "dispensing head.

The control rods 3 b "and 4 b " pass through the wall 14 "through respective holes 19" and 20 "and open inside the neck 15" in a shoulder part 15 a "of the latter extending from its base and shaped to allow the control rods 3 b "and 4 b " to slide parallel to the X axis.

The head 16 "differs from the head 16 previously described with reference to FIG. 1 by the shape of the tubular skirt 21" in contact with the radially internal surface of the neck 15 ". More precisely, the tubular skirt 21" is shouldered at 21 a "in the lower part on half of its periphery to form with the shouldered part 15 a " of the neck 15 "a semi-annular groove 23" in which the control rods 3 b "or 4 b " can slide freely. The tubular skirt 21 "is provided, on one half of its external circumference, with a rib 21 b " constituting a shaped surface for pressing axially on the end edge 3 c "or 4 c " of a control rod 3 b "or 4 b " when the cover 9 "is pressed onto the container 2". The channel formed inside the control rods is referenced 3 d "or 4 d ". The tubular skirt 21 "has on its portion extending opposite the shoulder part 15 a " of the neck 15 "at least one opening 27", preferably located directly above the valve 28 fitted to the dispensing head 16 "16 "for the passage of the product leaving the control rod on which the tubular skirt 21" rests via the rib 21 b "towards the dispensing orifice equipped with the valve 28. The tubular skirt 21" is applied sealed, by its radially external annular surface located above the shoulder 21a ", on the radially internal annular surface of the neck 15" located above the shoulder part 15a ".

To dispense the product contained in one of the 3 "or 4" containers, the user turns the dispensing head 16 "to position the rib 21 b " on the side of the control rod 3 b "or 4 b " depending on the product to distribute. The two control rods 3 b "and 4 b " are returned to their rest position, fully deployed, by elastic return means integrated into the pumps 3 a "and 3 b ".

The cap 9 "comes, under the return action of the control rod pressing on the rib 21 b ", abutted by the boss 12 "against the upper end of the annular groove 11". To dispense a dose of product, the user presses on the dispensing head 16 "to slide the cover 9" down onto the container 2 ". During this movement of descent of the cover 9", the rib 21 b "presses on one of the control rods (the control rod 3b " in the example shown in FIG. 3) while the other control rod can penetrate freely into the annular groove 23 "and retains its deployed position rest.

The depression of the control rod concerned causes the exit of a predetermined dose of product through the corresponding channel 3 d "or 4 d " which constitutes a compartment mouth within the meaning of the invention.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the three examples of embodiments which have just been described.

One can in particular realize according to the invention a device to distribute more than two products alternately, or products other than protective creams against exposure to Sun.

The container used to package the products can present various forms and in particular be entirely walled flexible elastically deformable or, alternatively, with rigid wall for some parts and flexible wall for others. In this case, the flexible wall is advantageously shaped into a half-sphere protruding outward from the container at rest.

Claims (13)

1. Device for packaging and dispensing liquid, gelified or pasty products, comprising a container (2;2';2") with multiple compartments (3,4;3";4") for separately storing at least two products, each compartment (3;4;3";4") having a mouth (6,7;3d",4d") via which the product leaves, the device further comprising means (9;9';9") for fixing a rotary dispensing head (16;16';16") to the container to allow the dispensing of the product contained in a selected compartment corresponding to a predetermined angular position of the head, characterized in that the said dispensing head has a single dispensing duct fitted at the outlet end with a valve which can open under the effect of the thrust of the product upstream, and in that the said dispensing head is shaped to establish selective communication between the mouth of the said selected compartment and the saio dispensing duct and/or to exert a selective action on product-extraction means (3a"; 4a") associated with the said selected compartment.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said valve is of the air intake type
3. Device according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the said valve is located approximately in continuity of the exterior surface of the dispensing head.
4. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said valve (28;37) is made of elastomer by overmoulding.
5. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said dispensing head is capable of adopting a closed angular position in which the dispensing duct (23;23';23") is isolated from the said mouths (6,7).
6. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said fixing means comprise a cap (9; 9') which has an external tubular skirt (13;13') to be snap-fastened over the container and a neck (15) for rotatably mounting the dispensing head (16;16'), the cap having passing through it orifices (19,20) each of which communicates in a leaktight fashion with one of the said mouths (6,7) and opens inside the neck (15) at angularly spaced locations.
7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said orifices (19;20) consist of recesses made in the interior face of the neck (15) at its base.
8. Device according to either one of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the cap (9;9') has annular sealing lips (17,18) which engage respectively inside one of the said mouths (6,7) when the cap is in place on the container.
9. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the container (2) has at least part of its wall which is flexible so as to allow the user to drive the product out by exerting pressure on this wall.
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the said wall region which is flexible is elastically deformable.
11. Device according to Claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the said means (9") of fixing the rotary dispensing head (16") to the container (2") allows the head to be moved axially along its axis of rotation (X), and in that the said product outlet mouths (3d",4d") are located on hollow operating stems (3b",4b"), the depressing of which acts on extraction means capable of causing product to come out, the head having a bearing surface (21b") shaped to come to bear axially on just one operatinc stem at a time.
12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the said operating stems are associated with respective pumps (3a",4a") capable of dispensing a dose of product each time the operating stem is depressed.
13. Use of a device (1;1';1") according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging and dispensing two sun creams with different protection factors.

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