EP0874767B1 - Device with a dual safety mechanism for dispensing a fluid material - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid material dispenser including a container (1), a dispensing member (2) and an actuating member (10) for dispensing the fluid material, said actuating member (10) being movable between an inoperative position and an actuating position, and comprising a body portion (11) and a material discharge portion (12) that is movable relative to said body portion between a locking position in which it prevents movement of the actuating member, and an operative position in which it enables the actuating member (10) to be moved. Said material discharge portion comprises a tab (14) that is engageable, in the locking position, with an element secured to the container via a slot (15) in said body portion. The slot (15) includes at least one bridge of material (16) designed to be broken when said material discharge portion (12) is moved for the first time from the locking position to the operative position.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for distribution of fluid product with double safety, and in particular, a product distribution device fluid comprising transport safety and safety of first use.

Transport safety means a device which prevents accidental or accidental actuation of the fluid dispenser, especially during transport. By first-time security, we mean a device which indicates to the user whether the fluid has already been used for the first time.

Transport security for distributors of fluid product are well known in the art. In particular, in patents US-A-3,148,806 and US-A-3,402 862, disclose transportation security devices where actuation of the product dispenser is prevented by pivoting of part of the pusher in a position of blocking, actuation of the distributor involving a pivoting of said pusher in its position unlocking. In the locked position, part of the pusher rests on a fixed element of the dispenser, thus preventing any actuation of said pusher. When this pusher is moved to its unlocked position, it no longer cooperates with said fixed element of the dispenser and the pusher can be actuated to dispense product.

Safety devices of first use, called well warranty devices, are also known in the state of the art. For example, document FR-2 697 505 discloses the use of an outer ring arranged around the actuating member of the dispenser, said ring with a tear-off tab before the first use of the dispenser, the tab once torn allowing the removal of the outer ring and therefore actuation of the device.

These two separate arrangements, however, imply a complication in the manufacturing, in the assembly of devices, and therefore an increase in costs.

The object of the present invention is to provide a fluid product device, comprising a safety device transport and first-use security. With the known devices, a combination of the two safeties involves the use of two safety devices separate, one ensuring transport security and the other ensuring first use security. The manufacture and assembly of a such a device would therefore be more complicated which would involve a higher cost.

The object of the present invention is to overcome and disadvantage and provide a fluid dispenser which advantageously combines the two types of security in a single device, to simplify manufacturing and mounting and therefore lower costs.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for dispensing of fluid product comprising a container, a distribution organ and an actuator of the distribution member for selectively distributing said fluid product, said actuator being movable between a rest position and an actuation position of the distribution organ, and comprising a part of body and a part for expelling the product provided with a outlet orifice, said part for expelling the product being movable relative to said body part between a blocking position, where it prevents movement of the actuating member towards its actuating position, and a position of use, where it allows the movement of the actuating member towards its actuating position, said expulsion part of the product comprising a tongue, which, in the locking position, cooperates with a element fixed relative to the container through a slot formed in said body part, said slot incorporating, before the first use of the device, minus a material bridge acting as first security use and suitable for breaking when said part product expulsion is moved for the first time from its blocking position towards its position of use.

Preferably, said part for expelling the product is movable relative to said part of the body, in rotation around an axis perpendicular to the direction of displacement of said actuating member, said part expulsion of the product being, in its blocked position, substantially parallel to said direction of movement of the actuator, and, in its position of use, substantially perpendicular to said direction of displacement of the actuating member.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, said slot extends on both sides of the tongue when the product expulsion part is in its position blockage, so that said product expulsion portion can be moved back and forth to a position of use.

Advantageously, said slot incorporates, before the first use of the device, a material bridge breakable on each side of said tab.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, said slot extends on one side of the tongue when the product expulsion part is in its position blocking, said slot incorporating on this side, before the first use of the device, a material bridge breakable.

Preferably, the dispensing member is mounted fixedly on said container by means of a fixing, said tongue, in the locking position of said product expulsion part, cooperating with said element fixing to prevent movement of the organ actuation to its actuation position.

Advantageously, said body part comprises a stop member which cooperates with the expelling part of product when it is in its position of use.

In particular, the product expulsion part has a rib which, in its position of use, cooperates with a plate integral with said body part, to block said product expulsion part in position of use.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said member distribution is a pump, said fixing element is a fixing ring and said actuating member is a pusher axially movable on said pump and around said ring.

According to another advantageous embodiment, said dispensing member is a valve, said element of fixing is a fixing ring and said member actuator is a pusher.

Advantageously, said pusher is movable angularly and has two internal ribs in support on the ring, which together with the tongue prevent actuation of the pusher in the blocking position of the part of product expulsion.

Advantageously, said product expulsion part of the actuating member includes a nozzle.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en coupe d'un distributeur de produit fluide selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une vue schématique en coupe partielle d'une variante de réalisation d'un distributeur de produit fluide selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 représente une vue schématique partielle de face, représentant plus particulièrement la sécurité de premier usage, selon la présente invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 2 et représente une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 4a est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 représentant encore une autre variante de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 5 représente une vue schématique d'ensemble représentant le dispositif de distributeur selon la présente invention, dans sa position de blocage,
• la figure 6 représente une vue similaire à celle de la figure 4, dans la position d'utilisation du distributeur, et
• la figure 7 représente une vue en perspective schématique du distributeur de l'invention dans sa position d'utilisation.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following detailed description, given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• FIG. 1 represents a schematic sectional view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a schematic view in partial section of an alternative embodiment of a fluid dispenser according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 represents a partial schematic front view, representing more particularly the safety of first use, according to the present invention,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 and represents another variant embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 4a is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing yet another variant embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 5 represents an overall schematic view showing the dispenser device according to the present invention, in its locking position,
• FIG. 6 represents a view similar to that of FIG. 4, in the position of use of the dispenser, and
• FIG. 7 represents a schematic perspective view of the dispenser of the invention in its position of use.

With reference to FIG. 1, a device for distribution of fluid according to the invention comprises a container 1 in the opening of which is mounted a distribution 2, advantageously by means of a fixing 3. The distribution member 2 can be any and may in particular be a pump or a valve. Likewise, the fixing element 3 can be a screwable ring or snap-in, a cup, or any other element of suitable fixing for fixing a dispensing member on a container. Fluid dispenser is activated by means of an actuating member 10, advantageously a pusher.

According to the invention, this actuating member (or pusher) 10 has a body part 11 and a part expelling product 12. It is mobile, for example in translation in the case of a pump, between a position of rest and an actuating position of the body distribution 2. The expulsion part 12, provided with a outlet 13 and advantageously of a nozzle 19, is movable relative to said body part 11, between a blocking position, where it prevents movement of the pusher 10 in its actuation position, and a position of use, where it allows the movement of the pusher 10 in its operating position. Figure 1 shows more particularly the blocking position of the part expelling product 12 from pusher 10. This part expelling product 12 has a projecting part, such as a cooperating tongue 14, in the position of blocking, with a fixed element relative to the container 1, to prevent movement of the pusher 10. Advantageously, said tongue 14 is supported on a part of said fixing element 3 as visible in FIGS. 1 and 2 in case the distribution member 2 is mounted directly in the container without the use of an element fixing 3, the tongue can cooperate either with the container 1, either with a part of the pump body. For cooperate with the fixed element relative to the container 3, the tab 14 of product expulsion portion 12 extends through a slot 15 formed in said body part 11 of pusher 10.

Preferably, the displacement of said part expelling product 12 with respect to said part of body 11 of pusher 10 is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pusher. In the example shown in the figures, the pusher 10 is moves vertically in translation and the part expelling product 12 rotates about a horizontal axis. Thus, in its blocking position, the expulsion part 12 is substantially parallel to said direction of movement of the actuator 10 and, in its position of use, said expulsion part 12 is substantially perpendicular to said direction of movement of The actuating member 10. Advantageously, one can providing a stop member 18, 21 on the body part 11 pusher 10 as shown in FIG. 4. This member stop may for example be a flange 18 which extends above of the cooperating expelling portion 12 with it when it is in its position of use. So the maximum angle of rotation of the product expulsion part 12, preferably ± 90 ° per relative to the locking position, can be determined by said abutment member 18. Another example of abutment member is shown in Figure 4a. In this example, the part expelling product 12 has a rib 20 which cooperates with a plate 21, integral with the body part 11, to block said product expulsion part in position of use.

Due to this rotational movement of the part expelling product 12 relative to the body part 11, said slot 15 preferably has a slightly curve as visible in Figure 3, to allow the rotational movement of the tongue 14 in the slot 15 between the locking position and the use position.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the tongue 14 rests in its locking position on the element of fixing 3 of the dispensing member 2, so that actuation of the pusher 10 is prevented. When the party expulsion 12 is moved to its position of use, the tongue 14 slides in the slot 15 until it no longer cooperates with the fixing element 3 and is found in the position shown in Figure 7, outside of the body part 11. In this position of use, pusher 10 can be actuated to dispense product.

According to the invention, the slot 15 formed in the part of body 11 of pusher 10 incorporates a safety device of first use, also called guarantee device or witness of first use. This device is preferably consisting of at least one material bridge 16 adapted to break when said product expulsion portion 12 is moved for the first time from its blocking position to its position of use. So if this material bridge 16 is intact, the user knows that the distributor has never been operated. This bridge of breakable material can be any suitable material such as plastic, and may advantageously be formed in one piece with the part of body 11 of pusher 10.

As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the slot 15 can, in the locked position, extend from two sides of the expulsion part 12, so that the latter is movable in both directions from its position blocking to a position of use. In this mode of embodiment, the slot 15 therefore comprises of preferably two bridges of material 16, one on each side of the tab 14, so that the safety device first use is effective in both directions. Of course, the slot 15 can also extend only one side from the blocking position of the part expulsion of product 12, in which case we will incorporate that only material bridge on this side.

As mentioned above, the distribution unit 2 can be a valve (see fig. 4a). In some cases, the valve release can be achieved even if the pusher 10 is not moved axially, but only angularly requested. In this case, we plan advantageously one or more internal ribs 31, 32, preferably two, in pusher 10, which come in support on the fixing ring 3. Thus in position blockage of the product expulsion part 12, both ribs 31 and 32, together with the tongue 14, form a three-point support which prevents axial stress and / or angular of the pusher 10. When the part expelling product 12 is moved to its position of use an angular request of the pusher becomes possible, pressing the pusher 10 on the ring 3 only being carried out at two points. Advantageously, the ribs 31 and 32 are arranged so as to form with the tongue 14 an approximately equilateral triangle.

The device according to the invention therefore makes it possible to carry out the two desired safeties, that is to say the security of transport, preventing actuation of the device in the pusher locking position, and safety first usage, indicating to the user if the distributor has already been used before. These two securities are in the device of the invention produced by the same means, know the slot 15 which cooperates with the tongue 14. The invention therefore provides the advantage of being able to carry out a distributor incorporating these two safeties with a minimum of complication in manufacturing and assembly, and therefore with minimum cost. In addition, as explained previously, the device of the invention applies easily to any type of container, any type of distribution, and any type of fastening element.

Claims (12)

1. A fluid dispenser comprising a receptacle (1), a dispenser member (2), and an actuator member (10) for actuating the dispenser member (2) to dispense said fluid selectively, said actuator member (10) being movable between a rest position and an actuation position for actuating the dispenser member (2), and including a body portion (11) and a fluid expulsion portion (12) provided with an outlet orifice (13), said fluid expulsion portion (12) being movable relative to said body portion (11) between a locking position in which it prevents the actuator member (10) moving towards its actuation position, and an in-use position in which it allows the actuator member (10) to move towards its actuation position, the dispenser being characterized in that said fluid expulsion portion (12) includes a tongue (14) which, in the locking position, co-operates with a fixed element that is fixed relative to the receptacle (1), cooperation taking place through a slot (15) formed in said body portion (11), said slot (15) including, before first use of the dispenser, at least one bridge of material (16) acting as a first-use safety device and adapted to break when said fluid expulsion portion (12) is moved for the first time from its locking position to its in-use position.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, in which the fluid expulsion portion (12) is movable relative to said body portion (11) in rotation about an axis perpendicular to the direction in which said actuator member (10) is movable, said fluid expulsion portion (12) in its locking position extending substantially parallel to said direction in which the actuator member (10) is movable, and in its in-use position extending substantially perpendicularly to said direction in which the actuator member (10) is movable.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, in which said slot (15) extends on either side of the tongue (14) when the fluid expulsion portion (12) is in its locking position, such that said fluid expulsion portion (12) can be moved in either direction towards its in-use position.
4. A dispenser according to claim 3, in which, prior to first use of the dispenser, said slot (15) incorporates a breakable bridge of material (16) on either of said tongue (14).
5. A dispenser according claim 1 or 2, in which said slot (15) extends to one side only of the tongue (14) when the fluid expulsion portion (12) is in its locking position, said slot (15) incorporating, prior to first use of the dispenser, a breakable bridge of material (16) on said side.
6. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which the dispenser member (2) is mounted in fixed manner on said receptacle (1) by means of a fixing element (3), and when said fluid expulsion portion (12) is in its locking position, said tongue (14) co-operates with said fixing element (3) to prevent the actuator member (10) moving towards its actuation position.
7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which said body portion (11) includes an abutment member (18) which co-operates with the fluid expulsion portion (12) when said portion is in its in-use position.
8. A dispenser according to claim 7, in which the fluid expulsion portion (12) includes a rib (20) which, in the in-use position, co-operates with a flat (21) secured to said body portion (11) to lock said fluid expulsion portion in the in-use position.
9. A dispenser according to claim 6, in which said dispenser member (2) is a pump, said fixing element (3) is a fixing ring, and said actuator member (10) is a pushbutton that is axially movable on said pump (2) and around said ring (3).
10. A dispenser according to claim 6, in which said dispenser member (2) is a valve, said fixing element (3) is a fixing ring, and said actuator member (10) is a pushbutton.
11. A dispenser according to claim 10, in which said pushbutton (10) is angularly movable and includes two internal ribs (30, 31) bearing against the ring (3) and co-operating with the tongue (14) to prevent the pushbutton (10) being actuated while the fluid expulsion portion (12) is in the locking position.
12. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, in which said fluid expulsion portion (12) of the actuator member (10) includes a nozzle (19).

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