EP0899203A1 - Assembly of two elements, mounted freely rotatable relative to each other and irreversibly connected together - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly comprises a first component (105) with a snap together ring (111) and a second component (106) with a projecting strip (119) which is able to pass through the ring when the second component is rotated relative to the first. Both ring and strip lie in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the two components, and each has an aperture (113,123) and an inclined surface (118,124) to provide mutual engagement when rotated.

Description

The present invention relates to a set of two elements mounted one on the other in an irremovable manner (under normal conditions of use), and free rotating relative to each other. The invention particularly relates to arrangements of two or more elements, which, in particular because of their low axial compressive strength, could not be mounted by traditional breakdown. This is particularly the case when the body of one or the other elements consists of a bellows. The invention is particularly suitable for the production of a mixer of the type used in the field of hair coloring. Other applications, however, can be envisaged.

Irreversible plugging of containers, for example containing samples for medical use, is known. By way of example, mention may be made of the US-A-4 patents 736 859, US-A-4 799 597, or US-A-4 934 547, which describe the fixation irremovable, except by destruction, of a beaker cover used for collection urine

In addition, in the field of packaging in particular, it is frequent, when you want to mount a first free rotating part on a second, to mount them by the so-called breakdown technique. This technique consists in providing a snap bead on the external wall of one of the parts, said cord being able to be crossed by one or more beads or rods of snap formed on the inner wall of the other room. To this end, a axial pressure on the part carrying the beads, which pressure causes, by elastic deformation of the part carrying the beads, the crossing of the cord by said beads.

This technique, although satisfactory for a good number of applications, proves to be completely unsuitable when one and / or the other of the parts to be assembled are too flexible in compression. Indeed, traditional snap mounting, due of the axial support it requires, could lead to an irreversible deformation of one and / or the other of the parts.

A snap-type closure system is also described in the patent. US-A-4,460,100. In this document, a closing device is described in which plug has a snap bead and a snap codon, consisting of a continuous rib from which a plurality of ramps extend oriented respectively so as to come into mutual engagement during the rotation of the plug relative to the container. One of the problems with a such a design is due to the fact that, due to the presence of the continuous rib, the ramps of the plug cease to be in engagement with the ramps of the container when the rib of one is positioned on the rib of the other, which in some cases may require axial pressure on the cap to complete the crossing of the snap bead by the bead of slamming.

In document WO96 / 28321, the snap bead and the bead breakdown are made in the form of one or more helical threads extending over the entire periphery of the neck of the bottle, at an angle to it to the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation. Crossing the cordon of breakdown by the breakdown bead can only be done essentially by screwing. Indeed, such nets define on the periphery two or more superimposed ribs which can only be crossed by following the net. In other words, almost all of the snap bead crosses the bead of breakdown in rotation, following the net from its entry to its exit. It is not not possible to pass a substantial part of the snap bead by axial crossing. Such a design implies a large angle of rotation to carry out such an assembly.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a set of two elements mounted free in rotation one on the other, and so irremovable, the assembly of said elements requiring substantially no axial pressure of one on the other.

It is in particular an object of the invention to allow a crossing rapid axial of the snap bead by the snap bead, in response exclusively at a low angular rotation of the first element relative to the second.

It is another object of the invention to provide a set constituting a device for the extemporaneous mixing of two products.

It is yet another object to provide an economic package, simple to build and assemble, and reliable.

Other objects will appear in detail in the description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing an assembly comprising: a first element, a portion of which is provided with a snap cord; a second element comprising a snap bead, capable of crossing said cord of breakdown, so as to allow free mounting in rotation of the second element on the first. According to the invention, the snap bead and the bead of breakdown extending respectively in a plane perpendicular to an axis X and each having at least one opening bounded by a first end forming a ramp portion and a second end extending in said plane perpendicular to the X axis, the portion (s) of ramp of the snap bead being suitable during assembly of the assembly, in response to a rotation of the first element with respect to the second around said axis X, to come into engagement via their respective openings with the ramp portion (s) of the bead of snap and allow the snap bead to pass over the bead of breakdown.

According to the invention, the crossing of the snap bead by the bead of snapping is done, outside the cord openings, passing "axially" straight portions (i.e. oriented in the plane perpendicular to the X axis) of the snap bead over the corresponding straight portions of the snap bead, in response to the axial traction generated by the setting engagement of the ramps of the first element with the ramps of the second element via their respective openings.

Advantageously, there is substantially no angular overlap between the (or) portion (s) of ramp and snap bead, respectively the cord of breakdown. This allows the crossing of the breakdown cord by the snap bead according to a movement with essentially axial component, while keeping the ramp portions in mutual engagement throughout the crossing. Advantageously, said openings are oriented according to a axis which is not substantially parallel to the planes respectively containing the snap bead and snap bead, said axis being parallel to an axis way of the ramp. This significantly reduces the angle of rotation necessary for the crossing of the snap bead by the bead. Typically, the average angle formed by the axis of the opening relative to the plane perpendicular to the X axis is of the order of 20 ° to 50 °, and preferably of the order 45 °.

Such an arrangement allows, during assembly of the assembly, the crossing of the snap bead by the bead, essentially by the rotation relative of the first element compared to the second. The means are ineffective once the assembly of the assembly has been completed, in fact, the portions of the bead and of the cord, perpendicular to the axis of rotation, prevent crossing reverse of the beading cord by the bead (under normal conditions of use), the ramp portions being after crossing the cord of breakdown by the bead, oriented opposite one another. The realization snap bead and bead in discontinuous form helps keep the ramp portions of the snap bead in mutual engagement during all the crossing of the snap bead by the bead. So only one rotation of one with respect to the other of the elements is sufficient to allow the assembly of the assembly. There is no need to exercise any axial pressure to complete the crossing and carry out the assembly. The crossing of the snap bead by the bead is done on a rotation relatively low angular. Indeed, the crossing of the snap bead by the bead is the only result of the axial traction resulting from the setting engagement of the ramps of the snap cord with the ramps complementary to the snap bead.

Advantageously, the snap bead and the snap bead comprise each at least two ramps separated angularly by at least two portions extending in a plane perpendicular to an X axis, each of said portions having a first end adjacent to one of the ramps and a second end located at a distance from the other ramp so as to delimit a opening to allow, in response to a rotation of the first element relative to the second around said axis X, the engagement of said ramps of the snap bead with said ramps of the snap bead via their respective openings, and keep them engaged throughout crossing of the snap bead by the snap bead.

According to one embodiment, said ramps each form a portion of helical thread.

However, according to a preferred embodiment, said ramps each form an arc. Such an arrangement makes it possible to further reduce the angle of rotation necessary for the crossing of the snap bead by the bead.

Advantageously, the snap bead as well as the snap bead each have three regularly spaced ramps at their periphery Three openings spaced at 120 ° are thus defined. This facilitates the implementation rapid engagement of the ramp cord ramp portions with the ramp portions of the snap bead.

For example, the snap cord and the snap bead each have three ramp portions, as well as three spaced openings angularly 120 °.

Advantageously, the first element is formed of a container capable of containing at minus a liquid or semi-liquid product, the second element consisting of operating device.

Advantageously also, the first element is formed of a container capable of contain at least one liquid or semi-liquid product, said container having a body, one end of which is surmounted by a dispensing nozzle, closed with removably by a plug, said plug being in a first position axial, contained inside a cap forming the second element, and, in a second axial position, emerging from said cap through an orifice formed in a free end of the cap, the rotation, in a first direction, of the cap relative to the container, causing the passage of the cap said first position to second.

The dispensing tip can be screwed onto a collar surmounting said body, putting rotating in the first direction, from the cap relative to the body, causing the unscrewing the nozzle and an axial rise of the cap, means being designed to immobilize the cover in rotation relative to the dispensing nozzle. The plug can be held on the nozzle by any suitable means, for example example, by snapping. For unstable mixtures, these must be used just after making the mixture. For this type of mixture, it is desirable that the tip is not screwable inside the cap, so that the user is not tempted to use the content more than once. To this end, the nozzle is disengaged from the cap, when the latter is turned in the reverse.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the container is a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two compounds, said device comprising: a first container containing a product A, said first container being surmounted by a nozzle for the distribution of the mixture; a second container containing product B; removable sealing means for isolating the first second container; actuation means to cause the expulsion of sealing means, and the mixture of products A and B.

The snap bead can be formed on an external wall of the body of the first container, said snap-on bead being formed on an internal wall of the cap, in the vicinity of an end opposite to said free end.

Advantageously, the mixture is a hair composition. For example, the product A is an oxidant, and product B is a dye.

The assembly according to the invention can be obtained from molding of materials thermoplastics (blow molding or blow molding). As examples non-limiting, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, or complexes of the PE / EVOH / PE type.

les figures 1A-1C illustrent un premier mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention, ainsi que les étapes du montage des deux éléments constituant l'ensemble;

les figures 2 et 3 illustrent un mode de réalisation détaillé d'un ensemble selon l'invention constitué d'un mélangeur, tel qu'utilisé dans le domaine de la coloration capillaire.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

Figures 1A-1C illustrate a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, as well as the steps of mounting the two elements constituting the assembly;

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a detailed embodiment of an assembly according to the invention consisting of a mixer, as used in the field of hair coloring.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1A-1C, the assembly 100 is in the form a mixer, of which only the parts constituting the invention are represented, namely mainly the device for mounting one of the components on the other.

The assembly 100, of axis X, represented roughly comprises a first element 105 consisting of a lower bottle 101 (partially shown) and a upper bottle 102. Bottle 102 has one of its ends surmounted by a neck 103. The neck has a thread 104 capable of receiving a dispensing tip (not shown, which will be discussed in more detail with reference to Figures 2 and 3). The relative arrangement of the two bottles does not constitute the subject of the invention, and will be described in more detail, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

The assembly 100 also includes a second element 106 consisting of a cap 107 able to cover the dispensing nozzle. Cap 107 is shaped oblong, tapered towards its free end 108. The end 108 has an orifice 109 for, as will be seen in more detail below, allow a removable cap carried by the dispensing nozzle. The headdress includes a tab 110, able to cooperate with an axial groove formed in the end piece distribution so as to achieve a rotational coupling of the cap 107 and the dispensing nozzle.

Thus, the cap 107 constitutes an operating member for driving axially the dispensing nozzle in order, on the one hand, to allow the mixing of the respective contents of bottles 101 and 102, and on the other hand, simultaneously, give access to the stopper, once the mixture has been produced, and thus authorize its distribution. The cap 107 must therefore be free to rotate relative to the body of the mixer. It must also be immobile axially and irremovable, at least under normal conditions of use.

To this end, according to the invention, the mounting of the cap 107 is carried out in the manner which will now be described in more detail. A "snap cord" 111 is produced over substantially the entire periphery of the body of the bottle 102, in the vicinity from its lower end, and extending in a plane perpendicular to the X axis. At least there, the section of the bottle 102 is circular. The cord of breakdown 111 differs from conventional breakdown cords in that it is interrupted at three points on its circumference so as to form three openings or inlets 113 angularly spaced 120 °. So the cord of breakdown is actually made up of three portions 114, 115 (the third only appears not in the drawing), of substantially identical angular width, and oriented perpendicular to the X axis. Each entry 113 is bounded by the end rear 116 of a portion 115 and the front end 117 of the adjacent portion 114 at said rear end. The front end 117 of a given portion 114 is in alignment with the cord 111, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the axis X of the assembly, while the rear end 116 of the adjacent portion 115 forms a ramp facing the top of the device, which ramp forms a short portion of helical net or net in an arc 118. This arrangement helps guide entrances 113, which can only be crossed in one only direction of rotation. In other words, each portion of cord 114, 115 is consisting of a straight portion 200, 202, substantially perpendicular to the axis X, bounded by a front end, in alignment with the central portion, and a rear end, curved, defining a ramp oriented towards the neck 103 of the bottle 102. For the purposes of the present description, the concepts "front" and "rear" are relative, and depend only on the direction of rotation. Ramp 118 forms a average angle of about 45 °, and extends so as not to overlap angularly substantially with the adjacent portion 114. In others terms, the projection of the free end 116 of the ramp 118 on a plane perpendicular to the X axis, is located near the end 117 of the portion 114.

Similarly, the internal surface of the cap 107 is provided with a bead 119 also consisting of three portions 120, 130, 131, arranged in a plane perpendicular to the X axis, the cap being at this point of circular section. Each portion 120, 130, 131 consists of a central portion 201 substantially perpendicular to the X axis, delimited by a rear end 121 in alignment with the central portion 201, and a front end 122, curved, defining a ramp which, when the cap is placed on the assembly, is oriented at the opposite, but opposite, of the ramps formed by the cord 111. Thus, the bead 119 also has three openings 123 angularly spaced at 120 °. Each entry 123 is delimited by the rear end of a portion 131 and the front end 122 of the portion 120 adjacent to said rear end. So that already mentioned, the front end 122 of a given portion 120 forms a ramp turned towards the lower part of the container 102, while the end rear 121 of a given portion is in line with the cord 119, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the X axis of the assembly 105. In the same way that for the cord 111, the ramps formed by the bead 119 form also portions of the net (helical or circular) 124 complementary to the portions of net 118 formed by the cord 111, so that, during a rotation of the cap relative to the element 105, come into engagement one with the others, via the openings 113, 123 and cause an axial displacement of the cap relative to the first element 105 by passing the straight portions 201 of the snap bead over the straight portions 200, 202 of the cord of breakdown. The axial displacement is substantially equal to the axial height of the ramps. In the illustrated embodiment, the portions 120, 130, 131, formed by the bead 119 are more spaced than the portions 114, 115 formed by the cord 111. For this bead 119, there is no angular overlap between the portions 120, 130, 131. Thus, it facilitates the demolding in force of the cap, while making a solid attachment of the cap on the container 102.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1A, the inlet of the threading portion 124 is angularly offset from the inlet of a thread portion 118 of the cord 111. By turning the cover 107 relative to the device, in the direction of clockwise (FIG. 1B), the thread portion 124 is brought in engagement with the threading portion 118, via the respective inputs 113, 123, which thread portions 124 and 118 will slide one over the other, producing an axial displacement of the cap relative to the bottle 102. In continuing to turn the cap in the same direction (Figure 1C), the displacement axial continues until the cord 111 is completely crossed by the bead 119, the ramp portions 124 and 118 remaining in engagement while the crossing, which allows this crossing to be carried out without having to exercise the slightest axial pressure on the cap. At this stage, the bead 119 has passed under the cord 111. Inputs 113 and 123 are always oriented opposite one from the other, but more opposite one another, which prohibits their crossing in the opposite direction (disassembly) regardless of the direction of rotation of the cap 107 relative to the container 102. Thus, the cap 107 is mounted without any axial force, by a simple rotation, like a screwing. The cap 107 is axially stationary relative to the device 105, but free to rotate. The cap 107 is not removable, except to exert an effort of traction without common measure with normal conditions of use.

We now refer to Figures 2 and 3 representing more complete, a device for the extemporaneous mixing of two products A and B. The mixer 100 comprises a body 2 delimiting a lower reservoir 101, containing product A, and an upper reservoir 102, containing product B. The two tanks are separated by a throttle 3 closed by a member removable 8, carried by a free end of a coupling element 11 secured to the end piece 18. The end piece 18 is screwed onto the neck 103 of the upper bottle 102, and is coupled in rotation with the cap 107 by means of the member 110 carried by the cap 107. The dispensing nozzle 18 is closed by a screw cap 40, which, before the mixture (Figure 2) is almost completely contained inside the cap 107, thus prohibiting the opening of the plug 40 in this position.

The cap 107 comprises a snap bead 119, of the type described in reference to Figures 1A-1C. The bead 119 is located in the vicinity of the part lower part of the cap 107, on its internal wall. The container 102 includes on its external surface, near its lower end, a snap bead 111, of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1A-1C. mounting the cap on the body 2 is produced in the manner previously discussed, and does not therefore requires no further description.

To make and use the mixture, the user rotates the cap 107 relative to the body 2 of the mixer. This rotational movement causes the unscrewing the end piece 18, and its axial rise. This axial movement causes in in addition to the rise of the removable member 8, via the coupling member 11, and the release of the opening delimited by the constriction 3. Product A falls in the tank 101, thus producing the mixture M. The axial rise of the nozzle causes the emergence of the plug 40 outside the cap 107. The plug can then be unscrewed, and the mixture can be applied.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below. Although the only embodiments which have been described relate to mixers, it is obvious that the invention is not limited to such applications. It aims in practice any combination of two elements, one of which must be mounted rotatably on the other, and cannot be removed. Such an invention can find application especially in the food, toy, etc.

Claims (14)

Assembly comprising: a first element (105) provided with a drawstring breakdown (111); a second element (106) comprising a snap bead (119), capable of crossing said breakdown cord (111), so as to allow a free mounting in rotation of the second element on the first element (105); the snap bead (111) and the snap bead (119) extending respectively in a plane perpendicular to an X axis and each having at at least one opening (113, 123) delimited by a first end (116, 122) forming a ramp portion (118, 124) and a second end (117) extending in said plane perpendicular to the X axis, the ramp portion (s) the snap bead (111) being suitable during assembly of the assembly, in response to a rotation of the first element (105) relative to the second (106) at come into engagement via their respective openings (113, 123) with the (or them) ramp portion (s) of the flange bead (119) and allow crossing of the snap bead (111) by the snap bead (119). An assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that there is substantially no angular overlap between the ramp portion (s) (118, 124) and the corresponding second end (117,131) with which said (or said) ramp portion (s) define said opening (113, 123). An assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the cord of breakdown (111) and the breakdown bead (119) each comprise at least two ramp portions (118, 124), angularly separated by at least two portions (200, 202) extending in the same plane perpendicular to an axis X, each of said portions (200, 202) having a first end adjacent to one of the ramp portions and a second end (117,121) located at a distance of the other ramp portion so as to delimit an opening (113, 123) for allow, in response to a rotation of the first element (105) by relative to the second (106) around said axis X, the engagement of said ramp portions (124) of the snap bead (119) with said portions of ramp (118) of the breakdown cord (111) via their respective openings (113, 123), and keep them in engagement while crossing the cordon breakdown (119) by the breakdown bead (111). Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that said ramp portions (118, 124) each form a portion of net helical. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that said ramp portions (118,124) each form an arc of a circle. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the snap bead (111) as well as the snap bead (119) each have three ramp portions evenly spaced at their periphery. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that that the first element (105) is formed of a container (101, 102) capable of containing at least one liquid or semi-liquid product, the second element (106) being consisting of an operating member (107). Assembly according to Claim 7, characterized in that the first element comprises a container (102) capable of containing at least one liquid or semi-liquid product, said container (102) having a body of which one end is surmounted a dispensing end piece (18), removably closed by a plug (40), said plug (40) being, in a first axial position, contained inside a cap (107) forming the second element, and, in a second position axial, emerging from said cap (107) through an orifice (109) formed in a free end (108) of the cap, the rotation, in a first direction, of the cap (107) relative to the container, causing the passage of the plug (40) from said first position to the second. Assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the end piece distribution (18) is screwed onto a collar (103) surmounting said body, setting rotation in the first direction, of the cap (107) relative to the body, causing unscrewing the end piece (18) and an axial rise of the plug (40), means (110) being provided to immobilize the cover (107) in rotation relative to the dispensing end piece (18). Assembly according to claim 8 or 9 characterized in that the container is a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two compounds, said device comprising: a first container (102) containing a product A, said product first container being surmounted by a nozzle (18) for dispensing the mixture ; a second container (101) containing product B; sealing means removable (8) to isolate the first container from the second; means actuation (107, 18, 11) to cause the expulsion of the sealing means (8), and the mixture of products A and B. An assembly according to claim 10 characterized in that the cord of breakdown (111) is formed on an external wall of the body of the first container (102), said snap bead (119) being formed on an internal wall of the cap (107), in the vicinity of an end opposite to said free end (108). Assembly according to claim 10 or 11 characterized in that the mixture (M) is a hair composition. Assembly according to Claim 12, characterized in that the product A is a oxidant and product B, a dye. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in what is obtained from molding of thermoplastic materials.

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