EP0905052A1 - Storage and dispensing device for a liquid or semi-liquid product - Google Patents

Abstract

A container and dispenser for liquid products having a fixed outlet nozzle is provided with a push button type dispenser pump operated by a linkage system. A unit (1) for packaging and dispensing of a product contained in a reservoir (12) surmounted by a distributor unit (30) having a hollow stem (33) with an axis A. The operating means for the distributor has a support surface (38) and a rotary coupling (100,101) between the hollow stem and press button (34). This button, in response to pressure exerted on the support surface outside the axis A of the hollow stem, causes a movement of the activating means around the axis of the hollow stem, in a cone of which the summit is situated on the axis A of the stem and transmitted to the hollow stem. This exerts a force along the axis of the stem so as to cause a downwards displacement of the hollow stem and the expulsion of the product through an outlet (9). The device comprises a body (10) having an axis (X) forming the reservoir for the product, the product being dispensed via at least one orifice provided in the outlet. The outlet is connected to the distribution element by way of a flexible connecting tube (41) and is held immovably on a fixed portion (51) of the body surmounting the reservoir, the activating element being mounted independently of the fixed part of the body.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging and distribution assembly a liquid or semi-liquid, or even highly viscous product. The invention is everything particularly suitable for packaging and spraying products liquids used in the field of cosmetics or dermatopharmacology, such as perfumes. The invention is particularly suitable to manually operated pump devices.

Liquid spraying devices, either by means of a manual actuation, either by means of a valve used in combination with a liquid under pressure, have been the subject of numerous descriptions in the patent literature.

Typically, the valve or pump is actuated by means of a push button mounted on a hollow rod, which is mounted on return means elastic, and being able, under the effect of a pressure exerted on the push button, sink in so as to connect the defined channel inside the hollow rod with the contents of the tank. This communication allows the distribution of the liquid through an outlet member connected to said channel. When stops the pressure, the hollow rod rises by elastic return, thus interrupting product distribution. The outlet member may consist of a nozzle, or of any other diffusion member, of the grid type, porous member, etc.

It is evident that the efficiency of the system, in particular the minimum force necessary for actuating the distribution element (i.e. the output) depends to a large extent on how the actuation pressure is retransmitted to the pump rod. The problem arises in particular when the force exerted on the push button is not arranged exactly along the axis of the rod but is offset, which produces at the pump rod, a constraint having both a vertical component and a component horizontal. In the case of a rigid coupling between the rod and the push button, it there is a certain bracing of the rod, which impairs its proper sinking in the pump body, and which requires to exert a greater bearing force to produce the sinking of the rod necessary to actuate the pump.

Patent FR-A-2,692,235 describes a device for dispensing a liquid product comprising a container provided, in the upper part, with a dispensing member carrying a push button, a cover fitted with an actuating member in the form of lever articulated on the hood and provided with a support means to act on the surface upper outer of the push button, the articulation of the actuator on the hood, being located, in height, to the right of the mid-height of the stroke of the pushbutton. The upper outer surface of the push button is a convex spherical surface, and the support means is a circular ring whose the annular lower end defines a spherical bearing complementary to that of the upper external surface of the push button.

The device described in this document, although satisfactory in certain respects, poses a number of problems. Indeed, the coupling between the button pusher and valve stem is a fixed coupling as in the devices conventional. Only the coupling between the support surface and the push button is produced by means of a connection in the form of a spherical surface on which supports a surface of complementary shape. This solution does not resolve in its entirety the problem of the valve stem bracing, which remains partially depending on the position of application of the pressing force on the bearing surface. In addition, the system is, by design, complicated and expensive to make. In addition, the actuation of the pump or valve is not produces effectively only if the supporting force is exerted on a localized area the support means, namely substantially opposite the articulation of the organ on the hood. Finally, due to the complexity of its design, the system is relatively fragile.

Furthermore, in the device described in the patent discussed above, the nozzle product outlet is secured to the push button. So when actuating pump or valve, the push button is pushed in axially, as well as the product outlet nozzle. There then arises a problem similar to that which will now be discussed in more detail with reference to a number of others prior art documents.

By way of example, the certificate of utility application FR 2 682 937 describes a device pump type spray, comprising a pump mounted on a bottle, and having a hollow rod which serves as an outlet conduit and a member actuation, and is movable in the pump body against the action of a spring. A dispenser cap is mounted on the bottle above the pump, and comprises a pressure actuating element provided with means mechanical coupling with the hollow rod. The cap includes also a spray nozzle and an internal channel which opens into the nozzle, as well as connecting means for bringing the hollow rod into communication with the internal channel of the cap. According to this document, connection means comprise a flexible tubular element coupled to one end of the hollow rod and at the end opposite the internal channel of the dispenser cap. To dispense product, push the element pressure actuation, which causes the pump to operate and the liquid outlet through the outlet nozzle via the hollow rod, the element flexible tubular, and the internal canal. Under the effect of the actuation pressure, the upper part of the cap, carrying the nozzle, flexes at an area of link located under the nozzle.

The major drawback of such a device is essentially due to the fact that actuation of the pump causes a substantial change in position of the nozzle (by pivoting), which modification causes a change in the orientation of the sprayed liquid. Inevitably, for lack of precaution, the product does not will not be sprayed at the desired location. Another device of the same type, and therefore with the same drawbacks, is described in patent application EP-A-0 747 131.

In patent application EP-A-0 385 077, as in patent FR-A-2 692 235, actuation of the pump causes an axial displacement of the nozzle sonie, which, in the same way as for the device discussed above, must be taken into account in the positioning of the spraying device by relative to the surface to be treated, so that the product is sprayed exactly at the place you want. Furthermore, such a design requires an oblong orifice to be produced. opposite the nozzle, the axial height of which depends on the amplitude of the movement axial of the nozzle. Such an elongated orifice affects not in a negligible the aesthetics of the device.

In US-A-3,149,761 as well as in EP-A-556,128, it is describes a push button mounted on a valve stem via a ball joint. In all these documents, the output of the product is made substantially in the axis of the rod valve. If you want to make the outlet, especially laterally by relation to the axis of the container, then the same problem arises as that discussed in reference to the devices discussed above, namely the displacement of the outlet nozzle during actuation of the dispensing member. The problem is significantly more sensitive in the case of a manually actuated pump whose the actuation stroke is a few mm. In the case of a valve, the stroke actuation at opening is only a few hundredths of a mm.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a device for packaging and distribution of a product, in particular by spraying with through an output member whose position is substantially fixed, in particular when the dispensing element is actuated.

It is yet another object to provide an improved aesthetic device, and which is simple and economical to carry out industrially.

It is still one of the objects of the device according to demand to provide a device for optimizing the actuation of the distribution element which it regardless of the position where the pressing force is exerted on the surface support.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device allowing to limit the effort required to actuate the distribution element, by especially when the actuating force is not located exactly on the axis of the dispensing element outlet rod.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail in the description following.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a set of packaging and distribution of a product contained in a tank, surmounted by a distribution element having a hollow rod of axis A, on which is mounted an actuating member of said dispensing element, said actuator comprising a bearing surface, a coupling forming ball joint is provided between the hollow rod and the push button for, in response to a pressure exerted on said bearing surface, outside the axis of the hollow rod, cause movement of the actuator around the axis of the rod in a cone whose apex is centered on the axis of the rod, and transmit to the hollow rod, a force located essentially in the axis of the rod, so that cause the hollow rod to sink in and distribute the product through an output device. According to the invention, the assembly comprises a body of axis X, forming said reservoir for the product, the product leaving through at least one orifice formed in said outlet member, the outlet member being connected to the distribution element by a conduit forming a flexible coupling, and being held substantially stationary on a fixed portion of the body surmounting the reservoir, the actuator being mounted so independent from said fixed portion of the body. The hollow rod can do integral part of the distribution element, or be part of the organ actuation, in which case it is intended to be positioned in a housing correspondent of the distribution element.

Thus, the only coupling existing between the output member and the actuating member mobile, is done via a conduit forming a flexible coupling. The flexibility of coupling absorbs substantially all of the movement of said actuator so that when the pump or valve is actuated, the outlet, located outside the axis of the hollow rod, does not move significantly This characteristic, added to the characteristic according to which the coupling between the push button and the hollow rod is a coupling in the form of a connection ball joint, substantially eliminates any movement of the outlet nozzle, the ball joint absorbing the angular difference compared to the slight crankshaft movement created by moving the push button up and down.

Indeed, the ball joint directly existing between the push button and the rod hollow allows to transform a force applied in an offset way on the bearing surface, in a force which on the hollow rod is substantially arranged on the axis of the rod. This avoids any risk of bracing. The component horizontal force is negligible compared to the vertical component transmitted to the hollow rod. As a result, the loss of compression at the operation between a push button located in the axis and an inclined push button is negligible.

Advantageously, the distribution element consists of a pump manual actuation. With such a pump, the liquid in the tank is not pressurized, which pressurization would not be compatible with certain products, including perfumes.

Said distribution element can be offset with respect to the X axis. feature has proven to be particularly advantageous, especially in the case of a pump rod with a large actuation stroke, to further improve absorption of the movement of the actuating member by the flexible connector. A such a configuration in fact allows the use of longer stroke pumps actuation, and therefore at higher flow.

Advantageously, said coupling forming a ball joint is formed by at least a portion sphere traversed by a channel intended for mounting on the rod, said portion sphere being located inside a recess provided in said member and of which at least part is of complementary shape to that of the sphere, in order to make a ball joint between the hollow rod and the push button. The portion of advantageously arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of the hollow stem.

According to a particular embodiment, said sphere is maintained in position in the recess by snap or crimping.

For purely illustrative purposes, the sphere is made of plastic (polypropylene, high density polyethylene, etc.) or metal.

Advantageously the cone in which the axis of the push button moves has an opening of between 5 ° and 25 °, and preferably between 5 ° and 15 °.

Advantageously, the outlet member is a nozzle for spraying a liquid product such as a perfume. Such a nozzle is of known configuration, and does not therefore requires no detailed description.

According to one embodiment, the body comprises a transverse partition separating a first volume, defining said reservoir, from a second volume, surmounting the first, said second volume containing the distribution element mounted on an orifice formed in said partition, the actuating member mounted on said distribution element, the outlet member, as well as the conduit forming said flexible coupling.

Advantageously, the outlet nozzle is disposed substantially stationary in the bottom of a recess formed in a side wall of the second volume, said offset leading to a free edge of the second volume, located opposite of the transverse partition. Keeping the nozzle stationary in the bottom of the offset (in particular its positioning perpendicular to the axis of the device) can be improved by providing inside said side wall, alignment with the bottom of the recess, an extra thickness which increases the nozzle support width.

The output member can be mounted inside a communicating chamber with the conduit forming the flexible coupling, the actuating member, the chamber, as well as the flexible conduit forming a single piece and are obtained by molding of a thermoplastic material. By way of example, said thermoplastic material is a low density polyethylene (LDPE), or a mixture of low polyethylene density (LDPE) / high density polyethylene (HDPE) with HDPE content at more equal to 25% of the mixture. Such a characteristic contributes to the reduction sensitive to the manufacturing cost of the assembly.

In particular in the event that the actuator is obtained by molding, the bearing surface on which the actuating pressure is exerted, consists of an attachment. This facilitates the release of the organ actuation. The insert can be mounted by snapping, gluing, or welding.

According to another embodiment, the conduit forming said flexible coupling forms a bellows. This characteristic is particularly advantageous when the product to be distributed, due to its nature, requires to use for the conduit of connecting a material that does not have sufficient inherent flexibility. In this case we overcome this lack of flexibility by giving the conduit a flexible configuration

According to a preferred embodiment, the body is formed in one piece. AT as an example, the body is obtained from molding of a thermoplastic material chosen from polypropylenes (PP), polyethylene terephthalates (PET), etc. The thermoplastic material can be introduced into the mold by injection.

The output member is, in a particular embodiment, located substantially at the same level as said free end of the hollow rod. In reality, with the mounting according to this embodiment of the invention, it can be placed substantially anywhere relative to the free end of the pump rod or valve. It can in particular be placed below the free end of the rod of pump, thereby reducing the axial height of the assembly.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second volume has an end opposite to said partition, said end being closed by a protective element of which at least a part, located opposite the member actuation, is made of a flexible material, so that it can actuating said actuating member through said protective element. This protective element makes it possible to create a closed, aesthetically pleasing set remarkable. Furthermore, this protective element contributes to forming a closed set, avoiding all risks of soiling resulting from a system having recess areas, difficult to access to be cleaned, and in which liquid could settle so untimely. In addition, as will be seen later, this element of protection can also participate in keeping the output member in a fixed position by relation to the body of the device.

Such a protective element may include a carcass in the form of a part rigid or semi-rigid annular, said protective element being maintained in position on said end of the second volume by means of a covering external covering said assembly over substantially its entire height, an orifice being arranged in said external covering opposite the outlet member, said external covering having opposite said end of the second volume, a bottom with a cutout opposite the actuator. Advantageously, locating means, of the polarizing type, can be designed to allow good angular positioning of the covering relative to to the rest of the body.

The rigid or semi-rigid annular part may comprise a leg portion of which the free end is intended to come to bear on the outlet nozzle so as to immobilize the latter at the bottom of the recess. Such an arrangement allows simple and economical assembly of the assembly, as well as good support in the stationary position of the outlet nozzle.

The covering may, at least in the vicinity of one end of the first volume, opposite to said partition, be self-tightening on the body of said assembly. Self-tightening can be made by axial grooves on the surface external of the body, and / or on the internal surface of the covering. The dressing can be made of metal or plastic. The fitting of the covering on the body can be do so by any other appropriate means. As an indication, the cover can be screwed on, welded, or slammed on the body.

The protective element can be formed by bi-injection of two materials compatible, a first rigid or semi-rigid material, forming the part annular, a second flexible material, forming the part located opposite the actuator. Two compatible materials means two materials which, at the injection temperature, are capable of forming bonds physico-chemical between them. By way of illustration, the first material is a polypropylene (PP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE), the second material being SEBS.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir has an added bottom, tightly mounted on the body. This feature is all particularly advantageous in the case where the body of the assembly is obtained from molding, in one piece. In addition, it allows filling from the bottom of the tank.

Said added base may have an orifice for filling the reservoir, said orifice being closed after filling with a sealing element. This orifice diameter limited in relation to the tank section, allows to reduce considerable risk of product spillage and loss overboard of the tank, during jerky handling by industrial tools, the assembly filled with product, before closing the bottom of the tank.

Advantageously, the seal is ensured in at least two offset zones axially. A first sealing zone can be produced by at least one snap cord. The second sealing zone can be achieved by self-tightening assembly of a portion of the base attached to the internal walls of the body.

Advantageously also, a third sealing zone is produced between the first two, said third sealing zone being produced by means of a O-ring placed in the bottom of a groove in a side wall of the background reported.

Such a seal can be made of a material such as butyl or EPDM (terpolymer of propylene ethylene and a diene).

The added base can meanwhile be made of a material chosen from polypropylenes (PP), polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), polyethylenes high density (HDPE), etc.

The product can be a pharmaceutical, dermato-pharmaceutical, or cosmetic, in particular a perfume.

• les figures 1A-1C illustrent de façon simplifiée le couplage rotule utilisé dans l'ensemble selon l'invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue écorchée de l'organe d'actionnement décrit en référence aux figures 1A-1C;
• la figure 3 représente une vue éclatée d'un mode de réalisation préféré de l'ensemble selon l'invention; et
• les figures 4A-4B illustrent le fonctionnement de l'ensemble représenté à la figure 3.

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:

• FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate in a simplified manner the ball joint coupling used in the assembly according to the invention;
• 2 shows a cutaway view of the actuator described with reference to Figures 1A-1C;
• Figure 3 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the assembly according to the invention; and
• FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the operation of the assembly shown in FIG. 3.

Figures 1A-1C, and 2 show different views of a device not entering in the context of the invention, but the purpose of which is to explain the coupling of the ball joint used according to the invention. The illustrated assembly includes a reservoir 12, in the form a container for example, and the neck 106 of which is surmounted by a valve 30, which, advantageously, is crimped onto the free edge of the neck 106. The valve 30 opens at the outside of the tank, by a valve stem 33, which is mounted on elastic return means (not shown), recalling the valve stem in closed position when no actuation pressure is exerted on the button pusher 34. Inside the container 12, a dip tube 32 is provided connected to the valve, to bring the product, pressurized from above (by means of a non-gas liquefiable for example), in the valve via the tube 32. The valve is of structure well known and therefore requires no further description.

On the valve stem 33 is mounted a push button 34 having a surface support 38, on which the user exerts pressure in order to cause actuation of the valve or of the pump 30, and the outlet of the product contained in the reservoir 12. The push button has in its lower part a recess 100 whose shape is at least partly complementary to that of an organ 101 substantially forming a sphere (with the exception of its lower part which is slightly truncated), and arranged inside said recess. The present sphere a channel 103 traversing it right through, and in which the force is mounted valve stem 33. The sphere is held in the recess 100 by snapping. AT inside the recess, it acts like a ball joint, so as to allow the push button to pivot around axis A, the axis of the push button is moving inside a cone centered on the axis A. This cone is illustrated in the figure 2. In reality the axis of the push button moves in a double cone. Both cones are identical and aligned along the axis A of the rod, their respective vertices being confused with the center of the sphere 101. The angle α of the cone opening is between 5 ° and 25 °, and preferably between 5 ° and 15 °.

The recess 100 is extended by a conduit 52 whose mouth is sufficient so that, whatever the angular position of the push button, the orifice outlet of the channel 103 passing through the ball is opposite the conduit 52, so as to allow the product to be dispensed via the valve stem 33, the internal conduit 52, and the outlet nozzle 9. The outlet nozzle 9 is arranged inside a recess annular 104 in liquid communication with the conduit 52, and is oriented so as to allow lateral product outlet, and preferably substantially perpendicular to the axis of the device. Advantageously, and in order to reduce the mouth of the conduit 52, the valve stem 33 is force-fitted into the channel 103 of the ball over about two thirds of its height. On this portion, the section of the channel is slightly greater than the external diameter of the valve stem 33. On the upper third, the section of the channel is smaller, and is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the hollow rod.

The push button 34 has in the vicinity of its lower edge, a recess annular 102 so as to allow sufficient insertion of the rod valve when the push button is in the inclined position as shown in Figures 1B and 1C.

In FIG. 1A, the actuating force, illustrated by arrow 105, is centered on the axis A of the rod. In this case the push button remains centered on axis A Substantially all the supporting force is transmitted to the valve stem, in the form of an essentially vertical force, in the axis of the rod 33.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1B, the actuating force is offset by relative to the axis of the valve stem. The push button is in position slightly inclined with the nozzle pointing upwards. Force 105 breaks down into one force whose main component is vertical, and whose component minor is horizontal (oriented towards the outlet nozzle). The force acting on the rod, due to the ball joint formed by the ball 101 in the recess 100, works in the axis of the rod. The rod sinks axially, substantially without lateral or radial stress. There is therefore no bracing capable of affecting the valve operation.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 1C, the actuating force is offset by relative to the axis of the valve stem. The push button is in position slightly inclined with the nozzle pointing downwards. Force 105 breaks down into one force whose main component is vertical, and whose component minor is horizontal (facing away from the outlet nozzle). Strength acting on the rod, due to the ball joint formed by the ball 101 in the recess 100 is exerted in the axis of the rod. The rod sinks axially without lateral or radial stress. There is therefore no bracing capable of affecting the valve operation.

As appears from the preceding discussion, the switch of the button pushing around the patella also causes a corresponding tilting of the outlet nozzle. This tilting is not very penalizing in the case of a valve, in which the actuation stroke is small (a few hundredths of a mm). On the other hand, it becomes very troublesome in the case of a pump, in which the actuation stroke is typically of the order of a few mm.

Also, Figures 3 and 4A-4B illustrate in detail an embodiment preferred device according to the invention. The device comprises a cylindrical body 10 comprising two parts 50, 51 separated by a transverse wall 11. The transverse wall delimits in the lower part 50 of the body, a first volume 12 forming a reservoir for the product to be dispensed, and in the upper part 51 of the body, a second volume 13, containing, as will be seen in more detail below, all the elements necessary for the distribution of the product.

The body is made of a single piece obtained from molding (by injection by example) of a material which, advantageously, is polyethylene terephthalate. The lower end 14 of the body 10 is closed by an attached bottom 15. The bottom insert 15 includes a first annular portion 17 whose external surface is provided with several beads or rods 18, capable of cooperating by snapping with corresponding beads provided on the inner surface of the body 10 in the vicinity of its lower end 14. The bottom 15 has a second annular portion 19 capable of coming to forcibly engage in the opening delimited by the free edge of the body 10. A part 16, of external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the body 10 is located under the annular portion 19, so to limit the insertion of the plug 15 into the body. A groove 20 is arranged between the two annular portions 17, 19, so as to receive an O-ring 21 in butyl, in order to perfect the tightness of the mounting of the bottom 15. The bottom 15 comprises a central orifice 22, through which the reservoir 12 is filled, after having mounted the added base 15. Fins 23 are arranged radially in the volume formed by the bottom 15, so as to stiffen the structure. The orifice central is closed by a plug 24 comprising an axial portion 25 of diameter external substantially equal to the internal diameter of the orifice 22, and a wall transverse 26 of external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the body 10. The stopper is held by force, or by snapping in the orifice. A once mounted, the plug 24 defines with the added base 15, an annular space, in which an annular ballast can advantageously be placed (not represented).

The transverse wall 11 forms a recess 28, in the bottom of which is provided an orifice 29 for mounting a pump 30. As it appears clearly in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the recess 28 and the orifice 29 are offset relative to the X axis of the device. Installation of the pump in the recess 28 is advantageously produced in the manner described in detail in the patent French FR 2 669 244, i.e. via an intermediate piece 31 annular, on the free edge of which the pump 30 is crimped. During assembly, the pump 30 is first crimped on the intermediate piece 31. The assembly is then mounted by snap in the recess 28 through the orifice 29. A tube plunger 32 descends into tank 12, its free end being located substantially in the vicinity of the bottom 15 of the tank.

The pump 30 comprises a hollow pump rod 33, the free end of which emerges in the upper volume 13 delimited by the transverse wall 11. In its upper end 35, the free edge of the body 10 is straight for about a third of its section 36 (front part of the body) and cut in a bevel on the rest of its section 37 (rear part of the body). On the free end of the rod 33, is mounted a push button 34 of which a bearing surface 38 emerges from the cut edge 37 and is located substantially at the level of the straight edge portion 36. The button pusher 34 is disposed in a chimney 39 which extends the upper part of the recess 28. The manually actuated pump is entirely conventional and therefore, does not require any detailed description.

Like the push button discussed with reference to Figures 1A-1C and 2, the push button includes inside a recess 100, a ball 101, in metal or plastic, held by snap in said recess. The ball is pierced right through a channel 103 capable of forcibly receiving the outlet rod 33 of the pump, so as to ensure the ball joint connection discussed above.

The chimney 39 has a notch 40 for the passage of a flexible conduit 41 connecting an internal channel 52 formed in the push button to a nozzle outlet 9 mounted in a chamber 44, and kept immobile in the bottom of a notch 42, opening onto the right edge portion 36 of the body 10. The notch 42 is located substantially opposite the notch 40. The nozzle of the output is oriented laterally with respect to the axis of the pump.

The duct 41 has characteristics of suppleness and flexibility, or even of elasticity, which are such that, in combination with the ball joint connection between the push button 34 and the hollow rod, the actuation movement of the button pusher does not cause substantially any movement of the outlet nozzle. In effect, the ball 101 absorbs the angular difference compared to the movement linkage created by moving the push button 34 up and down.

According to a preferred embodiment, the conduit 41, the chamber 44, and the button plunger 34 is obtained from one-piece molding, made of low polyethylene density. In reality, only the support plate 38 is attached and mounted by click on the push button 34. The support plate is made of a material more rigid than the material of the rest of the push button. Advantageously, the support plate 38 is made of high polyethylene density or polypropylene. The outlet nozzle 9 consists of a piece made of acetal force-fitted into chamber 44.

Thus, as it appears in Figure 4B, the actuation movement of the button pusher 34 results in a displacement of the flexible conduit 41, which displacement may be accompanied by an elongation of the duct, in the case in particular of an elastomeric material or in the case of a conduit of which one at least part forms a bellows. This flexible connection between the outlet nozzle 9 and the push button absorbs most of the push button movement, insulating thus the nozzle of said push button, which outlet nozzle is then almost insensitive to actuation movements of the push button 34. As it clearly appears, the axial movement of the part of the flexible duct 41, the most away from the outlet nozzle is limited by the tilting movement caused by the ball joint of the push button on the pump rod, in response to a pressure exerted offset from the axis of the hollow rod, thus further isolating the nozzle 9 from the push button. So, due to the flexible connection between the outlet nozzle and the push button, as well as the connection ball joint between the push button and the pump or valve stem, the outlet member is substantially stationary when the push button is actuated.

Other materials or arrangements can be used to make the flexible coupling between push button 34 and output nozzle 9. As for example, the conduit 41 can be made of elastomeric material (SEBS, EPDM).

The outlet nozzle, 9 disposed inside a chamber 44 extending the flexible conduit 41 is held stationary in the bottom of the notch 42 at by means of a tab 45 carried by the annular carcass 46 of an element of protection 47. The annular carcass, made for example of polypropylene, has a profile which generally follows the profile of the edge of the upper end 35 of the body 10. The opening bounded by the upper edge of the carcass annular 46 is closed by a flexible membrane 7 intended to be positioned opposite push button 34. The flexible membrane is made advantageously in SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene copolymer sequenced), and can be performed by bi-injection with the carcass in polypropylene. When mounting, the protective element is placed on the end upper 35 of the body 10, the internal diameter of the annular carcass 46 being slightly greater than the external diameter of the body 10. The tab 45 comes to bear on the upper part of the chamber 44 containing the nozzle 9, which is thus immobilized. Keeping the chamber 44 and therefore the nozzle 9 immobile can be improved by providing on the inner wall of the upper volume 13, a extra thickness in alignment with the bottom of the notch 42 so as to ensure better positioning of the chamber 44.

The assembly thus described is intended to be mounted inside an external covering 2 in aluminum for example. The bottom 5 of the external covering has a profile cutting similar to the cutting of the upper end 35 of the body 10, as well as the cut formed by the upper edge of the annular carcass of the protective element 47. The shape of the cutout 6 in the external covering 2 is such that it substantially coincides with the flexible membrane 7 of the element of protection 47. An orifice 8 is formed on the external covering 2, opposite the outlet nozzle.

The assembly of the assembly is carried out as follows. First, the pump is mounted in port 29; body 10 is turned over and filled from the bottom through the orifice 22, which is then closed by the plug 24; ball 101 is mounted by snap-fitting inside the recess 100 of the push button 34; the push button 34, equipped with its flexible conduit 41 and the outlet nozzle 9 inside the chamber 44, is mounted on the outlet rod 33 of the pump, the outlet rod 33 being forcibly mounted in the channel 103 passing through the ball 101; the protective element 47 is placed on the upper end 35 of the body; the external covering is then slipped over the assembly, locating means (of axial groove type) ensuring good angular positioning of the body by compared to the exterior trim 2. The body 10 is of slightly increasing section towards its lower end 14 so that at least in the vicinity of its lower end 14, the body is kept tight inside the covering external 2. In the mounted position, as it appears clearly in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the lower edge of the protective element 47 is held between the wall outside of the body 10 and the internal wall of the covering 2. The device is then ready to use.

Alternatively, it is possible to mount the protection element alone in the covering 2, via the cutout 6, then to mount the body of the device inside of the dressing.

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.

Claims (28)

Package for packaging and distribution (1) of a product contained in a reservoir (12) surmounted by a distribution element (30) having a rod hollow (33) of axis A, on which is mounted an actuating member (34) of said dispensing element, said actuating member comprising a surface support (38), a coupling forming a ball joint (100, 101) being provided between the rod hollow (33) and the push button (34) for, in response to a pressure exerted on said bearing surface (38), outside the axis A of the hollow rod, cause a movement of the actuating member (34) around the axis of the rod in a cone whose apex is centered on the axis A of the rod, and transmit to the rod hollow (33), a force located essentially in the axis of the rod, so as to cause the hollow rod (33) to sink in and distribute the product to through an output member (9), characterized in that it comprises a body (10) of axis X, forming said reservoir (12) for the product, the product leaving through at least one orifice made in said outlet member (9), the outlet member being connected to the distribution element by a conduit (41) forming a coupling flexible, and being held substantially immobile on a portion (51) fixed to the body surmounting the reservoir (12), the actuating member (34) being mounted independently with respect to said fixed portion (51) of the body. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the distribution element (30) consists of a pump manual actuation. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said dispensing element (30) is offset from the X axis. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 characterized in that it comprises at least a portion of sphere (101) crossed by a channel (103) capable of receiving said rod (33), said portion of sphere (101) being disposed inside a recess (100) of which at least one part is of complementary shape to that of said sphere, in order to making said ball joint connection between the rod (33) and the actuating member (34). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 4 characterized in that said sphere (101) is held in position in the recess (100) by snap or crimping. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that said sphere (101) is made of plastic or metal. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that said cone has a opening between 5 ° and 25 °, and preferably between 5 ° and 15 °. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the output member (9) is a nozzle for spraying a liquid product. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the body (10) comprises a partition transverse (11) separating a first volume (12), defining said reservoir, of a second volume (13), surmounting the first, said second volume (13) containing the distribution element (30) mounted on an orifice (29) formed in said partition (11), the actuating member (34) mounted on said distribution element (30), the outlet member (9), as well as the conduit (41) forming said flexible coupling. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 9 characterized in that the outlet nozzle (9) is arranged substantially stationary in the bottom of a recess (42) formed in a side wall of the second volume (13), said recess (42) opening onto a free edge of the second volume (13), located opposite the transverse partition (11). Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the outlet member (9) is mounted at the interior of a chamber (44) in communication with the conduit (41) forming the flexible coupling, the actuating member (34), the chamber (44), as well as the flexible conduit (41) forming a single piece, obtained by molding a material thermoplastic. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the bearing surface (38) of the actuating member is formed of an insert. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 11 characterized in that said thermoplastic material is a low polyethylene density (LDPE), or a low density polyethylene (LDPE) / polyethylene blend high density (HDPE) with a HDPE content at most equal to 25% of the mixed. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 13 characterized in that the conduit (41) forming said coupling flexible forms a bellows. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the body (10) is formed in one piece room. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 15 characterized in that the second volume (13) has a end (35) opposite to said partition (11), said end being closed by a protective element (47) at least one part (7) of which is located opposite the actuating member (34) is made of a flexible material, so that ability to actuate said actuator (34) through said protection (47). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 16, characterized in that the protective element (47) has a carcass under form of a rigid or semi-rigid annular part (46), said protective element (47) being held in position on said end (35) of the second volume by through an external covering (2) covering said assembly on substantially its entire height, an orifice (8) being formed in said covering external facing the outlet member (9), said external covering having look of said end of the second volume, a bottom (5) having a cutout (6) opposite the actuating member (34). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 17 characterized in that the covering (2) is at least in the vicinity of one end (14) of the first volume, opposite said partition (11), self-tightening on the body (10) of said assembly. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of claims 16 to 18 characterized in that the protective element (47) is formed by bi-injection of two compatible materials, a first rigid material or semi rigid, forming the annular part (46), a second flexible material, forming the part (7) located opposite the actuating member (34). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 19 characterized in that the first material is polypropylene (PP) or a high density polyethylene (HDPE), the second material being SEBS. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 9 to 20, characterized in that the first volume has a end (14) opposite to said partition (11), said end being closed by a added base (15), mounted in leaktight manner on the body. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 21 characterized in that said added base (15) has an orifice (22) for the filling of the reservoir, said orifice (22) being closed after filling with a sealing element (24). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 21 or 22 characterized in that the seal is ensured in at least two zones (17, 19) axially offset. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 23 characterized in that a first sealing zone (17) is produced by at least a snap bead (18), and in that a second sealing zone (19) is produced by self-tightening assembly. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 24 characterized in that a third sealing zone is formed between the two first (17, 19), said third sealing zone being produced by means an O-ring (21) disposed in the bottom of a groove (20) formed in a side wall of the added base (15). Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim previous characterized in that the seal (21) is made of a material such as a butyl or an EPDM. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 21 to 26 characterized in that the added base (15) is made of a material chosen from polypropylenes (PP), polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), high density polyethylenes (HDPE), etc. Packaging and distribution assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 27 characterized in that the product is a product pharmaceutical, dermato-pharmaceutical, or cosmetic, in particular a perfume.

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