EP0969933B1 - Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser - Google Patents

Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0969933B1
EP0969933B1 EP98914922A EP98914922A EP0969933B1 EP 0969933 B1 EP0969933 B1 EP 0969933B1 EP 98914922 A EP98914922 A EP 98914922A EP 98914922 A EP98914922 A EP 98914922A EP 0969933 B1 EP0969933 B1 EP 0969933B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
actuator element
energy
operating
dose
piece block
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EP98914922A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0969933B2 (en
EP0969933A1 (en
Inventor
François OECHSEL
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Aptar France SAS
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Valois SAS
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/02—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons
    • B05B11/025—Membranes or pistons acting on the contents inside the container, e.g. follower pistons with stepwise advancement of the piston, e.g. for spraying a predetermined quantity of content

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for spraying of fluid products and more particularly such a spraying device intended to deliver to the minus two doses of product.
  • WO 93/02804 from which claim 1 was delineated, addressed these problems to try to resolve them.
  • This document discloses a device such as a bidose, comprising a mounted reservoir on a base and a pusher to activate the device. Part of the pusher cooperates with a split ring arranged in a groove in the outer wall of the tank, so that to be able to distribute the first dose, you have to store some force in user's hand, until the split ring sort of its groove.
  • the document device WO 93/02804 plans to provide a second groove in the outer wall of the tank and have a second split ring, so that after actuation of the device for expelling the first dose, the whole pusher plus first split ring is stopped by the second ring disposed in this second groove. Then, to spray the second dose again store some force to bring out the second split ring of its groove and thus distribute the second dose.
  • This device works satisfactorily but may however have certain drawbacks. So, because only a little product is contained in the tank, a main objective is to maintain the cost of said sprayer as low as possible so not to negatively influence the sale price final product.
  • the device disclosed in the document WO 93/02804 has a number of parts different constituents that are necessary for perform the functions of energy accumulation and dose splitting.
  • the manufacture and assembly of these different component parts can therefore be relatively expensive.
  • due to the presence of the two peripheral grooves on the outer surface of the tank it is almost impossible to carry out the tank and base in one piece, said grooves being located in the hollow annular space defined ink tank and base.
  • the use of mobile means to perform the function accumulation of energy can create risks of malfunction in case of breakage or jamming of said split rings.
  • Document EP-0 546 607 discloses a single dose having a peripheral groove in the wall interior of the body cooperating with a rib device in the outer wall of the tank for prevent accidental actuation of the device.
  • the disadvantage of this kind of device is the difficulty to carry out a simple and inexpensive molding. Indeed, the groove in the inner wall involves the use an undercut and therefore a relatively mold complicated.
  • Document EP-0 311 863 discloses a bidose comprising dose splitting means which are arranged on a part fitted on the body and cooperating with the tank. It does not include means of accumulation of energy and involves the use of a room additional, the molding of which also has the same disadvantages than those described above, namely a complicated and expensive mold.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid spraying device which does not not have the aforementioned drawbacks.
  • the present invention aims to provide a fluid spraying device, with a minimum of constituent parts.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a such a device which makes it possible to obtain an operation reliable while guaranteeing a manufacturing cost, especially the lowest molding and mounting possible.
  • the present invention also aims to provide a device for spraying fluid products such as than a bidose, capable of guaranteeing a spraying of each dose, while being easy to manufacture, assemble and use, with the lowest possible cost.
  • the present invention therefore relates to a device spraying fluid product comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a base cylindrical receiving said reservoir, a member of distribution such as a pump, an actuating element manual, fractionation means cooperating with said actuator to split the content of the tank in at least two doses, and means of cooperating energy accumulation, during actuation, with said manual actuation element to accumulate energy in the user's hand in order to guarantee a good spraying the entire dose of product, said base, said fractionation means and said means of energy accumulation forming an integral part of a same single piece.
  • said tank is made in one piece with said one piece.
  • the dispensing device comprises further indexing means cooperating with said manual actuator to selectively allow or prevent actuation of the device, in which said indexing means are made in one piece with said one piece.
  • said indexing means are formed by one or more thickenings provided on a part an inner surface of said one-piece part and cooperating, in a first position of the element actuation, with one or more protruding legs inside the actuator, to prevent actuation of the device, said actuating element being movable in rotation relative to said part monobloc in a second position in which said legs no longer cooperate with said thickenings, allowing the actuation of the device.
  • said energy storage means cooperate with said actuating element by distorting eiastically when a minimum force predetermined is exerted on him.
  • said means of accumulation of energy are lugs made on the external surface of said single piece which cooperate with corresponding shoulders provided on the inner surface of the actuating element.
  • said fractionation means are formed by thickenings forming at least one step in axial direction with the thickenings acting in as a means of indexing.
  • said first and second means of energy accumulation each have a pair diametrically opposite projecting lugs, both pairs of pins being axially offset and circumferentially relative to each other, on the external surface of said one-piece part.
  • the one or more shoulders of the actuating element cooperate, for example by snap-fastening, with hooking means provided on the upper peripheral edge of said piece, for hold said actuator on said workpiece piece.
  • said one-piece part comprises on a external surface of the first rotation stop means cooperating with said actuating element to define said first position of the actuating element, and second rotation stop means cooperating with the actuating element for defining said second position of the actuating element, and thirds rotation stop means cooperating with the element actuation to define said third position of the actuating element.
  • the device distribution comprises a reservoir 11 containing the product to be dispensed mounted on a base 14, a distribution member such as a pump, an element manual actuation 20, such as a pusher, for activate the dispensing device to dispense product, said actuating element 20 being provided with a outlet 29 through which said spray will be sprayed product.
  • the pump has a piston 1 sliding in the tank 11, the interior of which is connected to the orifice of outlet 29 via an expulsion channel 3.
  • one has a nozzle 2 in said expulsion channel for promote spraying.
  • the device comprises means of dose fractionation 16.
  • Means of fractionation are intended to split the contents of the tank into two or more doses, thereby transforming the distribution in a multidose, advantageously a bidose, that is to say a device dispensing two doses of product.
  • a multidose advantageously a bidose
  • the example shown in the figures relates in especially a nasal sprayer, which works like a bidose, a dose being provided for each nostril.
  • the invention is not limited to this application special.
  • the invention provides energy storage means 12 which cooperate with the actuating element 20 upon actuation of the sprayer to accumulate energy in the hand of the user.
  • said means accumulating energy cooperate with said element actuation 20 in that they deform it elastically when a predetermined minimum force is exerted on him.
  • said base 14, said energy storage means 12 and said dose splitting means 16 are made as a single piece 10.
  • This implementation makes it possible to reduce the number of component parts and so the cost of manufacturing and mounting of the distribution device.
  • the manufacturing and mounting of the device are simplified since it is no longer necessary to provide movable means (split rings) for accumulating Energy.
  • the reliability of the device is also improved, a split ring can break or get stuck upon actuation of the device.
  • the reservoir 11 is preferably also made in one piece with the piece monobloc 10, which preferably has two cylinders concentric hollows, the inner cylinder defining the reservoir 11, and the outer cylinder forming the base 14 comprising on the external surface said means energy storage 12.
  • the two cylinders concentric are preferably connected by a flange substantially horizontal annular at their lower ends, thus defining a hollow space annular between the internal surface of the base 14 and the external surface of the tank 11.
  • the device comprises, in addition to the means of energy accumulation 12 and the means of dose splitting 16, indexing means 15.
  • the indexing means are intended to selectively prevent or allow actuation of the device, in particular for guarantee security against undesired actuation, for example during transport.
  • said indexing means are made in one piece with the single piece 10, which is particularly visible on Figure 9.
  • these indexing means are produced in the form of one or more thickenings 15 provided on the internal surface of the base 14, said thickenings extending over part of the periphery of said internal surface. They cooperate with the element actuator 20 to selectively prevent or enable an axial displacement of said actuating element 20 by compared to said one-piece piece 10.
  • said thickenings 15 cooperate with one or more 25 protruding legs inside the element actuator 20, preferably axially, and which abut against said thickening 15 in the rest position where actuation is prevented. In this first position of the actuating element, shown in particular in Figures 1 and 3a, a any force exerted on the actuator 20 will have no effect and no product will be distributed by the device.
  • These attachment means 19 can cooperate with one or more shoulders 22 provided on the edge lower peripheral of the actuating element 20.
  • these means attachment 19 may include, for example in the first position of the actuating element 20, that is to say the rest position where the actuation of the device is prevented, a particular form 19a facilitating the attachment of the actuating element 20 to the base 14 during assembly.
  • This particular form can by example be made as a ramp 19a which allows gradually elastically deform the element actuation 20 at the shoulders 22, said shoulders 22 then snap under said attachment means 19.
  • this form particular 19a attachment means 19 defines the position in which the actuating element 20 is mounted on the monobloc piece 10, which corresponds advantageously at said first position of the element actuating.
  • the actuating element 20 is of preferably rotatably mounted on the monobloc piece 10.
  • the user wishes to distribute the product, he rotates the actuator 20 relative to the single piece 10 around its main axis, towards a second position of the actuating element 20, or waiting position, in which the indexing means 15 no longer cooperate with said actuating element 20.
  • the tabs 25 provided inside the actuating element 20 is not based on the thickenings 15 of the single piece 10, so that a actuation is no longer prevented.
  • the piece monobloc 10 has on its external surface first rotation stop means 18a for defining the direction of rotation between its first and second positions, and second rotation stop means 18b for defining the second position of the actuating element 20.
  • these rotation stop means can be made by projections that protrude from the external surface of the single piece 10 and which come cooperate with said shoulders 22 of the element actuation 20 during rotation thereof.
  • the means of energy storage are advantageously produced in the form of one or more pins 12, in particular in the form of two pins diametrically opposed, arranged on the outer surface of the one-piece part 10.
  • said pins 12 cooperate with the shoulders 22 of the actuating element 20 and generate resistance certain against axial displacement of the element actuation 20 relative to the single piece 10. So when the user wants to spray a dose, it exerts a force on the device which biases the element actuator 20 in axial displacement on the workpiece monobloc 10, this movement being prevented by the pins 12.
  • the actuating element 20 being produced preferably made of a suitable plastic, this can deform elastically and thus, said shoulders 22 can pass over said pins 12 when a predetermined minimum force is exerted on the device.
  • This threshold corresponding to this minimum force therefore allows to accumulate energy in the hand of the user and, when the shoulders 22 of the element actuator 20 pass over the pins 12 of the monobloc piece, all this energy accumulated in the hand of the user is transmitted all at once to device so the entire dose is spray. There is no risk of racing partial only, which would result in a partial distribution of the dose.
  • the device comprises fractionation means 16 intended for split the contents of reservoir 11 into two doses, preferably equal.
  • said fractionation means 16 are made in one piece with the single piece 10.
  • said means of fractionation are formed by one or more thickenings 16 which form, with the thickening (s) 15 acting as a means of indexing, at least one step in axial direction.
  • These second thickenings 16 extend over a second part of the internal surface of the base 14 as an extension of the first thickenings 15, and therefore cooperate at the end of the expulsion of the first dose with said legs 25 of the element actuator 20 to stop the axial movement of the actuating element 20 relative to the workpiece monoblock 10.
  • Said fractionation means 16 act also in this case as a second plea indexing, because they prevent, in the position reached after the distribution of the first dose, the distribution of the second dose.
  • An embodiment particularly advantageous is achieved by two diametrically opposite thickenings which, on one part 15, extend to the peripheral upper edge of the base 14 to form the first indexing means, and, on a second part 16, extend only up to about half the height of the space hollow annular between the base 14 and the reservoir 11 for train the fractionation means also acting in as second means of indexing. At least some of said internal surface must be free thickening to allow the displacement of actuator 20 to dispense the second dose.
  • the actuating element 20 is turned on the workpiece monobloc 10 to a third position, where the legs 25 no longer cooperate with the second thickenings 16, thus allowing the distribution of the second dose.
  • second energy storage means 13 preferably also produced in the form of protruding pins on the external surface of the single piece 10, two pins 13 advantageously also being diametrically opposite to one another.
  • third means of rotation stop 18c which make it possible to define said third position of the actuating element 20, and which are advantageously similar to the first and second rotation stop means 18a and 18b. So in the third position of the actuating element 20, the shoulders 22 of the actuating element 20 cooperate with the pins 13 which operate in the same way as the lugs described above to accumulate energy in the user's hand when distribution of the second dose.
  • said first energy storage means 12 and said seconds energy storage means 13, respectively formed by a pair of diametrically opposite lugs, are made so that the two pairs of lugs are axially and angularly offset one relative to the other on the external surface of the base.
  • the user to operate the device, first turns the actuator 20 of its first position, where the actuation is blocked, towards its second position and then he dispenses the first dose and then he again turns the actuator its second position towards its third position, then it operates at again the device for dispensing the second dose.
  • Another particular advantage of the means accumulating energy arranged on the external surface of the one-piece part 10 is achieved by the fact that said pins can also act as a witness dose. Indeed, when the two pins 12 and 13 are visible, this means that no dose has been dispensed. When one of the two pins is visible, this means that only the first dose has been dispensed, and when no lug is no longer visible, this means that the two doses have been distributed.
  • the single piece 10 incorporates the base, the tank, the means of energy accumulation, the means of indexing, the dose splitting means, the stop means of rotation defining the angular positions of the element actuation, and the attachment means for holding the actuating element on the single piece.
  • the present invention therefore saves several component parts of the device. Because the means energy accumulation is not expected in space hollow annular defined between the base and the reservoir, but on the contrary on the external surface of the base, said one-piece piece can be produced in a simple manner and economical, for example by molding. In particular, whether in the preferred configuration described above or in any other configuration covered by the present invention, the component parts of the device can all be mounted using simple molds and inexpensive because it does not include undercuts. The mounting the device is also greatly facilitated by made of the small number of pieces. Manufacturing costs and mounting of the device of the invention are therefore particularly weak without affecting the reliability of its operation.
  • the tank 11 may not be an integral part of the room monobloc, but be fixed on it, for example by snap.
  • the interior of the tank 11 can also be provided with a cylinder of glass or any other material suitable, to improve sealing.

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for spraying a fluid product comprising a reservoir (11) containing several doses of product, a cylindrical base (14) housing the reservoir (11), a dispensing member such as a pump, a manually actuated element (20), splitting means (16) co-operating with said actuating element (20) for splitting the contents of the reservoir (11) into at least two doses, and means for accumulating energy (12) co-operating, when the device is actuated, with said manual actuating element (20) for accumulating energy in the user's hand to ensure at each actuation a proper spraying of the entire dose of product. The invention is characterised in that said base (14), said splitting means (16) and said energy accumulating means (12) are integrated in a single-piece unit (10).

Description

La présente invention concerne un dispositif de pulvérisation de produits fluides et plus particulièrement un tel dispositif de pulvérisation destiné à délivrer au moins deux doses de produit.The present invention relates to a device for spraying of fluid products and more particularly such a spraying device intended to deliver to the minus two doses of product.

Des dispositifs de ce genre engendrent plusieurs problèmes. Ainsi, un problème qui se pose est d'obtenir une parfaite pulvérisation de la totalité de la dose lors de l'actionnement du dispositif. Un autre problème est d'obtenir de manière simple et fiable un fractionnement du contenu du réservoir pour pouvoir transformer le dispositif en bidose.Devices of this kind generate several problems. So, a problem that arises is to get perfect spraying of the entire dose when actuation of the device. Another problem is to obtain in a simple and reliable manner a fractionation of the contents of the tank to be able to transform the bidose device.

Le document WO 93/02804, à partir duquel la revendication 1a été délimitée, s'est penché sur ces problèmes pour tenter de les résoudre. Ce document divulgue un dispositif tel qu'un bidose, comportant un réservoir monté sur une embase et un poussoir pour actionner l'appareil. Une partie du poussoir coopère avec un anneau fendu disposé dans une rainure ménagée dans la paroi extérieure du réservoir, de sorte que pour pouvoir distribuer la première dose, il faut emmagasiner une certaine force dans la main de l'utilisateur, jusqu'à ce que l'anneau fendu sorte de sa rainure. Pour fractionner le contenu du réservoir en deux doses, le dispositif du document WO 93/02804 prévoit de ménager une seconde rainure dans la paroi extérieure du réservoir et d'y disposer un second anneau fendu, de sorte qu'après l'actionnement du dispositif pour expulser la première dose, l'ensemble poussoir plus premier anneau fendu est stoppé par le second anneau disposé dans cette seconde rainure. Ensuite, pour pulvériser la seconde dose, il faut à nouveau emmagasiner une certaine force pour faire sortir le second anneau fendu de sa rainure et ainsi distribuer la seconde dose. Ce dispositif fonctionne de manière satisfaisante mais peut toutefois présenter certains inconvénients. Ainsi, du fait que seulement peu de produit est contenu dans le réservoir, un objectif principal est de maintenir le coût dudit pulvérisateur aussi faible que possible afin de ne pas influencer de manière négative le prix de vente final du produit. Or, le dispositif divulgué dans le document WO 93/02804 comporte un certain nombre de pièces constitutives différentes qui sont nécessaires pour réaliser les fonctions d'accumulation d'énergie et de fractionnement de la dose. La fabrication et le montage de ces différentes pièces constitutives peuvent donc être relativement coûteux. D'autre part, du fait de la présence des deux rainures périphériques sur la surface extérieure du réservoir, il est quasiment impossible de réaliser le réservoir et l'embase en une seule pièce, lesdites rainures étant situées dans l'espace annulaire creux défini encre le réservoir et l'embase. De plus, l'utilisation de moyens mobiles pour réaliser la fonction d'accumulation d'énergie peut engendrer des risques de dysfonctionnement en cas de cassure ou de coincement desdits anneaux fendus.WO 93/02804, from which claim 1 was delineated, addressed these problems to try to resolve them. This document discloses a device such as a bidose, comprising a mounted reservoir on a base and a pusher to activate the device. Part of the pusher cooperates with a split ring arranged in a groove in the outer wall of the tank, so that to be able to distribute the first dose, you have to store some force in user's hand, until the split ring sort of its groove. To split the content of the tank in two doses, the document device WO 93/02804 plans to provide a second groove in the outer wall of the tank and have a second split ring, so that after actuation of the device for expelling the first dose, the whole pusher plus first split ring is stopped by the second ring disposed in this second groove. Then, to spray the second dose again store some force to bring out the second split ring of its groove and thus distribute the second dose. This device works satisfactorily but may however have certain drawbacks. So, because only a little product is contained in the tank, a main objective is to maintain the cost of said sprayer as low as possible so not to negatively influence the sale price final product. However, the device disclosed in the document WO 93/02804 has a number of parts different constituents that are necessary for perform the functions of energy accumulation and dose splitting. The manufacture and assembly of these different component parts can therefore be relatively expensive. On the other hand, due to the presence of the two peripheral grooves on the outer surface of the tank, it is almost impossible to carry out the tank and base in one piece, said grooves being located in the hollow annular space defined ink tank and base. Moreover, the use of mobile means to perform the function accumulation of energy can create risks of malfunction in case of breakage or jamming of said split rings.

Le document EP-0 546 607 divulgue un unidose comportant une rainure périphérique dans la paroi intérieure du corps coopérant avec une nervure périphérique dans la paroi extérieure du réservoir pour empêcher un actionnement accidentel du dispositif. L'inconvénient de ce genre de dispositif est la difficulté à réaliser un moulage simple et peu coûteux. En effet, la rainure dans la paroi intérieure implique l'utilisation d'une contre-dépouille et donc d'un moule relativement compliqué.Document EP-0 546 607 discloses a single dose having a peripheral groove in the wall interior of the body cooperating with a rib device in the outer wall of the tank for prevent accidental actuation of the device. The disadvantage of this kind of device is the difficulty to carry out a simple and inexpensive molding. Indeed, the groove in the inner wall involves the use an undercut and therefore a relatively mold complicated.

Le document EP-0 311 863 divulgue un bidose comportant des moyens de fractionnement de dose qui sont disposés sur une pièce emmanchée sur le corps et coopérant avec le réservoir. Il ne comporte pas de moyens d'accumulation d'énergie et implique l'utilisation d'une pièce supplémentaire, dont le moulage présente de plus les mêmes inconvénients que ceux décrits ci-dessus, à savoir un moule compliqué et coûteux.Document EP-0 311 863 discloses a bidose comprising dose splitting means which are arranged on a part fitted on the body and cooperating with the tank. It does not include means of accumulation of energy and involves the use of a room additional, the molding of which also has the same disadvantages than those described above, namely a complicated and expensive mold.

La présente invention a pour but de fournir un tel dispositif de pulvérisation de produits fluides qui ne comporte pas les inconvénients précités.The object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid spraying device which does not not have the aforementioned drawbacks.

Ainsi, la présente invention a pour but de fournir un dispositif de pulvérisation de produits fluides, comportant un minimum de pièces constitutives.Thus, the present invention aims to provide a fluid spraying device, with a minimum of constituent parts.

La présente invention a aussi pour but de fournir un tel dispositif qui permet d'obtenir un fonctionnement fiable tout en garantissant un coût de fabrication, notamment de moulage, et de montage le plus faible possible.The present invention also aims to provide a such a device which makes it possible to obtain an operation reliable while guaranteeing a manufacturing cost, especially the lowest molding and mounting possible.

La présente invention a également pour but de fournir un dispositif de pulvérisation de produits fluides tel qu'un bidose, capable de garantir une pulvérisation parfaite de la totalité de chaque dose, tout en étant de fabrication, de montage et d'utilisation simples, avec le coût le plus faible possible.The present invention also aims to provide a device for spraying fluid products such as than a bidose, capable of guaranteeing a spraying of each dose, while being easy to manufacture, assemble and use, with the lowest possible cost.

La présente invention a donc pour objet un dispositif de pulvérisation de produit fluide comprenant un réservoir contenant plusieurs doses de produit, une embase cylindrique recevant ledit réservoir, un organe de distribution tel qu'une pompe, un élément d'actionnement manuel, des moyens de fractionnement coopérant avec ledit élément d'actionnement pour fractionner le contenu du réservoir en au moins deux doses, et des moyens d'accumulation d'énergie coopérant, lors de l'actionnement, avec ledit élément d'actionnement manuel pour accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur afin de garantir à chaque actionnement une bonne pulvérisation de la totalité de la dose de produit, ladite embase, lesdits moyens de fractionnement et lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie faisant partie intégrante d'une même pièce monobloc.The present invention therefore relates to a device spraying fluid product comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a base cylindrical receiving said reservoir, a member of distribution such as a pump, an actuating element manual, fractionation means cooperating with said actuator to split the content of the tank in at least two doses, and means of cooperating energy accumulation, during actuation, with said manual actuation element to accumulate energy in the user's hand in order to guarantee a good spraying the entire dose of product, said base, said fractionation means and said means of energy accumulation forming an integral part of a same single piece.

De préférence, ledit réservoir est réalisé d'une pièce avec ladite pièce monobloc.Preferably, said tank is made in one piece with said one piece.

De préférence, le dispositif de distribution comprend en outre des moyens d'indexation coopérant avec ledit élément d'actionnement manuel pour sélectivement permettre ou empêcher l'actionnement du dispositif, dans lequel lesdits moyens d'indexation sont réalisés d'une pièce avec ladite pièce monobloc.Preferably, the dispensing device comprises further indexing means cooperating with said manual actuator to selectively allow or prevent actuation of the device, in which said indexing means are made in one piece with said one piece.

Avantageusement, lesdits moyens d'indexation sont formés par un ou des épaississements prévus sur une partie d'une surface intérieure de ladite pièce monobloc et coopérant, dans une première position de l'élément d'actionnement, avec une ou des pattes saillantes à l'intérieur de l'élément d'actionnement, pour empêcher l'actionnement du dispositif, ledit élément d'actionnement étant déplacable en rotation par rapport à ladite pièce monobloc dans une deuxième position dans laquelle lesdites pattes ne coopèrent plus avec lesdits épaississements, permettant l'actionnement du dispositif.Advantageously, said indexing means are formed by one or more thickenings provided on a part an inner surface of said one-piece part and cooperating, in a first position of the element actuation, with one or more protruding legs inside the actuator, to prevent actuation of the device, said actuating element being movable in rotation relative to said part monobloc in a second position in which said legs no longer cooperate with said thickenings, allowing the actuation of the device.

De préférence, lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie coopèrent avec ledit élément d'actionnement en le déformant éiastiquement lorsqu'une force minimale prédéterminée est exercée sur lui.Preferably, said energy storage means cooperate with said actuating element by distorting eiastically when a minimum force predetermined is exerted on him.

Avantageusement, lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie sont des ergots réalisés sur la surface externe de ladite pièce monobloc qui coopèrent avec des épaulements correspondants prévu sur la surface interne de l'élément d'actionnement.Advantageously, said means of accumulation of energy are lugs made on the external surface of said single piece which cooperate with corresponding shoulders provided on the inner surface of the actuating element.

Avantageusement, lesdits moyens de fractionnement sont formés par des épaississements formant au moins un gradin en direction axiale avec les épaississements agissant en tant que moyens d'indexation. Advantageously, said fractionation means are formed by thickenings forming at least one step in axial direction with the thickenings acting in as a means of indexing.

Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, le dispositif de distribution est un bidose adapté à distribuer deux doses de produit, ledit élément d'actionnement étant monté rotatif sur ladite pièce monobloc qui comporte :

  • des premiers moyens d'indexation formés par un ou des épaississements s'étendant sur une première partie de la surface périphérique interne de l'embase et coopérant, dans une première position de l'élément d'actionnement, avec une ou des pattes axiales saillantes dans l'élément d'actionnement, pour empêcher la distribution de la première dose,
  • des premiers moyens d'accumulation d'énergie formés par un ou des ergots saillants sur la surface externe de ladite embase et coopérant, après une première rotation de l'élément d'actionnement vers une deuxième position dans laquelle lesdits premiers moyens d'indexation ne coopèrent plus avec l'élément d'actionnement, avec un ou des épaulements prévus sur la surface interne de l'élément d'actionnement, pour accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur lors de l'actionnement du dispositif, lesdits épaulements ne passant par dessus lesdits ergots qu'à partir de l'application d'une force minimale prédéterminée, permettant ainsi le déplacement de l'élément d'actionnement par rapport à la pièce monobloc, et donc la distribution de la première dose,
  • des moyens de fonctionnement formés par un ou des épaississements s'étendant sur une seconde partie de la surface périphérique interne de l'embase et coopérant avec la ou lesdites pattes axiales de l'élément d'actionnement après distribution de la première dose, pour empêcher un déplacement axial supplémentaire de l'élément d'actionnement sur la pièce monobloc et ainsi fractionner le contenu du réservoir en deux doses, de sorte que lesdits moyens de fractionnement agissent simultanément en tant que seconds moyens d'indexation ; et
  • des seconds moyens d'accumulation d'énergie formés par un ou des ergots saillants sur la surface externe de ladite embase et coopérant, après une seconde rotation de l'élément d'actionnement vers une troisième position dans laquelle lesdits seconds moyens d'indexation ne coopèrent plus avec l'élément d'actionnement, avec le ou lesdits épaulements de l'élément d'actionnement pour accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur, ne permettant la distribution de la seconde dose qu'à partir de l'application d'une force minimale prédéterminée.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing device is a bidose adapted to dispense two doses of product, said actuating element being rotatably mounted on said monobloc piece which comprises:
  • first indexing means formed by one or more thickenings extending over a first part of the internal peripheral surface of the base and cooperating, in a first position of the actuating element, with one or more projecting axial tabs in the actuating element, to prevent the dispensing of the first dose,
  • first energy storage means formed by one or more protruding lugs on the external surface of said base and cooperating, after a first rotation of the actuating element towards a second position in which said first indexing means do not cooperate more with the actuating element, with one or more shoulders provided on the internal surface of the actuating element, to accumulate energy in the hand of the user during actuation of the device, said shoulders passing over said lugs only from the application of a predetermined minimum force, thus allowing the displacement of the actuating element relative to the monobloc piece, and therefore the distribution of the first dose,
  • operating means formed by one or more thickenings extending over a second part of the internal peripheral surface of the base and cooperating with the said axial tab (s) of the actuating element after dispensing the first dose, to prevent an additional axial displacement of the actuating element on the one-piece part and thus fractioning the contents of the reservoir into two doses, so that said fractionation means act simultaneously as second indexing means; and
  • second energy storage means formed by one or more protruding lugs on the external surface of said base and cooperating, after a second rotation of the actuating element towards a third position in which said second indexing means do not cooperate more with the actuating element, with the one or more shoulders of the actuating element to accumulate energy in the hand of the user, allowing the distribution of the second dose only from the 'application of a predetermined minimum force.

De préférence, lesdits premiers et seconds moyens d'accumulation d'énergie comportent chacun une paire d'ergots saillants diamétralement opposées, les deux paires d'ergots étant décalées axialement et circonférentiellement l'une par rapport à l'autre, sur la surface externe de ladite pièce monobloc.Preferably, said first and second means of energy accumulation each have a pair diametrically opposite projecting lugs, both pairs of pins being axially offset and circumferentially relative to each other, on the external surface of said one-piece part.

Avantageusement, dans ladite première position de l'élément d'actionnement, le ou lesdits épaulements de l'élément d'actionnement coopèrent, par exemple par encliquetage, avec des moyens d'accrochage prévus sur le bord périphérique supérieur de ladite pièce monobloc, pour maintenir ledit élément d'actionnement sur ladite pièce monobloc.Advantageously, in said first position of the actuating element, the one or more shoulders of the actuating element cooperate, for example by snap-fastening, with hooking means provided on the upper peripheral edge of said piece, for hold said actuator on said workpiece piece.

De préférence, ladite pièce monobloc comporte sur une surface externe des premiers moyens de butée de rotation coopérant avec ledit élément d'actionnement pour définir ladite première position de l'élément d'actionnement, et des deuxièmes moyens de butée de rotation coopérant avec l'élément d'actionnement pour définir ladite deuxième position de l'élément d'actionnement, et des troisièmes moyens de butée de rotation coopérant avec l'élément d'actionnement pour définir ladite troisième position de l'élément d'actionnement.Preferably, said one-piece part comprises on a external surface of the first rotation stop means cooperating with said actuating element to define said first position of the actuating element, and second rotation stop means cooperating with the actuating element for defining said second position of the actuating element, and thirds rotation stop means cooperating with the element actuation to define said third position of the actuating element.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaítront au cours de la description détaillée suivante d'un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif en regard des dessins joints, sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe verticale du dispositif selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, dans la position de repos ;
  • la figure 2 est une vue schématique en coupe vercicale de l'élément d'actionnement, montrant ses pattes axiales ;
  • les figures 3a et 3b sont des vues schématiques en coupe verticale montrant le dispositif selon un mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, respectivement dans une position de repos empêchant l'actionnemen et dans une position d'attente permettant la distribution de la première dose ;
  • les figures 4, 5 et 6 sont des vues schématiques en perspective du dispositif de distribution selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention;
  • les figures 7a et 7b sont des vues schématiques en perspective de l'élément d'actionnement ; et
  • les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues schématiques en perspective de la pièce monobloc.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear during the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the rest position;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic view in vercical section of the actuating element, showing its axial tabs;
  • Figures 3a and 3b are schematic views in vertical section showing the device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, respectively in a rest position preventing actuation and in a waiting position allowing the distribution of the first dose ;
  • Figures 4, 5 and 6 are schematic perspective views of the dispensing device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
  • Figures 7a and 7b are schematic perspective views of the actuator; and
  • Figures 8 and 9 are schematic perspective views of the one-piece part.

En référence aux figures 1 à 3, le dispositif de distribution selon l'invention comporte un réservoir 11 contenant le produit à distribuer monté sur une embase 14, un organe de distribution tel qu'une pompe, un élément d'actionnement manuel 20, tel qu'un poussoir, pour actionner l'organe de distribution afin de distribuer du produit, ledit élément d'actionnement 20 étant pourvu d'un orifice de sortie 29 par lequel sera pulvérisé ledit produit. La pompe comporte un piston 1 coulissant dans le réservoir 11, dont l'intérieur est relié à l'orifice de sortie 29 par un canal d'expulsion 3. Avantageusement, on dispose un gicleur 2 dans ledit canal d'expulsion pour favoriser la pulvérisation.Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the device distribution according to the invention comprises a reservoir 11 containing the product to be dispensed mounted on a base 14, a distribution member such as a pump, an element manual actuation 20, such as a pusher, for activate the dispensing device to dispense product, said actuating element 20 being provided with a outlet 29 through which said spray will be sprayed product. The pump has a piston 1 sliding in the tank 11, the interior of which is connected to the orifice of outlet 29 via an expulsion channel 3. Advantageously, one has a nozzle 2 in said expulsion channel for promote spraying.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif comporte des moyens de fractionnement de dose 16. Les moyens de fractionnement sont destinés à fractionner le contenu du réservoir en deux ou plusieurs doses, transformant ainsi le distribution en un multidose, avantageusement un bidose, c'est-à-dire un dispositif distribuant deux doses de produit. L'exemple représenté sur les figures concerne en particulier un pulvérisateur nasal, qui fonctionne comme un bidose, une dose étant prévue pour chaque narine. Bien entendu, l'invention ne se limite pas à cette application particulière.According to the invention, the device comprises means of dose fractionation 16. Means of fractionation are intended to split the contents of the tank into two or more doses, thereby transforming the distribution in a multidose, advantageously a bidose, that is to say a device dispensing two doses of product. The example shown in the figures relates in especially a nasal sprayer, which works like a bidose, a dose being provided for each nostril. Well of course, the invention is not limited to this application special.

Pour garantir une pulvérisation parfaite de la totalité d'une dose de produit, l'invention prévoit des moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 12 qui coopèrent avec l'élément d'actionnement 20 lors de l'actionnement du pulvérisateur pour accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur. Avantageusement, lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie coopèrent avec ledit élément d'actionnement 20 en ce qu'ils le déforment élastiquement lorsqu'une force minimale prédéterminée est exercée sur lui.To ensure perfect spraying of the entire dose of product, the invention provides energy storage means 12 which cooperate with the actuating element 20 upon actuation of the sprayer to accumulate energy in the hand of the user. Advantageously, said means accumulating energy cooperate with said element actuation 20 in that they deform it elastically when a predetermined minimum force is exerted on him.

Selon une caractéristique de la présente invention, ladite embase 14, lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 12 et lesdits moyens de fractionnement de dose 16 sont réalisés sous la forme d'une seule pièce monobloc 10. Cette mise en oeuvre permet de diminuer le nombre de pièces constitutives et ainsi le coût de fabrication et de montage du dispositif de distribution. En particulier, par rapport au dispositif divulgué dans le document WO 93/02804, La fabrication et le montage du dispositif sont simplifiés puisqu'il n'est plus nécessaire de prévoir des moyens mobiles (anneaux fendus) pour accumuler de l'énergie. La fiabilité du dispositif est également améliorée, un anneau fendu pouvant se casser ou se coincer lors de l'actionnement du dispositif.According to a characteristic of the present invention, said base 14, said energy storage means 12 and said dose splitting means 16 are made as a single piece 10. This implementation makes it possible to reduce the number of component parts and so the cost of manufacturing and mounting of the distribution device. In particular, by report to the device disclosed in document WO 93/02804, The manufacturing and mounting of the device are simplified since it is no longer necessary to provide movable means (split rings) for accumulating Energy. The reliability of the device is also improved, a split ring can break or get stuck upon actuation of the device.

Comme représenté sur les figures, le réservoir 11 est de préférence également réalisé d'une pièce avec la pièce monobloc 10, qui comporte de préférence deux cylindres creux concentriques, le cylindre intérieur définissant le réservoir 11, et le cylindre extérieur formant l'embase 14 comportant sur la surface externe lesdits moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 12. Les deux cylindres concentriques sont de préférence reliés par une bride annulaire sensiblement horizontale au niveau de leurs extrémités inférieures, définissant ainsi un espace creux annulaire entre la surface interne de l'embase 14 et la surface externe du réservoir 11.As shown in the figures, the reservoir 11 is preferably also made in one piece with the piece monobloc 10, which preferably has two cylinders concentric hollows, the inner cylinder defining the reservoir 11, and the outer cylinder forming the base 14 comprising on the external surface said means energy storage 12. The two cylinders concentric are preferably connected by a flange substantially horizontal annular at their lower ends, thus defining a hollow space annular between the internal surface of the base 14 and the external surface of the tank 11.

Dans le mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, qui combine tous les avantages fournis par l'invention, le dispositif comporte outre les moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 12 et les moyens de fractionnement de dose 16, des moyens d'indexation 15. Les moyens d'indexation sont destinés à sélectivement empêcher ou permettre l'actionnement du dispositif, pour notamment garantir une sécurité contre un actionnement non souhaité, par exemple lors d'un transport.In the preferred embodiment of this invention, which combines all the advantages provided by the invention, the device comprises, in addition to the means of energy accumulation 12 and the means of dose splitting 16, indexing means 15. The indexing means are intended to selectively prevent or allow actuation of the device, in particular for guarantee security against undesired actuation, for example during transport.

Selon un aspect avantageux de l'invention, lesdits moyens d'indexation sont réalisés d'une pièce avec la pièce monobloc 10, ce qui est en particulier visible sur la figure 9. En particulier, ces moyens d'indexation sont réalisés sous la forme d'un ou plusieurs épaississements 15 prévus sur la surface interne de l'embase 14, lesdits épaississements s'étendant sur une partie de la périphérie de ladite surface interne. Ils coopèrent avec l'élément d'actionnement 20 pour sélectivement empêcher ou permettre un déplacement axial dudit élément d'actionnement 20 par rapport à ladite pièce monobloc 10. Plus particulièrement, lesdits épaississements 15 coopèrent avec une ou plusieurs pattes 25 saillantes à l'intérieur de l'élément d'actionnement 20, de préférence de manière axiale, et qui viennent buter contre lesdits épaississements 15 dans la position de repos où l'actionnement est empêché. Dans cette première position de l'élément d'actionnement, représentée notamment sur les figures 1 et 3a, une quelconque force exercée sur l'élément d'actionnement 20 n'aura aucun effet et aucun produit ne sera distribué par le dispositif.According to an advantageous aspect of the invention, said indexing means are made in one piece with the single piece 10, which is particularly visible on Figure 9. In particular, these indexing means are produced in the form of one or more thickenings 15 provided on the internal surface of the base 14, said thickenings extending over part of the periphery of said internal surface. They cooperate with the element actuator 20 to selectively prevent or enable an axial displacement of said actuating element 20 by compared to said one-piece piece 10. More particularly, said thickenings 15 cooperate with one or more 25 protruding legs inside the element actuator 20, preferably axially, and which abut against said thickening 15 in the rest position where actuation is prevented. In this first position of the actuating element, shown in particular in Figures 1 and 3a, a any force exerted on the actuator 20 will have no effect and no product will be distributed by the device.

Pour maintenir l'élément d'actionnement 20 attaché à ladite pièce monobloc 10, on prévoit avantageusement des moyens d'accrochage 19 sur ladite pièce monobloc 10, avantageusement sur le bord périphérique supérieur de l'embase 14. Ces moyens d'accrochage 19 peuvent coopérer avec un ou plusieurs épaulements 22 prévus sur le bord périphérique inférieur de l'élément d'actionnement 20. Comme visible en particulier sur la figure 9, ces moyens d'accrochage 19 peuvent comporter, par exemple dans la première position de l'élément d'actionnement 20, c'est-à-dire la position de repos où l'actionnement du dispositif est empêché, une forme particulière 19a facilitant l'accrochage de l'élément d'actionnement 20 sur l'embase 14 lors du montage. Cette forme particulière peut par exemple être réalisée en tant que rampe 19a qui permet de déformer progressivement élastiquement l'élément d'actionnement 20 au niveau des épaulements 22, lesdits épaulements 22 venant ensuite s'encliqueter sous lesdits moyens d'accrochage 19. De préférence, cette forme particulière 19a des moyens d'accrochage 19 définit la position dans laquelle l'élément d'actionnement 20 est monté sur la pièce monobloc 10, qui correspond avantageusement à ladite première position de l'élément d'actionnement.To keep the actuator 20 attached to said one-piece part 10, provision is advantageously made for attachment means 19 on said one-piece part 10, advantageously on the upper peripheral edge of the base 14. These attachment means 19 can cooperate with one or more shoulders 22 provided on the edge lower peripheral of the actuating element 20. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 9, these means attachment 19 may include, for example in the first position of the actuating element 20, that is to say the rest position where the actuation of the device is prevented, a particular form 19a facilitating the attachment of the actuating element 20 to the base 14 during assembly. This particular form can by example be made as a ramp 19a which allows gradually elastically deform the element actuation 20 at the shoulders 22, said shoulders 22 then snap under said attachment means 19. Preferably, this form particular 19a attachment means 19 defines the position in which the actuating element 20 is mounted on the monobloc piece 10, which corresponds advantageously at said first position of the element actuating.

Selon l'invention, l'élément d'actionnement 20 est de préférence monté rotatif sur la pièce monobloc 10. Ainsi lorsque l'utilisateur souhaite distribuer du produit, il fait tourner l'élément d'actionnement 20 par rapport à la pièce monobloc 10 autour de son axe principal, vers une deuxième position de l'élément d'actionnement 20, ou position d'attente, dans laquelle les moyens d'indexation 15 ne coopèrent plus avec ledit élément d'actionnement 20. En d'autres termes, dans cette deuxième position de l'élément d'actionnement 20, représentée notamment sur la figure 3b, les pattes 25 prévues à l'intérieur de l'élément d'actionnement 20 ne reposent sur les épaississements 15 de la pièce monobloc 10, de sorte qu'un actionnement n'est plus empêché. Avantageusement, la pièce monobloc 10 comporte sur sa surface externe des premiers moyens de butée de rotation 18a pour définir la direction de rotation entre ses première et deuxième positions, et des deuxièmes moyens de butée de rotation 18b pour définir la deuxième position de l'élément d'actionnement 20. En particulier, ces moyens de butée de rotation peuvent être réalisés par des projections qui font saillie sur la surface externe de la pièce monobloc 10 et qui viennent coopérer avec lesdits épaulements 22 de l'élément d'actionnement 20 lors de la rotation de celui-ci.According to the invention, the actuating element 20 is of preferably rotatably mounted on the monobloc piece 10. Thus when the user wishes to distribute the product, he rotates the actuator 20 relative to the single piece 10 around its main axis, towards a second position of the actuating element 20, or waiting position, in which the indexing means 15 no longer cooperate with said actuating element 20. In other words, in this second position of the actuating element 20, shown in particular on the Figure 3b, the tabs 25 provided inside the actuating element 20 is not based on the thickenings 15 of the single piece 10, so that a actuation is no longer prevented. Advantageously, the piece monobloc 10 has on its external surface first rotation stop means 18a for defining the direction of rotation between its first and second positions, and second rotation stop means 18b for defining the second position of the actuating element 20. In in particular, these rotation stop means can be made by projections that protrude from the external surface of the single piece 10 and which come cooperate with said shoulders 22 of the element actuation 20 during rotation thereof.

Les moyens d'accumulation d'énergie sont avantageusement réalisés sous la forme d'un ou plusieurs ergots 12, en particulier sous la forme de deux ergots diamétralement opposés, disposés sur la surface externe de la pièce monobloc 10. Comme visible sur la figure 3b, lesdits ergots 12 coopèrent avec les épaulements 22 de l'élément d'actionnement 20 et engendrent une résistance certaine contre un déplacement axial de l'élément d'actionnement 20 par rapport à la pièce monobloc 10. Ainsi, lorsque l'utilisateur veut pulvériser une dose, il exerce une force sur le dispositif qui sollicite l'élément d'actionnement 20 en déplacement axial sur la pièce monobloc 10, ce déplacement étant empêché par les ergots 12. Toutefois, l'élément d'actionnement 20 étant réalisé de préférence en une matière plastique appropriée, celui-ci peut se déformer élastiquement et ainsi, lesdits épaulements 22 peuvent passer par dessus lesdits ergots 12 lorsqu'une force minimale prédéterminée est exercée sur le dispositif. Ce seuil correspondant à cette force minimale permet donc d'accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur et, lorsque les épaulements 22 de l'élément d'actionnement 20 passent par dessus les ergots 12 de la pièce monobloc, toute cette énergie accumulée dans la main de l'utilisateur est transmise d'un seul coup au dispositif de sorte que la totalité de la dose est pulvérisée. Il n'y a pas de risque de faire une course partielle uniquement, ce qui aurait pour conséquence une distribution partielle de la dose.The means of energy storage are advantageously produced in the form of one or more pins 12, in particular in the form of two pins diametrically opposed, arranged on the outer surface of the one-piece part 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3b, said pins 12 cooperate with the shoulders 22 of the actuating element 20 and generate resistance certain against axial displacement of the element actuation 20 relative to the single piece 10. So when the user wants to spray a dose, it exerts a force on the device which biases the element actuator 20 in axial displacement on the workpiece monobloc 10, this movement being prevented by the pins 12. However, the actuating element 20 being produced preferably made of a suitable plastic, this can deform elastically and thus, said shoulders 22 can pass over said pins 12 when a predetermined minimum force is exerted on the device. This threshold corresponding to this minimum force therefore allows to accumulate energy in the hand of the user and, when the shoulders 22 of the element actuator 20 pass over the pins 12 of the monobloc piece, all this energy accumulated in the hand of the user is transmitted all at once to device so the entire dose is spray. There is no risk of racing partial only, which would result in a partial distribution of the dose.

Le mode de réalisation préféré représenté sur les dessins correspond à un bidose. Dans ce cas, le dispositif comporte des moyens de fractionnement 16 destinés à fractionner le contenu du réservoir 11 en deux doses, de préférence égales. Selon la présente invention, lesdits moyens de fractionnement 16 sont réalisés d'une pièce avec la pièce monobloc 10. Avantageusement, lesdits moyens de fractionnement sont formés par un ou des épaississements 16 qui forment, avec le ou les épaississements 15 agissant en tant que moyen d'indexation, au moins un gradin en direction axiale. Ces seconds épaississements 16 s'étendent sur une seconde partie de la surface interne de l'embase 14 en prolongement des premiers épaississements 15, et coopèrent donc à la fin de l'expulsion de la première dose avec lesdites pattes 25 de l'élément d'actionnement 20 pour arrêter le déplacement axial de l'élément d'actionnement 20 par rapport à la pièce monobloc 10. Lesdits moyens de fractionnement 16 agissent également dans ce cas en tant que second moyen d'indexation, du fait qu'ils empêchent, dans la position atteinte après la distribution de la première dose, la distribution de la seconde dose. Un mode de réalisation particulièrement avantageux est réalisé par deux épaississements diamétralement opposés qui, sur une partie 15, s'étendent jusqu'au bord supérieur périphérique de l'embase 14 pour former les premiers moyens d'indexation, et, sur une seconde partie 16, s'étendent seulement jusqu'à environ la moitié de la hauteur de l'espace annulaire creux entre l'embase 14 et le réservoir 11 pour former les moyens de fractionnement agissant également en tant que seconds moyens d'indexation. Au moins une partie de ladite surface interne doit être exempte d'épaississement pour permettre le déplacement de l'élément d'actionnement 20 afin de distribuer la seconde dose. De manière similaire à ce qui a été décrit précédemment, pour pouvoir distribuer la seconde dose, l'élément d'actionnement 20 est tourné sur la pièce monobloc 10 vers une troisième position, où les pattes 25 ne coopèrent plus avec les seconds épaississements 16, permettant ainsi la distribution de la seconde dose.The preferred embodiment shown in the drawings corresponds to a bidose. In this case, the device comprises fractionation means 16 intended for split the contents of reservoir 11 into two doses, preferably equal. According to the present invention, said fractionation means 16 are made in one piece with the single piece 10. Advantageously, said means of fractionation are formed by one or more thickenings 16 which form, with the thickening (s) 15 acting as a means of indexing, at least one step in axial direction. These second thickenings 16 extend over a second part of the internal surface of the base 14 as an extension of the first thickenings 15, and therefore cooperate at the end of the expulsion of the first dose with said legs 25 of the element actuator 20 to stop the axial movement of the actuating element 20 relative to the workpiece monoblock 10. Said fractionation means 16 act also in this case as a second plea indexing, because they prevent, in the position reached after the distribution of the first dose, the distribution of the second dose. An embodiment particularly advantageous is achieved by two diametrically opposite thickenings which, on one part 15, extend to the peripheral upper edge of the base 14 to form the first indexing means, and, on a second part 16, extend only up to about half the height of the space hollow annular between the base 14 and the reservoir 11 for train the fractionation means also acting in as second means of indexing. At least some of said internal surface must be free thickening to allow the displacement of actuator 20 to dispense the second dose. Similar to what has been described previously, to be able to dispense the second dose, the actuating element 20 is turned on the workpiece monobloc 10 to a third position, where the legs 25 no longer cooperate with the second thickenings 16, thus allowing the distribution of the second dose.

De manière avantageuse, on prévoit également des seconds moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 13, de préférence également réalisés sous la forme d'ergots saillants sur la surface externe de la pièce monobloc 10, deux ergots 13 étant avantageusement également diamétralement opposés l'un à l'autre. De même, on prévoit également avantageusement des troisièmes moyens de butée de rotation 18c qui permettent de définir ladite troisième position de l'élément d'actionnement 20, et qui sont avantageusement réalisés de manière similaire aux premiers et deuxièmes moyens de butée de rotation 18a et 18b. Ainsi, dans la troisième position de l'élément d'actionnement 20, les épaulements 22 de l'élément d'actionnement 20 coopèrent avec les ergots 13 qui fonctionnent de la même manière que les ergots décrits précédemment pour accumuler de l'énergie dans la main de l'utilisateur lors de la distribution de la seconde dose. Comme visible en particulier sur les figures 4, 5 et 6, lesdits premiers moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 12 et lesdits seconds moyens d'accumulation d'énergie 13, respectivement formés par une paire d'ergots diamétralement opposée, sont réalisés de telle sorte que les deux paires d'ergots sont décalées axialement et angulairement l'une par rapport à l'autre sur la surface externe de l'embase. De cette manière, l'utilisateur, pour actionner le dispositif, tourne d'abord l'élément d'actionnement 20 de sa première position, où l'actionnement est bloqué, vers sa deuxième position, puis il distribue la première dose, puis il tourne à nouveau l'élément d'actionnement de sa seconde position vers sa troisième position, puis il actionne à nouveau le dispositif pour distribuer la seconde dose.Advantageously, provision is also made for second energy storage means 13, preferably also produced in the form of protruding pins on the external surface of the single piece 10, two pins 13 advantageously also being diametrically opposite to one another. Similarly, we also plan advantageously third means of rotation stop 18c which make it possible to define said third position of the actuating element 20, and which are advantageously similar to the first and second rotation stop means 18a and 18b. So in the third position of the actuating element 20, the shoulders 22 of the actuating element 20 cooperate with the pins 13 which operate in the same way as the lugs described above to accumulate energy in the user's hand when distribution of the second dose. As visible in particular in Figures 4, 5 and 6, said first energy storage means 12 and said seconds energy storage means 13, respectively formed by a pair of diametrically opposite lugs, are made so that the two pairs of lugs are axially and angularly offset one relative to the other on the external surface of the base. Of this way, the user, to operate the device, first turns the actuator 20 of its first position, where the actuation is blocked, towards its second position and then he dispenses the first dose and then he again turns the actuator its second position towards its third position, then it operates at again the device for dispensing the second dose.

Un autre avantage particulier des moyens d'accumulation d'énergie disposés sur la surface externe de la pièce monobloc 10 est réalisé par le fait que lesdits ergots peuvent également agir en tant que témoin de dose. En effet, lorsque les deux ergots 12 et 13 sont visibles, ceci signifie qu'aucune dose n'a été distribuée. Lorsque l'un des deux ergots est visible, ceci signifie que seule la première dose a été distribuée, et lorsqu'aucun ergot n'est plus visible, ceci signifie que les deux doses ont été distribuées.Another particular advantage of the means accumulating energy arranged on the external surface of the one-piece part 10 is achieved by the fact that said pins can also act as a witness dose. Indeed, when the two pins 12 and 13 are visible, this means that no dose has been dispensed. When one of the two pins is visible, this means that only the first dose has been dispensed, and when no lug is no longer visible, this means that the two doses have been distributed.

Ainsi, dans le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention représenté sur les dessins, la pièce monobloc 10 incorpore l'embase, le réservoir, les moyens d'accumulation d'énergie, les moyens d'indexation, les moyens de fractionnement de dose, les moyens de butée de rotation définissant les positions angulaires de l'élément d'actionnement, et les moyens d'accrochage pour maintenir l'élément d'actionnement sur la pièce monobloc. La présente invention permet donc d'économiser plusieurs pièces constitutives du dispositif. Du fait que les moyens d'accumulation d'énergie ne sont pas prévus dans l'espace annulaire creux défini entre l'embase et le réservoir, mais au contraire sur la surface externe de l'embase, ladite pièce monobloc peut être réalisée de manière simple et économique, par exemple par moulage. En particulier, que ce soit dans la configuration préférée décrite ci-dessus ou dans toute autre configuration couverte par la présente invention, les pièces constitutives du dispositif peuvent toutes être montées à l'aide de moules simples et peu coûteux car ne comportant pas de contre-dépouilles. Le montage du dispositif est aussi grandement facilité du fait du faible nombre de pièces. Les coûts de fabrication et du montage du dispositif de l'invention sont donc particulièrement faibles sans pour autant affecter la fiabilité de son fonctionnement.Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the single piece 10 incorporates the base, the tank, the means of energy accumulation, the means of indexing, the dose splitting means, the stop means of rotation defining the angular positions of the element actuation, and the attachment means for holding the actuating element on the single piece. The present invention therefore saves several component parts of the device. Because the means energy accumulation is not expected in space hollow annular defined between the base and the reservoir, but on the contrary on the external surface of the base, said one-piece piece can be produced in a simple manner and economical, for example by molding. In particular, whether in the preferred configuration described above or in any other configuration covered by the present invention, the component parts of the device can all be mounted using simple molds and inexpensive because it does not include undercuts. The mounting the device is also greatly facilitated by made of the small number of pieces. Manufacturing costs and mounting of the device of the invention are therefore particularly weak without affecting the reliability of its operation.

Bien que l'invention ait été décrite en référence au mode de réalisation préféré incorporant un bidose, la présente invention s'applique bien évidemment également à des multidoses comportant plus de deux doses, auquel cas les moyens de fractionnement et d'accumulation d'énergie peuvent être prévus plusieurs fois. De même, le réservoir 11 peut ne pas faire partie intégrante de la pièce monobloc, mais être fixé sur celle-ci, par exemple par encliquetage. L'intérieur du réservoir 11 peut également être pourvu d'un cylindre en verre ou tout autre matériau approprié, pour améliorer l'étanchéité.Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiment incorporating a bidose, the present invention obviously also applies to multidoses with more than two doses, in which case the means of fractionation and of energy accumulation can be scheduled multiple times. Likewise, the tank 11 may not be an integral part of the room monobloc, but be fixed on it, for example by snap. The interior of the tank 11 can also be provided with a cylinder of glass or any other material suitable, to improve sealing.

Claims (11)

  1. A device for spraying fluid, the device comprising a tank (11) containing a plurality of doses of fluid, a cylindrical base (14) receiving said tank (11), a dispenser member such as a pump, a manual actuator element (20), fractioning means (16) co-operating with said actuator element (20) to fraction the content of the tank (11) into at least two doses, and energy-accumulator means (12) co-operating, during actuation, with said manual actuator element (20) to accumulate energy in the hand of the user so as to guarantee proper atomization of the entire dose of fluid on each actuation, the device being characterized in that said base (14), said fractioning means (16), and said energy-accumulator means (12) form integral portions of a common one-piece block (10) .
  2. A device according to claim 1, in which said tank (11) is integrally formed with said one-piece block (10).
  3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising indexing means (15) co-operating with said manual actuator element (20) selectively to allow or prevent actuation of the device, in which said indexing means (15) are integrally formed with said one-piece block (10) .
  4. A device according to claim 3, in which said indexing means are formed by one or more thickenings (15) provided on a portion of an inner surface of said one-piece block (10) and co-operating, in a first position of the actuator element (20), with one or more tabs (25) projecting into the inside of the actuator element (20) to prevent actuation of the device, said actuator element (20) being movable in rotation relative to said one-piece block (10) into a second position in which said tabs (25) no longer co-operate with said thickenings (15), thereby enabling the device to be actuated.
  5. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said energy-accumulator means (12) co-operate with said actuator element (20) by deforming it elastically when a predetermined minimum force is exerted thereon.
  6. A device according to claim 5, in which said energy-accumulator means are studs (12) formed on the outer surface of said one-piece block (10), which studs co-operate with corresponding shoulders (22) provided on the inner surface of the actuator element (20).
  7. A device according to claim 3, in which said fractioning means are formed by thickenings (16) forming at least one axially-directed step with the thickenings (15) acting as indexing means.
  8. A device according to claim 1, in which the dispenser device is a two-dose dispenser adapted to dispense two doses of fluid, said actuator element (20) being rotatably mounted on said one-piece block (10) which comprises:
    first indexing means formed by one or more thickenings (15) extending over a first portion of the inner peripheral surface of the base (14) and co-operating, in a first position of the actuator element (20), with one or more axial tabs (25) projecting into the actuator element (20) to prevent the first dose being dispensed;
    first energy-accumulator means (12) formed by one or more studs (12) projecting from the outer surface of said base (14) and co-operating, after a first rotation of the actuator element (20) into a second position in which said first indexing means (15) no longer co-operate with the actuator element (20), with one or more shoulders (22) provided on the inner surface of the actuator element (20), thereby accumulating energy in the hand of the user during actuation of the device, said shoulders (22) passing over said studs (12) only after a predetermined minimum force has been applied, thereby enabling the actuator element (20) to move relative to the one-piece block (10), and thus to cause the first dose to be dispensed;
    fractioning means formed by one or more thickenings (16) extending over a second portion of the inner peripheral surface of the base (14) and co-operating with said axial tab(s) (25) of the actuator element (20) after the first dose has been dispensed to prevent additional axial displacement of the actuator element (20) over the one-piece block (10), thereby fractioning the content of the tank (11) into two doses, such that said fractioning means (16) act simultaneously as second indexing means; and
    second energy-accumulator means (13) formed by one or more studs (13) projecting from the outer surface of the base (14) and co-operating, after a second rotation of the actuator element (20) into a third position in which said second indexing means (16) no longer co-operate with the actuator element (20), with said shoulder(s) (22) of the actuator element (20) to accumulate energy in the hand of the user, allowing the second dose to be dispensed only after a predetermined minimum force has been applied.
  9. A device according to claim 6 or 8, in which each of said first and second energy-accumulator means comprises a pair of diametrically-opposite projecting studs (12, 13), the two pairs of studs (12, 13) being axially and circumferentially offset relative to each other on the outer surface of said one-piece block (10).
  10. A device according to claim 8 or 9, in which, in said first position of the actuator element (20), said shoulder(s) (22) of the actuator element (20) co-operate, e.g. by snap-fastening, with fastening means (19) provided on the top peripheral edge of said one-piece piece (10) to hold said actuator element (20) on said one-piece block (10).
  11. A device according to claim 8, in which said one-piece block (10) includes, on an outer surface: first rotary abutment means (18a) co-operating with said actuator element (20) to define said first position of the actuator element; and second rotary abutment means (18b) co-operating with the actuator element (20) to define said second position of the actuator element; and third rotary abutment means (18c) co-operating with the actuator element (20) to define said third position of the actuator element.
EP98914922A 1997-03-26 1998-03-16 Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser Expired - Lifetime EP0969933B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9703703A FR2761281B1 (en) 1997-03-26 1997-03-26 DEVICE FOR SPRAYING A FLUID PRODUCT, SUCH AS A BIDOSE
FR9703703 1997-03-26
PCT/FR1998/000522 WO1998042447A1 (en) 1997-03-26 1998-03-16 Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0969933A1 EP0969933A1 (en) 2000-01-12
EP0969933B1 true EP0969933B1 (en) 2003-02-26
EP0969933B2 EP0969933B2 (en) 2007-06-27

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EP98914922A Expired - Lifetime EP0969933B2 (en) 1997-03-26 1998-03-16 Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser

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US (1) US6257457B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0969933B2 (en)
JP (1) JP4045557B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1095697C (en)
DE (1) DE69811644T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2761281B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1998042447A1 (en)

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FR2793708B1 (en) 1999-05-21 2001-08-03 Valois Sa FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE
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DE19944209A1 (en) * 1999-09-15 2001-03-22 Pfeiffer Erich Gmbh & Co Kg Dispenser for possibly atomizing the discharge of a medium, in particular a liquid, from a container
US6382204B1 (en) 1999-10-14 2002-05-07 Becton Dickinson And Company Drug delivery system including holder and drug container
FR2817245B1 (en) * 2000-11-30 2003-05-02 Valois Sa FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE
FR2830522B1 (en) * 2001-10-04 2004-02-13 Tebro SIDE-OPERATED FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE
GB0204829D0 (en) * 2002-03-01 2002-04-17 Glaxo Group Ltd A fluid dispensing device
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JP4641526B2 (en) 2003-11-03 2011-03-02 グラクソ グループ リミテッド Fluid distribution device
GB0507224D0 (en) * 2005-04-09 2005-05-18 Glaxo Group Ltd A fluid dispensing device
GB0515592D0 (en) * 2005-07-28 2005-09-07 Glaxo Group Ltd Nozzle for a nasal inhaler
US10549289B2 (en) 2008-06-18 2020-02-04 Silgan Dispensing Systems Slatersville, Llc Fan orifice dispensing closure
EP2296820B1 (en) * 2008-06-18 2019-12-11 Silgan Dispensing Systems Slatersville LLC Dispensing closure for a fan spray nozzle
US8814010B2 (en) 2008-06-18 2014-08-26 Mwv Slatersville, Llc Fan orifice dispensing closure
EP2382049A2 (en) 2008-12-29 2011-11-02 Otic Pharma Ltd. Multiple-metered dispenser
CN110840367B (en) * 2019-11-19 2021-03-19 佛山市顺德区美的洗涤电器制造有限公司 Distributor and washing appliance
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Publication number Publication date
DE69811644T2 (en) 2004-01-29
JP4045557B2 (en) 2008-02-13
CN1251058A (en) 2000-04-19
EP0969933B2 (en) 2007-06-27
EP0969933A1 (en) 2000-01-12
CN1095697C (en) 2002-12-11
JP2001520580A (en) 2001-10-30
WO1998042447A1 (en) 1998-10-01
FR2761281B1 (en) 1999-05-21
DE69811644T3 (en) 2008-02-21
FR2761281A1 (en) 1998-10-02
US6257457B1 (en) 2001-07-10
DE69811644D1 (en) 2003-04-03

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