EP1033325A1 - Dispensing head for the dispensing under pressure of a product and assembly equipped with such a head - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispensing head (10) for a pressurised cream dispenser has a cap (13) to retain the head on the container (2) and a push button (11) to actuate a distributor valve (4). A flap (15) is mounted on the cap to selectively mask the outlet orifice (7). An outer cap (20) at least partially covers the dispensing outlet.

Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing head, intended to equip a bottle, tube, or any other type of packaging, on which a dispensing element, in particular in the form of an actuating pump manual.

Such a head is particularly suitable for the distribution of products cosmetic, pharmaceutical or dermo-pharmaceutical. Such products may in particular be in the form of a milk, a cream, a paste, or a gel.

Products of the above type are commonly stored in a bottle, especially in thermoplastic material or glass. The bottle is topped a dispensing head generally comprising: a) a hoop intended for mounting the head on a container containing said product; b) a push button movable relative to the hoop so as to allow actuation of an element dispenser surmounting said container, said push button comprising a outlet in communication with the distribution element for, in response to an actuation command exerted on the push button, when the head is in the dispensing position, deliver a dose of said product through said outlet port; c) means carried by the hoop for, in a position of head storage, hide said outlet, a cover being generally provided to cover, at least in part, said head in a removable manner.

The problems that arise with such distribution assemblies are multiple. A first problem is related to the fact that the element intended to mask the outlet in the storage position, hides the latter in a manner that is not not always very satisfactory, in particular due to the mandatory distance minimum separating the masking element from the outlet orifice. This distance separating these two elements, causes drying and / or oxidation of the product located in the vicinity of the outlet. Such drying and such oxidation may make it difficult to use the device after a long time not in use. In addition, the oxidized product takes on a color which often has nothing very aesthetic. Both complex and costly solutions could be found imagined to solve this problem. However, such solutions never successfully completed due to the two crippling faults which characterize them.

In addition, another problem is related to the mounting of the hood or plug on such a head. Typically, there are three types of caps: screw caps, snap caps, and slide caps.

In general, these plugs are obtained from molding, and have almost inevitable of the undercut portions whose demolding requires either an uprooting (which harms both the aesthetics and the solidity of the attachment), or the use of a shell mold, comprising two parts which retract before opening of the mold. Such a mold is however more expensive than a mold with simple opening. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a unscrewing mold, so as to unmold the screw thread.

It has also been proposed to immobilize a cover on a container, by means of a system with ramps formed by protuberances formed on the neck of the container, and with which one or more organs correspondents formed on an inner surface of the cover are intended to come in engagement, so as to secure the lid on the container. The opening of the container is ensured by crossing the top of the (or) ramp (s) by the corresponding organ (s) by turning the cover relative to the container in the same direction as the closing direction.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a distribution head, of the type mentioned above, presenting a hood mounting system on the head which is reliable, economical to produce and aesthetic, and which allows, in dispenser head storage position, effectively hide the dispensing orifice, and this without significant additional cost.

Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a dispensing head of a product, in particular cosmetic comprising: a) a hoop intended for mounting head on a container containing said product; b) a push button, mobile relative to the hoop so as to allow the actuation of an element of distribution surmounting said container, said push button comprising an orifice outlet in communication with the distribution element for, in response to a actuation command exerted on the push button, when the head is in dispensing position, deliver a dose of said product through said orifice exit ; c) means carried by the hoop for, in a storage position of head, mask said outlet, a cover being provided to cover, at at least in part, said head removably, said cover comprising means capable, in cooperation with said masking means, of ensuring immobilization of the cover on the dispensing head.

Thus, the masking means participate in two essential functions: apart, they mask the exit orifice of the push button. Else apart, they participate in the immobilization of the cover on the dispensing head. We thus multiplies the functionality of such a distribution head without increasing it the cost significantly. The means carried by the cover to ensure its immobilization, further strengthen the tightness of the closure of the orifice of exit.

Advantageously, the transition from the storage position to the position of distribution, and vice versa, is done by rotation of the push button relative to the fret. Such a passage can be carried out by a rotation which can be of the order ¼ turn, or more.

Preferably, means can be provided for, in the storage position, make it impossible to actuate the dispensing element. Such means may include in particular a lug carried by the push button, and which, in depending on the angular position of the hoop relative to the push button, can be compared to a groove provided on the hoop, or vice versa. Alignment angular throat and lug makes it possible to actuate the button pusher.

Preferably, one of said masking means and said means of immobilization of the hood forms at least one ramp progressing in a radial direction with respect to said dispensing head, the other of said means of masking and said immobilization means having a suitable profile, in response to a rotation of the cover relative to the dispensing head coming into engagement on said ramp (s) so as to exert a tightening stress of the cover on the dispensing head, acting in at least one radial direction, thus ensuring the immobilization of the removable cover on said dispensing head. The tightening obtained contributes to exert an elastic stress on the means of masking in the direction of the push button outlet, thus improving significantly sealing the contact between the masking element and the orifice Release.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said ramp is formed by a finger forming said masking means.

Advantageously, said outlet orifice is, in the storage position, masked by a free end of said finger, said free end being elastically stressed in the direction of said outlet orifice when the immobilization means are in engagement with the ramp formed by said finger. The presence of the ramp between the hoop and the free end of the masking finger means that the position of the outlet orifice relative to the lateral surface of the push button, thus limiting the risks of product pouring onto the dispensing head and onto the container on which said head is mounted.

Said immobilization means may consist of at least one fin formed on the inner surface of a side skirt of the hood, and extending radially inside said cover.

Preferably, a plurality of fins are evenly distributed over said interior surface. The presence of several fins facilitates in particular immobilization of the cover on the dispensing head, reducing the angular area to pass through the cover relative to the dispensing head to obtain the setting in engagement of the fins with the finger forming a ramp.

According to another aspect of the invention, a set of packaging and distribution under pressure of a product, in particular cosmetic, characterized in that it is equipped with a dispensing head according to one any of the preceding claims.

Said dispensing element may consist of a pump or a valve, the pump constituting the preferred embodiment.

The container may consist of a bottle, a tube, or a device for extemporaneous mixture of at least two basic compositions. Typically a such a device for the extemporaneous mixing of two basic compositions is formed of two or more volumes separately containing two or several basic compositions which can only be mixed at the time of their usage. The volumes are separated by shutter means, removable when using the device for the first time. Such packaging is suitable especially for mixtures of type Vitamin C or other, in combination with another composition in the presence of which the vitamin is not stable.

• la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée d'un ensemble de distribution équipé d'une tête de distribution selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
• les figures 2A-2E représentent l'ensemble de la figure 1 avec la tête de distribution en position de stockage (figure 2A-2C), respectivement, en position de distribution (figure 2D-2E) ;
• les figures 3A-3C représentent l'ensemble de la figure 1, avec le capot monté, en position non verrouillée (figure 3B), et en position verrouillée (figure 3C). Dans la figure 3A, le capot est représenté en coupe.

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:

• Figure 1 shows an exploded view of a dispensing assembly equipped with a dispensing head according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 2A-2E show the assembly of Figure 1 with the dispensing head in the storage position (Figure 2A-2C), respectively, in the dispensing position (Figure 2D-2E);
• Figures 3A-3C show the assembly of Figure 1, with the cover mounted, in the unlocked position (Figure 3B), and in the locked position (Figure 3C). In Figure 3A, the cover is shown in section.

As shown in Figure 1, the assembly 1 includes a container 2, in particular glass, one end of which is surmounted by a neck 3. A free edge of the neck 3 delimits an opening in which a pump 4 is mounted, surmounted by a pump rod 5.

The pump rod 5 is intended to receive, by force fitting, a conduit formed axially in a push button 11, which conduit opens laterally on an outlet orifice 7, formed at the end of a protrusion 8 formed by said push button 11. The push button has a surface 12, intended to form a bearing surface for actuation of the pump 4.

The dispensing head 10 comprises a push button 11, mounted mobile axially, and at least partially in rotation, with respect to a hoop 13 fixedly attached to the container 2 (in particular by snap-fastening or screwing). The dispensing head can be obtained by molding one or more materials thermoplastics, chosen in particular from polypropylenes or polyethylenes. Push button and hoop can be molded in one part, formed of two parts connected to each other by bridges of self material breakable, which are then broken, especially during assembly or during the first use. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoop 13 is screwed onto the neck of the bottle and has an internal portion (not shown), capable of keeping in position the pump 4 inside the neck 3 of the bottle. Alternatively, the body of pump could be held by force inside the neck of the bottle, or glued.

The hoop 13 carries a finger 15 oriented opposite the container 2, and having a free end portion 16, substantially flat, and intended, as will be seen in detail subsequently, to be positioned opposite the outlet orifice 7 of the button pusher. In this so-called storage position, the risk of drying out or oxidation of any product which, after each use, stay in the vicinity of said outlet orifice. At its opposite end to the free end 16, the finger 15 is attached to the hoop 13 at a junction zone a side skirt 17 of the hoop 13 and a transverse collar 18 of said fret. The finger 15 can be obtained by molding with the hoop 13. Between the zone of attachment of the finger 15 to the hoop 13, and the end portion 16 of the finger 15, extends a curved portion 30, suitable, as it appears more clearly in the figures 3B and 3C, to form a ramp progressing in a radial direction at the head of distribution 10.

The assembly formed by the hoop 13 and the push button 11 is intended to be capped by a cover 20 formed by a side skirt 21, one end of which is open and the other end of which is closed by a bottom 22. On the inner surface of the side skirt 21 are arranged radially three fins 23-25, spaced at 120 °, and intended, in response to a rotation of the cover 20 relative to the hoop 13, to come into engagement with the ramp surface formed by the portion 30 of the finger 15 so as to ensure a radial tightening of the cover 20 on the container. The presence of several regularly spaced fins reduces the angle of rotation necessary for locking the cover 20 on the hoop 13. As is will see in more detail later, the tightening of the cover on the hoop, contributes to constrain the free end 16 of the finger 15 in the direction of the orifice 7 of the button pusher 11 so as to ensure a more sealed contact between the finger 15 and the orifice 7. The approximation of the free end 16 of the finger relative to the orifice 7 distribution is allowed due to the intrinsic elasticity of the material thermoplastic forming said finger 15.

The radial height of the ramp 30 is advantageously chosen so that, under normal tightening conditions, its top cannot be crossed by the fins 23-25. Thus, removing the cover involves rotating the cover by in relation to the container in the opposite direction to that of assembly.

In the side view of FIG. 2A, the dispensing head 10 is shown in storage position. A front view of the dispensing head 10 in the position of storage is shown in Figure 2B. In this position, the finger 15 is facing of the dispensing orifice 7 of the push button 11. In this position, the tightness can only be relative, in particular because of the clearance necessary for movement of the push button 11 relative to the hoop 13, during the passage of the distribution position (Figures 2D, 2E) to the storage position (Figures 2A, 2B, 2C). This play can be of the order of 1 mm or more. In the position of the figures 2A and 2B, as it appears in the sectional view of Figure 2C, a lug 26 carried by the push button 11 is in abutment against a first end of a notch 27 formed in the hoop 13 and extending over an angular sector about 90 °. When the push button 11 is rotated relative to the hoop 13, said lug 26 moves in said notch 27. In this position of Figures 2A-2C, the pin 26 is angularly offset relative to a groove 28 formed on the hoop 13, at a second end of the notch 27, opposite to the first, and extending perpendicular to the plane of the notch 27. Thus, the push button 11 cannot be moved axially so as to cause the pump 4 to be actuated, making distribution impossible accidental dose of product when the dispensing head is in the storage.

In the distribution position illustrated in Figures 2D and 2E (corresponding also in the position of FIG. 1), the dispensing orifice 7 is offset angularly relative to the finger 15. As it appears in Figure 2E, the pin 26 is opposite the groove 28. Thus, in this position, the push button 11 can be pushed in axially so as to activate the pump 4 and the distribution of a dose of product via the dispensing orifice 7, which, in this position is clear.

To mount cover 20 on assembly 1, the user places the cover on the whole as shown in Figure 3A. Firstly, none of the fins 23, 24, 25 is in engagement with the ramp 30 formed by finger 15 (Figure 3B). In this position, the free end 16 of the finger 15 is not not in leaktight contact on the dispensing orifice 7. Next, the user turns the cover 20 as shown in Figure 3C. After a rotation of at most 120 °, one of the fins 23 is engaged on the ramp 30 formed by the finger 15. Such an engagement ensures on the one hand the tightening of the cover 20 on the hoop 13 (in this position, the fins 24 and 25 are also constrained in direction of the hoop 13) and on the other hand the bearing of the free end 16 of the finger 15 on the dispensing orifice 7 so as to ensure its closure waterproof. When opening, the user turns the cover in the opposite direction, and this, until the fin 23 is no longer in engagement with the finger 15.

The cover 20 is dismantled by rotating it relative to the container 2, in the opposite direction to the mounting direction. When fin 23 stops to be in engagement with the ramp 30, the finger 15 returns, by elastic return, in the position of FIG. 3B, according to which the free end 16 is not in sealed contact with the outlet orifice 7. The cover 20 can then be removed, and rotate the push button 11 relative to the hoop 13 so as to make move the dispensing head 10 from the storage position to the distribution.

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 (11)

Dispensing head (10) of a product, in particular a cosmetic, comprising: a) a hoop (13) intended for mounting the head on a container (2) containing said product; b) a push button (11) movable relative to the hoop (13) so to allow actuation of a distribution element (4) surmounting said container (2), said push button (11) comprising an outlet orifice (7) communication with the distribution element (4) for, in response to a actuation command exerted on the push button (11), when the head is in the dispensing position, deliver a dose of said product through said orifice outlet (7); c) means (15) carried by the hoop (13) for, in a position head storage, hide said outlet (7), a cover (20) being designed to cover, at least in part, said head (10) removably, said cover comprising suitable means (23-25), in cooperation with said means masking (15), to ensure the immobilization of the cover (20) on the head of distribution. Dispensing head according to claim 1 characterized in that the change from storage position to distribution position, and vice versa, is performed by rotation of the push button (11) relative to the hoop (13). Dispensing head according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that means (26-28) are provided to, in the storage position, make it impossible actuation of the distribution element (4). Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that one of said masking means (15) and said means immobilization (23-25) of the cover (20) forms at least one ramp (30) progressing in a radial direction relative to said dispensing head (10), the other of said masking means (15) and said immobilization means (23-25) having a suitable profile, in response to a rotation of the cover (20) relative to the distribution head (10), to come into engagement on said (or said) ramp (s) (30) so as to exert a tightening stress on the cover (20) on the head distribution, acting in at least one radial direction, thus ensuring immobilization of the removable cover (20) on said dispensing head. Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said ramp (30) is formed by a finger (15) forming said masking means. Dispensing head according to claim 5 characterized in that said orifice outlet (7) is, in the storage position, hidden by a free end (16) of said finger (15), said free end (16) being elastically stressed in direction of said outlet (7) when the immobilization means (23-25) are in engagement with the ramp (30) formed by said finger (15). Dispensing head according to claim 5 or 6 characterized in that said immobilization means consist of at least one fin (23-25) formed on the inner surface of a side skirt (21) of the cover (20), and extending radially inside said cover. Dispensing head according to claim 7 characterized in that a plurality of fins (23-25) are evenly distributed over said surface interior. Set (1) of packaging and distribution under pressure of a product, in particular cosmetic, characterized in that it is equipped with a distribution (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim previous characterized in that said distribution element consists of a pump (4) or a valve. Packaging and distribution assembly according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the container (1) consists of a bottle (1), a tube, or of a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two compositions of based.

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