EP1155744A1 - Spring-type push-button - Google Patents

Abstract

A pushbutton for actuating a dispenser member, the dispenser member having a moving element that is movable between two positions, the pushbutton having a base, a head defining both a bearing surface for a user and a dispensing orifice, and an elastically-deformable portion interconnecting the base and the head, the head being suitable for being secured to the moving element. The elastically-deformable portion is arranged so as to deform in the sense of rolling onto itself when the head is depressed and is suitable for returning the moving element into an initial position by resilient return.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of packaging devices and distribution of a fluid, liquid or pasty product, in particular a product cosmetic.

The invention relates more particularly to devices comprising a pump operated manually to dispense a dose of product.

Such pumps conventionally include a push button defining a bearing surface for the user, mounted at the upper end of a hollow pump control rod and to be inserted at the time of use.

I1 is known to use a metal spring to bring the push button in its initial position after dispensing a dose of product.

However, the use of such a metal spring increases the cost price of the pump and can cause corrosion and product compatibility problems distributed.

US Patent 5,363,993 has proposed a pump in which the push button is secured to a bellows forming a spring, allowing it to be recalled in its initial position after the distribution of a dose of product.

Such a bellows is relatively bulky and unsightly and requires planning a dress skirt extending around him.

In addition, such a bellows is difficult to mold.

The invention aims in particular to remedy all or part of the drawbacks cited above.

It achieves this through a new push button for actuation a distribution member, this distribution member comprising a movable element between two positions, the push button having a head, defining a surface support for the user and a dispensing orifice, a base and an elastic part deformable connecting the head to the base, the head being able to be made integral with the element, this push button characterized by the fact that the elastically deformable part is arranged to deform in a winding direction on itself when the head is depressed and is capable of recalling by elastic return the movable element in a position initial.

Thus, the elastically deformable part is deformed in the present invention other than a bellows or a coil spring, since a bellows or a helical spring deforms not in the direction of a winding on itself but in the direction of axial compaction.

The push button according to the invention avoids the use of a spring metal to return the pump to its initial configuration after dispensing of a dose of product, without exhibiting the aforementioned drawbacks of US Pat. No. 5,363,993.

The push button according to the invention can also be easily manufactured by plastic molding and can be done with an aesthetic shape, allowing to get rid of a dressing skirt surrounding the elastically deformable part.

In a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable part has a general shape of a dome.

Preferably, the head is located in the center of the elastically deformable part.

Such a configuration makes it possible to favor a displacement in translation of head when the user presses it.

Advantageously, the elastically deformable part is arranged to form a fold when the head is pressed, and at least from a certain stroke the head, the connection area of the latter to the part elastically deformable passes below the level of the top of the fold.

In a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable part has a substantially constant thickness.

Still in a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable part is devoid of folds at rest.

Such folds could prove to be unsightly and favor the accumulation of dirt.

In a particular embodiment, the base of the push button has a tubular shape, preferably symmetrical in revolution.

In a particular embodiment, the head has a tip allowing its attachment to a pump control rod.

The nozzle can extend below the level of the connection area of the elastically deformable part on the head.

In a particular embodiment, the head includes a housing allowing the attachment of a nozzle.

The axis of the nozzle may be perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the head to dispense a dose of product, or alternatively have another orientation.

In a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable part is connects on the head substantially perpendicular to the driving direction of the head to dispense a dose of product.

Such a configuration makes it possible to bring the elastically deformable part to wind on itself at the start of the head drive.

In a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable part is connects to the head through an area of reduced thickness.

Such an area of reduced thickness facilitates the translational movement of the head when pressed.

Advantageously, the base is arranged to be fitted onto the body of pump and preferably includes in this case, at the area used for fixing on the pump body, an annular bead.

Such a bead makes it possible to obtain a greater clamping force for hold the push button in place on the pump body.

The thickness of the elastically deformable part can be between 1 and 3 mm for example, preferably being close to 2 mm.

In a particular embodiment, the head of the push button has a enlarged upper end.

Preferably, the push button is made in one piece by molding.

A plastic material can be used to mold the push button. shape memory material, preferably chosen from mixtures based on following materials: ethylene vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomers and low density polyethylene.

• la figure 1 représente partiellement et de manière schématique un récipient muni d'une pompe équipée d'un bouton-poussoir conforme à l'invention, le bouton-poussoir étant représenté au repos et en coupe axiale,
• la figure 2 est une vue de face du bouton-poussoir représenté isolément, selon la flèche II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une coupe axiale selon le trait de coupe III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une coupe transversale selon le trait de coupe IV-IV de la figure 3, et
• la figure 5 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, représentant le bouton-poussoir au cours de la distribution d'une dose de produit.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, of an example of non-limiting implementation, and examination of the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 partially and schematically represents a container fitted with a pump fitted with a push button according to the invention, the push button being shown at rest and in axial section,
• FIG. 2 is a front view of the push-button shown in isolation, according to arrow II in FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is an axial section along the section line III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a cross-section along the section line IV-IV of FIG. 3, and
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, showing the push button during the dispensing of a dose of product.

Partly and very schematically shown in Figure 1 a container 1 known in itself, provided with a pump 2 provided with a push button 3 according to the invention.

The container 1 is filled with a liquid or pasty product P, in contact with the body of the container itself in the example described.

The product P could, in a variant not illustrated, be trapped in a pocket that can retract during dispensing.

Pump 2 can be with or without return air.

It comprises a pump body 17 and a hollow rod 6 movable in translation along the X axis relative to the pump body 17, to be moved down to distribute a dose of product.

The pump body 17 is fixed in a mounting skirt 4 made at the part top of container 1 and houses, conventionally, a suction valve and a discharge valve, not visible in the drawing, and also defines with a piston not visible in the drawing, integral with the hollow rod 6, a pumping chamber of variable volume.

The use of a push button 3 in accordance with the invention makes it possible to use a pump body 17 without spring inside, as will be explained below.

The aforementioned discharge valve opens to allow the distribution of the produced by the inner channel 8 of the hollow rod 6 when the volume of the pumping decreases, that is to say when the hollow rod 6 descends, the suction valve being then closed.

When the hollow rod 6 goes up, the discharge valve closes and the suction valve opens to allow product to enter the chamber pumping.

In the example of embodiment described, the pump 2 is connected to a tube plunger 9 allowing the container to be used head up.

The push button 3 has a base 10 fixed on the upper part 11 of the pump body 17, a head 14 and an elastically deformable part 15 connecting the head 14 at base 10.

The head 14 comprises in the lower part a tubular endpiece 18, of axis X, in which is inserted the upper end of the hollow rod 6, and has partly upper a housing 20 of axis Y perpendicular to the axis X, for mounting a nozzle 21, the latter possibly being with a single orifice or with vortex channels, depending on the nature of the product distributed and its destination.

The interior of the housing 20 communicates with the interior of the end piece 18 by a inner channel 19 allowing the product leaving the hollow rod 6 to be distributed.

The head 14 has, as can be seen in FIG. 2, an end upper 25 enlarged, defining a substantially flat bearing surface 26 and perpendicular to the X axis.

The elastically deformable part 15 is not in contact with the product, has a general dome shape, the head 14 of the push button 3 connecting to the elastically deformable part 15 at the top of this dome.

The elastically deformable part 15 is connected to the head 14 by a zone thinned annular 30, but moreover has a substantially constant thickness between this thinned area 30 and the base 10.

When the elastically deformable part 15 is observed in axial section as in FIG. 3, it has a shape that is roughly quarter-circle on the part and on the other side of the head 14.

We also see in this figure that the elastically deformable part 15 is connected to the head 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis X and is connects to base 10 parallel to the X axis.

In the example of embodiment described, the base 10 has a shape symmetrical of revolution, with an annular bead 32 on its radially surface interior, this annular bead 32 being intended to increase the clamping force on the upper part 11 of the pump body 17.

The lower end of the base 10 is bevelled on its surface radially interior to facilitate the positioning of the push button 3 on the pump body 17.

In the embodiment described, the external surface of the part elastically deformable 15 and base 10 is continuous and devoid of relief or detachment, which is particularly aesthetic.

In addition, push button 3 prevents dirt from entering the game annular 35 around the hollow rod 6.

In the example of embodiment described, the base 10, the elastic part deformable 15 and the head 14 are made in one piece by injection molding, in a shape memory material.

Among the materials that can be used to make the push button 3, we can mention mixtures based on ethylene vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomers or low density polyethylene.

Of course, the above list is not exhaustive and we can use other suitable materials, thermoplastic or not.

Note that thanks to the geometry of the base 10 and that of the part elastically deformable 15 the push button can be produced by means of a mold relatively simple.

To set up the push button 3, the base 10 is forcibly mounted on the upper end 11 of the pump body 17, the base 10 being able to expand elastically radially outward during this mounting.

Once in position, the base 10 is immobilized by friction on the end upper part of the pump body 17 thanks to the tightening resulting from the use of a material elastomer.

The operation of pump 2 is as follows, it being assumed primed.

To dispense a dose of product P, the user pushes the head 14 according to the X axis by pressing with a finger on the bearing surface 26.

During this depression, the elastically deformable part 15 becomes deforms in the direction of a winding on itself, as we can see on the figure 5.

It will be noted that the elastically deformable part forms, at the end of a certain driving-in stroke of the head 14, a fold whose top 40 is located above the level of the connection on the head 14 of the elastically deformable part 15.

It will also be noted that the radial dimension of the elastic part deformable 15 increases when the head 14 is pressed.

The presence of the thinned zone 30 facilitates the insertion of the head 14.

When the user releases the head 14 of the push button 3, the energy elastic accumulated in the elastically deformable part 15 is released and this last, returning to its original shape, brings the head 14 upwards, which allows bring up the hollow rod 6 and suck the product into the pumping chamber, despite the absence of any return spring in the pump body 17.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which comes to be described.

One can in particular modify the shape of the elastically deformable part, by making, for example, openings in the latter, the latter thus not being able to present only portions of spindles.

You can also modify the shape of the base and make it, for example, integral with part of the container or the pump body.

We can also modify the shape of the head and make it, for example, in one piece with the pump control rod.

We can also make the push button using different materials, for example a rigid or semi-rigid plastic for the base and the head and a elastomeric material for the elastically deformable part, thanks to a bi-injection technique of thermoplastic material for example.

Finally, the invention makes it possible to produce a springless pump at a price of relatively low returns, without risk of corrosion compared to a spring pump metallic, can be easily molded and more satisfying than a pump comprising a bellows forming a spring.

Claims (21)

Push button (3) intended for actuating a dispensing member, this dispensing member comprising an element movable between two positions, the push button comprising a head (14) defining a bearing surface (26) for the user and a dispensing orifice, a base (10) and an elastically deformable part (15) connecting the head (14) to the base (10), the head being able to be made integral with the movable element, characterized by the fact that the elastically deformable part (15) is arranged to deform in the direction of winding on itself when the head is depressed and is able to return by elastic return the movable element to an initial position. Push button according to claim 1, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) has a general shape of a dome. Push button according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) is arranged to form a fold when the head is pressed, and in that at least from a certain stroke d 'depression of the head, the connection zone (30) of the latter to the elastically deformable part passes below the level of the top of the fold. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (14) is located in the center of the elastically deformable part (15). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) has a substantially constant thickness. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) is devoid of folds at rest. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) has a tubular shape, preferably symmetrical in revolution. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (14) has an end piece (18) allowing it to be fixed to a hollow rod (6). Push button according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end piece (18) extends below the level of the connection zone (30) of the elastically deformable part (15) on the head (14). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head comprises a housing (20) allowing the attachment of a nozzle (21). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axis (Y) of the nozzle (21) is perpendicular to the direction (X) of insertion of the head (14) for dispensing a dose of product. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) is connected to the head (14) substantially perpendicular to the direction (X) of insertion of the head to dispense a dose of product. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable part (15) is connected to the head by a zone of reduced thickness (30). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base (10) is arranged to be fitted on a pump body (17). Push button according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the base (10) comprises, at the level of the zone used for fixing to the pump body (17) an annular bead (32). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the elastically deformable part (15) is between 1 and 3 mm, and preferably is close to 2 mm. Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head (14) has an enlarged upper end (25). Push button according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is produced in one piece by molding. Push button according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made of a shape memory material, preferably chosen from mixtures based on the following materials: ethylene vinyl acetate, thermoplastic elastomers and low density polyethylene. Pump fitted with a push button (3) as defined in one any of the preceding claims. Container equipped with a pump as defined in claim previous.

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