EP1656304B1 - Fluid product dispensing head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir. This dispensing head generally comprises a fixed base formed by or mounted on the tank. In addition, the head includes a rotary actuator rotatably mounted on the base about an axis between two end stop positions. On the other hand, the head comprises a dispensing orifice selectively closable by rotation of the actuating element on the base. This type of dispensing head is frequently used as an actuatable closure system for the dispensing of liquid, granular or powder fluid product stored in a reservoir. A preferred application of this kind of head exists in the fields of the food industry, body care or cosmetics. Other fields are not excluded, however. A dispensing head according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from US-A-5000360.

In general, this type of manifold distribution head and rotary actuating element is operable between an open position and a closed position by rotating the actuating element on the base. It is also known that the rotation of the rotary element on the base makes it possible to unmask or disengage one or more orifice (s) of closed distribution (s) in the closed position. Heads provided with several dispensing orifices of different cross sections are also known so that the flow rate of the fluid product can be varied through the dispensing orifices. However, the present invention relates to a type of dispensing head with a single dispensing orifice. The orifice may, however, comprise several holes. With this type of dispensing head with a single dispensing orifice, the rotary displacement of the actuating element only makes it possible to close or disengage the dispensing orifice between the two extreme stop positions.

The present invention aims to define a dispensing head with a single dispensing orifice which allows modular use of the dispensing orifice. Another object of the invention is to allow a graduated clearance of the dispensing orifice.

To achieve these objects, the present invention proposes a dispensing head according to claim 1. The two extreme stop positions, during the rotation of the actuating element on the base, define two opening positions of the dispensing orifice separated by at least one intermediate position of closure of the dispensing orifice. Thus, by a simple rotation of the actuating element on the base in the direction of clockwise and counterclockwise, one reaches two opening positions advantageously arranged symmetrically. relative to the closed position. According to the invention, the dispensing head comprises flow variation means making it possible to vary the flow rate of the fluid product through the dispensing orifice from one open position to the other. Therefore, an open position allows more fluid to be dispensed than the other open position for a given time. This gives a modular distribution of fluid product through a single dispensing orifice.

The dispensing orifice is located on the axis of rotation of the element on the base. The packaging or dispenser equipped with the dispensing head according to the invention is then in the form of a salt shaker or a conventional pepper with a single axial central distribution orifice.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the dispensing head comprises axial displacement means able to move the element axially relative to the base during its rotation on the base.

The axial displacement means comprise at least one guide path having two different sections connected together at a low point, the two sections each defining a respective end stop, the two end stops respectively corresponding to the two open positions and the low point corresponding to the closed position. Preferably, the base forms at least one guide window axial rotator which extends over a periphery portion of the base, said window defining a guide path, said window forming two window sections connected together, a first section defining a first slope and the second section defining a second different slope of the first slope, each section defining a stop end, the abutment ends being axially offset, the actuating element comprising at least one axial rotational guide pin engaged in said window so that a rotation of the element actuation on the base has the effect of moving said at least one lug in its respective window, thus moving the actuating element axially to reach different heights depending on whether the lug is in abutment on the first or the second section. And to vary the flow, the slopes have different inclinations and / or lengths. According to a practical embodiment, the base comprises a ring formed with several axial rotary guide windows distributed over the periphery of the ring, the cap comprising a skirt which extends around the ring and which internally forms a plurality of guide pins. axial rotary engaged in respective windows.

According to another aspect of the invention, the element forms the dispensing orifice and the base forms a shutter needle engaged in the closed position in the dispensing orifice, and disengaged from the orifice in the positions of opening differently so that the flow rates through the orifice are different in the two open positions. It is the more or less pronounced disengagement of the valve from the dispensing opening which makes it possible to vary the flow from one opening position to the other. More precisely, this more or less pronounced disengagement makes it possible to vary the passage section of the fluid product just downstream of the single dispensing orifice. Advantageously, the actuating element comprises axial guiding means engaged around the needle so that the needle is slidably mounted in said axial guiding means, said guiding means extending downwards from the periphery of the lug. distribution orifice, said guide means forming a plurality of lights of variable sizes in depending on the position of the needle in the axial guide means. According to a practical embodiment, the axial guide means comprise a plurality of tabs which extend downwards from the outer periphery of the dispensing orifice, said tabs being connected by a scraping ring slidably engaged around the needle. . The base may comprise an internal sleeve inside which the needle extends, the actuating element comprising a cover disposed on the sleeve and forming the dispensing orifice, said cap comprising an annular lip in sliding contact. rotary seal in said sleeve. According to another characteristic of the invention, the actuating element comprises a detachable guarantee tongue blocked by the base so that the actuating element is locked in rotation on the base in the closed position.

Thus, by rotating the actuating element on the base on one side and the other from the intermediate closed position, two opening positions are reached in which the axial elevation of the element Actuation is different. This is because one extreme stop is located axially higher than the other. This has a direct effect on the needle's disengagement height inside the dispensing orifice, which makes it possible to vary the flow rate.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective partiellement découpée d'un distributeur de produit fluide équipé d'une tête de distribution selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue agrandie de la tête de distribution de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective en coupe transversale verticale de la tête de distribution des figures précédentes en position fermée,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 dans une position d'ouverture, et
• la figure 5 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 4 dans l'autre position d'ouverture.

In the figures:

• FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a fluid dispenser equipped with a dispensing head according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the dispensing head of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the dispensing head of the preceding figures in the closed position,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 in an open position, and
• Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in the other open position.

The fluid dispenser equipped with the dispensing head according to the invention comprises a reservoir 1 for containing fluid, for example salt, a cream or a shampoo. More generally, the fluid product may be liquid, granular or powdery. The tank 1 forms at its upper end a snap groove 11, a shoulder 12 which extends radially inwards and which terminates in a neck 13. The neck 13 defines an opening allowing the fluid product stored in the reservoir to be extracted. The reservoir is not a critical component for the present invention: it can be of any shape and size. Even the snap groove 11 and the shoulder 12 and the neck 13 may have a different configuration without departing from the scope of the present invention.

This reservoir 1 is here associated with a dispensing head comprising two constituent elements, namely a base 2 and a rotary actuating element 3. The base 2 is here mounted on the reservoir 1, but it is also possible to envisage that the base 2 is made integrally with the reservoir 1. Although the dispensing head here comprises only two constituent elements, it is not excluded that it may further comprise other constituent elements in certain embodiments that do not come out. not the scope of the invention. An example with two constituent elements is, however, advantageous from the point of view of molding and assembly.

Referring indifferently to the figures, it can be seen that the base 2 comprises an inner sleeve 21 defining a lower end portion 211 in sealing contact in the neck 13. This is a static sealing contact, since the base 2 is intended to be fixedly mounted on the reservoir 1. The sleeve 21 defines an internal passage which is in direct communication with the interior of the reservoir 1, since the sleeve is disposed inside the neck 13. A needle 20 defining an outer upper end 201 is centrally and axially disposed inside the sleeve 21. Holding flanges 202 connect the inner wall of the sleeve 21 to the needle 20. needle 20 preferably has a cylindrical outer wall from its upper end 201. The sleeve 21 is connected at its upper end to a ring 22 which extends coaxially around the sleeve 21. As can be seen in some figures , and in particular in Figure 2, the ring 22 is provided with a plurality of windows 221 which provide openings in the wall of the ring 22. These windows 221, which here are three in number, form a guide path. The windows are equiangularly distributed around the periphery of the crown 22. Each window 221 is substantially in the form of a chevron with the point directed downwards. Thus, each window 221 defines a first window section 2211 and a second window section 2212. Each section is in the form of a substantially rectilinear slit or ramp, but inclined with respect to the horizontal or the vertical. Thus, each section has a slope 2215, 2216 having a certain length, a certain profile and a certain degree of inclination. The degrees of inclination of the two slopes may be identical, but preferably, according to the invention the degrees of inclination of these two slopes are different. Indeed, the first section 2211 has a slope inclination degree lower than the second window section 2212. On the other hand, each window section 2211 and 2212 are connected together at a low point 2210. In contrast, each window section includes a stop end 2213, 2214 which defines the extreme extent of the window sections. These abutment ends 2213 and 2214 are here equidistant from the low point 2210, so that each section of windows has an identical length. Since the inclination degrees of the slopes of the window sections are different, and their lengths are identical, the abutment ends 2213 and 2214 are not located in the same plane, but instead axially offset. Since the slope inclination degree of the second section 2212 is greater than that of the first section 2211, the abutment end 2214 is located axially higher than the abutment end 2213. This axial offset of the ends the stop of the two sections of windows can also be obtained with identical inclination degrees of slopes, but with lengths of slopes of sections different windows. Indeed, by providing a window section 2212 longer than the window section 2211, but with identical degrees of inclination, the abutment end 2214 would also be axially offset upwards with respect to the abutment end 2213 As a result, the axial offset of the stop ends of the windows 221 can be achieved by varying either the slope degree of the window section slopes or the slope lengths of the window sections. It is also possible to envisage a combination of different lengths and degrees of inclination. However, it is not excluded according to the invention that the stop ends of the windows are arranged in the same plane. However, the offset of these ends is preferred.

It may also be noted with reference to FIG. 2 that the slopes 2215 and 2216 each form a recess 2217 and 2218 which breaks the linearity of the slope. These recesses, notches or bearings define intermediate positions between the low point 2210 and the abutment ends 2213 and 2214.

The base 1 forms around the ring 22 a complex configuration that is not regular around the perimeter of the crown. In this case, the base forms two buttresses 24 interrupted on the one hand by a lower slot 25 and on the other by a range 26. The slot 25 is located below the buttresses 24 and the beach 26 is also located. 25 against the buttresses 25, at a height even lower than that of the slot 25. It may be noted that the slot 25 is located substantially diametrically opposite the range 26. The slot 25 extends over an angle of about 10 to 30 °, while the range 26 extends over an angular distance of more than 90 °. The base also forms at its lower outer periphery a snap-fastening collar 23 intended to cooperate with the detent groove 11 formed by the reservoir 1. Thus, the base 2 is fixedly mounted on the reservoir 1 at the of the groove 11, and this sealingly through the sealed engagement of the lower end portion 211 of the sleeve 21 in the neck 13.

The rotary actuating element 3 is here in the form of a cover comprising a rotary shutter plate 31 pierced centrally with a dispensing orifice 30. The needle 20 is engaged substantially sealingly in the dispensing orifice 30 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. The plate 31 forms on the lower periphery of the dispensing orifice 30 an axial guide tumbler 36 which extends around the needle 20 over a certain height. This turret 36 is constituted by a plurality of tabs connecting the periphery of the dispensing orifice 30 to a scraper ring 362. The turret thus defines a plurality of passage apertures 363 between each tab 361. This is visible in FIG. 4, on which the upper end 201 of the needle 20 is offset downwardly relative to the plate 31, thus clearing the lights 363. It can easily be understood that these lights 363 form a communication passage between the internal space formed by the sleeve 21 in communication direct with the tank and the outside of the head. Thus, the fluid product stored in the tank 1 can flow through the dispensing orifice 30 through the passage lumens 363, when the needle 20 is withdrawn inside the head. The guiding and scraping turret 36 not only keeps the needle 20 in the axis of rotation of the head, but also makes it possible to clean the needle 20 with each rotation of the actuating element by a scraping effect obtained. by moving the needle in the turret. The ring 362 and the tabs 361 participate in this scraping action.

The plate 31 is extended at its outer periphery by a skirt 32 which extends downwards. This skirt 32 is arranged concentrically around the ring 22. The skirt 32 here forms three lugs 221 which are engaged in respective windows 221 formed by the ring 22. This is visible in Figure 1, for a lug and a window . However, it is conceivable that the skirt 32 comprises three lugs 321 distributed equiangularly at 120 ° on the periphery of the inner wall of the skirt 32. Since each lug 321 is engaged in a respective window 221, and this window presents a profile with two identical or different slopes, a rotation of the rotary actuating element 3 on the base 2 has the effect of moving the lugs in the windows following the profile of the slopes. When the pins 321 are located at the 2210 of the windows 221, the rotary actuating element 3 is at its lowest level relative to the base 2. The needle 20 is then located at its highest level in the guide and scraper turret. 36. This corresponds to the closed position of the dispensing head shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, wherein the upper end 201 of the needle 20 is located in the dispensing orifice 30 advantageously sealed. It can also be noted that the upper end 201 is located substantially in the same plane as the plate 31. By rotating the rotary actuating element 3 on the base 2 in the direction of clockwise or in counterclockwise, the lugs move in one of the two window sections formed by the windows. The lugs then follow the slopes of the guide paths defined by the window sections. It is thus possible to rotate the rotary actuating element 3 until the lugs come into abutment against the abutment ends 2213 or 2214, depending on whether the element 3 is rotated in the clockwise direction of a watch or counter-clockwise. In both cases, the lug is forced to move axially upwards because of the chevron configuration of the windows 2211 with the tip pointing downwards. This has the effect of raising the plate 31, and thus the dispensing orifice 30, while the needle 20 remains fixed. Visually, the needle 20 sinks into the turret 336 so as to disengage the apertures 363. When the lugs have abutted against the abutment ends, the dispensing head has then reached an open position. Another opening position can of course be reached when the lugs abut against the other end stops of the windows. There are therefore two extreme open positions that correspond to two needle plunger positions 20 in the turret 36. One can also speak of disengaging the needle 20 from the dispensing orifice 30. When the abutment ends 2213 and 2214 are located in the same horizontal plane, that is to say when there is no axial offset between these abutment ends, the needle is depressed or disengaged in the same way with the same magnitude in the two open positions. In contrast, when the ends of abutment 2213 and 2214 are axially offset as in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the two open positions correspond to two different engagement or depression positions of the needle 20 relative to the dispensing orifice 30. is visible by comparing Figures 4 and 5, which represent the dispensing head in these two different opening positions. It can easily be seen that the lights 363 in FIG. 4 are smaller than in FIG. 5. This is explained by the fact that the needle 20 is pushed deeper into the turret 36 in FIG. 5 than in FIG. As a result, the flow rate of the fluid product through the single dispensing orifice 30 is greater in the open position corresponding to FIG. 5 than in that of FIG. 4.

Advantageously, the recesses 2217 and 2218 formed by the slopes 2215 and 2216 define stable opening intermediate positions corresponding to a fixed intermediate flow rate. Thus, with a single window, it is possible to define two extreme open positions separated by a plurality of fixed intermediate opening positions and at least one fixed intermediate closing position. Indeed, one can provide several closing positions and more than two intermediate opening positions, or on the contrary only one intermediate opening position on one of the two slopes.

The more or less marked or pronounced depression of the needle 20 in the turret 36, respectively in the dispensing orifice 30, makes it possible to vary the flow rate of fluid. On the other hand, the engagement of the lugs in the windows is axial displacement means while ensuring a rotation guide.

It can also be noted that the rotary actuating element 3 forms a sealing lip 33 in rotary sealing contact in the sleeve 21. This ensures a perfect dynamic seal of the dispensing head. On the other hand, the actuating element 3 also forms an actuating button 34 which aids in the rotational manipulation of the element 3. This actuating button 34 is situated at the level of the range 26 between the two buttresses 24. When the button 34 is in abutment against the rear buttress, when looking at Figure 4, the dispensing head is in a low flow opening position. On the other hand, when the actuating button 34 is in abutment against the other buttress 24 normally located in the foreground in FIG. 5, the dispensing head is in the open position at a high speed.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the rotary actuating element also comprises first-use guarantee means in the form of a tongue 35 made integrally with the remainder of the actuating element 3 and disposed at the level of the The tongue 35 preferably extends over the entire width of the crenel 25 so as to abut with the two adjacent buttresses 24. In this way, the rotary actuating element 3 is locked in rotation in the closed position. This is clearly visible in FIG. 2, as well as in FIG. 3. To actuate the dispensing head, the tongue 35 must first be torn off.

Thanks to the invention, there is obtained a dispensing head having two open positions on each side of an intermediate or even central closing position. The displacement means in the form of the cooperation between lugs and chevron-shaped windows can be likened to a kind of chevron-shaped threading with identical or different inclination slopes and with identical slope lengths. or different.

Claims (10)

1. A fluid dispenser head for associating with a fluid reservoir (1), said head comprising: a stationary base (2) formed by, or for mounting on, said reservoir; a rotary actuator element (3) mounted in rotary manner on the base (2) so as to turn about an axis of rotation between two extreme positions; and a dispenser orifice (30) that can be closed selectively by turning the element on the base, the dispenser orifice (30) being situated on the axis of rotation of the element on the base, the two extreme positions defining two open positions of the dispenser orifice separated by at least one position in which the dispenser orifice is closed, the dispenser head comprising axial displacement means (221, 321) that are capable of axially displacing the element (3) relative to the base (2) while it is turning on the base, the axial displacement means comprising at least one guide path (221) presenting two sections (2211, 2212) that are connected together at a low point (2210), each of the two sections defining a slope and the low point corresponding to the closed position, characterized in that each of the two sections of the guide path defines a respective extreme abutment (2213, 2214), so that the rotary actuator element (3) is mounted between two extreme abutment positions, these two extreme abutments respectively corresponding to the two open positions, and said slopes presenting inclinations and/or lengths that are different.
2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, in which the base forms at least one axial, rotary guide window (221) that extends over a fraction of the periphery of the base, said window defining the guide path, said window forming two connected-together window sections (2211, 2212), a first section defining a first slope, and the second section (2212) defining a second slope that is different from the first slope, each section defining an abutment end (2213, 2214), the abutment ends being offset axially, the actuator element including at least one axial, rotary guide lug (321) engaged in said window, so that while the actuator element is being turned on the base, said at least one lug is displaced in its respective window, thereby displacing the actuator element (3) axially, so as to reach different heights depending on whether the lug is in abutment against the first section or against the second section.
3. A dispenser head according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the base (2) includes a ring (22) formed with a plurality of axial, rotary guide windows (221) distributed over the periphery of the ring, the element (3) including a skirt (32) that extends around the ring, and that, on its inside, forms a plurality of axial, rotary guide lugs (321) that are engaged in respective windows.
4. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, further comprising flowrate-varying means (20) making it possible to vary, from one open position to the other, the rate at which the fluid flows through the dispenser orifice.
5. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, in which the element (3) forms the dispenser orifice (30), and the base (2) forms a closure pin (20), which, in the closed position, is engaged in the dispenser orifice, and in the open positions, is disengaged from the orifice by different amounts, so that the flowrates through the orifice are different in the two open positions.
6. A dispenser head according to claim 5, in which the actuator element (3) includes axial guide means (36) engaged around the pin (20), so that the pin is slidably mounted in said axial guide means, said guide means extending downwards from the periphery of the dispenser orifice, said guide means forming a plurality of slots (363) of sizes that vary as a function of the position of the pin in the axial guide means.
7. A dispenser head according to claim 6, in which the axial guide means comprise a plurality of tabs (361) that extend downwards from the outer periphery of the dispenser orifice, said tabs being connected together by a scraper (362) that is slidably engaged around the pin.
8. A dispenser head according to any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the base (2) includes an inner sleeve (21) inside which the pin (20) extends, the actuator element includes a cover (31, 32) disposed on the sleeve and forming the dispenser orifice (30), said cover including an annular lip (33) in leaktight, rotary sliding contact with said sleeve (21).
9. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, in which the actuator element (3) includes a detachable safety tab (35) that is blocked by the base (2), so that, in the closed position, the actuator element is prevented from turning on the base.
10. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, in which the two extreme open positions are separated by at least one intermediate, fixed open position.

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