EP1757537B1 - Einheit zur Aufbewahrung und Ausgabe eines Produktes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a set of packaging and dispensing of a product, in particular a cosmetic product according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a product may be distributed in particular in the form of a cream, a gel, a foam or of a spray.

"Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993, amending for the sixth time Directive 76/768 / EEC.

Generally, a packaging and dispensing assembly, as targeted by the present invention, comprises a container containing the product to be dispensed equipped with a dispensing member. Such a dispensing member may be a pump or a valve which is surmounted by a dispensing device. The dispensing device allows the user to route the product exiting the container to a dispensing orifice. It can furthermore make it possible to control the actuation of the dispensing member, to eject a dose of product out of the container.

An assembly as defined in the preamble of claim 1 is known from the document US Patent 5762322 .

Some dispensing devices are further provided to allow separate or mixed dispensing of two products stored separately in two containers.

Thus, it is known from the French patent application FR-A-2,732,245 a dispensing device comprising a body and a push-button movable relative to this body to cause the simultaneous or separate dispensing of two products from two containers in which these products are stored separately. Each container is provided with a valve comprising a hollow actuating rod whose depression causes the product to be dispensed.

As is the case of the device described in the document FR-A-2,732,245 , the dispensing devices of one or more products are generally fitted on the actuating rod or rods of the valve or the pump if although during the assembly of the dispensing device on the container (s), the actuating rod can be depressed and thus actuated. Product can then exit the container without this being desirable.

The document JP2004154459 also describes a set of the same type as those described above wherein the push button is hooked on a hoop which is itself attached to the containers. The push button is hooked on the hoop in a single position, so as to pivot relative to the hoop and containers to actuate the valves. The pushbutton comprises two circular orifices, one on each side, each orifice receiving a relief provided on each side of the hoop so as to allow the tilting of the pushbutton on the hoop. The push button is not mounted so that it can easily be detached from the containers and reassembled on it.

There is a need for an assembly that is easy to make and assemble.

There is also a need for a dispensing assembly that includes a dispensing device that can easily be cleaned.

There is also a need for a set that limits the accidental distribution of products.

There is also a need to have a distribution set that can easily be operated.

There is also a need to have a dispensing assembly that can dispense two products from two containers in the same proportions for each actuation.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by providing a package for packaging and dispensing a product according to claim 1.

The dispensing device can not move the actuating rod along its longitudinal axis in the use position, it limits the risk of unintentional actuation of the actuating rod. In particular, it prevents the actuating rod is driven along its longitudinal axis during assembly of the device on the container in which it is placed the dispensing device on the container with a movement along the longitudinal axis of the rod actuating. One can then provide to use a dispensing device removably attached to the container so that, for example, the user can remove it for cleaning as and when use and replace it on the container without risk of doing exit the product.

In addition, the dispensing device can take an intermediate position in which it is not in fluid communication with the actuating rod, it further limits the risks of actuation of the actuating rod during assembly of the device distribution on the container on the assembly lines, and therefore the risk of product leakage.

The dispensing device is not in fluid communication with the actuating rod means that there is no sealed connection between the two parts and that product can not be transferred from the actuating rod to the device without leakage.

The dispensing device may be configured to move from the intermediate position to the use position in a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating rod.

The dispensing device can thus easily pass from the intermediate position to the position of use since it is sufficient for the user to move the dispensing device in a translational movement, by driving it longitudinally.

Moreover, the actuating rod actuating by tilting, it requires a low support force to be actuated which allows comfort in use. The product can indeed leave the actuating rod at the slightest tilting thereof.

The dispensing device may comprise at least one lug which cooperates with at least one shaft so as to be able to pivot about the shaft and allow the dispensing device to tilt in the position of use.

The dispensing device may comprise two tabs which cooperate respectively with two shafts, the two lugs and the two shafts being respectively aligned along a line parallel to the tilting axis of the dispensing device.

Each leg may have an opening which opens at its lower end. The tab can thus easily ride the corresponding shaft in an axial movement.

The opening of the tab may comprise a narrowed portion so as to form two notches at two different heights, each notch being able to receive the corresponding shaft in each position of the dispensing device.

Each notch may have a concave shape to delimit positions stable for the corresponding tree.

The opening of each tab may further be flared towards the lower end of the tab to facilitate its mounting on the corresponding shaft.

Each tab may comprise at least one protuberance adapted to come into contact with a holding wall in the intermediate position so as to laterally maintain the dispensing device. The holding wall may be resiliently supported on the protrusion in the intermediate position to limit the movements of the dispensing device.

The dispensing device can be mounted on the container via a fastener which may comprise a mounting skirt adapted to snap onto the container, either directly on it, or on a cup itself fixed, for example by crimping on the container neck.

The set may comprise two containers.

The dispensing device can then be arranged to channel the products separately up to two dispensing orifices. According to this embodiment, the dispensing device may comprise two separate channels for conveying the product from each container to each dispensing orifice. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for dispensing products which are not stable in time when in contact with each other and which must be brought into contact with one another as late as possible. .

Alternatively, the dispensing device can be arranged to allow the mixing of the products before they reach the dispensing orifice.

The assembly may comprise a cover intended to protect the dispensing device.

The container (s) can (vent) be pressurized (s). The distributor can then be a valve.

The container (s) may contain a cosmetic product, especially a hair coloring product. One of the containers may contain a coloring product and the other container an oxidizing product.

• la figure 1 représente en perspective un ensemble de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente en vue éclatée l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 illustre une vue de dessous de l'organe de fixation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 4 représente isolément, de manière schématique, en coupe axiale, le dispositif de distribution de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 illustre une vue partielle du dispositif de distribution représenté à la figure 4 ; et
• les figures 6 à 9 représentent en coupe l'ensemble de conditionnement et de distribution, le dispositif de distribution étant en position intermédiaire sur les figures 6 et 8 et en position d'utilisation sur les figures 7 et 9.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 represents in perspective a set of packaging and dispensing according to the invention;
• the figure 2 represents in exploded view the whole of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 illustrates a view from below of the fastener of the packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 4 represents in isolation, schematically, in axial section, the distribution device of the whole of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 illustrates a partial view of the dispensing device shown in FIG. figure 4 ; and
• the Figures 6 to 9 represent in section the packaging and distribution assembly, the dispensing device being in an intermediate position on the Figures 6 and 8 and in use position on the Figures 7 and 9 .

We have shown on figures 1 and 2 a dispensing assembly comprising a dispensing device 20 mounted on two containers 10 containing products to be mixed extemporaneously.

In particular, the containers contain cosmetic products, in particular, according to one particular example, hair coloring products. One of the containers 10 contains, for example, a coloring product and the other of the containers 10 contains an oxidizing product.

Each container 10 is, in the exemplary embodiment described, of the pressurized aerosol type and comprises a valve provided with an actuating rod 11, one of the valves having a longitudinal axis X and the other of the valves having an axis longitudinal X 'as can be seen on the figure 2 . The valve is held by crimping on a cup 12 set on the neck of the container.

The actuating rod 11 is hollow and the product distribution is effected, when the actuating rod is tilted, therethrough.

The dispensing device 20 is fixed on the containers by means of a fastener 30. The dispensing device 20 is fixed in such a way that it can swing the actuating rods 11 to control the actuation of the valves .

The fixing member 30 comprises two tubular mounting skirts 31 of circular cross-section, which snap-fit under the cup 12 of the corresponding container. For this purpose, an annular bead 33 is provided on the radially inner surface of each skirt to be housed under each cup.

The two mounting skirts 31 are contiguous to one another so as to bring the containers as close as possible and to limit the overall size of the packaging assembly.

The mounting skirts 31 are also secured to each other by a transverse wall 34 which extends above each skirt 31. The transverse wall 34 is traversed by two passages 35, respectively formed inside. of each mounting skirt 31, each of the passages 35 being provided to receive the upper end of one of the containers 10. The two passages 35 are aligned along an axis Y.

On the outer edge of each passage 35 is provided a shaft 36, whose function will be explained later in the description, the shaft 36 being substantially elongated along the Y axis and having a cross section to this circular Y axis.

The two skirts 31 are also connected at their periphery by two straight walls 37, parallel to the axis Y so as to form an oval outer wall. Above the transverse wall 34, a peripheral flange 38 extends at the periphery of the wall 34.

The dispensing device 20 comprises an outer shell 21 whose upper part is rounded and forms an actuating surface 22. The shell 21 ends in its lower part by a free edge 21a.

The dispensing device 20 is arranged, according to the illustrated example, for separately channeling the products from the containers to two dispensing orifices 23. For this purpose, two separate ducts 24 are provided inside the shell 21 which each comprise a vertical end piece 24a for sealing the product on the actuating rods. Each endpiece is extended by an oblique portion 24b which opens through a dispensing orifice 23. The two oblique portions 24b converge towards each other so that the two dispensing orifices 23 are substantially contiguous. The ends of the conduit portions 24b pass through the shell 21 so that the orifices 23 substantially extend beyond the outer shell of the shell.

According to a variant not illustrated, it can be provided that the two ducts 24 are connected before their end so as to allow the mixing of the products before they reach the dispensing orifice which is then unique.

The dispensing device 20 is arranged to be mounted on the containers 10, via the fastener 30, in two different positions.

The dispensing device 20 can take a position of use, illustrated on the Figures 7 and 9 in which it can actuate the actuating rods 11 to distribute the product. In this position of use, the dispensing device 20 can tilt the actuating rods around the tilting axis Y. In this position, the dispensing device is fitted on the actuating rods so as to be in fluid communication with the rods.

In the position of use, the dispensing device 20 is mounted in such a way that it can not drive the actuating rods 11 along their longitudinal axis so as to avoid as much as possible the risks of actuating the valve stems during the placing the dispensing device on the containers, for example when the user reposition the dispensing device on the containers.

The dispensing device 20 can also take an intermediate position, illustrated on the Figures 6 and 8 , in which it is not fitted on the actuating rods so as not to be in fluid communication with the rods. The dispensing device 20 is then substantially at axial distance from the actuating rods so that it is not pressed tightly onto the actuating rods. It further limits the risk of actuating the actuating rods when placing the dispensing device on the containers.

To be able to place the dispensing device 20 in these two positions, the dispensing device comprises two lugs 40 provided near each rounded end of the shell 21. Each lug is provided to be fixed on each shaft 36 located on each side of the openings 35. The two tabs 40 are aligned along the Y axis to form a tilting axis.

As we see more particularly in the figure 5 each tab 40 is substantially planar. It has a lower end 40a open to form a fork. The opening in the tab has an elongated shape along the main axis of the tab, with a narrowed portion 41 about halfway up the opening, so as to form two notches 42 and 43 at two different heights. Each notch 42 and 43 has a substantially concave shape so as to receive the shaft 36 corresponding to the tab.

The opening formed in the tab further flares in its lower portion towards the lower end 40a of the tab to facilitate its establishment on the shaft 36.

In the use position, the shaft 36 is in the notch 42 the highest. The shaft 36 is then in axial abutment against the upper portion of the tab which prevents any movement of the dispensing device parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating rods. The tab can however tilt around the shaft 36.

The tabs 40 and the shafts 36 are located on either side of the actuating rods, and in particular at the same distance from each rod. They thus allow, in the use position, to prevent the depression of each valve stem, and in particular of the two valve stems at the same time.

In the intermediate position, the shaft 36 is in the notch 43 the lowest. In this position, the dispensing device is raised relative to the actuating rods and the end pieces are not completely fitted on the rods.

To avoid the sloshing of the dispensing device 20 relative to the fixing member 30 in the intermediate position, protuberances 44 are advantageously provided on the outer edge of each tab 40. Each protrusion cooperates with a holding wall 39 provided on the member fixing 30.

The protuberances 44 are formed on either side of the opening 41 of a tab, at the same height on the tab.

Each holding wall 39 partially surrounds the passage 35, in particular on the side of the shaft 36 on which the tab is mounted.

Each protrusion 44 thus comes into contact with the holding wall 39, provided on the fastener 30 which then holds the tab so that tightening, in the intermediate position, thus avoiding that the device moves laterally.

The holding wall 39 may also be substantially elastic so as to bear resiliently on the tab to perfectly maintain it while allowing the dispensing device to move easily to move from the intermediate position to the position of use.

The packaging assembly also comprises a cover 60 to protect the distribution device 20. The cover 60 is held by clamping on the fixing member 30, in particular on the peripheral rim 38.

To assemble the packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention, the dispensing device 20 is first mounted on the fastening member 30 in the intermediate position illustrated in FIGS. Figures 6 and 8 . The cover 60 is also assembled on the fastener, by clamping on the peripheral wall 38. These three parts thus assembled are then fixed on the containers which have been filled with product beforehand, via the fastener. Thus, even if two parts are used to produce the dispensing device, only one assembly step is necessary on the filling lines of the containers.

In addition, this assembly step does not require a very high accuracy since the holding walls 39 provided on the fastener 30 allow to perfectly position the dispensing device 20 relative to the passages 35 of the fastener. The dispensing device 20 is thus easily positioned relative to the actuating rods 11 during attachment of the dispensing device 20 to the fastening member 30.

The assembly thus assembled is then marketed while the dispensing device is in the intermediate position.

It is at the first use of the device that the user, by pressing on the actuating surface 22 of the dispensing device 20, moves the dispensing device into the position of use. The dispensing device then moves in a translation movement, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating rods. The dispensing device 20 is already correctly positioned relative to the actuating rods, it will easily be placed in the use position in which the two actuating rods 11 can be moved in the same way. The two products can then be distributed in the same proportions with each actuation.

If desired, the user can easily remove the dispensing device 20 from the packaging and dispensing assembly, between two uses, for example to clean it. It will suffice for him, holding the containers 10 with one hand, to grasp the device 20 and to move it away from the containers and the fastener member 30 in a movement along the axis of the actuating rods. The user can then pass the dispensing device 20 underwater, for example, to clean the ducts. It can then without much difficulty replace the dispensing device on the fastener by placing it correctly relative to the actuating rods without the risk of involuntarily actuating the actuating rods. It may for example place the dispensing device 20 in its intermediate position by hooking the tabs by its lowest notches 43 on the shafts 36 so that it does not risk to actuate the actuating rods involuntarily during the mounting.

In the example just described, two containers are provided, but the dispensing device 20 can also be used on a single container.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (22)

1. Assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, comprising:

   - at least one container (10) containing a product, the container being provided with a dispensing member having an actuation rod (11);

   - a dispensing device (20), at least a part of which is able to move with respect to the container in order to actuate the dispensing member and to allow product to emerge through at least one dispensing orifice (23) ;

   the dispensing device being configured to be mounted on the container in two different positions,

   - a use position in which the dispensing device is able to dispense the product;

   - an intermediate position in which the dispensing device is not in fluid communication with the actuation rod;
   characterized in that in said use position the dispensing device (20) is able to tilt the actuation rod about a tilting axis in order to dispense the product and said dispensing device cannot move the actuation rod (11) along its longitudinal axis.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the dispensing device is configured to pass from the intermediate position into the use position by way of a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuation rod.
3. Assembly according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises at least one tab (40) which engages with at least one shaft (36) so as to be able to pivot about the shaft and allow the dispensing device (20) to tilt in the use position.
4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the device comprises two tabs (40) which engage respectively with two shafts (36), the two tabs and the two shafts each being aligned along a line parallel to the tilting axis of the dispensing device.
5. Assembly according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that each tab (40) comprises an opening which opens out at its lower end (40a).
6. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the opening in the tab comprises a narrowed portion (41) so as to form two notches (42; 43) at two different heights, it being possible for each notch to receive the corresponding shaft (36) in each position of the dispensing device.
7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that each notch (42; 43) has a concave shape.
8. Assembly according to any one of Claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the opening in each tab (40) is flared towards the lower end (40a) of the tab.
9. Assembly according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that each tab comprises at least one protuberance (44) that is able to come into contact with a holding wall (39) in the intermediate position so as to laterally hold the dispensing device.
10. Assembly according to Claim 9, characterized in that the holding wall (39) is pressed elastically against the protuberance (44) in the intermediate position.
11. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) is mounted on the container (10) via a fixing member (30).
12. Assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the fixing member (30) comprises a mounting skirt (31) that is able to be snap-fastened on the container.
13. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two containers (10).
14. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) is designed to channel the products separately to two dispensing orifices.
15. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the dispensing device comprises two separate channels (24) for directing the product from each container to each dispensing orifice.
16. Assembly according to Claim 13, characterized in that the dispensing device is designed to allow the products to mix before they reach the dispensing orifice.
17. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cap (60) intended to protect the dispensing device (20).
18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container or containers is or are pressurized.
19. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing member is a valve.
20. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container or containers contains or contain a cosmetic product.
21. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container or containers contains or contain a hair colorant.
22. Assembly according to any one of Claims 13 to 21, characterized in that one of the containers contains a colorant and the other container contains an oxidant.

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