Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F3/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals with driving mechanisms, e.g. dosimeters with clockwork
• • 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
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0027—Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
• • 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
  • B05B11/0005—Components or details
  • B05B11/0027—Means for neutralising the actuation of the sprayer ; Means for preventing access to the sprayer actuation means
  • B05B11/0032—Manually actuated means located downstream the discharge nozzle for closing or covering it, e.g. shutters
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
  • B05B12/004—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area comprising sensors for monitoring the delivery, e.g. by displaying the sensed value or generating an alarm
  • B05B12/006—Pressure or flow rate sensors
  • B05B12/008—Pressure or flow rate sensors integrated in or attached to a discharge apparatus, e.g. a spray gun
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/0083—Containers comprising an internal rotating wing for expelling the contents
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G04—HOROLOGY
  • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
  • G04F1/00—Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• • 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
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1059—Means for locking a pump or its actuation means in a fixed position
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B12/00—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area
  • B05B12/02—Arrangements for controlling delivery; Arrangements for controlling the spray area for controlling time, or sequence, of delivery

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device comprising actuating means operable to generate a dispensing fluid product.
• actuating means operable to generate a dispensing fluid product.
• the preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. In these areas, the fluid dispensed must be more or less viscous, such as perfumes, lotions, creams, gels, ointments, etc.
• fluid dispensing devices having axially displaceable or rotating actuating means.
• the case may be made of dispensing devices using pumps or valves, provided with actuating means in the form of a pushbutton on which one can press with the aid of one or more fingers to actuate the pump. or the valve.
• actuating means in the form of a pushbutton on which one can press with the aid of one or more fingers to actuate the pump. or the valve.
• fluid, dosed or not is dispensed through a dispensing orifice.
• the fluid product may for example be collected by the user or be directly applied to an application surface such as skin, hair, mucous membranes, clothing, etc.
• Some fluid products are particularly fragile or sensitive: they can for example deteriorate or denature in contact with the air, or simply over time. There is therefore a risk for distribution of such fluid products to be used while the fluid product no longer conforms to optimal use, appropriate, or healthy.
• the present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawback of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser device capable of minimizing the risks of using such a device containing expired fluid products.
• the present invention provides a fluid dispenser device comprising actuating means operable to generate a fluid dispensing, characterized in that it is provided with non-resettable time indicator means capable of giving a visual indication representative of a flow of time since a single initialization.
• the indicator means can thus provide an indication of the maximum duration of use of the dispensing device by indicating for example the moment when the fluid product is out of date.
• the indication is visual, that is to say perceptible to the eye, and may for example be in the form of alphabetic, numerical, alphanumeric, non-alphanumeric signs or colors, or shades of color. colors.
• the indicator means comprise a single triggering element on which one acts once to initialize the flow of time and a display member which gives the visual indication.
• the display member will give no information until the trigger member has been actuated. It is therefore necessary to initialize to start the countdown of time which is then visible at the display member. Then, it is no longer possible to reset the trigger, which is therefore unique.
• the single trigger member is actuated once by the actuating means during their first actuation. Rather than asking the user to initialize the indicator means himself by performing a Specific manipulation is the first actuation of the actuating means that will trigger once and for all the trigger member and thus initialize the indicator means.
• the initialization of the indicator means is automatic and unique, without the user noticing it. He can not forget to initialize the indicator means. It is guaranteed that the indicator means will be activated regardless of the use of the dispensing device.
• the visual indication given at the display member provides the user with information about the date when he first used the dispensing device, and thus about the expiration of the product.
• the actuating means are axially displaceable back and forth along an axial path, the trigger member being positioned on this axial path.
• This is typically a dispensing device provided with a dispensing pusher.
• the actuating means are movable in rotation along a circular path, the trigger member being positioned on this circular path.
• This is typically a rotating pot.
• the actuating means comprise a control element which moves in the circular path and engages with the triggering member.
• the dispensing device further comprises first-use safety means preventing actuation of the actuating means so that the indicator means can not be initialized.
• first-use security means and time-indicator means mounted on a fluid dispensing device can be individually protected, without the dispensing device even having actuating means.
• the first-use security means make it possible to prevent the initialization of the indicator means, which will therefore be done only after destruction of the first-use security means by the user when he wishes to use the device for the first time of distribution.
• the dispensing device comprises a pump or a valve, the actuating means comprising an axially displaceable pusher for dispensing fluid through a dispensing orifice.
• the dispensing device comprises a fixing ring, the pusher being movable axially with respect to this ring, the pusher penetrating into the ring or surrounding the ring, the indicator means being triggered by the relative displacement of the pusher relative to the ring.
• the indicator means being mounted on the ring or the pusher.
• the fixing ring comprises a visible outer wall and an inner wall, the display member being disposed on the outer wall, and the trigger member protruding radially inwards from the inner wall in the path of axial displacement of the pusher.
• the dispensing device comprises a fluid reservoir with variable volume, the actuating means comprising a rotary ring adapted to cause a decrease in the volume of the reservoir, so as to distribute the product. fluid through a dispensing orifice.
• FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser device according to a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dispensing device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fluid dispenser device according to a second embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the dispensing device of FIG. 3, and
• Figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the dispensing device of Figure 3.
• This dispensing device is a pump dispenser or valve 2 actuable by means of a pusher 3.
• the dispensing device comprises fixing means 5 for fixing the pump or the valve according to the opening of a reservoir (not shown) .
• the dispensing device can be considered as the distributor as a whole, including the reservoir, or only the pump or the valve, its pusher and its associated attachment means, excluding the fluid reservoir.
• the reservoir can be of any type, of variable or constant volume, made of any suitable material, such as plastic, glass or metal.
• the dispensing device shown in FIG. 1 thus comprises a pump or a valve 2, a pusher 3 and fastening means 5 which are here in the form of a fixing ring.
• the dispenser is further provided with first-use security means 4 which are here associated with the pusher 3.
• the pump or valve 2 conventionally comprises a body
• the pump or valve comprises an actuating rod 23 which is movable axially back and forth along the longitudinal axis X shown in Figure 1.
• the actuating rod 23 can be driven more or less deeply inside the body 20.
• This actuating rod 23 is connected to a piston (not shown) which is displaceable in leaktight sliding inside the body 20.
• This piston is intended to reduce the volume of a chamber and thus put the fluid under pressure. This fluid under pressure can then flow through the actuating rod 23 which internally forms a discharge channel.
• This is a quite conventional design for a pump or a valve as used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy.
• the pusher 3 is mounted on the free end of the actuating rod
• the pusher comprises a bearing surface 30 which cuts the X axis and on which the user can press with the aid of one or more fingers to move the pusher, and thus push the rod of actuation 23 within the body 20.
• the actuating rod 23, and the pusher 3 are returned to the rest position shown in Figure 1 by a return spring (not shown) which is housed at the 20.
• the pusher 3 also comprises a peripheral lateral skirt 32 which extends downwardly from the outer periphery of the bearing surface 30.
• This lateral skirt 32 terminates at its lower end by an edge of command 33 whose function will be given below. It may also be noted that this control edge 33 has an increased thickness so that it abuts with its radially inner zone on the fixing ring 5, as will be seen below. This is the locked rest position, in which the pusher can not be operated.
• the pusher is advantageously mounted rotatably on the actuating rod 23 so that it can rotate about the axis X. This allows the pusher to be rotated so as to disengage the thickened part formed by the edge 33 of its stop on the ring, and thus allow the axial actuation of the pusher.
• the fixing ring 5 comprises a fixing sleeve 50 which is intended to engage with an opening of a container or tank (not shown).
• this mounting sleeve 50 has a threaded inner wall adapted to engage an externally threaded collar of a reservoir.
• the bushing 50 may be provided with a bead or with snap-fit heads adapted to engage under an external peripheral reinforcement formed by a tank neck.
• the ring 5 forms a turret 54 which advantageously extends in the extension of the sleeve 50.
• This turret 54 constitutes an inner wall of the ring. It extends at its upper end by a flange 56 which extends outwardly from the upper end of the turret 54. In this case, the flange 56 is slightly leaning outwardly and downwardly. .
• This flange 56 forms a peripheral ring, as can be seen in FIG. 2.
• the flange 56 then extends downwardly forming a trim band 57 which extends substantially concentrically around the bushing 50 and the turret 54. More specifically, this trim ring 57 constitutes the visible outer wall of the ring and advantageously has a somewhat ogival shape.
• a substantially annular space 58 is formed between the ferrule 57 and the bushing 50 and the turret 54.
• the ring 5 also comprises a radial plate 51 which extends radially inwards at the level where the bushing 50 joined the turret 54. This radial plateau 51 is intended to bear against the upper annular edge of the tank opening. This plate 51 then extends upwards to define a flange 52 which internally forms receiving means 53 for the flange 22 of the body 20 of the pump 2.
• the receiving means may for example latching means.
• a housing 55 is formed between the turret 54 and the collar 52. This housing is open upwards and intended to receive the peripheral skirt 32 of the pusher 3.
• the lower end of the skirt 32 is already engaged inside the housing 55 even in the rest position. It will be readily understood that by pressing the pusher, the skirt 32 will penetrate deeper inside the housing 55, even possibly until abutting on the plate 51. It may also be noted that the upper end of the collar 52 forms a stop end at the edge 33 which has an increased thickness. As mentioned above, this increase in the thickness of the edge 33 is only local, and by slightly turning the pusher about its axis X, it is possible to disengage the edge 33 of the upper end of the flange 52 to thereby allow the displacement 3. Therefore, the engagement of the thickened edge 33 with the upper end of the collar 52 is locking means of the pusher in the rest position.
• the dispensing device of FIGS. 1 and 2 further comprises first-use security means 4 which are here in the form of a cap 40 which at least partially envelops the pusher 3.
• This cap 40 is provided with a release member 41 which may advantageously be detached from the cap 40 to allow removal of the cap 40 from the pusher 3.
• the Pusher 3 is trapped inside the cap 40. The pusher is then in its rest position. It can be seen in FIG.
• the cap 40 equipped with its release member 41 allows the user to check very easily if the dispensing device has already been used before. Indeed, if the release member 41 is intact, this gives an indication to the user that the cap 40 has never been removed from the pusher 3. As a result, the cap 40 performs a first safety function use. In addition, in this case, even after removal of the member 41, the cap 40 can be removed and then returned to the pusher 3.
• the cap 40 thus performs a triple function, namely a first-use safety function, a function of repositionable protective cover, and a function of locking or locking the pusher in the rest position.
• the dispensing device is further provided with time indicator means 6 able to give a visual indication representative of the flow of a time period since initialization.
• the time indicating means so that they can provide an indication of time, must be initialized or triggered.
• the time indicator means comprise a trigger member 61 and a display member 62 which gives the visual indication visible or readable by the user.
• These time indicator means 6 may be arranged anywhere on the fluid dispenser device, namely on the pusher 3, on the ring 5 or even on the reservoir (not shown). However, it is more advantageous to arrange these time indicator means 6 at the level of the ring 5 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
• the display member is here in the form of a flexible band which is applied on the cover band 57 extending over a portion of its circumference.
• time indicator means such as those described in WO 03/007088 may be used.
• the display member thus extends on the outer wall of the trim ring 57, but the trigger member 61 extends through the band 57 and through the drum 54 to project inside. 55.
• This trigger member 61 is sensitive to pressure so that, when it is crushed or deformed, it triggers the initialization of the indicator means which lead to a progressive change of appearance at the level of the body. display. Since the triggering member
• the dispensing device is devoid of locking means in the form of an increased thickness of the edge 33 bearing on the upper end of the flange 52. It can also be provided that the dispensing device is devoid of first-use security means.
• the arrangement of the time indicator means 6 at the ring 5 is particularly advantageous because it does not cause any change in the dispensing device.
• the housing 55 which is conventionally provided, is used to arrange the triggering means in the operating stroke of the pusher.
• the present invention applies to any dispensing device, it is advantageous that the time indicator means are triggered by the actuation of the pusher 3, which constitutes the actuating means of the pump 2.
• the pusher 3 thus fulfills a dual function, namely the actuation of the pump and the actuation of the trigger member 61.
• the fluid dispenser device is here in the form of a pot defining a reservoir R for containing the fluid.
• the distribution of the product from the tank R is here carried out by rotation.
• the dispensing device V consists solely of two pieces added to one another.
• the dispensing device is further provided with first-use safety means 4 'which is here in the form of a tear-off safety band 40 provided with a pull tab 41.
• the two constituent parts of the pot are intended to rotate relative to each other about a Y axis which substantially passes to the axial center of the pot.
• the pot thus comprises a cap 2 'mounted on a pump body 3'.
• This pump body 3 ' comprises a pot bottom 36 and a peripheral side wall 37 which is here cylindrical.
• the pot body 3 ' comprises a rotary actuating crown 30' through which the user can grasp the pot body 3 'and rotate it with respect to the cap 2', as will be seen below.
• the pot body 3 ' also forms a fixed wall 38 which extends from the side wall 37 towards the axial center of the pot, as can be seen in FIG. 5.
• this wall 38 assumes a wedge shape.
• the cap 2 ' comprises a skirt 24 rotatably engaged around the wall 37 of the pot body 3'.
• the skirt 24 extends just above the rotational actuating crown 30.
• the skirt 24 may comprise holding means on the pot body 3 ', these holding means nevertheless allowing a rotational movement of the skirt 24 on the pot body.
• the skirt 24 is connected to a plate 26 which closes the volume formed by the bottom 36 and the side wall 37 of the pot body. The internal space thus created will serve as a reservoir R.
• the plate 26 is formed with a dispensing orifice 27 which is advantageously situated in a perfectly axial manner.
• the cap 2 ' also includes a movable scraping wall 29 which extends from the Y axis radially outwards. This wall visible in Figures 4 and 5.
• the movable wall 29 is pressed against the fixed wall 38.
• the tank then has its maximum capacity.
• By rotating the ring 30 relative to the skirt 24, this will cause a displacement of the movable wall 29 away from the fixed wall 38.
• This has the effect of reducing the useful volume of the tank R, whose fluid product must then flow through an outlet conduit 28 formed by the cap 2 '.
• the outlet of the conduit 28 is formed by the dispensing orifice 27.
• the product is then dispensed at the tray 26 which advantageously has the shape of a concave cup allowing easier collection of the fluid product by the user.
• the cap 2 ' is further provided with a lid 7 which is advantageously made integrally with the cap 2'.
• this cover 7 comprises an upper wall 70 and a peripheral edge 71 which engages around the skirt 24. This edge 71 is connected to the skirt 24 by a one-piece hinge 72.
• the cover 7 may form a shutter needle 73 adapted to engage sealingly within the dispensing orifice 27.
• the actuating ring 30 can be rotated so as to dispense fluid at the level of the plate 26.
• the safety band 40 may extend astride the actuating ring 30 and the skirt 24.
• the band 40 may even extend over the edge 71 of the cover and even partially on the upper surface 70 of the cover, as can be seen in FIG. can be seen in Figure 3.
• the pull tab 41 may be located at the cover.
• This band 40 may for example be glued to the pot. It can be removed by grasping it by the traction tongue 41. However, when it is in place, it prevents firstly the rotation of the crown 30 with respect to the skirt 24, and secondly the opening 7. When in place, this tape gives a clear indication to the user that the pot has never been opened.
• the pot comprises time indicating means 6 'which may be similar or identical to the indicator means 6 of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.
• the indicator means 6 ' may include a trigger member 61 and a display member 62.
• the display member 62 may provide a visual indication to the user by a change in appearance, color or color shade.
• the triggering member 61 is able to be deformed or depressed, which generates the initialization of the display means and the beginning of the color change at the display member 62.
• the display member 62 is disposed on the outer wall of the skirt 24 extending over a portion of its periphery.
• the trigger member 61 is in the form of a protuberance which is exposed in a peripheral groove 35 formed at the inner wall of the skirt 24.
• the side wall 37 of the pump body 3 ' forms a control pin 33 'which is also housed in this groove 35.
• the lug 33 can thus engage with the trigger member 61 so as to depress or deform, which initializes the indicator means.
• the groove 35 does not extend over the entire periphery, but is interrupted on a periphery segment which corresponds approximately to the width of the fixed wall 38.
• the lug 33 is in abutment against the beginning of the groove 35, that is to say against the skirt 24.
• the lug 33 is thus disposed between the end of the groove 35 and the protuberance 61 which serves as a trigger member of the indicator means 66.
• the pin 31 will immediately crush the trigger member 61. This initializes the indicator means 6 '.
• the lug 33 can continue its movement in the groove 35 to its other end.
• the time indicator means give a visual indication representative of the period of use of the fluid product. This period begins with the unique initialization performed during the single triggering of the indicator means. No subsequent reset is possible. The completion of this period is visually identifiable and indicates the expiry of the fluid product. In other words, the time flow at the display member is only once and is inexorable, in the sense that it can not be stopped.
• the time indicator means can also be qualified as expiry indicators or the expiry date of use or consumption.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=36424041

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Families Citing this family (6)

Family Cites Families (14)

• 2005
  • 2005-06-23 FR FR0551722A patent/FR2887646B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-06-23 DE DE602006014687T patent/DE602006014687D1/de active Active
  • 2006-06-23 EP EP06777445A patent/EP1906909B1/de active Active
  • 2006-06-23 ES ES06777445T patent/ES2344996T3/es active Active
  • 2006-06-23 WO PCT/EP2006/063507 patent/WO2006136608A2/fr active Application Filing
  • 2006-06-23 US US11/993,501 patent/US8162178B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events