EP1954595B1 - Covering member, method for making same and dispensing device using same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a covering member intended to be mounted on a fixing ring, the ring and the covering member together forming a fastening system for fixing a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, on the neck of a container. The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a covering member. The present invention also relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a container, a dispensing member (pump or valve) and a fastening system incorporating a covering member of the invention. Such fluid dispensers are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

The cover member of the ring may have technical and / or aesthetic functions. A first technical function of the cover member may be to maintain or block the fixing ring on the neck of the container. Indeed, one can use the cover member to prevent the ring from deforming outwardly and thus to disengage the neck of the container. Another aesthetic function of the covering member may be to dress the fixing ring so as to give it an aesthetic appearance. The covering member is then produced with materials and shapes that make it attractive to the eye. The cover member may be made of plastic or metal.

Whether the cover member performs an aesthetic or technical function, it is important that it is fixedly held on the fixing ring. Indeed, the cover member must not be able to be pulled easily from the ring by pulling it. It is therefore necessary that the attachment between the cover member and the ring has a high resistance or held to traction. To improve the holding of the cover member on the ring, it is already known to hem the lower part of the cover member inwardly on itself (see document EP1270434 ). In other words, the lower part is rolled up on itself in the manner of a sock. The annular edge of the lower end which initially pointed downwards after hemming upwards so that the cover member has a double wall thickness. This annular edge is intended to engage below the lower end of the fixing ring. In this way, it is no longer possible to remove the cover member from the ring. The annular rim performs a snap or harpoon function by engaging under the lower end of the retaining ring.

With this hemming technique, it is not possible to roll up the cover member at low heights. It is necessary that the hemmed portion has a sufficient height of at least one millimeter. This implies that the covering member extends below the ring by at least one millimeter. This is not always possible, however, particularly when the lower end of the fixing ring is located near the shoulder of the tank. Indeed, the neck of some tanks is chunky and the shoulder extends substantially horizontally, so that the fixing ring comes into substantially contact with the shoulder. Therefore, it is not possible to use a corrugated cover member as described in the aforementioned prior art document because the annular edge can not engage below the end. bottom of the ring.

The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback of the prior art by defining a cover member capable of catching on any type of fixing ring, even when the latter extends close to the reservoir. with its lower end.

Another object of the present invention is to make it practically impossible to remove the cover member from the fixing ring.

To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a cover member for mounting on a fixing ring, the ring and the cover member together forming a fastening system for fixing a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, on a container neck, the covering member having a substantially cylindrical general configuration and comprising an upper end, a lower end, a wall external, and an inner wall intended to come into tight contact around the ring, the inner wall at the lower end forming a hooking profile which projects inwards, characterized in that this profile is obtained by pushing inward of the lower end. While the hemmed part of the document EP 1 270 434 As a result of this invention, the bottom end of the cover member is deformed to form a profile which protrudes inwards. Thus, this profile is located close to the lower end, which is not the case with the annular edge of the hemmed portion of the document of the aforementioned prior art. In practice, the attachment profile can be made a few tenths of a millimeter from the lower end of the cover member, so that the cover member can be placed on a fixing ring whose lower end is substantially in contact with the shoulder of the container. Such a solution is known from the patent application FR-A-2859983 which describes an assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

According to another interesting feature of the invention, the profile defines an edge oriented inwards and upwards. This edge provides a harpooning function biting into the lower end of the ring when it is desired to remove the cover member of the ring. Advantageously, the edge is sharp so as to have a cutting edge which further improves the harpooning effect.

According to a practical embodiment, the profile has a tapered tip section directed inward and upward and terminating at the edge. The profile is then in the form of a corolla whose edge is tapered or sharp, and directed upwardly and inwardly so as to be easily harpooned in the fixing ring.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the lower end comprises a lower annular edge oriented downwards, the profile comprising an internal flank connecting the ridge to the annular edge and an outer flank connecting the ridge to a bottom. throat.

Advantageously, the inner wall forms a wall section which defines together with the outer side a groove whose bottom is formed by the junction of the outer side and the section.

Advantageously, the groove is oriented upwards and inwards from its bottom.

Preferably, the groove has a width that increases from the bottom. The groove which separates the profile from the wall section makes it possible to receive the plastic material constituting the ring by creep or when it is desired to remove the cover member from the ring.

While the annular edge of the hemmed part of the document EP 1 270 434 defines a ring-shaped annular surface intended to abut under the lower end of the ring, the attachment profile of the present invention defines an edge which ensures a better hooking by harpooning in the ring.

1. a. réaliser un organe de recouvrement avec une extrémité inférieure chanfreinée à l'intérieur de manière à former une arête saillante sensiblement dans le prolongement de la paroi externe,
2. b. repousser l'arête saillante vers l'intérieur de manière à l'amener à proximité de la paroi interne.

The present invention also defines a method of manufacturing a cover member comprising the following successive operations:

1. at. producing a covering member with a lower end chamfered inside so as to form a protruding edge substantially in the extension of the outer wall,
2. b. push the projecting edge inwards so as to bring it close to the inner wall.

Advantageously, the embossing operation is carried out in several stages with different embossing tools.

Advantageously, a final tool calibrates the radial position of the edge.

In other words, the lower end of the cover member, which is initially beveled, is folded inward with appropriate tools so that the edge of the bevel, which initially pointed downward, finally points to the top. This implies that the bevel has been folded back on itself.

The present invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a container, a dispensing member, such as a pump or a dispenser. valve, and a fastening system for securing the dispensing member to a fluid reservoir, the fastening system comprising a fastening ring and a cover member according to any one of the preceding claims, the fastening profile being engaged with the ring.

Advantageously, the ring has a hooking shoulder under which the profile is engaged. The hooking shoulder of the ring may advantageously be formed by the lower end of the skirt of the ring. However, one can also provide one or more shoulder (s) hanging on the height of the ring.

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

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée partiellement en coupe et partiellement en plan d'un dispositif de distribution selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue très fortement agrandie du détail A de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 avec l'organe de recouvrement en cours de montage sur la bague de fixation,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 3 avec le dispositif de distribution à l'état final de montage sur un col de récipient,
• la figure 5 est une vue agrandie du détail B de la figure 4, et
• les figures 6a à 6d illustrent les diverses étapes de fabrication d'un organe de recouvrement selon un mode de fabrication de l'invention.

In the figures:

• the figure 1 is an exploded view partially in section and partially in plan of a dispensing device according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a very greatly enlarged view of detail A of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 with the covering member being mounted on the fixing ring,
• the figure 4 is a view similar to that of the figure 3 with the dispensing device in the final state of assembly on a container neck,
• the figure 5 is an enlarged view of detail B of the figure 4 , and
• the Figures 6a to 6d illustrate the various steps of manufacturing a cover member according to a manufacturing method of the invention.

In the exemplary embodiment used to illustrate the present invention, the cover member performs both technical and aesthetic functions. Indeed, the covering member is a member visible from the outside which therefore gives an aesthetic appearance. This is why the covering member will be designated in the rest of the description by a term frequently used in the fields of perfumery and cosmetics, namely "trim ring". The term dressing is particularly appropriate, since the hoop dresses the fixing ring, as it is will see below. However, it can also be imagined that the covering member fulfills only a technical and non-aesthetic function or vice versa.

Referring now to the figures to explain in detail a non-limiting embodiment of a trim band according to the invention. The hoop has been designated as a whole by reference numeral 1. The hoop can be made of plastic, or preferably metal. It has a generally cylindrical general configuration with a hollow interior. More specifically, the hoop comprises a substantially cylindrical barrel 10 comprising a lower end 11 and an upper end which extends inwardly in the form of a tipping flap 12. The edge of the tuck flap 12 defines an opening 13 which extends through the barrel 10. The barrel 10 comprises a visible outer wall 14 and an inner wall 15.

As can be seen more particularly on the figure 2 , the inner wall 15 at the lower end 11 forms a hooking profile 111 which projects inwardly. This attachment profile 111 points here inwards and upwards and ends with an edge 112 which may advantageously be sharp or sharp. The profile 111 has a tip-shaped section which terminates at the edge 112. At its base, the profile 111 is connected to the lower end of the hoop. Specifically, the profile 111 defines an inner flank 113, substantially straight, which connects the edge 112 to the annular edge 114 which forms the lower end zone of the hoop. The profile 111 furthermore forms an outer flank 115, substantially straight, which connects the edge 112 to a bottom of the groove 117. Both the flank 113 and the flank 115 are oriented inwards and upwards and converge. one to the other to join at the edge 112. Thus, the inner flank 113 forms an input chamfer which will facilitate the engagement of the hoop on the ring, as will be seen hereinafter after. The outer flank 115 is thus separated from the inner wall 15 by a groove 116 whose width increases from its bottom 117. The side of the groove opposite the flank 115 is formed by a section 151 of the wall 15. This section of wall 151 also extends inwards and upwards from the bottom 117.

The lower part of the hoop thus has a configuration in the form of a hook or hook with the profile 111 detached or separated from the remainder of the hoop by the groove 116. The orientation of the profile 111 inwards and upwards further favors the ability to hook or harpoon the profile.

According to an advantageous manufacturing technique, the profile 111 can be made by embossing material, in particular when the hoop is made of metal. To illustrate a method of manufacturing by non-limiting repetition of a trim band according to the invention, reference will now be made to Figures 6a to 6d which represent different successive stages of manufacture. Initially, the hoop 1 is made with a lower end 11a which forms an annular bevel or inner bevel. In cross section, as shown on the figure 6a this chamfer forms a protruding or sharp edge 112a which constitutes the lower end of the hoop before the embossing operation. This edge 112a here extends perfectly in the extension of the outer wall 14 of the hoop. The chamfer or bevel is made between this edge 112a and the inner wall 15 of the hoop making an inclined wall 115a. This wall 115a has a frustoconical shape. A hoop with such bevel or chamfer can be made by any known technique, by removal or deformation of material. The hoop can also be molded with this shape. Starting from this band with this chamfer or bevel, using a first embossing tool 5 which has a pushing surface 51 which extends inclined relative to its axis of displacement, which is indicated by the arrow visible on the figure 6a . By raising this embossing tool 5 in the direction of the hoop, the curved embossing surface 51 will deform the lower end 11a of the hoop by plastically displacing the edge 112a inwards. The work of the embossing tool 5 results in a hoop as shown in FIG. figure 6b . The lower end 11b then has a kind of tip folded inwards. The end of the tip is formed by an edge 112b which comes from the movement of the edge 112a inwards. The wall 115a has been folded to form a fold 117b. With this band, we now use a second embossing tool 6 which has a surface of flat pushing 61. By moving this tool in the direction of the arrow shown on the figure 6b , the lower end 11b of the hoop will again be deformed by further reducing the edge 112b inwardly. After the work of this tool 6, the lower end 11c of the hoop is as shown in FIG. Figure 6c . An edge 112c now points radially inward. This edge 112c comes from the deformation inward of the edge 112b visible on the figure 6b . The fold 117b visible on the figure 6b is even more pronounced and now forms a slightly narrower fold 117c. The lower edge of the hoop is now annular and flat. We now use a last embossing tool 7 which has a repoussage zone consisting of several surfaces oriented differently. A first embossing surface 71 extends in a planar manner as the surface 61 of the tool 6. A second surface 72 extends inwardly and upwardly and is extended by a third surface 73 which is vertical. By raising this tool 7 on the lower end 11c of the hoop, the edge 112c is again deformed inwards and the fold 117c is even more marked. When the tool 7 has finished its work, the lower end 11 of the hoop is as shown in FIG. figure 6d . It corresponds to that of the figure 2 . The first embossing surface 71 precisely defines the annular edge 114, while the inclined embossing surface 72 defines precisely the flank 113 of the profile 111. The third embossing surface 73 accurately calibrates the internal diameter of the embossing surface 71. edge 112. Fold 117c of the Figure 6c then turned into the back of the throat 117.

The embossing process just described uses three different embossing tools 5, 6 and 7. However, this embossing operation can be carried out with a different number of embossing tools, for example one or two or more. three. On the other hand, the shape of the bevel or chamfer of the initial hoop can also be realized with different shapes. One can even predict that the wall 115a is not right at the start. One can also imagine that the edge 112a is replaced by a slight flat area. The spinning technique is preferred, but other techniques can be used. An advantageous characteristic comes from the fact that the profile latching member 111 is formed near the annular edge 114, namely less than one millimeter from the annular edge 114, and preferably just a few tens of millimeters from this edge 114. This is not the case with the technique hemming of the document EP 1 270 434 . With the present invention, this is possible because it deforms only the lower end of the hoop, not a whole part of the hoop, as in the aforementioned document. Initially starting from a chamfered or beveled end facilitates this deformation of the lower end.

The cover band 1 is intended to cooperate with a fixing ring 2 which has a configuration quite conventional for the field of perfumery and cosmetics. The ring 2 is preferably made of plastic. The fixing ring 2 comprises a skirt 20 defining tabs 21 separated by vertical longitudinal slots 22. Each tab 21 internally forms fastening heads 23 which project inwards. The tabs 21 are separated by the slots 22 so as to confer a certain deformation capacity to the tabs which will be necessary to engage the ring on the neck. The skirt 20 is connected at its upper end to a plate 24 which extends inwardly forming a latching housing 25 whose function will be given below. On the other hand, the ring 2 comprises a guiding wall 26 which advantageously extends upwards in alignment with the skirt 20.

A dispensing member 3, which is the occurrence of a pump, is engaged in the detent housing 25 of the ring 2. The pump 3 comprises a body 31 defining at its lower end an inlet 32 and at its upper end a collar 33 The pump 3 also comprises an actuating rod 34 which is movable back and forth inside the body 3. The actuating rod 34 protrudes out of the housing. body and receives an actuating head 35 which is here in the form of a pusher. Thus, by pressing the pusher 35, the actuating rod 34 is moved inside the body 31, which has the effect of distribute a dose of fluid. This is a pump quite classic in the field of pharmacy or cosmetics.

As mentioned above, the ring 2 is intended to fix the pump 3 on a container, which is here designated by the reference numeral 4. This container, which is only partially shown, comprises a neck 40 which defines an opening communicating the inside the container with the outside. The neck 40 defines an annular upper end edge 41 and an outer peripheral shoulder 42. The fixing ring 2 cooperates with this neck by engagement of the attachment heads 23 below the shoulder 42. To achieve the seal, a neck seal 27 is compressed between the upper edge 41 and the plate 24 of the ring 2. To reach below the shoulder 42, the heads 23 must first pass beyond the shoulder 42. This is possible because the tabs 21 may deform radially outward to pass the shoulder 42. Once the shoulder passed, the heads 23 may at least partially be housed below the shoulder 42. conventionally, the trim band 1 is mounted on the fixing ring 2 so as to block the tabs 21 around the neck 40. To do this, the inner wall 15 of the trim band comes into tight contact with the wall outer ring, which e st here formed by the skirt 20 and the guide wall 26.

On the figure 1 , the hoop 1 is not yet engaged on the fixing ring. On the figure 3 , the band 1 is engaged on the ring, but only at the guide wall 26, the skirt 20 is still uncovered. The hooking profile 111 makes it possible to effectively secure the hoop 1 on the ring 2 in this intermediate position which may be a pre-assembled position. The pre-assembled assembly formed by the pump 3, the ring 2 and the band 1, can be delivered in this state to the person in charge of filling the tank and fixing on the neck of the tank. The harpooning function of the profile 111 ensures that the band can no longer be removed from the ring 2. This is not possible with the hemmed fret of the document of the prior art.

On the figure 4 , the fixing ring is engaged with the neck 40 and the band 1 completely surrounds the ring 2, even at the level of the skirt. Referring to the figure 5 , it can be seen in particular that the lower end 201 of the skirt 20 is located at a very short distance from the shoulder 43 of the container 4. The hooking profile 111 of the hoop can however be engaged or snapped into place. below this lower end 201, since the profile 111 is formed in close proximity to the lower annular edge 114 of the hoop. It is sufficient that the lower end 201 of the ring is separated from the shoulder 43 by a few tens of millimeters to allow the profile 111 to engage below the ring. This is not possible with the hemmed fret of the aforementioned document of the prior art. The retention of the hoop on the ring is partly ensured by the friction between the inner wall 15 of the hoop and the outer wall of the ring at the level of the skirt and the guide wall 26. However, it is not necessary to it is possible to remove the hoop from the ring because the hooking profile 111 is engaged on a ring hooking shoulder which is here formed by the lower end 201 of the skirt. The shape of the attachment profile 111 allows a harpooning in the constituent material of the ring in the case where one would like to remove the hoop from the ring. The more one pulls on the hoop, the more the constituent material of the ring enters the groove 116.

A principle of the present invention is to provide a hooking profile as close as possible to the lower end of the hoop so as to be able to engage on any type of ring, even at a very short distance from the hoop. shoulder of the container.

Claims (11)

1. A covering member (1) for mounting on a fastener ring (2), the ring and the covering member co-operating with each other to form a fastener system for fastening a dispenser member (3), such as a pump or a valve, on a receptacle neck (40), the covering member presenting a general configuration that is substantially cylindrical, and comprising a top end (12), a bottom end (11), an outside wall (14), and an inside wall (15) for coming into clamping contact around the ring (2), the inside wall (15), at the bottom end (11), forming a fastener profile (111) that projects inwards, the covering member being characterized in that said profile defines a sharp catch (112) that is directed inwards and upwards, the profile being formed in direct proximity to the bottom end of the covering member so as to be able to engage said covering member under a fastener ring having a bottom end that comes practically into contact with the receptacle.
2. A covering member according to claim 1, in which the profile (111) presents a section in the form of a tapering point that is directed inwards and upwards and that is terminated by the catch (112).
3. A covering member according to claim 1 or claim 2, the bottom end (11) includes a bottom annular edge (114) that is directed downwards, the profile (111) comprising an inner flank (113) that connects the catch (112) to the annular edge (114), and an outer flank (115) that connects the catch (112) to a groove bottom (117).
4. A covering member according to claim 3, in which the inside wall (15) forms a wall section (151) that cooperates with the outer flank (115) to form a groove (116) having a bottom (117) that is formed by the junction of the outer flank (115) and the wall section (151).
5. A covering member according to claim 4, in which the groove (116) is directed upwards and inwards starting from its bottom (117).
6. A covering member according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the groove (116) presents a width that increases from the bottom (117).
7. A method of manufacturing a covering member according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the following successive operations:

   a. making a covering member with a bottom end (11a) that is inwardly chamfered in such a manner as to form a projecting catch (112a) that substantially extends the outside wall (14); and

   b. pushing the projecting catch (112a) inwards in such a manner as to bring it into the proximity of the inside wall (15).
8. A method of manufacturing a covering member according to claim 7, in which the pushing operation is performed in a plurality of steps using various pusher tools (5, 6, 7).
9. A method of manufacturing a covering member according to claim 7 or claim 8, in which a final tool (7) calibrates the radial position of the catch (112).
10. A fluid dispenser comprising a receptacle (4), a dispenser member (3), such as a pump or a valve, and a fastener system (1, 2) for fastening the dispenser member on a fluid reservoir, the fastener system comprising a fastener ring (2) and a covering member (1) according to any preceding claim, the fastener profile (111) being in engagement with the ring (2).
11. A fluid dispenser device according to claim 10, in which the ring (2) presents a fastener shoulder (201) under which the profile (111) is engaged.

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