EP2094585B1 - Device for dispensing a fluid product - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid dispenser device having: a fluid dispenser member such as a manually-actuated pump or valve, the fluid dispenser member being fastened by a fastener ring on a reservoir; an actuator head that is mounted on the dispenser member, and that is movable so as to actuate the dispenser member; and a removable blocking element that, in its blocking position, prevents the dispenser member from being actuated. The blocking element is assembled to the actuator head and co-operates with the fastener ring, or with an element that is secured thereto, through at least one opening that is provided in the actuator head.

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device, and more particularly to such a device comprising a locking element for preventing the actuation of said device between two uses.

Systems that serve to prevent the actuation of a fluid dispensing device between two actuations are well known, and generally include removable devices, such as clips that are just fixed under the actuating head or push to prevent his movement. The disadvantage of such a removable device is that it can sometimes come off itself during its transport in a bag for example. There are systems integrated in the device that are not removable but these systems are generally very complicated to perform and assemble, and involve a modification of several parts of the dispensing device, which greatly increases the cost. The documents US 6,186,365 and LU 84,436 describe existing devices.

The present invention aims to provide a fluid dispensing device that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid dispensing device having an actuating locking member which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

The present invention also aims to provide such a fluid dispenser device that easily adapts to existing devices and does not require major modification of the constituent parts of the dispensing device.

The present invention also aims to provide such a device that allows to simply visualize whether the device has already been used or not.

The present invention also aims to provide such a device whose operation is safe and reliable, and whose operation is easy for the user.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a device for dispensing fluid product, comprising a fluid product dispensing member, such as a pump or a manually operated valve, said fluid product dispensing member being fixed by a fixing ring on a reservoir, an actuating head, mounted on said dispensing member and movable to actuate said dispensing member, and a removable locking member which, in the locking position prevents the actuation of the dispensing member, said element of blocking being assembled on the actuating head, and cooperating with the fixing ring or an element secured thereto, through at least one opening provided in the actuating head.

Advantageously, said locking element is displaceable in translation, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing member.

Advantageously, the locking element comprises at least one locking projection passing through said at least one opening.

Advantageously, said locking element comprises at least one breakable element adapted to break when the locking element is removed for the first time from its locking position.

Advantageously, said at least one breakable element is formed by a tab cooperating with at least one edge of said at least one opening.

Advantageously, said head comprises at least two openings, of which at least one receives a locking projection and at least one receives a breakable element.

Advantageously, the locking element, in the locking position, extends at least partially around said head.

Advantageously, the locking element comprises an open ring comprising two locking projections and each end edge is provided with a breakable element, said head having four openings, two of which receive said locking projections in the locking position and two receive said breakable elements, in blocking position before the first use.

Advantageously, the locking element comprises two substantially parallel branches, said branches forming two locking projections and the free ends of said branches each having a breakable element, said head having four openings, each branch, in the locking position, penetrating the inside the head by a first opening and springing out of the head by a second opening, each breakable element cooperating with said second opening in the locked position before the first use.

Advantageously, the locking element is held in the locking position by retaining means, said retaining means being elastically deformable.

Advantageously, said retaining means are formed by said open ring cooperating with the peripheral surface of the head.

Advantageously, said retaining means are formed by at least one retaining projection cooperating with at least one opening of the head.

Advantageously, the locking element cooperates, in locking position, with the upper surface of the fixing ring or an element integral with said ring.

Advantageously, said locking element comprises at least one gripping means.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif de distribution de produit fluide selon un premier mode de réalisation, en position de blocage.
• La figure 2 est une vue schématique de côté du dispositif de la figure 1, en position de blocage.
• La figure 3 est une vue schématique en section transversale de la figure 2.
• La figure 4 est une vue schématique similaire à celle de la figure 2, sans élément de blocage.
• La figure 5 est une vue en section horizontale du dispositif, avant l'assemblage de l'élément de blocage sur la tête d'actionnement.
• La figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 5, montrant le dispositif de distribution, une fois l'élément de blocage assemblé en position de blocage, et avant la première utilisation.
• Les figures 7, 8 et 9 montrent, en section horizontale, le positionnement de l'élément de blocage selon un second mode de réalisation, sur le dispositif de distribution respectivement avant, pendant et après son insertion par les ouvertures de la tête d'actionnement.
• La figure 10 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un dispositif de distribution selon le second mode de réalisation, en position de blocage.
• La figure 11 est une vue schématique en section du dispositif de la figure 10.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly in the following detailed description of two advantageous embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, and on which :

• The figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a fluid dispenser device according to a first embodiment, in the locking position.
• The figure 2 is a schematic side view of the device of the figure 1 , in blocking position.
• The figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the figure 2 .
• The figure 4 is a schematic view similar to that of the figure 2 , without blocking element.
• The figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of the device, before the assembly of the locking element on the actuating head.
• The figure 6 is a view similar to that of the figure 5 , showing the dispensing device, once the blocking element assembled in the blocking position, and before the first use.
• The Figures 7, 8 and 9 show, in horizontal section, the positioning of the locking element according to a second embodiment, on the dispensing device respectively before, during and after its insertion through the openings of the actuating head.
• The figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a dispensing device according to the second embodiment, in the locking position.
• The figure 11 is a schematic sectional view of the device of the figure 10 .

With reference to the figures, the dispensing device comprises a dispensing member 10 which, in the example shown in the figures, is a pump. The invention could apply of course to all types of dispensing members, including the valves. The pump can be assembled on a tank 1 by means of a fixing ring 30, which can be any, and in particular screwable, crimpable or snap-fit. This ring could be a specific insert or be formed in one piece with a part of the device. A pusher or actuating head 20 is movably mounted on the pump to actuate the latter. In the example shown in the figures, the actuating head is a nasal pusher which comprises an elongate portion 24 intended to penetrate into the nostril and a bearing zone 22 on which the user presses to actuate the device. It is understood that the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, in particular the type of pump or the type of pusher, is in no way limitative, and that the present invention may, on the contrary, be applied to all types of dispensing devices. fluid product.

According to the invention, the device comprises an actuating locking element 40 which is removably assembled on the device. In blocking position shown on the figures 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 and 9 , 10, 11 , the blocking element prevents the actuation of the pump, in particular by preventing the displacement of the actuating head 20 relative to the pump. In the withdrawn position, shown on figures 4 , 5 and 7 , actuation of the pump is possible. Preferably, the blocking element 40 in the blocking position is assembled on the actuating head 20, as shown in FIGS. figures 1 and 10 . The actuating head comprises at least one opening 21 through which the locking element 40 is adapted to cooperate with the fixing ring 30. The locking element could also cooperate with an element fixed or secured to said fixing ring. .

Advantageously, the locking element 40 also comprises means serving as a first-use indicator, to indicate whether the locking element 40 has already been removed from its locking position.

Advantageously, the locking element 40 is displaceable transversely to the longitudinal axis of the dispensing member 10. At least one gripping means 43 of the locking element allows the user to easily place or remove the locking element on the actuating head.

The locking element 40 according to the first embodiment, comprises an open ring 45 elastically deformable to be assembled around the head 20. The figure 5 shows the open ring 45 before its mounting on the head 20. The open ring 45 comprises in this example two locking projections 41, and each end edge 44 of the ring may be provided with a breakable element 42 serving as a control of first use. The two projections and the two breakable elements project towards the inside of the open ring 45.

After its assembly on the head, that is to say in the locking position and before the first use of the dispensing device, the ring 45 extends at least partially around the actuating head 20, as shown schematically on the figure 6 . In the example shown, the actuating head has on its lateral wall four openings 21, two of which receive said projections of blocking 41 in the locking position and the other two receive said breakable elements 42 in the locked position, before the first use. It is understood that the invention is not limited by the example shown in the drawings and it is possible to envisage a different number of locking projections and / or breakable elements as well as corresponding openings of the actuating head.

As shown by figures 3 and 6 , the blocking element, in the locked position, cooperates via its blocking projections 41, both with an upper surface or a flange 31 of the fixing ring 30 (or an integral element thereof). ) and the openings 21 of the actuating head 20, to prevent axial movement of the head 20 relative to the ring 30. In fact, the locking projections 41 extend from the ring of the open ring 45, through the openings 21 of the head, on the flange 31 of the fixing ring 30, perpendicular to the axis of sliding between the head 20 and the fixing ring 30.

During the first use, that is to say when the locking element 40 is removed for the first time from its locking position, the two breakable elements 42, located at each end edge 44 of the ring, are adapted to break or deform. As shown on Figures 5 and 6 these breakable elements can be formed by two tongues 42. These cooperate with the edge of the openings 21 of the head, so as to be separated, in this example, from the locking element, under the effect of the disengagement of the locking element 40 by the user. The presence of intact tabs 42 thus guarantees the user that the locking element has never been moved out of its locking position. Thus it is certain that the device has never been activated.

After the first use, the open ring 45 can be replaced in the locked position. It is sufficient for the user to snap the open ring around the actuating head 20. The snapping can be facilitated by the shape of the edges of the two ends 44. As shown in FIG. figure 5 the two end edges 44, brought into contact with the actuating head 20, are substantially tangent with respect to the circular wall of the head, to allow sliding engagement, easier, of the ends of the ring around the head until snapping. The shape of the edges of the ends of the ring also has the advantage of not damaging the actuating head during successive snaps and disengages. Once snapped, the open ring thus extends again at least partially around the actuating head, each locking projection 41 cooperating with the fixing ring or an element secured thereto, through one of the openings 21. of the actuating head, to prevent actuation of the pump.

Advantageously, the locking element is made of plastic material both resistant to allow the locking element to be reusable, and deformable to allow snapping and disengagement of the locking element. Other materials are also possible.

Advantageously, the four openings 21 of the actuating head shown in the figures, are distributed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the dispensing member, in this case the pump in the example shown. The two locking projections 41 and the two tabs 42 adapted to cooperate with the four openings of the actuating head are advantageously also positioned symmetrically on the ring open relative to the center of the ring. The locking element 40 according to the invention can thus be engaged on the actuating head by any side. This embodiment allows simple and fast assembly because it does not require to orient each actuating head, when mounting the locking element on the head. Similarly, for the user, the replacement of the locking element can be done very easily after each use. Simply snap the ring, if necessary, by rotating it slightly around the head, until each projection blocking can be inserted into any of the openings of the actuating head.

According to a second embodiment, the locking element comprises two substantially parallel branches 41 ', which constitute two locking projections. The locking element has a U shape, as visible on the Figures 7 to 9 . The transverse wall 46 'which connects the two parallel branches 41' of the locking element may protrude on either side of the base of the branches, to form the gripping means 43 '. The free ends of the branches 44 'each comprise a breakable element 42' formed by a tongue in the example shown. As in the first embodiment, the actuating head 20 has four openings 21, which can be arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the head. Each branch 41 ', when assembled in the blocking position, penetrates inside the head 20 by a first opening 21, passes through the space between the dispensing member 10 and the inner wall of the head, and spring out of the head by a second opening 21. In the locking position, each branch thus cooperates both with two openings of the actuating head and the edge 31 of the fixing ring 30 or an integral element of this one, perpendicular to the axis of actuation. Before the first use, each breakable element cooperates with the edge of an opening. When the locking element is removed for the first time, the tabs 42 'are retained outside the actuating head by the edge of said respective second openings 21 against which they break. In this embodiment, the breakable element 42 'is on the outside of the head, and has the advantage of constituting a directly visible first-use control. In subsequent uses, the U-shaped locking element can be easily engaged by two openings of the head, by sliding the branches on the flange 31 of the fixing ring 30. Alternatively, after the first use, and therefore in the absence of the control means of first use, the locking element may not come out of the head by the second openings.

Advantageously, the locking element is held in the locking position by retaining means to prevent the locking element from disengaging very easily from the actuating head. These retaining means may be elastically deformable. They may consist, as in the case of the first embodiment, in an open ring 45 cooperating with the outer peripheral surface of the actuating head 20. These retaining means may also comprise, as shown in FIG. figure 9 at least one retaining projection 45 'located on a locking projection 41'. The figure 9 shows two retaining projections 45 'forming two symmetrical shoulders on the two respective locking projections 41 '. Each retaining projection cooperates with the inner wall of the actuating head 20 by creating a kind of latching and prevents the exit of the locking element from the actuating head. To remove the locking member, the user must exert a threshold pull force which overcomes said retaining projections. The locking element, thanks to these retaining means, remains in the locking position, which allows the dispensing device to be transported safely, without the risk of being actuated inadvertently.

Advantageously, the blocking element of the present invention, whatever the embodiments, applies to all existing fluid dispensing devices, without any other modification of the device than the creation of holes in the actuating head. .

The present invention has been described with reference to two advantageous embodiments thereof, but it is understood that it is not limited by the examples shown in the drawings. Modifications are conceivable for those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (13)

1. A fluid dispenser device comprising:

   a fluid dispenser member (10) such as a manually-actuated pump or valve, said fluid dispenser member being fastened by a fastener ring (30) on a reservoir (1);

   · an actuator head (20) that is mounted on said dispenser member, and that is movable on a longitudinal axis so as to actuate said dispenser member; and

   · a removable blocking element (40) that, in its blocking position, prevents the dispenser member from being actuated;

   said blocking element being assembled to the actuator head and co-operating with the fastener ring, or with an element that is secured thereto, through at least one opening (21) that is provided in the actuator head, characterized in that said blocking element (40) is movable in translation, transversally relative to the longitudinal axis of the dispenser member (10).
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the blocking element (40) includes at least one blocking projection (41) passing through said at least one opening (21).
3. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said blocking element (40) includes at least one breakable element (42) that is adapted to break when the blocking element is removed for the first time from its blocking position.
4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said at least one breakable element (42) is formed by a tab that cooperates with at least one edge of said at least one opening (21).
5. A device according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said head (20) includes at least two openings (21) of which at least one receives a blocking projection (41) and at least one receives a breakable element (42).
6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the blocked position, the blocking element (40) extends around said head (20), at least in part.
7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the blocking element comprises an open ring (45) that includes two blocking projections (41) of which each end edge (44) is provided with a breakable element (42), said head including four openings (21) of which two receive said blocking projections (41) in the blocked position, and two receive said breakable elements (42) in the blocked position before first use.
8. A device according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the blocking element includes two substantially parallel branches (41'), said branches forming two blocking projections, and each of the free ends of said branches including a breakable element (42'), said head including four openings (21), each branch, in the blocked position, penetrating inside the head (20) via a first opening (21) and exiting the head via a second opening (21), each breakable element (42') co-operating with said second opening (21) in the blocked position before first use.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the blocking element is held in its blocking position by retaining means (45, 45'), said retaining means being elastically deformable.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said retaining means are formed by said open ring (45) co-operating with the peripheral surface of the head (20).
11. A device according to claim 9, wherein said retaining means are formed by at least one retaining projection (45') co-operating with at least one opening (21) of the head.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein, in the blocked position, the blocking element (40) cooperates with the top surface (31) of the fastener ring (30) or with an element that is secured to said ring.
13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said blocking element includes at least one grip means (43, 43').

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