EP2095883B1 - Product distribution assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has a cap (7) mounted in a casing body (1) in translation with respect to a distribution system (2) that is being disposed around the cap between a deployed storing position of the system and a retracted utilization position of the system. The cap is mounted in the body by an elastic restraining device of the cap in the deployed position and by a reversible blocking device of the cap in the retracted position. The blocking device is activated by a manual support on the cap in the retracted position and deactivated by the manual support on the cap in the deployed position.

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing assembly of a product including cosmetic, hygienic or pharmaceutical, comprising a dressing body and a dispensing system which is mounted in said body.

In particular, the dispensing system may comprise a bottle equipped with a manual pump or a valve for dispensing a fluid product by actuating a push button, in particular for the vaporization of a perfume.

Alternatively, the dispensing system allows the application of a product such as a lipstick or a care product for the lips, said system then comprising a grape to be applied by friction or a device for applying the product under pasty liquid form (lip gloss in English).

To allow dispensing of the product, there are known sets in which the dispensing system is movable in the body between a storage position in which said system is retracted into the body and a position of use in which said system is salient of said body. . In particular, for the application of a lipstick grape or the use of a vaporizer, the movement can be actuated in rotation by means of a rotating ring mounted under the dressing body.

Document is also known FR-2,871,712 , the mounting of a distribution system in the body by means of a movable member in translation, said crew being provided with reversible locking means in the storage and use positions mentioned above.

In addition, document is known EP-1 741 364 a set of case, rotating or not, containing a lipstick and a closure cap associated with said case by means of complementary fixing and release means.

However, the displacement of the distribution system, in particular by its size and weight, complicates the realization of the distribution assembly. In addition, it does not always give satisfaction in terms of sensations perceived by the user during actuation.

Moreover, the use of the distribution system, in particular by friction or by pressing a push button, induces axial forces which are then transmitted to the locking means via the moving element. It can therefore result in a problem of reliability of these locking means.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a dispensing assembly in which the storage and use positions are obtained independently of a possible displacement of the dispensing system, and this by a gesture of linear actuation of particularly simple and reliable design.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a product dispensing assembly according to claim 1.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des représentations en coupe longitudinale d'un ensemble de distribution selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement en position déployée de rangement du système de distribution (figure 1) et en position rétractée d'utilisation dudit système (figure 2) ;
• la figure 3 est une vue éclatée montrant les composants d'un ensemble de distribution selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, dans laquelle le système de distribution et le corps ne sont pas représentés ;
• la figure 4 est un schéma montrant le principe de fonctionnement du dispositif de compensation d'usure du système de distribution qui est utilisé dans le mode de réalisation de la figure 3, respectivement en position déployée (a), en position rétractée suivante (b) et en position déployée suivante (c) ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des représentations en coupe longitudinale de l'ensemble de distribution selon la figure 3, respectivement en position déployée de rangement du système de distribution (figure 5) et en position rétractée d'utilisation dudit système (figure 6) ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation partielle analogue à la figure 5, montrant une variante de réalisation ;
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des représentations partielles en coupe longitudinale dans le plan perpendiculaire au plan de coupe des figures 5 et 6, montrant le dispositif de blocage réversible respectivement dans les positions déployée et rétractée ;
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne X-X de la figure 6.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional representations of a dispensing assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in the extended storage position of the dispensing system ( figure 1 ) and in the retracted position of use of said system ( figure 2 );
• the figure 3 is an exploded view showing the components of a dispensing assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the dispensing system and the body are not represented;
• the figure 4 is a diagram showing the operating principle of the distribution system wear compensation device which is used in the embodiment of the figure 3 respectively in the deployed position (a), in the retracted position (b) and in the extended position (c);
• the figures 5 and 6 are longitudinal sectional representations of the distribution assembly according to the figure 3 respectively in the extended storage position of the dispensing system ( figure 5 ) and in the retracted position of use of said system ( figure 6 );
• the figure 7 is a partial representation analogous to the figure 5 , showing an alternative embodiment;
• the figures 8 and 9 are partial representations in longitudinal section in the plane perpendicular to the section plane of the figures 5 and 6 , showing the reversible locking device respectively in the deployed and retracted positions;
• the figure 10 is a sectional view along line XX of the figure 6 .

In relation to the figures, two embodiments of a dispensing assembly of a product, in particular a cosmetic, hygienic or pharmaceutical product, comprising a casing body 1 and a dispensing system 2 which is mounted in the said casing, are described below. body.

In particular, the distribution system 2 is autonomous, the mounting of said system in the casing body 1 allowing the use and storage between two uses of a system 2, including a standard system 2. To do this, the body 1 can be made of rigid material, in particular plastic or metal, to present an advantageous aesthetic and to allow the mechanical protection of the distribution system 2.

The body 1 has a tubular geometry, for example of circular section, oval or parallelepiped, being provided with an upper opening. The distribution system 2 is mounted along the longitudinal axis of said body to allow its use through said opening. Furthermore, a protective cover (not shown) can be mounted on the body 1 to cover the opening and therefore the distribution system 2 between two uses.

According to the first embodiment ( Figures 1 and 2 ), the dispensing system 2 comprises a bottle 3 containing the fluid to be dispensed, said bottle being equipped with a manual pump or a valve which is actuated by axial support on a push button 4 positioned opposite the opening . In particular, this embodiment allows the distribution of a perfume.

According to the second embodiment ( Figures 3 to 10 ), the dispensing system comprises a grape 2 of lipstick or a care product for the lips, said grape being positioned opposite the opening to allow the application by friction on the lips. In this embodiment, the grape 2 may allow the application of a product to another area of a person, particularly on the skin, or another type of product, especially for cosmetic or therapeutic use, or the application of the product on an object.

In these embodiments, the assembly comprises a support 5 which is integral with the body 1, said support being provided with an upper bucket 6 for receiving the dispensing system 2. In particular, at least a part of the dispensing system 2 , namely the bottle 3 or the lower part of the grape 2 in the figures, is fixed in the cup 6. In addition, the support 5 is disposed in the body 1 so that the dispensing system 2 is in the use position , which allows in particular to avoid the movement of said system between its storage positions and use.

The dispensing assembly comprises a cap 7 which is mounted in the body 1 in translation relative to the dispensing system 2. The cap 7 can be made of rigid material, in particular plastic or metal, to have a tubular geometry inscribed in FIG. the geometry of the body 1 to allow translation without radial play of said cap in said body. The hairdo 7 is provided with an upper opening which is coaxial with the opening of the body 1 to allow the use of the dispensing system 2 through said openings.

Furthermore, the cap 7 is disposed around the dispensing system 2 between an extended storage position of said system and a retracted position of use of said system. In particular, in the deployed position ( figures 1 and 5 ), the upper edge of the cap 7 radially surrounds the push button 4 or the grape 2 so as to prevent their use, while protecting them mechanically. In addition, in the retracted position ( figures 2 and 6 ), the upper edge of the cap 7 is disposed axially under the push button 4 or the grape 2 so as to allow their use. In the case of a grape 2, the linear displacement gesture also makes it possible to envisage a grape 2 with a non-circular section, in particular with an oval or polygonal section.

To allow the arrangement of the cap 7 in its two positions alternately and stably, it is mounted in the body 1 by means of an elastic stress device of the cap 7 in the deployed position and a device reversible blocking of the cap 7 in the retracted position. In addition, the locking device is activatable by manual support on the cap 7 to arrange it in the retracted and deactivated position by manual support on the cap 7 in the retracted position.

In the figures, the manual support is made on the upper edge of the cap 7. To do this, the cap 7 in the extended position is projecting from the body 1 and the distribution system 2 is mounted protruding into the body 1 so as to allow its use in the retracted position without interference with the upper edge of the body 1.

In a variant represented on the figure 7 , the upper edge of the cap 7 comprises a lug 8 projecting radially to facilitate manual support, while limiting the possibilities of interference between the finger and the dispensing system 2 during movement of said cap. By the way, in this figure, the body 1 comprises an axial lumen 9 in which the lug 8 can move during movements of the cap 7.

In one embodiment, the reversible locking device comprises a finger 10 engaged in a cam 11 in the form of a heart. In the embodiments shown, the finger 10 is integral with the body 1 and the cam 11 is integral with the cap 7, however the reverse configuration may be considered.

• deux pistes 12, 13 disposées symétriquement par rapport à l'axe de translation, de sorte à permettre la montée et la descente du doigt 10 dans respectivement l'une d'elles ;
• une zone inférieure 14 de jonction des pistes 12, 13 ; et
• une zone supérieure 15 de jonction des pistes, dans la partie centrale de laquelle le doigt 10 peut être disposé de façon stable, ladite partie centrale étant entourée de part et d'autre par deux pans 15a, 15b inclinés vers le haut.

In the figures, the heart-shaped cam 11 comprises a continuous path of movement of the finger 10 which has:

• two tracks 12, 13 arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis of translation, so as to allow the raising and lowering of the finger 10 in respectively one of them;
• a lower zone 14 joining the tracks 12, 13; and
• an upper zone 15 junction tracks in the central portion of which the finger 10 can be stably disposed, said central portion being surrounded on both sides by two sides 15a, 15b inclined upwards.

The operation of this locking device is as follows. In deployed position ( Figures 1 and 8 ), the elastic constraint device has the finger 10 stably in the lower zone 14 junction. A support on the cap 7 induces a displacement of the finger 10 in a track 12 and, via the part 15a in communication, the elastic constraint device disposes the finger 10 stably in the central part of the upper zone 15 of junction. The cap 7 is then locked in the retracted position ( figures 2 and 9 ). Then, by pressing on the cap 7 in the retracted position, the finger 10 is unlocked by traversing the other part 15b to be arranged in the other track 13 and, by loosening of the cap 7, the elastic stress device puts the finger back 10 in the initial position.

In the figures, the assembly comprises a socket 16 secured to the lower part of the body 1, said sleeve being provided with two upper fingers 10 diametrically opposed. More specifically, the sleeve 16 comprises a base 16a snapped into the lower opening of the body 1 so as to form the bottom of said body. On either side of the axis of translation, two arms 17 extend axially from the base 16a, each free end of said arms being provided with a finger 10 extending radially inwards. In addition, the fingers 10 are respectively engaged in a corresponding cam 11, which in particular improves the stability of the cap 7, as well as the operation of the locking device.

In relation to Figures 1 and 2 , the following is described more specifically below the first embodiment in which the bucket 6 is secured to the support 5. To do this, the support 5 comprises an upper sleeve forming bucket 6 and, extending under the bottom of said bucket, a lower chamber 18. In addition, the bucket 6 may be equipped with flexible tabs which are arranged to ensure the fixing of the bottle 3, possibly reversibly to allow the replacement of said bottle.

The resilient biasing device comprises a spring 19 whose ends are respectively supported in a fold of the upper edge of the cap 7 and on a radially projecting bearing surface of the cup 6.

The core cams 11 are formed on the outer flat periphery of a lower sleeve 20, in particular of square section. The sleeve 20 is housed in the lower chamber 18 being integral in displacement of the cap 7. To do this, the outer wall of the lower sleeve 20 comprises two diametrically opposed pins 21. The pins 21 are disposed respectively in an axial slot 22 formed in the wall of the chamber 18, said pins being secured by snapping on the lower part of the cap 7.

In relation to Figures 3 to 10 , hereinafter more specifically described the second embodiment in which the bucket 6 is mounted on the support 5 via a wear compensation device of the dispensing system 2. As shown, this embodiment more about particularly the application of a grape 2 which, because of friction, tends to wear out. Indeed, it then results in a displacement of the grape application zone 2 relative to the body 1, which the compensation device aims to plateau.

To do this, the compensation device and the cap 7 are arranged to cooperate so that the translation of the cap 7 between its positions induces a unidirectional axial displacement of the bucket 6 on a wear compensation step.

The wear compensation device comprises a threaded rod 23 which is integral with the bottom of the upper cup 6, the support 5 having a guide slot 24 in which said rod is engaged by means of a nut 25 which is rotatably mounted. on said support. Moreover, the rod 23 is equipped with a limit stop 26.

More specifically, the support 5 comprises a lower portion 27 of snap on the base 16a which is provided with a pin 28 for this purpose. The upper portion 29 of the support comprises a latching zone of the nut 25, the slot 24 and the bore of said nut being arranged coaxially. Moreover, to prevent rotation of the bucket 6 by the nut 25, the rod 23 has two plates 29 which engage in the slot 24 oblong.

The cap 7 comprises an upper sleeve 30 (shown in partial section on the figure 3 ) in which the bucket 6 is disposed, and a lower sleeve 31 on the planar outer wall of which the cams 11 are formed, said sleeves being separated by a radial bearing surface 32. The ends of the spring 19 of resilient stress are respectively supported on said carried and on the base 16a of the socket 16.

Furthermore, the nut 25 is disposed in the upper sleeve 30 which comprises means for cooperating with the nut 25 to induce the rotation of said nut. by translation of the cap 7, said rotation of the nut 25 inducing the rise of the rod 23 due to the cooperation of its thread with said nut.

In the second embodiment shown, the cooperation means comprise lugs 33 formed on the periphery of the nut 25 and keys 34 formed on the inner periphery of the upper sleeve 30, the translational engagement of a key 34 on a lug 33 inducing a rotational force on the nut 25. More specifically, the lugs 33 are angularly spaced around the periphery of the nut 25 with fixed gap E, and two respectively upper and lower keys 34a 34b are formed with a angular spacing given. Furthermore, the periphery of the lugs 33 has a diamond geometry, and the lower and upper edges of the upper 34a and lower 34b respectively are bevelled.

In relation to the figure 4 , the cooperation of these means is described below on a cycle of movement of the cap 7 in the deployed position (a), retracted (b) and deployed (c). In the deployed position, the lower key 34b is engaged in a space formed between two lugs 33. When passing into the retracted position, the lower key 34b disengages and the upper key 34a engages in another space which, in the figures , is adjacent to the first. The bevel of the lower edge of the upper key 34a bears on the upper slope of the lug 33, so as to induce a rotation of the nut on a race R1. Then, during the passage in the deployed position, the lower key 34b also induces a rotation of the nut on a race R1 by cooperation of its beveled upper edge with the lower slope of the lug 33. Therefore, the compensation step d wear at each cycle is a function of the thread pitch of the nut 25 and the spacing E between the pins 33.

Claims (11)

1. Assembly for dispensing a product, comprising a cladding body (1) and a system (2) for dispensing said product that is mounted in said body, said assembly also comprising a cap (7) that is mounted in said body in translation with respect to said system so as to be arranged around it between a deployed position of storage of said system and a retracted position of use of said system, said cap being mounted in said body by means of a device for the elastic stressing of the cap (7) in the deployed position and a device for reversible locking of the cap (7) in the retracted position, said locking device being activatible by manually pressing on the cap (7) in order to arrange it in the retracted position and deactivatable by manual pressing on the cap (7) in the retracted position, said assembly being characterised in that the cap (7) in the deployed position projects from the body (1) so as to allow manual pressing on said cap, the dispensing system (2) being mounted so as to project in the body (1) so as to enable it to be used in the retracted position.
2. Dispensing assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic stressing device comprises a spring (19) the ends of which are respectively in abutment on the cap (7) and on a surface integral with the body (1).
3. Dispensing assembly according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the reversible locking device comprises a finger (10) engaged in a heart-shaped cam (11).
4. Dispensing assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the finger (10) is secured to the body (1), the cam (11) being secured to the cap (7).
5. Dispensing assembly according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a socket (16) provided with two diametrically opposed upper fingers (10), the corresponding two cams (11) being formed on the external surface of a lower sleeve (20, 31) that is integral with the cap (7) so as to move with it.
6. Dispensing assembly according to claim 5, characterised in that the lower sleeve (20) comprises guide spikes (21), said spikes being secured to the lower part of the cap (7).
7. Dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it comprises a support (5) secured to the body (1), said support being provided with a top cup (6) for receiving the dispensing system (2).
8. Dispensing assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the cup (6) is secured to the support (5).
9. Dispensing assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the cup (6) is mounted on the support (5) by means of a wear compensation device for the dispensing system (2), said device and the cap (7) being arranged so as to cooperate so that the translation of the cap (7) between the positions thereof causes a unidirectional axial movement of the cup (6) over a wear compensation step.
10. Dispensing assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that the wear compensation device comprises a threaded rod (23) that is secured to the bottom of the top cup (6), the support (5) having a guidance aperture (24) in which said rod is engaged by means of a nut (25) that is rotatably mounted on said support, said nut being arranged in a sleeve (30) in the cap (7) that comprises means of cooperation with the nut (25) in order to cause rotation of said nut by translation of the cap (7).
11. Dispensing assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the cooperation means comprise lugs (33) formed on the periphery of the nut (25) and keys (34) formed on the internal periphery of the sleeve (30), the translational engagement of a key (34) on a lug (33) causing a rotation force on the nut (25).

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