EP2135680B1 - fluid dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a fixation unit (4) for fixing a dispensing unit (5') e.g. pump, on a fluid product reservoir. A protective cover (2) is removably mounted on the fixation unit, and covers a dispensing unit actuator (3) to stop actuation of the actuator. Primary usage security unit (1) blocks the cover on the fixation unit, and has a fixed ring (11) definitively mounted on the fixation unit and a removable strip (12) engaged with the cover. The strip is connected to the ring through a rupture zone (13) such that the strip is separable from the ring at a level of the zone for releasing the cover.

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device intended to be associated with a reservoir to constitute a fluid dispenser, the device comprising a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve, a fastener for fixing the dispenser member on the reservoir, a pusher for actuating the dispensing member, and a protective cover removably mounted on the fastener and covering the pusher so as to prevent its actuation. This is a quite conventional design for a fluid dispenser in the fields of cosmetics, food products, household products, care products, etc.

To assure the buyer that the dispenser has never been used before, it is already known to block the pusher to prevent its actuation. The blocking of the pusher can be achieved using various techniques, such as for example an enveloping heat-shrinkable film, or a strip to tear off the pusher. However, these systems involve either a more complex implementation, so expensive, or to overcome the utility of the hood which remains a means for the consumer to protect his distributor after use.

In the prior art, the documents are known US3690519 and FR2565940 which describe a hood mounted on an intermediate piece fixed on a fastener, which is a cup crimped on an aerosol can. The cover is initially blocked on this intermediate piece by a tear-off strip connected to the intermediate piece and engaged with the cover. We also know the document EP1 754 542 (see in particular the embodiment corresponding to FIG. 42) which describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1, and wherein the tear-off strip is connected to the cover. This design requires the hood to be made and the tape stripped with the same material. On the other hand, this leaves on the cover strip remnants particularly unsightly.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by defining a new type of warranty for the buyer.

To achieve this object, the present invention proposes that the dispensing device comprises first-use security means blocking the cover on the fastener, while being distinct from it. By fixing member is meant any constituent element or part of the dispensing device which is integral and static with respect to the reservoir. In general, the fastener is a single piece, but it can also be made in several pieces. Advantageously, the security means comprise a first fixed part permanently mounted on the fastener and a second removable part engaged with the cover, the second part being connected to the first fixed part by a rupture zone so that the second part is separable from the first part at the rupture zone to release the cover Advantageously, the first fixed part comprises a ring permanently engaged with the fastener. Preferably, the ring and the fastener comprise definitive latching means. According to a practical embodiment, the fixing member comprises a first peripheral shoulder forming a first annular radial step connected on the one hand to a ring which extends from the inside of the step, and on the other hand to a sleeve that extends from the outside of the step, the ring extending around the ring resting on the step and in outer alignment with the sleeve, so that the ring is perfectly integrated with the member fixation. Preferably, the ring forms at least one definitive latching profile cooperating with a corresponding formation of the crown.

On the other hand, the second removable portion may comprise a band that can be torn from the fixed ring along the rupture zone, the strip extending at least partially around the cover. Advantageously, the cover comprises a lower reinforcement which protrudes outwards, the band extending around and on this reinforcement to block the cover in the strip. Advantageously, the reinforcement forms an annular lower edge of the cover. According to a practical embodiment, the fixing member comprises a second peripheral shoulder forming a second annular radial step connected on the one hand to a sleeve extending from the inside of the step and on the other hand to a ring which extends from the outside of the step, the cover being engaged around the sleeve and resting on the step, the sleeve and the cover comprising removable fixing means, advantageously by snapping. Advantageously, the fixed ring comprises an upper wall in alignment with the second step. Advantageously, the rupture zone is located at the hood, just above the second step. Advantageously, the bonnet reinforcement is aligned with the ring.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the security means are reported on the fastener and on the cover already mounted on the fastener. In other words, the security means are not made or integrally molded with the dispensing member and / or the cover. It constitutes a separate element which is added to the distribution device. The safety means are very simply engaged axially around the bonnet (pre-mounted on the fastener) until the crown comes snap onto the fixing ring and the band engaged with the cover to lock it on the cover. fixing member. This is not possible with the means of document security US3690519 and FR2565940 .

The spirit of the invention is to prevent access to the pusher to prohibit any attempt to actuate. This is achieved by blocking the hood on the fastener. The removable portion is removed from the dispenser, but the fixed portion remains in place and can advantageously be integrated into the dispensing device to improve its aesthetic appearance. Since the security means is an insert, the fixed part may for example be made of a plastic material of color or texture different from that of the fastener.

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 en perspective d'un dispositif de distribution selon une forme de réalisation de la présente invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue du distributeur de la figure 1 à l'état monté,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale représentant les moyens de sécurité de premier usage de la présente invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 2 montrant l'opération de retrait de la partie amovible,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 2 avec la partie amovible retirée, la partie fixe restant en place sur le dispositif de distribution,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 1 utilisant une valve à la place d'une pompe, et
• la figure 7 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 2 pour une variante de réalisation des moyens de sécurité de premier usage.

In the figures:

• the figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
• the figure 2 is a view of the distributor of the figure 1 in the assembled state,
• the figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the first-use safety means of the present invention,
• the figure 4 is a view similar to the figure 2 showing the removal operation of the removable part,
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 2 with the removable part removed, the fixed part remaining in place on the dispensing device,
• the figure 6 is a view similar to that of the figure 1 using a valve instead of a pump, and
• the figure 7 is a view similar to that of the figure 2 for an alternative embodiment of the first-use security means.

The fluid dispenser device of the invention is intended to be associated or integrated with a fluid reservoir to form together a fluid dispenser. The dispensing device comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, five constituent elements, namely first-use safety means 1, a protective cover 2, an actuating pusher 3, a fixing member 4, and a fastener member. distribution 5, which can be a pump or a valve. These various constituent elements are fitted, snapped or more generally attached to each other to form the dispensing device.

We will first refer to Figures 1 to 5 to explain a general embodiment of the invention. In these figures, the dispensing member 5 comprises a body 51 defining an inlet 53 for the fluid product to be dispensed. The body 51 also forms a flange 54 which protrudes radially outwards. This flange 54 will serve to fix the dispensing member 5 in the fastener 4. The dispensing member 5 also comprises an actuating rod 52 which projects out of the body 51 upwards and which is axially displaceable. back and forth against a spring (not shown). The actuating rod 52 is hollow and internally defines an outlet duct for the fluid dispensed by the dispenser member. This is a very classic design for a pump.

The fastener 4 is here made in a single piece, but it can also be made in two, three or four separate parts reported on each other. The fixing member 4 internally comprises receiving means (not shown) for receiving the projecting flange 54 of the dispensing member 5. The flange 54 may for example be received by snapping into the receiving means of the actuator member. 4. On the other hand, the fastener 4 comprises a sleeve 41 intended to engage around the opening of the reservoir. The sleeve 41 may be internally provided with appropriate profiles allowing a fixed grip on the opening of the tank. For example, the sleeve 41 may comprise screw threads or else ratchet heads for cooperating respectively with a threaded neck or a neck with external reinforcement. The sleeve 41 here defines the maximum diameter of the fastener. The sleeve 41 may be perfectly cylindrical, or slightly frustoconical, as is the case in the figures. The sleeve 41 is connected at the top to a ring 43 forming a shoulder defining an annular radial step 42. The sleeve 41 extends downwardly from the outer periphery of the step 42, while the ring 43 extends upwardly from the inner periphery of the step 42. The width of the step 42 is of the order of 1 to 3 mm. The ring 43 is provided with one or more ratchet profile (s) 44, which are preferably definitive ratchet profiles. These ratchet profiles 44 may, for example, be in the form of several groups of ribs. vertices whose lower ends form a ratcheting edge. We can notice on the figure 1 that the lower ends of the ribs forming the profiles 44 are spaced from the step 42 by a small distance. On the other hand, the ring 43 is connected at the top to a sleeve 46 forming a second peripheral shoulder defining a second annular radial step 45. More specifically, the ring 43 extends downwardly on the outer periphery of the step 45 while the bushing 46 extends upwardly on the inner periphery of the step 45. The width of the step 45 may be similar to that of the step 42. Near the step 45, the sleeve 46 forms a projecting bead 47.

Once the dispensing member 5 is mounted in the fixing member 4, the sleeve 41, the ring 43 and the sleeve 46 surround and mask the major part of the dispensing member 5.

The pusher 3 comprises a bearing surface 31 on which the user can press with one or more finger (s). The pusher 3 also includes a dispensing orifice 32, which extends here laterally. The pusher 3 also comprises an axial connection duct (not shown) intended to be mounted on the actuating rod 52 of the dispensing member 5. The pusher 3, by pressing on its surface 31, can thus be displaced axially in back and forth and thereby move the actuating rod 52. In response to the depression of the pusher 3, the fluid, in metered form or not, is dispensed through the dispensing orifice 32. The pusher 3 is engaged inside the sleeve 46 without excessive friction.

The assembly consisting of the dispensing member 5, the fixing member 4 and the pusher 3 can be mounted on an opening of a reservoir to form a fluid dispenser.

According to the invention, the dispensing device further comprises a protective cover 2 which caps or covers the pusher 3 and prevent its accidental or voluntary operation. The protective cover 2 comprises an upper wall 21 intended to be positioned above the bearing surface 31. The cover 2 also comprises a side wall 22 which is here substantially cylindrical or frustoconical. This side wall 22 comprises a free end formed by a lower reinforcement 23 which protrudes outwards. This reinforcement 23 thus forms the lower end edge of the cover 2 and also a flange 24 at the level where the reinforcement 23 is connected to the wall 22. In other words, the reinforcement 23 has an outer diameter greater than that of the remaining of the side wall 22. This is visible on the figure 1 , and in an enlarged way on the figure 3 . The cover 2 also forms internally at the reinforcement 23 an annular groove 25 which is intended to cooperate with the bead 47 of the bushing 46. More specifically, the bead 47 can be housed by detachable clipping inside the groove 25. This makes it possible to hold the bonnet 2 firmly on the fastening member 4 but removable. The user will know that the cover is properly placed on the dispensing member 4 when he hears the small click signifying that the groove 25 has been housed around the cord 47.

The first-use safety means 1 constitute a separate piece which is attached to the dispensing device, as can be seen on the figure 1 . Indeed, the security means 1 are formed neither by the fastening member 4 nor by the cover 2. On the contrary, the security means 1 comprise own means for mounting them on the fastener 4 and the bonnet 2, advantageously a definitive mounting on the fixing member 4 and a removable mounting on the protective cover 2.

According to a practical embodiment, the security means 1 comprise a first fixed part in the form of a ring 11 and a second removable part in the form of a strip 12. The ring 11 is connected to the strip 12 by a breaking zone 13 having a lower resistance to tearing or tearing. In other words, the band 12 is separable from the ring 11 at the rupture zone 13 by destroying it. The rupture zone 13 may for example be in the form of a zone of lesser thickness of material or in the form of bridges of breakable material. The ring 11 may be continuous over its entire periphery, while the band 12 may be interrupted at a point. This means that the strip 12 comprises two non-contiguous ends, one of which may be formed with a gripping tab 121.

We will now refer more particularly to the figure 3 to describe in which way the security means 1 cooperate with the fixing member 4 and the protective cover 2. The ring 11 is engaged around the ring 43 which forms the definitive snap-fastening profiles 44. To allow this definitive snap-fastening , the ring 11 internally comprises a complementary formation which may be in the form of a housing 112 defining a flange 111. The snap profile 44 of the ring 43 is housed in the housing 112 with the flange 111 which is positioned below the profile 44. It can also be said that the flange 111 is housed between the profile 44 and the step 42. It may also be noted that the ring 11 form a lower edge 110 which comes into contact with the step 42. Externally, the ring 11 is aligned with the outer surface of the sleeve 41. At its upper end 113, the ring 11 is aligned with the step 45. Therefore, the crown 11 is perfectly integrated with the fixing member 4 by completing the shoulder formed by the step 42. The fixing of the ring 11 is final because of the nature and orientation of the profiles 44 and the complementary formation of the 11. In addition, the definitive ratchet is not visible at all. On the other hand, the strip 12 is disposed at the level of the reinforcement 23 and the rim 24 of the cap 2. The band 12 comprises a portion 121 situated at the level of the reinforcement 23 and an internal flap 122 which is positioned on the rim 24. The band 12 therefore surrounds the reinforcement 23 from outside and from above.

The strip 12 is connected to the ring 11 by the rupture zone 13 which is disposed at the reinforcement 23 just above the step 45. The rupture zone 13 connects to the upper end 113 of the ring 11.

The final fixing of the ring 11 on the fixing member 4 and the attachment of the strip 12 on the cover 2 prevents the removal of the cover until the breaking zone 13 is not destroyed. The ring 11 is here maintained by definitive latching on the fastener 4, but other techniques can be envisaged to achieve this final fixation, such as for example spearing, gluing or welding.

It is also conceivable to extend the ring 11 upwards to the level of the reinforcement 23 or even the rim 24. In this case, the strip extends only on the rim 24.

When the buyer wants to use the dispenser, he must first remove the band 12 by grasping it by its gripping tab 121. This is represented on the figure 4 . By pulling on the tongue, the band 12 is detached from the ring 11 along the rupture zone 13. The band 12 can thus be entirely removed from the ring 11, which is represented on the figure 5 . The protective cover 2 can then be removed. We remark perfectly on the figure 5 that the ring 11 is fully integrated with the dispensing device. It is felt that the cover 2 rests on the upper end 113 of the ring 111. It is also felt that the ring 111 is an integral part of the sleeve 41. Because the ring 11 is attached to the body 4, it may be made of a different material from that of the fastener 4. The crown 11 may in particular have a different color or texture. This can contribute to the appealing aesthetic appearance of the dispenser.

With reference to the figure 6 , we have an exploded view of a distribution device that differs from that of Figures 1 to 5 only by the fact that the dispensing member 5 'is a valve, and not a pump. The valve also comprises a body 51, a valve stem 52, an inlet 53 and a flange 54 which serves for the stable and watertight attachment in the fastener 4.

On the figure 7 we see an alternative embodiment of the first-named security means designated 1 '. It differs from those of Figures 1 to 6 in that the strip or removable portion 12 'at least partially envelops the cover 2 through the top. The band 12 'comprises an annular belt 122 connected to the ring 11 by bridges of breakable material 13, two straps 123 which extend from the belt 122 to the upper wall of the cover 2, a blade 124 which extends so diametrically opposed to the straps and which connects to the straps on the cover 2 by bridges of breakable material, the blade 124 ends with a gripping tongue 121 'which is positioned between the two straps 123. To remove the strip 12' of the crown 11 and thus release the hood, the user grasps the tongue 121 'and pulls it to break the different bridges of material. Once the strip 12 'is completely removed, only the crown 11 remains on the dispensing device, as shown in FIG. figure 5 . The hood can then be removed.

Claims (13)

1. A device for dispensing a fluid product intended to be associated with a reservoir in order to form a fluid product dispenser, the device comprising:

   - a dispensing unit (5) such as a pump or a valve,

   - an attachment unit (4) for attaching the dispensing unit (5) on the reservoir,

   - a push button (3) for actuating the dispensing unit (5), and

   - a protective cap (2) removably mounted on the attachment unit (4) and covering the push button (3) so as to prevent its actuation,
   first use safety means (1) blocking the cap (2) on the attachment unit (4),
   characterized in that the safety means (1) comprise a first fixed portion (11) definitively mounted on the attachment unit (4) and a second removable portion (12) engaged with the cap (2), the second portion (12) being connected to the first fixed portion (11) through a breaking area (13) so that the second portion (12) is separable from the first portion (11) at the breaking area (13) in order to thereby release the cap (2).
2. The dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the first fixed portion comprises a crown (11) definitively engaged with the attachment unit (4).
3. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the crown (11) and the attachment unit (4) comprise definitive snap-on fastening means (111, 44).
4. The dispensing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the attachment unit (4) comprises a first peripheral shoulder forming a first annular radial step (42) connected to a ring (43) which extends from the inside of the step on the one hand, and to a sleeve (41) which extends from the outside of the step on the other hand, the crown (11) extending around the ring (43) resting on the step (42) and in exterior alignment with the sleeve (41), so that the crown (11) is perfectly integrated to the attachment unit (4).
5. The dispensing device according to claim 4, wherein the ring (43) forms at least one definitive snap-on fastening profile (44) cooperating with a corresponding formation (111, 112) of the crown (11).
6. The dispensing device according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the second removable portion comprises a strip (12) which may be torn off from the fixed crown (11) along the breaking area (13), the strip (12) extending at least partly around the cap (2).
7. The dispensing device according to claim 6, wherein the cap (2) comprises a lower reinforcement (23) which protrudes outwards, the strip (12) extending around and over this reinforcement (23) in order to block the cap (2) in the strip (12).
8. The dispensing device according to claim 7, wherein the reinforcement (23) forms an annular lower edge of the cap (2).
9. The dispensing device according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the attachment unit (4) comprises a second peripheral shoulder forming a second annular radial step (45) connected to a bushing (46) which extends from the inside of the step on the one hand and to a ring (43) which extends from the outside of the step on the other hand, the cap (2) being engaged around the bushing (46) and resting on the step (45), the bushing (46) and the cap (2) comprising removable attachment means (47, 25), advantageously snap-on fastening means.
10. The dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the fixed crown (11) comprises an upper wall (113) in alignment with the second step (45).
11. The dispensing device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the breaking area (13) is located at the cap (2), just above the second step (45).
12. The dispensing device according to claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the reinforcement (23) of the cap (2) is aligned with the ring (43).
13. The dispensing device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the safety means (1) are added onto the attachment unit (4) and on the cap (2) already mounted on the attachment unit.

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