Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1042—Components or details
  • B05B11/1043—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container
  • B05B11/1049—Attachment arrangements comprising a deformable or resilient ferrule clamped or locked onto the neck of the container by displacing, e.g. sliding, a sleeve surrounding the ferrule

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir having a neck defining an opening and an axis X, the neck projecting axially from a shoulder.
• the dispenser also comprises a dispensing assembly comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, and a fastening system for fixing the dispensing member on the neck of the reservoir, this fastening system comprising a fixing ring. engaged with the neck and a locking ring engaged axially around the ring to lock the ring on the collar in the final mounting position.
• the preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.
• the fixing ring comprises receiving means, such as a housing, for receiving the dispensing member, which may for example comprise a projecting collar intended to be engaged by snapping into the housing of the ring.
• the fixing ring also comprises a substantially cylindrical fixing skirt defining an internal wall provided with one or more attachment profile (s) intended (s) to come into engagement with the collar of the tank.
• the neck of the tank forms a projecting annular external reinforcement under which the attachment profile (s) engage in the final assembly position.
• the function of the locking band is to prevent the disengagement of the internal profiles of the skirt of the ring from below the protruding external reinforcement of the neck.
• the locking ring maintains the snap profiles of the ring prisoners of the neck of the tank.
• the skirt of the ring With longitudinal slots so as to divide the skirt in several legs separated by slits.
• the purpose of the locking band is to prevent this radial deformation towards the outside of the skirt of the ring once the fastening profiles are engaged below the reinforcement of the neck.
• the final mounting position in which the locking collar prevents the ring from disengaging from the neck
• is a definitive position in that it is no longer possible to remove the locking ring from the ring for allow removal of the ring from the neck. Therefore, to remove a dispensing assembly using such a fastening system, it must destroy the hoop, ring or collar. Indeed, the holding of the hoop is considerable so that its tensile strength can not be overcome by pulling axially on the hoop without damaging or destroying it.
• Disassembling the dispenser i.e. removing the dispensing assembly from the reservoir, may, however, be useful in some circumstances.
• a screw fastening system is generally used. Indeed, the fastening ring and locking ring system is not very suitable, since the establishment of the hoop on the ring is final. Disassembly can also be useful to be able to recycle the distributor by separating these different constituent materials. This is theoretically possible with the fastening ring system and locking ring, but requires the destruction of the ring, the collar or collar, which is a random operation and therefore difficult to industrialize.
• the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir having a neck defining an opening and an axis X, the neck projecting axially from a shoulder, a dispensing assembly comprising an organ dispenser, such as a pump or a valve, and a fastening system for fixing the dispensing member on the neck of the reservoir, this fastening system comprising a fastening ring engaged with the neck and a locking ring engaged axially around the ring to lock the ring on the neck in the final mounting position, disassembly means for axially moving the hoop relative to the ring from the final mounting position to a disassembly position in which the hoop does not does not block the collar on the neck, so that the assembly can be removed from the neck, the disassembly means comprising two elements movable mutually in rotation; one relative to the other about the X axis, characterized in that one element of the disassembly means is integral with the reservoir, while
• the other element is integral with the hoop.
• a rotation of the hoop relative to the tank will be transformed into an axial displacement of the hoop relative to the tank. It is advantageous to act directly on the hoop which surrounds the ring firmly in order to avoid any plastic or elastic deformation of the fastening system. By pushing the hoop axially upwards, its displacement relative to the ring is ensured.
• the disassembly means comprise at least one ramp and a cam, the cam coming into sliding contact on the ramp during a relative rotation of the cam relative to the ramp, thereby inducing relative axial displacement.
• the cam is formed at a lower end of the hoop.
• the lower end of the hoop has an irregular profile defining different axial heights substantially corresponding to those of the ramp.
• at least one ramp is formed by the reservoir around the neck projecting axially from the shoulder.
• the hoop is surrounded by an outer skirt which hides the hoop and the disassembly means in the final mounting position.
• This outer skirt can serve as an external covering to the distribution assembly, giving the latter an attractive aesthetic appearance.
• this external skirt can be used to print the rotational movement necessary to move the locking band relative to the ring.
• an intermediate space of clearance is provided between the hoop and the ring in the disassembly position and / or in the pre-assembled position to allow the radial displacement towards the outside of the ring during its disassembly and / or mounting on the neck.
• the extension of the hoop forming the intermediate clearance space does not lock the ring on the neck, but instead serves as an axial thrust element when the hoop is rotated on the neck.
• the non-locking extension of the hoop also makes it possible to premount the ring inside the hoop before the first assembly of the distribution assembly on the tank neck, without the ring projecting out of the hoop.
• the fixing ring which is a fragile element since it is deformable, is protected inside the band in which it is entirely inscribed. It is well understood that this last characteristic (ring protected in fret) can be implemented independently of the disassembly means of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away perspective view of a fluid dispenser according to the invention in the final assembly position;
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of a fluid reservoir according to the present invention;
• FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are schematic views for explaining the assembly and disassembly operations of a fluid dispenser according to the invention
• FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged cross-sectional view of a part of a fluid dispenser according to the invention in disassembled position and / or preassembled.
• the distributor comprises several constituent elements, namely a fluid reservoir 1, a fixing ring 2, a blocking and cladding part 3, a dispensing member 4 (not visible in FIG. 1), a pusher 5 and a protective cover 6.
• the dispensing member 4 may be a pump or a valve.
• the protective cover can be optional.
• the tank 1 can be made of any suitable material, such as glass, plastic, metal, etc.
• the tank 1 defines in its upper part a shoulder 13 from which projects a neck 11 defining an opening 10 which communicates the interior of the tank with the outside.
• the neck 11 is made with a reinforcement or annular bead 12 which protrudes radially outwards.
• This reinforcement 12 thus forms a lower flange which will serve as a hooking surface for the distribution assembly, as will be seen below.
• This is a quite classic design for a fluid reservoir in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery or pharmacy.
• the tank is further provided with two ramps 14 which project from the shoulder 13 and which are arranged diametrically opposite to the neck 1 1.
• each ramp 14 defines two slopes 141 of identical inclination and reverse orientation. It is also possible to provide only one slope 141 or two slopes but of different inclination. This is only a detail of realization.
• the ramps 14 are made integrally with the tank 1.
• the ramps 14 are formed by a separate part, which is then attached around the neck 11. This piece could for example be in the form of a ring or a ring forming one or more ramp (s), the ring being engaged around the neck 11 and fixed firmly in place on the shoulder 13. We shall see below what is the function of these ramps 14.
• the part 3, the distribution member 4, the pusher 5 and the cover 6 form a distribution assembly D which is pre-assembled before being mounted on the tank 1.
• the dispensing member 4, the pusher 5 and the cover 6 are not critical elements for the present invention and therefore will not be explained in detail. Indeed, these elements do not participate directly in the present invention which relates more particularly to the fastening system formed by the fixing ring 2 and part of the part 3.
• the fixing ring 2 is of a completely conventional design for a conventional fastening system using a fastening ring locked on the neck of a tank with a locking ring.
• the ring 2 comprises receiving means 21 for fixedly receiving the dispensing member 4 (not visible in Figure 1, but shown in Figures 3a and 4).
• These receiving means 21 may for example be in the form of a latching housing in which a protruding flange of the body of the dispenser member is snapped.
• the particular form of the receiving means 21 is not critical to the present invention.
• the fixing ring 2 also comprises a fastening skirt 22 which is of substantially or perfectly cylindrical outer shape.
• the fastening skirt 22 internally forms one or more attachment profile (s) 23 which project radially inwards.
• the hooking profile 23 may for example extend continuously over the entire inner periphery of the skirt 22. Alternatively, there may be several profiles 23 distributed over the inner periphery of the skirt 22.
• the skirt 22 may be continues so as to form a solid cylinder, or alternatively, the skirt may be formed with slots which separate the skirt in several tabs each formed with one or more attachment profile (s) 23.
• the attachment profiles 23 can be preformed on the inner surface of the skirt.
• the snap profiles can come from a plastic deformation of the skirt inwards under the reinforcement of the neck: this deformation can be performed using the locking ring.
• skirt 22 it is deformable radially to allow the attachment profiles 23 to be housed under the rim formed by the protruding reinforcement 12 of the neck 11, as one This position, which can be described as "snapping", must of course be understood to be that the profiles 23 pass over and beyond the reinforcement 12.
• skirt 22 deforms radially outwardly during the passage of the reinforcement 12 so that it can then retract again so that the profiles engage snap-fitted under the flange 12.
• the locking ring 31 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical section which is engaged around the ring 2, and more precisely around the fixing skirt 22.
• the locking ring 31 can extend to above of the ring 2 forming an internal flap which bears on the upper end of the ring.
• the inner surface of the ferrule 31 tightly engages with the outer surface of the ferrule 2 so as to provide an assembly capable of withstanding a predetermined tensile force. It is even possible to provide special means to increase the attachment of the hoop on the ring.
• the hoop 31 comprises a lower end edge 33 which comes into contact with the tank 1, more particularly at its shoulder 13. It can also be observed that the edge 33 comes into contact with the ramps 14 of the tank.
• the edge 33 has an irregular profile since it roughly, substantially or perfectly follows the profile of the ramps 14.
• the profile of the edge 33 thus defines different axial heights as the edge comes into direct contact with the rail. shoulder 13 or ramps 14.
• the edge 33 of the hoop 31 is indented or raised.
• the edge 33 defines at the level of the ramps 14 of the cams 34 intended to come into contact with the slippings with the slopes 141 of the ramps 14.
• the locking band 31 also defines an extension section 32 forming the lower end portion of the band 31, and thus the lower end edge 33.
• This extension section 32 presents the particularity that its inner surface is offset radially outwardly relative to the inner surface of the remainder of the hoop in contact with the ring. It can also be said that the extension section 32 has an internal surface radially offset so as to form a withdrawal or off hook relative to the remainder of the hoop. In final assembly position as shown in Figure 1, this extension section 32 is disposed below the lower end of the ring 2, and therefore does not cooperate with the ring at all. We will see below what is the utility of this offset extension section 32 in the context of the present invention. As for the other components of the dispensing assembly D, it should be noted that the locking band 31 is made integrally with an outer casing skirt 35 on which is mounted the protective cover 6.
• the dispensing member 4 which is visible only in Figures 3a and 4, may be a pump or a valve comprising a body forming a collar received in a fixed manner in the receiving means 21 of the ring 2.
• the body of distribution comprises of course an actuating rod on which is mounted the pusher 5 which can advantageously be formed with a dispensing orifice 51.
• the fluid product in metered form or not, is dispensed through the dispensing orifice 51.
• FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c to explain in detail a mounting operation and a dismantling operation of the distribution assembly D.
• the distribution assembly D is ready to be mounted on the tank 1.
• the assembly D is brought axially along the axis X on the tank 1.
• the dispenser member 4 may be provided with a dip tube 41 which is first inserted into the opening 10 of the neck 11.
• the assembly D has been mounted by applying an axial thrust force (represented by the three arrows) on the assembly D.
• an axial thrust force represented by the three arrows
• the fixing ring 2 is first engaged around the collar 11 of the tank, then the locking ring 31 is lowered around the hooking profiles 23 of the ring to lock them below the reinforcement 12 of the neck.
• the locking band 31 is pre-assembled on the ring 2, but in such a way that the band does not prevent the radial outward movement of the fastening profiles 23 to allow them to pass on the reinforcement 12. This pre-assembled position is represented in a very greatly enlarged manner in FIG. 4.
• the dispensing member 4 is in place in the receiving means 21, but that the locking band 31 is in a pre-assembled provisional position. non-final. Indeed, the inner surface of the hoop 31 is not in close contact with the outer surface of the skirt 22 at the hooking profiles 23. On the other hand, the hoop 31 extends with its lower edge 33 at the lower end of the skirt 22, or very slightly below. In reality, it is the extension section 32 which is disposed at the hooking profiles 23, but this section 32 does not come into contact with the skirt 22, since it is shifted radially outwards. It is thus created an intermediate clearance space E between the ring 22 and the extension section 32.
• the dispensing assembly D can be mounted on the neck of a tank by first engaging the profiles 23 under the reinforcement 12 and then lowering the locking band 31 so as to bring the band 31 into tight contact with the ring 22 at the attachment profiles 23 and shifting the extension section 32 downwards. is visible in Figure 1.
• the reservoir 1 is formed with two ramps 14, it is necessary to orient the hoop 31 during assembly of the assembly on the reservoir to bring the cams 34 in contact with the slopes 141
• the ramps 14 and the locking band 31 are not even visible because they are hidden by the outer dressing skirt 35. The user can then use the dispenser in a conventional manner by removing all first the hood 6 and pressing the button 5.
• the invention it is possible to disassemble the dispenser by removing the dispensing assembly D from the tank 1. For this, it is sufficient to drive the locking band 31 in rotation relative to the neck 1. This can be done by driving the dressing skirt 35 or the cover 6 in rotation, as shown in Figure 3c. This relative rotation between the locking band 31 and the tank 1, will cause the lower edge 33 of the band 31 to move on the ramps 14 formed by the tank 1. More specifically, the cams 34 of the band 31 will slide on the slopes 141 of the ramps 14, which will have the effect of moving the band 31 axially upwards with respect to the ring 2. The cams 34 associated with the ramps 14 thus constitute disassembly means for unlocking the ring 22 of its grip under the reinforcement 12.
• the extension section 32 advantageously makes it possible to bring the band into contact with the ramps 14 without it being necessary to move it over a considerable height to allow both its assembly and its disassembly. It must be borne in mind that the clearance space E only exists in the pre-assembled position and in the disassembly position: in fact, in the final mounting position, this space E no longer exists since the section extension 32 is axially offset downwardly below the lower end of the skirt 22.
• the extension section 32 has been made here in the form of a wall thickness reduction of the hoop. It is also possible to make this extension section 32 with constant wall thickness, but forming a shoulder outwardly.
• the height of the ramps 14 must be determined according to the height of the attachment profiles 23 and / or the extension section 32.
• the lower end of the ring 2 can even come into contact on the ramps 14.
• Profiles Preformed fasteners have been used to illustrate the present invention. Instead, snap profiles can be used obtained by radial deformation towards the inside of the skirt under the reinforcement of the neck with the help of the locking band.
• a conventional fastening system known to be releasable can be removed easily and quickly without complicating the design of the fluid dispenser.

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=39627599

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Families Citing this family (11)

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• 2007
  • 2007-12-12 FR FR0759773A patent/FR2925033B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2008
  • 2008-12-09 BR BRPI0820453A patent/BRPI0820453A8/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-12-09 CN CN2008801200012A patent/CN101896283B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2008-12-09 WO PCT/FR2008/052257 patent/WO2009080980A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2008-12-09 ES ES08865339T patent/ES2388472T3/es active Active
  • 2008-12-09 EP EP08865339A patent/EP2237897B1/de active Active
  • 2008-12-11 US US12/332,839 patent/US8292132B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

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