EP2600984B1 - Securing system and fluid product dispenser using such a system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fastening system for fixing a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, on a tank neck to form a fluid dispenser. The dispensing member is manually operable by the user with the aid of one or more finger (s), so as to dispense the fluid in metered form or not. Such fluid dispensers are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

In the prior art, there already exist fixing systems comprising an attachment ring associated with a rigid hoop engaged around the fixing ring. The ring generally comprises a skirt intended to be engaged around the neck, this skirt comprising fixing lugs intended to come into fixed engagement with a suitable profile formed by the collar. For example, it is possible to provide a thread at the level of the external wall of the neck, and the fastening tabs will thus come into threaded engagement with the neck. One can also imagine other types of profile for the neck allowing for example a snap or a snap. It is common to use the rigid hoop to push the brackets against the appropriate profile of the neck. The document FR 2 932 783 A1 shows a fastening system according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the context of the present invention, the fluid dispenser is removable: the fastening system can be removed from the neck by a suitable action, such as traction, unscrewing, rotation or a combined action. Thus, the user can directly access the contents of the tank, for example to collect the remaining fluid, especially when it is a cream. The disassembly capacity of the dispenser can also be used for recycling purposes.

However, this disassembly ability also allows a malicious user to alter or replace the fluid product initially contained in the tank, then reassemble the fastening system to reconstitute the fluid dispenser. As a result, the dismantling of the fastening system creates insecurity as to the authenticity of the distributor's contents.

The present invention aims to overcome this drawback of the prior art related to removable fluid dispensers.

To do this, the present invention provides that the skirt further comprises at least one abutment lug intended to come into axial abutment on the neck, when attempting to raise the fixing ring on the neck after a first disassembly of the distributor. . In other words, the stop tab will prevent reassembly of the dispenser by interposing between the fastening lugs and the neck of the tank. By abutting on the neck, the stop tab will prevent the engagement of the fastening tabs around the neck.

Advantageously, the abutment lug, after disassembly, protrudes radially inwardly relative to the fastening lugs, so as to abut on the tank neck in case of attempted reassembly.

Of course, it is not necessary that the stopper tab prevents the initial assembly of the dispenser. To do this, the present invention provides that the abutment lug protrudes radially outward before engagement of the hoop around the skirt. During assembly, the abutment lug is deformed radially inwards by the hoop, preferably by pivoting.

According to a practical embodiment, the stop lug comprises an upper section having an upper end connected to the remainder of the ring and a lower end, and a lower section having an upper end connected to the lower end of the upper section, the two sections extending relative to each other at an angle, the upper section flaring outward before engagement of the hoop around the skirt. Advantageously, the abutment lug is definitively deformed inwards by the hoop at the upper end of the upper section connected to the remainder of the ring. Preferably, the upper section extends axially and the lower section extends inward after engagement of the hoop around the skirt. Thus, the abutment lug undergoes both a definitive deformation by deformation or pivoting at the same time. where it is connected to the remainder of the ring and a resilient elastic deformation reversible along its length by pressing on the neck of the tank. In this way, the stop lug will remain in its inwardly rotated position after disassembly, but it will elastically relax so as to return to its original shape as soon as it is no longer pressed against the neck. This combination of final and reversible deformation allows the stop tab not to interfere with the dispenser assembly, to allow disassembly and prevent reassembly after disassembly. The stop tab is prevented from returning to its initial orientation by the rigid band around it. However, it will return to its original configuration, once removed from the cervix, with a modified orientation.

The invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir comprising a neck, a dispensing member, such as a pump and a fastening system as defined above, in which the collar permanently rotates the dispenser. stop tab inward and resiliently bias against the neck of the tank. Advantageously, the neck comprises an external thread, the fixing lugs being engaged with the external thread of the neck, the collar pushing the fastening lugs against the neck.

The spirit of the present invention lies in the fact of using one or more stop tab (s) which prevents (s) neither assembly nor disassembly, but which prohibit reassembly of the dispenser. For this, the orientation of the stop tabs must be modified so as to be on the path between the fastening lugs and the neck when you want to go up the dispenser. The rigid hoop is advantageously used to change the orientation of the stop tabs as well as to deform elastically so that they can elastically relax upon withdrawal of the neck to be in the passage between the fastening lugs and the neck.

The invention will now be further 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 en perspective agrandie d'une bague de fixation réalisée selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• Les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en perspective du système de fixation de l'invention utilisant la bague de la figure 1 avant montage,
• La figure 4 est une vue en perspective du système de fixation de l'invention en cours de montage sur un col fileté de réservoir,
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective découpée du système de fixation des figures précédentes à l'état monté sur un col,
• La figure 6 est une vue agrandie de la bague de fixation dans sa configuration représentée sur la figure 5, et
• La figure 7 est une vue en perspective découpée du système de fixation des figures précédentes lors d'une tentative de remontage.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a fixing ring made according to one embodiment of the invention,
• The Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the fastening system of the invention using the ring of the figure 1 before assembly,
• The figure 4 is a perspective view of the fixing system of the invention being mounted on a threaded tank neck,
• The figure 5 is a cutaway perspective view of the fastening system of the preceding figures in the mounted state on a neck,
• The figure 6 is an enlarged view of the fixing ring in its configuration shown on the figure 5 , and
• The figure 7 is a cutaway perspective view of the fastening system of the preceding figures during an attempt to reassemble.

We will first refer to Figures 1 to 3 to describe in detail a non-limiting embodiment of a fastening system of the invention. This fixing system comprises a fixing ring 1 associated with a rigid hoop 2 which is intended to engage with radial clamping around the fixing ring 1, as will be seen below. The fixing ring 1 can be made by injection molding of suitable plastic material. As for the rigid hoop 2, it can also be made of plastic, but preferably it is made of metal, so as to confer an aesthetic appeal to the distributor. The fastening system thus constituted by the ring 1 and the hoop 2 serves to fix a dispensing member 3, such as a pump or a valve, on a tank neck 41 so as to constitute a fluid dispenser . The fastening system has a dual function, namely a fastening function, but also a sealing function. Thus, the fluid product stored in the reservoir can be extracted only through the dispensing member.

The fixing ring 1 comprises receiving means 11 for receiving the dispensing member 3. The receiving means 11 may for example be in the form of an annular latching housing in which is received a protruding flange formed by the dispensing member. The ring 1 also forms an axial opening 12 which extends inside the fastening means 11, and which serves for the passage of the actuating rod of the dispensing member, which is movable axially back and forth. Externally to the receiving means 11, the ring forms an annular plate 13 which is positioned on the annular edge of the neck of the tank, with possible interposition of an annular neck seal. Finally, the fixing ring 11 externally forms a skirt 14 which is discontinuously formed in its lower part, thus forming fastening lugs 15 and abutment lugs 16 separated by slots 17 and interspersed alternately. A fixing lug 15 is adjacent to two stop lugs 16, and vice versa. As can be seen on the figure 3 , the fixing ring 1, in this particular embodiment, comprises three fixing lugs 15 and three abutment lugs 16. The dispensing member 3 extends inside the skirt 14, as can be seen on the Figures 2 and 3 . The dispensing member 3 forms a body 31 whose upper end is engaged in the receiving means 11. At its lower end, the body 11 forms a fluid inlet 32 provided with a plunger tube 33.

The fixing lugs 15 extend freely downwards and form inwardly one or more profile (s) 151 intended (s) to come into engagement with the neck of the reservoir, as will be seen below. The profiles 151 may be preformed so as to fit in a complementary manner to the neck of the reservoir. Alternatively, the profiles 151 are intended to be deformed against the neck of the reservoir so as to print a negative impression in these profiles. These profiles 151 may for example be used for screwing and / or unscrewing on a threaded neck. They can also be used to snap or snap on a suitable collar. The fastening technique of the flaps on the neck is not critical to the present invention, since the fastener ring can be removed from the neck of the tank without destroying the fastening system. The fixing lugs 15 extend with a slight shrinkage with respect to the continuous upper part of the skirt 14. However, when the fastening lugs 15 are engaged on a tank neck, these are deformed outwards by flaring, so as to be pushed inward against the neck by the rigid band 2.

The stop lugs 16 also extend freely downwards in a substantially similar manner to the fixing lugs 15. The particular form of the abutment lugs 16 is, however, very different from that of the attachment lugs 15. Indeed, the abutment lugs 16 extend, before definitive engagement of the hoop 2 around the ring, radially outwardly with respect to the remainder of the skirt 14, and in particular with respect to the fixing lugs 15. As can be seen in FIG. figure 2 , the rigid hoop 2 is pre-engaged on the fixing ring 1, with the lugs 15 and 16 which are still projecting axially downwards. It may be noted that the stop lugs 16 have an outer diameter which is greater than that of the hoop 2. More specifically, the stop lugs 16 comprise an upper section 161 having an upper end 162 connected to the remainder of the skirt 14, and a lower end 163, which is connected to a lower section 164 defining a lower free end 166. The upper end 165 of the lower section 164 is connected to the lower end 163 of the upper section 161, as can be seen in FIG. see very clearly on the figure 1 . It may also be noted that the wall thickness of the upper section 161 at its upper end 162 is reduced relative to the remainder of the abutment lug 16. This reduced wall thickness defines a zone of weakness allowing deformation of the pawl by pivoting at the upper end 162, without significantly deforming the remainder of the leg. Thus, it will be readily understood that the engagement of the hoop 2 around the lugs 15 and 16 will lead to the inward displacement of the stop lugs 16 by pivoting around the upper end 162. It may be noted that the upper section 161 extends inclined outwardly and downwardly, while the lower section 164 is substantially or perfectly cylindrical. An angle is thus formed between the upper section 161 and the lower section 164, as can clearly be seen on the figures 1 and 2 . The inclined slope formed by the outer surface of the upper section 161 will also serve as a cam surface for the lower edge of the hoop 2 when engaged around the skirt 14. Thus, the stop lugs 16 will be progressively deformed inwardly as the hoop 2 engages on the upper sections 161 of the three legs 16.

As can be seen on the figure 2 , the rigid hoop 2 is substantially cylindrical circular at its main body 21, but also comprises an upper reentrant flap 22.

Referring now to the figure 4 , we see the system of fixation of Figures 2 and 3 engaged on a neck 41 of a tank 4. This neck 41 is externally provided with a thread 42 which will cooperate with the profiles 151 of the fixing lugs 15. On the figure 4 , the assembly is not yet final: only the lugs 15 and 16 are engaged around the threaded neck 41, but the rigid hoop 2 is not yet fully engaged around the ring. By exerting sufficient force on the upper end of the hoop 2, the hoop 2 will move downwardly by pushing the fastening lugs 15 firmly against the threaded neck of the tank and by pivotally deforming the abutment lugs 16 towards the hinge. inside. The profiles 151 will deform plastically against the threading 42 of the neck, while the abutment lugs 16 will simply be pushed or elastically biased against this neck.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6 it can be seen that the upper section 161 of the abutment lug 16 now extends in the extension of the skirt 14, while the lower section 164 is oriented inwards and downwards. This is even more visible on the figure 6 which shows the fixing ring 1 after deformation by the rigid hoop 2. The free lower end 166 of the abutment lugs 16 are effectively in contact with the neck 41, with a non-definitive elastic deformation, the only definitive deformation being that carried out at the from the upper end 162. The dispenser is then in its final assembled state, ready to be used.

However, in the context of the invention, the dispenser is removable, so that the user can remove the fastening system of the neck of the tank. This disassembly operation can be performed by unscrewing, as in the present case, but it can also be carried out by any other appropriate action allowing disassembly without destruction of the fastening system.

By removing the retaining ring from the neck of the reservoir, the abutment lugs 16 retain their orientation imposed by the rigid hoop 2, and their free ends 166 are released from the neck, and can thus elastically relax to extend radially further towards inside. The figure 7 represents the distributor in the disassembled state. It may be noted that the free end 166 of the abutment lug 16 abuts on the annular edge 43 of the neck of the reservoir. Thus, it is no longer possible to raise the fastening system on the neck, because the abutment lugs 16 prevent the engagement of the fastening lugs 15 around the neck. Because of the inclined inward and downward orientation of the lower section 164, even if this fastening system is strongly supported, this will tend to further engage or deform the abutment lugs 16 to inside, and even to penetrate slightly into the neck of the tank.

Thanks to the invention, the stop tabs 16 prevent the reassembly of the dispenser, without preventing either assembly or disassembly. This is made possible by a combined deformation of the abutment lugs 16, namely a final deformation by pivoting around their upper ends by the engagement of the hoop 2, and a reversible elastic deformation by elastic support of their free ends 166 against the collar.

Claims (10)

1. A fastener system (1, 2) for fastening a dispenser member (3), such as a pump, on a reservoir neck (41) so as to constitute a fluid dispenser, the dispenser being removable by removing the fastener system (1, 2) from the neck (41), the system (1, 2) comprising a fastener ring (1) and a rigid hoop (2), the ring (1) comprising a skirt (14) for engaging around the neck (41), the skirt (14) including fastener tabs (15), the hoop (2) being engaged around the skirt (14) in such a manner as to push the fastener tabs (15) hard against the neck (41) during the first assembly of the fastening system (1, 2) on the neck (41), the ring (1) with the hoop (2) engaged around the skirt (14) being removable from the neck (41), the fastener system being characterized in that the skirt (14) further includes at least one abutment tab (16) that projects radially outwards before the hoop (2) is engaged around the skirt (14), the abutment tab (16) is deformed radially inwards by the hoop (2) during the first assembly of the fastening system (1, 2) on the neck (41) and pushed elastically against the neck (41), and after removal of the dispenser the abutment tab (16) projects radially and relaxes elastically inwards relative to the fastener tabs (15) so as to come into abutment against the reservoir neck (41) when an attempt is made to reassemble the fastener ring (1) on the neck (41) after the dispenser has been removed for the first time.
2. A fastener system (1, 2) according to claim 1, wherein the abutment tab (16) comprises a top section (161) having a bottom end (163) and a top end (162) that is connected to the remainder of the ring (1), and a bottom section (164) having a top end (165) that is connected to the bottom end (163) of the top section (161), the two sections (161, 164) extending relative to each other, forming an angle between them, the top section (161) flaring outwards before the hoop (2) is engaged around the skirt (14).
3. A fastener system (1, 2) according to claim 2, wherein the abutment tab (16) is deformed inwards permanently by the hoop (2) at the top end (162) of the top section (161) that is connected to the remainder of the ring (1).
4. A fastener system (1, 2) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the top section (161) extends axially and the bottom section (164) extends inwards after the hoop (2) has been engaged around the skirt (14).
5. A fastener system (1, 2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the hoop (2) comes into contact with the top section (161), the bottom section (164) being deformed elastically, in non-permanent manner, against the neck (41).
6. A fastener system (1, 2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the abutment tab (16) includes a free bottom end (166) that is in contact with the neck (41), with non-permanent elastic deformation.
7. A fastener system (1, 2) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the fastener tabs (15 ) include profiles (151) that are deformed plastically against a thread (42) of the neck (41).
8. A fastener system (1, 2) according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of abutment tabs (16) that are arranged in alternating manner between the fastener tabs (15).
9. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (4) including a neck (41), a dispenser member (3), such as a pump, and a fastener system (1, 2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the hoop (2) causes the abutment tab (16) to pivot inwards permanently, and presses it elastically against the neck (41) of the reservoir (4).
10. A dispenser according to claim 9, wherein the neck (41) includes an external thread (42), the fastener tabs (15) being engaged with the external thread (42) of the neck, the hoop (2) pushing the fastener tabs (15) against the neck (41).

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