EP2804819A1

EP2804819A1 - Retractable tip and container provided with said tip

Info

Publication number: EP2804819A1
Application number: EP13701727.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joseph Aquilina
Original assignee: Plascopar Sam
Current assignee: Plascopar Sam
Priority date: 2012-01-17
Filing date: 2013-01-16
Publication date: 2014-11-26
Also published as: WO2013107748A1; FR2985719A1; FR2985719B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a retractable tip (1) for a fluid container comprising a hollow tube (2) configured for the passage of fluid and designed to alternatively assume a deployed position and a retracted position by means of a movement along a main direction characterised by the fact that it comprises a fixing ring (3) configured to engage with the container and a spring means fixed respectively at the two ends thereof to the hollow tube (2) and to the fixing ring (3), said spring means comprising at least one diaphragm, the tangent (T) at the apex (5) of which forms an angle of between 45° and 90° with the main direction (D) of movement of the hollow tube (2). The present invention can be applied to food containers including cans or bottles, and preferably to containers for holding drinks or any other liquid food.

Description

"Retractable tip and container provided with said tip"

The present invention relates to a retractable tip and a container provided with said tip.

The invention will find its application more particularly for food containers including cans or bottles preferably for containing drinks or any other liquid food.

Metal cans usually containing soda or fruit juice are known. These cans have a metal tongue which is pressed into the bobbin when it is opened. The depression of the tongue forms an opening through which the user can drink directly by applying his mouth to the outer edge of the can or pouring the drink into a glass.

In all cases, the drink comes into contact with the outer walls of the can before being drunk by the user which can lead to contamination and therefore significant health risks.

There are known cans provided with straws stored in the interior volume of the can. The straw must be removed from the interior to be used.

Many problems exist with this type of container. The straw soaks in the liquid causing a loss of the volume of the liquid that can be contained in the can. Moreover the exit of the straw is sometimes difficult, because the ejection is not done correctly. Moreover, for a long conservation, the straw being in contact with the liquid, it must satisfy stability tests.

WO-A2 -2009 / 149530 discloses a container provided with a self-ejectable tube. The tube is deployed by pressing the gaseous liquid contained in the container. The deployment is an irreversible unfolding.

There is therefore a need to provide a means for safe and reliable use of canned food containers.

For this purpose, the present invention relates to a retractable tip for mounting on a container of a fluid. The retractable tip comprises a hollow tube through which the passage of a fluid is possible. The hollow tube is configured to take at least two positions: an extended position and a retracted position, the passage from one position to another is by a movement of the hollow tube in a main direction. Preferably, the endpiece comprises a spring means.

The tip also advantageously comprises a fixing ring configured to cooperate with the container. In this case, the fixing ring and the hollow tube are connected by a spring means. The spring means is fixed at its two ends, respectively to the hollow tube and the fixing ring. Advantageously, the spring means comprises a bellows. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the bellows is oriented so that the tangent at the top of the bellows forms an angle of 45 ° to 90 ° with the main direction of movement of the hollow tube.

The spring means is optionally, in a folded position, arranged with its bellows or folds substantially along an axis advantageously perpendicular to the direction of the hollow tube. The size of the tip in the container is smaller and the ejection is facilitated. Preferably, the spring means is extended (in the working position) so that the hollow tube is in a retracted position. When the spring returns to the rest position, the hollow tube deploys.

The present retractable tip cooperates with a container, thus in its retracted position, the container can be closed and in its deployed position, the nozzle allows the liquid outlet out of the container without contact with the outer walls of the container.

With the present invention, the ejection is effective as soon as the container is opened. The ejection of the tip is very satisfactory, in fact the spring means is configured so that in a rest position the hollow tube is in the extended position and in the working position, the spring means is extended and the hollow tube in retracted position. Preferably, the spring means therefore works essentially in traction towards the retracted position, and not in compression.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description which presents an illustrative but nonlimiting embodiment of the invention.

It should first be recalled that one aspect of the invention relates to a retractable tip for a container of a fluid comprising a hollow tube configured for the passage of fluid and able to take alternately an extended position and a retracted position by a movement in a main direction. According to one aspect of the invention the tip comprises a fixing ring configured to cooperate with the container and a spring means fixed respectively at its two ends to the hollow tube and the fixing ring, the spring means comprises at least one bellows whose tangent at the top forms an angle between 40 ° and 90 ° with the main direction of movement of the hollow tube.

According to one of the preferred but non-limiting variants, the retractable tip comprises at least one of the following features:

- the tangent to the summit forms an angle between 45 ° and 90 ° with the main direction;

the tangent to the vertex is perpendicular to the main direction of the movement of the hollow tube;

the spring means comprises from two to five bellows;

- The spring means is a sealed sheet extending between the hollow tube and the fixing ring;

the fixing ring ensures a seal with the container;

- The spring means is configured so that the distance between its two ends is lower when the hollow tube is in the extended position in the retracted position;

- The fixing ring and the hollow tube have a symmetry of revolution;

- The spring means is contained between the fixing ring and the hollow tube;

the bellows, the fixing ring and the hollow tube are concentric.

The invention also relates to a container for receiving a fluid characterized in that it comprises a nozzle as described above.

According to preferred but non-limiting variants, the container is such that:

- It comprises side walls and a bottom forming a body, the tip can be attached to the side walls at the portion of the body opposite the bottom;

- The tip is attached to a container or lid by a sealed connection;

- The tip cooperates with the inner face of the side walls; the container comprises a lid intended to cooperate with its upper part and intended to close off the hollow tube while maintaining it in the retracted position;

the cover cooperates with the outer face of the side walls;

- The cover comprises a cap arranged to close the upper end d u be hollow and may include a tab configured to partially separate the cap of the lid.

- The tip is attached to a portion of the lid.

- The portion of the cover comprises a ring projecting on a lower face of the lid towards the bottom.

- The cover comprises a tab configured to partially disengage the cover of the lid.

- The lid has a thrust surface, and advantageously the tip has a bearing zone, the thrust surface being configured to exert a thrust on the bearing zone tending to retract the tip when the lid is moved towards a closed position of the upper end of the hollow tube.

- The thrust surface comprises at least one lug projecting on a lower face of the lid. The bearing zone advantageously comprises at least one protuberance on an outer surface of the hollow tube.

The attached figures are given by way of examples and are not limiting of the invention. They represent only one embodiment of the invention and will make it easy to understand.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate the retractable tip in its deployed position. Figures 1 and 2 are full views in perspective from the side and from below. Figure 4 gives a side view of the wire. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the nozzle according to view 4. Figure 5 is a top view. Figure 6 is a detail view of the spring means, the fixing ring and the hollow tube.

Figures 7 and 8 show an exploded view of a container according to the invention provided with the retractable tip and a cover.

Figures 9 to 14 illustrate the container according to Figure 7 in the closed position, the retractable tip is in the retracted position and the spring means is in extended working position. Figures 9 and 10 show the container in sectional view respectively in wire and in full. Figures 1 1 and 12 are side views respectively in wire and in full. Figure 13 is a detail view of the retractable tip and lid. Figure 14 is a top view of the container, the lid closed. Figures 15 to 20 are the figures corresponding to Figures 9 to 14 for a container in the open position, the retractable tip is in the deployed position and the spring means is in the rest position.

Figures 21 to 24 illustrate the lid of the container as manufactured prior to assembly to a container.

Figures 25 to 29 illustrate a container according to one aspect of the invention, provided with a straw, respectively in the closed position in Figures 25 and 26, active open position in Figures 27 and 28 and inactive open position in Figure 29.

Figures 30 and 31 illustrate another embodiment of the invention.

The invention relates to a tip 1 which can be retracted. By retracted position is meant that the tip is in this situation more oriented towards the interior volume of a container than to the outside. Conversely, in the deployed position, the tip protrudes beyond the outer face of the container it equips. According to the invention, the tip 1 comprises a hollow tube 2 whose section may be of different shapes: circular as shown in FIGURES 1 to 6 for example, or oval, square, or rectangular.

The section of the hollow tube 2 is configured according to the desired flow rate and the dimensions of the container. As a preference, the hollow tube 2 is cylindrical and has a diameter of between 8 and 18 mm.

Preferably, the hollow tube 2 is a one-piece plastic part advantageously rigid. By way of example, the hollow tube 2 is made of polypropylene with a thickness of between 1.3 and 1.8 mm.

The tip 1 preferably comprises a fixing ring 3 intended to cooperate with the container to allow attachment of the tip 1. The shape of the fixing ring 3 can be chosen according to the shape of the container and the hollow tube 2 Preferably, the fixing ring 3 has a shape similar to the section of the hollow tube 2. As shown in the figures, the fixing ring 3 is of cylindrical shape. The fixing ring 3 is configured to be of upper section to the hollow tube 2 to allow the passage of the hollow tube 2 in the fixing ring 3. The fixing ring 3 and the hollow tube 2 are advantageously concentric.

For example, the fixing ring 3 has a diameter of between 4 and 5 cm. The fixing ring 3 is preferably rigid plastic such as for example polypropylene with a thickness of 2 to 3 mm.

To connect the hollow tube 2 to the fixing ring 3, the tip 1 comprises a spring means 4. The spring means 4 is fixed at a first end 7 to the hollow tube 2 and at its second end 8 to the ring. fixing 3. 8

The spring means 4 is configured to allow the hollow tube 2 to take alternately a retracted position and an extended position. It is specified that the hollow tube 2 can take other positions, including intermediate positions between these two positions. The hollow tube 2 passes from an extended position to a retracted position and vice versa by a movement comprising a component along a main direction D.

According to a preferred embodiment, the m obi lity of u be hollow 2 is only in the main direction D. This main direction D is preferably a straight line perpendicular to the longitudinal plane passing through the fixing ring 3 ...

According to another possibility, the mobility of the hollow tube 2 comprises another component, not parallel to the direction D, so that the mobility of the hollow tube 2 is not perpendicular to the longitudinal plane passing through the fixing ring 3. hollow tube 2 thus leaves inclined.

The mobility of the hollow tube 2, which can be represented by the longitudinal axis passing through the center of the hollow tube 2, forms an angle advantageously between 10 ° and 85 °, preferably between 30 and 60 ° with the longitudinal plane passing through the ring. fixing 3.

The longitudinal plane passing through the fixing ring 3 is understood as a plane of the section of the fixing ring 3

By unfolded position is meant that the hollow tube 2 is in a position of use oriented towards the outside of the container. The hollow tube 2 is preferably fixed to a spring means 4 by one of these ends 10, for example said lower end 10 of the hollow tube 2.

In the deployed position, the end 9 opposite to the lower end 10, also called the upper end 9 or free end of the hollow tube 2, is located outside the volume of the container and advantageously outside the volume defined by the fixing ring 3.

When the tip 1 is assembled with a container, when the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position, its use is possible. The upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2 is outside the volume of the container.

Conversely, by retracted portion is meant that the hollow tube 2 is in an unusable storage position. The lower end 10 of the hollow tube 2 is preferably outside the volume of the fixing ring 3, preferably the upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2 is then in the volume of the fixing ring 3. When the nozzle 1 is assembled to a container body 1 1, when the hollow tube 2 is in the retracted position, its use is not possible. The upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2 is then in the volume of the container.

The spring means 4 is advantageously configured so that in the deployed position the distance A 'separating the first end 7 and the second end 8 is smaller than the distance A separating them in the retracted position. The distances A and A 'are measured in a linear manner as illustrated in FIG.

The spring means 4 is preferably a material having a certain flexibility allowing the mobility of the hollow tube 2. By preference, the spring means 4 is made of flexible plastic such as styrene-ethylene-butylene copolymer. The spring means 4 is advantageously a more precisely frustoconical circular piece extending between the fixing ring 3 and the hollow tube 2. The fixing ring 3, the spring means 4 and the hollow tube 2 are advantageously concentric.

Preferably, the spring means 4 is a sealed sheet extending between the hollow tube 2 and the fixing ring 3. Advantageously, the attachment to the hollow tube 2 and to the fixing ring 3 is also sealed, so that the tip 1 has a satisfactory seal allowing the container to overturn without risk of leakage. Preferably, the fixing ring 3 cooperates sealingly with the container. In this way, the tip 1 closes the container and thus delimits the interior volume of the container from the outside.

The spring means 4 advantageously comprises at least one bellows. Preferably, the spring means 4 comprises a plurality of bellows and for example between two and five, such as two in Figure 6. A bellows means two planes 6 connected by a vertex 5. The bellows is a kind of ripple . The number of bellows and their dimensions are for example a function of the length of the hollow tube 2 and the amplitude necessary to move from an extended position to a retracted position. It is the sum of the height of the panels 6 which defines the maximum stroke, the displacement, of the hollow tube 2. In the illustrated case, the spring means comprises two bellows in series, comprising generally three sides and two vertices.

The spring means 4 is configured to take alternately a working position and a rest position.

To reduce the height of the spring means 4 in its rest position when the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position, the number of bellows 5 can be increased and the length of the sections 6 of each bellows 5 can then be reduced, which decreases the bulk of the spring means 4 in the interior volume of the container. In the rest position, the spring means 4 is in equilibrium and the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position. In the working position, the spring means 4 is in extension. Advantageously, in the absence of stress, the spring means 4 returns of itself from the working position to the rest position; this allows the ejection of the hollow tube 2 in its deployed position.

Preferably, in the rest position the bellows is folded and in the working position the bellows is extended.

In the figures, the spring means 4 comprises two bellows formed by three sides 6 and two vertices 5.

Advantageously, when the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position, the tangent

T at the top 5 of the bellows forms an angle ranging from 45 to 90 ° with the main direction D of the displacement of the hollow tube 2. Preferably, the tangent T is perpendicular to the direction D. According to another referential, the tangent T forms an angle between 0 and 45 ° with the longitudinal plane of the fixing ring 3. The bellows can also be defined as being folded in a plane perpendicular to the direction D. Advantageously, the tangents of the vertices 5 are parallel to each other.

The spring means 4 thus has a reduced volume in its folded position which is limited to the height of the panels 6. In addition, such an orientation of the bellows makes it possible, surprisingly, excellent ejection of the hollow tube 2.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous because it allows an orientation of the bellows sections 6 with a main component parallel to the main direction D of the mobility of the hollow tube 2.

The spring means 4 thus has a reduced volume in its folded position which is limited to the height of the panels 6. Moreover, such an orientation of the bellows surprisingly allows an excellent ejection of the hollow tube 2.

Advantageously, the bellows sections 6 form an angle ranging from 0 to 45 ° with the direction D when the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position.

This arrangement allows the hollow tube 2 to be cylindrical and not frustoconical, which improves the output of the fluid out of the container.

Preferably, in the deployed position, the spring means 4 is located in the volume of the container, it does not leave the container.

According to a preferred possibility, the fixing of the spring means 4 respectively to the fixing ring 3 and to the hollow tube 2 is such as to form bearing surfaces taking up the forces during the extension of the spring means 4. Preferably, at its first end 7 the spring means 4 is fixed to the lower end 10 of the hollow tube 2. Advantageously, a first panel 6 is mainly oriented in the continuity of the hollow tube 2.

This first pan 6 takes the forces exerted by the hollow tube 2 when in the retracted position. At its second end 8, the spring means 4 comprises a bearing surface on the fixing ring 3 arranged so as to resume the efforts of the deformation of the spring means 4.

The tip 1 is assembled to the container according to Figure 7. The centering of the tip 1 and more particularly the hollow tube 2 on the container is only a non-limiting example, a decentering may also be provided. The container preferably comprises a bottom 16 and side walls 17 extending from the bottom 16 and forming the body 1 1 of the container.

The container may be integral, with the bottom assembly 16 and side walls 17 in one block.

According to another possibility, the bottom 16 is attached to the side walls 17, preferably to allow the filling of the container in particular in an embodiment where the nozzle 1 is integral with the side walls 17. In fact, it can be provided that the 1 end piece is manufactured in one piece with the container. In this case, the fixing ring 3 and the side walls 17 are monoblock and are preferably undifferentiated.

In contrast to the bottom 16, the container is intended to receive the tip 1 preferably by a sealed fastener for sealing the container. The tip 1 is preferably fixed by clipping of the fixing ring 3 on the side walls 17. For example, the fixing ring 3 comprises a fixing projection 13 extending around the periphery of the fixing ring 3 The container advantageously comprises an attachment groove 14 extending around the inner section of the side walls 17.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a lid 12 closing the interior volume of the container. The lid 12 is intended to be positioned over the nozzle 1. The lid 12 is advantageously fixed by cooperating with the side walls 17. Preferably, the lid 12 cooperates with the outer faces of the side walls 17. The lid 12 comes secure the attachment of the tip 1 of the body of the container 1 1. The cover 12 preferably closes the hollow tube 2 so as to prevent the fluid from the container from leaving the intermediate volume 27 located between the end 1 and the lid 1 2. Preferably, the cover 12 also plays the role of maintaining the tube hollow 2 in retracted position. The lid 12 may be arranged as illustrated, or welded, or screwed to the container January 1.

The lid 12 is preferably made of plastic. It is made by injection. The lid 12 comprises an opening 25 closed by a lid 18 as soon as it is manufactured. The lid 18 is integral with the lid 12 at a first portion intended to form a hinge 21 when the container is opened and at a second portion forming a zone of weakness 20 intended to yield when the container is opened. .

The cover 18 is advantageously secured to a tongue 19. Preferably, the tongue 19 is injected in one piece during the manufacture of the cover 12. The tongue 19 is secured by an attachment point 24 to the cover 18. Injection, the tongue 19 is molded so as to form a 90 ° angle with the parallel plane of the lid 12. The tongue 19 forms a bend at its point of attachment 24 with the lid 18. Hot, the free end 26 of the tongue 19 is folded to be substantially parallel to the cover 12.

The tab 19 advantageously comprises a relief 23 on its face intended to be opposite the operculum 18. The relief 23 is placed in relation to the zone of weakness 20 of the cover 18. The relief 23 is intended to separate the cover 18 of the cover 12 at the level of the zone of weakness 20.

According to the invention, the opening of the container is done by a pressure on the tongue 19, preferably in the center, which allows to support the relief 23 on the zone of weakness 20 to partially disengage the lid 18 of the lid 12 and to raise the free end 26 of the tongue 19. Then, the free end 26 of the tongue 19 being raised, it can be grasped by the user. A pulling action is exerted on the tongue 19 which allows the lid 18 to be removed from the opening 25. The tongue 19 and the lid 18 swing around the hinge 21. The opening of the container releases the tip 1. The hollow tube 2 is ejected in its deployed position.

According to the invention, the inner face of the lid 18, intended to face the interior volume of the container, is advantageously configured to cooperate with the free end 9 of the hollow tube 2. Preferably, the upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2 is in contact with the cover 18 so that the fluid contained in the container does not escape into the intermediate volume 27 between the endpiece 1 and the cover 12. Preferably, the cover 18 has a convex shape complementary to the end 9 of the hollow tube 2 so as to form a tight junction.

When the cover 12 is closed, the hollow tube 2 is held in its retracted position by a constraint exerted by the cover 18; when removing this constrained at the time of opening of the cap 18, the spring means 4 releases the stored energy and returns to its rest position, the hollow tube 2 is ejected, the free end 9 is moved out of the container.

The container according to the invention is reclosable, the closure of the opening 25 by tilting of the tongue 19 and the cover 18 pushes the hollow tube 2 in the interior of the container, the hollow tube 2 returns to the retracted position.

Preferably, in the folded position, the height of the bellows is less than or equal to the height of the fixing ring 3.

Preferably, in the unfolded position, the bellows is configured so that the free end 9 of the hollow tube 2 is arranged in the longitudinal plane to the fixing ring 3 relative to the lid 12.

By way of example illustrated in FIG. 6, the spring means 4 comprises two bellows composed of three faces 6 and two vertices 5. The outer radius of curvature of the vertices 5 is 1.6 mm and the inner radius of curvature is 0.6 mm. The distance separating the two ends 7 and 8 of the projected spring means on a plane perpendicular to the direction D is 24.5 mm. The height of the hollow tube 2 is 21.2 mm, the height of the fixing ring 3 is 10 mm. The panels 6 have respectively height 9mm, 3.4 mm and 4.8 mm starting from the pan 6 closest to the fixing ring 3 to the pan 6 closest to the hollow tube 2.

Another embodiment is visible in FIGS. 30 and 31.

In Figure 30, the configuration of the container body is substantially similar to the previous case. However, it is no longer the body which carries the fixing ring 3 of the endpiece 1 but a portion of the cover 12 cooperates with a lateral face (outer or inner) of the top of the container body, for example by fitting 32 as in the illustrated case or by other means such as screwing.

The cover 12 thus comprises a part acting as a cover 31, the cover 31 having, on its lower face facing the container body, a zone for fixing the end piece 1. In the illustrated case, this zone comprises a ring 30 cooperating with the ring 3.

Another aspect of the invention visible in FIGS. 30 and 31 is a system for assisting the retraction of the tip 1. Thus, the cover 18 previously described includes one or more tabs (two in Figures 30 and 31) forming a surface adapted to exert a thrust on the hollow tube 2. The latter comprises for this purpose a bearing zone 34 for the application of the legs. The bearing zone may be a protuberance such as a raised bead on the outer face of the hollow tube. In the case of Figure 31, two legs 33 are configured to apply on two portions of the bead symmetrically along an axis of symmetry of the tongue and the cover.

It is understood that a rotational movement of the cap 18 advantageously produced by manipulation of the tongue 19, in the direction of a closing of the container, will allow the thrust, inwardly of the container body, of the tip 1. The user can thus avoid touching the tip 1 during this phase.

According to a variant of the invention illustrated in Figures 25 to 29, the tip 1 is provided with a straw 28 adapted to cooperate with the hollow tube 2. According to this variant, the hollow tube 2 receives a straw 28. The straw 28 is a thin pipe, which may be flexible or rigid, whose shape of the section is identical to the section of the hollow tube 2, at least in its portion cooperating with the latter.

The straw 28 is of smaller section than that of the hollow tube 2. Preferably, the straw 28 cooperates with the hollow tube 2 so as to be slidably movable in contact with the inner walls of the hollow tube 2 and preferentially by sealing between the tube hollow 2 and straw 28.

The straw 28 advantageously extends into the bottom of the container January 1. Preferably, when the hollow tube 2 is in the deployed position, the upper end of the straw 28 is located at the same level, or very slightly above it, of the order of 2 to 5 mm, of the upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2. According to another possibility illustrated in Figure 27 and 28, the straw 28 extends beyond the upper end 9 of the hollow tube 2 facilitating the suction of the liquid.

According to the invention, the straw 28 is configured to take alternately at least two extreme positions, one allowing drinking straw, that is to say that the liquid at the bottom of the container 1 1 is sucked or poured . More specifically, the straw 28 comprises at least one opening 29, or even two or three or four, as shown in Figures 25 to 29, arranged in the upper part of the straw 28.

Thus, depending on the position of the straw 28 in the hollow tube 2, the at least one opening 29 is either closed or free.

When the at least one opening 29 is in the hollow tube 2, then the straw 28 is in the active position, Figures 27-28, and the liquid passes through the entire length of the straw 28 to be drunk through the straw 28 .

Conversely, when the at least one opening 29 is outside the hollow tube 2, preferably in the interior of the container 1 1, then the liquid can pass through the at least one opening 29 to be drunk. The straw 28 is in the inactive position, FIG. This position is particularly useful for soft drinks where the use of straw is unpleasant.

The passage between the active position and the inactive position is by a sliding of the straw 28 in the hollow tube 2.

According to one embodiment, when the hollow tube 2 is ejected, then the straw 28 is automatically in the active position. However, the straw embodiment 28 may be implemented with a nozzle, without spring means as previously disclosed.

To put it in the inactive position, the user must exert a slight pressure on the area of the straw 28 protruding out of the hollow tube 2. To put the straw 28 in the active position, it is necessary to put the tip 1 in the retracted position and the eject again.

REFERENCES

1. tip

2. Hollow tube

3. Fixing ring

4. Spring medium

5. Top of the bellows

6. Bellows pan

7. First end of the spring means 8. Second end of the spring means

9. Upper end of the hollow tube

10. Bottom end of the hollow tube

1 1. Container body

12. Lid

13. Fixing projection

14. Fixing groove

15. Recess

16. Background

17. Lateral walls

18. Opercule

19. Tab

20. Zone of fragility

21. Hinge

22. Elbow

23. Relief

24. Lid / tab fastening point

25. Opening the lid

26. Free end tongue

27. Intermediate Volume

28. Straw

29. Opening

30. Crown

31. hood

32. Fitting

33. Paw

34. Support area Main direction of hollow tube movement

Tangent at the top of the bellows

Distance between the two ends of the spring means

Claims

18 Claims

1. Retractable nozzle (1) for a container of a fluid comprising a hollow tube (2) configured for the passage of fluid and able to take alternately an extended position and a retracted position by a movement in a main direction (D) characterized by the fact that he understands:

a fixing ring (3) configured to cooperate with the container and a spring means (4) fastened at its two ends respectively to the hollow tube (2) and the fixing ring (3), the spring means (4) comprising at least one bellows whose tangent (T) at the apex (5) forms an angle of between 40 ° and 90 ° to the main direction (D) of the movement of the hollow tube (2), the spring means (4) being in the extended working position when the hollow tube (2) is in the retracted position and in the rest position when the hollow tube (2) is in the extended position.

2. End piece (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the tangent to the apex (5) is perpendicular to the main direction (D) of the movement of the hollow tube (2).

3. End piece (1) according to any one of the two preceding claims wherein the spring means (4) comprises from two to five bellows.

4. End piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring means (4) is a watertight sheet extending between the hollow tube (2) and the fixing ring (3).

5. Tip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixing ring (3) seals with the container.

6. Tip (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring means (4) is configured so that the distance (A) between its two ends is lower when the hollow tube (2) is in the deployed position only in the retracted position.

7. End piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fixing ring (3) and the hollow tube (2) have a symmetry of revolution.

An end (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the spring means (4) is contained between the fixing ring (3) and the hollow tube (2).

9. End piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bellows, the fixing ring (3) and the hollow tube (2) are concentric.

10. Container for receiving a fluid characterized in that it comprises a nozzle (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

1 1. Container according to the preceding claim comprising side walls (17) and a bottom (16) forming a body and wherein said tip (1) is fixed to the side walls (17) at a portion of the body (1 1) opposite at the bottom (16).

12. Container according to the preceding claim comprising a cover (12) intended to cooperate with the upper part of the body and intended to close the hollow tube (2) while maintaining the retracted position.

13. Container according to the preceding claim wherein the tip (1) cooperates with the inner face of the side walls (17) and the cover (12) cooperates with the outer face of the side walls (17).

14. Container according to claim 12 wherein the nozzle (1) is fixed on a portion of the lid (12).

15. Container according to the preceding claim wherein the portion of the cover (12) comprises a ring (30) projecting from a bottom face of the cover (12) towards the bottom (16).

16. Container according to any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the cover (12) comprises a cap (18) arranged to close the upper end (9) of the hollow tube (2).

17. Container according to the preceding claim wherein the cover (12) comprises a tongue (19) configured to partially disengage the lid (18) of the cover (12).

18. Container according to one of the two preceding claims wherein the cap comprises a thrust surface, and wherein the tip (1) comprises a bearing zone (34), the thrust surface being configured to exert a pushing on the support zone (34) tending to retract the tip (1) when the cover (18) is moved to a closed position of the upper end (9) of the hollow tube (2).

19. Container according to the preceding claim wherein the thrust surface comprises at least one lug (33) projecting from a lower face of the lid (18) and wherein the bearing zone (34) comprises at least one protuberance on an outer surface of the hollow tube (2).