EP3431188A1 - Dispensing head for product from a container - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispensing head (1) for a product dispensing system in which said head (1) comprises a body (2) having a housing being provided with an anvil (7) around which a nozzle (8) is mounted , said nozzle (8) comprising an outlet orifice (10) for communicating the housing (6) with the outside, and wherein the head (1) comprises a membrane (15) attached around the periphery of the anvil (7) in the housing so as to form between the membrane (15) and the nozzle (8) a product distribution path.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a dispensing head for a dispensing system of a product.

More specifically, the invention relates to a dispensing head for a dispensing system comprising such a head attached to a tube for supplying pressure of the product and a bottle for containing a product to be dispensed.

State of the art

In a particular application, the product is of the lotion, gel or cream type, for example for use in cosmetics or for pharmaceutical treatments.

Dispensing systems are known comprising a pump provided with a tube for feeding the product under pressure on which a push-button type distribution head is fixed to actuate the displacement of said tube over a dispensing / suction stroke of the product.

In particular, the dispensing head may comprise a body having a mounting well of said head on the feed tube and a product distribution path between said well and an outlet passage. According to one embodiment, the distribution path is formed at least in part at the interface between an anvil equipping a housing provided in the dispensing head and a nozzle mounted around said anvil. Thus, by pressing on the body of the dispensing head, the pump is actuated to distribute the product through the outlet passage in the form of a hazelnut or a continuous flow.

Laws designed to protect the consumer and the environment strictly regulate the composition of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. These include controlling and limiting the presence of substances potentially harmful to human health. Thus, cosmeticians limit or even eliminate their formulas preservatives that are often cause allergies or intolerances.

Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are becoming more and more fragile. In particular, they hardly withstand mechanical or thermal stresses, contact with air (causing eg drying out, oxidation), and are easily contaminated by bacteria, yeasts and molds.

To avoid these problems, manufacturers of cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical dispensing devices have developed improved dispensing heads.

A first dispensing head comprises a U-shaped sleeve located between the nozzle attached to the head and the anvil and disposed on the periphery thereof. The sleeve and the nozzle form at their interface a distribution path. The nozzle comprises a deformable wall (wall located opposite the sleeve). When the pressurized product flows into the distribution path, it deforms the deformable wall widening the outlet passage to allow its expulsion outwards. Such dispensing head limits the contact of the product with the outside when said dispensing head is not actuated but still has disadvantages. A nozzle thus deformable compromises the distribution of the product when it is brought into contact with an external element such as the hand of the user or a cotton. Under the effect of an external stress due to the hand for example, the nozzle can be prevented from deforming, blocking the distribution or at least the hindrance seriously to the detriment of the perceived quality of the device by the consumer. In addition to the practical aspect of product distribution (which is at least partially impeded), this is highly detrimental to the brand image of the dispensing device manufacturer and the producer of pharmaceuticals and / or cosmetics.

A second dispensing head includes an insert housing in the nozzle insert. The insert is in the form of a substantially circular piece comprising three pillars for fixing the insert in the nozzle and between each of which extends a deformable wall. In the rest position the deformable walls are substantially vertical and located at a distance from the inner wall of the nozzle substantially closing the distribution path. In the stressed position, that is to say when the cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical product compresses the deformable walls of the insert, they move forward in the direction of movement of the product and come into contact with the inner wall of the the nozzle thereby widening the distribution path so that the product can be dispensed. Such a dispensing head makes it possible to limit the contamination in the rest position, the deformable walls in vertical position substantially closing the distribution path. However, the distribution head manufacturers are facing difficulties. In particular, the insert is a complex piece which comprises in particular several materials, namely at least two, one for the pillars and the other for the deformable walls. The manufacturers then have difficulty producing the insert at an industrial rate. Another disadvantage lies in the fragility of the insert. The deformable walls being of particularly complex geometry, they are fragile and therefore deteriorate and do not return to the rest position. The cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical product is then altered by air to the detriment of the consumer and the quality perceived by him. Another disadvantage lies in the fact that such complex deformable walls have difficulty returning to the rest position, particularly when the product is highly viscous. Another disadvantage of such an insert is that it is invisible to the user. The latter then has the uncomfortable feeling that the dispensing head is permanently open.

The object of the invention is to overcome at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Summary of the invention

It is proposed firstly a dispensing head for a dispensing system of a product wherein said head comprises a body having a housing provided with an anvil around which a nozzle is mounted, said nozzle comprising an outlet for communicating the housing with the outside, and wherein the head comprises a membrane attached around the anvil in the housing so as to form between the membrane and the nozzle a product distribution path that opens into said outlet port the membrane comprising a movable portion, said movable portion being movable between a rest position in which the movable portion is in contact with the nozzle and a constrained position in which the movable portion is compressed by said product, said movable portion then being located; away from the nozzle.

• une meilleure distribution du produit sous l'effet d'une contrainte extérieure, notamment lorsque la tête est appliquée sur la main ou sur un support tel que du coton,
• faciliter la fabrication de la tête de distribution, notamment avec des éléments moins complexes,
• d'obtenir une tête de distribution ayant une plus importante durée de vie.

Such dispensing dispensing head allows:

• a better distribution of the product under the effect of an external constraint, especially when the head is applied on the hand or on a support such as cotton,
• facilitate the manufacture of the dispensing head, in particular with less complex elements,
• to obtain a distribution head having a longer life.

• la portion mobile comprend une paroi extérieure et un bulbe qui s'étend depuis la paroi extérieure en saillie selon un axe de distribution du logement ;
• le bulbe comprend un chanfrein destiné à permettre à une extrémité dudit bulbe de s'insérer dans l'orifice de sortie de telle sorte que ledit bulbe s'étend au moins en partie dans ledit orifice de sortie ;
• le bulbe comprend une paroi de contact sensiblement perpendiculaire à l'axe de distribution, la paroi de contact coopérant avec une paroi intérieure de la buse ;
• la paroi de contact comporte une rainure ;
• la rainure s'étend depuis une périphérie de la paroi de contact jusqu'à une paroi périphérique d'une extrémité dudit bulbe ;
• la membrane est montée sur l'enclume de sorte que la paroi extérieure se situe à distance de ladite enclume formant entre ladite paroi extérieure et ladite enclume, une zone d'échappement ;
• l'enclume comprend un canal d'échappement communicant avec un évidement formé dans le corps, via un passage d'échappement ;
• la membrane comprend une saillie annulaire de révolution autour de l'axe de distribution, ladite saillie annulaire comportant au moins un trou traversant ladite saillie annulaire de part et d'autre selon une direction parallèle à l'axe de distribution ;
• l'au moins un trou fait partie intégrante du chemin de distribution de telle sorte que le produit se déplaçant le long dudit chemin de distribution traverse le au moins un trou ;
• la membrane est apte à assurer une action microbiocide sur le produit ;
• la membrane comprend un matériau métallique microbiocide tel que l'argent, cuivre, zinc, magnésium, oxyde d'argent, oxyde de cuivre, souffre, acide sulfonique ;
• la tête comprend un puits de montage de ladite tête sur un tube d'amenée sous pression du produit, le logement comprenant l'enclume et ledit logement étant en communication avec ledit puits ;
• la membrane est rapportée autour de la périphérie de l'enclume ;
• la portion mobile est située en regard de l'orifice de sortie.

Various additional features may be provided alone or in combination:

• the movable portion comprises an outer wall and a bulb which extends from the outer wall projecting along a distribution axis of the housing;
• the bulb comprises a chamfer for allowing an end of said bulb to be inserted into the outlet orifice such that said bulb extends at least partially in said outlet orifice;
• the bulb comprises a contact wall substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis, the contact wall cooperating with an inner wall of the nozzle;
• the contact wall has a groove;
• the groove extends from a periphery of the contact wall to a peripheral wall of an end of said bulb;
• the membrane is mounted on the anvil so that the outer wall is at a distance from said anvil forming between said outer wall and said anvil, an exhaust zone;
• the anvil includes an exhaust channel communicating with a recess formed in the body via an exhaust passage;
• the membrane comprises an annular projection of revolution about the distribution axis, said annular projection having at least one hole passing through said annular projection on either side in a direction parallel to the distribution axis;
• the at least one hole is an integral part of the distribution path so that the product moving along said distribution path passes through the at least one hole;
• the membrane is able to ensure a microbiocidal action on the product;
• the membrane comprises a microbiocidal metallic material such as silver, copper, zinc, magnesium, silver oxide, copper oxide, sulfur, sulphonic acid;
• the head comprises a mounting well of said head on a feed pipe under pressure of the product, the housing comprising the anvil and said housing being in communication with said well;
• the membrane is attached around the periphery of the anvil;
• the movable portion is located opposite the outlet orifice.

Presentation of figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue éclatée de la tête de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon le plan II-II lorsque la tête de distribution est assemblée et en position de repos ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe identique à la figure 2 lorsque la tête de distribution est en position contrainte ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective d'une membrane de la tête de distribution ;
• la figure 5 est une autre vue en coupe de la tête de distribution avec un zoom illustrant l'interaction du bulbe et de la buse en position de repos ;
• la figure 6 est une autre vue en coupe identique à la figure 3 lorsque la tête de distribution est en position contrainte.

On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is an exploded view of the dispensing head according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is a sectional view along the plane II-II when the dispensing head is assembled and in the rest position;
• the figure 3 is a sectional view identical to the figure 2 when the dispensing head is in a constrained position;
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of a membrane of the dispensing head;
• the figure 5 is another sectional view of the dispensing head with a zoom illustrating the interaction of the bulb and the nozzle in the rest position;
• the figure 6 is another sectional view identical to the figure 3 when the dispensing head is in a constrained position.

detailed description

In connection with the figures, a push-button distribution head 1 is described for a system for dispensing a product under pressure, for example under the shape of a hazelnut or a continuous flow. In an exemplary application, the product is a lotion, a gel or a cream, for a cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments.

The dispensing head 1 comprises a body 2 having an annular skirt 3 which surrounds a well 4 for mounting said head 1 on a tube for feeding the product under pressure. Furthermore, the distribution head 1 comprises an upper zone 5 enabling the user to exert a digital support on said head 1 in order to be able to move it axially along a longitudinal axis X.

The dispensing head 1 is intended to equip a dispensing system which comprises a sampling device provided with a tube for feeding under pressure a product to be dispensed, on which the mounting well 4 of said head 1 is fixed of sealed way to allow, by axial displacement of said head 1, the displacement of said tube on a dispensing / suction stroke of the product.

The sampling device of the dispensing system may comprise a manually operated pump or, in the case where the product is packaged under pressure, a manually operated valve. Thus, during a manual movement of the dispensing head 1, the pump or valve is actuated to supply the feed tube with pressurized product.

In particular, a manually operated pump conventionally comprises a body in which are arranged means necessary for pressurizing the product to be dispensed. According to a particular embodiment, the pump is of the type without air intake in compensation of the volume of product dispensed, so as not to introduce contaminant in the packaged product.

In known manner, the dispensing system further comprises means, for example a ring, to allow its mounting on the neck of a bottle in which a product to be dispensed is intended to be packaged, and means for supplying the device sampling device conditioned product, for example a dip tube disposed in the reservoir or a supply piston slidably mounted in the body of said reservoir so as to push the product in said sampling device.

The body also has an annular housing 6 which is in communication with the mounting well 4. In the embodiment shown, the housing 6 is of axis perpendicular to that of the mounting well 4 which extends along the axis X represented on the figure 2 to allow a lateral distribution of the product relative to the body 2. As a variant not shown, the housing 6 may be collinear with the mounting well 4, in particular for a distribution head forming nasal dispensing nozzle. In what follows the axis of the housing is called distribution axis D.

The housing is provided with an anvil 7 around which an attached nozzle 8 is mounted so as to form at their interface a product distribution path 9 between said housing 6 and an outlet port 10 of the product made in the nozzle 8. To do this, the anvil 7 extends from the bottom of the housing leaving a channel 11 of communication between the well 4 and said housing 6.

Thus, by fixing the mounting well 4 on the feed tube, the product is dispensed by pressing on the body 2 to actuate the movement of said tube in order to convey the packaged product from the feed tube to the feed tube. outlet orifice 10 of the distribution path 9

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the figures, the skirt 3 of the body 2 is directly mounted on a flexible body container. The body 2 is filled with lotion, which can migrate into the feed channel 11 and the distribution path 9. In this variant embodiment, the head does not comprise wells 4.

The distribution system can also be used for other types of distribution. In particular, the tank of the bottle may comprise a flexible body, the pressurization of the product in the feed tube then taking place by bringing the walls of said tank closer together, without the use of a pump.

In the embodiment shown, the nozzle 8 has a cylindrical cylindrical side wall 12 which is substantially closed towards the front by a distal wall 13.

The combination of the nozzle 8 in the housing 6 is formed by fitting the outer face 14 of the side wall 12, a rear edge of said outer face may further be provided with a radial projection anchoring the nozzle 8 in said housing 6. Advantageously, the nozzle 8 and the body 2 of the dispensing head 1 are made by molding, in particular of a different thermoplastic material.

In particular, at least the lateral wall 12 of the nozzle 8 may be made of a material whose rigidity is greater than the stiffness of the material forming the body 2. Thus, the significant stiffness of the side wall 12 prevents its deformation when mounted in the housing 6. In addition, the lower stiffness of the body 2 provides improved sealing between the mounting well 4 and the feed tube.

In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle 8 is made based on low density polyethylene (LDPE), cycloolefinic copolymer (COC), poly (oxymethylene) or poly (butylene terephthalate), and the body 2 is made of polyolefin .

Between two distributions, the product remains immobilized in the distribution path 9, putting it in contact with the outside air potentially contaminating with bacteria and / or fungi. Thus, by backscattering from the outlet port 10 in the distribution path 9, at least the dose to be dispensed later can be contaminated.

To limit this contamination, the dispensing head comprises a membrane 15 which is attached around the periphery of the anvil 7. The membrane 15 defines at least a portion of the distribution path 9. The membrane 15 is able to ensure a microbiocidal action on the product contained in the distribution path 9, in particular by being made based on at least one material having microbiocidal properties.

According to one embodiment, the microbiocidal properties of the material are obtained by contacting the product with a microbiocidal agent, for example using a metallic material such as silver, copper, zinc magnesium, silver oxide, copper oxide, sulfur, acid sulfonic acid. Other elements can be used.

Advantageously, the membrane 15 is made of synthetic materials, for example of the polyolefin type and in particular based on polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and in particular polyethylene (PE), of which at least one surface intended to delimit the path 9 of distribution is metallized.

According to another embodiment, the membrane 15 is made of synthetic material, for example of the polyolefin type and in particular based on polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and in particular polyethylene (PE), said material being loaded with a microbiocidal agent with a charge rate sufficient for particles of said microbiocidal agent to be disposed on the surface to be in contact with the product.

The membrane 15 has an annular projection 16 of revolution about the distribution axis D. The annular projection 16 is preferably located in the vicinity of a distal end 17 of the membrane 15 opposite an outer wall 32. The annular projection 16 has a plurality of holes 18 passing therethrough on either side along the distribution axis. Advantageously, the annular projection 16 securely fixes the membrane 15 in the housing 6. It is housed in a space formed between the nozzle 8 and the body 2, the nozzle 8 coming into abutment with the annular projection 16. The annular projection 16 also makes it possible to improve the effectiveness of the microbiocidal nature of the membrane. Indeed, the holes 18 are integral parts of the distribution path 9, the product thus passes through the holes 18 in the direction of the outlet orifice 10.

In contrast, the membrane 15 has a movable portion 19 located opposite the outlet port 10. The movable portion 19 is movable between a rest position in which the latter is in contact with the nozzle 8 as illustrated in FIG. figure 2 and a constrained position in which it is compressed by the cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical product, the movable portion 19 is then located at a distance from the nozzle 8 as shown in FIG. figure 3 .

On the figure 2 the movable portion 19 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis D.

The movable portion 19 comprises the outer wall 32 and a bulb 20. The bulb 20 extends from the outer wall 32 protruding along the distribution axis D. The bulb 20 has a chamfer 21 which serves to mount the membrane 15 with introduction of the bulb 20 into the outlet port 10. The chamfer 21 is intended to allow one end 22 of the bulb to be inserted into the outlet orifice so that the bulb 20 extends at least partially into said outlet orifice. Nevertheless, the bulb 20 does not protrude from the outlet orifice 10 and therefore does not extend outside the nozzle 8. As shown in FIG. figure 2 , the bulb 20 closes the outlet orifice 10 of the nozzle 4. In particular, the bulb 20 has a contact wall 23 substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis D. The contact wall 23 has a face which cooperates with a inner wall 24 of the nozzle 8 all around the outlet port 10. Advantageously, the contact wall 23 comprises a groove 25. In the embodiment shown, the groove 25 extends from a periphery 26 of the contact wall 23 to a peripheral wall 51 of the end 22 of said bulb 20.

Initially, a vial is filled with product, then the pump assembly is mounted on the vial by trapping air. The air must then be ejected during the first actuation of the button, it is the priming step. Air, unlike the product is unable to move the membrane. The groove 25 advantageously makes it possible to evacuate the air during the priming step. When the movable portion 19 is in the rest position, the groove 25 excavated in the contact wall 23 allows permanent communication between the distribution path 9 and the outlet orifice 10 as shown in FIG. figure 5 . In this way, the air trapped in the bottle can be expelled outwardly when the dispensing head 1 is actuated. Indeed without this net of air, the distribution of product would be made difficult.

The movement of the movable portion 19 is made possible by the particular shape thereof. In one embodiment shown in the figures, the movable portion 19 is connected to the rest of the membrane 15 by a rounded edge 27. On an inner face 28 in the vicinity of the rounded edge 27, the thickness is reduced relative to the remainder of the membrane 15. In addition, the inner face 28 is folded abruptly so as to form the spring of the movable portion 19.

The inner face, in the vicinity of the bulb forms, a concavity turned towards the anvil. This concavity makes it possible to increase the flexibility of the membrane 15 and also facilitates demolding of the latter.

The anvil 7 comprises an exhaust channel 29. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the exhaust channel 29 extends in the direction of distribution but could nevertheless extend in any other direction. The exhaust channel 29 communicates with a recess 30 formed by the annular skirt 3 of the distribution head 1 via an exhaust passage 31. The exhaust channel 29 communicates with an exhaust zone 50 located between the movable portion 19 and the anvil 7 in the direction of displacement of the product. The exhaust zone 50 is located between the anvil 7 and the membrane 15.

Such an exhaust zone 50 communicating with an exhaust channel 29 advantageously allows the movable portion 19 to move from its rest position to its constrained position without difficulty. Indeed, when the movable portion 19 moves towards its constrained position, the internal face 28 compresses the air that is in the exhaust zone 29. Compressed air is evacuated to the recess 30 passing successively through the exhaust channel 29 and the exhaust passage 31. The movement of the movable portion 19 is not hindered. When the movable portion 19 returns to the position of rest, it causes a suction that draws air back to the exhaust zone 50 via successively the exhaust passage 31 and the exhaust channel 29.

The exhaust zone 50 must also allow the movement of the movable portion 19. Thus the membrane 15 is mounted on the anvil 7 so that the length of the exhaust zone 50 along the distribution axis D is at least greater than the displacement of the movable portion 19 between its two positions.

When the cosmetic and / or pharmaceutical product is pressurized, said fluid compresses the wall 32 causing displacement of the movable portion 19. The displacement of the movable portion 19 allows the wall 23 to move away from the inner wall 24 so that said walls 23, 24 are no longer in contact when the wall 32 is compressed by the fluid.

• une meilleure distribution du produit dans des conditions contraignantes notamment lorsque la tête est appliquée sur la main ou sur un support tel que du coton,
• faciliter la fabrication de la tête de distribution, notamment avec des éléments moins complexes,
• obtenir une tête de distribution ayant une plus importante durée de vie : en particulier dans le cas d'un produit très visqueux,
• la buse de la membrane affleurant l'orifice de sortie, l'utilisateur a l'agréable sensation que le produit est protégé de toute contamination.

The previously described dispensing head 1 has many advantages, among which:

• a better distribution of the product under restrictive conditions, especially when the head is applied on the hand or on a support such as cotton,
• facilitate the manufacture of the dispensing head, in particular with less complex elements,
• to obtain a distribution head having a longer service life: in particular in the case of a very viscous product,
• the nozzle of the membrane flush with the outlet, the user has the pleasant feeling that the product is protected from contamination.

Claims (12)

Dispensing head (1) for a product dispensing system, comprising a body (2) having a housing (6) provided with an anvil (7) around which a nozzle (8) is mounted, said nozzle ( 8) comprising an outlet (10) for communicating the housing (6) with the outside, said head (1) also comprising a membrane (15) attached around the anvil (7) in the housing (6). ) so as to form between the membrane (15) and the nozzle (8) a product distribution path (9) which opens into said outlet orifice (10), the membrane (15) comprising a movable portion (19), said movable portion (19) being movable between a rest position in which the movable portion (19) is in contact with the nozzle (8) and a constrained position in which the movable portion (19) is compressed by said product, said portion (19) mobile being then located at a distance from the nozzle (8), characterized in that the portion (19) mobile comprises a pa king (32) outer and a bulb (20) extending from the outer wall (32) projecting along a distribution axis (D) of the housing (6), said bulb (20) comprising a wall (23) of contact substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis (D), the wall (23) of contact cooperating with an inner wall (24) of the nozzle, the wall (23) of contact having a groove (25). Dispensing head (1) according to Claim 1, in which the bulb (20) comprises a chamfer (21) intended to allow one end (22) of said bulb (20) to fit into the outlet orifice (10). such that said bulb (20) extends at least partially into said outlet port (10). Dispensing head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the groove (25) extends from a periphery (26) of the contact wall (23) to a peripheral wall (51) of one end (22) of said bulb (20). Dispensing head (1) according to one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane (15) is mounted on the anvil (7) so that the outer wall (32) is at a distance from said anvil (7) forming said outer wall (32) and said anvil (7), an exhaust zone (50). Dispensing head (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the anvil (7) comprises an exhaust channel (29) communicating with a recess (30) formed in the body (2), via a passage (31) of exhaust. Dispensing head (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the membrane (15) comprises an annular projection (16) of revolution about the distribution axis (D), said annular projection (16) comprising at least one hole (18) passing through said annular projection (16) on either side in a direction parallel to the distribution axis (D). Dispensing head (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the at least one hole (18) is an integral part of the distribution path (9) so that the product moving along said distribution path (9) passes through the at least one hole (18). Dispensing head (1) according to claim 1 wherein the membrane (15) comprises at least one material capable of ensuring a microbiocidal action on the product. Dispensing head (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the membrane (15) comprises a microbiocidal metallic material such as silver, copper, zinc, magnesium, silver oxide, copper oxide, sulfur, sulphonic acid. Dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the latter comprises a well (4) for mounting said head (1) on a tube for feeding the product under pressure, the housing (6) comprising the anvil (7) and said housing (6) being in communication with said well (4). Dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the membrane (15) is attached around the periphery of the anvil (7). Dispensing head (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the movable portion (19) is located facing the outlet orifice (10).

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