EP4164807A1

EP4164807A1 - Pump attachment member

Info

Publication number: EP4164807A1
Application number: EP21736633.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gilles Jourdin
Original assignee: Aptar France SAS
Current assignee: Aptar France SAS
Priority date: 2020-06-12
Filing date: 2021-06-09
Publication date: 2023-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-09
Also published as: CN116157208A; WO2021250354A1; FR3111337A1; BR112022025202A2; FR3111337B1; EP4164807B1; US20230219108A1

Abstract

Pump attachment member (1) produced by plastic moulding, comprising a skirt (11), an annular plate (13) and a receiving sleeve (14) defining a receiving recess (L) formed by a moulding pin which is forcibly withdrawn on release from the mould, the receiving recess (L) comprising an inwardly projecting annular inlet rib (15), the attachment flange of a distribution member being held in the receiving recess (L) by said annular engaging rib (15), characterised in that the annular inlet rib (15) comprises retaining segments (16) for engaging with the attachment flange (R2) and mould release segments (17) for engaging with the moulding pin on release from the mould.

Description

Pump fixing device

The present invention relates to a fixing member or ring for mounting a dispensing member on a neck of a reservoir. This type of fixing ring is used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmacy to permanently or removably mount distribution members, such as pumps, valves, caps, etc., on a reservoir for fluid, granules or powder.

In the prior art, it is known to produce the fixing member by molding in a plastic manner. The fastener generally defines a vertical axis of symmetry and comprises a skirt engaged with (in or around) the neck, an annular plate resting axially on the neck, with an optional seal squashed between them, and a receiving sleeve in which the fixing collar of the dispensing member is fixedly received. This receiving sleeve defines a receiving housing which is formed by a molding pin which is forcefully withdrawn during demolding. This receiving housing includes an annular inlet rib which protrudes inwardly and thereby narrows the opening of the receiving housing. The flange for fixing the body of the dispensing member is held in the receiving housing by this annular inlet rib. Typically, the entry annular rib is in the form of a continuous annular bead of constant section.

It is easily understood that, during demolding, the molding pin which forms the receiving housing exerts a significant stress on the annular inlet rib. The molding pin, made of metal, therefore deforms the rib. The aim is for this deformation to be temporary and elastic, and not permanent. The rib should not be grated, scraped, rolled up, or rolled by the pin. Care must be taken to ensure that the rib remains as intact as possible. Often the rib is slightly damaged. In order to impart increased elastic deformability to the rib during demolding, it It is common to form it at the level of a cylindrical wall which allows reversible expansion.

However, in some cases, a better hold of the flange in the receiving housing is required. However, the radial protrusion of the rib cannot be increased, because unplugging is no longer possible without damaging it. The cylindrical wall where the rib is formed also has elastic deformation limits.

In other cases, the rib must be placed lower, for example at the level of the annular plate, which offers only a very limited elastic deformation capacity. Unplugging then very often leads to damage to the annular rib.

The object of the present invention is to preserve as much as possible the integrity of the annular inlet rib during demolding. In other words, the rib must remain in its initial molding state after removal of the mold pin. Another aim is not to complicate the molding and demolding operation, nor to impose a particular plastic material.

To do this, the present invention proposes that the annular inlet rib comprise retaining segments intended to engage with the fixing flange and demold segments intended to engage with the molding pin during demolding. Thus, only the mold release segments are constrained by the release pin and the retaining segments remain unstressed by the pin and are therefore intact. It is irrelevant whether the demolding segments are damaged during demolding, since they do not participate in the holding of the collar. The mold release segments act as protective members or shields for the retainer segments, placing themselves first in the spindle drawout path. It can also be said that the conventional protruding bead has been segmented and that only part of the bead will fulfill its function of maintaining the collar in the housing, while the other part of the bead has been dedicated to demoulding or unplugging to preserve the part dedicated to maintenance. Advantageously, the retaining segments and the release segments respectively comprise retaining faces and cam faces which are turned towards the inside of the receiving housing, the cam faces defining a slope with respect to the vertical axis which is larger than that of the retaining faces. Thus, the greater slope of the mold release segments ensures that the pin, when withdrawn, will engage the cam faces of the release segments and move away from the retaining faces of the retaining segments. Of course, just after molding and before demolding, the molding pin is in contact with both the retaining faces and the cam faces, since it is she who formed them. However, during demolding, the spindle will only remain in contact with the cam faces, due to their increased slope: the retaining faces will be moved radially outwards without contact with the spindle, but by means of demolding segments, which are moved radially outwards, even if it means being damaged by the spindle in passing.

By way of non-limiting example, the slope of the cam faces relative to that of the retaining faces is greater by 1 to 10 degrees, preferably 2 to 6 degrees and preferably of the order of 3 to 5 degrees.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the retaining segments and the release segments can be arranged alternately. They can be contiguous or separated by slits. One can for example provide ten retaining segments and ten interposed mold release segments.

In another aspect, the retaining segments may protrude more radially inwardly than the release segments. As a variant or in addition, the retaining segments may have an axial height greater than that of the release segments. The release segments may be roughly in the form of a mini retainer segment.

On the other hand, the demoulding faces can be offset axially downwards with respect to the retaining faces, so that the annular inlet rib has a crenellated upper configuration. The present invention has a very particular advantage when the annular inlet rib is located in axial proximity or substantially at the same axial level as the annular plate, so that the capacity for elastic deformation during demolding is reduced.

The present invention also defines a fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir, a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, and a fixing member as defined above, for mounting the dispensing member. on the fluid reservoir.

The spirit of the invention is based on the fact of protecting the retaining zones of the inlet rib of the receiving housing which will come into contact with the fixing collar with cam zones which are in the first line on the path. disconnection and which will withstand the impact of the spindle, at the risk of being damaged. This ensures that the retention zones leave the draw-out intact and can fully fulfill their retention function.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

In the figures:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser according to the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through a fastener according to the invention,

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the fastener of Figure 2,

Figure 4a is an enlarged sectional view along a section plane passing through a retaining segment of the fastener of Figures 2 and 3, and

Figure 4b is a view similar to that of Figure 4b according to another sectional plane passing through a release segment of the fastener of Figures 2 and 3.

The dispenser of Figure 1 comprises a reservoir of fluid R, a dispensing member P and a fixing member 1 which is the subject of the present invention. Optionally, the dispenser can also include a covering band F which is engaged around the dispensing member 1.

The fluid reservoir R is not critical to the present invention, so it can be made of any suitable material and have any shape. The R reservoir includes an R1 neck that protrudes upward and defines an R0 opening that provides access to the interior of the reservoir. The R1 collar includes an R2 annular reinforcement that protrudes outward. Thus, this reinforcement R2 defines an annular shoulder oriented downwards. The neck R1 also defines an upper annular edge R3.

The distribution member P can be a pump or a valve. It comprises a body P1 defining a fixing flange P2 and equipped with a plunger tube P3. The distribution member P also includes an actuating rod P4 which is capped by a pusher P5. Thus, by pressing on the pusher P5, the actuating rod P4 is pressed inside the body P1, thus putting a dose of fluid under pressure in the case of a pump or opening an outlet valve in the case of a pump. of a valve. Again, the type of distribution member P is not critical to the present invention. It suffices for the body P1 to include a protruding fixing collar P2.

The fixing member 1 of the invention has axial symmetry along a vertical axis X and comprises a skirt 11 which engages with the neck R1. In the embodiment used to illustrate the present invention, the skirt 11 comprises fixing teeth 12 which engage below the annular reinforcement R2. The skirt 11 may be continuous, as is the case here, or else slit so as to form flexible tabs separated by slits. The fixing member 1 also comprises an annular plate 13 which extends radially inwardly from the upper end of the skirt 11. This annular plate 13 can be used to crush a neck gasket G on the annular edge. upper R3 of neck R1. Due to its annular configuration, the plate 13 has a very low radial deformation capacity. The fixing member 1 also comprises a receiving sleeve 14 which extends upwards from the internal periphery of the plate 13. This receiving sleeve receiving 14 comprises a cylindrical portion 141 which extends upwardly from the inner periphery of the plate 13 and an annular flange 142 which extends radially inwardly from the upper end of the cylindrical portion 141. At its center, the annular flange 142 forms a central opening 143 through which extends the actuating rod P4 of the distribution member P. The internal wall of the cylindrical part 141 forms an annular inlet rib 15 which protrudes radially inward. Thus, the receiving sleeve 14 defines a receiving housing L, the entry of which is reduced by the projection of the annular inlet rib 15. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that the annular fixing flange P2 of the distribution P is housed inside this receiving housing L, surrounded by the cylindrical part 141 and sandwiched between the annular inlet rib 15 and the annular flange 142. The distribution member P is thus held in such a manner. perfectly stable, or even waterproof, inside the receiving sleeve 14. This is a completely conventional configuration for a fixing member in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even clothing. pharmacy.

The present invention is located at the level of the annular inlet rib 15 which will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4a and 4b.

It can immediately be seen in FIG. 2 that the annular inlet rib 15 is not constant or regular on its periphery. On the contrary, this annular rib 15 defines an alternation of retaining segments 16 and of release segments 17 having different configurations. Each retaining segment 16 is bordered by two adjacent mold release segments 17, and vice versa. The segments 16 and 17 can be contiguous, or on the contrary separated by slots. It can also be noted that the retaining segments 16 have a height or axial extent greater than that of the release segments 17. In FIG. 3, it can also be noted that the retaining segments 16 have a radial thickness greater than that of the segments of the mold. release 17. In short, the segments retainer 16 are higher and / or more protruding than the release segments 17.

Referring to Figures 4a and 4b, it can be seen that the retaining segments 16 each include a retaining face 161 which is inclined upward and inwardly of the receiving housing L. It can be said that this retaining face 161 forms the first buttress of the retaining segment 16 inside the receiving housing L. It is understood that this retaining face 161 will engage with the lower edge of the annular flange P2 of the distribution member P, if we refer again to Figure 1.

It can also be noted that the demolding segments 16 each form a cam face 171 which is also oriented upwards and towards the interior of the receiving housing L. The cam faces 171 are not located at the same axial level as the retaining faces 161: in fact, it can be seen that the cam faces 171 are arranged slightly lower than the retaining faces 161, so as to impart a crenellated shape to the annular rib 15.

Figure 4a is a sectional view through a retaining rib 16. Its retaining face 161 extends with a slope which makes an angle a with respect to the vertical Y. Figure 4b is a sectional view through a release rib 17. Its cam face 171 has a slope forming an angle b with respect to the vertical Y. According to the invention, the angle b is greater than the angle a. For example, angle a can be 38.5 °, while angle b can be 42 °. These values are given for information only. Indeed, the difference between the angles a and b, always in favor of the angle b, can vary from 1 to 10 °, advantageously from 2 to 6 °, preferably between 3 and 5 °.

The fixing member 1 is produced in a conventional manner by injection / molding of plastic material. A molding pin (not shown) defines an outer cavity corresponding to the inner walls of the fastener 1. The molding pin therefore comprises a molding head which forms the interior of the receiving housing L. The head of the molding pin therefore comprises raised and recessed profiles which correspond negatively to the retaining segments 16 and to the segments. of release 17. After injection of the plastic material around the molding pin, this molding pin must be removed from the inside of the fixing member 1. However, the annular inlet rib 15 extends radially towards the end. 'interior, so that it is necessary to remove the molding pin by deforming the receiving sleeve 14, and more particularly its cylindrical wall 141. This is quite conventional in the molding of fasteners in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

According to the invention, the head of the molding pin will first engage the release segments 17 and leave the retainer segments unconstrained. Thus, the release segments 17 will possibly or probably be damaged or deteriorated by the molding pin, but the retaining segments 17 will remain intact and will be able to fulfill their function of retaining the annular flange P2. In fact, given that the cam face 171 of the demoulding segments 17 has a steeper or greater slope than that of the retaining faces 161, the demoulding pin will come into engagement pressed against the cam faces 171 and s'. moving away from the retaining faces 161, thus leaving them intact.

The mold release segments 17 of the invention make it possible to produce fasteners with greater hold or an annular rib disposed near the annular plate 13, which reduces radial deformation. Indeed, it does not matter whether the release segments 17 are damaged, insofar as the retaining segments 16 remain intact or practically intact. In order to ensure the integrity of the retainer segments 16, it is preferable that the release segments are located in close proximity to the retainer segments, and are in sufficient number. In the example used to illustrate the present invention, there are ten retainer segments and ten release segments. The retainer and release segments may extend angularly over the same or similar extents.

Thanks to the invention, there is a fixing member whose annular rib 15 of the receiving housing L fully fulfills its function, being since the retaining segments 16 are preserved by the mold release segments 17.

Claims

1. Fixing member (1) for mounting a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, on a neck (R1) of a fluid reservoir (R), the dispensing member ( P) comprising a body (P1) forming a fixing collar (P2), the fixing member (1) being produced by plastic molding, the fixing member (1) defining a vertical axis (X, Y) and including:

- a skirt (11) engaged with the collar (R1),

- an annular plate (13) resting axially on the neck (R1), with an optional seal (G) crushed between them,

- a receiving sleeve (14) in which the fixing flange (P2) of the distribution member (P) is fixedly received, this receiving sleeve (14) defining a receiving housing (L) formed by a pin of molding which is forcibly removed during demoulding, the receiving housing (L) comprising an annular inlet rib (15) which projects inwardly and thereby reducing the opening of the receiving housing (L), the fixing collar (R2) being held in the receiving housing (L) by this annular inlet rib (15), characterized in that the annular inlet rib (15) comprises retaining segments (16) intended to engage with the fixing flange (R2) and demold segments (17) intended to engage with the mold pin during demolding.

2. A fastener (1) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the release segments (17) respectively comprise retaining faces (161) and cam faces (171) which are rotated. inwardly of the receiving housing (L), the cam faces (171) defining a slope with respect to the vertical axis (X, Y) which is greater than that of the retaining faces (161).

3. Fastener (1) according to claim 2, wherein the slope of the cam faces (171) relative to that of the retaining faces (161) is greater by 1 to 10 degrees, preferably 2 to 6 degrees and preferably of the order of 3 to 5 degrees.

4. Fastener (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the release segments (17) are arranged alternately.

5. A fastener (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining segments (16) project more radially inwardly than the release segments (17).

6. A fastener (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining segments (16) have an axial height greater than that of the release segments (17).

7. A fastener (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the release segments (17) are contiguous.

8. A fastener (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the demolding faces (17) are offset axially downward with respect to the retaining face (16), so that the annular rib of entry (15) has a crenellated upper configuration.

9. A fixing member (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the annular inlet rib (15) is located in axial proximity or substantially at the same axial level as the plate. annular (13), so that the elastic deformation capacity during demolding is reduced.

10. Fluid product dispenser comprising a fluid product reservoir (R), a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, and a fixing member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, to mount the dispensing member (P) on the fluid reservoir (R).