EP4164807B1 - Attachement element for a dispensing pump - Google Patents

Description

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

In the prior art, it is known to produce the fixing member by plastic molding. The fastener generally defines a vertical axis of symmetry and includes a skirt engaged with (in or around) the neck, an annular plate resting axially on the neck, with an optional gasket crushed between them, and a receiving socket in which the fixing flange of the distribution member is received fixedly. This receiving sleeve defines a receiving housing which is formed by a molding pin which is forcefully removed during demoulding. This receiving housing includes an annular entry rib which projects inwardly and thus reduces the opening of the receiving housing. The fixing flange of the body of the distribution member is held in the receiving housing by this annular inlet rib. In general, the annular inlet rib is in the form of a continuous annular bead of constant section. The documents WO 2009/080980 And FR 2954293 disclose fasteners, according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is easy to understand that, during demolding, the molding pin which forms the receiving housing exerts a significant stress on the annular entry rib. The molding pin, made of metal, therefore deforms the rib. The goal is for this deformation to be temporary and elastic, and not permanent. The rib must not be grated, scraped, rolled up, or even rolled by the spit. Care must be taken to ensure that the rib remains as intact as possible. Very often, the rib is slightly damaged. In order to give 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 certain cases, superior retention of the flange in the receiving housing is required. But we cannot increase the radial projection of the rib, because unpinning 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 only offers a very limited elastic deformation capacity. Unplugging then very often leads to damage to the annular rib.

The aim of the present invention is to preserve as much as possible the integrity of the annular entry rib during demolding. In other words, the rib must remain in its original molded state after the casting pin is removed. Another goal 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 collar and demolding segments intended to engage with the molding pin during demolding. Thus, only the demolding segments are constrained by the demolding pin and the retaining segments remain unstressed by the pin and are therefore intact. It does not matter if the demolding segments are damaged during demolding, since they do not participate in holding the collar. The stripping segments act as guards or shields for the retaining segments, placing themselves first in the spindle's unplugging path. We can also say that the conventional protruding bead has been segmented and that only part of the bead will fulfill its function of maintaining the flange in the housing, while the other part of the bead has been dedicated to demoulding or unpinning to preserve the part dedicated to maintenance.

Advantageously, the retaining segments and the demolding segments respectively comprise retaining faces and cam faces which face the interior of the receiving housing, the cam faces defining a slope relative to the vertical axis which is larger than that of the retaining faces. Thus, the greater slope of the demolding segments ensures that the pin, when withdrawing, will attack the cam faces of the demolding 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 what formed them. However, during demoulding, the pin 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 pin, but via the demoulding 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 retained faces is greater by 1 to 10 degrees, advantageously by 2 to 6 degrees and preferably of the order of 3 to 5 degrees.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the retaining segments and the demoulding segments can be arranged alternately. They can be joined or separated by slots. For example, ten retaining segments and ten demoulding segments can be provided interspersed.

According to another aspect, the retaining segments may be more protruding radially inwards than the demoulding segments. Alternatively or in addition, the retaining segments may have an axial height greater than that of the demolding segments. The demolding segments can be roughly in the form of a mini-retaining segment.

On the other hand, the demolding faces can be offset axially downwards relative to the retaining faces, so that the annular entry 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 object 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 flange with cam zones which are in the first line on the path unplugging and which will absorb the impact of the pin, at the risk of being damaged. This guarantees that the retaining zones come out of the unplugging intact and can fully fulfill their retaining function.

The invention will now be described in more detail 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 coupe transversale verticale à travers un distributeur de produit fluide selon l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en section transversale verticale agrandie à travers un organe de fixation selon l'invention,
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale horizontale à travers l'organe de fixation de la figure 2,
• La figure 4a est une vue en coupe agrandie selon un plan de coupe passant à travers un segment de retenue de l'organe de fixation des figures 2 et 3, et
• La figure 4b est une vue similaire à celle de figure 4b selon un autre plan de coupe passant à travers un segment de démoulage de l'organe de fixation des figures 2 et 3.

In the figures:

• There figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid product dispenser according to the invention,
• There figure 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view through a fixing member according to the invention,
• There Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the fastener of the figure 2 ,
• There figure 4a is an enlarged sectional view along a section plane passing through a retaining segment of the fixing member of the figures 2 and 3 , And
• There figure 4b is a view similar to that of figure 4b according to another cutting plane passing through a demoulding segment of the fixing member of the figures 2 and 3 .

The distributor of the figure 1 comprises a fluid product reservoir R, a distribution member P and a fixing member 1 which is the subject of the present invention. Optionally, the distributor can also include a covering ring F which is engaged around the distribution member 1.

The fluid product reservoir R is not critical for the present invention, so that it can be made of any suitable material and have any shape. The tank R includes a neck R1 which projects upwards and defines an opening R0 which allows access to the interior of the tank. The collar R1 includes an annular reinforcement R2 which projects outwards. 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 dip tube P3. The distribution member P also includes an actuating rod P4 which is capped by a pusher P5. Thus, by pressing the pusher P5, the actuating rod P4 is pushed inside the body P1, thus putting a dose of fluid product under pressure in the case of a pump or opening an outlet valve in the case of a valve. Here again, the type of distribution member P is not critical for the present invention. It is sufficient for the body P1 to include a projecting fixing flange 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 collar 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 can be continuous, as is the case here, or even split so as to form flexible legs separated by slots. The fixing member 1 also comprises an annular plate 13 which extends radially inwards from the upper end of the skirt 11. This annular plate 13 can be used to crush a neck seal G on the annular edge superior R3 of neck R1. Due to its annular configuration, the plate 13 has a very reduced 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 socket reception 14 comprises a cylindrical part 141 which extends upwards from the internal periphery of the plate 13 and an annular flange 142 which extends radially inwards from the upper end of the cylindrical part 141. At its center, the annular flange 142 forms a central opening 143 through which the actuating rod P4 of the distribution member P extends. The internal wall of the cylindrical part 141 forms an annular inlet rib 15 which protrudes radially inwards. Thus, the receiving socket 14 defines a receiving housing L whose entry is reduced by the projection of the annular entry rib 15. It can be seen on the figure 1 that the annular fixing flange P2 of the distribution member 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 a perfectly stable, even watertight manner, inside the receiving socket 14. This is a completely classic configuration for a fixing member in the. field of perfumery, cosmetics and even 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 the figures 2, 3, 4a and 4b .

We can immediately notice on the figure 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 demolding segments 17 having different configurations. Each retaining segment 16 is bordered by two adjacent demolding segments 17, and vice versa. Segments 16 and 17 can be joined, 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 demolding segments 17. On the Figure 3 , it can also be noted that the retaining segments 16 have a radial thickness greater than that of the demoulding segments 17. In short, the segments retaining 16 are higher and/or more projecting than the demoulding segments 17.

Referring to the figures 4a and 4b , it can be noted that the retaining segments 16 each include a retaining face 161 which is inclined upwards and towards the inside of the receiving housing L. It can be said that this retaining face 161 forms the first buttress of the retaining segment retainer 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 there 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 inside of the receiving housing L. The cam faces 171 are not located at the same axial level as the retaining faces 161: in fact, we can see that the cam faces 171 are arranged slightly lower than the retaining faces 161, so as to give a crenellated shape to the annular rib 15.

There figure 4a is a sectional view through a retaining rib 16. Its retaining face 161 extends with a slope which makes an angle α with respect to the vertical Y. figure 4b is a sectional view through a release rib 17. Its cam face 171 has a slope making an angle β relative to the vertical Y. According to the invention, the angle β is greater than the angle α. For example, the angle α can be 38.5°, while the angle β can be 42°. These values are given for purely indicative purposes. Indeed, the difference between the angles α and β, always in favor of the angle β, 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 exterior imprint corresponding to the interior walls of the fixing member 1. The molding pin therefore comprises a molding head which forms the interior of the receiving housing L. The head of the molding spindle therefore comprises raised and recessed profiles which correspond in negative to the retaining segments 16 and to the segments of demoulding 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 entry rib 15 extends radially towards the interior, so that it is necessary to remove the molding pin by force by deforming the receiving sleeve 14, and more particularly its cylindrical wall 141. This is entirely conventional in the molding of fixing members in the field of perfumery, cosmetics and even pharmacy.

According to the invention, the head of the molding pin will first engage with the demolding segments 17 and leave the retaining segments unconstrained. Thus, the demoulding 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. Indeed, 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 engage pressed against the cam faces 171 and move away from the retaining faces 161, thus leaving them intact.

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

Thanks to the invention, we have a fixing member whose annular rib 15 of the receiving housing L fully fulfills its function, being given that the retaining segments 16 are preserved by the demolding segments 17.

Claims (10)

1. Attachment member (1) for mounting a distribution member (P), such as a pump or a valve, on a neck (R1) of a fluid product reservoir (R), the distribution member (P) comprising a body (P1) forming an attachment flange (P2), the attachment member (1) being produced by plastic moulding, the attachment member (1) defining a vertical axis (X, Y) and comprising:

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

   - an annular plate (13) resting axially on the neck (R1), with an optional seal (G) flattened therebetween,

   - a receiving sleeve (14) in which the attachment flange (P2) of the distribution member (P) is fixedly received, this 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) and which thus reduces the opening of the receiving recess (L), the attachment flange (R2) being held in the receiving recess (L) by this annular inlet 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.
2. Attachment member (1) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the mould release segments (17) comprise respectively retaining faces (161) and cam faces (171) which are rotated inwards from the receiving recess (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. Attachment member (1) according to claim 2, wherein the slope of the cam faces (171) with respect to that of the retaining faces (161) is greater by 1 to 10 degrees, advantageously by 2 to 6 degrees and preferably around 3 to 5 degrees.
4. Attachment member (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the mould release segments (17) are arranged alternately.
5. Attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining segments (16) project more radially inwards than the mould release segments (17).
6. Attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining segments (16) have an axial height greater than that of the mould release segments (17).
7. Attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining segments (16) and the mould release segments (17) are joined.
8. Attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mould release faces (17) are offset axially downwards with respect to the retaining faces (16), such that the annular inlet rib (15) has an upper crenelated configuration.
9. Attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular inlet rib (15) is located in the axial proximity or substantially at the same axial level as the annular plate (13), such that the elastic deformation capacity on release from the mould is reduced.
10. Fluid product distributor comprising a fluid product reservoir (R), a distribution member (P), such as a pump or a valve, and an attachment member (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, to mount the distribution member (P) on the fluid product reservoir (R).

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