ES2348988T3 - DIFFUSERS FOR PACKAGING DEVICES AND DISTRIBUTION OF A FOAMY PRODUCT, PARTICULARLY A COSMETIC PRODUCT AND ASSOCIATED DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The diffuser (4) has a collar (5) mounted at an upper end of a valve of a pressurized container (2) and a product diffusion head (6) extending from the collar, where the diffusion head is mounted such that the diffusion head is movable with respect to the collar. The diffusion head has an output aperture and a curved shape, where the output aperture is oriented relative to an axis of the collar at an angle between approximately forty five degrees and seventy degrees. The diffusion head has a concave anterior surface (19) provided between the output aperture and the collar. An independent claim is also included for a diffuser and container assembly comprising a container.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of diffusers for packaging and distribution devices of a product, particularly of a cosmetic product.

The present invention relates more particularly to the field of diffusers for packaging and distribution devices of a foamy product such as a cosmetic cleaning or body care product.

Thus, interesting applications of the invention relate to the distribution of a treating or moisturizing composition of a shaving or depilatory or fixing foam, or also a hair dye.

Said packaging and distribution devices classically comprise a pressurized container containing the aerosol-packed product. The package may comprise, for example, a valve that carries a hollow rod for actuating the valve to allow controlled distribution of the product to be applied. The product is usually applied as a foam.

To this end, the known devices comprise a diffuser provided with a support to allow its fixation on the pressurized container, in particular on the valve cup, and a diffuser head. To allow product distribution, the head comprises a distribution channel in which the hollow outlet rod of the package is housed and at least one outlet hole of the product connected to the distribution channel.

US 3 917 121, US 4 239 158, US 4 720 046, WO 00/76880 and GB 641 233 disclose examples of prior art devices.

For more details, reference may be made, for example, to US Patent 4,420,046 which describes a diffuser head mounted on a pressurized container and comprising a distribution channel that leads to the level of an expansion chamber, and a grid of output of the product that partially delimits the expansion chamber. The outlet grid is particularly provided in order to ensure an improved expansion of the foamy product during distribution.

By design, this diffuser head has the disadvantage of inducing a use of the device in a substantially horizontal position or in an inverted position in which the diffuser head is oriented downwards and is located under the pressurized container.

The use of the device in these positions is particularly problematic when the package contains an immiscible biphasic mixture and when the distribution of the mixture is carried out with a diver tube.

Indeed, the requesting firm has determined that said positions of the device during the distribution of the product generally cause losses of gas from the pressurized container, which may render it unusable only after a few uses. Indeed, in these positions, the gas contained inside the container can escape through the diver tube, which makes it generally impossible to distribute the product that remains in the container, which thus becomes unusable. These gas losses can lead to consumers having a negative appreciation of the devices provided with said diffuser head.

The present invention is therefore intended to remedy these inconveniences.

Therefore, according to a first aspect, the object of the invention is a diffuser for a device for packaging and distribution of a foamy product, particularly a cosmetic product, comprising a support intended to be mounted on a container and a head product diffuser that extends from the support and provided with at least one outlet.

The exit orifice is oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the support, in a range that varies from 0º to 85º. In other words, the axis of the exit orifice forms an angle with the general axis of the diffuser in a range that varies from 0 ° to 85 °. The outlet orifice is then made, for example, at a free end of the diffuser head and generally ends perpendicularly in relation to the diffuser head.

The diffuser head can move relative to the support. In addition, the diffuser head has an inclined elongation axis in relation to a longitudinal axis of the support and has a volume that is delimited to the central section of the support and / or the container. Said diffuser head may also have a general curved and not centered shape. However, the diffuser head does not protrude laterally with respect to said support and / or said container.

When the diffuser head has a volume that is delimited to the central section of the support, a lid can be fixed on the support or in the same container, without the diffusion head interfering with its positioning.

When the diffuser head has a volume that extends beyond the central section of the support but remains delimited in the central section of the container, a lid can be fixed directly on said container without the diffusion head preventing its positioning.

In addition, the diffuser head may comprise a concave area or surface disposed between the outlet hole and the support by means of which a user can bring his fingers vertically to the hole to receive the distributed product. This concave surface thus forms a cavity that allows a user's fingers to be placed below the exit hole.

With said diffuser, it is possible to obtain a particularly satisfactory foam product distribution, even after numerous uses or actuations of the device.

In fact, the requesting firm has determined that such an orientation of the exit orifice downwards, in combination with the concave surface design that allows a user to approximate their hand under the hole, induces the use of devices provided with a diffuser of this type in an upright position in which the diffuser head is located below the pressurized container.

In this way, the orientation of the exit orifice and the configuration of the head force the user to use the device in this vertical position, which substantially reduces the occurrence of gas loss problems that are likely to render the device unusable. after a reduced number of drives.

Preferably, the outlet orifice is oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the support between approximately 45 ° and 70 °, and preferably 55 °.

In fact, the requesting firm has determined that such an orientation of the exit orifice allows the particularly satisfactory distribution of the product and greatly induces the user to keep the device in an upright position during product distribution.

Advantageously, the diffuser head can move at an angle with respect to the support. For example, the diffuser head and the support are joined by a hinge that allows an angular displacement of the diffuser head with respect to the support to decrease the angular sector.

The existence of said hinge allows to increase the inclination of the exit orifice with respect to the longitudinal axis of the diffuser, when it is opposite to the exit orifice and when the user presses on the diffuser head to distribute the product, which further favors the use of the distribution packaging device in an appropriate vertical position.

The diffuser may comprise a single outlet orifice and diffuser branches projecting from said hole.

In a variant, the diffuser comprises a plurality of outlet holes. Advantageously, the exit holes may be arranged so that a diffusion gap is obtained.

Preferably, the diffuser head comprises a distribution conduit oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the support, strictly less than 90 °.

According to another feature of the invention, the diffuser head comprises a support area for a user's finger, the support area having a concave shape and extending over a face of the head opposite the concave surface. In a variant, the support area can also form a relief, for example stretch marks or also a framework, to prevent the finger from slipping or eventually slipping.

Preferably, the diffuser is manufactured by molding at least one plastic material. In this way, the support and the head are advantageously manufactured from an integral piece.

According to a second aspect, the invention also aims at a device for packaging and distribution of a foamy product, particularly a cosmetic product, comprising a pressurized container containing the product and a diffuser as defined above, mounted on the container.

The present invention will be better understood by reading the detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment, taken as an example and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a packaging device and from

distribution of a product comprising a diffuser according to that of packaging and distribution of a foamy product according to the invention, indicated with the general numerical reference 1, in a supposedly vertical position.

invention,

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Figures 2 and 3 are top and perspective views, respectively,

of the diffuser of figure 1, and

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Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along the axis IV-IV of Figure 2 and

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Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a variant embodiment

of the device according to the invention.

In figure 1, the general structure of a device has been represented

In the proposed application, this device is intended for packaging and distribution of a cosmetic product. However, it is easily conceived that the device can also be applied to the packaging and distribution of other types of products.

The device 1 comprises a pressurized container 2 of general cylindrical shape and of general axis X-X ', and a diffuser 4 mounted on an upper end of the container 2.

The package comprises a closed lower end and an open opposite end forming a neck. This is intended to contain the product to be distributed as an aerosol. It is equipped with a product distribution valve equipped with a drive rod (not shown) that allows product distribution when operated.

As for the diffuser 4, it is intended to allow the distribution of the cosmetic product contained in the container 2 in the form of foam.

As seen in Figures 1 to 4, the diffuser 4 comprises a support 5 mounted on the upper end of a valve of the container 2 and a diffuser head 6 of the product, which extends from the support. Said diffuser head 6 can be mounted mobile with respect to the support 5.

As highlighted in Figures 1 and 4, the diffuser head 4 has a generally curved shape.

The support 5 extends along a longitudinal axis Y. Said support 5 is coaxial to the X-X 'axis of the container 2. It comprises, from the bottom up, a first tubular part 7 provided with a radial annular end surface 7a forming a edge intended to rest on the container 2 or on the valve cup and a second tubular part 8 bearing the diffuser head

6.

In order to allow the support 5 to be fixed on the container 2 or on the valve cup, the tubular part 7 comprises an internal annular gasket 7b suitable for cooperating with a complementary throat (not shown) externally made on the neck of the container 2, or with a flange of the valve cup. Of course, in a variant, it may be proposed to arrange the throat and the weatherstrip on the support and on the neck, respectively.

The second tubular part 8 has a diameter substantially smaller than that of the first tubular part 7 to provide a radial retaining surface 9 between this first and second tubular parts. This surface 9 is intended to allow the placement and mounting of a lid 10 on the support 5 to cover the diffuser head 6. The lid 10 could also be fixed to the same container 2. In this case, an annular throat can be made externally on the container 2. The lid 10 can then internally comprise an annular rib suitable for fixing this throat as shown in Figure 5.

The diffuser head 6 tilts globally downwards. In this way, it adopts a general curved shape, but can be inscribed in the central section of the support 5 to allow the lid 10 to be placed on said support 5 or on said container 2. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, when the lid 10 is mounted in the same container, the diffuser head 6 can extend beyond the central section of the support 5 being inscribed in the central section of the container 2.

The diffuser head 6 comprises a cylindrical part that forms the base 12 on which, at the level of an upper beveled surface, a head 14 is connected, which extends to an upper end through an end zone 15 through which the product that comes out of the head. The diffuser head 6 extends along an extension axis Z. The extension axis Z is included in an extension plane P ".

Said elongation axis Z is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the support 5.

Base 12 is coaxial with the X-X ’axis. This axially extends the tubular part 8 of the support 5 axially upwards. It has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the tubular part 8 to allow a slight clearance between them.

radial 16.

To allow an angular displacement of the diffuser head 6 with respect to the support 5, it is also provided with a tongue that forms a hinge 17 that joins the diffuser head and the base 12 and locally interrupts the play 16. In this way, the tongue 17 extends radially inwardly an upper end of the tubular part 8 and is connected on a lower end of the cylindrical outer surface of the base 12.

The hinge 17 has a weak angular dimension comprised, in this case between 50 ° and 70 °. Of course, it is also possible to provide a tongue that has a substantially different angular dimension, but which allows, however, to obtain an angular tilt in relation to the diffuser head 6 with respect to the X-X axis of the support 5.

The head 14 is shaped to configure the diffuser head in a curved shape. For this purpose, it comprises two rounded rear surfaces 18 and anterior 19 that extend upward, that is to say on the opposite side of the support 5, the beveled upper surface of the base 12. The rear surface 18 and anterior 19 have a convex shape and a concave shape, respectively. Thus, the radial distance between the X-X 'axis and the rear surface 18 is greater than that between said X-X' axis and the front surface 19 so that the head 14 is offset with respect to the support 5. The hinge 17 is provided next to the rear surface 18 of the head.

As will be described in detail below, the concave anterior surface 19 is shaped to define a structure that allows a user to bring their fingers or at least the last phalanx of their fingers to collect the product contained in the package 2.

With respect to the end zone 15, it extends the posterior 18 and anterior surfaces 19 upwardly, inclining with respect to the X-X axis of the support 5. It has a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.

In order to allow the distribution of the product contained inside the container 2, the diffuser 4 further comprises a distribution channel 20 located inside the diffuser head 6. This channel 20 communicates with a diffuser nozzle 21, at one end, mounted to the side of the anterior surface 19.

At its other end, the distribution channel 20 is connected to the valve drive rod (not shown) of the container 2. This connection is made at the level of a central bolt 22 of the base 12 which extends axially in the direction of the support 5.

The valve of the container 2 can be of the drive type either by sinking or by tilting. However, it will be noted that the use of a tilt-operated valve is also compatible with the embodiment shown in the figures in which the diffuser head is mounted angularly and can be moved on the support.

The distribution channel 20 extends from the bolt 22 to the level of which the product is injected into the head 6, then extended axially along the X-X 'axis, then comprises a bent part, which is extended by a substantially horizontal part which leads to the level of a front surface of the end zone 15. The front surface extends the front surface 19 of the head 14 upward and forward.

To obtain the distribution of the product outside the diffuser head 6, the diffuser nozzle 21 also comprises a distribution conduit 24 that extends the channel 20 and extends along an axis 24 a. The distribution conduit 24 leads to the level of a cylindrical outlet orifice 25.

To allow a better expansion of the foamy product contained inside the pressurized container 2, the diffuser nozzle 21 also comprises a plurality of distribution branches 26 connected to the outlet orifice 25 and extending therefrom. Under these conditions, the foamy product contained inside the container 2 has, at the outlet of the diffuser nozzle 21, a general star shape.

In a variant, it is easy to see that it is also possible to provide other types of diffuser nozzles to allow product distribution. It is possible, for example, to provide, by replacing the hole 25 and the distribution branches 26, a diffuser grid to also obtain a global product passage passage section that is greater than the passage section inside the distribution conduit 20.

In another embodiment, it is also possible to provide a diffuser head comprising a plurality of outlet holes, each connecting to a distribution channel 20.

In another variant embodiment, it could also be considered to provide a single outlet opening. However, with such a design, the expansion of the foamy product leaving the diffuser nozzle 21 would not be as good.

In order to avoid a use of the device 1 in a horizontal position or also in an inverted position in which the diffuser head 6 would be below the container 2, the outlet orifice 25 is tangent to an inclined plane P 'with respect to a longitudinal plane medium of the support P containing the X-X '. In Figure 4, the planes P and P ’form an angle called β.

In other words, as shown in Figure 4, the outlet of the diffuser head 6 is oriented downward and forward of the diffuser. More particularly, the A axis of the exit orifice 25, which corresponds to the direction according to which the product is distributed, is oriented according to an angular sector α comprised in a range ranging from 0 ° to 85 °, considered from the X-X axis 'of the support 5. When the angle between the A axis and the X-X axis' is zero, the A axis is parallel to the X-X axis' being at a distance from it.

The plane P "is inclined with respect to the plane P. The plane P" can be parallel to the plane P ’. The planes P and P ”can define an angle γ identical, similar or different to the angle defined between the planes P and P’.

In fact, the requesting firm has determined that this orientation of the outlet orifice 25 in this angular sector induces the user of the device 1 to keep it in an upright position during use. In this position in which the diffuser head 6 is above the container 2, the risk of gas losses of the container 2 is substantially reduced and the confidence of using the device 1 increases.

Preferably, in order to obtain a diffuser head 6 having an ergonomics that particularly favors the use of the device 1 in this vertical position, the applicant's signature has also determined that it is preferably to provide an inclination of the axis A, with respect to the axis XX ', comprised between 45º and 70º, and advantageously equal to 55º. Under these conditions, the inclination of the plane P with respect to the plane P ’is between 20 ° and 45 ° and advantageously equal to 35 °.

As regards the axis 24a of the distribution conduit 24, it extends in this case substantially perpendicular with respect to the X-X axis ’. However, the requesting firm has determined that an angular orientation of the distribution conduit 24 is particularly advantageous, so that an angle formed between the axis 24a and the axis X-X 'is strictly less than 90 °, to obtain a distribution conduit 24 facing down, for product distribution, particularly in the case of a non-foaming product.

To further increase the ergonomics of the diffuser head 6, this further comprises a concave support area 28 for the finger of a user that is disposed at the level of the head 15, on the opposite side of the diffuser nozzle 21 (Figure 3) . This support zone 28 could also have a bulging or convex shape. It could also be ribbed or striated.

When a user presses on this support area 28 to obtain a distribution of the product, the diffuser head 6, thanks to the existence of the hinge 17, tilts slightly with respect to the support 5, which further increases the angle β formed between the planes P and P 'thus favoring the use of the container 2 in an appropriate vertical position of the device. Said hinge associated with a diffuser head according to the invention means that the user does not have to tilt the device to correctly pick up the product in his hand which guarantees a better functioning of the device.

In addition, the presence of a front surface 19 located below the exit hole 21 and designed to allow a user to place their hand below this hole further favors the use of the device in an upright position, in which the head diffuser 6 is above the container 2.

In fact, the anterior surface 19 forms a suitable cavity to allow, due to its shape and size, the positioning of the user's fingers below the outlet hole 21 in this vertical position of the device 1.

In this way, thanks to the presence of the concave anterior surface 19, the rear support surface 28 and thanks to the curved shape of the distributor head, the user is naturally obliged to use the distribution device in the proper vertical position. At first, hold the container 2 in the palm of one of your hands, then actuate the diffuser with your index finger, or thumb, on the support area 28. The support area 28 and the outlet hole 25 can extend from one side to the other of the P plane ”. The distribution of the product contained in the container 2 can thus be obtained from a single side of the distribution head, the opposite side that forms a driving surface to activate said

distribution.

At the same time as the diffuser is activated, the user picks up the product with his other hand that has previously approached supporting his phalanges against the concave anterior surface 19, in a vertical manner to the outlet orifice 25.

The angular orientation of the plane P 'which contains an outlet opening with respect to the median plane P of the support 5 together with the curved design of the head 14 consequently induces the user to use the device in a position that limits the gas loss phenomena of the Pressurized container 2, which allows to obtain a satisfactory distribution of the product over time.

To obtain a diffuser 4 that is particularly economical to manufacture, the diffuser head 6 further comprises an annular cavity 29 made at the level of the head 14 and surrounding the bolt 22. In this case, the support 5 and the diffuser head 6 of the diffuser 4 are obtained. advantageously by molding a synthetic material, for example polypropylene and preferably they are manufactured in one piece from the molding.

The diffuser nozzle 21 is advantageously placed on the diffuser head 6, for example by snap coupling, as shown in Figure 4.

In this way, a diffuser head 4 is obtained which forms a unit assembly that is easy to transport, handle and pack.

In a variant, depending on the design of the diffuser nozzle, it could also be considered to obtain a monobloc manufactured diffuser, by injection of plastic material.

As regards the cover 10, it can be manufactured, for example, from a molded synthetic material. The lid is preferably transparent in daylight or translucent. However, it could also be contemplated to use an opaque lid.

Claims (16)

1. Diffuser for packaging and distribution device of a foamy product, particularly a cosmetic product, comprising a support (5) intended to be mounted on a container (2) and a diffuser head (6) of the product extending from the support and provided with at least one outlet (25), the outlet opening being oriented, along an axis ( A) corresponding to a direction according to which the product is distributed, towards an angular sector (α), considered from an X-X 'axis of the support, in a range that varies from 0º to 85º so that the hole is oriented towards the top of the diffuser, characterized in that said diffuser head (6) can move with respect to the support (5) and because the diffuser head (6) has an elongation axis (Z) inclined with respect to the X- axis X 'of the support (5) and has a volume that is circumscribed to the central section of the support and / or the container. 2. Diffuser according to claim 1, wherein the diffuser head (6) comprises a concave surface (19) disposed between the exit hole and the support (5) forming a cavity configured to allow the placement of a user's fingers under the exit hole (25).

3.

Diffuser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet orifice is oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the support, comprised between approximately 45 ° and 70 °.

Four.

Diffuser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the outlet orifice is oriented at an angle of 55 ° from the support (5).

5.

Diffuser according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the diffuser head (6) can move angularly with respect to the support (5).

6.

Diffuser according to claim 5, wherein the diffuser head and the support are joined by a hinge (17) suitable to allow angular displacement of the diffuser head with respect to the support for

decrease the angular sector (α).

7.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet is made at a free end of the diffuser head.

8.

Diffuser according to claim 7, wherein the outlet orifice generally flows perpendicular to the diffuser head.

9.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a single outlet orifice (25) and distribution branches (26) projecting from said orifice.

10.

Diffuser according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of outlet holes.

eleven.

Diffuser according to claim 10, wherein the outlet holes are arranged to form a diffuser grid.

12.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser head comprises a distribution conduit

(24) oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the support, strictly below 90º.

13.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the diffuser head comprises a support area (28) for a user's finger, the support area having a concave shape and extending over a surface of the head opposite to the concave surface (19).

14.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, manufactured by molding at least one plastic material.

fifteen.

Diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support and the diffuser head are made of one piece

integrally formed.

16.

Packaging and distribution device of a foamy product, particularly a cosmetic product, comprising a pressurized container

(2) containing the product and a diffuser (4) mounted on the container, characterized in that it comprises a diffuser according to any one of the preceding claims.