FR2857945A1 - DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT, COMPRISING A SAMPLING MEMBER ACTUATED BY A PUSH-BUTTON - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a container (10) elongated along a longitudinal axis (X). A filling pump (12) has an activation axis (Y) and removes a product from the container. A flexible pipe (25) connects a nozzle (4) to the pump and is arranged such that it deforms itself when a push button (3) is activated. The activation axis of the pump extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the container.

Description

The present invention relates to conditioning and

  distribution of a product, especially those comprising a sampling member constituted by a pump actuated by a push button.

  Many perfumes are provided in flasks provided in the upper part of a neck in which is fixed a pump, the latter comprising a hollow control rod on which is fixed a pushbutton carrying a spray nozzle. The axis of actuation of the push-button coincides with that of the pump.

  Other devices have been proposed, in which the actuation of the pushbutton is effected in a direction which is perpendicular to the axis of the pump, such devices being described in particular in the French patent application FR 2 802 187.

  The latter discloses, inter alia, a device comprising a mechanism for transforming a lateral movement of the pushbutton into a displacement of the control rod of the pump. A flexible conduit connects the control rod to the spray nozzle. In such a device, a relatively large space is occupied above the pump by the mechanism for transforming the movement of the pushbutton, to the detriment of the capacity of the bottle containing the product to be dispensed and the compactness of the device.

  A device which is also known comprises a lateral push-button whose actuation makes it possible to drive a bottle inside a dressing part in displacement relative to a spray nozzle. The nozzle is located substantially in a median plane of the dressing room.

  Another device of the prior art comprises a bottle of elongate shape and, substantially mid-length thereof, a pump whose axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottle. An elongated cap is attached to the bottle, having at one end a nozzle whose spray axis is parallel to that of the pump. A relatively long flexible duct extending for almost half the length of the bottle allows the product dispensed by a control rod of the pump to be conveyed towards the nozzle. In such a device, the push button is actuated in a direction substantially parallel to that in which the product is sprayed, which may be uneconomical.

  A device is also known comprising a bottle having a neck oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This neck is equipped with a pump comprising a push button carrying a spray nozzle. A cap is attached to the bottle, this cap being provided with an oblong opening through which the product is sprayed. The location of the nozzle, in a corner of the device, may be poor ergonomic.

  There is therefore a need to benefit from a device that is both aesthetically attractive, ergonomic and relatively simple to manufacture, and that allows to package, if necessary, a relatively large amount of product under a small footprint. .

  The object of the present invention is therefore, according to one of its aspects, a device 10 for packaging and dispensing a product, comprising: - a push button, - a nozzle separated from the push button, so that a movement of the push button to dispense a dose of product is not accompanied by a displacement of the nozzle, - a container having an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis, - a sampling member for taking product from the container , this sampling member having an actuating axis, a flexible duct connecting the nozzle to the sampling member, this duct being in particular arranged so that it can deform when the pushbutton is actuated, this device that can be characterized in that the actuating axis of the sampling member extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container.

  By obliquely, it is necessary to understand not parallel and not perpendicularly. The axis of the sampling member may in particular make an angle of approximately 45 with the longitudinal axis of the container, for example an angle of between 30 and 60.

  Thanks to the invention, it is possible to arrange the nozzle for example in a median plane of the device, while having a push button located in a corner thereof, which offers new possibilities on the aesthetic and ergonomic levels without having to unduly reduce the capacity of the device.

  The sampling member may be constituted by a pump or, alternatively, by a valve, the product then being subjected to the container under the pressure of a propellant gas.

  The axis of the sampling member may coincide with that of the control rod in the case of a pump or a valve comprising such a rod.

  In a particular embodiment, the device comprises a dressing part inside which the container is disposed.

  This container may for example comprise a flexible pouch.

  Still in a particular embodiment, the push button is arranged to be movable along an axis substantially coincident with that of the sampling member. The dressing part may in particular comprise at least one guide wall for guiding the movement of the push-button.

  The device may comprise a support piece of the pump, fixed on the bag, and arranged to cooperate with the dressing part so as to maintain the pump in a predefined position inside the dressing room.

  The flexible conduit is preferably not entirely straight when the push button is not actuated, so as to be able to deform more easily when the distance between an orifice through which the product leaves the sampling member and an orifice of the nozzle varies. , especially decreases, during the actuation of the pushbutton to dispense a dose of product.

  The duct may comprise, for example, at least one bent portion or a loop capable of deforming during the actuation of the pushbutton, in particular a single loop or a bent portion in a U or V. In the case of a loop , the latter may for example have an inside diameter that varies during the actuation of the push button. In the case of a portion bent V, the angle of the V is preferably not too closed so as not to hinder the flow of the product.

  The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, according to another of its aspects, a packaging and dispensing device comprising: a nozzle having a spray axis located substantially in a median plane of the device a pushbutton operable in a direction extending obliquely with respect to the median plane.

  Such a push button is located for example in the upper right corner or left of the device, the nozzle being closer to the upper end than the lower end.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. a diagrammatic front view of an exemplary packaging and dispensing device produced in accordance with the invention, - Figure 2 is a top view along the arrow II of Figure 1, - Figures 3 and 4 are views. similar to Figure 1 with longitudinal section of the dressing part, the push button being respectively at rest and depressed, and - Figures 5 to 6 show partially and schematically other examples of flexible ducts, at rest and after deformation following actuation of the pushbutton.

  The packaging and dispensing device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 comprises an outer covering part 2 of generally flattened and elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X, and a pushbutton 3 located in a corner and movable relative to the part 2 along an axis Y forming with the X axis an angle of about 45 in the example 20 considered.

  The depression of the push button 3 causes a product spray through a nozzle 4, along a Z axis intersecting and preferably perpendicular to the X axis. The sprayed product is for example a cosmetic product such as a perfume.

  The covering part 2 houses a container 10 which is constituted in the example 25 considered by a flexible bag containing the product to be dispensed, this bag 10 being provided with a sampling member 12 constituted by a pump.

  A conduit 25 connects the pump 12 to the nozzle 4.

  The dressing part 2 is formed, in the embodiment considered, by the assembly of two shells 2a and 2b made by injection of a relatively rigid plastic material 30, these shells 2a and 2b comprising for example complementary reliefs arranged to snap together, these reliefs being not apparent in the figures.

  The rear shell 2b comprises, in the example considered, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, tabs 5 making it possible to hold the nozzle 4 in place, the latter being carried by a support piece comprising fins 6 engaging between the legs 5.

  The nozzle 4 exits through a hole 35 formed in the bottom of a recess 36 of the front shell 2a, as seen in FIG. 1. The Z axis of the nozzle 4 is located in a longitudinal median plane of the part dressing 2.

  The shells 2a and 2b are made, in the example under consideration, with guide walls 7 parallel to each other and serving to guide the pushbutton 3 in translation 10 along the axis Y. The pushbutton 3 may comprise, as it is see in Figures 3 and 4, retaining reliefs, arranged to snap behind the guiding walls 7 during its introduction. These reliefs consist for example of teeth 9 made in one piece by molding material with the rest of the pushbutton 3.

  The pump 12 is carried, in the example in question, by a support member 14 secured to the pocket 10, this support piece 14 being arranged to cooperate with at least one of the shells 2a and 2b so as to immobilize the pump 12 in a predetermined position, relative to the dressing part 2.

  The pump 12 may be conventional and, depending on the case, with or without air intake, pre-compression or not and include or not a dip tube.

  The support piece 14 comprises, in the illustrated example, an annular groove 16, in which two tabs 17 can engage, the latter being made in one piece with the rear shell 2b by molding material.

  The flexible wall of the pocket 10 is for example welded to a flange of the support part 14, partially delimiting the groove 16.

  In the example under consideration, the pump 12 comprises a hollow control rod 19, the longitudinal axis of which coincides with the axis Y of actuation of the push-button 3.

  The displacement stroke of the rod 19 is for example between 2 and 5 mm.

  The rod 19 is engaged, substantially sealingly, in a tip 20 which is fixed inside the push button 3, for example by snapping or forcibly mounting, the push button 3 internally having appropriate reliefs.

  This tip 20 has a lateral extension 22 inside which is engaged by force one end of the flexible conduit 25, so as to make a tight connection.

  The other end of the duct 25 is also tightly received in a nozzle 26 made in one piece with the support part of the nozzle 4, so that the product delivered by the mouth 28 of the control rod 19 gains, by flowing through the conduit 25, the nozzle 4.

  The conduit 25 has a circular cross section in the example, with an outside diameter of between 1 and 2 mm, for example. It can be made of a flexible material such as polyethylene for example.

  In the example considered, the conduit 25 is made with a loop 30 in its middle, so as to have increased deformability during the movement of the pushbutton 3 and not to unduly hinder the depression thereof. The conduit 25 can deform elastically, without bending or clogging.

  The presence of the loop 30 is only one example among others of the possibilities making it possible to increase the deformability of the duct 25.

  For example, there is shown in Figure 5 a conduit 25 having a portion 32 angled U, facilitating the deformation of the flexible conduit when its ends are close together, as illustrated.

  FIG. 6 shows a flexible duct 25 with a portion 33 bent in a V-shape. In the example under consideration, the control rod 19 is pressed against the return action of a non-apparent spring, contained in FIG. the pump 12, so that when the user releases the push button 3, it is returned by the rod 19 in its initial position.

  Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the pushbutton 3 is returned to its initial position by means of other or additional elastic return means constituted for example by a metal spring, helical or blade, s' interposing between the pushbutton 3 and a bearing made on the trim piece 30 2 or by at least one elastic tab made integrally by molding plastic with the trim piece 2 or the pushbutton 3.

  In the case for example where the push button 3 is made in one piece by molding plastic material with such an elastic tab, it can carry, when the push button is pressed, against a corresponding support surface performed on the trim piece 2 or directly on the pump 12.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

  In particular, it is possible to modify the shape of the container 10 and use a glass or plastic bottle instead of a flexible bag.

  The pump 12 may be replaced by a valve, especially in the case where the product is contained in a bottle under the pressure of a propellant gas.

  The container 10 may contain products other than a perfume, for example a care cream or a liquid toothpaste.

  The holding mode of the nozzle 4 can be modified, as well as its location relative to the push button 3 in particular.

  The pushbutton 3 can also be made in the form of a flexible membrane fixed at its periphery to the covering part 2 and can be deformed in a central region to allow the user to act on the body of the body. sample.

  Throughout the description, including the claims, the phrase having one must be understood to be synonymous with at least one, unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (11)

  1. Device (1) for packaging and dispensing a product, comprising: - a push button (3), - a nozzle (4) separated from the push button (3), so that a movement of the push button for dispensing a dose of product is not accompanied by a displacement of the nozzle, - a container (10) having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis (X), - a sampling member (12) for sampling product in the container (10), this sampling member having an axis (Y) of actuation, - a flexible conduit (25) connecting the nozzle to the sampling member, this conduit being in particular arranged so that it can deform when the pushbutton is actuated, this device being characterized in that the axis (Y) for actuating the sampling member (12) extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) container (10).   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis (Y) of actuation of the sampling member (12) is an angle (ca) of approximately 45 with the longitudinal axis (X) of the containing (10).   3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a dressing part (2) inside which the container (10) is disposed.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) comprises a flexible pouch.   5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sampling member comprises a pump (12).   6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the push button (3) is arranged to be movable along an axis substantially coincident with that (Y) of the sampling member.   7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible conduit (25) is not completely straight when the push button (3) is not actuated.   8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit (25) is arranged to be able to deform when the distance between a nozzle orifice (4) and a hole (28) of the The sampling member by which the product leaves the latter decreases when the push button (3) is actuated to dispense a dose of product.   9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the conduit comprises at least one bent portion (32; 33), in particular a bent portion U or V. 10. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the conduit 10 comprises at least one loop (30).   11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the loop (30) has an internal diameter which varies during the actuation of the push button.