FR3021561A1 - PRODUCT DISPENSING HEAD, APPARATUS AND METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

This head (18) comprises a dispensing member (16) of the product (12) comprising a movable element (27) in translation along an axis of displacement (A-A '), between a rest position and a position for dispensing the product (12), an actuator (38) of the product distribution (12) rotatably mounted relative to the dispensing member (16) about the axis (A-A '), and adapted to be rotated in a first direction, to move the movable member (27) from its rest position to its dispensing position without translational displacement of the actuating member (38) about the axis (A-A ').

Description

The present invention relates to a product dispensing head comprising: a product dispensing member comprising a member movable in translation along an axis of displacement, between a rest position; and a product dispensing position, - an actuating member of the product dispenser rotatably mounted relative to the dispenser member about the axis. The head is intended in particular to dispense a cosmetic product contained in a container in the form of successive doses. By "cosmetic product" is generally meant any composition as defined in Council Directive 93/95 / EEC of 14 June 1993. The cosmetic product is in particular a product in the form of a cream or a gel. , an emulsion, a paste, or in any other form. Alternatively, the cosmetic product is a liquid product. The cosmetic product can be a care product, for the face or the body, a makeup product, a hygiene product, etc. In order to allow an exit of the cosmetic product without directly exerting on the device a vertical thrust, some known packaging devices are provided with a head comprising a rotary mechanism capable of exerting a vertical thrust on a pump rod. In this type of mechanism, the user, instead of exerting vertical pressure directly on the pump rod, rotates an actuating member in a first direction relative to the reservoir to deliver a dose of product.

Such a device is described for example in US Pat. No. 8,235,689. However, this device does not give complete satisfaction. Indeed, to apply several doses of product successively, the user must perform a new rotation of the outer actuating member relative to the reservoir, from the same starting point as when applying the previous dose. It is therefore necessary to let the actuating member return to its initial position by rotation in the second direction, then to drive it again in the first direction to deliver another dose. This device therefore lacks simplicity and is not easy to handle for the user. The present invention therefore aims to provide a dispensing head of a product that allows the application of several successive doses of product in a simplified manner.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a head of the aforementioned type, in which the actuating member is adapted to be rotated in a first direction, in order to move the movable element from its rest position. at its dispensing position without translational displacement of the actuating member about the axis.

The head according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or in any technically possible combination: the actuating member is adapted to be rotated in the first direction when the movable element is in the dispensing position, to move the movable element from its dispensing position to its rest position; - the actuating member is adapted to be rotated in the first direction to successively move the movable member in its rest position, its dispensing position, its rest position and its dispensing position on a race angular less than or equal to 360 ° around the axis; the actuating member is rotatably mounted about the axis over a stroke greater than 360 °; the actuating member is fixed in translation along the axis; - The head further comprises a holding part intended to be integrally engaged on the movable member, and a pump ring intended to be engaged on a reservoir; The holding part comprises at least one projection of cooperation with the actuating member, and the pump hoop comprises for each projection a through opening, the projection engaging through the through opening; the actuating member comprises an internal lateral skirt having, on a free edge, a chiseled profile defining at least one movable element moving fin, the internal lateral skirt advantageously defining a plurality of fins; - At least one fin has a first side of average slope, taken in development relative to the axis, less than the average slope of a second side; the internal lateral skirt defines at least one hollow, advantageously flat, angularly apart from the fin; The movable element or a part integral in rotation and in translation with the movable element comprises a helical or wave-shaped projection, the actuating member comprising at least one stop cooperating with the projection during the rotation of the mobile element; the actuating member about the axis, the helical projection extending angularly advantageously on an angle less than 180 °; - the actuating member is adapted to be rotated in a second direction different from the first direction, to move the movable member from its rest position 3021561 3 to its dispensing position without displacement in translation of the actuating member about the axis. The invention also relates to a device for packaging and delivering a product, comprising: - a tank defining an interior volume for receiving the product, - a head as defined above mounted on the tank. The invention also relates to a cosmetic product dispensing method, comprising the following steps: - supply of a head as defined above, 10 - rotational drive in a first direction of the actuating member relative to to the movable element and translational movement of the movable element from the rest position to the dispensing position to deliver the product, the actuating member remaining fixed in translation along the axis during its rotation. The method according to the invention may comprise the following step: rotational drive in the first direction of the actuating member with respect to the elongate member for translational movement of the elongate element from the dispensing position 'at the rest position, and stop the flow of the product. The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given purely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents an exploded perspective view of a first device according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a sectional view along a median axial plane of the first device according to the invention; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a variant of an actuator; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an actuating member of the first device according to the invention; FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views in development of part of the dispensing head of the device according to the invention, comprising the actuating member of the first device according to the invention, for two extreme positions of the projections; ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an actuating member of a second device according to the invention; FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 of the second device according to the invention; FIG. 10 is a sectional view along a median axial plane of a third device according to the invention; and - Figure 11 is a sectional view along a median axial plane of a fourth device according to the invention.

Figure 1 depicts a device 10 for packaging and applying a product 12 in liquid form, especially a cosmetic product. Product 12 is a product for example in the form of a cream, a gel, an emulsion, a paste, or in any other form. Alternatively, the product 12 is a liquid product.

The product 12 is in particular a care product, for the face or the body, a make-up product, a hygiene product, etc. The device 10 comprises a reservoir 14 containing an initial quantity of product 12, a dispensing member 16 of the product 12 from the inside of the reservoir 14 towards the outside of the reservoir 14 mounted on the reservoir 14, and a dispensing head 18 of the Product 12, mounted around the dispenser member 16. A given amount of product 12 is packaged in the reservoir 14 at the time of manufacture of the packaging device 10. The reservoir 14 is here of substantially tubular shape. It comprises a bottom wall 20, a tubular side wall 22, and a neck 24 on which is mounted the dispensing member 16. The neck 24 is also substantially tubular in shape about an axis A-A ', shown The cross section of the neck 24 is smaller than the cross section of the bottom wall 20. The bottom wall 20, the tubular side wall 22 and the neck 24 define an interior volume 26 for receiving the initial amount of product 12. Advantageously, the amount of initial product 12 occupies at least half of the internal volume 26. In this example, the dispensing member 16 comprises a valve 25, a movable member 27 for actuating the valve 25 making protruding out of the tank 14, and a plunger tube 27A. The dispensing member 16 has an internal channel 28. The internal channel 28 creates a continuous flow path for the product 12, from the internal volume of the reservoir 14 to the outside of the reservoir 14. This internal channel 28 is weak section. The dispensing member 16 is intended to allow the dispensing of product 12, 35 from inside the reservoir 14 to the outside of the reservoir 14. It extends along the axis A-A '.

The plunger tube 27A includes a first end 30 disposed within the reservoir 14 above the bottom wall 20. The first end 30 is immersed in the product 12. The movable member 27 includes a second end 32 which opens out to the outside of the tank 14. It is mounted movable in translation relative to the tank 14 along the axis A-A ', between a high rest position in which the product passage 12 through the channel 28 is prevented, and a low product dispensing position. It is advantageously kept motionless in rotation around the axis A-A '. The dispensing head 18 of the product 12 comprises a pump hoop 34, a piece 36 for holding the movable member 27, mounted on the pump hoop 34, and an external member 38 for actuating the dispensing member. 16. The retaining piece 36 is substantially tubular in shape. It has a cross section smaller than the cross section of the pump shroud 34 and the cross section of the actuator 38.

The holding piece 36 is integrally engaged on the movable element 27. It is held on the movable element 27, so that a displacement in translation of the movable element 27, in particular of the position of rest at the dispensing position, results in a joint movement of the holding member 36, and vice versa.

The holding piece 36 comprises two transverse projections 40, 42 able to engage with the pump band 34. The projections 40, 42 are angularly offset relative to one another, advantageously at a substantially equal angle at 180 °. They project radially relative to the axis A-A '. The holding piece 36 is fixed in rotation relative to the pump hoop 34 and the tank 14. It is free in translation along the axis A-A '. The pump hoop 34 is substantially tubular in shape. It comprises a base 44 fixed on the neck 24 of the tank 14, and an upper peripheral wall 46. The pump band 34 defines an upper opening 48 for the passage of the movable member 27. In the example shown in Figure 1 , the cross-section of the base 44 is greater than the cross-section of the upper peripheral wall 46. The pump hoop 34 is fixed in rotation and in translation along the axis AA 'with respect to the tank 14. L The base 44 here comprises a blind circumferential groove 50 to allow the actuating member 38 to be held on the pump band 34.

The upper peripheral wall 46 comprises at least two vertical through-openings 52, 54 in which the two projections 40, 42 are respectively received. Each projection 40, 42 can be inserted into a respective through opening 52, 54. The pump hoop 34 thus blocks in rotation the holding member 36 and the movable member 27. The length of the projections 40, 42 is sufficient for the free ends of the projections 40, 42 to protrude through openings 52, 54 when the piece 36 is fixed in the pump collar 34.

The vertical through-openings 52, 54 are angularly offset relative to one another, preferably at an angle substantially equal to 180 °. Alternatively, the upper peripheral wall 46 has only a through opening, and the holding member 36 includes only one projection. The holding piece 36 is movable in vertical translation relative to the pump ring 34. The reservoir 14, the movable member 27, the holding piece 36, and the pump band 34 are fixed in rotation along the axis A -AT'. The movable member 27 and the holding member 36 are free in translation along the axis A-A 'between the rest position and the dispensing position.

In the rest position, the projections 40, 42 are located in the vicinity of an upper end of the through-openings 52, 54. In addition, as stated above, the rest position is a position in which the flow of product 12 from the tank 14 to the cup 66 is prevented. In the dispensing position, the projections 40, 42 are located in the vicinity of a lower end of the through-openings 52, 54. In addition, the dispensing position is a product-passing position 12, in which product 12 is produced. flows from the inside of the tank 14 towards the outside of the tank 14. The actuating member 38 is substantially tubular in shape. The transverse section of the actuating member 38 is greater than the transverse section of the pump hoop 34 and the cross section of the holding member 36. The actuating member 38 comprises an outer lateral skirt 56, a transverse upper wall 58 accessible to a user, and an inner side skirt 60. The actuating member 38 is rotatably mounted about the axis AA 'relative to the reservoir 14 around the holding piece and the hoop pump 34 that it covers.

In this example, it is freely rotatably mounted about the axis A-A ', which allows it to be rotated over more than 360 ° about this axis.

The actuating member 38 is here fixed in translation along the axis AA 'with respect to the reservoir 14. The external lateral skirt 56 has a height greater than the height of the pump hoop 34, in order to be able to engage around the pump collar 34. The outer side skirt 56 includes a circumferential projection 62 oriented to the axis A-A '. The circular projection 62 engages at a lower portion of the actuator 38 in the circumferential groove 50. The top wall 58 defines a centered aperture 64. The orifice 64 is able to let out the product 12 contained in the reservoir 14, when the actuating member 38 is rotated, according to a distribution method described hereinafter. The section of the orifice 64 is for example identical to the section of the movable element 27. In the case shown in Figure 1, the section of the orifice 64 is circular. The upper wall 58 of the actuating member 38 is advantageously of concave shape. It thus defines a cup 66 for receiving the product 12 accessible to a user. In a variant shown in Figure 3, the actuating member 38 further comprises a porous dome 68 fixed on the upper wall 58. The porous dome 68 allows impregnation of the product 12 in the porous dome 68. The porous dome 68 is thus impregnated with product 12, which allows a user to directly apply the porous dome 68 to the desired body surface. Referring to Figures 4 to 6, the inner side skirt 60 is substantially tubular in shape along the axis AA 'and defines an internal space 70 adapted to receive the movable member 26 and the holding piece 36. The cross section of the The inner side skirt 60 is smaller than the cross section of the outer side skirt 56, and larger than the cross section of the upper peripheral wall 46 the pump hoop 34. The inner side skirt 60 has a profile on its lower part. chiseled defining fins 72 pointing downwards. The number of fins 72 of the chiselled profile is advantageously between 1 and 10. The fins 72 are advantageously evenly distributed along the perimeter of the inner side skirt 60. The fins 72 thus define an alternation of peaks 74 and troughs 76 on the along the lower edge of the inner side skirt 60. The difference in height between the planes passing through the apex of the peaks 74 and the recesses 76 is less than or equal to the height of the through openings 52, 54.

In the example shown in Figures 2 and 4, the inner side skirt 60 comprises two fins 72 angularly offset by an angle substantially equal to 180 °.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the inner side skirt 60 comprises four fins 72 each angularly offset by an angle substantially equal to 90 °. Alternatively, the inner side skirt 60 has an odd number of fins 72, for example a single fin.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lower part of the inner lateral skirt 60 bears on the projections 40, 42. As will be detailed hereinafter, the support of the internal lateral skirt 60 on the projections 40, 42 vertically translates the projections 40, 42 along the through openings 52, 54 during the rotation of the actuating member 38.

The slope of the fins 72, between the depressions 76 and the peaks 74, is more or less pronounced. In the example shown in Figures 4 to 6, the peaks 74 are narrow, and the recesses 76 have a flat portion of substantially 90 ° angle relative to the axis A-A 'developed. The slope of a first side of a fin 72 is lower on average than the slope of a second side of a fin which may be substantially parallel to the axis A-A 'developed. In the example shown in Figures 7 to 9, the depressions 76 are located at the intersection between the first side of a fin 72 and the second side of an adjacent fin 72. The lower edge of the inner side skirt 60 is devoid of a flat portion. The operation of the device 10 will now be described, in the case where the inner side skirt 60 comprises two fins 72, and wherein the retaining piece 36 comprises two projections 40, 42. Initially, the reservoir 14 contains an initial amount of product 12. The inner side skirt 60 of the rotary actuating member 38 bears against the projections 40, 42 at the recesses 76. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the projections 40, 42 are in the rest position. To output one or more doses of product 12, the user drives in rotation with respect to each other the actuating member 38 and the reservoir 14, about the axis A-A 'in a first direction. The inner side skirt 60 thus rotates relative to the projections 40, 42.

In a first step, the projections 40, 42 are gradually pressed from the recesses 76 to the peaks 74. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the projections 40, 42 are thus displaced towards the distribution position by the peaks. 74, along the respective through apertures 52, 54, over a distance corresponding to the difference in height between the peaks 74 and the recesses 76 of the inner side skirt 60.

The vertical displacement of the projections 40, 42 and the holding piece 36 causes a vertical joint movement of the movable member 27 towards the dispensing position, in the same direction as the displacement of the projections 40, 42. The displacement of the movable element 27 is moreover the same distance as the displacement of the projections 40, 42.

The vertical displacement of the elongated element 27 downwards in the dispensing position makes it possible, in known manner, for the product 12 to rise from the reservoir 14 to the second end 32 of the elongated element 27, through the internal channel 28 free. The product 12 thus opens into the cup 66, which allows the user to apply, for example with his fingers, the product 12 on the body surface of his choice.

In a second step, when the rotation in the first direction continues, the protrusions 40, 42 pass from a support on the peaks 74 to a support at the bottom of a hollow 76 of the inner lateral skirt 60. In the case , shown in Figures 4 to 6, where the slope of the fins 72 is strong, this second step is accompanied by a noise of "click" giving the user a pleasant sound sensation.

The projections 40, 42 are thus, symmetrically with the first step, driven vertically upwards, along each of the through openings 52, 54, from the dispensing position to the rest position, thanks to the elastic return of the movable member 27. The movable member 27 is thus in the rest position, and the product 12 can no longer flow. The two process steps described above can be repeated by continuing the rotation in the same direction until one complete revolution to deliver a second dose of product. No change of direction of rotation of the actuating member 38 is thus necessary to allow the return of the movable member 27 in its rest position and possibly a new passage in the dispensing position. The gesture of use is therefore particularly simple and practical for the user. It is also possible to continue the rotation beyond one complete revolution, and thus to deliver more than two doses of product 12.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the user can rotate the actuator 38 and the reservoir 14 about the axis AA 'in a direction relative to each other in a second meaning different from the first meaning. In the case, not previously described, of four fins 72, the rotation of the actuating member 38 relative to the reservoir 14 over a complete revolution results in the delivery of four doses of product. In general, the number of product doses 12 delivered for each complete revolution produced is equal to the number of fins 72.

FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a second device 100 according to the invention. Unlike the first device 10, the device 100 does not have a pump band 34. The actuating member 38 is thus mounted directly on the base 44.

The actuator 38 is free to rotate with respect to the reservoir 14 along the axis A-A '. The inner side skirt 60 of the actuating member 38 comprises two stops 102 facing inward, angularly offset by an angle substantially equal to 180 °.

The holding member 36 comprises at least one helical protrusion 104 protruding radially away from the axis AA 'from an outer surface of the dispensing member 16. The helical protrusion 104 extends angularly around the dispensing member 16 on an angle less than 180 °, and comprises an upper portion and a lower portion.

At least one of the stops 102 bears on the helical protrusion 104. To implement the method according to the invention, the user rotates the actuating member 38 relative to the reservoir 14 in a rotation in a reverse direction of the direction of rotation of the helical protrusion 104. Initially, at least one of the abutments 102 bears against the helical protrusion 104 at the bottom of the helical protrusion 104. During the rotation of the organ actuator 38 by the user, the inner side skirt 60 is rotated relative to the helical protrusion 104, and pushes the helical protrusion 104 downward until the abutment bears against the helical protrusion 104 arrives at the top of the helical protrusion 104.

The movable member 27 and the holding member 36 are then in the dispensing position. By continuing the rotation of the actuating member 38, no stop 102 is in contact with the helical projection 104. The elastic return of the movable member 27 causes a rise of this movable member 27 in the rest position, corresponding at a product dispensing stop 12. By continuing the rotation in the same direction of rotation until a complete turn is made, the two preceding steps occur in substantially the same manner, with the second abutment bearing against the helical protrusion 104. In a variant, the holding piece 36 comprises four discontinuous helical protrusions, of same height and in the same direction of rotation. In this case, each helical protrusion extends angularly at an angle less than 90 °.

Alternatively, the holding piece 36 has a continuous wave-shaped groove (not shown). In the device 100, the actuating member 38 is also movably mounted in translation along the axis A-A ', to move the movable member 27 from the rest position to the dispensing position without rotation. of the actuating member 38. In a variant, in the device 200 illustrated in FIG. 11, the actuating member 38 is wedged in translation against the reservoir 14. Only the rotation of the actuating member 38 allows the distribution of the product. In this variant, the movable element 27 carries the projection 104.

Claims (15)

CLAIMS- A dispensing head (18) for a product (12) comprising: a dispensing member (16) for the product (12) comprising a movable element (27) in translation along an axis of displacement (A); -A '), between a rest position and a product dispensing position (12), - an actuating member (38) of the product distribution (12) rotatably mounted relative to the dispensing member (16). ) about the axis (A-A '), characterized in that the actuating member (38) is adapted to be rotated in a first direction, for passing the movable member (27) of its rest position at its dispensing position without translational displacement of the actuating member (38) about the axis (A-A '). 2. Head (18) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating member (38) is adapted to be rotated in the first direction when the movable member (27) is in the dispensing position. to move the movable member (27) from its dispensing position to its rest position. 3. Head (18) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating member (38) is adapted to be rotated in the first direction to pass successively the movable member (27) in its rest position, its dispensing position, its rest position and its dispensing position on an angular stroke less than or equal to 360 ° around the axis (A-A '). 4. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating member (38) is rotatably mounted about the axis (A-A ') on a stroke greater than 360 ° . 5. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating member (38) is fixed in translation along the axis (A-A '). 6. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a holding piece (36) intended to be integrally engaged on the movable member (27), and a pump ring (34) intended to be engaged on a reservoir (14). 7. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding piece (36) comprises at least one projection (40, 42) for cooperation with the actuating member (38), and in that the pump shroud (34) has a through opening (52, 54) for each projection (40, 42), the projection (40, 42) engaging through the through opening (52, 54). 3021561 13 8. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating member (38) comprises an inner side skirt (60) having, on a free edge, a chiseled profile defining the minus a fin (72) for moving the movable member (27), the inner side skirt (60) advantageously defining a plurality of vanes (72). 9. Head (18) according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one fin (72) has a first side of average slope, taken in development relative to the axis (A-A '), less than the average slope of a second side. 10. Head (18) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the inner side skirt (60) defines at least one hollow, preferably flat, angularly apart from the fin (72). ). 11. Head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable member (27) or a piece (36) integral in rotation and in translation of the movable member (27) comprises a protrusion (104) helical or wave-shaped, the actuating member (38) comprising at least one stop (102) cooperating with the projection (104) during the rotation of the actuating member (38) around of the axis (A-A '), the helical projection (104) extending angularly advantageously over an angle less than 180 °. 12. A head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating member (38) is adapted to be rotated in a second direction different from the first direction, for passing the element. mobile (27) from its rest position to its dispensing position without displacement in translation of the actuating member (38) about the axis (A-A '). 13.- Device (10; 100) for packaging and dispensing a product (12), comprising: - a reservoir (14) defining an interior volume (26) for receiving the product (12), - a head ( 18) according to any one of the preceding claims, mounted on the reservoir (14). 14. A method of dispensing a product (12), comprising the steps of: providing a head (18) according to any one of the preceding claims; - Driving in rotation in a first direction of the actuating member (38) relative to the movable member (27) and translational movement of the movable member (27) from the rest position to the position dispensing device for delivering the product (12), the actuating member (38) remaining fixed in translation along the axis (A-A ') during its rotation. 3021561 14 15.- Method according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the following step: - rotational drive in the first direction of the actuating member (38) relative to the elongate member (27) for translational movement of the elongated member (27) 5 from the dispensing position to the home position, and stopping the flow of the product (12).