FR3067951A1 - PUSH BUTTON FOR ACTUATING A PUMP OR A VALVE, AN ASSEMBLY COMPRISING SAID PUSH BUTTON AND A PUMP OR VALVE, AND A METHOD OF MAKING SAID PUSH BUTTON - Google Patents

Abstract

Push button (1), intended to actuate a pump (2) or a valve for dispensing liquid or pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, said push button (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising: - a body (10) movable in translation along said longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position, - a spout (20) mounted to move with the body, said spout being articulated by relative to the body (10) between an open position, allowing the passage of the product, and a closed position, not permitting the passage of the product, said push button (1) being characterized in that, when said spout (20) is in the closed position, it extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and when the spout (20) is in the open position, it extends along a transverse axis (B) to the longitudinal axis (AT).

Description

Push button for actuating a pump or valve, assembly comprising said push button and a pump or valve, and method of manufacturing said push button

The invention relates to a push button, intended to actuate a pump or a valve for dispensing liquid or pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

The push buttons on pumps for dispensing liquids require protection against accidental actuation. The protection often consists of a protective cover fixed by clipping or by thread and preventing contact with the push button. This calls for an additional part, leading to a more complex industrial process and an increase in the cost price of the product.

It is also possible to provide an integrated locking system between the push button and a retaining ring.

In the case of such a button, movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the two push button and retaining ring parts are in axial abutment against one another in the locked position, actuation and axial displacement of the push button being authorized only on a well determined angular position.

However, this solution requires an additional assembly phase in the unlocked position and then the locked position before delivery. In particular, it is then necessary during the assembly phase to orient the push button relative to the ring. This complicates the industrial process, increases the cost price and decreases the production rate.

In addition, during use, the locking and unlocking operations require the intervention of two hands, one to hold the product equipped with the push button, generally by the body, and the other to lock / unlock the button. pusher by rotation thereof relative to the ring and the body of the product.

Furthermore, a button is already known with a pouring spout with two positions, a first position of the pouring spout allowing the passage of the product and a second position not allowing the passage of the product. Such pouring spouts are located on the upper face of the stopper. However, such positioning of the spout implies impractical gestures for the user.

The invention aims to solve these technical problems by proposing a push button which does not require additional steps during its manufacture, allowing a simple hermetic closure and which can be manipulated with one hand and with improved gestures.

The invention relates to a push button, intended to actuate a pump or a valve for dispensing liquid or pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, said push button extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and including:

a body movable in translation along said longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position,

a pouring spout mounted mobile with the body, said spout being articulated relative to the body between an open position, allowing the passage of the product, and a closed position, not allowing the passage of the product, said push button being characterized in that , when said spout is in the closed position, it extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and when the spout is in the open position, it extends along a transverse axis (B) to the 'longitudinal axis (A).

The positioning of the spout along the longitudinal axis in the closed position and transversely to said longitudinal axis in the open position allows manipulation with one hand. When the user grasps the dispensing pump with one hand, he can move the spout from the closed position to the open position using a finger, for example his thumb. Once the spout in the open position, the user can operate the push button, for example using the thumb or forefinger with the same hand, without releasing the pump.

In addition, the positioning of the spout transversely to said longitudinal axis in the open position allows use of the push button and the associated pump without the need to return said pump. When a user wishes to apply the contents of the pump associated with the push button according to the invention in the hollow of his other hand, it is not necessary to turn the pump over to position the spout in the hollow of his hand.

Thus, the push button according to the invention involves improved gestures, while remaining easy to use and not requiring additional manufacturing steps.

The invention may include any of the following characteristics taken individually or according to any of the technically possible combinations:

said push button comprises a product distribution channel extending at least in said pouring spout,

said distribution channel comprises a first part extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and / or a second part extending in said pouring spout,

- the second part of the distribution channel is a cannula,

- the passage of the pouring spout from the open position to the closed position is achieved by folding the cannula,

the cannula is deformable at the level of a zone of weakness having at least locally a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the cannula,

- the transverse axis (B) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A),

the push button comprises a pressure zone situated on an upper surface of said body,

the body is configured to pass from the high position to the low position under the action of a pressure exerted by a user at the level of said pressure zone,

the body comprises a skirt having a peripheral surface,

the spout, in the closed position, is housed in a recess in the body so as to be flush with said peripheral surface of the side skirt of the body,

- The recess includes a projection of material intended to be received by clipping into an outlet orifice of the spout, in particular of the distribution channel, when the spout is in the closed position so as to maintain said spout in the closed position ,

the peripheral surface comprises a gripping zone at the level of which the spout is attainable so as to allow the opening of said spout by a finger,

the push button comprises a ring in which the body is inserted at least partially when it is in the low position,

the body comprises clips, said body in the high position being held at the ring by means of said clips,

- the thickness of the zone of weakness of the cannula is greater than or equal to 0.2mm and less than or equal to 0.6mm,

- the body and the spout are made in one piece by injection of material,

- the button is made of polypropylene,

- the push button has a cylindrical shape.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a push button as described above and a pump or a valve.

The invention also relates to a container comprising the assembly as described above and a reservoir intended to contain a liquid or a pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a push button as described above.

The present invention will be better understood in the light of the following description which is given for information only and which is not intended to limit said invention, accompanied by the following figures:

FIG. 1 represents in perspective a push button according to the invention with the body in the high position and the pouring spout in the open position,

FIG. 2 reproduces FIG. 1, partially broken away,

FIG. 3 reproduces FIG. 1 with the body in the high position and the pouring spout in the closed position,

FIG. 4 reproduces FIG. 3, partially broken away,

FIG. 5 represents in perspective an assembly according to the invention with the body in the high position and the pouring spout in the closed position,

FIG. 6 reproduces FIG. 5 with the body in the high position and the pouring spout in the open position,

The push button according to the present invention is in particular intended to actuate a pump or a valve for the distribution of liquid or pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the push button 1 according to the invention extends along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprises a body 10, a pouring spout 20.

The body 10 is mounted movable in translation along the longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position. The passage of the body 10 from the high position to the low position actuates a pump 2 then entraining the liquid or the pasty product in the distribution channel 30. The passage of the body 10 from the high position to the low position can also actuate a valve , not shown, then entraining a liquid pressurized by a gas in the distribution channel 30.

The body 10 has an upper surface 11 as well as a skirt having a peripheral surface 14.

The pouring spout 20 is mounted movable with the body. Thus, when the body 10 moves, the pouring spout 20 moves with it. In addition, the spout 20 is articulated relative to the body 10 between an open position, allowing the passage of the product, and a closed position, not allowing the passage of the product.

When said pouring spout 20 is in the closed position, it extends along the longitudinal axis (A). By along the longitudinal axis (A) we do not necessarily mean parallel to the longitudinal axis (A) but in a direction comprising a component along the longitudinal axis (A), more particularly comprising a component along the longitudinal axis (A) greater than the component along the axis orthogonal to axis (A). In other words, in the closed position, the spout 20 is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (A).

In the closed position, an angle formed by the pouring spout 20 with the longitudinal axis (A) is advantageously between 0 and 45 °. Still advantageously, the angle formed by the pouring spout 20 with the longitudinal axis (A) is between 0 and 10 °.

Advantageously, when the spout 20 is in the closed position, it extends along the body 10.

When said spout 20 is in the open position, it extends along a transverse axis (B) to the longitudinal axis (A).

As mentioned above, this particular arrangement of the pouring spout 20 allows manipulation with one hand and allows use of the push button and the associated pump 2 without the need to turn said pump, with the pressure button towards the low.

The push button advantageously comprises a distribution channel 30 for the product. Said channel has a first part 32 extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and a second part 34 extending in said pouring spout 20.

The first part 32 of the channel is, for example, of cylindrical shape of circular section. It is advantageously centered on the longitudinal axis (A).

The second part 34 of the distribution channel 30 is a cannula 34. Advantageously, the cannula 34 has a section of width less than the first part 32 of the channel 30. It may be a flattened section.

The passage of the spout from the open position to the closed position is achieved by folding the cannula 34. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, folding the cannula causes a constriction of said cannula so that the product can no longer pass said cannula, which closes the canal.

When folding the cannula, the liquid or pasty product remaining in the spout remains trapped by capillary action and does not spill out of the cannula.

The cannula 34 has a zone of weakness 36. The zone of weakness has a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the cannula 34. The cannula 34 is deformable at the level of the zone of weakness 36. It is therefore at the level of this zone weakness that the cannula can be bent.

This zone of weakness 36 can be a multipoint zone of weakness presenting a punctual decrease in the upper thickness of the cannula. This zone of weakness 36 can also be a zone of continuous weakness having a constant reduced thickness over the whole of said zone of weakness.

The upper wall of the cannula 34 corresponds to a part of the upper surface 11 of the body 10. Thus, the zone of weakness 36 of the cannula 34 corresponds to a localized reduction in the thickness of the upper surface 11 of the body 10.

Advantageously, the thickness of the zone of weakness 36 of the cannula 34 is greater than or equal to 0.2mm and less than or equal to 0.6mm. This small thickness allows adequate flexibility to deform the cannula 34 at the level of the zone of weakness 36.

The push button according to the invention further comprises here a ring 40. When the body 10 is in the low position it is inserted, at least partially, into said ring 40. The ring 40 also makes it possible to connect the push button 1 to the rest a dispensing device, in particular said pump 2, or even to the bottle equipped with said device. The push button according to the invention can also be coupled to aerosol valves.

Advantageously, the pump 2 comprises a dome, as shown in FIG. 2, which is received in the part of the ring 40 forming an imprint of the dome. The pump 2 can also include a nozzle penetrating into the channel 30 and being intended to transfer the product contained in the pump to the pouring spout.

Advantageously, the transverse axis (B) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A). Thus, when the spout 20 passes from the open position to the closed position, the cannula 34 forms, at the level of the zone of weakness, an angle with the transverse direction B allowing a hermetic folding of said cannula 34. The passage of the product through the spout is therefore made impossible.

The angle formed by the cannula with the longitudinal axis (A) can vary depending on the thickness of the zone of weakness and the diameter of the body 10. It is for example greater than 90 °.

The body 10 passes from the high position to the low position under the action of a pressure exerted by a user at a pressure zone 12. This pressure zone 12 is located on an upper surface 11, advantageously smooth and / or flat, of said push button 1.

The positioning of this pressure zone contributes to the good ergonomics of the push button and allows the use of said push button with one hand.

Once the push button 1 in the low position, it returns to the high position under the action of elastic return means of the pump 2.

The body 10 comprises a skirt extending from said pressure zone 12 and having a peripheral surface 14. Said body 10 has a recess 16. When the spout 20 is in the closed position, it is housed in the recess 16 of the body 10 so as to be flush with said peripheral surface 14 of the side skirt of the body 10.

Thus, when the spout 20 is in the closed position, it does not protrude from the peripheral surface 14 and cannot be hung by accident, which constitutes protection against an involuntary opening of the spout.

Advantageously, the peripheral surface 14 may include a gripping zone 17 at the level of which the spout 20 is attainable. Thus, the end of the pouring spout 20 is protruding within the recess 16 but does not project from the peripheral surface 14. The pouring spout in the closed position can therefore be opened by a finger of a user.

This gripping area allows the use of push button 1 with one hand.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recess 16 may include a projection of material 18. This projection of material 18 is intended to be received by clipping into an outlet orifice 38 of the distribution channel 30 when the spout 20 is in the closed position. The couple of material projection 18 and outlet orifice 38 keeps said pouring spout 20 in the closed position. The passage of the pouring spout from the open position to the closed position is carried out by clipping and the passage of the pouring spout from the closed position to the open position is carried out by unclipping.

The pressure required to unclip the projection of material 18 and the outlet orifice 38 is greater than the pressure of the product within the cannula following a displacement of the body 10 from the high position to the low position.

Thus, when the spout 20 is in the closed position, even if an involuntary pressure is exerted on the push button via the pressure zone 12, said spout 20 remains in the closed position. The projection of material 18 and the outlet orifice 38 therefore constitute additional protection against an involuntary opening of the spout.

The body 10 may also include clips 19. These clips 19 are located at the level of the skirt of the body 10. When the body 10 is in the high position, the clips 19 are pressed against an upper internal annular allowance of the ring 40 of so as to maintain the body 10 at the ring 40.

In particular, these clips 19 allow the body 10 to be held in contact with the ring 40 when a user unclips the projection of material 18 and the outlet orifice 38 when the spout passes from the open position to the closed position.

The push button according to the invention makes it possible to use a simple manufacturing process and without additional steps compared to known devices.

Advantageously, the body 10 and the pouring spout 20 of the push button 1 according to the invention are produced in a single piece by injection of material. This allows a particularly simple manufacturing process and helps limit production costs.

The push button 1 can be made of any material suitable for the field of cosmetic or pharmaceutical packaging. Advantageously, the push button 1 is made of polypropylene.

The shape of the push button 1 can vary according to the specific requests of the customers. Advantageously, the push button 1 has a cylindrical shape. This makes push button 1 standard and thus increase the possibility of product appropriation for a large panel of brand identity. In addition, a cylindrical shape results in optimal ergonomics and user comfort.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the present invention also relates to an assembly 100 comprising a push button 1 according to the invention and a pump 2. The pump 2 can be any type of pump, in particular a dome or piston, compatible with a button button. The push button according to the invention can also be coupled to aerosol valves, not shown in the figures.

Figures 5 and 6 show a container comprising the assembly as described above and a reservoir intended to contain a liquid or a pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions.

Figures 5 and 6 also illustrate the gestures of the user. As mentioned above, the user can move the spout from the closed position to the open position using a finger, for example his thumb.

The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a push button 1 as described above.

Advantageously, the push button is produced by injecting material, into a mold, with the pouring spout in the open position, then ejected from said mold with the pouring spout in the closed position. This makes it possible to mark the fold at the level of the zone of weakness of the cannula when the injected material is still easily malleable.

The invention has been described above with the aid of embodiments without limitation of the general inventive concept.

Many other modifications and variations suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, after reflecting on the various embodiments illustrated in this application. These embodiments are given by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is determined exclusively by the claims below.

Claims (17)

1. Push button (1), intended to actuate a pump (2) or a valve for dispensing liquid or pasty product, in particular cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, said push button (1) extending along a longitudinal axis (A) and comprising: a body (10) movable in translation along said longitudinal axis (A) between a high position and a low position, - a pouring spout (20) mounted mobile with the body, said spout being articulated relative to the body (10) between an open position, allowing the passage of the product, and a closed position, not allowing the passage of the product, said button pusher (1) being characterized in that, when said spout (20) is in the closed position, it extends along the longitudinal axis (A) and when the spout (20) is in the open position, it extends along a transverse axis (B) to the longitudinal axis (A). 2. Push button (1) according to claim 1, in which said body comprises a product distribution channel (30), said channel comprising a first part (32) extending along the longitudinal axis (A) and a second part (34) extending in said spout (20), and in which the second part (34) of the dispensing channel is a cannula (34), the passage of the spout from the open position to the closed position being produced by folding the cannula (34). 3. Push button (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cannula (34) is deformable at a zone of weakness (36) having at least locally a reduced thickness compared to the rest of the cannula (34). 4. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the transverse axis (B) is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A). 5. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the push button (1) comprises a pressure zone (12) situated on an upper surface (11) of said body (10) and in which the body (10) is configured to pass from the high position to the low position under the action of a pressure exerted by a user at the level of said pressure zone (12). 6. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the body (10) comprises a skirt having a peripheral surface (14), the spout (20), in the closed position, being housed in a recess (16) of the body (10) so as to be flush with said peripheral surface (14) of the side skirt of the body (10). 7. Push button (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the recess (16) comprises a projection of material (18) intended to be received by clipping into an outlet orifice (38) of the spout (20) when said spout (20) is in the closed position so as to maintain said spout (20) in the closed position. 8. Push button (1) according to one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the peripheral surface (14) comprises a gripping area (17) at which the spout (20) is attainable so as to allow a opening of said pouring spout (20) with a finger. 9. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a ring (40) in which the body (10) is inserted at least partially when it is in the low position. 10. Push button (1) according to claim 9, wherein the body comprises clips (19), said body in the high position being held at the ring (40) using said clips (19). 11. Push button (1) according to one of claims 3 to 10, in which the thickness of the zone of weakness (36) of the cannula (34) is greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and less than or equal to 0 6mm. 12. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the body (10) and the spout (20) are made in one piece by injection of material. 13. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the push button (1) is made of polypropylene. 14. Push button (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, having a cylindrical shape. 15. Assembly (100) comprising a push button (1) according to any one of 5 previous claims and a pump (2) or a valve. 16. A method of manufacturing a push button (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 10 17. The manufacturing method according to claim 16, wherein the push button (1) is produced by injecting material, into a mold, with the spout (20) in the open position, then ejected from said mold with the spout (20). ) in the closed position.