FR3067953A1 - DEVICE FOR DISTRIBUTING PRODUCT FROM A CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for dispensing a product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, in which the latter comprises: a body movable between a retracted position for actuating a pump and an extended position; an actuating part that can be actuated by a user, said actuating member being movably mounted relative to the body between a closed position prohibiting dispensing of the product and an open position permitting dispensing of the product, and wherein the device is configured to dispense product when the the body and the actuating part were respectively brought into the retracted position and into the open position under the effect of a continuous actuation by the user.

Description

Device for dispensing product from a container

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device for dispensing product from a container.

The invention relates more particularly to a dispensing device originating from a container intended to contain a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product.

State of the art

The devices for dispensing product from containers intended to contain a cosmetic or pharmaceutical product are well known.

These devices are often in the form of a manually actuated pump.

As a rule, the user actuates the pump manually by exerting a continuous downward movement and a dose of the product is extracted from the container.

Containers are often carried by users in personal bags and in luggage. The container pumps can then be activated accidentally. The product in the container spills on the user's personal belongings.

To avoid this type of incident, the containers are fitted with means designed to prevent accidental activation of the pumps.

A first solution is to add a protective cover to prevent accidental contact with the pump. This technical solution is certainly effective but not without drawbacks.

In fact, it requires an additional added piece leading to a complexification of the industrial process due to greater logistics. To this is added an additional step during the manufacturing process during which the cover must be positioned on the container. This puts a strain on production yields at the expense of the overall yield of a production line. In addition, the cover can come off at any time, especially when it is subjected to external constraints, as is the case in luggage or handbag. The cover therefore does not have sufficient security.

A second solution is to provide an integrated locking system located between the push button and the ring. The ring is a fixed element integral with the container and which serves as a support for the pump. This solution consists in rotating the push button relative to the ring. In this way the push button and the ring are in axial abutment, along the axis of translation of the push button. The push button is then blocked in translation preventing the pump from extracting the product.

The second solution is effective a priori but ultimately has the same drawbacks as the first solution. When the container is transported in luggage, there is a risk that the push button accidentally pivots unlocking thereby the pump. In addition, during the manufacturing process, a step of rotating the push button must be performed. Like the first solution, this additional step is detrimental to the overall performance of a production line.

Furthermore, the two solutions described above have an additional drawback inherent in the use of the final product by the user. Indeed, whether it is to open in the first solution or unlock in the second solution, the user uses his two hands, which is not ergonomic. Worse still in the first solution, the user must keep the cover in one hand while using the container in the other. He must also not lose the cover, in which case the container will be without security.

There is known a product dispensing device which requires the use of only one hand. In such a device, the user moves with the help of his index finger a plate in a substantially horizontal direction. This has the effect of unlocking the device. When the plate is in abutment, synonymous with unlocking, the user presses in a substantially vertical direction on a pump to extract product from the container.

This device overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, but on the other hand has a significant lack of ergonomics. Indeed, the movement necessary to extract the product breaks down into two phases. In the first phase the movement is substantially horizontal then in the second phase, the movement is substantially vertical. This movement in two directions very different from each other, is particularly troublesome for the user and is not intuitive so that the latter often finds it difficult to achieve it.

The objective of the invention is to respond to at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

Summary of the invention

Firstly, a device for dispensing a product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, is proposed in which it comprises:

- a movable body between a retracted position for actuating a pump and a deployed position,

an actuating part capable of being actuated by a user, said actuating part being mounted movable relative to the body between a closed position preventing the dispensing of the product and an open position permitting the dispensing of the product, and in which the device is configured to allow dispensing of the product when the actuating part and the body are respectively in the open position and in the retracted position under the effect of continuous actuation by the user.

The expression “continuous actuation” means that a point located on the actuating part at the place where the user places his finger (used to press on the actuating part) follows a single direction, that is to say that is to say, a substantially rectilinear trajectory in a given direction, in particular just before and just after the actuating part is in abutment on the body, or even all along this trajectory. The given direction is preferably that of the longitudinal axis of the container. In other words, continuous actuation is the fact for the finger to follow a substantially rectilinear trajectory along the longitudinal axis, in particular just before and just after the actuation part is in abutment on the body, or even all of the along this trajectory.

Such a distribution device allows:

- to simplify the industrial process,

- to reduce the stages of assembly on a production line,

- to improve the production yield of a production line,

- to improve the safety of the containers by greatly reducing the risks of accidental actuation of the pump, to improve ergonomics.

Various additional characteristics can be provided alone or in combination:

- device in which the body is mounted telescopically in the ring between the retracted position in which the body is housed at least partially in the ring and the deployed position in which in which the body extends substantially outside the ring;

- device in which the body comprises a feed channel in which is able to circulate the liquid or pasty product;

- device in which the actuating part comprises an outlet channel;

- device in which the actuating part is mounted to rotate in the body between the closed position in which the outlet channel is located opposite a wall of the body and the open position in which the outlet channel is located opposite the supply channel;

- device in which:

o the body comprises a substantially cylindrical base, o the actuating part comprises a rail substantially in the form of a clamp, and in which, the base is inserted into the rail so that the base forms a support for the actuating part and that the latter pivots around said base;

- The base is substantially cylindrical and extends on either side inside the body in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the device;

- the feed channel is located in the base;

- The base includes two radial stops located on either side of the feed channel, the distance separating said radial stops is such that the rail can be inserted between them;

- The supply channel has an enlarged portion followed by a narrowed portion whose diameter is less than that of the enlarged portion, a device in which the diameter of the enlarged portion is greater than the diameter of a pump nozzle and the diameter the narrowed portion is less than the pump nozzle;

- A junction between the enlarged portion and the narrowed portion defines a transverse shoulder relative to a longitudinal axis of the device;

- Device in which the latter comprises a stop stop configured to drive the body under the effect of the actuating part when the actuating part is in the open position;

- the stopper is configured to block the rotation of the actuating part by contact with the body, said stopper being in the form of a plate which extends in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the container;

the actuating part comprises a substantially arched front apron into which the outlet channel opens and a substantially horizontal upper part, said upper part and the front apron being connected to each other by a vertical wall capable of blocking by contact with the body, the rotation of the actuating part when the latter is in the angular closed position;

- the upper part has a concave zone whose concavity faces outwards, said concave zone includes a digital actuation zone;

- the digital actuation zone includes at least one rib;

- The body has a rim defining an upper rim and lower rim, the lower rim defining a downward curvature;

- The outlet channel is located opposite a wall of the base when the actuating part is in the angular closed position;

- Device in which it comprises a spring configured to bring the body and the actuating part respectively from a retracted position and an angular position of opening towards respectively a deployed position and an angular position of closing;

- The spring is a tongue, one end of which is fixed to the rail and the other end of which is free and in contact with the ring;

device in which the latter comprises a pump.

Presentation of the figures

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which will follow, of at least one embodiment of the invention given in title of example purely illustrative and not limiting, with reference to the attached schematic drawings.

In these drawings:

- Figure 1 are illustrated a side view and a sectional view of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 2 are illustrated a side view and a sectional view of the device in another configuration;

- Figure 3 is a partially exploded view of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 4 is another partially exploded view of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 5 is a view of the device according to the invention in use;

figure 6 East a other view of device according to the invention in Classes of use; figure 7 East a other view of device according to the invention in Classes of use; figure 8 East a other view of device according to the invention in Classes

use.

detailed description

In Figure 1 is shown a device 1 for dispensing product, especially liquid or pasty product.

In what follows, the expressions “wall” and “face” designate elements whose thickness is not zero.

The device 1 comprises a ring 2 capable of authorizing the attachment of a pump (not shown in the figures). The ring 2 may also be able to be fixed to an upper end of a container (not shown in the figures). The ring 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape of revolution around a longitudinal X axis.

The ring 2 has an upper portion 3 and a lower portion 4 separated from each other by a membrane 5.

The lower portion 4 comprises a fixing zone 6 provided with a circular seat 7 and with a lateral fixing belt 8. The upper end of the container is inserted into the fixing zone 6 in such a way that an upper edge of the container comes into contact with the circular seat 7. In parallel, the lateral belt 8 is in contact with a side wall of the container. The lateral belt 8 has a slightly flared end edge 9 so as to facilitate the insertion of the container into the fixing zone 6.

The upper portion 3 has a recess 10 whose function will be explained later.

The membrane 5 includes a pump support 11. The pump support 11 has a passage opening 12 to allow the passage of a pump nozzle 13.

The device 1 comprises a body 14. The body 14 is mounted telescopically in the ring 2. The body 14 moves telescopically relative to the ring 2 between a retracted position for actuating a pump and in which the body 14 is at least partially housed in the recess 10 of the ring 2 as illustrated in FIG. 7 and a deployed position in which the body 14 extends substantially outside the ring 2 as shown in FIG. 1 .

Like the ring 2, the body 14 is in the form of a substantially cylindrical part of revolution around the axis X. The body 14 defines an upper opening 15. As illustrated in Figure 3, the body 14 includes a base

16. The base 16 is of substantially cylindrical shape, it extends on either side inside the body 14 in a direction transverse to the axis X. Such a base 16 has good mechanical strength. The base 16 includes a supply channel 17. The supply channel 17 is located opposite the passage orifice 12. The feed channel 17 extends on either side of the base 16 in a longitudinal direction substantially parallel to the axis X. The feed channel 17 has a diameter which varies. In particular, the feed channel 17 has an enlarged portion 18 followed by a narrowed portion 19 whose diameter is less than that of the enlarged portion 18. Note that the diameter of the enlarged portion 18 is greater than that of the pump nozzle 13 and the diameter of the narrowed portion 19 is less than that of the pump nozzle 13.

The junction between the enlarged portion 18 and the narrowed portion 19 defines a shoulder 20 transverse to the axis X.

The shoulder 20 serves as a stop at an edge 21 for supporting the pump nozzle 13 so as to push the latter down. The feed channel 17 advantageously comprises flared inlet walls 22 to allow the pump nozzle 13 to be easily inserted into the feed channel 17 when the body 14 is returned to the retracted position.

The device 1 comprises an actuating part 24. The actuating part 24 is capable of being actuated by a user 25. It is mounted so as to be able to rotate in the body 14 between an angular closing position illustrated in FIG. 1 and an angular opening position illustrated in FIG. 2.

The device 1 is configured to allow dispensing of the product when the actuating part 24 and the body 14 are respectively in the open position and in the retracted position under the effect of continuous actuation by the user 25.

The actuating part 24 has an upper part 26 and a lower part 27.

The upper part 26 is substantially horizontal and has a digital actuation zone 28 provided with ribs 29 intended to give adhesion to a finger 30 of the user 25. The digital actuation zone 28 is located in a zone 31 concave whose concavity faces outwards 32. The concave zone 31 advantageously contributes to the ergonomics of the actuating part 24. In particular, the concave zone 31 makes it possible to improve the adhesion of the user's finger 30 in the digital actuation zone 28 when the actuation part 24 pivots and more precisely when the latter is in the angular open position. .

The actuating part 24 comprises a rail 33 located in the lower part 27 and visible in FIG. 4. The rail 33 is substantially in the form of a clamp. The rail 33 defines a cavity 34 whose shape corresponds substantially to a counterprint of the base 16.

The actuating part 24 comprises a front apron 35 and a rear apron 36. The front apron 35 and the rail 33 are connected to each other via the upper part 26 as well as by a solid portion 37. In contrast, the rear apron 36 and the rail 33 are located at a distance from each other.

The actuating part 24 has an outlet channel 38. The outlet channel 38 extends from the cavity 34 through an inlet 39, to an outer wall 40 of the apron 35 before by an outlet 41. Thus the outlet channel 38 successively crosses the rail 33, the portion 37 full then the front apron 35, so that the cavity 34 is in fluid communication with the outside 32.

The actuating part 24 is housed in the upper opening 15 of the body 14. The base 16 is inserted in the rail 33.

As previously mentioned, the actuating part 24 is mounted so that it can rotate. When the actuating part 24 is in the angular closed position, the outlet channel 38, and more precisely the inlet 39 thereof, is located opposite a wall 42 of the body. In particular, said inlet 39 of the outlet channel 38 is located opposite the base 16 so that said outlet channel 38 is obstructed. When the actuating part 24 is in the angular open position, the outlet channel 38, and more precisely the inlet 39 thereof, is located opposite the supply channel 17.

Advantageously, the base 16 has two radial stops 43 located on either side of the supply channel 17. The distance separating the radial stops 43 from one another is chosen so that the rail 33 can be inserted between them. These radial stops 43 block any radial movement, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the axis X, of the actuating part 24. The actuation part 24 is therefore pivotally connected to the base 16. The latter constitutes a support for the actuation part 24.

The aprons 35, 36 front and rear have a generally vaulted shape. This shape allows the actuating part 24 to pivot harmoniously without abutting on the body 14.

The body 14 has a rim 44 defining an upper rim 45 and a lower rim 46. The lower rim 46 is defined as being the zone of the rim 44 along a curvature which extends downward along the axis X. The curvature of the lower rim 46 gives the actuating part 24 a zone 47 of movement.

Thus, the actuating part 24 can rotate around the base 16 in the space of the movement zone 47. Advantageously, the actuating part 24 includes a stop stop 48 in the form of a projecting plate. More specifically, the plate projects from the device 1 in a direction substantially radial to the axis X.

The stop stop 48 blocks the rotation of the actuating part 24 when the latter is in the angular opening position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The stop stop 48 drives the body 14 under the effect of the actuating part 24 when the latter is in the open position.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a first arrow A illustrates the trajectory of a point located on the digital actuation zone 28 shortly before the actuation part abuts on the body. A second arrow B illustrates the trajectory of a point also located on the actuating part 24 shortly after the actuating part 24 has abutted on the body and the latter has started its downward translation movement in the direction of the ring 2. Note these two points located at the base of the arrows A and B have a substantially identical trajectory. This trajectory is directed along the longitudinal X axis.

The upper part 26 and the front apron 35 are connected to each other by a vertical wall 49. This vertical wall 49 makes it possible to block the rotation of the actuating part 24. Indeed, the vertical wall 49 abuts on the upper flange 45 of the body 14 when the actuating part 24 is brought back to the angular closed position.

Advantageously, the device comprises a tamper-evident ring 50. The tamper-evident ring 50 is fixed to the actuating part 24 in the movement zone 47. The shape of the tamper-evident ring 50 is substantially a counterprint of the rear apron 36. Such a shape of the tamper-evident ring 50 gives it good mechanical resistance. The tamper-evident ring 50 prevents movement of the actuating part 24. Advantageously, the tamper-evident ring 50 has a lower projection 51. This lower projection 51 offers the user 25 a grip for removing the tamper-evident ring 50 from the movement zone 47. When the tamper-evident ring 50 is removed, its fixings are destroyed and it cannot be repositioned again in the movement zone 47.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device, the actuating part 24 comprises a spring. The spring is in the form of a tongue 52. The tongue 52 has one end 53 fixed to the rail and a free end 54. The free end 54 is in contact with a fixed element. As illustrated in Figure 1, the free end 54 of the tongue 52 is in contact with the ring 2 and more particularly is located on a horizontal wall 55 of the membrane 5 and is in abutment with a vertical face 56 of said membrane 5.

When the body 14 and the actuating part 24 are respectively in the retracted position and the angular opening position, the tongue 52 deforms as illustrated in FIG. 7. When the user 25 stops pressing on the area d 'digital actuation 28, the tongue 52 returns to its initial position illustrated in Figure 1 bringing with it the body 14 and the actuating part 24 respectively in the deployed position and in the angular closed position (Figure 1).

The device 1 can also be fitted with a pump. In this case, the pump is attached and mounted integral on the pump support 11. The nozzle 13 of the pump illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 1 serves, together with the tongue 52 of spring to the device 1.

In an alternative embodiment, the device does not include a tongue 52. In this case, the body 14 is brought back from the retracted position to its position deployed by the nozzle under the effect of a pump spring (not shown ). The actuating part 24 is brought back from its angular position of opening to its angular position of closing by the user as illustrated in FIG. 8.

Advantageously, the pump is a piston pump. In this type of pump, the nozzle is pushed back by a spring. The pump can also be a dome pump. In this second type of pump, the nozzle is repelled by an elastic dome (not shown in the figures).

Advantageously, when the actuating part 24 is in the angular closed position, the outlet 41 of the outlet channel 38 is located opposite the body 14. This makes it possible to prevent residues of cosmetic or pharmaceutical product from escaping from the output channel 38. In addition, this prevents these residues from drying out on prolonged contact with the outside air so as not to obstruct said outlet channel 38.

In what follows, the operation of the device 1 will be described in the light of FIGS. 5 to 8.

Initially, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the device 1 does not allow product distribution.

In a first step, a user 25 takes over the device 1 and then presses on the digital actuation zone 28 of the actuation part 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively. In this first stage, the part 24 of actuation initially in the angular closed position in FIG. 5 pivots in the angular open position in FIG. 6.

In a second step, under the effect of a continuous pressure applied to the actuating part 24 by a finger 30 of the user 25, the body 14 translates downwards from a deployed position in FIG. 6 to a retracted position in FIG. 7. The shoulder 20 presses on the pump nozzle 13 which extracts the product. The product leaves the pump nozzle 13, flows through the supply channel 17 and then the outlet channel 38. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the device 1 authorizes the dispensing of product. Indeed, the product can flow into the feed channel.

When the user 25 stops pressing on the actuating part 24, the latter and the body 14 return to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 under the joint effect of the tongue 52 and the pump nozzle 13.

FIG. 8 illustrates a use of the device 1 according to the variant embodiment in which the said device 1 does not have a tongue 52. As can be seen, the user 25 pushes the stopper 48 with his finger 30 upwards to return the actuating part 24 and the body 14 respectively to the angular closed position and the deployed position.

The device 1 previously described has many advantages, including:

- simplify the industrial process,

- reduce the assembly steps on a production line,

- improve the production yield of a production line,

- improve the safety of containers by greatly reducing the risk of accidental actuation of the pump, improving ergonomics.

Claims (15)

claims 1. Device (1) for dispensing a product, in particular a liquid or pasty product, characterized in that it comprises: - a body (14) movable between a retracted position for actuating a pump and a deployed position, - an actuating part (24) capable of being actuated by a user (25), said actuating part (24) being mounted movable relative to the body (14) between a closed position preventing distribution of the product and a open position authorizing the distribution of the product, and in that the device (1) is configured to dispense product when the actuating part (24) and said body (14) have been respectively brought into the open position and in the retracted position under the effect of a continuous actuation by the user (25). 2. A dispensing device (1) according to claim 1 in which the body (14) is mounted telescopically in the ring (2) between the retracted position in which the body (14) at least partly accommodates in the ring ( 2) and the deployed position in which the body (14) extends substantially outside the ring (2). 3. Device (1) for distribution according to claim 2 wherein the body (14) comprises a feed channel (17) in which is able to circulate the liquid or pasty product. 4. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 3 wherein the actuating part comprises an outlet channel (38). 5. Dispensing device (1) according to claim 4, in which the actuating part (24) is mounted so that it can rotate in the body (14) between the closed position in which the outlet channel (38) is located. facing a wall (42) of the body (14) and the open position in which the outlet channel (38) is located opposite the supply channel (17). 6. Distribution device (1) according to claim 5, in which: the body (14) comprises a substantially cylindrical base (16), the actuating part (24) comprises a rail (33) substantially in the form of a clamp, and in which, the base (16) is inserted in the rail ( 33) so that said base (16) forms a support for the actuating part (24) and that the latter pivots around said base (16). 7. Distribution device (1) according to claim 6, in which the base (16) is substantially cylindrical and extends on either side inside the body (14) in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis. (X) of the device (1). 8. Device (1) for distribution according to claim 7 wherein, the feed channel (17) is located in the base (16). 9. A device (1) for dispensing according to claim 8 wherein the base (16) comprises two radial stops (43) located on either side of the feed channel (17), the distance separating said stops (43) radial is such that the rail (33) can be inserted between them. 10. A dispensing device (1) according to claim 9, in which the feed channel (17) comprises an enlarged portion (18) followed by a narrowed portion (19) whose diameter is less than that of the portion ( 18) enlarged, device in which the diameter of the enlarged portion (18) is greater than the diameter of a pump nozzle (13) and the diameter of the narrowed portion (19) is less than the pump nozzle (13). 11. A dispensing device (1) according to claim 10 wherein a junction between the enlarged portion (18) and the narrowed portion (19) defines a shoulder (20) transverse to a longitudinal axis (X) of the device. 12. Device (1) for distribution according to claim 1 wherein it comprises a stop (48) configured to drive the body (14) under the effect of the part (24) actuating when the part (24) of actuation is in the open position. 13. A dispensing device (1) according to claim 12 in which the stop (48) is configured to block the rotation of the actuating part (24) by contact with the body (14), said stop (48). ) stop in the form of a plate which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis (X) of the container. 14. A device (1) for dispensing according to claim 13 wherein the actuating part (24) 5 comprises a substantially arched front apron (35) into which the outlet channel (38) opens and a substantially upper part (26) horizontal, said upper part (26) and the front apron (35) being connected to each other by a vertical wall (49) capable of blocking, by contact with the body (14), the rotation of the part (24 ) actuation when the latter is in the angular closed position. 15. A dispensing device (1) according to claim 14 in which the upper part (26) comprises a concave zone (31) the concavity of which faces outwards (32), said concave zone (31) comprises a zone d '' digital actuation (28).