FR3094896A1 - Fluid product dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

Dispenser comprising: - a reservoir (R) provided with a neck (C) forming at least one helical thread (T) and an upper edge (C1), - a dispensing head (D) comprising a dispensing member (P) , a pusher (B) and a fixing member (R1) engaged with the threaded neck (C) and the dispensing member (P), the fixing member (R1) comprising a skirt (11) forming a thread internal (12) which engages with the thread (T) of the neck (C), the skirt (11) extending downwards from the external periphery of an annular plate (15) which bears on the annular upper edge (C1), characterized in that the annular plate (15) is deformable, so that the skirt (11) can move axially with respect to the neck (C), while the annular plate (15) is already in contact with the upper annular edge (C1). "Figure for the abstract: figure 1"

Description

Fluid product dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir provided with an externally threaded neck and internally defining an opening communicating with the interior of the reservoir. The dispenser further comprises a dispensing head mounted on the neck of the reservoir, the head comprising a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve, a pusher for actuating the dispensing member and a fastening member engaging the both with the threaded neck of the reservoir and the dispenser member. Such dispensers are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

In general, the fixing member comprises a rigid skirt internally forming one or more threads intended to cooperate with the threaded neck of the reservoir. To install the dispensing head on the reservoir, simply screw the threaded skirt fastener onto the threaded neck of the reservoir. In general, the fastener comprises a rigid annular plate which compresses the neck gasket on the annular upper edge of the neck. The final position of the fixing device is determined by the crushing of the neck seal, which guarantees the tightness of the dispenser. This final position corresponds to a certain screwing torque value and to a single axial position of the skirt.

In general, the collar extends from a shoulder. With these screw-in fasteners, it is not possible to create contact between the lower edge of the skirt and the shoulder of the collar. Indeed, it is practically impossible to reconcile both the required screwing torque value and the contact on the shoulder. Either the tightening torque is reached, but there is no contact, or there is contact, but the tightening torque is not reached. In short, the two goals cannot be achieved cumulatively in practice.

More generally, it may be appropriate to benefit from a larger axial range for the final screwing position of the skirt. Without even wanting to come into contact with the shoulder of the tank, it would be advantageous for the screwing torque value not to be determined by a compression limit value of the neck gasket. Indeed, the machine that screws the skirts onto the collars is set to perform a precise rotation value. If this rotation value does not sufficiently crush the neck gasket, there is a risk of leakage and/or accidental unscrewing. On the contrary, if this rotation value crushes the neck seal too much, there is a risk of the neck breaking. An extended range of rotation, respectively of the axial height of the skirt, would make it possible to eliminate all the risks associated with "over-screwing" or "under-screwing". This is not possible with conventional screw-in fasteners.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser whose fixing member is sufficiently screwed over an extended axial range, and in particular when it comes into axial abutment on the collar shoulder.

To do this, the present invention proposes a fluid dispenser comprising:
- a fluid reservoir provided with an externally threaded neck and internally defining an opening communicating with the interior of the reservoir, the neck forming at least one helical thread and an annular upper edge,
- a dispensing head mounted on the neck of the reservoir, the head comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, a pusher to actuate the dispensing member and a fixing member engaged both with the threaded neck of the reservoir and the dispensing member, the fastening member comprising a skirt forming an internal thread which engages the thread of the neck, the skirt extending downward from the outer periphery of a annular plate which comes to bear on the annular upper edge, with a gasket possibly interposed,
characterized in that the annular plate is deformable, so that the skirt can move axially relative to the neck, while the annular plate is already in contact with the annular upper edge.

The annular plate can pivot, bend, unfold, arch, flex, flatten, compress, etc., so as to give the skirt a certain degree of freedom in axial displacement, in particular with respect to the periphery radially internal of the plate, which is generally connected to a housing for receiving the pump or valve.

Thanks to this axial displacement of the skirt, its lower edge can come into contact with the shoulder of the tank by acting on the deformation of the annular plate, when the required screwing torque has already been reached. The elastic deformation of the plate is added to that of the neck gasket, thus considerably increasing the range of axial height, in which the screwing torque is sufficient. The elastic deformability of the plate can be determined to correspond approximately or exactly to the required screwing torque.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the annular plate defines a substantially fixed inner annular contact zone which first comes into contact with the annular upper edge and a mobile outer annular connection zone which is initially out of contact with the annular upper edge and which is connected to the skirt, so that the latter can be moved axially with respect to the neck by movement of the mobile outer annular connection zone towards the upper annular edge.

It can thus be said that the connection zone moves axially with respect to the contact zone. According to one embodiment, the annular plate can be generally inclined inwards and downwards.

According to another aspect of the invention, the internal thread can be formed by several bosses, at least some of these bosses coming into pressed contact with the thread of the neck, so as to deform against the thread. Advantageously, each boss comprises two substantially triangular lateral flanks and two opposed inclined ramps which meet at an apex which points radially inwards.

In document WO2009/150351A1, the skirt forms bosses which have a trapezium shape, with two lateral flanks and two opposite inclined ramps which join a vertical flat edge. The invention proposes to eliminate this vertical flat edge, because it prevents the fastening member from being screwed back on. Empirically, it has been found that the indentations generated by the neck fillet are mainly formed at this vertical flat edge, because it extends perpendicular to the force exerted by the neck fillet. The prints are both deep and enveloping. At the level of the inclined ramps, the prints are less marked, because they extend transversely, and not perpendicularly.

Thus, the removal of this vertical flat edge allows:
- to limit the contact of each boss on a single side of the neck fillet,
- to reduce the unscrewing torque,
- to attack the thread of the neck with the apex of the bosses during screwing, and
- to reduce the tightening torque.

The advantages are multiple and concern assembly and unscrewing, but above all screwing.

Advantageously, the skirt provided with triangular bosses can be split, so as to form tabs separated by vertical slots, but preferably the skirt is continuous over its entire periphery. A continuous skirt also makes it possible to dispense with a hoop to press the skirt against the netting of the collar. With a continuous skirt, the thrust of the skirt against the netting of the collar can only be exerted by the skirt.

According to an interesting characteristic, the skirt can comprise an upper section and a lower guide section, this lower guide section extending below the internal thread (or bosses). Advantageously, the lower guide section has an internal diameter greater than that of the upper section. This lower guide section facilitates the positioning of the skirt around the neck, before the screwing operation. This lower guide section also acts as an extender or extension allowing the skirt to be extended or extended so that it can come into contact with the shoulder of the collar. This lower guide section also facilitates the positioning of the skirt around the neck, before the screwing operation. A firm abutment of the skirt on the upper edge of the collar is thus avoided.

In some cases, the fixing member may comprise a hoop engaged around the skirt, this hoop advantageously coming into contact with the shoulder of the tank.

The spirit of the present invention resides in the fact of conferring a capacity of deformation on the plate of the fastening member, in order to loosen the final axial position of the skirt and the screwing torque necessary to guarantee the tightness of the distributor. This extends the range of height or axial positioning (of the skirt), in which the screwing torque is sufficient.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the attached drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, several embodiments of the invention.

In the figures:

is a vertical cross-sectional view through a dispensing head being screwed onto a threaded neck,

is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in the final screwing position,

are greatly enlarged vertical cross-sectional views illustrating four variant embodiments of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2,

see [Figure 3a]

see [Figure 3a]

see [Figure 3a]

is a vertical cross-sectional view through another dispensing head ready to be mounted on a threaded neck,

is a perspective view of the neck of Figure 4,

is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in the final assembly position,

shows an alternative embodiment for the fixing member of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 6, and

are very greatly enlarged representations for bosses likely to be implemented in the embodiments of Figures 4, 6 and 7.

see [Figure 8a]

see [Figure 8a]

Reference will first be made to Figures 1 and 2 which illustrate an embodiment in which the fixing member R1 of the pump P on the neck C of the reservoir R comprises a deformable plate 15.

More precisely, the dispensing head of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a dispensing member P, which can be a pump or a valve. This dispensing member P comprises a body P1 forming a projecting collar P2, as well as an actuating rod P3 which slides axially back and forth inside the body P1. The dispensing device P is associated with a push button B which forms a dispensing orifice B1. For fixing the dispensing member P on a threaded neck C of the reservoir R, a fixing member or ring R1 is used which comprises a skirt 11 which is internally provided with an internal thread 12. The skirt 12 defines an edge lower annular 13 and is connected at its upper end to a plate 15 which extends to form a receiving housing 14 for the body P1 of the dispenser member P. The plate 15 is positioned above the collar P2. Optionally, the dispensing head can include a trim band F which is engaged around the skirt 12 so as to hide it.

The neck C of the reservoir R forms one or more thread(s) T, the pitch of which corresponds to the internal thread 12 of the skirt 11. Thus, the dispensing head can be screwed onto the neck C by nesting the internal thread 12 and the T nets.

The dispensing head also includes a neck seal G which is arranged on the upper annular edge C1 of the neck C and below the projecting collar P2 of the body P1. Thus, this neck gasket G is intended to be crushed or compressed between the upper edge C1 and the flange P2, which is stressed by the plate, when screwing the fixing member R1 onto the threaded neck C.

This is a completely classic design for a fluid product dispenser in the field of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

According to the invention, the plate 15 which connects the skirt 11 to the receiving housing 14 is deformable, so that the skirt 12 can move axially with respect to the receiving housing 14 when the fastening member R1 is screwed onto the threaded neck C. Very generally, the deformable plate 15 comprises a substantially fixed inner annular contact zone 151 and a mobile outer annular connection zone 152 which are connected to the skirt 11. The fixed inner zone 151 is connected directly to the housing reception 14. Referring to Figure 1, it can be seen that the plate 15 has an upward and outward inclination, so that the fixed inner zone 151 comes into contact with the flange P2, while the mobile outer zone 152 is detached from it. By continuing to screw the fixing member R1 onto the threaded neck C from the position shown in Figure 1, the neck gasket G will be compressed, because the fixed inner zone 151 presses on the collar P2. Simultaneously or subsequently, the plate 15 will deform so as to bring the mobile outer zone 152 back towards the plate P2. This is shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the plate 15 is practically horizontal, so that the area of contact with the flange P2 has extended radially outwards. This position corresponds to the final screwing position, in which the neck gasket G is compressed enough to seal the distributor.

It can also be noted that the lower edge 13 of the skirt 11 is in contact with the shoulder S of the reservoir R from which extends the threaded neck C. It can also be noted that the trim band F also comes into contact of the S shoulder.

Thanks to the deformable plate 15, the threaded skirt 11 can be screwed onto the threaded neck C without excessively compressing the neck gasket G, since the axial displacement of the skirt 11 downwards has been absorbed by the deformation of the plate 15. The skirt 11 can even be screwed on until it comes into contact with the shoulder S, which allows some of the forces to be borne by the shoulder S. In addition, the fixing member R1 is much more stable on the neck C, since it rests on the entire periphery of the skirt 11 on the shoulder S. Consequently, the deformable plate 15 provides multiple advantages, namely the control of the compression of the neck gasket G, the axial positioning of the threaded skirt 11, the aesthetic aspect by bringing the fixing member R1 into abutment on the shoulder S, in terms of force recovery due to the contact of the skirt 11 on the shoulder S, in terms of stability of the fixing device R on the neck C.

The deformable plate 15 of Figures 1 and 2 is based on a principle of pivoting of the outer zone 152 relative to the inner zone 151. From an initial position inclined upwards, the plate is brought back into a substantially flat final position. Figures 3a to 3d show variant embodiments for the deformable plate 15.

In FIG. 3a, the fixing member R2 comprises a deformable plate 25 which comprises a fixed inner zone 251 relatively extended radially towards the outside which is connected to a movable outer zone 252 by a bridge 253 of reduced thickness. Thus, the outer connection zone 252 can be moved downwards relative to the fixed inner zone 251 by deformation of the bridge 253.

FIG. 3b shows a fixing member R3 comprising a deformable plate 35 which comprises a fixed inner zone 351 which is connected to a mobile outer zone 252 by an inverted V-shaped junction section 353. The mobile outer zone 252 can thus be moved axially downward relative to the fixed inner zone 351 by deforming or unfolding this inverted V junction 353.

Figure 3c shows a binding member R4 comprising a deformable plate 45 comprising a fixed inner zone 451 connected to a movable outer zone 452 by a connecting section 453 which is oriented outwards and upwards.

Figure 3d shows a fixing member R5 in which the fixed inner zone 551 is separated from the movable outer zone 552 by a return G1 of the neck seal G'. In other words, an extension of the neck seal is brought between the fixed inner zone 551 and the movable outer zone 552.

Whatever the embodiment for the deformable plate, it makes it possible to vary the final axial position of the skirt 11 with respect to the part of the fixing member R1 which is fixed with respect to the neck.

Reference will now be made to Figures 4 to 6 to describe another embodiment, in which the fixing member R6 comprises a deformable plate 15 and a skirt 61, the internal threading of which is in the form of bosses 62.

The dispensing member P may be identical to that of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The body P1 however comprises a projecting flange P2' which is in snap-fit engagement inside a receiving housing 64 formed by the fixing device R6. The deformable plate 15 may be identical to that of the first embodiment, that is to say with an initial outward and upward inclination. The skirt 61 forms several internal bosses 62, advantageously three to ten in number, and preferably six in number. The bosses 62 can extend over a circle, that is to say at the same axial height or, on the contrary, have different axial heights.

The dispensing head of this embodiment also comprises a covering hoop F which is engaged around the skirt 61. In FIG. 4, the covering hoop F is only partially engaged around the skirt 61, in leaving the bosses 62 still free.

As can be seen in Figures 4 and 6, the bosses 62 have a triangular shape in vertical cross section. Each boss comprises an inclined upper ramp 621 and an inclined outer ramp 622 meeting at a vertex or apex 623, as seen in Figure 6.

The fluid reservoir R forms a shoulder S from which protrudes a neck C provided with two screw threads T, as can be seen more clearly in FIG. 5. Each screw thread T extends substantially over half around the neck C. Consequently, the neck C comprises two starts of threads T close to its upper annular edge C1, delimiting an opening O giving access to the interior of the reservoir.

According to the invention, the skirt 61 is engaged around the threaded neck C according to a movement of pure axial translation, without rotation. The bosses 61 are thus forced to pass by force over the threads T until they reach the final position shown in FIG. 6, in which at least some of the bosses 62 are engaged below the threads T. It can also be noted that the edge 63 of the skirt 61 comes into contact with the shoulder S of the reservoir R. The lowering of the hoop F around the bosses 62 can be carried out after the engagement of the bosses 62 below the threads T. In the final position of assembly of figure 6, hoop F also comes into contact with shoulder S.

The skirt 61 comprises an upper section 611 which extends from the mobile outer zone 152 of the plate 15 up to the bosses 62. The skirt 61 also comprises a lower guide section 612 which forms the lower edge 63. The bosses 62 can be positioned astride the junction between the upper 611 and lower 612 sections. The bosses 62 can also be positioned integrally either at the level of the upper section 611 or the lower section 612. It can be seen that the internal diameter of the lower section of guide 612 is greater than that of the upper section 611. Thus, this lower guide section 612 facilitates the initial engagement of the skirt 61 around the threaded neck C.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment for the fixing member R6. In this embodiment, the fixing member R7 comprises a receiving housing 14 for the collar projecting from the body of the dispensing member, a plate 75 which is not deformable and a skirt 71 provided with bosses 62'. This version has no lower guide section extending below the 62' bosses.

Figures 8a, 8b and 8c show different possible shapes for the bosses. In Fig. 8a, the boss 62 is that of Figs. 4 and 6. It comprises an upper planar rectangular ramp 621 which joins a lower planar rectangular ramp 622 at a vertex or apex 623 in the form of a line. The side blanks 620 are triangular and advantageously parallel. The two ramps 621 and 622 may have identical inclinations, but opposite with respect to the vertical. However, it can be seen that the lower ramp 622 is longer than the upper ramp 621. Consequently, the area of the lower ramp 621 is greater than that of the upper ramp 621.

In Figure 8b, we see the boss 62 'of Figure 7. The side blanks 620' are substantially triangular, with a small hook in the upper part. The two side blanks 620 are flat, but not parallel to each other, as can be seen in Figure 7. Indeed, the two side blanks 620 'are divergent upwards with an angle of approximately 4° to 6° ideally, which can however be widened to 20° or on the contrary reduced to 2°. As a result, the inclined ramps 621' and 622' are not rectangular, but slightly trapezoidal. The linear apex 623' is offset downward, so that the area of the upper ramp 621' is greater than that of the lower ramp 622'.

In figure 8c, the boss 62'' has inclined ramps 621'' and 622'' of curved shape, thus meeting at the level of a more strongly projecting apex 623''. The 620” side panels are still substantially triangular, with a linear base and two other curved sides. The 620'' side blanks can be parallel to each other or oppositely divergent as is the case for the 62' bosses.

In all the embodiments, the side blanks are substantially triangular and the two opposed inclined ramps meet at a common apex. This particular configuration for the bosses not only makes it possible to engage the skirt 61 around the threaded neck by a pure axial translational movement, to remove the dispensing head by unscrewing, but above all to be able to easily screw the skirt 61 back onto the threaded neck C. The deformable plate makes it possible to create contact at the level of the shoulder S, which improves the stability of the dispensing head, but also makes it possible to distribute the forces between the skirt 61 and the reservoir R. The elasticity of the deformable plate allows also to guarantee the tightness of the distributor during screwing.

We have just seen that the deformable plate can be implemented either on a screw ring comprising a threaded skirt, or on a snap ring that does not require screwing. We have also just seen that the snap ring provided with bosses may or may not be associated with a deformable plate. It goes without saying that the deformable plate 15 of the fixing ring R6 can be replaced by any deformable plate of FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c or 3d.

The skirt 61 of the fixing member R6 is preferably continuous over its entire periphery. However, it can also be split so as to form tabs separated by axial slots, as in the prior art document WO2009/1503051A1.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to position the threaded skirt of a fastener relative to a threaded neck over an extended axial height range, while guaranteeing sufficient compression of the neck seal.

Thanks to the invention, there is a fixing member with a skirt with bosses which can be clicked on, unscrewed and then screwed back on again. The elastic deformation of the plate also makes it possible to adjust the positioning of the boss ring in relation to the threaded neck and to guarantee sealing after screwing.

Claims (10)

Fluid product dispenser comprising:
- a fluid reservoir (R) provided with a neck (C) threaded externally and internally defining an opening (O) communicating with the interior of the reservoir, the neck (C) forming at least one helical thread (T) and an annular upper edge (C1),
- a dispensing head (D) mounted on the neck (C) of the reservoir (R), the head (D) comprising a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, a pusher (B) for actuating the dispensing member (P) and a fixing member (R1; R2; R3; R4; R5; R6) engaged both with the threaded neck (C) of the reservoir (R) and the dispensing member (P), the fixing member (R1; R2; R3; R4; R5; R6) comprising a skirt (11; 61) forming an internal thread (12; 62) which comes into engagement with the thread (T) of the neck (C), the skirt (11; 61) extending downwards from the outer periphery of an annular plate (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) which bears on the upper annular edge ( C1), with a seal (G) possibly interposed,
characterized in that the annular plate (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) is deformable, so that the skirt (11; 61) can move axially relative to the neck (C), while the annular plate (15 ; 25; 35; 45; 55) is already in contact with the upper annular edge (C1). A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the annular plate (15; 25; 35; 45; 55) defines a substantially fixed inner annular contact area (151; 251; 351; 451; 551) which first contacts the edge annular upper edge (C1) and a mobile outer annular connection zone (152; 252; 352; 452; 552) which is initially out of contact with the annular upper edge (C1) and which is connected to the skirt (11; 61), so that the latter can be moved axially relative to the neck (C) by moving the mobile outer annular connection zone (152; 252; 352; 452; 552) towards the upper annular edge (C1). A dispenser according to claim 2, wherein the annular plate (15; 45) is generally inclined inwards and downwards. Dispenser according to one of Claims 1, 2 or 3, in which the lower edge (13; 63) of the skirt (11; 61) comes into contact with a shoulder (S) of the reservoir (R) by acting on the deformation of the annular plate (15). Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing member (R1; R6) comprises a receiving housing (14) for the dispensing member (P), the skirt (11; 61) being movable by relative to this receiving housing (14) by deformation of the annular plate (15). Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the internal threading of the skirt (61) is formed by several bosses (62; 62'; 62''), at least some of these bosses (62; 62'; 62 '') coming into pressed contact with the thread (T) of the neck (C), so as to deform against the thread (T). Distributor according to Claim 6, in which each boss (62; 62'; 62'') comprises two substantially triangular lateral sides (620; 620'; 620'') and two opposed inclined ramps (621, 622; 621', 622 '; 621'', 622'') which meet at an apex (623; 623'; 623'') which points radially inwards. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the skirt (61) comprises an upper section (611) and a lower guide section (612), this lower guide section (612) extending below the bosses (62). Dispenser according to Claim 8, in which the lower guide section (612) has an internal diameter greater than that of the upper section (611). Distributor according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the fixing member (R1; R2; R3; R4; R5; R6) comprises a hoop (F) engaged around the skirt (11; 61), this hoop ( F) advantageously coming into contact with a shoulder (S) of the reservoir (R).
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