FR3095939A1 - Consumable dispenser such as liquid soap, hydro-alcoholic solution or toilet paper - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a consumable dispenser of the liquid soap, hydro-alcoholic solution or toilet paper type, comprising: - a housing comprising a frame and a cover (7) comprising a handling orifice (9) and movable on the frame between a closed position and an open position, - a locking element (11) of the cover on the frame. According to the invention, the dispenser is remarkable in that: - the locking element comprises an elastic locking tab comprising a cover locking member, - the cover comprises a locking member having a shape complementary to that of the locking member carried by the locking tab, - the locking member carried by the locking tab engages the locking member carried by the cover when the cover is in the closed position and releases it when pressure is exerted from the handling orifice, allowing the cover to pass from its closed position to its open position. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 16

Description

Dispenser for consumables such as liquid soap, hydro-alcoholic solution or toilet paper

The present invention relates to a consumable dispenser, the consumable being of the liquid soap type, hydro-alcoholic solution, toilet paper of the toilet paper type, hand towel, paper towel, etc.

Consumable dispensers such as liquid soap dispensers comprise in known manner a casing, comprising a frame intended to be fixed to a wall and a front cover, rotatably mounted on the frame. The casing contains a pocket containing the liquid soap to be dispensed, in contact with the internal wall of the cover. A push on the front cover, operated by a user, causes the front cover to rotate on the frame. The pocket is then compressed by the cap, and the liquid soap contained in the pocket is delivered.

The cover is locked on the frame and can be unlocked from the frame in order to access the interior of the casing, in order to replace the consumable.

According to a configuration of the prior art, the locking and unlocking of the cover on the frame is carried out using a so-called “key” locking/unlocking system.

The locking system comprises a locking element, for example a bolt, mounted on the cover, which engages a strike plate mounted on the frame. The locking/unlocking system is operated by means of a key, external to the system.

In order to replace the consumable present inside the casing, the cover is rotatable around an axis of rotation formed by lower hinges. The lower hinges are made using a set of lower lugs mounted in lower housings positioned at the side walls of the casing.

When the user wishes to replace the consumable, he inserts the key into the locking/unlocking system and rotates the key to disengage the bolt from its strike. The cover rotates relative to the frame.

The provision of a key locking/unlocking system allows the dispenser to be mounted in a public place, in order to prevent an unauthorized person from having access to the consumable present inside the casing.

The production of this locking/unlocking system is complex and expensive relative to the manufacturing cost of a consumable dispenser. The present invention aims to overcome the above drawbacks, by proposing a consumable dispenser whose locking and unlocking of the cover is controlled by means of a key and whose key locking/unlocking system is simplified compared to to the prior art.

To do this, the present invention relates to a consumable dispenser, the consumable being of the liquid soap or hydro-alcoholic solution or toilet paper type, comprising:
- a housing, comprising a frame and a cover, said cover being movable on the frame between a closed position and an open position allowing access to the interior of the housing, said cover comprising a handling orifice,
- a locking element of the cover on the frame, fixed on the frame and extending inside the casing,

said distributor being remarkable in that:
- the locking element comprises at least one elastic locking lug located opposite said handling orifice, said locking lug comprising a locking member of the cover,
- the cover comprises a locking member having a shape complementary to that of the locking member carried by the locking lug,
- the locking member carried by the locking tab engages the locking member carried by the bonnet when the bonnet is in the closed position and disengages the locking member carried by the bonnet when pressure is applied to said locking tab is exerted from the handling orifice, allowing the cover to pass from its closed position to its open position.

Thus, by providing a consumable dispenser whose locking element comprises an elastic tab, the locking/unlocking system is considerably simplified compared to the locking/unlocking systems known from the prior art.

According to the optional characteristics of the consumable dispenser according to
the invention:
- the locking member carried by the cover comprises a locking tip extending inside the casing and the locking member of the locking lug of the locking element comprises a locking lug defining a stop for hood latch pin lock;
- the bonnet locking element is fixed to the frame by embedding by means of a fixing plate directly attached to the frame, said fixing plate comprising a fixing point at least partially passing through the bonnet locking element and defining an abutment for fixing the locking element of the hood;
- The locking element comprises a box having a fixing hole, and the fixing point of the fixing plate passes through said fixing hole;
- the fixing plate comprises a fixing flat at the end of which is mounted the fixing tip;
- The fixing plate has a box guide groove capable of cooperating with a guide groove formed in the box;
- the locking element comprises two locking lugs;
- the dispenser includes:
- a lower hinge, located close to a lower edge of the distributor, arranged to allow rotation of the cover relative to the frame around a lower axis of rotation substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of the distributor,
- at least one upper hinge, located close to an upper edge of the distributor, arranged to allow, when the cover is in its closed position on the frame, rotation of the cover relative to the frame around an upper axis of rotation substantially transverse to the longitudinal plane of the distributor,
and each upper hinge comprises a first rotation element carried by the interior of the cover and a second rotation element carried by the interior of the frame, said first rotation element having a first split edge and said second rotation element having a second split edge, offset by an angle substantially equal to 90° relative to said first split edge, said first and second split edges interpenetrating and one of said first and second rotation elements extending along an axis transverse to the longitudinal plane from the distributor.
- the consumable is a liquid soap or a hydro-alcoholic solution contained in a pocket intended to be arranged inside the casing, and the dispenser comprises a block fixed to the cover, inside the casing, arranged to exert a pressure on said pocket when a user exerts pressure on the cover when the cover is in the closed position;
- The block further comprises an elastic tab arranged to exert additional pressure on the pocket when a user exerts pressure on the cover when the cover is in the closed position.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

illustrates the consumable dispenser according to the invention, in isometric view.

is a sectional view along the line II-II of Figure 1.

shows the locking element of the invention, in isometric view.

shows the assembly of the locking element in the distributor.

illustrates the consumable dispenser according to the invention, in isometric view centered on an upper edge of the dispenser.

is an enlargement of area VII in Figure 5.

is a sectional view along the line VII-VII of Figure 6, the upper hinge being in a first position.

is a view similar to that of Figure 7, the upper hinge being in a second position.

gives an embodiment of the distribution of the consumable, the dispenser being in a first position.

illustrates the dispenser of Figure 9, shown in a second position.

gives another embodiment of the distribution of the consumable, the dispenser being in a first position.

illustrates the dispenser of Figure 11, shown in a second position.

shows the distributor in section along the line II-II of Figure 1, the cover being closed and locked.

is an enlargement of area XIV in figure 13.

is a view similar to that of FIG. 13, the cover of the distributor being closed and in the process of being unlocked.

is an enlargement of area XVI of Figure 15, with the hood closed and unlocked.

is a view similar to that of FIG. 16, the cover of the dispenser being open according to a first mode of opening.

is a view similar to that of FIG. 15, the cover of the dispenser being open according to a second mode of opening.

In all of the figures, identical or similar references represent identical or similar components or sets of components.

Reference is made to Figure 1 illustrating the dispenser 1 according to the invention.

In the description and in the figures, the consumable dispenser 1 is a dispenser for liquid soap or hydro-alcoholic solution. The dispenser 1 can either be adapted to dispense toilet paper of the toilet paper, hand towel, paper towel, etc. type.

The distributor 1 comprises a casing 3, comprising a frame 5 which can be fixed to a wall, not shown, and a cover 7.

The cover 7 is movable relative to the frame 5 between a closed position as shown in Figure 1 and an open position (shown in Figure 18) allowing access to the interior of the housing 3, for example in order to replace the consumable inside the crankcase.

The cover has two so-called "handling" orifices 9, the role of which is described with reference to FIG. 2 to which reference is now made, illustrating the distributor 1 in longitudinal section along the line II-II of FIG. 1.

The distributor 1 comprises a locking element 11 of the cover 7 on the frame 5 allowing the locking of the cover on the frame when the cover is in its closed position. The locking element 11 is fixed to the frame 5 and extends inside the casing 3.

According to the invention, the locking element comprises an elastic locking lug 13 comprising a locking member 14 of the cover. To this end, the cover also includes a locking member 15, having a shape complementary to that of the locking member 14 carried by the locking lug 13. The locking member 14 carried by the locking lug 13 engages the locking member 15 carried by the cover 7 when the cover 7 is in the closed position and disengages the locking member 15 when pressure on the locking lug is exerted from the handling holes 9 formed in the cover.

The distributor 1 further comprises lower hinges 16, located close to a lower edge 17 of the distributor 1. The hinges 16 are arranged in the distributor to allow rotation of the cover 7 relative to the frame 5 around an axis of rotation lower 19 which is substantially transverse to the longitudinal plane (LV) of the distributor 1, with reference to the direct trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.

Reference is made to FIG. 3 giving an embodiment of the locking element 11 of the cover.

The locking element 11 has two flexible locking tabs 13. The manipulation holes 9 of the cover (visible in FIG. 2) are positioned opposite each locking lug 13 of the locking element 11. Of course, a single flexible locking lug 13 can equip the locking element 11 In this case, a single manipulation orifice 9 opposite the locking lug 13 is formed in the cover 7.

In one embodiment, the locking member 14 carried by the locking lug 13 comprises a locking pin 21, which can be mounted at a first end 13a of the locking lug 13. The locking member 14 carried by the cover 7 for its part comprises a locking tip 22 extending inside the casing (visible in FIG. 2). The locking lug 21 then defines a locking stop for the locking tip 22 of the cover.

According to a variant embodiment, the locking tip is mounted not on the cover but on the flexible tab of the locking element 11, and the cover has a slot receiving the locking tip carried by the locking tab when the cover is in the closed position.

The locking element 11 comprises a base 24. In one embodiment, the base 24 comprises a box 23. The box 23 is for example mounted at a second end 13b of each locking lug 13. The box 23 comprises a fixing hole 25. The box is preferably parallelepiped.

According to one embodiment of the fixing of the locking element 11 on the frame, represented in FIG. 4, the base 24 is shaped to cooperate with a fixing plate 27 directly integral with the frame and extending inside the crankcase. The locking element 11 is thus fixed on the frame 5 by embedding via the fixing plate 27.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing plate 27 comprises a fixing flat 29 at the end of which is mounted a fixing tip 31.

When the locking element 11 is mounted on the fixing plate 27, the fixing point 31 passes through the fixing orifice 25 of the box 23, so as to define a fixing stop for the locking element and thus to fix the locking element on the fixing plate.

According to one embodiment, the fixing plate 29 comprises guide grooves 33 of the casing capable of cooperating with corresponding guide grooves (not visible) formed in the casing.

Reference is made to Figure 5 showing the distributor 1 centered on an upper edge 35 of the distributor and on which are shown in dotted lines, the locking element 11 of the cover 7, mounted on the fixing plate 27.

Dispenser 1 comprises one or more upper hinges 37, for example two upper hinges 37, located close to upper edge 35 of dispenser 1. Upper hinges 37 are preferably positioned on either side of locking element 11 The hinges 37 are arranged in the distributor 1 to allow, when the cover 7 is in its closed position on the frame 5, a rotation of the cover relative to the frame around an upper axis of rotation 39 substantially transverse to the longitudinal plane ( LV) of the distributor 1, with reference to the direct trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures.

The presence of the upper hinges 37 in addition to the lower hinges makes it possible to obtain a double rotation of the cover 7 on the frame 5 when the cover is in the closed position, allowing when pressure is exerted on a front face 41 of the cover, to deliver a predetermined quantity of consumable, for example liquid soap.

For a better understanding, reference is made to figure 6 which is an enlargement of zone VI of figure 5.

According to the invention, each upper hinge 37 comprises a first rotation element 43 carried by the interior of the cover and a second rotation element 45 carried by the interior of the frame.

The first rotation element 43 comprises a lug 47 extending along the longitudinal plane (LV) of the distributor 1, with reference to the direct trihedron L, V, T indicated in the figures. The first rotation element 43 composing the upper hinge 37 has a first split edge 49.

The second rotation element 45 also comprises a lug 51 comprising a second split edge 53 offset by an angle substantially equal to 90° relative to the first split edge 49 of the first rotation element 43 carried by the cover 7. The first and second slotted edges 49, 53 interpenetrate with respect to each other, so that the first and second rotation elements 43, 45 fit with respect to each other. The second rotation element 45 extends horizontally, that is to say along an axis transverse to the longitudinal plane (L, V) of the distributor 1, while the first rotation element 43 extends vertically, that is that is to say along an axis parallel to the longitudinal plane (L, V) of the distributor.

The ends of the first and second split edges 49, 53 each have a substantially circular longitudinal section (along the plane LV).

Reference is made to FIG. 7 showing the upper hinge 37 seen in longitudinal section along the line VII-VII of FIG. 6. When the cover 7 is in the closed position on the frame 5, the first split edge 49 of the first element of rotation 43 penetrates the second split edge 79 of the second rotation element 45. The hinge thus formed is of the "female-female" type. Also, a slight clearance J is provided between the cover 7 and the frame 5 at the level of the first split edge 49 of the first rotation element 43.

Reference is made to FIG. 8 according to which a user exerts pressure on the front face 41 of the cover 7 in order to dispense a quantity of liquid soap present in the dispenser. The clearance J allows rotation along the arrow 55 of the first rotation element 43 carried by the cover 7 relative to the second rotation element 45 carried by the frame 5. The articulation is improved at the level of the upper part of the distributor and this eliminates the phenomenon of warping of the front cover observed in embodiments of the prior art. The phenomenon of warping is moreover avoided all the more as the number of upper hinges is increased. In addition, the fact of providing for arranging the second rotation element horizontally with respect to the distributor makes it possible to limit warping in the zone of the distributor comprising the upper hinges.

According to one embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, provision is made to mount a block 57 fixed to the cover 7, inside the casing 3, arranged in the distributor 1 to exert pressure on the pocket 59 containing the liquid consumable to be delivered when the cover 7 is in the closed position on the frame and when a user exerts pressure according to the arrow 61. When the pocket 59 is compressed, a quantity of liquid consumable 63 is delivered. The presence of the block 57 makes it possible to improve the stresses exerted on the cover 7 during the slight pivoting around the upper hinge 63.

According to a variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, block 57 fixed to cover 7 also receives an elastic tab 65 arranged in dispenser 1 to exert additional pressure on pocket 59 containing the liquid consumable to be delivered when the cover 7 is in the closed position on the frame and when a user exerts pressure according to the arrow 93. When the pocket 59 is compressed, a quantity of liquid consumable 63 is delivered. The presence of the elastic tab 65, extending from the block 57 towards the pocket 59 containing the consumable to be delivered, further improves the stresses exerted on the cover 7 during the slight pivoting around the upper hinge 63.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 13 to 18 to describe the steps implemented when the cover passes from its closed position to its open position to access the inside of the casing in order to replace a consumable which is located inside. the inside of the housing.

Reference is made to Figures 13 and 14 illustrating the distributor 1 in a position where the cover 7 is closed on the frame 5.

When the hood is in its closed position, the locking tip 22 of the hood 7 engages the locking pin 21 of the locking lug 13 of the locking element 11. The locking tip 22 thus locks the hood 7 in its closed position, the locking element 11 being fixed to the frame 5, via the fixing plate 27. In this position, the cover 7 is in the locked position on the frame 5, and the dispenser can be actuated by a user to deliver a predetermined quantity of consumable, as illustrated in Figures 9 to 12.

Reference is made to FIG. 15. When a user wishes to gain access to the interior of the casing 3, he takes a manipulation key 67 adapted to penetrate the manipulation orifice 9 formed in the cover 7. The user inserts the manipulation key 67 into the manipulation hole 9 according to the arrow 69 and exerts pressure on the locking lug 13 of the locking element 11.

As illustrated in Figure 16, the locking tab 13, elastic, deforms and moves towards the lower edge 17 of the dispenser 1, thus disengaging the locking tip 22 from the locking pin 21 of the locking tab 13 .

Reference is made to FIG. 17. The user can then drive the cover 7 in rotation around the lower hinges, while maintaining the handling key 67 engaged in the handling orifice 9, which makes it possible to move the cover in rotation d with one hand, thanks to the handling key 67, which he keeps in hand throughout the travel of the bonnet until the bonnet reaches its open position. The user can then with his other hand replace the consumable contained inside the dispenser, while avoiding a sudden blocking of the cover at the end of its travel which would damage the dispenser due to the inertia of the cover acquired during its rotation phase. .

According to a variant illustrated in FIG. 18, the user can drive the cover 7 in rotation around the lower hinges 16 by removing the manipulation key 67 from the manipulation orifice 9. The rotation of the cover 7 is in this case ensured by holding the hood with one hand during its rotation phase.

When the user has replaced the consumable and wishes to close and lock the cover on the frame, he drives the cover in reverse rotation to that practiced for opening the cover. When the cover reaches the closed position shown in figure 13, the cover is automatically locked to the frame thanks to the locking tip which engages the locking lug of the locking element.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited only to the embodiments of this consumable dispenser, presented above solely by way of illustrative examples, but on the contrary it embraces all the variants involving the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (10)

Dispenser (1) of consumable, the consumable being of the liquid soap or hydro-alcoholic solution or toilet paper type, comprising:
- a casing (3), comprising a frame (5) and a cover (7), said cover (7) being movable on the frame (5) between a closed position and an open position allowing access to the inside the casing (3), said cover (7) comprising a handling orifice (9),
- a locking element (11) of the cover (7) on the frame (5), fixed to the frame (5) and extending inside the casing (3),
said distributor (1) being characterized in that:
- the locking element (11) comprises at least one elastic locking lug (13) located opposite said handling orifice (9), said locking lug (13) comprising a locking member (14) of the cover,
- the cover (7) comprises a locking member (15) having a shape complementary to that of the locking member (14) carried by the locking lug (13),
- the locking member (14) carried by the locking lug engages the locking member (15) carried by the cover (7) when the cover (7) is in the closed position and disengages the locking member ( 15) carried by the hood (7) when pressure is exerted on said locking tab (13) from the handling orifice (9), allowing the hood (7) to pass from its closed position to its closed position. 'opening. Dispenser (1) of consumable according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking member (15) carried by the cover (7) comprises a locking tip (22) extending inside the casing (3) and in that the locking member (14) of the locking lug (13) of the locking element (11) comprises a locking lug (21) defining a locking abutment of the locking tip (22) of the cover (7). Dispenser (1) of consumables according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the locking element (11) of the cover (7) is fixed to the frame (5) by fitting via a fixing plate (27) directly attached to the frame (5), said fixing plate (27) comprising a fixing point (31) passing at least partially through the locking element (11) of the cover (7) and defining an abutment fixing the locking element (11) of the cover (7). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to Claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the locking element (11) comprises a box (23) comprising a fixing orifice (25), and in that the fixing point (31 ) of the mounting plate (27) passes through said mounting hole (25). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the fixing plate (27) comprises a fixing flat (29) at the end of which is mounted the fixing tip (31). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the fixing plate (29) comprises a guide groove (33) of the box (23) capable of cooperating with a guide groove made in the box ( 23). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the locking element (11) comprises two locking lugs (13). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:
- a lower hinge (16), located near a lower edge (17) of the distributor (1), arranged to allow rotation of the cover (7) relative to the frame (5) around a lower axis of rotation ( 19) substantially transverse to a longitudinal plane of the distributor (1);
- at least one upper hinge (37), located close to an upper edge (35) of the dispenser (1), arranged to allow, when the cover (7) is in its closed position on the frame (5), a rotation of the cover (7) relative to the frame (5) around an upper axis of rotation (39) substantially transverse to the longitudinal plane of the dispenser (1);
characterized in that each upper hinge (37) comprises a first rotation element (43) carried by the inside of the cover (7) and a second rotation element (45) carried by the inside of the frame (5), said first rotation element (43) comprising a first split edge (49) and said second rotation element (45) comprising a second split edge (53), offset by an angle substantially equal to 90° with respect to said first split edge ( 49), said first and second split edges interpenetrating and one of said first and second rotation elements (43, 45) extending along an axis transverse to the longitudinal plane of the dispenser (1). Dispenser (1) of consumable according to Claim 8, in which the consumable is a liquid soap or a hydro-alcoholic solution contained in a pocket (59) intended to be arranged inside the casing (3), characterized in that it comprises a block (57) fixed to the cover (7), inside the casing (3), arranged to exert pressure on said pocket (59) when a user exerts pressure on the cover (7) when the cover (7) is in the closed position. Dispenser (1) of consumable according to Claim 9, characterized in that the block (57) further comprises an elastic tab (65) arranged to exert additional pressure on the pocket (59) when a user exerts pressure on the cover (7) when the cover (7) is in the closed position.