WO2008050053A1

WO2008050053A1 - Fixation device for securing a fluid product dispensing member

Info

Publication number: WO2008050053A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/052215
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cédric MESNIL
Original assignee: Valois Sas
Priority date: 2006-10-26
Filing date: 2007-10-22
Publication date: 2008-05-02
Also published as: FR2907768A1; FR2907768B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a fixation device (4, 5) for securing a member for dispensing a fluid product (2), such as a pump or a valve, on the neck (11) of a fluid product tank (1), wherein said device comprises: a fixation bushing (4) comprising a reception housing (47) for receiving the dispensing member (2) in a fixed manner and fixation means (42) for maintaining the bushing on the tank, the bushing comprising a skirt (41) extending downwards and defining friction means, the bushing further comprising a dowel extending upwards; and a cover cap (5) comprising a body (51) surrounding at least partially the dowel (43) and the skirt, the cap further comprising an inner flap (53) extending essentially concentrically inside the body, said flap engaging the inside of the dowel (43); characterised in that the dowel (43) defines a plurality of flexible tabs (44) separated by slots, the tabs defining respective free upper ends (441) that can be inserted between the body (51) and the flap (53) of the cap (5).

Description

Fixing device for fixing a fluid product dispensing member

The present invention relates to a fastening device for fixing a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, on a neck of a fluid reservoir. The fixing device comprises a fixing ring and an outer trim ring. The ring comprises a receiving housing adapted to receive the pump or the valve and fixing means for holding the ring on the reservoir. The present invention applies more particularly to the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals, where pumps and finger-operated manual valves are frequently used to dispense doses of fluid product under form sprayed or not.

Numerous fixing devices already exist in the prior art using a fixing ring and a trim band which partially overlaps, but preferably completely, the fixing ring. In general, the fixing ring is made of molded plastic while the trim ring is made of metal for aesthetic reasons. It is of course essential that the trim band is fixedly mounted on the fixing ring. In a traditional way, this fixing is obtained by radial clamping of the hoop around the outer wall of the ring. According to another more recent fixing technique, it is also known to make this fixation on an inner wall of the ring. More specifically, the fixing ring forms a sleeve that extends upwards. On the other hand, the trim band forms an inner flap which engages with the inner wall of the sleeve. Document FR 2 818 249 discloses a ring and ring fastening device in which the band comprises an internal flap forming resilient or flexible tabs which extend outwardly and upwardly so as to define one end. free which will come into contact with the inner surface of the sleeve formed by the ring. To make a snap, the inner wall of the sleeve is even formed with a hooking profile under which the elastic tabs can be housed with their free ends. In this document of the prior art, it is useful the flexibility of the elastic tabs formed by the flap of the hoop to allow the establishment of the hoop on the ring. Indeed, it is necessary that the elastic tabs of the flap are deformed to pass on the fastening profile formed by the sleeve of the ring. However, the realization of the flap elastic tabs is technically complicated, since the hoop is often made of metal. This therefore involves several manufacturing steps, namely a step of cutting the elastic tabs, followed by a folding step of the tabs to the outside. It is precisely this step of folding to the outside which poses the biggest technical problems. In addition, the elasticity of metal tabs with a very small wall thickness is used. Therefore, it often happens that the tabs are too elastic or not elastic enough to allow their engagement under the fastening heads of the sleeve. It even happens that the legs break.

The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a fixing device in which the fixing of the hoop on the ring is technically less complicated to achieve and without generating additional cost.

To achieve this goal, the present invention provides a fastening device for attaching a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, to a neck of a fluid reservoir, the device comprising a fixing ring. comprising a receiving housing adapted to fixably receive the dispensing member and fixing means for holding the ring on the reservoir, the ring comprising a skirt which extends downwards and which forms the fastening means, the ring comprising in addition, an upwardly extending bushing and a covering hoop comprising a body which at least partially surrounds the bushing and the skirt, the hoop further comprising an inner flap which extends substantially concentrically on the inside of the body, the flap engaging inside the socket, characterized in that the sleeve forms a plurality of flexible tabs separated by slots, the tabs defining upper ends They are free and come to be lodged between the body and the flap of the hoop. Unlike the aforementioned prior art, it is no longer necessary to the elasticity of the hoop, but the elasticity of the ring to achieve the fixing of the hoop on the ring. This elasticity is due to the fact that the sleeve is formed with slots defining tabs which thus have a certain flexibility. The formation of these tabs does not generate additional manufacturing step, since they stand directly from the molding of the ring.

When mounting the hoop on the ring, the flap of the hoop remains substantially undeformed, but deforms the upper end of the flexible tabs which can then reach their final position between the flap and the body of the hoop.

Advantageously, at least some tabs form locking heads at their upper ends, the flap of the hoop forming hooking means snapped into engagement with the heads of the tabs. According to one embodiment, the flap forms at least two attachment windows defining a hooking edge serving hooking means engaged under the heads of the tabs. In a variant, the flap forms an outwardly hemmed portion, this hemmed portion defining a fastening edge serving as hooking means engaged under the heads of the flaps. In both cases, a kind of snap is produced by bringing the hooking edge under the snap-fastening heads of the socket.

According to another aspect of the invention, the flap comprises rotational locking means preventing the hoop from rotating on the ring.

Advantageously, the flap forms windows separated by spacers, at least one tab head abutting against a spacer serving as rotational locking means. Snapping the hooking edge under the ratcheting heads already ensures an axial locking of the hoop on the ring. Thanks to the spacers that separate the windows of the flap, it can further achieve a locking rotation. Thus, the lower edge of the windows serves as a hooking edge while the lateral edges of the windows will serve as locking edges in rotation.

According to a practical embodiment, the ring comprises an annular plate intended to be positioned above a tank neck, the skirt extending downwards from the plate and the sleeve extending upwards to from the plate, the sleeve and the skirt advantageously having the same external diameter, the receiving housing being located inside the sleeve.

According to another aspect of the invention, the skirt forms flexible segments separated by indentations. Thus, both the skirt and the sleeve have a similar configuration in which the flexibility of a part (leg or segment) is used to ensure the attachment, on the one hand on the hoop and on the other hand on the tank neck.

According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the body of the hoop is out of contact with the bushing at the heads. Alternatively or additionally, the body is in contact with the socket below the heads.

The space between the bushing and the body of the hoop at the level of the hooks allows the tabs to deform radially outwardly without being disturbed by the hoop. On the other hand, the contact of the hoop with the bushing below the heads ensures a certain rigidity to the tabs once snapped into the flap of the hoop.

According to the invention, it may be provided to make the flap of the hoop either with windows or with a hemmed portion. Such flaps have been presented in combination with a ring having a socket formed with flexible tabs separated by slots. However, these frets can also be implemented with any ring whose sleeve is not formed with tabs separated by slots.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting examples two embodiments of the invention. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a view in vertical cross-section through a fluid dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIGS. 2a and 2b are perspective views of the trim band and the fixing ring according to the invention, respectively, FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 for a second embodiment of the invention,

Figures 4a and 4b are views similar to Figures 3a and 3b for the second embodiment. Referring first to Figures 1, 2a and 2b to describe in detail a first embodiment of the invention. The fixing device of the present invention comprises two constituent elements, namely a fixing ring 4 and an outer trim ring 5. The fixing ring 4 may advantageously be made of plastic material by an injection / molding process. As for the hoop, it can also be made of plastic, but preferably, it is made of metal. The hoop 5 serves to cover the fixing ring at least partially, and preferably entirely. The fixing ring 4 is thus completely masked by the hoop. The fret has a neat finished look: that's why it is often made of metal. The ring 4 and the hoop 5 are thus made separately and then assembled so as to form a unitary assembly. Mounting the hoop on the ring can be done before mounting the ring on a container neck. Nothing prevents however to mount the band on the ring while the latter is already mounted on a container neck. In this case, the hoop 5 has only an aesthetic function and does not participate in fixing the ring on the container neck.

In FIG. 1, the fixing device of the invention is represented in association with a container 1, a dispensing member 2 and a pusher 3.

The tank 1 can be made of any material, such as glass or plastic. Only the upper part of the tank 1 was shown in FIG. 1. The tank here comprises a neck 11 which protrudes from a shoulder 15. The neck 11 is conventionally made with an external thread 12. At its upper end the neck 11 defines an annular edge 13. The clamping of the collar on the neck is formed between the threading 12 and the upper edge 13. The dispensing member 2 may be a pump or a valve. This pump comprises a body 21 defining at its upper end a fastening flange 22. The dispenser member also comprises an actuating rod 23 which projects axially upwards out of the body 21. The actuating rod 23 is axially displaceable back and forth inside the body 21. The free end of the actuating rod 23 is capped by a pusher 3 which defines a bearing surface 31 on which the user can press. using one or more fingers to move the pusher and the actuating rod. The pusher also defines a dispensing orifice 32 which may be a nozzle. The internal structure of the dispenser member will not be described here because it is not critical to the present invention.

The fastening device formed by the ring 4 and the hoop 5 has the function of fixedly and sealingly holding the dispensing member on the tank 1. This sealing fastening is here ensured only by the ring 4. To do this, the ring 4 comprises a receiving housing 47 in which is received the protruding flange 22 of the body 21 of the dispensing member 2. The projecting flange 22 may for example be held snap-fitting inside the receiving housing 47. also consider other fixation techniques, such as spearing or crimping. The housing 47 is of course formed with a central passage hole to allow the body

21 on the other hand, the ring 4 comprises an annular plate 48 which extends radially outwardly from the housing 47. The plate 48 has the function of resting on the edge upper 13 of the neck 11, with the interposition of a neck seal 6. The outer periphery of the plate 48 is connected here to a substantially cylindrical sleeve which defines firstly a skirt 41 which extends downwards from of the plate 48 and secondly a sleeve 43 which extends upwards from the same plate 48. In the example shown in the figures, the skirt 41 and the sleeve 43 have the same external diameter so that they together define a cylinder. However, it can be provided that the sleeve 43 is not arranged in alignment with the skirt 42 so as to form a step between them. The skirt 41 internally defines fixing means 42 which are here in the form of an internal thread. This thread engages the external thread 12 formed by the neck 11 of the tank 1. The final position, shown in Figure 1, is reached when the neck seal 6 is sufficiently compressed on the upper edge 13 of the neck. The compression of this seal 6 is effected by means of the plate 48. In place of the internal thread 42, one can of course imagine all forms of fastening means for biasing the plate 48 towards the edge 13, with or without interposition neck seal. The second embodiment below gives another embodiment for these fixing means. The sleeve 43 forms a plurality of flexible tabs 44 which are separated by slots 45 which are substantially vertical and which extend substantially axially. The slots pass radially through the wall thickness of the bushing and are open upwards. The bottom of the slots can be located at the maximum level of the plate 48. With reference to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2a, it can be seen that at least some lugs 44 are formed with an attachment profile in the form of Heads 46. The configuration of these heads is advantageously of the harpoon type or detent allowing easy introduction and removal practically impossible. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2a, one tab out of two is provided with attachment heads 46. The other legs are devoid of such heads. Of course, it is possible to provide all tabs of attachment heads 46. It may also be noted that the tabs form an outwardly recess inward near their upper free ends 441. This is the case for legs provided with heads 46, and may also be the case for other legs without a head. Because the sleeve 43 is thus split to form lugs 44 and slots 45, it has a certain flexibility which results in a deformability of the tabs, including radially. Indeed, thanks to this configuration, it is possible to deform the legs inward or outward without damaging them. This would not have been possible if the socket 43 had not been split. The trim band 5 here comprises a body 51, a recessed flange 52 and an internal flap 53. The body 51 is substantially cylindrical and is adapted to come in radial clamping around the sleeve 43 and the skirt 41, as can be seen in Figure 1. It is not necessary that the clamping takes place over the entire height of the sleeve and the skirt. In places, the body 51 may in particular be spaced from the sleeve 43 at its upper end up to the ratchet heads 46, as can be seen in Figure 1. It is thus created an intermediate space 55 between the hoop and the sleeve which will allow the upper end 441 of the sleeve to be deformed radially outwardly without being hindered by the hoop 5. At its upper end, the body 51 of the hoop extends radially inwards forming the inward rim 52 which extends annularly substantially inwardly. This recessed flange 52 can abut the free upper end of the sleeve 43, as can be seen in Figure 1. However, this is not mandatory. Beyond this recessed rim 52, the hoop extends downwardly forming the inner flap 54. This flap has a substantially cylindrical configuration which is arranged concentrically inside the body 51 of the hoop. The height of this flap is a few millimeters, for example between 3 and 6 millimeters. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the inner flap 53 extends inside the sleeve 43 to make a fixation at this level. To do this, the flap 53 forms several attachment windows 54 which each extend over a portion of the periphery of the flap. For example, four attachment windows 54 may be provided on the periphery of the flap. Each window thus occupies an angular sector of the order of 90 °. The windows 54 are separated by spacers 53 which define the lateral edges of the windows. On the other hand, each window defines two curved longitudinal edges, namely an upper edge and a lower edge. According to the invention, the lower edges 541 of the windows will serve as hooking edge adapted to be housed under the latching heads 46 formed by the tabs 44 of the sleeve 43. This is visible in Figure 1. These edges latching 541 and form hooking means for fixing the flap 54 of the hoop on the ring 4. The machining of the windows 54 is easy, since it is a simple cut. During the mounting operation of the hoop on the ring, the flap 54 will push the upper ends 441 of the lugs 44 outwardly coming into contact with the gentle slope formed by the ratchet heads 46. As soon as the 541 lower edge of the windows 54 has passed under the heads 46, the legs can again relax and return to their original rest position. The hooking edge 541 is then housed under the sharp edge of the ratchet heads 46, and can no longer dislodge. The deformation of the tabs is made possible due to the space 55 that exists between the body 51 of the hoop and the tabs 44. It may however be noted that the body 51 comes into contact with the sleeve 43 below the ratchet heads 46 to stiffen the legs 44. It should be noted that the tabs 44 are held in a perfectly stable manner between the body 51 from the outside and the flap 53 from the inside. Once in place in the flap, the tabs 44 are practically no longer deformable.

Reference will now be made to FIGS. 3, 4a and 4b to briefly describe a second embodiment of the invention. Only those features which differ from those of the first embodiment will be described.

Regarding the reservoir, the neck 11 is no longer formed with an external thread, but with a lower shoulder 12 'which will serve as a bearing zone for the ring 4'. The ring 4 ', instead of the internal thread 12 of the first embodiment, forms several segments 411 which are separated by indentations 412. The segments 411 thus form a kind of tabs separated by indentations 412 which form a kind of windows. . As a result, the ring has a substantially symmetrical configuration with respect to the plate 48, since both the skirt and the ring have a split configuration. To make the fixing under the shoulder 12 ', each segment 411 internally forms fastening heads 42' which are housed under the shoulder 12, as can be seen in Figure 3. It is relatively easy to deform the segments 411 to bring the heads 42 'under the shoulder 12'. However, because the segments 411 are flexible, it is still necessary to use the hoop 5 to block the segments 411 in place, that is to say with their head 42 'in firm grip under the shoulder 12 '. Therefore, the hoop 5 'here also participates in fixing the fastener on the neck of the container. It is necessary first to mount the ring on the neck, and in a second time to mount the band on the ring. The assembly of the hoop on the ring makes it possible to bring the segments 411 perfectly cylindrical and to compress the neck seal 6. The fixing heads 42 'constitute another embodiment for fastening means of a skirt. It is also possible that the skirt 41 'is continuous, that is to say devoid of indentation 412 and that the fastening means are in the form of a bead or continuous profile which protrudes from the wall internal of the skirt and which engages under the shoulder 12 'of the neck 11. In this case, the hoop is no longer involved in fixing the device on the neck.

Another more important difference for the present invention is that the hoop 5 'comprises a flap 53' which is otherwise secured to the bushing as in the first embodiment. Indeed, the flap 53 'forms a hemmed portion 54' which has been folded 180 ° outwards. Thus, this hemmed portion 54 'defines an annular engaging edge 541 adapted to be housed under the heads 46 of the lugs of the sleeve. The edge 541 constitutes fastening means in the same way as the lower edges of the windows 54 of the first embodiment. Just as the hoop 5 'is separated from the bushing at the ratchet heads 46, it can also be spaced from the skirt at the attachment heads 42'. In this way, it is possible to premount the hoop on the ring before mounting the ring on the neck of the container.

Instead of the windows 54 or the hemmed portion 54 ', it is still possible to imagine other embodiments for the hooking means of the flap to engage under the snap-fastening heads of the sleeve. In general, any type of profile protruding outwardly is adapted to be housed under the snap-fastening heads of the socket. It is also possible that the hooking edge 541 is made with teeth or notches capable of biting under the heads 46 and thus block the hoop rotating on the ring. Thanks to the invention, it ensures a perfect maintenance of the band on the ring without inducing excessive complexity of the band and without complicating the manufacture of the ring.

Claims

claims

1.- Fixing device (4; 4 ', 5; 5') for fixing a fluid dispenser member (2), such as a pump or a valve, on a neck (11) of a reservoir of fluid product (1), the device comprising:

a fixing ring (4; 4 ') comprising a receiving housing (47) able to receive the dispensing member (2) and fixing means (42; 42') for holding the ring on the reservoir, the ring comprising a downwardly extending skirt (41; 41 ') which forms the fastening means, the ring further comprising a sleeve (43) which extends upwards, and - a fret of covering (5; 5 ') comprising a body (51) which at least partially surrounds the bushing (43) and the skirt, the hoop further comprising an inner flap (53; 53') which extends substantially concentrically to the inside the body, the flap engaging inside the sleeve (43), characterized in that the sleeve (43) forms a plurality of flexible tabs

(44) separated by slots (45), the tabs defining respective free upper ends (441) which are housed between the body (51) and the flap (53) of the hoop (5; 5 ').

2. Fastening device according to claim 1, wherein at least some lugs (44) form ratchet heads (46) at their upper ends (441), the flap (53; 53 ') of the hoop forming hooking means (541) engaged with the heads of the tabs.

3. Fastening device according to claim 2, wherein the flap (53) forms at least two attachment windows (54) defining a hooking edge (541) serving as attachment means engaged under the heads (46). ) legs.

4. Fastening device according to claim 2, wherein the flap (53 ') forms a hemmed portion (54') outwards, this hemmed portion defining a hooking edge (541) serving as hooking means engaged under the heads (46) of the legs.

5. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flap (53) comprises rotational locking means (55) preventing the hoop from rotating on the ring.

6. Fastening device according to claim 5, wherein the flap

(53) forms separate windows (54) by spacers (55), at least one lug head (46) abutting against a spacer (55) serving as a rotational locking means.

7. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ring (4; 4 ') comprises an annular plate (48) intended to be positioned above a tank neck (11), the skirt (41; 41 ') extending downwardly from the tray (48) and the bushing (43) extending upwardly from the tray (48), the bushing (43) and the skirt (41); ) advantageously having the same external diameter, the receiving housing (47) being located inside the sleeve (43).

8. Fastening device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt (41) forms flexible segments (411) separated by indentations (412).

9. Fastening device according to claim 2, wherein the body (51) of the hoop is out of contact with the sleeve (43) at the heads (46).

10. Fastening device according to claim 2 or 9, wherein the body (51) is in contact with the sleeve (43) below the heads (46).