WO2014177554A1

WO2014177554A1 - Dispensing head for dispensing a product in the form of a spray or in a dropwise manner

Info

Publication number: WO2014177554A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058711
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laure Thiebaut
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2013-04-29
Filing date: 2014-04-29
Publication date: 2014-11-06
Also published as: FR3004904B1; FR3004904A1

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a device for packaging and dispensing a liquid product, having a container (1) with deformable walls, a dip tube (2) and a dispensing head (3), wherein: in a first position of the device, a deformation of the container causes the product to be dispensed in the form of a spray, and in a second position of the device, a deformation of the container causes the product to be dispensed in a dropwise manner, the dispensing head (3) being provided with a single dispensing orifice (4).

Description

Dispensing head for dispensing a product in the form of a spray or in a dropwise manner

The present invention relates to the field of devices for packaging and dis- pensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product.

The present invention relates more particularly to the field of devices for packaging a cosmetic product that are able to allow the cosmetic product to be dispensed differently depending on the mode of use desired.

A first mode of use of the device relates to the dispensing of a liquid product in order to apply the product in the form of a spray, for example for application to the face or chest.

In a second mode of use, the device is able to allow the product to be dispensed in a dropwise manner, for example for application to the legs.

Packaging devices which allow one and the same product to be dispensed in a number of forms already exist in the prior art.

For more details on the design of such devices, reference can be made to the documents FR2906981, FR2569663 and GB2305423.

Reference can also be made to the American patent US 3 170 633, which describes a packaging device that is used to dispense a product contained in a container either in the form of fine droplets by spraying, or in the form of a continuous stream or in a dropwise manner.

In this regard, the dispensing head has a valve to be turned in order to select a dispensing mode or the closed position. The rotation of the valve places a dispensing duct opposite different orifices in order to obtain different dispensing modes.

This dispensing head has in particular the drawback of having a large number of elements to be assembled, thereby increasing its production cost.

Furthermore, this head is not suitable for quick and easy use. This is because the user has to carefully position the valve. Otherwise, the product is dispensed in an approximate manner and the device does not dispense in the desired manner. In the light of the above, the aim of the present invention is thus to remedy the abovementioned drawbacks.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, which is particularly economi- cal and easy to use.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to propose a spray without making use of a pump.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a leaktight device which does not require the addition of numerous sealing components.

The subject of the present invention is a device for packaging and dispensing a liquid product, having a container with deformable walls, a dip tube and a dispensing head, wherein:

in a first position of the device, a deformation of the container causes the product to be dispensed in the form of a spray, and

- in a second position of the device, a deformation of the container causes the product to be dispensed in a dropwise manner,

the dispensing head being provided with a single dispensing orifice.

A further subject of the invention is a cosmetic process employing a device as defined above.

The invention also relates to a dispensing head intended to be fitted on a device as defined above.

Within the meaning of the invention, the term "spray" is understood to mean a jet of liquid (perfume, deodorant, deodorizer, insecticide, body oil, antiperspirant, sunscreen, moisturizer) projected in fine droplets by spraying. Preferably, the average diame- ter of the droplets of the spray is between 10 μιη and 500 μιη. More preferably, the average diameter of the droplets of the spray is between 20 μιη and 100 μιη. Even more preferably, the average diameter of the droplets of the spray is between 20 μιη and 80 μιη.

The size of the particles is measured in particular:

- by using devices that are two thirds full,

- by inclining the devices at 60°,

- by using a laser,

by carrying out the measurement at a distance of between 5 and 8 cm from the laser beam,

by filling the bottles with colored alcohol,

by choosing preferably an opening of the device ranging from 0.5 mm to 4 mm, more preferably ranging from 1 mm to 3 mm.

The expression "dropwise" is understood to mean a flow of liquid in the form of drops that are spaced apart from one another. Preferably, the average diameter of the drops is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

In the following text, the expression "longitudinal section" is understood to mean a section passing through the longitudinal axis of the device. The expression "cross section" is understood to mean a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Preferably, the first position is a head-up use position of the device.

More preferably, the second position is a head-down use position of the device.

The expression "head-up use position of the device" is understood to mean a use position in which the dispensing orifice is located above the free surface of the liquid contained in the container.

The expression "head-down use position of the device" is understood to mean a use position in which the dispensing orifice is located below the free surface of the liquid contained in the container.

CONTAINER

The container is advantageously molded in one piece.

According to one embodiment of the invention, all the walls of the container are deformable.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the container has a deformable zone.

The deformable zone and the rest of the container can be firmly attached to one another by bi-injection molding. This process is simple and economical.

The material of the container can be chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene, and a polyester.

The material of the container may be in a single layer or multiple layers.

The deformable zone may comprise a bellows. The deformable zone may be transversely or axially compressible. The container advantageously has a shape which is not rotationally symmetrical, in particular for transverse compression.

In particular, the container may be of the type described in French patent application 1257462 filed on 1 August 2012 by the Applicant.

DISPENSING ORIFICE

Within the meaning of the invention, the dispensing orifice is the orifice through which the product is dispensed.

The dispensing orifice may define a space or a cavity. It may be for example in the form of a cylinder that is open at its two axial ends.

The dispensing orifice may be defined by an annular lip located on a base part of the dispensing head.

According to the invention, the orifice may extend axially along the longitudi- nal axis X of the device, over a length that is advantageously less than or equal to 1 cm, preferably less than or equal to 0.5 cm and more preferably less than or equal to 0.3 cm.

For example, the orifice extends axially over less than 0.4 cm, or even less than

0.2 cm.

Preferably, the maximum cross section of the orifice is greater than 0.5 mm², preferably 1 mm² and more preferably 2 mm².

Even more preferably, the minimum section of the orifice is greater than 0.1 mm², preferably 0.2 mm² and more preferably 0.5 mm².

The orifice may extend axially, with such minimum cross sections, in the direction of flow of the product, over a length of less than or equal to 2 mm.

The section of the orifice may be variable or constant in the direction of flow of the product.

In cross section, the orifice may have any desired shape, such as a circular, polygonal, ovoid or bean shape.

The axis of the orifice is advantageously coincident with the longitudinal axis of the device.

Advantageously, the flow section of the product at the outlet of the dispensing orifice is the same in the first position and in the second position. The user does not have to bring about a change in this flow section between the two positions. The device is easy to handle, in particular compared with a device having a valve.

Very advantageously, the flow section of the product at the outlet of the device is between 0.3 mm² and 5 mm², and preferably between 0.5 mm² and 3 mm². These values are optimum in order to obtain both a quality spray and quality dropwise dispensing.

DISPENSING HEAD

The following may be cited as materials that can be used to produce the dispensing head, this list not being limiting: polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, high- density polyethylene or medium-density polyethylene. Medium-density polyethylene is a mixture of high-density polyethylene and low-density polyethylene.

Advantageously, the dispensing head is made in one piece. This thus simplifies the production of the device.

More advantageously, the dispensing head has a duct designed to connect the dip tube to the dispensing orifice. The duct serves both to mount the dip tube and to guide the product to the outside of the device in order to obtain the dropwise flow.

Generally, the dip tube placed inside the duct.

For example, the dip tube may be firmly attached to the duct by pinching, snap- fastening, clip-fastening, screwing, clamping, force-fitting or magnetization.

In the first position of the device, the product stored in the reservoir passes through the dip tube and the dispensing orifice before being sprayed.

Preferably, the duct has at least one passage that allows the product to flow toward the dispensing orifice without passing through the dip tube. This design of the device is simple.

More preferably, the passage defines a groove or a recess formed in the inner wall of the duct. This design of the device is economical.

In the second position of the device, the product stored in the reservoir passes through the passage and the dispensing orifice before flowing in a dropwise manner.

Advantageously, the dispensing head is a flip-top cap. It may be in particular a one-plate or two-plate flip-top cap.

A cover having a screwed or snapped sealing pin may also be provided. a) One-plate flip-top cap

A one-plate flip-top cap is a closure cap having a dispensing head and a lid, the lid being designed to close off the dispensing orifice when the device is closed. The lid may have a sealing pin having at least one relief designed to be snap-fitted into the orifice.

In general, the lid is hinged on the dispensing head. For example, the cap may have at least one elastic tab connecting the lid to the support part or a film hinge, that is to say one having a very small thickness.

In a manner known per se, the dispensing head has in particular a skirt for mounting on the neck of a container.

In a device according to the invention, if the dispensing head is a one-plate flip- top cap, the deformation of the container causes for example:

a spray of product, in the head-up position of the device, and - the product to be dispensed in a dropwise manner, in the head-down position of the device. b) Two-plate flip-top cap

A two-plate flip-top cap is described for example in FR2906981.

These two-plate caps are caps comprising a first portion that is provided with at least one first dispensing orifice and is able to be mounted on the packaging and dispensing device, a second portion provided with at least one second dispensing orifice that has a flow section for the product which may be different from the flow section of the first dispensing orifice.

The cap also has connecting means that connect the first portion and the second portion and are designed to allow a relative movement of the first portion and of the second portion between a close-together position, in which the product is dispensed by passing at least through the second dispensing orifice, and a spaced-apart position, in which the product is dispensed only by passing through the first dispensing orifice.

Preferably, the two-plate cap also comprises a cover for closing off the second dispensing orifice of the second portion. The closing cover is advantageously articulated in rotation on the second portion by additional connecting means. The connecting means connecting the first portion and the second portion, and the additional connecting means are advantageously diametrically opposite one another in order that the utilization hand movements implicitly indicate the possible double use of the dispensing end piece.

In a device according to the invention, if the dispensing head is a two-plate flip- top cap, the deformation of the container causes for example:

- a spray of product in the open position of the cover and in the head-up position of the device, and

- the product to be dispensed in a drop wise manner, in the open position of one plate and in the head-down position of the device.

The invention will be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non- limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

- figure 1 schematically and partially shows, in longitudinal section, a device in accordance with one implementation example of the invention,

- figure 2 is a perspective view of a dispensing head according to the invention,

- figure 3 is a top view of the dispensing head according to figure 2,

- figure 4 is an axial section along V-V in figure 3,

- figure 5 is a partial longitudinal section through the device from figure 1 used in the "head-up" position,

- figure 6 is a partial longitudinal section through the device from figure 1 in the "head-down " position.

The device shown in figure 1 has:

a container 1 ,

a dip tube 2, and

- a flip-top cap 3.

The flip-top cap 3 comprises a base part 31 and a lid 32 hinged on the base part 31 by means of a film hinge 12.

The base part 31 has, as can be seen in particular in figure 2, a mounting skirt 33 that is designed to be screwed onto the neck of the container 11 and has non-slip ribs 34 on its outer surface. The lid 32 has a wall 14 in the form of a dish that covers the base part 31 in the closed position and a sealing pin 12 intended to close off the dispensing orifice 4 in a leak- tight manner.

The dispensing orifice 4 extends axially along the longitudinal axis X of the device. It defines a cylindrical cavity that is open at its two axial ends. A first opening 41 leads out of the dispensing head 3 when the lid 32 is open. A second opening 42, which is set back from the first, leads into the duct 5 in the dispensing head 3.

The duct 5 is connected to the orifice 4 by an annular shoulder 45. The upper part 21 of the dip tube 2 bears, radially, against the inner walls 55 of the duct 5. The upper part 21 may be fixed to the duct 5 by force-fitting, for example.

The dip tube 2 is inserted into the duct 5 without its upper part 21 abutting against the inner surface of the shoulder 45.

The duct 5 is provided on its inner surface with a passage 6 that allows the product to flow toward the dispensing orifice 4 without passing through the dip tube 2.

In the example shown, the passage 6 has two grooves 61 and 62 provided over the entire height of the duct 5.

The product is dispensed by pressing the wall of the container 2.

When the device is in the "head-up" position (figure 5), the product reaches the dispensing orifice 4 by passing through the dip tube 2. At its outlet from the dip tube 2, it reaches the dispensing orifice 4 by passing through the opening 42.

When the device is in the "head-down" position (figure 6), the product reaches the dispensing orifice 4 without passing through the dip tube 2.

It leaves the container 2 by filling the grooves 61 and 62. Once it has passed the shoulder 45, it runs into the dispensing orifice 4 by passing through the opening 42.

In order to dispense the product, the user chooses a "head-up" or "head-down " position. He presses on the walls of the container 2, causing the product to be dispensed either in the form of a spray or in a dropwise manner.

The pressure in order to have a spray is especially linked to the geometry of the bottle, to the hardness of the bottle and to the diameter of the dip tube.

The quality of the spray is especially linked to the pressure force and to the diameter of the dispensing orifice.

The dispensing head may have yet other forms in addition to those which have just been described, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In this regard, the term "head" should not be interpreted in a limiting manner, but rather should have a very wide scope and cover all types of dispensing member.

Claims

1. A device for packaging and dispensing a liquid product, having a container (1) with deformable walls, a dip tube (2) and a dispensing head (3), wherein:

in a second position of the device, a deformation of the container causes the product to be dispensed in a dropwise manner,

the dispensing head (3) being provided with a single dispensing orifice (4).

2. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing head (3) is in one piece.

3. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing head has a duct (5) designed to connect the dip tube (2) to the dispensing orifice.

4. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the duct (5) has at least one passage (6) that allows the product to flow toward the dispensing orifice (4) without passing through the dip tube (2).

5. The device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the passage (6) defines a groove formed in the inner wall of the duct (5).

6. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow section of the product at the outlet of the device is between 0.3 mm² and 5 mm², and preferably between 0.5 mm² and 3 mm².

7. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing head (3) is a flip-top cap.

8. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first position is a head-up use position of the device.

9. The device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second position is a head-down use position of the device.

10. A dispensing head intended to be fitted on a device as defined in any one of the preceding claims.

11. A cosmetic process comprising the employment of the device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9.