WO2017222507A1 - Actionneur à charnière mobile - Google Patents

Actionneur à charnière mobile Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017222507A1
WO2017222507A1 PCT/US2016/038529 US2016038529W WO2017222507A1 WO 2017222507 A1 WO2017222507 A1 WO 2017222507A1 US 2016038529 W US2016038529 W US 2016038529W WO 2017222507 A1 WO2017222507 A1 WO 2017222507A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
actuator
pump
sleeve
button
button portion
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2016/038529
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Simon Nicholas Dutton
Original Assignee
Avon Products, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Avon Products, Inc. filed Critical Avon Products, Inc.
Priority to PCT/US2016/038529 priority Critical patent/WO2017222507A1/fr
Publication of WO2017222507A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017222507A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D34/00—Containers or accessories specially adapted for handling liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. perfumes
    • A45D34/02—Scent flasks, e.g. with evaporator
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1073—Springs
    • B05B11/1074—Springs located outside pump chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1073—Springs
    • B05B11/1077—Springs characterised by a particular shape or material
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45D
    • A45D2200/05—Details of containers
    • A45D2200/054—Means for supplying liquid to the outlet of the container
    • A45D2200/056—Reciprocating pumps, i.e. with variable volume chamber wherein pressure and vacuum are alternately generated
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
    • A45D2200/00—Details not otherwise provided for in A45D
    • A45D2200/05—Details of containers
    • A45D2200/054—Means for supplying liquid to the outlet of the container
    • A45D2200/057—Spray nozzles; Generating atomised liquid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
    • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
    • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
    • B05B11/1042—Components or details
    • B05B11/1043—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container
    • B05B11/1046—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container
    • B05B11/1047—Sealing or attachment arrangements between pump and container the pump chamber being arranged substantially coaxially to the neck of the container the pump being preassembled as an independent unit before being mounted on the container

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to a device for actuating a pump mechanism capable of expelling a flowable composition from a container reservoir.
  • the actuation capability is derived from a living hinge which is constituted by an elastomeric region of the actuator. More specifically, the invention relates to a molded actuator having a button portion for pressing, a collar portion for securing to a container, and a living hinge portion formed of a material that is sufficiently pliable to allow movement of the button portion relative to the collar in a resilient manner.
  • Pumps are commonly used for dispensing liquids and gases from small hand held personal care containers, especially fragrances, sunscreens, insect repellants and the like.
  • a personal care product will have a container of product and a pump and actuator assembly affixed to the container.
  • a dip stick extends into the container and in contact with the flowable composition.
  • pressure within the container forces the liquid up through the dip stick, through a valve seated on the container, and out through an outlet orifice which is usually on the actuator button.
  • the exit orifice is on the collar portion.
  • a coiled metal spring is usually disposed between the actuator button and the container body and surrounding the exit tube to provide a counterforce when the actuator button is engaged by the user.
  • the dip stick, valve, and pump assembly are not intended to be reused and are intended to be disposed of with the container when the product is depleted from the container.
  • a flowable personal care product e.g., a fragrance composition
  • the system reduces the number of parts required for manufacture of each fragrance container and enables the pump assembly to be used with refillable or replaceable product cartridges or containers.
  • the present invention provides an actuator that operates on the principle of a "living hinge,” by which is meant that a thin flexible hinge (flexure bearing) made from the same material as the two pieces it connects.
  • the living hinge is composed of an elastomeric material (e.g. , a plastic, such as a poly olefin), which may be any material sufficiently pliable and resilient to be deformed by a force and return substantially to original position after removal of the force.
  • a pump actuator comprising a button portion; a collar portion having a top end, a bottom end, and a continuous wall defining a lumen therein, the bottom end being optionally adapted to secure the actuator to a container so as to engage and actuate a pump on the container that is in fluid communication with a container reservoir containing a flowable material; and an elastomeric sleeve connecting the button portion to the collar portion so as to form a living hinge between the button and collar.
  • the button, sleeve, and collar are typically a unitary piece, formed from a single mold (e.g. , by injection molding).
  • the sleeve portion will have discontinuities that permit it to collapse in an orderly manner at least partially within the lumen of the collar portion.
  • These discontinuities may be, for example, in the form of a plurality of vertical slits or cutouts formed through the sleeve and disposed around the circumference thereof, such that the remaining material between each adjacent slit has the character of strips or bands of plastic material that are ideally substantially longer than they are wide.
  • the button portion, collar portion, and sleeve may be formed from a single mold such that they exit the mold in a molded configuration in which the unitary body comprises, in series, the button portion, the sleeve portion, and the collar portion (i.e., the button portion is separated from the top end of said collar portion by a length of said sleeve portion), but, upon removal from the mold, may be configured in an assembled configuration in which the sleeve collapses at least partially within the lumen of the collar to provide a living hinge between the collar and the button.
  • the actuator is configured to be operated by a user depressing the button portion with her fingers.
  • the underside of the button typically engages a stem or tube which, when depressed by the button, causes a pump valve to open thereby releasing the contents of the container.
  • the living hinge is sufficiently resilient to provide a counterforce to the force of the user's finger pressing the button. Ideally, but not necessarily, the living hinge is sufficiently resilient to cause the button to substantially retum to its undepressed state upon removal of the force.
  • the length of the sleeve portion may be from about 0.5 cm to about 10 cm (e.g. , from about 1-5 cm, etc.).
  • the actuator is composed of a single material, such as a thermoplastic polymer (e.g.
  • the actuator may also be formed as a unitary body from a single mold by bi-injection molding, such that at least one of the button, sleeve, and collar have a different composition that the others.
  • the button and collar portions may be formed of a rigid polymer whereas the sleeve may be formed of a comparatively less rigid or more flexible polymeric material.
  • the collar portion may be adapted to mechanically secure to a container, for example via elements on the collar that engage with complementary elements on the container, such as for example, complementary threading, complementary protuberances and indentations, complementary tongues and grooves, etc.
  • the collar portion is adapted to be reversibly secured to the container so that actuator can be repeatedly removed from the container and replaced on a new container having the same complementary elements to engage the actuator.
  • the actuator can typically be removed by forces typically applied by a user's hands without the need for tools or the like.
  • a plurality of containers is provided, each container having a reservoir filled with a flowable composition (e.g.
  • the pump mechanism will include a flow valve and a dip stick connected to the internal side of the valve on its one end and dipping into the composition on the other.
  • the containers may further comprises an exit tube connected to the external side of the valve, optionally a metal spring surrounding the exit tube, and a cage or other intermediately assembly for holding the valve and exit tube onto the container.
  • the collar portion may secure either to the body of the container or to the cage, which for the purposes of the present disclosure is considered part of the container unless otherwise indicated.
  • the collar portion has a generally annular configuration having an interior wall defining a lumen therein, in which the sleeve portion is partially disposed in the assembled configuration.
  • the button portion may be approximately coplanar with the top end of the collar portion in the assembled configuration, and may be configured on the underside thereof to engage the stem or tube (e.g., via a mold feature) such that the valve is caused to open when the button is depressed.
  • the single-bodied pump actuator is converted into a structure comprising a living hinge in the assembled configuration, wherein the elastic nature of the living hinge arises from the folding or collapse of the sleeve within the collar lumen.
  • the button portion may have any shape, for example, a generally discoid shape or comprising a generally planar, discoid surface for engaging with the user's finger. In some embodiments, the button will have a generally discoid surface with a diameter between about 0.5-10 cm (or from about 1 -5 cm). In some embodiments, the button portion is rigid or is composed of a material comparatively more rigid than the sleeve portion. In other embodiments, the button portion is also flexible such that the user experiences a resilient, rubbery feel when pressing the button.
  • the actuator may be engaged directly from a user's fingers, whereas in other embodiments, the actuator may be engaged indirectly from a user's fingers by engaging a movable member disposed between the button and the user's fingers (e.g. , a flexible membrane or cap overlaying or covering the button).
  • a movable member disposed between the button and the user's fingers (e.g. , a flexible membrane or cap overlaying or covering the button).
  • a kit comprising a reusable actuator assembly according to the invention and a plurality of containers, each comprising a flowable composition.
  • the plurality of compositions may be fragrance compositions, by which is meant that the primary intended benefit of the composition is to provide an odor.
  • the compositions may be the same or different from one another.
  • the compositions may be in the form of gels, oils, emulsions, or serums.
  • the compositions are thixotropic or shear thinning, and may have viscosities from about 10 to 1 ,000,000 cps at 25°C and a shear rate of 10 1/s.
  • at least two containers in the kit will be of identical construction.
  • kits in the kit comprise the same fiowable composition. In some embodiments, at least two containers in the kit comprise different fiowable compositions. In some embodiments, the kit will further include written instructions for assembling the actuator onto a container. In some embodiments, the kit will further include written instructions for removing the actuator from a spent container and reassembling it onto a new container.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in a molded configuration.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are cross sectional side views of the embodiment of Fig. 1 showing a conversion from a molded configuration to an assembled configuration.
  • Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a pump assembly of the current invention comprising the pump actuator in an assembled configuration from Fig. 2C.
  • Fig. 4 is a cross sectional side view of the exploded view of Fig. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of another pump assembly of the current invention.
  • Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the pump assembly of Fig. 5.
  • FIGs. 7A and 7B are perspective views showing a partial cross section of an embodiment of the current invention separated and attached to a dispenser assembly.
  • FIGs. 8A and 8B are perspectives views of another embodiment of the current invention showing a conversion from an actuating position (Fig. 8A) into a locked position (Fig. 8B).
  • the inventive pump actuator includes at least one portion that may comprise a living hinge.
  • This living hinge provides the functionality necessary to actuate a pump mechanism on a personal care product container having a pump for dispensing a flowable (e.g., liquid) product.
  • the pump actuator may be created in a molded configuration from a single mold, by injection molding or the like. In the molded configuration the molded body does not have a living hinge, but must be converted into an assembled configuration comprising the living hinge. This is typically done by pressing the button portion downward toward the collar portion such that the sleeve portion folds up within the lumen of the collar portion to form a resilient, elastic component. Any material capable of creating a living hinge may be used for molding the actuator, for example, by injection molding. In some embodiments, the actuator is bi- injection molded in order to make different potions of the actuator out of different polymeric compositions.
  • a pump actuator 10 is illustrated in the "molded configuration" by which is meant that it is in substantially the same configuration as the mold from which it was made.
  • actuator 10 comprises a button portion 20, a sleeve portion 40 and a collar portion 60.
  • the button portion 20 is shown as having a generally annular discoid surface 22 and a vertical wall 24.
  • the button portion 20 comprises a lip 26 which prevents the button from escaping the lumen of the collar portion 64 when assembled and to prevent displacement of the button during actuation.
  • the button portion additionally comprises an orifice 28 for dispensing a flowable material.
  • the button portion 20 is separated from the collar portion 60 by the sleeve 40.
  • the sleeve comprises elongated voids or slits 42 as engineered faults.
  • the elongated dimension is oriented parallel to the axis defined by the center of the button discoid surface 22 and the center of the surface defined by the bottom of the collar portion 66.
  • Between the elongated voids 42 are strips or bands 44 of material which are typically longer than their width.
  • the sleeve portion 40 is connected to the collar portion 60 via a U-shaped inverted connection 66 within the lumen 64 of the collar 60 connecting the sleeve 40 to the top of the collar 68.
  • the collar portion 60 is generally annular comprising a lumen 64 and an annular wall 62.
  • FIG. 2 the actuator of Fig. 1 is shown in which a force represented by the downward arrow is exerted onto the button causing the bands 44 to collapse in a somewhat ordered manner within the lumen, such that a living hinge is formed in Fig 2C.
  • Fig. 2A depict the actuator 10 substantially in the molded configuration
  • Fig. 2C depicts the actuator in the assembled configuration. Creation of the living hinge by collapsing voids 42 and bands 44 causes a part of the button portion 20 to be able to be depressed within the lumen 64.
  • the lip 26 forms a substantially continuous surface with the top of the collar 68 when the actuator 10 is in the assembled configuration (Fig. 2C).
  • the elastomeric sleeve may comprise engineered faults of various configurations (e.g. holes, cavities, openings, shutoffs, scoring, columns, voids, weak points, ribs, accordion folds, etc.) that allow a conversion of the assembled sleeve into a living hinge. What is important is that the sleeve will have some degree of elasticity in the assembled configuration to allow the button to be depressed by the user and to provide a counterforce when the button is depressed such that the user experiences the feeling of a spring mechanism.
  • the engineered faults are ribs.
  • the engineered faults are columns.
  • multiple types of engineered faults are used to control the smoothness of the actuation mechanism at different positions during depression.
  • a single living hinge is created.
  • multiple living hinges can be created (e.g. two, three, etc.).
  • the engineered faults may vary in size.
  • the engineered faults are equally spaced around the periphery of the sleeve.
  • the engineered faults are symmetric around the periphery of the sleeve.
  • the engineered faults are not symmetric around the periphery of the sleeve.
  • the engineered faults are centered around the midpoint of the sleeve between the collar and the button portions. In some embodiments the engineered faults are not centered between the collar and the button portions. In some embodiments, the engineered faults begin at the point in the sleeve connected to the collar. In some embodiments, the engineered faults comprise a plurality of elongated slits or voids in the sleeve.
  • the voids may be of any shape, for example, rectangular, rounded rectangular, ovoid, polygonal, or triangular. In some embodiments, the longest dimension in the perimeter of the void is defined as the elongated dimension.
  • the elongated dimension may be greater than 0.1 cm or 0.5 cm or 1.0 cm or 1.5 cm or 2 cm up to the approximate length of the sleeve portion.
  • the plurality of elongated voids may form bands of material between any two adjacent voids, where the length of the band may be substantially greater than the width defined by the distance between adjacent voids.
  • the width of the band is equal to the width of the void.
  • the width of the band is greater than or less than the width of the void.
  • the width of the band and/or the elongated void is greater than about 0.5 mm or about 1 mm or about 5 mm up to about 1 mm or about 2 mm, or about 5 mm or about 10 mm.
  • the elongated voids may be oriented such that the elongated dimension is substantially parallel with the axis defined by the center of the collar portion and the center of the button portion.
  • the elongated voids may be oriented such that the elongated dimension is substantially perpendicular with the axis defined by the center of the color portion and the center of the button portion.
  • the elongated voids may be oriented at any angle with respect to the axis defined by the center of the collar portion and the center of the button portion.
  • the elongated voids may be all of the same size.
  • the elongated voids may vary in size.
  • FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the pump assembly in Fig. 4.
  • the pump mechanism 80 is in fluid communication with a flowable material contained in reservoir 90 which may be dispensed through the orifice 28.
  • the pump mechanism comprises a piston 82 and a spring 84.
  • the button portion comprises a molded portion 30 on the underside of the button portion 20 that allows movement of the piston 82 in order to actuate a pump mechanism 80.
  • the piston 82 is not shown in the exploded view as it is contained within the molded portion 30 on the interior of button portion 30.
  • the bottom of the collar portion 66 is adapted to the top of the reservoir cage 97 to mechanically secure the pump assembly.
  • the reservoir 90 comprises a locking and aligning feature 92 to align and lock to a complementary element on the interior of assembled actuator 10.
  • the spring 84 allows the button portion to be returned substantially to its original position once actuation is complete.
  • Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5.
  • the pump assembly comprises a cap 105, a securing cylinder 100, an elastomeric actuator 15, a pump mechanism 80, a reservoir 90 and a cage 95.
  • the elastomeric actuator 15 comprises a button portion 32 comprising an annular shape with a generally discoid top surface 34 that is actuated indirectly through a user's finger onto cap 105.
  • the button portion further comprises an exit orifice 36 designed to align with an exit orifice 107 on cap 105.
  • the elastomeric actuator 15 further comprises a living hinge 50, comprising rounded rectangular voids 52 and bands of material 54. Between the rounded rectangular voids 52 are the bands of material 54 with a width smaller than the width of the voids.
  • the collar portion 70 includes a design feature 74 comprising a cutout and rounded band of material designed to allow flexibility of the actuator 15 and help secure it to reservoir 90.
  • Securing cylinder 100 has a bottom 102 that is adapted to mechanically secure to a feature 99 on cage 95.
  • the interior of reservoir 90 comprises a dip tube designed to be submerged beneath the surface of a flowable composition contained within the reservoir 90 to allow fluid communication with pump mechanism 80.
  • the pump actuator is manufactured by bi-injection molding. In some embodiments, insert molding is used. In some embodiment, thin-wall injection molding is used. In some embodiments the pump actuator is 3D printed.
  • the pump actuator may comprise any material capable of creating a living hinge.
  • the actuator comprises a poly olefin plastic, such as polypropylene.
  • the material may be a polymer with intrinsic elastomeric properties, such as an elastomer.
  • Suitable elastomers also include unsaturated and saturated rubbers. Unsaturated rubbers may be natural polyisoprene, synthetic polyisoprene, polybutadiene, chloroprene, butyl rubber, styrene- butadiene, nitrile rubbers, hydrogenated nitrile rubbers.
  • Saturated rubbers may be ethylene propylene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, epichlorohydrin rubber, polyacrilyc rubber, silicone rubber, fluorosilicone rubber, fluoroelastomers (e.g., Viton, Tecnoflon, Fluorel, Aflas and Dai-El), perfluoroelastomers (e.g., PFR, Kalrez, Chemraz, Perlast), polyether block amides, chlorosulfonated polytethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate, and combinations thereof.
  • the entire pump actuator is made from an elastomer.
  • the pump actuator comprises a resin.
  • the entire pump actuator is composed of a resin.
  • Suitable resins may be synthetic or natural resins. Suitable resins may be any linear or branched polymer resin. Examples of suitable resins are epoxy, polyurethane, methyl methacrylate, acetal, melamine, nylon, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene resins and combinations thereof.
  • the actuator comprises multiple materials.
  • the actuator may be used to actuate any pump capable of moving a flowable composition.
  • the flowable composition may be a gel, an emulsion, a liquid, a gas, a colloidal suspension, etc.
  • the pump may atomize the flowable composition.
  • the pump may aerate the flowable composition.
  • the pump may be, for example, a spray pump, an atomizer, a mist spray pump, an aerator pump, etc.
  • the pump is an airless pump.
  • the pump is an atmospheric pump comprising one or more one-way valves, a dipstick, a pump reservoir, a piston and a spring.
  • a flowable composition forces the flowable composition up a dip tube with an opening placed beneath the surface of the flowable composition.
  • the flowable composition fills a pump reservoir connected between the exit orifice and the dip tube.
  • a one way valve that only allows flowable materials to move in the single direction from dip tube to pump reservoir.
  • a second one way valve keeps the flowable composition in the second reservoir and only allows flow from the pump reservoir toward the exit orifice when actuation occurs.
  • a spring is compressed and a piston moves to decrease the size of the second reservoir.
  • the flowable composition is forced through the second one way valve and exit orifice of the device.
  • the one way valve between the second reservoir and the dip tube prevents movement of the flowable material back into the original location of flowable material (i.e. the dip tube and original reservoir).
  • the compressed spring decompresses and moves the piston and actuator back to their original positions, causing volume of the second reservoir to increase.
  • Flowable liquid is then drawn up from the dip tube to refill the second reservoir because of atmospheric pressure on the surface of the flowable composition.
  • the first one way valve is opened while the second one way valve is not (the second one way valve prevents air from flowing through the exit orifice) to cause the flow of material from the original reservoir and dip tube to the pump reservoir.
  • the actuator is capable of moving the piston in an atmospheric pump.
  • the actuator is capable of moving both the spring and piston in an atmospheric pump.
  • the actuator further comprises the piston portion of an atmospheric pump.
  • the actuator further comprises the piston and spring portions of an atmospheric pump.
  • the living hinge is capable of returning the actuator substantially to its original assembled position without the use of spring decompression force following an actuating force applied to the actuator.
  • both the spring decompression force and the living hinge elasticity return the actuator to its original assembled position following an actuating force applied to the actuator.
  • FIGs. 7A and 7B an embodiment of the elastomeric actuator where the collar portion is not attached permanently to the cage is shown.
  • An elastomeric actuator 110 is placed on a pump assembly 180 comprising piston 182 that is geometrically matched with feature 130 on the underside of the top surface 122 of the button portion 120.
  • the cage 190 comprises a base portion 195 and an attachment portion 197.
  • the internal diameter of the lumen on collar portion 160 is approximately the same as the diameter of the attachment portion 197 of the cage 160 such that the collar fits snuggly onto the cage.
  • the collar portion 160 may be moved vertically about the attachment portion 197.
  • the assembled configuration may comprise multiple positions each of which allows different a different functionality to the elastomeric actuator.
  • the assembled configuration of the elastomeric actuator may comprise a locked position which prevents actuation and an actuating position which allows for actuation of the pump.
  • Figs. 8A and 8B an embodiment of the current invention comprising multiple positions of the assembled configuration is shown.
  • the collar portion 170 extends the length of the attachment portion of the cage.
  • the exit orifice and wall surface 136 of the button portion 132 are visible.
  • the column portion 170 is moved vertically such that the top surface 174 of the collar portion 170 is nearly the same height as the top surface 134 of the button portion and a surface 199 of the attachment portion is visible.
  • the distance of the top surface 134 to the bottom of the cage remains unchanged. Only the column portion slides along the attachment portion of the cage. This sliding may be made possible by a living hinge within the device. This may be the same living hinge that is used in the pump actuation or a different living hinge from the hinge used to actuate the pump. In some embodiments of the pump actuator, while in the locked position, the button portion cannot be depressed and actuation of the pump mechanism cannot occur.
  • the elastomeric actuator or each portion of the elastomeric actuator may be of any shape.
  • the cross section of the elastomeric actuator may be circular, square, trigonal, trapezoidal, rhomboidal, polygonal, etc.
  • any portion of the elastomeric actuator may be circular, square, rectangular, trigonal, trapezoidal, rhomboidal, polygonal, etc., in this perpendicular plane and any other portion may have another shape.
  • the collar portion and the button portion have different geometrical shapes. In some embodiments, they have the same shape.
  • the collar portion is rectangular in this perpendicular plane and the button portion is circular in this plane. In other embodiments, both the collar portion and the button portion are circular in this plane.
  • the flowable composition may be any material capable of being dispensed through an orifice through a pump mechanism.
  • the orifice is a spray nozzle.
  • the spray nozzle may have any shape or design.
  • the spray nozzle may be a plain- orifice nozzle, a shaped-orifice nozzle, a surface-impingement-single-fluid nozzle, a solid-cone single-fluid nozzle, a compound nozzle, an internal-mix two-fluid nozzle, an external-mix two fluid nozzle, an atomizer, a rotary atomizer, an ultrasonic atomizer or an electrostatic nozzle.
  • the nozzle is molded in the elastomeric actuator during the molding process of the elastomeric actuator. In some embodiments, the nozzle is inserted into the elastomeric actuator following the molding process of the elastomeric actuator.
  • the exit orifice may be located on any portion of the pump actuator such that a flowable composition may be expelled therethrough. For example, in some embodiments, the exit orifice is located on the collar portion. In other embodiments, the exit orifice is located on the button portion.
  • the flowable composition may be any suitable personal care product.
  • the flowable composition may be a perfume, body wash, face wash, body oil, body lotion or cream, anti- aging cream or lotion, body gel, day cream or lotion, night cream or lotion, treatment cream, skin protection ointment, moisturizing gel, body milk, suntan lotion, suntan cream, self-tanning cream, artificial tanning composition, cellulite gel, peeling preparation, facial mask, depilatories, shaving cream, deodorant, anti-persipirant, and the like, particularly for topical application to a human integument.
  • the personal care product may comprise a volatile material.
  • the flowable composition may comprise a fragrance oil. Any fragrance oil can be used in the flowable composition, such as those described in U.
  • the fragrance oil may be an oil that is used primarily for aesthetic benefits (e.g., a perfume) or may have functional benefits (e.g. , an insect repellant).
  • suitable fragrance oils are those listed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2012/0107529 and 2013/0202788, and U.S. Patent No. 7,294,612, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein.
  • the compositions may comprise any insect repellant oil or oils, including, for example, essential oils of citronella, catnip, and lavender; neem seed oil, and soy oil.

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  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne de manière générale un dispositif d'actionnement d'un mécanisme de pompe apte à expulser une composition fluide d'un réservoir de récipient. En particulier, la fonction d'actionnement est dérivée d'une charnière mobile qui est constituée d'une région élastomère de l'actionneur. Plus précisément, l'invention concerne un actionneur moulé ayant une partie bouton destinée à être pressée, une partie collier à fixer sur un contenant, et une partie charnière mobile formée d'un matériau suffisamment pliable pour permettre le mouvement de la partie bouton par rapport au collier de manière élastique.
PCT/US2016/038529 2016-06-21 2016-06-21 Actionneur à charnière mobile WO2017222507A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2016/038529 WO2017222507A1 (fr) 2016-06-21 2016-06-21 Actionneur à charnière mobile

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/US2016/038529 WO2017222507A1 (fr) 2016-06-21 2016-06-21 Actionneur à charnière mobile

Publications (1)

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WO2017222507A1 true WO2017222507A1 (fr) 2017-12-28

Family

ID=60783233

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2016/038529 WO2017222507A1 (fr) 2016-06-21 2016-06-21 Actionneur à charnière mobile

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WO (1) WO2017222507A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5810203A (en) * 1991-11-08 1998-09-22 Novapharm Research Pty. Limited Pressure dispensing pump
US6116475A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-09-12 L'oreal Dispensing head and packaging and dispensing assembly equipped with such a head
FR2820128A1 (fr) * 2001-01-29 2002-08-02 Valois Sa Dispositif de distribution de produit fluide
US8297475B2 (en) * 2007-11-01 2012-10-30 Pibed Limited Dispensing pump for container
US20130119059A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2013-05-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Packaging for a consumer product
US20140346195A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2014-11-27 Promens Sa System for closing a device for the low-pressure dispensing of a pasty liquid material

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5810203A (en) * 1991-11-08 1998-09-22 Novapharm Research Pty. Limited Pressure dispensing pump
US6116475A (en) * 1997-09-30 2000-09-12 L'oreal Dispensing head and packaging and dispensing assembly equipped with such a head
FR2820128A1 (fr) * 2001-01-29 2002-08-02 Valois Sa Dispositif de distribution de produit fluide
US8297475B2 (en) * 2007-11-01 2012-10-30 Pibed Limited Dispensing pump for container
US20130119059A1 (en) * 2010-07-22 2013-05-16 Colgate-Palmolive Company Packaging for a consumer product
US20140346195A1 (en) * 2011-06-27 2014-11-27 Promens Sa System for closing a device for the low-pressure dispensing of a pasty liquid material

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