WO2020208320A1

WO2020208320A1 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2020208320A1
Application number: PCT/FR2020/000113
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Jourdin
Original assignee: Aptar France Sas
Priority date: 2019-04-11
Filing date: 2020-04-10
Publication date: 2020-10-15
Also published as: EP3953055A1; FR3094894A1; EP3953055B1; ES2950109T3; FR3094894B1; CN113661008A; BR112021019092A2

Abstract

Dispenser comprising: - a reservoir provided with a neck forming at least one screw thread (T) and an upper edge, - a dispensing head comprising a dispensing member, a push-button and a fixing member engaging both with the threaded neck and with the dispensing member, the fixing member comprising a skirt forming several bosses (62), at least some of these bosses (62) coming into pressured contact with the screw thread (T) of the neck, characterized in that each boss (62) comprises two triangular lateral flanks and two inclined ramps (621, 622) which meet at an apex (623), which points radially inwards.

Description

Fluid product dispenser

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

In general, the fixing member comprises a rigid skirt internally forming one or more threads intended to cooperate with the threaded neck of the reservoir. To place the dispensing head on the tank, all you have to do is screw the threaded skirt fastener onto the threaded neck of the tank.

In the prior art, document WO2009 / 150351 A1 is known which describes a dispenser comprising a reservoir forming a threaded neck and a dispensing head mounted on the neck of the reservoir. The head includes a pump or a valve, a pusher and a fastener engaged both with the threaded neck and the pump or valve. The fastener comprises a deformable and malleable skirt intended to engage with the threaded neck and a rigid hoop engaged around the skirt to push the skirt radially against the threaded neck, so as to deform the skirt against the thread of the neck. to create a mesh imprint in the skirt.

The skirt of this document WO2009 / 150351 A1 comprises tabs which form internal ribs elongated in the axial or vertical direction. The rigid hoop pushes the internal ribs against the neck threads, which thus bite into these internal ribs, so as to form a negative impression of the neck threads. Fixing on the neck is perfectly ensured and it is also possible to unscrew this fixing member from the neck to gain access to the interior of the reservoir. However, it has been noticed that it is difficult to screw this fixing member back onto the neck. Often, it gets askew and no longer ensures the seal.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a fluid dispenser whose fixing member is initially mounted on a threaded neck without screwing, can be unscrewed, but still functionally screwed back on. optimal.

To do this, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising:

- a fluid reservoir provided with an externally threaded neck and internally defining an opening communicating with the interior of the reservoir, the neck forming at least one helical thread and an annular upper edge,

a dispensing head mounted on the neck of the reservoir, the head comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, a pusher for actuating the dispensing member and a fixing member engaged both with the threaded neck of the reservoir and the dispensing member, the fixing member comprising a skirt forming several bosses distributed over its internal periphery, at least some of these bosses coming into pressed contact with the thread of the neck, so as to deform against the thread, characterized in that each boss comprises two substantially triangular lateral flanks and two opposing inclined ramps which meet at an apex which points radially inwards.

In document WO2009 / 150351 A1, the bosses have a trapezoidal shape, with two lateral flanks and two opposing inclined ramps which join a flat vertical edge. The invention proposes to eliminate this vertical flat edge, because it is at the origin of the problem of the invention, namely the impossibility of screwing the fixing member back on. Empirically, it has been observed that the imprints generated by the thread of the neck are mainly formed at the level of this vertical flat edge, because it extends perpendicularly to the force exerted by the thread of the neck. The prints are both deep and enveloping. At inclined ramps, the footprints are less marked, because the ramps extend transversely, and not perpendicularly.

Thus, the elimination of this vertical flat edge allows:

- limit the contact of each boss on a single side of the neck thread,

- reduce the unscrewing torque,

- attack the neck thread with the apex of the bosses when screwing in, and

- reduce the tightening torque.

The advantages are multiple and relate to assembly and unscrewing, but especially re-screwing.

The skirt can be split, so as to form tabs separated by vertical slits, but preferably the skirt is continuous over its entire periphery. A continuous skirt also eliminates the need for a hoop. The thrust of the skirt against the net of the neck can thus be exerted only by the skirt, because it is continuous.

Advantageously, the opposing inclined ramps are asymmetric in inclination with respect to the apex. They can also be symmetrical. The ramps may have the same or different length. The side flanks may be parallel or slightly divergent, in particular upward, preferably of the order of 2 to 20 degrees, more preferably of the order of 3 to 10 degrees and preferably of the order of 4 to 6 degrees. Thus, at equal inclination and length, the upper ramp has a surface area greater than that of the lower ramp.

According to an interesting feature, the skirt can include an upper section and a lower guide section, this lower guide section extending below the bosses. Advantageously, the lower guide section has an internal diameter greater than that of the upper section. This low guide section facilitates the positioning of the skirt around the neck, before the screwing operation. A straight stop of the skirt on the upper edge of the collar is thus avoided.

According to another aspect of the invention, the skirt extends downwards from the outer periphery of an annular plate which bears on the upper annular edge of the neck, with a seal optionally interposed, this plate annular being advantageously deformable, so that the skirt can move axially with respect to the neck. Preferably, the annular plate defines a substantially fixed inner annular contact area which first contacts the upper annular edge and a movable outer annular connection area which is initially out of contact with the annular upper edge and which connects to the skirt. , so that the latter is axially movable relative to the neck by displacement of the movable outer annular connection zone towards the annular upper edge.

Thanks to this deformable plate, it is possible to bring the lower edge of the skirt into contact with a shoulder of the reservoir by varying the degree of deformation of the annular plate. This characteristic is advantageous from an aesthetic point of view, since the neck can thus be entirely masked. When the skirt is dressed with a hoop, the latter can come into contact with the collar, without protruding too much above the skirt.

The deformable plate is also advantageous during screwing. First, it provides elasticity in the axial direction, which helps to seal the upper edge of the neck, possibly by more or less crushing a seal. Second, when the skirt comes into abutment on the shoulder of the neck, the force generated by the screwing is exerted on the shoulder, and no longer only on the neck.

The deformable plate also helps to balance the bearing forces of the bosses against the neck thread, as the skirt enjoys a certain degree of freedom from the plate.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the neck comprises at least two helical threads. It has in fact been observed that it is easier to screw the skirt of the invention back onto a collar with double thread than on a neck with single thread. This is all the more true since there are between 4 and 8 bosses and preferably 6 bosses on the internal periphery of the skirt. This is explained by the fact that two diametrically opposed triangular bosses engage simultaneously under two notches of threading of the neck, thus creating a balance, which avoids an offset engagement. The spirit of the present invention lies in the fact of optimizing the shape of the bosses of the skirt to allow easy screwing. With this substantially or perfectly triangular configuration of the bosses, it is easier to engage them under the thread of the neck and to screw the fastener back on with a reasonable torque for a user.

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

In the figures:

Figure 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a dispensing head being screwed onto a threaded neck,

Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 in the final screwing position,

FIGS. 3a to 3d are very greatly enlarged vertical cross-section views illustrating four variant embodiments of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view through another dispensing head ready to be mounted on a threaded neck,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the neck of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in the final mounting position,

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment for the fixing member of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 6, and

FIGS. 8a to 8c are very greatly enlarged representations for bosses capable of being implemented in the embodiments of FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

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

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

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

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

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

According to the invention, the plate 15 which connects the skirt 11 to the receiving housing 14 is deformable, so that the skirt 12 can move axially relative to the receiving housing 14 when screwing the fastener R1 on the threaded neck C. Very generally, the deformable plate 15 comprises a substantially fixed inner annular contact zone 151 and a movable outer annular connection zone 152 which are connected to the skirt January 1. The fixed interior zone 151 is connected directly to the receiving housing 14. Referring to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the plate 15 has an upward and outward inclination, so that the fixed interior zone 151 comes into contact with the flange P2, while the movable exterior zone 152 is detached from it. By continuing to screw the fastener R1 onto the threaded neck C from the position shown in FIG. 1, the neck seal G will be compressed, due to the fact that the fixed interior zone 151 presses on the flange P2. Simultaneously or subsequently, the plate 15 will deform so as to bring the movable outer zone 152 back to the plate P2. This is shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the plate 15 is substantially horizontal, so that the contact area with the flange P2 has extended radially outward. This position corresponds to the final screwing position, in which the neck gasket G is sufficiently compressed to ensure the sealing of the dispenser.

It can also be noted that the lower edge 13 of the skirt 1 1 is in contact with the shoulder S of the reservoir R from which extends the threaded neck C. It can also be noted that the covering band F also comes in contact of the shoulder S.

Thanks to the deformable plate 15, the threaded skirt 1 1 can be screwed onto the threaded neck C without excessively compressing the neck gasket G, given that the axial displacement of the skirt 1 1 downwards has been cashed in by the deformation of the plate 15. The skirt 1 1 can even be screwed until it comes into contact with the shoulder S, which allows some of the forces to be supported by the shoulder S. In addition, the fastener R1 is much more stable on the neck C, since it rests over the entire periphery of the skirt 1 1 on the shoulder S. Consequently, the deformable plate 15 provides multiple advantages, namely the control of the compression of the neck seal G, the axial positioning of the threaded skirt 1 1, the aesthetic appearance by bringing the fixing member R1 into abutment on the shoulder S, in terms of force recovery due to the contact of the skirt 1 1 on the shoulder S , in terms of the stability of the fixing member R on the neck C.

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

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

Figure 3b shows a fastener R3 comprising a deformable plate 35 which comprises a fixed inner zone 351 which is connected to a movable outer zone 252 by an inverted V-shaped junction section 353. The movable outer zone 252 can thus be displaced axially downwards with respect to the fixed interior zone 351 by deforming or unfolding this inverted V junction 353.

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

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

Whatever the embodiment for the deformable plate, it allows to vary the final axial position of the skirt 1 1 relative to the part of the fastener R1 which is fixed relative to the neck.

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

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

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

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

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

According to the invention, the skirt 61 is engaged around the threaded neck C according to a pure axial translational movement, without rotation. The bosses 61 are thus forced to pass by force over the threads T until they reach the final position shown in FIG. 6, in which at least some of the bosses 62 are engaged below the threads T. It can also be noted that the edge lower 63 of the skirt 61 comes into contact with the shoulder S of the reservoir R. The lowering of the hoop F around the bosses 62 can be carried out after the engagement of the bosses 62 below the threads T. In the final position of assembly of Figure 6, the hoop F also comes into contact with the shoulder S. The skirt 61 comprises a high section 61 1 which extends from the movable outer zone 152 of the plate 15 to the bosses 62. The skirt 61 also comprises a low guide section 612 which forms the lower edge 63. The bosses 62 can be positioned astride the junction between the high sections 61 1 and low 612. The bosses 62 can also be positioned entirely either at the level of the high section 61 1 or of the low section 612. It can be noted that the internal diameter of the lower guide section 612 is greater than that of the upper section 61 1. Thus, this lower guide section 612 makes it possible to facilitate the initial engagement of the skirt 61 around the threaded neck C.

Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment for the fastener R6. In this embodiment, the fastener R7 comprises a receiving housing 14 for the protruding flange of the body of the dispensing member, a plate 75 which is not deformable and a skirt 71 provided with bosses 62 '. This version lacks a low guide section extending below the 62 "bosses.

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

In FIG. 8b, the boss 62 'of FIG. 7 can be seen. The side blanks 620' are substantially triangular, with a small indentation in the upper part. The two side blanks 620 are plane, but not parallel to each other, as can be seen in FIG. 7. In fact, the two side blanks 620 ′ are divergent upwards with an angle of ′. approximately 4 ° to 6 ° ideally, which can however be widened to 20 ° or on the contrary reduced to 2 °. Of therefore, the inclined ramps 621 'and 622' are not rectangular, but slightly trapezoidal. Linear apex 623 'is shifted down, so that the area of upper ramp 621' is larger than that of lower ramp 622 '.

In Figure 8c, boss 62 "has inclined ramps 621" and 622 "of curved shape, thus meeting at a more sharply protruding apex 623". The 620 ”side blanks are still roughly triangular, with a linear base and two other curved sides. Side blanks 620 "may be parallel to each other or otherwise divergent as is the case with bosses 62".

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

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

The skirt 61 of the fastener R6 is preferably continuous over its entire periphery. However, it can also be split so as to form tabs separated by axial slots, as in the document of the prior art WO2009 / 1503051 A1. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to position the threaded skirt of a fastener relative to a threaded neck over an extended axial height range, while ensuring sufficient compression of the neck seal.

Thanks to the invention, there is a fastener with a bossed skirt which can be snapped in, unscrewed and then screwed back on again. The elastic deformation of the plate also makes it possible to adjust the positioning of the boss ring with respect to the threaded neck and to guarantee tightness after screwing on.

Claims

1. Fluid product dispenser comprising:

- a fluid reservoir (R) provided with a neck (C) threaded externally and internally defining an opening (O) communicating with the interior of the reservoir, the neck (C) forming at least one helical thread (T) and an annular upper edge (C1),

- a dispensing head (D) mounted on the neck (C) of the reservoir (R), the head (D) comprising a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, a pusher (B) for actuate the distribution member (P) and a fixing member (R6; R7) engaged both with the threaded neck (C) of the reservoir (R) and the distribution member (P), the fixing (R6; R7) comprising a skirt (61; 71) forming several bosses (62; 62 '; 62 ”) distributed over its internal periphery, at least some of these bosses (62; 62'; 62”) coming into contact supported with the net (T) of the neck (C), so as to deform against the net (T),

characterized in that each boss (62; 62 '; 62 ”) comprises two substantially triangular side flanks (620; 620'; 620”) and two opposed inclined ramps (621, 622; 621 ', 622'; 621 ”, 622 ”) Which meet at an apex (623; 623 '; 623”) which points radially inwards.

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the skirt (61; 71) is continuous over its entire periphery.

3. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the opposite inclined ramps (621, 622; 621 ', 622'; 621 ”, 622”) are asymmetric in inclination with respect to the apex (623; 623 '; 623 ”). .

4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the triangular lateral flanks (620 ') diverge slightly upwards, advantageously of the order of 2 to 20 degrees, more preferably of the order of 3 to 10 degrees and preferably of the order of 4 to 6 degrees.

5. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the skirt (61) comprises an upper section (61 1) and a lower guide section (612), this lower guide section (612) extending in- below the bosses (62).

6. Dispenser according to claim 5, wherein the lower guide section (612) has an internal diameter greater than that of the upper section (61 1).

7. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the skirt (62) extends downward from the outer periphery of an annular plate (15) which bears on the upper annular edge (C1 ) of the neck (C), with a seal (G) possibly interposed, this annular plate (15) being deformable, so that the skirt (61) can move axially relative to the neck (C).

8. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein the annular plate (15) defines a substantially fixed inner annular contact zone (151) which first comes into contact with the annular upper edge (C1) and a connection zone. movable outer annular (152) which is initially out of contact with the annular upper edge (C1) and which connects to the skirt (61), so that the latter is axially movable relative to the neck (C) by displacement of the zone mobile outer annular connection (152) to the upper annular edge (C1).

9. Dispenser according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the lower edge (63) of the skirt (61) comes into contact with a shoulder (S) of the reservoir (R) by acting on the deformation of the annular plate ( 15).

10. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the neck (C) comprises at least two helical threads (T).

1 1. A dispenser according to any preceding claim, wherein there are between 4 and 8 bosses and preferably 6 bosses on the inner periphery of the skirt (61; 71).