EP0686576B1 - Liquid dispenser including a dispensing valve and a push-button - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispenser of a product in liquid form with a more or less viscous consistency. This dispenser can be used in different areas of use and serve for the distribution of cosmetic products (hairspray, deodorant, hair foam, body milk, depilatory foam, liquid foundation, sunscreen milk) or dermopharmaceuticals (insect repellant, analgesic or anti-inflammatory), household products, paint, etc. as a liquid, spray or foam.

The dispenser of the invention comprises, in a known manner, a container provided with a dispensing valve and which contains the product to be sprayed, the valve being equipped with a control rod; a push button comprising a pin capable of acting on the rod; a conduit passing through the pin and connecting one end of the rod to a nozzle provided in the push button; a retaining band, capable of being fixed on the container and provided for the maintenance of the push button.

A dispenser of this kind has been described by the applicant in document FR-A-2 661 661. This dispenser makes it possible to actuate the dispensing valve by exerting a reduced force on the push button, which gives the user a feeling of smooth operation when actuated. In addition, the force application area has a relatively large angular extent, which facilitates the use of this distributor.

The actuating device (hoop - push button) of this dispenser consists of two separate parts, which requires assembly, on a production line, relatively expensive and complex, from an industrial point of view. Another drawback lies in the fact that the valve which can be used for this prior distributor is limited to the use of a valve known as with lateral deformation, which requires a specific industrial mounting tool. This results in a high cost price for the distributor.

The present invention therefore aims to simplify the manufacture and assembly of such a dispenser.

The present invention aims, above all, to provide a dispenser of the kind defined above whose manufacture and assembly are simpler than those of the device according to FR-A-2 661 661, and whose cost is as low as possible .

A dispenser according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from application FR-A-2697812.

• un réservoir pour le produit ayant un axe de symétrie, muni d'une valve de distribution cette valve comprenant une tige de commande ;
• un bouton poussoir comportant un pion apte à agir sur la tige, un conduit traversant le pion et raccordant une extrémité de la tige à une buse pourvue d'un axe, prévue dans le bouton-poussoir ;
• une frette de retenue, apte à se fixer sur le réservoir, prévue pour le maintien du bouton-poussoir, le bouton poussoir et la frette de retenue étant monobloc et reliés, l'un à l'autre, par au moins une patte, mobile en translation suivant l'axe du réservoir,

distributeur qui est caractérisé en ce que le bouton poussoir et la frette de retenue sont articulés l'un sur l'autre par une rotule reliant le bouton-poussoir à la frette dans une zone située dans un plan défini par les axes de symétrie du réservoir et de la buse, cette rotule étant apte à pivoter autour d'un axe perpendiculaire à l'axe du réservoir.The present invention therefore relates to a new industrial device consisting of a distributor for the distribution of a product in the form of liquid, spray or foam comprising:

• a reservoir for the product having an axis of symmetry, provided with a distribution valve, this valve comprising a control rod;
• a push button comprising a pin capable of acting on the rod, a conduit passing through the pin and connecting one end of the rod to a nozzle provided with a pin, provided in the push button;
• a retaining hoop, capable of being fixed on the reservoir, provided for holding the push button, the push button and the retaining hoop being in one piece and connected, one to the other, by at least one movable tab in translation along the axis of the reservoir,

dispenser which is characterized in that the push button and the retaining hoop are articulated one on the other by a ball joint connecting the push button to the hoop in an area situated in a plane defined by the axes of symmetry of the reservoir and of the nozzle, this ball joint being able to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the reservoir.

The valve which can be used to equip the dispenser according to the invention is advantageously a conventional recess valve. However, a valve with lateral deformation, called a "tilt" valve, can also be used.

The ball joint connecting the push button to the hoop has, preferably, the shape of a diabolo whose zone of smaller section allows a determined rotation around the longitudinal axis of this section as well as a slight pivoting of the button. pusher in a direction perpendicular to this axis and having as its center of rotation the zone of smallest cross section of this ball joint, so that a depression of the push button relative to the hoop in the direction of the bottom of the tank cannot have place by pressing an area on the upper surface of the push button located to the right of the dispensing nozzle.

Advantageously, the dispenser has several legs, movable in translation. When several tabs are used, these are advantageously 2, 4, 6 or 8, arranged symmetrically between the hoop and the push button.

When only one tab is used, it is arranged in the annular space between the hoop and the push button, in an area located on the side opposite the ball joint.

Unlike the ball joint, the lug (s) are movable in translation, unidirectionally, in the direction of the axis of the tank towards the bottom of the tank.

Advantageously, a first end of each tab is secured to the hoop (or of the push button), each first end being situated in a plane, perpendicular to the axis of the reservoir and containing the axis of the ball joint; each second end of the tab is therefore integral with the push button (or the hoop). In the rest position of the push button, the attachment points of the first and second ends of each tab are located at a different level. In other words, the tab or tabs are arranged in the annular space formed between the push button and the hoop in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the reservoir and containing the axis of the ball joint.

This construction explains why the push button can be pressed down towards the bottom of the tank, and is not movable in the opposite direction.

Advantageously, each tab has a non-constant section between its two ends. Thus, zones of smaller section constitute folding and unwinding zones when the push button is pressed.

The invention also relates to a push button, intended to equip a dispenser provided with a dispensing valve, as defined above, this push button forming a single piece with its retaining band, the push button being connected to the hoop with a ball joint and at least one tab allowing sufficient travel of the push button to control the opening of the valve.

To better understand the object of the present invention, there will be described, by way of purely illustrative and in no way limitative, two embodiments shown in the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a partial axial section of a dispenser according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged top view of the device of Figure 1, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 represents an axial section along line III-III of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 represents a section along line IV-IV of FIG. 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the magnifying glass A of Figure 2, showing a side view of the patella.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the magnifying glass B of Figure 2, showing a side view of the tab.

Figure 7 is a top view of a dispenser according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6 attached, one can see a spraying device designated as a whole by the reference 1, comprising a dispensing valve 2 fitted to a reservoir 3, generally cylindrical, under pressure using a gas propellant, and having an X axis of symmetry. The reservoir 3 contains, for example, a cosmetic or dermo-pharmaceutical liquid product, to be distributed in the form of an aerosol. It is also possible to use a reservoir equipped with a pocket or a piston on which a propellant acts indirectly, for the distribution of a cream or other product of more or less viscous consistency.

The device 1 comprises a push button 4, in the form of a cap, having a peripheral edge 4c, which comprises, along the axis of its concavity, and therefore of the axis X, a cylindrical pin 5 secured to the upper wall 4a of the push button 4. The pin 5 is traversed by an axial duct 6, which is connected, to a transverse channel 7 leading to a nozzle 8 mounted, conventionally on a centering piece provided in the push button in an area depression 4b. The free end of the conduit 6 has a larger diameter bore than the conduit 7, so as to form a housing 10, capable of receiving, with a slight tightening, the free end of a control rod 11 of the valve 2.

This valve is of the conventional "push-in" type, the opening of which is controlled by pushing in the rod 11 in the direction of the axis X towards the bottom of the tank. The valve 2 comprises a body 12 which is crimped in the upper part, from the side of the control rod, in a cup 13, fixed by crimping or by swaging on the rolled edge 14 of a circular opening at the upper end of the reservoir 3. On the lower part of the valve, on the side opposite to the control rod, the body 12 can be provided with a connection zone 15 of reduced diameter, extended by a dip tube 16 extending to the bottom of the reservoir 3.

The entire surface 4a of the upper wall of the push button 4, with the exception of the vacuum zone 4b, constitutes a support zone 4d, shown hatched in FIG. 2, support zone on which the user exerts pressure to control the opening of valve 4. The place where the user exerts this pressure is not critical: the device operates by pressing anywhere on the bearing surface 4d.

The push button 4 with its peripheral edge 4c is connected to a first annular edge 23a of a fixing hoop 23, of generally cylindrical shape, by a ball joint 30 which has approximately the shape of a diabolo, and by one or more tabs 40 authorizing a determined mobility of the push button 4 in the axial direction of the reservoir, relative to the hoop 23, sufficient to control the opening of the valve 4. The diabolo shape is not compulsory: as a variant, the ball joint 30 can be achieved by a simple bridging piece whose length / diameter ratio is, for example, between 1 and 3.

The push button 4, the hoop 23, the ball joint 30 and the tabs 40 form a single piece which can be made, for example, of polypropylene.

The second annular edge 23b of the hoop 23 internally comprises a snap-fitting bead 24, capable of snapping into an annular groove 3c provided in the junction zone between the cylindrical part 3b of the reservoir 3 and the dome 3a covering this reservoir and ending with the rolled edge 14.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, the ball 30 comprises two attachment elements 31, 32 of conical shape, one of which 31 is integral with the inner wall of the edge 23a of the hoop 23 and the second of which 32 is integral with the peripheral edge 4c of the push button; the two elements 31, 32 are connected by the tip of the two cones in an area 33 of smaller section constituting a bending and / or pivoting area. The ball 30 is located on a plane P (plane of FIG. 3) passing through the center of the nozzle 8 and the axis X of the reservoir 3.

This arrangement of the ball joint 30 does not allow vertical movement of the push button 4, that is to say a depression, but constitutes a fixed and effective fulcrum for the latter, while allowing a slight rotation of the button- pusher around its longitudinal axis X by torsion, when it is actuated by pressing on the support zone 4d. At the same time, this arrangement allows a slight rotation along the longitudinal axis Z of the diabolo, having as its center of rotation the center of the diabolo itself.

Furthermore, the ball 30 is located under and in front of the depression zone 4b, and in a centered manner with respect to this depression.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a tab 40 in the rest position. The legs 40 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane P passing through the axis X, the center of the nozzle 8 and the ball joint 30, between the edge 4c of the push button and the inner edge 23b of the hoop 23. A single leg 40 can be provided on the plane P on the side opposite to the ball joint 30. Preferably, there are 2, 4, 6 or 8 legs symmetrically with respect to said plane P. In this case, the legs 40 connecting the push button to the hoop 23, are regularly distributed in an angular zone of approximately 40 ° to 140 °, as shown in FIG. 2.

Each tab 40 is a strap 43 of decreasing thickness from its point of attachment 41 to the edge 23a of the hoop 23, at the point of attachment 42 to the edge 4c of the push button. The strap 43 has an angular orientation relative to the X axis, so that the attachment points 41 and 42 are at two different levels. In particular, the attachment point 42 is located in the plane R (plane of FIGS. 2 and 5) perpendicular to the axis X and containing the axis Z, and the attachment point 41 is at a lower level relative to to this plan R. This provision prohibits an elevation of the push button. The junction zones of the strap 43 at the attachment points 41 and 42 respectively constitute flexion zones which facilitate the folding of each tab 40, when the user exerts pressure on the support zone 4d, thus authorizing the lowering of the push button 4. It is interesting to note that the width of the legs 40 can be modulated as a function of their number and position relative to the ball joint 30. As the fulcrum on the zone 4d moves away from the nozzle, the more the feeling of smooth operation of the distributor increases. Of course, the legs 40 and the ball joint 30 are located in the annular space defined between the hoop 23 and the push button 4.

The dispenser 1 can be capped by a protective cover (not shown) fitting on the edge 23a of the hoop 23, which the user removes before use. To distribute the product, the user presses any zone on the surface 4d of the push-button (in the direction of the arrow F in FIGS. 3 and 4) causing it to tilt around the ball joint 30 The legs 40, as a function of their distance from the ball joint, will undergo a movement in the direction of the valve, and cause the opening of the latter; the liquid, under the thrust of the propellant, will then go up, via the dip tube 16, into the body 12 of the valve, from where it will be conveyed, through the rod 11, the conduit 6 and the channel 7, towards the spray nozzle 8.

The purpose of the depression 4b practiced at the right of the nozzle 8 of the push button is to prevent the spray cone leaving the nozzle 8 from dirtying the push button. Furthermore, if the user inadvertently presses on this vacuum zone 4b, thanks to the presence of the ball joint 30 in the vicinity of this zone 4b, the spraying cannot be triggered.

Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 and is an alternative embodiment. Compared to Figure 2, the references of identical parts or playing a similar role have been increased by 100 and their description will not be repeated. Thus, the push button 104, the hoop 123 and the ball joint 130 have a structure identical to the corresponding parts of FIG. 2. Only the lugs 40 of FIG. 2 have been replaced by lugs 140 of different shape, arranged in the annular space between the lower edge 104c of the push button 104 and the upper edge 123a of the hoop 123.

Each tab 140 has a first end 141 which forms a point of attachment to the edge 104c of the push button and a second end 142 forming a point of attachment to the edge 123a of the hoop 123. The ends 141 and 142 respectively of two tabs 140 consecutive are arranged in the vicinal position. The legs 140 are arranged in the plane R perpendicular to the axis X of the reservoir and which contains the axis Z passing through the ball joint 130.

According to another possibility (not shown), the ends 141 and 142 respectively of each lug 140 can be arranged so that one end 141 of a first lug 140 is opposite the end 142 of a 140 consecutive paw.

Thanks to the leverage effect occurring under the effect of the ball joint, upon actuation of the valve, the user will appreciate the smooth operating comfort of the dispenser according to the invention. In addition, it will exert a lower supporting force than that necessary for the distribution of a conditioned liquid in a conventional dispenser of this kind.

The solution of the invention consisting of a push button and a mounting hoop formed in a single piece, allows savings not only from the mounting point of view, but also during manufacture, since only one mold is necessary. .

Claims (13)

1. A dispenser for the dispensing of a product in the form of a liquid, a spray or a mousse comprising :

   - a reservoir (3) for the product, having an axis (X) of symmetry, provided with a dispensing valve (2), this valve (2) comprising an actuating stem (11);

   - a push button (4, 104) comprising a pin (5) capable of acting on the stem (11), a duct (6, 106) passing through the pin and connecting one end of the stem (11) to a nozzle (8, 108) having an axis (Y) provided in the push button (4, 104);

   - a retaining ring (23, 123) capable of being fixed on the reservoir (3) for holding the push button in position;

   the push button (4, 104) and the retaining ring (23, 123) being made of one piece and connected to each other by at least one tab (4, 104) movable in translation along the axis (X) of the reservoir, characterized in that the push button (4, 104) and the retaining ring (23, 123) are, moreover, articulated to each other by a swivel joint (30, 130) connecting the push button (4, 104) to the ring (23, 123) in a zone situated in a plane (P) defined by the axes of symmetry (X) of the reservoir and Y of the nozzle, this swivel joint being capable of pivoting round an axis (Z) perpendicular to the axis (X) of the reservoir.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (2) is a depression valve.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve (2) is a valve with lateral deformation.
4. A dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the swivel joint (30, 130) has the form of a diabolo, whose zone with the smallest cross-section permits a given rotation as well as a pivoting of the push button (4, 104), so that a depression of the push button (4, 104) relative to the ring (23, 123) cannot take place in a zone (4b, 104b) opposite the dispensing nozzle (8, 108).
5. A dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises 2, 4, 6 or 8 tabs (40, 140) disposed symmetrically relative to the plane (P) between the ring (23, 123) and the push button (4, 104).
6. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (40, 140) has a cross-section that is not constant between its two ends.
7. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (40, 140) has a first and a second end situated at a level different from the ring (23, 123) and from the push button (4, 104) respectively.
8. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first end (42) of the tab (40) is situated in a plane (R) perpendicular to the axis (X) of the reservoir and containing the axis (Z) of pivoting of the swivel joint.
9. A dispenser according to claim 8, characterized in that the second end (41) of the tab (40) is situated at a lower level relative to the plane (R).
10. A dispenser according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the first end (42, 142) of the tab (40, 140) is integral with the push button (4, 104) and that the second end (41, 141) is integral with the ring (23, 123).
11. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the rest position, the tab (140) and its ends (141, 142) are disposed in an annular space formed between the push button (104) and the ring (123).
12. A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (140) and its ends (141, 142) are disposed in a plane R perpendicular to the axis (X) of the reservoir and containing the axis (Z) of pivoting of the swivel joint.
13. A push button (4, 104) intended to equip a dispenser provided with a dispensing valve (2) and comprising a retaining ring (23, 123), the push button forming a single piece with its ring and being connected to the ring by at least one tab (40, 140) permitting sufficient deflections of the push button to actuate the opening of the valve (2), characterized in that the push button is, moreover, connected to the ring by a swivel joint (30, 130).

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