EP1588774B1 - Packaging unit comprising a dispenser head with automatically closing opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The head has a body with an actuating unit (30) movable with respect to a mounting hoop (20). A closer placed in a conduit has a portion (52) to be displaced based on command from the actuating unit between a position in which the portion is stopped against the hoop and another position in which the portion is at a distance from the hoop such that the closer moves away from a support surface (43) under an effect of pressure of product. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a product packaging and distribution assembly (B) utilization of the product packaging and distribution assembly for distributing a cosmetic or care product.

Description

The present invention relates to the dispensing devices of a fluid product, and in particular but not exclusively, dispensing devices of a cosmetic product.

"Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993, amending for the sixth time Directive 76/768 / EEC.

More particularly, the invention relates to a dispensing head of the type comprising a body with a dispensing orifice, a push button and a shutter movable relative to the dispensing orifice. The shutter is in the form of a needle provided, in its closed position, to isolate the dispensing orifice of the inner channel or channels through which or the product flows in the dispensing head.

A dispensing head of this type is known for example from the documents FR 2,767,798 , FR 2 772 010 and WO03 / 026983 . According to these documents, the push-button and the shutter have surfaces capable of coming into contact with one another and are shaped in such a way that the depression of the push-button is accompanied by a displacement of the pushbutton. shutter to disengage it from the dispensing orifice. With such a configuration, it is necessary to perfectly adjust the surfaces that cooperate with each other to ensure the displacement of the desired shutter. Return means are further provided to return the shutter to the closed position when the push button is released.

The document EP 0 670 275 also discloses a dispensing head having a push button and a shutter movable relative to the dispensing orifice. The push button is provided with a fork for pushing one end of the shutter away from the dispensing orifice when the push button is actuated. Again, the structure of this head is relatively complicated.

It has already been proposed to simplify the structure of this type of distribution head, particularly in the application for FR 2,793,425 filed in the name of the plaintiff. This application describes a head provided with a shutter whose one frustoconical elastic end rests against a frustoconical bearing surface from which it deviates under the effect of the pressure of the product coming from the container during the distribution of the product, to form a annular dispensing orifice. The frustoconical end of the shutter is returned to its closed position, when the pressure of the product decreases, by elastic return.

The document WO2004 / 000066 d writes an assembly according to the preamble of claim 1, comprising a dispensing head of a product which comprises a nozzle defining a conduit adapted to communicate with the interior of a container via a valve stem. The duct is delimited by a tubular wall open at a first end to form a dispensing orifice and closed at a second end from which extends a central core to the first end of the tubular wall. When the valve stem is not actuated, the dispensing orifice is closed by the central core. The tubular wall has an elastically deformable portion which, when the valve stem is actuated and the product from the container circulates in the closed conduit, is stretched under the pressure of the product so as to back the rear portion of the tubular wall and the central soul. The central core thus deviates from the dispensing orifice so as to disengage it and allow the outlet of the product through the orifice. The elastically deformable portion returns to its initial position thanks to its elasticity when the valve stem is no longer actuated.

There is a need to make a new dispensing head protecting from the outside the inner channel (s) of the head in the storage position which has a relatively simple structure and is inexpensive.

The invention meets this need with a dispensing head according to claim 1.

Thanks to the presence of the shutter, it is avoided that the product contained inside the dispensing head is degraded by contact with the air during prolonged storage or does not dry and clog the inner channel or channels. In addition, when dispensing products in the form of self-foaming gel, it avoids the expansion of the foam product at the outlet of the orifice while the dispenser member is no longer actuated.

In addition, using the product pressure to clear the dispensing orifice is freed from any additional mechanism for moving the shutter which limits the number of parts to achieve the head, and therefore its manufacturing cost.

The second end of the shutter can be a hemispherical surface. Such a shape allows the shutter to move away from the ferrule when it has a tilting movement relative to the ferrule. The second end of the shutter can have any other shape that allows it to deviate from the hoop, this shape being chosen according to the shape of the portion of the hoop located opposite this end and depending on the type of movement of the shutter relative to the hoop, namely a movement of depression or failover.

Using a hemispherical surface, it further limits the surface of the shutter in contact with the hoop which is restricted to a point which limits the friction when the shutter moves relative to the hoop.

The hoop may comprise a ramp located, especially when the shutter is in the second position, facing the second end of the shutter. The ramp makes it possible to gradually return the shutter to its closed position.

The duct may be delimited by an elongate tip along an axis X, the dispensing orifice may then be formed at a first end of the nozzle.

The tip may include a mounting skirt for engaging on the dispensing member so as to communicate the interior of the container with the dispensing orifice.

The tip may comprise a Y-axis mounting shaft adapted to be fixed on the body so as to allow the pivoting of the tip relative to the hoop about the Y axis, the Y axis may be perpendicular to the y-axis. X axis.

The tip may comprise an elastic return tongue intended to bear resiliently on the inner wall of the hoop in order to limit the tilting of the tip relative to the hoop, especially before it is placed on the recipient.

The shutter can be elongated in the form of a needle.

The first end of the shutter may have a shape complementary to the shape of the orifice so as to seal it sealingly.

The actuating element may comprise a lug adapted to bear on the tip so that the thrust exerted by the user on the actuating element is transmitted to the dispenser member via the nozzle.

The hoop may comprise hooking means on the container which allow the reversible attachment or not the head on the container.

The hoop and the actuating element can be made monolithically.

• un récipient contenant le produit et équipé d'un organe de distribution surmontant le récipient ; et
• une tête de distribution telle qu'elle vient d'être décrite prévue pour activer l'organe de distribution afin de distribuer le produit.

The invention also relates to a package for packaging and dispensing a product comprising:

• a container containing the product and equipped with a dispensing member surmounting the container; and
• a dispensing head as just described intended to activate the dispensing member to distribute the product.

The dispensing member may be a valve, the mounting skirt of the nozzle can then be fitted on a valve stem of the valve.

The valve may be of the trigger type by depressing the valve stem. Alternatively, the valve may be of the type triggered by tilting of the valve stem.

The invention is particularly useful for the packaging and dispensing of a cosmetic or care product, for example a styling mousse.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un ensemble de conditionnement et de distribution selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre une vue éclatée de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent en coupe la tête de distribution de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1, en position de fermeture ;
• la figure 5 représente en coupe la tête de distribution de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1, en position de distribution ;
• la figure 6 représente en coupe l'embout de distribution et l'obturateur de la tête de distribution représentée à la figure 3 ;
• les figures 7 et 8 représentent des variantes de réalisation de la tête de distribution selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• the figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the entire figure 1 ;
• the Figures 3 and 4 represent in section the dispensing head of the assembly illustrated in FIG. figure 1 , in the closed position;
• the figure 5 represents in section the dispensing head of the assembly illustrated in FIG. figure 1 in the dispensing position;
• the figure 6 represents in section the dispensing nozzle and the shutter of the dispensing head shown in FIG. figure 3 ;
• the Figures 7 and 8 represent alternative embodiments of the dispensing head according to the invention.

The packaging and distribution package illustrated on the Figures 1 to 6 is formed of a pressurized container 60 on which is fixed a dispensing head 10 according to the invention.

The invention applies, of course, to the distribution of any product, in particular a liquid product, whatever its consistency, or even to the simultaneous distribution of several liquids or to the distribution of a gel, in particular a self-foaming gel or still a cream.

The container 60 is formed by a pressurized can, formed by a cylindrical body 61 of revolution, whose upper end is closed by a cup 62 set on a rolled edge of the container. The cup 62 is provided with a valve which comprises a hollow valve stem 63 and which can be actuated for example by tilting of the valve stem. It is obvious that one can alternatively use a valve that can be actuated by depressing the valve stem.

The container 60 may contain a product to be sprayed, for example a cosmetic product, and an expander gas, which may or may not be stored in a liquefied form in the container 60. The product then exits in the form of a foam. Alternatively, the product could be delivered in the form of a spray, that is to say in the form of fine particles in suspension either in the gas or in the air.

We could still use other means than a propellant to bring under pressure the product to be dispensed into the dispensing head 10, and could include a pump.

To distribute the product, the container is surmounted by a dispensing head 10. The dispensing head comprises a body provided with a hoop 20 intended to be fixed on the container and, in its upper part, an element of actuation 30 for actuating the valve. In the illustrated example, the body is made monolithically. Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the invention by producing the hoop and the actuating element separately.

The hoop 20 comprises a cylindrical side wall 21, of generally circular cross section. In the example shown, the side wall 21 has two camberings 22, diametrically opposed, for thinning the head so as to facilitate its grip. The hoop extends in its upper part by a rim 23 which delimits a circular opening 24.

The side wall 21 of the hoop extends transversely by a circular transverse wall 33 serving as a bearing surface for the actuating element 30. The hoop 21 and the actuating element 30 are connected along a arc of circle, by a connecting portion 32. The connecting portion 32 forms a hinge about an axis about which the actuating element 30 can rotate.

The circular wall 33 extends in the circular opening 24 of the body so that a space is formed between the rim 23 of the body and the circular wall 33, the space being large enough to allow the element of actuation to move relative to the hoop but small enough to prevent fouling of the inside of the head.

It is obvious that the wall 33 may have any other shape than circular, its shape depending in particular on that of the opening formed in the hoop.

The outer surface of the circular wall 33 forming a bearing surface for the user, ribs 34 are advantageously provided to form a Finger grip area helps prevent fingers from sliding. It is not beyond the scope of the invention to provide any other roughness on the support surface to prevent the fingers from sliding.

The actuating element 30 further includes a lug 35 on the inner surface of the circular wall 33, substantially at its center, the lug 35 being provided for transmitting the force exerted by the user on the bearing surface 33 at the valve.

A passage 25, in the form of a circular opening, is formed in the side wall 21 of the hoop, below the connecting portion 32, the passage 25 being provided, as will be seen in detail later to be crossed by a dispensing nozzle 40.

In contrast to the passage 25, the side wall 21 of the hoop has a thickness that varies progressively over its height so as to form a ramp 26 whose function will be detailed later. The thickness of the wall varies regularly towards the lower edge of the wall between a maximum and a minimum.

The body also comprises two hooking lugs 27 provided for the attachment of the dispensing tip 40 on the body. The tabs 27 extend, from the rim 23 of the hoop, near the connecting portion 32, perpendicular to the circular wall 33 of the actuating element. Each lug has a circular hole provided to receive a portion of the tip.

The dispensing tip 40 is housed substantially entirely within the body. The tip is generally elongated along a longitudinal axis X. The tip is traversed by a central duct 41 which extends in this axis and which opens at a first end by a dispensing orifice 42 defined by a re-entrant edge 43. The duct 41 is delimited by a surface of the tip of circular cross section, said surface being provided with three ribs 49 regularly spaced as seen in FIG. figure 6 . These ribs 49, whose function will be explained later, extend parallel to the axis X, on only a portion of the length of the conduit 41, preferably on the side of the orifice 42. Alternatively, ribs that extend over the entire length of the duct, and / or a different number of ribs.

The first end of the nozzle passes through the passage 25 formed in the side wall 21 of the hoop so as to open the dispensing orifice outside the body.

Opposite the orifice, the tip 40 is open over the entire section of the conduit. A skirt 44 surrounding this end of the conduit extends to a free edge 44a away from the dispensing orifice, the skirt 44 being intended to receive a shutter as will be seen in detail later.

To ensure the mounting of the tip on the body of the head, the tip 40 comprises a mounting shaft 46 formed near the dispensing orifice 42. The mounting shaft 46, visible in particular on the Figures 4 and 6 extends along an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X of the nozzle, on either side of the duct 41. The two ends 47 of the shaft are provided to be housed each in the hole of the legs of hooking 27 being able to pivot about the axis Y with respect to these tabs 27.

Between its two ends, the endpiece 40 is provided with a fixing skirt 45 extending perpendicularly to the axis X, the skirt 45 being provided to engage on the valve stem 63. The skirt 45 defines a passage which opens into the conduit 41 which allows the dispensing orifice to communicate with the interior of the container via the valve.

Advantageously, the tip 40 has an elastic return tab 48, near the dispensing orifice 42 which is intended to bear on the inner surface of the side wall 21 of the hoop. Such a tab 48 makes it possible in particular to prevent the tip 40 from tilting inside the head before it is placed on the container. The head can then be more easily mounted on the container as the fixing skirt intended to be fitted on the valve stem is substantially parallel to the side wall of the mounting band.

A shutter 50 is further provided inside the nozzle. The shutter 50 is also elongated in the form of a needle whose circular cross section is substantially constant over its entire length. The cross section of the shutter 50 is chosen so that a space 55 is provided between the shutter and the nozzle so as to allow the product to flow between these two parts. According to the illustrated example, a space 55 of a few tenths of a millimeter is provided between the shutter and the nozzle over substantially the entire length of the nozzle, to an annular region 56 of the inner face of the second end of the shutter. The space 55 extends substantially all around the mouthpiece if it is not at the level of the ribs 49 which, as seen in FIG. figure 6 , are in contact with the shutter 50 so as to guide the shutter inside the nozzle in this position.

A first end of the shutter has a recess 51 to terminate in a point which fits the shape of the dispensing orifice 43, in the closed position, to close tightly.

The second end of the shutter, opposite the first, overflows the tip and ends with a hemispherical surface 52. The second end 52 is, at rest, intended to bear against the inner surface of the side wall of the body in one point. In the use position, the second end is intended to come opposite the ramp 26.

Near its second end, the shutter 50 has a sealing skirt 53 surrounding the elongated portion, the sealing skirt 53 being oriented towards the first end of the shutter. The sealing skirt 53 is intended to bear tightly on the inner surface of the end skirt 44 of the nozzle 40 along which it can slide sealingly.

A guide skirt 54 is further provided around the sealing skirt 53, also directed towards the first end 51 of the shutter, to bear on the outer surface of the end skirt 44 of the nozzle.

At rest, as seen at figure 3 , the shutter 50 sealingly closes the dispensing orifice 42. In fact, the recess 51 formed at the first end of the shutter rests against the inner surface of the edge 43 defining the dispensing orifice. The shutter is held in this closed position thanks to its hemispherical end 52 which abuts against the zone of the side wall 21 which faces the shutter.

To dispense the product, the user actuates the valve by pressing the actuating element as shown in FIG. figure 5 . By pressing on the circular wall 33 of the actuating element, the lug 35 sinks inside the head and presses on the endpiece 40 which then pivots, as well as the shutter 50, around the axis Y. During this movement, the shutter 50 remains stationary inside the tip 40. The rear of the tip and the shutter then tilt inside the head, in itself. moving relative to the side wall 21 of the hoop. The point of the hemispherical end 52 of the shutter which was in contact with the wall 21 thus deviates from said wall 21 by a slight distance. In addition, the end 52 of the shutter also sinks slightly so that it is positioned facing a less thick zone of the ramp 26 which also helps to remove the shutter from the side wall of the shutter. fret.

During this depressing movement, the tip 50 exerts a pressure on the valve stem 63 which also tilts so as to actuate the valve. The product contained in the container then exits the container through the inner channel of the valve stem and arrives in the fixing skirt 45. The product can then flow through the space 55 formed between the shutter and the nozzle. At this moment, the first end of the shutter is still in abutment against the edge 43 defining the orifice 42 of the nozzle while the second end 52 of the shutter is no longer in abutment against the side wall 21. Therefore, the pressure of the product on the annular region 56 of the inner face of the second end of the shutter causes the displacement of the shutter relative to the tip which moves back to abut against the side wall 21, as shown in FIG. figure 5 . The first end of the shutter deviates at the same time from the edge 43 defining the orifice of the nozzle so as to disengage on at least one annular portion and distribute the product in the form of a foam.

When the user releases the actuating element, the valve stem rises and the dispensing of the product is interrupted. In going up, the valve stem removes the tip 40 and the actuating element 30, as well as the shutter 50. The second end 52 of the shutter then moves along the ramp 26 of the side wall , so that the first end 51 returns gradually, without elastic return, closing the orifice by expelling the remaining product residue in the space 55 to the orifice 42.

It is not beyond the scope of the invention to overcome the ramp formed in the side wall of the hoop as illustrated in FIG. figure 7 , the side wall 121 of the hoop located opposite the second end 152 of the shutter then being a flat surface having a constant thickness. Again, by tilting the tip, the point of the hemispherical end 152 of the shutter that was in contact with the wall 121 deviates from the wall 121 by a distance that allows the shutter to retract relative to the orifice.

According to another variant illustrated in figure 8 , the second end 252 of the shutter may be a flat surface substantially parallel to the side wall 221 of the hoop in the rest position. The side wall 221 of the hoop then comprises a ramp 226 located opposite the second end 252 of the shutter, with a thickness which gradually decreases towards the lower edge of the wall 221. As soon as the tip is tilted and the shutter, the end 252 comes opposite a less thick portion of the ramp then at a distance from the end 252. This position allows the shutter to fall back inside the nozzle under the product pressure.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (16)

1. Product packaging and dispensing unit comprising:

   - a pressurized container (60) containing the product and fitted with a dispenser member mounted on top of the container, this connecting member being a valve;

   - and a product dispenser head mounted on the container, the head comprising:

   - a body comprising a connection collar (20) and an actuating element (30), the latter being movable relative to the collar to actuate a dispenser member located on the container;

   - a nozzle (40) through which passes a channel (41) capable of communicating with the product inside the container during use, the nozzle comprising a connecting skirt (45) designed to press onto the dispenser member, the channel ending at a first end with a dispensing orifice (42);

   - an open/close element (50) located at least partly inside the channel (41), the open/close element being constructed to assume, at rest, a closed position in which it rests, via a first portion (51), against a bearing surface (43), and to move away from this bearing surface (43) under the pressure of the product contained in the channel during dispensing of the product, to form the dispensing orifice (42), the open/close element comprising a second portion (52; 152; 252) capable of moving in response to operation of the actuating element (30) between a first position in which it is in abutment against the collar and a second position in which it is away from the collar, thereby allowing the open/close element to move away from the bearing surface (43) under the pressure of the product, said unit being characterized in that the open/close element moves back to the closed position without elastic return, the opposite end of the channel from the orifice being open across its entire cross section, in such a way that at this opposite end the nozzle has an end skirt (44) that accommodates the open/close element (50), and the second portion of the open/close element comprises a sealing skirt (53) designed to make leaktight contact with the inside surface of this end skirt along which it can slide leaktightly.
2. Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the second end (52; 152) of the open/close element is a hemispherical surface.
3. Unit according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the collar (20) comprises an inclined surface (26) located, particularly when the open/close element is in the second position, adjacent to the second end (52) of the open/close element.
4. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel (41) is defined by a nozzle (40), the shape of which is elongate along an axis X.
5. Unit according to Claim 4, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (42) is former at a first end of the nozzle (40).
6. Unit according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the nozzle (40) comprises a connecting shaft (46) of axis Y capable of being fixed to the body in such a way as to permit pivoting of the nozzle relative to the collar (20) about the Y axis.
7. Unit according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the nozzle (40) comprises an elastic return tongue (48) designed to bear elastically on the inside wall of the collar in order to limit the pivoting of the nozzle relative to the collar.
8. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open/close element (50) is of elongate shape.
9. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shape of the first end (51) of the open/close element (50) is complimentary to that of the dispensing orifice (42) in such a way as to seal it.
10. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (30) comprises a protrusion (35) capable of bearing on the nozzle (40) in such a way that the force exerted by the user on the actuating element (30) is transmitted to the dispenser member via the nozzle.
11. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar has means (22) of attachment to the container.
12. Unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (20) and the actuating element (30) are made in one piece.
13. Unit according to Claim 1, characterized in that the connecting skirt (45) of the nozzle (40) is pressed onto a valve stem (63) of the valve.
14. Unit according to either of Claims 1 and 13, characterized in that the valve is of the type that is triggered by depressing the valve stem.
15. Unit according to either of Claims 1 and 13, characterized in that the valve is of the type that is triggered by pivoting the valve stem.
16. Use of a unit according to any one of Claims 1 to 15 for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic or care product.

Images