EP1795462B1 - Dispenser for a device for storing and distributing a foaming product, in particular a cosmetic product, and associated device - Google Patents

Abstract

The diffuser (4) has a collar (5) mounted at an upper end of a valve of a pressurized container (2) and a product diffusion head (6) extending from the collar, where the diffusion head is mounted such that the diffusion head is movable with respect to the collar. The diffusion head has an output aperture and a curved shape, where the output aperture is oriented relative to an axis of the collar at an angle between approximately forty five degrees and seventy degrees. The diffusion head has a concave anterior surface (19) provided between the output aperture and the collar. An independent claim is also included for a diffuser and container assembly comprising a container.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of diffusers for devices for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product.

The present invention relates more particularly to the field of diffusers for devices for packaging and dispensing a foaming product such as a cosmetic product for maintenance or body care.

Thus, interesting applications of the invention relate to the dispensing of a treating or moisturizing composition, a shaving foam or depilatory or styling, or a dye for the hair.

Such packaging and dispensing devices conventionally comprise a pressurized container containing the product packaged in aerosol form. The container may for example comprise a valve equipped with a hollow actuating stem of the valve to allow controlled dispensing of the product to be applied. The product is generally applied in the form of a foam.

For this purpose, the known devices comprise a diffuser which is provided with a base to allow its attachment to the pressurized container, in particular on the valve cup, and a diffusion head. In order to allow dispensing of the product, the head comprises a distribution channel inside which is housed the hollow outlet rod of the container, and at least one outlet of the product connected to the distribution channel.

The documents US 3,917,121 , US 4,239,158 , US 4,720,046 , WO 00/76880 , and GB 641 233 disclose examples of devices of the prior art.

For more details, we can for example refer to the US patent US 4, 720, 046 which describes a diffusion head mounted on a pressurized container and having a distribution channel opening at an expansion chamber, and a product outlet gate partially defining the expansion chamber. The output grid is in particular provided for the purpose of ensuring an improved expansion of the foaming product during its distribution.

By its design, this diffusion head has the disadvantage of encouraging use of the device either in a position substantially horizontal, or in an inverted position in which the diffusion head is oriented downwards and is located under the pressurized container.

The use of the device in these positions is particularly problematic when the container contains an immiscible two-phase mixture and when the distribution of the mixture is carried out with a dip tube.

Indeed, the Applicant has determined that such positions of the device during the distribution of the product generally cause losses of gas from the pressurized container, which can make it unusable only after a few uses. Indeed, in these positions, the gas contained inside the container can escape through the dip tube, which generally makes it impossible to distribute the product remaining in the container which becomes unusable. These losses of gas can thus cause consumers to have a negative appreciation of the devices provided with such a diffusion head.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy these drawbacks.

The invention therefore has, according to a first aspect, a diffuser for a device for packaging and dispensing a foaming product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a base intended to be mounted on a container and a diffusion head product extending from the base and provided with at least one outlet port.

The outlet orifice is oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the base, in a range from 0 ° to 85 °. In other words, the axis of the outlet orifice forms an angle with the general axis of the diffuser in a range from 0 ° to 85 °. The outlet orifice is then for example made at a free end of the diffusion head and opens out generally perpendicularly to the diffusion head.

The diffusion head is movable relative to the base. In addition, the diffusion head has an axis of elongation inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the base, and has a space that is circumscribed to the master torque of the base and / or container. Said diffusion head can thus have a generally curved and off-center shape. Nevertheless, the diffusion head does not project laterally relative to said base and / or said container.

When the diffusion head has a space which is circumscribed to the master-couple of the base, a cover can be fixed on the base, or even the container, without the diffusion head comes to interfere with its positioning.

When the diffusion head has a space which extends beyond the master torque of the base but remains circumscribed to the master-torque of the container, a cover can be fixed directly on said container without the diffusion head hindering its positioning.

In addition, the diffusion head may comprise a concave zone or surface formed between the outlet orifice and the base through which a user can approach his fingers vertically above the orifice so as to collect the dispensed product. This concave surface thus forms a recess for positioning the fingers of a user below the outlet orifice.

With such a diffuser, it becomes possible to obtain a particularly satisfactory distribution foaming product, even after a large number of uses or actuations of the device.

Indeed, the Applicant has determined that such an orientation of the outlet port down, combined with the design of the concave surface that allows a user to approach his hand under the orifice, encourages use of the devices. provided with such a diffuser in a vertical position in which the diffusion head is located above the pressurized container.

Thus, the orientation of the outlet orifice and the configuration of the head force a user to use the device in this vertical position, which substantially reduces the occurrence of gas leakage problems that are likely to make the device unusable after a reduced number of operations.

Preferably, the outlet orifice is oriented towards an angular sector considered from the base comprised between about 45 ° and 70 °, and preferably 55 °.

Indeed, the Applicant has determined that such an orientation of the outlet allows a particularly satisfactory product distribution and strongly encourages the user to maintain the device in a vertical position during the distribution of the product.

Advantageously, the diffusion head is angularly displaceable with respect to the base. For example, the diffusion head and the base are connected by a hinge capable of allowing angular displacement of the diffusion head relative to the base so as to reduce the angular sector.

The existence of such a hinge increases the inclination of the outlet orifice relative to the longitudinal axis of the diffuser, when it is opposite the outlet orifice and when the user presses the diffusion head for dispensing the product, which further favors the use of the dispensing conditioning device in an appropriate vertical position.

The diffuser may include a single exit port and diffusion branches that radiate from said port.

In a variant, the diffuser comprises a plurality of outlet orifices. Advantageously, the outlet orifices may be arranged so as to obtain a diffusion grid.

Preferably, the diffusion head comprises a distribution duct oriented towards an angular sector, considered from the base, strictly less than 90 °.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the diffusion head comprises a bearing zone for the finger of a user, the bearing zone having a concave shape and extending on a face of the head opposite to the surface. concave. Alternatively, the support zone may also form a relief, for example streaks or a grid, to limit a possible skid or slip of the finger.

Preferably, the diffuser is made by molding at least one plastic material. Thus, the base and the head are advantageously made of a piece of material

According to a second aspect, the invention also relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a foaming product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a pressurized container containing the product and a diffuser as defined above, mounted on the container.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution d'un produit comprenant un diffuseur selon l'invention,
• les figures 2 et 3 sont respectivement des vues de dessus et en perspective du diffuseur de la figure 1, et
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe IV-IV de la figure 2,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 d'une variante de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is a side view of a device for packaging and dispensing a product comprising a diffuser according to the invention,
• the Figures 2 and 3 are respectively top and perspective views of the diffuser of the figure 1 , and
• the figure 4 is a sectional view along the axis IV-IV of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 1 of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

On the figure 1 , there is shown the general structure of a device for packaging and dispensing a foaming product according to the invention, designated by the general numerical reference 1, in a supposed vertical position.

In the intended application, this device is intended for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product. However, it is readily apparent that the device can also be applied to the packaging and distribution of other types of products.

The device 1 comprises a pressurized container 2 of generally cylindrical shape and of general axis X-X ', and a diffuser 4 mounted at an upper end of the container 2.

The container comprising a closed lower end and an open opposite end forming a neck. It is intended to contain the product to be dispensed in aerosol form. It is equipped with a product dispensing valve having an actuating rod (not shown) for dispensing product when actuated.

The diffuser 4, meanwhile, is intended to allow the distribution of the cosmetic product contained in the container 2 in the form of foam.

As we see on the Figures 1 to 4 , the diffuser 4 comprises a base 5 mounted at the upper end of a valve of the container 2 and a diffusion head 6 of the product, extending from the base. Said diffusion head 6 can be mounted mobile with respect to the base 5.

As revealed by the figures 1 and 4 , the diffusion head 4 has a generally curved shape.

The base 5 extends along a longitudinal axis Y. Said base 5 is coaxial with the axis XX 'of the container 2. It comprises, from bottom to top, a first tubular portion 7 provided with an annular end surface 7a radial forming a song intended to bear against the container 2 or the valve cup, and a second tubular portion 8 which carries the diffusion head 6.

In order to allow the base 5 to be fixed on the receptacle 2 or on the valve cup, the tubular portion 7 comprises an internal annular bead 7b adapted to cooperate with a complementary groove (not shown). performed externally on the neck of the container 2, or with a rim of the valve cup. Of course, alternatively, one could consider saving the groove and the bead on the base and on the neck, respectively.

The second tubular portion 8 has a diameter substantially smaller than that of the first tubular portion 7 so as to provide a radial abutment surface 9 between these first and second tubular portions. This surface 9 is intended to allow positioning and mounting of a cover 10 on the base 5 to cover the diffusion head 6. The cover 10 could also be fixed to the container 2. In this case, a throat The cover 10 may then internally comprise an annular rib adapted to come into fixing engagement with this groove as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

The diffusion head 6 is generally inclined downwards. It thus adopts a generally curved shape, but can remain inscribed in the master torque of the base 5 so as to position the cover 10 on said base 5 or on said container 2. Otherwise, as shown in FIG. figure 5 when the cover 10 is mounted directly on the container 2, the diffusion head 6 can extend beyond the master torque of the base 5 while remaining inscribed in the master couple of the container 2.

The diffusion head 6 comprises a cylindrical portion forming a base 12 on which is connected, at an upper bevelled surface, a head body 14, itself extended at an upper end by an end zone 15 through which the product is distributed out of the head. The diffusion head 6 extends along an axis of elongation Z. The axis of elongation Z is contained in an elongation plane P ".

Said axis of elongation Z is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the base 5.

The base 12 is coaxial with the X-X 'axis. It extends axially upwards the tubular portion 8 of the base 5. It has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the tubular portion 8 so as to leave between them a slight radial clearance 16.

In order to allow angular displacement of the diffusion head 6 with respect to the base 5, it is further provided with a hinge tongue 17 connecting the diffusion head and the base 12 and locally interrupting the 16. The tongue 17 thus extends radially inwardly an upper end of the tubular portion 8 and is connected to a lower end of the cylindrical outer surface of the base 12.

The hinge 17 has a small angular dimension, here between 50 ° and 70 °. Of course, it is also conceivable to provide a tongue having a substantially different angular dimension, but nevertheless allowing to obtain a relative angular tilting of the diffusion head 6 with respect to the X-X 'axis of the base 5.

The head body 14 is shaped to configure the diffusion head in curved form. For this purpose, it comprises two rounded posterior 18 and front 19 surfaces which extend upwards, ie on the opposite side to the base 5, the beveled upper surface of the base 12. The posterior 18 and front 19 surfaces respectively have a shape convex and a concave shape. Thus, the radial distance between the axis XX 'and the rear surface 18 is greater than that between said axis XX' and the front surface 19 so that the body 14 is off-center relative to the base 5. The hinge 17 is provided on the side of the rear surface 18 of the head body.

As will be described in detail later, the concave front surface 19 is shaped to define a surface allowing a user to approach his fingers or at least the last phalanx of these fingers to collect the product contained in the container 2 .

With regard to the end zone 15, it extends upwards the posterior 18 and front 19 surfaces being inclined relative to the axis XX 'of the base 5. It has in cross section a general shape rectangular.

To allow the dispensing of the product contained inside the container 2, the diffuser 4 further comprises a channel 20 for dispensing formed inside the diffusion head 6. This channel 20 communicates at one end with a diffusion nozzle 21 mounted on the side of the front surface 19.

At its other end, the distribution channel 20 is connected to the actuating rod of the valve (not shown) of the container 2. This connection is made at a central stud 22 of the base 12 which extends axially towards the base 5.

The valve of the container 2 may be of the type that is actuated either by depression or by tilting. It should be noted, however, that the use of valve actuated by tilting is also compatible with the embodiment shown in the figures in which the diffusion head is mounted angularly displaceable on the base.

The distribution channel 20 extends from the stud 22 at which the product is injected into the head 6, then extends axially along the axis X-X ', then comprises a bent portion, itself extended by a substantially horizontal portion opening at a front surface of the end zone 15. The front surface extends upwardly and forwardly the front surface 19 of the body 14 head.

To obtain the distribution of the product outside the diffusion head 6, the diffusion nozzle 21 also comprises a distribution duct 24 extending the channel 20 and extending along an axis 24a. The distribution duct 24 opens at a cylindrical outlet orifice 25.

In order to allow a better expansion of the foaming product contained inside the pressurized container 2, the diffusion nozzle 21 also comprises a plurality of distribution branches 26 connected to the outlet orifice 25 and which radiate from the -this. Under these conditions, the foaming product contained inside the container 2 has at the outlet of the nozzle 21 of diffusion a general star shape.

Alternatively, it is readily conceivable that it is also possible to provide other types of diffusion tips to allow the distribution of the product. For example, it is possible to provide, in replacement of the orifice 25 and the distribution branches 26, a diffusion grid so as to also obtain an overall outlet passage section of the product which is greater than the passage section at the outlet. inside the conduit 20 distribution.

In another embodiment, it is still conceivable to provide a diffusion head having a plurality of outlet orifices, each being connected to the distribution channel.

In another variant embodiment, it could also be possible to provide a single outlet orifice. However, with such a design, the expansion of the foaming product at the outlet of the diffusion nozzle 21 would be less good.

So as to avoid using the device 1 in a horizontal position, or in an inverted position in which the head 6 of diffusion would be below the container 2, the outlet 25 is tangent to a plane P 'inclined relative to a median longitudinal plane of the base P containing the axis X-X'. The planes P and P 'form an angle referenced β on the figure 4 .

In other words, as revealed by the figure 4 , the output of the diffusion head 6 is oriented downwards and towards the front of the diffuser. More particularly, the axis A of the outlet orifice 25, which corresponds to the direction in which the product is dispensed, is oriented along an angular sector α in the range from 0 ° to 85 °, considered from the axis XX 'of the base 5. When the angle between the axis A and the axis XX' is zero, the axis A is parallel to the axis XX 'being located at a distance from it .

The plane P "is inclined with respect to the plane P. The plane P" may be parallel to the plane P '. The planes P and P "can define an identical angle γ, similar or different from the angle defined between the planes P and P '.

Indeed, the applicant has determined that this orientation of the outlet port 25 in this angular sector encourages the user of the device 1 to maintain it in a vertical position during use. In this position in which the diffusion head 6 is above the container 2, the risk of gas losses from the container 2 is substantially reduced, and the reliability of use of the device 1 is increased.

Preferably, to obtain a diffusion head 6 having an ergonomics particularly favoring the use of the device 1 in this vertical position, the Applicant has also determined that it is preferable to provide an inclination of the axis A with respect to the XX 'axis between 45 ° and 70 °, and preferably equal to 55 °. Under these conditions, the inclination of the plane P with respect to the plane P 'is between 20 ° and 45 °, and advantageously equal to 35 °.

Regarding the axis 24a of the distribution duct 24, it extends here substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X '. However, the Applicant has determined that an angular orientation of the distribution duct 24 so that an angle formed between the axis 24a and the axis XX 'is strictly less than 90 ° to obtain a distribution duct 24 facing the low, is particularly advantageous for the distribution of the product, especially in the case of a non-foaming product.

In order to further increase the ergonomics of the diffusion head 6, the latter also comprises a concave bearing zone 28 for the finger of a user which is formed at the head 15, on the opposite side. at the diffusion tip 21 ( figure 3 ). This bearing zone 28 could also have a curved or convex shape. It could also be ribbed or streaked.

When a user exerts pressure on this support zone 28 to obtain a product distribution, the diffusion head 6, thanks to the existence of the hinge 17, tilts slightly relative to the base 5, which increases the angle β formed between the planes P and P ', thus favoring the use of the container 2 in an appropriate vertical position of the device. Such a hinge associated with a diffusion head according to the invention avoids the user having to tilt the device to correctly collect the product in his hand which ensures better operation of the device.

In addition, the presence of an anterior surface 19 located below the outlet orifice 21 and designed to allow a user to position his hand below this orifice further favors the use of the device in a position vertically, in which the diffusion head 6 is above the container 2.

Indeed, the anterior surface 19 forms a recess capable of allowing, by its shape and its dimensions, the positioning of the fingers of the user below the outlet orifice 21 in this vertical position of the device 1.

Thus, thanks to the presence of the concave anterior surface 19, the rear bearing surface 28 and thanks to the curved shape of the dispensing head, the user is naturally led to use the dispensing device in the appropriate vertical position. . At first, he grasps the container 2 in the palm of one of his hands, then actuates the diffuser by pressing with his index finger, or his thumb, on the support zone 28. The support zone 28 and the the outlet 25 may extend on either side of the plane P. The product distribution contained in the container 2 can thus be obtained on one side of the dispensing head, the opposite side forming a surface actuation to trigger such a distribution.

Simultaneously with the actuation of the diffuser, the user collects the product with his second hand that he has previously approached by bringing his knuckles resting against the concave front surface 19 so as to be in line with the outlet orifice 25.

The angular orientation of the plane P 'containing the outlet port relative to the median plane P of the base 5 combined with the curved design of the head body 14 therefore prompts the user to use the device in a position limiting the gas loss phenomena of the pressurized container 2, which allows to obtain a product distribution that is satisfactory over time.

In order to obtain a diffuser 4 particularly economical to achieve, the diffusion head 6 further comprises an annular recess 29 made at the body 14 and surrounding the stud 22. For this purpose, the base 5 and the head 6 of the diffusion of diffuser 4 are advantageously obtained by molding a synthetic material, for example polypropylene, and are preferably made in one piece integrally molded.

The diffusion nozzle 21 is advantageously mounted on the diffusion head 6, for example by clipping, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

This provides a diffusion head 4 forming a unitary assembly easy to transport, handle and condition.

As a variant, depending on the design of the diffusion nozzle, it could also be possible to obtain a diffuser made in one-piece fashion, by injection of plastics material.

Regarding the cover 10, it is for example made of molded synthetic material. It is preferably transparent to daylight or translucent. One could, of course, consider using an opaque cover.

Claims (16)

1. Dispenser for a device for storing and distributing a foaming product, particularly a cosmetic product, comprising a mount (5) intended to be mounted on a container (2) and a product dispensing head (6) extending from the mount and provided with at least one outlet orifice (25), the outlet orifice being directed, along an axis (A) that corresponds to a direction in which the product is dispensed, towards an angular sector (α), considered from an axis X-X' of the mount contained in a range extending from 0° to 85° so that the orifice is directed toward the bottom of the dispenser, characterized in that the said dispensing head (6) can be moved in relation to the mount (5) and in that the dispensing head (6) has an axis of elongation (Z) that is inclined with respect to the axis X-X' of the mount (5) and a volume that is circumscribed within the main cross section of the mount and/or of the container.
2. Dispenser according to Claim 1, in which the dispensing head (6) comprises a concave surface (19) formed between the outlet orifice and the mount (5) that forms a recess configured to allow a user to position his or her fingers under the outlet orifice (25).
3. Dispenser according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the outlet orifice is directed towards an angular sector, considered from the mount, contained between around 45° and 70°.
4. Dispenser according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the outlet orifice is directed at an angle of 55° from the mount (5).
5. Dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the dispensing head (6) can be moved angularly with respect to the mount (5).
6. Dispenser according to Claim 5, in which the dispensing head and mount are connected by a hinge (17) able to allow the dispensing head to be moved angularly with respect to the mount so as to decrease the magnitude of the angular sector (α).
7. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the outlet orifice is made at a free end of the dispensing head.
8. Dispenser according to Claim 7, in which the outlet orifice opens generally at right angles to the dispensing head.
9. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a single outlet orifice (25) and dispensing branches (26) radiating from the said orifice.
10. Dispenser according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, comprising a plurality of outlet orifices.
11. Dispenser according to Claim 10, in which the outlet orifices are arranged in such a way as to from a dispensing grating.
12. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the dispensing head comprises a dispensing duct (24) directed towards an angular sector, considered from the mount, of strictly less than 90°.
13. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the dispensing head comprises a pressing region (28) on which a user can press with his or her finger, the pressing region having a concave shape and extending over a face of the head which is the opposite face to the concave surface (19).
14. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, created by moulding at least one plastics material.
15. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the mount and the dispensing head are made as an integrally formed single component.
16. Device for storing and distributing a foaming product, particularly a cosmetic product comprising a pressurized container (2) containing the product and a dispenser (4) mounted on the container, characterized in that it comprises a dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims.

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