WO2019192839A1

WO2019192839A1 - Closure device for a pressurized container containing a product, notably a cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: WO2019192839A1
Application number: PCT/EP2019/056838
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gilles Baudin; Patrick Charnay; Jeanne GAUDILLOT; Olivier FARNAULT; Thierry TRANCHIDA
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2018-04-05
Filing date: 2019-03-19
Publication date: 2019-10-10

Abstract

The closure device for a pressurized container containing a product comprises a valve (16) for dispensing said product and a cover (14) delimiting an opening (34) for accessing the dispensing valve. The cover comprises a mounting skirt (32) intended to be screwed onto said container and provided with a bore (32a) comprising at least one helical screw thread (36). Said screw thread is provided with a plurality of thread segments that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Notches are formed in the bore (32a) of the mounting skirt by the spaces between the thread segments.

Description

DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Closure device for a pressurized container containing a product, notably a cosmetic product

The present invention relates to a closure device for a pressurized container containing a product, notably a cosmetic product.

The expression“cosmetic product” is understood to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

Conventionally, a pressurized container comprises a dispensing valve which is fastened to a dome that is itself crimped or rolled onto the neck of the container. The container internally delimits a storage reservoir inside which the product to be dispensed and a compressed propellant gas are disposed.

The propellant gas may be in direct contact with the product to be dispensed inside the container. The container is filled with propellant gas via the dispensing valve. If the product to be dispensed is not intended to be in contact with the propellant gas, they can be separated by a flexible pouch or by a piston. In this case, a filling valve or plug is provided on the bottom of the container for the introduction of the propellant gas.

This type of pressurized container is associated notably with problems related to recycling or to refilling with product.

The patent application FR-A1-2 951 140 describes a refillable diffuser housing of the type comprising a pouch that is mounted inside a container and contains the product to be dispensed, and a propellant gas introduced into the container in order to exert a pressure on the pouch. The dispensing valve is crimped or rolled onto a dome.

In order to be able to refill the housing with product, a ring is provided, which is screwed onto the container and presses the dome bearing the dispensing valve against the open end of the container. Once all of the product contained in the pouch has been dispensed, the unscrewing of the ring makes it possible to access this pouch and replace it.

In that earlier patent application, the diffuser housing is designed to make it impossible to manually unscrew the ring when propellant gas is present inside the container. Therefore, it is necessary to purge all of the propellant gas before it is possible to refill the diffuser housing with product.

The present invention aims to remedy this drawback.

The subject of the invention is a closure device for a pressurized container containing a product, notably a cosmetic product, which comprises a valve for dispensing said product and a cover delimiting an opening for accessing the dispensing valve, and comprising a mounting skirt intended to be screwed onto said container. The mounting skirt of the cover is provided with a bore comprising at least one helical screw thread.

According to a general feature, this screw thread is provided with a plurality of thread segments that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. Notches are formed in the bore of the mounting skirt by the spaces between the thread segments.

With the closure device equipped with such a cover, it is possible for the associated container to be able to be opened under pressure since the notches in the screw thread allow the passage and evacuation of the propellant gas contained in the container when the cover is unscrewed.

This makes it possible to avoid shooting out of the dispensing valve, or of the cover, in a manner not controlled by the user when the latter manually unscrews the cover in order to detach it from the container. In this way, ejections under the effect of the pressure of the propellant gas, which could cause injuries, are avoided.

Thus, it is possible to be able to refill or recycle the container equipped with the closure device safely, easily and quickly without it being absolutely necessary to purge the propellant gas beforehand.

Preferably, the gas evacuation notches of said screw thread are arranged in such a way as to delimit axial passages on the bore of the mounting skirt.

The cover may comprise a front wall from which the mounting skirt extends and which is provided with the opening for accessing the dispensing valve.

In a first design, the dispensing valve is fastened to the cover. Thus, the cover has a double function, namely allowing the escape of propellant gas from the container upon unscrewing, and supporting the dispensing valve. This makes it possible to obtain a closure device with a limited number of parts. The manufacturing cost of the device is reduced. In a second, alternative, design, the closure device may comprise a dome to which the dispensing valve is fastened, and a connecting piece that supports this dome and is intended to be fastened to the container, for example at the access opening of the container. With such a design, the cover covers the connecting piece.

In the first design, in which the dispensing valve is fastened to the cover, the latter may comprise an internal fastening skirt for this purpose. This fastening skirt may extend from the front wall of the cover. The dispensing valve may be fastened by heading, which consists in mechanically deforming, in the hot or cold state, the material of the internal fastening skirt of the cover, or by being screwed onto said skirt.

Advantageously, the cover is produced at low cost in one piece, for example by moulding a synthetic material.

In one particular embodiment, the cover comprises a sealing skirt that is able to engage with the opening of the container. According to one advantageous provision, at least one turn of the helical screw thread of the mounting skirt of the cover extends axially beneath the sealing skirt.

This ensures that at least one turn of the screw thread remains engaged with the screw thread of the container when the sealing skirt of the cover is no longer in sealed contact with the container. This makes it possible to open the container in complete safety.

In another embodiment, as an alternative to this sealing skirt, the cover can accommodate a seal mounted in a manner bearing against the front wall of said cover.

In one particular embodiment, the closure device may also comprise a locking cap that is mounted on the cover between an unlocked or disengaged position, in which the cap is rotatable with respect to said cover, and a position engaged with said cover, in which the rotation of said cap causes the rotation of the cover.

In this way, accidental unscrewing of the cover is avoided.

Advantageously, the locking cap comprises means for snap-fastening to the cover that are configured to axially secure said cap with respect to the cover.

Thus, the locking cap snap-fastened to the cover forms an indissociable assembly with said cover. The cap cannot move axially upwards, but only downwards.

The locking cap preferably comprises an external skirt radially surrounding the mounting skirt of the cover.

For example, the external skirt of the cap has a diameter greater than the diameter of the mounting skirt of the cover. The external mounting skirt of the locking cap is centred on the longitudinal axis. The skirt has, for example, a circular cross section. For example, the annular skirt has a single diameter.

The external mounting skirt is delimited in the radial direction by an outer surface and by an opposite inner surface forming a bore. The bore is coaxial with the longitudinal axis and has a cylindrical shape.

Advantageously, the external skirt of the locking cap comprises means for snap-fastening to the cover. These means may comprise an annular bulge protruding towards the mounting skirt of the cover for snap-fastening the locking cap to the cover.

At least the skirt of the locking cap may be elastically deformable for example so as to be able to be mounted axially on the skirt until the snap-fastening means, for example the annular bulge, are snap-fastened against the lower end of the mounting skirt of the cover.

The expression“elastically deformable” means any element which, on account of its shape or its material, is capable of deforming non-permanently under the action of a load and of returning to its initial shape as soon as all loading stops.

According to one embodiment, the skirt of the locking cap comprises, on its inner surface, engagement mechanisms that are disposed at a radial distance from complementary engagement mechanisms provided on the outer surface of the external mounting skirt of the cover, said engagement mechanisms being configured to engage when an external radial force is applied to the locking cap.

In the absence of external radial loading on the locking cap, the engagement mechanisms of said cap are disposed at a radial distance from engagement mechanisms of complementary shape provided on the cover.

Thus, in the absence of external radial loading on the locking cap, the rotation of said cap does not cause the rotation of the cover, which cannot be unscrewed from the container.

In the engaged position of the locking cap, when the user presses radially on the skirt of said cap in order to engage the engagement mechanisms and when the user simultaneously turns said cap, the cover is unscrewed from the container.

In other words, the simultaneous action of a radial force and of a torque in the unscrewing direction makes it possible to unscrew the closure assembly of the container. For example, the engagement mechanisms of the cap comprise axial ribs and the engagement mechanisms of the cover comprise complementary axial grooves.

According to another embodiment, the external skirt of the locking cap comprises, on its inner surface, engagement mechanisms that are axially separated from engagement mechanisms of complementary shape provided on the outer surface of the external mounting skirt of the cover, said engagement mechanisms being configured to engage when an external axial force is applied to the locking cap.

In the unlocked position of the locking cap, that is to say in the absence of axial loading on the cap, the engagement mechanisms are axially separated, such that the rotation of said cap does not cause the rotation of the cover, which cannot be unscrewed from the container.

In the engaged position of the locking cap, when the user presses axially on the external skirt of said cap in order to engage the engagement mechanisms and when the user simultaneously turns said cap, the cover is unscrewed from the container.

In other words, the simultaneous action of an axial force and of a torque in the unscrewing direction makes it possible to unscrew the closure assembly of the container.

In the embodiment requiring the double action of an axial force and a rotary force to unscrew the cover from the container, the axial loading of the cap, which acts as a push button, makes it possible to know if there is any remaining pressurized gas before the cover is unscrewed from the container.

For example, the engagement mechanisms of the cap comprise teeth protruding radially towards the skirt of the cover, and the engagement mechanisms of the skirt of the cover comprise teeth protruding radially towards the skirt of the cap.

Preferably, the locking cap comprises an upper end wall spaced axially apart from an end wall of the cover, and at least one elastic member mounted between the lower surface of said end wall of the cap and an upper surface of the end wall of the cover.

An“elastic member” means any element which, on account of its shape or its material, is capable of deforming non-permanently under the action of an axial force and of returning to its initial shape as soon as any loading stops.

For example, the elastic member is in the form of an annular protrusion inclined towards the longitudinal axis. The free end of the elastic member comes into axial contact with the upper surface of the end wall of the cover. In a variant, several inclined protrusions extending between the end wall of the cap and the end wall of the cover could be provided. Any spring means for maintaining the axial distance d between the end wall of the cap and the end wall of the cover in the absence of axial loading of the locking cap by the user could also be provided.

The external skirt of the cap extends axially from the end wall. The external mounting skirt of the cap axially continues a large-diameter edge of the end wall of the cap. The external mounting skirt of the cap is delimited in the axial direction by the end wall of the cap and by the snap-fastening means directed towards the external mounting skirt of the cover.

The locking cap comprises a housing formed in the end wall of said cap for receiving the valve stem, said housing comprising a dispensing orifice that allows the product contained in the container to flow out.

The locking cap also acts as a push button for actuating the valve and dispensing the product contained in the container.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a pressurized container that contains a product, notably a cosmetic product, and is provided on the outside with at least one helical screw thread, and a closure device as defined above that is screwed onto said screw thread of the container.

Advantageously, gas evacuation spaces are provided between the bottom of said screw thread of the container and the crest of said helical screw thread of the mounting skirt of the cover of the closure device. This arrangement contributes towards the evacuation of the propellant gas contained in the container when the cover is unscrewed.

The propellant gas may be in direct contact with the product to be dispensed inside the container, or be separated therefrom by a pouch or a piston.

The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting example and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a closure device screwed onto a storage container according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a cover of the closure device in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial section view of the cover in Figure 2; Figure 4, Figure 5 and Figure 6 are views in longitudinal section of closure devices screwed onto containers according to other exemplary embodiments of the invention; and

Figure 7 and Figure 8 are views in longitudinal section of closure devices screwed onto containers according to other exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a closure device, denoted by the overall reference numeral 10, which is provided to be screwed onto a container 12 for storing a product under pressure. The device 10 is shown in a position presumed to be vertical and extends along a longitudinal axis X-X’.

The device 10 comprises a cover 14 for closing the container 12 and a valve

16 for dispensing the product contained in the container. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the valve 16 is supported by the cover 14.

The cover 14 is screwed onto the storage container 12. As will be described in more detail below, the cover 14 is designed to allow the container 12 to be opened while under pressure.

The dispensing valve 16 extends partially inside the container 12. The dispensing valve 16 comprises a valve body 18 and a valve stem 20 that is axially movable with respect to the valve body 18. The valve stem 20 projects axially out of the valve body 18. The valve body 18 defines a chamber 22 in which the valve stem 20 is fitted.

The valve stem 20, of axis X-X’, is able to move in the chamber 22 between a closed position of the valve, illustrated in Figure 1, and an open position. The device 10 comprises a sealing washer 24 interposed between the valve body 18 and the cover 14. The valve body 18 is continued, axially on the opposite side from the sealing washer 24, by an end piece 25 which is in communication with the chamber 22 and on which a dip tube (not shown) is intended to be fastened. An axial dispensing duct 26 is formed in the valve stem 20 and communicates, at its lower end, with a radial duct 28 that opens onto the outer surface of said stem. The dispensing duct 26 opens onto the upper front face of the valve stem 20. In the closed position of the valve, the sealing washer 24 closes off the radial duct 28 such that it does not communicate with the chamber 22.

In a manner known per se, the valve stem 20 can be provided, at its upper end, with a push button (not shown) for actuating the valve 16 and dispensing the product contained in the container 12. The dispensing valve 16 is equipped with a spring (not shown) mounted between the valve body 18 and the valve stem 20 to keep said stem in the closed position in the absence of loading of the push button by the user.

The cover 14 is produced in one piece by moulding a synthetic material, for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyketone, etc.

The cover 14 comprises an upper frontal end wall 30 and an external mounting skirt 32 continuing said wall. An opening 34 for accessing the dispensing valve 16 is formed in the upper wall 30. The opening 34 allows the passage of the valve stem 20 of the dispensing valve. The valve stem 20 extends through the opening 34 and projects from the end wall 30 on the opposite side from the mounting skirt 32. The opening 34 is a through-opening and formed in the thickness of the end wall 30. The opening 34 is centred on the axis X-X’. The end wall 30 comes to bear axially against the upper end of the container 12.

The mounting skirt 32 of the cover is centred on the axis X-X’. The mounting skirt 32 extends axially from the end wall 30. The end wall 30 extends radially. The mounting skirt 32 axially continues a large-diameter edge of the end wall 30. The skirt 32 has a circular cross section. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the annular mounting skirt 32 has a stepped shape with two cylindrical parts with different diameters. Alternatively, the mounting skirt 32 can have a single diameter.

As will be described in more detail below, the mounting skirt 32 comprises on its inside a helical screw thread 36, which is discontinuous in the circumferential direction, for screwing the cover 14 onto the container 12. The mounting skirt 32 is delimited in the radial direction by an outer surface 33 and by an opposite inner surface forming a bore 32a. The bore 32a is coaxial with the axis X-X’ and has a cylindrical shape. The screw thread 36 is formed on the bore 32a.

The cover 14 also comprises an annular internal fastening skirt 38 for fastening the dispensing valve 16 to said cover. The fastening skirt 38 extends axially from the lower face of the frontal end wall 30. The skirt 38 is centred on the axis X- X’. The mounting skirt 32 radially surrounds the internal fastening skirt 38, remaining radially at a distance therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the dispensing valve 16 is fastened inside the internal skirt 38 of the cover by heading.

The cover 14 also comprises an annular sealing skirt 40 extending axially from the lower face 30a of the frontal end wall 30. The sealing skirt 40, of axis X-X’, is situated radially between the external skirt 32 and internal skirt 38, remaining radially at a distance from these. The sealing skirt 40 is fitted in a sealed manner in an access opening 42 of the container. The free end of the sealing skirt 40 is axially offset at the end wall 30 from the engagement end of the screw thread 36 of the cover. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, two turns of the screw thread 36 extend axially beneath the sealing skirt 40.

The container 12, of axis X-X’, internally delimits an internal volume or reservoir 44 for storing the cosmetic product. The container 12 comprises an end forming a bottom (not visible) and an open opposite end that delimits the opening 42 for accessing the internal reservoir 44. The container 12 is provided on the outside with a screw thread 46 engaged with the screw thread 36 of the mounting skirt of the cover. The screw thread 46 may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The container 12 may be made of metal or synthetic material.

As indicated above, the screw thread 36 of the mounting skirt is discontinuous in the circumferential direction. As is illustrated more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the screw thread 36 is formed by a series of helical thread segments 50 that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. In Figure 3, only the external skirt 32 of the cover has been shown in its entirety. The thread segments 50 of the cover are formed on the bore 32a of the external skirt and extend radially inwardly. The circumferential spacing between two successive thread segments 50 is identical along the screw thread 36. The thread segments 50 are aligned in the axial direction. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the thread segments 50 have an identical circumferential dimension. In a variant, it is possible to provide thread segments that have different circumferential dimensions.

The space between two successive thread segments 50 in the circumferential direction forms a notch 52 on the bore 32a of the mounting skirt. In other words, each notch 52 is delimited between an end edge of one thread segment 50 and the facing end edge of the immediately adjacent thread segment 50.

The notches 52 of one turn of the screw thread 36 are axially aligned with the notches 52 of the next turn of the screw thread. Thus, the notches 52 are arranged in such a way as to delimit axial passages on the bore 32a of the mounting skirt 32. These axial passages are thus entirely without thread segments 50.

Each thread segment 50 of the screw thread is delimited in the axial direction by an axially oriented upper flank 50a at the end wall 30 end, and by an opposite lower flank 50b. The upper flank 50a forms a helical ramp that is continuous in the circumferential direction. This helical ramp is inclined radially inwardly and downwardly. Each thread segment 50 of the screw thread also comprises a crest (not referenced) separating the upper flank 50a and lower flank 50b. The crest connects the small-diameter ends of the upper flank 50a and lower flank 50b.

As indicated above, the screw thread 36 of the mounting skirt of the cover is engaged with a screw thread 46 of the container. Referring again to Figure 1 , the screw thread 46 comes to bear against the upper flanks of the thread segments of the screw thread 36.

Spaces 54 are formed radially between the bottom of the screw thread 46 of the container 12 and the crest of the screw thread 36 of the cover 14. Spaces (not referenced) are also formed axially between the screw thread 46 of the container and the lower flanks of the thread segments of the screw thread 36 of the cover.

The spaces between the screw threads 46, 36 of the container and of the cover and the notches 52 in the latter are provided for the passage and evacuation of the propellant gas contained inside the container 12 when it is opened. Upon opening, when the user begins to unscrew the cover 14, the evacuation of the propellant gas starts as soon as the sealing skirt 40 of said cover is no longer in sealed radial contact with the access opening 42 of the container.

In this position, the screw thread 36 of the cover is still engaged with the screw thread 46 of the container, making it possible to ensure opening of the container without any risk of the cover 14 and the dispensing valve 16 shooting out.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the preceding example mainly in that the cover 14 accommodates a seal 60 for sealing the container 12. The seal 60 is mounted so as to bear axially against the frontal end wall 30 of the cover.

In this exemplary embodiment, the cover 14 also comprises an annular centring skirt 62 extending axially from the lower face of the frontal end wall 30. The centring skirt 62, of axis X-X’, is situated radially between the external skirt 32 and internal skirt 38, remaining radially at a distance from these. The seal 60 is mounted on the centring skirt 62 of the cover.

The centring skirt 62 is equipped on its outer surface with a bulge 64 for axially retaining the seal 60 on said skirt. The bulge 64 extends radially outwardly. The bulge 64 may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction. The seal 60 is situated axially between the bulge 64 and the frontal end wall 30. The upper end of the container 12 comes to bear axially against the seal 60 at the end of screwing of the cover 14. The seal 60 is advantageously made of a compressible material, for example an elastomer material.

Unlike the first exemplary embodiment, propellant gas is evacuated from the container 12 here as soon as the unscrewing of the cover 14 starts.

The exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, in which identical elements bear the same references, differ from the first and second example, respectively, in that the dispensing valve 16 is fastened to the internal fastening skirt 38 of the cover by screwing. For this purpose, the fastening skirt 38 comprises on the inside a helical screw thread 66 engaged with a corresponding screw thread 68 formed on the valve body 18 of said valve. The screw thread 68 of the valve body may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction.

The exemplary embodiments illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, in which identical elements bear the same references, differ from the preceding examples mainly in that the closure device 10 comprises a locking cap 70 mounted on the cover 14.

Said locking cap 70 comprises an unlocked or disengaged position, in which the cap 70 is rotatable with respect to the cover 14, and a position engaged with the cover 14, in which the rotation of said cap 70 causes the rotation of the cover 14.

The locking cap 70 comprises an upper frontal end wall 72 and an external mounting skirt 74 continuing said wall. A housing 76 is formed in the end wall 72 for receiving the valve stem 20. Said housing 76 comprises a dispensing orifice 76a that allows the product contained in the container 12 to flow out.

The frontal end wall 72 of the locking cap 70 is axially separated from the end wall 30 of the cover 14 by an axial distance d.

The locking cap 70 is equipped with an elastic member 78 mounted between the lower surface (not referenced) of the end wall 72 of the cap 70 and the upper surface (not referenced) of the end wall 30 of the cover 14.

An“elastic member” means any element which, on account of its shape or its material, is capable of deforming non-permanently under the action of an axial force and of returning to its initial shape as soon as all loading stops.

As illustrated, the elastic member 78 is in the form of an annular protrusion inclined towards the longitudinal axis X-X’ . The free end (not referenced) of the elastic member 78 comes into axial contact with the upper surface of the end wall 30 of the cover 14.

In a variant, several inclined protrusions extending between the end wall 72 of the cap 70 and the end wall 30 of the cover 14 could be provided. Any spring means for maintaining the axial distance d between the end wall 72 of the cap 70 and the end wall 30 of the cover 14 in the absence of axial loading of the locking cap 70 by the user could also be provided.

The external mounting skirt 74 of the locking cap 70 is centred on the axis X- X’. The skirt 74 extends axially from the end wall 72. The mounting skirt 74 axially continues a large-diameter edge of the end wall 72. The skirt 74 has a circular cross section. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the annular skirt 74 has a single diameter. The diameter of said skirt 74 is greater than the diameter of the mounting skirt 32 of the cover 14.

The mounting skirt 74 is delimited in the radial direction by an outer surface 74a and by an opposite inner surface forming a bore 74a. The bore 74a is coaxial with the axis X-X’ and has a cylindrical shape.

The mounting skirt 74 is delimited in the axial direction by the end wall 72 and by an annular bulge 80 protruding from the inner surface 74b towards the mounting skirt 32 of the cover 14.

The mounting skirt 74 is elastically deformable so as to be able to be mounted axially on the skirt 32 until the annular bulge 80 is snap-fastened against the lower end (not referenced) of the mounting skirt 32 of the cover.

Thus, the locking cap 70 snap-fastened to the cover 14 forms an indissociable assembly therewith.

As illustrated in Figure 7, the skirt 74 of the locking cap 70 comprises, on its inner surface 74b, engagement mechanisms 82 that are intended to engage with engagement mechanisms 35 of complementary shape provided on the outer surface 33 of the mounting skirt 32 of the cover 14 when a radial force is applied to the locking cap 70.

As engagement mechanisms, it is possible to provide, for example, axial ribs that cooperate with axial grooves.

In the absence of radial loading on the locking cap 70, the engagement mechanisms 82 of said cap are disposed at a radial distance from engagement mechanisms 35 of complementary shape provided on the cover 14. Thus, in the absence of radial loading on the locking cap 70, the rotation of said cap does not cause the rotation of the cover 14, which cannot be unscrewed from the container 12.

In the engaged position of the locking cap 70, when the user presses radially on the skirt 74 of said cap 70 in the direction of the arrow Fl illustrated in Figure 7 in order to engage the engagement mechanisms 82, 35 and when the user simultaneously turns said cap 70 in the direction of the arrow F2 illustrated in Figure 7, the cover 14 is unscrewed from the container 12.

In other words, the simultaneous action of a radial force and of a torque in the unscrewing direction makes it possible to unscrew the closure assembly 10 of the container 12.

The example illustrated in Figure 8, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the example in Figure 7 mainly in that the skirt 74 of the locking cap 70 comprises, on its inner surface 74b, engagement mechanisms 82 that are intended to engage with engagement mechanisms 35 of complementary shape provided on the outer surface 33 of the mounting skirt 32 of the cover 14 when an axial force is applied to the locking cap 70.

As illustrated, a part of the internal periphery 74b of the skirt 74 of the cap 70 comprises teeth 82 protruding radially towards the skirt 32 of the cover 14, and a part of the external periphery 33 of the skirt 32 of the cover comprises teeth 35 protruding radially towards the skirt 74 of the cap 70.

In the unlocked position of the locking cap 70, that is to say in the absence of axial loading on the cap 70, the teeth 82, 35 are axially separated, such that the rotation of said cap does not cause the rotation of the cover 14, which cannot be unscrewed from the container 12.

In the engaged position of the locking cap 70, when the user presses axially on the skirt 74 of said cap 70 in the direction of the arrow F3 illustrated in Figure 8 in order to engage the engagement mechanisms 82, 35 and when the user simultaneously turns said cap 70 in the direction of the arrow F4 illustrated in Figure 8, the cover 14 is unscrewed from the container 12.

In other words, the simultaneous action of an axial force and of a torque in the unscrewing direction makes it possible to unscrew the closure assembly 10 of the container 12. The locking cap 70 also acts as a push button for actuating the valve 16 and dispensing the product contained in the container 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7 requiring the double action of an axial force and a rotary force in order to be able to unscrew the cover from the container, the axial loading of the cap 70, which acts as a push button, makes it possible to know if there is any remaining pressurized gas before the cover is unscrewed from the container.

By virtue of the locking cap 70, accidental unscrewing of the cover is avoided.

The invention provides a closure device that allows the associated container to be opened under pressure, for example in order to refill the container with product or to recycle it.

Claims

1. Closure device for a pressurized container containing a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising a valve (16) for dispensing said product and a cover (14) delimiting an opening (34) for accessing the dispensing valve, and comprising a mounting skirt (32) intended to be screwed onto said container, said mounting skirt being provided with a bore (32a) comprising at least one helical screw thread (36), characterized in that said screw thread (36) is provided with a plurality of thread segments (50) that are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, notches (52) being formed in the bore (32a) of the mounting skirt of the cover by the spaces between the thread segments (50).

2. Closure device according to Claim 1, wherein the notches (52) of said screw thread are arranged in such a way as to delimit axial passages on the bore (32a) of the mounting skirt of the cover.

3. Closure device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cover (14) comprises a front wall (30) from which the mounting skirt (32) extends and which is provided with the opening (34) for accessing the dispensing valve.

4. Closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing valve (16) is fastened to the cover (14).

5. Closure device according to Claim 4, wherein the cover (14) comprises an internal fastening skirt (38), inside which the dispensing valve (16) is fastened.

6. Closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (14) comprises a sealing skirt (40) that is able to engage with the opening of the container.

7. Closure device according to Claim 6, wherein at least one turn of the helical screw thread (36) of the mounting skirt of the cover extends axially beneath the sealing skirt (40).

8. Closure device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a locking cap (70) that is mounted on the cover (14) between an unlocked position, in which said cap is rotatable with respect to said cover (14), and a position engaged with said cover (14), in which the rotation of said cap (70) causes the rotation of the cover (14).

9. Closure device according to Claim 8, wherein the locking cap (70) comprises means (80) for snap-fastening to the cover (14) that are configured to axially secure said cap (70) with respect to the cover (14).

10. Closure device according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the locking cap (70) comprises an external skirt (74) radially surrounding the mounting skirt (32) of the cover (14).

11. Closure device according to Claim 10, wherein at least the external skirt (74) of the locking cap (70) is elastically deformable.

12. Closure device according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the external skirt (74) of the locking cap (70) comprises, on its inner surface (74b), engagement mechanisms (82) that are disposed at a radial distance from complementary engagement mechanisms (35) provided on the outer surface (33) of the mounting skirt (32) of the cover (14), said engagement mechanisms (82, 35) being configured to engage when an external radial force is applied to the locking cap (70).

13. Closure device according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the external skirt

(74) of the locking cap (70) comprises, on its inner surface (74b), engagement mechanisms (82) that are axially separated from complementary engagement mechanisms (35) provided on the outer surface (33) of the mounting skirt (32) of the cover (14), said engagement mechanisms (82, 35) being configured to engage when an external axial force is applied to the locking cap (70).

14. Assembly comprising a pressurized container (12) that contains a product, notably a cosmetic product, and that is provided on the outside with at least one helical screw thread (56), and a closure device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims that is screwed onto said screw thread of the container.

15. Assembly according to Claim 14, wherein gas evacuation spaces (54) are provided between the bottom of said screw thread of the container and the crest of said helical screw thread (36) of the mounting skirt of the cover of the closure device.