EP1315577B1 - Device for selectively dispensing two products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for selectively dispensing liquids from a plurality of independent reservoirs (R), each of which is equipped with a drawing-off member (P) provided with a dispensing head (T) suitable for being actuated by being pressed axially, said device being characterized in that it comprises a single push-button ( 1 ) whose bottom face ( 1 a) is provided with a series of axial bushes ( 10 ) suitable for engaging simultaneously and removably over one or more dispensing heads (T) by means of said push-button ( 1 ) being turned and angularly keyed on a central bearing ( 2 ) secured to the reservoirs (R).

Description

The present invention relates to a device for the selective distribution of different liquid products.

More specifically, the invention relates to the selective distribution of different products, separately or jointly, from a single packaging unit to several independent tanks.

Known dispensers generally comprise a reservoir equipped in particular with a pump or valve-type product sampling member, provided with a spray head that can be actuated by axial manual support.

There are devices for distributing different packaged liquid products in the same set comprising several independent tanks but each product is distributed separately by pressing a button that is specific and which acts on the corresponding head.

These devices are therefore not ergonomic and do not offer the possibility of distributing the products individually or simultaneously by means of a single push-button.

In addition, these devices do not allow the programming of various modes of distribution.

The document FR-A-2,733,800 presents a push-button device deprived of any possibility of rotation, the selection is effected by a separate member.

The features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1 are all known from the document FR-A-2,733,800 .

The present invention aims to solve these technical problems satisfactorily.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by means of a device of the above type, characterized in that it comprises a single push-button whose lower face is provided with a series of axial bushings that can selectively cover a bushing. or several distribution heads by rotation and angular setting of said push button on a central bearing secured to the tanks.

According to a particular embodiment, the underside of said push button carries a central shaft which can be rotatably engaged in said bearing and whose free end protrudes beyond the bearing being provided with locking lugs. angular for cooperating with complementary retaining members provided on said bearing.

According to a specific variant, said shaft is housed in the center of a helical spring disposed between the underside of the pushbutton and said bearing so as to avoid any interference with the distribution heads during the rotation of the pushbutton.

Preferably, the free end of the central shaft is provided with a frustoconical element whose largest diameter is greater than the diameter of the shaft by delimiting a peripheral shoulder on which are arranged the wedge pins.

In addition, said frustoconical element is split axially to allow its elastic compression and its passage in said bearing.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the bearing is provided with fingers forming abutments for at least one positioning rib extending from the underside of the push button.

According to a variant, said rib is contiguous to the central shaft.

According to another characteristic, said bearing is fixed inside a hood mounted on the tanks and whose upper face is flush with the upper face of the push button.

Preferably, the upper face of the push button comprises an indexing element intended to coincide by rotation of said push button with position marks formed on the upper face of the cover.

According to yet another characteristic, the push-button comprises a series of four sockets, two of which respectively correspond to the isolated activation of a first head and a second head while the other two correspond to the simultaneous activation of the two heads. .

The device of the invention makes it possible to ensure, with a single push button, both the programming of the distribution mode, as well as the actuation and implementation of the distribution.

This device can be applied to a dispenser assembly containing two or more products.

The structure of this device is particularly simple, easy to achieve and therefore economical.

This device fits very well technically and aesthetically to different types of packaging.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective éclatée d'un mode de réalisation du dispositif de l'invention.
• La figure 2 représente une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif de l'invention intégré à un ensemble de conditionnement.
• Les figures 3A à 3D représentent des vues de dessus schématiques du dispositif des figures précédentes dans les diverses configurations d'utilisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows with reference to the drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the device of the invention.
• The figure 2 represents an exploded perspective view of the device of the invention integrated in a packaging unit.
• The Figures 3A to 3D represent schematic top views of the device of the preceding figures in the various configurations of use.

The device of the invention, represented on the Figures 1 and 2 , is intended to ensure the selective distribution of liquid products (such as drugs, perfumes, cosmetics ...) from several independent tanks R and here, two tanks. Each tank contains a different product that can or must be distributed separately or simultaneously with other products for various reasons (olfactory, biochemical, medical ...).

Each of the tanks R is equipped with a product sampling member which is here a precompression pump P provided with a nozzle tube G on which a spray head T is mounted.

The head T is constituted by a sleeve m axially extending the tube G and delimiting an internal discharge pipe of the product which communicates laterally with a nozzle e opening out via a spray nozzle b.

The spray heads T are enclosed here in a cover C extending a housing B in which are housed the tanks R and P pumps.

Pressing the head T in the axis of the pump P causes the elastic depression of the tube G and the ejection of a dose of product.

The device of the invention comprises a single push button 1, whose lower face is provided with a series of axial sockets 10 and whose upper face 1b is flush with the upper face of the cover C as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

The sockets 10 are adapted and intended to cap the dispensing heads T by rotation, then angular setting and pressing the push button in positions where the sockets corresponding to the intended distribution mode are aligned with the heads T.

For this purpose, the dimensions and in particular the diameter of the sleeves 10 are determined according to the dimensions of the sleeves m to allow their temporary connection adjusted and removable allowing a satisfactory transmission of support efforts.

The device further comprises a bearing 2 arranged centrally along the axis of the push button 1 and which is secured to the tanks R directly or indirectly via a connecting arm 22 attached to the cover C or the housing B.

The bearing 2 receives a central shaft 12 carried by the lower face 1a of the pushbutton 1 and extending along its axis.

The shaft 12 is intended to be rotatably engaged in the bore 20 of the bearing 2, its free end protruding out of the bore.

The end of the shaft 12 is provided with a frustoconical element 13 whose largest diameter is greater than the diameter of the shaft 12 by delimiting a peripheral shoulder 13a on which are arranged angular wedge pins 13b.

The angular wedge pins 13b cooperate with complementary retaining members made in the form of teeth 23 formed on the lower edge of the bearing 2 whose outer diameter is substantially equal to the diameter of the shoulder 13a, the frustoconical element 13 is split axially and preferably crosswise to allow its elastic compression and its passage in the bore 20 of the bearing 2 whose diameter is slightly greater than that of the shaft 12.

The shaft 12 is housed in the center of a helical spring 3 disposed between the bearing and the lower face of the push button, against which an end turn bears.

For this purpose, the lower face 1a is provided with a circular base 12a coaxial with the shaft 12 and whose dimensions are adapted to those of the spring 3 so as to ensure its maintenance. The spring 3 ensures the presence of a clearance between the sockets 10 and the heads T when the pushbutton 1 is rotated so as to avoid an untimely blocking.

The upper face of the bearing 2 is provided with fingers 21 forming stops for the rotation of the button 1 by cooperating with at least one positioning rib 11 and here two diametrically opposite lateral ribs which are contiguous to the shaft 12 and which extend to from the underside of the pushbutton 1 or from the base 12a.

The ribs 11 are in lateral contact with the turns of the spring 3.

The Figures 3A to 3D represent the various configurations and positions of use of the device of the invention with a two-product distribution set I, II.

Pushbutton 1 provides a dual function.

The first function of the push button 1 is to select a distribution mode from the three possible modes or the rest mode, by rotating the button about its axis to match an indexing element such as an arrow F carried by the upper face 1b with one of the marks S formed on the upper face of the cover C.

This rotation is made possible by the presence of the spring 3 despite the interaction of the ribs 11 with the fingers 21 and lugs 13b with the teeth 23.

Once positioned in the chosen configuration, the button 1 is wedged angularly, which ensures proper alignment of the dispensing heads T with the sockets 10 corresponding to the selected mode.

The push-button can then exert its second function which allows, by manual support on its upper face 1b to actuate the pump or pumps P via the dispensing heads T and the corresponding sleeves 10.

In the configuration of the figure 3A the arrow F of the pushbutton 1 is oriented opposite the mark S1.

This position corresponds to a rest position due to the angular offset of all the sleeves 101 to 104 relative to the heads T1 and T2. Pressing the pushbutton 1 will therefore cause the descent in the vacuum of the sleeves without the heads T1, T2 are activated.

The rotation of the pushbutton 1 in the direction of clockwise from the position of the figure 3A leads to align the arrow F with the mark S2 as shown on the figure 3B .

This position corresponds to an alignment of the sleeve 103 with one of the heads T, in this case the head T1.

A manual press on the button 1 will thus cause the ejection and the distribution of the only product (I).

The position represented on the figure 3C corresponds to the mark S3 and ensures the alignment of the sleeve 102 with the head T2. Pressing the button 1 thus allows the distribution of the only product (II).

The position represented on the 3D figure corresponds to the S4 mark.

In this position, the sockets 104 and 101 are aligned respectively with the two heads T1 and T2.

Pressing the button 1 allows the joint activation of the two pumps and the simultaneous distribution of the products (I) and (II).

Of course, the relative positions of the sockets 101 to 104 on the one hand on the button 1 and on the other hand, in relation to the position of the heads are determined from the design of the device.

The embodiment of the device shown here is suitable for two products but other embodiments would apply equally well to more than two products by increasing the number of sockets and adjusting their respective positions.

Claims (10)

1. A device for the selective dispensing of liquid products from several independent tanks (R) provided, each, with a sampling member (P) provided with a dispensing head (T) likely to be activated by an axial pressure, characterized in that it includes a single push-button (1) the lower face (1a) of which is provided with a series of axial sockets (10) likely to selectively cap one or several dispensing heads (T) by the rotation and angular locking of said push-button (1) on a central bearing (2) made integral with the tanks (R).
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower face (1a) of said push-button (1) supports a central shaft (12) likely to rotatingly engage with said bearing (2) and the free end of which protrudes beyond the bearing and is provided with angular locking lugs (13b) intended to cooperate with complementary retaining members arranged on said bearing (2).
3. A device according to claim 2, characterized in that said shaft (12) is accommodated at the centre of a coil spring (3) located between the lower face (1a) of the push-button (1) and said bearing (2), such as to avoid any interference with the dispensing heads, during the rotation of the push-button.
4. A device according to claim 3, characterized in that the free end of the central shaft (12) is provided with a tapered element (13), the bigger diameter of which is greater than the diameter of the shaft (12) by defining a peripheral shoulder (13a) on which the locking lugs (13b) are located.
5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that said tapered element (13) is axially slit to allow it to be elastically compressed and to go through said bearing (2).
6. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bearing (2) is provided with fingers (21) forming stops for at least one positioning rib (11) extending from the lower face (1a) of the push-button (1).
7. A device according to claims 2 and 6, characterized in that said rib (11) is adjacent to the central shaft (12).
8. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bearing (2) is fixed inside the cover (C) mounted on the tanks (R) and the upper face of which is flush with the upper face (1b) of the push-button (1).
9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that the upper face (1b) of the push-button (1) includes an index shifting element (F) intended for matching position marks (S) provided on the upper face (1b) of the cover (C), by rotation of said push-button (1).
10. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said push-button (1) includes a series of four sockets (101 - 104), two of which (102, 103) correspond to the isolated activation of a first head (T1) and a second head (T2), respectively, whereas the other two (101, 104) correspond to the simultaneous activation of both heads (T1, T2).

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