EP1647501A1 - Dispensing device for cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

• un organe (30) destiné au montage du dispositif sur le récipient ;
• un embout de distribution (50) comportant un orifice de distribution (81) et un conduit (55) pour canaliser le produit sortant de l'élément de distribution vers l'orifice de distribution ;
• une surface d'actionnement (40), mobile par rapport à l'organe de montage (30), pour actionner l'élément de distribution, la surface d'actionnement (40) et le conduit (55) étant obtenus de moulage à partir d'une seule pièce ;
• un organe de fermeture (60) configuré pour, dans une position de stockage, masquer l'orifice de distribution (81), le passage de l'organe de fermeture dans la position de stockage résultant d'une force exercée par l'organe de fermeture (60) sur l'embout (50), axialement au conduit, en direction de l'élément de distribution ;
• une butée (70) prévue pour limiter le mouvement de l'embout de distribution (50) selon ladite direction lors du passage de l'organe de fermeture (60) dans la position de stockage.

The present invention relates to a dispensing device (10) for equipping a container (20) provided with a dispensing element (22) by which the product contained in the container can come out when this element is actuated, this device comprising:

• a member (30) for mounting the device on the container;
• a dispensing tip (50) having a dispensing orifice (81) and a conduit (55) for channeling the product exiting the dispensing member to the dispensing orifice;
• an actuating surface (40), movable relative to the mounting member (30), for actuating the dispensing member, the actuating surface (40) and the conduit (55) being obtained from molding from in one piece;
• a closure member (60) configured for, in a storage position, to mask the dispensing orifice (81), the passage of the closure member in the storage position resulting from a force exerted by the dispenser member; closing (60) on the tip (50), axially to the conduit, in the direction of the dispensing member;
• a stop (70) provided to limit the movement of the dispensing nozzle (50) in said direction during the passage of the closure member (60) in the storage position.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a product and in particular a device for spraying liquids, in the form of a cloud of fine droplets, of the aerosol type, spray, etc.

The invention is particularly aimed at cosmetic products to be sprayed, containing a certain amount of resin capable of solidifying in contact with the air. By way of example of non-limiting application, mention may be made of hairdressing products, such as hair-styling lacquers and styling sprays. There may also be applications in other fields, particularly in the field of pharmacy, or in the field of products such as paints, glues, etc.

In the field of cosmetics in particular (hairsprays for example), many "sprayed" type products contain soluble polymers which, by evaporation of the solvent which contains them, are likely to solidify.

Typically, such products are pressurized, either mechanically by means of a pump, or by means of a propellant gas, the outlet of the product being controlled by means of a dispensing head in the form of a push button. It has been found that, after each spraying, by pressing on the push button, there is produced, by releasing the pressure exerted on the push button, a sort of "air intake" which goes back up into the supply channel, via the spray orifice, and which solidifies the residual product resin in different parts of the dispensing head. The problem quickly becomes critical at low dimensional locations, particularly within the feed channel, particularly near the spray orifice. Indeed, after a "long" period of non-use, the resin will solidify in these places and cause clogging of the dispensing head.

One solution to this problem is to immerse the push button in a volume of hot water, so as to cause the passage of liquid resins that have deposited inside the dispensing head, and the elimination of these deposits. This solution, although effective for some deposits, is obviously unsatisfactory.

Patent Application EP-A-670 275 discloses a device for dispensing the contents of a pressurized container, comprising a stopper plug of the dispensing orifice of the product, slidably mounted in a bore adapted to communicate with the interior of the container. The shutter plug comes after each use to seal the dispensing orifice, so as to prevent any rise of air in the supply channels of the dispensing head.

In US Pat. No. 3,254,677, the push button is capped with a sort of sliding yoke which, in the rest position, closes the discharge orifice. The latter is automatically released by pressing the push button.

In patent FR 1 573 165, a shutter pin secured to an elastic diaphragm is pushed back, under the pressure of the product, so as to clear the dispensing orifice. When the dispensing of product stops, the shutter returns sealingly closing the dispensing orifice. Another recoil shutter system is also disclosed in US Patent 5,085,353.

All these mechanisms have the disadvantage of being relatively complex, and substantially increase the cost of the distributors. In addition, some of them are fragile and can be random.

More simple spraying devices have been described in DE 26 55777, US 3,904,088 and US 3,510,029. These spraying devices comprise a dispensing nozzle mounted on a valve stem and a cover provided with a closure flap designed to mask the spray orifice in the storage position and to disengage it in the use position.

In the documents DE 26 55777 and US 3,904,088, the shutter is only positioned in front of the orifice to close it while remaining at a slight distance from the orifice. In US 3,510,029, the inner face of the flap is housed in a sealed manner in an opening in which opens the spray orifice. In the described configuration, the product is distributed by a single orifice since no added nozzle is provided in the opening. The orifice is further located near the axis of the valve stem, the orifice being relatively remote from the envelope surface of the container. In addition, the tip is a part independent of the push button so that a step of assembling the two parts together is necessary.

Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device not having the disadvantages mentioned with reference to the prior art devices.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing device which prevents the product from drying inside the ducts between two uses.

It is also another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device which has a relatively simple structure.

Other objects of the present invention will become more detailed in the description which follows.

• un organe destiné au montage du dispositif sur le récipient ;
• un embout de distribution comportant un orifice de distribution et un conduit pour canaliser le produit sortant de l'élément de distribution vers l'orifice de distribution ;
• une surface d'actionnement, mobile par rapport à l'organe de montage, pour actionner l'élément de distribution, la surface d'actionnement et le conduit étant obtenus de moulage à partir d'une seule pièce ;
• un organe de fermeture configuré pour, dans une position de stockage, masquer l'orifice de distribution, le passage de l'organe de fermeture dans la position de stockage résultant d'une force exercée par l'organe de fermeture sur l'embout, axialement au conduit, en direction de l'élément de distribution ;
• une butée prévue pour limiter le mouvement de l'embout de distribution selon ladite direction lors du passage de l'organe de fermeture dans la position de stockage.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by providing a dispensing device for equipping a container provided with a dispensing element by which the product contained in the container can come out when this element is actuated, this device comprising:

• a member for mounting the device on the container;
• a dispensing nozzle comprising a dispensing orifice and a duct for channeling the product leaving the dispensing element towards the dispensing orifice;
• an actuating surface, movable with respect to the mounting member, for actuating the dispensing element, the actuating surface and the conduit being obtained from a single piece of molding;
• a closure member configured for, in a storage position, masking the dispensing orifice, the passage of the closure member in the storage position resulting from a force exerted by the closure member on the tip, axially to the conduit, in the direction of the dispensing element;
• a stop provided to limit the movement of the dispensing nozzle in said direction during the passage of the closure member in the storage position.

The closure member bearing on the tip, it is positioned closer to the dispensing orifice which limits to the maximum the presence of air near the orifice which could lead to the drying of the product in the duct of the dispensing nozzle.

In addition, the presence of the stop makes it possible to limit the backward movement of the endpiece during the passage of the closure member in the storage position. This prevents the dispensing element on which is mounted the tip is actuated by the movement of the tip.

The stop may be arranged in such a way that a portion of the end piece is able to bear against the abutment during the passage of the closure member in the storage position. The stop may thus be arranged relatively close to the end of the tip biased by the closing member so that it can effectively prevent the back movement of the tip.

The stop may be disposed near the end of the nozzle defining the dispensing orifice. In particular, the stop is disposed between the dispensing orifice and the portion of the nozzle located in the axis of the dispensing element, and preferably closer to the dispensing orifice than the portion of the dispensing orifice. tip located in the axis of the distribution element.

The stop may be arranged in such a way that it is immobile during the operation of the actuating surface.

The stop may comprise an indentation configured to overlap the distribution duct. Alternatively, the stop may comprise two vertical walls integral with the mounting member, each vertical wall being located on either side of the duct.

The closure member may be an articulated flap, in particular by a film hinge, on the mounting member about an axis, in particular an axis substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the duct. It is thus possible to produce the molding closure member from a single piece.

The closure member may be configured to, in the storage position, limit movement of the actuating surface so as to prevent actuation of the dispensing member. The shutter may for example comprise a wall, intended to be opposite the dispensing orifice, the wall being provided with a projecting element adapted to be housed under the end of the conduit of the dispensing nozzle. The end of the tip may be cylindrical and the projecting element may be a cylindrical skirt adapted to surround the end of the conduit of the dispensing nozzle.

In addition, the closure member may be configured to sealingly seal the dispensing orifice to minimize drying of the product within the conduit of the nozzle. The outer surface of the end of the conduit may for example comprise an annular groove adapted to receive an annular bead provided on the inner surface of the cylindrical skirt.

The mounting member may comprise a front opening facing the dispensing orifice, the front opening being sufficiently large so that the dispensing orifice remains opposite the opening when the actuating surface is operated.

The closure member may comprise a mounting bracket for attachment to the mounting member, the support may comprise two vertical ribs adapted to be housed in two rails provided on the mounting member. The slides can be located on either side of the front opening.

The mounting member, the actuating surface and the tip can be obtained from a single piece of molding. The abutment can also be obtained from molding from a single piece with the mounting member, the actuating surface and the tip. The closure member may also be integrally molded from the mounting member, the actuating surface and the tip. It is thus possible to achieve low cost distribution device.

The dispensing orifice may be delimited by an attached nozzle, in particular a vortex channel nozzle. The nozzle may be housed at one end of the circular cross section conduit.

The invention also relates to a packaging and dispensing assembly comprising a container containing the product to be dispensed, the container being equipped with a dispensing device as just described. The container may be pressurized and surmounted by a valve stem.

The product contained in the container may be a cosmetic product, especially a hair product such as a lacquer.

• 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 du dispositif de distribution de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 illustre une vue de dessus du dispositif de la figure 2 dépourvu du volet de fermeture ;
• la figure 4 représente une coupe partielle de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5, représente une coupe partielle de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1 en cours d'utilisation ; et
• la figure 6 illustre une variante de réalisation du dispositif 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:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the dispensing device of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the device of Figure 2 without the closure flap;
• Figure 4 shows a partial section of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1;
• Figure 5 shows a partial section of the assembly illustrated in Figure 1 in use; and
• FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a dispensing device 10 fitted to a container 20.

The container 20 comprises, for example, a pressurized can equipped with a valve set in a cup 21 closing the upper part of the can, in a conventional manner, this valve having a valve stem 22, hollow, with a longitudinal axis X. The valve can be of any known type, the actuation being effected for example by a depression of the rod.

The container may contain a product to be sprayed, for example a cosmetic product, and a propellant, which may or may not be stored in liquefied form in the container and may or may not be delivered with the product.

The dispensing device 10 comprises a mounting member 30, an actuating surface 40 and a dispensing nozzle 50.

The mounting member 30 comprises a mounting skirt 31 provided in the lower part with a bead 32 for fixing by snapping into an annular groove 23 present at the upper part of the can. The mounting skirt 31 is traversed by a front opening 33, through which the dispensing of the product can be effected, when pressing on the actuating surface 40, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The mounting skirt 31 is connected in the upper part to the actuating surface 40 by a film hinge 35, allowing the actuating surface to tilt relative to the mounting member about an axis W. The surface actuator 40 is intended to serve as a support for a finger of the user.

The actuating surface 40 is connected, within the device, to the dispensing nozzle 50 which delimits a channel 51 provided for conveying the product from the valve stem 22 to a dispensing orifice 81.

In particular, the tip 50 has a cylindrical skirt 52 of revolution which extends substantially in the axis X of the valve stem, the cylindrical skirt 52 being connected in its upper part to the actuating surface. The cylindrical skirt 52 defines, in its lower part, a stepped housing 53 in which the upper part of the valve stem can be substantially sealingly engaged, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. these figures that the valve stem 22 abuts by its upper end 22a against the shoulder 53 of the housing. The skirt 52 defines a first portion of the delivery channel 51 of the product.

The routing channel 51 is extended by a second portion, transverse to the first, which is delimited by a duct 55. The duct 55 is of elongate shape along an axis Y, perpendicular to the axis X of the valve stem, and extends from the cylindrical skirt 52 to an end 56 opening through a dispensing orifice 81. The end 56 of the conduit 55 comprises a nozzle support 57 to which the conduit 55 is connected and on which can be fixed a nozzle vortex channel 80, conventional, as can be seen in the figures, the nozzle defining the dispensing orifice 81. The support 57 has for this purpose a pad also called "centerpost". The presence of the nozzle makes it possible to spray the product in the form of a good quality spray.

As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the cross section of the end 56 of the duct 55 projects beyond the cross section of the remainder of the duct, on each side of the duct, so as to delimit two bearing surfaces 56a and 56b, located on either side of the duct, and whose function will be explained later.

The duct 55 extends along the axis Y along a length greater than the length of the skirt 52 measured along the axis X. In particular, the length of the duct 55 makes it possible to move the dispensing orifice away from the rod. Valve in order to prevent the product coming out of the orifice from contaminating the user's fingers when he presses on the actuating surface 40. For example, a duct 55 of a length such that the orifice 81 located substantially in the extension of the container wall.

According to the illustrated example, the dispensing nozzle 50 is made from a single piece by molding plastic material (s) with the actuating surface 40 and the mounting member 30.

A closure member 60 is provided to mask the dispensing orifice 81 in the storage position as illustrated in FIG. 4. The closure member is in the form of a flap and comprises a wall intended to be next to the dispensing orifice. The flap 60 is articulated on the mounting member by means of a film hinge 61 around a Z axis. The film hinge 61 is for example a spring hinge. Preferably, the Z axis is substantially perpendicular to the main axis Y of the duct.

The shutter 60 is configured to, when closed, prevent the operation of the actuating surface 40. For this purpose, it comprises a projecting element 62 on the surface of its wall intended to be opposite the orifice The protruding element 62 is adapted to be housed under the end 56 of the conduit 55 of the dispensing nozzle to prevent it from tilting forwards. In particular, the projecting element 62 is a cylindrical skirt capable of surrounding the end 56 of the conduit 55 of the dispensing nozzle. The tip 50 can not move, the actuating surface 40 which is integral with the tip 50 can not move.

The flap 60 is further configured to seal the dispensing orifice 81. For this purpose, the cylindrical skirt 62 of the flap comprises an annular bead 63 intended, in the closed position of the flap 60, to be housed in a groove annular 58 provided at the end 56 of the duct. The dispensing orifice 81 is thus perfectly isolated from the outside.

As seen in Figure 2, the shutter 60 is made from a piece independent of the mounting member 30. The flap 60 then comprises a mounting bracket 64 for attachment to the mounting member 30. The mounting bracket 64 comprises for example two vertical ribs 64a and 64b adapted to be housed in two slides 35a and 35b provided on the mounting member, each slide being located on each side of the front opening 33 of the mounting member. The two ribs 64a and 64b are connected, in their upper part, to a transverse wall 65 which comprises a breakdown bead 66 on its rear edge and intended to cooperate with an upper wall 36 of the mounting member under which it comes snap.

When closing, the flap 60 bearing on the dispensing nozzle 50 along the main axis Y of the conduit 55 of the dispensing nozzle in the direction of the valve stem, a stop 70 is provided to limit the movement of the dispensing nozzle 50.

According to the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the abutment 70 is integral with the flap 60. It is for example obtained by molding from one piece with the flap 60. The abutment 70 is constituted by a wall connected to the support of mounting 64 of the flap 60 by the transverse wall 65, the stop 70 extending in a plane parallel to the axis X of the valve stem, and in particular parallel to the plane of the ribs 64a and 64b. The stop 70 comprises a notch 71 configured to overlap the conduit 55. Preferably, the stop is configured not to be in tight contact on the conduit 55 so as to allow the tilting movement of the conduit 55 when the operating surface 40 is maneuvered. The abutment 70 is further arranged to come to the rear of the end portion 56 of the conduit 55, the abutment being adjacent to the two bearing surfaces 56a and 56b of the end 56 of the conduit 55.

According to a variant illustrated in Figure 6, the stop 70 may be integral with the mounting member 30 instead of being integral with the flap 60. The stop 70 may comprise for example two vertical walls 73 located on either side of duct 55. Again, the two vertical walls are situated at the rear of the end portion 56 of duct 55. According to this variant, the stop is obtained by molding from a single piece with the control member. mounting 30, the surface actuator 40 and the nozzle 50. According to another variant not shown, it can be provided that the flap 60 is obtained molding from a single piece with the other component parts of the dispensing device.

Preferably, the stop 70 is located near the end surface of the duct 55 on which the flap 60 bears so as to withstand as much as possible the support force of the flap on the duct so as to limit the displacement as much as possible. duct. It is indeed possible to use a stop of lower resistance than if it was positioned at the rear of the duct to obtain the same resistance.

The abutment 70 may preferably extend over a height, measured parallel to the axis X of the valve stem, sufficient for the bearing surfaces 56a and 56b of the end portion 56 of the conduit 55 to remain opposite the stop even when the actuating surface is maneuvered.

The stop 70 being fixed to the mounting member 30, it remains stationary during the operation of the actuating surface.

To use the device, the user opens the flap 60 as shown in FIG. 5. He can then press the actuating surface 40 so that the tip 50 pushes the valve stem 22. In the depressed position, the end 56 of the duct 55 tilts substantially towards the front, in the direction of the container, by moving in the notch 71, as can be seen in FIG.

After having sprayed the product, the user releases the actuating surface so that the conduit 55 returns to its initial position. The user can then close the dispensing orifice 81 by flipping the flap 60 about the Z axis to come to position it opposite the orifice 81, then pressing the flap in the direction of the Y axis so as to to snap the skirt 62 on the end 56 of the duct 55. During this movement, the duct 55 is pushed slightly backwards along the axis Y. However, the recoil movement of the nozzle is limited by the stop 70 against which the back of the end 56 of the conduit comes in support.

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 below.

Claims (29)

Dispensing device (10) for equipping a container (20) provided with a dispensing element (22) through which product contained in the container can exit when this element is actuated, this device comprising: - a member (30) for mounting the device on the container; - A dispensing nozzle (50) having a dispensing orifice (81) and a conduit (55) for channeling the product exiting the dispensing element to the dispensing orifice; - an actuating surface (40), movable relative to the mounting member (30), for actuating the dispensing member, the actuating surface (40) and the conduit (55) being obtained from from one piece - A closure member (60) configured for, in a storage position, to mask the dispensing orifice (81), the passage of the closure member in the storage position resulting from a force exerted by the organ closing (60) on the tip (50) axially to the conduit towards the dispensing member; - A stop (70) provided to limit the movement of the dispensing nozzle (50) in said direction during the passage of the closure member (60) in the storage position. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop (70) is arranged such that an end portion (56) of the duct (55) is able to bear against the stop (70) during the passage the closure member (60) in the storage position. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the stop (70) is arranged such that it is stationary during the operation of the actuating surface (40). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stop (70) is arranged near the end (56) duct (55) delimiting the dispensing orifice. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the abutment (70) comprises a recess (71) configured to overlap the distribution duct (55). Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the stop has two vertical walls (74) integral with the mounting member (30), each vertical wall being located on either side of the duct ( 55). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure member (60) is configured to seal the dispensing orifice (81). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure member (60) is configured to, in the storage position, limit the movement of the actuating surface (40) so as to prevent actuation of the dispensing element (22). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure member (60) is a hinged flap on the mounting member (30) about an axis Z. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the Z axis is substantially perpendicular to the main axis Y of the duct (55). Device according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the flap (60) is articulated by a film hinge (61). Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the flap (60) has a wall intended to be opposite the dispensing orifice, the wall being provided with a projecting element (62) capable of to fit under the end of the duct (55) of the dispensing nozzle (50). Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the end of the tip (50) is cylindrical and the projecting element (62) is a cylindrical skirt capable of surrounding the end of the conduit of the dispensing nozzle . Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer surface of the end (56) of the duct (55) comprises an annular groove (58) adapted to receive an annular bead (63) provided on the inner surface of the skirt ( 62). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting member (30) has a front opening (33) facing the dispensing orifice (81). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure member (60) comprises a mounting bracket (64) for attachment to the mounting member. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support (64) comprises two vertical ribs (64a, 64b) adapted to be housed in two slides (35a, 35b) provided on the mounting member. Device according to claims 15 and 17, characterized in that the slides (35a; 35b) are located on each side of the front opening (33). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting member (30), the actuating surface (40) and the tip (50) are obtained from a single piece of molding. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the abutment (70) is obtained by molding from one piece with the mounting member (30), the actuating surface (40) and the end piece (50). ). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure member (60) is integrally molded from the mounting member (30), the actuating surface (40) ) and the tip (50). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (81) is delimited by an attached nozzle (80). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the nozzle (80) is a vortex channel nozzle. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the nozzle (80) is housed at the end (56) of the duct (55) of circular cross section. Packaging and dispensing assembly comprising a container (20) containing the product to be dispensed, the container being equipped with a dispensing device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container (20) is pressurized. An assembly according to any one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the container (20) is surmounted by a valve stem (22). Assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the product contained in the container is a cosmetic product. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the product is a hair product, in particular a lacquer.

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