FR2872489A1 - SHUTTERING SYSTEM FOR MOUNTING ON A FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Sealing system (3) intended to be mounted on a fluid dispenser device (1) provided with a dispensing orifice, said sealing system (3) comprising a cap (30) able to be selectively moved between a closed position covering said dispensing orifice and a non-sealing position releasing said dispensing orifice, said sealing system comprising a leak-proof device (36) of said cap (30) intended to be mounted on part of said device distribution (1) thus permanently connecting said cap (30) to said distribution device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a closure system intended to be

  mounted on a fluid dispensing device provided with a dispensing orifice. More particularly, said closure system comprises a cap capable of being selectively moved between a closed position

  covering said dispensing orifice and a non-sealing position releasing said dispensing orifice.

  The preferred fields of application of such a closure device include, but are not limited to, perfumery, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

  In the prior art, there are numerous systems for sealing an orifice through which fluid contained in a reservoir can be dispensed. Such systems generally use a removable cap, also called cap or cap, capable of selectively cover and discover the orifice of a dispensing head. These systems are both intended to prevent accidental product flow through the orifice and limit the contact of the fluid with the air. Indeed, the contact of the fluid with the air may cause possible oxidation of the product to be distributed at the origin of changes in its physicochemical properties or a possible hardening of said product in the case of a high density product. However, existing systems are generally problematic in that, following use of the device, the user is likely to mislay the cap disengaged from the dispensing head. This misplacement can then be at the origin of the appearance of the aforementioned phenomena.

  The present invention aims to provide a closure system that does not reproduce the aforementioned drawbacks.

  The present invention is intended in particular to provide a closure system which eliminates any risk of loss of the cap after opening.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a closure system that can be readily adapted to all existing fluid dispensing devices.

  The present invention also aims to provide a closure system that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

  The present invention therefore relates to a closure system intended to be mounted on a fluid dispenser device provided with a dispensing orifice, said shutter system comprising a cap capable of being selectively moved between a position of shutter covering said dispensing orifice and a non-shutter position disengaging said dispensing orifice, said shutter system comprising a captive device of said cap to be mounted on a portion of said dispensing device thus permanently connecting said cap to said device of distribution.

  Advantageously, said captive device comprises a flexible, deformable and / or displaceable connecting element connecting said cap to said device and allowing a displacement of said cap in all positions.

  Advantageously, said captive device comprises a fixing ring intended to be mounted on said dispensing device. This ring or ring thus ensures permanent fastening of the cap with the dispensing device. This fastening thus makes the cap inseparable from the device and therefore captive. This ring can be adapted in shape to any type of existing device.

  Advantageously, said ring has internal projections intended to hold said ring on said device. These projections can then allow partial or total immobilization of the ring. However, it is possible that the ring remains mobile on the device even in the presence of such projections, for example to facilitate handling of the cap.

  Advantageously, said cap comprises a hooking profile for fixedly holding said cap on said device.

  According to a first variant embodiment, said hooking profile comprises at least one lug protruding radially inwards from said cap.

  According to a second variant embodiment, said hooking profile comprises an annular ring projecting radially inwards from said cap. This profile thus ensures effective clamping or fixing of the cap on the dispensing head in the closed position.

  Advantageously, said cap has a concave surface intended to come into sealing contact against said dispensing orifice. This surface thus eliminates any possibility of contact between the ambient air and the fluid product in the device or at the orifice when the cap is in the closed position.

  Advantageously, said cap forms a substantially cylindrical sleeve surmounted by a truncated dome, said dome being extended by a recess defining said concave surface.

  Advantageously, said system is intended to be mounted on an oral, nasal or otological distribution head.

  Advantageously, at least one vent passage is provided between said cap and said dispensing head in order to evacuate the air present between said cap and said dispensing head during the introduction of said cap on said dispensing head. Indeed, the introduction of the cap on a dispensing head causes a displacement of the volume of air located between said cap and said head. This volume of air gradually decreases as the cap approaches its closed position. However, if there is a seal between the cap and the head, the air displaced in this case may infiltrate the dispensing device through the dispensing orifice. Thus, such venting passages thus form an escape route for the air present between the cap and the dispensing head and thus prevent an influx of air into the dispensing device.

  Advantageously, said cap comprises an inner face provided with at least one venting groove formed on at least a part of its height, said groove forming with said dispensing head said venting passage.

  The present invention also relates to a dispensing head comprising a closure system as described above.

  In addition, the present invention also relates to a fluid dispenser device comprising a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve, and having a closure system as described above.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment thereof, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples and on which FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a dispensing device comprising a dispensing head provided with a shutter system according to one embodiment of the invention in the closed position, FIG. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the dispensing head provided with a closure system according to the invention. In the closed position FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a part of the closure system according to the invention, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of FIG. nsversale of another embodiment of the closure system according to the invention.

  Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing device according to the invention comprises a reservoir 4, a dispensing member (not shown), such as a pump or a valve, a fixing ring 5, a dispensing head 2 and a shutter system 3.

  The reservoir 4 is intended to contain fluid product to be dispensed. It generally comprises a body comprising a lower end closed by a bottom and an upper end forming a neck on which the dispensing member is fixed by means of the fixing ring.

  The dispensing member (not shown) may be any pump or valve. The operation of such a dispensing member is known and therefore will not be explained in more detail. This dispensing member is conventionally positioned in the opening of the reservoir 4 while being secured to the neck by means of a fastener 5.

  The fastener 5 may be a crimp member, snap or screw on the neck of the tank.

  Alternatively, the invention is also applicable to devices having no dispensing member or fixing ring, for example devices of the squeeze-bottle type and the like.

  The dispensing head 2 in the present example comprises a portion having an elongated configuration allowing for example otological applications. However, it should be noted that the present invention applies to any type of fluid dispensing head, such as nasal or oral distribution heads.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dispensing head comprises a pusher 20 and an outlet member 21.

  The pusher 20 has an actuating surface 200 and a cylindrical barrel 201. The actuating surface 200 is generally substantially planar. This surface forms an area on which the user must press with one or more finger (s) to actuate the dispenser member and thus generate a fluid outlet fluid. To do this, this head is generally connected to an actuating rod of the dispensing member (not shown).

  The output member 21 comprises an arm 210, an elongate body 211 and a tip 212. The arm 210 extends outwardly from the cylindrical shaft 201. In the example shown, this arm is pivotally mounted relative to to the pusher 20 as visible from Figures 1 and 2. This arm defines a housing or a branch to position the elongate body 211. This positioning can be done for example by plugging the elongated body 211 at a corresponding location. The end piece 212 may be made integral with the elongate body 211 or, as shown in FIG. 3, be an insert attached by any suitable means to the elongate body 211. The elongated body 211, as more clearly illustrated in FIG. FIG. 3 internally defines a distribution channel 2110. This channel opens into a dispensing orifice 2111, for example formed at the end of the nozzle 212. The orifice 2111 can be a simple hole through which fluid is ejected, or comprise a nozzle implementing a spray pattern with swirl channels and swirl chamber arranged upstream of said orifice.

  According to the invention, the shutter system 3 comprises a cap 30 and a captive device 36 of said cap 30.

  The cap 30 comprises, according to the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a substantially cylindrical sleeve 31 defining an insertion opening 310, a truncated dome 32, a recess 33 and a concave surface 330. The cap 30 may also comprise a fastening profile 34 formed by one or more lugs (s) projecting radially inwards at. from the cap 30. Otherwise, this attachment profile 34 may be formed by an annular ring or thickening projecting radially inwardly from the cap 30. This attachment profile is for example arranged near the insertion opening 310 of the cap. On the other hand, the cap may comprise an inner face provided with a venting passage 35, for example a groove, as visible in FIGS. 1 and 3. This groove is then provided on at least a part of the height of the cap. In the case where an annular ring 34 is provided as a hooking profile, the vent groove 35 can interrupt the continuity of the ring 34 at a suitable cut 341.

  The cap 30 can be moved between a closed position shown in Figures 1 and 3 and a non-shutter position shown in Figure 2. The cap 30 in the closed position is positioned on the tip 212. To do this , the cap is mounted on said tip by introducing the tip into the insertion opening 310. In this closed position, the cap 30 can match the shape of the tip 212. In this position, the profile of the cap The hooking 34 may allow the cap 30 to be kept in tight grip or fastened to the end piece 212. The concave surface 330 can be placed against the dispensing orifice 2111 in order to establish a tight contact. This sealing contact thus limits the contact of the fluid product contained in the tank 4 with the outside atmospheric air. On the other hand, it is expected that the vent groove 35 facilitates the evacuation of air present between the cap 30 and the nozzle 212 during the introduction of the cap on the tip. The groove thus serves as a way of evacuating the air present between the cap 30 and the nozzle 212. However, the evacuation of the air can be facilitated by other appropriate means, such as for example by deformability sufficient cap to allow air to pass between the cap and the tip or the creation of through slot in the thickness of the cap.

  Alternative embodiments of the cap are shown in Figures 4 and 5. These variants relate in particular to the portion of the cap for establishing a sealed contact with the dispensing orifice. The same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar elements of the device.

  According to a first embodiment shown in Figure 4, the closure system comprises a cap 30 on which is fixed at an apical portion 33 an insert 330. This insert is pressed against the dispensing orifice 2111 in order to establish a tight contact. This insert can be made of a sufficiently flexible material to conform best to the shape of said orifice and thus promote this sealing contact.

  According to a second embodiment shown in Figure 5, the closure system comprises a cap 30 comprising an apical portion 33 incorporating an overmoulded portion 330 adapted to cover a dispensing orifice 2111 in the closed position of the cap. In this case also, the overmoulded portion 330 may come into sealing engagement against the dispensing orifice 2111. The overmoulding provides improved attachment of the sealing element, and allows a choice of suitable material.

  The cap 36 of the cap 30 according to the invention comprises a fixing ring 360 and a connecting element 361.

  The fixing ring 360 advantageously comprises internal projections 3600 projecting radially inwards. These projections may form protuberances distributed regularly or not around the periphery of the ring, for example four in number, or may form flats or a regular ring concentric with said ring 360. The fixing ring 360 as shown on Figures 1, 2 and 3 can be positioned on the elongate body 211 of the dispensing head. However, it may of course be envisaged to position this ring at another location of the dispensing device, such as for example at the reservoir neck. This ring can be positioned by any appropriate means, such as by plugging, latching, screwing, etc. The ring 360 can be partially or completely Io immobilized via projections 3600.

  Alternatively, one could use a clip or the like that would close around a part of the appropriate device. The shape of the ring may be arbitrary to suit any fluid dispensing device.

  The connecting element 361 may be flexible, deformable and / or displaceable.

  This connecting element is intended to connect the cap 30 to the fixing ring 360 so as to make them inseparable. As illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, this connecting element may be a flexible strip. However, other embodiments are of course conceivable, said connecting element may be a flexible cord, a stretch elastic cord or a movable element in translation and / or rotation, for example articulated to allow said cap to move between its shutter and non-shutter position.

  According to the embodiment shown, the flexibility of the connecting element 361 allows the cap 30 to move between its closed position and its non-closed position. To do this, the connecting member 361 moves from a bent or arcuate configuration when the cap is in the closed position to an expanded or approximately rectilinear configuration when the cap is in the non-sealing position. This flexibility of the connecting element allows the cap in this case to be movable in translation and rotation relative to the tip 21 and more generally with respect to the dispensing head 2. Indeed, to pass the FIG. 1 shows the closed position shown in FIG. 2, the cap 30 is first disengaged from the endpiece 212 under the effect of a traction exerted by the user. then the cap rotates relative to said nozzle to be positioned directly above the ring 360. This positioning thus ensures that the fluid outlet through the orifice 201 following actuation of the surface 200 is not hindered by the hood 30.

  Thus, the closure system according to the invention provides a captive device ensuring a permanent connection of the cap to the dispensing device. In other words, the shutter system according to the invention is inseparable from the dispensing device and can not be mislaid by the user.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is clear that it is not limited by this embodiment. On the contrary, a person skilled in the art can make any useful modification without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (1)

2872489 Claims   1.- Shut-off system (3) intended to be mounted on a fluid dispensing device (1) provided with a dispensing orifice (2111), said shut-off system (3) comprising a cap (30) adapted to be selectively moved between a sealing position covering said dispensing orifice (2111) and a non-sealing position disengaging said dispensing orifice (2111), characterized in that said closure system (3) comprises a dispensing device captive (36) of said cap (30) to be mounted on a portion of said dispensing device (1) thus permanently connecting said cap (30) to said dispensing device (1).   2. A closure system (3) according to claim 1, wherein said captive device (36) comprises a flexible connecting element (361), deformable and / or displaceable connecting said cap (30) to said device (1). ) and allowing movement of said cap (30) in any position.   3.- shutter system (3) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said captive device (36) comprises a fixing ring (360) to be mounted on said dispensing device (1).   4. Shutter system (3) according to claim 3, wherein said ring (360) has internal projections (3600) for keeping said ring (360) engaged on said device (1).   5. A closure system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said cap (30) comprises a hooking profile (34) for fixedly holding said cap (30) on said device (1) .   6. Shutter system (3) according to claim 5, wherein said hooking profile (34) comprises at least one lug protruding radially inwardly from said cap (30).   7. Shutter system (3) according to claim 6, wherein said attachment profile (34) comprises an annular ring projecting radially inwards from said cap (30).   The closure system (3) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said cap (30) has a concave surface (330) for sealing engagement against said dispensing orifice (2111).   9. A closure system (3) according to claim 8, wherein said cap forms a substantially cylindrical sleeve (31) surmounted by a truncated dome (32), said dome being extended by a recess (33) defining said surface concave (330).   10.- shutter system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said system (3) is intended to be mounted on a dispensing head (2) buccal, nasal or otological.   11. Shutter system (3) according to claim 10, wherein at least one vent passage (35) is provided between said cap (30) and said dispensing head (2) in order to evacuate the air. present between said cap (30) and said dispensing head (2) during the introduction of said cap (30) on said dispensing head (2).   12.- shutter system (3) according to claim 11, wherein said cap (30) comprises an inner face provided with at least one vent groove (35) provided on at least a part of its height, said groove (35) forming with said dispensing head (2) said vent passage.   13.- dispensing head characterized in that it comprises a closure system (3) according to any one of the preceding claims.   14.- Fluid dispensing device (1) comprising a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve, characterized in that it comprises a closure system (3) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12.