EP2406016B1 - Fluid material dispensing head - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head intended to be associated with or mounted on a fluid reservoir. The term "dispensing head" here means the complete assembly intended to be mounted on a reservoir to constitute a fluid dispenser. By actuation of this head, fluid is removed from the reservoir and dispensed through a dispensing orifice. Such dispensing heads are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy.

Conventionally, the dispensing head comprises a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve. The dispensing member generally comprises a body fixedly mounted relative to the reservoir and a valve stem movable axially back and forth relative to the body. The dispensing head also comprises an axially displaceable pusher reciprocating by driving the valve stem. For the outlet of the fluid product, the dispensing head also comprises a dispensing orifice connected to the valve stem. Thus, by pressing the pusher with one or more fingers, the valve stem is pushed into the body of the dispensing member, which has the effect of distributing fluid product from of the tank dosed or not.

In such a conventional dispensing head, the only possible movement of the pusher is a reciprocating axial displacement printed by the user who presses with the aid of one or more finger (s) on a thrust surface. formed by the pusher. The pusher being directly mounted on the valve stem, its displacement directly causes the displacement of the valve stem. In other words, the pusher and the valve stem move together at the same time.

In the prior art, dispensing heads are already known which are provided with pushers displaceable in rotation with respect to their axis of displacement in order to perform a function of locking the pusher. So, the pusher can be rotated between a locked position in which it can not be moved axially and an unlocked operating position, in which the user can press the pusher and move it axially back and forth to dispense fluid. However, the pusher still remains coupled directly to the valve stem so that they are forced to move axially together at the same time.

In the prior art, the document is also known FR-2 904 294 which describes a fluid dispenser head comprising a pump, a pusher provided with a dispensing orifice connected to the pump by a flexible conduit, and actuating means for driving the pusher in rotation and in axial displacement between a low axial position and a high axial position. An internal cam system makes it possible to transform the rotary displacement of the pusher into an axial displacement. Since the dispensing orifice is integral with the pusher, and the pump is fixed, the axial displacement of the pusher necessarily involves a plastic deformation of the flexible conduit which connects the orifice to the pump. In this dispensing head of the prior art, the dispensing orifice therefore moves axially with the pusher, not only when the head is actuated, but also when the pusher is rotated by means of rotation. actuating means. It has been observed empirically that the deformation of the flexible duct does not always take place as desired: indeed, it happens that the flexible duct is deformed in such a way that it forms a fold, thus preventing the fluid product from circulating to through. The flexible conduit crucially lacks flexibility and an acceptable solution to overcome this problem of flexibility is to achieve the flexible conduit overmolding. However, overmoulding requires a particular mold and considerably increases the cost price of the dispensing head.

Therefore, the present invention seeks to overcome the problems mainly related to the flexible conduit in a dispensing head whose pusher is driven both in rotation and in axial displacement. The present invention has sought to eliminate the flexible conduit while retaining the overall design of the dispensing head, comprising a pusher with axial displacement and rotation.

To do this, the present invention proposes a fluid dispenser head intended to be mounted on a fluid reservoir to form a dispenser, the head comprising a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump, comprising a body fixedly mounted relative to the reservoir and an axially movable valve stem reciprocating, a dispensing nozzle rotatably mounted on the valve stem, the nozzle comprising a dispensing orifice, a rotary pusher manually displaceable axially in a variable direction, and-to move the dispensing end and the valve stem, so as to distribute fluid, characterized in that the head further comprises a transmission part interposed between the tip and the pusher, the piece being secured of the pusher in axial displacement, actuating means driving the tip and the pusher in rotation, without driving the rotating transmission part, the actuating means axially displacing the transmission part between an inoperative storage position and an operative operating position, so as to cause the axial displacement of the pusher between a low inoperative position and a high operating position, the transmitting transmission part directly and axially to the tip any thrust force exerted on the pusher in the operative position. Unlike the aforementioned document of the prior art, the dispensing head does not comprise a flexible conduit connecting the dispensing orifice to the pump. Compared with this document of the prior art, the pusher has been dissociated from the dispensing nozzle comprising the dispensing orifice. Thus, the transmission piece can be operatively interposed between the pusher and the dispensing tip selectively, namely in the operative position. The actuating means of the invention certainly drive the tip and the pusher in rotation, but leave the fixed transmission part, so that there is a relative rotation between the transmission part and the pusher. It is precisely this relative rotation that will allow the transmission part to interpose between the pusher and the nozzle in position effective. The dispensing head of the invention retains a global configuration substantially similar to that of the document of the prior art FR-2 904 294 However, the dispensing orifice is no longer driven in axial movement with the pusher, since the pusher is dissociated from the dispensing nozzle.

According to a particular embodiment, the actuating means may comprise a rotary actuator which can be grasped by the user to drive it in rotation without axial displacement, as well as cam means for transforming the rotation of the control member. in an axial displacement without rotation of the transmission part. Advantageously, the cam means comprise a guide ring fixedly mounted relative to the dispensing member, the ring defining at least one substantially helical cam path, and a camming ring comprising at least one engaged cam respectively. in a cam path of the ring, the ring being rotated by the rotary control member so as to slide axially in said control member. Preferably, the dispensing nozzle is integral in rotation with the cam ring while sliding axially inside said ring. Preferably, the ring comprises an axial guide slot in which the tip is received and guided in axial sliding. Advantageously, the transmission piece is locked in rotation on the guide ring while allowing axial displacement of the transmission part with respect to the ring. Advantageously, the transmission piece extends inside the ring and around the tip. Preferably, the part comprises tabs which slide axially in corresponding axial grooves formed by the guide ring. Advantageously, the ring and the pusher are integral with each other and together form a housing in which the transmission piece is freely received in rotation. According to another aspect of the invention, the control member is rotatably mounted on the guide ring. According to another characteristic of the invention, the guide ring locks the dispensing member on the reservoir.

In summary, the control member rotates on itself on the guide ring which forces the crown and the pusher to move axially, driving with them the transmission part which is however integral in displacement of the guide ring, l dispensing nozzle being also rotated by the control member without moving axially. The result of the mutual movements of the constituent elements is that the pusher moves axially relative to the control member with the dispensing orifice integral with the control member.

The present invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir and a dispensing head as defined above.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention.

• La figure 1 est une vue éclatée en perspective d'une tête de distribution de produit fluide selon un mode de réalisation non limitatif de l'invention,
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers le distributeur à l'état monté de la figure 1 en position inopérante,
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale horizontale le long de la ligne de coupe A-A de la figure 2,
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale du distributeur des figures 1 et 2 en position opérante, et
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe horizontale selon la ligne de coupe B-B de la figure 4.

In the figures:

• The figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a fluid dispenser head according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention,
• The figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the distributor in the mounted state of the figure 1 in inoperative position,
• The figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view along the section line AA of the figure 2 ,
• The figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the distributor of the figures 1 and 2 in operative position, and
• The figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view along the section line BB of the figure 4 .

We will first refer to the figure 1 to explain in detail the structure of the various constituent elements of the dispensing head according to the invention.

The dispensing head is intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir 1 which defines a body 10 and a neck 11. The body 10 delimits a useful volume which is that of the reservoir. Col 11 defines an opening that makes communicate the inside of the body 10 with the outside. The neck 11 advantageously forms a projecting outer peripheral rim which defines a shoulder 13 facing downwards. This shoulder 13 will serve to hook the dispensing head on the reservoir. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the reservoir defines a polygonal section, advantageously square, at the level of the body 10.

The dispensing head, according to this particular embodiment, comprises seven distinct constituent elements, namely a dispensing member 2, a guide ring 3, a rotary control member 4, a cam ring 5, a dispensing nozzle 6 , a transmission part 7 and a pusher 8. All these components can be made by injection / molding of suitable plastic material. Some constituent elements may also be made of metal, such as for example the rotary control member 4 or the pusher 8.

The dispenser member 2 may be a pump or a valve comprising a body 21 defining a low inlet optionally provided with a dip tube. The pump or valve also comprises an actuating rod 22 which is axially displaceable back and forth within the body. Conventionally, the valve stem 21 defines an internal fluid delivery pipe which is in selective communication via an outlet valve with the interior of the body 20. The pump or valve may also be equipped with a fixing ring 25 provided with attachment lugs 26 intended to engage below the shoulder 13 of the neck 11. The fixing ring 25 is here presented as a constituent element of the dispensing member. However, the fixing ring may also be in the form of a separate element of the dispensing member which is attached to the dispensing member. However, it has been considered here that the fixing ring is an integral part of the dispenser member. This is a quite classic design for a pump or a valve in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. By pressing on the valve stem 21, the outlet valve (not shown) opens and the fluid stored in the body 20 can flow out through the rod 21.

The guide ring 3 is fixedly mounted on the dispensing member 2, and preferably definitively. Consequently, the guide ring 3 is stationary, both axially and in rotation with respect to the tank 1. The guide ring 3 fulfills several distinct technical functions, as will be seen below, once the other constituent elements of the dispensing head will have been described. For the moment, the fixing ring 3 will be described in its structure. From the bottom of the ring, it can be seen that it comprises firstly a lower section 31 of generally cylindrical shape, which however is interrupted at an annular groove 32. The ring 3 also comprises an upper section 33 which here has an outer diameter somewhat lower than that of the lower section 31. This upper section 33 comprises two cam tracks 34, only one of which is visible on the figure 1 , the other cam path being located on the other side of the upper section 33 diametrically opposite. These two cam sections 34 are substantially helical and extend at one end by a vertical axial chimney 35. On the other hand, the upper section 33 comprises two axial grooves 37 which are here arranged diametrically opposite. The grooves 37 are upwardly open and open to the upper annular edge of the upper section 33. The grooves 37 thus extend downward and each comprise a bottom which is located above the helical cam path 34. guide ring 3 is internally hollow and has an internal diameter at the level of the lower section 31 adapted to surround with radial clamping the fixing ring 25 of the dispensing member 2. The guide ring 3 can be mounted in force on the fixing ring 25 until the lower edge of the lower section 31 bears on the reservoir. By surrounding the fixing ring 25, the lower section 31 blocks the latching lugs 26 under the shoulder 13 of the tank. It can thus be said that the guide ring 3 also fulfills a locking function making it possible to lock the fixing ring 25 on the neck 11 of the tank. We will see below what are the functions of the annular groove 32, cam tracks 34, vertical axial funnels 35 and axial grooves 37.

The rotary control member 4 has a substantially parallelepipedal external configuration having a square cross section, just like the tank 1. The control member 4 is a visible part of the dispenser and thus participates in its overall aesthetic appearance. Thus, for aesthetic reasons, but also practical, the tank 1 and the rotary control member 4 have substantially the same cross section so that the control member extends upwardly in the extension of the tank. Thus, the rotary control member comprises four faces of substantially equal dimensions, one of which is provided with an oblong window 46 whose axis is vertical. Referring to figures 2 and 4 it can be seen that the rotational control member 4 in fact comprises an outer envelope 41 of square section which gives the visual external aesthetic appearance, and which forms the oblong window 46. The control member 4 also comprises an inner sleeve concentric 42 of round section which is connected to the outer casing 41 at their respective ends. The bushing 42 includes an inner annular rib 43 which is continuous or discontinuous. This rib 43 is intended to be housed in the groove 32 of the guide ring 3 so as to fix the rotary control member 4 on the guide ring 3, while allowing its rotation on itself, without axial displacement. . At its upper end, the sleeve 42 defines a reentrant flap 45 which bears on the upper edge of the lower section 31 of the guide ring 3.

The cam ring 5 is a piece of complex shape comprising an outer envelope 51 of substantially square cross-section and an inner sleeve 53 substantially circular cylindrical. The envelope 51 and the bushing 53 are connected together at their respective upper ends. The bushing 53 thus defines a substantially cylindrical hollow interior 52 which is provided with two cam lugs 54 which are intended to be housed in the cam tracks 34 and the chimneys 35 of the bushing. 3. Thus, the ring 5 can rotate relative to the ring 3 at a certain angle, about 90 °, while moving simultaneously axially over a distance. Indeed, the lugs 54 are forced to follow the helical path of the cam tracks 34 to the level of the chimneys 35 where the lugs 54 can move axially vertically without rotating component. In other words, the ring 3 serves as a guide member for the crown 5. On the other hand, the dimension of the outer casing 51 of the crown 5 is such that the ring 5 can be engaged inside. of the rotary control member 4 without excessive friction. In this way, by driving the control member 4 in rotation on the guide ring 3, the ring 5 being dragged in rotation, but also moves axially with respect to the ring 3 and to the member 4, under the effect of the lugs 54 engaged in the cam tracks 34. If we consider only the member 4 and the ring 5, we can say that the ring 5 moves axially inside the member 4, when this Lastly, the ring 5 also forms an axial guide slot 56 which extends through the outer casing 51, but also through the inner sleeve 53. other words, the slot 56 communicates laterally the outside with the inside 52 of the crown 5. The ring 5 is engaged inside the member 4 so that the slot 56 is arranged in alignment with the window oblong 46. The interior 52 of the crown 5 thus communicates directly with the outside through the window 46 and the slot 56 which are aligned, and this even when the ring 5 slides axially inside the control member 4.

The dispensing nozzle 6 comprises a connecting sleeve 61 intended to be fitted on the free end of the actuating rod 22 of the dispenser member 2. The nozzle 6 also comprises a housing 62 for the reception of a nozzle 63 forming a dispensing orifice 64 for dispensing fluid product in spray form. Although not visible, the sleeve 61 communicates with the nozzle 63 via an internal fluid supply channel. On the other hand, the tip 6 forms several pads 67 which are located at the upper edge of In the embodiment used to illustrate the invention, there are three studs 67 which are distributed equiangularly. The tip 6 is disposed inside the ring 5 with the nozzle disposed in the slot 56 and the window 46, as can be seen on the figures 2 and 4 . The tip 6 is axially movable inside the slot 56 and the window 46 by driving with it the actuating rod 2 of the dispensing member 2. This is the case when the organ is actuated However, when the ring 5 moves axially inside the control member 4, the tip 6 remains static axially, although rotated because the nozzle 63 is engaged through the window 56. In other words, the tip 6 rotates on itself without axial component, when the ring 5 moves axially inside the control member 4 rotated on itself without component axial on the guide ring 3 fixedly mounted on the reservoir.

The transmission part 7 comprises an annular plate 78 which forms the upper part of the part. From this plate, several elements extend downwards between the ring 5 and the tip 6. Among other things, the part 7 forms two axial tabs 73 whose free ends point downwards. These tabs 73 extend between the ring 5 and the tip 6, and are intended to engage in the corresponding axial grooves 37 formed by the ring 3. Thus, the tabs 73 can slide axially inside the grooves . This has the consequence that the part 7 is locked in rotation on the ring 3, while allowing its axial displacement. Referring to the figure 4 it can be seen that the part 7 also comprises a plurality of flanges 76, here three in number equiangularly distributed, which are arranged vertically and radially below the plate 78. These flanges 76 are intended to bear on the three studs 67 of the tip 6, as can be seen on the figure 4 which will be explained below. Of course, as the tip 6 rotates on itself, while the piece 7 remains static, the alignment of the flanges 76 and pads 67 occurs only in a particular position, said operative position. Outside this position, the flanges and studs are not aligned, but at arranged side by side, as can be seen from the figure 3 .

The pusher 8 is also substantially parallelepiped in shape with a square horizontal cross-section adapted to engage frictionlessly within the rotary control member 4. The pusher 8 comprises an upper bearing surface 81 on which the The user can press with a finger, usually the index finger to drive it in axial displacement. The pusher 8 also comprises a lateral skirt comprising four faces, one of which 82 is formed with a recess 83 open downwards. This notch is arranged on the same side as the oblong window 46 and the slot 56. The nozzle 63 of the nozzle 6 passes through this notch 83. The skirt of the pusher 8 is engaged inside the member 4, but outside the crown 5, as can be seen on the figures 2 and 4 .

We will now refer to Figures 2 to 4 to explain in detail the cooperation and relative movements of the different components of the dispensing head of the invention. Referring first to the figure 2 , we see the head in an inoperative storage position, in which the head can not be used, its pusher being locked in the low position. In this position, the ring 5 is in abutment with its inner sleeve 53 on the reentrant flap 45 of the control member 4. This means that the ring 5 is in its maximum down position. The lugs 54 are arranged at the bottom of the cam tracks 34. Of course, the nozzle 63 is disposed through the slot 56 and the window 46. The transmission part 7, which constitutes an important part of the distribution head, rests with its plate 78 directly on the pads 67 of the tip 6. It can be seen in this figure that the outer peripheral edge of the plate 78 is engaged in a housing 58 formed between the pusher 8 and the ring 5. The plate 78 can turn freely inside the housing 58, but it is forced to move axially with the pusher 8 and the ring 5 which are secured, both in axial displacement in rotation. However, although the pusher 8 is integral in axial displacement of the part 7, it is not not possible in the inoperative storage position of the figure 2 to actuate the pusher 8, since the housing 58 is formed by the ring 5 which rests with its lower end on the control member 4. In other words, the pusher 8 rests directly on the crown 5 which rests on the member 4 which is fixed in axial displacement. As a result, the pusher 8 can not be operated in this inoperative low storage position.

By quickly referring to the figure 3 it can be seen that the studs 67 of the tip 6 are situated in the same plane as the flanges 76 of the transmission piece 7.

Referring now to the figure 4 , we see the dispensing head in the operative actuating position, in which it is possible to move the pusher 8 axially back and forth by moving the dispensing nozzle 6 and the actuating rod 22. note that the pusher 8 now protrudes upwards from the upper end of the control member 4. This upward movement was generated by the axial displacement of the ring 5 which is forced to follow the path of cam 34 when the control member 4 is rotated. The pusher is then in an operative position. It should be noted that the lower end of the ring 5 is no longer in abutment on the member 4. The cam lugs 54 have traveled the cam path 34 to the level of the vertical axial chimneys 35. dispensing tip 6 is in the same axial position, but was rotated 90 °. It should especially be noted that the flanges 76 of the transmission part 7 are now positioned above the pads 67. This is even more visible on the figure 5 . Thus, by now pressing the pusher 8, the thrust is transmitted through the flanges 76 and the pads 67 to the dispensing nozzle 6 which will move axially driving with it the actuating rod 22. In other words it is the interposition of the flanges 76 between the pads 67 and the plate 78 which makes it possible to transmit the thrust of the pusher to the endpiece 6. This is possible because the part 7 moves only axially, whereas the end piece 6 and the pusher move in rotation.

• organe de distribution 2 : statique en déplacement axial / rotatif par rapport au réservoir,
• bague de guidage 3 : statique en déplacement axial / rotatif par rapport au réservoir,
• organe de commande rotatif 4 : rotatif sans déplacement axial par rapport au réservoir,
• couronne 5 : déplaçable en rotation et axialement par rapport au réservoir 1,
• embout 6 : déplaçable en rotation sans composant axial (hormis actionnement) par rapport au réservoir,
• pièce 7 : déplaçable axialement, sans composante rotative par rapport au réservoir, et
• poussoir 8 : déplaçable axialement et en rotation par rapport au réservoir 1.

To better understand the dynamic behavior of the different components of the distribution head, we will now list for each element its displacement capabilities:

• distribution member 2: static in axial / rotary displacement with respect to the reservoir,
• guide ring 3: static in axial / rotary displacement with respect to the reservoir,
• rotary control member 4: rotary without axial displacement relative to the reservoir,
• ring 5: movable in rotation and axially with respect to the tank 1,
• tip 6: rotatable without axial component (except actuation) with respect to the reservoir,
• piece 7: axially displaceable, without rotating component relative to the reservoir, and
• pusher 8: displaceable axially and in rotation with respect to the reservoir 1.

In other words, the dispensing member 2 and the ring 3 are perfectly integral with each other; the ring 5 and the pusher 8 are perfectly integral with each other, the member 4 drives the ring 5 and the pusher 8 in rotation, the ring 5 and the pusher 8 move axially inside the 4 member, the part 7 is driven in axial displacement by the ring 5 and the pusher 8, the part 7 is integral in rotation with the ring 3, the tip 6 rotates with the pusher 8 and the ring 5 without axial displacement, except when actuated.

Thanks to the dispensing head of the invention, it is possible to move the pusher between an inoperative low storage position and an operative high operating position without using a flexible conduit connecting the dispensing orifice 64 to the stem of the invention. actuation 22.

Claims (12)

1. A fluid dispenser head for mounting on a fluid reservoir (1) so as to constitute a dispenser, the head comprising:

   • a fluid dispenser member (2), such as a pump, comprising a body (21) that is mounted in stationary manner relative to the reservoir (1), and a valve rod (22) that is axially movable down and up;

   • a dispenser endpiece (6) that is rotatably mounted on the valve rod (22), the endpiece including a dispenser orifice (64); and

   • a turning pusher (8) that is manually movable axially down and up so as to move the dispenser endpiece (6) and the valve rod (22), in such a manner as to dispense the fluid;

   the head being characterized in that it further comprises:

   • a transmission part (7) that is interposed between the endpiece (6) and the pusher (8), the transmission part (7) being secured to the pusher (8) in axial movement; and

   • actuator means (3, 4, 5) that cause the endpiece (6) and the pusher (8) to turn, without causing the transmission part (7) to turn, the actuator means (3, 4, 5) moving the transmission part (7) axially between a non-working, storage position and a working, actuation position, in such a manner as to cause the pusher (8) to move axially between a low, non-working position and a high, working position, the part (7) transmitting directly and axially to the endpiece (6), any thrust force exerted on the pusher (8) in the working position.
2. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 1, wherein the actuator means (3, 4, 5) comprise:

   • a turning control member (4) that the user can grasp so as to turn it without moving it axially; and

   • cam means (3, 5) so as to transform the turning of the control member (4) into an axial movement without turning the transmission part (7).
3. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 2, wherein the cam means (3, 5) comprise:

   • a guide ring (3) that is mounted in stationary manner relative to the dispenser member (2), the guide ring (3) defining at least one cam path (34) that is substantially helical; and

   • a cam cylinder (5) that includes at least one cam pin (54) that is engaged in a cam path (34) of the ring (3), the cylinder (5) being turned by the turning control member (4) in such a manner as to slide axially in said control member (4).
4. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 3, wherein the dispenser endpiece (6) is constrained to turn with the cam cylinder (5) while sliding axially inside said cylinder (5).
5. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 4, wherein the cylinder (5) includes an axial guide slot (56) in which the endpiece (6) is received and guided in axial sliding.
6. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 3, 4, or claim 5, wherein the transmission part (7) is prevented from turning on the guide ring (3), while enabling the transmission part (7) to move axially relative to the ring (3).
7. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 6, wherein the transmission part (7) extends inside the cylinder (5) and around the endpiece (6).
8. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the transmission part (7) includes tabs (73) that slide axially into corresponding axial grooves (37) that are formed by the guide ring (3).
9. A fluid dispenser head according to claim 3, wherein the cylinder (5) and the pusher (8) are secured to each other, and co-operate with each other to form a housing (58) in which the transmission part (7) is received to turn freely.
10. A fluid dispenser head according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the control member (4) is rotatably mounted on the guide ring (3).
11. A fluid dispenser head according to any one of claims 3 to 10, wherein the guide ring (3) locks the dispenser member (2) on the reservoir (1).
12. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (1) and a dispenser head according to any preceding claim mounted on the reservoir (1).

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