DE69203586T2 - Dispenser cap for a flowable or viscous product and container provided with such a cap. - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a dispensing cap for a flowable or viscous product, which is intended to be mounted on the neck of a container containing the product.

More specifically, the invention relates to a cap generally made of plastic, said cap comprising a base part having a skirt forming the upper wall and the lateral wall of the cap, said base part being provided with means for fixing it to the neck of the container and a passage for dispensing said product which communicates with the interior of the container, a movable cover in the form of a plate which can pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the neck of the container between a closed position which prohibits dispensing of the product and in which said movable cover is arranged in a recess in the upper wall of the base part in a plane with the latter, and an open position which allows dispensing of said product, and an actuating push-button having a tongue which can move towards the interior of said cap from a rest position in which said tongue is arranged in a recess in the lateral wall of the base part in a plane with the latter. is arranged, said movable cover comprising ramp-shaped guide surfaces which are suitable for cooperating with an inwardly directed extension of the upper end of said tongue in order to allow said cover to pivot from its closed position into its open position when said tongue moves from its rest position.

A cap having such features is described in the applicant company’s EP-A-0 323 779.

In this document, the inward extension of the tongue of the actuating push-button is in the form of a bead which cooperates with inclined ramps created on the inward extensions of the movable lid in order to pivot this lid into an opening position which allows the dispensing of the product contained in the container.

The lid has a channel for dispensing the product which is in communication with the container and the cap of the prior document is designed to ensure, when the push-button is actuated, a pivoting movement of the movable lid of limited amplitude, just sufficient to expose the free end of the dispensing channel provided in the lid.

The aim of the invention is to provide a dispensing cap of the type described above, which has a simple and economical structure and, in particular, can be manufactured in one piece by molding plastic and at the same time allows, by simply pressing the pusher, to achieve complete opening of the movable cover, i.e. to a position in which the movable cover is substantially at a right angle to its closed position.

The cap according to the invention is essentially characterized in that the inwardly directed extensions of the upper end of the tongue of the actuating pusher are formed by flattened legs that are substantially perpendicular to the tongue and whose free ends are beveled, that the movable cover has lateral cheeks that extend from the pivot axis of this movable cover, these cheeks having, at their ends opposite the pivot axis, inclined guide surfaces that preferably have an eccentric cam profile and are suitable for cooperating with the ends of the legs of the pusher in order to cause a first opening pivoting movement of the lid when these legs move under the effect of pressure on the tongue, and that the base part has ramp-shaped support surfaces that protrude in the path of movement of these legs and are suitable for deflecting the ends of these legs upwards as they continue their movement in order to co-operate with these cheeks of the movable lid to cause the opening pivoting movement of the lid to continue until it reaches a position of complete opening, preferably at least substantially at a right angle to the closed position.

In a preferred embodiment, the protruding bearing surfaces of the base part are offset with respect to the cheeks of the movable cover, the legs of the pusher having a sufficient width to come into contact with these bearing surfaces and these cheeks in order to effect the opening of the movable cover as indicated above.

In a particular embodiment, the movable lid has means for locking to the base part in the closed position, the locking means being designed to be released during the above-mentioned first opening pivoting movement of the lid.

The locking means are advantageously of the snap-in type and are made on opposing bearing surfaces of a nozzle protruding from the base for dispensing the product and of an element provided on the underside of the movable lid for closing this nozzle.

According to the invention, means for retaining and guiding the legs of the actuating button are provided on the base part.

These retaining and guiding means are designed, for example, in the form of elevations provided on the inside of the side wall part of the casing of the base part.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the movable cover is hinged to a fixed cover blocked to the base part, wherein the hinge is preferably in the form of a film hinge.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the movable cover is also preferably hinged directly to the base part by a foil hinge.

The actuating button is preferably also hinged to the base part at the level of the lower end of the tongue, preferably via a foil hinge.

The base, the actuator, the movable cover and, if provided, the fixed cover can thus be manufactured in one piece by moulding from plastic.

The product dispensing opening in the cap can be a nozzle protruding from the base part. According to the invention, this nozzle is completely exposed by a complete pivoting movement of the movable lid for the purpose of dispensing the product.

In a variant embodiment and in the same way as in document EP-A-0 323 779, a product dispensing channel can be provided in the movable cover, which opens near the end of the movable cover opposite the articulation axis and is connected to the product dispensing channel of the base part.

In this case, it is advantageously provided according to the invention that this connection takes place at the level of the articulation of the movable cover on the base part.

To facilitate this implementation, the movable cover can be designed in the form of a separate part which is assembled with the unit consisting of the base part and the actuating button.

The invention further relates to a container on the neck of which a cap as defined above is mounted.

In the various embodiments of the invention, the base part preferably has a contact surface which limits the pressing movement of the tongue of the actuating pusher.

For a better understanding of the invention, three embodiments are now described in a non-limiting manner with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a container equipped with a dispensing cap according to the invention in the closed position,

Fig. 2 shows the container equipped with a dispensing cap according to the invention in the open position,

Fig. 3 is a section through a cap according to a first embodiment of the invention before it is mounted on a container,

Fig. 4 the cap of Fig. 3 in its assembled position of use,

Fig. 5 the cap of Fig. 4 in open position,

Fig. 6 to 8 are schematic perspective views showing the cap of the previous figures in three positions during opening,

Fig. 9 and 10 are similar views to Fig. 4 and 5 of a cap according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 11 and 12 corresponding views of a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the movable cover of the cap of Figures 11 and 12.

Figures 1 and 2 show very generally a container provided with a cap according to the first embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 8.

Therefore, we first refer to Figures 1 to 8.

The container 1 has in its upper part a neck (not visible in the drawing) which is provided with a neck element on which the cap according to the invention, designated overall by 2, is mounted.

For this purpose, the cap has a unit of 2 concentric skirts 3, 4, the outer skirt 3 being provided with an internal screw thread which grips around the neck element which is provided with a complementary screw thread and the inner skirt 4 forming a sealing bearing surface inside the neck element.

The cap has an outer shell which defines a side wall 5 and an upper wall 6.

The walls 5 and 6 have recesses in which an actuating button, designated as a whole by 7, and a closure cover, designated as a whole by 8, are arranged.

As can be seen in Fig. 1 in the closed position, the pusher 7 and the cover 8 are arranged so as to extend the walls 5 and 6 of the cap respectively substantially without interrupting the continuity.

The actuating button 7 has a wall in the form of a tongue 9, which is extended at its upper end in the assembled position by a substantially U-shaped plate having two flattened legs 10, each of which has a bevelled end 11, which forms a ramp-shaped inclined end surface.

The pusher 7 is hinged at the opposite end of the tongue 9 by a foil hinge 12 to the base part of the cap, designated overall by 13, this base part 13 having integral cheeks 3 and 4 for mounting on the neck of the container as well as the casing forming the inner walls 5 and 6.

In this embodiment, the base body has a nozzle 14 projecting upwards for the passage of the product, which nozzle is provided in its outer wall with a locking groove 15 into which a locking bead 16 of an outer skirt 17 of a closure element 18 created on the lid can enter, which has an inner skirt 19 intended to enter the nozzle 14 in order to close it in the closed position of the lid.

In the example shown, the lid comprises two parts, one of which is designated 20 and the other 21 and which are connected to one another by a film hinge 22, the part 21 also being connected to the base body 13 by a film hinge 23.

The base body 13 has elevations 24 which are suitable for retaining the cover element 21 when the cover 8 is folded around the foil hinge 23 is folded into the use position (from Fig. 3 into Fig. 4).

Thus, in the position of use shown in Fig. 4, the lid element 21 is blocked with respect to the base body and forms a fixed lid, while the lid element 20 can pivot about the film hinge 22 with respect to the lid element 21 and thus forms a movable lid.

This movable cover 20 has two lateral cheeks 25, each of which extends from the area of the hinge 22 in the direction of the free end of the movable cover 20, each of the cheeks having in its end part in the direction of the free end of the movable cover an inclined guide surface 26, preferably in the form of an eccentric cam.

The cap according to the invention has on the base part 13 projections in the form of ramps 27, which are offset inwards with respect to the cheeks 25 of the movable cover 20 and are suitable for cooperating with the legs 10 of the pusher 7 when it is pressed in, in the manner explained below.

As can be seen in Fig. 3, the entire cap according to the invention can be made in one piece, preferably by molding plastic.

In order to move from the unfolded production position of Fig. 3 to the closed use position of Fig. 4, it is sufficient to fold the actuating button 7 and the lid unit 8 around the foil hinge 12 or 23.

For retaining and guiding the legs 10 of the pusher on the base part, elevations 28 are provided which are created on the inner wall of the casing of the base part.

Finally, the base part has an inclined wall 29 facing the tongue 9 of the pusher 7, which forms a contact surface that limits the depression of the pusher.

The opening of the cap according to the invention takes place, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, by pressing the tongue 9 of the pusher 7 while holding the container in one hand, as shown in Figure 2.

At first, the inclined end parts 11 of the legs 10 of the pusher come to rest on the profiled contact surfaces 26 of the cheeks 25 of the movable cover 20 and cause the cover 20 to pivot about the articulation axis formed by the foil hinge 22 with respect to the fixed cover 21. This first movement causes the locking bead 16 of the closure element 18 to disengage from the corresponding groove 15 of the outer wall of the nozzle 14. Further application of pressure on the tongue of the pusher causes the legs to rise upwards along the upper sides of the protruding contact surfaces 27 of the base part and, in contact with the cheeks 25 of the movable cover 20, to cause it to rise to a fully open position shown in Fig. 8.

The nozzle 14 is thus exposed for the dispensing of the product.

The embodiment of Figures 9 and 10 differs from that of the previous figures essentially in that the cover 30 is in one piece and is hinged to the base part preferably by a foil hinge 31 near the peripheral edge of the cap, the cover having, as in the previous embodiment, lateral cheeks 32 which extend from the hinge axis 31 and have guide contact surfaces in the form of profile cams 33.

In this embodiment, the legs 10a of the actuating button 7a are longer so that their ends interact with the cheeks 32 of the cover 30.

As in the previous embodiment, but not visible in the drawing, the base part has protruding contact surfaces in the form of ramps, which are analogous to the contact surfaces 27 of the previous embodiment, so that the The operation of this embodiment with respect to pivoting the lid 30 is the same as in the previous embodiment with respect to pivoting the movable lid 20.

In this second embodiment, the means for locking the lid onto the base part are slightly different, but are also released at the start of the upward pivoting movement of the lid 30.

In this embodiment, the annular closure element 19a has an outer annular bead 16a which, in the closed position, snaps into place behind the base of the nozzle 14a by changing from the closed position of Fig. 9 to the partially open position of Fig. 10.

The further pivoting movement of the lid into its fully open position takes place in the same way as in the first embodiment.

The third embodiment of the invention, which is shown in Figures 11 to 12, differs from the previous embodiments essentially in that the movable cover 40, which can be designed in the form of a separate part, has a product discharge channel 41 opening out at its free end.

The cover has guide cheeks 41, which are provided with ends having a profile.

The cheeks 42 extend from the hinge axis 44, which in this embodiment is formed by a shaft which is rotatably mounted in bearings provided in the base part of the cap.

In this embodiment, a passage 45 is provided at the level of the articulation axis, which ensures the supply of the product from the interior of the container to the discharge channel 41.

In this embodiment, the same configuration of the pusher 7 is found as in the first embodiment, whereby the base body also has ramp-shaped protruding contact surfaces 27a.

The operation of this embodiment with regard to opening the lid is the same as in the previous embodiments.

Although two successive movements of advancing the legs and pivoting the movable cover have been mentioned above, it must be clear that these movements are perceived by the user as a single continuous movement when the push-button is pressed.

Although the invention has been described in connection with particular embodiments, it is of course by no means limited thereto and various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A dispensing cap for a fluid or viscous product, intended to be mounted on the neck of a container containing the product, said cap comprising a base part having a skirt forming the upper wall and the side wall of the cap, said base part being provided with means for fixing it to the neck of the container and a passage for dispensing said product which communicates with the interior of the container, a movable cover in the form of a plate which can pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of the neck of the container between a closed position which prohibits dispensing of the product and in which said movable cover is arranged in a recess in the upper wall of the base part in a plane with the latter, and an open position which allows dispensing of said product, and an actuating push-button comprising a tongue which can move towards the interior of said cap from a rest position in which said tongue is arranged in a recess in the lateral wall of the base part in a plane with the latter, this movable cover comprises ramp-shaped guide surfaces which are suitable for cooperating with an inwardly directed extension of the upper end of this tongue in order to allow this cover to pivot from its closed position to its open position when this tongue is moved from its rest position, characterized in that the inwardly directed extensions of the upper end of the tongue (9) of the actuating push-button (7, 7a) are formed by flattened legs (10, 10a) whose free ends (11) are bevelled, that the movable cover (20, 30, 40) has lateral cheeks (25, 32, 42) extending from the pivot axis (23, 31, 44) of this movable cover, these cheeks having, at their ends opposite the pivot axis, inclined guide surfaces (26, 33, 43) which preferably have an eccentric cam profile and are suitable for cooperating with the ends (11) of the legs (10, 10a) of the pusher in order to cause a first opening pivoting movement of the cover when these legs move under the effect of pressure on the tongue (9), and that the base part (13) has ramp-shaped support surfaces (27, 27a) projecting in the path of movement of these legs and suitable for supporting the ends of these legs as they continue their movement towards upwards in order to effect, in cooperation with these cheeks of the movable lid, the continuation of the opening pivoting movement of the lid up to a position of complete opening, preferably at least substantially at a right angle to the closed position. 2. Cap according to claim 1, characterized in that the protruding support surfaces of the base part are offset with respect to the cheeks of the movable lid, the legs of the pusher having a sufficient width to come into contact with these support surfaces and these cheeks in order to cause the opening of the movable cap. 3. Cap according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the movable cover (20, 30) has means for locking to the base part (13) in the closed position, said locking means being designed to be released during this first opening pivoting movement of the cover. 4. Cap according to claim 3, characterized in that the locking means are of the snap-in type (15, 16) and are mounted on opposing bearing surfaces of a Base part (13), a protruding nozzle (14) for dispensing the product and an element (18) provided on the underside of the movable lid for closing this nozzle. 5. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has means (28) on the base part (13) for retaining and guiding the legs (10, 10a) of the actuating push-button (7, 7a). 6. Cap according to claim 5, characterized in that the retention and guide means consist of elevations (28) provided on the inside of the lateral wall part (6) of the casing of the base part (13). 7. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable cover (20) is hinged to a fixed cover (21) blocked on the base part, preferably via a foil hinge (22). 8. Cap according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the movable cover (30) is directly hinged to the base part, preferably via a foil hinge (31). 9. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating pusher (7, 7a) is articulated on the base part (13) at the level of the lower end of the tongue (9), preferably via a foil hinge (12). 10. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is made in one piece, in particular by molding, from plastic. 11. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a product dispensing channel in the movable cover, which is located near the free end of this movable cover opposite the articulation axis. lid and is connected to the product discharge passage of the base part, and that it has a passage (45) for this product at the level of the articulation axis (44) of the lid (40). 12. Cap according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base part (13) has a contact surface which limits the pressing-in movement of the tongue of the actuating pusher. 13. Container suitable for containing a fluid or viscous product, characterized in that it has a dispensing cap according to one of the preceding claims mounted on its neck.