JP2006103799A - Distribution assembly for distributing two products - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To distribute products in the same quantity from each container in a distribution assembly (10) for mixing two liquids. <P>SOLUTION: The distribution assemble (10) is equipped with at least two containers (30), in which each product is stored and to which a valve furnished with an actuator rod (31) is fixed, a distribution nozzle (60) furnished with distribution orifices (62a;62b), a movable actuator element (50) to perform the same distribution of two products in a mixed or a separated state and a middle body (70) having skirts (72a, 72b) separated from the actuator element and capable of securing to two actuator rods (31) each. The actuator element (50) and the middle body (70) are composed to work together by operation of the actuator element in order to allow the product to pass to the distribution nozzle from the containers through the inner path. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to the distribution of two products that are mixed immediately, in particular, but not limited to, two hair dye products.

  Numerous devices are known that allow for immediate mixing of two separately contained products.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a main body and a push button type movable portion related to the main body so as to distribute two products contained separately from the two containers at the same time and separately. Each container is fitted with a valve with a hollow actuator rod that is pressed to cause product dispensing.

  One problem with certain known dispensing assemblies is that both actuator rods have upper ends that are not located at the exact same height to account for manufacturing tolerances that can lead to the risk of non-simultaneous dispensing of both products. This is due to the fact that there is a possibility.

  Other dispensing assemblies have been proposed, but nevertheless do not provide complete satisfaction.

  For example, Patent Documents 2 to 8 are referred to.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,089 also discloses this type of dispensing assembly where both actuator rods are pressed in response to the operation of a single actuator element. However, an actuator element with a lever arm is required to push down two actuator rods without great difficulty.
French Patent Application Publication No. 2732245 U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,457 European Patent Application No. 0313414 European Patent Application No. 0427609 European Patent Application Publication No. 0243667 British Patent No. 1163978 French Patent Application Publication No. 2598392 French Patent Application Publication No. 1413164 French patent invention No. 2815616

  There is a need for a dispensing assembly that can dispense the same amount of product from each container.

  There is also a need for a dispensing assembly that can be easily activated.

  There is also a need for assemblies that limit the unintentional distribution of products.

  There is also a need for an assembly that minimizes the oxidation of the dispensed product.

  The object of the present invention is to provide at least two containers each containing a product, each fitted with a valve with an actuator rod; and a dispensing device attached to the top of said container, provided with at least one dispensing orifice Dispensed nozzle, a movable actuator element for inducing simultaneous dispensing of two products in a mixed or separated state, and two skirts separated from the actuator element and respectively engageable with the two actuator rods of the container And an intermediate body having at least one inner passage allowing flow of product towards the dispensing nozzle, wherein the actuator element and the intermediate body are dispensed from the container via the inner passage. In order to allow the product to pass through the nozzle, To provide a configured dispensing assembly to cooperate with placement operations. The actuator rod can be actuated by tilting, and the actuator element can be configured to tilt the intermediate body to tilt the actuator rod.

  Since the actuator rods can be actuated by tilting, they need only a small support force for actuation, which allows ease of use. In fact, the product can come out of the actuator rod according to its minimal tilt

  The actuator element can comprise at least two tabs, preferably rigid, that can rest on the intermediate body in at least two spaced apart support areas to tilt the intermediate body. By using two separate support areas, simultaneous activation of both actuator rods of the two containers can be more easily ensured. Thus, the same amount of product can be dispensed from each container.

  The distance between one support area and one skirt can be approximately the same as the distance between the other support area and the other skirt. Also, simultaneous activation of both actuator rods is guaranteed. Preferably, support areas located on both axes of both actuator rods are used.

  Each tab may have a beveled edge for resting on the intermediate body.

  The distribution nozzle and the intermediate element can be configured such that the inclination of the intermediate element causes an inclination of the distribution nozzle in accordance with the operation of the actuator element.

  The intermediate body may comprise an outlet pipe from which the product exits in a separated or mixed state, and the dispensing nozzle may comprise a mouthpiece capable of receiving the outlet pipe.

  The intermediate body can be configured to separate the product and move it to the dispensing nozzle, or alternatively to allow product mixing before the product reaches the dispensing nozzle.

  The dispensing nozzle may be configured to move the product separately towards its free end that delimits the two dispensing orifices.

  The dispensing device may include an assembly collar that is engageable with a collar formed on the container.

  The dispensing nozzle may be connected to the assembly skirt by a flexible strap, and the assembly skirt may be engageable with the assembly collar.

  The dispensing device may include a cap for protecting the dispensing nozzle.

  The free end of the nozzle may be movable away from the cap under the operation of the actuator element.

  The cap may have a flap that can close the free end of the dispensing nozzle. The flap may also be configured to prevent movement of the actuator element sufficient to cause product dispensing when closed. For this purpose, the flap may be provided with a protruding element which can rest in the pipe of the dispensing nozzle so as to limit or even prevent the movement of the nozzle relative to the cap.

  The assembly collar may include a tubular skirt that defines a housing for receiving the container.

  The container may contain a product for immediate mixing.

  The container may contain a cosmetic product, in particular a dye.

  The product may take the form of foam or cream.

  The container may be a pressure type.

  The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of a non-limiting embodiment of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a dispensing assembly 10 with a dispensing device 20, which is attached to two containers 30 containing products to be mixed immediately.

  As particularly shown in FIG. 2, the dispensing device 20 comprises an assembly collar 40 for joining two containers 30 together, an actuator element 50, a dispensing nozzle 60, and an intermediate body 70. And their roles are described below. Each of these elements constituting the dispensing device may be produced by molding, in particular from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.

  Each of the containers 30 in the described embodiment is of the pressurized aerosol type and includes a valve with an actuator rod 31 attached, as can be seen in FIG. The valve is held by being clamped to the collar 32 of the container.

  The actuator rod 31 is hollow and the product is dispensed through it when the actuator rod is tilted.

  An assembly collar 40 is provided to hold the two containers together, particularly in the supply of various components on the assembly line.

  The assembly collar 40 includes a flat wall 41 through which two circular openings 42 for receiving one upper end of the container 30, respectively.

  The periphery of the flat wall 41 is surrounded by a cover wall 43 that extends vertically on both sides of the flat wall 41. The cover wall 43 includes two parallel straight portions 43a connected to each other by two arc-shaped portions 43b. Each of the two arc-shaped portions 43b extends below the flat wall 41 by complementary arc-shaped portions and forms two tubular skirts 44.

  Each tubular skirt 44 has a circular cross section and surrounds one of the circular openings 42. Each tubular skirt 44, as seen in FIG. 5, is provided with an annular flange 45 on its radially inner surface and can engage the corresponding container collar 32 to secure the collar to each container. . Each tubular skirt 44 terminates at a beveled end 44a to facilitate assembly to the container.

  A flange 46 is provided on the inner surface of a portion of the cover wall 43 disposed above the flat wall 41 and allows the dispensing nozzle 60 to be engaged.

  A radial recess 47 is formed in the radially outer surface of the cover wall 43, the function of which will be described below.

  In order to dispense the product relatively accurately, the device 20 is provided with a dispensing nozzle 60 which, once attached to both vessels, is connected to both vessels via two dispensing orifices 62a and 62b. Product output in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis of

  The dispensing nozzle 60, as seen in FIG. 3, is elongated and extends along a main axis that is inclined towards the top of the device when the actuator element is stationary on the container. ing. The nozzle is rectangular with respect to its main axis and has a cross-section that expands towards the free end that delimits both distribution orifices so that the nozzle flares in the direction towards both distribution orifices. It has become.

  The dispensing nozzle 60 is configured to move both products separately to their free ends. For this reason, the nozzle 60 includes a partition 61 that separates the two pipes 61a and 61b opened through the two distribution orifices 62a and 62b so as to allow the two products to be separated. The two orifices 62a and 62b have a square shape.

  On the opposite side of these orifices, a nozzle 60 extends through a mouthpiece 63 that extends parallel to the main axis of both valve rods. The mouthpiece 63 has a circular cross section with respect to its main axis. The mouthpiece 63 is also divided into two sections at the upper portion by a partition 61 extending to the upper portion of the mouthpiece 63.

  The mouthpiece 63 is slidably provided on the outlet pipe of the intermediate element, which is an intermediate part that allows the nozzle 60 to communicate with both containers, as will be described in detail below. .

  The dispensing nozzle 60 is held on the assembly collar by an assembly skirt 90 that is to be inserted inside the upper portion of the cover wall 43 of the assembly collar. The assembly skirt 90 includes a flange 91 on its outer surface, which cooperates with a flange 46 provided on the cover wall 36 of the assembly collar.

  Similar to the cover wall 43, the assembly skirt 90 comprises two straight parallel walls connected to each other by two arc-shaped portions. One of the two straight walls is offset towards the outside of the skirt and extends above the rest of the skirt by the front wall 92, which, as will be shown below, the outer cap Is extended. In particular, the lower portion 92 a of the front wall 92 is adapted to slide outside the assembly collar cover wall 43 as opposed to the rest of the assembly skirt 90.

  The front wall 92 is provided with a recess 92b with a curved edge in its upper part which allows the dispensing nozzle 60 to pass through.

  The assembly skirt 90 also includes a radial recess 93 whose upper portion is recessed from its lower portion. The upper portion of the assembly skirt 90 extends radially inward through a wall 94 across the skirt. This wall 94 is provided with a slot 95, the function of which will be described below.

  The dispensing nozzle 60 is connected to the assembly skirt 90 by a flexible S-shaped strap 96 that extends between the assembly skirt 90 and the mouthpiece 63 opposite the dispensing orifice. ing. This flexible strap 96 allows movement of the nozzle 60 relative to the assembly skirt 90.

  In order to prevent wobbling of the dispensing nozzle 60 when assembled in the container, a tab 97 is advantageously provided that connects the nozzle 60 to the front wall 92 directly below the nozzle. The tab 97 must be sufficiently rigid to prevent excessive movement of the nozzle relative to the assembly skirt 90, but is flexible enough to allow the nozzle to be tilted upon operation of the actuator element. is doing. As shown in FIG. 4, the tabs may actually be bent to allow the nozzle 60 to tilt forward.

  As an alternative to using the tab 97 to prevent the nozzle 60 from wobbling during assembly, two pins 197 may be provided on either side of the nozzle 60, as shown in FIG. As such, each pin 197 connects the nozzle 60 to the front wall 92. These pins are sufficient to hold the nozzle in a fixed position relative to the assembly skirt 90, but can also be broken on the first activation of the actuator element to allow the nozzle to tilt relative to the front wall 92. .

  At each of the rounded ends of the assembly skirt 90, a wall forming a stopper is provided inside the skirt to facilitate positioning of the intermediate element 70 relative to the dispensing nozzle. In particular, a stopper 98 is provided at each of the rounded ends, and two other walls 99 perpendicular to these first stoppers 90 are also proximate to each of the rounded ends of the assembly skirt. Is provided.

  In order to allow the product flow from each container to the dispensing nozzle, an intermediate body 70 is used that allows both actuator rods 31 of both containers 30 to communicate with the dispensing nozzle 60.

  As shown particularly in FIGS. 5 and 6, the intermediate body 70 is elongated along the axis Y, has a tubular portion 71 that opens at its two ends, and an axis W perpendicular to the axis Y. Two skirts 72a and 72b communicating with the inside of the elongated portion 71, respectively, and an outlet pipe 73 having a main axis Z perpendicular to the axis Y and located in a central plane equidistant from the skirts 72a and 72b. I have.

  A partition 74 divides the outlet pipe 73 into two compartments and extends into the tubular part 71 in two, allowing two separate inner passages to allow separate flow of the two products 75a and 75b are formed.

  Each skirt 72a and 72b has a conical first portion 76a on its inner surface to facilitate the application of the actuator rod 31 of the corresponding container. The first portion 76 a is connected to a shoulder portion 76 b that rests the upper end portion 31 a of the actuator rod by a straight portion that can slide tightly on the actuator rod 31.

  The elongate tubular portion 71 of the intermediate body 70 is closed at its end through a nozzle 77 and its outlet opening is blocked as seen in FIG. Of course, any other plug may be used to close these ends.

  The intermediate body 70 has a central rigid rib 78 disposed at the lower portion, that is, on the same side as the skirts 72 a and 72 b, with both ends spaced from the skirts 72 a and 72 b, and each extends over the entire length of the intermediate body 70. And two longitudinal ribs 79.

  When the intermediate body 70 is placed in the apparatus, the skirts 72a and 72b are positioned in the middle of the respective assembly skirts 44 in the assembly collar.

  In order to protect the dispensing nozzle 60, an outer cap 80 covers the dispensing nozzle and the intermediate element.

  The cap 80 includes a shell 81 whose lower part surrounds the upper part of the cover skirt 43 of the assembly collar and whose edge 81a stops against the radial recess 47 of the cover skirt of the collar. .

  The shell 81 is open at the upper portion thereof to accommodate the actuator element 50.

  The shell 81 is also open at its front to allow for the opening of the product outlet orifices 62a and 62b, this opening being partly by a front wall 92 provided in the assembly skirt 90 of the nozzle. Closed. Only the opening corresponding to the free end of the dispensing nozzle is provided.

  Above the front opening, the cap terminates at a protrusion 82 that follows the shape of the free end of the dispensing nozzle 50 when the actuator element is stationary.

  A flap 83 is provided above this protrusion 82 so as to close the dispensing orifices 62a and 62b and prevent impurities from entering the dispensing nozzle. The flap 83 is hinged to the cap via a film hinge 83a, in particular a spring effect hinge.

  Advantageously, the flap 83 is provided with two square-shaped projecting elements 84 on its surface facing the dispensing orifice in the closed position. These projecting elements 84 stop in the ends of the pipes 61a and 61b of the dispensing nozzle so that when the flap 83 is in the closed position, the projecting elements 84 are against the flap and therefore the rest of the cap. The movement of the dispensing nozzle with respect to is prevented. The flap 83 thus prevents the movement of the intermediate body 70 and thus the actuator element 50. This prevents inadvertent activation of the actuator element which causes product distribution.

  In order to allow the cap 80 to be attached to the rest of the device, vertical ribs 85, partially visible in FIG. 7, are provided on the inner surface of the shell. The ribs 85 have ends 85a that stop in each of the slots 95 of the dispensing nozzle assembly skirt.

  The cap is integral with the actuator element 50 as seen in FIG. 1 or FIG. In particular, the actuator element 50 is connected to the cap by two film hinges 51, which allow the actuator element to tilt about the axis P. The actuator element 50 includes a support surface 52 that can be rested by the user to pivot the actuator element 50 about the axis P.

  As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 7 and 9, the actuator element 50 is provided with two rigid tabs 53 on its inner surface, which are spaced apart and in two support areas 170a and 170b. It rests on an elongated tubular section 71 of the intermediate body 70. Thus, the force is evenly distributed on the intermediate body. Each tab 53 includes an inclined edge 53a that rests on a respective support area of the intermediate body.

  As can be seen in FIG. 9, the support region 170a is located a predetermined distance away from the intermediate body skirt 72a, which is substantially the same as the predetermined distance between the support region 170b and the skirt 72b.

  Thus, when the actuator element is depressed, the intermediate body is stressed in two spaced regions, each being the same distance away from each actuator rod. Thus, there is more prospect of tilting each actuator rod in the same way than using a single support area located approximately in the middle of the elongated portion of the intermediate body.

  According to a variant not shown, the two rigid tabs 53 can be arranged so that they rest on the actuator body approximately on the axis of the skirts 72a and 72b.

  In a variant, the actuator element can also be provided with two or more tabs, for example four, six or more tabs.

  Advantageously, an anti-open pin not shown connects the actuator element 50 to the cap 80 on each side of the actuator element prior to initial use of the device. These pins are broken by the first activation of the actuator element.

  To position the dispensing device on the container 30, the assembly collar is placed on the adjacent container 30 until the assembly collar 40 engages the collar 32 of the container 30.

  At the same time, the dispensing nozzle 60 and the intermediate element are assembled by sliding the mouthpiece 63 of the nozzle 60 onto the outlet pipe 73 of the intermediate element. The dispensing nozzle assembly skirt 90 is then secured to the assembly collar 40, after which the assembly is covered by a cap 80.

  To cause distribution, the user presses the support surface 52 of the actuator element 50 in the direction of arrow F in FIG. The actuator element 50 tilts the intermediate element 70 forward, which also has the effect of tilting the rod of the valve 31. As the force is evenly distributed on the intermediate body, the two rods of the valve 31 are tilted in the same way and the same amount of product exits the inner passage of each valve rod and circulates in the intermediate element Then, it can reach the distribution nozzle and reach each outlet orifice. The presence of the flexible strap 96 simultaneously tilts the dispensing nozzle 60 forward and moves its free end away from the cap 80 and thus away from the flap. This prevents the product from depositing on the cap, in particular on the flap.

  In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent that modifications may be made without departing from the invention, as claimed below. In particular, the intermediate element 70 and the dispensing nozzle 60 may not be provided with a partition, and the two products may be mixed before reaching the dispensing orifice. The products supplied by the latter are mixed inside the elongated tubular portion of the intermediate element as they reach the bottom of the outlet pipe. The mixture then reaches a dispensing nozzle, for example for dispensing into the hair.

1 is a schematic perspective view of a distribution assembly to which a distribution device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the assembly shown in FIG. It is a fragmentary sectional view in alignment with the III-III line of FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a device according to the present invention during start-up. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the dispensing assembly of FIG. 1 (not shown) of the cap in a plane including both axes of both actuator rods. It is a perspective view of a distribution nozzle and an intermediate body. It is a perspective view of a cap and an actuator element. It is a figure which shows the modification of the nozzle of a distribution apparatus. It is sectional drawing along the IX-IX line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Dispensing assembly 20 Dispensing device 30 Container 31 Actuator rod 32 Collar 40 Assembly collar 43 Tubular skirt 50 Actuator element 53 Tab 60 Dispensing nozzle 62a, 62b Dispensing orifice 63 Mouthpiece 70 Intermediate body 72a, 72b Skirt 73 Outlet pipe 75a, 75b Inside Passage 80 Cap 83 Flap 84 Projecting element 90 Assembly skirt 96 Strap 170a, 170b Support area

Claims (21)

In the dispensing assembly (10):
At least two containers (30) each containing a product and each fitted with a valve with an actuator rod (31);
Dispensing device (20) mounted on top of said container, comprising a dispensing nozzle (60) provided with at least one dispensing orifice (62a; 62b) and two products in a mixed or separated state simultaneously A movable actuator element (50) that causes a distribution of the two, two skirts (72a) and (72b) separated from the actuator element and engageable with two actuator rods (31) of the container, respectively, and the distribution nozzle A dispensing device (20) comprising: an intermediate body (70) having at least one inner passage (75a; 75b) allowing the flow of product towards
With
The actuator element (50) and the intermediate body (70) are configured to cooperate in operation of the actuator element to allow product to pass from the container through the inner passage to the dispensing nozzle. And
The assembly, wherein the actuator rod is actuated by being tilted, and the actuator element is configured to tilt the intermediate body (70) to tilt the actuator rod. The assembly of claim 1, wherein
The actuator element (50) has at least two tabs restable on the intermediate body (70) in at least two spaced support areas (170a) and (170b) to tilt the intermediate body (70). 53), in particular comprising two rigid tabs. The assembly of claim 2, wherein
The distance between one support area (170a) and one skirt (72a) is substantially the same as the distance between the other support area (170b) and the other skirt (72b). assembly. The assembly according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The assembly characterized in that the tab (53) comprises an inclined edge (53a) for resting on the intermediate body (70). The assembly according to any one of claims 1-4.
The distribution nozzle (60) and the intermediate element (70) are configured such that the inclination of the intermediate element causes the inclination of the distribution nozzle according to the operation of the actuator element (50). Assembly. The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5,
The intermediate body (70) includes an outlet pipe (73) through which the product comes out in a separated or mixed state, and the distribution nozzle (60) includes a mouthpiece (63) capable of receiving the outlet pipe. An assembly characterized in that The assembly according to any of claims 1-6,
The assembly characterized in that the intermediate body (70) is configured to separate and move the product to the dispensing nozzle. The assembly according to any of claims 1-6,
The assembly characterized in that the intermediate body (70) is configured to allow mixing of the product before the product reaches the dispensing nozzle. The assembly of claim 7, wherein
The assembly characterized in that the dispensing nozzle (60) is configured to separate and move the product to its free end separating two dispensing orifices (62a) and (62b). An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 9,
The assembly wherein the dispensing nozzle (60) is connected to the assembly skirt (90) by a flexible strap (96). The assembly according to any of claims 1 to 10,
An assembly comprising an assembly collar (40) engageable with a collar (32) formed in the container. 12. An assembly according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein
The assembly characterized in that the assembly skirt (90) of the dispensing nozzle (60) is engageable with the assembly collar (40). The assembly according to any of claims 1-12,
An assembly comprising a cap (80) for protecting the dispensing nozzle (60). 14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein
The assembly characterized in that the free end of the nozzle (60) is movable away from the cap (80) in response to operation of the actuator element. 15. An assembly according to claim 13 or claim 14,
The assembly characterized in that the cap (80) has a flap (83) capable of closing the free end of the dispensing nozzle. The assembly of claim 15, wherein
Assembly wherein the flap (83) is configured to prevent movement of the actuator element (50) sufficient to cause dispensing of the product when closed. 17. An assembly according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein
The flap (83) comprises a protruding element (84) restable in the pipe of the dispensing nozzle to limit or even prevent movement of the nozzle (60) relative to the cap (80). An assembly featuring. 18. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 17,
The assembly collar (40) comprises a tubular skirt (43) defining a housing for receiving said container. 19. Assembly according to any of claims 1-18,
Assembly, characterized in that the container (30) contains a product to be mixed immediately. The assembly according to any of claims 1-19,
The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the container (30) is of a pressure type. An assembly according to any of claims 1 to 20,
Assembly, characterized in that the container (30) contains cosmetic products, in particular dyes.

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