KR20040018164A - A dispenser device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A distribution device is provided to manufacture with low cost due to not have a check valve in which a dispenser orifice comprised of an elastomer. CONSTITUTION: The dispensing device comprises a first part(30) intended to be fixed on a container(10) and a second part(40) able to rotate relative to the first part between a product dispensing position and a closed position. In the dispensing position, the product discharges through the dispensing orifice(90) formed between two surfaces belonging to the two parts.

Description

Dispenser mechanism {A dispenser device}

The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid, in particular a cosmetic or care poduct.

Dispenser mechanisms, including rotary parts operable to close or open the interior of the receptor and the dispenser orifice, are particularly described in US Pat. Nos. 648,278, 3,690,521, 4,961,515, 5,246,148 and 5,303,850. However, the dispenser devices described in these patents are not designed to prevent impurities such as sand particles from penetrating into the interior, and thus are suitable for use on the beach, such as sunscreens (such as sunscreens). It is not entirely suitable for distributing sun screens.

French patent FR-A-2,711,620 has a dispenser orifice with a check valve made of an elastomeric material for the purpose of preventing the ingress of impurities such as sand particles, A dispenser device, also known as a "clean capsule", is proposed. Nevertheless, such dispenser mechanisms are relatively complex and costly to manufacture.

Thus, there is a need to further improve the mechanisms for dispensing fluid material, particularly by making it easier to manufacture, especially for sunscreen dispensing.

1 is a partial and schematic perspective view of a packaging and dispenser instrument making up an embodiment of the invention;

2 is a front view of the instrument of FIG. 1;

3 shows a first portion of the dispenser in its detached state before being secured to the receiver;

4 and 5 are schematic axial sectional views of the instrument according to FIG. 1 in the closed and dispensing positions, respectively;

6 is an enlarged partial schematic view of the dispenser orifice;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 6, showing a variant embodiment of the dispenser orifice; FIG.

8 is a view showing a receiver in a separated state;

9 is a plan view taken along the arrow VII of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial side view taken along the arrow VII of FIG. 8. FIG.

The present invention includes a first portion fixed on the receiver; And a dispensing position where material contained in the receiver can be discharged from the instrument through a dispenser orifice directly open to the outside and a closed position where the material is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver. A dispenser comprising two parts satisfies this need by means of a dispenser characterized in that the dispenser orifice is formed between two surfaces each belonging to the two parts.

Between them, these two surfaces are sufficiently narrow, for example having a spacing of 0.5 millimeters (mm) or less, or even about 0.2 mm, to prevent sand from penetrating into the instrument.

According to the present invention, since the dispenser orifice does not have a check valve made of elastomeric material, the dispenser mechanism can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. The present invention also makes it possible to avoid any problems associated with the deterioration of the shock valve material or the compatibility between the material and the dispensed material. The present invention also makes it easy to clean the periphery of the dispenser orifice so that it is possible to have a dispenser orifice that is clean in appearance. The fact that the first part and the second part need to be rotated relative to each other in order to be in the dispensing position can reduce any risk of the dispenser being accidentally opened in, for example, a handbag.

The surfaces mentioned above may be concentric.

The dispenser orifice may be defined by a gap at least partially in the form of an angular sector.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the dispenser orifice is open to the outside in a direction parallel to the pivot axis of the second portion.

The dispenser orifice may be made substantially at the upper end of the instrument when the receiver mounted to the instrument is placed on a horizontal plane.

The second part may have a top wall with an opening, the edge of the opening, for example an edge in the form of a circle, defining one of the surfaces, while the first part is the second part. It may have an end wall fastened to the opening of the edge, the edge of which, for example a circular shape, defines the other of the surfaces. The top wall may not be a circular cylinder.

The end wall and the top wall may provide outer surfaces which preferably extend substantially in turn (ignoring dispenser orifices). This contributes to improving the appearance of the dispenser mechanism and can facilitate cleaning of adjacent portions of the dispenser orifice.

The first and second parts can be molded from plastic materials, preferably of different colors, which facilitates the user in locating the dispenser orifice.

The dispenser orifice, for example, allows the second portion to rotate about an inclined pivot axis and to obtain the advantage that material can accumulate on a larger area before being taken by the user. It may be located spaced from the center of the top wall of the.

In the discharge position, when the receiver mounted to the dispenser mechanism rests on the horizontal plane, the top wall of the second part can be tilted. The material released from the dispenser orifice can flow downward by gravity on the top wall of the second portion if the material is sufficiently fluid. The fact that it has a dispenser orifice off-center makes it possible to increase the size of the area where the material can flow before it is released from the top wall, making it easier to take the material.

The spacing between the two surfaces defining the dispenser orifice can be constant. The spacing may also not be constant so that the material can be preferentially dispensed from the area of the dispenser orifice where the spacing is maximum, for example when the two parts are in the dispensing position.

The first portion may comprise a tubular extension whose upper end is closed by the above mentioned upper wall, the extension having one or more lateral openings, the second portion The inner skirt is formed to enable first to close the side openings when the two parts are in the closed position and then to pass the material through the side openings through the side openings when the two parts are in the dispensing position. (inner skirt) may be included.

The dispenser orifice may be in communication with a chamber formed between these portions when the first and second portions are in a dispensing position. The chamber may occupy an angular sector around the pivot axis of the second part, which sector is smaller than one full revolution. The chamber can be formed, for example, between a setback in the tubular extension and a notch extending axially at the radially inner surface of the inner skirt of the second portion. The volume of the chamber is preferably small enough to prevent accumulation of material, which can be dried when not in use. The volume and shape of the chamber is assumed that the receiver has a variable volume and is capable of shape memory, in the course of air suction involving the return of the receiver to its initial form, substantially all of the material contained within the chamber is contained in the receiver. It may be selected in such a way that it can be reinhaled into.

The aforementioned side opening may be defined by an annular lip extending from the setback of the tubular extension. This annular lip may define an annular slot between itself and the setback interior.

The pivot axis of the second part may be inclined with respect to the axis of the skirt of the first part used for mounting on the receiver, wherein the axis of the skirt may coincide with the axis of the neck of the receiver. The pivot axis of the second part does not necessarily have to be vertical when the receiver with the dispenser mechanism is located on the horizontal plane. The tilting of the pivot axis can make it easier for the user to distinguish the dispensing position with respect to the closed position. The pivot axis may be included in the vertical plane when the receiver with the dispenser mechanism is positioned on the horizontal plane.

The first and second portions may be such that the transition from the closed position to the dispensing position is carried out by rotating the second portion by at least one quarter rotation, for example a second rotation, with respect to the first portion. It may be, but such a conversion may be accomplished by another method.

The first and second portions may be adapted to be prevented from moving in the axial direction with respect to each other. One of these two parts may be snap-fastened on another part, at least one of which is bead or groove on the same axis as the pivot axis of the second part has a (groove) For example, one of the two parts may have an annular bead, and the other may have a structure in which at least a portion is snap-fastened onto the annular bead in the manufacture of the dispenser instrument. The two parts may be in a fixed axial position relative to a pivot axis in which one of the parts rotates relative to the other. The dispenser orifice may have such an axis, through which material is dispensed along the axis, and wherein the first and second portions are prevented from moving axially relative to the axis.

The first and second parts do not necessarily have to have any hinges connecting them together. The dispenser orifice may be permanently formed between the surfaces belonging to the first and second portions, respectively, regardless of whether the dispenser mechanism is in the dispensing position or the closed position.

The invention also provides, according to one aspect, a first portion, fixed alone or in combination with the features described above, on a receiver; And a dispensing position from which the substance contained in the receiver can be released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice which is directly open to the outside and a closed position that prevents the substance from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver. A device comprising a two part, wherein the dispenser orifice is formed between two surfaces each belonging to the two parts, the first and second parts comprising parts comprising outer surfaces, the surfaces One provides a dispensing mechanism characterized in that it is continuous to the other.

The invention also provides, according to one aspect, a first portion, fixed alone or in combination with the features described above, on a receiver; And a dispensing position capable of being released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice in which the substance contained in the receiver is directly open to the outside and a closed position that is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver. A device comprising a two part, wherein the dispenser orifice is formed between two surfaces each belonging to the two parts, wherein one of the surfaces is rotatable around the other one. do.

The invention also provides, according to one aspect, a first portion, fixed alone or in combination with the features described above, on a receiver; And a dispensing position capable of being released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice in which the substance contained in the receiver is directly open to the outside and a closed position that is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver. A device comprising a two part, wherein the dispenser orifice is formed between two surfaces each belonging to the two parts, wherein the axis of rotation is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the receiver. To provide.

The invention also provides a receiver having a dispenser mechanism as defined above. The receiver can be made by molding the material in a mold defining a join plane, the receiver comprising a body with a top wall.

Preferably, the top wall comprises at least one step extending along the mating surface over at least 50% of the distance between the neck and the periphery of the top wall.

Such a step serves to reinforce the strength of the top wall, in particular against stresses applied while the dispenser mechanism is fixed to the top wall.

Thus, for example, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the material used for equal strength, or it is possible to withstand greater levels of stress and increase productivity even with materials of the same thickness.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

The packaging and dispenser device 1 shown in the figure comprises: a receiver 10 having a neck 11 of axis Z; And two parts, the first part 30 fixed on the receiver 10 by snap-fastening and an angle of less than 45 ° relative to the axis Z in the illustrated embodiment, for example an angle slightly less than 10 °. And a dispenser mechanism (20) consisting of a second portion (40) capable of bidirectional rotation with respect to said first portion (30) about a pivot axis (X). In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second portions 30 and 40 are made of non-polymeric elastomeric plastic of different colors.

In the example shown, the receiver 10 comprises a body 12 of oblong cross section, preferably of elliptical cross section.

As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first portion 30 comprises a tubular outer skirt 31 designed to occupy a position extending from the outer surface of the receiver 10.

A transverse wall 32 extending generally perpendicular to the axis X extends the top of the outer skirt 31 inwardly, with a tubular extension whose base is connected to the transverse wall 32. Support 33) about axis X.

The first portion 30 also extends into the outer skirt 31, as described in more detail below, on its radially inner surface, each having the form of a circular arc and having a neck 11. Assembly skirt 34 comprising two teeth designed to engage a protruding portion on the shell) and a sealing lip 36 for applying pressure against the radially inner surface of the neck 11. .

An annular bead 38 is formed on the tubular extension 33, the upper end of which is closed by the end wall 37. The tubular extension 33 has a side opening 50 defined by an annular lip 51 about an axis Y perpendicular to the axis X. The annular lip 51 extends from the setback 52, as can be seen in FIG. 3. An annular slot 53 is formed in the setback 52 around the annular lip 51. The top of the setback 52 is defined by a portion 37a of the end wall 37.

End wall 37 has a circular edge about axis X, which defines a cylindrical surface 60 having a generator line parallel to axis X.

The second part 40 comprises an outer skirt 41 which surrounds the tubular extension 33 and is connected to the top wall 42.

The transverse wall 32 has two thin splines that extend parallel to the minor axis of the transverse wall 32. These two splines 39 form a hard point in the rotational movement of the second part 40, and more easily such that it extends to the outer skirt 31 of the first part 30. For positioning, it is for interacting with axial ribs (not shown in the figure) formed on the radially inner surface of the outer skirt 41 of the second part.

The second portion 40 also includes an inner skirt 43 which is adapted to be fixed on the tubular extension 33. To this end, the inner skirt 43 has annular ribs 44 that are adapted to snap-fasten onto the annular beads 38.

The inner skirt 43 has, on its radially inner surface, a notch 45 extending in the axial direction and having a width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the annular lip 51. The top of the notch 45 is defined by a portion 42a of the top wall 42. Outside the notch 45, the inner skirt 43 provides an inner surface 46 that is circularly cylindrical about the axis X. As shown in FIG. 4, the annular lip 51 is in a leak-proof manner with respect to the inner surface 46 when the dispenser mechanism is in the closed position, thereby closing the side opening 50. .

The inner skirt 43 and the tubular extension 33 have slightly conical surfaces 70 and 71, respectively, which allow the material to flow down between the tubular extension 33 and the inner skirt 43. To prevent this, an assembly seal is provided between the second portion 40 and the first portion 30. Top wall 42 has an opening that defines a cylindrical surface 80 whose edge is circular about axis X in the example shown and has a manufacturing reference line that is parallel to axis X. The surface 80 cooperates with the opposing surface 60 of the distal wall 37 to define an annular space having angular sectors defining the dispenser orifice 90, through which the dispenser orifice 90 allows material to be dispensed. Can be released from the instrument.

In the example shown, the spacing between the opposing surfaces 60 and 80 has a size j , which is substantially constant regardless of whether the material is being dispensed, but it is also seen that this spacing varies slightly. Without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, FIG. 7 shows a dispenser orifice 90 'defined between two opposing surfaces 60' and 80 'belonging to the first and second portions, respectively, not circular about a common axis. Indicates.

4 and 5, the top wall 42 and the end wall 37 provide the top surfaces 42b and 37b, respectively, which extend from one another (ignoring the annular gaps between them), It is easy to clean the vicinity of the dispenser orifice 90.

Preferably, the receiver 10 may have a reinforced top portion, as described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

The neck 11 is connected to the top wall 100 of the receiver, in which the top wall has an oval outline and extends generally transverse to the axis Z of the neck 11.

In the example shown, the receiver 10 is made by blowing a plastic material in a two-part mold, where the joining plane P of the mold is the long axis of the rectangular cross section of the body 12 and the top wall 100. coincides with the major axis. The presence of the bonding plane P can be visualized on the body 12 of the receiver by beads projecting only slightly from its outer surface.

The step 101 is formed in the joining plane P to form a protruding portion that forms a kind of hardened "beam" on the top wall 100, for example using a relatively small thickness of the material while the dispenser mechanism It is possible to withstand the stress applied to the receiver while it is fixed by tooling running at high throughput. In the example shown, such fixation is performed by snap-fixing the teeth 35 on the annular beads 102 of the neck 11.

In the example shown, the step 101 extends from the boundary of the top wall 100 with the ledge to the base of the neck 11, and the four regions of the top wall 100 ( And form some of the boundaries defining 110, 120, 130, and 140.

Each of the regions 110, 120, 130 and 140 occupies substantially a quarter of the top wall 100, with each of these quarter regions being half-located on one side of the joining plane P. It is defined by the intersection of a half-plane with a half-plane perpendicular to the joining plane and located on one side of the midplane M including the axis Z.

The two regions 110 and 120 are located opposite each other about the axis Z, and they occupy substantially the same axis position along the axis Z. The other two regions 130 and 140 are also located opposite each other about the axis Z, and the two regions 130 and 140 show a step in the axial direction with respect to the other two regions 110 and 120, It is located closer to the free end of the neck 11 by a distance substantially corresponding to the height of the step 101 measured parallel to Z.

The top wall 100 also has a protruding portion that extends across the joining plane P.

More specifically, in the example shown, the top wall 100 has two ribs 150 that are symmetrical with each other about the axis Z and extend in the two regions 110 and 120, respectively. The fields 150 have longitudinal axes parallel to the intermediate plane M. The ribs 150 have a height measured parallel to the axis Z, which height starts from a value of substantially zero at the jaw 103 at the top wall 100 boundary, towards the step 101 to which they are connected. As it nears, it increases linearly, and its width increases slightly as it approaches step 101.

The top wall 100 also has two grooves 151 leading to each of the two ribs 150, each groove 151 extending generally in a direction perpendicular to the joining plane P. It has a longitudinal axis. The grooves 151 have a depth that increases with distance from the step 101.

The width of each groove 151 increases slightly as it approaches the boundary of the top wall 100 and, as can be seen in FIG. 9, when the top wall 100 is viewed from above, the grooves 151 The longitudinal edges of the cross-section are straight, and are located along with the straight edges of the ribs 150.

The top wall 100 also has two ribs 152 on opposite sides about the axis Z, which are planes of engagement between the neck 11 and the boundary of the top wall 100 in its minor axis region. Extends perpendicular to P;

The height of the ribs 152 measured parallel to the axis Z increases linearly as the neck 11 approaches from a value that is substantially zero at the boundary of the top wall 100.

The dispenser mechanism according to the invention is operated as follows.

In the closed position, the side opening 50 is closed by the inner skirt 43 such that the dispenser orifice 90 is not in communication with the interior of the receiver 10.

The user can place the dispenser mechanism in the dispensing position by rotating the second portion 40 half relative to the first portion 30.

This rotational movement causes the notch 45 of the inner skirt 43 to engage the setback 52, thereby forming a chamber that allows material to flow from the side opening 50 toward the dispenser orifice 90.

The material is then, for example, due to a force due to the pressure exerted on the deformable wall of the body of the receiver 10 to reduce its internal volume, or if the material has sufficient fluidity. By inverting the receiver, it can flow towards the outlet.

Referring to FIG. 5, when the outer skirt 41 of the second portion 40 is in the dispensing position, it is angled with the outer skirt 31 of the first portion 30, so that the user is in a state of the dispenser mechanism. It is easier to observe the change.

Once the dispensing is completed, for example due to the body 12 of the receiver 10 having a shape memory function, air intake is achieved. Due to the small space present between the end wall 37 and the top wall 42, the materials present in the dispenser orifice 90 can all be resorbed.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

Specifically, for example, the dispenser orifice may be located at the center on the top wall of the second part, and the receiver may have a body that is tubular and circular in cross section. The opposing surfaces of the first and second portions defining the dispenser orifice may be other than a circular cylindrical shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the end wall 37, and the corresponding opening formed in the top wall 42, may have edges that are rounded or chamfered in the axial cross section.

Throughout the specification, including the claims, the term "comprising" shall be understood synonymously with the term "comprising at least one" unless otherwise indicated.

According to the present invention, since the dispenser orifice does not have a shock valve made of elastomeric material, the dispenser mechanism can be manufactured at a relatively low cost, and is associated with the possibility of deterioration of the valve material or compatibility between the material and the dispensed material. Any problem can be avoided. The present invention also provides an apparently clean dispenser orifice as it is easy to clean the periphery of the dispenser orifice and can also reduce the risk of the dispenser accidentally opening in a handbag or the like.

Claims (19)

In the receiver 10 containing a cosmetic or care substance and comprising a dispenser, the dispenser is A first portion 30 fixed on the receiver 10; And Rotation with respect to the first portion between a dispensing position where material contained within the receiver can be released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice directly open to the outside and a closed position where the material is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver Possible second portion 40, And the dispenser orifice (90; 90 ') is formed between two surfaces (60, 80; 60', 80 ') belonging to the first and second portions, respectively. 2. Receptor according to claim 1, characterized in that the two surfaces (60, 80; 60 ', 80') are separated by a distance sufficient to prevent sand from penetrating into the instrument. 3. Receptor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two surfaces (60, 80; 60 ', 80') are separated by 0.5 mm or less. 4. The dispenser orifice (90, 90 ') of claim 1, wherein the dispenser orifices (90, 90') are at least partially defined by a gap in the form of an angular sector. Receptor. 5. The top wall of claim 1, wherein the second portion 40 has an opening comprising an edge defining one of the surfaces 60. 6. (42), wherein the first portion (30) comprises an end wall (37) fastened to the opening of the second portion, the end wall being the other one of the surfaces (80). And an edge defining an edge. 6. Receptor according to claim 5, characterized in that the dispenser orifice (90, 90 ') is located off center of the top wall (42). 7. Receptor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two surfaces (60, 80; 60 ', 80') are concentric and have a circular cross section. The tubular extension (33) according to claim 1, wherein the first portion (30) is closed at its upper end and has at least one side opening (50). Wherein the second portion 40 closes the lateral opening 50 when the first portion and the second portion are in a closed position, and the first portion and the second portion are in a dispensing position. And an inner skirt (43) to enable the passage of material from said side openings to said dispenser orifice (90; 90 ') when in the. 9. The dispenser orifice (90; 90 ′) of claim 1, wherein the dispenser orifice (90; Receiver in communication with the formed chamber (45, 52). 10. The chamber (45) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chambers (45, 52) extend over an angular sector about an axis of rotation of the second portion, wherein the angular sector is one full rotation. A receiver characterized by being smaller. 11. Receptor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pivot axis (X) of the second part (40) is inclined with respect to the axis (Z) of the receiver neck. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions 30, 40 are moved from the closed position to the dispensing position by rotating the second portion by a half turn. A device, characterized in that being switched. 13. Receptor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second portions (30, 40) are prevented from moving in the axial direction with respect to each other. The receiver according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which does not include a check valve. 15. Receptor according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second portions (30, 40) are made of plastic material of different colours. The receiver of claim 1, which houses a sunscreen or after-sun lotion. A first portion 30 fixed on the receiver 10; And Rotation with respect to the first portion between a dispensing position where material contained within the receiver can be released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice directly open to the outside and a closed position where the material is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver Possible second portion 40, The dispenser orifice (90; 90 ') is formed between two surfaces (60, 80; 60', 80 ') belonging to the first and second portions, respectively, and the first and second portions are external A portion comprising surfaces, wherein one of the surfaces is continuous to the other. A first portion 30 fixed on the receiver 10; And Rotation with respect to the first portion between a dispensing position where material contained within the receiver can be released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice directly open to the outside and a closed position where the material is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver Possible second portion 40, The dispenser orifice (90; 90 ') is formed between two surfaces (60, 80; 60', 80 ') belonging to the first and second portions, respectively, one of the surfaces being the other Mechanism characterized in that rotatable around. A first portion 30 fixed on the receiver 10; And Rotation with respect to the first portion between a dispensing position where material contained within the receiver can be released from the instrument through a dispenser orifice directly open to the outside and a closed position where the material is prevented from passing through the dispenser orifice from the receiver Possible second portion 40, The dispenser orifice (90; 90 ') is formed between two surfaces (60, 80; 60', 80 ') belonging to the first and second portions, respectively, and the axis of rotation is the length of the receiver. Dispensing mechanism, characterized in that inclined about the direction axis.