WO1997049620A1

WO1997049620A1 - Dispensing device with safe operation control and refill for same

Info

Publication number: WO1997049620A1
Application number: PCT/FR1997/001064
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel De Rosa; Yannick Pointel
Original assignee: Valois S.A.
Priority date: 1996-06-24
Filing date: 1997-06-13
Publication date: 1997-12-31
Also published as: FR2750113B1; EP0921994A1; FR2750113A1

Abstract

The invention discloses a dispensing device for a fluid product comprising a dispensing unit (1) provided with an axially movable control head (2) and a reservoir (3) containing the fluid to be dispensed, the said dispensing unit (1) being fixed on the reservoir (3), characterised in that the device further comprises means (4) for blocking any axial movement of the control head (2), and unlocking means (5) for engaging to the said blocking means (4) to cancel the action of the said blocking means (4) on the control head (2) and thus allow the axial movement of the said control head (2).

Description

Distribution device with safe actuation and recharging of such a device

The present invention relates to a distribution device with actuation security as well as a recharging of such a device. The invention applies more particularly to the field of perfumery where the packaging of the product plays an important aesthetic role. Conditioning can represent a certain value and it is then advantageous to be able to make it profitable. Refills can then be specially provided for this type of packaging. The application of the invention in the context of reusable packaging is only a preferential implementation; of course, the actuating safety distribution device of the invention can be used in many other fields such as cosmetics, pharmacy, food, drugstore, etc., without application to reusable packaging.

It is already known to equip certain dispensing devices of the reservoir or flask type provided with a dispensing member such as a pump or a valve, actuation safety devices or first-use guarantees, in order to

^• provide the user with the first use of the device. These securities or guarantees are often in the form of tear-off or frangible bands connected to the actuation head of the device to prevent its actuation. Once the strip is torn off or destroyed, the actuating head can move axially and dispense the product. This kind of security or guarantee is based on the principle of immobilization of the actuating head thanks to an element to be removed or destroyed. 97/49620 PC17FR97 / 01064

Tearing or destroying the strip requires a certain tensile force which can sometimes lead to tearing of the strip itself; part of the strip then remains in place, and it is difficult to remove it completely. In addition, the strip removed is a small waste that must be disposed of anyway. Another drawback stems from the fact that this type of security is irreversible, in the sense that the strip can no longer be replaced to prevent actuation of the head.

A problem at the basis of the present invention is to produce a dispensing device provided with reliable, non-destructive, that is to say reversible, actuation security, and the deactivation of which takes place without requiring a special strength.

Document US-3,885,717 already discloses safety for the use of children for aerosol cans. The valve actuating head is provided on either side with elastic tabs which extend downward and the ends of which are provided with hooks which engage under the actuating head. The tabs thus together define a passage that the finger must necessarily take to access the actuation head. The finger being wider than that of a child, only the finger of an adult is able to engage in the passage formed by the elastic tabs by pushing them back so as to release the hooks from below the head. In this security, the unlocking is carried out by the user's finger and therefore any adult can unlock the bomb. It is therefore not total security, but only selective with regard to children. On the other hand, the width of the fingers in adults is very variable, so that this security does not even ensure the possibility of use for all adults. The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks by defining a so-called non-selective first-use security, the unlocking of which does not depend on the nature of the user. To do this, there is provided a fluid dispenser device comprising a dispenser member provided with an axially movable actuating head and a reservoir containing the fluid product to be dispensed, said dispenser member being fixed to the reservoir. , characterized in that the device further comprises locking means to prevent any axial displacement of the actuating head, and unlocking means to erase the action of said locking means on the actuating head and thus allow the axial movement of said actuating head. The unlocking means ensure that the locking means which remain in place on the device are deactivated.

Advantageously, the blocking means comprise at least one blocking element disposed in the path of axial movement of the actuation head, said blocking element being spaced from the path of axial movement of the actuation head by said unlocking means. According to one embodiment, said at least one locking element is pivotally mounted and comprises a cam surface, said unlocking means engaging said cam surface to pivotally move said locking element out of the axial movement path of the actuation head.

Preferably, the blocking means comprise several blocking elements distributed at regular angular spacing all around the actuating head. While disabling the security of the prior art consisting of a strip is simply achieved by tearing it apart or destroying it, in the present invention, the locking elements are moved apart by pivoting without destruction so that the withdrawal of the unlocking means again allows the locking elements to return to their initial position in the path of movement of the head ; this ensures the reversibility of the actuation safety.

According to a practical form, the blocking means are in the form of a blocking ring fixedly mounted on the dispensing member or the reservoir, said blocking ring being provided at its upper end with said pivoting blocking elements, said means unlocking in the form of an unlocking ring attached to the locking ring by biasing the locking elements by pivoting outwardly out of the path of movement of the actuating head.

The unlocking means are attached to the blocking means with which they thus engage to erase their action. In addition, the unlocking means act on the locking means independently of the actuation of the actuation head. Unlocking is not carried out by the user's finger as in document US Pat. No. 3,885,717 but by an attached member which does not act on the actuation head.

According to a very advantageous characteristic of the present invention, the device further comprises a case into which the reservoir is inserted, the unlocking means connecting said case in a removable manner, so that the reservoir equipped with its dispensing member can be introduced and extract from the case as a refill, the connection of the unlocking means on the case putting said means of unlocking in engagement with the blocking means to unlock them.

In this preferred application of the invention, the reservoir equipped with its dispensing member constitutes a refill for a case, the upper closing part of which is constituted by the unlocking means which operate both the unlocking of the locking means and the closure from the case. This embodiment is particularly advantageous, because the user does not even need to perform a particular operation to erase the action of the blocking means which is done automatically when the unlocking means are snapped onto the case. .

Thus, it is not even necessary to inform the user that the refill incorporates actuation security. In addition, if the user wishes to block the actuation of the device for a certain time, it is sufficient for him to slightly withdraw the unlocking means and the locking elements will resume their initial place under the actuation head.

The invention also defines a refill for a device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a dispensing member provided with an axially movable actuating head and with a reservoir containing the fluid product to be dispensed, said dispensing member being fixed on the reservoir. , characterized in that the refill further comprises blocking means to prevent any axial displacement of the actuating head, said blocking means being intended to be unlocked using unlocking means forming part of a set of packaging intended to receive said refill. The refill can be purchased commercially, equipped with its actuation security, which ensures the first use. The packaging set is reusable and includes a case and the unlocking means which form the case, allowing only the actuation head to pass.

The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of nonlimiting example several embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings: FIG. 1 represents the upper part of a dispensing device according to the invention with the locking means in the locking position, unlocking means being omitted, FIG. 2 represents a dispensing device of FIG. 1 with the unlocking means engaged with the blocking means so as to allow the movement of the actuating head, FIG. 3 represents a preferred embodiment of a dispensing device according to the invention, the blocking means being in the locking position and the unlocking means being omitted, - Figure 4 is a view of the dispensing device of Figure 3 with the unlocking means engaged with the locking means so as to release the actuating head in its axial displacement, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the locking means used in the dispensing device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, we see that the dispensing device according to this first embodiment only represents the upper part of the device, only the neck 30 of the tank being shown. In addition to the reservoir which may be rigid or flexible, made of plastic, glass or metal, the dispensing device of the invention comprises a dispensing member designated as a whole by the reference numeral 1. This dispensing member 1 which may be a pump or a valve, comprises a pump body 10 engaged in the neck 30 of the reservoir. The dispensing member is crimped by the upper part of its body 10 on the neck 30 using a crimp 13. In a conventional manner, a seal can be interposed between the neck 30 and the crimp 13 to ensure the sealing of the device at the level of the tank neck. The dispensing member further comprises an actuating rod 11 which is slidably mounted in the body 10 of the dispensing member 1. The actuating rod 11 is hollow and thus constitutes a delivery channel for the fluid product placed under pressure in the body 10. For actuation of the rod 11, an actuation head is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 2. The actuation head 2 comprises an internal channel 22 in communication with the interior of the actuating rod 11 as well as with a nozzle 21 intended to spray the fluid product into fine droplets. The actuation head 2 also includes a pressure surface 20 suitable for applying a finger, for example. A pressure on the surface 20 of the actuation head 2 causes the head and the rod 11 to move axially, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the case of a pump, the depression of the rod 11 has the effect of putting the pump chamber included in the pump body 10 under pressure until the outlet valve of the pump opens and discharges the dose of fluid product through the hollow interior of the actuating rod 11 to the nozzle 21 where the dose of fluid is sprayed. In the case of a valve, the depression of the valve stem 11 has the effect of putting in fluid communication the inside of the tank or a part of it with the outside through the hollow inside of the stem from valve 11 to nozzle 21 where the fluid is sprayed. In the two cases, whether it is a pump or a valve, the distribution of the fluid is achieved by axial displacement of the actuating rod 11 surmounted by its push button 2 incorporating the nozzle 21. This design general of the dispensing device according to the invention is common to all the embodiments described.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the neck 30 of the reservoir, or more precisely the crimping 13 of the dispensing member, is covered by a part designated as a whole by the reference numeral 4 which serves as blocking means for the actuating head 2. This part 4 providing a blocking means comprising a blocking ring formed with latching lugs 43 terminated by latching teeth 46 which are engaged with the neck 30 of the reservoir . The latching tabs 43 provided with their teeth 46 allow a solid and stable fixing of the part 4 on the neck 30. The locking ring 4 extends to the top of the neck 30 where it is provided with locking elements 41 which are arranged in the axial movement path of the actuation head 2 to lock the actuation head 2 in the rest position. The locking elements 41 are distributed all around the locking ring 4 in the path of axial displacement of the actuating head 2. The locking elements 41 can be three or six in number, but it is also conceivable not to provide only one locking element 41 on the locking ring 4. The locking elements 41 are pivotally mounted on the ring 4 about a pivot axis 40. To allow the pivoting of the locking elements 41, there is provided a cam surface 42 which is rigidly connected to the locking member 41 so that pressure exerted on the cam surface 42 causes the locking member 41 to pivot about of the pivot axis 40. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the pivot axes 40 extend tangentially to the locking ring 4, so that the pivoting direction of the locking element 41 extends radially relative to the actuating rod 11. In the rest position of the locking ring 4, the locking elements 41 are arranged in the path of axial movement of the actuating head 2. In order to ensure that the locking elements are correctly arranged below the actuating head 2, the locking elements 41 are provided with a thickening 410, which considerably increases the abutment surface of the lower end of the actuating head 2 on the upper end of the locking elements 41. Thus, thanks to the interposition of the locking elements 41 below the actuating head 2, any axial movement of the head of and consequently of the actuating rod 11, is emp ket. The dispensing device cannot then be actuated so that no dose of fluid can be emitted.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be explained how the locking elements 41 are moved out of the axial displacement path of the actuating head 2. As can be seen on the left side of Figure 2 , the locking elements 41 are spaced apart from the path of axial movement of the actuating head 2 by means of an unlocking ring generally designated by the reference numeral 5.

The unlocking ring comprises a bearing surface 51 which cooperates with the cam surface 42 of the locking element 41 so as to lower the cam surface 42.

The lowering of the cam surface 42 causes the locking element 41 to pivot outwards away from the actuating rod 11. The unlocking ring 5 must therefore be fitted on the ring. locking 4 until the bearing surface 51 of the unlocking ring 5 biases the cam surface 42 of the locking element 41 downwards. Keeping the unlocking ring 5 in place can be achieved by snapping the ring 5 onto the ring 4 or onto another part of the reservoir. Thus, the positioning of the unlocking ring 5 on the locking ring 4 has the effect of spreading the locking elements 41 out of the path of axial movement of the actuating head 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the actuating head can then be moved downwards, which has the effect of emitting fluid by the nozzle 21.

It should be noted that the use of an unlocking ring 5 to erase the action of the locking elements preserves the reversibility of the locking function of the locking elements 41 by simple withdrawal of the unlocking ring. Indeed, by removing the unlocking ring 5, the cam surface 42 is no longer biased downwards by the bearing surface 51 of the ring 5, which has the effect of pivoting the locking elements 41 again in the axial movement path of the actuating head 2. It is therefore possible thanks to the invention to put the dispensing device back to safety again by simple removal of the unlocking ring 5, which was not possible with the safety devices or guarantees of the prior art which involved destruction of the blocking elements.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a preferred embodiment and application of the present invention will now be described. The preferential nature is due more to the implementation of the distribution device than to its particular embodiment. In this embodiment and application, the assembly consisting of the reservoir 3 and its associated dispensing member 1 surmounted by the actuating head 2 constitutes a refill intended to be placed in a packaging assembly consisting of a case 7 partially enveloping the reservoir 3, a connecting sleeve 6 and the ring unlocking 5. The refill can be purchased commercially already equipped with its locking ring 4 ensuring first-time security, in order to guarantee the first use for the purchaser of the product. Like the locking ring of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the locking ring of this preferred embodiment is fixedly mounted on an annular peripheral boss formed by the neck of the reservoir 3 covered by the crimp 13 of the dispensing member 1. In its state not yet mounted in the packaging unit, and available as is on the market, the refill cannot be actuated due to the interposition of the locking elements 41 below the head. actuation 2. Referring now to FIG. 4, the refill is shown introduced into a set of conditions, the upper closing part of which is produced by the unlocking ring 5. The unlocking ring 5, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, urges the locking elements 41 by pivoting outwards outside the path of axial movement of the actuating head 2. The pivoting towards the outside of the locking elements 41 is produced by pressing the unlocking ring 5 on the cam surfaces 42 integral with the locking elements 41.

The detail of embodiment of the locking ring 4 will be described more precisely with reference to FIG. 5 below. The unlocking ring 5 therefore cooperates on the one hand with the cam surfaces 42 of the locking elements 41 as well as with a transition sleeve 6 which is attached to it. snapped into the upper opening end of the case 7. The connection of the. unlocking ring 5 on the upper end of the transition sleeve 7 can be of the snap-on, force-fitting or even screwing type. The set of conditions produced by the constituent elements 5, 6 and 7 cover the entire refill with the exception of the actuation head 2 which must remain accessible for its actuation.

In this application as a refill for a reusable packaging unit, the blocking elements 42 are erased automatically when the packaging unit is closed by simply attaching the unlocking ring to the transition sleeve 6 Thus, in a single operation, the condition set is reconstituted and the actuation security is erased.

FIG. 5 represents an enlarged section of the locking ring used in the refill shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The locking ring 4 is formed with the latching tabs 43 provided with an obviously annular peripheral 46 intended to receive the peripheral boss formed by the neck 30 of the container 3. The latching lugs 43 are surmounted by the locking elements 41 provided with their cam surfaces 42. While in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 the pivoting of the elements locking 4 was achieved by a pivot axis 40, in this embodiment, the pivoting of the locking elements 41 is provided by a material bridge 45 which connects the locking elements 41 to the rest of the ring. The material bridges have a reduced section so as to create a zone of weakness defining a point of articulation. The number of blocking element 41 distributed all around the blocking ring can be variable, but in general they will be 3 to 6.

Claims

claims

1.- Device for dispensing a fluid product comprising a dispensing member (1) provided with an actuating head (2) which can be moved axially and a reservoir

(3) containing the fluid to be dispensed, said dispensing member (1) being fixed on the reservoir (3), characterized in that the device also comprises locking means (4) to prevent any axial movement of the head actuation (2), and unlocking means (5) to erase the action of said locking means (4) on the actuation head (2) and thus allow the axial displacement of said actuation head (2 ).

2.- Dispensing device according to claim

1 in which the locking means (4) comprise at least one locking element (41) disposed in the axial movement path of the actuating head (2), said locking element (41) being spaced from the movement path axial of the actuating head (2) by said unlocking means (5).

3.- Dispensing device according to claim

2 wherein said at least one locking element (41) is pivotally mounted and comprises a cam surface (42), said unlocking means (5) engaging said cam surface (42) for pivotally separating said element blocking (41) out of the axial movement path of the actuating head (2).

4.- Device - distribution according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the locking means

(4) comprise several locking elements (41) distributed at regular angular spacing all around the actuating head (2),

5. A dispensing device according to claim 4 wherein the locking means are present in the form of a locking ring (4) fixedly mounted on the dispensing member M) or the reservoir (3), said locking ring (4) being provided at its upper end with said pivoting locking elements (41), said unlocking means in the form of an unlocking ring (5) attached to the locking ring (4) by biasing the locking elements (41) by pivoting outwards outside the path of movement of the head d actuation (2).

6. Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unlocking means are attached to the locking means with which they thus come into engagement to erase their action.

7. Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the unlocking means act on the locking means independently of the actuation of the actuation head.

8. Dispensing device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the device further comprises a case (7) into which the reservoir (3) is inserted, the unlocking means (5) connecting said case (7) removably, so that the reservoir (3) equipped with its dispensing member (1) can be inserted and removed from the case (7) as a refill, the connection of the unlocking means (5) on the case (7) putting said unlocking means (5) in engagement with the locking means (4) to unlock them.

9. A dispensing device according to claim 8, wherein the unlocking means (5) are snapped onto the case (7), one snap simultaneously operating the unlocking of the locking means (4).

10.- Refill for fluid product dispensing device comprising a dispensing member (1) provided with an actuating head (2) axially displaceable and a reservoir (3) containing the fluid product to be dispensed, said member distribution (1) being fixed on the reservoir (3), characterized in that the refill further comprises locking means (4) to prevent any axial movement of the actuating head (2), said locking means (4 ) being intended to be unlocked using unlocking means (5) forming part of a packaging assembly intended to receive said refill.