EP0939039A1 - Dispensing head for the dispensing of a material and assembly for dispensing under pressure equipped with such a head - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispensing head (4) is mounted on a pump or valve (30) topping a container (2) and has an outlet channel (34) with an orifice (22). It has a rigid or semi-rigid actuator (16) operated by a pusher (13), and a shutter (18) of an elastic material which opens when the pusher is depressed and closes when the pressure is released.

Description

The present invention relates to a head for dispensing a product, especially liquid or pasty, intended to be mounted on a tank placed under pressure using in particular a propellant, or manually using a pump or a piston. The invention also relates to a set of distribution comprising such a reservoir filled with product, a distribution valve and a dispensing head provided with a push button, actuable by a user in order to cause the ejection of a dose of product.

The products likely to be thus distributed from a set of the type mentioned above are in particular cosmetic products, hygiene products and cleaning products. In the field of body and hair care, we may include, for example, the packaging in pressurized cans of the creams shaving foam, self-foaming shaving gels, hair dyes, cold hair reducers, shampoos, depilatory foams, sunscreen and make-up removal foams, in particular under self-foaming form.

In the distribution assemblies mentioned, the ejected product travels in a channel ejection to an outlet. However, once the user has released the pressure exerted on the push button, practically in all cases of distribution of products having the aforementioned consistency, the ejection channel does not have the time to empty, so much more product remains large that the outlet is formed in an elongated applicator tip.

However, the aforementioned products are of such a nature that once the distribution is finished, they tend to continue to slowly exit the election channel (overflowing in the case of foam or leakage in the case of liquid or viscous products), which causes soiling on the push button, or in general, on the dispensing head, or even on the user's hand.

It has already been proposed to remedy this drawback by ensuring the obturation of the outlet orifice when the container is in the rest position, this orifice not being released only when operating the push button.

Thus, document FR-A-2 617 809, in the name of the plaintiff, proposes a set distribution for products having a viscous or pasty consistency, or distributed in the form of foams from a container with a mobile push button provided with an ejection channel. According to this document, the channel ejection leads into a chamber delimited by a fixed part attached to the container and constituting, with said movable push-button, a dispensing head, the chamber opening to the outside through an outlet, the push button mobile comprising means capable of closing said outlet orifice in position rest of the push button and release it when actuating the latter.

Tests carried out by the applicant have shown that the tightness of the assembly according to FR-A-2 617 809 leaves something to be desired. We found, in particular, residual product in the space formed between the top of the container and the head of distribution. In addition, the mounting of the movable push button and the fixed part must be carried out in two separate stages, and requires special tools.

The present invention relates to a dispensing head, the construction of which is simplified and whose mounting on a tank is easier compared to the whole according to FR-A-2 617 809.

The document EP-A-0 031 123 describes a dispensing head having a channel outlet, the end of which forms an outlet orifice, closed in the rest position by a central shutter. The central shutter and the outlet channel are made in one rigid material, a thin area of the channel being provided at a location away from the outlet, allowing retraction of the channel, and thus the release of the outlet orifice. This device has the disadvantage that the seal between the shutter and the outlet orifice leaves something to be desired, in particular when the outgoing product is an expanding foam. Indeed, because the outlet and the shutter are made by molding in a rigid material, the precision of these parts is insufficient to ensure reliable sealing.

We also know from document FR-A-2 6984 080, a dispensing head of the aforementioned kind, having an outlet channel whose free end forms at inside a rigid peripheral valve seat. This peripheral seat cooperates, in the rest position with a central shutter of rigid material, connected to a movable actuator capable of causing the shutter to retract and thereby free the outlet. This distribution head presents, like the realization according to the previous document, leaks. Moreover, it is difficult to adjust the shutter, it is complicated to mold and the assembly of the assembly is difficult to achieve industrially.

a) des moyens de distribution destinés à être montés sur une pompe ou une valve, surmontant un réservoir contenant le produit, et définissant un canal de sortie du produit, débouchant sur au moins un orifice de distribution ;

b) des moyens d'actionnement rigides ou semi-rigides, mobiles par rapport aux moyens de distribution, les moyens d'actionnement étant aptes à venir en engagement avec les moyens de distribution pour faire passer ces derniers d'une position de fermeture à une position de distribution, dans laquelle le canal de sortie est en communication avec ledit réservoir;

c) des moyens d'obturation, solidaires des moyens d'actionnement et aptes à passer, en réponse à une pression exercée sur les moyens d'actionnement, d'une première position, dans laquelle ils obturent de manière étanche ledit (ou lesdits) orifice(s), à une seconde position, dans laquelle ledit (ou lesdits) orifice(s) sont dégagés, de manière à permettre la sortie du produit sous pression, lesdits moyens d'obturation étant formés d'un matériau élastiquement déformable de manière à pouvoir revenir, par rappel élastique, dans ladite première position lorsque cesse la pression d'actionnement.

Also, the invention relates to a head for dispensing a product under pressure, in particular a liquid, comprising:

a) dispensing means intended to be mounted on a pump or a valve, surmounting a reservoir containing the product, and defining a product outlet channel, opening onto at least one dispensing orifice;

b) rigid or semi-rigid actuating means, movable relative to the dispensing means, the actuating means being able to come into engagement with the dispensing means to move the latter from a closed position to a dispensing position, in which the outlet channel is in communication with said reservoir;

c) shutter means, integral with the actuation means and capable of passing, in response to a pressure exerted on the actuation means, from a first position, in which they seal said (or said) orifice (s), at a second position, in which said (or said) orifice (s) are released, so as to allow the product to exit under pressure, said closure means being formed of an elastically deformable material so to be able to return, by elastic return, to said first position when the actuation pressure ceases.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the rigid actuating means or semi-rigid are axially movable over a stroke greater than the stroke of the distribution means, the return of the actuating means to the rest position on the one hand by the restoring force exerted by elastic means of the pump or the valve, and on the other hand by the elastic restoring force exerted by means of obturation. Such elastic means generally comprising a spring on which the pump or valve stem is mounted. By the term "rigid or semi-rigid actuating means" means means of which the structure or the material used is non-deformable under the conditions normal use.

The invention also relates to a pressure conditioning assembly comprising a reservoir for the product to be dispensed, provided with a valve or a pump and provided with a dispensing head as defined above. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this assembly is provided with a valve emerging stem, in communication with the means of distribution, the product contained in the tank being pressurized by means of a propellant gas chosen from hydrocarbons or liquefied chloro-fluoro-alkanes, nitrogen, air compressed, carbon dioxide, dimethyl ether or mixtures thereof.

For example, the product packaged in the tank is advantageously a self-foaming gel containing a foaming agent such as isopentane, a foam such as shaving foam, liquid foundation, foam depilatory or a hair coloring product.

According to an interesting aspect of the invention, the actuation means and the distribution means are arranged so that an actuating pressure initially causes the passage of the means for closing the first to second position, then, in a second step, setting communication of the outlet channel with said reservoir, said means for distribution returning from the distribution position to the closed position, under the effect of a restoring force generated by elastic means of the pump or valve.

By this provision, any flow of residual product between the dispensing valve or pump and dispensing orifice can be avoided instantly, reliably, to keep everything clean after each use. The seal in the rest position occurs at the dispensing orifice. This seal is guaranteed, even if the product contains foaming agents such as isopentane which, under pressure atmospheric tends to cause product expansion during duration of up to ten minutes.

Furthermore, advantageously, the sealing means ensure, in the second aforementioned position, a seal between the distribution means and the actuation means. By this arrangement, it is possible to avoid fouling of the mechanism which would then risk hampering the mobility of the actuating means compared to the means of distribution. According to an interesting aspect of the invention, the sealing means are formed of an elastomeric material, that is to say of an elastically compressible material in its three dimensions, such as natural or synthetic rubbers.

To this end, advantageously, the actuation means have a portion ring surrounding the distribution means and one free end of which is located substantially in the vicinity of the dispensing orifice (s), these sealing means being formed of an annular member mounted inside said annular portion of the actuating means, said means actuators being slidably mounted relative to the distribution means. Advantageously, this annular member defines a skirt of which a free edge ensures, in the second position, the seal between the actuating means and the means of distribution.

In an advantageous embodiment, the actuation means thus that the sealing means are produced by bi-injection of a first and a second physico-chemically compatible thermoplastic material. Also, the first material consists, for example of a polyethylene, or of a polypropylene, which are relatively rigid materials. In this case, the second material consists of an elastomer chosen from the group of propylene / ethylene copolymers; polyether blockamides; polyvinyls; of terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); polymers of block styrene-butadiene (SBS); styrene-ethylene-butadiene polymers sequenced (SEBS-SIS); thermoplastic polyurethanes; of blends of polypropylene with one of the following elastomers: polymers of block styrene-ethylene-butadiene (SEBS-SIS); terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); block styrene-butadiene polymers (SBS).

According to an interesting embodiment, the outlet (s) open perpendicular to the outlet channel, straight on the internal face of the annular organ. Thus, during product distribution, the annular member makes as a jetbreaker, avoiding accidental projections and splashes of product, which is advantageous for the distribution of very liquid products or products subject to strong pressurization.

Advantageously, the dispensing head includes a part intended for its fixing to the tank, for example an annular hoop, this part being secured to the actuation means via an articulation zone, for example a film hinge.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective d'un ensemble de conditionnement sous pression muni d'une tête de distribution, conforme à un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue partielle en perspective de l'ensemble de la figure 1, représenté en cours d'utilisation ;
• la figure 3 montre une vue partielle agrandie en coupe longitudinale de l'ensemble de la figure 1, représenté en position de repos ;
• la figure 4 montre une vue agrandie en coupe longitudinale des moyens d'obturation en position de repos ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale des moyens d'obturation en position de distribution.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, in connection with a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, described with reference to the appended figures, among which :

• FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a pressure conditioning assembly provided with a dispensing head, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 shows a partial perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1, shown in use;
• Figure 3 shows an enlarged partial view in longitudinal section of the assembly of Figure 1, shown in the rest position;
• FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the shutter means in the rest position;
• FIG. 5 represents a view in longitudinal section of the closure means in the dispensing position.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a perspective view of a distribution assembly is seen. to the invention, generally designated by the reference 1. This set, of axis X is consisting of a reservoir 2 containing a liquid product, in particular foaming and a distribution head 4, mounted on the reservoir using a cylindrical hoop 6. The hoop 6 carries a circular plate 8 in which a cutout is made 10. This cutout 10 delimits a space in which a push button is arranged. 12, articulated pivoting with the plate 8 by means of a film hinge 14. The push button 12 has an actuation surface 13, arranged eccentrically to the X axis and on which the user presses to distribute a dose of product. The push button is provided with a distribution 16, produced in the form of cylindrical tubing, and integral with the actuating surface 13. In the rest position of the assembly, as mounted on Figure 1, the axis of the tip 16 is coincident with the axis X. The tip 16 comprises a free end 15, inside which is arranged a sealing means annular 18. This sealing means 18 is advantageously produced in a elastomeric material, such as a polypropylene ethylene terpolymer and a diene (EPDM). Such a material is sold by the company MONTSANTO under the trade name of Santoprene®. Inside the means an annular shutter is arranged a distribution member 20. In the position of rest, the dispensing member 20 does not protrude outward relative to the annular obturation means 18.

When the user presses on the actuating surface 13 of the push button 12, by pivoting around the film hinge 14, the latter sinks slightly in the space delimited by the cutout 10. During this action, the endpiece 16 and the closure means 18 move back with respect to the distribution member 20, thus freeing the free end 22 of a distribution channel.

In Figure 3, we see the dispensing head 4 of Figures 1 and 2, shown in axial section. This head is mounted on the top of an aerosol container 2. This container 2, made for example of aluminum, has a turtleneck 24, on which is fixed, by crimping, a valve holder cup 26. The cup 26 has a dome 28 in which a distribution valve 30 with an emerging stem 32 is mounted. The free end of the rod 32 is engaged in a corresponding bore, made in the lower end of the distribution member 20. The distribution member is provided with a central distribution channel 34 which ends opposite a solid portion 20a located at the free end of the dispensing member 20. Just below of the portion 20a, the central channel 34 opens onto two radial channels 22 arranged, in the rest position, facing the internal wall of the means annular obturation 18. The valve 30 is connected to a dip tube 36 which generally ends near the bottom of the tank 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the dispensing member consists of four portions 20b, 20c, 20d and 20e, of increasing diameter. The portion 20b has a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the solid portion 20a. Enter here portion of smaller diameter 20b and portion 20c, a junction area 20f has the shape of a truncated cone 20f. The portion 20c is separated from the portion 20d by an offset 20g. Likewise, between portion 20d and portion 20e there is an offset at 8 p.m. One or more 20i annular beads may be provided for centering the dispensing member 20 in the end piece 16 (see Figure 4).

In the rest position of the assembly 1, the recess 20g is disposed at a small axial distance δ _c of a corresponding shoulder 16a produced inside the endpiece 16, while, when the push button is actuated 12, this recess 20g is capable of coming into abutment against the projection 16a. Typically, this distance δ _c is from 0.8 mm to 1.0 mm. This axial distance δ _c allows, as will be seen in detail below, a slight axial movement of the endpiece 16 relative to the dispensing member 20.

With reference, in particular to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the closure means annular 18 has two cylindrical skirts 18a and 18b, arranged so concentric and oriented towards the tank. The first skirt 18a, of diameter greater than the diameter of the second skirt 18b, is embedded in a housing 16b of shape complementary to the shape of the skirt 18a, produced in the wall of the nozzle 16, near its free end 15. The free end 15 has a rim 15a, in contact with a smaller diameter area 18c formed by the upper end of the sealing means 18. This arrangement allows to axially block the closure means 18 inside the end piece 16.

The second skirt 18b has a free end 19 which comes into elastic support on the inclined surface of the truncated cone 20f. Note that between the surface outer of the skirt 18b and the inner wall of the endpiece 16, a space 23 is provided to allow a radial clearance of the free end 19 of the second skirt. This movement allows the constraint of the skirt 18b.

The annular closure means 18 also has a central passage cylindrical 18d in which is arranged the portion of smaller diameter 20b of the distribution member 20. The central passage 18d has an end 18th of diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the rest of the passage 18d. In this end 18th is housed, in the rest position, the solid portion 20a of the distribution plot 20. With reference to FIG. 4, by the arrangement described, the means shutter ensures the closure of the distribution channel 34, goes the channels radial 22. The second skirt 18b ensures, on the one hand, a good seal between the dispensing member 20 and the internal wall of the endpiece 16, and on the other hand, exerts, in response to a force exerted on the actuating surface 13, a support elastic on the dispensing member 20 in the direction of the reservoir 2. Furthermore, it allows a return by elastic return of the closure means 18 opposite the channels 22.

It should be noted that, advantageously, the sealing means 18 is put in place during the manufacture of the dispensing head 1 by a biinjection technique an elastomeric thermoplastic material (forming the sealing means) and a rigid thermoplastic material (forming in one piece the push button and the fret).

The operation of the dispensing assembly of the invention is as follows: to dispense product, the user presses on the actuating surface 13 in the direction of the arrow F (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 5, the end 19 of the skirt 18b is deformed, the end piece 16 descends relative to the distribution member 20 over an axial distance δ _c and the ends 22 of the distribution channel are released. When the user continues to press, the shoulder 16a abuts against the edge formed by the step 20g. By this operation the dispensing member 20 is brought into a lower axial position sufficient to actuate the dispensing valve. Product P is then dispensed, as indicated by the arrows P in FIG. 5.

When the support action on the actuating surface 13 ceases, the distribution 20 returns to the closed position under the effect of a restoring force exerted by the elastic means on which the valve stem is mounted.

The end piece 16 rises with the dispensing member 20. When the dispensing member 20 reaches the upper end of the travel, the end piece 16 continues its race over a height δ _c , under the effect of the elastic restoring force. exerted by the skirt 18b, thus causing the return of the shutter means 18 opposite the channels 22. Thus, the distribution is stopped clearly, and any late flow of product is prevented. In particular in the case of a product with strong expansion like a foam or a self-foaming gel, the whole always remains clean.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to a mode of particular embodiment of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (13)

Head (4) for dispensing a product (P) under pressure, comprising: a) distribution means (20) intended to be mounted on a pump or a valve (30), surmounting a reservoir (2) containing the product, and defining an outlet channel (34) of the product, opening onto at least one dispensing orifice (22); b) rigid or semi-rigid actuating means (16), movable relative to the dispensing means, the actuating means being able to come into engagement with the dispensing means to move the latter from a position of closing at a dispensing position in which the outlet channel (34) is in communication with said reservoir (2); c) closure means (18), integral with the actuation means (16) and able to pass, in response to a pressure exerted on the actuation means (16), from a first position in which they seal sealingly said (or said orifice (s) (22) at a second position in which said (or said orifice (s) are released so as to allow the product to exit under pressure, said sealing means (18 ) being formed of an elastically deformable material so as to be able to return, by elastic return, to said first position when the actuation pressure ceases. Dispensing head according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating means (16) are axially movable over a stroke greater than the stroke of the distribution means (20), the return of the actuation means (16) in the rest position on the one hand by the restoring force exerted by elastic means of the pump or of the valve, and on the other hand under the action of elastic return generated by the closure means (18). Dispensing head according to claim 2, characterized in that the actuation means (16) and the distribution means (20) are arranged so that an actuating pressure initially causes the passage of the shutter means (18) from the first to the second position, then, secondly, the communication of the output channel (34) with said reservoir (2), said dispensing means returning from the position of distribution in the closed position, under the effect of a return force generated by the elastic means of the pump or the valve. Dispensing head according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the sealing means (18) further provide, in said second position, a seal between the distribution means (20) and the actuating means (16). Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (16) have a portion ring surrounding the distribution means and one free end of which is located substantially in the vicinity of the dispensing orifice (s), said sealing means being formed of an annular member mounted inside said annular portion of the actuating means, said means actuator (16) being slidably mounted relative to the means of distribution (20). Dispensing head according to claim 5, characterized in that said actuation means (16) and said closure means (18) are produced by bi-injection of a first and a second compatible thermoplastic material physico-chemically. Dispensing head according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said first material consists of a polyethylene, or of a polypropylene, and in that the second material consists of an elastomer chosen from the group propylene / ethylene copolymers; polyether blockamides; polyvinyls; terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); polymers block styrene-butadiene (SBS); styrene-ethylenebutadiene polymers sequenced (SEBS-SIS); thermoplastic polyurethanes; of blends of polypropylene with one of the following elastomers: polymers of block styrene-ethylene-butadiene (SEBS-SIS); terpolymers of ethylene, propylene and a diene (EPDM); block styrene-butadiene polymers (SBS). Dispensing head according to any one of claims 5 to 7 characterized in that said annular member defines a skirt (18b) including an edge free (19) ensures, in said second position, the seal between the means actuator (16) and the distribution means (20). Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet orifice (s) (22) open out perpendicular to the outlet channel (34). Dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises a part (6) intended for its attachment to the tank, said part being integral with actuating means (16) via a articulation zone (14). Pressure conditioning assembly comprising a reservoir (2) for a liquid product (P) to be dispensed and provided with a valve (30) or a pump, characterized in that it is provided with a dispensing head (4) conforming to any one of the preceding claims. Packaging assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that that it is provided with a valve (30) with an emerging rod (32) in communication with the distribution means (20), said product contained in the tank being placed under pressure by means notably of a propellant gas. Use of a packaging assembly (1) according to claim 11 or 12 for the distribution of a self-foaming gel, a foam or a product of hair coloring.

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