Lockable dispensing head

p0001The present invention relates to a dispensing head of a product intended for actuating a dispensing member mounted on a container, in particular a valve mounted on a pressurized container, and the distribution of a product contained in the container. In particular, the invention relates to a dispensing head movable between a dispensing position and a storage position.

p0002Generally the dispensing heads are protected by covers to prevent inadvertent distribution of product. However, the covers can be easily removed accidentally which is undesirable, especially when the dispensing head is provided on an aerosol dispenser and that the risks of leakage of the product, including the propellant of aerosol, must be avoided.

p0003To avoid unintentional dispensing of product, it is known to make dispensing heads can move from a dispensing position to a storage position in which the product can not be distributed. The document<patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US2887273A"><text>US 2887273</text></patcit> describes an exemplary dispensing head of this type which comprises a diffuser secured to a container and a valve stem associated with the container, and a pushbutton adapted to actuate the valve stem. To move from a dispensing position to a storage position, the push button is movable in rotation relative to the diffuser. The diffuser comprises a hollow tube attached to the valve stem, the tube comprising two diametrically opposite lateral spray orifices. The pushbutton includes a skirt fitted on the tube, the skirt defining an opening intended to be placed opposite one or other of the spray orifices in the dispensing position. In the storage position, the opening formed in the skirt of the push-button is positioned facing the tube wall located between the two orifices. No product can thus be distributed. However, in this position nothing prevents the depression of the push-button so that the product can build up inside the tube and diffuser of the jet orifices. The product may therefore over time to dry and clog the holes. The document<patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="EP1024094A"><text>EP 1024094</text></patcit> also discloses a dispensing head according to the preamble of claim 1.

p0004Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a dispenser head that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

p0005It is a further object of the invention to provide a new dispensing head which prevents the accidental dispensing of product.

p0006This is particularly an object of the invention to provide such a head that is simple to perform and inexpensive.

p0007According to the invention, these objects can be attained by providing a dispensing head according to claim 1 for actuating a dispensing member mounted on a container and dispensing a product contained in the container.

p0008Such distribution head can be placed in a safety position in which the product can not be distributed, this position can hardly be changed accidentally unlike heads only protected by covers that can be easily removed accidentally. It also avoids the risk of bacteriological pollution outside of the head since in the storage position the head is not covered with hood and thus remain in the air.

p0009In addition, the dispensing member can not be actuated when the opening of the duct is closed, the product can not leave the container in this position and accumulate in the conduit. This avoids the risk of clogging of the conduit.

p0010In addition, the presence of the elastically deformable connecting means enables a duct by a molding process from a single piece with fastening means, which can move relative to the fixing means. This piece is simple to perform and inexpensive.

p0011Advantageously, the dispensing head may be configured to only allow actuation of the dispensing member when the actuating means is in the first position. The dispensing member can thus be operated in an intermediate position between the first and second positions to prevent the product can happen in the conduit while the conduit opening is closed.

p0012The dispensing head may comprise an axial stop against which the actuating means are able to bear axially at least when they are not in the first position so as to prevent actuation of the dispensing member. The axial stop may further be configured such that the actuating means are able to abut axially against it between the first and the second position, namely in all positions other than the first position.

p0013The dispensing orifice may be formed at the end of a channel and the duct opens onto at least one opening adapted to be opposite the channel in the first position and can be sealed in the second position. The duct opening being closed when the head is not in the dispensing position, the duct is sealed in the storage position.

p0014The conduit may lead to a single opening adapted to be opposite the channel.

p0015The opening may be a slit extending parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the head. It is obvious that any other form of openness can be used.

p0016The channel to the end of which is formed the dispensing orifice may have a length greater than the diameter of the dispensing orifice. By the diameter of the dispensing orifice, is meant the diameter of the circle when the orifice is circular, or the diameter of the circle circumscribed on the section of the orifice when the latter has a different shape of a circle.

p0017Advantageously, the fastening means are fixedly mounted axially on the container so that the head is properly maintained on the container.

p0018Advantageously, the connection means are elastically deformable, so that they resume their initial position when the stress which deforms the stop.

p0019The linking means allow a displacement of the conduit in response to actuation of the actuating means.

p0020According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting means consist of a wall transverse to a longitudinal axis X of the head, which may be corrugated. This configuration of the wall enables it to deform readily and easily return to its original position.

p0021The duct is formed along a longitudinal axis X of the head and has a first end adapted to cooperate with the dispensing member and a second end on which are fitted the actuating means. Thus, the duct directly transmits the pressure exerted on the actuating means to the dispensing member.

p0022A tip can be disposed within the conduit so as to define an annular passage for the product over at least part of the conduit.

p0023The actuating means may be rotatable about the axis X between the first and second positions.

p0024Advantageously, the dispensing head may comprise at least two radial stops limiting the rotational movement of the actuating means.

p0025Advantageously, the dispensing head may include means of identification sound to signal the positioning in one or other of the first and second positions. The audible identification means may be constituted by the cooperation of a first relief formed on the actuating means and a second relief, the first relief being capable, upon displacement of the actuating means relative to the conduit, coming in contact with the second topography and to cross it by deforming it elastically so as to produce an audible signal. The user can ensure that the head is placed in one or the other of the positions, in particular in the storage position.

p0026The dispensing head may also include visual identification means for identifying the first and second positions.

p0027The dispensing orifice may be defined by a nozzle insert or a grid insert for dispensing a product as a foam.

p0028The invention also relates to a packaging and dispensing a product comprising:<ul><li>a container containing the product and equipped with a dispensing member;</li><li>a dispensing head as just described intended to enable the dispenser to dispense the product.</li></ul>

p0029The container may be pressurized and the dispensing member may be a plug valve comprising a valve stem on which the duct is fitted, or a female valve, that is to say without valve stem, in which is fitted the conduit. Alternatively, the container is at atmospheric pressure and is equipped with a pump.

p0030The invention is particularly useful for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic or care product, particularly a deodorant product.

p0031The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the above, a packaging and dispensing a product according to claim 22.

p0032For the purposes of the present invention, the term "deodorant" any product containing a composition capable of reducing the flow of sweat, masking, absorbing, improving and / or reducing the unpleasant odor resulting from the decomposition of human sweat by bacteria .

p0033The invention consists, apart from the arrangements explained above, in a number of other provisions which will be explained below, in connection with non-limiting exemplary embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:<ul><li>the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a packaging and dispensing fitted with a dispensing head according to the invention;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0002">2</figref> shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the <figref idrefs="f0001">figure 1</figref> ;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0003">3</figref> represents a top view along arrow 3 of part of the dispensing head shown in <figref idrefs="f0002">2</figref> ;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref> shows in axial section the dispensing head in the closed position;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0004">5</figref> shows in axial section the dispensing head in a dispensing position, the valve is not actuated;</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0003">6</figref> shows a detail of the dispensing head when passing from the closed position to the dispensing position; and</li><li>the <figref idrefs="f0005">7</figref> shows in axial section the dispensing head in the dispensing position, the valve being actuated.</li></ul>

p0034The packaging and distribution illustrated in <figref idrefs="f0001 f0002 f0003 f0004 f0005">Figures 1 to 7</figref> is formed from a pressurized container 30 to which is fixed a dispensing head 1 according to the invention.

p0035The container 30 is formed by a pressurized can of axis X formed by a cylindrical body 31 of revolution, whose upper end is closed by a cup 32 crimped on a rolled edge 33 of the container. The cup 32 is provided with a valve 34 which comprises a hollow valve stem 35 and which can be actuated for example by depressing the valve stem. It is obvious that one can alternatively use a valve that can be operated by tilting the valve stem.

p0036The container 30 may contain a product to be sprayed, for example a cosmetic product, and a propellant, which may or may not be stored in liquefied form in the container 30 to be issued or not with the product. The product then comes in spray form, that is to say in the form of fine particles in suspension or in the gas or in the air.

p00371 the dispensing head is also of axis X and is formed of two parts movable relative to each other between two positions, a first position allowing the product distribution and a second storage position in which the product is can be dispensed. The first part of the head consists of a collar 10 to protect the valve stem and designed to be fixed on the container. The second part consists of a push button 20 for actuating the valve and which is rotatable relative to the collar. Each of the two parts is obtained by molding a thermoplastic from a single piece.

p0038The hoop 10 includes a fastener skirt 11 to secure the head on the container. The attachment skirt 11 is provided with an annular bead 110 on its inner wall to secure it on the container by snap-fastening under the rolled edge 33 of the container and the cup 32. The mounting skirt 11 has a radial recess 111 to the within the skirt and extends axially above the recess to an upper end from which is formed a transverse wall 12. radial fins 13 angularly spaced about the periphery of the inner surface of the fixing skirt, s extend parallel to the axis X from the step 111 to a lower free edge 130. the free edge 130 is provided to abut against the container in the mounted position of the ring on the container, as seen in the<figref idrefs="f0004">Figures 4, 5</figref> and <figref idrefs="f0005">7</figref>. The fins 13 and serve to limit the axial drive of the hoop at its latching on the container.

p0039The transverse wall 12 is a thin wall which has a corrugation so that it is elastically deformable, allowing it to deform when the axially biases. The wall 12 is crossed in its center by a conduit 14 formed in the axis X.

p0040The conduit 14 extends from either side of the transverse wall 12 from a lower open end 14a which fits over the valve stem 35, to an upper end 14b, also open, on which is s 'emmancher an axial skirt 23 of the push button. An annular groove 14c is provided on the outer surface of the conduit 14 for receiving an annular rim 23a provided on the inner surface of the axial skirt 23 of the push button to ensure the axial holding of the push button on the hoop. In addition, the cooperation of the annular bead 23a with annular groove 14c provides a seal between the conduit and the interior of the push button.

p0041The duct 14 is of circular cylindrical shape and defines in its lower part a shouldered housing in which is engageable substantially seal the upper portion of the valve stem 35 whose upper end 35a abuts against the shoulder housing. The lower end 14a of the conduit flares slightly to facilitate the installation of the conduit on the valve stem. The upper end 14b has an axial slot 15a which defines a passage to take out the product.

p0042The attachment skirt 11 is connected at the recess 111 by an annular transverse wall 16, to an outer skirt 17 concentric with the fixing skirt 11. The outer skirt 17 is intended to form the extension of the wall of the container when the dispensing head is mounted on the container. Two marks M are provided on the outer surface of this skirt 17, which visually indicate the angular positions of the slit 15a and the closed position. A first mark M is for example the word "ON" corresponding to the position of the 15a slot and therefore allowing a dispensing of the product, and a second mark M is for example the word "OFF" which correspond to the storage position .

p0043As shown in more detail in the <figref idrefs="f0003">3</figref>, The annular transverse wall 16 of the shell is crossed by two arcuate openings of circle 18 and 19, diametrically opposite to the annular transverse wall formed in the vicinity of the outer skirt 17, and which are intended to move two legs of push-button, as will be seen in detail below. The first opening 18 is formed on the side of the axial slot 15a of the conduit and the second opening 19 is formed at the rear of the axial slot 15a.

p0044The second opening arcuate ends 19, near one of its ends, with an opening portion 19a which extends radially inwardly opening 19. The opening 19a portion is formed according to the diameter passing through the axial slot 15a. The portion 160 of the annular transverse wall 16 located near the second opening 19, inside the circular arc serves as an axial abutment for the push-button as will be seen in detail later.

p0045Two vertical stops 190a and 190b respectively bordering each end of the second opening in an arc 19. The abutments 190a and 190b extend axially from the annular transverse wall 16 to an upper free edge, and extend radially from the outer surface of the fixing skirt 11 to the slot 19. the stops 190a and 190b are relatively rigid because they are secured to both of the transverse annular wall 16 and the attachment skirt 11, and thus permit to limit the rotational movement of the push button.

p0046Two radial tongues 191a and 191b extend axially from the annular transverse wall 16 to an upper free edge 191a 'and 191b'. One is formed on the side of the inner edge 19a of the opening portion and the other is formed at a distance from the abutment 190b. The tongues 191a and 191b extend over an axial height less than that of the stops 190a and 190b and are also narrower than the abutments 190a and 190b. The tongues 191a and 191b do not extend up to the opening in a circular arc 19 and are formed at a distance from the attachment skirt 11 so that they are elastically deformable. The tongues 191a and 191b cooperate with the push-button so as to constitute an audible identification means to indicate the change in the use position and storage position.

p0047Preferably, the dispensing position is angularly remote enough from the storage position so as to completely separate these two positions. This prevents the user masquerading push button in the dispensing position without wish. The two positions being relatively far away, the push button can then take various intermediate positions in which it is not desirable that the dispensing member can be actuated. Therefore, it is preferable that the portion 160 serve as axial abutment for the push-button between the two positions. However, it may alternatively be provided that the portion 160 of the annular transverse wall 16 located near the second opening 19, inside of the circular arc, can serve as axial stop for only the push-button in that the storage position. 160 portion located between two radial tongues 191a and 191b extends radially at the same level so that the portion 160 of the wall located between the tab 191a and the vertical stop 190a.

p0048For actuating the valve, the dispensing head comprises a push button 20 which has a top wall 21, intended to serve as support for a user's finger. The top wall 21 is connected at periphery with a first skirt 22, of smaller diameter than the diameter of the outer skirt 17 of the hoop.

p0049The push button 20 comprises, inside the first skirt 22, a second skirt 23, cylindrical of revolution. The skirt 23 has an axis X and fits over the upper end 14b of the pipe 14 around which it is rotatable. In the upper part of the skirt 23 opens with a first end 24a, a channel 24, substantially radial, the second end 24b opens into a nozzle holder. The nozzle holder includes a stud 25, or "centerpost" on which can be fixed a nozzle vortex 50 conventional channels. The nozzle 50 defines a dispensing orifice 51.

p0050An arrow F is provided on the top wall 21 to indicate the angular position of the end 24a of the channel 24, so that when it is opposite the one or the other mark M provided on the hoop, this visually indicates to the user the position in which it can actuate the push-button for dispensing the product and the storage position.

p0051A tip 26 of axis X is formed inside the second skirt 23 and is inserted inside the conduit 14 when the push button is mounted on the hoop. The tip 26 has a diameter slightly smaller than that of the conduit so as to form an annular passage for the product inside the duct. The tip 26 allows limiting the dead volume within the duct and thus to limit pressure losses within the duct in order to optimize the rate at which the product leaves. In addition, decreasing the dead volume, it reduces the volume of product that can hold the dispensing head between the valve 34 and the dispensing orifice 51. Thus, spraying the product by the dispensing port stops substantially the instant the user releases the push-button, that is to say as soon as the valve is more open since the amount of product remaining within the head is relatively low.

p0052The peripheral skirt 22 of the push button is extended axially in its lower part, on two diametrically opposed angular portions, by two tabs 27 and 28, each provided to move in respectively the openings in arc of circle 18 and 19 provided in the fret. Each leg 27 and 28 is provided at its lower end with a hook 270 and 280 which abuts on the annular transverse wall 16, when the tabs through the openings 27 and 28. The hooks 270 and 280 serve to axially retain the button -poussoir on the hoop. The lug 27, on the side of the dispensing orifice 51 is provided to move in the opening circular arc 18. The tab 28 is provided to move into the opening 19. The arcuate tab 28 includes a rib 281 having an axial length and the radial length is sufficient to abut against each abutment 190a and 190b during the rotational movement of the push button on the hoop. The rib 281 has a shoulder 281 has in its lower part that allows it to pass remotely from the vertical edge of the tongues 191a and 191b. However, the shoulder 281 has come into contact with the free upper edges 191a 'and 191b' of each tongue 191a and 191b and crosses by deforming elastically, as seen in the<figref idrefs="f0003">6</figref>, To produce a sound.

p0053In the storage position shown in <figref idrefs="f0004">4</figref>, The pipe 14 closes the end 24a of the channel 24 so as to prevent any communication between the outlet port 51 and the interior of distribution conduit 14. The conduit is thus sealingly closed by the cooperation of two cylindrical parts . In this position, the rib 281 abuts against the abutment 190b. In addition, the tab 28 passes through the slot 19 and is located at the end of the opening 19 opposite the opening 19a. The lower end of the rib 281 formed on the push button is in axial abutment against the annular portion 160 of the transverse wall 16 so that if the user presses the pushbutton 20, in particular on the area of ​​the upper wall 21 located opposite to the dispensing port 51, it can penetrate and therefore can not operate the valve 34. this prevents accidental actuation of the valve. It may further provide on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 22 of the push button two reinforcing ribs (not shown) extending axially on either side of the rib 281 and which are diametrically opposite, these ribs being intended to come axially into abutment against a rim extending axially around the transverse wall 12. These reinforcing ribs can prevent the tilting of the push-button when it is pressed on the sides of the upper wall 21 of the buttonhole pusher. The crown will of course include notches which allow the insertion of the push button in the dispensing position.

p0054To distribute the product, the user rotates the push button 20 about the X axis to position the arrow F opposite the mark "ON". During the rotational movement of the push button, the tab 27 moves into the opening in a circular arc 18 and the tab 28 moves into the opening in a circular arc 19 until the shoulder 281a of the rib 281 comes against the tongue 191a and, owing to its elasticity, the crosses to abut against the stop 190a with an audible signal for the user to know that the push button is placed in the dispensing position. In this position shown in<figref idrefs="f0004">5</figref>, The rib 281 is located above the opening 19a and the dispensing orifice 51 communicates with the interior of conduit 14 via the slot 15a.

p0055The user may then actuate the valve by pressing the push-button as has been shown in <figref idrefs="f0005">7</figref>. Pressing the upper wall 21, the rib 281 of the lug 28 penetrates into the opening portion 19a while lug 27 remains attached to the transverse wall 16 with the hook 270. The skirt 23 then moves along a movement having an axial and radial component by driving in its movement the conduit 14, on which it is fitted, the movement of the duct being possible thanks to the fact that the wall 12 is deformed. The bottom 14a of the duct end in turn exerts a pressure on the valve stem 35 which is inserted so as to actuate the valve 34. The product contained in the container then exits the vessel through the inner channel of the valve stem and arrives at the dispensing port 51 through the duct 14 and the channel 24. When the user releases the push button, the valve stem back and the product distribution is interrupted. When the user no longer wishes to spray product, it rotates the push button so as to position it to the other end of the opening 19.

p0056When the user no longer wishes to distribute product, it turns the push button 20 about the X axis to position the arrow F opposite the mark "OFF". Again, the lug 27 moves in the arcuate opening of circle 18 and the lug 28 moves in the arcuate opening 19 until the shoulder 281a of the rib 281 crosses the tab 191 b emitting a sound signal and that the rib 281 comes against the abutment 190b allowing the user to ensure that the push button is placed in the storage position and may no longer be pressed.

p0057In the foregoing detailed description, it has been made reference to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed. It may include provision to add a cap for capping the dispensing head, although it is not essential.