Abstract:
A dispenser head for mounting on an actuator rod of a fluid dispenser member. The actuator rod is displaceable up and down along an axis. The dispenser head includes a bearing surface for displacing the dispenser head and for actuating the fluid dispenser member. The head further includes a dispenser endpiece that internally defines an endpiece channel that opens out to the outside at a dispenser orifice. The endpiece presents an elongated configuration with a connection end connected to the remainder of the head and a free end. The dispenser orifice is situated in the proximity of the free end. The dispenser orifice is provided with internal closure member that is suitable for selectively closing the dispenser orifice from the inside.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head for mounting on, or associating with, a dispenser member. In general, the dispenser member comprises an actuator rod that internally defines a flow channel through which the fluid is delivered to the dispenser head. The rod is axially displaceable down and up along a generally-vertical, longitudinal axis. The dispenser member can be in the form of a pump or a valve including a body inside which the actuator rod is mounted so as to be displaced down and up against the action of a return spring that tends to return the actuator rod into a rest position. The dispenser head is thus associated with a pump or a valve so as to constitute a fluid dispenser that is also provided with a fluid reservoir from which the pump or the valve takes the fluid so as to be dispensed through the head. Such dispenser heads are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy. 
     (2) Description of Related Art 
     In general, such dispenser heads comprise an axial connection sleeve for engaging on the free end of the actuator rod. In addition, the head further comprises a dispenser endpiece defining an endpiece channel that is connected to the connection sleeve via a connection channel. The endpiece includes a free dispenser end defining a dispenser orifice that is situated at a downstream end of the endpiece channel. The other end of the endpiece is connected to the remainder of the head. The head further comprises a bearing surface on which axial pressure can be exerted so as to drive in the actuator rod. The dispenser head therefore fulfils both a pushbutton function and a dispensing function. That type of dispenser head is already known in the prior art. It includes a dispenser endpiece that slopes relative to the longitudinal displacement axis. As a result of the slope of the dispenser endpiece, the dispenser head is difficult to manufacture: given that the head is made by molding, the slope of the endpiece requires a relatively complicated mold that is not displaceable along a single axis. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to simplify the manufacture of such a dispenser head. Another object of the invention is to provide the dispenser head with an applicator function for applying fluid to an application surface. Another object is to guarantee preservation of the fluid inside the head, even in the proximity of the dispenser orifice. Another object is to simplify the assembly of such a dispenser head. Another object is to make the dispenser head with as few component parts as possible. 
     To achieve these objects, the present invention provides a dispenser head for mounting on the actuator rod of a fluid dispenser member, the rod being displaceable down and up along an axis, the head comprising a bearing surface for displacing the head and for actuating the dispenser member, the head further comprising a dispenser endpiece that internally defines an endpiece channel that opens out to the outside at a dispenser orifice, said endpiece presenting an elongate configuration with a connection end connected to the remainder of the head and a free end, the dispenser orifice being situated in the proximity of the free end, the head being characterized in that the dispenser orifice is provided with internal closure means that are suitable for selectively closing the dispenser orifice from the inside. 
     This implies that a closure member is situated upstream of the dispenser orifice, in such a manner as to be able to close it from the inside. The dispenser orifice advantageously presents a definitive shape that can be deformed little, if at all, and it is the displacement of the closure member that makes it possible to define a passage for the fluid coming from the endpiece channel. As a result, this implies that the closure member is an element that is separate from the dispenser orifice. The closure member is advantageously displaceable inside the dispenser endpiece, in such a manner as to be able to close the dispenser orifice selectively from the inside. 
     According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dispenser orifice is situated laterally along the length of the endpiece, the free end being closed. This is a characteristic that can be implemented regardless of whether or not the endpiece integrates internal closure means. The lateral disposition of the dispenser orifice makes it possible to use the endpiece as an applicator, receiving, at least temporarily, the dose of fluid that has been dispensed by the dispenser head. This is not possible when the dispenser orifice is situated at the free end of the endpiece. 
     In a non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the endpiece channel contains a elastically-deformable element that extends from the connection end to the dispenser orifice where it forms a closure member that is suitable for closing the orifice in leaktight manner, said closure member being displaceable along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the length of the endpiece. The deformable element advantageously comprises a flexible spout that is adapted to deform in the endpiece channel under the effect of the fluid under pressure in said channel. In a practical embodiment, the head comprises a substantially-rigid inner core and a substantially-flexible outer casing, the core being engaged in the casing, the casing forming the endpiece and the core forming the closure means. The core advantageously forms a body in leaktight engagement in the casing, and the core also forms an elongate flexible spout that extends from the body inside the endpiece to the dispenser orifice where it forms a closure member for closing the dispenser orifice, the spout being thin enough and long enough to impart a certain amount of elastic deformability thereto. The body of the core preferably defines a collar in leaktight engagement in the casing and a connection sleeve for mounting on an actuator rod of a dispenser member, the body further forming a connection duct that connects the connection sleeve to the endpiece channel. 
     According to another characteristic of the invention, the bearing surface intersects the axis, the endpiece extending axially, being offset away from the axis. The endpiece preferably includes an inner face facing the axis X and an outer face, the dispenser orifice being formed in the outer face. 
     In a non-limiting second embodiment of the invention, the endpiece comprises: an inner tube that internally defines the endpiece channel, the tube defining an outlet opening in the proximity of the free end; and, surrounding the tube, a sheath forming the dispenser orifice, the outlet opening of the tube being separated from the dispenser orifice of the sheath by a leaktight contact zone that is suitable for being open, thereby creating a passage between the opening and the orifice under the effect of fluid under pressure in said endpiece channel. The sheath is advantageously elastically deformable. In a variant, the tube is elastically deformable. The sheath preferably bears in leaktight contact against the tube, at least around the dispenser orifice. The outlet opening is advantageously formed at the free end of the tube, whereas the dispenser orifice is formed laterally on the sheath, its free end being closed. Some of the characteristics of the first embodiment can also be implemented in the second embodiment. 
     In a variant, the endpiece is elastically deformable and bears, at its dispenser orifice, against a closure member that is housed inside the endpiece. The closure member is advantageously formed by a spout that is preferably rigid, that extends in the endpiece channel, and that is formed by the core. 
     In all three embodiments, the dispenser orifice is selectively closed from the inside either by the closure member formed at the free end of a flexible or rigid spout, or by the inner tube in leaktight contact around the dispenser orifice. It should be observed that the internal closure means are implemented in the proximity of the difficult-to-access free end of an elongate dispenser endpiece, and this is done without using an additional part other than the parts constituting the dispenser head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show three different embodiments by way of non-limiting example. 
       In the Figures: 
         FIG. 1  is a vertical section view through a dispenser head constituting a first embodiment of the invention mounted on a dispenser member associated with a reservoir, the dispenser head being in the closed, rest position; 
         FIG. 2  is a view similar to the view in  FIG. 1  with the dispenser head in the open, dispensing position; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic vertical section view through a dispenser head constituting a second embodiment of the invention associated with a pump mounted on a reservoir; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to the view in  FIG. 1  for a third embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the  FIG. 5  head. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the three embodiments in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the fluid dispenser heads of the invention are of the “pushbutton” type that are pressed in order to dispense the fluid. The dispenser head is mounted on, or associated with, a dispenser member that can be a pump or a valve. In the drawings, the dispenser member is designated by the numerical reference  4 . The dispenser head is designated by the numerical references  1 ,  2  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , since it is constituted by two distinct elements, namely a core  1 , and a casing  2 , and it is designated by the numerical references  1 ′,  2 ′,  3  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , since it is constituted by a core  1 ′, a casing  2 ′, and a sheath  3 . In  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the head comprises two parts, namely a core  1 ″, and a casing  2 ″. 
     The dispenser member  4  comprises a body  40  forming a collar  41  that is engaged in a fastener ring  5 . The dispenser member also comprises an actuator rod  43  that is mounted to be displaced down and up inside the body  40 . The actuator rod is urged into its rest position by a return spring (not shown). The actuator rod defines an internal flow channel through which there flows the fluid that is put under pressure in the pump body, so as to be dispensed through the dispenser head. The rod extends and is displaced along a longitudinal actuation axis X that can coincide with the axes of symmetry of the receptacle, of the ring, and of the body of the dispenser member. 
     The fastener ring  5  comprises a housing  51  for receiving the body  40  of the dispenser member  4 , and a fastener ring  52  that is engaged on the neck  61  of a receptacle  6  defining an internal reservoir  60 . The receptacle comprises substantially a cylinder inside which there can slide a follower-piston or scraper (not shown). That is one particular kind of receptacle, in which the internal volume of the reservoir decreases as the fluid is dispensed by the dispenser member. However, other types of receptacle, having fixed or variable capacity, can be used in the context of the invention. 
     The type of dispenser member, of fastener ring, and of receptacle is not critical to the present invention. It suffices for the dispenser member to be provided with an actuator rod that is displaceable down and up, and that defines an internal flow duct. 
     The dispenser head in the first particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  therefore comprises a core  1 , and a casing  2 . The core  1  is advantageously made of a substantially rigid material, whereas the casing  2  is advantageously made of a relatively flexible and elastically-deformable material. The core and the casing can be made of conventional plastics materials, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and thermoplastic elastomers. Making the dispenser head both from a core and from a casing should not be considered as limiting. A dispenser head of the invention could also be made as a single part, or it could even be made of more than two parts. However, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the head comprises both a core and a casing. 
     The core  1  is preferably made as a single part by injection-molding plastics material. The core  1  includes a substantially cylindrical collar  11  having a section that is preferably circular. The collar  11  is closed at its top end by a bearing plate  12  that extends in sloping manner relative to the axis of the cylinder formed by the collar. In addition, the axis of the cylinder coincides with the longitudinal actuation axis X of the actuator rod  43 . At its highest portion, the bearing plate  12  is provided with a spout  15  that projects axially upwards along the axis X, but is offset away from the axis. The spout extends upwards in register with the outer wall of the collar  11 , as can be seen clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The spout is connected to the remainder of the body at its connection bottom end and defines a free top end. The spout  15  is relatively long and thin such that it is elastically deformable, with a maximum amplitude at its free end. The spout forms a closure member  16 , e.g. in the form of a bead that projects laterally, radially outwards. The core  1  also forms a connection sleeve  13  that internally forms an inlet duct. The sleeve is generally cylindrical in shape, with a cylinder axis that coincides with the axis X of the actuator rod once the dispenser head is mounted on the actuator rod. The free end of the actuator rod  43  is engaged inside the sleeve  13 . The inlet duct of the sleeve is extended by a connection duct  14  that opens out at the collar  11 , just below the spout  15 . 
     The casing  2  is preferably made as a single part from a molded plastics material, such as thermosplastic elastomer. The casing  2  includes a skirt  21  that is substantially circularly cylindrical. The skirt also extends along the axis X, once it is mounted on the rod. The skirt is closed at its top end by a bearing wall  22  that forms an outer bearing surface. The wall  22  extends in sloping manner relative to the axis X. The angle of slope of the wall  22  relative to the axis X can lie in the range 40° to 90° relative to the axis X, i.e. relative to the vertical. In other words, the bearing wall can be horizontal, or even relatively steeply sloping. Naturally, the steeper the slope, the more the area of the wall  22  increases. The bearing surface is for applying a bearing force by means of one or more fingers of the hand. The greater the area, the easier it is to apply one or more fingers. However, it should be observed that the bearing surface is situated in central manner on the axis X. The bearing wall  22  is situated axially downstream from the axial inlet duct  113 . In other words, the bearing wall  22  intersects the axis X. The bearing force exerted by the finger of the user is therefore applied directly along the axis X, thereby making it possible to guarantee good distribution of the bearing force on the head during dispensing. Although it is made of flexible material, the bearing wall cannot deform, given that it is in contact with the bearing plate  12  formed by the rigid core  1 . 
     At is highest point, the bearing wall  22  forms a dispenser endpiece  23  that internally defines an endpiece channel  25 . The endpiece  23  is connected at its bottom end to the remainder of the casing, and defines a free top end  24  that is closed. The endpiece projects axially upwards, and is offset away from the axis X. The dispenser endpiece extends in axial and offset manner, i.e. parallel to the axis X. In particular, it can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2  that the dispenser endpiece  24  extends in offset manner in register with the tangent or the edge of the skirt  21 : the outer wall of the endpiece is completely in alignment with the outer wall of the skirt on the left-hand portion, as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . It should also be observed that the endpiece  23  is inscribed within the outline of the skirt  21 . In other words, the endpiece does not project radially outwards relative to the skirt when the casing is observed from above or from below along the axis X. This is a characteristic that can be protected regardless of whether or not the dispenser head is made of two parts. In particular, it is possible to imagine a dispenser head forming both a bearing surface, and an axially-offset dispenser endpiece that lies within or that is inscribed within the outline of the base skirt of the dispenser head. As a result of the endpiece extending in axial manner, it is easy to mold, to unmold, and to assemble the part. The inside of the dispenser head can be molded using a single mold core. In addition, the dispenser head can be made as a single part. When the head is made of two parts, i.e. with a core  1  and a casing  2 , as in the embodiment shown in the figures, the axial orientation of the endpiece inscribed within the outline of the skirt also makes it easy and simple to assemble the core  1  inside the casing  2 . Assembly can be performed by engaging the core  1  in the casing  2  in completely axial manner. The rigid collar  11  comes into leaktight engagement inside the skirt  21 , whereas the plate  12  comes into contact with the bearing wall  22 . The endpiece  23  also forms a dispenser orifice  26  that is situated in the proximity of the free end, but not at the free end. On the contrary, the orifice opens out laterally below the free end, on the face of the endpiece facing away from the axis X. 
     The spout  15  is engaged in the channel  25  of the endpiece  23  such that its closure member  16  is situated at the dispenser orifice  26 . 
     As a result of the elastic deformability of the spout, said spout is displaceable inside the endpiece channel along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X. As a result, the closure member can be displaced in the endpiece in such a manner as to close the dispenser orifice hermetically from the inside. 
     The endpiece  23 , formed by the flexible casing  2 , presents a certain amount of flexibility or suppleness, in spite of the presence of the spout, since said spout is also flexible as a result of its length. 
     In addition, the endpiece  23  advantageously presents a flat spatula shape. The endpiece is wider circumferentially than it is radially. 
     By making the endpiece  23  in the form of a flat spatula that is advantageously elastically deformable, it is possible to use the endpiece as a fluid applicator for applying and/or spreading the fluid on an application surface. 
     Furthermore, the completely or substantially axially-offset orientation of the endpiece, advantageously with a bearing surface that is completely centered on the axis, makes it possible to obtain good positioning accuracy in dispensing and applying the fluid on an application surface. 
     It is also advantageous for the bottom end of the skirt  21  to extend inside a bushing  53  formed by the fastener ring  5 . Thus, the actuator rod  43  is not visible. 
     Reference is made below to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in order to describe the non-limiting second embodiment of the invention. In this second embodiment, the dispenser head comprises three component elements, namely a core  1 ′, a casing  2 ′, and a sheath  3 . 
     The core  1 ′ can be made of a relatively rigid plastics material, and, as in the first embodiment, can comprise a connection sleeve  13  in engagement with the free end of the actuator rod  43 . The core  1 ′ also comprises a collar  11  that coaxially surrounds the connection sleeve  13 . The collar  11  is extended by a bearing plate  12  where the inlet duct formed by the sleeve  13  opens out. The bearing plate also forms a groove  14 ′ that defines a connection duct. The core  1 ′ also forms a truncated spout  15 ′ in which the groove  14 ′ also extends. 
     The casing  2 ′ can be made of a material that is relatively flexible or substantially rigid. The casing  2 ′ also comprises a skirt  21  that is closed by a wall  22  that bears against the bearing plate. The wall  22  also intersects the axis X. The casing also comprises an inner tube  23 ′ that extends axially, and is offset away from the axis X. The inner tube  23 ′ includes an outlet opening  24 ′ at its free top end. 
     The body  1 ′ is engaged in the casing  2 ′ in the same way as in the first embodiment. A difference resides in the fact that the connection duct is formed by the groove  14 ′ that is closed over by the casing. The truncated spout  15 ′ does not extend as far as the free end of the tube  23 ′. 
     In this second embodiment, the sheath  3  constitutes an additional element that can be made of a material that is substantially rigid or relatively flexible. The sheath  3  comprises an anchor skirt  31  that comes into engagement around the casing  2 . Starting from the anchor skirt  31 , the sheath forms a bearing surface  32  on which the user can exert axial pressure along the axis X. The sheath also comprises a sort of sleeve or bushing  33  that extends all around the inner tube  23 ′. The sleeve  33  is closed at its top end  34 , but forms a dispenser orifice  36  that opens out laterally or radially on the side that is remote from the axis X. The tube  23 ′ is in intimate contact with the inner wall of the sleeve  33 , such that together they form a leaktight contact zone all around the dispenser orifice  36 . This corresponds to the rest position. In contrast, while the fluid is under pressure inside the inner tube  23 ′, a passage is created between the tube  23 ′ and the sleeve  33 , such that the fluid finds an outlet path towards the dispenser orifice  36 . The outlet passage can be created as a result of the tube  23 ′ and/or the sleeve  33  being elastically deformable. The tube  23 ′ and the sheath  3  are preferably elastically deformable in such a manner as to impart a certain amount of flexibility or suppleness to the endpiece. 
     In  FIGS. 5 to 6  there can be seen a third embodiment of a dispenser head of the invention that can be considered as a variant to the first embodiment in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The head comprises a core  1 ″, and a casing  2 ″. The core forms a spout  15 ″ that is preferably relatively rigid. The spout is engaged in the endpiece  23 ″ formed by the casing, but deforms little, if at all, inside the endpiece as a result of its rigidity. On the contrary, it is the endpiece  23 ″ that is deformable. In the rest position ( FIG. 5 ), the spout  15 ″ closes the dispenser orifice  26  with its free end that forms a closure member  16 . The closure member  16  comes into leaktight contact around the dispenser orifice inside the endpiece channel. The leaktight contact is broken when the pressure in the channel exceeds a threshold. Another difference with the first embodiment resides in the fact that the connection duct is formed between the core and the casing. Another distinctive feature resides in the anchor heel  27  of the casing  2 ″ in engagement in the housing  17  of the core. The heel holds the casing more securely on the core. It should also be observed that it is the core that forms the skirt that extends as far as to around the fastener ring  5 . 
     In all three embodiments, the dispenser orifice, that is advantageously formed laterally, is closed from the inside by a closure member that is displaceable inside the endpiece, relative to the dispenser orifice, along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X.