Distribution assembly intended for contemporaneous distribution of two products

A distribution assembly includes at least two containers or receptacles, each containing a product, and being fitted with a valve having an actuator rod. A distribution device is mounted on top of the containers and includes a distribution nozzle fitted with at least one distribution orifice. The distribution device further includes a movable actuator element to provoke the simultaneous distribution of two products in a mixed or separate state. Further, an intermediate body is separate from the actuator element and includes two skirts. The intermediate body is able to engage respectively on the two actuator rods of the containers, and at least one inner channel allows the flow of products towards the distribution nozzle. The actuator element and the intermediate body are arranged to co-operate on operation of the actuator element so as to allow the passage of products from the recipients to the distribution nozzle via the inner channel. The actuator rods can be actuated by tilting in the disclosed example, and the actuator element is designed to tilt the intermediate body so as to cause the actuator rods to tilt.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims priority to French Application Number 04 52206, filed Sep. 30, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/617,069, filed Oct. 12, 2004, the entire content of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns the distribution of two products to be dispensed contemporaneously, with the products separate or mixed. The invention can be particularly advantageous for distributing two hair colorant products, but can also be used for other products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Discussion of Background

Numerous devices are known allowing the contemporaneous mixing of two products stored separately. For example, French patent application FR-A-2 732 245 discloses a distribution assembly that includes a body and a push-button which is movable relative to the body to provide simultaneous and separate distribution of two products from two receptacles in which the products are stored separately. Each receptacle is fitted with a valve having a hollow actuator rod, the pressing of which causes distribution of the product.

One difficulty with certain known distribution assemblies arises from the fact that the actuator rods can have upper ends which are not located at precisely the same level taking into account production tolerances, which causes a risk of non-simultaneous distribution of the products.

Other distribution assemblies have been proposed but do not however offer complete satisfaction. For example, reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,236,457, European patent applications EP-A-0 313 414, EP-A 0 427 609 or EP-A 0 243 667, British patent GB 1,163,978 or French patent applications FR-A-2 598 392 and FR-A-1 413 164.

Patent application FR 2815616 also describes a distribution assembly of this type in which the actuator rods are pressed in response to the operation of a single actuator element. However an actuator element in the form of a lever arm is necessary to press down two actuator rods without too much difficulty.

There is a need for a distribution assembly which can distribute the same quantity of product from each receptacle or container.

There is also a need for a distribution assembly which can be activated easily.

There is also a need for an assembly which limits the accidental distribution of the products.

There is also a need for an assembly which minimizes the oxidation of the products to be distributed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an example of the invention, a distribution assembly is provided which includes at least two containers or receptacles, each containing a product, and each being fitted with a valve having an actuator rod. A distribution device is mounted on top of the containers and includes a distribution nozzle fitted with at least one distribution orifice. In addition, a movable actuator element is provided to provoke the simultaneous distribution of two products in the mixed or separate state. Further, an intermediate body is separate from the actuator element and includes two skirts able to engage respectively on the two actuator rods of the containers, and at least one inner channel allowing the flow of products towards the distribution nozzle. The actuator element and the intermediate body are arranged to co-operate on operation of the actuator element so as to allow the passage of products from the containers to the distribution nozzle via the inner channel. The actuator rods can be actuated by tilting and the actuator element can be designed to tilt the intermediate body so as to cause the actuator rods to tilt.

As the actuator rods can be actuated by tilting in this example, they require a low support force in order to be actuated, which allows ease of use. The assembly can allow the product to emerge from the actuator rods upon a small amount of tilting.

By way of example, the actuator element can include at least two tabs, preferably rigid, and able to come to rest on the intermediate body in at least two support zones spaced apart in order to cause the intermediate body to tilt. By using two separate support zones, the simultaneous activation or more nearly simultaneous of both actuator rods of the two containers can more easily be guaranteed. Thus the same quantity of product from each container can be distributed.

The distance between the one support zone and the one skirt can be approximately the same as the distance between the other support zone and the other skirt. Again the simultaneous activation of both actuator rods can be thereby better assured. Preferably support zones in the axes of the actuator rods are used.

Each tab can include an inclined edge intended to come to rest on the intermediate body.

The distribution nozzle and the intermediate element can be arranged such that the tilting of the intermediate element causes the tilting of the distribution nozzle on operation of the actuator element.

The intermediate body can include an outlet pipe via which the products emerge in a separate or a mixed state, where the distribution nozzle can include a mouthpiece able to receive this outlet pipe. The intermediate body can be arranged to transfer the products separately to the distribution nozzle or alternatively to allow the mixing of the products before they reach the distribution nozzle.

Also by way of example, the distribution nozzle can be arranged to transfer the products separately to its free end which delimits two distribution orifices. The distribution device can include an assembly collar which can engage on collars formed on the receptacles.

The distribution nozzle can be linked by a flexible strap to an assembly skirt which can engage on the assembly collar, for example.

In addition, by way of example, the distribution device can include a cap intended to protect the distribution nozzle. The free end of the nozzle can move away from the cap on operation of the actuator element. The cap can have a flap able to close the free end of the distribution nozzle. The flap may also be configured to prevent or restrict, when closed, movement of the actuator element sufficient to provoke distribution of the products. To this end, the flap can include a projecting element which can be inserted so that it is able to rest in the pipe of the distribution nozzle so as to limit or even prevent movement of the nozzle in relation to the cap.

The assembly collar can include tubular skirts defining housings intended to receive the containers or receptacles.

The containers can contain products for contemporaneous mixing.

The containers contain cosmetic products in a preferred example, in particular colorants. The products may take the form of a foam or cream.

The containers can also be pressurized.

As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments disclosed herein but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The example ofFIG. 1shows a distribution assembly10which includes a distribution device20mounted on two containers30containing products to be mixed contemporaneously.

As will be seen more particularly inFIG. 2, the distribution device20includes an assembly collar40which joins or couples together the two containers30, an actuator element50, a distribution nozzle60and an intermediate body70, the role of which will be explained below. By way of example, each of these elements of the distribution device may be produced by moulding, for example, a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.

Each container30in the embodiment example described is of the pressurized aerosol type and includes a valve fitted with an actuator rod31as can be seen inFIG. 2. The valve is held by clamping on a collar32of the container in the example illustrated.

The actuator rod31is hollow and the product is distributed through this when the actuator rod is tilted.

The assembly collar40is provided to hold together the two containers. The collar can join or couple the containers upon supply of the various parts on the assembly line. The assembly collar40in the illustrated example includes a flat wall41through which pass two circular openings42each intended to receive an upper end of one of the containers30.

The flat wall41is surrounded at its periphery by a cover wall43which extends on either side of this flat wall41in a perpendicular fashion. The cover wall43includes two parallel straight portions43awhich are linked together by two arc-shaped portions43b. Each of the two arc-shaped portions43bis extended, under the flat wall41, by a complementary arc-shaped portion so as to form two tubular skirts44. Each tubular skirt44includes a transverse circular section and surrounds one of the circular openings42. Each tubular skirt44includes, on its radially inner surface, an annular flange45visible inFIG. 5and able to engage on the collar32of the corresponding container so as to fix the collar to each container. Each tubular skirt44terminates in a bevelled end44afor ease of assembly on the containers.

A flange46is provided on the inner surface of the part of the cover wall43located above the flat wall41to allow engagement of the distribution nozzle60.

A radial recess47is formed on the radially outer surface of the cover wall43, the function of which will be explained below.

To distribute the product relatively precisely, the device20includes a distribution nozzle60which, once the device is mounted on the containers, allows product output in a direction approximately perpendicular to the main axis of the containers via two distribution orifices62aand62b.

The distribution nozzle60is elongated in form and extends along a main axis which is inclined towards the top of the device when placed on the containers and the actuator element is at rest, as can be seen inFIG. 3. In an illustrated example, the nozzle includes a transverse section in relation to its main axis which is of rectangular shape and expands towards its free end which delimits the distribution orifices such that the nozzle flares out in the direction of the distribution orifices.

The distribution nozzle60is arranged to transfer the products separately to its free end. To this end, the nozzle60includes a partition61which delimits the two pipes61aand61bopening via the two distribution orifices62aand62bso as to allow distribution of the two products separately. The two orifices62aand62bare square in form.

Opposite these orifices, the nozzle60extends via a mouthpiece63running parallel to the main axis of the valve rods. The mouthpiece63has a section transverse to its main circular axis. The mouthpiece63is also divided into two compartments on its upper part by the partition61which extends to the upper part of the mouthpiece63.

The mouthpiece63is provided to slide over an outlet pipe of the intermediate element which, as will be seen in detail below, is an intermediate part allowing the nozzle60to communicate with the containers.

The distribution nozzle60is held on the assembly collar by an assembly skirt90intended to be inserted in the upper part of the cover wall43of the assembly collar, in its interior. The assembly skirt90includes a flange91on its outer surface which co-operates with the flange46provided on the cover wall36of the assembly collar.

Like the cover wall43, the assembly skirt90includes two straight parallel walls which are linked together by two arc-shaped portions. One of the two straight walls is offset toward the outside of the skirt and extends above the rest of the skirt by a front wall92which, as will be seen below, extends an outer cap or provides an extension of an outer cap. In particular, the lower part92aof the front wall92is intended to come to slide outside the cover wall43of the assembly collar, in contrast to the rest of the assembly skirt90.

This front wall92includes, on its upper part, a curved edge recess92bwhich allows passage of the distribution nozzle60.

The assembly skirt90also includes a radial recess93, such that its upper part is set back from its lower part. The upper part of the assembly skirt90extends radially inwards via a wall94transverse to the skirt. This wall94includes slots95, the function of which will be explained below.

The distribution nozzle60is linked to the assembly skirt90by a flexible S-shaped strap96which extends between the assembly skirt90and the mouthpiece63opposite the distribution orifices. This flexible strap96allows movement of the nozzle60in relation to the assembly skirt90.

To prevent or reduce the distribution nozzle60from wobbling when assembled on the containers, advantageously a tab97is provided which links the nozzle60to the front wall92just below the nozzle. The tab97must be sufficiently rigid to avoid excessive movement of the nozzle in relation to the assembly skirt90but sufficiently flexible to allow the tilting of the nozzle on operation of the actuator element. The tab may in fact bend, as is shown inFIG. 4, to allow the nozzle60to tilt forwards.

By way of a further example, instead of using a tab97to prevent the nozzle60wobbling during assembly, as a variant two pins197may be provided on either side of the nozzle60, each pin197linking the nozzle60to the front wall92as shown inFIG. 8. These pins are sufficient to hold the nozzle in a fixed position in relation to the assembly skirt90but are able to break at the first activation of the actuator element to allow tilting of the nozzle relative to the front wall92.

At each rounded end of the assembly skirt90, inside the skirt, walls forming a stop are provided to facilitate positioning of the intermediate element70in relation to the distribution nozzle. In particular, a stop98is provided at each rounded end and two other walls99, perpendicular to these first stops98, are also provided close to each rounded end of the assembly skirt.

To allow the flow of product from each recipient to the distribution nozzle, an intermediate body70is used that is intended to allow the actuator rods31of the containers30to communicate with the distribution nozzle60.

The intermediate body70, as will be seen more particularly inFIGS. 5 and 6, includes a tubular part71or tubular section elongated along an axis Y and open at its two ends. In addition, two skirts or passages72aand72bare provided having axis W perpendicular to axis Y, with each skirt communicating with the inside of the elongated part71. Further, an outlet pipe73is provided having a main axis Z perpendicular to axis Y and located in a median plane equidistant from skirts72aand72b.

A partition74divides the outlet pipe73into two compartments and extends into the tubular part71to divide this into two, so as to form two inner channels75aand75ballowing the separate flow of the two products.

Each skirt72aand72bhas a first portion76awith an inner surface which is conical for ease of application to the actuator rod31of the corresponding recipient. The first portion76ais connected by a straight portion, in which can slide tightly the actuator rod31, to a shoulder76bagainst which comes to rest the upper end31aof the actuator rod.

The elongated tubular part71of the intermediate body70is closed at its ends via a nozzle77, the outlet opening of which is plugged as can be seen fromFIG. 5. Naturally any other plug could be used to close these ends.

The intermediate body70includes on the lower part, on the same side as skirts72aand72b, a central stiffening rib78, the ends of which are spaced from skirts72aand72b, and two longitudinal ribs79each extending over the entire length of the intermediate body70.

When the intermediate body70is placed in the device, skirts72aand72bcome into position at the center of the respective assembly skirts44of the assembly collar.

To protect the distribution nozzle60, an external cap80covers the distribution nozzle and intermediate element. In the illustrated example, the cap80includes a shell81, the lower part of which comes to surround the upper part of the cover skirt43of the assembly collar, and the edge81aof which comes to rest against the radial recess47of the cover skirt of the collar.

The shell81is open in its upper part so as to house the actuator element50.

The shell81is also open on its front part to allow opening of the product outlet orifices62aand62b, with this open part being partly closed by the front wall92provided on the assembly skirt90of the nozzle. Only an opening corresponding to the free end of the distribution nozzle is provided in the illustrated example.

Above the front opening, the cap terminates in a projection82which follows the form of the free end of the distribution nozzle50when the actuator element is at rest.

A flap83is provided above this projection82to be able to close the distribution orifices62aand62band prevent impurities from entering the distribution nozzle. The flap83is hinged on the cap via a film hinge83a, in particular a spring-effect hinge.

Advantageously the flap83comprises on its surface facing the distribution orifices in closed position, two projecting elements84of square form in the illustrated example. These projecting elements84come to rest in the ends of the pipes61aand61bof the distribution nozzle such that when the flap83is in the closed position, the projecting elements84prevent the distribution nozzle from moving relative to the flap and hence also relative to the rest of the cap. The flap83thus prevents the movement of the intermediate body70and hence that of the actuator element50. This prevents accidental activation of the actuator element, which could cause distribution of the products.

To allow the fixing of the cap80on the remainder of the device, vertical ribs85partly visible inFIG. 7are provided on the inner surface of the shell. The ribs85comprise an end85awhich comes to rest in each of the slots95of the assembly skirt of the distribution nozzle.

The cap is made of one piece with the actuator element50as can be seen inFIG. 1or2. In particular, the actuator element50is linked to the cap by two film hinges51which allow the actuator element to tilt around an axis P. The actuator element50includes a support surface52on which the user can rest to cause the actuator element50to pivot about axis P.

As can be seen more particularly inFIGS. 7 and 9, the actuator element50includes on its inner side two rigid tabs53spaced apart and intended to come to rest on the elongated tubular section71of the intermediate body70in two support zones170aand170b. The forces are thus distributed evenly over the intermediate body. Each tab53includes an inclined edge53awhich is intended to come to rest on the respective support zone of the intermediate body.

As can be seen inFIG. 9, the support zone170ais situated at a distance from the skirt72aof the intermediate body that is approximately the same as the distance between the support zone170band the skirt72b. As is also apparent from the drawings, the tabs of actuator at least partially extend through the assembly skirt to actuate the containers by way of the intermediate body, for example with the tabs extending past the walls or stops holding the intermediate body and/or with the tabs extending past other parts associated with the assembly skirt.

Thus when the actuator element is pressed down, the intermediate body is stressed in two spaced zones which are each at the same distance from each actuator rod. Thus the arrangement will better or more identically tilt each actuator rod than when a single support zone is used which is located approximately in the center of the elongated part of the intermediate body.

According to a variation not shown, two rigid tabs53can be located such that they come to rest on the actuator body approximately in the axis of the skirts72aand72b.

According to another variant, the actuator element can include more than two tabs, for example four, six or more.

Advantageously, tamper-proof pins not shown in the figures can be provided to link the actuator element50to the cap80on each side of the actuator element before first use of the device. These pins break on first activation of the actuator element.

To position the distribution device on the containers30, the assembly collar is arranged on the adjacent recipients30until the assembly collar40engages on the collars32of the containers30.

At the same time the distribution nozzle60and the intermediate element are assembled by sliding the mouthpiece63of the nozzle60on the outlet pipe73of the intermediate element. The assembly skirt90of the distribution nozzle is then fixed in the assembly collar40and then the assembly is covered by the cap80.

To cause distribution, the user presses on the support surface52of the actuator element50in the direction of the arrow F inFIG. 4. The actuator element50causes the intermediate element70to tilt forwards, which has the effect of also tilting the rods of valve31. As the forces are distributed evenly over the intermediate body, the two rods of valves31are tilted identically such that the same quantity of product can leave the inner channel of each valve rod, circulate within the intermediate element and reach the distribution nozzle to arrive at each outlet orifice. By virtue of the flexible strap96, the distribution nozzle60tilts forward at the same time, with its free end moving away from the cap80and hence the flap. This avoids depositing product on the cap and in particular on the flap.

In the detailed description above, reference is made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is evident that variations may be made without leaving the invention as claimed below. In particular, the intermediate element70and the distribution nozzle60can be provided without a partition, such that the two products mix before reaching the distribution orifice. The products supplied by the latter mix inside the elongated tubular part of the intermediate element as they arrive at the foot of the outlet pipe. The mixture then reaches the distribution nozzle to be distributed onto the hair for example.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference is made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is evident that variants thereto can be proposed without departing from the invention as claimed here below. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.