Attachment device for attaching a pump on a tank and dispenser using such an attachment device

A fastener device (1, 2) for fastening a dispenser member (4) on a reservoir neck (51), the device comprising: a ring (1) forming an annular bearing collar (10) for coming to bear against the top (52) of the neck (51), with a gasket (3) possibly being interposed therebetween, and a skirt (11) including a free bottom end (145) and a deformable fastener section (13) that is deformed by thrust on the free end; and a hoop (2) that surrounds the skirt (11) of the ring (1) and constrains the fastener section (13) to deform inwards into contact with the neck (51); the device being characterized in that the deformable fastener section (13) is separated from the free end (145) by a substantially non-deformable bottom section (14) that is in engagement with the hoop (2).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fastener device for fastening a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, on the neck of a reservoir. The invention also relates to a fluid dispenser implementing such a fastener device. In the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, and pharmacy, fluids are often packaged in dispensers that comprise a reservoir and a dispenser member in the form of a pump, a valve, or any dispenser head. In order to fasten the dispenser member on the reservoir, in general at a neck, it is known to use fastener devices for fastening the dispenser member in leaktight and advantageously permanent manner on the neck of the reservoir.

BACKGROUND

Document FR 2 815 610 describes a fastener device comprising a ring and a hoop. The ring receives the pump or the valve in stationary manner, and includes a peripheral skirt for coming into engagement with the outside of the neck of the reservoir that forms an outer annular reinforcement that defines a bottom rim that serves as a fastener zone for the skirt. To do this, the skirt includes a plurality of tabs that each define a deformation zone that is adapted to deform radially inwards below the bottom rim of the neck. To achieve the deformation, it is necessary to exert axial pressure on the bottom free ends of the tabs. In practice, the bottom ends of the tabs come to bear against a shoulder of the reservoir, situated at the base of the neck. In other words, the skirt bears against the shoulder, and by exerting axial pressure on the ring, the deformation zone deforms radially inwards below the rim of the neck. In order to guarantee that the deformation zones of the tabs do deform inwards, the hoop is used that surrounds the skirt of the ring. In other words, the hoop prevents the tabs of the skirt from deforming outwards. However, the deformation zone of the tabs include two hinged connection pieces so that the bottom sections of the tabs pivot inwards while the skirt is deforming. It can thus be said that the deformation zone extends over the entire bottom portion of the tabs. Thus, the skirt comes into contact with the hoop only at certain points at its bottom end. Unfortunately, such point contact does not suffice to hold the ring firmly inside the hoop, most particularly at its bottom end. Tests have made it possible to see this weakness in the fastener device: by pulling on the hoop, it is possible to remove the fastener device from the neck, enabling the bottom section of the ring to return substantially to its non-deformed original position. It was quickly concluded that that retention fault results from the bottom section of the ring being poorly fastened inside the hoop. It is necessary to keep firmly in mind that such a fastener device is for ensuring that the dispenser member is fastened not only in leaktight manner, but also in permanent manner, on or in the neck of the reservoir.

CERTAIN OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawback of the fastener device of the prior art. To do this, the present invention proposes a fastener device for fastening a dispenser member on a reservoir neck, the device comprising: a ring forming an annular bearing collar for coming to bear against the top of the neck, with a gasket possibly being interposed therebetween, and a skirt including a free bottom end and a deformable fastener section that is deformed by axial thrust on the free end; and a hoop that surrounds the skirt of the ring and constrains the fastener section to deform inwards into contact with the neck; the device being characterized in that the deformable fastener section is separated from the free end by a substantially non-deformable bottom section that is in engagement with the hoop. Thus, it is possible to hold the bottom section of the skirt inside the hoop in solid and permanent manner. This stable and permanent retention guarantees that the fastener section is deformed in stable and permanent manner. The fastener section may be held in the hoop by any known technique, e.g. by radial clamping, by snap-fastening, by barbs, by crimping, by screw-fastening, by heat-sealing, by adhesive, etc.

Advantageously, the bottom section is substantially cylindrical. In a practical embodiment, the bottom section may form a non-deformable continuous cylindrical cylinder that is connected at its top to the fastener zone, and that defines at its bottom the free bottom end of the skirt. The bottom section differs from the above-mentioned prior art in that it is, and remains, cylindrical while the fastener zone is being deformed, since it is non-deformable or substantially non-deformable. In the prior art, the bottom section pivots inwards so that only the free bottom end of the skirt remains in contact with the hoop. In the present invention, the hoop may come into contact with the bottom section at a zone that is cylindrical, and not only annular.

In another advantageous aspect of the invention, the hoop and the bottom section form axial retaining means for blocking the ring in the hoop, with the deformed fastener zone. Advantageously, the hoop forms at least one retaining profile that is suitable for being received housed below at least one retaining rib that is formed by the bottom section of the ring.

In a practical embodiment, the retaining profile may be formed by an inside edge of an end portion of the hoop that is turned up inwardly. In addition, the bottom section may form a plurality of retaining ribs that are axially offset. It should be observed that the axial retaining means may be implemented in a fastener device that does not include a non-deformable bottom section. By way of example, it is possible to envisage that the axial retaining means make it possible to hold the skirt in stable and permanent manner in the hoop, solely at the bottom end of the skirt. By way of example, provision can be made for the hoop to snap-fasten below the bottom end of the skirt. It is specifically such axial retaining means that are missing in the above-mentioned prior-art document for ensuring that the ring is held in stable and permanent manner inside the hoop. Naturally, by providing a substantially non-deformable bottom section, the axial retaining means are correspondingly more effective, and they make it possible for the bottom section to be held over its entire height, and not just at its free bottom end. In very general manner, the term rib should be understood to mean any surface state that makes it possible for the retaining profile of the hoop to be held in stable and permanent manner.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the fastener section may present an outside diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the hoop so as to constrain the fastener section to deform inwards. Thus, passing the hoop over the fastener section makes it possible to start, and thus to impose, inward deformation of the section.

In another advantageous aspect, the bottom section may present an outside diameter that is greater than the inside diameter of the hoop so as to create a tight radial fit. Thus, the hoop and the ring may constitute a single unit, not only when the fastener section is deformed, but also before said section is deformed, in particular during transport and delivery of the fastener device. Advantageously, the skirt includes a top section that is connected at its bottom to the fastener section, the top section presenting an outside diameter that is less than the outside diameters of the fastener section and of the bottom section. Consequently, clamping between the ring and the hoop is looser at the top section of the skirt and advantageously of the ring, thereby making it easier to mount the hoop on the ring.

In a practical embodiment, the fastener section comprises a plurality of fastener elements each comprising two bars that are interconnected via a central hinged connection piece, and that are connected to the bottom section via a bottom hinged connection piece and to a top section of the skirt via a top hinged connection piece, the bars and the central connection piece moving radially inwards while the fastener section is being deformed. Advantageously, the fastener elements are separated by slots or are connected by a flexible web. Naturally, this embodiment should not be considered as the only possible embodiment: it is entirely possible to envisage other configurations for guaranteeing that a portion of the skirt is deformed below the rim of the neck, thereby making it possible to ensure that the fastener device is fastened in leaktight, stable, and advantageously permanent manner on the reservoir.

The invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising: a reservoir forming a shoulder from which there extends a neck, said neck being provided with reinforcement that projects radially outwards in such a manner as to define a bottom rim that extends inwards so as to join a narrow portion of the neck that is connected on the shoulder; a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the neck; and a fastener device as defined above, the fastener section being deformed inwards below the rim, with the bottom free end of the skirt bearing against the shoulder. Advantageously, the bottom section is static relative to the neck while the fastener section is being deformed. This is in contrast to the above-mentioned prior-art dispenser device in which the bottom section, formed with tabs, is deformed by pivoting inwards in such a manner as to take on a generally frustoconical shape.

In the present invention, the bottom section is moved axially in translation relative to the top section of the ring by the fastener section being deformed. The axial retaining means for axially retaining the ring in the hoop not only ensure that the hoop is properly fastened on the ring, but also guarantee the deformed final position of the fastener section, in contrast to most prior-art fastener devices. The axial retaining means of the invention may be implemented on any type of fastener device of that kind, e.g. the fastener device described in the prior-art document. However, it is preferable, and much easier technically, to implement the axial retaining means in combination with a non-deformable bottom section that is advantageously cylindrical.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made firstly toFIG. 1in order to describe all of the component elements of a fluid dispenser constituting a non-limiting embodiment of the invention. The dispenser comprises a ring1, a hoop2, a neck gasket3, a dispenser member4, and a reservoir5. The ring1and the hoop2co-operate with each other to form a fastener device that makes it possible to fasten the dispenser member4in stable, leaktight, and preferably permanent manner on the reservoir5.

The reservoir5includes a body (not shown) forming a working volume for being filled with fluid, e.g. a perfume, a cosmetic cream, or a pharmaceutical. The fluid may be a liquid or a powder. The reservoir5includes a neck51that extends upwards from a shoulder56that forms the top portion of the body (not shown) of the reservoir. The neck51includes a top annular edge52that may advantageously be formed with a sealing ridge. The neck also includes annular reinforcement53that projects radially outwards. The reinforcement53thus forms a bottom rim54that extends inwards so as to join a narrow portion55of the neck that is then connected to the shoulder56. This design for a reservoir neck is fairly conventional in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy. In general, this type of reservoir is made of glass or made of plastics material.

The dispenser member4may be of any kind, but advantageously it is a pump or a valve that is actuated manually in an axial direction. Naturally, in place of a pump or a valve, it is also possible to provide a more simple dispenser member in the form of a dispenser orifice that is optionally fitted with an outlet valve. When the dispenser member is a pump or a valve, said dispenser member generally includes a body41that forms, at its bottom end, an inlet42that is advantageously provided with a dip tube43. At its top end, the body41forms a fastener flange44for co-operating with the ring1, as described below. The pump or the valve also includes an actuator rod45that is axially movable down and up inside the body41. The top free end of the rod45is covered by a pusher46that advantageously forms a dispenser orifice47for the fluid coming from the pump or the valve. Very generally, by pressing axially on the pusher46, the pump or the valve dispenses (optionally meters out) the fluid extracted from the reservoir5via the dip tube43. The fluid may be dispensed in the form of a spray, a thread, a bead, or knobs. This design for a pump or a valve is fairly conventional in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy.

In this embodiment, the fastener device is constituted merely by the ring1and the hoop2. In general, the ring1is made of plastics material, whereas, in general, the hoop2is made of metal, although plastics material can also be used. The ring and the hoop are circularly symmetrical.

The ring1includes an annular bearing collar10for coming into direct leaktight contact with the top edge52of the neck, or preferably flattens an annular neck gasket3on the top edge of the neck. Either way, the collar10makes it possible to ensure sealing at the top edge52of the neck. The ring also includes a reception housing16for receiving the flange44of the body41of the dispenser member4. By way of example, the flange44may be received by snap-fastening inside the reception housing16. In conventional manner, the housing16includes a central opening through which the actuator rod45extends. The ring also includes a fastener skirt11of shape that is very generally cylindrical. The skirt11extends downwards from the outer periphery of the collar10. In the embodiment used to illustrate the invention, the ring also includes a cylindrical bushing15that extends upwards from the outer periphery of the collar6, in register with the skirt11.

With reference below to all of the figures, it can be seen that the skirt11comprises a top section12that is connected to the collar10, a fastener section13that extends downwards in register with the top section12, and a bottom section14that extends downwards in register with the fastener section13. In the invention, the top and bottom sections12and14are substantially, relatively, or completely non-deformable, whereas the fastener section13is radially deformable towards the inside of the ring, i.e. towards its axis of revolution. InFIGS. 1,3,4, and5a, the fastener section13is in its non-deformed initial state, whereas inFIGS. 2 and 6a, the fastener section13is in its deformed final state. It can thus be said that the fastener section13is generally cylindrical in its non-deformed initial state, and projects radially inwards in its deformed state. With reference toFIG. 3, it can be seen that the deformable fastener section13comprises a plurality of fastener elements131that are disposed side by side around the periphery of the skirt11. Each fastener element is formed by two hinged bars132and133having a cross-section that is substantially triangular, in this embodiment. The top bar132is connected to the bottom bar133via a central hinged connection piece134. In addition, the top bar132is connected to the top section12via a hinged connection piece135. In symmetrical manner, the bottom bar133is connected to the bottom section14via a hinged connection piece136. In accordance with an advantageous characteristic of the invention, it can clearly be seen inFIG. 4that the maximum outside diameter of the fastener section13, at the vertices of the bars132and133, is greater than the outside diameter of the top zone12. In addition, it can be seen that the outside diameter of the bottom section14is greater than the outside diameter of the top section12. The advantage of the various diameters is explained below. In the embodiment inFIG. 3, the ring1thus includes twelve fastener elements131that together form the fastener section13. The fastener elements131may be separated by zones137that may be either slots or webs of flexible material.

In the non-deformed initial state, the fastener section13is presented with its three hinged connection pieces134,135, and136in axial alignment. It can easily be understood that the fastener section13is deformed by pivoting the bars132and133about the hinged connection pieces. The connection piece135moves axially closer to the connection piece136, whereas the connection piece134moves radially inwards, as described below.

The bottom section14is connected to the fastener section13via the hinged connection piece136. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the bottom section14is substantially, relatively, or completely non-deformable. If there is any deformation, it is merely momentary and elastic. In this embodiment, the bottom section14is in the form of a non-deformable cylindrical cylinder having an outside diameter that is advantageously slightly greater than the outside diameter of the top section12. The bottom section is continuous over its entire periphery, unlike the skirt in document FR 2 815 610, which is slotted so as to form flexible tabs. The bottom section14forms a free annular bottom end145for coming into contact with the shoulder56, as can be seen very clearly inFIGS. 5aand6a. According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the outside wall of the bottom section14is provided with a plurality of ribs144that are advantageously disposed in axially-offset manner. InFIG. 3, it can be seen that the ribs144define three different axial levels. Each axial level is defined by four ribs. The ribs144preferably present a profile in the form of a catch comprising a gentle slope, a sharp edge, and a steep wall. Such a profile enables fastening to be effective and irreversible. While the fastener section13is being deformed, the bottom section14moves axially in translation in static, non-deformed, and one-piece manner towards the top section12, with the distance between the top and bottom sections12and14being reduced by the fastener section13deforming. As a result of its configuration, the fastener section13may be likened to a bellows or to a toggle that transforms an axial movement into a radial movement.

The hoop2present a generally cylindrical configuration. It comprises a cylindrical main section21, a top inwardly-directed rim22, and a bottom end23. The main section may have a configuration other than cylindrical, in some circumstances. The inwardly-directed rim22is for coming into contact with the top edge of the bushing15, as can be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2. The inside wall of the hoop is for coming into contact with the ring, most particularly at its skirt11. Advantageously, the inside diameter Di of the main section21is equal to, or slightly greater than, the outside diameter of the top section12of the skirt. In contrast, the inside diameter Di of the main section is slightly smaller than the maximum outside diameter of the fastener section13and/or of the bottom section14, as can be seen clearly inFIG. 4. Thus, clamping between the hoop and the top section12is loose, whereas it is tight at the bottom section14. In addition, the hoop makes it possible to urge the bars132and133inwards a little, so as to start, and thus impose, the inward direction of deformation for the fastener section. At its bottom end23, the hoop forms an end portion233that is turned up inwardly. The end portion233thus forms an inside edge234that points inwards and upwards. The edge serves as a retaining profile that co-operates with the ribs144of the bottom section14that act as retaining ribs. The edge234co-operates with the ribs144to form axial retaining means that make it possible to block effectively, and advantageously in permanent manner, the ring in the hoop, and more precisely the bottom section14in the hoop. InFIGS. 2 and 6a, and more particularly inFIG. 6b, the edge234of the hoop can be seen snap-fastened below the rib144. Naturally, in place of the turned-up end portion233, it is possible to provide any type of profile, e.g. machined, molded, embossed, etc., that makes it possible to hold the hoop in stable and preferably permanent manner at the bottom section14. In symmetrical manner, in place of the ribs144, it is possible to provide any profile, projection, bead, or recess, that makes it possible to engage in stable and preferably permanent manner in the hoop2.

With the detail of the structure of the various component elements of a dispenser of the invention described above, there follows a description of a complete cycle of mounting a fastener device of the invention on a reservoir neck. Reference is made more particularly toFIGS. 5a,5b,6a, and6bthat show in greatly enlarged detail, the pertinent characteristics of the invention. The fastener device is preferably pre-mounted or pre-assembled in the configuration shown inFIGS. 1 and 5a. The hoop2is thus engaged around the ring1in such a manner that the inwardly-directed rim22comes to bear against the top end of the bushing15. The fastener section13is thus also substantially cylindrical, the bottom end23of the hoop already being positioned around the non-deformable bottom section14. The first operation consists in mounting the dispenser member4in the reception housing16. Then, the neck gasket3is put into place below the collar10by clamping around the body41of the dispenser member. The following step consists in engaging the body41of the dispenser member inside the neck51, and in engaging the skirt11of the ring around the neck51. The free bottom end145of the ring thus comes to bear against the shoulder56of the neck, as can be seen very clearly inFIG. 5a. The fastener section13is still not deformed.

Thus, by exerting an axial thrust force, either on the inwardly-directed rim22of the hoop, or on the pusher46, the bottom end145of the skirt is pressed hard against the shoulder56of the neck. By continuing to press, the fastener section13deforms inwards, below the rim54of the reinforcement53of the neck51. The deformation of the section13requires the bottom section14to slide axially inside the hoop2. This can be seen clearly on comparingFIGS. 5aand6a. Thus, the bottom end23of the hoop slides downwards over the bottom section14that remains static and not deformed relative to the neck51. The final mounting position is reached when the edge234becomes housed below one of the ribs144of the bottom section14. The fastener section13is thus deformed in its final position by pressing the top bar132hard against the bottom rim54of the neck. This can be seen inFIG. 6a. As a result of the bottom section14being held in stable and permanent manner in the hoop2, the fastener section13is deformed in permanent manner. In addition, the fastener section13is deformed more easily as a result of its deformation being started by the hoop urging the bars inwards a little as a result of the various different diameters as explained above. During deformation, the hinged connection piece134is moved radially inwards, with said movement being accompanied by the bars132and133pivoting about their respective hinged connection pieces135and136.

It should be observed that the bottom section14is not necessarily cylindrical: it could present a stepped shape or even a bullet shape, for example. The non-deformability of the bottom section14is an advantageous characteristic that is not however indispensable for implementing the axial retaining means that make it possible to block the bottom section effectively in the hoop.

By means of the invention, it is possible to pre-mount the hoop on the ring almost completely, before mounting on the reservoir neck. The relative movement between the hoop and the bottom portion14of the ring lies in the range only a few tenths of a millimeter to one to two millimeters. It is thus possible for the fastener section13to pass beyond the annular reinforcement53of the neck, with the hoop being already engaged around the fastener section.