Fluid dispenser head

A fluid dispenser head for mounting on an actuator rod of a dispenser member that is displaceable down and up along an axis (X), the head including an axial connection sleeve for engaging on the actuator rod and defining an inlet duct, the head further including a dispenser endpiece defining an endpiece channel that is connected to the inlet duct via a connection channel, the endpiece including a free dispenser end defining a dispenser orifice that is situated at a downstream end of the endpiece channel, the head further including a bearing surface on which axial pressure can be exerted so as to drive in the actuator rod, where the endpiece extends substantially parallel to the axis (X), and is offset away from the axis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head for mounting on, or for associating with, an actuator rod of a dispenser member that is displaceable down and up along a longitudinal displacement axis. The rod internally defines a flow channel through which the fluid is delivered to the dispenser head. 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 inlet duct 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 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 slops 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.

In order to achieve these objects, the present invention proposes that the endpiece extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal displacement axis of the actuator rod, and is offset away from the axis. Because the endpiece extends parallel to the axis, the dispenser head is easier both to mold and to assemble. The bearing surface can advantageously extend axially downstream from the connection sleeve, intersecting said axis. By offsetting the endpiece, it is possible to release a relatively large bearing surface, making it possible to apply a completely centered bearing force since the force acts on and along the longitudinal actuation axis.

In another advantageous aspect of the invention, the dispenser head may further comprise a base skirt that extends around the connection sleeve, the endpiece being inscribed within the outline of the skirt. Advantageously, the endpiece is axially tangential to said skirt. This signifies that the skirt defines the radial outer limit of the dispenser head. In other words, this also signifies that the dispenser endpiece does not extend radially beyond the periphery of the skirt.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dispenser head may comprise a substantially rigid inner core, and a substantially flexible outer casing, said core being engaged in said casing. Advantageously, the core is received axially in the casing. It should be noted that this characteristic of designing the dispenser head made up of a core and of a casing can be implemented independently of the fact that the endpiece extends parallel to the axis, and is offset therefrom. The substantially rigid core constitutes a solid structure for engaging on the actuator rod. The flexible casing makes it possible to perform functions that require its material to deform.

In an advantageous embodiment, the core forms the connection sleeve, part of the connection channel, and advantageously part of a bottom portion of the endpiece channel. In addition, the casing may form the dispenser endpiece, and a bearing wall defining the bearing surface. The core advantageously forms an axial spout that is engaged in the endpiece, a bottom portion of the endpiece channel being formed between the casing and the spout. The spout advantageously includes an axial groove that co-operates with the dispenser endpiece to form the bottom portion of the endpiece channel. The spout preferably includes a top end that terminates in a position set back from the dispenser orifice, a top portion of the endpiece channel being formed solely by the flexible casing downstream from the spout, such that the endpiece is flexible at the top portion.

In another aspect of the invention, the core forms a bearing plate into which the duct opens out axially, the connection channel being formed between the plate and the casing. The plate advantageously includes a transverse and non-axial groove that co-operates with the casing to form the connection channel.

In another aspect of the invention, the core forms a collar that is engaged in a base skirt formed by the casing. Here also, the core makes it possible to impart a certain amount of strength to the flexible casing.

According to another characteristic of the invention that can be implemented independently of the others, the dispenser endpiece may present a flat spatula shape. The dispenser endpiece thus fulfills two functions, namely both a dispensing function and a fluid-applicator function. The flat spatula shape makes it possible to spread the fluid easily on any application surface.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the dispenser orifice may be formed by a self-sealing flexible slot. This is made possible because the casing is made of an elastically-deformable flexible material. The self-sealing flexible slot thus defines two lips for coming into leaktight contact with each other when no pressure exists inside the dispenser endpiece. A dispenser orifice is thus made integrally with the remainder of the flexible casing, whereas, in the prior art, the dispenser orifice is often formed by a nozzle that is fitted onto another element of the head.

In a practical embodiment, the bearing surface may slope, forming an angle lying in the range 40° to 90° relative to the axis, in such a manner as to intersect the axis. The slope of the bearing surface makes it possible to extend the area of the surface, and simultaneously make the surface more ergonomic.

According to another characteristic that can be implemented independently of the other characteristics, the dispenser endpiece may be flexible, at least in part, in particular at its free end. It is clearly possible to envisage a dispenser head that does not have an axially-offset endpiece, but that defines a flexible end portion that also forms the dispenser orifice. The head can thus include an endpiece that is flexible in part, defining a self-sealing dispenser slot, and that makes it possible, once the fluid has been dispensed, to apply or spread the fluid by means of the flexible portion of the endpiece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment described by way of example of a fluid dispenser head of the invention is a head of the pushbutton type that is 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 reference3. The dispenser head is designated by the numerical references1and2, since it is constituted by two distinct elements, namely a core1, and a casing2.

The dispenser member3comprises a body31forming a collar32that is engaged in a fastener ring4. The dispenser member3also comprises an actuator rod33that is mounted to be displaced down and up inside the body31. The actuator rod33is urged into its rest position by a return spring (not shown). InFIGS. 2 and 3, the actuator rod is in its rest position. The actuator rod defines an internal flow channel through which there flows the fluid that is put under pressure in the pump body31, 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 ring4that is engaged with the body31of the dispenser member3is fastened on the neck52of a receptacle5defining an internal reservoir50. The receptacle5comprises a substantially cylindrical tube51inside which a follower-piston or scraper53can slide. Optionally, a separate bottom54can close the bottom end of the tube51. That is one particular kind of receptacle, in which the internal volume of the reservoir50decreases 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 this particular non-limiting embodiment of the invention therefore comprises a core1, and a casing2. The core1is made of a substantially rigid material, whereas the casing2is 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 elastomer thermoplastics. 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 the drawings, the head comprises both a core and a casing.

The core1is preferably made as a single part by injection-molding plastics material. The core1includes a substantially cylindrical collar12having a section that is preferably circular. The collar12is closed at its top end by a bearing plate13that extends in sloping manner relative to the axis of the cylinder formed by the collar12. In addition, the axis of the cylinder12coincides with the longitudinal actuation axis X of the actuator rod33. At its highest portion, the bearing plate13is provided with a spout14that projects axially upwards along the axis X, but is offset away from the axis. The spout14extends upwards in register with the outer wall of the collar12, as can be seen clearly inFIG. 3. The spout presents a top end141. In addition, on its face facing the axis X, the spout is formed with an axial groove142′ having a bottom end that is connected to another groove132′ that is formed in the thickness of the bearing plate13and that extends transversely and non-axially. The two grooves132′ and142′ therefore extend each other by forming an angle at the base of the spout14that is connected to the plate13. The bottom end of the non-axial groove132′ opens out into a duct113that passes through the thickness of the plate13.

The plate13thus defines a top surface131that is relatively or completely plane, except where the non-axial groove132′ and the duct113are formed. The core1also forms a connection sleeve11that internally forms the inlet duct113. The sleeve11is 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 casing2is preferably made as a single part from a molded plastics material, such as elastomer thermosplastic. The casing2includes a skirt22that is substantially circularly cylindrical. The skirt22also extends along the axis X, once it is mounted on the rod. The skirt22is closed at its top end by a bearing plate23that forms an outer bearing surface231. The wall23extends in sloping manner relative to the axis X. The angle of slope of the wall23relative 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 wall23can be horizontal, or even relatively steeply sloping. Naturally, the steeper the slope, the more the area of the wall23increases. The bearing surface231is 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 surface231is situated in central manner on the axis X. The bearing wall23is situated axially downstream from the axial inlet duct113. In other words, the bearing wall23intersects 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 wall23cannot deform, given that it is in contact with the bearing plate13formed by the rigid core1. The bearing wall23also covers the duct113and the non-axial groove132′ without blocking them. In contrast, the bottom surface of the bearing wall23comes to complete the non-axial groove132′, so as to form a connection channel132that can be seen inFIG. 3. In addition, the bottom surface of the bearing wall23forms a deflection wall at the outlet from the axial inlet duct113, so as to make it possible to deflect the fluid from the duct113into the connection channel132. It should also be noted that the connection channel132is relatively leaktight, even though the bearing wall23is not fastened or bonded to the plate13. During dispensing, the user exerts pressure on the bearing surface231, and that tends to press the wall23hard against the plate13. Thus, the outlet from the duct113, and the connection channel132are completely isolated. The relatively flexible material of the bearing wall23also contributes to isolating the connection channel132.

At is highest point, the bearing wall23forms a dispenser endpiece24that projects axially upwards, and is offset away from the axis X. The dispenser endpiece24extends in axial and offset manner, i.e. parallel to the axis X. In particular, it can be seen inFIGS. 2 and 3that the dispenser endpiece24extends in offset manner in register with the tangent or the edge of the skirt22: the outer wall of the endpiece24is completely in alignment with the outer wall of the skirt22on the left-hand portion, as can be seen inFIGS. 2 and 3. It should also be observed that the endpiece24is inscribed within the outline of the skirt22. In other words, the endpiece24does not project radially outwards relative to the skirt22when 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 core1and a casing2, 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 core1inside the casing2. Assembly can be performed by engaging the core1in the casing2in completely axial manner. The rigid collar12becomes engaged inside the skirt22, whereas the plate13comes into contact with the bearing wall23. In addition, the spout14penetrates into the endpiece24. As mentioned above, the bearing wall23comes to complete the connection channel132formed by the groove132′ formed in the plate13. In addition, the endpiece24comes to complete the axial groove142′ formed in the spout14, in such a manner as to form the bottom portion142of a endpiece channel that extends inside the endpiece24. The bottom portion142of the endpiece channel terminates at the top end141of the spout14. Beyond the end141, the endpiece24forms a top portion242of the endpiece channel that extends until it reaches a downstream end forming a dispenser orifice241in the form of a self-sealing slot. Thus, the entire free end portion243of the endpiece24, formed solely by the endpiece24, presents an elastically-deformable characteristic that can be likened to that of a flexible spatula. In addition, the endpiece24presents a flat spatula shape, as can be seen inFIG. 1. The endpiece24is wider circumferentially than it is radially. This can be seen clearly by comparingFIG. 1withFIG. 3. Making a dispenser endpiece flexible, at least in part, with a dispenser orifice, e.g. in the form of a self-sealing slot, is a characteristic that can be implemented regardless of whether or not the endpiece extends in axially offset manner, and regardless of whether or not the head is made both from a core and from a casing. It is clearly possible to envisage a dispenser head forming a transverse or horizontal endpiece having a free end portion that is flexible, and that forms a separate or integral dispenser orifice. When the dispenser orifice is made in the form of a self-sealing slot241, the slot can be made easily by making an incision in the end of the endpiece24by means of a blade. A slot is thus formed that is constituted by two lips that come into mutual leaktight contact when no pressure exists inside the endpiece channel. This type of dispenser orifice simultaneously performs a closure function making it possible to protect the fluid inside the endpiece24from the outside air.

In contrast, it is also possible to envisage the spout14extending as far as the dispenser orifice241. In this event, the endpiece24is elastically deformable to a smaller extent, if at all.

By making the endpiece24in 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 endpiece24, 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.

Such a dispenser head constituted by a core1and a casing2is very simple to assemble, since it suffices to insert the rigid core1axially into the flexible casing2. This is possible since the spout14and the endpiece24extend in axial manner. The spout14penetrates into the endpiece24so as to form the bottom portion142of the endpiece channel, the plate13comes into contact with the wall23so as to form the connection channel132, and the collar12becomes engaged in the skirt22. A snap-fastener profile221can even be provided on the inside wall of the skirt22, so as to guarantee that the collar12is held in stable and permanent manner in the casing2.

Various modifications are possible, without however going beyond the ambit of the invention. The spout14could be longer or shorter. The same applies for the endpiece24. The spout14could form solely the connection channel132, without forming a portion of the endpiece channel. The spout14could also form the entire endpiece channel. By way of example, it is possible to envisage the bottom portion142of the endpiece channel formed completely inside the spout14. It is thus possible to envisage dispenser orifices of types other than in the form of a self-sealing slot. A permanently-open dispenser orifice could be envisaged. A completely horizontal bearing surface could also be envisaged. Manufacturing the dispenser head as a single part or by dual injection could also be envisaged. In particular, it is possible to envisage overmolding the casing on the core, providing certain conventional precautions are taken.

It is also advantageous for the bottom end of the skirt22to extend inside a bushing formed by the fastener ring4. Thus, the actuator rod33is not visible.