Abstract:
A system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a bottle ( 1 ), may include a withdrawing member ( 2 ); a band ( 6 ) secured to the bottle ( 1 ) having two upper arms ( 7 ) arranged either side of the nozzle ( 3 ) of the member ( 2 ) which is equipped with two external lugs ( 9 ), said arms each having an interior lug ( 10 ) positioned in the axial continuation of an external lug ( 9 ) to form a housing between them; a support ( 13 ) having a dispensing orifice ( 14 ), the arms ( 7 ) being mounted with the ability to effect a translational movement in said support; a push-button ( 17 ) which is mounted with the ability to effect a radial translational movement in relation to the support ( 13 ), said push-button having two tabs ( 20 ) each having an upper bearing surface ( 20   a ) bearing against an inner lug ( 10 ) an a lower bearing surface ( 20   b ) bearing against an outer lug ( 9 ), said bearing surfaces diverging radially so that depressing the push-button ( 14 ) causes the lugs ( 9, 10 ) to part, thus actuating the withdrawing member ( 2 ) by a depressing of the nozzle ( 3 ) and a raising of the bottle ( 1 ).

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a U.S. National Phase filing of International Application No. PCT/FR2012/051721, filed on Jul. 19, 2012, designating the United States of America and claiming priority to French patent application No. 1156641, filed Jul. 21, 2011, and this application claims priority to and the benefit of the above-identified applications, which are both incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The disclosure generally relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a bottle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In one particular application, the product is of the gel or cream type, for example for use in cosmetics or for pharmaceutical treatments. More particularly, the example dispensing system may be suitable for the application of a product such as a lip gloss or a lip care product. 
         [0004]    Dispensing systems comprising a member for extracting a product packaged in a bottle are known, for example consisting of a pump, which has a body rigidly connected to said bottle in order to be supplied with product and a nozzle over said body. In particular, the extracting member is suitable for being actuated by means of reversible movement of the nozzle along a downward and upward axial stroke for product dispensing and intake, respectively. 
         [0005]    Conventionally, the movement of the nozzle is actuated by a push button which is mounted on the upper end of the nozzle, said push button having a dispensing orifice connected to said nozzle and an upper axial bearing area. 
         [0006]    The document KR-2010/001 0657 envisages a laterally mounted push button in relation to the nozzle of a pump, said push button interacting with two ribs formed on said nozzle so that a radial movement of said push button causes an engagement of said nozzle along the dispensing stroke thereof. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    In one example, a dispensing system can include a lateral actuation of an extracting member by means of a push button, wherein the stroke and the actuation force may be reduced, said system optionally using a standard extracting member, i.e. of the type suitable for use for axial actuation. 
         [0008]    For this purpose, the an example embodiment relates to a system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a bottle, said system comprising a member for extracting the packaged product having a body rigidly connected to the bottle in order to be supplied with product and a nozzle over said body, said nozzle being suitable for moving reversibly along a downward and upward axial stroke for product dispensing and intake, respectively, said system may include:
       a ring rigidly connected to the bottle and wherein the body of the member is secured tightly, said ring having two upper arms arranged on either side of the nozzle which is equipped with two outer pins, said arms each having an inner pin arranged in the axial extension of an outer pin to form a housing together;   a supporting member having an orifice for dispensing the product, the arms being mounted in translation in said supporting member by connecting the nozzle with the dispensing orifice;   a push button for actuating the extracting member which is mounted in radial translation in relation to the supporting member, said push button having two tabs arranged respectively in a housing formed between the pins, said tabs each having an upper bearing surface bearing on an inner pin and a lower bearing surface bearing on an outer pin, said bearing surfaces being radially divergent so that engaging the push button causes separation of the pins to actuate the extracting member by engaging the nozzle and lifting the bottle.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Further aims and advantages of the disclosure will emerge in the following description, with reference to the appended figures, wherein: 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1-1   c  is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing system according to a first embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  1   c  being enlarged views of the push button, the supporting member and the ring shown in  FIG. 1 , respectively; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2   a - 2   b  are longitudinal sectional views of the dispensing system according to  FIG. 1 , with the push button in the idle ( FIG. 2   a ) and engaged ( FIG. 2   b ) position, respectively; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  are partial perspective views showing the dispensing system according to  FIG. 1  without its case thereof, with the push button in the idle ( FIG. 3   a ) and engaged ( FIG. 3   b ) position, respectively; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   b  are longitudinal sections of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b;    
           [0017]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  are cross-sectional views showing the dispensing system according to  FIG. 1  with the push button in the idle ( FIG. 5   a ) and engaged ( FIG. 5   b ) position, respectively; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates the steps for assembling the dispensing system according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates steps for packaging the product and finishing the assembly of the dispensing system according to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 8-8   d  is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing system according to a second embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c  and  8   d  being enlarged views of the application means-supporting member assembly, push button, ring and tip shown in  FIG. 8 , respectively; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  represent the dispensing system according to  FIG. 8  with the push button in the idle position, in a cross-section ( FIG. 9   a ), partially in a perspective view without the supporting member ( FIG. 9   b ) and in a longitudinal section ( FIGS. 9   c  and  9   d ), respectively; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  represent the dispensing system according to  FIG. 8  with the push button in the engaged position, in a cross-section ( FIG. 10   a ), partially in a perspective view without the supporting member ( FIG. 10   b ) and in a longitudinal section ( FIGS. 10   c  and  10   d ), respectively. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    In relation to the figures, a system for dispensing a fluid product packaged in a bottle  1  is described, said product optionally being a gel or a cream, for example for cosmetic use or for pharmaceutical treatments. 
         [0024]    The system comprises a member  2  for extracting the packaged product having a body rigidly connected to the bottle  1  in order to be supplied with product and a nozzle  3  over said body. In the embodiment shown, the sampling member is a pump  2  without the invention being restricted to such an embodiment, said pump optionally being of the type without air return while being supplied with product, for example, by actuating a scraper piston sliding in the bottle  1 . 
         [0025]    To enable extraction of the product, the nozzle  3  is suitable for moving reversibly along a downward and upward axial stroke for product dispensing and intake, respectively. In particular, the nozzle  3  may comprise a tube which is arranged in the body of the pump  2  by forming a metering chamber connected to the bottle  1  via a flap, a spring  4  being provided to return said nozzle along the intake stroke thereof. 
         [0026]    In relation to  FIG. 4  wherein it is sectioned, the pump  2  is of the type described in the document FR-2 908 843, i.e. comprising a needle valve  5  arranged in the nozzle  3  to open, or close, the connection between said nozzle and the metering chamber along the dispensing, or intake, stroke. However, the invention is not restricted to a particular pump  2  structure, particularly in relation to the means required for pressurised extraction of the product to be dispensed. 
         [0027]    The system comprises a ring  6  rigidly connected to the bottle  1  and wherein the body of the pump  2  is secured tightly. For this purpose, the ring  6  has a tubular portion  6   a  wherein the body of the pump  2  is mounted by means of tight fitting. 
         [0028]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the bottle  1  comprises a receptacle  1   a  which is joined under the ring  6 , said ring having a lower bearing surface  6   b  whereon the upper opening of the receptacle  1   a  is mounted tightly to connect the pump  2  to the inside of said receptacle. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the ring  6  may be formed of one piece along the upper portion of the bottle  1  which then comprises a mounted base to seal said bottle after the filling thereof with product. 
         [0029]    The ring  6  has two upper arms  7  which are arranged on either side of the nozzle  3 . In  FIG. 1 , the arms  7  are integral with the tubular portion  6   a  being joined along the upper edge thereof by means of a hinge  8 . This embodiment enables the arrangement of the arms  7  between a separated position ( FIG. 1   c ) wherein the pump  2  can be secured in the tubular portion  6   a  and a position encompassing the nozzle  3 . 
         [0030]    The nozzle  3  is equipped with two outer pins  9  and the arms  7  each have an inner pin  10  arranged over and axially extending from an outer pin  9  to form a housing together. In the embodiments shown, the nozzle  3  is equipped with a mounted tip  11  whereon the outer pins  9  are formed. In particular, the tip  11  has a hole for mounting on the nozzle  3 , the pins  9  extending radially while being diametrically distributed about said hole. In an alternative embodiment not shown, the pins  9  may be formed directly on the nozzle  3 . 
         [0031]    Moreover, the inner pins  10  extend radially while being formed in the vicinity of the upper ends of the arms  7 , each of said arms having an axial groove  12  wherein an outer pin  9  is guided in translation. 
         [0032]    The system comprises a supporting member  13  which has an orifice  14  for dispensing the product, the arms  7  being mounted in translation in said supporting member by connecting the nozzle  3  to the dispensing orifice  14 . In the first embodiment, the upper ends of the arms  7  each have an outer edge  15 , formed opposite the pins  10 , said edge being guided in translation in a U-bolt  16  of the supporting member  13 . In particular, the outer edges  15  have a bevelled end suitable for the arrangement thereof in U-bolts  16  by relative sliding of the supporting member  13  in relation to the ring  6  and a straight bottom side to prevent subsequent retraction thereof. 
         [0033]    The system comprises a push button  17  for actuating the extracting member  2  which is mounted in radial translation in relation to the supporting member  13 . For this purpose, the supporting member  13  has a front side wall  18  which is provided with an orifice  19  wherein the push button  17  is mounted, the U-bolts  16  being formed on either side of said wall ( FIG. 1 ). 
         [0034]    The push button  17  has two tabs  20  respectively arranged in a housing formed between the pins  9 ,  10 , said tabs extending radially in the orifice  19  to be arranged respectively between an arm  7  and the tip  11 , said tabs encompassing the nozzle  3 . The tabs  20  each have an upper bearing surface  20   a  bearing on an inner pin  10  and a lower bearing surface  20   b  bearing on an outer pin  9 , said bearing surfaces being radially divergent so that engaging the push button  17  causes separation of the pins  9 ,  10 . 
         [0035]    In this way, the extracting member  2  is actuated by combining engagement of the nozzle  3  with lifting of the bottle  1 , making it possible to limit the stroke and the actuation force of the push button  17  in translation. Furthermore, after releasing the push button  17 , the return of the nozzle  3  along the intake stroke thereof actuates the return of the push button  17  and the bottle  1  to the idle position. According to one example of an embodiment, the bearing surfaces  20   a,    20   b  have a slope of 35° in order to, along a stroke less than 3.5 mm, dispense a dose in the region of 120 μl. 
         [0036]    In the embodiments shown, the tabs  20  have a top face and a bottom face, each of said faces comprising a recess  21  bordered to the front by an outer edge  22  and to the rear by a bearing surface  20   a ,  20   b.  In this way, the idle position of the push button  17  is defined by arranging a pin  9 ,  10  respectively in a recess  21  of a size substantially equal to that of said pin. 
         [0037]    The outer edges  22  have a bevelled end suitable for arranging the tabs  20  in housings formed between the pins  9 ,  10 . In particular, for this arrangement, the pins  9 ,  10  are separated by bearing on the edges  22 , causing actuation of the pump  2  suitable for example for use for pre-priming same. 
         [0038]    Moreover, the pins  9 ,  10  interact with an outer edge  22  to prevent the retraction of the push button  17 . For this purpose, the outer edges  22  have a straight rear side to prevent the retraction of the pins  9 ,  10  after the arrangement thereof in the recesses  21 . 
         [0039]    To guide the push button  17  in translation, each tab  20  has a central recess  23  wherein a radial slide  24  formed in the supporting member  13  is arranged. Furthermore, this embodiment is suitable for ensuring reliable transmission of the forces between the bearing surfaces  20   a,    20   b  and the pins  9 ,  10  during the translation of the push button  17 . 
         [0040]    In relation to  FIG. 5 , the supporting member  13  has a wall  25  formed opposite the push button  17 , said wall having a complementary geometry to that of a rear portion of the nozzle  3  arranged facing same. In this way, on actuation, the wall  25  is suitable for limiting any misalignment of the nozzle  3  by bearing said nozzle on said wall. 
         [0041]    Furthermore, the supporting member  13  has at least one abutment  26  defining the end-of-travel position in respect of translation of the push button  17 , this abutment  26  being suitable in particular for being readily arranged to determine the dispensed dose. In particular, the wall  25  is bordered by two radial flanks  27  against which a tab  20  respectively slides, said flanks having a base acting as the abutment  26 . 
         [0042]    In relation to the first embodiment, the system comprises a case  28  which is joined to the supporting member  13 , particularly around the wall  18  and the U-bolts  16 , to encompass the bottle  1 , said case having a side orifice  29  arranged opposite the orifice  19  of the supporting member  13  and via which the push button  17  is accessible. In particular, the case  28  may be arranged to enhance the design of the system, an inner cap  30  optionally being provided under said case to completely conceal the bottle  1 . Furthermore, the push button  17  may be encompassed by a trimming cover for concealing the edge of the orifice  29 . 
         [0043]    The system may comprise means for applying the product, said means being mounted on the dispensing orifice  14 . In the first embodiment, the means are formed from a deformable sleeve  31  having an upper slot  32  suitable for opening under the pressure of the dispensed product. 
         [0044]    This embodiment is particularly suitable for applying a product such as a lip gloss or a lip care product. Advantageously, at least the slot  32  of the sleeve  31  may be loaded with an antibacterial agent, for example based on silver, such as Alphasan or Bactiglas so as to prevent the penetration of micro-organisms through the product film clamped at said slot. Alternatively, a brush or further means for applying a product may be provided. 
         [0045]    The supporting member  13  may comprise means for indexing the angular position of the application means in relation to the push button  17 . In the first embodiment, the sleeve  31  comprises a lower collar  31   a  held around the dispensing orifice  14  by an inner bearing surface  28   a  of the case  28 , the slot  32  projecting from said case. The collar  31   a  has two axial slots  31   b  wherein a knurl  13   a  of the supporting member  13  is engaged for indexing. 
         [0046]    Advantageously, the supporting member  13  has an inner conduit  33  topped by the dispensing orifice  14  and the nozzle  3  has an upper shaft  34  tightly slidably mounted in said conduit. In particular, the tip  11  comprises an upper portion wherein the shaft  34  is formed by connecting to the nozzle  3 . 
         [0047]    This embodiment is suitable for defining in the conduit  33  a buffer chamber  35  for the extracted product for which the volume increases, or decreases, along the dispensing, or intake, stroke, of the nozzle  3 . In particular, the buffer chamber  35  comprises a cylindrical lower portion wherein the shaft  34  is slidably mounted and a conical upper portion converging towards the dispensing orifice  14 . The buffer chamber  35  may have a variation in volume between 30% and 100% of the dose of product extracted by the pump  2 . 
         [0048]    In this way, it is possible to obtain a movement wherein dispensing is at least partly dissociated from the application of the product. Indeed, pressing the push button  17  causes the buffer chamber  35  to fill with at least a portion of the extracted dose and, after releasing said push button, the dose is dispensed through the slot  32  by reducing the volume in said buffer chamber. 
         [0049]    In relation to  FIG. 6 , various steps for assembling the dispensing system are described hereinafter, wherein the arms  7  are arranged in the separated position ( FIG. 6.1 ) to secure the pump  2  in the ring  6  ( FIG. 6.2 ). The tip  11  is then mounted on the nozzle  3  ( FIG. 6.3 ) and the arms  7  are pulled back ( FIG. 6.4 ) to the position encompassing the nozzle  3  with the outer pins  9  arranged in the slots  12  ( FIG. 6.5 ). 
         [0050]    The supporting member  13  is then arranged around the arms  7  by arranging the outer edges  15  in the U-bolts  16  ( FIG. 6.6 ) and the sleeve  31  is mounted onto said supporting member ( FIG. 6.7 ). The case  28  may then be mounted about the supporting member  13  and the bottle  1  ( FIG. 6.8 ) followed by the push button  17  in the orifices  19 ,  29  with the tabs  20  in the housings formed between the pins  9 ,  10  ( FIG. 6.9 ). A cap  36  is then mounted around the supporting member  13  to protect the sleeve  31  between two applications ( FIG. 6.10 ). 
         [0051]    Following these steps, the dispensing system is in delivery condition and  FIG. 7  illustrates various steps for packaging the product and finishing the assembly of the dispensing system. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 7.1  and  7 . 2  show filling of the receptacle la with product by means of a tube  37 , said receptacle then being associated under the ring  6  of the system in delivery condition ( FIGS. 7.3  and  7 . 4 ). The cap  30  of the case  28  may then be mounted to finalise the dispensing system ( FIGS. 7.5  and  7 . 6 ). 
         [0053]    In relation to  FIGS. 8 to 10 , a second embodiment of a dispensing system is described hereinafter, wherein the supporting member  13  comprises an insert  40  secured inside said supporting member, said insert having the inner conduit  33  topped by the dispensing orifice  14 . As in the first embodiment, the upper shaft  34  of the tip  11  is tightly slidably mounted in the conduit  33  to define the buffer chamber  35 . 
         [0054]    The dispensing system also comprises a receptacle la joined under the body of the extracting member  2 , a connector  41  being provided to ensure tightness of this assembly. Moreover, a case  28  is secured under the supporting member  13  which has a lower bearing surface  13   b  for this purpose. 
         [0055]    The insert  40  has an upper plate  42  whereon a cone  43  topped by the dispensing orifice  14  extends, said plate having four notches  44  distributed in pairs on either side of the cone  43 , said notches being engaged respectively in an axial groove  45  formed inside the supporting member  13 . 
         [0056]    The grooves  45  are suitable for straight mounting of the insert  40  by sliding inside the supporting member  13  until the plate  42  is secured in said supporting member, particularly by locking. Furthermore, the insert  40  has a U-shaped bridge  46  formed between each of the pairs of notches  44  to enhance the slidable guiding of the insert  40  in the supporting member  13 , particularly by limiting the rotation of said insert before locking. 
         [0057]    The insert  40  also has two axial slots  47  formed respectively under a U-shaped bridge  46 , an inner pin  10  being guided in translation in respectively a slot  47  upon actuation of the system. In particular, the arms  7  are integral with the tubular portion  6   a  while being fixedly joined on the upper edge thereof. Moreover, the arms  7  are guided in translation in the supporting member  13  between two grooves  45 . 
         [0058]    The lower end of each of the edges of the slots  47  is equipped with a pin  48 . In particular, the two pins  48  of a slot  47  act as the radial slide  24  for guiding the push button  17  in translation via the central recess  23 . 
         [0059]    In the second embodiment, the application means comprise an element  49  wherein a conduit  50  is formed, extending from a base  51  to a tip wherein it opens onto a lateral application surface  52 . The base  51  is equipped with reversible joining means on the supporting member  13  by placing the dispensing orifice  14  in the conduit  50 . In  FIGS. 8 to 10 , the joining means comprise two blocks  53  for a bayonet type assembly in recesses  54  formed in the supporting member  13 .