Patent Publication Number: US-7222752-B2

Title: Dispenser device including means that enable two substances to be dispensed in varying proportions

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/444,943 filed on Feb. 5, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to dispenser devices that enable two or more substances to be dispensed in varying proportions. 
   BACKGROUND  
   European patent EP 758,615 describes an example of a device enabling a plurality of sunscreens of different indices or a sunscreen and an after-sun lotion, such as a moisturizing cream, to be made available in what appears to be a single package. 
   European patent application EP 427,609 describes a device including an adjustment member for varying the proportions in a mixture of two substances taken from respective reservoirs. The adjustment member is in the form of a rotary part that presses to a greater or lesser extent on a pump rod when a pushbutton is depressed. This device does not make it possible to dispense the substance contained in one or the other reservoir, for example, by a single adjustment member. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,210 describes a device that is relatively complex, having a mechanism that enables actuation of a pushbutton to be transformed into strokes of greater or shorter length for actuating pump rods. 
   The supplier Versadial of Marktoberdorf, Germany, also proposes a device having two pumps with control members that are actuated by a pivoting disk secured to the pushbutton and hinged at one end to an adjustment member capable of turning relative to a base portion that supports the pump bodies. Depending on the orientation of the adjustment member, when a user presses the pushbutton, the disk actuates the pump control members to a greater or lesser extent, thereby enabling a mixture to be dispensed with the desired relative proportions of the substances taken from the reservoirs associated with the pumps. Such a device is not designed to use standard pumps and is also of structure that is relatively complex. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a dispenser device comprising a plurality of reservoirs for containing respective substances, a pump associated with each said reservoir, a pushbutton, at least one elastically-deformable transmission member associated with at least one of the control members, and at least one adjustment member for adjusting an end-of-stroke position of the displacement at least of the control member associated with the transmission member. Each said pump may be associated with a movable control member which, when actuated, causes the substance contained in the reservoir associated with the pump to be dispensed. Further, the at least one elastically-deformable transmission member may be disposed in such a manner as to transmit displacement of the pushbutton to the at least one control member in order to dispense substance(s). 
   In exemplary embodiments, the transmission member may deform when the associated control member reaches its end-of-stroke position, for example, as imposed by the adjustment member, before the other control member reaches its end-of-stroke position, thereby enabling the pushbutton to continue moving and driving the other control member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the adjustment member may be made as one or more parts, such as multiple parts that are movable relative to one another. 
   By acting on an adjustment member, exemplary embodiments of the invention make it possible to vary the stroke through which at least one of the control members is displaced when the pushbutton is depressed. It is thus possible to measure out at least one of the substances in the dispensed mixture. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include elastically-deformable transmission members disposed so that each of the transmission members transmits displacement of a pushbutton to an associated control member in order to dispense substance. Each elastically-deformable transmission member may be disposed in such a manner as to deform when the associated control member reaches the end-of-stroke position, for example, imposed by an adjustment member, before the other control member so as to enable the pushbutton to continue moving and driving the other control member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include actuator members movable relative to a pushbutton and associated with respective control members. Each elastically-deformable transmission member may be disposed in such a manner as to be interposed between a surface of an associated actuator member and the pushbutton. 
   Each actuator member may comprise a rod slidable in a guide, such as a tubular guide, of the pushbutton. Further, the elastically-deformable member associated with the each actuator member may be disposed around the respective rod. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the actuator members may be connected together by an elastically-deformable coupling assembly. This may make the actuator members easier to manufacture and handle, particularly while the actuator members are being put into place on the device. 
   By way of example, the coupling assembly may comprise, for example, flexible arms connecting each of the actuator members to a central rod. The flexible arms may, for example, together form an S-shape when the coupling assembly is observed along the axis of the central rod. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the coupling assembly may include endpieces that are fixed to the pushbutton and through which substance delivered by each of the pumps can be delivered to the pushbutton. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include flexible hoses through which substances delivered by the pumps can flow from the actuator members to housings that communicate with the endpieces. 
   In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the pumps may be standard pumps. For example, each control member may include a pump rod, such as, for example, a pump rod that having an internal channel through which substance delivered by the pump can be delivered. 
   In exemplary embodiments, each adjustment member may include an endpiece that is mounted at the end of the associated pump rod. The endpiece may be arranged to enable a flexible hose to be connected to convey the substance delivered by the pump to a dispenser orifice. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the elastically-deformable member may be a spring, such as a helical spring. The spring may bear at one end against the endpiece and at the other end against the corresponding tubular guide of the pushbutton. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the adjustment member may comprise a plurality of surfaces situated at different heights and against which the actuators members can come to bear when the associated control members have reached their respective end-of-stroke positions. The various heights may be selected in such a manner that the sum of the strokes over which the control members of the pumps travel remains constant regardless of the position of the adjustment member. For example, the various heights may be equal to the maximum stroke of a control member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of surfaces may be defined by a top edge of a tongue. 
   In advantageous embodiments, the adjustment member may be a rotary member, that is, a member that includes at least one rotary part. In such embodiments, the tongues may be elastically deformable and may be arranged so as to deform elastically in contact with at least one control member during rotation of the adjustment member, so as to provide at least one hard point in the rotary travel of the adjustment member. Such a hard point may make it easier for a user to position the adjustment member in a position that corresponds to a determined mixture. In exemplary embodiments, the tongues may be arranged in such a manner that, in a position of the adjustment member corresponding to dispensing a given mixture, at least one control member is disposed between portions of two consecutive tongues which resist turning of the adjustment member or even prevent the adjustment member from turning. 
   In exemplary embodiments, each tongue may have a rounded portion in which a control member can be received when the tongue is in a position for adjusting the stroke of the control member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, bottom edges of the tongues may be situated substantially in a same plane. Each tongue may be arranged, for example, so that in a position for adjusting the stroke of the associated control member, the tongue comes to bear via its bottom edge against a bearing surface that is fixed relative to the corresponding pump body. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the adjustment member may have two coaxial rotary rings having tongues that enable the end of the stroke of at least one control member associated with the transmission member to be adjusted. 
   In exemplary embodiments, such rings may be interconnected via at least one gear. For example, in embodiments, the rings may be interconnected via two gears. 
   In exemplary embodiments, such tongues may have facing concave sides. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the pushbutton may include a top portion defining a bearing surface that enables a user to actuate the pushbutton. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the pushbutton may include an elastically-deformable skirt that extends the top portion downward, that is, away from the bearing surface. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include an outlet orifice provided with a check valve, such as an elastomer check valve. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include a base portion on which the pumps are mounted and relative to which the pushbutton is movable. Such a base portion may include at least one relief portion on which the adjustment member may be fastened, such as snap-fastened, such that the adjustment member is free to rotate or turn, while being substantially prevented from movement axially. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the base portion may include an outer skirt provided with at least one window that provides access to the adjustment member in order for a user to turn or rotate the adjustment member. In embodiments, the at least one window may comprise two opposite windows to facilitate rotation of the adjustment member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the adjustment member may include a wall, such as a tubular wall, that is provided with reference marks, such as, for example, graduations, that are representative of different compositions of the mixture to be dispensed. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the reservoirs may comprise flasks that are assembled to the device. 
   In exemplary embodiments, such flasks may present a cross-section that is generally semicircular in shape. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the flasks may be assembled at least by a section member to which they are engaged. 
   By way of example, such a section member may include at least two walls that are at an angle to each other, forming an angle therebetween. A flask may be arranged to come to bear against the walls so as to be held against the section member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, one or more of the flasks may include two grooves in which such walls are received. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the section member may comprise an elongate central portion extending over at least a major part of a height of the flasks. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the section member may comprise a rib on each longitudinal side of the central portion. Such ribs may each form an outwardly-open V-shape when the section member is observed in cross-section. 
   In advantageous embodiments, the section member may be secured to the base portion. For example, the section member may be monolithically formed with the base portion, for example, by molding a plastics material. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may be used for packaging various cosmetic, pharmaceutical, household, or other substances. The device may preferably be used for packaging substances that are used to effect one or more external body conditions, such as conditions of the skin, hair and nails. For example, such substances include, but are not limited to, treatment products, such as sunscreen, moisturizer and/or medicaments, cleansing products and cosmetic products, such as makeup products, or any other known or later developed product that may be applied to the body. 
   In exemplary embodiments, one of the reservoirs may contain a sunscreen and the other reservoir may contain a moisturizer. In such embodiments, the adjustment member may be used to vary the proportion of the sunscreen in the mixture, and thus vary the resulting index of protection. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention may be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic elevation view of a first exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial section view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the pushbutton at rest; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary plan view of the adjustment member of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial section view of the device of  FIG. 1  showing the pushbutton depressed to dispense substance; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic cross-section on V—V of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary plan view of an adjustment member of a second exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   A first exemplary embodiment of a device  1  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The device  1  comprises a first flask  2  and a second flask  3 . Each of the flasks  2 ,  3  respectively define a first reservoir containing a substance P 1 , for example, a sunscreen, and a second reservoir containing a substance P 2 , for example, a moisturizer. The device  1  further comprises a dispenser head  4  comprising a stationary base portion  5  and a pushbutton  6  that is movable relative to the base portion  5 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the pushbutton  6  is provided with a single dispenser orifice fitted with a check valve  7 . The check valve  7  may help prevent particles, such as sand, from entering the dispenser orifice. The check valve  7  may be made of elastomer, for example, and may be overmolded on the pushbutton  6 . 
   In the first exemplary embodiment, the base portion  5  has two diametrically-opposite windows  9 , only one of which can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The windows  9  may provide access to an adjustment member  10  for adjusting proportions of the substances P 1  and P 2  in the mixture that is dispensed. 
   The adjustment member  10  may be rotatable about the longitudinal axis X of the device  1 , as shown in the first exemplary embodiment, and may have a series of graduations  11  that enable a user to select a determined mixture, for example, corresponding to a desired index of protection, by positioning a desired one of the graduations  11  under a mark  12  of the base portion  5 . 
   With reference to  FIG. 2 , the base portion  5  may have a transverse wall  20  extending perpendicularly to the axis X and connected at its periphery to an outer skirt  21  in which the windows  9  are formed. 
   The transverse wall  20  may be provided with openings  22  that receive first and second pumps  32  and  33  associated with the first and second flasks  2  and  3 , respectively. 
   In the first exemplary embodiment, each pump may be a standard pump. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each pump  32 ,  33  comprises a body  34  and a control member  35 . The control member  35  may comprise a hollow pump rod that presents an internal channel through which the substance is dispensed when the hollow pump rod is pushed into the pump body  34 . In the first exemplary embodiment, the first and second pumps  32 ,  33  may be fitted with respective dip tubes  36  that may extend to or near a bottom of the corresponding reservoir. 
   The base portion  5  may also have an assembly skirt  25  provided with an annular bead  26  against which tabs  27  of the adjustment member  10  may be fastened, for example, snap-fastened, so that the adjustment member may turn or rotate about the axis X, preferably without substantial movement axially relative to the axis X. 
   Each pump  32 ,  33  may be fixed on a neck  28  of the corresponding flask  2 ,  3  by gripping a ring  29 , such as a metal ring, with an annular sealing gasket  38  interposed between the respective pump body  34  and a top end face of the neck  28  as needed. 
   The first and second flasks  2  and  3  may be fixed at their top ends to the base portion  5 , for example, as shown in the first exemplary embodiment, by snap-fastening the necks  28  against the tabs  39 . The tabs  39  may have top ends that are connected to the transverse wall  20 . It should be understood that the necks  28  may be fixed in some other way, for example, by screw fastening or by crimping. 
   The pushbutton  6  may have a top portion  45  that is relatively rigid and defines a bearing surface  46  for a user. The top portion  45  may be made of polypropylene, for example. The pushbutton  6  may also have a bottom portion  47 , which may also be made out of a plastics material that is relatively rigid, for example, polypropylene, and an intermediate portion  48  that interconnects the top and bottom portions  45  and  47 . The intermediate portion  48  may be made of a material that is elastically deformable, such as, for example, an elastomer material, such as styrene ethylene butadiene styrene (SEBS). The bottom portion  47  may be fixed to the top portion  5 , for example, by snap-fastening. 
   The pushbutton  6  may have tubular guides  50 , which may preferably be monolithically formed or molded out of the same plastics material as the top portion  45 . The guides  50  may slidably receive respective rods  51  that are connected at a bottom end thereof to respective endpieces  52 . Each of the endpieces  52  has the corresponding control member  35  operably connected therewith, for example, inserted therein. The rods  51  are associated with the first and second pumps  32  and  33 , respectively. 
   The two endpieces  52  may be connected to each other by a coupling assembly comprising a central rod  53  and arms  54 . Each of the arms  54  may connect one of the endpieces  52  to the central rod  53 . When the coupling part is observed in plan view looking along the axis X, the arms  54  may, for example, be S-shaped, as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . A top of the central rod  53  is connected to an assembly portion  55  of the pushbutton  6 . The assembly portion  55  may be provided with two endpieces  56  that are received in corresponding housings  58  of the top portion  45  of the pushbutton  6 . The housings  58  may communicate with the dispenser orifice via respective channels  59 . Flexible hoses  60 , for example, made of polyethylene, may be employed to convey the substance delivered by each control member  35  to a corresponding endpiece  56 . The hoses  60  may be inserted at one end in openings provided for this purpose in the endpieces  52 . Such openings may have preferably axes perpendicular to the axes of the control members  35 . The endpieces  56  of the coupling assembly may be inserted, for example, by force, into the corresponding housings  58  of the top portion  45  of the pushbutton  6 , or otherwise operably coupled thereto. 
   Springs  70 , such as helical springs as shown in the first exemplary embodiment, may be disposed on the respective rods  51  in compression, having top ends thereof bearing against bottom edges  71  of the tubular guides  50  and having bottom ends thereof bearing against shoulders  72 , whereby each of the endpieces  52  is connected to the corresponding rod  51 . Each spring  70  may be employed to transform displacement of the top portion  45  of the pushbutton  6  into displacement of the endpieces  52 , which act as actuator members of the corresponding control members  35 . The springs  70  may be sufficiently stiff to ensure that depressing the pushbutton  6  results in the control members  35  being displaced. 
   The adjustment member  10  may preferably have a circularly cylindrical wall  80  about the axis X, as shown in the first exemplary embodiment, with a radially inner surface  81  thereof having a plurality of tongues  83  connected thereto, as shown in  FIG. 3 . The adjustment member  10  may be made, for example, out of a deformable material, such as polyacetal copolymer (POM-C). The various coupling pieces  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  may also be made out of the same material. It is also possible to use other materials, such as, for example, polypropylene, for these various elements. 
   The tongues  83  may extend radially inward in an oblique manner, for example, so as to be inclined in the same circumferential direction. At ends thereof, the tongues may have respective rounded portions  85 , each with a concave side  86  facing inward, and each arranged in such a manner as to be capable, in a given position of the adjustment member  10 , of coming substantially to overlap a portion of the periphery of one of the control members  35 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
   Two diametrically-opposite tongues  83  may come to bear simultaneously against the respective control members  35 , or at least to occupy positions in the vicinity thereof, so as to limit the extent to which the control members  35  are depressed when the pushbutton  6  is depressed. 
   The various tongues  83  are of heights that vary from one tongue to another such that top surfaces  90  of the tongues  83  do not all lie in the same plane perpendicular to the axis X. 
   In the first exemplary embodiment, bottom surfaces  91  of the tongues  83  may all lie in a single plane. 
   Depending on the height of the tongue  83  associated with a respective control member  35 , the endpiece  52  may entrain the control member  35  to a greater or lesser extent until the bottom end of the endpiece  52  comes into abutment against the top surface  90  of rounded portion  85  of the tongue  83 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
   Each tongue  83  associated with one of the control members  53  may thus bear via its bottom surface  91  against the pump body  34 . 
   When the adjustment member  10  is turned in the direction of arrow F, shown in  FIG. 3 , the tongues  83  may deform elastically so as to go past the control members  35 , with an end  94  of each tongue  83  that has just gone past one of the control members  35  remaining close to that control member  35  thereafter. In a determined adjustment position, each control member  35  may thus be disposed between the rounded portion  85  of one  83  and the end  94  of the adjacent tongue  83 , given the direction of rotation of the adjustment member  10 , thereby holding the adjustment member  10  in the corresponding position. 
   In the first exemplary embodiment, the tongues  83  may be of heights that increase for the first several tongues, such as seven, on moving in the direction of arrow F, and then of decreasing heights for the next several tongues, such as five. The tongues  83  may, for example, limit the stroke of a control member  35  to desired values, such as: 0 millimeters (mm); 0.65 mm; 1.3 mm; 1.95 mm; 2.6 mm; 3.25 mm; 6.5 mm; 5.85 mm; 5.20 mm; 4.5 mm; and 3.9 mm. 
   In the first exemplary embodiment, the adjustment member  10  may take up eleven different positions, for example, corresponding to various depression strokes (in mm) for the first and second pumps  32  and  33 , such as: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               Position 
               Pump 32 
               Pump 33 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
             
          
         
         
             
             
             
          
             
               0 
               6.50 
               0.00 
             
             
               1 
               5.85 
               0.65 
             
             
               2 
               5.20 
               1.30 
             
             
               3 
               4.55 
               1.95 
             
             
               4 
               3.90 
               2.60 
             
             
               5 
               3.25 
               3.25 
             
             
               6 
               2.60 
               3.90 
             
             
               7 
               1.95 
               4.55 
             
             
               8 
               1.30 
               5.20 
             
             
               9 
               0.65 
               5.85 
             
             
               10 
               0.00 
               6.50 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   Once the user has operated the adjustment member  10  to select desired relative proportions of the substances P 1  and P 2  in the mixture that is to be dispensed, the pushbutton  6  may be depressed, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The displacement of the pushbutton  6  is transmitted to the control members  35  by the springs  70 . When the strokes set for the control members  35  are unequal, and when a higher tongue  83  prevents displacement of the corresponding endpiece  52 , the spring  70  associated with this endpiece  52  may compress to allow the user to continue to depress the pushbutton  6  and allow the other control member  35  to continue moving downward until the corresponding endpiece  52  comes to bear against the associated tongue  83 . 
   During depression of the pushbutton  6 , the arms  54  may deform so as to accompany the displacements of the endpieces  52 . 
   The first and second flasks  2  and  3  may be made in various ways, such as for example, by blow-molding or injection blow-molding. In embodiments, the first and second flasks  2  and  3  may preferably be identical. 
   In addition to the necks  28  of the first and second flasks  2  and  3  being fixed to the base portion  5  of the dispenser head, the first and second flasks  2  and  3  may be held side by side by an elongate part  100 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The elongate part  100 , in the first exemplary embodiment, may be in the form of a section member having a central portion  101  with a pair of walls  102 ,  103 ,  104 , and  105  forming a V-shape running along each of its longitudinal sides. 
   The walls  102  and  104  may diverge and the first flask  2  associated with these walls may have longitudinal grooves  106  in which the walls  102  and  104  may be slidingly engaged so as to form a dovetail type connection. The second flask  3  may be held by the walls  103  and  105  in a similar manner. 
   The section member  100  may be advantageously monolithically formed by molding the same plastics material as the transverse wall  20  of the base portion  5 . 
   To put the first and second flasks  2  and  3  into place, first and second flasks  2  and  3  may be slid along the corresponding walls in an upward direction until the corresponding neck  28  snap-fastens in the tabs  39  of the base portion  5 , for example. 
     FIG. 6  shows a second exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with the invention in which the adjustment member  10  of the first exemplary embodiment is replaced by an adjustment member  10 ′. In the second exemplary embodiment, the adjustment member  10 ′ comprises two rotary rings  101  and  102  that are coaxial about axis of rotation X. 
   The outer ring  101  maybe connected to a wall  105 , which may be the same as the above-described wall  80 . On an inner circumference of the outer ring  101 , a plurality of first tongues  106  of different height may be carried. The first tongues  106  may be concave toward the axis X and may be arranged to occupy positions beneath the endpieces  52 , similar to the tongues  83  described above. 
   At a periphery of the inner ring  102 , a plurality of second tongues  108  may be arranged to come under the endpieces  52  on a side opposite from the first tongues  106 . 
   Gears  110  and  111  that are arranged to turn about axes parallel to the axis X may mesh with sets of teeth (not shown) formed on the first and second rings  101  and  102  so as to transmit rotation from the first ring  101  to the second ring  102 . 
   The second tongues  108  may be of heights that correspond to the heights of the first tongues  106  so that the first and second tongues  106  and  108  which lie under the same endpiece  52  for a given position of the first ring  101  have the same height. An advantage of having bearing surfaces for each of the endpieces  52  defined by tongues situated on either side of a given control member  35  is to prevent the control member  35  from being depressed beyond the intended stroke in a manner that is particularly reliable. 
   The first and second tongues  106  and  108  may have facing concave sides  120 . Movement of the control members  35  past the concave sides  120  may be accompanied by a small amount of elastic deformation of the first and second tongues  106  and  108 . This may make it easier to position the adjustment member  10 ′ in a desired position. 
   Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and various modifications to the devices described above are fully contemplated. 
   For example, it is possible to use pumps that do not include pump rods but that have some other kind of control member. For example, pumps that include an elastically-deformable diaphragm, such as one having a bulging shape, may be employed where appropriate. 
   The springs  70  may be replaced by any other suitable elastically-deformable transmission members. For example, one or more blocks of foam, flexible tabs, or one or more bridges of elastomer material may be used. 
   Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   For example, while the exemplary embodiments described above include two reservoirs, it is to be understood that additional reservoirs may be used as desired, for example, to dispense additional substances. In such embodiments, additional corresponding parts may be employed as needed. The same applies to other parts of the device as described above with respect to the exemplary embodiments.