Abstract:
A unit ( 1 ) for packaging and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product includes a body ( 10 ) with an axis X, forming a reservoir ( 12 ) for the liquid or semi-liquid product, the reservoir ( 12 ) being surmounted by a pump ( 30 ) actuable by an actuating element ( 34 ). The product emerges through at least one opening arranged in an outlet element ( 9 ) connected to the pump ( 30 ) by a conduit ( 41 ) forming a flexible connection. The outlet element ( 9 ) is held substantially immovably in position on a fixed portion ( 51 ) of the body ( 10 ) surmounting the reservoir ( 12 ), the actuating element ( 34 ) being independently mounted relative to the fixed portion ( 51 ) of the body ( 10 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a unit for packaging and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, of the type comprising a pump with manual action. The invention is especially suitable for packaging and spraying liquid products used in the field of cosmetics, or dermo-pharmacology, such as perfumes. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Devices for spraying liquids using a pump with manual action are well known. For example, FR 2 682 937 describes a pump-type spraying device comprising a pump mounted on a bottle and having a hollow stem which serves as an outlet conduit and as an actuating element, and is movable inside the body of the pump against the action of a spring. A dispensing cap is mounted on the bottle above the pump and has a pressurized actuating element provided with means for mechanical connection with the hollow stem. The cap also has a spraying nozzle and an internal duct which leads into the nozzle, as well as connecting means communicating the hollow stem with the internal duct of the cap. According to this document, the connecting means comprise a flexible tubular element joined to one end of the hollow stem and at the opposite end to the internal duct of the dispensing cap. 
     To dispense the product, the pressure actuating element is depressed, which produces the pump actuation and the emergence of the liquid through the outlet nozzle via the hollow stem, the flexible tubular element and the internal duct. Under the effect of the actuating pressure, the upper part of the cap carrying the nozzle yields at a connecting zone situated beneath the nozzle. The major drawback of such a device is due to the fact that the actuation of the pump produces a substantial modification of the position of the nozzle (by pivoting), which modification produces a change in the orientation of the sprayed liquid. Inevitably, if no precaution is taken, the product will not be sprayed to the desired spot. Another device of the same type, and hence with the same drawbacks, is described in EP-A 0 747 131. 
     In EP-A-0 385 077, the actuation of the pump produces an axial displacement of the outlet nozzle which must be taken into account with regard to the positioning of the spraying device relative to the surface to be treated, in the same way as the device discussed above, to ensure that the product is sprayed exactly to the desired spot. Moreover, such a design requires an oblong opening to be made opposite the nozzle, whose axial height depends on the amplitude of the axial movement of the nozzle. Such an opening of an elongate shape has a considerable effect on the aesthetic appearance of the device. 
     In another field, that is to say, the field of aerosols of the type comprising a pressurized container surmounted by a valve, it is known that the valve stem is connected via a conduit having a certain flexibility to an outlet opening that is substantially axially fixed, so as to absorb the axial displacement linked to the actuation of the pump as a whole, or in part. Such aerosol devices are described in FR-A 2 391 625, FR-A-2 271 995, FR-A-1 258 884, DE-A-2 655 777, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,907,175, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,189,232 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,1544,323. However, in the field of aerosols, the stroke necessary for actuating the valve is of the order of some hundredths of millimetres. In the case of a pump, the actuating stroke is of the order of several millimetres. Typically, the actuating stroke is of the order of 6 to 7 mm. Thus the stresses to be taken into account for this type of technology have nothing to do with the stresses encountered in the aerosol devices. Because of this, for many of the devices described in these documents, the structure of the dispensing head would have to be completely thought out again to adapt it to the pump-type dispensing head, therefore requiring a considerable intellectual effort. Moreover, for certain products, perfumes in particular, it is desirable that they should not be packaged in a pressurized form. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, one of the objects of the invention is to provide a device fitted with a pump for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular by spraying through an outlet element whose position is substantially fixed, in particular during the actuation of the pump. 
     Another object is to provide a pump-type device with an improved aesthetic appearance and which is simple and economic to obtain industrially. 
     In accordance with the invention, these and other objects are attained by creating a unit for packaging and dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, comprising a body with an axis X, forming a reservoir for the product, the reservoir being surmounted by a pump actuable by an actuating element, the product emerging through at least one opening arranged in an outlet element connected to the pump by a conduit forming a flexible connection, wherein the outlet element is held substantially immovably in position on a fixed portion of the body surmounting the reservoir, and the actuating element is independently mounted relative to the fixed portion of the body. 
     Thus, in accordance with the invention, the only connection between the outlet element and the movable actuating element is effected via a conduit forming a flexible connection. The flexibility of the connection absorbs substantially the whole of the movement of the said actuating element, so that during the actuation of the pump the outlet element is not substantially displaced. 
     Advantageously, the outlet element is a nozzle for spraying a liquid product such as a perfume. Such a nozzle has a known configuration and therefore does not require any detailed description. 
     According to a first embodiment, the body has a transverse partition separating a first space defining the reservoir from a second space surmounting the first, the second space containing the pump being mounted on an opening arranged in the partition, the actuating element mounted on the pump, the outlet element as well as the conduit forming the flexible connection. 
     Advantageously, the outlet nozzle is disposed substantially immovably at the bottom of a recess formed in a side wall of the second space, the recess opening out on a free edge of the second space situated opposite to the transverse partition. The hold in position of the nozzle immobile at the bottom of the recess (in particular its positioning perpendicular to the axis of the device) may be improved by providing inside the side wall an extra thickness in alignment with the bottom of the recess, which thickness increases the width of the support for the nozzle. 
     The outlet element may be mounted inside a housing communicating with the conduit forming the flexible connection, the actuating element, the housing as well as the flexible conduit forming a single part and being obtained by molding a thermoplastic material. By way of example, the thermoplastic material is a low density polyethylene (PEBD) or a mixture of low density polyethylene (PEBD)/high density polyethylene (PEHD), with a PEHD content at most equal to 25% of the mixture. This permits a substantial reduction of the cost of manufacturing the unit in accordance with the invention. 
     Particularly in the case where the actuating element is molded, the pressing surface whereon the actuating pressure is exerted is constituted by an attached part. This facilitates the removal of the actuating element from the mold. The attached part may be mounted by catch engagement, bonding or welding. 
     According to another embodiment, the conduit forming the flexible connection forms a bellows. This is particularly advantageous when the product to be dispensed makes it necessary to use, because of its nature, a material for the connecting conduit which does not possess sufficient inherent flexibility. In this case, this deficiency in flexibility is mitigated by giving the conduit a flexible configuration. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the body is formed of a single piece. By way of example, the body is obtained by molding a thermoplastic material chosen from polypropylenes (PP) or polyethylene terephthalates (PET), etc. The thermoplastic material may be introduced into the mold by injection. 
     The pump, and in particular the pump body, may be offset relative to the axis X, that is to say be eccentric. This is advantageous insofar as the stroke of actuating the valve stem is relatively large. Thus the absorption of the movement of the actuating element by the flexible connection is improved. The height of the dispensing head is also reduced. 
     According to an embodiment, the pump has an intake tube opening inside the first space and a hollow outlet stem, a flexible end whereof opens in the second space and whereon the actuating element is mounted, the outlet stem communicating in the mounted position of the actuating element on the pump with an opening provided in the actuating element and issuing in the conduit forming the flexible connection. 
     In a particular embodiment, the outlet element is situated substantially at the same level as the said free end of the outlet stem. In actual practice, with the mounting in accordance with the invention, it may be placed substantially anywhere relative to the free end of the pump stem. In particular, it may be placed beneath the free end of the pump stem, thus reducing the axial height of the unit. 
     According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the second space has an end opposite to the partition, the end being closed by a protective element, at least one portion whereof situated opposite the actuating element is formed by a flexible material so as to be capable of actuating the actuating element through the protective element. This protective element makes it possible to obtain a closed unit with an outstandingly attractive appearance. As will be seen below, this protective element may also participate in maintaining the outlet element in a fixed position relative to the body of the device. 
     Such a protective element may have a body in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid annular part, the protective element being held in position on the end of the second space by means of an outer shell covering the unit substantially over its whole height, an opening being arranged in the external covering opposite the outlet element, the external covering having opposite the end of the second space a top with a cutout opposite the actuating element. Advantageously, locating pin-type marking means may be provided to permit a proper angular positioning of the shell relative to the rest of the body. 
     The rigid or semi-rigid annular part may have a tab portion, a free end whereof is intended to bear on the outlet nozzle so as to fix the latter in position at the bottom of the cutout. Such an arrangement allows the unit to be simply and economically made and the outlet nozzle to be held immovably in position. 
     The shell may be self-tightening on the body of the unit, at least in the vicinity of one end of the first space on the opposite side to the partition. The self-tightening effect may be obtained by axial grooves arranged on the external surface of the body and/or on the internal surface of the shell. The shell may be made of metal or plastic. The mounting of the shell on the body may be affected by any other appropriate means. By way of example, the shell may be screwed, welded or catch engaged on the body. 
     The protective element may be formed by duplicate injection molding of two compatible materials, a first rigid or semi-rigid material forming the annular part, a second flexible material forming the portion situated opposite the actuating element. Two compatible materials are understood to mean two materials which are capable of forming physical-chemical bonds between them at the injection temperature. By way of illustration, the first material is a polypropylene (PP) or a high density polyethylene (PEHD), the second material consisting of SEBS. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir has an attached bottom mounted in a leakproof manner on the body. This is especially advantageous in the case where the body of the unit is obtained in a single piece by molding. Moreover, it permits filling through the bottom of the reservoir. 
     The attached bottom may have an opening for filling the reservoir, the opening being obturated after filling by an obturating element. This opening, of a limited diameter as compared with the cross-section of the reservoir, makes it possible to reduce the risks of leakage and loss of the product over the edge of the reservoir to a considerable extent during jerky manipulation of the unit filled with the product by industrial tools before the bottom of the reservoir is closed. 
     Advantageously, the seal is ensured in at least two axially offset zones. A first sealing zone may be obtained by at least one catch engagement bead. The second sealing zone may be obtained by a self-tightening mounting of a portion of the attached bottom on the internal sides of the body. 
     Again advantageously, a third sealing zone is obtained between the first two, the third sealing zone being obtained by means of an O-ring disposed at the bottom of a groove arranged in a side wall of the attached bottom. Such a ring may made of a material such as butyl or EPDM (a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene). As for the attached bottom, it may be made of a thermoplastic material chosen in particular from polypropylenes (PP), polybutylene terephthalates (PBT), high density polyethylenes (PEHD), etc. 
     The product may be a pharmaceutical dermo-pharmaceutical or cosmetic product, in particular a perfume. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Apart from the arrangements set out above, the invention consists of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below with regard to non-restrictive examples of the embodiment, described with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of a first embodiment of the packaging and dispensing unit according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are two sectional views of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIG. 4  shows a variant of the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 A- 3 B. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As shown in an overall view in  FIG. 1 , the packaging and dispensing unit  1  takes the form of an upright cylinder entirely covered by an outer shell  2  of metal, such as aluminum or a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene. The outer shell covers the whole height of the device and has its bottom end open so as to allow the device itself to be inserted therein through the open end. The upper end is closed by a top  5  having a bevelled cutout  6  over a substantial part of its cross-section, from which there emerges a flexible portion of a protective element  7 . The actuation of the device with a view to spraying the product is obtained by pressing via the flexible part on a push button contained inside the shell. An opening  8  is arranged on the shell opposite a nozzle  9  also contained inside the outer shell. 
     FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B illustrate a first embodiment of the device in detail. The device comprises a cylindrical body  10  comprising two parts  50 ,  51  separated by a transverse partition  11 . The transverse partition delimits a bottom part  50  having a first space forming a reservoir  12  for the product to be dispensed. The top part  51  has a second space  13  containing all the elements necessary for dispensing the product, as will be seen in greater detail below. 
     The body is formed of a single piece obtained by molding (by injection molding for example) a material which is advantageously polyethylene terephthalate, for example. The bottom end  14  of the body  10  is obturated by an attached bottom  15 . The attached bottom  15  has a first annular portion  17  whose external surface is provided with several beads or rings  18  capable of cooperating by catch engagement with corresponding beads arranged on the internal surface of the body  10  in the vicinity of its bottom end  14 . The bottom  15  also has a second annular portion  19  capable of force fit engagement in the opening delimited by the free edge of the body  10 . A part  16  with an external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the body  10  is situated beneath the annular portion  19  so as to limit the depression of the bottom  15  in the body. A groove  20  is disposed between the two annular portions  17 ,  19  so as to receive an O-ring  21  made of butyl in order to perfect the seal of the mounting of the bottom  15 . The bottom  15  has a central opening  22  through which the reservoir  12  is filled after the attached bottom  15  has been mounted. Fins  23  are radially disposed in the space formed by the bottom  15  so as to stiffen its structure. The central opening is obturated by a stopper  24  comprising an axial part  25  with an external diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the opening  22  and a transverse side  26  with an external diameter substantially equal to the external diameter of the body  10 . The stopper  24  is held in position in the opening by a force fit or by catch engagement. As will be seen more clearly in  FIG. 2A , the stopper  24  defines, together with the attached bottom  15 , an annular space  27  wherein an annular ballast (not shown) can be advantageously disposed. 
     The transverse partition  11  has a recess  28 , in the bottom of which is arranged an opening  29  for the mounting of a pump  30 . As will be clearly seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the recess  28  and the opening  29  are offset relative to the axis X of the device and in a direction such that the axis of the pump  30  is a farther from the outlet nozzle  9  than is the axis X. The mounting of the pump in the recess  28  is advantageously obtained in the way described in detail in FR 2 669 244, that is to say, by means of an annular intermediate component  31 , on the free edge of which the pump  30  is crimped. During the assembly, the pump  30  is first crimped onto the intermediate component  31 . The unit is subsequently mounted by catch engagement in the recess  28  through the opening  29 . A dip tube  32  dips into the reservoir  12 , its free end being situated substantially in the vicinity of the bottom  15  of the reservoir. 
     The pump  30  has a hollow pump stem  33  whose free end emerges in the second space  13  delimited by the transverse partition  11 . At its upper end  35 , the free edge of the body  10  is straight over approximately one third of its section  36  (the front portion of the body) and cut out with a bevel over the rest of its section  37  (the rear part of the body). On the free end of the stem  33  there is mounted a push button  34  whose pressing surface  38  emerges from the cut out edge  37  and is situated substantially at the level of the straight edge  36 . The push button  34  is disposed in a duct  39  which extends the upper part of the recess  28 . The manual action pump is entirely conventional and therefore does not require any detailed description. 
     The duct  39  has a cutout  40  for passing a flexible conduit connecting an internal duct  52  arranged in the push button with an outlet nozzle  9  mounted in a housing  44  and held fixed in position at the bottom of a cutout  42  opening out on the straight edge portion  36  of the body  10 . The cutout  42  is situated substantially opposite the cutout  40 . 
     The conduit  41  has characteristics of suppleness, flexibility and elasticity which are such that the movement of actuating the push button does not produce any substantial movement of the outlet nozzle. In actual fact, due to the way in which the nozzle is mounted at the bottom of the cutout  42 , there may occur a slight recoil or a slight rocking of the nozzle. However, these movements are hardly perceptible to the naked eye. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the conduit  41 , the housing  44  and the push button  34  are obtained by molding a single piece of low density polyethylene. In actual fact, only the pressing plate  38  is attached and mounted by catch engagement on the push button  34 . The pressing plate is made of a more rigid material than the material constituting the rest of the push button. Advantageously, the pressing plate  38  is made of a high density polyethylene or polypropylene. The outlet nozzle  9  is formed of a piece of acetate mounted with a force fit in the housing  44 . 
     As will be seen in  FIG. 3B , the movement of actuating the push button  34  is reflected in an displacement of the flexible conduit  41 , which displacement may be accompanied by an elongation of the conduit, particularly in the case of an elastomeric material or in the case of a bellows such as shown in  FIG. 4 . Since the housing  44  is also made of a flexible material, the end of the housing  44  adjacent to the conduit  41  may possibly slightly rock. On the other hand, the outlet nozzle situated in the front part of the housing  44  held tightly at the bottom of the cutout  42  is substantially immobile, which considerably facilitates the spraying of the product to the desired spot. 
     Other materials or arrangements may be used for obtaining the flexible connection between the push button  34  and the outlet nozzle  9 . By way of example, the conduit  41  may be made of an elastomeric material (a sequenced copolymer of styrene-ethylene butadiene, EPDM). In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the flexible connection is obtained by means of a conduit forming a bellows  43  over at least one portion of its length. This contributes to isolating the nozzle  9  from the push button even more, which considerably reduces the stresses exerted on the nozzle  9  when the push button  34  is actuated. The embodiment of  FIG. 4  is, in other respects, identical at all points with the embodiment of FIGS.  2  and  3 A- 3 B. 
     The outlet nozzle  9  disposed inside a housing  44  extending the flexible conduit  41  is held fixed in position at the bottom of the cutout  42  by means of a tab  45  carried by the annular body  46  of a protective element  47 . The annular body is made, for example, of polypropylene and has a profile which overall follows the profile of the edge of the upper end  35  of the body  10 . The opening delimited by the upper edge of the annular body  46  is obturated by a flexible membrane  7  positioned opposite the push button  34 . The flexible membrane is advantageously made of SEBS and may be made by duplicate injection molding with the polypropylene body. During assembly, the protective element is positioned on the upper end  35  of the body  10 , the internal diameter of the annular body  46  being slightly greater than the external diameter of the body  10 . The tab  45  comes to bear on the upper part of the housing  44  containing the nozzle  9  which is thus fixed in position. The fixed hold of the housing  44 , and hence of the nozzle  9 , can be improved by providing, on the internal side of the upper space  13 , an extra thickness in alignment with the bottom of the cutout  42 , so as to ensure a better positioning of the housing  44 . 
     The unit thus described is intended to be mounted inside an outer shell  2  made of aluminium for example. As has been mentioned with reference to  FIG. 1 , the top  5  of the outer shell  2  has a cutout with a profile similar to the cutout of the upper end  35  of the body  10 , as well as the cutout formed by the upper edge of the annular body of the protective element  47 . The shape of the cutout  6  in the outer shell  2  is such that it substantially coincides with the flexible membrane  7  of the protective element  47 . 
     The assembly of the unit is obtained as follows. The pump is first mounted in the opening  29 ; the body  10  is upended and is filled via the bottom through the opening  22  which is subsequently obturated by the stopper  24 ; the push button  34 , including the flexible conduit  41  and the outlet nozzle  9  inside the housing  44 , is mounted on the outlet stem  33  of the pump; the protective element  47  is positioned on the upper end  35  of the body; the outer shell is subsequently fitted on the unit, marking means, (of an axial groove-type) ensuring a proper angular positioning of the body relative to the outer shell  2 . The body  10  has a size slightly increasing in the direction towards its bottom end  14 , so that at least in the vicinity of its bottom end  14 , the body is held tight inside the outer shell  2 . In the assembled position, as is clearly shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the bottom edge of the protective element  47  is held between the external side of the body  10  and the internal side of the shell  2 . The device is then ready for use. 
     Alternatively, it is possible to mount the protective element on its own in the shell  2  via the cutout  6 , and then mount the body of the device inside the shell. 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to preferred modes of embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variants may be introduced into them without departing from the scope of the invention, such as claimed below.