Patent Description:
Such dispensers have been known for some time, and the Applicant itself holds the patent family coming under document <CIT>. Such dispensers have been and continue to be widely known for certain advantages that set them apart from normal toothpaste tubes, such as, for example, ease of use, the ability to dispense practically all of the toothpaste without any remaining, and other advantages.

There are essentially two types of these dispensers on the market.

A first type, used especially for high-viscosity pastes, provides a metal stop ring on the bottom of the tube which, when the push-button is released (suction step), advances together with the piston toward the top of the tube and, when the push-button is pressed (dispensing step), prevents the piston from recoiling toward the bottom of the tube. An example embodiment is described in document <CIT>.

A second type, used especially for medium- or low-viscosity pastes, instead comprises parts having lips or diaphragms that work as check valves, and therefore the piston does not have to cooperate with a stop ring. An example embodiment is described in document <CIT>.

This latter type is quickly becoming widespread because it is possible to make all the components out of plastics materials belonging to the same family. As such, these dispensers are easily recyclable and meet current environmental protection requirements. The Applicant is the holder of <CIT>, <CIT> and<CIT>, for example.

Further examples of push-button dispensers are described in the documents <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>, in which the dispensing head comprises breakable bridges configured to remain attached to the actuator, following the first dispensing. However, in these solutions, the dispensing head is made in a single piece with the container tube or its tubular components, known as lids or skirts, leading to a significant increase in structural complexity, and are thus disadvantageous to manufacture. In addition, breakable bridges may break in an uncontrolled manner and be dispersed into the surrounding area, resulting in environmental pollution. Further examples of dispensers are described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The object of the present invention is to make a dispenser for pasty products, in particular toothpastes, that meets the requirements of the sector, in particular with regard to the use of plastics materials and the complete recyclability of the dispensers, and allows for effective dispensing of the product.

This object is achieved by a head assembly for a dispenser according to claim <NUM> and by a dispenser according to claim <NUM>. The dependent claims describe additional advantageous embodiments.

The features and advantages of the dispenser according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given as a non-limiting example in accordance with the figures in the appended drawings, wherein:.

With reference to the figures in the appended drawings, reference sign <NUM> refers collectively to a dispenser for pasty products, in particular toothpastes, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The dispenser <NUM> comprises a container tube <NUM>, preferably made as one piece from plastics material, for example a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, such as polypropylene (PP).

The container tube <NUM> comprises an annular, typically circular cylindrical tube wall <NUM> having a central axis Z. The tube wall <NUM> peripherally delimits a tube compartment <NUM>, intended to contain the pasty product. The tube wall <NUM> goes from a lower end <NUM>, which is itself open and through which the tube wall <NUM> is filled with the pasty product, to an upper end <NUM> to which a dispensing head <NUM>, to be discussed later, is applied.

The dispenser <NUM> further comprises a piston <NUM> received in the tube compartment <NUM> by an interference fit, designed to slide axially from the lower end <NUM>, where it is located when the tube compartment <NUM> is full of product, to the upper end <NUM> as the product is dispensed.

Preferably, the piston <NUM> is made of a plastics material, preferably a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, for example high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

The dispensing head <NUM> comprises a main chamber <NUM> placed at the upper end <NUM> of the container tube <NUM> and suitable for containing the product that is about to be dispensed.

The dispensing head <NUM> comprises a pumping unit <NUM> that comprises an elastically deformable cap <NUM>.

According to a preferred embodiment, the main chamber <NUM> is delimited at the bottom by a separating wall <NUM>, occupying the tube compartment <NUM> in the diametrical direction, and at the top by the cap <NUM> of the pumping unit <NUM>. The separating wall <NUM> is provided with a suction opening 24a suitable for establishing communication between the tube compartment <NUM> and the main chamber <NUM>. Preferably, the suction opening 24a sits on an imaginary plane K perpendicular to the main axis X.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the separating wall <NUM> is a single piece together with the container tube <NUM>.

Preferably, the separating wall <NUM> comprises an annular functional seat <NUM>, to receive a support for a valve body, which will be discussed later herein, and a support crown <NUM>, placed radially inside the functional seat <NUM>, to support said valve body.

The dispensing head <NUM> comprises a fixed head <NUM> which may be applied to the container tube <NUM> at the upper end <NUM>. For example, the fixed head <NUM> is snapped into an end segment <NUM> of the tube wall <NUM>.

The fixed head <NUM> comprises a dispensing duct <NUM> suitable for connecting the main chamber <NUM> to the external environment for dispensing the product.

Preferably, the dispensing duct <NUM> comprises an initial segment <NUM> that opens directly into the main chamber <NUM>, and an end segment <NUM> connected to the initial segment <NUM> and ending with an opening <NUM> for dispensing the product, positioned in a front region of the dispensing head <NUM>.

Preferably, the initial segment <NUM> lies along a main axis X, preferably coaxial to the tube wall <NUM>, i.e., coincident with the central axis Z; the end segment <NUM>, however, is preferably inclined and therefore lies along a dispensing axis Y that is inclined with respect to the central axis Z.

Having applied the fixed head <NUM> to the container tube <NUM>, an operating region <NUM> is delimited between said fixed head <NUM> and the separating wall <NUM>, in which operating region the dispensing duct <NUM> and the pumping unit <NUM>, which is applied and cooperates with the separating wall <NUM>, are arranged.

The pumping unit <NUM>, comprised of a hollow shell, is made as one piece from plastics material, for example a polymer material belonging to the polyolefin group, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE).

The pumping unit <NUM> comprises an elastically deformable, dome-shaped cap <NUM>. Said cap <NUM> is suitable for being deformed with respect to a rest condition in order to reduce the volume of the main chamber <NUM> and cause the product to be dispensed.

The pumping unit <NUM> further comprises a pump neck <NUM> connected to the cap <NUM> and protruding axially therefrom. The pump neck <NUM> is slidably inserted onto the initial segment <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>.

For example, the pump neck <NUM> is comprised of a tubular column portion <NUM>, preferably coaxial with the central axis Z, and a tubular guide portion <NUM> connected to the column portion <NUM> and contained radially and preferably also axially therein. In other words, the guide portion <NUM> forms a flap with respect to the column portion <NUM>, thus making therewith an annular inverted "U"-shaped section.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises an intermediate valve or shutoff valve suitable for allowing product to pass from the main chamber <NUM> to the dispensing duct <NUM> during a product dispensing step, and preventing product from coming out of the main chamber <NUM> and going to the dispensing duct <NUM> when the container tube is being filled with the product.

For example, the pumping unit <NUM> comprises a bottom <NUM> supported by the pump neck <NUM> and in particular by the guide portion <NUM>; the bottom <NUM> is provided with a plurality of bottom openings <NUM> arranged circumferentially. Once the pumping unit <NUM> and the fixed head <NUM> are applied to the container tube <NUM>, the initial segment <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM> is inside the guide portion <NUM> and, in an initial rest condition, the appropriately shaped, free lower end 44b of said initial segment <NUM> closes said bottom openings <NUM> of the bottom <NUM>. The free end 44b and the bottom <NUM> provided with bottom openings <NUM> form an example of said intermediate valve <NUM> or shutoff valve.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises an upper valve or delivery valve <NUM>, placed downstream of the intermediate valve, suitable for allowing the product to pass from the main chamber <NUM> to the external environment during a product dispensing step, and for preventing the return of product or air from the external environment into the main chamber <NUM> during a product suction step.

For example, a delivery port <NUM> is placed at the connection between the initial segment <NUM> and the end segment <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>, with a cup <NUM> housed in the end segment <NUM> cooperating therewith, said cup <NUM> being comprised of an annular cup wall <NUM> and a flexible cup flap <NUM> suitable for closing the delivery port <NUM>, acting as a shutter. The delivery port <NUM> and the cup flap <NUM> constitute an example of said upper valve or delivery valve <NUM>.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises a lower valve or suction valve <NUM> suitable for allowing product to pass from the tube compartment <NUM> to the main chamber <NUM> during a product suction step, and for preventing the return of the product from the main chamber <NUM> to the tube compartment <NUM> during a product dispensing step.

To that end, the dispensing head <NUM> comprises a valve body <NUM> that cooperates with the suction opening 24a.

Preferably, the valve body <NUM> comprises a support <NUM> comprised, for example, of an annular wall, received at least partially in the functional seat <NUM> of the separating wall <NUM>, and a tab <NUM> comprised radially in the support <NUM> which, by cooperating with the separating wall <NUM>, is suitable for closing off the suction opening 24a.

Preferably, moreover, the valve body <NUM> comprises a plurality of elastically deformable hinge portions <NUM> which connect the tab <NUM> to the support <NUM> and, by deforming, allow said tab <NUM> to move from a closed configuration of the suction opening 24a assumed during the product suction step to an open configuration of the suction opening 24a assumed during the product dispensing step.

In particular, by means of said hinge portions <NUM>, for example three in number, the tab <NUM> is arranged in a cantilevered fashion inside the support <NUM>, i.e., spaced from said support <NUM> so as to form an annular gap 78a therewith, except at said hinge portions <NUM>.

Preferably, the tab <NUM> rests on the support crown <NUM> in the closed configuration of the suction opening 24a.

According to a variant embodiment, the tab <NUM> is comprised of a single planar body, e.g., circular in shape, e.g., made in one piece with the support <NUM>, which rests perimeterwise on the support crown <NUM>.

The dispensing head <NUM> further comprises an actuator <NUM>, for example in the form of a button, held at the back so as to be movable such as by rotation or translation from the fixed head <NUM>, and suitable for influencing the pumping unit <NUM> so as to cause the deformation of the cap <NUM> and the dispensing of the product. For example, the actuator <NUM> comprises an influence portion <NUM> in contact with the connection area between the column portion <NUM> and the guide portion <NUM>, such that the squeezing thereof causes deformation of the cap <NUM>.

Preferably, during the product dispensing step, the actuator <NUM> makes a roto-translatory motion toward the rear region of the dispensing head <NUM> and axially toward the separating wall <NUM>.

Preferably, the actuator <NUM> also comprises a closing portion <NUM> suitable for closing, in a rest configuration of the dispenser, the opening <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>.

The actuator <NUM> is made as a single piece from plastics material, for example a polymer material chosen from the polyolefin group, such as polypropylene (PP).

The dispensing head <NUM> comprises a guarantee tab <NUM>, made in one piece with the actuator <NUM>, engaged mechanically to the fixed head <NUM>, e.g., glued or by means of a shape or force coupling. The guarantee tab <NUM> comprises a tab body <NUM> and at least one bridge <NUM>, e.g., three bridges <NUM>, that connects the tab body <NUM> to the actuator <NUM>, preferably to one of its external actuator surfaces <NUM>. In particular, the at least one bridge <NUM> is configured to break on the first operation of the actuator <NUM>; further, the tab body <NUM> is configured to remain engaged mechanically to the fixed head <NUM> following the first operation of the actuator <NUM>.

In other words, the actuator <NUM> is a separate component from the fixed head <NUM>. In particular, the actuator <NUM> is at least partially supported by the fixed head <NUM>. By means of the guarantee tab <NUM>, the actuator <NUM> is connected to the fixed head <NUM>.

In still other words, the guarantee tab <NUM> is a distinct component from the fixed head <NUM>.

The fixed head <NUM> comprises an annular wall <NUM>, positioned at the back, ending axially with an upper edge <NUM> to which the tab body <NUM> is engaged. For example, the tab body <NUM> comprises a coupling portion <NUM>, projecting radially outward, snap-engaged to said upper edge <NUM>.

For this purpose, the upper edge <NUM>, having an inner annular surface <NUM>, comprises a coupling tooth <NUM> projecting radially from said inner annular surface <NUM>, configured to be snap-engaged by the coupling portion <NUM>.

The tab body <NUM> comprises an outer wall <NUM> and an inner wall <NUM> spaced radially, and an upper wall <NUM> joining them, forming an inverted "U"-shaped section, on an imaginary plane containing the main axis X.

Specifically, the guarantee tab <NUM> has a continuous planar joining surface <NUM>, i.e., without depressions or protrusions, that joins the at least one bridge <NUM> with said upper wall <NUM> at the top. In other words, the at least one bridge <NUM> and the upper wall <NUM> are axially aligned and radially contiguous, making the state of the at least one bridge <NUM> better visible.

In still other words, the inner wall <NUM> is radially spaced from the outer actuator surface <NUM> of the actuator <NUM>.

Preferably, the inner wall <NUM> is provided with the coupling portion <NUM> at its lower axial end.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer wall <NUM> extends for a greater axial length with respect to the axial length of the inner wall <NUM>, e.g., it extends axially beyond the coupling portion <NUM>, making the guarantee tab <NUM> particularly rigid and resistant to impact or any attempts at removal.

In a preferred embodiment, the bridge <NUM> comprises, preferably arranged in a radial direction: an attachment portion <NUM> connected to the tab body <NUM>, a breakable portion <NUM> configured to separate from the attachment portion <NUM> at the first operation of the actuator <NUM>, and a resistant portion <NUM> connected between the breakable portion <NUM> and the actuator <NUM>. Preferably, the resistant portion <NUM> has a trapezoidal section on an imaginary plane containing the main axis X.

In other words, following the first operation of the actuator <NUM>, the attachment portion <NUM> and the breakable portion <NUM> are connected to the actuator <NUM>, while the resistant portion <NUM> is connected to the tab body <NUM> (<FIG>).

The actuator <NUM> comprises an annular wall <NUM> which integrally engages the fixed head <NUM> and has a sliding portion <NUM> positioned at the rear and radially lowered inwardly with respect to the annular wall <NUM>, suitable to slide axially freely with respect to the guarantee tab <NUM>, and in particular with respect to the inner wall <NUM>. Preferably, moreover, with the bridge <NUM> intact, the at least one bridge <NUM> is connected to said sliding portion <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, moreover, the inner wall <NUM> is positioned radially at the same radial distance as the annular wall <NUM>, relative to the main axis X. In other words, the inner wall <NUM> is radially positioned on the imaginary circumference over which the annular wall <NUM> extends, as seen, for example, in <FIG>. Preferably, by doing so the dispensing head <NUM> is compact overall, so that it does not protrude radially from the profile of the tube wall <NUM>.

In a preferred embodiment, the sliding portion <NUM>, in an imaginary plane containing the main axis X, has an "S"-shaped section comprising an upper region <NUM> that is outwardly concave, and a lower region <NUM> that is outwardly convex and connected to at least one bridge <NUM>. In other words, the lower region <NUM> of the sliding portion <NUM> provides the external actuator surface <NUM>.

The sliding portion <NUM> has a circumferential extension at least equal to the inner wall <NUM> and is thus shaped to move relative to the guarantee tab <NUM>, resolving the risk of interfering with it by removing it from the fixed head <NUM>.

Regarding the operation of the dispensing head <NUM>, in its initial or resting configuration (<FIG>), the pumping unit <NUM> is in an initial non-deformed condition, the cup flap <NUM> blocks the delivery port <NUM> (delivery valve closed), the tab <NUM> is in sealed contact with the support crown <NUM> (suction valve closed), and the bottom <NUM> is engaged with the lower end of the initial segment <NUM> so that the bottom openings <NUM> are blocked (shutoff valve closed). Moreover, the closing portion <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> blocks the opening <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>.

A dispensing step (<FIG>) takes place with the operation of the actuator <NUM> by the gradual deformation of the pumping unit <NUM> and in particular the cap <NUM>.

When the actuator <NUM> is operated, in effect, the closing portion <NUM> is disengaged at least partially from the opening <NUM>, leaving it free to dispense the product.

During the dispensing step, the cap <NUM> of the pumping unit <NUM> is deformed, guided along the main axis X along which the guide portion <NUM> translates. A resulting reduction of the volume of the main chamber <NUM> occurs, while the overpressure caused by the squeezed product keeps the suction valve <NUM> in the closed configuration. In other words, the tab <NUM> is pushed into sealed contact with the support crown <NUM>, thus closing the suction opening 24a. This prevents the product contained in the main chamber <NUM> from returning to the tube compartment <NUM> of the tube <NUM>.

At the same time, due to the thrust practiced by the actuator <NUM>, the column portion <NUM> lowers, preferably guided in this movement by the guide portion <NUM>, which slides as it is guided into contact with the dispensing duct <NUM> and in particular with the initial segment <NUM> thereof.

The lowering of the column portion <NUM> causes the bottom <NUM> to lower and disengage from the initial segment <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>; in particular, the lower end of the initial segment <NUM> emerges through the bottom openings <NUM>. The shutoff valve <NUM> thus changes to the open configuration and the product contained in the main chamber <NUM> comes through the bottom openings <NUM> in the bottom <NUM>.

At the same time, due to the action of the product which is now located between the bottom <NUM> and the initial segment <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>, the cup flap <NUM> moves away from the delivery port <NUM>. The delivery valve <NUM> thus changes to the open configuration and the product may come out through the opening <NUM> of the dispensing duct <NUM>.

When the actuator <NUM> reaches the end of travel, the dispensing step ends and, after the actuator <NUM> is released, a suction step occurs, during which time a predefined quantity of product contained in the tube compartment <NUM> enters the main chamber <NUM>.

In particular, when the actuator <NUM> is released, the pumping unit <NUM> tends to return to the non-deformed condition and influences the actuator <NUM> in that direction, which tends to return to the initial condition. Therefore, the volume of the main chamber <NUM> tends to increase and the resulting partial vacuum causes the tab <NUM> to bend, disengaging from the support crown <NUM>. A predefined quantity of product contained in the tube compartment <NUM> is thus drawn into the main chamber <NUM>.

At the same time, the cup flap <NUM> recloses the delivery port <NUM> such that the delivery valve <NUM> returns to the closed configuration. This ensures that the product in the dispensing duct <NUM> between the delivery valve <NUM> and the opening <NUM> does not return to the main chamber <NUM>, nullifying the suction of new product from the tube compartment <NUM>.

At the same time, the closing portion <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> tends to return to the initial condition in which the opening <NUM> is blocked, thereby cutting off the flow of dispensed product and facilitating separation of the dispensed quantity.

Once the cap <NUM> has returned to the non-deformed condition, the bottom <NUM> also returns to the initial position in which it engages with the initial portion <NUM>; the shutoff valve <NUM> thus returns to the closed configuration and, since the overpressure in the main chamber has ceased, the suction valve <NUM> also returns to the closed configuration.

Innovatively, the dispensing head and the dispenser comprising it according to the present invention are particularly suitable to dispense pasty products, presenting a particularly effective suction step. Advantageously, moreover, the tab body is also configured to remain firmly connected to the dispensing head during the life cycle of the dispenser, resolving the risk of its dispersion into the environment, favoring the total recyclability of the dispenser.

Advantageously, the guarantee tab is configured to highlight tampering of the dispenser, such as a previous operation of the actuator. Advantageously, the tab body remains mechanically engaged to the fixed head, demonstrating at first glance and in a clear way an actuation occurred, resolving the need to inspect the condition of the guarantee tab.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy current needs, could make modifications to the dispenser described above, all being contained within the scope of protection as defined in the following claims.

For example, according to a variant embodiment not shown in the attached figures, the tab body is circumferentially discontinuous, i.e., it comprises a plurality of angularly spaced half-bodies, preferably each comprising at least one bridge.

Claim 1:
A manually-operable head assembly for a dispenser (<NUM>) for pasty products, such as toothpastes, comprising:
- a fixed head (<NUM>) suitable for being applied to a container tube (<NUM>) of the dispenser (<NUM>), said fixed head (<NUM>) being provided at the front with a dispensing duct (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) for dispensing the product and provided with an initial segment (<NUM>) extending along a main axis (X),
wherein the fixed head (<NUM>) comprises an annular wall (<NUM>), positioned at the back, ending axially with an upper edge (<NUM>);
- a pumping unit (<NUM>) comprising an elastically deformable cap (<NUM>) guided under deformation along said main axis (X);
- an actuator (<NUM>) movably supported by the head (<NUM>) and suitable for being manually operated to deform at least partially the pumping unit (<NUM>) and achieve the dispensing of the product;
- a guarantee tab (<NUM>) made in one piece with the actuator (<NUM>) and mechanically engaged to the fixed head (<NUM>), wherein the guarantee tab (<NUM>) comprises a tab body (<NUM>) and at least one bridge (<NUM>) for the connection with the actuator (<NUM>) being breakable on the first operation of the actuator (<NUM>),
characterized in that the tab body (<NUM>) is configured to remain mechanically engaged to the fixed head (<NUM>) following the first operation of the actuator (<NUM>); the
tab body (<NUM>) comprises an outer wall (<NUM>) and an inner wall (<NUM>) spaced radially, and an upper wall (<NUM>) joining them, forming an inverted U-shaped section on an imaginary plane containing the main axis (X), and
the tab body (<NUM>) is engaged to the upper edge (<NUM>) of the annular wall (<NUM>), and
the upper edge (<NUM>) is positioned radially between the outer wall (<NUM>) and the inner wall (<NUM>) of the tab body (<NUM>).