Patent ID: 12201205

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIGS.1to5represent a first embodiment of an assembly1including an assembly100in accordance with the present invention.

According to this first mode, this assembly1includes an outer decorative cover2, for example a (recyclable) aluminum cylinder of small thickness and closed by a wall5at an upper end3, which is mounted (preferably with a very small clearance) on an assembly100including a first element/insert110, for example made of recyclable plastic material, preferably bio-sourced, connected to a second element/insert120, for example made of (recyclable) aluminum, and additional release means130.

The cover2and the different portions110,120and130of the assembly100extending along a common longitudinal axis XX′.

The first element110generally includes a main body111of essentially cylindrical shape extending along the axis XX′ provided, at an upper rim112, with three radially elastically deformable tabs115each provided with a end hook116protruding radially away from the axis XX′. The tabs115are evenly distributed (that is to say at 120°) over the periphery of the first element110and are spaced from each other by a longitudinal slot allowing the aforementioned elastic radial deformation.

The second element120(seeFIG.4) has, in turn, the overall shape of a hollow cylinder121extending along the axis XX′ and including an upper edge122provided, on the inner periphery thereof, with blind notches126(three in number in the present case) which are evenly angularly distributed over the circumference of the edge122(that is to say at 120° from each other). It will be understood by observing the figures that the notches126are intended to be placed opposite to the hooks116in the assembled position of the elements110and120.

More specifically, in the assembled position of the two elements110and120represented inFIG.5, the end hooks116of the radially elastically deformable tabs115penetrate into the notches165of the second element120such that the two elements are inseparable. The cover2is, in turn, added around the second element120.

The assembly100ofFIGS.1to5also includes additional release means130(seeFIG.1) in the form of a member having magnetic properties, for example a magnet131(seeFIG.3). This additional release means130is movable between a first end position in which the hooks116of the tabs115of the first element110are engaged with the notches126of the second element120for assembling the first and second elements together, and a second end position in which said tabs115are disengaged radially from said notches126for disassembling the first and second elements.

In the present case, the magnet131takes the form of a ring which locally surrounds protrusions117belonging to the radially elastically deformable tabs115and axially erected away from the upper rim112so as to keep the latter close to the main axis of the assembly (assembled position). To this end, these three protrusions117each have an outer surface118together forming a conical profile which widens as one moves axially away from the rim112.

Thus, when the magnet131is displaced axially along the arrow F, under the effect of an external magnetic field S of a suitable strength, from its rest position (hooks116engaged in the notches126) moving away from the rim112of the first element110, it gradually radially tightens the protrusions117as it travels through the conical outer shape118of the latter, which gradually disengages the hooks116from the notches126of the second element thanks to the radial elasticity of the tabs115(more specifically, the hooks116approach together the axis XX′). Once the hooks116have been completely disengaged, the two elements110and120can be completely released to be recycled individually according to their construction material, which allows an easy and total recycling of the assembly1as a whole.

The assembly also includes a weight element140intended to weigh it down (sensation of perceived quality and better adhesion) disposed between the first element110and the second element120(seeFIG.3), and being in the form of a cylindrical metal mass with annular section extending along the axis XX′.

A second magnet150, of the annular type, is also provided (FIG.1) between the first element110and the second element120, under the weight element140, to allow, for example, removably fastening the assembly1or just the assembly2on a prominent device for spraying perfume, for example of the pump or gas type, this in order to form an aesthetic cover over said sprayer.

FIGS.6to11represent a second embodiment of an assembly200in accordance with the present invention.

In this embodiment, the assembly1includes a cover2and an assembly200comprising a first internal element210, a second external element220, additional means230for releasing the two elements from each other, a weight element240and a magnet250for removable fastening, these last two portions being similar to their equivalents of the previous embodiment.

The first element210generally includes a main body211of an essentially cylindrical shape extending along the axis XX′ provided, at an upper rim212, with three radially elastically deformable tabs215each provided with an end hook216protruding radially away from the axis XX′. The tabs215are evenly distributed (that is to say at 120°) over the periphery of the first element210and are spaced from each other by a longitudinal slot allowing the aforementioned elastic radial deformation.

The second element220(seeFIG.8) has, in turn, the overall shape of a hollow cylinder221extending along the axis XX′ and including an upper edge222provided, on the inner periphery thereof, with blind notches226(three in number in the present case) which are evenly angularly distributed over the circumference of the edge222(that is to say at 120° from each other). Herein again, it will be easily understood by observing the figures that the notches226are intended to be placed opposite to the hooks216in the assembled position of the elements210and220.

Thus, as in the first embodiment, in the assembled position of the assembly200, the radially elastically deformable tabs215are in an unconstrained rest position such that the hooks216penetrate radially into the notches226. The first and second elements therefore cannot be separated except by forcing them and breaking them.

The cover2comes, in turn, fit around the second element220.

In accordance withFIG.10, the additional release means230herein takes the form of a rod231provided, at an upper or distal end232(opposite to the proximal end called “handling” proximal end, for example manual or mechanical), with a prominent head provided with three radial protrusions234233arranged at 120° from each other.

The interior of the first element210includes, at each of the radially elastically deformable tabs215, three of the longitudinal grooves214having a conical shape narrowing slightly as approaching the hooks116, which are intended to receive the radial protuberances234of the additional release means230.

The operation of this assembly200is as follows.

The rod231of the additional release means230is inserted axially (manually or mechanically) inside the first element210, and the radial protrusions234gradually penetrate into the internal grooves214. The inside of the first element210being slightly conical at said grooves214, the protuberances234gradually move apart the radially elastically deformable tabs215as the rod231advances axially (FIG.11), such that the hooks216are radially disengaged from the notches226, thus releasing the second element220from the first element210. As previously, it is then possible to separately recycle each of the portions of the assembly200and the cover according to the nature of the materials which constitute them.

FIGS.12to18represent a third embodiment of an assembly300in accordance with the present invention.

This variant, as in the preceding examples, the assembly1includes a cover2which is intended to cover an assembly300comprising a first element310forming a plastic insert intended to be assembled with a second element320made of recyclable aluminum.

As previously, the first element310includes a shape of a longitudinal cylinder311extending along the axis XX′ and has, at a rim312, radially elastically deformable tabs315(seeFIG.13) each provided with an end hook316projecting radially away from the axis XX′. The tabs315are evenly distributed (that is to say at 120°) over the periphery of the first element310and are spaced from each other by a longitudinal slot allowing the aforementioned elastic radial deformation

The second element320comprises, in turn, (seeFIG.14) a cylindrical body321provided with an upper rim322provided with notches326316evenly angularly distributed on the periphery thereof. As in the preceding case, the notches126are three in number and evenly angularly distributed over the circumference of the rim edge322(that is to say at 120° from each other). It will be understood by observing the figures that the notches326are intended to be placed opposite to the hooks316in the assembled position of the elements310and320.

In accordance withFIGS.13and15, the first element310also includes, on the inner wall313thereof at the radially elastically deformable tabs315(under the hooks), an internal thread314over a portion of the length thereof, said thread having a slight conicity such that it narrows radially as axially approaching the hooks316.

The additional release means330includes, in turn, as illustrated inFIG.16, a rod-shaped main body331provided, at a distal end332, with an external thread334intended to cooperate with the internal thread314of the first element310.

As previously, the assembly300also includes a metal weight element340and a magnet350.

The operation of this third embodiment is as follows.

Once the cover2has been removed, the user or a machine places the additional release means330inside the internal element310, then he rotates said additional release means330so as to screw it into said internal element310by interpenetration of the external334and internal314threads.

During this rotation, the additional release means330gradually axially penetrates into the internal element310and the cooperation of the threads334and314cause the radially elastically deformable tabs315to be radially spaced apart from each other as the additional release means advances axially such that the hooks316are disengaged from the notches326of the external element320(seeFIGS.17and18). It is then possible to recover; on the one hand, the cover2, the weight element, the magnet350and the external element320made of metal, and on the other hand, the internal element310and the additional release means330made of plastic material.

According to a fourth embodiment illustrated byFIGS.19to25, the assembly1includes the cover2and an assembly400composed of an external element410made of aluminum, an internal element420made of plastic material, a metal weight element440, a magnet450to fasten the assembly1around a prominent gas or pump propulsion system (not represented), and an external accessory430for releasing the two elements410and420.

More specifically (seeFIG.20), the first element410generally comprises a main body411of essentially cylindrical shape extending along the axis XX′ provided, at an upper rim412, with three radially elastically deformable tabs415each provided with an end hook416protruding radially away from the axis XX′. The tabs415are evenly distributed (that is to say at 120°) over the periphery of the first element410and are spaced from each other by a longitudinal slot allowing the aforementioned elastic radial deformation.

The second element420(seeFIG.21) has, in turn, the overall shape of a hollow cylinder421extending along the axis XX′ and including an upper edge422provided, on the inner periphery thereof, with blind notches426(three in number in the present case) evenly angularly distributed over the circumference of the edge422(that is to say at 120° from each other). It will be understood by observing the figures that the notches426are intended to be placed opposite the hooks416in the assembled position of the elements110and120.

In accordance withFIGS.20and22, the first internal element410also includes, on the inner wall413thereof, on the one hand, an internal thread414at the main body411, then, as axially approaching the hooks416, at the radially elastically deformable tabs15, a conical portion419narrowing radially as axially approaching the hooks416.

Unlike the third embodiment, the thread414413is straight and not conical. In this variant of the preceding embodiment, the additional release means430also includes, in addition to a rod431locally provided with an external thread434(2-3 threads for example), an enlarged head435located at the level a distal end432and intended to cooperate with the conical inner surface419of the first element410.

Thus, as the external thread434is screwed into the internal thread414of the first element410, and the additional release means430progresses axially in said first element410, the enlarged head435moves away the radially elastically deformable tabs415such that the hooks416are gradually disengaged from the notches426, which ultimately allows releasing the two elements410and420from each other.

It is then possible to recover and recycle independently the first element410and the additional release means430made of plastic material, on the one hand, and the outer cover2, the second element420, the weight element440and the magnet450, on the other hand.

The four embodiments thus described are particularly effective to easily recycle portions which, ordinarily, were thrown away because they could not be released nor sorted depending on their material.

It should be understood that the detailed description of the subject of the invention, given only by way of illustration, does not, in any way, constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included within the scope of the present invention. Thus, the number and the angular distribution of the radially elastically deformable tabs, hooks and notches can vary.

The notches may open through the wall of the second element.