U.S. patent application number 10/590702 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-06 for dispenser for creamy products, comprising an axially sunk cap.
This patent application is currently assigned to CEBAL S.A.S.. Invention is credited to Eric Kerman, Robert Petit, Herve Zakrewski.
Application Number | 20070205233 10/590702 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34834071 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070205233 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Petit; Robert ; et
al. |
September 6, 2007 |
Dispenser for creamy products, comprising an axially sunk cap
Abstract
The invention relates to a dispenser/applicator (100) comprising
a recipient consisting of a body (105) and a distribution head
(120) which is provided with at least one opening (121) and a cap
(110) for blocking said distribution head by being axially sunk
thereinto. According to the invention, a) the arrangement of the
openings (121) is not revolutionally symmetrical to any other axis
A parallel to the sinking direction, b) the cap comprises a bottom
(112) provided with a single axial projection or a plurality of n
axial projections (111) having a cross-section which is adapted to
that of the openings in order to block the same, and c) said cap is
provided with a first orientation means (115; 215 and 217) and said
head is provided with a second orientation means (125 and 127;
225), the first and second orientation means co-operating during
the axial sinking process in such a way as to orient by rotation
and then axially displace the cap towards the head such that the
axial projections extend up to the hole of said openings and block
the same. In another embodiment of the inventive
dispenser/applicator, the arrangement of the openings has an n
order symmetry in relation to the axis A.
Inventors: |
Petit; Robert; (Cluny,
FR) ; Kerman; Eric; (Chalons en Champagne, FR)
; Zakrewski; Herve; (Verdun, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
1100 13th STREET, N.W.
SUITE 1200
WASHINGTON
DC
20005-4051
US
|
Assignee: |
CEBAL S.A.S.
1, avenue du General de Gaulle ZAC des Barbanniers
Genevilliers
FR
F-92230
|
Family ID: |
34834071 |
Appl. No.: |
10/590702 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR05/00436 |
371 Date: |
August 25, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/545 ;
222/485; 401/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/051 20130101;
A45D 34/04 20130101; B65D 2251/0087 20130101; B65D 41/17 20130101;
B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D 2251/0015 20130101; A45D 33/02 20130101;
B65D 2251/0046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/545 ;
401/098; 222/485 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/00 20060101
B65D047/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 26, 2004 |
FR |
0401955 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. Dispenser--applicator for dispensing--applying a fluid or
powder product onto a support, comprising: a receptacle for
containing the product the receptacle comprising a body and a
distribution head provided with a wall having at least one orifice
and a cap for blocking the distribution head by being sunk along a
direction D, the cap including a first means of reversible fixing
by being axially sunk along the direction D, and the head including
a second means of reversible fixing, the first and second
reversible fixing means cooperating such that the cap can block the
head after having been axially sunk along the direction D, the head
having a sidewall with a symmetry of revolution about an axis A
parallel to the sinking direction D, the single orifice or the
plurality of n orifices not having a symmetry of revolution about
the axis A, wherein: a) the cap includes a bottom with a single
axial projection or a plurality of n axial projections with a
section adapted to the section of the single orifice or the
plurality of n orifices, such that the orifice(s) is (are) closed
off by the axial projection(s) at the end of the axial sinking
process; b) the cap is provided with a first orientation means and
the head is provided with a second orientation means, the first and
second orientation means cooperating during the axial sinking
process so as to: b1) first orient the cap with respect to the head
by relative rotation about an axis A parallel to the sinking
direction D, such that the single axial projection or the plurality
of n axial projections faces the single orifice or the plurality of
n orifices without touching the wall provided with the orifice(s),
then b2) control axial displacement of the cap towards the head
such that the axial projections close off the orifice(s).
17. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
distribution head has a top wall provided with the single orifice
or the plurality of n orifices, substantially perpendicular to the
axis A, in that the bottom of the cap, substantially perpendicular
to the axis A, reaches close to the top wall of the head, at the
end of the sinking process, and in that the axial projection(s)
form a sealing pin or a plurality of n sealing pins capable of
closing off the single orifice or the plurality of n orifices due
to a section adapted to the section of the corresponding
orifice.
18. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 16 wherein the head
has a top wall with a circular peripheral contour, the
substantially cylindrical sidewall bearing on the circular
peripheral contour, and wherein the cap is provided with a skirt or
a sidewall also substantially cylindrical, that matches the shape
of the sidewall of the head, the sidewall of the head and the skirt
or sidewall of the cap being provided with the second and first
orientation means.
19. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 16 comprising several
orifices arranged with a symmetry of order n about the axis A,
where n is an integer number greater than 1, and wherein the first
and second orientation means are advantageously arranged respecting
a symmetry of order n/k, where k is an integer greater than or
equal to 1, about axis A.
20. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 16 wherein first and
second orientation means are systems combining substantially
helical ramps acting as a stop to radial projections to perform
function b1), and axial grooves guiding the radial projections at
the end of axial sinking to perform function b2).
21. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 20 wherein the
substantially helical ramps have a slope along the circumferential
direction that corresponds to an angle (a) between 20.degree. and
70.degree. measured from a plane perpendicular to axis A.
22. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 20 wherein the radial
projections and the substantially helical ramps have corresponding
radial heights such that, regardless of their dimensional
manufacturing tolerances, there is a sufficient radial overlap to
assure that the radial projections stop on the ramps.
23. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 20 wherein the
substantially helical ramps are twice as numerous as the radial
projections and the axial grooves because they are associated in
pairs, descending or rising with the same slope profiles as far as
an axial groove, thus imposing a rotation of the cap in the
clockwise or anticlockwise direction, depending on the point at
which the radial projection reached the stop on the helical
ramp.
24. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 20 wherein the spatial
configuration of the first and second orientation means is defined
such that during axial sinking process of the cap into the
receptacle head, the ends of axial projections remain above the top
wall of the receptacle head before the radial projections leave the
substantially helical ramps to engage into the axial grooves.
25. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 16 wherein the
sidewall of the dispenser head and the skirt or sidewall of the cap
are also provided with the second and first reversible fixing
means, bearing on the form of a torus with axis A as axis of
revolution.
26. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 16 wherein the
dispenser head is created by the assembly of an insert molded
separately then fixed onto a receptacle head provided with a neck,
the insert carrying the top wall provided with the orifice(s) and
the skirt or sidewall provided with orientation means and
optionally the reversible click fit means of the cap, on the
outside.
27. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 26 wherein the skirt
or sidewall of the insert is also provided with a second
irreversible fixing means on its inside surface designed to
cooperate with a first means of irreversible fixing arranged on the
outside surface of the receptacle neck.
28. Dispenser--applicator according to claim 26 wherein the skirt
or sidewall of the insert is also provided with a second
anti-rotation means on its inside surface designed to cooperate
with a first anti-rotation means arranged on the outside surface of
the receptacle neck.
29. Cap to close off the head of a receptacle of the dispenser
according to claim 16 comprising a skirt or a sidewall provided
with n axial grooves and 2n substantially helical ramps, n being an
integer strictly greater than 1, the ramps being associated in
pairs with one of the axial grooves, arranged on each side of the
axial groove and having profiles with slopes symmetric about a
plane passing through axis (A) of the cap and the axial groove.
30. Dispenser head for a dispenser--applicator according to claim
16, having a sidewall provided with n axial grooves and 2n
substantially helical ramps, n being an integer greater than 1, the
ramps being associated in pairs with one of the axial grooves,
arranged on each side of the axial groove and having profiles with
slopes symmetric about a plane passing through axis (A) of the head
and the axial groove, wherein the n axial grooves and 2n
substantially helical ramps are placed on the outside surface of
the sidewall.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to the field of dispensers, typically
flasks or flexible tubes, containing fluid products in the form of
a paste, cream, oil or powder. It is related more particularly to
dispensers that dispense the products through a single off-centred
orifice or several orifices, particularly for application on a
support such as the skin.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] A very large number of fluid or powder product
dispenser--applicators is known.
[0003] Thus, French patent FR 2 820 958 describes a ball
dispenser--applicator for fluid cosmetic products. Similarly,
French application FR 2 845 578 discloses a digital dispenser for a
paste cosmetic product with a head including a plurality of
orifices and a closing cap.
[0004] In general, the dispenser head includes a central circular
orifice that is not adapted or is poorly adapted to direct
application of the product onto the skin in the case of a cosmetic
or dermatological product, or on any support in the case of another
product. In this case, the application means are the palm of the
hand or fingers, with the accompanying disadvantages particularly
in terms of hygiene and cleanliness.
[0005] However, the dispenser head may include a plurality of
orifices or an off-centred orifice. In this case, the whole
dispenser head is closed off by a cap. As a result, the orifices
are not closed individually (depending on the nature of the
packaged product) and therefore there may be product losses or dirt
on the outside surface of the head, continuously and in variable
quantities. Furthermore, it may be difficult to obtain a sealed
closure, except by strong manual efforts to open and close the cap
beyond what is currently acceptable as a normal force by a
user.
[0006] Finally, there may be a problem with the orifices becoming
gradually blocked, depending on the nature of the product packaged
in the dispenser.
[0007] Thus, dispenser heads are rarely adapted to directly and
efficiently apply the product, particularly because it would be
difficult or inconvenient to close the orifices in a leak tight
manner with a shape adapted for such an application.
[0008] The invention is directed to a dispenser - applicator with a
head containing several orifices or at least one non-circular or
non-centred orifice, provided with a closure that closes the
orifice(s) in a sealed manner.
[0009] In particular, the head may be adapted to apply the product
onto the support with a particular product distribution and/or to
massage the product onto the support, typically a massage onto
skin, the orifice then being closed when required by simple axial
sinking of a cap, wherein fixing is achieved, for example, by
reversible click fitting, although in this case the orifice is not
a traditional orifice, namely a single centred orifice along the
axial sinking direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to the invention, the dispenser--applicator of a
fluid or powder product, typically a cosmetic product, onto a
support (typically the skin) includes a receptacle, typically a
flask or a flexible tube that will hold the product, the receptacle
being formed from a body and a distribution head provided with a
wall with at least one orifice, and a cap for blocking the
distribution head by being sunk onto the head along a direction D,
the cap including a first means of reversible fixing by axially
sinking the cap along a direction D, typically a rim or a click fit
groove, the head including a second reversible fixing means,
typically a groove or a click fit rim, the first and second
reversible fixing means cooperating such that the cap can block the
head after having been axially sunk along the direction D. This
dispenser--applicator is characterised in that: [0011] a) the
single orifice or the plurality of n orifices does not have
symmetry of revolution about any axis parallel to the sinking
direction D; [0012] b) the cap includes a bottom with a single
axial projection or a plurality of n axial projections with a
section adapted to the section of the single orifice or the
plurality of n orifices, such that the orifice(s) is (are) closed
off by the axial projection(s) at the end of the axial sinking
process; [0013] c) the cap is provided with a first orientation
means and the head is provided with a second orientation means, the
first and second orientation means cooperating during the axial
sinking process so as to: [0014] c1) first orient the cap with
respect to the head by relative rotation about an axis A parallel
to the sinking direction D, such that the single axial projection
or the plurality of n axial projections faces the single orifice or
the plurality of n orifices without touching the wall provided with
the orifice(s), then [0015] c2) control axial displacement of the
cap towards the head such that the axial projections close off the
orifice(s).
[0016] Since the sinking direction D is parallel to an axis A that
in general coincides with an axis of symmetry of the head and the
cap, sinking along the direction D is called axial sinking.
Similarly, the so-called axial projections are projections that are
elongated along the direction D.
[0017] Thus, due to this combination of means a) to c), simple
axial sinking of the cap will automatically orient the cap with
respect to the head and thus close off the orifice(s) regardless of
their position, shape and number on the head, provided that the cap
is allowed to turn freely about its axis A during the axial
sinking, thus keeping the head clean and limiting the risks of
product loss.
[0018] With the invention, it becomes possible to choose orifice
shapes suitable for direct application of the product onto the skin
or onto the face, particularly in the case of a cosmetic product or
a dermatological care product, or for use on any other type of
support for example for a product such as a glue or adhesive,
without the problem of closing off the orifice(s) limiting possible
shapes. For dispensers adapted for direct application onto the
skin, the orifice(s) is (are) advantageously surrounded by a
rim-shaped edge for a massaging effect.
[0019] The fact that the axial projection(s) close off the
orifice(s) each time that axial sinking takes place, and that the
orifice(s) is (are) in the form of a single orifice or a plurality
of orifices, prevents progressive blocking of the orifice with
time, as can happen with some types of products, for example
products that tend to dry or harden on contact with air.
[0020] In general, dispensers designed for direct application of a
product onto the skin have a top wall in which the single orifice
or the plurality of n orifices is (are) formed. This top wall is in
the form or a dome with a fairly wide central part in which the
orifice(s) is (are) formed, and is substantially plane, or slightly
convex or on the contrary has a slight depression, substantially
perpendicular to an axis A parallel to the sinking direction D
which frequently coincides with an axis of symmetry of the head,
and a peripheral part rounded to avoid injuring the skin. The cap
is then frequently designed such that it has a bottom substantially
perpendicular to an axis A parallel to the sinking direction D,
which frequently coincides with an axis of symmetry of the cap.
This bottom reaches close to the central part of the top wall of
the head, at the end of the sinking process.
[0021] The bottom of the cap is provided with the axial
projection(s) that typically form a sealing pin or a plurality of n
sealing pins. Due to its section adapted to the section of the
orifice corresponding to it, the pin or each of the pins may close
off the single orifice or the plurality of n orifices at the end of
the axial sinking process, typically by axial sinking of its free
end into the orifice, or by annular pressure on the edge
surrounding the orifice.
[0022] Many dispensers, particularly dispensers designed for the
application of a fluid product onto a support such as the skin,
have a top wall with a circular peripheral contour and a
substantially cylindrical sidewall bearing on the circular
peripheral contour, the assembly having a symmetry of revolution
about an axis A parallel to the sinking direction D of the cap on
the head. The sidewall is the to be substantially, or even
perfectly cylindrical, or it may bear on a truncated cone with a
half angle at the centre not more than a few degrees, typically
less than 10.degree.. In such a geometric configuration, it is
advantageous to: [0023] a) provide the cap with a skirt or a
sidewall, also substantially cylindrical, that matches the shape of
the sidewall of the head, on the outside; [0024] b) provide the
sidewall of the head and the skirt or sidewall of the cap of the
first and second orientation means.
[0025] For a single off-centred orifice or a plurality of orifices
with an arrangement with no axis of symmetry about the axis A, the
first and second orientation means are unique. However, if there
are several orifices and if their arrangement has a symmetry of
order n about the axis A (the same arrangement is obtained after
rotation of 2.pi./n about the axis A, where n is an integer number
strictly greater than 1), the first and second orientation means
themselves are advantageously arranged respecting a symmetry of
order n/k, where k is an integer greater than or equal to 1, about
the axis A (the same arrangement is obtained after a rotation of
2k.pi./n about the axis A).
[0026] The first and second orientation means may for example be
systems combining substantially helical ramps acting as a stop to
radial projections to perform function c1), and axial grooves
guiding the radial projections at the end of the axial sinking
process to perform function c2).
[0027] A "substantially helical ramp" means a radial projection
extending around the axis A, with a continuously increasing or
continuously decreasing slope along the circumferential direction,
like a spiral. This is not necessarily a geometrically perfect
spiral, because the slope is not necessarily constant. This slope
must be sufficiently high to limit the sinking process duration
until the orifices are closed off, but sufficiently low to limit
the size. Typically, the result is an angle between 20.degree. and
70.degree. (defined with respect to the plane perpendicular to the
axis A).
[0028] Advantageously, the substantially helical ramps are twice as
numerous as the radial projections and the axial grooves because
they are associated in pairs and are placed on each side of an
axial guide groove used for function c2), "descending" as far as
the axial groove, thus imposing rotation in the clockwise direction
or in the anti-clockwise direction of the cap, depending on the
point at which the radial projection reached a stop on the ramp.
Preferably, they "descend" towards the axial groove following the
same slope profile, but with an opposite sign: the ramps, with a
slope that is not necessarily constant, are symmetric about a plane
passing through the axis and the axial groove. The terms
"descending" and "rising" correspond to the convention according to
which the dispenser is held vertically with the head at the
top.
[0029] Radial projections associated with the cap and the
substantially helical ramps associated with the head have
corresponding radial heights such that, regardless of their
dimensional manufacturing tolerances, there is a sufficient radial
overlap to assure that the radial projections stop on the ramps.
Typically, the objective will be a radial overlap equal to between
0.1 and 2 mm, preferably more than 0.5 mm.
[0030] Obviously, these orientation means are interchangeable: the
head is provided with ramps and grooves while the cap is provided
with radial projections, or vice versa. If the ramps and grooves
are located on the cap, and with the conventional presentation
mentioned above in which the receptacle is held vertical with the
head at the top, the substantially helical ramps are
"ascending".
[0031] The spatial configuration of the orientation means is
advantageously defined such that during axial sinking of the cap on
the head of the receptacle, the ends of the axial projections
(pins) remain above the top wall of the head of the receptacle
before the beginning of phase c2, for example in other words before
the radial projections leave the substantially helical ramps to
engage in the axial grooves.
[0032] Thus, when the head is provided with the substantially
helical ramps and axial grooves and the cap is provided with radial
projections, it should be checked that the axial distance between
the wall surrounded the orifice (or the top of the annular rim
surrounding the orifice if there is one) and the boundary between
the substantially helical ramp and the axial groove is greater than
the axial distance between the bottom part of the corresponding
axial projection (pin) and the bottom part of the radial
projection.
[0033] Similarly, when the cap is provided with the substantially
helical ramps and axial grooves and the head is provided with
radial projections, it should be checked that the axial distance
between the wall surrounding the orifice (or the top of the annular
rim surrounding the orifice if there is one) and the top part of
the radial projection is less than the axial distance between the
bottom part of the corresponding axial projection (pin) and the
boundary between the substantially helical ramp and the axial
groove.
[0034] These orientation means that will frequently be stressed can
be mechanically reinforced, for example by replacing the radial
stops by axial ribs with a sufficient radial height so that one of
their ends reaches the stop on the substantially helical ramp, and
its thickness is slightly less than the width of the axial groove
such that the rib can engage in the groove and be guided by the
groove at the end of the axial sinking process.
[0035] Preferably, the sidewall of the dispenser head and the skirt
or sidewall of the cap are also provided with the second and first
reversible fixing means, typically continuous or discontinuous rims
and/or click fit grooves (called "rice grains" if they are
discontinuous), in order to limit the size. These rims, grooves or
rice grains bear on a torus surrounding axis A as its axis of
revolution, their section having a small radial height with small
slopes on each side of the top, such that a given force is
necessary to cross over this high point, and it is equally easy in
the sinking direction and a withdraw direction.
[0036] The dispenser head is assembled to the receptacle body by
any known means. It may be screwed, click fitted or molded in a
single piece with the receptacle body, by injection molding or
compression molding. In particular, if it is a flexible tube, it
may be insert molded onto the open end of a flexible skirt. It may
also be molded separately and then welded to the sidewall of the
distribution receptacle.
[0037] The dispenser head may also be made by the assembly of an
insert molded separately and then fixed onto a single receptacle
head with a neck. In this case, the insert carries the top wall
provided with the orifice(s) and the skirt or sidewall with the
orientation means on its outside surface, and possibly the
reversible click fit means of the cap. The skirt or sidewall of the
insert is also provided with a second irreversible fixing means on
its inside surface designed to cooperate with a first irreversible
fixing means placed on the outside surface of the receptacle neck.
These first and second irreversible fixing means may for example
include a screwing thread, or preferably click fit rims with a
large radial height and asymmetric slopes, which facilitate sinking
of the insert that is fitted around the neck but preventing axial
upwards movement. These irreversible fixing means are
advantageously accompanied by anti-rotation means, typically a
plurality of attached axial ribs located on the outside surface of
the neck and on the inside surface of the skirt or the sidewall of
the insert and arranged such that they form a series of teeth in
relief on the surface of the neck which, after axial sinking,
enters like a key into the lock consisting of the plurality of
attached ribs arranged on the inside surface of the skirt or the
sidewall of the insert. One or several rigid ribs with a radial
height such that their high point creates an indentation in all or
part of the facing wall of the other part during assembly of the
insert onto the head of the receptacle can also be used as
anti-rotation means.
LIST OF FIGURES
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view in an axonometric projection
of a dispenser head and a cap according to the invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows an axonometric view of a tube according to the
invention, without its cap.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view in an axonometric projection
of the tube head in FIG. 2, before assembly, and of a cap according
to the invention.
[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view in an axonometric projection
of another dispenser head and another cap according to the
invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 shows 15 variants (denoted 5a to 5o) of single
orifices or pluralities of orifices for which the geometric
configuration has an axis of symmetry of order 2, 3, 4, 6 to 12,
depending on the variants.
[0043] FIG. 6 shows 4 variants (denoted 6a to 6d) of orifices
surrounded by a rim-shaped edge and associated with axial
projections acting as sealing pins cooperating with the
orifices.
EXAMPLES
[0044] To illustrate the invention, we present flexible tubes
designed to apply sun cream directly onto the skin.
Example 1 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3)
[0045] The dispenser--applicator in example 1 is a tube 100 that
includes a skirt 105 and a distribution head 120 provided with six
orifices 121, and a cap 110 that will block the head by being sunk
along the direction D of the axis A, which is the axis of symmetry
of the head+cap assembly. The cap 110 includes a first reversible
fixing means that is a discontinuous click fit rim in the form of
rice grains 119 uniformly distributed about the axis A. The head
120 includes a second reversible fixing means that is a click fit
rim 129. The first and second reversible fixing means 119 and 129
cooperate such that the cap 110 can block the head 120 after being
sunk into the axial direction.
[0046] The cap 110 includes a bottom 112 provided with 6 axial
projections 111, that have a section adapted to the section of the
6 orifices 121 of the head such that the 6 orifices 212 are closed
off by 6 axial projections 111 at the end of the relative sinking
of the cap on the head.
[0047] The cap 110 is provided with a first orientation means 115
and the head 121 is provided with a second orientation means 125
and 127, the first and second orientation means cooperating during
the relative axial sinking of the cap on the head such that: [0048]
c1) firstly orienting the cap with respect to the head by relative
rotation about the axis A, such that the 6 axial projections 111
are facing the 6 orifices 121, then [0049] c2) axially displace the
cap with respect to the head such 6 axial projections 111 sink into
and close off the six orifices 121.
[0050] The dispenser has a top wall 122 provided with 6 orifices
121. This top wall is in the form of a dome with a fairly wide
central part 123, substantially perpendicular to the axis of the
head that is provided with 6 orifices 121, and a rounded peripheral
part 126. The bottom 112 of the cap is substantially perpendicular
to the axis A and reaches close to the central part 123 of the top
wall 122, at the end of the sinking process.
[0051] The axial projections 111 typically form 6 sealing pins. Due
to its section adapted to the section of the orifice corresponding
to it, each of the pins can hermetically close each of the orifices
121 by sinking at the end of the axial sinking process.
[0052] The top wall 122 has a circular peripheral contour and a
cylindrical sidewall 124 bearing on the circular peripheral
contour, the assembly having a symmetry of revolution about the
axis A parallel to the sinking direction of the cap on the head.
The cap 110 is provided with a cylindrical sidewall 114, the
outside of which matches the shape of the sidewall 124 of the head.
The sidewall 124 of the head 120 and the sidewall 114 of the cap
110 are provided with the first and second orientation means. These
complementary orientation means are systems combining helical ramps
125 used as a stop at the end of an axial rib 115 to perform
function c1), and grooves 127 guiding the axial rib ends 115 when
they reach the end of travel of the helical ramps, to perform
function c2).
[0053] The dispenser in this example 1 has six axial ribs 115, six
grooves 127 and twelve helical ramps 125 associated in pairs, each
pair of ramps having equal slopes (but with opposite sign),
"descending" as far as an axial groove 127. In absolute value, the
slope of these helical ramps is constant at an angle .alpha. close
to 45.degree.. The "bottom" end of the rib 115 acts as a radial
projection 1150 that reaches the stop on the helical ramp 125
during sinking of the cap on the head, which makes the cap turn,
and is thus guided as far as the angular position of the groove 127
at which the rib 115 finally engages.
[0054] These orientation means are uniformly distributed around the
axis A. The arrangement of axial grooves, pairs of ramps
surrounding an axial groove and ribs has an order 6 symmetry about
the axis A, in the same way as for the orifices.
[0055] The axial ribs 115 are slightly thinner than the width of
the axial grooves 127 such that the axial rib 115 can engage in an
axial groove 127 at the end of the axial sinking process.
[0056] The sidewall 124 of the dispenser head 120 and the sidewall
114 of the cap 110 are also provided with second and first
reversible fixing means 129 and 119.
[0057] The dispenser head is created by the assembly of an insert
130 molded separately and then fixed onto the single head 101 of
the tube provided with a neck 102. The insert 130 carries the top
wall provided with the orifice(s) and the sidewall provided with
the orientation means on its outside surface and the reversible
click fit means of the cap. The sidewall of the insert is also
provided with a second irreversible fixing means (not shown) on its
inside surface, that will cooperate with a first click fit rim 103
arranged on the outside surface of the neck 102. This click fit rim
has a large radial height and asymmetric slopes, which facilitate
sinking of the insert fitted around the neck but preventing an
axial upwards movement.
[0058] These irreversible fixing means are accompanied with
anti-rotation means, in this case a plurality of attached axial
ribs 104 located on the outside surface of the neck 102 and that
are arranged such that they form a series of teeth in relief on the
surface of the neck that, after the axial sinking process, enters
like a key into the lock formed by the plurality of attached axial
ribs (not shown) arranged on the inside surface of the sidewall of
the insert.
[0059] During axial sinking of the cap on the receptacle head, the
ends of the pins 111 remain above the top wall 122 of the
receptacle head before the beginning of phase c2, in other words
before the radial projections 1150 leave the ramps 125 to engage in
the axial grooves 127. To achieve this, the axial distance between
the wall surrounding the orifice and the boundary 128 between the
substantially helical ramp 125 and the axial groove 127 is greater
than the axial distance between the bottom end of the corresponding
axial projection 111 and the bottom part 1150 of the rib 115.
Example 2 (FIG. 4)
[0060] Example 2 shows another embodiment of the invention with
reversed orientation means: the dispenser head, in this case
represented by an insert 230, is simply provided with axial ribs
225 and the inside surface of the sidewall 214 of the cap 210 is
provided with helical ramps 215 associated in pairs and separated
by axial grooves 217. The cap 210 is provided with 6 pins 211
arranged uniformly about the axis A.
[0061] In this case, the inside surface of the insert is provided
with a screwing thread 234 that will cooperate with a screwing
thread formed on the neck of the tube. In one variant (not shown)
that can be installed on the tube head 101 illustrated in FIG. 3,
the inside surface of the insert is provided with one or several
annular rims that have a sufficient radial height to come into
contact with the edge of the teeth 104 of the neck 102, which forms
an impression in the rims, sufficiently deep to prevent the insert
230 from rotating relative to the tube head.
[0062] The cap 210 includes a discontinuous annular rim 219 close
to the peaks between the two ramps 215, that cooperates with the
annular rim 229 formed on the sidewall of the insert, so as to make
a reversible attachment of the cap on the head.
[0063] Each pair of helical ramps 215 have opposite slopes,
"rising" as far as an axial groove 217. The "top" end of the rib
225 acts as a radial projection 2250 that comes to a stop on the
helical ramp 215 during sinking of the cap on the head, which makes
the cap turn and is thus guided as far as the angular position of
the groove 217 in which the rib 225 finally engages.
[0064] During axial sinking of the cap on the head of the
receptacle, the ends of the pins 211 remain above the top wall of
the head of the receptacle before the beginning of the phase c2, in
other words before the radial projections 2250 leave the ramps 215
to engage in the axial grooves 217. To achieve this, the axial
distance between the wall surrounding the orifice and the top part
2250 of the axial rib 225 is less than the axial distance between
the lower end of the corresponding axial projection 211 and the
boundary 218 between the substantially helical ramp 215 and the
axial groove 217.
Example 3 (FIG. 5--variants 5a to 5o)
[0065] Dispensers that will be used for direct application of a
product onto the skin have a top wall provided with a single
orifice or a plurality of n orifices. This top wall is in the form
of a dome with a fairly wide central part provided with the
orifice(s).
[0066] FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows 15 orifice variants marked a
to o, in the form of a single orifice or a plurality of orifices.
The axial projections that will close off the orifices have similar
sections.
[0067] The orifices and the corresponding axial projections have
axis of symmetries as follows: [0068] order 2 for variants 5f, 5g,
5h, 5i, 5j and 5o and 5k, 5l, 5m and 5n; [0069] order 3 for
variants 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and 5e and 5k, 5l, 5m and 5n; [0070] order
4 for variants 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 5j and 5o; [0071] order 6 for
variants 5k, 5l, 5m and 5n; [0072] order 12 for variants 5l.
[0073] It can also be seen that: [0074] for some orifice
configurations, there can only be one arrangement of the
orientation means. For example, for variants 5a to 5e, the first
and second orientation means must necessarily be arranged
respecting an order 3 symmetry; [0075] for other orifice
configurations, there are several possible arrangements for the
orientation means. For example for variant 5l, the first and second
orientation means may be arranged with order 2, 3, 6 or 12
symmetry. With orientation means like those described in examples 1
or 2, it is preferable to have the highest possible order: there is
thus a larger number of ramps and the ramps may have a greater
slope for the same overall height, so that the cap reaches the
right position more quickly.
[0076] The number n of orifices is: [0077] 1 for variants 5c, 5e,
5i, 5m, 5n, 5o; [0078] 3 for variant 5d; [0079] 4 for variants 5a,
5h; [0080] 5 for variant 5f; [0081] 7 for variants 5b and 5k;
[0082] 9 for variant 5g; [0083] 16 for variant 5j; [0084] 25 for
variant 5l.
Example 4 (FIG. 6)
[0085] FIGS. 6a to 6d show different orifice closing embodiments
(121a, 121b, 121c, 121d) by an axial projection (111a, 111b, 111c,
111d).
[0086] FIG. 6a shows a cylindrical axial projection 111a with a
rounded lower end 1110a that closes off the annular inside rim
1210a of the orifice 121a formed on the top wall 122, surrounded by
an annular rim 1220a to apply the product onto the skin with a
massaging effect.
[0087] FIG. 6b corresponds to the case in which the lower end 1110b
of the axial projection 111b is a truncated cone and in which the
orifice 121b also has a truncated cone shaped inside surface 1210b
complementary to the surface of the axial projection. The orifice
121b is surrounded by an annular rim 1220b that has a massaging
effect.
[0088] FIG. 6c corresponds to the case in which the orifice 121c
forms an annular seat 1210c and in which the lower end 1110c of the
axial projection 111c has a rounded shape adapted to the shape of
the seat. In this case, the sealed closure is not made by axial
sinking into the orifice, but rather by bearing on the edge
surrounding the orifice. The orifice 121c is surrounded by an
annular rim 1220c with a massaging effect.
[0089] FIG. 6d corresponds to the case in which the geometry of the
orifice 121d and the geometry of the annular rim 1220d corresponds
to that in FIG. 6a, while the axial projection 111d corresponds to
that in FIG. 6b, the lower end 1110d of the axial projection 111d
being in the form of a truncated cone.
[0090] FIGS. 6a to 6d show the axial height .DELTA.H corresponding
to axial cooperation between the orifice and the axial projection.
This height .DELTA.H typically corresponds to the minimum height of
the axial groove that enables axial displacement of the cap at the
end of the sinking process of the cap, over a sufficient distance
to give a sealed closure of the orifice.
* * * * *