U.S. patent application number 13/581958 was filed with the patent office on 2012-12-20 for fluid dispenser.
This patent application is currently assigned to APTAR FRANCE SAS. Invention is credited to Stephane Beranger, Patrick Muller.
Application Number | 20120318825 13/581958 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42934134 |
Filed Date | 2012-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120318825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beranger; Stephane ; et
al. |
December 20, 2012 |
FLUID DISPENSER
Abstract
A fluid dispenser including a reservoir forming a neck
presenting a thread, a dispenser member, and a fastener system
including a fastener ring provided with assembly means for
assembling on the thread of the neck in such a manner that the ring
is unscrewable from the neck over an axial unscrewing stroke. The
outer wall of the neck is provided with a shoulder, and the
fastener system includes a security band engaged on the fastener
ring. The band axially abuts the shoulder and is secured to the
fastener ring at the end of the unscrewing stroke, so as to prevent
the fastener system from being removed from the neck immediately
after the fastener ring has been unscrewed. The security band
includes an unblocking mechanism for disengaging the band from its
axial abutment with the shoulder of the neck.
Inventors: |
Beranger; Stephane;
(Surtauville, FR) ; Muller; Patrick; (Saint Aubin
Sur Gaillon, FR) |
Assignee: |
APTAR FRANCE SAS
Le Neubourg
FR
|
Family ID: |
42934134 |
Appl. No.: |
13/581958 |
Filed: |
March 22, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
March 22, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2011/050582 |
371 Date: |
August 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/321.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B 11/3049 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 50/046 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
222/321.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/54 20060101
B65D088/54 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2010 |
FR |
10 52171 |
Claims
1. A fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir forming a neck
presenting an outer wall provided with a thread; a dispenser
member, such as a pump; and a fastener system for fastening the
dispenser member on the neck of the reservoir, the system including
a fastener ring provided with reception means for receiving the
dispenser member, and with assembly means for assembling on the
thread of the neck in such a manner that the ring is unscrewable
from the neck over an axial unscrewing stroke; wherein the outer
wall of the neck is provided with a shoulder; and the fastener
system further including a security band that is engaged on the
fastener ring, the band coming into axial abutment with the
shoulder of the neck, the band being secured to the fastener ring
at the end of the axial unscrewing stroke, so as to prevent the
fastener system from being removed from the neck of the reservoir
after the fastener ring has been unscrewed; said dispenser being
characterized in that the security band includes unblocking means
for disengaging the band from its axial abutment with the shoulder
of the neck.
2. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the unblocking means
comprise two diametrally-opposite actuation zones that can be
pressed so as to deform the band, the band including at least one
abutment element for coming into abutment below the shoulder of the
neck, the deformation of the band by pressing on the actuation
zones disengaging said at least one abutment element from below the
shoulder.
3. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the unblocking means
comprise a tear-off strip that, after being torn off, makes it
possible to disengage the band from the shoulder.
4. A dispenser according to claim 3, wherein the tear-off strip
extends over a fraction of the periphery of the band , the band
including at least one abutment element for coming into abutment
below the shoulder of the neck, the abutment element being formed
at the tear-off strip.
5. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the fastener ring
comes to bear against the band so as to engage said at least one
abutment element around the neck , to below its shoulder.
6. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the fastener system
further includes a covering hoop that extends around the fastener
ring and the security band when the fastener system is assembled on
the neck, the band being released from the hoop at the end of the
unscrewing stroke.
7. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the covering hoop
comes into engagement with the actuation zones of the security
band, so as to block said at least one abutment element below the
shoulder of the neck when the fastener system is assembled on the
neck.
8. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the covering hoop
includes an outer casing and an inner sleeve that is engaged in the
outer casing, the sleeve coming into clamping engagement around the
fastener ring, the band advantageously being arranged axially below
the inner sleeve.
9. A dispenser according to claim 6, wherein the fastener profile
is formed by the covering hoop.
10. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the band is axially
movable relative to the ring over a distance that is not less than
the axial unscrewing stroke.
11. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the band includes
fastener means that come into axial abutment with a fastener
profile of the fastener system at the end of the axial unscrewing
stroke, the band thus coming into abutment against the shoulder of
the neck, in such a manner that the fastener ring cannot be
released from the neck.
12. A dispenser according to claim 11, wherein the fastener profile
is formed by the fastener ring.
13. A dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the assembly means of
the fastener ring comprise deformable regions in which the thread
of the neck becomes embedded while the ring is being assembled on
the neck.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser
comprising a fluid reservoir, a dispenser member such as a pump,
and a fastener system for fastening the dispenser member on the
reservoir. This type of dispenser is frequently used in numerous
fields, and in particular the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, and
even pharmacy.
[0002] A particular type of fluid reservoir defines a neck
presenting an outer wall provided with a thread that may include
one or more screw threads. In addition, the fastener system may
comprise a fastener ring provided with reception means for
receiving the dispenser member, and with assembly means for
assembling on the thread of the neck in such a manner that the
fastener ring is unscrewable from the neck over an axial unscrewing
stroke. This design is entirely conventional for a fluid dispenser
in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, and even pharmacy. In
general, the assembly means of the fastener ring are in the form of
an internal thread that is complementary to the external thread of
the neck. The two threads present pitches that are identical or
substantially identical. Thus, when the reservoir is filled with
fluid, it is possible to assemble the dispenser member on the
reservoir by screw-fastening the fastener ring on the threaded
neck. In addition, it is possible to unscrew the fastener ring from
the threaded neck, in particular when the reservoir is empty or
almost empty. While the fastener ring is being turned to screw it
on or off, it moves relative to the neck over an axial stroke.
[0003] The drawback with that type of screw-fastener system is that
it is very easy to unscrew the fastener ring so as to reach the
content of the reservoir. The fastener system thus provides the
user with little guarantee of first use. This is why use is made of
other types of fastener systems that make it possible to provide
permanent assembly. However, in some applications, the user prefers
to be able to disassemble the fastener system, in particular so as
to be able to recover the left-over fluid inside the reservoir when
said reservoir is almost empty.
[0004] An object of the present invention is to define a fastener
system that does indeed make unscrewing possible, but that does not
lead directly to the fluid reservoir being accessed. In other
words, it does not suffice to unscrew the fastener ring from the
threaded neck of the reservoir in order to be able to remove the
fastener system from the reservoir. Another object is to avoid, or
at least delay, any intentional, malevolent, and/or inadvertent
disassembly of the fastener system.
[0005] In the prior art, document U.S. Pat. No. 3,547,295 is known
which describes a fastener system including a security band that
retains a cap that was screwed on a threaded neck of a bottle,
after the cap has been fully unscrewed. The band is split, thereby
making it possible to separate it from the cap so as to remove said
cap from the neck completely. However, the band remains in place on
the neck, which is neither practical nor attractive.
[0006] The object of the present invention is to remedy the
drawbacks of that prior art.
[0007] In order to achieve these objects, the present invention
proposes a fluid dispenser comprising: a fluid reservoir forming a
neck presenting an outer wall provided with a thread; a dispenser
member, such as a pump; and a fastener system for fastening the
dispenser member on the neck of the reservoir, the system including
a fastener ring provided with reception means for receiving the
dispenser member, and with assembly means for assembling on the
thread of the neck in such a manner that the ring is unscrewable
from the neck over an axial unscrewing stroke; wherein the outer
wall of the neck is provided with a shoulder; and the fastener
system further includes a security band that is engaged on the
fastener ring, the band coming into axial abutment with the
shoulder of the neck, the band being secured to the fastener ring
at the end of the axial unscrewing stroke, so as to prevent the
fastener system from being removed from the neck of the reservoir
after the fastener ring has been unscrewed; said dispenser being
characterized in that the security band includes unblocking means
for disengaging the band from its axial abutment with the shoulder
of the neck.
[0008] Thus, in order to have access to the content of the fluid
reservoir, it does not suffice to unscrew the fastener ring from
the threaded neck. It is also necessary to disengage the security
band from below the shoulder of the reservoir. The security band in
abutment below the shoulder of the neck forms a block that acts
after the fastener ring has been unscrewed from the threaded neck.
Thus, an ill-intentioned user believing the fastener system can be
unscrewed in conventional manner, will be surprised to see that the
fastener system remains blocked on the neck after unscrewing. It is
necessary to put more thought into quickly solving the problem of
blocking at the end of the axial unscrewing stroke. Not finding an
immediate solution, such a user will often tend to give up trying
to remove the fastener system from the reservoir completely, and
will finally screw the fastener ring back on the threaded neck,
thereby terminating the fraudulent operation. In contrast, the
legitimate user of the dispenser, who has acquired it legally, can
take the time to think, so as to understand where the blocking has
occurred, and find the solution that makes it possible to overcome
the blocking and gain access to the content of the reservoir. As
its name indicates, the security band thus performs a first-use
security function, dissuading ill-intentioned users, while
nevertheless enabling the legitimate user to remove the fastener
system from the reservoir completely.
[0009] The security band is engaged on the fastener ring: this
means that the security band may be engaged around the fastener
ring or even inside the fastener ring.
[0010] By means of the unblocking means, the user may act in guided
manner on the band so as to unblock it. This avoids the user acting
on the band in any manner that comes to mind, destroying it so as
to be able to remove it from below the shoulder. By means of the
unblocking means, the user knows how to act on the security band so
as to release it from the shoulder of the neck.
[0011] In a practical embodiment, the unblocking means comprise two
diametrally-opposite actuation zones that can be pressed so as to
deform the band, the band including at least one abutment element
for coming into abutment below the shoulder of the neck, the
deformation of the band by pressing on the actuation zones
disengaging said at least one abutment element from below the
shoulder. Thus, in order to remove the fastener system from the
reservoir, the user must perform two operations, namely a first
operation of conventional unscrewing, then an operation of
deforming the band. Naturally, The user must keep the band deformed
while pulling it axially so as to disengage it from around the
neck.
[0012] In another practical embodiment, the unblocking means
comprise a tear-off strip that, after being torn off, makes it
possible to disengage the band from the shoulder. Advantageously,
the tear-off strip extends over a fraction of the periphery of the
band, the band including at least one abutment element for coming
into abutment below the shoulder of the neck, the abutment element
being formed at the tear-off strip. Thus, by removing the strip
over at least half of the periphery of the band, it is possible to
disengage said band from below the shoulder.
[0013] In another aspect of the invention, the fastener ring comes
to bear against the band so as to engage said at least one abutment
element around the neck, to below its shoulder. The fastener ring
is thus used to push against the security band so as to engage it
around the neck, to below the shoulder.
[0014] According to another advantageous characteristic of the
invention, the fastener system further includes a covering hoop
that extends around the fastener ring and the security band when
the fastener system is assembled on the neck, the band being
released from the hoop at the end of the unscrewing stroke. In
other words, the covering hoop also moves axially relative to the
security band during the axial unscrewing stroke. When the fastener
system is assembled on the neck, the hoop preferably masks the
security band completely so that it is not visible. In contrast,
after unscrewing the ring, the band is visible, and it is even
advantageous to make the band in a bright color so that the user
notices it immediately. The user will thus understand that it is
necessary to act on this part, either intuitively, or by means of
indications provided in accompanying instructions or even written
directly on the band, in order to remove the fastener system from
the reservoir completely.
[0015] In an advantageous aspect of the invention, the covering
hoop comes into engagement with the actuation zones of the security
band, so as to block said at least one abutment element below the
shoulder of the neck when the fastener system is assembled on the
neck. The stiffness of the covering hoop is thus used to stabilize
the security band dimensionally, so as to ensure the positioning of
the abutment element(s) below the shoulder of the neck. Once the
covering hoop has been removed from the security band, said
security band fully recovers its capacity for deformation that
makes it possible to disengage it from below the shoulder.
[0016] In a particular embodiment, the covering hoop includes an
outer casing and an inner sleeve that is engaged in the outer
casing, the sleeve coming into clamping engagement around the
fastener ring, the band advantageously being arranged axially below
the inner sleeve. In particular, this happens when the security
band is engaged around the fastener ring, thereby creating extra
thickness that is compensated at the covering hoop by the inner
sleeve. When an inner sleeve is omitted, it is practically
essential to make the hoop with a rim or a step level with the
security band.
[0017] Above, and for practical reasons, the fastener profile is
described as being made on the fastener ring. In a variant, it is
also possible to make the fastener profile on the covering hoop.
This means that the fastener profile may be situated anywhere on
the fastener system, in so far as it makes it possible to provide
axial abutment with the security band that in turn is also in axial
abutment below the shoulder of the neck.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the band is
axially movable relative to the ring over a distance that is not
less than the axial unscrewing stroke. Advantageously, the band
includes fastener means that come into axial abutment with a
fastener profile of the fastener system at the end of the axial
unscrewing stroke, the band thus being in, or coming into, abutment
against the shoulder of the neck, in such a manner that the
fastener ring cannot be released from the neck. Preferably, the
fastener profile is formed by the fastener ring. In this practical
embodiment, the security band is a component element that is
distinct from the fastener ring. They are made separately and
fitted together. However, without going beyond the ambit of the
invention, it is possible to envisage making the fastener ring and
the security band as a single part, with the ring and the band
being interconnected via a rupture zone. When the fastener ring is
unscrewed, the security band normally remains secured to the ring
over an initial stroke, until the security band comes into abutment
against the shoulder of the neck. From that moment on, the fastener
ring continues its axial unscrewing stroke, while the security band
remains axially stationary relative to the neck of the reservoir.
In this way, the security band moves relative to the ring over an
axial distance that is not less than the axial unscrewing
stroke.
[0019] According to another characteristic of the invention, the
assembly means of the fastener ring comprise deformable regions in
which the thread of the neck becomes embedded while the ring is
being assembled on the neck. This makes it possible to assemble the
fastener ring on the threaded neck, not by screw-fastening the
fastener ring, but by pushing it axially into its final position.
The thread of the neck thus becomes embedded in the deformable
regions of the ring by the phenomenon of material creep. After a
certain length of time, the imprint of the thread in the deformable
regions becomes permanent, thereby making it possible to unscrew
the ring. Naturally, in a variant, it is possible to use a fastener
ring that includes a conventional internal thread.
[0020] The spirit of the invention resides in providing an extra
disassembly step in addition to the conventional unscrewing step.
The security band does not prevent unscrewing, but provides a
connection between the fastener system and the neck of the
reservoir at the end of unscrewing. The user is capable of undoing
the connection by means of the unblocking means for disengaging the
band from the shoulder of the neck.
[0021] The invention is described more fully below with reference
to the accompanying drawings, which show several embodiments of the
invention by way of non-limiting example.
[0022] In the figures:
[0023] FIG. 1a is a vertical section view through a dispenser made
in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, the
dispenser being shown in the non-assembled state just before
assembly;
[0024] FIG. 1b is a vertical section view of the Figure la
dispenser turned through 90.degree.;
[0025] FIGS. 2a and 2b are exploded perspective views of the
fastener ring and of the security band of the first embodiment of
the invention in FIGS. 1a and 1b;
[0026] FIGS. 3a and 3b are views similar to FIGS. 1a and 1b
respectively of the dispenser of the first embodiment of the
invention, in the assembled state;
[0027] FIGS. 4a and 4b are views similar to FIGS. 3a and 3b
respectively of the dispenser of the first embodiment, during
disassembly;
[0028] FIGS. 5a and 5b are views similar to FIGS. 4a and 4b
respectively of the dispenser of the first embodiment of the
invention, at the end of disassembly;
[0029] FIGS. 6a and 6b are views partially in section and partially
in perspective of the dispenser of the first embodiment of the
invention, at the end of the disassembly operation corresponding to
FIGS. 5a and 5b;
[0030] FIGS. 7a and 7b are views similar to FIGS. 3a and 3b
respectively for a variant embodiment of the invention;
[0031] FIGS. 8a and 8b are views similar to Figures la and lb
respectively for another variant embodiment of the invention;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a view partially in vertical section and partially
in perspective of a fluid dispenser of a second embodiment of the
invention, the dispenser being during assembly;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 of the fluid dispenser
of the second embodiment of the invention, in the assembled
state;
[0034] FIG. 11 is a very greatly enlarged perspective and section
view showing the interactions between the security band, the
fastener ring, and the neck of the reservoir;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a view partially in section and partially in
perspective of the dispenser in FIGS. 9 to 11, during disassembly;
and
[0036] FIG. 13 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 12 of the
dispenser of the second embodiment of the invention, at the end of
disassembly.
[0037] In all of the embodiments and variant embodiments shown in
the various FIGS. 1a to 13, the fluid dispensers of the invention
comprise: a fluid reservoir 1 (shown in part); a dispenser member
2, such as a pump or a valve; and a fastener system F for fastening
the pump or the valve on the reservoir 1.
[0038] In the various figures, the fluid reservoir 1 is shown only
in part, with only its top portion being visible. The top portion
is essentially constituted by a neck 11 that projects from a
peripheral area 15 that already forms a portion of the reservoir
body (not shown). The neck 11 includes an inner wall defining an
opening that puts the inside of the reservoir into communication
with the outside. The neck 11 also defines an outer wall on which
there is formed a thread 12 and an annular peripheral shoulder 13.
Below the shoulder 13, the neck 11 joins the peripheral area 15.
Above the thread 12, the neck defines a top annular edge 14 that
forms the junction between the outer wall and the inner wall. The
thread 12 is in the form of one or more screw threads that project
in helical manner over the outer periphery of the neck 11. The
thread 12 may be constituted by a single continuous thread that
extends over the periphery of the neck, or, in a variant, the
thread 12 may be in the form of a plurality of thread segments that
are distributed over the outer periphery of the neck 11. The
reservoir also includes an annular peripheral shoulder 13. This is
an entirely conventional reservoir with a conventional threaded
neck. The shoulder may be continuous over the entire periphery of
the neck, or, on the contrary, it may be discontinuous.
[0039] In the various figures, the shoulder 13 is continuous and
directed downwards. It is separated from the annular top edge 14 by
the thread 12. It can also be said that the shoulder 13 is situated
between the thread 12 and the peripheral area 15.
[0040] The dispenser member 2 may be a pump or a valve, or even
some other type of dispenser member that makes it possible to
dispense the fluid contained in the reservoir 1. The dispenser
member 2 includes a body 21 that defines a fluid inlet 22 and a
snap-fastener band 23. For a pump or a valve, the dispenser member
2 also includes an actuator rod or valve 24 that is axially movable
down and up inside the body 21 against a spring (not shown). Such a
dispenser member is often associated with a pusher or dispenser
head (not shown) that is assembled on the free end of the actuator
rod 24. Thus, the user may press by means of one or more fingers on
the pusher, so as to drive the actuator rod 24 into the body 21 and
thus dispense fluid from the reservoir in optionally-metered form.
The fluid may be dispensed in the form of spray, a bead, a glob,
etc. This is an entirely conventional design for a dispenser member
in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery, and even pharmacy.
[0041] In the invention, the fastener system F comprises a
plurality of component elements, namely: a fastener ring 3; a
security band 4; and a covering hoop 5. However, the covering hoop
5 is optional.
[0042] The fastener ring 3 may be made up of a plurality of pieces,
but it is preferably made as a single piece by injection-molding
plastics material. The fastener ring 3 is generally circularly
symmetrical. The fastener ring includes reception means 31 in the
form of a snap-fastener housing for snapping onto the snap-fastener
band 23 of the body 21 of the dispenser member 2. The reception
means 31 define a central axial opening through which the actuator
rod 24 of the dispenser member 2 passes. The fastener ring also
includes an annulus 32 that extends radially outwards from the
outer periphery of the snap-fastener housing of the reception means
31. The annulus 32 is associated with an annular neck gasket G for
compressing against the top edge 14 of the neck 11. Over its outer
periphery, the annulus 32 is upwardly connected to a guide bushing.
The annulus 32 is also downwardly connected to a skirt 33 for
engaging around the threaded neck 11 of the reservoir 1. As with
the skirt 33, the bushing presents a configuration that is
substantially cylindrical. The skirt 33 internally defines assembly
means 34 that are for co-operating with the thread 12 of the neck.
More precisely, in this first embodiment of the invention, the
assembly means are in the form of deformable regions 34 in which
the thread 12 of the neck becomes embedded. In other words, the
deformable regions are deformed by the thread 12 of the neck by a
phenomenon of material creep. After a certain length of time, the
material stops creeping and stabilizes dimensionally. As can be
seen in FIGS. 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, and 6a, hollow imprints 37 are thus
formed in the inside of the skirt 33. The deformable regions 34 are
in the form of plates that project from the inner wall of the skirt
33. Instead of the plates, it is possible to imagine other shapes,
such as ribs, spikes, or a continuous bead, for example. This
particular type of assembly means makes it possible to assemble the
fastener ring 3 on the threaded neck of the reservoir without the
need to screw-fasten the ring. On the contrary, the ring is merely
pushed axially onto the neck, deforming the deformable regions 34.
Once the fastener ring has reached its final assembled position on
the neck, permanent imprints 37 are formed in the inside of the
skirt, making it possible subsequently to unscrew the ring from the
threaded neck. This technique is already described in the prior
art.
[0043] In the invention, the fastener ring 3 further includes one
or more fastener profiles 35 that may be formed on the outer wall
of the skirt 33 in the proximity of its bottom end, as can be seen
in FIG. 1a. Without going beyond the ambit of the invention, the
fastener profiles 35 may be provided at another location of the
skirt 33, e.g. inside the skirt. However, in the embodiment shown
in the figures, and in particular in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the fastener
profiles 35 are made in the form of rib segments that extend over a
fraction of the periphery of the skirt 33 at its outer bottom end.
Each segment of fastener profiles 35 may extend over 60.degree. ,
for example. The function of the fastener profiles 35 is described
below.
[0044] The covering hoop 5 shown in FIG. 1a presents a particular
configuration: it is made of two distinct pieces, namely an outer
casing 51 and an inner sleeve 52 that is engaged inside the outer
casing 51. The outer casing 51 may be made of plastics material,
but is preferably made of metal, while the inner sleeve 52 is
preferably made of plastics material. The inner sleeve 52 is
received in stationary manner, without any possibility of turning
or of axial displacement, inside the outer casing 51. In addition,
the inner sleeve 52 is engaged, without any possibility of turning,
around the fastener ring 3, and more particularly around its
bushing and/or its skirt 33. The inner sleeve 52 is capable of
sliding axially around the skirt 33 between a pre-assembled
position shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, and a final assembled position
shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. In the pre-assembled position, the
covering hoop 5 is engaged around the ring 3, but not completely,
the hoop 5 also being capable of being moved downwards around the
hoop 3 so as to reach the final assembled position. As can be seen
in FIGS. 1a and 1b, in the pre-assembled position, the inner sleeve
52 is not yet positioned at the assembly means 34 of the skirt 33,
while in the final assembled position, the inner sleeve 52 is
positioned at the assembly means 34, thereby reinforcing the skirt
33 and promoting the deformation of the assembly means by the
thread 12. Given that the outer casing 51 is generally cylindrical,
and that the inner sleeve 52 extends over a fraction only of the
height of the casing 51, a gap is created between the outer casing
51 and the skirt 33 below the inner sleeve 52, as can be seen in
the figures. The gap is used to receive the security band 4 that is
described in detail below. As described above, the fastener
profiles 35 are formed at the skirt 33. In a variant, it is
possible to provide similar or equivalent fastener profiles at the
covering hoop, e.g. at the inner wall of the casing 51 or at the
bottom end of the inner sleeve 52. Without going beyond the ambit
of the invention, it may also be considered that the inner sleeve
52 forms part of the fastener ring 3, and that the covering hoop is
thus merely in the form of the outer casing 51.
[0045] The security band 4 is a substantially-cylindrical annular
part that may be made by injection-molding plastics material. The
security band 4 may be made as a separate part, or, in a variant,
it may be made integrally with the fastener ring 3 or with the
inner sleeve 52, being connected thereto by a rupture zone or
bridges that may be broken by traction or thrust. In the proximity
of its top end, the security band 4 includes fastener means 45 that
project radially inwards. As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the fastener
means may be in the form of two rib segments that are distributed
over the inner periphery of the band. As can be seen in the various
figures, the security band 4 is engaged around the skirt 33 of the
fastener ring 3 in such a manner that the fastener means 45 are
situated axially above the fastener profiles 35. It should also be
observed that the security band 4 is arranged inside the gap formed
below the sleeve 52, between the ring 3 and the casing 51. In the
invention, the fastener means 45 are for coming into axial abutment
with the fastener profiles 35, in such a manner as to secure the
security band 4 to the fastener ring 3. However, this axial
fastening does not prevent the band 4 from turning about the ring.
Also, this axial fastening does not prevent the band 4 from moving
axially relative to the ring 3 over a limited axial distance.
[0046] Still in the invention, the bottom end of the security band
4 forms two actuation zones 42 that are arranged on the outer wall
of the band in diametrally-opposite manner. This may be deduced
from FIG. 1a, and can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 2a and 2b. The
two actuation zones 42 are in the form of local reinforcements that
project radially outwards from the outer wall of the band. The top
end of each reinforcement may be beveled or chamfered in such a
manner as to promote its engagement inside the outer casing 51 of
the hoop 5. In addition, in the proximity of its bottom end, the
security band 4 also forms two abutment elements 41 that project
radially inwards. Each abutment element 41 is in the form of a
small flange or tab having a free end that is folded upwards a
little. The two abutment elements 41 are arranged in
diametrally-opposite manner and are offset relative to the two
diametrally-opposite actuation zones 42 by 90.degree.. This can be
seen clearly in FIG. 2a. It can easily be understood that by
pressing on the two actuation zones 42 in such a manner as to move
them together, the security band 4 deforms in such a manner as to
move the two abutment elements 41 away from each other. The band 4,
which is circularly cylindrical in the rest state, may thus be
deformed in such a manner as to present a shape that is oval or
oblong. The two actuation zones 42 move towards each other, while
the two abutment elements 41 move away from each other. The
advantage of this characteristic in the context of the present
invention is described below. The two actuation zones 42
advantageously come into engagement with the inner wall of the
outer casing 51, as can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, in the
assembled state of the dispenser. The abutment elements 41 extend
radially inwards below the bottom end of the skirt 33, as can be
seen in FIGS. 1b and 3b. In the invention, the abutment elements 41
are for coming into axial abutment below the shoulder 13 formed by
the neck 11, as described below.
[0047] The security band 4 is engaged around the skirt 33 of the
ring 3 in the gap defined between the skirt 33 and the hoop 5. The
security band 4 is secured to the ring only as a result of the
fastener means 45 being engaged above the fastener profiles 35 of
the ring 3. The security band 4 is thus free to move axially
relative to the ring over a certain limited distance, and even to
turn freely about the ring. This is also true when the security
band 4 is made integrally with another part and the zones or
bridges of material that initially connect them are ruptured.
[0048] Reference is made below successively to the various FIGS. 1a
to 6b in order to describe the methods, which may advantageously be
conventional, of assembling and disassembling a fastener system F
of the invention on and from a reservoir neck.
[0049] With reference firstly to FIGS. 1a and 1b, it should be
observed that the bottom end of the skirt 33 and a portion of the
security band 4 still project downwards out from the outer casing
51 of the hoop 5. The top end of the bushing of the fastener ring 3
is at a distance from the inwardly-directed portion of the outer
casing 51. The top annular edge of the security band 4 is at a
distance from the bottom end of the inner sleeve 52. In addition,
the skirt 33 of the ring 3 is not yet engaged around the threaded
neck 11 of the reservoir 1. However, the abutment element 41 of the
security band 4 comes into contact with the top annular edge 14 of
the neck 11. The bottom end of the skirt 33 comes into contact with
the abutment element 41. The dispenser member 2 is already received
in the fastener ring 3 and extends, in part, inside the neck 11.
From this initial position, axial pressure may be exerted on the
covering hoop 5 towards the reservoir 1. This causes the abutment
elements 41 of the security band 4 to deform in such a manner as to
cause them to pass around the neck 11. During this operation, the
security band 4 may be deformed in such a manner as to present a
shape that is oval. The abutment elements 41 move away from each
other, while the actuation zones 42 move towards each other. The
axial movement of the security band 4 around the neck 11 continues
until the abutment elements 41 become housed below the annular
shoulder 13 of the neck 11. The engagement of the abutment elements
41 below the shoulder 13 may be thought of as snap-fastening. By
continuing to press axially on the covering hoop 5, the assembly
means 34 come into engagement with the thread 12 in such a manner
as to embed the thread 12 in the assembly means. Simultaneously,
the abutment elements 41 move away from the shoulder 13 towards the
peripheral area 15. The axial pressure continues until the final
assembled position shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b is reached. The
assembly means 34 are thus in engagement with the thread 12, the
neck gasket G is flattened between the annulus 32 and the top
annular edge 14 of the neck, the abutment elements 41 are in
contact with the peripheral area 15, the top end of the security
band 4 is in contact with the bottom end of the inner sleeve 52,
and the outer casing 51 of the hoop 5 extends to below the band 4
in such a manner as to mask it completely. The dispenser may thus
be used normally by pressing on the pusher (not shown) that is
provided on the actuator rod 24 of the dispenser member 2.
[0050] When the user wishes to remove the dispenser member 2 and
its fastener system F from the reservoir 1, the fastener ring 3 is
firstly unscrewed from the threaded neck 11 in conventional manner
in the counter-clockwise direction. In a variant, unscrewing may be
provided in the clockwise direction so as to oblige the user to
think for longer. Either way, the user applies sufficient torque on
the covering hoop 5. The assembly formed by the hoop 5 and the ring
3 thus moves both in turning and in the axial direction over an
axial unscrewing stroke. When the assembly means 34 are completely
disengaged from the threaded neck 11, the imprints 37 formed by the
thread 12 of the neck 11 remain in the skirt 33.
[0051] In the invention, it is not possible to remove from the
neck, the assembly formed by the ring 3, the hoop 5, and the
dispenser member 2: the security band 4 prevents such removal as a
result of the fastener means 45 being in axial abutment with the
fastener profiles 35 of the ring 3, and of the abutment elements 41
being in axial abutment below the shoulder 13 of the neck 11. Even
though the fastener ring 3 is completely unscrewed from the neck,
it is still held on the neck by the security band 4 that can be
considered as performing an axial holding or linking function on
the neck by bearing below the shoulder 13. In this intermediate
disassembled position, the security band 4 is extracted, in part,
from the gap formed below the holding sleeve 52, between the ring 3
and the outer casing 51. Thus, the security band 4 projects below
the hoop 5. The two actuation zones 42 are completely unmasked or
released from the outer casing 51, as can be seen in FIG. 4a. It is
advantageous to make the security band 4 with a garish or bright
color, so as to catch the attention of the user immediately. It is
a way of intuitively indicating to the user that it is necessary to
act on this part in order to remove the fastener system and the
dispenser member completely from the neck of the reservoir.
[0052] FIGS. 5a, 5b, 6a, and 6b show how the security band 4 should
be manipulated or acted upon so as to disengage it from its
abutment below the shoulder 13 of the neck. In FIG. 5a, it can be
seen that it is possible to press on the two diametrally-opposite
actuation zones 42 of the band 4, in such a manner as to move them
towards each other. The bottom edge of the band pivots inwards,
while its top edge remains in engagement with the skirt 33 of the
ring 3. This deformation results in the band 4 becoming oval, at
least in its bottom portion. Consequently, the abutment elements 41
move away from each other, as can be seen in FIG. 5b. This enables
them to be disengaged from below the shoulder 13 so as to make it
possible to remove the fastener system completely from the neck 11.
The deformation of the security band 4 can be seen more clearly in
FIGS. 6a and 6b. In practice, it suffices for the user to keep the
band deformed while pulling it axially so as to disengage it from
the neck. Then, the pressure may be relaxed on the band which
returns to its cylindrical rest configuration.
[0053] It should be observed that after the fastener system F has
been removed completely, it is possible to assemble it once again
on the threaded neck, given that no component part of the fastener
system has been damaged during its disassembly. In a variant, it is
also possible to design the fastener system of the invention so
that it cannot be re-assembled on the neck. For example, the size
and/or the resilience of the abutment elements could be increased
so that they come into firm abutment against the top edge of the
neck, when the security band is extracted completely from the hoop.
However, in order to make the initial assembly possible, it is
necessary for the band to be engaged, in part, inside the hoop, so
as to deform it as in the first embodiment, so that the abutment
elements can be force-fitted around the neck.
[0054] During the disassembly operation, the security band 4 must
be able to move axially relative to the fastener ring 3 over an
axial distance that is not less than the axial unscrewing stroke of
the fastener ring. It is preferable, indeed necessary, for the
fastener ring 3 to be unscrewed from the threaded neck completely,
when the abutment elements 41 come into contact with the shoulder
13.
[0055] In order to remove the fastener system F from the threaded
neck of the reservoir completely, it is thus necessary for the user
to perform two steps, namely a first step of counter-clockwise or
clockwise unscrewing, followed by a second step of deforming or
ovalizing the security band so as to disengage it from below the
shoulder 13. The purpose of the deformation second step is to make
the operating of removing the fastener system more difficult, and
thereby dissuade ill-intentioned users. The instructions for
actuating the security band 4 may be supplied with the dispenser,
or they may even be explained in diagrammatic manner on the
security band itself.
[0056] Reference is made to FIGS. 7a and 7b, which show a variant
embodiment in which the covering hoop 5' does not include an inner
sleeve, unlike the first embodiment. The hoop 5' amounts to an
outer casing that may be made of metal, for example. The outer
casing comes into clamping contact around the fastener ring 3, and
also surrounds the security band 4, forming a peripheral step. This
variant embodiment seeks to demonstrate that the inner sleeve 52
may be eliminated.
[0057] Reference is made below to FIGS. 8a and 8b, which also show
another variant embodiment, in which the fastener ring 3 is
internally-threaded before being assembled on the threaded neck 11.
An internal thread 38 can be seen formed inside the skirt 33 that
is adapted to co-operate with the thread 12 of the neck 11 by being
screwed on and off. This variant embodiment seeks to demonstrate
that it is possible to use a conventional screw-fastener ring.
[0058] Reference is made to FIGS. 9 to 13 which describe a second
embodiment of the invention, and more particularly a second type of
security band referenced 4'. The fluid reservoir 1 and the
dispenser member 2 may be substantially or strictly identical to
those of the first embodiment. The neck 11 is provided with an
external thread 12 and with an annular peripheral shoulder 13. The
fastener ring 3 forms reception means 31 for receiving the
dispenser member 2, an annulus 32 for compressing a neck gasket G
against the top edge 14 of the neck, and a
substantially-cylindrical skirt 33 that extends around the neck 11
in such a manner as to come into engagement with the thread 12. At
its free bottom end, the skirt 33 forms one or more fastener
profiles 35 that are in the form of a complete rib or of rib
segments that project radially inwards. The skirt 33 also forms an
upper abutment 36 that is formed inside the skirt above the
fastener profile 35. This can be seen more clearly in FIG. 11. It
can thus be said that a housing is defined between the fastener
profile 35 and the upper abutment 36.
[0059] In this embodiment, the security band 4' is engaged inside
the skirt 33, and not outside as in the first embodiment. The band
4' is free to move axially inside the skirt 33 over a limited
distance, namely in the housing formed between the upper abutment
36 and the fastener profile 35. To do this, the band 4' includes a
rigid collar 43 that is engaged inside the housing defined between
the fastener profile 35 and the upper abutment 36. The collar 43
may thus move axially between the upper and lower limits. Its top
edge 46 may come into abutment below the abutment 36, while its
bottom face defines fastener means 45 that come into axial abutment
with the fastener means 35 formed at the inside bottom end of the
skirt 33. The collar 43 extends downwards forming a cylinder 47
having an inside top edge that forms an abutment element 41 that
comes into engagement below the shoulder 13, as can be seen in FIG.
11. The abutment element 41 extends over all or part of the
periphery of the cylinder 47. The cylinder 47 extends downwards
into contact with the peripheral area 15 of the neck 11. A portion
of the periphery of the cylinder 47 constitutes a tear-off strip 48
that is provided with a grip tab 49. On its top edge, the tear-off
strip 48 is connected to the collar 43 via bridges 44 of breakable
material. The tear-off strip 48 advantageously extends over more
than half of the periphery of the security band 4'.
[0060] Reference is made below successively to FIGS. 9, 10, 12, and
13 which describe in detail the methods of assembling and
disassembling the fastener system of the invention on and from the
reservoir neck.
[0061] In FIG. 9, the security band 4' is already in place on the
neck 11 with its abutment element 41 engaged below the shoulder 13.
The band 4' may be put into place around the neck by means of an
appropriate press, or by means of the fastener ring 3. An axial
pressure may be applied to the security band 4' when the top edge
46 of the collar 43 is bearing below the upper abutment 36 of the
skirt 33, as shown in FIG. 9. By means of this engagement, it is
possible to force-fit the security band 4' around the neck 11 in
such a manner as to become housed below the shoulder 13. It should
be observed that the covering hoop 5', which is generally
cylindrical, is not yet engaged around the skirt 33.
[0062] In FIG. 10, the fastener system F is in the final assembled
position on the neck 11. The security band 4' is housed below the
shoulder 13, the skirt 33 is in engagement with the thread 12, and
the hoop 5' is in contact with the peripheral area 15 of the neck
11. In this configuration, the dispenser may be used normally by
pressing on the pusher (not shown) that is provided on the actuator
rod 24 of the dispenser member 2.
[0063] In FIG. 12, the fastener system F has already been unscrewed
from the threaded neck in such a manner as to release the security
band 4' that nevertheless remains in engagement inside the skirt 33
by the abutment between the fastener means 45 and the fastener
profile 35. The abutment element 41 is in abutment below the
shoulder 13. In FIG. 12, the user has already started to tear off
the tear-off strip 48 by pulling on the grip tab 49. This causes
the tear-off strip 48 to be separated from the collar 43 that
remains in engagement inside the skirt 33 of the fastener ring. By
continuing to pull and to tear off the strip 48 over at least half
of the periphery of the band, it is possible to disengage the
abutment element 41 from below the shoulder 13, and thus remove the
entire fastener system, as shown in FIG. 13. The collar 43 still
remains in engagement inside the ring 3. Given that the tear-off
strip 48 does not extend over the entire periphery of the ring 48,
it remains secured to the remainder of the security band 4'.
[0064] As in the first embodiment of the invention, the user must
perform two successive disassembly steps, namely a first step of
unscrewing, followed by a second step of pulling and of tearing off
the strip 48. By pulling hard on the strip 48, it is optionally
possible to remove all of the security band 4' from the inside of
the ring 3. Thus, it is possible to screw the fastener system F
back onto the threaded neck of the reservoir.
[0065] As in the first embodiment of the invention, the purpose of
the second step of pulling and tearing-off is to make the method of
disassembling the fastener system more difficult, so as to dissuade
possible ill-intentioned users or users acting inadvertently. The
presence of a grip tab 49 suffices to make the user understand that
it is necessary to pull the tab in order to unblock or unscrew the
security band 4'.
[0066] The band 4' moves axially inside the fastener ring 3 over an
axial distance that is not less than the axial unscrewing stroke of
the fastener ring 3.
[0067] This second embodiment has the advantage of being able to
use a conventional covering hoop that is completely cylindrical,
without using an inner sleeve 52, as in the first embodiment. The
drawback of this second embodiment is that the security band 4' is
destroyed, in part, after use, while the security band 4 of the
first embodiment is deformed only momentarily. However, it is
possible to use the band 4 of the first embodiment in the second
embodiment instead of the band 4', and vice versa.
[0068] By means of the invention, conventional unscrewing of the
fastener system is associated with an additional voluntary act that
requires the user to give a certain amount of thought for a moment.
The user needs to think so as to understand what must be done to
the security band in order to disengage it or unblock it from its
engagement or abutment with the neck of the reservoir. The
actuation zones 42 and the tear-off strip 48 constitute unblocking
means for unblocking the security bands 4, 4', thereby making it
easier to disengage the band from below the shoulder. However, in
the present invention, the unblocking means are optional: the user
could damage or cut the security band so as to remove it from the
neck.
* * * * *