MXPA06000574A - Fluid product dispensing head - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a fluid product dispensing head designed to be associated with a fluid product container (1), said head comprising a fixed base (2) formed by said container or designed to be mounted thereon, a rotary actuating element (3) rotatably mounted on the base (2) about an axis of rotation between two extreme stop positions, and a dispensing orifice (30) selectively sealable by rotation of the element on the base. The invention is characterized in that the two extreme stop positions define two opening positions of the dispensing orifice separated by at least one closing position of the dispensing orifice and in that the dispensing orifice (30) is located on the axis of rotation of the element on the base.

Description

DISTRIBUTION HEAD FOR FLUID PRODUCT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluid product distribution head intended to be associated with a fluid product reservoir. This dispensing head generally comprises a fixed container formed by or mounted in the reservoir. In addition, the head comprises a rotary drive element rotatably mounted on the container about an axis between two end support positions. On the other hand, the head comprises a dispensing orifice that can be selectively sealed by rotation of the actuating element on the container. This type of dispensing head is often used both in a closure system that can be operated for the distribution of liquid, granular or powder fluid products stored in a tank. A privileged request for this type of head exists in the fields of the food industry, body care or also cosmetics. Other fields of application are not excluded.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general, this type of dispensing head has a container and a rotary actuating element is which can be operated between an open position and a closing position by rotating the actuating element on the container. It is also known that the rotation of the rotating element on the container makes it possible to discover or open one or more of the dispensing orifices sealed in the closed position. Likewise, heads provided with several distribution holes of different sections are known in order to be able to vary the spill supply of the fluid product through the distribution orifices. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a type of distribution head with a single distribution orifice. The hole may also comprise more holes. With this type of distribution head with a single hole, the rotational movement of the actuating element makes it possible to plug or cover only the distribution orifice between the two end support positions.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention has for its object to define a distribution head with a single distribution orifice that allows a modular use of the single distribution orifice that allows a modular use of the distribution orifice. Another object of the invention is to allow a gradual decoupling of the orifice from distribution. To achieve these objectives, the present invention proposes that the two extreme support positions, after the rotation of the actuating element on the container, two opening positions of the dispensing orifice being separated by means of an intermediate closing position of the orifice of the container. distribution. Thus, by a simple rotation of the actuating element on the container in the clockwise direction and in the counterclockwise direction, two opening positions advantageously arranged symmetrically in relation to the closing position are obtained. The two opening positions can confer spill characteristics of identical fluid products, such that the two positions are completely symmetrical and equivalent. Thus, according to the invention, the dispensing head comprises means for varying the supply, making it possible to vary the spillage supply of the fluid product through the dispensing orifice from one opening position to another. Therefore, an opening position allows more fluid product to be distributed than the other opening position for the given times. A modular distribution of fluid product is thus obtained through a single distribution orifice.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the dispensing orifice is located on the axis of rotation of the element on the container. The packaging in which the dispenser is equipped with the dispensing head according to the invention is now presented in the form of a conventional salt or pepper shaker with a single central axial distribution orifice. According to another advantageous feature of the invention, the distribution head comprises axial displacement means suitable for moving the element axially in relation to the container after its rotation on the container. Advantageously, the axial displacement means comprises at least one guide section having two different sections assembled at the level of a low point, the two sections each defining a respective end support, the two end supports respectively correspond to two opening points and the low point corresponds to the closing position. Preferably, a container formed by at least one axial rotary guide window extending over a part of the periphery of the container, the window defining a guide path, said window forming two window sections forming an assembly, a first section defines a first slope and the second section defines a second slope different from the first slope, each section defines a supporting end, the supporting ends are axially dislodged, the actuating element comprises at least one means of an axial rotating guide string coupled in the window such that a rotation of the actuating element on the The container has the effect of displacing it by means of a rope in its respective window, thus displacing the axial actuating element to reach the different heights as the rope rests on the first or second section. In order to vary the supply, the slopes may have different inclinations and / or lengths. According to a practical embodiment, the package comprises a crown formed with more axial rotary guide windows distributed over the periphery of the crown, the cover having a skirt extending around the crown and forming several axially rotating guide ropes internally coupled in the respective windows. According to another aspect of the invention, the element forms the dispensing orifice and the container forms a sealing point coupled in the closed position in the dispensing orifice, and the orifice is discovered in the opening positions differently in such a way that the supplies through the hole are different in the two opening positions. This decoupling more or It is less pronounced of the distribution opening rod that allows the supply to be varied from one opening position to another. More precisely, this more or less pronounced decoupling makes it possible to vary the passage section of the fluid product just below the single distribution orifice. Advantageously, the actuating element comprises axial guidance means coupled around the rod such that the rod is mounted movably on the axial guidance means, the guide means in question extend downwards from the periphery of the dispensing orifice , the guide means form more channels of different dimensions as a function of the position of the rod in the axial guidance means. According to a practical embodiment, the axial guide means comprise several legs extending downwards from the outer periphery of the dispensing orifice, the legs being fixed by means of an anchor ring movably coupled around the rod. The package may comprise an inner sleeve within which the rod extends, the actuating element comprises a cover disposed on the sleeve and forming the dispensing orifice, that plug comprises an annular lip in rotating displacement contact fixed in that sleeve. According to another characteristic of the invention, the actuating element comprises a a removable guarantee tab that locks the container in such a way that the actuating element can not rotate in the container in the closed position. Thus by rotating the actuating element on the container from one point to the other from the intermediate closing positions, two opening positions are obtained in which the axial elevation of the actuating element is different. This comes from the fact that one extreme support is located axially higher than the other. This has a direct effect on the disengagement height of the rod inside the distribution orifice, which allows the supply of the output to be varied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be described more fully with reference to the attached drawings given by way of non-limiting example of an embodiment of the invention. In the figures: Figure 1 is a partially uncoupled perspective view of a dispenser of the fluid product equipped with a dispenser head according to the invention; Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the dispenser head of Figure 1; - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a vertical cross section of the distribution head of the previous figures in closed position, - Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 3 in an open position, and - the Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 in the other opening position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The dispenser of the fluid product equipped with the dispensing head according to the invention comprises a reservoir 1 intended to contain a fluid product, for example salt, cream or a shampoo. More generally, the fluid product can be liquid, granulated or powder. The reservoir 1 forms at its upper end a ratchet slot 11, a backrest 12 extending radially inwards and ending with a neck 13. The neck 13 defines an opening that allows the fluid product stored in the reservoir to be extracted. The deposit is not a critical element of the present invention: it can have any shape and any size. The same ratchet slot 11 as well as the backrest 12 and the neck 13 can have a different configuration without leaving the frame of the present invention.

This tank 1 is thus associated with a distribution head comprising two constituent elements, that is, a container 2 and a rotating drive element 3. The container 2 is thus mounted on the tank 1, but it can also be thought that the container 2 is made in the form of a monoblock with the tank 1. Since the distribution head comprises two constituent elements here, it is not excluded that it can also comprise other constituent elements in certain embodiments that do not depart from the scope of the invention. An example with two constituent elements advantageously depends on a modeling and assembly point of view. Referring indifferently to the figures it can be seen that the package 2 comprises an internal sleeve 21 defining a part of the lower end 211 in continuous contact with the neck 13. A static stagnation contact is formed, since the package 2 is intended for to be fixedly mounted on the reservoir 1. The sleeve 21 defines an internal passageway that is in direct communication with the interior of the reservoir 1, since the sleeve is disposed inside the neck 13. A rod 20 defines an external upper end 201 that it is arranged centrally and axially inside the sleeve 21. The retaining flanges 202 retain the internal parts of the sleeve 21 on the rod 20. The rod 20 preferably has a cylindrical outer part from its upper end 201. The sleeve 21 is provided at its upper end with a crown 22 extending coaxially around the sleeve 21. As can be seen in some figures, and in particular in Figure 2, the crown 22 is provided with several windows 221 that they make the openings in the wall of the crown 22. These windows 221, which here are three, form a guide path. The walls are distributed equiangularly on the periphery of the crown 22. Each window 221 is essentially in the form of an angular tooth with its tip directed downwards. Thus each window 221 defines a first window section 2211 and a second window section 2212. Each section is presented in the form of a groove or ramp essentially rectilinear, but inclined in relation to the horizontal or vertical. Thus each section has a slope 2215, 2216 that has a certain length, a certain profile and a certain degree of inclination. The degrees of inclination of two slopes can be identical, but preferably according to the invention the degrees of inclination of these slopes are different. In effect, the first section 2211 has a degree of slope inclination lower than the second window section 2212. On the other hand each section 2211 and 2212 of window are assembled at a level of a low 2210 point. In contrast, each window section comprises a stop end 2213, 2214 defining the extended end of the window sections. Each stop end 2213 and 2214 are here equidistant from the low point 2210, such that each section of windows has an identical length. Since the slope degrees of the slopes of the window sections are different and their lengths are identical, the stop ends 2213 and 2214 are not already located in the same plane, but on the contrary moved axially. Since the degree of inclination of the slopes of the second section 2212 is greater than that of the first section 2211, the stop end 2214 is then located axially higher than the stop end 2213. This axial displacement of the stop ends of the two window sections can also be obtained with the degrees of inclination of identical slopes, but with slope lengths of different window sections. In fact, by providing a window section 2212 longer than the window section 2211, but with identical degrees of inclination, the stop end 2214 will likewise be displaced axially upward relative to the stop end 2213. Accordingly, the axial displacement of the abutment ends of the windows 221 can be obtained by varying either the degree of inclination of the slopes of the window sections, or the lengths of the slopes of the window sections. It is also possible to think of a combination of different lengths and degrees of inclination. According to the invention, it is not excluded that the stop ends of the windows are placed in the same plane. In any case, the displacement of the extremities is preferred. It can also be noted with reference to Figure 2 that the slopes 2215 and 2216 each form an inequality 2217 and 2218 that breaks the linearity of the slope. These inequalities, notches or projections define the intermediate positions between the low point 2210 and the stop ends 2213 and 2214. The seat 1 forms around the crown 22 a complex configuration which is not regular when carrying the crown. In the event that the seat forms two buttresses 24 interrupted on one side by a lower battlement 25 and on the other hand an esplanade 26. The battlement 25 is located opposite the abutment 24 and the esplanade 26 is also located opposite the abutment 25, has a height lower than that of the battlement 25. It should be noted that the battlement 25 is located diametrically opposite to the concourse 26. The battlement 25 extends at an angle of approximately 10 to 20 °, while the forecourt 26 extends an angular distance greater than 90 °. The seat also forms at the level of its lower outer periphery a locking collar per ratchet 23 intended to cooperate with the Ratcheting groove 11 formed for the tank 1. Thus the seat 2 is fixedly mounted on the tank 1 at the level of the groove 11, and this in such a way as to effect a hermetic coupling of the lower part of the sleeve 21 on the neck 211 13. The rotary actuating element 3 thus appears in the form of a cover having a rotary sealing plate 31 centrally perforated by a dispensing orifice 40. The rod 20 is introduced in a clearly sealed manner into the dispensing orifice shown in FIG. Figures 1, 2 and 3. The esplanade 31 forms on the lower periphery of the dispensing orifice 30 an axial guide tower 36 that extends around the rod. at a certain height. This turret 36 is here constituted by different plates resting on the periphery of the distribution orifice 30 to a scraping ring 362. The turret thus defines several passage spaces 363 between each plate 361. Here it is seen in figure 4, on the the upper end 201 of the rod pointing downwards in relation to plate 31, thus closing the free spaces 363. It can be understood that the spaces 363 form a communication passage between the internal space formed by the sleeve 21 in direct communication with the tank and the outside of the head. Thus the fluid product stored in the tank 1 can drain through the distribution orifice 30 passing through the passage spaces 363, while the rod 20 is removed from the inside of the head. The guide and scraping turret 36 not only allows the rod 20 to be maintained on the axis of rotation of the head, but also makes it possible to clean the rod 20 at each rotation of the actuating element by a scraping effect obtained by the displacement from the rod towards the turret. The ring 362 causes the legs 361 to participate in this scraping action. The plate 31 extends at its outer periphery for a skirt 32 extending downwards. This skirt 32 is arranged concentrically around the crown 22. The skirt 32 thus forms three coils 221 which are engaged within the respective windows 221 formed by the crown 22. In figure 1 a coil is observed for each window. Thus one can imagine how the skirt 32 comprises three coils 321 distributed in an equiangular manner of 120 ° on the periphery of the inner wall of the skirt 32. Thus each coil 321 is coupled in a respective window 221, and this window it has a profile with two identical or different slopes, a rotation of the rotating drive element 3 on the seat 2 has the effect of displacing the coils in the windows in the profile of the slopes. Since the coils 321 are located at the level of the low point 2210 of the windows 221, the rotary drive element 3 is at its lowest level relative to the seat 2. The rod 20 is thus located at its highest level in the guide and scraper turret 36. This corresponds to the closing position of the distribution head shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the upper end 201 of the rod 20 is located in the dispensing orifice 30 in an advantageously hermetic manner. It can also be noted that the upper end 201 is located essentially in the same plane as the plate 31. By rotating the rotating drive element 3 in the seat 2 in the clockwise direction or in the reverse direction of the hands of the clock, the coils move in one of the two window sections formed by the window. The coils now follow the slopes of the guide ways defined by the window sections. In this way, the rotating drive element 3 can be rotated just until the coils rest against the support legs 2213 or 2214 stop as item 3 is turned clockwise or counterclockwise. In both cases, the coil is forced to move axially upwards with the tooth configuration of the windows 2211 with the point oriented downwards. This has the effect of making the plate 31 mount, and making a distribution hole 30, while the rod 20 remains fixed. Visually, the rod 20 is pushed towards the turret 336 so as to release the spaces 363. When the coils rest against the stop ends, the distribution head then has an opening position. Another opening position can also be obtained when the coils are supported against the other ends of the windows. This results in two extreme opening positions corresponding to two positions of collapse of the rod 20 in the turret 36. It can also be said that the stem 20 of the distribution orifice 30 is decoupled. While the stop ends 2213 and 2214 are located in the same horizontal plane, this means that when there is no axial displacement between these stop ends the rod sinks or decouples in the same way with the same amplitude in the two positions of opening. Contrarily when the stop ends 2213 and 2214 are axially displaced in the Preferred embodiment of the invention, the two opening positions correspond to two different coupling or sinking positions of the rod 20 in relation to the dispensing orifice 30. Here it is visible when comparing figures 4 and 5, which represent the distribution head in two different opening positions. It can also be seen that the spaces 363 in FIG. 4 are smaller than in FIG. 5. This is explained by the fact that the rod 20 is inserted deeper into the turret 36 in FIG. 5 than in FIG. 4. In this way, the volume of flow passage of the fluid product through the single distribution orifice 30 is more important in the opening position corresponding to figure 5 than in that of figure 4. Selling the disconnects 2217 and 2218 formed for the slopes 2215 and 2216 define the intermediate stable opening positions corresponding to a fixed intermediate flow passage volume. Thus with a single window, two separate extreme opening positions can be defined for several fixed intermediate opening positions and at least one intermediate fixed closing position. In fact, more closing positions and more than two intermediate opening positions can be provided, or on the contrary a single intermediate position of opening in one of the two slopes. The more or less marked or pronounced collapse of the rod 20 in the turret 36, respectively in the distribution orifice 30, making it possible to vary the flow volume of the fluid flow. On the other hand, the coupling of the coils in the windows constitutes the means of axial displacement and at the same time guarantees a rotation guide. It can also be noted that the rotating drive element 3 forms a sealing lip 33 in rotationally sealing contact in the sleeve 21. This guarantees a perfect dynamic tightness of the dispensing head. On the other hand, the actuating element 3 also forms a driving button 34 which aids in the rotational manipulation of the element 3. This actuating button 34 is located at the level of the plate 26 between the two abutments 24. While the button 34 is supported against the rear abutment, while with respect to figure 4, the dispensing head is in an opening position of a weak passage volume. In contrast, when the actuating button 34 bears against the other abutment 24 normally located in the first plane on FIG. 4, the dispensing head is in an open position. of volume of strong step. According to another interesting feature, the rotating drive element also comprises first-use guarantee means in the form of a tongue 35 made in a monoblock manner with the remaining drive element 3 and is arranged at the level of the battlement 25. The tongue 35 preferably extends over the entire length of the battlement 25 so that it is supported by the two adjacent buttresses 24. In this way the rotary drive element 3 is locked against rotation in the closed position. This is clearly visible on FIG. 2, as well as in FIG. 3. In order to operate the dispensing head, the tab 35 is started. Thanks to the invention, a dispensing head is obtained having two opening positions, identical or different preferences, in each cut of an intermediate or central closing position. The displacement means in the form of the co-operation between the coils and the tooth-shaped windows which can be similar to a rib shape with teeth-like ribs with identical or different inclination slopes and with identical or different lengths.

Claims (10)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. CLAIMS 1. A fluid dispensing head intended to be associated with a fluid product reservoir, the head comprising a fixed seat formed for or intended to be mounted on the reservoir, a rotary actuator mounted rotatably on the seat around an axis of rotation between two extreme stop positions, and a dispensing orifice that can be selectively sealed by rotation of the element in the seat, the dispensing orifice is located on the axis of rotation of the element in the seat, the two end stop positions define two opening positions of the dispensing orifice separated by at least one closing position of the dispensing orifice, characterized in that the head comprises axial displacement means able to move the element axially in relation to the seat as well as its rotation in the seat, axial displacement means comprise when at least a guide path that has two sections connected in an assembly at the level of a low point, the two sections define a slope each and a respective end stop, the two end stops correspond respectively to two opening positions and the low point corresponding to the closing position, the slopes have different inclinations and / or lengths.
2. 2. The distribution head according to claim 1, characterized in that the seat forms at least one axial rotating guide window that extends in a part of the periphery of the seat, the window defines the guide path, the window forms two sections of assembled windows, a first section defines a first slope and the second section defines a second slope different from the first slope, each section defines a stop end, the abutment ends are axially offset, the actuating element comprises at least one serpentine axial rotary guide which engages in the window so that a rotation of the actuating element on the seat has the effect of displacing at least one coil in its respective window, thus displacing the actuating element axially to reach different heights as the The serpentine is at the top in the first or second section.
3. 3. The distribution head according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seat it comprises a crown formed with several axial rotary guide windows spread over the periphery of the crown, the element comprises a skirt extending around the crown and forming in the interior several axial rotary guide coils coupled in the respective windows. The dispensing head according to any of the previous claims, characterized in that it comprises the means of variation of the volume of passage that allow to vary the volume of passage of the runoff of the fluid product through the orifice of distribution of an open position to the other. The dispensing head according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element forms the dispensing orifice and the seat forms a sealing rod engaged in the closed position in the dispensing orifice, and disengages from the opening in the opening. the opening positions differently so that the volumes through the hole are different in the two opening positions. The dispensing head according to claim 5, characterized in that the drive element comprises axial guide means coupled around a rod such that the rod is mounted slidably on the axial guidance means, the guide means extend downward from the periphery of the dispensing orifice, the guide means form several spaces of sizes that vary according to the position of the rod in the axial guide means. The dispensing head according to claim 6, characterized in that the axial guide means comprise several legs that extend towards the lower part from the outer periphery of the dispensing orifice, these legs are joined by a scraping ring coupled slidingly around the rod. The dispensing head according to any of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the seat comprises an internal sleeve in the interior from which the rod extends, the actuating element comprises a cover arranged on the sleeve and forms the distribution orifice, the cap comprises an annular lip in rotationally sealing displacement contact in the sleeve. 9- The distribution head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element comprises a detachable guarantee tab locked by the seat in such a way that the actuating element is locked in rotation in the seat in the position from closing The dispensing head according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two extreme opening positions are separated by at least one intermediate position of fixed opening.