EP1492627B1 - Dispensing head mounted on a mobile hollow actuating shaft - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a dispensing head comprising a joining shaft (20), a dispensing orifice (31), a conduit (123) connecting said joining shaft (20) to the dispensing orifice, and a supporting surface (11). The inventive head also comprises a plug (4) which is disposed at least in part inside said conduit (31) and is resiliently biased in the direction of the dispensing orifice (31) with the aid of spring means (47). Said plug (4) comprises a water-proof elastic supporting contact area (41) within dispensing orifice (31) such that the dispensing orifice (31) is closed in a sealing manner. The plug is movable in an axial direction counter to the spring means such that the contact area is removed from the dispensing orifice, thereby creating a discharge passage for the fluid product. The plug is provided with at least one stop area (440) which is resiliently biased counter to a fixed support area (34).

Description

The present invention relates to a dispensing head intended to be mounted on a mobile hollow actuating rod which serves as the discharge mounted at the outlet of a fluid dispenser member such than a pump or a valve. Indeed, a classic design for a pump or a valve provides a hollow actuating rod by which the product under The pressure is pushed back into the dispensing head. Usually, the head of distribution includes a connection sleeve for engaging on the free open end of the movable actuating rod. In this case, the head also defines a dispensing orifice which is connected to the sleeve of connection by an internal conduit. On the other hand, the dispensing head is provided with a support surface which can be supported by one or several fingers to move the head axially and thereby push the rod actuator hollow in the dispenser member.

The present invention relates more particularly to the type of head of distribution incorporating a shutter, ie a device allowing to close the dispensing orifice. Thus, the fluid product stored inside the head is perfectly isolated from the outside and thus can not be altered by oxidation or drying. By definition, the shutter closes the orifice of distribution at the level where the product is distributed out of the head. We can however, to admit that the shutter is located somewhat further upstream than the inside of the dispensing head without, however, qualifying this shutter device.

Conventionally, this type of shutter is at least partially located inside the duct connecting the dispensing orifice to the sleeve of connection. This shutter is also often elastically stressed by spring means to the dispensing orifice. We understand here that the shutter is an internal shutter located inside the dispensing head, and that the opening of the dispensing orifice is effected by a withdrawal of the shutter at inside the dispensing head.

Document FR-2,654,079 describes a dispensing head incorporating a such shutter. The shutter of this document is housed inside the head of distribution below the support surface on which one presses for operate the dispenser. Shutter includes at one of its ends a needle for selectively coming into sealing support in the dispensing orifice. At its opposite end, the shutter defines means spring in the form of an elastically deformable tongue that takes support against the body of the dispensing head. In addition, means are provided moving the shutter in the form of a cam secured to the surface support. The bearing surface here is elastically deformable so that it is possible to come and drive the cam through the shutter which forms for this purpose a actuating window. So by descending the cam by pressing the bearing surface, the shutter is moved inside the dispensing head in deforming its elastic tongue. This displacement has the effect of dislodging needle of the dispensing orifice and thus clear an outlet passage for the fluid product under pressure.

In the head of distribution of this French document, the displacement of the shutter for disengaging the dispensing orifice is made using a cam as we have just seen. However, other ways of moving the obturator can be provided. For example, the shutter can form a piston slidably housed inside a chamber. So when the product pressurized fluid arrives in this chamber, the piston is pushed back from sliding manner against spring means which has the effect of release the needle from the dispensing orifice. We therefore see that different means of moving the shutter are possible. Even though he the present invention is more particularly concerned with shutters whose needle is resiliently biased by spring means.

Indeed, in dispensing heads with shutters solicited elastically, it is really difficult to control the strength with which spring means press the needle into the dispensing orifice. This strength is of course proportional to the intrinsic stiffness of the spring means but also to their positioning inside the dispensing head. In in addition, friction forces influence the pressure force. A major disadvantage with this type of shutter lies in the fact that the needle is sometimes too strongly supported in the dispensing orifice so that it remains stuck inside. It is no longer possible to use the dispensing head, and therefore the dispensing member (pump or valve). In addition, even when needle does not stay literally stuck in the dispensing orifice, it happens that the shutter remains momentarily jammed, and that it then unstuffs abruptly when one strongly presses on the bearing surface of the head of distribution. This results in a violent or explosive distribution of the product fluid, which is not the desired effect at all. All these disadvantages are good heard related to the lack of control or control of the support force exerted by the spring means at the dispensing orifice.

Therefore, the present invention aims to remedy, or less mitigate, the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art by defining a distribution head in which the resiliently biased shutter presses controlled and constant way at the dispensing orifice so that its actuation is reliable and constant.

In order to achieve these aims, the present invention proposes a head of distribution intended to be mounted on an actuating and pushing rod mobile hollow of a fluid dispenser member, said head comprising a connecting sleeve for engaging said stem mobile, the head defining a dispensing orifice, a conduit connecting said connecting sleeve to the dispensing orifice and a bearing surface on which one can press to move the head axially by pushing the rod hollow in the dispensing member, the head further comprising a shutter housed at least partially in said duct and resiliently biased by spring means to said dispensing orifice, said shutter comprising a zone of contact in resilient sealing engagement in the dispensing orifice of in order to seal it hermetically, said shutter being displaceable axially against the spring means so as to disengage its zone of the dispensing orifice to thereby create an outlet passage for the fluid product when sufficient pressure is exerted on the bearing surface, characterized in that the shutter comprises at least one stop zone biased resiliently by the spring means against a fixed bearing area, the stop zone thus taking up part of the support force generated by the spring means so that the contact zone presses with limited force constant against the dispensing orifice. Thus, a support force is guaranteed constant and limited shutter at the dispensing orifice since the excess of bearing force is taken up by the abutment zone. Advantageously, the abutment area includes flat abutment surfaces located so symmetrical with respect to the axis of displacement of the shutter, the surfaces of abutment bearing on associated flat bearing surfaces.

According to a practical embodiment, the shutter comprises a needle connected to a shoulder, the needle thus defining a free end forming the contact zone intended to selectively close the orifice of distribution, the shoulder defining the range. Advantageously, the needle extends into an outlet section of the conduit including an end input defining the range area and an output end defining the dispensing orifice.

According to another aspect of the invention, the output section is formed with internal guide ribs oriented radially inwards for keep the needle in the axis of movement of the shutter. Not only the needle can not be stuck inside the head, but in addition it is perfectly centered on the dispensing orifice.

Still according to a practical aspect, the dispensing head comprises a body and a dispensing tip sealingly attached to the body, the tip forming the conduit and the dispensing orifice.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the dispensing head further comprises a displacement cam intended to engage with the shutter to move it when sufficient pressure is exerted on the bearing surface, said cam being adapted to engage with a cam amplifier for amplifying the displacement of the shutter. advantageously, the connection sleeve is made integrally with the cam of displacement, the amplification cam being secured to the bearing surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, the spring means are made of monobloc manner with the shutter in the form of an elastically loop deformable. Advantageously, at least one of the dispensing orifice and the contact zone has a frustoconical configuration. Preferably, the contact is cone on cone with cones not necessarily identical so that there is not an extended frustoconical contact, but simply a contact ring at the point where the two truncated cones touch each other. On the other hand, he is advantageous that the contact at the abutment zone is of the plane type against plane, or at least against a plane perpendicular to the axis of displacement of the shutter.

The invention will now be further described with reference to accompanying drawings giving by way of non-limiting examples an embodiment of the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe transversale verticale à travers une tête de distribution selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en section transversale verticale à travers la tête de distribution de la figure 1 au niveau de son orifice de distribution,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale horizontale vue de dessus de la tête de distribution de la figure 1, et
• la figure 4 est une vue semblable à celle de la figure 1 en cours de distribution de produit fluide.

In the figures:

• FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a dispensing head according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view in vertical cross-section through the dispensing head of FIG. 1 at its dispensing orifice;
• FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view seen from above of the dispensing head of FIG. 1, and
• Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 being dispensed fluid.

The dispensing head shown in the figures comprises four constituent elements, namely a body 1, a connection piece 2, a dispensing tip 3 and a shutter 4. These four constituent elements are separate and distinct from each other in this embodiment, but one can very well imagine variant embodiments in which some of these components are made in one piece. One can for example imagine that the dispensing tip and the body are made so piece. One can also imagine that the connecting piece and the body be made in one piece. Conversely, we can also imagine certain constituent elements can be made in two or more parts separated initially and attached or fixed together during assembly. All these constituent elements, namely parts 1 to 4, can be made in molded plastic material. Other materials are not excluded as well than other techniques of realization.

The body 1 comprises a skirt 10 which is generally cylindrical in shape. The body 10 is open at its lower end and closed at its end upper part by a wall defining a bearing surface 11 on which can be press with one or more finger (s). In addition, the skirt 10 defines a lateral opening serving as receiving housing 12 for the mouthpiece distribution 3 as will be seen below. This reception accommodation 12 comprises a front bearing surface 121 and an inner wall 122 defining a snap flange 13. On the other hand, the bearing surface 11 is provided with a transverse flange 14 which extends from its underside towards the bottom. This transverse flange 14 forms an inclined surface serving as a cam amplification 15 as will be seen below. The inclination of the cam amplifier 15 is oriented in the opposite direction to the housing of The support surface 11 also forms at the level where it is located. connects with the skirt 10 a stop housing 110 whose function will be given below. On the other hand, the skirt 10 forms a detent housing 101 for receive the connection piece 2.

The connecting piece 2 comprises a snap ring 21 in socket snapped into the latching housing 101 formed by the skirt 10 of body 1. The connecting piece 2 also includes a sleeve of connection 20 which is disposed inside the ring 21. This sleeve of connection 20 is intended to be mounted in force on the upper end a hollow actuating rod defining an internal discharge channel of fluid product. This actuating rod is an integral part of a body of fluid dispensing (not shown) such as a pump or a valve. The bottom of the connecting sleeve 20 is pierced by a passage 23 which allows a product fluid communication in the upper body just in below the bearing surface 11. On the other hand, the connecting piece 2 forms a displacement cam 24 having a cam surface 241 and a amplification edge 242. The connecting sleeve 20 and the cam of displacement 24 occupy a substantially central position inside the snap ring 21. The assembly formed by the sleeve 20 and the cam 24 is substantially rigid and is connected to the ring 21 by an elastic connection This elastically deformable connection 22 may be made by junction legs or even by a continuous deformable tray that extends all around the sleeve 20 inside the ring 21. Thus, the sleeve 20 and the cam 24 can be moved inside the ring 21, and thus to the inside of the body 1. The displacement of the sleeve and the cam can be effected axially, ie horizontally, but also laterally, it is say radially. In other words, the cam 24 can be moved vertically towards and away from the support surface 11 but also from before back. Therefore, when sufficient pressure is applied on the bearing surface 11, the actuating rod fitted into the sleeve 20 has effect of moving the sleeve 20 and the cam 24 upwards towards the bearing surface 11. This vertical displacement operates perfectly axially until the amplification edge 242 comes into sliding contact or friction against the amplification cam 15 formed by the transverse flange 14. From this moment, the displacement cam 24 is moved laterally all by moving vertically up and to the right when looking at the Figure 1. The amplification cam 15 therefore has the effect of accentuating the displacement of the cam surface 241 of the cam moving 24. We see below what is the advantage of such an amplification of the displacement of the cam 24 in relation to the shutter 4.

The dispensing nozzle 3 is attached by snapping into the housing receiving 12 of the body 1 perfectly tight. The tip of distribution 3 comes into forced support on the front surface 121 and includes a sealing snap-in sleeve 30 snapped into the cylinder This snap-fit sleeve 30 comprises a snap-in profile 33 which protrudes radially inwards so as to engage behind the ratching flange 13 formed inside the housing 12. In this way, it ensures a perfect attachment of the dispensing nozzle 3 on the body 1 and that a perfect seal that is formed both at the level of the rim 13 and level of the front surface 121. The dispensing nozzle 3 defines a section internal conduit 32 which extends from an inner end defined by the annular end 34 of the detent sleeve 30 at another end which forms a dispensing orifice 31. This section of internal conduit 32 also forms radial ribs 35 more visible in FIG. radial ribs 35 serve as guiding means for the shutter 3 as one will see it below. On the other hand, the end 34 of the sleeve 30 serves as a zone or scope surface for the shutter 4 as will be seen below.

The body 1, the connecting piece 2 and the dispensing nozzle 3 form an internal chamber or conduit 123 comprising an inlet 23 and a 31. Section 32 forms part of this conduit 123. The cam displacement 24 as well as the amplification cam 15 are located inside of this conduit 123.

The shutter 4 is here entirely located inside the duct 123. The shutter forms a punch 40 wholly or partially located in the duct section 32, a shoulder 44 connects directly to the needle 40. Then, the shutter forms a drive portion 45 provided with a window 450 and spring means 46, 47. The shutter can advantageously be made in one piece.

The needle 40 is intended to selectively close the dispensing orifice 31 formed by the tip 3. The needle 40 comprises a free end forming a front wall 42 and a contact zone 41 adapted to bear sealing against the dispensing orifice 31 so as to close it hermetically. The needle 40 has a substantially cylindrical section constant having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter passing through edges of the vertical ribs 35, so that the needle 40 is guided axially inside the duct section 32 with a very limited clearance. This ensures a perfect centering of the needle 40 in the conduit section 32 and thus on the orifice 31. At its end opposite to the front wall 42, the needle 40 connects to the shoulder 44 which defines two abutment surfaces 440 adapted to come into contact pressed against the range 34 defined by the tip of distribution 3. Beyond the shoulder 44, the shutter is traversed by the cam moving 24 engaged in the cam window 450. The cam surface 241 is oriented so that a displacement of the cam 24 upwards causes a displacement of the shutter 4 from left to right in FIG. to say in the sense of a depression of the needle 40 inside the tip of distribution 3, which has the effect of breaking the watertight contact with the orifice of distribution 31 and thus create an outlet passage for the fluid product under pressure. In addition, this displacement of the needle inwards is accentuated by the amplification cam 15 which has the effect of moving the cam 24 by away from the dispensing orifice 31. Thus, with a vertical displacement limited cam 24 is obtained a significant displacement of the needle 40 to the inside of the mouthpiece 3. Beyond the cam window 450, the shutter 4 forms spring means, here in the form of a kind of buckle or knee forming a base 46 resting in the housing 110 and two jambs articulated 47 which provide the elastic characteristic. At rest state represented in Figures 1 and 3, the elastic legs 47 are prestressed so that the needle 40 presses at its contact zone 41 against the orifice of distribution 31 taking reaction support at the base 46. However, since the shoulder 44 also abuts against the span 34, the pressure force exerted by the spring means are not fully at point 40. Scope 34 thus incorporates part of the pressure force exerted by the spring means, which makes it possible to limit and stabilize the bearing force at the dispensing orifice 31. Given that the dispensing orifice 31 and the contact zone 41 have a slightly frustoconical configuration to improve the seal, there would be risks of jamming of the needle 40 in the dispensing orifice in the event that there would be no resumption of the pressure force at the range 34. The area or abutment surface 440 and the area or bearing surface 34 are substantially flat and perpendicular to the direction of travel of the shutter 4, thereby avoiding any risk of jamming or seizure. The Scope 34 offers straightforward support that modulates and stabilizes the force pressing the needle 40 at the dispensing orifice 31.

The operation of this dispensing head will now be described. In from the rest position shown in Figure 1, we see that the needle 40 is engaged sealingly in the dispensing orifice 31. By pressing on the bearing surface 11, the actuating rod engaged in the sleeve to connection 20 has the effect of moving the cam 24 upwards towards the bearing surface 11. The displacement cam 24 then fulfills its function of displacement in association with the amplification cam 15 and thus displaces the needle 40 towards the inside of the head, as seen in FIG. distribution 31 is then cleared and an output passage is then created for the pressurized fluid product that will be forced back by the actuating rod through the conduit 123 to the level of the dispensing orifice 31. The relaxation of the pressure on the bearing surface 11 allows the cam 24 and the sleeve 20 to return to their initial rest position as shown in Figure 1. The needle then resumes its rest position in sealed support in the orifice of 31. The return of the needle to this position is ensured by the spring means 47.

In the exemplary embodiment used to illustrate the present invention, the shutter is moved using a cam system. We can very well imagine other ways of moving the shutter, such as the pressure of the fluid product inside the conduit 123. The shutter can then be formed with a piston sliding tightly inside a sliding cylinder. One of the interesting features of the invention resides in the fact that the pressure force exerted by the spring means is not fully exerted at the dispensing orifice.

Claims (9)

1. A dispenser head designed to be mounted on a movable hollow actuator and delivery rod of a fluid dispenser member, said head comprising a connection sleeve (20) designed to be engaged on said movable rod, the head defining a dispenser orifice (31), a duct (123) connecting said connection sleeve (20) to the dispenser orifice, and a press surface (11) which can be pressed in order to move the head axially by pushing the hollow rod into the dispenser member, the head further comprising a shutter (4) that is housed, at least in part, in said duct (123), and that is resiliently biased by spring means (47) towards said dispenser orifice (31), said shutter (4) including a contact zone (41) that bears in resilient leaktight manner against the dispenser orifice (31) so as to seal it hermetically, said shutter being axially movable against the spring means in such a manner as to withdraw its contact zone from the dispenser orifice, thereby creating an outlet passage for the fluid when sufficient pressure is exerted on the press surface, the shutter including at least one abutment zone (440) that is resiliently biased by the spring means against a fixed support zone (34), the abutment zone thus taking up a portion of the thrust force generated by the spring means so that the contact zone bears with a constant limited force against the dispenser orifice, the dispenser head being characterized in that at least one of the dispenser orifice (31) and the contact zone (41) presents a frustoconical configuration.
2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, in which the abutment zone includes plane abutment surfaces (440) that are situated in symmetrical manner about the travel axis of the shutter, the abutment surfaces (440) coming to bear on associated plane support surfaces (34).
3. A dispenser head according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the shutter (4) comprises a plunger pin (40) connected to a shoulder (44), the plunger pin thus defining a free end forming the contact zone (41) designed to close the dispenser orifice (31) selectively, the shoulder (44) defining the support zone (34).
4. A dispenser head according to claim 3, in which the plunger pin (40) extends into an outlet section (32) of the duct that includes an inlet end defining the support zone (34) and an outlet end defining the dispenser orifice (31).
5. A dispenser head according to claim 3, in which the outlet section (32) is formed with guide splines (35) that project radially inwards so as to hold the plunger pin (40) on the travel axis of the shutter.
6. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, comprising a body (1), and a dispenser endpiece (3) connected in sealed manner on the body, the endpiece (3) forming the duct (32) and the dispenser orifice (31).
7. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, further comprising a displacement cam (24) designed to come into engagement with the shutter so as to move it when sufficient pressure is exerted on the press surface, said cam being designed to come into engagement with an amplification cam (15) so as to amplify the movement of the shutter.
8. A dispenser head according to claim 7, in which the connection sleeve (20) is made integrally as a single piece with the displacement cam (24), the amplification cam being secured to the press surface (11).
9. A dispenser head according to any preceding claim, in which the spring means (47) are made integrally as a single piece with the shutter (4) in the form of an elastically deformable loop (46, 47).

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