EP1642846B1 - Assembly for simultaneously dispensing of two materials - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the distribution of two products to be mixed extemporaneously, and more particularly but not exclusively, two hair coloring products.

Numerous devices are known for the extemporaneous mixing of two products stored separately.

Thus, it is known from the French patent application FR-A-2,732,245 a dispensing assembly comprising a body and a push-button movable relative to this body to cause the simultaneous and separate dispensing of two products from two containers in which these products are stored separately, each container being provided with a valve comprising a hollow actuating rod whose depression causes the product to be dispensed.

A difficulty with some known dispensing assemblies arises from the fact that the actuating rods may have upper ends that are not located exactly at the same level given the manufacturing tolerances, which entails a risk of non-simultaneous distribution of the products.

Other distribution packages have been proposed, but not entirely satisfactory.

By way of example, mention may be made of the patent US 3,236,457 , European patent applications EP-A-0 313 414 , EP-A-0 427 609 or EP-A 0 243 667 , the British patent GB 1,163,978 or French patent applications FR-A-2,598,392 and FR-A-1,413,164 .

The patent application FR 2815616 also discloses a dispensing assembly of this type in which the actuating rods are depressed in response to the operation of a single actuating element. However, a an actuating element having a lever arm is required to drive the two actuating rods without much difficulty.

There is a need for a dispensing assembly that can dispense the same amount of product from each container.

There is also a need to have a distribution set that can easily be operated.

There is also a need to have a set that limits the accidental distribution of products.

There is also a need to have an assembly that minimizes the oxidation of the products to be dispensed.

• au moins deux récipients contenant chacun un produit, chaque récipient étant pourvu d'une valve comportant une tige d'actionnement ;
• un dispositif de distribution surmontant les récipients et comportant :
  • un embout de distribution muni d'au moins un orifice de distribution ;
  • un élément d'actionnement mobile pour provoquer la distribution simultanée des deux produits à l'état mélangé ou séparé ;
  • un organe intermédiaire, distinct de l'élément d'actionnement, comprenant deux jupes aptes à s'engager respectivement sur les deux tiges d'actionnement des récipients et au moins un canal intérieur permettant l'écoulement des produits vers l'embout de distribution ;
  l'élément d'actionnement et l'organe intermédiaire étant agencés pour coopérer lors de la manoeuvre de l'élément d'actionnement de manière à permettre le passage des produits provenant des récipients vers l'embout de distribution, via le canal intérieur. Les tiges d'actionnement peuvent être actionnables par basculement et l'élément d'actionnement peut être configuré pour faire basculer l'organe intermédiaire de manière à faire basculer les tiges d'actionnement.

The subject of the invention is a distribution assembly comprising:

• at least two containers each containing a product, each container being provided with a valve comprising an actuating rod;
• a dispensing device surmounting the containers and comprising:
  • a dispensing nozzle provided with at least one dispensing orifice;
  • a movable actuating element for causing the simultaneous dispensing of the two products in the mixed or separated state;
  • an intermediate member, separate from the actuating element, comprising two skirts adapted to engage respectively on the two actuating rods of the containers and at least one inner channel for the flow of products to the dispensing tip;
  the actuating element and the intermediate member being arranged to cooperate during the operation of the actuating element so as to allow the passage of the products from the containers to the dispensing nozzle, via the inner channel. The actuating rods can be actuated by tilting and the actuating element can be configured to tilt the intermediate member so as to tilt the actuating rods.

The actuating rods can be actuated by tilting, they require a low support force to be actuated which allows comfort in use. The product can indeed come out of the actuating rods at the slightest tilting thereof

The actuating element comprises at least two tabs, preferably rigid, able to bear on the intermediate member in at least two support zones spaced apart from each other to tilt the intermediate member. By using two separate support zones, it is more easily possible to ensure simultaneous actuation of the two actuating rods of the two receptacles. It is thus possible to dispense the same amount of product from each container.

The distance between one of the support zones and one of the skirts may be substantially identical to the distance between the other support zone and the other skirt. It is still guaranteed the simultaneous actuation of the two actuating rods. Preferably, support zones are used which are in the axis of the actuating rods.

Each leg may comprise an inclined edge intended to bear on the intermediate member.

The dispensing nozzle and the intermediate element may be arranged in such a way that the tilting of the intermediate element causes the dispensing nozzle to tilt during the operation of the actuating element.

The intermediate member may comprise an outlet duct through which the products come out in the separated or mixed state, the dispensing nozzle may comprise a mouthpiece adapted to receive this outlet duct.

The intermediate member may be arranged to channel the products separately to the dispensing nozzle or alternatively to allow mixing products before they win the distribution tip.

The dispensing nozzle may be arranged to channel products separately to its free end which defines two dispensing orifices.

The dispensing device may comprise an assembly collar adapted to snap on collars formed on the containers.

The dispensing tip can be connected by a flexible band to a mounting skirt which can be adapted to snap onto the assembly collar.

The dispensing device may comprise a cover intended to protect the dispensing nozzle.

The free end of the nozzle may be adapted to move away from the hood during the operation of the actuating element.

The cover may comprise a flap adapted to close the free end of the dispensing nozzle. The shutter may further be configured to, when closed, prevent movement of the actuating element sufficient to cause dispensing of the products. For this purpose, the flap may comprise a projecting element adapted to be housed in the duct of the dispensing nozzle so as to limit, or prevent, movement of the nozzle relative to the hood.

The assembly collar may comprise tubular skirts defining housing for receiving the containers.

The containers may contain products to be mixed extemporaneously.

The containers may contain cosmetic products, especially coloring products.

The products can be in the form of foam or cream.

The containers can be pressurized.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un ensemble de distribution équipé d'un dispositif de distribution conforme à un premier exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une vue éclatée de l'ensemble illustré à la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle selon le trait III-III de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une coupe partielle du dispositif selon l'invention en cours d'actionnement ;
• la figure 5 représente en coupe l'ensemble de distribution de la figure 1 dans un plan contenant les axes des tiges d'actionnement, le capot n'étant pas représenté ;
• la figure 6 représente une vue en perspective de l'embout de distribution et de l'organe intermédiaire ;
• la figure 7 représente une vue en perspective du capot et de l'élément d'actionnement ;
• la figure 8 représente une variante de réalisation de l'embout du dispositif de distribution ; et
• la figure 9 représente une coupe selon le trait IX-IX de la figure 4.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a distribution assembly equipped with a distribution device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 represents an exploded view of the assembly illustrated in figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a partial section along line III-III of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a partial section of the device according to the invention being actuated;
• the figure 5 represents in section the distribution set of the figure 1 in a plane containing the axes of the actuating rods, the hood not being shown;
• the figure 6 represents a perspective view of the dispensing tip and the intermediate member;
• the figure 7 represents a perspective view of the cover and the actuating element;
• the figure 8 represents an alternative embodiment of the tip of the dispensing device; and
• the figure 9 represents a section along line IX-IX of the figure 4 .

We have shown on the figure 1 a dispensing assembly 10 comprising a dispensing device 20 mounted on two containers 30 containing products to be mixed extemporaneously.

As we see more particularly on the figure 2 , the dispensing device 20 comprises an assembly collar 40 for securing the two containers 30, an actuating element 50, a dispensing nozzle 60 and an intermediate member 70 whose role will be specified below. Each of these constituent elements of the dispensing device can be made by molding, in particular of thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.

Each container 30 is in the described embodiment of the pressurized aerosol type and comprises a valve provided with an actuating rod 31, as can be seen on the figure 2 . The valve is held by crimping on a flange 32 of the container.

The actuating rod 31 is hollow and the product distribution is effected, when the actuating rod is tilted, therethrough.

The assembly collar 40 is provided to hold the two containers together, in particular during the feeding of the various parts on the assembly line.

The assembly collar 40 has a flat wall 41 traversed by two circular openings 42 provided for receiving each the upper end of one of the containers 30.

The plane wall 41 is surrounded at its periphery by a cladding wall 43 which extends on either side of this flat wall 41 perpendicularly. The covering wall 43 comprises two straight portions 43a and parallel to each other which connect by two arcuate portions 43b. Each of the two arcuate portions 43b is extended, under the flat wall 41, by a complementary arcuate portion so as to form two tubular skirts 44. Each tubular skirt 44 has a circular cross section and surrounds one of the circular openings 42. Each tubular skirt 44 has, on its radially inner surface, an annular bead 45, visible on the figure 5 , able to snap under the flange 32 of the corresponding container so as to fix the collar on each container. Each tubular skirt 44 ends with a beveled end 44a to facilitate its mounting on the containers.

A bead 46 is provided on the inner surface of the portion of the covering wall 43 located above the flat wall 41 to allow attachment of the dispensing tip 60.

A radial recess 47 is formed on the radially outer surface of the cladding wall 43 whose function will be explained later.

To distribute the product in a relatively precise manner, the device 20 comprises a dispensing nozzle 60 which, once the device is mounted on the containers, allows an outlet of the product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the containers, by two dispensing orifices 62a and 62b.

The dispensing nozzle 60 is of elongated shape and extends along a main axis that is inclined upwardly of the device when it is in place on the containers and that the actuating element is at rest, as it is sees on the figure 3 . The tip has a cross section relative to its main axis of rectangular shape which expands to its free end which defines the dispensing orifices, so that the tip flares towards the dispensing orifices.

The dispensing nozzle 60 is arranged to channel the products separately to its free end. For this purpose, the tip 60 comprises a partition 61 which defines two ducts 61a and 61b opening through the two distribution orifices 62a and 62b so as to allow the distribution of the two products separately. The two orifices 62a and 62b are of square shape.

Opposite the orifices, the tip 60 is extended by a mouth 63 extending parallel to the main axis of the valve stems. The mouth 63 has a cross section at its main circular axis. The mouth 63 is also delimited in two compartments on its upper part by the partition 61 which extends to the upper part of the mouth 63.

The mouth 63 is provided to be fitted on an outlet duct of the intermediate element, which, as will be seen in detail later, is an intermediate piece for communicating the tip 60 with the containers.

The dispensing nozzle 60 is held on the assembly collar by a mounting skirt 90 intended to be inserted into the upper part of the cladding wall 43 of the assembly collar, inside the assembly collar. this. The mounting skirt 90 has a bead 91 on its outer surface intended to cooperate with the bead 46 provided on the casing wall 36 of the assembly collar.

Like the cladding wall 43, the mounting skirt 90 comprises two parallel straight walls which are interconnected by two arcuate portions. One of the two straight walls is shifted outwardly of the skirt and extends above the rest of the skirt by a front wall 92 which, as will be seen later, extends an outer cover. In particular, the lower portion 92a of the front wall 92 is provided to slide on the outside of the cladding wall 43 of the assembly collar, in contrast to the rest of the mounting skirt 90.

This front wall 92 has, on its upper part, a notch 92b which allows the passage of the dispensing nozzle 60.

The mounting skirt 90 also comprises a radial recess 93, its upper part being set back from its lower part. The upper part of the mounting skirt 90 is extended radially inwardly by a wall 94 transverse to the skirt. This wall 94 has slots 95 whose function will be explained later.

The dispensing tip 60 is connected to the mounting skirt 90 by an S-shaped flexible band 96 extending between the mounting skirt 90 and the mouth 63, opposite the dispensing orifices. This flexible band 96 allows movement of the tip 60 relative to the mounting skirt 90.

To avoid the sloshing of the dispensing nozzle 60 during its assembly on the containers, it is advantageously provided a tab 97 which connects the tip 60 to the front wall 92, just below the tip. Tab 97 must be rigid enough to prevent movement too much important tip of the nozzle relative to the mounting skirt 90 but flexible enough to allow tilting of the tip during the operation of the actuating element. The tongue can indeed bend, as seen in the figure 4 , to allow the tip 60 to tilt forward.

Instead of using a tongue 97 to prevent sloshing of the tip 60 during its assembly, one can alternatively provide two pins 197 on either side of the tip 60, each pin 197 connecting the tip 60 to the front wall 92 as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 . These pins are sufficient to maintain the tip in a fixed position relative to the mounting skirt 90, but are able to break at the first actuation of the actuating element to allow tilting of the tip relative to the front wall 92.

At each rounded end of the mounting skirt 90, inside the skirt, abutment walls are provided to facilitate positioning of the intermediate member 70 relative to the dispensing tip. In particular, a stop 98 is provided at each rounded end and two other walls 99, perpendicular to these first stops 90, are also provided near each rounded end of the mounting skirt.

To allow the flow of the product from each container to the dispensing nozzle, an intermediate member 70 is used for communicating the actuating rods 31 of the containers 30 with the dispensing nozzle 60.

The intermediate member 70 comprises, as can be seen more particularly on the Figures 5 and 6 , a tubular portion 71 elongated along an axis Y, open at both ends, two skirts 72a and 72b of axis W perpendicular to the axis Y, each skirt communicating with the interior of the elongated portion 71, and a conduit of output 73 of main axis Z perpendicular to the Y axis, located in a median plane equidistant from the skirts 72a and 72b.

A partition 74 separates the outlet duct 73 into two compartments and extends into the tubular portion 71 to separate it in two so as to forming two inner channels 75a and 75b allowing the separate flow of the two products.

Each skirt 72a and 72b has a first portion 76a of its inner surface which is conical so as to facilitate its fitting on the actuating rod 31 of the corresponding container. The first portion 76a is connected by a straight portion in which the actuating rod 31 can fit sealingly to a shoulder 76b against which the upper end 31a of the actuating rod can bear.

The elongated tubular portion 71 of the intermediate member 70 is closed at its ends by means of a nozzle 77 whose outlet orifice is plugged, as can be seen on the figure 5 . Of course, any other plug could be used to close these ends.

The intermediate member 70 has, on the same side as the skirts 72a and 72b, a central stiffening rib 78, the ends of which are spaced apart from the skirts 72a and 72b and two longitudinal ribs 79 each extending over the entire length of the barrel. intermediate member 70.

When the intermediate member 70 is in place in the device, the skirts 72a and 72b are positioned in the center of the respective mounting skirts 44 of the assembly collar.

To protect the dispensing nozzle 60, an outer cover 80 caps the dispensing nozzle and the intermediate element.

The cover 80 comprises a shell 81 whose lower part surrounds the upper portion of the dressing skirt 43 of the assembly collar and whose edge 81 has abuts against the radial recess 47 of the collar dressing skirt. .

The shell 81 is open in its upper part so as to accommodate the actuating element 50.

The shell 81 is also open on its front part to allow the outlet openings of the product 62a and 62b to open, this open portion being partly closed by the end wall 92 provided on the mounting skirt 90 of the nozzle. Only an opening corresponding to the free end of the dispensing nozzle is provided.

Above the front opening, the hood ends with an advance 82 which comes to follow the shape of the free end of the dispensing nozzle 50 when the actuating element is at rest.

A flap 83 is provided above this advanced 92 to be able to close the dispensing orifices 62a and 62b and prevent impurities from entering the dispensing nozzle. The flap 83 is hinged to the hood by a film hinge 83a, in particular a spring hinge.

Advantageously, the flap 83 comprises, on its face which faces the dispensing orifices in the closed position, two projecting elements 84 of square shape. These projecting elements 84 are housed in the end of the ducts 61a and 61b of the dispensing nozzle, so that in the closed position of the flap 83, the projecting elements 84 prevent the dispensing nozzle from becoming move relative to the flap and therefore also relative to the rest of the hood. The flap 83 thus prevents the displacement of the intermediate member 70 and therefore that of the actuating element 50. This prevents accidental actuation of the actuating element which could cause the products to be dispensed.

To allow the attachment of the cover 80 to the rest of the device vertical ribs 85 visible in part to the figure 7 , are provided on the inner surface of the hull. The ribs 85 have an end 85a which is housed in each of the slots 95 of the mounting skirt of the dispensing nozzle.

The cover is made in one piece with the actuating element 50, as can be seen on the figure 1 or 2 . In particular, the actuating element 50 is connected to the hood by two film hinges 51 which allow the actuating element to tilt about an axis P. The actuating element 50 has a bearing surface 52 on which the user can press to make pivoting the actuating element 50 around the axis P.

As we see more particularly on Figures 7 and 9 , the actuating element 50 comprises, on its inner side two rigid tabs 53 spaced apart from each other and intended to bear against the elongated tubular portion 71 of the intermediate member 70 in two bearing zones 170a and 170b. The forces are thus distributed in a balanced manner on the intermediate member. Each lug 53 has an inclined edge 53a which is intended to be applied to each bearing zone of the intermediate member.

As we see in figure 9 the bearing zone 170a is located at a distance from the skirt 72a of the intermediate member substantially identical to the distance between the bearing zone 170b and the skirt 72b.

Thus, when driving the actuating element, the intermediate member is biased in two spaced zones which are each at the same distance from each actuating rod. It is thus more likely to switch identically each actuating rod that when using a single bearing zone located substantially in the center of the elongated portion of the intermediate member.

According to a variant not illustrated, it can be provided that the two rigid tabs 53 are located such that they abut on the actuating member substantially in the axis of the skirts 72a and 72b.

Alternatively also, it can be provided that the actuating element has more than two tabs, for example four, six or more.

Advantageously, tamper pins, not visible in the figures, connect the actuating element 50 to the hood 80, on each side of the element actuation before a first use of the device. These pins break at the first actuation of the actuating element.

To set up the dispensing device on the containers 30, the assembly collar is placed on the contiguous containers 30 until the assembly collar 40 is snapped onto the collars 32 of the containers 30.

In parallel, the dispensing nozzle 60 and the intermediate element are assembled by engaging the mouthpiece 63 of the nozzle 60 on the outlet duct 73 of the intermediate element. The mounting skirt 90 of the dispensing nozzle is then fixed in the assembly collar 40 and the assembly is then capped with the cover 80.

To cause dispensing, the user presses on the bearing surface 52 of the actuating element 50 in the direction of the arrow F of the figure 4 . The actuating element 50 tilts the intermediate element 70 forwards, which has the effect of also tilting the valve rods 31. The forces being distributed in a balanced manner on the intermediate member, the two rods Valves 31 are pivoted identically so that the same amount of product can leave the inner channel of each valve stem, circulate inside the intermediate element and reach the dispensing tip until it reaches each outlet port. Thanks to the presence of the flexible band 96, the dispensing tip 60 tilts at the same time forward, its free end away from the hood 80 and also the flap. This avoids depositing product on the hood and in particular on the flap.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter. In particular, the intermediate element 70 and the dispensing nozzle 60 may have no partition so that the two products are mixed before arriving at the dispensing orifice. The products delivered by the latter are mixed inside the elongated tubular part of the element intermediate when arriving at the foot of the exit pipe. The mixture then reaches the dispensing tip to be distributed on the hair, for example.

Claims (20)

1. Dispensing assembly (10) having:

   - at least two containers (30), each containing a product, each container being provided with a valve having an actuating rod (31);

   - a dispensing device (20) mounted on the containers and having:

   - a dispensing end piece (60) provided with at least one dispensing orifice (62a; 62b);

   - a mobile actuating element (50) for simultaneously dispensing the two products in the mixed or separated state;

   - an intermediate member (70), distinct from the actuating element, comprising two skirts (72a) and (72b) that are able to fit respectively over the two actuating rods (31) of the containers and at least one internal duct (75a; 75b) that allows the products to flow towards the dispensing end piece;
   the actuating element (50) and the intermediate member (70) being designed to cooperate during the operation of the actuating element so as to allow the products coming from the containers to pass towards the dispensing end piece, via the internal duct;
   the actuating rods being able to be actuated by tilting and the actuating element being designed to tilt the intermediate member (70) so as to tilt the actuating rods;
   the assembly being characterized in that the actuating element (50) has at least two tabs (53), in particular two rigid tabs, that are able to come into abutment against the intermediate member (70) in at least two abutment zones (170a) and (170b) that are spaced apart from one another, in order to tilt the intermediate member (70).
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the distance between one of the abutment zones (170a) and one of the skirts (72a) is substantially identical to the distance between the other abutment zone (170b) and the other skirt (72b).
3. Assembly according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the tab (53) has an inclined edge (53a) that is intended to come into abutment against the intermediate member (70).
4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing end piece (60) and the intermediate element (70) are designed such that the tilting of the intermediate element causes the tilting of the dispensing end piece during the operation of the actuating element (50).
5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate member (70) has an outlet duct (73) through which the products emerge in the separated or mixed state, and in that the dispensing end piece (60) has a mouth (63) that is able to receive this outlet duct.
6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the intermediate member (70) is designed to channel the products separately to the dispensing end piece.
7. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the intermediate member (70) is designed to allow the products to be mixed before the latter reach the dispensing end piece.
8. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the dispensing end piece (60) is designed to channel the products separately to its free end, which delimits two dispensing orifices (62a) and (62b).
9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing end piece (60) is connected to a mounting skirt (90) by a flexible strip (96).
10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an assembly collar (40) that is able to be snap-fastened onto flanges (32) formed on the containers.
11. Assembly according to Claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the mounting skirt (90) of the dispensing end piece (60) is able to be snap-fastened onto the assembly collar (40).
12. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a cap (80) intended to protect the dispensing end piece (60).
13. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the free end of the end piece (60) is able to move away from the cap (80) during the operation of the actuating element.
14. Assembly according to either of Claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the cap (80) has a flap (83) that is able to close the free end of the dispensing end piece.
15. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flap (83) is designed, when it is closed, to prevent the actuating element (50) from moving sufficiently to cause the products to be dispensed.
16. Assembly according to either of Claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the flap (83) has a projecting element (84) that is able to be housed in the duct of the dispensing end piece so as to limit, or even prevent, the end piece (60) from moving with respect to the cap (80).
17. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly collar (40) has tubular skirts (43) defining housings that are intended to receive the containers.
18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (30) contain products to be mixed extemporaneously.
19. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (30) are pressurized.
20. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the containers (30) contain cosmetic products, in particular dyeing products.

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