FR2998458A1 - Stopping and application unit for use in fluid product distributer, has end applicator moved from inserted initial position towards partially extracted position, and passage presenting larger bypass section in initial position - Google Patents

Abstract

Closing and application member intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir (R), the closure and application member comprising: - a mounting base (1) intended to be fixedly mounted in a reservoir neck (C), - an applicator plug (2) removably mounted on the mounting base (1), the applicator plug (2) comprising a gripping appendix (21) and an applicator tip (24) adapted to retain fluid product, characterized in that the mounting base (1) defines a receiving chamber (10) for the applicator tip (24), said receiving chamber (10) comprising an insertion / extraction opening (16) for the applicator tip (24) and a fluid fluid loading passage (15) for communicating with the fluid reservoir (R), the applicator tip (24) being movable in the receiving chamber (10) to through the insertion / extraction opening (16) from an inserted initial position wherein the applicator tip (24) is inserted at most in the receiving chamber (10) to an at least partially extracted position in which the applicator tip (24) is partially or completely extracted from the receiving chamber (10) , the loading passage (15) having a larger passage section inserted in the initial position than at least partially extracted position.

Description

The present invention relates to a closure member and application intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir, the closure member and application comprising a mounting base to be fixedly mounted in a tank neck, a plug applicator removably mounted on the base, the cap comprising a gripping appendix and an applicator tip adapted to retain fluid, for example by capillarity. Such a closure member and application can in particular be used in the field of perfumery and cosmetics to form a dispenser in the form of fluid sample. The closure member and application may be associated with a small bottle, and the user uses the cap both to seal the bottle and to apply the fluid on an application surface such as the skin. In the prior art, it is already known from FR-2 869 023 which describes a closure member and application of this type. The member comprises a fixing base intended to be mounted in a fixed and sealed manner on the opening of a reservoir and a closure member which serves both to seal the mounting base and the fluid applicator. . The closure member comprises an elongated tigel which extends inside the reservoir and which serves applicator tip. The amount of product that is collected by the applicator tigelle greatly depends on its configuration and its length and also the level of fluid present in the reservoir. There is absolutely no dosage form at the pellet level. On the other hand, when the shutter member is removed from the mounting base, nothing is provided to prevent accidental loss of fluid by reversing for example the tank. On the other hand, the replacement of the closure member on the base does not offer great stability and tightness. The object of the present invention is to propose a closure and application member of another type in which the attachment base cooperates more actively with the applicator plug, while ensuring a more controlled dosage of the sample taken and a safety against the accidental loss of fluid product by overturning the tank. To achieve these objects, the present invention proposes that the mounting base defines a receiving chamber for the applicator tip, this receiving chamber comprising an insertion / extraction opening for the applicator tip and a product loading passage. fluid for communicating with the reservoir, the applicator tip being movable in the receiving chamber through the insertion / extraction opening from an inserted initial position in which the applicator tip is inserted into the chamber as far as possible receiving means to a position at least partially extracted in which the applicator tip is partially or completely extracted from the receiving chamber, the loading passage having a larger passage section inserted in the initial position than at least partially extracted position. Thus, the applicator tip does not dive directly into the reservoir but into an intermediate receiving chamber formed by the base which communicates directly with the rest of the reservoir through the variable section loading passage. When the applicator tip is in place in the receiving chamber, the loading passage is wide open, and when removed slightly or completely, the loading passage closes, further isolating the reservoir from the receiving chamber. The variable section loading passage somewhat fulfills a valve function, since it allows the passage of fluid product when the applicator tip is in place in the receiving chamber, and prevents accidental leakage of fluid product forming a sort of barrier between the tank and the outside. It is not excluded in the present invention to provide a loading passage which has a zero section in position at least partially extracted. On the other hand, since the receiving chamber surrounds the applicator tip, it also forms a dosing chamber capable of holding a quantity of fluid determined, so that the applicator tip is always loaded with the same amount of fluid. fluid product.

Advantageously, the receiving chamber is elastically deformable between a constrained state in inserted initial position and a state of rest in position at least partially extracted. The elastic deformation of the receiving chamber is used here to vary the section of the loading passage that communicates the interior of the receiving chamber with the reservoir. In its state of rest, the receiving chamber may have a zero or virtually zero load passage section. Conversely, in its constrained state, the receiving chamber has a large load passage section.

According to a practical embodiment, the receiving chamber comprises a plurality of tabs which are movable radially, the tabs being separated by slots whose width varies with the radial displacement of the tabs. The spaces defined between the legs correspond to the section of the loading passage. The more the legs are apart and the larger the passage section. When the legs are at rest, they can even be contiguous, so that the load passage has a reduced section, or zero. Advantageously, each tab comprises a curved portion radially inwardly, so that the free ends of the tabs converge towards a central zone of the loading passage, this central zone varying in size with the radial displacement of the tabs. This central zone may even have a virtually zero or even zero section. The receiving chamber is then in the form of a crucible whose upper edge defines the insertion / extraction opening and whose bottom is open to define the variable section loading passage. According to one embodiment, the tabs are deformable or movable only at their bent parts. Alternatively, the tabs are hingedly connected to the rest of the mounting base. The legs can even be rigid in this case, and move only at their junction with the rest of the base.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the applicator tip comprises a peripheral lower edge which comes into push contact with the curved portions of the tabs. Advantageously, the loading passage has a minimum passage section as soon as the peripheral lower edge is out of contact with the curved parts. Alternatively, the loading passage has a minimum passage section when the peripheral lower edge is out of contact with the tabs. Thus, the applicator tip deforms or moves the legs of the receiving chamber in any manner, whether by radial displacement without deformation or radial deformation, and at any level, whether directly from the contact with the legs, or only when the applicator tip comes into contact with the curved parts of the legs. The tabs may be rigid, or otherwise flexible over at least a part of their length, for example at their bent parts. To increase or guarantee over time the elastic deformation memory of the receiving chamber, it can be provided that the receiving chamber is provided with a peripheral element which contributes to the radial elasticity of the receiving chamber. This resilient peripheral element can be very simply in the form of an elastic ring or even rigid. According to another advantageous aspect of the invention, the applicator tip comprises at least one retaining channel having a loading opening in communication with the loading passage and a venting orifice. The vent port allows for quick and complete filling of the containment channel, since the air initially contained in it can be vented to the outside. Advantageously, the applicator tip comprises several parallel retaining channels having a common vent orifice. The characteristics of the retaining channel can be implemented independently of the characteristics related to the receiving chamber, so that independent protection of these characteristics can be sought.

It is a principle of the present invention to use the mounting base to form a receiving chamber for the applicator tip of the applicator plug. Another principle of the invention is to vary the section of the passage which communicates this chamber with the reservoir, in order to define a reproducible fluid dose and a function of leakage valve. The receiving chamber may be formed with rigid or flexible moving tabs, or alternatively in the form of a flexible membrane having self-sealing slots which are closed in the idle state and open when the membrane is constrained by applicator tip. The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example an embodiment of the invention. In the figures: FIGS. 1 and 2 are views in vertical cross-section through a fluid dispenser equipped with a closure and application member according to the invention, respectively in the inserted initial position and in the partially extracted position, FIGS. 3 and 4 are greatly enlarged views of the closure and application member of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively; FIG. 5 is an even more greatly enlarged view of the applicator plug of the preceding figures; FIG. horizontal sectional view along the sectional line AA of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a very greatly enlarged view of the mounting base of the preceding figures, with an alternative embodiment, and FIGS. 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d and 8e are perspective views of the closure member and application of Figures 1 to 4 according to various angles of view. Reference will firstly be made to FIGS. 1 and 2 to describe in a global manner a fluid product dispenser integrating a closure and application member according to a non-limiting embodiment of the invention.

The closure member and application of the present invention is more particularly suitable for low-viscosity fluid product, without completely excluding the products still having a certain viscosity. The dispenser comprises a reservoir R for containing fluid, such as perfume, lotion, serum, etc. The tank R comprises a bottom at one end and a neck C at the opposite end. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the reservoir is in the form of a small bottle of reduced capacity which may for example be made with drawn glass. However, other types of tanks can be used in the context of the present invention, since the tank is not a critical element for the invention. The closure member and application of the invention comprises two essential components, namely a mounting base 1 intended to cooperate with the neck C of the tank R and an applicator cap 2 which is removably mounted on the mounting base 1. The base 1 and the cap 2 can be made by injection molding of suitable plastic material.

The mounting base 1 is advantageously made in one piece, and comprises a fixing sleeve 11 intended to engage tightly and tightly inside the neck C of the tank R, a projecting flange 12 intended to abut on the free annular end of the neck C, a screw-in or detent ring 13 which protrudes upwards from the flange 12 and a reception chamber 10 which is defined by tabs 14 which extend inside. The lugs 14 are connected at their upper ends to the remainder of the attachment base, or more precisely to the level where the sleeve 11, the flange and the crown 13 meet. The tabs 14 are radially movable between a state of rest shown in FIG. 2 and a constrained state shown in FIG. 1. The tabs 14 define between them a loading passage 15 whose central zone 15c is visible in FIGS. The receiving chamber 10 and its legs 14 will be more fully described below. The applicator cap 2 comprises a gripping appendage 21 through which the user can grasp the stopper with his fingers. The applicator cap 21 also defines detachable attachment profiles 22 which can cooperate by screwing or snapping together with the crown 13 of the mounting base 1. Externally, the applicator plug 21 defines a skirt 23 to at least partially mask the crown 13 The cap 21 comprises an applicator tip 24 whose main function is to retain fluid fluid by capillarity before its application on an application surface, such as the skin of the user. The applicator tip 24 here comprises a plurality of retaining channels 25 which are arranged parallel to each other, as can be seen in FIG. 6. Each retaining channel 25 comprises a loading opening 26 through which the fluid enters and leaves of the retaining channel. According to the invention, each retaining channel 25 also comprises a vent orifice 27, which makes it possible to evacuate the air initially contained in the retaining channels 25. The vent orifice 27 may for example be common to all the retaining channels 25, as shown in Figure 6, the channels 25 being interconnected by small connecting passages 27a. The applicator tip 24 also defines a lower peripheral edge 28 which will act as a pushing element, as will be seen hereinafter. It should be noted that the characteristics of the applicator plug, particularly at the level of the retaining channels, can be implemented independently of the mounting base of the present invention. The applicator plug 2 could be directly received in a fluid reservoir. The use of a vent port to evacuate trapped air in the containment channels is a feature that can be protected per se. Referring now to all the figures to describe in detail the fine structure of the receiving chamber 10 and its dynamic behavior in cooperation with the applicator cap 2. As can be seen in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the receiving chamber 10 is elastically deformable between a constrained state shown in Figure 3 and a state of rest shown in Figures 4 and 7. As mentioned above, the receiving chamber 10 is here formed by tabs 14 which are radially movable to the In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the tabs 14 come into contact with the inner wall of the sleeve 11, whereas in FIGS. 4 and 7, the tabs 14 are separated from the sleeve 11 by a annular space. It is not excluded that the deformation of the receiving chamber 10 is not supported against the inner wall of the fixing sleeve 11. The tabs 14 may be rigid and dimensionally stable, so that they move radially only by pivoting, for example at a node 142 forming a hinge near its upper end. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to make tabs 14 which are flexible and elastically deformable. The legs 14 may be flexible over their entire length, or only over part of their length. The tabs 14 may for example, as shown in the figures, comprise a vertical axial section 141 which connects at its upper end a node 142 itself connected to the remainder of the base 1. This node 142 can fulfill a function of articulation or not. At its lower end, the vertical axial section 141 is connected to a bent portion 144 whose free end 145 points inwards.

The lower end of the vertical axial section 141 can be connected to this bent portion 144 by a hinge node 143, so that the bent portion 144 can pivot relative to the vertical axial section 141. The vertical axial section 141 can be rigid or elastically deformable. It is the same for the bent portion 144 which can be rigid or elastically deformable. Thus, the tabs 14 can pivot and / or deform in various places to reach the constrained state shown in FIG. 3. In order to increase or contribute to the elastic deformability of the tabs 14, a peripheral element 18, such as a flexible or rigid ring may be provided around the tabs 14, for example at the junction 143 between the vertical axial section 141 and the bent portion 144. This flexible or rigid ring extends the life of the elastic deformation memory Since the tabs 14 extend next to one another inside the sleeve 11 to form the receiving chamber 10, they are separated by slots 15a which meet at a zone central 15c defined between the free ends 145 of the curved portions 144. These slots 15a and the central zone 15c together form a loading passage 15 which establishes a fluid communication between the chamber of loading 10 and the reservoir R. Due to the elastic deformation of the receiving chamber 10 by radial displacement of the tabs 14, the width of the slots 15a varies, as well as the size of the central zone 15c, from which it follows that the section of the loading passage 15 generally varies between the idle state of FIG. 4 and the constrained state of FIG. 3. Although the figures show a non-zero loading passage in the idle state, as shown in FIG. clearly in FIGS. 8c and 8e, it is conceivable to make the tabs 14 such that the loading passage has a zero or almost zero section in the idle state. All that is required is for the tabs 14 to be joined to each other and for the free ends 145 of the bent portions 144 to be joined to each other in the idle state. This is a simple choice of embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. In contrast, in the stressed state, the slots 15a have a maximum width and the central zone 15c also has a maximum size, so that the loading chamber 10 is largely open on the tank. The elastic deformation of the loading chamber 10 between its constrained state and its state of rest, and vice versa, is generated by the applicator plug 2, as can clearly be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In FIG. applicator cap 2 is mounted on the attachment base 1 with the applicator tip 24 which is inserted at the maximum into the loading chamber 10. To do this, the loading chamber 10 comprises an insertion / extraction opening 16 which is located at the upper end of the legs, for example at the nodes 142. When the cap 2 is thus fully inserted into the loading chamber 10, the lower peripheral edge 28 of the applicator tip 24 is in contact with the curved portions 144 of the tabs 14 so as to move or deform the tabs 14 radially outwardly. The peripheral edge 28 can cause the pivoting of all the tabs 14, or alternatively the deformation of a part of the tabs, such as, for example, the bent portions 144. As explained above, the deformation or the displacement of legs 14 can be done at any place and especially on any part of the legs. Thus, the thrust exerted by the peripheral edge 28 of the applicator tip 24 on the bent parts 144 of the tabs 14 can cause deformation and / or partial or total displacement of the tabs 14. More functionally, the peripheral edge 28 of the applicator tip 24 is intended to deform the receiving chamber 10 so as to increase the section of the loading passage 15 which communicates the chamber 10 with the reservoir R. The fluid product stored in the reservoir R can thus easily penetrate into the loading chamber 10 and filling the retaining channels 25 of the applicator nozzle 24. The constrained state of the receiving chamber 10 continues as long as the applicator plug 2 is in its initial inserted position, which moreover corresponds to the storage position of the dispenser. In FIG. 4, the applicator plug has been slightly extracted from the attachment base 1, so that the lower peripheral edge 28 of the applicator tip 24 no longer bears against the bent portions 114 of the legs 14. These They can then return to their unstressed state of rest, thereby defining a minimum section for the loading passage 15. The slots 15a between the tabs 14 have closed and the central area 15c has been reduced to a minimum. From the position shown in Figure 4, the applicator plug 2 can be removed from the mounting base 1 without causing modification of the receiving chamber 10. These retaining channels 24 are filled with fluid product that the user can then be applied to a desired application surface, such as its skin. The application can be made by spot contact or by sliding of the applicator tip 24 on the skin. The emptying of the retaining channels 24 is facilitated by the presence of the venting orifice 27 which allows a gradual entry of air into the channels 25 as they empty of fluid product. The applicator plug 2 is shown in a greatly enlarged manner in FIG. 5. As a variant, not shown, the receiving chamber 10 can be deformed in its constrained state as soon as the applicator tip 24 enters the chamber 10 through the insertion / extraction opening 16. The peripheral edge 28 may for example come into thrust contact with the nodes 142, then acting as articulation, so as to pivot the tabs 14 in the position shown in FIG. 3 , while the applicator tip 24 is just positioned at the opening 16. FIGS. 8a to 8e realistically represent the tabs 14 which can be moved or deformed between their rest state shown in FIGS. 8e and their constrained state shown in Figures 8a, 8b and 8d. The width variation of the slits 15a and the variation in size of the central zone 15c of the loading passage 15 are easily noted. The loading openings 26 of the retaining channels 25 of the applicator tip 24 situated at the level of FIG. the central zone 15c. Thus, very generally, it can be said that the receiving chamber 10 comprises an insertion / extraction opening 16 for the applicator tip 24 and a loading passage 15 intended to communicate with the reservoir, the applicator tip 24 being displaceable in the receiving chamber 10 through the opening 16 from an inserted initial position in which the applicator tip 16 is inserted at the most in the chamber 10 to a position at least partially extracted in which the endpiece applicator 24 is partially or completely extracted from the receiving chamber. The loading passage 15 has a passage section which is larger in inserted initial position than in at least partially extracted position.

It is of course preferable for the plug to seal the mounting base 1, for example at its engaged or screwed engagement, or at its applicator tip 24. In a variant that is not shown, the receiving chamber 10 may also be formed from a flexible membrane having slots serving as loading passages. When the membrane is at rest, the slots are reduced or closed, while in the stressed state, the slots are wide open. According to another variant, it can be imagined that the slots 15a separating the tabs extend only at the level of the bent parts 144. It is also possible to envisage that the tabs 14 are connected together at their ends, so that the loading passage would then be defined only by the slots 15a of variable width. It is also conceivable to provide rectilinear or slightly curved legs that converge. It should be noted that the receiving chamber 10 not only allows a selective passage of the fluid product by varying the section of the loading passage 15, but also fulfills a temporary chamber function or buffer, retaining by capillarity a certain amount of fluid product . This temporary chamber or buffer makes it possible to guarantee or improve the filling of the retaining channels of the applicator tip 24. The use of legs, advantageously curved or convergent, makes it possible to retain by capillary action a relatively large dose of fluid product, so that the applicator tip is always in fluid contact. The space between the lugs 14 and the sleeve 11 may also serve to retain by capillary fluid that communicates with the chamber 10 through the slots 15a. Of course, as mentioned above, the receiving chamber 10 also plays in its state of rest a role of safety valve preventing leakage of fluid in case of accidental spillage of the reservoir while the applicator cap is removed. It should be noted that in its constrained state, the receiving chamber 10 may have a greater volume than in its state of rest, so that it may contain more fluid, especially at its slots 15a which have a width Max. Thanks to the invention, there is obtained a closure member and application extremely simple to mold, while ensuring a reproducible filling of the applicator tip and preventing accidental leakage of fluid product.

Claims (13)

CLAIMS1.- Closing and application member intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir (R), the closure member and application comprising: - a mounting base (1) intended to be fixedly mounted in a reservoir neck (C), - an applicator cap (2) detachably mounted on the mounting base (1), the applicator cap (2) comprising a gripping appendage (21) and an applicator tip (24) suitable for retain fluid product, characterized in that the mounting base (1) defines a receiving chamber (10) for the applicator tip (24), said receiving chamber (10) comprising an insertion / extraction opening (16) for the applicator tip (24) and a fluid fluid loading passage (15) for communicating with the fluid reservoir (R), the applicator tip (24) being movable in the receiving chamber ( 10) through the insertion / extraction opening (16) from a position initially inserted into which the applicator tip (24) is inserted at most in the receiving chamber (10) to an at least partially extracted position in which the applicator tip (24) is partially or completely extracted from the receiving chamber ( 10), the loading passage (15) having a larger passage section in inserted initial position than at least partially extracted position. 2.- closure member and application according to claim 1, wherein the receiving chamber (10) is elastically deformable between a constrained state inserted in the initial position and a rest state in position at least partially extracted. 3.- Closing and applying member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving chamber (10) comprises a plurality of tabs (14) which are movable radially, the tabs (14) being separated by slots (15a). whose width varies with the radial displacement of the legs (14). 4. A closure member and application according to claim 3, wherein each tab (14) comprises a curved portion (144) radially inwardly, so that the free ends (145) lo loops (14). converge towards a central zone (15c) of the loading passage (15), this central zone (15c) varying in size with the radial displacement of the lugs (14). 5. A closure member and application according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the tabs (14) are contiguous in position at least partially extracted. 6. A closure member and application according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the tabs (14) are movable at their curved portions 144). 7.- Closing and applying member according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the tabs (14) are hingedly connected to the rest of the mounting base (1). 25 8. The closure and application member according to claim 4, wherein the applicator tip (24) comprises a peripheral lower edge (28) which comes into push contact with the curved portions (144) of the tabs (14). . 30 9. A closure member and application according to claim 8, wherein the loading passage (15) has a minimum section of the minimum distance when the peripheral edge (28) is out of contact with the bent portions (144). 10.- Closing and applying member according to claim 9, wherein the loading passage (15) has a minimum passage section when the peripheral lower edge (28) is out of contact with the tabs (14). 11. A closure member and application according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving chamber (10) is provided with a peripheral element (18) which contributes to the radial elasticity of the receiving chamber. (10). 12.- closure member and application according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator tip (24) comprises at least one retaining channel (25) having a loading opening (26) in communication with the loading passage (15) and a vent port (27). 13. The closure member and application according to claim 12, wherein the applicator tip (24) comprises several parallel retaining channels (25) having a common venting port (27). *