FR3121584A1 - Push button for pump tester, and pump tester equipped with such a push button - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a nozzle push button with an overhead exit, as well as a set of pump tester (3), push button (5) and dipper (21), in which the push button (5) comprises at least one perfume outlet nozzle (7) opening onto the zenith face (15) of the push-button on which pressure is exerted to actuate the pump (3). The push button can either replace the original push button or fit on top of it. You can act on the push button either by means of a moistenette, or with a part of the body that does not carry germs such as a forearm. (Fig.16)

Description

Push button for pump tester, and pump tester equipped with such a push button

The present invention relates to the field of the sale of perfumes, including home fragrances, and more specifically to perfume testers available on the shelves of retail stores, whether they are positioned on the shelves or in bars.

When one wishes to buy a perfume in a retail store, one can smell the fragrance before making the purchase, using a so-called "tester" bottle, allowing the perfume in question to be sprayed directly on the skin, or of course on a cellulose-based support often referred to by the term "mouillette".

The tester, which is generally a product presented without its packaging and sometimes even without its cover, typically comprises a glass bottle filled with the perfume to be tested, and a pump mechanism fixed to the neck of the bottle, on which a button is mounted. - pusher fitted with a spray nozzle.

When you press the push button, you can spray perfume on the skin or on a blotter.

This operation assumes that the user (who could of course also be a user, without this being specified each time in what follows) presses the push-button with her finger, and is therefore placed in direct skin contact with the push-button, or even with the bottle itself, if she grabs it.

She must first make sure that the nozzle hole is facing the moistener or the skin before pressing the push button, because very often the push button turns on itself, leaving the nozzle hole in a random position, which therefore obliges the user to manipulate the bottle twice and therefore multiplies skin contact with the tester.

These manipulations are not favorable from a hygienic point of view, the push button and/or the bottle can indeed constitute media for the transmission of germs (bacteria, viruses) between the different people using the tester.

The object of the present invention is in particular to eliminate these drawbacks associated with testers of the prior art, and to eliminate all skin contact with users, without depriving themselves of the possibility of testing the fragrance.

This object of the invention is achieved with a push button for a pump tester, comprising at least one vertical perfume outlet nozzle opening onto the zenith face of the push button intended to receive the actuation pressure of a user.

Thanks to this particular arrangement, the pump can be operated without having to grasp the bottle, nor worry about putting the nozzle hole back in the right direction, simply by pressing the button with a finger or with another part of the body. push button, which means that there is no contact with any part of the tester.

Such a push-button, which allows the perfume to be sprayed upwards, that is to say in the direction of the operator's finger, can be adapted to existing testers, without any modification of the pump mechanism of those -this ; according to the variants which will be explained below, this push-button according to the invention can be mounted directly on the pump mechanism of the tester, instead of the original push-button, or else be recessed on this button- original pusher.

This push button according to the invention can be presented in the same color as the collar of the existing pump, or adopt any other more conspicuous color in order to draw attention to this new gesture for testing fragrances.

Any type of material (plastic, metal, Zamac, biodegradable Sulapac resin, etc.) may be used to manufacture the push button according to the invention.

According to other optional characteristics of the push button according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

- Said zenith face has a rounded bowl shape, at the bottom of which said nozzle opens;

- Said push-button has the shape of a corolla with a thin, rounded edge; the rounded shape avoids injuring the user;

- Said zenith face has the shape of a recessed plate, onto which said nozzle opens;

- Said nozzle opens in a slightly protruding manner relative to said zenith face, and has radial outlet openings;

- said push button has an enveloping shape with respect to that of the pump of the tester; this push button may in particular have the same shape as the original cap of any bottle so as not to distort the general appearance of the product;

– said push button is adapted to replace an original tester push button;

- said push-button is adapted to be embedded in a sealed manner on an original push-button provided with a horizontal axis nozzle, said push-button comprising at least one zenith nozzle communicating in a sealed manner with the axis nozzle horizontal: the push-button according to the invention can thus be adapted to the original push-button, which avoids having to remove the latter;

- said push-button comprises at least one channel connecting said at least one zenith nozzle to said horizontal-axis nozzle, and an annular seal capable of forming a sealed connection with said original push-button;

- said push button comprises a plurality of overhead nozzles and a plurality of channels respectively connecting these overhead nozzles to said horizontal axis nozzle.

The present invention also relates to a tester equipped with a push button according to the above.

The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tester in accordance with the above, and at least one blotter capable of receiving a spray of perfume originating from said tester.

The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tester in accordance with the foregoing, and to a support for maintaining the stability of this tester.

The present invention also relates to the use of a tester in accordance with the foregoing, in which a blotter is grasped, placed at the end of a finger, and pressed on the zenith face of said push-button without touching said tester, or else the zenith face of said push-button is pressed directly with a part of the body that is not very germ-carrying, such as a wrist or a forearm.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:
: a perspective view of a classic tester, on which is mounted a nozzle push button with horizontal outlet,
: a perspective view of this tester from another angle, the push button being shown in the removed position,
: the gesture that we try to avoid, to avoid the transmission of germs,
: a perspective view of a tester equipped with a push-button with vertical outlet nozzle according to the invention, as well as this push-button itself represented independently of the bottle, according to a first embodiment,
: a view similar to that of the of another embodiment of the push button,
: a view similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5, showing yet another embodiment of a pushbutton,
: a view similar to that of FIGS. 4 to 6, showing yet another embodiment of the push-button,
: a perspective view of a tester fitted with an original push-button, on which a push-button according to the invention made according to another variant is fitted; the left view shows the push button according to the invention being positioned on the original push button, and the right view shows this push button according to the invention embedded on the original push button,
: a perspective view of the original tester push button from the , on which is recessed the push-button according to the invention of the , the latter being represented in axial section and in perspective,
: a view in axial section and in perspective of the push-button according to the invention of FIGS. 8 and 9, the latter being represented alone,
: perspective views of the front and back faces of a blotter according to the invention, according to a first embodiment,
: views similar to those of the , representing another embodiment of a dipstick,
: views similar to those of Figures 11 and 12, showing yet another embodiment of a blotter,
: views similar to those of Figures 11 to 13, showing yet another embodiment of a blotter,
: represents the gesture that can be made to use the tester according to the invention,
: the gestures of a user activating the tester according to the invention, the latter being arranged in the upper part of a piece of furniture with shelves, and
: this gesture in the case where the tester is placed on a lower part of this shelving unit,
: a view in axial section and in perspective of yet another variant of a push-button according to the invention, intended to be recessed on an original push-button,
: a perspective view of the push button of the ,
: on the top view and on the bottom view, two types of gestures that can be made with a tester equipped with a push-button according to the invention in accordance with figures 18 and 19,
: a view in axial section and in perspective of yet another variant of a push-button according to the invention, intended to be recessed on the original push-button,
: a perspective view of the push button of the , and an associated tester support, and
: the gesture that can be made with a tester equipped with a push-button according to the invention in accordance with figures 21 and 22.

For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs in all the figures.

In what follows, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "zenithal" will be used: these terms must be understood in relation to the normal position of a bottle placed on a support in the store.

The horizontal and vertical directions are indicated for example in Figures 1 and 4 by means of the arrows H and V, the pointed end of the arrow V pointing upwards to the place where the bottle is placed.

Therefore, the term "zenith" indicates the upper part of the push-button, i.e. the part of this push-button located closest to the pointed end of the arrow V.

We now refer to the , on which can be seen a conventional tester, typically comprising a bottle 1 preferably made of glass, on the neck of which is fixed a pump mechanism 3 provided with a dip tube (not shown). A push button 5 is mounted on the pump mechanism 3.

This push-button 5 comprises a nozzle 7, which opens onto a side face of this push-button, with a horizontally projecting jet, and which is in fluid communication with a cannula 9 (see ) attached to the pump mechanism 3.

To operate such a tester, as is visible , the bottle 1 is typically grasped, and with a finger 11, generally the index finger, the push-button 5 is pressed, so as to release a cloud of perfume 13 through the nozzle 7, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pump mechanism 3.

How can we understand it by simply examining the , this gesture assumes a grip and contact between the user and the tester, which is unhygienic because it poses the problem of the transmission of germs between the tester and the user's hand.

To remedy this inconvenience, and as is visible first of all on the , the outlet of the nozzle 7 is moved so that it emerges on the zenithal face 15 of the push-button 5, that is to say on the face on which the user will press by means of the one of his fingers.

In other words, the axis of the nozzle 7 coincides with that of the cannula 9, instead of being perpendicular thereto: this axis is vertical instead of being horizontal.

In the variant shown in , the upper face 15 of the push-button 5 has the shape of a rounded basin, at the bottom of which the nozzle 7 emerges.

In the variant shown in , the upper face 15 of the push button 5 on which the nozzle 7 opens, is surrounded by a collar 17, slightly wider than the diameter of the standard push button in order to increase the contact surface between the swab and the fingers which will put pressure, so that the face 15 forms a sort of plateau set back with respect to this flange 17.

The variant of the differs from that in that the nozzle 7 emerges in a slightly protruding manner with respect to the recessed face 15, and is provided with a plurality of radial outlets 19 of perfume, in order to prevent the juice from being too close to the mouillette and not wets only a very small surface of the stripper.

In the variant of , which represents a so-called “decorative” pushbutton, the pushbutton 5 has a diameter greater than that of the part of the pump mechanism which overcomes the neck of the bottle 1, so as to cover this part.

The push button 5 could also represent the shape of the original cap of the perfume (“trompe l'oeil” push button), so that the bottle retains its original design and is more presentable on a high-brand perfume bar that attaches a particular interest in preserving the aesthetics of the bottle in order to trigger the act of purchase.

On the , there has been shown an upper face 15 of the push-button 5 which is substantially planar, and at the center of which the nozzle 7 emerges, it being understood that any one of the shapes of the upper face 15 represented in FIGS. 4 to 6 could be used in this variant of the .

In the variant shown in Figures 8 to 10, the push button 5a according to the invention is shaped to be able to fit into the original push button 5b of the bottle.

As is more particularly visible in Figures 9 and 10, the push button according to the invention 5a comprises for this purpose a first cylindrical cavity C1 adapted to fit on the original push button 5b, and a second cavity C2 of larger diameter, able to cover with both axial and radial play the upper part of the pump mechanism 3.

On its zenithal part, the push-button 5a according to the invention comprises a plurality of orifices or nozzles 7a, preferably evenly distributed over a circle, which communicate via respective vertical channels R with a peripheral reservoir A slightly set back radially (that is to say having a larger diameter) relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical cavity C1.

This peripheral reservoir A thus allows fluid communication from the nozzle 7b of the original push-button 5b with the channels R, and therefore with the nozzles 7a.

A rubber ring seal J is also provided on the lower edge of the cylindrical cavity C1, so as to seal the peripheral tank A on the original push button 5b.

The push button 5a according to the invention can have a generic shape, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, or else have a stylized shape, representative of a given brand, as mentioned with regard to the .

We represented on the a dip stick that can be part of the assembly according to the invention.

In the variant shown in this figure, this blotter, which can be made from a more or less thick specific paper, has a substantially circular shape.

In the variant shown in , the strip has a substantially square shape.

In the variant shown in , this strip has a substantially rectangular shape.

In the variant shown in , this moistener has a substantially elongated shape, that is to say in a strip, and perhaps wrapped around the finger (seen from the right): this type of moistener is found in the majority of perfumery brands.

The mode of use and the advantages of the set of tester which has just been described result directly from the foregoing.

When a user wishes to smell a fragrance before making a purchase, she goes to a tester available on the shelves of the store, this tester being able to conform to that of any one of FIGS. 4 to 10.

In the vicinity of this tester there may be sticks, which may conform to those of any of Figures 11 to 14.

The user grasps a blotter 21, for example by placing the index finger 11 on the upper face of the latter, as shown in , and she presses the push-button 5 or 5a via this stripper 21, without touching the bottle 1, or any other part of the tester.

As the nozzle(s) 7, 7a open(s) onto the face 15 on which the finger 11 of the user exerts a pressure force, the perfume coming out of the nozzle(s) 7, 7a will come impregnate the moistener 21, without the user having to touch any part of the tester.

In the case where the upper face 15 of the push button 5 has a bowl-shaped or recessed shape as shown in Figures 4 to 6, it is possible at the same time to prevent the stripper 21 from closing the nozzle 7 and create a perfume retention zone, making it possible to better soak this moistenette 21.

In the case where the nozzle 7 has radial outlet orifices 19 as shown in , the perfume can exit radially through the nozzle, which further limits the risk of clogging by the stripper 21 under the pressure force exerted by the finger 11 of the user.

In the case where the smear has a substantially elongated shape as shown in – which is the case with the blotters found in most perfume outlets – the user can wrap it around the index finger, as suggested by the right view of this figure.

In the store, the tester according to the invention can be positioned on a high shelf ( ), or on a low shelf ( ), or on a perfume bar such as those that can be found in the flagship stores of major brands.

In both cases, the user 23 has no need to grasp the tester: as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, she merely extends her arm and presses with a single finger on the push-button of the tester, via a dipstick.

Thanks to the assembly according to the invention, any contact between the hand of the user and the tester is eliminated, which is particularly satisfactory from a hygienic point of view.

The risk of theft of the testers is also limited, because a push-button with overhead outlet nozzle makes the tester very impractical to use as a perfume bottle for every day.

As can be understood in the light of the foregoing, the push-button 5 fitted with a nozzle 7 opening onto its upper face 15, that is to say onto its face on which the user presses with her finger , can be adapted on an existing tester, without any modification to the pump mechanism of this one being necessary.

Of course, each nozzle manufacturer 7 uses specific characteristics for this nozzle, depending on the specifications imposed by the perfume house, and it will be understood that the push-button of the assembly according to the invention can incorporate any type nozzle.

In the particularly advantageous variant shown in Figures 8 to 10, the push button according to the invention 5a is fitted on the original push button 5b, which avoids having to remove the latter; the redirection of the jet of perfume upwards, as far as the nozzles 7a emerging in the zenithal part of the push-button 5a, is provided by the axial channels R, sealing being ensured by the seal J.

Naturally, the invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the variant shown in Figures 18 and 19, the push button according to the invention 5a has substantially the shape of a corolla, with a thin and rounded edge B.

As can be seen on the , such a push-button 5a can be actuated by the finger 11 of a user by means of a swab 21, or else by the forearm 25 of the user who presses the push-button according to the direction F, with the minimum area of contact with the skin given the thinness of the edge B.

The variant shown in Figures 21 to 23 is particularly intended for children: in this variant, the push-button according to invention 5a is surmounted by a ring 27 which may include decorative elements 29.

In this variant, a tester support 31 is also provided, in which the bottle 1 is embedded, as can be seen at .

The child who wishes to test the perfume introduces his forearm 25 inside the ring 27, and exerts downward pressure on the push-button 5a, as indicated by the arrow F; during this movement, the tester support 31 ensures the stability of the bottle 1.

The fact of using forearm 25 rather than a finger 11 makes it possible to reduce the risk of contamination, the forearm generally being less carrier of germs than the fingers of the hand.

Claims (15)

Push-button (5; 5a) for pump tester (3), comprising at least one nozzle (7; 7a) for the vertical outlet of the perfume opening onto the zenith face (15) of the push-button intended to receive the pressure of actuation of a user (23). Push-button (5a; 5a) according to Claim 1, in which the said zenith face (15) has the shape of a rounded bowl, at the bottom of which the said nozzle (7) emerges. Push-button (5; 5a) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, having the shape of a corolla with a thin edge (B). Push-button (5; 5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hand insertion ring (27). Push-button (5; 5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said zenith face (15) has the shape of a recessed plate, onto which the said nozzle (7) emerges. Push-button (5; 5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the said nozzle (7) emerges in a slightly protruding manner with respect to the said zenith face (15), and comprises radial outlet openings (19). Push-button (5; 5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, having an enveloping shape with respect to that of the pump (3) of the tester. Push button (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, adapted to replace an original push button of the tester. Push-button (5; 5a) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, adapted to be embedded in a sealed manner on an original push-button (5b) provided with a nozzle with a horizontal axis (7b), said push-button (5a) comprising at least one overhead nozzle (7a) communicating in sealed manner with the horizontal-axis nozzle (7b). Push-button (5a) according to claim 9, comprising at least one channel (R) connecting said at least one zenith nozzle (7a) to said horizontal-axis nozzle (7b), and an annular seal able to form a leaktight connection with said original push button (5b). Push button (5a) according to claim 10, comprising a plurality of overhead nozzles (7a) and a plurality of channels (R) respectively connecting these overhead nozzles (7a) to said horizontal axis nozzle (7b). Tester equipped with a push button (5; 5a) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims. Assembly comprising a tester according to claim 12, and at least one moistener (21) capable of receiving a spray of perfume originating from said tester. Assembly comprising a tester according to claim 12, and a support (31) for maintaining the stability of this tester. Use of a tester according to claim 12, in which a blotter (21) is grasped, placed at the end of a finger (11), and the zenith face (15) of said push-button is pressed (5; 5a) without touching said tester, or else the zenith face of said push-button (5; 5a) is pressed directly with a part of the body that does not carry germs such as a wrist or a forearm (25) .