Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6543653
-
Patent Number
6,543,653
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Date Filed
Monday, August 13, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 8, 200321 years ago
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Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 222 183
- 222 3212
- 222 3217
- 222 3218
- 222 3219
- 222 325
- 222 381
- 222 382
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A fluid product dispensing device comprising a reservoir (B), a pump (P) including two pump elements adapted to slide relative to each other in a longitudinal direction and an outer casing (R) provided with a nozzle (10) dispensing the product and an actuator for expelling a dose of product through the nozzle each time an action is exerted by the user of the actuator which comprises a pressing element (7, 8) accessible from outside the casing (R) and a force returning member, the pressing member being mobile substantially transversely to press on the force returning member between two longitudinal end parts, the transformation by the force returning member of the thrust force (F) exerted by the user into a longitudinal sliding force (F2) increasing while the thrust is being exerted.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, of the type comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, to the neck of which is mounted fixedly a pump equipped with a hollow control stem sliding in a pump body in a direction called longitudinal, and a casing in which said reservoir is housed, said casing being equipped with a nozzle for dispensing the product, connected by a connecting means to said hollow control stem, and with a means for actuating the pump in order to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by a user on said actuating means.
In spraying product devices, for example atomizers, a precompression stroke or a precompression effect is generally provided, on actuating the pump, in order to liberate the product with enough ejection force to provide a spray of the product at the spray nozzle. The purpose of this precompression stroke of the pump is to force the user to exert, with his finger or his hand, a large force on the actuating button during this precompression stroke. Thus the finger or the hand of the user is carried by its impetus until the button is depressed to the bottom, since, beyond the precompression stroke, the product can be ejected by the pump and therefore the button is less resistive to its depression. It is possible to expel the whole dose of product at high speed, when the force exerted by the user exceeds the precompression value, which may be, for example, about 25 N.
When it is desired, for size, ergonomic or other reasons, that the actuating member is moved in a direction other than that of the stroke of the control stem of the pump, it is possible to provide between them an inclined double-ramp system, a first ramp interacting with the actuating means, a second ramp being connected to the control stem of the pump, so that the gliding of the two ramps one against the other causes the control stem to slide in the pump body. However, in such a system, the friction between the two ramps is great enough so that after the precompression stroke, the user's finger is not driven enough by its impetus to press to the bottom on the actuating means, but is impeded by the resistive force of friction between the ramps. There is therefore no tilting effect after the precompression stroke, which leads to expelling the complete dose of product at a speed which is high enough to ensure that it is sprayed. In order to reduce this friction, it is possible to provide ramps with a shallow slope, but in this case the actuating stroke is too large. If ramps with a shallower slope are chosen, the actuating stroke is smaller, but in this case friction is very great.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,582 describes a pump system, in a variant of which the pump is actuated by a trigger assembly comprising a pivotally-mounted trigger and a Y-shaped element. This system has a complex outer shape with projecting moveable parts which are accessible from the outside, which increases the risk of inadvertent dismantling and is detrimental to its ergonomics. Furthermore, it does not relate to dispensing devices comprising a casing in which a reservoir equipped with a pump is housed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The aim of the invention is to remove the aforementioned drawbacks and to provide a device for dispensing product comprising a reservoir equipped with a pump and a casing in which said reservoir is housed, which makes it possible to eject the product at a high enough speed, and in which the position of the dispensing nozzle is independent of the position of the means for actuating the pump.
To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being capable of sliding one with respect to the other in a direction called longitudinal in order to pump said product, and an outer casing equipped with a nozzle for dispensing the product, which nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member which is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, one, called moveable, of which is capable of bearing on one of said two pump elements in order to make it slide longitudinally and the other, called stationary, of which is locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in the aforementioned longitudinal direction, it being possible for said bearing member to move essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is small, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a sliding of said hollow stem toward the inside of said pump body, characterized in that said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, which makes it possible to ensure that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle.
In addition, in the aforementioned previous system, the forces to which the Y-shaped element is subjected are large because of the acute angle between its two members at the start of the stroke, such that the stabilization of the Y-shaped element and the fatigue at the junction of the members are problematical.
According to a particular characteristic of the invention, said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposed to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms.
Advantageously, the two toggle joint lever arms are hinged via a central piece guided transversely in translation in said casing.
Advantageously, the bearing member is integral with the hinge between the two aforementioned arms.
Advantageously, the bearing member is able to bear on said member for transmitting force on either side of said toggle joint hinge, on reinforcing ribs carried by the two toggle joint lever arms.
Preferably, the free end of the toggle joint lever arm which forms said stationary end of the member for transmitting force is hinged about a fixed point of the casing.
As a variant, the free toggle joint lever arm end which forms said stationary end of the member for transmitting force is able to be displaced in translation in a substantially transverse direction of the casing, the corresponding toggle joint lever arm being able to act as bearing member.
Advantageously, said member for transmitting force comprises two additional arms hinged respectively to each of said toggle joint lever arms at the free ends thereof, said additional arms being hinged together at their respective ends opposite said toggle joint lever arms in order to form a hinged quadrilateral.
Preferably, the hinge of said additional arms of the quadrilateral is kept transversely in gliding contact with a substantially longitudinal guiding rib of said device in order to be able to slide against said guiding rib during the actuation of said pump.
Advantageously, that one of said additional arms which is hinged to said stationary end of the member for transmitting force is stopped against an oblique stop rib of said device in said rest position.
Preferably, said guiding rib and said stop rib are formed contiguously on an inner face of said casing.
According to another characteristic of the invention, said member for transmitting force comprises an elastically deformable cylindrical sleeve arranged with its axis in a direction which is substantially transverse and substantially perpendicular to the direction of the bearing force of said bearing member, said sleeve exhibiting in said rest position a substantially elliptical section, the major axis of which coincides with the direction of said bearing force and the minor axis of which coincides with said longitudinal direction, the ends of said minor axis forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said sleeve being deformed during the thrust exerted by the user on said bearing member such that its major axis is shortened whilst its minor axis is elongated.
Preferably, the parts of said sleeve at the ends of said major axis are respectively in gliding contact with a longitudinal wall of said bearing member and with a substantially longitudinal guiding rib of said casing.
Advantageously, said stationary end part of the member for transmitting force is offset with respect to the axis of said hollow stem.
Advantageously, said first pump element is said hollow stem, said movable end part of the member for transmitting force is hinged on an end piece mounted fixedly to the free end of the hollow stem in order to bear on said hollow stem, said end piece carrying the aforementioned connecting means.
Preferably, the aforementioned connecting means is a flexible tube or a deformable bellows or one or more pieces which can be moved with respect to the casing.
According to yet another characteristic of the invention, said first pump element is said pump body and said movable end part of the member for transmitting force bears on a substantially transverse wall carried by said pump body, said pump body and said reservoir being moveable in said direction which is longitudinal with respect to said casing.
Preferably, said hollow stem lies on the other side of said transverse wall with respect to said member for transmitting force, the free end of said hollow stem being mounted fixedly in a wall of the casing carrying said nozzle, said connecting means being a duct formed through said casing wall.
Advantageously, the dispensing nozzle is carried fixedly by the casing.
Preferably, the aforementioned bearing member comprises a flexible membrane mounted fixedly in the wall of the casing.
Advantageously, said casing forms an outer packaging completely containing said reservoir. The whole device can then be designed with a simple shape and quite small size, for example a flat parallelepipedal shape, in order to be easily put away in the pocket of an item of clothing. Said reservoir may advantageously be formed from a pocket made of a flexible plastic film.
Preferably, said member for transmitting force is contained in said outer casing. The toggle joint hinge or hinges may be formed by film hinges.
The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly, during the detailed explanatory description which follows of several embodiments of the invention, given solely by way of nonlimiting illustration, with reference to the appended schematic drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In these drawings:
FIG. 1
is a partial view in longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 2
is a view similar to
FIG. 1
, but in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view of a mounting piece designed to be inserted into the container of
FIG. 1
, said mounting piece being in its position as molded;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view similar to
FIG. 3
, but showing said mounting piece in a folded service position;
FIG. 5
is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in its rest position;
FIG. 6
is a view similar to
FIG. 5
, but in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 7
is a partial view in longitudinal section of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 8
is a partial view in longitudinal section of a fourth embodiment of the device of the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 9
is a view similar to
FIG. 8
, but in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump, the spray nozzle being secured in translation with the control stem of the pump;
FIG. 10
is a vector diagram showing the actuating forces on sliding the control stem of the pump with a device according to the invention;
FIG. 11
is a partial view in longitudinal section of a fifth embodiment of the device of the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 12
is a view similar to
FIG. 11
, but in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 13
is a partial view in longitudinal section of a sixth embodiment of the device of the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 14
is a view similar to
FIG. 13
, but in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 15
is a view in longitudinal section, along the line XV—XV of
FIG. 16
, of a sixth embodiment of the device of the invention, in the rest position;
FIG. 16
is a view in longitudinal section, along the line XVI—XVI of
FIG. 15
, of the device of
FIG. 15
in the rest position;
FIG. 17
is a view in longitudinal section along the line XVII—XVII of
FIG. 18
of a sixth embodiment of the device of the invention, in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 18
is a view in longitudinal section, along the line XVIII—XVIII of
FIG. 17
, of the device of
FIG. 17
in the active position, at the end of the actuating stroke of the pump;
FIG. 19
is a partial view in perspective of the mounting piece of
FIG. 3
in another variant embodiment;
FIG. 20
is a partial view in perspective of a variant embodiment of the toggle joint of
FIG. 4
corresponding to the mounting piece of FIG.
19
.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to
FIGS. 1
to
4
, a bottle B is seen which is designed to contain several doses of product, the neck
1
of which is equipped with a pump P. The pump P comprises a pump body
2
secured to a collar
3
which is crimped onto the neck
1
of the bottle B and a hollow control stem
4
which is capable of sliding in the pump body
2
, in order to eject a dose of product. The pump P is connected to a dip tube
5
which extends down to the bottom of the bottle B (see FIGS.
5
and
6
).
The bottle B is housed (at least partially) in a larger container or casing R, for example made of plastic, which forms an outer packaging for the bottle. By way of example, the container R may be made of transparent plastic, with a coat of metalized varnish on the inner surface of the container in order to conceal the inside of the container R. Advantageously, the container R consists of two half-shells made of plastic which are welded one to the other.
In the variant of
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the side wall of the container R comprises an opening
6
through which a rubber membrane
7
is forcedly snap-fitted. The rubber membrane
7
comprises a relatively thick cylindrical wall
7
a,
which is designed to be fitted to a shoulder of the aforementioned opening
6
of the wall of the container R, and a portion substantially in the shape of a flexible disk
7
b
of small thickness lying inside said thick cylindrical wall
7
a,
said membrane
7
comprising, in its center, a thicker portion
7
c
making a housing to receive and retain the head of a substantially mushroom-shaped plastic pushing device
8
.
At its top, the container R comprises a housing in which an end piece
9
, capable of receiving a spray nozzle
10
, known per se, is mounted. A locking ring
11
is mounted around the end piece
9
in the thickness of the top wall of the container R in order to lock the end piece
9
in place on the wall of the container. The upper end piece
9
extends inside the container R via an offset cylindrical end piece
9
a
which is capable of receiving the upper end of a flexible tube
12
, the lower end thereof being fitted in a lower end piece
13
, which is extended by another coaxial end piece
13
a
which is mounted on the smaller-diameter upper end
4
a
of the aforementioned control stem
4
.
As is visible in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, foam
14
is inserted between the bottle B and the inner wall of the container R in order to hold the bottle in place.
As is more visible in
FIGS. 3 and 4
, the upper end pieces
9
and
9
a
are borne by a substantially horizontal lug
15
a,
which is an integral part of a support member
15
. The support member
15
consists of a flat vertical plate
16
with raised side edges
17
, the flat plate
16
being designed to bear against an inner side wall of the container R. The aforementioned upper lug
15
a
is connected, on either side of the aforementioned end pieces
9
and
9
a,
to a first U- or fork-shaped arm
18
, via two film-hinges
18
a.
The opposite end of the first arm
18
is connected via a hinge
19
to a second arm
20
, also substantially U-shaped. The two arms
18
and
20
and the hinge
19
together form a means of transmitting force through an angle using a toggle joint. The overall shape of the toggle joint is an H, hinged on the horizontal bar of the H. The two branches of the second fork-shaped arm
20
are connected via a film hinge
20
a
to a small plate
21
which bears on either side of its plane the aforementioned lower end pieces
13
and
13
a.
The small plate
21
also comprises two side lugs
21
a
which are designed to engage in a groove
17
a
made in the aforementioned raised edges
17
of the support member
15
. The grooves
17
a
serve to guide the sliding of the control stem
4
.
Each arm
18
,
20
comprises side reinforcement ribs
18
b,
20
b
and a transverse reinforcement rib
18
c,
20
c,
in the vicinity of the hinge
19
.
The second arm
20
may also comprise a flexible tongue
22
which is capable of bearing against the bottom of the plate
16
, in the mounted position, as shown in broken line in
FIG. 1
, in order to provide the elastic return movement of the toggle joint to its rest position.
Advantageously, the support member
15
is in one piece with the end pieces
9
,
9
a,
the toggle joint
18
to
20
, the small plate
21
and the end pieces
13
and
13
a
and, where necessary, the elastic tongue or tongues
22
. In the position illustrated in
FIG. 3
, the whole of the aforementioned support member
15
is shown in its position as obtained on being taken from the mold. The entire support member is therefore molded. Note, in
FIG. 3
, that the demolding direction is substantially vertical, and that the arms
18
and
20
forming the toggle joint are in a position aligned both with the small plate
21
and the lug
15
a.
In a variant shown in
FIGS. 19 and 20
, on the one hand the support member
15
with the plate
16
, the raised edges
17
and the end pieces
9
and
9
a
and, on the other hand, the toggle joint
18
to
20
, the small plate
21
and the end pieces
13
and
13
a,
together with, if required, the elastic tongue or tongues
22
, form two distinct assemblies obtained separately by molding. In this case, the first arm
18
comprises at each fork end
18
a
a cylinder
59
arranged transversely in order to form a pivot pin for the arm
18
instead of the film hinges. The lug
15
a
of the support member
15
is, in this case, replaced by an upper wall
31
which completely closes the support member
15
from one edge
17
to the other, this upper wall still bearing the aligned end pieces
9
and
9
a
and, on its lower face, on each side of the end piece
9
a,
there are two longitudinal lugs
33
between which the wall
31
has a transverse recess
60
, the lugs
33
and the recess
60
forming a substantially semicylindrical bearing in which each pivot pin
59
of the arm
18
is engaged in order to form a pivot connection.
The operation of the device according to the invention will now be briefly described with reference to
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
10
.
In the rest position illustrated in
FIG. 1
, the control stem
4
of the pump P is in an upward-projecting position and the toggle joint has an opening angle θ
1
between the arms
18
and
20
, for example of the order of 115° in FIG.
10
. In this position, the pushing device
8
bears against the transverse ribs
18
c
and
20
c
of the two arms
18
and
20
, on either side of the hinge
19
, without however coming into contact with said hinge. If a leaf spring
22
has been provided, the latter is slightly folded with its free end bearing against the bottom of the plate
16
, as shown in FIG.
1
. The flexible tube
12
has a shape substantially bent into a V inside the container R.
When a user exerts a bearing force F on the central portion
7
c
of the membrane
7
, to the right of the pushing device
8
, the membrane
7
is deformed toward the inside of the container, to take a substantially concave shape, with the concavity turned outward by virtue of its curved shape in its rest state, as is visible in FIG.
2
. The pushing device
8
then bears on the aforementioned ribs
18
c
and
20
c
in order to push back the arms
18
and
20
. However, as the upper end
18
a
of the first arm
18
is fixed with respect to the container R, it is the lower end
20
a
of the second arm
20
which is moved downward, depressing the control stem
4
inside the pump body in order to expel a dose of product toward the spray nozzle
10
, the jet of sprayed product being shown by J. The flexible tube
12
is deformed to take a more elongated position. As is visible in
FIG. 2
, the two arms
18
and
20
take a relative position which is more aligned than is the case in
FIG. 1
, without however being completely aligned, so as to prevent the two arms
18
and
20
from tilting to the other side of their unstable alignment position. It will also be noted that the upper end
18
a
of the first arm
18
is not aligned with the axis of the control stem
4
, although that can be envisioned. In the end-of-stroke position where the product is ejected, shown in
FIG. 2
, the two arms
18
and
20
together form an angle θ
2
of about 145° in FIG.
10
. By way of example, the pushing device
8
is displaced by a distance d
1
of about 4 mm in a transverse direction in order to move the hinge
19
between its two positions illustrated in
FIG. 10
, and the lower end
20
a
of the second arm
20
is displaced over a height d
2
of about 4 mm. We therefore have a system for transmitting force in which a transverse bearing force F is transformed into a longitudinal or vertical displacement force F
2
.
In
FIG. 10
, the balance of forces on the actuating member is shown in a vector diagram. F denotes the transverse bearing force exerted by the user and transmitted by the pushing device substantially at the hinge
19
. The force F
3
is the reaction of the support member
15
on the free end
18
a
of the first arm
18
, at the pivot connection. The force F
2
exerted on the control stem
4
by the free end
20
a
of the second arm
20
is the longitudinal resultant which causes the control stem
4
to slide in the pump body
2
, against pressure and other forces which resist it. F may, for example, have a value of about 35.7 N, F
3
a value of about 21.6 N and F
2
a value of about 25 N. The point
18
a
may be offset by about 4 mm with respect to the longitudinal axis A of the control stem.
Given that the toggle joint opens during the transverse stroke of the pushing device, the transformation of the pushing force F exerted by the user into a longitudinal sliding force F
2
exerted on the control stem increases throughout the push. This is because the leverage from the pushing force F with respect to the pivot pin of the second arm
20
at its end
20
a
increases during the stroke of the hinge
19
, represented by an arc of a circle C, while the leverage with respect to the hinge
19
from the forces which resist sliding of the stem
4
decrease. Thus, for resistive forces of constant value, the thrust F needed to overcome said resistive forces, and therefore to actuate the pump P, decreases. This increasing transmission effect combines with the precompression effect of the pump to result in a resistive force opposing the thrust by the user which decreases during the pushing stroke.
Once the initial resistive force is overcome, the movement of the user therefore tends to continue by entrainment, causing acceleration of the pushing device, which makes it possible to provide a pressure for ejecting the dose of product which is enough to cause satisfactory spraying or atomization of the jet J by the spray nozzle
10
.
When the user releases the pressure exerted on the pushing device
8
, the spring integral to the pump may automatically push back the toggle joint to its rest position; however, it is also possible to provide one or more flexible leaves
22
in order to contribute to returning the toggle joint to its rest position.
The vertical sliding of the small plate
21
is guided by the lugs
21
a
which slide in the grooves
17
a
of the edges
17
of the support member
15
.
In the variant illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6
, the same reference numbers are used to denote identical pieces, while similar elements are represented by reference numbers increased by 100.
In this variant, the aforementioned support member is removed, the upper end pieces
109
,
109
a
being borne by a small plate
115
fixed directly to the upper wall of the container R, and the lower end pieces
113
and
113
a
being borne directly by the control stem
4
of the pump P. Here, the toggle joint consists of an upper arm
118
hinged at
118
a
to an upper washer
115
a
mounted fixedly under the aforementioned small plate
115
, of a lower arm
120
hinged at
120
a
to a lower small plate
121
, the two arms
118
and
120
being hinged to a central piece
119
which then acts as a pushbutton. The end pieces
113
and
113
a
project on either side of the small plate
121
. This central piece
119
is in contact with a membrane
107
having a substantially spherical-cap shape which is inserted through the opening
6
in the wall of the container R. This membrane
107
comprises a flange which projects peripherally at its base
107
a while its central spherical portion projects outward from the container. Advantageously, the central piece
119
is guided in a transverse direction (by means not shown) in order to prevent said piece
119
from tilting about one of its hinges connecting it with the arms
118
and
120
. So, if the user exerts a force F, as indicated in
FIG. 6
, on the membrane
107
, which leads to giving it a substantially concave depressed shape, the piece
119
is moved transversely so as to open the angle formed by the toggle joint, but not so far that said piece tilts upward or downward, which otherwise would not allow the vertical sliding movement to be transmitted to the control stem
4
.
Otherwise, the operation of the variant illustrated in
FIGS. 5 and 6
is similar to that of the first variant.
A third variant is illustrated in
FIG. 7
, in which the elements identical to those of the first variant bear the same reference numbers, while similar elements bear the reference numbers increased by 200.
In
FIG. 7
, the aforementioned flexible tube is replaced by an elongated bellows
212
, the upper end of which is fitted in an upper end piece
209
a
and the lower end of which is directly fitted on the free end
4
a
of the control tube
4
of the pump P. The upper end piece
209
a
is borne by a small plate
215
, from the other side of which the end piece
209
, intended to receive the spray nozzle
10
, is made to project. Under this small plate
215
, a washer
215
a
is mounted, which washer is extended by a film hinge
218
a
of the first arm
218
of the toggle joint. The other end of the first arm
218
is connected via the hinge
219
to the second arm
220
, the lower end of which is connected via a film hinge
220
a
to a small plate
221
which is mounted around the lower end of the bellows
212
. The aforementioned hinge
219
is extended by a pushing device
208
which can be directly accessible from the outside of the container (not shown in FIG.
7
).
The operation of this variant remains similar to that of the two aforementioned variants.
FIGS. 8 and 9
show a fourth variant, in which the spray nozzle
10
is borne by a moveable hollow connecting piece
312
of elongated shape which is borne directly at its lower end by the control stem
4
of the pump P. This moveable piece
312
comprises an axial passage
313
which opens out at its lower end onto the hollow control stem
4
and at its upper end onto the spray nozzle
10
which here is positioned perpendicularly to the axis of the container R. This piece
312
is capable of sliding vertically with respect to a guide sleeve
309
which extends into the container R from its top. Consequently, in this variant, the outlet nozzle
10
for the product can be moved with respect to the container R, while in the other variants it was stationary with respect to the container.
In addition, in this variant, an elastomeric sleeve is provided over the whole perimeter of the side wall of the container R, so as to be able to be compressed by tightening said sleeve in one hand. In fact, in this variant, the elastomeric sleeve is directly connected at its lower end, in a recess
1
a
, to the top of the bottle B and at its upper end to the upper wall of the container R using a semi-toric retaining ring
306
. Inside the container R, that is to say in the space defined between the top of the bottle B and the upper wall of the container R, a plurality of substantially vertical segments
308
are provided, which are regularly distributed over the entire perimeter of the container and are in contact with the inner face of the elastomeric sleeve
307
. The segments
308
are capable of being moved radially toward the axis of the device. These segments act as bearing member. Each segment
308
is extended by an upper arm
318
which slides in a transverse and radial direction with respect to the axis of the device. This first arm
318
is connected via a hinge
319
to a second lower arm
320
which is connected by a film hinge
320
a
to the aforementioned piece
312
. The arm
318
, the hinge
319
and the second arm
320
together form a toggle joint, in the sense of the invention.
In this variant, the piece
312
, the toggle joint and the pushing device
308
form a single molded piece.
A fifth embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 11 and 12
. The elements similar or identical to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference number increased by 400.
In this variant, the casing R is formed by a container
448
in which the bottle B is housed and by a lid
440
fitted on the container
448
in order to close its longitudinal end face in the extension of the pump stem
404
. The lid
440
has a substantially flat upper wall
458
and an annular sleeve
454
engaged longitudinally in the container
448
in order to hold the lid
440
in place transversely. To the right of the nozzle
410
, the sleeve
454
has a longitudinal notch
457
to enable the lid
440
to pass around said nozzle
410
during assembly. A lug for attaching the nozzle
410
is engaged in a transverse groove
455
at the bottom of the notch
457
in order to immobilize the nozzle
410
transversely with respect to the casing R.
The pushbutton
408
is guided in translation transversely into an opening
423
of the side wall of the container
448
and an opening
456
of the sleeve
454
aligned therewith. It has a bearing surface
424
substantially aligned with said side wall in the rest position and depressed in said casing R in the active position. The button
408
comprises an elastic tongue
425
which can be deformed between a substantially straight state in the rest position and a state in which it is bent against a pin
453
of the lid
440
in the active position of the pushing device
408
, in order to exert a return force on the latter toward its rest position. In the rest position, a pin
426
of the button
408
comes up against the sleeve
454
of the lid
440
.
The longitudinal face
408
a
opposite the bearing face
424
is in gliding contact against the hinge
419
of at least one, and preferably two, toggle joint(s), each one formed by a hinged quadrilateral composed of four arms
418
,
420
,
427
and
428
. While the two arms
418
and
420
correspond to those of the first embodiment, the two arms
427
and
428
are arranged substantially symmetrically to the latter with respect to the longitudinal sliding axis A of the pump stem
404
. The hinge
429
opposite the hinge
419
is in gliding contact against a longitudinal rib
430
of the lid
440
. The hinge
418
a
between the arms
418
and
428
is in gliding contact with a transverse rib
432
. In the rest position, the arm
428
comes up along an oblique rib
437
. The ribs
430
,
437
and
432
are formed contiguously on the inside of the sleeve
454
.
The end piece
413
fitted on the pump stem
404
has a shoulder on which rests a washer
434
on the transverse surface of which rests the hinge
420
a
opposite the hinge
418
a.
The upper end of the end piece
413
opens transversely into the deformable bellows
412
connecting the end piece
413
to the nozzle
410
. During a transverse push on the pushbutton
408
, the hinge
429
being locked transversely against the rib
430
, the transverse extension of the hinged quadrilateral decreases while its longitudinal extension increases. Since the hinge
418
a
is locked by the rib
432
, it is the hinge
420
a
which is displaced longitudinally thereby causing, via the washer
434
and the end piece
413
, actuation of the pump stem
404
. During this movement, the hinge
429
glides against the rib
430
, the hinge
418
a
against the rib
432
, the hinge
420
a
against the washer
434
and the hinge
419
against the surface
408
a
of the pushing device
408
.
At the end of the stroke of the pushing device, the hinge
419
comes up against a step
435
of the surface
408
a
and the hinge
420
a
against a step
436
on the washer
434
. The mechanical advantages of the hinged quadrilateral are identical to those of the toggle joint of the first embodiment. This hinged quadrilateral in addition has a greater resistance to fatigue because of the better distribution of forces.
The sixth embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 13 and 14
differs from the previous one solely in the use of a deformable sleeve in place of each hinged quadrilateral. The elements similar or identical to those of the first embodiment now bear the same reference number increased by 500.
The substantially cylindrical sleeve
538
is placed with its axis in a transverse direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of pushing of the button
508
. It has a substantially elliptical section, the major axis of which coincides with the direction of displacement of the pushing device
508
and the minor axis of which coincides with the longitudinal sliding direction of the pump stem
504
. When the button
508
is pushed from its rest position to its active position, the parts of the sleeve
538
located at the ends
519
and
529
of said major axis are brought together transversely between the surface
508
a
and the rib
530
, respectively. The sleeve
538
of substantially constant perimeter is then deformed by moving the ends
518
a
and
520
a
of said minor axis apart, which causes the washer
534
to move away from the rib
532
and the pump stem
504
to slide in the course [sic]
502
. Here, the washer
534
exhibits a central depression
539
designed to stabilize transversely the sleeve
538
. The mechanical advantages of the actuating member formed by the sleeve
538
are similar, in terms of transfer of forces, to those of the toggle joint of the first embodiment. Preferably, a similar sleeve is arranged on each side of the pump stem
504
.
A seventh embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 15 and 16
. The elements similar or identical to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference number increased by 600.
In this variant, the casing R has a shape which is substantially that of a block of square section, two diagonally opposite corners
647
of which are cut substantially perpendicularly to said diagonal and the thickness of which is substantially equal to a quarter of the length. The casing R has a container
648
having at mid-thickness a substantially semicircular outer peripheral groove
641
, and is closed on its upper face by a lid
640
. The deformable membrane
607
is formed by a substantially central thinned part of the lid
640
and has in its rest position, visible in
FIG. 16
, a convexity directed outward from the casing R. On its inner face, the membrane bears the thicker portion
607
c
in gliding contact with the hinge
619
of at least one, preferably two, toggle joint(s), each one formed by the two arms
618
and
620
.
The nozzle
610
is mounted substantially at mid-thickness in a side wall
649
of the container
648
on the inner face of which the pump control stem
604
is directly engaged. A duct
612
through the wall
649
connects the stem
604
to the nozzle
610
. At the level of the duct
612
, the wall
649
has a part
646
projecting toward the inside of the casing R. In this embodiment, the bottle is replaced by a reservoir B with rigid wall
644
completely enclosed in the casing R and able to move longitudinally therein under the action of the toggle joint
618
to
620
. The reservoir B has a shape substantially in the form of a capital E with a base
650
from which extend longitudinally two side wings
651
and a central throat
601
forming the neck of the reservoir in which the pump body
602
is mounted fixedly.
The throat
601
is closed at its end by a transverse plate
643
through which the pump body
602
passes and which has two end parts projecting transversely from each side of the throat
601
toward the side wings
651
. The plate
643
attached to the reservoir B acts as a bearing surface for each arm
620
of the toggle joint whose free end
620
a
is engaged in a notch
645
of the plate
643
in order to form a pivot connection therewith. The other arm
618
of each toggle joint has its free end
618
a
longitudinally locked in translation by a pin
642
formed at the bottom of the container
648
. When the toggle joint is opened by a transverse push exerted on the membrane
607
, the entire reservoir B and pump body
602
slide longitudinally toward the nozzle
610
around the pump stem
604
, thus causing a dose of product to be expelled. In order to slide around the pins
642
, the base
650
of the reservoir B has two longitudinal grooves
652
. During this sliding, the hinge
619
glides longitudinally over the thick portion
607
c
of the membrane
607
. The mechanical advantages of the two toggle joints for this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.
The seventh embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 17 and 18
has, compared to the sixth embodiment, a different design of the reservoir B. The elements similar or identical to those of the first embodiment bear the same reference number increased by 700.
In this variant, the reservoir B is formed by a pocket, the wall
744
of which is made of a flexible plastic film. The reservoir B is substantially U-shaped with a base
750
and two side wings
751
. The pump body
702
is attached directly to the middle of the base
750
between the two wings
751
and bears the plate
743
. Two grooves
752
under the base
750
allow it to slide longitudinally around the pins
742
of the casing R. As is visible in
FIG. 18
, the membrane
707
has, in the active position, a convexity directed inward from the casing R.
Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular exemplary embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it comprises all the technical equivalents of the means described together with their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, and wherein the bearing member is able to bear on said member for transmitting force on either side of said toggle joint hinge, on reinforcing ribs carried by the two toggle joint lever arms.
- 2. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, and wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two additional arms hinged respectively to each of said toggle joint lever arms at the free ends thereof, said additional arms being hinged together at their respective ends opposite said toggle joint lever arms in order to form a hinged quadrilateral.
- 3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinge (429) of said additional arms (427, 428) of the quadrilateral is kept transversely in gliding contact with a substantially longitudinal guiding rib (430) of said device in order to be able to slide against said guiding rib (430) during the actuation of said pump (P).
- 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that that one of said additional arms (428) which is hinged to said stationary end (418a) of the member for transmitting force is stopped against an oblique stop rib (437) of said device in said rest position.
- 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said guiding rib (430) and said stop rib (437) are formed contiguously on an inner face of said casing (R).
- 6. The device according to claim 2, wherein said casing comprises a lid having a longitudinal notch to enable the lid to pass around said nozzle.
- 7. The device according to claim 2, wherein said bearing member comprises a pushbutton guided in transverse translation into an opening of a side wall of the casing.
- 8. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises an elastically deformable cylindrical sleeve arranged with its axis in a direction which is substantially transverse and substantially perpendicular to the direction of the bearing force of said bearing member, said sleeve exhibiting in said rest position a substantially elliptical section, the major axis of which coincides with the direction of said bearing force and the minor axis of which coincides with said longitudinal direction, the ends of said minor axis forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said sleeve being deformed during the push exerted by the user on said bearing member such that its major axis is shortened whilst its minor axis is elongated.
- 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the parts (519, 529) of said sleeve (538) at the ends of said major axis are respectively in gliding contact with a longitudinal wall (508a) of said bearing member (508) and with a substantially longitudinal guiding rib (530) of said casing (R).
- 10. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein paid reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein the aforementioned connecting means is a flexible tube or a deformable bellows or one or more pieces which can be moved with respect to the casing.
- 11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said stationary end part of the member for transmitting force is offset with respect to the axis of said hollow stem.
- 12. Device according to claim 10, wherein said first pump element is said hollow stem, said movable end part of the member for transmitting force is hinged on an end piece mounted fixedly on the free end of the hollow stem in order to bear on said hollow stem, said end piece carrying the aforementioned connecting means.
- 13. Device according to claim 10, wherein the dispensing nozzle is carried fixedly by the casing.
- 14. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is small, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein said first pump element is said pump body, said movable end part of the member for transmitting force bearing on a substantially transverse wall carried by said pump body, said pump body and said reservoir being moveable in said direction which is longitudinal with respect to said casing.
- 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said hollow stem (604) lies on the other side of said transverse wall (643) with respect to said member for transmitting force (618-620), the free end of said hollow stem being mounted fixedly in a wall (649) of the casing (R) carrying said nozzle (610), said connection means being a duct (612) formed through said casing wall.
- 16. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein the aforementioned bearing member comprises a flexible membrane mounted fixedly in the wall of the casing.
- 17. Device according to claim 16, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms.
- 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the two toggle joint lever arms (118, 120) are hinged via a central piece, (119) guided transversely in translation in said casing (R).
- 19. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the bearing member (208) is integral with the hinge (219) between the two aforementioned arms (218, 220).
- 20. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein said casing forms an outer packaging completely containing said reservoir.
- 21. Device according to claim 20, wherein the member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, andwherein the free end of the toggle joint lever arm which forms said stationary end of the member for transmitting force is hinged about a fixed point of the casing.
- 22. Device according to claim 20, wherein the member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, andwherein the free toggle joint lever arm end which forms said stationary end of the member for transmitting force is able to be displaced in translation in a substantially transverse direction of the casing, the corresponding toggle joint lever arm being able to act as bearing member.
- 23. Device according to claim 20, wherein said reservoir is formed from a pocket made of a flexible plastic film.
- 24. Device according to claim 20, wherein said member for transmitting force is contained in said outer casing.
- 25. Device for dispensing a fluid, gaseous, liquid or pasty product, comprising a reservoir containing several doses of product, a pump comprising two pump elements, that is a hollow stem and a pump body fitted onto said reservoir, said two elements being slidable one with respect to the other in a longitudinal direction in order to pump said product, and an outer casing interacting with a nozzle for dispensing the product,said nozzle is connected by a connecting means to said hollow stem, and with a pump actuating means to expel a dose of product via the dispensing nozzle on each action exerted by the user on said actuating means, said actuating means comprising a bearing member that is accessible from the outside of the casing and a member for transmitting force, said member for transmitting force having two longitudinal end parts, a first one of said end parts being movable, and bearing on a first of said two pump elements in order so that said first one of said two pump elements slides longitudinally and a second one of said end parts being locked in translation with respect to said outer casing in said longitudinal direction, said bearing member moving essentially transversely in order to bear on said member for transmitting force between said two longitudinal end parts, so as to be able to deform said member for transmitting force between a rest position, in which at least one intermediate portion of said transmission member has a nonzero curvature, and an active position, in which the curvature of said intermediate portion is smaller, in order to increase the longitudinal extension of said member for transmitting force by causing a mutual sliding of said pump elements, wherein said reservoir is housed at least partially in said casing, said member for transmitting force being arranged such that the transformation, by said member for transmitting force, from the pushing force exerted by the user on said bearing member into a longitudinal sliding force exerted on said first pump element increases throughout the push, so that said longitudinal sliding force ejects the dose of product at a velocity which is high enough to provide a spray via said nozzle, wherein the dispensing nozzle can be moved with respect to the casing.
- 26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the connecting means is a connecting piece which is borne directly at a lower end thereof by said hollow stem of the pump and is moveable with respect to the casing, said connecting piece comprising an axial passage which opens out at an end thereof onto said hollow stem and at another end thereof onto the dispensing nozzle, wherein said dispensing nozzle is borne by said connecting piece.
- 27. The device according to claims 26, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms (18, 20; 118, 120; 213, 220; 318, 320;l[sic] 418, 420; 618, 620) hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle (θ1) in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, wherein said connecting piece and said toggle joint lever arms form a single molded piece.
- 28. The device according to claim 26, wherein said casing comprises a guide means for guiding said connecting piece, said connecting piece being capable of sliding vertically with respect to the guide means.
- 29. The device according to claims 26, wherein said member for transmitting force comprises two toggle joint lever arms (18, 20; 118, 120; 218, 220; 318, 320; 418, 420; 618, 620) hinged directly or indirectly one with respect to the other at said intermediate portion, the free ends of the two arms opposing to said hinge forming respectively said longitudinal end parts of said member for transmitting force, said two arms forming together an obtuse angle (θ1) in said rest position and remaining unaligned in said active position, without going through an aligned position of the two arms, wherein said pushbutton has a bearing face and a face opposite said bearing face which is in gliding contact against the hinge between said toggle joint lever arms.
- 30. The device according to claim 25, wherein said dispensing nozzle is positioned perpendicularly to an axis of the outer casing.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
99 15649 |
Dec 1999 |
FR |
|
PCT Information
Filing Document |
Filing Date |
Country |
Kind |
PCT/FR00/03464 |
|
WO |
00 |
Publishing Document |
Publishing Date |
Country |
Kind |
WO01/44076 |
6/21/2001 |
WO |
A |
US Referenced Citations (5)
Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
Number |
Date |
Country |
0 557 714 |
Sep 1993 |
EP |
0 899 213 |
Mar 1999 |
EP |
0 899 213 |
Mar 1999 |
EP |
2 649 955 |
Jan 1991 |
FR |
1 247 947 |
Sep 1971 |
GB |