Patent Application
20080116223
The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser device, and more particularly to such a device provided with a system preventing said device from being actuated accidentally.
A fluid dispenser device, in particular for dispensing pharmaceuticals, or for use in the fields of perfumery or cosmetics, generally comprises one or more reservoirs containing the fluid, and a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir. A dispenser head provided with a dispenser orifice is assembled on the pump or the valve so as to dispense the content of the reservoir. Generally, the head is axially displaceable relative to the reservoir, so as to actuate the pump or the valve. Nowadays, it is common to use portable devices so as to make it possible to use the dispenser device whenever or wherever desired. Such devices are therefore generally transportable, e.g. in a handbag, a pocket, or the like. In this event, the problem exists of the device being actuated accidentally while it is being transported or stored in said handbag. Generally, in order to avoid the device being actuated accidentally, a system is provided that the user must manipulate before being able to use the device. Pull-tab or slide systems that prevent the device from being actuated are well known. However, such devices are relatively complex to manufacture and to assemble, and they require the user to perform specific hand movements in order to be able to use the device.
An object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser device that does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.
In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a fluid dispenser device that can effectively prevent accidental actuation, regardless of how the device is actuated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid dispenser device that does not require any specific manipulation linked to the anti-actuation system.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid dispenser device that does not require any modification to existing standard reservoirs and pumps or valves, and that, on the contrary, adapts easily to existing devices.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a fluid dispenser device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and to assemble.
The present invention thus provides a fluid dispenser device comprising: a reservoir containing the fluid; a dispenser head provided with a dispenser orifice, said dispenser head being displaceable relative to said reservoir so as to dispense the fluid through said dispenser orifice; and a removable protective cap that is displaceable between a closed position, in which it covers said dispenser orifice, and an open position, in which it uncovers said dispenser orifice; said device further comprising blocking means that are displaceable and/or deformable between a blocking position, in which they prevent fluid from being dispensed, and a release position, in which they do not prevent fluid from being dispensed, said blocking means being displaced and/or deformed into their blocking position by said protective cap in its closed position.
Advantageously, said blocking means are resiliently urged towards their release position, such that the displacement of the protective cap towards its open position automatically causes said blocking means to be displaced and/or deformed towards their release position.
Advantageously, in the blocking position, said blocking means co-operate firstly with said dispenser head or with an element secured thereto, and secondly with said reservoir or with an element secured thereto, for substantially preventing mutual displacement thereof.
Advantageously, said blocking means are secured to said dispenser head.
Advantageously, said blocking means are made integrally with said dispenser head.
Advantageously, said blocking means comprise at least one substantially rigid blocking element that is connected via a substantially flexible hinge to a substantially rigid support portion.
Advantageously, said support portion is secured to said dispenser head, and in particular is integral therewith.
Advantageously, said hinge comprises a bridge of elastically-deformable material that forms a pivot hinge for pivoting said blocking element about said support element.
Advantageously, in the blocking position, each blocking element co-operates firstly with the reservoir or with an element secured thereto, and secondly directly with its corresponding support portion.
Advantageously, said blocking means include cam means, and said protective cap includes control means, said control means co-operating with said cam means so as to displace and/or deform said blocking means into their blocking position, when said protective cap is brought into its closed position.
Advantageously, said dispenser head includes at least one opening through which said control means of said protective cap pass, while said protective cap is being brought into its closed position.
Advantageously, each blocking element includes a cam surface that co-operates with a corresponding control projection of said protective cap.
Advantageously, a pump or a valve is assembled on said reservoir by means of a fastener ring, said blocking means, in their blocking position, co-operating with said fastener ring.
In a first variant embodiment of the invention, fluid is dispensed while the user manually displaces the dispenser head axially relative to the reservoir.
In a variant, the device includes lateral actuator means.
Advantageously, said lateral actuator means comprise a manual actuator element that is mounted to pivot about said dispenser head, and that co-operates with said reservoir or with an element secured thereto.
Advantageously, an actuator member is pivotally mounted on said manual actuator element, said actuator member co-operating with said reservoir or with an element secured thereto, so as to displace said reservoir relative to said dispenser head, while said manual actuator element is being actuated by the user.
Advantageously, said blocking means comprise two diametrally-opposite blocking elements.
Advantageously, said blocking means are formed on said dispenser head.
Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear more clearly from the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
With reference to the figures, a fluid dispenser device generally includes a reservoir 10 on which a pump or a valve 50 can be mounted, e.g. by means of a fastener ring 60, such as a crimp-fastener, snap-fastener, or screw-fastener ring. Since these various elements are not directly involved in the invention, they are not described in greater detail below. Naturally, the invention also applies to devices including a plurality of separate reservoirs.
A dispenser head 20 is assembled on the reservoir, preferably on the pump or the valve 50, said head being axially displaceable relative to said reservoir so as to dispense a dose of the fluid contained in the reservoir. The dispenser head 20 includes a dispenser orifice 21 through which the fluid can be dispensed. A protective cap 30 is also provided to protect the dispenser head 20, and, in particular, to cover the dispenser orifice 21 while the cap is in its closed position. In order to dispense the fluid, the user removes the cap 30 so as to uncover the dispenser orifice 21 and allow dispensing to take place. It should be observed that the dispenser head of the two embodiments shown in the figures is of nasal type, but the present invention could apply to any type of dispenser head. In addition, the protective cap 30 is shown as being completely separable, but it could also be of the captive type, i.e. it could be permanently connected to the device, even in its open position.
In the invention, blocking means 40 are provided so as to prevent any accidental actuation, e.g. while the device is stored in a handbag or the like. The blocking means 40, preferably formed on the dispenser head 20, are displaceable and/or deformable between a blocking position, shown in
As can be seen in the figures, while in their blocking position, the blocking means preferably co-operate firstly with the dispenser head 20 or with an element secured thereto, and secondly with the reservoir 10 or with an element secured thereto, in particular the fastener ring 60, for substantially preventing mutual displacement, in particular axial displacement, of the dispenser head 20 relative to the reservoir 10. It should be understood that what is prevented in the embodiments shown, is any axial displacement that is sufficient to dispense the fluid contained in the reservoir 10. A very small axial displacement until the blocking means 40 come into abutment against the fastener ring 60 can obviously be envisaged.
The blocking means 40 are advantageously secured to the dispenser head 20, and they are preferably made integrally therewith, e.g. by molding or by overmolding. They advantageously comprise at least one blocking element 41. In the first embodiment shown in
Advantageously, the blocking means 40 include cam means 45, and said protective cap 30 includes control means 35. The cam means 45 are advantageously provided by a cam surface that is formed on each blocking element 41. The cam surface 45 can be formed on a projection of said blocking element 41. The control means 35 are advantageously formed inside the protective cap 30, and as many control means 35 can be provided as there are blocking elements 41. In a variant, it is also possible to provide a single common control element 35 that co-operates with the various blocking elements 41. The control means 35 are advantageously formed by an internal projection of the protective cap 30, which internal projection co-operates with said cam means 45 through an opening 25 provided in the dispenser head 20. While the cap is being put into its closed position, the control means 35 therefore pass through said opening 25 and come to co-operate with the cam surface 45 of the blocking element 41, so as to cause said blocking element to pivot about the flexible hinge 42, into the blocking position.
Other modifications are possible for the person skilled in the art, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, as defined by the accompanying claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05/50465 | Feb 2005 | FR | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP06/60095 | 2/20/2006 | WO | 00 | 11/7/2007 |
