FLUID PRODUCT DISPENSING HEAD

Abstract

A fluid dispenser head for associating with a fluid dispenser member (5), such as a pump or a valve, the head comprising an outlet nozzle (1, 2) via which the fluid is dispensed out from the head, the nozzle including an elastically-deformable part (1) that, in use, forms a fluid dispenser orifice in the form of a self-sealing slot comprising two edges that are in mutual leaktight contact in the absence of fluid under pressure in the nozzle, the dispenser head being characterized in that the dispenser orifice does not exist before the head is used for the first time, the orifice being created by the fluid under pressure while the head is being used for the first time, or by the user.

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser head for associating with, or mounting on, a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve. Such dispenser heads are frequently used in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy, in combination with a pump or a valve for dispensing fluids of very diverse viscosities.

In general, dispenser heads include an outlet nozzle via which fluid is dispensed out from the head. The user can thus collect the fluid at the nozzle. In the field of cosmetics, nozzles are frequently used that fluid is dispensed not as a spray, but on the contrary, in the form of a thread, a strip, or a glob. In addition, it is advantageous for the nozzle simultaneously to ensure that the fluid to be dispensed does not spoil. Thus, it is already known to use the nozzle as a closure member. The nozzle may include an elastically-deformable part that forms a fluid dispenser orifice in the form of a self-sealing slot comprising two edges that are in mutual leaktight contact in the absence of fluid under pressure in the nozzle. The self-sealing slot may be made by slitting the elastically-deformable part after it has been molded. The slot remains closed at rest and opens only when the fluid under pressure arrives at the slot and forces the two edges apart, thereby opening a dispenser orifice.

In addition to the need to preserve the fluid, it is increasingly required that first use is guaranteed. There already exist various first-use safety means that guarantee to the user that the dispenser has not been used beforehand. It is already known to cover the dispenser head with a film that the user removes before first use. When the dispenser head is in the form of an axially movable pusher, it is also known to block the movement of the pusher by means of a ring that the user pulls off before first use. Systems involving an adhesive tab stuck on the dispenser orifice are also used as first-use safety means.

An object of the present invention is to guarantee first use of a dispenser head having an orifice that is in the form of a self-sealing slot. Another object of the present invention is to ensure first-use safety without adding an additional part. Naturally, it is an object of the present invention to produce the dispenser head inexpensively. Another object is to avoid the user having to remove an element that must then be thrown away. An object of the invention is to eliminate any removable element.

To do this, the present invention proposes a fluid dispenser head for associating with a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, the head comprising an outlet nozzle via which the fluid is dispensed out from the head, the nozzle including an elastically-deformable part that, in use, forms a fluid dispenser orifice in the form of a self-sealing slot comprising two edges that are in mutual leaktight contact in the absence of fluid under pressure in the nozzle, the dispenser head being characterized in that the dispenser orifice does not exist before the head is used for the first time. In a first embodiment, it is the user who creates the dispenser orifice by piercing, slitting, or tearing the elastically-deformable part while the dispenser head is being used for the first time. In a second embodiment, the part includes a zone of weakness defining a slot starter that is suitable for tearing under the pressure of the fluid, the orifice thus being created by the fluid under pressure while the head is being used for the first time. The slot starter is preferably formed by the wall thickness of the part being reduced locally. The fluid under pressure that arrives at the slot starter deforms the part until it ruptures at the starter. The dispenser orifice is thus created without the user having to intervene. As soon as the pressure of the fluid drops, the newly-created orifice closes: more precisely, the two opposite edges of the newly-created slot return into mutual leaktight contact.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the nozzle further includes a tube on which the deformable part is mounted, the tube internally defining a fluid outlet channel. Advantageously, the head further includes a body defining an internal fluid duct and a reception housing for receiving the tube in such a manner as to extend the duct by the outlet channel of the tube. The body preferably includes a connection sleeve for connecting to an outlet of an actuator rod of a dispenser member. The tube advantageously serves as a mechanical and fluid-flow connection element between the elastically-deformable part and the body of the head. Firstly, the tube serves as a support to the deformable part, and secondly the tube is inserted into the reception housing of the body. This nozzle design comprising a tube and a deformable part can be implemented separately, i.e. independently of whether or not the deformable part is initially closed.

In another advantageous aspect of the invention, the part comprises a front dispenser wall forming the dispenser orifice after use, and a fastener ring engaged around the tube. Advantageously, the part is situated entirely outside the body.

According to another characteristic, the part is molded onto the tube. In a variant, the part can be dual-injected with the tube in a single mold.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the head further includes a cover in which the body is housed, the part projecting laterally from the cap.

An advantageous principle of the present invention is to use the elastically-deformable part as first-use safety means by not forming the dispenser orifice, such that it is closed before the head is used for the first time. The dispenser orifice of the invention is thus characterized by its non-existence before first use.

The invention is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings which show two embodiments of the invention by way of non-limiting example.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section view through a fluid dispenser head constituting a first embodiment and mounted on a dispenser member, the head being in its configuration before first use;

FIG. 2 is a view of the FIG. 1 nozzle after first use; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a nozzle constituting another embodiment, in its configuration before first use.

Reference is made firstly to FIG. 1 in order to describe in detail the structure of a fluid dispenser head constituting a first embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the dispenser head is in the form of a pusher for mounting on the outlet of an actuator rod 52 of a dispenser member 5 that can be a pump or a valve. The dispenser member includes a body 51 in which the actuator rod 52 is axially movable down and up. The rod 52 projects out from the body 51 and internally defines a delivery duct 53. By pressing on the dispenser head (that serves as pusher), the actuator rod 52 moves axially inside the body 51. Fluid is then delivered through the duct 53 and the head until it reaches a dispenser orifice. This configuration is entirely conventional in the fields of perfumery, cosmetics, or even pharmacy.

The dispenser head includes a body 3 that in general is made by injection molding a hard plastics material. The body 3 includes a connection sleeve 31 connected to the free end of the actuator rod. The body 3 internally defines a duct 32 that extends the duct 53 formed inside the rod 52. In addition, the body 3 forms a reception housing 33 into which the duct 32 opens out.

The dispenser head also includes an outlet nozzle that, in this embodiment, comprises two component elements, namely an elastically-deformable part 1 and a tube 2. The tube 2 presents a general configuration that is substantially cylindrical with a hollow inside forming an outlet channel 21 that extends the internal duct 32 of the body 3. The tube 2 can be divided into two sections, namely an external section 22 on which the deformable part 1 is mounted, and an internal section 23 that is engaged inside the reception housing 33. The external section 22 projects out from the reception housing 33. The external section 22 can be formed with external profiles that enable the deformable part 1 to be fastened thereon. The deformable part 1 includes a front wall 11 that is situated at the outlet of the channel 21 of the tube 2. The front wall 1 can be in contact with the tube 2 or at a distance therefrom, as in FIG. 1. The deformable part 1 also includes a fastener ring 13 that is engaged around the outside 22 of the tube 2. Retention of the ring on the tube is enhanced by the presence of the fastener profiles of the outside 22. Advantageously, the deformable part 1 can be molded onto the tube 2, or, in a variant, the part 1 and the tube 2 can be made by a dual-injection molding technique. The part 1 is made with a plastics material that is more flexible than the tube 2 that must be rigid. With either technique the nozzle forms a single-piece element made of two materials and that is easy to handle while the head is being assembled. The deformable part 1 is situated entirely outside the reception housing 33. However, the part 1 could also extend inside the housing 33. The part 1 could even penetrate into the tube.

The dispenser head also includes a cover 4 that is generally made of metal. The cover 4 includes a top plate 41 that serves as a bearing surface for the user's finger when the user exerts a thrust force so as to actuate the dispenser member. The cover 4 also includes a side skirt 42 that extends downwards and that masks the body 3 entirely. The skirt 42 defines a side opening 43 through which the tube 2 extends. In general, the body 3 is force fitted inside the cover 4. In this embodiment of the invention, the cover 4 is also blocked on the body 3 by the tube 2 that is engaged inside the housing 33, since the tube 2 projects sideways out from the housing through the opening 43. It should also be observed that the deformable part 1 is situated entirely outside the cover 4.

Advantageously, the deformable part 1 is made of a flexible material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer. In the invention, the front wall 11 is formed with a zone of weakness that, in this embodiment, is in the form of a rupture starter 12. In FIG. 1, the rupture starter 12 is in the form of a V-shaped groove. At the bottom of the groove, the thickness of the wall 11 is considerably reduced, thereby forming a zone of weakness in tearing. FIG. 1 shows the dispenser head of the invention before first use. In this embodiment, the front wall 11 is characterized by the absence of a dispenser orifice. There is no outlet passage for the fluid. While the head is being used for the first time, fluid under pressure flows up to the front wall 11 from the ducts 53 and 32 and from the channel 21. The fluid then exerts pressure on the rupture starter 12 that gives way so as to create a self-sealing slot that serves as a dispenser orifice. Reference can be made to FIG. 2 which shows the outlet nozzle, namely the part 1 and the tube 2, after first use. It can be seen that the slot starter 12 is connected to the outside surface of the wall 11 via a slot 10 defining two edges 101 and 102 that are in mutual leaktight contact in the absence of any fluid under pressure. The fluid under pressure has thus caused the wall 11 to rupture at the starter 12. Thereafter, the nozzle performs an entirely conventional function as a closure member with its self-sealing slot.

Reference can be made to FIG. 3 which shows a variant embodiment in which the slot starter 12′ is in the form of a recess of rectangular section. At the bottom of the recess, there can be provided a small notch at which the wall 11 ruptures. Naturally, it is possible to envisage a variety of shapes for the slot starter. In general, the slot starter defines a local reduction in the thickness of the wall 11.

In the two embodiments described with reference to figures, it is the pressure of the fluid that creates the dispenser orifice. Provision can also be made for the dispenser orifice to be created by the user who pierces, slits, tears, or cuts the front wall of the part 1. For example, it is possible to envisage that the front wall forms a tab that the user can pull and cause the front wall to rupture along a predetermined line. The tab remains secured to a flexible flap that closes the dispenser orifice in leaktight manner at rest.

The fact of mounting the deformable part on a tube that is in turn mounted on the body of the head, is protectable in itself. It is optional whether or not the deformable part is initially provided with a dispenser orifice.

The invention provides a dispenser head including a closure member that is leaktight at rest and that simultaneously serves to guarantee first use for the user.

Claims

1. A fluid dispenser head for associating with a fluid dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, the head comprising an outlet nozzle via which the fluid is dispensed out from the head, the nozzle including an elastically-deformable part that, in use, forms a fluid dispenser orifice in the form of a self-sealing slot comprising two edges that are in mutual leaktight contact in the absence of fluid under pressure in the nozzle, the dispenser head being characterized in that the dispenser orifice does not exist before the head is used for the first time.

2. A dispenser head according to claim 1, in which the part includes a zone of weakness defining a slot starter that is suitable for tearing under the pressure of the fluid, the orifice thus being created by the fluid under pressure while the head is being used for the first time.

3. A dispenser head according to claim 2, in which the slot starter is formed by the wall thickness of the part being reduced locally.

4. A dispenser head according to claim 1, in which the nozzle further includes a tube on which the deformable part is mounted, the tube internally defining a fluid outlet channel.

5. A dispenser head according to claim 4, further including a body defining an internal fluid duct and a reception housing for receiving the tube in such a manner as to extend the duct by the outlet channel of the tube.

6. A dispenser head according to claim 5, in which the body includes a connection sleeve for connecting on an actuator rod of a dispenser member.

7. A dispenser head according to claim 4, in which the part comprises a front dispenser wall forming the dispenser orifice after use, and a fastener ring engaged around the tube.

8. A dispenser head according to claim 7, in which the part is situated entirely outside the body.

9. A dispenser head according to claim 4, in which the part is molded onto the tube.

10. A dispenser head according to claim 4, in which the part is dual-injected with the tube.

11. A dispenser head according to claim 5, further including a cover in which the body is housed, the part projecting laterally from the cap.