PROTECTIVE COVER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective cover for mounting on a circular cylindrical housing of a dispensing device, such as a pump. The cover comprises a body and a cylindrical sleeve designed to engage around or outside the circular cylindrical housing, thereby securing the cover to the housing in a removable manner. When the user wishes to operate the dispenser, the cover must first be removed to expose the dispensing device, and more specifically its dispensing orifice. The preferred applications of the invention are in the perfume and cosmetics industries.

[0002] In prior art, protective covers are already known, consisting of a body and a circular cylindrical sleeve made of plastic. The circular cylindrical casing is generally made of aluminum, possibly with an annular groove. The circular cylindrical sleeve makes friction contact with the casing or, alternatively, the sleeve includes projecting internal profiles that snap into the annular groove of the casing. In both cases, the cover can be removed from the casing with a reasonable pulling force.

[0003] Currently, a growing trend is leading us to reduce the use of plastic in combination with other materials, particularly metals, for reasons of recycling, but also of quality. Indeed, a metal object suggests better quality than the same object made of plastic.

[0004] The housing is already made of aluminum, and it's well known that mounting one aluminum part onto another is not easy due to the metal's low elasticity. Aluminum deforms easily but has no shape memory. In contrast, some plastics can easily deform, both elastically and through creep. A plastic bushing with internal profiles expands and then returns to its original shape when the profiles fit into the annular groove. This isn't possible with an aluminum bushing or even a rigid plastic bushing. The snap-fit ​​would be permanent, or the internal profiles would be flattened.

[0005] Document US3225958 describes a hood according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The present invention aims to overcome the challenge of mounting a rigid cylindrical bushing, made of plastic or preferably metal such as aluminum, onto a pump or valve housing. The bushing's elasticity is to be achieved not through the inherent properties of the material used, but through its specific configuration.

[0007] To achieve this goal, the present invention proposes that the cylindrical sleeve have a non-circular cross-section defining areas of larger and smaller diameters, thus exhibiting elastic deformability. The smaller diameter areas delimit an internal circular cylinder having a diameter equal to or slightly less than the external diameter of the circular cylindrical housing. The sleeve can have any cylindrical, geometric, or other shape, such as a star, or with meanders or zigzags, thus defining areas of smaller diameter delimiting an inscribed circular cylinder. It is preferable to have at least three smaller diameter areas to ensure proper adhesion to the housing.

[0008] Furthermore, the hood comprises a circular cylindrical sleeve that engages with the body. The cylindrical sleeve defines larger diameter zones that delimit an external inscribed circular cylinder having a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the internal diameter of the circular cylindrical sleeve. The cylindrical sleeve is engaged within the circular cylindrical sleeve, with its larger diameter zones in contact with the circular cylindrical sleeve, while its smaller diameter zones remain separated from the circular cylindrical sleeve. Advantageously, the circular cylindrical sleeve may include a recessed shoulder that engages with the ends of the larger diameter zones, so as to firmly hold the cylindrical sleeve between the body and the recessed shoulder. Thus, the sleeve does not need to engage radially against the inside of the sleeve, since it is held in place by the recessed shoulder.

[0009] Advantageously, the cylindrical sleeve can have a polygonal cross-section, thus defining several flat faces connected by edges, the flat faces forming the areas of smaller diameter and the edges forming the areas of larger diameter. A cylinder with slightly curved, convex, or profiled faces, or with sharp or rounded edges, can be described as a cylinder with a polygonal cross-section.

[0010] With a polygon, the flat faces define an inscribed circular cylinder with a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the external diameter of the circular cylindrical casing, such that the flat faces come into contact with the circular cylindrical casing. With a regular polygon, the flat faces will come into contact with the casing at their midline, ensuring symmetrical and balanced elastic deformation. The edges are then equidistant from two adjacent contacts. The cylindrical sleeve exhibits elastic deformability at its flat faces and / or its edges.

[0011] Preferably, the edges are rounded, for aesthetic reasons or to avoid damaging the sleeve.

[0012] In one particular embodiment, the cylindrical socket may include a base, which ensures greater integrity.

[0013] Advantageously, the cylindrical socket is made of metal, advantageously of aluminum. Preferably, the hood is made entirely of metal, advantageously of aluminum.

[0014] The present invention also defines a fluid product dispenser comprising a dispensing element, such as a pump, a fluid product reservoir, a mounting element for attaching the dispensing element to the fluid product reservoir, a housing mounted on the mounting element, and a cover as defined above mounted on the housing. The cover may include a cylindrical or non-circular sleeve. The sleeve is preferably made of aluminum, as are the body and the sleeve, if any.

[0015] The essence of the invention lies in imparting an elastic characteristic to the socket, which does not originate from its constituent material, but from its configuration, its specific manufacturing process, its architecture, or its geometry. The non-circular shape (in cross-section) of the socket provides it with an excess of length, which gives it an elasticity it would not possess if it were circular. The convolutions, meanders, zigzags, or successions of flat faces and edges or angles provide structural elasticity, like that of a coil spring or an accordion, and not intrinsic elasticity, like that of certain plastics.

[0016] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

[0017] In the figures: There figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional and perspective view of a hood according to a first embodiment of the invention, The figure 2 is a perspective view of a fluid product dispenser on which the hood of the figure 1 can be mounted, The figure 3 is a perspective view of the socket of the figure 1 , There figure 4 is a perspective view of the socket of the figure 3 in a sleeve, as on the figure 1 , There figure 5 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the socket and sleeve of the figure 4 mounted on a distributor housing, and The figures 6, 7 et 8 are schematic horizontal cross-sectional views of three other embodiments of the invention.

[0018] First of all, the terms "cylinder" or "cylindrical" must be understood in their mathematical sense, that is, resulting from the displacement of a straight line of constant direction along a closed curve, which may be geometric or not.

[0019] On the figure 2 We see a distributor comprising a reservoir R forming a shoulder S from which a neck extends (not visible). A dispensing element P, such as a pump or a valve, is capped by a plunger B which actuates it and dispenses the fluid. The dispensing element includes a mounting bracket for securing it to the neck. This mounting bracket is surrounded by a casing H. Typically, this casing H is generally cylindrical, although it may include a top flap. The casing H is press-fitted around the mounting bracket and its lower edge may come into contact with the shoulder S of the reservoir R. Generally, the casing H is made of metal, often aluminum, with a thin wall thickness, on the order of a few tenths of a millimeter. The plunger B protrudes through the casing H: during its axial stroke, the plunger B may penetrate the casing H.

[0020] The distributor is completed by a protective cover C which covers the pusher B and surrounds the casing H. The cover C is held in a removable manner by friction around the casing H.

[0021] The cover C comprises a body 1 that defines a downward-opening receiving housing 11. The housing 11 has an overall cylindrical configuration, which may or may not be circular. The body 1 may have any external contour, primarily dictated by aesthetics. It may be made as a single piece or in several assembled parts. Its constituent material may be chosen from metals, plastics, ceramics, wood, glass, etc. Preferably, the body 1 is solid and made as a single piece of aluminum. It may be cast, pressed, or machined.

[0022] The protective cover C also includes a sleeve 2 which has a cylindrical, but not circular, configuration. The horizontal cross-section of the sleeve 2 can have a conventional geometric shape, such as a polygon. It can also have a more complex shape, with or without symmetry. The sleeve 2 is inserted into the receiving recess 11 of the body 1. It can be held in place by friction alone. Thus, the cover C may consist of only two components: the body 1 and the sleeve 2.

[0023] In the method of implementation of figures 1 à 5 The bushing 2 is engaged in the housing 11 of the body 1, but it is held in place by a sleeve 3, which is also engaged in the housing 11 and held in place, for example by friction. The sleeve 11 comprises a main circular cylindrical section 31 and a recessed shoulder 32 at its lower end. The main circular cylindrical section 31 defines an inner side 31i and an outer side 31e.

[0024] In the method of implementation of figures 1 à 5 The socket 2 has a regular hexagonal horizontal cross-section. It thus defines six flat faces 21 and six edges 23, connected to each other alternately. As can be seen more clearly on the figure 3 The flat faces 21 each comprise an inner side 21i and an outer side 21e, as well as two opposite free edges 22. The edges 23 each comprise an inner side 23i and an outer side 23e, as well as two opposite free edges 24. The free edges 22 and 24 together form the two opposite hexagonal edges of the socket 2. It can be noted that the edges 23 are not sharp, but on the contrary rounded or blunt.

[0025] As can be seen on the figure 4 The sleeve 2 is inserted into the sleeve 3. Due to its hexagonal shape, the outer edges of the ribs 23 come into more or less firm contact with the inner edge 31i of the sleeve 3. The outer edges 21e of the flat faces 21 remain ajar from the inner edge 31i of the sleeve 3. The sleeve 2 can be entirely contained within the sleeve 3 or, alternatively, it can protrude from the sleeve 3 on one side. It is preferable for the sleeve 3 to butt against the recessed shoulder 32 with one of its free hexagonal edges. The rounded edges 23 allow for more extensive contact with the sleeve 3, which reduces the risk of damaging it by bending or crazing. The free hexagonal edges can also be rounded or beveled to facilitate the insertion of the sleeve 2 into the sleeve 3.

[0026] The assembly formed by the socket engaged in the sleeve ( figure 4 ) is inserted into the receiving housing 11 of the body 1 to form the cover C of the figure 1 It is essential that the sleeve 3 is securely received in the housing 11, because it is the sleeve 2 that holds the socket 2 in place, thanks to its recessed shoulder 32.

[0027] On the figure 5 , we see the whole of the figure 4 engaged around the casing H. The inner sides 21i of the flat faces 21 come into contact with the casing H, while the inner sides 23i of the edges 23 remain separated. To reach this position, the sleeve 2 undergoes a slight deformation in contact with the casing H, which remains undeformed, since it surrounds the fastening member, which itself surrounds the neck. The deformation of the sleeve 2 is made possible by the fact that it only comes into local contact with the sleeve 3 and can therefore deform everywhere along its edges 23 or its flat faces 21. It should be noted that the sleeve 2 is never in contact with both the casing H and the sleeve 3 at any given point along its thickness. The sleeve 2 is either in contact with the casing H, or in contact with the sleeve, or out of contact with both. This gives it enough clearance to deform either outwards or inwards.Even though the deformation results in less radial support against the sleeve 3, the bushing 2 remains held in place by the recessed shoulder 32 of the sleeve. Thanks to this elastic deformation, an aluminum bushing can be mounted on an aluminum housing. However, it is possible that the bushing 3 could be made of another metallic or plastic material.

[0028] On the figure 6 We see a cylindrical sleeve 2' with a triangular cross-section engaged around a housing H. The sleeve 2' thus comprises three flat faces 21' and three edges 23', which can be more or less sharp or blunt. This triangular sleeve 2' offers better elasticity, but weaker retention. Indeed, it is easy to understand that reducing the number of faces reduces the number of contacts and therefore the retention, and vice versa.

[0029] On the figure 7 The housing H is always circularly cylindrical, but the 2" sleeve has a symmetrical, but not geometric, cross-section. It is formed by a succession of lobes of varying sizes, creating zones with a larger diameter of 23" and zones with a smaller diameter of 21". The smaller diameter 21" zones define an internal circular cylinder with a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the external diameter of the circular housing H. The larger diameter 23" zones define an internally inscribed cylinder of oblong, oval, or elliptical shape, corresponding to a housing for the body 1 of a similar shape.

[0030] On the figure 8 The 2" socket has a cross-section forming rounded hollows 21‴ and points 23‴. The inscribed cylinders are both circular.

[0031] Of course, one can imagine an infinite number of cross-sectional shapes for the sleeve of the invention, insofar as it is not circular, in order to avoid complete cylindrical contact with the housing H. Whatever the shape of the sleeve, it includes areas of smaller diameter, formed by the midpoints of the flat faces in the case of a polygonal shape ( figures 1 à 6 ) or the bottoms of the lobes ( figure 7 ) or hollows ( figures 8 ). These smaller diameter zones define an internally inscribed circular cylinder with a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the external diameter of the circular cylindrical casing H. Regardless of the shape of the socket, it includes larger diameter zones, formed by the edges in the case of a polygonal shape ( figures 1 à 6 ) or the tips of the lobes ( figure 7 ) or spikes ( figures 8). These larger diameter areas define an external inscribed cylinder which corresponds to the shape of the receiving housing 11 of the body or to that of the sleeve 3.

[0032] The socket of the invention can be cylindrical along all or part of its height. It can be through-hole or, on the contrary, be closed by a bottom, so as to form a cup.

[0033] The socket is preferably made by stamping a sheet of aluminum with a thickness of a few tens of millimeters. Once stamped, the sheet has the shape of a cup: the bottom can be cut off or not, as desired.

[0034] Thanks to this invention, it's possible to create a hood that offers greater elasticity, resulting in a different feel when removing and replacing the hood on the casing. The hood can be made with an aluminum bushing, or even entirely from aluminum, while the casing itself is also made of aluminum.

Claims

1. A protective cover (C) intended to be mounted on a circular cylindrical covering (H) of a dispensing member (P), such as a pump, the cover comprising a body (1), as well as a cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2"; 2‴) intended to mesh around the circular cylindrical covering (H), the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2''; 2‴) having a non-circular cross-section defining larger-diameter areas (23; 23'; 23''; 23‴) and smaller-diameter areas (21; 21'; 21''; 21‴), and thus having elastic deformability, the smaller-diameter areas (21; 21'; 21''; 21‴) delimiting an inner inscribed circular cylinder having a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the external diameter of the circular cylindrical covering (H), characterized in that it further comprises a circular cylindrical sleeve (3) meshed with the body (1), the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2‴) defining larger-diameter areas (23; 23'; 23‴) delimiting an outer inscribed circular cylinder having a diameter equal to or slightly greater than the inner diameter of the circular cylindrical sleeve (3), the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2‴) being engaged in the circular cylindrical sleeve (3), its larger-diameter areas (23; 23'; 23‴) coming into contact with the circular cylindrical sleeve (3), while its smaller-diameter areas (21; 21'; 21‴) remain away from the circular cylindrical sleeve (3).

2. The protective cover (C) according to claim 1, wherein the circular cylindrical sleeve (3) comprises a reentrant shoulder (32) which meshes with the ends of the larger-diameter areas (23; 23'; 23‴), so as to firmly hold the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2‴) between the body (1) and the reentrant shoulder (32).

3. The protective cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical bushing (2; 2') has a polygonal cross-section, thus defining several planar faces (21; 21') connected by ridges (23; 23'), the planar faces (21; 21') forming the smaller-diameter areas and the ridges forming the larger-diameter areas.

4. The protective cover (C) according to claim 3, wherein the planar faces (21; 21') delimit an inner inscribed circular cylinder having a diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the circular cylindrical covering (H), such that the planar faces (21; 21') come into contact with the circular cylindrical covering (H).

5. The protective cover (C) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the ridges (23; 23') are rounded.

6. The protective cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2"; 2‴) is made of metal, advantageously aluminum.

7. The protective cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylindrical bushing (2; 2'; 2"; 2‴) comprises a bottom.

8. The protective cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims, made entirely of metal, advantageously aluminum.

9. A fluid product dispenser comprising a dispensing member (P), such as a pump, a fluid product reservoir (R), a fixing member (S) for fixing the dispensing member (P) to the fluid product reservoir (R), a covering (H), advantageously made of aluminum, mounted on the fixing member (S) and a cover (C) according to any one of the preceding claims mounted on the covering (H).