FLUIDSPENDER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir forming a threaded neck and a main face. The dispenser also comprises a dispensing member (pump or a valve for example) and a fixing ring forming a threaded skirt capable of engaging around the threaded neck of the reservoir with an optimal tightening torque. A neck seal is optionally compressed between the neck and the fixing ring. The dispenser also comprises a covering band mounted on the fixing ring. This band comprises a complementary face intended to be oriented angularly in a precise manner relative to the main face of the reservoir.

[0002] The preferred field of application of the present invention is that of perfumery, without forgetting cosmetics or even pharmacy.

[0003] In the prior art, this type of distributor with an oriented hoop has been known for a long time. In general, the hoop completes the reservoir, whether in its shape and / or its decoration. Due to the tolerances at the level of the neck of the reservoir, the fixing ring and the neck seal, the desired angular orientation of the hoop is not always achieved when the optimal tightening torque is reached. Very often, a compromise between these two requirements is made: either the crushing of the seal is too weak or too strong, or the alignment of the faces is not perfect. FR 3 098 202 A1 describes a device for fixing a dispensing device.

[0004] The present invention aims to remedy this well-known drawback of oriented hoop distributors.

[0005] To do this, the present invention proposes a dispenser comprising: a reservoir forming a threaded neck and at least one main face, a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, a fixing ring for mounting the dispensing member on the reservoir, the fixing ring forming a threaded skirt capable of engaging around the threaded neck of the reservoir with an optimal tightening torque, a covering ring mounted on the fixing ring and comprising at least one complementary face intended to be precisely angularly oriented relative to the main face of the reservoir, the covering ring being rotatable with friction on the fixing ring from the moment when said optimal tightening torque is reached, so that the covering ring can rotate around the fixing ring which remains fixed until its complementary face is precisely oriented relative to the main face.

[0006] Advantageously, the rotational friction forces between the fixing ring and the covering band are substantially equal to or slightly greater than the optimum tightening torque. The band therefore begins to rotate around the ring when the maximum tightening torque is reached. When mounting the ring (with its pump or valve) on the threaded neck of the tank, there is no longer any need to worry about the end of the tightening, but only about the alignment or correspondence of the two faces.

[0007] Advantageously, a neck seal can be arranged between the neck and the fixing ring, the seal being sufficiently compressed with the optimum tightening torque. Optimal crushing of the neck seal is automatically achieved by setting the frictional forces between the ring and the hoop to the value of the optimum tightening torque. Instead of the neck seal, a self-sealing lip can be used.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment, the fixing ring can form external notches and the covering band forms internal notches, the internal and external notches being in fixed engagement until said optimum tightening torque is reached, the internal notches then sliding on the external notches to allow the complementary face to be correctly oriented relative to the main face. The first click of the notches indicates that the final tightening torque has been reached and the last click marks the alignment of the faces.

[0009] Advantageously, the internal and / or external notches may include gently sloping sides allowing slippage in the screwing direction when said optimum tightening torque is reached or exceeded.

[0010] On the other hand, the internal and / or external notches may have steeply sloping sides causing the notches to interlock in the unscrewing direction. The notches therefore remain interlocked during screwing until the final tightening torque is reached and during unscrewing.

[0011] Preferably, the covering collar may comprise an internal sleeve engaged around the threaded skirt of the fixing ring and an external shell which forms the complementary face, the internal notches being formed by the internal sleeve.

[0012] Alternatively or in addition to the notches, the reservoir may form a stop profile and the covering band may form a stop tab which cooperates with the stop profile in a relative angular position corresponding to the desired mutual orientation of the main and complementary faces.

[0013] Preferably, the covering collar may comprise an internal sleeve engaged around the threaded skirt of the fixing ring and an external shell which forms the complementary face, the stop tab being formed by the internal sleeve.

[0014] The invention naturally finds a preferred application when the main and complementary faces are flat and / or provided with a common decoration.

[0015] The present invention also defines a method of mounting the dispenser defined above, comprising the following steps: a) Determine the optimum tightening torque for screwing the fixing ring onto the threaded neck, so as to obtain optimum compression of the neck seal, b) Set the rotational friction forces between the covering ring and the fixing ring approximately at the value of the optimum tightening torque, c) Mount the covering ring around the fixing ring, d) Place the fixing ring on the threaded neck, and e) Rotate the covering ring to first screw the fixing ring onto the threaded neck and then position the main and complementary faces correctly relative to each other.

[0016] The spirit of the invention is based on determining the optimal tightening torque using the rotational resistance of the covering hoop on the fixing ring. The hoop and the ring remain integral in rotation as long as the tightening torque has not reached the friction forces between the two parts. Beyond this, the hoop rotates around the ring which is screwed onto the neck with the required torque. The notches with differentiated slopes allow on the one hand to ensure slippage when the optimal tightening torque is reached and on the other to ensure unscrewing. The stop at the end of the stroke allows to guarantee the alignment or correspondence of the faces.

[0017] The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the attached drawings giving, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments of the invention.

[0018] In the figures: There figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a first embodiment of the invention in the assembled state, The figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the distributor of the figure 1 , There figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the dispensing member, the fixing ring and the covering band, The figure 4 is a perspective view of the fixing ring of the invention receiving a dispensing member, The figure 5 is a perspective view from below of the covering band of the invention, The figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating the interlocking of the covering band and the fixing ring according to one embodiment of the invention, The figures 7a, 7b et 7c are perspective views illustrating different stages of assembly of the distributor of figures 1 et 2 , There figure 8 is a cutaway perspective view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment of the invention in the assembled state, The figure 9 is a greatly enlarged view of a detail of the figure 8 , and The figure 10 is a view similar to the figure 6 for the covering band of the second embodiment.

[0019] We will first refer to the figures 1 à 6 to describe the dispenser according to this first embodiment of the invention. The dispenser comprises a fluid product reservoir R, which forms a body R1 intended to contain the fluid product, which can be of any nature, such as for example perfume, a cosmetic product or even a pharmaceutical product. The body R1 defines an upper shoulder R2, which is here substantially planar. Other shapes are possible for the shoulder R2. The reservoir R also comprises a neck R3 which projects upwards from the shoulder R2. This neck R3 is externally threaded. In other words, it forms one or more external threads. The threaded neck R3 also defines an upper annular edge R4, which can be planar or profiled.

[0020] It can be noted that the body R1 is of substantially parallelepiped shape, thus defining a main face Rf. The body R1 can define a second main face, which can be opposite the face Rf. The main face(s) Rf can be provided with a decoration, in the form of an ink, a lacquer, a screen printing, a label, an engraving, a profiled molding, etc. This decoration can be internal or external.

[0021] The dispenser also comprises a dispensing member P, which may be a pump or a valve. It is provided with a pusher P3 to actuate it and thus dispense fluid product. The dispensing member P is not critical to the invention and will therefore not be described in detail. When it is a pump, it conventionally comprises a pump body P1 with a fluid product inlet. A piston slides in a sealed manner in the pump body P1 to pressurize a dose of fluid product. The piston is mounted on an actuating rod P2 which moves back and forth against a return spring. The dose of pressurized fluid product escapes through an outlet valve to the pusher P3 which includes a fluid product outlet. This design is entirely conventional for a pump in the fields of cosmetics, perfumery or pharmacy.

[0022] For the sealed mounting of the dispensing member P on the fluid reservoir R, the dispenser provides a fixing ring B which includes a threaded skirt B1 intended to engage with the threaded neck R3 of the reservoir. The final screwing of the threaded skirt B1 onto the threaded neck R3 is achieved with an optimal tightening torque. Generally, the seal is achieved by means of a neck seal J which may be an annular flat seal. This seal J is arranged on the upper annular edge R4 of the neck R3 and is compressed either directly by the fixing ring B or via the dispensing member P, as is the case here. Instead of the neck seal J, it is also possible to use a self-sealing lip which comes into sealed contact with the internal wall of the threaded neck R3. In any case, whether there is a neck seal or not, the final screwing of the threaded ring B1 onto the threaded neck R3 is determined by an optimal tightening torque.

[0023] On the figure 4 , it can be noted that the external wall of the threaded skirt B1 is provided with vertical external notches B2, which will be described in more detail with reference to the figure 6 .

[0024] The distributor also includes a covering ring F which includes an internal sleeve F1 intended to engage around the threaded ring B1 of the fixing ring B, as can be seen in the figure 3 . The covering band F also comprises an external shell F3 which surrounds the internal sleeve F1 and which here has a substantially parallelepiped shape, similar to that of the body R1 of the tank R. This external shell F3 defines a complementary face Fc, which is intended to be precisely oriented relative to the main face Rf of the tank R.

[0025] The covering collar F defines inside the internal sleeve F1 several vertical internal notches F2 intended to cooperate with the external notches D2 of the threaded skirt B1.

[0026] The rotation of the fixing ring B by the covering ring F is ensured by the interlocking of the internal notches F2 of the ring F in the external notches B2 of the threaded skirt B1.

[0027] Referring to the figure 6 , we can see an advantageous embodiment for the notches F2 and B2. The external notches B2 can extend side by side over the entire periphery of the external wall of the threaded skirt B1. As for the external notches B2, they can be distant from each other. For example, it is possible to provide only two to five internal notches inside the internal sleeve F1. Each external notch B2 comprises a gently sloping flank B21, a steeply sloping flank B22 and a flat top B23. As for the internal notches F2, they can have a similar configuration, with a gently sloping flank F21, a steeply sloping flank F22 and a flat top F23. It is then easily understood that the gently sloping flanks B21 and F21 can slide on each other so as to make the internal notch F2 pass from one internal notch B2 to the other. The gently sloping sides F21 and B21 will then slide over each other until the flat tops B23 and F23 engage.The flat tops will then slide over each other until the internal notch F2 falls between the next two notches B2 of the threaded skirt B1. The slipping of the internal notches F2 on the external notches B2 is possible in the clockwise direction corresponding to the screwing direction, but not in the counterclockwise direction corresponding to the unscrewing direction, since the abrupt slots B22 and F22 would come into insurmountable frank contact.

[0028] During assembly, the covering ring F is engaged around the fixing ring B, the internal notches F2 of the ring F engaging with the external notches B2 of the threaded skirt B1. There is no particular orientation between the covering ring F and the fixing ring B. Once the ring F is mounted on the ring B, the assembly can be attached to the tank R, as shown in the figure 7a . The dispensing member P is inserted inside the neck R3 until the end of the threaded ring B1 comes into contact with the threaded neck R3. Then, the covering ring F must be rotated to screw the threaded ring B1 onto the threaded neck R3. However, when the optimum tightening torque is reached, corresponding for example to an optimum crushing of the neck seal J, the covering ring F is not necessarily correctly oriented in relation to the body of the tank R1. In other words, the complementary face Fc of the ring F is not oriented as it should be in relation to the main face Rf of the tank R. This situation is shown in the figure 7b .

[0029] According to the invention, the covering ring F can still be rotated on the fixing ring B, which is now rotationally fixed to the reservoir R. This rotation of the covering ring F is made possible by the fact that the internal notches F2 can slip on the external notches B2 of the ring B1. In other words, the notches F2 can slide, overcome, skid or even scrape on the external notches B2. Of course, the slipping of the notches F2 on the notches B2 only occurs when the optimum tightening torque between the threaded skirt B1 and the threaded neck R3 has been reached. In the final position as shown in the figure 7c , both faces Rf and Fc are correctly oriented.

[0030] To achieve the present invention, it is therefore first necessary to determine the optimal tightening torque for screwing the fixing ring B onto the threaded neck R3. Then, it is necessary to set the rotational slippage threshold between the covering hoop and the fixing ring substantially at the value of the optimal tightening torque. This is done by adjusting various factors, such as the height of the notches, the inclination of the gently sloping blanks, the materials used, the number of internal notches F2.

[0031] More generally, this slip threshold is a friction force threshold between two surfaces, which are structured here in this first embodiment. We can thus say that the friction forces which unite the hoop F to the ring B are equal to or greater than the optimal tightening torque between the ring B and the neck R3.

[0032] THE figures 8, 9 et 10 illustrate another interesting feature of the invention, which can be implemented in the embodiment of the figure 1 or in another embodiment without external notches B2. It can be seen on the fluid product reservoir R' forms at its shoulder R2 a stop profile R21, which can simply be in the form of a small stud which projects upwards from the shoulder R2. This stop profile R21 is arranged axially below the internal sleeve F2' of the covering band F'. To cooperate with the stop profile R21, the internal sleeve F1' forms a tab F2' at its lower edge, which will come into abutment against the profile R21, when the complementary face Fc of the band F' is precisely oriented relative to the main face Rf of the reservoir R'. This is shown more visibly on the figure 9 . To reach this final stop position which marks the alignment of the two faces Rc and Rf, we proceed in the same way as in figures 3a to 3c. We attach the upper assembly to the tank, then we screw the fixing ring onto the threaded neck using the covering ring F'. As soon as the optimum tightening torque is reached, the ring F' begins to rotate around the ring B until the detachment F2' comes into abutment against the stop profile R21. The threaded skirt B1 of the ring B can be provided with external notches B2 or not. The internal wall of the internal sleeve F1' can be provided with internal notches F2, as shown in the figure 10 or not. It is sufficient that the friction forces between the internal sleeve F1' and the threaded skirt B1 are equal to or slightly greater than the optimal tightening torque between the fixing ring B and the threaded neck R3.

[0033] By means of the invention, a covering band can be precisely oriented relative to the tank without worrying about the optimum tightening torque, since this has been previously considered to determine the friction forces necessary for the band to be able to rotate around the ring, as soon as the optimum tightening torque is reached. The final angular position of the band F can be adjusted by means of an end stop, as explained with reference to figures 8 à 10 .

Claims

1. Dispenser comprising: - a fluid product reservoir (R; R') forming a threaded neck (R3) and at least one main face (Rf), - a dispensing member (P), such as a pump or a valve, - a fastening ring (B) for the mounting of the dispensing member (P) on the reservoir (R; R'), the fastening ring (B) forming a threaded skirt (B1) capable of engaging around the threaded neck (R3) of the fluid product reservoir (R; R') with an optimal clamping torque, - a trim sleeve (F; F') mounted on the fastening ring (B) and comprising at least one complementary face (Fc) intended to be oriented angularly in a precise manner with respect to the main face (Rf) of the fluid product reservoir (R; R'), characterised in that the trim sleeve (F; F') can be rotated with friction on the fastening ring (B) from the moment when said optimal clamping torque is achieved, with the result that the trim sleeve (F; F') can rotate about the fastening ring (B) which remains stationary until its complementary face (Fc) is precisely oriented with respect to the main face (Rf).

2. Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein the rotating friction forces between the fastening ring (B) and the trim sleeve (F; F') are equal to or slightly greater than the optimal clamping torque.

3. Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a neck seal (J) is disposed between the threaded neck (R3) and the fastening ring (B), the neck seal (J) being sufficiently compressed with the optimal clamping torque.

4. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening ring (B) forms external notches (B2) and the trim sleeve (F; F') forms internal notches (F2), the internal (F2) and external (B2) notches being fixedly engaged until said optimal clamping torque is achieved, the internal notches (F2) then skidding over the external notches (B2) to enable the complementary face (Fc) to be oriented with respect to the main face (Rf).

5. Dispenser according to claim 4, wherein the internal (F2) and / or external (B2) notches comprise gentle gradient flanks (F21; B21) enabling the skidding in the screwing direction when said optimal clamping torque is exceeded.

6. Dispenser according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the internal (F2) and / or external (B2) notches comprise sudden gradient flanks (F22; B22) leading to the embedding of the notches in the unscrewing direction.

7. Dispenser according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the trim sleeve (F; F') comprises an internal socket (F1) engaged around the threaded skirt (B1) of the fastening ring (B) and an external shell (F3) which forms the complementary face (Fc), the internal notches (F2) being formed by the internal socket (F1).

8. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid product reservoir (R') forms an abutment profile (R21) and the trim sleeve (F') forms an abutment tab (F2') which cooperates with the abutment profile (R21) in a relative angular position corresponding to the desired mutual orientation of the main (Rf) and complementary (Fc) faces.

9. Dispenser according to claim 8, wherein the trim sleeve (F') comprises an internal socket (F1') engaged around the threaded skirt (B1) of the fastening ring (B) and an external shell (F3) which forms the complementary face (Fc), the abutment tab (F2') being formed by the internal socket (F1').

10. Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main (Rf) and complementary (Fc) faces are flat and / or provided with a common decoration.

11. Method for mounting a dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: a) Determining the optimal clamping torque for the screwing of the fastening ring (B) on the threaded neck (R3), b) Fixing the rotating friction forces between the trim sleeve (F; F') and the fastening ring (B) substantially to the value of the optimal clamping torque, c) Mounting the trim sleeve (F; F') around the fastening ring (B), d) Disposing the fastening ring (B) on the threaded neck (R3), and e) Rotating the trim sleeve (F; F') to first screw the fastening ring (B) on the threaded neck (R3), then positioning the main (Rf) and complementary (Fc) faces correctly against one another.