Diffuser for actuating the valve of an aerosol generator

Abstract

The invention relates to a diffuser for an aerosol generator, the diffuser being provided with a diffuser body which has - a skirt, - a finger tab, - an outlet duct having a portion (132a) which protrudes outwardly from the skirt, and a cap (20) that is movable from an open position in which the finger tab can be accessed by a user to a closed position in which the finger tab cannot be accessed by a user. According to the invention, the cap (20) is attached to the skirt by a hinge (21) such that it can pivot around the hinge between the open position and the closed position, and the cap is provided with a slot (24) which overlaps the protruding portion (132a) of the outlet duct when the cap is in the closed position or near the closed position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a diffuser for actuating a device for withdrawing from a container, such as the valve of an aerosol generator. The diffuser is provided ∘ a diffuser body provided with ▪ a skirt, ▪ a finger cot, ▪ an outlet duct having a first end provided with actuating means for actuating the sampling device when a user presses on the finger cot, and a second end of which a portion projects from the skirt outwards, and ∘ a cap which can be moved between an open position in which the finger cot is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the finger cot is inaccessible to a user.

[0002] Such diffusers, equipped with an outlet duct protruding from the skirt, allow the product to be directed very precisely where it needs to be applied.

[0003] In order to prevent the finger cot from being inadvertently operated, it is known to slip a cap onto the diffuser body to cover the finger cot and thus make it inaccessible. These removable caps are provided with a slot extending axially from the lower edge of the cap towards the top of the cap. To access the finger cot, the cap must therefore be removed. However, it often happens that the user loses the cap so that he can no longer close the diffuser, or that he drops it and the cap becomes damaged or dirty. Document JP 2007 331788 A describes an example of a prior art cap.

[0004] The objective of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks, and in particular to ensure that the cap cannot fall or be lost.

[0005] This objective is achieved by the fact that ∘ the cap is attached to the skirt by a hinge so that it can pivot about the hinge between the open position and the closed position, and ∘ the cap is provided with a slot which overlaps the projecting portion of the outlet duct when the cap is in the closed position or close to the closed position.

[0006] Since the cap is attached to the diffuser body, there is no risk of it being lost or falling off and becoming damaged or dirty.

[0007] The slot is preferably inclined. In particular, at least the side of the slot away from the hinge may be in an arc around the hinge.

[0008] To facilitate demolding, the side of the slot near the hinge may be straight, and in particular parallel to a main axis of the first end of the outlet duct when the cap is in the closed position.

[0009] Retaining means are provided to retain the cap in the closed position, the effect of the retaining means being able to be overcome manually. This ensures that the cap cannot be opened inadvertently. The retaining means consist of a narrowing made in the slot, preferably by forming in the bottom of the slot an arcuate space extending over more than 180°. The narrowing is preferably formed by at least one nose made on one side of the passage slot, preferably supplemented by a second nose made on the second side of the slot. To facilitate opening of the cap and to overcome the retaining means, the cap may be provided with a cap which is preferably arranged opposite the hinge.

[0010] The outlet duct can be attached to the inside of the finger cot or to the skirt.

[0011] The finger cot is preferably attached to the skirt by a strip of material around which it can pivot to operate the sampling device. This strip of material may consist of a portion of the outlet duct when this is attached to the internal face of the finger cot.

[0012] The actuating means may consist of a tip intended to cooperate with the outlet rod of the stem of a male type valve of a pressure vessel or the outlet tube of a hand pump. They may also consist of an outlet rod intended to cooperate with the seat of a female valve of a pressure vessel.

[0013] To improve the aesthetics of the diffuser, it is preferable to adapt the external shape of the diffuser body and the external shape of the cap to each other so that in the closed position of the cap, the cap is in the extension of the part of the diffuser body not covered by the cap and thus give an impression of continuity.

[0014] The invention is explained in more detail below with the help of the figures which show: [Fig. 1]A perspective view of the rear of the diffuser with the cap in the open position; [Fig. 2]Perspective views of the front of the diffuser with the cap (a) in the open position and (b) in the closed position; [Fig. 3]Cross-sectional views through the outlet duct of the diffuser with the cap (a) in the open position and (b) in the closed position; [Fig. 4]A front view in vertical section through the center of the receiving recess showing the travel of various notable points of the passage slot; [Fig. 5]An isometric sectional view of the diffuser body.

[0015] The diffuser (1) essentially comprises a diffuser body (10) and a cap (20). It is intended to diffuse a product taken from a container provided with a sampling device. It may be a pressurized container provided with a valve, such as an aerosol or foam generator. It may also be a container containing, for example, a cosmetic product to be taken by means of a manual pump, such as liquid soap or a body cream.

[0016] The diffuser is shown in the figures so as to be placed above a container. It goes without saying that it could be used in any position, including upside down. Spatial references such as "upper" / "lower" or "top" / "bottom" refer to the diffuser as shown in the figures. In the closed position of the cap, the diffuser extends along a main axis (A). The spatial references "axial" and "radial" refer to this main axis. In the example shown here, the diffuser, in the closed position of the cap, has a certain axial symmetry of revolution around this main axis (A).

[0017] The diffuser body includes in particular a skirt (11), a finger cot (12) and an outlet duct (13).

[0018] The skirt (11) is formed of a tubular wall which extends in the direction of the main axis (A). It is divided into a lower section (111) and a narrower upper section (112) so that a slight indentation is formed between the two sections. The lower section (111) is provided on its internal face with fixing means (111a) for fixing the diffuser to the container. In the example presented here, these fixing means consist of an excess thickness which can be snapped onto the container, for example behind the rolled edge located at the junction between the valve cup and the container of an aerosol generator. Other fixing methods could be provided, such as screwing for example.

[0019] The upper section (112) ends, opposite the lower section (111), with a top edge (113) extending towards the inside of the diffuser leaving an opening for the finger cot (12). A shield (114) in an arc of a circle is placed vertically upwards on the upper face of the top edge (113), on either side of the end of the outlet duct. This shield (114) serves in particular to stiffen the downstream part (132a) of the outlet duct.

[0020] The finger rest (12) is formed by a wall forming a bearing surface (121) which ends in a peripheral rim (122) directed towards the centre of the diffuser. The finger rest is placed in the opening of the top edge (113) by providing a gap (113a) between the rim (122) of the finger rest and the edge of the opening of the top edge (113). The finger rest (12) is fixed to the skirt (11) by a strip of material so that when the user presses on the finger rest to actuate the sampling device, the finger rest can pivot around the strip of material.

[0021] The outlet duct (13) allows the product taken from the container by means of the sampling device to be transferred to the outside of the diffuser. It is divided into a first section (131) substantially vertical and concentric with the main axis (A) and a second section (132) inclined relative to the first. The free end of the first section (131) is provided with actuating means (131a) allowing the sampling device to be actuated when the user presses on the finger cot. The downstream part (132a) of the second section projects from the skirt so that its axial projection parallel to the main axis (A) protrudes radially outwards from the axial projection of the skirt. A part (132b) of the second section (132) of the outlet duct, located between the peripheral edge (122) of the finger cot and the shield (114), constitutes in the present example the strip of material connecting the finger cot (12) to the skirt (11) as is clearly visible in the figure 5 .

[0022] The cap (20) is hinged to the skirt (10) by a hinge (21). The cap can therefore pivot about a pivot axis of this hinge between a wide open position in which it is spaced from the diffuser body and allows access to the finger cot, and a closed position in which it covers the finger cot, making it inaccessible. In this case, the hinge is a butterfly hinge which tends to hold the cap either in the wide open position or in the closed position so that as soon as the cap has passed a certain angle, it automatically moves towards the corresponding extreme position.

[0023] The cap (20) consists of a tubular wall (22) closed at its top by a summit wall (23). The shape of the lower part (221) of the tubular wall is designed such that in the closed position of the cap, this lower part (221) surrounds the upper section (112) of the skirt and is located close to the recess between the two sections, in the extension of the lower section (111) so as to give the impression of continuity of shape.

[0024] In order to bypass the projecting part (132a) of the outlet duct, the cap (20) is provided with a slot (24) made in the tubular wall (22). The slot passes through the entire thickness of the wall. At a first inlet end (241), the slot is open at the edge of the tubular wall (22) which is opposite the top wall, and it ends at the other end with a semicircular bottom (242). This slot extends in an arc around the pivot axis of the hinge. It is sized to allow the projecting part (132a) of the outlet duct to pass through, preferably without friction.

[0025] In order to retain the cap in the closed position and thus prevent the cap from opening accidentally, retaining means are provided which, in the present example, take the form of a narrowing (243) located near the bottom of the slot. This narrowing delimits an arc-shaped space (244) which extends over more than 180° and which is large enough to receive the projecting part of the outlet duct when the cap is in the closed position. On the other hand, the width of the slot in the narrowing (243) is less than the width of the projecting part (132a) of the outlet duct. To reach the closed position, or to exit it, it is therefore necessary to force the narrowing (243) to pass around the outlet duct. The spring effect of the butterfly hinge is not sufficient to overcome the narrowing. figure 4 schematically shows how the narrowing (243), in the closed position of the cap, comes to be placed under the projecting part of the outlet duct. A cap (25) placed on the tubular wall (22) of the cap, opposite the hinge, facilitates the opening of the cap.

[0026] The narrowing is formed by a first nose (243a) made on the edge of the slot opposite the hinge. A second nose (243b) of smaller size is made in the other edge of the slot.

[0027] To close the cap (20), the user folds it towards the diffuser body (10) until it passes the neutral point of the butterfly hinge (21). From there, the cap continues to pivot about the hinge pivot axis, either under the spring effect of the butterfly hinge or under the effect of the user's finger. As it approaches the closed position, the slot (24) overlaps the projecting part (132a) of the outlet duct until the noses (243a, 243b) of the constriction abut against it (132a). It is then necessary for the user to press on the top wall (23) or on the cap (25) to overcome the resistance of the constriction. As soon as the constriction has passed, the projecting part enters the arcuate space (244) in which it is retained by the noses.To open, the user must lift the cap by exerting upward pressure on the cap so as to pass the constriction on one hand and to pass the neutral point of the butterfly hinge on the other. When this neutral point is passed, the cap automatically swings to the wide open position.

[0028] To facilitate molding of the cap, it is preferable that the edge of the slot (24) which is close to the hinge (21) is straight. It follows that the slot is wider at its inlet end (241) than in the arcuate space (244). In the present case, this straight edge extends to the narrowing. In the closed position of the cap, this straight edge is substantially parallel to the main axis (A) passing through the first end (and the first section) of the outlet duct.

[0029] In the example presented here, the outlet conduit (13) is attached to the finger cot and constitutes the strip of material connecting the finger cot to the skirt. It would be possible for the outlet conduit to be attached to the skirt and for the finger cot, attached to the skirt by a specific strip of material, to press against the top of the first section of the conduit when the user pushes the finger cot to actuate the sampling device.

[0030] When the cap is folded down to the closed position, a portion of the protruding end protrudes from the cap as shown in figure 3b. To protect this end, the cap could, for example, be thickened at the slot if the end does not protrude much and, if necessary, close the outer face of the slot so that it does not completely pass through the thickness of the cap. If the protruding end is too long, a channel can be provided, extending radially outwards at least around the circular space, or even over the entire length of the slot. This channel could be closed at its outer radial end to protect the outlet opening of the channel.

[0031] The diffuser can be obtained by molding.

[0032] The base body and cap can be made of one of the following materials: a polymer material, in particular polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), or a mixture thereof, which polymer may contain mineral fillers, in particular glass and / or basalt, and / or be reinforced with mineral or vegetable fibers, a lignin-based material, preferably cardboard and / or wood, a material containing textiles, a metal, or a mixture of these materials. The cap and the base body are not necessarily made of the same material.

[0033] The diffuser shown in the figure is intended for a male type valve such as is found in aerosol or foam generators, or more generally pressurized containers. By replacing the tip (131a) with the outlet stem, the diffuser could be used with a female type valve. The tip can also be sized to cooperate with the outlet tube of a manual pump such as is found in cosmetic products.

[0034] Thanks to the diffuser of the invention, it is possible to close the diffuser with the protruding outlet channel with a cap fixed to the diffuser and pivoting relative to it. There is no longer any risk of losing the cap or of it getting dirty or damaged by dropping it. List of references

[0035] 1Diffuser 10Diffuser body 11 Skirt 111 Lower section 111a Fixing means 112 Upper section 113 Top edge 113a Gap 114 Shield 12 Finger cot 121 Support surface 122 Peripheral rim 13 Outlet duct 131 First section 131a Actuating means 132 Second section 132a Projecting part 132b Part serving as a strip of material connecting the finger cot to the skirt 20Cap 21 Hinge 22 Tubular wall 221 Lower part 23 Top wall 24 Passage slot 241 Open end of the slot 242 Bottom of the slot 243 Narrowing 243a 1st< narrowing nose 243b 2nd< narrowing nose 244 Arc gap circle 25 Cap

Claims

1. Actuator (1) for actuating a withdrawal device of a container, such as the valve of an aerosol dispenser, which actuator is provided with ∘ an actuator body (10) which has • a skirt (11), • a finger pad (12), • an outlet conduit (13) having a first end provided with actuating means (131a) for actuating the withdrawal device when a user presses the finger pad, and a second end, a portion of which protrudes (132a) from the skirt towards the outside, and ∘ a cap (20) that can be moved between an open position in which the finger pad (12) is accessible to a user and a closed position in which the finger pad is inaccessible to a user, ∘ the cap being provided with a slot (24) which overlaps the protruding portion (132a) of the outlet conduit when the cap is in the closed position or close to the closed position, characterized in that ∘ the cap (20) is fixed to the skirt by a hinge (21) so that it can pivot around the hinge between the open position and the closed position, and in that ∘ retaining means are provided for retaining the cap (20) in the closed position, the effect of the retaining means being able to be overcome manually, wherein the retaining means are constituted by a constriction (243) made in the slot.

2. Actuator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the constriction is dimensioned so that to reach the closed position, or to come out of it, the constriction (243) must be forced to pass around the outlet conduit.

3. Actuator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the slot (24) is inclined, preferably at least the side of the slot remote from the hinge being in the shape of an arc of a circle around the hinge.

4. Actuator (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the side of the slot (24) close to the hinge (21) is straight, preferably parallel to a main axis (A) of the first end of the outlet conduit when the cap is in the closed position.

5. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining means, constituted by the constriction (243) made in the slot, form in the bottom of the slot a space in the shape of an arc of a circle extending over more than 180°.

6. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the constriction is formed by at least one nose (243a) made on one side of the passage slot, preferably completed by a second nose (243b) made on the second side of the slot.

7. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap (20) is provided with a visor (25) to facilitate opening of the cap, said visor being preferably arranged opposite from the hinge.

8. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet conduit (13) is fixed to the inner face of the finger pad (12), or in that the outlet conduit (13) is fixed to the skirt (11).

9. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the finger pad (12) is fixed to the skirt (11) by a strip of material around which it can pivot to actuate the withdrawal device.

10. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means are constituted by an endpiece (131a) designed to cooperate with the stem of a male type valve of a pressurized container or with the outlet tube of a manual pump, or in that the actuating means are constituted by a stem designed to cooperate with the seat of a female valve of a pressurized container.

11. Actuator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer shape of the actuator body (10) and the outer shape of the cap (20) are adapted to each other so that, in the closed position of the cap, the cap is in the extension of the portion of the actuator body that is not covered by the cap.

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