Head for dispensing a fluid product and associated fluid product bottle

Abstract

The invention relates to a head (2) for dispensing a fluid product, comprising: - a pusher (5) that is actuable manually relative to an insert, - an elastic dispensing nozzle (10). During the movement of the pusher (5), the nozzle (10) passes from a closed position to an open position by deformation of the nozzle (10) under the effect of releasing of a stress exerted by the pusher (5). The pusher (5) comprises a stop (54) and the insert (6) is provided with two deformable tabs (60) which bring about a force on the pusher (5) such that the insert (6) exerts on the nozzle (10) a stress in the opposite direction to a stress exerted by the stop (54) on the nozzle (10), each tab (60) extending from a body (6a) of the insert (6) and having a distal end (60a) of the body, the ends being surmounted and connected together by a connecting element (70).

Description

Domaine technique de l'invention

[0001] The invention relates to a dispensing head for a fluid product. The invention further relates to a bottle of fluid product equipped with such a dispensing head.

[0002] Within the scope of the invention, the fluid product can be any cosmetic product, including any pharmaceutical lotion or any other product. Arrière-plan technique

[0003] Fluid product bottles typically include a reservoir for the fluid product topped at its upper part by a rigid neck defining an opening into which the fluid product distribution system is inserted.

[0004] The dispensing system includes a pump that can be operated by a user via a push button. When the user presses the push button, a dose of the product is dispensed through a dispensing orifice of a nozzle provided in the push button.

[0005] Typically, the dispensing orifice is permanently open. The product remaining in a communication channel between the plunger and the pump between uses—that is, when the pump is at rest—is therefore in contact with the external environment before it is even dispensed. It can thus dry out or become contaminated by microbial agents.

[0006] More recently, nozzles have been proposed that include, as a product distribution orifice, a slot whose opening depends on the pressure exerted by the product exiting the pump.

[0007] In such a configuration, the slot cannot be perfectly airtight because it would be impossible, upon initial use, to prime the pump and expel the air contained in the pump and the top of the tank. Indeed, in the presence of air, the increase in air pressure resulting from activating the pump is too small to open the slot, so the air could never escape and the pump could never be primed. Due to this intentionally imperfect seal, such a configuration delays drying out but does not eliminate it entirely.

[0008] Nozzles with mechanically controlled opening upon actuation have also been proposed. Such nozzles are, for example, equipped with a linkage mechanism including a needle valve configured to block the product dispensing orifice when the device is at rest and to retract when the plunger is actuated, thus allowing fluid to be dispensed through the orifice. However, this type of nozzle is more complex in design, with a significant number of components, and therefore more expensive. Furthermore, it severely limits the design possibilities for the plunger.

[0009] FR2277002A1 describes an automatic shut-off device used in combination with a pressurized fluid reservoir. The device includes an actuator head, which comprises a portion of elastic wall that defines an outlet orifice with a face of the actuator head. In the rest position, the portion of elastic wall rests against the face of the actuator head, and the outlet orifice is closed. By pressing on the actuator head, the face of the actuator head is displaced, the contact with the elastic wall is broken, and the outlet orifice is opened.

[0010] FR3078061A1 describes a fluid dispensing system comprising a push button for triggering fluid dispensing through a nozzle having an outlet orifice. The dispensing system includes a return spring in the form of helical blades.

[0011] EP0800870A2 describes a pre-compression pump in which a push button interacts with a pump head via elastic legs.

[0012] US20100147898A1 describes a distribution system in which a valve is formed by injection onto a wall of an outlet orifice. Résumé de l'invention

[0013] The invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks and provides a fluid product dispensing head in which the nozzle opening does not depend on the pressure exerted by the product from the pump and reservoir. This head is simple in design, requires a limited number of components, and is inexpensive. The invention thus proposes a fluid product dispensing head comprising: a manually actuated pusher, said pusher being configured to move between a high position and a low position relative to an insert, a product dispensing nozzle made of an elastic material.

[0014] The dispensing head is configured so that, when the pusher moves between the high and low positions relative to the insert, the nozzle moves from a closed position in which said nozzle is sealed to an open position allowing the dispensing of said product by deformation of said nozzle under the effect of a release of a constraint exerted by the pusher.

[0015] Thus, the opening of the nozzle of the invention does not depend on the pressure exerted by the product to be dispensed, but rather on the release of a constraint applied by the plunger as it moves from its upper to its lower position. The nozzle can therefore be completely sealed, even without affecting priming. Furthermore, the nozzle can remain completely sealed, particularly between uses of the device, since the elastic material from which it is made allows it to return to its initial, resting configuration after the product has been dispensed. The inside of the nozzle, as well as the product contained in the bottle, are thus protected from contamination. In addition, the nozzle according to the invention is simple to manufacture since its opening is "activated" by simply releasing a constraint applied by the plunger.

[0016] The insert is configured to exert a force in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the plunger to keep the nozzle closed at rest. The plunger includes a stop, and the insert has at least two deformable tabs that exert a force on the plunger, such that the insert exerts a force on the nozzle in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the stop on the nozzle. Thus, in the rest position, the insert pushes the plunger back into the open position thanks to the force exerted by its deformable tabs. The plunger exerts a force on the nozzle via its stop, and the insert, for its part, exerts a force on the nozzle in the opposite direction. Under the effect of these two opposing forces, the nozzle is forced into its closed position.With this design, the nozzle closure is achieved reliably, which prevents contamination and drying of the product inside the nozzle as well as of the product contained in the bottle, after product dispensing.

[0017] According to the invention, each leg extends from a body of the insert and has a distal end of the body. These distal ends are surmounted and connected by a linking element. Since the legs are designed to deform, the linking element, by connecting their distal ends, stiffens the pair of legs by maintaining a constant distance between the two distal ends, thus ensuring controlled deformation of each leg. This results in more controlled movement of the pusher relative to the insert when it moves from the upper position (PH) to the lower position (PB), a reduction in friction between the parts, and ultimately a reduction in the actuation effort required by the user.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, said tabs are capable of deforming when pressure is applied to the plunger, the stop ceasing to exert on the nozzle the stress opposite to the stress exerted by the insert when the plunger is actuated. Thus, the nozzle is no longer forced in its closed position when the plunger is actuated.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the connecting element bears against the pusher. The connecting element makes a single contact with the pusher, rather than multiple contacts via its at least two tabs. While the at least two flexible tabs bearing against the pusher are susceptible to slippage and thus generate friction that would increase the pusher's actuation force, the connecting element provides stable support and does not slip when bearing against the pusher.

[0020] The design of the nozzle of the invention is therefore simple and its design possibilities are thus varied with a limited cost.

[0021] Furthermore, since the fluid product is primarily a lotion, it is desirable that it be dispensed before being compressed and / or pressurized. Indeed, the lotion may have a fragile formula that could degrade when pressurized. The nozzle according to the invention protects the lotion, regardless of its formula, because its opening is mechanically controlled and does not generate pressure.

[0022] Depending on various characteristics of the invention, which may be considered together or separately: The head is configured so that, in the lowered position, the plunger activates the pump; the nozzle includes a slot, the nozzle is made of an elastic material, the nozzle includes a distribution portion having said slot and a conduit opening into the slot, said slot is configured to deform, to allow the nozzle to move from the closed position to the open position, the distribution head is configured so that said nozzle is subjected to opposing forces involving the plunger so as to keep the slot closed by pinching, the nozzle includes a flexible web, said flexible web includes the slot, a manually actuated plunger, said plunger being configured to move between a high position and a low position relative to an insert, the nozzle moves from a closed position to an open position under the effect of a release of a force exerted by the plunger,said distribution head further comprises an insert configured to exert a force in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the plunger to keep the nozzle closed at rest; said plunger comprises a stop, and said insert is provided with at least two deformable tabs, said at least two tabs causing a force on the plunger such that the insert exerts on the nozzle a force in the opposite direction to a force exerted by the stop on the insert; said stop is tongue-shaped, each tab extending from a body of the insert and having a distal end, said distal ends being surmounted and connected to each other by a connecting element; the plunger comprises a stop, the insert being provided with at least two deformable tabs, the two tabs causing a force on the plunger such that the insert exerts on the nozzle a force in the opposite direction to a force exerted by the stop on the nozzle.The tabs are capable of deforming when pressure is exerted on said pusher, the stop ceasing to exert on the nozzle the stress in the opposite direction to the stress exerted by the insert, when the pusher is actuation, the insert is provided with at least one rear tab and at least one front tab, further from the nozzle than the front tab, the front tab has a greater rest length than the rear tab, the front tab has a greater stiffness constant than the rear tab, the insert is provided with two front tabs and two rear tabs, the two front tabs are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane and the two rear tabs are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane, the distribution head further includes a distribution pump provided with a spring, said spring having a selected stiffness constant such that when the pusher is actuation,If the force exerted by the tabs is less than the force exerted by the spring, the slot extends in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the pusher, said slot passes through a plane, called the plane of the slot, the direction of the stresses exerted by said stop and said tabs being orthogonal to the plane of the slot. The tabs are capable of deforming when pressure is exerted on the pusher, the stop ceasing to exert on the nozzle the stress in the opposite direction to the stress exerted by the insert, when the pusher is actuation, the connecting element is in contact with the pusher, the contact between the connecting element and the pusher is a static contact. If the connecting element is in contact with an inner face of an upper wall of the pusher, the tabs exerting a stress on the pusher, the contact between the connecting element and the inner face of the upper wall of the pusher is a static contact.The connecting element is made of the same material as the legs; the connecting element includes a flat surface at its upper end; the connecting element forms a ring or a portion of a ring extending around an axis over an angular range greater than 30°; the connecting element forms a ring or a portion of a ring extending around an axis over an angular range greater than 180°; the connecting element forms a ring or a portion of a ring extending around an axis over an angular range of 270°; the connecting element forms a complete ring; the connecting element is a disk; the assembly consisting of the legs and the connecting element has a plane of symmetry; the legs are included in a cylinder and each has a curvature tangent to the cylinder; the connecting element is included in said cylinder; the legs are connected to a peripheral shoulder of the insert.The insert and the plunger include means for guiding the movement of the plunger relative to the insert; the insert and the plunger include means for guiding the deformation of the tabs; the connecting element and the plunger include means for guiding the deformation of the tabs; the upper surface of the stop extends radially outward from the body of the plunger and axially in the direction of the nozzle; the angle formed by the upper surface of the stop with an outer surface of the nozzle is between 2° and 6° in the upper PH position of the plunger; the plunger includes an angular stop preventing tilting of the insert; the nozzle includes a slot, said slot being configured to deform to allow the passage of the nozzle from the closed position to the open position.The nozzle is subjected to opposing forces involving the plunger so as to keep the slot closed by pinching. The dispensing head includes a dispensing pump equipped with a spring, the spring having a selected stiffness constant such that, when the plunger is actuation, a force exerted by the tabs is less than a force exerted by the spring. The slot extends in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the plunger, said slot passing through a plane called the plane of the slot, the direction of the stresses exerted by said stop and said tabs being orthogonal to the plane of the slot. A dispensing bottle for a fluid product includes a reservoir in which a product is intended to be packaged and a neck equipped with a dispensing head.

[0023] The invention further relates to a dispensing bottle for a fluid product comprising a reservoir in which a product is intended to be packaged and a neck equipped with a dispensing head as described above. Brève description des figures

[0024] Other objects and features of the invention will become clearer in the following description, made with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: [ Fig. 1a ] There figure 1a illustrates a diametrical cross-sectional view of the distribution head according to the invention, with the pusher in the raised position; Fig. 1b ] There figure 1b illustrates a diametrical cross-sectional view of the distribution head according to the invention, with the pusher in the lowered position; Fig. 2a ] There figure 2a illustrates an enlargement of the figure 1a at the nozzle; [ Fig. 2b ] There Figure 2b illustrates an enlargement of the figure 2a at the point of contact between the nozzle and the plunger; [ Fig. 3a ] There figure 3a illustrates a front view of the buzzard; [ Fig. 3b ] There figure 3b illustrates a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle; [ Fig. 4a ] There figure 4a illustrates a perspective view of the insert; [ Fig. 4b ] There figure 4b schematically illustrates the connecting element viewed from above; [ Fig. 4c ] There figure 4c illustrates a rear view of the insert; [ Fig. 5a ] There figure 5a illustrates a front view of the push button; Fig. 5b ] There figure 5b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the pusher; and [ Fig. 5c ] There figure 5c illustrates a perspective view of the push button. Description détaillée de l'invention

[0025] With reference to figures 1a And 1b The invention relates to a distribution head 2 for a fluid product. The distributed fluid is in particular a liquid, especially a lotion.

[0026] The dispensing head is designed to be fitted to a bottle, not shown, configured to contain the product to be dispensed. The bottle can be oriented either "upside down" or "upside down." Therefore, the terms "upper" or "lower" should not be considered restrictive. The figures correspond to an upside-down configuration.

[0027] The fluid product can be any cosmetic, pharmaceutical, or other product that can be usefully preserved in the bottle. The fluid can be in direct contact with a reservoir within the bottle. Alternatively, the fluid can be contained within a flexible pouch located inside the reservoir, so that it is not in contact with the reservoir itself, but with the flexible pouch.

[0028] The tank can be either rigid or deformable. However, the tank includes, at its upper part, a neck and an opening formed in said neck. The neck is preferably rigid.

[0029] The distribution head 2 is preferably equipped with a distribution pump 3.

[0030] The distribution pump 3 includes, in the illustrated example, a metering chamber and a nozzle capable of moving within the metering chamber.

[0031] With reference to figures 1a And 1bA dispensing head 2 is configured so that, when the pusher 5 moves between a high position (PH) and a low position (PB), a flexible nozzle 10 moves from a closed position, in which the nozzle is sealed, to an open position, allowing the dispensing of the product by deforming the nozzle 10 under the effect of a release of stress exerted by the pusher 5. The opening of the nozzle 10 is thus mechanically controlled. The pusher 5 exerts stress on the nozzle 10 when the device is at rest, and it is the release of this stress that allows the nozzle to move from the closed position to the open position. This promotes sealing in the closed position. The following sections describe in more detail how the release of the stress exerted by the pusher 5 on the nozzle 10 is achieved.

[0032] As illustrated in figures 1a And 1bIn this embodiment, the pusher 5 comprises an outer lateral surface 50 and a stop 54 projecting from the outer lateral surface 50. The nozzle 10, for its part, projects radially with respect to the pusher 5. At rest, that is to say when no pressure is exerted on the pusher 5, the nozzle 10 rests at least partially on the stop 54, in particular on an upper surface 54a of the stop ( Fig. 1a And 2a In other words, at rest, the nozzle 10 rests on the upper surface 54a. This also means that the stop 54 exerts a force on the nozzle 10.

[0033] In addition, the distribution head 2 advantageously includes an insert 6. The insert 6 is made of a more rigid material than the nozzle 10. The insert 6 exerts, at rest, on the nozzle 10 a stress in the opposite direction to the stress exerted by the pusher 5. This is due on the one hand to the positioning of the insert 6 relative to the pusher 5 and the nozzle 10 and on the other hand to the configuration of the insert 6 itself.

[0034] In this regard, with reference to figures 4a And 4c The insert 6 is equipped with at least two elastically deformable tabs 60. At rest, these at least two tabs 60 exert a force on the nozzle 10 in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the stop 54 of the plunger. These two opposing forces allow the nozzle 10 to be sealed. Indeed, as is better illustrated in figures 3a et 3b The nozzle 10 comprises a flexible web 15 having a slot 17 extending in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the plunger 5. In this case, the slot 17 extends substantially horizontally. Thus, at rest, the stresses simultaneously exerted by the stop 54 of the plunger and by the deformable tabs 60 of the insert are balanced to keep the lips of the slot 17 pressed against each other. This ensures excellent sealing of the slot. As illustrated in figures 4a And 4c , the insert 6 comprises a body 6a and at least two elastically deformable legs 60, each leg extending from a body 6a of the insert and having a distal end 60a of the body 6a, said distal ends being surmounted and connected to each other by a connecting element 70.

[0035] More specifically, in the embodiment represented in figures 4a And 4cThe insert 6 is equipped with four elastically deformable tabs 60. In particular, it has two front tabs 602 and two rear tabs 601, the front tabs 602 being closer to the nozzle 10 than the rear tabs 601. These four tabs exert a force on the nozzle 10 in the opposite direction to the force exerted by the stop 54 of the pusher. It would be entirely possible for the insert to have only two of the four tabs, for example, the two front tabs 602 or the two rear tabs 601. The rear tabs 601 and the front tabs 602 extend from the body 6a of the insert to a distal end 601a and 602a respectively, said distal ends being surmounted and connected to each other by the connecting element 70.Since the legs are designed to deform, the connecting element 70, by linking their distal ends, makes it possible to stiffen the whole of the legs by maintaining a constant distance between the distal ends and thus ensuring a controlled deformation of each front leg 602 and rear leg 601. This results in a better controlled movement of the pusher 5 relative to the insert 6 when it moves from the high position PH to the low position PB, a reduction in the friction of the parts and finally a reduction in the actuation effort by the user.

[0036] According to another embodiment not shown, the insert 6 comprises only two tabs connected by the connecting element. According to another embodiment not shown, the insert 6 comprises four deformable tabs 60, only two of which are connected by the connecting element. According to yet another embodiment not shown, the insert 6 comprises four deformable tabs connected in pairs by a first and a second connecting element.

[0037] As depicted in the figure 1b The tabs 60 are capable of deforming when pressure is applied to the pusher 5, the stop 54 then ceasing to exert on the nozzle 10 the stress opposite to that exerted by the insert 6 when the pusher 5 is actuation. When the user applies pressure to the pusher, i.e., presses against an external surface of an upper wall 56 of the pusher 5, the pusher 5 moves towards the lower position PB. The tabs 60 deform elastically so that the upper wall 56 of the pusher 5 moves closer to the insert 6. The nozzle 10 thus detaches from the stop 54, in particular from its upper surface 54a, and the slot 17 opens, now that the stresses have disappeared. Its lips are then no longer pressed against each other.

[0038] As depicted on the figures 1a And 1bThe connecting element 70 bears against the pusher 5, specifically against the inner face of the upper wall 56 of said pusher 5, with the tabs exerting a force on said pusher. Indeed, the tabs 60 transmit the force to the connecting element 70, which in turn transmits the force to the pusher 5. Thus, the contact between the insert 6 and the pusher 5 is achieved by the connecting element 70, which extends at least over the distance between two tabs. The contact between the insert and the pusher is therefore more stable than if it consisted solely of a plurality of point contacts, in this case between the distal ends 60a of the tabs 60 and the pusher 5 in the absence of a connecting element. In particular, according to the embodiment of the insert 6 shown in the figures 4a And 4cDuring the deformation of the front tabs 602 and the rear tabs 601, when the pusher 5 moves towards the insert 6 from the upper position PH to the lower position PB, the contact points of the tabs on the pusher 5 would move along the inner face of the upper wall 56 in the absence of the connecting element 70. These dynamic contacts would generate friction and consequently an increase in the force required to actuate the pusher 5. Conversely, the connecting element 70 remains stationary relative to the inner face of the upper wall 56 of the pusher 5. The contact between the connecting element 70 and the inner face of the wall 56 of the pusher 5 is a static contact that generates no friction.

[0039] Advantageously, the connecting element 70 has a flat surface at its upper end. The contact between the connecting element 70 and the inner face of the upper wall 56 is therefore a plane-on-plane contact, which is more stable and generates less friction than an edge-on-plane contact. Finally, since the stress is transmitted from the lugs 60 to the connecting element 70, which in turn transmits said stress to the pusher 5, specifically to the inner face of the upper wall 56, the connecting element 70, by virtue of its extent, transmits a uniform stress to the pusher 5. This ensures a balanced distribution of the stresses exerted on the pusher 5.

[0040] The connecting element 70 is made of material with at least two deformable tabs 60. In particular, as shown on the figures 4a And 4cThe connecting element 70 is made of the same material as the two front tabs 602 and the two rear tabs 601. The production of the part is thus facilitated and the cost of manufacturing by injection is thus minimized.

[0041] The connecting element (70) forms a portion of a ring extending around an axis (X) over an angular range preferably greater than 30°. In the embodiment shown in figures 4a à 4c The ring portion extends over a range of 270° and connects the two front legs 602 and the two rear legs 601. In an embodiment not shown, the connecting element 70 connects only the two rear legs 601, forming a ring portion over an angular range greater than 30°. Preferably, the ring extends over an angular range greater than 180°. In another embodiment not shown, the connecting element 70 forms a complete ring, i.e., 360°.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the connecting element (70) is a disc, which allows for stable contact with minimal friction with the part with which the disc cooperates, in particular with the inner face of the upper wall 56 of the pusher 5.

[0043] The user may press off-center on the upper wall 56 of the push button 5 during its operation. Therefore, to ensure frictionless and trouble-free movement of the push button from the upper position PH to the lower position PB, it is desirable that the assembly consisting of at least two tabs 60 and the connecting element 70 be symmetrical about the plane of symmetry (P), as shown in the diagram. figures 4a And 4c The insert as a whole can also be symmetrical about plane P. Thus, as shown in figures 4a And 4cThe two rear legs 601 are symmetrical with respect to the plane of symmetry (P), as are the two front legs 602, and have curvatures C601 and C602 respectively. The C602 curvatures of the front legs 602 are oriented substantially towards the front of the insert 6, i.e., in the direction of the nozzle 10. These two C602 curvatures are symmetrical to each other. The two rear legs 601 located at the rear of the insert 6, i.e., opposite the nozzle 10, are also arranged symmetrically, and their C601 curvatures are oriented substantially towards each other and are substantially orthogonal to the plane of symmetry (P).

[0044] The said at least two legs 60 are connected to a peripheral shoulder 6b of said insert 6. They are included in a cylinder 71 and each has a curvature tangent to said cylinder 71 ( Fig . 4b The connecting element 70 is also included in said cylinder 71. This geometry thus facilitates the definition and development of the injection tool. In particular, as shown in figures 4a And 4c The shoulder 6b of the insert 6 has a substantially horizontal surface orthogonal to the X-axis and is located at the periphery of the insert. It is bordered by an outer skirt 6c of the insert. The tabs 60 are connected to the shoulder 6b by connecting points 60b. Specifically, with reference to the figures 4a And 4cThe front tabs 602 and the rear tabs 601 are connected to the peripheral shoulder 6b at the connection points 602b and 601b, respectively. Thus, the tabs 60, both the front tabs 602 and the rear tabs 601, are themselves located on the periphery of the insert. Since the tabs 60 are not located radially between the insert body 6a and any peripheral insert structure, the tabs, and therefore the entire insert, are easily removed from the mold using a slide mold, eliminating the need for a more expensive and complicated mold with pin crossings.

[0045] The distal ends 60a of the legs 60 are connected, as described previously, to the connecting element 70. The connection point 601b to the body 6b of the insert 6 and the distal end 601a of each rear leg 601 are vertically aligned with each other. In other words, the line joining these two points is parallel to the x-axis ( Figs.4b And 4c However, the connection point 602b and the distal end 602a of each front leg 602 are not vertically aligned. The distal end 602b is offset by 30° relative to the connection point 602a, the angle being measured with respect to the X-axis. An angle between 5° and 50°, more preferably between 20° and 40°, is also possible.

[0046] The front tabs 602 are closer to the nozzle 10 than the rear tabs 601 and consequently contribute more to closing the nozzle 10. It is therefore important that the front tabs 602 operate reliably and repeatably, without deteriorating under repeated actuation and with minimal aging. To this end, it is advantageous that the front tabs 602, when the pusher 5 moves from the upper position PH to the lower position PB, operate within a range of elastic deformation well below their elastic limit, beyond which they would deform irreversibly. Thus, it is advantageous to angularly offset the distal portions 602a and the connection points 602b of each front tab 602, in order to increase its rest length and therefore the elastic limit of said front tab 602.

[0047] As an alternative, it is possible to have a single front leg 602 and a single rear leg 601. Thus, the insert 6 is provided with at least one rear leg 601 and at least one front leg 602, closer to the nozzle 10 than said at least one rear leg 601, said at least one front leg 602 having a greater rest length than said at least one rear leg 601.

[0048] The front tabs 602 have a higher stiffness constant than the rear tabs 601. This characteristic can be achieved, for example, by having a greater thickness of the front tabs 602 than of the rear tabs 601. Thus, the stress exerted by the front tabs 602 on the pusher 5 is greater than that exerted by the rear tabs 601. The resulting torque causes the insert to tilt relative to the pusher in the direction indicated by an arrow on the Figure 1a , promoting contact of the nozzle on the pusher 5, i.e. on the stop 54.

[0049] As an alternative, it is possible to have a single front leg 602 and a single rear leg 601. Thus, the insert 6 is equipped with at least one rear leg 601 and at least one front leg 602, closer to the nozzle 10 than said at least one rear leg 601, said at least one front leg 602 having a greater stiffness constant than said at least one rear leg 601.

[0050] On the figure 2a We can also see that the insert 6 includes an opening 64 receiving the nozzle 10, here radially. The opening 64 more precisely receives a nozzle connection portion 19 (visible on the Fig. 3b It includes fastening means 19a cooperating with fastening means 64a of the insert, which ensures proper positioning of the nozzle 10. The insert 6 also includes a substantially cylindrical chimney 63 whose internal dimensions are adapted to those of an upper portion of the distribution pump 3 in order to accommodate said upper portion of the pump. The chimney 63 is oriented along the actuation axis of the distribution head.

[0051] The pusher 5 is provided with an opening 51 for the passage of the nozzle 10. A diameter of the opening 51 is such that in the upper position PH of the pusher, a gap J between the nozzle 10 and an upper edge 51a of the opening 51 ( figures 1a And 2a) is greater than the axial displacement length of the pusher 5 between the upper position PH and the lower position PB. Thus, there is a clearance J' between the nozzle 10 and the upper edge 51a of the opening 51 when the pusher 5 is in the lower position PB. Therefore, in the lower position PB, the tip of the nozzle 10 is not subjected to any stress and, in particular, the pusher 5 does not obstruct the opening of the slot 17 for product dispensing.

[0052] As represented in figures 2a et 2b The upper surface 54a of the stop 54 extends radially outward from the body 50 of the pusher 5 and axially toward the nozzle 10. The upper surface 54a of the stop 54, near its peripheral radial end, is oriented toward the nozzle, i.e., upwards, so that the stress exerted by the upper surface 54a of the stop 54 is applied in the vicinity of the slot 17 of the nozzle 10. Indeed, in order for the contact between the nozzle 10 and the stop 54 to effectively close the slot 17 of the nozzle, it is preferable for the stress to be precisely localized at a point 55 on the side of the nozzle 10 where the slot 17 is located. The angle β that the upper surface 54a of the stop 54 thus forms with an outer surface of the nozzle opposite the stop is between 2° and 6°, preferably 4°, in the high position PH of the pusher.

[0053] Preferably, the insert 6 and the pusher 5 include means 57, 58 for guiding the movement of the pusher 5 relative to the insert 6. As shown in figures 4c And 5c The pusher 5 includes ribs 57 for angular positioning of the insert 6. Said ribs extend from the inner lateral flanks of the pusher 5 and cooperate with grooves 58, axially oriented, provided at an external face of the peripheral wall of said insert 6. Said ribs 57 and said grooves 58 allow guidance of the insert 6 relative to the pusher 5 during their relative axial movement.

[0054] Preferably, the insert 6 and the pusher 5 include means 52, 62, 72 for guiding the deformation of the tabs 60. The insert body 6a, the connecting element 70 and the pusher 5 include means 52, 62, 72 for guiding the deformation of the tabs 60. The pusher 5 includes a secondary rib 52 which extends along an inner face of the pusher 5 and cooperates with a secondary groove 72, axially oriented, provided at an outer face of the connecting element 70 of said insert 6. The insert body 6a includes an additional groove 62 in the axial extension of the secondary groove 72 of the connecting element.Thus, the secondary rib 52 of the pusher 5 cooperates with the additional groove 62, which allows guidance of the pusher 5 relative to the insert 6, and the cooperation between said secondary rib 52 and said secondary groove 72 of the connecting element 7 allows guidance of the connecting element 70 relative to the pusher 5, i.e., guidance of the deformation of the tabs 60. Thus, said connecting element (70) includes guiding means (72). Said secondary rib 52 and said secondary groove 72 are located at the rear of the distribution head 2, opposite the nozzle 10. In an embodiment not shown, the means for guiding the deformation of the tabs 60 do not include the additional groove 62 carried by the body 6a of the insert 6 and only the secondary groove 72 and the secondary rib 72.

[0055] Preferably, the plunger 5 includes an angular stop 53 preventing the insert 6 from tilting. Thanks to this angular stop 53, tilting of the insert in the upper PH position of the plunger, which would move the nozzle 10 away from the plunger 5, specifically from the upper surface 54a of the stop 54, is prevented. Such tilting of the insert 4 relative to the plunger 5 would result in the plunger 5 not exerting sufficient force on the nozzle 10 to ensure a tight seal of the nozzle slot 17, or even in the nozzle 10 losing contact with the surface 54a of the stop 54 when the plunger 5 is in the upper PH position. To remedy this drawback, the inner face of the upper wall 56 of the plunger is provided with a pin 53, as shown in the diagrams. figures 1a , 1b And 5a à 5cThe insert 6 is provided on its upper face 65 with a slide 63, in which the pin 53 is guided. The interaction of the slide 63 and the pin 53 guides the pusher 5 during its movement relative to the insert 6 when the pusher moves. The slide 63 includes a wall 64 along which the pin 53 slides during the movement of the pusher 5. Thus, the sliding contact between an edge 53a of the pin 53 of the pusher 5 and the wall 64 of the slide 63 of the insert 6 guides the movement of the pusher while ensuring, in the upper position of the pusher PH, that the insert 6 is angularly oriented relative to the pusher 5 so that the nozzle 10 is pressed against the upper surface 54a of the stop 54 of the pusher 5. The pin 53 thus acts as an angular stop for the insert.

[0056] It should be noted that the deformation of the tabs 60 and the deactivation of the stress(s) exerted by said tabs also stem from the fact that their stiffness constant is appropriately selected relative to a spring 35 of the pump 3. Indeed, the pump spring 35 has a stiffness constant chosen such that, when the plunger 5 is actuated, the force exerted by the tabs 60 is less than the force exerted by the pump spring 35. At rest, since no stress is exerted on the plunger 5 and the pump is at its limit, the insert 6, via the tabs 60, exerts a downward stress on the nozzle 10, while the stop 54 exerts an upward stress, in the manner of a pinch.On the other hand, when the pusher 5 is actuation, the force exerted by said pump spring 35 is greater than that exerted by the lugs 60 and the insert 6 approaches the inner face of the upper wall 56 of the pusher 5. At the same time, the pump spring 35 has a stiffness suitable to retain its ability to compress and allow the pump 3 to be actuation in order to distribute the product, once the slot 17 is opened.

[0057] In any case, by ceasing to press the push button 5, the insert 6 returns to its original configuration, which allows the nozzle 10 to be mechanically closed. The opening and closing of the nozzle 10, in particular of the slot 17, do not depend on the pressure exerted by the fluid but on the mechanical stresses exerted or not on the nozzle 10.

[0058] During the separation of the nozzle 10 from the stop 54, which remains slight, the sealing is favored by the shape of the nozzle 10, designed to extend on the surface in front of the stop 54, under the slot 17.

[0059] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, by no means limiting, of the invention which on the contrary encompasses the variants of forms and designs within the reach of the man skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A head (2) for dispensing a fluid product, comprising: - a pusher (5) that is actuatable manually, said pusher (5) being configured to move between an upper position (PH) and a lower position (PB) relative to an insert (6), - a nozzle (10) for dispensing the product, made of an elastic material, said dispensing head (2) being configured so that, during the movement of the pusher (5) from the upper position (PH) to the lower position (PB), the nozzle (10) moves from a closed position in which said nozzle (10) is sealed to an open position allowing the dispensing of said product by deformation of said nozzle (10) under the effect of releasing of a stress exerted by the pusher (5), said insert (6) being configured to exert a stress in the opposite direction to the stress exerted by the pusher (5) in order to keep the nozzle closed at rest, said pusher (5) comprising a stop (54) and characterized in that said insert (6) is provided with at least two deformable tabs (60), said at least two tabs (60) causing a force on the pusher (5) such that the insert (6) exerts a stress on the nozzle (10) in the opposite direction to a stress exerted by the stop (54) on the nozzle (10), each tab (60) extending from a body (6a) of the insert (6) and having a distal end (60a) of the body (6a), said distal ends being surmounted and connected to each other by a connecting element (70).

2. The dispensing head (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the tabs (60) are capable of deforming when a pressure is exerted on said pusher (5), said stop (54) ceasing to exert on the nozzle (10) the stress opposite to the stress exerted by the insert (6) when the pusher (5) is actuated.

3. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two tabs (60) comprise at least one rear tab (601) and at least one front tab (602) closer to the nozzle (10) than said at least one rear tab (601), said at least one front tab (602) having a longer length at rest than said at least one rear tab (601).

4. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two tabs (60) comprise at least one rear tab (601) and at least one front tab (602) closer to the nozzle (10) than said at least one rear tab (601), said at least one front tab (602) having a greater stiffness constant than said at least one rear tab (601).

5. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (70) is made of the same material as said at least two tabs (60).

6. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said connecting element (70) bears on the pusher (5).

7. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (70) forms a ring or a portion of a ring extending around an axis (X) over an angular range greater than 30°.

8. The dispensing head (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connecting element (70) is a disc.

9. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly comprising said at least two tabs (60) and the connecting element (70) has a plane of symmetry (P).

10. The dispensing head (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein said at least two tabs (60) are included in a cylinder (71).

11. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two tabs (60) are connected to a peripheral shoulder (6b) of said insert (6).

12. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (6) and the pusher (5) comprise means (57, 58) for guiding the movement of the pusher (5) relative to the insert (6).

13. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the insert (6) and the pusher (5) comprise means (52, 62, 72) for guiding the deformation of the tabs (60).

14. The dispensing head (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein said connecting element (70) comprises means (72) for guiding the deformation of the tabs (60).

15. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (54a) of the stop (54) extends radially outward from the body (50) of the pusher (5) and axially toward the nozzle (10).

16. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pusher (5) comprises an angular stop (53) preventing the insert (6) from tilting away from the pusher (5) and away from the nozzle (10).

17. The dispensing head (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said nozzle (10) comprises a slot (17), said slot (17) being configured to deform to allow the nozzle (10) to move from the closed position to the open position, said dispensing head (2) being configured so that said nozzle (10) is subjected to opposing forces involving the pusher (5) so as to keep the slot (17) closed by pinching.

18. The dispensing head (2) according to the preceding claim, wherein the slot (17) extends in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the pusher (5), said slot (17) passing through a plane known as the plane of the slot, the direction of the stresses exerted by said stop (54) and said tabs (60) being orthogonal to the plane of the slot (17).

19. The dispensing bottle for a fluid product comprising a reservoir wherein a product is to be packaged and a neck equipped with a dispensing head (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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