Push button for pump tester, and pump tester equipped with such a push button

Abstract

The invention relates to a push-button with a zenithal nozzle, and to an assembly of a pump tester (3), a push-button (5), and a blotter (21), wherein the push-button (5) comprises at least one fragrance outlet nozzle (7) opening onto the zenithal face (15) of the push-button, which is pressed to actuate the pump (3). The push-button can either replace the original push-button or be fitted onto it. The push-button can be operated either by means of a blotter or with a part of the body with a low risk of carrying germs, such as a forearm. (Fig. 16)

Description

Title of the invention: Push button for pump tester, and pump tester equipped with such a push button

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of perfume sales, including room fragrances, and more specifically to perfume testers available on the shelves of retail stores, whether positioned on shelves or in a bar.

[0002] When one wishes to buy a perfume in a retail store, one can smell the fragrance before making the purchase, using a so-called "tester" bottle, allowing the perfume in question to be sprayed directly onto the skin, or onto a cellulose-based support often referred to as a "stain strip".

[0003] The tester, which is generally a product presented without its packaging and sometimes even without its cap, typically includes a glass bottle filled with the perfume to be tested, and a pump mechanism fixed to the neck of the bottle, on which a push button with a spray nozzle is mounted.

[0004] When pressure is applied to the push button, perfume can be sprayed onto the skin or onto a blotter.

[0005] This operation assumes that the user (who may of course also be a user, without this being specified each time in what follows) presses the push button with her finger, and is therefore in direct skin contact with the push button, or even with the bottle itself, if she grasps the latter.

[0006] She must first ensure that the nozzle hole is facing the blotter or the skin before pressing the push button, because often the push button rotates on itself, leaving the nozzle hole in a random position, which therefore forces the user to perform two manipulations on the bottle and thus multiplies skin contacts with the tester.

[0007] These manipulations are not favorable from a hygienic point of view, the push button and / or the bottle can in fact constitute media for the transmission of germs (bacteria, viruses) between the different people using the tester.

[0008] The present invention aims in particular to eliminate these disadvantages associated with the testers of the prior art, and to eliminate all skin contact with users, without depriving the possibility of testing the fragrance.

[0009] This objective of the invention is achieved with a push button for a pump tester, comprising at least one vertical outlet nozzle for the perfume opening onto the zenithal face of the push button intended to receive the actuation pressure of a user.

[0010] Thanks to this particular arrangement, the pump can be operated without having to grasp the bottle, or worry about putting the nozzle hole back in the right direction, simply by pressing the push button with a finger or with another part of the body, which allows there to be no contact with any part of the tester.

[0011] Such a push button, which allows the perfume to be sprayed upwards, i.e. towards the operator's finger, can be adapted to existing testers, without any modification of their pump mechanism; according to the variants which will be set out below, this push button according to the invention can be mounted directly on the pump mechanism of the tester, in place of the original push button, or can be embedded on this original push button.

[0012] This push button according to the invention can be in the same color as the collar of the existing pump, or adopt any other more eye-catching color in order to draw attention to this new gesture of testing fragrances.

[0013] Any type of material (plastic, metal, Zamac, biodegradable Sulapac resin...) can be used for the manufacture of the push button according to the invention.

[0014] According to other optional features of the push button according to the invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - said zenithal face has a rounded, bowl-shaped form, at the bottom of which unclogs the said nozzle;

[0016] - said push button has a corolla shape with a thin, rounded edge; the The rounded shape prevents injury to the user;

[0017] - said zenithal face has a recessed plateau shape, onto which opens said buzzard;

[0018] - said nozzle opens in a slightly protruding manner relative to said face zenithal, and includes radial outlet openings;

[0019] - said push button has an enveloping shape relative to that of the tester pump; this push button may in particular have the same shape as the original cap of any bottle so as not to alter the general appearance of the product;

[0020] - said push button is adapted to replace an original push button of the tester;

[0021] - said push button is adapted to be hermetically sealed onto a button- original push button equipped with a horizontal axis nozzle, said push button comprising at least one zenithal nozzle communicating in a sealed manner with the horizontal axis nozzle: the push button according to the invention can thus be adapted to the original push button, which avoids having to remove the latter;

[0022] - said push button comprises at least one channel connecting said at least one nozzle zenithal to said horizontally axis nozzle, and an annular seal suitable for making a connection waterproof with the original push button;

[0023] - said push button comprises a plurality of zenithal nozzles and a plurality of channels respectively linking these zenithal nozzles to said horizontal axis nozzle.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a tester equipped with a push button according to the above.

[0025] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tester conforming to the above, and at least one blotter suitable for receiving a spray of perfume from said tester.

[0026] The present invention also relates to an assembly comprising a tester according to the above, and to a support for maintaining the stability of this tester.

[0027] The present invention also relates to the use of a tester according to the above, in which a strip is grasped, placed at the end of a finger, and the zenithal face of said push button is pressed without touching said tester, or the zenithal face of said push button is pressed directly with a part of the body that carries few germs such as a wrist or forearm.

[0028] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, with reference to the attached figures, which illustrate:

[0029] [Fig-1]: a perspective view of a conventional tester, on which is mounted a push button with horizontal outlet nozzle,

[0030] [Fig.2]: a perspective view of this tester from another angle, the push button being depicted in a raised position,

[0031] [Fig.3]: the gesture that one seeks to avoid, in order to prevent the transmission of germs,

[0032] [Fig.4]: a perspective view of a tester equipped with a nozzle push button vertical outlet according to the invention, as well as this push button itself represented independently of the bottle, according to a first embodiment,

[0033] [Fig. 5]: a view analogous to that of [Fig. 4] of another embodiment of the push button,

[0034] [Fig. 6]: a view analogous to that of Figures 4 and 5, representing yet another method of implementing a push button,

[0035] [Fig.7]: a view analogous to that of figures 4 to 6, representing yet another method of implementing the push button,

[0036] [Fig.8]: a perspective view of a tester equipped with an original push button, on which a push button according to the invention, implemented according to another variant, is fitted; the left view shows the push button according to the invention being positioned on the original push button, and the right view shows this push button according to the invention fitted onto the original push button,

[0037] [Fig.9]: a perspective view of the original push button of the tester of [Fig.8], on which is embedded the push button according to the invention of [Fig.8], the latter being represented in axial section and perspective,

[0038] [Fig. 10]: an axial and perspective cross-sectional view of the push button according to the invention of Figures 8 and 9, the latter being shown alone,

[0039] [Fig. 11]: Perspective views of the front and back faces of a breadstick according to the invention, according to a first embodiment,

[0040] [Fig. 12]: views similar to those of [Fig. 11], representing another embodiment of a dipping stick,

[0041] [Fig. 13]: views similar to those in Figures 11 and 12, representing yet another embodiment of a dipping saucer,

[0042] [Fig. 14]: views similar to those in figures 11 to 13, representing yet another embodiment of a dipping saucer,

[0043] [Fig. 15]: represents the gesture that can be made to use the tester according to the invention,

[0044] [Fig. 16]: the gestures of a user operating the tester according to the invention, the latter being located in the upper part of a shelving unit, and

[0045] [Fig. 17]: this gesture in the case where the tester is placed on a lower part of this shelving unit,

[0046] [Fig. 18]: an axial cross-sectional and perspective view of yet another variant of a push button according to the invention, intended to be embedded on an original push button,

[0047] [Fig. 19]: a perspective view of the push button of [Fig. 18],

[0048] [Fig.20]: on the top view and on the bottom view, two types of gestures that one can to be done with a tester equipped with a push button according to the invention conforming to figures 18 and 19,

[0049] [Fig.21]: an axial cross-sectional and perspective view of yet another variant of a push button according to the invention, intended to be recessed onto the original push button,

[0050] [Fig.22]: a perspective view of the push button of [Fig.21], and of a support of an associate tester, and

[0051] [Fig.23]: the action that can be performed with a tester equipped with a push button according to the invention in accordance with figures 21 and 22.

[0052] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0053] In what follows, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "zenithal" will be used: these terms should be understood in relation to the normal position of a bottle placed on a support in a store.

[0054] The horizontal and vertical directions are indicated, for example, in Figures 1 and 4 by means of arrows H and V, with the pointed end of arrow V pointing upwards of the place where the bottle is placed.

[0055] From then on, the term "zenithal" indicates the upper part of the push button, that is to say the part of this push button located closest to the pointed end of the arrow V.

[0056] Reference is now made to [Fig. 1], which shows a conventional tester, typically comprising a bottle 1 preferably made of glass, on the neck of which is fixed a pump mechanism 3 equipped with a dip tube (not shown). A push button 5 is mounted on the pump mechanism 3.

[0057] This push button 5 has a nozzle 7, which opens onto a lateral face of this push button, with a horizontally projecting jet, and which is in fluid communication with a cannula 9 (see [Fig.2]) integral with the pump mechanism 3.

[0058] To operate such a tester, as can be seen [Fig.3], one typically grasps the bottle 1, and with a finger 11, generally the index finger, one presses the push-button 5, so as to release a cloud of perfume 13 through the nozzle 7, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the pump mechanism 3.

[0059] As can be understood from a simple examination of [Fig.3], this gesture implies a handling and contact of the user with the tester, which is not hygienic because it poses the problem of the transmission of germs between the tester and the hand of the user.

[0060] To remedy this drawback, and as can be seen first of all on [Fig.4], the outlet of the nozzle 7 is moved so that it opens onto the zenithal face 15 of the push button 5, that is to say on the face which the user will press with one of her fingers.

[0061] In other words, the axis of the nozzle 7 coincides with that of the cannula 9, instead of being perpendicular to it: this axis is vertical instead of horizontal.

[0062] In the variant shown in [Fig.4], the upper face 15 of the push button 5 has a rounded bowl shape, at the bottom of which the nozzle 7 opens.

[0063] In the variant shown in [Fig.5], the upper face 15 of the push button 5, into which the nozzle 7 opens, is surrounded by a collar 17, slightly wider than the diameter of the standard push button in order to increase the contact area between the wipe and the fingers that will apply pressure, so that the face 15 forms a kind of recessed plate in relation to this collar 17.

[0064] The variant of [Fig.6] differs from that of [Fig.5] in that the nozzle 7 opens in a slightly protruding manner relative to the recessed face 15, and is provided with a plurality of radial outlets 19 of perfume, in order to prevent the juice from being too close to the blotter and only wetting a very small area of ​​the blotter.

[0065] In the variant of [Fig. 7], which represents a so-called "decorative" push button, the push button 5 has a diameter greater than that of the part of the mechanism to pump which surmounts the neck of bottle 1, so as to cover this part.

[0066] The push button 5 may also represent the shape of the original perfume cap (a "trompe l'oeil" push button), so that the bottle retains its original design and is more presentable on a high-brand perfume bar that attaches particular importance to preserving the aesthetics of the bottle in order to trigger the act of purchase.

[0067] In [Fig.7], a top face 15 of the push button 5 is shown, which is substantially flat, and in the center of which the nozzle 7 opens, it being understood that any of the upper face shapes 15 shown in figures 4 to 6 could be used in this variant of [Fig.7].

[0068] In the variant shown in figures 8 to 10, the push button 5a according to the invention is shaped to be able to fit onto the original push button 5b of the bottle.

[0069] As can be seen more particularly in Figures 9 and 10, the push button according to the invention 5a has for this purpose a first cylindrical cavity Cl adapted to fit onto the original push button 5b, and a second cavity C2 of larger diameter, suitable for covering with both axial and radial clearance the upper part of the pump mechanism 3.

[0070] On its zenithal part, the push button 5a according to the invention comprises a plurality of orifices or nozzles 7a, preferably equidistributed on a circle, which communicate via respective vertical channels R with a peripheral reservoir A slightly recessed radially (i.e. having a larger diameter) relative to the inner surface of the cylindrical cavity Cl.

[0071] This peripheral reservoir A thus allows fluid communication from the nozzle 7b of the original push button 5b with the channels R, and therefore with the nozzles 7a.

[0072] An annular rubber seal J is further provided on the lower edge of the cylindrical cavity Cl, so as to seal the peripheral reservoir A on the original push button 5b.

[0073] The push button 5a according to the invention may have a generic shape, as shown in Figures 8 to 10, or a stylized shape, representative of a given brand, as mentioned in relation to [Fig.7].

[0074] Figure [Fig. 1 1] shows a dipper that can be part of the assembly according to the invention.

[0075] In the variant shown in this figure, this toaster, which can be made of a specific paper of varying thickness, has a substantially circular shape.

[0076] In the variant shown in [Fig.12], the toast stick has a substantially square shape.

[0077] In the variant shown in [Fig. 13], this toast stick has a sen- shape possibly rectangular.

[0078] In the variant shown in [Fig.14], this blotter has a substantially elongated shape, i.e. in a strip, and can be wrapped around the finger (right view): this type of blotter can be found in the majority of perfumery stores.

[0079] The method of use and the advantages of the tester assembly just described result directly from the above.

[0080] When a user wishes to smell a fragrance before making a purchase, she goes to a tester available on the store shelves, this tester being able to conform to that of any of figures 4 to 10.

[0081] Near this tester there may be blotters, which may conform to those in any of figures 11 to 14.

[0082] The user takes hold of a blotter 21, placing for example the index finger 11 on the upper face of it, as shown in [Fig. 15], and she presses the push button 5 or 5a by means of this blotter 21, without touching the bottle 1, or any other part of the tester.

[0083] As the nozzle(s) 7, 7a open(s) onto the face 15 on which the user's finger 11 exerts pressure, the perfume coming out of the nozzle(s) 7, 7a will impregnate the blotter 21, without the user having to touch any part of the tester.

[0084] In the case where the upper face 15 of the push button 5 has a cup-shaped or recessed shape as shown in figures 4 to 6, it is possible both to prevent the blotter 21 from clogging the nozzle 7, and to create a perfume retention zone, allowing the blotter 21 to be better soaked.

[0085] In the case where the nozzle 7 has radial outlet orifices 19 as shown in [Fig.6], the perfume can exit radially through the nozzle, which further limits the risk of clogging by the blotter 21 under the pressure exerted by the finger 11 of the user.

[0086] In the case where the blotter has a substantially elongated shape as shown in [Fig. 14] - which is the case of blotters found in most perfume outlets - the user can wrap it around the index finger, as suggested by the right view of this figure.

[0087] In the store, the tester according to the invention can be positioned on a high shelf ([Fig. 16]), or on a low shelf ([Fig. 17]), or even on a perfume bar such as those found in the flagship stores of major brands.

[0088] In both cases, the user 23 does not need to grasp the tester: as shown in figures 16 and 17, she simply extends her arm and presses the tester's push button with a single finger, via a swab.

[0089] Thanks to the assembly according to the invention, all contact between the user's hand and the tester is eliminated, which is particularly satisfactory from a hygienic point of view.

[0090] The risk of theft of the testers is further limited, because a push button with a zenithal outlet nozzle makes the tester very impractical to use as an everyday perfume bottle.

[0091] As can be understood from the above, the push button 5 equipped with a nozzle 7 opening onto its upper face 15, that is to say onto its face which the user presses with her finger, can be adapted to an existing tester, without any modification to the pump mechanism of the latter being necessary.

[0092] Of course, each nozzle manufacturer 7 uses specific characteristics for this nozzle, according to the specifications imposed by the perfume house, and it will be understood that the push button of the assembly according to the invention can incorporate any type of nozzle.

[0093] In the particularly advantageous variant shown in figures 8 to 10, the push button according to the invention 5a is fitted onto the original push button 5b, which avoids having to remove the latter; the redirection of the perfume jet upwards, to the nozzles 7a opening into the zenithal part of the push button 5a, is ensured by the axial channels R, the sealing being ensured by the seal J.

[0094] Naturally, the invention is described above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0095] In the variant shown in figures 18 and 19, the push button according to invention 5a has substantially the shape of a corolla, with a thin and rounded edge B.

[0096] As can be seen in [Fig.20], such a push button 5a can be operated by the finger 11 of a user via a wipe 21, or by the forearm 25 of the user who presses the push button in the direction F, with the minimum surface area of ​​contact with the skin given the thinness of the edge B.

[0097] The variant shown in figures 21 to 23 is particularly intended for children: in this variant, the push button according to invention 5a is surmounted by a ring 27 which may include decorative elements 29.

[0098] In this variant, a tester support 31 is also provided, into which the bottle 1 is fitted, as can be seen in [Fig.23].

[0099] The child who wishes to test the perfume inserts his forearm 25 inside the ring 27, and exerts downward pressure on the push button 5a, as indicated by the arrow F; during this movement, the tester support 31 ensures the stability of the bottle 1.

[0100] Using the forearm 25 rather than a finger 11 reduces the risk of contamination, as the forearm is generally less likely to carry germs than the fingers of the hand.

Claims

Claims

1. Push button (5a) for pump tester (3), comprising at least one nozzle (7a) for vertical perfume outlet opening onto the zenithal face (15) of the push button intended to receive the actuating pressure of a user (23), said push button being adapted to fit tightly onto an original push button (5b) provided with a nozzle with a horizontal axis (7b), said at least one vertical outlet nozzle (7a) communicating tightly with the nozzle with a horizontal axis (7b), said push button comprising at least one channel (R) connecting said at least one vertical outlet nozzle (7a) to said nozzle with a horizontal axis (7b), and an annular seal capable of making a tight connection with said original push button (5b).

2. Push button (5a) according to claim 1, wherein said zenith face (15) has a rounded bowl shape, at the bottom of which said at least one vertical outlet nozzle opens.

3. Push button (5a) according to one of claims 1 or 2, having a corolla shape with a thin edge (B).

4. Push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hand insertion ring (27).

5. Push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said zenithal face (15) has the shape of a recessed plate, onto which said at least one vertical outlet nozzle opens.

6. Push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which said at least one vertical outlet nozzle opens out in a slightly protruding manner relative to said zenith face (15), and comprises radial outlet openings (19).

7. Push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, having an enveloping shape relative to that of the pump (3) of the tester.

8. Push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of vertical outlet nozzles (7a) and a plurality of channels (R) respectively connecting these vertical outlet nozzles (7a) to said horizontal axis nozzle (7b).

9. Tester equipped with a push button (5a) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. An assembly comprising a tester according to claim 9, and at least one blotter (21) capable of receiving a spray of perfume from said tester.

11. Assembly comprising a tester according to claim 9, and a support (31) for maintaining the stability of this tester.

12. Use of a tester according to claim 9, in which a strip (21) is grasped, placed at the end of a finger (11), and the zenith face (15) of said push button (5a) is pressed without touching said tester, or the zenith face of said push button (5a) is pressed directly with a part of the body which is not a carrier of germs such as a wrist or a forearm (25).

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