A device for closing and sealing the nozzle of a container containing a fluid product, and the container equipped with it.

Abstract

The invention relates in particular to a device (4) for closing and sealing the nozzle of a container enclosing a fluid product and having an outlet orifice, characterized in that it comprises: - an annular sealing ring (40) shaped to be placed at the base of said nozzle, interposed between said orifice and said nozzle; - a plug (3) for the dispensing end of the nozzle opposite said base; - said annular sealing ring (40) and plug (3) being connected to each other by two symmetrical and elastically deformable arms (5), the modulus of elasticity of said arms being sufficient to allow said plug to be positioned on said dispensing end without breaking. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: A device for closing and sealing the nozzle of a container containing a fluid product, and the container equipped with it.

[0001] GENERAL TECHNICAL DOMAIN

[0002] The present invention is in the field of the closure of containers of a fluid product, which are provided with a nozzle for the flow and evacuation of this product. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Particularly in the field of DIY for individuals or professionals, it is common to offer for sale fluid products such as silicone seals, wood putty, glue, etc. in containers which are, for the most part, cylindrical in shape, generally called cartridges, and which are provided with an outlet orifice closed by a cap.

[0004] Such containers may be offered for sale with a truncated conical nozzle for dispensing and draining the product, at the end of which, in some cases, a closing cap is fitted. Most often, this nozzle is integral with a tab attached to an annular ring.

[0005] In the aisles of stores where this type of product is available, the annular ring is engaged around the plugged orifice of the container, so that the nozzle extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container and against the latter.

[0006] When a user intends to use such a device, he positions the container on a dispensing gun which has the function of exerting pressure against the bottom of it.

[0007] The user then removes the cap to expose the outlet of the container. Next, they fold the tab and screw on the nozzle, which has a helical thread at its base that complements the one present on the outer periphery of the outlet.

[0008] At the end of this operation, we find ourselves in the situation illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0009] In this figure, the container is referenced as 1 and its outlet orifice as 10, the opening the latter being properly referred to as 11.

[0010] The aforementioned tongue bears the reference 20, while the annular ring is referenced 21.

[0011] Before first using the device, the user removes the cap 3 (if there is one) positioned at the upper end of the nozzle 2.

[0012] In some cases, instead of folding the tab as indicated above at the top, some users leave it free on the side of the nozzle, so that ring 21 can then serve as a means of retaining cap 3.

[0013] After use, the user repositions the cap 3 on top of the nozzle 2, until the next use.

[0014] In many cases, sealing problems have been observed with this type of device.

[0015] A sealing problem is encountered at the screwing area of ​​the nozzle 2 on the orifice 10, which causes premature drying of the fluid and clogging of the nozzle which becomes unusable.

[0016] Furthermore, if the cap is not properly closed, residual pressure inside the container 1 causes a small expulsion of the fluid contained within, so that the latter tends to push back the cap 3, thus leaving the nozzle 2 open, which can also cause premature drying of the fluid and clogging of the nozzle.

[0017] The present invention therefore aims to provide a solution that makes it possible to overcome these difficulties. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Thus, a first aspect of the invention relates to a device for closing and sealing the nozzle of a container enclosing a fluid product and having an outlet orifice, characterized in that it comprises:

[0019] - an annular sealing ring shaped to be placed at the base of said nozzle, interposed between said orifice and said nozzle;

[0020] - a sealing plug for the dispensing end of the nozzle that is opposite to said base;

[0021] - said annular sealing ring and sealing plug being connected to one another the other by two symmetrical and elastically deformable arms, the modulus of elasticity of said arms being sufficient to allow the said plug to be positioned on said distribution end without them breaking.

[0022] Thanks to these characteristics, a single device is provided which ensures a double seal of the nozzle, on the one hand at its base, between it and the orifice of the container, and on the other hand at its top, by retaining the sealing plug.

[0023] According to other advantageous and non-limiting features of this device, taken alone or in a technically compatible combination of at least two of them: - it forms a single piece; - it is made of a single material; - it is made up of two different materials;

[0024] - one of said materials is chosen from the group formed by thermoplastics elastomers, silicones, natural rubbers, synthetic rubbers;

[0025] - in the elastically undeformed state, said arms and said cap fit into an oblong shape and the said stopper being opposite and in the immediate vicinity of the said ring;

[0026] - it is integral with said nozzle.

[0027] The advantages and technical effects related to these advantageous and non-mandatory features are as follows:

[0028] When the device is a single piece, it prevents the constituent elements from getting lost. Furthermore, its manufacture is simplified since it requires only one mold.

[0029] When the device is made of a single material, this has a favorable impact on its cost price.

[0030] The device can be made of thermoplastic elastomers, silicone, natural rubber or synthetic rubber, the main advantage of these materials being that they are widely available.

[0031] When the arms and the cap are oblong in shape, and the cap is positioned opposite and in the immediate vicinity of the ring, the device occupies little space. This is advantageous in terms of the size of the manufacturing mold. Furthermore, in use, this compact shape of the device means that, when the arms are relaxed, the device extends and remains near the base of the nozzle, without causing any inconvenience to the user. Moreover, the ring attached to the nozzle provides support for the cap, ensuring that it is held firmly in place.

[0032] When the device is attached to said cannula, it has the advantage of becoming one with the latter, without risk of loss of either.

[0033] Another aspect of the invention relates to a container containing a fluid product, which is provided with an outlet orifice, which is equipped with a nozzle for evacuating and distributing said product, characterized in that it comprises a device according to one of the preceding characteristics, said annular sealing ring being placed at the base of said nozzle, interposed between said orifice and said nozzle, said arms being deformable between two extreme positions, namely a first position in which they are completely relaxed and a second position in which they are elastically deformed and allow said cap to be positioned on the distribution end of said nozzle.

[0034] The effects and benefits which are associated with this container are the same as those detailed above. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0035] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which will now be done, with reference to the attached drawings, which represent, by way of indication but not limitation, one possible method of implementation.

[0036] On these drawings:

[0037] [Fig-1] is, as indicated above, a diagram intended to illustrate the prior art closest to the invention, as known to the present applicant;

[0038] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig.3] is a view analogous to the previous figure, the device being viewed from the opposite direction;

[0040] [Fig.4] is a perspective view, along a median and vertical cutting plane, of the device of figures 2 and 3;

[0041] [Fig.5] is a view similar to the previous one, but from the front;

[0042] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, in place on the nozzle of a container, this device being represented as "inactive";

[0043] [Fig.7] is a view analogous to [Fig.6], the different elements being represented in section;

[0044] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the device according to the invention, in place on the nozzle of a container, this device being represented as "active";

[0045] [Fig.9] is a view analogous to [Fig.8], the different elements being represented in section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0046] In the detailed description that follows, the numerical references common to those used in reference to [Fig.1] designate the same or similar elements, unless otherwise stated.

[0047] Detailed views of a possible embodiment of the device according to the invention are shown in the attached Figures 2 to 5.

[0048] We are dealing here with a device 4 which is formed from a single piece of the same material. However, in variants not shown here, the device 4 could be formed from several distinct elements fixed to one another.

[0049] This device 4 is for example made of thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, or natural or synthetic rubber.

[0050] It essentially comprises a ring 40, a cap 3 and two arms 5.

[0051] The ring 40 is an annular ring whose circular opening is referenced 41. The function of this opening will be explained later in the description. As can be clearly seen in [Fig. 4], the upper face 43 of the ring 40 is perfectly flat and perpendicular to the axis of the opening 41. In contrast, its lower face 42 has a slope of a few degrees, so that the thickness of the ring decreases at as we approach aperture 41. The interest and usefulness of this characteristic will be explained later in the description.

[0052] Opposite the ring 40 is a plug 3 of the same type as that described with reference to [Fig. 1]. This plug 3 comprises a hollow body 30, the interior space 33 of which is fitted with a projecting lug 34. On the outside, the body 30 is surrounded by regularly spaced buttresses 31, designed to give the plug a certain rigidity. There are four but this number could be different, i.e., fewer or more.

[0053] Finally, the body 30 is surmounted by a tongue 32 which is intended to facilitate gripping the cap.

[0054] This ring 40 and this cap 3 are connected to each other by two symmetrical arms 5, which have the particularity of being elastically deformable. They are generally in the shape of the letter "U", with two parallel wings of different lengths, connected by a curved section.

[0055] In embodiments in which the device 1 is made of a single material, the elastically deformable character of the arms 5 is mainly conferred by their thickness, which is less than that of the ring 40.

[0056] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the arms 5 and the plug 3 are in an oblong shape, and the plug 3 extends opposite and in the immediate vicinity of the ring 40. This gives the device 4 a compact shape which proves particularly advantageous during its manufacture, since it requires a mold of reasonable dimensions.

[0057] Of course, in other unrepresented embodiments, the shape of the arms could be different, so that overall a less compact device would be obtained.

[0058] We will explain below how the device 4 according to the invention is used, more particularly with reference to figures 6 to 9.

[0059] First, the user takes hold of the container 1 and removes the liner that seals the orifice 10. When the nozzle 2 is suspended from the container 1 by the ring 21, he removes the latter in order to leave the orifice 10 completely clear.

[0060] The opening 41 of the ring 40 of the device 4 is dimensioned so that it is possible to fit this ring onto the orifice 10, so that the lower face 42 comes to rest against the top of the container 1. This top having a slightly frustoconical shape, this lower face rests perfectly against the container.

[0061] It is then possible to put in place the nozzle 2, by screwing it onto the orifice 10. Thus interposed between the orifice 10 and the nozzle 2, the ring 40 fully fulfills its sealing function at the base 22 of the nozzle.

[0062] Due to the particularly compact shape of device 4 and the position of the arms 5 which are completely relaxed, we can see in particular on [Fig.6] that the device extends to the immediate vicinity of the base 22 of the nozzle 2.

[0063] Thus, by a small manipulation, it is possible to engage the plug 3 in the ring 21 of the nozzle 2. It should be noted that the walls 31 allow the plug 3 to be held in the ring 21 by tightening.

[0064] According to a feature of the invention, the symmetrical and elastically deformable arms 5 have a sufficient modulus of elasticity to allow the cap 3 to be positioned on the distribution end 23 of the nozzle 2.

[0065] This operation is carried out very simply, by extracting the plug 3 from the ring 21 and by pulling upwards on the arms 5 until it is possible to engage the plug 3 on the top of the cannula 2, so that the nipple 34 engages in the latter.

[0066] Thus, there is no risk of fluid material escaping from the nozzle since the cap is held firmly on the latter by the arms 5.

[0067] In an embodiment not shown, the nozzle as well as the ring 21 and the tab 20 could be integral with the device 4. In such a case, this device would be made of a flexible thermoplastic material, the rest being made of a rigid thermoplastic material.

[0068] It follows from the foregoing that the device according to the invention falls within the scope of sustainable development measures. Indeed, thanks to this device, the loss of fluid present in the container through the nozzle is eliminated. Furthermore, the cap remains permanently attached to the rest of the device, so that it cannot be lost.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (4) for closing and sealing the nozzle (2) of a container (1) enclosing a fluid product and having an outlet orifice (10), characterized in that it comprises: - an annular sealing ring (40) shaped to be placed at the base (22) of said nozzle (2), interposed between said orifice (10) and said nozzle (2); - a plug (3) for closing the distribution end (23) of the nozzle (2) which is opposite said base (21);- said annular sealing ring (40) and sealing plug (3) being connected to each other by two symmetrical and elastically deformable arms (5), the modulus of elasticity of said arms (5) being sufficient to allow said plug (3) to be positioned on said distribution end (23) without them breaking, and that in the elastically undeformed state, said arms (5) and said plug (3) are in an oblong shape, and said plug (3) extends opposite and in the immediate vicinity of said ring (4).;

2. Device (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that it forms a single piece.

3. Device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed of one and the same material.

4. Device (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed of two different materials.

5. Device (4) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that one of said materials is chosen from the group formed by thermoplastic elastomers, silicones, natural and synthetic rubbers.

6. Device (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is integral with said nozzle (2).

7. A container (1) containing a fluid product, which is provided with an outlet orifice (10), which is equipped with a nozzle (2) for discharging and dispensing said product, characterized in that it comprises a device (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said annular sealing ring (40) being located at the base (22) of said nozzle, interposed between said orifice (10) and said nozzle (2), said arms (5) being deformable between two extreme positions, namely a first position in which they are completely relaxed and a second position where They are elastically deformed and allow the said plug (3) to be positioned on the distribution end (23) of the said nozzle (2).

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