Ring for a translationally movable actuator
A monobloc ring with a locking mechanism addresses the risks of ingestion and complexity of existing first-use indicators by ensuring secure, child-safe, and environmentally friendly indication of first-use for translationally movable actuators in product dispensing devices.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-04-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing first-use indicators for translationally movable actuators in product dispensing devices, such as polymer molded parts and films, pose risks of ingestion by children or environmental pollution and are complex to install.
A monobloc ring with a locking mechanism, comprising a protruding portion and a second element with a weakened area, that securely indicates first-use by engaging and disengaging from the actuator without creating fragments, made from polymers like polypropylene or polyethylene, ensuring simplicity in installation and safety.
The ring effectively indicates first-use while being child-safe and environmentally friendly, with a simple installation process that maintains integrity post-use.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Ring for a translationally movable actuator technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to a ring for a translationally movable actuator. Technological background
[0002] It is known in the prior art of devices for conditioning and dispensing a product which include a container and a dispensing pump associated with the container, the dispensing pump having a translationally movable actuator, such as a pusher.
[0003] Such a device is often equipped with a first use indicator, or integrity indicator (“tamper indicator” or “tamper evident” in English), that is to say an element which ensures that the device has not yet been used, in particular when the product to be distributed is a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product.
[0004] A first known first-use indicator is a polymer molded part comprising a breakable link. However, after being separated from the molded part, the breakable link is liable to be swallowed by a child or end up in the environment.
[0005] A second known first-use indicator is a polymer film covering part of the device. However, after being removed from the device, the film is likely to end up in the environment. Furthermore, installing the film on the device is more complex than installing a molded polymer part with a breakable link. Summary of the invention
[0006] The present invention aims to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
[0007] To this end, the present invention proposes a ring for a translationally movable actuator, the ring comprising: - an annular body having a longitudinal axis, the annular body being configured to be installed in a ring-locking position in which the annular body at least partially encircles the actuator and blocks the actuator from translation parallel to the longitudinal axis; and - a locking device comprising a first element having a protruding portion and a second element having an opening, the protruding portion being able to be engaged through the opening so that the protruding portion cooperates in butt with the second element to maintain the ring in said locking position, the second element having a weakened area able to be broken so that the protruding portion can be disengaged from the opening, thus allowing the ring to be extracted from the actuator, in which the ring is monobloc so that the first element, the second element and the annular body are made of material, and in which the ring remains monobloc after the weakened area has been broken.
[0008] The ring can be fitted to a device comprising a translationally movable actuator, in particular a product conditioning and dispensing device whose dispensing pump has a translationally movable actuator. In the latter case, the annular body can at least partially encircle a pump body of the dispensing pump, the actuator being mounted to slide within the pump body. The presence of the ring with the protruding portion engaged through the opening ensures that the device has not yet been used. The ring is therefore suitable as a first-use indicator for the device. And because the ring is a single piece and remains a single piece after the weakened area has been broken, the ring is simple to manufacture and install, and breaking the weakened area does not create a fragment that could be swallowed by a child or end up in the environment.
[0009] In a particular embodiment, the ring is made by molding a polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), which can be low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (LDPE).
[0010] In a particular embodiment, the annular body extends around the longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end spaced apart from the first end, such that the annular body in said locking position partially encircles the actuator, the first element being formed on the first end and the second element being formed on the second end. In this way, the elasticity of the ring material, in particular the polymers mentioned above, contributes to the butting cooperation of the protruding portion with the second element. Indeed, the annular body is elastically deformed to engage the protruding portion through the opening, after which the elastic springback of the ring material tends to separate the first and second ends, and thus tends to pull the protruding portion and the second element against each other.
[0011] In a particular embodiment, the first element has a first rim which extends radially outwards from the first end, and the protruding portion projects from the first rim towards the second element.
[0012] In a particular embodiment, the projecting portion has at least one abutment surface opposite the first edge, the abutment surface being arranged so that it butts against the second element when the projecting portion is inserted through the opening. The projecting portion may have a profile in the shape of an arrow pointing towards the second element, with at least one abutment surface formed on the arrowhead. In a variant of this, the arrow-shaped profile is symmetrical so that the projecting portion has two such abutment surfaces.According to another variant, the arrow-shaped profile is asymmetrical such that the projecting portion has, on either side of the arrowhead, a so-called abutment surface and an inclined surface not parallel to the abutment surface, the inclined surface being inclined such that a cross-section of the projecting portion decreases as it moves away from the arrowhead.
[0013] In a particular embodiment, the second element has a second rim extending radially outwards from the second end. The opening is formed in the second rim, and the weakened area is formed in the second rim between a wall delimiting the opening and a peripheral edge of the second rim. This ensures, in a very simple manner, that the ring remains intact after the weakened area has been broken.
[0014] In a particular embodiment, the second rim comprises a graspable element, the graspable element and the weakened area being arranged such that the weakened area can be broken by applying tension and / or bending to the graspable element. In particular, the graspable element may be a tab, and the weakened area can be broken by applying tension to the tab.
[0015] In a particular embodiment, the ring comprises at least one internal support portion, preferably a plurality of internal support portions, extending radially inward from the annular body. The internal support portion(s) allow the ring to be easily positioned in the locking position. In one example, the plurality of internal support portions comprises or consists of a plurality of ribs extending radially inward from the annular body.
[0016] In a particular embodiment, a longitudinal end of the annular body has a relief configured to block the actuator in translation parallel to the longitudinal axis.
[0017] The invention also relates to a device for conditioning and dispensing a product, the device comprising a container and a dispensing pump associated with the container, the dispensing pump having a translationally movable actuator, the device further comprising a ring according to any one of the embodiments described above, the annular body of the ring being installed in said ring locking position such that the annular body encircles the less partially the actuator and blocks the actuator in translation parallel to the longitudinal axis of the annular body. Brief description of the figures
[0018] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of particular embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] [Fig-1] is a side view of a device for conditioning and dispensing a fluid product,
[0020] [Fig.2] is a perspective view of a ring for the actuator of the device of [Fig.1],
[0021] [Fig.3] is a side view of the device of [Fig.1], equipped with the ring of [Fig.2],
[0022] [Fig.4] is a bottom view of the actuator of the device of [Fig.3],
[0023] [Fig.5] is a top view of the actuator of the device of [Fig.3].
[0024] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the ring [Fig.2]. Description of method(s) of implementation
[0025] In the figures, and unless otherwise specified, identical elements shall bear the same reference symbols.
[0026] Figure 1 shows a device 10 for packaging and dispensing a product. The device 10 comprises a container 12, preferably cylindrical, which contains the product to be dispensed.
[0027] The product to be distributed is, for example, a liquid, a paste, or a gas. By way of non-limiting example, it may be a pharmaceutical, cosmetic, cleaning, or food product.
[0028] The device 10 also includes a distribution pump 13. The distribution pump 13 is associated with the container 12. In the example shown, the device 10 includes a cover 14 for mounting the distribution pump 13 on the container 12 in a sealed manner.
[0029] The dispensing pump 13 comprises a pump body 15 having a plunger 16. The plunger 16 is able to slide within the pump body 15. When the plunger 16 is pushed towards the container 12, as indicated by arrow D in [Fig. 1], the dispensing pump 13 dispenses a dose of the product contained in the container 12, through an outlet orifice 17 provided in the plunger 16. Thus, the plunger 16 functions as a translationally movable actuator of the dispensing pump 13.
[0030] A ring 29 suitable as a first-use indicator for the device 10 is now described. With reference to [Fig. 2], the ring 29 comprises an annular body 30 and a locking device 40. The dashed line on [Fig.2] indicates a longitudinal axis X of the annular body 30. In the remainder of this description, "radially", "inside" and "outside" are understood to be with respect to the longitudinal axis X.
[0031] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the annular body 30 extends around the longitudinal axis X so as to delimit an internal cylindrical channel 32. The locking device 40 comprises a first element 50 and a second element 60.
[0032] The ring 29 is monobloc, that is to say, the annular body 30, the locking device 40 and the other parts of the ring 29 described below constitute a single piece. Thus, the first element 50, the second element 60 and the annular body 30 are made from a single piece of material, in other words, formed as a single unit.
[0033] The ring 29 is preferably obtained by molding. Thus, the annular body 30, the locking device 40 and the other parts of the ring 29 described below are preferably made of the same material, which can for example be a polymer, such as polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), which can be low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (LDPE).
[0034] The annular body 30 extends around the longitudinal axis X from a first end 35 to a second end 36, which is spaced apart from the first end 35. Equivalently, orthogonally to the longitudinal axis X, the annular body 30 has a C-shaped cross-section, the ends of the "C" being formed by the ends 35 and 36. The cylindrical inner channel 32 is thus partially delimited by the annular body 30. By "partially," it is meant that the cylindrical inner channel 32 communicates with the outside via a channel formed by the first end 35 and the second end 36. The first element 50 and the second element 60 are formed on the first end 35 and the second end 36, respectively.
[0035] The first element 50 has a projecting portion 52 which projects outwards towards the second element 60. The projecting portion 52 projects from a first rim 51, which extends radially outwards from the first end 35. The second element 60 has an opening 62. The opening 62 is formed in a second rim 61, which extends radially outwards from the second end 36.
[0036] As can be seen in [Fig.3] and [Fig.4], the ring 29 is intended to be installed in a locking position around the pump body 15 and the part of the pusher 16 which slides in the pump body 15. In this locking position, and as can be seen more clearly in [Fig.4], the pump body 15 is received in the cylindrical inner channel 32 and thus the annular body 30 partially encircles the pump body 15 and the part of the pusher 16 which slides in the pump body 15.
[0037] The ring 29 advantageously comprises a plurality of ribs 31 extending radially inward from the annular body 30, and thus projecting into the cylindrical inner channel 32. Referring to [Fig. 4], it is understood that the ribs 31 constitute internal bearing portions of the ring 29 on the pump body 15, the interaction of the ribs 31 with the pump body 15 allowing the ring 29 to be easily positioned in the locking position. In addition to or as an alternative to the ribs 31, other internal bearing portions may be provided, in particular one or more collars and / or one or more lugs.
[0038] Referring to [Fig. 2] and [Fig. 3], one of the two longitudinal ends of the annular body 30 has a relief 33. Referring to [Fig. 1] and [Fig. 3], the relief 33 is configured to block the plunger 16 from moving parallel to the longitudinal axis X, so that the dispensing pump 13 cannot dispense a dose of product while the ring 29 is in its blocked position. It should be noted that, for this purpose, the dimensions of the annular body 30 and the relief 33 are chosen according to the nominal translational stroke of the plunger 16.
[0039] In the example shown, the relief 33 has two protrusions 34 and a curved surface 33A formed between the two protrusions 34. The curved surface 33A is advantageously complementary to an outer contour of the pusher 16, to materialize a blocking surface in translation of the pusher 16. Alternatively, other geometries are possible for the relief 33, in particular a notch, a plurality of protrusions, etc.
[0040] In the example shown, the relief 33 and the locking device 40 are diametrically opposed with respect to the longitudinal axis X. Thus, the locking device 40 does not interfere with the translational locking function of the relief 33.
[0041] Alternatively, the relief 33 is omitted and the annular body 30 has a flat surface at each of its two longitudinal ends, one of these flat surfaces materializing a blocking surface in translation of the pusher 16. The absence of the relief 33 allows the same ring 29 to be used for different geometries of the pusher 16.
[0042] Referring to [Fig.4], after the ring 29 has been installed in its locking position, the protruding portion 52 is moved towards the second element 60, until the protruding portion 52 is engaged through the opening 62. The dashed arrow B on [Fig.4] indicates the movement of the protruding portion 52. This movement can be caused very simply by bringing the edges 51, 61 closer together.
[0043] The projecting portion 52, which passes through the opening 62, engages in a buttressing action with the second element 60. For this purpose, the projecting portion 52 has at least one buttressing surface 55 which is opposite the first edge 51. Thus, the buttressing surface 55 engages in a buttressing action with the second element 60, more precisely with the second rim 61. This butt joint maintains the ring 29 in its locked position shown in [Fig. 3] and [Fig. 4]. And as mentioned above, the dispensing pump 13 cannot dispense a dose of product while the ring 29 is in its locked position. The presence of the ring 29 with the protruding portion 52 engaged through the opening 62 therefore guarantees that the device 10 has not yet been used. The ring 29 thus serves as an indicator of the first use of the device 10.
[0044] It should be noted that the elasticity of the ring material 29, in particular the polymers mentioned above, contributes to the butting cooperation of the protruding portion 52 with the second element 60. Indeed, the annular body 30 is elastically deformed to engage the protruding portion 52 through the opening 62, after which the elastic springback of the ring material 29 tends to separate the edges 51, 61 from each other, and thus tends to bring the butting surface 55 and the second edge 61 against each other.
[0045] Advantageously, the projecting portion 52 has a profile in the shape of an arrow pointing towards the second element 60, with at least one abutment surface 55 formed on the arrowhead. This arrow-shaped profile makes the use of the ring 29 particularly intuitive, as the arrow's orientation indicates to a user how to engage the projecting portion 52 through the opening 62. As shown in [Fig. 4], the arrow-shaped profile can be symmetrical so that the projecting portion 52 has two abutment surfaces 55. Alternatively, as shown in [Fig. 2], the arrow-shaped profile can be asymmetrical so that the projecting portion 52 has, on either side of the arrowhead, a abutment surface 55 and an inclined surface 57 not parallel to the abutment surface 55.The inclined surface 57 is inclined such that a cross-section of the protruding portion 52 decreases as it moves away from the head of the arrow.
[0046] To allow the ring 29 to be extracted from its locking position and thereby permit the use of the device 10, the second element 60 has a weakened area 63. The weakened area 63 is an area of the second element 60 that is configured to break preferentially compared to other areas of the second element 60. In the example shown in [Fig. 2], the weakened area 63 is a locally thinned area of the second element 60. Alternatively, the weakened area 63 can be made in other ways, in particular by perforations in the second rim 61.
[0047] Breaking the weakened zone 63 allows the projecting portion 52 to be disengaged from the opening 62, while ensuring that the ring 29 remains intact after the weakened zone 63 has been broken. Thus, breaking the weakened zone 63 does not create a piece that could be swallowed by a child or end up in the environment. The inclined surface 57, when present, provides a sliding surface for the projecting portion 52 relative to the second edge 61 after the weakened zone 63 has been broken, which makes it easier to disengage the salient portion 52 from the opening 62.
[0048] In the example shown in [Fig.2], the weakened area 63 is provided in the second rim 61, between a wall delimiting the opening 62 and a peripheral edge of the second rim 61. Thus, even after the weakened area 63 has been broken, the second rim 61 remains connected to the annular body 30 at another wall delimiting the opening 62. This ensures in a very simple way that the ring 29 remains monobloc after the weakened area 63 has been broken.
[0049] The second rim 61 advantageously includes a grasping element in the form of a tab 68 which is arranged relative to the weakened area 63 such that the weakened area 63 can be broken by manipulating the tab 68. More specifically, the tab 68 extends radially outwards from the second rim 61, opposite the second end 36 of the annular body 30. In this way, by pulling on the tab 68 as indicated by arrow L in [Fig. 5], the tension applied to the tab 68 deforms the weakened area 63 until it breaks. Thanks to the tab 68, it is easy to break the weakened area 63 and then extract the ring 29 from its locking position. Alternatively, the grasping element can be made and / or arranged in other ways. The graspable element and the weakened area 63 can be arranged so that the weakened area 63 can be broken by applying tension and / or bending to the graspable element..
[0050] The ring 29 which has been described above is only one possible embodiment.
[0051] Figure 6 shows a ring 129 according to an alternative embodiment. In this figure, the elements identical to those described above bear the same reference numerals and are not described again unless necessary. The ring 129 differs from the ring 29 shown in Figure 2 in that the profile of the projecting portion 52, which has the shape of an arrow, is symmetrical, so that the projecting portion 52 has two abutment surfaces 55.
[0052] The ring 29, 129 is suitable as a first use indicator for any other product conditioning and distribution device whose dispensing pump has a translationally movable actuator, and even as a first use indicator for any device having a translationally movable actuator.
[0053] In other embodiments, the annular body 30 is provided to completely encircle the pump body 15 and not partially as shown in [Fig. 4]. The configuration of the locking device 40 is identical in this case, except that the projecting portion 52 and the opening 62 are formed on the annular body 30 and not on rims extending radially outwards from the annular body 30.
Claims
Demands
1. Ring (29, 129) for a translationally movable actuator (16), the ring (29, 129) comprising: - an annular body (30) having a longitudinal axis (X), the annular body (30) being configured to be installed in a locking position of the ring (29, 129) in which the annular body (30) at least partially encircles the actuator (16) and locks the actuator (16) in translation parallel to the longitudinal axis (X);and - a locking device (40) comprising a first element (50) having a projecting portion (52) and a second element (60) having an opening (62), the projecting portion (52) being able to be engaged through the opening (62) so that the projecting portion (52) cooperates against the second element (60) to maintain the ring (29, 129) in said locking position, the second element (60) having a weakened area (63) able to be broken so that the projecting portion (52) can be disengaged from the opening (62), thus allowing the ring (29, 129) to be extracted from the actuator (16), in which the ring (29, 129) is monobloc such that the first element (50), the second element (60) and the annular body (30) are made of one piece of material, and in which the ring (29, 129) remains monobloc after the weakened zone (63) has been broken.;
2. Ring (29, 129) according to claim 1, wherein the ring (29, 129) is made by molding a polymer.
3. Ring (29, 129) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the annular body (30) extends around the longitudinal axis (X) from a first end (35) to a second end (36) spaced from the first end (35), such that the annular body (30) in said locking position partially encircles the actuator (16), the first element (50) being formed on the first end (35) and the second element (60) being formed on the second end (36).
4. Ring (29, 129) according to claim 3, wherein the first element (50) comprises a first flange (51) extending radially outwards from the first end (35), and the protruding portion (52) projects from the first rim (51) towards the second element (60).
5. Ring (29, 129) according to claim 4, wherein the projecting portion (52) has at least one stop surface (55) opposite the first rim (51), the stop surface (55) being arranged so that the stop surface (55) cooperates in butt with the second element (60) when the projecting portion (52) is engaged through the opening (62).
6. Ring (29, 129) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the second element (60) has a second rim (61) extending radially outwards from the second end (36), the opening (62) is provided in the second rim (61), and the weakened area (63) is provided in the second rim (61) between a wall delimiting the opening (62) and a peripheral edge of the second rim (61).
7. Ring (29, 129) according to claim 6, wherein the second rim (61) comprises a grasping element (68), the grasping element (68) and the weakened area (63) being arranged so that the weakened area (63) can be broken by applying tension and / or bending to the grasping element (68).
8. Ring (29, 129) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ring (29, 129) comprises at least one internal support portion (31) extending radially inwards from the annular body (30).
9. Ring (29) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a longitudinal end of the annular body (30) has a relief (33) configured to block the actuator (16) in translation parallel to the longitudinal axis (X).
10. Device (10) for conditioning and dispensing a product, the device (10) comprising a container (12) and a dispensing pump (13) associated with the container (12), the dispensing pump (13) having a translationally movable actuator (16), the device (10) further comprising a ring (29, 129) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the annular body (30) of the ring (29, 129) being installed in said locking position of the ring (29, 129) such that the annular body (30) at least partially encircles the actuator (16) and locks the actuator in translation (16) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the annular body (30).