Assembly forming a protective cover for the fluid product dispensing head

Abstract

Assembly (10) forming a protective cover, intended to cover, in a closed position, a dispensing head (20) of a fluid product dispenser, said head comprising a dispensing orifice (21), said assembly (10) comprising a removable cover (11) connected to a support flange (12) by a flexible link (13), said support flange (12) being adapted to be fixed to said dispensing head (20), first fastening means (15, 15') being provided to secure said cover (11) in the closed position, said first fastening means (15, 15') cooperating, in the closed position of said cover (11), with second fastening means (110, 110') provided on said cover (11). "Figure 1"

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly forming a protective cover for a fluid product dispensing head

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly forming a protective cover for a dispensing head of a fluid product dispenser, in particular of the nasal spray type, as well as a dispensing head comprising such an assembly and a fluid product dispenser comprising such an assembly.

[0002] It is known in the prior art to use a removable cover to seal the distribution orifice of such a distributor. Such covers are described in particular in documents WO0061454, WO9800354 and WO2008142357.

[0003] This type of removable cover has the particular disadvantage of being easily lost or soiled after the distributor has been actuation, preventing effective protection of the dispensing orifice before the next use.

[0004] To remedy this problem, it has been proposed to manufacture covers connected to the distributor head, called captive covers. However, this implementation requires significant modifications to the manufacturing process of the head, which is generally undesirable, and can make actuating the distributor more difficult.

[0005] Another disadvantage of some hoods is that it is often not possible to know whether the hood has been opened or not.

[0006] The present invention aims to provide an assembly forming a protective cover which does not have the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0007] In particular, the present invention aims to provide such an assembly which guarantees effective protection throughout the entire life of the fluid product dispenser.

[0008] The present invention also aims to provide such an assembly which does not hinder the actuation of the distributor.

[0009] The present invention also aims to provide such an assembly which provides a first use indicator enabling the user to know whether the dispenser has already been operated or not.

[0010] The present invention also aims to provide such an assembly which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.

[0011] The present invention also aims to provide such an assembly which fits easily onto the distribution heads of existing distributors, and which does not require any modification of the distribution head.

[0012] The present invention therefore relates to an assembly forming a protective cover, intended to cover, in a closed position, a distribution head of a fluid product dispenser, said head comprising a distribution orifice, said assembly comprising a removable hood connected to a support flange by a flexible link, said support flange being adapted to be fixed on said distribution head, first means of fixing being provided to ensure the fixing of said hood in the closed position, said first means of fixing cooperating, in the closed position of said hood, with second means of fixing provided on said hood.

[0013] Advantageously, said attachment of said support flange on said distribution head is made at the level of an external radial bead of said distribution head, by means of a protruding member which is attached under said bead.

[0014] Advantageously, said projecting member comprises a flexible skirt radially projecting inwards, which cooperates by snapping with said bead of said distribution head.

[0015] Alternatively, said protruding member has a radially protruding rib inwards, which is positioned under said ridge of said distribution head.

[0016] Advantageously, said attachment of said support flange on said distribution head is substantially immovable.

[0017] According to a first advantageous embodiment, said hood comprises at least one lug projecting radially outwards, forming said second fastening means, cooperating in the closed position of said hood by snapping with a shoulder projecting radially inwards, forming said first fastening means.

[0018] Advantageously, said hood comprises at least one tab provided at its lower axial end with a lug projecting radially outwards.

[0019] According to a second advantageous embodiment, said hood comprises at least one projection projecting radially inwards, forming said second fastening means, said at least one projection, in the closed position of said hood, cooperating by snap-fit ​​with a peripheral rib projecting radially outwards, forming said first fastening means.

[0020] Advantageously, said support flange includes a connecting part which extends axially upwards, and which defines an upper axial edge defining a hole for the passage of said distribution head, said first fixing means being provided at the level of said upper axial edge of said connecting part.

[0021] Advantageously, said hood includes a first use indicator, in particular breakable bridges, proving that said hood has remained in the closed position until its first use.

[0022] The present invention also relates to a distribution head of a fluid product dispenser, comprising an assembly as described above.

[0023] Advantageously, the distribution head includes a distribution orifice made in an axial end wall of said distribution head, said assembly being fixed around said distribution head.

[0024] Advantageously, said hood comprises at least one sealing profile which cooperates in a hermetic manner with the distribution head in the closed position.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a fluid product dispenser, comprising a product reservoir and a distribution element such as a pump or a valve, comprising a distribution head as described above.

[0026] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of two advantageous embodiments of the invention, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distributor of a fluid product comprising an assembly forming a protective cover according to an advantageous embodiment, in the closed position of the cover,

[0028] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly forming protective cover according to a first advantageous embodiment, assembled on a distribution head and in the open position of the cover,

[0029] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly forming protective cover according to a second advantageous embodiment, in the open position of the cover,

[0030] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly forming protective cover according to a third advantageous embodiment, in the open position of the cover,

[0031] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly forming protective cover according to a fourth advantageous embodiment, in the open position of the cover,

[0032] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a schematic detail cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the [Fig. 4] or 5, after closing the hood,

[0033] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view similar to that of [Fig.6], showing a variant of advantageous outcome,

[0034] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a schematic detail cross-sectional view of an assembly according to the [Fig.3], after closing the hood,

[0035] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a schematic detail cross-sectional view of a variant advantageous of the whole of [Fig.2], showing breakable bridges before the first opening of the hood.

[0036] The terms "axial" and "radial" refer to the longitudinal central axis of the device. The terms "top", "bottom", "vertical" and "horizontal" refer to the upright position of the device shown in [Fig. 1].

[0037] The present invention covers an assembly 10 forming a protective cover as well as a distribution head 20 and a fluid product distributor comprising such an assembly 10.

[0038] The assembly 10 according to the invention is applicable to any type of dispensing head 20 comprising a dispensing orifice 21 for a product that is liable to evaporate and / or dry out and / or clog the dispensing orifice. Preferably, the assembly 10 is applicable to a nasal dispensing head 20, with a dispensing orifice 21 disposed at an upper axial end of the head, for dispensing the product axially.

[0039] The fluid product dispenser shown in [Fig. 1] comprises a reservoir 1 containing a fluid product, particularly a medicinal product, generally in liquid form. A dispensing element 2, such as a pump or a valve, is mounted on the reservoir 1, advantageously by means of a retaining ring 3, optionally with an interposed neck seal 4.

[0040] In the example of [Fig.1], the distribution unit 2 is a pump, which can be any type, and which will not be described in more detail below.

[0041] A dip tube 5 can be attached to the pump 2 in a known manner.

[0042] The distribution head 2 is preferably of the nasal type, and comprises an elongated body 22 intended to penetrate the nostril and having at its upper axial end the distribution orifice 21. In a known manner, this elongated body 22 extends axially downwards by a substantially conical junction portion 23 to connect the elongated body 22 to a cylindrical head portion 24 arranged around the neck of the reservoir 1.

[0043] When the distribution head 20 is assembled on the distribution member 2, a substantially axial expulsion channel connects the outlet of the distribution member 2 to said distribution orifice.

[0044] Advantageously, this expulsion channel contains an insert 29 to limit the dead volume and to form with the bottom of the distribution head 20 a spray profile (not shown) to distribute the fluid product in spray form through the distribution orifice 21.

[0045] According to the invention, the distributor comprises an assembly 10 forming a protective cover for the distribution orifice 21.

[0046] This assembly 10 includes a removable cover 11 connected to a support flange 12 by a flexible link 13.

[0047] The flexible link 13 is long enough to offset said cover 11 from said support flange 12 in the open position, so as not to interfere with the actuation of the distributor by pressing on the support flange 12.

[0048] The support flange 12 is fixed to the distribution head 20. Advantageously, this fixing is made at the level of an external radial bead 25 located at the bottom of the elongated body 22, by means of a projecting member 17, 17' which is fixed under said bead 25. Preferably, this fixing is fixed or only difficult to remove, to avoid unintentionally removing the assembly 10 from the head 20.

[0049] In the example of figures 6 and 8, the protruding organ has a radially protruding flexible skirt 17, which snaps into place under said ridge 25 of the head.

[0050] In the example of [Fig.7], the protruding organ has a radially protruding rib 17', which is positioned under said ridge 25 of the head.

[0051] Possibly, the protruding organ 17, 17' could not be peripheral, but formed of several discrete legs or spurs distributed on the periphery.

[0052] The support flange 12 advantageously forms an enlarged finger resting surface, which facilitates the actuation of the distributor. It advantageously includes a connecting portion 14 that extends axially upwards, and which defines an upper axial edge defining a hole 14' for the passage of the elongated body 22 of the head when the assembly 10 is mounted on the head.

[0053] First means of fixing 15, 15' are provided, advantageously at the level of said upper axial edge of the connecting part 14, to ensure the fixing of the cover 11 in the closed position.

[0054] These first fastening means cooperate, in the closed position of the hood 11, with second fastening means 110, 110' provided on the hood 11.

[0055] Figures 2 to 8 show different embodiments of the first and second means of fixing the hood.

[0056] In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], also shown in [Fig. 9], the cover 11 has at least one tab 115 provided at its lower axial end with a lug 110 projecting radially outwards, forming the second fastening means. Preferably, a plurality of tabs 115 and lugs 110 are provided, for example four as in the example shown. These lugs 110, in the closed position of the cover 11, snap into place under a shoulder 15 projecting radially inwards, forming the first fastening means. This shoulder 15 is preferably formed in a portion of the upper axial end of the connecting portion 14.

[0057] The embodiments of figures 4 and 5 differ from [Fig.2] in that the radially outward projecting lugs 110 are not formed on axial tabs but on a lower axial edge 111 of the hood 11.

[0058] Figures 6 and 7 show the closed position when a radially outward projecting lug 110 cooperates with a radially inward projecting shoulder 15, as in the embodiments of Figures 2, 4 and 5.

[0059] In the embodiment of [Fig. 3], the cover 11 has at least one radially inward projecting projection 110', forming the second fastening means. Preferably, there are several projections 110', for example three, distributed around the periphery of the cover 11. These projections 110', in the closed position of the cover 11, snap into place under a peripheral rib 15' that projects radially outward, forming the first fastening means. This rib 15' is preferably formed in an upper axial end portion of the connecting portion 14.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows the closed position when a radially inward projecting projection 110' cooperates with a radially inward projecting rib 15', as in the embodiment of Fig. 3.

[0061] In the closed position, the cover 11 advantageously seals the distribution port 21. To achieve this, the cover may include at least one sealing profile 16 which is projected onto one of its internal walls, preferably near the distribution port. This profile 16 is advantageously formed as a single unit with the cover 11, for example during the molding of the cover, which allows for all possible shapes for said at least one sealing profile.

[0062] In the example of [Fig.1], the sealing profile 16 is made in the form of an annular sealing sleeve projecting axially downwards from the bottom wall of the hood 11. It is advantageously placed so that in the closed position, it cooperates in a sealing manner with the external surface of the distribution head 20, at the axial end wall of the elongated body 22, near the distribution orifice 21.

[0063] Advantageously, only a small volume of air can be interposed, in the closed position, between the end wall of the head and the bottom wall of the hood 11 inside the annular sleeve 16. The space available for this volume of air trapped in the closed position is small enough to prevent any evaporation or drying of the product inside the distribution orifice 21.

[0064] A trigger 19 is advantageously provided on said cover 11 to facilitate its handling, in particular moving the cover from its closed position to its open position. This trigger 19 advantageously forms a protruding knob that the user can easily grasp to move said cover 11. This movement can even be carried out with one hand, the user's thumb being able, for example, to push on said trigger to move the cover 11 into the open position.

[0065] Advantageously, the hood 11 may include at least one lateral opening 18, visible in [Fig. 5]. The trigger 19 then advantageously overhangs this lateral opening 18. The lateral opening 18 may have any shape: round, ovoid, elliptical, ellipsoidal, rectangular, square, etc.

[0066] Advantageously, as shown in detail in [Fig.9], the hood 11 may include a first-use indicator 30. This first-use indicator 30 forms a tamper-evident device verifying that the cover 11 remained in the closed position until its first use by the user and therefore that no dose of liquid product had been dispensed beforehand. This guarantees the correct dosing of the product contained in the reservoir and its sterility. In the example shown in [Fig. 9], this first-use indicator includes breakable bridges connecting each tab 115 to the connecting portion 14 of the assembly 10. The number of breakable bridges can, of course, be arbitrary.

[0067] In the example of [Fig.9], the hood 11, before its first use, is not in its closed position, but in an intermediate position in which it is fixed to the connecting part 14 by the breakable bridges 30. This simplifies in particular the molding of the assembly 10 with the breakable bridges 30.

[0068] The present invention has been described above with reference to several advantageous embodiments thereof, but it is clear that it is not limited to these embodiments.

[0069] In particular, the shape of the hood, as well as the shape, position and number of the sealing profile(s), can be arbitrary. Furthermore, the sealing profile(s) are not necessarily made as a single piece with the hood, but could, for example, be overmolded or similar.

[0070] Other modifications can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

Demands

1. Assembly (10) forming a protective cover, intended to cover in a closed position a distribution head (20) of a fluid product dispenser, said head comprising a distribution orifice (21), characterized in that said assembly (10) comprises a removable cover (11) connected to a support flange (12) by a flexible link (13), said support flange (12) being adapted to be fixed on said distribution head (20), first fixing means (15, 15') being provided to ensure the fixing of said cover (11) in the closed position, said first fixing means (15, 15') cooperating, in the closed position of said cover (11), with second fixing means (110, 110') provided on said cover (11).

2. Assembly according to claim 1, wherein said attachment of said support flange (12) on said distribution head (20) is made at the level of an external radial bead (25) of said distribution head, by means of a protruding member (17, 17') which is attached under said bead (25).

3. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein said projecting member comprises a radially projecting inward flexible skirt (17), which cooperates by snap-fit ​​with said bead (25) of said distribution head (20).

4. Assembly according to claim 2, wherein said projecting member has a radially projecting rib inwards (17'), which is positioned under said ridge (25) of said distribution head (20).

5. Assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein said attachment of said support flange (12) on said distribution head (20) is substantially immovable.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hood (11) has at least one outwardly projecting radial lug (110), forming said second fastening means, cooperating in the closed position of said hood (11) by snapping with an inwardly projecting shoulder (15), forming said first fastening means.

7. Assembly according to claim 6, wherein said hood (11) comprises at least one tab (115) provided at its lower axial end with a lug projecting radially outwards (110).

8. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said hood (11) has at least one radially inward projecting projection (110'), forming said second fastening means, said at least one projection (110'), in the closed position of said hood (11), cooperating by snap-fitting with a radially outward projecting peripheral rib (15'), forming said first fastening means.

9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support flange (12) comprises a connecting part (14) which extends axially upwards, and which defines an upper axial edge defining a hole (14') for the passage of said distribution head (20), said first fastening means (15, 15') being provided at said upper axial edge of said connecting part (14).

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said hood (11) includes a first use indicator (30), in particular breakable bridges, proving that said hood (11) remained in the closed position until its first use.

11. Distribution head (20) of a fluid product distributor, characterized in that it comprises an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Distribution head according to claim 11, comprising a distribution orifice (21) made in an axial end wall of said distribution head (20), said assembly (10) being fixed around said distribution head (20).

13. Distribution head according to claim 12, wherein said cover (11) has at least one sealing profile (16) which cooperates in a hermetic manner with the distribution head (20) in the closed position.

14. Fluid product dispenser, comprising a product reservoir (1) and a dispensing member (2), such as a pump or a valve, characterized in that it comprises a dispensing head (20) according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

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