Housing for a dispensing device, and associated dispensing device and dispensing assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a housing (30) which is configured to be fastened by clipping onto a flange (128) of a mouth of a container (12) along an assembly axis (A12). The housing (30) defines a cavity (324) which is configured to receive the flange (128), and comprises clipping members (328) which are configured to engage with the flange (128) when the flange is received in the cavity. Advantageously, the housing (30) comprises a protrusion (350) located opposite the cavity along the assembly axis (A12).

Description

[0001] TITLE: Housing for a distribution device, associated distribution device and distribution assembly

[0002] The present invention relates to a housing for a dispensing device, in particular a device for dispensing a medicament, and a dispensing device comprising such a housing. The invention also relates to a dispensing assembly comprising such a dispensing device.

[0003] Of particular interest here are dispensing assemblies comprising a container, which contains several doses of a product to be dispensed, for example in liquid form, and a dispensing device comprising a dispensing member, for example a pump, actuable by a user, to deliver a predetermined quantity of the product contained in the container, in other words to deliver a dose of the product. The container generally comprises a mouthpiece with a collar above a neck, while the dispensing device comprises clipping members, configured to cooperate, in particular by complementarity of shapes, with the collar, so as to ensure the assembly of the dispensing device to the container. EP-0653359-A1 describes, for example, such a dispensing device.

[0004] The shapes and dimensions of this type of collar are well known to those skilled in the art and are specified in particular in the EN 14854:2021 standard, or are described in several industrial standards established by the European Aerosol Federation, or FEA, in particular the FEA206 standard. By extension, the names FEA15 and FEA20 commonly designate bottles with a collar having an external diameter of 15 or 20 millimeters respectively.

[0005] In the case where the product contained in the container is a medication, it is advantageous for the user to be able to know how many doses are still available in the container to ensure that they can take their treatment, so the dispensing device preferably comprises a dose counting member, which is activated each time the user actuates the activation device, for example by means of a mechanical return between the activation device and the counting member.

[0006] The dispensing device generally comprises a housing, which is secured to the opening of the container and which comprises a shell structure providing an internal space, the housing comprising a lower wall in which a cavity is provided with the clipping members, the lower wall being configured to be secured to the opening of the container along an assembly axis, the clipping members cooperating with the collar. The housing also comprises an upper wall, which is located at a distance from the lower wall along the assembly axis, and a peripheral wall, which connects the upper wall to the lower wall, the upper, lower and peripheral walls providing between them the internal space, in which part of the members of the dispensing device are housed, namely part of the dispensing member and, where appropriate, at least part of the counting member.When the dispensing member is a pump, a high opening is generally provided in the upper wall, the dispensing member protruding from the upper wall through the high opening, so that a user can actuate the dispensing member, for example, by pressing on an actuator of the dispensing member.

[0007] The housing generally comprises several parts, typically two shells, which are distinct from each other and which allow the members of the dispensing device to be positioned in the internal space before being assembled together, so as to close the housing. In general, the dispensing device is fully assembled before being secured to the container. When assembling the dispensing device to the container, the collar of the mouthpiece is introduced into the cavity along the assembly axis, then an assembly force, preferably an axial force parallel to the assembly axis, is exerted on the upper wall of the housing, so as to elastically deform the clipping members to accommodate the passage of the collar, and thus ensure the attachment of the dispensing device to the container by elastic return of the clipping members around the collar.In this type of configuration, the radial dimensions of the housing, i.e. perpendicular to the assembly axis, are greater than those of the mouthpiece.

[0008] The so-called snap-on rings intended to be secured to the container mouths are assembled by applying an assembly force directly to the cavity, so that the clipping members are not hindered from deforming when the collar passes. The assembly forces are generally in the order of 250 Newtons to 600 Newtons.

[0009] Due to the shell structure and the radial dimensions of the housing, the application of an assembly force to the upper wall is transmitted to the lower wall mainly via the peripheral walls located radially further than the clipping members. Combined with the fact that the clipping members are located inside the cavity, the transmission of the assembly force to the clipping members is done via the lower wall and the side wall comprising the clipping members. The stress induced on the side wall limits the flexibility of the side wall, and therefore of the clipping members, necessary for the passage of the collar during assembly of the housing to the container, which in turn leads to an increase in the assembly force necessary to pass the collar beyond the clipping members during assembly of the housing on the mouth.Since the shell structure is more flexible, the risk of plastic deformation of the housing is also increased, which is not desirable. The increased assembly forces also lead to a risk of container breakage or loss of sealing between the dispensing device and the container.

[0010] It is known to strengthen the shell structure by changing the material and / or adding stiffening ribs along the peripheral wall, however this does not significantly impact the additional stress on the clipping members due to the transmission of forces from the upper wall to the lower wall by the peripheral wall.

[0011] It is these problems that the invention specifically aims to address by proposing a casing that is easier to assemble to the container.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a housing configured to be fixed by clipping onto a collar of a mouth of a container along an assembly axis, the housing defining a cavity configured to receive the collar and comprising members for clipping to the collar when the collar is received in the cavity. According to the invention, the housing comprises a protrusion located opposite the cavity along the assembly axis.

[0013] Thanks to the invention, during assembly of the housing to the container, each protrusion ensures the transmission of axial forces directly to the area of ​​the housing coinciding with the cavity receiving the collar on which the housing will be fixed, which facilitates the assembly of the dispensing device to the container, regardless of the shape of the housing and / or the cavity. With such a construction, the clipping members undergo less stress and are freer to deform when passing the collar of the container. As a result, the protrusion(s) make it possible to limit the deformation of the housing during assembly. With the invention, the deformation of the housing in the sensitive areas is between 5 times and 20 times lower compared to a housing of similar shape, size and structure but without the protrusions of the invention.

[0014] According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a dispensing device may incorporate one or more of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically admissible combination:

[0015] Advantageously, the housing includes a plurality of protrusions. Thus the transmitted force is distributed more uniformly.

[0016] Advantageously, the cavity has a generally cylindrical shape forming a cavity axis. Thus the cavity fits snugly around most container mouths. Preferably, the cavity axis coincides with the assembly axis.

[0017] Advantageously, the housing is hollow and provides an internal space different from the cavity. Advantageously, the housing is hollow and delimits an internal space different from the cavity, and comprises an upper wall extending transversely to the assembly axis, a lower wall located at a distance from the upper wall along the assembly axis, and a peripheral wall connecting the upper wall to the lower wall and which extends parallel to the assembly axis, while the cavity is provided in the lower wall, that is to say that the lower wall delimits the cavity.

[0018] Advantageously, the protrusion(s) extend into the internal space between the upper wall and the lower wall.

[0019] Advantageously, the housing comprises a transverse wall forming a bottom of the cavity, and a side wall delimiting the cavity radially to the assembly axis, the side wall comprising the clipping members of the collar, while the protrusion is located opposite the transverse wall along the assembly axis, on a side opposite the cavity. Thus, the assembly force is transmitted directly to the transverse wall forming the bottom of the cavity without adding stresses on the clipping members.

[0020] A "transverse wall" means a wall that extends in a direction or plane orthogonal to the assembly axis. Advantageously, the lower wall comprises the transverse wall and the side wall.

[0021] Advantageously, the peripheral wall is an exterior peripheral wall.

[0022] Advantageously, the side wall is an inner side wall, preferably located radially distant from the peripheral wall relative to the assembly axis.

[0023] Advantageously, the protrusion is configured to abut against the transverse wall during a step of assembling the housing on the flange. Indeed, permanent contact between the protrusions and the transverse wall could generate problems in assembling the housing.

[0024] Advantageously, the housing comprises an upper shell and a lower shell configured to be assembled together to form the housing. Such a construction makes it possible to simply delimit the internal space. Preferably the lower shell comprises the lower wall, and is configured to be assembled on the housing.

[0025] Advantageously, the upper shell includes the protrusion. Alternatively, the lower shell may include the protrusion.

[0026] Advantageously, the upper shell comprises the upper wall.

[0027] Advantageously, the protrusion comprises a free end which is located opposite the lower shell and which is configured to abut against the lower shell. Preferably, the protrusion comprises a free end which is located opposite the transverse wall and which is configured to abut against the transverse wall. Advantageously, the free end is not in contact with the transverse wall when the housing is not assembled on the collar. Indeed, permanent contact between the protrusions and the transverse wall can generate problems in assembling the housing. Preferably, the protrusion and the transverse wall are spaced apart by a distance, which is sized to allow slight elastic deformation of the housing during assembly on the mouthpiece. Preferably, the distance between the protrusion and the transverse wall is non-zero, advantageously between 0.3 millimeters and 1 millimeter.Such a value range makes it possible to guarantee the presence of a space while considering manufacturing tolerances and to limit the plastic deformation of the case, such deformation being able to lead to a malfunction of the elements possibly included inside the case.

[0028] The expression "between... and..." must be understood as including the limits of the interval thus defined.

[0029] Advantageously, the protrusion extends parallel to the assembly axis. Thus, the structure of the protrusion allows the assembly force to be transmitted efficiently.

[0030] Advantageously, the peripheral wall includes an upper peripheral portion and a lower peripheral portion, while the upper shell includes the upper wall and the upper peripheral portion, and the lower shell includes the lower wall and the lower peripheral portion.

[0031] Advantageously, the upper and lower peripheral portions comprise members for fixing the upper and lower shells. Such a construction makes it possible to adjust the upper and lower peripheral portions as closely as possible.

[0032] Advantageously, the protrusion is a pillar. Preferably, the pillar is made from material only from the upper wall.

[0033] Advantageously, the protrusion is a rib. Preferably, the rib comes from the material of the upper wall and the peripheral wall.

[0034] Advantageously, the upper wall and the lower wall extend transversely to the assembly axis, and the peripheral walls extend parallel to the assembly axis.

[0035] Advantageously, the housing provides an internal space and is configured to receive, in the internal space, a part of a product dispensing member capable of dispensing a plurality of doses of product.

[0036] Advantageously, the side wall is included in the internal space.

[0037] Advantageously, the housing is configured to receive, in the internal space, a dose counting member. Advantageously, the protrusion is arranged so as to transmit a mainly axial force to the lower shell.

[0038] Advantageously, the pillar comprises a stiffening rib. Such a stiffening rib increases the force transmissible by the pillar and can transmit significant forces.

[0039] Advantageously, the clipping members of the container are bosses, preferably clips. Alternatively, the clipping members are formed by a continuous circumferential bead.

[0040] Advantageously, one of the protrusions is axially aligned with one of the bosses. Preferably, each protrusion is aligned with the clipping members. Thus, the transmitted force is distributed uniformly between all the clipping members.

[0041] Advantageously, one of the protrusions has an annular or rectangular sector as a cross-section.

[0042] Alternatively, one of the protrusions is circular in section.

[0043] Alternatively, one of the protrusions is cross-shaped in section.

[0044] Alternatively, the protrusion extends axially from the transverse wall toward the upper shell and includes a free end configured to abut against the upper shell upon assembly of the housing onto the mouth of the container.

[0045] Alternatively, the upper shell comprises the peripheral wall, said peripheral wall comprising members for attachment to the lower wall carried by the lower shell.

[0046] Alternatively, the upper shell comprises an upper protrusion and the lower shell comprises a lower protrusion, the upper and lower protrusions facing each other, the upper and lower protrusions each comprising a free end, the free ends of the upper and lower protrusions being configured to abut each other during assembly of the housing on the mouth of the container.

[0047] Advantageously, the housing is made in several parts and comprises a lower shell, which is configured to be assembled to the container, and an upper shell. The lower shell comprises a lower wall which delimits the cavity for receiving the collar and an upper wall. The housing comprises a peripheral wall which connects the upper wall to the lower wall, the peripheral wall being separated into a lower peripheral portion, which belongs to the lower shell, and an upper peripheral portion, which belongs to the upper shell. The protrusion is part of a first shell among the upper shell and the lower shell and extends into the internal space towards a second shell among the upper shell and the lower shell, between the lower wall and the upper wall.

[0048] The invention also relates to a dispensing device, which comprises the housing as described above, and a product dispensing member capable of dispensing a plurality of doses of product, the dispensing member being partly received in the internal space.

[0049] Advantageously, the dispensing member is a pump or a valve. A pump is understood to be a device capable of sucking and discharging a fluid. A valve is understood to be a device capable of selectively retaining and releasing a pressurized fluid. The valve is said to be "metering" if, during the action releasing the fluid, the quantity of fluid released is independent of the duration of actuation of the valve. The valve is said to be "continuous" if the quantity of fluid released depends on the duration of actuation of the valve.

[0050] Advantageously, the dispensing member comprises a dispensing head and a body.

[0051] Advantageously, the dispensing device comprises a removable cap attached to the housing and configured to cover the dispensing head. Preferably, the removable cap is provided with a safety member, for example a child-resistant closure.

[0052] Advantageously, the dispensing head is movable relative to the body, so that a movement of the latter causes the product to be dispensed.

[0053] Advantageously, the dispensing head is a mouthpiece, nasal or earpiece configured to deliver an aerosol, such as a spray, or a jet.

[0054] Advantageously, the assembly force of the dispensing device on the mouthpiece is exerted on the cap.

[0055] The invention finally relates to a dispensing assembly, comprising the dispensing device as described previously and a container containing several doses of product to be dispensed and comprising a mouthpiece provided with a collar, the collar being capable of being received in the cavity for assembling the container to the housing.

[0056] Advantageously, the container comprises a mouth provided with a collar of circular section.

[0057] Advantageously, the product to be distributed is a pharmaceutical product.

[0058] The products, in particular pharmaceutical products, which may be distributed by the distribution group are, for example, formulations containing at least one active ingredient such as peptides, proteins, hormones, active ingredients of biological origin such as, for example, inactivated live viruses, virus proteins, viral vectors and viral subunits, active ingredients based on nucleotides, such as, for example, DNA, RNA or oligonucleotides, active ingredients with a molecular weight up to 1500 Da, polysaccharides, vaccines, enzymes, antibodies, nutritional formulas or other active substances or their mixture.

[0059] The products, in particular pharmaceutical products, that can be distributed by the distribution device 10 are, for example, formulations containing as active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol, cannabidiol, midazolam, benzodiazepines, morphine, naloxone, sufentanil, fentanyl, epinephrine, adrenaline, ketamines including esketamine, norketamine, cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, decongestants, vasoconstrictors, nalmefene, salbutamol, ipratropium, montelukast, anesthetic agents, antihistamines, antiemetics, desmopressin, oxytocin, GnRH analogues, nafarelin, busurelin, calcitonin, insulin, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, dihydroergotamine, metoclopramide, ondansetron, bevacizumab, zavegepant, nicotine, corticosteroids, steroids, sedatives, dexmedetomidine, ketorolac, lorazepam, lidocaine or xylocaine, or combinations thereof.

[0060] The invention will be better understood, and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly in the light of the following description of an embodiment of a dispensing device and a dispensing assembly, in accordance with its principle, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0061] - [Fig 1] figures 1a) and 1b) represent a distribution assembly in accordance with the invention, observed respectively in perspective and in partially exploded perspective;

[0062] - [Fig 2] figures 2a) and 2b) respectively represent a section along two orthogonal planes of the distribution assembly, certain parts being hidden, the distribution assembly comprising a container, a housing and a cap;

[0063] - [Fig 3] figures 3a) and 3b) are views similar to figures 2a) and 2b), the parts being distant from each other;

[0064] - [Fig 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the distribution assembly of Figure 2;

[0065] - [Fig 5] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an upper shell of the case of Figure 2.

[0066] - [Fig 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an upper shell belonging to a housing according to a second embodiment.

[0067] - [Fig 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an upper shell belonging to a housing according to a third embodiment.

[0068] - [Fig 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an upper shell belonging to a housing according to a fourth embodiment. - [Fig 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lower shell belonging to a housing according to a fourth embodiment

[0069] The following embodiments are examples. Although the description refers to one or more embodiments, this does not mean that the features apply only to a single embodiment. Single features of different embodiments can also be combined to provide other embodiments.

[0070] A dispensing assembly 10 is shown in Figure 1. The dispensing assembly 10 comprises a container 12, here a bottle, the container 12 being configured to be assembled to a dispensing device 20. In Figure 1a), the dispensing assembly 10 is shown in an assembled configuration, while in Figure 1b), the dispensing assembly 10 is shown in partially exploded perspective, the dispensing device 20 being located at a distance from the container 12. The container 12 is configured to contain a product, in particular a liquid product, such as a solution or a suspension. The product contained in the container 12 is not shown. The product contained in the container 12 is advantageously a pharmaceutical product.

[0071] The container 12, shown in section in Figures 2 and 3, here has a generally revolution shape with a mouth 122 centered on an assembly axis A12. By extension, the assembly axis A12, defined with reference to the container 12, is also taken as a reference for the other elements of the distribution assembly 10.

[0072] The container 12 comprises a main body 124, which delimits an internal volume V124 for receiving a liquid, a narrowed portion forming a neck 126, and a collar 128, which is located above the neck 126. The collar 128 is sometimes called a “neck ring” or simply a “ring”. The container 12 is preferably made of glass or plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0073] The dispensing device 20 comprises a housing 30, which is configured to be assembled to the container 12, and a dispensing member 22, which is here partially received in the housing 30 and which can be actuated by a user, so as to dispense one or more doses of the product contained in the container 12. The dispensing member 22 is shown only in FIG. 1b).

[0074] Typically, the container 12 comprises several doses of the product to be dispensed, depending on the size of the container, the type of product contained in the container, and the dispensing member 22. In the example illustrated, the container 12 is configured to contain 10 milliliters of product, while the dispensing member 22 is configured to dispense doses of 100 microliters. In other words, the container 12 is configured to contain up to 100 doses of the product to be dispensed. Other containers capable of containing from 5 milliliters to 20 milliliters are compatible with the housing 30. Other dispensing members configured to deliver from 15 microliters to 200 microliters are compatible with the housing 30.

[0075] The dispensing device 20 advantageously comprises a counting member 24, which is configured to give the user information on a number of doses of the product dispensed or remaining to be dispensed. The counting member 24 is therefore a dose counting member. In the example illustrated, the counting member 24 is received in the housing 30, only a portion of the counting member 24, preferably comprising a numerical indication, being visible to the user, through a window 302 provided on the housing 30.

[0076] For example, the counting member 24 indicates a number, which increases incrementally each time the user actuates the dispensing member 22, indicating to the user the number of doses dispensed. Alternatively, the counting member 24 indicates a number, which decreases each time the user actuates the dispensing member 22, indicating to the user the number of doses remaining in the container 12. The counting member 24 is not detailed further in the present description.

[0077] In the example illustrated, the dispensing member 22 is a pump, which comprises a dispensing head 221 and a body 222. The dispensing head 221 here comprises a spray orifice 223, through which the dispensed product exits, in a general direction defining a spray axis A223.

[0078] The dispensing head 221 protrudes from the housing 30 through an upper wall 304 of the housing 30. More precisely, the dispensing head protrudes from the housing through an opening 306 formed in the upper wall 304 of the housing 30. The opening 306 is advantageously circular and advantageously centered on the assembly axis A12. The opening 306 is advantageously located at the end of a cylindrical portion 307 extending from the upper wall 304. The dimension of the opening 306 is adjusted to that of the dispensing head 221.

[0079] The upper wall 304 defines a high side of the housing 30. The body 222 protrudes from the housing 30, here on a side located opposite the dispensing head 221, in other words on a low side of the housing 30.

[0080] The concepts of “top”, “bottom”, “upper”, “lower”, etc., are defined with reference to the orientation of the elements of the distribution assembly 10 as shown in the figures, knowing that it may be otherwise in reality. More precisely, the concepts of “bottom” and “lower” refer to a direction going towards the container 12, and the concepts of “top” and “upper” in an opposite direction.

[0081] Advantageously, the dispensing head 221 is movable in translation relative to the body 222, so that a movement of the dispensing head 221 relative to the body 222 causes the product contained in the container 12 to be dispensed. In the example illustrated, the body 222 is fixed to the housing 30, so that a movement of the dispensing head 221 relative to the housing 30 causes the product to be dispensed via the dispensing orifice 223.

[0082] Advantageously, the dispensing assembly 10 comprises a cap 26. The cap 26 is removable and is attached to the housing 30 in a reversible manner, the cap 26 being configured to cover the dispensing head 221, so as to prevent involuntary actuation of the dispensing member 22. Preferably, the cap 26 is screwed onto the housing 30, and more precisely screwed onto the cylindrical portion 307. Preferably, the cap 26 bears against the upper wall 304 and is configured to transmit an axial force to the upper wall 304.

[0083] Preferably, the cap 26 is provided with a safety member, which prevents the untimely removal of the cap 26, in particular a child-proof closure which limits the risks of the device being opened by a young child.

[0084] The dispensing head 221 is advantageously a mouthpiece configured to deliver one or more doses of the product contained in the container 12 in the form of an aerosol, such as a spray, or a jet. Aerosol is understood to mean a suspension in the air of droplets. A spray designates an aerosol sprayed around the spray axis A223 and having a substantially conical shape, with a relatively wide half-angle at the apex, i.e. typically between 20 degrees and 60 degrees. A jet designates an aerosol sprayed around the spray axis A223 and having a substantially conical shape, with a relatively narrow half-angle at the apex, i.e. typically less than 20° or a rectilinear shape, continuous or not.

[0085] In a variant not shown, the dispensing head 221 is a nasal tip configured to deliver an aerosol, such as a spray, or a jet.

[0086] In a variant not shown, the dispensing member 22 is a valve or equivalent. This configuration is found in particular when the container 12 is under pressure.

[0087] We now detail the structure of the 30 box.

[0088] The housing 30 is hollow, and provides an internal space V30. The internal space V30 is configured to receive a portion of the members of the dispensing device 20, namely a portion of the dispensing member 22, such as a pump, and, where appropriate, at least a portion of the counting member 24. In the example illustrated, the counting member 24 is entirely received in the internal space V30.

[0089] The housing 30 is made in several parts and here comprises two shells 310, the two shells including a lower shell 320, which is configured to be assembled to the container 12, and an upper shell 340. The lower shell 320 and the upper shell 340 are configured to be assembled to each other to form the housing 30, thus delimiting the internal space V30. Each of the lower shells 320 or upper shell 340 is preferably made of a thermoplastic polymer material, and is advantageously manufactured by an injection molding process. Thus, each of the lower shells 320 or upper shell 340 is preferably monobloc, that is to say made in a single piece.

[0090] The lower shell 320 comprises a lower wall 321 in which a cavity 324 is formed for receiving the collar 128. The lower wall 321 comprises a transverse wall 322, which separates the internal space V30 from the cavity 324. The transverse wall 322 has an orifice 323, which allows the passage of the dispensing member 22, in particular here the passage of the body 222. Preferably, the transverse wall 322 extends transversely to the assembly axis A12, that is to say that the transverse wall 322 is generally planar and geometrically carried by a plane orthogonal to the assembly axis A12.

[0091] The lower wall 321 also comprises a side wall 326, which extends, from a lower face of the transverse wall 322, on a side opposite the internal space V30 in a direction substantially parallel to the assembly axis A12 and which delimits the cavity 324 radially to the assembly axis A12. In the example illustrated, the side wall 326 is of cylindrical shape with a circular section. During the assembly of the container 12 to the housing 30, the side wall 326 forms a guide for the collar 128, until the container 12 abuts against the transverse wall 322, the container 12 then being in an assembled position relative to the lower shell 320, and by extension relative to the housing 30. The dispensing assembly 10 is then in the assembled configuration. The transverse wall 322 thus forms a bottom of the cavity 324.A seal, not shown, is generally interposed between the container 12 and the transverse wall 322 limiting the leakage of products outside the container 12 during handling of the dispensing assembly 10.

[0092] The side wall 326 also comprises clipping members 328 of the collar 128, the clipping members 328 being here formed by bosses, which are provided projecting from the side wall 326, more precisely on an internal face of the side wall 326, the internal face being oriented towards the assembly axis A12. In the example illustrated, three bosses are distributed around the assembly axis A12. During the assembly of the container 12 to the housing 30, the side wall 326 is configured to deform elastically, so as to accommodate the passage of the collar 128 beyond the clipping members 328. When the container 12 is in abutment against the transverse wall 322, the elastic return of the wall 326 and therefore of the clipping members 328 maintains the container 12 in the assembled position. In particular. The clipping members 328 are configured to prevent the container 12 from being accidentally removed from the housing 30.Advantageously, the clipping members 328 comprise in their lower part a ramp making it easier to pass the collar, and in their upper part a shoulder configured to create a firm stop with the collar.

[0093] In a variant not shown, the clipping members comprise elastic tabs, at the end of which the bosses are arranged. According to another variant not shown, the clipping members are formed by a continuous circumferential bead, which extends in projection on the internal face of the side wall 326.

[0094] The upper wall 304 is here part of the upper shell 340. The upper wall 304 extends at a distance from the transverse wall 322, and therefore also at a distance from the lower wall 321. The housing 30 also comprises a peripheral wall 330, which delimits the internal space V30 radially to the assembly axis A12. In the example illustrated, the peripheral wall 330 connects the upper wall 304 to the lower wall 321. The transverse wall 322 is connected to the peripheral wall 330 by the side wall 326 delimiting the cavity 324, the side wall 326 being connected to the peripheral wall 330 by a portion of the lower wall 321 extending from the side wall 326 towards the peripheral wall 330. Overall, the peripheral wall 330 extends parallel to the assembly axis A12.

[0095] In the example illustrated, the peripheral wall 330 is separated into two portions, which include a so-called lower peripheral portion 332, which belongs to the lower shell 320, and a so-called upper peripheral portion 334, which belongs to the upper shell 340. Thus each of the lower 332 and upper 334 peripheral portions extends substantially parallel to the assembly axis A12.

[0096] Advantageously, the lower peripheral portion 332 and the upper peripheral portion 334 comprise fixing members 336, which are provided for fixing the lower shell 320 to the upper shell 340. The fixing members 336 here include lugs 336A, which are configured to cooperate, in particular by complementarity of shapes, with recesses 336B, so as to allow the assembly of the lower shell 320 to the upper shell 340. The lugs 336A are visible in FIG. 9. In the example illustrated, the lugs 336A are provided on the lower shell 320, while the recesses 336B are provided on the upper shell 340. Another arrangement of the fixing members 336 is of course possible, in particular a mirror configuration.

[0097] The housing 30 comprises a protrusion 350, which is located opposite the cavity 324 along the assembly axis A12. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the housing 30 advantageously comprises a plurality of protrusions 350, the protrusions 350 including two protrusions which each form a pillar 352, and another protrusion in the form of a rib 354 on the upper peripheral portion 334. The protrusions 350 are here part of the upper shell 340 and extend into the internal space V30 towards the lower shell 320.

[0098] Each protrusion 350 extends into the internal space V30, on the opposite side of the cavity 324 relative to the transverse wall 322. Each protrusion 350 extends between the upper wall 304 and the lower wall 321. Preferably, each protrusion 350 extends between the upper wall 304 and the transverse wall 322, each protrusion 350 being configured to transmit to the transverse wall 322 a mainly axial force, parallel to the assembly axis A12, which is applied to the upper wall 304, in particular during the assembly of the housing 30 to the container 12. In other words, each protrusion 350 is arranged so as to transmit a mainly axial force to the lower shell 320, and more precisely to the transverse wall 322 of the lower shell 320.

[0099] Preferably, at least one protrusion 350, advantageously each protrusion 350, extends parallel to the assembly axis A12, so as to ensure direct transmission of axial forces during assembly.

[0100] Each protrusion 350 comprises a captive end 356, by which the protrusion 350 considered is connected to the rest of the corresponding shell, here the upper shell 340, and a free end 358, which is located opposite the other shell, here opposite the transverse wall 322 of the lower shell 320 when the lower shell 320 is assembled to the upper shell 340, in other words when the housing 30 is assembled.

[0101] Preferably, a distance D358 is provided between each free end 358 and the transverse wall 322 located opposite, the distance D358 being non-zero when the housing 30 is not assembled to the collar 128. The distance D358 is measured parallel to the assembly axis A12. This avoids hindering the proper functioning of the fixing members 336 during the assembly of the lower shell 320 to the upper shell 340. In other words, each free end 358 is not in contact with the transverse wall 322 when the housing 30 is not assembled to the collar 128 and the housing 30 is not subjected to any external force, in particular no axial force along the assembly axis A12, gravity being neglected. Preferably, the distance D358 between the free end 358 and the opposite transverse wall 322 is between 0.3 millimeters and 1 millimeter.

[0102] When assembling the housing 30 to the container 12, the collar 128 is inserted into the cavity 324, then an assembly force is applied to the housing 30 to clip the housing 30 onto the container 12, preferably applied directly to the upper wall 304. Alternatively, the assembly force is applied indirectly to the housing 30, for example the assembly force is applied to the cap 26, which then transmits the assembly force to the upper wall 304. This assembly force is an axial force along the assembly axis A12.The assembly force tends to elastically deform the housing 30, in particular tends to deform the upper wall 304 and the peripheral wall 330, until the free end 358 of each protrusion 350 comes into abutment against the transverse wall 322 of the lower shell 320, the protrusions 350 then ensuring the direct transmission of the assembly force between the upper shell 340 and the lower shell 320, which limits the overall deformation of the housing 30, in particular the deformation of the peripheral wall 330. In other words, during assembly, when the assembly force is applied to the housing 30, the distance D358 becomes zero. The assembly of the housing 30 to the container 12 is thus facilitated and limits the risks of plastic deformation of the housing which could lead to a malfunction of the dispensing member 22 or the counting member 24.More generally, the free end 358 of each protrusion 250 is configured to abut against the lower shell 320, here against the transverse wall 322.

[0103] Preferably, once the housing 30 is assembled to the container 12, the distance D358 returns to a non-zero value, by elastic return of the housing 30, once the assembly force is interrupted.

[0104] Preferably, the free ends 358 are axially aligned, in other words aligned along the assembly axis A12, with the side wall 326, so as to effectively transmit the axial forces to the clipping members 328, which makes it possible to limit the deformations of the transverse wall 322, and reduces the assembly force required and thus limits the risks of poor assembly of the housing 30 on the container 12, of breakage of the container 12 and of leaks between the housing 30 and the container 12. In other words, advantageously, one of the protrusions 350 is axially aligned with one of the bosses. Preferably, each protrusion 350 is axially aligned with the clipping members 328.

[0105] Advantageously, the protrusions 350 border the opening 306 and are distributed, in a substantially regular manner, around the assembly axis A12, so as to limit the deformations of the housing 30. In the example illustrated, the two pillars 352 and the rib 354 are substantially distributed at 90° to each other around the assembly axis A12.

[0106] Each pillar 352 advantageously comprises a stiffening rib 353. Each stiffening rib 353 extends here parallel to the assembly axis A12, on one side of the pillar 352 oriented opposite the assembly axis A12. The stiffening ribs 353 make it possible to reduce the risks of bending of the pillar 352 when the housing 30 is subjected to an axial force, in particular to the assembly force. In the example illustrated, the protrusions 350 are part of the upper shell 340 and extend into the internal space V30 towards the lower shell 320.

[0107] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the pillars 352 are two in number and have a cross-section of an annular sector centered on the assembly axis A12. In this example, the radial thickness of each pillar is between 0.8 millimeters and 2 millimeters, preferably between 0.9 millimeters and 1.1 millimeters. Each pillar 352 here extends along an angular sector, measured from the assembly axis A12, which is between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, preferably between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.

[0108] Other embodiments will now be presented, with reference to Figures 6 to 9. Only the differences and specificities compared to the first embodiment are detailed. Any element or characteristic not explicitly cited is incorporated in these embodiments.

[0109] In a second embodiment illustrated by FIG. 6, the protrusions 350 include two pillars 362 each having a cylindrical shape of circular section. In this example, a diameter of the pillars 362 is between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters.

[0110] In a third embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7, the protrusions 350 include two pillars 363 each having a cylinder shape with a cross-shaped section.

[0111] In a fourth embodiment illustrated by FIG. 8, the protrusions 350 include two ribs 364, which are integral with the upper wall 304 and the upper peripheral portion 334. In this example, a thickness of the ribs 364 is between 1 millimeter and 3 millimeters.

[0112] In a fifth embodiment shown in Figure 9, each protrusion 350 is this time part of the lower shell 320. Each protrusion 350 is here a pillar 365, which extends from the transverse wall 322 on a side opposite the cavity 324, that is to say in the direction of the upper shell 340 when the lower shell 320 is assembled to the upper shell 340. The free end 358 of each protrusion 350 is then configured to abut against the upper shell 340 during assembly of the housing 30, preferably against the upper wall 304. In this example, the protrusions 350 are three in number and each have a section in the form of an annular sector. Preferably, the upper shell 340 does not comprise a protrusion.

[0113] According to a variant not shown, the upper shell comprises an upper protrusion and the lower shell comprises a lower protrusion, the upper and lower protrusions being opposite each other. More precisely, the free end of the upper protrusion is located opposite the free end of the lower protrusion. When an axial force is exerted on the housing, the facing free ends bear against each other, ensuring the transmission of the axial force directly between the upper wall and the transverse wall. The embodiments and variants mentioned above can be combined with each other to generate new embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Housing (30) configured to be fixed by clipping onto a collar (128) of a mouth (122) of a container (12) along an assembly axis (A12), the housing (30) defining a cavity (324) configured to receive the collar (128) and comprising clipping members (328) to the collar (128) when the collar (128) is received in the cavity (324), the housing (30) being characterized in that it comprises a protrusion (350) located opposite the cavity (324) along the assembly axis (A12).

2. Housing (30) according to claim 1, in which the housing (30) comprises a transverse wall (322) forming a bottom of the cavity (324), and a side wall (326) delimiting the cavity (324) radially to the assembly axis (A12), the side wall (326) comprising the clipping members (328) to the collar (128), and in which the protrusion (350) is located opposite the transverse wall (322) along the assembly axis (A12), on a side opposite the cavity (324).

3. Housing (30) according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion (350) is configured to abut against the transverse wall (322) during a step of assembling the housing (30) on the collar (128).

4. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the protrusion (350) comprises a free end (358) configured to abut against the transverse wall (322).

5. Housing (30) according to claim 4, wherein the free end (358) is not in contact with the transverse wall (322) when the housing (30) is not assembled on the collar (128).

6. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the protrusion (350) extends parallel to the assembly axis (A12).

7. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the protrusion (350) is a pillar (352; 362; 363; 365).

8. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the protrusion (350) is a rib (354; 364).

9. A housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the housing (30) comprises a plurality of protrusions (350).

10. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the housing is hollow and delimits an internal space (V30) different from the cavity (324), and comprises an upper wall (304) extending transversely to the assembly axis (A12), a lower wall (321) located at a distance from the upper wall (304) along the assembly axis (A12), and a peripheral wall (330) connecting the upper wall (304) to the lower wall (321) and which extends parallel to the assembly axis (A12), and in which the cavity is formed in the lower wall (321), the protrusion(s) (350) extending into the internal space (V30) between the upper wall and the lower wall.

11. The housing (30) of claim 10, wherein the housing (30) comprises an upper shell (340) and a lower shell (320) configured to be assembled together to form the housing (30), the lower shell (320) comprising the bottom wall (321), and the upper shell (340) comprising the protrusion (350).

12. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the peripheral wall includes an upper peripheral portion (334) and a lower peripheral portion (332), and wherein the upper shell (340) comprises the upper wall (304) and the upper peripheral portion (334), while the lower shell (320) comprises the lower wall (321) and the lower peripheral portion (332), and wherein the upper (334) and lower (332) peripheral portions comprise fixing members (336) of the upper (340) and lower (320) shells.

13. Housing (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the housing (30) provides an internal space (V30) and is configured to receive, in the internal space (V30), a part of a product dispensing member (22) capable of dispensing a plurality of doses of product.

14. Housing (30) according to claim 13, wherein the housing (30) is configured to receive, in the internal space (V30), a dose counting member (24).

15. Dispensing device (20), comprising the housing (30) according to any one of claims 13 or 14 and a product dispensing member (22) capable of dispensing a plurality of doses of product, the dispensing member (22) being partly received in the internal space (V30).

16. Dispensing assembly (10), comprising the dispensing device (20) according to claim 15 and a container (12), the container (12) containing several doses of product to be dispensed and comprising a mouthpiece (122) provided with a collar (128) capable of being received in the cavity (324) for assembling the container (12) to the housing (30).

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