JP2592049B2 - Dispensing assembly with closure system - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a dispensing assembly with a closure system.

More particularly, the present invention is directed to a dispensing assembly having a dispensing head and a container including at least one dispensing flow channel for a product to be dispensed, wherein the dispensing flow channel opens outwardly. A closure system is provided for closing the distal portion, the closure system comprising:
Formed by a stop valve and at least one valve seat which are part of one piece of elastically deformable material, the stop valve being in contact with the associated valve seat in the absence of distribution, It is separated from the valve seat by elastic deformation under the thrust of the product to be dispensed, and returns to a state of contact with the valve seat by elasticity when dispensing stops, and the stop valve is moved in the direction of thrust of the product. It relates to a dispensing assembly constituted by an elastic lip which is separated from the valve seat by bending around a vertical axis.

[0003]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Such dispensing assemblies, such as, for example, those described in FR-A-1 573 165, disclose the products contained therein from external attacks, i.e. sand, dust, water. Or it allows maximum protection against oxidative reactions caused by external chemicals, in particular oxygen in the air.

[0004]

It is an object of the present invention to produce such an assembly whose cost is lower than the cost of previously known assemblies and which functions with high reliability.

[0005]

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, a dispensing assembly of the type described above includes a valve seat formed as part of a rigid material element and a resilient material component. Obtained by at least partial double molding of a rigid material element, the elastic material and the rigid material being chemically incompatible during the double molding operation to avoid chemical bonding between the two materials And the elastic element and the rigid element therefore constitute a closing adapter which covers the outwardly open end of the distribution channel in a gas-tight manner.

In accordance with the present invention, the rigid element includes a coupling mechanism that is at least partially double molded with a resilient component.

[0007] According to a first embodiment, the connecting element comprises:
At least in part, it has teeth that are double molded with elastic components. The rigid element is in the form of a finger of a glove, the bottom surface of which has a volume occupied by an elastic material.
It has a book passage and thus within the passage is formed an elastic lip which interlocks with a valve seat constituted by the edge of the passage.

[0008] Advantageously, the rigid element is cylindrical with a circular cross-section, the bottom surface of which is in the form of an ogive terminating along a planar portion, the passage being provided in this planar portion. ing. The passage has a generally rectangular shape and is located near the axis of the rigid element.

[0009] Preferably, the bottom surface of the rigid element has one opening with a volume occupied by the elastic material, in which an anchoring pedestal for the elastic component is built up. . This opening is preferably circular and is preferably located above the axis of the rigid element in said planar part. The valve seat is constituted by the edge of the passage furthest from the opening.

[0010] Advantageously, the plane part of the rigid element is inclined on the axis of the rigid element. The distribution channel is provided in a tubular outlet fitted in the closure adapter.

[0011] Preferably, the distribution channel is provided in a tubular outlet surrounding the channel and having a single annular groove in which the adapter is inserted.

According to another embodiment, the connecting element has a passage having a volume occupied by a resilient material, and thus in this passage interlocks with a valve seat constituted by the rigid edge of the passage. The elastic lips are made up.

[0013] Advantageously, the coupling mechanism is formed by a bar traversing the distribution channel.

In particular, the coupling mechanism may be embedded in the elastic component, thus giving the elastic component a higher resistance.

According to one particular embodiment, the element made of rigid material further comprises a flexible joint for pivotally locking the lid including a mechanism for locking the stop valve in the folded position of the lid at the time of storage. You can go out.

Advantageously, the material forming the part made of elastic material is in the gamma range from 40 Shore A to 50 Shore D,
Preferably it has a hardness of 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A.

The elastic material is advantageously used in low-density polyethylene, vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, block ternary copolymers of polypropylene with a styrene / ethylene-butyne / styrene pattern, and thermoplastic polyurethanes. Is chosen from.

The element made of rigid material is preferably molded from a material selected from high density polyethylene and polypropylene.

According to the present invention, for example, elastic parts made of low density polyethylene can be double injection molded on rigid polypropylene valve seats, or double injection molded of vinyl acetate ethylene on polypropylene or high density polyethylene. You can also. Other rigid-elastic material pairs consist of the following combinations: polyvinyl chloride-high density polypropylene or polyethylene; polypropylene / styrene ethylene / butyne styrene block ternary copolymer-high density polypropylene or polyethylene. Or thermoplastic polyurethane-high density polypropylene or polyethylene.

[0020]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the objects of the present invention, a number of embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings will now be described by way of a purely illustrative and non-limiting example. FIG. 1 shows a dispensing assembly according to the invention with a closure adapter, shown in cross section. 2 to 4 show schematically the molding operation leading to the closure adapter. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and represents a variation of the dispensing assembly shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a modification of the closing adapter. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the single rigid element of the adapter of FIG. FIG.
FIG. 8 is an elevational bottom view of the rigid element of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the adapter in its complete form. FIG. 10 is a diagram viewed from the left side of FIG. FIG. 11 is a view from the right side of FIG. FIG. 12 shows another alternative for mounting on a flexible container that can be compressed by hand.
Figure 3 illustrates a dispensing assembly with a dispensing head according to one embodiment in longitudinal section. FIG. 13 shows a dispensing head according to a variant embodiment of FIG. FIG. 14 and FIG.
13 schematically shows the molding operation leading to the closing adapter of the 13 dispensing heads.

The dispensing assembly 1, partially shown in FIG. 1, includes a container for containing the product to be dispensed. This is, for example, a dispensing assembly in which the product is under the pressure of a propellant fluid in the container, one dispensing valve holding the product inside the container. For the dispensing head,
A push button 2 with a distribution channel 3 leading to a distribution orifice is included. Acting on this push button 2 opens the dispensing valve, at which time the product is dispensed across the flow path 3. When the action on the push button is stopped, the dispensing valve under the action of the return spring closes again. Since the closure takes place at the level of the valve, the product contained between the outlet of the valve, which is no longer under internal pressure of the container and the outlet of the distributing channel 3, stops its progress immediately and thus the internal volume of the product It can be understood that is constituted. If this volume comes into direct contact with the surrounding air and the various particles it contains,
This product volume will be degraded.

According to the invention, a closing system with a stop valve associated with the valve seat is provided for the purpose of closing the channel 3. The closing system is supported by a closing adapter 4 which covers the outwardly open end of the channel 3 in a gas-tight manner.

The adapter 4 comprises an element 10 made of a rigid thermoplastic material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and a flexibility, such as a thermoplastic resin or an elastomer, having a Shore A hardness of 40 to 80, ie significantly lower than that of the rigid element 10. It consists of a part 5 made of a material.

The rigid element 10 is cylindrical with a circular cross section and is shaped as a glove finger. The inner diameter of the rigid element 10 is such that it can be clamped and mounted in a gas-tight manner on a tubular outlet 23 supported by the push button 2 and provided with the distribution channel 3 therein. Of course, the tightening attachment of the rigid element 10 on the tubular outlet 23 can be supplemented or replaced by sewing, ratcheting mechanism or the like.

More precisely, as can be seen from FIGS. 7 and 11, the rigid element 10 terminates along a plane part 9 inclined on the axis of the rigid element 10 and presents an ogive-shaped bottom surface. ing. The planar portion 9 of the bottom surface of the element 10 is provided with a circular opening 16 centered in the plane of symmetry of the element 10 through its axis and above the axis. The planar part 9 likewise has an axially centered and generally rectangular passage 15. Near the end of the rigid element 10 near the planar portion 9, the zone 19 of the inner wall of the rigid element 10 is slightly recessed. That is, it is closer to the axis of the rigid element 10 than the rest of the inner wall, and this zone 19 extends axially until it is perpendicular to the transverse plane 20. Rigid element 10 opposite the end supporting planar portion 9
Is shaped to interlock with the outer surface of the push button 2. In the example shown in the figure, the outer surface of the push button 2 comprises two circular cylindrical surfaces with the same axis connected by a frusto-conical surface in particular. Thus, at its ends, the rigid element 10 presents two circular cylindrical edges 21 and 22 connected by a frustoconical edge 24.

The rigid element 10 is located on both sides of the opening 16 at right angles to the planar part 9 of its bottom surface and includes two axial cylindrical teeth 17 whose role will be described below.

The closure adapter 4 according to the invention comprises, besides the rigid element 10, an elastic part 5. Elastic parts 5
Is obtained by partially double forming the rigid element 10 in the field in a second stage after the so-called forming operation of the rigid element 10. 2-4 schematically illustrate these various operations. In FIG. 2, in a first step, two cavities 12 and 13 with cavities of the molding machine mold are closed and a rigid material 40 is injected into the mold to make the rigid element 10. In the second stage, as shown in FIG. 3, the bases 12 and 13 are separated from each other according to the play 14, thus creating the elastic part 5, so that it can be seen in FIG. Releases one volume 51 from which is injected.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are schematic views showing the principle of the molding operation. FIGS. 9 to 11 show the adapter 4 in more detail.
It can be seen by reference to that this molding operation not only allowed the production of the elastic part 5 but also its mounting on the rigid element 10 where it was maintained. This maintenance is performed mechanically, such that materials 40 and 50 are chemically incompatible. The material 50 created the anchoring pedestal 5B for the elastic part 5 while filling the opening 16. This maintenance is further reinforced by the teeth 17 at least partially surrounded by the material 50, and by the covering 5C which partially covers the upper inner surface of the rigid element 10. Generally, such maintenance is sufficient. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the mounting of the adapter 4 on the push button 2 can be perfect, depending on the nature of the materials 40 and 50. Looking at this figure, the tubular outlet 33 in which the distribution channel 30 is provided is linked to the adapter 4 by compressing the elastic part 5 when it is installed on the tubular outlet 33. It can be seen that the end 31 has an upper edge. Conversely, in the variant shown in FIG. 1, the end face 6 of the tubular outlet 23 is remote from the elastic part 5.

The elastic part 5 comprises a lip 5A obtained during molding by filling the passage 15 of the rigid element 10. This has the advantage of producing a tight fitting lip 5A in relation to the periphery of the passage 15 and in particular in relation to the edge 18 of the passage 15 constituting the valve seat of the lip 5A. You will understand. Thus, the closing system according to the invention is of high performance.

The dispensing assembly according to the present invention functions as follows. By acting on the push button 2, the dispensing valve is opened. The product present in the channel 3 under the thrust of the propulsion fluid pushes the lip 5A,
This lip allows the product to pass away from its valve seat 18 by compression. Upon cessation of action on the push button, the lip 5A returns to its initial shape and again engages its valve seat 18 to prevent any exchange between the inside and outside of the adapter 4.

According to a variant partially shown in FIG.
The tubular outlet 300 of the dispensing assembly has, on the one hand, a dispensing channel 303 and, on the other hand, a tubular channel 30 surrounding this channel 303.
Contains one. The adapter 100 consists of a cylindrical rigid element 101 in the form of a finger of a glove, the bottom surface 109 of which is
A plane portion perpendicular to the axis of 101 and having a passage 115 therein. At 105, the elastic components associated with the rigid element 101 are found. The rigid element 101 is inserted by its cylindrical portion into an annular groove 301 which engages with the lateral shoulder 302 of the tubular outlet 300 for axial positioning of the adapter 100. End flanges are provided.

The first of the described dispensing assemblies 1
Embodiments include a dispensing valve, wherein the product receives a thrust of propellant fluid in the container. The invention is applicable to any dispensing assembly, regardless of the propulsion mode of the product. Thus, the dispensing assembly could include, for example, a manual pump.

FIG. 12 shows a dispensing assembly 401 with a dispensing head 402, which is mounted on a manually compressible flexible container 401A. One could also consider a stick type dispensing assembly with product lift by activating the knurled rotary knob. Container 401A has a neck 401B with a thread 401C. The dispensing head 402 includes a generally cylindrical body 420 with an internal thread 422 that can interface with the container thread 401C. At its end opposite the container 401A, the body 420 is closed by a circular table 424 comprising a cylindrical chute 426 constituting a distribution channel 403. This distribution channel is provided by the distribution assembly 401.
Eccentric in relation to the central axis X of table
424 also includes a hinge 440 on the opposite side of the flow path 403, by which the lid 450 is connected to the body 420. The lid is pivotable and has a cylindrical, airtight skirt that can be ratchet-locked around a chute 426 in the folded position of the lid. An annular packing 452 is formed concentrically inside the skirt 454, and its role will be described below.

Inside the distribution channel 403, a rod 417 having a trapezoidal cross section which is integrated with the wall of the chute and crosses the channel 403 is arranged. The flow path 403 further includes a claw 418 disposed opposite to the rod 417.

The chute 426 has an annular edge 415 forming a rigid valve seat for the resilient stop valve 405A. This stop valve 4
05A has a circular shape with a slightly convex shape toward the outside at the center. On the side facing the container, the stop valve has a thickening zone 405B in which a rod 417 and a claw 418 are embedded. At the level of the edge 415 of the distribution channel 403, the stop valve 405A is airtight,
For example, a position-directional distribution adapter 404 is formed that can be opened under the thrust of the product when the user applies pressure to the flexible container 401A, and can be closed again when the distribution stops.

After use, the lid 450 is folded to close the distribution channel. During this operation, the packing 452 will fit around the stop valve, thus securing the stop valve. Thus, any accidental leakage of the product, for example during transport, is avoided.

FIG. 13 is designated by the reference numeral 502 and FIG.
1 shows a modification of the distribution head of FIG. In FIG.
Identical or similar elements are numbered with the reference number in FIG. These will be described only partially. Thus, stop valve
Only the 505A and its installation in the distribution channel 503 differ from the stop valve 405A of FIG. Channel 503 includes an inner shelf 518 in the shape of an arc. A bar 517 having a parallelepiped cross section is formed parallel to the edge 519 of the shelf. Stop valve 505A has a thickened portion 504B in which rod 517 is embedded.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the distribution head 50 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view illustrating the principle of the molding operation of FIG. This operation is performed by a rod 517 made of a rigid material R traversing the distribution channel 503.
It can be seen that the distribution head 502 can be molded in a monoblock by double-injecting the flexible elastic material S around the periphery.

2 each having one slide valve T1, T2
As shown in FIG. 14, the slide valves T1 and T2 are closed with the slide valves T1 and T2 closed.
At a temperature of about 0 ° C., a rigid material for forming the head 502 such as polypropylene is first injected. Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the stop valve is moved in the directions of arrows F1 and F2.
The slide valves T1 and T2 are separated by a distance substantially corresponding to the thickness of 504A. Next, at a temperature preferably below 160 ° C., an elastic material such as vinyl acetate ethylene is injected to surround the connecting rod 517. Thus, the stop valve 504A is
It is firmly fixed in the distribution channel 503 without creating a chemical bond between the stop valve 504A and its valve seat 515.

This molding operation is very simple and makes it possible to produce the dispensing head in a single molding cycle without the use of an elastomeric stop valve which requires a reticulation step and thus a supplementary molding step. I do.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a dispensing assembly according to the invention with a closure adapter, shown in cross section.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a molding operation leading to a closing adapter.

FIG. 3 schematically shows a molding operation leading to a closing adapter.

FIG. 4 schematically shows a molding operation leading to a closing adapter.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and represents a variant of the dispensing assembly shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a modification of the closing adapter.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a single rigid element of the adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the rigid element of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a fully formed adapter.

FIG. 10 is a diagram viewed from the left side of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a view as seen from the right side of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 illustrates, in longitudinal section, a dispensing assembly with a dispensing head according to another embodiment adapted to be mounted on a manually compressible flexible container.

13 shows a distribution head according to a variant embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a molding operation leading to the closing adapter of the dispensing head of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 schematically shows a molding operation leading to the closing adapter of the dispensing head of FIG. 13;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 401, 501 ... dispensing assembly 1A, 401A ... container 2, 402, 502 ... dispensing head 3, 30, 303, 403, 503 ... distributing flow path 4, 404, 504 ... closing adapter 5, 105, 405, 505: Elastic parts 5A, 405A, 505A: Stop valve (elastic lip) 9: Flat part 10, 410, 510: Rigid element 15, 115, 415, 515: Valve seat (passage) 16: Opening 17 , 417, 517 ... connecting mechanism 18 ... edge 23, 300 ... tubular outlet 100 ... adapter 301 ... annular groove 440, 540 ... flexible joint 450, 550 ... lid

Claims (19)

(57) [Claims] 1. A container (1A, 401A) and at least one distribution channel (3, 30, 303, 403, 50) for a product to be distributed.
3) In a dispensing assembly (1, 401, 501) having a dispensing head (2, 402, 502) comprising:
(3, 30, 303, 403, 503) is provided with a closing system for closing the outwardly opening end portion, the closing system comprising one piece of elastically deformable material ( Stop valve (5, 105, 405, 505)
A, 405A, 505A) and at least one valve seat (15, 11
5, 415, 515) and this stop valve (5
A, 405A, 505A) are in contact with their associated valve seats (15, 115, 415, 515) in the absence of distribution and are separated from said valve seats by elastic deformation under the thrust of the product to be distributed When the dispensing stops, the valve returns to a state of contact with the valve seat (15, 115, 415, 515) due to elasticity. (15, 115, 415, 515) a dispensing assembly constituted by an elastic lip (5A, 405A, 505A) spaced from the element (10,
410, 510) and the elastic material parts (5, 105, 405, 505) are made of rigid material elements (1
0, 410, 510), wherein the elastic and rigid materials are not chemically compatible during the double forming operation to avoid chemical bonding between the two materials. And the elastic components (5, 105, 405, 505) and the rigid elements (10, 410, 510) are thus
(3, 30, 303, 403, 503) Closing adapter (4, 404, 50) for covering the open end portion in an airtight manner
4) A dispensing assembly comprising: 2. The rigid element (410, 510) includes a coupling mechanism (17, 417, 517) that is at least partially formed of a resilient component (405, 505). Item 3. The dispensing assembly according to Item 1. 3. The rigid element (10) is in the form of a finger of a glove, the bottom surface of which has a volume occupied by an elastic material.
There is a passage (15) of the book, and in this passage (15) an elastic lip (5A) interlocked with a valve seat consisting of an edge (18) of the passage (15) is formed. The dispensing assembly of claim 1 wherein: 4. The rigid element (10) has the shape of a cylinder with a circular cross-section, the bottom surface of which is an ogive shape terminating along a plane section (9), and the passage (15) has a plane section (9). 9)
4. The dispensing assembly of claim 3, wherein the dispensing assembly is disposed within. 5. The passage (15) has a generally rectangular shape,
4. Assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that it is located near the axis of the rigid element (10). 6. At the bottom of the rigid element (10) there is one opening (16) having a volume occupied by an elastic material, and thus in this opening (16) there is an elastic part (5). 2. The dispensing assembly of claim 1, wherein said anchoring pedestal is fabricated. 7. The dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the opening is circular and is located in the plane part above the axis of the rigid element. assembly. 8. A dispensing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the valve seat is constituted by an edge (18) of the passage (15) furthest from the opening (16). 9. The dispensing device according to claim 3, wherein the plane part of the rigid element is inclined on the axis of the rigid element. assembly. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing channel is provided in a tubular outlet fitted in the closing adapter. A dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. 11. The distribution channel (303) is provided with a
A dispensing assembly characterized in that it is provided in a tubular outlet (300) surrounding 3) and having an annular groove (301) in which an adapter (100) is inserted. 12. The connecting element (10) includes teeth (17) that are at least partially formed by resilient parts (5, 105). A dispensing assembly according to claim 1. 13. The dispensing assembly according to claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism is formed by a rod traversing the dispensing flow path. 14. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the coupling mechanism is embedded in the elastic component. assembly. 15. The lid (450, 550) further comprising a mechanism (452, 552) for securing the stop valve (405A, 505A) in the folded position of the lid.
15. A flexible joint (440, 540) for pivotally securing the shaft.
A dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. 16. The dispensing assembly according to claim 12, wherein the elastic material has a hardness in the gamma range from 40 Shore A to 50 Shore D. 17. The elastic material according to claim 12, wherein said elastic material has a hardness ranging from 50 Shore A to 90 Shore A.
A dispensing assembly according to any one of the preceding claims. 18. A part (5, 105, 405, 50) made of an elastic material.
5) is molded from a material selected from low density polyethylene, vinyl acetate ethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene block ternary copolymer with styrene / ethylene-butyne / styrene pattern, and thermoplastic polyurethane. 18. The dispensing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein 19. The rigid material element (10, 410, 510) is molded from a material selected from high density polyethylene and polypropylene.
18. The dispensing assembly of any one of claims 17 to 17.