WO2008012191A1

WO2008012191A1 - Assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: WO2008012191A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/056888
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francis Cathenis
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2006-07-25
Filing date: 2007-07-06
Publication date: 2008-01-31

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product comprising at least one vessel (10) containing the product, the vessel being topped by a dispensing unit provided with an actuating stem (11) and a dispensing device (20) for actuating the dispensing unit and enabling the product to be released via at least one dispensing orifice (23). The dispensing device is configured to be mounted on a mounting hoop (30), fixed to the vessel, in two different positions in which it is able to rock relative to the mounting hoop: - a position of use in which the dispensing device (20) is in fluid communication with the actuating stem; - an intermediate position in which the dispensing device (20) is not in fluid communication with the actuating stem. The assembly also comprises a cover (60) configured to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop at least when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position.

Description

ASSEMBLY FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING A PRODUCT, IN PARTICULAR A COSMETIC PRODUCT

The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, particularly a cosmetic product. Such a product can be dispensed notably in the form of a cream, a gel, a foam or a spray.

The term cosmetic product should be understood to mean a product as defined in Council Directive No 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993, modifying directive 76/768/CEE for the sixth time.

Normally, a packaging and dispensing assembly, as targeted by the present invention, comprises a vessel containing the product to be dispensed equipped with a dispensing unit. Such a dispensing unit can be a pump or a valve which is topped by a dispensing device. The dispensing device enables the user to route the product leaving the vessel to a dispensing orifice. It can also be used to control the activating of the dispensing unit, to eject the product from the vessel.

When using valves which are actuated by rocking, the risks are high that the valve will be actuated inadvertently, given that these valves normally have a very short actuating travel. To remedy this drawback, it has already been proposed to provide a cover which is screwed directly onto the dispensing device, in particular to limit the risks of unwanted actuation of the valve when fitting the cover on the dispensing device, the screwing action generating no stress able to provoke such an actuation. Document FR-A-2 816 290 describes in particular such a packaging assembly. The bottom edge of the cover also abuts against a mounting hoop to limit the risks of actuation in the storage position. However, such a device is not designed to limit the risks of accidental actuation of the valve when fitting the dispensing device on the vessel.

There is a need for an assembly that limits the accidental dispensing of the products, in particular when it is being assembled.

There is also a need to have an assembly that is easy to produce and assemble. There is also a need to have a dispensing assembly that can easily be actuated.

There is also a need to have a dispensing assembly that can dispense two products originating from two vessels in the same proportions on each actuation.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by producing an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product comprising at least one vessel containing the product, the vessel being topped by a dispensing unit provided with an actuating stem and a dispensing device for actuating the dispensing unit and enabling the product to be released via at least one dispensing orifice, the dispensing device being configured to be mounted on a mounting hoop, fixed to the vessel, in two different positions in which it is able to rock relative to the mounting hoop:

- a position of use in which the dispensing device is in fluid communication with the actuating stem;

- an intermediate position in which the dispensing device is not in fluid communication with the actuating stem; the assembly also comprising a cover configured to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop at least when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position.

To state that the dispensing device "is not in fluid communication" with the actuating stem means that there is no leaktight link between the two parts and that product cannot be transferred from the actuating stem to the dispensing device without there being a leak.

Since the dispensing device can assume an intermediate position in which it is not in fluid communication with the actuating stem, the risks of inadvertently actuating the actuating stem when mounting the dispensing device on the vessel are limited, since the dispensing device can remain at a distance from the actuating stem. The risks of product leaks on the assembly lines are therefore limited.

Also, the cover makes it possible to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop so that the dispensing device is correctly positioned when it is switched from its intermediate position to its position of use in which it must be in communication with the actuating stem of the dispensing unit. The device is thus assembled very easily on the vessel.

The cover can also be configured to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop when the dispensing device is in the position of use. Thus, the risks of involuntarily actuating the actuating stem while the assembly is in storage are also limited.

The cover can comprise at least one area more or less in contact with the dispensing device when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position or in the position of use. The phrase "more or less in contact with the device" should be understood to mean that the play existing between the cover and the dispensing device is less than the travel needed to actuate the actuating stem.

The cover can comprise a top wall extended, on its periphery, by a side wall which comprises at least one concave portion towards the outside of the cover. The concave portion comes at least partly more or less into contact with the dispensing device when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position or in the position of use. A cover is thus obtained with a novel design.

The concave portion can extend over a part of the height of the side wall, away from the bottom end of the side wall.

The cover can comprise two concave portions, the two portions being located either side of the rocking axis of the dispensing device.

The transverse section of the cover can be oblong in shape, the concave portion or portions being formed more or less in the middle of the long sides of the cover.

The cover can be fixed removably to the mounting hoop, the bottom end of the side wall of the cover being, for example, fixed by clamping on the mounting hoop.

The dispensing device can be configured to switch from the intermediate position to the position of use by a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating stem. The dispensing device can thus easily switch from the intermediate position to the position of use since all that is needed is for the user to move the dispensing device by a translation movement, pressing it longitudinally.

Moreover, with the actuating stem being actuated by rocking, it requires a weak bearing force to be actuated which makes it convenient to use. The product can in practice leave the actuating stem by the slightest rocking of the latter.

The dispensing device can comprise at least one tab which cooperates with at least one shaft so as to be able to pivot about the shaft and enable the dispensing device to rock in the position of use.

The device can comprise two tabs which cooperate respectively with two shafts, the two tabs and the two shafts being respectively aligned on a line parallel to the rocking axis of the dispensing device.

The mounting hoop can comprise a mounting skirt able to be snap-fitted onto the vessel.

The assembly can comprise two vessels each containing a product.

The dispensing device can then be arranged to separately channel the products to two dispensing orifices. This embodiment is particularly advantageous for dispensing products that are not stable over time when they are in contact with each other and which must be placed in contact with each other as late as possible.

Alternatively, the dispensing device can be arranged to enable the products to be mixed before the latter reach the dispensing orifice.

The vessel or vessels can be pressurized. The dispensing unit can then be a valve.

The vessel or vessels can contain a cosmetic product, in particular a hair colouring product. One of the vessels can contain a colouring product and the other vessel can contain an oxidizing product. The invention will be better understood from reading the detailed description that follows, of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the latter, and by studying the appended drawing in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention;

- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a bottom view of the mounting hoop of the packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention;

- Figure 4, diagrammatically and in axial cross section, shows the dispensing device of the assembly of Figure 1 in isolation;

- Figures 5 to 10 show in cross section the packaging and dispensing assembly, the dispensing device being in the intermediate position in Figures 5, 7 and 10 and in the position of use in Figures 6, 8 and 9.

Figures 1 and 2 show a dispensing assembly comprising a dispensing device 20 mounted on two vessels 10 containing products to be mixed as and when they are used.

In particular, the vessels contain cosmetic products, notably, according to a particular example, hair colouring products. One of the vessels 10 for example contains a colouring product and the other vessel 10 contains an oxidizing product.

Each vessel 10 is, in the exemplary embodiment described, of the pressurized aerosol type and comprises a valve provided with an actuating stem 1 1 , one of the valves having a longitudinal axis X and the other valve having a longitudinal axis X' as can be seen in Figure 2. The valve is secured by crimping onto a valve cup 12 which is crimped onto the neck of the vessel.

The actuating stem 1 1 is hollow and the product is dispensed, when the actuating stem is rocked, through the latter.

The dispensing device 20 is fixed to the vessels, by means of a mounting hoop 30. The dispensing device 20 is fixed so that it can rock the actuating stems 1 1 to control the actuating of the valves.

The mounting hoop 30 comprises two tubular mounting skirts 31 of circular transverse cross section, which can be seen in Figure 3, which are attached by snap-fitting under the valve cup 12 of the corresponding vessel. To this end, an annular bead 33 is provided on the radially internal surface of each skirt to lodge under each valve cup.

The two mounting skirts 31 are attached to each other so as to maximize the closeness of the vessels and limit the bulk of the packaging assembly.

The mounting skirts 31 are also joined to each other by a transverse wall 34 which extends above each skirt 31. The transverse wall 34 is traversed by two passages 35, respectively formed inside each mounting skirt 31 , each of the passages 35 being provided to receive the top end of one of the vessels 10. The two passages 35 are aligned along an axis Y.

At the outer edge of each passage 35 a shaft 36 is provided, the function of which will be explained later in the description, the shaft 36 being laid more or less along the axis Y and comprising a section transversal to this axis Y that is circular.

The two skirts 31 are also connected at their periphery by two straight walls 37, parallel to the axis Y to form an oval outer wall 39. Above the transverse wall 34, the wall 39 is extended by a peripheral wall 38 substantially retracted inward relative to the wall 39, the two walls 38 and 39 being linked by a transverse flange 39a.

The dispensing device 20 comprises an external shell 21 , the top part of which is rounded and forms an inclined actuation area 22. The side wall of the shell 21 has an oval transverse section and ends in its bottom part in a free edge 21 a.

The dispensing device 20 is arranged, according to the example illustrated, to separately channel the products from the vessels to two dispensing orifices 23. To this end, two separate ducts 24, which can be seen in Figure 4, are provided inside the shell 21 , each of which comprises a vertical tip 24a intended to fit in a product-tight manner on the actuating stems. Each tip is extended by an oblique portion 24b which opens into a dispensing orifice 23. The two oblique portions 24b converge towards each other so that the two dispensing orifices 23 are more or less joined. The ends of the duct portions 24b pass through the shell 21 so that the orifices 23 open out into a prominent portion of the shell. According to a variant that is not shown, it is possible to provide for the two ducts 24 to be joined before their end so as to enable the products to be mixed before the latter reach the dispensing orifice, of which there is then only one.

The dispensing device 20 is arranged to be able to be mounted on the vessels 10, via the mounting hoop 30, in two different positions.

The dispensing device 20 can assume a position of use, illustrated in Figures 6 and 8, in which it can actuate the actuating stems 1 1 in order to dispense the product. In this position of use, the dispensing device 20 can rock the actuating stems about the rocking axis Y. In this position, the dispensing device is fitted on the actuating stems so as to be in fluid communication with the stems.

The dispensing device 20 can also assume an intermediate position, illustrated in Figures 5 and 7, in which it is not fitted on the actuating stems so as not to be in fluid communication with the stems. The dispensing device 20 is then more or less axially distant from the actuating stems so that it is not fitted in a leaktight manner on the actuating stems. Thus, the risks of actuating the actuating stems when fitting the dispensing device on the vessels are limited.

To be able to place the dispensing device 20 in these two positions, the dispensing device comprises two tabs 40 provided in the vicinity of each rounded end of the shell 21. Each tab is designed to be fixed on each shaft 36 located on each side of the openings 35. The two tabs 40 are aligned on the axis Y to form a rocking axis.

Each tab 40 is substantially flat. It comprises a bottom end 40a which is open to form a fork. The opening provided in the tab is elongated in shape along the main axis of the tab, with a narrow portion 41 approximately midway up the opening, so as to form two notches 42 and 43 at two different heights. Each notch 42 and 43 has a roughly concave shape so as to accommodate the shaft 36 corresponding to the tab.

The opening formed in the tab is also flared in its bottom portion towards the bottom end 40a of the tab to make it easier to fit it onto the shaft 36. In the position of use, the shaft 36 is located in the top notch 42. The shaft 36 is then axially abutting against the top portion of the tab which prevents any movement of the dispensing device parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating stems. The tab can, however, rock about the shaft 36.

The tabs 40 and the shafts 36 are located either side of the actuating stems and, in particular, at the same distance from each stem. They thus make it possible, in the position of use, to prevent the depression of each valve stem, and in particular of both valve stems at the same time.

In the intermediate position, the shaft 36 is located in the bottom notch 43. In this position, the dispensing device is raised relative to the actuating stems and the tips are not totally fitted on the stems.

The packaging assembly also comprises a cover 60 which seals the dispensing device 20 to protect it.

The cover has a top wall 61 that is roughly flat, which is extended on its periphery by a side wall 62 roughly perpendicular to the top wall, of transverse section and generally oval shape. The side wall 62 of the cover ends, at its bottom end 63 opposite to the top wall, in a free bottom edge 63a. The cover 60 is secured by clamping onto the mounting hoop 30, notably by clamping the bottom end 63 on the peripheral wall 38, the free edge 66a abutting against the shoulder 39a.

To limit the rocking of the dispensing device 20 relative to the mounting hoop 30, the side wall 62 of the cover has two portions 64 and 65 that are concave towards the outside of the cover, of which a part of the internal surface comes more or less into contact with the dispensing device 20 when the cover is fixed on the hoop, both when the dispensing device is in the position of use and in the intermediate position as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10. In addition to its function of limiting the rocking of the dispensing device, the "figure eight" shape of the cover contributes to the design of the cover.

The two concave portions 64 and 65 extend over a part of the height of the side wall 62, away from the bottom end 63 of the side wall which must remain more or less oval to cooperate with the peripheral oval wall 38 of the hoop and enable the cover to be fixed onto the hoop.

By choosing the shape of the cover and in particular the position of the concave portions, the rocking of the dispensing device is minimized while making it possible to easily fix the cover onto the hoop.

In particular, the two concave portions 64 and 65 are advantageously located either side of the rocking axis of the dispensing device.

Furthermore, the two concave portions 64 and 65 are formed more or less in the middle of the long sides of the cover.

According to the example illustrated, the two concave portions 64 and 65 are symmetrical relative to the rocking axis. The cover 60 can therefore be fixed interchangeably on the mounting hoop in two different positions.

Moreover, only localized areas of the concave portions come more or less into contact with the device, the remainder of the cover being spaced further away from the dispensing device when the cover is fixed on the hoop. According to the example illustrated, three localized areas 66, 67 and 68 of the concave portions come into contact with the dispensing device. In particular, two bottom areas 66 and 67 of each concave portion are intended to come into contact with the dispensing device, in its bottom part, at the front and at the back of the latter. A top contact area 68 of one of the concave portions is intended to come into contact with the prominent portion of the dispensing device into which the dispensing orifices 23 open out.

The areas of the cover that come more or less into contact with the dispensing device do not therefore extend over the entire internal periphery of the cover. They extend in particular over less than half of the internal surface of the side wall of the cover, and in particular over localized areas so as to minimize friction between the cover and the dispensing device.

Naturally, the curve of the concave form and the width of the concave portion can be chosen according to the shape of the dispensing device that the cover is designed to seal.

In a variant, the cover can comprise two different concave portions, for example, in which the concave form is more pronounced on one side than on the other. The cover can also comprise only a single concave portion.

To assemble the packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention, the dispensing device 20 is first mounted on the mounting hoop

30 in the intermediate position illustrated in Figures 5 and 7. The cover 60 is also assembled on the mounting hoop, by clamping onto the peripheral wall 38. These three duly assembled parts are then fixed on the vessels which have previously been filled with product, via the mounting hoop. Just one assembly step is thus required on the lines filling the vessels.

Referring to Figure 10, it can be seen that, in this position, three areas of the cover 66, 67 and 68 are more or less in contact with the dispensing device so as to prevent rocking about the axis Y on both sides. This assembly step does not therefore require any great precision since the cover makes it possible to perfectly secure the dispensing device in a predetermined position relative to the hoop in which it is positioned correctly relative to the passages 35 in the mounting hoop 30. The dispensing device 20 is thus easily positioned relative to the actuating stems 1 1 , when attaching the dispensing device 20 to the mounting hoop 30.

The duly assembled assembly is then marketed with the dispensing device in the intermediate position.

Only when first using the device does the user, by pressing on the actuating surface 22 of the dispensing device 20, move the dispensing device into the position of use. The dispensing device is then moved by a translation movement, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating stems. Since the dispensing device 20 is already correctly positioned relative to the actuating stems, it will easily be moved into the position of use in which the two actuating stems 1 1 can be moved in the same way. The two products can then be dispensed in the same proportions on each actuation.

After having dispensed the product for a first time, the user can once again fix the cover onto the hoop when the dispensing device is placed in its position of use. In this position illustrated in Figure 9, it can be seen that the three areas of the cover 66, 67 and 68 are then also more or less in contact with the dispensing device so as to prevent rocking about the axis Y on either side and prevent any inadvertent actuation of the valve stems.

If required, the user can easily remove the dispensing device 20 from the packaging and dispensing assembly, between two uses, for example to clean it. All that is required is to take the vessels 10 in one hand, grasp the device 20 and separate it from the vessels and from the mounting hoop 30 by a movement along the axis of the actuating stems. The user can then run the dispensing device 20 under water, for example, to clean the ducts. He can then without any great difficulty replace the dispensing device on the mounting hoop by placing it correctly relative to the actuating stems without risk of inadvertently actuating the actuating stems. He can, for example, place the dispensing device 20 in its intermediate position by attaching the tabs by their bottom notches 43 onto the shafts 36 so that there is no risk of inadvertently actuating the actuating stems on assembly.

In the detailed description above, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously, variants can be added thereto without departing from the invention as claimed below.

Claims

1 . Assembly for packaging and dispensing a product comprising at least one vessel (10) containing the product, the vessel being topped by a dispensing unit provided with an actuating stem (1 1 ) and a dispensing device (20) for actuating the dispensing unit and enabling the product to be released via at least one dispensing orifice (23), the dispensing device being configured to be mounted on a mounting hoop (30), fixed to the vessel, in two different positions in which it is able to rock relative to the mounting hoop:

- a position of use in which the dispensing device (20) is in fluid communication with the actuating stem;

- an intermediate position in which the dispensing device (20) is not in fluid communication with the actuating stem; the assembly also comprising a cover (60) configured to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop at least when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position.

2. Assembly according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the cover (60) is configured to limit the rocking of the dispensing device relative to the mounting hoop when the dispensing device is in the position of use.

3. Assembly according to either Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover (60) comprises at least one area (66; 67; 68) more or less in contact with the dispensing device when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position or in the position of use.

4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that the cover (60) comprises a top wall (61 ) extended, on its periphery, by a side wall

(62) which comprises at least one concave portion (64; 65) towards the outside of the cover which comes at least partly more or less into contact with the dispensing device when the dispensing device is in the intermediate position or in the position of use.

5. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the concave portion (64; 65) extends over a part of the height of the side wall (62), away from a bottom end (63) of the side wall.

6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (60) comprises two concave portions (64; 65), the two portions being located either side of the rocking axis of the dispensing device.

7. Assembly according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the transverse section of the cover is oblong in shape, the concave portion or portions (64; 65) being formed more or less in the middle of the long sides of the cover.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (60) is fixed removably to the mounting hoop (30).

9. Assembly according to Claim 8, characterized in that the bottom end (63) of the side wall (62) of the cover is fixed by clamping on the mounting hoop.

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) is configured to switch from the intermediate position to the position of use by a movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating stem.

1 1 . Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) comprises at least one tab (40) which cooperates with at least one shaft (36) so as to be able to pivot about the shaft and enable the dispensing device (20) to rock into the position of use.

12. Assembly according to Claim 1 1 , characterized in that the device comprises two tabs (40) which cooperate respectively with two shafts (36), the two tabs and the two shafts being respectively aligned on a line parallel to the rocking axis of the dispensing device.

13. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mounting hoop (30) comprises a mounting skirt (31 ) able to be snap-fitted onto the vessel.

14. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two vessels (10) each containing a product.

15. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) is arranged to separately channel the products to two dispensing orifices.

16. Assembly according to Claim 14, characterized in that the dispensing device (20) is arranged to enable the products to be mixed before the latter reach the dispensing orifice.

17. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel or vessels is/are pressurized.

18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing unit is a valve.

19. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vessel or vessels contain(s) a cosmetic product, in particular a hair colouring product.

20. Assembly according to any one of Claims 14 to 19, characterized in that one of the vessels contains a colouring product and the other vessel contains an oxidizing product.