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(11) | EP 3 766 801 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | DISPENSING DEVICE |
| (57) A dispensing device (10), comprising a container (11) housing a fluid to be dispensed
under pressure, the container comprising a dispensing valve (12) featuring a hollow
stem (13) through which the fluid is dispensed, the container (11) being coupled with
a dispensing cap (1), the dispensing cap comprising a base element (3) which is rotatably
connected to a movable element (4), the movable element (4) being hinged to a push-button
(2) having a dispensing channel, the dispensing channel having a first end (2A) fitted
onto the stem and a second end (2B) comprising a dispensing nozzle (6), there being,
between the base element (3) and the movable element (4), at least a first abutment
(40, 40A) and a second abutment (41, 41A) envisaged to limit the rotation of the movable
element (4), with respect to the base element (3), to between at least one closing
position - in which the push-button (2) comes into contact with a stop (30) which
prevents the travel thereof - and a dispensing position - in which the push-button
(2) is free to travel - the dispensing cap (1) featuring a first inclined surface
(50) produced in a visible fashion on the outer surface of the movable element (4),
the first inclined surface (50) coming into contact - when in a closed position at
least - with a second inclined surface (51) produced in a visible fashion on the base
element (3), so as to prevent the movable element (4) and the base element (3) moving
any closer together, even in the event of axial loads applied, either directly or
indirectly, to the movable element (4).
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Dispensing devices with a dispensing cap are commonly known. The dispenser cap has a movable portion that can be rotated so as to be positioned in a dispensing configuration or in a closed configuration, in which dispensing is prevented.
[0004] Since the caps must be extremely inexpensive and are usually produced in small runs by injection-moulding a plastic material, it is difficult to create kinematic mechanisms to implement this handling which are sufficiently stable and resistant to use and also to possible knocks which the dispenser can suffer, especially when in the closed position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing device which is improved compared with the prior art.
[0006] A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing device which features at least a more stable and reliable closed position than that offered by commonly known dispensing devices.
[0007] Advantageously, the dispensing device according to the invention offers a high resistance to an axial load that may be exerted on the device; this is very useful during stacking and transportation of the device once full of a product to be dispensed.
[0008] This and other objects are achieved by means of a dispensing device according to the technical teachings of the claims appended hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the device, illustrated - by way of a non-limiting example - in the drawings annexed hereto, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing cap for the device according to the present invention, when in the closed position;
Figure 2 shows the dispensing cap in Figure 1 from a different angle;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing cap in Figure 1 in the dispensing position;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the cap in Figure 3 from a different angle;
Figure 5 is a rear view of the cap in the closed position;
Figure 6 is a rear view of the cap in the dispensing position;
Figure 7 is a simplified cross-section of the cap in the closed position;
Figure 8 is a simplified cross-section of the cap in the dispensing position;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a base element of the dispenser;
Figure 10 is a plan view of the base element in Figure 9; and
Figure 11 is a bottom-up perspective view of a movable element of the dispensing cap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] With reference to the figures stated, reference number 10 is used to denote, as a whole, a dispensing device.
[0011] With reference to Figure 7, it should be noted that the dispensing device 10 comprises a container 11 which houses a fluid (or substance) under pressure to be dispensed; the container is coupled with a dispensing valve 12 endowed with a hollow stem 13 through which the fluid is dispensed.
[0012] The container 11 is, in practice, an aerosol can which contains a pressurised gas therewithin that expels a fluid to be dispensed through the hollow stem 13.
[0013] The dispensing valve 12 may be conventionally fastened to a valve cup 15, which seals the said container. This may include a suction tube immersed in the fluid to be dispensed; a pressurised gas can be envisaged in the container, above the fluid, which - upon valve opening - pushes the fluid to be dispensed along the suction tube to the hollow stem.
[0014] Obviously, the fluid to be dispensed may also be contained within a deformable bag located inside the container. In this case, the pressurising gas and the fluid to be dispensed are not in contact since the bag (which is appropriately fastened in a sealed manner to the valve) isolates the fluid to be dispensed from the gas.
[0015] The container 11 is associated with a dispensing cap 1 (for example snap-fitted to the valve cup 15, or snap-fitted directly onto the container, for example with a rim machined onto the shoulder of the container).
[0016] The dispensing cap comprises a base element 3 (Figure 9) which is rotatably connected to a movable element 4 (Figure 11) .
[0017] The movable element 4 is hinged (at 90) to a push-button 2 which features a dispensing channel endowed with a first end 2A, fitted on the stem, and a second end 2B, which comprises a dispensing nozzle 6.
[0018] Advantageously, the movable element 4 and the button are formed as a single piece, for example by injection moulding a plastic material.
[0019] The hinge 90 can be produced by lightening the plastic connecting the push-button with the remainder of the movable element.
[0020] The base element 3 may also be formed as a single piece, again by moulding a plastic material.
[0023] The dispensing nozzle 6 may be produced by moulding it into the push-button or there may be a pad 101 featured which forms an aerosol.
[0024] At least a first abutment 40 and a second abutment 41 are envisaged between the base element 3 and the movable element 4 and are designed to limit rotation of the movable element 4 with respect to the base element 3 to between at least one closed position, in which the push-button 2 comes into contact with a stop 30 which prevents it travelling, and a dispensing position in which the push-button 2 is free to travel.
[0025] In the example described, the abutments 40, 41 cooperate with a flap 31, which protrudes from the push-button 2 towards the base element 3, in order to limit the rotary motion of the movable element 4 with respect to the base element 3.
[0026] In the dispensing position, and therefore when the flap 31 is in contact with the first abutment 40, the flap 31 can penetrate a cavity 35 (or a section which is simply lower than the surface of the stop 30) which allows the lowering of the push-button 2; in the closed position, meanwhile, a base 310 of the flap comes into contact with a stop surface 30 which prevents the push-button travelling at all.
[0027] In Figure 9, it can be seen that the stop 30 has a considerably significant 'angular' extension. There is essentially only one dispensing position and that is the position reached when the movable element 4 and the base element 3 are mutually positioned so that the flap 31 is aligned with the cavity 35.
[0028] There are, however, several intermediate closing positions possible (in which push-button travel is prevented) consisting of each angular position of the flap 31 (and therefore of the movable element 4 with respect to the base element 3) between the first abutment 40 and the second abutment 41 (except when the flap 31 is in - or very close to - the cavity 35).
[0029] In the closed position (where the flap 31 is essentially resting on the second abutment 41), it can be seen that the stop 30 has an extended surface 30A, which provides better support (in a resting position) for the base 310 of the flap.
[0030] In Figure 9 it can also be seen that the abutments 40 and 41 can comprise shoulder surfaces (which are essentially vertical) to limit the motion of the flap 31 (and therefore of the movable element) during normal use.
[0031] Therefore, during normal use, the motion of the movable element 4 is such that the flap 31 is always positioned in the section between the first abutment 40 and the second abutment 41.
[0032] As can be seen, in particular in Figure 10, the angle β formed between the first abutment 40 and the second abutment 41 can be approximately 45°.
[0033] Looking back at Figures 5 and 6, it should be noted that the dispensing cap comprises a first inclined surface 50 produced in a visible fashion on the external surface of the movable element 4 which comes into contact, when in a closed position at least, with a second inclined surface 51 produced in a visible fashion on the base element 3, so as to guarantee high resistance to axial loads, which is advantageously useful during stacking and transportation of the finished product.
[0034] The first 50 and the second inclined surface 51 are spaced apart at least when the movable element 4 is in the dispensing position.
[0035] Advantageously, the first inclined surface 50 extends around almost the entire external perimeter of the movable element 4. A first shoulder 55 is then envisaged, which connects the ends of the first inclined surface 50.
[0036] The second inclined surface 51 preferably corresponds with the first inclined surface 50, and is produced on the base element 3.
[0037] The second inclined surface 51 also extends around almost the entire external perimeter of the movable element 4. A second shoulder 56 is then envisaged, which connects the ends of the second inclined surface 51.
[0038] Advantageously the first inclined surface 50 and the second inclined surface 51 are helical or screw-shaped; the helix (or screw) may have a pitch ranging from 2 to 20 mm (preferably 6 mm).
[0039] The first 50 and second inclined surface 51 may have, in a lateral view (fig. 5), an inclination angle α with a plane perpendicular to the axis A of the dispensing button, which may be between 2° and 20°, advantageously 5°.
[0040] The first and second surfaces may have a constant inclination angle α, which may be between 2° and 20°, advantageously 5°.
[0041] The second shoulder 56 may be close to or in contact with the first shoulder 55 at least when the dispensing cap 1 is in the said dispensing position.
[0042] In the closed position, which corresponds to the position in which the flap 31 is essentially in contact with the second abutment 41, the first inclined surface 50 and the second inclined surface 51 are in contact so that no further rotary motion is possible beyond the end closed position.
[0043] In practice, the first and second inclined surfaces are screwed onto each other. Consequently, in the closed position, there is a sound support between the first inclined surface 50 and the second inclined surface 51.
[0044] The contact between the two inclined surfaces 50, 51, (in the closed position) allows the movable element 4 to withstand very high axial loads, including accidental loads, whether direct or indirect.
[0045] This is particularly useful when transporting the dispensing device in the final configuration thereof, or when the container 11 is filled with the fluid to be dispensed, and therefore the dispensing device 1 is particularly heavy.
[0046] Even in the event that axial force as applied accidentally to the movable element 4 (for example due to other dispensing devices placed on top of it, or in the presence of blows impacting directly or indirectly on the movable element 4), the mutual support provided by the inclined surfaces 50, 51 transfers the accidental force almost entirely to the base element 3, thereby maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the dispensing cap.
[0047] In order to achieve better limitation of the angular movement between the movable element 4 and the base element 3, a further flap 31A (or rib) may be envisaged, on one thereof, which cooperates with a further first abutment 40A and second abutment 41A envisaged on the other (exactly as shown in Figures 9 and 11).
[0048] In the figures, the further flap 31A or rib is envisaged on the movable element, while the additional abutments are envisaged on the base element, however an inverted configuration is possible.
[0049] Advantageously, the angle β' envisaged between the further first abutment 40A and further second abutment 41A will be equal to the angle β formed between the first abutment 40 and the second abutment 41.
[0050] Obviously, when the closed position is reached, i.e. when the first inclined surface 50 and the second inclined surface 51 are in contact, the further flap 31A will be essentially in contact with the further second abutment 41A. In the dispensing position, however, the further first abutment 40A will come into contact with the further flap 31A.
[0051] In the example described, the movable element 4 comprises a flat cylindrical surface 79 engaged with a groove 71 formed in the base element 3; the support surface 74 is produced on the bottom of the groove 71.
[0052] The cylindrical flat surface 79 of the movable element 4 may be indented with respect to the first inclined surface 50. And therefore the first inclined surface 50 protrudes from the flat cylindrical surface.
[0053] The second inclined surface 51, meanwhile, defines almost the entire free edge of the base element 3. Together with the second shoulder 56, the second inclined surface 51 fully defines the free edge of the base element 3.
[0054] A mirrored configuration is obviously also possible, in which the free edge of the movable element is defined by the first inclined surface 50 (and by the first shoulder 55), while the base element envisages the flat cylindrical surface from which the second inclined surface protrudes, and the groove is envisaged in the movable element.
[0055] Returning to the description of Figure 10, it can be seen that the support surface 74 may be discontinuous and preferably comprises at least three brackets 74A, 74B, 74C which are angularly offset.
[0056] As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, the brackets 74A, B, C can support a wall 65 which defines the groove 71.
[0057] The first abutment 40 and the second abutment 41 can be produced on this very wall 65, which can be substantially annular (while on the plan view it is circular).
[0058] The further first abutment 40A and the further second abutment 41A can also be produced on the wall 65.
[0059] The wall 65 can also comprise at least one tooth 60 (or protrusion) which cooperates by means of an undercut with a protruding edge 61 of the movable element 4 for the mutual snap-fit coupling of the movable element 4 and the base element 3.
[0061] In this way, decoupling of the movable element and the base element is prevented (during normal use and during handling).
[0062] To signal to a user that the dispensing position and/or the closed position has been reached, the movable element 4 may comprise a flexible flap 70 which cooperates with at least a first pillar 72 and a second pillar 73 in correspondence with the closed/open position.
[0063] This produces a click sound when the aforesaid positions are reached, which indicates to a user that the desired configuration has been reached.
1. Dispensing device (10), comprising a container (11) housing a fluid to be dispensed
under pressure, the container comprising a dispensing valve (12) provided with a hollow
stem (13) through which the fluid is dispensed, the container (11) being associated
with a dispensing cap (1), the dispensing cap comprising a base element (3) rotatably
connected to a movable element (4), the movable element (4) being hinged to a push-button
(2) having a dispensing channel, the dispensing channel having a first end (2A) fitted
on the stem and a second end (2B) comprising a dispensing nozzle (6), between the
base element (3) and the movable element (4) at least one first (40, 40A) and a second
abutment (41, 41A) being provided for limiting the rotation of the movable element
(4) with respect to the base element (3), between at least one closing position in
which the push-button (2) contacts a stop (30) which prevents its stroke, and a dispensing
position in which the button (2) is free in its stroke, the dispensing cap (1) providing
a first inclined surface (50) formed on the outer surface of the movable element (4)
and visible, the first inclined surface (50) at least in a closed position, being
in contact with a second inclined surface (51) formed on the base element (3) and
visible, so as to prevent a further approach of the movable element (4) to the base
element (3) also in the presence of an axial load that loads directly or indirectly
on the movable element (4), the first (50) and the second inclined surface (51) being
spaced apart at least when the movable element (4) is in the dispensing position.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first inclined surface (50) extends for most
of the outer perimeter of the movable element (4) and a first shoulder (55) joins
the ends of the first inclined surface (50), and/or in which the second inclined surface
(51) extends for most of the outer perimeter of the base element (3) and a second
shoulder (56) joins the ends of the second inclined surface (51) and/or in which the
second inclined surface (51) corresponds to the first inclined surface (50) and/or
in which the second shoulder (56) is close to or in contact with the first shoulder
(55) at least when the dispensing cap (1) is in said dispensing position.
3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first (50) and/or the second inclined surface
(51) have a helical configuration, preferably with a pitch of between 2mm and 20mm,
most preferably 6mm.
4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first (50) and/or the second inclined surface
(51), have an inclination (α) with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis (A)
of the dispensing button comprised between 2° and 20°, preferably of 5° deg.
5. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least a free edge of the base element (3)
or of the movable element (4) is at least partially defined by said inclined surface
(50, 51).
6. Device according to claim 1, wherein a flat support surface (74) is provided between
the movable element (4) and the base element (3), and/or in which the movable element
(4) comprises a cylindrical surface (79) engaged in a groove (71) formed in the base
element (3), said supporting surface (74) being made on a bottom of the groove (71),
and/or in which said surface support (74) is discontinuous and/or it preferably comprises
at least three angularly offset brackets (74A, 74B, 74C).
7. Device according to claim 3, wherein at least one wall (65) which defines said groove
(71) comprises at least one tooth (60) which cooperates with a protruding edge (61)
of the movable element (4) for reciprocal undercut coupling between the movable element
(4) and the base element (3).
8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the first (40) and the second abutment (41) cooperate
with a flap (31) which protrudes from the button (2) towards the base element (3)
respectively in said dispensing position and in said closed position and/or in which,
in said dispensing position, the fin (31) penetrates into a cavity (35) which allows
the push-button (2) stroke, and in said closing position a base (310) of the flap(31)
rests against a stop surface (30).
9. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least a first (40A) and a second further abutment
(41A) are provided between the base element (3) and the movable element (4) to limit
the angular rotation between the base element and the movable element between said
dispensing position and said closing position.
10. Device according to claim 1, wherein a flexible fin (70) is provided between the base
element (3) and the movable element (4) which cooperates with at least one first (72)
and a second pillar (73) in proximity of said closing or opening position, to generate
a click noise which indicates to a user the reach of the desired position.