Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith

Details Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith

2000-02-11

2001-10-16

Shaver, Kevin (Department: 3754)

Dispensing

With lock or fastening seal

For a fluid pressure discharge assistant

C222S182000, C222S402110

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302302

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a head for dispensing a product, for example a liquid product, in the form of a jet or spray, which selectively allows the dispensing of this product to be permitted or prevented. The invention also relates to a dispenser fitted with this dispensing head.
2. Discussion of the Background
In general, such a dispensing head comprises a band which is fixed to a reservoir containing the product that is to be dispensed, and is equipped with a push-button mounted to move inside the said band. Actuation of this push-button allows product to be dispensed, under the action of a propellent means, through an outlet orifice with which the push-button is provided. Conventionally, this push-button also comprises a connection means for placing the push-button in communication with the valve and controlling the opening of the valve, and for connecting the valve to the outlet orifice. The retaining band is intended to guide the push-button when it is actuated. Most usually, the connecting means consists of a peg that is integral with the push-button and capable of collaborating with a valve stem, when the valve has an emerging stem.
More specifically, the invention is aimed at a dispensing head which is protected against accidental loss of the push-button.
In general a means of protection, such as a cap is provided in order to prevent any accidental actuation of the push-button.
A dispenser of this kind can be used in various fields of application and can serve to dispense cosmetic products (hairspray, deodorant, hair mousse, body lotion, hair-removal mousse, liquid foundation, sun lotion) or dermopharmaceutical products (insect repellent, analgesic or anti-inflammatory), household products, paints, etc., and the products can be dispensed in the form of a liquid, gel, spray, mousse or foam.
A dispenser of this kind is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,730. This document describes a dispenser comprising a push-button equipped with a dispensing orifice and a fixing band, this dispenser being equipped with a system for selectively positioning the push-button with respect to the band in a first position in which the push-button can be activated or in a second position which prevents any axial movement of the push-button. The fact that the push-button can be inactivated makes it possible to dispense with the use of a preventive protective cap.
A system for selectively locking the push-button, similar to the one just mentioned, is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,351 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,778.
All the embodiments described in the three aforementioned documents have the drawback that the push-button is mounted from the upper side of the band, after the band has been positioned on the reservoir. As a result of this, the push-buttons of this quoted prior art do not have any means to prevent their accidental detachment from the reservoir associated with the dispenser. Thus, accidental loss of the push-button is not prevented.
What is more, each of the aforementioned dispensers comprises, on the part of the band that is accessible to the user, unattractive recesses designed to co-operate with a radial extension of the push-button, this too being unattractive. Because of this arrangement there is a risk that, when manipulating the push-button, that the user's fingers might become caught between the recessed part of the band and the extension of the push-button. This is as likely to occur when angularly manipulating the locking/actuating system as it is when axially actuating the valve.
Furthermore, the dispenser according to U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,778 requires the user to use both hands to position the push-button in the actuating position, this being a maneuver which is undesirable from an ergonomic viewpoint.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is, above all, to improve the ease with which the aforementioned dispensers can be assembled and to allow reliable and ergonomic operation of a dispensing head of this kind.
It is a first object of the invention to provide a dispensing head whose push-button cannot be removed and cannot therefore be lost.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispenser which can be marketed without the need to be fitted with a protective cap. This dispenser must, for example, exhibit no risk of accidental loss of the push-button and, above all, carry no risk of inadvertent triggering of the dispensing of product during transport. Specifically, in this case, it is possible to store and to transport such a dispenser without having to resort to special packaging intended to prevent inadvertent actuation of the push-button, something which is advantageous from the economic standpoint.
It is another object of the invention that the dispensing head is able to be preassembled so that it can be mounted on the valve with which the product reservoir is equipped in a single-stage assembly.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing head which can be positioned selectively in an actuating position which allows product to be dispensed, or in a locked position preventing any actuation of the dispensing valve.
It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing head comprising positioning means for selectively positioning the push-button in the actuating position or in the locked position, and which positioning means can be actuated with just one hand, particularly the hand in which the dispenser is being held.
Yet another object of the invention consists in supplying a dispensing head capable of operating either with a valve that has to be depressed or with a valve that has to be tilted sideways.
It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing head which allows the push-button to be actuated over a broad actuating area.
Another object of the invention consists in providing a dispensing head which allows the dispensing orifice to be hidden so as to have a way of showing the user whether the push-button is in the actuating position or in the locked position. Furthermore, by hiding the dispensing orifice the risk of the orifice becoming blocked between two periods of use is reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a head for dispensing a product, for example a liquid product, comprising:
a band, having an open end fixed to a reservoir which contains the said product and is equipped with a dispensing valve,
a push-button in communication with the said valve and intended to control the opening of the said valve, the said push-button comprising an actuating surface and a dispensing orifice and,
means for positioning the push-button with respect to the band, these positioning means being capable of selectively positioning the push-button in an actuating position which allows product to be dispensed, or in a locked position to prevent the valve from being actuated.
A first example of the invention comprises such a head characterized in that the push-button and the band are configured in such a way that the push-button can be mounted and removed only through the said open end of the band. Advantageously, the band is mounted non-removably on the product reservoir.
The band and the push-button are separate components. However, it is possible for them to be joined together prior to assembly, for example by bridges of material that can be broken at the time of mounting on the said reservoir.
The fact that the push-button is fitted via the open end of the band makes it possible to dispense with the use of a protective cap. This is because a protective cap is generally supplied with this kind of device in order, for example, to prevent the push-button from accidentally detaching, particularly during transport, and thereafter being lost. It also serves to prevent inadvertent triggering of the dispensing valve. Thus, by virtue of the possibility of being able to lock the push-button axially, it is therefore no longer necessary to use such a protective cap with a view to preventing accidental actuation of the dispenser, for e

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lockable dispensing head and dispenser equipped therewith will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2555026