Dispensing – With discharge assistant – Fluid pressure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-07
2002-08-27
Derakshani, Philippe (Department: 3754)
Dispensing
With discharge assistant
Fluid pressure
C222S288000, C222S321600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06439440
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a dispensing head for dispensing a product such as a cosmetic product. For example, the dispensing head could be used for dispensing product from a receptacle containing the product in a pressurized state. Such a product may be in the form of a liquid or a foam, or have a more viscous consistency, such as in the form of a cream or a gel. The product could be chosen from a care product, a make-up product, body-hygiene product, a hair-care product, and a sun-screen product.
The dispensing head could be part of a device including a valve, and the product may be pressurized by, for example, a liquefied or non-liquefied propellant gas. The gas may be packaged directly in contact with the product or separately via a piston or a pouch with flexible walls.
French Patent Application 2,635,085 describes a distributor for dispensing a liquid by a pumping action. A cap is positioned over a dispensing nozzle of the distributor between uses. The problems posed by the configuration shown in French Patent Application 2,635,085 are many. For example, unexpected actuation of the valve on the receptacle is likely to occur when the cap is mounted on the device, particularly if the valve has a short actuation stroke.
Moreover, when the cap is fully mounted on the device the dispensing orifice of the dispensing nozzle is not closed off in a leak-tight manner. Therefore, the dispensing orifice and the channel leading to the dispensing orifice tend to be subject to fouling, particularly when a product with a strong tendency to clog when drying is contained in the receptacle. Such fouling of the dispensing orifice and channel may render the device unusable, particularly after a long period of non-use. Furthermore, the residual product in the channel and in the vicinity of the orifice is prone to degradation due at least partially to oxidation, and is prone to be unattractive in appearance.
If the cap is modified so that the dispensing orifice is closed off in a leak-tight manner by the cap when the cap is in the mounted position, other problems result. In particular, with such a modification, the risk of unexpected actuation of the valve increases when mounting the cap on the device.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,767,888 describes a device in which a cap is screwed onto a tilt stem valve. Such a design suffers from several drawbacks. The first drawback is that there is no coupling to prevent rotation between the tilt stem valve and the collar. Therefore, the cap might not be screwed on sufficiently. Moreover, even if the cap is screwed on sufficiently, it is possible that the tilt stem valve will rotate with the cap during the unscrewing movement, thereby making it impossible to remove the tilt stem valve. The drawbacks are greater when, after use, a product residue is able to flow along the tilt stem valve and soil the thread of the cap, thereby possibly causing adhesion to the thread of the cap. The risk of soiling of the thread is increased because the tilt stem valve is relatively short and cylindrical and because the thread is located on a portion of the tilt stem valve which has a cross-section similar to the cross-section of the rest of the tilt stem valve.
A need exists for a device for dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic product, that may remedy at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks.
In particular, a need exists for a device with a low risk of unexpected actuation of the dispensing element.
Further, it may be desirable to provide a device with reduced risks of clogging and fouling of the dispensing orifice and/or of the channel leading to the dispensing orifice.
It may also be desirable to produce a device wherein the protective cap may be screwed onto and unscrewed from the dispensing nozzle in a simple and satisfactory manner, and wherein there is a minimal risk of soiling the thread of the nozzle.
A need further exists to supply a device which may be manufactured and assembled economically and which is simple to use.
It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without satisfying one or more of the needs described above and/or without performing one of more of the objects and/or advantages described above.
As embodied and broadly described herein, one aspect of the invention includes a dispensing head for dispensing a product from a receptacle associated with an actuatable dispensing element. The dispensing head comprises a mounting element configured to be fixed to the receptacle, and at least one dispensing orifice. The dispensing head may further comprise a dispensing nozzle forming a channel configured to pass product to the at least one dispensing orifice. The nozzle may be configured to be rotatably fixed relative to the mounting element and may also be configured to be displaced so as to cause actuation of the dispensing element. The dispensing head may also comprise a cap configured to be screwed onto the dispensing nozzle. The cap may be configured to prevent the actuation of the dispensing element when the cap is in a screwed-on position on the dispensing nozzle.
Another aspect of the invention includes a dispensing device comprising a receptacle, a product contained in the receptacle, an actuatable dispensing element associated with the receptacle, and a dispensing head.
With at least one optional embodiment of the present invention, by way of example only, the risk of unexpected actuation of the dispensing element may be minimized because the cap is screwed directly onto the nozzle, creating no force that would cause unexpected actuation. Instead of generating force on the valve, the screwing of the cap onto the dispensing nozzle may tend to draw the dispensing nozzle away from the valve. Moreover, in the storage position where the cap is screwed onto the nozzle, the risk of unexpected actuation may further be minimized by an edge of cap configured to be substantially in contact with at least one portion of a collar of the mounting element. Such a configuration may make it possible to produce a dispensing head whose appearance is similar to dispensing heads used for receptacles having a tube form. This arrangement could be used for marketing a product such as a care cream or gel, which is traditionally packaged in a tube.
Optionally, when the dispensing nozzle is rotatably fixed relative to the mounting element, the cap may be screwed tightly onto the dispensing nozzle. This could create an effective seal upon closure of the cap and minimize the risk of unexpected actuation of the dispensing element when the device is in the storage position. Upon opening, the nozzle may be fixed in rotation relative to the cap, which might be removed easily irrespective of the extent of screwing-on.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the dispensing nozzle may further comprise threading configured to interact with a corresponding threading on the cap. In yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the threading of the dispensing nozzle is positioned on a portion of the nozzle having a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the free end of the nozzle where the dispensing orifice is located. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion of the nozzle could be separated from the free end of the nozzle by at least a portion of the nozzle with a cross-section which increases progressively in the direction of the threaded portion. Alternatively (or additionally), the threaded portion of the nozzle may be separated from the free end of the nozzle by one or more shoulders or other portions with a cross-section which increases progressively. The shoulders or other portions with a cross-section which increases progressively could function to delay or prevent the product from reaching the threading. Moreover, such an arrangement could simplify the design of the cap, by allowing the arrangement of the threading of the cap on the inner surface of its outer lateral wall, without having an intermediate inner wall, for example.
In an exemplary embodiment, the dispensing nozzle may be made from a piece distinct from a collar of the m
Bui Thach H
Derakshani Philippe
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
L'Oreal
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