Dispensing and application head for a fluid product

Abstract

A dispenser and applicator head (T) for associating with a dispenser unit (P), such as a pump, and defining a longitudinal axis X, and a front face (f1) and a rear face (f2) on either side of the longitudinal axis X, the dispenser and applicator head (T) comprising a dispenser member (1) and an applicator pad (4), the dispenser member (1) defining a feed path (C) for connecting the dispenser unit (2) to a dispenser orifice (O), the applicator pad (4) being mounted on the fluid dispenser member (1), adjacent to the dispenser orifice (O); the dispenser and applicator head being characterized in that the dispenser orifice (O) is arranged axially on the longitudinal axis X, above the applicator pad (4) that extends mainly over the front face (f1).

Claims

1. A dispenser and applicator head (T) for associating with a dispenser unit (P), the dispenser and applicator head (T) defining a longitudinal axis X, and a front face (f1) and a rear face (f2) on either side of the longitudinal axis X, the dispenser and applicator head (T) comprising a fluid dispenser member (1) and an applicator pad (4), the fluid dispenser member (1) defining a fluid feed path (C) for connecting the dispenser unit (P) to a dispenser orifice (O) from which the fluid leaves the dispenser member (1), the applicator pad (4) being mounted on the fluid dispenser member (1), adjacent to the dispenser orifice (O), the dispenser orifice (O) being arranged axially above the applicator pad (4) that extends mainly over the front face (f1); wherein the fluid dispenser member (1) comprises a connector base (2) and a mounting collar (3) that co-operate with each other to define the fluid feed path (C), the applicator pad (4) being mounted on the mounting collar (3).

2. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser orifice (O) opens out into a top flat (33) that forms the top end of the dispenser member (1), the applicator pad (4) forming an applicator surface (41) that meets the top flat (33) without discontinuity.

3. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 2, wherein the applicator surface (41) is curved, such that the top flat (33) and the applicator surface (41) present different orientations.

4. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 2, wherein the top flat (33) slopes towards the front face (f1).

5. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 4, wherein the top flat (33) defines a bottom edge (33i), and the applicator surface (41) defines a top edge (4s) that comes into contact with the bottom edge (33i), surrounding the dispenser orifice (O) in part.

6. The dispenser and applicator head according to claim 2, wherein the dispenser orifice (O) opens axially into the top flat.

7. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 1, wherein the fluid feed path (C) comprises a bottom axial section (C1) that is defined entirely by the connector base (2), and a top section (C3) that is defined by both the connector base (2) and the mounting collar (3), the top section (C3) being offset axially relative to the bottom axial section (C1), such that the dispenser orifice (O) is situated off the longitudinal axis X, the fluid feed path (C) also comprising an interconnection section (C2) that is defined by both the connector base (2) and the mounting collar (3), and that connects the bottom axial section (C1) to the top section (C3).

8. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 7, wherein the connector base (2) includes a notched chimney (24) that is engaged axially, in leaktight manner, in a cannula (35) that is formed by the mounting collar (3), the cannula (35) forming the dispenser orifice (O) at its top end.

9. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 7, wherein the mounting collar (3) includes an axial mounting housing (36), and the applicator pad (4) includes a mounting stud (42) that is engaged axially in the axial mounting housing (36), the axial mounting housing (36) advantageously including a housing wall (37), and the applicator pad (4) advantageously includes a skirt (43) that surrounds the housing wall (37).

10. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 7, wherein the mounting collar (3) includes an outer peripheral wall (31) that forms a shaped edge (30) that extends from the rear face (f2) to the front face (f1), the applicator pad (4) defining side edges (4l) and a bottom edge (4i) that meet the shaped edge (30) substantially without discontinuity, the applicator surface (41) projecting outwards relative to the shaped edge (30) so as to form a convex curve, at least along the longitudinal axis X.

11. A dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 7, wherein the applicator pad (4) is made out of polyurethane foam or out of elastomer with a surface treatment of the flocking type.

12. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid dispenser unit (P) and a dispenser and applicator head (T) according to claim 1 wherein the dispenser unit (P) comprises a laterally-actuated pump that is provided with a stationary axial outlet (P2) on which the connector base (2) is mounted, and with a lateral pusher (P1) that is situated on the same side as the rear face (f2) of the dispenser and applicator head (T).

13. The dispenser and applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser unit is a pump.

14. The dispenser and applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser orifice is axially offset relative to the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis being a center axis of the dispenser.

Description

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a fluid dispenser incorporating a dispenser and applicator head of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a view on a much larger scale showing a detail A of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a vertical section view through the FIG. 2 dispenser and applicator head;

(5) FIG. 4 is a much larger-scale perspective view of the dispenser and applicator head of the invention associated with a dispenser unit that includes a lateral pusher;

(6) FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the dispenser and applicator head of the invention in a first orientation; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a view similar to the FIG. 5 view, in a second orientation.

(8) The dispenser and applicator head of the present invention is referenced T in the figures. It has a two functions, namely dispensing fluid on a selected target surface, and spreading or smoothing the deposited fluid so that it covers a large area of the target surface in a thin layer.

(9) With reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that the dispenser and applicator head T is associated with a dispenser unit P that may be a pump, for example. The dispenser unit P includes a pusher P1 that is arranged laterally in this embodiment. The dispenser unit P is mounted on a reservoir R containing fluid to be dispensed. In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the dispenser unit P is situated between the reservoir R and the dispenser and applicator head T. The reservoir R, the pump P, and the head T together constitute a fluid dispenser that, in this embodiment, presents a configuration that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X. The axis X passes through the reservoir R, the pump P, and the head T. It should be observed that the head T is not circularly symmetrical, but, on the contrary, presents two opposite faces, namely a rear face f2 and a front face f1, that present different configurations. The head also defines two side faces Fl that are identical. It should be observed that the lateral pusher P1 of the dispenser unit P is situated on the same side as the rear face f2 of the head T. The front face f1 is mainly occupied by an applicator pad 4, by means of which the dispensed fluid may be spread or smoothed on the target surface. A user may take hold of the dispenser, holding it between the thumb and the middle finger, with the index finger arranged on the lateral pusher P1 so as to be able to actuate it. Such handling corresponds exactly to handling a pen, which users are used to doing very accurately. Thus, the dispenser with the head T of the invention may be used as accurately as a pen. Sloping a pen relative to a writing surface is completely natural, and the user slopes the dispenser in the same way so as to bring the pad 4 into contact with the target surface. With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that, at its top end, the head T includes a dispenser orifice O that opens out substantially axially. The dispenser orifice O is arranged in the proximity of the rear face f2, while tilting a little towards the front face f1. Thus, the user knows exactly where to find the dispenser orifice O and can orientate the dispenser substantially perpendicularly to the target surface so as to deposit the fluid. Then, the user slopes the dispenser a little relative to the target surface so as to bring the applicator pad 4 into contact with the fluid deposited on the target surface. This ergonomic movement results from the dispenser orifice O being arranged axially above the applicator pad 4, as can be seen clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4.

(10) In greater detail, the dispenser and applicator head T of the present invention includes a fluid dispenser member 1 that is associated with the applicator pad 4. The dispenser member 1 forms the dispenser orifice O that is situated at the free top end of the head T, just above the applicator pad 4 that has a visible portion that forms an applicator surface 41 with which the fluid deposited via the dispenser orifice O is spread or smoothed on the target surface (skin). In FIG. 3 in particular, it should be observed that the dispenser orifice O opens out axially along a dispensing axis Y that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X, but in offset manner. Specifically, it can be seen that the longitudinal axis X passes through the pad 4, and the dispenser orifice O is offset or off-center relative to the axis X.

(11) In theory, the fluid dispenser member 1 could be made in the form of a single piece. However, for ease of molding, it is preferable to make the fluid dispenser member 1 out of two distinct parts, namely a connector base 2 and a mounting collar 3. The two parts are shown in FIG. 3, but also in FIGS. 5 and 6. They are fitted together, advantageously in axial manner along the longitudinal axis X, so as to form between them a fluid feed path C for feeding the fluid from the axial outlet P2 of the dispenser unit P to the dispenser orifice O. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the feed path C is not rectilinear but, on the contrary, it is sinuous, since it presents a bottom axial section C1 that extends along the longitudinal axis X and a top section C3 that extends along the dispensing axis Y that, as mentioned above, is offset relative to the axis X. In order to connect the bottom axial section C1 to the top section C3, an interconnection section C2 is provided that makes it possible to achieve the offset or step between the bottom section C1 and the top section C3. The bottom axial section C1 directly receives the fluid delivered by the dispenser unit P. Then, the fluid passes through the interconnection section C2 so as to pass through the top section C3 having a free top end that defines the dispenser orifice O. The feed path C thus forms a deviation, like a conventional chimney liner.

(12) The connector base 2 includes a connector anchor 21 that is engaged in stationary manner, e.g. by snap-fastening, in the axial outlet P2 of the dispenser unit P, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The bottom axial section C1 of the feed path C passes through the connector anchor 21. In FIG. 6, it should also be observed that the connector anchor 21 includes an axial groove 22, that is an indexer groove for indexing angular position, so as to be able to position the connector part angularly in the axial outlet P2 of the dispenser unit with the correct orientation, so that the rear face f2 of the head T is on the same side as the lateral pusher P1 of the dispenser unit P. Above the connector anchor 21, the connector base 2 defines a fastener collar 23 for fastening the mounting collar 3, as described below. An axial extension also passes through the fastener collar 23, which axial extension co-operates with the mounting collar 3 to form the interconnection section C2. The connector base 2 also forms a notched axial chimney 24 that extends axially in offset manner relative to the axis of symmetry of the connector anchor 21. This can be seen in FIG. 3, and in FIGS. 5 and 6. The notch of the chimney 24 extends into the fastener collar 23, so as to be able to communicate with the extension of the bottom axial section C1, which extension subsequently forms the interconnection section C2 together with the mounting collar 3.

(13) The mounting collar 3 includes an outer peripheral wall 31 of shape that is generally cylindrical or slightly frustoconical. At its bottom edge, the outer peripheral wall 31 forms a fastener section 32 for coming into engagement with the fastener collar 23 of the connector base 2. At its top end, the outer peripheral wall 31 is provided with a top flat 33 into which the dispenser orifice O opens out. The top flat 33 forms the top end of the dispenser and applicator head T, in the shape of a kind of tip that is offset axially relative to the longitudinal axis X. The top flat 33 could be completely horizontal, i.e. perpendicular to the axis Y, but it is preferable to make the top flat 33 sloping a little towards the front face f1. Thus, it can be said that the rear face f2 is constituted only by the rectilinear portion of the outer peripheral wall 31 that is axially the highest up.

(14) The outer peripheral wall 31 also defines a shaped edge 30 that extends from the top flat 33 into the proximity of the fastener section 32, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. It can even be said that the top end of the shaped edge 30 is formed by the bottom edge 33i of the top flat 33, as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. As described below, the applicator pad 4 is mounted on the mounting collar 3 so as to complete the outer peripheral wall 31 at the shaped edge 30.

(15) The mounting collar 3 also forms an axial flange 34c that is engaged inside the fastener collar 23 at the axial extension of the bottom axial section C1 so as to form the interconnection section C2. The mounting collar 3 also includes a cannula wall 35c that is connected to the outer peripheral wall 31 so as to form a cannula 35 in which the notched chimney 24 of the connector endpiece 2 is engaged, thereby forming between them the top section C3 of the feed path C. At its bottom end, the cannula 35 is connected to the interconnection section C2, so that communication is established between the interconnection section C2 and the top section C3. In FIG. 3, it should be observed that the cannula 35 extends along the axis Y that is offset relative to the longitudinal axis X.

(16) The mounting collar 3 also includes a housing wall 37 that backs onto the cannula wall 35c, so as to define between them an axial mounting housing 36 that is open axially upwards.

(17) The mounting collar C includes a radial plate 34 below which the fastener section 32 extends. The axial flange 34c also extends below the radial plate 34. In contrast, the cannula wall 35c backed onto the peripheral wall 31, and the housing wall 37 backed onto the cannula wall 35c, extend upwards from the radial plate 34. The cannula 35 passes through the radial plate 34 so as to establish communication with the axial flange 34c.

(18) The applicator pad 4 initially defines an applicator surface 41, as mentioned above. The applicator surface 41 comprises a bottom edge 4i, a top edge 4s, and two symmetrical side edges 4l. The bottom edge 4i and the side edges 4l meet without discontinuity the shaped edge 30 of the peripheral outer wall 31, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The top edge 4s is also meets without discontinuity the bottom edge 33i of the top flat 33 into which the dispenser orifice O opens out. In FIG. 4, it should even be observed that the bottom edge 33i is convex, and the top edge 4s is concave, so that the applicator surface 41 surrounds the dispenser orifice O in part. It should also be observed that that applicator surface 41 presents a curved shape, whether this be in the axial direction or in the radial direction. It should even be observed that the applicator surface 41 runs on, in gentle and harmonious manner, from the opening formed by the shaped edge 30 of the peripheral outer wall 31. The applicator pad 4 could even merge into the peripheral outer wall 31, in so far as it is made of a material that presents an attractive appearance that is comparable or identical to the material of the mounting collar 3. The desired aim is that the contact between the edges of the applicator surface 41 and of the shaped edge 30 are as intimate, gentle, and continuous as possible. By way of example, it is possible to make the mounting collar 3 out of polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP)), with decoration of the metal or tinted type in its bulk or lacquering, and also to make the applicator pad 4 out of polyurethane foam or out of elastomer with a surface treatment of the flocking type.

(19) In the figures, it should be observed that the top flat 33, into which the dispenser orifice O opens out, presents an orientation that is generally or substantially axial, while the applicator surface 41 presents an orientation that diverges more and more away from the axis X on going towards the bottom edge 4i. It can even be said that the orientation at the top edge 4s is generally axial, while the orientation at the bottom edge 4i is generally perpendicular to the axis X. The fluid is thus dispensed with the dispenser and applicator head T being oriented substantially perpendicularly or orthogonally to the target surface, while the fluid is applied or smoothed with the dispenser and applicator head T sloping relative to the target surface. Changing the orientation of the head T is easy for the user, merely by adjusting the wrist. It should also be observed that the dispenser orifice O is situated at the tip of the head T, in the direct proximity of the rear face f2, in alignment with which is situated the lateral pusher P1 that receives the index finger of the user's hand. Thus, it can be said that the dispenser orifice O is situated in alignment with the user's index finger, thereby making it possible to deposit the fluid very accurately. Ergonomically, it can thus be said that the user has the impression of depositing the fluid in accurate manner with the fingernail and of smoothing the fluid with the fingerprint, which corresponds to a movement that is entirely intuitive. In addition, it should be observed that the dispenser and applicator head of the present invention presents a shape, in cross-section, that is substantially similar to the shape of an index finger, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. The top flat 33 is small and hard, as is the fingernail of the index finger, while the pad 4 may be soft and slightly deformable, as is the fingerprint of the index finger.

(20) With reference once again to the figures, it can also be seen that the applicator pad 4 also includes an axial mounting stud 42 that extends axially downwards so as to become engaged in the axial mounting housing 36. By way of example, it is possible to provide snap-fastener profiles on the stud 42 for snap-fastening inside the housing 36. In addition, the applicator pad 4 may also be formed with a skirt 43 that comes to surround the housing wall 37 in intimate manner. By way of example, the skirt 43 may form a section of a cylinder that becomes engaged around the housing wall 37 that may also have the shape of a segment of a cylinder. Engaging the axial mounting stud 42 in the housing 26 makes it possible to fasten the pad 4 in secure and axial manner on the mounting collar 3, and engaging the skirt 43 around the housing wall 37 makes it possible to guarantee that the pad 4 is stable radially or against turning on the mounting collar 3. As a result of the axial orientation of the stud 42 and of the skirt 43, the applicator pad 4 is fitted axially along the longitudinal axis X onto the mounting collar 3, such that the two parts are extremely simple to assemble together. The same applies for assembling the mounting collar 3 and the connector base 2 that are interfitted along the longitudinal axis X. Finally, a dispenser and applicator head T is obtained having component parts that are all mounted in axial manner.

(21) It should also be observed that it is extremely simple to mount applicator pads of various designs by using the same mounting technique (stud 42 and skirt 43). The fluid dispenser member 1 can thus be considered as a basic standard part to which various types of applicator pad can be associated, with different shapes and/or different materials as a function of the kind of application. By way of example, it is possible to provide an applicator pad made out of metal or out of ceramic so as to impart a cold effect, or an applicator pad made out of flexible material.

(22) Although the present invention is described above with a dispenser and applicator head T associated with a pump having a lateral pusher P1, it is also possible to associate the dispenser and applicator head T of the present invention with another type of dispenser unit, such as a valve or a squeezable tube.

(23) The invention provides a dispenser and applicator that takes advantage of the natural movements of the index finger of the hand. The user deposits the fluid with the tip of the head and then spreads the fluid with the side of the head (front face) that presents a curve comparable to the curve of the index finger.