Axial magnetic attraction device

Abstract

A device having a base part (1) and a removable member (3) that is mounted in removable manner on the base part (1), the base part (1) and the removable member (3) including a magnetic means (15, 35) that generates axial magnetic attraction between them that is at its maximum in an assembled rest position. The device further includes a mover means (4), distinct from the removable member (3), for moving the removable member (3) axially away from the base part (1), starting from the assembled rest position, by turning an actuator member (7) that forms part of the mover means (4), so as to reduce the magnetic attraction between the base part (1) and the removable member (3), and thus facilitate the removal of the removable member (3).

Claims

1. A device comprising a base part (1) and a removable member (3) that is mounted in removable manner on the base part (1), the base part (1) and the removable member (3) including magnetic means (15, 35) for generating axial magnetic attraction between the base part and the removable member that is at a maximum in an assembled rest position; the device further comprises mover means (4), distinct from the removable member (3), for moving the removable member (3) axially away from the base part (1), starting from the assembled rest position, by turning an actuator member (7) that forms part of the mover means (4), so as to reduce the magnetic attraction between the base part (1) and the removable member (3), and thus facilitate the removal of the removable member (3); and wherein the device is configured such that rotation of the actuator member (7) causes removable member (3) to lift axially without rotating and thereby move axially away from the base part.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the mover means (4) comprise an axial guide bushing (5) that is mounted in stationary manner on the base part (1), an axial thrust cylinder (6) that is guided axially by the axial guide bushing (5), and the actuator member (7) that is rotatably mounted on the axial guide bushing (5), cam means (62, 72) being provided between the actuator member (7) and the axial thrust cylinder so as to urge the axial thrust cylinder (6) in axial movement guided by the axial guide bushing (5) while the actuator member (7) is being turned.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the axial guide bushing (5) includes at least one axial cut-out (51), and the axial thrust cylinder (6) includes at least one axial guide profile (61) that is engaged in said at least one axial cut-out (51) so as to guide the axial thrust cylinder (6) in axial movement, while preventing it from turning.

4. The device according to claim 2, wherein the cam means comprise at least one sloping ramp (72) that is formed by the actuator member (7), and the axial thrust cylinder (6) includes at least one lug (62) that is engaged in said at least one sloping ramp (72) so as to force the lug (62) to move along the sloping ramp (72) while the actuator member (7) is turning.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the sloping ramp (72) presents a slope such that the removable member (3) returns automatically to the assembled rest position under the action of magnetic attraction, when it is placed on the axial thrust cylinder (6).

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuator member (7) comprises an inner ring (7a) that forms at least one sloping ramp (72), and an outer hoop (7b) that is engaged around the inner ring (7a).

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the base part (1) is mounted on a neck (21) of a reservoir (2), and the removable member (3) is selected from stoppers, applicators, and protective caps.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the base part (1) includes a skirt (11) that is engaged around the neck (21) of the reservoir (1), an axial guide bushing (5) being mounted around the skirt (11) so as to block the skirt around the neck (1).

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the removable member (3) includes a blind extraction and application space (34) that is engaged in the neck (11) of the reservoir (1) in the assembled rest position.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the removable member (3) is received entirely in the actuator member (7) in the assembled rest position.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic means comprise a permanent magnet (15) that is secured to the base part (1) and a movable magnet (35) that is secured to the removable member (3), a sealing gasket (32) being interposed between the two magnets (15, 35) in the assembled rest position so as to be flattened by the axial magnetic attraction.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the removable member (3) includes a shoulder (36) below which an axial thrust cylinder (6) is engaged.

13. A fluid dispensing device comprising: a reservoir; a base part secured to the reservoir and having an opening to an inside of the reservoir; a closure mounted in removable manner on the base part, each of the base part and the closure including a respective magnet arranged so that the base part and the closure are held together by an axial magnetic attraction between the respective magnets when closure is mounted on the base part; and a moving mechanism, distinct from the closure, that moves the closure axially away from the base part, the moving mechanism comprising an axial guide bushing mounted in stationary manner on the base part, an axial thrust cylinder guided axially by the axial guide bushing, an actuator member rotatably mounted on the axial guide bushing (5), a cam between the actuator member and the axial thrust cylinder oriented to urge the axial thrust cylinder in axial movement guided by the axial guide bushing while the actuator member is being turned, such that turning the actuator member reduces the axial magnetic attraction between the base part and closure and thereby facilitates complete separation of the closure from the base part.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is described below in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show an embodiment of the invention by way of non-limiting example.

(2) In the figures:

(3) FIG. 1 is a vertical section view through a dispenser of the invention in the assembled rest position;

(4) FIG. 2 is a view similar to the view in FIG. 1, in its separated extracted position;

(5) FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a base part, ready to be mounted on a fluid reservoir;

(6) FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of mover means of the invention;

(7) FIG. 5 is an exploded and cut-away perspective view showing the interaction between two parts of the mover means; and

(8) FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the removable member of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(9) As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid dispensing device, also referred to as a dispenser, of the invention comprises a base part 1 on which there is mounted a removable member (also referred to as the movable member) 3, the two parts being held together, in their assembled rest position, by magnetic means that are suitable for generating an axial attraction between them. In the embodiment that is used to illustrate the present invention, the base part 1 is mounted on a fluid reservoir 2, and the movable member 3 forms a stopper that is provided with an applicator 33. In order to move the movable member 3 relative to the base part 1, the present invention provides mover means for moving mechanism) 4 that are secured to the base part, but that are suitable for urging the movable member 3 in axial movement, without any turning component, starting from the assembled rest position, in which magnetic attraction is at its maximum.

(10) Reference is made firstly to FIG. 3 in order to describe in detail the base part 1 and its co-operation with the fluid reservoir. Firstly, the reservoir 2 may be made of any appropriate material, (glass, metal, plastics material, ceramic, etc.) and may present any shape. It may be transparent or opaque. At its top end, it defines a neck 21 that is provided with projecting annular reinforcement 22, as is extremely conventional in the fields of perfumery and cosmetics. The reservoir 2 may be filled with a fluid, preferably of low viscosity, such as fragrance, a lotion, a serum, etc.

(11) In this particular embodiment, the base part 1 includes a fastener ring 10 that forms a fastener skirt 11 for coming into engagement around the neck 21, so as to become housed below the annular reinforcement 22. In this embodiment, the skirt 11 is slotted, but it may also be continuous. The fastener ring 10 also includes a guide sleeve 12 that extends inside the neck 21, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Its function is explained below. The ring 10 also forms a reception housing 13 for receiving a stationary magnet 15. The ring 10 may also be provided with a scraper lip 14 that is arranged just above the guide sleeve 12. The ring 10 is also fitted with a neck gasket 16 for being flattened against the top annular edge of the neck 21 of the reservoir 2. As seen from above, the base part 1 forms a central opening that is defined by the guide sleeve 12 and by the scraper lip 14, the opening being bordered by the stationary magnet 15.

(12) Reference is made below to FIG. 6 in order to describe in detail an embodiment of the removable member 3. The member 3 includes a grip head 31 that the user can grip manually. The grip head 31 is provided with a movable magnet 35 that is, nevertheless, secured in stationary manner to the head. The removable member also includes a sealing gasket 32 that extends just below the movable magnet 35. Finally, the removable member 3 includes a fluid applicator 33 that internally defines an extraction and application space 34 in the form of a downwardly-open blind hole. In FIG. 1, the removable member 3 can be seen in the assembled rest position in which the two magnets 15 and 35 are separated only by the sealing gasket 32. It should also be observed that the applicator 33 is engaged in leaktight manner inside the scraper lip 14, as well as inside the guide sleeve 12. The free bottom end of the applicator 33 projects downwards below the sleeve 12, inside the neck 21 of the reservoir 2. In this assembled rest configuration, it can easily be understood that the axial magnetic attraction compresses the sealing gasket 32, and that the scraper lip 14 prevents any fluid from leaking between the base part 1 and the removable member 3. It should also be understood that removing the removable member 3 from the base part 1 requires the magnetic force generated by the magnets 15 and 35 to be overcome.

(13) To do this, the present invention implements mover means 4 that act between the base part 1 and the removable member 3 so as to move the removable member 3 away from the assembled rest position in which the magnetic attraction is at its maximum. The mover means 4 are distinct both from the base part 1 and from the removable member 3. The mover means 4 comprise three main component elements, namely an axial guide bushing 5, an axial thrust cylinder 6, and an actuator member 7. Relative to the reservoir 2, the bushing 5 is stationary, the cylinder 6 is movable axially but without turning, and the actuator member 7 is movable in turning but without any axial component. With reference also to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the bushing 5 includes at least one axial slot or cut-out 51 that is upwardly open. In FIG. 4, it is possible to distinguish three axial cut-outs 51 that are distributed around the bushing 5. In this embodiment, the axial cut-outs 51 are in the form of deep slots or notches that are upwardly open and downwardly closed. The axial cut-outs could also be in the form of vertical axial grooves that are formed in the inside wall of the bushing 5. At its bottom end, the bushing 5 is also provided with a snap-fastener profile 52 having a function that is explained below. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bushing 5 is engaged around the fastener ring 10, in particular at its skirt 11, so as to block it or lock it around the neck 21 of the reservoir 2. Provision could even be made to snap-fasten the bushing 5 below the skirt 11 of the ring 10. In some circumstances, it is important for the bushing 5 to urge the skirt 11 hard against the neck 21, and more particularly below the projecting annular reinforcement 22. It should also be observed that the top end of the bushing projects vertically upwards beyond the fastener ring 10.

(14) The inside of the axial thrust cylinder 6 defines a plurality of axial guide splines 61 that are engaged in the axial cut-outs 51 of the bushing 5. This can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. On its outer face, the cylinder 6 includes a plurality of lugs 62 that project radially outwards. From FIGS. 4 and 5, it is possible to understand that there are three lugs 62 distributed around the cylinder 6.

(15) The actuator member 7 could be made as a single piece, but, as in the embodiment shown in the figures, it is preferably made up of two pieces, namely an inner ring 7a and an outer hoop 7b that is engaged around the inner ring 7a. The inner ring 7a may be made by injection-molding a plastics material, whereas the outer hoop 7b may be made of metal. In order to improve the retention of the hoop 7b on the inner ring 7a, it is possible to provide vertical splines 73 at the outer face of the outer ring 7a. The outer ring 7a is engaged with the snap-fastener profile 52 of the bushing 5 while enabling it to turn over a determined angular stroke. Internally, the outer ring 7a forms at least one sloping ramp 72. From the figures, it is possible to understand that three sloping ramps 72 are formed in the inside wall of the outer ring 7a. The sloping ramps 72 open upwards, i.e. at the top edge of the outer ring 7a. Thus, it is possible to engage the lugs 62 of the cylinder 6 inside the ramps 72 by inserting them via the open top end of the ramps. As a result, the axial thrust cylinder 6 is engaged both with the bushing 5 at the axial splines 61 and with the outer ring 7a at the sloping ramps 72. The cylinder 6 is thus arranged around the bushing 5 and inside the outer ring 7a.

(16) Thus, it can readily be understood that turning the actuator member 7, by gripping it by its hoop 7b, constrains the lugs 62 to move along the ramps 72, given that the cylinder 6 is prevented from turning by the guide splines 61 being engaged in the axial cut-outs 51 of the bushing 5.

(17) In the assembled rest configuration in FIG. 1, the lugs 62 are situated at the bottom ends of the ramps 72, and the guide splines 61 are fully engaged in the axial cut-outs 51. The top end of the cylinder 6 is positioned below the shoulder 36 of the removable member 3, without pushing against it. It is not possible to grip the grip head 31, given that it is received entirely inside the actuator member 7, and more particularly the hoop 7b.

(18) By gripping the hoop 7b and by causing it to turn about its own axis, the cylinder 6 is constrained to move upwards, as a result of the lugs 62 moving along the ramps 72. The cylinder 6 thus moves axially upwards, without any turning component, thus exerting an axial thrust on the removable member 3, as a result of its engagement below the shoulder 36. As a result, the gap between the magnets 15 and 35 increases and the magnetic attraction decreases until it becomes imperceptible. The grip head 31 thus projects far out from the actuator member, and the user can grip it so as to separate the removable member 3 completely from the remainder of the dispenser. The user can then place the content of the space 34 on a desired application surface merely by putting the applicator 33 into contact with the surface. While the applicator 33 is being removed, said applicator is completely clean, given that it has been scraped by the lip 14. In addition, the movement of the removable member 3 is completely axial given that it is guided not only by the cylinder 6, but also by the sleeve 12.

(19) The user is not aware that there are magnets in the dispenser, even when the turning of the hoop meets a certain amount of resistance that comes from the magnetic attraction, which resistance decreases quickly once turning begins. The mover means also make it possible to increase the force necessary to pull off the removable member. Specifically, the turning movement of the hoop is much gentler than direct axial traction on the removable member.

(20) When the user wishes to put the removable member back in place on the base part, it should be placed in the hoop 7b on the cylinder 6. In the invention, gravity combined with magnetic attraction are sufficient for the removable member to return by itself to its place on the base part 1, by driving the mover means in the opposite direction. It is possible to envisage that the user needs to press a little on the removable member until sensing that the removable member is moving by itself under the action of gravity and of magnetic attraction. It is possible to omit the lip 14 so as to reduce friction forces. This imparts a surprising effect, since the magnets are masked and practically imperceptible while the removable member is being removed.

(21) The present invention is illustrated with reference to a base part 1 that is mounted on a reservoir neck, and to a removable member 3 in the form of an applicator stopper. However, without going beyond the ambit of the invention, it is possible to imagine a base part 1 that is mounted on another element, and a removable member 3 that may be in the form of a simple stopper or a protective cap, or even a pusher that is mounted on the actuator rod of a pump or a valve.

(22) The invention thus provides a device having magnetic closure, but in which opening is facilitated by a mechanical cam that makes it possible to transform turning movement of an actuator member into the axial movement in translation of the removable member.