DISPENSER-APPLICATOR

Abstract

The present invention relates to a roll-on dispenser of the type which, when placed on the spout of a container, closes it by means of a sphere that, upon rolling, allows for the outlet of certain quantities of the product to be dispensed, the sphere presenting a tread, preferably projected towards the interior of the sphere, and forming channels which preferably form ducts, and a sphere cap with a number of undulations that connect the inner and the outer parts, whilst also allowing for the product to exit through them. The cap that retains the sphere is made of an elastic, deformable material, such that, by exerting a given pressure, it is possible to remove the sphere from the cap.

Claims

1. Improved dispenser-applicator of the type that comprises a closing element and a container, wherein, in turn, the closure comprises a rolling sphere which is partially housed in a cap that retains it, but allows for the pivoting thereof and also allows for a part of said sphere to be exposed to the outside, characterised in that: The closing element comprises a sphere (2) that presents treads on the surface thereof, which are the sphere channels (4), and a cap (3) that presents a number of undulations on the inner surface thereof, which are the undulations (7) on the cap, wherein the peaks of said undulations (7) present rounded edges (8) and the container is deformable.

2. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the sphere channels comprise treads projected towards the interior of the sphere.

3. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the edges (11) of the sphere channels (4) are rounded.

4. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the sphere channels form ducts.

5. Improved dispenser-applicator according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sphere channels present a meridional arrangement.

6. Improved dispenser-applicator according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sphere channels are arranged in parallel with respect to one another.

7. Improved dispenser-applicator according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sphere channels present a spiral arrangement.

8. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cap is made of an elastic material.

9. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cap presents means for anchoring it to the container.

10. Improved dispenser-applicator according to claim 1, wherein the undulations on the cap present variable geometry radii between the peaks and the troughs of the waves.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE S

[0065] FIG. 1 shows the closing element (1) and the sphere (2) which partially protrudes from the cap (3). In this FIGURE, the sphere presents a meridional arrangement, and it shows the sphere channels (4) converging at a pole (5) that presents a smooth area. In the cap, we may observe the flap with the anchoring means (6), in this case the threads.

[0066] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the closure, which shows the cap (3) and the sphere (2). In this FIGURE, we may observe the undulations on the cap (7), the peaks whereof are rounded (8), and the sphere channels (4), the edges (11) whereof also have a rounded shape.

[0067] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the dispenser-applicator, which shows the sphere (2), the cap (3) and the container (9), with anchoring means that collaborate (10) with those present in the cap.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of the sphere, in this case with a channel that runs through the surface thereof in spiral form.

[0069] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the sphere, in this case with channels arranged in parallel.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0070] Here is detailed an embodiment of the invention, which is not unique but only explanatory.

[0071] The invention relates to a fluid dispenser-applicator, for both viscous fluids, such as mayonnaise, sauces, emulsions or creams, and others that may present small solid parts, such as, for example, grated tomatoes or other vegetables.

[0072] The invention relates not only to a container that presents a closing element which retains the product in the interior thereof, but to one wherein the same closing element dispenses it and applies it on the target surface, which, in the field of food, may be a toast, a sponge cake or a steak.

[0073] The dispenser-applicator comprises: [0074] 1. A closing element which, in turn, comprises a cap with undulations and a sphere with channels that form ducts, such that the sphere is partially exposed to the outside, but, due to its geometry, is retained by the cap, with sufficient clearance to allow for the pivoting thereof. [0075] 2. A deformable container joined to the closure.

[0076] The cap has three differentiated areas:

[0077] A spout that is open to the outside and through which the sphere partially protrudes, but which, in turn, retains it, preventing it from falling off during normal usage.

[0078] A central area that partially houses the sphere and presents an inner surface with a number of undulations that run through it, ending on the spout of the cap, these undulations generating channels that connect the lower part, or flap, to the spout of the cap.

[0079] A flap that incorporates means which collaborate towards anchoring the closure to the container.

[0080] The cap, with the sphere inserted therein, retains the product inside the dispenser, thereby preventing the involuntary outlet thereof.

[0081] When pressure is exerted on the product, which is possible as the container is deformable, the product presses against the closing element and is released, at least, through the channels formed by the undulations on the cap, and it may also be released through the sphere channels, depending on the pivot point of the latter.

[0082] Since the undulations on the cap are perimetrally and uniformly arranged, the product is homogeneously dispensed.

[0083] When it pivots on the target surface, such as a toast, the sphere applies and distributes the dispensed product, and it may also dispense the product by itself or, in any case, allow for the inlet of air in order to prevent the pressure difference from hindering the outlet of the product, as well as to facilitate recovery of the shape of the container.

[0084] The cap is made of an elastic, deformable material, such that, by exerting a certain pressure, the sphere is removed from the cap, which facilitates cleaning of the closing element. The pressure to be exerted in order to remove the sphere from the cap is necessarily greater than the pressure exerted to dispense the product.

[0085] In order to facilitate the pivoting and to prevent the sphere channels from engaging with the peaks of the undulations on the cap, the edges of the channels have a rounded shape and, when the execution proposed is that wherein the sphere channels are in a meridional arrangement, the sphere presents an area with a smooth surface at the points, on both ends, where the channels converge.

[0086] The friction between the sphere and the cap is minimal, since the points of contact are the outer parts of the channels, which minimises the friction and favours the pivoting.

[0087] The anchoring between the closure and the container may be performed in numerous ways, and here we have chosen threading, due to its simplicity and its reliability for achieving strong, easily removable junctions.

[0088] The container is deformable, and in this case is made of a soft material, such as silicone or a similar material, such that, by simply squeezing the container, the user may control the pressure desired depending on the quantity of product to be dispensed.