Dispensing package for liquid or semi-liquid products

Abstract

A dispensing package for dispensing a liquid or a semi-liquid product, the dispensing package includes: a storage member having a cavity adapted to contain the liquid or the semi-liquid product therein; an actuating member connected with an upper open end of the storage member; an applicator head connected with a top portion of the actuating member; the applicator head includes a dispensing portion and the actuating member includes an actuating portion; the actuating member and the actuating portion are made up of two bi-injected materials; the actuating member is a longitudinal hollow body having two diametrically opposite bores on a left-side portion and a right-side portion thereof; the actuating portion is another longitudinal hollow body having two diametrically opposite press buttons formed on an outer surface thereof; wherein the actuating portion is inserted in the actuating member such that the two diametrically opposite press buttons protrude out from the respective two diametrically opposite bores and a portion of the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating portion is situated inside the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating member; wherein the actuating portion is made of a soft compressible material as compared to the actuating member which is made of a hard rigid material; wherein the two diametrically opposite press buttons have dimensions closely matching those of the respective two opposite bores on each side of the actuating member; wherein the applicator head and the actuating member define an interior chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of the storage member for receiving the product stored in the cavity of the storage member when a user inverts the dispensing package; wherein the press buttons are manually movable between a deformed position and a rest position, wherein in the rest position, the press buttons are in a non-deformed state; and wherein in the deformed position, the press buttons are deformed by applying pressure for compressing the product within the interior chamber which in turn dispenses the product through a dispensing tip formed at an upper end of the dispensing portion

Description

Dispensing container for liquid or semi-liquid products DESCRIPTION FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dispensing container for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid products, having a refillable storage element and a replaceable applicator head for targeted application of the product. BACKGROUND

[0002] Cosmetic products are used to improve the appearance and health of human skin. Some cosmetic products help to whiten the skin, reduce wrinkles, and protect against UV rays. These types of cosmetic products are often expensive. Therefore, it is more cost-effective to apply them precisely to the desired area. Furthermore, it is advisable to use measurable amounts of nutraceutical products, as an excessive or insufficient amount can have adverse effects or no effect at all on the skin.

[0003] To solve the aforementioned problem, dropper-type cosmetic containers are used, which allow the user to draw up the cosmetic product and then discharge it onto the area of ​​the skin where the product is supposed to be dispersed.

[0004] In existing cosmetic bottles with droppers, there is a dropper attached to the bottle's cap; when using the bottle, a rubber head attached to the dropper is squeezed and then released with the thumb and forefinger to draw the liquid from the bottle into the dropper, and then the liquid is squeezed out of the dropper for use.

[0005] However, because standard dropper-type cosmetic containers incorporate a valve to release the cosmetic in a quantity quantitatively, its structure and assembly process are extremely difficult, which increases manufacturing costs and decreases productivity.

[0006] In addition to its intricate construction, the product requires discarding several parts after use, increasing waste. Therefore, a dropper bottle is needed that is cost-effective, has fewer parts, is reusable, and is easy to use. Furthermore, the dropper bottle should include an interchangeable cartridge and applicator head to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

[0007] The prior art ES2667034T3 discloses a pencil-shaped cosmetic dispenser that can be guided with the thumb and forefinger, thus providing the required dispensing of the cosmetic. The operating handle is provided on a surrounding surface of the cosmetic dispenser. This handle is formed on the outer side of a flexible wall that internally defines the pumping chamber. The pumping chamber, which is the main component of the pumping device, is separate from the liquid reservoir that holds the cosmetic product and is connected to it via a channel that preferably contains an inlet valve. To reduce the volume of the pumping chamber for dispensing the product, the operating handle is deformed, i.e., pressed in the direction of the central axis of the cosmetic dispenser.

[0008] Prior art document ES2550796T3 discloses a dispensing system for a fluid product packaged in a bottle. The system comprises a product extraction mechanism with a body attached to the bottle for feeding with the product, and a dosing nozzle located on top of this body. The nozzle is reversibly movable along an axial stroke, dispensing downwards and suctioning upwards. The system also includes a support with a dispensing orifice and a push button for actuating the extraction mechanism.

[0009] Prior art document EP2089282B1 describes a dropper dispensing bottle for cosmetics or liquid medications, preferably for dispensing microliter quantities of a liquid in droplet form. The dropper dispensing bottle of the invention comprises a flexible section in the walls, A plunger is provided to depress the flexible portion of the bottle in order to reduce the bottle's internal volume to a fixed volume. This predetermined volume of liquid from the container is then displaced to the nozzle tip, which has an inner and / or outer diameter no greater than 1.2 mm, to dispense a microliter drop.

[0010] The previous document ES1299235U discloses a container for cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. The container is attached to an upper body by fastening means. The upper body is a hollow body through which the product passes from the container before being dispensed, and it has a lid that closes at the top. Furthermore, the upper body is made of two bi-injected materials, defining a first, elastically deformable outer material and a second, more rigid inner material.

[0011] However, because the standard dropper-type cosmetic storage element features a valve to dispense the cosmetic in a measured quantity, its structure and assembly process are extremely complex, increasing manufacturing costs and decreasing productivity. Furthermore, the deformable outer body cannot maintain its durability and may lose elasticity over time.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a dispenser container that is cost-effective, has fewer parts, is easier to use, and is durable. Furthermore, it is desirable that the dispenser container have a replaceable storage element, as well as a replaceable applicator head to reduce waste. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to the present invention, the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art are substantially avoided by providing a dispensing container for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products that can be either liquid or semi-liquid in nature.

[0014] More particularly, the present invention relates to a dose-control dispensing container with targeted dispensing of the product to be applied locally or topically on human skin or keratinous materials, such as hair, eyebrows, face, lips, nails and / or eyelashes.

[0015] The main object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing container for cosmetic and pharmaceutical products with at least one push button for easy and controlled access to the product.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally friendly dispensing container with a replaceable storage element that holds the product, to reuse the storage element when the product inside is exhausted by refilling or replacing the storage element.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser container with an applicator head, which can also be reused or replaced with a new applicator head.

[0018] Other objects of the invention will appear as the description progresses.

[0019] In the present invention, the dispensing container is suitable for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid products used in cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, arts, painting, cooking, etc. In short, in any application where a relatively controlled flow of a liquid product is required. The possibility of using a wide range of materials and viscosities is contemplated.

[0020] According to a first embodiment of the present invention, the dispensing container may have a storage element, an applicator head, and an actuating member. The actuating member may be mounted on a neck of the storage element to pump the stored product into a cavity of the storage element. Furthermore, the applicator head may be mounted on an upper portion of the actuating member, which a cap may open and close. In addition, the storage element, the applicator head, and the actuating member may be detachably connected to each other by any suitable means, so that when the product contained in the storage element is exhausted, the storage element may be replaced. Conversely, the actuating member The drive unit and applicator head can be retained for use with a new storage element.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, the storage element may further include at least a side wall, a bottom wall, and an opening in fluid communication with the bottom of the actuating member. The storage element may be a rigid bottle made of glass, polypropylene, PET, PETG, PETE, PCTG, SAN, clarified ABS, acrylic (PMMA), or another material suitable for housing the product. The term "rigid," as used herein, means that the side walls of the storage element cannot flex under normal hand pressure. In one aspect of the invention, the storage element may be made of a transparent material, such as glass, allowing the user to see the product level in the cavity of the storage element.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, the neck of the storage element may have threads on its outer surface to form a detachable connection with corresponding threads on an inner surface of the lower part of the drive member. When the product in the cavity of the storage element is depleted, the storage element can be twisted / bent to release it from the drive member, refilled with the product, and then reassembled with the drive member in a detachable connection. Alternatively, another pre-filled storage element can be assembled with the drive member in a detachable connection.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the drive member may be a longitudinal body with a left-side portion and a right-side portion. Furthermore, each of the left-side and right-side portions may have two diametrically opposed holes. In one aspect of the invention, the shape of the opposite holes may be circular. In another aspect, the shape of the opposite holes may be oval, square, thumb-shaped, and the like.

[0024] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member has a drive portion. Furthermore, the drive portion can be another A longitudinal hollow body with two diametrically opposed push buttons formed on an outer surface thereof, wherein the push button on the left side portion and the push button on the right side portion may have dimensions that closely match those of the two opposite holes respectively on each side of the actuating member. Furthermore, the two buttons may be positioned laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the dispensing container. Each of the left and right side portions may have a toothed surface around the respective buttons, wherein the toothed surface may be curved inwards in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the dispensing container.

[0025] According to another aspect of the invention, the actuating portion can be inserted into the actuating member such that two diametrically opposed push buttons protrude from two respective diametrically opposed holes, and a portion of the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating portion can be located within the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating member. Furthermore, the actuating member and the actuating portion can be made of different materials and joined by bi-injection molding. The actuating member can be made of a hard material, and the actuating portion can be made of a soft, compressible material. The soft material of the actuating portion can be designed to offer a suitable balance between strength and compressibility, allowing the user to apply pressure to control the quantity and / or dispensing rate of the product.In one aspect of the invention, the actuating portion may be composed of soft materials with elastomeric properties, such as synthetic rubber or thermoelastic polymers. Furthermore, the actuating member may be made of hard materials, such as hard synthetic resin or glass, to more securely protect the product from direct light or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In another aspect of the invention, the actuating member may serve to maintain the overall external shape of the dispensing container.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, at least an upper portion and a lower portion of the drive member consist of a hard material. Furthermore, an outer surface of at least one portion of the drive member may comprise a combination of hard and soft material. The two diametrically opposed push buttons protrude from the two respective diametrically opposed holes in the actuating member. Furthermore, an inner surface of at least a portion of the actuating member is composed of a soft material, such as the hollow cylindrical body of the actuating portion, which can be inserted into the interior of the actuating member.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member may have an upper neck portion at the open upper end, which has threads on its outer surface to receive a plug.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, the applicator head forms the upper part of the dispensing container and may have an upper dispensing portion and a lower cylindrical portion. The lower cylindrical portion may have at least one projection on its outer surface to engage with a corresponding groove formed on the inner surface of a neck portion of the drive member. Furthermore, the lower cylindrical portion may have an open lower end. Additionally, the upper portion of the applicator head may comprise a conical portion at the upper end of the lower cylindrical portion, a neck portion, and a dispensing tip that defines a discharge opening formed at the upper end of the upper portion for dispensing product from the storage element.

[0029] According to another aspect of the invention, the storage element has an opening through which the product can be introduced. Furthermore, the opening may be designed to allow substantial free flow of the product contained within the storage element. "Substantial free flow," as defined above, refers to the product moving from the storage element out of the opening simply by inverting the storage element.

[0030] According to one aspect of the present invention, the applicator head and the actuating member can define an internal chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of the storage element to receive the product stored in the cavity of the storage element when the dispensing container is inverted. Furthermore, the push buttons can be moved The product is manually compressed between a deformed and a resting position within the inner chamber and dispensed through the dispensing tip at the top of the dispensing portion. Furthermore, the elasticity of the snaps allows them to return from the deformed to the resting position upon release of pressure. As used herein, the term "elasticity" may refer to the ability of an object or material to recover its original shape after being stretched or compressed.

[0031] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, the actuating member may be a longitudinal hollow body with an open lower portion and a cylindrical neck portion. At least one portion of the longitudinal hollow body may have a convex outer surface along a longitudinal axis thereof. Furthermore, the actuating member may also include a hole in at least one side of its body. The actuating member may also include an actuating portion. The actuating portion may be a separate body and include a push button formed on an outer surface surrounding the hole of the actuating member.

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the push button may include a plurality of protrusions to engage corresponding grooves on the outer surface surrounding the hole in the actuating member. Furthermore, the push button may have dimensions matching those of the respective hole in the actuating member, with an outer surface of the push button projecting beyond the respective hole and a portion of the actuating portion located within the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating member. Additionally, the push button completes the outer convex surface of the actuating member.

[0033] According to another aspect of the invention, a sealing ring may be located at an upper end of the storage element, and a connecting member may be located within a lower portion of the drive member, and includes a through-hole that allows the liquid or semi-liquid product to pass from the cavity of the storage element into an inner chamber of the applicator head and the drive member. Furthermore, the The storage member can be detachably attached to the connection member.

[0034] According to another aspect of the invention, the applicator head and the actuating member can further define an inner chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of the storage element to receive the product stored in the cavity of the storage element when a user inverts the dispensing container. Furthermore, when the user presses the button, the liquid or semi-liquid product flows from the inner chamber to the dispensing tip of the applicator head and exits through a discharge opening formed in the dispensing tip.

[0035] According to one aspect of the invention, the dispensing container may include a cap that can be removably attached to an outer surface of an upper portion of the drive member, and wherein the cap may not cover the push button.

[0036] It should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may devise various alternatives and modifications without departing from the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] In order to understand in detail the characteristics of the present invention cited above, a more detailed description of the invention, briefly summarized in the preceding paragraphs, is presented below, by reference to the embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a front view of a dispensing container in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a front view of the dispenser container of FIG. 1, without a closing cap;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a storage element of the dispensing container of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the dispensing container of FIG. 3;

[0043] FIG. 6 is a front view of a dispensing container in a closed position according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dispensing container of FIG. 6;

[0045] FIG. 8 is a front view of the dispenser container of FIG. 6, without a closing cap;

[0046] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a storage element of the dispensing container of FIG. 6;

[0047] FIG 10 is an exploded view of a portion of the dispensing container of FIG. 6.

[0048] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numbers have been used, wherever possible, to designate identical elements common to the figures. However, it should be noted that the accompanying drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present invention and should therefore not be considered limiting of its scope, as the invention may admit other equally effective embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0049] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be discussed in greater detail below, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings and in the description to refer to identical or similar parts.

[0050] Throughout this description, the terms "understand", "understands", "which includes", "including", "includes" and the like, will consistently mean that a collection of objects is not limited to those objects specifically recited.

[0051] Figures 1-5 illustrate a dispenser container 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser container 100 of the present invention is suitable for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid materials used in cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, arts, painting, cooking, etc. In short, in any application where a relatively controlled flow of a liquid product is required. The description provided below will focus on the use of the dispenser container in the cosmetics sector, but it is not intended to limit the application of the dispenser container to that field. The product to be dispensed can be any fluid product. Such products can be entirely liquid or semi-liquid. The possibility of using a wide range of materials and viscosities is contemplated.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a pump-type dispensing container 100 comprises a storage element 30, a drive member 20 mounted on a neck 36 of the storage element 30 for pumping the product into the cavity 31 of the storage element 30. An applicator head 40 is mounted on the upper portion 28 of the drive member 20, which is opened and closed by means of the cap 10.

[0053] When the product inside the storage element is depleted, the storage element 30 can be replaced while the drive member 20 and the applicator head 40 are retained for use with a new storage element 30. The drive member 20, the applicator head 40 and the storage element 30 are detachably connected to each other by any suitable means.

[0054] In one aspect of the invention, the applicator head 40 is in detachable connection with the drive member 20, such that if the applicator head 40 is damaged, it can be removed and replaced with a new applicator head.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the storage element 30 has a cavity 31 for storing the product and an opening 36a, in fluid communication with the lower portion 26 of the drive member 20. The storage element can be a rigid bottle made of glass, polypropylene, PET, PETG, PETE, PCTG, SAN, clarified ABS, or acrylic (PMMA). or other suitable material for housing the product. The term "rigid," as used herein, means that the side walls of the storage element cannot flex under normal hand pressure. In one aspect of the invention, the storage element 30 is made of a transparent material, such as glass, which allows the user to see the product level in the cavity 31 of the storage element 30.

[0056] In one aspect of the invention, the storage element 30 includes at least one side wall 32 and one bottom wall 34 as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, the opening 36a on the top side of the storage element 30 is designed to allow substantial free flow of the product contained within the storage element 30. "Substantial free flow," as used above, refers to the product moving from the storage element 30 out of the opening 36a simply by inverting the storage element 30. That is, when the storage element 30 is inverted fully or partially, the product contained within it flows through the opening 36a. It is understood that the viscosity of the product will dictate the rate at which this flow occurs.

[0058] In one aspect of the invention, the storage element 30 has a shoulder 37 and a neck 36, as seen in FIG. 4. The neck 36 has threads 36b on an external surface thereof to form a detachable connection with corresponding threads 26a on an internal surface of a lower portion 26 of the drive member 20, as seen in FIG. 2.

[0059] In one aspect of the invention, when the product in the cavity 31 of the storage element 30 is depleted, the storage element 30 is twisted to release it from the drive member 20, refilled with the product, and reassembled with the drive member 20 in a detachable connection. Alternatively, another pre-filled storage element 30 can be assembled with the drive member 20 in a detachable connection.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the drive member 20 is a longitudinal hollow body 22 with a left-side portion 23a and a right-side portion 23b. Each of the left-side portion 23a and the right-side portion 23b has two diametrically opposed holes 24a and 24b. In one aspect of the invention, the shape of the opposite holes 24a and 24b is circular. In an alternative aspect, the shape of the opposite holes 24a and 24b may be oval, square, thumb-shaped, and the like.

[0061] The drive member 20 has a drive portion 50 as seen in FIG. 1. In addition, as seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the drive portion 50 is another longitudinal hollow body 51, having two diametrically opposed push buttons 51a and 51b formed on an outer surface thereof, wherein the push button of the left-side portion 51a and the push button of the right-side portion 51b have dimensions that closely match those of the two opposite holes 24a and 24b, respectively, on each side of the drive member 20.

[0062] The two buttons 51a and 51b are positioned laterally with respect to a longitudinal axis X of the dispenser container 100, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, each of the left lateral portion 23a and the right lateral portion 23b has a toothed surface 22a and 22b surrounding the respective buttons 51a and 51b, wherein each of the toothed surfaces 22a, 22b is curved inwards in a direction towards the longitudinal axis X of the dispenser container 100.

[0063] In one aspect of the invention, the actuating member 20 has a longitudinal cylindrical shape in which the outer surfaces of the two diametrically opposed push buttons 51a and 51b complete an outer surface of the actuating member 20 such that a maximum radial distance from the central longitudinal axis X of the dispensing container 100 to the outer surface of the actuating member 20 and to the outer surfaces of the push buttons 51a and 51b is the same.

[0064] Furthermore, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, the actuating portion 50 is inserted into the actuating member 20 such that the two diametrically opposed push buttons 51a and 51b protrude from the respective two diametrically opposed holes 24a and 24b and a portion of the hollow body Longitudinal 51 of the drive portion 50 is located within the longitudinal hollow body of the drive member 20.

[0065] Drive member 20 and drive portion 50 are made of different materials and are joined by bi-injection molding. Drive member 20 is made of a hard material, and drive portion 50 is made of a soft, compressible material.

[0066] As used herein, the term "soft" may refer to a pliable substance that can be compressed by hand, or more specifically, by finger pressure. The soft material of the actuating portion 50 is designed to provide a suitable balance of strength and compressibility, allowing the user to apply pressure to control the quantity and / or dispensing rate of the product. In one aspect of the invention, the actuating portion 50 is composed of soft materials with elastomeric properties. For example, the actuating portion 50 may be made of a material such as synthetic rubber or thermoelastic rubbers.

[0067] The actuating member 20 is made of hard materials, such as hard synthetic resin or glass. For example, the actuating member 20 may be made of a material, such as metal or synthetic resin, to more securely protect the product from direct light or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In one aspect of the invention, the actuating member 20 provides the function of maintaining the overall external shape of the dispensing container. The actuating member 20 is a longitudinal cylindrical body with a circular cross-section. Alternatively, the actuating member may have a rectangular or polygonal cross-section.

[0068] According to one aspect of the present invention, at least an upper portion and a lower portion of the actuating member 20 consist of a hard material. Furthermore, an outer surface of at least one portion of the actuating member 20 comprises a combination of hard and soft material, since the two diametrically opposed push buttons 51a and 51b protrude from the respective two diametrically opposed holes 24a and 24b of the actuating member 20. Additionally, an inner surface of at least one portion of the actuating member 20 consists of a soft material such as... The hollow cylindrical body of the drive portion 50 is inserted inside the drive member 20.

[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the drive member 20 further has an upper neck portion 28 at the open upper end which has threads 28a on its outer surface to receive a cap 10. In addition, the neck portion 28 has an inner surface groove 28b which connects in a detachable connection with the applicator head 40. Furthermore, the connection is a push-fit connection.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the applicator head 40 forms the upper part of the dispensing container 100 and has an upper dispensing portion 42 and a lower cylindrical portion 44. The lower cylindrical portion 44 has at least one projection 44a on its outer surface to snap into a corresponding groove 28b formed on an inner surface of the upper neck portion 28 of the drive member 20. In addition, the lower cylindrical portion 44 has an open lower end. Furthermore, the upper portion 42 of the applicator head 40 comprises a conical portion 42a at an upper end of the lower cylindrical portion 44, a neck portion 42b, and the dispensing tip 42c defining a discharge opening 42d formed at an upper end of the upper portion for dispensing products from the storage element 30. In the present embodiment, the dispensing tip 42c is in the shape of a rounded bulb.In one aspect of the invention, the dispensing tip 42c is shaped like a roller ball, or spatula.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 2, the applicator head 40 and the drive member 20 define an inner chamber 54 in fluid communication with the cavity 31 of the storage element 30 to receive the product stored in the cavity 31 of the storage element 30. Furthermore, the push buttons 51a and 51b are manually movable between a deformed position and a rest position (not shown) to compress the product within the cavity 31 into the inner chamber 54 and, in turn, dispense the product through a dispensing tip 42c formed at the upper end of the dispensing portion 42. The elasticity of the push buttons 51a and 51b causes them to return from the deformed position to the rest position when the pressure on the push buttons 51a and 51b is released. As used herein, the term "elasticity" can refer to the ability of an object or material to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.

[0072] Figures 6-10 illustrate a dispenser container 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser container 200 of the present invention is suitable for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid materials used in cosmetics, medicine, pharmaceuticals, art, painting, cooking, etc. The product to be dispensed may be any liquid or fluid product. Such products may be entirely liquid or semi-liquid. As used herein, "fluid product" refers to the ability of solids and fluids to shed solid particles in order to flow or become fluid. The liquid or semi-liquid product may be any type of cosmetic, hair care, body care, and / or skin care product, or any pharmaceutical product that can be applied by a user.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 6-10, a pump type of dispensing container 200 for dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product includes a storage element 90, a drive member 70, an applicator head 60 and a lid 65.

[0074] As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the storage element 90 has a cavity 91 for storing the liquid or semi-liquid product, a neck 92, and an opening 92a through which the product is introduced into the storage element 90. Furthermore, the opening 92a is designed to allow substantial free flow of the product contained within the storage element 90. "Substantial free flow," as used above, refers to the product moving from the storage element 90 out of the opening 92a simply by inverting the storage element 90. That is, when the storage element 90 is inverted fully or partially, the product contained within it flows through the opening 92a. It is understood that the viscosity of the product will dictate the rate at which this flow occurs.

[0075] In one aspect of the invention, the storage element 90 includes at least one side wall 96 and one bottom wall 98, as seen in FIG. 7. The side wall 96 and the bottom wall 98 serve to maintain the external shape The storage element 90 may be a rigid bottle made of glass, polypropylene, PET, PETG, PETE, PCTG, SAN, clarified ABS, acrylic (PMMA), or another material suitable for housing the product. The term "rigid," as used herein, means that the side walls of the storage element 90 cannot flex under normal hand pressure. In one aspect of the invention, the storage element 90 is made of a transparent material, such as glass, which allows the user to see the product level in the cavity 91 of the storage element 90.

[0076] Furthermore, the storage element 90 is in a detachable connection with the drive member 70, such that the drive member 70 is mounted on the neck 92 of the storage element 90. When the product inside the storage element 90 is depleted, the storage element 90 can be replaced, while the drive member 70 and the applicator head 60 are retained for use with a new storage element. The drive member 70, the applicator head 60, and the storage element 90 are coupled to each other in a detachable connection by any suitable means.

[0077] In one aspect of the invention, the applicator head 60 is in detachable connection with the drive member 70, such that if the applicator head 60 is damaged, it can be removed and replaced with a new applicator head.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, the actuating member 70 is a longitudinal hollow body 72, with an open lower portion 72a and a cylindrical neck portion 72b. At least one portion of the longitudinal hollow body 72 has a convex outer surface 73 along a longitudinal axis X thereof. Furthermore, the actuating member 70 includes a hole 76 on at least one side of its body 72. The actuating member 70 further includes an actuating portion 74. The actuating portion 74 is a separate, suspended actuating portion. The actuating portion 74 is a separate body and includes a push button 74a formed on an outer surface surrounding the hole 76 of the actuating member 70. In one aspect of the invention, the hole 76 is circular. Alternatively, the shape of hole 76 can be oval, square, thumb-shaped, and the like.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 10, the push button 74a includes a plurality of protrusions 74b to engage with corresponding grooves 76a on the outer surface surrounding the bore 76 in the drive member 70. Furthermore, the push button 74a has dimensions that match those of the respective bore 76 in the drive member 70, and an outer surface of the push button 74a protrudes from the respective bore 76, with a portion of the drive portion 74 located within the longitudinal hollow body of the drive member 70. The push button 74 completes the outer convex surface of the drive member 70.In one aspect of the invention, an outer surface of the push button 74a completes the outer convex surface of the actuating member 70 such that a maximum radial distance from a central longitudinal axis X of the dispensing container 200 to the outer convex surface of the actuating member 70 and to the outer surface of the push button 74a is the same.

[0080] According to one aspect of the invention, the drive member 70 and the drive portion 74 are made of different materials and are joined by bi-injection molding. Furthermore, the drive member 70 is made of a hard material and the drive portion 74 is made of a soft, compressible material.

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, the actuating portion 74 is made of a soft, compressible material that is elastically deformed by user pressure. When the user presses the push button 74a on the actuating portion 74, the push button 74a moves forward and resets when the user releases the pressure. As used herein, the term "soft" may refer to a pliable substance that can be compressed by hand, or more specifically, by finger or thumb pressure. The soft material of the actuating portion 74 is designed to offer a suitable balance of strength and compressibility, allowing the user to apply pressure to control the quantity and / or rate of the product dispensed from the dispensing container. In one aspect of the invention, the Drive portion 74 is composed of soft materials with elastomeric properties. For example, drive portion 74 may be made of a material such as synthetic rubber or thermoelastic polymers.

[0082] In one aspect of the invention, the actuating member 70 is made of hard materials, such as hard synthetic resin or glass. For example, the actuating member 70 may be made of a material, such as metal or synthetic resin, to more securely protect the contents from direct light or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In another aspect of the invention, the actuating member 70 provides the function of maintaining the overall external shape of the dispensing container 200.

[0083] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, the cylindrical portion of the neck 72b of the actuating member 70 has threads 78 to engage with corresponding threads 65b on an internal surface of the cap 65 to form a detachable connection. Additionally, the cap 65 does not cover the push button 74.

[0084] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 10, the applicator head 60 is in a detachable connection with an upper portion of the drive member 70. The inner surface of the cylindrical neck portion 72b of the drive member 70 has at least one slot 72c for snap-fit ​​with at least one protrusion 64b present on the outer surface of a lower cylindrical portion 64 of the applicator head 60.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, a connecting member 82 is fixedly connected within a lower portion 72a of the drive member 70 and includes a through hole 82b that allows the liquid or semi-liquid product to pass from the cavity 91 of the storage element 90 to an inner chamber 73a of the applicator head 60 and the drive member 70. In addition, the storage element 90 is detachably coupled to the connecting member 82.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 10, a sealing ring 84 is positioned at an upper end of the storage element 90, such that the sealing member can prevent leakage of the contents by improving the seal between the connecting member 82 and the storage element 90. The sealing ring 84 further includes a through-hole 84a that aligns with through hole 82b of the connecting member 82, to allow aerodynamic passage of the product from the storage element 90 to the applicator head 60.

[0087] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the neck 92 of the storage element 90 has threads 92b on its outer surface to form a detachable connection with the corresponding threads 86 on the inner surface of the connecting member 82.

[0088] As shown in Figures 7, 8, and 10, the applicator head 60 forms the upper part of the dispensing container 200, with a dispensing portion 62 and a lower cylindrical portion 64. The dispensing portion 62 further comprises a neck 62a, a dispensing tip 62b, and a discharge opening 62c. According to one aspect of the invention, the applicator head 60 and the actuating member 70 define an inner chamber 73a in fluid communication with the cavity 91 of the storage element 90 to receive the product stored in the cavity 91 of the storage element 90 when the user inverts the dispensing container. Furthermore, when the user applies pressure to the push button 74a, the liquid or semi-liquid product flows from the inner chamber to the dispensing tip 62b of the applicator head 60 and is discharged through the discharge opening 62c formed in the dispensing tip.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the dispensing container 100 includes a cap 65 that is removably attached to an outer surface of an upper portion of the drive member 70, and the cap 65 does not cover the push button 74a. In addition, the cap 65 protects the dispensing tip 62b and prevents the entry of foreign matter through the discharge opening 62c.

[0090] The object of the present invention can take on different formats, depending on the needs, such as a stick or bar configuration, or a stylus or pen, although these are not the only ones it could take.

[0091] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited to them. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the true spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted to encompass all equivalent variations that are within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A dispensing container for dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, the dispensing container includes: a storage element with a cavity adapted to contain the liquid or semi-liquid product; an actuating member connected to an open upper end of the storage element; an applicator head connected to an upper portion of the actuating member; the applicator head includes a dispensing portion and the actuating member includes an actuating portion; the actuating member and the actuating portion are formed from two bi-injected materials; the actuating member is a longitudinal hollow body having two diametrically opposed holes in a portion on its left side and a portion on its right side; the actuating portion is another longitudinal hollow body having two diametrically opposed push buttons formed on an outer surface thereof;wherein the actuating portion is inserted into the actuating member such that the two diametrically opposed push buttons protrude from the respective two diametrically opposed holes and a portion of the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating portion is situated within the longitudinal hollow body of the actuating member; wherein the actuating portion is made of a soft compressible material compared to the actuating member which is made of a hard rigid material; wherein the two diametrically opposed push buttons have dimensions that closely match those of the respective two opposite holes on each side of the actuating member; wherein the applicator head and the drive member define an inner chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of the storage element to receive the product stored in the cavity of the storage element when a user inverts the dispensing container; wherein the push buttons are manually moved between a deformed position and a rest position, wherein, in the rest position, the push buttons are in an undeformed state; and wherein, in the deformed position, the push buttons are deformed by applying pressure to compress the product within the inner chamber, which, in turn, dispenses the product through a dispensing tip formed at an upper end of the dispensing portion.

2. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein each of the left side portion and the right side portion of the actuating member further has a toothed surface surrounding the respective push button and the toothed surface is curved inwards towards a longitudinal axis of the dispensing container.

3. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head and the drive member are in a detachable connection by means of a snap-fit ​​arrangement.

4. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein the storage element has threads on an outer surface of a neck thereof for making a detachable connection with corresponding threads on an inner surface of a lower portion of the actuating member.

5. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head has a cylindrical lower portion, an upper portion and an open lower end; wherein the upper portion comprises a conical portion at an upper end of the cylindrical lower portion, a neck portion, and the dispensing tip defining a discharge opening formed at an upper end of the upper portion.

6. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 5, wherein the upper part of the applicator head is shaped like a rounded tip in the form of a bulb, roller ball or spatula.

7. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 5, wherein an outer surface of the lower cylindrical portion of the applicator head has at least one projection to snap into a corresponding groove formed in an inner surface of an upper portion of the neck of the drive member.

8. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein at least an upper portion and a lower portion of the actuating member are formed from hard material.

9. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein an outer surface of at least a portion of the actuating member comprises a combination of hard and soft material as the two diametrically opposed push buttons protrude from the respective two diametrically opposed holes of the actuating member.

10. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein an inner surface of at least a portion of the actuating member consists of a soft material as the hollow cylindrical body of the actuating portion is inserted into the interior of the actuating member.

11. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1, wherein the actuating member has a longitudinal cylindrical shape in which the outer surfaces of the two diametrically opposed push buttons complete an outer surface of the actuating member such that a maximum radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the dispensing container to the outer surface of the actuating member and to the outer surfaces of the push buttons is the same.

12. A dispensing container for dispensing a liquid or semi-liquid product, the dispensing container includes: a storage element with a cavity for storing the liquid or semi-liquid product; an actuating member connected to an open upper end of the storage element; an applicator head connected to an upper portion of the actuating member; the applicator head includes a dispensing portion and the actuating member includes an actuating portion; the actuating member is a longitudinal hollow body with a cylindrical neck portion and an open lower portion, at least one portion of the longitudinal hollow body having a convex outer surface along a longitudinal axis thereof; and the actuating member includes an orifice on at least one side of its body; the actuating portion includes a push button formed on an outer surface surrounding the orifice of the actuating member;The actuating member and the actuating portion are formed from two bi-injected materials; the actuating portion is made of a soft, compressible material and the actuating member is made of a rigid material; wherein the push button includes a plurality of protrusions to fit into corresponding grooves present on the outer surface surrounding the bore of the actuating member; and wherein an outer surface of the push button completes the outer convex surface of the actuating member such that the maximum radial distance from a central longitudinal axis of the dispensing container to the outer convex surface of the actuating member and to the outer surface of the push button is the same.

13. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 12, wherein a sealing ring is located at an upper end of the storage element; and wherein a connecting member is located within a lower portion of the actuating member, and includes a through-hole allowing the liquid or semi-liquid product to pass through. from the cavity of the storage element to an inner chamber of the applicator head and the drive member; and wherein the storage element is detachably coupled to the connecting member.

14. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 12, wherein the applicator head and the drive member define an inner chamber in fluid communication with the cavity of the storage element to receive the product stored in the cavity of the storage element, such that when a user inverts the dispensing container and applies pressure to the pressure button, the liquid or semi-liquid product flows from the storage element to a dispensing tip of the applicator head and exits through a discharge opening formed in the dispensing tip.

15. Dispensing container for dispensing the liquid or semi-liquid product according to claim 1 or 12, wherein the dispensing container includes a cap that is removably attached to an outer surface of an upper portion of the actuating member; and wherein the cap does not cover the push button.

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