Cosmetic product dispenser jar with anti-residual effect

Abstract

The invention provides a cosmetic product dispenser jar (1) comprising: - a body (6) defining a variable-volume chamber (11) for storing the product; - a piston (7) mounted for translational movement within the body (6); - a rotating actuating element (5) mounted for rotational movement relative to the body (6); - a drive system (8) comprising a threaded rod (81) passing through the body (6), the piston (7) being screwed onto the rod (81) and moving in translation along the X-axis within the body (6) by the rotation of the rod (81) via the actuating element (5), the drive system (8) having a dispensing orifice (80). The actuating element (5) is located at the top of the jar (1) and has a curved upper wall (52) for receiving the product. Figure 4 (for the abstract)

Description

Title of the invention: Cosmetic product dispenser pot with anti-residual means Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a cosmetic product dispenser pot. This pot comprises product dispensing means for delivering identical doses of product each time an actuating element is actuated. The actuating element is designed so as to carry out the actuation via a simple and easy gesture for the user.

[0002] The invention also relates to a method of dispensing a cosmetic product from such a pot.

[0003] The cosmetic product is fluid, of the cream type. Technical background

[0004] We know about cosmetic product dispenser pots, which allow doses of fluid product to be delivered.

[0005] In general, these pots are equipped with a variable volume chamber, containing the product. A piston, actuated by a mechanical system, compresses the chamber to force the escape of a dose of product via a dispensing orifice.

[0006] One of the disadvantages is that the dose dispensed differs from one dose to another depending on the actuation movement made by the user on the mechanical system.

[0007] In addition, the actuation movement sometimes requires gestures that are not natural, or even difficult.

[0008] And finally, product may continue to come out of the orifice once actuation is complete, because a phenomenon known as "remanence" occurs. This excess product, released after the user has already taken their dose of product, stagnates around the outlet orifice, and may thus be contaminated by bacteria present in the environment or which were on the user's finger. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present invention aims to overcome the various drawbacks stated above, by means of a cosmetic product dispenser pot, provided with product dispensing means, which are easily actuated by the user with improved and simplified gestures, and which make it possible to deliver an identical dose of product repeatedly, without any residual effect, and while preserving the intrinsic properties of the product contained inside the pot by preventing any contact between the product and the user's fingers.

[0010] This pot must be simple to manufacture, refillable, and designed with a view to re- easy cycling.

[0011] This aim is achieved by means of a cosmetic product dispenser pot having a central X axis and comprising:

[0012] - a hollow body partly defining a variable volume chamber for storing product;

[0013] - a piston mounted to move in translation inside the body and forming a bottom mobile of the room to vary its volume,

[0014] - a rotary actuating element, mounted to be movable in rotation relative to the body;

[0015] - a drive system comprising a threaded rod extending along the X axis and passing through the body, the piston being screwed onto the rod and moving in translation along the X axis within the body by the rotation of the rod via the actuating element, the drive system having a product supply conduit opening onto a dispensing orifice defined by a free end of the drive system.

[0016] The pot is mainly characterized in that the actuating element is arranged in the upper part of the pot and has a curved upper wall for receiving the product.

[0017] The main idea of ​​this invention is to provide a pot with the actuating element located at the top of the pot, and no longer at the bottom of the pot as was customary in the prior art.

[0018] With this arrangement, the dispensing gesture is improved. In fact, with one hand the user holds the body of the pot, and with the other hand he turns the rotary actuating element and takes the cream. Thus, the hand used to turn the actuating element and the hand used to serve the product is the same, the other hand remaining engaged with the body during actuation and during recovery of the dose of product.

[0019] In the prior art, it was necessary to turn the actuating element at the bottom of the pot, then raise the hand to collect the dose of product released at the top of the pot.

[0020] In the invention, the actuating element has two functions, that of actuating the dispensing, and that of recovering a dose of product.

[0021] The upper wall of the actuating element is slightly curved towards the inside of the body, so as to define a bowl for retaining a dose of fluid product, which extends all around the dispensing orifice. This bowl shape makes it possible to receive product without it overflowing from the upper wall. This also makes it easier for the user to recover their dose of product with their finger by scraping this bowl.

[0022] According to the different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: - the drive system is mounted integrally with the actuating element to shoot with him. the pot has a cross-section, perpendicular to the X axis, of oval or oblong shape. the pot is actuated to dispense a dose of product by rotating the actuating element through 180°. the pot also comprises a base into which said body is inserted, and a ring for holding the body in position in the base, the actuating element being mounted on the ring. the body, the piston, and the drive system form a removable refill. the body, piston, drive system, base, ring and actuating element are made of the same material. the pot comprises anti-residual means consisting of a cam and cam follower system operating an axial translation of the drive system relative to the body and the actuating element. the cam and cam follower system consists of a cooperation between a cam formed by a ramp provided on the body and having sections with variable slope, and a cam follower formed by at least one pin projecting from the drive system and sliding on the ramp during rotation of the drive system via the actuating element. with each rotary actuation of the actuating element, the drive system moves in translation relative to the body from an initial position, where the free end of the drive system is flush with said upper wall, to a raised position, where the free end of the drive system protrudes from said upper wall, as long as the pin slides on a section of ramp having an upward slope, then from the raised position to the initial position when the pin slides on an adjacent section of ramp having a downward slope. the drive system includes spring means forcing it to return to its initial position after each actuation. these spring means consist of a flexible plate extending radially from the rod and being in axial abutment against a radial shoulder of the body, the rod is hollow, and has openings for the passage of the product from the chamber to the product supply duct to the dispensing orifice. the pot also comprises a tight closing cover for the pot mounted on the ring and having means for locking the actuating element in rotation.

[0023] The invention also relates to a method for dispensing a cosmetic product from a pot as described above, comprising the following steps:

[0024] - rotating the actuating element relative to the body over an angular portion predetermined less than half a turn, which simultaneously results in: • on the one hand a translation of the piston relative to the drive system within the body in the direction of the actuating element, which results in a reduction in the volume of the chamber with compression, which results in an escape of a dose of product through the dispensing orifice; • on the other hand a translation of the drive system and piston assembly from an initial position to a raised position;

[0025] - continue to rotate the actuating element relative to the body until it has completed the U-turn, which simultaneously results in: • on the one hand a translation of the piston relative to the drive system8 in the direction of the actuating element, which causes the end of the dose of product to escape through the dispensing orifice; • on the other hand a translation of the drive system and piston assembly from its raised position to its initial position away from the actuating element, which causes an increase in the volume of the chamber with decompression to stop the product distribution. Brief description of the figures

[0026] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0027] [Fig.l] is a general view, in perspective, of a pot according to the invention, closed with its lid.

[0028] [Fig.2] is a general perspective view of the pot without its lid.

[0029] [Fig.3] is an exploded view of the pot.

[0030] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the pot according to [Fig.l].

[0031] [Fig.5] shows several perspective views of the drive system according to the invention;

[0032] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the actuating element;

[0033] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of the refill surmounted by the ring;

[0034] [Fig.8] is a perspective view of the refill body. Detailed description of the invention

[0035] In the remainder of the description, elements having an identical structure or similar functions will be designated by the same references.

[0036] By convention, the “axial” direction corresponds to that of the main extension of the receptacle, illustrated by the X axis in [Fig.l], and the “radial” direction is orthogonal to the axial direction.

[0037] In the detailed description of the figures which follows, the terms “upper” and “lower” or “top” and “bottom” will be used in a non-limiting manner with reference to the axial direction. Thus, the term “upper” means a part located in the vicinity of a cover of the pot 1, and the term “lower” means a part located in the vicinity of a bottom of the pot 1.

[0038] Similarly, the terms "outer or external" and "inner or internal" are used with reference to the radial direction, an outer element being radially further from the X-axis than an inner element.

[0039] The pot 1 according to the invention is made up of several parts mounted one inside the other along the mounting axis X, as illustrated by figures 1 to 3.

[0040] In this case, the pot 1 is composed of a base 2 in which a refill 10 is mounted which conditions the cosmetic product, on which a ring 4 is mounted on which a rotary actuating element 5 is mounted, which is itself covered with a lid 3. The rotary actuating element 5 is thus found in the upper part of the pot 1, at the level of the lid 3.

[0041] Inside the refill 10 there is a piston 7 as well as a drive system 8.

[0042] All the parts mentioned, with the exception of the drive system 8, have an oval or oblong shape in the cross-section, according to a plane perpendicular to the X axis. Consequently, the different parts are indexed relative to each other so that the oval or oblong shapes are well aligned axially.

[0043] The cosmetic product is packaged in the refill 10.

[0044] Preferably, the cosmetic product is fluid, of the cream or foundation type.

[0045] The cosmetic product has a viscosity allowing it to be ejected via a dispensing orifice 80 located in the upper part of the pot 1.

[0046] More precisely, as illustrated in [Fig.4], the cosmetic product is packaged in a chamber 11 of the refill 10.

[0047] The refill 10 is mainly made up of a hollow body 6 through which the drive system 8 passes, and inside which a piston 7 is mounted.

[0048] The hollow body 6 has a peripheral wall 61 surmounted by a three-stage neck 64.

[0049] The body 6 also has a collar 62 extending radially outwards, at the junction between the peripheral wall 61 and the neck 64. This collar 62 is capable of cooperating with an upper periphery 23 of the base 2 so that the refill 10 can be suspended inside the base 2. Indeed, the collar 62 rests on the upper periphery 23 of the base 2 at the end of assembly.

[0050] In the present case, the base 2 has a peripheral wall 21 as well as a bottom 26.

[0051] The drive system 8 has a cylindrical rod 81 extending over the entire height of the body 6. This rod 81 has a threaded part, then a hollow part 83 with openings 84 opening into the chamber 11, and is extended by a head 86 defining a conduit 89 for supplying the product to a distribution orifice 80 defined by the upper end of the head 86.

[0052] The drive system 8 is suspended inside the body 6. More particularly, the head 86 of the drive system 8 has at least two diametrically opposed pins 87, which rest on an internal rib 65 provided for this purpose in the neck 64 of the body 6.

[0053] The piston 7 is mounted in the lower part of the body 6, and has a circumference matching the internal shape of the peripheral wall 61 of the body 6 so that there is contact between the piston 7 and the body 6, at least on a sealing line.

[0054] The piston 7 has a central orifice provided with an internal thread 71 capable of cooperating with an external thread 82 of the threaded part of the rod 81. Thus the piston 7 is put in place inside the body 6 by screwing onto the rod 81 passing through the underside of the refill 10.

[0055] The piston 7 forms the bottom of the refill 10.

[0056] The piston 7 is movable in axial translation inside the body 6. In fact, each time the drive system 8 turns, therefore the rod 81 turns in the manner of a worm screw, the piston 7 is driven axially by cooperation of the internal 71 and external 82 threads.

[0057] The chamber 11 storing the product is defined by the peripheral wall 61 of the body 6, by the piston 7, by the three stages of the neck 64 of the body 6, and by the rod 81 of the drive system 8.

[0058] This chamber 11 has a variable volume between a configuration where the volume is maximum, as illustrated in [Fig.4], when the piston 7 is in the low position inside the body 6, and a configuration where the volume is minimum, when the piston 7 is in the high position in the body 6 and comes to abut against the first stage 69 of the neck 64 of the body 6.

[0059] When the piston 7 is in the high position, this means that all the cosmetic product has been dispensed, and that the refill 10 is empty. It is then possible to change the refill 10 of the pot 1, and to put a new one in the base 2.

[0060] With each actuation, the piston 7 rises a little in the body 6, so as to reduce the volume of the chamber 11 and create a compression of the product, to force the product to pass through the openings 84 of the hollow part of the rod 81 then through the conduit 89 for supplying the product to the dispensing orifice 80.

[0061] When the product leaves the dispensing orifice 80, it flows onto an upper wall 52 of the actuating element 5. This upper wall 52 is curved towards the inside of the pot 1, so as to form a product retention bowl. This allows the user to easily recover the product, without it overflowing from the actuating element 5.

[0062] This actuating element 5 is mounted integral with the drive system 8 by means of rotational locking means. The actuating element 5 is however axially free relative to the drive system 8.

[0063] These rotation locking means consist of a first circular crown 58, as illustrated in [Fig.6], extending axially from the upper wall 52 of the actuating element 5, and being provided with axial ribs 59, this first crown 58 with its ribs 59 being capable of fitting inside a housing 88 of corresponding shape provided inside the head 86 of the drive system 8.

[0064] This housing is particularly visible in figures 7, 5a, 5c.

[0065] In this case, the housing 88 consists of an annular space 88b surrounding the product supply conduit 89, and extended by axial grooves 88a. The annular space 88b accommodates the first crown 58, while the grooves 88a accommodate the ribs 59.

[0066] Thus, when the actuating element 5 rotates, it drives the head 86 of the drive system 8 in rotation thanks to the ribs 59 locked in the grooves 88a.

[0067] In the example illustrated, the external surface of the first crown 58 is provided with four regularly distributed axial ribs. In this case, the four ribs are arranged at 90° to each other. The head 86 of the drive system 8 is thus provided with four axial grooves distributed accordingly, around the housing 88, at 90° to each other.

[0068] The actuating element 5 is also axially locked relative to the base 2, thanks to an intermediate part, in this case the ring 4.

[0069] This ring 4 is fixed to the base 2 by elastic fitting.

[0070] Any other means of attachment may be envisaged within the framework of the present invention.

[0071] This elastic fitting is produced at the level of an oval or oblong peripheral wall 41 of the ring 4 which cooperates with the oval or oblong upper periphery 23 of the base 2. Due to their oval or oblong shapes, the ring 4 and the base 2 are automatically blocked in rotation relative to one another.

[0072] The ring 4 also has a transverse upper wall 47 surmounted by a neck 46 defining an opening inside which the neck 64 of the body 6 as well as the head 86 of the drive system 8 can be inserted.

[0073] The neck 46 of the ring 4 is provided with axial fixing means with the actuating element 5. In this case, the axial locking means consist of an external rib 45 of the neck 46 of the ring 4 capable of being inserted inside a groove 56 provided for this purpose in a second circular crown 50 of the actuating element 5. More precisely, this second circular crown 50 extends axially from the upper wall 52 of the actuating element 5, and has a radius greater than the first circular crown 58. In this way, the second circular crown 50 surrounds the first circular crown 58.

[0074] Conversely, the axial locking means could very well correspond to a rib extending from an inner wall of the second circular crown 50 and capable of being inserted inside a groove provided for this purpose in the outer wall of the neck 46 of the ring 4.

[0075] Optionally, the second circular crown 50 is provided with axial slots 57 so as to make this second circular crown 50 more flexible during its elastic fitting with the neck 46 of the ring 4.

[0076] Preferably, the second circular crown 50 is provided with two diametrically opposed axial slots 57.

[0077] By the elastic fitting of the actuating element 5 on the base 2, followed by the elastic fitting of the base 2 on the ring 4, the actuating element 5 is axially blocked relative to the base 2.

[0078] The ring 4 also has means for axially locking the refill 10 relative to the base 2. These axial locking means consist of a shoulder 42 made on the peripheral wall 41 of the ring 4, capable of coming to rest on a shoulder 60 of the collar 62 of the body 6, so as to exert axial pressure on the refill 10 when the ring 4 is mounted on the base 2. Thus the collar 62 is clamped between the ring 4 and the base 2, and the body 6 of the refill 10 can no longer move axially relative to the base 2 or relative to the ring 4.

[0079] The actuating element 5 is certainly axially blocked relative to the base 2, but is movable in rotation relative to the base 2, and also relative to the ring 4. Indeed, the objective is that the user can hold the base 2 in one hand, and turn the actuating element 5 in the other hand.

[0080] The annular groove 56 and the annular rib 45 allow axial locking, but leave a degree of freedom with regard to rotation.

[0081] Given the oblong or oval shape of the pot 1, it is intended that the user turns the actuating element 5 half a turn to deliver a dose of product, so that the actuating element 5 is repositioned correctly on the body 6, with an alignment of its oval / oblong shape relative to the oval / oblong shape of the base 2.

[0082] The pot 1 is also provided with means for positioning the actuating element 5 relative to the ring 4, and therefore a fortiori relative to the base 2.

[0083] These positioning means consist of two projections 55 extending from an internal surface of a third circular crown 54 extending axially from the upper wall 52 of the actuating element 5, and capable of cooperating with two notches 44 provided for this purpose in a circular excess thickness 43 of the neck 46 of the ring 4.

[0084] This third crown 54 has a radius greater than the second circular crown 50. In this way, the third crown 54 surrounds the second crown 50.

[0085] The two projections 55 are diametrically opposed at the level of the third circular crown 54.

[0086] In the same way, the two notches 44 are diametrically opposed at the level of the circular excess thickness 43.

[0087] When each projection 55 penetrates inside each notch 44, the user feels the passage of a notch, like a hard point, which indicates to him that he has reached the end of the rotation for the delivery of a dose of product.

[0088] The two projections 55 are arranged on an axis of symmetry of the actuating element 5, perpendicular to the axis X, in the direction of the length of the oblong or oval shape of the actuating element 5.

[0089] In the same way, the two notches 44 are arranged on an axis of symmetry of the ring 4, perpendicular to the axis X, in the direction of the length of the oval oblong shape of the ring 4.

[0090] Thus, at each rotation of 180°, the projections 55 find the notches 44, and the actuating element 5 is again aligned with the ring 4 and the base 2.

[0091] The thread of the rod 81 of the drive system 8 is dimensioned so that, for each half-turn of the actuating element 5, the piston 7 rises on an axial stroke allowing a precise dose of product to be delivered. In this way, at each actuation, the same quantity of product comes out through the dispensing orifice 80. There is therefore no variation in the quantity of product dispensed from one dose to another.

[0092] In the example illustrated, the projections 55 of the third circular crown 54 are offset by 90° relative to the slots 57 of the second circular crown 50.

[0093] When the cover 3 is placed in position on the pot 1, it is no longer possible to have access to the actuating element 5, nor to turn it. Indeed, the cover 3 has means for locking the actuating element 5 from rotating.

[0094] These rotation locking means consist of an extension of the peripheral wall 31 of the cover 3, which completely covers the peripheral wall 51 of the actuating element 5, as well as a part of the peripheral wall 41 of the ring 4. Thus, when the cover 3 is placed on the ring 4, the user no longer has access to the actuating element 5 and can no longer turn the latter.

[0095] Advantageously, the pot 1 has anti-residual means whose objective is to prevent product from continuing to flow out of the dispensing orifice 80 once the actuating element 5 has completed its half-turn. This phenomenon frequently occurs on fluid product dispensers, because the product is compressed and carried into the conduit 89, and tends to continue to come out of the dispensing orifice 80 given the inertia of its movement and the viscosity of the product.

[0096] These anti-residual means aim to create a pressure relief in the chamber 11 in order to reduce the pressure in the chamber 11, and to stop the distribution of product immediately.

[0097] This expansion is achieved by a descent of the drive system 8 and piston 7 assembly inside the body 6, so as to increase the volume inside the chamber 11.

[0098] This relaxation must take place at the end of actuation, that is to say just before the actuating element 5 has completed its half-turn.

[0099] To do this, the pins 87 of the head 86 of the drive system 8 are used, which rest on the internal rib 65 of the neck of the body 6. Advantageously, the internal rib 65 consists of a ramp 65 with sections of variable slope, acting as a cam, while the pins 87 act as cam followers.

[0100] The first ramp section 65a has an ascending slope, i.e. oriented towards the upper part of the pot 1, over a first angular section of at least 90°. Thus, the drive system 8 and its associated piston 7 will rise axially relative to the body 6 during the first actuation phase of the actuating element 5, i.e. over a first angular stroke of at least 90°, corresponding to said first angular section.

[0101] The second ramp section 65b contiguous to the first ramp section has a downward slope, i.e. oriented towards the bottom 26 of the pot 1, on a second angular section making it possible to reach 180° in total. Thus, the drive system 8 and its associated piston 7 will descend axially relative to the body 6 during the second actuation phase of the actuating element 5, i.e. on a second angular stroke which makes it possible to complete the half-turn of the actuating element 5.

[0102] The descent of the drive system 8 and its piston 7 de facto causes an increase in the volume of the chamber 11, even if the piston 7 has still moved axially upwards relative to the drive system 8 following the end of the rotation of the actuating element 5.

[0103] Thus, with each rotary actuation of the actuating element 5, the drive system 8 and the piston 7 move in translation relative to the body 6:

[0104] - from an initial position, where the free end of the head 86 of the system drive 8, that is to say the free end of the product supply conduit 89, is flush with the upper wall 52 of the actuating element 5,

[0105] - to a raised position, where the free end of the drive system 8 protrudes of the upper wall 52, as long as the pins 87 slide on a section of ramp having an ascending slope;

[0106] - then back to the initial position, when the pins 87 slide on a section adjacent ramp having a downward slope.

[0107] Thus the rib 65 is provided with a first ascending ramp section 65a, followed by a second descending ramp section 65b, these first two sections corresponding to the rotation of a half-turn of the actuating element 5, then is provided with a third ascending ramp section 65a followed by a fourth descending ramp section 65b, these last two sections corresponding to the rotation of another half-turn of the actuating element 5. The rib 65 is thus provided in all with four ramp sections 65a, 65b.

[0108] This sudden increase in volume has the effect of decompressing the chamber 11 and of stopping the pressure of the product in the vicinity of the dispensing orifice 80, thus preventing any residual effect.

[0109] There is no longer any excess product overflowing from the orifice 80 after actuation. The dose of product delivered can be collected by the user, after actuation, by passing his finger over the upper wall 52 of the body 6. After collecting this dose of product, the upper wall 52 of the actuation element 5 remains clean all around the orifice 80 because there is no more product coming out. There is therefore less risk of contamination of the product located inside the pot 1.

[0110] Preferably, the product supply conduit 89 opens at an opening 53 of the actuating element 5. The opening 53 is sized so as to be as close as possible to the conduit 89, to prevent product from getting between the conduit and the first ring 58 of the actuating element 5.

[0111] Advantageously, the drive system 8 comprises spring means forcing it to return to its initial position after each actuation.

[0112] These spring means consist of a flexible plate 85 extending radially from the rod 81 and coming into axial abutment against a radial shoulder 67 of the body 6.

[0113] More precisely, this radial shoulder 67 of the body 6 is formed by the second stage of the neck 64.

[0114] For example, the plate 85 has a relatively thin thickness allowing it to be more flexible and more supple.

[0115] For example, the plate 85 is perforated so as to make it more flexible, as illustrated in particular in [Fig.5].

[0116] According to the invention, this plate 85 is in abutment against the radial shoulder 67, without being deformed when there is no actuation. During actuation, the rod 81 as well as the head 86 of the drive system 8 move over a small upward axial stroke, while the plate 85 remains at a constant axial altitude, in abutment against the radial shoulder 67, and is deformed. At the end of actuation, the stress exerted by the plate 85 on the stop 67 is gradually released and causes the rod 81 and head 86 assembly to descend.

[0117] Preferably, the body 6, the piston 7, the drive system 8, the base 2, the ring 4 and the actuating element 5 are made of the same plastic material. The lid 3 is also preferably made of the same plastic material. This avoids the user having to sort the different parts of his pot 1, according to the materials, to be able to throw it into different sorting bins.

[0118] The plastic material may be chosen from polypropylene (PP), recycled polypropylene (R-PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), recycled polyethylene terephthalate (R-PET), a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), polyethylene (PE), such as low density polyethylene (LDPE) and / or high density polyethylene (HDPE), a composite material, a post-consumer recycled material (PCR and / or a similar material). Preferably, it is recycled or non-recycled polypropylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0119] Thus, advantageously, the body 6, the piston 7, the drive system 8, the base 2, the ring 4, the actuating element 5 and the cover 3 are made of plastic material chosen from polypropylene and / or polyethylene terephthalate.

[0120] The use of plastic materials, in particular similar plastic materials for the entire pot 1, makes recycling easier. In particular, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate are two plastic materials whose recycling cycle is well known.

[0121] Pot 1 can be made using 3D printing.

[0122] In particular, the body 6, the piston 7, the drive system 8, the base 2, the ring 4, the actuating element 5 and the cover 3 can be produced by 3D printing. Such a printing process makes it possible in particular to produce these parts very freely, presenting patterns and shapes contributing to the aesthetic appearance of the pot 1.

[0123] To use pot 1 and deliver a dose of cosmetic product, the user must:

[0124] - turn the actuating element 5 relative to the body 6 over an angular portion predetermined less than half a turn, which simultaneously results in: • on the one hand a translation of the piston 7 relative to the drive system 8 within the body 6 in the direction of the actuating element 5, which causes a reduction in the volume of the chamber 11 with a compression, which causes an escape of a dose of product through the dispensing orifice 80; • on the other hand a translation of the drive system 8 and piston 7 assembly from an initial position to a raised position;

[0125] - continue to rotate the actuating element 5 relative to the body 6 until that he has completed the U-turn, which simultaneously results in: • on the one hand a translation of the piston 7 relative to the drive system 8 in the direction of the actuating element 5, which causes the end of the dose of product to escape through the dispensing orifice 80; • on the other hand a translation of the drive system 8 and piston 7 assembly from its raised position to its initial position away from the actuating element 5, which causes an increase in the volume of the chamber 11 with decompression to stop the product distribution.

[0126] Generally speaking, whether the pot 1 incorporates the anti-residual system or not, the user has the possibility of reducing the dose of product dispensed, by turning the actuating element 5 clockwise over an angular sector of less than 180°, for example over a quarter turn, then turning the actuating element 5 counterclockwise to return it to its starting position. Thus, only half of a dose of product will have been dispensed.

[0127] After removing the cover 3 from the pot 1, in order to be able to easily remove the refill 10 from the pot 1 when the refill 10 is empty, the base 2 optionally has two raised gripping zones 25 on which the user can press so as to locally deform the base 2, in order to be able to release the ring 4 relative to the base 2.

[0128] These attachment zones 25 are located in the upper part of the peripheral wall 21 of the base 2, and are diametrically opposite, and located on the long sides of the base 2.

[0129] Thus, with one hand, he presses these two zones 25 so as to bring them closer to each other, which has the effect of releasing the interlocking which was made with the ring 4. Thus, the user can easily remove the ring 4 from the base 2, and by removing the ring 4, he takes with him the actuating element 5 which is axially secured to the ring 4.

[0130] The user can thus have access to the neck 64 of the body 6 and grip it so as to remove the refill 10 relative to the base 2.

[0131] He can thus insert a new refill 10 inside the base 2, then reuse the subassembly formed by the ring 4 and the actuating element 5 to mount them on the new refill 10 while fitting the ring 4 onto the base 2. The pot 1 is thus refilled and ready to be reused.

[0132] It should be noted that, even without the gripping zones, the user can press the base 2 in the same place, to deform it, and release the ring 4.

[0133] When not in use, the user closes the pot 1 with the lid 3.

[0134] Preferably, the cover 3 matches the shape of the actuating element 5 so as to be able to seal the dispensing orifice.

[0135] Each refill 10 is provided with a cap for closing the dispensing orifice in a sealed manner before first use. The user removes this cap after inserting the refill 10 into the base 2.

[0136] The configurations shown in the cited figures are only possible examples, in no way limiting, of the invention which on the contrary encompasses the variants of shapes and designs within the reach of those skilled in the art.

Claims

Claims

1. Pot (1) dispensing cosmetic product having a central axis X and comprising: - a hollow body (6) partly defining a chamber (11) with variable volume for storing product; - a piston (7) mounted to move in translation inside the body (6) and forming a movable bottom of the chamber (11) to vary its volume, - a rotary actuating element (5), mounted to move in rotation relative to the body (6); - a drive system (8) comprising a threaded rod (81) extending along the X axis and passing through the body (6), the piston (7) being screwed onto the rod (81) and moving in translation along the X axis within the body (6) by the rotation of the rod (81) via the actuating element (5), the drive system (8) having a conduit (89) for supplying the product opening onto a dispensing orifice (80) defined by a free end of the drive system (8);characterized in that the actuating element (5) is arranged in the upper part of the pot (1) and has a curved upper wall (52) for receiving the product.;

2. Pot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drive system (8) is mounted integral with the actuating element (5) to rotate with it.

3. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a cross-section, perpendicular to the X axis, of oval or oblong shape.

4. Pot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the actuation of the pot (1) for dispensing a dose of product is done by rotating the actuation element (5) through 180°.

5. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises a base (2) in which said body (6) is inserted, and a ring (4) for holding the body (6) in position in the base (2), the actuating element (5) being mounted on the ring (4).

6. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (6), the piston (7), and the drive system (8) form a removable refill (10).

7. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body (6), the piston (7), the drive system (8), the base (2), the ring (4) and the actuating element (5) are made of the same material.

8. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises anti-remanence means consisting of a cam and cam follower system operating an axial translation of the drive system (8) relative to the body (6) and to the actuating element (5).

9. Pot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the cam and cam follower system consists of a cooperation between a cam formed by a ramp (65) provided on the body (6) and having sections with variable slope, and a cam follower formed by at least one pin (87) projecting from the drive system (8) and sliding on the ramp (65) during rotation of the drive system (8) via the actuating element (5).

10. Pot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, at each rotary actuation of the actuating element (5), the drive system (8) moves in translation relative to the body (6) from an initial position, where the free end of the drive system (8) is flush with said upper wall (52), to a raised position, where the free end of the drive system (8) protrudes from said upper wall (52), as long as the pin (87) slides on a ramp section (65) having an upward slope, then from the raised position to the initial position when the pin (87) slides on an adjacent ramp section (65) having a downward slope.

11. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drive system (8) comprises spring means forcing it to return to its initial position after each actuation.

12. Pot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that these spring means consist of a flexible plate (85) extending radially from the rod (81) and being in axial abutment against a radial shoulder of the body (6).

13. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (81) is hollow, and has openings (84) for the passage of the product from the chamber (11) towards the conduit (89) for supplying the product to the dispensing orifice (80).

14. Pot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, when it depends on claim 5, characterized in that it also comprises a cover (3) for sealing the pot (1) mounted on the ring (4) and having means for locking the actuating element (5) in rotation.

15. A method of dispensing a cosmetic product from a jar (1) according to claim 9, comprising the following steps: - turn the actuating element (5) relative to the body (6) over a predetermined angular portion less than half a turn, which simultaneously causes: • on the one hand a translation of the piston (7) relative to the drive system (8) within the body (6) in the direction of the actuating element (5), which causes a reduction in the volume of the chamber (11) with a compression, which causes an escape of a dose of product through the dispensing orifice (80); • on the other hand a translation of the drive system assembly (8) and piston (7) from an initial position to a raised position; - continue to turn the actuating element (5) relative to the body (6) until it has completed the half-turn, which simultaneously causes: • on the one hand a translation of the piston (7) relative to the drive system (8) in the direction of the actuating element (5), which causes the end of the dose of product to escape through the dispensing orifice (80); • on the other hand a translation of the drive system assembly (8) and piston (7) from its raised position to its initial position away from the actuating element (5), which causes an increase in the volume of the chamber (11) with decompression to stop the product distribution.

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