Cosmetic product dispensing head, packaging and dispensing device and associated method

Abstract

Cosmetic product dispensing head, packaging and dispensing device and associated method The head (14) comprises a product passage conduit (32) and a dip tube (30) defining a product sampling channel (31). It comprises a product circulation closure element (34), movable between a closure position, in which the closure element (34) is retained on a bearing surface (62) formed between the sampling channel (31) and the dispensing chamber (33), and a dispensing position, in which the closure element (34) is located in the dispensing chamber (33) away from the bearing surface (62) and the dispensing orifice (40) is in fluid communication with the sampling channel (31).The bearing surface (62) defines at least one groove (64) configured to ensure air intake between the channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) when the closure element (34) occupies its closure position. Figure for the abstract: figure 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Cosmetic product dispensing head, packaging and dispensing device and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to a dispensing head, intended to be mounted on at least one cosmetic product reservoir, the dispensing head comprising:

[0002] - an applicator defining at least one product application surface cosmetic, the applicator defining at least one through-orifice for dispensing cosmetic product from the reservoir;

[0003] - a cosmetic product passage conduit defining a distribution chamber tribution opening into the distribution orifice;

[0004] - a dip tube defining a product sampling channel extending between a first end opening into the distribution chamber and a second end intended to open into the tank;

[0005] - an element for closing the circulation of cosmetic product, the element closure being movable between a closure position, in which the closure element is retained on a bearing surface provided between the sampling channel and the distribution chamber to oppose the passage of fluid between the sampling channel and the distribution chamber, and a distribution position, in which the closure element is located in the distribution chamber away from the bearing surface and the distribution orifice is in fluid communication with the second end through the sampling channel.

[0006] The cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.

[0007] More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

[0008] To dispense a cosmetic product from a reservoir containing it, it is for example known to arrange a dispensing mechanism on the reservoir.

[0009] The dispensing mechanism typically comprises a dip tube dipping into the product to the bottom of the reservoir. To dispense the product, the user creates an overpressure in the reservoir, for example by exerting pressure on the wall of the reservoir, if the latter is deformable. This overpressure causes a dispensing of product from the reservoir to a dispensing orifice provided in the dispensing mechanism. During this movement, the product circulates through a dispensing conduit defined at least in part by the dip tube.

[0010] Such a mechanism is simple to use. However, when the user stops exerting excess pressure, a fraction of the dispensed product may be sucked into the reservoir during an air intake, under the effect of a rebalancing of pressure between the exterior and the interior of the reservoir and the elastic return of the wall of the reservoir, and this before the user has been able to use all of the dispensed product.

[0011] However, this fraction of product is likely to have been polluted. For example, the fraction of product may have oxidized or reacted with another product. The return of a fraction of polluted product to the tank creates a risk of contamination of the entire product contained in the tank, which harms the effectiveness of the product during subsequent applications.

[0012] To ensure air intake and limit the return of previously distributed and potentially polluted product, WO20122014050 proposes a dispensing head mounted on a reservoir comprising an applicator provided with a dispensing channel and a non-return valve.

[0013] The non-return valve comprises a ball mounted axially movable within a distribution chamber between a closing position and a product distribution position.

[0014] In the closed position, the ball is arranged in airtight and liquid product-tight support against a ball seat. On the contrary, in the dispensing position, under the effect of the overpressure, the ball moves away from the seat, so as to allow the product to be dispensed to the dispensing orifice, through slots provided in a support surface against which the ball bears in the dispensing position.

[0015] To ensure the intake of air within the reservoir when the overpressure ceases, the ball described in WO20122014050 is made of a porous material, with calibrated porosity to ensure the intake of outside air through the ball, without allowing any product previously dispensed to pass between the ball and the dispensing orifice.

[0016] The dispensing head disclosed in WO20122014050 is not entirely satisfactory. The production of the ball in porous materials of calibrated porosity is particularly delicate and costly.

[0017] Furthermore, in the presence of a product having a high viscosity, in particular a gel, there is a risk that the pores of the ball will be clogged by the product after a certain number of dispensing operations.

[0018] In this case, the ball no longer provides the intended air intake function. The reservoir does not return to its initial shape by elastic return and remains in an at least partially compressed position, thus hampering subsequent product dispensing operations.

[0019] Other dispensing heads having a ball are described in the documents US3179300, EP1538099, EP1561699, CN210083930, CN115231124.

[0020] An aim of the invention is to propose a dispensing head applicable to any type of product, simple to operate and inexpensive, which ensures the return of air within the tank after a product dispensing operation, while limiting the return of previously dispensed and potentially polluted product to the tank.

[0021] To this end, the invention relates to a cosmetic product dispensing head of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the bearing surface defines at least one groove configured to ensure air intake between the channel and the dispensing chamber when the closure element occupies its closure position.

[0022] When the closure element returns to the closure position in the absence of overpressure, the at least one groove provided in the bearing surface of the closure element retains the previously dispensed product and defines a passage section for the intake of air from the outside to the inside of the reservoir. This passage section provides resistance to the flow of the previously dispensed product towards the inside of the reservoir and significantly slows down the re-aspiration of previously dispensed product and possibly present between the closure element and the dispensing orifice or outside thereof, or possibly within the at least one groove, the intake of air taking place in particular through the product present at these locations following a previous dispensing operation.

[0023] Thus, the user has sufficient time to collect and / or apply the dispensed cosmetic product and / or for the dispensed cosmetic product to spread, for example under its own weight, over an application surface, before the latter is partly re-sucked under the effect of the air intake within the reservoir following the cessation of the overpressure. The risk of contaminated product returning to the reservoir is therefore considerably reduced.

[0024] Furthermore, the product located between the closure element and the dispensing orifice or possibly in the at least one groove, following a previous dispensing operation, is essentially not re-sucked into the reservoir after the overpressure has stopped, the user will advantageously not have to re-prime the device implementing the dispensing head according to the invention for a subsequent dispensing operation.

[0025] In other words, after a first dispensing operation, the portion of the product dispensing circuit located between the closure member in the closure position and the dispensing orifice remains essentially filled with product after the air is taken back into the reservoir following the stopping of the overpressure, and will not need to be refilled with product during a subsequent dispensing operation. This improves the ease of use of a device implementing the dispensing head according to the invention, as well as the dosage precision during a dispensing operation, the user not having to refill a dead volume, i.e. empty of product, in the product distribution circuit from the second distribution operation.

[0026] Such a result is obtained at low cost and reliably, by making the or each groove in the bearing surface, without having to adjust a porosity in the closure element. Furthermore, the risk of product being sucked back into the reservoir through the or each groove is limited since the section of the groove can be calibrated according to the viscosity of the product.

[0027] According to one variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0028] - the bearing surface has a sealed contact with the sealing element at a distance of the or each bleed in the obturation position.

[0029] The sealed contact between the bearing surface and the closure element away from the or each groove in the closure position ensures a precise definition of the passage section intended for the air intake.

[0030] The air intake section is then limited to the cumulative passage section of the or each groove, and can be precisely defined to target a desired reaspiration speed of the product depending on its viscosity.

[0031] According to one variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0032] - the bearing surface has a divergent shape from the channel towards the chamber of distribution, in particular a substantially truncated cone shape.

[0033] The divergent shape implements a sealed contact between the bearing surface and the closure element in a reliable and reproducible manner, since the closure element is guided naturally to place itself in sealed contact, when it returns to the closure position.

[0034] Alternatively, the bearing surface has the shape of a portion of a sphere or a portion of a paraboloid.

[0035] According to a variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0036] - the channel and the dispensing chamber extend along a central axis of dis tribution, the or each groove extending axially around the closure element in the closure position.

[0037] The axial arrangement of the or each groove ensures air intake from the outside oriented along the distribution axis, even when the closure element is in the closure position resting on the support surface, thus facilitating the circulation of air in the or each groove.

[0038] According to a variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0039] - the passage conduit comprises an openwork retaining member arranged opposite the dispensing orifice, the closure element being retained by the perforated retaining member when the closure element occupies its dispensing position, the perforated retaining member and the closure element in its dispensing position defining at at least one fluid communication path between the distribution chamber and the distribution orifice.

[0040] The perforated retaining member retains the closure element when the closure element occupies its dispensing position, while ensuring a fluid communication path between the dispensing chamber and the dispensing orifice. Thus, the dispensing orifice remains clear under all circumstances and the product can flow reliably out of the reservoir through the dispensing orifice.

[0041] According to a variant, the distribution head comprises the following characteristic:

[0042] - the ratio between the area of ​​the cumulative passage section of the or each groove and the area of ​​a minimum intermediate passage section between the closure element and the conduit in the distribution chamber is less than 0.15, preferably between 0.01 and 0.11.

[0043] Such a minimum ratio between the cumulative passage section of the or each groove and the minimum area of ​​an intermediate passage section between the closure element and the conduit in the chamber ensures that the reaspiration time of the previously dispensed product is sufficiently long to allow the user to withdraw and / or apply the cosmetic product before the end of the reaspiration. This limits the fraction of product reaspiration and therefore the risk of contamination of the reservoir.

[0044] According to one variant, the dispensing head comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

[0045] - the number of grooves defined in the support surface is between 1 and 4;

[0046] - the or each groove has a passage section of between 0.1 mm2 and 0.2 mm2;

[0047] - the viscosity of the cosmetic product is greater than 0.1 Pa.s and is comprised before preferably between 0.2 Pa.s and 0.4 Pa.s, especially between 0.28 Pa.s and 0.32 Pa.s.

[0048] The number of grooves and the area of ​​their cumulative passage section are defined to obtain a sufficiently long reaspiration time of previously distributed product for a wide range of product viscosities.

[0049] According to one variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0050] - the dispensing chamber has a cylindrical shape with a circular section, the area of ​​the distribution chamber section being greater than the area of ​​the sampling channel section.

[0051] The difference in areas between the sections of the dip tube and the distribution chamber provides space for arranging the bearing surface of the closure element. A closure element having a section area greater than the section of the dip tube is sufficient to oppose the passage of fluid between the internal channel and the distribution chamber.

[0052] According to one variant, the dispensing head comprises the following characteristic:

[0053] - the closing element is a ball.

[0054] The ball is easy to produce and the spherical shape ensures effective sealing by contact between the closure element and the bearing surface.

[0055] The invention also relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product comprising at least one reservoir, and at least one dispensing head as defined above, mounted on the or each reservoir.

[0056] According to one variant, the packaging and dispensing device comprises the following characteristic:

[0057] - the or each tank comprises an elastically deformable external wall between a rest configuration and a deformed product distribution configuration, the outer wall being elastically biased towards the rest configuration.

[0058] The deformable external wall allows the user to create overpressure in the tank easily by simply pressing the external wall.

[0059] According to one variant, the packaging and dispensing device comprises the following characteristic:

[0060] - it comprises at least two reservoirs, the distribution head comprising an app- common replicator defining for each tank a distribution orifice and for each tank:

[0061] - a cosmetic product passage conduit defining a distribution chamber tribution opening into the distribution orifice,

[0062] - a dip tube defining a product sampling channel extending between a first end opening into the distribution chamber and a second end intended to open into the tank,

[0063] - an element for closing off the circulation of cosmetic product, the element closure being movable between a closure position, in which the closure element is retained on a bearing surface provided between the sampling channel and the distribution chamber to oppose the passage of fluid between the sampling channel and the distribution chamber, and a distribution position, in which the closure element is located in the distribution chamber away from the bearing surface and the distribution orifice is in fluid communication with the second end through the sampling channel. The bearing surface defining at least one groove configured to ensure air intake between the channel and the distribution chamber when the closure element occupies its closure position.

[0064] The applicator common to the different reservoirs allows, for example, the products to be mixed directly on the application surface. The products in each reservoir are, for example, formulated to react together in order to obtain a new composition directly at the time of application.

[0065] Each tank preferably has a dip tube, a passage conduit and a separate closure element. Thus, the fraction of product having reacted with the other products returning to the respective tank is zero or very low, which avoids contamination of the entire product contained in the tank, in particular when the products present in the respective tanks are likely to interact or react with each other.

[0066] The invention also relates to a method for dispensing a cosmetic product comprising the following steps:

[0067] - provision of a packaging and dispensing device as defined below high, the shutter element being in the shutter position;

[0068] - creation of overpressure in the tank, causing the product to move cosmetic through the dip tube to the sealing element;

[0069] - under the effect of overpressure, movement of the closure element towards the dispensing position to allow movement of cosmetic product through the dispensing chamber around the closure member to the dispensing orifice;

[0070] - release of the overpressure, causing the displacement of the closure element towards the sealing position, and causing air to be drawn through the or each groove.

[0071] The invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0072] [Fig-1] [Fig.l] is a schematic view, taken in section along a vertical plane, of a first packaging and dispensing device according to the invention comprising a reservoir and a dispensing head, the closure element being in its closure position;

[0073] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic view, taken in section along a vertical plane, of the dispensing head of the first packaging and dispensing device of [Fig.l], the closure element being in its product dispensing position;

[0074] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a partial schematic view, taken in section along a plane ho rizontal, of the distribution head of [Fig.2]; and

[0075] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view, taken in section along a vertical plane, of a second packaging and distribution device according to the invention, the second packaging and distribution device comprising two reservoirs.

[0076] A first device 10 according to the invention, intended for the packaging and distribution of a cosmetic product, is shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0077] The cosmetic product is, for example, a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and / or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product. It has a liquid formulation or in the form of a cream.

[0078] For example, the viscosity of the cosmetic product is greater than 0.1 Pa.s and preference is between 0.2 Pa.s and 0.4 Pa.s.

[0079] In a particular example, the viscosity of the cosmetic product is between 0.28 Pa.s and 0.32 Pa.s.

[0080] The above viscosities were measured at a temperature of 25°C, using an RM200 viscometer, the measurements being carried out after 10 min of rotation of a No. 2 spindle within the cosmetic product, at a shear rate of 200 revolutions per minute.

[0081] With reference to [Fig.l], the packaging and dispensing device 10 comprises a reservoir 12, a dispensing head 14 for the cosmetic product, mounted on the reservoir 12 and optionally, a cover 16.

[0082] The reservoir 12 is for example a bottle comprising an external wall 18 defining a hollow body 20 and a neck 22.

[0083] The external wall 18 is self-supporting, in that it does not deform macroscopically under the effect of its own weight when it is placed on a support.

[0084] The outer wall 18 is advantageously elastically deformable from a rest configuration to a deformed configuration, for example by pressure between the user's fingers. The outer wall 18 is elastically biased towards the rest configuration once in its deformed configuration.

[0085] The external wall 18 is for example made of plastic, in particular polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polypropylene, or even recyclable or recycled plastic (in particular polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polypropylene, in particular Surlyn®, or even poly-lactic acid).

[0086] The body 20 defines an internal volume 23 intended to receive the cosmetic product.

[0087] For example, the body 20 comprises several faces including a horizontal lower face defining a bottom 24 intended to be placed on a horizontal support to keep the tank 12 upright.

[0088] The neck 22 projects from the body 20 at the level of a shoulder 25 located opposite the bottom 24.

[0089] The neck 22 is configured to allow the reservoir 12 to be filled with cosmetic product.

[0090] In the example of figures 1 and 2, the neck 22 comprises a fixing system 26 intended to receive the dispensing head 14.

[0091] The fixing system 26 comprises, for example, a thread formed projecting from the neck 22. As a variant, the fixing system 26 may comprise complementary snap-on reliefs provided on the neck 22 and the dispensing head 14.

[0092] The dispensing head 14 is mounted on the reservoir 12 at the neck 22.

[0093] Advantageously, the dispensing head 14 is removably mounted on the tank 12 to allow, for example, its recycling, and / or a new filling of the internal volume 23 in cosmetic product, when it is exhausted, and / or its cleaning.

[0094] With reference to [Fig.2], the dispensing head 14 comprises an applicator 28, a dip tube 30 defining a product sampling channel 31 in the internal volume 23, a passage conduit 32 defining a product dispensing chamber 33 and a closure element 34, mounted to move in the dispensing chamber 33 between a closure position and a product dispensing position.

[0095] The sampling channel 31 and the distribution chamber 33 extend here around a common central distribution axis A-A'.

[0096] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the applicator 28 defines an external application surface 36, intended to be brought into contact with a body surface of the user during the application of the cosmetic product, an internal surface 38 opposite the application surface 36 and a through orifice 40 for dispensing cosmetic product coming from the reservoir 12 opening into the external surface 36.

[0097] The applicator 28 further comprises an external skirt 42 fixed to the neck 22 of the reservoir 12 and an internal connection skirt 44, on which the dip tube 30 is fixed.

[0098] The applicator 28 also comprises an openwork retaining member 46 arranged opposite the dispensing orifice 40.

[0099] The applicator 28 is self-supporting. For example, the applicator 28 is made of plastic, in particular polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and / or polypropylene, or even recyclable or recycled plastic (in particular polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene).

[0100] The through-dispensing orifice 40 extends between the application surface 36 and the internal surface 38. In this particular example, the dispensing orifice 40 is arranged in the center of the application surface 36 and is aligned with the central dispensing axis A-A'.

[0101] The distribution orifice 40 opens into the distribution chamber 33.

[0102] As shown in [Fig. 2], the retaining member 46 is disposed in the dispensing chamber 33 and is configured to retain the closure element 34 upstream of the dispensing orifice 40, when the closure element 34 is in its dispensing position visible in [Fig. 2].

[0103] The retaining member 46 is perforated to define a fluid communication path between the distribution chamber 33 and the distribution orifice 40, in particular when the closure element 34 is applied against the retaining member 46.

[0104] For example, the retaining member 46 is formed by a lattice which projects from the internal surface 38 around the distribution orifice 40. The lattice comprises, for example, at least one opening making it possible to define the fluid communication path around the closure element 34.

[0105] In the example of figures 1 and 2, the external skirt 42 comprises a fixing system 48 complementary to the fixing system 26 of the neck 22.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the fixing system 48 of the external skirt 42 and the fixing system 26 of the neck 22 are configured to be disassembled simply, in particular when filling the reservoir 12 with cosmetic product or when recycling the packaging and dispensing device 10.

[0107] For example, the fixing system 48 comprises a thread complementary to the thread of the neck 22.

[0108] Alternatively, the outer skirt 42 is attached to the neck 22 by other means such as snap-fastening, gluing, or / and force-fitting.

[0109] Advantageously, the external skirt 42 rests for example on the body 20 at the level of the shoulder 25.

[0110] The connection skirt 44 extends projecting from the internal surface 38 inside the neck 22 of the reservoir 12.

[0111] The connection skirt 44 comprises a fixing system 50 intended to receive the dip tube 30. The fixing system 50 here comprises a thread.

[0112] The dip tube 30 comprises a cylindrical wall 52 of diameter DI defining the sampling channel 31 and a collar 54 mounted on the connection skirt 44 of the applicator 28.

[0113] The sampling channel 31 extends around the central distribution axis A-A' between an upstream end 58 opening into the internal volume 23 of the reservoir 12 and a downstream end 56 opening into the distribution chamber 33.

[0114] The collar 54 is fixed to the connection skirt 44 of the applicator 28. For this purpose, the collar 54 comprises a fixing system 60 complementary to the fixing system 50 of the connection skirt 44. For example, the collar 54 comprises a thread complementary to the thread of the connection skirt 44 making it possible to screw the applicator 28 to the dip tube 30.

[0115] Alternatively, the collar 54 is fixed to the connection skirt 44 by other means such as snap-fastening, gluing, and / or force-fitting.

[0116] The collar 54 here comprises an external sleeve 61A carrying the complementary fixing system 60 and an internal sleeve 61B forming a part of the passage conduit 32. The connection skirt 44 is inserted between the sleeves 61A, 61B

[0117] The distribution chamber 33 defined by the passage conduit 32 extends around the central distribution axis A-A' between the downstream end 56 of the sampling channel 31 and the distribution orifice 40.

[0118] Preferably, the distribution chamber 33 has a cylindrical shape with a circular section, in particular at the level of the internal sleeve 61B. For example, the distribution chamber 33 has a circular section with a diameter D2. For for example, the diameter D2 is between 1 mm and 10 mm, in particular between 4 mm and 6 mm.

[0119] Preferably, the area of ​​the cross-section of the distribution chamber 33 is greater than the area of ​​the cross-section of the sampling channel 31. The diameter D2 of the distribution chamber 33 is greater than the diameter DI of the sampling channel 33.

[0120] The passage conduit 32 comprises a bearing surface 62 arranged between the sampling channel 31 and the distribution chamber 33.

[0121] As shown in [Fig. 1], the bearing surface 62 is configured to retain the closure element 34, when the closure element 34 is in its closure position as will be described below.

[0122] In the example of figures 1 and 2, the bearing surface 62 has a divergent shape from the sampling channel 31 towards the distribution chamber 33. In particular, the bearing surface 62 has a frustoconical shape extending from the downstream end 46 of the sampling channel 31 having the diameter D1, towards the distribution chamber 33 having the diameter D2.

[0123] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the bearing surface 62 defines at least one groove 64 configured to ensure an air intake between the sampling channel 31 and the distribution chamber 33 when the closure element 34 occupies its closure position, arranged in abutment on the bearing surface 62.

[0124] Each groove 64 opens on the one hand into the sampling channel 31 and on the other hand into the distribution chamber 33.

[0125] Each groove 64 extends mainly along the bearing surface 62.

[0126] In the example of [Fig.2], the groove 64 opens into the wall 52 of the tube plunger 30 at the downstream end 56.

[0127] When the closure element 34 occupies the closure position visible in [Fig.l], resting on the bearing surface 62, each groove 64 defines a passage section S, taken in projection on a bearing plane of the closure element 34 on the bearing surface 62, shown in [Fig.3].

[0128] This support plane is for example defined as the plane P perpendicular to the central distribution axis A-A' closest to the distribution orifice 40 passing through a point of contact between the closure element 34 and the support surface 62 (see [Fig.l]).

[0129] Preferably, the number of grooves 64 defined by the bearing surface 62 is between 1 and 4. In the particular example of [Fig.3], the bearing surface 62 defines four grooves 64.

[0130] Advantageously, each groove 64 has a passage section of between 0.1 mm2 and 0.2 mm2, taken in projection in the support plane defined above.

[0131] Furthermore, the closure element 34 and the passage conduit 32 define between them, an intermediate passage section SI presenting a minimum area represented in gray on [Fig.3], in projection on the support plane P defined above.

[0132] The passage section of each groove 64 is determined so that the ratio R between:

[0133] - the area of ​​the cumulative passage section of the or each groove 64 (corresponding to the sum of the areas of each section S of each groove 64); and

[0134] - the minimum area of ​​the intermediate passage section SI between the element sealing 34 and the passage conduit 32 in the distribution chamber 33;

[0135] is less than or equal to 0.15, preferably between 0.01 and 0.10.

[0136] More generally, the maximum value of the ratio R between the cumulative passage section of the or each groove 64 and the minimum passage section SI is advantageously chosen as a function of the viscosity of the cosmetic product and a desired product re-aspiration time after dispensing a portion of product.

[0137] This value must generally increase when the viscosity of the product increases, to allow sufficient air intake, while being minimized so as not to reduce the reaspiration time.

[0138] The above-mentioned values ​​of the ratio R are particularly suitable for cosmetic products with viscosity in the range mentioned above.

[0139] The closing element 34 for the circulation of cosmetic product is movable between a closing position, visible in [Fig.l] and a dispensing position, visible in [Fig.2].

[0140] When the closure element 34 is in the closure position, the closure element 34 is retained on the bearing surface 62 to oppose the passage of fluid between the sampling channel 31 and the distribution chamber 33.

[0141] According to a preferred embodiment, the contact between the bearing surface 62 and the closure element 34 in the closure position is sealed away from each groove 64. In other words, no fluid circulates between the bearing surface 62 and the closure element 34 in the closure position, outside of each groove 64.

[0142] Furthermore, in the closed position, each groove 64 extends axially around the closing element 34. Each groove 64 opens into the distribution chamber 33 in the intermediate space between the closing element 34 and the passage conduit 32.

[0143] The closure element 34 is preferably sealed against the product flowing around it. Thus, all the product flowing around the closure element 34 passes through the or each groove 64, without passing through the closure element 34.

[0144] In the dispensing position, the closure element 34 is located in the dispensing chamber 33, downstream and axially spaced from the bearing surface 62. In particular, in the dispensing position, the closure element 34 is retained by the retaining member 46.

[0145] In the example of Figures 1 to 3, the closure element 34 is a ball.

[0146] For example, the closure element 34 is a ball of diameter D3, the diameter D3 being less than the diameter D2 of the distribution chamber 33 and greater than the diameter DI of the sampling channel 31.

[0147] For example, the diameter D3 is between 2 mm and 7 mm.

[0148] In a particular example, given by way of illustration, the diameter D2 of the distribution chamber 33 is equal to 5 mm and the diameter D3 of the closure element 34 is equal to 4 mm. The intermediate passage section between the closure element 34 and the passage conduit 32 in the distribution chamber 33 in the distribution position is then equal to 7.06 mm2.

[0149] In this particular example, each groove 64 advantageously has a passage section of area equal to 0.17 mm2. The ratio R between the cumulative passage section of the or each groove 64 and the minimum area of ​​the intermediate passage section SI between the closure element 34 and the passage conduit 32 is equal to 0.096.

[0150] The ratios between the areas of the passage sections of the air return grooves and the area of ​​the intermediate passage section between the closure element 34 and the passage duct 32 are adjustable to provide more or less air intake, but also in the case of more air return.

[0151] Advantageously, since the product located between the closure element and the dispensing orifice or possibly in the at least one groove 64, following a previous dispensing operation, is essentially not re-sucked into the reservoir 12 after the overpressure has stopped, the user will advantageously not have to re-prime the device implementing the dispensing head according to the invention for a subsequent dispensing operation. This is favorable to user comfort.

[0152] The cover 16 is removably mounted on the applicator 28. The cover 16 prevents the outlet orifice 40 from being visible when the packaging and dispensing device 10 is not in use.

[0153] In the example, [Fig.l], the cover 16 rests on the body 20 at the shoulder 25.

[0154] In addition, the cover 16 comprises a finger 66 extending in projection from an internal surface 68 of the cover 16 coming to block the dispensing orifice 40 when the cover 16 is mounted on the applicator 28.

[0155] A method for dispensing a cosmetic product stored in the packaging and dispensing device 10 according to the invention will now be described.

[0156] Before product dispensing, the outer wall 18 is in the rest configuration and the closure element 34 is in the closure position, with the closure element 34 arranged on the bearing surface 62. Furthermore, the internal volume 23 contains fluid cosmetic product.

[0157] To use the packaging and dispensing device 10, the user removes the cover 16.

[0158] During a pressurization step, the user creates an overpressure in the tank 12. For example, the user presses the external wall 18 at the level of the body 20 to reduce the internal volume 23 and creates an overpressure within it.

[0159] The overpressure causes the cosmetic product to move from the internal volume 23 to the closure element 34 through the sampling channel 31.

[0160] When the cosmetic product arrives at the first end 56 of the sampling channel 31, it pushes the closure element 34 towards the dispensing position to allow the product to move through the dispensing chamber 33.

[0161] The closure element 34 abuts against the perforated retaining member 46 present in the distribution chamber 33.

[0162] The product then flows around the closure element 34 to the dispensing orifice 40, the fluid communication between the dispensing chamber 34 and the dispensing orifice 40 being ensured through the perforated retaining member 46.

[0163] The user then recovers the product coming out through the dispensing orifice 40. For example, the user brings a body surface into contact with the application surface 36 onto which the dispensed product flows.

[0164] At the end of the step of using the product, the user releases the excess pressure creating a suction in the internal volume 23. For example, the user releases the pressure exerted on the external wall 18, the external wall 18 then being elastically urged towards its rest configuration.

[0165] The release of the overpressure causes the closure element 34 to move rapidly towards the closure position.

[0166] To rebalance the pressure between the inside and the outside of the tank 12, the release of the overpressure further causes air to be sucked in through the or each groove 64.

[0167] The suction of air is potentially accompanied by the re-aspiration of a minimal quantity of product through the or each groove 64.

[0168] When the external wall 18 has returned to its rest configuration, the user optionally repositions the cover 16.

[0169] The passage section of the or each groove 64 provides resistance to the flow of the previously dispensed product towards the inside of the reservoir 12 and significantly slows down the re-aspiration of the previously dispensed product and possibly present between the closure element 34 and the dispensing orifice 40 or outside of it, while allowing air to return to the tank.

[0170] Thus, the user has sufficient time to collect and / or apply the dispensed cosmetic product before it is sucked back in. The risk of previously dispensed and potentially contaminated product returning to the reservoir is therefore considerably reduced.

[0171] Such a result is obtained at low cost and reliably, by producing the or each groove 64 in the bearing surface 62, without having to adjust a porosity in the closure element 34. Furthermore, the risk of product accumulating in the or each groove 64 is limited since the section of the groove 64 can be calibrated according to the viscosity of the product.

[0172] A second packaging and dispensing device 10 will now be described with reference to [Fig.4].

[0173] In this example, the packaging and distribution device 10 comprises two tanks 12 for separate storage of products, in particular cosmetic products.

[0174] The cosmetic products are, for example, two products intended to be stored separately and to be distributed simultaneously outside the packaging and distribution device 10 to be applied jointly or in the form of a mixture formed outside the packaging and distribution device 10 on a body surface of a user.

[0175] These products are, for example, liquid products capable of forming an antiperspirant when they are brought into contact. Thus, the two cosmetic products are capable of reacting to form a solid compound capable of blocking the sweat pores of a user of the packaging and dispensing device 10.

[0176] In the example of [Fig.4], the two reservoirs 12 are made in one piece.

[0177] Here, each reservoir 12 has an identical internal volume 23.

[0178] The dispensing head 14 comprises a common applicator 26 and for each reservoir 12, a dip tube 30, a passage conduit 32 and a closure element 34 as described above. In particular, the passage conduit 32 associated with each reservoir 12 comprises a bearing surface 62 of the closure element 34, arranged between the sampling channel 31 and the dispensing chamber 33, which defines at least one groove 64 as described above.

[0179] The applicator 26 defines, for each reservoir 12, a dispensing orifice 40.

[0180] According to one embodiment, the dispensing orifices 40 of each reservoir 12 open adjacent to each other at the level of the application surface 36, in particular to allow mixing of the products dispensed by each orifice, before application, if necessary.

[0181] Each dip tube 30, each passage conduit 32 and each element sealing 34 is associated respectively with a reservoir 12 to ensure exclusively the distribution of the product contained in the internal volume 23 of said reservoir 12.

[0182] In the closed position, each closing element 34 prevents the return of polluted product, for example having reacted with the other product, into the respective internal volume 23. As described previously, the presence of the or each groove 64 slows down the re-aspiration of product when the overpressure is released, while allowing air to return to the internal volume 23.

[0183] As a variant of each of the preceding embodiments, the packaging and dispensing device 10 comprises a pressurizing member.

[0184] The pressurizing member is configured to pressurize each tank 12.

[0185] The pressurizing member is for example a hoop at least partially enveloping each reservoir 12. The hoop is for example capable of passing from a rest position in which the hoop and each reservoir 12 are at rest, to a dispensing position in which the hoop is pressed against each reservoir 12 to compress each reservoir 12.

[0186] The dispensing head 14 according to the invention ensures the intake of air thanks to each groove 64 by limiting the return of previously dispensed and potentially polluted product.

[0187] Indeed, as soon as the pressure is released, the closure element 34 is moved towards its closure position, which limits the passage section through which the cosmetic product can return to the reservoir 12 to the cumulative section of the or each groove 64.

[0188] Each groove 64 is preferably sized to allow the user time to recover the product before the latter is sucked up. The area of ​​the passage section of the cosmetic product through each groove 64 is chosen to be small enough so that re-aspiration is slow.

[0189] Each groove 64 is further dimensioned to avoid being completely blocked by the product and to ensure air intake.

[0190] Thus, the dispensing head 14 according to the invention is applicable to several types of cosmetic products.

Claims

Claims

1. Cosmetic product dispensing head (14), intended to be mounted on at least one cosmetic product reservoir (12), the dispensing head (14) comprising: - an applicator (28) defining at least one application surface (36) for cosmetic product, the applicator (28) defining at least one through-orifice for dispensing (40) cosmetic product coming from the reservoir (12), - a cosmetic product passage conduit (32) defining a dispensing chamber (33) opening into the dispensing orifice (40), - a dip tube (30) defining a product sampling channel (31) extending between a first end (56) opening into the dispensing chamber (33) and a second end (58) intended to open into the reservoir (12), - a closure element (34) for closing the circulation of cosmetic product, the closure element (34) being movable between a position of shutter,wherein the closure element (34) is retained on a bearing surface (62) provided between the sampling channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) to oppose the passage of fluid between the sampling channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33), and a distribution position, in which the closure element (34) is located in the distribution chamber (33) away from the bearing surface (62) and the distribution orifice (40) is in fluid communication with the second end (58) through the sampling channel (31); characterized in that the bearing surface (62) defines at least one groove (64) configured to ensure an air intake between the channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) when the closure element (34) occupies its closure position.,

2. Dispensing head (14) according to claim 1, in which the bearing surface (62) has a sealed contact with the closure element (34) away from the or each groove (64) in the closure position.

3. Dispensing head (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bearing surface (62) has a divergent shape from the channel (31) towards the dispensing chamber (33), in particular a substantially frustoconical shape.

4. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) extend along a central distribution axis (A-A'), the or each groove (64) extending axially around the closure element (34) in the closure position.

5. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the passage conduit (32) comprises an openwork retaining member (46) arranged opposite the dispensing orifice (40), the closure element (34) being retained by the openwork retaining member (46) when the closure element (34) occupies its dispensing position, the openwork retaining member (46) and the closure element (34) in its dispensing position defining at least one fluid communication path between the dispensing chamber (33) and the dispensing orifice (40).

6. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the ratio between the area of ​​the cumulative passage section of the or each groove (64) and the area of ​​a minimum intermediate passage section between the closure element (34) and conduit (32) in the distribution chamber (33) is less than 0.15, preferably is between 0.01 and 0.

11.

7. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the number of grooves (64) defined in the bearing surface (62) is between 1 and 4.

8. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each groove (64) has a passage section of between 0.1 mm2 and 0.2 mm2.

9. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the viscosity of the cosmetic product is greater than 0.1 Pa.s and is advantageously between 0.2 Pa.s and 0.4 Pa.s, in particular between 0.28 Pa.s and 0.32 Pa.s.

10. Dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the distribution chamber (33) has a cylindrical shape of circular section, the section of the distribution chamber (33) being greater than the area of ​​the section of the sampling channel (31).

11. A dispensing head (14) according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure member (34) is a ball.

12. Device (10) for packaging and dispensing product cosmetic comprising at least one reservoir (12), and at least one dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, mounted on the or each reservoir (12).

13. Packaging and dispensing device (10) according to claim 12, in which the or each reservoir (12) comprises an external wall (18) elastically deformable between a rest configuration and a deformed product dispensing configuration, the external wall (18) being elastically biased towards the rest configuration.

14. Packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of claims 12 and 13, comprising at least two reservoirs (12), the dispensing head (14) comprising a common applicator (28) defining for each reservoir (12) a dispensing orifice (40) and for each reservoir (12): - a cosmetic product passage conduit (32) defining a dispensing chamber (33) opening into the dispensing orifice (40), - a dip tube (30) defining a product sampling channel (31) extending between a first end (56) opening into the dispensing chamber (33) and a second end (58) intended to open into the reservoir (12), - a closure element (34) for the circulation of cosmetic product, the closure element (34) being movable between a closure position,in which the closure element (34) is retained on a bearing surface (62) arranged between the sampling channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) to oppose the passage of fluid between the sampling channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33), and a distribution position, in which the closure element (34) is located in the distribution chamber (33) away from the bearing surface (62) and the distribution orifice (40) is in fluid communication with the second end (58) through the sampling channel (31); the bearing surface (62) defining at least one groove (64) configured to ensure an air intake between the channel (31) and the distribution chamber (33) when the closure element (34) occupies its closure position.,

15. A method of dispensing a cosmetic product, comprising the following steps: - providing a packaging and dispensing device (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, the element shutter (34) being in the shutter position; - creating an overpressure in the reservoir (12), causing the cosmetic product to move through the dip tube (30) to the closure element (34); - under the effect of the overpressure, movement of the closure element (34) towards the dispensing position to allow the movement of cosmetic product through the dispensing chamber (33) around the closure element (34) to the dispensing orifice (40); - release of the overpressure, causing the closure element (34) to move towards the closure position, and causing air to be sucked through the or each groove (64).

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