A device for dispensing and distributing a product contained in a container, and an assembly for packaging, dispensing, and distributing a product including such a device.

Abstract

A device (20) for dispensing and distributing a fluid product (P), particularly a cosmetic product, contained in a container (10), the device (20) comprising: - a dispensing and distribution tube (21), and - a dispensing and distribution bulb (40) indirectly attached to the tube (21) and comprising a neck (41) and a hollow body (42) elastically compressible and extending axially outwards from the neck (41), said hollow body (42) being radially delimited by two opposing lateral support walls (43a, 43b) and two junctions (44a, 44b), the lateral support walls (43a, 43b) having a width greater than the width of the junctions (44a, 44b), the neck (41) having a thickness greater than the thickness of the lateral support walls (43a, 43b), said hollow body (42) comprising a section along the radial direction of non-circular shape, preferably elliptical, defining a major axis and a minor axis,the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis being strictly less than 0.8. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig 2,

Description

Title of the invention: Device for dispensing and distributing a product contained in a container and assembly for packaging, dispensing and distributing a product comprising such a device

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of organs for the collection and distribution of a product, in particular cosmetics.

[0002] For the purposes of this invention, "cosmetic product" means, in particular, a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to a product conditioning, dispensing and distribution assembly comprising a container or pot and a dispensing and distribution device for the product contained in the container and mounted on said container.

[0004] In a conventional manner, the organs for collecting and distributing a product include a hollow bulb or bulb of circular cross-section configured to be compressed by a user in order to generate a suction pressure inside said bulb and a tube or conduit connected to said bulb and immersed in the container containing the product to be collected.

[0005] Compressible bulbs are generally produced by an injection process of a plastic material, such as a butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer or nitrile rubber, with the acronym "NBR", having a hardness between 30 and 90 Shore A.

[0006] However, although such a material allows the bulb to be compressed without providing excessive compression effort and is thus easy to use, such a material is not recyclable and does not allow optimal control of the aspiration and distribution of the product.

[0007] Tubes associated with a compressible bulb are generally made of glass or of acid-modified polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate material, acronym “PCTA” or of polypropene, acronym “PP”.

[0008] The known collection and distribution organs are thus composed of a plurality of materials which are difficult to recycle or recyclable in separate channels, which makes the recycling process more complex.

[0009] To date, there are no easily recyclable sampling and distribution devices that also provide the necessary rigidity to allow optimal control of the aspiration and distribution of the product.

[0010] The proposal of eco-responsible, environmentally friendly solutions, whose design and development take into account environmental issues, is becoming a major concern in order to contribute to meeting planetary challenges.

[0011] It is therefore essential to design products that reduce the amount of materials used and / or replace them with more environmentally friendly materials and / or use recyclable materials in order to reduce the carbon footprint of the product.

[0012] In this context, it becomes important to replace certain materials with alternatives that have a better environmental footprint, in particular by reducing the use of raw materials from petrochemicals and / or by using materials with good recycling capacity.

[0013] It is also important to offer recyclable packaging containing, in particular, elements made of a minimum of materials and / or free from materials that are difficult to recycle in order to facilitate their dismantling at the end of their life.

[0014] Thus, it is necessary to develop packaging made of environmentally friendly recyclable materials to allow for the recovery of packaging at the end of its life and to avoid pollution of recycling channels.

[0015] The present invention is part of this approach to developing collection and distribution devices for the field of fluid cosmetic products, and in particular skincare products, for example a serum, for application to the epidermis of a user.

[0016] Thus, by replacing the materials used in conventional sampling and distribution devices with a recyclable material, it is necessary to modify the entire manufacturing process of the sampling and distribution devices.

[0017] Indeed, the use of a more rigid plastic material for the bulb is not envisaged in association with an injection process, because it would then not be possible to demold the bulb and / or the bulb would have too high a rigidity, making it difficult to compress in order to carry out the aspiration and distribution of product.

[0018] Moreover, simply replacing the material for known bulbs would not ensure satisfactory compression for the purpose of aspirating and distributing the product.

[0019] There is therefore a need to improve the organs for the collection and distribution of a cosmetic product.

[0020] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the above disadvantages and to improve the sampling and distribution devices by making them more easily recyclable, easy to manufacture, while ensuring satisfactory compression for the purpose of aspiration and control of the distribution of the product.

[0021] The invention relates to a device for collecting and distributing a fluid product, in particular a cosmetic product, contained in a container.

[0022] The sampling and distribution organ extends along an extension axis and comprises: - a sampling and dispensing tube or pipette body, and - a bulb or bulb for sampling and distribution directly or indirectly attached to the sampling and distribution tube.

[0023] The collection and distribution bulb comprises a neck and a hollow body which is elastically compressible and extends axially from the neck outwards, said hollow body being radially delimited by two lateral support walls opposite each other and two junctions, the lateral support walls having a width greater than the width of the junctions, the neck comprising a thickness greater than the thickness of the lateral support walls.

[0024] Said hollow body comprises a section along the radial direction of non-circular shape, preferably elliptical, defining a major axis and a minor axis, the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis (a) being strictly less than 0.8.

[0025] The lateral support walls form support areas on which the user exerts a compression force in order to draw the product into the sampling and distribution tube and to distribute the product onto a body surface.

[0026] The shape of the body allows for easy use thanks to the flexibility of the lateral support walls to promote compression while being sufficiently rigid to allow control of the deformation pressure and thus of the aspiration of the product to be collected and the distribution of this product on a body surface.

[0027] Indeed, the non-circular section of the body makes it possible to obtain thinner lateral walls in a radial direction and / or to have a preferred deformation by support on the large faces of the bulb formed by the lateral support walls.

[0028] Moreover, the shape of the body makes it possible to intuitively encourage the user to press on the lateral support faces.

[0029] The term "product" means a cosmetic product, such as, for example, a liquid product, intended to be applied, for example, to the user's skin. The product may be, without limitation, a skincare serum, or any fluid product intended to be dispensed.

[0030] Advantageously, the hollow body of the sampling and distribution bulb is axially delimited by a top wall, the thickness of the top wall being greater than the thickness of the supporting side walls.

[0031] Preferably, the thickness of the lateral support walls of the sampling and distribution bulb is variable over its entire axial dimension.

[0032] Preferably, the collection and distribution bulb is made of plastic material, for example of polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or of polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0033] The advantages of such a material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are that it is transparent, recyclable, can be sourced from a recycling stream and is sufficiently rigid to ensure control of the aspiration of the product to be collected and its distribution.

[0034] Generally, the sampling and distribution bulb is made of a material having an elastic limit / Young's modulus greater than 0.1 GPa, preferably greater than 0.15 GPa, in particular with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), better greater than 0.2 GPa, in particular with polyethylene (PE), especially greater than 1.1 GPa, in particular with polypropylene (PP) and preferably greater than 1.5 GPa, in particular with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0035] Advantageously, the sampling and distribution bulb is produced by a simple injection or extrusion process configured to produce a preform defining the final geometry of the bulb neck, followed by a blowing process configured to stretch the body of the preform and produce the hollow body of the bulb.

[0036] The injection or extrusion step makes it possible to obtain a neck with a precise geometry to allow assembly with the sampling and distribution tube and / or the mounting interface, for example by threading, snap-fitting, press-fitting, etc...

[0037] The blowing step allows the body of the preform of the sampling and distribution bulb to be stretched and thus obtain the stretched shape of said body.

[0038] The sampling and distribution tube is preferably made of the same material as the sampling and distribution bulb.

[0039] This allows the sampling and distribution tube and the sampling and distribution bulb to be recycled in the same recycling stream and makes it possible to meet current environmental constraints.

[0040] For example, the neck of the collection and distribution bulb has a circular cross-section.

[0041] Alternatively, a neck with a non-circular cross-section could be provided, for example elliptical or ovoid.

[0042] The circular shape of the neck helps to promote the sealing of its direct or indirect assembly to the tube.

[0043] The hollow body of the sampling and distribution bulb has, for example, an axial length between 20 mm and 45 mm.

[0044] The ratio between the maximum radial dimension of the body and the maximum radial dimension of the neck is, for example, strictly less than 0.7.

[0045] The sampling and distribution bulb comprises, for example, a volume between 3mL and 7mL.

[0046] Advantageously, the sampling and distribution tube comprises a body of generally cylindrical shape extending along the axis of extension and delimiting an internal conduit extending from an open upper end to an open lower end and opening into the internal volume of the reservoir.

[0047] For example, the inner conduit has a variable cross-section with a larger diameter at the upper end than the diameter at the lower end.

[0048] Alternatively, it could be provided that the diameter of the inner conduit is constant over the entire length.

[0049] According to a first embodiment, the sampling and distribution element comprises a mounting interface extending along the extension axis and in which the sampling and distribution bulb is connected to the sampling and distribution tube via the mounting interface.

[0050] Advantageously, the mounting interface includes: - an upper wall; - a mounting skirt including a tapped hole intended to cooperate with a thread on the container, - an internal skirt extending from an internal end of the upper wall along a first axial direction; - a first fixing skirt extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt along the first axial direction and comprising, on its inner surface, a snap-fit ​​relief, for example an annular groove, cooperating with a matching snap-fit ​​relief, for example an annular ridge, provided on the outer surface of the sampling and distribution tube; and - a second fixing skirt extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt in a second axial direction, opposite to the first axial direction.

[0051] The second fixing skirt is surrounded radially by the inner skirt while leaving a radial space for receiving the sampling and distribution bulb, the second fixing skirt comprising on its outer surface a snap-on relief, for example an annular bead, cooperating with an associated snap-on relief, for example an annular bead, provided on the inner surface of the sampling and distribution bulb.

[0052] Alternatively, one could provide for any structural inversion of the snap-fit ​​reliefs or other possibilities of fixing the elements together.

[0053] The shape of the neck is in accordance with the shape of the radial receiving space extending radially between the inner skirt and the second fixing skirt.

[0054] In this embodiment, the sampling and distribution bulb is connected to the sampling and distribution tube indirectly via the mounting interface.

[0055] In this embodiment, the neck of the sampling and distribution bulb does not include any relief on its external surface for its attachment to the mounting interface.

[0056] Alternatively, in this embodiment, the neck of the sampling and distribution bulb could include one or more anti-rotation or angular indexing features between the sampling and distribution bulb and the mounting interface. However, such features do not axially retain the neck of the sampling and distribution bulb relative to the mounting interface.

[0057] Advantageously, the first fixing skirt is radially offset inwards relative to the inner skirt.

[0058] The sampling and distribution tube may further include a radial collar in axial support against the free end of the first fixing skirt.

[0059] For example, the mounting interface includes an external skirt, called a covering skirt, radially surrounding the mounting skirt and connected to the mounting skirt by an upper wall intended to bear axially against the open end of the neck of the container in the container sealing position.

[0060] The outer skirt of the mounting interface has, for example, an axial dimension larger than the axial dimension of the mounting skirt so as to come flush with the shoulder of the container in the sealing position of the container and thus forms a sealing barrier against external particles which could get into the thread and hinder the screwing / unscrewing of the mounting interface relative to the container.

[0061] The outer skirt of the mounting interface may have a circular, or polygonal, for example square, section, in particular with rounded corners, in particular so as to be in conformity of shape with the section of the container to which the sampling and distribution member is intended to be associated.

[0062] Alternatively, the mounting interface could be provided for without an external skirt.

[0063] The inner skirt is, for example, radially surrounded by the mounting skirt.

[0064] According to a second embodiment, the sampling and distribution bulb is directly connected to the sampling and distribution tube without an intermediate element, the sampling and distribution tube comprising, on its external surface, a snap-on relief cooperating with a corresponding snap-on relief provided on the internal surface of the neck of the sampling and distribution bulb.

[0065] In this embodiment, the neck of the collection and distribution bulb comprises lugs projecting radially from the external surface of said neck and intended to cooperate with at least two angular segments of a mounting interface integral to the container.

[0066] In this embodiment, the mounting interface is secured to the container by any suitable means, such as by snap-fitting. For this purpose, the mounting interface comprises a container mounting skirt having on its inner surface one or more snap-fit ​​ridges, such as a continuous or discontinuous bead, adapted to cooperate with one or more complementary snap-fit ​​ridges provided on the neck of the container. The mounting skirt of the mounting interface may have a circular or polygonal cross-section, for example, a square, particularly with rounded corners, notably so as to match the cross-section of the container to which the dispensing and distribution device is intended to be attached.

[0067] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a packaging, dispensing and distribution system for a fluid product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising: - a reservoir or container, for example in the form of a hollow body, delimiting an internal volume intended to contain a fluid product and comprising an open end for access to said internal volume, the container extending axially along the axis of extension, from an upper end forming a neck with the open end to a lower end, forming the bottom, and - a product sampling and distribution device as defined above, mounted removably on the container and sealing the open end of said container in an assembled position, the sampling and distribution tube extending into the container in the assembled position of the assembly.

[0068] According to one embodiment, in which the sampling and distribution member includes the mounting interface, the neck of the container includes removable fastening means intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means provided on the mounting interface, the mounting interface extending radially around the neck of the container in the assembled position.

[0069] In other words, the product sampling and distribution device is configured to close the opening of the reservoir and is removable from said reservoir.

[0070] In this embodiment, the neck of the container may further be provided with a wringing element for the sampling and distribution tube, fixed by any suitable means and provided with a wringing lip adapted to scrape the outer surface of the tube when it is extracted from the outside of the container.

[0071] According to another embodiment, in which the sampling and distribution element does not include the mounting interface, the conditioning assembly includes a mounting interface separate from the sampling and distribution unit and integral with the container.

[0072] The mounting interface includes: 1) a mounting ring comprising: (i) a mounting skirt extending along the axis and comprising a snap-fit ​​relief intended to cooperate with a corresponding snap-fit ​​relief provided on the reservoir; (ii) an inner skirt comprising at least two angular segments projecting radially from the inner surface of the inner skirt inwards and intended to cooperate with lugs projecting radially from the outer surface of the neck of the sampling and distribution bulb, the inner skirt being radially surrounded by the mounting skirt; and (2) a sampling and distribution tube wringing device comprising: (i) an annular collar adapted to rest on an upper end of the neck, (ii) an external sealing skirt extending from the annular collar and comprising snap-fit ​​ridges intended to cooperate with corresponding snap-fit ​​ridges provided on the internal surface of the container neck, and iii) an internal sealing skirt connected to the external sealing skirt and surrounded radially by said external sealing skirt, said internal sealing skirt comprising, on its internal surface, at least one sealing zone in radial contact with a sealing zone provided on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube.

[0073] The body of the container can be made, for example, of rigid or semi-rigid synthetic material, or even of glass.

[0074] The neck of the container is for example connected to the body of the container by a shoulder.

[0075] For example, the neck of the container has an outside diameter smaller than the diameter exterior of the container body.

[0076] Removable fastening means may be a thread or tapping or snap-on reliefs.

[0077] The assembly is configured to condition the cosmetic product, take a quantity of the cosmetic product and apply it, in particular to the epidermis of a user.

[0078] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0079] [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a set of product conditioning, picking and distribution according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0080] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the whole of [Fig.1];

[0081] [Fig.3] is a front view of the whole of [Fig.1];

[0082] [Fig.4] is a view according to the axial section IV-IV of the whole of [Fig.3];

[0083] [Fig.4A] is a detailed view of [Fig.4];

[0084] [Fig.5] is a side view of the whole of [Fig.1];

[0085] [Fig.6] is a view according to the axial section VI-VI of the whole of the [Fig.5];

[0086] [Fig.6A] is a detailed view of [Fig.6];

[0087] [Fig.6B] is a radial cross-sectional view of [Fig.6];

[0088] [Fig.7] is a perspective view of a set of product conditioning, picking and distribution according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0089] [Fig. 8] is an exploded perspective view of the whole of [Fig.7];

[0090] [Fig.9] is a front view of the whole [Fig.7];

[0091] [Fig. 10] is a view according to the axial section XX of the whole of the [Fig.9];

[0092] [Fig.1OA] is a detailed view of [Fig. 10];

[0093] [Fig. 11] is a side view of the whole [Fig.7];

[0094] [Fig. 12] is a view according to the axial section XII-XII of the whole of the [Fig.l 1];

[0095] [Fig.12A] is a side view of the whole of [Fig. 12];

[0096] [Fig.12B] is a radial cross-sectional view of [Fig. 12].

[0097] In the following description, we consider an orthonormal basis X, Y, Z, with Z corresponding to an axis of elevation or extension representing the vertical direction in which we find:

[0098] - a longitudinal axis X, horizontal;

[0099] - a horizontal transverse axis Y, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X; and

[0100] - a vertical axis Z, orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y and extending from bottom to top on the [Fig.l].

[0101] The terms "upper" and "lower" refer to the upper and lower parts of the figures, in the assembled position of the product packaging assembly.

[0102] The terms "inside" or "internal" and "outside" or "external" refer to the inside of the product packaging assembly, the internal or inner parts being closer to the Z-Z' elevation axis than the external or outer parts.

[0103] Figures 1 to 6 show a first example of a conditioning, dispensing and distribution assembly 1 of a fluid product P, in particular a cosmetic, configured to condition the cosmetic product, dispense a quantity of the cosmetic product and apply it, in particular to the epidermis of a user.

[0104] The term "product" means a cosmetic product, such as, for example, a liquid product, intended to be applied, for example, to the user's skin. The product may be, without limitation, a treatment serum, a hair oil, or any fluid product intended to be dispensed.

[0105] The fluid product packaging assembly 1 comprises a reservoir or container 10, for example in the form of a hollow body, delimiting an internal volume 12 containing a product P, such as, for example, a fluid product. The reservoir 10 extends axially along an extension axis Z-Z' assumed to be vertical in the figures, from an upper end 14 forming a neck with an open end 16 allowing access to the internal volume 12 to a lower end 18, forming the bottom of the reservoir. The body of the reservoir 10 can be made, for example, of rigid or semi-rigid synthetic material or of glass.

[0106] The neck 14 is here connected to the body 12 of the container 10 by a shoulder 13.

[0107] As illustrated, the collar 14 has an outside diameter smaller than the diameter exterior of the body of the tank 10 and includes, on its outer surface, a thread 14a onto which is screwed a device 20 for collecting and distributing the product.

[0108] The product sampling and distribution organ 20 is configured to close the open end 16 of the reservoir 10 and is removable from said reservoir.

[0109] Alternatively, the sampling and distribution device 20 could be mounted on the container 10 by means other than screwing, such as by snap-fitting.

[0110] The product P sampling and dispensing element 20 comprises a sampling and dispensing tube or pipette body 21 extending into the container 10 in the assembled position of the assembly 1, a mounting interface 30 integral with the sampling and distribution tube 21 and a sampling and distribution bulb or bulb 40 elastically compressible and integral with the mounting interface 30.

[0111] The sampling and distribution tube 21 comprises, here, a body 21a of generally cylindrical shape extending along the axis Z-Z' and delimiting an internal conduit 21b extending from its open upper end 21d to its open lower end 21c and opening into the internal volume 12 of the reservoir 10. Alternatively, the body 21a of the sampling and distribution tube 21 may have a square or polygonal cross-section.

[0112] As illustrated, the inner conduit 21b has a variable cross-section with a larger diameter at the upper end 21d than the diameter at the lower end 21c.

[0113] Alternatively, the diameter of the inner conduit 21b could be provided for to be constant over the entire length.

[0114] The mounting interface 30 extending axially along the Z-Z' axis and radially around the neck 14 of the container 10.

[0115] The mounting interface 30 includes a substantially cylindrical mounting skirt 31 extending along the Z-Z' axis and radially around the neck 14 of the container 10 and including a tapping 31a cooperating with the thread 14a of the neck 14 of the tank 10.

[0116] The mounting interface 30 further comprises an external skirt 32, for covering, radially surrounding the mounting skirt 31 and connected to the mounting skirt 31 by an upper wall 33 intended to bear axially against the open upper end 16 of the neck 14 of the container 10 in the sealing position of the container 10. In this position, the axial contact between the upper wall 33 of the mounting interface 30 and the open end 16 of the container 10 ensures the sealing of the container 10 with respect to the mounting interface 30.

[0117] In addition, the neck 14 of the container may also be provided with a wringing element (not shown) for the sampling and distribution tube 21, fixed by any suitable means and provided with a wringing lip adapted to scrape the outer surface of the tube 21 when it is extracted from the container 10.

[0118] Such a wringing device can conventionally have an annular collar resting on the upper end 14 of the neck and against which the upper wall 33 of the mounting interface 30 comes into contact in the closing position of the container 10 to ensure the sealing of the latter.

[0119] The outer skirt 32 here has a substantially cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the outer skirt 32 could be polygonal, such as caron, i.e., square with rounded corners.

[0120] The outer skirt 32 has a larger axial dimension than the axial dimension of the mounting skirt 31 so as to be flush with the shoulder 13 of the container and thus forms a sealing barrier against external particles that could get into the thread and hinder the screwing / unscrewing of the mounting interface 30 relative to the container 10.

[0121] Alternatively, the mounting interface 30 could be provided to be without an external skirt 32.

[0122] The mounting interface 30 further includes an internal skirt 34 extending from an internal end of the upper wall 33 into the internal volume 12 of the container 10.

[0123] The inner skirt 34 is surrounded radially by the mounting skirt 31.

[0124] The mounting interface 30 further includes a first fixing skirt 35 extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt 34 towards the internal volume 12 of the container 10.

[0125] The first fixing skirt 35 is here radially offset inwards relative to the inner skirt 34.

[0126] The first fixing skirt 35 includes, on its internal surface, a snap-fit ​​relief 35a, here an annular groove, cooperating with a snap-fit ​​relief 21e in conformity of shape, here an annular ridge provided on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube 21.

[0127] Alternatively, any snap-fit ​​relief could be provided allowing axial retention of the sampling and distribution tube 21 relative to the first fixing skirt 35 of the mounting interface 30.

[0128] The sampling and distribution tube 21 further includes a radial collar 21f in axial support against the free end 35b of the fixing skirt 35.

[0129] The mounting interface 30 further includes a second fixing skirt 36 extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt 34 towards the upper wall 33. The second fixing skirt 36 is surrounded radially by the inner skirt 34 while leaving a space E for receiving the sampling and distribution bulb 40.

[0130] The second fixing skirt 36 includes on its external surface a snap-on relief 36a, here an annular bead, cooperating with a complementary snap-on relief 41a, here an annular bead provided on the internal surface of the sampling and distribution bulb 40.

[0131] Alternatively, any snap-fit ​​relief could be provided allowing axial retention of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 relative to the second fixing skirt 36 of the mounting interface 30.

[0132] The second fixing skirt 36 extends axially in a direction opposite to the first fixing skirt 35.

[0133] The sampling and distribution bulb 40 includes a neck 41 configured to be fixed on the mounting interface 30 and a body 42 elastically compressible and extending axially from the neck 41 outwards.

[0134] The collar 41 here presents a circular cross-section.

[0135] Alternatively, a neck with a non-circular cross-section could be provided, for example elliptical or ovoid.

[0136] The circular shape of the neck 41 helps to promote the sealing of the assembly of the bulb 40 with the mounting interface 30.

[0137] The shape of the collar 41 is in accordance with the shape of the receiving space E extending radially between the inner skirt 34 and the second fixing skirt 36.

[0138] The collar 41 includes on its internal surface a snap-fit ​​relief 41a, here an annular bead, cooperating with a complementary snap-fit ​​relief 36a, here an annular bead, made on the external surface of the second fixing skirt 36 of the mounting interface 30.

[0139] Alternatively, one could provide for any structural inversion of the snap-fit ​​reliefs or other possibilities of fixing the elements together.

[0140] In this embodiment, the sampling and distribution bulb 40 is connected to the sampling and distribution tube 21 indirectly via the mounting interface 30.

[0141] In this embodiment, as illustrated, the sampling and distribution bulb 40 does not include any relief on its external surface.

[0142] Alternatively, the external surface of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 could be provided with anti-rotation or angular indexing reliefs. Generally, the external surface of the neck 41 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 does not include any reliefs enabling axial retention of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 relative to the mounting interface 30.

[0143] The hollow body 42 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 is radially delimited by two opposing lateral support walls 43a, 43b and two junctions 44a, 44b. The lateral support walls 43a, 43b have a greater width than the width of the junctions 44a, 44b.

[0144] The lateral support walls 43a, 43b form support areas on which the user exerts a compressive force in order to aspirate the product P into the sampling and distribution tube 21 and distribute it onto a body surface.

[0145] The hollow body 42 of the collection and distribution bulb 40 is axially delimited by a superior wall 45.

[0146] As illustrated, the thickness of the upper wall 45 is greater than the thickness of the supporting side walls 43a, 43b.

[0147] As seen in detail in [Fig.6B], the hollow body 42 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 has a non-circular radial section, here elliptical, defined by a major axis A and a minor axis a, the ratio a / A between the major axis A and the minor axis a being strictly less than 0.8. For example, the minor axis a is equal to 10mm and the major axis A is equal to 18mm.

[0148] The neck 41 comprises a thickness greater than the thickness of the supporting side walls 43a, 43b of the hollow body 42.

[0149] The thickness of the lateral support walls 43a, 43b can be variable or constant over the entire axial dimension.

[0150] The shape of the body 42 of the collection and distribution bulb 40 allows for easy use thanks to the flexibility of the lateral support walls 43a, 43b to promote compression while being sufficiently rigid to allow control of the deformation pressure and thus the aspiration of the product to be collected and its distribution over a body surface.

[0151] Indeed, the non-circular section of said body 42 makes it possible to obtain thinner side walls in a radial direction and / or to have greater flexibility of the supporting side walls 43a, 43b than that of the junctions 44a, 44b.

[0152] Furthermore, the shape of the body 42 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 encourages the user to press on the lateral support faces 43a, 43b.

[0153] The sampling and distribution bulb 40 comprises a volume between 3mL and 7mL.

[0154] The hollow body 42 of the collection and distribution bulb 40 has an axial length between 20 mm and 45 mm.

[0155] The ratio between the maximum radial dimension of the body 42 and the maximum radial dimension of the neck 41 is strictly less than 0.7.

[0156] The ratio between the minimum radial dimension of body 42 and the maximum radial dimension of body 42 is equal to 1 if body 42 had a circular section.

[0157] The collection and distribution bulb 40 is made of plastic material, for example polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0158] The advantages of such a material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are that it is transparent, recyclable, can be sourced from a recycling stream and is sufficiently rigid to ensure control of the aspiration of the product to be collected.

[0159] Generally, the sampling and distribution bulb 40 is made of a material having an elastic limit / Young's modulus greater than 0.1 GPa, preferably greater than 0.15 GPa, in particular with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), better greater than 0.2 GPa, in particular with polyethylene (PE), especially greater than 1.1 GPa, in particular with polypropylene (PP) and preferably greater than 1.5 GPa, especially with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0160] However, such a bulb shape with such a cannot be achieved by simple injection, due to the rigidity of the material which would make demolding complex.

[0161] The sampling and distribution bulb 40 is produced by an injection or extrusion process followed by a blowing step to produce the hollow body 42.

[0162] The injection or extrusion step makes it possible to obtain a preform defining the final geometry of the neck 41 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 with a precise geometry to allow assembly with the sampling and distribution tube 21 and / or the mounting interface 30, for example by threading, snap-fitting, press-fitting, etc.

[0163] The blowing step allows the body of the preform of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 to be stretched and thus obtain the stretched shape of said body 42.

[0164] The blowing step is carried out in standard parameters within the reach of a person skilled in the art which depend in particular on the size of the container, the material used and the desired rigidity / flexibility for the body 42 of the bulb 40.

[0165] The sampling and distribution tube 21 is preferably made of the same material as the sampling and distribution bulb 40. This allows the sampling and distribution tube 21 and the sampling and distribution bulb 40 to be recycled in the same recycling stream and makes it possible to meet current environmental constraints.

[0166] Figures 7 to 12 show a second example of a 100 assembly for conditioning, dispensing and distributing a fluid product P, in particular a cosmetic, configured to condition the cosmetic product, dispense a quantity of the cosmetic product and apply it, in particular to the epidermis of a user.

[0167] Assembly 100 differs from assembly 1 illustrated in the previous embodiment by the shape of the connecting interface 130 and the connections between the sampling and dispensing bulb 140, the sampling and dispensing tube 121, the connecting interface 130 and the container 110.

[0168] The technical characteristics of the body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 are similar to those of the body 42 of the sampling and distribution bulb 40 illustrated in the previous embodiment, and differ from the previous embodiment by the direct attachment of the neck 141 of the sampling bulb 140 to the sampling and distribution tube 121 and no longer via the mounting interface 130.

[0169] The fluid product packaging assembly 100 thus comprises a reservoir or container 110, for example in the form of a hollow body, delimiting an internal volume 112 containing a product P, such as, for example, a fluid product. The reservoir 110 extends axially along an extension axis Z-Z' assumed to be vertical in the figures, from an upper end 114 forming a neck with an open end 116 allowing access to the internal volume 12 to a lower end 118, forming the bottom of the reservoir 110. The body of the reservoir 110 can be made, for example, of rigid or semi-rigid synthetic material or even of glass.

[0170] The neck 114 is here connected to the body 112 of the container 110 by a shoulder 113.

[0171] As illustrated, the collar 114 includes an annular collar 115 extending radially outwards. Alternatively, the collar 114 could be without such an annular collar 115.

[0172] As illustrated, the neck 114 has an outside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the tank body 110 and includes, on its outside surface, a snap-fit ​​relief 114a, visible on [Fig.12A], cooperating with a snap-fit ​​relief 131a provided on the mounting interface 130.

[0173] In this embodiment, the product P sampling and distribution element 120 comprises only a sampling and distribution tube or pipette body 121 extending into the container 110 in the assembled position of the assembly 100 and a sampling and distribution bulb or bulb 140 elastically compressible and directly attached, without an intermediate element, to the sampling and distribution tube 121.

[0174] The sampling and distribution tube 121 comprises a body 121a of generally cylindrical shape extending along the axis Z-Z' and delimiting an internal conduit 121b extending from its open upper end 121d to its open lower end 121c and opening into the internal volume 112 of the reservoir 110.

[0175] As illustrated, the inner conduit 121b has a variable cross-section with a larger diameter at the upper end 121d than the diameter at the lower end 121c.

[0176] Alternatively, the diameter of the inner conduit 121b could be provided to be constant over the entire length.

[0177] The mounting interface 130 extends axially along the Z-Z' axis and radially around the neck 114 of the container 110.

[0178] The mounting interface 130 includes a mounting ring 130a integral with the container 110 and a wringing member 130b of the sampling and distribution tube 121, integral in turn with the container 110.

[0179] The mounting ring 130a is here separate from the wringing element 130b.

[0180] The mounting ring 130a includes a mounting skirt 131, here substantially cylindrical, extending axially along the Z-Z' axis and radially around the neck 114 of the container 110 and comprising a snap-fit ​​relief 131a cooperating with the corresponding snap-fit ​​relief 114a of the reservoir 110.

[0181] The mounting ring 130a further includes an inner skirt 132 comprising angular segments 132a projecting radially from the inner surface of the inner skirt 132 inwards and intended to cooperate with lugs 141a projecting radially from the outer surface of the neck 141 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140.

[0182] In the obturator position, the axial retention of the sampling and distribution organ 12 with respect to the container 110 is ensured solely by the cooperation between the lugs 141a carried by the outer surface of the neck 141 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 and the angular segments 132a carried by the inner skirt 132 of the mounting ring 130.

[0183] In order to detach the organ 120 from the container 110, the user performs a rotation in order to disengage the lugs 141a carried by the outer surface of the neck 141 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 from the angular segments 132a carried by the inner skirt 132 of the mounting ring 130 and thus be able to axially separate said sampling and distribution organ 120 from the container 110.

[0184] The inner skirt 132 is surrounded radially by the mounting skirt 131.

[0185] The sealing member 130b comprises an annular collar 139 bearing axially on the open end 116 of the container 110, an external sealing skirt 134 extending from the annular collar 139 into the internal volume 112 of the container 110 and an internal sealing skirt 135 connected to the external sealing skirt 134 and surrounded radially by said external sealing skirt 134.

[0186] The external sealing skirt 134 includes snap-on reliefs 134a cooperating with corresponding snap-on reliefs 114b provided on the internal surface of the neck 114 of the container 110.

[0187] The internal sealing skirt 135 includes, on its internal surface, a sealing zone 135a in contact with a sealing zone 121e provided on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube 121. Furthermore, the internal sealing skirt 135 includes a squeegee lip adapted to scrape the external surface of the tube 121 when it is extracted from the container 110.

[0188] The sampling and distribution tube 121 further includes a radial collar 121f in axial support against the free end 141c of the neck 141 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140.

[0189] The collection and distribution bulb 140 includes a neck 141 configured to be integral with the collection and distribution tube 121 and a body 142 elastically compressible and extending axially from the neck 141 outwards.

[0190] The collar 141 here presents a circular cross-section.

[0191] Alternatively, a neck with a non-circular cross-section could be provided, for example elliptical or ovoid.

[0192] The shape of the neck 141 of the circular sampling and distribution bulb 140 improves sealing.

[0193] The neck 141, the sampling and distribution bulb 140, includes on its internal surface a snap-on relief 141b, here an annular ridge, cooperating with a complementary snap-on relief 121g, here an annular ridge, formed on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube 121.

[0194] Alternatively, the sampling and distribution tube 121 could be provided to be fixed to the sampling and distribution bulb 140 by any other snap-on means.

[0195] In this embodiment, the sampling and distribution bulb 140 is connected to the sampling and distribution tube 121 directly, without an intermediate element.

[0196] The product sampling and distribution organ 120 is configured to close the open end 116 of the reservoir 110 and is removable from said reservoir 110 and from the mounting interface 130.

[0197] Alternatively, the sampling and distribution device 120 could be mounted on the container 110 by means other than snap-fitting, such as by screwing.

[0198] In this embodiment, the neck 141 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 includes lugs 141a, here two in number, angularly spaced from each other, cooperating with the angular segments 132a provided on the mounting ring 130a.

[0199] The hollow body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 is radially delimited by two lateral support walls 143a, 143b opposite each other and two junctions 144a, 144b. The lateral support walls 143a, 143b have a greater width than the width of the junctions 144a, 144b.

[0200] The lateral support walls 143a, 143b form support areas on which the user exerts a compressive force in order to aspirate the product P into the sampling and distribution tube 121 and distribute it onto a body surface.

[0201] The hollow body 142 of the collection and distribution bulb 140 is axially delimited by a superior wall 145.

[0202] As illustrated, the thickness of the upper wall 145 is greater than the thickness of the supporting side walls 143a, 143b.

[0203] The hollow body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 has a non-circular radial section, here elliptical, defined by a major axis A and a minor axis a, the ratio a / A between the major axis A and the minor axis a being strictly less than 0.8. The minor axis a is for example equal to 10mm and the major axis A is for example equal to 18mm.

[0204] The neck 141 of the collection and distribution bulb 140 comprises a thickness greater than the thickness of the supporting lateral walls 143a, 43b of the hollow body 142.

[0205] The thickness of the lateral support walls 143a, 143b can be variable or constant over the entire axial dimension.

[0206] The shape of the body 142 bulb for sampling and distribution 140 allows for easy use thanks to the flexibility of the lateral support walls 143a, 143b to promote compression while being sufficiently rigid to allow control of the deformation pressure and thus the aspiration of the product to be sampled and its distribution over a body surface.

[0207] Indeed, the non-circular section of the body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 allows for thinner side walls in a radial direction and / or greater flexibility of the supporting side walls 143a, 143b than that of the junctions 144a, 144b.

[0208] Furthermore, the shape of the body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 encourages the user to press on the lateral support faces 143a, 143b.

[0209] The sampling and distribution bulb 140 comprises a volume between 3mL and 7mL.

[0210] The hollow body 142 of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 has an axial length between 20 mm and 45 mm.

[0211] The ratio between the maximum radial dimension A of the body 142 and the maximum radial dimension of the neck 141 is strictly less than 0.7.

[0212] The ratio between the minimum radial dimension of body 142 and the maximum radial dimension of body 142 is equal to 1 if body 142 had a circular section.

[0213] The collection and distribution bulb 40 is made of plastic material, for example polyolefin, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polyester, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0214] The advantages of such a material, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are that it is transparent, recyclable, can be sourced from a recycling stream and is sufficiently rigid to ensure control of the aspiration of the product to be collected.

[0215] Generally, the sampling and distribution bulb 40 is made of a material having an elastic limit / Young's modulus greater than 0.1 GPa, preferably greater than 0.15 GPa, in particular with low-density polyethylene (LDPE), better greater than 0.2 GPa, in particular with polyethylene (PE), especially greater than 1.1 GPa in particular with polypropylene (PP) and preferably greater than 1.5 GPa in particular with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0216] However, such a shape of the bulb with such a cannot be achieved by simple injection, due to the rigidity of the material which would make demolding complex.

[0217] The sampling and distribution bulb 140 is produced by an injection or extrusion process followed by a blowing step to produce the hollow body 142.

[0218] The injection or extrusion step makes it possible to obtain a preform defining the final geometry of the neck 141 with a precise geometry to allow assembly with the sampling and distribution tube 121 and / or the mounting interface 130, for example by threading, snap-fitting, press-fitting, etc.

[0219] The blowing step allows the body of the preform of the sampling and distribution bulb 140 to be stretched and thus obtain the stretched shape of said body 142.

[0220] The blowing step is carried out in standard parameters within the reach of a person skilled in the art, which depend on the size of the container and the material used.

[0221] The sampling and distribution tube 121 is preferably made of the same material as the sampling and distribution bulb 140. This allows the sampling and distribution tube 121 and the sampling and distribution bulb 140 to be recycled in the same recycling stream and allows current environmental constraints to be met.

Claims

Demands

1. A device (20, 120) for dispensing and distributing a fluid product (P), in particular a cosmetic product, contained in a container (10, 110), the device (20, 120) for dispensing and distributing extending along an axis of extension (Z-Z') and comprising: - a dispensing and distributing tube (21, 121), and - a dispensing and distributing bulb (40, 140) directly or indirectly attached to the dispensing and distributing tube (21, 121), the dispensing and distributing bulb (40, 140) comprising a neck (41, 141) and a hollow body (42, 142) elastically compressible and extending axially from the neck (41, 141) outwards, said hollow body (42, 142) being radially delimited by two lateral support walls (43a, 43b; 143a, 143b) opposite each other and two junctions (44a, 44b; 144a, 144b), the supporting side walls (43a, 43b; 143a, 143b) having a width greater than the width of the junctions (44a, 44b;144a, 144b), the neck (41, 141) comprising a thickness greater than the thickness of the supporting side walls (43a, 43b; 143a, 143b), said hollow body (42, 142) comprising a section along the radial direction of non-circular shape, preferably elliptical, defining a major axis (A) and a minor axis (a), the ratio (a / A) between the major axis (A) and the minor axis (a) being strictly less than 0.8.;

2. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to claim 1, wherein the hollow body (42, 142) of the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140) is axially delimited by an upper wall (45, 145), the thickness of the upper wall (45, 145) being greater than the thickness of the lateral support walls (43a, 43b; 143a, 143b).

3. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thickness of the lateral support walls (43a, 43b; 143a, 143b) of the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140) is variable over its entire axial dimension.

4. A sampling and distribution device (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140) is made of plastic, preferably polyolefin, preferably made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), preferably polyester, preferably polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

5. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling and distribution tube (21, 121) is made of the same material as the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140).

6. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the neck (41, 141) of the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140) has a circular cross-section.

7. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow body (42, 142) of the sampling and distribution bulb (40, 140) has an axial length between 20 mm and 45 mm.

8. Sampling and distribution element (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the maximum radial dimension of the body (42, 142) and the maximum radial dimension of the neck (41, 141) is strictly less than 0.

7.

9. Sampling and dispensing device (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling and dispensing bulb (40, 140) comprises a volume between 3mL and 7mL.

10. Sampling and distribution device (20, 120) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sampling and distribution tube (21, 121) comprises a body (21a, 121a) of generally cylindrical shape extending along the axis of extension (Z-Z') and delimiting an internal conduit (21b, 121b) extending from an open upper end (21d, 121d) to an open lower end (21c, 121c) and opening into the internal volume (12, 112) of the container (10, 110).

11. Sampling and distribution element (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a mounting interface (30) extending along the extension axis (Z-Z') and in which the sampling and distribution bulb (40) is connected to the sampling and distribution tube (21) via the mounting interface (30).

12. A sampling and distribution device (20) according to claim 11, wherein the mounting interface (30) comprises: - an upper wall (33); - a mounting skirt (31) comprising a tapped hole (31a) intended to cooperate with a thread (14a) of the container (10); - an inner skirt (34) extending from an inner end of the upper wall (33) in a first axial direction; - a first fixing skirt (35) extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt (34) in the first axial direction and comprising, on its inner surface, a snap-fit ​​relief (35a) cooperating with a snap-fit ​​relief (21e) in conformity of shape provided on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube (21);and - a second fixing skirt (36) extending axially from the lower end of the inner skirt (34) in a second axial direction, opposite to the first axial direction, the second fixing skirt (36) being surrounded radially by the inner skirt (34) while leaving a radial space (E) for receiving the sampling and distribution bulb (40), the second fixing skirt (36) comprising on its external surface a snap-on relief (36a) cooperating with an associated snap-on relief (41a) provided on the internal surface of the sampling and distribution bulb (40).

13. Sampling and distribution member (20) according to claim 12, wherein the first fixing skirt (35) is radially offset inwards relative to the inner skirt (34).

14. Sampling and distribution element (20) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the sampling and distribution tube (21) further comprises a radial collar (21f) axially supported against the free end (35b) of the first fixing skirt (35).

15. Sampling and dispensing element (120) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the sampling and dispensing bulb (140) is directly connected to the sampling and dispensing tube (121) without an intermediate element, the sampling and dispensing tube (121) comprising, on its external surface, a snap-on relief (121g) cooperating with a corresponding snap-on relief (141b) provided on the internal surface of the neck (141) of the sampling and dispensing bulb (140).

16. Sampling and distribution element (120) according to claim 15, wherein the neck (141) of the sampling and distribution bulb distribution (140) includes lugs (141a) projecting radially from the external surface of said neck (141) and intended to cooperate with at least two angular segments (132a) of a mounting interface (130) integral with the container (110).

17. An assembly (1, 100) for packaging, dispensing, and distributing a fluid product (P), in particular a cosmetic product, comprising: - a container (10, 110) delimiting an internal volume (12, 112) intended to contain a fluid product (P) and comprising an open end (16, 116) for accessing said internal volume (12, 112), the container (10, 110) extending axially along the extension axis (Z-Z'), from an upper end (14, 114) forming a neck provided with the open end (16, 116) to a lower end (18, 118), forming the bottom, and - a device (20, 120) for dispensing and distributing the product according to any one of the preceding claims, removably mounted on the container (10, 110) and closing the open end (16, 116) said container (10, 110) in an assembled position, the sampling and distribution tube (21, 121) extending into the container (10, 110) in the assembled position of the assembly (1, 100).

18. Assembly (1) according to claim 17 taken in combination with any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the neck (14) of the container comprises removable fastening means (14a) intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means (31a) provided on the mounting interface (30) of the sampling and dispensing member (20), the mounting interface (30) extending radially around the neck (14) of the container (10) in the assembled position.

19. Assembly (1) according to claim 17 in combination with any one of claims 15 or 16, comprising a mounting interface (130) separate from the sampling and dispensing member (120) and integral with the container (110), wherein the mounting interface (130) comprises: 1) a mounting ring (130a) comprising: i) a mounting skirt (131) extending along the axis (Z-Z') and comprising a snap-fit ​​relief (131a) for cooperating with a corresponding snap-fit ​​relief (114a) provided on the reservoir (110), (ii) an inner skirt (132) comprising at least two angular segments (132a) projecting radially from the inner surface of the inner skirt (132) inwards and intended to cooperate with lugs (141a) projecting radially from the outer surface of the neck (141) of the collection and distribution bulb (140), the inner skirt (132) being radially surrounded by the mounting skirt (131); and 2) a wringing device (130b) for the sampling and distribution tube (121) comprising: i) an annular collar (139) adapted to rest on an upper end (114) of the neck, ii) an external sealing skirt (134) extending from the annular collar (139) and comprising snap-fit ​​ridges (134a) intended to cooperate with corresponding snap-fit ​​ridges (114b) provided on the inner surface of the neck (114) of the container (110), and iii) an internal sealing skirt (135) connected to the external sealing skirt (134) and surrounded radially by said external sealing skirt (134), said internal sealing skirt (135) comprising, on its internal surface, at least one sealing zone (135a) in radial contact with a sealing zone (121e) provided on the external surface of the sampling and distribution tube (121).

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