Device for packaging a product, e.g. of the cosmetic type in liquid, paste or powder form, being provided with an extendable applicator assembly

Abstract

The device comprises: a container body (12) internally defining a cavity (20) intended to contain said product (P) to be distributed, and comprising a neck (22) through which an opening (24) is defined, which allows access to said cavity (20) for taking said product (P); a closure assembly (14) which can be coupled to said neck (22) for closing said opening (24); an applicator assembly (16) mounted to said closure assembly (14), protruding axially past said closure assembly (14), extending in said cavity (20) through said opening (24) when said closure assembly (14) is coupled to said neck (22), and having an application portion (32) configured to take and distribute a quantity of said product (P) contained in said cavity (20). There is also a driving member (18) mounted to said closure assembly (14) and configured to move said applicator assembly (16) relative to said closure assembly (14). The closure assembly (14) and at least one of said applicator assembly (16) and said driving member (18) are mounted mutually slidable in a guided manner, one through the other. The applicator assembly (16) is configured to be moved by said driving member (18) relative to said closure assembly (14) from a retracted configuration, wherein the application portion (32) protrudes from said closure assembly (14) by a minimum length lmin, to an extended configuration, wherein the applicator portion (32) protrudes from said closure assembly (14) by a maximum length lmax .

Description

[0001] TITLE: "Device for packaging a product, e.g. of the cosmetic type in liquid, paste or powder form, being provided with an extendable applicator assembly"

[0002] * * *

[0003] DESCRIPTION Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a device for packaging a product, e.g. of the cosmetic type, in liquid, paste or powder form. Technical background

[0005] Packaging devices for products in liquid, paste or powder form are generally known for use in, particularly but not exclusively, the cosmetic field. Such devices typically comprise a container body internally defining a cavity intended to contain the product to be distributed. The container body comprises a neck, through which an opening is defined for accessing the cavity. There is also a closure assembly, which can be coupled to the neck, and which is used for closing said opening. In addition, an applicator assembly is mounted to the closure assembly. The applicator assembly extends in the cavity through said opening when the closure assembly is coupled to the neck. Furthermore, the applicator assembly has an application portion intended to collect the product contained in said cavity and distribute it onto a surface.

[0006] This type of packaging device suffers from a few drawbacks that the present invention aims to overcome.

[0007] One drawback lies in the fact that, when the product contained in the container body is almost exhausted and remains essentially concentrated at the bottom, the applicator assembly cannot effectively take the remaining quantity of product. This is due to the fact that the length of the applicator assembly is sized to be fully contained in the cavity of the container body when the closure assembly is coupled to said neck. This implies that, after a user has decoupled the unit formed of the closure assembly and the applicator assembly from the neck of the container body, the length of the applicator assembly will no longer be sufficient for the application portion to reach the bottom of the container body, unless the user couples said unit to the neck of the container again, typically by screwing. However, in addition to the discomfort of having to adopt such a measure, the application portion will thus be prevented from operating effectively, since it will not be free to reach the least accessible areas where product has accumulated on the bottom of the container body.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] It is one object of the present invention to provide a device which can overcome the above-mentioned and other drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] According to the present invention, these and other objects are achieved through a packaging device having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.

[0011] It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invent ion / disclosure that include some optional technical features.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided herein merely as a nonlimiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below. Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Figures 1 to 6 are perspective views from above of a packaging device made in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. These figures show a sequence of operating conditions into which the packaging device is brought by a user, starting from an initial closed condition, in order to apply the product contained therein, to then return to a final closed condition.

[0014] Figures la to 6a are longitudinal or axial sectional views of the packaging device, corresponding to those shown in Figures 1 to 6.

[0015] Figures 7 and 8 are partial longitudinal or axial sectional views of the packaging device shown in Figure 2a and, respectively, Figure 4a, wherein a closure assembly of the device is in a retracted configuration and, respectively, in an extended configuration.

[0016] Figures 7a and 8a are partial longitudinal or axial sectional views, further magnified, of the device shown in the preceding figures, in particular corresponding to the boxes Vila and Villa drawn with a dashed-dotted line in, respectively, Figures 7 and 8.

[0017] Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views from above of a packaging device made in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown in two different operating conditions.

[0018] Figures 9a and 10a are longitudinal or axial sectional views of the packaging device, corresponding to those shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0019] Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views from above of a packaging device made in accordance with a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention, shown in two different operating conditions. Figures Ila and 12a are longitudinal or axial sectional views of the packaging device, corresponding to those shown in Figures 11 and 12.

[0020] For completeness' sake, the following is a list of alphanumerical references and names used herein to identify parts, elements and components illustrated in the above- summarized drawings. X-X. Central Axis

[0021] P. Product lmin . Minimum length

[0022] Imax . Maximum length

[0023] 10. Packaging device

[0024] 12. Container body

[0025] 14. Closure assembly

[0026] 16. Applicator assembly

[0027] 18. Driving member

[0028] 20. Cavity

[0029] 22. Neck

[0030] 24. Opening

[0031] 26. Main portion

[0032] 28. Outer threading

[0033] 30. Inner threading

[0034] 32. Application portion

[0035] 34. Rod-like portion

[0036] 35. Button

[0037] 36. Shoulder portion

[0038] 37. Inner guiding section

[0039] 37a. Inner guiding surface

[0040] 38. Stopper member

[0041] 39. Outer guiding section

[0042] 39a. Outer guiding surface

[0043] 40. Support surface 42. First releasable coupling system

[0044] 42a. First protrusion

[0045] 42b. First recess

[0046] 44. Second releasable coupling system

[0047] 44a. Second protrusion

[0048] 44b. Second recess

[0049] 46. Elastic membrane

[0050] Detailed description of the invention

[0051] In the following detailed description, reference will be made to three different illustrative embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] With reference to Figures 1 to 6, Figures la to 6a, Figures 7 and 7a, and Figures 8 and 8a, numeral 10 designates as a whole a packaging device made in accordance with a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Device 10 is intended for packaging a product P, which is, by way of non-limiting, and merely illustrative, example, of the cosmetic type, in liquid, paste or powder form. In particular, in this merely illustrative case considering cosmetic products, product P may be any substance or mixture intended to be applied onto outer surfaces of the human body (epidermis, piliferous system and hair, nails, lips, etc. ) .

[0054] In the detailed description that follows, terms such as "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower" will be used in order to define positions of different components. It is understood that such directions refer to the orientation of device 10 when in use to define relationships among various components in the embodiment being described, and this should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.

[0055] In the following detailed description, terms or expressions such as "axial" or "axially", "radial" or "radially", "inner" or "inwards", and "outer" or "outwards" will refer to a central axis X-X of device 10 as shown, in particular, in Figures 1, la, 7 and 8.

[0056] Device 10 comprises a container body 12, a closure assembly 14, an applicator assembly 16 and a driving member 18. In particular, container body 12, closure assembly 14, applicator assembly 16 and driving member 18 are made of a rigid or semirigid material; for example, container body 12 may be made of glass (or plastic material) , while closure assembly 14, applicator assembly 16 and driving member 18 may be made of plastic material (or metal) .

[0057] Container body 12 internally defines a cavity 20 intended to contain product P to be distributed. Container body 12 comprises also a neck 22 through which an opening 24 is defined, which allows access to cavity 20 for taking product P .

[0058] In particular, container body 12 has a main portion 26 with a closed bottom, from which a containment sidewall extends perimetrically upwards (details not numbered) . In the illustrated embodiment, the closed bottom and the containment sidewall define cavity 20 intended to contain product P. Furthermore, from the top of the sidewall neck 22 extends, which - in the illustrated example - has a narrower diameter. Main portion 26 has a substantially cylindrical shape, with a circular cross-section.

[0059] In more detail, container body 12 essentially defines the shape of a bottle or flacon. In particular, container body 12 extends in a prevalently axial or longitudinal direction along a central axis X-X (numbered in Figures 1, la, 7 and 8 ) .

[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, neck 22 has a radially external threading 28 (numbered and better visible in Figures 2a, 3 , 4a, 7 and 8 ) . Closure assembly 14 can be coupled to neck 22 for closing opening 24.

[0061] In particular, closure assembly 14 has a substantially tubular shape also extending in a prevalently axial or longitudinal direction along central axis X-X. In the illustrated embodiment, closure assembly 14 has, at one end, a radially internal threading 30 (numbered and better visible in Figures 2a, 4a, 7 and 8) , which co-operates with radially external threading 28 to make closure assembly 14 screwable around neck 22 for coupling with container body 12.

[0062] Applicator assembly 16 is mounted to closure assembly 14 and protrudes axially past it, in particular operatively downwards. Moreover, applicator assembly 16 extends in cavity 20 through opening 24 when the closure assembly is coupled to neck 22, as visible in Figures 1, la, 6 and 6a (which show the device in a closed condition) . Applicator assembly 16 has an application portion 32 configured to take and distribute a quantity of product P contained in cavity 20.

[0063] Preferably, applicator assembly 16 also extends in a prevalently axial or longitudinal direction along central axis X-X. In particular, applicator assembly 16 comprises a rod-like portion 34, to the end of which application portion 32 is mounted.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, application portion 32 comprises a brush, in particular equipped with a plurality of bristles, which can collect a quantity of product P and then distribute it - by spreading or smearing it - onto, for example, an outer surface of a user' s body.

[0065] Driving member 18 is mounted to closure assembly 14. Driving member 18 is configured to move applicator assembly 16 relative to closure assembly 14 as will be detailed below. In the illustrated embodiment, closure assembly 14 and driving member 18 are mounted mutually slidable in a guided manner, one through the other. In particular, driving member 18 can slide directly within closure assembly 14. However, as is the case in the other embodiments that will be described and illustrated herein, this guided sliding action may also be obtained otherwise, e.g. by mounting closure assembly 14 and applicator assembly 16 mutually slidable, one through the other, in a guided manner. In this latter case, therefore, applicator assembly 16 may slide directly within closure assembly 14.

[0066] Furthermore, applicator assembly 16 is configured to be moved by driving member 18 relative to closure assembly 14 from a retracted configuration to an extended configuration. The retracted configuration is visible, in particular, in Figures 1 to 3, Figures la to 3a, Figures 6 and 6a, and Figure 7. The extended configuration is visible, in particular, in Figures 4 and 4a, Figures 5 and 5a, and Figure 8.

[0067] In the retracted configuration, application portion 32 protrudes past closure assembly 14 by a minimum length lmin, as shown in Figure 6a. In other words, in the retracted configuration the end of application portion 32 is at a minimum distance from the proximal end of said closure assembly 14.

[0068] Conversely, in the extended configuration, application portion 32 protrudes past closure assembly 14 by a maximum length lmax, as visible in Figure 5a. In other words, in the extended configuration the end of application portion 32 is farther from the proximal end of closure assembly 14. Of course, maximum distance lmaxis greater than minimum distance lmin. In summary, applicator assembly 16 is moved by driving member 18 downwards away from closure assembly 14.

[0069] Thanks to the above-summarized technical features, device 10 allows a user to bring applicator assembly 16 into the extended configuration whenever it is necessary to take, with application portion 32, product P in accessible areas deep within container body 12. This is due to the fact that, when application portion 32 protrudes past closure assembly 14 by maximum length lmax, it stays lower and can easily reach the bottom of the container without it being necessary to couple closure assembly 14 with container body 12 again, in particular by screwing it around neck 22.

[0070] Moreover, as will be described hereafter with particular reference to further preferred technical features, device 10 also allows the user to easily bring applicator assembly 16 back into the retracted configuration whenever it is necessary to close container body 12 after having used application portion 32 to distribute a taken quantity of product P onto an outer surface of the body of the user and / or of another person. As a matter of fact, when closure assembly 14 is screwed around neck 22 in order to close opening 24, it is necessary that application portion 16 is raised again relative to closure assembly 14 and protrudes by minimum length lminonly, so as to allow applicator assembly 16 to be fully contained within cavity 20.

[0071] In particular, the relative movement of closure assembly 14 and applicator assembly 16 occurs substantially along central axis X-X.

[0072] Preferably, driving member 18 is constrained to closure assembly 14 by cylindrical coupling (or, as an alternative to what shown in the drawings, by prismatic coupling) . These preferred technical features allow driving member 18 to be moved and guided in a reliable and effective manner to ensure a precise movement of applicator assembly 16.

[0073] Preferably, driving member 18 is mounted to closure assembly 14 on the side (axially) opposite application portion 32 - in particular relative to the end of the latter. These preferred technical features ensure a more comfortable and effective actuation of driving member 18 by a user wanting to bring applicator assembly 16 into the extended condition .

[0074] Preferably, driving member 18 protrudes past closure assembly 14 on the side (axially) opposite the application portion, in particular relative to the end of the latter, when applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration. These preferred technical features not only permit an immediate actuation of driving member 18, but also allow the user to quickly check whether applicator assembly 16 is in the extended configuration or in the retracted configuration .

[0075] Preferably, driving member 18 can be operated manually by a user. These technical features make it possible to bring applicator assembly 16 into the extended condition at the discretion of the user, who can act upon the driving member whenever necessary. More preferably, driving member 18 is configured to stress, e.g. to push, applicator assembly 16 to move applicator assembly 16 from the retracted condition to the extended condition. These preferred technical features make driving member 18 intuitive to use, since to a stress applied to driving member 18 corresponds a correlated stress applied to applicator assembly 16, in the same direction, towards the extended configuration.

[0076] Preferably, driving member 18 translates integrally with applicator assembly 16. More preferably, driving member 18 is fixed to applicator assembly 16, in particular on the side (axially) opposite application portion 32, in particular relative to the end of the latter. These preferred technical features provide a simple mechanism for controlling the movement of applicator assembly 16 by operating driving member 18. For example, the end of rodlike portion 34 in the position opposite application portion 32 is coupled to driving member 18.

[0077] Preferably, driving member 18 is manually operable by a user by pressure. In particular, driving member 18 is a button 35 mounted slidable in a guided manner within closure assembly 14 and co-operating with applicator assembly 16. More preferably, button 35 is fixed to applicator assembly 16, e.g. to its rod-like portion 34. Even more preferably, the end of rod-like portion 34 opposite application portion 36 is fitted into button 35.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, with particular reference to Figures 7 and 8, button 35 comprises an inner guiding section 37, situated in a radially internal position, and an outer guiding section 39, situated in a radially external position. Inner guiding section 37 and outer guiding section 39 are connected to each other and transversally closed at their end or top. Furthermore, inner guiding section 37 and outer guiding section 39 are substantially cylindrical, e.g. they have a circular cross-section. In particular, inner guiding section 37 has a longer axial extension or depth, while outer guiding section 39 has a shorter axial extension or depth. Preferably, inner guiding section 37 and outer guiding section 39 are mounted slidable in a guided manner on an inner guiding surface 37a and, respectively, an outer guiding surface 39a within closure assembly 14, which are mutually spaced apart both axially and radially. This provides precise and accurate guidance of the movement of applicator assembly 16.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the end of rod-like portion 34 is fitted into inner guiding section 37 of button 35.

[0080] Preferably, with particular reference to Figures 7 and 8, closure assembly 14 comprises a shoulder portion 36 protruding inwards, while applicator assembly 16 has a stopper member 38, in particular carried by rod-like portion 34. Stopper member 38 is configured to abut against a support surface 40 of shoulder portion 36 when applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration. These preferred technical features make it possible to limit the relative movement of closure assembly 14 and applicator assembly 16, particularly in such a way that it cannot exceed the one normally required to reach the retracted configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, shoulder portion 36 is a substantially cylindrical section (with a circular crosssection) projecting radially inwards, and support surface 40 is, therefore, substantially annular.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, stopper member 38 is a substantially disc-shaped section projecting radially outwards .

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, inner guiding surface 39a is carried by shoulder portion 36. In more general terms, button 35 is mounted slidable in a guided manner, in particular by means of its inner guiding section 39, through shoulder portion 36.

[0083] With particular reference to Figures 7, 7a, 8 and 8a, the following will describe some preferred technical features of device 10 made in accordance with the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, driving member 18 is bistable, in that it is configured to slide in the closure assembly 14 to take:

[0084] - a first stable position (shown in Figures 7 and 7a) , when applicator assembly 16 assumes the retracted configuration, and

[0085] - a second stable position (shown in Figures 8 and 8a) , when applicator assembly 16 assumes the extended configuration .

[0086] In each one of the two stable positions, driving member 18 is releasably locked by closure assembly 14. In more detail, with particular reference to Figures 7 and 7a, there is a first releasable coupling system 42 distributed between closure assembly 14 and driving member 18 and adapted to hold driving member 18 in the first stable position. Likewise, with particular reference to Figures 8 and 8a, there is a second releasable coupling system 44, also distributed between closure assembly 14 and driving member 18, which is adapted to hold driving member 18 in the second stable position.

[0087] With reference to Figure 7a, the following will describe first releasable coupling system 42. In the illustrated embodiment, first releasable coupling system 42 comprises a first pair of geometrically mating portions configured to be releasably coupled with each other by mechanical interference and distributed between closure assembly 14 and driving member 18. In particular, the first pair of geometrically mating portions comprises a first protrusion 42a on closure assembly 14 and a first recess 42b on driving member 18. First protrusion 42a and first recess 42b have complementary shapes, e.g. rounded shapes when viewed in a section along an axial plane (i.e. as visible in Figures 7, 7a, 8 e 8a) . First protrusion 42a is formed on a lateral wall of closure assembly 14 and faces radially inwards, in particular extending circumferentially; whereas first recess 42b is formed on a lateral wall of driving member 18 and faces radially outwards, in particular also extending circumferentially .

[0088] With reference to Figure 8a, the following will describe second releasable coupling system 44. In the illustrated embodiment, second releasable coupling system 44 comprises a second pair of geometrically mating portions configured to be releasably coupled with each other by mechanical interference and distributed between closure assembly 14 and driving member 18. In particular, the second pair of geometrically mating portions comprises a second protrusion 44a on driving member 18 and a second recess 44b on closure assembly 14. Second protrusion 44a and second recess 44b have complementary shapes, e.g. rounded shapes when viewed along an axial plane (i.e. as visible in Figures 7, 7a, 8 e 8a) . Second protrusion 44a is formed at the bottom of an outer lateral wall of driving member 18 and faces axially downwards (i.e. towards applicator assembly 16) , in particular extending circumferentially; whereas second recess 44b is formed on shoulder portion 36 and faces axially upwards (i.e. in the direction opposite applicator assembly 16) , in particular also extending circumferentially.

[0089] In further embodiments (not shown and less preferable) , it is also conceivable that driving member 18 is not bistable, but only monostable, i.e. configured to slide in closure assembly 14 to take one stable position. In such a case, driving member 18 is releasably locked by closure assembly 14 only when applicator assembly 16 assumes either the retracted configuration or the extended configuration. In this case, a single releasable coupling system may be employed to hold driving member 18 in said one stable position .

[0090] The following will summarize the sequence of operating conditions shown in Figures 1 to 6 and in Figures la to 6a, into which device 10 described above with reference to the first illustrative embodiment is brought.

[0091] In Figures 1 and la, device 10 is shown in a closed condition, wherein closure assembly 14 is screwed to hollow container 12. Applicator assembly 16 is fully contained within cavity 20 of hollow container 12 and is in the retracted configuration.

[0092] In Figures 2 and 2a, device 10 is shown in an open condition, wherein closure assembly 14 has been decoupled, by unscrewing, from hollow container 12. Also, applicator assembly 16 has been (at least partly) extracted, together with closure assembly 14 and driving member 18, from hollow container 12. Applicator assembly 16 is still in the retracted configuration.

[0093] In Figures 3 and 3a, applicator assembly 16 has been inserted into cavity 20 of container body 12 without screwing closure assembly 14 around neck 22. Applicator assembly 16 is still in the retracted configuration. As clearly visible, application portion 32 cannot reach product P deposited on the bottom of container body 12.

[0094] In Figures 4 and 4a, the unit formed of closure assembly 14, applicator assembly 16 and driving member 18 has been (at least partly) extracted from container body 12 again. Driving member 18 has been pressed by a user and has brought applicator assembly 16 into the extended configuration. In particular, the downward pressure exerted on driving member 18 has disengaged first releasable coupling system 42, thereby allowing driving member 18 to move from it first stable position. Therefore, driving member 18 was able to slide within closure assembly 14 and thus cause applicator assembly 16 to switch into the extended configuration. In addition, the exerted pressure has activated second releasable coupling system 44, thus locking driving member 18 into its second stable position - this occurs when applicator assembly 16 reaches the extended configuration.

[0095] In Figures 5 and 5a, applicator assembly 16 has been inserted again through neck 22 of container body 12. As in the condition illustrated in Figures 3 and 3a, closure assembly 14 has not been screwed around neck 22. In this operating condition, however, since applicator assembly 16 is in its extended configuration, application portion 32 reaches the bottom of container body 12 and can thus take the desired quantity of product P. Therefore, the user can distribute such quantity of product P onto an outer surface.

[0096] In Figures 6 and 6a, the unit formed of closure assembly 14, applicator assembly 16 and driving member 18 has been inserted in and screwed to container body 12 to return to the same closed condition as shown in Figure 1. When closure assembly 14 is screwed around container body 12, applicator assembly 16 abuts against neck 22 through stopper member 38, and thus remains stationary together with driving member 38 relative to closure assembly. This implies that second releasable coupling system 44 is disengaged, so that driving member can move again from its second stable position. This corresponds to returning to its first stable position, in which it is engaged with first releasable coupling system 42, and applicator assembly 16 is brought back into its retracted configuration.

[0097] With particular reference to Figures 9 and 9a and Figures 10 and 10a, there is shown as a whole a packaging device made in accordance with a second illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0098] Those parts and elements which are similar to - or which perform the same function as - those of the above-described first embodiment have been assigned the same alphanumerical references. For simplicity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the above description of the first embodiment.

[0099] Figures 9 and 9a show device 10 in a closed condition, in which applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration. On the contrary, Figures 10 and 10a show device 10 in a condition in which applicator assembly 16 is in the extended configuration.

[0100] Unlike the first embodiment, driving member 18 is not manually operable by a user, is not slidable in a guided manner within closure assembly 14, and is not, therefore, button 35. In this case, driving member 18 is of the elastic type. In particular, driving member 18 tends to elastically push applicator assembly 16 to switch it from the retracted configuration, shown in Figures 9 and 9a, to the extended configuration, shown in Figures 10 and 10a.

[0101] Preferably, driving member 18 is an elastic membrane 46, e.g. made of elastomer material. More preferably, elastic membrane 46 is fixed to both applicator assembly 16 and closure assembly 14.

[0102] In the illustrated embodiment, elastic membrane 46 is fixed centrally in the axial direction to applicator assembly 16 on the side (axially) opposite said application portion 32, particularly relative to the end of the latter.

[0103] In the illustrated embodiment, elastic membrane 46 is fixed peripherally to closure assembly 14. In particular, the radially external surface of elastic membrane 46 is fixed to the radially internal surface of closure assembly 14.

[0104] In particular, when applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration shown in Figures 9 and 9a, elastic membrane 46 is stretched and deformed (e.g. bent) , thus projecting axially out of closure assembly 14 and being elastically loaded. Conversely, in the extended configuration shown in Figures 10 and 10a, the elastic membrane is contracted, being elastically unloaded, and remains contained within the closure assembly.

[0105] Unlike the first embodiment, applicator assembly 16 is mounted mutually slidable in a guided manner in closure assembly 14, particularly by cylindrical coupling (or - as an alternative - by prismatic coupling) . In particular, rodlike portion 34 of applicator assembly 16 is mounted slidable in a guided manner through shoulder portion 36 of closure assembly 14.

[0106] With particular reference to Figures 11 and Ila and Figures 12 and 12a, there is shown as a whole a packaging device made in accordance with a third illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Those parts and elements which are similar to - or which perform the same function as - those of the above-described first and second embodiments have been assigned the same alphanumerical references. For simplicity, the description of such parts and elements will not be repeated below, and reference should be made to the above description of the first and second embodiments.

[0108] Figures 11 and Ila show device 10 in a closed condition, in which applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration. On the contrary, Figures 12 and 12a show device 10 in a condition in which applicator assembly 16 is in the extended configuration.

[0109] Unlike the second embodiment, the radially external surface of elastic membrane 46 is not fixed to the radially internal surface of said closure assembly 14. Instead, elastic membrane 46 overlaps and is fixed to the radially external surface of closure assembly 14. In other words, elastic membrane 46 acts substantially as a cap externally covering closure assembly 14, which is thus "buried" in it.

[0110] In particular, when applicator assembly 16 is in the retracted configuration shown in Figures 11 and Ila, elastic membrane 46 is stretched and moved away from the top of closure assembly 14, thereby defining an annular interspace and being elastically loaded. Conversely, in the extended configuration shown in Figures 12 and 12a, elastic membrane 46 is contracted, being elastically unloaded, and remains substantially flush with the top of closure assembly 14.

[0111] Of course, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the forms of embodiment and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the present invention as set out in the appended claims.

[0112] The technical characteristics that differentiate the various embodiments and variants thereof described and illustrated herein are freely interchangeable, whenever compatible .

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. Device (10) for packaging a product (P) , e.g. of the cosmetic type, in liquid, paste or powder form; said device comprising :- a container body (12) internally defining a cavity (20) intended to contain said product (P) to be distributed, and comprising a neck (22) through which an opening (24) is defined, which allows access to said cavity (20) for taking said product (P) ;- a closure assembly (14) which can be coupled to said neck (22) for closing said opening (24) ;- an applicator assembly (16) mounted to said closure assembly (14) , protruding axially past said closure assembly (14) , extending in said cavity (20) through said opening (24) when said closure assembly (14) is coupled to said neck (22) , and having an application portion (32) configured to take and distribute a quantity of said product (P) contained in said cavity (20) ; characterized in that said device further comprises a driving member (18) mounted to said closure assembly (14) and configured to move said applicator assembly (16) relative to said closure assembly (14) ; and in that said closure assembly (14) and at least one of said applicator assembly (16) and said driving member (18) are mounted mutually slidable in a guided manner, one through the other; and in that said applicator assembly (16) is configured to be moved by said driving member (18) relative to said closure assembly (14) :- from a retracted configuration, wherein the application portion (32) protrudes from said closure assembly (14) by a minimum length lmin,- to an extended configuration, wherein the application portion (32) protrudes from said closure assembly (14) by a maximum length lmax.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said applicator assembly (16) and said driving member (18) is constrained to said closure assembly (14) by cylindrical or prismatic coupling.

3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said driving member (18) is mounted to the closure assembly (14) on the side opposite said application portion (32) .

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said applicator assembly (16) and said driving member (18) protrudes past the closure assembly (14) on the side opposite said application portion (32) when said applicator assembly (16) is in one of the retracted condition and the extended condition.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said driving member (18) is fixed to said applicator assembly (16) .

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said closure assembly (14) comprises a shoulder portion (36) protruding inwards, and said applicator assembly (16) has a stopper member (38) protruding outwards; and wherein said stopper member (38) is configured to abut against a support surface (40) of the shoulder portion (36) when said applicator assembly (16) is in the retracted configuration .

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said shoulder portion (36) is a substantially cylindrical section projecting radially inwards, and the support surface (40) issubstantially annular.

8. Device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said stopper member (38) is a substantially disc-shaped section projecting radially outwards.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said driving member (18) can be operated manually by a user.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein said driving member (18) is configured to act upon said applicator assembly (16) in such a way as to move said applicator assembly (16) from said retracted condition to said extended condition.

11. Device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the driving member (18) translates integrally with the applicator assembly (16) .

12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein said driving member (18) is operable by pressure.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein said driving member (18) is a button (35) mounted slidable in a guided manner through said closure assembly (14) and co-operating with said applicator assembly (16) .

14. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein said driving member (18) is configured to slide through said closure assembly (14) and take at least one stable position, in which said driving member (18) is releasably locked by said closure assembly (14) , when the applicator assembly (16) assumes at least one of said retracted configuration and said extended configuration.

15. Device according to claim 14, wherein said driving member (18) is held in said at least one stable position by means of a respective releasable coupling system (42; 44) .

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said releasable coupling system (42; 44) is distributed between said closureassembly (14) and said driving member (18) .

17. Device according to claim 16, wherein said releasable coupling system (42; 44) comprises a pair of geometrically mating portions (42a, 42b; 44a, 44b) configured to be releasably coupled with each other by mechanical interference and distributed between said closure assembly (14) and said driving member (18) .

18. Device according to claim 17, wherein said geometrically mating portions comprise a protrusion (42a; 44a) on either one of said closure assembly (14) and said driving member (18) , and a recess (42b; 44b) on the other one of said closure assembly (14) and said driving member (18) .

19. Device according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein said driving member (18) is bistable, being configured to slide through said closure assembly (14) to take a first stable position and a second stable position when said applicator assembly (16) assumes, respectively, said retracted configuration and said extended configuration; in each one of said stable positions, said driving member (18) being releasably locked relative to said closure assembly (14) .

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein said driving member (18) is held in:- said first stable position, when said applicator assembly (16) is in said retracted configuration, by means of a first releasable coupling system (42) ; and- said second stable position, when said applicator assembly (16) is in said extended configuration, by means of a second releasable coupling system (44) .

21. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said driving member (18) is of the elastic type and tends toelastically stress said applicator assembly (16) to switch it from said retracted configuration to said extended configuration .

22. Device according to claim 21, wherein said elastic member (18) works by traction, being loaded when said applicator assembly (16) is in the retracted configuration.

23. Device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein said driving member (18) is an elastic membrane (46) .

24. Device according to claim 23, wherein said elastic membrane (46) is fixed to both said applicator assembly (16) and said closure assembly (14) .

25. Device according to claim 24, wherein said elastic membrane (46) is fixed centrally in the axial direction to said applicator assembly (16) on the side opposite said application portion (32) .

26. Device according to claim 24 or 25, wherein said elastic membrane (46) is fixed peripherally to said closure assembly (14) .

27. Device according to claim 26, wherein the radially external surface of said elastic membrane (46) is fixed to the radially internal surface of said closure assembly (14) .

28. Device according to claim 27, wherein said elastic membrane (46) overlaps and is fixed to the radially external surface of said closure assembly (14) .

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