The invention relates to the field of applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, and, more particularly, but not exclusively, to the application of a hair dyeing product to the hair.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood, notably within the meaning of the present invention, to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products. The cosmetic product is advantageously in a fluid form.

Hair dyeing products are conventionally kept in a storage reservoir, for example having deformable walls, comprising a body provided with a closed end and with an opposite open end forming a neck. The neck is generally provided with a thread on which an applicator for dispensing and distributing the hair dyeing product on the hair is screwed.

Today, cosmetic product dispensers and applicators exist that make it possible to dispense the cosmetic product through an outlet orifice formed in an end piece that protrudes with respect to the reservoir containing the cosmetic product.

Reference can be made notably to the document WO-A1 -2013/037925 (L'Oreal), which describes a dispenser comprising a connecting member for removable mounting on the reservoir for storing the product. The dispenser also has an end piece for dispensing the product, a support member for the end piece, a closing element for protecting the end piece, and an actuating member for the closing element.

The dispenser described in said prior document also has a blocking mechanism that is able to allow or prevent the dispensing of the cosmetic product depending on the inclination angle of said dispenser.

However, the leak tightness of such a dispenser is not satisfactory. In addition, when product that remains at the outlet orifice dries and solidifies, dispensing of the product can be impaired or even prevented during a subsequent use.

Therefore, the aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks.

More particularly, the invention aims to provide an application device that makes it possible to limit the risk of clogging of the product outlet orifice after use for the first time, while exhibiting improved leak tightness. The subject of the invention is an application device for an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a cosmetic product, of the type comprising a reservoir for storing the product. The application device comprises a mounting base intended to be mounted on an open end of the reservoir, and a product applicator that is provided with a dispensing orifice for said product and is movable with respect to the mounting base between a product dispensing position and a closed position.

The mounting base comprises a perforating member that is able to close off the dispensing orifice in the closed position of the applicator. Said perforating member extends through said dispensing orifice in said closed position. Thus, the dispensing orifice is closed off in a leak tight manner by the perforating member.

The perforating member makes it possible both to provide leak tightness between the mounting base and the applicator and to perforate the product film that remains in the dispensing orifice, for example after the application device has been used for the first time.

Therefore, the perforating member fulfils a double function of closing off the dispensing orifice and of piercing or perforating the product that remains stuck to the inner wall of said orifice after use. The perforating member is shaped so as to promote this piercing.

The shape of the dispensing orifice matches that of one end of the perforating member so as to increase the leak tightness of the application device, notably between the mounting base and the applicator.

Advantageously, the applicator comprises an end piece for applying the product and a connecting member that is able to join the application end piece to the mounting base. The dispensing orifice is made for example in the connecting member.

In one embodiment, the mounting base comprises a mounting skirt that is intended to be mounted on an open end of the reservoir, and a coupling skirt that engages with the connecting member, in order to fasten the applicator to said base.

The coupling skirt may comprise, on the outside, at least one guide lug that protrudes radially outwards, and the connecting member may have, on the inside, at least one helical groove that receives said guide lug.

Advantageously, there are three grooves and three guide lugs, which are disposed at 120° with respect to one another. The helical grooves may be made such that the connecting member is movable through a quarter turn with respect to the mounting base.

In one embodiment, the mounting base comprises a part for dispensing the product that has an internal skirt coaxial with the coupling skirt, and said perforating member protruding axially outwards. The perforating member and the internal skirt delimit a cavity for receiving the connecting member.

A flow orifice for the product is advantageously formed radially between the internal skirt and the perforating member. Said flow orifice has for example the shape of a semi-circular oblong hole.

In one embodiment, the connecting member comprises an outer skirt for mounting in the application end piece and an inner product inlet duct that is disposed in the receiving cavity and is coaxial with said outer skirt. Said dispensing orifice opens into said inner duct and allows the product contained in the receiving cavity to flow towards the outside. The inner duct has for example an outside diameter greater than the inside diameter of the internal skirt of the mounting base, and comprises for example, on the outside, an annular boss. Thus, assembly on the mounting base with a tight fit is ensured in order to further increase the leak tightness of the device in the closed position. When the application device is in the closed position, if product flows through the flow orifice in the base, this product cannot flow out of the device.

Advantageously, the connecting member comprises reliefs, for example splines, that engage with reliefs, for example splines, formed on the application end piece, making it possible for the connecting member to be carried along when the application end piece is made to rotate.

In one embodiment, the application end piece comprises, at one of its ends, at least one row of teeth that form a comb for applying the product, and an outlet orifice for said product that is adjacent to the teeth and coaxial with the dispensing orifice.

The application end piece may comprise two rows of teeth forming two mutually parallel combs that are disposed on either side of the outlet orifice.

Advantageously, the applicator comprises an applicator member at least partially accommodated in the outlet orifice. When the application end piece comprises one row of teeth, the applicator member is for example disposed adjacently to the row of teeth. Advantageously, the application device comprises a cap that is intended to be mounted on the application end piece, for example by snap- fastening.

In one embodiment, the perforating member has an axial spike that protrudes axially outwards with respect to a front face of the mounting base.

The axial spike extends, for example, axially beyond the dispensing orifice.

In other words, in the closed position, the axial spike extends axially beyond the dispensing orifice, that is to say it protrudes out axially from the upper surface of the transverse wall, so as to perforate the remaining film of product covering said orifice. The perforating member thus protrudes axially on either side of the dispensing orifice.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir that delimits a volume for receiving the product and an application device as described above.

Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is given only by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly for packaging and dispensing a product, comprising an application device for the product according to one example of the invention;

- Figures 2 and 3 are partial cross-sectional views, on a vertical mid-plane, of the assembly in Figure 1, in an open position for dispensing the product and in a closed position for storing the product, respectively;

- Figure 4A shows a perspective view of a mounting base of the application device in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4B shows a cross-sectional view of the mounting base in Figure

4A;

- Figure 4C shows a top view of the mounting base in Figure 4A;

- Figure 5 A shows a perspective view of a connecting member of the application device in Figure 1;

- Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the connecting member in Figure 5A;

- Figure 6 A shows a perspective view of an application end piece of the application device in Figure 1 ; and - Figure 6B shows a cross-sectional view of the application end piece in Figure 6A.

An assembly 10 for packaging and dispensing a product onto a dispensing surface (not shown) is illustrated in Figure 1.

The product to be dispensed can be for example a cosmetic product, such as a hair dyeing product, for example, which is intended to be applied for example to the hair of the user. However, the assembly 10 could also be used for the packaging and dispensing of any other cosmetic or care product, or even a non-cosmetic product, for example paint.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the assembly 10 for packaging and dispensing a product extends along a longitudinal overall axis X-X', shown in a position presumed to be vertical.

The assembly 10 comprises a reservoir 12 delimiting an internal volume 12a for receiving the product, visible in Figures 2 and 3, and an application device 14 for said product.

The body of the reservoir 12 is provided with a closed lower end 12b forming a bottom and an open upper end 12c, opposite the lower end 12b, that allows access to the internal volume 12a for receiving the product.

The body of the reservoir 12 may be made for example of flexible synthetic material, so that the product contained in the internal receiving volume 12a can be ejected by simple pressure thereon. It is also conceivable for the body of the reservoir to be made of any other material and to have a more flexible part, for example at its lower end, allowing the product contained in the reservoir to be dispensed. The more flexible part could for example be made of an elastomeric thermoplastic material.

The application device 14 for the product contained in the reservoir 12 is mounted on the open upper end 12c of the reservoir.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the application device 14 comprises a mounting base 16 mounted on the upper end 12c of the reservoir, and an applicator 18 that is movable with respect to the mounting base 16 between a position for dispensing the product and a closed position.

The applicator 18 comprises an application end piece 20 for applying the product contained in the reservoir and a connecting member 22 for connecting the mounting base 16 and said end piece 20 together. The applicator 18 also comprises an applicator member 24 for coating the hair with product while avoiding excessive flow of said product, which may stain the scalp.

The applicator member 24 is made of a material for absorbing liquids, such as a porous material, for example a foam, or a nonwoven material, or any other appropriate material for absorbing the cosmetic product and restoring it onto an application surface by simple pressure on this applicator member, forming an applicator pad.

The application device 14 for a product also comprises a cap 26 intended to be mounted on the application end piece 20 of the applicator 18.

The mounting base 16, visible in detail in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, is made in one piece, for example by moulding a synthetic material.

The mounting base 16 comprises a mounting skirt 30 for mounting on the reservoir 12 which is provided on the outside with a plurality of reliefs 32 that are intended to engage with the inner surface of the body of the reservoir 12 in order to allow the base 16 to be mounted in a fixed manner with respect to the reservoir 12.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the plurality of reliefs 32 include three mutually parallel annular bulges 32a, 32b, 32c that are intended to be snap- fastened under an internal shoulder 12d of the reservoir 12, visible in Figures 2 and 3, in order to prevent the base from moving in translation along the longitudinal axis X- X' with respect to the reservoir.

The mounting skirt 30 also has a longitudinal axial groove 32d, visible in Figure 4A, that extends partially between the bulges 32a, 32b and is intended to receive a rib (not shown) on the reservoir 12, so as to prevent the base from rotating relative to the reservoir. In a variant, provision could be made for the mounting skirt to be fastened to the reservoir by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding, by press fitting, etc.

The mounting skirt 30, of axis X-X', is extended, at its upper end, by an annular lip 30a that is intended to bear axially against the upper end 12c (Figure 2) of the reservoir. The mounting base 16 also comprises a coupling skirt 34, of axis X-X', that is intended to engage with the connecting member 22, as will be described in more detail below. The coupling skirt 34 extends out of the reservoir, while the mounting skirt 30 extends inside the reservoir. The coupling skirt 34 has a cylindrical shape and extends axially around the axis X-X' from the annular lip 30a axially on the opposite side from the mounting skirt 30. As illustrated in Figure 4C, the coupling skirt 34 comprises, on its outer periphery, guide lugs 34a that protrude radially outwards. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, there are three guide lugs 34a, which are disposed at 120° with respect to one another and are identical to one another. In an entirely non- limiting manner, the guide lugs 34a have a radial part (not referenced), visible in Figure 4C, that extends from the outer periphery of the coupling skirt 34 and is extended by a guide part (not referenced) that extends in the circumferential direction of said skirt 34 and at a distance therefrom.

The mounting base 16 also comprises a part 36 for dispensing the product that is provided with an internal skirt 36a extending axially inwards from a front end face 16a of the mounting base. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, said internal skirt 36a is coaxial with the coupling skirt 34 and joined to said skirt by the front end face 16a. The coupling skirt 34 radially surrounds the internal skirt 36a.

The product dispensing part 36 comprises a perforating member 38 protruding axially outwards with respect to the front end face 16a. The perforating member 38 is centred on the axis X-X', coaxial with the internal skirt 36a and joined to said skirt 36a by a radial internal lip 36b, from which said member 38 extends axially outwards. The perforating member 38 and the internal skirt 36a delimit a cavity 36c for receiving the connecting member 22. Said cavity 36c is open axially upwards, that is to say on the opposite side from the reservoir 12.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the perforating member 38 is in the form of a protuberance provided, at an upper end on the opposite side from the reservoir, with an axial spike 38a that extends axially beyond the front end face 16a of the mounting base 16. As illustrated in Figure 4B, the axial spike 38a has a conical shape. In a variant, any other shape of the perforating member provided with an outwardly protruding part that juts out axially from the front end face 16a of the mounting base 16 could be provided. As illustrated, the perforating member 38 is hollow and communicates with the product receiving volume 12a of the reservoir 12.

The product dispensing part 36 comprises, radially between its internal skirt 36a and the perforating member 38, a flow orifice 36d for the product contained in the reservoir 12. The flow orifice 36d is made in the thickness of the internal lip 36b. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 4C, the product flow orifice 36d has the shape of a semi-circular oblong hole. In a variant, any other shape of the flow orifice could be provided, for example a circular hole or any other shape that allows the product contained in the reservoir to pass towards the cavity 36c.

The connecting member 22, visible in detail in Figures 5A and 5B, is made in one piece, for example by moulding a synthetic material.

The connecting member 22 comprises a cylindrical outer skirt 40 for mounting in the application end piece 20, and a cylindrical inner inlet duct 42 for the product contained in the receiving cavity 36c. The inner duct 42 is coaxial with the outer skirt 40 and joined to said skirt 40 by a transverse wall 44.

The outer skirt 40 comprises, on its bore, portions of helical grooves 40a, in this case three thereof, which are disposed at 120° with respect to one another and are each intended to receive a guide lug 34a of the mounting base 16. Thus, the connecting member 22 is mounted so as to be movable relative to the mounting base 16 between the dispensing or use position, visible in Figure 2, and the closed or storage position, visible in Figure 3. The helical grooves 40a are made such that the connecting member 22 is movable through a quarter turn with respect to the mounting base 16. The connecting member 22 is movable with respect to the mounting base 16 by a rotary movement about the axis X-X' combined with a movement in translation along said axis.

The connecting member 22 also comprises, on a part of the outer periphery of the outer skirt 40, a plurality of splines 40b, visible in Figure 5A, that are intended to engage with corresponding splines 48a, visible in Figure 6B, made on the bore of a cylindrical assembly skirt 48 of the application end piece 20.

The connecting member 22 also comprises an intermediate duct 46 that is coaxial with the outer skirt 40 and joined to said skirt 40 by the transverse wall 44. The intermediate duct 46 extends axially outwards with respect to the transverse wall 44, while the inner duct 42 extends axially inwards, that is to say towards the reservoir 12. The outer skirt 40 radially surrounds the ducts 42 and 46. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the intermediate duct 46 extends axially beyond the upper end of the outer skirt 40.

The inner inlet duct 42 for the product is fluidically connected to the intermediate duct 46 by a dispensing orifice 44a that has been made in the thickness of the transverse wall 44 and allows the product contained in the receiving cavity 36c to flow into the intermediate duct 46. The dispensing orifice 44a opens onto an upper surface 44b of the transverse wall 44. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the dispensing orifice 44a has a tiered shape. More particularly, the dispensing orifice 44a has a large-diameter region that matches the shape of the end of the perforating member 38, which is extended by a small-diameter region that is able to receive the spike 38a of said member 38.

The inner duct 42 is partially accommodated in the receiving cavity 36c of the mounting base 16. The outside diameter of the inner duct 42 is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the internal skirt 36a of the product dispensing part 36. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the inner duct 42 is provided with a bevelled free lower end 42a that makes it possible to insert the inner duct 42 into the receiving cavity 36c. The inner duct 42 has, on its periphery, an annular boss 42b that allows assembly on the internal skirt 36a of the mounting base with a tight fit so as to ensure first leak tightness of the device in the closed position. Thus, when the application device 14 is in the closed position, visible in Figure 3, the product flowing through the flow orifice 36d cannot flow towards the outside.

In this closed position, the axial spike 38a of the perforating member 38 is inserted in the dispensing orifice 44a and extends through said orifice 44a. In other words, in the closed position, the axial spike 38a extends axially beyond the dispensing orifice 44a, that is to say it protrudes out axially from the upper surface 44b of the transverse wall 44, so as to perforate the remaining film of product covering said orifice. The perforating member 38 thus protrudes axially on either side of the dispensing orifice 44a.

The upper end of the perforating member 38 is centred in a sealed manner in the dispensing orifice 44a of matching shape. This thus ensures second leak tightness of the device in the closed position.

The application end piece 20, visible in detail in Figures 6A and 6B, is made in one piece, for example by moulding a synthetic material. The application end piece 20 comprises the assembly skirt 48 radially surrounding the reservoir 12, the mounting base 16 and the connecting member 22.

The assembly skirt 48 comprises, on its bore, an annular rib 48b with an inside diameter smaller than the outside diameter of the outer skirt 40 of the connecting member 22, so as to allow a lower end of the connecting member 22, on the opposite side from the splines 40d, to bear axially against said annular rib 48b. The assembly skirt 48 also has an internal shoulder 48c, against which the splines 40b of the connecting member 22 bear axially. The rib 48b and the shoulder 48c prevent the connecting member 22 from moving in translation with respect to the application end piece 20. By virtue of the annular rib 48b and the splines 48a, the application end piece 20 and the connecting member 22 are joined together in a fixed manner. Thus, when the application end piece is turned through a quarter turn, the connecting member 22 is rotated together therewith and moves axially with respect to the mounting base 16 between the dispensing position and the closed position. Third leak tightness of the device is realized between the internal shoulder 48c of the application end piece 20 and the splines 40b of the connecting member 22.

The assembly skirt 48 of the application end piece 20 comprises, on its periphery, an annular lip 48d on which the cap 26 rests axially and a plurality of reliefs 48e for mounting the cap 26 on the application end piece 20 by snap-fastening.

The application end piece 20 comprises, at one of its ends, two rows of teeth 50 that are mutually parallel and form a comb for applying the product contained in the reservoir. In the example illustrated, the teeth have a parallelepiped shape. An outlet orifice 52 for the outlet of the product opens out between the two rows of teeth 50 in the intermediate duct 46 of the connecting member 22. The applicator member 24 is partially accommodated between the two rows of teeth 50, in said outlet orifice 52, and extends axially beyond said rows of teeth.

When a pressure is applied to the reservoir 12, the product contained in said reservoir flows through the flow orifice 36d into the receiving cavity 36c of the mounting base 16, and then towards the application member 24 through the dispensing orifice 44a made in the connecting member 22 and the outlet orifice 52 made in the application end piece 20.

The mounting base 16, the application end piece 20 and the connecting member 22 are made of synthetic material in order for the parts to be mounted with respect to one another by being deformed slightly. By way of non-limiting example, the mounting base and the application end piece are made of polypropylene homopolymer (PPH) and the connecting member is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the mounting base 16, the application end piece 20 and the connecting member 22 are parts that are separate from one another.

For reasons of moulding synthetic material, it is easier to design the applicator 18 formed by the application end piece 20 and the connecting member 22 in two separate parts. However, in a variant, it is conceivable for the application end piece and the connecting member to form a single piece which is movable with respect to the mounting base that is fixed with respect to the reservoir.

By virtue of the application device according to the present invention, leak tightness is increased in the closed position.

In addition, by virtue of the perforating member 38, after the application device has been used, when product remaining in the dispensing orifice 44a forms a dry film, the latter does not prevent the application device from being used again.

This is because the perforating member 38 perforates the remaining film of product in said orifice 44a, thereby clearing it of any obstruction, simply by the applicator 18 being moved between the dispensing position and the closed position.

The expression "having a" should be understood as being synonymous with the expression "having at least one", unless otherwise specified.