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Title:
DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND DISPENSING BY MEANS OF A PIPETTE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/086720
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A packaging and dispensing device (1) having a container (2) intended to contain a fluid product, and a closure member (3) for closing the container, the closure member having: a cap (4) for gripping the closure member, a dispensing pipette (6) designed to be inserted into the container and connected to a pump body (50) so that at least one dose of product contained in the container can be withdrawn and dispensed, a push button (7) connected to a piston (74) mounted in a sliding manner in the pump body such that the dose of product contained in the pipette can be sucked up or expelled, a spring member (5) positioned between the push button and the pump body, and a means for retaining the closure member on the container. According to the invention, the pump body is mounted in a sliding manner with respect to the cap.

Inventors:
DRUGEON LIONEL (FR)
LEBRAND JEAN-MARC (FR)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2013/075257
Publication Date:
June 12, 2014
Filing Date:
December 02, 2013
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
OREAL (FR)
International Classes:
A45D34/00; A45D34/04; B01L3/02; B65D47/18
Domestic Patent References:
WO2011154397A12011-12-15
WO2012136938A12012-10-11
Foreign References:
KR20120014653A2012-02-20
EP1389588A12004-02-18
EP0248345A21987-12-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
FANTIN, Teddy (D.I.P.I.25-29 Quai Aulagnier, ASNIERES-SUR-SEINE Cedex, FR)
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Claims:
CLAIMS

A packaging and dispensing device (1 ) having a container (2) intended to contain a fluid product, and a closure member (3) for closing the container, the closure member having:

- a cap (4) in which an insert (42) is fixed in a non-removable manner so that the closure member can be gripped,

- a dispensing pipette (6) designed to be inserted into the container and connected to a pump body (50) so that at least one dose of product contained in the container can be withdrawn and dispensed, the pump body formed by a tubular jacket (51 ) having protuberances (54),

- a push button (7) connected to a piston (74) mounted in a sliding manner in the pump body such that the dose of product contained in the pipette can be sucked up or expelled,

- a spring member (5) positioned between the push button and the pump body, and

- a means for retaining the closure member on the container,

the device being characterized in that the pump body is mounted in a sliding manner with respect to the cap and in that each of the protuberances is engaged in a cavity (44) in the insert (42), the protuberances in particular abutting against the lower edges of the cavities.

The device as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the closure member is designed to suck up a dose of product as this closure member passes from a closed position to an unlocked position of the container.

The device as claimed in either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining means is a thread (46) connected to the cap and engaging with a complementary thread (26) on the container.

The device as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the retaining means is a catching portion (43) connected to the cap and engaging with a retaining element (38) fixed to the container, an actuating means (37) making it possible to release the retaining element from the catching portion.

The device as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the cap moves in a purely translational movement from its locked position to its unlocked position, in which it can be freely separated from the container.

The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipette remains fixed with respect to the container as the cap passes from the locked position to the unlocked position.

The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has an opening provided with a sealing member (10) that comes into radial contact with a portion of the pipette and/or the pump body when said pipette is inserted into the container.

8. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cap has a first stop that engages with the push button when said push button is in a high position, and a second stop that engages with the pump body when said pump body is in a low position.

9. The device as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that the cap has a fixed insert (42) having the catching portion, the first stop and the second stop.

10. The device as claimed in one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that the portion of the container with which the closure member is engaged has a non-circular section.

1 1 . The device as claimed in one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the retaining means has a band (30) fixed to the container and an elastic return element (36).

12. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipette is provided with an applicator end piece.

13. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a cosmetic product (P).

Description:
Device for packaging and dispensing by means of a pipette

The subject of the present invention is a device for packaging and dispensing a fluid composition by means of a pipette. The invention is used more particularly in the field of devices for packaging cosmetic products, in which the product has to be delivered in the form of doses.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean any product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

In the prior art, the teaching of document EP0248345 discloses a packaging and application device having a container and a closure member, the closure member being equipped with a pipette for withdrawing a dose of product. This device teaches pulling on a piston located in the pipette in order to fill the latter with a dose of product, and, in a second stage, unscrewing the closure member so as to allow this dose to be dispensed by pushing the piston. The user of such a device is faced with the problem of having to carry out a number of successive manipulations, firstly pulling on the piston, then unscrewing and then applying pressure to the piston.

Similarly, the user applying a product by means of a device as taught by the document US2005070853 is faced with the same problem of multiple manipulations. Specifically, this device has a first cap to remove, with a piston of the pipette then being pulled on in order to fill the latter, before finally the pipette is unscrewed in order to apply a dose.

A packaging and dispensing device that makes it possible, with one and the same hand movement, both to detach the closure member in relation to the container and to fill a tubular portion firmly attached to the closure member is known from the teaching of document FR2924696. The product is retained in this tubular portion by capillary action. This type of device is also problematic inasmuch as it does not allow tiny quantities of product to be filled, and it is necessary to return the closure member to its completely closed position in order to refill the tubular portion. Furthermore, this device also only allows tiny doses to be dispensed by capillary action with the substrate on which they will be deposited. Document FR2549015 describes a packaging and dispensing device having a container and a closure member equipped with a pipette and a pumping mechanism via a push button. This device teaches pressing on the push button and then releasing it in order to suck up a dose of product when the push button returns to its position under the effect of an elastic member, and, in a second stage, unscrewing the closure member in order to allow this dose to be applied. The user of such a device is faced with the problem of having to carry out multiple successive manipulations, firstly applying pressure to the push button in order to withdraw a dose and then unscrewing prior to application.

Document FR2964953 describes a packaging and application device having a container and a closure member equipped with a pipette and a pumping mechanism via a push button. The mechanism is complex and makes use of numerous elements in order that the action of screwing and unscrewing the closure member respectively brings about the expulsion and sucking up of a dose of product into the pipette.

Finally, document FR2968516 describes a mechanism for a cosmetic product applicator that allows simple hand movements. However, this document does not describe a dispensing pipette.

A need thus exists for packaging and dispensing devices that make it possible to withdraw at least one dose, with opening hand movements that are simple for the user.

The object of the present invention is thus to provide an improved device for packaging a cosmetic product in order to alleviate the abovementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention proposes a packaging and dispensing device having a container intended to contain a fluid product, and a closure member for closing the container, the closure member having:

- a cap in which an insert is fixed in a non-removable manner so that the closure member can be gripped,

- a dispensing pipette designed to be inserted into the container and connected to a pump body so that at least one dose of product contained in the container can be withdrawn and dispensed, the pump body formed by a tubular jacket having protuberances, - a push button connected to a piston mounted in a sliding manner in the pump body such that the dose of product contained in the pipette can be sucked up or expelled,

- a spring member positioned between the push button and the pump body, and

- a means for retaining the closure member on the container.

According to the invention, the pump body is mounted in a sliding manner with respect to the cap and each of the protuberances is engaged in a cavity in the insert, the protuberances in particular abutting against the lower edges of the cavities.

The invention advantageously provides a packaging device having simple hand movements since the user does not have to carry out excessive multiple manipulations: simply opening the packaging device gives him access to a pipette already filled with product.

Also, any accidental actuation and excessive filling of the pipette when the device is in the closed position are avoided.

Moreover, this device ensures that the container is impermeable up to the moment at which the user manually withdraws the pipette from the container, thereby limiting leakage resulting from accidental opening of the container.

According to further features of the invention, the closure member may be designed to suck up a dose of product as this closure member passes from a closed position to an unlocked position of the container.

The retaining means may be a thread connected to the cap and engaging with a complementary thread on the container.

Alternatively, the retaining means may be a catching portion connected to the cap and engaging with a retaining element fixed to the container, an actuating means making it possible to release the retaining element from the catching portion. Thus, the cap may move in a purely translational movement from its locked position to its unlocked position, in which it can be freely separated from the container.

The pipette may remain fixed with respect to the container as the cap passes from the locked position to the unlocked position. t

4

The container may have an opening provided with a sealing member that comes into radial contact with a portion of the pipette and/or the pump body when said pipette is inserted into the container.

The cap may have a first stop that engages with the push button when said push button is in a high position, and a second stop that engages with the pump body when said pump body is in a low position.

The cap may have a fixed insert having the catching portion, the first stop and the second stop.

The portion of the container with which the closure member is engaged may have a non-circular section.

The retaining means may have a band fixed to the container and an elastic return means.

The pipette may be provided with an applicator end piece.

The device may contain a cosmetic product.

The invention will be understood better from reading the following description of non-limiting examples of the implementation thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows an example of a packaging and dispensing device according to the invention;

- figure 2 shows an exploded view of the device from figure 1 ;

- figures 3 to 6 show quarter longitudinal sectional views of the device from figure 1 , in various positions of the closure element;

- figure 7 shows a quarter longitudinal sectional view of a variant of the device from figure 1 ;

- figure 8 shows an example of an elastic ring for a device from figure 1 .

With reference to figures 1 to 6, a device 1 for packaging and dispensing contains a product P. The product P contained is preferably a cosmetic product such as a care serum or cream. The device 1 has a container 2 for containing and storing the product before it is sold and then during its useful life with a user, and a closure member 3 for closing off the container 2 in order to preserve the stored product. The closure member 3 has a pipette 6 for withdrawing and dispensing a dose of product P contained in the container 2. To this end, the product P is in the form of a fluid having a viscosity suitable for being sucked up into the pipette 6.

The container 2 is a hollow body that extends mainly along a longitudinal axis X-X, is closed at one end by an end wall, and is open at the other end.

In the rest of the description, the terms "upper" and "lower" will be understood with respect to the main longitudinal axis X-X when the container 2 is resting on its base and the closure member 3 is in the closed position on the container 2.

The opening in the container 2 is defined by a neck 21 that extends from a shoulder of the container 2. The axis of the opening corresponds to the longitudinal axis X-X. In this example, the neck 21 has a circular cross section, but it could have a different one. The neck 21 may have a narrowing 22 located between the shoulder of the container 2 and the upper rim of the neck 21 .

The container 2 is produced for example from glass, or from a thermoplastic material. It may, for example, be obtained by an extrusion blow molding technique. It may also be obtained by joining together a number of components. It has for example a circular or ovoid cross section, but it may also have any other cross-sectional shape.

A sealing member 10 is fixed in the opening defined by the neck 21 of the container 2. Besides the function of sealing the container 2 when the closure member 3 is positioned on the container 2, this sealing member 10 also has the function of wiping the pipette 6 in order to scrape off most of the product P deposited on the outer surface of the pipette 6 when the latter is withdrawn from the container 2.

The sealing member 10 is for example produced from polyethylene (PE), butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers (NBR) or any other material suitable for forming impermeability.

The sealing member 10 is an approximately tubular seal and is engaged at least partly with a tight fit against the inner wall of the neck 21 so as to form cylindrical impermeability between the sealing member 10 and the neck 21 of the container 2. The sealing member 10 may comprise an upper edge 1 1 intended to come into axial contact with the upper peripheral rim of the neck 21 . In addition, the sealing member 10 may comprise an external annular boss 12 which is engaged in an internal annular groove 23 in the neck 21 in order to axially retain the sealing member 10 in the neck 21 .

In order to provide the wiping function, the lower end 13 of the sealing member 10 is formed with a frustoconical wall which is flared from bottom to top so as to define a through-orifice toward the inside of the container, said orifice being narrower than the opening in the neck 21 and coming into contact with the external surface of the pipette 6.

The container 2 may be topped by a cover band 30 in order to ensure the appearance and overall design of the device 1 .

In the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 6, the band 30 has a means 31 for retaining the closure member 3 on the container 2.

The means 31 for retaining the closure member 3 on the container 2 has an elastic ring 36 mounted between the band 30 and around the neck 21 of the container 2. Thus, the band 30 is fixed to the neck of the container 2, keeping the ring 36 around the neck 21 .

The band 30 comprises an upper part 32 and a lower part 33. The upper part 32 is fixed on the neck 21 in a non-removable manner. To this end, the inner wall of the upper part 32 of the band 30 is fitted tightly to the outer wall of the neck 21 . The upper part 32 of the band 30 may be fixed to the neck 21 by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding, with a tight fit or by snap- fastening.

In a variant which is not shown, the end of the upper part 32 of the band may have a projection above the upper peripheral rim of the neck 21 such that the upper edge 1 1 of the sealing member 10 is positioned between the upper peripheral rim of the neck 21 and the projection of the band so as to keep the sealing member 10 axially in the neck 21 .

A bottom portion of the upper part 32 of the band 30 comprises a window 34 that opens out next to the top portion of the narrowing 22 of the neck 21 . This bottom portion of the upper part 32 of the neck 30 is thus not in contact with the outer wall of the neck 21 .

The section of the upper part 32 of the band 30 is narrower than the upper section of the body of the container 2 at the shoulder between the body of the container 2 and the neck 21 . The cross section of the upper part 32 of the band 30 may be non- circular, and in particular approximately square. However, other sections of the upper part 32 of the band 30 are conceivable, such as polygonal, ovoid, circular or other cross sections. The section of the upper part 32 of the band 30 does not have to be homothetic with respect to the section of the body of the container 2. Similarly, the section of the neck 21 may be non-circular.

When the upper part 32 of the band is fixed in position on the neck 21 , the lower peripheral edge of the lower part 33 of the band 30 is positioned against or substantially against the shoulder between the neck 21 and the body of the container 2.

The lower part 33 of the band 30 is connected to the upper part 32 by a shoulder such that the cross section of the lower part 33 is wider than the cross section of the upper part 32. In particular, the section of the lower part 33 may be matched to the section of the container 2 in order to continue the surface of the container 2.

The inner wall of the lower part 33 of the band 30 is positioned facing the narrowing 22 of the neck 21 so as to form an approximately annular space 39 between the lower part 33 of the band 30 and the neck 21 of the container 2.

The lower part 33 of the band 30 comprises an opening 35 that opens into the approximately annular space 39.

The elastic ring 36 is positioned in the annular space 39 around the neck 21 and facing the narrowing 22.

This ring 36 is produced from elastic metal or from elastic plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), for example.

The elastic ring 36 forms an annulus having an inside diameter greater than the outside diameter of the narrowing 22, and having an outside diameter greater than the diameter of the inner wall of the lower part 33 of the band 30. Thus, the elastic ring 36 is mounted prestressed in the band 30. This prestressed position of the ring 36 is called the rest position of said ring 36.

An example of an elastic ring 36 is shown in figure 8. The elastic ring 36 comprises an actuating means 37, such as a button, placed in the opening 35 in the band 30. In the rest position of the ring 36, the actuating means 37 may project from the wall of the lower part 33 of the band 30. The elastic ring 36 also comprises a retaining element 38. This retaining element 38 is intended to lock the closure member 3 on the container 2 as will be described hereinbelow.

The retaining element 38 forms for example a catch positioned in the window 34 in the bottom portion of the upper part 32 of the band 30. In the rest position of the ring 36, the retaining means 38 projects from the wall of the upper part 32 of the band 30.

The retaining element 38 is positioned on the same side of the ring as the actuating means 37. The catch is, for example, positioned at the end of a tab which is connected at its other end to the ring 36 and to the actuating member 37.

When the user exerts a pressure on the actuating means 37, the ring 36 is deformed and the actuating means 37 is moved toward the neck 21 along with the retaining element 38, such that the retaining element 38 no longer projects from the window 34. The actuating means 37 is thus able to move radially with respect to the container 2.

When the pressure on the actuating means 37 is released, the elastic ring 36 returns to its rest position.

In this example, the actuating means 37 and the retaining element 38 are connected to an elastic ring 36, although it is possible for them not to be connected to the elastic ring. Similarly, this example describes an elastic ring, but any other elastic return member may be used. Moreover, the means for actuating the retaining element is not limited to a button; it may also be a lever, a sliding member, or the like.

The closure member 3 has a cap 4, a push button 7, a pumping mechanism, and the dispensing pipette 6.

The cap 4 is formed by a tubular sleeve extending mainly along the longitudinal axis X-X and forming a tubular external envelope serving as an element for gripping the closure member 3 in particular in order to separate it from the container 2. The upper end of the sleeve has an edge extending radially toward the inside of the cap 4 and defining a through-orifice of axis X-X between the inside and the outside of the cap 4. The lower end of the cap 4 is open so as to be able to be positioned around the neck 21 of the container 2. For this purpose, the height of the cap 4 is greater than the height of the neck 21 .

The cap 4 may be produced from metal, plastic or any other material. An insert 42 is fixed in a non-removable manner in the cap 4. The insert 42 is a tubular hollow body fitted in the cap 4 so as to be able to be positioned around the neck 21 of the container 2 with the cap 4.

The insert may be produced in one piece or from a number of elements joined together.

The insert 42 may be fixed in a non-removable manner in the cap 4 by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding, with a tight fit or by snap-fastening.

The lower part of the insert 42, that is to say the part closest to the open end of the cap 4, has a circular groove 43 that opens at least onto the inner wall of the insert 42. This groove 43 defines a catching means for the retaining element 38. In this example, the groove 43 is continuous such that, whatever the angular position of the cap 4 with respect to the container 2, the catching means 23 is located facing the means 38 for retaining the locking mechanism.

As a variant, the groove 43 may be discontinuous and the cap 4 may have an angular indexing means such that the cap 4 can only be mounted on the container 2 in positions in which the catching means 23 is located facing the means 38 for retaining the locking mechanism. This variant should be used in particular with caps or containers having a non-cylindrical cross section.

Two mutually opposing zones of the upper part of the insert 42 each comprise an approximately rectangular cavity 44 that opens at least onto the inner wall of the insert 42.

As a variant, the groove 43 and the cavities 44 may be produced directly on the inner face of the sleeve forming the cap 4.

The pumping mechanism has a pump body 50 formed by a tubular jacket 51 which is open at its upper end and closed at its lower end by a closure wall 52 comprising an orifice 53 at its center.

The upper rim of the tubular jacket 51 has two protuberances 54 which are symmetrically opposite one another with respect to the axis X-X and extend radially on the outside of the jacket 51 .

The pump body 50 is mounted in the insert 42 in a sliding manner along the axis X-X. In order to limit the sliding, each of the protuberances 54 is engaged in a cavity 44 in the insert 42, the protuberances 54 in particular abutting against the lower edges of the cavities 44. The dispensing pipette 6 is a tubular hollow body extending along the axis X-X and opening out at an upper end 61 through the orifice 53 in the wall 52 closing the lower part of the pump body 50. On the other side, the free end 62 of the pipette 6 opens into the container 2 when the closure member 3 is in the closed position. The section of the pipette may be non-circular.

The free end 62 of the pipette 6 may form a constriction with respect to the internal section of the pipette 6 in order to limit the flow under gravity of the fluid which has been pumped. The constriction makes it possible to retain the product by capillary action. This constriction also allows more precise application of the product. The free end 62 may also have an attached applicator end piece such as a brush, a metallic end piece, an end piece made of thermoplastic material or silicone, it being possible for the end piece to be flocked or not to be flocked.

The upper end 61 is attached to the pump body 50. The pipette 6 is retained for example by snap-fastening in a skirt 55 that extends around the orifice 53 from the lower face of the wall 52 closing the lower part of the pump body 50.

The portion of the pipette 6 or of the skirt 55 located facing the sealing member 10 when the closure member is in the locked position on the container is a widened portion 56, that is to say a portion having a widened section suitable for coming into contact with the inner faces of the tubular portion of the sealing member 10.

In order to obtain optimal contact so as to form impermeability in the region of the neck 21 of the container 2, this widened portion 56 may have an annular bead on its periphery or, conversely, the inner face of the sealing member 10 has an annular bulge 14 that deforms in contact with said widened portion 56. In any case, contact between each element that produces impermeability is only radial with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X.

The impermeability thus obtained is impermeability to gas and to liquid. More specifically, the device 1 remains impermeable, that is to say that no leakage of product to the outside of the device is observable. For example, no leakage is observable when the device 1 is placed in the locked position in a vacuum bell in order to be subjected to reduced pressure while the pressure inside the container 2 containing the product P is approximately equal to the atmospheric pressure of around 1 bar. The impermeability of the device 1 is preserved down to a pressure in the bell, outside the device 1 , of less than 0.8 bar, or even less than 0.3 bar, or even less than 0.25 bar, for example 0.2 bar.

In addition, in the unlocked position, that is to say the position in which the retaining means no longer retains the cap 4 but the closure member 3 is still positioned on the container 2, as will be explained below, the device remains impermeable at atmospheric pressure as long as the widened portion 56 is not withdrawn from the neck 21 of the container 2. For example, the force for withdrawing the widened portion 56 from the neck of the container 2 is greater than 1 Newton or even greater than 2 Newtons. For example, the withdrawal force may be greater than the weight of the container 2 filled with product P.

The pipette is produced for example from glass or a thermoplastic material.

Alternatively, the pipette 6 is made from the same material as the pump body 50 in order to form a one-piece assembly. This assembly may be produced for example from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Thus, this assembly may be produced by injection molding a thermoplastic material in a single injection-molding step.

The push button 7 has an upper plate 71 , the outer face of which defines a bearing surface allowing the user to actuate the push button 7 by pressure.

The push button 7 is mounted so as to slide through the through-orifice of axis X-X in the cap 4. To this end, the push button 7 has an external skirt 72 extending from the perimeter of the plate 71 into the cap 4. The diameter of the external skirt 72 is approximately equal to that of the orifice in the cap 4 The external skirt 72 of the push button 7 has two external wings 73 that extend radially from one axial end of the skirt 72, moving away from the axis X-X. Each wing 73 is engaged in one of the cavities 44 in the insert 42 so as to abut in particular against the upper edge of the cavities 44 and limit the sliding of the push button 7.

The contact between the wings 73 and the upper edges of the cavities 44 makes it possible to limit the axial mobility of the push button 7 outside the cap 4. In this position of contact, in which the push button 7 is in its highest position with respect to the cap 4, the push button 7 axially emerges by a few millimeters, along the longitudinal axis X-X, relative to the upper end of the cap 4. If a user pushes the push button 7 so as to push it back inside the cap 4, the push button 7 will slide inside the cap 4.

The push button 7 also has a piston 74 fixed to an internal tube 75 extending inside the external skirt 72 from the plate 71 to the inside of the tubular jacket 51 of the pump body 50. To this end, the diameter of the internal tube 75 is less than the inside diameter of the tubular jacket 51 of the pump body 50.

The piston 74 is in the form of a seal fixed to the push button 7. The seal has a flexible lip 76 providing impermeable annular contact with the inner perimeter of the jacket 51 of the pump body 50.

As a variant, the piston may be formed directly by the internal tube 75 such that the piston and the push button are made of the same material.

The tubular jacket 51 of the pump body 50 closed by the piston 74 thus forms a chamber with a volume that varies with the sliding of the piston 74. Thus, the movement of the push button 7 relative to the pump body 50 allows pumping by sucking up the product P into the pipette 6 when the free end 62 of the pipette 6 is dipped into the product P and when the movement of the piston 74 in the pump body 50 causes an increase in the volume of the chamber. By contrast, sliding of the piston 74 in the opposite direction causes a decrease in the volume of the chamber and allows the product P located in the pipette 6 to be expelled.

The push button 7 is produced for example from a plastics material such as polyethylene (PE).

A spring member 5 is located between the push button 7 and the pump body 50 so as to generate a force that tends to push these two elements away from one another along the longitudinal axis X-X. The spring member 5 may be a helical spring mounted in compression between the lower face of the plate 71 of the push button 7 and the upper rim of the pump body 50.

In order to make it easier to produce the device 1 , a panel 58 having a central orifice is fixed to the upper end of the tubular jacket 51 of the pump body 50. Fixing may take place by any means, for example by snap-fastening. The orifice in the panel 58 allows the tube 75 of the push button 7 to pass into the pump body 50. The spring member 5 thus bears against the panel 58 fixed to the pump body 50. Other types of spring member that are known to a person skilled in the art may, of course, be used.

The manner in which the invention functions will now be described with reference to figures 3 to 6.

With reference to figure 3, the closure member of the device 1 is in the locked position on the container 2.

In this locked position, the widened portion 56 is positioned in the opening in the container 2 so as to be in contact with the sealing member 10. In addition, the lower rim of the pump body 50 is in axial contact with the upper rim of the neck 21 of the container 2. The elastic ring 36 is in its rest position and the retaining element 38 is projecting from the outside of the band 33 so as to be engaged in the groove 43 of the insert 42 fixed to the cap 4. Thus, the closure member 3 is locked on the container 2, that is to say that the closure member 3 cannot be moved along the axis X-X with respect to the container 2.

In this locked position, each wing 73 of the push button 7 is in abutment against the upper edge of the cavity 44, in which it is engaged, in the insert 42, thereby forcing the piston 74 toward its bottom position in the pump body 50. The spring 5 is thus compressed between the push button 7 and the pump body 50.

With reference to figure 4, the closure member 3 of the device 1 is in a predetermined unlocked position.

In order to achieve this position, the user exerts a pressure on the actuating means 37 of the retaining means 31 in order to inactivate the retaining element 38 by disengaging it from the groove 43 in the insert 42. In this way, the movement of the cap 4 in a purely translational movement with respect to the container 2 is possible.

This movement takes place under the effect of the at least partial expansion of the compressed spring 5. The push button 7 is moved away from the pump body 50 which is bearing against the upper rim of the neck 21 of the container 2. The push button 7 thus drives the cap 4 by way of the wings 73 which are in abutment against the upper edges of the cavities 44 in the insert 42 of the cap 4.

By moving away from the pump body 50, the push button 7 causes the piston 74 to move toward its top position in the jacket 51 of the pump body 50. The movement of the piston 74 in the pump body 50 causes an increase in the volume of the chamber of the pump body 50 and allows a dose of product P to be sucked into the pipette 6.

The cap 4 thus moves from its locked position toward an unlocked position in which the cap 4 can be separated freely from the container 2. During this movement, the widened portion 56, and thus the pump body 50, remains in position in the opening in the container 2. The same is true in the unlocked position, in which the radial contact between the sealing member 10 and said widened portion 56 is preserved, making it possible to maintain impermeability even in the unlocked position.

The unlocked position is also determined by the limitation of the movement of the cap 4 when the lower edge of each cavity 44 in the insert 42 comes into axial abutment against the corresponding protuberance 54 on the pump body 50.

The user can then withdraw the closure member 3 by holding the container 2 and exerting on the cap 4 an axial pulling force greater than the frictional force exerted by the widened portion 56 on the sealing member 10. The closure member 3 is shown in a position separated from the container in figure 5.

The axial movement of the cap 4 in order to separate the closure member 3 causes the movement of the pump body 50 and of the pipette 6 by way of the lower edge of each cavity 44 in the insert 42 in abutment against the corresponding protuberances 54 of the pump body 50.

In order to pass from the position shown in figure 5 to the position shown in figure 6, the closure member 3 is separated from the container 2 and the user exerts a pressure on the push button 7 by holding the cap 4.

The push button 7 then slides with respect to the cap 4 in the direction of the pump body 50 while compressing the spring member 5. The pump body 50 is kept fixed with respect to the cap 4 since the force exerted by the spring member 5 on the panel 58 of the pump body 50 presses the protuberances 54 against the lower edges of the cavities 44 in the insert 42 fixed in the cap 4.

This disposition of the pump body allows the device to function optimally and an identical product dose volume to be obtained upon each use.

Thus, in figure 6, the push button 7 is in the depressed position corresponding to the position in which the push button 7 is located after a dose of product P has been dispensed. The piston 74 is thus in a bottom position more or less in contact with the bottom of the pump body 50, and the volume of the chamber is thus at a minimum. The plate 71 of the push button 7 is then flush with the cap 4.

In order to make it easier to actuate the push button 7 in order to reach this depressed position, while protecting the push button 7 from accidental pressure, the upper edge of the cap 4 may have an indentation, the bottom part of which is flush for example with the plate 71 when the push button 7 is in the depressed position.

When the user releases the push button 7, the latter returns to the top position under the effect of the spring member 5.

The user can then either refill a dose of product P by exerting a pressure and then releasing the push button 7 while dipping the pipette 6 into the container 2, or close the container 2 by repositioning the closure member 3 on said container 2.

While the closure member 3 returns to the locked position on the container 2, shown in figure 3, the cap 4 is fully engaged on the neck 21 . The pipette 6 is thus inserted into the neck 21 and its free end 62 is positioned close to the bottom of the container 2 in the product P contained in the container 2.

A translational movement of the push button 7 with respect to the pump body 50 is created. The movement of the piston 74 of the push button 7 in the pump body 50 causes a decrease in the volume of the chamber of the pump body 50 and allows all or some of the product P remaining in the pipette 6 to be expelled.

A variant embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 7, the device 1 differing from the device described above in that the means for retaining the closure member 3 on the container 2 is a screwing mechanism. The references of the elements similar to those described above are identical.

Thus, the insert 42 of the cap 4 is provided locally on the lower part of its inner wall with a thread 46 intended to engage with a complementary thread 26 provided on the neck of the container 21 .

The device of this variant functions in a similar way to the above device except that the action carried out by the user to move the closure member 3 from its locking position into its unlocking position and vice versa is an unscrewing or screwing movement. Thus, the invention provides in particular a mechanism for a pipette that allows simple hand movements.

In the entire description, the expression "comprising a" should be considered as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.