Dispensing nozzle for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic product, and associated device.

The present invention relates to the field of dispensing nozzles for devices for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic product.

The present invention relates more specifically to the field o f dispensing nozzles for devices for packaging a cosmetic product which enable the dispensing of the cosmetic product to be varied according to the desired mode of application.

A first useful mode of application of the nozzle relates to the dispensing of a cosmetic product of the gel type for the application o f a small quantity of product, for example for application to the face.

In a second mode of application, the dispensing nozzle enables a large quantity of product to be dispensed, for application to the body for example.

There are existing prior art packaging devices which permit the faster or slower dispensing of a single product.

A device of this kind is generally provided with a container for storing and packaging the product, this container having different sets of holes, at an upper end, for the flow of the product, the total flow cross section of the holes varying from one set to another. Such a device also comprises a pierced cap covering the upper end of the container and fitted rotatably on the latter in such a way that the quantity of product to be taken out can be chosen.

For further details of the design of such devices, reference may be made, for example, to French patent FR-A- I 327 382, or to US patent US 4, 381 , 307.

These containers are particularly suitable for dispensing solid particles, such as condiments. However, the use of these sets of holes

may prove to be unsuitable for dispensing a liquid product, such as a cosmetic product. This is because the liquid may, for example, lodge between the upper end of the container and the cap, and this may promote mould growth, for example. Reference may also be made to US patent 3 , 170, 633 , which describes a nozzle for dispensing a product contained in a container either in the form of fine droplets by atomization, or in the form of a continuous flow.

For this purpose, the nozzle has, in particular, a first portion provided with two dispensing channels, each of the channels being associated with one dispensing mode, and a second tubular portion within which the first portion is rotatably fitted so that one of the dispensing channels can be selectively placed in fluid communication with an outlet aperture formed in the first portion. This dispensing nozzle has the particular drawback of having a large number of components to be assembled for the dispensing of a product, which increases its production cost.

Furthermore, this nozzle is not suitable for the application of a product, such as a cosmetic product, in the form of a flow whose rate can be chosen in advance by the user.

In view of the above considerations, the object of the present invention is to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic product, which is particularly economical and simple to use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle which permits a continuous flow of a product, such

as a cosmetic product, whose rate can be chosen by a user, for example according to the mode of application selected for the product.

Finally, another object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing nozzle which is easy to transport, manipulate and fit, and which offers highly reliable operation.

According to a first aspect, the invention therefore proposes a dispensing nozzle for a device for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic product, of the type provided with a container, the nozzle comprising a first portion provided with at least a first dispensing passage, and a second portion provided with at least a second dispensing passage having a flow cross section for the product which differs from a flow cross section of the first dispensing passage.

The dispensing nozzle also has connecting means connecting the first portion and the second portion which are configured to permit a relative movement of the first portion and the second portion between a close position in which the product is dispensed by flowing at least through the second dispensing passage, and a distant position in which the product is dispensed solely by flowing through the first dispensing passage. The first portion comprises an inner skirt provided with fixing means designed to enable the nozzle to be fitted on the neck of the container, and an outer skirt radially surrounding the inner skirt.

Using this nozzle, it therefore becomes possible to increase or reduce the dispensing of the contained product, in a particularly simple and effective way.

This is because, with these connecting means, the dispensing nozzle can be used in a first application position in which the product flows at least through the second dispensing passage, and in a second application position in which the product flows only through the first

dispensing passage. Clearly, therefore, the flow cross section for the product can easily be modified.

The presence of an outer skirt surrounding the inner skirt is particularly advantageous because it makes it possible to separate the functions of gripping the nozzle and fitting and retaining it on the neck of the container. The outer skirt also makes it possible to reinforce the mechanical strength of the part of the nozzle supporting the connecting means, and to do so in an economical way, without making the component very thick. With a nozzle of this type, it is also possible to adapt the diameter to that of the container body, in such a way that the nozzle is located substantially in the extension of the said body, while using thin skirts. This makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the production cost of the nozzle by comparison with that of a thick- walled nozzle.

The presence of a thin inner skirt also makes it possible to facilitate the fitting of the nozzle on the neck of the container, particularly when fixing is carried out by snap-fitting. In these conditions, a slight radial outward deformation of the skirt is required during fitting on the neck.

This capacity for deformation can also be useful because the manufacturing tolerances on the neck of the container are generally not very restrictive, and this can facilitate the fitting of the nozzle if there are any variations in the dimensions with respect to the initially specified diameter.

The outer skirt can also serve as a casing for the nozzle, forming a shroud for the neck of the container.

Advantageously, the means for fixing the inner skirt are designed to enable the nozzle to be fitted around the neck of the

container. The first and second dispensing passages can be coaxial with a longitudinal axis of the nozzle.

The outer skirt is advantageously shaped in such a way that its outer surface forms an axial extension of the body of the container. In one embodiment, a skirt delimiting the second dispensing passage can be engaged tightly in the first dispensing passage in the close position of the first and second portions. This limits the risk o f an outflow of product between the first and second dispensing passages. Preferably, the nozzle comprises stiffening ribs positioned radially between the inner skirt and the outer skirt. This increases the strength of the nozzle.

Preferably, in the close position, the product is dispensed by flowing through the first dispensing passage and the second dispensing passage.

According to one characteristic of the invention, the second portion is at least partially engaged in the first portion in the close position.

According to another feature of the invention, a first dispensing aperture of the first portion and a second aperture of the second portion are axially offset from each other in the close position.

Advantageously, the nozzle comprises a single dispensing aperture in communication with the second dispensing passage.

In one embodiment, the first portion comprises a guide skirt interacting with a guide skirt of the second portion in the close position.

To allow a movement from the close position to the distant position, the said first and second portions are also rotatably articulated.

Preferably, the dispensing nozzle also comprises a cap for sealing the second dispensing passage of the second portion. The sealing cap is advantageously articulated rotatably on the second portion by additional connecting means. The connecting means connecting the first portion and the second portion are advantageously diametrically opposed to the additional connecting means, so that the actions required for use implicitly indicate the two possible ways of using the dispensing nozzle.

In one embodiment, the second portion comprises a guide skirt interacting with a plug of the sealing cap in an engaged position of the latter in the second portion. The sealing plug can be capable of being engaged tightly in the second dispensing passage in the engaged position.

The dispensing nozzle can also comprise an indexing means permitting a predetermined relative positioning of the nozzle and the device on which it is to be fitted. The indexing means is advantageously provided on the outer skirt.

Advantageously, the nozzle comprises means of identifying the first portion and the second portion. Preferably, the nozzle comprises an axial guide collar for its fitting on the container.

Preferably, the dispensing nozzle is made in a single piece.

This design makes it possible, in particular, to produce a unitary assembly which is particularly easy to transport, manipulate and assemble. Advantageously, it is made from moulded synthetic material, such as PP (polypropylene).

According to a second aspect, the invention also proposes a device for packaging and dispensing a product, such as a cosmetic

product, comprising a container containing the product and a dispensing nozzle as defined above.

The present invention will be made clearer by the detailed description of an embodiment provided by way of example and without restrictive intent, and illustrated by the attached drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is an external view of a packaging and dispensing device provided with a dispensing nozzle according to the invention,

- Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing nozzle of the device of Figure 1 in a first embodiment of the invention,

- Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views of the application positions of the dispensing nozzle of Figure 2,

- Figures 5 and 6 are, respectively, a view from below and a view from above of the dispensing nozzle of Figure 2, - Figure 7 is an enlarged sectional view of the dispensing nozzle of the device of Figure 1 in a second embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 8 is a sectional view of a dispensing passage of the nozzle along the axis VIII-VIII of Figure 7, and - Figures 9 to 14 are variant embodiments of the dispensing passage of Figure 8.

Figure 1 shows the general structure of a device for packaging and dispensing a product according to the invention, designated by the general reference numeral 10, in a position which is assumed to be vertical.

In the envisaged application, this device 10 is intended for the packaging and dispensing of a cosmetic product.

However, the device can evidently be applied equally well to the packaging and dispensing of other types of products.

The device 10 comprises a container 12, having the general longitudinal axis X-X' , and a dispensing nozzle 14 fitted to an upper end of the container 12 coaxially with the said axis X-X' .

In this case, the container 12 is made in the form of a tube with deformable walls, having a body 16 provided with a lower end 18 closed by crimping and heat welding and with an upper end (not shown) which has a neck coinciding with the axis X-X' . Evidently, other types of containers can be used to contain the product to be dispensed. Preferably, the container 12 has deformable walls. In a known way, the neck is separated from the periphery of the body 16 by an annular shoulder, generally of tapered shape, which extends with an inclination from the neck towards the periphery of the said body.

The dispensing nozzle 14 is designed to enable the cosmetic product contained in the container 12 to be dispensed at different rates.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2 to 6, the dispensing nozzle 14 has a generally cylindrical shape and comprises, from bottom to top, a first tubular portion 30 used, in particular, for fixing the nozzle 14 to the container 12, a second portion 32 connected to the said first portion by first connecting means 34, and a sealing cap 36 which is connected to the said second portion by means of second connecting means 38.

The lower first portion 30 has an annular lower radial part 40 which is in contact with the shoulder of the container 12, and which is extended axially upwards by an axial part forming a cylindrical outer skirt 42 whose outer diameter is substantially equal to that of the body 16 of the container 12 so that it axially extends the said body 16. The outer skirt 42 is delimited at its upper end by an upper radial part 44.

The lower first portion 30 also comprises a part 46 of generally rounded shape which substantially forms a radially inward and upward extension of a small-diameter end of the radial part 44.

The lower first portion 30 is also provided with a thin collar 48 extending axially downwards from a lower surface of the rounded part

46, and with a thin inner skirt 50 with a large diameter extending axially downwards from a lower surface of the radial part 44. In this case, the lower end of the collar 48 is offset upwards with respect to that of the skirt 50. The collar 48 and the skirt 50 are coaxial with the axis X-X' . The outer skirt 40 and the inner skirt 50 are interconnected by the radial part 44.

In other words, the outer skirt 42 surrounds the inner skirt 50 radially, thus entirely concealing the said skirt 50 from the outside. The skirt 42 located at a distance from the neck of the container 12 and from the skirt 50 serves as a casing for the dispensing nozzle 14.

It forms a lining for the neck of the container. The radial end 40 of the skirt 42 also enables the nozzle 14 to be positioned against the shoulder of the container 12. Thus the skirt 42 forms a positioning and axial stop means for the nozzle 14 on the container 12. In order to enable the dispensing nozzle 14 to be fixed axially to the container 12, the lower first portion 30 also comprises a catch or lug 52, which can be circularly continuous or discontinuous, formed on the inner edge of the skirt 50, at its lower end.

For this purpose, the catch 52 extends radially inwards and can interact with a groove (not shown) in the neck 22 of the container 12.

Evidently, it is equally possible to provide a variant in which a groove and a catch are formed on the lower first portion 30 and the neck 22 o f the container 12 respectively.

Thus the catch 52 forms a fixing means for fitting the nozzle by snap-fitting to the neck of the container 12. Clearly, it is possible to provide any other appropriate fixing means on the inner skirt 50 for fitting the nozzle to the neck of the container 12. For example, it is possible to provide an internal thread on the skirt 50 for fitting the nozzle by screwing, or for sealing the nozzle to the container 12, by gluing or welding for example. It may also be possible to provide a crimped fastening between the skirt 50 and the neck of the container 12. In order to provide a dispensing nozzle 14 having a good degree of rigidity, the first portion 30 also comprises stiffening ribs 31 , numbering seven in this case, extending radially between an inner surface of the outer skirt 42 and the skirt 50. The outer skirt 42 and the ribs 31 therefore form reinforcing means of the nozzle 14. To provide annular indexing of the dispensing nozzle 14 on the container 12, the lower first portion 30 also comprises a tab 54 extending radially inwards from the outer skirt 52 to a point in the vicinity of the skirt 50. The tab 54 is positioned circumferentially between two stiffening ribs 31. More precisely, the tab 54 has an axial extension 56 which extends it partially downwards and which is intended to interact with an associated groove (not shown) provided on the shoulder of the container 12.

Thus the relative positioning of the dispensing nozzle 14 and the container 12 is achieved in a predetermined way, which may be particularly advantageous, as described below.

To limit any risk of rotation of the dispensing nozzle 14 relative to the body 16 of the container 12, the lower first portion 30 also comprises, in the skirt 50, a notched inner surface 58 which can interact with the neck of the said container 12. The neck is intended to

be positioned radially between the collar 48 and the skirt 50. The collar 48 forms a means for guiding the dispensing nozzle 14 while it is being fitted on the container 12.

For dispensing the product contained in the container 12, the dispensing nozzle 14 comprises a skirt 60, having a smaller diameter than the collar 48 , which extends axially downwards from a small- diameter edge of the rounded part 46. The lower end of the collar 60 is offset axially upwards with respect to a lower end of the collar 48. A radial space (not referenced) is formed between them. The skirt 60 delimits internally a cylindrical dispensing passage 62 which opens into a single dispensing or outlet aperture 64 formed on the rounded part 46. The dispensing passage 62 and the dispensing aperture 64 are centred on the axis X-X' .

The upper second portion 32 of the dispensing nozzle 14 is generally cylindrical in shape, and has a cylindrical axial part 70 whose lower end comes into contact with the upper radial part 44 of the first portion 30, in the position shown in Figure 2.

In the remainder of the description of the second portion 32 and of the sealing cap 36, the relative positioning of the components of the dispensing nozzle 14 is considered to be as shown in this figure.

The second portion 32 comprises another radial part 72 which forms an inward radial extension of an upper end of the axial part 70. The second part 32 is coaxial with the axis X-X' and is circumscribed about the main section of the lower first portion 30. The upper second portion 32 also has a rounded part 74 forming a substantially radially inward and upward extension of a small-diameter end of the radial part 72, and a skirt 76 extending axially downwards from a lower surface of the said rounded part 74.

In this case, the skirt 76, which is coaxial with the axis X-X' , is shaped in such a way that it partially fits inside the dispensing channel 62 of the lower first portion 30. In other words, the skirt 76 o f the second portion 32 is partially engaged inside the skirt 60 of the first portion 30. The said skirts 60 and 76 form guide elements for the relative positioning of the first portion 30 and the second portion 32. In this case, the lower axial end of the skirt 76 is offset upwards with respect to that of the skirt 60. An axial space (not referenced) is formed between the radial part 44 of the lower first portion 30 and the radial part 72 of the upper second portion 32.

For the purpose of dispensing the product from the second portion 32, the latter internally delimits a cylindrical dispensing passage 78 formed in the skirt 76 which opens into a dispensing or outlet aperture 80. The dispensing passage 78 and the skirt 76 are centred on the axis X-X' . Thus the single dispensing aperture 80 is offset axially upwards with respect to the dispensing aperture 64 of the first portion 30.

In order to allow an angular movement of the upper second portion 32 with respect to the first portion 30, the connecting means 34 are made in this case in the form of a hinge 82 (Figure 5) connecting the upper end of the skirt 42 of the first portion 30 to the lower end of the axial part 70 of the second portion 32.

The hinge 82 has a small angular dimension in the circumferential direction. With respect to the circumference of the first portion 30, it extends over an angle α which in this case is about thirty degrees. Clearly, it is also feasible to provide a hinge having a substantially different angular dimension, but still enabling the second portion 32 to pivot through an angle with respect to the first portion 30 about an axis transverse to the axis X-X' .

As regards the sealing cap 36, this has a generally cylindrical shape. It has a cylindrical axial part 90 which has a lower end in contact with the upper surface of the radial part 72 of the second portion 32, a radial part 92 forming a radially inward extension of an upper end of the axial part 90, and a sealing plug 94 forming a downward axial extension of a lower surface of the radial part 92.

The plug 94 is centred on the axis X-X' . In this case it is shaped in such a way that its lower end is offset axially downwards with respect to that of the axial portion 90. The plug 94 is partially housed inside the dispensing passage 78 of the skirt 76, over a sufficient height to seal the dispensing nozzle 14.

Thus the plug 94 of the sealing cap 36 tightly seals the dispensing passage 78 and the outlet aperture 80 of the second portion 32, to prevent an outflow of the product contained in the container 12. To enable the sealing cap 36 to be moved with respect to the second portion 32, the connecting means 38 comprise a tab forming a hinge 96 (Figure 5) connecting an upper end of the axial part 70 of the second portion 32 to a lower end of the axial part 90 of the sealing cap. The hinge 96 has a small angular dimension which is substantially equal to that of the hinge 82. With respect to the circumference of the second portion 32, the hinge 96 extends over an angle α' which in this case is about thirty degrees. The hinges 82 and 96 are diametrically opposed. To produce a particularly economical dispensing nozzle 14, the nozzle is advantageously made in one piece, for example by moulding an elastically deformable synthetic material such as polypropylene (PP). The dispensing nozzle 14 can be produced by bi-injection

moulding in order to obtain different colours for the first and second portions 30, 32 and for the sealing cap 36.

To facilitate the use of the dispensing nozzle 14, the nozzle also comprises concave gripping areas (not referenced) for a user's finger, formed on the first and second portions 30, 32 and on the sealing cap 36. These concave gripping areas form means of identifying the different parts of the dispensing nozzle 14. In a variant, it could also be feasible to provide information on each of the components of the dispensing nozzle 14 in place of these concave gripping areas, or in addition to them.

When the user wishes to dispense the product contained in the container 12 in a first mode of application of the dispensing nozzle 14, he makes the second portion 32 pivot with respect to the lower first portion 30, using the hinge 82 of the connecting means 34, as shown in Figure 3 for example. During this pivoting, the sealing cap 36 remains fixed to the second portion 32. In this case, the skirt 76 extends upwards. The hinge 82 is advantageously configured, in a known way, to enable the second portion 32 to be moved from a closed position towards an open position, and conversely, in an automatic way when it pivots. For this purpose, the hinge 82 is under tension during this pivoting.

Thus the second portion 32 is moved away from the first portion 30 so as to disengage the dispensing passage 62 and the outlet aperture 64. In these conditions, the skirt 76, inside which the plug 94 is located, ceases to block the outlet aperture 64, thus enabling the product to be dispensed according to the first mode of application o f the nozzle 14.

In this mode, the quantity of product delivered is relatively greater than that which could be delivered via the outlet aperture 80 of

the second portion 32. This is because the dispensing passage 62 has a flow cross section for the product which is greater than that of the dispensing passage 78.

In this position in which the second portion 32 is remote from the first portion 30, the product leaving the container 12 flows solely through the dispensing passage 62 and the outlet aperture 64. This position is particularly suitable for the application of the product contained in the container 12 in the form of a thick layer.

On the other hand, if the user wishes to obtain a smaller quantity of product, he moves the sealing cap 36 from the position shown in Figure 2 in such a way that the cap is separated from the second portion 32, so that the plug 94 ceases to seal the dispensing passage 78, as shown for example in Figure 4. In this figure, the plug

94 extends upwards. The hinge 96 is advantageously configured to enable the sealing cap 36 to be moved from a closed position towards an open position, and conversely, in an automatic way when it pivots.

For this purpose, the hinge 96 is under tension during this pivoting.

In this second mode of application, the second portion 32 continues to bear on the lower first portion 30 and the skirt 76 is housed tightly inside the dispensing passage 62.

Thus, in this mode of application, in which the first and second portions 30 and 32 are in a close position, the product leaving the container 12 initially flows through the dispensing passage 62 of the first portion 30, and then through the dispensing passage 78 and the outlet aperture 80 of the second portion 32 before it is available for application by the user.

Consequently, since the dispensing passage 78 has a smaller flow cross section than that of the passage 62, the quantity of product

dispensed is smaller than that obtained when the lower and upper first and second portions 30 and 32 are in the distant position.

Thus a small quantity of product can be obtained, for example in order to emulsify it with a spray of water to create a foam. The diameter of the outlet apertures 64 and 80 is advantageously in the range from one to five millimetres. The diameter of the outlet aperture 64 is preferably equal to five millimetres, while that of the outlet aperture 80 can be three millimetres. Although the difference in the flow cross section is provided in this case by a difference in diameter between the outlet apertures 64 and 80, it is also possible to provide different patterns for the said apertures for this purpose. For example, it may be possible to provide a notched or star shape.

Although, in this embodiment, the skirt 76 is designed in such a way that its lower end is axially offset upwards with respect to the lower end of the skirt 60, it is evidently possible on the contrary to provide a skirt 76 which has a greater axial dimension, causing its lower end to be axially offset downwards with respect to that of the skirt 60, or to provide a skirt 76 whose lower end 76 is flush with that of the skirt 60.

In these conditions, in the second mode of application of the nozzle 14 in which the skirt 76 is positioned in the dispensing passage 62, the product leaving the container 12 flows solely through the dispensing passage 78 and the outlet aperture 80. However, the relative positioning of the skirts 76 and 60 as shown in the figures is advantageous in that it limits the risk of any deposition of product from the container 12 on the outer surface of the skirt 76, which may be troublesome for the user during the movement

from the close position of the first and second portions 30 and 32 to the distant position.

In this case, the movement from a close position, in which the lower and upper first and second positions 30 and 32 are in contact with each other, to a distant position, and vice versa, according to the mode of application chosen by the user, is carried out by rotating the second portion 32 about an axis extending perpendicularly with respect to the plane of Figures 1 to 6.

In a variant, however, it is evidently also feasible to make the second portion 32 rotate with respect to the first portion 30 by rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the axis X-X' . With such a design, however, it is necessary to provide a skirt 76 having a limited axial dimension.

The provision of a nozzle 14 provided with first and second portions 30 and 32 configured for use in a first application position in which the product flows solely through the flow passage 62 and the outlet aperture 64, and in a second application position in which the product flows at least through the flow passage 78 and the outlet aperture 82, makes it possible to dispense a flow of product at a rate chosen in advance by the user.

Furthermore, the two possible uses of the dispensing nozzle 14 are suggested to the user by the relative positioning of the hinges 82 and 96.

To provide an explicit indication of these two uses, it may be possible to provide information next to the hinges 82 and 96 on the body 16 of the container 12. For this purpose, the presence of the axial extension 56 of the first portion 30 forming a means of indexing the dispensing nozzle 14 on the container 12 is particularly useful for the

purpose of ensuring that the hinges 82 and 92 are located facing these information elements after the nozzle has been fitted.

The variant embodiment shown in Figure 7, in which identical elements carry the same references, differs from the previously described embodiment in that the second portion 32 has a projection

100 forming a radially inward extension of part of the skirt 76 so as to provide a staged dispensing passage 78 for the product. The projection 100 is located substantially half way up the skirt 76 axially. The projection 100 delimits internally a flow aperture 102 for the product. In this variant embodiment, the aperture 102 has a generally circular shape, as shown in Figure 8. However, the product can be made to flow out in original patterns by providing an aperture 102 having a different shape, for example a star shape as shown in Figure 9, a petal shape as shown in Figure 10, a square shape as shown in Figure 1 1 , a heart shape as shown in Figure 12, or in the shape of a wave as shown in Figure 13. In a variant, it is also possible to provide a plurality of apertures 102 so as to form a diffusion grid as shown in Figure 14.