TITLE: Pipette for dispensing cosmetic product including an air vent, associated packaging assembly and process
The present invention relates to a pipette for dispensing cosmetic product including:
- a tubular duct for dispensing cosmetic product defining a longitudinal passage for the cosmetic product, the tubular duct having a top end and a bottom end,
- a deformable bulb, mounted on the top end of the tubular duct,
- an obturator housed in the bottom end of the tubular duct, the obturator being movable between an open position, wherein the obturator allows the passage of the cosmetic product, and a sealing position, wherein the obturator closes the tubular duct tightly.
The cosmetic product is for example a hair product, a hygiene product, a facial and/or body care product, a makeup product, or a sun protection product.
More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in EC Regulation No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.
For numerous applications in makeup hair products or care, it is necessary to precisely apply a controlled dose of cosmetic product on a body surface. This application is performed for example using a pipette including a deformable bulb capable of inducing the suction of the cosmetic product from a receptacle for storing the product, to a pipette dispensing duct. The user is then free to dispense the cosmetic product contained in the dispensing duct on an application surface.
The viscosity of the product delivered may vary significantly from one product to another. When dispensing a low-viscosity product, cosmetic product contained in the dispensing duct may flow out of the pipette when it is moved after extraction, or in the event of involuntary pressure on the pipette bulb.
These drawbacks impede the proper use of the cosmetic product, which may be dispensed involuntarily in areas not intended to receive the cosmetic product. Moreover, such a phenomenon induces a loss of cosmetic product which is therefore wasted, or unsightly stains on the product packaging.
KR10-1775945 describes a pipette for dispensing cosmetic product comprising a deformable bulb mounted on the top end of a tubular duct defining a longitudinal passage for a cosmetic product. The pipette comprises, at its bottom end, an obturator comprising a bottom region movable between an open position, wherein the obturator allows the passage of the cosmetic product from the outside inward, and a sealing position. Furthermore, the pipette also comprises at its bottom end lateral openings selectively closed by movable flaps of the obturator.
When the bulb is pressed, the flaps open, either to discharge the air present in the passage and induce suction of product through the obturator, or to discharge the product during dispensing.
Further pipettes for dispensing cosmetic product are described in US10098437, EP3281550, JP6342958, US20220312934, WO2023/054949, and CN217243048.
However, such dispensing pipettes are not fully satisfactory. In particular, they do not guarantee clearly defined and precise dispensing of cosmetic product during the use of the pipette, the cosmetic product being capable for example of being dispensed involuntarily when the pipette bulb is pressed accidentally.
An aim of the invention is that of providing a pipette for dispensing cosmetic product allowing a user to dispense cosmetic product effectively, by avoiding undesired leaks of cosmetic product outside the pipette, in particular when the bulb is pressed involuntarily.
For this purpose, the invention relates to a dispensing pipette of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it defines at least one vent intended for air discharge, arranged in the tubular duct longitudinally distant from the obturator, the pipette comprising a member for closing the vent actuated to a vent closing position, the closing member being movable to a vent opening position under the effect of an overpressure induced by a deformation of the bulb reducing its internal volume, and in that, in the vent closing position, the obturator is configured to be moved to the open position via contact with a body surface to dispense cosmetic product on the body surface from the longitudinal passage.
The obturator being normally in the sealing position and configured to be moved to the open position via contact with a body surface, there is no risk of involuntary leakage of cosmetic product. Indeed, even if the user accidentally creates an overpressure in the tubular duct for dispensing the pipette, the obturator, in the sealing position, prevents the cosmetic product from being dispensed outside the tubular duct, and the overpressure is discharged via the vents.
When the user wishes to dispense the cosmetic product contained in the tubular duct, external contact with a body surface (or more generally a product application surface) allows the passage of cosmetic product precisely via the obturator in the open position.
Moreover, the or each vent intended for air discharge being positioned away from the obturator, air is discharged from the pipette via a separate passage from the dispensing of cosmetic product from this pipette. This avoids air discharge being prevented or impeded by product residue.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- in the vent closing position, the obturator is configured to be moved from the sealing position to the open position under the effect of a vacuum induced by a deformation of the bulb increasing its internal volume, in order to draw cosmetic product into the longitudinal passage.
The suction of the product is advantageously performed by creating a vacuum in the tubular duct resulting from a deformation of the bulb, and successively moving the obturator to the open position in order to allow the passage of cosmetic product from the receptacle to the tubular duct. The product suction mechanism by releasing the pressure on the bulb is instinctual for the user.
Moreover, the product is drawn in via the bottom end of the tubular duct, via the obturator in the open position, and, the closing members being in the normal vent closing position, there is no risk of the product being dispensed via the vents.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the or each vent formed in the tubular duct is positioned in the vicinity of the top end of the tubular duct.
The or each vent being positioned in the vicinity of the top end of the tubular duct, the distance between the obturator and the vents is large enough to create two separate paths for air discharge, on one hand, and cosmetic product suction / dispensing, on the other.
Moreover, when the pipette is in a packaging position, mounted on the receptacle, the vents, located in the vicinity of the top end of the duct, are high enough to prevent any undesired entry of cosmetic product via the vents.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- in the sealing position, the obturator projects longitudinally beyond the bottom end of the tubular duct.
The obturator projecting longitudinally from the bottom end of the tubular duct, it is easy for a user to move the obturator to the open position via contact with an application body surface.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature: - the obturator is movable in translation along a longitudinal direction in the longitudinal passage, between at least the open position, wherein the obturator is located at a first distance, along a longitudinal direction, from the top end, and the sealing position, wherein the obturator is located at a second distance, along the longitudinal direction, from the top end, the first distance being less than the second distance.
The obturator being movable between the sealing position and the open position, by translation along the tubular duct, the tightness of the pipette when the obturator is in the sealing position is ensured, and leaks of cosmetic product are therefore avoided. The mobility of the obturator also clears the passage for the flow of the cosmetic product during the suction of the cosmetic product into the receptacle, and during the dispensing of the product via contact with the application body surface.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the closing member includes a deformable membrane between the vent closing position and a vent opening position, the vent closing position being a rest position.
The deformability of the closing member ensures tight closure of the vents in the normal position, and reversible opening of the vents in the opening position.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the closing member extends out of the tubular duct, being applied on the tubular duct at the periphery of the vent in the vent closing position.
The closing member being located outside the tubular duct, it closes the vent tightly from outside the duct, and does not create any obstacle inside the tubular duct which could impede the flow of air and/or cosmetic product.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the closing member is integral with the bulb.
The closing member being integral with the bulb, the number of parts to be manufactured and assembled is limited and the production costs of such a pipette are therefore minimized.
According to an alternative, the dispensing pipette according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the bottom end defines a zone for receiving the obturator, the receiving zone delimiting a plurality of longitudinal channels disposed around the obturator and a sealing seat disposed under the longitudinal channels. The presence of the plurality of longitudinal channels allows a guided and continuous fluidic communication between the tubular duct and the exterior of the pipette, in a cosmetic product dispensing / suction position. Moreover, even if one of the longitudinal channels is blocked by the cosmetic product or any other obstacle inducing sealing of the channel, the remaining channels ensure the proper operation of the pipette.
The plurality of longitudinal channels also ensures uniform distribution of the cosmetic product on the obturator.
The invention also relates to a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly, comprising a receptacle containing a cosmetic product, a dispensing pipette as described above, the dispensing pipette being movable between a packaging position mounted on the receptacle, the tubular duct being inserted into the receptacle and a position for dispensing cosmetic product removed from the receptacle, the tubular duct being disposed outside the receptacle.
According to an alternative, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- when the dispensing pipette is in the packaging position, the receptacle has an expansion space present above the cosmetic product contained in the receptacle, the or each vent being positioned in the expansion space.
The or each vent located at the expansion space, the cosmetic product cannot enter the tubular duct via the vent(s). This feature allows the pipette to define two separate paths, one for air discharge and one for the flow of cosmetic product. Thus, the cosmetic product is not liable to be dispensed or drawn in simultaneously with air. This ensures more homogeneous dispensing of the cosmetic product, and enhances the user's experience.
According to an alternative, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the cosmetic product is a composition comprising a mixture of water and alcohol, for example comprising between 15% by mass and 60% by mass of alcohol with respect to the total mass of the composition, preferably between 20% by mass and 50% by mass of alcohol with respect to the total mass of the composition.
According to an alternative, the cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention comprises the following feature:
- the cosmetic product has a viscosity of less than 30 UD, measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 apparatus, equipped with an MS-R2 spindle, in particular between 10 UD and 20 UD. The viscosity of the cosmetic product is then low enough to be deposited homogeneously on the obturator and be applied without difficulty on the application body surface by flowing via the obturator in the open position.
Moreover, the pipette also makes it possible to avoid any leakage of cosmetic product, even when the latter has a low viscosity.
The invention also relates to a process for dispensing a cosmetic product, including the following steps:
- providing a packaging and dispensing assembly as described above, the pipette occupying its packaging position,
- deforming the bulb by reducing its internal volume, actuating the closing member to the opening position of the or each vent, air being discharged via the or each vent, the obturator being in the sealing position, then
- creating a vacuum in the longitudinal passage by increasing the internal volume of the bulb, the obturator being moved from the sealing position to the open position, cosmetic product being drawn in via the bottom end into the longitudinal passage,
- switching the pipette from its packaging position to its dispensing position,
- moving the obturator to the open position via contact with a body surface, and
- dispensing the cosmetic product on the body surface from the longitudinal passage of the tubular duct via the bottom end.
The invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, given solely as a non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings wherein:
[Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a sectional view along a median vertical plane of a cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly comprising a pipette,
[Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a sectional view along a median vertical plane of the packaging assembly of Figure 1 , in a position for discharging air via the vents of the dispensing duct,
[Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a sectional view along a median vertical plane of the packaging assembly of Figure 1 , enlarged on a top end of the dispensing duct of the pipette, and
[Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a sectional view along a median vertical plane of the packaging assembly of Figure 1 , in a position for dispensing cosmetic product on an application surface.
Hereinafter, the term "longitudinal" means the direction wherein the pipette has its maximum size, and the term "transverse" means the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
A cosmetic product packaging and dispensing assembly 1 is illustrated in Figure 1. The packaging and dispensing device 1 comprises a receptacle 12 containing a cosmetic product 14, a dispensing pipette 16 comprising a deformable bulb 18, the dispensing pipette 16 being movably mounted on the receptacle 12, between a packaging position and a product dispensing position, and a ring 20 bearing the dispensing pipette 16.
The dispensing pipette 16 is configured to dispense cosmetic product 14 contained in the receptacle 12 on an application body surface S. The application surface S is for example a skin surface such as the skin, or the scalp.
The cosmetic product 14 is contained in the receptacle 12.
In an example embodiment, the cosmetic product 14 is a composition comprising a mixture of water and alcohol, for example comprising between 15% by mass and 60% by mass of alcohol with respect to the total mass of the composition, preferably between 20% by mass and 50% by mass of alcohol with respect to the total mass of the composition.
For example, the cosmetic product is a cosmetic composition comprising active agents capable of reducing the loss and/or promoting the regrowth of keratin fibers and/or limiting the appearance of dandruff. For example, the cosmetic product 14 is a composition as described in one of the French applications filed under No. 2213545, No. 2213539, or No. 2213542.
The cosmetic product 14 has for example a viscosity at 25°C of less than 30 UD, in particular between 10 UD and 20 UD.
The viscosity of the cosmetic product is for example measured at 25°C using a Rheomat 180 (from LAMY) equipped with an MS-R2 spindle, rotating at a rotational speed of 200 rpm. The measurement is made after 10 min of rotation. The viscosity measurements are made at most 1 week after manufacturing the cosmetic product 14.
The receptacle 12 comprises a reservoir 24 comprising a bottom 25 and a lateral wall 26. The bottom 25 and the lateral wall 26 define an internal volume 27 for receiving cosmetic product 14.
The receptacle 12 also comprises a neck 30 defining a passage for the pipette 16. The neck 30 has an external thread 32 disposed on its outer surface opposite the passage.
In a packaging position, the pipette 16 is mounted on the receptacle 12, via the ring 20. In this configuration, the ring 20 is disposed around the neck 30 of the receptacle 12.
The ring 20 comprises a peripheral wall 33 surrounding the neck 30 and a transverse wall 34 connecting the peripheral wall 33 at its top end to the bulb 18.
The transverse wall 34 extends transversely relative to the longitudinal axis. It closes the ring 20.
In this example, the ring 20 has an inner surface 35 extending longitudinally from the transverse wall 34 on the peripheral wall 33. The inner surface 35 has a complementary thread 35A. When the ring 20 is mounted on the receptacle 12, in the packaging position, the inner surface 35 is disposed facing the neck 30, and the complementary thread 35A cooperates with the external thread 32 so as to secure the pipette 16 on the neck 30.
The bulb 18 is for example made of a deformable material such as rubber, or rubber derivatives usually used on cosmetic pipettes such as thermoplastic elastomers, polyolefins, low-density polyethylene, etc.
The bulb 18 is for example obtained by compression, injection molding, injection blow molding or extrusion blow molding.
The bulb 18 is in particular deformable between a rest position wherein the bulb 18 has a first volume V1 , and a deformed position, represented in Figure 2, wherein the bulb 18 has a second volume V2, less than the first volume V1. A user, pinching the bulb 18 between their fingers induces the deformation of the bulb 18 from the rest position to the deformed position.
Besides the bulb 18, the dispensing pipette 16 includes a tubular duct 36 for dispensing cosmetic product 14 defining a longitudinal passage 38 for the cosmetic product 14. The tubular duct 36 extends between a top end 36A and a bottom end 36B.
In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner surface 35 of the ring 20 extends around the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36, by defining an annular space for receiving the neck 30 with the tubular duct 36.
The bulb 18 is attached to the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36.
The pipette 16 is then movable between the packaging position, wherein the pipette 16 is mounted on the receptacle 12, the tubular duct 36 being inserted into the receptacle 12 and a position for dispensing cosmetic product 14, wherein the pipette 16 is removed from the receptacle 12, the tubular duct 36 being disposed outside the receptacle 12.
When the bulb 18 is pressed by a user, it moves air, initially comprised in the first volume V1 , to the tubular duct 36.
When the user releases the pressure exerted on the bulb 18, the bulb 18 returns from its deformed position to its rest position. During this step, the bulb 18 is capable of drawing in gas contained in the tubular duct 36, triggering the rise of cosmetic product 14 contained in the reservoir 24 to the tubular duct 36, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
The pipette 16 defines at least one vent 39 intended for air discharge, arranged in the tubular duct 36. The or each vent 39 is located longitudinally distant from the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36. In the example shown in Figure 3, the or each vent 39 formed in the tubular duct 36 is positioned in the vicinity of the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36.
"In the vicinity of the top end" means generally that the distance separating the top end 36A from each vent 39 is less than 40%, preferably less than 20%, of the length of the tubular duct 36 measured between the top end 36A and the bottom end 36B.
The vents 39 are here through holes, arranged through the peripheral wall of the tubular duct 36. Each vent 39 extends here transversely. It opens, on one hand, into the longitudinal passage 38 and, on the other, through an outer surface of the tubular duct 36.
When the pipette 16 is in the packaging position, the receptacle 12 has an expansion space G above the cosmetic product 14 contained in the receptacle 12. In this configuration, the or each vent 39 is positioned in the expansion space G.
In the example of Figure 3, the pipette 16 comprises at least two vents 39 angularly distributed about the longitudinal axis of the tubular duct 36.
The pipette 16 also comprises at least one closing member 40 of the or each vent 39 actuated to a closing position of the vent 39. In the closing position, the or each closing member 40 closes the vents 39 tightly
In the example of Figure 3, the pipette 16 comprises a closing member 40 comprising a peripheral skirt closing the vents 39. "Peripheral skirt" means that the closing member 40 extends continuously all around the tubular duct 36.
The or each closing member 40 is movable from a closing position forming a rest position to an opening position of the vent 39, under the effect of an overpressure induced by a deformation of the bulb 18 reducing its internal volume.
In the open position of the vent 39, gas, such as air, is capable of passing through the or each vent 39, from inside the tubular duct 36 to outside the pipette 16.
In other words, when the user presses the bulb 18 and causes a reduction of its internal volume, gas, in particular air, initially comprised in the first volume V1 , is moved to the tubular duct 36. The overpressure induced moves the closing members 40 from the closing position of the vent 39 to the opening position of the vent 39. Air is then discharged by the or each vent 39, from inside the tubular duct 36 to outside the pipette 16.
The or each vent 39 being positioned in the expansion space G in the packaging position of the pipette 16, there is no risk of involuntary entry of cosmetic product 14 via the vents 39 when they are open.
For example, the skirt of the vent 39 is formed from a deformable membrane between the closing position of the vent 39 and the opening position of the vent 39, the closing position of the vent 39 being a rest position. The deformable membrane is for example an elastic membrane, moving from the closing position of the vent 39 to the opening position of the vent 39 without residual deformation of the membrane. This ensures the tight closure of the vents 39 during successive uses of the dispensing pipette 16.
In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the closing member 40 extends out of the tubular duct 36, being applied on the tubular duct 36 at the periphery of the vent 39 in the closing position of the vent 39. Thus, in the closing position of the vent 39, the closing member 40 closes the vent 39 tightly from outside the tubular duct 36.
The closing member 40 is for example formed of a single piece with the bulb 18, preferably is integral with the bulb 18.
The pipette 16 also comprises an obturator 42 housed in the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36.
The bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36 defines a receiving zone 44 configured to receive the obturator 42. The receiving zone 44 has a flare relative to the tubular duct 36 configured to house the obturator 42 tightly, in at least the rest position of the bulb 18.
The receiving zone 44 defines from top to bottom, advantageously a plurality of longitudinal channels 50, disposed around a top region of the obturator 42 and a sealing seat 52 disposed under the longitudinal channels 50.
The or each longitudinal channel 50 is formed by a longitudinal groove arranged in an internal surface 44A of the receiving zone 44. The groove opens longitudinally at its ends and radially toward the obturator 42. It is sealed radially away from the obturator 42. In the example illustrated in Figure 1 , each longitudinal channel 50 opens upward above the obturator 42 and downward facing the seat 52.
The seat 52 defines, on its internal surface, at least one closed continuous line of complementary shape with the outer surface of the obturator 42.
The obturator 42 is movable in longitudinal translation between an open position, wherein the obturator 42 allows the passage of the cosmetic product 14, and a sealing position, wherein the obturator 42 closes the inner passage of the tubular duct 36 tightly via tight contact between at least the peripheral line of the seat 52 and the outer surface of the obturator 42. The sealing position of the obturator 42 is a rest position of the obturator 42.
For this purpose, the or each longitudinal channel 50 is for example configured to allow the flow of the cosmetic product 14 around the obturator 42 between outside the dispensing pipette 16 and the tubular duct 36, in the open position of the obturator 42. The obturator 42 is released from the seat 52 and there is at least one gap between the seat 52 and the obturator 42 to allow the flow of cosmetic product 14 between the longitudinal passage 38 and outside the pipette 16 in both flow directions.
Moreover, in order to ensure the tightness of the tubular duct 36 when the obturator 42 is in the sealing position, the sealing seat 52 has a complementary shape with the outer surface of the obturator 42, capable of closing the tubular duct 36 tightly.
Thus, when the obturator 42 is in the normal sealing position, the tubular duct 36 is isolated tightly from outside the pipette 16 and the longitudinal passage 38 is closed at the bottom, downstream from the channels 50 when they are present.
In the sealing position, the obturator 42 projects longitudinally from the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36. For example, when the obturator 42 is a 10 mm diameter ball, the obturator 42 projects from the bottom end 36B to outside the pipette 16, and more specifically toward the bottom 25 of the reservoir 24 in the packaging position and/or toward the application body surface S in the dispensing position, of a length between 1 mm and 4 mm.
In other words, the obturator 42 projects from the bottom end 36B to outside the pipette 16, and more specifically toward the bottom 25 of the reservoir 24 in the packaging position and/or toward the application body surface S in the dispensing position, of a length for example between 10% and 40% of the diameter of the obturator 42.
More generally, the obturator 42 projects from the bottom end 36B to outside the pipette 16, and more specifically toward the bottom 25 of the reservoir 24 in the packaging position and/or toward the application body surface S in the dispensing position, of a length dependent on the body surface S to be attained and the geometric shape of the obturator 42.
The obturator 42 is for example movable in translation longitudinally in the longitudinal passage 38, between at least the open position, wherein the obturator 42 is located at a first distance, along the longitudinal direction, from the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36, and the sealing position, wherein the obturator 42 is located at a second distance, along the longitudinal direction, from the top end 36A, the first distance being less than the second distance.
The translation of the obturator 42 from the sealing position to the open position, is performed for example along a maximum travel between 1 .5 mm and 2.5 mm and along a minimum travel between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, in order to allow the passage of the cosmetic product 14. This travel allows continuous dispensing and/or suction of the cosmetic product 14, while making it possible, in particular during dispensing, to dispense a controlled dose of cosmetic product 14. Thus, more generally, the maximum travel of the obturator 42 is set according to the cosmetic product 14 to be dispensed, in particular according to its viscosity, and the dose of cosmetic product 14 to be delivered and/or the flow rate of the product 14 desired for an application.
In particular, in the closing position of the vent 39, the obturator 42 is configured to be moved to the open position via contact with a body surface S to dispense cosmetic product 14 on the body surface S from the longitudinal passage 38.
Thus, when the user wishes to apply the cosmetic product 14 contained in the tubular duct 36, they push the obturator 42 to its open position via contact with the body surface S, and the cosmetic product 14 is delivered via the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.
Thus, the pipette 16 defines two separate paths for air and the cosmetic product 14. Air escapes via the vents 39 above the cosmetic product 14 when the closing members 40 are in the open position. The cosmetic product 14 flows between outside the pipette 16 (receptacle 12 or body surface S) and the longitudinal passage 38 via the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36 and the obturator 42 in the open position.
The insertion zone 44 defines a bottleneck 56 projecting internally and cooperating with the outer surface of the obturator 42 so as to block the longitudinal translation, beyond a defined and limited travel of the obturator 42 to the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36. In other words, the bottleneck 56 prevents the obturator 42 from rising longitudinally into the longitudinal passage 38, beyond the defined travel.
According to the example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the obturator 42 is a ball rotatably mounted relative to the tubular duct 36.
Alternatively, the obturator 42 is a non-rotary member movable in translation along the longitudinal direction to the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36, for example a movable tip as described in FR2835509A1 .
In another alternative, the obturator 42 is movable by tipping between the open position and the sealing position.
In an alternative, not shown, the vents 39 are not through holes but through outer slots or grooves arranged through the peripheral wall of the tubular duct 36 and opening, on one hand, into the longitudinal passage 38 and, on the other, through an outer surface of the tubular duct 36.
A process for dispensing a cosmetic product 14 using a packaging and dispensing assembly 1 as described above will now be described.
Initially, a packaging and dispensing assembly 1 as described in Figure 1 is provided. When a user wishes to apply the cosmetic product 14 on a body surface S, they first rotate the ring 20 about the longitudinal axis. Thus, they unscrew the complementary thread 35A from the external thread 32 of the neck 30 and detach the ring 20.
Then, they pinch the bulb 18 and deform it from its rest position to its deformed position. The bulb 18 then switches from its internal volume V1 to its internal volume V2 by reducing its volume, as shown in Figure 2. The closing members 40 are then actuated to the opening position of the or each vent 39. The gas in overpressure in the tubular duct 36, in particular air, is discharged via the or each vent 39. During this step, the obturator 42 is in the sealing position.
Then, the user releases the bulb 18. The bulb 18 then switches from its internal volume V2 to its internal volume V1 by increasing its volume. The closing members 40 then switch back to the closing position of the or each vent 39. A vacuum is created inside the tubular duct 36. This vacuum induces the movement of the obturator 42 from the sealing position to the open position, allowing the suction of the cosmetic product 14 into the longitudinal passage 38.
During this step, the obturator 42 moves longitudinally to the top end 36A of the tubular duct 36, until it abuts on the bottleneck 56 of the insertion zone 44.
The cosmetic product 14 is drawn in by the bulb 18 and enters the tubular duct 36 by flowing from the reservoir 24 around the obturator 42. For example, the cosmetic product 14 enters the tubular duct 36, flowing about the obturator 42, through at least one longitudinal channel 50 with the suction of the bulb 18.
The suction of the cosmetic product 14 to the tubular duct 36 continues until the bulb 18 once again occupies its rest position and regains its initial volume V1. A volume of cosmetic product 14 is then present in the tubular duct 36.
When the suction of the cosmetic product 14 is complete, the obturator 42 returns to its sealing position inside the tubular duct 36, in particular under the effect of the weight of the cosmetic product 14 applied on the obturator 42 and actuating it against the seat 52.
Thanks to the sealing seat 52, even if the tubular duct 36 comprises a volume of cosmetic product 14, the cosmetic product 14 remains totally confined in the longitudinal passage 38, including at the longitudinal channels 50. The user may then move the pipette 16 to the body surface S without any risk of leakage of the cosmetic product 14 from inside the tubular duct 36 to outside the pipette 16, even if the latter is very fluid, in particular if it includes the compositions described above.
When the user wishes to apply the cosmetic product 14 contained in the pipette 16 on the body surface S, they approach the pipette 16 to the body surface so as to place the obturator 42 in contact with the body surface S. The obturator 42 projecting from the bottom end 36B of the tubular duct 36, this step is simplified for the user.
Via contact with the body surface, the user moves the obturator 42 from the sealing position to the open position. In other words, via contact with the body surface S, the user pushes the obturator 42 longitudinally in the longitudinal passage 38 so as to allow the flow, for example via the longitudinal channels 50, and between the seat 52 and the obturator 42 of the cosmetic product 14 from inside the tubular duct 36 to outside the pipette 16. The cosmetic product 14 flows advantageously around the obturator 42 and its application on the body surface S is facilitated in particular if the obturator 42 is moved, in particular rotated on the body surface S.
The dispensing pipette 16 according to the invention has numerous advantages.
The obturator 42 being normally in the sealing position and configured to be moved to the open position via contact with a body surface S, there is no risk of involuntary leakage of cosmetic product. Even if the user accidentally creates an overpressure in the tubular duct 36 by pressing the bulb 18, the obturator 42, in the sealing position, prevents the cosmetic product 14 from being dispensed outside the tubular duct 36.
Moreover, the pipette 16 defines a flow passage intended for air and separate from the longitudinal cosmetic product flow passage. This makes it possible to dispense the cosmetic product more homogeneously, with no air bubbles mixing with the dispensed product.
Such a pipette 16 is therefore particularly suitable for simple dispensing and tight packaging of a very fluid product such as a composition comprising a mixture of water and alcohol, for example comprising between 15% by mass and 60% by mass of alcohol with respect to the total mass of the composition, or preferably between 20% by mass and 50% by mass of alcohol, in particular containing active agents prevent hair loss or promoting hair regrowth.