GB2419113A

GB2419113A - Distributor pen for a fluid cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: GB2419113A
Application number: GB0521175A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fabrice Dieudonat; Marc Phu
Original assignee: Techpack International SA
Current assignee: Albea Services SAS
Priority date: 2004-10-18
Filing date: 2005-10-18
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: FR2876557A1; FR2876557B1; DE102005048673A1; GB0521175D0

Abstract

A distributor pen comprises a reservoir which contains a cosmetic product and is in the form of a longitudinal tube (20) and a neck; an applicator head (3); a mobile piston; a cap (5); a means for manually driving said piston and comprising a central rod (6) integral with a base, so that relative rotation of the base with respect to the tube (20) causes axial displacement of the piston; and a means for obstructing the neck; characterized in that: <SL> <LI>1) the applicator head (3) comprises a mobile ferrule; <LI>2) the ferrule (31) comprises a central portion provided with an orifice for passage of the product; <LI>3) the ferrule (31) comprises a peripheral portion external to the neck which can allow displacement of the ferrule (31) with respect to the tube (20); <LI>4) the obstruction means is formed by cooperation between the central portion of the ferrule (31) and the neck or an upper end (60) of the rod (6); and <LI>5) the distributor has a height H which is typically 60 mm to 150 mm, and a diameter or greater transverse dimension D typically of 10 mm to 20 mm, to produce a form factor H/D of at least 6, preferably close to 10. </SL>

Description

24191 13

DISTRIBUTOR PEN FOR A FLUID COSMETIC PRODUCT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a distributor for a fluid product, for example a cream, paste, or gel, such as a cosmetic product.

More particularly, the invention relates to the case of distributors which comprise a rigid body containing said fluid product integral with an applicator head, a means for driving fluid product formed by cooperation of a piston that can be displaced axially in said body and a central rod that can be rotated manually so that said fluid product is pushed towards the applicator head to apply the fluid product to a support.

PRIOR ART

Distributors for fluid cosmetic products of the type indicated above are already 1 5 known.

US-A-5,772,347 describes a distributor which comprises a distributor head forming a valve.

Similarly, FR-A-2,810,859 describes a distributor which comprises a distributor head provided with a surface for application of a product via at least one orifice opening into a cavity or a groove.

PROBLEMS ARISING

In general, the packaging of fluid products in distributors poses more problems than when packaging non-fluid products. Problems with providing an effective seal for said distributor are more acute in the case of fluid products.

Further, packaged products are often sensitive to air and it is important that, after using the product, no residual product remains outside said body in the applicator head.

Further, it is important for the distributors to be suitable for a wide range of fluid products - the viscosity of the fluid product varying widely, with some fluid creams being relatively rigid and only being able to flow under slight stress, for example the pressure created inside said body during manual rotation of said central rod, while other products may be liquid products.

Furthermore, other problems may also arise.

A further problem which is often observed with known piston distributors, which may be more or less serious depending on the theological characteristics of the packaged product, resides in the fact that displacement of the piston in said body to expel the fluid product may cause compression of the product in the body, so that there may be leakage between said piston and said body and/or said central rod. In the case of the least viscous fluid products, or of relatively viscous fluid products which tend to adhere to the inner surface of said body, it is thus important for the piston to cooperate with said rod and/or with said body in a sealed manner.

A further problem is linked to the market demand for very slender distributors, in particular for aesthetic reasons. Said distributors, which already exist with lipsticks in the form of a solid stick, or in the case of solid makeup pencils, resemble pens with a high form factor or H/D ratio, H and D respectively being the total length or height and the diameter of the distributor. A further problem is to provide distributors for fluid products which are slender in shape.

Finally, in particular when packaging a cosmetic product, novel distributors are always demanded by the consumer, and so the lifetime of commercial products is relatively short.

The distributor of the invention can overcome some or all of these problems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, a distributor pen for a fluid cosmetic product has an axial direction and comprises a) a reservoir comprising a longitudinal tube intended to contain said cosmetic product and a neck provided with an upper opening, said tube and said neck typically being connected via a shoulder, said tube comprising a lower opening at its lower end, b) an applicator head cooperating with said neck, c) a piston which is axially mobile in said tube, d) a cap provided with a head and a skirt intended to cover said applicator head, e) a means for manually driving said piston, comprising a central rod cooperating with said piston, said central rod being integral with a base, so that relative rotation of said base with respect to said tube causes axial displacement of said piston and pushes said cosmetic product via said upper opening of said neck towards said applicator head to apply the product to a support, for example part of the face, and f) a means for obstructing said neck.

It is characterized in that: 1) said applicator head comprises a ferrule which is mobile with respect to said neck, said mobile ferrule cooperating with said neck in a typically sealed manner; 2) said ferrule comprises a central portion provided with an orifice for passage of said product; 3) said ferrule comprises a peripheral portion external to said neck which can allow manual or otherwise displacement of said ferrule with respect to said tube; 4) said obstruction means is formed by cooperation between said central portion of said ferrule and said neck or an upper end of said rod, so that said displacement of said ferrule with respect to said neck can, as required, open or sealingly close said neck or said orifice; 5) said distributor has a height H which is typically 60 mm to 150 mm, and has a diameter or greater transverse dimension D of typically 10 mm to 20 mm to produce a form factor HID of at least 6, preferably close to 10.

The above combination of means aims to overcome some or all of the problems which arise.

The applicant has observed that this distributor pen is suitable for distributing and applying any type of fluid cosmetic product with no sealing, either at the applicator head or at the driving piston.

Further, the applicant has produced embodiments of the invention which are very slender distributors which overcome the sealing problems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting preferred embodiments of a distributor pen in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures la to if show a first embodiment of a distributor pen 1 in accordance with the present invention with a diameter D of 13 mm and with a height H of 129.5 mm, giving a form factor H/D of close to 10; Figure la is an axial section along the axial direction 10 of the closed distributor; Figure lb is a side view of the closed distributor; Figure lc is a top or bottom view of the closed distributor; Figure id is a perspective side view of the closed distributor; Figure 1 e is a perspective view of the open distributor; Figure if is a partial enlarged axial section of Figure la to show the relative disposition of certain parts of the distributor 1.

Figures 2a and 2b are enlarged views of the portions enclosed in a rectangle in the distributor of Figure 1 a (top and bottom portions of the distributor); Figure 2a corresponds to the lower portion of Figure 1 a outlined by a rectangle; Figure 2b corresponds to the upper portion of Figure 1 a outlined by a rectangle; Figure 2c, analogous to Figure 2b, shows the case in which the applicator head 3 comprises only one mobile ferrule 31 with no application material 300.

Figures 3a and 3b are partial axial half sections (view of the top left portion) of another variation of the distributor pen 1 in which said applicator head 3 cooperates with said neck 21 in accordance with another embodiment; Figures 4a and 4b show a further variation of a distributor pen 1 in which said applicator head 3 cooperates with said neck 21 in a further embodiment; Figure 4a is an axial half section; Figure 4b is a cross section along the transverse plane A-A of the lower wall 210 of the neck 20 of Figure 4a. The dotted circles show the positions of the plurality of N=8 upper orifices 332' after rotation through an angle of 360 /16, the distributor then being closed.

Figures 5a and 5b are partial perspective views which show the case of a distributor 1 of Figure 3b provided with an automatic closing means 14; Figure 5a is a perspective side view from below of a cap 5 the skirt 51 of which comprises, on its inner surface, N axial grooves 53 making between them an angle of 360 /N with N=10, each axial groove 53 comprising an upper narrow part 530 and a lower divergent part 531; Figure 5b is a partial perspective view of a distributor 1, its cap of Figure 5a being separate therefrom, the neck 21 of which comprises a plurality of lower axial ribs 216 and wherein the rotatably mobile ferrule 31' comprises a plurality of upper axial ribs 321 on its peripheral portion 32; Figure 5c is a partial cross- section of said narrow upper portion 530 along the plane C-C of Figure 5a; Figure 5d is a partial cross-section of said divergent part 531 along the plane D-D of Figure 5a; Figure be is a partial cross-section of an upper axial rib 321 along the plane E E of Figure 5b, or of a lower axial rib 216, in parentheses; Figure 5f is a cross-section formed by cooperation of the elements of Figures 5c and be, which shows the alignment of ribs 321 and 216 in the narrow portion 503 of the groove 530 of the cap 5 when the cap is integral with the neck 20.

Figures 6a to 6f show a further variation of the distributor pen 1, in which said applicator head 3 cooperates with said neck 21 in a further embodiment in which said mobile ferrule 31 is a ferrule 31"' which is mobile in rotation and translation with respect to said neck 20; Figure 6a is an axial section of an applicator head; Figure 6b is a partial axial sectional view of the reservoir 2; Figure 6c is a side view corresponding to the partial view of Figure fib; Figure 6d is a view in a transverse plane B-B in Figure 6b; Figure be is a partial axial sectional view of the closed distributor 1; Figure 6f is a partial axial sectional view of the open distributor I with its cap 5 removed.

Figures 7a to 9b are partial axial sectional views of distributors 1 without the cap 5 or with the cap 5 in dotted lines, in which said mobile ferrule 31 is a ferrule which is mobile in axial translation 31".

In Figures 7a, 8a and 9a, the applicator head 3 of the distributor I is in the removed or open position, while in Figures 7b, 8b and 9b, the applicator head 3 of the distributor is in the lower or closed position.

In the distributor of Figures 7a and 7b, said neck 21 comprises a lower wall 210 comprising a lower annular portion 212 provided with a plurality of lower orifices 213 and a solid central portion 214, typically tapered, forming said male portion 120, and said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" comprises an upper wall 331 provided with an upper central orifice 332 forming said female portion 121 facing said male portion 120.

In the distributor of Figures 8a and 8b, said neck 21 comprises a tapered inner edge 215 forming said female portion 121, and said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" comprises, typically inside said neck 21, at least one axial projection 333 forming said male portion 120 disposed facing said tapered inner edge 215. Said product passage orifice 330 typically forms a plurality of upper orifices 332'.

In the distributor of Figures 9a and 9b, said central portion 33 comprises an upper wall 331 provided with an upper central orifice 332 with a diameter which is less than the internal diameter of said neck 21, forming said female portion 121 intended to cooperate with said upper end 60 of said rod 6 forming said male portion of said obstruction means 12.

Figure lOa is a partial axial sectional view of the lower portion of a distributor 1 in which said longitudinal tube 20 comprises a lower portion 206 for connection with the skirt 72 of the base 7, and in which the inner wall 205 of said tube and said piston are circular, said piston being rotated by means of a central non-circular orifice 42 and a rod 6 with a non- circular cross-section (shown with an oval section); Figure lOb is a partial sectional view of a distributor 1 in which, as in Figure 1 Oa, said longitudinal tube 20 comprises a lower portion 206 for connection to the skirt 72 of the base 7, said base 7 being fixed in rotation with an outer body 8 by means of cooperating toothed rings 70, 80.

Figure 11, which shows a further embodiment of the invention, is a partial side view of a piston 4 the peripheral surface 410 of which comprises at least one helical rib 411 and cooperates with the circular side wall 205 of said longitudinal tube 20, the tube being shown in partial axial section, to show the penetration of the ribs 411 into said wall 205.

Figures 12a to 12f relate to a further embodiment of the rotatably mobile ferrule 31' which can rotate automatically under the force of said cosmetic product; Figure 12a is an axial sectional view of said head 3 assembled on said neck 21 in the "closed" position, the lower portion 210 facing the upper orifices 332' of the ferrule 31'; Figure 12b is a crosssection through said central portion 33'along the plane A A of Figure 12a; Figure 12c is an axial section of the neck 21; Figure 12d is a crosssection in the plane C-C of Figure 12c; Figures 12e and 12f are curvilinear axial sections along the curve B-B of Figure 12b; Figure 12e corresponds to the "closed" position of Figures 12a and 12b; Figure 12f corresponds to the "open" position following axial thrust of said product represented by a vertical arrow in Figure 12e.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the invention, and as shown in Figure 2b, for example, said ferrule 31 may comprise, in its upper portion, an application material 30, said ferrule 31 acting to support said application material 30.

In a first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3a to 6f, said ferrule 31 may be a ferrule 31' which is rotatably mobile, said displacement being rotation relative to said ferrule 31' in said axial direction 10 to form said obstruction means 12.

As shown in Figures 3a and 3b, said outer peripheral portion 32 of said ferrule 31 may form an axial extension 320 of said neck.

In contrast, as shown in Figure 4a, for example, said outer peripheral portion 32 may form a portion coaxial to said neck 322 which is fixed in rotation relative to said neck 20, the portion surmounted by an upper portion 323 being intended to hold said application material 30.

As can be seen in Figures 3a and 4a, said neck 21 may comprise a horizontal lower wall 210 inside said neck and said central portion 33 may comprise, typically inside said neck 21, a horizontal upper wall 331 surmounting said lower wall 210, said upper wall 331 and lower wall 210 respectively comprising at least one upper orifice 332 and at least one lower orifice 211 which are axially offset with respect to said axial direction 10, so that said relative rotation of said ferrule 31 with respect to said tube 20 causes said neck 21 to open when said upper 332 and lower 21 l orifices are facing each other, and closing said neck 21 in the opposite case.

As can be seen in Figure 4b, said upper 331 and lower 210 walls may respectively comprise N upper 332 and N lower 211 orifices making an angle of 360 /N between them, where N is from 1 to 10, N typically being 2 to 4. In this case, l O rotation by an angle of 360 /2N moves the distributor 1 from a "closed" position to an "open" position.

As shown in Figures Sa to 5f, said peripheral portion 32 outside said ferrule 31 and said neck 21 or a ring 9 may comprise N axial ribs, said axial ribs, termed upper 321 for said ferrule and lower 216 for said neck, being aligned by rotating said ferrule 31 with respect to said neck 21, whereupon said neck is obstructed, and said skirt 51 of said cap 5 may comprise on its inner surface N axial orientation grooves 53 provided with an upper narrow portion 530 and a lower divergent portion 531 so that fixing the cap 5 on said neck 21 automatically aligns said upper 321 and lower 216 ribs and thus obstructs said neck by forming a means 14 for automatically closing the neck.

In a second embodiment of the invention, said ferrule 31 may be a ferrule 31 " which is mobile in translation, said displacement being axial translation along said axial direction 10 of a male portion 120 with respect to a female portion 121 to form said obstruction means 12.

This embodiment is shown in Figures l a to 2c, and 7a to 9b.

In a third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6a to 6f, said ferrule 31 may be a ferrule 31"' which is mobile in translation and in rotation, rotation of said ferrule 31"' with respect to said neck 20 causing axial translation thereof, typically by cooperation of a radial projection 324 formed on said peripheral portion 32 of said ferrule 31 "' with a guide groove 217 formed on said neck 20.

Whatever the embodiment, said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" and said neck 21 may cooperate to form said obstruction means 12, as indicated below.

To this end, as shown in Figures 6a to 6f, said neck 21 may comprise a lower wall 210, typically horizontal, comprising at least one lower orifice 211, typically a central orifice 211' forming said female portion 121, and said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" may comprise, typically inside said neck 21, at least one axial projection 333 forming said male portion 120 disposed facing said lower orifice 211, to form said obstruction means 12, said neck 21 typically being open when said ferrule 31" is axially distanced from said tube 20, said product passage orifice 330 typically forming a plurality of upper orifices 332'. Said upper orifices 332' are disposed in a ring about said axial projection 333 when this latter is a central projection, as shown in Figure 6a.

Similarly, as shown in Figures 7a and 7b, said neck 21 may comprise a lower wall 210 comprising a lower annular portion 212 provided with a plurality of lower orifices 213 and a solid central portion 214, typically tapered, forming said male portion 120, and said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" may comprise an upper wall 331 provided with an upper central orifice 332 forming said female portion 121 facing said male portion 120, so as to form said obstruction means 12, said neck 21 typically being open when said diameter 31 " is axially distanced from said tube 20.

Further, as shown in Figures 8a and fib, said neck 21 may comprise a tapered inner edge 215 forming said female portion 121, and said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31" may comprise, typically inside said neck 21, at least one axial projection 333 forming said male portion 120 disposed facing said tapered inner edge 215, so as to form said obstruction means 12, said neck 21 typically being open when said ferrule 31" is axially distanced from said tube 20, said product passage orifice 330 typically forming a plurality of upper orifices 332'.

Finally, as shown in Figures 2b, 2c, 9a and 9b, said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31 provided with said product passage orifice 330 and said upper end 60 of said rod 6 may cooperate, typically along a tapered profile, to form said obstruction means 12, said central portion 33 forming said female portion 121 and said upper end 60 forming said male portion 120.

In this case, as shown in Figures 9a and 9b, said central portion 33 may comprise an upper wall 331 provided with an upper central orifice 332 with a diameter that is less than the internal diameter of said neck 21, forming said female portion 121 intended to cooperate with said upper end 60 of said rod 6 forming said male portion of said obstruction means 12.

As shown in Figures 2b and 2c, said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31 may comprise, inside said neck 21, an axial skirt 334 forming said female portion 121, said axial skirt 334 comprising a thinned and flexible lower portion 335, typically radially spaced from said neck and typically tapered, said upper end 60 typically being a tapered end 60', so that said tapered end 60' of the rod 6, which is typically rigid, exerts radial compression on said axial skirt 334, preferably on said thinned lower portion 335, to form said means 12 for obstructing said neck.

Generally, as shown in Figures la, lea and lob, said base 7 and said central rod 6 may form a monoblock part fixed to said tube 20 by snap fitting, said base 7 and said tube 20 typically having the same external diameter.

As shown in Figure 2a or Figure lob, said base 7 may be fixed in rotation to an outer body 8, typically by cooperation of inner 80 and outer 70 toothed rings, said outer body 8 having an internal diameter typically at least equal to the external diameter of said tube 20, so that rotation of said outer body 8 does not cause rotation of said tube 20, said body 8 extending over a height HC to cover said base 7 and a lower portion 200 of said tube 20 over a height of 0.4 HR to 0.8HR, HR being the height of said tube 20 of said reservoir 2, said tube 20 having a free upper portion 201 not covered by said body 8, so that relative rotation of said body 8 with respect to said free upper portion 201 of said tube 20 causes said axial displacement of said piston 4.

As shown in Figure if or 2b, said free upper portion 201 may be fixed in rotation to a ring 9 comprising a lower portion 90 extending over the entire height of said free upper portion 201 of said tube 20, and in which said lower portion 90 of said ring 9 has a section or an external diameter DBI identical to the section or external diameter DE of said body 8.

Said ring 9 may have an upper portion 91 which is lower than that of said neck 21, and with an internal diameter greater than the diameter of said neck 21, so that said outer peripheral portion 32 of said ferrule 31" can be inserted, and typically snap fitted, between said upper portion 91 of said ring 9 and said neck 21, said upper portion 91 having an external diameter DBS which is smaller than said diameter DB' SO that said upper portions 91 and lower portions 90 of the ring 9 are connected via a shoulder 92 which typically abuts against said shoulder 22 of said reservoir 2.

As shown, for example, in Figure lb or id, said skirt 51 of said cap 5 may have a section or external diameter identical to the section or external diameter of said tube 20 or, as appropriate, of said outer body 8 or, as appropriate, of said lower portion 90 of said ring 9, so that said applicator pen 1 has the same section or the same diameter over the whole of its height H. said applicator pen 1 being closed by said cap 5.

As shown in Figures 7a to 9b, said ferrule 31 " may cooperate with said neck 21 or said upper portion 91 of said ring 9 via a sliding assembly means 13 comprising cooperation of an annular radial projection 130 with an axial height e and an annular recess 131 with an axial height E, to allow relative travel or axial displacement of said ferrule 31" of E-e, with E-e typically being 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and to ensure axial separation of said male 120 and female 121 portions to allow said product to flow.

According to the invention, in said second and third embodiments, as will be clearly seen in the figures corresponding to said embodiments, said neck 21 may be obstructed when said ferrule 31" which is mobile in translation, or said ferrule 31"' which is mobile in translation and in rotation, is in the low position B and, conversely, said neck 21 is open when said mobile ferrule 31 " or said ferrule 31 "' which is mobile in translation and rotation is in the high position H. the high position being that in which said ferrule 31" or 31"' is uppermost or at its furthest distance from said neck 21.

As shown in particular in Figure 2b, said skirt 51 of said cap 5 may comprise a projection or an inner shoulder 52 intended to cooperate axially with said outer peripheral portion 32 of said ferrule 31", so that said ferrule 31" is automatically pushed downwardly when said cap 5 is fixed or snap fitted to said neck 21 or to said upper portion 91 of said ring 9 to form a means 14 for automatically closing said neck.

According to the invention, said application material 30 may be fixed to said mobile ferrule 31, 31", 31"' by a fixing means, said application material 30 typically forming a wall 300 having a hollow pointed arch section defining an inner space 302 that can be supplied with said cosmetic product when said neck 21 is open and when said relative rotation is manually carried out.

To form said fixing means, said application material 30 may comprise a lower edge 301 for fixing to said mobile ferrule 31, 31", 31"', and said means for fixing said application material to said ferrule may be selected from the following: overmoulding said edge 301 in a peripheral portion of said central portion 33 of said mobile ferrule 31,31", 31"'; retaining said edge 301 in an annular groove 338 formed on said central portion 33 of said mobile ferrule 31, 31", 31"', typically on and in the upper wall 331,331' of said mobile ferrule 31,31",31"'; soldering said edge 301 of said mobile ferrule 31,31 ",31"'.

Said means for fixing said application material to said ferrule may be selected from any other means, equivalent to the means cited above.

Said application material 30 may be formed by a material in a divided state which may allow said cosmetic product to pass through, so that said application material 30 has an outer surface 303 which is wetted by said cosmetic product when, with said neck being open, said manual driving means is activated.

Said application material 30 may be selected from: a material based on tangled fbres, a material based on assembled or sintered particles, and an open-celled alveolar material.

As shown in Figure 2a, said tube 20, typically by the lower end of said tube 20 forming a toothed ring 202 with asymmetric teeth, may cooperate with said base 7 or said body 8, to produce a clicker effect, typically by snap fitting a projection 71 of said base 7, or an intermediate part 15 which is fixed to said base or said body 9, into said asymmetric teeth of said toothed ring 202, to ensure that said base 7 can move in only one direction with respect to said tube 20, to impose on said piston 4 a constantly ascending motion in said tube 20 and thereby prevent air from entering said tube 20.

As shown in Figure 2a, said piston 4 may comprise an upper element 40 termed a sealing element, intended to ensure a seal between said piston and the inner surface of said tube, and a lower element 41 termed the drive, intended to cooperate with said rod 6 and said tube 20, to ensure said axial displacement of said piston 4 during said relative rotation of said base 7 with respect to said tube 20.

As shown in Figure lea, said rod 6 may have a non circular section, said piston 4 comprising a corresponding central non circular orifice 41, so that said rod 6 may cause rotation of said piston 4 and said piston 4 may slide along said rod 6, said tube may form an inner cavity with a circular side wall 205, and said piston 4, and typically said drive element 41 of said piston 4, may comprise over its peripheral surface 410 a helical rib/groove 411 forming a thread which can cooperate with a helical groove/rib formed on said circular side wall 205, so that said relative rotation of said piston 4 cause its axial displacement.

As shown in Figure 11, said rod 6 has a non-circular section, said piston 4 comprising a corresponding central non-circular orifice 42, so that said rod 6 can rotate said piston 4 and said piston 4 can slide along said rod 6, said tube 20 may form an inner cavity with a circular side wall 205, and said piston 4, and typically said drive element 41, may comprise on its peripheral surface 410 a helical rib 411 forming a thread which can cooperate with said circular side wall 205, said drive element 41 being formed from a material that is harder than the material forming said smooth wall, so that said helical rib 411 cooperates with said circular side wall 205 by penetrating into said smooth wall 205' over a depth corresponding substantially to the radial width of said helical rib 411, for example over 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm.

As shown, for example, in Figures la, 9a and 9b, said rod 6 may be an externally threaded rod 6', said piston 4, and typically said lower drive element 41, comprising an internally threaded central ring 44, and saidpiston 4 and said tube 20 may cooperate to prevent any relative rotation of said piston with respect to said tube, said piston and said tube having a circular cross-section.

In this case, in a variation of the invention, said tube 20 and said piston 4 may have the same homothetic non-circular cross-section.

In the case in which said tube 20 has a circular side wall 205, and as shown in Figures 9a and 9b, said tube 20 may comprise a plurality of axial grooves or ribs 204 intended to cooperate with a plurality of radial projections or recesses 45 carried by said piston 4 or said drive element 41 at its periphery, to block any relative rotation of said piston 4 with respect to said tube 20.

Advantageously, said means for obstructing said neck may be selected so that, when said relative rotation driving the piston 4 is rotated and pushing said cosmetic product via said upper opening 21' of said neck 21 towards said applicator head 3 is operated, said product exerts a thrust on said central portion 33 of said ferrule 31 forming part of said obstruction means 12 which is sufficient for it to pass from the "closed" to the "open" state, so that the consumer does not have to take specific action in order to open said neck.

To this end, in the case of a ferrule which is mobile in axial translation 31", the axial thrust exerted by said product is greater than the frictional forces of said ferrule 31".

In the case of a ferrule which is mobile in rotation 31' or mobile in translation and rotation 31", said ferrule may comprise a portion inclined in the manner of a helix, to transform said axial thrust moving in rotation to move said applicator head 3 into the open position, as shown in Figures 12a to 12f.

Further, according to the invention, it is possible to incorporate a spring into said ferrule to maintain said head in the "closed" position, said spring being selected so that said head 3 moves into the open position as soon as said thrust is exerted on said product.

According to the invention, all or part of said distributor may be formed from a transparent material. In particular, said reservoir 2, typically said tube 20, may be formed from a transparent material, and may typically form a transparent moulded part.

EXAMPLES

Distributor pens 1 were produced in accordance with Figures 1 a to 1 2f.

All of these distributor pens 1 had the dimensions given in Figure lc, namely a height H of 129.5 mm and a diameter D of 13 mm.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The distributor pens 1 of the preferred embodiments of the invention, typically intended for makeup for the face, lips or eyes in particular, enjoy several advantages.

Firstly, they are suitable for packaging all types of fluid products because of the possibility of producing a tight seal for the portion forming the reservoir 2.

Secondly, with the applicator head 3, only a small quantity of residual product is left, so these distributor pens are also adapted to packaging products which are sensitive to air.

Further, said distributor pens are suitable for said fluid products in a wide viscosity range.

Further, with their high form factor H/D, the distributor pens have a highly desirable slender form.

Finally, said distributor pens may themselves exist in a large number of embodiments or variations to provide a constant supply of novel distributor pens, and can satisfy the constant demand for new products in the cosmetic packaging field.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

Distributor pens 1 Axial direction 10 Drive means 11 Obstruction means 12 Male portion 120 Female portion 121 Sliding assembly means for 30 13 Annular radial projection 130 Annular recess 131 Automatic neck closure means 14 Rear anti-rotation intermediate part 15 Reservoir 2 Longitudinal tube 2 20 Lower opening of 20 20' Lower part of 20 200 Free upper portion 201 Toothed ring 202 Plurality of helical ribs/grooves 203 Plurality of axial ribs/grooves 204 Circular side wall 205 Lower connecting portion 206 Neck of 2 21 Upper opening 21' Lower wall (horizontal) 210 Lowerorificeof210 211,211' Lower annular portion of 210" 212 Plurality of lower orifices of 212 213 Solid central portion of 210" 214 Tapered central portion 214' Tapered inner edge 215 Lower axial rib 216 Guide groove 217 Shoulder between 20 and 21 22 Applicator head 3 Application material of 3 30 Hollow wall 300 Lower edge 301 Inner space 302 Outer surface 303 Mobile ferrule of 3 31 Ferrule mobile in rotation 31' Ferrule mobile in axial translation 31" Ferrule mobile in translation and rotation 31 "' Peripheral outer portion of 31 32 Axial extension of neck 320 Upper axial rib 321 Coaxial portion of said neck 322 Upper retaining portion of 30 323 Radial projection 324 Central portion of 31 33 Product passage orifice for 33 330 Upper wall (horizontal) 331 Upper central orifice 332 Plurality of upper orifices 332' Axial projection 33 (=120) 333 Axial skirt of 33 334 Lower thinned portion of 334 335 Upper annular portion of 301 336 Solid central portion of 301 337 Annular groove 338 Mobile piston 4 Upper sealing element 40 Lower drive element 41 Peripheral surface 410 Helical rib 411 Non circular central orifice 42 Plurality of hollow/relief elements 43 Inner threaded central ring 44 Plurality of radial projections/recesses 45 Cap 5 Head 50 Skirt 51 Inner projection or shoulder of 51 52 Axial orientation groove of 216 and 321 53 Narrow upper portion 530 Divergent lower portion 531 Central rod 6 Central threaded rod 6' Upper end 60 Tapered upper end 60' Base of 6 7 Toothed outer ring 70 Projection for snap fit 71 Skirt 72 Base 73 Outer body 8 Inner toothed ring 80 Ring 9 Lower portion of 9 90 Upper portion of 9 91 Shoulder connecting 90 and 91 92

Claims

1. A distributor pen for a fluid cosmetic product having an axial direction and comprising a) a reservoir comprising a longitudinal tube intended to contain said cosmetic product and a neck provided with an upper opening, said tube and said neck typically being connected via a shoulder, said tube comprising a lower opening at its lower end, b) an applicator head cooperating with said neck, c) a piston which is axially movable in said tube, d) a cap provided with a head and a skirt intended to cover said applicator head, e) a means for manually driving said piston comprising a central rod cooperating with said piston, said central rod being integral with a base, so that relative rotation of said base with respect to said tube causes axial displacement of said piston for pushing said cosmetic product via said upper opening of said neck towards said applicator head to apply the product to a surface, for example part of the face, and f) a means for obstructing said neck, characterized in that: 1) said applicator head comprises a ferrule which is movable with respect to said neck, said ferrule cooperating with said neck in a typically sealed manner; 2) said ferrule comprises a central portion provided with an orifice for passage of said product; 3) said ferrule comprises a peripheral portion external to said neck which can allow displacement of said ferrule with respect to said tube; 4) said obstruction means is formed by cooperation between said central portion of said ferrule and said neck or an upper end of said rod, so that said displacement of said ferrule can, as required, open or seal closed said neck or said orifice; and 5) said distributor pen has a height H of 60 mm to 150 mm, and a diameter or greater transverse dimension D of 10 mm to 20 mm, to produce a form factor HID of at least 6, preferably close to 10.

2. A distributor pen according to claim 1, in which the upper portion of said ferrule comprises application material, said ferrule acting as a support for said application material.

3. A distributor pen according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said ferrule is a ferrule which is movable in rotation, said displacement being relative rotation of said ferrule along said axial direction to form said obstruction means.

4. A distributor pen according to claim 3, in which said outer peripheral portion of said ferrule forms an axial extension of said neck.

5. A distributor pen according to claim 3 or claim 4, in which said neck comprises, inside said neck, a lower horizontal wall, and in which said central portion comprises, typically inside said neck, an upper horizontal wall surmounting said lower wall, said upper and lower walls respectively comprising at least one upper orifice and at least one lower orifice which are axially offset with respect to said axial direction, so that said relative rotation of said ferrule with respect to said tube causes opening of said neck when said upper and lower orifices are facing, and closing said neck in the opposite case.

6. A distributor pen according to claim 5, in which said upper and lower walls respectively comprise N upper orifices and N lower orifices forming an angle of 360 /N between them, where N is from 1 to 10, typically 2 to 4.

7. A distributor pen according to claim 6, in which said outer peripheral portion of said ferrule and said neck or a ring comprise N axial ribs, said axial ribs, termed upper ribs for said ferrule and lower ribs for said neck, being aligned by rotating said ferrule with respect to said neck, when said neck is obstructed, and in which said skirt of said cap comprises on its inner surface N axial orientation grooves provided with a narrow upper portion and a divergent lower portion so that fixing the cap on said neck automatically aligns said upper and lower ribs and obstructs said neck by forming an automatic neck closing means.

8. A distributor pen according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said ferrule is a ferrule which is movable in translation, said displacement being axial translation along said axial direction of a male portion with respect to a female portion to form said obstruction means.

9. A distributor pen according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which said ferrule is a ferrule which is movable in translation and in rotation, rotation of said ferrule with respect to said neck causing its axial translation, typically by cooperation of a radial projection formed on said peripheral portion of said ferrule with a guide groove formed on said neck.

10. A distributor pen according to claim 8 or claim 9, in which said central portion of said ferrule and said neck cooperate to form said obstruction means.

11. A distributor pen according to claim 10, in which said neck comprises a lower wall, typically horizontal, comprising at least one lower orifice, typically a central orifice forming said female portion, and in which said central portion of said ferrule comprises, typically inside said neck, at least one axial projection forming said male portion disposed facing said lower orifice, to form said obstruction means, said neck typically being open when said ferrule is axially spaced from said tube, said product passage orifice typically forming a plurality of upper orifices.

12. A distributor pen according to claim 10, in which said neck comprises a lower wall comprising a lower annular portion provided with a plurality of lower orifices and a solid central portion, typically tapered, forming said male portion, and in which said central portion of said ferrule comprises an upper wall provided with an upper central orifice forming said female portion facing said male portion to form said obstruction means, said neck typically being open when said ferrule is axially spaced from said tube.

13. A distributor pen according to any of claims 3 and 8 to 10, in which said neck comprises a tapered inner edge forming said female portion, and in which said central portion of said ferrule comprises, typically inside said neck, at least one axial projection forming said male portion, disposed facing said tapered inner edge, to form said obstruction means, said neck typically being open when said ferrule is axially spaced from said tube, said product passage orifice typically forming a plurality of upper orifices.

14. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 3 and 8 to 10, in which said central portion of said ferrule provided with said product passage orifice and said upper end of said rod cooperate, typically along a tapered profile, to form said obstruction means, said central portion forming said female portion and said upper end forming said male portion.

15. A distributor pen according to claim 14, in which said central portion comprises an upper wall provided with an upper central orifice with a diameter which is less than the internal diameter of said neck, forming said female portion intended to cooperate with said upper end of said rod forming said male portion of said obstruction means.

16. A distributor pen according to claim 14, in which said central portion of said ferrule comprises, inside said neck, an axial skirt forming said female portion, said axial skirt comprising a thinned flexible lower portion, typically radially spaced from said neck and typically tapered, said upper end typically being a tapered end, so that said tapered end of the rod, which is typically rigid, exerts radial compression on said axial skirt and preferably on said thinned lower portion to form said means for obstructing said neck.

17. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 16, in which said base and said central rod form a monoblock part fixed to said tube by snap fitting, said base and said tube typically having the same external diameter.

18. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 17, in which said base is fixed in rotation to an outer body, typically by cooperation of inner and outer toothed rings, said outer body having an internal diameter typically at least equal to the external diameter of said tube, so that rotation of said outer body does not cause rotation of said tube, said body extending over a height Hc that covers said base and a lower portion of said tube over a height of 0.4 HR to 0.8 HR, HR being the height of said tube of said reservoir, said tube having a free upper portion not covered by said body, so that relative rotation of said body with respect to said free upper portion of said tube causes said axial displacement of said piston.

19. A distributor pen according to claim 18, in which said free upper portion is fixed in rotation to a ring comprising a lower portion extending over the entire height of said free upper portion of said tube, and in which said lower portion of said ring has a section or external diameter DBI identical to the section or external diameter DE Of said body.

20. A distributor pen according to claim 19, in which said ring has an upper portion with a lower height than that of said neck, and an internal diameter which is greater than the diameter of said neck, so that said outer peripheral portion of said ferrule can be inserted, typically by snap fitting, between said upper portion of said ring and said neck, said upper portion having an external diameter DBS which is less than said diameter DBI and so that said upper and lower portions of the ring are connected via a shoulder which typically abuts against said shoulder of said reservoir.

21. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 20, in which said skirt of said cap has a section or external diameter identical to the section or external diameter of said tube or, as appropriate, of said outer body or, as appropriate, of said lower portion of said ring, so that said applicator pen has the same section or the same diameter over the entire height H. said applicator pen being closed by said cap.

22. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 8 and 10 to 21, in which said ferrule cooperates with said neck or said upper portion of said ring by a sliding assembling means comprising cooperation of an annular radial projection with an axial height e and an annular recess with an axial height E, to allow travel or relative axial displacement of said ferrule equal to E-e, where E-e is typically 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, to ensure axial spacing of said male and female portions to allow said product to flow.

23. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 8 to 22, in which said neck is obstructed when said ferrule which is mobile in translation or said ferrule which is mobile in translation and rotation is in the lower position B and, reciprocally, said neck is open when said movable ferrule or said ferrule which is movable in translation and rotation is in the high position H. the high position being that in which said ferrule is uppermost or furthest spaced from said neck.

24. A distributor pen according to claim 23, in which said skirt of said cap comprises an inner shoulder or projection intended to cooperate axially with said outer peripheral portion of said ferrule, so that said ferrule is automatically pushed downwardly when said cap is fixed or snap fitted to said neck or to said upper portion of said ring to form an automatic closure means for said neck.

25. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 24, in which said application material is fixed to said movable ferrule via a fixing means, said application material typically forming a wall having a hollow pointed arch section defining an inner space that can be supplied with said cosmetic product when said neck is open and when said relative rotation is carried out manually.

26. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 25, in which said application material comprises a lower edge for fixing to said movable ferrule, and in which said means for fixing said application material to said ferrule is selected from the following: overmoulding said edge in a peripheral portion of said central portion of said movable ferrule; retaining said edge in an annular groove formed on said central portion of said movable ferrule, typically on and in the upper wall of said movable ferrule; soldering said edge of said movable ferrule.

27. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 26, in which said application material is formed by a material in a divided state that allows said cosmetic product to pass through so that said application material has an outer surface which is wetted by said cosmetic product when, with said neck being open, said manual drive means is activated.

28. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 27, in which said application material is selected from: a material based on tangled fibres, a material based on assembled or sintered particles, and an opencelled alveolar material.

29. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 28, in which said tube, typically via the lower end of said tube forming a toothed ring with asymmetric teeth, cooperates with said base or said body, to produce a clicker effect, typically by snap fitting a projection of said base or an intermediate part fixed to said base or said body, into said asymmetrical teeth of said toothed ring and to ensure a single direction of rotation for said base with respect to said tube, to impose on said piston a constantly upward motion in said tube and to prevent air from entering said tube.

30. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 29, in which said piston comprises an upper element termed a seal, intended to ensure a seal between said piston and the inner surface of said tube, and a lower element termed the drive, intended to cooperate with said rod and said tube, to ensure said axial displacement of said piston during said relative rotation of said base with respect to said tube.

31. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 30, in which said rod has a non-circular section, said piston comprising a corresponding central non-circular orifice, so that said rod can cause rotation of said piston and said piston can slide along said rod, in which said tube forms a lower cavity with a circular side wall, and in which said piston, and typically said drive element, comprises on its peripheral surface a helical rib/groove forming a thread that can cooperate with a helical groove/rib formed on said circular side wall, so that said relative rotation of said piston causes its axial displacement.

32. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 30, in which said rod has a non-circular section, said piston comprising a corresponding central non-circular orifice, so that said rod can rotate said piston and said piston can slide along said rod, in which said tube forms an inner cavity with a circular side wall, and in which said piston and typically said drive element comprises on its peripheral surface a helical rib forming a thread which can cooperate with said circular side wall, said drive element being formed from a material which is harder than the material forming said smooth wall, so that said helical rib cooperates with said circular side wall by penetrating into said smooth wall over a depth substantially corresponding to the radial width of said helical rib, for example 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm.

33. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 30, in which said rod is an externally threaded rod, said piston, and typically said lower drive element comprising an internally threaded central ring, and in which said piston and said tube cooperate to prevent any relative rotation of said piston with respect to said tube, said piston and said tube having a circular cross-section.

34. A distributor pen according to claim 33, in which said tube and said piston have the same non-circular homothetic section.

35. A distributor pen according to claim 33, in which said tube comprises a plurality of axial grooves or ribs intended to cooperate with a plurality of radial projections or recesses carried by said piston or said drive element at its periphery, to block any relative rotation of said piston with respect to said tube.

36. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 35, in which said means for obstructing said neck is selected so that when said relative rotation is carried out driving the piston and pushing said cosmetic product via said upper opening of said neck towards said applicator head, said product exerts a force on said central portion of said ferrule forming part of said obstruction means which is sufficient for it to move from the "closed" to the "open" state, so that the consumer does not need to open said neck using a specific gesture.

37. A distributor pen according to any one of claims 1 to 36, in which said reservoir, typically said tube, is formed from a transparent material, and typically forms a transparent moulded part.

38. A distributor pen for a fluid cosmetic product, substantially as herein described with reference to, or with reference to and as illustrated in, the accompanying 1 5 drawings.