PACKAGING AND DISPENSING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A RESERVOIR OF LIMITED CAPACITY

Abstract

The invention concerns a dispensing head including a housing that includes a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice. The dispensing head also includes a dispensing element that is configured to rotate substantially about a lengthwise axis of the seating, that is disposed at least partially in the seating, includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel, and is configured to assume a first position and a second position. The at least one product inlet orifice is surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating. Additionally, the admission orifice communicates with the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position, and the admission orifice is isolated from the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the second position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This document claims priority to French Application Number 05 53898, filed Dec. 15, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/755,069, filed Jan. 3, 2006, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention concerns dispensing heads used to dispense a fluid product. The device can be particularly advantageous, for example, for a liquid cosmetic product. The invention relates, for example, to packaging and dispensing devices of the tester type used to spray a perfume.

2. Discussion of Background

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,304, sealing tightness between the dispensing element and the seating in the housing wherein the latter is received is obtained by clamping between annular surfaces against the dispensing element and the housing. The dispensing element includes an adjusting ring of relatively large diameter, so that the user can cause the dispensing element to rotate without exerting excessive force.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,205 describes another dispensing head wherein the sealing tightness is obtained in a similar manner. GB Patent 1 122 474 describes a dispensing head including a dispensing element which can turn about an axis of rotation perpendicular to that of the product inlet orifice in the seating. An annular boss is formed around the product inlet orifice in the seating. U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,341, U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,726, U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,801, U.S. Pat. No. 3,863,818, and US Patent Publication 2003/0111493 disclose fairly similar dispensing heads.

Furthermore, European Patent Application EP 1 544 123 describes a dispensing head having at least two different dispensing positions. This head includes means of rotatably guiding the dispensing element in the form of seatings having constricted upper openings.

None of these prior patents discloses a dispensing head specially adapted for a tester type device. In the latter, the dispensing element must be capable of being manipulated without excessive force, considering its generally small dimensions. Nevertheless, the dispensing element must be capable, on one hand, of providing leak-tight closure of the device and, on the other hand, of providing a spray of good quality, as the case may be, in order to maintain the attractiveness of the product of which a sample has been made available.

As these tester type devices are not generally intended for sale, their manufacturing cost must be as low as possible. It is therefore important to have devices whose components can be readily mass produced and which can be assembled in a simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An example of the present invention, in one of its aspects, is a dispensing head including a housing that includes a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice. The dispensing head, according to this preferred example, also includes a dispensing element that can be configured to rotate substantially about a lengthwise axis of the seating, that can be disposed at least partially in the seating, includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel, and can be configured to assume a first position and a second position. In this example, the at least one product inlet orifice can be surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating. Additionally, according to this example, the admission orifice communicates with the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position, and the admission orifice is isolated from the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the second position. The seating can be of elongated shape substantially along the lengthwise axis, for example.

The presence of the sealing relief projecting into the seating and surrounding the product inlet orifice serves to locally improve the sealing tightness around the product inlet orifice without generating sufficient friction to unduly impede the action of rotating the dispensing element by the user. Furthermore, the orientation of the dispensing element in the seating can make it possible to obtain leak-tightness between annular surfaces located against the dispensing element and the housing. This orientation can also facilitate the fixing of the dispensing element on the housing, for example, when the device is of small dimensions.

The invention can provide the benefit of, but is not limited to, a dispensing head including a dispensing element that can be caused to rotate relatively easily while at the same time providing sufficient sealing tightness, on one hand, to avoid leakage of product in the closed position of the dispensing element and, on the other hand, to force the product to be dispensed to flow through the dispensing orifice in the open position.

The invention can be suitable for, but is not limited to, the manufacture of a packaging and dispensing device including a dispensing head such as that defined above and a reservoir containing the product to be dispensed, including a limited capacity, for example, between 0.5 and 15 ml, or between 1 and 5 ml.

Another example of the present invention, according to another one of its aspects, is a dispensing head that includes a housing including a seating of elongate shape on a lengthwise axis and into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice, this orifice being surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating. This preferred example also includes a dispensing element rotatable about the lengthwise axis of the seating, disposed at least partially in the seating, including an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel. The dispensing element, according to this preferred example, is configured to assume a first position in which the admission orifice communicates with the inlet orifice and a second position in which the admission orifice is isolated from the inlet orifice. The axis of the dispensing orifice in this example retains an invariant orientation when the dispensing element is rotated relative to the housing. The invention can, for example, make it possible to use a dispensing element of relatively small dimensions but which can nonetheless be readily manipulated by the user.

Another example of the invention, according to another one of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a dispensing head that includes a housing including a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice, this orifice being surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating. This preferred example also includes a dispensing element that is configured to rotate in the seating, and can be disposed at least partially therein. The dispensing element according to this example also includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel. In this example, the dispensing element can be capable of assuming a first position in which the admission orifice communicates with the product inlet orifice and a second position in which the admission orifice is isolated from the product inlet orifice. This example also includes means for rotatably guiding the dispensing element in the seating, and means for aligning at least one portion of the dispensing element adjacent to the product inlet orifice. These alignment means can be distinct from the rotation guiding means and can be arranged to hold the dispensing element in bearing contact on the sealing relief around the entire inlet orifice in the first and second positions of the dispensing element, for example. The presence of alignment means that are distinct from the rotation guiding means can make it possible to manufacture the housing and/or the dispensing element with customary manufacturing tolerances while at the same time further reducing the risk of leakage.

The rotation guiding means can be made, for example, by giving the seating a shape that is cylindrical for example, on at least one portion of its length. The alignment means can be made in a variety of ways. The housing of the dispensing head can include an extension projecting into the seating and engaged in the dispensing element. This extension can include, for example, a tubular skirt of an axis coincident with an axis of rotation of the dispensing element. The dispensing element can include a recess at an end opposite the dispensing orifice and the extension can be engaged in this recess. The recess can communicate with the delivery channel connecting the dispensing and admission orifices.

At least one of the dispensing element and the housing can also include, as a variant or additionally, one or more bearing reliefs tending to maintain the dispensing element in bearing contact on the sealing relief projecting into the seating. The bearing relief(s) can be formed on the housing. The housing can, for example, include at least two bearing reliefs disposed on either side of a plane containing the axis of the product inlet orifice in the seating. These two reliefs can be disposed symmetrically to each other relative to said plane, for example, at 120° to each other about the axis of the seating. The bearing relief(s) can include at least one flat. The relief(s) can improve the concentration of bearing contact on a localised area, for example, on the sealing relief provided around the inlet orifice of the housing. At least one of the seating and the dispensing element can include an annular ring and the other a groove into which the ring snaps, for example. The presence of the ring and groove can improve the sealing tightness by preventing the passage of product between the product inlet orifice and the seating opening or the end of the delivery channel opposite the dispensing orifice, for example. In an example embodiment of the invention, at least one of the seating and the dispensing element includes a rear groove and the other a rear ring configured to snap into the rear groove, the rear groove and the rear ring being disposed between the bottom of the seating and the product inlet orifice. At least one of the seating and the dispensing element can include a front groove and the other a front ring configured to snap into the front groove, and the front ring and the front groove being disposed between the seating opening and the product inlet orifice.

Irrespective of the manner in which the seating is made, the dispensing element can include at least one operating member extending out of the seating. In a preferred example of the invention, the operating member connects to a wall of the dispensing element traversed by the dispensing orifice, for example, being molded in one piece therewith. The operating member can include a rearwardly directed lug, which can make it possible to further reduce the overall dimensions of the device and can facilitate use of the lug as a position indicator, the housing being advantageously capable of incorporating indications formed by molding associated with the first and second positions. The first and second positions can be angularly spaced by more than 90°, for example, by about 120°.

The dispensing head can include means of mounting on a reservoir containing a product to be dispensed. These mounting means can include fixing tabs arranged to snap onto a neck of the reservoir. The dispensing head can be made with a sealing lip configured to engage into the neck of the reservoir. The dispensing head can, for example, include a covering skirt including a free edge not fully contained in one plane.

The dispensing orifice can include dimensions chosen in relation to the nature of the product to be dispensed and the manner in which the dispensing is to be effected. The dispensing orifice can include a smaller diameter between 0.1 and 1 mm, for example, about 0.3 mm. The dispensing orifice can include a non-constant cross-section, with for example at least one cylindrical portion and one tapering portion. Additionally, the dispensing orifice can include a portion that is cylindrical, then tapering, then cylindrical, and finally tapering, in the direction of the outlet.

Another example of the invention, according to another one of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a dispensing head that includes a housing including a seating of elongate shape along an axis, a product inlet orifice emerging into this seating. This preferred example also includes a dispensing element, mobile in the seating between a first dispensing position and a second closed position. In this example, the dispensing element includes a product dispensing orifice and a delivery channel enabling the product delivered via the inlet orifice to reach the dispensing orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position, the delivery channel extending, lengthwise in this first position on the radially outer surface of the dispensing element between the inlet orifice and the dispensing orifice.

Another example of the invention, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a dispensing head that includes a housing including a seating of elongate shape along an axis, a product inlet orifice emerging from this seating, a dispensing element mobile in the seating about the lengthwise axis thereof between a first dispensing position and a second closed position. In this example, the dispensing element includes an operating member including a lug at least partially covering a wall of the housing at least partially defining the seating. The housing can include at least one indication formed by molding to indicate to the user one of the dispensing and closed positions, for example.

Another example of the invention, in another one of its aspects, is a packaging and dispensing device that includes a reservoir containing a product to be dispensed, and a dispensing head such as that described above. The device can include a dip tube attached to the dispensing head, for example. The reservoir includes, for example, at least one deformable wall enabling the user to dispense the product by pressing thereon. This wall can include shape memory properties, and the reservoir can, for example, be made at least partially in a resiliently deformable plastic. The reservoir can, for example, include a wall that is stiffer than the deformable wall, on the side opposite the latter.

Another example of the invention, independently or in combination with the foregoing, is a tester device including a spray head and a reservoir of capacity less than or equal to 15 ml. The reservoir in this example includes a deformable wall with shape memory properties. According to this preferred example, on the side opposite this deformable wall, there can be a substantially rigid wall. The deformable wall can be outwardly domed when at rest and the substantially rigid wall can be substantially flat, for example.

The presence of the rigid wall facilitates the depression of the deformable wall during use in order to spray the product. The stiffness of the substantially rigid wall can be related to its flatness and to its junction with the deformable wall of outwardly domed shape. The substantially rigid wall can be thicker, for example, by 1.5 times, than the deformable wall.

As should be apparent, the invention can provide a number of advantageous features and benefits. It is to be understood that, in practicing the invention, an embodiment can be constructed to include one or more features or benefits of embodiments, disclosed herein, but not others. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the preferred embodiments and examples discussed herein are provided as examples and are not to be construed as limiting, particularly since embodiments can be formed to practice the invention that do not include each of the features of the disclosed examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the invention will be gained from reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are offered purely as a guide and by way of example, and in no way limit the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates, in elevation, an example of a packaging and dispensing device made according to the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the device in FIG. 1 viewed face on;

FIG. 3 illustrates the device in FIG. 1 viewed from above;

FIG. 4 is a partial and schematic lengthwise cross-section of the device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the dispensing element removed;

FIG. 6 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, details of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a partial and schematic transverse cross-section on VII-VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, without the dispensing element;

FIG. 9 illustrates, on an enlarged scale, a detail of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 6 of an alternative embodiment;

FIGS. 11 to 13 illustrate examples of the dispensing head in lengthwise cross-section; and

FIGS. 14 to 22 are views similar to FIG. 4 of alternative embodiments of the dispensing head, according to other aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals are utilized to designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGS. 1 to 4 depict a packaging and dispensing device 1 including a dispensing head 2 mounted on a reservoir 3 containing a product to be dispensed, for example, a perfume. The reservoir 3 is made, for example, with a bearing surface defined by a resiliently deformable wall 19, which can be transparent. The reservoir 3 includes a neck 13. The wall 19 of the reservoir can be formed from a thermoplastic material, for example, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polyester terephthalate, a polyethylene naphthalate, a polyacrylonitrile, a polyoxymethylene, a polyvinyl chloride, or a mixture of these materials. The wall 19 can include a substantially convex outer profile in its non-deformed position, for example, a dome shape, and a substantially concave profile in its deformed position. This configuration facilitates the return of the wall 19 to its initial configuration when the pressure is relaxed. The reservoir 3 can present a face opposite the pressing face that is substantially flat, for example, and can be defined by a wall 23 stiffer than the wall 19 and substantially non-deformable when the user presses on the reservoir. The dispensing head 2 includes a housing 5 and a rotatable dispensing element 6 capable of assuming a first closed position and a second dispensing position.

Referring to FIG. 5, for example, it can be seen that the housing 5 presents a seating 8 of lengthwise axis X that is coincident, in the example described, with the axis of rotation of the dispensing element 6. The housing 5 defines a product inlet orifice 10 which emerges into the seating 8 and which communicates with a dip tube 11 which extends substantially to the bottom of reservoir, as can be seen in FIG. 1. In the example described, the product inlet orifice 10 is of axis Y substantially perpendicular to the axis X. The housing 5 includes an annular lip 12 which serves to fasten the dip tube 11 and which is configured to bear in a leaktight manner on the inner surface of the neck 13 of the reservoir 3. Fastening of the dispensing head 2 on the reservoir 3 is accomplished in the described example by tabs 14 which snap onto a bead 15 on the neck 13. The housing 5 includes a covering skirt 16 which extends around the tabs 14 and of which the free edge 17 bears substantially against a shoulder 18 at the base of the neck 13, so that the outer surface of the covering skirt forms a continuum with the outer surface of the body of the reservoir.

The dispensing element 6 includes a tubular wall of axis X, closed at one end by a transverse wall 28 provided with an admission orifice 20 which communicates permanently with a dispensing orifice 21, of axis X in the example illustrated, via a delivery channel 22. The dispensing element 6 includes an operating member 7 which enables the user to place the dispensing element 6 in the closed or dispensing position. In the described example, this operating member 7 includes a lug 26 which covers an outer wall 27 of the housing 5, upwardly delineating the seating 8. The lug 26 connects to the transverse wall 28 of the dispensing element 6, the assembly being advantageously formed in one piece by molding a thermoplastic material. The housing 5 can include indications 29 formed by molding, for example, “1” and “0”, against which the lug 26 can be positioned to indicate the closed and dispensing positions to the user.

The product inlet orifice 10 is surrounded, as can be seen in FIG. 5, for example, by a sealing relief such as a boss 32, which bears against the dispensing element 6. This boss 32 serves to reduce the bearing surface between the housing 5 and the dispensing element 6 and makes it possible to achieve leaktightness without unduly impeding the rotation of the dispensing element 6. Advantageously, the dispensing head 2 includes means of alignment of the dispensing element 6 configured to hold the latter in bearing contact against the boss 32 over the entire periphery thereof, irrespective of the angular position assumed by the dispensing element 6. These alignment means can include, as illustrated, an extension 40 of the housing 5 projecting into the seating 8 and engaged in a recess 41 of the dispensing element 6. This recess 41 is formed, in the example described, at the end of the dispensing element 6 which is opposite the dispensing orifice 21 and communicates with the delivery channel 22. The extension 40 is presented, for example, in the form of a tubular skirt of axis X, bearing by its radially outer surface against the radially inner surface of the dispensing element 6 defining the recess 41. In this example, the extension 40 can contribute to the sealing tightness.

The alignment means can additionally include, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 7, two bearing reliefs 45 each disposed substantially symmetrically relative to a plane of symmetry P containing the axis Y and perpendicular to the axis X. The bearing reliefs 45 are presented, for example, in the form of flats when the seating 8 is viewed in transverse cross-section, being oriented perpendicular to radii passing through the axis X and forming therebetween an angle α of 120°. The flats 45 extend axially substantially at the level of the product inlet orifice 10 and can make contact tangentially with the dispensing element 6 so as to press it against the boss 32.

In the described example, the housing 5 additionally includes a front ring 50 and a rear ring 51, respectively snapped into annular grooves 52 and 53 in the dispensing element 6. These rings can further improve the sealing tightness and the fixing of the dispensing element 6 in the seating 8 and the rotatable guidance of the dispensing element 6 in the seating 8. The front ring 50 is located axially between the inlet orifice 10 and the opening 55 of the seating 8 and the rear ring 51 is located axially between the bottom 57 of the seating 8 and the inlet orifice 10.

In the described example, the lateral surface of the dispensing element 6 includes an annular bead 60 which snaps into a corresponding annular groove 61 in the seating 8, which contributes to the axial retention of the dispensing element 6 in the seating 8. To use the device 1, the user causes the dispensing element 6 to rotate from the closed position wherein the admission orifice 20 does not emerge onto the inlet orifice 10 to the dispensing position illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein the axes of the inlet 10 and admission 20 orifices substantially coincide. The user can then press the deformable wall 19 of the reservoir to force the product to circulate in the dip tube and the delivery channel 22 so that it reaches the dispensing orifice 21. The dip tube 11 can include an air intake orifice 34.

The dimensions of the dispensing orifice 21 can be chosen in relation to the nature of the product, and in relation to the desired manner in which it is to be dispensed. In the example described, the orifice 21 has, for example, a smaller diameter of 0.3 mm and the product is dispensed by being sprayed. The cross-section of the orifice can be non-constant, the latter including, for example, in the direction of the outlet, a shape cylindrical of revolution of 0.3 mm over 0.3 mm of length, then tapering outward to 0.6 mm over 0.5 mm of length. The cross-section can then be tubular over 1.5 mm of length and finally tapering outward to 1.7 mm. A section with at least one tapering portion and preferably a succession of cylindrical and tapering portions can make it possible to obtain a spray of good quality. When the user stops pressing on the deformable wall 19 of the reservoir, the latter can return, by its own elasticity, to its initial shape, and this return can be accompanied by an intake of air into the reservoir 3.

Modifications can be made to the example just described without exceeding the scope of the present invention. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the dispensing head 2 can be made without the flats 45. The dispensing head 2 can also be made without the extension 40, as illustrated in FIG. 11, or without the front and rear rings as illustrated in FIG. 12. The dispensing head 2 can also be made with only one of the front or rear rings, for example, only the front ring 50, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In examples not illustrated, the dispensing head can include only the extension 40, without the flats 45 or the front and rear rings. In other examples not illustrated, the alignment means of the dispensing element can include, for example, at least one bearing relief formed on a portion of the dispensing element 6 occupying, for example, substantially the same axial position as the admission orifice 20 and on the opposite side thereto, or being spaced axially on either side of the admission orifice, provided that in these examples the sealing tightness is preserved and the bearing reliefs do not come into contact with the sealing relief during use.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15, the dispensing orifice 21 is offset relative to the axis X and the delivery channel 22 extends beyond the dispensing orifice 21 to the other end 80 of the dispensing element 6, defining the admission orifice in passing. The dispensing element 6 includes at the end 80 a relief 70, for example, projecting outwardly but which can also project inwardly, and which engages with a counterpart relief 71 on the housing 5, centred on the axis X. The product inlet orifice 10 need not be surrounded by a boss in this example, for example.

FIGS. 16 to 21 illustrate other examples according to other aspects of the invention. According to these aspects, the dispensing element 6 is not rotatable but mobile in translation on its lengthwise axis. The dispensing element 6 can move between a first position wherein the admission orifice 20 is closed off and a second position wherein it is disposed against the product inlet orifice 10. The latter need not be surrounded by a boss. The user can move the dispensing element 6 so as to bring it into the closed or dispensing position by pressing on one of its ends.

In the examples depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19, on one hand, and 20 and 21 on the other hand, the dispensing element 6 includes at one end a collar 90 which defines a pressing surface for the user. The dispensing element 6 can initially be in the configuration shown in FIG. 18, and the user must exert a pressure on its end before bringing it into the position shown in FIG. 19 in order to dispense the product. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, the dispensing element is made in one piece. In the example shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the dispensing element 6 is no longer monolithic but is formed by the assembly of two parts 95 and 96, part 95 being formed with the collar 90 and part 96 with a shoulder 98 to retain the dispensing element 6 in the seating 8.

The quantity of product contained in the reservoir can correspond to a single use, in which case the dispensing element does not necessarily include to be returned to the closed position after use. FIG. 22 depicts an example wherein the admission channel is centred on the axis of rotation X of the dispensing element 6 and wherein the admission orifice 20 takes the form of a slot extending to the end 80 of the dispensing element 6 opposite the dispensing orifice 21. The dispensing element 6 can be made with rings 100 and 101 which snap into corresponding annular grooves in the seating 8. In the dispensing position, the admission orifice 20 is located against the product inlet orifice 10 and in the closed position the orifice 10 emerges against the tubular wall of the dispensing element 6. In this example, a sealing relief may or may not be formed around the product inlet orifice 10. The dispensing element 6 includes an operating member 7 identical to those previously described. The bottom of the seating includes a projecting relief 71 which engages with the dispensing element, as in the example shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

The expression “including a” should be understood as being synonymous with “including at least one”, unless otherwise specified.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

Claims

1. A dispensing head, comprising:

a housing including a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice;

a dispensing element that is configured to rotate substantially about a lengthwise axis of the seating, is disposed at least partially in the seating, includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel, and is configured to assume a first position and a second position,

wherein the at least one product inlet orifice is surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating,

wherein the admission orifice communicates with the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position, and

wherein the admission orifice is isolated from the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the second position.

2. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the seating is of elongated shape substantially along the lengthwise axis.

3. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein an axis of the dispensing orifice retains an invariant orientation when the dispensing element is rotated relative to the housing.

4. The dispensing head according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for rotatably guiding the dispensing element; and

means for aligning at least one portion of the dispensing element adjacent to the at least one product inlet orifice, enabling the dispensing element to be held in bearing contact on the sealing relief around the entire product inlet orifice in the first position and the second position.

5. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes an extension projecting into the seating and engaged in the dispensing element.

6. The dispensing head according to claim 5, wherein the extension includes a tubular skirt of an axis coincident with an axis of rotation of the dispensing element.

7. The dispensing head according to claim 6,

wherein the dispensing element includes a recess at an end opposite the dispensing orifice, and

wherein the extension is engaged in this recess.

8. The dispensing head according to claim 7, wherein the recess communicates with the delivery channel.

9. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the dispensing element and the housing includes at least one bearing relief tending to maintain the dispensing element in bearing contact on the sealing relief projecting into the seating.

10. The dispensing head according to claim 9, wherein the at least one bearing relief is formed on the housing.

11. The dispensing head according to claim 10, wherein the housing includes at least two bearing reliefs disposed on either side of a plane containing an axis of the product inlet orifice in the seating.

12. The dispensing head according to claim 11, wherein the at least two bearing reliefs are each disposed symmetrically relative to said plane.

13. The dispensing head according to claim 12, wherein the at least two bearing reliefs are each disposed at an 120° angle relative to each other about the lengthwise axis of the seating.

14. The dispensing head according to claim 11, wherein the at least one bearing relief includes at least one flat surface.

15. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the seating and the dispensing element include an annular ring and the other a groove into which the annular ring snaps.

16. The dispensing head according to claim 1,

wherein at least one of the seating and the dispensing element includes a rear groove and the other includes a rear ring configured to snap into the rear groove,

wherein the rear groove and the rear ring are disposed between a bottom of the seating and the product inlet orifice,

wherein at least one of the seating and the dispensing element includes a front groove and the other includes a front ring configured to snap into the front groove, and

wherein the front ring and the front groove are disposed axially between the opening of the seating and the product inlet orifice.

17. The dispensing head according claim 1, wherein the dispensing element includes at least one operating member extending out of the seating.

18. The dispensing head according to claim 17, wherein the operating member connects to a wall traversed by the dispensing orifice.

19. The dispensing head according to claim 17, wherein the operating member is molded in one piece with a wall traversed by the dispensing orifice.

20. The dispensing head according to claim 17, wherein the operating member includes a rearwardly-directed lug.

21. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second positions are angularly spaced by more than 90°.

22. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the first and second positions are angularly spaced by about 120°.

23. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the housing incorporates indications associated with the first and second positions that are formed by molding.

24. The dispensing head according to claim 1, further comprising means for mounting on a reservoir containing a product to be dispensed.

25. The dispensing head according to claim 24, wherein the means for mounting include fixing tabs configured to snap onto a neck of the reservoir.

26. The dispensing head according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing lip configured to engage in a neck of a reservoir.

27. The dispensing head according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing orifice includes a diameter between 0.1 and 1 mm.

28. The dispensing head according to claim 27, wherein the dispensing orifice includes a diameter of about 0.3 mm

29. The dispensing head according to claim 1, further comprising a covering skirt including a free edge not fully contained in one plane.

30. A dispensing head, comprising:

a housing including a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice;

a dispensing element that is configured to rotate in the seating, and is disposed at least partially therein, that includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel, the dispensing element configured to assume a first position and a second position;

means for rotatably guiding the dispensing element; and

means for aligning at least one portion of the dispensing element adjacent to the product inlet orifice,

wherein the at least one product inlet orifice is surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating,

wherein the admission orifice communicates with the product inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position,

wherein the admission orifice is isolated from the product inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the second position, and

wherein the alignment means are distinct from the rotation guiding means and the alignment means are arranged to hold the dispensing element in bearing contact on the sealing relief around the entire inlet orifice in the first position and the second position of the dispensing element.

31. A packaging and dispensing device, comprising:

a reservoir containing a product to be dispensed; and

a dispensing head including a housing including a seating into which emerges at least one product inlet orifice, a dispensing element that is configured to rotate substantially about a lengthwise axis of the seating, is disposed at least partially in the seating, includes an admission orifice communicating with a dispensing orifice via a delivery channel, and is configured to assume a first position and a second position,

wherein the at least one product inlet orifice is surrounded by a sealing relief projecting into the seating,

wherein the admission orifice communicates with the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position, and

wherein the admission orifice is isolated from the inlet orifice when the dispensing element is in the second position.

32. The device according to claim 31, further comprising a dip tube attached to the dispensing head.

33. The device according to claims 31, wherein the reservoir includes at least one deformable wall.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the reservoir includes, on the side opposite the at least one deformable wall, a wall that is stiffer than the at least one deformable wall.

35. The device according to claim 31, wherein the capacity of the reservoir is between 1 and 15 ml.

36. A dispensing head, comprising:

a housing including a seating of elongated shape along an axis;

a product inlet orifice emerging from the seating; and

a dispensing element configured to be mobile in the seating between a first dispensing position and a second closed position,

wherein the dispensing element includes a product dispensing orifice and a delivery channel enabling the product delivered via the inlet orifice to reach the dispensing orifice when the dispensing element is in the first position,

wherein the delivery channel extends lengthwise in the first position on a radially outer surface of the dispensing element between the product inlet orifice and the product dispensing orifice.

37. A dispensing head, comprising:

a housing including a seating of elongated shape along an axis;

a product inlet orifice emerging from the seating; and

a dispensing element configured to be mobile in the seating about the lengthwise axis of the dispensing element between a first dispensing position and a second closed position,

wherein the dispensing element includes an operating member including a lug at least partially covering a wall of the housing at least partially defining the seating.

38. The dispensing head according to claim 37, wherein the housing includes at least one indication formed by molding to indicate to the user one of the dispensing and closed positions.