DROPPER COMPRISING A CONTAINER AND A HEAD ACTIONABLE IN SEVERAL DIRECTIONS

Abstract

The present invention concerns a dropper comprising a container and a head, the container extending between an open proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The container delimiting a product storage inner volume. The head is tightly mounted at the proximal end to tightly close the proximal end. The head comprises an actuator and a deformable bulb mounted between the actuator and the proximal end. The deformable bulb defines an inner chamber with a variable volume. The actuator is mobile with regards to the container along an inclined direction, between a rest configuration, and a dispensing configuration in which the actuator deforms the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber. The inclined direction comprises a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Description

The present invention concerns a dropper comprising a container and a head, the container extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the container delimiting a product storage inner volume, the distal end being open to allow dispensing of the fluid product out of the inner volume, the proximal end being open and the head being tightly mounted at the proximal end to tightly close the proximal end,

• • the head comprising an actuator and a deformable bulb mounted between the actuator and the proximal end, the deformable bulb defining an inner chamber with a variable volume,
  • the actuator being mobile with regards to the container between:
    • a rest configuration, in which the volume of the inner chamber is maximal; and
    • a dispensing configuration in which the actuator deforms the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber and allows product dispensing through the distal end.

The dropper allows dispensing an amount of fluid product stored in a container.

The fluid product can be in particular a cosmetic product, for example a care product, a coloration product or a make-up product. It can be a cosmetic oil, a serum or perfume.

By “cosmetic product”, is understood each product as defined in the Rule (CE) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of Nov. 30, 2009 relative to cosmetic products.

In a dropper of the above-mentioned type, the cosmetic product is generally contained in a container comprising at least one open end for the dispensing of said product. To deliver the product, the dropper generally comprises an actionable part.

In a known manner, the actionable part comprises a deformable bulb defining a variable inner volume. The inner volume of the bulb is filled with air. A user can directly or indirectly apply pressure on the bulb, which leads to an increase of the air pressure in the container, pushing the product out of the dropper, through the open end.

Generally, the deformable bulb is either accessible by a user, or hidden in the dropper.

When the bulb is accessible, it is actionable by a pinch, from a user, in order to reduce the inner volume.

When the bulb is hidden in the dropper, it is known to have the dropper comprising a pressing button, which when pressed, leads to a reduction of the inner volume of the bulb.

However, in both cases, it might be difficult to pinch the bulb in certain hand configurations. As an example, when the dropper is located above the head of the user, the pinching motion might be difficult to perform.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a dropper, for which the dispensing of product is simpler, whatever the context of use of the dropper.

For this purpose, the subject matter of the invention is such a dropper wherein the actuator is mobile relative to the container, along at least an inclined direction, the inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

The mobility of the actuator along at least an inclined axis relative to the container makes the dispensing of the product simpler, especially in some uses of the dropper in which the user cannot easily press the bulb. This is particularly the case when the actuator is located above the head of a user, in which case the user can more easily place a finger on the actuator and apply a force on it.

The dropper according to the invention might comprise the feature according to which the actuator is mobile relative to the container along at least an inclined direction at each angular orientation around the longitudinal axis.

Since the actuator is mobile along at least an inclined direction at each angular orientation around the longitudinal axis, the dispensing of product is simpler, improving user experience, since the user does not have to find the right orientation to actuate the actuator.

The dropper according to the invention might comprise the feature according to which the actuator is made in a harder material that the deformable bulb.

The harder material for the actuator provides a better handling of the dropper and a more efficient actuation with fingers.

The dropper according to the invention might also comprise the feature according to which the deformable bulb is deformable under finger pressure of a user, the actuator keeping its shape under finger pressure of a user.

With the actuator non deformable under finger pressure, the dispensing of product is improved, since it makes sure that the bulb is deformed correctly and in a reproducible manner.

The dropper according to the invention might also comprise the feature according to which wherein the bulb defines a distal cylindrical part extending around the longitudinal axis and a flared proximal part extending between the cylindrical part and the actuator.

The shape of the bulb makes the deformation of it easier at the junction between the distal cylindrical part and the proximal part. This ensures a good volume reduction of the inner chamber when actuating the actuator.

The dropper according to the invention might also comprise the feature according to which the head comprises a tapped cap screwed at the proximal end to a proximal threaded portion of the container, the tapped cap air tightly connecting the deformable bulb to the proximal end.

The tapped cap provides a good airtightness between the head and the container, which ensures that there is no air flee when deforming the bulb.

In addition, the tapped cap can be unscrewed to refill product in the container through the proximal end.

The dropper according to the invention might also comprise the feature according to which the deformable bulb defines a distal peripheral edge and a groove located proximal to the distal edge, the cap defining a skirt and a collar, the collar being received in the groove, the peripheral edge being tightly pinched between the collar and the proximal end to provide airtightness between the head and the container.

The cooperation between the groove, the collar and the proximal end of the container provides a good airtightness between the head and the container when deforming the bulb.

The dropper according to the invention might comprises the feature according to which the actuator comprises:

• • a summit;
  • a peripheral part fixed to the deformable bulb; and
  • at least a sloped surface between the summit and the peripheral part.

The shape of the actuator makes the product dispensing simpler, since it allows a finger of the user to be guided from the summit to the periphery in order to move the actuator in the inclined direction.

The dropper according to the invention might comprise the feature according to which the sloped surface is conic.

The conic shape of the sloped surface allows the user to position his finger wherever he desires on the slopped surface while being in a good configuration to move the actuator in order to deliver the product.

The dropper according to the invention might comprise the feature according to which a dispensing nozzle mounted at the distal end to at least partially close the distal end, the nozzle optionally comprising at least a combing tooth.

The dispensing nozzle improves the accuracy of the product dispensing location.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic product applicator comprising a dropper and a cosmetic product received in the inner volume of the container.

Such an applicator allows a user to apply the cosmetic product while benefiting of the above-mentioned advantages.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic product dispensing method the product being stored in the product storage inner volume of a dropper as described above, the method comprising:

• • moving the actuator according to an inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,
  • deforming the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber, and
  • dispensing the product through the distal end.

This method provides the user a protocol to follow in order to apply the cosmetic product, from the dropper.

The method according to the invention might comprise the feature according to which a first product dispensing by moving the actuator along a first inclined direction at a first orientation around the longitudinal axis and a second product dispensing by moving the actuator along an a second inclined direction at a second angular orientation around the longitudinal axis.

This use highlights the ability of the dropper to deliver product when its actuator is moved in several directions.

The invention also relates to a head for a container defining an open proximal end, the head defining a longitudinal axis, the head comprising an actuator and a deformable bulb mountable between the actuator and the proximal end along the longitudinal axis, the deformable bulb defining an inner chamber with a variable volume,

• • the actuator being mobile with regards to the deformable bulb between:
    • a rest configuration, in which the volume of the inner chamber is maximal; and
    • a dispensing configuration in which the actuator deforms the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber and allows product dispensing through the distal end,
      the actuator being mobile relative to the bulb, along at least an inclined direction, the inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

This head provides allows activating a dispensing of a product when mounted on a container said product, while benefiting of the previously described advantages.

The invention will be better understood by reading the following description, only given as an example, and made in reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view of a cosmetic product applicator according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the head of the dropper comprised in the cosmetic product applicator of FIG. 1.

A cosmetic product applicator 5 according to the invention is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The applicator 5 comprises a cosmetic product 10 stored in a dropper 15.

The cosmetic product 10 is for example a liquid, such as a water-based solution, or a viscous solution like a shampoo, a conditioner, a moisturizing cream or a sunscreen.

The dropper 15 comprises a container 20, a head 25 closing the container 20 and a dispensing nozzle 30.

The container 20 extends between a proximal end 35 and a distal end 40 along a longitudinal axis L. The longitudinal axis passes notably through a center of a transverse section of the container 20.

The proximal end 35 and the distal end 40 of the container 20 define openings.

The container 20 is for example substantially cylindrical, with a circular transverse section. It delimits a product storage inner volume 45 wherein the cosmetic product 10 is stored. The cosmetic product 10 is dispensed out of the inner volume 45 through the distal end 40.

The container 20 also defines a proximal threaded portion 50, extending from the proximal end 35 along the longitudinal axis L. Advantageously, the container 20 defines a proximal shoulder 55 delimiting the proximal threaded portion 50 from the rest of the container 20.

At the distal end 40, the container 20 defines a distal threaded portion 60 extending from the distal end 40 along the longitudinal axis L. Advantageously, the container 20 defines a distal shoulder 65 delimiting the distal threaded portion 60 from the rest of the container 20.

The head 25 is received at the proximal end 35 of the container 20. The head 25 is tightly mounted at the proximal end 35 to tightly close the proximal end 35.

The head 25 comprises a deformable bulb 70, an actuator 75 and advantageously a tapped cap 76.

The bulb 70 is mounted between the proximal end 35 and the actuator 75. The bulb 70 is for example made of an elastomer, such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

The bulb 70 defines an inner chamber 80 presenting a volume which varies as a function of the deformation of the bulb 70.

The bulb 70 comprises a distal cylindrical part 85, extending around the longitudinal axis L and a flared proximal part 90 between the distal cylindrical part 85 and the actuator 75.

The distal cylindrical part 85 defines an inner transverse section slightly smaller than a section formed by the proximal threaded portion 50 of the container 20.

The distal cylindrical part 85 defines a distal peripheral edge 95 in contact with the proximal threaded portion 50, and an annular groove 100 opening away from the longitudinal axis L.

The flared proximal part 90 extends from the distal cylindrical part 85, along the longitudinal axis L, to the actuator 75. It comprises a proximal inverted edge inserted in the actuator 75.

Advantageously, the flared proximal part 90 defines a portion of a sphere between the distal cylindrical part 85 and the actuator 75. More specifically, an angle formed at the junction between the distal cylindrical part 85 and the flared proximal part 90 is comprised between 45° and 90°, preferable equal to 90°. This makes said junction, a hinge for a deformation of the bulb 70.

The flared proximal part 90 is sealed to the actuator 75, to guarantee an airtightness between these two elements. Accordingly, the flared proximal part 90 is for example glued or snapped to the actuator 75.

Alternatively, the bulb 70 is joined with actuator by various technical routes like bi-Injection (injected together), over molding or joined by a separate welding process like ultrasonic or laser welding process.

The actuator 75 is made in a harder material than the bulb 70. More specifically, the actuator 75 keeps its shape under finger pressure of a user, while the deformable bulb 70 is deformed under the finger pressure of a user. The actuator is for example composed of thermoplastic polyethylene Or Polypropylene or of metal.

The force applied by a finger of a user is usually lower that 100 N, which is not enough to deform the actuator 75.

The actuator 75 extends from a summit 105, located substantially on the longitudinal axis L, to a peripheral part 110 fixed to the deformable bulb 70, and more precisely to the flared proximal part 90.

The summit 105 is more proximal from the container 20 than the peripheral part 110.

Between the summit 105 and the peripheral part 110, the actuator 75 comprises a sloped surface 115.

The sloped surface 115 is advantageously symmetric by any rotation around the longitudinal axis L, making it conic. Alternatively, the slopped surface 115 is a domed surface, a conical surface or a flat cylindrical surface, which have uniformity of design across the axis to aid grip design.

The actuator 75 is mobile with regards to the container 20 between a rest configuration, in which the volume of the inner chamber 80 is maximal, and a dispensing configuration is which the actuator 75 deforms the bulb 70 to decrease the volume of the inner chamber 80.

In the rest configuration of the actuator 75, the bulb 70 is said to have its rest shape.

A transition from the rest configuration to the dispensing configuration of the actuator 75 is obtained by a finger pressure of a user along a direction I inclined in reference to the longitudinal axis.

The inclined direction comprises a non-null component in the longitudinal axis L and a non-null component along a transversal axis T perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Advantageously, the actuator 75 is mobile relative to the container 20 along at least one inclined direction I at each angular orientation around the longitudinal axis L.

In particular, the actuator 75 is mobile along an inclined direction I defined in each median plane passing through the longitudinal axis L, whatever the angular orientation of the median plane around the longitudinal axis L.

A transition from the dispensing configuration to the rest configuration of the actuator 75 is obtainable by a spontaneous behavior of the bulb 75 recovering its rest shape. Such transition also leads to the motion of the actuator 75 in the inclined direction I.

In the dispensing configuration, the actuator 75 abuts the tapped cap 76, reducing the volume of the inner chamber 80 to a minimal volume. This ensures that the amount of cosmetic product 10 delivered during a transition between the rest configuration and a dispensing configuration is substantially the same during the first, the second, or the tenth transition.

The tapped cap 76 provides an airtightness between the bulb 70 and the proximal end 35 of the container 20. The tapped cap 76 defines a skirt 120 and a collar 125.

The skirt 120 is tapped and cooperates with the proximal threaded portion 50 to screw the cap 76 at the proximal end 35 of the container 20.

The collar 125 is received in the groove 100 of the distal cylindrical 85. Hence, the distal peripheral edge 95 is tightly pinched between the collar 125 and the proximal end 35 to provide airtightness between the head 25 and the container 20.

Advantageously, in case the container 20 defines the proximal shoulder 55, an outside section of the cap 76 is substantially equal to an outside section of the container 20 in order to make the applicator 5 substantially cylindrical, providing a better handling for the user.

More precisely, in the dispensing configuration of the actuator 75, the distal peripheral edge 95 abuts on the collar 125 of the tapped cap 76.

The dispensing nozzle 30 is fixed to the distal threaded portion 60. The dispensing nozzle 30 is for example screwed to the distal threaded portion 60. Accordingly, the dispensing nozzle 30 comprises a tapped inner surface cooperating with the distal threaded portion 60.

The nozzle 30 partially close the distal end 40.

The dispensing nozzle 30 advantageously comprises at least one combing tooth 130, and preferably a plurality of combing teeth 130.

The combing teeth 130 allow the user to comb his/her hair in order to deliver the cosmetic product on his/her scalp.

A cosmetic product dispensing method will now be described in an example of the user desiring to apply the cosmetic product 10, contained in the dropper 15, on his/her scalp.

The actuator 75 is initially in the rest configuration.

In an optional combing step, the user combs his/her hair with the combing teeth 130 of the dispensing nozzle 30, to the dispensing nozzle 30 reaches his/her scalp.

During a positioning step, the user positions his/her finger on the actuator 75. Advantageously, the user puts his/her thumb or index finger on the sloped surface 115.

Then, during an activation step, the user pushes or pulls the actuator along a first inclined direction I₁ at a first orientation around the longitudinal axis L, to the distal peripheral edge 95 of the actuator 75 abuts the collar 125 of the tapped cap 76. The bulb 70 is thus deformed, reducing the volume of the inner chamber 80. The volume reduction of the inner chamber 80 causes an air pressure increase in the product storage inner volume 45 of the container 20. Due to the pressure increase, the cosmetic product 10 is pushed out of the product storage inner volume 45 through the dispensing nozzle 30.

Then, during an application step, the cosmetic product 10 reaches the scalp of the user.

During a recovery step, the user stops pushing or pulling the actuator 75. Hence, the bulb 70 spontaneously returns to its rest shape, moving the actuator 75 back into the rest configuration. This motion leads to a volume increase of the inner chamber 80, provoking an air decompression in the product storage inner volume 45 of the container 20. Consequently, outside air is sucked in the inner volume 45 through the dispensing nozzle 30. When entering the container 20, the outside air flows through the cosmetic product 10, to reaching the inner chamber 80 of the bulb 70.

After this, if the user desires to apply a new amount of cosmetic product 10, he/she reiterates the cosmetic product dispensing method a second time. During this second iteration of the cosmetic product dispensing method, the user can push or pull the actuator 75 along a second inclined direction I₂ at a second angular orientation along the longitudinal axis L, the first I₁ and the second I₂ inclined direction being distinct. The pressure phenomena, occurring during the activation step, are similar. Hence, the same quantity of cosmetic product 10 is delivered during the second iteration of the cosmetic product dispensing method as during the first iteration of the cosmetic product dispensing method.

It is clear for a skilled person that the dropper 15 according to the invention simplifies the dispensing of cosmetic product, since it can be used easily in any orientation.

In a variant (not shown), the container contains a piston separating the product from the air contained in the bulb.

Claims

1. A dropper comprising a container and a head, the container extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the container delimiting a product storage inner volume, the distal end being open to allow dispensing of the fluid product out of the inner volume, the proximal end being open and the head being tightly mounted at the proximal end to tightly close the proximal end,

the head comprising an actuator and a deformable bulb mounted between the actuator and the proximal end, the deformable bulb defining an inner chamber with a variable volume,

the actuator being mobile with regards to the container between: a rest configuration, in which the volume of the inner chamber is maximal; and a dispensing configuration in which the actuator deforms the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber and allows product dispensing through the distal end,

wherein the actuator is mobile relative to the container, along at least an inclined direction, the inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is mobile relative to the container along at least an inclined direction at each angular orientation around the longitudinal axis.

3. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is made in a harder material that the deformable bulb.

4. The dropper according to claim 3 wherein the deformable bulb is deformable under finger pressure of a user, the actuator keeping its shape under finger pressure of a user.

5. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the bulb defines a distal cylindrical part extending around the longitudinal axis and a flared proximal part extending between the cylindrical part and the actuator.

6. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises a tapped cap screwed at the proximal end to a proximal threaded portion of the container, the tapped cap air tightly connecting the deformable bulb to the proximal end.

7. The dropper according to claim 6, wherein the deformable bulb defines a distal peripheral edge and a groove located proximal to the distal edge, the cap defining a skirt and a collar, the collar being received in the groove, the peripheral edge being tightly pinched between the collar and the proximal end to provide airtightness between the head and the container.

8. The dropper according to claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises:

a summit;

a peripheral part fixed to the deformable bulb; and

at least a sloped surface between the summit and the peripheral part.

9. The dropper according to claim 8, wherein the sloped surface is conic.

10. The dropper according to claim 1, comprising a dispensing nozzle mounted at the distal end to at least partially close the distal end, the nozzle optionally comprising at least a combing tooth.

11. The cosmetic product applicator comprising a dropper according to claim 1 and a cosmetic product received in the inner volume of the container.

12. A cosmetic product dispensing method, the product being stored in the product storage inner volume of the dropper according to claim 1, the method comprising:

moving the actuator according to an inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,

deforming the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber, and

dispensing the product through the distal end.

13. The method according to claim 12, comprising a first product dispensing by moving the actuator along a first inclined direction at a first orientation around the longitudinal axis and a second product dispensing by moving the actuator along an a second inclined direction at a second angular orientation around the longitudinal axis.

14. A head for a container defining an open proximal end, the head defining a longitudinal axis, the head comprising an actuator and a deformable bulb mountable between the actuator and the proximal end along the longitudinal axis, the deformable bulb defining an inner chamber with a variable volume,

the actuator being mobile with regards to the deformable bulb between: a rest configuration, in which the volume of the inner chamber is maximal; and a dispensing configuration in which the actuator deforms the bulb to decrease the volume of the inner chamber and allows product dispensing through the distal end,

wherein the actuator is mobile relative to the bulb, along at least an inclined direction, the inclined direction comprising a non-null component along the longitudinal axis and a non-null component along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

15. The dropper according to claim 2, wherein the actuator is made in a harder material that the deformable bulb.

16. The dropper according to claim 2, wherein the bulb defines a distal cylindrical part extending around the longitudinal axis and a flared proximal part extending between the cylindrical part and the actuator.

17. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the bulb defines a distal cylindrical part extending around the longitudinal axis and a flared proximal part extending between the cylindrical part and the actuator.

18. The dropper according to claim 4, wherein the bulb defines a distal cylindrical part extending around the longitudinal axis and a flared proximal part extending between the cylindrical part and the actuator.

19. The dropper according to claim 2, wherein the head comprises a tapped cap screwed at the proximal end to a proximal threaded portion of the container, the tapped cap air tightly connecting the deformable bulb to the proximal end.

20. The dropper according to claim 3, wherein the head comprises a tapped cap screwed at the proximal end to a proximal threaded portion of the container, the tapped cap air tightly connecting the deformable bulb to the proximal end.