US20250223087A1

US20250223087A1 - Applicator of a fluid product such as a cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: US20250223087A1
Application number: US19/094,302
Authority: US
Inventors: Christophe Benigni
Original assignee: Cosmogen SAS
Current assignee: Cosmogen SAS
Priority date: 2022-09-30
Filing date: 2025-03-28
Publication date: 2025-07-10
Also published as: CN119997845A; FR3140248B1; EP4593659A1; FR3140248A1; WO2024069104A1

Abstract

An applicator of a fluid product includes a reservoir provided with an outlet orifice and a control ring movably mounted in rotation on the reservoir between a closed position in which the control ring closes the outlet orifice, an open position in which the control ring releases the outlet orifice, and a dismounting position in which the control ring is separated from the reservoir. The applicator includes an application member mounted on the control ring so as to communicate with the outlet orifice when the control ring is in its open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/FR2023/051494, filed on Sep. 28, 2023, which claims priority to and the benefit of FR 22/10043, filed on Sep. 30, 2022. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to an applicator of a fluid product such as a cosmetic product.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
WO2007088296 relates to an applicator of a product such as a cosmetic product comprising a reservoir provided with an outlet orifice, a control ring movably mounted in rotation on said reservoir between a closed position where it closes said orifice and an open position where it releases said orifice, and an application member mounted on said control ring so as to communicate with said orifice when said ring is in its open position. In this applicator, the control ring is mounted so as not to be able to be separated from the reservoir.
This type of applicator allows, throughout its life cycle, to maintain a predetermined alignment of the control ring relative to the reservoir in the closed position, while presenting a perfect seal.
In the current context of climate change, research and development are now turning towards the provision of a more eco-responsible applicator.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.
The present disclosure relates to an applicator of a fluid product such as a cosmetic product including a reservoir provided with an outlet orifice, a control ring movably mounted in rotation on said reservoir between a closed position in which the control ring closes said orifice, an open position in which the control ring releases said orifice, and a dismounting position in which the control ring can be separated from the reservoir, and an application member mounted on said control ring so as to communicate with said orifice when said control ring is in its open position.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term “fluid” designates a product that can be liquid, semi-liquid, creamy or powdery, for example containing particles and/or grains, for example an exfoliant.
In the present disclosure, the control ring is removably mounted on the reservoir.
The reservoir can be dismounted from the control ring and the application member and replaced by another reservoir.
The applicator allows the consumer to keep the control ring and the application member which generally consist of the part of the applicator requiring the use of a greater number of resources (for example raw materials) for its production, and to replace the empty reservoir with a new reservoir. The empty reservoir which can be made of recyclable material can be thrown into the bins dedicated to recycling.
According to other aspects of the present disclosure, the applicator includes one or more of the following optional features considered alone or in any combination.
The control ring can be separated from the reservoir by a translation from the dismounting position.
The control ring is mounted in rotation exclusive of any translation on said reservoir between the closed position and the dismounting position and/or between the dismounting position and the open position.
The dismounting position is located between the closed position and the open position.
The applicator includes locking/unlocking means arranged so that the control ring is in an unlocked state when the control ring is in the dismounting position.
Said locking/unlocking means includes a rib of the reservoir having at least one recess and at least one rib of the control ring. Said at least one rib of the control ring is positioned opposite said at least one recess when the control ring is in the dismounting position. For example, said at least one rib of the control ring is positioned below and opposite said at least one recess when the control ring is in the dismounting position. Said at least one rib of the control ring cooperates with the rib of the reservoir so as to inhibit dismounting of the control ring when said at least one rib of the control ring is not located opposite said at least one recess and to allow dismounting of the control ring when said at least one rib of the control ring is located opposite said recess.
Stop means are provided for stopping the travel of the control ring in the closed position, the stop means including two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir and a stop of the control ring, the stop of the control ring being intended to perform a travel between the two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir, the end-of-travel stops of the reservoir stopping the travel of the stop of the control ring.
The applicator includes means for inhibiting a mounting of the control ring on the reservoir outside of a mounting position.
For example, the mounting position coincides with the dismounting position.
The means for inhibiting the control ring from being mounted on the reservoir outside the mounting position include the stop of the control ring, and/or a lug of the reservoir. For example, the lug is arranged between the two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir.
The applicator includes means for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping when the control ring is in the mounting position.
For example, the mounting position coincides with the dismounting position.
The means for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping include a clipping stop of the reservoir, at least part of the clipping stop, for example the entire clipping stop, being arranged at the level of said at least one recess of the rib of the reservoir.
The applicator includes sound indication means configured to emit a sound when the control ring reaches the open and/or closed position.
The sound indication means includes at least one deformable element configured to emit a sound when it is deformed and at least one deformation element configured to deform said at least one deformable element.
According to one aspect, the present disclosure concerns a method for dismounting an applicator as previously described, the method including a step in which the control ring is displaced from the open position to the dismounting position or from the closed position to the dismounting position by rotating the control ring relative to the reservoir, a step in which the control ring is separated from the reservoir, for example by translation from the dismounting position.
According to one aspect, the present disclosure concerns a method for mounting an applicator as previously described, the method including a step in which the control ring is assembled on the reservoir, for example by translation relative to the reservoir, towards a mounting position, the mounting position being for example the same as the dismounting position, a step in which the control ring is displaced from the mounting position to the open position or the closed position, by rotation of the control ring relative to the reservoir.
Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an applicator according to one form of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a reservoir of the applicator according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the reservoir of the applicator according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a control ring of the applicator according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 5 is another side view of the reservoir of the applicator according to FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control ring mounted on the reservoir, in the mounting/dismounting position; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the control ring mounted on the reservoir, in the closed position.

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
In the description and the claims, the expressions “upper,” “above,” and “lower,” “below,” and their derivatives will be used without limitation in reference to the upper part, and to the lower part, respectively, of FIGS. 1 to 7 and/or in relation to a normal use position of the device, for example in relation to a vertical axis connecting a center of the Earth to the center of gravity of the applicator and oriented so that lower or below designates a positioning in the direction of the vertical axis relatively closer to the center of the Earth, and that upper or above designates a positioning in the direction of the vertical axis relatively further from the center of the Earth. The vertical axis may for example correspond in normal use to the longitudinal axis “A” of the reservoir as defined below.
In the remainder of the description of the applicator according to the present disclosure, the same numerical references designate the same elements.
FIG. 1 shows an applicator 100 for a product, for example a fluid product.
In the context of the present disclosure, the term “fluid” designates a product that can be liquid, semi-liquid, creamy or powdery, for example containing particles and/or grains, for example an exfoliant.
For example, the fluid product can be a cosmetic product.
The applicator 100 comprises a reservoir 200 provided with a fluid outlet orifice 202 (FIG. 3 ), a control ring 300 movably mounted on said reservoir 200, and an application member 400 mounted on the control ring 300 so as to communicate with the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir.
The reservoir 200 can be made of recyclable material, for example recyclable plastic.
The reservoir 200 comprises a body 204 configured to contain the fluid product and a support ring 206 mounted on the body 204 of the reservoir 200. For example, the support ring 206 comprises the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 (FIG. 3 ).
The body 204 of the reservoir 200 extends axially along a longitudinal main axis “A” from a first closed end portion 208 (also referred to as “lower end” herein) to a second end portion 210 (also referred to as “upper end” herein) on which the support ring 206 is mounted.
The body 204 of the reservoir 200 may have any suitable shape, for example tubular, for example of constant or increasing or decreasing section, from the first closed end portion 208 to the second end portion 210. The body 204 of the reservoir 200 may thus have a tubular shape of elliptical, circular, or polygonal section, for example square or triangular. The body 204 of the reservoir 200 may have a cylindrical shape, in particular a straight cylindrical shape or a shape of increasing or decreasing section, from the lower end 208 to the upper end 210. The body 204 of the reservoir 200 may thus have an elliptical, circular or polygonal cylindrical shape, for example square or triangular, for example such a straight cylindrical shape.
The support ring 206 is fixedly mounted on the body 204 of the reservoir 200. As used herein, the term “fixedly mounted” means that the support ring 206 is secured to the body 204 of the reservoir 200. The support ring 206 can be attached to the body 204 of the reservoir 200, or else made in one piece with the body 204 of the reservoir 200, for example the support ring 206 can be integral with the body 204 of the reservoir 200.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the support ring 206 comprises a base 212, for example having a shape adapted to correspond to that of the body 204 of the reservoir 200, and a neck 214 in which the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 is formed (FIG. 3 ).
The body 204 of the reservoir 200 may have a tubular shape, for example a straight cylindrical shape, for example a circular section, and the base 212 of the support ring 206 may have a circular-shaped portion so as to fit the second end portion 210 of the body of the reservoir on which the support ring 206 is fixed.
In another example illustrated in FIG. 1 , the body 204 of the reservoir may have an elliptical section shape, for example a decreasing section from the second end portion 210 to the first closed end portion 208 of the body 204 of the reservoir, and the base 212 of the support ring 206 may have an elliptical shape.
The neck 214 extends in one example from a central portion, for example from the center of the base 212 of the support ring 206 along the longitudinal axis “A”.
As illustrated in FIG. 3 , the outlet orifice 202 may be angularly offset relative to the longitudinal axis “A.”
The reservoir 200 may comprise a wall 216 arranged in the neck 214 so as to inhibit fluid communication between the reservoir and the control ring outside the outlet orifice 202. The outlet orifice 202 being formed in the wall 216.
For example, the outlet orifice 202 has the shape of an arc of a circle. This shape makes it easier to pass the product, particularly in the case of a very viscous fluid product and/or that contains particles and/or grains, for example an exfoliant.
As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the applicator 100 is configured to allow fluid to be dispensed from a central portion, for example a center of the control ring 300 or a center of the control ring and the application member 400.
The reservoir 200 may comprise a means 218 (visible in FIGS. 1 and 3 ) configured to direct the fluid leaving the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir toward an orifice 302 of the control ring. The orifice 302 of the control ring being arranged in the central portion, for example in the center of the control ring.
For example, the application member 400 may also comprise an orifice 402 (FIGS. 6 and 7 ), arranged in a central part, for example in the center of the application member 400. The orifice 402 of the application member being arranged opposite the orifice 302 of the control ring when the application member is mounted on the control ring.
For example, said means 218 is a guide 220 arranged so as to conduct the fluid leaving the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir to the orifice 302 of the control ring 300.
For example, the guide 220 extends from a central portion, for example a center of the wall 216 formed in the neck 214, along an axis coincident with the longitudinal axis “A” of the reservoir (FIGS. 1 and 3 ).
For example, the guide 220 comprises a conduit 224 of the reservoir.
In the present disclosure, the control ring 300 is movably mounted in rotation on the reservoir 200 between a closed position where the control ring closes the orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 and an open position where the control ring releases the orifice 202 of the reservoir 200.
The control ring 300 is movably mounted in rotation on the reservoir 200 between a closed position in which the control ring closes the orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 and an open position in which the control ring releases the orifice 202 of the reservoir 200.
Thus, the application member 400 is mounted on the control ring 300 so as to communicate with the orifice 202 of the reservoir when the control ring 300 is in its open position only.
The control ring 300 comprises sealing or closure means 306, for example temporary closure means 306, making it possible to close the orifice 202 of the reservoir when the control ring 300 is in the closed position and to release the orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 when the control ring 300 is in the open position.
As illustrated in FIG. 4 , said closure means 306 may be arranged so as to inhibit communication between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir and the conduit 224 of the reservoir when the control ring is in the closed position. This configuration makes it possible to inhibit the fluid leaving the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir from reaching the orifice 302 of the control ring 300. Said closure means 306 may be arranged so as to allow communication between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir and the conduit 224 of the reservoir when the control ring is in the open position.
For example, said closure means 306 may comprise a conduit 304 of the control ring 300. The conduit 304 of the control ring 300 comprises a wall 308 intended to be arranged between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir and the conduit 224 of the reservoir 200 when the control ring 300 is in the closed position. In this position, the conduit 304 inhibits fluid communication between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 and the conduit 224 of the reservoir. The conduit 304 of the control ring may comprise an opening 310 intended to be positioned between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 and the conduit 224 of the reservoir 200 when the control ring 300 is in the open position. In this position, the conduit 304 of the control ring allows fluid communication between the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir 200 and the conduit 224 of the reservoir via the opening 310 (FIG. 4 ).
The size of the outlet orifice 202 of the reservoir can be reduced or increased depending on the need. For example, the size of the outlet orifice 202 can be increased in order to facilitate the outlet of certain fluid products which require it.
As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 , the support ring 206 of the reservoir includes a rib 226, extending for example on the periphery of the neck 214. For example, the rib 226 is a circular rib. In the present disclosure, the support ring 206 comprises a single rib 226, called the rib of the reservoir. The presence of a single rib makes it possible to reduce the height of the neck and therefore to reduce the mass of the used material (for example plastic). The rib 226 extends for example at a given height relative to the longitudinal axis “A.” The rib may have an inclined wall, for example so as to move away from the longitudinal axis “A” from the upper part towards the lower part of the wall.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 , the neck 214 comprises a proximal part, a distal part, and an intermediate part arranged between the proximal part and the distal part.
The proximal part of the neck designates the part of the neck closest to the base 212 of the reservoir, while the distal part of the neck 214 designates the part of the neck 214 furthest from the base 212 of the reservoir.
For example, the distal part of the neck comprises a diameter smaller than the diameter of the proximal part of the neck 214.
For example, the intermediate part of the neck comprises a diameter increasing from the distal part to the proximal part of the neck 214.
For example, the rib 226 of the reservoir extends over the proximal part of the neck 214.
For example, the variation in the diameter of the intermediate part of the neck results from an inclination which is in the continuity of the inclined wall of the rib 226 of the neck.
Stop means 228, 230, 312 are provided to stop the travel of the control ring 300 in the closed position and in the open position.
The stop means 228, 230, 312 comprise two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200 and a stop 312 of the control ring 300.
The two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 delimit the travel of the control ring 300.
For example, the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200 comprise a first end-of-travel stop 228 arranged to define the open position and a second end-of-travel stop 230 arranged to define the closed position.
The stop 312 of the control ring 300 is intended to achieve a travel between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200. The stop 312 of the control ring 300 is capable of cooperating with the end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200 so that the first end-of-travel stop 228 of the reservoir stops the travel of the stop 312 of the control ring in the open position and the second end-of-travel stop 230 of the reservoir stops the travel of the stop 312 of the control ring in the closed position.
As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200 are arranged on the neck 214, above the rib 226 of the reservoir 200. For example, the end-of-travel stops 228, 230 are arranged on the distal part of the neck 214. This arrangement helps to enable the control ring 300 to be separated from the reservoir. The end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir 200 may extend from the rib 226, for example in the direction of the longitudinal axis “A,” for example orthogonally to the rib 226.
For example, the first end-of-travel stop 228 and the second end-of-travel stop 230 of the reservoir are diametrically opposed.
For example, the first end-of-travel stop 228 and the second end-of travel stop 230 are arranged on the neck 214 so as to separate the external wall of the neck 214, for example the external wall of the distal part of the neck, into a first wall part 232 (FIG. 2 ) and a second wall part 234 (FIG. 5 ) arranged on either side of the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230.
The stop 312 of the control ring 300 is intended to achieve a travel between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir, along the first wall part 232.
The end-of-travel stops 228, 230 are arranged so as to allow the control ring 300 to be driven in rotation, for example over a range comprised between 90° and 270°, for example between 140° and 220°, for example between 170° and 190°, for example 180°, relative to the support ring 206 between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 and along the first wall part 232.
For example, the transition from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position is achieved by rotation excluding any translation of the control ring 300, for example over said range, relative to the support ring 206.
For example, the first wall part 232 of the external wall extends over 190° to 200° and the second wall part 234 of the external wall extends over 160° to 170°.
In the present disclosure, the control ring 300 is movably mounted on the reservoir 200 and has a dismounting position in which the control ring 300 can be separated from the reservoir 200. For example, the control ring 300 can be separated from the support ring 206 of the reservoir 200.
The control ring 300 according to the present disclosure can be removable, for example without causing damage to the control ring 300 and/or the reservoir 200. It is understood that the control ring 300 is removably mounted on the reservoir 200. For example, the control ring 300 is removably mounted on the support ring 206 of the reservoir.
The control ring 300 can be separated from the support ring 206 of the reservoir 200 by a translation of the control ring 300 relative to the support ring 206 of the reservoir from the dismounting position.
For example, the control ring 300 can be mounted in rotation exclusive of any translation on the support ring 206 of the reservoir between the closed position and the dismounting position and/or between the dismounting position and the open position.
For example, the control ring 300 can be mounted in rotation exclusive of any translation on the support ring 206 of the reservoir outside the dismounting position in which the control ring is movable in translation relative to the support ring 206 of the reservoir.
The dismounting position can be a single position.
The dismounting position can be located between the closed position and the open position.
For example, the dismounting position is arranged between 80° and 100°, for example 85° and 95° relative to the closed position and/or the open position. For example, the dismounting position is arranged at 90° from the closed position and/or the open position.
It is understood that the dismounting position can be reached by rotating the control ring 300 by 90° relative to the support ring from the closed position and/or from the open position, for example along the first wall part 232 of the external wall of the neck.
In the dismounting position, the stop 312 of the control ring 300 is arranged opposite the first wall part 232 of the external wall of the neck.
The applicator according to the present disclosure may comprise locking/unlocking means 236, 314 arranged so that the control ring 300 is in an unlocked state when the control ring 300 is in the dismounting position. The unlocked state allows separation between the control ring 300 and the support ring 206 of the reservoir 200.
The locking/unlocking means 236, 314 are arranged so that the control ring 300 is in a locked state when the control ring is between the closed position and the dismounting position and/or between the dismounting position and the open position. The locked state inhibits separation between the control ring 300 and the support ring 206 of the reservoir 200.
As illustrated in FIG. 3 , said locking/unlocking means 236, 314 comprise the rib 226 of the reservoir 200 in which at least one recess 238 is provided and at least one rib 316 of the control ring.
For example, the rib 226 of the reservoir 200 has two recesses 238, 240 and the control ring 300 comprises two ribs 316, 318 positioned respectively opposite the two recesses 238, 240 formed in the rib 226 of the reservoir 200 when the control ring 300 is in the dismounting position. The two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 are able to cooperate with the rib 226 of the reservoir so as to inhibit dismounting of the control ring 300 when the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 are not located opposite the two recesses 238, 240 of the rib 226 of the reservoir (FIG. 7 ) and to allow dismounting of the control ring 300 when the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 are located opposite the two recesses 238, 240 of the rib 226 of the reservoir 200.
The two recesses 238, 240 make it possible to release the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 from the rib 226 of the reservoir. The control ring 300 can then be separated from the support ring 206 by translation from the dismounting position (FIG. 6 ).
For example, the two recesses 238, 240 are diametrically opposed. For example, the two recesses 238, 240 are respectively arranged between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir.
The applicator 100 according to the present disclosure may comprise means 242, 320 for inhibiting the control ring 300 from being mounted on the reservoir 200 outside a mounting position.
In the present disclosure, the mounting position may be the same as the dismounting position.
For example, the applicator 100 may comprise means 242, 320 for allowing the control ring 300 to be mounted on the reservoir 200 in a mounting position only, the mounting position being the same as the dismounting position.
The means 242, 320 for inhibiting the control ring 300 from being mounted on the reservoir outside the mounting position comprise the stop 312 of the control ring 300 and/or a lug 246 of the reservoir, the reservoir comprising the lug 246.
For example, the lug 246 is arranged between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 of the reservoir, along the second wall part 234 of the external wall of the neck (FIG. 5 ).
According to one form of the present disclosure, the lug 246 may be a vertical rib 248 which extends along a vertical axis parallel to the longitudinal axis “A” of the reservoir (FIG. 5 ).
For example, the lug 246 can extend from one of the two recesses 238, 240 provided in the rib 226 of the reservoir.
In this form, when attempting to assemble the control ring 300 on the reservoir in a position, for example an angular position relative to the longitudinal axis “A,” different from that allowing to lead to the mounting position, the stop 312 of the control ring can either come into contact with the lug 246 and be blocked, or be inserted along the second wall part 234 of the external wall between the first end-of-travel stop 228 and the lug 246 or between the second end-of-travel stop 230 and the lug 246. This configuration inhibits on the one hand the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 from being inserted into the two recesses 238, 240 of the reservoir and on the other hand the control ring 300 from performing a travel along the second wall part 234 of the external wall of the neck located between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230.
According to another form of the present disclosure not illustrated, the lug 246 can extend from the first end-of-travel stop to the second end-of-travel stop, along the second wall part 234 of the external wall of the neck. The lug extends so as to fill the space formed between the two end-of-travel stops 228, 230 and the second wall part 234 of the external wall of the neck. In this form, when an attempt is made to assemble the control ring 300 on the reservoir in a position, for example an angular position relative to the longitudinal axis “A,” different from that allowing the assembly position to be reached, the stop 312 of the control ring comes into contact with the lug 246 and is blocked. This configuration makes it possible to inhibit the stop 312 of the control ring 300 from being inserted along the second wall part 234 of the external wall of the neck.
The lug 246 thus acts as a foolproofing device authorizing a single direction of mounting.
The applicator 100 according to the present disclosure may comprise means 250 for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping when the control ring 300 is in the mounting position. The mounting position coinciding with the dismounting position.
In the present disclosure, the mounting of the control ring 300 is carried out by translation of the control ring relative to the support ring 206 in the mounting position.
As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the means 250 for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping comprise at least one clipping stop 252 of the reservoir.
In the present disclosure, the reservoir comprises two clipping stops 252, 254.
For example, each of the clipping stops 252, 254 is arranged, at least in part, for example in its entirety, respectively at the level of one of the two recesses 238, 240 of the rib 226 of the reservoir, for example at the same height and at an angular position included in that of the two recesses 238, 240.
For example, each of the clipping stops 252, 254 is arranged, at least in part, for example in its entirety, respectively in one of the two recesses 238, 240 of the rib 226 of the reservoir.
The two clipping stops 252, 254 are arranged at a distance from the lateral ends of the rib 226. For example, each of the clipping stops 252, 254 extends at least in part, for example in its entirety, within one of the two recesses 238, 240 so that the walls of the clipping stop extend at a distance from the lateral walls of the rib 226.
For example, each of the clipping stops 252, 254 comprises a thickness less than the thickness of the rib 226.
In the present disclosure, each of the ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 is capable of cooperating with one of the clipping stops 252, 254 when the control ring 300 is mounted on the reservoir. When the control ring is mounted on the reservoir, the clipping stops 252, 254 also make it possible to inhibit untimely removal of the control ring when the control ring is in the dismounting position. It is desired to apply an adequate force to remove the control ring 300 from the reservoir by translation from the dismounting position.
The applicator 100 according to the present disclosure may comprise means 256, 322 for indicating the position of the control ring in the open and/or closed and/or mounting/dismounting position.
These indication means may be visual and/or audible indication means.
For example, the applicator may comprise complementary patterns arranged on the control ring and on the support ring or visual cues located on these two elements.
For example, the applicator 100 may comprise sound indication means 258, 326 configured to emit a sound when the control ring reaches the open and/or closed position.
The sound indication means may comprise at least one deformable element 258 and at least one deformation element 326 configured to deform said at least one deformable element.
For example, the at least one deformable element 258 is an elastically deformable element.
For example, the deformable element is arranged so as to pass from an initial position to a deformed position during a relative movement between the two elements.
Said at least one deformable element 258 is arranged so as to emit a sound when it returns to its initial position after having been deformed by the deformable element.
For example, the sound is emitted when said at least one deformable element returns to its initial position, for example elastically, after having passed the deformation element during a relative movement between the two elements.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the applicator 100 may comprise two deformable elements 258, 260 arranged on the base 212 of the support ring 206 of the reservoir and a deformation element 326 arranged on the control ring 300. The deformation element 326 is configured to cooperate with the deformable elements so as to deform the deformable elements when the control ring 300 reaches the closed and open position respectively.
Conversely, said at least one deformable element 258 can be arranged on the control ring 300 and said at least one deformation element 326 can be arranged on the base 212 of the support ring 206.
For example, the sound is emitted when said at least one deformable element returns to its initial position, for example elastically, after having passed the deformation element during a relative movement between the two elements.
In the present disclosure, the application member 400 is intended to come into contact with the skin of a user in order to apply the product contained in the reservoir.
The application member 400 can be removably mounted on the control ring 300. For example, the removable member can be separated from the control ring.
The applicator 100 may also comprise a cap 500 (FIG. 7 ) adapted to cover the control ring 300 and the application member 400.
The cap 500 is removably mounted on the reservoir 200. It is understood that the cap can be separated from the reservoir.
On its inner face, this cap 500 comprises at least two ribs 502, 504, for example four ribs spaced from each other and capable of cooperating respectively with a groove 262 of the support ring 206 extending on the periphery of the support ring.
The groove 262 of the support ring is capable of receiving by clipping the at least two ribs 502, 504, of the cap 500.
A method of dismounting the applicator 100 is described.
The method comprises a step in which the control ring 300 is displaced from the open position to the dismounting position or from the closed position to the dismounting position by rotating the control ring 300 relative to the reservoir 200.
For example, the control ring 300 is displaced by rotation of 90° relative to the reservoir 200 from the open position to the dismounting position or from the closed position to the dismounting position.
When the control ring 300 moves from the closed or open position to the dismounting position, the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring are positioned in the two recesses 238, 240 formed in the rib 226 of the reservoir, which makes it possible to release the ribs of the control ring from the rib of the reservoir.
At the end of this step, the control ring 300 is in an unlocked state. The control ring can thus be separated from the reservoir, for example from the support ring of the reservoir.
The method comprises a step in which the control ring 300 is separated from the reservoir 200 by translation from the dismounting position.
The method may comprise a step in which the cap 500 is separated from the reservoir. For example, the cap is separated from the reservoir by translation. The step of separating the cap may precede the step in which the control ring is displaced from the open position to the dismounting position or from the closed position to the dismounting position.
Another form of the method for mounting the applicator is described.
The method comprises a step in which the control ring 300 is assembled on the reservoir by translation of the control ring 300 relative to the reservoir 200 to a mounting position.
The mounting position may coincide with the dismounting position.
The method comprises a step in which the control ring 300 is displaced from the mounting position to the open position or the closed position, by rotation of the control ring 300 relative to the reservoir 200.
When the control ring moves from the mounting position to the closed or open position, the two ribs 316, 318 of the control ring 300 are positioned outside the two recesses 238, 240 formed in the rib 226 of the reservoir so as to cooperate with the rib 226 of the reservoir.
At the end of this step the control ring is in a locked state. The control ring cannot be separated from the reservoir 200, for example from the support ring 206 of the reservoir 200.
For example, the control ring 300 is displaced by rotating the control ring 90° relative to the reservoir from the mounting position to the open position or to the closed position.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, all numerical values indicating mechanical/thermal properties, compositional percentages, dimensions and/or tolerances, or other characteristics are to be understood as modified by the word “about” or “approximately” in describing the scope of the present disclosure. This modification is desired for various reasons including industrial practice, material, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, and testing capability.
As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A OR B OR C), using a non-exclusive logical OR, and should not be construed to mean “at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C.”
The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator of a fluid product such as a cosmetic product comprising:

a reservoir provided with an outlet orifice;

a control ring movably mounted in rotation on the reservoir between a closed position in which the control ring closes the outlet orifice, an open position in which the control ring releases the outlet orifice, and a dismounting position in which the control ring is separated from the reservoir; and

an application member mounted on the control ring and configured to communicate with the outlet orifice in the open position.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the control ring is separated from the reservoir by a translation from the dismounting position.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the control ring is mounted in rotation exclusive of any translation on the reservoir between at least one of the closed position and the dismounting position and between the dismounting position and the open position.

4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the dismounting position is located between the closed position and the open position.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises a locking/unlocking means arranged so that the control ring is in an unlocked state in the dismounting position.

6. The applicator according to claim 5, wherein the locking/unlocking means comprises:

a rib of the reservoir having at least one recess; and

at least one rib of the control ring that is configured to be positioned opposite said at least one recess in the dismounting position, the at least one rib of the control ring cooperates with the rib of the reservoir so as to inhibit dismounting of the control ring when the at least one rib of the control ring is not opposite the at least one recess and to allow dismounting of the control ring when the at least one rib of the control ring is located opposite the at least one recess.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein stop means are provided to stop travel of the control ring in the closed position, the stop means comprising:

two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir; and

a stop of the control ring, the stop of the control ring configured to travel between the two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir, the two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir stopping the travel of the stop of the control ring.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a means for inhibiting the control ring from being mounted on the reservoir outside a mounting position, and the mounting position coincides with the dismounting position.

9. The applicator according to claim 8, wherein the means for inhibiting the control ring from being mounted on the reservoir outside the mounting position comprises at least one of:

a stop of the control ring; and

a lug of the reservoir arranged between two end-of-travel stops of the reservoir.

10. The applicator according to claim 8, wherein the applicator comprises a means for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping in the mounting position, and the mounting position coincides with the dismounting position.

11. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the means for allowing the control ring to be mounted on the reservoir by clipping comprise a clipping stop of the reservoir, with at least part of the clipping stop arranged at a level of at least one recess of a rib of the reservoir.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a sound indication means configured to emit a sound when the control ring reaches at least one of the open position and the closed position.

13. The applicator according to claim 12, wherein the sound indication means comprises:

at least one deformable element configured to emit a sound when it is deformed; and

at least one deformation element configured to deform said at least one deformable element.

14. A method for dismounting an applicator, the method comprising:

displacing a control ring from one of an open position to a dismounting position and a closed position to the dismounting position by rotating the control ring relative to a reservoir; and

separating the control ring from the reservoir when the control ring is in the dismounting position.

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising:

assembling the control ring on the reservoir to a mounting position, the mounting position coinciding with the dismounting position; and

displacing the control ring from one of the mounting position to the open position and the mounting position to the closed position, by rotation of the control ring relative to the reservoir.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the separating the control ring from the reservoir further comprises translating the control ring from the reservoir.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the assembling the control ring on the reservoir further comprises translating the control ring relative to the reservoir.