EP1205126B1 - Storage device with removable unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to conditioning and distribution or application of a product, in particular a cosmetic or care product and more particularly but not exclusively a perfume.

Fragrances were formerly contained in closed-neck glass flasks by emery plugs that women used to drop a drop of perfume in their neck, for example.

Today, many perfumes are offered for sale in bottles aerosols or equipped with a pump.

These bottles are generally of a relatively large size which does not facilitate their transport.

In addition, the spray is not always very precise and often leads to perfume clothes at the same time as the body.

There is a need for a new packaging device that remedy to at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above, including small footprint and / or which allows a precise application.

There is also a need for a new way of applying a cosmetic product or care that is able to provide a feeling of freshness to the application.

The patent application EP 1 020 135 discloses a set of packaging comprising a hoop sliding on the outside of a container body.

According to the invention, the device for conditioning and distribution comprises at least one container containing a product, for example a product cosmetic or care, including a perfume, and also includes a unit removable container adapted to be positioned on the container, this removable unit comprising a rechargeable product element, able to retain product, the removable unit and the container being arranged in such a way that the product-refillable element can be loaded with produced when the removable unit is in place on the container.

The product rechargeable element can present a surface for the application of the product which is located directly opposite of a wall impermeable vis-à-vis the product.

This is not the case in the example of Figure 1a of the application EP 1 044 625 A1, wherein the surface of the application member for application is located opposite a perforated wall of the applicator capsule, behind which is placed a second product.

The presence of an impermeable wall offers the advantage that a quantity of product brought to the level of the application surface will remain in contact with this last or will be reabsorbed by the refillable product.

According to one aspect of the invention, the container may be arranged to allow the preservation of the product contained inside without the need for on the container a closure element independent of the container such as a screw cap on the container.

The user can thus not have to perform a closing operation of the container after removal of the removable unit.

The container can thus be provided with a pump or a valve. The recipient can still be equipped with a pivoting closure cap or a tap, for example.

The container may also be provided with a housing that can receive at less partially the removable unit.

According to the invention, the product-refillable element is contained in an interior space of the removable unit substantially closed at least in the lack of use.

The term "substantially closed" may refer to an achievement of the removable unit defining an interior space which is arranged to prevent a significant product leak once the removable unit has been reloaded into product. The expression may also cover an embodiment of the removable unit arranged in order to substantially limit the evaporation of the product loaded in the removable unit, so that the application element can retain product for use after a few hours after the removable unit has been loaded into product. The substantially closed interior space defined by the removable unit can also be isolated from the outside in a substantially hermetic manner. The removable unit can also have a relatively small, unobstructed or other type of opening communicating with the interior space, without departing from the definition of "substantially closed ". In this case, the orifice may be dimensioned so as to limit substantially evaporation of the product loaded into the removable unit and / or substantially prevent the leakage of product through the orifice. The size of the orifice will depend on many factors, such as the nature of the product for which the application element is loaded, for example its degree of volatility, and the time during which the removable unit must be able to be used after loading the application element with product, this time being for example a few hours.

The product-refillable element can be porous.

The rechargeable element can also be non-porous and comprise example of the reliefs on the surface, in particular reliefs such as streaks or cavities or furrows, to absorb the product.

The removable unit may for example have a small footprint because it can be sized to carry a quantity of product just enough for a daily application.

Thus, a woman can have at home, in her bathroom, the container to stationary and take away daily in his purse the removable unit after having recharged.

The rechargeable element can be arranged to serve simply to product reservoir, being able to release this product when compressed for example, but the refillable element can be arranged also to serve the application of the product, being able to come directly into contact with a region of the body by example.

In this case, the product-refillable element can provide the the user a feeling of freshness and sweetness for example.

The application of the product may also be accurate because the product can be transferred by contact between the rechargeable product element and the body or face of the user, for example.

In a particular implementation of the invention, the removable unit comprises first and second parts being separable.

These first and second parts can cooperate by screwing, for example.

These first and second parts may be able to assemble tightly sealing the space containing the rechargeable element in product.

Thus, at least one of the two parts may comprise a sealing skirt adapted to apply sealingly to the other part or to wear a seal.

The product-refillable element may be integral with one of the two parts, which is then for example shaped to serve as a gripping member.

The part which is integral with the product-refillable element may comprise an orifice through which the product flows when the removable unit is in place on the container and that the refillable item in product is refilled.

The removable unit may comprise a male or female end adapted to cooperate with a control rod of a valve or pump mounted on the container or with a neck associated with said container, the latter being compressible and provided or not with a dip tube, or with a container provided with a piston.

The removable unit can in particular be arranged in such a way as to allow actuation of this pump or valve being displaced relative to the container.

The removable unit advantageously comprises a sealing member enabling a leakproof connection to a product dispensing orifice from the container.

Thus, when the rechargeable product element of the removable unit is reloaded into product, virtually all the product dispensed by the container can win the rechargeable product element contained in the removable unit.

The removable unit may comprise a flap capable of opening to allow the product flow from the container to the removable unit, when the element rechargeable product is recharged, this valve being closed at least when the unit removable is separated from the container.

The presence of such a valve may, for example, make it possible to prevent the volatile essences of a perfume do not evaporate excessively out of the inner space of the removable unit containing the rechargeable product element.

Such a valve may for example be overmoulded or snap-fastened on one of the parts of the removable unit.

It may be made of a material different from that constituting a wall of the removable unit.

The removable unit may comprise a wall provided with at least one orifice product admission, this wall constituting for example the bottom of the interior space containing the rechargeable element in product.

The removable unit may comprise a buffer layer made in a porous material disposed between the product-refillable element and an orifice intake by which the product is brought into the removable unit, when it is in place on the container.

Such a buffer layer may make it possible to improve the preservation of the produced in the refillable product by delaying for example the evaporation of volatile essences.

The product-refillable element can be made of a non compressible material such as sintered, for example sintered polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide, brass.

The product rechargeable element can still be made of a material compressible, for example elastically deformable, such as a polyurethane foam, polyester, polyether, PVC, NBR, felt or multilayer composite.

The product refillable element may be flocked or comprise a woven or a non woven surface.

According to the invention, the container comprises a housing for receiving at least partially the removable unit. This housing may comprise a wall serving as a guide to guide the movement of the detachable unit when it is put in place on the container.

Such guidance is particularly useful when the removable unit is used to actuate a pump or valve, being attached to the upper end a hollow actuating rod.

The container may comprise, as indicated above, a pump or a valve for dispensing the product into the removable unit, such pump or valve being advantageously actuated by the removable unit.

The container may also have no pump or valve but a dispensing orifice communicating directly with the stock of product in the container. The container may comprise, in this case in particular, a tap allowing to isolate the orifice communicating with the stock of product in the absence of removable unit. This prevents the product from evaporating through the dispensing orifice when the removable unit is not in place on the container. Alternatively, rather than using a valve, it can for example provide the container with a lid adapted to close the housing intended to receive the removable unit, in the absence thereof. Such a cover can be by example articulated on a neck of the container.

The container may include a push button in addition to the housing for receive the removable unit, to allow the distribution of a spray in addition to the possibility of reloading the removable unit. Such a push button can be located by example on the same side as the housing for receiving the removable unit, preferably the upper side of the container, or alternatively the push button may be on the side opposite the housing for receiving the removable unit, preferably in the axis of the container.

The housing for receiving the removable unit may comprise at least one anti-rotation relief for cooperating with the removable unit to prevent rotation relative to the container when the removable unit is in place.

Such an anti-rotation relief is particularly useful when the removable unit has two parts that can be separated by screwing and that one wishes to be able to separate while the removable unit is in place on the container.

In this case, the rechargeable product element contained in the removable unit, may be used to apply the product, for example by being part of one of the parties the removable unit, which then serves as a gripping member, while the other part of the removable unit remains in place on the container.

When the container does not have a pump or valve allowing distribute the product in the removable unit, the container may be provided for example with a dip tube.

The distribution of the product can then be carried out by a mechanical action producing a decrease in the interior volume of the container, for example a compression of the container wall when the latter is flexible. The fact that space of the removable unit containing the rechargeable product element is substantially closed during loading into the product may help to prevent a quick arrival of produced in said space, because of the overpressure generated therein.

The product-refillable element can occupy, in the absence of a product, a part of the interior space available in the removable unit and be suitable for inflate by loading product to occupy for example all the interior space available.

The interior space of the removable unit may for example be smaller, substantially equal to or greater than the rechargeable product member.

The invention also relates to a container having a housing adapted to receive a removable unit or a push button for dispensing a spray, the removable unit and the push button being interchangeable in the housing.

The subject of the invention is also a system comprising such a container and the corresponding removable unit and push-button.

• recharger une unité amovible en prélevant une dose de produit dans un récipient avec lequel l'unité amovible est temporairement en communication fluidique,
• séparer l'unité amovible du récipient,
• utiliser un élément rechargeable en produit contenu dans l'unité amovible et s'étant chargé avec la dose de produit précitée pour appliquer du produit sur au moins une région du corps ou du visage.

The invention further relates to a method for applying a cosmetic or care product, in particular a perfume or a scented cream or a gel, comprising the following steps:

• reloading a removable unit by taking a dose of product in a container with which the removable unit is temporarily in fluid communication,
• separate the removable unit from the container,
• using a rechargeable item of product contained in the removable unit and having loaded with the above dose of product to apply the product on at least one region of the body or face.

• sélectionner un produit parmi plusieurs, les différents produits étant disposés dans des récipients simultanément accessibles,
• transférer dans l'unité amovible du produit prélevé dans le récipient sélectionné.

The subject of the invention is also a method for charging a removable unit capable of being temporarily in fluid communication with a container, comprising the following steps:

• select one of several products, the different products being arranged in simultaneously accessible containers,
• transfer to the removable unit the product taken from the selected container.

The removable unit may contain a product-refillable element, such rechargeable element that can for example also be used for the application of the product, on the skin for example.

The different containers can be joined by any support and / or housed in a housing, for example.

• relier successivement l'unité amovible à au moins deux récipients contenant des produits différents pour charger l'unité amovible avec ces produits.

The invention further relates to a method for charging with several products a removable unit adapted to be temporarily in fluid communication with a container, comprising the following step:

• connecting successively the removable unit to at least two containers containing different products to load the removable unit with these products.

The containers in question may for example all be accessible to the when the removable unit is loaded with one of the products, the user being able to select between several containers depending on the products they want introduce in the removable unit.

The containers may contain, for example, products corresponding to different scents, the user can then "make" his own perfume, in loading the removable unit with the selected scents.

The containers may, in a variant, contain for example different which the user wishes to add to a product intended to be applied to the skin, for example example.

The invention further relates to a removable unit as such.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique et partielle, en perspective, d'un exemple de dispositif de conditionnement,
• la figure 2 est une variante du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle et schématique, en coupe axiale, de l'unité amovible du récipient de la figure 1 et de la partie supérieure du récipient,
• les figures 4 à 7 représentent en coupe axiale différentes variantes d'unités amovibles,
• la figure 8 est une vue de dessus du clapet de l'unité amovible de la figure 7,
• la figure 9 représente en coupe axiale une autre variante d'unité amovible,
• la figure 10 est une coupe axiale partielle représentant un dispositif de conditionnement de distribution conforme à un exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue analogue à la figure 10 avec une variante d'unité amovible,
• la figure 12 est une vue analogue à la figure 11 représentant l'unité amovible prête à l'application,
• la figure 13 représente en coupe axiale un robinet monté sur un récipient,
• la figure 14 est une coupe axiale partielle représentant un dispositif conforme à une variante de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, dans laquelle le logement recevant l'unité amovible communique directement par un tube plongeur avec la réserve de produit,
• la figure 15 représente un récipient pourvu d'un bouton-poussoir et d'un logement pour recevoir l'unité amovible,
• la figure 16 représente une variante également munie d'un bouton-poussoir et d'un logement pour recevoir l'unité amovible,
• la figure 17 est une vue en coupe axiale d'une unité amovible comprenant un bouton-poussoir,
• la figure 18 est une vue en élévation selon la flèche XVIII de la figure 17,
• la figure 19 est une vue analogue à la figure 14, le récipient comportant un soufflet,
• la figure 20 est une vue analogue à la figure 14, le récipient logeant une poche souple contenant le produit,
• la figure 21 est une vue analogue à la figure 4, illustrant une variante dans laquelle l'élément rechargeable en produit n'est solidaire d'aucune partie de préhension rigide,
• la figure 22 est une vue analogue à la figure 12 illustrant une variante dans laquelle l'élément rechargeable en produit se détend à l'ouverture de l'unité amovible pour faire ressortir une partie servant à sa préhension,
• la figure 23 représente en coupe axiale schématique une variante de réalisation d'une unité amovible,
• les figures 24 et 25 illustrent deux ensembles comportant chacun une unité amovible et au moins deux récipients.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic partial view, in perspective, of an exemplary packaging device,
• FIG. 2 is a variant of the device of FIG.
• FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view, in axial section, of the removable unit of the container of FIG. 1 and of the upper part of the container,
• Figures 4 to 7 show in axial section different variants of removable units,
• FIG. 8 is a view from above of the valve of the removable unit of FIG. 7,
• FIG. 9 represents in axial section another variant of removable unit,
• FIG. 10 is a partial axial section showing a distribution packaging device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 with a variant of removable unit,
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the removable unit ready for application,
• FIG. 13 shows in axial section a valve mounted on a container,
• FIG. 14 is a partial axial section showing a device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the housing receiving the removable unit communicates directly by a dip tube with the product reserve,
• FIG. 15 represents a container provided with a push button and a housing for receiving the removable unit,
• FIG. 16 represents a variant also provided with a push-button and a housing for receiving the removable unit,
• FIG. 17 is a view in axial section of a removable unit comprising a push button,
• FIG. 18 is an elevational view along arrow XVIII of FIG. 17,
• FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 14, the container comprising a bellows,
• FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 14, the container housing a flexible pouch containing the product,
• FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 4, illustrating a variant in which the product-refillable element is not attached to any rigid gripping part,
• FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 12 illustrating a variant in which the product-refillable element expands at the opening of the removable unit to bring out a portion for its gripping,
• FIG. 23 represents in schematic axial section an alternative embodiment of a removable unit,
• Figures 24 and 25 illustrate two sets each having a removable unit and at least two containers.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for packaging and application.

This device 1 comprises a container 2 which is an example provided in part upper collar 3 defining a housing 4 to receive a removable unit 5.

This removable unit 5 has a lower part 6 and a part upper 7 assembled for example by screwing, as illustrated. Other ways assembly of the parts 6 and 7 can be used such as for example a snap.

The lower part 6 may comprise for example two lugs 8 diametrically opposite, intended to cooperate with two notches 10 made in the neck 3 in order to lock in rotation the lower part 6 with respect to the neck 3 and to allow the unscrewing of the upper part 7 while the removable unit 5 is still in place on the container 2.

When anti-rotation relief is provided, the invention is not limited to one type anti-rotation relief and, by way of example, FIG. removable unit and a container in which the anti-rotation relief consists of a series of flutes 11.

In axial section in FIG. 3 is shown the removable unit 5 and the part upper collar 3.

The removable unit 5 defines an interior space 12 in which is housed a product-refillable element 13, for example porous, which can serve as an applicator, as will be specified later.

The lower part 6 comprises in the illustrated example a tubular wall 14, X axis, threaded upper and closed lower by a bottom wall 15 extending perpendicularly to the X axis, traversed at its center by an orifice 16 whose function will be specified later. This orifice 16 opens opposite the porous element 13.

To ensure a tight assembly of the lower 6 and upper 7 parts, the upper part 7 may comprise for example a threaded outer skirt 18 internally, adapted to be screwed on the tubular wall 14 and a sealing skirt 19 adapted to apply sealingly to the radially inner surface of the tubular wall 14 when the removable unit 5 is closed, as shown in Figure 3.

The upper part 7 further comprises a central chimney 20 serving the maintaining the element 13.

A dispensing orifice 22 delimited by a wall 24 opens into the bottom housing 4.

The removable unit 5 comprises, on the outer face of the transverse wall 15, an annular sealing lip 23 intended to cooperate with the wall 24 in order to establish a sealed communication between the orifices 16 and 22 when the removable unit 5 is completely embedded in the housing 4 of the container.

The orifice 22 can be supplied with product taken from the inside of the container 2 by various means, in particular by means of an aerosol type valve, a pump, a tap or a dip tube, as will be described later.

It will be noted that the section of the orifice 16 is relatively small, so that the interior space 12 can be considered as substantially closed, that is to say sufficiently hermetic so that the product contained in element 13 can be preserved for a period of time sufficient for the removable unit to be of interest to the user.

Thus, the section of the orifice 16 may be small enough that the product contained in element 13 evaporates at a rate substantial amount of product in the element 13 for a duration of a few hours for example, while the removable unit is carried in a handbag for example.

Preferably, the more the product which impregnates the porous element will be volatile, the larger the section of the orifice 16 will be small, in the absence of closure valve or other closing mechanism.

The element 13 may be compressible or not.

It can be produced for example in an open cell foam, in particular a polyurethane foam, polyester, polyether, PVC or NBR, this list is not limiting.

The element 13 may also be constituted by a sintered material, in particular a sintered polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide, brass, this list is not limiting.

The element 13 may also be constituted by a felt or by an elastomer flocked, in which case the porosity may not extend to the core of element 13 but stay superficial.

The product-refillable element may be able to retain at least one product by capillarity, or by absorption or other retention mechanisms.

The device 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be used in the following manner.

The removable unit 5 is put in place on the container 2, the orifices 16 and 22 being made to communicate in a sealed manner.

A dose of product is distributed through the orifice 22 by actuating a pump or by any other appropriate means and passes through the orifice 16 to open in the interior space 12 and come impregnate at least superficially the element 13. On note that the orifice 16 through which the product arrives opens directly at least one region 13a of the surface of the application member for application of the product, in this case the top of the application surface. A small amount of product taken from the container may be sufficient to allow subsequent satisfactory of the removable unit.

To apply the product, the upper part 7 can be unscrewed while the lower part 6 is still in place on the container 2, the upper part 7 serving of grasping organ.

The removable unit 5 can still be completely removed from the container 2 and used independently for a few hours for example.

To apply the product, the user unscrews the upper part 7 and uses the latter as a grasping organ.

The removable unit 5 is replaced periodically on the container 2 to reload the element 13 into product.

The removable unit 5 has a small footprint and can be transported easily in a bag, the container 2 remaining, for example, permanently on a shelf in a bathroom.

We will now describe various variants, not limiting.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 4, the element 13 is no longer secured to the upper part of the removable unit, the central chimney 20 being removed, but subject to an independent gripping member 30, for example plastic rigid.

This gripping member 30 can be removed, as illustrated in FIG. figure 21.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 5, the orifice 16 is replaced by a plurality of orifices 31, the annular sealing lip 23 being replaced by a lip sealing 32 of larger diameter.

In the variant illustrated in FIG. 6, the bottom of the housing receiving the element 13 is provided with a porous pad 34, constituted for example by a disk of a foam open cells or a disc of felt or sintered.

This buffer layer 34 allows, if necessary, to have an orifice 16 of greater diameter than that shown in Figure 3, the evaporation of the product contained in the element 13 being impeded by the buffer layer 34.

The buffer layer 34 can also serve as a reservoir for the product, thus making it possible to increase the autonomy of the removable unit.

The example illustrated in Figure 7 differs from that shown in Figure 3 by the the removable unit comprises a valve 40 normally closing the orifice 16 and opening only under the pressure of the product from the container at the moment the unit Removable is in place on the container and reloaded product.

The valve 40 may comprise, as can be seen more precisely on the FIG. 8, a central sealing portion 41, with a diameter greater than that of the orifice 16, and a peripheral portion 42 for fixing it to the transverse wall 15, the part central 41 being connected to the peripheral portion 42 by material bridges 43 sufficiently flexible and deformable to allow the central portion 41 to move apart of the transverse wall 15 under the pressure of the product at the moment when the removable unit is recharged.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the element 13 can provide a space 45 above of the valve 40 so as not to hinder its operation.

The valve 40 may for example be as in the example described, molded on the lower part 6 of the removable unit.

Of course, the valve may be made differently, for example in the form one or more patches.

The removable unit can be arranged to be fixed for example directly on a hollow actuating rod 50 of a valve or a pump, as illustrated in FIG. figure 9.

In this figure, the removable unit comprises a lower part having a transverse wall 51 constituting the bottom of the interior space receiving the element porous 13, this wall being traversed by an orifice 53 provided with a shoulder 54 against which can abut the rod 50.

In the examples described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 5 to 9, the element rechargeable product is attached to the upper part of the removable unit.

The product-refillable element can be integral with the lower part of the removable unit.

By way of example, FIG. 10 shows a device 60 comprising a container 61 provided in the upper part with a collar 62 defining a housing 63 for accommodate a removable unit 65.

The container 61 is equipped with a pump 66 provided with a dip tube 67 extending to the bottom of the container.

The pump 66 comprises a hollow actuating rod 78 through which the product is distributed.

The removable unit 65 has a lower portion 68 and an upper portion 69 cooperating, in the example described, by screwing.

The upper portion 69 has a threaded outer skirt 70 internally, engaging on the base of the lower portion 68.

To allow unscrewing the upper portion 69, gripping fins 75 can be made around a tip 76 for connection with the rod actuator 68.

The lower portion 68 may include a bearing surface 80 for mounting a element 81 able to absorb the product and to seal between the lower parts 68 and upper 69 when they are assembled.

The end piece 76 communicates with a central chimney 82 opening to the inside of the element 81, to feed it into product.

Embossings 83 may be formed internally on the span 80 in order to retain the element 81.

Alternatively, element 81 may be retained by other appropriate means, in particular by bonding or welding on the lower part 68.

In the closed state, the removable unit 65 can be used in the manner of a push button for pressing the actuating rod 78 and causing the dispensing a dose of product inside the element 81.

In the example described, the element 81 is constituted by a sinter or by a foam whose shape is such that the element 81 is not compressed by the part upper 69 when it is in place on the lower part 68.

The inner section of the tip 76 is chosen to be low enough that the product that impregnates the element 81 evaporates only slowly when the removable unit 65 is extracted from the container 61.

Alternatively, a valve made for example in the form of a ball held at the inside of the chimney 82 can be used to close the mouthpiece 76 when the unit removable was separated from the container 61

In the example shown, the wall of the upper part 69 which comes to contact of the surface of the element 81 which is used for the application is impermeable to the product whose application element can load. The product thus remains confined in the element 81, and a relatively small amount of product from the container is susceptible to give the removable unit the autonomy sought.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a removable unit 85 which comprises a lower portion 86 intended to cooperate with ribs 87 made on the surface radially inside the neck 62 of the container 61, to prevent a relative rotation of the lower part 86 with respect to the container 61.

The lower portion 86 has a sealing skirt 88 also serving to define a housing for an element 89 able to recharge in product.

The removable unit 85 has, like the removable unit 65 previously described, a chimney 82 feeding the element 89 and a tip 76 adapted to engage the actuating rod 78.

In the example considered, element 89 is constituted by a foam which is compressed when the upper portion 90 of the removable unit 85 is in place on the part lower 86.

This foam relaxes when the upper part 90 is removed, as can see it in Figure 12.

To reload the removable units 65 or 85 that have just been described, the user can use these to drive the actuating rod 78 and causing the dispensing of a dose of product in the refillable product.

The wall of the upper part 90 which comes into contact with the element 89 is impermeable to the product contained in the container.

FIG. 22 shows a variant embodiment comprising a element 89 'which differs from the element 89 in that it is not attached to the skirt 88 and neither to the lower part 86 but freely mounted in the housing defined by the skirt 88 and by the fact it emerges clearly from said housing in the relaxed state.

Thus, when the upper portion 90 is removed, the element 89 'relaxes and its upper portion 89'a can serve as a gripping member.

The user grasps the upper portion 89'a to remove the element 89 ', his face lower 89'b serving for example surface to be applied to the skin.

When the container does not have a pump or valve, it may be provided with as illustrated in Figure 13, a valve 100 for example.

The valve 100 comprises for example a lower portion 101 intended to be attached to the neck 102 of the container and an upper portion 103 rotatable relative to the lower portion 101 between a closed position and a dispensing position.

The lower part 101 may comprise a mounting skirt 104 allowing fixing on the neck 102, for example by screwing, and a sealing lip 105 adapted to apply sealingly to the radially inner surface of the neck 102.

The lower part 101 also has an annular bearing surface 106 on which is engaged an outer skirt 107 of the upper part 103.

The lower portion 101 has two concentric tubular walls 110 and 111 interconnected by material bridges 112, the innermost tubular wall 110 being closed substantially at mid-height by a transverse wall 113, and comprising above this wall 113 a lateral opening 114.

The upper portion 103 has a tubular wall 116 extending between the walls 110 and 111.

This tubular wall 116 has a lateral opening 118 that is possible to coincide with the lateral opening 114 when the upper part 103 is in distribution position, the product then circulating between the walls 110 and 111, through the lateral openings 114 and 118 and inside the tubular walls 110 and 116 above of the wall 113.

When the upper part 103 is in its closed position, the wall tubular 116 closes the lateral opening 114 and the container is closed.

The upper part 103 defines a housing 120 making it possible to accommodate a removable unit according to the invention.

Rather than using a tap such as the tap 100 described with reference to the FIG. 13 may for example be provided with a lid 130 as shown in FIG. FIG. 14, this cover being movable between an open position in which it allows introducing a removable unit 135 into the corresponding housing of the container and a closed position in which it closes this housing hermetically, in the absence of removable unit.

The cover 130 may be integral with an insert 132 introduced into the neck of the container.

We also see in this figure that we can make communicate the orifice distribution by which the product is distributed to the removable unit directly with a dip tube 131 extending to the bottom of the container, the latter being made with a compressible wall to allow the user pressing it to go up of the product in the removable unit 135.

The container shown in Figure 19 differs from that shown in Figure 14 in that it comprises a bellows 136 making it possible to vary the internal volume of the container and create in the latter an overpressure allowing to trace the produced in the dip tube.

The latter may for example not extend to the bottom of the container when the bellows 136 is relaxed, and come close to the bottom of the container that when the bellows is compressed.

The container shown in FIG. 20 differs from that described in FIG. 14 in particular by the fact that it houses a flexible pouch 137 containing the product.

The envelope 138 of the container, which is compressible, makes it possible to generate while being compressed an air overpressure around the pocket 137 and a rise of product in the tube 131.

To compensate for the vacuum created by the emptying of the pocket, a valve 139 is planned.

This valve 139 opens when the pressure inside the envelope 138 is less than the pressure outside the casing 138.

The pocket 137 is fixed on a skirt 133 made in one piece with the insert 132.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, a container 140 with a push button 142 and a collar 143 defining a housing to accommodate a removable unit 145.

In the example of FIG. 15, the housing receiving the removable unit 145 and push button 142 are both in the upper part of the container.

However, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the push button and the housing receiving the removable unit are made for example to two opposite axial ends of the container, as shown in Figure 16.

In this figure, there is shown a container 150 provided at one end of a col 151 defining a housing for receiving a removable unit 155 and to the other end of a push button 156.

In the embodiments which have just been described, the removable unit comprises a product-refillable element which serves as an applicator at the time of use by being brought directly into contact with a region of the body or face, by example.

The product refillable element can serve only as a reservoir of produced, as will now be described with reference to Figures 17 and 18.

In these figures, there is shown a removable unit 200 which comprises a body 201 housing a product rechargeable element 202 constituted for example by a elastically deformable, open cell foam and a push button 203 sliding inside the body 201 in order to compress the porous element 202.

The push-button 203 has a channel 205 having an end 209 opening to the porous element 202 to receive the product.

The body 201 has an opening 206 allowing the opposite end 208 of channel 205 to open out.

The push-button 203 has a sealing lip 210 which allows it to to slide in a sealed manner inside the body 201.

The pushbutton may further include a passage 215 closed to its upper end by a microporous membrane 216, allowing circulation air with a low flow to the outside.

The passage 215 makes it possible to eliminate the pressure of the residual air.

The microporous membrane 216 could be replaced by a micro-orifice, for example.

The body 201 is provided in the lower part with an orifice 212 equipped with a valve 213 similar to the valve 40 described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

The porous element may comprise a recess 211 above the valve 213 to not interfere with the operation of it.

The porous element 202 is reloaded in product in the same way as those removable units previously described.

When the user presses the push button 203, the porous element 202 is compressed and releases product, which can flow through channel 205.

The orifice 208 may optionally be provided with a nozzle in order to distribute the produced in a particular manner, in the form of a spray for example.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been given.

In particular, the invention is not limited to conditioning and distribution of a perfume but also applies to other products, in particular cosmetic, dermatological and pharmaceutical products for example for application to hair, skin, mucous membranes, skin appendages.

We can still give the removable unit forms other than those that have have been described.

FIG. 23 shows an example of a removable unit 230, one of which particularity is to include a rechargeable product element 231 carried by a element 232 which is connected by a film hinge 233 to a body 234 of the removable unit. This body 234 comprises a cavity 235, for example generally concave, able to accommodate the element 231 when the cap 232 is in place on the body 234 to close the cavity 235. The cover 232 may comprise for example a sealing lip 236 adapted to apply in a sealed manner on the body 234. The wall 239 defining the bottom of the cavity 235 can be traversed by an orifice 237, which is closed for example when the unit removable 230 is not reloaded product by a valve 238.

The removable unit 230 can be used in the same way as the removable unit described with reference to Figure 7, the cover 232 being removed from the body 234 to allow bringing the element 231 into contact with a surface on which it is desired to apply product.

It is thus possible to use a removable unit 300 which can be, for example, one of those previously described, not with a single container but with a plurality containers 301a, 301b, 301c, 301d, for example four in number, these containers each being provided for example with a pump 302.

The removable unit 300 may be able to temporarily cooperate with one of these containers to allow the transfer of a certain amount of product from this container to the product-refillable element contained within the removable unit.

Each of the containers 301a, ..., 301d can thus contain, for example, a product corresponding to a particular scent, and the user can select one of the containers depending on the scent that he wants to use in the day.

The container 301 may for example contain a given perfume and the containers 301b to 301d amber, woody or floral shades of this fragrance, respectively.

The user can also load the removable unit with several products, by temporarily connecting the removable unit to several containers successively, in function of the products that the user wishes to transfer to the removable unit. The user can thus constitute mixtures of scents, and make somehow a perfume "à la carte".

The containers 301a to 301d can be contained in the same housing 303, for example, or be maintained by the same medium, this support can be something else only a case.

Containers may contain products other than perfumes, for example examples of creams, milks or other products to be applied to a part of the body or face (including hair).

Thus, the removable unit 300 may be associated for example with a container 303a containing a sunscreen, to a container 303b containing vitamin C, to a container 303c containing vitamin A and 303d container containing acid salicylic, the number of containers being of course not limited to four and to be bigger or smaller.

The invention can also be applied to products other than cosmetics, pharmaceutical or dermatological products, for example.

Claims (42)

1. Packaging and dispensing device comprising at least one container containing a product, especially a cosmetic or care product, and a removable unit that can be placed on the container, this removable unit comprising a product-refillable element that can hold some of the product, the removable unit and the container being designed so that the product-refillable element can be filled with product when the removable unit is in place on the container, the product-refillable element being contained in an internal space of the removable unit that is substantially closed at least when not in use, characterized in that the container comprises a housing (4; 63; 120) for at least partially receiving the removable unit, which comprises first and second parts that can be assembled.
2. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the product-refillable element is porous.
3. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the product-refillable element (81; 89) is designed to act as a product reservoir.
4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product-refillable element is designed to be used to apply the product.
5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second parts (68, 69) can be separated.
6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first and second parts cooperate by screwing.
7. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second parts can be assembled in a leaktight manner.
8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the two parts comprises a sealing skirt that can press against the other part in a leaktight manner or bears a seal.
9. Device according to any one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the product-refillable element is integral with one of the two parts.
10. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the part that is integral with the product-refillable element is shaped so as to serve as a grip member.
11. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the part that is integral with the product-refillable element comprises an orifice via which the product flows when the removable unit is in place on the container and the product-refillable element is refilled.
12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable unit comprises a male or female endpiece that can cooperate with a stem (78) for operating a valve or pump (66) mounted on the container or with a neck of the said container.
13. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the removable unit is designed to actuate the pump (66) or the valve by moving with respect to the container.
14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable unit comprises a sealing member that can create a sealed connection with an orifice for dispensing the product coming from the container.
15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable unit comprises a stopper that can open to allow product to flow from the container to the removable unit when the product-refillable element is refilled, this stopper being closed at least when the removable unit is separated from the container.
16. Device according to the preceding claim and Claim 5, characterized in that the stopper is overmoulded or snap-fastened onto one of the parts of the removable unit.
17. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable unit comprises a wall having at least one product inlet orifice.
18. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said wall constitutes the bottom of the internal space containing the product-refillable element.
19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable unit comprises a buffer layer made of a porous material, placed between the product-refillable element and an inlet orifice via which some product can be conveyed to the removable unit when the latter is in place on the container.
20. Device according to .any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product-refillable element is made of an in compressible material, such as a sintered material, especially a sintered polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide or brass.
21. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the product-refillable element (13) is made of a compressible, preferably elastically deformable, material such as a polyurethane, polyester, polyether, PVC or NBR foam, a felt or a multilayer composite.
22. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product-refillable element is flocked or comprises a woven or nonwoven material as surface.
23. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product-refillable element has at least one surface for applying the product which is situated directly opposite a wall impermeable to the product, when not in use.
24. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said housing (63) comprises a wall (62) serving as a guide to guide the movement of the removable unit when it is put in place on the container.
25. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (61) comprises a pump (66) or a valve for dispensing the product into the removable unit, this pump or this valve preferably being actuated by the removable unit.
26. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the container comprises an orifice (22) in communication with the reserve of product in the container.
27. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container comprises a tap (100) for shutting off the orifice in communication with the reserve of product in the absence of the removable unit.
28. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container comprises a housing for receiving the removable unit, equipped with a lid (130) that can close off the housing in the absence of the removable unit.
29. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the lid (130) is hinged to a neck of the container.
30. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container comprises a push-button (142; 156) in addition to a housing for receiving the removable unit, making it possible to dispense a spray in addition to the possibility of refilling the removable unit.
31. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the push-button (142) is located on the same side as the housing for receiving the removable unit, preferably the top side of the container.
32. Device according to Claim 30, characterized in that the push-button (156) is located on the side. opposite the housing for receiving the removable unit, preferably along the axis of the container.
33. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container comprises a housing for receiving the removable unit and in that this housing comprises at least one relief (10) for cooperating with the removable unit so as to prevent it from rotating relative to the container when the removable unit is in place.
34. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is provided with a dip tube (135).
35. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the absence of product, the product-refillable element takes up only some of the internal space available in the removable unit and can swell as it is being filled with product.
36. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the product-refillable element is compressed in the internal space of the removable unit when the latter is closed.
37. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is designed to preserve the product contained inside it without it being necessary to add a closure element that is independent of the container.
38. Method of filling a removable unit as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 37 with product, which unit can be temporarily in fluid communication with a container, the method comprising the following steps:

    selecting a product from among several, the various products being placed in simultaneously accessible containers,

    transferring to the removable unit the product taken from the selected container.
39. Method of filling a removable unit as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 37 with several products, which unit can be temporarily in fluid communication with a container, the method comprising the following step:

    successively connecting the removable unit to at least two containers (303a, ..., 303d) containing different products, so as to fill the removable unit with these products.
40. Method according to Claim 39, characterized in that the containers are all accessible when the removable unit is filled with one of the products, the user making a selection from several containers depending on the products he wishes to put in the removable unit.
41. Method according to Claim 39 or 40, characterized in that the containers contain products corresponding to various scents.
42. Method according to Claim 39 or 40, characterized in that the containers contain various active agents that the user wishes to add to a product.

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