Abstract:
A dispenser for cosmetic, cleansing or pharmaceutical composition including a tubular sleeve for housing the whole of a movable sub-assembly in the storage position thereof in such a way that the head of the movable sub-assembly is not accessible. A locking mechanism prevents outward movement of the movable sub-assembly in the storage position relative to the sleeve. When a user axially depresses the head in the opposite direction to the outward direction, the locking mechanism releases the movable sub-assembly, which is urged outward by a spring at least as a position I which the head projects outward from the sleeve.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This is a §371 of International Application No. PCT/FR2005/000280, with an international filing date of Feb. 8, 2005 (WO 2005/079622 A1, published Sep. 1, 2005), which is based on French Patent Application No. 04/01377, filed Feb. 11, 2004. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a cosmetics, hygiene, or pharmaceuticals substance, and particularly, but not exclusively, to conditioning for sticks of lipstick. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Dispenser conditioning for sticks of lipstick is known that is in two portions, comprising a body having a tubular internal volume for receiving the lipstick, which volume is open at an axial end, and a sheath making it possible to close the axial end. The body is usually provided with a head mounted to pivot about the axis of symmetry of the body, and with an extraction mechanism making it possible to extract the stick of lipstick when the head pivots relative to the body. 
     GB 859 838 describes a lipstick sheath associated with a mirror. That sheath is mounted on a hinge of the frame of the mirror, and forms a cylinder for guiding a piston provided with tongues that clamp the tube of lipstick laterally. The end-wall of the sheath is provided with an ejection spring that pushes the piston away. The axis of ejection of the sheath is parallel to the axis of the hinge of the frame of the mirror. When the sheath is folded away against the mirror, the base of the tube of lipstick stands on a dish fastened to the frame of the mirror. When the mirror is pivoted, the piston is released and it drives the tube, while the spring relaxes. The tube remains held by the tongues in the ejection position, which makes it possible to prevent the tube from falling when taking hold of it. That principle is difficult to transpose to a tube that is presented without an associated mirror, because the lipstick tube is released directly by the movement of the dish associated with the mirror. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,552,714 describes a combined lipstick and applicator brush container whose sheath is subdivided into to portions: a narrow rigid sheath designed to receive the brush and a deformable sheath designed to receive the lipstick tube, which is itself provided with radial-holding lugs. A wall provided with a slot separates the two sheaths. The applicator is provided with a slide which is guided in the slot and which comes into abutment against the lipstick tube. A return spring urges the base of the applicator towards an ejected position. When, starting from the stowage position, the user depresses the wall of the sheath in the radial direction, the user releases the lugs. The spring relaxes and simultaneously drives the applicator and the lipstick tube towards the ejected position. It is then possible for the user to take hold of the lipstick tube and to use it in conventional manner. Unfortunately, on being ejected, the tube might fall because nothing holds it to the sheath. In addition, the use of a sheath with deformable walls is incompatible with the considerations of pleasing appearance and with the values of luxury conveyed by this type of substance. 
     It would therefore be helpful to provide a dispenser for dispensing a cosmetics, hygiene, or pharmaceuticals substance that limits the number of parts that are visible, and that is very simple and intuitive to use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing a cosmetics, hygiene, or pharmaceuticals substance including a substantially tubular sheath defining an ejection axis and an axial ejection direction; a moving subassembly mounted to move relative to the sheath and having an end-wall and a drive element, the moving subassembly in a stowage position being received substantially entirely inside the sheath so that the drive element is substantially inaccessible, wherein the sheath and/or the moving subassembly define a space for receiving the substance; and a lock which, in a locked state, substantially prevents movement of the moving subassembly in the stowage position relative to the sheath in the ejection direction and, in an unlocked state, releases the moving subassembly and enables movement of the moving subassembly relative to the sheath in the ejection direction at least until the moving assembly reaches a projecting position in which the drive element projects at least partially outwardly of the sheath and is substantially accessible, the lock moving from the locked state to the unlocked state when the end-wall of the moving subassembly is pushed in by a user in the axial direction that is opposite from the axial ejection direction, from the stowage position to a pushed-in position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages and characteristics appear more clearly from the following description of selected aspects of the disclosure given by way of non-limiting examples and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a lipstick dispenser; 
         FIG. 2  is a view in axial section of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , in the stowage position; 
         FIG. 3  is an axial section view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , in the pushed-in position; 
         FIG. 4  shows the dispenser of  FIG. 1 , in the graspable position; 
         FIG. 5  shows a detail view of a heart-shaped cam of the  FIG. 1  dispenser; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of another dispenser; 
         FIG. 7  is an axial section view of the  FIG. 6  dispenser, in the stowage position; 
         FIG. 8  is a view in axial section of the  FIG. 6  dispenser, in the pushed-in position; and 
         FIG. 9  is a view in axial section of the  FIG. 6  dispenser, in the graspable position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     We provide dispensers for dispensing a cosmetics, hygiene, or pharmaceuticals substance comprising:
         a tubular sheath defining an ejection axis and an axial ejection direction;   a moving subassembly mounted to move relative to the sheath and having an end-wall and a drive element, the moving subassembly in a stowage position being received entirely inside the sheath so that the drive element is inaccessible;   a space for receiving the substance, which space is defined in the sheath and/or in the moving subassembly; and   locking means which, in a locking state, prevents movement of the moving subassembly in the stowage position relative to the sheath in an ejection direction and, in an unlocking state, release the moving subassembly and make it possible for the moving subassembly to move relative to the sheath in the ejection direction at least until it reaches a projecting position in which the drive element projects to the outside of the sheath and is accessible, the locking means going from the locking state to the unlocking state when the end-wall of the moving subassembly is pushed in by a user in the axial direction that is opposite from the axial ejection direction, from the stowage position to a pushed-in position.       

     The ejection operation is extremely simple. The risks of untimely ejection are reduced because the mechanism does not require the head to be brought out of the sheath. 
     The drive element, which makes it possible to use the moving subassembly once it has reached the projecting position, can take different forms and perform different functions. When the dispenser requires taking hold of the moving subassembly, in particular with a view to separating it from the sheath, the drive element may be a portion of the end-wall, e.g. a radial surface, dedicated to taking hold of the moving subassembly. The drive element may also comprise a push button for controlling a valve or a pump, if the substance to be dispensed is in fluid form. It may also be a tongue for opening an orifice for dispensing the substance. 
     Preferably, the moving subassembly is guided relative to the sheath such that the pushing-in of the end-wall of the moving subassembly is a movement in translation without any movement in rotation relative to the sheath. From the user&#39;s point of view, the movement in translation is particularly simple and intuitive. 
     Preferably, the dispenser further comprises drive means for driving the moving subassembly, in the ejection direction, from the pushed-in position to the projecting position. The drive means may comprise a compression spring urging the moving subassembly to return in the ejection direction. Ejection is automatic so that it is not necessary to turn the dispenser upside down in order to access the graspable surfaces. 
     The moving subassembly may comprise: an applicator for applying the substance, which applicator defines the space for receiving the substance, and is provided with the end-wall of the moving subassembly; and moving equipment disposed inside the sheath and provided with retaining means for retaining the applicator relative to the moving equipment. 
     The moving equipment constitutes an intermediate subassembly that remains hidden from the user and that can carry at least some of the locking and/or guiding functions which remain hidden from the user and make it possible to keep a pure shape for the body. 
     Preferably, an end-of-stroke abutment preventing axial movement of the moving equipment relative to the sheath in the ejection direction beyond the position taken up by the moving equipment when the moving subassembly is in the projecting position. The abutment holds the moving equipment inside the sheath. 
     Preferably, the retaining means are such that they release the applicator when the moving subassembly is in the projecting position and when an axial force is exerted on the end-wall of the moving subassembly in the ejection direction. In a very simple manner, the retaining means may be constituted, for example, of a radially elastically deformable ring or by a clamping thimble provided with fingers that clamp the axial end of the tube by elastic deformation so that mere movement in traction suffices to release the tube. 
     The locking means may comprise at least two moving parts that move relative to each other in a telescopic motion. This telescopic relative movement makes it possible, for a given axial overall size in the stowage position, to maximize the stroke towards the graspable position. 
     The moving equipment may be one-piece. The one-piece moving equipment can thus perform a plurality of functions, e.g. the locking function, with complementary means secured to or integral with the sheath, the tube-holding function, and the function of co-operation with the end-of-stroke abutment and/or the function of guiding the moving subassembly relative to the tube. 
     The locking means may comprise at least one moving element co-operating with an abutment when the locking means are in the locking state, the moving element and the abutment moving relative to each other in a disengagement movement that includes a non-axial component when the locking means go from the locking state to the unlocking state. The relative movement of the moving element relative to the abutment can be obtained. 
     The sheath may be closed at one axial end by a sheath end-wall and, at its other axial end, has an opening that is closed off by the end-wall of the moving subassembly in the stowage position, the ejection axial direction going from the sheath end-wall towards the opening. In the stowage position, the appearance of the dispenser is particularly pure. There is no risk of making a mistake about the drive movement required for extracting the moving subassembly from the sheath because only one type of movement is authorized. 
     To the extent possible, references used to describe the structure shown in  FIG. 1  are also used for describing identical or similar portions of the other structures. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 5 , a lipstick dispenser  10  is made of a moving subassembly  12  that is received in a sheath  14  of polygonal section and that is held stationary in a locked position by a locking mechanism  16 . 
     The sheath  14  is closed by an end-wall  18  at one axial end, and is open at the opposite axial end, thereby defining an ejection axis  19  and an ejection direction  20  for the moving subassembly  12 . To simplify the description, it is assumed below that the dispenser is disposed with its ejection axis in a vertical orientation and with its ejection direction upwards. Naturally, the dispenser can in practice be used in all positions. 
     The moving subassembly  12  comprises moving equipment  22  supporting a conventional lipstick tube  24 . The lipstick tube is constituted of a holder cylinder  26  for receiving the stick of lipstick (not shown), which cylinder is open at one end and closed by an head  28  at its opposite end. The head  28  comprises a drive element made up of an end-wall  32  and of a graspable radial surface  30 . A conventional mechanism (not shown) makes it possible to extract the stick of lipstick from the holder cylinder  26  when a user takes hold of the head  28  and turns it relative to the cylinder  26  about the axis thereof. 
     The moving equipment  22  is formed by a one-piece multi-purpose part constituting a guide outer cylindrical sleeve  34  provided with a collar  35 , forming a guide piston mounted to slide in the axial direction, without moving in rotation, along the inside walls of the sheath  14 , and closed by an intermediate partition  36  that separates a stowage volume  38  for stowing the lipstick tube and the mechanism  16 . The intermediate partition  36  forms, on the stowage volume side, an internal ring  40  for retaining the lipstick tube  24  and, on same side as the mechanism  1 , and projecting towards the end-wall  18  of the sheath, the intermediate partition forms two parallel bottom flanges  42  which are mutually symmetrical about an axial plane, and each of which is provided with a heart-shaped groove  44  that is shown in  FIG. 5 . Each groove  44  is stepped and has a high track  46 , a semi-high track  48 , a rest track  50 , and a low track  52 . A rising track  54  is also provided. Each of the tracks has a varying height that decreases continuously from one end of the track to the other, in the manner of a ramp defining a low point and a high point. The high point of each track is situated in the vicinity of the low point of the adjacent track, at a smaller depth than the low point of the adjacent tract, so that the tracks are separated from one another by steps  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 . 
     A clamp made up of two resilient fingers  66  is fastened to the end-wall of the sheath. The free ends of the fingers  66  form lugs  68  that are curved over radially inwards so as to come to be received in the groove  44 . The groove tends to urge the fingers apart relative to a rest position, so that the fingers are in flexion and exert a resilient bearing force against the back of the groove  44 . As a result, the steps  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62  constitute un-crossable non-return or check devices when the ends  68  of the fingers slide at the back of the groove  44 . A helical compression spring  70  bears against the end-wall  18  of the sheath and against the partition  36  of the moving equipment, tending to push the moving equipment  22  in the ejection direction  20  in which it is ejected from the sheath. 
     The groove  44  thus constitutes a heart-shaped cam having a closed profile whose successive steps force the lug-forming ends  68  to travel over a counterclockwise path as shown in  FIG. 5 . By co-operating with the lugs  68  and with the spring  70 , the groove defines a bistable mechanism imparting to the dispenser a four-stage operating cycle that is described below. 
     In the stowage position, the moving subassembly  12  constituted of the lipstick tube  24  and the moving equipment  22  is entirely disposed inside the sheath  14  which, in particular prevents access to the graspable surface  30  of the head. The end-wall  32  of the head  28 , whose perimeter lies, with a very small amount of clearance, within the inside perimeter of the sheath  14 , closes the sheath  14 . That end of the tube  24 , which is opposite from the head, forms a cylindrical edge that is wedged by interfitting over the internal ring  40  of the moving equipment, thereby securing the lipstick tube  24  to the moving equipment  22 . The spring  70  urges the moving equipment  22  in the ejection direction, but the lugs  68  prevent any movement in that direction because they are in abutment against a side wall of the groove  44 , at the end of the rest track  50  pointing towards the end-wall  18  of the sheath. 
     When a user pushes in the head towards the end-wall of the sheath by opposing the spring  70 , the grooves  44  move relative to the sheath  14 . The lugs  68  which cannot cross the rising step  58  separating the rest tract from the semi-high track, are guided to that end of the rest track  50  which is further from the end-wall until they cross the falling step  60  and find themselves on the low track  52 , the step  60  then preventing any return towards the rest track  50 . In doing so, the fingers  66  undergo bending towards the left of  FIG. 3 . 
     When the user ceases to press on the head  28 , the spring  70  drives the moving subassembly  12  freely in the ejection direction until the lugs, which have traveled over the low track  52 , cross the step  62  and are in abutment against the side wall of the groove  44 , at the bottom end of the high track  46 , without any possibility of returning. The ejection movement is only slightly braked by the collar  35 , and possibly the sleeve  34 , rubbing along the walls of the sheath  14 , so that the ejection movement is progressive and not in pulses or surges. This effect, which is desired for reasons of the impression of luxury that it imparts to the device, can, if necessary be accentuated by providing imperfect sealing between the collar  35  and the walls of the sheath so that the equalization of the pressures on either side of the collar  35  during the ejection is not instant and causes slight suction in the closed portion of the sheath. At the end of this stage, the moving subassembly has then reached a graspable position in which the graspable side surface  30  of the head of the tube has become accessible, the tube  24  remaining held by tight-fitting engagement over the ring  40 . It remains for the user merely to take hold of the head  28  via the graspable surface  30  and to extract the tube  24  by exerting a small amount of traction, thereby releasing the end of the tube that is wedged on the ring  40 . 
     To put the tube  24  back in place in its sheath  14 , the user merely pushes the tube  24  into the sheath  14 . The tube  24  becomes wedged on the ring  40  while also pushing the moving equipment  34  towards the end-wall  18  of the sheath. The lugs  68  which are prevented from returning towards the low track  52  by the step  62 , then travel along the high track  46  until they cross the step  56  and come into abutment against the wall of the groove  44  at that end of the semi-high track  48  which is further from the end-wall  18 , thereby stopping the movement of the moving equipment. Optionally, the tube  24  travels over a short additional stroke to be completely wedged in the ring  40 , while the moving equipment  22  is stationary. 
     As soon as the user ceases to exert pressure, the moving subassembly  12  is pushed away by the spring  70  which drives it towards the locked position, the lugs  68  crossing the step  58  between the semi-high track and the rest track and coming once again into abutment against the wall of the groove, thereby completing the use cycle. 
     Another representative structure is described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 to 9 . The lipstick dispenser has a moving subassembly  12  received in a sheath  14  and held stationary in a locked position by a locking mechanism  16 . One end of the sheath  14  is closed by an end-wall  18  provided with a stationary toothed ring  78  which projects axially and whose teeth form ramps. The other end of the sheath  14  is open. 
     The moving subassembly  12  has moving equipment supporting a conventional lipstick tube  24 , similar to the lipstick tube of  FIG. 1  and made up of holder cylinder  26  for receiving the stick of lipstick (not shown), which cylinder is open at one end and closed by a head  28  at its opposite end. The head  28  has a radial graspable surface  30  and an end-wall  32 . A conventional mechanism (not shown) makes it possible to extract the stick of lipstick (not shown) from the holder cylinder  26  when a user takes hold of the head  28  and turns it relative to the cylinder  26  about an axis thereof. 
     The moving equipment is formed by a guiding and fastening sleeve  34 , by an intermediate cylindrical “turnstile”  82 , and by an axial extender  84 . The sleeve  34  is mounted to be free to move in translation while being prevented from moving in rotation inside the sheath, and it is closed at one end by an intermediate partition  36  separating a stowage volume  38  of the lipstick tube and the mechanism  16 . On the stowage volume side, the intermediate partition  36  forms an internal ring  40  retain the lipstick tube  24 , and, on the mechanism  16  side, and projecting towards the end-wall  18  of the sheath, the intermediate partition forms a fluted bottom axial extension  86  whose axial end forms axially projecting ramps  88 . The turnstile  82  presents four radially projecting projections  90  shaped to form complementary ramps serving to co-operate on one side with the stationary toothed ring  78  of the end-wall of the sheath, and, on the other side, with the ramps  88  of the axial extension  86  of the sleeve. In its bottom portion, the inside face of the turnstile  82  is provided with sides  92  separated by fluting  94 . The extender  84  is provided with radial protuberances  96  co-operating with the sides  92  and fluting  94  of the turnstile, and provided with four catches  98  that come to be inserted into a square-section recess in the partition  36  of the sleeve  34 , thereby making it possible for the extender  84  to move in translation to a small extent relative to the sleeve  34 , without moving in rotation. 
     A compression spring  70  is loaded between the shoulder of the cam  100  of the sheath and the intermediate partition  36  of the sleeve. The mechanism  16  is completed by a stationary cam  100  forming a cylindrical bushing, provided with sides  102  projecting radially towards the inside of the cam  100  and separated in alternation by guide grooves for guiding the turnstile  104 A and by locking grooves  104 B. The bottom axial ends of the sides  102  are shaped to form ramps  106 . Each of the grooves  104 A,  104 B has a shallow top portion  108 A,  108 B serving to co-operate only with the sides of the fluted extension of the sleeve  86 , and a deeper bottom portion  110 A,  110 B that co-operates not only with the sides of the fluted extension of the sleeve  86 , but also with the projections  90  on the turnstile so as to guide them axially, the two portions of different depths being separated from each other by a step  112 A,  112 B forming axial abutments for the projections  90 . The step  112 A separating the guide grooves  104 A is remote from the end-wall  18  of the sheath, so that the portion  110 A has a large axial dimension. The step  112 B separating the locking grooves  104 B is ramp-shaped and is situated in alignment with the ramp  106  of one of the adjacent sides, so that the bottom portion  110 B finds itself very small. 
     The device operates as follows:
         In the locked position, shown in  FIG. 7 , the tube  24  is stowed inside the sheath  14 . The spring  70  is compressed and urges the moving subassembly  12  constituted of the tube  24  and the moving equipment to be ejected. However, the turnstile  82  is positioned such that the projections  90  are situated in the deep portions  104 B of the locking grooves  104 B, in axial abutment with the steps  112 B of the locking grooves  105 B in the stationary cam  100 , and in lateral abutment with the side walls of the adjacent side  102 , while the protuberances  96  of the extender  84  are in axial abutment against the sides  92  of the turnstile.   When the user presses on the end-wall  32  of the head  28 , the moving subassembly  112  penetrates into the sheath  14 . The ramps  88  of the fluted extension  86  of the sleeve come to push the projections  90  of the turnstile out of the locking grooves  104 B so that the turnstile becomes free to move in rotation. The movement in translation of the ramps  88  continuing causes the projections  90  and the turnstile  82  to start moving in rotation about the ejection axis  19 , that movement continuing until each of the projections  90  comes into engagement with two teeth of the stationary ring  78 . The extender  84  then acts as a spacer between the sleeve  34  and the end-wall  18 , and limits the penetration movement of the sleeve  34 , so that the dispenser finds itself in the position shown in  FIG. 8 .   When the user ceases to press on the end-wall  32  of the head  38 , the spring  70  pushes the sleeve  34  away which, after a lost-motion stroke corresponding to the axial clearance of the catches  98 , starts to drive the extender  84 , whose protuberances  96  are still in axial abutment against the step  114  of the side  92  of the turnstile  82 . The ejection force of the spring  70  is then transmitted to the projections  90  which slide over the ramps  106  on the sides  102 , and which retract, thereby causing the turnstile  82  to move in rotation. After this movement in rotation, the projections  90  find themselves in axial alignment with the guide grooves  104 A while the fluting  94  finds itself facing the protuberances  96 . The telescopic subassembly formed by the turnstile  82  and the extender  84  is driven in translation by the spring  70 . The movement of the moving equipment stops when the projections  90  encounter the steps  112 A of the guide grooves  104 A and when the protuberances  96  come into abutment against the axial end  116  of the fluting  94 . The tube is then in a graspable position shown in  FIG. 9 , enabling it to be extracted.       

     The tube is stowed in the following manner:
         The tube  24  is inserted into the sleeve  34  and pushes the sleeve towards the end-wall  18  of the sheath. After a lost-motion stroke, the sleeve  34  starts pushing the extender  84 . The fluted extension  86  of the sleeve penetrates into the bushing of the stationary cam  100  and pushes the turnstile  82  towards the end-wall of the sheath. As soon as the projections  90  on the turnstile  82  have gone past the bottom axial ends of the ramps  106  of the stationary cam  100 , and as soon as the protuberances  96  of the extender have come out of the fluting  92  of the turnstile, the turnstile  82  becomes free to move in rotation again, and starts to move in rotation, driven by the axial end ramps  88  of the fluted extension of the sleeve. When the tube continues to be pushed in, the protuberances  96  are expelled from the fluting  94  while the projections  90  come into contact with the teeth of the stationary ring  78 , which teeth constrain the turnstile to continue to move in rotation until the projections  90  are vertically in alignment with the ramps  106  of the stationary cam  100 . After this movement in rotation, the extender  84  finds itself in axial abutment with the ends  114  of the sides  92  of the turnstile. The push-in movement is limited by the extender which acts as a spacer between the partition  36  and the end-wall  18 .   When the user ceases to exert pressure, the spring  70  pushes the moving equipment away, the extender  84  transmits the axial forces from the spring  70  to the turnstile  82  and its projections  90 , which slide along the ramps  106 , until they penetrate into the locking grooves  104 B, in abutment against the ramps  112 B. The mechanism is then locked, and the cycle is complete, with the dispenser having returned to the position shown in  FIG. 7 .       

     Naturally, various modifications are possible. 
     In both of the structures described above, the sheath is polygonal in section, which makes it possible in particular for the lipstick tube to move in translation without moving in rotation relative to the sheath. Naturally, it is possible to use a sheath of circular section, in which case it can be necessary to provide axial guide means for axially guiding the tube and/or the moving equipment relative to the sheath. 
     The spring can be of any type, for example, it can be a traction spring or a compression spring. It can be loaded between a part that is stationary relative to the sheath and a part that is driven with the moving equipment. 
     The steps  56 ,  58 ,  60 , and  62  are not obligatory, and the tracks can also be of constant depth and in the same plane. It then suffices, to obtain one-way guiding of the lugs, to modify the shape of the heart-shaped cam, in a known manner. 
     The structure can be simplified by omitting the extender if the resulting stroke is sufficient for the use in question. 
     It is possible to adhere a tamperproofing patch of self-adhesive paper to the end-wall of the head of the tube, which patch is provided with a side tab that folds over onto the outside radial surface of the sheath. 
     The term “lipstick tube” is to be understood in its generic meaning, and it designates any device defining a space for receiving a stick of make-up or salve, and provided with a mechanism making it possible to extract the stick for using it. The lipstick tube can also be replaced with an applicator that does not have a mechanism and that does not have an internal space for receiving a stick of lipstick, i.e. that is reduced merely to a head provided with a thimble for fastening a stick of lipstick. The lipstick can also be replaced with any type of applicator designed for cosmetics, hygiene, or pharmaceuticals use, and that is provided with a drive element enabling it to grasped, with a reservoir for the substance to be applied, and with means for extracting the substance from its reservoir. The substance to be applied can be a substance in liquid form or in powder form. 
     It is also possible to provide the space for stowing the substance in the sheath in a chamber that can be stationary or supported by the moving equipment. In which case, the lipstick tube mentioned in the preceding examples is replaced with an applicator, e.g. of the brush, pipette, or spatula type. It suffices for the applicator to be provided with a head similar to the head  28  of the above-described examples. For example, the applicator may, in the stowage position, be in contact with the substance. In another example, the applicator in the stowage position is separated from the chamber containing the substance to be applied. It is only when the head of the applicator is pushed in that the applicator penetrates into the chamber containing the substance, while the locking mechanism becomes unlocked and enables the applicator to be ejected. 
     It is also possible to apply the structure to a liquid dispenser such as a perfume dispenser, for example, to a valve or to a pump. The moving subassembly may be constituted of a flask or bottle provided with a dispensing nozzle on the side opposite from the end-wall and with moving equipment of the above-described type. By pressing on the end-wall, the locking means are released and the end-wall of the bottom is driven into a projecting position in which it projects relative to the sheath, so that it is possible to take hold of the end-wall of the bottle and extract it completely from the sheath for the purpose of accessing the nozzle. The moving subassembly may be a one-piece subassembly and not designed to come out of the sheath beyond the projecting position. The moving subassembly then has a head provided, for example, with a radial nozzle and with a drive button diametrically opposite from the nozzle, making it possible to control a valve or a pump. Preferably, the drive button should be driven by being pressed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the sheath, e.g. a radial direction corresponding to the radial ejection axis of the nozzle, so as not to interfere with the axial movements of the moving subassembly relative to the sheath. 
     The purely axial movement of the tube may be transmitted to the locking mechanism  16 , an element of which is moved in a movement having a non-axial component. This transformation of the axial movement into lateral movement can be obtained by any means.