Patent Description:
In the field of cosmetic products it is known to use vessels for a cosmetic product, which is typically contained therein in a plurality of doses. For preserving the cosmetic product with reduced utilization of preservatives, airless (or air-tight) dispensers have been conceived, which generally employ a mechanical vacuum pump that controls the movement of a plunger capable of pushing the cosmetic product contained in a chamber towards the discharge nozzle, while keeping the cosmetic product sealably enclosed in the chamber to avoid any contamination.

In this way, the airless dispenser effects the distribution of the cosmetic product while keeping the non-dispensed product part unaffected by air. US Patent application num <CIT> describes an airless pump and a cosmetic container including the same, in which the structure of the airless pump is improved so as to increase operability and facilitate use, a nozzle is actuated to open or close concurrently with the operation of the pump in order to block external impurities and air from entering when the container is not being used, so that the content may be safely protected, and the nozzle is opened concurrently with the operation of the pump when the container is used, so as to dispense a predetermined amount of the content.

By way of example, <FIG> shows a container provided with an airless dispenser according to the prior art, wherein the container consists of a hollow vessel body made of plastic material. In particular, the hollow vessel body is manufactured by moulding a thermoplastic material.

It is one object of the present invention to provide a container provided with a dispenser of the airless type for a cosmetic product which improves and overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved through a container having the technical features set out in the appended independent claim.

In particular, such technical features include that the container has a hollow vessel body made of glass (e.g. vial glass). Moreover, the hollow vessel body is substantially cylindrical and defines a substantially constant cross-section through the axial section in which a plunger can sealably slide, without allowing any air to pass.

Such technical features allow obtaining a container that is compatible with volatile substances and essences which, in the cosmetics field, need to be contained within amorphous material. In fact, in this field it is generally known to use containers of the airless type with hollow vessel bodies made of plastic material - which is not the ideal choice for some cosmetic products. For example, some cosmetic products are highly volatile and chemically aggressive, such that they do not allow the use of containers made of transparent plastic material; this is an important aspect in the cosmetics field. At the same time, the above technical features make it possible to obtain, within the hollow vessel body of the container, a constant cross-section and adequate tolerances throughout its height, thus permitting the plunger to rise due to the pressure drop caused by actuating means (which substantially make a pump-type mechanical system).

According to the invention, the outlet nozzle is carried by one between said dispenser and the base; the plunger is provided with coupling means that couple the plunger to, making it integral with, one between the dispenser and the base carrying the outlet nozzle, when the plunger is in the closer position; when the plunger is in the closer position, the plunger and the dispenser or the base which is coupled thereto form an integral assembly that is extractable as one piece from the hollow vessel body.

Although reference is made in the text to a container for cosmetic products, the protection scope of the invention is also extendable to containers for other products having similar necessities and requirements.

It is understood that the appended claims are an integral part of the technical teachings provided in the following detailed description of the present invention. In particular, the appended dependent claims define some preferred embodiments of the present invention that include some optional technical features.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description, provided merely as a non-limiting example and referring, in particular, to the annexed drawings as summarized below.

With reference to the drawings, numeral <NUM> designates as a whole a container provided with a dispenser <NUM> of the airless type for a cosmetic product, made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Each one of the figures shows a container <NUM> made in accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and/or a construction variant thereof, of the present invention.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the container <NUM> comprises a hollow vessel body <NUM> internally defining a receptacle <NUM> configured for sealably containing a cosmetic product. Typically, the cosmetic product is contained therein in a plurality of doses, which can be dispensed at successive times by the dispenser. For example, the hollow vessel body <NUM> is shaped as a flacon.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the container <NUM> comprises a base <NUM> intended to rest on a supporting surface.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the dispenser <NUM> comprises a dispensing or pumping head <NUM> mounted at one end of the container <NUM> and communicating with the receptacle <NUM> for dispensing the cosmetic product. The dispensing or pumping head <NUM> is preferably mounted to the top of the container <NUM>. For example, the dispensing head <NUM> is made of plastic material.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, there is also an outlet nozzle <NUM> configured for letting out the desired quantity of cosmetic product upon an actuation of the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> performed by a user. Such actuation occurs via actuating means <NUM> which are associated with the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> and which cause a pressure drop inside the receptacle <NUM>. Typically, the delivery of a dosed quantity of cosmetic product corresponds to a single actuation of the actuating means <NUM>. In particular, such actuation is effected by pressing the actuating means <NUM>.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the container <NUM> further comprises a plunger <NUM> slidably and sealably mounted in the receptacle <NUM> and configured to be pushed towards the outlet nozzle <NUM> due to the pressure drop generated by the operation of the actuating means <NUM>. In particular, the plunger <NUM> is movable in the receptacle <NUM> from a spaced-out position to a closer position relative to the outlet nozzle <NUM>. In general, the spaced-out position corresponds to a condition in which the receptacle <NUM> is substantially full of cosmetic product; on the contrary, the closer position corresponds to a condition in which the receptacle <NUM> is substantially emptied of the cosmetic product.

For example, the plunger <NUM> is made of plastic material and sealably adheres to the inner surface of the sidewalls of the hollow vessel body <NUM>.

<FIG> show the plunger <NUM> in the closer position, only with reference to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and to the construction variant thereof shown in <FIG>. In all the other <FIG> and <FIG>, the various embodiments and construction variants thereof are represented with the plunger in the spaced-out position.

In the embodiments and construction variants thereof shown in <FIG>, the outlet nozzle <NUM> is carried by the dispenser <NUM>, in particular by the dispensing or pumping head <NUM>. In these construction variants, the pressure drop generated by the actuating means <NUM> pushes the plunger <NUM> towards the dispenser <NUM> and - more specifically - towards the dispensing head <NUM> and away from the base <NUM> (i.e. towards the top of the container <NUM>). Conversely, in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and in the respective construction variants shown in <FIG>, the outlet nozzle <NUM> is carried by the base <NUM>. In such construction variants, the pressure drop generated by the actuating means <NUM> pushes the plunger <NUM> towards the base <NUM> and away from the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> (i.e. towards the bottom of the container <NUM>). In this case, the action performed by the user on the actuating means <NUM> will cause the product contained in the receptacle <NUM> to come out through the base <NUM>, not through the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> of the dispenser <NUM>.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the hollow vessel body <NUM> is substantially cylindrical and defines a substantially constant cross-section, in particular through the axial section in which the plunger <NUM> is able to slide. More particularly, the cross-section of the hollow vessel body <NUM> is substantially circular.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the hollow vessel body <NUM> is substantially transparent and is made of glass, e.g. vial glass. This measure permits to obtain a container <NUM> which is compatible with volatile substances and essences that, in the cosmetics field, need to be contained within amorphous and transparent material. At the same time, this measure makes it possible to obtain, within the hollow vessel body <NUM> of the container <NUM>, a constant cross-section and adequate tolerances throughout all its height, thus allowing the plunger <NUM> to rise due to the pressure drop caused by the actuating means <NUM> (which substantially make a pump-type mechanical system).

Advantageously, in the embodiments illustrated in <FIG> the hollow vessel body <NUM> is without a neck - or, more in general, without a narrowing - situated at the dispenser <NUM> (in particular, at the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> thereof) that carries the outlet nozzle <NUM>. Also advantageously, in the embodiment shown in <FIG> and in the construction variants thereof shown in <FIG>, the hollow vessel body <NUM> is without a neck - or, more in general, without a narrowing - at the base <NUM> that carries the outlet nozzle <NUM>.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the hollow vessel body <NUM> has a substantially constant cross-section throughout its whole longitudinal or axial extension.

As aforementioned, differently from the example of the prior art depicted in <FIG>, the hollow vessel body <NUM> is not made of plastic by moulding a thermoplastic material, but is made of glass, particularly vial glass. For example, the process for manufacturing the hollow vessel body <NUM> can envisage that vial glass is obtained from glass tubes generally made by extrusion, which are subsequently thermoformed, in particular subjected to hot forming on rotary turrets. This process is also advantageous compared to glass forming processes using the so-called "press-press" technologies, in that it ensures better compliance with the tolerances necessary for proper operation and motion of the plunger <NUM>.

In particular, in comparison with traditional processes, the closing of at least one of the ends of the container body is omitted to allow the plunger <NUM> to enter and exit through such end. In particular, neck forming can also be omitted, thus using only the semifinished extruded tube base. In this case, as will be described more in detail below, the plunger <NUM> can enter and exit also through the side where the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> is located.

According to the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and the construction variants thereof shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the container <NUM> essentially consists of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. The base <NUM> of the container <NUM> thus forms the bottom of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. In particular, the base <NUM> allows the passage of air inside the hollow vessel body <NUM> towards the plunger <NUM>, which, in turn, is slidably and sealably mounted within the sidewalls of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. For example, the base <NUM> can be provided with a hole or aperture <NUM>. As it can be seen in the embodiments illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and in the construction variants illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> can be a component which is separate from the sidewalls of the hollow vessel body <NUM>, to be subsequently assembled to the bottom thereof; as an alternative, in the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the base <NUM> can be made as one piece with the hollow vessel body <NUM>; for example, said base <NUM> can be made of a material which is different from the one used for the hollow vessel body <NUM> - in particular, it can be made of plastic.

According to the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the container <NUM> further comprises an external casing <NUM> that surrounds the hollow vessel body <NUM>, in particular in a transversally outer position. In other words, in such construction variants the container <NUM> substantially forms a hollow structure with a double sidewall provided by the hollow vessel body <NUM> and by the external casing <NUM> which surrounds the hollow vessel body <NUM>. In such construction variants, the base <NUM> of the container <NUM> makes the bottom of the external casing <NUM>, while the plunger <NUM> makes, in turn, a movable bottom of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. The base <NUM> allows, therefore, the passage of air within the external casing <NUM>, so as to communicate with the plunger <NUM>, which in turn is slidably and sealably mounted within the sidewalls of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. In such construction variants as well, for example, the base <NUM> can be provided with the central hole or aperture <NUM>. As it can be seen in the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> can be a component which is separate from the sidewalls of the external casing <NUM>, which is subsequently assembled to the bottom thereof; as an alternative, as it can be seen in the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> can be made in a single piece with the external casing <NUM>.

The external casing <NUM> and its bottom <NUM> can be made of a material different from that of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. For example, they can be made of opaque material. Still by way of example, they can be made of plastic.

In each one of the embodiments and construction variants of the present invention illustrated herein, the dispenser <NUM> preferably comprises a supporting ring <NUM> situated in a transversally (or radially) outer position, which allows fastening the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> to the container <NUM>. The supporting ring <NUM> has, advantageously, a shoulder portion <NUM> in axial abutment with the end of the container <NUM>. In particular, the shoulder portion <NUM> is in abutment with the end of the hollow vessel body <NUM>. Even more in particular, if the external casing <NUM> is present, the shoulder portion <NUM> is also in axial abutment with the end of said external casing <NUM>; preferably, between the ends of the hollow vessel body <NUM> and the external casing <NUM> there is a transversal spacer <NUM>.

For example, the supporting ring <NUM> is made of plastic material.

According to the embodiments shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> and the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> is a component that is separate from the supporting ring <NUM> and is located in a transversally (or radially) internal position relative to the supporting ring <NUM>. In such variants, the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> can be assembled to the supporting ring <NUM>, e.g. by means of a threaded coupling. In the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> and the supporting ring <NUM> are made in a single piece.

In the embodiments and construction variants thereof illustrated in <FIG>, the plunger <NUM> is preferably provided with coupling means <NUM> configured for coupling to the rest of the dispenser <NUM> when the plunger <NUM> is in the above-described closer position. In particular, the coupling means <NUM> make the plunger <NUM> integral with the rest of the dispenser <NUM>, in particular with the dispensing head <NUM> and/or with the supporting ring <NUM>. In this manner, when the plunger <NUM> is in the closer position (which means that the cosmetic product in the receptacle <NUM> is substantially exhausted), it is extractable from the container <NUM> an integral assembly including the dispensing head <NUM>, the plunger <NUM> and the supporting ring <NUM>, thus facilitating the separation and disposal thereof for a subsequent recycling.

For example, the coupling means <NUM> include a quick-coupling mechanism that engages the plunger <NUM> with the dispensing head <NUM> and/or the supporting ring <NUM>.

In the embodiments and construction variants thereof illustrated in <FIG>, the quick-coupling mechanism of the coupling means <NUM> includes, by way of example, one or more inclined profiles 33a provided on the plunger <NUM> and, respectively, one or more complementary profiles 33b provided, in turn, on the dispensing head <NUM> and/or on the supporting ring <NUM>, and operationally facing towards the inclined profiles 33a.

In particular, each one of the profiles 33a, 33b has an outline which, in an axial cross-section, is shaped substantially like a tooth. As the plunger <NUM> approaches the closer position, each inclined profile 33a comes in abutment with the respective complementary profile 33b and slides against it by means of mechanical interference. When the plunger <NUM> reaches the closer position, every inclined profile 33a axially overcomes the corresponding complementary profile 33b and comes in snap engagement with it.

With particular reference to <FIG>, it is shown a longitudinal section of the container <NUM> according to the construction variant illustrated in <FIG>, which provides a better view - from another elevation perspective - of an exemplary implementation of the coupling means <NUM>. Such longitudinal section refers to <FIG>, but the technical features illustrated therein and described below are applicable to any embodiment and construction variant of the container <NUM>.

In <FIG>, the inclined profile 33a comprises an annular or arched extension carried by the plunger <NUM> and developing in a substantially continuous manner around the movement axis of said plunger <NUM>. In particular, said inclined profile 33a develops transversally or radially inwards. There are also a plurality of complementary profiles 33b, each one carried by the end of a respective appendix <NUM> protruding from the dispensing or pumping head <NUM> (or, as an alternative, from the associated supporting ring <NUM>) within the receptacle <NUM> and towards the plunger <NUM>. In particular, the appendices <NUM> (only one of which is visible in <FIG>) are angularly spaced apart evenly; in the construction variant visible in <FIG> and <FIG>, such appendices <NUM> are two and are situated in diametrical opposite positions.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and in the construction variants shown in <FIG>, the dispensing head <NUM> comprises a protective cap <NUM> removably mounted over it. In particular, when the protective cap <NUM> is mounted over the dispensing head, it covers the actuating means <NUM>, e.g. to prevent them from being unintentionally operated.

In the construction variants shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, wherein the outlet nozzle <NUM> is carried by the base <NUM>, the actuating means <NUM> can include a thrust plate <NUM> intended for creating a pressure drop that pushes the plunger <NUM> towards the base <NUM>. The thrust plate <NUM> can optionally have a peripheral edge <NUM> protruding axially towards the base <NUM> and laterally surrounding at least an axial segment of the container <NUM>, in particular of the hollow vessel body <NUM>.

Naturally, without prejudice to the principle of the invention, the embodiments and the implementation details may be extensively varied from those described and illustrated herein by way of non-limiting example, without however departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the appended claims.

For example, the technical features that differentiate the various embodiments and variants thereof described and illustrated herein are freely interchangeable, whenever compatible.

Claim 1:
Container (<NUM>) provided with a dispenser (<NUM>) of the airless type for a cosmetic product;
said container (<NUM>) comprising a hollow vessel body (<NUM>) internally defining a receptacle (<NUM>) configured for sealably containing a cosmetic product; said container (<NUM>) further comprising a base (<NUM>) intended to rest on a supporting surface;
said dispenser (<NUM>) comprises a dispensing or pumping head (<NUM>) mounted at one end of said hollow vessel body (<NUM>) and communicating with the receptacle (<NUM>) for dispensing the cosmetic product; said dispenser (<NUM>) comprising actuating means (<NUM>) associated with said dispensing or pumping head (<NUM>) and configured to be operated by a user, so as to cause a pressure drop inside said receptacle (<NUM>), thus letting out the desired quantity of cosmetic product through an outlet nozzle (<NUM>) when said actuating means (<NUM>) are operated;
said container further comprising a plunger (<NUM>) slidably and sealably mounted in the receptacle (<NUM>) and configured to be pushed from a spaced-out position towards a closer position relative to the outlet nozzle (<NUM>) due to the pressure drop generated by the operation of said actuating means (<NUM>);
wherein said hollow vessel body (<NUM>) is substantially transparent and made of glass, being substantially cylindrical and defining a substantially constant cross-section through the axial section in which said plunger (<NUM>) is able to sealably slide; and
wherein said outlet nozzle (<NUM>) is carried by at least one between said dispenser (<NUM>) and said base (<NUM>);
said container being characterized in that said plunger (<NUM>) is provided with coupling means (<NUM>) which couple said plunger (<NUM>) to, making it integral with, the at least one between said dispenser (<NUM>) and said base (<NUM>) carrying said outlet nozzle (<NUM>), when said plunger (<NUM>) is in said closer position; and
in that, when the plunger (<NUM>) is in said closer position, said plunger (<NUM>) and the dispenser (<NUM>) or the base (<NUM>) coupled thereto form an integral assembly extractable as one piece from said hollow vessel body (<NUM>).