EP0310618B1 - Powder applicator comprising an easy-to-clean, rechargeable pusher-forming reservoir, particularly for making-up purposes - Google Patents

Abstract

The powder applicator device comprises a casing (4) wherein there is arranged a powdery material reservoir (6) which is mounted displaceably with respect to the casing (4) while being dismountably integral with an intermediate part (22) which is integral with an obturation element (16) forming valve (18). Said obturation element (16) comprises a stem (17) of a length sufficient to have its free end (17a) accessible from outside when the reservoir (6) is dismounted. Thereby, an easy-to-clean refillable device is obtained which makes it possible to change the shade of the powder while it is being used. The preferred utilisation is in cosmetics.

Description

The present invention essentially relates to an applicator device for a powdery material comprising a reservoir forming a pusher, rechargeable and easy to clean, usable in particular for make-up.

Various devices are already known for applying a powdery material, in particular pigmented powder for makeup.

Thus, document DE-A-3,006,463 describes a device for applying a powdery material comprising a housing element 1, comprising a part forming a reservoir defining a reserve of powdery material. The housing element is provided at one end with a closure element 16 supporting a tuft 22 or bundle of bristles or wires F. The reservoir has an opening 17 for at least temporary communication between the cavity and said tuft F, usually closed by a shutter element 18 forming a valve actuated at opening or closing using a pusher member 8, 9 integral with said shutter element, mounted movable relative to the housing 1 and accessible to the user.

Such a known device is made in an integrated, non-removable manner so as to form a disposable and not rechargeable unit.

However, the need is felt more and more to produce devices of a rechargeable nature so as to lower the manufacturing costs and concomitantly the purchase price of such a device by the user.

This device does not allow a regular distribution in the tuft, which requires shaking the device and risks causing harmful projections.

In addition, another drawback of this type of known device lies in the fact that it is not possible to use the same applicator device for different shades of powdery material while customers are increasingly looking for the possibility of change shade during use without purchasing new full applicator devices, especially because of their price.

In addition, to allow a change of color during use, or for cleaning to reduce stains due to contact with the skin, it is necessary to be able to easily clean the device completely. The distribution of the material must also be dosed regularly.

The main object of the present invention is to solve the new technical problem consisting in an essentially uniform distribution of the powdery material in the bristles or threads constituting the tuft and in the delivery of a relatively regular dose of powdery material, while avoiding any clogging. .

The main object of the present invention is also to solve the technical problem consisting in providing a device for applying a powdery material having a rechargeable character.

The main object of the present invention is also to solve the technical problem constituted by the provision of an applicator device of a powdery material for easy cleaning so as to allow a change of shade during use by the insertion of '' a new refill containing a powdery material of different shade.

All these technical problems are solved for the first time simultaneously by the present invention, in a completely unexpected and not obvious manner.

The present invention therefore provides a device for applying a powdery material, in particular pigmented powder for makeup, comprising a housing element, for example of substantially cylindrical shape, comprising a reservoir part defining a cavity for reserving powdery material, said housing element being provided at one end with a closure element supporting a tuft or bundle of bristles or wires, said reservoir comprising an at least temporary communication opening between said cavity and said tuft, usually closed by a closure element forming a valve actuated on opening or closing using a pusher member integral with said closure element, mounted movable relative to the housing and accessible to the user, characterized in that said pusher member is formed by said reservoir which is mounted movable relative to said housing, having an accessible part from the outside, being projecting relative to the housing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir is detachably secured to an intermediate piece mounted to move inside the housing and to which the valve member is secured.

According to a particular embodiment, the valve member comprises a rod integral with said intermediate piece, one end of which comprises said valve itself, said rod being provided with a length sufficient to have its free end opposite to that comprising said valve. accessible from the outside when the tank is removed.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the aforementioned rod comprises mechanical stirring means at its periphery over at least part of its length. Preferably, these mechanical stirring means comprise radially projecting shoulders, advantageously formed by a thread, thereby obtaining a mechanical effect of stirring the powdery material.

According to a particular embodiment, the intermediate part is located in the housing at a certain distance from the closure element, thereby defining an intermediate chamber for distributing the powdery material. This intermediate piece is advantageously pushed back in the direction opposite to the closure element by an elastic return means.

According to a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the aforementioned housing is made of at least two parts which can be joined together, swollen or curved outwards with a joint plane passing through said swollen or curved parts, said reservoir also having a corresponding bulged or domed part so that one of the bulged parts serves as a means for locking the reservoir in place.

According to an alternative embodiment, the reservoir can be simply clipped or fitted on the intermediate part.

According to another alternative embodiment, the closure element can be made in one piece with the first swollen part. Also, the closure element can have a funnel shape and be made removable relative to the housing.

It will thus be understood that, when a thrust is applied to the reservoir, a blast effect will be produced therein and if necessary in the intermediate distribution chamber, which will make it possible to agitate the powdery material avoiding blockages and a better distribution thereof, making possible a substantially uniform distribution of powdery material in the hairs, the delivery of a relatively regular dose of powdery material, avoiding the presence of an excess of powdery material in the tuft of hairs and stains from various objects by loss and / or projection.

This also prevents clogging.

On the other hand, by the removable nature of the tank, this device has a rechargeable nature, which makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing costs and the price.

In addition, by the fact that the valve element comprises a rod which is accessible from the outside when the reservoir is dismantled, this device can be easily cleaned in its entirety, which allows a change of shade during use. , without any limitation.

Finally, by providing means of agitation on the rod, a mechanical stirring effect is still obtained while still preventing any clogging.

The invention therefore provides multiple technical advantages, unexpected and not obvious to a person skilled in the art.

The preferred use of the powdery material applicator device according to the invention relates to the application of pigmented powder for make-up, therefore in the cosmetic field. Mention may be made on this subject of the makeup of the cheeks, of the eyelids, but other applications are naturally possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings showing two currently preferred embodiments of the invention, given simply by way of illustration and which therefore cannot in any way limit the scope of the invention.

• la figure 1 représente un premier mode de réalisation d'un dispositif applicateur d'un matériau poudreux selon la présente invention, en coupe longitudinale axiale, plus particulièrement adapté au maquillaye des paupières;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne de trace II-II de la figure 1; et
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale axiale d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un dispositif applicateur selon l'invention, plus particulièrement adapté au maquillage du visage.

In the drawings:

• FIG. 1 represents a first embodiment of a device for applying a powdery material according to the present invention, in axial longitudinal section, more particularly suited to the make-up of the eyelids;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along the trace line II-II of Figure 1; and
• FIG. 3 is a view in axial longitudinal section of a second embodiment of an applicator device according to the invention, more particularly suitable for making up the face.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an applicator device according to the invention, represented by the general reference number 1, of a powdery material 2, in particular of pigmented powder for makeup, comprises a housing element 4, comprising a reservoir forming part 6 defining a cavity 8 for reserving powdery material 2. The housing 4 may be of substantially cylindrical shape, as shown, or of any shape.

This housing element 4 is provided at one end 4a with a closure element 10 supporting a tuft 12 or bundle of bristles or wires. The reservoir 6 comprises an opening 14 for at least temporary communication between the cavity 8 and the tuft 12, usually closed by a closure element 16 forming a valve 18 actuated at the opening or at the closing by means of a member forming pusher 20 integral with the closure element 16, mounted movable relative to the housing and accessible to the user.

According to the present invention, this device is characterized in that the pusher member 20 is formed by the reservoir 6 which is mounted displaceable relative to the housing 4, advantageously by presenting a projecting part 6a relative to the housing 4, accessible from the exterior, as clearly seen in Figure 1.

Naturally, the reservoir 6 is mounted movable between a rest position for which the valve 18 is closed and an open position where the valve releases the opening and thus allows a dose of powdery material to be dispensed.

According to a preferred embodiment, the reservoir 6 is detachably secured to an intermediate piece 22 movably mounted inside the housing 4 and to which is secured the valve member 16, as is clearly visible in Figure 1 .

It will be observed that the valve member 16 comprises a rod 17 secured to the intermediate piece, for example by being fixed there by thread in a corresponding orifice 24, here made axial. One end of the rod 17 comprises the valve 18 proper. This rod 17 is provided according to the invention of a length sufficient to have its free end 17a, opposite to that 17b comprising the valve 18, accessible from the outside when the reservoir is dismantled, advantageously by being projecting relative to the housing 4, as shown.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the rod 17 comprises mechanical stirring means 26 at its periphery, over at least part of its length, preferably in the part of the rod situated inside the tank 6. These stirring means advantageously include radially projecting shoulders which, for simplicity of manufacture, can be constituted by a thread 27.

A mechanical effect of mixing the powdery material contained in the reservoir 6 is thus obtained.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the intermediate part 22 is located in the housing 4 at a certain distance from the element 10 for closing the housing 4, thereby defining an intermediate chamber 28 for distributing the powdery material.

It will be observed, as mentioned previously, that the displacement of the reservoir 6 produces a blast effect effecting agitation of the powdery material, by reducing the volume occupied in particular by the intermediate chamber 28. This provides the technical advantages previously stated.

Naturally, the intermediate part 22 comprises through orifices 30 which can be seen clearly in FIG. 2, so as to make the cavity 8 communicate with the intermediate chamber 28 and the closing element 10 cooperating with the valve element 16 It will be observed that the intermediate piece 22 is provided with an anti-rotation device by providing a radially internal shoulder system 32 cooperating with grooves 34 made in the intermediate piece, also serving as a driving-in stop for the intermediate piece. . In addition, the intermediate piece 22 is pushed back in the direction opposite to the valve 18 by an elastic return means 38.

The reservoir 6 is mounted here removable relative to the intermediate piece by being secured to it by corresponding threaded parts 40.

According to this embodiment, the closure element 10 is also removably mounted inside the housing 4 by having grooves 44 cooperating with interior bosses 46, as is conventional.

Advantageously, the closure element 10 has a funnel shape comprising a relatively large cylindrical part terminating in a central region of the tuft of bristles 12, so as to distribute the powdery material towards the center of this tuft.

The operation of this device is clearly apparent to those skilled in the art and results from the preceding description. It is understood that during a push on the tank 6, there will be an opening of the valve 18 which is secured to the intermediate piece 22 to which the reservoir itself is secured.

This push will give a blast effect inside the tank 6 by stirring the powdery material, while leading to a distribution of a dose of powder by the valve 18, this dose being distributed uniformly and regularly in the tuft 12.

When the thrust is released, the delivery of the dose is naturally stopped while still achieving a blast effect in the opposite direction.

If you want to change the tank to put a new refill or change color, simply unscrew the tank 6. At this time the free end 17a of the rod 17 is accessible from the outside and the user can then apply a push on it to open the valve 18 and allow complete cleaning of the device.

We therefore obtain all the technical advantages previously stated.

With reference to FIG. 3, according to a second embodiment of the invention, the applicator device 100 comprises a housing 104 produced at least in two parts 104a, 104b, joined together with a joint plane P passing through said swollen part or curved, as clearly visible in Figure 3.

This device also includes a reservoir 106 having a corresponding bulged or bent 106b portion so that one 104b of the bulged portions serves as a means for locking the reservoir 106 in place, as is clearly understandable from FIG. 3, while providing space 109 for moving the reservoir 106.

It will be observed that the parts 104a, 104b can be joined together preferably by simple screwing, interlocking or clipping, or the like.

Likewise, preferably, the reservoir 106 is also clipped or fitted onto the intermediate piece 122 mounted movably inside the housing 104.

On the other hand, according to this second embodiment, provision may be made for the closure element 110 of the housing to present, opposite the intermediate piece 122, a U-shaped section, so as to constitute a part of the intermediate chamber 128, by being located in the extension of the part 104a of the tank. Advantageously, provision can be made for the part 104a to come together by screwing, fitting or clipping onto the closing element 110, as shown. This closing element 110 can be made in one piece with the front portion 104c of the housing 104 or be locked there also by simple screwing, fitting or clipping.

It will be observed that all the parts of this embodiment with functions similar to those of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, bear the same reference numbers increased by 100.

Thus, the shutter element carries the reference number 116, the valve the reference number 118, the tuft the reference number 112, the stirring means the reference number 126, the rod the reference number 117, etc.

It will be observed that according to this embodiment, all the advantages of the preceding embodiment are obtained. In addition, it can be seen that the obturation element 110 in its U-shaped section defines with the part 104a of the housing 104 a path for displacement or sliding of the intermediate piece 122 secured to the reservoir 106, while the base 111 of the U and the lateral edges of the U make it possible to hold the return means 138 more in position. Finally, by the fact that the part 104a of the housing 104 also comes to be screwed, fitted or clipped onto the front part 104c at the level of the closure element 110, an easy means of access is obtained to the central part of the device.

Naturally, this design can also be carried out for the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

On the other hand, and as for the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the closure member 110 has a funnel shape having a tubular part 110a or 10a of relatively large size. This makes it possible in practice to define with great precision a dose of powdery material when the valve 118 or 18 is opened by action on the reservoir 106 or 6, respectively.

Claims (10)

1. Device for applying a powdery material, in particular pigmented powder for making-up, comprising an element forming case (4, 104), comprising a part forming reservoir (6, 106) defining a reserve cavity (8, 108) of powdery material, said element forming case being provided at one end with a closure element (10, 110) supporting a tuft (12, 112) or bundle of hairs or filaments, said reservoir (6, 106) comprising an opening (14, 114) for at least temporary communication between said cavity (8, 108) and said tuft (12, 112), usually obturated by an obturation element (16, 116) forming valve (18, 118) opened or closed with the aid of a member forming pusher (20, 120) fast with said obturation element (16, 116), mounted displaceable with respect to the case (4, 104) and accessible to the user, characterized in that said member forming pusher (20, 120) is formed by said reservoir (6, 106) which is mounted displaceable relatively to said case, presenting a part (6a, 106a) accessible from the outside, being in projection relatively to the case (4, 104).

2. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the reservoir (4, 104) is dismountably connected to an intermediate piece (22, 122) mounted displaceably inside the case (4, 104) and with which the element forming valve (16, 116) is connected.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the intermediate piece (22, 122) is located in the case (4, 104) at a certain distance from the closure element (10, 110), thus defining an intermediate chamber (28, 128) for distributing the powdery material.

4. Device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the element forming valve (16, 116) comprises a rod (17, 117) fast with said intermediate piece (22, 122), of which one end comprises said valve (18, 118), said rod (17, 117) being provided to be of a sufficient length to have its free end (17a, 117a) opposite that comprising said valve (18, 118) accessible from the outside when the reservoir (6, 106) is dismounted.

5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the rod (17, 117) comprises mechanical stirring means (26, 126) on its periphery over at least a part of its length.

6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the mechanical stirring means (26, 126) mentioned above comprise radially projecting shoulders (27, 127), preferably formed simply by a thread.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the case (104) is made of at least two parts (104a, 104b) connectable together, bulging or convex outwardly, preferably with parting line (P) passing through said bulging or convex part, said reservoir (106) also presenting a corresponding bulging or convex part (106b) so that one of the bulging parts (104b) serves as means for locking the reservoir in place.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the closure element (10, 110) presents the form of a funnel, preferably having a tubular part (10a, 110a) of appropriate dimension to guide the powdery material into a central part of the tuft (12, 112) whilst precisely defining a dose of powdery material.

9. Device according to Claim 8, characterized in that the closure element (110) presents at its end opposite the reservoir (106) a U-section, thus constituting a part of the intermediate chamber (128) and also defining guide paths for slide of the intermediate piece (122).

10. Device according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the closure element (110) is connected to a front piece (104c) of the case (104) and is screwed, fitted or clipped on the bulging intermediate part (104a) of the case (104).

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