EP0655208A1 - Applicator device for liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

Applicator device for a liquid, including a container (1) and a dispensing dome (9) connected to the said container by a dispensing head (7, 8, 10): the dispensing dome (9) is produced in a porous material; the container is a pressurised reservoir (1) equipped with a dispensing valve (4), the dispensing dome (9) being carried by a support (8) mechanically linked to a connecting piece (13) capable of interacting with the said valve (4) to cause it to open through the action of mechanical stressing exerted on the dispensing dome (9); the liquid ejected outside the reservoir (1) during said opening is channelled through the said connecting piece (13) towards the face (9b) of the dispensing dome (9) which is opposite the outer face (9a) of the said dome (9); the dispensing head includes an attaching member (7) making it possible to secure the said head to the reservoir (1), the attaching member being a rigid skirt (7) fastened on the reservoir (1); a flexible element (10) connects the said attaching member (7) and the support (8), the rigid skirt (7) being connected in the vicinity of its upper border (7a) to a cylindrical wall, which constitutes the flexible element (10); the dispensing head (7, 10, 8) is produced in a single piece by moulding plastic material. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator device for liquid and in particular a device usable for the application, topically, to the skin of a product with cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical action, such as a deodorant for example.

In the particular case of products such as a deodorant or an antiperspirant, it has already been proposed to ensure application by means of a solid stick, called "grape", containing the active ingredient to be applied to the skin of the user; such a grape can have, in cross section, various shapes chosen according to the use and it is packaged in a case allowing its movement as and when the grapes are consumed. The disadvantage of such a presentation is, on the one hand, that it requires for the packaging of the product special and expensive tools and, on the other hand, that the conservation of the grapes is generally not perfectly ensured, because the solid composition used contains a large percentage of alcohol and the packaging is generally not sufficiently tight to prevent evaporation of the alcohol. In addition, the comfort of the user is not perfectly satisfactory because the application of a grape to the skin gives, with the known compositions, an impression of oily application while the user wishes a non-oily application with a refreshing effect.

It has already been proposed to overcome these drawbacks by proposing an applicator which implements a liquid composition contained in a bottle on which is fixed a dispensing head carrying a dispensing dome made of a porous solid material. This type of embodiment has been described, for example, in US-A-5,230,579 or in French patent FR-89-06490. The disadvantage of this type of packaging is twofold: firstly, to ensure the closure of the bottle when the product is not used, it is necessary to provide a relatively complicated dispensing head, which significantly increases the cost of packaging; and on the other hand, to use the product, it is necessary to perform a prior action bringing the liquid into the porous dome with which we will ensure the application: in the case of the two aforementioned prior patents, this action is a reversal the bottle so that the liquid descends by gravity into the porous dome.

It has also been proposed to apply products of this type in the form of an aerosol, in which case the dispensed liquid composition is perfectly preserved during its storage since it is inside a pressurized container closed by a valve. However, this mode of application has significant drawbacks: indeed, the application, even when it is well targeted, generates a cloud of liquid particles which is partially inhaled by the user, from which it often results particularly unpleasant sternutatory, especially during the morning toilet in the bathroom, or even more serious reactions in the case of asthmatic subjects particularly sensitive to the inhalation of aerosol particles. In addition, the use of aerosol distribution involves the ejection into the atmosphere, together with the liquid particles of the aerosol, of the pressurizing gas; if pressurization is carried out with a non-liquefied compressed gas, for example with air, the distribution pressure decreases as the tank is discharged, so that at the end of distribution the particles of l are too large; if pressurization is carried out with a partially liquefied chlorofluoroalkane, air pollution is generated; if, finally, the pressurization is ensured with butane or partially liquefied propane, the product can in no case be considered hypoallergenic, given the risk run by certain subjects when inhaling the propellant.

In order to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above, there has been proposed, according to EP-A-0 374 339, an applicator device for liquid comprising a container of the liquid to be applied to a surface to be treated and a dispensing dome connected to said container by a dispensing head, the dispensing dome being made of a porous material suitable for applying the liquid by simple rubbing of the external face of said dome on the surface to be treated, the container being a pressurized tank equipped with a dispensing valve, the dispensing dome being carried by a support, which constitutes an element of the dispensing head and is mechanically linked to a nozzle capable of cooperating with said valve to cause it to open under the action mechanical stress exerted on the dispensing dome, the liquid ejected from the reservoir during said opening being channeled through said nozzle towards the face of the dispensing dome, which is opposite to the external face of said dome, the dispensing head comprising a member hooking for securing said head with the tank and the hooking member being a rigid skirt fixed to the tank by snap-fastening of a snap-on area. Such a device has the advantage of not requiring any reversal prior to application; however, its use is not easy: on the one hand, the dispensing dome is guided along the axis of the stem of the dispensing valve which it is necessary to actuate along this axis for its opening while a transverse movement must be given to the device for spreading the product over the surface to be treated, and, on the other hand, this axial force of opening the valve is carried out against the elastic means specific to the dispensing valve and it is difficult to adjust or dose the distribution of the product.

The object of the present invention is to propose an applicator device of the above type, which eliminates all the above-mentioned drawbacks and which can be produced for a reduced cost price. The device according to the invention can be used for the distribution of cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical products but is in no way limited to this type of application: it can be used in all cases where it is desired to spread a liquid over a surface by means of an applicator. In the case where it is a topical application on the skin of a user, the device according to the invention therefore has the advantage of not requiring any reversal prior to the application, which constitutes an additional advantage for the user, in particular for the application of deodorants or antiperspirants to the armpits.

According to a first characteristic of the device according to the invention, a flexible element connects said attachment member and the support of the dispensing dome.

According to another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the rigid skirt is connected in the vicinity of its upper edge to a cylindrical wall, which constitutes the flexible element.

According to yet another characteristic of the device according to the invention, the dispensing head is made in one piece by molding of plastic material.

Of course, the applicator device according to the invention can simultaneously include the three above characteristics.

In a preferred embodiment, the support of the dispensing dome is a cup having, on at least one zone, a depression capable of collecting an excess of liquid ejected by the valve.

According to an interesting embodiment, the reservoir is a cylindrical container, the top of which is shaped as a warhead and carries the dispensing valve, a latching groove being provided in the connection zone of the cylindrical wall and the warped wall, the rigid skirt being cylindrical and carrying in the vicinity of one of its edges a latching means able to cooperate with said latching groove.

Preferably, the flexible element connects the zone of the rigid skirt, which is furthest from the latching zone, at the periphery of the support of the dispensing dome; the rigid skirt and the flexible element may consist of a continuous wall surrounding the dispensing valve when the dispensing head is snapped onto the reservoir; but the flexible element could also be produced in discontinuous form by a plurality of successive sectors. Advantageously, the dispensing head is, apart from the means (s) for attaching the dispensing dome, a part of revolution about an axis.

It is preferred that the dispensing valve comprises an emerging rod, which is partially inserted, in a sealed manner, in an internal pipe of the end piece; the nozzle can be arranged in the central area of the support of the dispensing dome, said nozzle having a cylindrical shape along the axis of which is formed its internal pipe.

In the case of an applicator device intended for the application to the skin of a cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical product, it can advantageously be provided that the valve dispensing valve is an opening valve by lateral tilting of its emerging stem.

The dispensing dome may be made of a ceramic or plastic sintered material, in particular of a material obtained by compression of plastic particles; for example, one can use a sinter obtained by compression of calibrated polyethylene beads, said sinter having a porosity between 10 microns and 500 microns. The choice of porosity is generally made taking into account two parameters, on the one hand, the desired flow rate for the liquid to be applied and, on the other hand, the surface condition of the porous dome, which must be compatible with the surface to be treated that we are considering. To define the porosity, in a known manner, the flow rate of a liquid is measured through a given thickness of the frit under a predetermined pressure difference and the equivalent section of a pipe deducing the same flow rate is deduced therefrom. conditions and therefore, the average diameter of a pore when we statistically know the number of pores per unit area of the dome. When the distributor dome is made of a plastic frit, it can be constituted by synthetic resins such as high or low density polyethylenes, polypropylenes or polyvinyl fluorides, the preferred porosity range extending from 10 to 200 microns.

The dispensing dome of the device according to the invention can also be produced by means of an open cell foam, for example a polyethylene foam; this foam can be covered with a canvas for the comfort of the application.

Advantageously, the dispensing dome is made of a non-deformable material.

Provision may be made for substantially radial channels between the internal face of the support and the underside of the distributor dome, said channels being able to be produced in the distributor dome itself and / or in the wall of the support: these channels have the advantage ensure good distribution of the liquid to be dispensed so that the external face of the dispensing dome is uniformly supplied with said liquid. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide, facing the end of the internal channel of the end piece, an obstacle playing the role of jet breaker and aiming at the same goal as that indicated above for the possible substantially radial channels.

It should be noted that, in the case where a valve with opening by lateral tilting is used, the ejection of the liquid out of the reservoir takes place due to the friction between the distributor dome, on the one hand, and the surface to be treat, on the other hand; we can adjust the amount of friction triggering the opening of the valve by playing on the deformability of the flexible element which, in the dispensing head, connects the rigid skirt and the support of the dispensing dome. In addition, it should be noted that, if the external face of the dispensing dome carries a film of liquid, the friction force between the dispensing dome and the surface to be treated will be low, which will make it possible to consume the film of liquid before any opening. distribution valve. We can use a flexible element more or less easily deformable, so that in operation, the support pressure of the dispensing dome on the surface to be treated is that which is desirable for the intended application.

Advantageously, the application face of the dispensing dome has a roughness such that the average Ra of the roughness differences is between 0.5 μm and 100 μm, preferably between 6 μm and 50 μm.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention comes from the fact that at the opening of the valve, the liquid is ejected in the direction of the dispensing dome by the pressurizing agent, but since it is not a question of aerosol dispensing, the pressurizing agent can remain entirely inside the container: there is therefore no risk of atmospheric pollution and no destruction of the possibly hypoallergenic nature of the liquid to be dispensed. In addition, the distribution is done without generating a cloud of liquid particles capable of being inhaled by the user with a sternutatory effect.

It should also be noted that the expansion of the liquid at the outlet of the pressurized reservoir generates, in the case of topical application, an impression of freshness which is particularly pleasant for the user.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention presents no risk of leakage since the dead volumes below the dispensing dome are extremely reduced; in case of distribution excessive instantaneous liquid, the liquid collects in the area of the dispensing dome, which occupies the depressions in the cup where said dispensing dome is placed. It is possible for the user to carry out a voluntary overdose by pressing with a finger on the surface of the dispensing dome before carrying out the application on the surface to be treated.

To better understand the object of the invention, we will now describe, by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing.

In this drawing: the single figure represents, in axial section, an applicator device according to the invention.

Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the pressure vessel of the device according to the invention has been designated by 1. This reservoir is a cylindrical container of circular cross section, the top of which is shaped like a warhead 2, which carries, at its upper part, a valve cup secured to the container by a crimping bead 3. The valve cup carries, according to its axis, a distribution valve 4 which, in the case of this example, is a valve comprising an emerging rod 5; the valve 4 is opened by lateral tilting of the emerging rod 5; the valve may be of the type sold by the company "COSTER" under the reference "TR 120-40". In the junction zone of the warhead 2 with the cylindrical wall of the reservoir 1, a peripheral snap groove 6 has been produced.

In the tank 1, a liquid for distribution has been pressurized. This liquid can be a liquid composition of body deodorant having a viscosity of approximately 0.003 Pa.s. Pressurization can be carried out either by bringing the liquid directly into contact with the propellant gas, or by separating the liquid and the propellant gas by a movable piston or by a flexible deformable pocket, which releases, in the latter case, from the obligation to use the device in a determined position, either valve at the top or valve at the bottom. In the example described, butane was used as the propellant, the liquid being separated from the butane by a movable piston.

On the tank which has just been described, a dispensing head has been fixed, which comprises, on the one hand, a rigid skirt 7, on the other hand, a cup 8, which constitutes the support of a dispensing dome 9 and, finally, a flexible element 10, which connects the cup 8 and the rigid skirt 7. The rigid skirt 7 has internally, at its base, an annular latching bead 11, which is intended to cooperate with the latching groove 6 The rigid skirt 7 is connected in the vicinity of its upper edge 7 a to a cylindrical wall, which constitutes the flexible element 10, the connection being effected in a rounded zone 10 a , the convexity of which is turned towards the latching bead 11. The rigid skirt 7 and the flexible element 10 have a generally cylindrical shape and constitute coaxial cylinders. Along its border, which is opposite the zone 10 to the flexible element 10, is connected to the cup 8; said cup 8 has an annular depression 8 a at the bottom of which there are projections 12 which constitute attachment means for the dispensing dome 9. In its central zone, the cup 8 is secured to a nozzle 13 of cylindrical shape, said nozzle having along its axis a pipe 14, the lower part 14 a has an enlarged diameter, said part opening to the outside by a frustoconical mouth 14 b . In the part 14 a of the pipe 14, the free end of the emerging rod 5 of the valve 4 is forcibly engaged over a few millimeters in order to obtain a sealed connection between the rod 5 and the end piece 13.

dans laquelle f(x) est la mesure de la distance de la surface réelle à la surface médiane en un point d'abscisse x sur une longueur ℓ_m, mesurée à l'aide d'un appareil "SURFTEST 301" commercialisé par la société "MITUTOYO".Inside the cup 8, the dispensing dome 9 has been put in place, which is constituted by a polyethylene frit having a porosity of 40 microns. The roughness of the distributor dome is such that the average Ra of the roughness differences is of the order of 15 μm; Ra is the arithmetic mean of the deviations of the real surface from the median surface; this arithmetic mean Ra is given by the formula:

in which f (x) is the measurement of the distance from the real surface to the median surface at a point of abscissa x over a length ℓ _m , measured using a "SURFTEST 301" device sold by the company "MITUTOYO".

To implement the device described above, the user applies the external surface 9a of the dome 9 against the surface treat, for example the skin of an armpit if the liquid conditioned in the reservoir 1 is a deodorant liquid. It then moves the device laterally relative to the armpit, from which a friction force results, which causes the deformation of the flexible element 10, and, consequently, a substantially radial displacement of the cup 8 relative to the tank 1 and therefore relative to the axis of the valve 4. There follows a lateral tilting of the emerging rod 5 and therefore an opening of the valve 4 with simultaneous ejection of the pressurized liquid in the tank 1. The liquid arrives on the internal face 9b of the dispensing dome 9; it is distributed over this entire internal face and, under the effect of the distribution pressure, it passes through the sinter constituting the distributor dome 9 so as to come flush with the external face 9 a of said dome. The liquid is then distributed by friction on the support to be treated, in this case the armpit skin; if there is an excess of liquid, the friction force decreases, which causes the valve 4 to close under the effect of the elastic return, which exists inside said valve.

It can be seen that the device, which has just been described, has an extremely reduced cost price because, the whole of the dispensing head constituted by the skirt 7, the flexible element 10 and the cup 8 can be produced. in one piece by plastic molding. The use of this device is particularly reliable since there can be no leakage. Finally, the approval of a topical application by means of this device is very satisfactory because the user feels a soft and non-greasy application with a freshness effect and the application can be carried out directly without prior turning over of the device.

Claims (18)

1 - Applicator device for liquid comprising a container (1) of the liquid to be applied to a surface to be treated and a dispensing dome (9) connected to said container by a dispensing head (7, 8, 10), the dispensing dome (9) being made of a porous material suitable for application of the liquid by simple rubbing the outer face (9 a) of said dome (9) on the surface to be treated, the container being a container (1) equipped with a pressurized valve dispensing (4), the dispensing dome (9) being carried by a support (8), which constitutes an element of the dispensing head and is mechanically linked to a nozzle (13) capable of cooperating with said valve (4) to cause its opening under the action of a mechanical stress exerted on the dispensing dome (9), the liquid ejected from the reservoir (1) during said opening being channeled through said nozzle (13) towards the face (9 b ) of the dome distributor (9) which is opposite the face external (9 a ) of said dome (9), the dispensing head comprising a fastening member (7) making it possible to secure said head with the reservoir (1) and the fastening member being a fixed rigid skirt (7) on the reservoir (1) by snap-fastening of a snap-on zone (11), characterized in that a flexible element (10) connects said fastening member (7) and the support (8) of the dispensing dome ( 9), the rigid skirt (7) being connected near its upper edge (7 a) to a cylindrical wall which constitutes the flexible element (10), the dispensing head (7, 10, 8) being made one piece by plastic molding. 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection between the rigid skirt (7) and the cylindrical wall which constitutes the flexible element (10) is carried out in a rounded area (10 a ), whose convexity is facing the latching area (11). 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the support of the dispensing dome (9) is a cup (8) having, on at least one area, a depression (8 a ) capable of collecting a excess liquid ejected from the valve (4). 4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (8) of the distributor dome (9) comprises at least one hooking means (12) for maintaining the distributor dome (9) on said support (8). 5 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tank is a cylindrical container (1), the top of which is shaped as a warhead (2) and carries the dispensing valve (4), a groove latching (6) being provided in the connection zone of the cylindrical wall and the ogive wall (2), the rigid skirt (7) being cylindrical and comprising, in the vicinity of one of its edges, a means of 'snap (11) adapted to cooperate with said snap groove (6). 6 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flexible element (10) connects the area of the rigid skirt (7), which is the furthest from the latching area, to the periphery of the support (8) of the distributor dome (9). 7 - Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the rigid skirt (7) and the flexible element (10) consist of a continuous wall surrounding the dispensing valve (4), when the dispensing head is latched on the tank (1). 8 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the dispensing valve (4) comprises an emerging rod (5), which is partially pressed, sealingly, in an internal pipe (14) of the end piece (13). 9 - Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the end piece (13) is disposed in the central region of the support (8) of the dispensing dome (9), said end piece (13) having a cylindrical shape along the axis from which is formed its internal pipe (14). 10 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dispensing head (7, 10, 8) is, apart from the attachment means (12) of the dispensing dome (9), a piece of revolution around an axis. 11 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the dispensing valve (4) is an opening valve by lateral tilting of its emerging rod (5). 12 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the liquid to be dispensed is a liquid with cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical action applied topically to the skin of a user. 13 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the dispensing dome (9) consists of a frit obtained by compression of plastic particles or an open cell foam optionally covered with a Web. 14 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the porosity of the material constituting the distributor dome (9) is between 10 microns and 500 microns. 15 - Device according to claim 14, characterized in that said porosity is between 10 microns and 200 microns. 16 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the distributor dome (9) consists of a non-deformable material. 17 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the application face of the dispensing dome (9) has a roughness such that the average Ra of the roughness deviations is between 0.5 µm and 100 µm. 18 - Device according to claim 17, characterized in that Ra is between 6 µm and 50 µm.

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