EP0753465A1 - Storage and dispensing device for a liquid or a paste with a dome like applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging and applicator for a liquid or paste cosmetic comprises a reservoir (2) containing the product. The reservoir can be pressurised for distributing the product through a dome shaped applicator (3). The dome has a rigid plastic internal wall (7) and is fixed to the reservoir and passed through by supply holes (10). An external membrane (8) supported by the dome internal wall has distribution holes (11) aligned with the supply holes. These distribution holes have a smaller cross section for the passage of the product. The applicator also has internal sealing teeth (12) for the distribution holes which are located with play inside the supply holes. These teeth seal, in the absence of pressure, the distribution holes. The membrane can spread elastically from the sealing teeth under the effect of the distribution pressure in order to allow outlet of the product from the applicator.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a liquid or pasty product, such as a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir capable of containing said product and capable of being pressurized to dispense the product and a shaped applicator dome for applying the product on a wide surface such as the skin, communicating internally with said reservoir and provided with outlets for the product to be dispensed. The flow of the product through said outlet orifices is caused by pressurization of the product upstream of the latter.

With known devices of this type, it is necessary, after each use, to attach to the applicator a closure cap intended to isolate the outlet orifices from ambient air and to prevent the product from drying out or deteriorating.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new device which is easier to use and which in particular avoids having to systematically attach a closure cap to the applicator as soon as the product has been applied, while ensuring good preservation. of the last.

It achieves this by the fact that the dome-shaped applicator has an internal wall of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material fixed to the reservoir and traversed by supply orifices, an external membrane supported by said internal wall and having orifices dispenser aligned with the supply orifices, but having a smaller section for the passage of the product, the applicator also having internally plugs for closing said distribution orifices, arranged with play inside the orifices supply so as to close off, in the absence of pressurization of said product for distribution, said distribution orifices, the membrane being able to further elastically move away from said shutter pins under the effect of the distribution pressure of said product to allow the product to exit from the applicator.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said shutter pins are carried by a support structure coming from formation by molding with said internal wall. As a variant, said closing pins are carried by a support structure produced independently of said internal wall and to be fixed by snap-fastening on the latter.

Advantageously, said support structure is connected to said internal wall by a film hinge and said shutter pins are put in place in the applicator by pivoting of the support structure around the articulation axis of the film hinge, after molding.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said support structure and said internal wall are shaped to snap together at the end of the pivoting movement of said support structure.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, said shutter pins are carried by support legs substantially matching the shape of the inner face of said inner wall and the latter comprises pairs of claws arranged so as to retain by cooperation of shapes said support tabs after breakdown of the latter on the internal wall.

As a variant, said shutter pins are carried by support hoops substantially matching the shape of the inner face of said inner wall and recesses are provided in the latter to receive snap teeth formed at the end of the opposite hoops to said film hinge.

• la figure 1 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un premier exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue selon le trait de coupe II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue à échelle agrandie d'un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue de dessus selon la flèche V de la figure 2,
• la figure 6 est une coupe axiale, schématique, représentant l'applicateur en forme de dôme à la fin de son moulage et avant montage sur le réservoir,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche VII de la figure 6,
• la figure 8 est une vue selon le trait de coupe VIII-VIII de la figure 6,
• la figure 9 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 8,
• la figure 10 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et de distribution conforme à un deuxième exemple de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est une vue selon le trait de coupe XI-XI de la figure 10,
• la figure 12 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 10,
• la figure 13 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche XIII de la figure 10,
• la figure 14 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 13,
• la figure 15 est une vue de dessus de l'applicateur en forme de dôme représenté sur la figure 10,
• la figure 16 est une vue en coupe axiale, schématique, de l'applicateur en forme de dôme après moulage et avant montage sur le réservoir,
• la figure 17 est une vue de dessous selon la flèche XVII de la figure 16,
• la figure 18 est une coupe selon le trait de coupe XVIII-XVIII de la figure 16, et
• la figure 19 montre, à échelle agrandie, un détail de réalisation du dispositif représenté sur la figure 18.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is an axial, schematic and partial section, of a packaging and distribution device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view along the section line II-II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a bottom view according to arrow III in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an embodiment detail of the device shown in FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a top view along the arrow V in FIG. 2,
• FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic axial section showing the dome-shaped applicator at the end of its molding and before mounting on the reservoir,
• FIG. 7 is a bottom view along arrow VII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 8 is a view along the section line VIII-VIII of FIG. 6,
• FIG. 9 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 8,
• FIG. 10 is an axial, schematic and partial section, of a packaging and distribution device according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 11 is a view along the section line XI-XI of FIG. 10,
• FIG. 12 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 13 is a bottom view according to arrow XIII in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 14 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 13,
• FIG. 15 is a top view of the dome-shaped applicator shown in FIG. 10,
• FIG. 16 is a schematic view in axial section of the dome-shaped applicator after molding and before mounting on the reservoir,
• FIG. 17 is a bottom view along arrow XVII of FIG. 16,
• FIG. 18 is a section along the section line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 16, and
• FIG. 19 shows, on an enlarged scale, a detail of embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 18.

There is shown in Figures 1 to 9 a device 1 for packaging and distribution according to a first embodiment of the invention.

This device comprises a reservoir wall of which only the upper part has been shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, provided at its end with an applicator 3 in the form of a dome. A closing cap can be attached to the reservoir wall 2, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, to cover the applicator 3. The cap 4 has a tubular skirt 5 capable of fitting onto the reservoir wall 2 up to 'to abut by its edge against a peripheral shoulder 6 thereof.

The applicator 3 has an internal wall 7 made of rigid or semi-rigid plastic material supporting an external membrane 8 made of elastomeric plastic material. The support wall 7 is fixed at its periphery at 9 to the tank wall 2 by welding, bonding, or snap-fastening. The outer membrane 8 can be welded or glued to the support wall 7 or molded onto the latter. Preferably, the membrane 8 is produced with the internal wall 7 by bi-injection molding. Advantageously, the membrane 8 is made of a material giving the user an impression of softness to the touch. We can thus choose to make the membrane in "Santoprene" or other thermoplastic elastomer.

The support wall 7 is formed by the union of a curved part 7 a , convex towards the outside, that is to say upwards in FIGS. 1 and 2, serving as a support for the membrane 8 and d a tubular skirt 7b for fastening on the tank wall 2, extending downwardly the bulging portion 7 is at its periphery.

The convex part 7 a is in the general form of a spherical or ellipsoidal cap, centered on an axis of symmetry which is parallel to the tank wall 2 in the example described.

In projection in a plane perpendicular to this axis of symmetry, the convex part present in the example describes an elongated oval shape along a longitudinal axis X as shown in FIG. 3.

The convex part 7 a is crossed in the vicinity of its top by a row of three supply orifices 10, of circular section and whose axes extend in a median plane containing the aforementioned axis X. The supply orifices 10 are equidistant and each have a section narrowing towards the outside, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The membrane 8 is crossed by three circular distribution orifices 11, each associated with a supply orifice 10 and of the same axis as the latter. The distribution orifices 11 have a section narrowing towards the outside and their diameter, measured at their external edge, is smaller than that of the supply orifices 10, also measured at their external edge, in a ratio of one third. approximately in the example described.

Sealing pins 12 are arranged with clearance in the supply orifices 10 to close the distribution orifices 11 when the membrane 8 is at rest. More specifically, each sealing pin 12 has an upper end of frustoconical shape 12 a , of section narrowing towards the outside. The frustoconical parts 12 a are extended downwards by cylindrical parts of revolution 12 b . The shutter pins 12 are held by a support structure including three support legs 14 extending transversely to the axis X and being connected respectively to the cylindrical portions 12 b. The cylindrical portions 12 b are interconnected by bridges of material 13 extending along the axis X aforementioned. The angle and the diameter at the top of the frustoconical parts 12 a are chosen so that the closure pins 12 conform to the shape of the distribution orifices 11 of the membrane 8 when the latter is at rest, for effective obturation of these latter. The support legs 14 are connected at their opposite end to that carrying each shutter pin 12 by a base 15 connected by a film hinge 16 to the tubular skirt 7b of the support wall 7. The support legs 14 follow the shape of the inner face of the support wall 7, and are each formed by the union of a curved portion 14a extending opposite the domed portion 7 a of the support wall 7 and a straight portion 14 b extending opposite the tubular skirt 7 b . Each support tab 14 is held in place inside the applicator 3 by a pair of claws 17 projecting from the internal surface of the tubular skirt 7b . More specifically, each pair of claws 17 has teeth 18 facing each other for latching a conformation 19 of suitable width formed on the straight portions 14 b of the support legs 14.

There is shown in Figure 5, seen from above, the three distribution orifices 11 of the membrane 8 at rest, closed by the tapered upper ends 12 has 12 shutter pins.

Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the shutter pins 12 and the support structure of the latter have come from molding with the support wall 7. More precisely, the shutter pins 12 and the support structure support are molded outside the volume delimited by the support wall 7, being connected to the end edge of the tubular skirt 7b by the film hinge 16, the latter giving the support structure a possibility of pivoting about an axis of rotation parallel to the X axis.

After molding, the support tabs 14 are pivoted about 180 ° towards the inside of the applicator 3 and snapped between the claws 17. The shutter pins are then engaged with play in the feed orifices 10 and their ends. frustoconical 12 a fit tightly in the dispensing orifices 11 of the membrane 8 at rest to close them.

An annular clearance 20 is formed between the cylindrical portions 12 b of the shutter pins 12 and the edge of the supply ports 10, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The operation of the device 1 is as follows.

When not in use, the shutter pins 12 isolate the interior of the tank 2 from the ambient air. To dispense product, the user pressurizes the product upstream of the supply orifices 10. This pressurization can be carried out by means of a reduction in the internal volume of the reservoir, for example by means of a known mechanism. piston guided in sliding by the tank wall 2 and driven in displacement by the rotation of a screw provided at one end with a drive wheel. As a variant, the tank wall 2 is flexible and the reduction of the internal volume of the tank is carried out by deforming the tank wall 2 inwards. Thanks to its elastic properties, the membrane 8 can be lifted under the effect of the pressure of the product for its distribution and the dispensing orifices 11 are released. Product can flow through the annular clearance 20 and through the dispensing orifices 11 as long as it is kept under pressure in the reservoir upstream of the supply orifices 10. When the user ceases to pressurize the product, the membrane 8 resumes its initial rest position on the support wall 7, the distribution orifices 11 being again closed by the shutter pins 12.

The cover 4 is shaped so as to prevent, when it is in place on the device 1, the membrane 8 from being lifted to dispense product. The cover 4 is internally provided with tubular extensions 21 secured to one end 22 of the bottom of the cover and shaped to be applied by their free end 23 to the membrane 8 around the sealing pins 12. The membrane 8 is then kept pressed against the sealing pins 12, and prevents a flow of product through the dispensing orifices 11 in the event of accidental pressurization of the product in the tank.

There is shown in Figures 10 to 19 a device 24 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

This device 24 differs mainly from that previously described by the geometry of the supply orifices, the distribution orifices and the closure pins and by the manner of holding the latter in place in the supply orifices. Reference numbers identical to those used for the first exemplary embodiment will be used in the following description, simply assigned a ', for the elements common (or functionally analogous) to the two exemplary embodiments and which may therefore not not be described again in detail.

The feed orifices 10 ′ are in the form of oblong bores, of longitudinal axes parallel to one another and inclined relative to the longitudinal axis X ′ of the applicator 3 ′.

The distribution orifices 11 'are in the form of oblong holes of smaller dimensions than the supply orifices 10' but having a contour, of shape similar to that of the supply orifices 10 '.

Sealing pins 12 'are arranged in the supply orifices 10' to close the distribution orifices 11 'when the membrane 8' is at rest.

The shutter pins 12 'have an upper end shaped to follow the shape of the distribution orifices 11' in in order to obtain an effective sealing of the latter. The shutter pins are held in place in the supply orifices 10 'by a support structure comprising support arches 14'. The shutter pins 12 'are interconnected by bridges of material 13' extending parallel to the axis X 'and are each located at the top of a support arch 14'. The latter are connected at one end to a base 15 'connected by a film hinge 16' to the tubular skirt 7b 'of the support wall 7'. The arches 14 ′ are connected at the other end by bridges of material 25. Snap-fit teeth 26 have come into formation by molding with the bridges of material 25 and are intended to snap into recesses 27 provided for this purpose. effect in the tubular skirt 7 b 'of the support wall 7', as shown more particularly in FIG. 12.

The shutter pins 12 ′, with their pivoting support structure, came to form by molding with the support wall 7.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, the arches 14 ′ and the shutter pins 12 ′ are molded out of the interior volume delimited by the support wall 7 ′, then pivoted about 180 ° around the axis of articulation of the film hinge 16 ′ until the teeth 26 snap into the recesses 27 of the support wall 7 ′.

The operation of the device 24 is as follows.

When not in use, the membrane 8 'rests on the support wall 7' and the distribution orifices 11 'are closed by the shutter pins 12'. Under the effect of the pressure of the product, present in the annular clearance 20 'formed between each shutter pin 12' and the edge of the supply orifice 10 ', on the internal face of the membrane 8', this the latter moves away from the support wall 7 ′ to allow product to flow through the dispensing orifices 11 ′. When the pressurization of the product for its distribution ceases, the membrane 8 'comes to bear on the support wall 7' and the dispensing orifices 11 'are again closed by the shutter pins 12'.

Of course, various modifications can be made to the embodiments described without departing from the scope of the invention.

One can in particular modify the number and the geometry of the supply orifices, distribution orifices and plugs.

Claims (10)

Device (1; 24) for applying and packaging a liquid or pasty product, such as a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir (2; 2 ') capable of containing said product and capable of being pressurized to dispensing said product and a dome-shaped applicator (3; 3 ') for applying the product on a wide surface such as the skin, communicating internally with said reservoir and provided with outlets for the product to be dispensed, the flow of the product through the said orifices being caused by the pressurization of the product upstream of the latter, characterized in that the dome-shaped applicator has an internal wall (7; 7 ') of rigid or semi-plastic material -rigid, fixed to the reservoir and traversed by supply orifices (10; 10 '), an external membrane (8; 8') supported by said internal wall and having distribution orifices (11; 11 ') aligned with said feed ports, but present both a smaller section for the passage of the product, and the applicator also internally has closure pins (12; 12 ') of said dispensing orifices, arranged with clearance inside the supply orifices so as to obturate, in the absence of pressurization of said product for distribution, said distribution orifices, the membrane being able to further elastically move away from said shutter pins under the effect of the distribution pressure of said product to allow the product outlet from the applicator. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said closure pins (12; 12 ') are carried by a support structure (14; 14') formed by molding with the said internal wall (7; 7 ') . Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said support structure (14; 14 ') is connected to the said internal wall (7; 7') by a film hinge (16; 16 ') and by the fact that the said pins shutter (12; 12 ') are placed in the applicator by pivoting the support structure (14; 14') around the hinge axis of the film hinge, after molding. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said support structure (14; 14 ') and said internal wall are shaped to snap together at the end of the pivoting movement of said support structure. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said closure pins (12) are carried by support lugs (14) substantially matching the shape of the inner face of the said inner wall (7) and in that this the latter comprises pairs of claws (17) arranged so as to retain, by form cooperation, said support tabs after they have been snapped onto the internal wall. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the said closure pins (12 ') are carried by support hoops (14') substantially matching the shape of the inner face of the said inner wall (7 ') and by the fact that recesses (27) are provided in the latter for receiving snap-fit teeth (26) formed at the end of the arches (14 ') opposite to said film hinge (16'). Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said closure pins are carried by a support structure produced independently of the internal wall and to be fixed by snap-fastening on the latter. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a closure cover (4; 4 ') shaped to cover said applicator (3; 3') in the form of a dome and to hold the membrane, around said dispensing orifices (11; 11 '), pressed against said shutter pins (12; 12') in order to avoid an accidental release of product. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said external membrane (8; 8 ') is produced with the said internal wall (7; 7') by bi-injection molding. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said external membrane (8; 8 ') is glued to the said internal wall (7; 7').

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