EP1005915B1 - Dispenser assembly for a multiphase composition, use of such an assembly and method of use - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly allowing the distribution of a composition formed from at least two phases, according to a variable concentration ratio of said phases. The invention relates to the distribution of compositions formed from at least two immiscible phases with one another and of different density. The assembly according to the invention can be the subject of numerous applications, in particular cosmetic (perfumes, hair products, skin care products, etc.) pharmaceutical, dermatological, or food products.
Distributors of the type using a variable-size container, surmounted by a pump without air intake, generally called an "airless" pump, are known, and have been widely used, in particular in the field of cosmetics for the distribution of care in the form of a single phase, generally liquid, in particular body milks, moisturizers, or sun protection products. Such dispensers are particularly advantageous in that they allow in particular to keep the product isolated from the air.
Compositions with two or more phases, in particular an aqueous phase and an oily phase, are known in the field of cosmetics, in particular in the field of mouthwashes, treatment lotions, sun lotions, skin cleansers, removers. For all these applications, the compositions are in the form of separate phases, either for aesthetic reasons (two different colors), or for reasons of incompatibility of compounds of each of the phases. In all cases, these compositions are applied only in the mixed form of the phases which constitute it, either by means of pump distributors with air intake, or by means of bottles without distribution pump, and generally comprising flexible walls so to expel the product.
In the prior art, there is known from document FR-A-2,660,212 a process for the preparation of an emulsion by means of an emulsification mechanism. We know from document US-4,062,475 a pressurized container containing and distributing two immiscible phases with each other.
In the field of cosmetics, behavioral studies have shown that many consumers use, or would like to be able to use, particularly at different times of the day, perfumes of different strength or with different notes. Thus, they would use a rather light perfume in the morning, and / or at the office, and a more full-bodied perfume for the evening. Such consumption habits inevitably lead to the proliferation of bottles (one for each different perfume), which from a transport point of view, especially in a handbag, is not without problems. Furthermore, in any event, the choice can only be made from a limited number of possibilities.

Still in the field of perfumes, the application of an eau de parfum, generally in the hydroalcoholic phase, can be considered aggressive on the skin. Under these conditions, it would be desirable to follow this application with a application of a product with soothing properties, in particular based on extract oats or allantoin. Again, this requires from the user that she has, in particular in her handbag, two or several different vials. In addition, this multiplies the gestures of application, and therefore, increases the application time.

More generally, in the field of cosmetics, there is a good number of products for which it would be desirable, in some cases, to combine the application, with the application of a product with properties complementary or different. This is particularly the case for certain products capillaries or skin treatment that could be used in combination with coloring pigments (of the skin or hair), and this, in a variable concentration depending on the desired color or the wanted makeup.

These problems of combined or separate application of two products complementary or different, also arise in other areas than cosmetics. By way of example, mention may be made of the pharmacy, the dermatology, or food.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a unitary assembly allowing the combined or separate application of two or more products to complementary or different actions.

It is another object of the invention to produce a unitary assembly allowing the application of the main phase of a composition, optionally combined with a secondary phase of said composition, in order to modify the properties of the main phase, or to give it new properties, the concentration of the secondary phase in the distributed composition can be chosen at will.

It is also an object of the invention to allow the realization of a set allowing the distribution of a composition according to a ratio of variable concentrations of the phases constituting said composition.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail in the description which follows.

Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that a distributor of the variable volume type equipped with a pump without air return, in combination with a composition with at least two immiscible phases and of density different, made it possible to produce a set allowing in particular the sought-after functionalities, as described above.

According to the invention, the objects mentioned above are achieved by making an "airless" assembly comprising a) a container with variable volume on which is mounted a pump without air intake and b) a composition arranged to inside the container, and formed of at least two immiscible phases between them and having different densities, at least one of the phases being liquid.

A variable volume container within the meaning of the present invention designates a container whose volume decreases as the product is dispensed it contains. The reduction in the volume of the container is the consequence of the depression which results, during each distribution, from the decrease in volume of product inside the container, which dispensed volume is not replaced by a corresponding air volume, due to the absence of air intake. In Indeed, the pump is mounted so as not to allow return air to inside the container, able to compensate for the decrease in volume of product to inside the container. The pump can be of the precompression type, of in such a way as to favor the mixing of the two phases.

The composition according to the invention consists of at least two phases which do not are not permanently miscible. For example, there may be two immiscible oily phases of different density, of an oily phase and an aqueous phase or an oily phase and a phase alcoholic. So due to the difference in density between the two immiscible phases, the heavy phase will deposit in the bottom of the container, while the light phase will float above the heavy phase. The phase separation is done more or less quickly depending on the density difference between the two phases. By shaking the contents of the container, a more or less homogeneous "mixture" of the two phases is formed under form of a dispersion, suspension or emulsion. Leaving rest the assembly, the phases "mix" or separate under the effect of their density differences. Depending on the position of the container, it is possible to distribute either one of the phases or the other, or a mixture of of them. By being able to play on the respective concentrations of each phases of the distributed composition, it is possible by means of the same device for distributing a multitude of different compositions.

For example, one can thus distribute an eau de parfum whose strength and notes can be chosen at will The user thus has inside the same packaging, one eau de parfum for the morning, and one eau de perfume for the evening, with the possibility of changing from the first to second, allowing, by more or less strong agitation and more or less long of the whole, any combination of variable concentrations, formed from two perfumes.

It is also possible to distribute a coloring composition or make-up whose colors and shades can be chosen at will.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, it is possible to have a first phase (eau de parfum, eau de toilette, moisturizing composition) forming the main phase of the composition, namely that which is applied mainly, even routinely, and a secondary phase (containing filters sunscreen, softeners, healing agents, soothing agents, oils essential) that the user can, if she wishes, use alone, or in combination with the main phase so as to modify the characteristics of the latter or to add properties to it. The phase content secondary to the distributed concentration depends to a large extent on the degree of agitation of the assembly before application.

According to the invention, the composition can comprise two liquid phases. As example, it is a first alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic phase (water perfume) and a second oily phase (softening care product, soothing, etc.). The liquid can also be in the form of a gel or a emulsion (hydrocarbon phase). As we will see in more detail later, the composition used as a whole according to the invention can comprise a liquid phase and a particulate phase, in particular solid. The particles may be heavier or lighter than the liquid phase.

In the case of a composition formed at 50% of a first liquid phase, and at 50% of a second liquid phase, by placing the assembly in a first position (for example head up), the phase is distributed in communication with the pump (the light phase in the case of a pump without dip tube, and the heavy phase in the case of a pump with tube diver). By turning the container upside down, the heavy phase is distributed in the case of a pump without dip tube and the light phase in the case of a pump with dip tube. By shaking the contents of the container, so as to form a more or less homogeneous mixture of the two phases, we distributes a mixture formed in part of each of the phases, the respective concentrations of each of the dependent phases to a large extent measurement of the degree of agitation and of the distribution position (head up or upside down).

In the case of a particulate phase in a liquid phase, it is possible to distribute either the liquid phase alone or the liquid phase in combination with the particulate phase, the particle concentration of the composition distributed depending in particular on the degree of agitation.

According to a preferred embodiment, the container can be formed of a pocket with flexible walls. Such a pocket can be formed from one or more layers of thermoplastic materials (polyethylene, polypropylenes, PET) and / or metallic (aluminum). Wall thickness must be sufficient weak to allow them to contract and collapse on themselves, under the effect of depression resulting from the loss of product volume without replacement with a corresponding air volume. The container section can be of any shape: square, oval, circular, elliptical, octagonal, etc ..

This embodiment is particularly advantageous in that it offers flexibility of operation without comparison with that of different embodiments, in particular of the piston type, which will be made reference later. In addition, the flexible wall pocket allows the use of very liquid phases, which would be difficult to achieve with a device with piston.

Preferably, the pocket with flexible walls is arranged inside a rigid enclosure. This rigid enclosure ensures good behavior of the container, especially when standing, even when the container is practically empty. Preferably, an air intake orifice is provided, in particular in the bottom of the enclosure, to allow air to enter the volume between the rigid enclosure and the flexible pocket, when the latter decreases in volume, after each distribution.

Means may be provided for, when the walls of the pocket collapse on themselves as the container is emptied, prevent blockage of an inlet passage of said pump. In the case of a pump without dip tube, we use either a corrugated grid arranged at the inside of the container, i.e. embossments made on the walls of the container flexible, and which are suitable, when the faces of the pocket are pressed one on the other, at the end of use of the contents of the container, to define channels allowing the delivery of the product to the pump. Other ways can be used.

Alternatively, the container consists of a flexible tube, a walled bottle forming a bellows, from a blown or coextruded bottle with thin walls, from a container to membrane, in particular elastic, or of a bottle inside which is disposed a follower piston.

The solution of using a container fitted with a follower piston is not however not preferred, especially when it comes to using one or more very liquid phases, mainly for sealing reasons. For more tightness, it is then necessary to tighten more the piston against the surface internal container, which tightening takes place at the expense of flexibility operation. In addition, by vigorously shaking the container in order to distribute a mixture of two phases contained in the container, the piston risk of falling back into the container body, which could disturb the distribution.

The pump can be mounted on the container, or on a mounting part intermediate, in particular by crimping, screwing, or mounting by force.

The pump can be supplied from the bottom of the container by means of a tube plunger with one free end extending substantially to the bottom of the container. Thus, in the case of a composition with two liquid phases, in head up position, the pump is supplied in heavy phase via the tube diver. In head down position, the pump is supplied in light phase via the dip tube. Preferably, however, the pump is supplied directly, ie without dip tube.

Preferably, the pump is surmounted by a push button, comprising or not diffusion means, in particular in the form of a nozzle. other means of dissemination may be used. As an example, we can cite a grid, frit, applicator tip, etc.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the composition comprises a phase liquid and a particulate phase, in particular solid, of density different from that of the liquid. Particles may be heavier or lighter than liquid phase. Such particles can be in the form of a powder, microcapsules or nanocapsules, pigments, fillers, nacres, or talc.

As an example of a liquid-solid composition, mention may be made of an eau de parfum in which microcapsules containing said perfume (or a other perfume) in the form of essential oils. The walls of such microcapsules can be formed from phenolic compounds, alginate, gelatin, or cyanoacrylate.

For example, in a 50 ml container there are 5 g of such micro capsules. The container is completed with the liquid phase, consisting of said perfume. Particles are heavier than liquid, and settle on the bottom of the container. The pump is without dip tube. Holding the device head in high, we only spray perfume. By shaking the container, the microcapsules are suspended in the liquid phase, with which they are distributed. The concentration of microcapsules depends in a large measure of the degree of agitation of the container. The product contained in micro capsules are released, either when they pass through the pump, inside from which they are "crushed", either after being deposited on the skin, by massaging slightly the skin after spraying.

As an indication, the particulate phase represents in volume 0.5 to 30% of the total volume of the composition, and preferably 1 to 10% of the total volume of the composition.

According to another embodiment, said composition comprises two immiscible liquid phases, and of different densities. For example, there may in particular be an aqueous or hydro-alcoholic phase and a oily phase.

Means, in particular a ball, can be provided so as to allow shake the contents of the container. These means of agitation can be very advantageous in the case of two phases which are very difficult to mix.

The invention also relates to the use of a variable volume container surmounted by a pump without air intake for the distribution of a composition according to a variable concentration ratio of the n phases (n≥2) constituting said composition, at least one of the phases being liquid, said phases being immiscible with one another and having different densities.

The ratio of the respective concentrations of each phase varies in a very wide range. At one end of the range, the composition distributed can be formed at 100% of the light phase. At the other end of the range, the distribution composition can be formed at 100% of the phase heavy. Between the two, the possibilities are endless, and chosen at will, playing in particular on the degree of agitation before application.

In the case of a composition with three phases, including in particular two liquids, it is possible to selectively distribute a first phase (light), or a second phase (heavy), or a mixture of the first and second phase with a third density phase intermediate between the densities of the first and second phases.

a) disposer le récipient dans une première position de manière à, après séparation des phases sous l'effet de leurs différences de densité, avoir l'une des phases A en communication avec un passage d'entrée de la pompe, puis, actionner la pompe de manière à distribuer une composition formée essentiellement de la phase A;

b) agiter le contenu du récipient de manière à réaliser un mélange temporaire des deux phases, puis, actionner la pompe de manière à distribuer une composition formée en partie de chacune des phases A et B, le rapport des concentrations des phases A/B dépendant notamment du degré d'agitation.

According to another aspect of the invention, a distribution process is also carried out, by means of a variable-volume container on which is mounted a pump operating without air intake, of a composition formed from at least two phases A, B immiscible with one another and having different densities, at least one of the phases being liquid, said process consisting in selectively:

a) place the container in a first position so that, after separation of the phases under the effect of their differences in density, have one of the phases A in communication with an inlet passage of the pump, then, activate the pump so as to distribute a composition formed essentially from phase A;

b) shake the contents of the container so as to temporarily mix the two phases, then actuate the pump so as to distribute a composition formed in part from each of phases A and B, the ratio of the concentrations of phases A / B depending including the degree of agitation.

Preferably, in the case of a composition comprising a first phase liquid and a second liquid phase, the second liquid phase represents in volume 2 to 50% of the total volume of the composition, and more preferably 5 to 30% of the total volume of the composition.

c) disposer le récipient dans une seconde position de manière à, après séparation des phases sous l'effet de leurs différences de densité, avoir l'autre des phases B en communication avec ledit passage d'entrée de la pompe, puis, actionner la pompe de manière à distribuer une composition formée essentiellement de la phase B.

Advantageously, the method also selectively consists in:

c) place the container in a second position so that, after separation of the phases under the effect of their density differences, have the other of the B phases in communication with said pump inlet passage, then actuate the pump so as to distribute a composition formed essentially from phase B.

In this latest version of the process, it is possible to distribute separately either the first phase or the second, or a mixture of the two phases. This version is particularly suitable for the distribution of two liquid phases.

• les figures 1A-1C illustrent un premier mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention, et
• les figures 2A-2B illustrent un second mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention, and
• Figures 2A-2B illustrate a second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, the assembly 1 according to the invention comprises a pocket with flexible walls 2 (formed of a complex multi-layer with an aluminum layer) one end of which is closed by a bottom 3 and the other end of which has a free edge delimiting an opening 4. On said opening 4 is sealingly mounted a intermediate piece 5. The sealed mounting of the intermediate piece 5 on the pocket is made by gluing or welding between the inner surface of the edge free of the pocket and the external surface of a skirt 6 carried by the workpiece intermediate 5. The intermediate piece 5 has a side skirt 7 comprising an annular groove 8 capable of cooperating by breakdown with a corresponding cord 9 formed on the external surface of a rigid enclosure 10 polypropylene. The bottom of the enclosure 10 is provided with a hole 11 allowing an air inlet in the volume between the rigid enclosure 10 and the bag flexible walls 2, thus making it possible to compensate for the reduction in volume of the pocket resulting from the distribution of a dose of product.

The intermediate part 5, comprises, opposite the skirts 6 and 8, a chimney axial 12 in which a pump operating without recovery is forcibly mounted air 13. The pump comprises an emerging rod 14 on which is mounted a push button 15 comprising a channel 16 connecting the emerging rod 14 to a vortex nozzle 17, forming a member for diffusing the composition to distribute.

Opposite the axial chimney 12, the intermediate piece 5 extends to the interior of the flexible container 2 by a plurality of spaced bars 18 regularly, and forming an "anti-prisoner" structure capable of preventing the closure of an inlet passage 19 of the pump 13, by the flexible walls of pocket 2, when these collapse on themselves, over the distribution of the contents of the pocket 2. Inside the pocket is disposed a ball 20, capable of facilitating the mixing of the composition contained in the pocket flexible 2.

The composition contained in pocket 2 consists of a main phase A, consisting of a perfume in a hydroalcoholic phase with a low content water (less than 15%) and a secondary phase B formed of a silicone oil containing in particular a soothing agent such as allantoin and a filter solar. The secondary phase constitutes approximately 20% by volume of the total composition, and is heavier than the hydroalcoholic phase.

When the assembly 1 is head up, as shown in FIG. 1A, the fragrance is at the top (phase A), the silicone oil is at the bottom (phase B). In this position shown in Figure 1A, by pressing the push button 15, the user sprays perfume (phase A) at the desired location, via the nozzle 17.

By returning the assembly 1 to the position shown in Figure 1B, the oil silicone (phase B) is put in communication with the pump 13, and can be sprayed at the desired location. It is thus deposited on the skin, in particular at the place having been the subject of a prior spraying of perfume, a composition, slightly oily, the purpose of which is to appease the "fire" of alcohol contained in the fragrance, and in addition, to protect the skin against UV radiation. The skin can be massaged lightly so as to spread the product applied and to promote its penetration.

By shaking the assembly, as shown in FIG. 1C, the two phases mix more or less homogeneously. It is then possible spraying, in the head-up or head-down position, a mixture of the phases A and B, having both fragrant, soothing, and protective properties solar. By resting the whole, the two phases "mix" and return to their respective positions in FIG. 1A.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2B, the assembly 1 comprises a bottle 50 in thermoplastic material, cylindrical in shape, and surmounted by neck 51 inside which a pump is force fitted without air intake 13. The pump is surmounted by a push button 15 comprising a means of diffusion in the form of a vortex nozzle 17. The bottom of the bottle 50 is open. Inside the bottle 50, is mounted in a sealed manner, but free in slides, a follower piston 52 which, as the distribution of the product, rises in the bottle 50, under the effect of the depression resulting from the decrease in product volume, which decrease is not offset by a corresponding volume of air. Alternatively, the bottom of the bottle can be closed by an attached bottom comprising an air intake orifice.

Inside the 50 ml bottle, there are 5g of microcapsules B, trapping a perfume in the form of essential oils. We fill the bottle by means of eau de toilette A, in the hydroalcoholic phase. The microcapsules are more dense than toilet water, and in the position shown in Figure 2A, are deposited at the bottom of the bottle 50. In this position, by pressing the push button, the user sprays essentially (at least about 85%, depending on the time left for phases to separate by their density differences) from the toilet water to the desired location, via nozzle 17.

When the user wishes to change the rating of her eau de toilette, or give more force, she shakes the bottle. Doing so, depending on the strength of agitation, it puts more or less microcapsules in suspension in water toilet, as shown in Figure 2B. By pressing the button pusher, part of the microcapsules will be sucked by the pump and sprayed with toilet water. The microcapsules can be "crushed" by passing through the pump, which will produce the release of essential oils. Alternatively, the release of essential oils is done after application of mixture on the skin, gently massaging the latter. Resting all, the microcapsules are deposited at the bottom of the bottle, and resume their position in FIG. 2A.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that there are variations be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (22)

1. Assembly (1) comprising a) a container (2, 50) of variable volume on which a pump (13) operating without air intake is fitted and b) a composition arranged inside the container and formed from at least two phases (A, B) which are mutually immiscible and have different densities, at least one (A) of the phases being liquid, characterized in that the assembly is configured in order to dispense each phase selectively and separately.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the container (2, 50) is formed from a pouch with flexible walls (2).
3. Assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that the pouch with flexible walls (2) is arranged inside a rigid enclosure (10).
4. Assembly according to Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (18) for, when the walls of the pouch collapse on themselves in step with emptying the container (2), preventing the closing off of an inlet passage (19) of said pump (13).
5. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the container (2, 50) consists of a flexible tube, of a bottle with walls forming a bellows, of a blown or coextruded bottle with thin walls, of a container with a membrane, particularly an elastic membrane, or of a container (50) inside which a follower piston (52) is arranged.
6. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the pump (13) is fitted on the container (2, 50) or on an intermediate fitting part (5), particularly by means of crimping, screwing or force-fitting.
7. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a plunger tube placing the pump (13) in communication with the container (2, 50).
8. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the pump (13) is surmounted by a pushbutton (15) including, optionally, diffusion means, particularly in the form of a nozzle (17).
9. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the composition includes a liquid phase (A) and a particulate phase (B) with a density which is different from that of the liquid phase.
10. Assembly according to Claim 9, characterized in that the particulate phase (B) represents 0.5 to 30% by volume of the total volume of the composition and preferably 1 to 10% of the total volume of the composition.
11. Assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the particulate phase (B) is in the form of a powder, microcapsules or nanocapsules, pigments, fillers or pearlizers.
12. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said composition comprises two immiscible liquid phases (A, B) of different densities.
13. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it includes means, particularly a ball (20), so as to allow agitation of the contents of the container.
14. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the pump is of the precompression type.
15. Use of a container of variable volume (2, 50) surmounted by a pump operating without air intake (13) for the dispensing of a composition according to a variable ratio of concentrations of n phases (n≥2) (A, B) constituting said composition, at least one (A) of the phases being liquid, said phases (A, B) being mutually immiscible and having different densities.
16. Process for dispensing, by means of a container with variable volume (2, 50) on which a pump operating without intake of air (13) is fitted, a composition formed from at least two phases A, B which are mutually immiscible and have different densities, at least one of the phases being liquid, said process consisting selectively in:

    a) arranging the container (2, 50) in a first position so as, after separation of the phases (A, B) through the effect of their differences in density, to have one of the phases A in communication with an inlet passage (19) of the pump (13), and then actuating the pump (13) so as to dispense a composition formed essentially of the phase A;

    b) agitating the contents of the container (2, 50) so as to produce a temporary mixture of the two phases (A, B), and then actuating the pump (13) so as to dispense a composition formed partly from each of the phases A and B, the ratio of concentrations of the phases A/B depending on the degree of agitation.
17. Process according to Claim 16, characterized in that the phase A is a first liquid phase, the phase B forming a second liquid phase which is immiscible with the first and has a different density from the first.
18. Process according to Claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the second liquid phase (B) represents 2 to 50% by volume of the total volume of the composition and preferably 5 to 30% of the total volume of the composition.
19. Process according to Claim 16, characterized in that the phase A is a liquid phase, the phase B being a particulate phase, with a density which is different from that of the liquid phase and which is immiscible with the said liquid phase.
20. Process according to Claim 19, characterized in that the particulate phase (B) represents 0.5 to 30% by volume of the total volume of the composition and preferably 1 to 10% of the total volume of the composition.
21. Process according to Claim 19 or 20, characterized in that the particulate phase (B) is formed from fillers, pigments, pearlizers, microcapsules, nanocapsules or talc.
22. Process according to any one of Claims 16 to 18, characterized in that it also consists selectively in:

    c) arranging the container (2, 50) in a second position so as, after separation of the phases (A, B) through the effect of their differences in density, to have the other B of the phases in communication with the said inlet passage (19) of the pump, and then actuating the pump (13) so as to dispense a composition formed essentially of the phase B.

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