EP1020135A1 - Dispenser comprising an automatically supplied applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (2) has a reservoir (12) for the product surmounted by a pressure dispenser, especially a pump (10), with an actuator (11) to deliver a dose of the product through an outlet (19) onto a porous applicator (25) held inside a screw cap (23). The pump operates without drawing in air and is actuated by pressing on the base (3) of the container.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and the application of a product, in particular cosmetic. The invention is everything particularly suitable for products in the form of a liquid, gel or of a cream. By way of example, mention may be made of the packaging and application of care products, in particular for the skin or the hair, make-up removers or hair coloring products.

In the field of cosmetics in particular, certain products, especially under in the form of a milk, a cream or a gel are dispensed under pressure by means of of a pump. Due to their instability in the presence of air, they can be conditioned in pump systems of the type without air intake, i.e. vacuum packed in tanks whose volume decreases over time uses. Typically, a pocket with retractable walls is used, a tube with deformable walls, or a bottle in which is placed a follower piston. The pump can be of the piston, diaphragm or valve type.

To apply the product, the user takes the pumped product from one or more several of his fingers, and applies it by massaging the surface to be treated. Alternatively, the product is applied by means of an applicator, in particular as an open cell foam.

In the case of an applicator which can be reused many times, especially during over the life of the product, it may be desirable for it to be between two uses, be stored away from air so that its properties mechanical, including flexibility, or absorption are not altered. In moreover, in the case of an applicator which is not cleaned after each use, the contact of the product remaining on the applicator with the ambient air, or with any other element of the environment in which it is stored, may contaminate the applicator and alter the product it carries. In any event, the transport of such an applicator, especially in the user's handbag, is not without cause problems.

Finally, for certain applicators, the shape of which is appropriate to the profile of the surface to be treated, in particular on the profile of the lips or the corner of the eye, it can be desirable that the product is always deposited in the same way on the applicator, and in the same quantities, so as to carry out an application which can be reproduced from one time to the next.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a set of conditioning and application of the type mentioned above, in particular to pump, and solving all or part of the problems discussed above.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide such an assembly which allows the applicator to be kept in good sealing conditions compared to the external environment.

It is also another object of the invention to provide such a set comprising an applicator whose transport and handling is facilitated.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an assembly, the loading of the applicator with product is reproducible.

Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a set of packaging and application of a product, in particular cosmetic, comprising: a reservoir containing said product and surmounted by an element of pressure distribution, in particular of a pump, comprising a member activation for, in response to an actuation command deliver a dose said product through at least one outlet, a cover being arranged removably on said reservoir, and carrying an application member in the form a porous element capable of absorbing said product, said application member being, in the mounted position of the cover on the tank, contained in a sealed manner inside the cover, and having a portion at least disposed in the vicinity of said (or of said) outlet orifice (s), so that, in this mounted position of the cover on the tank, actuation of the pressure distribution element causes the output of a dose of said product and the impregnation of at least part of the organ of application by said product.

The applicator member is sealed inside the cover means in the sense of the present invention that, in the mounted position of the cover on the reservoir, the applicator member is tightly contained within a volume delimited at least in part by the cover, the application member occupying all or part of said volume.

Thus, the application member, between two applications, is kept in such a way waterproof away from the outside environment. The hood, from which said body application is integral, allows easy handling of the application member, and the application of the product in good conditions, without soiling the fingers. In mounted position of the cover, the applicator member is arranged so predetermined with respect to (or to) outlet orifice (s). So in this position, upon actuation of the pressure distribution element, the member always loads in the same way, i.e. at the same places, and in identical quantities. The application which is produced is thus perfectly reproducible.

The actuation of the pressure distribution element can be done in position tight fitting of the applicator cover on the reservoir, or in the mounted position, partially sealed from the applicator cover to the reservoir. Indeed, before to activate the pump, it is possible to slightly unscrew the applicator cover so as to create a slight air leak, able to avoid any overpressure at inside the volume containing the applicator member. Likewise, although according to the invention, the actuation of the pump either, before each new use, carried out in the mounted position of the applicator cover on the reservoir, It is clear that a such actuation can also be caused, in the unassembled position of the cover applicator on the tank. This allows in particular, during use, reload the applicator with product without having to screw the cover back on the tank.

Advantageously, the pressure distribution element is a pump of the type "airless", that is to say without air intake, the volume of the tank decreasing by value corresponding to the volume of the dose dispensed. Such a pump is particularly suitable for the distribution of products whose properties could be altered in contact with air. In addition, it does not require the use of dip tube. However, the pump used can also be air intake, possibly in combination with a dip tube.

In the case of a pump without return air, the tank can be constituted in particular a flexible pocket with retractable walls, a flexible tube, a bottle with a deformable membrane, in particular an elastically deformable membrane, or a follower piston bottle. Thus, during the distribution of a dose of product, the volume of the container decreases by an amount equal to the volume of the dose dispensed, so that the product occupies, throughout the lifetime of the assembly, substantially the entire available volume of the tank.

As an example of a device of the type with an elastically deformable membrane, it it is possible to cite a structure of the type described in the request for Patent EP-A-0 743 263 in the name of the plaintiff, and according to which a elastic membrane forms the bottom of a rigid container on which a pump and a push button. The membrane is fixed by its periphery to the wall rigid container, and is initially flat, or slightly concave or convex towards the product. Over use, the membrane is able to elastically deform over an axial height of 15 to 20 mm for example, from so as to follow the shape of the interior of the container. Such a design, by its shape, allows to be able to give more surface to the applicator, allowing thus making an applicator for larger areas of the body, especially for the bust or thighs.

The pump may notably consist of a diaphragm valve pump or piston. Such pumps are well known, and therefore do not require no further detailed description.

The applicator member may consist of an open cell foam or semi-open or sintered. With such materials, the return of the product on the surface to be treated is done either by capillarity or surface tension effect at contact with the skin, either by expelling the product, from the pores of the applicator, response to a slight deformation (by pressure) of it on the surface to be treated. The applicator member can be made up of several different materials, in particular a stack of foams having different hardnesses, a part of the foams can be open cell, the rest being cell closed.

By way of example, the applicator member consists of a polyether foam, polyester, polyurethane, NBR (Natural Butadiene Rubber), SBR (Synthetic Butadiene Rubber) of PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) or a sintered polyethylene of bronze, glass, silicone, or nylon.

The actuation of the pressure distribution element can be achieved by a pressure exerted on the hood when the latter is in the mounted position on the tank.

Alternatively, the actuation of the pressure distribution element is produced by pressure exerted on a rigid or semi-rigid bottom. Said background rigid can either be formed from the bottom of the tank or from the bottom of a rigid enclosure or semi-rigid containing said reservoir. In the first case, the tank can be a rigid or semi-rigid bottle in which a follower piston is mounted to slide. In the second case, the reservoir can be a pocket with flexible walls, in particular based on a complex of paper and / or aluminum, and / or plastic, said pocket being disposed in a semi-rigid to rigid outer enclosure, especially polypropylene or polyethylene.

It is possible to provide means, in particular stroke limiters pump actuation, so that you can selectively vary the volume of the dose distributed.

The cover can be removably mounted on the tank, in particular by breakdown or screwing, the latter solution offering better results in sealing terms inside the compartment delimited by the cover above of the tank. The seal may be reinforced by the presence of a seal or a sealing lip.

According to a specific embodiment, said assembly according to the invention comprises a member, mounted on the reservoir, and having a surface of reception whose shape is adapted to the shape of the applicator member, so that, in the mounted position of the cover, said applicator member rests at least in part on said receiving surface, said outlet (s) crossing said surface. This surface, with which the applicator is, at least partially, brought into intimate contact, allows, in the mounted position of the cover on the reservoir, to form a surface along which the product will be able, if if necessary, reassemble by capillary action, thus ensuring better loading of the applicator over a larger area, extending well beyond the vicinity immediate opening (s). The applicator can occupy the entire delimited volume between the receiving surface and the cover, or only a part, the latter configuration to reduce, if necessary, problems related to pistoning. The ascent of the product along the receiving surface, so to impregnate a larger portion of the applicator can be favored by the presence of grooves or other reliefs capable of forming channels routing of the product.

Advantageously, said receiving surface forms a cap of shape globally hemispherical.

The present application also relates to the use of a set of packaging and application according to the invention for the packaging and the application of a cosmetic product, in particular in the form of a liquid of a gel or a cream.

• la figure 1 illustre un premier mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• les figures 2A-2C illustrent l'utilisation de l'ensemble tel que représenté à la figure 1;
• la figure 3 représente un second mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention; et
• la figure 4 illustre un troisième mode de réalisation d'un 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:

• FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• Figures 2A-2C illustrate the use of the assembly as shown in Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 represents a second embodiment of a packaging and application assembly according to the invention; and
• FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of an assembly according to the invention.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, to which it is now made reference, the packaging and application unit includes a body rigid interior 2 in the form of a cylindrical polypropylene element. The section of the cylindrical member may be circular, ovoid, elliptical, or any other desired shape. One end of the inner body 2 is closed by a rigid bottom 3. The end of the rigid body 2, opposite the bottom 3 is open, and has on its inner surface a groove 4, able to allow mounting by breakdown of an intermediate piece 5. The intermediate piece 5 has a side skirt 6 the outer surface of which has in the vicinity of its upper edge, a bead 7, able to cooperate by snapping with the groove 4 of the inner body 2. The side skirt 6 extends, at its end opposite its free edge, at an angle straight with a transverse flange 8, itself connected to an axial chimney 9 of cylindrical section. Inside the axial chimney 9, is mounted, in particular by force, by breakdown, or by screwing, an airless pump 10 surmounted by an emerging rod 11 sealing. So the element of pressure distribution 10 is integral with the structure carrying or forming the product tank.

On the outer surface of the side skirt 6 of the intermediate piece 5, is mounted, in particular by gluing, breakdown, or welding, the open end of a flexible wall pocket 12, made of an aluminum-based complex, and in which product P. is placed. Maintaining bag 12 in this position is further reinforced by the presence of the rigid inner body 2, which contributes, in combination with the side skirt 6 of the intermediate piece 5, to sandwich said open end of bag 12.

The rigid bottom 3 has an orifice 13 adapted to allow air to be taken in. inside the rigid body 12, so as to compensate for the decrease in the volume of pocket 12 over use. Alternatively, air intake is carried out at by means of a valve disposed in the bottom of the rigid body 12.

The assembly is surmounted by a hoop 14, mounted on the pump rod 11, and of which a cylindrical portion 15 forms a skirt, one end 16 of which is open. Said open end 16 is located in the vicinity of the rigid bottom 3 of the body inside, which, in the rest position of the pump 10, emerges (relative to the end 16) of a height corresponding at least to the actuating stroke of the pump 10. The cylindrical portion 15 has an internal diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the inner body 2, so that it can slide freely on the latter when actuating pump 10. A opposite the open end 16, the hoop 14 has a portion 17 including a surface 18 delimits a hemispherical cap. Said surface 18 is drilled in its center of an orifice 19 bringing the pump rod 11 into communication with the surface 18. In its part adjacent to surface 18, the orifice 19 is of section slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the pump rod so that this, when the pump is actuated, comes into abutment against the portion of smaller section of the orifice 19. The cylindrical portion 15 of the hoop 14 allows gripping for screwing and unscrewing the applicator cover 23.

The surface 18 ends, opposite the orifice 19, by a free edge 20 whose outer surface is provided with a thread 21, capable of cooperating with a thread corresponding 22 of a cover 23. An inner skirt 24 of the cover 23 is used for attachment of an applicator member 25, in the form of a foam block compressible with open cells. Attaching the applicator member 25 to the skirt 24 can be ensured in particular by gluing or welding. The enforcement body 25, forms on the outside of the fixing skirt 24, substantially a ball, the configuration is such that in the mounted position illustrated in FIG. 1, the member 25 is in intimate contact with the surface 18 of the hoop, as well as with the outlet orifice 19 passing through said surface 18, or even in compression against said surface 18. Surface 18 can be smooth or include reliefs, in particular radial ridges, capable of allowing the product to be conveyed in more distant from the outlet 19.

To use such an assembly, the user, in the closed position of the cover 23, actuates the pump 10 by exerting pressure on the bottom 3 while maintaining fixedly the cylindrical part 15 of the hoop 14. This actuating position is illustrated in Figure 2A. In doing so, the pump rod 11 is pushed into abutment against the portion of smaller section of the orifice 19 of the hoop 14, which causes the pump rod 11 to sink in and deliver a dose of the product P contained in the bag 12. The product leaves the bag 12 via the rod pump 11, and opens onto the surface 18 of the hoop 14 via the orifice 19 where it is placed in contact with the applicator member 25. The product is pumped, in particular, in part by capillary action, by the application member 25 or by pressure.

In FIG. 2B, the user unscrews the cover 23 so as to extract the member of application 25. Optionally, it is possible to provide that, in the screwed position cover 23, the foam block forming the applicator member 25 is slightly compressed. Thus, upon opening, the foam block decompresses, contributing thus pumping part of the product which would not have been absorbed in position closed of the cover 23. This oversizing of the application member makes it possible in addition, during use, to be able to replace at least a portion of the organ of application in contact with the receiving surface 18, which surface is previously or simultaneously, supplied with product, and to recharge the applicator in product without having to screw the applicator cap back on so waterproof on the tank, the actuation of the pump being caused by depression of the hoop 14 relative to the bottom 3.

In FIG. 2C, the user applies the applicator member 25 to the surface to be treated so as to cause the transfer of the product from the applicator member to the skin. To this end, it can exert a slight pressure on the applicator member. so that, in response to the resulting deformation of the applicator member, expel the product from the pores of the applicator member 25, and transfer it to the surface to be treated. The applicator member 25 can, before being repositioned on the tank, be passed under the tap to be cleaned.

The embodiment described in FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment of the Figure 1 in that the product is contained directly inside the rigid body or semi-rigid 2 whose internal volume is separated in two by a follower piston 26, sliding axially in leaktight manner inside the rigid body. The product P is located in the upper part of the volume, while the part lower, located between the follower piston and the bottom 3 is under pressure atmospheric via the air return port 13. Operation of this device is similar to that described with reference to FIG. 1, the actuation of the pump occurring in response to pressure exerted on the bottom 3 of the inner body 2, while firmly holding the hoop 14. As the product is distributed, the piston rises inside the interior body 2.

According to a variant not shown in Figure 3, it is possible to provide that the mounting piece 5 is extended, opposite the skirt 6 by a skirt in which is directly arranged the product to be distributed. The bottom of the skirt is closed by a follower piston. The hoop 14 forming the receiving surface 18 is mounted on the pump rod 11 and has an external skirt which, when actuation of the pump, slides inside the skirt 6. The cover applicator 23 is screwed onto the free edge of the hoop 14. The actuation of the pump is made by pressing in the applicator cover 23 relative to the workpiece mounting 5.

The embodiment of Figure 4 differs from the embodiment of Figure 3 in that the actuation of the pump 10 is effected by a pressure exerted on the cover 23, which pressure causes the hoop to sink, until the receiving surface 18 comes into abutment on the upper end of the rod pump 11. At this time, it is pressed, which allows the product to exit on the surface 18 via the orifice 19. The product is then transferred to the organ application 25, by capillary action and / or by pumping. The product is applied in the same manner as that of the previous embodiments. A hole 27 is arranged in the applicator member so as to allow the passage of a user's finger. This characteristic thus makes it possible to favor gripping of the application member 25 and its handling during application. In this mode embodiment, the product P is contained in a rigid body 2 identical to that described with reference to the previous embodiment. In this mode of embodiment, the almost cylindrical part 15 of the hoop 14 extends over a small axial portion of the body 12.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (15)

Package for packaging and applying (1) a product (P), in particular cosmetic, comprising: a reservoir (12, 2) containing said product and surmounted a pressure distribution element (10), in particular a pump, comprising an activation member (11) for, in response to a command actuation, deliver a dose of said product (P) through at least one outlet (19), a cover (23) being removably disposed on said reservoir (12, 2), and carrying an applicator member (25) in the form of an element porous capable of absorbing said product, said application member (25) being, in mounted position of the cover (23) on the reservoir (12, 2), contained so sealed inside the cover (23), and having at least one portion disposed at the vicinity of said outlet (s) (19), so that in this mounted position of the cover (23) on the tank (12, 2), actuation of the element dispensing under pressure (10) causes the output of a dose of said product and the impregnation of at least part of the applicator member (25) by said product. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that the pressure distribution element (10) consists of a pump of the type without air intake, the volume of the reservoir (12, 2) decreasing a value corresponding to the volume of the dose dispensed. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 2 characterized in that the reservoir (12, 2) consists in particular of a pocket flexible (12), a flexible tube, a bottle with a deformable membrane, in particular elastically, from a bottle (2) with follower piston (26). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the pressure distribution element (10) consists in particular of a valve, diaphragm, or piston pump. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the application member (25) consists at least one block of open or semi-open cell foam or a sintered. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 5 characterized in that the applicator member (25) consists of a foam polyether, polyester, polyurethane, NBR (Natural Butadiene Rubber), SBR (Synthetic Butadiene Rubber) of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) or a sintered with bronze polyethylene, glass, silicone, or Nylon. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the actuation of the element pressure distribution (10) is achieved by pressure exerted on the cover (23) when the latter is in the position mounted on the reservoir (12, 2). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the actuation of the element pressure distribution (10) is achieved by pressure exerted on a bottom rigid or semi-rigid (3). Packaging and application assembly according to claim 8 characterized in that said rigid or semi-rigid bottom (3) is formed from the bottom of the reservoir (2) or from the bottom of a rigid or semi-rigid enclosure (2) containing said tank (12). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that the cover (23) is mounted removably on the reservoir (12, 2), in particular by snapping or screwing. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that it comprises a member (14), mounted on the reservoir (12, 2), and having a receiving surface (18), the shape is adapted to the shape of the applicator member (25), so that, in mounted position of the cover (23), said applicator member (25) rests at least in part on said receiving surface (18), said one or more outlet orifices (19) opening onto said surface (18). Packaging and application assembly according to claim 11 characterized in that the receiving surface (18) forms reliefs capable of defining channels allowing the entrainment of the product on said surface (18). Packaging and application assembly according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that, in the mounted position of the cover (23), the applicator member (25) occupies only part of the volume formed between the receiving surface (18) and the cover (23). Packaging assembly according to any one of claims 11 13 characterized in that said receiving surface (18) forms a cap overall hemispherical shape. Use of a packaging and application unit (1) according to one any of claims 1 to 14 for packaging and application a cosmetic product, in particular in the form of a liquid, a gel or a cream.

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