EP1136386B1 - Device for the extemporaneous mixture of at least two products - Google Patents

Abstract

The mixer has a first compartment (2) for a first component of the capillary dye and having a distribution orifice (4). It has a second compartment (30) containing a second component which is normally sealed from the first during storage. The second compartment has an orifice (101) with a removable closure (103) to provide a metered dose of the second component. The second orifice can be positioned with an opening parallel or oblique to the longitudinal axis of the mixer. Claims include a method for using the mixer.

Description

The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1 for the extemporaneous mixing of two products, at least one of which is preferably liquid, and for the distribution of the mixture obtained. The invention relates in particular to a device for the preparation and application of a hair coloring product, obtained by mixing an oxidant and a dye, these two products, for reasons of stability, not to be mixed only when using the mixture.

Typically, in the field of hair coloring, the devices used for producing such mixtures consist of a structure defining a first compartment (generally formed from the upper part of the device) containing the oxidant, and a second compartment (generally formed from the bottom of the device) containing the dye. The first compartment has an orifice fitted with a nozzle to allow the localized application of the mixture produced. The two compartments are, before the mixing is carried out, sealed in a sealed manner by means of a shutter, which, by means of an operating member, can be released automatically. The device can be obtained by assembling two separate compartments, made of identical or different materials. Alternatively, the two compartments are formed from the same piece obtained from molding.

In the field of hair coloring, it is desirable for the user to be able to carry out a test touch, on a small surface, so as to ensure the harmlessness of the coloring product in contact with her skin, and more precisely of his scalp. The usual design of this type of device, with the dye placed under the compartment containing the oxidant, and without any directly accessible opening, prevents the possibility of taking such a test dose. Also, generally, with the coloring device, a vial containing a small amount of the coloring product is attached. This bottle, in addition to the additional space it generates in the final packaging of the device, substantially increases the cost of the assembly.

US-A-5,908,107 describes a device according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a mixing device, making it possible to solve all or part of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional devices.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a mixing device with two superimposed compartments, authorizing the taking of a test dose

It is another object of the invention to provide a device authorizing the taking of such a test dose, and which is simple to use and economical to produce.

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

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products comprising the characteristics of claim 1.

The communication of said first and second compartments is done automatically, and generally results from an action (applied force) on a removable shutter, in response to said actuation command. Such a force can lead to the tearing of a separation film (in particular by means of a trocar), an expulsion of the removable shutter, or quite simply, of a displacement of the latter between a position where it forms a seal between the two compartments and a position where the seal is interrupted. Such means for bringing the two compartments into communication when mixing is well known in the field of devices of this type.

The actuation command can be applied by means of an operating member separate from said first and second compartments, or by an operating member formed from one or other of the compartments.

The orifice for sampling the test dose is an orifice separate from the orifice of the second compartment through which the two products are brought into contact. The latter is in fact generally inaccessible for such a removal due to the irreversible mounting of the first compartment relative to the second, or the production of the first and second compartments in the form of a single piece obtained from molding of a thermoplastic material.

The test dose sampling port must be arranged so that, when the stopper which closes it is opened, it can be placed above the free surface of the product contained in the second compartment. Such a relative position of the orifice relative to the free surface of the product can be obtained for different positions of the device, in particular head up or head down.

Preferably, said orifice for sampling the test dose is arranged along an axis distinct from a longitudinal axis of the device. The axis of the test dose sampling port may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. In this configuration, the outlet orifice can be formed at a level close to the level of the orifice through which the two products are placed in communication.

Alternatively, the orifice for sampling the test dose is formed in the bottom of the second compartment, in the axis of the device or in an offset manner. In this case, the test dose is withdrawn after having turned the device upside down.

Alternatively again, said orifice for withdrawing the test dose is oriented along an axis arranged obliquely to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The angle formed by the orientation axis of the orifice relative to the axis of the device can be of the order of 45 °.

In the embodiment according to which the device is formed by irreversible assembly of the two compartments, such an assembly can be obtained by snap-fastening of said first and second compartments. In this case, the two compartments can be formed from the same material (for example a plastic) or from different materials (for example, a plastic and a glass).

Preferably, said first and second compartments are aligned along the axis of the device, the second compartment being arranged below the first.

The means for detachably closing said orifice for withdrawing the test dose may be formed by a screw cap.

According to an advantageous embodiment, said dispensing orifice of the device is equipped with a nozzle for the localized distribution of the mixture. Such a tip facilitates precise application of the product, especially when it comes to applying a hair coloring composition.

According to a preferred embodiment, the removable closure means of said orifice for withdrawing the test dose is integral with an application member which, in the mounted position of the closure means, is, at least in part, immersed in the second product.

Such an applicator member may consist in particular of a spatula, a brush, a brush, or a block of a porous material, in particular elastically compressible.

The second product is in particular a dye, of the type of those used in the field of hair coloring, the first product then being able to be an oxidant.

• les figures 1 et 3 sont relatives à un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention ; et
• les figures 2 et 4 sont relatives à un second mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, la figure 4 ayant pour vocation d'illustrer la réalisation du mélange des premier et second produits.

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:

• Figures 1 and 3 relate to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; and
• Figures 2 and 4 relate to a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, Figure 4 having for vocation to illustrate the realization of the mixture of the first and second products.

The device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 3 will be described with reference to the mixture of two products, a dye and an oxidant, intended to form, after mixing, a so-called "oxidation" coloring composition. The device 1 comprises an upper container 2 intended to contain the oxidant. The container 2 forms in the axis X of the device, a neck 3 of which a free edge delimits an opening 4. On the neck 3, a nozzle 5 is screwed for the localized application of the mixture. The application nozzle 5 ends with a self-breaking tab 6 which, before the use of the device, seals a channel 7 passing axially through said application nozzle 5.

Opposite the neck 3, centered on the axis X of the container 2, a second neck 10 is formed, a free edge of which delimits an opening 12. The external surface of the neck 10 is provided with a latching bead 11. The latching bead 11 is able to come into engagement with a corresponding bead 13 formed on the internal surface of an axial chimney 14 carried by an intermediate element 20, in order to allow mounting by irreversible latching (under normal conditions of use) of the intermediate element 20 on the first container 2. The intermediate element 20 comprises an external covering skirt 21 intended, in the mounted position as shown in FIG. 1, to be substantially in the extension of the body of the first container 2 as well as the body of a second container 30 which will be discussed in more detail below.

The second container 30 has a body 31, of section identical to the section of the covering skirt 21 of the intermediate element 20. One end of the body 31 ends with a closed bottom 32, the other end forming a neck 33 whose external surface forms a thread 34. A free edge of the neck 33 forms an opening 35. The thread 34 of the neck 33 cooperates with a thread 36 provided on the surface internal of a mounting member 37. The internal surface of the mounting member 37 forms a lip 40, capable, in the screwed position of the mounting member 37 on the neck 33, to form a seal all around the opening 35 of container 30.

The lower edge of the mounting member 37, when the latter is completely screwed onto the neck 33, comes into engagement with notches 38 provided on the shoulder 39 of the container 30 so as to prevent the unscrewing of the mounting member 37 relative to the neck 33. On an axial portion located between the lower edge of the mounting member 37 and the sealing lip 40, the outer surface of the mounting member 37 forms a thread 41, able to cooperate with a thread 51 formed on the internal surface of a skirt 50 concentric with the axial chimney 14 of the intermediate element 20. The skirt 50 has an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the axial chimney 14, so as to form an annular space U-shaped, 52 adapted to receive the neck 10 of the container 2. The skirt 50 is connected to the axial chimney 14 by a plurality of legs 53 spaced regularly, and formed in the vicinity of a lower end of the skirt 50 .

Force fitting, and / or by means of grooved surfaces, of the skirt 50 inside the neck 10 of the container 2, ensures the locking in rotation of the intermediate element 20 relative to the upper container 2.

The skirt 50, at its end opposite to that carrying the fixing lugs 53, is connected to a transverse flange 65, integral with a skirt 66 concentric with the skirt 50, and with an outside diameter less than the inside diameter of the skirt 50. The skirts 50, 66 and the transverse flange thus form an annular U-shaped groove, 60, the bottom of which is turned away from the bottom of the U-shaped groove, 52. The annular groove 60 is intended to receive a cylindrical skirt 61 extending the mounting member 37 beyond the sealing lip 40. The skirt 66 has on its surface directed towards the inside of the U, in the vicinity of its free end, a bead 62 capable of coming into engagement with a bead 63 formed on the surface internal of the skirt 61, in the vicinity of its free end, so as to limit the unscrewing of the mounting member 37 relative to the skirt 50, thus preventing the second container 30 from being separated from the intermediate element 20.

The mounting member 37 is secured via a plurality of lugs 64, of a shutter 70, capable of being fully screwed in position of the skirt 50 on the mounting member 37, to close an orifice 71 delimited by the inner edge of the transverse flange 65, which edge is in the form of a bevel so as to ensure a tight closure of the orifice by the shutter 70, the edge of which has a profile corresponding to the bevel profile of the edge of the orifice 71.

The operation of the device, with a view to producing the mixture, will be discussed below in relation to FIG. 4, which illustrates a variant of FIGS. 1 and 3.

According to an important characteristic of the present invention, the container 30 comprises a second neck 100, a free edge of which defines an opening 101. The neck is oriented along an axis Y inclined at approximately 45 ° relative to the axis X of the device. The external surface of the neck 100 is provided with a thread 102 capable of cooperating with a corresponding thread 106 of a plug 103. The plug is integral in its Y axis with an applicator 104, in the form of a spatula, in particular made of elastomer, one free end 105 of which is disposed substantially at the bottom 32 of the container 30. The device is also identical to the device of the previous embodiment.

Thus, before making the mixture, the user unscrews the stopper 103, and takes a drop of product using the spatula which she applies to a test surface, so as to ensure the safety of the product on his skin. Once satisfied, it closes the orifice 101 in a leaktight manner by means of the plug 103, and proceeds to mix the two products, in the manner which will be discussed later with reference to FIG. 4.

Although constituting a preferred embodiment, the applicator 104 is not an essential element of the present invention, the withdrawal of the test dose can then be carried out by pouring a drop of the coloring product on the finger, on the surface to be treated, or on any other suitable transfer member, through the orifice 101.

Figures 2 and 4 illustrate a variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 3. According to this variant, the neck 100 is oriented along an axis Y parallel to the axis X of the devices. The rest of the device 1 conforms to the embodiment discussed with reference to Figures 1 and 3, and therefore does not require any additional description.

The industrial manufacture of a two-necked bottle, of the type formed by the container 30, used according to the two embodiments which have just been described, does not pose any particular problem. One can use in particular the technique known as "extrusion-blowing".

The production of the mixture by means of a device 1 in accordance with the two preceding embodiments will be briefly discussed with reference to FIG. 4. Thus, to produce the mixture, the user rotates the container 30 relative to the container 2, coupled in rotation to the intermediate element 20. In doing so, it unscrews the mounting member 37 relative to the skirt 50 of the intermediate element until the stop 62 of the skirt 66 comes into engagement with the stop 63 of the skirt 61. During this unscrewing movement of the mounting member 37 relative to the skirt 50 of the intermediate element, 20, the shutter 70 comes off the seat formed by the edge of the flange transverse delimiting the orifice 71. The product contained in the upper container 2 can then come into communication with the product contained in the container 30, via the passage formed all around the shutter 70, thus released from its seat. The user then agitates the whole so as to homogenize the mixture. The latter is then ready for use.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be made without departing from the invention as claimed below.

Claims (13)

1. Device (1) for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products, comprising a first compartment (2) containing a first product and equipped with an orifice (4) for dispensing the mixture, and a second compartment (30) containing a second product, the said first and second compartments (2, 30) being, when the device is in the storage position, isolated from one another in a sealed manner, means being provided for allowing the said first (2) and second (30) compartments to be placed in communication with one another and for allowing the mixing of the said first and second products in response to an actuation impetus, the second compartment (30) having a first orifice (35) for placing the first compartment (2) in communication with the second compartment (30), characterized in that the second compartment (30) comprises a second orifice (101) which is closed off removably by a closure means (103) so that a test dose of the said second product can be withdrawn before mixing is carried out.
2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said orifice (101) for withdrawing the test dose is arranged along an axis (Y) distinct from a longitudinal axis (X) of the device.
3. Device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said orifice (101) for withdrawing the test dose is arranged along an axis (Y) parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the device.
4. Device (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the said orifice for withdrawing the test dose is oriented along an axis (Y) arranged obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the device.
5. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is obtained by irreversible assembly, particularly by snap-fastening the said first (2) and second (30) compartments.
6. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said first (2) and second (30) compartments are formed from a single piece obtained by the moulding of a thermoplastic.
7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said first (2) and second (30) compartments are aligned along the axis (X) of the device.
8. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the means (103) of removable closure of the said orifice (101) for withdrawing the test dose is formed of a screw cap (103).
9. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said dispensing orifice (4) is fitted with an adapter (5) for dispensing the mixture in a localized manner.
10. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the means (103) of removable closure of the said orifice (101) for withdrawing the test dose is secured to an applicator member (104) which, when the closure means (103) is in the fitted position, is at least partially immersed in the second product.
11. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said applicator member (104) consists in particular of a spatula (104), of a brush with axial or non-axial bristles, or of a block of a porous material, particularly an elastically compressible one.
12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said second product is a dye.
13. Use of a device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging, preparing and applying a hair composition, particularly a dye composition.