EP1176103A1 - Device for storing and dispensing a product, such as cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

The cosmetic applicator comprises a casing (3) which contains the cosmetic product (P) and is connected to a hemispherical seating (6). A spherical applicator (14) fits into this and is protected by a removable cap (13). A piston (33) can be moved up the casing to dispense the product through the applicator. An Independent claim is included for a refill for the dispenser.

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, a gel, a cream or paste. By way of example, mention will be made of packaging and the application of make-up or care products, in particular of the skin or hair, makeup removers, or hair coloring products.

In the field of cosmetics in particular, certain products, especially under form of milk, cream, paste, or gel are dispensed under pressure by means 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, say vacuum packed in tanks whose volume decreases over 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.

EP-A 0 416 185, EP-A-0 931 476, or US-A-5 636 931 describe a set with two housings, in communication with each other. One of the two housing is intended to receive an applicator integral with an element of gripping in the form of a plug capable of closing an opening in the housing containing the applicator. The closing element is integral with a suitable mechanism, in response to rotation relative to the body of the assembly, to allow pressurize the product contained in the first housing so as to force the outlet in the housing containing the applicator. For this purpose, the wall separating the two housings is configured as a piston which is axially movable and / or rotating, inside the assembly.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a set of conditioning and application, solving 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 device which is particularly suitable for products with high viscosity, in particular in the form of gels, creams, or pasta.

It is also an object of the invention to allow precise loading and reproducible as a product of an application organ.

It is yet another object to provide such a set which is rechargeable.

It is yet another object to provide a device, adapted to the application of compositions, especially cosmetic, containing fillers or pigments, and which avoids the problem of segregation of the charges or pigments, via the pores or applicator cells which is a problem specific to some systems of conventional applications.

It is yet another object to provide such a set which is simple of use, and which is economical to produce.

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

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing an assembly for the packaging and application of a product, in particular cosmetic, comprising a first housing containing the product to be dispensed, and a second housing in communication with the first via at least one cross section passage less than the cross section of the first housing, the second housing being intended to receive an applicator member, a closing element being able to sealing an opening delimited by an edge of the second housing, the first housing being associated with a suitable mechanism, in response to the relative movement of an actuating member, distinct from the element of closure, relative to the first housing, to exert a push on the product inside the first housing so as to force the passage of a quantity determined in the second housing through the passage (s), with a view to load, on the surface and / or in depth, said applicator member with said product.

The fact that, unlike the configurations described in documents US-A-5 636 931, EP-A-416 185, or EP-A-931 476, the output of the product results from the placing in movement of a member other than the closure element, facilitates in a largely the design of the latter. This feature is all particularly advantageous when the closure member also forms a gripping means of the application member. Indeed, in this case, the gripping means of the application element is more compact, and therefore easier to handle.

Communication between the first and second accommodation can be ensured via a or several passages of relatively small section, crossing a wall with fixed axial position relative to the first and second housings, and separating the said housing first housing of said second housing.

Thus, for a first housing having a diameter of the order of 20 mm, one can leave one or more holes in the wall separating the two housings opening into both the first and second housing, and whose diameter is of the order of 2 mm. The number and size of passages depends largely measurement of the rheology of the product to be distributed and of the desired flow rate.

The actuator can be arranged on one side of the first opposite housing second home. In the configurations described in documents US-A-5 636 931, EP-A-416 185, or EP-A-931 476, the actuating member is arranged relative to the first housing, on the same side as the second. Thereby, the whole is necessarily more complicated to achieve. In addition, a dosage product is less easy to obtain.

Preferably, according to the invention, the actuating member is permanently fixed to the first housing or on a refill intended to be removably disposed in the first accommodation. In the three prior art documents mentioned above, the actuating member, consisting of a part of the closure element, is removable from the first housing.

Preferably, the closure element also forms a gripping member. for said application body.

The passage (s) ensuring communication between the first and the second housing are formed in a wall transverse to an axis (X) of the assembly, and which, preferably, is kept in a fixed axial position inside the assembly. Therefore, the application member, possibly integral with the element of closure, may be more compact, which more compact allows the application member to be brought closer to the gripping element. There is thus greater precision and greater comfort during application.

In addition, the wall is preferably stationary in rotation. We facilitate in a to a large extent the achievement of the necessary seals between the first housing and the second.

The transverse wall separating the first and second housings can be obtained molding with the assembly, in particular with the body which delimits at least in part of the first and second housing, or be made up of an added element.

Thus, according to another embodiment, the wall can consist of a grid made of metal, metal alloy, or plastic, fixedly mounted on a opening of the first housing, the mesh of the grid defining a multitude of passages of small section, allowing to feed the second housing from the first. The grid can be glued, welded or snapped onto the opening of the first accommodation. Alternatively again, the grid is replaced by a canvas permeable, in particular in fabric or in thermoplastic material, stretched over a edge delimiting the opening of the housing containing the product to be dispensed.

Such a set, in particular because of the mode of distribution which characterizes it, is particularly suitable for the distribution of products with high viscosity such as certain hair, care or make-up products. The enforcement body is kept tightly inside the second housing, which guarantees good protection of the applicator member, in particular between two uses. The fixed position mounting of the applicator in the second housing, when the exercise of the actuation command, ensures its loading so reproducible, in particular with regard to the quantity of product removed and the position of the product relative to the applicator. The applicator member can be glued, welded or pinched on the gripping element. The gripping element can be screwed or reversibly snapped onto the assembly.

Contrary to certain conventional systems in which the composition must pass through the applicator via the pores or cells which constitute it, to reach the application surface, according to the invention, the application surface, arranged directly in contact with the face of the second housing into which the or the supply passages, is supplied directly from said one or more passages. As a result, there is substantially no segregation of fillers or pigments contained in the composition.

The mechanism associated with the first housing, to cause the product to exit, constitutes one of the characteristics which differentiates the device according to the invention from certain known devices, such as used in particular for the distribution of shoe polish, and according to which product distribution is caused by pressurizing the deformable walls of a tube containing the product. Such devices are described in particular in the patents DE 938 658 or GB 1 158 412. In these known systems, product distribution can be difficult, especially at the end use of the product. In addition, it is not easy to obtain an accurate dosage of the quantity of product distributed.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the product is contained inside the first housing via an intermediate container removably mounted at the interior of the first housing, said intermediate container constituting a refill for said set. This allows the user, especially when the product is a makeup product, for example skin, to change color at will, simply by removing the intermediate container containing a product of a given color by another container containing a product of other color. This same characteristic can be advantageous in the field skin protection, especially when you want to go from one composition containing an active ingredient in a given concentration at another composition containing another active ingredient, or an identical active ingredient, in a concentration different. The active can be a sun filter. The application organ, can be passed under the tap to be cleaned before switching to the second composition, especially when the composition is of a different color.

Preferably, the mechanism is integral with the refill.

The passage (s) is (are) formed of one or more holes crossing a wall separating the first housing from the second, a grid, a screen, or a permeable fabric, in particular fabric or thermoplastic material. The choice of this or that configuration for the passage (s) depends in particular on the rheology of the product to be distributed, and of the desired flow rate.

The applicator member may consist of closed cell foam, open or semi-open, of a felt, an elastomer or a sinter, in particular thermoplastic or ceramic. 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.

An applicator made of elastically compressible material corresponds to the preferential realization. Indeed, when the applicator is compressible elastically, the application surface, located opposite the passage (s) via which the product is brought in, can retract elastically under the pressure of the product, so as to allow a larger load, on the surface and / or in depth, of the applicator.

In the case of an application member made of elastically compressible material, in particular in foam, the applicator member can be sized relative to to the second housing so that, in the mounted position inside the second housing, it is not compressed axially significantly. Hindsight mentioned above is facilitated, due to the lower resistance offered by the applicator.

However, according to an alternative, it is possible to provide that the organ application is partially compressed axially inside the housing which contains so that, when the cap is opened, the product located in the vicinity of the surface of the applicator member is pumped deep at the interior of the latter in response to the decompression of the foam. In addition, the oversizing allows you to recharge the applicator with product without have to completely screw the cap back on the device. This embodiment is more suitable for low viscosity compositions.

At least part of the surface of the applicator member can be covered a flocking, in particular based on rayon fibers, cotton, viscose or nylon. The flocking contributes to creating a reserve of product, immediately at vicinity of the application surface. In addition, it provides more soft on application, especially when the application member is foam large cells. The flocking can consist of a mixture of fibers of different length, and / or nature, and / or diameter.

The associated mechanism may include a piston capable of sliding so watertight inside the first housing or the intermediate container contained in the first housing, said piston being coupled via a coupling member, in particular a threaded rod or a rack, to an actuating member, especially rotary or push-in. Such a depression may be axial or lateral. The exercise on the product, of the thrust resulting from the actuation command, via a coupling device, enables the reproducible dosing of the amount of product passing into the second housing.

The mechanism may further comprise a ratchet system, capable of generating periodically an audible sound, so as to inform the user about the quantity of product distributed.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is also a refill intended to equip an assembly according to the invention, comprising a container equipped with a mechanism capable of allowing product to be pushed towards an opening delimited by the container, said opening being closed reversibly, in particular by a cover or by a stopper.

Preferably, the container comprises means capable of ensuring the fixing reversible refill inside the first housing. Such means may in particular be of the snap-on, bayonet, or screw-on type. They are able to cooperate with complementary means provided on the whole for which the refill is intended.

The mechanism may comprise a piston capable of sliding in leaktight manner inside the container, said piston being coupled via a coupling member, in particular a threaded rod or a rack, to an actuating member, especially rotary or push-in.

The assembly according to the invention is particularly suitable for packaging and the distribution of a cosmetic product, in particular a makeup product or a skincare product.

• la figure 1 est relative à un premier mode de réalisation d'un ensemble selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est relative à un second mode de réalisation d'un ensemble selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 3 est relative à 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:

• Figure 1 relates to a first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 relates to a second embodiment of an assembly according to the invention; and
• Figure 3 relates to a third embodiment of an assembly according to the invention.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a cylindrical body 2 in polypropylene, with longitudinal axis X. The body 2 defines a first housing 3, delimited by a cylindrical skirt 19 of which a first end 18 is open, and of which a second end, opposite the first, is closed by a wall transverse 16. The transverse wall 16 is crossed in its center by a passage 4. The transverse wall 16 separates the first housing 3 from a second housing 6, located above the first housing 3.

The upper housing 6 has its bottom 7 in hemispherical shape, in which opens one end of the passage 4. One end of the housing 6, opposite the bottom 7, forms a free edge 8 delimiting an opening 9. The outer surface of the housing 6 has a thread 10 intended to cooperate with a thread corresponding 11 provided on the internal surface of a skirt 12 of a plug 13. The cap 13 is integral with an applicator 14 in the form of a block of foam open cells, correspondingly shaped to the hemispherical profile defined by the bottom 7 of the housing 6. The surface of the applicator 14 is covered a coating of flocking 15. The applicator 14 is glued to the cap 13.

The applicator 14 is dimensioned relative to the housing 6 so that, in closed position of the plug 13, at least a portion of the application surface of the applicator 14 is in contact with the bottom 7 into which the passage 4 opens. In this position, however, the applicator 14 is not axially compressed by sensitive way.

The inner surface of the skirt 19, comprises in the vicinity of its end open 18, a groove 5 intended to cooperate by snap-fastening with a bead correspondent 21 provided on the outer surface of a refill 20 intended for be mounted inside the housing 3.

The refill 20 comprises a cylindrical body 22 forming a container, and one of which end is closed by a mechanism 30. The mechanism 30 comprises a actuating wheel 31 mounted to rotate freely inside the body cylindrical 22, via a bead / groove arrangement 27. The wheel 31 is integral a threaded rod 32 adapted to drive axially a threaded piston 33, stationary in rotation inside the container 22. A rib / notch mechanism, not shown, ensures the immobilization in rotation of the piston inside the container 22.

The end of the cylindrical body 22, opposite the actuation mechanism 30 is closed by a transverse wall 23 crossed by a passage 24, formed at the inside of a nozzle 25. The nozzle 25 has an outside diameter slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the passage 4, so that the end piece 25 can enter slightly inside the passage 4 when the refill 20 is mounted inside the housing 3.

The opening delimited by the end piece 25 is removably closed by a cap 26.

In use, the user removes the cap 26 and introduces the refill 20 to the interior of the housing 3, through its open end 18, until the bead 21 comes into engagement with the groove 5. In this position, the end piece 25 is inserted in a sealed manner inside the duct 4. The immobilization in rotation of the refill 20 inside the housing 3 is ensured by the cooperation of the rib 34 of the refill 20 with the notch 17 of the housing 3.

In the closed position of the cap 13 on the opening 9 of the housing 6, the user scrolls the actuating wheel, ½ or one turn, so as to cause the passage of a corresponding quantity of product P, from container 22 to the applicator 14 contained in the housing 6, via the passage 4. The product spreads on the applicator 14, in particular by capillary action, to a greater or lesser extent, and more or less in depth, depending on the rheology of the product, and characteristics of the applicator. It then remains to unscrew the cap 13 in order to extract the applicator, and apply the product P in a conventional manner by moving the application surface of the applicator 14 on the surface to be treated.

When refill 20 is empty, or when the user wishes to use a product of a different color (in the case of a makeup product for example), it dismantle the refill in place 20 and replace it with another, containing a identical or different product. Before mounting the new refill, it can pass the assembly, and in particular the applicator 14, under the tap, of so as to avoid that the characteristics of the product contained in the new refill, in particular its color, are not altered by those of the product contained in the refill to be replaced.

According to a variant not illustrated, the applicator 14 is axially oversized compared to housing 6. Thus, it is possible, after having applied all the product on the applicator 14, to recharge the latter, without having to completely screw the cap back onto device 1, simply by inserting the applicator 14 in the housing 6 through the opening 9, and taking either of the residual product resulting from the previous actuation of the wheel 31, or product resulting from a new actuation of the wheel 31, in the absence of the applicator 14.

• l'ouverture 40 de la recharge 20 est de section similaire à la section du récipient 22. L'ouverture 40 est obturée de manière amovible par un opercule thermoscellé 41. Le remplissage peut se faire en position tête en bas du récipient 22, avoir operculé l'ouverture 40.
• la paroi 16, séparant le logement 3 du logement 6, forme une grille 42 délimitée par une jupe 43 tournée en direction du logement 3 et dans laquelle le bord libre du récipient 22 est destiné à s'insérer de manière étanche.

The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the previous embodiment in that:

• the opening 40 of the refill 20 is of similar section to the section of the container 22. The opening 40 is removably closed by a heat-sealed lid 41. The filling can be done in the upside-down position of the container 22, having sealed opening 40.
• the wall 16, separating the housing 3 from the housing 6, forms a grid 42 delimited by a skirt 43 facing the housing 3 and in which the free edge of the container 22 is intended to be inserted in a sealed manner.

The rest of the device 1 is, in all other respects, identical to the mode of previous achievement. Its description will therefore not be repeated with reference to this embodiment. Similarly, in use, the operation is identical to operation of the previous embodiment.

Due to the presence of the grid 42, whose surface is much larger than that of passage 4 of the previous embodiment, this embodiment is particularly suitable for the distribution of viscosity products more important. At equal viscosities, the quantities of product that can be transferred on the applicator 14 are much more important with this embodiment.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from the embodiment of the FIG. 2 in that the product P is contained directly inside the housing 3, the open end 18 of the housing 2 being closed directly by the mechanism 30. The latter is snap-fitted to the body 2 of the housing 3, after pouring of the product P inside the housing 3 through its end open 18. In use, the operation of the device according to this mode of embodiment is identical to the operation of the preceding embodiments.

The device which has just been described above is particularly advantageous in that that it allows, in the case of an applicator member made of foam, to use a foam with very small cells, thus giving the application, extreme sweetness. In addition, in the case of a product containing fillers and / or pigments, in particular coloring pigments, there is no segregation of these, so that a homogeneous rendering of the colors throughout the life of the device. This is an advantage important compared to the devices in which the product is brought to pass through the applicator via the pores or cells which constitute it.

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.

In particular, the shape of the applicator may be different from the shape illustrated in reference to the embodiments which have just been described. In a manner Generally, the shape of the applicator is chosen according to the area to be treated. Through example, in the case of a lip applicator, for example a applicator substantially cone-shaped.

In addition, and whatever not shown, the internal surface of the second housing 6 may include reliefs, in particular streaks or spikes, communicating preferably with passage 4 separating the first housing from the second, and able to increase the quantity of product with which the applicator is put contact when it is inside the second housing. Such a characteristic improves the applicability of the applicator, and also allows create reserves of residual product, capable, during a given use, of allow the applicator to be recharged without having to screw it back fully onto the device.

Claims (18)

Set (1) for packaging and applying a product (P), in particular cosmetic, comprising a first housing (3) containing the product to be distributed (P), and a second housing (6) in communication with the first via at least one passage (4, 42) of cross section smaller than the section transverse of the first housing, the second housing (6) being intended to receive an applicator member (14), a closure element (13) being able to close off sealingly an opening (9) delimited by an edge (8) of the second housing (6), the first housing (3) being associated with a suitable mechanism (30), in response to the relative movement of an actuating member (31), distinct from the closure element (13), relative to the first housing, to exert a thrust on the product inside the first housing (3) so as to force it the passage of a determined quantity in the second housing (6) through said (or said) passage (s) (4, 42) in order to charge at the surface and / or depth, said applicator member (14) with said product. Assembly (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the actuating member (31) is arranged on one side of the first housing (3) opposite the second housing (6). Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the actuating member (31) is permanently fixed to the first housing (3) or to a refill (20) intended to be removably disposed in the first housing (3). Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the closing element (13) forms a gripping member for said application member (14). Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the passage (s) (4, 42) ensuring communication between the first (3) and the second housing (6) are provided in a wall (16) transverse to an axis (X) of the assembly, and maintained in a fixed axial position inside the assembly (1). An assembly according to claim 5 characterized in that the wall (16) is immobile in rotation. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the product (P) is contained inside the first housing (3) via an intermediate container (20) removably mounted inside of the first housing (3), said intermediate container (20) constituting a refill for said assembly. Assembly (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that said mechanism (30) is integral with the refill (20). Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the passage (s) (4, 42) is (are) formed of one or more through holes (4) a wall (16) separating the first housing (3) from the second (6), a grid (42), a screen, or a perforated fabric, fabric or thermoplastic material. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the application member (14) is made of a sintered material, in particular thermoplastic or ceramic, of felt, or of an elastically compressible material, in particular closed cell foam, open or semi open, or an elastomer. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the surface of the applicator member (14) is covered with a flocking (15), in particular based on fibers rayon, cotton, viscose, or nylon. Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the associated mechanism (30) comprises a piston (33) capable of sliding in leaktight manner inside the first housing (3) or the intermediate container ( 20) contained in the first housing (3), said piston (33) being coupled via a coupling member (32), in particular a threaded rod or a rack, to said actuating member (31). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating member (31) is of the rotational or depression type. Refill (20) intended to equip an assembly according to any one of claims 7 and all those dependent thereon, comprising a container (22) equipped with a mechanism (30) capable of allowing the pushing of said product (P) in the direction of an opening (24, 40) delimited by the container (22), said opening being closed reversibly, in particular by a cover (41) or by a plug (26). Refill (20) according to claim 14 characterized in that the container (22) comprises means (21) capable of ensuring the reversible fixing of the refill (20) inside the first housing (3). Refill (20) according to claim 14 characterized in that the mechanism (30) comprises a piston (33) capable of sliding in leaktight manner inside the container (22), said piston (33) being coupled via a member coupling (32), in particular a threaded rod or a rack, to an actuating member (31), in particular rotary or push-in. Refill (20) according to any one of claims 14 to 16 characterized in that said fixing means (21) are in particular of the snap-on, bayonet, or screw-on type. Use of an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the packaging and distribution of a cosmetic product (P), in particular a hair product, a makeup product, or a care.

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