EP1201558B1 - Device for storing and applying a product - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for conditioning and the application of a cosmetic product according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an assembly is described in US-A-5,636,931. The invention is aimed primarily at the packaging and application of liquid or semi-liquid products, especially in the form of a milk, an emulsion, a serum, a perfume, a toilet water, or a gel.

French patent FR 2 701 818 describes an assembly comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, a cap for closing the reservoir, and a elastically deformable application element, in particular made of cellular foam open. The product reservoir is limited by a capillary shaped tip glove finger, having a rigid bottom pierced with at least one capillary orifice against the application element is deformed, when the reservoir is closed by the cap.

Such a system, while satisfying in many ways, suffers from certain limitations.

The first is that when you want to replace the applicator elastic foam by an applicator of substantially stiffer consistency, felt or sintered material, it is observed that the loading in product of the applicator is not satisfactory. Indeed, the lack of privacy of the contact between the applicator and the rigid seat inevitably leads to a bad transfer of the product to the applicator. But such applicators of consistency more rigid may be desirable to apply certain compositions such as lipsticks in liquid form, or to apply certain compositions of skin care.

In addition, the rigid contact between the applicator and the seat in which is pierced the supply port can cause, during a frictional movement between the applicator and the seat, which is the case for example at the opening of the assembly, more or less damage to the surface of the applicator, especially when flocked. This damage can affect sensitive the characteristics of the application, especially the softness.

Finally, in the event that the product to be applied is very liquid, in particular when it comes to perfume or eau de toilette, the product may, when the assembly is reversed, flow through the product inlet, and from this in fact, pollute the environment in which such a flow occurs. Regardless of the risks associated with such a reversal, product leaks by evaporation, when the product contains relatively volatile solvents, can to be important.

The patent application FR-A-2 754 458 describes a set of application comprising an applicator consisting of a product capable of solubilizing or gelling on the surface, in contact with a liquid composition contained in a first housing located below a second housing receiving the applicator. Both housings are separated by a block of foam in contact with which is disposed the applicator. Although satisfactory in many ways, this device can pose certain problems in that, the deleterious applicator is still in contact with a liquid able to disintegrate it. As a result, between two relatively It can not be ruled out that the applicator disintegrates completely, which then makes it totally unusable.

Also, is it an object of the invention to make a set of conditioning and application, solving in whole or in part the problems discussed above with reference to conventional assemblies.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide such a set of packaging and application, which allows the use of applicators from relatively rigid consistency.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a set of packaging and application, which allows the use of products of very low viscosity.

It is yet another object to realize a set that allows, over the uses, to keep intact the characteristics of the application, in particular sweetness.

Still other objects will appear in the following detailed description.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making a set for the packaging and application of a product according to claim 1.

For the purposes of this application, the term "non-soluble" to qualify the applicator reflects the fact that, unlike document FR-A-2 754 458 mentioned above, the bringing the applicator into contact with the product to be applied does not modify the integrity of the applicator. In other words, the applicator does not disintegrate, does not does not disintegrate, dissolve, or gell when in contact with product contained in the first compartment. As we will see later, a such applicator may be in the form of a foam, a felt, a sinter, a elastomer, or any other material, in particular thermoplastic. Her consistency can be rigid or semi-rigid. The material that forms it can be porous or not.

The porous organ, by its ability to soak up product in depth, form a reserve of product, much larger than that obtained with a rigid seat as described in the patent FR 2 701 818 mentioned above. The surface application of the applicator being in support of this reserve, its loading in produced, especially when the whole is opened when the porous organ is decompresses, is immediate.

In addition, when the applicator is rigid, because of its support on a seat flexible member consisting of an elastically compressible member, the latter is deformed and conforms to the shape of the applicator, thus increasing the contact area between the applicator and the porous organ. As a result, the result is a much better product loading of the applicator.

The contact between the applicator and the compressible seat is soft. As a result, the state the surface of the applicator is not affected by the friction that may occur produce, especially at the opening, between the applicator and the porous organ.

In addition, at the opening, especially in the case of a relative rotational movement between the applicator (carried by the stopper) and the porous block, there occurs a "wiping" of the application surface of the applicator, so that nothing remains significantly more product in excess (especially in the form of a drop) on the application surface. Such wiping is clearly less sensitive in the case where the seat, on which presses the applicator, is rigid.

The block of porous material also forms a barrier to the liquid, able to limit appreciably the evaporation of the solvents contained in the product, and to limit the risks of product flow, in the event of a rollover or turnaround of the whole.

At least the part of the porous organ with which the applicator is placed contact, is elastically compressible. Preferably, however, the totality of the porous member is elastically compressible. The compressibility of the organ porous can be uniform, especially in the case of a porous organ formed of the same foam, or variable, especially in the case of a porous organ formed of a stack of several foam blocks having densities different.

Especially when the flexible seat is a block of foam having cells large size, it may be desirable to cover it, at least in part of a product-permeable sheet, in particular a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or perforated thermoplastic film. Thus, it improves the capacity of the flexible seat to prevent the product from evaporating or flowing when the device is turned upside down, especially when the foam block is saturated in product. In addition, the smoothness of the frictional contact between the applicator and the flexible seat, thus significantly reducing the risk of damage to the surface of the applicator.

Preferably, the applicator is integral with the closure element, the latter acting as a gripping member for said applicator. The reversible fixation of the closure element on the assembly can be provided by snapping, screwing, or by a bayonet system.

The elastically compressible porous member may consist of a block of hydrophilic foam, with open or semi-open cells, in particular polyurethane or polyether, a flexible sinter, especially ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or low density felt. Preferably, the porosity of the material is such that, even at saturation, the absence of pressure, the product does not flow from the porous organ. Such a ability to retain the product, even at saturation, can be improved by incorporating into the porous material, water-absorbing agents.

Such a porous member may be formed of a block, in particular of foam of which the thickness at rest can range from 1 mm to several mm.

In addition to the "natural" passages passing through the porous organ, and consisting of pores of the material, it is possible to provide one or more "artificial" slits or any other passage axially crossing the thickness of the block of porous material. Such passages, especially in the case of products more viscous, promote transit between the product tank and the housing containing the applicator.

The porous organ may further contain bacteriostatic agents. We reduce thus the amount of preservative to be incorporated directly into the product even.

The applicator is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, in particular a thermoplastic material, felt or sintered material.

Alternatively, the applicator is made of an elastic material compressible, in particular of an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam, or an elastomer. The compressibility of the applicator is preferably lower, similar to that of the elastically compressible porous member.

Alternatively, the applicator is made of a material elastomeric. In the latter case, it can be configured as of a solid or hollow structure, so as to give it greater deformability, especially in contact with the surface on which the product must be applied.

At least part of the surface of the applicator is covered with a flocking, especially rayon, nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, or viscose. The presence of such flocking depends to a large extent on the rheology of product to be applied, the material forming the applicator, and in particular its ability to absorb the product in depth, and desired characteristics to the application, especially softness. The flocking may comprise a mixture of fibers of a different kind and / or section, and / or length.

The porous member comprises at least a part, in particular annular, which is fixed axial position within the assembly. For this purpose, a perforated element, in particular a grid, a perforated bottom, a sieve, or a perforated film, can be formed or held firmly between the first and second compartments, said perforated element defining at least one supply orifice, said porous member elastically compressible being disposed in the second compartment, at the above said perforated element. Thus, such a perforated element forms a rigid support for the porous member, preventing it from sinking towards the container, when the applicator is supported on said porous member.

Such a perforated element may also form an element capable of holding, in particular by capillarity or surface tension effect, a certain amount of product directly in contact with the surface of the porous block, further improving, impregnation of the porous block with the product. The configuration of the openwork element, including the number, size, and density of holes, depends in a wide measurement of the rheology of the product, the characteristics of the applicator, in particular its compressibility, and features sought after at the application, in particular the quantity of product to be applied to each application.

Alternatively, said resiliently compressible porous member is maintained in the second compartment. Thus, when the applicator presses on the flexible seat, the latter, besides the elastic compression, deforms towards the bottom of the container. We improve still the contact area between the applicator and the compressible seat.

The porous elastically compressible member may be integral, in particular by gluing, the perforated element or the annular edge.

The second compartment can be powered from the first via a pump to manual actuation. An outlet of the pump, formed in particular after a pump rod, preferably, opens directly into the porous member. Such an embodiment using a pump, is particularly suitable for products of higher viscosity. Such a pump can be air intake or without air intake.

The actuation of the pump can be done by means of a pressure exerted on the rigid bottom of the first compartment. A set of conditioning and distribution using such a pump is described in particular in the FR-A-2 application 788 501. This document describes in particular different possible configurations around such a pump.

The contacting of the organ porous elastically compressible with the product being simply shaking more or less vigorously the container, which happens so natural in the case of a product, such as a perfume, that the consumer carries in his purse. The product is impregnated in the foam block especially by capillarity or by surface tension effect. As in the previous embodiment, the product can also be brought into the porous member by means of a pump connected to a plunger tube.

Preferably, the first compartment is of variable volume, and is constituted in particular a container with deformable walls, elastically or not. So, one can use a tube whose flexible walls are able to crash in response at a pressure exerted on it. The walls resume their initial position when stop the pressure. The resulting overpressure inside the container may promote the passage of the product retained by capillarity in the vicinity of the organ porous (in particular by a grid supporting the porous organ), or directly on the porous organ.

Alternatively, the overpressure inside the container may result from a pressure exerted on a portion of the container configured as a bellows.

In the case of an assembly using a pump without air intake, it is possible to use a container equipped with a follower piston bottom. With each pumping in the container, the piston rises in the container so as to "stick" to the product. Alternatively, the product can be packaged in a pocket whose walls soft sinking at each pumping to compensate for the volume of distributed product.

The assembly according to the invention can advantageously be used for conditioning and application of a make-up, care or hygiene product body, including perfume, eau de toilette, milk, serum, an emulsion, a gel, a lip makeup product, a foundation, or a hair product, in particular staining or discoloration of wicks.

• les figures 1A-1B sont relatives à un premier mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2A-2B sont relatives à un second mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements described above, in 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-1B relate to a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 2A-2B relate to a second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention

The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B comprises a container 2, in the form of a flexible-walled tube, of axis X, containing a supply of product P, for example, a liquid lipstick. The bottom of the tube 2 is closed along a weld zone 3.

The open end of the tube opposite to the weld zone is welded to a element 4 defining a housing 5 for receiving an applicator 6 through an opening 11. The applicator 6 comprises an application element 7 and a gripping member 8, which also constitutes a closure cap 5. The application element 7 is forced into a chimney axial 10 formed by the applicator 6.

Maintaining the applicator 6 on the device 1, so as to close the opening 11, is made by means of a thread 12 formed on the outer surface of the housing 5, and intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread 13 provided on an inner surface of the gripping member 8. A sealing skirt 14 ensures the sealing of the opening 11 by the applicator 6.

According to this embodiment, the application element 7 consists of a sintered thermoplastic, in particular of polyethylene, and the surface of which is covered flocking 9. The free end of the application element 7 forms two sections beveled to facilitate the application of the product on the lips.

The inner surface of the housing 5 comprises in the vicinity of its bottom, an edge ring forming an annular support for a cell foam block open 16 with a thickness of 3 mm. The annular edge 15 defines an orifice central 18. The foam block 16 is bonded to the annular edge 15.

The porosity of the foam block 16 is chosen so that the block of foam can impregnate the product P, when the latter is put in contact with the foam block, which occurs in particular by shaking the device 1. Such agitation occurs naturally when the device is carried in the user's purse. For this particular example, we uses a polyether foam.

In the open position, as shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 5 is isolated from the container 2 by the foam pad 16 stuffed with product, which forms a "barrier liquid "capable of appreciably reducing the evaporation of product P contained in the tube 2. When the device 1 is turned upside down, the product does not do not run away.

When the applicator 6 is mounted on the device 1 (FIG. 1B), the element 7 presses the block of foam 16 to the point of compressing it, and the deform sensitively towards the bottom of the tube 2. This deformation helps to create a large contact area between the application element 7 and the foam 16 impregnated with product.

For use, the user shakes the device 1 so as to bring product P in contact with the foam block 16. Part of the product is imbued with depth in the foam. A certain amount of product can be retained by capillarity on the face of the foam 16 turned towards the container 2. In pressing on the walls of the tube 2, an overpressure is created inside the container, which overpressure promotes the passage of the product through the foam 16 towards its surface in contact with the application element 7.

At the opening, the decompression effect of the foam 16 accentuates the pumping of the produced in the direction of the application element 7. In addition, at the opening, the relative rotational movement between the application member and the foam block 16, allows to wipe the application surface so that it is cleared any excess product that can accumulate as a drop. It remains while applying the product on the surface to be treated, in a conventional manner.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, to which it is now refers, the set of conditioning and application comprises a rigid inner body 20 in the form of a cylindrical element polypropylene. The section of the cylindrical element may be circular, ovoid, elliptical, or any other desired shape. One end of the inner body 20 is closed by a rigid bottom 21. The end of the rigid body 20, opposite the bottom 21 is open, and has on its inner surface a groove 22, adapted to allow the assembly by breakdown of an intermediate piece 23. The piece intermediate 23 has a side skirt 24 whose outer surface has in the vicinity of its upper edge, a bead 25, able to cooperate by snapping with the groove 22 of the inner body 20. The side skirt 24 is extends, at its end opposite its free edge, at right angles to a transverse flange 26, itself connected to an axial section chimney 27 cylindrical. Inside the axial chimney 27, is mounted, particularly by force, by breakdown, or by screwing, an airless pump 28 surmounted by a rod emerging 29 sealing. Thus, the pressure distribution element 28 is integral with the structure carrying or forming the product reservoir.

The product P, in this case a serum, is contained inside the inner body 20, which comprises a piston 30, able to slide in a sealed manner against the internal walls of the inner body 20, as the product P is pump.

The rigid bottom 21 has an orifice 31 adapted to allow a return of air to the inside of the rigid body 20, in the volume located below the piston.

The assembly is surmounted by a ferrule 32, mounted on the pump rod 29, and a cylindrical portion 33 forms a skirt, one end 34 of which is open. Said open end 34 is in the vicinity of the rigid bottom 21 of the body which, in the rest position of the pump 28, emerges (with respect to the end 34) of a height corresponding at least to the actuating stroke of the pump 28. The cylindrical portion 33 has an inside diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the inner body 20 so as to be able to slide freely on the latter when the pump 28 is actuated.

Opposite the open end 34, the ferrule 32 has a portion 35, one of which inner surface 36 delimits a hemispherical housing 39. The surface 36 is pierced at its center with an orifice 37. In its portion adjacent to the surface 36, the orifice 37 has a section slightly smaller than the external diameter of the stem of the pump so that when the pump is actuated, it comes into operation. stop against the portion of smaller section of the orifice 37. The cylindrical portion 33 of the hoop 32 allows a gripping for screwing and the unscrewing the applicator cover 38.

In the bottom of the housing 39 is maintained, in particular by gluing, a block of polyurethane foam 40, playing the same role as the foam block 16 of the previous embodiment. The face of the foam block 40 turned towards of the surface 36 is in fluid communication with the orifice 37 in which is mounted the pump rod 29.

The housing 39 ends, opposite the orifice 37, by a free edge defining an opening 41. The outer surface of the housing 39 is provided with a thread 42, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread 43 of a cover 38. A skirt inside 44 of the cover 38 serves to fix an applicator member 45, in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid block made of felt, the surface of which is covered with a flocking. Fixing the applicator member 45 to the skirt 44 can to be ensured notably by gluing or welding. The application organ 45, forms outside the fixing skirt 44, substantially a cone.

When the applicator cover 38 is mounted on the device 1 (FIG. 2B), the element application 45 presses the block of foam 40 to the point of compressing it sensitive way. This deformation helps to create a contact surface between the application element 45 and the product-impregnated foam 40.

For use, the user presses on the rigid bottom 21 so as to cause the pump 28 to be actuated. The product exits through the stem of pump 29, of the orifice 37, is impregnated in the foam block 40, and comes to contact of the application member 45. At the opening of the applicator cover 38, the decompression of the foam block 40 accelerates the pumping of the product towards the surface of the foam in contact with the applicator member 45. the applicator 45 separates from the foam block 40, it is loaded so satisfactory in product. It remains only to apply the product on the surface appropriate, in a very conventional way.

In the above detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (15)

1. Unit (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product (P), the said unit (1) delimiting a first compartment (2, 20) of variable volume and containing the product, and a second compartment (5, 39) in communication with the first via at least one supply orifice (18, 37) defined by a perforated element (36) or an annular rim (15), the said second compartment having an opening (11, 41) which is removably shut off by a closure element (8, 38), the said second compartment forming a housing for an applicator (7, 45) which is non-soluble upon contact with the said product, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45), when the closure element is in the closed position, deforms an at least partially elastically compressible porous member (16, 40) in communication with the said supply orifice (18, 37), the porous member being, at least partly, at a fixed axial position inside the unit, the porous member being held via the said perforated element (36) or via the said annular rim (15).
2. Unit (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45) is secured to the closure element (8, 38), the latter acting as a member via which the said applicator can be held.
3. Unit (1) according to Claim 1 or 2,
   characterized in that the elastically compressible porous member (16, 40) consists of a block of open-cell or semi-open-cell hydrophilic foam, particularly polyurethane or polyether foam, of a flexible frit, particularly of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA) or of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or of a felt.
4. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the elastically compressible porous member is covered, at least in part, with a sheet of a product-permeable material, particularly a woven, a non-woven or a perforated thermoplastic film.
5. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the porous member (16, 40) contains bacteriostatic agents and/or hydroabsorbent agents.
6. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45) is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, particularly of a thermoplastic, of a felt or of a frit.
7. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45) is made of an elastically compressible material, particularly of an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam, or of an elastomer.
8. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least part of the surface of the applicator is covered with flock (9), particularly made of rayon, nylon, viscose, cotton, silk or polyester.
9. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a perforated element (36), particularly a grating, a sieve or a perforated film, is held fixedly between the first compartment (2, 20) and the second (5, 39), the said perforated element (36) defining at least one supply orifice, the said elastically compressible porous member (7, 45) being arranged in the second compartment above the said perforated element (36).
10. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said elastically compressible porous member (7, 45) is held in the second compartment.
11. Unit (1) according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the said elastically compressible porous member (7, 45) is secured, particularly by bonding, to the perforated element (36) or the annular rim (15).
12. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second compartment (39) is supplied from the first via a manually operated pump (28).
13. Unit (1) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the pump is actuated by means of pressure exerted on the bottom (21) of the first compartment (20).
14. Unit (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the first compartment (2, 20) in particular consists of a container with elastically or inelastically deformable walls (2), of a container, part of which forms a bellows, or of a container (20) equipped with a bottom (30) that forms a follower piston.
15. Use of a unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for packaging and applying a makeup, care or personal hygiene product, particularly a perfume, an eau de toilette, a milk, a lotion, an emulsion, a gel, a lipstick product, a foundation or a hair product, particularly for applying highlights and lowlights.

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