EP1221419A1 - Assembly for extemporaneous mixture of two products - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to an assembly for the extemporaneous mixing of two products, with a view to producing a composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, comprising: a) a first container (10) containing a first product and delimiting a first opening (14), said first container being equipped with first coupling means (16); b) a second container (20) containing a second product and defining a second opening (22) closed by a cover (23), said second container being equipped with second coupling means (24) capable of coming into engagement with said first means coupling (16), the first container (10) comprising a safety member (30) arranged so as to come into engagement with the cover (23) before the engagement of said first and second coupling means (16,24 ). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for separate packaging and the extemporaneous mixture of two products, the two products being intended for forming a composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, used for example in the field of hair coloring.

In the field of home coloring, the products are traditionally packaged in two containers. Indeed, the coloring oxidation consists of an oxidation cream and a coloring cream which are each packed in a different container because they cannot be mixed only when applying the coloring composition to the hair.

Different types of containers have already been used to package such creams. The coloring cream is generally contained in a tube in aluminum closed by a cover formed by a thin aluminum film. The tube is closed by a stopper provided with a needle on its upper wall external which is intended to perforate the cover. Such a tube is generally formed a skirt closed in its lower part by a rolled fold. A container of the "hot water bottle" type was for example used to condition the oxidation cream. More recently, the hot water bottle has been replaced by a softer walls, into which the dye is introduced when applying the coloring composition. To put the products in contact with each other, it is first necessary to open the aluminum tube and perforate the film with the needle by turning the cap upside down. Both tubes in this case have coupling devices that allow them connect by fixing them to each other to put the two products in contact.

However, it sometimes happens that some users forget to punch the aluminum seal before coupling the two tubes using the coupling devices provided on each of the tubes. We then proposed sets for mixing such products in which the container containing the coloring cream is provided with a perforation device.

Patent application FR 2 685 301 describes in particular an assembly made up a tube which contains the coloring cream and a jar which contains the cream oxidation. The tube is provided with a threaded neck, the opening of which is closed by a tearable seal. The jar is closed by a capsule formed by a tray who wears a skirt whose internal wall is threaded. An opening is formed at the center of the tray, inside the threaded skirt. The opening is bordered by a cutting crown. To mix, we screw the neck of the tube into the skirt of the pot, the crown then tears the lid so as to put the tube and the pot in communication. However, the torn lid remains in the tube this which can hinder the passage of the product. In addition, it may happen that a user do not screw the neck of the tube into the skirt of the pot until the crown tears at the seal. The user, thinking that the cover is perforated, presses then the tube containing the coloring cream, the cream not being able to leave the tube through the opening which is closed by the cover. In case we use a aluminum tube consisting of a skirt, the lower part of which is closed by a folded roll, the pressure exerted by the user on such a tube has tendency, if relatively large, to roll out the end of the tube. The cream then escapes through this end and is projected onto the user.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a set for the separate packaging and extemporaneous mixing of two products intended to form a cosmetic composition which does not have the drawbacks of the prior art, and which is in particular very secure.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide such an assembly which is economical to produce, reliable and easy to use.

Other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing an assembly for the extemporaneous mixture of two products, with a view to achieving a composition, in particular cosmetic, comprising: a) a first container containing a first product and delimiting a first opening, said first container being equipped with first coupling means; b) a second container containing a second product and defining a second opening closed by a cover, said second container being equipped with second coupling means able to come into engagement with said first coupling means, the first container comprising a safety member arranged so as to come into engagement with the cover before setting engagement of said first and second coupling means.

Thus, when the user forgets to remove the cover, the engagement of the seal on the security device indicates to him that he must not engagement the two containers and that he must remove the seal, for example by peeling, so as to completely free the orifice, or that it must puncture it.

Advantageously, the safety member is made up of a picot picot of which at least a portion extends beyond said first opening, towards the outside of the first container. Thus, the second container is stopped by the safety device, before reach the opening of the first container. Consequently, the implementation engagement of the two containers is almost impossible.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the pin has an end which has a flat surface capable of coming into engagement with the cover. A such a surface forms a stop which cannot perforate the cover when user tries to put the second container into engagement in the first container, having a normal movement, that is to say without forcing further measured.

Advantageously, the first container comprises a suitable opening element, during the engagement of said first and second coupling means, to cause the total or partial release of said second opening in order to allow the communication of said first and second containers, and the mixture of said first and second products. This opening element is a second level of security. Indeed, if a user tries to insert the second container in the first container without removing the cover and pushing it in with a relatively large force, the opening element makes it possible to remove correctly the lid to release the opening of the second container and ensure proper product flow. The opening element allows by example of completely removing the cover by weakening the attachment area of the seal on the second container. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the opening element comprises a cutting device, in particular under shape of a trocar, capable of causing the total or partial cutting of the cover during the engagement of said first and second coupling means.

Advantageously, the cutting device is formed in the extension of the safety member, opposite the end capable of coming into engagement with the cap. The cutting device can therefore only be used in exceptional cases where the user has pierced the seal by means of the security organ.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the first coupling means are consisting of a first thread, said second coupling means being consist of a second thread complementary to the first. So the two containers are perfectly fixed together to ensure contact between two products. It is obvious that any other type of coupling allowing waterproof communication can be used, for example a snap-in, bayonet device, slide mounting, etc ...

According to one embodiment, the first opening of the first container is delimited by an axial chimney carrying said first means of coupling and the safety member, said axial chimney being formed at inside a neck formed by said first container. The axial chimney is connected to the neck by a connecting element, in particular annular, said element connection comprising at least one vent orifice to allow an exhaust of air when the mixture is produced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the axial chimney and the neck form a head obtained in one piece, in particular by injection, which allows to obtain a container that is simple to produce and inexpensive. The first container is then formed of a body on which said head is mounted by welding or gluing or by any other type of fixing.

Advantageously, a removable plug is provided to close the opening of the first container and to protect the safety device. The removable cap is provided with a breakable end so as to serve as an applicator tip after completion of the mixing. The neck of the first container has a thread provided to secure the removable cap on the first container.

The second container is also provided with a removable cap capable, in a first position, to be fixed on the second container via the second means of coupling so as to protect the cover and, in a second position, to perforate the seal. According to a particular embodiment, the plug removable comprises a wall carrying on one side a skirt provided with a thread complementary to the thread of the second container, and on the other side a perforation. So just unscrew the cap of the second container and turn over to apply the perforating member to the cover so as to perforated. Once cut, the cover can be removed from the second container by the user. The perforation device being placed on the cap, it is easily identifiable by the user so that he is led to use it to perforate the seal. You can also get rid of the perforating organ using a peelable seal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first container consists of a tube, in particular made of polyethylene, with elastically deformable walls and the second container consists of an aluminum tube, the cover being a film aluminum.

The assembly which has just been described is particularly useful for the preparation a cosmetic composition, in particular a hair composition, said first product being an oxidant, said second product being a dye.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en élévation du premier récipient contenant un premier produit de l'ensemble selon l'invention;
• les figures 2A à 2H représentent différentes vues des différentes étapes de fonctionnement de l'ensemble selon l'invention dans un premier mode d'utilisation; et
• les figures 3A à 3D représentent différentes vues des différentes étapes de fonctionnement de l'ensemble selon l'invention dans un deuxième mode d'utilisation.

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 illustrates an elevational view of the first container containing a first product of the assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 2A to 2H represent different views of the different stages of operation of the assembly according to the invention in a first mode of use; and
• Figures 3A to 3D show different views of the different stages of operation of the assembly according to the invention in a second mode of use.

The assembly according to the invention comprises a first container 10, shown in the Figure 1, containing a first product, in particular an oxidant, and a second container 20, shown in particular in FIGS. 2C to 2F, containing a second product, including an oxidation dye. The two mixed products are intended to form a hair composition.

The first container, shown in Figure 1, is a polyethylene tube 10. he comprises a body 11 on which a head 12 is mounted. The head 12 is consisting of a shoulder 19 which connects the body 11 to a threaded neck 13 17 on its outer wall. An axial chimney 15, coaxial with the neck 13 is mounted at inside of it. An annular disc 18 in which there are provided vent holes 18a connects the chimney and the neck. The annular disc delimits with the neck and the axial chimney a sealing chute which allows sealing the tube 10 closed by a plug which will be described later. The chimney 15 defines the opening 14 of the tube 10 which authorizes the product passage. The internal wall of the chimney 15 has a thread 16 which allows, as will be explained later, to fix the second tube 20 on the first tube 10. A pin 30, flat at its end 31 which projects the opening 14 of the tube is fixedly mounted inside the chimney 15. It is supported by a bar 33 each end of which is fixed to the internal wall of the chimney 15. The bar 33 thus crosses the passage formed by the chimney over its entire diameter. A triangular knife 32 is formed in the base of the pin supported by the bar 33, opposite the flat end 31. The entire head 12 can be formed in one piece by injection.

The tube 10 is closed by a removable plug 40, shown in particular in the Figure 2A. Part of the internal wall of the plug 40 is provided with a thread complementary to the thread 17 of the neck 15 so that the plug can be fixed on the first tube 10. The plug 40 thus makes it possible to close the opening 14 of the first tube and also to protect the flat spike 30. A wall ring 42 is advantageously provided inside the plug to come be housed in the sealing trough formed between the neck and the chimney when the plug 40 is screwed onto the tube 10. The removable plug is advantageously provided with a breakable end 41 which can be broken in response to a torsional movement around the axis of the first tube. When the end is removed, an orifice is cleared which allows the passage of the composition after mixing the two products. The cap has a suitable shape to serve as an applicator tip for easy application on the hair the mixed composition.

The second container, shown in particular in FIGS. 2C to 2F, is also in the form of a tube 20. It is an aluminum tube formed by a body, one end of which ends in a neck 21, and the other end of which, not shown, is closed by winding. The neck 21 defines an opening 22 which is closed by a cover 23. The cover 23 is a thin film in aluminum obtained directly during the manufacture of the aluminum tube. The neck 21 has a thread 24 on its outer wall, the thread 24 can be screwed inside the chimney 15 of the first tube 10, thanks to the thread complementary 16 provided on its internal wall. The second tube 20 is closed by a cylindrical plug 25 formed by a wall 27 and by a first skirt provided with a thread 26 complementary to the thread 24 of the neck of the second tube. A needle 28 is provided on the wall 27, opposite the threaded skirt, for perforate the aluminum film 23. In order to protect the needle, it is surrounded by a second skirt which extends for example the first skirt constituting the plug.

The assembly which has just been described is used in the following manner, represented in Figures 2A to 2H. The user first has a tube 10 containing an oxidant cream, the tube 10 being closed by its cap 40 such that shown in Figure 2A. It removes the plug 40 to release the opening 14 of the tube 10, as illustrated in Figure 2B. The user also has of tube 20 containing a coloring cream, and which is closed by its cap 25 (Figure 2C). The user unscrews the cap 25, the cover 23 now still the tube closed (figure 2D). The cap is then turned over and engaged around the neck 21 of the tube. The needle 28 engages inside the collar 21 and pierces the cover 23 as shown in FIG. 2E. The opening 22 of the tube 20 is then released (Figure 2F). The user can then hire by screwing the neck 21 of the tube 20 inside the axial chimney 15 of the tube 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 2G and 2H. The user then empties the tube 20 by pressing its walls and transfer all the coloring cream into the tube 10 containing the oxidizing cream. The user then re-screws the cap 40 on tube 10, then stir the tube 10 thus closed to homogenize The mixture. Finally, he breaks the end 41 of the stopper and applies the composition of coloring in a conventional manner.

When the cover has not been perforated before the engagement of the two tubes, the assembly according to the invention is used in the manner illustrated in the figures 3A to 3D. Again, the user has the tube 10 containing a cream oxidant, the tube 10 being closed by its cap 40 which it unscrews to release the opening 14 of the tube 10 (FIGS. 3A and 3B). The tube 20 closed by its cover 23 is then engaged in the tube 10, as illustrated in the Figure 3C. The cover 23 then abuts against the end 31 of the flat pin 30 which extends beyond the opening 14 of the tube 10 without the neck 21 of the tube 20 being able to engage in the chimney 15 of the container 10. At this stage, the user, feeling resistance, is brought to stop its movement of engagement and to withdraw the seal using the needle 28 provided on the cap 25 of the tube 20. It can then screw the neck 21 of the tube 20 into the chimney 15 of the tube 10 like this is illustrated in Figures 2G and 2H.

However, if the user continues to engage the two tubes without remove the seal, he must push the neck 21 of the tube 20 into the chimney 15 of the tube 10 with a force such that the flat pin 30 tears off the cover 23. The screwing the neck 21 into the chimney 15 is then possible. During the screwing, the triangular knife 32 cuts the perforated cover so as to perfectly clear the opening 22 of the tube 20 (Figure 3D). As described previously, the user empties the coloring cream into the tube 10, performs the mix and apply the coloring composition obtained on the hair.

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

Claims (20)

Set for the extemporaneous mixing of two products, for the production of a composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, comprising: a) a first container (10) containing a first product and delimiting a first opening (14), said first container being equipped with first means of coupling (16); b) a second container (20) containing a second product and defining a second opening (22) closed by a cover (23), said second container being equipped with second coupling means (24) suitable for come into engagement with said first coupling means (16), the first container (10) comprising a safety member (30) arranged so as to come into engagement with the cover (23) before setting engagement of said first and second coupling means (16; 24). An assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that said safety member (30) consists of a pin, at least part of which projects beyond said first opening (14), towards the outside of the first container. An assembly according to claim 2 characterized in that the pin (30) has one end (31) which has a flat surface capable of coming into engagement with the cover (23). Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first container (10) comprises an opening element (32) suitable, when the said first and second coupling means (16, 24) are engaged, to causing the total or partial release of said second opening in order to allow the communication of said first and second containers, and the mixing of said first and second products. Assembly according to Claim 4, characterized in that the opening element (32) comprises a cutting device, in particular in the form of a trocar, capable of causing the total or partial cutting of the cover (23) during the engagement of said first and second coupling means (16; 24). Assembly according to claim 5 characterized in that the cutting device (32) is formed in the extension of the safety member (30), opposite the end (31) capable of coming into engagement with the cover (23). Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first coupling means consist of a first thread (16), said second coupling means consisting of a second thread (24) complementary to the first. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first opening (14) of the first container (10) is delimited by an axial chimney (15) carrying said first coupling means (16) and the safety member ( 30), said axial chimney (15) being formed inside a neck (13) formed by said first container. Assembly according to claim 8 characterized in that the axial chimney (15) is connected to the neck (13) by a connecting element (18), in particular annular, said connecting element comprising at least one vent orifice (18a) for allow air to escape during mixing. An assembly according to any one of claims 8 or 9 characterized in that the axial chimney (15) and the neck (13) form a head (12) obtained in one piece, in particular by injection. Assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that the first container (10) is formed by a body (11) on which the head (12) is mounted by welding or gluing. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a removable plug (40) is provided to close the first opening (14) of the first container (10) and to protect the safety member (30). An assembly according to claim 12 characterized in that the removable plug (40) is provided with a breakable end (41) so as to serve as an applicator tip after mixing. An assembly according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in that the neck (15) carries a thread (17) provided to ensure the fixing of the removable plug (40) on the first container (10). Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second container (20) is provided with a removable stopper (25) capable, in a first position, of being fixed to the second container via the second coupling means ( 24) so as to protect the cover (23) and, in a second position, to perforate the cover (23). An assembly according to claim 15 characterized in that the plug (25) comprises a wall (27) carrying on one side a skirt provided with a thread (26) complementary to the thread (24) of the second container, and on the other on the side a perforating member (28). Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first container (10) consists of a tube, in particular made of polyethylene, with elastically deformable walls. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second container (20) consists of a tube. An assembly according to claim 18 characterized in that the tube (20) is made of aluminum, the cover (23) being an aluminum film. Use of an assembly according to any one of the claims for the preparation of a cosmetic composition, in particular capillary, said first product being an oxidant, said second product being a dye.

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