EP1280433B1 - System for applying a composition on a surface element - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a transportable applicator system in intended in particular for applying a composition on a localized surface element. It comprises a main body (10) extended by a rod handle (12) and a receptacle (14) in which said main body (10) is suitable for being inserted. The applicator system comprises: a puncturable container (18) containing said composition and held in said receptacle (14); applicator means (13) for applying said composition and secured to the end of said main body; and means (22, 20) for puncturing said container (18) when the main body (10) is forced into said receptacle (14) so as to puncture said puncturable container (18), whereby said applicator means (13) are suitable for being impregnated with said composition.

Description

The present invention relates to an application system transportable intended in particular to apply a composition to a localized surface element. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disposable application system after a few uses.

A field of application envisaged is notably but not exclusively that of makeup.

Are known devices consisting of a rod comprising at one from its ends a handle forming a plug and an applicator to the other of its ends, said applicator being insertable into a reservoir cylindrical, the edges of which cooperate with said handle forming a plug in order to keep said applicator in the composition and to close hermetically the tank. This last characteristic is essential to prevent the solvent of the composition from evaporating, and to do this, the cap-shaped handle can be screwed onto the tank cylindrical.

Thus, the user, after unlocking the handle forming a cylindrical reservoir cap, remove the applicator impregnated with the composition to apply the latter to the place longed for.

However, cosmetic applications, for example, require a large number of product samples in order to to carry out tests or to promote said products. Now the classic realization of a tank combined with a cap closing it hermetically is relatively expensive considering the function of the samples that are intended to contain only a small amount of the composition to apply.

A device according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from document US-A-4206843.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a system for applying a cosmetic composition, containing a low volume of said composition stored hermetically in the system and which is inexpensive to produce.

• des moyens pour provoquer la perforation dudit réservoir lorsque le corps principal est enfoncé à force dans ledit réceptacle de façon à perforer ledit réservoir perforable, par quoi lesdits moyens d'application sont aptes à être imprégnés de ladite composition.

To achieve this object, in accordance with the invention, the transportable application system, intended in particular for applying a composition to a localized surface element, comprises a main body extended by a gripping rod, a receptacle in which said main body is suitable for introduction,
a perforable reservoir containing said composition, held in said receptacle, and
means for applying said composition integral with the end of said main body, characterized in that it comprises

• means for causing the perforation of said reservoir when the main body is forced into said receptacle so as to perforate said perforable reservoir, whereby said application means are capable of being impregnated with said composition.

Thus, the composition to be applied is contained in a reservoir likely to be punctured. This type of standard tank can contain a wide variety of compositions in small quantities and they are perfectly airtight. Furthermore, they have the advantage of being easily punctured to release the composition they contain.

It is understood that the reservoir is inserted into a receptacle having the shape of a cylindrical tank according to the prior art but that it is no longer this receptacle must be hermetically closed by an element of the applicator forming a cap since the perforable reservoir is itself hermetic. So, are the costs of producing such a receptacle lower than the costs of making a cylindrical tank classic.

In order to apply the composition, the system includes means of application at the end of the main body which is capable of being engaged in the receptacle. The system also includes means for perforate the reservoir in order to impregnate the means of application and these means are implemented by the forced insertion of the main body in the receptacle.

Preferably, the application system comprises in in addition to deformable connecting means able to hold said body main in said receptacle and to guide it when the main body is forced into said receptacle to cause perforation of said reservoir and wear said application means near said reservoir perforated.

This characteristic makes it possible to secure the main body to the receptacle without necessarily implementing a screwable system, this which is relatively more economical, the main body and the receptacle can be made of molded plastic.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means for cause the perforation of said perforable reservoir are located nearby of said tank so as to be driven against said tank for the perforate when said main body, bearing on said means to cause perforation, is forced into said receptacle.

As will be explained in more detail, according to this preferred mode of implementation, the means for causing the perforation of the reservoir are located between the tank and the main body when introduced in the receptacle. So when the main body is pushed into the receptacle, it drives the means to cause the perforation which compress the surface of the tank to puncture it.

According to yet a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application system further comprises a transfer element of said composition located between said perforable reservoir and said means suitable for capillary transfer of said composition of the reservoir perforated to said application means.

This characteristic allows a distribution of the composition that contains the perforable reservoir, when perforated, on the means homogeneous application.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the connecting means deformable include fracturable fastening means, suitable for be fractured by forcing said main body into said receptacle by which said main body is held in a fixed position in said receptacle.

This advantageous characteristic makes it possible to temporarily fix the main body in the receptacle before using the system. So, only when the main body is pushed into the receptacle to perforate the tank that the fracturable fixing means are broken. This feature also ensures that the tank has not been punctured before.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the means for cause the perforation of said perforable tank consist of a sleeve capable of sliding in said receptacle, said sleeve comprising, at one of its ends, grid-forming means, and being placed so that the end with the grid means is located opposite said perforable tank and in that said body main is able to bear on the other of said ends of said sleeve, said application means penetrating at least partially in said sleeve.

Thus, the perforable reservoir is first introduced into the bottom of the receptacle then the sleeve is slid into the receptacle so that the grid means are near the tank. We understand that the tank has a diameter significantly smaller than the diameter of the receptacle and that the sleeve has a diameter substantially equal to that of the tank. In this way, the main body which is held against the sleeve is capable of driving it so that the means forming a grid perforate the tank.

Advantageously, the transfer means consist of a foam element housed in said sleeve, so that said element foam is in contact with the means of application and with said composition, which passes through said grid means when said perforable tank is perforated.

It is understood that the foam element housed in the sleeve is in contact with the application means since it penetrates at least partially in said sleeve. When the main body is pushed in in the receptacle, it rests on the edge of the sleeve and causes the support of the grid-forming means on the reservoir which pierces it when the depth is sufficiently large. Since the means are in contact with the foam element and that the composition migrates into said foam element through the means forming a grid, the application means are impregnated with the composition contained in the tank.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the application means and said means for causing the perforation of said tank constitute a single piece. So by a choice appropriate to the nature of the means of application and in particular their hardness, they are able to perforate the tank directly by pressing of the main body in the receptacle.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for causing the perforation of said reservoir are connected to said receptacle by said deformable connecting means. So, the translational drive of the main body which is free relative to the receptacle, drives the means to cause perforation in deforming the deformable connecting means.

Advantageously, said perforable reservoir consists of a closed fracturable capsule containing the said composition. In this way, the tank is produced in large series and can be introduced into the application system during assembly.

Preferably, said perforable reservoir is formed by said closed receptacle, between the bottom of said receptacle and its open end, by a fracturable cover, said composition being contained between said bottom and said cover. Thus, the internal wall of the receptacle constitutes a substantial part of the tank wall, which is not punctured. The perforable part being constituted by a fracturable lid maintained tightly against the inner wall of the receptacle and trapping the composition in the bottom of the receptacle.

According to a particularly advantageous characteristic, said main body has a first part presenting said means application, and a second removable part comprising said rod. Thus, the second part is likely to be joined together or disconnected from the first part.

Preferably, said first part of said main body comprising said application means is integral with said means to cause perforation. In this way, when the means for cause the perforation are connected to the receptacle, the first part of the main body is integral with the receptacle, the second part comprising the rod being capable of being mounted on the first part.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a transportable application set, comprising a plurality of transportable application systems, said receptacles comprising each a composition, each receptacle comprising means for cause the perforation of said reservoir and a first part of said body main equipped with said application means; and said second part comprising said rod is capable of being mounted on the first parts provided with said application means for perforating said reservoir perforable and impregnate them with the composition. So the second part of the main body extended by the rod is removable and only one second part is necessary for the application of the different compositions contained in the plurality of transportable application systems.

• la Figure 1 est une vue schématique éclatée suivant l'axe de montage montrant le système d'application conforme à l'invention,
• la Figure 2, est une vue en coupe montrant le système d'application avant utilisation lorsque les moyens de fixation fracturables sont intacts,
• la Figure 3 est une vue en coupe montrant le système d'application lorsque le corps principal est enfoncé à force dans le réceptacle et que le réservoir est perforé,
• la Figure 4 est une vue en coupe montrant le système d'application lorsque le corps principal muni des moyens d'application est retiré du réceptacle.
• la Figure 5 est une vue en coupe verticale d'un corps principal conforme à l'invention, démontable ; et,
• la Figure 6 est une vue de dessus d'un ensemble d'application conforme à l'invention.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description given below of particular embodiments of the invention, given as an indication but not limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view along the mounting axis showing the application system according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the application system before use when the fracturable fixing means are intact,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the application system when the main body is forced into the receptacle and the reservoir is perforated,
• Figure 4 is a sectional view showing the application system when the main body provided with the application means is removed from the receptacle.
• Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view of a main body according to the invention, removable; and,
• Figure 6 is a top view of an application assembly according to the invention.

We will first refer to Figure 1 to describe, so general, the application system according to the invention.

The system comprises a main body 10 of symmetry cylindrical, extended by a gripping rod 12 whose diameter is lower than the main body 10. The gripping rod 12 and the body 5 main 10 constitute one and the same plastic part likely to be molded.

The main body 10 is provided with application means 13 to its end. These application means 13 made of foam, of symmetry cylindrical, allow the composition to be applied to an element of localized surface and to do this they present a tapered end of ogival shape.

The foam used is preferably extremely soft, so as not to irritate the skin of the user applying the composition on his skin.

The system also includes a receptacle 14, or plug, also of cylindrical symmetry and having a first end open and a second end closed. Main body 10 of system is capable of being introduced into receptacle 14 and of closing it first end open.

Thus, the main body 10 has an external diameter substantially smaller than the internal diameter of the receptacle 14. Furthermore, the application system further comprises connecting means deformable to hold the main body 10 in the receptacle 14.

These connecting means comprise a groove 15 formed around the main body 10 cooperating with a rib 16 located on the internal wall of the receptacle 14. Advantageously, the main body 10 and receptacle 14 are made of molded plastic, which allows to obtain a relative elasticity of the groove 15 and the rib 16 leading to an elastically deformable connection.

In addition, the deformable connecting means comprise ) fracturable fastening means 17 resting on the edge of the end receptacle open 14. The total introduction of the main body 10 into the receptacle 14 is only possible when the fixing means fracturables 17 are broken. In Figure 1, the fixing means fracturables are only connected to main body 10, but they can also be integral with the edge of the end of the receptacle 14 when the system is mounted. Thus, the main body 10 is held in position fixed relative to receptacle 14 and testifies to non-use system.

The application system is intended to apply a composition that it contains, in particular cosmetic compositions. These compositions are generally liquid and can be stored in a substantially spherical tank whose capacity is of the order of milliliter or tenth of a milliliter. These tanks, usually in polyurethane or polyethylene type plastic, are likely to be punctured or burst under pressure exerted on their wall, in order to release the contents. These tanks are also hermetic towards the solvents which are generally there introduced.

Thus, the application system according to the invention comprises a perforable reservoir 18 in which the composition to be applied has been introduced. The perforable reservoir 18 containing the composition is disposed in the bottom of the receptacle 14. Advantageously, it is fixed by gluing to the bottom wall of the receptacle 14, but it can also be left free since the other elements of the application system that we will describe below obstruct the receptacle 14 and trap the reservoir perforable 18.

The receptacle 14 also comprises means 19 for cause the perforation of the reservoir 18, located above it so that the reservoir 18 is interposed between the bottom wall of the receptacle 14 and the means 19 for causing its perforation.

The means 19 for causing the perforation of the reservoir perforable 18 consist of a sleeve 20 whose external diameter is significantly smaller than the internal diameter of the receptacle 14 so that he can slide there. They also consist of means 22 forming a grid attached to the end of the sleeve 20 so that the plane means of said grid forming means 22 are perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 20. The means 22 forming a grid consist of a spider comprising three branches, the ends of which are connected to the edge of one of the ends of the sleeve 20. Of course, any other form of means 22 forming a grid would be suitable.

The means for causing the perforation 19 are introduced into the receptacle 14 above the perforable reservoir 18 so that the end of the sleeve 20 comprising the cross is facing the perforable tank 18.

The application system according to the invention further comprises a transfer element 24 of the composition, made of porous material. This foam transfer element 24 is of cylindrical symmetry and its dimensions are such that it fits entirely in the sleeve 20, leaning at one of its ends on the grid forming means 22.

Preferably, at the other end it has a recess 26 wherein the application means 13, penetrating at least partially in the sleeve 20, are able to bear. Besides, so advantageous, the transfer element 24 comprises an axial channel intended to allow easier transfer of the composition by capillarity.

We will now refer to Figure 2 to describe the system application mounted according to the invention before use.

In Figure 2 we find the main body 10, partially introduced into the receptacle 14 so that the fixing means fracturables 17 bear on the edge of the open end of the receptacle 14. In the bottom of the receptacle 14 the perforable reservoir 18 is trapped by the grid means 22 located at the end of the sleeve 20, in which is inserted the transfer element 24.

Referring to Figure 3 we will describe the application system when the main body 10 is forced into the receptacle 14. The main body 10 is forced into receptacle 14 first causes the fracturing of the fracturable fastening means which are separated from the main body 10. Then the main body 10 is applied against the edge of the sleeve 20 and the application means 13 against the transfer element 24. The solid support of the main body 10 on the sleeve 20 drives the latter and the means 22 forming a grid against the perforable tank 18 which bears against the bottom wall of the receptacle 14. Thus, the grid means 22 perforate the wall of the perforable reservoir 18 releasing the composition it contains. The composition permeates the transfer element 24 which, by capillarity, the transmits to the application means 13. Maintaining the main body 10 in the receptacle 14 after the forced insertion must last for one time long enough, on the order of a second, to allow a good impregnation. Due to the tapered shape of the application means 13 which cooperate with the transfer element 24 having a recess 26, the composition uniformly covers the surface of the means 13 in contact with the transfer element 24. Thus, the composition is more easily applicable on the surface considered.

In Figure 4, the main body 10 is shown entirely released from receptacle 14 allowing application of the composition to the right surface element.

After first use, the application system is likely to be reused a second time if the composition has not been totally transferred to the application means 13. To do this, the body main 10 is reintroduced into receptacle 14. The second use may not take place immediately after the premiere, and the means to deformable connection, in particular the groove 15 and the rib 16, keep the main body 10 in the receptacle 14 until the time of this second use without the solvent of the composition does not evaporate.

According to a particular mode of implementation, with an objective economic, the means of application and the means to cause the perforation of the tank constitute one and the same room. Thus, the application means are made of a material relatively rigid so as to be able to perforate the perforable reservoir containing the composition without any other additional part.

The application system according to the invention essentially relates disposable systems for composition applications cosmetics or for drug compositions.

According to another aspect, the present invention also relates to a transportable application set, comprising a plurality of transportable application systems, which will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 1 illustrates an application system with a receptacle 38 and a removable main body having a first part 40 provided with application means 42, and a second part 44 comprising said rod. The second part 44 is likely to be screwed on the first part 40 which is itself engaged in means 46 to cause the perforation of a perforable reservoir 48, said reservoir perforable 48 being formed by the receptacle 38 itself.

Composition 50 is contained in the bottom of the receptacle which is closed by a fracturable cover 52. The edge of the cover fracturable 52 is applied hermetically against the internal wall of the receptacle so as to isolate the composition 50 from the exterior of the receptacle 38.

The means 46 for causing the perforation of said reservoir 48 are connected to said receptacle 38 by deformable connecting means 54 and said first part 40 of said main body comprising said application means 42 is integral with said means for causing the perforation 46. Thus, the second part 44 of the main body is likely to be mounted on the second part 40 and the displacement at force of the main body in the receptacle drives the means for cause perforation 46 and deformation of the connecting means deformable 54. In this way, the fracturable cover 52 located nearby means for causing the perforation 46, is perforated and the means 42 are driven into contact with the composition 50 to be permeated.

Then, the main body is removed from the receptacle 38 by means of the second part 44 of the main body extended by the rod.

Figure 6 illustrates an application package according to the invention, said receptacles 38 being inserted in a housing 56. Each receptacle 38 includes means for causing the perforation of said reservoir and a first part of said main body 40 appearing in Figure 6 provided with said application means. said second part 44 comprising said rod is disposed in the housing 56 to proximity to receptacles 38. In this way, the application assembly transportable is likely to contain a plurality of receptacles containing different compositions to be applied, their application being independently performed by means of the second part 44 which is mounted for this purpose on one of the first part 40 constituting the body main.

In another particular embodiment of the assembly application according to the invention, the perforable tank consists a closed, breakable capsule containing said composition and it is arranged in the bottom of the receptacle.

Obviously, the application assembly according to the invention is intended to receive both medicinal compositions and cosmetic compositions.

Claims (14)

1. A transportable applicator system namely for applying a composition on a localised surface element, the system comprising a main body (10) extended by a rod handle, a receptacle (14) in which said main body (10) is suitable for being inserted, a puncturable container (18) containing said composition and held in said receptacle (14) and applicator means (13) for applying said composition and secured to said end of said main body (10), said system being characterised in that it comprises puncturing means for puncturing (19) said container (18) when said main body (10) is forced into said receptacle (14) so as to puncture said puncturable container (18), whereby said applicator means (13) is impregnated with said composition.
2. A transportable applicator system according to claim 1, characterised in that it further comprises deformable connection means (15, 16, 17) for holding said main body (10) in said receptacle (14) and for guiding said main body when the main body (10) is forced into said receptacle (14) to puncture said container (18) and bring said applicator means (13) into the vicinity of said punctured container (18).
3. A transportable applicator system according to claim 2, characterised in that said means for puncturing said container (18) are connected to said receptacle (14) by said deformable connection means.
4. A transportable applicator system according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said deformable connection means comprise breakable fixing means (17) suitable for being broken by forcing said main body (10) into said receptacle (14), whereby said main body (10) is held in a fixed position in said receptacle (14).
5. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said means for puncturing (19) said puncturable container (18) are situated close to said container (18) in such a manner as to be driven against said container (18) to puncture it when said main body (10), bearing against said puncturing means (19), is forced into said receptacle (14).
6. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said means for puncturing (19) said puncturable container comprise a sleeve (20) suitable for sliding in said receptacle (14), said sleeve (20) having grid-forming means (22) at one of said ends, and being placed in such a manner that said end having said grid-forming means (22) is situated facing said puncturable container (18), and in that said main body (10) is suitable for bearing against the other of said ends of said sleeve (20), said applicator means (13) penetrating at least partially into said sleeve.
7. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that it further comprises transfer means (24) and is situated between said puncturable container (18) and said applicator means (13), for transferring said composition by capillarity from said punctured container (18) to said applicator means (13).
8. A transportable applicator system according to claim 7, characterised in that said transfer means (24) are constituted by a foam element housed in said sleeve (20) in such a manner that said foam element comes into contact with the applicator means (13) and with said composition, whereby said composition passes through said grid-forming means (22) when said puncturable container (18) is punctured.
9. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that said applicator means (13) and said means for puncturing (19) said container (18) are constituted by a single part.
10. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said puncturable container (18) comprises a breakable closed capsule containing said composition.
11. An applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that said puncturable container is formed by said receptacle (38) which is closed by the end wall of said receptacle and by a breakable membrane (52) mounted at the open end of said receptacle, said composition (50) being contained between said end wall and said membrane (52).
12. A transportable applicator system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that said main body has a first portion (40) provided with said applicator means (42), and a second portion (44) that is removable and provided with said handle.
13. A transportable applicator system according to claim 12, characterised in that said first portion (40) of said main body comprising said applicator means (42) is secured to said puncturing means (46).
14. A transportable applicator kit,
       characterised in that it comprises a transportable applicator system according to claim 12 or 13 and one or more such systems which does not comprise said second removable portion (44), each of said receptacles (38) containing a composition, each receptacle (38) having means for puncturing said container and a first portion of said main body provided with said applicator means; and
       in that said second portion (44) comprising said handle is suitable for being mounted on the first portions (40) fitted with said applicator means in order to puncture said puncturable container and impregnate them with the composition.

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