EP1302246B1 - Device for spraying at least one product on a substrate, especially on a keratinous substrate such as skin - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for spraying at least one product onto a support, for example a keratin carrier such as the skin as defined in the preamble of claim 1. The characteristics of the preamble are known from document FR 2 781 208.

The use of a vector gas jet for spraying a paint has been known for a long time, in particular by US Pat. No. 2,635,921. This principle has been widely developed and has been the subject of numerous patent filings. As an indication, mention may be made of European Patent Application EP-A1-0 208 247 or US Patents 5,255,852 and 5,713,519.

Currently available on the market under the trademark ECOSPRAY® spray devices that are suitable for the application of a paint on a non-keratinous support.

US Pat. No. 1,430,506 also discloses a device comprising a reservoir on which two nozzles connected to an inlet of compressed air are fixed, these two nozzles being able to emit air jets meeting in a region situated above a inlet port of the product. Such a device requires an external source of compressed air with a supply hose.

It is also known to apply a make-up product by means of an airbrush, also called an "air-brush", comprising a spray pen connected to a bottle of a compressed carrier gas, this spray pen comprising on the one hand a nozzle of the vector gas ejection and secondly a cup in which the product to be sprayed is contained, this product being progressively sucked by a conduit into the cup thanks to the depression created by the Venturi effect by the speed of the carrier gas at its outlet of the nozzle. Air-brush type spraying makes it possible, in particular, to make the boundary between the treated and untreated zones less visible, to perform fades, gradients or volume impressions. The gesture is also different, since the product that is sprayed does not have to be spread once deposited on the keratin support. The application of the product is thus very hygienic, since it can be done without fingers and without applicator.

A device as described above is the subject, for example, of the Canadian patent application CA-A-2 152 406. Similar devices are marketed by the company DINAIR, under the trademarks BEAUTY ART or BODY ART, the bottle of compressed carrier gas being replaced by an air compressor. These known devices, in which the spray pen and the carrier gas source do not constitute a unitary construction, being connected by a hose, are relatively bulky and are intended primarily for professional use. They are not suitable for being carried easily by a woman in her purse, like conventional makeup accessories.

French patent application FR-A-2 781 208 discloses a unitary construction device for spraying on a support a composition chosen from among a plurality of compositions having different hues, in which the product is sprayed thanks to a depression caused by the expansion of a jet of carrier gas near a product inlet member, the jet of vector gas being emitted by a nozzle whose axis is contained in the same plane as that of the arrival organ.

The present invention relates to a new spraying device that is autonomous, of relatively simple construction and inexpensive, and is suitable for use in particular in the cosmetics field.

The subject of the invention is thus a device for spraying at least one product onto a support, this device comprising a reserve of carrier gas, at least one product inlet able to be placed in fluid communication with a reserve of said product, this the last being sucked into the reserve through a depression created in the vicinity of said at least one product arrival by means of a vector gas emission.

According to the invention, the device comprises at least one shutter capable of interrupting the fluid communication between said at least one product inlet and the product supply.

The arrival of product may comprise at least one orifice.

The product inlet may comprise at least one product supply member, for example a member in which the product may circulate by capillarity, such as a felt, a foam or a sinter.

Thanks to the invention, it is possible to improve the storage conditions of the product in the product reserve and in particular to prevent the escape of volatile components.

The invention can also avoid the risk of product leakage when the device is transported lying down or upside down, which is the case for example in a purse.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device can be arranged so as to automatically restore fluid communication between said at least one product inlet and the product reservoir, during a carrier gas emission. The device can thus be arranged in such a way that the fluidic communication is automatically interrupted when the emission of vector gas ceases.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device may comprise a pushbutton able to act simultaneously, directly or indirectly, on a vector gas distribution valve and on the shutter, so that fluid communication between the arrival of product and the product reserve is established when the user presses the push button to deliver carrier gas.

The product reserve can be contained for example in a first container fixed on a second container containing the carrier gas. The two containers may also have at least one common part, for example a partition defining at least two compartments respectively containing the carrier gas and the product to be sprayed.

The container containing the product and the container containing the carrier gas can be fixedly attached without moving relative to each other during use. In this way, for example, a relatively compact assembly can be obtained that is easy to transport, particularly in a handbag.

The container containing the product may for example have an annular shape, to provide a passage, for example central, in which may extend a control member of a valve equipping the container containing the carrier gas.

The shutter can be operatively connected to at least one element actuated by the movement of a pushbutton of the device. Such an element may comprise for example a hollow rod, having at least one inner channel allowing the product contained in the product reserve to gain the arrival of product.

The shutter may comprise for example at least one seal capable of closing at least one orifice through which the product may flow to gain the said at least one product inlet and able to release this orifice at least partially during the dispensing of the product.

In a particular embodiment, the shutter is constituted by a seal mounted on a hollow rod, the latter being closed at its lower end, the seal being supported by its upper face against a shoulder of the rod. The latter is traversed for example by at least one product inlet, whose diameter is less than or equal to the thickness of the seal. It is adapted to abut by its lower face against a fixed support wall, when the hollow rod is depressed, so that the seal is then compressed and at least partially releases the intake orifice, so to allow a flow of product towards said at least one product inlet. The seal may also, for example, be applied at its periphery against the inner surface of a duct in which the hollow rod can move axially, this duct can communicate freely with the outside, in which case the seal allows obtain a tight closure of the gap between the hollow rod and the inner surface of the conduit. This duct may be connected at its upper end to a lid closing the container containing the product, for example. The hollow rod can be actuated for example by the movement of a push button controlling the emission of carrier gas. The space inside the bearing wall against which the seal can abut by its lower face can communicate with the container containing the product, for example by means of an annular groove formed in a bottom wall of the container . The aforesaid conduit can be connected sealingly to the above-mentioned tubular support wall.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device may comprise a push-button made by assembling a lower part and an upper part. The lower part can be made for example in one piece with an actuating rod, and extend in a passage, for example central, of the container containing the product. The control rod of the valve containing the carrier gas can be engaged in the operating rod of the push button.

The carrier gas may be emitted from at least one gas outlet.

The or the gas outlet orifices may be arranged to create the vacuum outside the device, in front of the orifice through which the product inlet opens out.

In the invention, the carrier gas is emitted by at least two gas outlet ports, whose respective positions and orientations are chosen from in such a way that the jets of vector gas emitted by these orifices meet. This can improve the application characteristics. The gas outlet orifices may for example be arranged symmetrically with respect to the spray axis.

The arrival of product may comprise an orifice whose axis is located substantially in the same plane as the axes of the gas outlet orifices. The gas outlet orifices may be arranged in such a way that the jets of gas emitted by these orifices meet directly, without deflection by a deflector element. At least one baffle element may also be provided, for example.

The gas outlets may be devoid of vortex channels.

In a particular embodiment, the axes of the gas outlet ports make an angle of approximately 45 ° with an axis of an orifice of the product inlet. The axis of this orifice, through which the product is delivered, can be confused with the spray axis, for example.

The carrier gas may be contained in liquefied form in the carrier gas container. This results in a small footprint or increased autonomy of the device, for example twenty times greater than that conferred by compressed air, and the carrier gas can be emitted at a constant pressure, which improves for example the reproducibility of a make-up made by means of the device. The carrier gas may be compatible with the use of the spraying device in cosmetics or dermatology.

The device may comprise, at the entrance of the valve body for example, an element allowing the passage of the vector gas in gaseous form but preventing the passage of carrier gas in liquefied form.

Such an element may consist of a block of sintered material for example.

The product that is sprayed can be a liquid or a sufficiently fine powder.

The container containing the product can be fixed on the container containing the carrier gas removably, to allow for example to use a same container of carrier gas for spraying different products. The container containing the product may for example be devoid of air intake duct. Alternatively, it can include means for a return air such as for example a microfuite or a valve adapted to open in case of depression in the container containing the product. If a microleakage is used, it is performed so as not to allow the passage of product when the device is in the supine position.

• la figure 1 est une section axiale, schématique et partielle, selon I-I de la figure 2, d'un exemple de dispositif de pulvérisation conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus, partielle et schématique, selon la flèche II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une section axiale, schématique et partielle, selon III-III de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique, en perspective éclatée, partielle, du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une vue à échelle agrandie du détail V de la figure 1,
• les figures 6 et 7 représentent schématiquement d'autres exemples d'obturateurs,
• la figure 8 représente schématiquement un organe d'amenée du produit par capillarité,
• la figure 9 représente de manière schématique un exemple de microfuite, et
• la figure 10 représente de manière schématique un exemple de clapet de reprise d'air.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation of the invention, and examining the attached drawing, which forms an integral part of the description, and on which :

• FIG. 1 is an axial section, diagrammatic and partial, along II of FIG. 2, of an example of a spraying device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top view, partial and schematic, along arrow II of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is an axial section, diagrammatic and partial, along III-III of FIG. 2,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic partial exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the detail V of FIG. 1,
• FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically represent other examples of shutters,
• FIG. 8 schematically represents a device for feeding the product by capillarity,
• FIG. 9 schematically represents an example of a microfuite, and
• Figure 10 schematically shows an example of air intake valve.

The spraying device 100 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a pressurized container 101 containing, for example, a carrier gas in liquefied form, for example butane, isopropane, isobutane or a fluorinated compound, and a dispensing assembly 102. comprising a push-button 103 and a container 104 containing a product P, for example a liquid foundation. The product P may for example be a liquid comprising a suspension of solid particles.

The container 104 comprises, in the example described, a cavity 105 of generally annular shape about an axis W, this cavity 105 containing the product P being delimited radially outwardly by a first tubular wall 105a and radially inwardly by a second tubular wall 105b. The walls 105a and 105b are joined at their lower part by a bottom wall 105c, which has an annular groove 107, W axis, whose role will be specified later.

The cavity 105 is closed topally by a cover 110, on the lower face of which is connected a conduit 111 of axis parallel to the axis W. The cover 110 bears against a shoulder 112 formed at the upper end of the wall 105a.

The conduit 111 extends over substantially the entire height of the cavity 105 and is assembled at its lower end with a wall 114, projecting upwards on the bottom wall 105c, directly above the groove 107. The assembly of the conduit 111 and the wall 114 is made for example by fitting. The aforementioned wall 114 may be continuous or discontinuous and may for example form pads.

The conduit 111 and the cover 110 may be made in one piece, for example.

The push button 103 is formed for example by the assembly of an upper portion 103a and a lower portion 103b. In the illustrated example, the latter is made in one piece with a hollow rod 120 for actuating a valve of the pressurized container 101, slidable inside the wall 105b.

This valve may comprise a hollow rod 121, sealingly engaged in the lower end of the rod 120, and bearing by a shoulder against the lower end face of the rod 120.

The push-button 103 can be moved along the axis W to act on the control rod 121, in which case the carrier gas circulates in the inner conduit of the rod 120 and gains a cavity 125, with which communicate, as can be see Figure 2, two inner conduits 126a and 126b opening out of the pushbutton through vector gas outlet ports 127a and 127b. The orifices 127a and 127b have, for example, substantially perpendicular axes Za and Zb and are, for example, at an angle of approximately 45.degree. With the direction of spraying.

The push-button 103 also comprises an orifice 130 for the arrival of the product, of axis Zc, for example, coinciding with the direction of spraying. The orifice 130 communicates for example with the interior of a hollow rod 140 closed at its end lower by a wall 141, as can be seen in Figure 5, and on which is engaged an annular seal 150 serving as a shutter, the seal 150 being for example made of elastomer.

In the example illustrated, the seal 150 bears on its flat upper face 151 against an annular rib 142 of the rod 140. The latter has at least one product inlet orifice 145, the diameter of which is less than or equal to the nominal thickness of the seal 150, measured along the axis of the rod 140. The orifice 145 is positioned so that the seal 150, when resting against the rib 142, completely covers the orifice 145 and prevents the product P contained in the cavity 105 from penetrating through the orifice 145 in the rod 140.

The rod 140 is for example fixed at its upper end in a housing 160 of the push-button 103 and can move together with the rod 120 when the user presses the push-button 103. During the depression of the rod 140 , the seal 150 is compressed between the wall 114 and the rib 142, such compression having the effect of reducing its thickness and at least partially releasing the orifice 145, so that the product contained in the cavity 105 can flow to through the orifice 145, go up the rod 140 and reach the product inlet port 130.

When the push button 103 is released, the rod 140 rises with the latter and the seal 150 can resume through a shape memory of sufficient thickness to close the orifice 145.

The operation of the device 100 is as follows. To spray product P, the user presses the push button 103, which causes the depression of the stem 121 of the valve of the container and the emission of carrier gas in the inner channel of the rod 120. The gas vector can flow through the conduits 126a and 126b and out through the orifices 127a and 127b, which creates by Venturi effect in front of the product inlet port 130 a depression. The depression of the push-button 103 also results in moving the rod 140 and compressing the gasket 150, as explained above. The orifice 145 is then at least partially released and the product P contained in the cavity 105 can, under the effect of the aforesaid depression, go up in the inner channel of the rod 140 and reach the orifice 130. The product is then sprayed in the direction of the Zc axis, as the user presses the push button 103. When the latter is released, it can go back to its rest position because the control rod 121 is recalled by elastic means proper to the container 101 in its initial position and under the effect of the own elasticity of the seal 150. The latter, by resuming its initial shape, closes the orifice 145, so that in case of transporting the device 100 in the extended position or upside down, the product P remains contained in the cavity 105 and is not likely to leak through the product inlet port 130.

The container 104 may for example be removably attached to the container containing the carrier gas, so as to allow, if necessary, to change the container 104 because the supply of product is exhausted. This can also make it possible to replace the container 101 or to spray different products successively by means of a single container 101.

In the example corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 5, the arrival of product is constituted by the end of a duct formed in the push-button, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the arrival of product comprises a material capable of absorbing the product by capillarity, for example a wick, a felt or a sinter.

It is also possible to use a plurality of different product reserves, mounted on a barrel, in a manner similar to that described in the French patent application FR-A-2 781 208, the content of which is incorporated by reference.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and, in general, it is possible to replace the shutter which has been described by any appropriate sealing means, for example means of sealing. shutter comprising, as shown in Figure 6, two coaxial walls 201, 202 movable relative to each other, constituting a shutter.

The wall 202, the innermost, may be formed for example by a hollow rod integral with the pushbutton, being closed at its lower end. The product can go up inside this rod when a depression is created by a vector gas emission.

The wall 201, the outermost, is fixed and is able to close an orifice 203 of the wall 202 when the pushbutton is at rest. The wall 202 has an orifice 204 opposite which the orifice 203 can come when the push button is depressed, which at least partially releases the orifice 203, to allow the product to gain the arrival of product.

A valve, for example a ball valve, controlled in opening by the displacement of the push-button could also be used, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Such a valve can take a closed position when the push-button is released by the user. In the illustrated example, the valve comprises a ball 210 forming a shutter, returned to a closed position by a spring 211. An actuating rod 212 is arranged to be moved downwardly when the pushbutton is depressed. The product can then flow through a conduit 213 to reach the area where the depression is created, to be sprayed.

The annular groove 107 could, in alternative embodiments, be eliminated, for example if the product is allowed to gain the interior space to the wall 114, for example by means of openings made in this wall and in the end. lower duct 111.

It is not beyond the scope of the invention when the vacuum is created by the emission, by a single orifice, of the carrier gas.

It is also not within the scope of the invention when the product inlet comprises a product supply member such as a felt, a foam or a sinter, as illustrated in FIG. 8. In this figure, has represented a felt tip 220 used to bring the product by capillarity in the area where the vacuum is created, this felt tip being fixed for example in the hole 130 above.

The control rod 121 of the container containing the carrier gas could still control the carrier gas distribution by being inclined relative to the axis W, provided to realize the push button accordingly.

The container 104 can be made without air intake or with air intake, especially if prolonged use is envisaged.

To allow a return of air, one can for example make a microfuite 230, as shown in Figure 9, through the cover 110 or between the lid and the wall 105a of the container 104, which corresponds to the example shown on FIG. 9. Such a microleak is made in such a way as to prevent the passage of the product, in particular when the device is in the supine position, but to allow the passage of air.

It is also possible to provide, for example, a valve 240 capable of closing off an air intake orifice 241, as shown in FIG. 10. The valve 240 opens in the event of a depression inside the container containing the product and closes the orifice 241 in the opposite case.

The valve 240 may for example be overmolded on the cover 110, but could still be made otherwise without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (26)

1. A device for spraying at least one substance onto a medium, the device comprising a supply of vector gas, at least one substance feed suitable for being put into fluid communication with a supply of said substance, the substance being sucked from the supply by suction established in the vicinity of said at least one substance feed by emission of said vector gas, the device being characterized by the fact that it further comprises at least one shutter (150; 201; 210) suitable for interrupting fluid communication between said at least one substance feed and the supply of substance, the vector gas being emitted through at least two gas outlet orifices (127a; 127b) whose respective positions are selected in such a manner that the vector gas jets emitted by the orifices meet.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the substance feed comprises at least one orifice (130).
3. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the substance feed comprises at least one member for feeding the substance by capillarity (220).
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the fact that it is arranged in such a manner as to reestablish fluid communication automatically between said at least one substance feed and the supply of substance while vector gas is being emitted.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pushbutton suitable for acting simultaneously, directly or indirectly, on a vector gas dispenser valve and on the shutter, whereby fluid communication between said at least one substance feed and the supply of substance is established when the user presses on the pushbutton to cause the vector gas to be dispensed.
6. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it comprises a first receptacle (104) fixed on a second receptacle (101) containing the vector gas.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the receptacle containing the substance and the receptacle containing the vector gas are fixed to each other in such a manner as to prevent them from moving relative to each other in use.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the receptacle (104) containing the substance is annular in shape so as to leave a passage through which a control member (120) can extend for controlling a valve fitted to the receptacle containing the vector gas.
9. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the shutter (150; 201; 202; 210) is operationally connected to at least one element actuated by moving the pushbutton of the device.
10. A device according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that said element comprises a hollow rod (140) having at least one inside passage enabling the substance to reach said at least one substance feed orifice.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the shutter comprises at least one gasket (150) suitable for shutting at least one orifice (145) through which the substance can flow to reach said at least one substance feed, and suitable for releasing said orifice at least in part while substance is being dispensed.
12. A device according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that the shutter is constituted by a gasket (150) mounted on a hollow rod (140), the rod being closed at its bottom end, the gasket being capable of bearing via its top face against a shoulder of the rod, the rod having at least one substance admission orifice (145) passing therethrough, the orifice being of a diameter that is smaller than or equal to the thickness of the gasket (150), said gasket being suitable for coming into abutment via its bottom face against a stationary bearing wall (114) when the hollow rod is pushed down, thereby causing the gasket to be compressed so as to release the admission orifice (145) at least in part, thus enabling substance to flow towards said at least one substance feed.
13. A device according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the gasket (150) bears via its periphery against the inside surface of a duct (111) in which the hollow rod (140) can move axially, the duct being capable of communicating freely with the outside.
14. A device according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized by the fact that the hollow rod (140) is actuated by moving a pushbutton (103) that controls emission of the vector gas.
15. A device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by the fact that the space inside the bearing wall (114) against which the gasket (150) can come into abutment via its bottom face communicates with the receptacle containing the substance, via an annular channel (107) formed in a bottom end wall (105c) of said receptacle.
16. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it comprises a pushbutton (103) made by assembling together a bottom portion (103b) and a top portion (103a).
17. A device according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the bottom portion (103b) is made integrally with an actuator rod (120) extending along a passage in the receptacle containing the substance.
18. A device according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that the control rod (121) of the valve for delivering the vector gas is engaged in the actuator rod (120).
19. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the gas outlet orifices are disposed symmetrically about the spray axis (Zc).
20. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the substance feed comprises an orifice (130) presenting an axis (Zc) which is situated substantially in the same plane as the axes (Za, Zb) of the gas outlet orifices.
21. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the axes (Za, Zb) of the gas outlet orifices are at angles of 45° relative to the spray axis (Zc).
22. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the vector gas is contained in liquefied form in the vector gas receptacle (101).
23. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the substance (P) which is sprayed is a liquid.
24. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 22, characterized by the fact that the substance (P) which is sprayed is a powder.
25. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the receptacle (104) containing the substance is fixed on the receptacle (101) containing the vector gas in removable manner.
26. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes a microleak (230) or an air intake valve (240).

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