EP1312280B1 - Package for storing and applying a product - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a set of packaging and application of a fluid product, especially with a liquid consistency or in the form of powder. The invention is particularly intended for the packaging and application of cosmetic or care products such as liquid foundations, nail polishes, lipsticks, creams, oils, hair treatments, etc. .. Applications in other areas can also be considered, for example in the field of glues, writing correctors, household stain removers, polishes, etc ...

There are detachment-type devices consisting of a product reservoir surmounted by a neck at the top of which is disposed an applicator in the form of a foam pad which is applied to a surface to be treated, for example on the skin or fabric. The applicator pad is confined in the upper part of the neck. The loading of the product with it requires turning it over and pressing its application surface several times on the support to be treated in order to "pump" and load it into product before proceeding with its application, the pressure exerted on the applicator, causing the opening of a valve which, in the closed position, isolates the applicator from the product. Indeed these applicators, usually containing volatile formulas, often dry out quickly during the storage period causing the formation of a crust on the applicator.

For other wax-like products, the applicator pad is isolated from the product by means of a valve, which further accelerates the desiccation of the applicator, sometimes rendering it unusable after a long period during which it has not been removed. been used or requiring cleaning operations prior to any new use.

Applicators are also known in the form of a block of foam that is soaked in the product to be applied and then, after spinning, either on the neck of the bottle or through an elastic wiper, which is applied on the support at treat. The applicator is generally secured to the stopper. The dosage of the product to be applied by impregnation of the applicator is difficult to adjust from one product to another, depending on the variable rheology of the products. Moreover, its use remains delicate in certain circumstances, in public transport for example, because of the independent nature of the applicator and the reservoir, which implies in these conditions of use to hold the container upright in one hand, and proceed with the application of the product with the other.

The patent application EP-A-0 872 193 , in the name of the applicant, describes a set of application of a liquid product comprising a reservoir for the product. It has a neck with a free edge defines an opening, removable means for sealing said opening being provided. An applicator in the form of an open-celled or semi-open-cell foam block capable of being loaded with product by pumping is mounted inside the neck. This applicator has a first end in permanent liquid communication with the product inside the reservoir, and a second end opposite to said first end, said second end forming an application surface. The application surface is axially movable between a first position in which the application surface emerges outside the neck through said opening, for application of the product, and a second position in which said surface application is contained inside the tank. The displacement of the first position towards the second position of the application surface is effected by an elastic thrust against a blocking means, a displacement of the application surface from the second position to the first being effected. by removing said capping means.

However, it has been found that certain materials forming the application member deteriorate, especially when they are exposed for a prolonged period to said elastic thrust. On the other hand, the Applicant has found that it was desirable to improve the adjustment of the dose of product to be applied according to the rheology of the product, without causing excess product flow, potentially contaminating the cervix. tank.

That is why this application set has been improved by adding elastically compressible means which form a support for the applicator, said support means having a compressibility greater than the compressibility of the applicator. These means make it possible to limit the compression of the applicator in the use position and to measure its flow rate, and this on a determined decompression stroke. Such an improved assembly has been described in the application EP-A-1 094 011 , also in the name of the plaintiff.

In this set of packaging and application, the applicator is configured in such a way that the product is distributed throughout the applicator, before reaching the application surface. The applicator can thus be saturated with product before the product reaches the application surface. Thus, when the user applies the applicator to the area to be treated, a relatively large amount of product tends to flow over the area to be treated. In addition, in this assembly, the product is pushed towards the applicator by pressing the flexible walls of the reservoir. The user can constantly press the walls of the tank, the product can flow with a very large flow.

The patent application EP-A-1,125,517 also discloses an applicator device in which the applicator is configured in such a way that the product is distributed throughout the applicator, before reaching the application surface. The applicator can thus be saturated with product before the product reaches the application surface.

The patent application EP-A-0 155 350 discloses a device for applying a perfume or a deodorant which comprises a container surmounted by an applicator made of rigid porous material. The product from the container is conveyed by gravity to the upper portion of the applicator, by turning the device, through a cylindrical wall on which the applicator is in axial abutment. The product then arrives at the application surface by flowing through the pores of the applicator, by capillarity. In this device, the product can not be kept close to the application surface and it is necessary to return the device, before each use, so that the product flows by gravity through the cylindrical wall.

The patent application EP-A-0 875 465 discloses a wax application device for applying a predetermined dose of wax. This device comprises a product reservoir on which is mounted an applicator, via an intermediate piece which comprises a movable part between two positions. The intermediate piece defines a chamber which, in one of the two positions communicates only with the interior of the tank and in the other of the two positions, communicates only with the applicator. In the first position, the chamber can fill with gravity product, turning the device upside down, the moving part being held in this position by a spring. Then, the user must hold the device upside down and apply the applicator to the area to be waxed, so as to drive the moving part into the second position so that the product reaches the applicator. The spring elastically returns the moving part to its first position when the application ceases. Such a device can be used only upside down which is not always practical, especially when it is desired to apply a product on the body, for example on an area of the face.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a set of packaging and application that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide a packaging and application assembly in which the product is applied with a flow rate that is not too great.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an assembly which allows a very precise application.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an assembly in which the product is fed into the applicator member in a regular manner.

It is also another object of the invention to provide such an assembly which is practical to use.

1. i) un réservoir d'axe X, contenant le produit, muni d'une cheminée délimitant un passage communiquant de façon sélective ou permanente avec le réservoir ;
2. ii) un organe d'application perméable au produit, ledit organe d'application comprenant une paroi latérale dont une première extrémité est fermée et forme une surface d'application, une seconde extrémité étant ouverte pour permettre le montage de l'organe d'application sur le réservoir, l'organe d'application s'étendant sur au moins une partie de sa hauteur autour de la cheminée,
   l'organe d'application étant tel que, en position montée sur le réservoir et en l'absence de contrainte axiale exercée sur la surface d'application :
   1. a) au moins une cavité soit formée entre une extrémité libre de ladite cheminée et une surface interne de l'organe d'application située en regard de ladite extrémité libre; et
   2. b) au moins une portion dudit organe d'application, située au-dessus de la cavité soit d'épaisseur selon l'axe X, inférieure à l'épaisseur de ladite paroi latérale mesurée perpendiculairement à l'axe X ;
      ladite cavité étant à volume variable, notamment en réponse à une pression exercée axialement sur la surface d'application.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by providing a set of packaging and application of a product as defined in claim 1, comprising

1. (i) an X-axis tank containing the product, with a chimney defining a passage communicating selectively or permanently with the tank;
2. ii) a product-permeable applicator member, said applicator member comprising a side wall having a first end closed and forming an application surface, a second end being open to allow mounting of the applicator member; on the reservoir, the application member extending over at least part of its height around the chimney,
   the applicator member being such that, in position mounted on the reservoir and in the absence of axial stress exerted on the application surface:
   1. a) at least one cavity is formed between a free end of said chimney and an inner surface of the applicator member facing said free end; and
   2. b) at least a portion of said applicator member, located above the cavity is of thickness along the axis X, less than the thickness of said side wall measured perpendicular to the axis X;
      said cavity being of variable volume, in particular in response to a pressure exerted axially on the application surface.

Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "closed end of the applicator member constituting the application surface", an application surface such as when returning the assembly and no axial constraint n is exerted on the application surface, the product does not flow out of the assembly through said application surface. This prevents the product from flowing unintentionally so that the risk of untimely soiling is limited. In addition, the assembly can be configured so that it is stored upside down without product leakage.

In the assembly according to the invention, the product coming from the reservoir flows into the cavity, for example by stirring the packaging and application assembly, then it flows into the applicator member, permeable to the product, up to the application surface. However, since the thickness between the cavity and the application surface measured along the X axis is less than the thickness of the side wall of the applicator member measured perpendicularly to the X axis, the product reaches the surface before reaching the rest of the outer surface of the tip. It is thus possible to apply the product to the area to be treated before the side wall of the applicator member is saturated, this side wall then serving as a buffer for the product. In particular, when the zone of the applicator member situated between the cavity and the application surface is saturated, the product can flow into the side wall so as to regulate the flow of product arriving at the application surface. . The presence of the chimney also makes it possible to use a relatively thick application member, in other words having a relatively large axial height, while the portion of said applicator member situated above the cavity is thickness along the X axis, less than the thickness of said side wall measured perpendicular to the X axis.

In addition, the cavity being of variable volume, in particular in response to a pressure exerted axially on the application surface, the volume thereof is reduced when pressure is applied to the application surface, especially when the application surface is applied to the area to be treated. When the pressure is stopped, the volume of the cavity increases so that product from the reservoir is drawn into the cavity. It is thus possible to fill the cavity each time the application surface is applied to the area to be treated. In addition, it is thus possible to determine the amount of product applied from the cavity by varying the pressure exerted on the application surface.

Advantageously, the cavity is configured to maintain the fluid from the reservoir by capillarity. For this purpose, the dimensions of the cavity are chosen according to the viscosity of the product. A product reserve is thus obtained close to the application surface.

The surface of the largest cross section of the cavity may be smaller than that of the application surface. The product being brought to the surface from the cavity, the product arrives at the surface in a portion of the application surface substantially equal to the cross section of the cavity and therefore in a relatively limited area. The area of the application surface comprising product being relatively limited, the product can be applied relatively accurately.

Advantageously, the chimney is configured to maintain by capillarity the product from the reservoir. For this purpose, for example, the dimensions of the stack are determined according to the viscosity of the product. The side wall of the chimney may also be traversed by one or more slots extending axially over all or part of the chimney, the slots also for maintaining the product by capillarity in the chimney. Another product reserve is thus formed which enables the cavity to be fed.

The chimney may have any shape that allows it to flow the product from the tank to the cavity, and this after a simple agitation of the application set. Preferably, the shape of the chimney must also enable it to maintain a quantity of product by capillarity. Its internal cross section may have any shape, for example circular, said section may be constant over its entire axial height or may vary, in particular by increasing or decreasing, gradually or not, to the cavity. Preferably, a chimney is chosen whose internal cross section decreases towards the cavity so as to facilitate the entry of the product coming from the reservoir into the chimney and its flow from the reservoir to the cavity. The external cross section of the chimney is independent of its internal cross section. It may have any shape, including a shape complementary to the internal form of the application member.

The side wall of the applicator member may be in contact with the chimney. Alternatively, the side wall of the applicator member is located at a distance from the chimney. Such a configuration makes it possible to increase the capacity of the cavity situated above the chimney, said cavity being extended around the chimney.

Advantageously, the applicator member is traversed by a passage, in particular in the form of one or more channel (s) end (s) or one or more slot (s), opening on the application surface, said passage being closed at rest. This passage makes it possible to increase the dosing capacity and the flow rate of the product. When several slots are made, they can be arranged in the shape of a cross or in the form of a star.

The applicator member may be formed of a substantially rigid material, in particular a sintered material, chosen in particular from sintered polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide. In this particular case, the applicator member is advantageously mounted in the intermediate element on elastically compressible means which will be described later.

Alternatively, the applicator member may be formed, at least in part, of an elastically compressible material, in particular open or semi-open closed-cell foam, chosen in particular from polyurethane, polyethylene and chloride foams. of polyvinyl, polyether, polyester, NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), or a superposition of layers of one or more of these materials. These different layers can be welded or glued to one another.

The foams can be hydrophilic. They can be crosslinked or uncrosslinked.

Thus, the product can move in the application member by compression / decompression of the compressible part of the applicator member. In addition, the compression of the portion of the applicator member located above the cavity may also cause the variation of the volume of the cavity. It is thus possible to determine the quantity of product to be applied depending on the compression of the applicator member by varying the pressure exerted on the application surface.

The packaging and application assembly further comprises a removable closure member, in particular a screwed or slammed cap or an articulated lid, for sealingly enclosing the application surface of the applicator member, closing member being for this purpose provided with a seal or a sealing lip. Thus, the product is perfectly preserved inside the application set.

Advantageously, the inner surface of the applicator member bears on the free end of the chimney so as to close the passage substantially sealingly when the closure member is in the closed position. The cavity is then removed. The product can no longer leave the chimney so that the risk of leakage are almost nonexistent in the closed position of the closure member.

When the applicator member is formed at least in part of an elastically compressible material, the compressible portion of the applicator member is advantageously at least partly compressed when the closure member is in the closed position. Thus, after having agitated the application assembly to bring the product into the cavity, the user opens the application assembly which allows the applicator member to relax and the product present in the cavity. be sucked into said product-permeable applicator, especially to the application surface. Thus, the application set is automatically initiated.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the application surface is axially movable between a first position in which said application surface emerges from the reservoir through an opening defined by a free edge of the reservoir, and a second position in which the application surface is contained within the reservoir. Thus, in the closed position of the assembly, the applicator member is completely housed inside the reservoir so that the overall size of the assembly is limited. In addition, in this position the tight closure of the assembly is relatively simple to obtain.

Advantageously, the packaging and application assembly comprises elastically compressible means allowing the application surface to pass from its first to its second position, said elastically compressible means having a compressibility greater than the compressibility of the device. application. This gives an assembly which gives a great softness to the application without the application member being strongly compressed in the case where it is formed, at least in part, of an elastically compressible material.

The elastically compressible means may consist of a separate element of the applicator member, in particular when the latter is formed of rigid material. They consist, for example, of at least one block of elastically deformable material, in particular a block of foam, preferably with open or semi-open cells, or else with a spring element, in particular made of metal or plastic.

Alternatively, the elastically compressible means consist of at least a portion of said applicator member, configured to have a greater compressibility than that of the rest of the applicator member. The difference in compressibility between the applicator member and the elastically compressible means may result from the presence of a recess formed by said applicator member on at least a part of its periphery. Alternatively, the difference in compressibility between the applicator member and the elastically compressible means may result from the presence of an area of smaller cross section, relative to the cross section of the remainder of the applicator member.

The applicator member may be removably attached to the reservoir, in particular by reversible bonding, magnetic attraction or mechanical snap-fastening. The applicator member is for example removably attached to the reservoir by means of an adhesive which adheres to one of said applicator member and said reservoir more than to the other. Alternatively, the applicator member may be fixed in the reservoir by magnetic attraction, for example by the presence of a magnetized plate which cooperates with a tinplate plate disposed in the reservoir. It is thus easy to change the applicator member in order to use, for example, an applicator member of a different nature or having a different application surface, said applicator member being chosen as a function of the zone to be treated. . This also allows the applicator member to be removed for washing and repositioning.

The applicator member may have any shape, in particular a cross section which may be circular, oval, rectangular or polygonal.

The application surface of the applicator member may be concave profile, convex, especially in the form of a dome. The shape of the application surface is chosen, in particular, depending on the nature of the product to be applied and the area to be treated. Also, to apply a moisturizer for the face, we will choose for example a dome shape.

The application surface may be covered with a permeable coating of textile type, perforated plastic, felt, and / or covered with a flocking which may, for example, consist of bristles of different diameters, and / or nature, and / or height or a mixture of such bristles.

In contrast to the application surface, the second end of the applicator member has a plane, concave or convex profile, the profile of the second end having a shape complementary to the shape of the transverse wall of the housing in which the applicator member is mounted.

Advantageously, the applicator member contains an agent capable of absorbing and / or retaining a fluid, in particular the product to be applied. This further limits unfortunate product leakage.

Advantageously, the application member is able to increase in volume when loading product. This improves its maintenance in the intermediate element.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the tank consists of a body with rigid or semi-rigid walls, in particular metal, glass, thermoplastic material especially selected from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylenes terephthalates or thermosetting material, and contains the product substantially at atmospheric pressure.

The product is then for example brought into the cavity by a simple shake of the application assembly. The product is not pushed into the cavity with a very high pressure so as to avoid excessive product flow. In addition, this makes it possible to use an assembly in which the applicator member is not necessarily irreversibly fixed to the reservoir.

Mobile means of the ball or flyweight type may be arranged inside the tank so as to promote the homogenization of the product and thus promote the flow of the product into the cavity, via the passage defined by the chimney.

Advantageously, provision is made for a means to prevent the moving means from closing off the passage, for example a bead or fins arranged around the passage defined by the chimney.

The product may be a cosmetic product, such as a nail polish, a liquid lipstick, a cream, a lotion, an oil, a powder, a makeup remover, a solvent, a liquid foundation, a coloring composition , discoloration, a perm, or a glue, a writing corrector, a stain remover or a shoe polish.

The invention also relates to a method for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, by means of an assembly such as has just been described, of agitating said assembly in order to bring product into said cavity; and contacting the application surface with a zone to be treated, the flow rate of product transferred to the area to be treated varies as a function of the pressure exerted on the application surface.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue éclatée d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application non couvert par la revendication 1 mais utile à la compréhension de l'invention;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en coupe du premier mode de réalisation de la figure 1, en position fermée;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe du premier mode de réalisation de la figure 1, en position ouverte;
• la figure 4 représente une première variante de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application non couvert par la revendication 1 mais utile à la compréhension de l'invention;
• la figure 5 représente une deuxième variante de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application non couvert par la revendication 1 mais utile à la compréhension de l'invention;
• la figure 6 représente une troisième variante de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application;
• la figure 7 représente une quatrième variante de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application;
• les figures 8a et 8b représentent une cinquième variante de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application dans une position ouverte et dans une position fermée;
• les figures 9 à 13 représentent d'autres variantes de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application ;
• les figures 14a et 14b représentent une vue en coupe d'un deuxième mode de réalisation d'un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application non couvert par la revendication 1 mais utile à la compréhension de l'invention dans deux positions différentes;
• la figure 15 et 16 représentent d'autres variantes de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application non couvert par la revendication 1 mais utile à la compréhension de l'invention, et
• la figure 17 représente un exemple d'ensemble selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out 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:

• the figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of a first embodiment of a packaging and application assembly not covered by claim 1 but useful for understanding the invention;
• the figure 2 represents a sectional view of the first embodiment of the figure 1 in the closed position;
• the figure 3 represents a sectional view of the first embodiment of the figure 1 , in the open position;
• the figure 4 represents a first variant of the packaging and application assembly not covered by claim 1 but useful for understanding the invention;
• the figure 5 represents a second variant of the packaging and application assembly not covered by claim 1 but useful for understanding the invention;
• the figure 6 represents a third variant of the packaging and application assembly;
• the figure 7 represents a fourth variant of the packaging and application assembly;
• the Figures 8a and 8b represent a fifth variant of the packaging and application assembly in an open position and in a closed position;
• the Figures 9 to 13 represent other variants of the packaging and application package;
• the Figures 14a and 14b represent a sectional view of a second embodiment of a packaging and application assembly not covered by claim 1 but useful for understanding the invention in two different positions;
• the figure 15 and 16 represent other variants of the packaging and application assembly not covered by claim 1 but useful for understanding the invention, and
• the figure 17 represents an example of an assembly according to the invention.

The Figures 1 to 3 , to which reference is now made, illustrate a first embodiment of packaging and application assembly. This set is in the form of an applicator bottle for a product P, of the liquid cream or liquid foundation type, and mainly comprises a reservoir 10 consisting of a body 11, one of which end is closed by a bottom 12. The other end of the reservoir 10 is surmounted by an application head which comprises an intermediate element 13 for mounting the head on the reservoir and an applicator member 20 housed in the intermediate element. The intermediate element 13 has, on its outer surface, means 130 (of the screw thread or breakthrough type) to enable the removable mounting of a plug 40 able to seal off an opening 131 delimited by a free edge 132 of the intermediate element 13. A ball 60 is disposed inside the tank to homogenize the product to facilitate its flow.

The inner wall of the intermediate element 13 defines an internal cylindrical housing 133, of revolution about an axis X. This housing 133 has a side wall 134 and a flat transverse wall 135 constituting the bottom of the housing. A mounting skirt 136 extends the side wall, beyond the transverse wall, opposite the opening 131 of the intermediate member. The mounting skirt 136 is fixed, by breakdown, on the body of the tank, at the top of which is provided a radial projection 14, opposite the bottom 12. This breakdown system can of course be replaced by any other fastening system , especially a screw fixing system. A sealing skirt 137 is advantageously provided on the transverse wall 135 of the housing, to come into sealed contact with the inside of the tank. The body 11 of the tank, the intermediate element 13 and the cap 40 are made of rigid material, for example polyethylene. It is obvious that these three independent elements can each be made of a different material.

The housing 133 communicates with the interior of the tank via a passage 139 passing through a chimney 15 extending in the axis of the housing. The chimney is formed in one piece with the transverse wall 135 from which it extends to a free end 150, located inside the housing 133. The chimney has a circular internal cross section, constant throughout. its axial height, while its external cross section decreases to the free end 150. The diameter of the chimney is chosen according to the product contained in the tank, so that the product from the tank can s' flow through the chimney with a simple shake of all. Advantageously, the diameter of the chimney is also chosen so that the product entering the chimney can be maintained by capillarity inside said chimney. Fines 138 are provided on the transverse wall 135 of the housing, around the inlet of the chimney 15, on the side of the tank 10, to prevent the ball 60 disposed in the tank from closing off said chimney.

An applicator member 20 is mounted inside the housing 133 around the chimney 15. The applicator member is in the form of a block of porous material, at least a portion of which is elastically compressible. According to a preferred embodiment, the applicator member is made of an open cell foam block, in particular a block of polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the applicator member 20 may be formed of an axial succession of at least two foam portions of different compressibility which can be glued together. Advantageously, the applicator member 20 contains an agent capable of absorbing and / or retaining the water.

According to the example shown, the applicator member has a cylindrical shape and has a circular cross section. It is obvious that the application member may have any other shape, for example frustoconical or prismatic and may have an oval, rectangular or polygonal cross section.

The applicator member 20 has a side wall 21, one end 22 of which constitutes a domed application surface. Where appropriate, the application surface 22 may be covered with a permeable coating, textile type, perforated plastic, felt, and / or is covered with a flocking. In this case, the flocking may consist of bristles of different diameters, and / or of different nature, and / or different height or a mixture of such bristles. Opposite this application surface 22, the applicator member ends with a second open end 24 which comes into contact with the transverse wall 135 of the housing. The end 24 may be permanently attached to the intermediate element 13. Advantageously, this end is removably attached so as to allow the organ to be easily removed. application for, for example, clean it. For this purpose, the end 24 of the applicator member is covered with a permanent adhesive, for example an acrylic adhesive, which adheres more to the applicator member than to the wall 135.

A portion 23 of the side wall located on the side of the open end 24, serves as a support for the applicator member. The portion 23 serving as support for the applicator member is separated from the rest of the applicator member by an annular groove 50 which defines an area of lesser cross section. The annular groove 50 provided on the periphery of the applicator member allows the zone of smaller cross section to have a greater compressibility than the rest of the applicator member. Thus, when pressure is exerted on the application surface, the maximum compression of the area of least cross section is obtained before obtaining the maximum compression of the applicator member.

When the applicator member is mounted in the housing 133, it occupies substantially all the housing, the applicator member having a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the housing. The applicator member 20 has in particular an axial recess 25 whose shape is chosen so that the applicator member bears on the wall of the chimney, without being substantially laterally compressed by said chimney. Alternatively, the side wall of the applicator member may be located at a distance from the chimney. In the relaxed position of the applicator member, the axial recess 25 has an axial height substantially greater than the axial height of the stack 15 so as to define an internal cavity 30 inside the applicator member between an inner surface 26 located opposite the chimney and the free end 150 of the chimney. The portion 27 of the applicator member situated above the cavity 30 has an axial thickness less than the thickness of the lateral edge 21 of the applicator member measured perpendicularly to the axis X. The cavity 30 constitutes and a supply of product near the application surface, the product can come into contact with the applicator member in the cavity. In addition, the cross-sectional area of the cavity 30 is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the application surface. The product therefore reaches the level of application surface 22 in a relatively limited area for a precise application. To increase the rate of distribution of the product towards the application surface, an axial slot 28 advantageously crosses the applicator member, in the X axis, from the cavity 30 to the application surface 22. The width this slot may vary depending on the viscosity of the product and the desired flow rate.

Typically, the applicator member has a diameter of between 2 mm and 80 mm, and preferably between 5 mm and 25 mm. Its height, in uncompressed position can vary between 1.5 mm and 50 mm. The chimney has an axial height of between 1 mm and 48 mm and a diameter of between 2 mm and 30 mm. The cavity has a diameter substantially equal to that of the chimney and a height of between 1 mm and 30 mm.

Generally, the applicator member 20 has pores or open cells of average size between 0.5 μm and 3 mm. Preferably, the cells or pores communicate with each other, in an omnidirectional manner.

According to figure 2 in the illustrated storage position, the plug 40 is in the closed position. The applicator member 20 is partially compressed so that the cavity 30 is removed. The inner wall 26 of the applicator member bears against the free end 150 of the chimney. In this position, the product from the tank can not leave the chimney 15 by the end 150 due to the presence of a compressed portion of the nozzle. The area of the applicator of least cross section located at the height of the groove 50 is also compressed. The application surface 22 is located entirely inside the intermediate element 13.

To the figure 3 the assembly has been freed of its cap 40. At the opening, the foam block expands, which causes the formation of the cavity 30 and the suction of the product into the cavity, the product having been previously brought into 15. When opening the cap, the product may also be pumped into the foam cells located near the cavity 30. After opening, the foam block is no longer compressed. The application surface 22 then emerges outside the intermediate element 13, above the free edge delimiting the opening 131, and occupies a position, called the position of use.

To use the application assembly, the user shakes the packaging and application assembly in order to bring the product into the chimney 15. The product is then held by capillarity inside the chimney 15. It then removes the plug 40, which causes decompression of the foam block 20 forming the applicator member and the area of the applicator member located at the height of the groove 50, so that the application surface 22 emerges out of the intermediate element 13. It will be noted that, during the transition from the storage position to the position of use, the height of the applicator member 20 increases less than the height of the zone of the block of foam located at the throat. The decompression of the applicator member 20 is accompanied by the formation of the cavity 30, an aspiration of the product P into said cavity 30, and, if appropriate, a pumping of the product into the cells of the foam located near the cavity 30. The portion 27 of the applicator member located between the cavity 30 and the application surface 22 is then saturated with product while the side wall 21 of the applicator member it is not, this wall then serving as buffer reserve for the product. In the case where, when opening the cap, the portion 27 of the applicator member located between the cavity 30 and the application surface 22 is not completely saturated, it suffices to slightly compress the application member 20 by applying the application surface 22, for example to the area to be treated, and releasing the pressure so as to relax the applicator member so that during this expansion, the product present in the Cavity 30 is pumped by the cells of the foam to the application surface 22.

The operation of applying a dose of product P to the support to be treated is as follows. The user applies the application surface 22 to the support, and exerts a pressure on the applicator member according to the desired dose of product, which pressure causes a partial compression of the organ application and the output of a dose of product, the volume of the cavity being further reduced during this compression. Too much pressure, which could cause the release of excess product, which may cause soil, is further compensated by the presence of the groove 50. Indeed, the area of the applicator of lesser cross section located at the height of the groove 50 then limits the pressure exerted, compressing itself in turn.

It then remains, after releasing the pressure exerted on the application assembly, to spread the product P by means of the application surface 22. The release of the pressure of the applicator member on the treated support, particularly on the skin, is accompanied by suction of the product contained in the cavity 30 in the cells of the applicator member, an increase in the volume of the cavity 30 and its filling by suction of the product present in the fireplace. The application organ is immediately ready for a new application. Thus, the product spreading is done by passing the application surface 22 on the support to be treated, by simple capillary contact, so as to stretch the product in the form of a film, under the action of the affinity the product exerted between the application surface and the support to be treated, and this, without exerting substantially the slightest pressure on the application set.

According to a variant not shown, the applicator member may be configured so that in the closed position of the plug, the cavity 30 is not completely removed, the volume of said cavity then being only reduced relative to its volume in position relaxed of the application organ.

On the figure 4 , there is shown a variant of the application member 20a able to replace the application member 20 of the Figures 1 to 3 . According to this variant, the application member 20a has an application surface 22a whose general shape is convex and which comprises a small portion 22a 'concave. This form is particularly advantageous because it allows to limit the thickness of foam 27 located between the application surface 22a 'and the cavity 30a.

This figure also shows a variant of the intermediate element 13a, in particular the chimney 15a adapted to replace the chimney 15 of the Figures 1 to 3 . The chimney 15a has an internal cross section which is not constant over its entire height. Indeed, the chimney has a first diameter on the side of the tank, then it has a recess 15a 'beyond which it has a second constant diameter to its free end so that the internal cross section of the chimney is larger on a portion of its axial height located opposite the tank that on the rest of its height. Such a configuration allows the product to more easily enter the chimney 15a because of its larger section, the side of the tank.

On the figure 5 there is shown a variant of the applicator member 20b capable of replacing the application member 20 of the Figures 1 to 3 . According to this variant, the applicator member 20b does not comprise elastically additional compressible means. In the closed position of the stopper 40b, the member 20b is not compressed, the application surface 22b projects beyond the free edge 132b of the intermediate element 13b and a cavity 30b is formed between the free end 150b of the chimney and the inner surface 26b. In addition, the applicator member is held in the housing simply by the lateral pressure exerted by the side wall 134b of the housing on the side wall 21b of the applicator member.

In this configuration, when the packaging and application assembly is agitated, whether or not the cap is closed, product is brought into the cavity 30b via the chimney 15b where it is held by capillarity. The user then applies the application surface to the area to be treated by compressing in particular the portion of the applicator member 20b located between the application surface and the cavity. The product present in the cavity 30b is then pumped into the cells of the applicator member and brought to the application surface.

On the figure 5 a variant of the chimney 15b has also been shown. The stack 15b this time has an internal cross section which decreases progressively from the side wall 135b to the free end 150b from the fireplace. This configuration of the chimney promotes the flow of the product from the reservoir to the cavity 30b.

On the figure 6 there is shown a stack 15c which this time has an internal cross section which increases progressively from the transverse wall 135c to the end 150c of the chimney. In addition, the side wall of the chimney 15c is traversed by at least one axial slot 151c provided over part of its height. This slot 151c makes it possible in particular to maintain the product by capillarity in the chimney. Finally, the transverse wall 135c is concave towards the inside of the tank so as to facilitate the flow of the product into the chimney.

The application member 20c shown is identical to the application member 20b of the figure 5 except that its application surface 22c is slightly concave and that its end 24c, opposite to the application surface is of concave profile towards the interior of the tank to adapt to the profile of the transverse wall 135c.

The figure 7 illustrates a variant of the intermediate element 13d and the upper end of the body 11d of the reservoir, the applicator member 20d shown in this figure being identical to that shown in FIG. figure 5 except that it consists of a stack of three blocks 120d, 220d and 320d of foams of different nature, glued together.

The body 11d of the tank this time has on its outer surface a thread 16d to allow the removable mounting of the cap 40. The side wall 134d of the intermediate element 13d comprises a portion 134d 'which is housed inside the reservoir. being in sealing contact with the inner wall of the tank, and a second portion 134d "which bears on a free edge of the tank.

On the Figures 8a and 8b there is shown an applicator member 20f of rigid and porous material, for example consisting of a polyethylene sinter which is mounted in the intermediate element on a spring 51f. To the figure 8a , the whole is in open position. The spring 51f is in the relaxed position and the application surface 22f emerges outside the intermediate element 13f, above the free edge 132f defining the opening of the intermediate element. A cavity 30f is formed between the free end 150f of the chimney 15f and the inner surface 26f of the applicator member. According to figure 8b in the illustrated storage position, the plug 40f is in the closed position. The spring 51f is then compressed and the application surface 22f is entirely inside the intermediate element 13f. The inner wall 26f of the applicator member then bears against the free end 150f of the chimney thus eliminating the cavity 30f.

According to this embodiment, the product is brought into the chimney and into the cavity by agitating the assembly, then it flows to the application surface through the pores of the applicator member. The product arriving at the surface can flow out of this surface only when it comes into contact with a surface, in particular the surface to be treated.

The figure 9 illustrates another variant of the application member 20e able to replace the application member 20 of the Figures 1 to 3 . According to this variant, the side walls 21 of the applicator member are constituted by a first block of foam. This block of foam may be open cell or closed cell. The upper end 22e of the applicator member forming the application surface is constituted by an open cell foam block of the form of a cap which is welded to the portion 21e. The applicator member 20e has an axial recess 25e comprising a cylindrical portion in which the chimney is located and a frustoconical portion which tapers from the cylindrical portion to the inner surface 26e of the cap so as to delimit the internal cavity 30e. This variant can for example be used to apply a cosmetic product in powder form.

The variant of the application member 20i illustrated in FIG. figure 10 differs from that illustrated in figure 9 in that the upper end 22i is this time constituted by a non-woven sheet or a woven fabric which is engaged around the side wall 21i.

To the figure 11 , there is shown a variant of the application assembly in which the intermediate element 13j is made in two parts. According to this variant, the chimney 15j is snap-fitted in the transverse wall 135j. The chimney 15j is furthermore integral with an axial skirt 134j around which the applicator member 20j is fitted. The applicator member 20j comprises a side wall 21j formed by a hollow cylindrical foam block and by an upper end 22j, welded to the side wall 21j, in the form of a cap.

The Figures 12 and 13 illustrate another variant of the application member 20k and 201 adapted to replace the application member 20 of the Figures 1 to 3 . According to this variant, the application surfaces 22k and 22l are covered with a shell 122k and 122l made of rigid plastic, or else elastomer, which is perforated with a plurality of orifices 222k and 222l allowing the product to flow. . According to the variant illustrated in figure 12 , the envelope 122k is fixed on the applicator member so that it can slide in the intermediate element when the applicator member is compressed. According to the variant illustrated in figure 13 , the envelope 122l is fixed on the intermediate part 13l and comprises a bellows 111 allowing it to deform when the block of foam constituting the applicator member is compressed.

The Figures 14a and 14b illustrate a second embodiment of the packaging and application assembly in which the flow rate with which the product flows into the cavity can be varied.

The assembly comprises a reservoir 10g consisting of a body 11g of X axis, one end of which is closed by a bottom 12g and the other end of which is surmounted by an application head formed by an intermediate element 13g in which is housed an application member 20g. The intermediate element 13g is this time slidably mounted on the tank body. The tank body has a screw pitch 16g, just below the element intermediate 13g, to allow the removable mounting of a plug (not shown) adapted to sealingly close an opening defined by the free edge 132g of the intermediate member 13g.

A tip 17g is irreversibly mounted in the body of the reservoir along the axis X. The tip 17g is a hollow body, communicating with the interior of the reservoir, formed of a first portion 170g of substantially cylindrical shape on which slides the intermediate element 13g. The tip 17g comprises a second frustoconical portion 171g decreasing, from the cylindrical portion 170g, to a closed end 172g. A lateral orifice 176g is formed in the frustoconical portion, near the end 172g. The end 172g is connected to the remainder of the frustoconical portion 171g by a pin 173g formed in the X axis of the reservoir, the pin 173g being secured to the frustoconical portion 171g by means of fins (not shown) formed in a plane perpendicular to the axis X. The cylindrical portion 170g and the frustoconical portion 171g are connected by an annular transverse wall 174g whose diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 170g so as to form an annular radial projection. The transverse wall 174g comprises, around the base of the frustoconical portion 171g, an annular groove 175g.

The inner wall of the intermediate element 13g defines an internal cylindrical housing, of revolution about the axis X in which is mounted an applicator member 20g provided with a cavity 30g, substantially identical to that shown in FIG. figure 5 . This housing comprises a side wall 134g and a flat transverse wall 135g constituting the bottom of the housing. A mounting skirt 136g extends the side wall, beyond the transverse wall, opposite the opening of the intermediate element. The mounting skirt 136g ends with a radial projection 136g 'extending inwardly of the tank, said projection 136g' being mounted on the body of the tank, so as to slide on the cylindrical portion 170g of the tip 17g. In an end position the projection 136g 'abuts against the annular projection formed by the periphery of the transverse wall 174g. A sealing skirt 137g is provided on the transverse wall 135g of the housing. The 137g sealing skirt cooperates with the annular groove 175g provided in the transverse wall 174g of the nozzle 17g, in which it slides in a sealed manner.

A chimney 15g is formed in one piece with the transverse wall 135g from which it extends, along the X axis, to a free end 150g located inside the housing and opening into the cavity 30g of the implementing body. The chimney has a frustoconical shape, complementary to the tapered portion 171g of the tip 17g.

In a first position illustrated in figure 14b the chimney 15g bears against the frustoconical portion 171g of the mouthpiece 17g so that the orifice 176g is closed. In a second position illustrated in figure 14a , the intermediate element 13g is displaced along the X axis and the chimney emerges from the frustoconical portion 171g of the nozzle 17g so that the orifice 176g is open thus putting the cavity 30g in communication with the inside of the reservoir via a passage 139g. It is obvious that the intermediate element 13g can take intermediate positions so as to vary the section of the passage 139g allowing the user to vary the flow rate with which the product flows into the cavity 30g.

The figure 15 represents another embodiment of a packaging and application assembly which comprises a reservoir 10h comprising a body 11h. An intermediate element 13h provided with a chimney 15h is mounted on the reservoir and comprises an applicator member 20h. This example differs from that shown in accordance with the Figures 1 to 3 in that it comprises a plug 40h provided with a reflecting surface 301, such as a mirror. The reflecting surface 301 may for example be located on the upper surface of the cap.

The figure 16 represents an exemplary embodiment of a packaging and application assembly which comprises a reservoir 10i having a body 11i, for example in the form of a tube, and a stack 15i around which is mounted an applicator member 20i. The tank 10i and the chimney 15i can be formed for example by extrusion or by injection-blowing. They are made from one piece.

The figure 17 represents an exemplary embodiment of a packaging and application assembly according to the invention which comprises a reservoir 10j comprising a body 11j configured, for example, to conform to the hand of a user, and which is of shape It is provided with a chimney 15j of axis X, different from the axis Y. The tank 10j and the chimney 15j can be formed for example by extrusion or by injection-blowing. They are made from one piece.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be made without departing from the invention as claimed below, in particular the application set may have any shape, including pot or bottle.

Claims (34)

1. Assembly for packaging and applying a product (P), comprising:

   i) a reservoir (10) that has an elongate overall shape along an axis Y, contains the product and is provided with a hollow shaft (15; ...; 151) of axis X, delimiting a passage (139; ...; 1391) that communicates selectively or permanently with the reservoir;

   ii) an applicator member (20; ...; 201) that is permeable to the product, said applicator member comprising a side wall (21; ...; 211), a first end of which is closed and forms an application surface (22; ...; 221), a second end (24; ...; 241) being open to allow the applicator member to be fitted on the reservoir, the applicator member extending over at least a part of its height around the hollow shaft,
   the applicator member being such that, in the position fitted on the reservoir and when no axial stress is exerted on the application surface:

   a) at least one cavity (30; ...; 301) is formed between a free end (150; ...; 1501) of said hollow shaft and an inner surface (26; ...; 261) of the applicator member that is located opposite said free end; and characterized in that

   b) at least one portion (27; ...; 271) of said applicator member, located above the cavity, has a thickness along the axis X that is less than the thickness of said side wall portion measured perpendicularly to the axis X;

   said cavity (30; ...; 301) having a variable volume, in particular in response to a pressure exerted axially on the application surface, the axis X being different from the axis Y,
   the reservoir and the hollow shaft being formed in one piece.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (30) is configured to hold by capillary action the product coming from the reservoir.
3. Assembly according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of the largest cross section of the cavity (30) is less than that of the application surface (22).
4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow shaft (15) is configured so as to hold by capillary action the product coming from the reservoir.
5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more slots (151c) that extend axially along all or part of the hollow shaft pass through the side wall of the hollow shaft (15c).
6. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hollow shaft (15; 15a; 15d; ...; 151) has a constant internal cross section.
7. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the hollow shaft (15b; 15c; 15g) has an internal cross section that varies along the axial height of the hollow shaft, in particular increasing or decreasing progressively as far as the cavity (30b; 30c; 30g).
8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (21) of the applicator member is in contact with the hollow shaft (15) .
9. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the side wall (21) of the applicator member is at a distance from the hollow shaft (15).
10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a passage (28), in particular in the form of one or more narrow channel(s) or one or more slot(s) that open(s) onto the application surface, passes through the applicator member (20), said passage (28) being closed at rest.
11. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (20f) is formed from a substantially rigid material, in particular a frit, selected in particular from polyvinyl chloride, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate or polyamide frits.
12. Assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the applicator member (20) is formed, at least in part, from an elastically compressible material, in particular made of a closed-cell, open-cell or semi-open-cell foam, selected in particular from polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyether, polyester, NBR (acrylonitrile butadiene rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) foams, or made of a superposition of layers of one or more of these materials, fused or adhesively bonded together.
13. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it furthermore comprises a removable closure member (40), in particular a screwon or snap-on cap or a hinged lid, in order to enclose the application surface (22) of the applicator member in a leaktight manner.
14. Assembly according to Claim 13, characterized in that the internal surface (26) of the applicator member bears against the free end (150) of the hollow shaft (15) so as to close off the passage (139) in a more or less leaktight manner when the closure member (40) is in the closed position.
15. Assembly according to any one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the compressible part of the applicator member (20) is at least partially compressed when the closure member (40) is in the closed position.
16. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application surface (22) is able to move axially between a first position, in which said application surface (22) emerges from the reservoir through an opening (131) defined by a free edge (132) of the reservoir, and a second position, in which the application surface (22) is contained inside the reservoir.
17. Assembly according to Claim 16, characterized in that it comprises elastically compressible means (50) that allow the application surface (22) to pass from its first position to its second position, said elastically compressible means having a compressibility greater than the compressibility of the applicator member.
18. Assembly according to Claim 17, characterized in that the elastically compressible means (51f) consist of a separate element from the applicator member (20f).
19. Assembly according to Claim 18, characterized in that the elastically compressible means consist of at least one block of elastically deformable material, in particular a block of foam, preferably open-cell or semi-open-cell foam.
20. Assembly according to Claim 18, characterized in that the elastically compressible means (51f) consist of an element that forms a spring, in particular made of metal or plastics material.
21. Assembly according to Claims 12 and 17, characterized in that the elastically compressible means consist of at least one portion of said applicator member, configured so as to have a compressibility greater than that of the rest of the applicator member.
22. Assembly according to Claim 21, characterized in that the difference in compressibility between the applicator member (20; 20a) and the elastically compressible means results from the presence of an indentation (50; 50a) formed by said applicator member (20; 20a) around at least a part of its periphery.
23. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (20) is fixed in a removable manner in the reservoir, in particular by reversible adhesive bonding, by magnetic attraction or by mechanical snap-fastening.
24. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (20) has a circular, oval, rectangular or polygonal cross section.
25. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application surface (22) has a concave or convex profile, in particular in the form of a dome.
26. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second end (24) of the applicator member has a flat, concave or convex profile.
27. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (20) contains an agent that is able to absorb and/or retain a fluid.
28. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (20) is able to increase in volume when it is filled with product.
29. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (10) consists of a body (11) having rigid or semirigid walls, in particular made of metal, glass, a thermoplastic material selected in particular from polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyethylene terephthalates or a thermosetting material, and contains the product (P) more or less at atmospheric pressure.
30. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that mobile means (60) of the ball or small weight type are disposed inside the reservoir (10) so as to promote the homogenization of the product and its flow through the passage (139).
31. Assembly according to Claim 30, characterized in that it also comprises a means (138; 138c; 138e) for preventing the mobile means (60) from closing off the passage (139).
32. Assembly according to Claim 31, characterized in that the means (138; 138c; 138e) consists of a bead or wings located around the passage (139).
33. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product (P) is a cosmetic product, such as a nail varnish, a liquid lipstick, a cream, a lotion, an oil, a powder, a makeup remover, a nail varnish remover, a liquid foundation, a colouring composition, a bleaching composition, a permanent-waving composition, an adhesive, a correction fluid, a stain remover or a polish.
34. Method for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, by means of an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, consisting in:

    a) agitating said assembly in order to move product into said cavity (30);

    b) bringing the application surface (22) into contact with an area to be treated, the flow rate of product transferred to the area to be treated varying depending on the pressure exerted on the application surface (22) .

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