EP1508534A1 - Packaging device for storing and dispensing applicators - Google Patents

Abstract

A pack (1), holding a series of applicators e.g. in the form of discs 0.5 - 3 mm thick that can be impregnated with a cosmetic product in liquid or powder form, consists of a container (21) with a lid (23) and an inner moulded plastic support (10). The pack (1), holding a series of applicators e.g. in the form of discs 0.5 - 3 mm thick that can be impregnated with a cosmetic product in liquid or powder form, consists of a container (21) with a lid (23) and an inner moulded plastic support (10). The support has a series of spacers (12) that are hinged bat one side so they can open to expose the applicators one at a time, and its base (11) is designed to be retained in the container, e.g. by flexible lugs. One or more of the applicators can have its two surfaces impregnated with different substances, or the applicators can all be impregnated with a product filling the container.

Description

The present invention relates to packaging devices applicators, for example in the form of flexible discs, non-woven or other materials.

Such applicators are known in particular from US Patents 2,983,369, 4,765,482 and 5,894,927.

In US Pat. No. 2,983,369, the applicators are each provided with a central opening and are stacked on a rod of a support immersed in a container containing a liquid. This support is equipped with a handle that allows you to extract it from container. It can be relatively difficult, with such a device, for the user of seize only one applicator. In addition, the risk that the user deposits impurities on unused applicators is not insignificant.

US Pat. Nos. 4,765,489 and 5,894,927 describe devices similar which have the same disadvantages.

The invention aims to propose a new packaging device remedying these disadvantages.

• une pluralité d'applicateurs,
• un support pour recevoir les applicateurs, ce support comportant une pluralité d'intercalaires disposés entre les applicateurs, deux intercalaires consécutifs étant reliés entre eux à une extrémité de manière articulée.

The invention achieves this through a conditioning device which can be characterized, according to a first aspect of the invention, by the fact that it comprises:

• a plurality of applicators,
• a support for receiving the applicators, this support comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being interconnected at one end in an articulated manner.

The presence of the dividers makes it easier for the user to grasp the applicators and the risk of contaminating unused applicators present on the support is decreased. The risk of adhesion of the applicators to each other is also reduced or eliminated.

The invention can make it possible, if necessary, to avoid a contact between two consecutive applicators, which may prove useful especially in the case of applicators biface, that is to say comprising for example different products on their opposite sides not to come into contact during storage.

Finally, the fact that the spacers are interconnected at one end of articulated manner can facilitate the placement of applicators between the spacers.

Preferably, two consecutive dividers are interconnected by a hinge film.

Also preferably, the support is made in one piece by molding plastic material, for example a polyolefin.

More preferably, the device comprises a container inside which the support can be introduced, especially when in a storage configuration.

Such a container may comprise for example a body and an arranged lid for releasably attaching to the body, particularly in a sealed manner.

The container may be useful for protecting the applicators from dirt and to improve the conservation of the applicators arranged inside. The container can in particular to keep the applicators in a humid atmosphere.

The container may comprise for example a threaded neck and the lid to be arranged to screw on this neck. Such a mounting of the lid on the body can facilitate obtaining a waterproof closure.

Each applicator may be impregnated with at least one product, especially a cosmetic product, including care, which can be a liquid or a powder.

This product impregnating the applicators may or may not be a filling liquid the recipient.

At least one applicator may comprise for example two impregnated faces by respective different products. In this case, the spacers can be made from in order to avoid contact between the faces of the different applicators carried by the support. An applicator having two faces impregnated with different products may for example have two outer layers separated by an impermeable intermediate layer.

The support can be arranged to cooperate with the container so as not to can be extracted in full from it. This may allow, for example, in particular in the case where the container is filled with a liquid, to reduce the risk of projection of liquid out of the container.

The support may especially comprise a base portion arranged to cross by elastic deformation an opening of the container and subsequently prevent the support of to be able to leave the container completely. The basic part may have a larger transversal dimension, especially a larger diameter, greater than the smallest transverse dimension of the upper part of the container, especially the smaller one neck diameter.

The support can rest by this base part against the bottom of the container, when the medium is in its storage configuration.

The base portion may comprise for example several legs elastically deformable.

These legs may comprise a part extending radially towards the outside, extended downwards by a beveled lower part facilitating the introduction of the support in the container.

When the container has a neck defining at its base a shoulder, the aforementioned legs can abut against this shoulder to retain the support to the inside of the container.

The spacers can be made in different ways and especially in the form of trays, be perforated or not, and have a transverse dimension that may be smaller or larger than the applicators. By "transverse dimension", the dimension measured perpendicular to the geometric axis around which the insert in question pivots.

The spacers may notably extend substantially parallel to the to each other and be substantially equidistant when the support is in a storage configuration.

The spacers may be arranged in such a way that when the support is in its storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond one interlayer which is contiguous to it, in particular extends beyond the spacer, on the opposite side at the articulated side.

The packaging device may comprise a number of applicators very variable, depending for example on the destination of the applicators. The number applicators is for example between ten and thirty.

Applicators may have various shapes but preferably Applicators have a disc shape, which allows them to be packaged in a container having a body having a cylindrical side wall of revolution and a lid screwing onto the container body.

Applicators may still have a shape other than discoidal, for example oval or polygonal example, especially square or rectangular.

The thickness of an applicator depends on the nature of the product to be applied and the surface to be treated, and may be for example between 0.5 and 3 mm.

The support may comprise an upper part hingedly connected to an adjacent interlayer, this upper part being advantageously provided with an organ for example in the form of a tongue directed towards outside. The upper part may in particular have a transverse dimension greater than the spacers and a slightly larger transverse dimension than that of the applicators.

"Transverse dimension" means the measured dimension perpendicular to the geometric axis around which the upper part pivots.

When the carrier is in its storage configuration in the container, the upper part can be used to partially extract the container support and in particular to bring it into an applicator presentation configuration in which the spacers may form unequal angles between them.

The upper part may have a circular outline or not and cover or not entirely an underlying applicator. The upper part can be crossed by a opening, especially in a central region.

Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a support applicators having a plurality of interlayers interconnected at one end and made in one piece by molding plastic material.

The support may comprise a trunk comprising a succession of sections interconnected by film hinges and on each of which is connected an interlayer.

• un récipient,
• une pluralité d'applicateurs,
• un support pour recevoir les applicateurs, ce support comportant une pluralité d'intercalaires disposés entre les applicateurs, deux intercalaires consécutifs étant reliés entre eux à une extrémité de manière articulée, le support comportant une partie de base agencée pour franchir par déformation élastique une ouverture du récipient et empêcher par la suite au support de pouvoir quitter entièrement le récipient.

The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a packaging device comprising:

• a container,
• a plurality of applicators,
• a support for receiving the applicators, this support comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being interconnected at one end in an articulated manner, the support comprising a base part arranged to cross by elastic deformation an opening of the container and subsequently prevent the support from being able to leave the container completely.

• faire pivoter au moins un intercalaire relativement à un autre intercalaire de manière à amener un applicateur situé entre ces deux intercalaires dans une position lui permettant d'être saisi,
• saisir l'applicateur et appliquer un produit cosmétique au moyen de celui-ci.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also a process for treating, in particular cosmetic, skin, mucous membranes or integuments using a conditioning device as defined above, this process comprising the following steps: :

• pivoting at least one interlayer relative to another interlayer so as to bring an applicator located between these two spacers in a position allowing it to be grasped,
• grab the applicator and apply a cosmetic product using it.

Prior to the application of the applicator, the support may be partially extracted from a container allowing the hermetic packaging of the applicators and / or their impregnation with the product to be applied.

• présenter à un poste de remplissage un support comportant une pluralité d'intercalaires reliés entre eux à une extrémité de manière articulée,
• introduire des applicateurs entre les intercalaires.

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a method of manufacturing a packaging device as defined above, comprising the following steps:

• presenting to a filling station a support comprising a plurality of interlayers connected to one end in an articulated manner,
• introduce applicators between the inserts.

This introduction can be done for example by removing two tabs consecutive so that they form a dihedral open upward and slide vertically an applicator between them.

The applicators to be inserted between the spacers may in particular be stacked in a dispenser with a pusher to apply the applicators a against a transfer member, constituted for example by a roller driven by rotation.

The dispenser may in particular be placed above the support to be filled with the applicators, the latter being stacked horizontally in the dispenser.

The trunk of the support, which includes the joints connecting the spacers, can come to bear during filling against a holding member having a shape rounded, facilitating the spreading of the spacers.

During its filling, the support can be moved relative to this retaining member, so as to present successively in line with the distributor of the voids formed between two consecutive spacers and allow the deposit of a applicator in each space thus presented.

The base part of the support can be moved vertically so as to cause and / or accompany the displacement of the support relative to the organ of maintenance.

Once the support is filled, it can be introduced in the folded state in a container. The support can in particular be pushed with sufficient force into the container to allow it to cross by elastic deformation of the base part a opening of it.

The container can then, if necessary, be filled at least partially of a liquid and sealed.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique, en coupe axiale, d'un dispositif de conditionnement réalisé conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de dessus selon la flèche II de la figure 1, après enlèvement du couvercle,
• la figure 3 représente isolément en vue de dessus un exemple d'applicateur,
• la figure 4 représente à échelle agrandie un détail de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 1,
• les figures 5 à 9 illustrent l'utilisation du dispositif,
• les figures 10 à 14 illustrent la fabrication du dispositif,
• les figures 15 et 16 sont des vues analogues à la figure 2, représentant des variantes de réalisation du support,
• les figures 17 et 18 sont des vues analogues à la figure 3, représentant des variantes de réalisation d'un applicateur, et
• la figure 19 est une coupe partielle et schématique d'un applicateur de type biface.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, in axial section, of a packaging device produced according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a view from above according to the arrow II of FIG. 1, after removal of the cover,
• FIG. 3 represents, in isolation from an overhead view, an example of an applicator,
• FIG. 4 represents on an enlarged scale a detail of embodiment of the device of FIG.
• Figures 5 to 9 illustrate the use of the device,
• Figures 10 to 14 illustrate the manufacture of the device,
• FIGS. 15 and 16 are views similar to FIG. 2, representing alternative embodiments of the support,
• FIGS. 17 and 18 are views similar to FIG. 3, representing alternative embodiments of an applicator, and
• Figure 19 is a partial and schematic sectional view of a biface type applicator.

The conditioning device 1 shown in FIG. 10 and a container 20, inside which the support 10 is arranged.

This container 20 comprises a body 21 of longitudinal axis X, partially provided 22 externally threaded neck, on which can be screwed a lid 23 of in order to substantially hermetically close the container 20.

In the example considered, the body 21 of the container has a side wall 21a of cylindrical revolution X axis and a bottom 21b, being made for example by molding of plastics material or glass.

The neck 22 forms at its base, with the side wall 21a, a shoulder annular 24.

The support 10 has below a base portion 11 on which connects a trunk 15 extending substantially parallel to the axis X when the support is in place in the container 20 in a storage configuration.

The trunk 15 carries a plurality of spacers 12 extending substantially perpendicular to the X axis in storage configuration. Tabs 12 can for example, all extend on the same side of the trunk 15. The spacers 12 may example superimpose exactly vertically, being for example identical.

The trunk 15 is connected superiorly to an upper portion 13 provided of a gripping member 14. The latter is presented in the example under the shape of a tongue directed upwards.

The base portion 11 comprises a plate 19 extending perpendicular to the X axis extended downwards by a plurality of lugs 18 each having a portion 18a bent radially outward and a lower end 18b tapered.

The tabs 12 are in the example in the form of trays having a free end 12a tapered and connected by the opposite end 12b 15. The ends 12a, 12b of the spacers can be superimposed vertically when the device is in a storage position.

The latter comprises a plurality of rectilinear sections 16 connecting each perpendicular to a corresponding spacer 12, except for the first section 16 from the bottom which connects perpendicular to the plate 19 of the part of base 11.

The sections 16 are interconnected by film hinges 17, so that that two spacers 12 consecutive are interconnected by an articulated connection.

The upper part 13 is also connected to the trunk 15 by a hinge movie 17.

When the support 10 is moved upwards in the container 20, the legs 18 of the base portion 11 can abut against the shoulder 24, so as to retain the support 10 inside the container.

In the exemplary embodiment considered, the support 10 is made of a single piece by molding plastic material.

Applicators 30 are disposed between the spacers 12, an applicator 30 being furthermore arranged under the upper part 13, as can be seen in particular on the figure 4.

In the example considered, these applicators 30 have an outline 31 as shown in FIG. 3, the diameter of the applicators 30 being, in the example considered, slightly less than the inside diameter of the neck 22 of the container.

The applicators 30 may have, as seen in FIG. dimension greater than that of the spacers 12, so that a portion 32 thereof extends out of tabs 12.

The upper part 13, however, advantageously has a dimension which allows it to completely cover the underlying applicator 30, including the portion 32 which overflows from the corresponding tab 12.

In the storage position, the tabs 12 can extend all parallel to each other. Two consecutive tabs can be configured not to crush an applicator 30 placed between them, especially at their level. end 12b, in particular in the storage position or when removing an applicator.

The device 1 can be used in the following manner.

The user removes the lid 23 as shown in FIG. lift the upper part 13 in the direction of arrow F as shown in figure 6.

The lifting of the upper part 13 may also be accompanied by a raising of the support 10 along the X axis as illustrated in FIG. 7, this ascent being possibly facilitated by supporting the trunk 15 against an edge of the neck 22. Thus, a pivoting of the upper part 13 with support of the trunk 15 on the neck 22 can cause a rise of the rest of the support 10 relative to the container and the catch by the support 10 a fan configuration out of the container, making it easier to grip the applicators.

The user can enter the applicator 30 located immediately under the part superior 13 and as and when uses, seize successively the applicators Following, for example, to the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, in which a plurality of spaces 42 formed between the tabs 12 are empty while applicators 30 are still present between the spacers located inside the container 20. When the last applicator 30 is grasped, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the part of base 11 is for example in abutment against the shoulder 24 while the rest of the support 10 has a fan configuration.

When the user grasps an applicator 30, the risk of touching a adjacent applicator 30 is reduced.

In addition, each applicator 30 can slide relatively easily over the underlying tab 12, so that the grip of the applicator 30 can be effected easily, without having to seize it with the nails.

Finally, when the container 20 is filled with a liquid, the fact that the support 10 can be partially extracted from the container allows the user to avoid soaking his fingers in the liquid.

The packaging device can be manufactured in the following manner.

After being made by molding plastic material in one piece, the support 10 is presented empty to a filling station, as shown in FIG.

The trunk 15 may rest on a holding member 40 having a surface rounded upper 41.

The upper part 13 of the support is oriented substantially vertically in such a way that the wedge-shaped space 42 formed with the adjacent insert 12 is upwards.

The filling station comprises a distributor 45 housing a battery horizontally applicators 30 and having a pusher 46 to push the applicators 30 according to the arrow P against a transfer member 47. The latter presents itself for example in the form of a roller which causes, turning, the displacement towards the bottom of the applicator 30 which is in contact with it in the corresponding space 42 located at plumb. As and when filling, the base portion 11 of the support 10 is moved upwards, which allows the trunk 15 to move on the rounded surface 41 of the holding member 40 and the empty spaces 42 remaining to present successively to the plumb with the distributor 45, the support 10 taking during its filling a Fan configuration, as can be seen in Figure 11.

Once all the applicators 30 in place between the spacers 12, the support 10 can be folded back on itself so as to have tabs 12 substantially parallel to each other, then returned, as shown in Figure 12, to allow introducing into the body 21 of the container 20.

During this introduction, the legs 18 of the base portion 11 pass through the collar 22 by elastically deforming radially inwards, as illustrated in FIG. figure 13.

Then the container can be returned again and possibly filled with a liquid product for impregnating the applicators 30, then the cover 23 is put into place, as shown in Figure 14.

Alternatively, the container is not filled with any liquid, the applicators being impregnated with at least one product prior to their introduction between tabs 12.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the example just described.

In particular, it is possible to modify the shape of the upper part 13 of the support 10 and this may for example not completely cover the underlying applicator 30, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the upper part 13 having for example two sides opposite rectilinear.

It is still possible to make the upper part 13 with a central opening 49, as shown in Figure 16.

Applicators 30 can be made with a non-circular shape, for example a square shape as shown in Figure 17 or rectangular as shown in the figure 18.

The applicators 30 may have various structures and in particular comprise at least one layer of a woven fabric, a nonwoven, a foam or a flocking coating.

Applicators 30 may in particular be made with a structure multilayer, and include for example two outer layers 51 and 52 for contain different products and a waterproof middle layer 53 between both. The presence of the tabs 12 may make it possible to avoid contact between a layer 52 of an applicator 30 and the layer 51 of an adjacent applicator 30, which is useful especially when the products contained in the layers 51 and 52 are incompatible.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression "Comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least a ", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (42)

Packaging device (1), comprising: a plurality of applicators (30), a support (10) for receiving the applicators, this support comprising a plurality of spacers (12) arranged between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being connected to one end in an articulated manner, the support being made in one piece by molding of plastic material. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plastic is a polyolefin. Device according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that two spacers (12) consecutive are interconnected by a film hinge (17). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a container (20) inside which the support is introduced, in particular when it is in a storage configuration. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container comprises a body (21) and a cover (23) arranged to be fixed removably on the body, in particular in a sealed manner. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container comprises a neck (22) threaded and that the lid (23) is arranged to screw on this neck. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each applicator (30) is impregnated with at least one product, in particular a liquid or a powder. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators (30) are impregnated with a product filling the container. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least one applicator (30) has two faces impregnated with respective different products. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers (12) are made so as to avoid contact between the faces of the different applicators carried by the support. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support (10) is arranged to cooperate with the container (20) so that it can not be completely extracted from it. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support comprises a base portion (11) arranged to cross by elastic deformation an opening of the container and subsequently prevent the support from being able to leave the container completely. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the support rests by the base portion (11) against a bottom (21b) of the container, when the carrier is in its storage configuration. Device according to one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that the base portion (11) comprises a plurality of tabs (18) elastically deformable. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the tabs (18) comprise a portion extending radially outward, extended downwards by a beveled lower portion (18b) facilitating the introduction of the support into the container. Device according to one of claims 14 and 15, characterized in that the container comprises a collar (22) defining at its base a shoulder (24), the tabs (18) abutting against this shoulder to retain the support to the inside of the container. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers (12) are in the form of trays. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers have a transverse dimension which is smaller than that of the applicators. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers (12) extend substantially parallel to one another and substantially equidistantly when the support is in a storage configuration. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spacers (12) are arranged in such a way that, when the support is in its storage configuration, at least one applicator extends beyond one interlayer which is contiguous thereto, in particular extends beyond the spacer, the side opposite the hinged side. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of applicators (30) is between ten and thirty. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicators have a disc shape. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the applicators is between 0.5 and 3 mm. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support comprises an upper part (13) hingedly connected to an adjacent spacer. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper part is provided with a gripping member (14). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gripping member is in the form of an outwardly directed tongue. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part (13) has a transverse dimension greater than that of the spacers and a transverse dimension slightly larger than that of the applicators. Device according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the upper part (13) completely covers an applicator (30) underlying. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part is traversed by an opening (49), in particular in a central region. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two consecutive spacers are configured so as not to crush an applicator placed between them. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support comprises a trunk (15) carrying the spacers (12) and in that the spacers (12) all extend on the same side of the trunk (15). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the spacers (12) are identical. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each spacer (12) has two ends (12a, 12b) and in that the ends (12a, 12b) of the spacers are vertically superimposed when the device is in position. a storage position. A method of cosmetic treatment of the skin, mucous membranes or superficial body growths, using a conditioning device as defined in any one of the preceding claims, said method comprising the following steps: pivoting at least one spacer (12) relative to another spacer (12) so as to bring an applicator (30) located between these two spacers in a position to be grasped, grab the applicator and apply a cosmetic product using it. Treatment method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that before the application of the applicator, the support is partially extracted from a container (20) for hermetically sealing the applicators and / or their impregnation with the product to be applied . A method of manufacturing a packaging device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 33, comprising the steps of: presenting to a filling station a support comprising a plurality of interlayers connected to one end in an articulated manner, introduce applicators between the inserts. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the introduction is made by separating two consecutive spacers so that they form an upwardly open dihedron and vertically sliding an applicator between them. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the applicators to be inserted between the spacers are stacked in a dispenser (45) provided with a push-button (46) making it possible to apply the applicators one to one against a transfer member (47). ). Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the transfer member is constituted by a roller driven in rotation. Method according to any one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that the trunk (15) of the support which comprises the joints (17) connecting the spacers abuts during filling against a holding member (40) and by the fact that the base portion of the support is moved vertically so as to cause and / or accompany the movement of the support (10) relative to the holding member (40). Process according to any one of Claims 36 to 40, characterized in that the support is introduced in the folded state into a container, the support being able in particular to be pushed with sufficient force into the container to enable it to pass through an opening. of the container by elastic deformation of the base part. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the container is at least partially filled with a liquid and sealed.

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