EP2062496B1 - System for applying a doughy liquid product with retractable applicator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a system for applying a pasty liquid product to a person or an object.

In particular, the system allows the application of a product such as a liquid lipstick (or lip gloss in English) or a care product for the lips. Indeed, there is a demand to replace the stick lipsticks that are applied by friction, with liquid lipsticks to be applied directly to the lips.

To apply a liquid lipstick, it is known to use a device comprising a container in which the pasty liquid product is packaged, the application being able to be carried out either by pressing on the flexible container which is then equipped with an applicator, or by immersion of an application brush into the container.

However, such devices have the disadvantage of complicated handling which, moreover, away from the gesture to which users are accustomed to apply a stick lipstick.

US 2006/0222 450 A describes a device for applying a pasty liquid cosmetic product.

The invention aims to improve the devices for applying a pasty liquid product according to the prior art by providing a known gesture for stick lipsticks, said device being furthermore particularly simple to produce.

For this purpose, the invention proposes a system for applying a pasty liquid product, comprising a lower body which is mounted in manual rotation on an upper body, and an applicator secured to said upper body by being provided with an orifice of dispensing the product, said system further comprising a product dispensing device which is actuated by rotation of the lower body, said system further comprising an outer body and a base which is manually rotatably mounted on said outer body, the upper body being mounted in reversible translation in the outer body between a retracted position in which the applicator is housed in the outer body and a use position in which said applicator is protruding from said outer body, the lower body being mounted in translation in the base to reversibly move the upper body between its two positions by rotation of the base respectively in one direction, and to be rotated by said base when said applicator is in use position.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des représentations en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif d'application selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement en position initiale rétractée (figure 1) et en position d'utilisation (figure 2) ;
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des représentations en coupe longitudinale d'un dispositif d'application selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, respectivement en position initiale rétractée (figure 3) et en position d'utilisation (figure 4) ;
• la figure 5 est une représentation en coupe longitudinale montrant le surmoulage d'un applicateur par une poche souple ;
• la figure 6 est une représentation partielle en coupe longitudinale montrant un dispositif de rotation anti-retour par l'intermédiaire duquel le corps inférieur est monté sur le corps supérieur ;
• la figure 7 est une représentation partielle en coupe transversale du dispositif de rotation anti-retour de la figure 6 ;
• la figure 8 est une représentation partielle en vue latérale montrant une variante d'un dispositif de rotation anti-retour par l'intermédiaire duquel le corps inférieur est monté sur le corps supérieur.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are longitudinal sectional representations of an application device according to a first embodiment of the invention, respectively in retracted initial position ( figure 1 ) and in the position of use ( figure 2 );
• the Figures 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional representations of an application device according to a second embodiment of the invention, respectively in retracted initial position ( figure 3 ) and in the position of use ( figure 4 );
• the figure 5 is a representation in longitudinal section showing the overmolding of an applicator by a flexible bag;
• the figure 6 is a partial representation in longitudinal section showing a non-return rotation device through which the lower body is mounted on the upper body;
• the figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional representation of the anti-return rotation device of the figure 6 ;
• the figure 8 is a partial view in side view showing a variant of a non-return rotation device through which the lower body is mounted on the upper body.

In connection with the figures, there is described a system for applying a pasty liquid product P, such as a liquid lipstick (or lip gloss in English) or a care product for the lips. According to other embodiments, the system according to the invention allows the application of a pasty liquid product to another area of a person, in particular on the skin, or of another type of product. especially for cosmetic or therapeutic use, or the application of the product on an object.

The system comprises a lower actuating body 1 which is mounted in manual rotation on an upper body 2, said bodies being made of rigid material, in particular of plastic or metal. The application system also comprises a product dispensing device P which is actuated by rotation of the lower body 1 in one direction. To do this, in the embodiments shown, the lower body 1 is clipped into the upper body 2 via a groove 3 and a rod 4 which are arranged to allow the relative rotation of the two bodies 1, 2.

The system also comprises an applicator 5, also of rigid material or of semi-rigid material, in particular transparent or at least translucent. The applicator 5 is integral with the upper body 2, said applicator being provided with a dispensing orifice 6 of the product P. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. Figures 1 and 2 , the applicator 5 comprises a base which is associated in a housing 7 formed in the upper wall 8 of the upper body 2, and a projecting portion 9 of the upper body 2 which is provided with the dispensing orifice 6. More specifically, the base comprises a skirt 10 whose periphery is sealed in the housing 7, and the projecting portion 9 extends beyond the upper wall 8.

Furthermore, the system comprises a cover 11 for protecting the projecting portion 9 which is mounted on the edge of the upper wall 8, in particular by providing for the cooperation of a snap ring 12 of the cover 11 on said edge. For aesthetic reasons, the cover 11 can be provided transparent or at least translucent so as to leave the applicator 5 visible.

In addition, the dispensing orifice 6 is formed on a bevelled zone 13 of the projecting portion 9 of the applicator 5, said zone being arranged in particular flat to facilitate the application of the product P on the lips. Therefore, the applicator 5 schematically in the figures is substantially in the form of a grape of stick lipstick.

The dispensing orifice 6 may have a geometry adapted to the intended application, in particular a straight or not slot, continuous or discontinuous. Alternatively, a plurality of dispensing orifices 6 may be provided, including a plurality of small holes. In addition, the beveled area 13 may be coated with a flocking or textile to soften the contact with the lips and promote the distribution of the product P during its application.

The system also includes an outer body 24 and a base 25 which is mounted for manual rotation on said outer body. The upper body 2 is mounted in reversible translation in the outer body 24 between a retracted position ( figure 1 and 3 ) in which the applicator 5 is housed in the outer body 24 and a position of use ( figure 2 and 4 ) wherein said applicator is protruding from said outer body. In particular, in the retracted position, the upper end of the applicator 5 is arranged flush with the upper wall of the outer body 24.

In addition, the lower body 1 is mounted in translation in the base 25 to reversibly move the upper body 2 between its two positions by rotation of the base 25 respectively in one direction, and to be rotated by said base when said applicator is in position of use.

Thus, the application gesture of the pasty liquid product P is similar to that of a stick lipstick, in which the grape, like the applicator 5 according to the invention, is reversibly displaceable in translation through a base 25 manually operable in rotation. In addition, the arrangement of the applicator 5 in the retracted position makes it possible to guarantee its protection between two applications.

In the embodiments shown, the inner surface of the base 25 comprises a helical groove 26, the lower body 1 comprising a spur 27 outside which is engaged in said groove on the translational stroke. In addition, the lug 27 may come into axial abutment at the end of the groove 26 when the applicator 5 is in the position of use, so as to allow the rotational drive of the lower body 1 through the base 25. .

Furthermore, the inner surface of the outer body 24 comprises an axial groove 28 in which an outer lug 29 of the upper body 2 is guided. The lug may be in axial abutment in the groove 28 when the applicator 5 is in the position of use, so as to allow the rotational drive of the lower body 1 through the base 25. In the mode of embodiment shown, two sets of lugs 29 - groove 28 are provided on either side of the axis of translation.

As a variant, possibly complementary to the axial abutment of at least one lug 27, 29, the upper body 2, in particular the periphery of the wall 8, can be in axial abutment in the position of use in the upper body 24, in particular in the upper opening of said body, so as to allow the rotational drive of the lower body 1 through the base 25.

Thus, the rotation of the base 25 successively causes the rise of the applicator 5 and then the actuation of the dispensing device by rotational drive of the lower body 1. After application, the user rotates the base 25 in the opposite direction to retract the applicator 5 in the outer body 24, the actuation of the dispensing device remaining inactive.

To do this, the system may comprise a non-return rotation device 18 through which the lower body 1 is mounted on the upper body 2 in order to prevent the rotation of said lower body in the opposite direction S to the actuation . Indeed, in the embodiments shown, the distribution of the product P means cumulative rotations of the lower body 1 in one direction as and applications.

According to the first embodiment shown on the Figures 1 and 2 , the dispensing device comprises a pocket 14 flexible and tight, for example made of elastomeric material, wherein the product P to be applied is packaged. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 the pocket 14 is formed of a tubular sleeve comprising a lower opening 14a and an upper opening 14b.

The pocket 14 is housed in the lower body 1 and upper 2 to protect it. In addition, the pocket 14 is integral in rotation with the lower body 1 and secondly secured to the applicator 5 while being in leaktight communication with the orifice 6. Thus, during the actuation in rotation of the lower body 1, it rotates the flexible bag 14 which is also secured to the applicator 5 fixed. This therefore results in a twisting of the flexible pouch 14, and therefore a decrease in the packaging volume of the product P. The product P is then pressurized in the bag 14, said pressure inducing a distribution of the product P through the orifice 6.

On the figure 5 , the thickness e of the envelope of the flexible bag 14 increases from the lower body 1 to the applicator 5. Thus, the pocket 14 is first twisted in the lower part, to better empty said pocket during successive twists. In variant not shown, other means for promoting the progressive twisting of the pocket 14 from its lower opening 14a to its upper opening 14b can be envisaged.

On the Figures 1 and 2 , the upper opening 14b is mounted around the skirt 10 to be interposed in a sealed manner between said skirt and the housing 7 during fitting.

In a variant represented on the figure 5 at least a portion of the applicator 5 may be overmolded by the flexible pouch 14, said pouch may be transparent or at least translucent. In particular, in this figure, the outer surface of the protruding portion 9 is overmolded, as well as the inner surface of the skirt 10. In this case, after overmolding, a slot 15 is made in the area of the pocket 14 which is formed opposite the dispensing orifice 6.

This embodiment, in addition to the aesthetic appearance of the covering of the visible part of the applicator 5 by the flexible bag 14, has the particular advantage of being able to improve the feel of the beveled area 13 on which the lips are intended to come into contact. . In addition, the edge of the slot 15 may form a sealing lip of the orifice 6, said sealing being broken in the case of pressurizing the product P. This embodiment thus makes it possible to avoid, between two applications, the leakage of product P through the orifice 6, as well as the drying of the product P disposed near the orifice 6.

Furthermore, the lower body 1 comprises a bore 16 on which the lower opening 14a of the pocket 14 is mounted, a lower closure means of the flexible bag 14 being associated in said bore. More specifically, the bore 16 has an axial annular wall against which the outer surface of the opening 14a is disposed, the sealing means sealingly sealing said surface against said wall.

The sealing means shown is formed of a ball 17, for example glass to be transparent or at least translucent so as to leave at least the color of the product P visible through it, said ball being mounted in the bore After the packaging of the product P in the pouch 14. As a variant not shown, a closure cap may be used, or the molding of a sealing wax may be formed in the bore 16 after packaging the product P.

In relation to Figures 6 to 8 , there is described below a device 18 for non-return rotation for a system according to this first embodiment, said device further comprising means arranged to allow an angular displacement of decompression in the direction S opposite the actuation. Indeed, during an actuation, the distribution of the product P may have a certain inertia which, in the event of stopping the actuation, leads to a subsequent distribution of the product P. To limit this unwanted distribution, the angular movement allows a slight detorsion of the pocket 14 at the end of actuation, so as to immediately stop the distribution. In addition, the depression thus created can be arranged to, at the end of actuation, suck the product P from the orifice 6 into the pocket 14.

In the embodiment shown, the angular deflection means comprise a lug 19 which is engaged in an angular slot 20, the stroke of the lug 19 in the slot 20 defining the angular displacement of decompression.

More specifically, the non-return rotation device comprises a decompression ring 21 which is interposed between the upper body 2 and lower 1, said device comprising, between the ring 21 and a body, a cooperation between a lug 22 and notches 23 anti-return and, between the ring 21 and the other body, the cooperation of the lug 19 with the decompression light 20.

On the Figures 6 and 7 , the notches 23 of non-return are formed on the inner wall of the upper body 2 and the lug 22 is formed on the outer wall of the ring 21. In addition, the ring 21 has, opposite the 22, the decompression light 20, the lug 19 being formed on the outer wall of the lower body 1.

Thus, in case of actuation in rotation of the lower body 1, the lug moves in the lumen 20 until it bears on its front wall ( figure 7 ), said support then making it possible to drive the opposite lug 22 in the non-return notch succession 23 to induce the irreversible torsion of the pocket 14. When stopping the rotational actuation of the lower body 1, the angular position of the upper body 2 relative to the ring 21 is maintained by the engagement of the pin 22 in a notch 23 anti-return. However, the force exerted on the lower body 1 by the twisted flexible pocket 14 induces a rotational movement of said body relative to the ring 21 in the opposite direction S to the actuation, the amplitude of the displacement being defined by the race of the lug 19 in the light 20. This therefore results in a slight detorsion of the flexible bag 14.

On the Figures 6 and 7 , the ring 21 is interposed radially between the bodies 1, 2 which have a radial overlap zone. This embodiment can induce an increase in the diameter of the application system. In a variant represented on the figure 8 , the ring 21 is interposed axially between the bodies 1, 2 so as to avoid this increase in diameter. In addition, on the figure 8 the non-return notches 23 are formed on the ring 21 and the lug 22 is formed on the upper body 2.

According to the second embodiment shown on the Figures 3 and 4 , the dispensing device comprises a piston 30 disposed in a space of the upper body 2 in which the product P is conditioned, In particular, as shown, the packaging space may be constituted by the interior volume of the upper body 2. In addition, according to this embodiment, the applicator 5 can be formed in one piece with the upper wall 8 of the upper body 2, so that the upper body 2 acts as an applicator.

The piston 30 is mounted along a rack 31 for, by actuation in rotation of the lower body 1, transforming a relative rotational movement of said rack with respect to said piston in translation movement of said piston so as to push the product P towards the dispensing orifice 6.

In the embodiment shown, the rack 31 is disposed axially with its lower portion rotatably secured to the lower body 1, said rack being in the form of a rod whose periphery has an external thread.

A threaded bore 32 of the piston 30 is mounted on said rod to be displaceable in translation between a lower position near the lower body 1 ( figure 3 and 4 ) for the first applications, and a higher position in the vicinity of the applicator 5 for the latest applications. Thus, the successive displacements of the piston 30 between these two positions make it possible to push the product P conditioned through the orifice 6, and this by successive manual rotation of the lower body 1.

In this embodiment, the anti-return rotation device between the bodies 1, 2 can be replaced by a possibility of cooperation of the threads only in the direction of actuation, or by the fact that the rod is secured to the lower body 1 than in the direction of actuation.

In addition, to ensure the distribution of a maximum of product P contained in the upper body 2, the piston 30 shown comprises, in one piece, an upper portion 30a whose geometry is arranged to be introduced at least partially in the applicator 5, and a lower portion 30b carrying at least one sealing lip 30c rubbing on the inner wall of the packaging space.

Claims (18)

1. System for applying a doughy liquid product (P), comprising a lower body (1) which is mounted on an upper body (2) in a manually rotatable manner, and an applicator (5) integral with said upper body by being provided with a distribution orifice (6) for the product (P), said system further comprising a device for distributing the product (P) which is actuated by rotation of the lower body (1), said system being characterised in that it further comprises an outer body (24) and a base (25) which is mounted on said outer body in a manually rotatable manner, with the upper body (2) being mounted in reversible translation in the outer body (24) between a retracted position wherein the applicator (5) is housed in the outer body (24) and a utilization position wherein said applicator is projecting from said outer body, the lower body (1) being mounted in translation in the base (25) for reversibly moving the upper body (2) between the two positions by rotating the base (25) respectively in a direction, and for being rotatably driven by said base when said applicator is in utilization position.
2. System for applying according to claim 1, characterised in that the inside surface of the base (25) comprises a spiral groove (26), the lower body (1) comprising an outside lug (27) which is engaged in said groove over the travel of translation.
3. System for applying according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the inside surface of the outer body (24) comprises an axial groove (28) wherein an outside lug (29) of the upper body (2) is guided.
4. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that, in utilization position, at least one among the lug (27), the lug (29) and the upper body (2) is abutting axially in respectively the end of the groove (26), the groove (28) and the upper body (24), in such a way as to allow for the driving in rotation of the lower body (1) by the intermediary of the base (25).
5. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the applicator (5) comprises a projecting portion (9) of the upper body (2) which is provided with the distribution orifice (6).
6. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the distribution orifice (6) is formed on a bevelled zone (13) of the applicator (5).
7. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the lower body (1) is mounted on the upper body (2) by the intermediary of a device (18) for anti-return rotation in the direction (S) opposite the actuation.
8. System for applying according to claim 7, characterised in that the device (18) for anti-return rotation comprises means arranged in order to allow for an angular motion of decompression in the direction (S) opposite the actuation.
9. System for applying according to claim 8, characterised in that the means of angular motion include a lug (19) which is engaged in an angular hole (20), the travel of said lug in said hole defining the angular movement.
10. System for applying according to claim 9, characterised in that the device (18) for anti-return rotation comprises a decompression ring (21) which is inserted between the upper (2) and lower (1) bodies, said device comprising, between the ring (21) and a body (1, 2), a cooperation between a lug (22) and anti-return notches (23), between the ring (21) and the other body (2, 1), the cooperation of the lug (19) with the hole (20).
11. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the device for distribution comprises a flexible pocket (14) wherein the product (P) is conditioned, said pocket being housed in the upper (2) and lower (1) bodies by being on the one hand integral in rotation with said lower body and on the other hand integral with the applicator (5) by being in sealed communication with the orifice (6), in such a way as to allow for the distribution of the product (P) by twisting the pocket (14) during the actuating in rotation of the lower body (1).
12. System for applying according to claim 11, characterised in that the lower body (1) comprises a bore (16) whereon a lower opening (14a) of the flexible pocket (14) is mounted, a lower means for closing off (17) the flexible pocket (14) being associated to said bore.
13. System for applying according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that at least one portion of the applicator (5) is overmoulded by the flexible pocket (14), a slot (15) being made in the zone of said pocket which is possible formed facing the distribution orifice (6).
14. System for applying according to any of claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the thickness (e) of the envelope of the flexible pocket (14) increases from the lower body (1) to the applicator (5).
15. System for applying according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the device for distribution comprises a piston (30) arranged in a space of the upper body (2) wherein the product (P) is conditioned, said piston being mounted along a rack (31) in order to, via actuation in rotation of the lower body (1), transform a relative movement of rotation of said rack in relation to said piston in a translation movement of said piston in such a way as to push the product (P) towards the distribution orifice (6).
16. System for applying according to claim 15, characterised in that the rack (31) is integral in rotation with the lower body (1), said rack has an outside threading whereon a threaded bore (32) of the piston (30) is mounted.
17. System for applying according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that the applicator (5) is formed of a single part with the upper wall (8) of the upper body (2).
18. System for applying according to any of claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the piston (30) has an upper portion (30a) of which the geometry is arranged in order to be able to be introduced at least partially into the applicator (5), and a lower portion (30b) carrying at least one sealing lip (30c) rubbing on the inner wall of the conditioning space.

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