EP3277121A1

EP3277121A1 - Applicator for a liquid cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: EP3277121A1
Application number: EP16714791.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Laure Thiebaut
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2015-03-30
Filing date: 2016-03-21
Publication date: 2018-02-07
Also published as: FR3034294A1; FR3034294B1; WO2016156083A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator (6) for a liquid cosmetic product, comprising at least one application member (8) mounted on at least one grip member (7), characterized in that the application member has at least one application surface made from at least one non-compressible porous material with open cells.

Description

Applicator for a liquid cosmetic product

The present invention relates to the applying and dispensing of liquid cosmetic products.

The expression "cosmetic products" is understood to mean any composition as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

In particular, the present invention relates to the applying and dispensing of liquid cosmetic products for which it is recommended that only a small quantity of product be applied, for example a few drops (generally between two and five to six drops of product), if appropriate in a very localized manner.

These are, in particular, concentrated cosmetic products such as cosmetic oils or active cosmetic products. By way of example of such products, mention may be made in particular of essential oils and perfumes. Active cosmetic products include, among others, certain healthcare products and acne and/or spot treatments.

Thus, the recommended application quantity for cosmetic oils is generally less than 0.1 ml. For products of the serum type, the recommended quantity is approximately 0.5 ml.

There are numerous means for applying and/or dispensing such liquid cosmetic products. Pipette systems and pump systems may be mentioned, for example.

A pipette can traditionally contain between 0.3 and 1 ml of product. Such a volume greatly exceeds the quantity of product that is recommended or necessary for application. The consumer therefore has to concentrate on not pressing too hard on the pipette, since pressing too hard would deliver more product than is necessary or recommended for application.

Alternatively, it is possible to use a pump. The use of such a pump also has disadvantages.

A spray pump diffuses the product in the form of droplets. Depending on the diffuser chosen, it is thus possible to diffuse only a small quantity of product. However, it is difficult to spray in a localized manner, and it is not uncommon for the spray to be applied outside the desired zone. Thus, product can spread as far as the ground and/or onto clothing, for example. In the case of greasy products, such as cosmetic oils, it is dangerous if the product ends up on the ground, since the lost product can make the ground slippery.

It will also be noted that dispensing in the form of a spray is not suitable for all products. It is thus difficult to spray viscous products.

A cream pump permits localized dispensing. However, the quantity dispensed is still too great, since such pumps dispense at least between 140 and 250 μΐ.

It is also conceivable to dispense and apply product by way of an applicator pad made of foam or of sponge.

The document EP 0 872 193 proposes such a device. More precisely, the document EP 0 872 193 proposes a device comprising a foam applicator immersed permanently in the cosmetic product. The applicator becomes charged with product by capillarity during a pumping phase by decompression of the foam, and it releases the product again by exerting a pressure on the surface to be treated. For this reason, there is a not inconsiderable risk of the product running.

The quantity of product applied depends on the consumer and on the pressure exerted by the latter on the applicator. This applied quantity is therefore still difficult to control. In addition, the document EP 0 872 193 envisions the use of a foam having relatively large cells capable of storing, and therefore delivering, a considerable quantity of product.

There is therefore a need for a solution that allows a limited and controlled quantity of cosmetic product to be applied. In particular, there is a need for a solution by which a cosmetic product can be applied in a quantity of less than 0.1 ml.

The present invention aims to achieve these objects and, for this purpose, proposes a device for dispensing and applying a liquid cosmetic product, comprising, on the one hand, a body which forms a reservoir and is equipped with a removable closure member and, on the other hand, an applicator, said applicator being movable between a first position, called the collecting position, in which the application member is situated inside the reservoir and is able to be at least partially brought into contact with a product to be contained in the reservoir, and a position called the application position, in which the application member can be brought into contact with a part of the human body, the device being characterized in that the applicator comprises at least one application member (8, 80) mounted on at least one grip member, characterized in that the application member has at least one application surface made from at least one non-compressible porous material with open cells.

Non-compressible material is understood as a material that does not experience any major deformation when a pressure is applied. More precisely, it is understood as a material which, unlike a sponge, a non-compressed foam or a felt, does not become charged with and does not discharge a product by pumping (compression/relaxation of the applicator).

By way of example, non-compressible materials particularly suitable for an applicator according to the present application have a 25% compression strength of greater than 40 kPa, preferably of greater than 50 kPa, more preferably of greater than 150 kPa, or even 300 kPa.

The compression strength will be able to be determined in particular according to the standards DIN 53577 / ISO 3386.

Thus, by providing an application surface made from a non-compressible porous material, the application member has a liquid product retention capacity which, in contrast to a compressible material, is invariable and does not depend on the pressure exerted by the user.

The release of the product is brought about by the application surface being placed in contact on the surface of the human body to be treated. This contact causes a rupture of capillarity at the level of the pores retaining the product and permits a transfer of the product onto the surface of the human body to be treated.

Moreover, the proposed application member is non-mechanical and has no movable parts. It is therefore simple, economical and reliable.

The quantity of product that is collected and applied can be adjusted, in particular, according to the quantity of porous material used, its pore volume and/or the size of the pores of said material.

It is also possible to use several materials. It will thus be possible to provide zones or portions of the applicator that are made from different materials.

Advantageously, the non-compressible porous material is at least one material chosen from among sintered materials, in particular sintered plastics, for example polyethylene, ceramics, for example tile and/or brick, heat-compressed foams, for example polyethylene or polyurethane foams, pumice stone, wood. Such materials, in particular the sintered materials and the plastics, are relatively easy to shape and are economical. Their porosity is also easy to control.

Preferably, the porous surface has an average pore size of more than 30μιη. More preferably, the porous surface has an average pore size of less than 70μιη. Such a pore size permits good retention of the product while permitting its release upon contact.

Advantageously, the pore volume of the material is more than 35%.

In an advantageously complementary manner, the application member has at least one hollow, situated in particular at a free end of said application member, said hollow being able to retain, by capillarity, a quantity of product greater than the volume of one drop, preferably greater than the volume of six to eight drops. A hollow of this kind permits localized dispensing of the drop-by-drop type, without the need for extensive applicative contact and in particular without the need to spread the application member across the surface to be treated.

In a complementary manner, the applicator comprises a product collection member, for example a pipette, in fluidic communication with the application surface via the porous material. Thus, the quantity of charged product may be greater. In particular, the collection member makes it possible to dispense larger drops. The porous material serves as a filter and ensures a limitation of the rate of dispensing.

Preferably, the grip member is a stem, in particular a plastic stem. More preferably, the stem is a hollow stem. Advantageously, the hollow stem forms a pipette.

In a complementary manner, the application member has one or more peripheral reliefs. The presence of reliefs confers a massage function on the applicator. Massage can also help the product penetrate the skin.

By way of specific examples, the reliefs can be peripheral and/or longitudinal, continuous and/or punctiform, distributed uniformly or non-uniformly depending on the desired massage effect.

Of course, the application member can also be smooth.

Preferably, the applicator is connected to the closure member of the reservoir.

The reservoir is preferably intended to contain a cosmetic oil or a serum.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description with reference to the appended drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a device for applying and dispensing cosmetic product according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a schematic view, in longitudinal section, of a first embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

Figure 3 is a schematic view, in longitudinal section, of a second embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,

Figures 4a to 4f are examples of the cross section of the applicator according to the invention.

As can be seen from Figure 1, a device 1 for dispensing and applying a cosmetic product comprises a body forming a reservoir 2 intended to contain a liquid cosmetic product, for example a cosmetic oil.

The reservoir 2 has a neck 3 defining an opening 4 and is able to be closed by a corresponding removable closure member, in this case a cap 5. To do this, the neck 3 has an outer thread 31 able to cooperate with a corresponding inner thread (not visible) of the cap 5.

Of course, other forms of reservoirs and of closure members are conceivable. An applicator 6 for applying liquid cosmetic product is mounted on the inside of the cap 5.

The applicator 6 comprises a stem 7 terminating in an application member 8, said stem 7 forming, with the cap 5, a member for gripping the applicator 6.

As can be seen from Figure 2, the application member 8 has an outer shape substantially similar to the shape of the stem 7, which it continues.

More precisely, the application member 8 has a substantially cylindrical outer surface forming an application surface. Specifically, the cylindrical outer surface has an external diameter slightly greater than the external diameter of the stem 7.

The application member 8, in particular the application surface thereof, is made from at least one non-compressible porous material with open cells.

In particular, the non-compressible porous material is at least one material chosen from among sintered materials, in particular sintered plastics, for example polyethylene, ceramics, for example tile and/or brick, heat-compressed foams, pumice stone, wood. Preferably, the porous surface has an average pore size of between 30 and 70μηι. The porosity of the material will be able to be chosen depending on the quantity of product to be applied.

The pore volume can also be adjusted depending on the quantity of product to be applied. In particular, the material has a pore volume of more than 35%.

In a complementary manner, the application member 8 has a central orifice 9 extending longitudinally from a free end of the application member 8.

This orifice 9 forms a hollow that is able to retain a certain quantity of product by capillarity. The size of the orifice is adapted depending on the quantity of product to be retained. Advantageously, the quantity of product retained is greater than the volume of one drop, preferably greater than the volume of six to eight drops.

More precisely, the orifice 9 forming the hollow is intended to permit drop-by- drop application by simple deposition of the product. For this reason, it is not necessary to provide a collection device of the pipette type, for example. This makes it possible to obtain an applicator that is simpler to produce and less expensive.

The application member 8 can be connected to the end of the stem by any means. In particular, the application member can be moulded or overmoulded onto the end of the stem 7.

Alternatively, the application member 8 can be attached to the end of the stem. In this case, the application member is force-fitted by being clipped onto the end of the stem. To do this, the end of the stem 7 has a peripheral groove 7a which receives a corresponding inner shoulder 8a of the application member.

A force fit is understood as a fit that requires a clip-on force much greater than the application force. Thus, the material remains non-deformable, in particular non- compressible, under the effect of a normal application stress.

The device 1 is used in the following manner:

When the cap 5 is in the position of closure of the reservoir 2, the applicator passes through the opening 4 and penetrates inside said reservoir 2. The stem 7 has a sufficient length to ensure that the application member 8 can be brought at least partially into contact with the cosmetic product which is to be applied and which is contained in the reservoir 2. Thus brought into contact with the product, the pores of the application surface of the application member 8 become charged with product. Product also enters the orifice 9.

At the time of application, the user undoes the cap 5 and extracts the applicator 7 from the reservoir 2.

Depending on the desired quantity of product and/or the desired mode of application, the user can bring the application member 8 directly into contact with the surface to be treated or can use the orifice 9 to deliver one or more drops 91 of product directly. The application can be carried out directly on the face or in the hand.

In particular, the user can use the hollow 9 to deposit one or more drops of product directly on the face by dabs (for example one drop on each cheek, one drop on the forehead and one drop on the chin). The user is then able to spread the product with the aid of the application member 8.

Figure 3 shows an applicator 60 according to a second embodiment.

The applicator 60 differs from the applicator 6 in that it comprises a hollow stem 70 forming a pipette.

To do this, the stem 70 is connected to a control member (not visible) in the form of a flexible bulb or piston able to generate a suction force by which product can be suctioned inside the stem 70 and, reciprocally, to generate a pressure forcing the product out of the stem 70.

One end of the stem 70 is terminated by an endpiece 80 forming an application member. Like the application member 8, the endpiece 80 is made from a non- compressible porous material. Like the application member 8, the endpiece 80 can be mounted on the stem 70 by any means.

The endpiece 80 defines an inner space 81 in fluidic communication with the interior of the stem 70. The non-compressible porous material of the endpiece 80 is chosen in such a way as to ensure fluidic communication between the outside of the endpiece 80 and the inner space 81.

Thus, the product is collected and distributed by way of the endpiece 80.

The applicator 60 is used in the following way:

When the cap 5 is in the position of closure of the reservoir 2, the applicator 60 passes through the opening 4 and penetrates inside said reservoir 2. The stem 70 has a sufficient length to ensure that the endpiece 80 can be brought at least partially, preferably completely, into contact, with the cosmetic product which is to be applied and which is contained in the reservoir 2.

Thus brought into contact with the product, it is possible for the user to aspirate the product through the endpiece 80 and inside the stem 70 forming a pipette.

By actuating the pipette, the user delivers the product through the endpiece 80. The porous material from which the endpiece 80 is made ensures retention of the product and control of the rate of dispensing.

The user is thus able to deliver only one or a few drops directly onto a finger.

The user can then apply the product directly to the face or can use the endpiece 80 as application surface.

In an advantageously complementary manner, the application surface of the application member 8, or if appropriate of the endpiece 80, can have an outer relief that is able to confer on the application member a function of massaging and/or kneading the surface to be treated.

In particular, the application surface can have one or more peripheral reliefs in the form of longitudinal channels and/or ribs.

Figures 4a to 4f are examples of general shapes of the cross section of an application member according to the present application. It is possible in particular to envision star shapes (Fig. 4a, Fig. 4d), for example with five or seven branches, sun shapes or wheel shapes (Figure 4e), polygonal shapes (Figure 4b), particularly a regular pentagon shape, etc.

It is also possible to envision shapes having a solid cross section formed by a disc, provided with reliefs in the form of triangular points uniformly distributed about its circumference.

Another possibility is to have a solid cross section formed by a square which is provided, on each of its sides, with a point of triangular shape protruding outwards from the respective side of the square.

Claims

1. Device (1) for dispensing and applying a liquid cosmetic product, comprising, on the one hand, a body (2) which forms a reservoir and is equipped with a removable closure member (5), and, on the other hand, an applicator (6, 60), said applicator being movable between a first position, called the collecting position, in which the application member (8) is situated inside the reservoir and is able to be at least partially brought into contact with a product to be contained in the reservoir, and a position called the application position, in which the application member can be brought into contact with a part of the human body, the device being characterized in that the applicator comprises at least one application member (8, 80) mounted on at least one grip member (7, 70), characterized in that the application member has at least one application surface made from at least one non-compressible porous material with open cells.

2. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the non- compressible porous material is at least one material chosen from among sintered materials, in particular sintered plastics, for example polyethylene, ceramics, for example tile and/or brick, heat-compressed foams, pumice stone, wood.

3. Device (1) according to either of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the porous surface has an average pore size of between 30 and 70 μιη.

4. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the porous material has a pore volume of more than 35%.

5. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the application member has at least one hollow (9), situated in particular at a free end of said application member (8), said hollow being able to retain, by capillarity, a quantity of product greater than the volume of one drop (91), preferably greater than the volume of six to eight drops.

6. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the applicator (60) comprises a product collection member (70), for example a pipette, in fluidic communication with the application surface via the porous material.

7. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the grip member (7, 70) is a stem, in particular a plastic stem.

8. Device (1) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the stem (70) is a hollow stem.

9. Device (1) according to Claim 8 as dependent on Claim 5, characterized in that the hollow stem forms a pipette.

10. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the application surface has one or more peripheral reliefs.

11. Device (1) for dispensing and applying according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the applicator (8) is connected to the closure member (5) of the reservoir.

12. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the reservoir (2) is intended to contain a cosmetic oil.