FR2811872A1 - DEVICE FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT, ESPECIALLY A COSMETIC OR A CARE PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator consists of a head with a surface that has through channels for the product and is mounted on a support with a fastening designed to co-operate with a matching fastening attached to a container. An applicator (1) consists of a head (2) with a surface (3) that has through channels (13, 14, 15) for the product and is mounted on a support (6) with a fastening (7) designed to co-operate with a matching fastening (33, 34) attached to a container (40). When the two fastening surfaces are joined together a seal (42) on the container is pierced by pointed projections (19, 20, 21) on the inner surface of the support, allowing the product to pass through the channels to the head surface.

Description

i The present invention relates to a device for applying a

  product, especially cosmetic or skincare product. Such a product can be applied in particular

  in massage on the skin or on the hair.

  The invention particularly relates to the application of slimming and / or tensing products, such as can be used in massage on the stomach, on the bust, or on the thighs. Such products are widely marketed through different distribution channels. These products can for example be based on ivy,

  ruscus, arnica, silicon, caffeine or algae extracts.

  In recent years, slimming creams have multiplied. Their action relates in particular to improving the quality of the skin (orange peel, cellulite, firmness ...). The mode of application, which involves massaging the parts of the body to be treated with the hands, plays a very important role in the process. Slimming cures have also developed. The doses necessary for a slimming cure are packaged in boxes of 10 to 20 single-body pods, in polyethylene, with a self-breaking tip. Such pods are manufactured according to the principle of FFS (form fill seal). To be used morning and evening, the lotion is applied by hand, massaging the area to be treated. However, these lotions are very liquid. It is therefore preferable to have an applicator so as not to lose part of the product during application. In addition, if the content of a dose is poured in several times, the pod containing the rest of the product is not very stable, the

  risk of product wastage is high.

  Patent FR-A-1 477 781 describes an application system comprising a container with flexible walls of which a rim delimits an opening. The rim surrounding said opening supports an application pad, in particular made of cellular or spongy thermoplastic resin. The tampon is separated from the container by a diaphragm pierced with one or more orifices limiting the flow or capable of being pierced or broken before use. When using the applicator, the user pushes a pin or other pointed instrument into the cell buffer and the diaphragm, so as to pierce the diaphragm with a hole ensuring communication between the

container and tampon.

  The disadvantages of such a structure are manifold. The process of establishing communication between the container and the applicator pad is tedious, a good distribution of the product over the entire application surface requiring the presence of several holes, the risk not being zero for the needle to pass through.

  accidentally the container and also pierces an outer wall of the latter.

  In addition, each dose is associated inseparably with an applicator pad, which generates relatively high costs, particularly of manufacturing costs. US-A-3,466,131 describes an applicator comprising a porous pad welded under a thermoplastic housing. The housing contains a capsule, in the form of a ball, in which the product to be applied is located. By compressing the housing, the capsule bursts and the product spreads over the applicator. The housing serves as a handle. Star-shaped channels allow uniform distribution

of product on the tampon.

  In the same way as for the device of the previous document, the drawbacks of this device are numerous. A dose of product is inseparably associated with an applicator. The product is encapsulated in a ball whose volume is necessarily very limited. The process of encapsulation and, more generally, of manufacturing such a device, is expensive. The effort

  necessary for the capsule to burst can be relatively large.

  Patent FR-A-2,595,587 describes a device comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, and the contents of which are isolated from the atmosphere before the first use, by means of a film capable of being perforated. The reservoir, made of flexible material, constitutes a handle for gripping the device. The film sealing the reservoir before first use is pierced by means of a movable trocar, the movement of which towards the membrane to be perforated is caused by a pressure exerted on the application surface surmounting the

  tank. The mechanism is relatively complex, and not very economical to produce.

  The user risks getting their fingers dirty by pressing on the application surface in order to perforate the membrane. In addition, it is not intended that a

such a device is rechargeable.

  Other devices with similar or different disadvantages are

  described in particular in documents FR-A-2 506 579 and US-A2 448 846.

  Also, is it one of the objects of the invention to provide a device making it possible to remedy, in whole or in part, the drawbacks mentioned above in

  reference to the documents discussed above.

  It is in particular an object of the invention to provide a device for applying a liquid product, in particular to the skin or the hair, and which is both

  economical to make, and simple and comfortable to use.

  It is also an object of the invention to produce such an applicator device which

either rechargeable.

  It is another object of the invention to provide an applicator device for the skin, which allows both soft contact with the skin, and firmness of contact, so as to promote the penetration of the product, and / or promote the

  circulation under the skin, and / or to tone the skin.

  It is yet another object of the invention to provide a rechargeable device, capable of receiving the product to be applied in the form of removable doses, equipped with a closure element isolating the product from the outside, before the first use, which closure element can be released in a simple, reliable manner,

clean, and fast.

  Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

  According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for the application to a surface, in particular to the skin or the hair, of a product, in particular cosmetic or care product, comprising a member defining a supplied application surface by at least one passage, said applicator member being mounted on a support comprising a first fixing means intended to cooperate with a second fixing means, complementary to the first, so as to allow the reversible mounting of a dose of said product, the cooperation of said first and second means causing the engagement of an element closing an opening defined by said dose, with at least one opening member formed by said support, so as to cause at least partial disengagement of said opening, and allow the product

  to supply the application surface via said passage (s).

  The passage (s) can consist of passages created "artificially" in the application structure, in particular by drilling, or, if necessary, during the molding of the application member. Such passages can pass axially through the entire thickness of the applicator member, in particular rectilinearly. Alternatively, in the case of a porous material, in particular a felt, a frit, or a foam with open or semi-open cells, the passages may consist of natural passages which pass through the

  application structure, and which define its porosity or permeability.

  Alternatively again, the two types of passages are used in combination.

  Within the meaning of the present invention, the term "dose" is used to denote a container containing a relatively small volume of product. Generally, a dose contains the quantity of product necessary for an application, in particular on a part of the body, or on several. Typically, such a volume can be

The order of a few ml.

  Thus, the same applicator device can be used for the application of the doses corresponding to an entire course, or even several courses. The opening of the dose is released automatically, without any particular manipulation, other than that necessary for mounting the dose. The number of pieces is reduced. Therefore, the device is economical to produce, reliable, and

simple to use.

  Preferably, the dose closure element consists of a film capable of being perforated by said opening member. Such film can be pasted or

  heat sealed on the edges of the dose opening.

  According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a rigid or substantially rigid gripping element. "Substantially rigid" means a rigidity sufficient not to deform in response to the pressure to be exerted by the application member on the surface to be treated, and necessary for the correct application of the product. This characteristic constitutes one of the important differences between the device according to this preferred embodiment, and the device described in particular in documents FR-A-1 477 781, or US-A- 3 466 131. Thanks to this characteristic, it is possible to give the application the firmness necessary for the application of products such as slimming products. According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the gripping means are distinct from the dose containing the product. Thus, it is not necessary to make a compromise between the rigidity necessary both for gripping the device and for the solidity of the attachment of the dose to the device, and the flexibility of the container as may result from the implementation of certain industrial processes such as thermoforming, and / or as required in order to be able to compress

  the walls of the container to favor the exit of the product.

  Advantageously, the opening member (s) is (are) made up of at least one trocar formed by the support, and capable of coming into engagement with a seal closing the dose, in order to tear it apart. Preferably, such perforation means are arranged as close as possible to the attachment zone of

  the seal on the dose, so as to favor the perforation of the seal.

  Typically, for an opening of circular section, the trocars are regularly arranged on the support so as to come into engagement with

  the cover, at different points located near its peripheral edge.

  According to an advantageous characteristic, at least one opening element also ensures communication between the container and the application member. To this end, at least one element forming a trocar consists of the free end, in particular in the form of a bevel, of a tubular conduit, communicating on the one hand with the

  container, and secondly with said (or said) passage (s).

  According to one embodiment, such conduits project relative to a surface of the support. Preferably, the duct or ducts are traversed by at least one orifice or a slot extending over all or part of their height so as to optimize the rate of emptying of the dose. By way of example, the wall of the conduits has a slot which can extend axially from the surface of the support, with respect to which they project, up to the free edge forming a bevel and into which the slot opens. Alternatively, the slot extends only over part of the height of the conduits so as not to affect too much

sensitive their rigidity.

  According to a specific configuration, there is a plurality of conduits / trocars in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the support. In addition, in its center, the support can be traversed by an orifice opening on the side of the container, in the plane of the

  support, i.e. without being associated with a conduit / trocar.

  The applicator member is preferably traversed by a plurality of supply passages arranged so as to allow the supply of product to almost all of the application surface. The feed passages can be

  arranged opposite each of the perforating tips, or offset.

  Other means for distributing the product over the entire application surface can be provided, in particular in the form of star channels fed from

a central point.

  The applicator member may consist of a sintered material, in particular a thermoplastic, of a felt, or of an elastically compressible material, in particular of a foam with open or closed cells. According to a preferred embodiment, a thermocompressed foam is used. An example of such a thermocompressed foam, as well as its method of obtaining, are described in the

patent application FR-A-2 674 183.

7 2811872

  The surface of the applicator member may be covered with a sheet permeable to the product, in particular a woven or nonwoven, such as lycraTM, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, loop or velvet, or perforated film. In the case of an applicator member of compressible foam covered with a textile complex, the foam provides flexibility and compressibility. As for the fabric, it allows more pleasant contact between the applicator and the skin. In the case of a very liquid product, in particular based on alcohol, the product spreads by capillary action over the entire surface of the fabric. The textile covering can be the subject of a decoration whose design can be chosen at will. This advantageous design results in an applicator free of

  scratches, unbreakable and very light.

  The application surface can form bosses capable of massaging the surface to be treated, and / or of promoting the penetration of the product into the surface to be treated. The profile

  of the application surface is chosen according to the part of the body to be treated.

  In particular in the case of an application member formed of a foam as described in the patent application FR-A-2 674 183 mentioned above, the

  bosses are an integral part of the foam block with which they are one.

  This characteristic constitutes another difference from the present invention according to this embodiment compared to the device described in the patent application.

FR-A-2 595 587.

  According to a particular embodiment, the dose is produced at least partly in a flexible material so as to be able to favor the exit of the product in response to a pressure exerted on the walls of said dose. Such an embodiment is particularly suitable for the application of more viscous liquid products. Preferably, the dose consists of a thermoformed container, in particular translucent, an opening of which is closed by a membrane in the form of a sheet, in particular of aluminum or of a complex comprising at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. As examples, the thermoformed container can be made of polypropylene, chloride of

  polyvinyl or acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX).

  According to a preferred embodiment, said first and second fixing means cooperate by screwing or snap-fastening. The screwing, in addition to the tightness it provides, limits the effort required to clear the opening of

the dose.

  The second fixing means can be formed by a rigid mounting member or

  substantially rigid, capable of forming said gripping element for the device.

  Preferably, the mounting member consists of an annular element capable of receiving said dose. Thus, part of the dose can emerge through the annular mounting member, thus making it possible, when the dose is made of a flexible material, to be able to compress the bottom of the dose to promote the

product release.

  According to another embodiment, the second fixing means is formed, in particular in the form of a thread, directly by the dose containing said product. Thus, the mounting member and the dose form a single piece. In this case, the container forming the dose is preferably of relatively rigid consistency, at least in the vicinity of its area of attachment to the support. This allows a rigid grip of the device by the user, and a

  solid attachment of the dose on the device.

  The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the application of a

  slimming product or a tightening product.

  The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of 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: - Figure 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the application device according to the invention;

9 2811872

  - Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the application device of Figure 1, in the mounted position; - Figures 3 and 4 are sectional views relating to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 and - Figure 5 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the

device according to the invention.

  In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the device 1 comprises an application member 2 in the form of a block of thermocompressed foam, one face 3 of which is intended to form an application face of the device, and includes

  bosses 4 arranged regularly over all of said application face 3.

  Such an application body is obtained in accordance with the teaching of patent application FR-A-2 674 183 mentioned above. On the application face, the application member is covered with a layer of elastic textile material 50, made of lycraTM, fixed to the foam by flame treatment or by means of a hot-melt adhesive. One face 5 of the applicator member, opposite to the face 3, is welded or glued to a support 6 made of polypropylene. The support 6 comprises a skirt 7, the inner surface of which includes a thread 8. One end of the skirt 7 is closed by a transverse wall 9 on which the face 5 of the

The application body 2.

  The transverse wall 9 is crossed by a plurality of passages 10, 11, 12, one end of which opens opposite passages 13, 14, 15 passing through all

  the thickness of the applicator member 2, and extending to the textile layer 50.

  The other end of the passages 10, 12 opens out inside the skirt 7 into tubular conduits 16, 17, 18, one free end 19, 20, 21 of which is located at a distance from the transverse wall 9, forms a bevel. The conduits 16, 17, 18 are provided with a slot 22, 23, 24 extending axially from the inner face of the wall

  transverse 9 to the free edge 19, 20, 21 of said conduits.

  In the illustrated embodiment, a passage 11 is located at the center of the transverse wall 9. One end of the central passage 11, situated inside the skirt 7, opens out substantially in the plane of the interior face of the transverse wall. 9, so as to promote complete emptying of the dose 40, in the inverted position of the latter. The other end of the passage 11 opens opposite the central passage 14 of the applicator member 2. The conduits / trocars 16, 17, 18, as well as their associated passages 10, 12, are arranged at 90 the one

  compared to the others all around the central passage 11.

  The device according to this embodiment also comprises a rigid mounting member 30, in the form of a polypropylene ring. The ring 30 comprises an outer skirt 31 of which a free end is turned towards the support 6, and is connected via a flange 32 to a skirt 33 whose surface

  exterior has a thread 34 capable of cooperating with the thread 8 of the support 6.

  The end of the skirt 33 opposite the flange 32 is connected via a flange to a skirt 36 extending over approximately 1/3 of the height of the skirt 33, and one free end of which is turned in the direction opposite to the 'applicator member 2. Inside the mounting ring 30 is removably arranged a thermoformed cup -40 containing the product to be applied. The cup 40 is of frustoconical longitudinal section and has a flange 41 intended to come to bear on the flange 35 of the mounting ring 30. The flange 41 defines a

  opening 44, closed by a seal 42 heat-sealed on the rim 41.

  The mounting of the device according to this embodiment is done as follows. The user takes a cup of product, fitted with its cover 42, and places it inside the mounting ring 30 (FIG. 3). It screws the latter onto the support 6. In doing so, the cover 42 is brought into engagement with the beveled end 19, 20, 21 of the conduits 16, 17, 18, which engagement causes the tearing of said cover 42, and putting the conduits 16, 17, 18 into communication with the interior of the cup 40. The screwing movement continues until the rim 41 of the cup 40 comes into sealing contact against the internal surface of the wall transverse 9 (Figure 4), means in the form of one or more annular beads (not shown) may be provided on the flange 35 and / or on the inner face of

  the transverse wall 9 so as to ensure a better seal.

  It only remains to return the device 1 so as to supply the application surface with product, the latter being sufficiently liquid to flow towards the application surface, under the sole effect of its weight, via the

  conduits 16, 17, 18 and the passages 13, 14, 15 passing through the applicator member 2.

  The product spreads by capillary action over the entire surface of the textile complex constituting the application surface 3. Next, the application surface 3 is brought into engagement with the surface to be treated, firmly holding the device by means of the skirt 31 of the mounting ring 30. The penetration of the product into the skin is favored by energetically massaging the surfaces to be treated by means of the device, the latter always being held firmly via the skirt 31 of the mounting ring 30. Due to the flexibility of the material forming the dose 40, the bottom of the latter can be pressurized with the index finger while the ring 30 is held between the thumb and middle finger, so as to

  favor the exit of the product towards the application face 3.

  After complete emptying of the dose 40, the ring 30 is unscrewed until it

  disengages from the support 6. At this time, the dose 40 is withdrawn from the ring 30.

  The device can then be passed under the tap to be cleaned. It is then again ready to receive a new dose of product for a new application. The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from the previous embodiment in that the skirt 36 of the mounting ring 30 extends to a

  closed bottom 43, so as to form the dose 40 containing the product to be dispensed.

  According to this configuration, the assembly formed by the ring 30 and the dose 40 is made of polypropylene. The opening 44 delimited by the edge of the skirt 36, opposite the bottom 43, is closed by a heat-sealed cap 42 whose opening

  is controlled in the same manner as for the previous embodiment.

  When applying the product, the user can press the bottom 43 of the dose

  so as to speed up the product release.

  Compared to the previous embodiment, this embodiment requires one less piece. Indeed, and unlike the previous embodiment in which the mounting of the dose 40 is done by means of an intermediate mounting member 30, distinct from the container, according to this embodiment, the dose 40 carries the means intended for its reversible attachment to the device. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4, the mounting member acts as a gripping element. According to this embodiment, the dose 40, in particular via its associated mounting system 30, acts as a gripping element. The operation of this embodiment is also identical in all respects to that of the previous embodiment. Alternatively, the container body itself can do

grip element.

  In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of

  preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations

  made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (17)

  1. - Device (1) for the application to a surface, in particular to the skin or the hair, of a product, in particular cosmetic or care product, comprising an organ (2) defining an application surface (3) supplied by at least one passage (13, 14, 15), said applicator member (2) being mounted on a support (6) comprising a first fixing means (7, 8) intended to cooperate with a second fixing means ( 33, 20), complementary to the first, so as to allow the reversible mounting of a dose (40) of said product, the cooperation of said first and second fixing means causing the engagement of an element (42) closing an opening (44) delimited by said dose, with at least one opening member (19, 20, 21) formed by said support (6), so as to cause at least partial release of said opening (44), and to allow   the product to feed the application surface (3) via said (or said) passage (s).   2. - Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said closure element (42) of the dose (40) consists of a film, in particular   heat-sealed, capable of being perforated by said opening member (19, 20, 21).   3. - Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it comprises a   rigid or substantially rigid gripping element (31, 40).   4. - Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that the (or) member (s) opening (19, 20, 21) is (are) made (s) of at least one trocar constituted by the free edge (19, 20, 21), cut in particular at a bevel, of at least one tubular conduit (16, 17, 18) formed by the support (6), and communicating on the one hand   with said (or said) passage (s) (13, 14, 15), and on the other hand with the dose (40).   5. - Device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that a wall of said (or said) tubular conduit (s) (16, 17, 18) is crossed by an axial slot (22, 23, 24 ) extending over all or part of the height of the duct (16, 17, 18) and   opening onto said free edge forming a trocar (19, 20, 21). 14 2811872   6. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in   that the applicator member (2) is traversed by a plurality of supply passages (13, 14, 15) arranged so as to allow the supply of   product of almost the entire application surface (3).   7. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that said applicator member (2) consists of a sintered, in particular thermoplastic, felt or compressible material   elastically, in particular of a thermocompressed foam.   8. - Device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that said applicator member (2) is covered with a sheet permeable to the product (50), in particular a woven or a nonwoven, such as lycraTM, polyamide, polyurethane,   polyvinyl chloride, loop or velvet, or a perforated film.   9. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in   that the application surface (3) forms bosses (4) capable of massaging the surface to be treated, and / or promoting the penetration of the product into the surface to be treated.   10. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in   that the dose (40) is made at least in part from a flexible material so as to be able to favor the exit of the product, in response to a pressure   exerted on the walls of said dose.   11. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that said dose (40) consists of a thermoformed container, in particular translucent, of which an opening is closed by a membrane (42) in the form of a sheet, in particular of aluminum or of a complex comprising   at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer.   12. - Device (1) according to claim 11 characterized in that the thermoformed container is made in particular of polypropylene, of polyvinyl chloride   or in acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX).   13. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that said first (8) and second (34) fixing means   cooperate by screwing or snap-fastening.   14. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 3 as well as all   that which depend thereon, characterized in that the second fixing means (34) is formed by a rigid or substantially rigid mounting member (30), capable of forming   said gripping element for the device.   15. - Device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that said member   mounting consists of an annular element (30) adapted to receive said dose (40).   16. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized   in that the second fixing means (34) is formed, in particular in the form of a   threading, by the dose (40) containing said product.   17. - Use of a device (1) according to any one of the claims which   above for the application of a slimming product or a tensing product.