FR2839426A1 - Container/applicator especially for cosmetic product has non-spherical roll-on ball with end shaped to close container outlet when stored - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (2) is fitted with an applicator assembly in the form of a holder (50) with a cavity (58) that is linked to the container through an opening (28) and a non-spherical applicator ball (70). The ball is shaped and positioned so that one end (73) closes and seals the opening when the container is stored. A projection (20) on the outside of the container enables the outlet opening (28) to be moved to a second position in which it is separated from the ball end and the product can be applied.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging assembly and

  of application of a product, in particular cosmetic, using an applicator structure of the roll-on type. The invention is particularly suited to the packaging and application of personal care products, in particular a deodorant. The packaging and application devices with an applicator structure of the "roll on" type comprise a ball, most often spherical, mounted free in rotation on itself, in a housing of corresponding shape, surmounting a container containing the product to be applied. The housing includes a first opening for the communication of a first surface portion of the ball with the product contained in the container, and a second opening, through which emerges outside, a second surface portion of the ticket To the application, after having removed the cap, the consumer returns the container to the head position in teas so as to, by gravity, bring the product into contact with the first portion of the surface of the ticket By engaging the second portion of the surface of the ball with the surface to be treated, and by an adequate movement of the device relative to said surface, the blile is rotated on itself so that the first portion of said ball is placed opposite the second opening, thereby depositing

  said product on the surface to be treated.

  Generally, the container is obtained by blowing a material such as a rigid polypropylene, a acrylobutadiene styrene (ABS), or a polyethylene

  high density. The applicator ball may for example be made of polyethylene.

  Typically, these wind devices equipped with a removable cap which, when it rests on the ball, constrains the latter in sealed support on an edge delimiting the first opening so as to achieve a certain seal, thus interrupting the liquid communication between the container and the housing containing the applicator ball.

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  Such devices using a spherical wind ball described in particular in

  US-A-4,002,411, DE-A-1,141,054, US-A-5,897,267, US-A-3,090,987, FR-

  A-1 206 002, CA-A-1 207 278 or US-A-1 476 523 In practice, it turns out that it might be desirable to be able to have a roll-on type device, the application member is not spherical, but for example, elongated. Such a non-spherical form could be sought, in particular in order to allow a new aesthetic, or, depending on the area of the body on which the product is to be applied, to increase

the applicator surface.

  The document EP-A-O 709 039 describes a device of the precise type in which the applicator member is of ovodal shape. Inside a housing of corresponding shape, the applicator member is free to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane of the opening ensuring communication between the container and the housing. A major drawback of such a configuration is that the tightness at the level of the applicator member, in particular during the transport or the storage of the device, is most difficult to achieve, and this mainly because of the forms said applicator member, and its orientation relative to the opening

  disposed between the container and the housing containing the applicator member.

  Indeed, due to the profile of the ovodal surface portion of the application member located opposite the opening allowing communication between the container and the housing containing the application member, which opening is delimited by a flat edge , said surface portion cannot be applied uniformly to said flat edge. As a result, the seal at closure cannot

  be obtained satisfactorily.

  Thus, according to a first embodiment envisaged by this document, in the storage position, the closure between the container and said housing is provided by a skirt portion formed by the support of the applicator member, and capable

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  selectively to come in sealed engagement inside an axial chimney

  formed by an intermediate piece mounted on the container.

  Due in particular to the manufacturing tolerances of the elements participating in the closure, the seal obtained may be most insufficient, in particular

after many uses.

  According to other embodiments, the closure of said opening is obtained

  by the selective comparison of a first opening formed by the support of the applicator member and a second opening formed by a mounted part

in the neck of the container.

  Due to the number of parts that make up the device, its cost is high. It is therefore incompatible with the economic imperatives of

  certain distribution channels for cosmetics, such as mass distribution.

  Finally, and this also applies to devices with a spherical applicator such as previously discussed, there is a problem relating to the gestures imposed by the mechanism for bringing the ball into contact with the product contained in the container. Indeed, this contacting is essentially done under the action of gravity, in response to the device being turned over to its head to teas position, which turning, when it is a question of applying a body deodorant under the arms, can only be done prior to application. The gesture is

  therefore very tedious. In addition, the viscosity of the product should be very low.

  It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a packaging and application device of the "roll on" type, which resolves all or part of the

  problems discussed above with reference to certain conventional systems.

  By “roll-on type applicator structure” is meant a structure comprising an applicator member, an applicator surface of which is in rotation about at least one axis, said applicator member being mounted so as to deposit the product. of which its application surface is loaded, by its rotation on itself, in response to a friction displacement of said application surface

  relatively to the surface on which the product is to be deposited.

  It is in particular an object of the invention to produce such a device in which the seal at closure is both improved and of simplified design. It is another object of the invention to produce an applicator device of the roll-on type making it possible to facilitate the gestures to the application, in particular for putting

  in contact with the application member with the product to be applied.

  It is yet another object of the invention to produce such a device which is

  original aesthetic, simple to use, and economical to make.

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

  According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic, the device comprising a container containing the product, and provided with an applicator structure comprising: i) a support delimiting an accommodation; ii) a non-spherical applicator member, placed inside the housing, the surface of which is of revolution about an axis X; and iii) means for passing said applicator structure from a first configuration in which the u portion of the applicator member sealingly seals a first opening formed between the container and the housing, to a second configuration in which the housing communicates with the container via said first opening, and in which the applicator member is free to rotate about said axis X so that a portion of said surface of revolution, after having been brought into contact with the product, can, via a second opening delimited by the housing, be engaged with a surface on which

the product is to be applied.

  Thus, despite the non-spherical shape of the applicator member, the latter is configured and mounted so as to be able to close itself itself said first opening. Therefore, we dispense with complex, costly, and unmanageable auxiliary mechanisms as described in patent application EP-A-0 709 039 mentioned above. Also because of this, the cost price is advantageous and the use of the device, in particular its passage from the position

  of use at the storage position, and vice versa, easy.

  Advantageously, said closure portion is centered on the axis X, and presents, perpendicular to a plane of the first opening, at least one section of

circular shape.

  Advantageously also, said sealing portion of the applicator member is constituted by a portion of sphere, which comes into engagement with an edge, preferably planar, delimiting said first opening, thus making it watertight.

all around said opening.

  This configuration offers the advantage of being able to tilt the axis X relative to the axis of the first opening, generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. This inciination greatly improves the body language when applied. Furthermore, the level of tightness obtained is substantially invariable over use. Finally, the system accommodates without any problem of significant tolerances, in particular because of the catching up that the engagement of a spherical surface portion with a flat edge provides. According to a preferred embodiment, said axis X intercepts a mean plane containing said first opening. This characteristic, in the case of a non-spherical applicator member, greatly facilitates the design of the device so that the closure of said opening is ensured

  directly by a portion of the applicator member.

  Said axis X can form an angle between 45 and 80 with said plane. This interval is considered to constitute an optimal interval with regard to the comfort of the gestures in use, in particular when it is necessary to apply a body deodorant under the arms. This interval also allows

  keep the size of the device at a completely acceptable level.

  Preferably, wind means provided for, when the device returns from the second configuration to the first, forcing the applicator member towards said second opening. This limits, or even prevents, any untimely release of residue product! in the accommodation, via the second opening,

  when the device is in the storage position.

  Preferably, the applicator member has an elongated shape along the X axis, at least one of the ends ending in a portion of a sphere whose center is located on said X axis. This elongated shape, in addition to the new aesthetics that

  allows, contributes to increase the surface of application.

  Preferably, the applicator member comprises a portion of sphere at each of its two ends. This arrangement thus makes, during assembly, indifferent [relative orientation of the applicator member relative to the housing, along the axis

of the last.

  Even more preferably, the application member is of general form

substantially ovodal.

  According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said first opening is in communication with a dip tube, one end of which is immersed in the product, the container comprising at least one elastically deformable wall in response to a pressure exerted on it. Thus, the supply of product to the housing containing the application member can be done simultaneously with the engagement of the application member with the surface to be treated, without having to return the device to the head to head position. The body language is improved, and

  the use of higher viscosity products is permitted.

advantageously,

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  i) said means for passing iadite applicator structure from the first to the second configuration comprises an actuating element movable in rotation relative to the container, and fixed axially relative to the latter; ii) said operating element has an edge delimiting said first opening; and iii) said operating element is coupled relative to the support so that a rotation of the operating element relative to the container, causes an axial movement of the support from a first position in which said spherical portion cooperates with said edge so as to be closed. sealingly said first opening at a second position in which said spherical portion is remote from said edge so as to at least partially release said first opening. Preferably, the device comprises a cover capable of reversibly covering said applicator structure. This cover prevents the environment in which the device is located during its storage, in particular a handbag, from being soiled by the residue product! can be found on the portion of

  applicator surface located opposite the second opening.

  Means, in particular in the form of a tongue, can be provided for

  entrain said element of mancouvre in rotation.

  Advantageously, the container comprises a neck, a free edge of which delimits an opening on which the applicator structure is mounted, said X axis intercepting

said opening.

  Advantageously also, said neck is offset relative to the container. This characteristic allows, in particular when the axis X, is inclined relatively to

  the axis of the container, to limit the size of the device.

  The device according to the invention can be advantageously used for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, in particular a product

body hygiene.

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  The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which: - Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the device according to a preferential embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of the device of Figure 1, from a different angle; - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 in the mounted position; - Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of Figures 1-3 in the storage position; - Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device of Figures 1-3 in the dispensing position; and - Figure 6 illustrates the use of the device of Figures 1-5 for ['application

a body deodorant.

  The device 1, represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 to which reference will now be made, comprises a container 2 with elastically deformable walls, produced

  by polyethylene extrusion blow molding.

  The container 2 comprises a cylindrical body 3, one end of which is closed by a bottom 4. The end of the container 2 opposite the bottom 4 comprises a neck 5, which is offset relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 3, and whose external surface comprises an annular bead 6. A free edge of the neck 5 delimits an opening

  7 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.

  Outside the neck 5, near its base, wind provided two guide elements 8, diametrically opposed, and extending substantially angularly over approximately 30. The guide elements 8 extend axially up to about a third of the axial height of the neck 5. Their function will be discussed in more detail later.

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  On the outer surface of the cylindrical body 3, in the vicinity of its upper end, is provided an annular groove 10 capable of cooperating by snap-fastening with a corresponding bead 11 provided on the inner surface of a removable cover 12, in the vicinity of its lower end . The annular groove 10 is provided on an annular portion 13 in slight radial withdrawal relative to the rest of the cylindrical body 3 so that, in the mounted position of the cover 12 on the container 2, the outer surface of the cover 12 is substantially in alignment

  with the outer surface of the body 3 of the container 2.

  The device 1 also comprises an intermediate piece 20 intended to form a maneuvering member capable of passing the device 1 from the storage position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the dispensing position shown in FIG. 5. The intermediate piece 20 comprises an outer skirt 21 interrupted in its lower part on two diametrically opposite portions 22 and 23 whose width corresponds to the desired travel between the storage position of the

  device ffigure 4) and the dispensing position (figure 5).

  The external surface of the external skirt 21 includes a thread 24.

  The internal surface of the external skirt 21 comprises an annular groove 25 capable of cooperating by snap-fastening with the annular bead 6 provided on the neck of the bottle 2 so that the intermediate piece 20 is free to rotate over an angular stroke correspond to the angular width portions of skirt interrupted

  22 and 23, and is axially immobile.

  The intermediate piece 20 also includes a skirt 26 capable of engaging in a watertight manner inside the opening 7 delimited by the free edge of the neck 5 of u

bottle 2.

  The intermediate piece 20 comprises a transverse annular wall 27 to which

  the outer skirt 21 and the sealing skirt 26 are connected.

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  The transverse annular wall 27 is closed, opposite the external skirt 21, by an interior edge delimiting an opening 28, and connecting to an axial skirt 29, frustoconical in its part adjacent to the interior edge, then cylindrical

  on a portion race ending with a free end.

  A tube is forcibly fitted onto the cylindrical part of the axial skirt 29

  plunger 30, one free end of which is situated substantially at the bottom of the container 2.

  The intermediate piece 20 also comprises a tongue 31 extending radially and intended to allow the rotation of the piece

  intermediate 20 relative to container 2.

  The device 1 comprises an applicator member 70.11 is of substantially ovodal shape and has a surface of revolution 71 around an axis X. At each of its ends the applicator member ends in a portion of sphere 72, 73 , whose geometric center is center on the X axis; Although the ovodal form constitutes a preferential form, other forms can be envisaged, in particular, cylindrical or conical, with at least

  hemispherical extremity, or even in the form of a peanut.

  The applicator member 70 is obtained by molding a material such as polyethylene. Its application surface may have been the subject of various treatments, in particular chemical, so as to modify the surface state thereof, with a view in particular to improving its ability to transport the product before it is

deposited on the surface to be treated.

  The device 1 also comprises a support 50 intended to receive the applicator member 70. The support 50 comprises a cylindrical portion 51 whose internal surface comprises a thread 52 capable of cooperating with the thread 24 provided on the

  outer surface of the skirt 21 of the intermediate piece 20.

  The external surface of the cylindrical portion 51, in the vicinity of its free edge 53 comprises two pads of stops 54, 55, 56, 57 intended to be positioned

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  respectively on either side of the guide elements 8 provided on the neck 5 of the container. Thus, the rotation of the intermediate piece 20 relative to the container

  2, causes an axial movement of the support 50 without rotation of the latter.

  Opposite the free edge 53, the skirt 51 is extended by a housing 58 of shape corresponding to the shape of the applicator member 70. The housing 58 has an opening 59 of elongated shape and oriented in a mean inclined direction relative to the axis Y of the neck 5 of the container 2. At the top, the opening 59 extends at a distance from the top of the support 50, substantially equal to the height along the axis X of the portion of sphere 72. In teas, Opening 59 extends

  sensitively to the cylindrical part 51 of the support 50.

  In the vicinity of the lowest part of the opening 59, the internal surface of the support 50 includes a bead 61 intended to ensure axial coupling between the support 50 and the applicator member 70 when the support 50 is driven

  axially by the intermediate piece 20.

  The applicator member 70 is dimensioned so as to be iridescent in the

housing 58 via its opening 59.

  Figure 4 to which reference is now made illustrates the device 1 in

  mounted position, in a configuration correspond to the storage position.

  In this position, the spherical portion 73 rests in a sealed manner on the edge delimiting the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20, thus ensuring a

  sealing the product between the container 2 and the housing 58 defined by the support 50.

  A bead 60 formed on the internal surface of the housing 58, in the vicinity of its upper part, keeps the applicator member 70 at a distance from the internal surface of the housing 58 so as to form a passage between the two which, when the device is in its distribution configuration shown in Figure 5, allows the communication of the application surface 71 with the product.

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  In addition, in the storage position of FIG. 4, the bead 60 constrains the applicator member 70 in the direction of the opening 59 so as to prevent substantially any flow of product, remain inside the housing 58,

via said opening 59.

  Due to this constraint, in the storage position of FIG. 4, and also due to the stresses exerted on the applicator member 70, substantially along its axis X, the rotation of the applicator member around its axis is rendered

difficult if not impossible.

  In this position, the angle between the axis X of the applicator member 70 and the mean plane containing the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20 is included

  between 45 and 80, and preferably around 60.

  The angle formed between the axis of rotation X of the applicator member and the axis Y correspond to the axis of the opening 28 is between 10 and 45, and

  preferably is in the range of 25 to 30.

  In order to use the device according to the invention, the user, after having removed the cover 12, driven by means of the tongue 31, the intermediate piece 20 in rotation relative to the container 2, over an angular stroke correspond to the width angular of the interrupted skirt portions 22 and 23, ie approximately 20 a. In doing so, and as it appears clearly in FIG. 5, the support 50 is axially opened over a distance sufficient for the applicator member 70, axially coupled to the support 50, via the bead 61 formed on the internal surface of the support 50, moves away from the edge delimiting the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20, thus creating a liquid communication between the container 2 and the housing 58 forms

by support 50.

  As shown in Figure 6, the user presses on the flexible walls of the container 2 so as to create inside the latter a sufficient pressure to raise the product in the dip tube, and pass it through the 'opening

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  28, in the space formed between the surface of the application member 70 and the internal surface of the support 50, thus bringing the product into contact with the application surface. By releasing the pressure on the flexible walls of the container 2, these return by elastic return to their position of non-deformation. During this return, air is sucked inside the container 2, so as to reestablish inside this

  last a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure.

  Conventionally for an applicator of the roll-on type, the user puts the portion of application surface 71, located opposite the opening 59, in engagement with the skin, and moves it with friction relative to this behind so as to rotate it around its axis of revolution X, thereby depositing

  passing the product with which it is loaded.

  As is apparent from the above, bringing the product into contact with the application surface 71 can be carried out simultaneously with the displacement of the application surface on the skin with a gesture that does not involve any particular contortions. After use, the user drives the tongue 31 of the intermediate piece 20, in rotation in the opposite direction, thus displacing the support and the application member 70 axially towards the teas, until the spherical portion 73 of the latter is in watertight support on the edge delimiting the opening 28. As mentioned above, during this axial movement towards the teas, the member

  70 is constrained towards opening 59.

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

  preferred realization of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be there

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

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Claims (16)

  1. Device (1) for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic, the device comprising a container (2) containing the product, and provided with an applicator structure (20, 50, 70) comprising: i ) a support (50) delimiting a housing (58); ii) a non-spherical applicator member (70) arranged inside the housing, and the surface (71) of which is of revolution about at least one X axis; and iii) means (20) for passing said applicator structure from a first configuration in which a portion (73) of the applicator member seals a first opening (28) formed between the container and the housing. , has a second configuration in which the housing communicates with the container via said first opening, and in which the applicator member is free to rotate about said axis X so that a portion of said surface of revolution, after having been brought into contact with the product, can, via a second opening (59) delimited by the housing, be brought into   engagement with a surface on which the product is to be applied.   2. - Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said shutter portion (73) is centered on the axis X, and present, perpendicular to a   plane of the first opening (28), at least one section of circular shape.   3. - Device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said shutter portion (73) of the application member (71) consists of a portion of sphere. 4. - Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said axis X   intercepts the plane of said first opening (28).   5. - Device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said axis X forms   an angle between 45 and 80 with said plane.   6. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in   what it includes means (60) for, upon the return of the device (1) from the second configuration to the first, constrain the application member (70) in   direction of said second opening (59).   7. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in   what the application member (70) is. of elongated shape along said X axis, at least one of the ends ending in a portion of a sphere whose center is located on said X axis. 8. - Device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the application member comprises a portion of sphere (72, 73) at each of its two ends. 9. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the member   application (70) is of substantially ovodal shape.   10. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in   that said first opening (28) is in communication with a dip tube (30) one end of which is immersed in the product, the container (2) comprising at least one elastically deformable wall in response to a pressure on it.   11. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized   in that: i) said means for passing said applicator structure from the first to the second configuration comprise an actuating element (20) movable in rotation relative to the container, and fixed axially relative to the latter; ii) said maneuvering element (20) has an edge delimiting said first opening (28); and iii) said operating element (20) is coupled relative to the support (50) so that a rotation of the operating element relative to the container, causes an axial movement of the support from a first position in which the said portion shutter (73) of the application organ (70) cooperates with led it 1 6 2839426   edge for sealingly closing said first opening (28) at a second position in which said shutter portion (73) is remote   said edge so as to at least partially clear said first opening.   12. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that it comprises a cover (12) capable of styling in a manner   reversible said applicator structure (20, 50, 70).   13. - Device according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that means, in particular in the form of a tongue (31), wind provided for entering said   operating element (20) in rotation.   14. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13 characterized   in that the container (2) comprises a neck (5j of which a free edge delimits an opening (7) and on which the applicator structure (20, 50, 70) is mounted, said   X axis intercepting said opening (7).   15. - Device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that said neck (5) is   desaxed relative to the container (2).   16. - Use of a device (1) according to any one of claims   precedents for the packaging and application of a cosmetic product,