FR2842439A1 - Applicator for hair care product has comb with hollow teeth and lateral outlets adjacent to tips, fitted over container opening - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator (14), designed to be fitted to a container (12) holding a hair care product, has an arrangement of teeth in a row comprising end (22) and intermediate (16) teeth. The latter are hollow, having inner channels leading to lateral outlets (20) adjacent to their tips (18). The outlets are connected to the tips by grooves (26) in the tooth sides. The applicator is moulded in one piece from a polymer material and is shaped to prevent any escape of the applied product beyond the end teeth (22). When not in use it is covered by a matching cap.

Description

e̋ "Packaging and application unit for the application of a

  cosmetic product comprising a grooved tip "The invention relates to an assembly for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprising an applicator tip intended to allow the application of a product

cosmetic in a hair.

  The invention relates more particularly to an applicator tip intended to be fixed to a container containing a cosmetic product to be applied to the hair, of the type which comprises an arrangement of longitudinal teeth arranged in at least one transverse row, of which at least one longitudinal tooth hollow which is crossed by an internal channel which is intended to communicate with the container and which opens laterally on at least one side of said tooth by means of at least one

  outlet orifice oriented in the transverse direction.

  Many examples of applicator tips are known

of this type.

  According to a first known design, a packaging and application assembly has been proposed consisting of several molded parts, in particular at least one first part comprising two longitudinal teeth of transverse end and means for fixing to the container, and at least one second intermediate piece, intended to be assembled with the previous one, which has hollow intermediate teeth

  fitted with lateral outlet openings.

  This design is an expensive implementation, because on the one hand it requires the use of two separate sets of molds, one for the first part and the other for the second intermediate part, and because of other apart the first and second parts must be joined together, which

  increases the manufacturing costs of such an applicator tip.

  According to a second known design, a packaging and application assembly has been proposed consisting of a single molded part. The molded part is obtained using a mold intended to form the external wall of the applicator tip and a first core intended to form the channels of the hollow teeth, a second removable core transversely traversing the entire mold. and the first core to form the lateral outlet orifices. The result is an applicator tip, the end teeth of which necessarily pass through the second core during molding have lateral outlet orifices on their lateral flanks. As a result, such an applicator tip is imprecise, even messy, because the cosmetic product dribbles on the external lateral flanks of the teeth.

transverse ends.

  Finally, in these two designs, the lateral orifices open onto the smooth sides of the teeth. Therefore, the product, leaving the outlet openings, is distributed randomly between the teeth without following a particular direction and slides along the teeth regardless of its viscosity, so that the product may reach the scalp without properly impregnating

  the part of the hair between two adjacent teeth.

  The invention overcomes all these drawbacks by proposing a packaging and application unit, the applicator tip of which has lateral outlet orifices only on its intermediate teeth, said orifices being extended to the end of the intermediate teeth. by grooves intended on the one hand to channel the cosmetic product and on the other hand to slow down by capillary action the drops of product to the end of the teeth to prevent the product from reaching the scalp. This applicator tip can advantageously be obtained by a

  molding process from a single piece.

  For this purpose, the invention provides an applicator tip of the type described above, characterized in that said orifice opens into a groove extending longitudinally to said tooth from said outlet orifice to the free end of said tooth. According to other characteristics of the invention - the arrangement comprises at least one intermediate tooth disposed between said first and second end teeth, said intermediate tooth being traversed by a channel opening laterally via at least one outlet opening oriented in the direction an adjacent tooth; - The (or) intermediate tooth (s) is (are) crossed (s) by a longitudinal channel opening out via two outlet orifices oriented opposite one another; - The longitudinal end teeth have no outlet openings opening in a direction outside said arrangement; - the longitudinal end teeth have no outlet orifices; - the longitudinal end teeth are full - said outlet orifice is arranged near the free end of said tooth, which means that the outlet orifice is arranged closer to the free end of the tooth than its base; - The fixing means consist of a thread and are intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread provided on a neck of the container; The invention also relates to an assembly for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, characterized in that it comprises a container equipped with such a

applicator tip.

  The invention also relates to a mold for molding an applicator tip of a packaging and application assembly for the application of a cosmetic product as described above, characterized in that it comprises - a female element which comprises: a first portion, intended to form at least partially the fixing means; * at least a second portion which extends from the first portion, and intended to form at least one tooth, - a male element forming a core, a first part of which is received with clearance in the first portion of the female element to form the fixing means, and at least a second part of which is received with clearance in the second portion of the female element to form the longitudinal channel of a hollow tooth, the second part of the male element and the second portion of the female element being shaped so as to

  cooperate to form the groove and the outlet orifice.

  According to other characteristics of the mold: - at least one internal lateral flank of a second portion of the female element comprises a boss of longitudinal orientation projecting inside the second portion of the female element and s' extending longitudinally between an intermediate part of the second portion of the female element and its end to form the groove and part of an outlet orifice of a hollow tooth, - one end of a second part of the male element associated with said second portion of the female element is intended to conciliate without play with the end of the boss located in the intermediate part of said second portion of the female element to form the other part of the outlet orifice of said hollow tooth; - The female element comprises: ò two second end portions, which extend from the first portion, and which are intended to form the solid end teeth of the applicator tip, and at least a second portion intermediate, arranged between the second end portions, which extends from the first portion, which is intended to form at least one intermediate hollow tooth, the opposite internal lateral flanks of which have bosses to form two opposite grooves and a part of two opposite outlet orifices of said intermediate hollow tooth, - and one end of each second part of the male element associated with a second intermediate portion of the female element is intended to fit without play between the ends of the bosses located in the intermediate part of each second intermediate portion of the female element to form the other part of the orifices of the ladi the intermediate hollow tooth; - the section of each boss, taken in a plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the portion of the associated female element, is constant, or else is minimal in the vicinity of its lower end situated in the intermediate part of each portion the female element, to allow the associated hollow tooth to be removed from the mold; - The female element and the male element each comprise centering means which are intended to cooperate with each other during the assembly of the mold; the centering means comprise at least three guide columns of longitudinal orientation, which are integral with one of the female / male elements, and on which the other male / female element is capable of sliding during

mold assembly.

  Finally, the invention relates to a method of molding an applicator tip using a mold, characterized in that it comprises: - a first step during which the female element is fitted onto the male element , a second step during which a polymer material is injected between the female and male elements, - a third step of polymerization of the polymer material, - a fourth step during which the female element is disengaged from the male element and during which

  the applicator tip is ejected from the mold.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention

  will appear on reading the following detailed description for the

  understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which: - Figure 1 is an overall perspective view of a packaging and application assembly for the application of a cosmetic product comprising a container and a nozzle applicator according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a sectional view of an applicator tip in the transverse direction of the tooth row of the applicator tip according to Figure 1, - Figure 3 is a perspective view with cutaway by a longitudinal and transverse plane of a mold according to the invention, - Figure 4 is a detail view in section through a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction of a mold according to the invention, - Figure 5 is a view detail in section through a plan

  longitudinal and transverse of a mold according to the invention.

  In the description which follows, reference figures

  identical designate identical parts or have functions

Similar.

  By convention, the terms "front", "rear", upper "," lower "respectively designate elements or positions oriented respectively to the left, the right, the

top, or bottom of Figures 1 to 5.

  FIG. 1 shows a set 10 of packaging and application for the application of a product

  cosmetic in hair, in particular a coloring product.

  In known manner, the packaging and application assembly 10 comprises a container 12 containing the cosmetic product and an applicator tip 14, mounted on the container 12 by means of fixing means, at least one of which is a hollow longitudinal tooth 16 is crossed by an internal channel which communicates with the container 12 and which opens near the longitudinal end 18 of the tooth 16 via at least one lateral outlet orifice 20. The container 12 is for example a flexible or deformable container, such as a tube, which suffices to press to cause the cosmetic product to be conveyed

  in the internal channel and out through the orifice 20.

  io A nonlimiting example of making a nozzle

  applicator 14 will now be described with reference to FIG. 2.

  According to the invention, the arrangement of teeth is configured so as to prevent any flow of product from the outlet orifice 20, in the direction of the latter, beyond said first and second end teeth 22 Thus, practically all of the product to be applied flows into the space delimited by the first and second end teeth 22, guaranteeing precision in the application of the

product.

  For this, the first and second end teeth 22 are devoid of outlet orifices 20 on their outer sides,

  that is to say on their sides opposite to the intermediate teeth 16.

  Therefore, the product leaving through the orifices 20 does not flow in the direction of the orifices 20 beyond the first and second end teeth 22. Thus, only the product which has already been applied to the hair which comes in contact with

  outer flanks of the end teeth then flows onto the flanks.

  According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first and second end teeth 22 are also devoid of outlet orifices 20 on their inner flanks facing the intermediate teeth 16, that is to say that they are devoid of outlet holes 20. Thus, the product does not flow from the first and second end teeth 22, so it cannot

  sink on their outer sides.

  Furthermore, since the product does not flow from the first and second end teeth 22, these are full, which also makes it possible to avoid any accumulation of product in

channel 28.

  Thus, outlet orifices 20 are at least arranged on the intermediate teeth 16, in particular on each side facing the associated full longitudinal tooth 22. A longitudinal groove 26 io extends from each lateral orifice 20, to the end 18 of the tooth 16, to allow in particular a

  uniform application of the cosmetic product.

  In the embodiment of the invention which has been shown in FIG. 1, the applicator tip 14 has six intermediate hollow teeth 16 which are arranged transversely between its two teeth 22 which are full at the end, so as to allow wide application cosmetic product in the hair to be treated. This arrangement is not limitative of the invention, and the applicator tip 14 could include a

  higher or lower number of 16 hollow teeth.

  Advantageously, the applicator tip 14 is produced from a single piece by a molding process. A mold for the implementation of this molding process and the steps of this process will be described in more detail in the following of the

present description.

  The applicator tip 14 has been shown in more detail in FIG. 2. As can be seen, each hollow tooth 16 has an internal channel 28 which extends between the base 30 of the tooth 16 and an intermediate part of the tooth arranged set back from its end 18, and which communicates with two orifices 20

  arranged on each side 24 of the tooth.

  Each orifice 20 communicating outside the tooth with an associated groove 26, this configuration makes it possible to reserve a length of groove capable of ensuring optimal dispersion of the hair product between two neighboring teeth 16, so that hair which is interposed between two neighboring teeth 16 can be largely covered with said cosmetic product, the cosmetic product indeed having viscosity characteristics which tend to form a film of cosmetic product stretched between the grooves 26 opposite two

neighboring teeth 16.

  By way of example, each tooth 16, 22 measures 25mm, the teeth 16, 22 are spaced 2mm below the orifices 20, io and each orifice 20 of the hollow teeth 16, arranged at the lower end of the groove 26, is 5mm away from the end of

  said tooth. The groove 26 is 0.5mm deep.

  Each groove 26 therefore makes it possible to guide the product

  cosmetic in the direction of said groove between the teeth 16.

  In addition, each groove 26, by its depth which increases the free space between two adjacent teeth, makes it possible to slow down by capillary action the descent of the drops of product to allow the

  product to permeate the hair without reaching the scalp.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the applicator tip 14 also comprises a hollow part 32 which is substantially cylindrical from which extend the hollow 16 and solid teeth 22 and which comprises the means for fixing to a neck (not shown) of the container 12. As illustrated more particularly in FIG. 2, an internal cavity 34 of the cylindrical part 32 communicates with the internal channels 28 of the hollow intermediate teeth 16 and is intended to coincide with the neck (not shown) of the container 12 previously shown in the

figure 1.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention the internal cavity 34 is, like the lower part 32, cylindrical, and it comprises a thread 36 which is intended to cooperate with a thread (not shown) carried by the periphery of the neck of the container 12 to form the fixing means. This configuration allows easy assembly of the applicator tip

14 to container 12.

  It will be noted that this arrangement is not limitative of the invention. The applicator tip 14 could be fixed by any known means to the container 12, for example by interlocking. Figures 3 to 5 show a mold 40 for molding an applicator tip 14 of a packaging and application unit 10 for the application of a cosmetic product as described above As illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the mold 40 comprises a one-piece female element 42 and a one-piece male element 43

forming a nucleus.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the one-piece female element 42 comprises: a lower portion 44, intended to form the substantially cylindrical hollow portion 32 of the applicator tip 14, - two upper portions 46, which extend from the lower portion 44, and which are intended to form the solid teeth 22 arranged at the transverse ends of the applicator tip 14, and - at least one upper intermediate portion 48, arranged between the upper portions 46, which extends from the lower portion 44, which is intended to form the hollow teeth 16, the internal lateral flanks 50 of which have bosses 52 of longitudinal orientation projecting inside the upper intermediate portion 48 and extending longitudinally between an intermediate part of the upper intermediate portion 48 and its upper end 54 to form the groove 26 and a part

outlet ports 20.

  The one-piece male element 43 forming a core has a lower part 56, which is received with clearance in the lower portion 44 of the female element to form the internal cavity 34 of the cylindrical part 32, and of which at least one upper part 58 is received with clearance in the upper intermediate portion 48 of the female element to form the internal channel 28 of the intermediate tooth 16. In addition, the second upper intermediate portion 48 of the female element 42 and the upper intermediate part 58 of the male element 43 are shaped to form the outlet orifice

  of the intermediate tooth 16 by cooperation.

  More particularly, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end 60 of each upper part 58 of the male element 43 is intended to fit without play between the ends 62 of the bosses 52 located in the intermediate part of each portion 48 upper intermediate element 42 female for

  form the other part of the orifices 20 of the intermediate tooth 16.

  Advantageously, the section of each boss 52, taken in a plane "P" perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the upper intermediate portion 48 of the associated female element, is constant, or else is minimal in the vicinity of its lower end 62 located in the intermediate part of each upper intermediate portion 48 of the female element, to allow, as will be seen later, the release of the associated intermediate tooth 16 by a vertical translational movement

  to the top of the female element 42.

  It will be understood that the one-piece female element 42 and the one-piece male element 43 each comprise centering means which are intended to cooperate with each other during

assembly of the mold 40.

  These means consist at least of the upper end 60 of each upper part 58 of the male element 43 cooperating with the ends 62 of the bosses 52 located in the intermediate part of each portion of the female element, but they also consist of centering means

  outside the portions of the female element 42.

  In particular, the centering means comprise at least three columns (not shown) of longitudinal orientation guide, which are integral with one of the elements 42, 43 male / female monobloc, and on which the other element 42, 43 female / monobloc male may slide when

assembly of the mold 40.

  In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the mold 40 making it possible to produce a large number of applicator tips 14 in a single molding operation and therefore comprising elements 42, 43 male / female monoblocks defining a large number of indentations, the centering means comprise four columns arranged at the four corners of one of the elements 42, 43 male / female in one piece, and on which the other element 42, 43 female / male in one piece is capable of

  i5 slide during assembly of the mold 40.

  In this configuration, a method of molding an applicator tip 14 as described above using a mold 40 as described above successively comprises a first step during which the female element 42 is fitted longitudinally, and preferably vertically, onto the male element 43, a second stage during which a polymer material is injected into the imprint defined by the female and male elements 42, 43, a third stage of polymerization of the polymer material, and a fourth stage during which the female element 42 is disengaged longitudinally from the male element 43 and during which the

  or the applicator tips 14 are ejected from the mold 40.

  All known means can be used to cause the ejection of the applicator tip (s) 14. In particular, methods of ejection by vibration or no blowing of compressed air can be used in order to rapidly eject the

applicator tips 14.

  The invention therefore makes it possible to propose a set of packaging and application suitable for effectively ensuring

  applying a cosmetic product to hair.

  The associated applicator tip 14 is also very easy to manufacture in the context of mass production.

  Throughout the description, including the claims, it

  it will be understood that the expression "comprising a" is synonymous with

  "with at least one", unless otherwise specified.

Claims (16)

  1. Applicator tip (14) intended to be mounted on a container (12) containing a product to be applied to the hair, said tip comprising: a) means intended for fixing the tip (14) on the container (12 ); b) an arrangement of at least two teeth (16, 22) arranged in at least one row comprising first and second end teeth, at least one of the teeth (16) being traversed by a longitudinal channel (28) capable of communicate with the product contained in the container, said channel opening laterally via at least one outlet orifice (20) turned towards at least one adjacent tooth (22), characterized in that said orifice (20) opens into a groove (26) extending longitudinally to said tooth (16) from said outlet orifice (20) to the free end of said tooth (16). 2. Applicator tip according to claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement comprises at least one intermediate tooth (16) disposed between said first and second end teeth (22), said intermediate tooth (16) being traversed by a channel (28) opening laterally via at least one outlet orifice (20) oriented in the direction of a tooth (16, 22) adjacent.   3. Applicator tip according to claim 2, characterized in that the (or them) a tooth (s) intermediate (s) (16) is (are) crossed (s) by a channel (28) longitudinal opening via two   outlet orifices (20) oriented opposite one another.   4. Applicator tip (14) according to one of claims   previous, characterized in that the end teeth (22) are devoid of outlet openings opening in a direction outside of said arrangement.   5. Applicator tip (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end teeth (22) are   devoid of outlet orifices (20).   6. Applicator tip (14) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end teeth (22) are full. 7. Applicator tip (14) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that said orifice   (20) outlet is arranged near the free end of the io tooth (16).   8. Applicator tip (14) according to any one of   previous claims, characterized in that the means for   fixing consist of a thread (36) and are intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread provided on a neck of the i5 container (12).   9. Packaging and application assembly for a cosmetic product, characterized in that it comprises a container (12) equipped with a nozzle (14) applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   10. Mold (40) for molding an applicator tip   (14) according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it   comprises: - a female element (42) which comprises: * a first portion (44), intended to form at least partially the fixing means, * at least a second portion (46, 48) which extends from the first portion (44), and intended to form at least one tooth (16, 22), - a male element (43) forming a core, a first portion (56) of which is received with clearance in the first portion (44) of the female element to form the fixing means, and at least a second part (58) of which is received with clearance in the second portion (48) of the female element to form the longitudinal channel (28) of a tooth ( 16) hollow, the second part (58) of the male element (43) and the second portion (48) of the female element being shaped so as to cooperate to form the   groove (26) and the outlet (20).   11. Mold (40) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: at least one internal lateral flank (50) of a second portion (48) of the female element comprises a boss (52) of longitudinal orientation projecting inside the second portion (48) of the female element and extending longitudinally between an intermediate part of the second portion (48) of the female element and its end (54) to form the groove (26) and part of an orifice (20) for the outlet of a hollow tooth (16), - one end (60) of a second part (58) of the male element 1 (43) associated with said second portion (48) of the female element is intended to conciliate without play with the end (62) of the boss (52) located in the intermediate part of said second portion (48) of the element (42) female to form the other part of   the outlet orifice (20) of said hollow tooth (16).   12. Mold (40) according to one of claims 10 or 11   for molding an applicator tip (14) for application   a cosmetic product according to claims 5 to 8,   characterized in that: - the female element (42) comprises: * two second end portions (46), which extend from the first portion (44), and which are intended to form the teeth (22 ) full of end of the applicator tip (14), and * at least one second intermediate portion (48), arranged between the second end portions (46), which extends from the first portion (44 ), which is intended to form at least one hollow hollow tooth (16), the opposite internal lateral flanks (50) of which have bosses (52) to form two opposite grooves (26) and part of two orifices (20) of opposite outlet of said intermediate hollow tooth (16), and in that one end (60) of each second part (58) of the male element (43) associated with a second intermediate portion (48) of the female element is intended to fit without play between the ends (62) of the bosses (52) located in the pa intermediate rtie of each second intermediate portion (48) of the female element (42) to form the other   part of the orifices (20) of said intermediate hollow tooth (16).   13. Mold (40) according to any one of claims   11 or 12, characterized in that the section of each boss (52), taken in a plane (P) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the portion (48) of the associated female element, is constant, or else is minimal at near its lower end (62) located in the intermediate part of each portion (48) of the female element, to allow the release of the associated hollow tooth (16).   14. Mold (40) according to one of claims 10 to 13,   characterized in that the female element (42) and the male element (43) each comprise centering means which are intended to   cooperate with each other during assembly of the mold (40).   15. Mold (40) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the centering means comprise at least three guide columns of longitudinal orientation, which are integral with one of the elements (42, 43) female / male, and on which the other male / female element (43, 42) is capable of   slide when assembling the mold (40).   16. Method for molding an applicator tip (14)   according to claims 1 to 8 using a mold (40) according to one   of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that it comprises:   - a first step during which the female element (42) is fitted onto the male element (43), - a second step during which a polymer material is injected between the female and male elements (42, 43) , - a third step of polymerization of the polymer material, - a fourth step during which the female element (42) is disengaged from the male element (43) and during which   the applicator tip (14) is ejected from the mold (40).