FR2885495A1 - Cosmetic product e.g. face care product, distributing and packaging assembly, has distribution device activating distribution units and outputting product towards distribution orifice via rectilinear passage that surrounds another passage - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has two containers (10a, 10b) containing a product to be distributed and a refrigerant product, respectively and equipped of distribution units e.g. pumps. A distribution device (20) activates the distribution units and outputs the product towards a distribution orifice (41) through a rectilinear passage surrounding a central core. The passage surrounds another rectilinear passage in which the refrigerant product circulates.

Description

PACKAGING AND DISPENSING ASSEMBLY OF A PRODUCT

  The invention relates to a set of packaging and dispensing a cooling product and more particularly, a set of packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product having an effect

refreshing to the application.

  When a user wishes to apply a cosmetic product to his skin with a cooling effect, he sometimes has the product bottle in his refrigerator before applying the product. The product is thus cooled to a temperature such that it has a cooling effect on the skin when applied. However, when the user wants to apply the product outside his home, for example on the beach, the product that has been refreshed heats up quickly and no longer has the desired effect.

  The document WO2004 / 100704 describes a cosmetic product dispenser that makes it possible to apply a refreshing product, the dispenser being equipped with a refreshing device of its own. The dispenser comprises a first container containing the product to be applied and a second container containing a refrigerant gas. The product to be dispensed flows through a serpentine tube to a dispensing orifice. The refrigerant gas flows through an annular conduit surrounding the product distribution tube, so as to cool the tube and the product therein during the distribution of the product. The volume of product circulating in the tube being relatively large relative to the amount of refrigerant gas, it is necessary that the tube is long for the gas has time to cool the product. The dispenser described in this document is therefore relatively bulky which is not ideal for a dispenser intended in particular to be transported.

  Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a set of packaging and distribution to solve all or part of the problems mentioned above with reference to the devices of the prior art.

  It is in particular an object of the invention to provide such a package for packaging and dispensing a product which makes it possible to cool the product to be dispensed effectively.

  It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an assembly which is not too bulky.

  Still other objects will appear in the following detailed description.

  According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by providing a set of packaging and dispensing a product comprising: a first container containing the product to be dispensed, equipped with a first dispensing element; a second container containing a refrigerant, equipped with a second distribution element; - A dispensing device for actuating the first and second distribution elements and the product outlet through a dispensing orifice, the device being arranged so that the product is conveyed to the dispensing orifice via a first passage at least partially surrounding a central core formed by the device, the first passage being surrounded at least partially by a second passage in which circulates the refrigerant.

  Alternatively, the device can be arranged so that the product is conveyed to the dispensing orifice via a first passage extending around a second passage through which the coolant circulates, the second passage then being able to extend at least partly around a central core formed by the device.

  The passage of the product does not have a solid section, the majority of the product flowing there is close to the wall separating the passage for the product of the passage for the refrigerant. The exchange surface between the two passages is thus relatively large compared to the volume of product circulating inside the first passage for the distribution of the product.

  In particular, the passage of the product may be annular, with a circular cross section, but it can of course also have a cross section of any other shape. It may for example have a polygonal, oval or triangular cross section. Alternatively, the product passage may have a C-shaped cross section. The dispensing orifice may be surrounded by a portion of the dispensing device which is metallic so that it can easily cool.

  When applying the product to the skin, the portion of the dispensing device that comes into contact with the skin is the metal part that has a low temperature so that it contributes to the cooling effect of the application.

  The first passage and the second passage may be separated at least in part by a metal wall which facilitates the transmission of frigories to the product to be dispensed.

  The metal wall may have a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. With such a small thickness, frigories from the refrigerant product are easily transmitted to the product to be dispensed.

  The second passage in which the coolant flows may not lead through the dispensing orifice, but through a vent located remote from the dispensing orifice.

  The vent may be located in such a way that the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction of the product to be dispensed. This further cools the product to be dispensed which is close to the dispensing orifice so as to ensure that the product that is deposited on the skin arrives with the coolest possible temperature.

  The vent may alternatively be located near the metal portion of the dispensing device so as to cool it further.

  The first passage which allows the flow of the product has a transverse width measured transversely between 0.1 and 2 mm, and preferably between 0.5 and 1.5 mm.

  The first and second passages are preferably rectilinear. This limits the size of the dispensing device.

  Each distribution element equipping respectively the first and second containers, comprises an actuating rod.

  At rest, the first and second passages may be perpendicular to the actuating rods of the containers, over their entire length.

  The dispensing device may comprise two skirts able to engage respectively on the actuating rods, one of the skirts opening into the first passage and the other of the skirts opening into the second passage.

  The refrigerant contained in the second container may be a liquefied gas.

  The refrigerant can be chosen from: hydrocarbons, freons, dimethyl ether.

  The first and / or second distribution element may be a valve or a pump.

  The assembly may further comprise a movable actuating element to cause the actuation of the distribution elements.

  The first container may contain a cosmetic product, such as a facial or body care product, a skin protection product against the adverse effects of the sun or an after-sun care product.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. perspective view of an example of a packaging and dispensing assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows in section the diffuser of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cover of the assembly of Figure 1; FIG. 6 represents a perspective view from below of the mounting ferrule of the assembly of FIG. 1; - Figure 7 shows in section an alternative embodiment of the diffuser of Figure 1; FIG. 8 represents section VIII-VIII of FIG. 4; Figures 9 and 10 show two variants of the diffuser; FIG. 11 represents a second embodiment of a diffuser for the packaging and distribution assembly according to the invention; and FIG. 12 represents a temperature curve as a function of the number of actuations.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 show a packaging and distribution assembly comprising a dispensing device 20 mounted on two containers 10a and 10b each respectively comprising a longitudinal axis XI and X2. The first container 10a contains the product to be dispensed and the second container 10b contains a refrigerant.

  The product to be dispensed is a cosmetic product, for example a skincare product for the face or body, a skin protection product against the harmful effects of the sun or an after-sun care product. The product is distributed for example in liquid form, in the form of cream, gel or foam.

  The packaging and dispensing assembly of the invention is provided for dispensing the cosmetic product which has been refreshed, namely for dispensing the cosmetic product at a temperature lower than that in which it is in the container. For this purpose, a refrigerant is used to cool the product to be dispensed. The refrigerant is for example a gas which is in the liquefied state when it is under pressure in the container and has the property of falling in temperature when it relaxes. For example, a hydrocarbon, for example butane 3.2, dimethyl ether, or a freon, for example HFC 134a, will be used.

  In the embodiment described, the container 10a containing the product to be dispensed is equipped with a pump which is not visible in the figures, the pump being provided with an actuating rod 11a. The container 10b containing the refrigerant is a pressurized container equipped with a valve provided with an actuating rod 11b. Preferably, the pump and the valve are metering to allow the dispensing of a dose of product by actuation and avoid emptying the two containers during a single actuation. Alternatively, one can provide to use two valves, metering or not.

  The actuating rods 11a and 11b are hollow and the distribution of the products is effected, when the actuating rods are driven through them. Alternatively one can provide, when using valves, to use rods operable by tilting.

  As can be seen more particularly in FIG. 2, the dispensing device 20 comprises an assembly hoop 30 intended to secure the two containers 10a and 10b, a diffuser 40 and a cover 50 provided with an actuating element 60.

  The assembly hoop 30, shown more particularly in Figures 2 and 6, is provided to hold the two containers together. The assembly hoop 30 comprises a flat wall 31 traversed by two circular openings 32 provided for each receiving the upper end of one of the containers 10a and 10b.

  The plane wall 31 is surrounded at its periphery by a cladding wall 33 which extends on either side of this flat wall 31 perpendicularly. The cladding wall 33 comprises two straight portions 33a and parallel to each other which connect by two arcuate portions 33b. Each of the two arcuate portions 33b is extended, under the flat wall 31, by a complementary arcuate portion so as to form two tubular skirts 34, as seen more particularly in Figure 6. Each tubular skirt 34 has a circular cross section and surrounds one of the circular openings 32. Each tubular skirt 34 has an inner diameter such that the corresponding container can be fixed by clamping. Alternatively, each skirt 34 can snap onto the corresponding container.

  The diffuser 40, once the device 20 is mounted on the containers, allows an outlet of the product in a direction substantially perpendicular to the main axis of the containers, through a dispensing orifice 41.

  The diffuser 40 has a hollow outer wall 42, elongate along an axis Y which is perpendicular to the axes XI and X2, and two skirts 42a and 42b, perpendicular to the axis Y. Each skirt communicates with the inside of the wall 42. The first skirt 42a is intended to be engaged on the first actuating rod 11a. The second skirt 42b is intended to be engaged on the second actuating rod 11b.

  The two skirts 42a and 42b are thus parallel to each other and spaced apart by a distance enabling them to be mounted respectively on each rod 11a and 11b. In particular, the first skirt 42a is located on the side of a first end 43 of the outer wall of the diffuser and the second skirt 42b is located near a second end 44 of the outer wall 41, opposite to the first.

  Each skirt 42a and 42b has a first portion 420 of its inner surface which is conical so as to facilitate its fitting on the actuating rod 11a or 11b of the corresponding container. The first portion 420 is connected by a straight portion in which the actuating rod 11a or 11b can fit sealingly to a shoulder 421 against which the upper end of the actuating rod rests. .

  The outer wall 42 of the diffuser 40 is open at its second end 44 to allow the output of the cosmetic product to be dispensed. It is closed at its first end 43.

  A central core 45 extends inside the outer wall 42 of the diffuser, along the Y axis, from the first closed end 43 to substantially the second open end 44. The core 45 has a smaller outer diameter the inner diameter of the outer wall 42 of the diffuser such that an annular passage is formed inside the diffuser. According to the illustrated example, the core is hollow, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 4 and 8. It is not beyond the scope of the invention to use a solid core as illustrated in FIG.

  A metal tip 46 in the form of a tubular envelope is inserted inside the outer wall 42 of the diffuser, around the core 45, without however extending to the first closed end 43 of the wall exterior.

  In particular, the metal tip has a thin tubular wall which is extended by a thicker end portion 46a. The end portion 46a delimits at its center the distribution orifice 41 of the diffuser. The end portion 46a of the metal endpiece protrudes from the second end 44 of the outer wall 42 and fits tightly into the outer wall 42. The inner diameter of the outer wall 42 is narrowed towards its end 43, just before the first skirt 42a, so that the second end of the metal tip comes into sealing engagement against this diameter.

  A first annular passage 48 is defined between the core 45 and the metal tip 46. This passage is intended to dispense the cosmetic product. In particular, the skirt 42a opens into this passage 48 on the side of the first end 43.

  A second annular passage 47 is provided between the outer wall 42 of the diffuser and the outer surface of the metal tip 46. This second passage is closed, on the one hand, by the end portion 46a of the metal tip which comes in sealing engagement against the outer wall 42 towards its end 44 and, on the other hand, by an excess thickness which defines the narrowed internal diameter of the outer wall 42, at its end 43. The second skirt 42b opens into this passage 47 so as to the refrigerant gas can circulate therein. A vent 410 in the form of an orifice is provided in the outer wall 42, near the first skirt 42a to allow the output of the refrigerant gas.

  The product from the first skirt 42a thus flows in the annular passage 48, from the first end 43 to the dispensing orifice 41. At the same time, the refrigerant moves in the other direction, since the second skirt 42b to the vent 410, in the first passage 47 which surrounds the passage for dispensing the product 48.

  According to a variant shown in FIG. 7, the vent 410 situated on the side of the first end 43 has been replaced by very thin grooves 411 formed between the thicker end portion 46 a of the metal endpiece 46 and the wall 42. According to this variant, the refrigerant gas further cools the end portion 46a of the metal tip which comes into contact with the skin when the product is applied. This reinforces the feeling of freshness on the skin when applying the product. In addition, the gas escaping near the dispensing orifice 41 of the product, a refreshing breath is also applied to the skin.

  The passage for the distribution of the product and the passage for the distribution of the refrigerant gas which have just been described are annular with a circular cross section. It is not beyond the scope of the invention using passages having a section other than circular. The passages may for example have an oval cross-section, triangular or polygonal and in particular square as illustrated in Figure 10, the two passages may have a section of the same shape or a section of different shape.

  The diffuser 40 also has on its outer surface two lugs 49, located on either side of the outer wall 42, which extend perpendicularly to the Y axis and whose function will be explained in the following description.

  The cover 50 caps the diffuser 40. The cover 50 is provided to be fixed on the hoop 30, in particular for fastening tightly on the outer surface of the casing wall 33 of the hoop. Instead of being tightly attached, the hood can snap onto the hoop.

  In particular, the cap 50 comprises a mounting skirt 51 which surrounds the band 30. Like the casing wall 33, the mounting skirt 51 comprises two parallel and straight walls which are connected to one another by two arcuate portions of each other. circle. The mounting skirt 51 has a notch 52 at one of its rounded ends through which the product is dispensed.

  The actuating element 60 is provided in the upper part of the cover 50 with which it is, in the example illustrated, made in one piece. In particular, the actuating element 60 is secured to the cover by two film hinges 61 formed at the base of the notch 52. The two film hinges 61 define an axis about which the actuating element can pivot.

  The actuating element 60 has a bearing surface 62 on which the user can press to move the actuating element.

  Opposite the bearing surface 62, the actuating element comprises two lugs 63, each forming a fork intended to overlap the two lugs 49 of the diffuser. These two tabs 63 make it possible to transmit the movement of the actuating element 60 to the diffuser 40, which itself transmits it to the actuating rods on which the skirts 42a and 42b of the diffuser are fitted.

  As seen in Figure 2, the two lugs 49 are located equidistant from each skirt 42a and 42b. Thus, when moving the actuating element 60, the diffuser 40 is biased between the two actuating rods and in particular at the same distance from each actuating rod. Each rod is thus depressed substantially at the same time.

  To assemble the assembly that has just been described, the various elements of the dispensing device 20 are preferably assembled, namely the cover 50, the diffuser 40 and the hoop 30. The distribution device 20 thus preassembled is then mounted on both containers.

  To cause dispensing of the product, the user presses on the bearing surface 62 of the actuating element 60. The actuating element 60 drives the diffuser 40, which has the effect of also driving the rods. actuator 11a and 11b. The cosmetic product to be dispensed and the refrigerant gas leave the inner channel of each rod substantially at the same time. The refrigerant gas spreads inside the passage 47, on the side of the dispensing orifice 41 of the product and moves towards the vent 410 located at the opposite end. At the same time, the product flows from the first end 43 to the outlet of the product 41. Thus, when the cosmetic product arrives to the orifice 41, the passage in which it circulates is perfectly refreshed by the gas which surrounds it. Indeed, the metal wall 46 of small thickness separating the passage 48 for the product and the passage 47 for the refrigerant gas allows a good heat exchange between the two passages. In addition, by using an annular passage 48, the exchange surface is important relative to the volume of product flowing in the annular passage 48. This allows the product to be cooled rapidly before it leaves the dispensing orifice 41. the end portion 46a which delimits the dispensing orifice 41 of the diffuser being metallic, it is itself cooled by the refrigerant gas so that, when it comes into contact with the skin, it contributes the refreshing effect of the application.

  According to one particular example, the temperature of the product at its outlet has been measured through the dispensing orifice of a packaging and distribution assembly as just described, as a function of the number of consecutive actuations. actuating rods of the containers. The results are shown in the graph of Figure 12.

  The assembly used comprises a metering pump 100 pl equipping a container containing a care cream and a metering valve 100 pl equipping a container containing a refrigerant. The refrigerant is for example a HFC 134A gas conditioned in liquefied form in the container.

  The passage 48 for dispensing the product has a length of about 25 mm, an inside diameter of about 3.1 mm and an outside diameter of about 4.3 mm.

  The passage 47 for the distribution of the refrigerant gas has a length of about 20 mm, an inside diameter of about 5.1 mm and an outside diameter of about 6.9 mm.

  The tubular wall of the metal tip 46 has a thickness of about 0.3 mm.

  The temperature of the product to be dispensed while it is still in the container 25 corresponds to the ambient temperature, namely according to the example approximately 20 C.

  Temperature curve as a function of the number of dry actuations 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 number of actuations Graph I Once the pump is primed, it can be seen that after two consecutive actuations, separated by approximately 5 seconds, the temperature of the product at the outlet of the dispensing orifice 41 is 17.2 C. After about 6 actuations spaced apart by 5 seconds, the temperature drops to 12.4 C. to pass below 10 C. after 10 consecutive operations.

  According to a second embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the packaging and distribution assembly comprises a diffuser 140 which differs from that shown in FIG. 4 mainly in that the passage for the refrigerant gas does not surround the passage for the product but it is the passage for the product that surrounds that for the refrigerant gas.

  The diffuser 140 has a hollow outer wall 142, substantially identical to that described in Figure 4, with two skirts 142a and 142b. However, the skirt 142a is intended to be engaged on the actuating rod 11b of the container containing the refrigerant gas and the skirt 142b is intended to 20 s'emmancher on the actuating rod 11a of the container containing the product to distribute.

  The central core 145 this time has a vent 145a at its end located on the side of the end 144 of the outer wall 142.

  A first annular passage 148 is defined between the outer wall 142 of the diffuser and the outer surface of the metal tip 146. This passage is intended to dispense the cosmetic product. In particular, the skirt 142b opens into this passage 148.

  A second annular passage 147 is provided between the core 145 and the metal end 146. The skirt 142a opens into this passage 147 so that the refrigerant gas can circulate there. The vent 145a provided at the end of the central core 145 allows the output of the refrigerant gas via the hollow portion of the central core.

  The end portion 146a of the metal ferrule 146 defines three dispensing orifices 141 radially spaced and formed peripherally so as to open into the passage 148 and not into the passageway 147.

  The product from the skirt 142b thus flows into the annular passage 148, first being forced towards the rear of the diffuser, then returns towards the front of the diffuser to the dispensing orifices 141. At the same time , the coolant moves from the skirt 142a to the vent 145a in the first passage 147 which is inside the passage 148 for dispensing the product.

  Again, the passage 148 for the product being annular, the exchange surface defined by the metal wall 146 is important relative to the volume of product flowing in the annular passage 148. This allows to quickly cool the product before its exit through the orifices of distribution 141.

  In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (22)

  1. A package for packaging and dispensing a product comprising: - a first container (10a) containing the product to be dispensed, equipped with a first dispensing element; - a second container (10b) containing a refrigerant, equipped with a second distribution element; a dispensing device (20) for actuating the first and second dispensing elements and dispensing the product through a dispensing orifice (41), the device (20) being arranged so that the product is conveyed to the dispensing orifice (41) via a first passage (48) at least partially surrounding a central core (45) formed by the device (20), the first passage (48) being at least partially surrounded by a second passage (47) in which circulates the refrigerant.   2. A packaging and dispensing assembly of a product comprising: - a first container (10a) containing the product to be dispensed, equipped with a first dispensing element; - a second container (10b) containing a refrigerant, equipped with a second distribution element; a device (20) for actuating the first and second dispensing elements and dispensing the product through a dispensing orifice (141), the device (20) being arranged so that the product is conveyed to the dispenser dispensing orifice (141) via a first passage (148) extending around a second passage (147) in which the coolant circulates.   3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the second passage (147) extends at least partly around a central core (145) formed by the device (20).   4. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first passage (48; 148) is annular.   5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the dispensing orifice (41; 141) is surrounded by a portion (46a; 146a) of the device (20) which is metallic.   An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first passage (48; 148) and the second passage (47; 147) are at least partly separated by a metal wall (46; 146).   7. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the metal wall (46; 146) has a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm.   An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second passage (47; 147) in which the coolant flows does not open through the dispensing orifice (41; 141).   9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second passage (47; 147) in which the refrigerant flows out through a vent (410; 411; 145a) located at a distance from the orifice. of distribution.   10. Assembly according to claims 5 and 8 or 9, characterized in that the vent (411; 145a) opens near the metal portion (46a; 146a) of the device which defines the dispensing orifice (41; 141). .   11. The assembly of claim 9, characterized in that the vent (410) is located in such a way that the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction of the product to be dispensed.   12. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first passage (48; 148) which allows the flow of the product has a transverse width measured transversely between 0.1 and 2 mm.   13. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second passages (48; 47; 148; 147) are rectilinear.   14. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each distribution element equipping respectively the first and second containers (10a) and (10b) comprises an actuating rod (11a, 11b).   15. An assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at rest, the first and second passages (48; 47; 148; 147) are perpendicular to the actuating rods of the containers over their entire length.   16. The assembly of claim 14, characterized in that the device (20) comprises two skirts (42a, 42b, 142b, 142a) adapted to engage respectively on the actuating rods (11a; 11b), one skirts (42a; 142b) opening into the first passage (48; 148) and the other of the skirts (42b; 142a) opening into the second passage (47; 147).   17. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the refrigerant contained in the second container (10b) is a liquefied gas.   18. Assembly according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the refrigerant is selected from: hydrocarbons, freons, dimethyl ether.   19. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second distribution element is a valve.   20. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second distribution element is a pump.   21. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an actuating element (60) 5 movable to cause the actuation of the dispensing elements.   22. Use of an assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, for the packaging and dispensing of a cosmetic product, in particular a care product for the face or body, a skin protection product against the effects. harmful sun or after-sun care product.