FR2889919A1 - Capillary product e.g. coloring product, applicator for e.g. hair, has container whose longitudinal axis makes non zero angle with axis of application unit, and maintaining unit to maintain keratin fiber in contact with former unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator has an application unit (2) having permeable fibers and applying a capillary product and extending along a longitudinal axis (X). A support (3) has a removable part for receiving a container (4) containing the product, where the container is fixed on the support with its longitudinal axis (Y) making a non zero angle with the axis (X). The support is passed through a channel permitting the circulation of the product towards the application unit. A maintaining unit (6) is movable relative to the support and maintains a keratin fiber e.g. hair, in contact with the application unit. An independent claim is also included for a method for treating a mesh of hair with a product contained in a container of an applicator.

Description

The present invention relates to the applicators of hair products,

  for example staining, fading or care.

  Applicators of hair products are described in patents EPBl-0 251 190, JP 2002-165630, US 2,895,486 and US 4,602,651.

  US Patent 2,895,486 teaches the use of a foam roll for applying the product, the roll extending along a longitudinal axis coincident with the longitudinal axis of a container containing the product to be applied. Hair treatment using such an applicator may be impractical, especially when the user wants to apply the product itself on his hair.

  US Patent 3,368,569 and the applications WO 2004/057997, FR 2 769 806 and JP 2002-165630 disclose combs for the application of hair products. It can be difficult with these combs to obtain a homogeneous treatment of the hair, failing to be able to distribute in a completely regular way the product on these. In addition, the product flow may be irregular and difficult to control.

  There is therefore a need for a new applicator, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, easy to use and which eventually allows the user to treat his own hair while obtaining a satisfactory result.

  The invention thus has, according to one of its aspects, an applicator of a product on keratinous fibers, comprising: an application member for applying the product, extending along a longitudinal axis; support for receiving a container containing the product to be applied, the container being fixed on the support with its longitudinal axis forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, the support being traversed by at least one channel allowing the circulation of the product of the container to the applicator member, and a movable holding member configured to allow the user to maintain the keratinous fibers in contact with the applicator member during the application.

  The container can serve as a gripping member.

  The angle between the longitudinal axis of the applicator member and the longitudinal axis of the support may be greater than 45, said longitudinal axes being advantageously perpendicular. The support may be bent, for example by an angle of about 90, so for example that the longitudinal axis of the applicator member is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support.

  The angle formed between the longitudinal axes of the applicator member and the container facilitates the gesture during the application of the product. The application can be more precise, especially when the user treats his hair himself.

  Moreover, the applicator member can make it possible to obtain a good distribution of the product on the hair. The product can in particular be delivered after crossing the applicator member, which can make the flow more even and can provide a more homogeneous application.

  The holding member facilitates, thanks to its mobility, the seizure of a lock of hair and its holding against the applicator member during the application of the product. The holding member can be oriented at will by the user, it can apply a variable force on the hair and press more or less strongly against the applicator member, depending on the desired result.

  The holding member can be moved by the user during the application and in the examples of implementation of the invention described below, is not used to comb or separate the hair.

  The container may comprise a flexible wall which allows the user, by pressing the wall, to force the product to gain the applicator member.

  The container may comprise a threaded neck intended to cooperate with a thread of the support.

  The support may comprise a perforating member which may be useful in the case where the container is closed by a lid before use. This seal can be pierced at the time of fixing the container on the support, thus ensuring perfect hygiene and ease of use.

  The applicator member may be removably attached to the support. The applicator member may be interchangeable, for example being chosen according to the product to be applied. The user can thus have at his disposal several application members intended for the application of different colors, for example.

  Where appropriate, the support may comprise a removable portion carrying the applicator member. This may make it possible, for example, to replace a rotational applicator member 2889919 with a non-rotating application member, and vice versa. This removable part can be bent.

  The applicator member may comprise a porous material.

  The applicator member may comprise fibers, in particular fibers that are permeable to the product applied. These fibers may be made of a synthetic or natural material. The fibers may be free, in the form of a brush, then being oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the support, for example, or agglomerated, in the form of felt. The fibers may be arranged in at least one bundle, preferably bevelled. The use of fibers may allow a more precise and / or deep application, especially to the base of the hair. The holding member may be configured to engage the fiber bundle at or near its end.

  The applicator member may be a roller, which is advantageously rotatable. The rotation of the roll can further improve the distribution of the product.

  The roll can be made with open-celled or semi-open cell foam, sintered, metal, or with fibers.

  The roll may be made at least partially of a thermoplastic material, in particular a polyolefin, an acrylic polymer, a cellulosic polymer, a polycarbonate, a polyamide, a styrenic polymer, a vinyl polymer or PETP, and mixtures thereof. expanded or unexpanded.

  The applicator member can be flocked, if necessary.

  In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the applicator member is different from a comb, and more particularly different from a comb comprising hollow teeth in which the product to be applied can be circulated or combed. having product supply ports between the teeth.

  The support may comprise at least one outlet orifice, in particular a plurality of orifices, enabling the product coming from the aforementioned channel to be dispensed with and the product supply from the applicator member.

  The choice of the size and the distribution of the orifices can be made according to the flow required during the application, for example. The orifices may open directly opposite an inner face of the applicator member, so that the latter is traversed at least partially by the product.

  When the applicator member is rotatable and rotates about a hollow axis of the support, the orifices may be distributed along this hollow axis.

  The applicator may comprise a flange preventing the flow of the product present on the applicator member towards the rest of the support.

  The applicator may comprise a retaining member of the applicator member on the support, which may also serve to close the channel at one end. This retaining member comprises for example a screw.

  The holding member can be mounted on the support by means of a hinge. The holding member is for example rotatable about a geometric axis of rotation extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, especially when the applicator member is rotatable. The joint may be located between the container and the applicator member.

  The holding member may comprise a handle on which the user can press to press the keratinous fibers against the applicator member, the latter can thus be clamped between the applicator member and the holding member.

  This handle may be configured to also apply pressure to the container as the user presses it to hold the keratinous fibers against the applicator element.

  The holding member may comprise a squeezing rod extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, the holding member being for example bent and the squeezing rod formed by the distal branch of the elbow.

  The pressing rod may be configured to abut against a roller or against the end of the fiber bundle or in proximity thereto. When the applicator member is a beveled fiber bundle, the pressing rod may in particular extend substantially parallel to the edge of the bevel.

  The holding member may have a surface which comes into contact with the keratinous fibers which is not entirely smooth, comprising for example at least one relief arranged to cause the keratin fibers coming into contact to move laterally.

  The pressing rod is for example traversed by at least one helical relief. The presence of such a relief may for example cause the keratin fibers, during a traction movement exerted by the user, to move laterally.

  The pressing rod may comprise a flange located for example near the aforementioned flange of the support. The displacement of the keratinous fibers in contact with the pressing rod can be effected in the direction of this collar.

  The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, an applicator comprising: - a support arranged to receive a container containing the product to be applied, - an application member permeable to product to be applied, comprising a foam, a sinter or fibers, the applicator member being preferably fed with product so that it passes at least partially through the applicator member before being dispensed onto the keratin fibers to be treated, - a holding member for pressing the keratinous fibers against the applicator member.

  Such an applicator can facilitate the control of the product flow and its regularity and allow a homogeneous application.

  The applicator member may comprise a roller or a bundle of fibers as defined above.

  The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the above, an applicator comprising: - a support arranged to receive a container containing the product to be applied, - a rotatably mounted application member on the support, supplied with product from the container, and - a movable holding member, for pressing keratinous fibers against the applicator member.

  Rotation of the applicator member may render the distribution of the product more homogeneous.

  The holding member is advantageously as defined above, comprising a pressing rod.

  The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, independently or in combination with the foregoing, an applicator comprising: - a support for receiving a container containing the product to be applied, - an elastically deformable application member , a movable holding member for pressing the keratinous fibers against the applicator member.

  The elasticity of the applicator member may allow pinching of the keratinous fibers with the holding member, promoting a loading thereof with the product, while allowing their sliding relative to the applicator member. The clamping is not excessive due to the deformability of the applicator member.

  The applicator member may be a foam, a felt or a bundle of fibers, in particular a brush.

  The invention also relates to a hair treatment method in which at least one lock of hair is treated with the product contained in the container of an applicator as defined above, the lock being pinched between the body of application and the holding member.

  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. 1 is a view FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic and partial longitudinal section of the applicator of FIG. 1, in use, FIG. a schematic and partial perspective view of the applicator of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, the applicator member having been removed, and FIG. in perspective, schematic and partial, of a variant embodiment.

  FIG. 1 shows an applicator 1 for applying a product, in particular a hair product, to the keratinous fibers, in particular the hair.

  The applicator 1 comprises an applicator member 2 for applying the product, which extends along a longitudinal axis X, and a support 3 intended to receive a receptacle 4 containing the product.

  The support 3 is configured so that the container 4 is fixed on the support 3 with its longitudinal axis Y forming a non-zero angle α with the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 2.

  The angle a is in the example described substantially equal to 90, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise, the angle a being preferably greater than 45.

  The support 3 is traversed by a channel 5 allowing the product of the container 3 to flow towards the applicator member 2.

  In the example of FIGS. 1 to 4, the applicator member 2 is a roll made of an open or semi-open cell foam.

  The applicator member 2 can also be made in a sintered or in a metal, for example, being preferably permeable to the product and elastically deformable.

  The applicator member 2 is made of a material compatible with the product to be applied, for example a thermoplastic material. The applicator member 2 may in particular be made with acrylic, cellulose, vinyl, styrene polymers, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyolefins, PETP, and their mixtures, expanded or unexpanded.

  The applicator member 2 is carried in the example in question by a hollow pin 33 of a bent portion 30 of the support 3, traversed by the channel 5.

  The hollow axis 33 extends along the axis X and has distributed orifices 20 allowing the product coming from the channel 5 to exit to the applicator member 2, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

  The diameter of the orifices 20 is for example between 0.10 and 5 mm, for example being chosen as a function of the viscosity of the product and the desired flow rate.

  The bent portion 30 is for example removably attached to the rest of the support, by any fastening means such as for example clipping, tightening or screwing.

  In the example described, the applicator member 2 is removably attached to the bent portion 30, for example being retained thereon by a retaining member 19 such as a screw, the head of which is sufficiently wide for retain the applicator member 2 against a flange 18 located on the hollow axis 33 on the opposite side to the screw 19.

  The inner face of the applicator member 12 comes opposite the orifices 20 with a sufficiently large clearance not to prevent rotation around the X axis, but sufficiently small for the product to pass through the front application member. to be distributed on the hair fibers.

  The holding member 6 is mounted on the support 3 by a hinge 21, and can pivot about a geometric axis of articulation Z perpendicular to the axis Y and parallel to the axis X. The holding member 6 has on one side of its articulation 21 a handle 23 and on the other side a bent portion whose distal branch is formed by a pressing rod 25, which extends parallel to the support 3, and which keeps the keratin fibers , in particular the hair, against the applicator member 2, when the user moves the handle 23 towards the receptacle 4.

  The pressing rod 25 is located for example substantially at the same distance from the axis Z as the axis X. The pressing rod 25 may comprise at least one relief promoting the lateral displacement of the hair coming into contact with it.

  The pressing rod 25 may in particular comprise at least one relief allowing, during a fractional movement exerted by the user, to move the keratin fibers to one end of the pressing rod having a flange 27 located near the flange 18.

  The holding member 6 may comprise, as can be seen in FIG. 2, an elastic return member of the handle 23, for example in the form of a flexible tab 28 which bears on the support 3 and allows to keep the holding member 6 away from the application member 2 at rest, so as to facilitate the capture of keratin fibers. The tab 28 is for example molded, by injection, with the rest of the holding member 6.

  The container 4 comprises in the example described a flexible wall 11 on which the user can press with the hand and / or with the handle 23.

  The container has a threaded neck 12 intended to cooperate sealingly with a threaded housing 13 of the support, as can be seen in FIG.

  The support 3 comprises a perforating member consisting of a pointed rod 15, for piercing a closure cap 16 disposed on the neck 12 of the container 4 before the first use of the latter. The rod 15 communicates with the channel 5, so that the product present in the container 4 can flow in the channel 5 in the direction of the applicator member 2.

  The application member 2 may not be rotatable. The applicator member 2 may in particular comprise fibers, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. 5.

  In this embodiment, the applicator member 2 comprises a fiber bundle cut in a bevel, in the form of a brush, which can make it possible to reach the hair root, for example, easily.

  The pressing rod 25 can come close to the edge 31 of the fiber bundle, which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member in the example illustrated, the bundle being relatively wide.

  Where appropriate, the applicator is proposed to the user with at least two different application members, for example a roller and a bundle of fibers, each carried by a removable portion of the support. The user can choose the application member according to the treatment to be performed.

  The invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the applicator member may be made differently, for example with flocking.

  The expression containing one must be understood as being synonymous with at least one, unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (28)

  Applicator for a product, in particular a hair product, on keratinous fibers, comprising: an application member (2) for applying the product, extending along a longitudinal axis (X); a support (3) intended to receiving a container (4) containing the product, the container being fixed on the support with its longitudinal axis (Y) forming an angle (a) which is not zero with the longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator member, support being traversed by at least one channel (5) allowing the product of the container (4) to flow towards the applicator member (2), and - a holding member (6), movable relative to the support (3), configured to allow the user to maintain the keratinous fibers in contact with the applicator member (2) during application.   2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the container comprises a flexible wall (11).   3. Applicator according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the container (4) has a threaded neck (12) for cooperating with a thread (13) of the support.   4. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the container (4) is closed by a lid (16) before use and wherein the support (3) comprises a perforating member (15), in particular a pointed stem.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member (2) is removably attached to the support (3).   6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a removable portion (30) carrying the applicator member.   An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the removable portion (30) of the support is bent.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member (2) comprises a roller.   9. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the roller is rotatable.   10. Applicator according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the roll is made of at least one of the following materials: open-cell foam or semi-open, sintered.   11. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the applicator member (2) comprises fibers.   12. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the fibers are arranged in at least one beveled fiber bundle, in particular in the form of a brush.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member comprises a porous material.   14. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (3) is bent.   15. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle (a) between the longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator member and the longitudinal axis (Y) of the container is greater than 45.   16. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the axes (X) and (Y) are substantially perpendicular.   17. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (3) comprises at least one orifice (20), in particular a plurality of orifices, for the exit of the product from the channel (5) towards the organ. application.   18. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member is permeable to the product and wherein the product at least partially passes through the applicator member before being dispensed on the keratinous fibers.   19. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding member (6) comprises a pressing rod (25) extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator member ( 2).   20. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the pressing rod comprises at least one helical relief.   21. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding member (6) is mounted on the support (3) by a hinge (21).   22. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the hinge (21) is located on the support (3) between the container (4) and the applicator member (2).   23. Applicator according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the holding member (6) can rotate relative to the support (3) about an axis (Z) extending substantially parallel to the axis (X).   24. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding member (6) comprises a handle (23), the holding member exerting pressure on the applicator member when the user presses the handle.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding member is made by injection molding with a flexible spring tab (28).   26. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator member is elastically deformable.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a container (4) containing a hair coloring product.   28. Hair treatment method, wherein at least one lock of hair is treated with the product contained in the container of an applicator as defined in any one of the preceding claims, the wick being pinched between the body of the hair. application (2) and the holding member (6).