FR2902773A1 - Cosmetic product e.g. skin care product, conditioning and refrigerated distributing assembly for e.g. user face, has container with refrigerating product circulates in passage that is has porous element - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly has two containers respectively containing a product to be distributed and a refrigerating product e.g. dimethyether. A distribution device releases the product to be distributed through a distribution orifice (41). The distribution device is arranged such that the product to be distributed is transported towards the orifice via a passage (48). The refrigerating product circulates in another passage (47), when the product to be distributed is transported towards the orifice. The passage (47) has a porous element (454) that is made of foam or synthetic fiber.

Description

PACKAGING AND REFRIGERATED PRODUCT ASSEMBLY OF A PRODUCT

  The present invention relates to a set of packaging and dispensing a refreshing product and more particularly, a set of packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product having a cooling effect to the application.

  "Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993.

  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.

  Document EP-0459508 also discloses a portable kit for cooling product doses, in particular doses of ophthalmic solutions or cosmetic composition, supplied with said kit. But the operation of such a kit requires many manual assembly steps to the user who wishes to use it. In addition, the manipulation of a cooled dose can lead to reheating before even having been able to apply its content to the desired location.

  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 particularly an object of the invention to provide such a package for packaging and dispensing a product that allows the product to be cooled efficiently and distributed as it is dispensed.

  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 refrigerated packaging and dispensing of 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 outlet of the product to be dispensed through a dispensing orifice, the device being arranged so that the product to be dispensed is conveyed to the orifice of distribution via a first passage, the refrigerant circulating in a second passage, such that one of the first passage and the second passage at least partially surrounds the other of the first passage or the second passage, the second passage comprising a porous element.

  The presence of this porous element in the second passage makes it possible to absorb a portion of the expelled refrigerant and its progressive expansion in a confined environment around the first passage. This arrangement is particularly useful when the flow of the first distribution element is large and continuous. The presence of this porous element thus increases the duration of maintenance of the cold effect on the first passage, and can also participate in the isolation of the first passage vis-à-vis the temperature variations of the external environment.

  The porous element is for example made from synthetic fibers, sintered or foam. For example, this porous element may be made from an expanded foam obtained from a synthetic material, the architecture of the foam being open-celled, or at least semi-open, so as to tolerate the diffusion and diffusion. expansion of the refrigerant.

  Preferably, the first passage is surrounded at least partially by the second passage. Alternatively, the device may also be arranged so that the product is conveyed to the dispensing orifice via a first passage of annular cross-section extending around the second passage in which the coolant circulates.

  Advantageously, the two passages are formed in one and the same piece of molding. For example, the walls respectively delimiting the passages are made from thermoplastic materials, in particular from polyolefin materials, so as to improve the compatibility of these walls with the product to be dispensed.

  To improve the cooling of the dispensed product, the passages are configured so 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. 3

  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.

  In particular, and in order to flow the products in opposite directions in their respective passages, the second passage may be closed at one of its ends by an insert. This insert may include a sealing disc and further a distribution disc, so that the refrigerant opens out of the second distribution element between the sealing disc and the distribution disc. Advantageously, the distribution disk is such that, during the actuation of the second distribution element, the refrigerant is diffused in the space between the sealing disc and the distribution disk, and is homogeneously distributed in the second passage via openings of the distribution disc regularly formed on its surface.

  In particular, the insert may comprise a nozzle intended to be arranged across the first passage so as to modify the diffusion of the product to be dispensed. The nozzle is then disposed downstream of the dispensing orifice, which is then defined by said insert.

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

  At rest, the first and second passages may be substantially perpendicular to the actuating rods of the containers.

  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, which has the property of falling in temperature as it relaxes from the liquid state in the gaseous state, is packaged under pressure in the second container, so as to remain in the liquid state. During storage, the coolant is at room temperature in its container. Once the dispensing element is actuated, the distributed refrigerant relaxes.

  In particular, the refrigerant chosen will be a hydrocarbon, for example butane 3.2, or a freon, for example HFC 134a, or even dimethyl ether.

  The first and / or second distribution element may be a valve or a pump. Each distribution element equipping respectively the first 10 and second containers, may comprise an actuating rod.

  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 harmful effects of the sun or an after-sun care product.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. a 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 shows a perspective view of the hood of the assembly of Figure 1; FIG. 4 represents a perspective view from below of the mounting band of the assembly of FIG. 1; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the diffuser of the assembly of Figure 1; - Figure 6 shows a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the diffuser of Figure 1; FIG. 7 represents a perspective view of an insert of the diffuser of FIG. 6.

  FIGS. 1 and 2 show a packaging and distribution assembly comprising a dispensing device 20 mounted on two containers 10a and 10b each respectively comprising a longitudinal axis X 1 and X 2. 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 a pressurized container equipped with a valve 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 valves are metering to allow the dispensing of a dose of product by actuation and avoid emptying the two containers in a single operation. Alternatively, the product container to be dispensed may be equipped with a pump.

  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, illustrated more particularly in Figures 2 and 4, 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 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, via a dispensing orifice 41.

  The diffuser 40 has an outer wall 42 hollow, elongated along an axis Y which is perpendicular to the axes X, and X2, and two skirts 42a and 42b, perpendicular to the axis Y. Each skirt communicates with the inside of the outer wall 42. The first skirt 42a is intended to be engaged on the first actuating rod 11a, protruding from the circular opening 32. The second skirt 42b is intended to be engaged on the second actuating rod 11b, protruding from the circular opening 32.

  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 the rods 11a and 11b, when the containers 10a and 10b are assembled by the trim band 30. In particular, the first skirt 42a is situated on the side of a first axial end 43, along the Y axis, of the outer wall 42 of the diffuser and the second skirt 42b is located near a second axial end 44 of the outer wall 42, opposite the first.

  5, 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 opens at a second axial end 44, opposite the first axial end 43, to allow the output of the cosmetic product to be dispensed.

  The diffuser 40 also has on its outer surface two lugs 49, located on either side of the outer wall 42, which extend perpendicular to the axis Y.

  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 diffuser extends for dispensing the product.

  The actuating element 60 is provided in the upper part of the cover 50. 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 11a and 11b 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, and for a substantially identical stroke.

  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.

  The diffuser 40 includes an insert 45 participating with the outer wall 42 in the definition of a first passage 48 for dispensing the cosmetic product, and a second passage 47 through which the coolant is dispensed.

  In particular, Figure 5, the first passage 48 is cylindrical and delimited by a tubular wall 451 of the insert 45, this tubular wall extending inside the outer wall 42, along the axis of elongation Y. The tubular wall 451 extends to the level of the first axial end 43 so that the first skirt 42a opens into this first passage 48 at this first end 43.

  In this case, the second passage 47 is annular and delimited between the outer wall 42 and the tubular wall 451. The second skirt 42b opens at the inner periphery of the outer wall 42, near the second axial end 44. The piece reported 45 comprises a nozzle 452 defined around the tubular wall 451 configured to close the second passage 47 at the second axial end 44. In particular, this nozzle 452 comprises a flange 453 for sealing against the edge of the wall 42. The tip 452 is force-fitted against the inner periphery of the outer wall 42 and against the outer periphery of the tubular wall 451. The second passage 47 opens out of the diffuser 40 via a vent 410 formed through the outer wall 42, near the first axial end 43.

  A porous element 454 is retained in the second passage 47. This porous element 454 is permeable to gas, and in particular allows the refrigerant to be retained in the passage 47, so that the latter generates frigories which can then be transmitted through the tubular wall 451 so as to cool the first passage 48, and the product that passes through it.

  The porous element 454 can be elastically compressible. It is then held tightly between the outer wall 42 and the tubular wall 451.

  The porous element 454 is for example made of open-cell polyurethane foam, or sintered polyethylene fibers.

  The first passage 48 being formed, according to this embodiment, in the tubular wall 45, the dispensing orifice 41 is then defined at the tip 452. The tip 452 may constitute a nozzle configured to modify the distribution of the nozzle 45. refrigerated product and include vortex channels for this purpose.

  According to the embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the diffuser 40 has a tubular wall 401 concentrically arranged inside the outer wall 42, and obtained by molding with the latter. This tubular wall 401 is in direct communication with the first skirt 42a. The second passage 47 is here defined between the outer wall 42 and the tubular wall 401. The insert 45 provided in this variant does not have a tubular wall such as 451. Nevertheless, the insert 45 sealingly closes the second passage 47. by means of a nozzle 452, this nozzle 452 being disposed between the outer wall 42 and the tubular wall 401, at the second axial end 44. During the distribution of the refrigerant gas, it circulates in the second passage to the vent 410.

  Insofar as the insert 45 is not disposed across the first passage 48 formed by the tubular wall 401, the dispensing orifice 41 is here defined by the periphery of this tubular wall 401.

  Thus, also according to this variant, the product coming from the first skirt 42a flows in the first passage 48, from the first end 43 to the dispensing orifice 41, while at the same time the refrigerant is moves in the other direction, from the second skirt 42b to the vent 410, in the second passage 47 which surrounds the passage 48 for the distribution of the product. The second passage 47 is partly obstructed by the presence of the porous element 454 disposed between the outer wall 42 and the tubular wall 401. In this embodiment, the porous element 454 having a tubular structure is either obtained by cutting in a block of foam is made by sintering directly to the desired size. It is then assembled in a slightly tightening assembly.

  Advantageously, in the embodiment of Figure 6, and as shown in the detail of Figure 7, the insert 45 has a distribution disc 455, which is disposed between the second skirt 42b and the vent 410 when the piece reported 45 is mounted on the outer wall 42, so that the second skirt 42b opens between the tip 452 and the distribution disc 455. In this case, the porous member 454 is held between the distribution disc 455 and a bottom wall 456 of the second passage 47.

  This distribution disc 455 comprises a plurality of orifices 457 regularly distributed over the surface of this disc, this surface having a section substantially identical to the section of the second passage 47, so that the gas released at the level of the second skirt 42b is diffused in the second passage only via said orifices 457.

  With the distribution disk 455, even though the second skirt 42b opens into a single access point in the second passage 47, the flow of refrigerant is first distributed around the tubular wall portion 401 facing this second skirt 42b before being able to expand in a direction parallel to the axis Y via the orifices 457 in the porous element 454, and up to the vent 410.

  Figures 6 and 7, the distribution wall 457 is connected by a tubular intermediate wall 458 to the nozzle 452, the tubular intermediate wall 458 intended to be fitted around the tubular wall 401, in the assembled position. Alternatively, and in place of the tubular wall 458, the distribution wall 457 can be connected to the tip 452 by material bridges extending away from the tubular wall 401.

  The passage 48 for the distribution of the product and the passage 47 for the distribution of the refrigerant gas which have just been described are respectively circular and annular section. It is not beyond the scope of the invention using passages having outside circumferential sections other than circular. The passages may for example have a cross section oval, triangular or polygonal and in particular square. The two passages may have a section of the same shape or a section of different shape.

  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 through the porous element 454, 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. This allows the product to be rapidly cooled before being discharged through the dispensing orifice 41.

  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 (14)

  1. Refrigerated packaging and dispensing unit 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 dispensing device (20) for actuating the first and second dispensing elements and the outlet of the product to be dispensed through a dispensing orifice (41), the device (20) being arranged so that the product to be dispensed is conveyed to the dispensing orifice (41) via a first passage (48), the refrigerant circulating in a second passage (47), such that one of the first passage (48) and the second passage surrounds at least partially the other of the first passage or the second passage (47), the second passage comprising a porous element (454). 2 - assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that the porous element is made from synthetic fibers or foam. 3 - assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the first passage is surrounded at least partially by the second passage. 4 - assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two passages are formed in the same piece obtained molding. 5. - An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passages are configured so that the refrigerant flows in the opposite direction of the product to be dispensed. 6 - assembly according to claim 5 characterized in that the second passage is closed at one of its ends by an insert, the insert 14 having a sealing disc and a distribution disk so that the refrigerant product opens the second distribution element between the shutter disk and the distribution disk. 7 - set according to claim 6 characterized in that the insert comprises a nozzle disposed across the first passage so as to modify the diffusion of the product. 8. ù assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second passage (47) wherein the refrigerant flows out through a vent (410) located away from the dispensing orifice. 9. 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). 10. An assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the device (20) comprises two skirts (42a, 42b) adapted to engage respectively on the actuating rods (11a, 11b), one of the skirts (42a) opening into the first passage (48) and the other skirts (42b) opening into the second passage (47). 11. 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. 12. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second distribution element is a valve. 13. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an actuating element (60) movable to cause the actuation of the distribution elements. 14. 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 the body, a product for protecting the skin against adverse effects of the sun or an after-sun care product.