FR2971921A1 - DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND APPLYING A PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product (P), in particular on eyelashes and / or eyebrows, comprising a container (2) containing the product (P) to be applied, a applicator (3) comprising a closing member (5) of the container (2), defining a gripping surface (17), an applicator member (8) and a rod (7) connecting the applicator member (8) ) to the closing member (5), the applicator member (8) and the rod (7) being engaged in the container (2) when the latter is closed by the applicator (3), the device comprising still another wiper (6) of the applicator member (8) when it is withdrawn from the container (2), the device (1) being characterized in that all its components are made of one or more materials thermoplastics whose chemical nature makes compatible their simultaneous recycling.

Description

The present invention relates to devices for packaging and applying a cosmetic composition and more particularly, but not exclusively, devices for packaging and applying a composition intended to be applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows.

To apply mascara, conventionally used devices comprise firstly a container having a neck provided with a wringing member and secondly an applicator comprising a rod provided at one end with a brush and at the other end of a gripping member which also constitutes a container closure member.

Generally, the various components of such devices are made of separate materials. These devices are difficult to recycle in practice because their components are made of non-recyclable materials together. In particular, non-compatible materials for recycling because of different molecular chains are often used, as well as non-recyclable elastomers. Metal can also be used, especially for the applicator member, since most mascara applicators comprise a brush consisting of a twisted metal core which surrounds the bristles. Application members have been developed in recent years, which comprise application elements made by molding one or more thermoplastics. The absence of metal core allows the device to be made entirely of plastic, which can make it recyclable provided the components are sorted to group those that are compatible to be recycled together. US Pat. No. 6,200,051 describes a device whose applicator does not have a metal core.

It is known from US 2005/0217691 to make the applicator of a single piece in a single plastic material. The publication WO 2009/153761 describes a device comprising a wiper member and a container made in one piece in the same material. The application FR 2 931 643 describes an application device whose rod and the brush are made of plastics of different hardnesses. In addition, the emptying rate of the container in conventionally used devices is most often insufficient. The amount of product remaining in the container at the end of the use of the device is sometimes relatively too large and impedes the proper recycling of the device. There is a need to make fully and more easily recyclable packaging and application devices comprising an applicator and a container containing the product to be applied. The invention aims to meet this need and, according to one of its aspects, relates to a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, especially on eyelashes and / or eyebrows, comprising: - a container containing the product to be applied, - an applicator comprising: - a closure member of the container, defining a gripping surface, - an applicator member, - a rod connecting the applicator member to the closure member, the applicator member and the rod being engaged in the container when the latter is closed by the applicator, - a wiper member of the applicator member when it is withdrawn from the container. The device advantageously comprises a means allowing a emptying rate greater than 70%. For example, the body of the container is made with at least two moving parts relative to each other, for stirring the product in the container, or the applicator member has a cross section occupying at least 70% of the inner section of the container at least in storage configuration. According to the invention, and typically, all the components of the device 25 are made of one or more thermoplastics whose chemical nature makes compatible their simultaneous recycling. By "emptying rate", it is necessary to understand the mass quantity of product taken by the applicator under normal conditions of use of the device, relative to the initial quantity. The normal conditions of use do not involve shaking of the device, and the extraction of the rod of the applicator is always done along its longitudinal axis.

In the case of a conventional device, the container is arranged vertically, the applicator is extracted vertically, the application member wiped, then the applicator is reintroduced vertically, and so on until the amount of product extracted by the applicator is substantially zero.

In the case of a device provided with a emptying means requiring a specific action of the user, for example whose body of the container is made of two moving parts, this action is performed as many times as necessary to empty at best the recipient. For example, the two moving parts are moved relative to each other after each return of the applicator into the container, the extraction and return of the applicator being done vertically with a vertical container as well. Thanks to the invention, the packaging and application device can be easily recycled, without it being necessary to separate its components beforehand. The thermoplastic materials used to produce the components of the device, namely the container, the wiper member, the closure member of the container, the applicator member and the stem, may be chosen from materials belonging solely to the family of polyolefins, for example polypropylenes (PP), or only to that of polyformaldehydes (POM), or only to that of polyamides (PA). In the case of polyolefins, it is possible to use polypropylene for certain components and for others polyethylene, for example high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and / or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). For example, the body of the container, the rod of the applicator, the closure member made of PP and the wiper member and the applicator member of LDPE are produced. The materials of the family of polyamides are preferably used for devices intended for the application of a cosmetic product resistant to water. All the materials of the components of the device according to the invention can belong to the same identification code of the thermoplastic resins, which is a system of marking by type of plastic material, used to assist in their recycling, and which can be identified to date on the packaging. by an arrow triangle inside which is a number indicating the type of plastic used. The application member is non-metallic.

Preferably, the applied product is formed from an aqueous base and / or contains only ingredients of natural origin. The wiper member may be overmoulded on the container or molded with the container, but is preferably attached to the container.

The applicator member may be attached to the rod or molded with it, for example overmolded thereon. The device is preferably arranged to allow a emptying rate greater than 80%, better 90%. In an exemplary emptying means according to the invention, the application member and the container have shapes and dimensions to increase the rate of emptying. For example, the container defines an interior space containing the product, of height H preferably at least two times greater than the length L of the applicator member, and the largest cross section of the envelope surface of the body of the applicator. application occupies at least 70% of the inner section of the container, more preferably at least 75%, more preferably at least 80%, 85%, 90% or 95%, at least along a portion of the path traveled by the application member during its extraction from the container, this portion preferably being of height at least equal to twice the length L of the applicator member. Thus, the application member can recover the product present on the inner surface of the container and the degree of emptying of the container is improved. At the end of its life, the container contains less residual product, which facilitates its recycling. In order to improve emptying of the container, it is advantageous for the applicator member to move at zero distance or with a distance between the side wall of the container and the applicator member of less than 3 mm, more preferably 2 mm, still better 1.5 mm or 0.5 mm, over most of the height H of the interior space of the container, and preferably at least partially in the lower half of the container, better over the entire height of the space inside the container under the wiper. In one example, over at least part of its length, the inside diameter of the container, under the wiper member, is less than or equal to the largest diameter of the applicator member, so that the body of the application comes into contact with the inner surface of the container and rubs on it. When the applicator member behaves like a mixer or scraper, inside the container, on at least a portion of the insertion or withdrawal stroke of the applicator into the container, the product contained in the container is brewed, which can improve the characteristics of the product and the loading of the application member. The bottom of the container advantageously has a shape that substantially matches that of the envelope surface of the applicator member. The dead volume of product, defined by the volume outside the applicator member but inside the container, on the portion of the container extending axially between the proximal end of the applicator member when the applicator is in the storage position in the container and the bottom of the container, may be less than or equal to the volume of the applicator member, for example less than or equal to 3/4 of this volume, better to 1A of this volume. By "volume of the applicator member" is meant the volume defined by the envelope surface of the applicator member. This reduces the risk of accumulation at the bottom of the container of a quantity of product that can not be taken by the applicator.

According to another example of emptying means according to the invention, the container comprises a first part and a second part, the second part being rotatable by the user relative to the first part, and defining at least one surface in contact with the first part. the product inside the container, the applicator member and said surface being arranged such that rotation of said surface exerts pressure on the product causing movement of the product towards the applicator member. Such an arrangement can also improve the emptying of the container. The two parts can define the body of the container when engaged one inside the other. The second part may include a blade. The latter can be realized monolithically with the second part. In a variant, the blade may comprise at least one portion attached to the second portion. The aforementioned surface may extend to a wall of the first portion defining the interior space containing the product. This may for example allow a radially outer edge of the second part to scrape the aforementioned wall and improve the emptying of the container. Said surface may extend at least partially parallel to the axis of rotation of the second part. Said surface may also extend at least partially along a radial plane containing the axis of rotation of the second part.

Said surface may extend along at least two radii. Said surface may be secant or not to the axis of rotation. Said surface may in particular have a certain warping, and in particular have a shape adapted to improve the flow of the product over the entire height of the applicator member. Said surface may in particular be configured to raise during its rotation the product which tends to accumulate at the bottom of the container. Said surface may thus have a portion inclined downwards and in its direction of displacement. Said surface may still have a lower edge which substantially matches the shape of a bottom wall of the container, so as to scrape the product deposited on this bottom wall. Said surface may comprise a radially inner edge which is for example curved downwards and inwards, in order to substantially match the shape of the applicator member housed in the interior space. Said surface may have a radially outer edge which substantially matches the shape of a side wall of the container. Said surface may have a radially inner edge which substantially matches the profile of the applicator member. The first part may define a counter-surface opposite which the aforementioned blade can come at least partially facing, at the end of the rotation of the second part. This counter surface may extend substantially radially towards the center of the container. The counter-surface may be defined by a partition projecting into the interior space of the container containing the product. According to the exemplary embodiments, the container may be monolithic or not. The capacity of the container is for example less than or equal to 10 ml, better 5 ml. The applicator member, the rod and the closure member may be molded in one piece. The wiper member and the container may also be molded in one piece. The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, of non-limiting examples thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of FIG. elevation with partial longitudinal section, an example of a packaging device and application made according to the invention, - Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention, - Figure 3 is an exploded view of a Another embodiment of the device according to the invention, - Figure 4 is a partial section and schematic, along IV-IV of the device of Figure 3, and - Figure 5 is an axial section, schematic and partial, of the applicator of Figure 3. The device 1 for packaging and application made according to the invention and shown in Figure 1 comprises a container 2 which contains the product P to apply, for example mascara, and an applicator 3 which makes it possible to apply the product P to human keratin materials, for example keratinous fibers such as eyelashes or eyebrows. The container 2 can be made by any suitable means, for example by injection of thermoplastic material, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding or coextrusion, in a single material or in several compatible materials for recycling. The body 27 of the container may be one-piece or have several parts assembled. The container 2 is made entirely of thermoplastic material, and can be made for example of PE, PP, POM, PA. The container 2 is, in a preferred example, made of PE.

The applicator 3 comprises a rod 7, at the end of which is mounted an applicator member 8. The latter may be attached to the rod 7 or alternatively at least partially molded in one piece with the latter. To allow recycling of the device, the rod 7 is, in the preferred example, made of PE.

The rod 7 is connected, on the opposite side to the applicator member 8, as in the example shown, to a closure member 5 of the container 2, which also defines a gripping surface 17. The container 2 may comprise a threaded neck 4 on which can be screwed the closing member 5, this collar 4 defining an outlet orifice 13. The closure member may be made of the same plastic material as the rod, namely, in the preferred example , in PE. A wiper member 6 can be mounted in the neck 4 of the container 2, as illustrated. This wiper member 6 may be made in various ways and may comprise a wiper lip 9 defining a wiper orifice 9a, whose diameter corresponds for example substantially to that of the rod 7, so that it does not present excess product after extraction of the container 2. The wiper member 6 can be attached to the neck, molded or overmolded thereon. The wiper member 6 may be made of the same plastic material as the rest of the container, or at least in a material allowing their simultaneous recycling. In the preferred example, the wiper member 6 is made of PE. The applicator member 8 is non-metallic, and may comprise a molded core of thermoplastic material comprising protruding elements 19, such as teeth or bristles for example, made by molding thermoplastic material, monolithically or not with the soul. The applicator member 8 may be an injected comb or brush. In the preferred example, the applicator member 8 is made of PE. The projecting elements 19 may have various cross-sections. In an alternative embodiment, the container 2 is made, as illustrated in Figure 2, with an insert 2a defining the inner space containing the product P and a trim piece 2b defining the body 27 of the container and giving it its shape exterior. The insert 2a can be made by molding material with a neck 4, in particular a threaded neck, which can support the wiper member, not shown in Figure 2. The insert 2a can be made, as illustrated, with a flange 119 for fixing it in the covering part 2b, for example by snapping. The insert 2a may have a constant inner section over most of its height H, for example a circular section, and which decreases towards the bottom of the insert in order to match the shape of the applicator member 8, where appropriate. The bottom of the insert 2a may be in the shape of a spherical cap and the applicator member 8 in the form of a ball, as illustrated, with a substantially spherical envelope surface. The insert 2a defines the internal space 15 of the container 2 containing the product P, of height H at least twice the length L of the applicator member 8. The largest diameter dm. the applicator member 8 may be close to the internal diameter d ,,, t of the container 2, defined by the inner surface 24 of the insert 2a, and there is for example 1dint-dmaI <3mm, better to 1.5mm and even better at 1mm or 0.5mm. For example, there is d..X which is 10 mm and d ,,, t which is from 10.5 to 11.5 mm.

The applicator member 8 is located at a distance j from the inner surface 24 which is relatively small, or even zero, being preferably less than 3 mm, better still 1.5 mm, more preferably 1 or 0.5 mm , for a certain portion at least of the path traveled by the applicator member 8 when the latter is extracted from the container 2 along the longitudinal axis X from its storage position, as described in the application FR 2 932 656. This distance j, which is low or zero, at least at the level of the largest transverse dimension d..X of the applicator member 8, allows a certain stirring of the product P during the extraction and the return of the applicator member 8 in the container 2, the applicator member 8 acting as a piston displacing the product P in the container, until the product is almost completely exhausted, facilitating the recycling of the device. In the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, the emptying means which makes it possible to obtain a relatively high emptying rate consists of the choice of the shape and the dimensions on the one hand of the interior space of the container containing the product and on the other hand the application organ. Other means can be used to obtain a relatively high dump rate. In an alternative embodiment, the device 1 according to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises a container 2 having a first portion 10 and a second portion 20 rotatable relative to the first around a geometric axis of rotation X , coincides with the longitudinal axis of the device 1 in the example in question, and as described in the application FR 2 868 669. The first part 10 comprises, in the example considered, a collar 11 provided with a relief 18 and d a sealing lip 14 and a body 2b. The first part 10 is made of a thermoplastic material.

The first 10 and second 20 parts define an interior space 15 in which the product P is contained, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The first part 10 has a partition 16 extending radially towards the center in the interior space 15, to the vicinity of the applicator member 8. The second portion 20 comprises an outer skirt 21 arranged to snap onto the relief 18 and made monolithically in the example under consideration with a threaded collar 22, which allows the fixing of the closure member 5.

The relief 18 is made for example in the form of an annular bead, continuous or discontinuous, in order to axially immobilize the first portion 10 relative to the second portion 20, while allowing a relative rotation between the two. The second portion 20 comprises a blade 23, made monolithically with the skirt 21 and the neck 22, as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the blade 23 has a shape adapted on the one hand to the application member 8 and on the other hand to the shape of the first part 10. In the example of Figure 3, the blade 23 has a radially outer edge 23a whose profile allows it to come close to the radially inner surface of the first in part, so as to scrape the product P. The lower edge 23c of the blade 23 substantially matches the shape of the bottom wall 44 of the container. The blade 23 and the partition 16 define, inside the space 15, two chambers 15a and 15b which communicate with each other by a central region 15c in which the applicator member 8 is located when the applicator 3 is in place on the container 2. Each main face of the blade 23 defines a rotary surface 40, one of which exerts a thrust on the product P in the direction of rotation of the second part 20.

The partition 16 defines counter-surfaces 46. At the end of the rotation of the second portion 20 relative to the first portion 10, one of the rotary surfaces 40 is substantially superimposed on one of the counter surfaces 46 When the user rotates the second portion relative to the first portion in either direction, the movement of the blade 23 within the gap causes a decrease in the volume of the first portion. one of the chambers 15a or 15b and an increase of the volume of the other chamber, which causes a product flow from one chamber to the other in the central region 15c and the applicator member 8 can be loaded with product . In the example of FIG. 4, the volume of the chamber 15a decreases while that of the chamber 15b increases and the product flows from the chamber 15a to the chamber 15b.

FIG. 5 represents the applicator 3 in isolation. The closure member 5 comprises a mounting tip 25 molded with the rod 7. The closure member 5 comprises a skirt 26 internally threaded so as to be able to be fixed on the threaded collar 4 of the container 2.

In all the embodiments that have just been described, the various components of the device according to the invention are made of thermoplastic materials whose chemical nature makes compatible their simultaneous recycling. The components are for example all made of thermoplastic materials belonging to polyolefins, for example all polypropylene, all polyethylene, or some polypropylene and other polyethylene. They can also all belong to polyformaldehydes (POM), or all to polyamides (PA).

More generally, they may all belong to one of the following families: Family Examples trade names (registered trademarks) ABS Afcoryl, Cycolac, Isopak, Lastilac, Lustran, Novodur, Polyflam, (Acrylonitrile-Polymac copolymer Polyman Ronfalin Terluran Toyolac Ugikral 'Vestodur butadiene-styrene)

<CA Cellidor A, Cellon, Lumarith, Rhodialite, Rhodoid, Setilitte (Cellulose Acetate)

s PS Carinex, Edistir, Empera, Gedex, Hostyrene, Lacqréne, Luran, Lustran, (Polystyrene) Lustrex, Noryl, Polyflam, Polystyrene, Riviera, Styranex, Styroflex, Trolitul, Ursaa, Vestyron

EPS Afcolein, Depron, Hostapor, Polyfoam, Roofmate, Sagex, Styrocell, (Styrofoam) Styrodur, Styrofoam, Styropor, Vestypor

Pebax, Akulon, Altech, Amilan, Bergamid, Capron, Durethan, Eratlon, Eraalon, Grilamid, Grilon, Igamid, Kevlar, Latamid, Lauramid, Maranyl, PA Minlon, Miramid, Nomex, Nylatron, Nylon, Nypel, Orgamide, Perlon, ( Polyamide) Polyloy, Radiflam, Radilon, Renyl, Rilsan, Schulamid, Sniamid, Stanyl (PA-4.6), Staramide, Starflam, Tactel, Technyl, Trogamid, Ultramid, Vertamid, Vestamid, Vydyne, Zytel PBT Arnite, Celanex, Crastin , Deroton, Hostadur, Pocan, PTMT, Tenite, (Poly (Ultradur terephthalate, Vestodur butylene))

PC Apec, Axxis, Durolon, Gerpalon, Latilon, Lexan, Makrolon, Panlite, (Polycarbonate) Plaslube, Polyman, Xantar PE Alkathene, Alketh, Dyneema, Eltex, Hostalen, Lacgene, Lupolen, (Polyethylene) Manole, Marlex, Moplen, Plastazote , Polythen, Sclair, Stamylan, Stamylex, Supralen, Surlyn, Tyvek, Vestolen A 'PET Arnite, Baydur, Bidim, Dacron, Diolen, Ektar, Ertalyte, Hostadur K and (Poly (terephthalate A, Kodar, Melinex, Mylar, Pocan, Raditer, Rhodester, Rynite, tenite, ethylene Tergal, Terphane, Terylene, Trevira, Ultradur ----------------------------- --------------------------------------------- ----- -------------------------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------- ------------------------------

PMMA Acrigel Altuglas Altulite Bonoplex Corian Deglan Limacryl Lucite '(Poly (methyl methacrylate)) Metacrilate, Oroglas, Perspex, Resalit, Vitroflex: Acetaver POM, Bergaform, Celcon, Delrin, Ertacetal, Hostaform, Kematal, (Polyformaldehyde) ~ Kepital, Kocetal , Ultraform Amoco, Appryl, Carlona, Eltex, Hostalen PP, Luparen, Moplen, PP Novolen Oléform Polyflam Profax Propathene P léne Stamylan P '(Polypropene) Trovidur PP, Vestolen P .............. .................................................. .......... ........................................ .................................. ................ .................................................. ........ ...................................... PVAC Elvacet, Hostaflex , Mowilith, Rhovyl, Vinnapas, Vinyon (Polyvinyl acetate) ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ---------- -------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------------------- ------ Benvic, Breon, Corfam, Darvic, Duraform, Garbel PVC, Gedevyl, Hostalit, Lacovyl, Lacqvil, Lucolene, Lucovyl, (Poly (vinyl chloride)) Lucalor, Lucoflex, Micronyl, Mipolam, Nakan, Saran , Solvic, Tefanyl, Trovidur, Ultryl, Vestolit, Vinidur, Vinnol, Vinnolit, Vinoflex, Vinylite .............................. ............................................ ...... .................................................. .................. ................................ .......................................... ........ .............................. SAN (Styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer) Elvax, Lacqsan, Luran, Lustran, Restil, Vestoran The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. The plastics used may thus comprise fillers or additives promoting sliding, mechanical strength, product preservation, within the limit allowing the simultaneous recycling of all components of the device, without disassembly thereof. The invention is not limited to a particular application member, which can be flocked in a material compatible with other materials used for recycling the device, if any.

The phrase "with one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims (11)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product (P), in particular on eyelashes and / or eyebrows, comprising: - a container (2) containing the product (P) to be applied, - an applicator ( 3) comprising: - a closing member (5) of the container (2), defining a gripping surface (17), - an applicator member (8), - a rod (7) connecting the applicator member (8) to the closing member (5), the applicator member (8) and the rod (7) being engaged in the container (2) when the latter is closed by the applicator (3), - a wiper member (6) of the applicator member (8) when it is withdrawn from the container (2), the device comprising means allowing a container emptying rate greater than 70%, in particular the body of the container being made with at least two moving parts relative to each other, or the applicator member having a cross-section occupying at least 70% of the inner section of the container at least ins in storage configuration, the device (1) being characterized in that all its components are made of one or more thermoplastics whose chemical nature makes compatible their simultaneous recycling. 2. Device according to claim 1, the thermoplastic materials used to make the components of the device (1) being selected from materials belonging solely to the family of polyolefins, or only to that of polyformaldehydes, or only to that of polyamides. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, the applicator member (8) being non-metallic. 4. Device according to claims 1 to 3, the product (P) being an aqueous base, and / or being made only from ingredients of natural origin. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the wiper member (6) being attached to the container (2). 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator member (8) being attached to the applicator (3). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the container (2) defining an interior space (15) containing the product (P), of height (H) at least twice the length (L) of the application member (8), and the largest cross section of the applicator member (8) occupying at least 70% of the interior section of the container (2), at least along a portion of the traveled path by the applicator member (8) during its extraction from the container (2), this portion being of height at least equal to twice the length (L) of the applicator member (8). 8. Device according to claims 1 to 6, the container (2) having a first portion (10) and a second portion (20), the second portion (20) being rotatable by the user relative to the first portion ( 10), and defining at least one surface (40) in contact with the product (P) inside the container (2), the applicator member (8) and said surface (40) being arranged in such a way a rotation of said surface (40) exerts pressure on the product (P) causing product movement towards the applicator member (8). 9. Device according to claim 8, the second portion (20) having a blade (23). 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator member (8), the rod (7) and the closure member (5) being molded in one piece. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the wiper member (6) and the container (2) being molded in one piece.