FR2987726A1 - DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING AND APPLICATION. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising: - a container (2) containing the product, - a flexible membrane (3) or a metal wall (3) integral with the container (2) at least during use of the device (1) for applying the product defining an application surface (4), and having at least one dispensing orifice (5) of the product opening onto the application surface (4) an internal structure (8) disposed at least partially under the membrane (3) or the metal wall (3), made of a material different from the membrane or the metal wall, and forming a supply duct (9); ) of the product to the dispensing orifice (5), and - a closure member (14) comprising a sealing pin (13) adapted to seal against the supply duct (9) to ensure sealing the closure of the device (1) when the closure member (14) is in place.

Description

The present invention relates to devices for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic or dermatological product, for example a make-up or body care product, face or hair. In order to maintain the tightness of a device for packaging and applying a product, there are many means, such as, for example, a seal by lip, pin or flat seal. It is known to seal a device comprising a flexible application member, such as a membrane of an elastomer, and a dispensing orifice of the product passing through the membrane, by a sealing pin arranged on the closure member 10 of the device and applying to the membrane. The filling however loses in quality over time because the membrane tends to deform permanently in contact with the pin; the seal may thus be insufficient in certain situations, such as for example a change in ambient pressure due to transport by plane. In addition, product present on the membrane after application may dry out and form a residue interposed between the membrane and the pin, adversely affecting the seal. Product can still, due to insufficient sealing, dry back from the dispensing orifice and form a deposit hindering the outlet of the product or affecting its appearance. The application WO 2011/083427 discloses a device comprising an applicator member 20 made of a metallic material. The sealing pin, made of a thermoplastic material, can in the long run flow in contact with the metal and / or wear and no longer ensure a sufficient seal. There is therefore a need to improve the sealing of the closure of packaging and application devices comprising an elastically deformable or metallic application member, through which at least one product dispensing orifice passes. The invention aims to satisfy this need, and it achieves this through a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising: a container containing the product, a flexible membrane or a metal wall integral with the container for at least one The use of the device for applying the product, defining an application surface, and having at least one product dispensing orifice opening onto the application surface, an internal structure disposed at least partially under the membrane or the metal wall (when the device rests vertically with the diaphragm or the metal wall upwards), made of a material different from the membrane or the metal wall, and forming a conduit for feeding the product towards the dispensing orifice of the product, and a closing member comprising a closing pin adapted to be sealingly applied to the supply duct to ensure sealing closing the device when the closure member is in place. The invention ensures a durable seal and quality. Thanks to the invention, the seal is ensured at least by the contact of the pin on the internal structure which forms the supply conduit. Thus, a long-term sealed contact between the membrane and the pin or between the metal wall and the pin is no longer necessary. This allows for example to achieve the dispensing orifice with a section greater than that of the pin, if this is desired. The seal is easier to perform and is less prone to a risk of degradation of the plugging in the event of formation of a deposit of product having dried.

Flexible membrane The flexible membrane, just like the metal wall, is intended for the direct application of the cosmetic or dermatological product on the skin, the mucous membranes or the hair. The membrane may be made of elastomer, for example elastomer based on silicone, vinyl, butyl, latex, thermoplastic elastomer, for example Hytrel, SEBS, SIS, EVA, Santoprene. The membrane may be covered by flocking or not, and have asperities on its surface or be smooth. The membrane may have a recess at the dispensing orifice.

The thickness of the membrane may be between 0.15 and 4 min. The membrane may comprise a sealing lip formed around the dispensing orifice of the product, on the inner side. The dispensing orifice of the product may be unique and be central. The membrane may include an air intake port, allowing it to resume its initial shape more quickly in case of deformation during the application of the product. The membrane may be of any shape and size, for example rounded, flat, or beveled. The membrane can be undeformed when the sealing pin is in place.

The membrane is advantageously non-porous, being non-permeable to the product elsewhere than at the dispensing orifice. Metal wall The metal wall can be made in a stamped metal or not.

The metal is for example aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The metal wall may be dish-shaped, concave towards the interior of the container. The thickness of the metal wall may be between 0.1 and 4 mm. The use of a metal wall advantageously provides a cold effect to the application. Internal Structure and Closing Pin The supply duct of the internal structure may be substantially circular in section and have an internal diameter smaller than that of the product dispensing orifice. The diameter of the dispensing orifice of the product, produced in the membrane or the metal wall, is for example between 0.2 and 4 mm. The internal structure may not engage in the dispensing orifice. The internal structure may also engage at least partially in the membrane or the metal wall at the dispensing orifice. The internal structure may be made of a material of hardness greater than that of the material in which the membrane is made, to ensure a good seal of the device. This material is for example a thermoplastic material such as PE, PP, PA, POM, PS, SAM or PET. The internal structure can serve as a support for the membrane and limit the possibility of deformation during application. The feed conduit of the inner structure may be internally of slightly conical shape, to cooperate with the sealing pin, which may be of slightly conical shape as well. The sealing pin may be hollow or tubular. In the case where the flexible membrane comprises a sealing lip formed under the product dispensing orifice, the internal structure may comprise a nozzle engaging in the space defined by the sealing lip. The latter can be applied in a sealed manner on the eMbout. Preferably, the cooperation between the internal structure and the membrane allows at least partial depression of the membrane during application. For example, the sealing lip formed under the membrane can move axially relative to the supply duct. A product accumulation chamber may be formed between the dispensing orifice of the membrane and the supply duct of the internal structure, making it possible to have a stock of product. The sealing pin is preferably made of a relatively rigid thetriiopastic material, for example a polyolefin, a PET or a styrenic polymer. The sealing pin can be molded in one piece with a closing member, which can be completely separable from the container during the application of the product.

In the case where the application surface is defined by a metal wall, the internal structure may comprise ribs connecting to a tubular central body of the internal structure, defining the supply duct. These ribs can be made of a thermoplastic material, just like the tubular central body. The internal structure can be made in one piece, or, alternatively, be composed of several pieces. The internal structure can be molded in one piece in a thermoplastic material with fastening means on the container or on a part in which the container is engaged. The internal structure may be molded in one piece with a surface on which the closure member applies when the device is closed, including a surface for fixing the closure member. The inner structure may be further molded in one piece with a wall defining a housing into which a pump or valve stem of the container engages. The internal structure may be molded in one piece with a sealing lip for sealingly mounting the inner structure on the container body. Container The container may be made of a flexible material or, alternatively, of a rigid material. The container can be of any shape and size, for example being in the general shape of a pot, a pen or a tube. The body of the container may be transparent or not. The container may comprise a single or a double envelope. The packaging and application device according to the invention may be devoid of a product dispensing system of the pump or valve type, the product flowing through the dispensing orifice and passing through the membrane or the metal wall, through gravity, by inverting or shaking the container, or by decreasing its internal volume. A movable member may be disposed in the container, allowing the product to be homogenized and / or facilitating the raising thereof to the dispensing orifice, when the container is returned. In the case where the application surface is defined by a metal wall, the latter is advantageously permanently in contact with the mass of product contained in the container when the latter is returned, to obtain a lasting effect of cold to the application.

In a variant, the device according to the invention comprises a distribution system such as a pump. A pump rod can be engaged in the internal structure. The actuation of the pump is effected for example by moving the container, on which is fixed the pump body, relative to the internal structure in which is engaged the pump rod.

Locking means for blocking the pump, particularly useful in the case of transport, may be provided. The pin closing the supply duct can ensure a tight closure of the pump rod, if necessary. The dispensing system may also be of the open / closed type, and have a shutter mechanism on the container to allow or not the dispensing of the product into the feed conduit. The product, which is liquid, can be in the form of oil, cream, milk, lotion or gel. The product may contain an aqueous, oily or alcoholic solvent. The product contains a cosmetic or dermatological active. The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which will follow, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. , in axial section, schematic and partial, an example of a packaging and dispensing device produced in accordance with the invention, - Figure 2 shows the membrane and the internal structure of the device of Figure 1, 30 taken in isolation, in open configuration With the closure member having been removed, FIG. 3 shows the diaphragm, the internal structure and the closure member taken in isolation, in the closure configuration, the closure member being in position, FIG. FIG. 5 is a view from above of the internal structure according to V of FIG. 4; FIGS. 6A to 6E show, in axial section, exemplary embodiments of FIG. the membrane, and Figures 7 to 13 are views similar to Figure 1, showing alternative embodiments of devices according to the invention. The device 1 for packaging and application shown in Figure 1 comprises a container 2, defining a space 25 containing a product P to be applied to human keratin materials, especially on the skin, lips or hair. The container 2 slides in a guide skirt 41, defining the gripping surface of the device 1 during use. The device 1 comprises, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a flexible membrane 3 defining an application surface 4 and having a dispensing orifice 5 opening onto the application surface 4. The device 1 comprises an internal structure 8 supporting the membrane 3 at least at its periphery, for example reported on the guide skirt 41, as illustrated. The internal structure 8 forms a supply duct 9 guiding the product P towards the dispensing orifice 5. This supply duct 9 internally defines a seat 6 for receiving a closure pin 13, as illustrated in FIG. as detailed below. The internal structure 8 is, for example, snapped onto a neck 10 which extends the guide skirt 20 further. The internal structure 8 may also be fastened to the guide skirt 41 differently, for example by overmolding, screwing, crimping, friction, gluing or welding, this list not being limiting. The internal structure 8 can be molded in one piece with the guide skirt 41. The membrane 3 may have at its periphery, as illustrated, an annular relief 20 which facilitates the retention of the membrane 3 by the internal structure 8 The membrane 3 can be fixed by any means on the internal structure 8, being for example retained thereon by friction or snap-fastening. The internal structure 8 serves, in the illustrated example, for the mounting of a closure member 14, the latter being for example in the faith-me of a closure cap fixed, for example by snapping or screwing, on an outer upright 26 of the internal structure 8. The closure member 14 comprises the sealing pin 13 adapted to be sealingly applied at least on the supply duct 9, to ensure the tightness of the closure of the device 1.

The sealing pin 13 is not necessarily in contact with the membrane 3 when the closure member 14 is in place. For example, the diameter of the dispensing orifice 5 is greater than that of the pin 13, as shown in FIG. 3. The seat 6 of the supply duct 9 has in this case a diameter d less than the diameter dd of the dispensing orifice 5 of the product P, as can be seen in FIG. 2. In a variant, the closing pin 13 can also close off the dispensing orifice 5 opening on the application surface 4, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11 The closure pin 13 and the seat 6 of the supply duct 9 of the internal structure 8 may each be of slightly conical shape, in order to more easily obtain a tight fit. The internal structure 8 is made of thermoplastic material. The internal structure 8 and the membrane 3 are advantageously made of different materials. The internal structure 8 may in particular be made of a material of greater hardness, allowing the supply duct 9 of the internal structure 8 to retain, over time, a sealing capacity in contact with the sealing pin 13. The membrane flexible 3 comprises, as illustrated, a sealing lip 7 surrounding the dispensing orifice 5 of the product P. The internal structure 8 comprises a nozzle defining the supply duct 9, engaging in the sealing lip 7. An axial play j may be present above the supply duct 9 under the dispensing orifice 5, as illustrated in FIG. 2, allowing the membrane 3 to retain flexibility in the application. In case of compression of the membrane 3, the lip 7 can slide on the tip. Alternatively, the lip 7 is unstuck without sliding on the tip. In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, 7, 8 and 12, the membrane 3 is flocked. In a variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6E and 9 to 11, the membrane 3 is devoid of flocking. The membrane 3 can be of any shape and any size. The application surface 4 is, for example, of relatively flat shape, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, of rounded shape as illustrated in FIG. 6B, of planar failure on the top and rounded on the sides as visible in FIG. 6C, or may have a bevel shape as shown in Figure 6D. The membrane 3, as shown in Figure 6E, may optionally have an inclined portion 4a on the side opposite the bevel. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, the membrane 3 has a recess 4b at the level of the dispensing orifice 5.

The membrane 3 comprises, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6A to 6E, a single orifice which serves as a dispensing orifice 5. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 7, the membrane comprises, in addition to the dispensing orifice 5, an air intake port 31, communicating the internal space to the membrane 3, around the supply duct 9, with the outside. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the device 1 comprises a system for dispensing the product P, defined by a valve or pump 15. The latter is secured to the container 2, which can slide in the guiding skirt 41 and protrude from it down. The user can press on the bottom 18 of the container 2 to cause the shank 16 to sink against the internal structure 8 and trigger the dispensing of the product P. In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 8 to 10, the device 1 is devoid of a dispensing system such as a pump or valve, the product P flowing for example by gravity or capillarity through the dispensing orifice 5. A movable member 30 may be disposed in the container 2, allowing the dispensing device to be used. homogenization of the product P and facilitating its distribution and its flow through the dispensing orifice 5, especially when the container 2 has a rigid wall that can not be deformed by the user. The movable member 30 is a ball in the embodiments of Figures 4, 9 and 10. In a variant shown in Figure 8, the movable member 30 is a disc. The movable member 30 may have dimensions quite close to those of the interior space 25 of the container 2, as illustrated in particular in FIGS. 4 and 8, allowing scraping of the product P on the inner surface of the container 2 and producing an effect In the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 13, the application surface 4 is defined by a metal wall 3 traversed by a dispensing orifice 5 of the product P. This metal wall 3 can in particular be a metal cup, for example made of stainless steel. The metal wall 3 may comprise a coating, for example of PTFE or other material, or have undergone treatment, for example anodization. The coating is, for example, in the form of a film, metallization, or discontinuous deposition, formed for example by spraying. The internal structure 8 may comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 5, ribs 81 connected to a tubular central body 82 defining the supply duct 9 of the product P. The ribs 81 may be two or more in number and may be equidistributed angularly.

The internal structure 8 can be made with a sealing lip 11, sealingly applied to the body 2a of the container 2, as illustrated in FIG. 4 and in FIGS. 8 to 10. In the example of FIG. 4 , the sealing pin 13 closes the supply duct 9 in order to seal the device 1. The diameter of the dispensing orifice 5 is preferably greater than that of the supply duct 9 so as to that the sealing pin 13 is protected from wear due to the metal. The use of an application device 1 as shown in FIG. 4 makes it possible to obtain a lasting feeling of coldness when the product is applied, thanks to the use of a metal wall 3 and a structure internal 8 allowing the product to contact the inner surface of the metal wall 3 between the ribs 81. In this case, the device 1 can be placed in the cold, for example in a refrigerator, prior to its use on the area to be treated. The container 2 can be of any shape and size.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the container 2 has a pot shape. In the variant illustrated in FIG. 11, the device 1 has an elongate shape, and the product P is contained in a reservoir 25 that is movable relative to the guide skirt 41, making it possible to actuate a dispensing system 15, 16, at the as has been described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 shows a variant of the device 1 according to the invention in which the product P is distributed by a dispensing system comprising a pump 40 picking up the product placed inside the body 2a of the rigid container. A movable piston 45 rises in the container as and when emptying it: ci. The sealing of the dispensing system and the device 1 is ensured by the sealing pin 13, not shown, which closes the supply duct 9 of the internal structure 8, after passing through the dispensing orifice 5. the variant shown in Figure 13, when the user exerts pressure on the bottom of the container 2, a dispensing system in the form of a pump or valve 15 allows the dispensing of the product P through the dispensing orifice 5 .

An open / closed locking mechanism may or may not allow dispensing of the product P according to its positioning by the user. For example, the internal structure 8 is rotatable between two positions relative to the container 2, respectively corresponding to the open and closed positions.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. In particular, it is possible to combine with one another characteristics coming from the embodiments previously described, within variants that are not illustrated. The device may include a vibrating source for subjecting the application surface to vibration during application. The phrase "with one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product (P), comprising - a container (2) containing the product (P), - a flexible membrane (3) or a metal wall (3) integral with the container (2) at least during use of the device (1) for applying the product (P), defining an application surface (4), and having at least one dispensing orifice (5) of the product (P) opening onto the application surface (4), - an internal structure (8) disposed at least partially under the membrane (3) or the metal wall (3), made of a material different from the membrane or the metal wall, and forming a supply duct (9) for the product (P) to the dispensing orifice (5), and - a closure member (14) comprising a closure pin (13) adapted to be sealingly applied to the supply duct (9) for sealing the closure of the device (1) when the closure member (14) is in place. 2. Device according to claim 1, the diameter (ds) of the supply duct (9) being smaller than the diameter (dd) of the dispensing orifice (5). 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the membrane (3), the internal structure (8) being made of a material of hardness greater than that of the material in which the membrane (3) is made. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the membrane (3) being flocked. 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the membrane (3) having a sealing lip (7) under the dispensing orifice (5). 25 6. Device according to the preceding claim, the inner structure (8) forming a tip engaging in the sealing lip (7). 7. Device according to the two immediately preceding claims, a game (j) being present above the supply duct (9) under the dispensing orifice (5). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the membrane (3) having an orifice (31) of air intake. 9. Device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising the metal wall (3), the latter being cup-shaped. 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the inner structure (8) having ribs (81) connecting to a tubular central body defining the product supply duct (P). 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the sealing pin (13) being of conical shape. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a distribution system (15, 16; 40). 13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, a movable member (30) being disposed in the container (2). 14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, the membrane or metal wall (3) being fixed at its periphery to the internal structure (8). 15. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the inner structure (8) being arranged to allow attachment thereon of the closure member, in particular by snapping.