FR3073373B1 - HEAD OF APPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF COSMETIC PRODUCT, AND ASSOCIATED PACKAGING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Application and dispensing head (14) intended to be mounted on a neck (20) of a container (12), the head (14) comprising: - an applicator (30) comprising at least one through channel (38) intended to open onto an outer surface (40) of application; - An intermediate piece (32) intended to be arranged between the applicator (30) and the container (12), comprising: - a base (46) adapted to cooperate with the neck (20); - a hollow rod (48) inserted into a receiving housing, the receiving housing being connected to or each through channel (38); and - a flexible region (50) connecting the base (46) and the rod (48), the rod (48) being movable together with the applicator (30) relative to the base (46) by deformation of the flexible region (50).

Description

Head of application and distribution of cosmetic product, and associated packaging device

The present invention relates to a cosmetic product application and dispensing head intended to be mounted on the neck of a container, the head comprising a cosmetic product applicator, the applicator comprising at least one dispensing through channel intended to open on an outer surface of product application.

For example, FR 2 647 034 discloses an application and dispensing head of the aforementioned type. Such a head is generally used to apply a cosmetic product contained in the container to a body surface through a dispensing passage of the container.

The cosmetic product is in particular a care product and / or makeup of a body surface, or a coloring product. In particular, the cosmetic product is a facial and / or body care product, or a sunscreen product.

A cosmetic product is more generally a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

The device allows a precise application of cosmetic product on a body surface, adapting to the curvature of the skin.

The application device described in FR 2 647 034 comprises a tube having at its free end a bellows on which is mounted a dispensing head comprising an applicator.

The cosmetic product flows through porous passages in the applicator. The bellows being deformable, the applicator is able to tilt during the application of the product on the body surface.

Such a device is however complicated to manufacture. The device comprises several parts made of different materials, which increases the number of parts to be assembled and referenced.

Furthermore, the bellows present at the neck of the container, necessary for the inclination of the head includes many undercuts, making it difficult to achieve by simple molding.

The bellows also offers a very large pivot angle that may be incompatible with certain applications, particularly in terms of sealing.

Finally, the head is adapted to a single type of neck of the container having the bellows. For each container, it is therefore necessary to manufacture a head specifically adapted to the container and not reusable, which increases the cost.

An object of the invention is to obtain an application and dispensing head for application that adapts to the curvature of the body surface and which remains simple to manufacture.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is an application and dispensing head of the aforementioned type, in which the head comprises an intermediate piece intended to be arranged between the applicator and the container, the intermediate piece comprising a base suitable for cooperate with the neck of the container for securing the head to the neck; a hollow rod defining a dispensing passage of the cosmetic product, the hollow stem projecting from the base along a rod axis, the rod being inserted into a receiving housing formed in the applicator, the receiving housing being connected at or to each through channel; and a flexible region connecting the base and the rod, the rod being movable together with the applicator relative to the base by deformation of the flexible region.

The use of a clean intermediate part to assemble easily with the applicator via the rod, while offering a possibility of inclination of the applicator thanks to the flexible region, considerably simplifies the manufacture by avoiding to have to provide a bellows at the end of the container. The container is simply received in the base whose shape can be optimized for molding.

The base also adapts to different containers and allows reuse of the head if necessary. The through channel opening into the application surface, the arrival of cosmetic product is very effective on the application surface.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the application and dispensing head furthermore has one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or according to any combination (s) technically possible (s). ).

According to a variant, the intermediate piece is made in one piece by being made of material.

The intermediate piece which performs both the connection functions to the container and the applicator and which allows deformability being made in one piece, complicated assembly steps are avoided and the number of parts to be referenced is reduced.

According to a variant, the base comprises a skirt defining a housing for insertion of the neck, the skirt having an inner surface oriented towards the passage, the inner face of the skirt having at least one cooperating member for securing the head to the collar ; and the cooperation member is a thread.

The presence of a skirt in the base provides a preferred site for docking the neck of the container, in which a cooperating member provides effective securing of the container.

According to variants:

- The flexible region closes the insertion housing of the neck formed in the base towards the outside of the container;

the flexible region is formed of a film having at least one corrugation;

the flexible region extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rod axis.

The presence of a flexible region, preferably in the form of a corrugated sheet, ensures both improved sealing, adequate flexibility and easy manufacturing.

According to variants:

the rod is movable between a rest position intended to be coaxial with an axis of the neck, and a plurality of inclined positions;

in at least one inclined position of the rod, the rod axis forms an angle of at least 5 ° with respect to the rod axis in the rest position;

the base defines at least one abutment surface of the applicator in an inclined position.

The permissible angle of inclination of the rod made possible by the flexible region and the presence of the abutment surface avoids very large pivot angles which may be incompatible with certain applications, while providing sufficient flexibility to adapt the Application head at the curvature of the body surface.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product comprising a container having a neck, an application and dispensing head as described above, the application and dispensing head being mounted on the neck .

In particular embodiments of the invention, the packaging device furthermore has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination (s):

the container is a flexible tube. The flexible tube allows easy exit of the cosmetic product when a user presses the wall of the tube.

- The head is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck.

The ease of assembly and disassembly of the head allows its simple design and adaptation to different containers. It also allows possible reuse on different containers.

Furthermore, the subject of the invention is a method for applying and dispensing a cosmetic product by means of a packaging and dispensing device as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

- Provision of a device as described above;

- supply of product to the applicator through the stem;

- application of the applicator on a body surface; and

deforming the flexible region to jointly pivot the applicator and the rod relative to the base affixed to the neck following a curvature of the body surface.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product according to the invention, and

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate piece mounted on the container.

A first application and packaging device 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This device 10 is intended for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product. The cosmetic product is for example a cosmetic care, makeup or coloring product.

With reference to FIG. 1, the device 10 comprises a container 12, and an application and dispensing head 14 closing the container 12.

The container 12 is for example a flexible tube, or a flexible bottle.

The container 12 comprises a reservoir 16 containing a cosmetic product 18, as defined above.

The container 12 also comprises a neck 20 projecting from one end of the reservoir 16 along a central axis X-X '. The neck 20 internally defines a product circulation channel 21 opening through a central outlet opening 22 of the cosmetic product 18. The neck 20 externally defines an outer surface 24 oriented away from the axis X-X '.

The outer surface 24 has a thread 26 projecting away from the axis XX '.

When a force towards the X-X 'axis is applied to the reservoir 16, the cosmetic product 18 is able to flow from the inside of the reservoir 16 towards the outside of the reservoir 16 through the central opening 22 .

The head 14 is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck 20 between an engaged position, in which the head 14 is engaged around the neck 20, and an unobstructed position in which the head 14 is disposed away from the neck 20.

The head 14 comprises an applicator 30, and an intermediate piece 32 disposed between the applicator 30 and the container 12.

The applicator 30 is advantageously made of a metallic material, for example steel. Alternatively, it is made of a plastic material. In this example, it is formed in one piece.

The applicator 30 includes a transverse portion 34 extending substantially perpendicular to the X-X 'axis, and a peripheral portion 36 extending about the X-X' axis.

The transverse portion 34 defines at least one axial through-channel 38, an outer cosmetic application surface 40, an inner surface 41, and a mounting skirt 42 on the intermediate piece 32.

The through channel 38 extends here along the axis X-X '. It opens, at its first end in the inner surface 41 to the neck 20, and at its second end, in the outer surface of application 40. The through channel 38 is adapted to convey the cosmetic product 18 from the container 12 through the intermediate piece 32 towards the outer application surface 40.

The cosmetic product 18 is able to spread over the external application surface 40. In this example, the external application surface 40 has a smooth shape that slides on a body surface.

The mounting skirt 42 projects towards the neck 20 from the inner surface 41. It extends around the axis X-X 'and is disposed inside the peripheral portion 36. It defines a housing internal receiver at the bottom of which opens the through channel 38.

The peripheral portion 36 protrudes from the outer application surface 40 towards the neck 20. It extends continuously around the axis X-X ', for example in a cylindrical manner. It surrounds the intermediate piece 32 over the entire periphery of the intermediate piece 32.

The peripheral portion 36 has an upper edge 44 bonded to the transverse portion 34 and a lower free edge 45.

The intermediate piece 32 is made in one piece by being made of material. It is advantageously made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The intermediate piece 32 comprises a base 46 mounted on the neck 20, and a hollow rod 48 defining a passage 49 for dispensing the cosmetic product, the rod 48 being movable between a rest position and a plurality of inclined positions (along the axes shown by the dashed lines in dotted line in Figure 1).

The intermediate piece 32 further comprises a flexible region 50 connecting the base 46 and the rod 48.

The base 46 cooperates with the neck 20 of the container 12 for securing the head 14 to the neck 20. It comprises a skirt 52 defining a receiving housing of the neck 20, a peripheral wall 54, and a transverse wall 56 connecting the skirt 52 and the peripheral wall 54 at their upper ends.

The skirt 52 extends around the neck 20. It is disposed inside the peripheral wall 54.

The skirt 52 has an inner surface 58 oriented towards the passage 49. The inner surface 58 comprises at least one cooperation member 60 able to cooperate with the threading 26 to secure the head 14 to the neck 20.

In the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cooperation member 60 is a thread complementary to the thread 26.

In the engaged position of the intermediate piece 32, the cooperation member 60 cooperates with the thread 26 so that the head 14 is fixed to the neck 20.

The peripheral wall 54 advantageously comprises a circumferential shoulder 62 around the axis X-X '. The shoulder 62 defines an abutment surface 63 of the applicator 30 substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X '.

When the rod 48 tilts beyond a given angle with respect to the X-X 'axis, the cooperation between the abutment surface 63 on the shoulder 62 and the lower edge 45 of the applicator prevents the additional inclination of the rod 48.

The rod 48 protrudes with respect to the base 46 along the axis X-X '. It has a free end 64 engaged in the applicator 30, and an end 66 connected to the flexible region 50. The free end 64 is received in the mounting skirt 42 while being placed in abutment against the internal surface 41.

The rod 48 is inserted in a complementary manner in the receiving housing defined in the mounting skirt 42 of the applicator 30. In this configuration, the product circulation channel 21 through the neck 20, the rod 48 between the end free 64 and the connecting end 66, and the through channel 38 form a continuous conduit 68 clean to lead the cosmetic product 18 of the container 12 to the outer surface of application 40.

When the rod 48 occupies its rest position, it extends coaxially with the axis X-X '. In each inclined position, the rod 48 extends along an axis forming a non-zero angle with respect to the axis X-X '.

In at least one inclined position of the rod 48, the angle between the axis of the rod 48 and the X-X 'axis is greater than 5 °.

When the rod 48 is inserted into the mounting skirt 42, the applicator 30 is attached to the rod 48. The mounting skirt 42 then extends around the rod 48 in direct contact with the rod 48. The applicator 30 is then movable together with the rod 48 relative to the base 46 between the rest position and the inclined positions.

The flexible region 50 has a wavy shape in a plane passing through the X-X 'axis. It is for example formed by a deformable film. It has a thickness of less than 3 mm, and advantageously less than 1 mm. This thickness is advantageously between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, especially when the flexible region 50 is made of polypropylene.

The flexible region 50 extends substantially perpendicular to the X-X 'axis. It has an annular shape and extends over the entire periphery of the rod 48 and over the entire periphery of the skirt 52. Thus, the flexible region 50 closes the base 46 sealingly towards the outside of the container 12.

The flexible region 50 has a diameter for example between 5 mm and 20 mm, advantageously between 7 mm and 12 mm, in particular equal to 11 mm.

The flexible region 50 is more flexible than the base 46. The deformation of the flexible region 50 requires a force less than the force necessary to deform the base 46.

The operation of the application and conditioning device 10 will now be described.

First, the application and conditioning device 10 is provided with the head 14 mounted on the neck 20, the rod 48 occupying in its rest position. The applicator 30 is mounted on the rod 48.

When a user wishes to use the cosmetic product 18 contained in the reservoir 16, he presses the reservoir 16. In doing so, the cosmetic product 18 contained in the reservoir 16 flows towards the neck 20.

The user continues to apply the pressure on the reservoir 16, the cosmetic product 18 leaves the neck 20 through the central opening 22 and enters the rod 48. The cosmetic product 18 then passes through the rod 48 to the end free 64, then flows through the through channel 38, and reaches the outer application surface 40 of the applicator 30.

The user then places the outer application surface 40 in contact with a body surface, for example the face or the hand. Thus, the cosmetic product 18 is applied to the body surface.

When the external application surface 40 is not parallel to the body surface, a force is applied to the applicator 30. The flexible region 50 being more flexible than the base 46, under the effect of the applied force on the applicator 30, the applicator 30 pushes the rod 48 which pivots together with the applicator 30 relative to the base 46. The rod 48 thus reaches an inclined position, and the outer application surface 40 fits to the curve of the body surface.

The inclination of the rod 48 and the applicator 30, however, remains limited in angular displacement due to the cooperation between the abutment surface 63 and the lower edge 45 of the applicator.

Thanks to the invention described above, the manufacture of the head 14 is simplified. Indeed, the intermediate part 32 being integral and without significant undercuts, it is therefore possible to manufacture it by a simple and conventional molding process, while ensuring proper operation of the device.

In addition, the head 14 is adapted for several types of different containers 12. It is therefore possible to manufacture the standardized head for different containers 12, without having to design and manufacture a specific head 14 for each type of container. This reduces the manufacturing cost.

Claims (14)

1. - Application and dispensing head (14) of cosmetic product (18), intended to be mounted on a neck (20) of a container (12), the head (14) comprising: - a cosmetic product applicator (30), the applicator (30) having at least one dispensing through channel (38) for opening onto an exterior product application surface (40); characterized in that the head (14) comprises an intermediate piece (32) to be disposed between the applicator (30) and the container (12), the intermediate piece (32) comprising: - A base (46) adapted to cooperate with the neck (20) of the container (12) for securing the head (14) to the neck (20); - a hollow rod (48) defining a passage (49) for dispensing the cosmetic product, the hollow stem (48) protruding relative to the base (46) along a rod axis, the rod (48) being inserted into a receiving housing formed in the applicator (30), the receiving housing being connected to the or each through channel (38); and - a flexible region (50) connecting the base (46) and the rod (48), the rod (48) being movable together with the applicator (30) relative to the base (46) by deformation of the region flexible (50). 2. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate piece (32) is made in one piece by being made of material. 3. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (46) comprises a skirt (52) defining a housing for insertion of the neck (20), the skirt (52). ) having an inner surface (58) facing the passage (49), the inner face (58) of the skirt (52) having at least one cooperating member (60) for securing the head (14) to the neck ( 20). 4. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to claim 3, wherein the cooperating member (60) is a thread. 5. - Applicator and dispensing head (14) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flexible region (50) closes the insertion housing of the neck (20) formed in the base (46) to the outside the container (12). 6. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flexible region (50) is formed of a film having at least one corrugation. 7. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible region (50) extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis. 8. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rod (48) is movable between a rest position intended to be coaxial with an axis of the neck (X- X '), and a plurality of inclined positions. The dispensing and dispensing head (14) according to claim 8, wherein in at least one inclined position of the rod (48), the rod axis forms an angle of at least 5 ° with respect to the shaft axis in the rest position. 10. - application and dispensing head (14) according to one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the base (46) defines at least one abutment surface (63) of the applicator (30) in a inclined position. 11. A device for packaging and dispensing cosmetic product (10) comprising a container (12) having a neck (20), an application and dispensing head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, the head application and dispensing device (14) being mounted on the neck (20). 12. - Device for packaging and dispensing cosmetic product (10) according to claim 11, wherein the container (12) is a flexible tube. 13. - Device for packaging and dispensing cosmetic product (10) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the head (14) is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck (20). 14. - Method for applying and dispensing cosmetic product (18) on a body surface, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - Providing a device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13; - supply of product (18) to the applicator (30) through the rod (48); applying the applicator (30) to a body surface; and deforming the flexible region (50) to jointly pivot the applicator (30) and the shaft (48) relative to the base (46) attached to the neck (20) at a curvature of the body surface.