FR3142330A1 - Device for atomizing a liquid cosmetic product, in particular a makeup product - Google Patents

Abstract

The device 10 for atomizing a liquid cosmetic product comprises at least one electromechanical transducer 18, and at least one grid 14 provided with a plurality of spray orifices 20 and capable of being driven by a vibratory movement under the action of the electromechanical transducer to spray said liquid cosmetic product through said spray orifices 20, and at least one supply means 16 capable of supplying liquid cosmetic product to the rear face 14b of the grid. The supply means 16 is mounted to move at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face 14b of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the supply means is in contact with the rear face 14b of the grid. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

Device for atomizing a liquid cosmetic product, in particular a makeup product

The present invention relates to a device for atomizing and projecting a liquid cosmetic product, in particular a makeup product, in particular a foundation.

By “cosmetic product”, we mean any product as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

A cosmetic makeup product is more particularly intended to cover a body surface with a view to modifying its perceived color and/or texture.

The present application relates more particularly to the application of foundation to an area of skin, in particular to an area of facial skin.

Generally speaking, it is usual to apply a cosmetic product by direct contact to the skin with an applicator previously loaded with said cosmetic product. The applicator can be a manufactured tool such as a spatula, brush, sponge, or be the hands of the user himself.

In the case of certain products, in particular makeup and in particular foundations, it is important that the product can be applied in a thin and uniform layer. To do this, it was envisaged to apply such a product by projection of droplets.

According to a first known technique, droplets of product are projected by an inkjet type print head. Such a technique allows extremely precise, almost drop by drop, and very localized application. It is used in particular in conjunction with sensors placed upstream of the print head and which detect skin imperfections so as to be able to precisely control and adapt the application of the cosmetic product to these imperfections.

However, such technology has limits when the surface area of skin to be covered is relatively large. Furthermore, such technology also presents significant formulation limitations.

Examples of use of this technique are described in documents EP3673790, WO18232102, WO18231915, WO15191829, WO16200440, WO15191821, WO05123172 and WO20256157.

According to a second known technique, the liquid cosmetic product is first nebulized before being projected or blown towards the skin.

Document WO2008150928 thus mentions the possibility of using an electrostatic sprayer or an airbrush system as an alternative to an inkjet print head. The application of the cosmetic product is then no longer controlled drop by drop but the product is applied in the form of a mist and a larger surface area can be treated more quickly. These aerosolization methods are, however, difficult to miniaturize and complex to implement.

There are other techniques for nebulizing a liquid product such as those using ultrasound. A general description of these technologies is given in document FR3029122.

In the more specific field of cosmetic makeup products and in particular foundations, we know the document JP2013143993 which implements such technology. More precisely, an ultrasonic transducer covered with the liquid to be projected is used to generate an ultrasonic wave which will fragment the surface of the liquid into fine droplets. The droplets are then projected towards the skin by a flow of air generated by a fan integrated into the device. The quantity of product that can be diffused, however, remains very small and the device must be refilled with liquid and can hardly be used continuously over a long period. A similar principle is implemented in document FR3023735 for spraying water and other volatile products (disinfectant, perfume) into the atmosphere.

Another known technique is the use of membrane atomizers as described in particular in document FR2908329, again in particular for the diffusion of perfumes. Such a device comprises a micro-perforated membrane or grid subjected to ultrasonic vibrations.

Finally, certain systems use a perforated grid not directly subjected to vibrations by the ultrasonic transducer as is particularly the case in documents EP1602414 and EP1952896.

Such devices generally comprise a spray chamber capable of containing liquid to be sprayed and closed by a rear face of the perforated grid. The liquid chamber can be supplied with liquid from a larger capacity tank. The supply of the product from this main tank to the spraying chamber can be carried out in particular by pumping, and in particular by passive capillary pumping. Thus, we know of systems using capillary channels or porous wicks, or even combinations of the two means as in document FR2934128 for example.

As explained previously, in the context of applying a cosmetic product, and in particular makeup, it is useful to be able to easily adjust the intensity of the projection and therefore the flow rate of the product projected.

We understand that there is thus a need to improve the possibilities of controlling the quantity of product projected by an ultrasonic atomization device with a grid.

The present invention relates to a device for atomizing at least one liquid cosmetic product, comprising at least one electromechanical transducer, and at least one grid provided with a plurality of spray orifices and capable of being driven by a vibratory movement under the action of the electromechanical transducer to spray said liquid cosmetic product through said spray orifices.

The grid is provided with a front face on the side from which the liquid cosmetic product is intended to be sprayed, and with a rear face opposite the front face. The spray orifices open onto the front and rear faces of the grille.

By “grid” we mean a wall crossed by several spray orifices to form droplets of product sprayed under the effect of vibrations emitted by the electromechanical transducer.

The device further comprises at least one supply means capable of supplying liquid cosmetic product to the rear face of the grid.

According to a general characteristic, the supply means is mounted movable at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the supply means is in contact with the rear face of the grid.

With this mobile assembly of the supply means, the atomization of the liquid cosmetic product can be easily controlled by adapting its position relative to the grid, but also by modifying the pressure exerted by the supply means on it.

Advantageously, the supply means is mounted movable along the first axis of movement between the remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face of the grid and a plurality of diffusion positions in which said surface of the means supply is in contact with the rear face of the grid, each diffusion position corresponding to a different contact pressure exerted by the supply means against the rear face of the grid.

According to a particular design, the supply means is made at least partly of porous material. By “porous material”, we mean a material that is permeable to the liquid cosmetic product, that is to say allowing the diffusion of the product within it.

With this design, the possibility of controlling the quantity of product projected as a function of the pressure exerted by the supply means on the grid is further increased.

According to this particular design, the feed means may comprise a porous wick.

Alternatively, it remains possible to provide for the supply means to be made of non-porous material. In this case, the supply means can be in the form of a conduit or capillary tube.

In order to be able to control the quantity of product projected, it is also possible to provide the mobile mounting of the supply means at least along a second axis of movement perpendicular to the first axis of movement.

This makes it possible to modify the number of spray orifices covered by the supply means depending on the desired degree of atomization. For example, if the supply means is moved from the center of the grid to its periphery where the number of orifices is generally reduced, the degree of atomization is also reduced.

For this same purpose, it is also possible to provide the mobile mounting of the supply means along a third axis of movement perpendicular to the first and second axes of movement.

Preferably, the supply means is manually operable. The movement of the supply means can be carried out manually, for example via a gripping member integral with the supply means so as to avoid handling it directly when it is made of porous material.

Alternatively, the device may comprise manually actuated control means for controlling the position of the supply means, such as for example push buttons connected to a drive motor associated with the supply means.

Preferably, the electromechanical transducer is integral with the grid. By “electromechanical transducer secured to the grid”, we mean that the electromechanical transducer is fixed relative to the grid. The electromechanical transducer can be formed of one or more parts attached to the grid. Alternatively, the electromechanical transducer can be made in one piece with the grid.

The device may also include means for supplying electricity to the electromechanical transducer.

The device may comprise a gripping housing supporting at least the electromechanical transducer and the grid, at least the power supply means being housed at least inside the housing, the grid being arranged relative to the gripping housing to obtain a spray of the liquid cosmetic product out of the case.

In an advantageous embodiment, the device comprises a plurality of supply means capable of supplying different liquid cosmetic products to the rear face of the grid.

Each supply means is mounted movable at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the means power supply is in contact with the rear face of the grid. The axes of movement of the power supply means are parallel to each other. The power supply means can be moved independently of each other.

The invention also relates to a method for atomizing at least one liquid cosmetic product, comprising the following steps:

- supply the rear face of a grid with the liquid cosmetic product by at least one supply means,

- emit vibrations using an electromechanical transducer to spray the liquid cosmetic product through a plurality of spray orifices of the grid, and

- move the supply means at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means is at a distance from the rear face of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the means The supply is in contact with the rear face of the grid for supplying liquid cosmetic product to the rear face of the grid.

According to an advantageous mode of implementation, the pressure exerted by the supply means on the rear face of the grid is adapted according to the desired degree of atomization.

In a particular mode of implementation, the method further comprises: moving the supply means in translation at least along a second axis of movement perpendicular to the first axis of movement to modify the number of spray orifices covered by the means power supply depending on the desired degree of atomization.

According to an advantageous mode of implementation, the method further comprises: continuously supplying the supply means with the liquid cosmetic product to be sprayed during the emission of vibrations by the electromechanical transducer.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description of an embodiment taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawing in which:

is a schematic view of a device for atomizing a cosmetic product according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

On the is shown a device, designated by the general reference number 10, which is intended to allow the spraying of a liquid cosmetic product.

The liquid cosmetic product to be sprayed can for example be a makeup or care product, in particular foundation.

In the remainder of the description, we consider an orthonormal base X, Y, Z, defined with respect to device 10 in which we find:

- a vertical X axis,

- a horizontal Y axis perpendicular to the X axis, and

- a horizontal Z axis and perpendicular to the X and Y axes.

The device 10 comprises a gripping housing 12 which is shown in a supposedly vertical position.

The device 10 comprises a spray grid 14, a wick 16 for supplying the grid with liquid cosmetic product, and an electromechanical transducer 18 for obtaining the spraying of the liquid cosmetic product through the spray grid 14 by emission of vibrations. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 is shown with the spray grid 14 oriented vertically downwards.

As will also be described in more detail later, the feed wick 16 is movable relative to the grid 14 and the housing 12.

The spray grid 14 is supported by the housing 12. The grid 14 is arranged to obtain a spray of the cosmetic product outside the housing 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the grid 14 is located outside the housing 12. Alternatively, the grid 14 could be flush with the housing 12 or be located slightly set back from it.

The spray grid 14 is provided with a front face 14a facing outwards on the side from which the liquid cosmetic product is intended to be sprayed, and with a rear face 14b opposite the front face 14a. The front 14a and rear 14b faces delimit the thickness of the grid 14.

The spray grid 14 comprises a plurality of through spray orifices 20 provided in its thickness. The orifices 20 open onto the front face 14a of the spray grid. The orifices 20 also open onto the rear face 14b of the grid.

The spray orifices 20 extend here along an axis parallel to the axis X. The axis X forms the spray axis of the device. By “spray axis” we mean the general direction of spray.

The spray orifices 20 can be arranged in different ways on the grid 14. For example, the grid 14 can comprise a central orifice 20 and rings of concentric orifices 20, the orifices of a ring being spaced evenly apart from each other. relative to the others in the circumferential direction. Of course, other arrangements of the orifices 20 can be envisaged on the grid 14. For example, it is for example possible an arrangement according to a star pattern or even a random distribution of the orifices. In the illustrated embodiment, the orifices 20 have a cylindrical shape and of constant diameter. Alternatively, the orifices 20 may have other shapes, for example conical or of polygonal section, or even in the form of slots. The section of the orifices 20 can also be variable. The section of the orifices 20 can for example be between 2 µm and 500 µm, and preferably between 20 µm to 60 µm.

The spray grid 14 is of substantially constant thickness. The spray grid 14 is here curved and has a concavity oriented outwards. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other shapes for the spray grid 14. For example, the spray grid 14 may have a concavity oriented inwards or even be flat. The grid 14 can for example be made of metallic material, for example silicon, nickel, brass, etc., or even be made of synthetic material.

As indicated previously, the electromechanical transducer 18 is designed to obtain, by vibration, the spraying of the liquid cosmetic product located at the rear of the spray grid 14 through the spray orifices 20 thereof. The electromechanical transducer 18 vibrates at excitation frequencies which are preferably in the ultrasonic range inaudible to the user of the device. For example, transducer 18 may vibrate in the range 50 kHz to 200 kHz. The electromechanical transducer 18 is of the piezoelectric type.

In the illustrated embodiment, the electromechanical transducer 18 is fixed on the rear face 14b of the spray grid. The electromechanical transducer 18 is interposed between the rear face 14b of the spray grid and the housing 12. The electromechanical transducer 18 is offset outwards relative to the spray orifices 20.

The electromechanical transducer 18 is made from a piezoelectric material such as a ceramic plate, in particular a plate of zirconate (PZT), methaniobate (PB), barium titanate or zinc oxide. The electromechanical transducer 18 can for example be in the form of a ring. The electromechanical transducer 18 has a thickness greater than that of the spray grid 14, for example at least twice as thick.

As indicated previously, the electromechanical transducer 18 is here fixed on the rear face 14b of the spray grid. Alternatively, it could be possible to fix the electromechanical transducer 18 on the front face 14a of the spray grid. In this case, the rear face 14b of the spray grid is mounted directly against the housing 12. In another variant, it could still be possible to produce the electromechanical transducer 18 and the spray grid 14 in one piece.

As will be described in more detail later, the electromechanical transducer 18 is able to deform out of its rest position when subjected to an electrical voltage.

For this purpose, the device 10 comprises a generator 22 of electrical pulses electrically connected to the electromechanical transducer 18, and a source 24 of electrical energy supplying the generator 22. The generator 22 of electrical pulses and the source 24 form means of power supply of transducer 18.

The generator 22 and the source 24 of electrical energy are housed inside the housing 12. The generator 22 can for example be an electronic circuit. The source 24 of electrical energy can for example be a battery or cells. Alternatively, it could be possible not to provide the source 24 of electrical energy when the device 10 is adapted to be connected to the sector.

The electrical pulse generator 22 is electrically connected to the electromechanical transducer 18 by excitation electrodes (not shown) applied thereto, and an electrical connection (shown schematically) connecting the generator 22 to each electrode.

The device 10 also includes a button 26 mounted on the housing 12 and accessible from the outside to selectively switch the electrical pulse generator 22 between a rest state and an excitation state of the electromechanical transducer 18 which allows the spraying of the product liquid cosmetic present at the rear of the diffusion grid 14.

The wick 16 allows the spray grid 14 to be supplied with liquid cosmetic product. Preferably, the wick 16 is continuously soaked with liquid cosmetic product. The wick 16 is made of porous material capable of absorbing the liquid cosmetic product. The wick 16 can be made of foam. The foam can for example be a foam made of polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (EPP), urea formaldehyde, polyisocyanurate or even neoprene. The foam can be open cell or semi-open cell. Alternatively, the wick 16 can be made of fibers, themselves porous or not and the product can circulate between the fibers. The wick 16 may have a square, rectangular, hexagonal, circular elliptical shape, etc. in cross section.

The wick 16 is mounted movable along a first axis of movement parallel to the axis The end of the wick is in contact with the rear face 14b of the grid. On the , the wick 16 is shown in one of its diffusion positions. In the position away from the wick 16, an empty space remains between the front end surface 16a of the wick and the rear face 14b of the grid.

When the wick 16 is in a diffusion position in contact against the rear face 14b of the grid, the transfer of the liquid cosmetic product takes place by capillarity due to this contact. Part of the rear face 14b of the spray grid is covered with liquid cosmetic product. The front surface 16a of the wick forms the contact surface thereof with the rear face 14b of the grid. In the illustrated embodiment, the front surface 16a of the wick is in shape with the rear face 14b of the grid, which promotes the transfer of the liquid cosmetic product by capillarity. Alternatively, it remains possible not to provide this concordance in shape between the front surface 16a and the rear face 14b.

As will be described in more detail below, the wick 16 is also preferably mounted movable along second and third axes of movement respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes.

The operation of the device 10 is as follows.

Initially, when the device 10 is at rest, the electrical pulse generator 22 does not deliver any electrical voltage to the electromechanical transducer 18. The electromechanical transducer 18 is in its rest position.

When the user wishes to spray liquid cosmetic product, he manually brings the wick 16 into contact against the rear face 14b of the grid in a chosen diffusion position, which makes it possible to obtain the transfer of the liquid cosmetic product onto it. .

Before or after bringing the wick 16 into contact with the grid 14, the user presses the button 26. The source 24 of electrical energy supplies the generator 22 of electrical pulses. The generator 22 emits electrical pulses which are transmitted to the electromechanical transducer 18 via the excitation electrodes. The electromechanical transducer 18 then deforms relative to its rest position and oscillates relative to this rest position.

The electromechanical transducer 18 thus emits vibrations or pressure waves which are transmitted to the spray grid 14 which also deforms and transmits these vibrations to the liquid cosmetic product which is present on the rear face 14b of the grid.

This makes it possible to obtain a spray of the product present against the rear face 14b of the spray grid through the orifices 20. The liquid cosmetic product is sprayed outside the device 10 in the form of droplets along the axis The emission of vibrations also promotes the transfer of the product from the wick 16 to the rear face 14b of the grid.

If the user increases the pressure exerted by the wick 16 on the rear face 14b of the grid by continuing the translational movement of the latter along the axis of movement parallel to the axis other diffusion position, the degree of atomization of the liquid cosmetic product increases. Conversely, if the user reduces the pressure exerted by the wick 16 on the rear face 14b of the grid by moving it in the opposite direction while maintaining contact with this face to bring it to yet another position of diffusion, the degree of atomization decreases. If the user moves the wick 16 away from the rear face 14b of the grid, the atomization stops.

As indicated previously, the wick 16 is also preferably mounted movable along second and third axes of movement respectively parallel to the Y and Z axes.

For example, the wick 16 can be moved by the user along the second axis of movement parallel to the axis Y to bring it to another diffusion position in which the number of spray orifices 20 of the grid covered by this is modified. If the user moves the wick 16 from the center of the grid towards its periphery where the number of orifices reduces, the degree of atomization decreases, then increases again if the wick 16 is brought back in the opposite direction.

Nebulization can also be controlled by the user by moving the wick 16 along the third axis of movement parallel to the Z axis, or by combining the movements along these second and third axes.

During the operation of the device 10, the wick 16 is preferably continuously soaked with liquid cosmetic product. This avoids an unwanted stoppage of the atomization of the product. To do this, the wick 16 can be partially immersed inside a storage container external to the device 10 or be in communication with this container via a circulation pipe. The storage container can be opened or closed.

Alternatively, it is possible to soak the wick 16 before putting the device 10 into operation and not to provide a continuous supply of product to the wick during this operation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wick 16 allows the supply of liquid cosmetic product to the rear face 14b of the grid. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other means of supplying the product, for example a capillary tube.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a single wick 16 is associated with the spray grid 14. Alternatively, in another embodiment, it is possible to provide a plurality of power supply means associated with the grid 14 of the same type as those described previously. In this case, the respective axes of movement of the power supply means are parallel to each other. The power supply means can be moved independently of each other.

With this embodiment, it is possible to provide an atomization of liquid cosmetic products of different nature and/or color.

Claims (14)

Device (10) for atomizing at least one liquid cosmetic product, comprising at least one electromechanical transducer (18), and at least one grid (14) provided with a plurality of spray orifices (20) and capable of be animated by a vibratory movement under the action of the electromechanical transducer to spray said liquid cosmetic product through said spray orifices (20), the grid (14) being provided with a front face (14a) on the side of which is intended to be sprayed with the liquid cosmetic product and a rear face (14b) opposite the front face, said spray orifices (20) opening onto the front (14a) and rear (14a) faces of the grid, the device comprising in addition at least one supply means (16) capable of supplying liquid cosmetic product to the rear face (14b) of the grid, characterized in that the supply means (16) is mounted movable at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face (14b) of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the supply means is in contact with the rear face ( 14b) of the grid. Device according to claim 1, in which the supply means (16) is mounted movable along the first axis of movement between the remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face (14b) of the grid and a plurality of diffusion positions in which said surface of the supply means is in contact with the rear face (14b) of the grid, each diffusion position corresponding to a different contact pressure exerted by the supply means (16) against the rear face (14b) of the grid. Device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the supply means (16) is further mounted movable at least along a second axis of movement perpendicular to the first axis of movement. Device according to claim 3, in which the supply means (16) is illustrated movably mounted along a third axis of movement perpendicular to the first and second axes of movement. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the supply means (16) is made at least partly of porous material. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the supply means (16) is manually operable. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the electromechanical transducer (18) is integral with the grid (14). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means (22, 24) for supplying electricity to the electromechanical transducer (18). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping housing (12) supporting the electromechanical transducer (18) and the grid (14), at least the power supply means being housed at least inside the housing, the grid (14) being arranged relative to the gripping housing (12) to obtain a spray of the liquid cosmetic product outside the housing. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of supply means (16) capable of supplying different liquid cosmetic products to the rear face (14b) of the grid, each supply means being movably mounted at least according to a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means remains at a distance from the rear face (14b) of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the supply means is in contact with the rear face (14b) of the grid, the axes of movement of the supply means (16) being parallel to each other and said supply means being movable independently of each other. Process for atomizing at least one liquid cosmetic product, comprising the following steps:
- supply the rear face of a grid with the liquid cosmetic product by at least one supply means, and
- emit vibrations using an electromechanical transducer to spray the liquid cosmetic product through a plurality of spray orifices of the grid, characterized in that it further comprises:
- move the supply means at least along a first axis of movement between a remote position in which the supply means is at a distance from the rear face of the grid and at least one diffusion position in which a surface of the means The supply is in contact with the rear face of the grid for supplying liquid cosmetic product to the rear face of the grid. Method according to claim 11, further comprising: adapting the pressure exerted by the supply means on the rear face of the grid according to the desired degree of atomization. A method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: moving the supply means in translation at least along a second axis of movement perpendicular to the first axis of movement to change the number of spray orifices covered by the supply means depending on the desired degree of atomization. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: continuously supplying the supply means with the liquid cosmetic product to be sprayed during the emission of vibrations by the electromechanical transducer.