JP2004035112A - Device for housing at least one article, especially cosmetic article - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device for immediately mixing at least two articles where the device is easily handled and is manufactured at a low cost and a system suppresses a danger that the device is erroneously used, thereby reducing a danger that a mixture is converted into a compound with unexpected physical properties. <P>SOLUTION: The device (1) for housing at least one article, especially a cosmetic article is provided with at least one compartment (9, 12) for housing the article, an at least partially-elastic/compressible member (20) mounted in a passage (13) inside the device, and means (2, 3) which each generate a fluid pressure in at least two opposite directions in at least a part of the member (20), reduce the volume of a compressible member and are manually operated to open at least a part of the passage. This allows the device to immediately mix at least two articles which are separately housed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

The invention relates to a device for containing at least one cosmetic product. The invention particularly relates to an apparatus for immediately mixing at least two products to produce a composition, for example a cosmetic composition as used in the field of hair dyeing.
However, other uses are also conceivable. The device may in particular be a device with a container for containing the product, which can dispense the product by pressurizing the wall of the container or by activating a manual pump provided on the device. These types of devices ensure that the dispensing port is insulated so that any product remaining in the flow path located above the dispensing port of the device is isolated from the air, especially for products that dry or oxidize when exposed to air. It is desirable to be sealed.
In areas such as hair dyeing, two (or three) products (dyes, oxidizing agents, and possibly fragrances) are often mixed in preparing a hair dyeing composition, but these products are It must be used immediately after mixing from the point of stability, so it is necessary to mix immediately. At least one of the products may be in powder form.

In the field of hair dyeing, in recent years there has been found a mixing device that can more or less automatically carry out individual mixing of the two products and instant mixing when using the hair dyeing composition. An example of this type of device is the device described in FR-A-2 708 913.
The manufacture of such devices is often expensive and complex. In most cases, it is difficult to seal liquid tightly between the two compartments containing each product. Moreover, some of the compositions contained in the compartments are of a very aggressive nature, making it difficult to find materials that are compatible with such compositions.

Some systems operate more "manually" in which each product to be mixed is contained in a separate package, particularly in the form of a tube or bag. In this case, the user pours the contents of one package into the other package, or pours the contents of the two packages into a third package to mix.
Such operations are troublesome and may cause the user to get dirty when handling the product. In addition, there is a risk that the user may fail to accurately measure the product amount or try to use one use twice or more. As a result, hair dyeing as expected cannot be performed.

EP 0 606 429 discloses a mixing system with two chambers separated by a first rubber piston. Here, the first piston contacts the two products with the inner surface of the neck between the two chambers from a first position separating the two products in response to pressurization by the second piston. To a second position that defines a flow path that allows for
Such a structure has a number of disadvantages. First, it is not suitable for mixing non-liquid products, especially powdered products. Also, the amount of product that can be prepared is limited to a small amount. And it is not very comfortable to use, especially since a large pressure must be applied to deform the rubber piston and engage the parts with different cross-sectional shapes.
French Patent Application Publication No. 2708913 European Patent No. 0606429

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for instantly mixing at least two products in which the above-mentioned problems with respect to conventional systems have been completely or partially solved.

The present invention particularly aims at providing an apparatus which is easy to use and has low manufacturing costs.

Yet another object is to provide such a device that reduces the risk of misuse and thus reduces the risk of the mixture becoming of an unexpected nature.A further object is apparent in the following detailed description. I do.

The device of the invention is:
i) at least one compartment for containing the product;
ii) an at least partially elastically compressible member provided in a channel in the device;
iii) manually generating at least two opposing fluid pressures on at least a portion of the elastically compressible member to reduce the volume of the compressible member and open at least a portion of the flow path; Operating means.
The term “fluid” means “liquid” or “gas (air)”.

A flow path can be provided upstream of the discharge port of the device, and the best possible flow except during product distribution, so that the remaining product upstream of the discharge port does not dry or oxidize on contact with air. Must be sealed in a liquid-tight manner.

Alternatively, the channel may be provided between two compartments formed in the device. According to this variant, the device forms a first compartment containing a first product and a second compartment containing a second product, at least a part of which can be provided above the first compartment, wherein the first compartment The member can be moved from a first position separating the first product and the second product to a second position where the first product and the second product are brought into contact, and the device is configured to move the first partition member from the first position to the second position. When the pressure is generated in the first and / or second compartments, the volume of the first partition member is reduced, particularly in multiple directions, to balance the pressure between the first and second compartments. It is constituted so that it may arise.
For this reason, the separating member must ensure that the two products are physically separated from each other, and at the same time, maintain the balance of the generated pressure.

In practice, the smaller the sealing force of the member that physically separates the two products, the less pressure is required and the more comfortable the operation. Therefore, it is preferable that at least the product accommodated in the second section and placed on the separating member when the second section is on the first section is in a powder form. The other product may in particular be liquid.
By configuring the device in this way, mixing is very simple.
In particular, the fluid pressure is applied substantially evenly over the free surface of the separating member, so that a slight pressurization can move the separating member from the first position to the second position.

This is not the case with the system described with reference to EP 0 606 429, in which only one side is pressurized and the pressure is transmitted via a product located between the separator plug and the pressure piston. As a result, the separating plug moves. The application of pressure to the product sandwiched between the plug and the piston may adversely affect the product, particularly when the product is in a powder form.

As a result of the reduced volume, at least the surface area of the first partition member is reduced in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device over the entire axial height of the member. Thus, in the first position, the separating member has a diameter such that it can stay by light clamping despite the weight of the second product lying thereon. When pressed from multiple directions, the separating member compresses in all directions, especially radially with respect to its axis. As a result, the compressed state is released, and the weight of the second product is added to its own weight, so that the second product falls into the first container together with the second product. Thus, the two products come into contact with each other.
If the cross section of the separating member is circular, the above result can be obtained only by reducing the diameter by a few tenths of a millimeter.

In practice, the pressure applied to the separator is substantially uniform over the entire outer surface, so that the axial height of the separator is also slightly reduced. In this case, the volume decreases in multiple directions. The separating member is made of a material that can be reduced by pressure, thus allowing a reduction in volume.

If the first compartment is below the second compartment, pressure is preferably applied to the first compartment below, and the height position (level, water level) of the first product in the first compartment is determined by the first partition The height is such that the member contacts the separating member after moving from the first position to the second position. The pressure applied to the separating member is atmospheric pressure.
Alternatively, pressure may be applied to an upper compartment. Assume that the product contained in the upper compartment is a liquid whose density is greater than the density of the material forming the separating member. The partition member is reduced in volume when subjected to pressure, and cannot stay at the position separating the two compartments. Then, the separating member floats up to the surface of the liquid, and the liquid mixes with the product contained in the other compartment. In this case, the pressure applied to the partition member is a water pressure.

The first partition member is at least partially a member made of a material that is elastically compressible when pressed, and preferably at least a portion of the outer surface is impermeable. "Impermeable" means impervious to pressurized fluids, especially air.
More preferably, the material is a material having a large number of closed-cell porosity, in particular a polyethylene, polyester or polyurethane foam.

In the second position, preferably, the first partition member floats on the surface of the mixture. Thus, the separator does not interfere with the distribution of the mixture.

As described above, the first partition member is disposed in the flow path formed between the first section and the second section, and contacts the inner surface that defines the flow path before being pressurized as described above. Then, it is preferable to hold the first position at least partially compressed in a direction perpendicular to the flow path. Thus, the separator member is slightly compressed, but air can pass between the lateral surface of the member and the inner surface of the flow path, thereby balancing the pressure.
When the pressures are balanced, the pressure in the first compartment and the pressure in the second compartment are approximately the same, and the pressure in each compartment is greater than their initial pressure. As a result, the separating member arranged between these two sections is compressed in at least two opposite directions. For example, pressure is applied to at least two opposing surfaces of the member, and the member is in contact with the inner surface of the flow path.

According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the walls defining one or both of the first section and the second section is elastically deformable and applies an external pressure transversely or axially to said elastically deformable wall. Thus, pressure can be generated.
More specifically, at least a portion of one or both of the first and second compartments may be bellows shaped. In this case, the external pressure is applied in the axial direction.
Alternatively, the compartment within which pressure is generated is defined by a container having elastically compressible walls. In this case, the external pressure is applied perpendicular to the axis.

According to a particular embodiment, the first compartment is defined by a first container, the second compartment is defined by a second container, and the second container is attached to the first container, in particular by screwing or snapping.
At this time, the second container has an opening, and when the first partition member is at the first position, the opening is separated from the second product by the first partition member.
Preferably, the opening is removably closed by a closure, in particular a screw-type closure in the form of a stopper, until the second container is attached to the first container.

Means are provided for holding the separator in a fixed position until the second container is attached to the first container.
Such immobilization means are:
i) part of the stopper;
ii) an axial stop located near the first partition member on the opposite side of the plug.
Thus, since the stopper is attached to the second container, the separating member is fixed in the axial direction. Even if the stopper is removed when the second container is mounted on the first container, the second product is retained in the second container by the separating member.

Preferably, the second compartment is defined by elements forming an application tip for applying the mixed product.
The second compartment is preferably able to communicate with the dispensing port which is closed before mixing, especially by a self-cutting closure.

According to yet another embodiment, the device forms a third compartment containing a third product, at least part of which can be provided above the second compartment, wherein the first, second and third products comprise: The first and second separators are separated by a set of first and second separators, the first and second separators separating the three products from each other from a first position separating the first, second and third products in pairs. The first and second separating members can be moved to a second position to be contacted, wherein the movement of the first and second separating members from the first position to the second position creates pressure in the first and / or second and / or third compartments. When caused, the volume of the first and second partition members is reduced in multiple directions to balance the pressure between the compartments separated by the partition members.

Mixing is preferably effected by placing the second compartment of the apparatus above the first compartment and the third compartment above the second compartment and applying pressure to the first compartment.
The second product and the third product can be housed separately in the same container, especially in the application tip.
Preferably, the product contained in a compartment other than the compartment in which the pressure is generated is in powder form. Therefore, the first product can be a liquid oxidizing agent, the second product can be a powdery dye, and the third product can be a powdery fragrance.

According to yet another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for forming a first compartment for containing a first product and a second compartment for containing a second product, at least a portion of which may be provided above the first compartment. Wherein the first separating member can be moved from the first position separating the first product and the second product to a second position for bringing the first product and the second product into contact, and from the first position to the second position. The movement is caused by the generation of pressure in the first section or the second section, and the first partition member moves in the direction of the internally generated section when moving from the first position to the second position. For immediately mixing at least two products.

As mentioned above, the device of the present invention is used to produce a mixture forming a cosmetic, especially hair dyeing composition.

別 に Apart from the above features, the present invention has the features described below with respect to non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a container 2 which is closed at one end by a bottom 3. The portion 4 near the bottom 3 of the container body is formed in a bellows shape. The container 2 defines a housing 9 for containing a liquid dyeing oxidant.
At the end of the container opposite the bottom 3 a threaded neck 5 is formed which defines an opening 6.
The container 2 is obtained by extrusion blow molding of polyethylene or polypropylene.

When the device 1 is in the storage and / or transport state, the container 2 is closed with a lid 7 formed on the inner surface with threads that can engage with the threads of the neck 5. In a conventional manner, the lid 7 comprises a sealing skirt 8.

The device 1 also includes a coating tip 10.
The applicator tip 10 comprises an elongated hollow member, the part 11 of which gradually reduces in cross section towards the opening 19 and is closed at the cut-off end 40.
The applicator tip 10 comprises a first cylindrical portion 13 near the end opposite the cut-out end 40, the diameter being larger than the largest diameter of the portion 11 and separated from the portion 11 by a shoulder 14. .
The application tip 10 includes a second cylindrical portion 15 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 13 near the first cylindrical portion 13 and on the opposite side of the portion 11. The free end of the cylindrical portion 15 defines an opening 45 of the application tip 10.
The second cylindrical portion 15 is separated from the first cylindrical portion 14 by a shoulder 16.
The cylindrical portion 15 has a thread 17 formed on the inside surface and constitutes a sealing skirt 18 extending from the shoulder 16 to the end of the tip 10 opposite the cut-out end 40.
The coating tip 10 is obtained by injecting a rigid thermoplastic material such as polyamide, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylic butadiene styrene (ABS) or acrylonitrile polystyrene (ANS).

After the dyeing powder has been placed in the housing 12 defined by the application tip portion 11, a closed-cell polyurethane foam block 20 is placed in the cylindrical portion 13. The foam block 20 is approximately the same height as the cylindrical portion 13. Since the surface 21 of the foam block 20 abuts the stop on the shoulder 14, the insertion of the foam block into the chip 10 is limited by the shoulder.
The foam block 20 has a diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 in a stable state so that it is slightly compressed laterally inside the cylindrical portion 13. The degree of compression may be such that the foam block 20 can remain in the cylindrical portion 13 regardless of the weight of the powder in the portion 11 of the application tip 10.

During storage and / or transport, the end of the tip 10 is plugged by a plug 30 formed on the outer surface with a thread 31 which can engage the thread 17 of the tip 10. The lateral wall 32 of the plug 30 is configured to make some contact with the surface 22 of the foam block opposite the surface 21.
The outer wall 33 is concentric with the annular wall on which the thread 31 is formed, so that the plug 30 can be operated.

The functions of the device 1 described so far will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In FIG. 3A, the lid 7 is removed from the container 2. The tip 30 has the stopper 30 removed. Even with the device head up, the foam block 20 remains inside the cylindrical portion 13 of the chip 10 in a slightly compressed state, regardless of the weight of the powder, so that the powder is Is held within.
In FIG. 3B, the chip 10 is screwed to the container 2.
In FIG. 3 (c), an external axial pressure is applied to the bottom 3 of the container 2 to compress the bellows-shaped part 4 in the axial direction. As a result, the inside of the container 2 is in a pressurized state. Since the entire periphery of the foam block 20 is not airtight, the pressure balance between the housing 9 and the housing 12 is maintained. As a result, the outer surface of the foam block 20 is pressed almost uniformly and compressed from multiple directions. In particular, this reduces the outer diameter of the foam block so that it does not remain in the cylindrical part 13, and drops by its own weight, plus the weight of the powder contained in the housing 12.
In FIG. 3D, two products are mixed in the container 2. The foam block 20 floats on the surface of the mixture. The mixture can be mixed by shaking the device 1 in a suitable manner.
In FIG. 3E, the opening 19 of the application tip 10 is opened by cutting off the end 40 by itself.
In FIG. 3 (f), the mixture is applied to the hair in a conventional manner, using the bellows-shaped part 4 to release the mixture from the opening 19.

If you want to use the above device for two liquids:
i) Prior to use of the device, an annular surface is formed on the inner surface of shoulder 14 to reduce the risk of forming a liquid film between the lateral surface of foam block 20 and the inner surface of cylindrical portion 13. Providing ribs (not shown);
ii) Since the material forming the foam block 20 has a lower density than the liquid contained in the container 2, it is preferable to perform the mixing with the head of the apparatus facing downward.

The differences of the embodiment of FIG. 4 referred to here from the above-described embodiment are mainly:
i) the container 2 has a wall that can be elastically deformed when pressure is applied substantially perpendicular to the axis X;
ii) In the middle of the height of the cylindrical part 13 of the tip 10 and the cut-out end 40 in the height direction, the application tip 10 comprises another cylindrical part 41 whose inner surface is slightly smaller than the cylindrical part 13. Is a point. The cylindrical portion 41 is separated from an application tip portion near the cut end 40 by an annular shoulder 42. Located inside the cylindrical portion 41 is a foam block 50 similar to the foam block 20 and having a surface 51 axially abutting the shoulder 42. Therefore, when the application chip 10 is attached to the container 2, the foam block 20 separates the section 9 defined by the container 2 from the section 12 formed at the bottom of the application chip 10, A body block 50 separates the section 12 from the section 43 formed above the application tip. The compartment 9 contains a liquid dyeing oxidant. Compartment 12 contains powdered dye. The compartment 43 contains a powdered fragrance.
The other parts of the device are the same as those described with reference to the above-described embodiment, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The procedure for the first use is as described for the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).
The remaining procedure will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In FIG. 5A, the section 9 is in a pressurized state in which external pressure is applied vertically to the deformable wall of the container 2. As a result, pressure is generated in the container 2. Since the entire perimeter of the foam blocks 20 and 50 is not airtight, an immediate pressure balance is maintained between the housings 9, 12 and 43. As a result, the outer surfaces of the foam blocks 20 and 50 are substantially uniformly pressed and compressed from multiple directions. This in particular reduces the outer diameter of each foam block so that it does not remain in the cylindrical sections 13 and 41, respectively, and adds to its own weight the weight of the powder contained in each housing 12 and 43. And fall.
In practice, the two foam blocks fall slightly sequentially, with the block 20 falling first and then the block 50 falling.
In FIG. 5B, three products are mixed in the housing 9. Foam blocks 20 and 50 float on the surface of the mixture. The mixture can be mixed by shaking the device 1 in a suitable manner.
In FIG. 5C, the opening 19 of the application tip 10 is opened by cutting off the end 40 by itself.
In FIG. 5 (d), the deformable body 2 is pressed to release the mixture from the opening 19, and the mixture is applied to the hair in a conventional manner.

で は In the above detailed description, several preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described. Obviously, these modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the device of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 1. 3 (a) to 3 (f) illustrate the basic operating steps of the device of FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the device of the present invention. 5 (a) to 5 (d) illustrate the basic operating steps of the device of FIG.

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus 2 Container 3 Bottom part 4 Bellows-shaped part 5 Neck 6 Opening 7 Lid 8 Sealing skirt 9 Housing 10 Application tip 11 Part 12 Housing 13 First cylindrical part 14 Shoulder (axial stop)
15 Second cylindrical portion 16 Shoulder 17 Thread 18 Sealing skirt 19 Opening 20 Foam block 21 Surface 22 Surface 30 Plug 31 Thread 32 Side wall 33 Outer side wall 40 Cut-out end 41 Cylindrical portion 42 Shoulder 43 Housing 45 Opening 50 Foam block

Claims (22)

Device (1) for containing at least one product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising:
i) at least one compartment (9,12) for containing a product;
ii) an at least partially elastically compressible member (20) provided in the channel (13) in the device;
iii) To generate at least two opposing fluid pressures on at least a portion of the elastically compressible member (20) to reduce the volume of the compressible member and open at least a portion of the flow path. Manually operated means (2, 3). a) The device forms a first compartment (9) for containing a first product and a second compartment (12) for containing a second product, at least part of which can be provided above the first compartment. When;
b) the elastically compressible member comprises a first partition member (20) movable from a first position separating the first product and the second product to a second position for contacting the first product and the second product; The device is arranged such that the movement of the first separating member from the first position to the second position is such that when pressure is generated in the first and / or second compartments (9, 12), The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it is arranged to be caused by a reduction in the volume of the first partitioning member (20) in order to balance the pressure of the first partitioning member. When the volume of the compressible member (20) decreases, at least the surface area of the elastically compressible member (20) decreases in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the flow path (13). Device (1) according to 1 or 2. When the first section (9) is below the second section (12), the movement of the first partition member (20) from the first position to the second position occurs by generating pressure in the first section, and The height position of the first product in one section (9) is such that the first partition member contacts the partition member (20) after moving from the first position to the second position. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part of the outer surface of the elastically compressible member (20) is impermeable. 6. The device (1) according to claim 5, wherein the elastically compressible member (20) is at least partially made of a material having a large number of closed-cell pores. The device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the material having many closed pores is polyethylene, polyester, or polyurethane foam. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein in the second position the first separating member (20) floats on the surface of the mixture. . The first partition member (20) is disposed in a flow path (13) formed between the first section and the second section, and contacts the inner surface defining the flow path before being pressurized. 9. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein the compressed gas is held at a first position in a state where the gas is partially compressed in at least one direction perpendicular to the flow path. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. At least one of the walls defining one or both of the compartments (9, 12) is elastically deformable, and generating pressure by applying an external pressure to the elastically deformable wall in a lateral or axial direction. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is capable of: The device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least a part (4) of one or both of the compartments (9, 12) is bellows-shaped. The first compartment (9) is defined by a first container (2), the second compartment (12) is defined by a second container (10), and the second container is attached to the first container, especially by screwing or snapping. Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it is dependent on claim 2 or dependent on claim 2. The second container (10) comprises an opening (45) separated from the second product by the first partition member (20) when the first partition member (20) is in the first position. Device (1) according to claim 12. The opening (45) is removably closed by a closure (30), in particular a screw-type closure in the form of a stopper, until the second container is attached to the first container. Item (1). An apparatus (1) according to Item 13. 14. Means (14, 32) for holding the separating member (20) in a fixed position until the second container (10) is attached to the first container (2). Device (1) according to claim 14. Said immobilization means:
i) a portion (32) of the stopper (30);
Device (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises: ii) an axial stop (14) located in the vicinity of the first separating member (20), opposite the plug (30). 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second section is defined by an element forming an application tip for applying the mixed product. 4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. 18. Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the second compartment is in communication with the dispensing port (19), which is closed before mixing, in particular by a self-cutting closure (40). . The device forms a third compartment (43) containing a third product, at least part of which can be provided above the second compartment (12), wherein the first, second and third products are separated by a first partition. The first and second partition members (20, 50) are separated by a set of a member (20) and a second partition member (50), and the first and second partition members (20, 50) separate the first, second and third products in pairs. From the position to a second position where the three products contact each other, wherein the movement of the first and second separator members from the first position to the second position is the first and / or second and / or When pressure is generated in the third compartment (9, 12, 43), the volume of the first and second divider members (20, 50) is increased to balance the pressure between the two compartments separated by the divider member. Characterized by multi-directional reduction Apparatus according to any one of Motomeko 2 claims 3 to 18 or dependent on claim 2, (1). 20. The product contained in the compartments (12, 43) other than the compartment (9) in which pressure is generated therein is in the form of a powder, and the product is dependent on claim 2. An apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims. An apparatus for forming a first compartment (9) for containing a first product and a second compartment (12) for containing a second product, at least a portion of which can be provided above the first compartment, comprising: The one partition member (20) can be moved from a first position separating the first product and the second product to a second position where the first product and the second product are brought into contact, and the device is provided with the first partition member (20). The movement from the first position to the second position is caused by the generation of pressure in the first section or the second section, and when the first partition member (20) moves from the first position to the second position, A device (1) for immediately mixing at least two products, the device (1) being adapted to move in the direction of the compartment in which the pressure was generated. 22. Use of the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 21 for producing a mixture forming a cosmetic, especially hair dyeing composition.

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