JP3837403B2 - Device for housing at least one product, in particular a cosmetic product - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator unit (1), to blend together ingredients for the preparation of a cosmetic products, has at least one chamber (9,12) to hold the ingredients e.g. as a liquid and a powder. A body (20), at least partially with elastic compression, is within a passage formed by the structure. The walls (2,3) of the lower container can be squeezed by hand to develop an internal pressure to force the fluid into the passage and displace the elastic body to pass into the second container, and be delivered out of the unit through the applicator (10).

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for housing at least one cosmetic product. The invention particularly relates to a device for the immediate mixing of 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 possible. The device may in particular be a device with a container for containing the product, which can be dispensed by pressurizing the wall of the container or by operating a manual pump mounted on the device. These types of devices, especially for products that are prone to dry or oxidize when exposed to air, ensure that the dispensing port is shielded from the air by leaving the product remaining in the channel located above the dispensing port of the device. It is desirable to be sealed.
In areas such as hair dyeing, two (or three) products (dyes, oxidants, and possibly fragrances) are often mixed in preparing a hair dyeing composition. It is necessary to mix immediately because it must be used immediately after mixing in terms of stability. At least one of the products may be in powder form.

In the field of hair dyeing, in recent years, mixing devices have been found that can more or less automatically carry out the individual storage of the two products and the immediate mixing when using the hair dyeing composition. An example of this type of device is the device described in FR 2708913.
The manufacture of such devices is often expensive and complex. In most cases, it is difficult to liquid tightly seal between the two compartments containing each product. In addition, some of the compositions contained in the compartments are of very aggressive nature, so it is difficult to find materials that are compatible with such compositions.

Some systems operate more “manually” where each product to be mixed is contained in an individual 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 two packages into the third package for mixing.
Such work is troublesome and there is a risk that the user may get dirty when handling the product. In addition, there is a risk that the user may fail to accurately measure the amount of product or try to use a single usage twice or more. As a result, it will not be possible to dye the hair as expected.

EP 0606429 discloses a mixing system with two chambers separated by a first rubber piston. Here, the first piston contacts the two products together with the inner surface of the neck between the two chambers from a first position that isolates the two products in response to pressurization by the second piston. To a second position that defines a flow path that allows
Such a structure has many drawbacks. First, it is not suitable for mixing non-liquid products, particularly powdered products. Also, the amount of products that can be prepared is limited to a small amount. In particular, it is not very comfortable to use because a large pressure must be applied to deform the rubber piston and engage it with a portion having a different cross-sectional shape.
French Patent Application Publication No. 2708913 European Patent No. 0606429

  Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for the immediate mixing of at least two products in which the problems described above with respect to conventional systems are fully or partially solved.

  It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that is simple to use and low in manufacturing costs.

Another object is to provide a device that reduces the risk of misuse and thus reduces the risk of the mixture becoming of an unexpected nature. Further objects will become apparent in the detailed description below. To do.

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

  The flow path can be provided upstream of the outlet of the device and is the best possible except during product distribution so that the product remaining in the upstream of the outlet will not dry out or oxidize in contact with air. Must be liquid-tightly sealed.

Or you may provide a flow path between the two divisions formed in the apparatus. According to this variant, the device forms a first compartment containing a first product and a second compartment containing a second product which can be provided at least partially above 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 in contact with each other, and the device is moved from the first position of the first separator member to the second position. When the pressure is generated in the first and / or second compartment, the volume of the first separator member decreases particularly in multiple directions in order to balance the pressure between the first and second compartments. It is comprised so that it may arise.
For this reason, the separating member must be capable of physically separating the two products and at the same time maintaining the balance of the generated pressure.

In practice, the smaller the sealing force of the member that physically separates the two products, the smaller the pressurization and the more comfortable the work. Therefore, it is preferable that the product which is accommodated in at least the second compartment and is placed on the separating member when the second compartment is on the first compartment is in powder form. The other product may in particular be in liquid form.
By configuring the device in this way, it can be mixed very simply.
In particular, the fluid pressure is applied substantially evenly across the free surface of the separator member, so that the separator member can be moved from the first position to the second position with a slight pressure.

  This is not the case for the system described with reference to EP 0606429, in which only one side is pressurized and the pressure is transmitted via a product located between the breaker plug and the pressure piston. By doing so, the separator plug is moved. In this manner, the pressure applied to the product sandwiched between the plug and the piston may adversely affect the product, particularly when the product is in powder form.

As a result of the reduced volume, at least the surface area of the first separating 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 that allows it to remain by light clamping despite the weight of the second product resting thereon. When pressurized from multiple directions, the partition member compresses in all directions, particularly radially with respect to its axis. As a result, the compressed state is released, the weight of the second product is added to its own weight, and it falls into the first container together with the second product. The two products are thus in contact with each other.
When the cross section of the partition member is circular, the above result can be obtained by reducing the diameter by several tenths of a millimeter.

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

Assuming that the first compartment is below the second compartment, the 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 After the member moves from the first position to the second position, the height is such that the member contacts the separating member. The pressure applied to the partition member is atmospheric pressure.
Alternatively, pressure may be applied to the compartment located above. Assume that the product contained in the upper compartment is a liquid having a density higher than the density of the material forming the partition member. When the partition member is pressurized, the volume decreases and the partition member does not stay in the position separating the two compartments. Then, the separation member floats up to the surface of the liquid, and the liquid is mixed with the product stored in the other compartment. In this case, the pressure applied to the partition member is water pressure.

The first partition member is preferably a member made of a material that is elastically compressible when pressurized, and at least a portion of the outer surface is preferably impermeable. “Impermeable” means impermeable to pressurized fluid, especially air.
More preferably, the material is a material with a large number of closed-celled pores, in particular polyethylene, polyester or polyurethane foam.

  In the second position, preferably the first separating member floats on the surface of the mixture. Therefore, the separating member 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 compartment and the second compartment, and contacts the inner surface defining the flow path before pressurization as described above. And it is preferable to hold | maintain in the 1st position in the state compressed at least partially in one direction perpendicular | vertical to this flow path. Thus, although the partition member is slightly compressed, it is possible for air to pass between the lateral surface of the member and the inner surface of the flow path, thereby maintaining a pressure balance.
When the pressure is 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 disposed between these two sections is compressed in at least two opposing 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 compartment and the second compartment is elastically deformable and applies an external pressure laterally or axially to the elastically deformable wall. Thus, pressure can be generated.
More specifically, at least a portion of one or both of the first compartment and the second compartment may be bellows shaped. In this case, the external pressure is applied in the axial direction.
Alternatively, the compartment in which pressure is generated is defined by a container having an elastically compressible wall. 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 includes an opening, and when the first partition member is in 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) a part of a stopper;
ii) An axial stop located in the vicinity of the first separating member on the side opposite to the stopper.
Thus, since the stopper is attached to the second container, the partition 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 held in the second container by the separating member.

Preferably, the second compartment is defined by elements that form an application tip for applying the mixed product.
The second compartment is preferably able to communicate with a dispensing port which is closed by a closing member which is cut off by itself, especially before mixing.

  According to yet another embodiment, the device forms a third compartment containing a third product that can be provided at least partially above the second compartment, wherein the first, second and third products are: The first and second separator members are separated by a first separator member and a second separator member pair, and the three products are separated from each other from a first position that separates the first, second and third products. The first and second separator members from the first position to the second position can generate pressure in the first and / or second and / or third compartments. When this occurs, the volume of the first and second partition members decreases in multiple directions in order to balance the pressure between the compartments separated by the partition member.

Mixing is preferably done by placing the second compartment of the device 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 stored separately in the same container, particularly in the application chip.
Preferably, the product contained in a compartment other than the compartment in which 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 feature, the present invention provides an apparatus for forming a first compartment containing a first product and a second compartment containing a second product that can be provided at least partially above the first compartment. The first separating member can move 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 from the first position to the second position. The movement is caused by the generation of pressure in the first compartment or the second compartment, and the first separating member moves in the direction of the compartment in which the pressure is generated when moving from the first position to the second position. For an apparatus for immediately mixing at least two products.

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

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

The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a container 2 whose one end is closed at the bottom 3. A portion 4 in the vicinity of the bottom 3 of the container body is configured in a bellows shape. The container 2 defines a housing 9 for containing a liquid dye oxidant.
A threaded neck 5 is formed at the end of the container opposite the bottom 3, 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 the threads of the neck 5. In a conventional manner, the lid 7 is provided with a sealing skirt 8.

The apparatus 1 also includes an application tip 10.
The coating tip 10 includes a hollow member having an elongated shape, and the portion 11 of the member is gradually reduced in cross section toward the opening 19 and is closed at the cut end 40.
The application tip 10 includes a first cylindrical portion 13 having a diameter larger than the maximum diameter of the portion 11 and separated from the portion 11 by a shoulder portion 14 in the vicinity of the end located on the side opposite to the cut end portion 40. .
The coating tip 10 includes a second cylindrical portion 15 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 13 on the opposite side of the portion 11 in the vicinity of the first cylindrical portion 13. 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 is threaded 17 on the inner surface and constitutes a sealing skirt 18 that extends from the shoulder 16 to the end of the tip 10 opposite the cut end 40.
The application chip 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 is placed in the housing 12 defined by the application chip portion 11, the closed cell polyurethane foam block 20 is placed in the cylindrical portion 13. The foam block 20 is substantially the same height as the cylindrical portion 13. Since the surface 21 of the foam block 20 abuts the stop of the shoulder 14, insertion of the foam block into the chip 10 is limited by the shoulder.
The foam block 20 is slightly larger in diameter than the inner 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 blocked by a plug 30 formed on the outer surface with a thread 31 that can engage with the thread 17 of the chip 10. The lateral wall 32 of the plug 30 is configured to make some contact with the surface 22 opposite the surface 21 of the foam block.
The outer side wall 33 is concentric with the annular wall on which the screw thread 31 is formed, so that the stopper 30 can be operated.

The function of the apparatus 1 described so far will be described below with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (f).
In FIG. 3A, the container 2 has the lid 7 removed. The tip 10 has the stopper 30 removed. Even with the device head up, the foam block 20 remains slightly compressed inside the cylindrical portion 13 of the chip 10 regardless of the weight of the powder, so that the powder remains in the housing 12. Is held in.
In FIG. 3B, the chip 10 is screwed into the container 2.
In FIG. 3C, an axial external pressure is applied to the bottom 3 of the container 2 in order to compress the bellows-shaped portion 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, a pressure balance is maintained between the housing 9 and the housing 12. As a result, the outer surface of the foam block 20 is almost uniformly pressurized and compressed from multiple directions. Thereby, in particular, the foam block is reduced in outer diameter to such an extent that it does not stay in the cylindrical part 13, and falls with its own weight plus the weight of the powder contained in the housing 12.
In FIG. 3 (d), 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.3 (e), the opening part 19 of the application | coating chip | tip 10 is open | released by cutting off the edge part 40 by itself.
In FIG. 3 (f), the mixture is applied to the hair in a conventional manner using a bellows shaped portion 4 to release the mixture from the opening 19.

If you want to use the above device with two liquids:
i) Annulus on the inner surface of the shoulder 14 to reduce the risk of forming a liquid film between the lateral surface of the foam block 20 and the inner surface of the cylindrical portion 13 before use of the device. 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 mixing with the head of the apparatus facing downward.

The differences of the embodiment of FIG. 4 referenced here from the above embodiment are mainly:
i) the container 2 is provided with 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 portion 13 of the tip 10 and the cut end 40, the application tip 10 comprises another cylindrical portion 41 whose inner surface is slightly smaller than the cylindrical portion 13. Is a point. The cylindrical portion 41 is separated from the coating tip portion in the vicinity of the cut end portion 40 by an annular shoulder portion 42. Inside the cylindrical part 41, a foam block 50 is arranged which is similar to the foam block 20 and whose surface 51 abuts against the shoulder 42 in the axial direction. Therefore, in a state where 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. The body block 50 separates the section 12 from the section 43 formed on the upper part of the coating chip. The compartment 9 contains a liquid dyeing oxidant. Compartment 12 contains the powdered dye. The compartment 43 contains a powdery fragrance.
Other parts of the apparatus are the same as those described with reference to the above-described embodiment, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted.

The procedure for initial 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. 5 (a) to (d).

In FIG. 5A, the compartment 9 is in a pressurized state by external pressure being applied perpendicularly to the deformable wall of the container 2. As a result, pressure is generated in the container 2. Since the entire periphery 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 almost uniformly pressurized and compressed from multiple directions. In particular, this results in each foam block being reduced in outer diameter to such an extent that it does not stay in the cylindrical portions 13 and 41, respectively, and the weight of the powder contained in each housing 12 and 43 is added to its own weight. Fall.
In practice, the two foam blocks fall slightly sequentially, with block 20 first and then block 50.
In FIG. 5 (b), three products are mixed in the housing 9. Foam blocks 20 and 50 are floating on the surface of the mixture. The mixture can be mixed by shaking the device 1 in a suitable manner.
In FIG.5 (c), the opening part 19 of the application | coating chip | tip 10 is open | released by cutting off the edge part 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.

  In the foregoing detailed description, several preferred embodiments of the invention have been described. It will be apparent that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims below.

It is an exploded view of 1st embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 (a) to 3 (f) illustrate the basic operational steps of the apparatus of FIGS. It is sectional drawing of 2nd embodiment of the apparatus of this invention. FIGS. 5 (a) to 5 (d) illustrate the basic operational steps of the apparatus of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Apparatus 2 Container 3 Bottom part 4 Bellows-shaped part 5 Neck part 6 Opening part 7 Lid 8 Sealing skirt 9 Housing 10 Application tip 11 Part 12 Housing 13 First cylindrical part 14 Shoulder part (Axial stop part)
15 Second Cylindrical Part 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 End 41 Cylindrical Part 42 Shoulder 43 Housing 45 Opening 50 Foam Block

Claims (21)

An apparatus (1) for containing at least one product comprising:
i) at least one compartment (9, 12) for containing the product;
ii) an at least partially elastically compressible member (20) provided in the flow path (13) in the apparatus without hermetically sealing the flow path (13);
iii) generating at least two opposing directions of fluid pressure 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; (1) comprising manually operated means (2, 3). a) The apparatus forms a first compartment (9) for accommodating a first product and a second compartment (12) for accommodating a second product which can be provided at least partially above the first compartment. When;
b) The elastically compressible member constitutes a first separating member (20) capable of moving 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; The apparatus is configured such that when the movement of the first partition member from the first position to the second position causes pressure to be generated in the first and / or second compartments (9, 12), 2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) is configured to be produced by a decrease in the volume of the first separating member (20) in order to maintain a balance of pressure.   When the volume of the compressible member (20) decreases, at least the surface area of the elastically compressible member (20) shrinks in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the flow path (13). The 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, The height position of the first product in the first section (9) is such that the first separating member contacts the separating member (20) after the first separating member has moved from the first position to the second position. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that   Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of the outer surface of the elastically compressible member (20) is impermeable.   6. The device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the elastically compressible member (20) is made of a material having at least partly a large number of closed-cell small holes.   7. The device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the material with a large number of closed-celled small holes is polyethylene, polyester or polyurethane foam.   8. A device (1) according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 7 dependent on claim 2, characterized in that, 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 compartment and the second compartment and contacts the inner surface defining the flow path before being pressurized. And at least a portion compressed in one direction perpendicular to the flow path and held in the first position. The device (1) according to any one of the above.   At least one of the walls defining one or both of the compartments (9, 12) is elastically deformable, and pressure is generated by applying an external pressure laterally or axially to the elastically deformable wall. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that   Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that 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. Device (1) according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 11 dependent on claim 2.   The second container (10) comprises an opening (45) separated from the second product by the member (20) when the first separating member (20) is in the first position. The device (1) according to 12. 14. Device (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the opening (45) is removably closed by a closure (30) until the second container is attached to the first container.   14. A means (14, 32) is provided for holding the separating member (20) in a fixed position until the second container (10) is attached to the first container (2). 14. Device (1) according to 14. The immobilization means is:
i) a portion (32) of the stopper (30);
The 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) on the opposite side of the plug (30).   The second compartment (12) is defined by an element (10) that forms an application tip for applying the mixed product, or claims 3 to 3 dependent on claim 2 The device (1) according to any one of 16. 18. Device (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the second compartment is in communication with a dispensing port (19) which is closed by a closing member (40) before mixing .   The apparatus forms a third compartment (43) containing a third product that can be provided at least partially above the second compartment (12), wherein the first, second and third products The first and second separator members (20, 50) are separated by a pair of member (20) and second separator member (50), and the first and second separator members (20, 50) are paired to separate the first, second and third products. From a position to a second position where the three products contact each other, the movement of the first and second separator members from the first position to the second position may be 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 in order to balance the pressure between the two compartments separated by the divider member. A contract characterized by being reduced in multiple directions Apparatus according to any one of claim 2 claims 3 to 18 or dependent on claim 2, (1).   The product contained in the compartments (12, 43) other than the compartment (9) in which pressure is generated is in powder form, or claims 3 to 19 dependent on claim 2, The device (1) according to any one of the above. 21. Use of the device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 for producing a mixture forming a cosmetic composition.

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