JP4590365B2 - Cosmetic composition packaging and applicator device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to cosmetic compositions such as nail polish packaging and applicator devices. More particularly, the present invention applies to an apparatus provided with a container for containing a composition to be applied by an applicator.

  Such a device is already known, for example from patent document 1, patent document 2 and patent document 3.

  Furthermore, Patent Document 4 describes an apparatus including a container that can be separated from an applicator, and the applicator includes a sheath that extends around the stem so as to form a supply portion of the composition. Before returning, the number of times the applicator can be used can be increased. In such a device, the stem is movable relative to the sheath so that the composition can flow along the applicator element while in use.

In Patent Document 5, the applicator forms a stem having an applicator element at one end; and a gap suitable for containing the composition in terms of increasing the length of time that the applicator can be used. Another example of a device having a stem and a cooperating sheath is described.
European Patent EP0721748B1 European patent EP0553021B1 European patent application EP0045690 U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,759 U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,1996

In one aspect of the present invention, the present invention includes an applicator part, and the applicator part includes:
A first container containing the composition to be applied;
An applicator element attached to one end of the stem that includes at least one internal passage fixed to the first container and in communication with the first container so that the composition can be supplied from the first container at least in use;
At least secured to the first container during use, surrounds at least a portion of the stem, forms a gap between itself and the stem, and opens the internal passage of the stem into the gap through at least one opening. A sheath that is;
At least one air inlet open to the gap above the opening;
A packaging and applicator device is provided.

  The presence of the sheath can contribute to adjusting the flow of the composition toward the applicator element. This can improve the quality and / or accuracy of application.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus can have a second container in which the applicator part can be mounted. As an example, the volume of the second container is smaller than the volume of the first container.

  The second container may be configured to receive a certain amount of the composition or solvent, thereby maintaining the applicator element in a solvent or inhibitor rich environment, or when the applicator element is dry. Can be prevented. Advantageously, the second container is transparent, the second container is made of glass, for example, and attracts the customer when purchasing, allowing the customer to see the applicator element, where appropriate The composition present in the second container, in particular its color, can be seen.

  The second container can return possible droplets of the composition present in the applicator element.

  If the second container contains the composition, the second container may be useful for loading the applicator element, for example, by shaking the device.

  Suitably, the second container can contain a member capable of mixing or moving the contents, such as a ball or bead.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator part may include a fixing device that is hermetically fixed to the second container, and the fixing device includes, for example, a coupling component that is separated from the first container.

  As an example, the sheath can be constructed integrally with the coupling part, for example by molding a plastic material.

  In a variant, the sheath can be configured independently of the anchoring device, for example the sheath is fitted to a coupling part.

  The stem may optionally be configured integrally with the coupling component.

  By way of example, the first container can comprise a flexible wall constructed, for example, by coextrusion, and the user can squeeze the flexible wall so that the composition flows toward the applicator element. The first container may be transparent. The first container may be rigid, and the first container is made of, for example, glass.

  The first container may comprise a pump, the first container and the pump form a single unit that is movable relative to the applicator element, for example, and the assembly dispenses the composition toward the applicator element, for example. It can change with respect to the fixing device of the applicator part in a 2nd container.

  The first container may include a member capable of mixing the composition, such as a metal ball.

  The applicator element can be long enough to reach the bottom of the second container.

Prior to first use, the first container and the second container can be at least partially filled with the same composition.

  In one embodiment, the second container can comprise a wall that generally conforms to the shape of the applicator portion to be engaged. This can reduce the volume of the second container that no longer receives the composition or solvent and merely serves as a closing cap.

  The air inlet may have one or more openings formed in the sheath, for example, two diametrically opposed openings. The total airflow cross-sectional area of the opening can be greater than or equal to 1 mm2.

  Suitably, the opening may allow the composition in the second container to reach the gap between the stem and the sheath, for example when shaking the device.

The fluid communication between the applicator element and the first container may be invariant and no valve or closure device is fitted in the internal passage of the stem.

  By way of example, the applicator element may have a generally flat cross section.

  The present invention is better understood upon reading the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments and reviewing the accompanying drawings that form an integral part of this specification.

  The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an applicator part 2 extending along a longitudinal axis X.

  The applicator part 2 has a first container 3 and an anchoring device capable of mounting the first container 3 to the second container 5, and in the embodiment under consideration, the second container 5 is the first container when placed on a horizontal plane. The bottom wall 6 which can stand the 2 containers 5 is provided. In the embodiment under consideration, the fastening device has a coupling part 4 to which the twelfth container 3 is secured.

  The first container 3 contains a fluid composition part P, for example, nail polish.

  The applicator unit 2 includes a stem 8 with an axis X, and the stem 8 is provided with an internal passage 9 that is in fluid communication with the inner space 10 of the first container 3.

  In the embodiment under consideration, the distal end of the stem 8 supports the applicator element 12, which comprises a bundle of bristles that are implanted in the housing 13 of the stem 8, for example by stapling. . The end wall of the housing 13 is closed so that the composition reaches the applicator element 12 via the outside of the stem 8.

  The applicator part 2 can also be transparent and comprises a sheath 15 extending axially around the stem 8, between itself and the stem 8 as can be seen in FIG. A relatively narrow gap 16 is formed.

  The gap 16 is, for example, annular, and the width of the gap can be selected in particular as a function of the viscosity of the composition P and the desired application properties, in particular the desired flow rate. The internal passage 9 opens into the gap 16 through at least one opening, and in the embodiment under consideration through two diametrically opposed openings 18.

  An air inlet is formed above the opening 18, which in the considered embodiment is in the form of two diametrically opposed openings 20 through the sheath 15.

  As an example, the stem 8 and the sheath 15 have a circular cross section. In a variant, their cross-sectional shape need not be circular, in particular to facilitate the flow of the composition to a predetermined area of the applicator element.

  In the embodiment under consideration, the top of the coupling part 4 comprises a first assembly skirt 23 with an axis X, and the first container 3 is fixed to the first assembly skirt 23 and is particularly suitable for screwing. A neck 24 is provided.

  The bottom of the coupling part 4 is provided with a second assembly skirt 25 with an axis X, and the second container 5 is provided with a neck 26 which is fixed to the second assembly skirt 25 and is particularly suitable for screwing. .

  The assembly skirts 23, 25 are connected to each other via an intermediate portion 28, which has a passage 30 therethrough, through which the stem 8 extends. The top of the sheath 15 is connected to the intermediate portion 28, and in the illustrated embodiment, the sheath is integrally formed with the coupling part 4 by molding.

  In the illustrated embodiment, an annular seal tongue 33 is provided that is supported on the inner surface of the neck 26 so that the second container 5 can be mounted in a manner sealed to the coupling component 4. As an example, the annular sealing tongue 33 is formed integrally with the coupling part 4 by molding.

  In the embodiment under consideration, the stem 8 is fixed to the first container 3 by an end piece 34 that is forced into the neck 24. As shown, the end piece 34 may be connected to a disk 36, with one side of the disk supporting the edge of the neck 24, the other side supporting the annular flange 37, the annular flange 37 being , Projecting into the bottom of the housing defined by the assembly skirt 23.

  In the embodiment under consideration, the sheath 15 extends beyond the end of the stem 8 and thereby covers a portion of the applicator element 12.

  The sheath 15 includes an inwardly curved bottom edge 61 with an opening 60 through which the applicator element 12 passes.

  The first container 3 has a flexible shape memory wall formed, for example, by coextrusion, so that the user can cause the composition to flow toward the applicator element 12 by squeezing the two opposing surfaces. Can be provided.

  The first container 3 may be transparent. The second container 5 is preferably transparent, and the second container is made of glass, for example.

  The device 1 can be operated as follows.

  The user can squeeze the wall of the first container 3 so that the composition P flows through the internal passage 9 toward the opening 18, or the composition P can flow naturally by gravity. The composition P present in the gap 16 can flow by gravity toward the applicator element 12 by the entry of air through the opening 20, as indicated by the arrows in FIG.

  When the user squeezes the first container 3 when the gap 16 contains too much composition, the composition P flows out of the opening 20 as shown in FIG. It flows on the outer surface and reaches the applicator element 12. The curved edge 61 of the sheath causes the composition flowing on the outer surface of the sheath 15 to flow toward the applicator element 12.

  Of course, various modifications can be made to the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

  After use, the user can fix the applicator part 2 to the second container 5. The composition P present at the bottom of the container can maintain the applicator element 12 in a solvent rich environment, thereby preventing drying, and for the user the applicator element The applicator element 12 can be used relatively quickly during the next use.

  The coupling part 4 may be configured differently as shown in FIG.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the stem 8 is configured integrally with the coupling component 4 and the sheath 15 by molding a plastic material, for example.

  The coupling element 4 can comprise an annular sealing tongue 44 that engages the neck 24 of the first container 3.

  In the variant embodiment of FIG. 6, the first container 3 comprises a pump 45, which comprises a valve rod 46, which is engaged with the coupling part 4 and the shoulder of the internal passage 9 of the stem 8. It is appropriate that the stem 8 is in contact with the portion 63 along the axial direction, and the stem 8 is configured integrally with the coupling component 4.

  The first container 3 is provided with a tubular part 47 that is slidable relative to the coupling part 4, so that the user presses the first container 3 to displace it towards the applicator element 12 and thereby activates the pump 45. The composition can be dispensed.

  When the pressure is released, the first container 3 can be returned to the original position by elastic return means coupled to the pump 45, for example.

  In the embodiment under consideration, the first container 3 is held on the coupling part 4 by a rim 48, which is formed on top of a guide skirt 49 that replaces the assembly skirt 23 described above. The first container 3 includes an annular holding flange 50 that can be attached to the rim 48 by snap fitting.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 7 differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in the form of the second container 5, and the inner wall 53 is formed around the applicator element 12 when the applicator element 12 is placed in the second container 5. In order to minimize the free volume, the shape of the applicator portion is substantially matched with the shape of the distal end portion.

  By way of example, the wall 53 is in the form of a glove finger and is integrally formed with an outer skirt 54 that is aligned with the outer surface of the coupling part 4 and extends downward, for example by molding plastic material. As shown, the outer skirt 54 can extend upwardly by the neck 55 and thereby be secured to the assembly skirt 25.

  The bottom wall 57 can be fitted to the cover skirt 54, and the bottom wall 57 is secured to the cover skirt 54 by a snap fit.

  Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In particular, the shape of the first and second containers and the shape of the coupling part 4 can be further changed.

  The applicator element 12 can also be composed of something other than a bundle of bristles, for example a flocked end piece, a foam, a felt tip, a brush, or a flexible tip.

  If the applicator element 12 forms a brush in the form of a paint brush, the brush can be composed of, for example, a mixture of bristles, and in particular different forms of bristles and / or different materials.

  The shape of the brush can be changed, and the shape may be, for example, a cylindrical cross section or a through shape. The bristles can be straight or corrugated in cross section solid or hollow with the same or different diameter, or the bristles can be a mixture.

  For example, the bristles are composed of polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyoxymethylene (POM), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), silicone, or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

  The bristles can include sliding agents, fillers that change the surface condition, and / or magnetic particles.

  The first container may have any shape other than that shown, and may optionally be deformable.

  The composition placed in the device may be other than nail polish, and the composition is, for example, a makeup composition or a care product that is applied to the skin, lips or keratinous fibers.

  The gap between the stem and the sheath may be other than annular, and the sheath may suitably be provided with a relief portion such as a strip or rib on the inside surface, for example, or on the inside of the sheath, for example, coated For example, internal grooves or ribs can be formed that are suitable to locally promote the flow of the composition to guide the composition to one or more predetermined regions of the device element. As an example, the stem can be oval in cross section with one or two grooves in the longitudinal side, preferably to guide the composition approximately in the middle of the brush if the brush has a flat cross section. .

  The air may be passed through one or more air passages in the intermediate portion 28 other than through one or more openings in the sheath, for example.

  The term “comprising” is to be understood as synonymous with “having at least one” unless stated otherwise.

The schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the apparatus which comprises one Embodiment of this invention. The front view at the time of seeing along the arrow II in FIG. 1 which shows an applicator part separately. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the end of the applicator part that houses the applicator element and showing the various ways in which the composition can flow toward the applicator element. FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing the end of the applicator part that houses the applicator element and showing the various ways in which the composition can flow toward the applicator element. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows a modification. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows a modification. The figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows a modification.

Claims (10)

Including the applicator part (2), the applicator part (2)
A first container (3) containing a composition (P) to be applied;
Stem provided with at least one internal passage (9) which is fixed to the first container (3) at least during use and which can communicate with the first container (3) so as to be supplied with the composition from the first container (3) An applicator element (12) attached to one end of (8);
At least in use, fixed to the first container (3), surrounds at least part of the stem (8), forms a gap (16) between itself and the stem (8), and has at least one opening ( A sheath (15) opening the internal passage (9) of the stem (8) into the gap (16) via 18);
A second container (5) for mounting the applicator part (2);
At least one air inlet (20) open to the gap (16) above the opening (18);
Have
The air inlet (20) allows at least a portion of the composition in the second container (5) to flow through the at least one air inlet (20) into the gap (16). A packaging and applicator device comprising at least one opening formed in a sheath (15). Packaging and applicator unit according to claim 1, characterized in that applicator section (2) is provided with a fastening device for securing the second container (5). The first container (3) includes a pump (45), and the first container (3) and the pump (45) form a single unit movable with respect to the applicator element (12). The packaging and applicator device according to any one of claims 1 to 2 . Packaging and applicator unit according to claim 1, characterized in that with applicator element (12) is substantially the bottom reaches such a length of the second container (5). Packaging and applicator unit according to claim 1, wherein the filling at least a portion the same composition in the first container (3) and the second container (5) before the first use. The second container (5) packaging and applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a substantially conforming wall (53) to the shape of the applicator portion is engaged (2). 2. Packaging and applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fluid communication between the applicator element (12) and the first container (3) is invariant. 3. Packaging and applicator device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the sheath (15) is constructed in one piece with the joining part (4) of the fastening device. Including the applicator part (2), the applicator part (2)
A first container (3) containing a composition (P) to be applied;
Stem provided with at least one internal passage (9) which is fixed to the first container (3) at least during use and which can communicate with the first container (3) so as to be supplied with the composition from the first container (3) An applicator element (12) attached to one end of (8);
At least in use, fixed to the first container (3), surrounds at least part of the stem (8), forms a gap (16) between itself and the stem (8), and has at least one opening ( A sheath (15) opening the internal passage (9) of the stem (8) into the gap (16) via 18);
At least one air inlet (20) open to the gap (16) above the opening (18);
Have
Packaging and applicator device, characterized in that the sheath (15) extends beyond the end of the stem (8) and thereby covers a part of the applicator element (12). Including the applicator part (2), the applicator part (2)
A first container (3) containing a composition (P) to be applied;
Stem provided with at least one internal passage (9) which is fixed to the first container (3) at least during use and which can communicate with the first container (3) so as to be supplied with the composition from the first container (3) An applicator element (12) attached to one end of (8);
At least in use, fixed to the first container (3), surrounds at least part of the stem (8), forms a gap (16) between itself and the stem (8), and has at least one opening ( A sheath (15) opening the internal passage (9) of the stem (8) into the gap (16) via 18);
At least one air inlet (20) open to the gap (16) above the opening (18);
A second container (5) to which the applicator part (2) can be attached;
Have
Before the first use, the first container (5) is such that at least a portion of the composition can flow through the at least one air inlet (20) into the gap (16) . Packaging and applicator device characterized in that the composition is at least partially filled in the container (3) and the second container (5).

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