WO2011010240A1

WO2011010240A1 - A packaging and applicator device including a vibration source

Info

Publication number: WO2011010240A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053158
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2009-07-21
Filing date: 2010-07-09
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Also published as: FR2948267B1; FR2948267A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging and applicator device (1) for applying a cosmetic composition (P), the device comprising: ·a handle portion (6); ·a vibration source; and ·a block of said composition (P), stationary relative to the handle portion, a surface of the block for coming into contact with human keratinous materials being at a distance (d) from the vibration source of less than 50 mm, regardless of the degree to which the block of composition has been worn down.

Description

A PACKAGING AND APPLICATOR DEVICE INCLUDING A VIBRATION SOURCE

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices for applying a cosmetic composition, and more particularly to devices including a vibration source that enables the keratinous materials being treated to be subjected to vibration during application.

It has already been proposed to subject a block of composition, in particular lipstick, to vibration during application.

Publication WO 2006/090343 discloses a device in which a lipstick mechanism is provided with a vibration source forming part of a removable vibrator unit. The distance between the application surface of the

composition and the vibration source varies when the composition is moved by turning a ring of the mechanism relative to the base. In a variant, a pencil is fastened in removable manner to a vibrator unit. Before the pencil is worn down, the tip of said pencil is relatively far away from the vibration source, to the detriment of the amplitude of the vibration at the tip.

Application FR 2 918 855 teaches mounting, on the cup of a lipstick mechanism that enables the stick to be moved relative to a base, a motor that drives an off- center fly-weight in rotation, so as to subject the composition to vibration. As a result of the motor moving with the cup, production is quite complex and costly, and, in addition, it is not easy to reuse the motor after the stick has been worn down.

US application No. 2004/0096258 Al discloses an applicator device for applying a stick composition, and that makes it possible to perform massaging. The device includes a motor that is situated in the bottom portion of the device, which bottom portion presents a round shape so as to make it possible to perform massaging with the end of the device. The bottom end of the device is also heated. Consequently, there exists a need to improve still further packaging and applicator devices for applying a solid cosmetic composition and including a vibration source .

In exemplary embodiments the invention seeks to satisfy that need and provides a packaging and applicator device, comprising:

• a handle portion;

^• a vibration source; and

• a block of said composition, stationary relative to the handle portion, an application surface of the block for coming into contact with human keratinous materials to be treated being at a distance from the vibration source of less than 50 millimeters (mm) , better less than 40 mm, better still less than 30 mm, regardless of the degree to which the block of composition has been worn down.

Thus, the device does not have a mechanism, in particular a rotary ring, that makes it possible to move the block of composition relative to the handle portion. In the absence of such a mechanism, there can be no axial movement of the block relative to the handle portion.

Preferably, the distance between the block of the composition and the vibration source is less than or equal to 30 mm, better 25 mm, even better 10 mm.

It is advantageous that the distance between the block and the vibration source be small as this avoids loss of vibratory energy.

The oscillations produced on the block of

composition P may encourage organizing and/or anchoring the composition that is being applied to the skin or the lips. The vibration may also contribute to the comfort of the application. The vibration may make it possible to deposit the composition in depth, in particular in wrinkles. The vibration may make it possible to obtain a deposit that is thicker, possibly more colored, more uniform, and/or more glossy. The invention makes it possible to reduce the loss of vibratory energy compared to a device in which the vibration source is very far away from the application surface .

The vibration source may generate vibration of frequency lying in the range 0.5 hertz (Hz) to 1000 Hz, or even in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz, better in the range 10 Hz to 300 Hz, e.g. in the range 50 Hz to 200 Hz.

Vibration may be produced intermittently or

continuously.

The vibration source may comprise a motor, e.g. a disk-shaped motor, driving an off-center fly-weight in rotation. The speed of rotation of the motor may lie in the range 2500 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 15000 rpm, e.g. lying in the range 4500 rpm to 10000 rpm.

The use of a motor driving an off-center fly-weight in rotation may make it possible to generate vibration of amplitude that is relatively small and of frequency that is relatively high.

The vibration source may be of some other kind, e.g. piezoelectric, electromechanical, or eccentric. The vibration source may also comprise a motor driving, in rotation, a toothed wheel that is in contact with an elastically-deformable blade, like a rattle.

The maximum amplitude of the vibration of the application surface may be less than or equal to 2 mm, or even less than or equal to 1 mm.

The voltage used may lie in the range 1.3 volts (V) to 9 V, for example. The vibration source may include an electricity source, such as a 1.5 V button battery. The use of a button battery may turn out to be advantageous for making the device more compact. When using a button battery and a disk-shaped motor, the battery and the motor may be face-to-face, side-by-side, or the face of one may face the edge of the other.

The device may include a control member for

controlling the operation of the vibration source. The control member may be triggered by pressing it. The control member may be disposed in such a manner that it is pressed when the user takes hold of the device. The control member may present momentary contact, the

operation of the vibration source ceasing as soon as the control member is released.

The vibration produced may be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device. In a variant, the vibration may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Advantageously, the vibration source may form part of a removable vibrator unit, thereby making it possible to use it with another composition. By way of example, the user may have a plurality of different compositions, and may associate a selected composition with the

vibrator unit during use. Each composition may be carried by a support that is suitable for mounting on the removable vibrator unit.

When the vibration source includes an off-center fly-weight that is driven in rotation and that is

fastened in non-removable manner on the device, the above-mentioned distance is measured between the center of inertia of the fly-weight and the application surface of the composition. When the vibration source forms part of a removable vibrator unit, the distance is also measured between the vibration source of the vibrator unit and the application surface.

For an oscillating electromechanical vibrator, the distance is measured relative to the center of inertia of the oscillating assembly.

The handle portion enables the user to manipulate the device during application, and, in particular, it may accommodate two or three fingers of the user's hand.

Unlike the device disclosed in publication

FR 2 918 855 in which the vibration source moves relative to the base together with the composition, the vibration source of the invention may be stationary relative to the handle portion, thereby making the device relatively simple and inexpensive to produce, and the transmission of the vibration more effective.

In the invention, the relatively short distance between the vibration source and the application surface makes it possible to reduce attenuation of the vibration, thereby making it possible to use a vibration source that is relatively low-powered and inexpensive. That may also reduce the amplitude of the vibration felt by the user via the handle portion.

The above-mentioned vibrator unit may come into contact with a face of a wall that is in contact with the composition, in particular via its opposite face. The wall may define the bottom of a cup that contains the block of composition, at least in part, e.g. a cup in which the composition is hot-cast during manufacture. By way of example, the wall is made out of a single

thermoplastic material.

The vibrator unit may include a finger for

transmitting vibration, and the block of composition may be supported by a cup that is provided with a recess in which said finger engages. That may promote the

transmission of vibration between the vibration source and the composition, in particular for vibration

including a vibratory component that is longitudinal or transverse relative to the longitudinal axis of the device .

Advantageously, the device may include a removable protective cap that covers the block of composition when not in use.

The axis of rotation of the above-mentioned flyweight may be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, or parallel thereto, or oriented in some other way, e.g. obliquely or with an orientation that varies, which axis of rotation may be selected by the user as a function of the kind of composition or

treatment to be performed, for example. Advantageously, the composition is a lipstick or a foundation or any other composition for coming into contact with the skin or the mucous membranes, and that is capable of dispersing on coming into contact

therewith, for example. The composition may be a

deodorant, a blusher, or an eyeshadow.

The composition may be cast or compacted, and may include waxes, oils, binders, or polymers, for example. The composition may include glycerine and/or a

polyacrylate powder enabling the composition to collect water that the vibration may mix with the glycerine or the powder. The composition may be a makeup or care- product composition.

The composition may have a tendency to soften or to melt in contact with the heat of the skin.

The block of composition preserves its shape during storage. The block of composition may be taller than it is wide or wider than it is tall.

Where appropriate, the handle portion may be formed by a hollow handle in which the removable vibrator unit comes to be engaged, at least in part. Where

appropriate, the handle portion may also be formed by the vibrator unit, at least in part.

The handle portion may house the above-mentioned motor and fly-weight.

In exemplary embodiments the invention provides a packaging and applicator device, comprising:

• a handle portion;

^• a vibration source; and

• a block of composition, stationary relative to the handle portion,

the block being at a distance from the vibration source of less than 50 millimeters (mm), better less than 40 mm, better still less than 30 mm, better 25 mm, even better 10 mm.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a kit comprising: ^• a removable vibrator unit; and

• a plurality of applicator units, each including a block of composition that is mounted in stationary manner on a support that makes it possible to fasten on the removable vibrator unit, the removable vibrator unit including a vibration source that is situated at less than 50 mm from an application surface of the block of composition for coming into contact with keratinous materials, better less than 40 mm, better still less than 30 mm.

The vibration source may be stationary relative to a handle portion of the device, once the vibration source is coupled to the support.

By way of example, the kit may include a plurality of applicator units that correspond to compositions of different colors.

The invention also provides a method of applying a cosmetic composition in solid form by means of a device as defined above.

During use, the composition could possibly be put into contact with water, so as to make it easier to disperse and/or so as to form a different film on the skin or other materials being treated.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

^• Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation view showing an example of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

^• Figure 2 shows the Figure 1 device with the protective cap removed;

^• Figure 3 shows the removable vibrator unit in isolation;

• Figure 4 shows the device without the removable vibrator unit; ^• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 2 of a variant embodiment of the invention;

^• Figure 6 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial section of the Figure 5 device;

• Figures 7 and 8 show the Figure 5 device

respectively with the protective ring in its lowered position and in its raised position;

^• Figure 9 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic longitudinal section of a variant device of the

invention;

• Figure 10 is a fragmentary axial section showing an applicator unit in isolation;

^• Figures HA to HD show other examples of

applicator units with different shapes for the block of composition;

^• Figures 12A to 12F show examples of possible cross-sections for the block of composition;

^• Figure 13 shows an example of a case containing a plurality of applicator units and a removable vibrator unit;

^• Figure 14 shows the possibility of packaging the vibrator unit separately;

^• Figure 15 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic longitudinal section on XV-XV in Figure 2; and

• Figures 16 and 17 show two examples of removable vibrator units in isolation, and with the casing open.

The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 includes an applicator unit comprising a base 3 that supports a block of composition P in the shape of a stick, and that is suitable for receiving a removable vibrator unit 5, shown in isolation in

Figure 3.

The vibrator unit 5 includes an actuator lever 11 that defines a control surface 8 on which the user may press so as to control its operation.

As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the vibrator unit 5 may include a casing 143 that is provided at one end with a finger 15, or with any other projection, that channels vibration towards the block of composition.

As can be seen in Figure 16, the casing 143 may be made with two half-shells 151 and 152 that are

interconnected via a film hinge 154, or that are

assembled together in some other way, e.g. the two half- shells 151 and 152 being molded as a single piece out of thermoplastic material.

By way of example, the half-shell 151 carries the finger 15, while the other half-shell presents a semicircular opening 156 that is adapted to engage on the finger 15 when the casing is closed. Assembly pins 160, e.g. two in number, are formed on one of the half-shells, e.g. the half-shell carrying the lever 11, and may engage in corresponding housings 162 of the other half-shell that are situated on the edge remote from the hinge 154, so as to hold the casing 143 in its closed position.

In the embodiment shown, the lever 11 is molded integrally with the half-shell 152.

When the casing 143 is closed, the user may press on the control surface 8 so as to make the electrical circuit connecting a battery 180 to a motor 170, thereby starting said motor. The motor 170 rotates a fly-weight having a center of inertia that is not situated on the axis of rotation.

The fly-weight may be situated inside the casing of the motor 170, as in the embodiment in Figure 16, or it may be external to the motor, as in the embodiment in Figure 17, and having the reference 171.

When the device includes the vibration source 5 shown in Figure 16, vibration generated by the vibration source 5 is oriented longitudinally. In contrast, the vibration source shown in Figure 17 generates vibration that is oriented transversally relative to the

longitudinal axis of the vibration source. The frequency of the oscillation, its orientation, and its amplitude could be adapted to each type of application depending on the desired result.

The vibrator unit 5 may be proposed to the user pre- mounted on the applicator unit within a package, e.g. a presentation case, a bag, a blister pack, or a box. In a variant, the vibrator unit 5 may be proposed to the user in the non-assembled state together with the applicator unit .

As shown, a protective cap 16 may be mounted on the base 3 so as to protect the block of composition P when not in use. The cap 16 may be fastened by snap-fastening on the base 3, and, to this end, said base may include an annular bead 7, as shown in Figure 2.

The base 3 may include an opening 9 in its side wall, in which opening the above-mentioned lever 11 may be engaged, at least in part.

Once the vibrator unit 5 has been assembled with the base 3, the assembly constitutes a handle portion 6 that enables the user to manipulate the device.

In the embodiment shown, the surface of the

composition P that is used for application presents a bevel 13, but other shapes are possible for the block of composition P, as described below.

The composition P may be carried by a cup 23 having a bottom that is defined by a wall 21 that extends generally perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the device .

The finger 15 for transmitting vibration may be engaged in a housing 17 of the base 3. By way of

example, the housing 17 is defined by an annular lip 20 that is connected at its top to the wall 21 of the cup 23.

The top face 24 of the wall 21 is in direct contact with the composition P that may have been poured into the cup 23. In accordance with the invention, the distance d measured along the longitudinal axis X of the device, between the center of inertia of the fly-weight and the top end 26 of the block of composition P, is less than or equal to 50 mm, better less than or equal to 40 mm, better still less than or equal to 30 mm. The distance is measured when the fly-weight is closest to the

application surface of the composition.

The distance d' between the block of composition P and the center of inertia of the fly-weight is preferably less or equal to 30 mm, better 25 mm, even better 10 mm.

Figures 5 to 7 show a variant embodiment of the device 1, which variant embodiment may use the same vibrator unit 5 as the vibrator unit in the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4, or it may use a different vibration source. For the purpose of simplifying the drawing, the same vibrator unit is shown.

In this embodiment, the base 3 carries a protective ring 30 that is movable axially along the axis X between a low position, shown in Figure 7, in which the block of composition is accessible for application, and a high position, shown in Figure 8, in which the top end 26 of the block of composition is situated below the top end 33 of the ring 30.

The ring 30 may include a portion in relief 35, such as an annular bead, that may snap-fasten on the base 3, respectively in the high and low positions. The base 3 may include two portions in relief 36 and 37 enabling such snap-fastening.

It can be seen in Figure 6 that the housing 17 in which the finger 15 engages, may open out directly onto the composition P.

The passage defined inside the annular lip 20 defining the housing 17 may possibly be used to fill a mold with the composition, via the cup 23, the base 3 being disposed upsidedown with the annular lip 20 facing upwards during the filling operation. The composition may be hot-cast in the mold that has the desired shape for the block of composition P.

Where appropriate, the protective cap 16 may extend lower than the base 3, and may come to cover the

removable vibrator unit 5, at least in part, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows a variant that may be used more particularly for applying a foundation. The base 3 may form a hollow handle 6 inside which the removable unit 5 may be housed. The height of the inner housing 40 of the handle represents more than half of the length of the removable unit 5, or even more than three fourths of the length, or even all of the length or more.

In the variant embodiment in Figure 10, the wall 21 that defines the bottom of the cup 23 carrying the block of composition is extended downwards by a skirt 43 that is used for mounting the removable vibrator unit 5 that may possibly define a handle portion enabling the user to manipulate the device during use. The vibrator unit 5 may be engaged inside the mounting skirt 43.

The greatest transverse dimension W of the base 3 may be greater than the greatest transverse dimension R of the vibrator unit 5.

In the embodiment in Figure 10, the base 3 is shown with a housing 17 for receiving the finger 15 of the removable vibrator unit, but contact between the vibrator unit 5 and the base 3 may be made in some other way. For example, the vibrator unit 5 may be in contact with the mounting skirt 43 only, and vibration may thus be

transmitted exclusively via the mounting skirt 43.

The block of composition P may have different shapes, in particular as a function of the kind of surface to be treated.

In particular for a lipstick or lip gloss, the block of composition may have a rounded shape that may be circularly symmetrical about the axis X, as shown in Figure HA. Alternatively, it is possible to have a block of composition having a beveled shape, as shown in Figures HB and HC, or a tapered shape, as shown in Figure HD.

In cross-section perpendicular to the axis X, the stick may present a section that is: circular, as shown in Figure 12A; polygonal, in particular square, as shown in Figure 12B; triangular, as shown in Figure 12C; or pentagonal or hexagonal, as shown in Figure 12D.

The block of composition P may also present a cross- section that is oblong, in particular elliptical.

The block of composition P may comprise two

compositions Pi and P2 that are, for example, disposed in coaxial manner, as shown in Figure 12E, or side-by-side, as shown in Figure 12F. By way of example, the

compositions are compositions having different colors.

The removable vibrator unit 5 may be proposed with a plurality of applicator units within a single package 50, as shown in Figure 13, e.g. a case. Each of the

applicator units may carry a composition that is

different from the composition of the other applicator units, and the user may mount the applicator unit that carries the composition of choice on the vibrator unit. Each applicator unit may include its own protective cap 16.

The vibrator unit 5 may alternatively be proposed separately within its own package 60, as shown in

Figure 14.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A packaging and applicator device (1) for applying a cosmetic composition (P), the device comprising:

^• a handle portion (6);

• a vibration source; and

• a block of said composition (P) , stationary relative to the handle portion, a surface of the block for coming into contact with human keratinous

materials being at a distance (d) from the vibration source of less than 50 mm, regardless of the degree to which the block of composition has been worn down.

2. A device according to claim 1, the distance (d) being less than or equal to 40 mm.

3. A device according to claim 1, the distance (d) being less than or equal to 30 mm.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the vibration source forming part of a removable vibrator unit (5) .

5. A device according to claim 4, the vibrator unit (5) coming into contact with a face of a wall (21), itself being in contact with the composition, in particular via its opposite face.

6. A device according to claim 5, the wall (21) defining the bottom of a cup that contains the block of

composition, at least in part.

7. A device according to claim 4, the vibrator unit (5) including a finger (15) for transmitting vibration.

8. A device according to claim 7, the block of

composition (P) being supported by a cup (23) that is provided with a recess (17) in which said finger (15) engages .

9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,

including a removable protective cap (16) that is suitable for covering the block of composition (P) when not in use.

10. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the vibration source comprising a motor (170) that drives an off-center fly-weight (171) in rotation.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the composition being a lipstick, a foundation, or a blusher.

12. A device according to claim 4, the handle portion (6) being formed by a hollow handle in which the removable vibrator unit (5) comes to be engaged, at least in part.

13. A device according to claim 4, the vibrator unit (5) defining the handle portion (6), at least in part.

14. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,

wherein the distance (d' ) between the block of composition and the vibration source is less than 30 mm, better 25 mm, even better 10 mm.

15. A kit comprising:

^• a removable vibrator unit (5) ; and

• a plurality of applicator units, each including a block of composition that is mounted in stationary manner on a support that makes it possible to fasten the removable vibrator unit, the removable vibrator unit including a vibration source that is situated at less than 50 mm from a surface of the block of composition for coming into contact with keratinous materials .

16. A kit according to claim 15, including a plurality of applicator units that correspond to compositions of different colors.

17. A packaging and applicator device, comprising:

• a handle portion;

• a vibration source; and

• a block of composition, stationary relative to the handle portion,

the block being at a distance from the vibration source of less than 50 mm, better less than 40 mm, better still less than 30 mm, better 25 mm, even better 10 mm.