WO2012076404A1

WO2012076404A1 - Device comprising a rotary applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2012076404A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/071570
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sylvain De Raemy; Vincent De Laforcade
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2010-12-09
Filing date: 2011-12-01
Publication date: 2012-06-14
Also published as: FR2968514B1; EP2648566A1; FR2968514A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a container having an opening, a holder mounted fixed on the container and having a housing and an orifice that opens both into the opening of the container and into the housing, an applicator member that is at least partially engaged in the housing and is able to rotate about a rotational axis, and an operating member that is able to move in relation to the holder and can move the applicator member in the housing between an open position, in which the product can flow through the orifice, and a closed position, in which the applicator member is in contact with the orifice so as to close off said orifice. According to the invention, the operating member is mounted such that it can pivot about an axis that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

Description

DEVICE COMPRISING A ROTARY APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to a device for packaging a cosmetic product.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for packaging a cosmetic product provided with an opening mechanism having an actuating means.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean any composition as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993.

The present invention relates to packaging and application devices, comprising a container for containing the product to be applied, this container defining a housing into which at least one product inlet opens, and an applicator member which is at least partially engaged in the housing and is able to rotate therein, at least during application.

Patent US5213431 discloses an example of such a device, in which the applicator member is a roller that rotates about a rotational axis which is fixed in relation to the housing and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. A relatively complex and expensive closing-off mechanism is provided between the internal space of the container containing the product and the inlet thereof into the housing.

European Patent Applications EP0709039 and EP0363137 and

French Patent Application FR2662426 disclose similar devices, in which it is the joint movement of the applicator roller and a cup that defines the housing which makes it possible to pass from a closed position to an open position and vice versa.

French Patent Application FR2664877 discloses a device in which an operating member is provided on the side of the container in order to establish or close communication between the housing of the applicator roller and the internal space of the container containing the product. The driving of this operating member raises or lowers a closing pin in relation to the housing.

French Patent Application FR2640590 likewise discloses a device having a closing pin, able to move axially in relation to the housing containing the applicator member. Furthermore, when the applicator member is a spherical ball and when the product inlet is defined by an orifice having a circular cross section, the closure may be sealed off relatively easily by screwing a cap onto the container, this cap forcing the ball to press against the orifice and in this way closing the flow. The screwing of the cap makes it possible to achieve a sufficient force to achieve satisfactory sealing. However, this simple way of achieving a sealed closure by screwing the cap is limited to an applicator member formed by a ball.

It may prove desirable for certain applications to have an applicator roller rather than a ball, in particular for treating a relatively large surface area and/or for exerting a massaging action.

Moreover, contact between the applicator member and the cap may not be appropriate for certain types of product formulation which, when drying, causes the cap to stick to the applicator member.

Patent US5248213 discloses a cap designed to cover the applicator member and to come into sealing engagement with the rim of the housing in which the applicator member rotates. The cap is kept bearing against the rim of this housing by snap-fastening. It is not easy to achieve a high bearing force around the entire perimeter of the housing with simple snap-fastening, and this makes it difficult to achieve satisfactory sealing.

French Patent Application FR2914625 describes a device comprising an operating member that moves the oval applicator member in its housing by tilting the roller about its end opposite the operating member fixed in relation to the housing, so that it passes from an open position, in which the roller can rotate and product can flow, into a closed position, in which the roller is pressed against the product inlet so as to close the latter.

However, simply pivoting on one of the ends of the rod is not optimal, since this causes uneven deposition of the formulation on the surface of the roller, and thus very irregular application of the formulation onto the application zone. The object of the present invention is thus to provide an improved device for packaging a cosmetic product in order to alleviate the abovementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention provides a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a container having an opening, a holder mounted fixed on the container and having a housing and an orifice that opens both into the opening of the container and into the housing, an applicator member that is at least partially engaged in the housing and is able to rotate about a rotational axis, and an operating member that is able to move in relation to the holder and can move the two ends of the rod of the applicator member in the housing between an open position, in which the product can flow through the orifice, and a closed position, in which the applicator member is in contact with the orifice so as to close off said orifice.

According to the invention, the operating member is mounted such that it can pivot about an axis that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

The invention makes it possible advantageously to achieve a simple mechanism for opening and closing an applicator of the roller type, affording improved sealing in the closed position and homogeneous distribution of the product during application.

According to further features of the invention, the operating member may be mounted such that it can pivot about an axis orthogonal to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

The movement of the applicator member that is brought about by the operating member may be a movement in translation along an axis orthogonal to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

The axis of translation of the applicator member may be the axis of the opening of the container.

Each end of the rotational axis of the applicator member may comprise a journal, each journal being engaged in a groove in the holder, said groove extending along the axis of translation of the applicator member. The operating member may comprise two cam channels, each of which engages with a journal of the applicator member, in order to bring about the movement thereof into the grooves in the holder.

The operating member may be located between the container and the holder, and it may comprise at least one actuating element that is accessible from outside the holder.

The holder may comprise at least one elongate hole that extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the operating member such that each actuating element passes through an elongate hole.

The operating member may comprise two actuating members that are diametrically opposed with respect to the rotational axis of the operating member.

The device may comprise a cap that is designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member so as to move the applicator member into the closed position when the cap is fitted on the container.

The cap may be designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member so as to move the applicator member into the open position and then into the closed position when the cap is fitted on the container.

The cap may be designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member when the cap is separated from the container, so as to move the applicator member into the open position.

The cap may have at least one internal slot that forms a cam such that each actuating element engages with an internal slot.

The applicator member may have an ovoid surface or a cylindrical surface of revolution.

The surface of the applicator member may be made of elastomer. The invention makes it possible advantageously to achieve a sealed closure of the device in a relatively simple manner, in that the applicator member is used as a sealing member for the product inlet orifice. Moreover, this also makes it possible to obtain a device having a relatively small number of constituent parts. Finally, the device makes it possible to move the applicator member automatically by lifting the cap from or placing it on the device.

The invention will be understood better from reading the following description of non-limiting examples of the implementation thereof with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a front view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention without its closure cap;

- Figures 2 and 3 show side views of the device from Figure 1 , without and with the closure cap, respectively;

- Figure 4 shows an exploded view of the device from Figure 1 ;

- Figures 5 and 6 show sectional views of the device on the axis V-V in Figure 2 and on the axis VI-VI in Figure 3, respectively;

- Figures 7 and 8 show detail and side views of the operating member in the open and the closed position, respectively;

- Figures 9 and 10 show detail views IX and XX from Figures 5 and 6;

- Figures 1 1 and 12 show sectional views of the device on the axis XXI- XXI in Figure 2 and on the axis XXII-XXII in Figure 3, respectively;

- Figure 13 shows an exploded view of a variant of the packaging and application device according to the invention.

With reference to Figures 1 to 12, a device 1 for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprises a container 2 containing a product to be applied, for example a cosmetic product such as a deodorant or a care product for the skin, and an applicator member 3 which is able to rotate about its longitudinal axis Y, at least during the application of the product to the surface to be treated.

The container 2 is a hollow body 20 that is closed at one end by an end wall, and is open at the other end. The opening 21 in the container 2 is defined by a neck 22 that extends from a shoulder of the container 2. In this example, the neck 22 has a circular cross section, but it could have a different one. The axis of the opening 21 is a longitudinal axis X-X which is also, in this example, the axis along which the device 1 mainly extends.

The neck 22 has a catching means 23 located between the shoulder of the container 2 and the upper rim of the neck 22. For example, this catching means 23 is formed by an annular bulge that projects radially from the outer wall of the neck 22.

The container 10 may be produced from glass or from a thermoplastic, such as, by way of indication, polyethylene, in particular high density polyethylene (HDPE), or else polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

In the example illustrated, the applicator member 3 has an outer surface 30 which is axisymmetrical, and convex towards the outside when the device is viewed from the front as in Figure 1 , that is to say that the applicator member is ovoid. This surface shape is perfectly suitable for rapid application of a product over a large area of skin, in particular a concave area of skin, for example the inner surface of the armpits.

The applicator member comprises a rod 31 mounted in a through- passage, for example in the form of a hole 32, passing through the application member 3 at its largest dimension. The rod 31 is fitted into the hole 32. Alternatively, the rod may be mounted such that it can rotate freely in the hole. The rod may be produced from plastic, such as polypropylene (PP), for example.

Each end of the rod has a journal 33 projecting from the end of the applicator member 3. Thus, the axis defined by these journals 33 is the rotational axis Y-Y of the applicator member 3.

In this example, the surface 30 of the applicator member 3 is produced from an elastomer. For example, the surface 30 has a hardness less than or equal to 50 Shore A, preferably less than or equal to 30 Shore A. Thus, the surface 30 of the applicator member 3 made of elastomer enables contact with the skin which is less aggressive than a thermoplastic ball having greater hardness. Moreover, this makes it possible to achieve effective sealing in a simple manner when the applicator member is brought into contact with a product inlet orifice. In a variant which is not illustrated, the applicator member may have various shapes, for example the applicator member may have a cylindrical outer surface of revolution.

The applicator member may be hollow or solid and have any surface condition, for example flocking.

The applicator member may be produced in one piece having a journal at each end so as to form its rotational axis.

The applicator member may have ridges or hollows which are intended, for example, to create a massage action on the skin while the applicator member rotates. In this case, the applicator member may have a relatively smooth central region in order to be able to come into sealing contact with a product inlet orifice.

The device 1 also comprises a holder 4 for the applicator member 3. This holder 4 is attached to the container 2.

The holder is produced for example from plastic such as polypropylene (PP).

The holder 4 may be fixed to the container 2 in various ways, such as by snap-fastening, as in this example. To this end, the holder 4 comprises a sealing skirt 41 intended to be engaged with the inner wall of the neck 22 defining the opening 21 in the container 2, and a mounting skirt 42 which has an annular bead 43 such that it can be snap-fastened on the catching means 23 on the outer wall of the neck 22 of the container 2.

The holder may also be fixed to the body of the container in some other way. By way of non-limiting example, the mounting skirt may be threaded so that it can be screwed onto a thread on the neck of the container.

The holder 4 also has a wall 44 in the form of a dish having a shape substantially complementary to the shape of the applicator member 3 in order to define a housing 40 for the latter.

An orifice 46 forming a product inlet opens both into the bottom of the housing 40, for example in its centre, and into the opening 21 in the container 2. In this example, the orifice 46 is circular. However, its shape and size can be adapted to the viscosity of the product and to the method of dispensing, for example by being in the form of a slit that extends through the bottom of the housing 40, as in the variant shown in Figure 13. The holder may likewise comprise a plurality of orifices or an orifice having dimensions that can be varied by a regulating means.

This orifice 46 may be delimited by an annular bulge that projects into the housing in order to improve the sealing. Alternatively, a seal may also be fitted around this orifice, in particular if the surface of the applicator member is not sufficiently pliable to provide this sealing itself by contact with the orifice.

The housing 40 of the applicator member 3 accommodates approximately half the applicator member 3, the other half being accessible to the user.

The longest edges of the holder 4 delimiting the housing 40 are concave so as to enable access to a relatively large surface area of the applicator member 3 from outside the device 1 , thus making it possible to tilt the devicel without the skin coming into contact with the edges of the holder 4.

The sealing skirt 41 and the mounting skirt 42 extend from this wall 44 opposite the housing 40 of the applicator member 3 and around the orifice 46.

Each opposite side of the wall 44 in the longest extent of the holder 4 has a groove 47 that is open towards the housing 40 in order to define a bearing that receives a journal 33 of the applicator member 3. Each groove 47 is elongate and extends approximately vertically, that is to say parallel to the axis X-X of the opening of the container 2 in this example.

These grooves 47 thus enable the applicator member 3 to rotate about the axis Y-Y and to move vertically in translation along the axis X-X.

The length of the grooves 47 defining the maximum travel in translation of the applicator member 3 is preferably between 0.5 and 5 millimetres.

The wall 44 likewise has two passages 45 through the housing 40 towards the volume located between the holder 4 and the container 2. These passages 45 are positioned close to the grooves 47. The holder 4 has an outer fairing wall 48, the shape of which is approximately in line with that of the container 2.

The outer fairing 48 has two symmetrical windows 49 that are diametrically opposed with respect to the axis X-X. Preferably, the two windows 49 are located at the two opposite narrowest ends in the longest extent of the holder 4.

These windows 49 open both towards the outside of the holder 4 and into the holder 4 below the wall 44 forming the housing 40.

These windows 49 are elongate holes that extend in a plane approximately transverse to the device 1 . The opening angle in this transverse plane and with respect to the axis X-X is between 5° and 40°, preferably between 10° and 15°.

In a variant which is shown in Figure 13, these windows 49 are notches located at the two opposite widest ends in the shortest extent of the holder 4.

The device 1 comprises an operating member 5 that enables the applicator member 3 to take up a closed position, shown in Figures 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12, in which the applicator member is in contact with the product inlet orifice, and an open position, shown in Figures 2, 5, 7, 9 and 1 1 , in which the applicator member 3 is away from the inlet orifice, thereby enabling the product to flow.

The operating member 5 is positioned in the free volume defined between the container 2 and the wall 44 of the holder 4.

The operating member 5 is produced for example from plastic, such as polyoxymethylene (POM).

In this example, the operating member 5 is able to rotate about a rotational axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis X-X of the opening of the container. The operating member 5 has for example a circular fixing portion 50 in the form of a ring, which is designed to be fixed on the holder 4 of the applicator member 3.

The circular portion 50 is for example fixed by snap-fastening on the outer wall of the mounting skirt 42. This snap-fastening enables the operating member 5 to rotate with respect to the holder 4 about the axis X-X, but prevents it from being move vertically along the axis X-X.

Alternatively, the operating member 5 may be fixed in some other way, for example on the neck of the container. The operating member may also pivot about an axis other than the axis X-X of the opening of the container.

Two tabs 51 extend from the circular portion 50, through the passages 45 in the holder 4 and as far as the level of the rotational axis Y-Y of the applicator member 3.

Two protrusions 52 project outwards from these tabs 51 . These protrusions are located in the plane normal to the axis X-X of the opening and are positioned through the windows 49 such that they also project away from the holder 4. Thus, the protrusions 52 form actuating elements which can be gripped by the user. The pivoting angle of the operating member 5 is limited by the travel of the protrusions 52 in the windows 49. Thus, the pivoting angle can be between 5° and 40°, preferably between 10° and 15°.

The free end of each tab 51 has a guide means 54 comprising for example a cam channel 53 that extends in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis Y-Y of the applicator member 3. Each guide means 54 engages with a journal 33.

These guide means 54 can be produced by two hooks which are symmetrical with respect to the rotational axis X-X of the operating member 5. Since the bottom portion of the hooks forming the cam channel extends obliquely, the hooks are open at the top end of the cam channel 53. The upper part of the hooks presses the journals 33 against the cam channel 53 and thus prevents the journals 33 from moving vertically in a given position of the operating member 5.

This operating member 5 function as follows. When the operating member 5 is pivoted in particular by means of the protrusions 52 which are actuated manually or automatically, the journals 33 follow the slope of the cam channel of the guide means 54 while remaining in their groove 47 in the holder 4. The pivoting of the operating member 5 thus brings about a movement in translation of the applicator member 3 along the axis of the grooves 47, making it possible to raise or lower the applicator member 3.

In this way, the applicator member 3 may in particular take up two positions, one of which is a closed position, in which the applicator member 3 is in a low position in contact with the orifice 46, as can be seen in Figure 6, and ensures that the orifice 46 is closed in a sealed manner. In this closed position of the device, the upper part of the hook bears against the journals 33 of the applicator member 3, as is shown in Figure 8, forcing said applicator member 3 to bear against the edges of the product inlet orifice 46 in the holder 4. In this position, with an applicator member having a pliable surface as in this example having a surface made of elastomer, the applicator member is prevented from rotating.

The applicator member 3 may also take up an open position in which it is in a high position and is no longer kept against the orifice 46 and can be slightly spaced apart therefrom, thereby enabling product to flow through the clearance between the bottom of the housing 40 and the applicator member 3, as is shown in Figure 5. This flowing of product may take place for example when the user shakes the container, places it upside down before and/or during application, or reduces its internal volume, for example by deforming it by pressing on it or with the aid of a piston mechanism. In this open position, the cam channel pushes the journal 33 upwards, as is shown in Figure 7, thereby releasing the applicator member 3 from the orifice 46, enabling product to be dispensed and the applicator member 3 to rotate.

Each guide means 54 may comprise a means for positioning the journal 33, such as a hollow or a boss in the cam channel. This positioning means makes it possible, for example, to keep the journal 33 in the open or closed position of the device 1 and is provided to resist the application force of the device on the skin, such that the device cannot close without a deliberate action by the user by means of the operating member 5.

In this example, the device describes open hooks enabling ease of insertion of the journals during the assembly of the device; however, alternatively, the guide means may be produced by closed eyelets or simply by an open track.

In a variant shown in Figure 13, the protrusions 52 are positioned on second tabs which are different from the tabs 51 supporting the cam channels 54, in order to be able to face the windows 49 located in the shortest extent of the holder 4.

When the device 1 is not being used, the applicator member 3 can be covered by a closure cap 6. To this end, the cap 6 comprises a side wall 61 closed by a top 62.

The cap can be fixed by friction or by snap-fastening of the side wall

61 on the container 2. The cap 6 is fitted on the device 1 by a movement in translation along the longitudinal axis X-X.

The cap is produced for example from plastic, such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), which is advantageously transparent.

According to this invention, when the cap 6 is mounted on the device 1 , it does not press against the applicator member 3; for example the top 62 of the cap 6 can for example be 1 to 5 millimetres away from the applicator member 3, or even more, as can be seen in Figure 6.

This is because, according to this invention, the closure of the container 2 is sealed in a way other than with a force exerted by the cap 6 on the applicator member 3, on the holder 4 or on the container 2. Thus, the top of the cap 6 may have a different shape from the applicator member 3. For example, the top of the cap may be flat so as to be able advantageously to position the device in the upside-down position, that is to say when the applicator is at the bottom.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the cap 6 may also comprise two slots 63 on the inner face of the side wall 61 . These slots 63 are diametrically symmetrical with respect to the axis X-X.

These slots 63 open onto the lower edge of the side wall 61 of the cap 6 facing the actuating protrusions 52 of the operating member 5. These slots 63 form a cam that is capable of moving the protrusions 52 in the window 49, thereby making it possible to automatically move the applicator member 3 from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, by lifting the cap 6 from or placing it on the device 1 .

Each slot 63 has two first edges 64 that serve as a cam for the protrusion 52. At the lower edge of the cap 6, the first edges 64 are spaced apart so that the protrusion 52 passes into the slot 63 while the cap 6 is being fitted, whatever the position of the protrusion 52 in the window 49. These two first edges 64 then converge to a point positioned in line with one of the two first edges 64 such that if the protrusion 52 is in the closed position, the fitting of the cap 6 will move the protrusion 52 into the open position, and if the protrusion 52 is in the open position, its position will remain unchanged.

The first edges 64 of each slot 63 are then continued by second edges 65. These second edges 65 are approximately parallel to one another and form an oblique ramp starting from the convergent point of the two first edges 64 such that the movement of the protrusion 53 between these second edges 65 during the fitting of the cap 6 causes said protrusion 53 to move from its open position, as in Figure 2, to its closed position, as in Figure 3.

Conversely, removing the cap causes the protrusions 52 to move from their closed position to their open position via the ramp formed by the second edges 65, the first edges 64 subsequently having no influence on the positioning of the protrusions 52 in the open position.

In a variant shown in Figure 13, the slots 63 only have second edges 65 parallel to one another. However, this configuration does not make it possible to bring the protrusions 52 automatically back into the open position before passing into the closed position when the cap 6 is placed on the device 1 . Thus, if the protrusions 52 have passed into the closed position while the cap 6 is separated, for example if the user manipulates these protrusions 52, then the cap 6 could not be attached to the device without the user manually moving the protrusions 52 back into the open position. Thus, the invention makes it possible advantageously to automatically move the applicator member from a closed position to an open position, and vice versa, by lifting the cap from or placing it on the device.

The invention is not limited to the examples illustrated. The features of the various examples can in particular be combined as part of variants which are not illustrated.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as meaning "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

Device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising:

a container having an opening,

a holder mounted fixed on the container and having a housing and an orifice that opens both into the opening of the container and into the housing,

an applicator member that is at least partially engaged in the housing and is able to rotate about a rotational axis,

an operating member that is able to move in relation to the holder and can move the two ends of the rod of the applicator member in the housing between an open position, in which the product can flow through the orifice, and a closed position, in which the applicator member is in contact with the orifice so as to close off said orifice, the device being characterized in that the operating member is mounted such that it can pivot about an axis that is not parallel to the rotational axis of the applicator member, and in that the movement of the applicator member that is brought about by the operating member is a movement in translation along an axis orthogonal to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the operating member is mounted such that it can pivot about an axis orthogonal to the rotational axis of the applicator member.

Device according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the axis of translation of the applicator member is the axis of the opening of the container.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each end of the rotational axis of the applicator member comprises a journal, each journal being engaged in a groove in the holder, said groove extending along the axis of translation of the applicator member.

5. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the operating member comprises two cam channels, each of which engages with a journal of the applicator member, in order to bring about the movement thereof into the grooves in the holder.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating member is located between the container and the holder, and in that it comprises at least one actuating element that is accessible from outside the holder.

7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the holder comprises at least one elongate hole that extends perpendicularly to the rotational axis of the operating member such that each actuating element passes through an elongate hole.

8. Device according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the operating member comprises two actuating members that are diametrically opposed with respect to the rotational axis of the operating member.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cap that is designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member so as to move the applicator member into the closed position when the cap is fitted on the container.

10. Device according to Claim 9, characterized in that the cap is designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member so as to move the applicator member into the open position and then into the closed position when the cap is fitted on the container.

1 1 . Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cap that is designed to engage with the actuating element of the operating member when the cap is separated from the container, so as to move the applicator member into the open position.

12. Device according to one of Claims 9 to 1 1 , characterized in that the cap has at least one internal slot that forms a cam such that each actuating element engages with an internal slot.

13. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member has an ovoid surface or a cylindrical surface of revolution.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the applicator member is made of elastomer.