WO2017178741A1

WO2017178741A1 - Fluid product dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2017178741A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/050850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thierry Hondier
Original assignee: Aptar France Sas
Priority date: 2016-04-14
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2017-10-19
Also published as: FR3050126A1; FR3050126B1

Abstract

A fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir (R) containing fluid product (F) on which there is mounted a fluid product dispensing member (D) comprising a fluid product applicator (1; 1'; 1") comprising an application surface (12) intended to be brought into contact with the skin of a person, the fluid product (F) having a viscosity (V) expressed in mPa.s, and the fluid product applicator (1) has an average pore size (P) expressed in micrometres (μm), characterised in that the ratio P/V satisfies the following formula: 0.5 < P/V < 4.

Description

Fluid dispenser

The present invention relates to a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir on which is mounted a fluid dispenser member comprising a fluid applicator for contacting the skin of a person. The preferred fields of application of the present invention are those of perfumery, cosmetics or even pharmacy. The fluid applied can be very low viscosity, such as perfume or on the contrary more viscous, such as cream or foundation.

In the prior art of perfumery and cosmetics, there have already been for many years applicators of all kinds for applying a more or less viscous fluid on a surface, such as skin, nails or hair. The applicator may be a solid body whose sole function is to spread or spread the fluid on the application surface. For example, known applicators are known under the designation "Roll-on", using a ball that rotates freely in a housing supplied with fluid. Solid applicators pierced with a dispensing orifice through which the fluid product is dispensed are also known, the applicator then serving to spread the fluid product over the application surface. These massive applicators can provide a feeling of coldness in contact with the skin of the user, because of their mass, their density and their heat capacity. In general, these massive applicators are used to spread cream, or more generally a fluid medium or high viscosity.

On the other hand, porous applicators are also known in the prior art, made from flexible foams, felt-type nonwoven or sintered bodies. These soft or hard applicators imbibe fluid, and contact with the skin is soft and warm, or otherwise hard and cold. In general, they are also used to apply creams, or more generally fluid products of medium or high viscosity. Most of these applicators suffer from a recurring drawback, namely that the fluid product is present at the application surface, ie in too small a quantity, so that there is almost no fluid to be applied, either in too much quantity, so that it drips or forms packets on the skin of the user. There is therefore a real problem as to the sufficient supply and continues the application surface of fluid product.

In the prior art, document FR 3003448 describes a dispenser / applicator for make-up or lip care. The dispenser comprises an applicator member defining a porous application surface having an average pore size of 200 to 500 μιτι. As for the viscosity, it is 100 to 6,000 mPa.s. These values are outside the scope of the present invention.

FR2340870 discloses a liquid applicator for the surface of a human body. The applicator comprises an applicator element having a pore size ranging from 10 to 500 μιτι. This document does not mention values for viscosity.

US6883995 discloses a fluid product applicator device comprising an applicator element whose porosity is of the order of 50 to 3000 μιτι. There are no values mentioned for the viscosity of the fluid product.

The present invention seeks to establish a correlation between the fluid product to be applied and the characteristics of its applicator.

To achieve this object, the present invention provides a fluid dispenser comprising a reservoir containing fluid on which is mounted a fluid dispenser member comprising a fluid applicator comprising an application surface to be contacted of the skin of a person, the fluid having a viscosity V expressed in mPa.s and the fluid applicator has an average pore size P expressed in micrometer (μιτι),

characterized in that the P / V ratio has the following formula:

0.5 <P / V <4. Thus, a direct relationship is established between the viscosity of the fluid product to be applied and the porosity of the applicator.

Advantageously, the P / V ratio is approximately equal to 4, when V <5. This corresponds to fluid products of the perfume or liquid makeup type. On the other hand, the P / V ratio is not less than about 1 and not more than about 2, when 10 <V <100. This corresponds to fluid products such as oil, serum or foundation.

More precisely:

P <20 when V <5, (perfume or liquid makeup)

<P <80 when 10 <V <50, (oil, serum), and

40 <P <120 when 40 <V <100 (foundation).

Preferably, the fluid applicator is a hard porous body, advantageously sintered, such as for example Porex®.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fluid dispenser member may include a mounting ring that engages the reservoir, the mounting ring including a receiving housing for the fluid applicator having a defined cross-section, said receiving housing comprising a bottom wall which forms a fluid-fluid outlet opening defining a reduced passage section with respect to the cross section of the fluid applicator, so that the passage creates a pressure drop between the reservoir and the fluid applicator. Thus, it is possible to control the supply of the applicator fluid product by adjusting the size or section of the orifice depending on the type of fluid that is to be applied. The diameter of the orifice thus makes it possible to regulate the flow rate of the fluid product. For example, in the case of foundation (high viscosity 40 to 100 mPa.s), we can increase the porosity of the applicator so that the formula can pass, but once initiated, it flows too quickly upside down simply because of gravity. The flow can then be reduced by reducing the diameter of the orifice. It is also possible to increase the diameter of the orifice in the case where the flow rate is too low. It should be noted that the reduced section of the through hole is a feature that can be implemented independently of those related to the relationship between viscosity and porosity. In other words, an individual protection could be sought for the reduced section of the through hole, without being combined with the relationship between viscosity and porosity.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the dispenser may further comprise a removable protective cover, the fluid dispenser member comprising a mounting ring which is sealingly engaged with the reservoir, the mounting ring comprising a receiving housing for the fluid product applicator, the protective cap being removably mounted on the mounting ring, creating a sliding contact thereon over a given axial stroke, so as to create a vacuum in the fluid applicator during removal of the protective cover and an overpressure in the fluid applicator when placing the protective cover on the mounting ring. With this effect of swabbing, it is ensured that the applicator is properly soaked with fluid when it will be used and that there is almost no fluid at the surface of application when the hood is put back in place.

It should be noted that this piston effect is a characteristic that can be implemented independently of those related to the relationship between viscosity and porosity. In other words, an individual protection could be sought for this swabbing effect, without being combined with the relationship between viscosity and porosity.

According to another advantageous characteristic, the protective cap comes into contact with substantially all of the application surface of the fluid applicator, in order to prevent any stagnation and / or drying of the fluid product at the surface of the fluid. 'application.

According to another aspect of the invention, the fluid product may contain a liquid solvent capable of evaporating in air at atmospheric pressure by absorbing the enthalpy (or latent heat) of change of state, cooling the applicator, and thus creating a sensation of cold at the contact of the applicator with the skin. The enthalpy of change of molar state, expressed in J / mol or mass expressed in J / kg, denoted L, is the quantity of energy required for the unit of quantity of material (mole) or mass (kg) of a pure body so that it changes state, this transformation taking place at constant pressure. For example, for the transition from the liquid state to the vapor state, we will speak of evaporation enthalpy. The originality is based on the contradiction that applicators made of porous material provide a warm and soft feeling, but that in combination with a product containing a liquid solvent, they are able to provide a sensation of coldness in the skin. . This feeling of cold is further increased when the solvent is alcohol and the porous material is a sintered polymer. In other words, the material is porous, but not supple or soft: it is similar to a hard body, but not massive.

In order to guarantee or improve the impregnation of the applicator with fluid, it is advantageous for the applicator to define a buffer reservoir in which fluid is retained in contact with the applicator. The applicator is thus ready for use: it is not necessary to wait for it to become impregnated with a fluid product.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the buffer tank has dimensions such that the fluid product is retained by capillarity, thus preventing its emptying by gravity. Advantageously, the inlet of the buffer tank defines an orifice of reduced diameter which makes it possible to retain fluid product by capillarity in the buffer tank, the orifice of reduced diameter being advantageously formed by a neck seal which seals between the dispensing member and the fluid reservoir.

According to another alternative embodiment, a valve is disposed at the inlet of the buffer tank, so as to allow it to be filled with fluid from the fluid reservoir, and to prevent its emptying by gravity. Advantageously, the valve is forced into an open state by a displacement of the applicator. According to a practical embodiment, the valve is formed by a neck seal which seals between the dispensing member and the fluid reservoir, the displacement of the applicator being against elastic return means, which are advantageously formed by the neck joint.

In one embodiment or the other, it is ensured that the buffer tank is always filled with fluid, so that the applicator is always soaked with fluid and ready to use.

The spirit of the invention lies in the correlation between the viscosity of the fluid to be applied and the porosity of the applicator, which is preferably hard and porous. The adjustment of the size of the through-hole and the effect of swaging help to improve the appropriate supply of the applicator fluid product. On the other hand, the non-obvious combination between a fluid product containing a solvent and a porous applicator, advantageously hard, such as for example obtained by sintering, makes it possible to create a cold sensation which is surprising and comparable to that provided by a solid body metal or ceramic.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, giving by way of non-limiting example, an embodiment of the invention and a variant.

In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view through a fluid dispenser made according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 and a view showing detail A of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 for a second embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 for a third embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of the dispenser of FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3 for the third embodiment of the invention, The fluid dispenser, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a reservoir of fluid product R associated with a dispenser member D. The reservoir R may be made of any suitable material and be of any shape aesthetic and / or functional. In Figure 1, the tank R has an elongated and thin configuration so as to give the dispenser a general pen configuration. The tank R of Figure 1 can be made of drawn glass. It is advantageously transparent. It contains a fluid product, preferably of low viscosity, such as perfume. More generally, the fluid product F contains a liquid solvent capable of evaporating in air at room temperature, releasing latent heat of change of state. The liquid solvent may be of alcoholic nature, for example ethanol. The viscosity of the fluid product F is of the order of a few, generally less than 10 mPa.s or centipoise. The tank R defines a neck R1 on which the dispensing member D is fixedly mounted and sealingly.

The dispensing member D comprises a fluid applicator 1 which is made partially or entirely from a porous material having an increased evaporation surface in the air. The applicator 1 may be soft or fluffy, but preferably it is substantially hard and rigid. It can for example be made from a sintered material, such as a polymer. A suitable material available commercially is known as Porex®. The dispenser member D also comprises a neck seal 2 which seals with the neck R1 of the reservoir R. For the attachment of the applicator 1 to the reservoir R, the dispensing member D comprises a fixing ring 4 which firmly holds the applicator 1 and which hangs on the neck R1. The dispensing member D also comprises a removable cover 5 which covers the applicator 1 in storage condition. The dispensing member D also comprises a cover gasket 3 which seals the removable cap 5 around the applicator 1.

Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that the applicator 1 is in the form of a dome defining an inner wall January 1 and a external wall of application 12. The inner wall 1 1 defines an internal volume which serves as a buffer tank 10. At its base, the applicator 1 defines an anchor heel 14 which is in the form of an annular rim which protrudes outward. It may be noted that the buffer tank 10 is open at its lower end and therefore communicates directly with the inside of the tank R which contains the fluid product P.

The neck seal 2 is disposed on the upper annular edge of the neck R1 and extends radially inwards so as to define a reduced diameter orifice 20 which communicates the buffer tank 10 with the reservoir R. Advantageously, this orifice 20 makes it possible to retain fluid product by capillarity inside the buffer tank 10, so that the inner wall 1 1 of the applicator 1 is always in contact with the fluid product. As a result, the porous material constituting the applicator 1 is always impregnated with fluid so that the external application surface 12 is always coated with fluid product. Due to the porosity of the applicator 1, the external application surface 12 defines an increased evaporation surface in the air, so as to increase the latent heat of change of state provided by the fluid product, and thus create a sensation of cold at the contact of the applicator 1 with the skin of the user. This feeling of cold comes from a combined triple effect, namely a first effect from the physicochemical qualities of the solvent, a second effect from the increased evaporation surface formed by the external application surface 12 and a third effect from the rigidity of the porous material, advantageously sintered. In fact, the sintering results from the assembly by surface melting of solid grains, thus conferring on the sintered assembly a certain heat capacity.

The fixing ring 4 comprises a hooking skirt 41 in engagement with the neck R1. This hooking skirt 41 can be of any kind, such as for example by clamping, latching or screwing. Beyond this skirt 41, the fixing member 4 forms a plate 42 which compresses the outer periphery 21 of the neck seal 2 on the upper annular edge of the neck R1. Beyond this plate 42, the fixing member 4 forms a receiving housing 43 for the anchoring heel 14 of the applicator 1. A bonnet gasket 3 is advantageously mounted on the fixing member 4 around the applicator 1.

The removable protective cover 5 is here made in two parts, namely a cap 50 associated with a casing 55. The cap 50 comprises a bell 51 which surrounds the applicator 1 by defining an inner wall 52 which extends in direct proximity , or even in contact with, the external application surface 12 of the applicator 1. Thus, any evaporation of solvent is prevented when the removable cap is in place on the applicator 1. At its base, the bell 51 forms a bearing flange 53 in axial contact with the cowl seal 3. At its upper end, the cap 50 forms a fastening pin 54 engaged in a fastening sleeve 56 formed by the envelope 55. This envelope 55 defines a side wall 57 which advantageously extends to the level of the tank R. Internally, this side wall 57 can form a snap profile 58 in engagement with the fixing ring 4. In this way , the removable cover 5 exerts pressure on the cover gasket 3 via its flange 53. Therefore, the applicator 1 is hermetically sealed from the outside by the bell 51 in the storage position. Any evaporation of solvent is thus avoided, especially when the applicator 1 is constantly soaked with fluid because the buffer tank 10 is constantly filled with fluid.

Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a second embodiment which affects only the neck joint and the applicator: the other components of the dispenser may remain unchanged. It can be seen in particular that the neck seal 2 'closes the buffer tank 10 by forming a slit valve 22. This slot valve can be in the form of a single straight slot or, in the form of a slot in the shape of a cross. In the state of rest, the slot is hermetically closed, its edges being in contact sealing contact. This neck seal 2 'also forms elastic means in the form of small tabs or lugs 23 which project upwards towards the anchoring heel 14' of the applicator 1 '. Moreover, the applicator forms a support ring 15 in contact with the neck seal 2 'around the slit valve 22. In Figure 3, the dispenser has been shown in rest and storage condition. After removal of the removable cover 5, the applicator 1 'can be placed in contact with the skin of a user. In doing so, a certain pressure is exerted axially on the applicator 1 ', so that it is pushed towards the neck seal 2'. This causes an axial displacement of the applicator 1 'against resilient lugs or lugs 23 which then deform elastically, so that the support ring 15 deforms the neck seal 2', thus causing the opening of the valve 22. The fluid product of the tank R can then fill the buffer tank 10. The filling of the buffer tank 10 is simply done by gravity, since in normal use the distributor is kept at the same position. upside down with the applicator 1 in the lower position. Thus, with each use of the dispenser, the buffer tank 10 is filled again. And when the user returns the dispenser to the normal position, the slit valve 22 is already closed, so that the buffer tank 10 can not empty into the tank R.

In the described embodiments, the neck seal is used to maintain the buffer reservoir 10 in the filled state. However, without departing from the scope of the invention, one can imagine other means for ensuring the permanent filling of the buffer tank 10. It is also possible to envisage other elastic means for returning the applicator to the rest position. For example, it is possible to provide an independent spring interposed between the neck seal and the applicator.

Thanks to the invention, there is a dispenser whose applicator is porous, while giving a feeling of cold in contact with the skin. Its permanent impregnation thanks to the always filled buffer tank guarantees an immediate cold effect. The hood which conforms to the external shape of the applicator prevents any evaporation of the solvent.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, there is shown a third embodiment for the dispenser of the invention. It also comprises a reservoir of fluid product R with a collar R, a fixing ring or 4 "mount, 1" fluid applicator and 5 "removable cover.

The ring 4 "comprises a hooking skirt 41 in engagement with the neck R1 and a receiving housing 43 for the anchoring heel 14 of the applicator 1". This housing comprises a bottom 44 which is formed with a through hole 45 which directly communicates the reservoir R with the applicator 1. The heel 14 of the applicator 1 "is directly adjacent to the through orifice 45. The size, the size, the diameter or the section of the through-hole 45 is smaller than the horizontal cross-section of the applicator 1. In the figures, the diameter of the through-hole 45 corresponds to about one-third of that of the applicator 1 ". Depending on the viscosity of the fluid product F and the porosity of the applicator 1 ", it is possible to adjust the diameter of the passage orifice 45 so that it is properly supplied with fluid. passage hole 45 creates a passage restriction and therefore a pressure drop between the reservoir R and the applicator 1 ", which can be used to regulate the flow of fluid to the applicator.

It may also be noted that the applicator 1 ", which can be made of Porex®, occupies the entire receiving housing 43, only the application surface 12 protruding from the housing 43. The upper annular edge of the housing 43 comes advantageously in alignment with the application surface 12 forming a chamfer which extends the curve of the application surface 12. Thus, the applicator is perfectly embedded in its housing 43 which creates no roughness that could have been unpleasant to contact skin.

The cover 5 "also comprises an inner wall 52 which extends in direct proximity, or even in contact, with the external application surface 12 of the applicator 1". The side wall 57 of the cap 5 "may also form a snap-in profile 58 in engagement with the fixing ring 4". The side wall 57 of the cover 5 "may also form a sliding rod 59 which comes into sealing contact with the ring 4" on a determined sliding stroke, which may be of the order of a few millimeters, for example 2 millimeters. Thus, a depression is created in the applicator 1 "when removing the protective cover 5" and an overpressure is created in the applicator 1 "when placing the cover 5" on the ring 4 ". has the effect of raising the fluid product at the application surface 12, while the depression has the effect of pushing the fluid present at the application surface level towards the inside of the applicator 1 ". The sealed race thus produces a double-acting pitonnage (depression / overpressure) which also contributes to a controlled supply of the fluid application surface.

The present invention also defines ranges of ratio between the viscosity V of the fluid product (F) expressed in mPa.s or centipoise and the porosity P of the applicator expressed in micrometer (μιτι). Porosity is the average size of the pores (or open cavities) defined in the material of the applicator and which are intended to fill with fluid product by capillarity. The applicator may be a soft body, such as a foam or felt, and preferably a substantially hard body, advantageously sintered, such as Porex®. For sintered materials, the porosity is the pore size between the beads or particles sintered together. The larger the balls, the greater the space between the balls, and therefore the porosity increases.

Very generally, it has been found that the ratio P (m) A / (mPa.s) has the following formula: 0.5 <P / V <4, for a viscosity of about 1 to about 100 mPa .s. More precisely, the P / V ratio is approximately equal to 4, when V <5 mPa.s. This corresponds to fluid products such as perfume or liquid makeup. On the other hand, the P / V ratio is not less than about 1 and not more than about 2 when 10 mPa.s <V <100 mPa.s. This corresponds to fluid products such as oil, serum or foundation.

More precisely:

P <20 μιτι, when V <5 mPa.s (perfume or liquid makeup), 20 μιτι <P <80 μιτι, when 10 mPa.s <V <50 mPa.s (oil or serum), and 40 μηη <P <120 μηη, when 40 mPa.s <V <100 mPa.s (foundation).

According to another coarser definition, P (μηη) is globally equal to V (mPa.s) + 15.

These functions, ratios and P / V ratios are valid for the three previously described embodiments. With such correlated values of viscosity and porosity, an applicator is obtained which is correctly fed with fluid product. This supply can be further improved with the buffer tank, the adjustment of the through hole and / or the sweeping effect. The fluid product containing an evaporable liquid solvent additionally provides a cold effect. It should be noted that the adjustment of the through hole and / or the sweeping effect can be implemented in the first two embodiments of the invention, as well as the buffer tank and / or the product fluid containing an evaporable liquid solvent can be implemented in the third embodiment of the invention.

It should be noted that the adjustment of the passage orifice, the piston effect, the buffer tank and the fluid product containing an evaporable liquid solvent are four groups of characteristics that could be subject to separate protections, independent of each other. as well as viscosity and porosity values.

Claims

claims

1. - Fluid product dispenser comprising a reservoir (R) containing fluid product (F) on which is mounted a fluid dispenser member (D) comprising a fluid applicator (1; 1 '; 1 ") comprising a surface applicator (12) intended to be placed in contact with the skin of a person, the fluid product (F) having a viscosity V expressed in mPa.s and the fluid applicator (1) having an average size of P pores expressed in micrometer (μιτι),

characterized in that the P / V ratio has the following formula: 0.5 <P / V <4.

2. - Dispenser according to claim 1, wherein: P / V "4, when V <5.

3. - Dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:

1 <P / V <2, when 10 <V <100.

4. - Dispenser according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein:

P <20 when V <5,

<P <80 when 10 <V <50, and

40 <P <120 when 40 <V <100.

5. - Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid applicator (1; 1 '; 1 ") is a hard porous body, preferably sintered.

A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid dispenser member (D) comprises a mounting ring (4; 4 ") which engages the reservoir (R), mounting ring (4; 4 ") comprising a receiving housing (43) for the fluid applicator (1; 1 ';1") which has a defined cross-section, said receiving housing (43) comprising a bottom wall (2; 2 '; 44) which forms a fluid fluid passage opening (20,22,45) defining a reduced flow cross section relative to at the cross section of the fluid applicator (1; 1 '; 1 "), so that the passage opening creates a pressure drop between the reservoir (R) and the fluid applicator (1; 1 '; 1 ") -

7. - Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective cover (5 "), the fluid dispenser member (D) comprising a mounting ring (4") which comes into sealing engagement on the reservoir (R), the mounting ring (4 ") comprising a receiving housing (43) for the fluid applicator (1"), the protective cover (5 ") being removably mounted on the mounting ring (4 ") creating in them a sliding contact on a determined axial stroke, so as to create a depression in the fluid applicator (1") when removing the protective cover (5 ") and a overpressure in the fluid applicator (1 ") when installing the protective cover (5") on the mounting ring (4 ").

8. - A dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a protective cover (5; 5 ") which comes into contact with substantially all of the application surface of the fluid applicator (1; 1 '; 1 ").

9. - Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid product (P) contains a liquid solvent capable of evaporating in air at atmospheric pressure by absorbing the enthalpy of change of state, cooling the applicator and thereby creating a feeling of coldness at the contact of the fluid applicator (1; 1 ') with the skin.

10. - Dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid applicator (1; 1 ') defines a buffer tank (10) in which the fluid product (F) is retained in contact with the applicator of fluid product ().

1 1. - Dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the buffer tank (10) has dimensions such that the fluid product (F) is retained by capillarity, thus preventing its emptying by gravity.

12. - A dispenser according to claim 10 or 1 1, wherein the inlet of the buffer tank (10) defines a reduced section orifice (20) for retaining fluid (P) by capillarity in the buffer tank (10). ), the reduced section orifice (20) being advantageously formed by a neck gasket (2) which seals between the dispensing member (D) and the reservoir (R).

13. - Dispenser according to claim 10, 1 1 or 12, wherein a valve (22) is disposed at the inlet of the buffer tank (10), so as to allow its filling fluid (F) from the reservoir (R), and prevent its gravity emptying.

14. - A dispenser according to claim 10, 1 1, 12 or 13, wherein the valve (22) is constrained in an open state by a displacement of the fluid applicator (1 '), the valve (22) being advantageously formed by a neck seal (2 ') which seals between the dispensing member (D) and the reservoir (R), the displacement of the fluid applicator (1') being against elastic return means (23), which are advantageously formed by the neck joint (2 ').