WO2019119283A1

WO2019119283A1 - Device for dispensing at least two cosmetic products and associated method

Info

Publication number: WO2019119283A1
Application number: PCT/CN2017/117303
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin Seok Kim
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2017-12-19
Filing date: 2017-12-19
Publication date: 2019-06-27

Abstract

A device (10) for dispensing at least two cosmetic products is disclosed. The device extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises: at least two separate containers, each container being configured to store a cosmetic product; at least two product dispensers, each product dispenser comprising a mobile stem, the stem defining a product outlet and each product dispenser being connected to a container; and a nozzle (22) comprising at least two separate dispensing openings (34) emerging outside of the device (10) and at least two channels, each channel connecting a product outlet of one of the product dispensers to a dispensing opening (34). At least one channel is straight and is extending perpendicularly, at the end of the stem, to a transverse axis connecting the projection of the product outlets in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The device enables the delivery of at least two cosmetic products to form a mixture enabling a better flow of viscous cosmetic products in the nozzle and an easier manufacturing.

Description

Device for dispensing at least two cosmetic products and associated method

The present invention concerns a device for dispensing at least two cosmetic products, the device extending along a longitudinal axis, the device comprising at least two separate containers, each container being configured to store a cosmetic product, at least two product dispensers extending along the longitudinal axis, each product dispenser comprising a mobile stem, the stem defining a product outlet, each product dispenser being connected to a container, a nozzle comprising at least two separate dispensing openings emerging outside of the device and at least two channels, each channel connecting a product outlet of one of the product dispensers to a dispensing opening.

The device is configured to deliver the mixture of the at least two cosmetic products contained in the containers, to let the user form a mixture of the at least the two products before its application on a body surface.

The mixture of the at least two cosmetic products is for example a care product, a make-up product, and/or a hair coloration product.

More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in EC Regulation N° 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

Some mixtures of cosmetic products, for example in the field of trio total care products are unstable in time and therefore active in a limited period in time. This is the case for example when a total whitening care product is mixed with deep whitening product, anti-oxidation product and outer layer color correction and protection.

Some mixtures have a higher viscosity than the viscosity of each cosmetic product from which they are prepared, the viscosity of the mixture being too high to enable the mixture to flow correctly in a distribution channel.

When such a situation occurs, the mixture cannot be stored in a unique container of a dispensing device. The cosmetic products are packaged separately and the mixture is directly prepared at in a separate accessory.

In order to partially overcome this problem, FR 2 789 371 discloses a device comprising two separated containers, each container containing a cosmetic product and a nozzle comprising two incurved channels connecting the containers to two separated openings.

Nevertheless, such a solution is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the curvature of the channel restrains the flow of a viscous cosmetic product (for example having a viscosity greater than 1000 mPa. s) in the nozzle. This can lead to a reduced flow of the cosmetic product or even a plugging of the channel.

Moreover, manufacturing of such a nozzle is complicated, because of the curvature of the channels.

One aim of the invention is therefore to provide a device enabling the delivery of at least two cosmetic products to form a mixture enabling a better flow of viscous cosmetic products in the nozzle and an easier manufacturing.

To this aim, the subject-matter of the invention is a device of the above type, characterized in that at least one channel is straight and is extending perpendicularly, at the end of the stem, to a transverse axis connecting the projection of the product outlets in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

At least one channel being straight, the flow of a viscous cosmetic product in the nozzle is improved, the pressure loss being reduced, and the manufacturing of the nozzle is easier thanks to the easier shape.

The device according to the invention can comprise the following feature: the at least two separate dispensing openings are located in the same plane, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The dispensing of the cosmetic products and their mixing outside of the nozzle is easier with the dispensing openings being at the same height.

In a variant, each channel extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The extension of the channels perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis enables the nozzle to be more compact and easier to manufacture.

In a variant, the at least two channels are straight and extend perpendicular to the transverse axis.

The flow of a viscous cosmetic product is improved, the pressure loss in each channel being reduced. The manufacturing of the nozzle is also easier.

In a variant, the device comprises three containers and three product dispensers, each product dispenser being connected to one of the containers.

The device is able to store and dispense three different cosmetic products stored separately in a single outer enclosure when the products cannot be mixed initially. Moreover, the device is compact and easy to manufacture.

In a variant, the projections of the product outlets in the plane perpendicular to the transverse axis define an equilateral polygon.

The equilateral polygon form enables the containers to be disposed in the device in an optimized way. The device is therefore more compact.

In a variant, for each container, the ratio between:

-the minimal distance between the projection of the product outlet of the product dispenser connected to the container and each projection of another product outlet of the product dispenser, in projection in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and

-the maximal transverse extension of the said container,

is comprised between 45%and 63 %, in particular between 54%and 63%.

These dimensions enable a more compact disposition of the containers in the device.

In a variant, the nozzle is mobile jointly with each mobile stem between a rest position and a product dispensing position, the maximal angle between an axis connecting the product outlets of two product dispensers and a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is smaller than 2.1° and generally comprised between 0° and 2.1°.

Thanks to the limited angle resulting of the minimized distance between the different product dispensers, the different product dispensers dispense a substantially equal flow of cosmetic product, avoiding residual bulk in the containers.

In a variant, each product dispenser comprises a straw inserted into the container, the straw being bended at its lower end.

The bended straw enables a better use of the cosmetic product contained in each container and avoids a residual bulk of the cosmetic product at the bottom of each container.

The invention further concerns a method for applying at least two cosmetic products comprising the following steps:

-supplying a device as defined above, the at least two containers receiving the at least two cosmetic products,

-pressing the nozzle to activate the product dispensers simultaneously and circulating a cosmetic product in the straight channel extending,

-dispensing the at least two cosmetic products, the at least two cosmetic products mixing at the outlet of the nozzle after emerging out of the dispensing openings.

The method according to the invention may comprise the following feature: a first volume of a first cosmetic product is dispensed from a first container of the at least two containers, a second volume of a second cosmetic product being simultaneously dispensed from a second container of the at least two containers, the residual volume difference between the first volume and the second volume being less than 7%.

The device enables to have less loss of cosmetic products and therefore reduces the costs.

The invention will be better understood, upon reading of the following description, given solely as an example, and made in reference to the appended drawings, in which:

-figure 1 is a perspective view of a first device according to the invention;

-figure 2 is an axial cross-section view of the first device according to the invention;

-figure 3 is a transvers cross-section along plane III-III of figure 2 of the nozzle of the first device according to the invention;

-figure 4 is an axial cross-section view of the nozzle of the first device according to the invention;

-figure 5 is a transverse cross-section along plane IV-IV of figure 2 of the nozzle of the first device according to the invention.

A first device 10 for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition is shown in figure 1.

The cosmetic composition is for example a composition for care of a body surface, a composition for make-up of a body surface or preferably, a composition for coloring keratin fibers of a user, in particular the hair of a user.

In order to form the cosmetic composition, at least two cosmetic products here three cosmetic products are mixed.

The cosmetic products are products such as defined in EC Regulation N° 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009.

In reference to figure 1, the device 10 extends along a longitudinal axis A-A’, which is here vertical.

The device 10 comprises an outer enclosure 12. In this example, it also comprises three

separate containers

14, 15 16, contained in the outer enclosure 12, three

product dispensers

18, 19, 20, each connected to a

respective container

14, 15, 16 and a nozzle 22 to which the

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 are connected.

The device advantageously comprises a removable cap 23, visible in figure 2.

The outer enclosure 12 extends along the longitudinal axis A-A’.

The outer enclosure 12 has a substantially round transverse section, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Alternatively, the outer enclosure 12 has substantially a square transverse section with rounded edges.

The outer enclosure 12 comprises a lower base 24, a sealing wall 25, an upper neck 26 and a lateral wall 27.

The terms “upper” , “lower” and “lateral” are defined along the longitudinal axis A-A’when the longitudinal axis A-A is vertical.

The first container 14, the second container 15 and the third container 16 are located inside the cavity 28 defined by the outer enclosure 12.

Each

container

14, 15, 16 stores a respective cosmetic product.

The first cosmetic product, the second cosmetic product and the third cosmetic product are received respectively and separately in the first container 14, in the second container 15 and the third container 16 of the device 10.

Each

container

14, 15, 16 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Advantageously, the volume of each

container

14, 15, 16 is comprised between 5 mL and 150 mL.

In the example of figure 2, the bottom of the each

container

14, 15, 16 is in contact with the lower base 24 of the outer enclosure 12.

The first product dispenser 18 is connected to the first container 14, the second product dispenser 19 is connected to the second container 15 and the third product dispenser 20 is connected to the third container 16.

Each

product dispenser

18, 19, 20 extends along the longitudinal axis A-A’and protrudes from the upper neck 26.

Each

product dispenser

18, 19, 20 is configured to selectively distribute the respective cosmetic product contained in the

respective container

14, 15, 16.

Each

product dispenser

18, 19, 20 comprises a stem 29 protruding out of the

container

14, 15, 16 and a straight straw 32 received in the

container

14, 15, 16. The stem 29 is a mobile hollow rod which controls the opening of a valve. It defines a product outlet 30 at the top end of the stem 29.

The displacement of the stem 29, generally parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A’, allows the distribution of each cosmetic product from the

respective container

14, 15, 16 outwards, through the product outlet 30.

Advantageously, for each

container

14, 15, 16, the ratio of the minimal distance D, shown in figure 3, between two adjacent projections of product outlet 30 of the

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 connected to the

container

14, 15, 16, and the maximal transverse extension E, shown in figure 3, of the

containers

14, 15, 16, in projection in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’is comprised between 45%and 63%, in particular between 54%and 63%.

Advantageously, as shown in figure 5, the projections of the product outlets 30 of the three

product dispenser

18, 19, 20, in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’define an equilateral triangle.

The straw 32 is inserted into the

respective container

14, 15, 16 to close the container. It extends parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A’.

The nozzle 22 protrudes from the upper neck 26 of the outer enclosure 12, along the longitudinal axis A-A’.

The nozzle 22 is mounted around the upper neck 26. It is mobile in translation along axis A-A’being guided by the upper neck 26.

The three

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 protrude inside the nozzle 22.

The nozzle 22 is mobile jointly with each mobile stem 29 between a rest position and a product dispensing position.

In the product dispensing position, the nozzle 22 has displaced the stem 29 of each

product dispenser

18, 19, 20 to simultaneously actuate the distribution of each cosmetic product contained in the

respective container

14, 15, 16.

As shown in figure 4, advantageously, in this position, the maximal angle αbetween an axis B-B’connecting the product outlets 30 of two

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 and a transverse plane P perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’is smaller than 3°and generally comprised between 1, 8° and 2.4°, in particular 2.1°.

Thanks to the limited angle α, the three

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 dispense a substantially equal flow of cosmetic product. Advantageously, the difference between each residual bulk contained in the

respective container

14, 15, 16 is lower than 7 %. The limited angle α therefore limits any residual bulk of the cosmetic product at the bottom of the

container

14, 15, 16.

The nozzle 22 defines at least two dispensing openings 34 (of width F) emerging outside of the device 10 and at least two channels 36 each connected to a respective dispensing opening.

Here, as shown in figure 1, the device comprises three dispensing openings 34 (separated by a width G) and three channels 36.

In this example, each dispensing opening 34 has a round shape.

Advantageously, as shown in figure 1, the separate dispensing openings 34 are located in a same plane, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’of the device 10.

Each channel 36 connects the product outlet 30 of a

respective product dispenser

18, 19, 20 to a respective dispensing opening 34. Each channel 36 substantially extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’of the device 10.

As shown in figure 5, at least one channel 36 is straight and is extending perpendicularly, at the end of the stem 29, to a transverse axis C-C’connecting the projections of the product outlets 30 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’.

Here, in an advantageous embodiment, the three channels 36 are straight and extend perpendicular to the transverse axis C-C’.

The straight channel 36 enables an improved flow of viscous cosmetic products (for example having a viscosity higher than 1000 mPa. s) in the nozzle 22 and prevents from any plugging of the channel 36.

Moreover, the manufacturing of the nozzle 22 is easily done by molding is without under cuts.

The outer cap 23 has an inner shape complementary with the outer shape of the nozzle 22.

The transverse maximal extent of the cavity defined in the cap 23 is greater than the transverse maximal extent of the nozzle 22.

The cap 23 is able to be moved from a protection position to a product distribution position.

In the protection position, the cap 23 cooperates with the nozzle 22, the nozzle 22 being inside the cap 23. The cap 23 prevents any displacement of the nozzle 22 relatively to the outer enclosure 12. The cap 23 is for example clipped on the upper neck 26 of the outer enclosure 12.

In the product distribution position, the cap 23 is located away from the nozzle 22.

During the assembly and filling of the device, the sealing wall 25 is here able to move from a disassembled position to an assembled position.

In the disassembled position, the sealing wall 25 is located away from the outer enclosure 12. The cavity 28 defined by the outer enclosure 12 is opened at the lower base 24. The

containers

14, 15, 16 are configured to be replaced through the lower base 24 opening.

In the assembled position, the sealing wall 25 cooperates with the outer enclosure 12 and close the cavity 28 defined by the outer enclosure 12. The sealing wall 25 is for example clipped on the bottom of the outer enclosure 12.

The assembly of the device 10 will now be briefly described.

Each

container

14, 15, 16 is fitted with the

respective product dispenser

18, 19, 20.

The nozzle 22 is set in place on the outer enclosure 12. The cap 23 is then assembled on the outer enclosure 12.

The sealing wall 25 is in the disassembled configuration.

The outer enclosure 12 is turned upside down, the lower base 24 opening face upwards, each

container

14, 15, 16 emerging upwards.

Each

container

14, 15, 16 is back-filled with the respective cosmetic product.

The lower base 24 and the sealing wall 25 are pushed on the lower extremity of the outer enclosure 12 to close each

container

14, 15, 16 and place the lower base 24 and the sealing wall 25 in the assembly position.

The device 10 is turned back, the nozzle 22 upwards.

The use of the device 10 shall now be described.

Initially, the device 10 is located on a flat surface, for example, on a table.

The user grasps the outer enclosure 12 and removes the outer cap 23.

The user then presses the nozzle 22. The nozzle 22 moves along longitudinal axis A-A’from the rest position to the product dispensing position.

The nozzle 22 activates the three

product dispensers

18, 19, 20 simultaneously in displacing the stem 29.

Due to the close distances between the product outlets of the three stems 29, the tilt angle of the nozzle 33 with regards to a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A’is small and the strokes of the stems 29 are very similar.

This produces a simultaneous and even distribution of each cosmetic product from the

respective container

14, 15, 16.

Each cosmetic product rises through the

respective product dispenser

18, 19, 20.

Each cosmetic product circulates through the product outlet 30 and in the channel 36 and emerges out of the dispensing opening 34.

The three cosmetic products flow at the outlet of the nozzle 22 outside of the device and are dispensed to the user. The user can then mix the products.

At each stroke, thanks to the closeness of the product outlets 30 of the

product dispensers

18, 19, 20, a first volume of a first cosmetic product is dispensed from a first container of the at least two

containers

14, 15, 16, a second volume of a second cosmetic product being simultaneously dispensed from a second container of the at least two

containers

14, 15, 16, the residual volume difference between the first volume and the second volume being less than 7%.

When the cosmetic product is exhausted in the first container, a bulk residual of less than 7%remains in the second container.

In an alternative embodiment of the device 10, not shown in the figures, the straw 32 is bended at its lower end. The lower end is advantageously in contact with the bottom of the

container

14, 15, 16.

The bended straw 32 enables a better use of the cosmetic product contained in each

container

14, 15, 16 and avoids a residual bulk of the cosmetic product at the bottom of each

container

14, 15, 16.

A second device according to the invention, not shown in the figures, comprises only two

containers

14, 15.

The second device differs from the first device 10 in that the second device comprises only two

product dispenser

18, 19 connected to the two

containers

14, 15 and only two dispensing openings 34.

The assembly and the use of the second device are similar to the assembly and the use of the first device 10 and will not be described again.

A third device according to the invention, not shown in the figures, comprises more than three containers.

The additional containers and the respective additional product dispenser are similar to the ones described in the first device 10.

Advantageously, the projections of the product outlets of the product dispenser in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis define an equilateral polygon.

The assembly and the use of the third device are similar to the assembly and the use of the first device 10 and will not be described again.

Claims

-A device (10) for dispensing at least two cosmetic products, the device (10) extending along a longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) , the device (10) comprising :

-at least two separate containers (14, 15, 16) , each container (14, 15, 16) being configured to store a cosmetic product;

-at least two product dispensers (18, 19, 20) extending along the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) , each product dispenser (18, 19, 20) comprising a mobile stem (29) , the stem (29) defining a product outlet (30) , each product dispenser (18, 19, 20) being connected to a container (14, 15, 16) ;

-a nozzle (22) comprising at least two separate dispensing openings (34) emerging outside of the device (10) and at least two channels (36) , each channel (36) connecting a product outlet (30) of one of the product dispensers (18, 19, 20) to a dispensing opening (34) ;

characterized in that at least one channel (36) is straight and is extending perpendicularly, at the end of the stem (29) , to a transverse axis (C-C’ ) connecting the projection of the product outlets (30) in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) .
-The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the at least two separate dispensing openings (34) are located in the same plane, the plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) of the device (10) .
-The device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each channel (36) extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) of the device (10) .
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two channels (36) are straight and extend perpendicular to the transverse axis (C-C’ ) .
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) comprises three containers (14, 15, 16) and three product dispensers (18, 19, 20) , each product dispenser (18, 19, 20) being connected to one of the containers (14, 15, 16) .
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections of the product outlets (30) in the plane perpendicular to the transverse axis (C-C’ ) define an equilateral polygon.
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, for each container (14, 15, 16) , the ratio between :

-the minimal distance between the projection of the product outlet (30) of the product dispenser (18, 19, 20) connected to the container (14, 15, 16) and each projection of another product outlet (30) of the product dispenser (18, 19, 20) , in projection in the plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) , and

-the maximal transverse extension of the said container (14, 15, 16) ,

is comprised between 45%and 63 %, in particular between 54%and 63%.
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the nozzle (22) is mobile jointly with each mobile stem (29) between a rest position and a product dispensing position, the maximal angle between an axis (B-B’ ) connecting the product outlets (30) of two product dispensers (18, 19, 20) and a transverse plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (A-A’ ) is smaller than 2.1° and generally comprised between 0° and 2.1° .
-The device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each product dispenser (18, 19, 20) comprises a straw (32) inserted into the container (14, 15, 16) , the straw (32) being bended at its lower end.
-A method for applying at least two cosmetic products, comprising the following steps :

-supplying a device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, the at least two containers (14, 15, 16) receiving the at least two cosmetic products,

-pressing the nozzle (22) to activate the product dispensers (18, 19, 20) simultaneously and circulating a cosmetic product in the straight channel (36) extending,

-dispensing the at least two cosmetic products, the at least two cosmetic products mixing at the outlet of the nozzle (22) after emerging out of the dispensing openings (34) .
-Method according to claim 10, wherein a first volume of a first cosmetic product is dispensed from a first container of the at least two containers (14, 15, 16) , a second volume of a second cosmetic product being simultaneously dispensed from a second container of the at least two containers (14, 15, 16) , the residual volume difference between the first volume and the second volume being less than 7%.