EP0922405A1 - Cosmetic products dispenser for make-up - Google Patents

Abstract

The distributor has a body (C), holding the applicator (3), and a cap (E). The upper end of the rod of the applicator (2) is held in the cap. A reservoir (8), holding the product, is in the cap and the product is supplied to the applicator by a pump (10) in the cap. The pump is operated by the movement of the reservoir, relative to the body of the distributor. The pump has a body (11) and a mobile valve tube (13). The rod is joined to the valve tube by its base (5) which limits the movement of the tube.

Description

The invention relates to a product distributor cosmetic, fluid or pasty, intended for make-up, in particular a mascara dispenser, the kind that includes a body of dispenser with a housing for an applicator member, and a gripping element comprising a capsule provided with a rod carrying the applicator member at one end projecting out of the capsule, which can be removably assembled to the body distributor and can be entered by a user to apply the product, a cosmetic product reservoir being further provided as well means for supplying product to introduce doses successive product in the housing of the applicator member from of the tank.

A cosmetic product distributor of this kind is known in particular from FR-B-2 685 858.

According to the embodiment of FIG. 1 of this document, the cosmetic product reservoir and the means of supplying the housing of the applicator member are provided in the body of distributor. To release a dose of product, you must exercise pressure on the capsule, pressure which is transmitted by the rod, over any its length, and by the applicator member to an actuation member of the means of supplying product. Repeated compression efforts to which the rod is subjected require the provision of a rod section sufficiently large. In addition, the mechanical stress on the applicator member causes degradation of this applicator member.

The embodiment of Figures 2a and 2b, of this previous document shows a dispenser in which the body and the gripping element form a whole. Housing for the organ applicator provided at one end of the grip assembly is closed by a lid. The applicator member is pushed through the wringer so that the rod which transmits the compressive force must have a sufficient diameter. In addition, the assembly formed by the body of dispenser and the gripping element is bulky to handle; this assembly is a relatively complicated assembly, especially for the realization of the housing of the applicator member.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a distributor cosmetic product of the kind defined above which, while now as well as possible the product sheltered from the air to avoid its pollution, either simple and economical to manufacture, and reliable use. The gripping element must be of a manipulation easy. Preferably, it is desired that the distributor allows deliver successive doses of product in the housing of the organ applicator with minimal mechanical stress on the rod and the applicator organ.

According to the invention, a cosmetic product distributor of genre defined above is characterized by the fact that the reservoir of product is located in the capsule and that the means for supplying housing product include a pump also arranged in the capsule, the operation of the pump being caused by a relative movement of the reservoir with respect to the distributor body.

Such a dispenser is simple to manufacture and the element gripping with the tank is easy to handle. The cosmetic product is well protected from air.

The pump is a pump without air inlet (called pump "airless"), which conventionally comprises a pump body and a valve with a valve tube movable in translation relative to the pump body ; advantageously, the rod carrying the applicator member has a base at its end remote from the brush, which base serves as a stop for the valve tube for controlling its movements. Preferably the rod, by its base, is secured, in particular by bonding, of the valve tube.

The means of supplying the housing can then be ordered with minimal stress on the rod carrying the member applicator.

The capsule includes a cylindrical outer shell provided with assembly means, in particular a thread, with the distributor body, and the reservoir comprises a cylinder arranged in the envelope and provided, at its end facing the body of distributor, of the pump whose valve tube projects through a transverse wall closing the tank cylinder.

The tank cylinder can be slidably mounted in the capsule shell, while the base of the rod carrying the member applicator is linked in translation to the capsule shell, and in the closed position of the dispenser for which the capsule is assembled to the body, a free space exists between the bottom of the tank provided with the pump and the stem base closing the capsule, the pump valve then being in the closed state, actuation means being designed to allow the tank and the pump body to be moved, particular before separation of the capsule and the body, to deliver a dose of product in the housing of the applicator member.

Preferably the capsule shell is open to its opposite end to the distributor body and a pusher, which constitutes said actuating means, is provided at the end of the tank away from the pump.

According to an alternative embodiment, the reservoir cylinder is linked in translation to the capsule shell, while the rod carrying the applicator member is free in translation relative to this envelope, and that, in the closed position of the dispenser, to which the capsule is assembled to the body, the base of the rod is press against the bottom of the tank fitted with the pump, the valve of the pump in open state, while valve is in closed state when the capsule and the body are separated, actuating means being provided to allow the valve stem and tube to be moved when of the capsule and body assembly to deliver a dose of product in the housing of the applicator member.

Advantageously, the rod carrying the applicator member has an internal conduit which extends from the base of the rod, where it communicates with the outlet of the pump, up to the applicator member.

This internal conduit, preferably coaxial with the rod, opens at the level of the applicator member by holes oriented radially and regularly distributed along the periphery. For example four holes angularly offset by 90 ° are provided for this purpose. The holes of cosmetic outlet are provided at the head of the organ applicator, that is to say towards the end of this applicator member located on the side of the stem base, so that when the rod by traction, through a wringer, the latter ensures the distribution of the product on the entire applicator member.

The body of the dispenser may consist of a case in which are arranged two coaxial sleeves superimposed with a wringer located in the vicinity of the sleeve separation interface, the housing for the applicator member being provided in the sleeve the further from the capsule.

The wringer can be constituted by a constriction of the inner passage of the sleeve located on the capsule side, or by a washer flexible material clamped between the neighboring front ends of the sleeves.

As is usual in distributors of this type, the gripping element is preferably assembled to the body of leakproof distribution; the tightness of this assembly can be obtained by adding a seal.

The invention consists, apart from the provisions set out above, in a number of other provisions which will be more Explicit question below about examples of realizations individuals described with reference to the accompanying drawing, but which are not in no way limiting.

• la figure 1 est une coupe longitudinale axiale, avec partie supprimée, d'un distributeur de produit cosmétique conforme à l'invention, à l'état fermé, et au repos.
• la figure 2 montre, semblablement à la figure 1, le dispositif distributeur à l'état fermé, mais en fin d'injection d'une dose de produit dans le logement de l'organe applicateur.
• la figure 3 est une coupe longitudinale axiale, avec partie supprimée, d'une variante de réalisation du distributeur, en position fermée.
• la figure 4 montre, également en coupe longitudinale axiale, le distributeur de la Figure 3 en cours d'ouverture.
• la figure 5 montre, en coupe longitudinale axiale, une partie du distributeur de la figure 3 après séparation de la capsule et du réservoir, l'essorage de l'organe applicateur étant en cours.
• la figure 6, enfin, est une coupe axiale d'une pompe sans entrée d'air.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 is an axial longitudinal section, with part removed, of a cosmetic product dispenser according to the invention, in the closed state, and at rest.
• Figure 2 shows, similarly to Figure 1, the dispensing device in the closed state, but at the end of injection of a dose of product into the housing of the applicator member.
• Figure 3 is an axial longitudinal section, with part removed, of an alternative embodiment of the distributor, in the closed position.
• Figure 4 shows, also in axial longitudinal section, the dispenser of Figure 3 being opened.
• Figure 5 shows, in axial longitudinal section, part of the dispenser of Figure 3 after separation of the capsule and the reservoir, the wringing of the applicator member being in progress.
• Figure 6, finally, is an axial section of a pump without air inlet.

Referring to the drawing, in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2, we can see a dispenser D of fluid or pasty cosmetic product intended for make-up, in particular for mascara M. This distributor includes a distributor body C and a gripping element E comprising a capsule 1 provided with a rod 2 carrying a member applicator 3 at one end projecting from the capsule 1. In the example shown, the applicator member is constituted by a cylinder of externally fluted plastic. Note that the expression "applicator body" should be understood in a very general sense as encompassing not only the organ described, but any organ applicator, for example a brush consisting of bristles coiled in propeller or sponge, or exterior flocking.

The rod 2 has an internal conduit 4, coaxial, extending from a base 5 of the rod to the applicator member 3. The channel 4 opens, at this applicator member, by holes 6 oriented radially and angularly distributed over the entire periphery of the applicator member. In the example shown, four holes 6 spaced angularly from each other by 90 ° are provided; their number can of course be different. The diameter of the holes 6 is adapted to the viscosity of the product.

The holes 6 are placed at the head of the applicator member 3, that is to say towards the end of this member located on the side of the rod 2 and of base 5 so that during a spin, which will be discussed further, produced by pulling out the rod 2 by a pulling movement, the product delivered through holes 6 is distributed over the entire length of the applicator member 3.

The base 5 is engaged in, and fixed to, the end of a cylindrical shell 7 of the capsule. A tank 8 of product cosmetic M is placed in the envelope 7.

The reservoir 8 is formed by a cylinder whose diameter outside is equal to the internal diameter of the casing 7. The reservoir 8 is closed at its end facing the base 5 by a wall transverse 9. Means for supplying product, suitable for supplying successive doses are placed in the reservoir 8 and include a pump 10 without air inlet ("airless" pump). Pump 10 includes a housing 11, coaxial with the cylinder 8, fixed against the wall lower 9, in particular by snap-fastening of a peripheral rim in projection 12 of the pump in an annular groove provided inside the cylinder 8. A cylindrical valve tube 13, of diameter reduced by relative to the internal diameter of the cylinder 8, passes through a central orifice provided in the wall 9 and is received by its end remote from the casing 11, in a bore 14 of the base 5, communicating with the conduit 4. The tube 13 has an axial channel. Pump 10 with its casing 11 and its tube 13 will be described in detail below with reference to the figure 6.

The tube 13 can be moved in axial translation relative to the pump housing 11 to cause the exit of a dose of product. The combination of tube 13 and a conjugate bore of the housing forms a valve. The tube 13 is made integral with the base 5, for example by gluing the part of this tube 13 engaged in the housing 14.

The reservoir 8 is initially filled with product cosmetic M which surrounds the pump housing 11 which includes a orifice 31 (Fig. 6) for the entry of the product. A follower piston 15 closes the cylinder 8 at its end opposite to the wall 9 so as to keep product M away from air and avoid pollution. The face of piston 15 opposite the casing 11 is subjected to pressure atmospheric. An air inlet 16 is provided in a pusher 17 mounted at the upper end of the tank 8, so that the face of the piston 15 opposite the casing 11 is subjected to pressure atmospheric.

The envelope 7 is open at its end remote from the distributor body C and its edge has a recess 18 giving access, over a sufficient distance, to pusher 17. The reservoir 8 is slidably mounted inside the casing 7. In the position of rest of the pusher 17, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a free space l exists between the bottom 9 of the reservoir 8 and the base 5 of the rod 2.

The distributor body C comprises a cylindrical case 19 whose end close to capsule 1 is open and the other end end is closed by a bottom 20. Two superimposed sleeves 21, 22 are arranged in this case. The sleeve 21 located on the side of the capsule 1 protrudes beyond the end of the case 19 by a threaded part externally 23 of smaller diameter. The base 5 is integral a crown 24 carrying an internal thread complementary to that of the extension 23. The ring 24 and the extension 23, by their threads, constitute means for assembling the capsule 1 and the body C.

The ring 24 can be surrounded by a spacer belt 25, for example decorative, whose outer surface is in the alignment of the exterior surfaces of the case 19 and of the capsule 1, of same diameter.

The sleeve 21 has an interior central passage 26 in which is freely engaged the rod 2 and its area 27 of connection to the base 5. The passage 26 gradually decreases by diameter, along a frustoconical surface, towards the sleeve 22 to form a constriction 28 of smaller diameter, in the vicinity of the separation zone between the two sleeves 21 and 22. This constriction 28 constitutes a wringer whose diameter is only slightly greater than that of rod 2 and is less than the diameter outside of the applicator member 3.

The sleeve 22, located against the bottom 20 of the case 19, has a coaxial housing 29, communicating with the passage 26 and closed at its end close to the bottom 20. This housing 29 is intended for receive the applicator member 3 when the capsule 1 is assembled to the body C. The holes 6, when the distributor is in the position closed, are in the part of the housing 29 close to the surface separation S of the two sleeves 21, 22.

The introduction of successive doses of product into the housing 29 is provided by the pump 10 constituting the means supply of product to this housing.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pump 10, of conventionally, has inside its housing 11 a valve 30 disposed against the orifice 31 for communication of the casing 11 with the interior of the reservoir 8. The valve 30 is applied against the orifice 31 by a helical spring 32 which is supported at its other end, against a sliding ring 33 itself pressing against a sleeve 34 in which the tube 13 can slide. This sleeve 34 is provided with a cylindrical seat 35 in which slides, with reduced clearance, the tube 13. This tube has a blind axial channel 36 opening out to outside. The channel 36 is connected to the outer surface of the tube 13, to the near its blind end, by holes 37 oriented radially which, in the rest position of the valve 10, are closed by the bearing 35. A helical spring 38 is disposed between a peripheral shoulder of the tube 13 and the bottom of the sleeve 34.

When the tube 13, under the action of a push, enters the casing 11, by compressing the spring 38, of the product under pressure contained in the casing 11 can escape through the holes 37 and the channel 36, as soon as the holes 37 communicate with the interior of the casing 11; in this phase, the valve 30 remains closed and applied against his seat.

When the thrust on the tube 13 stops, this tube can return to its rest position, or closed position, and the spring 32 can push the ring 33 by causing a suction of product in the casing 11, through the orifice 31 and the valve 30 which opens.

The use and operation of the dispenser according to the embodiment of Figure 1 are described below.

When the distributor D is in the closed state, shown on Figure 1, the capsule 1 is assembled to the body C by screwing tightly and the tube 13 of the pump 10 is in the position of closure illustrated in FIG. 6; there is a space ℓ between the bottom 9 and capsule 5.

The user, before separating the capsule 1 from the body C, exerts a pressure on the pusher 17 as indicated by the arrow F in FIG. 2. The reservoir 8 slides inside the casing 7 by driving the pump housing 11, while the tube 13 linked to the base 5 remains stationary relative to the casing 7. The tube 13 therefore enters the casing 11 when the bottom 9 bears against the base 5.

The valve of the pump 10 is thus opened and a dose of cosmetic product M is delivered via channel 36 of tube 13 in the conduit 14 of rod 2 and, through holes 6, in housing 29 of the applicator member 3.

When the user releases his effort on the pusher 17, the pump housing 11, under the action of the springs 32 and 38, resumes the position illustrated in Figure 1 and an amount of material, equal to the dose which has been delivered, enters the casing 11 through the valve 30 which opens. The follower piston 15 slightly approaches the casing 11 in correspondence with the volume of product entered into the casing 11.

The user then unscrews the capsule 1 to separate it from the body C by a pulling movement holding the capsule with one hand 1 and on the other the body C. The rod 2 is pulled relative to the body C, and the applicator member 3 passes through the wiper 28 which distributes the dose of product, injected at the top of the brush, over the entire length of this brush.

The makeup is then carried out with the element of grip E held by the capsule 1 in which the reservoir is located 8 of product.

With the dispenser of the invention, the product M is well sheltered from air since the pump 10 operates without air intake, the piston 15 isolating the product from ambient air.

In addition, the supply of the applicator member 3 and the housing 29 in doses of product is provided by the inside of the rod 2 through the holes 6 which allow the exit of a dose which has been bacteriologically protected until it is ejected on the applicator member 3. This can avoid putting preservatives in product compositions or to reduce the proportion thereof.

The compression effort required to eject a dose of product is exerted essentially between the base 5 and the bottom 9, on a short axial length, without acting on the rod 2 comprising the inner channel 4. This rod 2 and the applicator member 3 are therefore not stressed by the effort required to eject a dose. Otherwise, the gripping element E remains easy to handle, since the body C in which the housing 29 is located is separated from the element E during makeup.

Referring to Figures 3 to 5, we can see a variant embodiment of the distributor D of FIGS. 1 and 2. The elements of the figures 3 to 5 identical or playing roles analogous to elements already described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 will be designated by the same references or by numeric references equal to the sum of the number 100 and the reference number used in Figures 1 and 2; their description will not be repeated or will be made only succinctly.

In this variant, the reservoir 108 is linked in translation to the casing 107, while the rod 102 and its base 105 are free in translation with respect to said envelope 107 and to the ring 124.

In the closed position of the dispenser, while the gripping element E and its casing 107 are screwed so watertight on body C, base 105 is clamped between the upper edge of the sleeve 121 and the bottom 109 of the reservoir 108. The tube 13 of the pump 10 is pressed into the housing 11, which corresponds to the position valve tube 13 open. There is therefore communication between inside the casing 11 and the channel 104. In the open position of the dispenser, illustrated in FIG. 5, when the gripping element E and the capsule 107 are completely unscrewed from the body C, the tube 13 is in its closed position, the base 105 of the rod 102 being removed from the bottom 109.

In the case of FIGS. 3 to 5, the wiper 128 is formed by a washer of elastic material clamped between the neighboring faces of the sleeves 121 and 122.

The operation of the dispenser of Figures 3 to 5 results of the foregoing explanations.

When the user, starting from the open position of the Figure 5, closes the dispenser by tightly screwing the element gripper E and the capsule 107 on the body C, this user causes the tube 13 to enter the pump casing 11 and sends a dose of cosmetic product in the housing 129 through the channel 104.

The dose thus distributed remains in the housing 129 in waiting for the next makeup.

Figure 4 shows what happens at the start of unscrewing of the gripping element E. The valve tube 13 comes out gradually casing 11 until it reaches its fully closed position before that the rod 102 and its base 105 are not driven in translation by this tube 13 linked to the base 105. At the end of extraction of the rod 102, the applicator member 103 passes through the wiper 128.

The advantages explained in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 are kept in the embodiment of Figures 3 to 5.

Claims (13)

Distributor of cosmetic product, fluid or pasty, intended for make-up, in particular a mascara dispenser, this distributor comprising, on the one hand, a distributor body (C), which comprises a housing (29, 129) for an applicator member (3, 103) and, on the other hand, a gripping element (E), which comprises a capsule (1, 101) provided with a rod (2, 102) carrying the applicator member (3, 103) to that of its ends, which protrudes out of the capsule, said capsule which can be assembled in a removable manner to said body dispenser (C) and can be entered by a user to apply the cosmetic product, a reservoir (8, 108) of cosmetic product being, moreover, provided in the capsule (1, 101) and being associated with a pump (10) also arranged in the capsule (1, 101) and intended for introduce successive doses of said cosmetic product into the housing (29, 129) of the applicator member (3, 103) from said tank, the pump (10) being a pump without air inlet, which includes a pump body (11) and a valve tube (13) for the outlet of the pumped product, movable in translation relative to the body of pump, the operation of said pump being caused by a relative movement of the reservoir (8, 108) relative to the body of dispenser (C), characterized in that the capsule (1, 101) comprises a cylindrical outer casing (7, 107) provided with means of assembly with the distributor body (C) and the reservoir comprises a cylinder (8, 108) arranged in the envelope (7, 107) and containing at its end facing the distributor body (C) of the pump (10) whose valve tube (13) projects through the wall transverse (9, 109) closing the reservoir cylinder (8, 108). Device according to claim 1, characterized by causes the rod (2, 102) carrying the applicator member (3, 103) to include a base (5, 105) at its end remote from the applicator member (3, 103), base (5, 105) which serves as a stop for the valve tube (13) for the control of its movements. Dispenser according to claim 2, characterized by that the rod (2, 102) by its base (5, 105) is integral with the tube valve (13). Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reservoir cylinder (8) is mounted sliding in the capsule casing (7), while the base (5) of the rod (2) carrying the applicator member is linked in translation to the capsule shell (7), and that in the closed position of the dispenser for which the capsule (1) is assembled to the body (C), a free space (l) exists between the bottom (9) of the tank fitted with the pump and the base (5) of the rod closing the capsule, the pump valve is then finding in the closed state, actuation means (17) being designed to allow the tank (8) and the pump body to be moved (10), in particular before separation of the capsule (1) and the body (C), for delivering a dose of product into the housing (29) of the organ applicator. Dispenser according to claim 4, characterized by causes the envelope (7) of the capsule (1) to be open at its end opposite the distributor body and that a pusher (17), which constitutes said actuating means, is provided at the end of the tank away from the pump (10). Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the reservoir cylinder (108) is linked in translation to the capsule shell (107), while the rod (102) carrying the applicator member is free in translation relative to this envelope (107), and that in the closed position of the distributor, to which the capsule (101) is assembled to the body (C), the base (105) of the rod bears against the bottom (109) of the tank fitted with the pump, the valve of the pump being in the open state, while the valve is in the closed state when the capsule (101) and the body (C) are separated, actuation means being provided to allow the rod to be moved (102) and the valve tube (13) during assembly of the capsule and the body to deliver a dose of product to the organ housing applicator. Distributor according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rod (2, 102) carrying the applicator member has an internal conduit (4, 104) which extends from the base (5, 105) of the rod, where it communicates with the outlet of the pump (10), to the applicator member (3, 103). Dispenser according to claim 7, characterized by causes the internal duct (4, 104) to open at the level of the organ applicator by holes (6, 106) oriented radially and regularly distributed along the periphery. Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the dispenser body consists of a case (19, 119) in which are arranged two coaxial sleeves superimposed (21, 22; 121, 122) with a wringer (28, 128) located at the near the sleeve separation interface, the housing (29, 129) for the applicator member being provided in the sleeve (22, 122) the farther from the capsule (7, 107). Dispenser according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the wiper is constituted by a throttle (28) of the passage inside of the sleeve (21) located on the capsule side (1). Dispenser according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the wiper is constituted by a washer (128) made of flexible clamped between the neighboring front ends of the sleeves (121, 122). Dispenser according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the fact that the gripping element (E) is assembled to the distributor body (C) tightly. Dispenser according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the tightness of the assembly of the gripping element (E) on the distributor body (C) is obtained by adding a seal.

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