EP1050231A1 - Device for storing and applying cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (2) contains the product and an applicator (10) is provided with a application element (11) and a drying part (3 having a deformable resilient wall passed through by a slot (7) for passage of the application element and defining drying lips (20). The deformable wall is able to take, under the axial force exerted by the applicator, different first and second configurations during the introduction and the withdrawal of the applicator. The initial shape of the resilient wall is chosen s that the drying lips are applied with different forces on the applicator during its introduction and withdrawal.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and of application of a product, in particular a cosmetic product.

The invention relates more particularly to a device of the type comprising a container for containing said product, an applicator provided with an application element, and a wiper member having an elastically deformable wall traversed by at minus a slot allowing the passage of the application element and defining wringing lips.

We know many devices of this type.

There is however a need to improve the quality of the spinning of the element of application, on which the quality of makeup depends to a large extent.

The invention thus aims to propose a new packaging device and of relatively simple construction and which improves the quality of the spin of the application element.

The device according to the invention is of the aforementioned type and is characterized in that the elastically deformable wall is able to take, under the effect of an axial stress exerted by the applicator, a first and a second different configuration respectively when inserting and removing the applicator and by the fact that said elastically deformable wall is produced with an initial non-planar shape at rest and in the absence of an applicator, this initial shape being chosen in such a way that the spin lips apply with different forces on the applicator respectively during its introduction and its removal, due to the deformations undergone by said elastically deformable wall to pass from its initial shape to one of said configurations.

Thanks to the invention, there is a packaging device and application in which the wiper member is applied differently on the applicator when the latter is introduced into the container or extracted therefrom.

The invention makes it possible to avoid that due to the prolonged storage of the applicator in the container the wringing lips do not lose their ability to wring so satisfactory the application element.

It can therefore be very fine.

Preferably, when the elastically deformable wall is in its shape initial, the wiping lips are substantially contiguous.

This prevents the product in the container from drying out.

In addition, in the event of accidental spillage of the container, the product is prevented does not spread outside.

Preferably, the passage of the elastically deformable wall in one of the first and second configurations mentioned above automatically brings the lips of spin in a position in which they are naturally no longer contiguous.

This characteristic is advantageously used to reduce the stress exerted on the wiping lips by the applicator when the latter is in its storage position or to reduce the force exerted by the wiping lips on the application element when removing the applicator.

Preferably, the slot is unique.

Preferably, the slit is made in the bottom of a portion generally concave of the elastically deformable wall.

In a first embodiment of the invention, when the wall elastically deformable is in its initial form, the concavity of this portion is facing the inside of the container.

Thus, when the applicator is introduced into the container, this portion is returns, causing the slot to open.

The slit opened by the reversal of the elastically deformable wall offers relatively low resistance to the movement of the applicator because the lips of spin do not apply strongly on it.

When the applicator is removed from the container, the elastically deformable wall turns again and the concavity of the portion crossed by the slit is again facing the inside of the container.

The spin lips then tend to apply more strongly on the applicator only at the time of its introduction into the container.

Thus, the application element undergoes a thorough spin.

In a second example of implementation of the invention, when the wall elastically deformable is in its initial form, the concavity of the portion crossed through the slot is oriented towards the opening of the container.

Thus, when the applicator is introduced into the container, the portion crossed through the slot remains concave towards the opening of the container.

As a result, the wringing lips tend to apply strongly on the applicator.

On the other hand, when the applicator is removed, the elastically deformable wall changes configuration and the portion crossed by the slit becomes concave towards inside the container.

Due to this deformation of the elastically deformable wall, the lips spin tend to move apart and apply with relatively low force on the application element, which is therefore wrung less vigorously than in the case of the first example of implementation of the invention, mentioned above.

In a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a member limiter to limit the deformation of the elastically deformable wall during removal of the applicator.

This limiting member can be arranged to limit the upward travel wiping lips when removing the applicator.

In the event that the portion through which the slot passes turns over during removal of the applicator, the limiting member can limit this reversal.

In a particular embodiment, the limiting member is integral with a neck of the container used for fixing a closure cap.

In a particular embodiment, the wiper member is fixed by a flange ring on the container.

The applicator may have a rod which thickens at its lower end to form a housing for fixing the application element.

In a particular embodiment, the thickness of the application element at less at the time of spin is less than the thickness of the rod measured in the region of the latter which comes into contact with the wringing member when the applicator is in the storage position in the container.

In a particular embodiment, the rod of the applicator is flat.

The applicator rod can be hollowed out, so as to limit the stresses exerted by the applicator on the wiper member when the applicator is in place in the recipient.

In a particular embodiment, the elastically deformable wall of the member spin is made of elastomer.

In a particular embodiment, the slot of the wiper member is extended to its ends by cutouts to promote mobility of the wiping lips during inserting and removing the applicator.

At least one of the edges of the slot may have a chamfer.

This chamfer can be used in particular to produce a thin membrane connecting the edges of the slot, molded with the wall elastically deformable and to be broken after the molding operation.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à un premier exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, l'applicateur ayant été retiré,
• la figure 2 représente le récipient de la figure 1 une fois l'applicateur en position de stockage dans le récipient,
• la figure 3 représente le récipient de la figure 1 lors du retrait de l'applicateur,
• la figure 4 représente un détail de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à un deuxième exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, lors du retrait de l'applicateur,
• la figure 6 représente un détail de la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à un troisième exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, l'applicateur étant représenté en position de stockage dans le récipient,
• la figure 8 illustre la configuration de l'organe d'essorage au moment du retrait de l'applicateur,
• les figures 9 à 11 illustrent différentes formes de découpes réalisées aux extrémités de la fente de l'organe d'essorage,
• la figure 12 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à un quatrième exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, l'applicateur ayant été retiré,
• la figure 13 représente le récipient de la figure 12, l'applicateur étant en place dans le récipient,
• la figure 14 représente le récipient de la figure 12 au moment du retrait de l'applicateur,
• la figure 15 représente une variante de réalisation de l'applicateur de la figure 7,
• la figure 16 représente la façon dont les lèvres d'essorage s'appliquent sur la tige de l'applicateur au repos,
• la figure 17 représente en coupe axiale schématique un organe d'essorage conforme à un cinquième exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, et
• la figure 18 illustre la réalisation d'un chanfrein sur les lèvres d'essorage.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view in axial section of a packaging and application device according to a first example of implementation of the invention, the applicator having been removed,
• FIG. 2 represents the container of FIG. 1 once the applicator in the storage position in the container,
• FIG. 3 represents the container of FIG. 1 during the withdrawal of the applicator,
• FIG. 4 represents a detail of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic view in axial section of a packaging and application device according to a second example of implementation of the invention, when the applicator is withdrawn,
• FIG. 6 represents a detail of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 is a schematic view in axial section of a packaging and application device according to a third example of implementation of the invention, the applicator being shown in the storage position in the container,
• FIG. 8 illustrates the configuration of the wiping member when the applicator is withdrawn,
• FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate different forms of cuts made at the ends of the slot of the wiper member,
• FIG. 12 is a schematic view in axial section of a packaging and application device according to a fourth example of implementation of the invention, the applicator having been removed,
• FIG. 13 represents the container of FIG. 12, the applicator being in place in the container,
• FIG. 14 represents the container of FIG. 12 when the applicator is withdrawn,
• FIG. 15 represents an alternative embodiment of the applicator of FIG. 7,
• FIG. 16 represents the way in which the wiping lips are applied to the rod of the applicator at rest,
• FIG. 17 shows in schematic axial section a wiping member in accordance with a fifth example of implementation of the invention, and
• FIG. 18 illustrates the production of a chamfer on the wiping lips.

The packaging and application device 1 partially shown on Figures 1 to 3 comprises a container 2 of axis X, open at its upper end and may contain a makeup product such as mascara for example.

A wiper member 3 is fixed inside the container 2 by any means suitable, for example by gluing or welding.

In the example described, the wiper member 3 has a wall generally tubular 4 of axis X, extended at its upper part by an annular rim 5 serving to fixing on the upper end of the container 2, and connecting at its end lower than a bottom wall 6 having at rest and in the absence of an applicator a generally concave towards the inside of the container, as can be seen on the figure 1.

The wall 6 is traversed in its center by a slot 7, the edges of which longitudinal extend in a direction perpendicular to the cutting plane of the figure 1.

The slot 7 defines two opposing wiping lips 20, elastically deformable, the ends of which constitute the aforementioned longitudinal edges.

The wiper member 3 can be produced in an elastomer such as for example a silicone elastomer, EPDM nitrile, butyl, latex or an elastomer polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene thermoplastic, PVC or EVA, this list being of course non-limiting.

The bottom wall 6 is connected to the tubular wall 4 by an annular zone thinned 27.

The container 2 is intended to receive an applicator 10 which is represented on the Figure 2 in its storage position.

The applicator 10 comprises an application element 11 which can be a brush as in the example of embodiment described, or else a brush, a flocked body or a foam.

The application element can be flat and in the axis of the rod.

The application element 11 is fixed to the lower end of a rod 12.

The upper end of this rod 12 is integral with a mounting end piece 13 intended to be inserted in a cap not shown.

The rod 12 comprises in the upper part a series of annular ribs 14 which are intended to be applied to the inner surface of the tubular part 4 of the wiper member 3 to seal the closure of the container during the storage.

As seen in Figure 2, the rod 12 is quite thin in its region which comes into contact with the wall 6 of the wiper member 3 in the storage position.

The rod 12 thickens at its lower end to form a bulge 16 defining a housing used for fixing the application element 11.

When the wiper is in its initial form at rest and in the absence applicator, the wiping lips 20 are contiguous as illustrated in FIG. 1.

When the applicator is introduced into the container, the applicator element 11 presses on the bottom wall 6 and the latter turns over and changes its configuration, going from a generally concave shape towards the inside of the container to a shape generally concave towards the opening of the container, as shown in Figure 2.

This change in configuration of the bottom wall 6 is accompanied by internal stresses which tend to open the slot 7.

Thus, the wiping lips 20 are applied fairly weakly on the rod 12 of the applicator since naturally, in the configuration of FIG. 2, they are not not joined.

The wiping lips 20 are applied by their upper faces 21 and the edges 24 of said faces against rod 12.

When the applicator is removed from the container, the bottom wall 6 accompanies the upward movement of the rod 12 and turns over.

The bottom wall 6 thus changes configuration, passing from a shape generally concave towards the opening of the container to a generally concave shape inward of the container, as shown in Figure 3.

The change in configuration of the bottom wall 6 during the introduction of the applicator and its removal is favored by the presence of the thinned annular zone 27.

In addition, the passage of the bottom wall 6 of the configuration of FIG. 2 to that of Figure 3 is facilitated by the existence of the bulge 16 above the element of application.

It will be noted that the friction of the wringing lips 20 on the applicator is sufficient for the bottom wall 6 to be able to accompany the movement of the applicator and change the configuration.

In addition, the tubular wall 4 is rigid enough not to overturn when the applicator is removed from the container.

Because in the configuration of FIG. 2 the wiping lips 20 are naturally non-contiguous, the latter are only weakly compressed by the presence of the applicator during storage and thus prevents them from acquiring permanent deformation which could be detrimental to the proper spinning of the application element.

It will also be noted that when the applicator is introduced into the container, the wiping lips 20 move apart the more the bottom wall 6 is deformed towards the bottom of the container.

This reduces the risk of damage to the spin lips 20 if the applicator is introduced very quickly into the container.

In the configuration of FIG. 3, the wiping lips 20 apply strongly by the edges 25 of their lower faces 26 on the application element 11, as illustrated in figure 4

It is thus possible to produce a wiper member capable of wringing out a extremely fine application element.

In addition, assuming that the wiping lips 20 acquire during storage extended from the applicator 10 into the container, permanent deformation downwards, wringing takes place while the wringing lips are urged to move towards the high, so that the aforementioned permanent deformation turns out to generate a force additional tending to press the wiping lips on the application element.

The slot 7 can be produced by cutting using a blade, or alternatively result from the molding of the wiper member, after possibly breaking a fine membrane connecting the wiping lips 20. In the latter case, the edges of the lips advantageously comprise a chamfer.

The embodiment of Figure 5 differs from that of Figures 1 to 3 only by the fact that a limiting member 30 is introduced into the opening of the container.

This limiting member 30 comprises a lower part 31 extending inside of the container above the bottom wall 6 of the wiper member.

The lower end 32 of the limiting member 30 extends at a distance predetermined bottom wall 6 when the latter is at rest, in the absence applicator.

The limiting member 30 is made integral with the container by any known means, and in the example of embodiment described, comprises a tubular skirt 33 which covers the annular rim 5 of the wiper member 3.

The limiting member 30 also includes an annular lip 34 which comes pinch the annular rim 5 against the container 2 in order to seal the assembly.

The upper part of the limiting member 30 forms a neck 35 provided with a outer bead 36 used for snap-fastening of the cap 19 in which is inserted the fitting 13.

The inner surface of the neck 35 and that of the lower part 31 form a introduction cone facilitating the insertion of the applicator into the container.

The limiting member 30 makes it possible to limit the upward movement of the wall 6 when removing the applicator.

More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the upper face 21 of the wiping lips 20 abuts when the applicator is withdrawn against the end lower 32, which prevents the wringing lips 20 from spreading further apart, thus increasing their contact pressure on the application element 11, which ensures a deep spin.

We understand that we can easily act on the degree of wringing of the element of application by modifying the axial positioning of the limiting member 30.

FIG. 7 shows a device 40 according to a variant of production.

The device 40 comprises a container 41 containing the product, an organ spin 42 and an applicator 43 provided at its lower end with an element of application 44.

The container 41 comprises a body 45 open at its upper end, in which is fixed a tip 47 having at its upper part a neck 48 used for keeping the applicator in the storage position, and at its bottom a lip annular 49 forming an introduction cone intended to guide the applicator 43 at the time of its reentry in the container 41.

The end piece 47 also has at its lower part a skirt 46 used for mounting of a wiper member 42.

The applicator 43 comprises a flat rod 50 extending parallel to the plane of section of figure 7.

This rod 50 has a bulge 51 at its lower end, defining a housing used for fixing the application element 44, which may be constituted for example by a brush whose bristles extend substantially in the direction of the X axis of the container, down.

The wiper member 42 has, when the applicator 43 is in place in the container 41, a general shape in a bowl, concave towards the opening of the container, as shown in figure 7.

The bottom wall 52 of the wiper member is crossed by a slot 53 that there is shown in top view, along the X axis, in FIG. 9.

The slot 53 extends over a flat region of the bottom wall 52 and is extended at its axial ends 54 by cutouts 56 intended to facilitate the pivoting of the spin lips 55.

These wiping lips 55 are joined at rest in the absence of an applicator 43, as can be seen in Figure 9.

The cuts 56 can form on either side of the slot 53 a V whose vertex lies in the axis of the slot and the branches move away from the slot.

The cuts (reference 57) can still extend perpendicular to the axis of the slot, as illustrated in FIG. 10. They can also (reference 58) form V's whose branches move apart approaching the X axis, as illustrated in Figure 11.

In its initial form, the bottom wall 52 is concave towards the inside of the container, the slot 53 being closed.

When the applicator 43 is introduced into the container, the element application 44 moves the bottom wall 52 axially downwards and the latter takes the configuration shown in broken lines in Figure 8.

In this configuration, the wringing lips 55 are not contiguous, due internal stresses linked to the deformation of the bottom wall 52 during the introduction of the applicator.

When the applicator is removed from the container, the bottom wall 52 turns over and takes a configuration in which it is concave towards the interior of the container, all as it is at rest in the absence of the applicator.

The lip 49 can be configured so as to serve as a limiting member, like of the limiting member 30 previously described.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a device 1 ′ which differs from that described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 by the fact that the bottom wall 6 'of the wiper member 3' presents at rest and in the absence of an applicator a generally concave shape towards opening the container.

The bottom wall 6 'is traversed by a slot 7' similar to the slot 7 of the device 1 previously described and it has a thickness less than that of the tubular wall 4.

When the applicator 10 is in place in the container, the wiping lips 20 ' are deformed towards the inside of the container, as can be seen in FIG. 13, and are applied to the rod 12 of the applicator by the edges 24 'of their upper faces.

The wringing lips 20 'are applied fairly strongly on the rod of the applicator.

When removing the applicator 10, the bottom wall 6 ′ turns over and the lips wringing 20 ′ are applied by their lower faces to the application element 11, as can be seen in Figure 14.

The reversal of the bottom wall 6 ′ when the applicator is withdrawn has the consequence that the wiping lips 20 'tend to move apart, due to the stresses internal in the wiper, and thus apply less strongly on the applicator only during the introduction of the latter.

As a result, the application element 11 is wrung less strongly than that this is not the case in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

It is thus understood that it is possible, thanks to the invention, to obtain a spin more or less pushed according to the initial shape that is given to the wiper member.

FIG. 15 shows an applicator which differs from that shown in Figure 7 by the fact that the flat rod has a central recess which extends in the example described over practically the entire length of the rod.

The end portion 61 of the applicator to which the element is connected application is thus connected to the gripping part by two parallel branches 62.

The presence of the recess 60 makes it possible, as can be seen in FIG. 16, minimize the stresses exerted by the applicator on the lips of the organ spin because the slot can close between the branches 62.

The embodiment of FIG. 17 is a variant of that of FIGS. 7 and 8.

In this exemplary embodiment, the bottom wall 52 ′ has a region flat central unit which is connected by a fold 71 to a peripheral region 70 used for the fixing on the container.

The width of the fold 71 can vary when moving around the X axis, so to allow a good reversal of the bottom wall 52 '.

Illustrated in Figure 18 the production of a chamfer 80 on each lip spin.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

It is possible in particular to produce the wiping member with other shapes adapted to the geometry of the application element.

The wiper member may include preferential deformation zones aiming to increase the mobility of the wiping lips during removal and / or re-entry of the applicator.

Claims (21)

Device for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a container for containing said product, an applicator provided with an applicator element and a wiper member having a wall elastically deformable crossed by at least one slot serving for the passage of the application element and defining the wiping lips, characterized in that said elastically deformable wall (6; 52; 6 '; 52') is capable of taking, under the effect an axial stress exerted by the applicator, a first and a second different configurations respectively when inserting and removing the applicator and by the fact that said elastically deformable wall is produced with an initial non-planar shape at rest and in the absence of an applicator, this initial shape being chosen in such a way that the wringing lips are applied with forces different on the applicator respectively during its introduction and its removal, in due to the deformations undergone by said elastically deformable wall to pass from its initial shape to one of said configurations. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the elastically deformable wall is in its initial shape, the wiping lips (20) are substantially contiguous. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the passage of said elastically deformable wall in one of the first and second configurations brings the spin lips into a position in which they are not more naturally joined. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the slot is unique. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the slot (7) is made in the bottom of a portion generally concave of the elastically deformable wall. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the elastically deformable wall is in its initial shape, the concavity of said portion (6; 52; 52 ') is oriented towards the inside of the container. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that when the elastically deformable wall is in its initial shape, the concavity of said portion (6 ') is oriented towards the opening of the container. Device according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the concavity of said portion (6; 6 ′; 52; 52 ′) is reversed substantially when passing the applicator. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises a limiting member (30) to limit the deformation of the elastically deformable wall during withdrawal of the applicator. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the limiting member (30) is arranged to limit the upward movement of the lips when removing the applicator. Device according to one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the elastically deformable wall turns when the applicator is removed and by the fact that the limiting member is arranged to limit this reversal. Device according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the limiting member (30) is integral with a neck (35) of the container used for fixing of a closing cap. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wiper member is fixed to the container by a rim annular (5). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator comprises a rod (12) which thickens at its lower end to form a housing for fixing the element application (11). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thickness of the application element at least at the time of the spin is less than the thickness of the rod measured in the region of the latter which comes into contact with the wiper member when the applicator is in the storage in the container. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (50) is flat. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the rod is hollowed out. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elastically deformable wall (6; 52; 6 '; 52') of the member spin is made of elastomer. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said slot is extended at its ends by cutouts (56; 57; 58) aimed at promoting the mobility of the wiping lips during the introduction and removing the applicator. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the edges of the slot has a chamfer (80). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the application element is flat.

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