EP1201558A1 - Device for storing and applying a product - Google Patents

Abstract

The assembly (1) consists of a first compartment (2) for the product (P), a second compartment (5) communicating with the first by an aperture (18), and a non-soluble applicator (7) attached to a cap (8) on the open end of the second compartment. The free end of the applicator presses against a plug (16) of a porous and compressible elastic material, located over the aperture. The assembly (1) consists of a first compartment (2) for the product (P), a second compartment (5) communicating with the first by an aperture (18), and a non-soluble applicator (7) attached to a cap (8) on the open end of the second compartment. The free end of the applicator presses against a plug (16) of a porous and compressible elastic material, such as a hydrophilic open or semi-open cellular foam, located over the aperture. Part of the applicator has a flock surface (9) of natural or synthetic fibres.

Description

The present invention relates to an assembly for packaging and the application of a product, in particular cosmetic. The main object of the invention is the packaging and application of liquid or semi-liquid products, especially in the form of a milk, an emulsion, a serum, a perfume, a toilet water, or gel.

French patent FR 2 701 818 describes an assembly comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, a cap intended to close the reservoir, and a elastically deformable application element, in particular of cell foam open. The product reservoir is limited by a capillary tip in the form of thermowell, having a rigid bottom pierced with at least one capillary orifice against which the application element is deformed, when the reservoir is closed by the cap.

Such a system, although satisfactory in many respects, suffers from certain limitations.

The first is that when you want to replace the applicator by elastic foam by an applicator of substantially more rigid consistency, in particular in felt or in a sintered material, it is observed that the loading in applicator product is not satisfactory. Indeed, the lack of privacy of the contact between the applicator and the rigid seat inevitably leads to poor transfer of the product to the applicator. Now such consistency applicators more rigid may be desirable to apply certain compositions such as lipsticks in liquid form, or to apply certain compositions of skin care.

In addition, the rigid contact between the applicator and the seat in which is drilled the feed orifice may cause, during a friction movement between the applicator and the seat, which is the case for example when the assembly is opened, more or less significant damage to the surface of the applicator, especially when it is flocked. This damage can affect sensitive to the characteristics of the application, in particular the softness.

Finally, in the event that the product to be applied is very liquid, in particular when it is a perfume or eau de toilette, the product can, when the assembly overturns, flowing through the product inlet orifice, and from this in fact, pollute the environment in which such a flow occurs. Regardless of the risks associated with such a spill, product leakage through evaporation, when the product contains relatively volatile solvents, can be important.

Patent application FR-A-2 754 458 describes a set of applications comprising an applicator consisting of a product capable of dissolving or gelling on the surface, in contact with a liquid composition contained in a first housing located below a second housing receiving the applicator. Both housings are separated by a block of foam in contact which is arranged the applicator. Although satisfactory in many respects, this device can pose certain problems in that, the breakable applicator is always in contact with a liquid capable of disintegrating. Therefore, between two relatively spaced uses, it it is not excluded that the applicator disintegrates completely, which then makes it totally unusable.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to produce a set of conditioning and application, solving all or part of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional assemblies.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide such a set of conditioning and application, which authorizes the use of relatively rigid consistency.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a set of packaging and application, which allows the use of very low products viscosity.

It is yet another object to create a set which allows, over time uses, to keep intact the characteristics of the application, in particular sweetness.

Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing an assembly for the packaging and application of a product, in particular a cosmetic, said product assembly delimiting a first compartment containing the product, and a second compartment, in communication with the first via at least one orifice said second compartment comprising a closed opening of detachably by a closure element, said second compartment forming a housing, preferably sealed, for an applicator which is not soluble in contact of said product and which, in the closed position of the closure element, is in support on a porous member, at least partially elastically compressible, in communication with said supply port.

Within the meaning of the present application, the term "insoluble" to qualify the applicator reflects the fact that, unlike document FR-A-2 754 458 mentioned above, the bringing the applicator into contact with the product to be applied does not modify integrity of the applicator. In other words, the applicator does not disintegrate, does not does not disintegrate, dissolve, or gel when it is in contact with product contained in the first compartment. As will be seen later, a such an applicator may be in the form of a foam, a felt, a frit, a elastomer, or any other material, in particular thermoplastic. Her consistency can be rigid or semi-rigid. The material that forms it can be porous or not.

The porous element, by its ability to soak up product in depth, forms a reserve of product, much larger than that obtained with a rigid seat as described in patent FR 2 701 818 mentioned above. The surface of application of the applicator being supported on this reserve, its loading in product, especially when the assembly is opened when the porous element decompresses, is immediate.

In addition, when the applicator is rigid, due to its bearing on a seat flexible consisting of an elastically compressible member, the latter deforms and conforms to the shape of the applicator, thus increasing the contact surface between the applicator and the porous element. As a result, this results in a much better loading of product from the applicator.

The contact between the applicator and the compressible seat is soft. As a result, the state surface of the applicator is not affected by friction which can produce, especially at the opening, between the applicator and the porous element.

In addition, upon opening, in particular in the case of a relative rotational movement between the applicator (carried by the cap) and the porous block, there is a "wiping" of the application surface of the applicator, so that no residue remains significantly more excess product (in particular, in the form of a drop) on the application surface. Such wiping is much less sensitive in the case where the seat, on which the applicator rests, is rigid.

The block of porous material also forms a barrier to the liquid, capable of limiting significantly the evaporation of the solvents contained in the product, and limit the risk of product spillage, in the event of spillage or reversal of the assembly.

At least the part of the porous member with which the applicator is placed contact, is elastically compressible. Preferably, however, all of the porous member is elastically compressible. Compressibility of the organ porous can be uniform, especially in the case of a porous organ formed of the same foam, or variable, especially in the case of a porous member formed of a stack of several foam blocks having densities different.

Especially when the flexible seat is a block of foam having cells open large, it may be desirable to cover it, at least in part, of a sheet permeable to the product, in particular of a woven, of a nonwoven, or of a perforated thermoplastic film. This improves the capacity of the flexible seat to prevent the product from evaporating, or from flowing when the device is turned upside down, especially when the foam block is saturated with product. In addition, the smoothness of the friction contact between applicator and flexible seat, further significantly reducing risk of damage to the surface of the applicator.

Preferably, the applicator is integral with the closure element, the latter acting as a gripping member for said applicator. Reversible fixing of the closure element on the assembly can be ensured by snap-fastening, screwing, or by a bayonet system.

The elastically compressible porous member may consist of a block of hydrophilic foam, with open or semi-open cells, in particular of polyurethane or polyether, a flexible sinter, in particular ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a low density felt. Preferably, the porosity of the material is such that, even at saturation, in the absence of pressure, the product does not flow from the porous organ. Such a ability to retain product, even at saturation, can be improved by incorporating into the porous material, water-absorbing agents.

Such a porous member may be formed of a block, in particular of foam, of which the thickness at rest can range from 1 mm to several mm.

Besides the "natural" passages crossing the porous organ, and made up of pores of the material, it is possible to provide one or more "artificial" passages under form of slots or any other passage axially passing through the thickness of the block of porous material. Such passages, especially in the case of products more viscous, favor the transit between the product tank and the housing containing the applicator.

The porous organ may also contain bacteriostatic agents. We reduce the amount of preservative to be incorporated directly into the product even.

The applicator is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, in particular a thermoplastic, felt or sintered material.

Alternatively, the applicator is made of an elastic material compressible, especially of open or semi-open cell foam, or of an elastomer. The compressibility of the applicator is preferably lower, or even similar to that of the elastically compressible porous member.

Alternatively again, the applicator is produced by means of a material elastomeric. In the latter case, it can be configured as of a solid or hollow structure, so as to give it greater deformability, in particular in contact with the surface on which the product must be applied.

At least part of the surface of the applicator is covered with a flocking, especially rayon, nylon, cotton, silk, polyester, or viscose. The presence of such flocking depends to a large extent on the rheology of the product to be applied, of the material forming the applicator, and in particular of its ability to absorb product deep down, and desired characteristics at application, especially softness. The flocking may include a mixture of fibers of different types and / or sections and / or length.

Preferably, the porous member comprises at least one part, in particular annular, which is in a fixed axial position inside the assembly. To this end, a perforated element, in particular a grid, a perforated bottom, a screen, or a perforated film, can be formed or fixedly maintained between the first compartment and the second, said perforated element defining at least one supply orifice, said porous member elastically compressible being disposed in the second compartment, at the above said openwork element. Thus, such an openwork element forms a rigid support for the porous member, preventing it from sinking towards the container, when the applicator is supported on said porous member.

Such an openwork element can also form an element capable of retaining, in particular by capillary action or by surface tension effect, a certain amount of product directly in contact with the surface of the porous block, further improving, the impregnation of the porous block by the product. The configuration of the openwork element, in particular the number, the size, and the density of holes, depends to a large extent measurement of the rheology of the product, of the characteristics of the applicator, in particular its compressibility, and of the characteristics sought after on application, including the amount of product to apply to each application.

Alternatively, said elastically compressible porous element is maintained in the second compartment, via an annular edge delimiting a supply orifice central. Thus, when the applicator presses on the flexible seat, the latter, in addition to the elastic compression, deforms towards the bottom of the container. We improve still the contact surface between the applicator and the compressible seat.

The elastically compressible porous element may be integral, in particular by bonding, of the openwork element or of the annular edge.

The second compartment can be supplied from the first via a pump manual actuation. A pump outlet port, formed in particular at the end a pump rod, preferably, opens directly into the porous element. Such an embodiment using a pump, is particularly suitable for higher viscosity products. Such a pump can be air return or without air intake.

The pump can be actuated by applying pressure to the rigid bottom of the first compartment. A set of packaging and distribution using such a pump is described in particular in application FR-A-2 788 501. This document describes in particular different possible configurations around such a pump.

The first compartment can be of fixed volume, in particular in the form of a bottle with rigid walls. Thus, in the case of a very liquid product, in particular a perfume, you can use a glass container. The contacting of the element porous elastically compressible with the product being done simply by shaking the container more or less vigorously, which occurs so natural in the case of a product, such as a perfume, that the consumer carry in his purse. The product permeates in the foam block in particular by capillarity or by surface tension effect. As in the previous embodiment, the product can also be brought into the porous element by means of a pump connected to a dip tube.

Preferably, the first compartment is of variable volume, and is constituted in particular a container with deformable walls, whether elastic or not. So, a tube can be used whose flexible walls are capable of collapsing in response at a pressure exerted on it. The walls return to their initial position when stops the pressure. The resulting overpressure inside the container can favor the passage of the retained product by capillarity in the vicinity of the element porous (in particular by a grid supporting the porous element), or directly on the porous element.

Alternatively, the overpressure inside the container can result from a pressure exerted on a part of the container configured as a bellows.

In the case of an assembly using a pump without air intake, one can use a container fitted with a bottom forming a follower piston. At each pumping in the container, the piston rises in the container so as to "stick" to the product. Alternatively, the product can be packaged in a pocket whose walls flexible collapse with each pumping in order to compensate for the volume of product distributed.

The assembly according to the invention can be used advantageously for the packaging and application of a makeup, care or hygiene product body, in particular a perfume, an eau de toilette, a milk, a serum, an emulsion, a gel, a lip makeup product, a foundation, or a hair product, in particular for coloring or bleaching wicks.

• les figures 1A-1B sont relatives à un premier mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention ;
• les figures 2A-2B sont relatives à un second mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention ; et
• les figures 3A-3B sont relatives à un troisième mode de réalisation de l'ensemble selon l'invention

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figures 1A-1B relate to a first embodiment of the assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 2A-2B relate to a second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention; and
• Figures 3A-3B relate to a third embodiment of the assembly according to the invention

The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B comprises a container 2, in the form of a tube with flexible walls, of axis X, containing a reserve of product P, for example, a liquid lipstick. The bottom of tube 2 is closed along a weld zone 3.

The open end of the tube opposite the weld area is welded to a element 4 defining a housing 5 intended to receive an applicator 6 through an opening 11. The applicator 6 comprises an application element 7 and a gripping member 8, which also constitutes a closure cap of the housing 5. The application element 7 is forcibly mounted in a chimney axial 10 formed by the applicator 6.

Maintaining the applicator 6 on the device 1, so as to close the opening 11, is made by means of a thread 12 formed on the outer surface of the housing 5, and intended to cooperate with a corresponding thread 13 provided on an inner surface of the gripping member 8. A sealing skirt 14 ensures the tight closure of the opening 11 by the applicator 6.

According to this embodiment, the application element 7 consists of a sintered thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and the surface of which is covered a flocking 9. The free end of the application element 7 forms two sides bevelled to facilitate the application of the product on the lips.

The interior surface of the housing 5 comprises, near its bottom, an edge annular 15 forming an annular support for a block of cell foam open 16 with a thickness of 3 mm. The annular edge 15 delimits an orifice central 18. The foam block 16 is glued to the annular edge 15.

The porosity of the foam block 16 is chosen so that the block of foam foam can be impregnated with product P, when the latter is brought into contact with the foam block, which occurs in particular by shaking the device 1. Such agitation occurs naturally when the device is carried in the user's handbag. For this particular example, we uses polyether foam.

In the open position, as shown in FIG. 1A, the housing 5 is isolated from the container 2 by the block of foam 16 filled with product, which forms a "barrier liquid "capable of significantly reducing the evaporation of product P contained in the tube 2. When the device 1 is turned upside down, the product does not not flow.

When the applicator 6 is mounted on the device 1 (FIG. 1B), the element 7 presses on the foam block 16 to the point of compressing it, and deform significantly towards the bottom of the tube 2. This deformation contributes to creating a large contact surface between the application element 7 and the foam 16 impregnated with product.

For use, the user shakes the device 1 so as to bring product P in contact with the foam block 16. Part of the product is impregnated with deep in the foam. A certain quantity of product can be retained by capillarity on the face of the foam 16 turned towards the container 2. In pressing on the walls of tube 2, it creates an overpressure inside the container, which overpressure promotes the passage of the product through the foam 16, towards its surface in contact with the application element 7.

Upon opening, the decompression effect of the foam 16 accentuates the pumping of the product towards the applicator element 7. In addition, upon opening, the relative rotational movement between the application element and the foam block 16, allows to wipe the application surface so that it is cleared any excess product that can accumulate as a drop. He only remains while applying the product to the surface to be treated, in a conventional manner.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B, in which it is now refers, the entire packaging and application comprises a rigid internal body 20 in the form of a cylindrical element in polypropylene. The section of the cylindrical element can be circular, ovoid, elliptical, or any other desired shape. One end of the inner body 20 is closed by a rigid bottom 21. The end of the rigid body 20, opposite the bottom 21 is open, and has on its inner surface a groove 22, capable of allow the mounting by snap of an intermediate piece 23. The piece intermediate 23 has a side skirt 24 whose outer surface comprises in the vicinity of its upper edge, a bead 25, capable of cooperating by snapping with the groove 22 of the inner body 20. The side skirt 24 extends, at its end opposite its free edge, at right angles with a transverse flange 26, itself connected to an axial chimney 27 of section cylindrical. Inside the axial chimney 27, is mounted, in particular by force, by snapping, or by screwing, an airless pump 28 surmounted by a rod emergent 29 sealing. Thus, the pressure distribution element 28 is integral with the structure carrying or forming the product reservoir.

Product P, in this case a serum, is contained inside the internal body 20, which comprises a piston 30, capable of sliding in leaktight manner against the inner walls of the inner body 20, as the product P is pump.

The rigid bottom 21 has an orifice 31 adapted to allow air to be taken in. inside the rigid body 20, in the volume located below the piston.

The assembly is surmounted by a hoop 32, mounted on the pump rod 29, and of which a cylindrical portion 33 forms a skirt, one end 34 of which is open. Said open end 34 is located in the vicinity of the rigid bottom 21 of the body interior, which, in the rest position of the pump 28, emerges (with respect to the end 34) of a height corresponding at least to the actuating stroke of the pump 28. The cylindrical portion 33 has an internal diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the inside body 20, so that it can slide freely on the latter when the pump 28 is actuated.

Opposite the open end 34, the hoop 32 has a portion 35, one of which interior surface 36 defines a hemispherical housing 39. Surface 36 is pierced in its center by an orifice 37. In its part adjacent to the surface 36, the orifice 37 is of section slightly less than the outside diameter of the rod pump so that it, when actuating the pump, comes in abutment against the portion of smaller section of the orifice 37. The cylindrical portion 33 of the hoop 32 allows gripping for screwing and unscrewing the applicator cover 38.

In the bottom of the housing 39 is maintained, in particular by gluing, a block of polyurethane foam 40, playing the same role as the foam block 16 of the previous embodiment. The face of the block of foam 40 turned in the direction of the surface 36 is in fluid communication with the orifice 37 in which is mounted pump rod 29.

The housing 39 ends, opposite the orifice 37, by a free edge delimiting an opening 41. The outer surface of the housing 39 is provided with a thread 42, able to cooperate with a corresponding thread 43 of a cover 38. A skirt inner 44 of cover 38 is used for fixing an applicator member 45, in the form a rigid or semi-rigid block, made of felt, and the surface of which is covered with flocking. The attachment of the applicator member 45 to the skirt 44 can be ensured in particular by gluing or welding. The applicator member 45 forms outside the fixing skirt 44, substantially a cone.

When the applicator cover 38 is mounted on the device 1 (FIG. 2B), the element application 45 presses on the foam block 40 to the point of compressing it sensitive way. This deformation contributes to creating a contact surface important between the application element 45 and the foam impregnated with product 40.

For use, the user presses on the rigid bottom 21 so as to cause the pump 28 to be actuated. The product comes out through the rod pump 29, orifice 37, permeates into the foam block 40, and comes to the contact of the applicator member 45. When the applicator cover 38 is opened, the decompression of the foam block 40 accelerates the pumping of the product towards of the surface of the foam in contact with the applicator member 45. When the applicator 45 separates from the foam block 40, it is loaded so satisfactory in product. It only remains to apply the product on the surface appropriate, in a completely conventional way.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3B, the device 1 comprises a glass container 50 surmounted by a neck 51, the outer surface of which comprises a thread 52, able to cooperate with a thread 53 of an applicator capsule 54. The bottle 50 contains a perfume.

In the neck 51 of the bottle 50, a cup 55 is forcibly mounted, the bottom 56 of which is openwork like a grid. The cup 55 delimits a housing 59 intended, as will be seen later, to receive an applicator, through a opening 60. In the bottom of the cup 55, above the perforated bottom 56, is arranged a block of open cell foam 57.

The applicator capsule 54 carries an open cell foam applicator 58. The foam of the applicator 58 has the same compressibility or less than the compressibility of the foam in block 57. The applicator 58 and the cup 55 are dimensioned so that, in the mounted position of the applicator capsule 54 (FIG. 3B), the foam block 57 is compressed by the applicator 58.

The porosity of the foam block 57 is chosen so that the block of foam foam can be impregnated with product P, when the latter is brought into contact with the foam block, which occurs in particular by shaking the device 1. Such agitation occurs naturally when the device is carried in the user's handbag.

In the open position, as shown in FIG. 3A, the housing 59 is isolated of the container 50 by the block of foam 57 filled with product, which forms a "liquid barrier" capable of significantly reducing the evaporation of product P contained in the bottle 50. When the device 1 is turned upside down, the product does not flow.

When the applicator capsule 54 is mounted on the device 1 (FIG. 3B), the application element 58 presses on the foam block 57 at the point of compress significantly. This deformation contributes to creating a surface significant contact between the application element 58 and the foam impregnated with product 57.

For use, the user shakes the device 1 so as to bring product P in contact with the foam block 57 via the perforated bottom 56. The product permeates deeply into the foam 57, and rises by capillarity in the applicator 58.

On opening, the decompression effect of the foam 57 accentuates the pumping of the product towards the applicator element 58. In addition, upon opening, the relative rotational movement between the application element 58 and the block of foam 57, wipes the application surface so that it is cleared of any excess product that may accumulate in the form of drop. It then only remains to apply the product to the surface to be treated, so conventional.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (17)

Set (1) for packaging and applying a product (P), in particular cosmetic, said assembly (1) delimiting a first compartment (2, 20, 50) containing the product, and a second compartment (5, 39, 59), in communication with the first via at least one supply orifice (18, 37, 56), said second compartment having an opening (11, 41, 60) closed so removable by a closure element (8, 38, 54), said second compartment forming a housing for an applicator (7, 45, 58) which is not soluble in contact with said product and which, in the closed position of the closure element, is supported on a porous member, at least partially elastically compressible (16, 40, 57), in communication with said supply port (18, 37, 56). Assembly (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the applicator (7, 45, 58) is integral with the closure element (8, 38, 54), the latter acting as a gripping member for said applicator . Assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the porous elastically compressible member (16, 40, 57) consists of a block of hydrophilic foam, with open or semi-open cells, in particular of polyurethane or polyether , a flexible sinter, in particular ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or a felt. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the porous elastically compressible member is covered, at least in part, with a sheet of a material permeable to the product, in particular a woven fabric, a nonwoven or a perforated thermoplastic film. Assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the porous member (16, 40, 57) contains bacteriostatic agents, and / or water-absorbing agents. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45, 58) consists of a rigid or semi-rigid material, in particular a thermoplastic material, a felt or sintered. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the applicator (7, 45, 58) consists of an elastically compressible material, in particular a foam with open or semi-open cells, or of an elastomer. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least part of the surface of the applicator is covered with a flocking (9), in particular of rayon, nylon, viscose, cotton, silk, or polyester. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an openwork element (36, 56), in particular a grid, a screen, or a perforated film, is fixedly held between the first compartment (2, 20, 50) and the second (5, 39, 59), said perforated element (56) defining at least one supply orifice, said porous elastically compressible member (7, 45, 58) being arranged in the second compartment , above said perforated element (36, 56). Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the said elastically compressible porous element (7, 45, 58) is held in the second compartment, via an annular edge (15) delimiting a supply orifice central (18). Assembly (1) according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that said elastically compressible porous element (7, 45, 58) is integral, in particular by gluing, with the perforated element (36, 56) or with the annular edge (15) . Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the porous element is, at least in part, in a fixed axial position inside the assembly. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the second compartment (39) is supplied from the first via a manually actuated pump (28). Assembly (1) according to claim 13 characterized in that the actuation of the pump is done by means of a pressure exerted on the bottom (21) of the first compartment (20). Assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first compartment (50) is of fixed volume, in particular in the form of a bottle with rigid walls. Assembly (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first compartment (2, 20) is of variable volume, and consists in particular of a container with deformable walls (2), in an elastic or no, a container of which a portion forms a bellows, or a container (20) equipped with a bottom (30) forming a follower piston. Use of an assembly (1) according to any one of the claims which above for the packaging and application of a makeup product, care, or personal hygiene, in particular of a perfume, an eau de toilette, a milk, serum, emulsion, gel, lip makeup product, a foundation, or a hair product, in particular for coloring or discoloration of the locks.

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