EP1208765B1 - Stick, in particular for a product in cream, gel or paste form - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for a product comprising a body having an interior and a first end closed by an applicator wall. A piston is configured to move in a sealed manner along the interior of the body and to be driven by a drive mechanism configured to drive the piston towards the applicator wall to cause product to pass through the applicator wall. The applicator may further include a rod associated with the drive mechanism, the rod comprising a channel passing through at least a portion of the rod. The channel may have a first opening configured to open to the outside of the body and at least one second opening located between the piston and the applicator wall when the piston is located at a maximum distance from the applicator wall. The rod may also define at least one vent orifice.

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator, in particular of semi-fluid product, having an applicator wall in the form of a perforated wall.

In general, a semi-fluid product is a viscous product whose maximum consistency is such that it can flow under the effect of its own weight. By way of examples, such a product is in particular in the form of a cream, paste, or gel.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an applicator, in particular an applicator for the topical application of an actionable product cosmetic or dermatopharmaceutical, such as a deodorant cream, perfume, slimming or depilatory, a face cream or a gel for treat the scalp.

The applicator according to the invention is of the type comprising a body of which one end is closed by an applicator wall permeable to the product. The applicator comprises a piston adapted to slide in a sealed manner against a wall inside the body and to move from a first position in which the piston is maximum distance from said applicator wall to a second position in which piston is at minimum distance from the applicator wall. The applicator comprises a rod associated with a drive mechanism, in particular a threaded mechanism in combination with a rotary wheel, to drive said piston to the second position and force the product through the wall applicator.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an applicator of the aforementioned type whose filling is carried out by the bottom, that is to say by the end opposite to the application portion of the applicator.

Document DE 2 027 483 describes a mechanism of this type in which the internal section of the container is circular in shape. The applicator portion is consisting of an insert, pierced at its center with an orifice. The part applicator is in particular in the form of a sponge with a hole in the center, or a polyethylene wall on the outer surface of which are provided spiral grooves to distribute the product from a single orifice central, over substantially the entire surface.

The disadvantages of such a structure are multiple. The circular shape of the body of the container, and therefore of the piston, forces, in order to immobilize the latter in rotation, to the mount very tight inside the body, especially through a steel wire elastic, which constrains the piston in permanent support against the inner walls of the container. This results in an operation of the most uncomfortable in that it requires a relatively large force to advance the piston towards of the applicator wall.

To this discomfort is added the additional mounting step imposed by the fact that the applicator portion is reported, and this, in order to be able to achieve a structure whose applicator portion is interchangeable.

In addition, the presence of a single central orifice forces it to be made with a relatively important section. Because of this, except to provide on the hood a element which, in the closed position, fits inside the central hole of in order to seal it tightly, the risks of inadvertent product in storage position of the device are high. In addition, despite the presence of grooves provided on the applicator surface, the distribution of the product on the applicator surface is not the most homogeneous. Finally, the paths are sources of fouling of the applicator surface.

In document US Pat. No. 4,298,036, an applicator of the aforementioned type is described. filling a housing containing the product can be done from the bottom, via a hollow part of the piston rod. The air exhaust is done by a hole provided in the piston, the bottom of the housing in the filling position being delimited by a lid or a membrane having the desired profile, and held in position, for example by means of a removable cap. At the end of for a while, the product freezes to form a solid stick. To the first use, the user removes the thermoplastic seal, and applies the produced using the top surface of the stick as the surface of application.

In addition to the lack of application portion proper, able to "close" the body at its opposite end to the bottom, during the life of the applicator, the position of the vent hole in the piston, makes it inappropriate to use such a applicator for a stick other than solid. Indeed, in the case of a semi-liquid product, particularly creamy, with each use, under the pressure generated by the piston movement, a certain amount of product would escape inevitably through the vent hole, thus polluting the portion of the applicator located under the piston.

It is the same for the applicators whose filling is provided by the bottom, via one or more openings through a perforated piston.

It is also known devices of the aforementioned type in which the assembly of the piston and the piston drive mechanism is after filling by the background, in particular from US-5947621. The problem of such configuration results in the difficulty of making this assembly after filling, that is to say in the presence of the product. Indeed, especially in an environment of assembly on an industrial tool, the risks are great for part of the product escapes from the housing and contaminates the mechanism.

The top filling of the housing of the applicator excludes the realization of the application portion in the form of a perforated wall obtained by molding with the body of the applicator. In addition, the mounting of an application portion, in particular in the form of a grid or a porous element, after filling the housing, can be tricky in an industrial production environment.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide an applicator of the type above, which resolves in whole or in part the problems discussed above with reference to some conventional devices.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide such an applicator which is simple and economical to achieve.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an applicator whose filling is simple and economical to implement, in particular on a chain of industrial production.

It is another object of the invention to provide such an applicator whose configuration, such as when filling, in particular on a chain of industrial production, the risks of product contamination outside the housing, be reduced significantly.

Still other objects will appear in the following detailed description.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by making an applicator according to claim 1.

The non-circular shape, for example rectangular, ovoid, or elliptical, of the internal section of the body makes it possible to immobilize the piston in rotation without requiring particular means of immobilization and without requiring significant support between the peripheral lip of the piston and the inner surface of the body. The operation is therefore significantly improved comfort.

The mounting of the applicator according to the invention is simple because of the realization of the body and applicator wall in one piece. This feature allows also to overcome the sealing problems that would result inevitably an arrangement in which the applicator wall would reported on the body.

In addition, and in contrast to the single-port configuration as described in DE-A-20 27 483, the small section of the multiple orifices of the configuration according to the invention allows the use of the device for products lower viscosity and reduces the risk of untimely product exit may result from pressure exerted accidentally on the walls of the container, when the latter is in storage position. Because of this, it is not necessary to provide elements to close these holes in the position of closing the applicator. In addition, the distribution of the product on the surface of the applicator wall is better than in the document mentioned above.

Product filling of the volume formed between the piston and the applicator wall can be done through the stem, the only operation still to be performed being the where appropriate, the laying of a plug to close the first opening, which, on an industrial production line can be carried out automatically without risk of contamination of the applicator or its environment by the product.

In particular because of the pressure gradient between the neighborhood of the applicator wall and the inside of the stem, where the openings are made the risk of product escaping from the dwelling defined between piston and the applicator wall, in particular towards the actuating mechanism, when the piston is driven towards the applicator wall, are reduced by sensitive way. These risks are further reduced by the fact that the the vent orifice is negligible compared to the total section of the the applicator wall. In US-A-4,298,036, the orifice formed in the piston is where the pressure is the strongest.

The vent orifice (s) are arranged so that when filling, it (s) is preferably above the maximum product level, so that be effective throughout the duration of the filling. Preferably, the (or) orifice (s) is (are) disposed in the vicinity of the piston when the latter is at maximum distance from the applicator wall. The maximum diameter of the orifices vent is chosen in particular depending on the viscosity of the product. Indeed, it is chosen so that, in the absence of significant overpressure inside the container, the product can not flow under the effect of its own weight through orifices of the applicator wall. So, the more the product is viscous, and the more the orifice vent may be of important section. Typically, the vent port (s) is (are) of a diameter of between 0.3 mm and 1 mm.

Advantageously, the applicator wall has substantially no orifice in look at a free end of the stem. The presence of orifices directly in the axis of the stem, especially when the product is introduced at a rate relatively large, would allow, during filling, a product pass between the applicator wall and the cap or between the applicator wall and a removable cap present during filling. This would result in defilement, either the inner surface of the plug, or the applicator surface. Alternately, the channel passing through the rod does not open axially.

The openings through the applicator wall can be 20 to 50. The hole diameter can be of the order of 1 to 1.5 mm.

According to a preferred embodiment, the rod comprises a thread capable of cooperate with a corresponding thread provided on the piston to cause this last to the second position in response to an actuation command exerted on a rotating wheel. Alternatively, the drive mechanism may consist of a rack mechanism associated with a button capable of being pressed to cause the piston to advance along the rack.

The second opening (s) can be arranged in the vicinity a free end of the rod located in the vicinity of the applicator wall. Of preferably, they open laterally to said rod. In particular for reasons of ease of demolding, the lateral openings can lead to the edge formed by the free end of the rod.

The free end of the rod may be in contact with an inner surface of the applicator wall. Thus, when the stem is hollow throughout its length, and ends with an axial opening, it can be closed substantially sealed by said inner surface of the applicator wall. However, for the sake of being able to increase the filling rate, said Free end may be at a non-zero distance from the inner surface of the wall applicator.

Preferably, the stem comprises at least two second lateral openings opening opposite from each other on the stem.

The end of the body opposite the applicator wall may comprise a bottom reported, said attached bottom having an opening communicating with said first opening. This background makes it possible to produce the applicator in the form of a substantially closed volume.

The first opening can, after filling, be closed by a fixed cap especially by breakdown, gluing, screwing or welding. For the purposes of this invention, the term "plug" includes any element capable of closing sealing said first opening. It can also be a glued operculum or heat sealed.

Depending on the rheology of the product, and the general configuration of the the applicator, it may be desirable, after filling, to close the vent orifice in order to ensure that no product flow is done through the vent orifice, in particular under the thrust of the piston. Advantageously, a portion of the plug closing said first opening can be configured from so that, in position mounted on the applicator, it isolates the inside of the rod from the outside of the stem. For this purpose, the skirt for fixing the cap on the applicator can be extended to extend to (or up to) orifice (s), so as to close them.

Advantageously, the applicator according to the invention comprises a cap mounted detachable manner, in particular by snapping, on the body so as to isolate sealingly the applicator wall from the outside.

Preferably, a removable cap, tight to the product is, prior to the first use, fixed on the applicator wall, in particular by gluing or heat sealing. Such a cap, in addition to the protection of the cap during the filling, constitutes an indicator of burglary. In addition, it reinforced the tightness of the applicator during storage or transport prior to its first use.

The applicator according to the invention can be used in particular for the application of a cosmetic product, especially in the form of a cream, a gel or a paste.

• la figure 1 représente une vue éclatée de l'applicateur selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de la présente invention ;
• les figures 2A et 2B représentent deux vues en position assemblée de l'applicateur selon la figure 1 ; et
• les figures 3A et 3B illustrent le remplissage de l'applicateur représenté aux figures 1 et 2A-2B.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements described above, in 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:

• Figure 1 shows an exploded view of the applicator according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
• Figures 2A and 2B show two views in the assembled position of the applicator according to Figure 1; and
• Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the filling of the applicator shown in Figures 1 and 2A-2B.

The applicator 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2B comprises a hollow body 2 of elongated cross-section, one end of which ends in a wall 3 through a plurality of orifices 4 of small section, and distributed on substantially the entire surface of the wall 3, with the exception of the center. The diameter means of the orifices 4 is of the order of mm.

The body 2 and the end wall 3, are obtained from molding in a single piece by means of a material such as a polypropylene.

On the perforated wall 3, is bonded by heat-sealing a cap 5, in particular in aluminum or plastic / aluminum complex, to be removed beforehand first use. A removable cap 6 allows, between two uses, to seal the perforated wall 3 from the outside. The cap 6 is mounted clamping on the body 2 or by reversible snap.

Inside the body 2 is slidably mounted a piston 7 including a side wall 31 is able to apply sealingly against the inner surface 8 of the body 2.

The piston 7 is traversed in its center by an orifice 9 whose inner surface has a thread 10, adapted to cooperate with a corresponding thread 11 provided on the outer surface of a threaded rod 12. The threaded rod 12 is of height along the axis X substantially equal to the axial height of the body 2.

At about 1 cm from its lower end, the threaded rod 12 is integral with a wheel 13 suitable, in the mounted position of the rod 12 and the piston 7 to emerge in part through two windows 14 formed on the two large faces of the body 2, near its lower end.

The end of the body 2 opposite the end wall 3 is closed by a bottom reported 15 having two side skirts 16, 17 defining a groove device capable of receiving the free edge of the body 2. The reported bottom 15 also has a central opening 18 defined by an axial chimney 19. The axial chimney 19 has an inside diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the threaded rod 12 so that the latter can, free in rotation, fit inside the axial chimney 19.

A bead / groove system 20 allows snapping of the attached base 15 onto the body 2.

The threaded rod 12 is hollow over its entire height and thus defines a channel 23 extending from an axial opening 21, located in the vicinity of the wheel 13 to an axial opening 22 located at the opposite end of the rod. The internal diameter of the channel 23 is of the order of 8 to 10 mm.

In the mounted position shown in FIG. 2B, the axial opening 21 opens at the outside of the applicator. The opening 21 after filling the applicator product, is closed by an interlocked plug 24.

In the assembled position of the applicator, the edge 25 delimiting the axial opening 22 is in sealing engagement with the outer edge of a thickened 28 formed by the inner surface of the end wall 3 so as to seal sealing the opening 22.

In the edge 25 open two lateral openings 26, 27, diametrically opposed. The lateral openings allow, in the assembled position of the applicator, the communication between the channel 23 and the housing 30 formed between the piston 7 and the end wall 3.

The threaded rod 12 is further traversed by a vent orifice 29 which, in position lower piston 7 (Figure 2B), is slightly above the latter. The diameter of the vent orifice 29 may be of the order of 0.5 mm to 1 mm.

In contrast to what is shown in the drawing, the skirt of the cap 24 can be of sufficient length so that, in the mounted position as shown in FIG. 2B, an end portion of the skirt facing the vent orifice 29 in order to close it.

In order to use such an applicator, the consumer removes the cap 6, as well as that, during the first use, the lid 5. It drives the wheel 13 in rotation, so as to cause the piston 7 towards the end wall 3. As a result, the product contained in the housing 30 is pressurized and comes out of the applicator via the orifices 4 of the end wall 3. The product is then applied to the surface to be treated by moving the applicator wall 3 into engagement with said surface to be treated.

Figures 3A-3B to which reference is now made illustrate the filling the applicator.

In Figure 3A, the applicator 1 is turned upside down, and the plug 24 removed. The piston 7 is in its furthest position from the end wall 3. A cane filling device 50 is introduced into the channel 23 via the axial opening 21. product, brought by the filling rod 50, is introduced into the housing 30 via the lateral openings 26, 27. The air trapped in the housing 30 escapes via the vent port 29. The filling continues until at least the product reaches the piston 7. Then, the plug 24 is positioned on the opening 21. If it is desired to increase the filling rate, it may be provided that the free end of the rod is remote from the end wall.

In the above detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiment of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (14)

1. Applicator (1), particularly for a cosmetic product, comprising a body (2) of non-circular interior cross section, one end of which is closed by an applicator wall (3), the applicator comprising a piston (7) capable of sliding in a sealed manner against an interior wall (8) of the body, and a rod (12) associated with a drive mechanism (10, 11, 13) for driving the said piston towards the applicator wall and forcing the product through the latter, the applicator wall (3) being obtained by moulding with the body and having, passing through it, a plurality of orifices (4) distributed in such a way as to spread the product over practically the entire surface of the applicator wall (3), characterized in that the said rod has passing through it, over at least part of its height, a channel (23) opening, on the one hand, onto the outside of the body via a first opening (21) and, on the other hand, into the body via at least one second opening (22, 26, 27) arranged between the piston and the applicator wall when the piston is a maximum distance away from the applicator wall, the channel (23) not opening axially into the body (2), and the rod also having passing through it at least one vent orifice (29) to allow air to escape while the said body is being filled with product via the said channel.
2. Applicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the applicator wall (3) has practically no orifice facing a free end of the rod (12).
3. Applicator (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vent orifice (s) (29) is (are) arranged near the piston (7) when the latter is a maximum distance away from the applicator wall.
4. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rod (12) has a screw thread (11) capable of collaborating with a corresponding screw thread (10) provided on the piston (7) with a view to driving the latter towards the applicator wall in response to an actuating command exerted on a rotary knob (13).
5. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the said second opening(s) (22, 26, 27) is (are) arranged near a free end of the rod (12) situated near the applicator wall (3).
6. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a free end of the rod (12) is in contact with an interior surface (28) of the applicator wall (3).
7. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the channel (23) opens axially into the body (2) via an opening (22) delimited by a free end of the rod (12), the said free end being at a non-zero distance from an interior surface (28) of the applicator wall (3).
8. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises at least two second openings (26, 27) opening away from one another on the rod (12).
9. Applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one end of the body (2) at the opposite end to the applicator wall (3) has an attached bottom (15), the said attached bottom having an opening (18) communicating with the said first opening (21).
10. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, after filling, the first opening (21) is closed off by a stopper (24) fixed to the applicator by, for example, snap-fastening, bonding, screwing or welding.
11. Applicator according to Claim 10, characterized in that, after filling, the vent orifice(s) (29) is (are) blanked off, for example by a portion of the stopper (24).
12. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a removable inner seal (5) impervious to the product is, prior to first use, fixed to the applicator wall (3), particularly by bonding or heat sealing.
13. Applicator (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a cap (6) mounted removably on the body (2) so as to isolate the applicator wall (3) imperviously from the outside.
14. Use of an applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims for applying a cosmetic product, particularly in the form of a cream, a gel or a paste.

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