FR2843100A1 - Applicator, to prepare/deliver a hair coloring product, has chambers to hold the ingredients and flexible walls for the liquid container to force it through an elastic body into the second chamber to blend with its contents - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator unit (1), to blend together ingredients for the preparation of a cosmetic products, has at least one chamber (9,12) to hold the ingredients e.g. as a liquid and a powder. A body (20), at least partially with elastic compression, is within a passage formed by the structure. The walls (2,3) of the lower container can be squeezed by hand to develop an internal pressure to force the fluid into the passage and displace the elastic body to pass into the second container, and be delivered out of the unit through the applicator (10).

Description

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  The present invention relates to a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products in order to produce a composition, in particular cosmetic, as used for example in the field of hair coloring. other

  applications however can be envisaged.

  In the field of hair coloring, the preparation of a good number of coloring compositions involves the extemporaneous mixing of two (or even three) products (a dye, an oxidant, possibly a perfume) which, for reasons of stability must be maintained at away from each other until use of the coloring composition. At least one of the products can be

in the form of a powder.

  These last years have seen, in the field of hair coloring, the appearance of mixing devices, allowing, more or less automatically, the separate packaging of two products, and their mixture extemporaneous at the time of use of the coloring composition. For purely illustrative purposes, a device of this type is described in the patent application.

FR-A-2 708 913.

  Such systems are expensive and often sometimes complicated to realize. Sealing between the two compartments containing each of the products is sometimes difficult to achieve. In addition, it is sometimes difficult to find materials, compatible with the compounds to be packaged, due to the high aggressiveness

  at least some of these.

  There are also more "manual" operating systems in which each of the products to be mixed is packaged in its own packaging, in particular in the form of a tube or a sachet. With a view to making the mixture, the consumer pours the content of one of the packages into the other, or the content of both

  packaging in a third, inside which mixing takes place.

  All of these operations are tedious. There is a great risk of getting dirty when handling products. The risk is also great for the

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  consumer does not respect the correct dosage and is tempted to use the quantities necessary for a single application for two or more applications. It

  hair coloring is then produced which does not conform to that expected.

  Patent EP 0 606 429 describes a two-chamber mixing system isolated by a first rubber piston which, in response to a pressure exerted by a second piston, is pushed from a first position in which it isolates the two products towards a second position in which it delimits, in combination with an internal surface of a throttling zone separating the two chambers,

  a passage capable of allowing the two products to come into contact.

  The disadvantages of such a structure are numerous. Thus, it is difficult to adapt to the mixture of non-liquid products, in particular in the form of powders. It is limited to the preparation of small volumes. Its operation is not very comfortable, in particular because of the significant pressure to be exerted to force the rubber piston to deform and engage in a portion whose cross section is of shape different from the shape of the piston. It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products, which solves all or part of the problems mentioned above with reference to conventional systems.

discussed above.

  It is in particular an object of the invention to produce such a device which is

  simple to use and can be produced at low cost.

  It is another object of the invention to provide such a device which limits the risks of misuse, and which therefore reduces the risks of obtaining a

  mixture whose properties do not conform to what is expected.

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

  According to the invention, the device defines a first compartment containing a first product, and a second compartment, able to be arranged at least partly above the first, and containing a second product, a first separation member being able to pass through 'a first position in which it isolates the first product from the second to a second position in which the first product is brought into contact with the second, the device being configured so that the passage of the first separating member from the first to the second position results, at a substantial pressure balance between the first and second compartments, of a multidirectional volume reduction of said first separation member in response to an overpressure generated inside one and / or

  the other of said first and second compartments.

  Thus, the separation member is such that it ensures the physical separation of the two

  products. On the other hand, it must allow the balance of pressures to take place.

  In practice, the lower the level of tightness required to ensure the physical separation of the two products, the lower the overpressure to be generated, and the more comfortable the operation. For this reason, at least the product contained in the second compartment and which, when the second compartment is above the first, rests on the separation member, is preferably under

  form of a powder. The other product can in particular be in liquid form.

  Due to this configuration of the device, the production of the mixture is

  extremely simple to implement.

  In particular, the pressure being exerted in a substantially uniform manner over the entire surface of the separation member, a low overpressure is sufficient to cause the

  passage of the latter from the first to the second position.

  This is not the case in systems of the type described with reference to patent EP 0 606 429, and in which the separation plug is forced to move in response to pressure exerted unilaterally, the pressure being further transmitted via the product located between the separation plug and the pusher piston. Such pressure being exerted on the product, sandwiched

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  between the plug and the piston, can be harmful to the product, especially when

it is a powder.

  Preferably, the multidirectional volume reduction results at least in a reduction in the surface of the first separation member, transverse to a longitudinal axis of the device, and this over its entire axial height. Thus, in the first position, the separation member is of sufficiently large diameter to hold in place by slight tightening, despite the weight of the second product placed above. In response to the pressure exerted in a multidirectional manner, the separation member compresses in all directions, in particular radially to its axis. Therefore, it is no longer tight, and, under the effect of its weight, added to the weight of the second product, it falls with the latter in the first

  container. The two products are then in contact with each other.

  In the case of a separation member of circular cross section, a

  reduction in diameter by a few tenths of a mm is sufficient to obtain the result.

  In practice, the pressure exerted on the separation member being substantially uniform over its entire external surface, there is also a

  slight reduction in the axial height of the separation member.

  Preferably, the overpressure is generated in the first compartment when the latter is below the second, the level of the first product in the first compartment being such that the transition from the first to the second position takes place before the first product does not come into contact with said first separation member. Due to this dead volume above the product contained in the container inside which the overpressure is generated, the pressure exerted on

  the separation member is purely pneumatic.

  Alternatively, the overpressure can be exerted on the compartment arranged above the other. In the hypothesis where the product contained in the compartment above is a liquid, of density greater than the density of the material forming the separation member, then, in response to the overpressure, the separation member decreases in volume, and is no longer retained in the position where it isolates the two

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  compartments. It then rises to the surface of the liquid as

  this mixes with the product contained in the other compartment.

  Preferably, the first separation member consists at least in part of an element formed of a material which is elastically compressible in response to said overpressure, and the external surface of which is impermeable. By "waterproof",

we mean airtight.

  More preferably, the material is a closed cell cellular material. It may especially be a polyethylene, polyester or polyurethane foam. Preferably, in the second position, said first separation member floats on the surface of the mixture. Thus, the separation member does not disturb the

distribution of the mixture.

  As indicated above, the first separation member is preferably disposed inside a passage formed between the first and second compartments and is, prior to said overpressure, maintained in said first position, by partial compression in at least one direction. transverse to said passage, in contact with an internal surface delimiting said passage. Despite this slight compression of the separating member, air can pass between the lateral surface of the separating member and the internal surface

  of the passage, thus authorizing the achievement of the pressure balance.

  According to a preferred embodiment, at least one of the walls delimiting one and / or the other of said first and second compartments is elastically deformable so as to be able to generate said overpressure in response to a pressure exerted, laterally or axially, on said deformable wall

elastically.

  More specifically, at least part of one and / or the other of said first and second compartments can form a bellows. In this case, the pressure

to exercise is axial.

  Alternatively, the compartment inside which the overpressure is generated is delimited by a container with elastically compressible walls. In that case,

  the pressure to be exerted is transverse to the axis.

  According to a specific embodiment, the first compartment is delimited by a first container, the second compartment being delimited by a second container, suitable for being mounted on the first, in particular by screwing or snap-fastening. The second container then has an opening which, when said first separation member is in the first position, is isolated from the second product.

  by said first separation member.

  Advantageously, said opening, prior to mounting the second container on the first, is closed in a removable manner by means of closure,

  especially in the form of a stopper, in particular screwed.

  Means are provided for, prior to mounting the second container on

  the first, maintaining said first separation member in a fixed position.

  Such immobilization means can consist of: i) on the one hand, a portion of the plug; and ii) on the other hand, an axial stop located on the side of the first member of

separation opposite the plug.

  Thus, as long as the cap is in place on the second container, it axially immobilizes the separation member. Once the cap is removed, when positioning the second container above the first, the second product is

  retained inside the second container by the separation member.

  Advantageously, the second compartment is delimited by an element forming a

  application tip for mixing said products.

  Preferably, the second compartment is able to communicate with a dispensing orifice which, prior to mixing, is closed by a

  closure, in particular in the form of a self-breaking element.

  According to another embodiment, the device forms a third compartment able to be arranged at least partly above the second and containing a third product, said first, second and third products being isolated in pairs by said first separation member and by a second separation member, said first and second separation members being each capable of passing from a first position in which they isolate two by two said first, second, and third products, to a second position in which the three products are brought into contact with each other, the passage of the first and second separation member from the first position to the second resulting, in the substantial balance of pressures between the compartments which they separate respectively, from a reduction in volume multidirectional of said first and second separation member in response to an overpressure generated inside

  one and / or the other of said first, second and third compartments.

  Preferably, the mixing is carried out by positioning the device so that the second compartment is above the first, the third, above the

  second, and pressurizing the first.

  The second and third products can be packaged separately

  one from the other, in the same container, in particular in an applicator tip.

  Advantageously, the product (s) contained in the compartment (s) other than that inside which said overpressure is generated, is (are) in powder form. Thus, the first product can be an oxidant in liquid form. The second product can be a dye in the form of a powder. The third product may be a perfume composition, under

also forms a powder.

  According to another aspect, the present application relates to a device for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products, the device forming a first compartment containing a first product and a second compartment, capable of being arranged at least partly above the first, and containing a second product, a first separation member being able to pass from a first position in which it isolates the first product from the second to a second position in which the first product is brought into contact with the second, the device being configured so that the passage of the first separation member from the first position to the second results from an overpressure generated in one or the other of said first and second compartments, said first separation member, during its passage from the first position to the second, moving towards the compartment inside which the overpressure is generated. As indicated above, the device according to the invention can be used for the production of a mixture intended to form a cosmetic composition,

  especially for hair coloring.

  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: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device of Figure 1 - Figures 3A-3F illustrate the main stages of operation of the

device of Figures 1 and 2.

  - Figure 4 is a sectional view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention; and - Figures 5A-5D illustrate the main stages of operation of the

Figure 4 device.

  The device 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a container 2, one end of which ends in a bottom 3. A part 4 of the body of the container, adjacent to the bottom 3, is configured in the form of a bellows. Container 2 delimits a

  housing 9 intended to contain a coloring oxidant in liquid form.

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  The end of the container opposite the bottom 3 ends in a threaded neck 5 delimiting

an opening 6.

  The container 2 is obtained by extrusion blow molding made of polyethylene or polypropylene. In the storage and / or transport position of the device 1, the container 2 is closed by a plug 7, the internal surface of which includes a thread capable of cooperating with the thread of the neck 5. Conventionally, the plug 7 has a skirt

seal 8.

  The device 1 also includes an applicator tip 10.

  The applicator tip 10 consists of a hollow element of elongated shape, a portion 11 of which is of cross section gradually decreasing in the direction

  an opening of small section 19, closed by a self-breaking tip 40.

  In the vicinity of its end opposite to the self-breaking tip 40, the applicator tip 10 comprises a first cylindrical portion 13, of diameter greater than the largest diameter of the portion 11, and separated from the latter

by a shoulder 14.

  On the side of the first cylindrical portion 13, opposite the portion 11, the applicator tip 10 forms a second cylindrical portion 15 of internal diameter greater than the internal diameter of the first cylindrical portion 13. A free edge of the cylindrical portion 15 delimits a opening 45 for the applicator tip 10. The second cylindrical portion 15 is separated from the first 13 by a

shoulder 16.

  The internal surface of the second cylindrical portion 15 has a thread 17.

  Inside the cylindrical portion 15, a sealing skirt 18 is formed, extending axially from the shoulder 16, towards the end of

  the end piece 10, opposite the self-breaking end piece 40.

  The applicator tip 10 is obtained by injection of a rigid thermoplastic material, such as a polyamide, a polystyrene, a polycarbonate, a polypropylene,

  styrene acrylobutadiene (ABS), or acrylonitrile polystyrene (SAN).

  After introduction of a coloring powder into the housing 12 delimited by the portion 11 of the applicator tip, a block of closed-cell polyurethane foam 20 is placed inside the cylindrical portion 13. The foam block 20 is height substantially identical to that of the cylindrical portion 13. The insertion movement of the foam block inside the end piece 10 is limited by the presence of the shoulder 14, against which a surface abuts

21 of the foam block 20.

  The diameter at rest of the foam block 20 is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 13 so as to be slightly compressed laterally inside the cylindrical portion 13. The degree of compression is sufficient to allow the foam block 20 to hold by itself inside the cylindrical portion 13 despite the weight of powder in the part 11 of the nozzle

applicator 10.

  During storage and / or transport, the end of the nozzle 10 is closed by a plug 30, an outer surface of which includes a thread 31 capable of cooperating with the thread 17 of the nozzle 10. A transverse wall 32 of the plug 30 is arranged so as to come substantially into contact with surface 22 of the block

  of foam, opposite surface 21.

  An outer wall 33, concentric with the annular wall on which the

  thread 31, allows manipulation of the plug 30.

  The operation of the device 1 which has just been described will now be

  explained with reference to Figures 3A-3F.

  In FIG. 3A, the container 2 has been freed from its cap 7. The end piece 10 has been freed from its cap 30. Even in the head-up position, the block of foam 20 holds by slight compression inside the cylindrical part 13 of the endpiece 10, despite the weight of the powder which is therefore retained inside the housing 12.

  In FIG. 3B, the end piece 10 is screwed onto the container 2.

  In FIG. 3C, an axial pressure is exerted on the bottom 3 of the container 2 so as to compress the part 4 forming the bellows axially. This results in an overpressure inside the container 2. Due to the lack of airtightness all around the foam block 20, the pressures are balanced between the housing 9 and the housing 12. From this In fact, the overpressure is exerted in a substantially uniform manner over the entire external surface of the foam block 20. The latter is compressed in a multidirectional manner. This results in particular in a reduction in its outside diameter, sufficient for it to no longer be retained inside the cylindrical portion 13. It then falls under the effect of its weight, added to the weight of

powder contained in the housing 12.

  In Figure 3D, the two products are mixed inside the container 2. The foam block 20 floats on the surface of the mixture. The mixture can be

  homogenized by shaking the device 1 adequately.

  In FIG. 3E, the opening 19 of the applicator tip 10 is released by breaking

the self-breaking tip 40.

  In FIG. 3F, the mixture is applied in a conventional manner to the hair with the aid of the bellows portion 4 to precipitate the exit of the mixture via

opening 19.

  If we wish to use the device which has just been described with two liquids, it may be advantageous: i) to provide on the internal surface of the shoulder 14, an annular rib (not shown), of so as to reduce the risks of formation, before use

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  of the device, of a liquid film between the lateral surface of the foam block 20 and the internal surface of the cylindrical portion 13; and ii) to carry out the mixing in the head-down position of the device, the material forming the foam block 20 having a density less than that of the liquid contained in the container 2. The embodiment of FIG. 4 in which it is now refers to differs from the previous one mainly in that: i) the container 2 has elastically deformable walls in response to a pressure exerted on the container, substantially perpendicular to the axis X and ii) substantially at mid-height between the cylindrical portion 13 of the end piece 10, and the self-breaking end piece 40, the applicator end piece 10 has another cylindrical portion 41, of internal diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 13. The cylindrical portion 41 is separated of the portion of the applicator tip adjacent to the self-breaking element 40 by an annular shoulder 42. Inside the cylindrical portion 41 is disposed a block d e foam 50 similar to the foam block 20, and one face 51 of which is in axial abutment against the shoulder 42. Thus, in the mounted position of the applicator tip 10 on the container 2, the foam block 20 separates the compartment 9 delimited by the container 2 of the compartment 12 formed in the lower part of the applicator tip 10. The foam block 50 separates the compartment 12 from a compartment 43 formed in the upper part of the applicator tip. Compartment-9 contains a coloring oxidant in liquid form. The compartment 12 contains a dye in the form of a powder. The compartment 43 contains a perfuming agent in the form of a powder. The rest of the device is similar to what has been described with reference to the mode of

  previous achievement. Therefore, its detailed description will not be repeated here.

  In use, at first, everything happens in accordance with what has been

  described for the first embodiment with reference to Figures 3A and 3B.

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  The rest of the process is illustrated with reference to Figures 5A-5D in which it is

now refers.

  In FIG. 5A, the compartment 9 is pressurized in response to a pressure exerted transversely on the deformable walls of the container 2. This results in an overpressure inside the container 2. Due to the lack of tightness to the air all around the foam block 20 and the foam block 50, the pressures balance almost instantaneously between the housings 9, 12, and 43. As a result, the overpressure is exerted in a substantially uniform manner on the entire surface of the foam blocks 20 and 50. These compress in a multidirectional manner. This results in particular in a reduction in their outside diameter, sufficient for them to no longer be retained inside their respective cylindrical portions 13 and 41. They then fall under the effect of their weight, added to the weight of powder contained respectively in the housings 12

and 43.

  In practice, the two mouse blocks fall slightly

  sequential, block 20 falling before block 50.

  In FIG. 5B, the three products are mixed inside the housing 9. The foam blocks 20 and 50 float on the surface of the mixture. The mixture can be

  homogenized by shaking the device 1 adequately.

  In FIG. 5C, the opening 19 of the applicator tip 10 is released by breaking

the self-breaking tip 40.

  In FIG. 5D, the mixture is applied in a conventional manner to the hair by compressing the deformable body of the container 2 to precipitate the exit of the mixture

via opening 19.

  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.

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Claims (21)

  1. Device (1) for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products, the device forming a first compartment (9) containing a first product and a second compartment (12), able to be arranged at least partly above the first , and containing a second product, a first separation member (20) being able to pass from a first position in which it isolates the first product from the second to a second position in which the first product is brought into contact with the second, the device being configured so that the passage of the first separation member (20) from the first position to the second results, at a substantial pressure balance between the first and second compartments, from a multidirectional volume reduction of said first separation member (20) in response to an overpressure generated within one and / or   the other of said first and second compartments (9, 12).   2. - Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the multidirectional volume reduction results at least in a reduction in the surface of the first separation member (20), transversely to a longitudinal axis of the   device, and this over its entire axial height.   3. - Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that it is configured so that the passage of said first separation member (20) from the first to the second position results from an overpressure generated in the first compartment (9) when the latter is below the second (12), the level of the first product in the first compartment (9) being such that the transition from the first to the second position takes place before the first product come to   contact of said first separation member (20).   4. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in   that the first separating member (20) consists at least in part of an element formed of an elastically compressible material in response to said   overpressure, and whose external surface is waterproof.   5. - Device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said material is   closed cell foam material.   6. - Device (1) according to claim 5 characterized in that the closed cell foam material is a polyethylene, polyester or polyurethane foam.   7. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that, in the second position, said first member of   separation (20) floats on the surface of the mixture.   8. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in   that the first separation member (20) is disposed inside a passage (13) formed between the first and second compartments and is, prior to said overpressure, maintained in said first position, by partial compression according to at least a direction transverse to said passage, in contact with a   internal surface delimiting said passage.   9. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in   that at least one of the walls delimiting the first compartment (9) and / or the second compartment (12) is elastically deformable so as to be able to generate said overpressure in response to a pressure exerted, laterally or   axially, on said elastically deformable wall.   10. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in   that at least a part (4) of said first and / or second compartment forms a bellows.   11. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 characterized   in that the first compartment. (9) is delimited by a first container (2), the second compartment (1 2) being delimited by a second container (10), capable of being   mounted on the first, in particular by screwing or snap-fastening.   12. - Device (1) according to claim 11 characterized in that the second container (10) has an opening (45) which, when said first separation member (20) is in the first position, is isolated from the second product by   said first separation member (20).   13. - Device (1) according to claim 12 characterized in that said opening (45), prior to mounting the second container on the first, is removably closed by means of closure (30), in particular in the form of a cap, in particular screwed.   14. - Device (1) according to claim 12 or 13 characterized in that means (14, 32) are provided for, prior to mounting the second container (10) on the first (2), maintain said first position fixed separation member (20). 15. - Device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that said immobilization means consist of: i) on the one hand, a portion (32) of the plug (30); and ii) on the other hand, an axial stop (14) located on the side of the first member   partition (20) opposite the plug (30).   16. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized   in that the second compartment (12) is delimited by an element (10) forming   an application nozzle for mixing said products.   17. - Device (1) according to claim 16 characterized in that the second compartment is able to communicate with a dispensing orifice (19) which, prior to mixing, is closed by a closing member (40),   especially in the form of a self-breaking element.   18. - Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 17 characterized   in that it forms a third compartment (43), capable of being arranged at least in part above the second (12), and containing a third product, said first, second and third products being isolated in pairs by said first separation member (20) and by a second separation member (50), said first and second separation members (20, 50) being able to pass each from a first position in which they isolate said first two by two, second, and third products, at a second position in which the three products are brought into contact with each other, the passage of the first and second separating member from the first position to the second resulting, at substantial pressure balance between the two compartments which they isolate respectively, from a multidirectional volume reduction of said first and second separation member (20, 50) in response to an overpressure generated inside the u n and / or the other of said first, second, and third compartments (9, 12, 43).   19. - Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims   characterized in that the product (s) contained in the compartment (s) (12, 43) other than that (9) inside which is generated   said overpressure is (are) in powder form.   20. - Device (1) for the extemporaneous mixing of at least two products, the device forming a first compartment (9) containing a first product and a second compartment (12), able to be arranged at least partly above the first, and containing a second product, a first separation member (20) being able to pass from a first position in which it isolates the first product from the second to a second position in which the first product is brought into contact with the second , the device being configured so that the passage of the first separation member (20) from the first position to the second results from an overpressure generated in one or the other of said first and second compartments, said first member of separation (20), during its passage from the first position to the second, moving towards the   compartment inside which the overpressure is generated.   21. - Use of a device (1) according to any one of the claims which   above for the production of a mixture intended to form a composition   cosmetic, in particular for hair coloring.