FR3068580A1 - DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING AND DISPENSING A COSMETIC PRODUCT - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for packaging a cosmetic product, comprising a body forming a reservoir (2), a free edge (3) defining an opening (16) capable of allowing at least the extraction of an organ application, the opening being located at one end of a neck (4) having an inner surface comprising at least one rotational locking zone having a plurality of ribs (12) extending in a longitudinal direction of the neck. The blocking zone is located at a distance from the opening and is separated from the latter by at least one sealing zone (13) having a surface substantially free of reliefs extending over a longitudinal distance of at least 1 mm, the cumulative distance of the sealing zones being greater than or equal to 2 mm.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and distributing a product, in particular a cosmetic.

“Cosmetic product” means any product as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

It may in particular be a makeup composition, a makeup base (or “base coat”), a composition to be applied to another product (or “top coat”), or else '' a cosmetic treatment composition.

The packaging and distribution device according to the present application is more particularly intended for the application of a cosmetic product, in particular make-up or care product, to a keratin material and / or keratin fibers, and is in particular intended for applying mascara to eyelashes.

By "keratin materials" is preferably meant human keratin materials, especially the integuments, and more particularly keratin fibers.

By “keratin fibers” is meant in particular the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, and preferably the eyelashes. This term "keratin fibers", within the meaning of the present application also extends to synthetic false eyelashes.

By “mascara” is meant a composition intended to be applied to the eyelashes or to false eyelashes.

The packaging and dispensing device according to the present application can also relate to a fluid lip product such as a lip gloss or varnish.

The packaging device according to the present application is also applicable to other fluid products such as eyeshadows, concealer, liquid foundation, or nail polish.

In general, the application of the cosmetic product consists in depositing a desired quantity of material on the targeted keratin surface in order to obtain the desired effect.

The cosmetic product is applied using an applicator.

Numerous cosmetic product applicators are known which are intended to allow the application of said product to the desired keratin surface, in particular of mascara on eyelashes.

The applicator member is generally mounted at the end of a rigid rod, generally made of thermoplastic material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, integral with a gripping member.

In general, a packaging and distribution device comprises a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product to be applied and a free edge of which delimits an opening capable of allowing at least the extraction of an applicator member from the inside the tank.

By convention, the opening indicates the "top" of the tank while the "bottom" is determined by a bottom of the tank located opposite to said opening.

During application, the applicator member is introduced through the opening inside the reservoir where it is loaded with cosmetic product before being extracted from said reservoir to proceed with the application.

Thus, the applicator is movable between a first position, called the sampling position, in which the application member is located inside the reservoir and is able to be at least partially brought into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir, and a so-called application position in which the application member can be brought into contact with a part of the human body.

This mode of use is conventionally designated by the term "dip-in" or "immersion" since it is necessary to immerse the applicator member in the cosmetic product reserve to load it with product before application.

The reservoir is generally equipped with a closing member provided for removably closing the opening of said reservoir.

Conventionally, the opening is located at one end of a neck of the reservoir, said neck having an external thread capable of cooperating with a corresponding internal thread of the closure member, typically a screw cap.

According to a usual packaging method, the closing member also constitutes the gripping member of the applicator, the applicator member thus being disposed inside the reservoir when it is not in use.

The packaging and distribution device then forms a packaging and application device.

In order to eliminate excess cosmetic product and adjust the load on the applicator member, the opening of the reservoir is generally equipped with a wiper member called a wringer.

A wringer has a generally tubular hollow structure capable of being traversed by the applicator member at least when the latter is extracted from the reservoir.

The wiper comprises at least one wringing portion configured to come into contact with at least the applicator member during its extraction. Advantageously, the wringing portion is configured to also be able to come into contact with the rod on which the applicator member is mounted.

The wiping portion is elastically deformable so as to allow adaptation of the wiper to variations in section between the rod and the applicator member as well as within the applicator member itself.

Thus, the wiping portion is generally made from an elastomeric thermoplastic material (a nitrile rubber for example).

Typically the wiping portion having a free inner edge defining a wiping or scraping orifice of the application member and optionally of the rod.

The wiping lip is generally configured so that the section of the wiping orifice at rest, that is to say in the absence of deformation caused by the passage of the applicator member and / or the applicator rod, which is less than the maximum section of the applicator member.

Preferably, the section of the wiping orifice is substantially equal, or even slightly less, than the section of the applicator rod.

In addition to the wringing portion, intended to come directly into contact with the application member, a wringer may include a mounting portion intended for its assembly on the tank.

Examples of wipers are described in particular in documents US4390298, FR2504788, EP1561394, EP0829211, EP701522.

A most common type of wiper includes a wiping portion defined by an elastically deformable lip, essentially by bending, extending projecting from the tubular mounting portion. Such a type of wringer is commonly called "lip wringer".

The wiping lip has a free inner edge defining the wiping or scraping orifice of the applicator member and of the rod.

In order to be able to deform easily, the lip has a relatively reduced thickness and very small compared to the diameter of the wiping orifice, for example between 0.4 mm and 1 mm inclusive.

As described in document EP701522, included by reference, in particular in its paragraph [0003], such a wringer is generally mounted by force inside the neck. To do this, its attachment portion has an external diameter greater than an internal diameter of the neck so as to come into interference with a wall of the latter.

As it is used, the wringer gets dirty with cosmetic product which tends to dry and stick. When this accumulation occurs at an interface between the wiper and the screw cap, the rotational movement of the cap can cause deformation of the wiper until it tears away from the neck.

In order to solve this problem, document EP701522 proposes the production of longitudinal ribs on an inner surface of the neck, these ribs allowing the wiper to be blocked in rotation. Advantageously, as proposed in paragraph [0020] of this document, the ribs extend over a distance substantially equal to that of the attachment portion of the wiper.

Although the solution proposed by document EP701522 improves the retention of the wiper in the neck, it has become apparent that the longitudinal ribs tend to reduce the seal between the wiper and the neck, all the more so as the ribs are prominent. Paradoxically, there is therefore an increased risk of product leaking outside the cervix, a product which when drying risks increasing the adhesion between the cap and the wiper.

The present invention aims to solve this problem and proposes for this purpose a device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product to be applied and of which a free edge delimits an opening. able to allow at least the extraction of an applicator member from the interior of the reservoir, the opening being located at one end of a neck having an interior surface configured to come into interfering contact with a corresponding surface of a hooking portion of a wiper, said inner surface having at least one rotation blocking zone having a plurality of ribs extending in a longitudinal direction of the neck, characterized in that said blocking zone is located at a distance from the opening and is separated from the latter by at least one sealing zone having a surface this substantially devoid of reliefs extending over a longitudinal distance of at least 1mm, the cumulative distance of the sealing zones being greater than or equal to 2 mm.

Thus, by providing a smooth zone, that is to say devoid of reliefs, above the rotation blocking zone, it is possible to guarantee optimum sealing of this zone with the corresponding attachment surface of the 'wringer, even during deformations due to the withdrawal of the applicator.

Preferably, the internal surface has a sealing zone extending over a longitudinal distance of at least 2 mm.

Preferably, the cumulative longitudinal distance of the sealing zones is greater than or equal to 3mm, preferably greater than or equal to 4mm.

According to a first embodiment, the internal surface of the neck has a single sealing zone.

According to a second embodiment, the internal surface of the neck has at least two sealing zones, preferably exactly two.

Advantageously, the two sealing zones are separated by a peripheral groove, which is substantially annular, capable of cooperating with a corresponding peripheral flange of the attachment surface of the wiper. Such a gadroon improves the tensile strength and the anchoring of the wiper inside the neck.

The present invention also relates to a packaging and distribution device according to the invention, characterized in that the neck is equipped with a wringer, the inside surface of the neck having an internal diameter less than an external diameter of the corresponding surface of the attachment portion of the wiper, the difference in diameter preferably being at least 0.5 mm.

Preferably, the wiper has at least one upper peripheral shoulder which comes into contact with a peripheral rim of the opening when said wiper is placed inside the neck. As explained in document EP 0 701 522, this rim of the wiper acts as a seal during the mounting of the cap on the neck of the tank.

According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a removable cap, reversibly movable between a closed position in which it is secured to the reservoir body and closes the opening, and a dispensing position in which it is separated from the body forming a reservoir and releases the opening, the movement of the cap between its closed position and its dispensing position being at least partially rotatable. Preferably, the movement of the cap comprises both a rotational movement and a translational movement.

In particular, the movement is a screwing / unscrewing movement. To do this, the neck has in particular an external thread capable of cooperating with a corresponding, in particular internal, thread of the cap or vice versa.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the cap carries at least one application member, said application member being in particular situated at one end of a rod opposite the cap, the application member being preferably configured to be located at least partially inside the tank when the cap is in the closed position.

The present invention will be better understood in the light of the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawing in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a packaging and application device according to the invention.

- Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the packaging device of Figure 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in longitudinal section of the neck of the packaging device of FIG. 2.

- Figure 4 is a schematic representation seen from above of the packaging device of Figure 2.

- Figure 5 is a schematic representation in longitudinal section of a wiper fitted to the device of Figure 1.

FIG. 1 shows a device for packaging and applying 1 of a product according to the invention, comprising a body forming a reservoir 2 intended to contain the cosmetic product P to be applied and of which a free edge 3 delimits an opening 16. More precisely , the opening 16 is located at one end of a neck 4 of the reservoir 2. The reservoir 2 is shown alone in FIG. 2.

The reservoir 2 is equipped with a detachable closure member 5 designed to removably close the opening 16 of said reservoir 2.

In this case, the closure member 5 is in the form of a cap capable of coming into engagement with the neck 4, in particular by screwing.

The cap 5 is reversibly movable between a closed position in which it is secured to the reservoir body 3 and closes the opening 16, and a dispensing position in which it is separated from the reservoir body 2 and releases the opening 16, the movement of the cap 5 between its closed position and its dispensing position being at least partially rotatable.

Preferably, the movement of the cap 5 comprises both a rotational movement and a translational movement.

According to the embodiment shown, the cap 5 is screwable and for this purpose has an internal thread capable of cooperating with an external thread 11 of the neck 4. Obviously, other closing methods can be envisaged. The neck 4 also has end stops configured to stop the screwing of the closure member in the closed position.

The packaging and application device 1 comprises an applicator 8 comprising a rod 7 having a first end linked to the closure member 5 and a second end linked to an application member 10.

The closing member 5 constitutes a gripping member of the applicator 8.

The rod 7 is generally relatively rigid and can in particular be made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

The applicator member 10 comprises an elongated main body projecting from a set of applicator elements. The application elements define between them a plurality of spaces for loading and applying the cosmetic product P.

In this case, the applicator member 10 is a mascara applicator.

Although illustrated by an applicator member 10 known as “fibers” or “with twisted core” formed by the helical winding, or twisting, of two branches of a metallic wire forming a core around tufts of bristles extending Radially from the metal wire, the present application is obviously not limited thereto and the application member 10 can be made of a molded elastomeric thermoplastic material, or even be a hybrid or mixed application member.

In addition, the applicator member 10 is not limited to a mascara applicator and can be any applicator adapted to the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

Thus, the application member 10 may for example be a brush comprising at least one tuft of bristles attached to one end of the rod 7 and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction of said rod 7. Such an application member is particularly used for the application of nail polish for example.

During application, the applicator member 8 is introduced through the opening 16 inside the reservoir 3 where it is loaded with cosmetic product P before being extracted from said reservoir to proceed with the application.

More specifically, the applicator 8, by means of the closure member 5, is movable between a first position, called the sampling position, in which the application member 10 is located inside the reservoir 3 and is able to be at least partially brought into contact with the cosmetic product P, and a second position, called the application position, in which the application member 10 can be brought into contact with a part of the human body to be made up.

In accordance with the present application and as explained in document EP701522, the reservoir 2 is equipped with a wiper member, or wiper 6, intended to adjust the amount of cosmetic product P present on the applicator member 10 after extraction. . Such a wringer 6 is shown alone in FIG. 5.

The wiper is mounted inside the neck 4 by means of a tubular attachment portion.

The wiper is configured to come into interfering contact with the neck 4 so as to ensure a certain tightening and its maintenance in the neck 4.

Thus, the inner surface of the neck 4 has an internal diameter slightly less than an external diameter of the corresponding surface of the attachment portion of the wiper 6.

Preferably, the difference in diameter is preferably at least 0.5 mm.

As explained in document EP701522, the inner surface of the neck 4 able to cooperate with the attachment portion of the wiper has a rotation blocking zone.

This blocking zone has a plurality of longitudinal ribs 12 which extend in a longitudinal direction of the neck. The ribs 12 increase the interference with the attachment portion of the wiper and thus greatly limit any rotational movement of said wiper 6.

In particular, during the withdrawal of the closure member 5 from the device to allow its opening, these ribs 12 will oppose the rotation, and therefore the potential withdrawal of the wiper 6 from the body forming reservoir 3.

According to the invention, the blocking zone is separated from the opening 16 of the reservoir 3 by at least one sealing zone 13 devoid of relief.

Thus, by providing a sealing zone 13 devoid of relief, or smooth, between the opening 16 and the rotation blocking zone, it is possible to obtain optimum sealing of this zone with the corresponding attachment surface of the wringer, even during deformations due to the withdrawal of the applicator.

According to the embodiment shown, the internal surface has two sealing zones. Each sealing zone extends over at least 1mm, preferably at least 2mm.

The cumulative longitudinal distance of the sealing zones is greater than or equal to 3mm, preferably greater than or equal to 4mm.

The two sealing zones are separated by a peripheral groove 14, which is substantially annular, capable of cooperating with a corresponding peripheral flange of the attachment surface of the wiper 6. Such a flange makes it possible to improve the tensile strength and anchoring the wringer inside the neck.

More specifically, the upper sealing zone, that is to say located between the peripheral gadroon and the opening 16, extends over a distance of between 1 and 1.5 mm, for example 1.25 mm, while that the lower sealing zone, that is to say located between the peripheral godron and the rotation blocking zone extends over a distance greater than or equal to 2mm.

It is indeed advantageous to provide a shorter sealing zone near the opening, the sealing zone closer to the blocking zone being able to be longer and already ensure good sealing.

Preferably, the wiper has a peripheral shoulder 19 configured to come into contact with the corresponding free edge 3 of the opening 16 of the neck 4. This rim of the wiper acts as a seal during the mounting of the cap on the neck of the reservoir. .

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the neck 4 to see the arrangement of the 5 different locking and sealing zones.

Claims (11)

1. Device for packaging and dispensing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a body forming a reservoir (2) intended to contain the cosmetic product (P) to be applied and of which a free edge (3) delimits an opening (16) able to allow at least the extraction of an applicator member (10) from the interior of the reservoir, the opening being situated at one end of a neck (4) having an interior surface configured to come into interfering contact with a corresponding surface of a hooking portion of a wiper (6), said interior surface having at least one rotation blocking zone having a plurality of ribs (12) extending in a longitudinal direction of the neck, characterized in that said blocking zone is located at a distance from the opening and is separated from the latter by at least one sealing zone (13) having a surface substantially free of reliefs extending over a longitudinal distance of at least 1mm, the cumulative distance of the sealing zones being greater than or equal to 2mm. 2. Packaging and dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal surface has a sealing zone (13) extending over a longitudinal distance of at least 2 mm. 3. Packaging and distribution device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cumulative distance of the sealing zones (13) is greater than or equal to 3mm, preferably greater than or equal to 4mm. 4. Packaging and dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal surface of the neck (4) has a single sealing zone (13). 5. Packaging and distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the internal surface of the neck has at least two sealing zones (13), preferably exactly two. 6. Packaging device according to claim 5, characterized in that the two sealing zones (13) are separated by a peripheral groove, substantially annular, capable of cooperating with a corresponding peripheral flange of the attachment surface of the wringer (6). 7. Packaging and dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the neck (4) is equipped with a wringer (6), the inside surface of the neck having an internal diameter less than a diameter external of the corresponding surface of the attachment portion of the wiper, the difference in diameter preferably being at least 0.5 mm. 8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the wiper (6) has at least one peripheral shoulder (19) coming into contact with the free edge (3) of the opening when said wiper is disposed at the inside of the neck (4). 9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a removable cap (5), reversibly movable between a closed position in which it is integral with the body forming the reservoir (2) and closes the opening (16), and a dispensing position in which it is separated from the reservoir body and releases the opening, the movement of the cap between its closed position and its dispensing position being at least partially rotatable. 10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the neck (4) has an external thread (11) able to cooperate with a corresponding internal thread, in particular, of the cap (5). 11. Device according to any one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the cap (5) carries at least one application member (10), said application member being in particular located at one end of a rod (7) opposite the cap, the applicator member being preferably configured to be located at least partially inside the reservoir when the cap is in the closed position.