EP1175845A1 - Device for storing and applying cosmetic or care products - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator consists of a head with a surface that has through channels for the product and is mounted on a support with a fastening designed to co-operate with a matching fastening attached to a container. An applicator (1) consists of a head (2) with a surface (3) that has through channels (13, 14, 15) for the product and is mounted on a support (6) with a fastening (7) designed to co-operate with a matching fastening (33, 34) attached to a container (40). When the two fastening surfaces are joined together a seal (42) on the container is pierced by pointed projections (19, 20, 21) on the inner surface of the support, allowing the product to pass through the channels to the head surface.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for applying a product, especially cosmetic or skincare. Such a product can be applied in particular in massage on the skin or on the hair.

The invention particularly relates to the application of slimming products and / or tensors, such as being able to be used in massage on the belly, on the bust, or on the thighs. Such products are widely marketed through different distribution channels. These products can for example be based on ivy, ruscus, arnica, silicon, caffeine or algae extracts.

In recent years, slimming creams have multiplied. Their action focuses in particular on improving the quality of the skin (skin orange, cellulite, firmness ...). The mode of application, which consists of massaging with hands the parts of the body to be treated, plays a very important role in the process.

Slimming cures have also developed. The doses required for a slimming treatments are packaged in boxes of 10 to 20 single-body pods, polyethylene, with a self-breaking tip. Such pods are made according to the principle of FFS (form fill seal). To use morning and evening, the lotion applies by hand, massaging the area to be treated. However, these lotions are very liquid. he it is therefore preferable to have an applicator so as not to lose a part of the product during application. In addition, if the content of a dose is poured in several times, the pod containing the rest of the product is not very stable, the risk of product wastage is high.

FR-A-1 477 781 describes an application system comprising a container with flexible walls, a rim defining an opening. The rim surrounding said opening supports an application pad, in particular in thermoplastic resin cellular or spongy. The tampon is separated from the container by a diaphragm pierced with one or more holes limiting the flow or can be pierced or broken before use. When using the applicator, the user presses a button pin or other sharp instrument in the cell buffer and diaphragm, so as to pierce the diaphragm with a hole ensuring communication between the container and tampon.

The disadvantages of such a structure are manifold. The process of establishing the communication between the container and the applicator pad is tedious, a good distribution of the product over the entire application surface requiring presence of several holes, the risk is not zero for the needle to cross accidentally the container and also pierces an outer wall of the latter. In addition, each dose is associated inseparably, a buffer applicator, which generates costs, particularly in manufacturing, relatively important.

US-A-3,466,131 describes an applicator comprising a porous pad welded under a thermoplastic housing. The housing contains a capsule, under shape of a ball, in which the product to be applied is located. By compressing the housing, the capsule bursts and the product spreads over the applicator. Housing serves as a handle. Star-shaped channels allow uniform distribution of product on the tampon.

In the same way as for the device of the previous document, the The disadvantages of this device are numerous. With an applicator, is associated with inseparably, a dose of product. The product is encapsulated in a ball whose volume is necessarily very limited. The encapsulation process and more generally, manufacturing such a device is expensive. The effort necessary for the capsule to burst can be relatively large.

Patent FR-A-2,595,587 describes a device comprising a reservoir containing a product to be applied, the contents of which are isolated from the atmosphere before first use, using a film capable of being perforated. The reservoir, made of flexible material, constitutes a handle for gripping the device. The film sealing the tank before first use is punctured by a mobile trocar whose movement towards the membrane to be perforated is caused by pressure on the application surface overcoming the tank. The mechanism is relatively complex, and not very economical to produce.

User may contaminate their fingers by pressing on the surface application, in order to perforate the membrane. In addition, it is not intended that a such a device is rechargeable.

Other devices with similar or different disadvantages are described in particular in documents FR-A-2 506 579 and US-A2 448 846.

US-A-5,042,690 describes a structure comprising an applicator mounted on a support comprising fixing means able to cooperate with additional fixing means provided on a container, especially under shaped like a tube. The presence of the fixing means on the container increases the cost of it and complicates its manufacture in an undue way, especially when the device forms a refillable structure, and the container is only "consumable", which is replaced after using the content. In addition, the mounting the tube on the support is not reversible, which requires discarding the whole after using its content.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a device allowing to remedy, in whole or in part, the drawbacks mentioned above by reference to the documents discussed above.

It is in particular an object of the invention to produce an application device a liquid product, in particular on the skin or the hair, and which is both economical to make, and simple and comfortable to use.

It is also an object of the invention to produce such an applicator device which either rechargeable.

It is another object of the invention to produce an applicator device for the skin, which allows both soft contact with the skin, and firmness of the contact, so as to favor the penetration of the product, and / or to favor the circulation under the skin, and / or to tone the skin.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a rechargeable device, suitable for receiving the product to be applied in the form of removable doses, equipped a sealing element isolating the product from the outside, before the first use, which closure element can be released in a simple, reliable manner, clean, and fast.

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

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for the application to a surface, in particular to the skin or the hair, of a product, especially cosmetic or skincare, comprising an organ defining a surface application supplied by at least one passage, said application member being mounted on a support comprising a first fixing means intended for cooperate with a second fixing means, complementary to the first, of so as to allow the mounting of a container containing said product, the second fixing means being formed by a mounting member separate from the container, the cooperation of said first and second means causing the implementation engagement of an element closing an opening delimited by said container, with at least one opening member formed by said support, so as to cause at least partial disengagement of said opening, and to allow the product to feed the application surface via said passage (s).

Preferably, the mounting of the container on the support is reversible, so as to allow replacement after use of its contents.

The passage (s) can be made up of created passages "artificially" in the application structure, in particular by drilling, or, as the case may be if necessary, during the molding of the applicator member. Such passages may cross axially the entire thickness of the applicator member, in particular straight line. Alternatively, in the case of a porous material, in particular a felt, sintered, or open cell or semi open cell foam, passages may consist of natural passages that cross the application structure, and which define its porosity or permeability. Alternatively again, the two types of passages are used in combination.

Preferably, the container is configured as a dose. In the sense of present invention, the term "dose" is used to denote a container containing a relatively small volume of product. Usually a dose contains the amount of product required for an application, especially on part of the body, or on several. Typically, such a volume can be of the order of a few ml.

Thus, the same applicator device can be used for the application of the doses. corresponding to a whole course, or even several courses. The release of the dose is opened automatically, without manipulation special, other than that required for mounting the container. Number of parts is reduced. Therefore, the device is economical to produce, reliable, and simple to use.

Preferably, the closure element of the container consists of a suitable film to be perforated by said opening member. Such film can be pasted or heat sealed on the edges of the container opening.

According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the device comprises a rigid or substantially rigid gripping element. "Significantly rigid" means sufficient rigidity so as not to deform in response to pressure to be exerted by the applicator member on the surface to be treated, and necessary to the correct application of the product. This characteristic constitutes one of the important differences between the device according to this embodiment preferential, and the device described in particular in documents FR-A-1 477 781, or US-A- 3,466,131. Thanks to this characteristic, it is possible to confer on the application, the firmness necessary for the application of products such as slimming.

According to the invention, because the attachment of the container is done via a mounting, separate from the container, there is no need to compromise between the rigidity necessary both for gripping the device and for the solidity of the attachment of the dose on the device, and the flexibility of the container such that which may result from the implementation of certain industrial processes such as thermoforming, and / or as required in order to be able to compress the walls of the container to promote product release.

Advantageously, the opening member (s) is (are) made up of at least minus a trocar formed by the support, and capable of coming into engagement with a lid closing the container, to tear it. Preferably, such means of perforation, are arranged as close as possible to the attachment zone of the cover on the container, so as to promote the perforation of the cover. Typically, for an opening of circular section, the trocars are arranged regularly on the support so as to come into engagement with the cover, at different points located near its peripheral edge.

According to an advantageous characteristic, at least one opening element ensures further the communication between the container and the applicator member. To this end, at least one element forming a trocar consists of the free end, in particular bevel-shaped, a tubular conduit, communicating on the one hand with the container, and secondly with said (or said) passage (s).

According to one embodiment, such conduits project with respect to a support surface. Preferably, the duct (s) are crossed by at least an orifice or slot extending over all or part of their height so as to optimize the emptying rate of the container. For example, the wall of the conduits has a slot which can extend axially from the surface of the support, with respect to which they project, up to the free edge forming a bevel and in which the slot opens. Alternatively, the slot extends only over one part of the height of the ducts so as not to affect too much sensitive their rigidity.

According to a specific configuration, there is a plurality of conduits / trocars in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the support. In addition, at its center, the support can be crossed by a hole opening on the side of the container, in the plane of the support, i.e. without being associated with a conduit / trocar.

The applicator member is preferably crossed by a plurality of passages supply arranged so as to allow the supply of product to the almost the entire application surface. The feed passages can be arranged opposite each of the perforating tips, or offset. Other means of distributing the product over the entire application surface may be provided, in particular in the form of star channels fed from a central point.

The applicator member may consist of a frit, in particular a thermoplastic, of a felt, or of an elastically compressible material, in particular of a open or closed cell foam. According to a preferred embodiment, thermocompressed foam is used. An example of such foam thermocompressed, as well as its production process, are described in the patent application FR-A-2 674 183.

The surface of the applicator member can be covered with a permeable sheet to the product, in particular a woven or nonwoven, such as lycra®, polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, loop or velvet, or perforated film. In the case of a foam applicator compressible covered with a textile complex, the foam provides flexibility and compressibility. As for the fabric, it allows a more pleasant contact between the applicator and the skin. In the case of a very liquid product, in particular based alcohol, the product spreads by capillarity over the entire surface of the fabric. The textile covering can be the subject of a decoration the design of which can be chosen will. This advantageous design results in an applicator free of scratches, unbreakable and very light.

The application surface can form bosses capable of massaging the surface to to treat, and / or to favor the penetration of the product into the surface to be treated. The profile of the application surface is chosen according to the part of the body to be treated. In particular in the case of an application member formed of a foam such as described in the patent application FR-A-2 674 183 mentioned above, the bosses are an integral part of the foam block with which they are one. This characteristic constitutes another difference from the present invention according to this embodiment with respect to the device described in the patent application FR-A-2 595 587.

According to a particular embodiment, the container is made at least in part in a flexible material so as to be able to favor the exit of the product in response to a pressure exerted on the walls of said container. Such a mode of realization is particularly suitable for the application of more liquid products viscous.

Preferably, the container consists of a thermoformed container, in particular translucent, an opening of which is closed by a membrane in the form of a sheet, in particular of aluminum or of a complex comprising at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. As examples, the thermoformed container can be made of polypropylene, chloride polyvinyl or acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX®).

According to a preferred embodiment, said first and second means of fixing cooperate by screwing or snap-fastening. Screwing, in addition to sealing it provides, limits the effort required to clear the opening of the dose.

The second fixing means can be formed by a mounting member, rigid or substantially rigid, capable of forming said gripping element for the device. Preferably, the mounting member consists of an annular element capable of receiving said container. Thus, part of the container can emerge through the annular mounting member, thus allowing, when the container is made of a flexible material, able to compress the bottom of the container to promote product release.

The device according to the invention is particularly suitable for the application of a slimming product or a tightening product.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective éclatée d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif d'application selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 illustre une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation du dispositif d'application de la figure 1, en position montée ; et
• les figures 3 et 4 sont des vues en coupe relatives au mode de réalisation des figures 1 et 2.

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 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of the application device according to the invention;
• FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of the application device of FIG. 1, in the mounted position; and
• FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views relating to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the device 1 comprises a applicator member 2 in the form of a block of thermocompressed foam, of which a face 3, is intended to form an application face of the device, and comprises bosses 4 arranged regularly over all of said application face 3. Such an enforcement body is obtained in accordance with the teaching of the Patent application FR-A-2 674 183 mentioned above. On the application side, the applicator member is covered with a layer of textile material 50, elastic, made of lycra®, fixed to the foam by flame or by means of an adhesive melt. A face 5 of the applicator member, opposite to the face 3, is welded or glued to a polypropylene support 6. The support 6 includes a skirt 7, the inner surface of which has a thread 8. One end of the skirt 7 is closed by a transverse wall 9 on which bears the face 5 of the application body 2.

The transverse wall 9 is crossed by a plurality of passages 10, 11, 12 of which one end opens opposite passages 13, 14, 15 passing through all the thickness of the applicator member 2, and extending to the textile layer 50. The other end of the passages 10, 12 opens into the interior of the skirt 7 in tubular conduits 16, 17, 18 including a free end 19, 20, 21, located at a distance of the transverse wall 9, forms a bevel. The conduits 16, 17, 18 are provided a slot 22, 23, 24 extending axially from the inside of the wall transverse 9 to the free edge 19, 20, 21 of said conduits.

In the illustrated embodiment, a passage 11 is located in the center of the wall transverse 9. One end of the central passage 11, located inside the skirt 7, opens substantially in the plane of the inner face of the wall transverse 9, so as to promote complete emptying of the dose 40, in returned position of the latter. The other end of passage 11 opens opposite the central passage 14 of the applicator member 2. The conduits / trocars 16, 17, 18, as well as their associated passages 10, 12, are arranged at 90 ° one compared to the others all around the central passage 11.

The device according to this embodiment also comprises a member for rigid mounting 30, in the form of a polypropylene ring. The ring 30 includes an outer skirt 31 of which a free end is turned in the direction of the support 6, and connecting via a flange 32 to a skirt 33 whose surface exterior has a thread 34 capable of cooperating with the thread 8 of the support 6. The end of the skirt 33 opposite the flange 32 is connected via a flange 35 to a skirt 36 extending over approximately 1/3 of the height of the skirt 33, and of which a free end is turned in the direction opposite to the applicator member 2. Inside the mounting ring 30 is removably arranged a thermoformed cup 40 containing the product to be applied. The cup 40 is frustoconical longitudinal section and has a flange 41 intended to come in support on the flange 35 of the mounting ring 30. The rim 41 delimits a opening 44, closed by a seal 42 heat-sealed on the rim 41.

The assembly of the device according to this embodiment is done in the manner next. The user takes a cup of product, equipped with its lid 42, and arranges it inside the mounting ring 30 (FIG. 3). She screws this last on the support 6. In doing so, the cover 42 is brought into engagement with the beveled end 19, 20, 21 of the conduits 16, 17, 18, which engagement causes the tear-off of said cover 42, and the setting in communication of the conduits 16, 17, 18 with the interior of the cup 40. The screwing movement continues until the rim 41 of the cup 40 comes into leaktight support against the internal surface of the transverse wall 9 (figure 4), means in the form of one or more annular beads (not shown) may be provided on the flange 35 and / or on the inner face of the transverse wall 9 so as to ensure a better seal.

It only remains to return the device 1 so as to supply the surface of application in product, the latter being sufficiently liquid to flow in direction of the application surface, under the sole effect of its weight, via the conduits 16, 17, 18 and the passages 13, 14, 15 passing through the applicator member 2. The product spreads by capillarity over the entire surface of the textile complex 50 constituting the application surface 3. Next, the application surface 3 is brought into engagement with the surface to be treated, firmly holding the device by means of the skirt 31 of the mounting ring 30. The penetration of the produced in the skin is favored by energetically massaging the surfaces to treat with the device, the latter always being held firmly via the skirt 31 of the mounting ring 30. Due to the flexibility of the material forming the dose 40, the bottom of the latter can be pressurized with the index finger while the ring 30 is held between the thumb and middle finger, so that favor the exit of the product towards the application face 3.

After complete emptying of the dose 40, the ring 30 is unscrewed until it disengages from the support 6. At this time, the dose 40 is withdrawn from the ring 30. The device can then be passed under the tap to be cleaned. He is then at new ready to receive a new dose of product for a new application.

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 (18)

Device (1) for application to a surface, in particular to the skin or hair, of a product, in particular cosmetic or care product, comprising an organ (2) defining an application surface (3) supplied by at least one passage (13, 14, 15), said applicator member (2) being mounted on a support (6) comprising a first fixing means (7, 8) intended to cooperate with a second fixing means (33, 34), complementary to the first, so as to allow the mounting of a container (40) containing said product, the second means fixing being carried by a mounting member (30) separate from the container (40), the cooperation of said first and second fixing means causing the setting in engagement of an element (42) closing an opening (44) delimited by said container, with at least one opening member (19, 20, 21) formed by said support (6), so as to cause at least partial disengagement of said opening (44), and allowing the product to feed the application surface (3) via said (or said) passage (s). Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said first (7, 8) and second (33, 34) fixing means ensure a reversible mounting of the container (40). Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the container (40) is configured in the form of a dose containing the volume of said product necessary for an application. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the said closure element (42) of the container (40) consists of a film, in particular heat-sealed, capable of being perforated by the said member. opening (19, 20, 21). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a rigid or substantially rigid gripping element (31). Device (1) according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the opening member (s) (19, 20, 21) is (are) made up of at least one trocar made up of the free edge (19, 20, 21), cut in particular at a bevel, of at least one tubular conduit (16, 17, 18) formed by the support (6), and communicating on the one hand with said (or said) passage (s) (13, 14, 15), and secondly with the container (40). Device (1) according to claim 6 characterized in that a wall of said tubular duct (s) (16, 17, 18) is crossed by an axial slot (22, 23, 24) extending over all or part of the height of the duct (16, 17, 18) and opening onto said free edge forming a trocar (19, 20, 21). Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the application member (2) is traversed by a plurality of supply passages (13, 14, 15) arranged so as to allow the supply of product to almost the entire application surface (3). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said applicator member (2) consists of a sintered, in particular thermoplastic, a felt or an elastically compressible material, in particular of thermocompressed foam. Device (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that said applicator member (2) is covered with a sheet permeable to the product (50), in particular a woven or a nonwoven, such as lycra® , polyamide, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, loop or velvet, or a perforated film. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the application surface (3) forms bosses (4) capable of massaging the surface to be treated, and / or of promoting the penetration of the product into the surface to be treated. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the container (40) is made at least in part from a flexible material so as to be able to favor the exit of the product, in response to a pressure exerted on the walls of said dose. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (40) consists of a thermoformed container, in particular translucent, of which an opening is closed by a membrane (42) in the form of a sheet, especially aluminum or a complex comprising at least one metallic layer and at least one thermoplastic layer. Device (1) according to claim 13 characterized in that the thermoformed container is produced in particular from polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX®). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first (8) and second (34) fixing means cooperate by screwing or snap-fastening. Device (1) according to claim 5 and all those which depend on it, characterized in that the mounting member (30) is formed from a rigid or substantially rigid element, capable of forming said gripping element for the device. Device (1) according to claim 16 characterized in that said mounting member (30) consists of an annular element (30) capable of receiving said container (40). Use of a device (1) according to any one of the claims which above for the application of a slimming product or a tensing product.

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