EP1125517B1 - Device for storing and applying comprising an intermediate storage element - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic or care product, comprising a container to contain the product, this container being provided at the top with an applicator permeable to the product, comprising an internal face supplied with the product from of the container.

We know many devices of this type.

During use, the product contained in the container gains the face inside of the applicator and flows towards its outside face through the material constituting the applicator, to come into contact with the skin of the user.

When the container has a flexible wall, the user can feed the applicator by pressing it.

On the other hand, when the container has a rigid wall, the user is faced with an autonomy problem if he uses the device head up or when he does not only a small amount of product remains in the container and the device is used horizontally.

In addition, the product may have difficulty diffusing through the applicator due to of its consistency.

There is thus a need to have a device having autonomy and increased user comfort.

The preamble of claim 1 is known from EP-A-0 678 458 and US-A-5 454 658.

The new packaging and application device according to the invention includes the features of claim 1.

Thanks to the invention, the autonomy of the device is increased since the latter can be used longer in the head-up position without recharging the applicator by inverting the container.

In addition, the intermediate reservoir element makes it possible to supply the applicator when the device is used horizontally or substantially horizontally and that the quantity of product in the container is insufficient to directly gain the applicator.

Advantageously, the element forming the intermediate reservoir and the applicator are arranged in such a way that the latter comes into contact with the product retained by the intermediate reservoir element when sufficient pressure is exerted on the applicator during use.

We can also encourage the passage of the product through the applicator by giving the element forming the intermediate reservoir a shape chosen so that the product contained in the intermediate tank element is compressed by the applicator when the latter is pressed against the reservoir element intermediate and therefore forced to pass through the applicator.

Advantageously, the applicator is made of a cellular material elastically deformable, with open cells, for example a foam or a sponge.

In a particular embodiment, the element forming an intermediate reservoir has a concave cup towards the applicator, in order to retain a certain amount of product when the device is turned over and then brought upside down.

Still in a particular embodiment, the reservoir element intermediate has partitions tending to oppose the return of the product retained by the intermediate reservoir element towards the bottom of the container when the device is tilted relative to the vertical from an initial head-up position.

These partitions are advantageously cylindrical, with the same axis as the container.

Alternatively, the partitions are provided with passages allowing the product to flow between them.

The distribution of the product in the intermediate reservoir element can thus be more homogeneous.

In a particular embodiment, the applicator has an outer face having a dome shape and an inner face defining a recess in which the intermediate reservoir element is at least partially engaged.

Thus, a slight deformation of the applicator at the time of use is sufficient so that the product retained in the intermediate reservoir element comes to the contact of the applicator.

In a particular embodiment, the applicator is subjected at its periphery to a support piece made of a non-cellular material, for example a material semi-rigid plastic.

This support piece helps to facilitate the mounting of the applicator and its replacement, if applicable.

In a particular embodiment, the container has a lower body and an upper part used for mounting a closure cover, constituted by a patch on this body.

The lower body is preferably made of a rigid plastic material, for aesthetic reasons.

In a particular embodiment, the upper part of the container has a neck on which the closing cover is screwed.

Still in a particular embodiment, the upper part of the container comprises fixing means capable of cooperating by snap-fastening with the piece of applicator support.

Advantageously, the latter comprises two fixing lugs diametrically opposite and arranged to allow, by being pressed inwards, to separate the applicator from the container, in order to clean it or replacement for example.

The intermediate reservoir element and the rest of the upper part of the container are advantageously made in one piece by molding of material plastic.

In a particular embodiment, the element forming an intermediate reservoir is supported by an openwork wall having lateral passages allowing the product contained in the container to gain the space between the tank member intermediate and the inner face of the applicator when the container is inverted.

Advantageously, the aforementioned perforated wall is connected to the element forming intermediate tank without forming a projecting edge.

This reduces the risk of damage to the applicator during use, when the latter is pressed against the intermediate reservoir element.

The region of the inner face of the applicator directly opposite the element forming the intermediate reservoir can be planar or convex towards the latter, so as to facilitate the contact of the applicator with the product retained in the element forming an intermediate reservoir.

In an alternative embodiment, the applicator occupies substantially all of the interior volume of the intermediate reservoir element, said interior volume being that in which the product retained by the reservoir element can accumulate intermediate.

In a particular embodiment, the reservoir element comprises a rigid wall.

Another subject of the invention is the use of a packaging device and application as defined above, to apply a product to the body cosmetic or skincare.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente le dispositif de la figure 1 après enlèvement du capot de fermeture et retournement du récipient pour imbiber l'applicateur,
• la figure 3 illustre la rétention du produit par l'élément formant réservoir intermédiaire lorsque le récipient est basculé,
• les figures 4 et 5 représentent le dispositif dans certaines conditions d'utilisation,
• la figure 6 est une vue analogue à la figure 5 illustrant une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 7 est une vue de dessus d'une variante de réalisation de l'élément formant réservoir intermédiaire, et
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 5 d'une autre variante de réalisation.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, and on examining the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view in axial section of a packaging and application device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents the device of FIG. 1 after removing the closure cover and inverting the container to soak the applicator,
• FIG. 3 illustrates the retention of the product by the element forming an intermediate reservoir when the container is tilted,
• FIGS. 4 and 5 represent the device under certain conditions of use,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating an alternative embodiment,
• FIG. 7 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the element forming an intermediate reservoir, and
• Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 5 of another alternative embodiment.

The packaging and application device 1 shown in the figures comprises a container 2 formed by the assembly of a lower body 3 and a part upper 4, both made of rigid plastic.

The lower body 3 has a cylindrical lateral wall of axis revolution X, extended upwards by a collar 5 of axis X externally provided with a bead ring finger 6.

The upper part 4 has an externally threaded neck 7, intended for receive a closing cover 8.

The neck 7 is extended below by shaped fixing lugs 9 to snap onto the annular bead 6.

The upper part 4 also includes an outer skirt 10 surrounding the fixing lugs 9 and coming to be positioned in the extension of the side wall of the body 3 and an annular sealing lip 11 which is applied in a sealed manner on the radially inner surface 13 of the neck 5.

The upper part 4 of the container also has a stepped wall 14 which extends generally perpendicular to the X axis, radially inward, and which serves as a support for an element forming an intermediate reservoir 15 whose role will be specified further.

The stepped wall 14 has a first annular part 17 which is connected to the base of the threaded neck 7 and which serves to support a symmetrical mounting skirt 19 of revolution around the X axis and directed upwards, this mounting skirt 19 being provided on its radially inner surface with an annular groove 20 in the vicinity of its upper end.

The first annular part 17 is extended inward by a second annular part 21 extending parallel to the axis X at its connection to the first annular part 17 to form an annular groove 60 then perpendicular to the X axis.

The intermediate reservoir element 15 is connected to the second part annular 21 by a curved wall 23 provided with openings 24, four in number in the embodiment described, these openings 24 being equally distributed around the axis X.

The container 2 is filled with a product P, cosmetic or care.

The closure cover 8 has an annular sealing lip 26 which applies tightly to the radially inner surface of the neck 7, as can see it in figure 1.

The packaging and application device 1 comprises an applicator 30 made of an open cell plastic foam material such as by example a foam or a sponge.

The applicator 30 is fixed on its periphery to an annular support piece 31 made of a rigid or semi-rigid plastic material.

This support piece 31 has a base wall 32 which bears on the second annular part 21 of the stepped wall 14.

The base wall 32 is connected at its outer periphery on the one hand to a lip sealing ring 33 which extends downwards and is applied in a sealed manner to the radially inner surface of the mounting skirt 19 under the annular groove 20 and on the other hand with two diametrically opposite fixing lugs 34 extending upwards in the extension of the annular sealing lip 33.

The fixing lugs 34 are each provided with a boss 35 coming from snap into the annular groove 20 of the mounting skirt 19.

It will be noted that in the embodiment described, the applicator 30 does not rest not directly on the base wall 32 but is fixed by its end edge lower on ribs 37, annular, projecting upwards on the wall of base 32, being fixed on the ribs 37 by any known means, for example by welding or collage.

The applicator 30 has at rest an outer face 40 in the form of a dome and an inner face 41 comprising a central region 42 directly facing in the axis X to the intermediate reservoir element 15, planar and perpendicular to the axis X, and a rounded peripheral region 43, concave towards the container, of larger radius of curvature than the curved wall 23.

The intermediate reservoir element 15 comprises a cup 45 concave towards the applicator 30, this cup 45 connecting to the curved wall 23 by its peripheral edge 55 without forming a projecting edge and supporting, in the example of realization described, two partitions 47 and 48, cylindrical of revolution around the axis X.

The partitions 47 and 48 have a height chosen so that their upper end lies substantially in the same plane as the peripheral edge 55 of the cup 45, this plane being perpendicular to the axis X.

In the example of embodiment described, all the constituent elements of the part upper of the container 4 are made in one piece by plastic molding.

The device 1 is used in the following manner.

With the closure cover 6 removed, the user tilts the container 2 into a upside down position, as illustrated in Figure 2, to soak the applicator 30 with product P.

The product P gains by crossing the openings 24 the space 50 between the intermediate reservoir element 15 and the inner face 41 of the applicator and diffuses from the latter towards the external surface 40, by capillarity and / or gravity through the porous material constituting the applicator 30.

When container 2 is returned to a head-up position as shown in FIG. 3, the product P returns to the bottom of the body 3 of the container with the exception of the quantity which is retained by the intermediate reservoir element 15.

The partitions 47 and 48 participate in the retention of the product in the element forming an intermediate reservoir 15.

The volume of the quantity of product retained in the intermediate reservoir element is for example between 0.5 and 3 cm ³ .

The applicator 30 impregnated with product P can then be moved on the skin S as illustrated in FIG. 4, the X axis being able to take various orientations and in particular be horizontal or substantially horizontal.

The product P contained in the applicator 30 is deposited on the skin S during the moving the device 1.

The pressure exerted during use on the applicator 30 by the skin S has for effect of deforming the latter and bringing its inner surface 41 into contact with the element forming an intermediate reservoir 15, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

It follows that the product P retained by the reservoir element intermediate 15 can diffuse by capillarity and / or gravity in the applicator 30 and thus increase their autonomy.

It will also be noted that by the fact that the reservoir element intermediate 15 is practically fully engaged in the recess defined by the inner face 41 of the applicator 30, a slight pressure on the applicator 30 is sufficient to bring its inner face 41 into contact with the peripheral edge 55 of the cup 45, which prevents the product retained in the cup 45 from flowing through the openings 24 and return to the bottom of the container 2.

The product is thus forced to diffuse into the applicator 30.

The coming into abutment of the inner face 41 on the partitions 47 and 48 force of similarly the product P to flow into the applicator 30 rather than returning to the bottom of container.

It will be noted on examining FIG. 4 that the radius of curvature of the region peripheral 43 of the inner face 41 of the applicator 30 is chosen so that when the applicator 30 comes to bear on the partitions 47 and 48 and the peripheral edge 55 of the cup 45, the peripheral region 43 extends substantially parallel to the curved wall 23.

It will also be noted on examining FIG. 4 that the element forming intermediate reservoir 15 enables the applicator 30 to be supplied with the product retained at inside the cup 45 when the level N of the product is insufficient for this feeds the applicator 30 directly through the openings 24.

There is shown in Figure 5 the container 2 used head up, the element forming intermediate reservoir 15 being almost completely filled.

It will be understood on examining this figure that the invention makes it possible to increase the autonomy of the applicator 30, since under the pressure exerted on the latter at at the time of application to the skin S, the inner face 41 can come into contact with the product retained in the element forming the intermediate reservoir 15. The applicator 30 is then powered by capillary action.

In addition, when the amount of product in the reservoir member intermediate 15 is sufficient, the applicator 30 tends to penetrate between the partitions 47 and 48 to compress the product P contained in the intermediate reservoir element which is thus driven into the applicator 30.

The applicator can be easily separated from the upper part 4 of the container 2 by deforming the fixing lugs 34 inwards, which makes it possible to disengage the bosses 35 of the annular groove 20 of the mounting skirt 19.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment which comes to be written.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment which differs from the device previously described by the fact that the element forming an intermediate reservoir 15 is replaced by an intermediate reservoir element 15 'which no longer comprises partitions 47 and 48.

The device is identical for the rest.

The absence of partitions 47 and 48 allows the applicator to sink further in the intermediate reservoir element 15 'during use.

A variant has been illustrated in FIG. 7 in which the partitions 47 and 48 are replaced by partitions 47 'and 48' provided with passages 62 which allow the product to circulate between the rings formed by the partitions 47 'and 48'. The distribution of product is thus more homogeneous in the element forming the intermediate reservoir.

The partitions 47 'and 48' constitute staves against which the applicator comes to bear at the time of use.

The device shown in Figure 8 differs from that shown in Figure 6 by the fact that the applicator 30 is replaced by an applicator 30 'comprising a part central unit 64 which follows the shape of the concavity of the reservoir element intermediate 15 '.

In other words, the cellular material constituting the applicator 30 'occupies all of the internal volume of the intermediate reservoir element 15 '.

The product accumulates in the intermediate reservoir element 15 'at within the cellular material constituting the applicator 30 '.

It is also possible, in variants not illustrated, to apply the applicator with coating intended to increase the comfort of use, for example a flocking.

One can use, to constitute the applicator, any material arranged for allow the product to pass by capillarity and / or gravity.

The element forming the intermediate reservoir can be produced with a shape or a different structure.

Claims (22)

1. A device (1) for packaging and applying a substance (P), in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising a receptacle (2) for containing the substance, said receptacle being provided at the top with an applicator (30) that is permeable to the substance and that has an inside face (41) fed with the substance coming from the receptacle, the device comprising an element that forms an intermediate reservoir (15), in the vicinity of the bottom face (41) of the applicator (30), the device being characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir is in permanent communication with the receptacle and is suitable for retaining a certain quantity of the substance when the device is turned upside-down from a head-up position and is then returned to the head-up position, said intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) also being arranged to enable the substance retained in this way to feed the applicator, at least in certain conditions of use of the device.
2. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) and the applicator (30) are arranged in such a manner that, in use, the applicator comes into contact with the substance (P) retained by the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) when sufficient pressure is exerted on the applicator.
3. A device according to either preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator (30) is made of an open-celled, elastically deformable, cellular material.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element includes a cup (45) which is concave towards the applicator.
5. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) includes partitions (47, 48) tending to oppose return of the substance retained by the intermediate reservoir-forming element to the bottom of the receptacle when the device is tilted relative to the vertical from an initial head-up position.
6. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that said partitions (47, 48) are cylindrical, about the same axis (X) as the receptacle (2).
7. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element has partitions (47', 48') provided with gaps enabling the substance to flow between them.
8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator has an outside face (40) of dome shape, and by the fact that the inside face (41) defines a recess into which the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) is engaged, at least in part.
9. A device cording to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator (30) is secured at its periphery to a support piece (31) made of non-cellular material.
10. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the receptacle has a bottom body (3) and a top portion (4) for receiving a closure cap (8), said top portion (4) being constituted by a piece fitted on the body (3).
11. A device according to either one of the two preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the top portion (4) of the receptacle (2) includes fastening means (19, 20) suitable for co-operating with the support piece (31) of the applicator by snap-fastening.
12. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the support piece of the applicator (31) has two fastening tabs (34) that are diametrically opposite and arranged when pressed inwards to enable the applicator (30) to be separated from the receptacle (2).
13. A device according to any one of the three preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the bottom body (3) is made of a rigid plastics material.
14. A device according to any one of the four preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the top portion (4) of the receptacle has a neck (7) onto which the closure cap (8) is screwed.
15. A device according to any one of the five preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) and the remainder of the top portion of the receptacle (4) are made as a single piece.
16. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) is supported by a perforated wall (23) having lateral passages (24) allowing the substance (P) contained in the receptacle (2) to reach the space (50) lying between the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) and the bottom face (41) of the applicator (30) when the receptacle (2) is turned upside-down.
17. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the perforated wall (23) is connected to the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) without forming a projecting edge.
18. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the region (42) of the bottom face (41) of the applicator that is directly in register with the intermediate reservoir-forming element (15) is plane or convex towards said element.
19. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator (30') occupies substantially the entire inside volume of the intermediate reservoir-forming element, said inside volume being that in which the substance retained by the intermediate reservoir-forming element can accumulate.
20. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the receptacle (2) contains a liquid.
21. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the reservoir-forming element has a rigid wall (45).
22. The use of a device as defined in any preceding claim to apply a substance constituted by a cosmetic or a care product to the body.

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