EP0988812A1 - Applicator with single use cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The cosmetic applicator comprises an application comb part (12). A support (2) is connected to the comb which receives a dose (7) of a product (P) with a liquid to paste consistency. The dose feed comprises a first wall (9) which deforms in response to a pressure exerted on the wall through a window (16) in the support. The support contains opening points (17) which in response to the pressure, pierce a second wall (10) of the dose.

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator, of the single-dose applicator type, for the application of a product, on a support, in particular on the hair, the skin or nails. Generally, such a product is presented either in the form of a single component, either in the form of a product with two components that the user mixes just before use. More specifically, the targeted applicator by the invention is of the rechargeable type, using doses, each containing a necessary quantity of product for one or more applications. These individual doses have the advantage that they can be closed hermetically, in particular by a tearable film, putting the product conditioned in each dose protected from ambient air, to avoid any degradation during the storage period. These doses can be opened, by piercing the film, just before applying the product. After use of the product, the empty dose is discarded and replaced by a new dose.

Among the products which can be packaged in such a dose, mention will be made of hair lotions, hair dyes, cosmetic creams and lotions or dermatological, liquid foundations, nail varnishes, make-up of liquid or pasty consistency, etc.

Generally, the applicator targeted by the invention is in the form of a substantially flat support, provided with an application member, adapted to the type of product to be applied and allowing a homogeneous spreading of the product on the support.

From document FR-A-2 595 587, there is known a single-dose applicator provided a cover to protect the product during the storage period. This applicator includes a flexible application surface provided with a plurality distribution ports. A lid piercing system is provided for release the product contained in a compressible tank. When applying the product, the user presses the application surface to perform manually piercing the cover. A drawback related to this type applicator is due to the fact that two separate presses at two different places are required, on the one hand to achieve the opening of the dose, and on the other hand to the expulsion of the product. In addition, during this operation, it may become dirty fingers and scatter some of the product.

Document US-A-4 415 288 describes an applicator rechargeable by means of a interchangeable cartridge. This applicator has a housing specific for receive the cartridge, a trocar, arranged in the housing, being provided for pierce a membrane of said cartridge during its introduction into the housing. By an axial push of the cartridge, the membrane is torn, and the product thus released is conveyed to a spongy applicator member. Under the action of a lateral compression of the cartridge, the applicator member is impregnated with product. The major drawback of this applicator is similar to the disadvantage of the applicator described above.

We also know from document US-A-3,217,720, another applicator refillable also comes with a refillable cartridge, contained in a suitable accommodation. As in the case of the applicator according to US-A 415 288, the cartridge must be pushed axially towards a piercing member, allowing the opening of one end of the cartridge and its communication with it with an enforcement body. The second end of the cartridge has an elastically deformable wall, allowing the distribution of a dose of product. An elastic cap is provided for, on the one hand closing the housing containing the cartridge, and on the other hand, axially push the cartridge in direction of the piercing member. The construction of this cartridge, thus the structure of this whole applicator in several pieces are relatively complicated, and require expensive assembly tools. Therefore, the structure of this applicator does not allow its industrial production at a cost advantageous.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an applicator of a product, in which the product is protected before use, in particular by a lid, and the opening and distribution of the product are carried out by a same operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator which is rechargeable, to minimize operating costs.

Yet another object of the invention is to create a rechargeable applicator for the distribution and application of a product with two components, in particular a hair dye by oxidation.

Yet another object of the invention is to create an applicator of low space and whose manufacturing and assembly costs are advantageous.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail on reading the description which follows.

a) un organe d'application apte à être mis en engagement avec une surface à traiter, notamment la peau humaine, les cheveux ou les ongles ;

b) un support relié audit organe d'application et destiné à recevoir de manière amovible au moins une dose d'au moins un produit de consistance liquide à pâteuse, ladite (ou lesdites) dose(s) comportant une première paroi, déformable en réponse à une pression exercée sur ladite première paroi au travers d'au moins une fenêtre ménagée dans ledit support, ce support contenant des moyens d'ouverture aptes, en réponse à ladite pression, à percer une seconde paroi de ladite (ou desdites) dose(s), de manière à expulser le produit qu'elle (ou qu'elles) contient(nnent), ladite (ou lesdites) dose(s) étant immobile(s) à l'intérieur du support, des moyens étant prévus pour, sous ladite pression, acheminer ledit produit, vers ledit organe d'application, via au moins un orifice ménagé dans le support.

Also, the invention relates to an applicator comprising:

a) an applicator member capable of being engaged with a surface to be treated, in particular human skin, hair or nails;

b) a support connected to said application member and intended to removably receive at least one dose of at least one product of liquid to pasty consistency, said dose (s) comprising a first wall, deformable in response at a pressure exerted on said first wall through at least one window formed in said support, this support containing opening means capable, in response to said pressure, of piercing a second wall of said (or said) dose ( s), so as to expel the product which it (or they) contains (nnent), said (or said) dose (s) being immobile (s) inside the support, means being provided for, under said pressure, conveying said product, towards said applicator member, via at least one orifice formed in the support.

According to an interesting aspect of the invention, the support consists of at least two parts, articulated one on the other. The first part includes the said opening means, a second part forming a housing being able to receive a first dose of said product, and comprising a first window.

According to another interesting aspect of the invention, the first part of the support is connected to the applicator member, the dispensing orifice, as well as the means conveying the product being formed in said first part.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the applicator of the invention can be used for dispensing two doses of product, i.e. for dispensing a double dose of the same product, or to distribute a product with two components different, to be mixed before being applied to the surface to be treated. To this end, advantageously, the support comprises three articulated parts, a first part forming a housing capable of receiving a first dose of said product, and with a first window. A second part includes said means opening, a third part being arranged between the first part and the second. Said third part forms a housing suitable for receiving a second dose, and has a second window, said opening means being, in mounted position of the applicator, arranged between the second wall of the first dose, and the second wall of the second dose, for, in response to pressure exerted respectively through said first and second windows, pierce the second wall of said first and second doses. Advantageously, the first and second windows are arranged so that by pressing between the user's thumb and index finger, the first deformable walls of the first and second doses cause the displacement of each second wall, for example in the form of a tearable seal, towards the means opening hours. These means, advantageously consisting of a needle, cause then the tearing of the second wall (or film) of each dose. The persistent pressure on the first wall of each dose then provokes the expulsion of the product of each dose and its routing towards the orifice of distribution.

When you want to apply a product to two different components, advantageously, means are provided to promote the mixing of the two products. Advantageously, the mixing means consist of at least a baffle which, preferably, are arranged in the routing channel.

According to a preferred embodiment, in the case of an applicator intended for the dispensing of two doses of product, the assembly of the applicator is done by a first folding of the second part on the third part around a first articulation axis, then by a second folding of the second and third part on the first around a second axis of articulation, parallel to the first.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the support is formed in one piece, the joints between the two or three parts of the support being formed from film hinges.

Generally, the shape of the applicator member depends on the type of product to be apply, as well as the nature of the support. So, for the application of a hair dye, the applicator member is advantageously a comb. For the application of a liquid lipstick, a brush consisting of a tuft of hair is more appropriate. In other cases, it may be advantageous to apply the produced using foam or open cell frit. For a targeted application of a liquid treatment product, the use of a tip hollow application can be considered.

Advantageously, each dose of product is formed of a tray thermoformed according to techniques well known in the industry pharmaceutical for the packaging of cachets or tablets. So the tray can be thermoformed from a sheet, for example, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polyacrylonitrile (PAN), polypropylene (PP), or a sheet formed from a PE / EVOH / PA complex (polyethylene / polyethylene-alcohol vinyl / polyamide) or PE / PVDC / PP (polyethylene / polychloride viylene / polypropylene). After filling with product, on this tray is deposited, by welding the second wall forming a tearable film, consisting, for example of an aluminum film, closing a formed opening by said tray. In some cases, the thermoformed tray can be transparent or translucent. This allows you to view the product packaged in the tray.

• la figure 1 illustre un applicateur capillaire conformément à un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, en position prêt à l'emploi ;
• la figure 2a montre une vue en perspective d'une dose de produit constituant une recharge pour l'applicateur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 2b montre une vue en coupe axiale, de la dose de produit de la figure 2a;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective de l'applicateur de la figure 1, en cours de montage ;
• la figure 4 montre une vue en perspective d'un applicateur, conformément à un second mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 5 montre une vue en perspective de l'applicateur de la figure 4, en cours de montage.

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:

• FIG. 1 illustrates a hair applicator in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, in the ready-to-use position;
• Figure 2a shows a perspective view of a dose of product constituting a refill for the applicator of Figure 1;
• Figure 2b shows an axial sectional view of the dose of product of Figure 2a;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the applicator of Figure 1, during assembly;
• Figure 4 shows a perspective view of an applicator, according to a second embodiment;
• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the applicator of Figure 4, during assembly.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 1 designates an applicator, according to a first embodiment of the invention. Applicator 1 includes a support 2, in which is mounted a dose of product 7. This dose 7 consists of a first thermoformed wall 9, for example in polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile copolymer (BAREX®), defining a cavity, in which a given quantity of product P. This product P is for example a hair treatment product. In the embodiment considered, the cavity is in the form of a hemisphere. The cavity is closed by a tearable lid 10, produced by example in a metallic foil, like aluminum foil or foil consisting of a complex comprising at least one metallic layer and one thermoplastic layer. The dose thus constituted has a dome 9a and a flat edge 9b, of substantially square shape.

The support 2 comprises a first part 4, of square shape, one side 4a of which extends in the plane of the support and forms an applicator member in the form of a comb 12. The thickness of the comb 12 is substantially less than the thickness of the first part 4. Above the base of the comb 12 in the side 4a of the support, an orifice 5 is provided, and extending over a substantial part of the width of the comb, intended for the outlet of the product. Part 4 also includes two parallel sides 4b, 4c, delimiting the lateral edges of the applicator. The part 4 is provided with a bottom 4d, comprising a circular recess 14 leading to the orifice 5 by a channel 3, to ensure the delivery of the product P towards the outlet orifice 5. In the bottom 14a of the recess 14 are deposited opening means 17, intended to pierce the cover of the dose, during the application of the product. Here, the opening means are in the form of two pyramidal needles.

On the side opposite to the applicator member 12, the first part 4 is articulated with a second part 6. The assembly constituted by the application member 12, by the first part 4 and the second part 6 form a single piece. A film hinge 18 allows the second part 6 to be folded over the first to be housed between the two sides 4b, 4c of the first part. The second part 6 is provided with a depression 6a adapted to the shape of the edge 9b of the dose. The second part also has in its center a circular window 16, the diameter of which is substantially equal to the diameter of the dome 9a, so that the dome 9a can emerge outside the second part 6. By folding the second part on the first, the dose is immobilized in the applicator, and the latter is ready to use.

To apply the product to the hair, the user exerts pressure on the top of dome 9a. By this action, the product under pressure pushes the seal 10 of dose 7 towards the needles 17 so as to cause the tear. The product still under pressure fills the recess 14 and is routed via channel 3 to outlet 5 where it collects at the base of comb teeth 12. By passing the comb teeth through the hair, the product can be applied, wick by wick, on it.

After use, the user opens the applicator by pivoting the second part 6 around the fim hinge 18, to remove the used dose 7. A new dose 7 can then be used for the next application.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to a comb applicator. Thus, any other applicator member can be envisaged, such as a brush, a tapered application tip, an application member made of sintered material or spongy foam.

Advantageously, a plurality of doses is packaged in the form of a board, also known for packaging seals pharmaceutical. In this case, the doses are separated from each other by perforated lines.

Figures 4 and 5 show an applicator 101 according to a second mode of realization, designed for the simultaneous application of two doses 7, 7 'of product P, P '. The product to be applied is, for example a hair dye by oxidation. In this case, a first dose 7 contains, in an appropriate carrier, a composition based on dye precursors, and a second 7 'dose contains an oxidizing agent. The external form of the doses 7, 7 'corresponds substantially to form of the dose 7 described during the description of Figures 1 to 3. In the figures 4 and 5, the parts being substantially identical or playing a role similar to the parts Figures 1 to 3 bear the same reference numbers increased by 100.

With reference, in particular to FIG. 5, the applicator 101 comprises a support 102 consisting of three parts 104, 106, 120. A first part 104 is connected to a second part 120 via a third part 106. The third part 106 or intermediate part is connected to the first and second parts using film hinges 118, 122, allowing the folding of the second part on the third, then the drawdown of the assembly formed by the second and third parts, on the first 104. The first 104 and the third part 106 are provided with a depression 104a, 106a making it possible to house the edge 9b, 9b 'of doses 7, 7'. At the center of the first and third parts is formed a circular window 116, 124, the diameter of which is chosen so that the dome 9a, 9a 'of each dose 7, 7', in the mounted position of the applicator, can emerge on both sides of the applicator, as visible in particular in the figure 4.

The second part 120 has a circular cutout 121, in which extend radially, two diametrically opposed tongues 123. Each tongue carries on its free end a drilling needle 117 emerging from on either side of the plane of the second part 120. Thus, in the mounted position of the applicator, the drilling needles 117 are located opposite the wall frangible 10, 10 'of each dose 7, 7'. The second part 120 further comprises a product channel 126. This channel 126 forms several loops and constitutes a baffle 128, making it possible to obtain, during the distribution, a homogeneous mixture of products P, P ', when these are of a different nature. The baffle 128 ends in a recess 129 of elongated shape and oriented in the direction of the film hinge 122. The recess 129 is located adjacent to the axis of the hinge 122. When the applicator is in the mounted position, the recess 129 is placed opposite the dispensing orifice 105, allowing thus the delivery of the product P, P 'from the doses 7, 7' via the baffle 128, via orifice 105, on the teeth 113 of the applicator comb 112.

The operating mode allowing the expulsion of the product P, P 'is substantially the same as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Indeed, by placing the index and thumb on domes 9a, 9a ', as shown in Figure 4, by compression in the direction of the arrows F, F ', the products P, P' contained in the doses 7, 7 ' push the tear-off walls 10, 10 '(see FIG. 5) towards the needles 117. After drilling these walls 10, 10 ', under the effect of the pressure push exerted on the walls 9a and 9a 'fingers, the product is conveyed on the organ 12 as described above.

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 (15)

Applicator (1, 101) comprising: a) an application member (12) capable of being engaged with a surface to be treated; b) a support (2, 102) connected to said application member (12) and intended to removably receive at least one dose (7, 7 ') of at least one product (P, P') of liquid consistency pasty, said dose (s) comprising a first wall (9, 9 '), deformable in response to a pressure (F, F') exerted on said first wall through at least one window (16 , 116, 24, 124) formed in said support, said support containing opening means (17, 117) capable, in response to said pressure, of piercing a second wall (10, 10 ') of said (or said) dose (s), so as to expel the product that it (or they) contains (contain), said (or said) dose (s) being immobile (s) inside the support (2, 102) , means (3, 14, 28) being provided for, under said pressure, conveying said product to said application member (12) via at least one orifice (5, 105) formed in the support. Applicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said support (2, 102) consists of at least two parts (4, 6) articulated one on the other, a first part (4) comprising said opening means (17), a second part (6) forming a housing (6a) capable of receiving a first dose (7) of said product, and comprising a first window (16). Applicator according to claim 2 characterized in that said first part (4) is connected to the application member (12), said orifice (5) and the means for conveying (3, 14) the product being formed in said first part. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the support (102) comprises three articulated parts (104, 106, 120), a first part (104) forming a housing (104a) capable of receiving a first dose (7) of said product, and comprising a first window (116), a second part (120) comprising said opening means (117), a third part (106) being arranged between the first part (104) and the second (120), said third part forming a housing (106a) capable of receiving a second dose (7 '), and comprising a second window (124), said opening means being, in the mounted position of the applicator, arranged between the second wall (10) of the first dose (7), and the second wall (10 ') of the second dose (7'), for, in response to a pressure (F, F ') exerted respectively through said first and second windows (116, 124), pierce the second wall (10, 10 ') of said first and second doses (7, 7 '). Applicator according to claim 4 characterized in that the mounting of the applicator is made by a first folding of the second part (120) on the third part (106) around a first articulation axis (122), then by a second folding of the second (120) and the third part (106) on the first (104) around a second articulation axis (118), parallel to the first. Applicator according to claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the second dose (7 ') includes a product (P') different from the product (P) contained in the first dose (7), said products being intended to be mixed before being applied to the surface to be treated. Applicator according to claim 6 characterized in that means, under in particular form of at least one baffle (128), are provided to promote the mixture of the two products (P, P '). Applicator according to Claim 7, characterized in that the said means (128) are carried by said second part (120). Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that that the support (2, 102) is formed in one piece. Applicator according to any one of Claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said (or said) articulation (s) are formed of film hinges. Applicator according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that the member application (12) forms a single piece with the support (2, 102). Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said applicator member (12) is constituted in particular an organ provided with teeth, and / or bristles, a block of foam, a frit or a hollow application tip. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said (or said) dose (s) are formed from a tray thermoformed (7, 7 '), said second wall being formed of a tearable film (10, 10 '), closing an opening formed by said tray. Applicator according to Claim 13, characterized in that the said tray (7, 7 ') is made of transparent or translucent thermoplastic material. Use of an applicator (1, 101) according to any one of previous claims for the application of a product or mixture of hair products.

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