EP1086904A1 - Device for packaging and applying a product - Google Patents

Abstract

Container(11) for fluid product(P) has holder(13) for absorbent applicator(16) separated from interior of by permeable partition(23). Volume can be varied to force product into applicator, e.g. by manual pressure on flexible walls, spring, piston, or bellows system. Partition can be moulded grille, woven material or perforated plastic film, and applicator can be of foam, felt or fritted material.

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging device and for applying a product, in particular a cosmetic or care product, comprising a container having an interior space in which the product is contained, an application element, a housing for receiving the application element and a permeable wall arranged between said housing and the interior space containing the product.

British device GB 403 219 discloses a device of this type, in which the product is a powder, which is contained inside the container between the permeable wall and a perforated bottom. During use, the user infuses the air under the powder thanks to the perforated bottom. This is projected into the interior space and reaches the application element through the permeable wall.

Such a device can only be used with a powder and has a structure relatively complex.

We know from European patent application EP-A-0 612 488 a device in which the application element is deformable and the housing has a tip capillary pierced with at least one orifice, against which the application element is applied and deformed when the container is closed. When the container is opened, the element application returns to its original shape and creates a suction cup effect which sucks in product.

We know from European patent application EP-A-0 688 516 a device application with a perforated piston, comprising an elastic means for ensuring pressure of the application element on the piston.

We know from the European patent application EP-A-0 416 185 a lipstick applicator having an interior space containing product and means for extruding this product into a housing containing the application element. The product completely fills the interior space, in the compacted state.

GB 1 158 412 and DE 938 658 disclose devices comprising a malleable tube without shape memory, defining an interior space whose volume corresponds to that of the product and decreases with each use.

There is a need to have a new device for relatively simple structure and application, allowing easily load a product with an application element, this product can be a powder, liquid, gel or cream.

The packaging and application device according to the invention is of the type comprising a container having an interior space in which the product is content, an application element, a housing for receiving the application element and a permeable wall disposed between said housing and the interior space containing the product.

This device is characterized by the fact that the application element and the housing are arranged so that the applicator element presents, when it is in said housing, at least a portion of surface located, without axial compression sensitive, compared to an opening of the permeable wall and by the fact that the space interior is of variable volume, compression means being provided to make selectively switching said interior volume from a first volume, greater than the volume of product, at a second volume, less than the first, this reduction in volume accompanied by an overpressure, which is capable of promoting the transfer of product to through said permeable wall towards the application element.

Advantageously, the compression means are arranged so that let the interior space resume its first volume under the action of a restoring force elastic.

The elastic restoring force can be obtained thanks to the fact that the container is shape memory, preferably being made of plastic.

The elastic restoring force can also be obtained by means of a spring, in particular a helical spring.

The device according to the invention has many advantages.

First of all, the presence of air in the container avoids the compaction of the product reserve when the interior space occupies its second volume, unlike the device described in application EP-A-0 416 185 by example.

Furthermore, the device according to the invention can be of more construction simple than that described in the aforementioned British patent GB 403,219, because the product can be contained in the interior space of the container without having to provide a bottom perforated for blowing air.

The absence of axial compression of the surface portion of the element located next to the permeable wall allows the product to be able to easily cross the latter, when the overpressure is created.

Advantageously, the device comprises means for retaining on and / or adjacent to the permeable wall, on the side of the interior space containing the product, these retaining means being able to favor, in particular by capillarity or by attraction electrostatic, the retention of product in said opening or in its vicinity, in view of its transfer into said housing during compression of a volume of air present in the interior space, between the permeable wall and the product reserve.

Thus, the device can be placed head up when the overpressure is created and / or one where the application element is extracted from its housing, which goes in the direction of easy use.

In addition, it is possible to arrange the retaining means so as to control the distribution of the product, in particular by avoiding excess product does not reach the housing of the application element during use.

In a particular embodiment, the container has a movable wall allowing to generate said overpressure.

This movable wall may include a flexible wall of the container, by example a flexible wall in the form of a bellows, relatively inexpensive to produce.

Alternatively, the movable wall may include a rigid wall of a piston.

The compression means for creating the overpressure can be arranged to assist in the distribution of a predetermined quantity of product to each use, allowing the user to exert an overpressure each time predetermined in the interior space of the container.

In a particular embodiment, the permeable wall has a plurality through holes.

The aforementioned retaining means may include partitions between which of the product can be retained.

The retaining means may also include a retaining member disposed opposite the permeable wall, this retaining member having openings lateral allowing the product to gain a period of retention of spared product between the retaining member and the permeable wall.

This retaining member can also constitute a deflector arranged to channel a stream of air and / or product when the overpressure is created, in order to favor the transfer of the product through the permeable wall.

The retaining means can be produced by molding or alternatively be constituted by an insert, such as a block of foam for example.

We will choose the nature of the retaining means according to that of the product and the quantity to be distributed.

In a particular embodiment, the application element and the housing are arranged in such a way that the surface of the application element used for applying the product is moved away from the permeable wall, when the applicator element is in place in said accommodation.

Product can thus accumulate more easily in the space formed between the permeable wall and the application element.

In order to facilitate the creation of such a space, the permeable wall can have at least one rib on the side of the application element, against which the application element is capable of coming to bear.

The permeable wall can also be connected to the container by a recess forming a bowl on the side of the application element.

As a variant, the application element and the housing are arranged in such a way the surface of the application element used for applying the product is in contact of the permeable wall, when the application element is in place in said housing.

The applicator element can be arranged in such a way that the surface of the application element located, when the application element is in place in said housing, opposite the permeable wall, can retreat under the effect of overpressure in the container.

Thus, this surface can be easily loaded with product.

In a particular embodiment, the housing is delimited by a wall lateral, preferably full, against which the application element is applied by its periphery.

Preferably, the application element is applied in a sealed manner to said side wall.

The applicator element can behave like a piston during its shrinkage, for example over a 4 mm stroke, creating a depression in its housing.

Still in a particular embodiment, the container is arranged in such a way so that when the interior space occupies its second volume, the level of the product in the container does not reach the permeable wall.

This avoids any risk of product overflow, if it is liquid.

In a particular embodiment, the permeable wall defines the bottom of the housing receiving the application element, the latter being introduced into said housing by an opening located in the axis of the container, opposite said permeable wall.

Still in a particular embodiment, the permeable wall includes channels whose cross-section and length are chosen so as to accommodate and / or to pass a predetermined quantity of product.

It is thus possible to measure the quantity of product arriving in said housing when the overpressure is exerted.

The application element can advantageously be integral with an element of grip also constituting a closure cap of the container.

The gripping element may include sealing means for ensure a tight closure of the housing receiving the application element.

The permeable wall can be produced by molding with the container or a element of it.

As a variant, the permeable wall may be constituted by an insert on the container.

The permeable wall may include a grid or foam.

In a particular embodiment, the permeable wall is substantially planar.

Alternatively, it can be concave towards the opening of the housing, for example.

In a particular embodiment, the permeable wall has a shape complementary to that of the application element.

Still in a particular embodiment, the permeable wall has substantially radial or axial orifices.

The permeable wall may consist in particular of a woven fabric, a film perforated plastic, a welded or molded screen.

In a particular embodiment, the permeable wall is fixed so motionless at its periphery on the container.

Still in a particular embodiment, the application element is absorbent, being made of a material such as foam, felt or material sintered.

Still in a particular embodiment, the application element is elastic compressible. Alternatively, the application element can be substantially non-compressible.

The application element can be internally non-porous.

In a particular embodiment, the application element is flocked or has a textile on its surface.

The housing receiving the application element can be movable relative to the interior space of the container containing the product.

The device may include a second application element, a second housing and a second permeable wall.

The second application element can be of the same nature as the first, but of different size.

The first and second application elements may also not be of the same nature.

The container may have a neck closed by a removable cap at a end opposite the applicator element.

The product may be formed at least in part of particles containing at least minus a fluid, this denier being enclosed for example in microcapsules.

Compositions containing such particles exhibit excellent cosmetic properties, being able to adhere enough to the skin but not too much, being very soft and easy to apply.

When applied to the skin, the pressure exerted by the element of application on the skin causes the release of the liquid, which provides a pleasant feeling of freshness and softness.

Such compositions may include a pulverulent phase comprising pigments and / or nacres and / or fillers and / or glitter and / or their mixtures.

The abovementioned pigments are advantageously chosen from dioxides of titanium, zirconium or cerium, zinc, iron or chromium oxides, nanotitanes, nanozincs, ferric blue, carbon black, lacquers such as salts calcium, barium, aluminum or zirconium, acid dyes such as haloacid, azo or anthraquinone dyes, pigments coated with silicone compounds such as polydimethylsiloxanes and / or by polymers, especially polyethylenes.

The aforementioned fillers are advantageously chosen from talc, mica, silica, kaolin, powders of nylon, poly-β-alanine and polyethylene, Teflon, lauroyl-lysine, starch, boron nitride, bismuth oxychloride, powders of tetrafluoroethylene polymers, polymethylmethacrylate powders, polyurethane powders, polystyrene powders, polyester powders, synthetic hollow microspheres, micro sponges and resin microbeads silicone, zinc and titanium oxides, zirconium or cerium oxides, precipitated calcium carbonate, carbonate and magnesium hydrocarbonate, hydroxyapatite, hollow silica microspheres, glass or glass microcapsules ceramic, metal soaps derived from organic carboxylic acids having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example the zinc, magnesium or lithium stearate, zinc laurate, and myristate magnesium.

The fluid contained in said particles is for example in the form aqueous, oily, in particular in the form of essential oils, gel, water emulsion in oil, or oil in water.

The fluid can be contained in porous waxes, vesicles or micro-capsules, the walls of which are in particular made of epoxy, polyethylene, gelatin or polyester, or in micro-sponges or microspheres.

The product may contain at least one active ingredient, in particular agents antioxidants or anti-free radicals, moisturizers or humectants, filters UV, keratolytics, tanning accelerators, depigmentants, dyes natural, self-tanners, liporegulators, anti-aging agents and anti-wrinkle, anti-inflammatory and healing agents, antibacterials and antifungals, insect repellents, or skin conditioners

The device may include a one-way air return valve allowing air to enter the container in the event of depression in the latter.

Advantageously, when the volume of the interior space is equal to first volume, the interior space is at atmospheric pressure.

• disposer l'élément d'application dans un logement délimité au moins partiellement par une première face d'une paroi perméable,
• amener du produit au contact d'une deuxième face de la paroi perméable, opposée à la première, en remuant le récipient ou en le disposant à l'envers,
• créer temporairement une surpression dans ledit espace intérieur, la paroi perméable et le récipient étant agencés de telle sorte que ladite surpression déplace du produit présent au contact de la deuxième face, ou dans son voisinage, vers la première face, et
• retirer l'élément d'application du logement.

Another subject of the invention is a method for loading an application element with product, this product being contained in an interior space of a container, this interior space containing a substantial quantity of air above the product, this method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps consisting in:

• placing the application element in a housing delimited at least partially by a first face of a permeable wall,
• bringing the product into contact with a second face of the permeable wall, opposite to the first, by stirring the container or by placing it upside down,
• temporarily creating an overpressure in said interior space, the permeable wall and the container being arranged such that said overpressure displaces product present in contact with the second face, or in its vicinity, towards the first face, and
• remove the application element from the housing.

Having to create an overpressure at the time of use allows make the permeable wall so that the product does not easily pass through it under the sole action of gravity, for example.

This reduces the risk of product loss in the event of a spill. accidental for example.

One can in particular choose the size of the passages of the permeable wall in function of the rheological properties of the product, in particular its viscosity, so that an overpressure must be exerted for a sufficient quantity of product crosses the permeable wall.

Preferably, the interior of the container is at atmospheric pressure before the creation of said overpressure.

Another subject of the invention is the use of a device as mentioned above. for applying a product to the body or the face, the application element and the permeable wall being dimensioned accordingly.

Another subject of the invention is the use of a device as mentioned above. in the hair, dermatology or cosmetic fields.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en coupe axiale d'un dispositif conforme à un premier exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• les figures 2 à 5 illustrent des variantes de réalisation du récipient,
• les figures 6 à 9 illustrent des variantes de réalisation de la paroi perméable,
• la figure 10 illustre une variante de réalisation des moyens permettant de créer la surpression dans le récipient,
• la figure 11 représente un dispositif à deux éléments d'application,
• les figures 12 à 15 illustrent l'utilisation du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 16 représente schématiquement une valve de reprise d'air,
• la figure 17 représente une variante de réalisation de la paroi perméable,
• la figure 18 illustre la réalisation de nervures sur la paroi perméable,
• la figure 19 illustre la réalisation d'une deuxième ouverture sur le récipient,
• la figure 20 représente un dispositif comprenant deux éléments d'application, constituant une variante de réalisation du dispositif de la figure 11, et
• la figure 21 illustre l'utilisation de deux éléments d'application de nature différente.

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

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view in axial section of a device according to a first example of implementation of the invention,
• FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate alternative embodiments of the container,
• FIGS. 6 to 9 illustrate alternative embodiments of the permeable wall,
• FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the means making it possible to create the overpressure in the container,
• FIG. 11 represents a device with two application elements,
• FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate the use of the device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 16 schematically represents an air return valve,
• FIG. 17 represents an alternative embodiment of the permeable wall,
• FIG. 18 illustrates the production of ribs on the permeable wall,
• FIG. 19 illustrates the making of a second opening on the container,
• FIG. 20 represents a device comprising two application elements, constituting an alternative embodiment of the device of FIG. 11, and
• FIG. 21 illustrates the use of two application elements of a different nature.

The packaging and application device 10 shown in the figure 1 comprises a container 11 having a flexible tubular body 24a with shape memory, of axis X, defining an interior space 12 containing a reserve of product P.

The product P is for example a powder such as a foundation, composed of pigment particles coated with binder.

The product P can also consist of a composition comprising particles containing at least one fluid.

In particular, the product P may for example be a "liquid powder", including: a) a "dry" or "pulverulent" phase, optionally comprising a binder and generally made up of pigments and / or nacres and / or fillers and / or flakes, and / or mixtures thereof and b) a "liquid" phase, which can in particular make office binding phase and containing, inside micro-capsules, vesicles, micro-sponges, porous waxes, or any other structure capable of storing a fluid and release, in particular in response to pressure, a liquid such as water, propylene glycol, oil, gel, or an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion.

On application, spreading and pressing the powder against the skin, the liquid contained in the vesicles or microcapsules or the like is released, causing a pleasant feeling of freshness.

Product P may include a pulverulent phase mixed with the "liquid" phase, which may be formed of pigments and / or nacres and / or fillers and / or of flakes usually used in cosmetic compositions, and / or their mixtures.

The particles forming the pulverulent phase can also be coated of a binder.

By pigments, it is necessary to understand white or colored particles, mineral or organic, insoluble in the medium, intended to color and / or opacify the composition.

The pigments can be of usual size or nanometric. We can cite among the mineral pigments and nanopigments, titanium and zirconium dioxides or cerium, as well as oxides of zinc, iron or chromium, nanotitanes, nanozincs, ferric blue. Among the organic pigments, mention may be made of black carbon and lakes such as calcium, barium, aluminum or zirconium, acid dyes such as halo-acid dyes, azo dyes or anthraquinone.

The pigments can in particular be coated with silicone compounds such as polydimethylsiloxanes and / or by polymers, in particular polyethylenes. We can thus cite the pigments SA or SI sold by the company MAPRECOS.

By charges, we must understand colorless or white particles, mineral or synthetic, lamellar or non-lamellar, intended to give body or stiffness in composition, and / or softness, mattness and uniformity in makeup.

The fillers can be mineral or synthetic, lamellar or non lamellar. Mention may be made of talc, mica, silica, kaolin, nylon powders, poly-β-alanine and polyethylene, Teflon, lauroyl-lysine, starch, nitride of boron, bismuth oxychloride, powders of tetrafluoroethylene polymers, polymethylmethacrylate powders, polyurethane powders, powders polystyrene, polyester powders, synthetic hollow microspheres such as EXPANCEL (NOBEL INDUSTRIES), micro sponges like POLYTRAP (DOW CORNING) and the TOSPEARLS (TOSHIBA) silicone resin microbeads, zinc and titanium oxides, zirconium or cerium oxides, carbonate of precipitated calcium, magnesium carbonate and hydrocarbon, hydroxyapatite, SILICA BEADS (MAPRECOS) hollow silica microspheres, the microcapsules of glass or ceramic, metallic soaps derived from organic carboxylic acids having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms, by example zinc, magnesium or lithium stearate, zinc laurate, myristate magnesium.

By nacres, it is necessary to understand iridescent particles which reflect the light.

Among the possible nacres, one can cite natural mother-of-pearl, mica coated with titanium oxide, iron oxide, natural pigments or oxychloride bismuth as well as colored titanium mica.

The compositions according to the invention can also comprise glitter.

The powder of the invention can also comprise any additive usually used in the field concerned, antioxidants, essential oils, preservatives, neutralizers, water-in-oil and oil-in-water surfactants, vitamins, anti-wrinkle active ingredients.

The fluid contained in the "liquid" phase can be in aqueous form or oily, especially in the form of essential oils, gel, especially particles cubic gel, water in oil emulsion (W / O), or oil in water (O / W).

The fluid can be contained in vesicles or microcapsules, the walls are in particular of epoxy, polyethylene, gelatin or polyester, or in micro sponges or microspheres. The fluid can also be contained in porous waxes such as polyacrylates.

The fluid, especially in the case of water, can be contained in a anhydrous structure of the type described in patent application EP-A-0 855 177.

As another example, the "liquid" phase comprises a dispersion aqueous vesicles constituted by a lipid phase membrane encapsulating a aqueous phase. The usable vesicles can also be provided with a coating lamellar liquid crystal.

Preferably, the composition contains at least one active ingredient. Such an asset can be hydrophilic, lipophilic, or a mixture of both.

• les agents antioxydants ou anti-radicaux libres tels que les protéines et les enzymes, la lactoperoxydase et la lactoferrine, les peptides et leurs dérivés, les séquestrants, les flavonoïdes, la chlorophylline, l'éthoxyquine, la guanosine, les tocophérols et leurs dérivés, le palmitate d'ascorbyle, et le β-carotène, la vitamine E et ses dérivés, la vitamine C et ses dérivés, la vitamine A et ses dérivés,
• les agents hydratants ou humectants tels que l'acide hyaluronique et son sel de sodium, le β-glycérophosphate, le glycérol, le sorbitol, le panthénol,
• les filtres UV tels que les produits commercialisés sous les dénominations "EUSOLEX 232"® par la société MERCK, "PARSOL 1789"® et "PARSOL MCX"® par la société GIVAUDAN-ROURE, "MEXORYL SX"® par la société CHIMEX et "UNIVUL T150"® par la société BASF,
• les kératolitiques tels que les enzymes protéolytiques, l'acide salicylique et ses dérivés tels que l'acide n-dodécanoyl-5 salicylique, et l'acide rétinoïque et ses dérivés,
• les accélérateurs de bronzage tels que la caféine, et les dérivés de tyrosine tels que le tyrosinate de glucose et le sel disodique de la N-L-malyl tyrosine,
• les dépigmentants tels que l'acide kojique, l'acide glycolique, la vitamine C et notamment l'ascorbyle phosphate de magnésium, et l'arbutine et ses dérivés,
• les colorants naturels tels que les matières colorantes extraites de végétaux comme la chlorophylline et le β-carotène ou extraites d'animaux comme le carmin de cochenille, et le caramel,
• les auto-bronzants tels que la dihydroxyacétone, et les indoles,
• les liporégulateurs tels que le γ-octanoyl, l'extrait de Centelle asiatica contenant de la génine et de l'acide asiatique, la caféine, et la théophylline,
• les agents anti-vieillissement et antirides tels que les hydroxyacides comme l'acide glycolique, l'acide n-octanoyl salicylique, le rétinol et ses dérivés comme l'acétate, la palmitate et le propionate de rétinol, et les rétinoïdes,
• les agents anti-inflammatoires et cicatrisants tels que l'acide 18 β-glycyrrhétinique et ses sels comme notamment son sel d'ammonium, l'α-bisabolol, les corticoïdes, l'extrait de Centella asiatica, l'aloe vera,
• les antibactériens et antifongiques tels que le chlorure de benzalkonium, la chlorhexidine, l'hexetidine, l'hexamidine,
• les insectifuges tels que les diéthyl et diméthyltoluamides,
• les déodorants tels que l'hexachlorophène et le triclosan produit et commercialisé sous la dénomination "IRGASAN DP 300"® par la société CIBA GEIGY,
• les agents conditionneurs pour la peau tels que les polymères cationiques et les cations.

Among the various active ingredients which can be incorporated, there may be mentioned in particular:

• antioxidants or anti-free radical agents such as proteins and enzymes, lactoperoxidase and lactoferrin, peptides and their derivatives, sequestrants, flavonoids, chlorophyllin, ethoxyquin, guanosine, tocopherols and their derivatives, ascorbyle palmitate, and β-carotene, vitamin E and its derivatives, vitamin C and its derivatives, vitamin A and its derivatives,
• moisturizing or humectants such as hyaluronic acid and its sodium salt, β-glycerophosphate, glycerol, sorbitol, panthenol,
• UV filters such as the products marketed under the names "EUSOLEX 232" ® by the company MERCK, "PARSOL 1789" ® and "PARSOL MCX" ® by the company GIVAUDAN-ROURE, "MEXORYL SX" ® by the company CHIMEX and " UNIVUL T150 "® by BASF,
• keratolitics such as proteolytic enzymes, salicylic acid and its derivatives such as n-dodecanoyl-5 salicylic acid, and retinoic acid and its derivatives,
• tanning accelerators such as caffeine, and tyrosine derivatives such as glucose tyrosinate and the disodium salt of NL-malyl tyrosine,
• depigmenters such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C and in particular magnesium ascorbyle phosphate, and arbutin and its derivatives,
• natural dyes such as coloring matters extracted from plants such as chlorophyllin and β-carotene or extracted from animals such as cochineal carmine, and caramel,
• self-tanners such as dihydroxyacetone, and indoles,
• liporegulators such as γ-octanoyl, extract of Centelle asiatica containing genin and Asian acid, caffeine, and theophylline,
• anti-aging and anti-wrinkle agents such as hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, n-octanoyl salicylic acid, retinol and its derivatives such as acetate, palmitate and retinol propionate, and retinoids,
• anti-inflammatory and healing agents such as 18 β-glycyrrhetinic acid and its salts such as in particular its ammonium salt, α-bisabolol, corticoids, Centella asiatica extract , aloe vera,
• antibacterials and antifungals such as benzalkonium chloride, chlorhexidine, hexetidine, hexamidine,
• insect repellents such as diethyl and dimethyltoluamides,
• deodorants such as hexachlorophene and triclosan produced and marketed under the name "IRGASAN DP 300" ® by the company CIBA GEIGY,
• skin conditioning agents such as cationic polymers and cations.

As an indication, the "liquid" phase can represent from 1 to 50%, from preferably from 2 to 30%, and more preferably from 5 to 20% by weight of the composition.

Returning to device 10, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that the body 24a is closed at the bottom by a solid bottom wall 24b.

The container 11 has a neck 13 of axis X, consisting of a part added, the neck 13 defining a housing 14 intended to receive an applicator 15 comprising an application element 16 and a gripping member 17, which constitutes also a collar closure cap 13.

The cap 17 comprises a sealing skirt 18 which applies so waterproof on the inside surface of the neck 13.

The cap 17 also includes an outer skirt 19, provided with a clean thread to engage on a complementary thread 20 made on the surface outside of the neck 13, at its upper part.

A permeable wall 23 separates the housing 14 from the interior space 12 containing the product P.

The quantity of product contained in the container 11 is chosen so that a substantial amount of air is present in the container, above the product.

The interior space of the container containing the product is thus filled initially half for example, or three-quarters.

In the embodiment described, the permeable wall 23 is made of a in one piece by plastic molding with the neck 13.

The permeable wall 23 has an interior face 30 facing towards space inside 32 and an outside face 31 defining the bottom of the housing 14.

A plurality of openings 25, the diameter of which is of the order of a millimeter in the example described, pass through the permeable wall 23, these openings 25 being distributed uniformly.

The application element 16 consists of a foam.

The front surface 16a of the application element 16, located opposite the outer face 31 of the permeable wall 23, rests in contact with the latter without sensitive axial compression.

The lateral surface 16b of the application element 16 rests against the wall lateral of the neck 13 while being compressed radially.

The surface 16a is capable of moving back and away from the wall 23 under the effect an overpressure created in the container 11.

The operation of the device 10 will now be described with reference in Figures 12 to 15.

It is assumed that the container 11 is stored upside down, that is to say that the product P rests on the permeable wall 23, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

The user turns the container 11 over and compresses the flexible wall of the body 24a, as illustrated in FIG. 13, passing the interior space 12 containing the produced, initially at atmospheric pressure, from a first volume to a second, lower than the first, thus creating an overpressure in this interior space 12.

When the user releases his pressure, the interior space returns to his initial volume, i.e. the first volume, due to the shape memory of the container.

The product retained by capillarity and / or electrostatic attraction on the side of the inner face 30 of the permeable wall 23, as well as in the openings 25, is located driven into the housing 14 in contact with the application element 16, under the effect of the overpressure in the interior space 12, as illustrated by the arrows in FIG. 15.

The applicator element 16 is thus loaded with product, and can be removed then for the application, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the product being present on its front face 16a.

If the container 11 is not stored upside down, the user can bring product in contact with the inner face 30 of the permeable wall by stirring the container.

Product is then deposited on the permeable wall 23, which is able to retain a certain amount by capillary action and / or by electrostatic attraction.

The overpressure which is created then makes it possible to favor the transfer of the product from the inside 30 to the outside 31, to load the element of application 16.

Note that in the example described, a slight depression is created in the housing 4 when the applicator element 16 is withdrawn, because the lateral surface 16b of the latter applies to the side wall of the neck 13.

The overpressure can be created in the interior space containing the product, in various ways.

By way of example, FIG. 2 shows a device 40 in which the product is contained in a container 41.

The latter comprises a deformable portion 42 in the form of a bellows, which connects the upper part 43 and the lower part 44 of the container.

To create an overpressure in the interior space containing the product, the user presses on the upper part 43 while the device rests upside down by the gripping element 45 of the applicator on a bearing surface, as illustrated.

FIG. 3 shows a device 50 in which the container 51 comprises a substantially non-deformable body 52, provided in the upper part with a pusher 54 connected to the body 52 by a bellows 53.

This bellows can be made in one piece with the body 52 or be constituted by an added piece.

To exert the overpressure, the user presses the pusher 54 while the container 51 rests upside down by the gripping element 45 of the applicator, which folds the bellows 53.

The device 60 shown in Figure 4 includes a container 61 comprising a body 62 and a neck 63 connected to the body 62 by a deformable part 64 in bellows shape.

An insert 66 having the general shape of a thimble is mounted in the neck 63 to define a housing 67 for receiving an applicator 69.

This applicator comprises an application element 69a and a protective cap. closure 69b also constituting a gripping element.

The cap 69b has an inner sealing skirt 69c suitable for apply tightly to the inner surface of the insert 66 to ensure a tight closure of the container, the insert 66 being itself hermetically engaged in the upper part of the collar 63.

A permeable wall 65, substantially planar, is produced in the bottom of insert 66 in the form of a grid.

The front face 69d of the application element 69a may not be at contact of the permeable wall 65, as shown.

The front face 69d may retreat under the effect of an overpressure in the container 61, which promotes good distribution of the product on the surface of the element of application.

To create the overpressure in the interior space 68 containing the product, the user presses on the cap 69b, which folds in on itself the part 64 in bellows shape.

The device 70 shown in Figure 5 has a container 72 on the neck 74 of which is mounted a reception head for the applicator, this reception head comprising an external bellows 75 and an internal part 76 which can receive a application element 77.

To create the overpressure, the user presses on the closing cap 78, which causes the bellows 75 to compress and the interior part to descend 76 in container 72.

The use of an insert such as insert 66 is advantageous because it can easily mount on the same type of container different inserts, depending on the nature of the product to distribute and that of the application element.

The insert can be produced in various ways, the permeable wall being able to consist, among other things, of a woven fabric, a perforated plastic film, a welded sieve or molded.

By way of example, FIG. 6 shows an insert 80 comprising a cylindrical side wall 81 of revolution, of axis X, provided at its end upper of a rim 82 directed outwards, used for fixing to the container, and at its lower end of an annular rim 83, directed inwards, used for the fixing a screen 84, fixed on the underside of the rim 83.

In the example of Figure 7, the insert 90 has a side wall 91 symmetrical of revolution, of axis X, provided at its upper end with a flange ring 92 directed outwards, used for fixing to the neck of the container, and for lower end of a perforated bottom 93, this bottom being traversed by a plurality 94 openings.

A screen 95 is attached to the bottom wall 93.

The mesh of the sieve 95 has a smaller cross section than that of the openings 94 in wall 93.

The wall 93 serves both as a mechanical support for the screen 95 and promotes the accumulation of product in contact with this sieve 95 or in its vicinity, so that when the overpressure is created in the interior space containing the product, the product present in the openings 94 is expelled through the screen 95.

The insert 100 shown in Figure 8 has a side wall 101 symmetric in X-axis revolution, extended outward at its upper end by an annular rim 102 used for fixing to the container and closed at its lower end by a bottom wall 103 having openings 104.

In order to favor the retention of product in contact with the face 105 of the bottom wall 103, an element such as a layer of foam 106 to large open cells is attached to the insert 100 under the wall of background 103.

In the example of Figure 9, the insert 110 has a side wall 111 symmetrical of revolution around the X axis, comprising an annular flange 112 in upper part and a perforated bottom wall 113.

A retaining member 115 is subject to the insert, this retaining member comprising a solid wall 116 disposed under the bottom wall 113 and providing a interval 117 therewith, in which product can be retained.

The retaining member 115 has a side wall 118 fixed to the wall side 111 of the insert, provided with side openings 119 allowing product to gain the aforementioned interval 117.

The wall 116 has a substantially conical shape, so that the height of interval 117 decreases as one approaches the X axis.

The retainer also plays a deflector role by guiding the air circulation in the interval 117.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

We can especially create the overpressure inside the interior space containing the product in any way other than by deformation of a flexible wall of the container.

One can thus use for example a piston 120 slidably mounted in a chimney 121 of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to produce a device packaging and application comprising two applicators each having a application element housed in a housing the bottom of which is constituted by a permeable wall, as illustrated in figure 11.

It can be seen in FIG. 11 that the two application elements 140, 141 may be of the same nature but of different size.

In addition, it can be seen in FIG. 11 that the reduction in volume of the container can be carried out by means of a bellows 142, located between the two housings receiving the two application elements 140 and 141.

The reduction of the interior volume of the container could also be carried out other than by means of a bellows, as illustrated in Figure 20.

In this figure, there is shown a device which comprises a part identical to that of the device shown in Figure 1, a container comprising a body 151 widening downwards, comprising in the lower part a permeable wall 152 overlooking a housing containing a second element of application 153.

The latter is mounted on the container 151 in a similar manner to the first application element 16.

The reduction of the interior volume is carried out by exerting a lateral pressure on the container 151, the latter being shape memory.

To favor the accumulation of product in the vicinity of the element application, the permeable wall may include a step 160 as illustrated in Figure 17.

In this figure, we see that the permeable wall, referenced 23 ', forms thanks at the offset 160 a space 161 in which product P can accumulate.

The permeable wall may also include, as illustrated in FIG. 18, one or more ribs on its outer face, capable of coming into contact with the face front of the application element.

FIG. 18 shows a permeable wall 23 "which differs from the wall 23 previously described by the presence on the outer face 31 of a rib annular 165 surrounding a perforated central region.

The application element 16 comes to bear on this rib 165, which creates a space 166 between the permeable wall 23 "and the application element 16, in which product can accumulate.

The container can be made with a bottom provided with a neck 170, as shown in figure 19.

This neck 170 can be threaded or not and it is closed by a removable cap 171.

The user can remove the plug 171 to access the product directly P contained inside the container if necessary, the product then being removed by example using a finger, or an applicator such as a brush or the like, not represented.

The device can have two application elements as already mentioned. has been described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 20.

These two elements of application may not be of the same nature.

By way of example, there is shown in FIG. 21 a container which comprises in the lower part a permeable wall 180 overlooking a housing containing a applicator element 190 such as a brush.

The device may include a one-way air return valve allowing air to be taken back into the container, when the application element is in square.

By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 16 shows a air return valve 130 mounted on a wall 131 of the container, so as to close off rests an orifice 132 through which air can re-enter the container in the event of depression in this last.

Claims (61)

Packaging and application device comprising a container having an interior space (12; 68) in which the product (P) is contained, an element application (16; 69a; 77), a housing (14; 67) for receiving the element application and a permeable wall (23; 65; 84; 95; 103; 113) disposed between said housing and the interior space containing the product, the application element and the housing being arranged so that the applicator element has, when it is in said housing, at least a portion of surface (16a; 69d) located, without sensitive axial compression, opposite an opening (25) of the permeable wall, said interior space being of variable volume, characterized in that means for compression are provided to selectively pass said interior volume of a first volume greater than product volume, second volume less than first, this reduction in volume accompanied by an overpressure, which is suitable to favor the transfer of product through said permeable wall towards the element of application. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the compression means are arranged so that the interior space takes up its first volume under the action of an elastic restoring force. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the force of elastic return is obtained thanks to the fact that the container is shape memory. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the force of elastic return is obtained by means of a spring. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by fact that it includes retaining means on and / or adjacent to the permeable wall, side of the interior space containing the product, these retaining means being suitable for promote, in particular by capillarity or by electrostatic attraction, the retention of product in said opening or in its vicinity, with a view to its transfer into said opening housing during compression of a volume of air present in the interior space, between the permeable wall and the reserve of product. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the retaining means include partitions (93) between which product can be retained. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the retaining means comprise a retaining member (115) arranged in look of the permeable wall (113), this retaining member having openings lateral (119) allowing the product to gain a retention interval (117) of product, formed between the retaining member and the permeable wall. Device according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the retaining means (93) are produced by molding. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the retaining means consist of an insert, such as a block of foam (106). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container has a movable wall (11; 42; 53; 64; 75; 120) for generating said overpressure. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said movable wall comprises a flexible wall of the container. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the flexible wall is in the form of a bellows. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the wall movable includes a rigid wall of a piston (120). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permeable wall has a plurality of through holes (25; 104; 114). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element and the housing are arranged in such a way so that the surface (69d) of the application element used for applying the product, when the application element is in place in the housing, is kept at a distance of the permeable wall. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall permeable comprises at least one rib (165) on the side of the application element, against which the application element is capable of coming to bear. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the wall permeable is connected to the container by a recess (160) forming a bowl of the side of the application element. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by the fact that the application element and the housing are arranged so that the surface (16a) of the application element used for applying the product, either contact of the permeable wall, when the application element is in place in the housing. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator element is arranged so that the surface (69d) of the application element located, when the application element is in place in said housing, facing the permeable wall, can retreat under the effect of the overpressure in the container. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (14) is delimited by a side wall (13) against which applies the application element by its periphery. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the application element is applied in a sealed manner on said side wall. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element behaves like a piston when its withdrawal. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container is arranged so that when the space interior occupies its second volume, the level of the product in the container does not reach the permeable wall. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall defines the bottom of the receiving housing the application element, the latter being introduced into said housing through an opening located in the axis (X) of the container, opposite said permeable wall. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall has channels whose cross-section and length are chosen so as to allow accommodation and / or to pass a predetermined amount of product. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the application element is integral with an element of grip (17) also constituting a closure cap for the container. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the gripping element comprises sealing means (18) to ensure a sealed closure of the housing receiving the application element. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product (P) is a powder. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized by the fact that the product is a liquid. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 27, characterized by the fact that the product is a gel or a cream. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permeable wall is produced by molding with the container. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall is constituted by an insert on the container. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permeable wall comprises a grid. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall comprises a foam. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by fact that the permeable wall is substantially planar or concave towards the opening of the housing. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permeable wall has a complementary shape of that of the application element. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall has substantially radial holes or axial. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized by the fact that the permeable wall consists of a woven fabric, a perforated plastic film, a welded or overmolded sieve. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element (16) is absorbent, being produced in a material such as foam, felt or sintered material. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the application element is elastic compressible. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element is internally non-porous. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 39, characterized by the fact that the application element is substantially non-compressible. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element is flocked or has a textile at its area. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing receiving the application element (77) is movable relative to the interior space of the container containing the product. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a second application element (141; 190), a second housing and a second permeable wall. Device according to claim 45, characterized in that the second application element (141) is of the same nature as the first (140) but of different size. Device according to claim 45, characterized in that the first (16) and second (190) application elements are not of the same nature. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 44, characterized by the fact that the container has a neck (170) closed by a removable plug (171) at an end opposite the applicator element. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises a unidirectional air return valve (130) allowing air to enter the container in the event of depression in the latter. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the permeable wall is fixed immobile to its periphery on the container. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is formed at least in part by particles containing at least one fluid. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the product also contains a pulverulent phase mixed with said particles containing a fluid. Device according to one of claims 51 and 52, characterized in that that the pulverulent phase comprises pigments and / or nacres and / or fillers and / or flakes and / or mixtures thereof. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the pigments are chosen from titanium, zirconium or cerium dioxides, oxides of zinc, iron or chromium, nanotitanes, nanozincs, ferric blue, carbon black, lacquers such as calcium, barium, aluminum or zirconium, acid dyes such as halo-acid dyes, azo dyes or anthraquinonics, pigments coated with silicone compounds such as polydimethylsiloxanes and / or by polymers, in particular polyethylenes. Device according to either of Claims 53 and 54, characterized in that that the fillers are chosen from talc, mica, silica, kaolin, powders Nylon, poly-β-alanine and polyethylene, Teflon, lauroyl-lysine, starch, boron nitride, bismuth oxychloride, polymer powders tetrafluoroethylene, polymethylmethacrylate powders, powders polyurethane, polystyrene powders, polyester powders, microspheres hollow synthetic, micro-sponges and microbeads of silicone resin, oxides of zinc and titanium, oxides of zirconium or cerium, carbonate of precipitated calcium, magnesium carbonate and hydrocarbon, hydroxyapatite, hollow silica microspheres, glass or ceramic microcapsules, soaps metals derived from organic carboxylic acids having 8 to 22 atoms of carbon, preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Device according to any one of Claims 51 to 55, characterized in that the fluid contained in said particles is in particular under aqueous or oily form, in particular in the form of essential oils, gel, water in oil emulsion, or oil in water. Device according to any one of Claims 51 to 56, characterized by the fact that the fluid is contained in porous waxes, in vesicles or microcapsules, the walls of which are in particular made of epoxy, of polyethylene, in gelatin or polyester, or in micro-sponges or microspheres. Device according to any one of Claims 51 to 57, characterized by the fact that the phase formed of the particles containing the fluid represents from 1 to 50%, preferably 2 to 30%, and more preferably 5 to 20% by weight of the composition. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the product contains at least one active ingredient, in particular antioxidant agents or anti-free radicals, moisturizers or humectants, UV filters, keratolytics, tanning accelerators, depigmentants, natural dyes, self-tanners, liporegulators, anti-aging and anti-wrinkle agents, anti-inflammatory and healing agents, antibacterials and antifungals, insect repellents, or skin conditioners Method for loading an application element with a product, this product consisting of a powder, a liquid, a gel or a cream, this product being contained in an interior space of a container, this interior space comprising a substantial amount of air above the product, characterized in that it comprises the steps consisting in: placing the application element in a housing delimited at least partially by a first face (31) of a permeable wall (23), bringing the product into contact with a second face (30) of the permeable wall, opposite the first, by stirring the container or by placing it upside down, temporarily creating an overpressure in said interior space, the permeable wall and the container being arranged such that said overpressure moves product present in contact with the second face (30), or in its vicinity, towards the first face (31) and thus towards the application element, and remove the applicator element from the housing (14). Method according to claim 60, characterized in that the interior of the container is at atmospheric pressure before the creation of said overpressure.

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