EP1362525A1 - Applicator device of roll-on type - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a device (1) for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, the device comprising a container (2) containing the product, and equipped with an applicator structure (20, 50, 70) of roll-on type, comprising: i) a support (50) delimiting a housing (58) capable of communicating with the container via an opening (28); and ii) a non-spherical application member (70), disposed inside the housing, and the surface (71) of which is of revolution about at least one X axis, said application member (70) being mounted so as to have a portion capable of sealingly sealing said opening (28) when the device is in the storage position. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a packaging and application unit of a product, in particular cosmetic, using an applicator structure of the type roll-on. The invention is particularly suitable for packaging and the application of personal hygiene products, in particular a deodorant.

Packaging and application devices with an applicator structure of the type "roll on" include a ball, most often spherical, mounted freely in rotation on itself, in a housing of corresponding shape, surmounting a container containing the product to be applied. The accommodation includes a first opening for the communication of a first surface portion of the ball with the product contained in the container, and a second opening, at through which emerges outside, a second portion of the surface of the ball.

Upon application, after removing the cap, the consumer returns the container in upside down position so as to, by gravity, bring product to the contact of the first surface portion of the ball.

By engaging the second surface portion of the ball with the surface to be treated, and by an adequate movement of the device relative to said surface, the ball is rotated on itself so that the first portion of said ball is placed opposite the second opening, thereby depositing said product on the surface to be treated.

Generally, the container is obtained by blowing a material such as rigid polypropylene, styrene acrylobutadiene (ABS), or polyethylene high density. The applicator ball can be, for example, made of polyethylene.

Typically, these devices are equipped with a removable cap which, when rests on the ball, constrains the latter in sealed support on a delimiting edge the first opening so as to achieve a certain seal, interrupting thus the liquid communication between the container and the housing containing the ball applicator.

Such devices using a spherical ball are described in particular in the US-A-4,002,411, DE-A-1,141,054, US-A-5,897,267, US-A-3,090,987, FR-A-1 206 002, CA-A-1 207 278 or US-A-1 476 523

In practice, it turns out that it might be desirable to have a roll-on type device whose application member is not spherical, but by example, elongated. Such a non-spherical shape could be sought, in particular with a view to allowing a new aesthetic, or, in depending on the area of the body on which the product is to be applied, to increase the applicator surface.

Document GB-1,023,517 describes an applicator member mounted on a reservoir flexible, this applicator member being cylindrical and rotatable around a axis of rotation parallel to a plane of the opening ensuring communication between the reservoir and the housing receiving the application member.

Document EP-A-0 709 039 describes a device in which the applicator member is ovoid in shape. Inside a housing of corresponding shape, the applicator member is free to rotate about an axis parallel to a plane of the opening ensuring communication between the container and the housing.

A major drawback of such a configuration is that the tightness at applicator level, especially during transport or storage of the device, is very difficult to achieve, mainly due to the shape of said applicator member, and its orientation relative to the opening disposed between the container and the housing containing the applicator member.

Indeed, due to the profile of the ovoid surface portion of the organ located next to the opening allowing communication between the container and the housing containing the applicator member, which opening is delimited by a flat edge, said surface portion cannot be applied uniformly on said plane edge. As a result, the seal upon closing cannot be obtained satisfactorily.

Thus, according to a first embodiment envisaged by this document, in position storage, the closure between the container and said housing is ensured by a skirt portion formed by the support of the applicator member, and suitable selectively to come in sealed engagement inside an axial chimney formed by an intermediate piece mounted on the container.

Due in particular to the manufacturing tolerances of the elements participating in the closure, the seal obtained may be most insufficient, in particular after many uses.

According to other embodiments, the closure of said opening is obtained by the selective comparison of a first opening formed by the support of the applicator member and a second opening formed by a mounted part in the neck of the container.

Due to the number of parts making up the device, its cost is important. It is therefore incompatible with the economic imperatives of certain cosmetic distribution channels, such as mass distribution.

Document US-5,248,213, we know a cover to be mounted on the body application, this cover comprising an elastically deformable surface at apply to the applicator member to close the second opening. But hood is an attachment to the application and packaging device.

Finally, and this also applies to devices with a spherical applicator as previously discussed, there is a problem with gestures imposed by the mechanism for bringing the ball into contact with the product contained in the container. Indeed, this contacting is essentially done under the action of gravity, in response to the device flipping into its position upside down, which reversal, when it comes to applying a body deodorant under the arms, can only be done before application. The gesture is therefore most tedious. In addition, the viscosity of the product must be very low.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide a device for "roll on" packaging and application, which resolves all or part of the problems discussed above with reference to certain conventional systems.

By "roll-on type applicator structure" is meant a structure comprising a application member with an application surface of revolution around at least at least one axis, said applicator member being mounted so as to deposit the product with which its application surface is loaded, by its rotation on it same, in response to a friction displacement of said application surface relative to the surface on which the product is to be deposited.

It is in particular an object of the invention to produce such a device in which the sealing at closure is both improved and of design simplified.

It is another object of the invention to produce an applicator device of the type roll-on to facilitate gestures on application, in particular for setting in contact with the application member with the product to be applied.

It is yet another object of the invention to produce such a device which is original aesthetic, simple to use, and economical to produce.

Other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

i) un support délimitant un logement ;

ii) un organe d'application non sphérique, disposé à l'intérieur du logement, et dont la surface est de révolution autour d'un axe X ;
   caractérisé en ce que cette structure applicatrice comporte

iii) des moyens (20) pour la faire passer d'une première configuration dans laquelle une portion de l'organe d'application obture de manière étanche une première ouverture formée entre le récipient et le logement, à une seconde configuration dans laquelle le logement communique avec le récipient via ladite première ouverture, et dans laquelle l'organe d'application est libre en rotation autour dudit axe X de sorte qu'une portion de ladite surface de révolution, après avoir été mise au contact du produit, puisse, via une seconde ouverture délimitée par le logement, être mise en engagement avec une surface sur laquelle le produit est à appliquer.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for packaging and applying a product, in particular cosmetic, the device comprising a container containing the product, and equipped with an applicator structure comprising:

i) a support delimiting a housing;

ii) a non-spherical applicator member, disposed inside the housing, and whose surface is of revolution about an axis X;
characterized in that this applicator structure comprises

iii) means (20) for passing it from a first configuration in which a portion of the applicator member seals a first opening formed between the container and the housing, to a second configuration in which the housing communicates with the container via said first opening, and in which the applicator member is free to rotate about said axis X so that a portion of said surface of revolution, after being brought into contact with the product, can, via a second opening delimited by the housing, be engaged with a surface on which the product is to be applied.

Thus, despite the non-spherical shape of the applicator member, the latter is configured and mounted so that it can itself be sealed said first opening. This eliminates the need for auxiliary mechanisms complex, expensive, and unreliable as described in the patent application EP-A-0 709 039 mentioned above. Also because of this, the cost price is advantageous and the use of the device, in particular its passage from the position easy to use in the storage position, and vice versa.

Advantageously, said closure portion is centered on the X axis, and has, perpendicular to a plane of the first opening, at least one section of circular shape.

Advantageously also, said closing portion of the applicator member is consisting of a portion of a sphere, which comes into engagement with an edge, preferably plan, delimiting said first opening, thus sealing all around said opening.

This configuration offers the advantage of being able to tilt the X axis relative to the axis of the first opening, generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container. This inclination greatly improves the body language the application. Furthermore, the level of tightness obtained is substantially invariable over use. Finally, the system adapts without any significant tolerance problem, notably due to the catching up that provides engagement of a spherical surface portion with an edge plan.

According to a preferred embodiment, said axis X intercepts a mean plane containing said first opening. This characteristic, in the case of a non-spherical applicator, greatly facilitates design of the device so that the closing of said opening is ensured directly by a portion of the applicator, and not by a structure auxiliary, carried in particular by the support of the applicator member, as described in patent application EP-A-0 709 039.

Therefore, the cost is advantageous and the use of the device, in particular its passage from the position of use to the position of storage, and vice versa, Easy.

Said X axis can form an angle between 45 ° and 80 ° with said plane. This interval is considered to be an optimal interval with regard to concerns the comfort of the gestures during use, especially when it comes to apply a body deodorant under the arms. This interval also allows keep the overall dimensions of the device at an entirely acceptable level.

Preferably, means are provided for, upon the return of the device from the second configuration towards the first, constrain the application member in direction of said second opening. We thus limit, even prevent, any exit untimely, residual product in the housing, via the second opening, when the device is in the storage position.

Preferably, the applicator member is of elongated shape along said axis X, one at least ends ending in a portion of a sphere whose center is located on said X axis. This elongated shape, in addition to the new aesthetics it allows, contributes to increase the surface of application.

Preferably, the applicator member comprises a portion of a sphere at each of its two ends. This arrangement thus makes, during assembly, indifferent the relative orientation of the applicator member relative to the housing, along the axis of the last.

Even more preferably, the applicator member is of general shape substantially ovoid.

According to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, said first opening is in communication with a dip tube, one end of which is immersed in the product, the container comprising at least one deformable wall elastically in response to pressure exerted thereon. Thus, feeding product of the housing containing the applicator member can be done simultaneously with the engagement of the applicator member with the surface to be treated, without have to return the device to the upside down position. The body language is improved, and the use of higher viscosity products is permitted.

i) lesdits moyens pour faire passer ladite structure applicatrice de la première à la seconde configuration comprennent un élément de manoeuvre mobile en rotation relativement au récipient, et fixe axialement relativement à ce dernier ;

ii) ledit élément de manoeuvre présente un bord délimitant ladite première ouverture ; et

iii) ledit élément de manoeuvre est couplé relativement au support de sorte qu'une rotation de l'élément de manoeuvre relativement au récipient, provoque un mouvement axial du support d'une première position dans laquelle ladite portion sphérique coopère avec ledit bord de manière à obturer de manière étanche ladite première ouverture à une seconde position dans laquelle ladite portion sphérique est à distance dudit bord de manière à dégager au moins en partie ladite première ouverture.

advantageously,

i) said means for passing said applicator structure from the first to the second configuration comprises an actuating element movable in rotation relative to the container, and axially fixed relative to the latter;

ii) said operating element has an edge delimiting said first opening; and

iii) said operating element is coupled relative to the support so that a rotation of the operating element relative to the container causes an axial movement of the support from a first position in which said spherical portion cooperates with said edge so as to sealing said first opening in a second position in which said spherical portion is spaced from said edge so as to at least partially release said first opening.

Preferably, the device comprises a cover capable of styling so reversible said applicator structure. This cover prevents the environment in which the device is located during its storage, in particular a bag for hands, or soiled by the residual product that may be on the portion of applicator surface located opposite the second opening.

Means, in particular in the form of a tongue, can be provided for cause said operating element to rotate.

Advantageously, the container comprises a neck, a free edge of which delimits a opening on which the applicator structure is mounted, said X axis intercepting said opening.

Advantageously also, said neck is offset relative to the container. This characteristic allows, especially when the X axis, is tilted relative to the axis of the container, to limit the size of the device.

The device according to the invention can be used advantageously for the packaging and application of a cosmetic product, in particular a product personal hygiene.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en perspective éclatée du dispositif selon un mode de réalisation préférentiel de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective éclatée d'une portion du dispositif de la figure 1, sous un angle différent ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en perspective du dispositif des figures 1 et 2 en position montée ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe du dispositif des figures 1-3 en position de stockage ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe du dispositif des figures 1-3 en position de distribution ; et
• la figure 6 illustre l'utilisation du dispositif des figures 1-5 pour l'application d'un déodorant corporel.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a portion of the device of Figure 1, from a different angle;
• Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the device of Figures 1 and 2 in the mounted position;
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of the device of Figures 1-3 in the storage position;
• Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device of Figures 1-3 in the dispensing position; and
• Figure 6 illustrates the use of the device of Figures 1-5 for the application of a body deodorant.

The device 1, shown in Figures 1 to 5 which will now be done reference, comprises a container 2 with elastically deformable walls, produced by polyethylene extrusion blow molding.

The container 2 comprises a cylindrical body 3, one end of which is closed by a bottom 4. The end of the container 2 opposite the bottom 4 comprises a neck 5, off-axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the body 3, and whose external surface includes an annular bead 6. A free edge of the neck 5 defines an opening 7 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container.

Outside the neck 5, in the vicinity of its base, there are two elements of guide 8, diametrically opposite, and extending substantially angularly over about 30 °. The guide elements 8 extend axially up to approximately one third of the axial height of the neck 5. Their function will be discussed in more detail by the after.

On the outer surface of the cylindrical body 3, near its end upper, an annular groove 10 is provided capable of cooperating by snap-fastening with a corresponding bead 11 provided on the internal surface of a cover removable 12, near its lower end. The annular groove 10 is provided on an annular portion 13 in slight radial withdrawal relative to the rest of the cylindrical body 3 so that, in the mounted position of the cover 12 on the container 2, the outer surface of the cover 12 is substantially in alignment with the outer surface of the body 3 of the container 2.

The device 1 also comprises an intermediate piece 20 intended to form an actuator capable of passing the device 1 from the position of storage illustrated in Figure 4 at the dispensing position shown in Figure 5.

The intermediate piece 20 comprises an outer skirt 21 interrupted in its lower part on two diametrically opposite portions 22 and 23, the width corresponds to the desired travel between the storage position of the device (Figure 4) and the dispensing position (Figure 5).

The external surface of the external skirt 21 includes a thread 24.

The internal surface of the external skirt 21 comprises an annular groove 25 suitable to cooperate by snap-fastening with the annular bead 6 provided on the neck of the bottle 2 so that the intermediate piece 20 is free to rotate over a stroke angular corresponding to the angular width of the interrupted skirt portions 22 and 23, and is axially immobile.

The intermediate piece 20 also includes a skirt 26 capable of engaging e sealingly inside the opening 7 delimited by the free edge of the neck 5 of the bottle 2.

The intermediate piece 20 comprises a transverse annular wall 27 to which the outer skirt 21 and the sealing skirt 26 are connected.

The transverse annular wall 27 ends, opposite the outer skirt 21, by an inner edge delimiting an opening 28, and connecting to a skirt axial 29, frustoconical in its part adjacent to the inner edge, then cylindrical on a short portion ending in a free end.

On the cylindrical part of the axial skirt 29 is force-fitted a tube plunger 30, one free end of which is situated substantially at the bottom of the container 2.

The intermediate piece 20 also includes a tongue 31 extending Radially and intended to allow the rotational drive of the part intermediate 20 relative to container 2.

The device 1 comprises an applicator member 70. It is substantially shaped ovoid and has a surface of revolution 71 around an X axis. In each from its ends, the applicator member ends in a portion of a sphere 72, 73, the geometric center of which is centered on the X axis.

Although the ovoid shape is a preferred shape, other shapes can be considered, in particular, cylindrical or conical, with at least a hemispherical end, or even in the form of a peanut.

The applicator member 70 is obtained by molding a material such as a polyethylene. Its application surface may have been the subject of various treatments, in particular chemical, so as to modify the surface condition, with a view to including improving its ability to convey product before it is deposited on the surface to be treated.

The device 1 also includes a support 50 intended to receive the organ 70. The support 50 comprises a cylindrical portion 51 whose surface internal includes a thread 52 adapted to cooperate with the thread 24 provided on the outer surface of the skirt 21 of the intermediate piece 20.

The external surface of the cylindrical portion 51, in the vicinity of its free edge 53 includes two pairs of stops 54, 55, 56, 57 intended to be positioned respectively on either side of the guide elements 8 provided on the neck 5 of the container. Thus, the rotation of the intermediate piece 20 relative to the container 2, causes an axial movement of the support 50 without rotation of the latter.

Opposite the free edge 53, the skirt 51 is extended by a shaped housing 58 corresponding to the shape of the applicator member 70. The housing 58 comprises an opening 59 of elongated shape and oriented in a medium direction inclined relative to the axis Y of the neck 5 of the container 2. At the top, the opening 59 extends at a distance from the top of the support 50, substantially equal to the height along the X axis of the sphere portion 72. At the bottom, the opening 59 extends substantially up to the cylindrical part 51 of the support 50.

In the vicinity of the lowest part of the opening 59, the internal surface of the support 50 includes a bead 61 intended to ensure axial coupling between the support 50 and the applicator member 70 when the support 50 is driven axially by the intermediate piece 20.

The applicator member 70 is dimensioned so as to fit into the housing 58 via its opening 59.

Figure 4 to which reference is now made illustrates the device 1 in mounted position, in a configuration corresponding to the storage position.

In this position, the spherical portion 73 rests in a sealed manner on the edge delimiting the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20, thus ensuring a sealing the product between the container 2 and the housing 58 defined by the support 50.

A bead 60 formed on the internal surface of the housing 58, in the vicinity of its upper part, keeps the applicator member 70 away from the surface internal of the housing 58 so as to form a passage between the two which, when the device is in its distribution configuration shown in the Figure 5, allows the communication of the application surface 71 with the product.

In addition, in the storage position of Figure 4, the bead 60 constrained the applicator member 70 in the direction of the opening 59 so as to prevent substantially any flow of product, remaining inside the housing 58, via said opening 59.

Because of this constraint, in the storage position of FIG. 4, and because also constraints exerted on the applicator member 70, substantially along its axis X, the rotation of the applicator member about its axis is made difficult if not impossible.

In this position, the angle formed between the axis X of the applicator member 70 and the medium plane containing the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20 is included between 45 ° and 80 °, and preferably around 60 °.

The angle formed between the axis of rotation X of the applicator member and the axis Y corresponding to the axis of the opening 28 is between 10 and 45 °, and preferably is in the range of 25 ° to 30 °.

In order to use the device according to the invention, the user, after having removed the cover 12, driven by means of the tongue 31, the intermediate piece 20 in rotation relative to the container 2, over an angular travel corresponding to the angular width of the interrupted skirt portions 22 and 23, i.e. approximately 20 ° to 30 °.

In doing so, and as it appears clearly in Figure 5, the support 50 is driven axially over a distance sufficient for the applicator member 70, coupled axially to the support 50, via the bead 61 formed on the internal surface of the support 50, moves away from the edge delimiting the opening 28 of the intermediate piece 20, thus creating a liquid communication between the container 2 and the housing 58 formed by support 50.

As shown in Figure 6, the user presses on the flexible walls of the container 2 so as to create sufficient overpressure inside the latter to mount the product in the dip tube, and pass it through the opening 28, in the space formed between the surface of the applicator member 70 and the surface internal of the support 50, thus bringing the product into contact with the surface application.

By releasing the pressure on the flexible walls of container 2, these return by elastic return to their non-deformation position. During this return, the air is sucked inside the container 2, so as to restore inside this last a pressure substantially equal to atmospheric pressure.

Conventionally for a roll-on type applicator, the user sets the portion of application surface 71, located opposite the opening 59, in engagement with the skin, and frictionally displaces it relative to the latter of so as to rotate it around its axis of revolution X, thereby depositing passing the product with which it is loaded.

As is clear from the above, bringing the product into contact with the surface 71 can be done simultaneously with moving the surface application to the skin with a gesture that does not involve contortions special.

After use, the user drives the tongue 31 of the intermediate piece 20, rotating in the opposite direction, thus moving the support axially downwards 50 and the applicator member 70, until the spherical portion 73 of this the latter is in watertight support on the edge delimiting the opening 28. As mentioned previously, during this downward axial movement, the organ 70 is constrained towards opening 59.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. Obviously there may be variations made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (18)

Device (1) for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, the device comprising a container (2) containing the product, and equipped with an applicator structure (20, 50, 70) comprising: i) a support (50) delimiting a housing (58); ii) a non-spherical applicator member (70), disposed inside the housing, and whose surface (71) is of revolution about at least one X axis;
characterized in that this applicator structure comprises iii) means (20) for passing it from a first configuration in which a portion (73) of the applicator member seals a first opening (28) formed between the container and the housing, to a second configuration in which the housing communicates with the container via said first opening, and in which the applicator member is free to rotate about said axis X so that a portion of said surface of revolution, after being brought into contact of the product, can, via a second opening (59) delimited by the housing, be engaged with a surface on which the product is to be applied. Device (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that said closure portion (73) is centered on the axis X, and has, perpendicular to a plane of the first opening (28), at least one section of circular shape . Device (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that said closure portion (73) of the application member (71) consists of a portion of a sphere. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3 characterized in that said axis X intercepts the plane of said first opening (28). Device (1) according to claim 4 characterized in that said axis X forms an angle between 45 ° and 80 ° with said plane. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises means (60) for, when the device (1) returns from the second configuration to the first, constraining the member application (70) towards said second opening (59). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the application member (70) is elongated along said axis X, at least one of the ends ending in a portion of a sphere whose center is located on said X axis. Device (1) according to claim 7 characterized in that the applicator member comprises a portion of a sphere (72, 73) at each of its two ends. Device (1) according to claim 7 or 8 characterized in that the application member (70) is of substantially ovoid shape. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the said first opening (28) is in communication with a dip tube (30), one end of which is immersed in the product, the container (2) comprising at minus an elastically deformable wall in response to a pressure exerted thereon. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that : i) said means for passing said applicator structure from the first to the second configuration comprises an operating element (20) movable in rotation relative to the container, and axially fixed relative to the latter; ii) said operating element (20) has an edge delimiting said first opening (28); and iii) said operating element (20) is coupled relative to the support (50) so that a rotation of the operating element relative to the container, causes an axial movement of the support from a first position in which said portion of closure (73) of the applicator member (70) cooperates with said edge so as to seal said first opening (28) in a second position in which said closure portion (73) is spaced from said edge so as to at least partially release said first opening. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cover (12) capable of reversibly covering said applicator structure (20, 50, 70). Device according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that means, in particular in the form of a tongue (31), are provided for driving said operating element (20) in rotation. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the container (2) comprises a neck (5), a free edge of which delimits an opening (7) and on which the applicator structure (20, 50, 70), said axis X intercepting said opening (7). Device (1) according to claim 14 characterized in that said neck (5) is offset relative to the container (2). Use of a device (1) according to any one of the claims above for the packaging and application of a cosmetic product, including a personal hygiene product. Device (1) for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, the device comprising a container (2) containing the product and equipped with an applicator structure of the roll-on type (20, 50, 70) comprising : i) a support (50) delimiting a housing (58) capable of communicating with the container via a first opening (28); ii) a non-spherical application member (70), disposed inside the housing, and whose surface (71) is of revolution around at least one axis X intercepting a plane containing said first opening (28). Device (1) for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, the device comprising a container (2) containing the product, and equipped with an applicator structure of the roll-on type (20, 50, 70) comprising: i) a support (50) delimiting a housing (58) capable of communicating with the container via a first opening (28); ii) a non-cylindrical applicator member (70) of which a surface (71) is of revolution about at least one axis X, and disposed inside the housing, the product being conveyed to said first opening, in response at a pressure exerted on at least one elastically deformable wall of the container, via a dip tube (30), one end of which is immersed in the product.

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