FR3073373A1 - HEAD OF APPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF COSMETIC PRODUCT, AND ASSOCIATED PACKAGING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

Application and dispensing head (14) intended to be mounted on a neck (20) of a container (12), the head (14) comprising: - an applicator (30) comprising at least one through channel (38) intended to open onto an outer surface (40) of application; - An intermediate piece (32) intended to be arranged between the applicator (30) and the container (12), comprising: - a base (46) adapted to cooperate with the neck (20); - a hollow rod (48) inserted into a receiving housing, the receiving housing being connected to or each through channel (38); and - a flexible region (50) connecting the base (46) and the rod (48), the rod (48) being movable together with the applicator (30) relative to the base (46) by deformation of the flexible region (50).

Description

Application and distribution head of cosmetic product, and associated packaging device

The present invention relates to a head for applying and dispensing a cosmetic product intended to be mounted on the neck of a container, the head comprising an applicator for a cosmetic product, the applicator comprising at least one through distribution channel intended to open out. on an exterior product application surface.

FR 2 647 034, for example, discloses an application and distribution head of the aforementioned type. Such a head is generally used to apply a cosmetic product contained in the container to a body surface through a dispensing passage of the container.

The cosmetic product is in particular a care and / or make-up product for a body surface, or a coloring product. In particular, the cosmetic product is a facial and / or body care product, or a sun protection product.

A cosmetic product is more generally a product as defined in Regulation EC No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The device allows a precise application of cosmetic product on a body surface, adapting to the curvature of the skin.

The application device described in FR 2 647 034 comprises a tube having at its free end a bellows on which is mounted a dispensing head comprising an applicator.

The cosmetic product flows through porous passages present in the applicator. The bellows being deformable, the applicator is capable of tilting when the product is applied to the body surface.

Such a device is however complicated to manufacture. The device comprises several parts made of different materials, which increases the number of parts to be assembled and referenced.

Furthermore, the bellows present at the neck of the container, necessary for the tilting of the head comprises numerous undercuts, making it difficult to produce by simple molding.

The bellows also offers a very large pivot angle which may be incompatible with certain applications, in particular in terms of sealing.

Finally, the head is adapted to a single type of neck of the container having the bellows. For each container, it is therefore necessary to manufacture a head specifically adapted to the container and not reusable, which increases the cost.

An object of the invention is to obtain an application and distribution head allowing an application which adapts to the curvature of the body surface and which nevertheless remains simple to manufacture.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an application and dispensing head of the aforementioned type, in which the head comprises an intermediate piece intended to be disposed between the applicator and the container, the intermediate piece comprising a base suitable for cooperate with the neck of the container to secure the head to the neck; a hollow rod defining a dispensing passage for the cosmetic product, the hollow rod projecting relative to the base along a rod axis, the rod being inserted in a reception housing formed in the applicator, the reception housing being connected at or at each crossing channel; and a flexible region connecting the base and the rod, the rod being movable together with the applicator relative to the base by deformation of the flexible region.

The use of a clean intermediate part which can be easily assembled with the applicator by means of the rod, while offering a possibility of inclination of the applicator thanks to the flexible region, considerably simplifies manufacture by avoiding to have to spare a bellows at the end of the container. The container is simply received in the base, the shape of which can be optimized for molding.

The base also adapts to different containers and allows reuse of the head if necessary. The through channel opening into the application surface, the arrival of cosmetic product is very effective on the application surface.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the application and dispensing head also has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combination (s) ).

According to a variant, the intermediate piece is made in one piece by coming from one piece.

The intermediate part which performs both the functions of connection to the container and to the applicator and which allows deformability being carried out in one piece, complicated assembly steps are avoided and the number of parts to be referenced is reduced.

According to a variant, the base comprises a skirt defining a housing for inserting the neck, the skirt having an internal surface oriented towards the passage, the internal face of the skirt having at least one cooperation member for securing the head to the collar ; and the cooperation body is a thread.

The presence of a skirt in the base provides a privileged site for docking the neck of the container, in which a cooperation member allows an effective securing of the container.

According to variants:

- The flexible region blocks the insertion housing of the neck formed in the base towards the outside of the container;

- The flexible region is formed of a film having at least one undulation;

- the flexible region extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the stem axis.

The presence of a flexible region, preferably in the form of a corrugated sheet, guarantees at the same time improved sealing, adequate flexibility and easy manufacture.

According to variants:

- The rod is movable between a rest position intended to be coaxial with an axis of the neck, and a plurality of inclined positions;

- In at least one inclined position of the rod, the rod axis forms an angle of at least 5 ° relative to the rod axis in the rest position;

- the base defines at least one abutment surface of the applicator in an inclined position.

The permissible tilting interval of the rod made possible by the flexible region and the presence of the abutment surface avoids very large pivot angles which may be incompatible with certain applications, while ensuring sufficient flexibility to adapt the application head to the curvature of the body surface.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic product comprising a container having a neck, an application and distribution head as described above, the application and distribution head being mounted on the neck. .

In particular embodiments of the invention, the packaging device also has one or more of the following characteristics, taken in isolation or according to any technically possible combination (s):

- the container is a flexible tube. The flexible tube allows an easy exit of the cosmetic product when a user presses the wall of the tube.

- the head is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck.

The ease of assembly and disassembly of the head allows its simple design and adaptation to different containers. It also allows possible reuse on different containers.

Furthermore, the subject of the invention is a process for applying and dispensing a cosmetic product by means of a packaging and dispensing device as defined above, the process comprising the following steps:

- supply of a device as described above;

- supply of product to the applicator through the rod;

- application of the applicator on a body surface; and

- deformation of the flexible region to jointly rotate the applicator and the rod relative to the base fixed on the neck according to a curvature of the body surface.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axial sectional view of a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product according to the invention, and

- Figure 2 is a perspective view of an intermediate piece mounted on the container.

A first application and packaging device 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This device 10 is intended for the packaging and distribution of a cosmetic product. The cosmetic product is for example a cosmetic product for care, make-up or coloring.

Referring to Figure 1, the device 10 comprises a container 12, and an application and dispensing head 14 closing the container 12.

The container 12 is for example a flexible tube, or a flexible bottle.

The container 12 comprises a reservoir 16 containing a cosmetic product 18, as defined above.

The container 12 also includes a neck 20 protruding at one end of the tank 16 along a central axis X-X ’. The neck 20 internally defines a product circulation channel 21 opening out through a central opening 22 for exit of the cosmetic product 18. The neck 20 externally defines an external surface 24 oriented opposite the axis X-X ’.

The outer surface 24 has a thread 26 projecting away from the axis XX ’.

When a force towards the axis XX 'is applied to the reservoir 16, the cosmetic product 18 is able to flow from the interior of the reservoir 16 towards the exterior of the reservoir 16 through the central opening 22 .

The head 14 is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck 20 between an engaged position, in which the head 14 is engaged around the neck 20, and a released position in which the head 14 is disposed away from the neck 20.

The head 14 includes an applicator 30, and an intermediate piece 32 disposed between the applicator 30 and the container 12.

The applicator 30 is advantageously made of a metallic material, for example steel. Alternatively, it is made of a plastic material. In this example, it is made in one piece.

The applicator 30 comprises a transverse part 34 extending substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X ’, and a peripheral part 36 extending around the axis X-X’.

The transverse part 34 defines at least one axial channel passing through 38, an external surface for applying cosmetic product 40, an internal surface 41, and a mounting skirt 42 on the intermediate part 32.

The through channel 38 extends here along the axis X-X ’. It opens, at its first end into the internal surface 41 towards the neck 20, and at its second end, into the external application surface 40. The through channel 38 is suitable for conveying the cosmetic product 18 coming from the container 12 through the intermediate part 32 towards the external application surface 40.

The cosmetic product 18 is suitable for spreading over the external application surface 40. The external application surface 40 has in this example a smooth shape suitable for sliding on a body surface.

The mounting skirt 42 projects towards the neck 20 from the internal surface 41. It extends around the axis XX ′, and is disposed inside the peripheral part 36. It defines a housing internal reception at the bottom of which opens the through channel 38.

The peripheral part 36 projects relative to the external application surface 40 towards the neck 20. It extends continuously around the axis X-X ’, for example in a cylindrical manner. It surrounds the intermediate piece 32 over the entire periphery of the intermediate piece 32.

The peripheral part 36 has an upper edge 44 linked to the transverse part 34 and a free lower edge 45.

The intermediate part 32 is made in one piece by coming from one piece. It is advantageously made of a plastic material, for example polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

The intermediate piece 32 comprises a base 46 mounted on the neck 20, and a hollow rod 48 defining a passage 49 for dispensing the cosmetic product, the rod 48 being movable between a rest position and a plurality of inclined positions (along the axes shown by the inclined lines in phantom in Figure 1).

The intermediate piece 32 also comprises a flexible region 50 connecting the base 46 and the rod 48.

The base 46 cooperates with the neck 20 of the container 12 for securing the head 14 to the neck 20. It comprises a skirt 52 defining a housing for receiving the neck 20, a peripheral wall 54, and a transverse wall 56 connecting the skirt 52 and the peripheral wall 54 at their upper ends.

The skirt 52 extends around the neck 20. It is arranged inside the peripheral wall 54.

The skirt 52 has an interior surface 58 oriented towards the passage 49. The interior surface 58 includes at least one cooperation member 60 adapted to cooperate with the thread 26 to secure the head 14 to the neck 20.

In the configuration shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cooperation member 60 is a thread complementary to the thread 26.

In the engaged position of the intermediate piece 32, the cooperation member 60 cooperates with the thread 26 so that the head 14 is fixed to the neck 20.

The peripheral wall 54 advantageously comprises a circumferential shoulder 62 around the axis X-X ’. The shoulder 62 defines an abutment surface 63 of the applicator 30 substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X ’.

When the rod 48 inclines beyond a given angle relative to the axis XX ′, the cooperation between the abutment surface 63 on the shoulder 62 and the lower edge 45 of the applicator prevents the additional inclination of the rod 48.

The rod 48 projects from the base 46 along the axis X-X ’. It has a free end 64 engaged in the applicator 30, and an end 66 linked to the flexible region 50. The free end 64 is received in the mounting skirt 42 while being placed in abutment against the internal surface 41.

The rod 48 is inserted in a complementary manner in the receiving housing defined in the mounting skirt 42 of the applicator 30. In this configuration, the product circulation channel 21 through the neck 20, the rod 48 between the end free 64 and the connection end 66, and the through channel 38 form a continuous conduit 68 suitable for conducting the cosmetic product 18 from the container 12 to the external application surface 40.

When the rod 48 occupies its rest position, it extends coaxially with the axis X-X ’. In each inclined position, the rod 48 extends along an axis forming a non-zero angle relative to the axis X-X ’.

In at least one inclined position of the rod 48, the angle between the axis of the rod 48 and the axis X-X ’is greater than 5 °.

When the rod 48 is inserted into the mounting skirt 42, the applicator 30 is fixed to the rod 48. The mounting skirt 42 then extends around the rod 48 in direct contact with the rod 48. The applicator 30 is then movable together with the rod 48 relative to the base 46 between the rest position and the inclined positions.

The flexible region 50 has a wavy shape in a plane passing through the axis X-X ’. It is for example formed by a deformable film. It has a thickness of less than 3 mm, and advantageously less than 1 mm. This thickness is advantageously between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, especially when the flexible region 50 is made of polypropylene.

The flexible region 50 extends substantially perpendicular to the axis X-X ’. It has an annular shape and extends over the entire periphery of the rod 48 and over the entire periphery of the skirt 52. Thus the flexible region 50 closes the base 46 sealingly towards the outside of the container 12.

The flexible region 50 has a diameter for example between 5 mm and 20 mm, advantageously between 7 mm and 12 mm, in particular equal to 11 mm.

The flexible region 50 is more flexible than the base 46. The deformation of the flexible region 50 requires a force less than the force necessary to deform the base 46.

The operation of the application and packaging device 10 will now be described.

First, the application and packaging device 10 is supplied with the head 14 mounted on the neck 20, the rod 48 occupying in its rest position. The applicator 30 is mounted on the rod 48.

When a user wishes to use the cosmetic product 18 contained in the reservoir 16, he presses the reservoir 16. In doing so, the cosmetic product 18 contained in the reservoir 16 flows towards the neck 20.

The user continuing to apply pressure on the reservoir 16, the cosmetic product 18 leaves the neck 20 through the central opening 22 and enters the rod 48. The cosmetic product 18 then crosses the rod 48 to the end free 64, then flows through the through channel 38, and reaches the external application surface 40 of the applicator 30.

The user then places the external application surface 40 in contact with a body surface, for example the face or the hand. Thus, cosmetic product 18 is applied to the body surface.

When the external application surface 40 is not parallel to the body surface, a force is applied to the applicator 30. The flexible region 50 being more flexible than the base 46, under the effect of the force applied on the applicator 30, the applicator 30 pushes the rod 48 which pivots together with the applicator 30 relative to the base 46. The rod 48 thus reaches an inclined position, and the external application surface 40 adapts to the curve of the body surface.

The inclination of the rod 48 and of the applicator 30 remains however limited in angular movement thanks to the cooperation between the abutment surface 63 and the lower edge 45 of the applicator.

Thanks to the invention described above, the manufacture of the head 14 is simplified. Indeed, the intermediate part 32 being in one piece and without significant undercuts, it is therefore possible to manufacture it by a simple and conventional molding process, while ensuring proper operation of the device.

In addition, the head 14 is suitable for several different types of containers 12. It is therefore possible to manufacture the standardized head for different containers 12, without having to design and manufacture a specific head 14 for each type of container. This reduces the manufacturing cost.

Claims (14)

1. - Application and distribution head (14) of cosmetic product (18), intended to be mounted on a neck (20) of a container (12), the head (14) comprising: - an applicator (30) of cosmetic product, the applicator (30) comprising at least one through channel (38) for distribution intended to lead to an external surface (40) of application of product; characterized in that the head (14) comprises an intermediate piece (32) intended to be disposed between the applicator (30) and the container (12), the intermediate piece (32) comprising: - A base (46) adapted to cooperate with the neck (20) of the container (12) for securing the head (14) to the neck (20); - a hollow rod (48) defining a passage (49) for dispensing the cosmetic product, the hollow rod (48) projecting relative to the base (46) along a rod axis, the rod (48) being inserted in a receiving housing provided in the applicator (30), the receiving housing being connected to the or each through channel (38); and - A flexible region (50) connecting the base (46) and the rod (48), the rod (48) being movable jointly with the applicator (30) relative to the base (46) by deformation of the region flexible (50). 2. - Application and distribution head (14) according to claim 1, in which the intermediate piece (32) is made in one piece by coming from one piece. 3. - application and dispensing head (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base (46) comprises a skirt (52) defining a neck insertion housing (20), the skirt (52 ) having an inner surface (58) oriented towards the passage (49), the inner face (58) of the skirt (52) having at least one cooperation member (60) for securing the head (14) to the neck ( 20). 4. - Application and distribution head (14) according to claim 3, wherein the cooperation member (60) is a thread. 5. - application and distribution head (14) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the flexible region (50) closes the insertion housing of the neck (20) formed in the base (46) towards the outside of container (12). 6. - Application and dispensing head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the flexible region (50) is formed from a film having at least one corrugation. 7. - Application and distribution head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the flexible region (50) extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod. 8. - Application and distribution head (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the rod (48) is movable between a rest position intended to be coaxial with an axis of the neck (X- X '), and a plurality of inclined positions. 9. - application and dispensing head (14) according to claim 8, in which in at least one inclined position of the rod (48), the rod axis forms an angle of at least 5 ° relative to the stem axis in the rest position. 10. - Application and distribution head (14) according to one of claims 8 or 9, in which the base (46) defines at least one abutment surface (63) of the applicator (30) in a tilted position. 11. - Cosmetic product packaging and distribution device (10) comprising a container (12) having a neck (20), an application and distribution head (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, the head application and distribution (14) being mounted on the neck (20). 12. - Cosmetic product packaging and distribution device (10) according to claim 11, in which the container (12) is a flexible tube. 13. - Cosmetic product packaging and dispensing device (10) according to claim 11 or 12, in which the head (14) is removably and reversibly mounted on the neck (20). 14. - Method of application and distribution of cosmetic product (18) on a body surface, characterized in that it comprises the following successive steps: - supply of a device (10) according to any one of claims 11 to 13; - supply of product (18) to the applicator (30) through the rod (48); - application of the applicator (30) on a body surface; and - deformation of the flexible region (50) to jointly rotate the applicator (30) and the rod (48) relative to the base (46) fixed on the neck (20) along a curvature of the body surface. 1/2 FIG.1 2/2 X FRENCH REPUBLIC National registration number FA 847648 FR 1760657 irai - I NATIONAL INSTITUTE PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL PRELIMINARY SEARCH REPORT based on the latest claims filed before the start of the search EPO FORM 1503 12.99 (P04C14) DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED AS RELEVANT Relevant claim (s) Classification attributed to the invention by ΙΊΝΡΙ Category Citation of the document with indication, if necessary, of the relevant parts AT A, D AT EP 1 312 280 Al (OREAL [FR]) May 21, 2003 (2003-05-21) * paragraph [0065]; figures 2,3 * FR 2 647 034 Al (OREAL [FR]) November 23, 1990 (1990-11-23) * abbreviated * EP 0 797 940 Al (OREAL [FR]) October 1, 1997 (1997-10-01) * abridged; figure 1 * 1-14 1-14 1-14 A45D34 / 04 A45D40 / 26 Α61Μ35 / ΘΘ TECHNICAL AREAS SOUGHT (IPC) A45D Research completion date July 10, 2018 Examiner Nicolas, Carlos CATEGORY OF DOCUMENTS CITED T: theory or principle underlying the invention E: patent document with an earlier date X: particularly relevant on its own at the filing date and which was not published until that date Y: particularly relevant in combination with a deposit or at a later date. other document of the same category D; cited in request A: technological background L: cited for other reasons O: unwritten disclosure P: interlayer document &: member of the same family, corresponding document ANNEX TO THE PRELIMINARY RESEARCH REPORT RELATING TO THE FRENCH PATENT APPLICATION NO. FR 1760657 FA 847648 EPO FORM P0465 This appendix indicates the members of the patent family relating to the patent documents cited in the preliminary search report referred to above. The said members are contained in the computer file of the European Patent Office on 10 - U / -2018 The information provided is given for information only and does not engage the responsibility of the European Patent Office or the French Administration Patent document cited Date of Member (s) of the Date of to the research report publication patent family (s) publication EP 1312280 al 21-05-2003 BR 0204974 A 16-09 2003 IT 2410915 Al 19-05 2003 CN 1419870 A 28-05 2003 EP 1312279 Al 21-05 2003 EP 1312280 Al 21-05 2003 ES 2502480 T3 03-10 2014 FR 2832297 Al 23-05 2003 JP 4086633 B2 14-05 2008 JP 2003205961 A 22-07 2003 US 2003129016 Al 10-07 2003 FR 2647034 al 23-11-1990 IT 2016977 Al 18-11 1990 OF 4016139 Al 22-11 1990 ES 2034904 A6 01-04 1993 FR 2647034 Al 23-11 1990 GB 2232074 A 05-12 1990 IT 1240375 B 10-12 1993 JP H034962 A 10-01 1991 NL 9001155 A 17-12 1990 US 5018894 A 28-05 1991 EP 0797940 al 01-10-1997 BR 9707151 A 06-04 1999 CN 1193262 A 16-09 1998 OF 69700116 DI 25-03 1999 OF 69700116 T2 17-06 1999 EP 0797940 Al 01-10 1997 ES 213ΘΘΘΘ T3 16-06 1999 FR 2746270 Al 26-09 1997 JP 3105927 B2 06-11 2000 JP Η1Θ5Θ7399 A 21-07 1998 JP 2000085825 A 28-03 2000 US 5967685 A 19-10 1999 WO 9734512 Al 25-09 1997 For any information concerning this annex: see Official Journal of the European Patent Office, No.12 / 82