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Title:
APPLICATOR SYSTEM FOR A HAIR TREATMENT DEVICE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2020/187646
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to an applicator system (60) for a hair treatment device, comprising: - a reservoir (40) containing a cosmetic product, - an applicator (20) comprising an application member (26) made of a porous material, the applicator (20) being arranged to be removably attached to the reservoir (40) so that the application member (26) comes into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir (40) and is refilled with cosmetic product, the applicator (20) being configured to be removably attached, after separation from the reservoir (40), to a corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device, the amount of cosmetic product initially contained in the reservoir (40) being greater than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member (26) during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir (40).

Inventors:
CHAMPEAUX MÉLISSA (FR)
LAPIZE SANDY (FR)
HEJJAOUI DIANA (FR)
ROBBE SOPHIE (FR)
LECLERCQ NICOLAS (FR)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2020/056334
Publication Date:
September 24, 2020
Filing Date:
March 10, 2020
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
OREAL (FR)
SEB SA (FR)
International Classes:
A45D1/04; A45D1/00; A45D2/00; A45D34/00
Domestic Patent References:
WO1999012446A11999-03-18
WO2018091577A12018-05-24
WO2009078046A12009-06-25
WO2013045331A12013-04-04
WO2013090896A12013-06-20
WO2014064660A12014-05-01
WO2018091577A12018-05-24
WO2015097628A12015-07-02
WO1999012446A11999-03-18
WO2018099919A22018-06-07
Foreign References:
US5676480A1997-10-14
FR1193795A1959-11-04
US5154193A1992-10-13
EP3061364A12016-08-31
FR1193795A1959-11-04
US5676480A1997-10-14
US5154193A1992-10-13
EP3061364A12016-08-31
US20100307528A12010-12-09
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
TANTY, François (FR)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1. Applicator system (60) for a hair treatment device, comprising:

- a reservoir (40) containing a cosmetic product,

- an applicator (20) comprising an application member (26) made of a porous material, the applicator (20) being arranged to be removably attached to the reservoir (40) so that the application member (26) comes into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir (40) and is refilled with cosmetic product, the applicator (20) being configured to be removably attached, after separation from the reservoir (40), to a corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device,

the amount of cosmetic product initially contained in the reservoir (40) being greater than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member (26) during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir (40).

2. System according to Claim 1, wherein the maximum amount transferred at each refilling is less than or equal to 20 g, better still less than or equal to 8 g, preferably less than or equal to 6 g, better still of between 4 g and 5 g.

3. System according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the reservoir contains an initial amount of cosmetic product which is more than three times greater, better still more than five times greater, even better still more than seven times greater, than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member (26) during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir (40).

4. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (40) initially contains an amount of cosmetic product of between 10 g and 100 g, better still between 20 g and 30 g.

5. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application member (26) is made of felt or comprises a felt.

6. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the density of the application member (26) is greater than or equal to 0.11 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.5 g/cm3, better still greater than or equal to 0.15 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.45 g/cm3, even better still greater than or equal to 0.18 g/cm3 and less than or equal to 0.45 g/cm3.

7. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (20) comprises a body (24) delimiting a housing (30) formed at least partially by two opposite walls (34, 36) and a bottom (37), and opening towards the outside by an opening (31), the application member (26) being partially held in the housing of the body (30) and extending partially out of the housing (30), through the opening (31) of the body (24).

8. System according to the immediately preceding claim, wherein the body (24) of the application member extends out of the reservoir (40) when the applicator (20) is attached to the reservoir (40), in particular the body (24) is supported, preferably in a leaktight fashion, against a support, the part of the application member (26) projecting from the body (24) of the application member extending into the reservoir (40) by an opening (43) of the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir to come into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

9. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (40) comprises a storage member (44) made of a porous material containing the cosmetic product, the application member (26) coming into contact with the storage member (44) when the applicator (20) is attached to the reservoir (40).

10. System according to the immediately preceding claim, wherein the storage member (44) has a lower density than the density of the application member (26).

11. System according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the density of the storage member (44) is of between 0.005 g/cm3 and 0.2 g/cm3, better still of between 0.01 g/cm3 and 0.1 g/cm3.

12. System according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, wherein the volume of the storage member (44) is greater than the volume of the application member (24).

13. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (40) comprises a blocking member (46) which prevents the applicator (20) from being attached to the hair treatment device (2) when it is attached to the reservoir (40). 14. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application member (26) is configured so that it is refilled to more than 80%, better still more than 90%, even better still more than 95%, of the maximum amount of product which can transfer by capillary action from the reservoir towards the application member if the application member was left for a sufficiently long time in place on the reservoir, in less than 30 min, better still less than 10 min, even better still less than 5 min, when the applicator (20) is attached to the reservoir (40).

15. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (20) comprises a body (24) in which the application member (26) partially extends, the application member (26) comprising an application surface (35) that extends outside of the body (24), and is configured to be brought into contact with the hair when the applicator (20) is removably attached to the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device, the application surface (35) extending in the reservoir (40) when the applicator (20) is attached to the reservoir (40).

16. System according to claim 15, wherein the application surface (35) is in contact with the cosmetic product into the reservoir (40) when the applicator (20) is attached to the reservoir (40), notably through the storage member (44).

17. System according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (20) comprises an attachment relief (25) configured to engage with a complementary relief of the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device (2) by sliding on the complementary relief.

18. Method for filling the applicator (20) of the application system (60) according to any one of the preceding claims with cosmetic product, which method consists in attaching the applicator (20) to the reservoir (40) so that the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir (40) transfers from the reservoir towards the applicator.

19. Hair treatment device (2), comprising:

- at least one arm (3),

- an applicator system (60) according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator (20) being mounted removably on the arm (3). 20. Device according to Claim 19, comprising at least one heating element (15, 16), and preferably constituting a hair straightener, notably a straightening iron.

21. Hair treatment method, comprising the stage consisting in applying a cosmetic product to a lock of hair using a device according to Claim 19 or 20.

Description:
Description

Title: APPLICATOR SYSTEM FOR A HAIR TREATMENT DEVICE

The present invention relates to an applicator system for a cosmetic hair product for a hair treatment device, in particular a hair straightening device. The invention also relates to the hair treatment devices provided with such an applicator system and to the corresponding hair treatment methods.

Prior art

Numerous hair treatment devices, in particular straightening irons, have already been proposed, employing the application of a hair product to the hair.

Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms connected to each other with the help of a hinge which makes it possible to open and close these arms and of at least one heating element positioned on the arms. During treatment operations on a lock of hair, the latter is introduced between the two arms in the open position and then the two arms are closed manually over the lock of hair. This lock is then subjected, until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is removed, to the heat emitted by the heating element.

This is the case, for example, of International Application WO 2009/078046, which describes a styling appliance comprising two arms connected together so as to allow the appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating member and at least one seat for accommodation of a hair treatment device, the latter making possible the dispensing, in operation, of a hair product. The hair treatment device can comprise a support material impregnated with a hair product and suitable for a single use.

Application WO 2013/045331 likewise discloses an applicator for the application of a care substance to the hair, comprising a cartridge of care substance held in a housing of the applicator. The cartridge comprises a porous support impregnated with the care substance.

Application WO 2013/090896 relates to a hair treatment appliance, in particular a styling appliance, comprising a treatment agent support, in particular an impregnated porous material, to be applied to the hair or the skin. The support is attached to an accessory, itself mounted in a removable manner on a hair treatment appliance. The support is T-shaped, allowing it to be mounted in a complementary groove of the accessory. International Applications WO 2014/064660 and WO 2018/091577 disclose hair treatment devices which make it possible to apply a cosmetic product via a refill mounted on one of the arms.

In all these devices, the cosmetic product refill is single-use. Once the reservoir of the refill is empty, the refill has to be replaced by a fresh one. The amount of product initially contained in the refill is limited by the bulkiness and the weight of the latter. As the amount of product contained in the refill is, for this reason, low, the refill has to be frequently replaced, which increases the cost of the device in use.

Cosmetic product refills containing a reservoir of cosmetic product in the refill making possible a plurality of application to the hair are also known, for example from International Application WO 2015/097628. However, with such refills, it is difficult to obtain a constant amount of cosmetic product applied over the course of the different applications.

FR 1 193 795 discloses an applicator for applying a product comprising a porous applicator member that extends partly in a reservoir containing the product. The applicator is only one use and cannot be opened to be refilled.

It is known from WO 99/12446, US 5 676 480, US 5 154 193 and EP 3 061 364 applicators for hair product that comprises a main body defining a reservoir which contains the hair product, a porous applicator member having a first portion extending inside the reservoir in contact with the hair product and a second portion extending outside the reservoir to apply the hair product. The applicator member are extending through a removable part of the body that allow the refilling of the reservoir.

There exists a need to further improve hair product applicators and devices which make possible the application of a hair product to ensure appropriate application of cosmetic product.

Summary of the invention

The invention is targeted at meeting this need and has as subject-matter, according to a first of its aspects, an applicator system for a hair treatment device comprising:

- a reservoir containing a cosmetic product,

- an applicator comprising an application member made of a porous material, the applicator being arranged to be removably attached to the reservoir so that the application member comes into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir and is refilled with cosmetic product, the applicator being configured to be removably attached, after separation from the reservoir, to a corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device,

the amount of cosmetic product initially contained in the reservoir being greater than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir.

Such a system makes it possible to have an applicator which can be refilled with cosmetic product one or more times to make possible repeated applications of cosmetic product to the hair without having to change applicator. The refilling of the applicator with cosmetic product is easy. It is carried out by simple mounting of the applicator on the reservoir provided with the applicator.

In such a system, the fact that the reservoir is removed from the applicator makes it possible to retain a light and non-bulky applicator which is comfortable in use.

Furthermore, the application of cosmetic product to the hair is substantially constant during the different applications.

Preferably, the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir is such that the application member is more than 90%, better still more than 95%, filled with the maximum amount of product which can transfer by capillary action from the reservoir towards the application member if the application member was left for a sufficiently long time in place on the reservoir.

The cosmetic product is a cosmetic hair product applied in the liquid form. The term "cosmetic hair product" denotes a composition comprising one or more active ingredients for hair use and in particular a product as defined in Directive 93/35/EEC dated 14 June 1993. Water in the liquid or gas form which does not contain any additive for hair use does not constitute a cosmetic product within the meaning of the present invention. The cosmetic product can be intended to make it easier to shape the hair. Examples of active ingredients are given, for example, in the publication US 2010/0307528 Al, in sections [0031] and [0032] The product is preferably anhydrous. The product is preferably an oil- based product.

The maximum amount of cosmetic product transferred at each refilling to the application member during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir can be less than or equal to 20 g, better still less than or equal to 8 g, preferably less than or equal to 6 g, better still of between 4 g and 5 g. Such an amount of product in the application member makes possible an application of cosmetic product to the hair on the basis of fewer than 70 passes of the applicator over the hair. In this case, the transfer of cosmetic product on paper is preferably of between 0.07 g/m and 0.59 g/m over the length corresponding to one application, on the basis of 30 passes for this application.

Preferably, the application member exhibits an application surface for the product, which surface is intended to be brought into contact with a lock of hair during the treatment, having a continuous distribution of the product over the application surface before use, with more than 90% of the application surface occupied by the product before use.

The application member can comprise a felt, in particular is made of felt. In the latter case, the fibres of the felt can all be oriented substantially in the same direction, the fibres preferably being oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the lock of hair to be treated or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the application member.

The density of the application member is, for example, greater than or equal to 0.11 g/cm 3 and less than or equal to 0.5 g/cm 3 , better still greater than or equal to 0.15 g/cm 3 and less than or equal to 0.45 g/cm 3 , even better still greater than or equal to 0.18 g/cm 3 and less than or equal to 0.45 g/cm 3 .

The application member can exhibit an elongated shape, for example with a rectangular or cross-shaped cross section, with one end forming the application surface intended to be in contact with the hair to be treated. The application surface is preferably flat.

The application surface can exhibit a rectangular shape. The application surface can exhibit a greater dimension, in particular a length, of between 50 mm and 150 mm and a smaller dimension, in particular a width, of between 5 mm and 30 mm. The applicator member can be parallel epipedal. The dimensions of the application member are, for example, 8 mm x 20 mm x 90 mm, the application surface exhibiting dimensions, for example, of 8 mm x 90 mm.

The application member can be at least partially, better still completely, made of a polyolefin, in particular polyethylene and/or polypropylene, preferably made of a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene, the mixture preferably comprising, by weight, between 45% and 55% of polyethylene and between 55% and 45% of polypropylene, in particular The cosmetic product at least partially impregnating the application member can be an anhydrous composition, the viscosity of which can be of between 10 centipoises and 300 centipoises, preferably of between 20 centipoises and 100 centipoises, better still between 20 centipoises and 50 centipoises, indeed even between 20 centipoises and 40 centipoises. The viscosity of the composition is measured at a pressure of 1013.25 hPa, at a temperature of 22°C and at a shear rate of 1 s 1 . The viscosity may be measured using a cone/plate viscometer, in particular using a Haake R600 rheometer or an analogous device.

The term "anhydrous composition" is understood here to mean a composition containing less than 5% by weight of water, and more preferentially less than 1% by weight of water, with respect to the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the anhydrous composition does not contain water added during the preparation of the composition, the only water present originating from the residual water contributed by the mixed ingredients. More preferentially still, the anhydrous composition is devoid of water.

The cosmetic product, when it consists of an anhydrous composition, advantageously comprises one or more natural or synthetic oils.

The natural oils can be chosen from mineral oils and vegetable oils. The mineral oils can be chosen from mixtures of hydrocarbon oils derived from petroleum, volatile or non-volatile liquid paraffin, liquid petrolatum or polyolefins. The natural oils can be chosen from vegetable oils, being preferably chosen from triglyceride vegetable oils.

The synthetic oils can be chosen from silicone oils, preferably from volatile or non-volatile and linear, branched or cyclic silicone oils which are optionally organomodified. The term "silicone" is understood to mean compounds comprising one or more silicon atoms in their structure.

When anhydrous, the cosmetic product can comprise one or more silicone oils, preferably in a content of between 0.05% and 99.9% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the product.

When it is anhydrous and comprises at least one oil, the cosmetic product advantageously comprises one or more oils in a content ranging from 1% to 100%, preferably from 5% to 99%, more preferentially from 10% to 99%, better still from 25% to 99% and even better still from 50% to 99% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the product. The cosmetic product can also comprise one or more ingredients chosen from natural or synthetic waxes, cationic, non-ionic, anionic or amphoteric non-silicone polymers, UV-screening agents, dyes, surfactants, pigments, preservatives and fragrances.

Preferably, the applicator is attached to the reservoir in a leaktight fashion. The leaktightness can be provided by any means, in particular by a leaktight seal.

The applicator can comprise a body delimiting a housing formed at least partially by two opposite walls and a bottom, and opening towards the outside by an opening, the application member being partially held in the housing of the body and extending partially out of the housing, through the opening of the body. Preferably, the body of the application member extends out of the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir. For example, the body is supported, preferably in a leaktight fashion, against a support. Preferably, the part of the application member projecting from the body of the application member extends into the reservoir by an opening of the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir to come into contact with the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir. Preferably, the opening of the reservoir has a shape substantially identical to that of the application surface.

Preferably, all of the part of the application member projecting from the body of the application member is in the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir. This makes it possible in particular to protect the application member, except for use of the applicator, from the outside world. This is because, when the application member is not used, the user can attach it to the reservoir in order in particular to close the reservoir, to protect the cosmetic product and the application member from the outside world and to refill the application member.

Preferably, the applicator comprises a body in which the application member partially extends. The application member comprises an application surface, extending outside of the body, and configured to be brought into contact with the hair when the applicator is removably attached to the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device, the application surface extending in the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir.

Preferably, the applicator comprises an attachment relief configured to engage with a complementary relief of the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device. Preferably, the attachment relief is configured to be fixed to the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device by sliding in or on the complementary relief of the corresponding receiving zone of the hair treatment device.

Preferably, the reservoir initially contains an amount of cosmetic product which is more than three times greater, better still more than five times greater, even better still more than seven times greater, than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member during the refilling of the latter by the reservoir. This makes it possible to have a sufficient amount of cosmetic product in the reservoir to refill the applicator several times. Preferably, the reservoir initially contains an amount of cosmetic product of between 10 g and 100 g, better still between 20 g and 30 g.

Preferably, the reservoir comprises a storage member made of a porous material containing the cosmetic product, the application member coming into contact with the storage member when the applicator is attached to the reservoir. This makes it possible to have a storage of the cosmetic product in the reservoir which limits the escapes of cosmetic product to the outside of the reservoir, which makes the latter easier to handle.

The storage member preferably has a lower density than the density of the application member. This makes it possible for the porous material of the application member to absorb the cosmetic product contained in the storage member by capillary action without any external action of the user being necessary.

Preferably, the density of the storage member is of between 0.005 g/cm 3 and 0.2 g/cm 3 , better still of between 0.01 g/cm 3 and 0.1 g/cm 3 .

The volume of the storage member can be substantially equal to the volume of the reservoir. In an alternative form, the volume of the storage member is less than the volume of the reservoir; the reservoir can then comprise an internal cavity containing an additional supply of cosmetic product closed by the storage member.

Preferably, the application surface is in contact with the cosmetic product into the reservoir when the applicator is attached to the reservoir, notably through the storage member.

Preferably, the application member is configured so that it is refilled to more than 80%, better still more than 90%, even better still more than 95%, of the maximum amount of product which can transfer by capillary action from the reservoir towards the application member if the application member was left for a sufficiently long time in place on the reservoir, in less than 30 min, better still less than 10 min, even better still less than 5 min, when the applicator is attached to the reservoir.

Preferably, the reservoir and/or the applicator comprise members for positioning and/or holding the applicator on the reservoir, in particular positioning and/or snap-fastening reliefs. This makes it easier in particular to position the applicator on the reservoir and/or to handle the system when the applicator is attached to the reservoir.

Preferably, the reservoir comprises a blocking member which prevents the applicator from being attached to the hair treatment device when it is attached to the reservoir. The blocking member can in particular extend between the applicator, in particular the body of the latter, and the attachment relief of the applicator, to prevent the attachment relief from engaging with a complementary relief of the device. This can reduce the risk of accidental damage to the applicator and the reservoir.

A further subject-matter of the invention is a method for filling the applicator of the application system as defined above with cosmetic product, which method consists in attaching the applicator to the reservoir so that the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir transfers from the reservoir towards the applicator.

The applicator is preferably as defined above.

The filling of the application member preferably takes place by capillary action, in particular solely by capillary action. Thus, the filling can take place without any action on the part of the user, such as the actuating of a pump or the crushing of a wall, being necessary.

Preferably, the attaching of the applicator to the reservoir takes place by positioning the application member projecting from the body in an opening of the reservoir. Preferably, the attaching of the applicator takes place by positioning the body of the applicator supported against an external wall of the reservoir and by pressing the body against this support.

Preferably, when the applicator is attached to the reservoir, the application member is in contact with the cosmetic product, in particular in contact with a storage member made of porous material containing the cosmetic product.

A further subject-matter of the invention is a hair treatment device, comprising:

- at least one arm,

- an applicator system according to the invention, as defined above, the applicator being mounted removably on the arm. Preferably, the reservoir is removed from the applicator when the latter is mounted on the arm.

Preferably, the hair treatment device comprises two arms which are movable with respect to each other between a closed-together configuration for the treatment of hair and a spaced-apart configuration for insertion of hair to be treated between the arms.

The device can also comprise, on at least one of the arms, at least one heating element.

The device preferably constitutes a hair straightener, in particular a straightening iron.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a hair treatment method comprising the stage consisting in applying a cosmetic product to a lock of hair using the device according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

A better understanding of the invention will be able to be obtained on reading the detailed description which will follow of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

[Fig 1] Figure 1 represents, in perspective and diagrammatically, an example of a hair treatment device,

[Fig 2] Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view, in section, along II-II of Figure 1,

[Fig 3] Figure 3 represents, in perspective and diagrammatically, an example of an applicator system,

[Fig 4] Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view, in section, along VI- VI of Figure 3,

[Fig 5] Figure 5 represents, in perspective and diagrammatically, an example of an applicator system, the applicator being separated from the reservoir,

[Fig 6] Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view, in section, along IV-IV of Figure 5,

[Fig 7] Figure 7 represents a graph with various curves showing the weight of cosmetic product deposited on paper using the device of Figure 1 or 2 as a function of the number of passes carried out from the first to the 8 th refilling of the applicator of Figure 3, and

[Fig 8] Figure 8 represents a graph with various curves showing the absorption of cosmetic product in the application member of Figure 3 as a function of the time spent in the reservoir of Figure 3 from the first to the 6 th refilling of the applicator of Figure 3. Detailed description

In the continuation of the description, elements which are identical or with identical functions carry the same reference sign. For the purposes of conciseness of the present description, they are not described for each of the figures, only the main differences between the embodiments being described.

A handpiece 2 of an example of a hair treatment device 1 has been represented in Figures 1 and 2.

This handpiece 2 exhibits two jaws 3 and 4 which are movable with respect to each other between a spaced-apart configuration (not represented) for the introduction between them of a lock of hair and a closed-together configuration, represented in Figure 1, for the treatment of the lock of hair.

The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by an upper arm 5 and a lower arm 6, respectively, which, in the example in question, are connected together at one end by an articulation 8, the handpiece 2 thus forming tongs.

The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 each preferably have a total length of between 22 cm and 37 cm and define, between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective half handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press to bring the jaws 3 and 4 together.

An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to the spaced-apart configuration, this elastic return member being, for example, a spring positioned around an axle of the articulation 8.

The invention is not limited to a particular way of connecting the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 together and the jaws 3 and 4 can be rendered movable in another way without departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the presence of an articulation is greatly preferred for the ergonomics which it contributes.

The jaws 3 and 4 define between them a region for treatment of the hair which is intended to receive a lock of hair to be treated, along which the handpiece 2 is moved during the treatment, for example in the direction ranging from the root to the end of the hairs.

In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is configured to apply a cosmetic product, to provide a treatment of the hair by steam and then to carry out a heat treatment of the hair by contact with two hot surfaces of heating elements 15 and 16, respectively carried by the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6. The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the hair, illustrated in Figure 1 or 2, is preferably substantially perpendicular to the upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6 and to the longitudinal axis of the device.

The handpiece 2 is connected by a line 18, in the example in question, to a base station (not shown) which is fixed during the treatment and is connected to the mains.

This base station provides electric power to the handpiece 2 and also its supply of water for the purpose of the generation of steam, and can also carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals received from the handpiece 2. The line 18 which connects the handpiece 2 to the base station can thus comprise various electrical conductors and a water supply pipe.

A user interface (not represented in the figures) can be present on the handpiece 2 to allow the user, for example, to start up or not start up certain components of the latter.

The cosmetic product is applied by an applicator 20 carried by one of the two arms, 5 or 6, in this instance the upper arm 5, which comes into contact with a pressing element 21. The latter is removable.

The applicator 20 comprises a body 24 and an application member 26 positioned so as to come into contact with the hair extending through the treatment region.

The applicator 20 can be attached to the arm 5 or 6 by any means, in particular, as illustrated in Figure 2, by sliding a rib 25 of the body 24 into a groove of complementary shape of the handpiece 2. As illustrated in Figure 5, the rib 25 can be the same as that of the refill with cosmetic product for a hair treatment device described in International Application WO 2018/099919 incorporated as reference, that is to say comprising two profiled elements 25a and 25b defining a space between them. At least one of the profiled elements 25a and 25b can comprise a positioning finger, visible in Figure 5, at its rear end, facilitating the positioning of the applicator 20 on the handpiece 2. The profiled elements 25a and 25b can be of half -T shape and can each form a space 27 with the body 24.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the body 24 exhibits a cavity 30 which opens towards the outside by an opening 31 into which the application member 26 is inserted, along an insertion axis X, during the manufacture of the applicator 20. More specifically, the cavity 30 is formed at least partially by two opposite side walls 34, 36, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handpiece 2, and a bottom 37 of the body 24. The application member 26 is partially held in the cavity 30 and extends partially out of the latter, through the opening 31. The body 24 can comprise coupling reliefs (not represented) extending into the cavity 30.

The body 24 substantially exhibits an elongated shape along the longitudinal axis of the handpiece 2. In cross section, the body 24 exhibits a U shape, as illustrated in Figure 2

As illustrated in figure 2, the application member 26 can have the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The application member 26 then exhibits a substantially flat application surface 35 intended to come into contact with the hair to be treated. The dimensions of the application member 26 are, for example, 8 mm x 10 mm x 90 mm, the application surface 35 intended to be in contact with the hair having, for example, dimensions of 8 mm x 90 mm.

The application member 26 is porous. It comprises, for example, a mixture of 50% of polyethylene and 50% of polypropylene, by weight.

The material constituting the application member 26 can comprise a felt, in particular is a felt. The fibres of the felt can be oriented parallel to the surface of the lock of hair to be treated, the fibres being preferably oriented substantially along a longitudinal direction of the application member 26, perpendicularly to the direction D of passage over the hair. According to one alternative form, the fibres of the felt of the application member are oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the lock of hair to be treated, thus perpendicularly to the direction D and to the longitudinal direction of the application member 26.

The density of the porous material constituting the application member 26 is preferably of between 0.15 and 0.4 g/cm 3 , for example equal to 0.3 g/cm 3 . The maximum amount of cosmetic product which can be contained in the application member 26 is, for example, of between 2 g and 5 g, for example substantially equal to 4.5 g.

As mentioned above, the applicator 20 is removable and can be separated from the handpiece 2. When the applicator 20 is split from the handpiece 2, it can be attached to a reservoir 40 which is associated with it, the reservoir 40 and the applicator forming an applicator system 60.

The reservoir 40 comprises a body 41 delimiting a cavity 42 containing a storage member 44 made of a porous material containing the cosmetic product. The storage member 44 substantially fills the cavity 42 and is impregnated with cosmetic product. In an alternative form, the volume of the storage member 44 is less than the volume of the cavity 42. The reservoir 40 can then comprise an internal cavity containing an additional supply of cosmetic product, closed by the storage member 44, so that the cosmetic product impregnates the application member 26 through the storage member 44 which is in contact with the application member 26.

The storage member 44 can comprise a mixture of 50% of polyethylene and 50% of polypropylene, by weight. The material constituting the storage member 44 can be a felt. The fibres of the felt can be oriented parallel to those of the application member 26 when it is inserted into the reservoir, the fibres being preferably oriented substantially along a longitudinal direction of the storage member. According to one alternative form, the fibres of the felt of the storage member are oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the storage member 44.

The density of the porous material constituting the storage member 44 is preferably lower than that of the porous material constituting the application member 26. Preferably, the density of the porous material constituting the storage member 44 is of between 0.01 and 0.1 g/cm 3 , for example equal to 0.05 g/cm 3 . The amount of cosmetic product contained in the storage member 44 is such that it makes it possible to fill the application member 26 by capillary action at least once, the amount of cosmetic product which it contains being greater than the amount of cosmetic product transferred to the application member 26. Preferably, the amount of cosmetic product contained in the storage member 44 is such that it makes it possible to fill the application member 26 by capillary action several times. For example, the storage member 44 makes it possible to refill the application member 26 at least eight times. The maximum amount of cosmetic product which can be contained in the storage member 44 can be of between 30 g and 20 g, for example substantially equal to 24 g.

The cavity 42 opens towards the outside by an opening 43. The opening 43 has a size such that, during the attaching of the applicator 20 to the reservoir 40, the application member 26 fits into the cavity 42 to come into contact with the storage member 44 in the cavity and at the same time the body 24 fits into a neck 46 of the reservoir to come, over the whole of its lower circumference, against an applicator support 47 at the base of the neck 46. Preferably, the support 47 forms a leaktight connection with the body 24. The support 47 can comprise an elastically deformable material forming a leaktight seal. In an alternative form, the body 24 comprises an elastically deformable material forming a leaktight seal at its junction with the support 47.

Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 4, the neck 46 is configured to fit between the rib 25 and the body 24, in particular in the space 27 formed between the lower profiled element 25b and the body 24, so as to prevent the applicator 20 from being mounted on the handpiece 2 when the applicator 20 is attached to the reservoir 40.

Preferably, the body 41 of the reservoir completely conceals the projecting part of the application member 26 when the applicator 20 is attached to the reservoir 40. The reservoir 40 then forms a cap for the application member 26, making it possible to protect the latter from the outside world when the applicator 20 is attached to the reservoir and thus not used.

Preferably, the storage member 44 has a greater volume than that of the application member 26.

Preferably, the reservoir 40 and the body 24 comprise complementary reliefs for holding the applicator 20 on the reservoir 40. For example, as illustrated, the reservoir 40 can comprise projecting positioning and/or snap-fastening reliefs 49 which will be positioned and/or snap-fastened in corresponding reliefs of the body 24.

Between two applications of cosmetic product, the user can attach the applicator 20 to the reservoir 40. The application member 26 then comes into contact with the storage member 44 and is refilled by capillary action with cosmetic product contained in the storage member 44. The refilling to more than 90%, better still more than 95%, of the application member 26 with cosmetic product preferably takes place in less than 5 min. Once the application member 26 is impregnated with cosmetic product, the user can separate the applicator 20 from the reservoir 40 to mount it on the handpiece and to use it again. This refilling can be carried out as many times as the reservoir contains an amount of cosmetic product greater than the amount transferred to the application member 26 to fill it to more than 90%, better still to more than 95%.

The user can also remove the applicator 20 from the handpiece 2 to attach it to the reservoir 40 between two uses separated in time. This makes it possible to protect the application member 26 and the cosmetic product from the outside world, which increases the longevity of the applicator by limiting in particular the evaporation and/or the contamination by the external environment of the cosmetic product, while refilling the application member 26 with cosmetic product.

When the reservoir 40 no longer contains sufficient cosmetic product to refill the application member 26, the applicator system 60 can be changed, or the reservoir 40 refilled with product from a bottle, for example.

Examples

To produce the graphs illustrated in Figures 7 and 8, a device such as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and an applicator system such as that illustrated in Figures 3 to 6 were used. In this example, the application member 26 comprises fibres oriented substantially along a longitudinal direction of the application member, parallel to the surface on which the cosmetic product is applied. It is formed of felt comprising a mixture of 50% of polyethylene and 50% of polypropylene at a density of 0.3 g/cm 3 .

The storage member 44 comprises fibres oriented substantially along a longitudinal direction of the storage member, parallel to the fibres of the application member. It is formed of felt comprising a mixture of 50% of polyethylene and 50% of polypropylene at a density of 0.05 g/cm 3 . The storage member 44 initially contains 36 g of cosmetic product, which makes possible at least eight fillings of the application member 26.

The cosmetic product comprises the ingredients shown in the table below. The concentrations are expressed as percentages by weight of active materials in the product.

[Table 1]

The application member filled with cosmetic product is mounted via the applicator on the handpiece and is passed 70 times over 80 g/m 2 paper strips from the manufacturer Clairefontaine. Each strip measures 27 cm in length and 10.5 cm in width. A force of 35N +1-2 is applied by the arms of the handpiece to each strip at each pass and the application member is moved over the strip with a speed of approximately 1.8 cm/s.

The weight of cosmetic product deposited on each strip at each pass is measured. The measurements at each pass of the application member over the paper are carried out after each filling of the application member with cosmetic product by the reservoir, the application member being filled eight times by attaching the applicator to the reservoir and by leaving it in place for 10 minutes. At the same time, the percentage of filling of the application member is measured as a function of the time spent by the applicator on the reservoir.

The measurements of the weight of cosmetic product deposited on the strip W at each pass N are reproduced in the graph of Figure 7. The different curves each correspond to the measurements after one filling, curve 1 corresponding to the measurements carried out after the first filling, curve 2 corresponding to the measurements carried out after the second filling, and so on.

The measurements of the percentage of filling of the application member A as a function of the attachment time of the applicator to the reservoir t at each filling are reproduced in the graph of Figure 8, curve 1 corresponding to the measurements carried out during the first filling, curve 2 corresponding to the measurements carried out during the second filling, and so on.

It is found, on the graph of Figure 7, that the curves are substantially identical, which clearly illustrates that the filling of the application member as described above makes possible a substantially identical application of the cosmetic product on the paper for at least eight fillings of the application member.

It is found, on the graph of Figure 8, that the application member is filled to more than 95% with cosmetic product in less than 5 min, in particular in less than 3 min, this being the case whatever the number of fillings already carried out, and that the filling curve is substantially identical from one filling to another.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described.

The attachment of the applicator to the handpiece can be carried out by any other means, in particular by snap-fastening or by magnetic attraction.

The reservoir can be devoid of storage member made of a porous material.

The reservoir can comprise a closure valve for the reservoir which opens during the attachment of the applicator to the reservoir. The reservoir can comprise a pump for bringing the product towards the application member, when the latter is positioned on the reservoir.