The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a fragranced composition.

Prior art

Fragrances are usually packaged in bottles, with an open neck or equipped with a pump or a valve for dispensing a spray.

To apply a touch of perfume, it is known practice to spray the perfume a short distance from the target area, or, if the bottle does not have a sprayer, to pour out a few drops of fragrance onto the hands and then use the fingers to deposit the fragrance in the desired place.

The use of a sprayer gives rise to losses of product and, in addition, few users carry the bottle around with them on account of its weight.

Small-sized bottles have been proposed, which are intended to be easily carried around in a handbag, for example. These bottles may be equipped with a pump to generate a spray and may be refillable. The problems of precision of application and of losses mentioned above remain.

Fragrance applicator pens are known, including a felt tip which is regularly soaked with the fragrance of choice, by dipping the tip into a bottle containing said fragrance. Refilling the pen remains a relatively laborious operation, which may put certain users off.

The need remains for a packaging and application device for delivering small doses of a fragrance in a perfectly targeted manner, which is of robust construction, easy to use and is of sufficient autonomy to be suitable for repeated use.

Presentation of the invention

The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this by means of an applicator pen including:

a reservoir containing a fragranced composition comprising at least 1% by weight of fragrancing substance(s) relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one volatile silicone oil,

an application member fed with composition by the reservoir, a mobile piston in the reservoir to force, by advancing, the composition to circulate towards the application member, an actuating member on which the user can act,

a piston drive mechanism, arranged to transform an action from the user on the actuating member into an advancement of the piston.

Advantageously, the fragranced composition is sufficiently viscous that it does not drip under the effect of its own weight out of the application member, when the applicator pen is not actuated. The risk of leakage is thus minimized, and it becomes easier to measure out the amount of fragranced composition by greater or lesser actuation of the actuating member.

Advantageously, the viscosity of the composition is thus between 4 and 7 Pa.s, being measured at 25°C at a pressure of 1 atm, using a Rheomat 1 TVE-05 viscometer from Lamy Rheology.

By means of the invention, the user can easily and precisely apply a touch of perfume to the area of his or her choice. The application member is easy to refill with composition by acting on the actuating member. The drawbacks associated with the refilling of the felt application tip of the pens of the prior art are avoided.

Although applicator pens have been proposed for applying makeup compositions such as lipsticks or lip glosses, they have never to the Applicant's knowledge been used for applying a composition having a high content of fragrance.

In particular, FR 3 003 465 describes devices comprising a container in which is stored a composition and comprising an application member with a porous application surface. However, this device is proposed for applying lip compositions.

The actuating member is preferably present at the opposite end of the pen to the application member.

Preferably, the actuating member is displaceable relative to a body of the pen. The user can thus easily press with the thumb on the actuating member to dispense a dose of composition.

The drive mechanism may be arranged such that the reduction of the internal volume of the reservoir on each actuation of the actuating member is between 0.005 and 0.02 mm ³ , for example of the order of 0.01 ml.

The initial capacity of the reservoir is advantageously between 1 ml and 5 ml.

The application member may include or may consist of a brush in the form of a fine- detail brush. Thus, preferably, the application member (20) includes a fine-detail brush. The applicator pen may include a dispensing cannula which emerges into the application member, recessed from its free end. The cannula emerges, for example, at a distance of between 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the application member, from its free end, better still between 1/3 and 2/3 of this length.

The presence of the cannula is advantageous in that it reduces the path of the composition inside the application member up to the tip, and thus makes it possible to minimize the volume of composition that it is necessary to inject into the application member before being able to apply the composition. Furthermore, the composition may be brought in this way to the very centre of the application member. The part of the application member located recessed from the cannula may contribute towards absorbing by capillary action an excess of composition, and may give the application member flexibility, where appropriate.

The cannula may also make it possible to ensure a loss of pressure between the application member and the reservoir and thus reduce the risk of leakages. The presence of a flap valve or of a closing member other than the cap of the pen may be avoided. Preferably, the viscosity of the composition is such that it remains within the cannula without flowing under the effect of its own weight, when the applicator pen is held upside down. The communication between the reservoir and the application member can thus be permanently open. The cannula has, for example, a cylindrical portion, notably rotationally cylindrical, with a cross-section of between 0.5 and 2 mm ² , for example with an inside diameter of between 1 and 1.2 mm. This portion is, for example, between 5 and 15 mm long.

The pen may include a ring which is mounted on the application member and, for example, fixed into a neck of the pen. This ring surrounds the application member over a part of its length. Advantageously, this ring presses the application member against the abovementioned cannula. The presence of the ring ensures that the bristles of the abovementioned brush are held fast, and makes it possible to maintain the precision of the application despite the mechanical stresses to which the bristles of the brush may be subjected in the course of successive uses. The cannula may be borne by an insert attached inside the ring.

The composition contained in the reservoir is preferably an anhydrous composition.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "anhydrous" refers to a composition having a water content of less than 1% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. Even more preferentially, a composition according to the invention is totally free of water.

It should be noted that the water that may be present is more particularly bound water, such as water of crystallization in salts, or traces of water absorbed by the starting materials used in the preparation of the compositions of the invention.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition contained in the reservoir comprises at least 1% by weight of a mixture of fragrancing substances, in particular of at least two different fragrancing substances, relative to the total weight of the composition, and preferably at least three different fragrancing substances.

Preferably, the composition contained in the reservoir comprises between 1% and 20% by weight of fragrancing substance(s), preferably between 5% and 17% by weight and even more preferentially between 10% and 15% by weight of fragrancing substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

A subject of the invention is also a process for fragrancing human keratin materials, notably the skin, in which the composition is applied to said materials by means of the applicator pen according to the invention, as defined above.

The pen may be a disposable pen, i.e. once the reservoir is empty, it ceases to be used.

As a variant, the pen is arranged to receive a refill containing the composition.

Brief description of the figures

The invention may be better understood on reading the detailed description that follows, and on examining the attached drawing, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows in longitudinal cross section an applicator pen according to the invention,

figure 2 shows, in isolation, the distal part of the applicator pen of figure 1, figure 3 is a cross section of the driving shaft of the piston, figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of a part of the driving mechanism of the piston,

figure 5 shows an elevation view of another part of said mechanism, figure 6 is a longitudinal section of the part of figure 5,

figure 7 is a front view along the arrow VII in figure 5,

figure 8 shows another part of the mechanism, and figure 9 is a view along IX of figure 8.

Detailed description of the invention

In accordance with the invention, the fragranced composition is dispensed by means of a packaging and application device 1 which is in the form of an applicator pen.

This device 1 includes a body 10 of elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X, which dresses the pen and houses a tubular part 18 of elongated shape, forming a reservoir 11, having a neck 12 at its distal end. The tubular part 18 is, for example, made of thermoplastic material, for example a polyolefin, for example polypropylene (PP). The body

10 is, for example, metallic, notably made of aluminium.

A piston 13 is mounted in the part 11 and can move along the axis X. The reservoir

11 contains a fragranced composition C according to the invention. The piston is, for example, made of polyethylene (PE).

A ring 15 is attached to the neck 12 and receives an insert 16, for example attached by click-fastening.

This insert 16 has a cannula 17 which communicates with the interior of the reservoir

11.

The composition C is applied by means of an application member 20 consisting, for example, of a brush in the form of a fine-detail brush.

The bristles of this brush may be connected at their base to a ferrule 22 present at the base of the cannula 17.

The ring 15 is applied onto the brush substantially at the distal end 24 of the cannula 17 as illustrated in figure 2.

The bristles of the brush can thus be gripped between the ring 15 and the cannula 17. The cannula 17 emerges, for example, at a distance w from the distal end of the application member, which represents between 1/3 and 2/3 of the total length L of the application member, namely the length of the bristles in the application under consideration. L is, for example, between 15 mm and 25 mm, and is for example equal to 20 mm.

The cannula 17 may have a rotationally cylindrical portion l7a of length r between 0.5 and 1.5 cm, the inside diameter t of which is, for example, between 1 and 1.2 mm.

The length n of the application member 20 surrounded by the ring 15 is, for example, between 1/3 and 2/3 of the total length L, and is, for example, about 1 cm. The device 1 may include a closing cap 30, arranged to be fixed onto the neck 12, for example by click-fastening, so as to obtain leaktight closure.

An actuating member 40 makes it possible to act on a mechanism 50 arranged to move the piston 13 in the direction of the outlet of the reservoir 11.

This mechanism 50 includes a driving shaft 51 which extends along the longitudinal axis X of the pen, attached to the piston 13 at its distal end 52.

This shaft 51 is externally threaded, has a flattened cross section, as shown in figure 3, and has two diametrically opposite grooves 54, emerging on the threaded surface.

The device 1 includes an insert 60 which bears a threaded part 61 at its distal end, into which is screwed the shaft 51. The insert 60 is fixed into the part 18 and bears against said part via a flange. The insert 60 is made, for example, of polyoxymethylene (POM).

The actuating member 40 slides inside the insert 60 and connects at its distal end to a transmission part 70, the distal end 71 of which is engaged between a bearing part 80 and a retainer 90.

A return spring 100 is placed axially between the bottom of a throat 63 formed by the distal part of the insert 60 and a flange 81 present at the periphery of the bearing part 80, visible in figures 5 to 7.

The bearing part 80 fits into the distal part of the transmission part 71, as may be seen in figure 1.

The bearing part 80 has internal ribs 83 which are engaged in the grooves 54 of the shaft 51. Thus, the bearing part 80 can move along the shaft 51 without turning relative thereto.

The transmission part 70, the bearing part 80 and the retainer 90 have cooperating reliefs to transform a bearing on the actuating member 40 into a rotation of the shaft 51 by a certain angle, which is accompanied by a corresponding forward movement of the piston 13. These parts are, for example, made of POM. The mechanism is, for example, of the "ratchet mechanism" type.

More precisely, when the user presses on the actuating member 40, reliefs 75 of the transmission part 70 come to bear against reliefs 85 of the bearing part. The angles of the contact faces are chosen so that the thrust on the actuating member is accompanied by a rotation of the bearing part 80. The retainer 90 has reliefs 93 against which the reliefs 85 of the bearing part 80 come into contact, under the return effect of the spring 100 when the user releases the actuating member, which brings about an additional rotation. Thus, when the actuating member 40 is next pushed, a new advancement of the piston 13 is obtained.

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to a particular mechanism of advancement of the piston.

Other mechanisms may be used.

For example, use may be made of a mechanism with a toothed shaft as described in patent application US 2005/0063766 Al, with a rotating actuating member as described in US 2010/0239354 Al or else as described in US 2013/0245597 Al.

Composition

According to the invention, the applicator pen includes a reservoir (11) containing a fragranced composition (C) comprising at least 1% by weight of fragrancing substance(s) relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one volatile silicone oil.

Composition (C) contained in the reservoir has a viscosity, measured at 25°C and at 1 atm., of between 4 and 7 Pa.s (between 40 and 70 poises).

According to the invention, the viscosity may be measured using a viscometer such as the Rheomat 1 TVE-05 viscometer from Lamy Rheology.

Preferably, the fragranced composition (C) is anhydrous.

Frasrancins substance

The term“fragrancing substance” means any perfume or aroma capable of giving off a pleasant odour.

Perfumes are compositions especially containing the starting materials described in S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Chemicals ( Montclair , N.J., 1969), in S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin ( Elizabeth , N.J., 1960) and in Flavor and Fragrance Materials - 1991, Allured Publishing Co., Wheaton, P1.

They may be natural products, such as essential oils, absolutes, resinoids, resins, concretes, and/or synthetic products, such as terpene or sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, esters, nitriles or peroxides, which may be saturated or unsaturated, and aliphatic or cyclic.

According to the definition given in the international standard ISO 9235 and adopted by the Commission of the European Pharmacopoeia, an essential oil is an odorous product, generally of complex composition, obtained from a botanically defined plant starting material, either by steam distillation, or by dry distillation, or by an appropriate mechanical process without heating (cold pressing). The essential oil is usually separated from the aqueous phase via a physical process that does not result in any significant change in the composition.

The choice of the method for obtaining essential oils depends mainly on the starting material: its original state and its characteristics, its intrinsic nature. The“essential oil/plant starting material” yield may be extremely variable depending on the plants: 15 ppm to more than 20%. This choice determines the characteristics of the essential oil, in particular viscosity, colour, solubility, volatility, and richness or poorness in certain constituents.

Steam distillation corresponds to vaporization, in the presence of steam, of a substance with low water miscibility. The raw material is placed in contact with boiling water or steam in an alambic. The steam entrains the essential oil vapour, which is condensed in the condenser so as to be recovered as a liquid phase in a Florentine vase (or essence jar), where the essential oil is separated from the water by settling. The aqueous distillate that remains after the steam distillation, once the separation of the essential oil has been performed, is known as the“aromatic water” or“hydrolate” or“distilled floral water”.

Production by dry distillation consists in obtaining the essential oil by distillation of woods, barks or roots, without addition of water or steam, in a closed chamber designed so that the liquid is recovered at the bottom. Cade oil is the best known example of a product obtained in this way.

The method of production by cold pressing applies only to citrus fruits (Citrus spp.) via mechanical processes at room temperature. The principle of the method is as follows: the zests are torn into pieces and the contents of the secretory sacs that have been broken are recovered by a physical process. The conventional process consists in exerting an abrasive action on the entire surface of the fruit under a stream of water. After removal of the solid waste, the essential oil is separated from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. The majority of industrial installations allow simultaneous or sequential recovery of the fruit juices and of the essential oil.

Essential oils are generally volatile and liquid at room temperature, which distinguishes them from“set” oils. They are more or less coloured and their density is generally less than that of water. They have a high refractive index and most of them deflect polarized light. They are liposoluble and soluble in the usual organic solvents, distillable with steam, and very sparingly soluble in water. Among the essential oils that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of those obtained from plants belonging to the following botanical families: Abietaceae or Pinaceae, for example conifers; Amaryllidaceae; Anacardiaceae; Anonaceae, for example ylang ylang; Apiaceae, for example Umbelliferae, in particular dill, angelica, coriander, sea fennel, carrot or parsley; Araceae; Aristolochiaceae; Asteraceae, for example yarrow, artemisia, camomile, helichrysum; Betulaceae; Brassicaceae; Burseraceae, for example frankincense; Caryophyllaceae; Canellaceae; Cesalpiniaceae, for example copaifera (copaiba balsam); Chenopodaceae; Cistaceae, for example rock rose; Cyperaceae; Dipterocarpaceae; Ericaceae, for example gaultheria (winter green); Euphorbiaceae; Fabaceae; Geraniaceae, for example geranium; Guttiferae; Hamamelidaceae; Hernandiaceae; Hypericaceae, for example St John’s wort; Iridaceae; Juglandaceae; Lamiaceae, for example thyme, oregano, monarda, savory, basil, marjorams, mints, patchouli, lavenders, sages, catnip, rosemary, hyssop, balm, rosemary; Lauraceae, for example ravensara, sweet bay, rosewood, cinnamon, litsea; Liliaceae, for example garlic; Magnoliaceae, for example magnolia; Malvaceae; Meliaceae; Monimiaceae; Moraceae, for example hemp or hop; Myricaceae; Myristicaceae, for example nutmeg; Myrtaceae, for example eucalyptus, tea tree, paperbark tree, cajuput, backhousia, clove, myrtle; Oleaceae; Piperaceae, for example pepper; Pittosporaceae; Poaceae, for example citronella, lemongrass, vetiver; Polygonaceae; Renonculaceae; Rosaceae, for example roses; Rubiaceae; Rutaceae: all citrus plants; Salicaceae; Santalaceae, for example sandalwood; Saxifragaceae; Schisandraceae; Styracaceae, for example benzoin; Thymelaceae, for example agarwood; Tilliaceae; Valerianaceae, for example valerian, spikenard; Verbenaceae, for example lantana, verbena; Violaceae; Zingiberaceae, for example galangal, turmeric, cardamom, ginger; Zygophyllaceae.

Mention may also be made of the essential oils extracted from flowers (lily, lavender, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli), from stems and leaves (patchouli, geranium, petitgrain), from fruit (coriander, aniseed, cumin, juniper), from fruit peel (bergamot, lemon, orange), from roots (angelica, celery, cardamom, iris, sweet flag, ginger), from wood (pinewood, sandalwood, gaiac wood, rose of cedar, camphor), from grasses and gramineae (tarragon, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, sage, thyme), from needles and branches (spruce, fir, pine, dwarf pine) and from resins and balms (galbanum, elemi, benzoin, myrrh, olibanum, opopanax). Examples of fragrancing substances are notably: geraniol, geranyl acetate, famesol, bomeol, bornyl acetate, linalool, linalyl acetate, linalyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, tetrahydrolinalool, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl formate, citronellyl propionate, dihydromyrcenol, dihydromyrcenyl acetate, tetrahydromyrcenol, terpineol, terpinyl acetate, nopol, nopyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, styrallyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, amyl salicylate, dimethylbenzylcarbinol, trichloromethylphenylcarbinyl acetate, p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, isononyl acetate, vetiveryl acetate, vetiverol, alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, 2- methyl-3-(p-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 2-methyl-3-(p-isopropylphenyl)propanal, 3-(p-tert- butylphenyl)propanal, 2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-enylcarboxaldehyde, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3- cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, 4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, 4- acetoxy-3-pentyltetrahydropyran, 3-carboxymethyl-2-pentylcyclopentane, 2-n-4- heptylcyclopentanone, 3-methyl-2-pentyl-2-cyclopentenone, menthone, carvone, tagetone, geranyl acetone, n-decanal, n-dodecanal, 9-decen-l-ol, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenylacetaldehyde diethyl acetal, geranonitrile, citronellonitrile, cedryl acetate, 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol, cedryl methyl ether, isolongifolanone, aubepinonitrile, aubepine, heliotropin, coumarin, eugenol, vanillin, diphenyl oxide, citral, citronellal, hydroxycitronellal, damascone, ionones, methylionones, isomethylionones, solanone, irones, cis-3-hexenol and esters thereof, indane musks, tetralin musks, isochroman musks, macrocyclic ketones, macrolactone musks, aliphatic musks, ethylene brassylate, and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of different fragrancing substances that generate in common a note that is pleasant to the user is used.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, composition (C) contained in the reservoir comprises at least 1% by weight of a mixture of fragrancing substances, in particular of at least two different fragrancing substances, relative to the total weight of the composition, and preferably at least three different fragrancing substances.

The fragrancing substances will preferably be chosen such that they produce notes (head, heart and base) in the following families: citrine, aromatic, floral notes, in particular pink flowers and white flowers, spicy, woody, gourmand, chypre, fougere, leathery, musk. Preferably, the compositions (C) comprise between 1% and 20% by weight of fragrancing substance(s), preferably between 5% and 17% by weight and even more preferentially between 10% and 15% by weight of fragrancing substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

Volatile silicone oil

A composition comprises at least one volatile silicone oil, and preferably at least two different volatile silicone oils.

The term“oz7” means a water-immiscible non-aqueous compound that is liquid at room temperature (25°C) and at atmospheric pressure (760 mmHg).

The term "silicone oil" means an oil containing at least one silicon atom, and notably containing Si-0 groups.

For the purposes of the invention, the term“ volatile oil” means an oil that is capable of evaporating on contact with the skin or the keratin fibre in less than one hour, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure.

The volatile oils of the invention are volatile cosmetic oils, which are liquid at room temperature, having a non-zero vapour pressure, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, ranging in particular from 0.13 Pa to 40 000 Pa (10 ³ to 300 mmHg), in particular ranging from 1.3 Pa to 13 000 Pa (0.01 to 100 mmHg) and more particularly ranging from 1.3 Pa to 1300 Pa (0.01 to 10 mmHg).

As volatile silicone oils that may be used in the invention, mention may be made of linear or cyclic silicone oils with a viscosity at room temperature of less than 8 cSt and in particular containing from 2 to 7 silicon atoms, these silicones optionally comprising alkyl or alkoxy groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

As volatile silicone oils that may be used in the invention, mention may be made notably of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxanes such as dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, heptamethylhexyltrisiloxane, heptamethyloctyltrisiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, octamethyltrisiloxane, decamethyltetrasiloxane and dodecamethylpentasiloxane, and mixtures thereof. Mention may also be made of volatile linear alkyltrisiloxane oils, such as 3-butyl 1, 1,1, 3, 5,5,5- heptamethyl trisiloxane, 3-propyl l,l,l,3,5,5,5-heptamethyl trisiloxane and 3-ethyl 1 , 1 , 1 ,3 ,5,5,5-heptamethyl trisiloxane. As volatile silicone oils that may be used in the invention, mention may also be made of linear or cyclic volatile polydimethylsiloxanes.

Preferably, a composition (C) comprises at least one cyclohexasiloxane oil.

Preferably, a composition (C) comprises at least one oil chosen from volatile polydimethylsiloxanes .

According to a preferred embodiment, a composition (C) comprises at least two volatile silicone oils, for example a cyclohexasiloxane oil and a volatile polydimethylsiloxane oil.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, composition (C) contained in the reservoir comprises from 60% to 80% by weight of volatile silicone oil(s), and preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. Silicone elastomer

Preferably, composition (C) contained in the reservoir also comprises at least one silicone elastomer.

In particular, the silicone elastomer is present in an active material content of between 10% and 20% by weight and preferably between 12% and 18% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

The organopolysiloxane elastomer has the advantage of giving the composition according to the invention good application properties.

The term“ organopolysiloxane elastomer” or " silicone elastomer " means a supple, deformable organopolysiloxane with viscoelastic properties and especially with the consistency of a sponge or a supple sphere. Its modulus of elasticity is such that this material withstands deformation and has limited stretchability and contractability. This material is capable of regaining its original shape after stretching.

It is more particularly a crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomer.

Thus, the organopolysiloxane elastomer may be obtained by crosslinking addition reaction of diorganopolysiloxane containing at least one hydrogen bonded to silicon and of diorganopolysiloxane containing ethylenically unsaturated groups bonded to silicon, notably in the presence of a platinum catalyst; or by dehydrogenation crosslinking condensation reaction between a diorganopolysiloxane comprising hydroxyl end groups and a diorganopolysiloxane containing at least one hydrogen bonded to silicon, notably in the presence of an organotin; or by crosslinking condensation reaction of a diorganopolysiloxane comprising hydroxyl end groups and of a hydrolysable organopolysilane; or by thermal crosslinking of organopolysiloxane, notably in the presence of an organoperoxide catalyst; or by crosslinking of organopolysiloxane via high-energy radiation such as gamma rays, ultraviolet rays or an electron beam.

Preferably, the organopolysiloxane elastomer is obtained by crosslinking addition reaction (A) of diorganopolysiloxane containing at least two hydrogens each bonded to a silicon, and (B) of diorganopolysiloxane containing at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups bonded to silicon, notably in the presence (C) of a platinum catalyst, as described, for instance, in patent application EP-A-295 886.

In particular, the organopolysiloxane elastomer may be obtained by reaction of dimethylpolysiloxane comprising dimethylvinylsiloxy end groups and of methylhydrogenopolysiloxane comprising trimethylsiloxy end groups, in the presence of a platinum catalyst.

Compound (A) is the base reagent for the formation of elastomeric organopolysiloxane, and the crosslinking is performed by addition reaction of compound (A) with compound (B) in the presence of catalyst (C).

Compound (A) is in particular an organopolysiloxane containing at least two hydrogen atoms bonded to different silicon atoms in each molecule.

Compound (A) may have any molecular structure, notably a linear-chain or branched-chain structure or a cyclic structure.

Compound (A) may have a viscosity at 25°C ranging from 1 to 50 000 centistokes, notably so as to be readily miscible with compound (B).

The organic groups bonded to the silicon atoms of compound (A) may be alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, octyl; substituted alkyl groups such as 2- phenylethyl, 2-phenylpropyl or 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl; aryl groups such as phenyl, tolyl, xylyl; substituted aryl groups such as phenylethyl; and substituted monovalent hydrocarbon- based groups such as an epoxy group, a carboxylate ester group or a mercapto group.

Compound (A) may thus be chosen from trimethylsiloxy-terminated methylhydrogenopolysiloxanes, trimethylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane/methylhydrogenosiloxane copolymers, and dimethylsiloxane/methylhydrogenosiloxane cyclic copolymers. Compound (B) is advantageously a diorganopolysiloxane containing at least two lower alkenyl groups (for example C2-C4); the lower alkenyl group may be chosen from vinyl, allyl and propenyl groups. These lower alkenyl groups may be located in any position on the organopolysiloxane molecule, but are preferably located at the ends of the organopolysiloxane molecule. The organopolysiloxane (B) may have a branched-chain, linear-chain, cyclic or network structure but the linear-chain structure is preferred. Compound (B) may have a viscosity ranging from the liquid state to the gum state. Preferably, compound (B) has a viscosity of at least 100 centistokes at 25°C.

Besides the abovementioned alkenyl groups, the other organic groups bonded to the silicon atoms in compound (B) may be alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl or octyl; substituted alkyl groups such as 2-phenylethyl, 2-phenylpropyl or 3,3,3- trifluoropropyl; aryl groups such as phenyl, tolyl or xylyl; substituted aryl groups such as phenylethyl; and substituted monovalent hydrocarbon-based groups such as an epoxy group, a carboxylate ester group or a mercapto group.

The organopolysiloxanes (B) may be chosen from methylvinylpolysiloxanes, methylvinylsiloxane/dimethylsiloxane copolymers, dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylpolysiloxanes, dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane/methylphenylsiloxane copolymers, dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane/diphenylsiloxane/methylvinylsiloxane copolymers, trimethylsiloxy- terminated dimethylsiloxane/methylvinylsiloxane copolymers, trimethylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane/methylphenylsiloxane/methylvinylsiloxane copolymers, dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated methyl(3 ,3 ,3 -trifluoropropyl)polysiloxanes, and dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylsiloxane/methyl(3,3,3-trifluoropropyl)siloxane copolymers.

In particular, the elastomeric organopolysiloxane may be obtained via reaction of dimethylvinylsiloxy-terminated dimethylpolysiloxane and of trimethylsiloxy-terminated methylhydrogenopolysiloxane, in the presence of a platinum catalyst.

Advantageously, the sum of the number of ethylenic groups per molecule of compound (B) and of the number of hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms per molecule of compound (A) is at least 5.

It is advantageous for compound (A) to be added in an amount such that the molecular ratio of the total amount of hydrogen atoms bonded to silicon atoms in compound (A) to the total amount of all the ethylenically unsaturated groups in compound (B) is within the range from 1.5/1 to 20/1.

Compound (C) is the catalyst for the crosslinking reaction, and is notably chloroplatinic acid, chloroplatinic acid-olefin complexes, chloroplatinic acid- alkenylsiloxane complexes, chloroplatinic acid-diketone complexes, platinum black and platinum on a support.

The catalyst (C) is preferably added at from 0.1 to 1000 parts by weight, better still from 1 to 100 parts by weight, as clean platinum metal, per 1000 parts by weight of the total amount of compounds (A) and (B).

The elastomer is advantageously a non-emulsifying elastomer.

The term“non- emulsifying” defines organopolysiloxane elastomers not containing any hydrophilic chains, and in particular not containing any polyoxyalkylene units (notably polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene) or any polyglyceryl units. Thus, according to a specific form of the invention, the composition comprises an organopolysiloxane elastomer free of polyoxyalkylene units and of polyglyceryl units.

In particular, the silicone elastomer used in the present invention is chosen from Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 (INCI name), and mixtures thereof.

The organopolysiloxane elastomer particles may be conveyed in the form of a gel constituted of an elastomeric organopolysiloxane included in at least one hydrocarbon-based oil and/or one silicone oil. In these gels, the organopolysiloxane particles are often nonspherical particles.

Non-emulsifying elastomers are described notably in patents EP 242 219, EP 285 886 and EP 765 656 and in patent application JP-A-61-194009.

The silicone elastomer is generally in the form of a gel, a paste or a powder, but advantageously in the form of a gel in which the silicone elastomer is dispersed in a linear silicone oil (dimethicone) or cyclic silicone oil (e.g.: cyclopentasiloxane), advantageously in a linear silicone oil.

Non-emulsifying elastomers that may more particularly be used include those sold under the names KSG-6, KSG-15, KSG-16, KSG-18, KSG-41, KSG-42, KSG-43 and KSG- 44 by the company Shin-Etsu, DC9040 and DC9041 by the company Dow Coming, and SFE 839 by the company General Electric.

According to a particular mode, use is made of a silicone elastomer gel dispersed in a silicone oil chosen from a non-exhaustive list comprising cyclopentadimethylsiloxane, dimethicones, dimethylsiloxanes, methyl trimethicone, phenyl methicone, phenyl dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone and cyclomethicone, preferably a linear silicone oil chosen from polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) or dimethicones with a viscosity at 25°C ranging from 1 to 500 cSt, optionally modified with optionally fluorinated aliphatic groups, or with functional groups such as hydroxyl, thiol and/or amine groups.

Mention may be made in particular of the compounds having the following INCI names: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as USG-105 and USG-107A from the company Shin-Etsu; DC9506 and DC9701 from the company Dow Corning; Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Dimethicone, such as KSG-6 and KSG-16 from the company Shin-Etsu; Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Cyclopentasiloxane, such as KSG-15; Cyclopentasiloxane (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as DC9040, DC9045 and DC5930 from the company Dow Corning; Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as DC9041 from the company Dow Coming; Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as Dow Coming EL-9240 ^® Silicone Elastomer Blend from the company Dow Coming (mixture of polydimethylsiloxane crosslinked with hexadiene/polydimethysiloxane (2 cSt)); C4-24 Alkyl Dimethicone/DivinylDimethicone Crosspolymer, such as NuLastic Silk MA by the company Alzo.

As examples of silicone elastomers dispersed in a linear silicone oil which may advantageously be used according to the invention, mention may be made notably of the following references: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Dimethicone, such as KSG-6 and KSG-16 from the company Shin-Etsu; Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as DC9041 from the company Dow Coming; Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer, such as Dow Coming EL-9240 ^® Silicone Elastomer Blend from the company Dow Coming (mixture of polydimethylsiloxane crosslinked with Hexadiene/Polydimethysiloxane (2 cSt)); and Diphenylsiloxy phenyl trimethicone (and) dimethicone (and) phenyl vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer (INCI name) such as KSG 18A sold by the company Shin-Etsu. The organopolysiloxane elastomer particles may also be used in powder form: mention may be made notably of the powders sold under the names Dow Corning 9505 Powder and Dow Corning 9506 Powder by the company Dow Coming, these powders having the INCI name: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer.

The organopolysiloxane powder may also be coated with silsesquioxane resin, as described, for example, in patent US 5 538 793. Such elastomer powders are sold under the names KSP-100, KSP-101, KSP-102, KSP-103, KSP-104 and KSP-105 by the company Shin-Etsu, and have the INCI name: Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer.

As examples of organopolysiloxane powders coated with silsesquioxane resin that may advantageously be used according to the invention, mention may be made notably of the organopolysiloxane elastomers having the INCI name Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, such as those sold under the commercial reference KSP-100 by the company Shin-Etsu.

As preferred organopolysiloxane elastomer, mention may be made notably of crosslinked organopolysiloxane elastomers chosen from Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Dimethicone (and) Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name), Dimethicone Crosspolymer-3 (INCI name), Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Diphenylsiloxy Phenyl Trimethicone (and) Dimethicone (and) Phenyl Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name) and in particular the Dimethicone Crosspolymer (INCI name).

Preferably, the silicone elastomer is a non-emulsifying elastomer, more preferentially a silicone elastomer gel dispersed in a silicone oil, and even more preferentially a Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer (and) Dimethicone compound.

Additional spherical fillers

Preferably, composition (C) contained in the reservoir may also comprise at least one additional spherical filler.

The term“filler” should be understood as meaning mineral or organic, colourless or white solid particles of any form, which are in an insoluble form dispersed in the medium of the composition. Such an additional spherical filler may be present in particular in a content of between 0.1% and 6% by weight, preferably between 2% and 6% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

As additional spherical fillers that may be used in a composition C, mention may be made in particular of polyamide powders, for example Nylon ^® or Orgasol ^® from Atochem; poly-P-alanine powders; polyethylene powders; tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, for example Teflon ^® ; starch; silicone resin microbeads, for example Tospearls ^® from Toshiba; hollow silica microspheres, such as Silica Beads SB 700/HA ^® and Silica Beads SB 700 ^® from the company Maprecos, Sunspheres H-33 ^® and Sunspheres H-51 ^® from the company Asahi Glass; acrylic polymer microspheres, such as those made of crosslinked acrylate copolymer Polytrap 6603 Adsorber ^® from the company RP Scherrer, and those made of polymethyl methacrylate Micropearl M 100 ^® from the company SEPPIC); and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, as spherical organic filler, mention may be made of those chosen from polyamide powders, polyethylene powders, tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, starch, acrylic acid copolymers, silicone resin microbeads, and mixtures thereof.

Dyestuffs

In particular, a composition (C) may also comprise at least one dyestuff, different from the fragrancing substance(s) present in said composition, for example a pigment.

According to a preferred embodiment, composition (C) comprises a content of dyestuff, other than the fragrancing substance(s) present in said composition, of less than 5% by weight, in particular less than 1% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. Even more preferentially, a composition according to the invention is totally free of dyestuff, other than the fragrancing substance(s) present in said composition.

More particularly, composition (C) comprises a content of pigment(s) of less than 5% by weight, in particular less than 1% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. Even more preferentially, a composition according to the invention is totally free of pigment(s).

Preferably, composition (C) is transparent.

Examples

Fragrance compositions were prepared from the compounds listed in Table 1 below. Table 1

* The fragrance used has the composition detailed in Table 2 below:

Table 2

The compositions were prepared by mixing the silicone oils at a temperature of 25°C under stirring, followed by adding the silicone elastomer with stirring, and then the fillers, and finally adding the fragrance under stirring. Soft thick creams are obtained. The final composition 1 has a viscosity of 5.5 Pa.s.

Compositions are used in an applicator pen according to the invention, in particular such as the one illustrated in figures 1 to 9.

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, compositions may be placed in a removable refill, for example.

The application member may be replaced with a felt or a foam tip.