This invention relates to an injection nozzle intended for the filling of a receptacle with a cosmetic composition comprising at least two cosmetic products, with the injection nozzle comprising:

- a hollow body, defining an injection volume of products, at least one inlet for the introduction of the first product and one main outlet for the ejection of the cosmetic composition,

- a rod of a main axis, mounted mobile in the hollow body, and

- a cut-off valve mounted at a free end of the rod, with the valve being able to be displaced by the mobile rod between a sealing position of the main outlet for ejecting the composition and an open position for filling a receptacle.

Such an injection nozzle is intended for the filling of a receptacle with a cosmetic composition comprising several products at least partially miscible in order to form a marbled effect.

The cosmetic composition is for example a styling gel, a cosmetic care product for a surface of a user's body, such as the skin or hair, a shower gel or shampoo.

More generally, a cosmetic product is a product as defined in EC Regulation N° 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

Document US 6 390 148 B2 describes an injection nozzle comprising a hollow body defining an injection volume and a mobile rod actuating a vein cut-off valve.

Such an injection nozzle is adapted to dispense a homogeneous composition. However, it is not completely satisfactory. Indeed, the injection nozzle is not provided to inject into a receptacle a cosmetic composition comprising at least two cosmetic products, such that the cosmetic composition has a marbled effect in the receptacle.

This type of effect is today sought in order to make the product attractive with the customers.

A method of injection that makes it possible to create such a marbled effect is described in document WO 2004/098545 A2.

In this document, the cosmetic composition is prepared with a marbled effect before its entry into an injection nozzle.

However, such a method requires a particular injection machine upstream of the injection nozzle. Such an injection machine is expensive. In addition, as the machine is specific to this method, it cannot be used to implement the dispensing of other non- marbled products. The carrying out of a marbled effect in a cosmetic product then generates a substantial extra cost.

A purpose of the invention is therefore to dispense into a receptacle, in an inexpensive and versatile manner, a cosmetic composition comprising at least two cosmetic products, with a marbled visual effect.

For this purpose, the invention has for object an injection nozzle of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises:

- a static mixer mounted fixed in the hollow body, with the rod passing through the mixer, and

- a set for dispensing a second product, opening into the hollow body upstream of the mixer.

The injection nozzle according to the invention can include one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any combination that is technically possible:

- the set for dispensing the second product comprises a central channel for injecting the second product arranged through the mobile rod;

- the set for dispensing the second product comprises a dispensing member wherein opens the central injection channel, with the dispensing member defining at least one ejection outlet located at a distance transversally from the rod;

- the dispensing member comprises a plurality of hollow arms extending from the central injection channel and radially separating with respect to the main axis;

- the hollow arms each comprise at least one ejection outlet;

- the ejection outlets of the second product are distributed, preferably uniformly, over the circular periphery of the rod;

- the rod is mobile in translation along the main axis through the mixer;

- the mixer defines a central hole, with the mobile rod extending through the central hole; and

- the body has an inner surface delimiting the injection volume, with the mixer extending radially in the annular space between the inner surface and the rod, with the mixer being spaced from the rod by a distance less than 1 mm.

The invention also has for object an injection module comprising an injection nozzle of the aforementioned type, a reservoir of second product, and a set of conveying of the second product connecting the reservoir of second product to the set for dispensing the second product on the injection nozzle.

The invention also has for object an injection machine comprising an injection module of the aforementioned type, a reservoir of first product, and a set of conveying of the first product connecting the reservoir of first product to the introduction inlet of the injection nozzle and a set for bringing successive receptacles to be filled, arranged across from the nozzle.

The injection machine according to the invention can include one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any combination that is technically possible:

- the injection module can be separated as a single piece from the injection machine,

- the injection machine comprises a receptacle support able to drive in rotation the receptacle intended to be fulfilled.

The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as an example and with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of an injection nozzle according to an embodiment of the invention,

- figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the injection nozzle of figure 1 without the hollow body,

- figure 3 is a diagrammatic view of an injection machine comprising the injection nozzle of figure 1 .

In all that follows, the orientations are with respect to that shown in the figures. In particular, the terms "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom" refer to the orientations chosen in the figures. Other orientations are possible according to the use of the nozzle according to the invention.

The terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the normal direction of flow of the cosmetic composition or of the products.

An injection nozzle 10 according to the invention is represented in figures 1 and 2. This nozzle 10 is intended to be integrated into a distribution machine 100, described hereinbelow and visible in figure 3.

The injection nozzle 10 comprises a hollow body 12, a rod 14 extending through the hollow body12, a static mixer 16 arranged around the rod 14 and a set 18 for dispensing the product.

The injection nozzle 10 further comprises a cut-off valve 20, carried by the rod 14. The hollow body 12 extends around a main axis X, shown as being vertical in figure 1 .

It has an inner surface of revolution around the axis X delimiting an injection volume 22.

The hollow body 12 defines at least one upper inlet 24 for the introduction of the first cosmetic product into the injection volume 22 and a main outlet 26 for ejecting the cosmetic composition outside of the injection volume 22. The inner surface comprises an upper portion, for example cylindrical of axis X, and a lower portion converging downwards.

The upper introduction inlet 24 is located axially on the top of the upper portion. The main outlet 26 is located on the lower converging portion.

The main ejection outlet 26 is able to be arranged across from a receptacle to be filled above the latter, as shall be seen hereinbelow.

The rod 14 extends according to the main axis X at the center of the hollow body 12. It extends between an upper upstream end 27 and a lower downstream end 28.

The rod 14 is mobile in translation along the main axis X, between an upper sealing position and an open position.

In this example, the set for dispensing 18 is partially arranged in the rod 14. It comprises a member for dispensing the product 32.

The set for dispensing 18 makes it possible to distribute the second product in the hollow body 12, within the first product.

The set for dispensing 18 is arranged in the injection volume 22 of the hollow body

12. It defines a passage for the circulation of the second product from an inlet of the second product in the rod 14 to at least one ejection outlet 30 located in the dispensing member 32.

In the example shown in figures 1 and 2, the set for dispensing 18 has several ejection outlets 30 distributed around the axis X.

The set for dispensing 18 here comprises between 4 and 20 ejection outlets 30. The diameter of the ejection outlets 30 is between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. This in particular allows for a relatively homogeneous dispensing.

Each ejection outlet 30 is located at a distance transversally from the rod 14 and opens into the injection volume 22 upstream of the mixer 16.

The rod 14 defines a central channel 34 for the passage of the second product. The central channel 34 extends from the upstream end 27 of the rod and opens downstream into the dispensing member 32 via openings 36 which are angularly distributed around the axis X.

The dispensing member 32 delimits each ejection outlet 30. It here comprises a plurality of hollow arms 38, protruding radially with respect to the rod 14.

Each hollow arm 38 extends from the central channel 34 and is separated radially with respect to the main axis X.

The rod 14 and the dispensing member 32 are here formed of the three portions assembled by screwing. In particular, the dispensing member 32 is carried out by 3D metal printing, preferably with aluminum. Each hollow arm 38 defines a secondary channel 40 opening through at least one respective ejection outlet 30. Each secondary channel 40 extends radially from at least one opening 36 to the ejection outlet 30.

All of the ejection outlets 30 of the second product are here located axially upstream of the static mixer 16. They advantageously extend around the axis X according to a circle with the center on the axis X, and located in a plane perpendicular to the main axis X. They are as such distributed, preferably uniformly, on the circular periphery of the rod 14.

The mixer 16 is a static mixer. It is mounted fixed in the injection volume 22 of the hollow body 12.

The mixer 16 defines a central hole 29 of axis X. The mobile rod 14 is inserted through the central hole 29. It passes through the mixer 16.

The mixer 16 extends radially in the annular space between the inner surface of the hollow body 12 and the outer surface of the rod 14. It is spaced from the rod 14 by a distance less than 1 mm, advantageously less than 0.1 mm. It as such comes as close as possible to the rod, to the nearest functional backlash, for the displacement of the rod. The mixer 16 is substantially in contact with the inner surface of the hollow body 12.

The static mixer 16 is able to partially mix and disperse the products circulating in the hollow body, without it being necessary to have recourse to rotating portions.

At the inlet of the static mixer 16, the cosmetic composition comprises the first and second products. The first and second products are at least partially miscible. The first product is a cosmetic product, of the gel type. The second product is, for example, an oily phase.

At the output of the static mixer 16, the cosmetic composition has a marbled effect formed by the mixture of the first and second products.

The static mixer here comprises a three-dimensional mesh of bars. The bars are inclined with respect to the axis X, according to varied and secant inclinations. The bars separate the composition into layers of first and second products and disperse them over the entire periphery of the hollow body 12.

The static mixer 16 is, for example, a combination of at least one, and preferentially at least three static mixer elements SMX or SMX plus from Sulzer ®.

The cut-off valve 20 is mounted at the lower end 28 of the rod 14.

The cut-off valve 20 has, for example, substantially the shape of a truncated cone. The valve 20 is mounted on the rod 14 on the top of the truncated cone and the cone extends below its tip. The cut-off valve 20 is jointly mobile in translation with the rod 14. It is adapted to be displaced by the mobile rod 14 between the upper sealing position of the main outlet 26 for ejecting the composition and the open position for filling a receptacle.

In the sealing position, the cut-off valve 20 is in peripheral contact with the inner surface of the hollow body 12 on its lower end. It seals the annular space defined between the rod 14 and the hollow body 12. The cut-off valve hermetically seals the main outlet 26. The seal is in particular provided by a metal-metal contact.

In the open position, the rod 14 was displaced downwards along the main axis X with respect to the sealing position. The cut-off valve 20 is arranged apart from the inner surface of the hollow body 12 and defines an annular passage for dispensing the composition. A cosmetic composition can therefore exit via the main outlet 26.

An injection machine 100 comprising an injection nozzle 10 such as described hereinabove shall now be described, in reference to figure 3.

The injection machine 100 comprises a reservoir 102 of first product and a set of conveying 104 the first product. It further comprises an injection module 106 comprising at least one nozzle 10 such as described hereinabove, a reservoir of a second product 1 10, and a set of conveying the second product 1 12. The machine 100 also comprises a set for bringing 108 successive receptacles, across from the nozzle, and a receptacle support 1 14.

The reservoir 102 of first product receives a volume of the first cosmetic product, for example in the form of a gel.

The set of conveying 104 of the first product extends between an outlet of the reservoir 102 upstream and the injection module 106 downstream. It is connected downstream at the introduction inlet 24 of the injection nozzle 10.

The set of conveying 104 here comprises a first piston pump 1 16.

The first piston pump 1 16 is able to meter the quantity of the first product injected into the injection nozzle 10 at each filling of a receptacle. This quantity can be adjusted.

The injection module 106 can here be separated as a single part from the rest of the injection machine 100, which makes it possible to use the machine 100 in order to carry out the filling of receptacles with a homogeneous composition comprising solely the first cosmetic product, by using a nozzle 10 devoid of a static mixer and a set for dispensing 18 the second product.

The reservoir of second product 1 10 receives a volume of second cosmetic product, for example an oily phase. The set of conveying 1 12 of the second product extends between an outlet of the reservoir 1 10 and the set for dispensing 18 of the second product of the injection nozzle 10.

The set of conveying 1 12 here comprises a second piston pump 1 18.

The second piston pump 1 18 is able to meter the quantity of the second product injected into the set for dispensing 18 at each filling of a receptacle. This quantity can be adjusted.

The second piston pump 1 18 is synchronized with the first piston pump 1 16. A simultaneous metering of the two products passing through the injection nozzle is carried out. The ratio of the quantity of material of the first product over the quantity of material of the second product, passing through the injection nozzle, is controlled in order to be equal to a predefined ratio.

The support 1 14 is configured to successively maintain each receptacle to be filled in a filling position under the nozzle 10.

In the filling position, the receptacle is able to be filled by the injection nozzle 10. It is, for example, located under the main outlet 26 of the injection nozzle 10.

In a particular embodiment, the support 1 14 is able to drive the receptacle in rotation during the filling thereof. The support 1 14 comprises a motor driving the receptacle in rotation.

The set for bringing 108 successive receptacles is able to transport receptacles intended to be filled by the injection machine 100 to the support 1 14 before the filling thereof, then to displace them away from the support 1 14 after filling.

A method for the successive filling of receptacles, implementing the injection machine 100 described hereinabove, shall now be described.

Each receptacle to be filled is successively transported and placed across from the injection nozzle 10 by the set of bringing 108. For each receptacle, the cut-off valve 20 of the injection nozzle 10 is displaced into open position by lowering of the rod 14.

A dose of the first product is injected into the hollow body 12 from the set of conveying 104 of the first product through the introduction inlet 24 of the first product.

A dose of the second product is injected simultaneously into the hollow body through the set for dispensing 18 of the second product from the set of conveying 1 12 of the second product.

The second product is dispensed to the ejection outlet or outlets 30 upstream of the mixer 16.

The first product and the second product then descend through the mixer 16 where they are partially mixed in order to form a cosmetic composition having a marbled visual effect. The cosmetic composition flows through the outlet and progressively fills the receptacle.

When the recipient is filled, the cut-off valve 20 is displaced into the upper sealing position by the rising of the rod 14 along the axis X.

This method is successively repeated for all of the receptacles to be filled.

The injection nozzle according to the invention and the associated injection module therefore make it possible to easily convert a conventional injection machine into an injection machine that makes it possible to fill receptacles with a cosmetic composition having a marbled effect.

For this, the conventional injection nozzle is replaced by the injection nozzle according to the invention and a set of conveying of the second product is connected to a set for dispensing the second product.

This arrangement makes it possible to fill receptacles with a cosmetic composition that has a marbled effect, in a manner that is more economical and that can be adapted to different types of machines.

In an alternative, the receptacle is driven in rotation about its axis by the support 1 14 during the flow of the cosmetic composition, which modifies the marbled effect obtained.

In another alternative, the passage for the circulation of the product defined by the set for dispensing 18 is located outside the rod 14 and not in the rod 14.