| WO/2000/032321 | INTEGRAL PACKAGE APPLICATOR |
| WO/1995/015265 | APPLICATOR |
| WO/1997/037893 | LIQUID CONTAINER HAVING SQUEEZER AND INNER LID THEREFOR |
GUERET, Jean-Louis (27 avenue Raymond Poincaré, Paris, F-75016, FR)
| CLAIMS 1. An assembly comprising: • a composition for application to human keratinous materials; • an applicator for applying said composition, the applicator comprising; • a grip portion (5) ; • a membrane (7) having at least one portion that is supported by the grip portion, said portion defining an application surface (6) that is not permeable to the composition, and defining, at least in part, an inside space (41) inside the membrane (7} and • at least one passage (40; 97; 92) that puts the inside space (41) into communication with the surrounding air, at least while the applicator is being used. 2. An assembly according to claim 1, the membrane being fastened in removable manner to the applicator. 3. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, the membrane being flocked. 4. An assembly according to claim 1 or claim 3, at least one vent being made through the membrane (7) . 5. An assembly according to any one of claims' 1 to 3 , at least one vent being made in the grip portion (5) . 6. An assembly according to claim 4 or claim 5, the not being visible when the applicator is observed the outside, in particular from the side when its longitudinal axis is vertical. 7. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the membrane being made out of an elastically-deformable material . 8. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the membrane being made by molding.. 9. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the membrane (7) comprising a distal portion (7a) that is made out of a relatively rigid material, and that is supported by an intermediate portion (7b) that is made out of a more flexible and elastically-deformable material . 10. An assembly according to any one of claims 1. to 9, comprising an annular lip (28) surrounding the membrane . 11. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a vibration source (10) . 12. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the composition (P) being contained in a container (2) , and the applicator (3) being arranged, when not in use, so as to be fastened on the container. 13. An assembly according to claim 12, the container comprising a housing (20) for receiving the membrane (7) when the applicator is in place on the container, the composition (P) penetrating into this housing. 14. An assembly according to claim 12, comprising a housing (70) for receiving the membrane (7} when the applicator is in place on the container, the housing (70) being isolated from the composition (P) contained in the container (2) . An assembly according to any preceding claim, the membrane being held by friction on a skirt (90) that is interrupted by vents (40) , with recesses (97) being formed at the base of the vents (40), in a wall (32) to which the skirt (90) is connected. |
The present invention relates to applicators for applying a composition to human keratinous materials, and more particularly to applicators comprising a grip portion and an applicator member ' that is carried by the grip portion and that defines an application surface for coming into contact with the keratinous materials during use.
Patent application EP 1 820 417 A1 describes an applicator that is suitable for being fastened in removable manner on a container, and that includes a membrane that is perforated in its central region.
Applicators are also known, e.g. from application FR 2 919 477, that include an applicator member that is constituted by a block of foam. Using a block of foam makes determining the amount of composition relatively difficult, since the composition may potentially be pumped by the foam, and be present in too great a
quantity after being released into contact with the surface being treated. In addition, the foam may turn out to be relatively difficult to clean. Finally, when using a foam, it is relatively difficult to fasten the applicator member in removable manner to the grip, portion. However, being able to remove the applicator member may turn out to be advantageous in enabling the applicator member to be cleaned.
Thus, an object of the invention is to improve still further applicators for applying a cosmetic or
dermatological composition to human keratinous materials, in particular the skin or the mucous membranes.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an applicator for applying a composition, to human keratinous materials, the applicator comprising.:
• a grip portion;
• a membrane having at least one portion that is supported by the grip portion, said portion defining an application surface that is not permeable to the composition, and defining, at least in part, an inside space inside the membrane; and
• at least one passage that puts the inside space into communication with the surrounding air, at least while the applicator is . being used.
The membrane may comprise another portion that forms part of the grip portion and that defines a grip surface for the user.. In a variant, the grip surface is not defined by any portion of the membrane.
The membrane may deform while the applicator is being used.
The space inside the membrane is closed almost, i.e. the inside face of the membrane, in particular its central, region, faces the remainder of the applicator. The inside face is not accessible to the user for
applying a finger thereto, e.g. when the membrane is in place on the applicator.
The term "membrane that is not permeable to the composition" should be understood to mean that the membrane is not perforated in its region that normally defines the application surface.
By means of the invention, the air contained in the. inside space does not prevent the membrane from
deforming, and neither does it create suction in the space inside the membrane, which suction would
potentially prevent the membrane from returning to its initial shape when the membrane is made out of an
elastically-deformable material.
During use, the air contained in the inside space may escape via the passage. After application, once force is no longer exerted on the membrane, air may reenter via the passage. Thus, by means of the invention, it is possible to avoid the presence of a mattress of air that is held captive by a closed volume in the space inside the membrane, which mattress of air would hinder the ability of the membrane to deform elastically, or to return elastically to its initial shape. The invention makes it possible to guarantee a certain lightness in application.
The membrane may be fastened in optionally removable manner to the applicator.
The membrane may be flocked or may not be flocked.
Compared to a foam, the membrane may be easier to clean. In addition, compared to a foam, the membrane is capable of being mounted more easily in removable manner on the applicator.
The applicator may be configured, when not in use, so as to be fastened on the container containing the composition for application.
By way of example, the container may be a flask provided with a neck, a tube, a device having a mechanism for dispensing lipstick, or even a container having a space containing the supply of composition that is closed in part by a grid or by a flow reducer.
The container may comprise a housing for receiving the membrane when the applicator is in place on the container, the composition penetrating into this housing..
In a variant, the housing that receives the membrane when the applicator is in place on the container is isolated from the composition contained in the container.
When the membrane is received in a housing of the container provided for receiving the membrane and for loading it with composition, the housing may be defined internally by a seat- forming wall through which at least one hole passes for supplying the composition. The wall may comprise a slot or a grid, for example.
The membrane may optionally deform against the seat- forming wall when the applicator is in its storage position. In its storage position, the membrane may match the. shape of the seat-forming wall at least in part .
When the applicator is in place in the housing, the membrane may also be configured to close at least one orifice for supplying the composition. The membrane may define an application surface of shape that is optionally a surface of revolution.
The grip portion may extend entirely beside the inside face of the membrane. For example, the membrane may present a shape that is generally circularly
symmetrical about an axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the grip portion.
The. passage may comprise one or more vents that are made in various ways. The section of the air passage lies in the range 0.1 square millimeters (mm 2 ) to 5 mm 2 , for example .
In exemplary embodiments of the invention, at least one. vent may be made through the membrane , other than through the application surface. By way of example, the vent may be made at the periphery of the membrane. By way of example, the vent may be made in the form of at least one notch formed at the periphery of the membrane.
In other exemplary embodiments of the invention, at least one vent is made in the grip portion, e.g. in a support portion for supporting the membrane. By way of example, the vent opens out in a top face of the grip portion or in the periphery of a support portion that holds the membrane. . on the grip portion.
At least one vent may be made in a support portion of the grip portion, i.e. in the portion that serves to hold the membrane on the grip portion. The support portion may be of annular shape , for example, and the membrane may be held thereon merely by friction, without snap- fastening, by clamping a tubular portion of the membrane on the support portion, for example. By way of example, the support portion may comprise a plurality of vents, e.g. four vents, that are distributed angularly and uniformly about the longitudinal axis of the
applicator.
The support portion for supporting the membrane may be hollow longitudinally and/or at is base, so as to form channels for passing air between the support portion and the membrane .
The vent (s). may optionally be visible when the applicator is vertical and observed from the outside, in side view.
The membrane may be made out of an elastically- deformable material, e.g. by molding. The membrane may be molded with one or more vents, where appropriate.
In a variant, the membrane may comprise a distal- portion that is made out of a relatively rigid material, and that is supported by an intermediate portion that is made out of a more flexible and elastically-deformable material. By way of example, one or more vents may be made through the more flexible intermediate portion.
Where appropriate, the vent(s) of the membrane may be masked visually by an annular lip of the applicator, surrounding the membrane. Such an annular lip may also exist independently of the presence of one or more vents in the membrane. By way of example, the annular lip has a sealing function, by coming to bear against a
corresponding surface of a container on which the applicator is fastened when not in use. The annular lip may also contribute to fastening the applicator on the container containing the composition for application. The annular lip may also be used for mounting the membrane on the applicator. The annular lip may perform one or more of the above roles.
Still in a variant, the membrane itself may, at least in part, be used for gripping the applicator. In this configuration, the grip portion may comprise a portion that is received inside the membrane so as to ensure the rigidity that is necessary for gripping. It may also be used to close the space inside the membrane while nevertheless ensuring a passage for air. The portion engaged in the membrane may support a vibration source . In exemplary embodiments of the invention, an air passage is formed between the membrane and the remainder of the applicator. By way of example, the passage is formed by mounting the membrane on the applicator in non~ leaktight manner, e.g. by leaving mounting clearance between the membrane and a support portion that holds it on the applicator.
In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the membrane may be held by friction on a skirt that is interrupted by vents, with recesses being formed at the base of the vents, in a wall to which the skirt is connected.
The applicator may comprise a vibration source that makes it possible to subject the application surface to vibration during use. For example, the grip portion houses the vibration source that may be received in removable manner in a housing of the grip portion. Where appropriate, the vibration source may be surrounded by a portion of the membrane.
The membrane may be generally dish shaped.
Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide an assembly comprising both the composition for application and an applicator as defined above.
Initially, the assembly may be contained in a single package and/or the applicator may be made available to the consumer while it is secured to the container
containing the composition.
The composition may be for application to human keratinous materials.
Independently or in combination with the above, the invention also provides a device comprising a container containing a composition, and an applicator comprising an applicator member and a vibration source, the applicator being for receiving in a housing of the container that is isolated from the composition contained in the container. The applicator may be as defined above. The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
• Figure 1 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section view of an example of a packaging and applicator device including an applicator of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a side view of the Figure 1 applicator separated from the container and shown in isolation;
• Figures 3a to 3d show, in isolation and in axial section, some examples amongst others, of membranes of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2, and partially in longitudinal section, showing a variant applicator;
• Figure 5 is a cross-section on V-V of Figure 4;
• Figures 6 and 7 are longitudinal sections showing other variant applicators of the invention;
• Figures 8 and 9 are diagrammatic elevation views of a variant embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 10 shows the membrane in isolation;
• Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 5 on XI-XI of Figure 9
• Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 11 showing a variant embodiment; and
• Figures 13 to 15 are diagrammatic and fragmentary Views, partially in longitudinal section, showing variant embodiments of the invention.
The packaging and applicator device 1 of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises: a container 2 containing a composition P for application; and an applicator 3 that is suitable for being fastened in removable manner on the container.
By way of example, the composition P is a
composition for applying to the skin or the mucous membranes, e.g. a makeup or a care-product composition in the form of liquid, cream, gel, or loose or compacted powder, amongst other possibilities.
At its top, the applicator 3 includes a grip portion 5, and at its bottom, it includes an application surface 6 that is defined in accordance with the invention by a membrane 7 that may optionally be flocked.
In the embodiment under consideration, the grip portion 5 receives a vibration source 10 that may include a switch 11 that enables the vibration source to be actuated when depressed.
By way of example, the vibration source 10 is as described in application FR 08/06489, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. The vibration source may comprise a motor that drives an off-center fly-weight in- rotation at a speed of rotation lying in the. range 2000 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 20,000 rpm.
By way of example, and as shown, the vibration source 10 is received, in part, in a housing that is defined inside a handle 12 of the applicator 3. As shown, the wall defining the housing may include a notch 13 in order to accommodate, at least in part , the lever 11 of the switch.
When not in use, the membrane 7 may be received in a housing 20 of the container 2, as shown in Figure 1. The housing 20 may communicate with the inside of the container 2 by means of a perforated wall 21 that has one or more orifices 22 passing therethrough, e.g. orifices that are permanently open. The perforated wall 21 may be formed in a part 24 that is fitted on the neck 26 of the container 2.
In variant embodiments, when the applicator 3 is in place on the container, the membrane 7 may optionally come into contact with the perforated wall 21. Where appropriate, the membrane 7 may close substantially all of the orifices of the wall 21 when the applicator 3 is in place on the container. The applicator 3 may be fastened on the container 2 by mechanical co-operation, e.g. by friction, between a portion of the applicator and the container, e.g. an annular lip 28 of the applicator 3 and a tubular skirt 29 of the part 24, as shown. In variants that are not shown, the applicator 3 is arranged to be fastened on the container by screw- fastening or by snap- fastening, the applicator 3 and the container 2 being modified
accordingly.
As shown, the applicator 3 may include a plate 32 that supports the annular lip 28,. and that may come into abutment against the top edge of the part 24.
At its bottom, the handle 12 may be connected to the plate 32, and may be made, at least in part, by being molded integrally therewith.
When the applicator 3 is in place on the container 2, said applicator may close the housing 20 and the container 2 in leaktight manner. By way of example, and to this end, the annular lip 28 may bear in leaktight manner against the tubular skirt 29.
When the applicator 3 is separated from the
container 2, at least one air passage is present between the space 41 inside the membrane 7 and the surrounding air.
To this end, and by way of example, a vent 40 is made in the form of a recess formed in the membrane 7, at its periphery. The vent 40 may be masked visually by the annular lip 28 when the applicator 3 is observed from the side, as in Figure 2. By way of example, the vent 40 is cut out in the membrane 7, or, in a variant, said membrane is molded with the vent 40.
The membrane 7 may be fastened on the remainder of the applicator in a manner that enables the membrane to be removed without being damaged, and then to be put back into place. By way of example, fastening may be by friction or by snap- fastening . The membrane 7 may be made with various shapes, as a function of the nature of the surface to be treated, for example .
The membrane 7 may define, an application surface 6 that is substantially plane and perpendicular to the axis X, or slightly convex, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.
The membrane 7 may be made with a wall thickness that is constant, at least in its region defining the application surface 6, as shown in Figure 1.
In a variant, and as shown in Figure 3a, the
periphery of the membrane 7 may be made to be thicker than its central region, thereby imparting more
flexibility to the zone that comes into contact with the keratinous materials to be treated, for example.
The membrane 7 may be made with a shape that is outwardly convex, as shown in Figure 3c, or with a central recess, as shown in Figure 3b. The membrane 7 may also be made with a shape that is substantially conical, as shown in Figure 3d.
The membrane 7 may be flocked at least on the region defining the application surface 6, as shown in
Figure 3c. Flocking is not shown in Figures 1, 2, 3a, 3b, and 3d, but, in variants that are not shown, the application surfaces of corresponding embodiments are flocked.
As in the embodiment in Figure 1, the air passage may be obtained by means of a vent 40 that is formed in the membrane 7, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention if this were otherwise, and if, for example, at least one vent were to be formed in the grip portion, e.g. in a support portion of the grip portion 5 that serves to hold the membrane 7 on the grip portion 5. By way of example, the support portion 90 may be of annular shape, as shown in Figures 8 to 11, the membrane 7 being held by friction on the support portion 90. By way of example, the support portion 90 may be made in- the form of a tubular skirt that includes four vents 40 that are distributed uniformly.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 8 to 11, the grip portion further includes an annular lip 28 that enables the applicator 3 to be fastened on the container, and that serves to protect the edge of the membrane 7.
However, the annular lip 28 does not serve to fasten the membrane 7, and air may pass between the membrane 7 and the annular lip 28.
The vents 40 made in the skirt 90 may extend beyond the base of the skirt 90, in the form of recesses 97 in the wall 32 to which the skirt 90 is connected, so as to enable air to flow under the inner edge of the membrane, from the space inside the membrane to the annular space defined between the skirt 90 and the lip 28.
Still in a variant, the air passages need not be formed by, vents 40 formed in the membrane 7 as described above, and the support portion 90 may be solid.
By way of example, Figure.12 shows an embodiment in which the support portion 90 for supporting the membrane 7 is solid, including ribs 91 that bear against, the membrane 7 and that form between them channels 92 enabling air to pass between the inside space 41 and the outside.
Figure 4 shows a variant embodiment in which the membrane 7 comprises a distal portion 7a that defines the application surface 6 and that is relatively rigid, and an intermediate portion 7b to which the distal portion 7a is fastened and that is more flexible. This enables the distal portion 7a of the membrane 7 to be depressed towards the grip portion 5 during application. The portions 7a and 7b may be assembled together by snap- fastening or by force-fitting.
By way of example, an air passage is formed between the intermediate portion 7b and the plate 32, so as to enable air to flow between the inside space 41 and the outside. The intermediate portion 7b may include a mounting skirt 46 that comes to be housed between the annular lip 28 and a support skirt 48 that is interrupted for example, as shown in Figure 5, so as to enable the air contained in the inside space 41 to communicate with the outside. The intermediate portion may be held on the grip portion in permanent manner, e.g. by adhesive or by heat-sealing, or even in removable manner, e.g. by snap- fastening or by force-fitting.
In, the variant embodiment in Figure 6, the
applicator is made with a mounting skirt 60 for fastening on a container containing the composition for
application, e.g. an internally- threaded mounting skirt. The membrane 7 may be supported by an annular lip 63 that is coaxial to the mounting skirt 60. The membrane 7 may be mounted on the annular lip 63 in leaktight manner.
The space 41 inside the membrane 7 thus communicates with the outside via a vent 40 that is made in the grip portion 5, e.g. through a top wall 67 thereof.
In the variant embodiment in Figure 7 , when not in use, the membrane 7 is received in a housing 70 of a closure member 71 for closing a container 2 containing the composition for application. By way of example, the closure member 71 includes a gasket 72 that comes to bear in leaktight manner against the top end 73 of the neck of the container. By way of example, the grip portion 5 of the applicator is screw- fastened on a neck of the closure member 71, as shown.
As shown, a vent 40 may be made through the grip portion 5, in manner similar to that described with reference to Figure 6.
Still in a variant, the membrane 7 may be held on the grip portion 5 by means of an insert 95, e.g. in the form of an annular portion, as shown in Figure 13, the annular portion 95 itself being fastened by any means to the grip portion, e.g. by snap- fastening, by adhesive, or by heat- sealing. By way of example, the portion 95 is fastened by snap- fastening, by friction, by adhesive, or by heat-sealing in a peripheral skirt of the grip portion.
The annular portion 95 is configured to enable air to pass between the inside space 41 and the outside, as shown.
The membrane 7. may include a rim 111 via which it is held to the annular portion 95, e.g. by snap- fastening .
In the embodiment shown in Figure 14, the membrane 7 defines at least part, or even all, of the grip surface. The grip portion 5 includes an inner portion 125 that is received inside the membrane 7 so as to ensure the rigidity of the portion 5a defining the grip surface, and so as to favor gripping . The portion 5b that extends beyond the inner portion 125 defines the application surface.
In the embodiment shown, the portion 125 that is inserted in the membrane closes said membrane and includes a vent 40. A vibration source 10 may be housed in the space 41, the vibration source being supported by the inner portion 125.
In general , the membrane may be molded out a material selected from: silicone rubbers; butyl rubber; latex; nitrile rubber; PEBAX ® ; ethylene-propylene terpolymer rubber (EPDM) ; SANTOPRENE ® ; HYTREL ® ; styrene- isoprene-styrene (SIS) ; styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) ; polyolefines , in particular polyethylene {PE) , polypropylene (PP) ; polyurethane {PU) ; polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ; ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) ; polystyrene (PS) ;
polyamide (PA) ; polyoxymethylene (POM) ; and other elastomers, in particular thermoplastics.
The membrane may be molded with a filler of
inorganic particles, e.g. particles that are magnetizable or magnetic, optionally metal, optionally electrically- conductive, e.g. ferrites, copper, rare earths.
By way of example, Figure 15 shows an embodiment in which the membrane 7 is filled with electrically- conductive and/or magnetizable particles. The grip portion 5 may include an electricity source, e.g. a battery, and a switch 11. Connection terminals 98 enable the membrane 7 to be electrically-connected to the electricity source.
The membrane 7 may further include one or more vents 40, as described above. Naturally, the air passage may be made in some other way.
The thickness of the membrane lies in the range 0.1 mm to 4 mm, for example.
Naturally,, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. In particular, the variants described without a vibration source may include one, and vice versa.
The shape of the membrane of any one of the
embodiments shown may be modified, as may the shape of the grip portion.
The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.
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