The invention relates generally to packaging devices for cosmetic products, particularly for degassing cosmetic products.

More specifically, the invention relates to a packaging device for a cosmetic product of the type comprising:

- a closed container having a bottom and an upper part opposite the bottom;

- at least one vent provided in the upper part;

- a dose of cosmetic product stored in the container, the cosmetic product being liable to release a gas.

In known packaging devices, the vent is suitable for discharging the gas accumulating inside the container once the difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the container exceeds a predetermined value.

The packaging device is normally stored in a direction wherein it rests on a surface with the bottom thereof. However, it may arise that the container is positioned with the bottom facing up, or that it is overturned during transport. When the cosmetic product is liquid or semi-liquid, it is no longer possible to discharge the gas as the vent is submerged in the cosmetic product.

In this context, the aim of the invention is that of providing a packaging device suitable for degassing even if it is not in the upright position, resting on a surface by means of the bottom.

For this purpose, the invention relates to a packaging device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it comprises:

- a dish arranged in the container and separating the container into a lower volume and an upper volume, the lower volume extending between the dish and the bottom and containing the cosmetic product, the upper volume extending between the dish and the upper part;

- a first flow path for the gas, having a lower end opening in the vicinity of the bottom and an upper end opening into the upper volume;

- a second flow path for the gas, having a first end opening into the lower volume in the vicinity of the dish and a second end opening into the upper volume.

In this way, when the packaging device is upright, with the bottom facing down and the upper part facing up, the cosmetic product accumulates on the bottom of the container. The gas accumulates in the area of the lower volume between the free surface of the cosmetic product and the dish. The gas can then follow the second flow path to move from the lower volume to the upper volume. When the gas pressure in the container exceeds the vent calibration pressure, the vent opens to discharge the gas. On the other hand, if the container is positioned with the upper part facing down and the bottom facing up, the cosmetic product accumulates in the lower volume, against the dish. The gas accumulates between the free surface of the cosmetic product and the bottom. It can follow the first flow path to move from the lower volume to the upper volume. Once again, when the gas pressure inside the container exceeds the vent calibration pressure, the vent opens to discharge the gas.

In this way, the dish prevents the cosmetic product from accumulating in the upper part of the container when it is inverted, i.e. with the upper part facing down. The vent thus cannot be submerged in the cosmetic product. The presence of both flow paths for the gas, one opening on a level with the dish and the other level with the bottom, makes it possible to discharge the gas respectively when the bottom is facing down and when the bottom is facing up.

A cosmetic product means a product such as that defined in Council directive 93/35/EEC dated June 14, 1993.

The cosmetic product is in this case a pasty product, for example in the form of a cream, gel, emulsion, paste, or any other form.

The cosmetic product may be a facial or body care product, a makeup product, a styling product such as a hair gel, a hair mask, a hygiene product, etc. Typically, the cosmetic product is an oxidizing hair treatment formula.

The cosmetic product is degassing, in that chemical reactions continuously take place within the cosmetic product, resulting in a gas emission.

The gas released by the cosmetic product is of any type. For example, this gas is oxygen.

The packaging device includes at least at least one vent, and may include a plurality of vents, distributed on the upper part of the container.

The vents are of any suitable type. They are envisaged to allow the gas to pass, but not the cosmetic product. They are normally closed. The vents open when the difference in pressure between the inside and outside of the container exceeds a predetermined value, known as the calibration pressure.

The container typically includes a jar including the bottom and a side wall defining an opening opposite the bottom, and a lid attached to the jar and closing the opening. The lid forms the upper part of the container. It comprises the vents.

In one alternative embodiment, the vent(s) is/are consisting of the contact area between the lid and the jar, and more specifically of an escape path between the lid and the jar. Alternatively, at least some of the vents are provided on an upper edge of the side wall of the jar. In this case, the upper part of the container consists of the upper edge of the side wall and the lid.

The dish is a part impervious to gas and liquid, such that the gas only has two flow paths to move from the lower volume to the upper volume. The dish may be in any type of shape: funnel, disk, spherical cap, etc.

The term flow path for the gas denotes herein a passage fluidically connecting the lower volume and the upper volume such that the gas pressures are always in equilibrium between the lower volume and the upper volume when the flow path is clear.

The lower end of the first flow path opening in the vicinity of the bottom means herein that the lower end of the flow path is separated from the bottom by a distance less than 1 cm, preferably less than 5 mm, and more preferably less than 2 mm. Similarly, the first end of the second flow path opening into the lower volume in the vicinity of the dish means herein that the second flow path opens less than 1 cm from the dish, preferably less than 5 mm and more preferably less than 2 mm.

The packaging device may also have one or several of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination.

According to one aspect of the invention, the first flow path is defined by a rigid tube.

This tube may have any type of shape and cross-section.

In an alternative, non-preferred, embodiment, the first flow path is defined by a conduit mounted onto the container, for example on the side wall of the jar.

Advantageously, the container has a central axis substantially perpendicular to the bottom and passing through a geometric center of the bottom, the rigid tube extending along the central axis.

In this way, when the container is lying down, i.e. when the central axis of the container is horizontal, there is a greater probability of the tube not being submerged in the cosmetic product. If the tube were offset by one side relative to the central axis, there would be some angular positions of the container about the central axis thereof wherein the tube would be submerged, and other angular positions wherein the tube would not be submerged.

Preferably, the lower volume has a predetermined volume, the dose of cosmetic product having an initial volume less than half of said predetermined volume, preferably less than 40% of said predetermined volume.

In this way, when the tube is on the central axis of the container, the tube is never submerged regardless of the orientation of the container about the central axis. The gas can thus flow via the tube even when the container is in the horizontal position, regardless of the orientation of the container about the central axis.

This particularly applies when the lower volume of the container has a rotational symmetry about the central axis. This also applies in some cases where there is no rotational symmetry.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the second flow path is substantially impervious to the cosmetic product.

In this way, when the container is turned with the bottom facing down, the cosmetic product cannot infiltrate along the second flow path to the upper volume.

The term substantially impervious denotes herein that the cosmetic product cannot enter the second flow path at all, or that it can enter therein, but that the travel time for the cosmetic product along the flow path is extremely long. The travel time is for example several weeks.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the second flow path comprises a gap between the dish and the container.

This makes it possible to create the second flow path very conveniently.

When the container comprises a jar provided with a bottom and a side wall, the gap is typically provided between an outer peripheral edge of the dish and the side wall of the container.

In this case, the gap extends over at least 50% of a periphery of the dish.

Preferably, the gap extends over 100% of the periphery of the dish.

In this way, when the container is in the horizontal position, there is always at least a portion of the gap not submerged in the cosmetic product.

The gap is continuous, or discontinuous.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the second flow path comprises at least one conduit having a flow path, length and cross-section selected to form a labyrinth seal in respect of the cosmetic product.

The term labyrinth seal denotes herein a conduit having a sufficiently complex winding shape to prevent the leakage of cosmetic product along the second flow path. The conduit path, length and cross-section are critical for producing such a labyrinth seal. They are determined according to the viscosity of the cosmetic product.

Such a flow path offers excellent tightness in respect of the cosmetic product, while allowing the gas to flow through.

For example, the conduit has a spiral shape. Alternatively, it forms baffles distributed around the center of the dish. The second flow path may comprise a plurality of conduits each forming a labyrinth seal, for example two conduits or more than two conduits. For example, it comprises two spiral conduits winding in opposite directions about the center of the dish.

In the second embodiment, the dish typically includes an upper plate and a lower plate parallel with each other, the conduit being provided between the upper and lower plates.

Such a dish structure enables easy manufacture of the conduit. One of the two plates bears on a large surface one or a plurality of ribs outlining the conduit, the ribs then being attached by any means onto the other plate.

Typically, the upper plate is facing the upper volume and the lower plate is facing the lower volume, the upper plate acting as sealing means against the container, the outer peripheral edge of the lower plate being separated from the container by a gap, the gap preferably extending along at least 50% of the outer peripheral edge, preferably along 100% of said outer peripheral edge.

This creates excellent sealing between the upper volume and the lower volume at the upper plate. On the other hand, the gas is not prevented from entering the second flow path, in that there is a gap between the container and the lower plate.

Preferably, the gap is designed so as not allow the cosmetic product to pass through, but to allow the gas to pass through.

The gap forms a first barrier for preventing the flow of the cosmetic product, the second flow path forming a second barrier.

The fact that the gap extends along at least 50% of the outer peripheral edge of the lower plate means that, in the horizontal position of the container, the gas can still enter between the two plates and be discharged via the second flow path, regardless of the orientation of the container about the central axis.

Preferably, the conduit opens into the lower volume via a first, or outer, end, situated radially in the vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the dish, and opens into the upper volume via a second, or inner, end, situated radially in the vicinity of a center of the dish.

It is thus easier to create an extra-long conduit, since the entire surface of the dish can be used to run the conduit. This is particularly useful when the conduit has a spiral shape.

This also makes it possible to position the first outer end of the conduit in the immediate vicinity of the gap between the lower plate and the container.

According to one aspect of the invention, the cosmetic product is a viscous cream. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description given below, for guidance and in no way limitative, with reference to the appended drawings among which:

- figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a packaging device according to a first embodiment of the invention, the device being shown in the upright position;

- figure 2 is a view similar to figure 1 , the device being shown in the horizontal position;

- figure 3 is a view similar to figure 1 , the device being shown in the inverted position;

- figure 4 is an axial sectional view of a device according to a second embodiment of the invention, in the upright position; and

- figure 5 is a sectional view of the device in figure 4, along the incidence of the arrows V in figure 4.

The packaging device 1 shown in figure 1 is intended for packaging a cosmetic product liable to release a gas. Typically, the cosmetic product is an oxidizing formula intended for hair treatment. The cosmetic product is in the form of a viscous cream.

The cosmetic product continuously releases gas, typically oxygen.

The packaging device 1 comprises:

- a closed container 3, having a bottom 5 and an upper part 7 opposite the bottom 5;

- at least one vent 9 provided in the upper part 7;

- a dose 1 1 of cosmetic product stored in the container 3.

The container 3, in the example shown, includes a jar 13 and a lid 15. The jar 13 includes, besides the bottom 5, a side wall 17, rigidly connected to the bottom 5. The side wall 17 is substantially cylindrical and has a central axis C. The bottom 5 is substantially circular. An upper edge 19 of the side wall defines an opening 20, opposite the bottom.

The lid 15 forms the upper part 7 of the container. It includes an upper end 21 and rim 23 rigidly connected to the upper end 21 and secured around the upper end 21 .

The lid 15 is mounted, in figure 1 , in a removable manner on the jar 13, so as to form the opening 20. For this purpose, the rim 23 engages with the upper edge 19 of the side wall 17. For example, a radially internal surface of the rim 23 bears a screw thread not shown, engaging with a complementary screw thread provided on a radially external surface of the upper edge 19.

The lid 15 bears one or a plurality of vents 9, provided in the upper end 21 . Only one vent 9 is shown in the figures. These vents may be air-permeable membranes or be calibrated to open above a given threshold in respect of the difference in pressure between the inside of the container 1 and the outside of the container 1 .

The container 1 is envisaged to rest on a supporting surface by means of the bottom 5.

So as to enable degassing regardless of the position of the packaging device 1 , this device comprises:

- a dish 25, arranged in the container and separating the container into a lower volume 27 and an upper volume 29, the lower volume 27 extending between the dish 25 and the bottom 5 and containing the cosmetic product 1 1 , the upper volume 29 extending between the dish 25 and the upper part 7;

- a first flow path 31 for the gas, having a lower end 33 opening in the vicinity of the bottom 5, and an upper end 35 opening into the upper volume 29;

- a second flow path 37 for the gas, opening via a first end into the lower volume 27 in the vicinity of the dish 25 and via a second end opening into the upper volume 29.

In a first embodiment of the invention shown in figures 1 to 3, the dish 25 is a shell, made of plastic for example, including a cylindrical skirt 39 extended toward the bottom 5 by a tapered part 40. The skirt 39 is coaxial with the axis C. It has an outer diameter that is very slightly less than the inner diameter of the side wall 17. It is inserted inside the side wall 17, and presses against this side wall 17.

The tapered part 40 is coaxial with the axis C. It converges toward the axis C from the skirt 39. Opposite the skirt 39, it defines the orifice forming the upper end 35 of the first flow path 31 .

The first flow path 31 , as seen in figure 1 , is a tube integral with the dish 25. It extends the tapered part 40 toward the bottom 5. The tube 31 is rectilinear, hollow, and extends along the central axis C. The tube wall is completely solid, i.e. includes no openings.

In the example shown, the tube 31 has a slightly decreasing cross-section from the upper end 35 to the lower end 33.

The lower end 33 is situated approximately 1 mm from the bottom 5.

The second flow path 37 corresponds to the gap defined between the dish 25 and the container 3. More specifically, in the example shown, it corresponds to the gap defined between the skirt 39 and the side wall 17 of the jar. This gap is sufficient to allow the gas released by the cosmetic product to pass through, but does not allow the cosmetic product to flow. It extends around the entire periphery of the dish.

As seen in figure 1 , when the device is in the upright position, the cosmetic product

1 1 accumulates at the bottom of the lower volume 27. Indeed, the bottom of the container is facing down and the upper part 7 facing up. The axis C is then vertical. In this position, the lower end 33 of the first path is submerged. The gas thus cannot flow through the tube, from the lower volume 27 to the upper volume 29.

On the other hand, the gas accumulates between the free surface 41 of the cosmetic product and the dish 25. It can then infiltrate along the gap between the dish 39 and the wall 17 of the jar 13, up to the upper volume 29, and optionally be discharged outside via the vents 9.

The horizontal position of the device is shown in figure 2. The axis C is horizontal. The cosmetic product accumulates in a lower half of the lower volume 27. Indeed, the lower volume 27 has a predetermined volume. The quantity of liquid cosmetic product initially loaded into the container is less than 50%, preferably 40%, of said predetermined volume. In this way, the free surface 41 of the cosmetic product arrives below the central axis C, and more specifically below the first path 31 . The gas released by the cosmetic product can thus be discharged by the first flow path 31 . It enters the tube via the lower end 33, which is not submerged in the cosmetic product. It passes through the flow path 31 to the upper volume 29.

The gas can also flow from the lower volume 27 to the upper volume 29 via a part of the second flow path 37. Indeed, a part of the periphery of the dish 25 is submerged in the cosmetic product. On the other hand, another part of the periphery is not submerged, since it is situated above the central axis C. The gas can thus also be discharged via the second flow path 37.

Figure 3 shows a scenario wherein the device is inverted. The bottom 5 of the container is facing up, and the upper part 7 is facing down. The central axis C is vertical. In this scenario, the cosmetic product accumulates above the dish 25. It thus completely submerges the second flow path 37. On the other hand, the lower end 33 of the first flow path 31 is not submerged in the cosmetic product.

The gas accumulates between the free surface 41 of the cosmetic product and the bottom 5. It can enter via the lower end 33 and travel along the first flow path 31 to the upper volume 29.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to figures 4 and 5. Only the aspects whereby the second embodiment differs from the first will be described in detail below. The same elements or elements performing the same function will be designated by the same references.

In the second embodiment, the second flow path 37 is a winding conduit 43, having a flow path, length and cross-section selected to form a labyrinth seal in respect of the cosmetic product. On the other hand, it allows the gas released by the cosmetic product to pass through.

In the example illustrated in figure 5, the conduit 43 has a spiral shape.

To simplify the embodiment of this conduit, the dish 25 includes an upper plate 45 and a lower plate 47 parallel with each other, the conduit 43 being provided between the upper and lower plates. The upper plate 45 is circular and is perforated at the center thereof with an orifice 49. The dish 25 further includes a skirt 51 for securing the dish 25 onto the jar 13. The skirt 51 extends from a radially outer edge of the upper plate 45 to the lid 15. It is coaxial with the central axis C. It is extended radially outward by a flange 53 resting on the side of the upper edge 19. The skirt 51 acts as sealing means against the upper edge 19 of the jar 13. A seal 55 may optionally be added.

The lower plate 47 is circular, centered on the axis C, and has an outer diameter that is slightly less than the inner diameter of the side wall 17. In this way, there is a gap 57 between the outer peripheral edge 59 of the plate 47 and the wall 17 of the jar 13. The gap 57 extends around the entire periphery of the lower plate 47. The plate 47 has an orifice 61 at the center thereof.

The conduit 43 is defined by a spiral rib 60, projecting onto a large surface 63 of the plate 47. The surface 63 is facing the upper plate 45. The rib 60 is typically injected with the lower plate 47. The rib 60 is secured in a substantially sealed manner to the large surface 65 of the upper plate facing the lower plate. The first end of the flow path 37 corresponds to a first outer end 67 of the conduit 43, situated radially in the vicinity of the outer peripheral edge 59 of the lower plate. The second end of the flow path 37 consists of an inner end 69 of the conduit, situated in the vicinity of the central axis.

As in the first embodiment, the first flow path 31 is defined by a tube extending along the central axis C of the container. This tube is inserted into the orifices 49 and 61 of the upper 45 and lower plates 47. The tube projects from the lower plate 47 substantially to the bottom 5. The first end 33 opens in the immediate vicinity of the bottom 5. The tube 31 also projects toward the upper part 7 from the upper plate 45. It projects over a height of a few millimeters.

The tube 31 can be welded over the entire periphery thereof to the edge of the orifice 61 , or be clipped. There is thus a sealed connection between the tube 31 and the peripheral edge of the orifice 61 .

On the other hand, the tube 31 is inserted into the orifice 49, but one or a plurality of voids 71 remain between the tube 31 and the peripheral edge of the orifice 49.

For example, the inner diameter of the orifice 49 is greater than the outer diameter of the tube 31 . The portion of the tube 31 inserted into the orifice 49 bears outer axial orientation ribs 73, distributed about the tube. These ribs 73 bear against the peripheral edge of the orifice 49. For example, they are welded onto the peripheral edge of the orifice 49. The voids 71 consist of the gaps situated between the ribs 73.

The central area 75 of the space 76, defined between the upper 45 and lower plates 47, is situated immediately below the orifice 49. This central area 75 is fluidically connected to the voids 71 and thus to the upper volume 29. The second inner end 69 of the conduit 43 opens into this central area 75.

In the upright position of the packaging device, illustrated in figure 4, the cosmetic product then accumulates on the bottom 5. The lower end 33 of the tube is submerged in the cosmetic product 1 1 . The gas released by the cosmetic product accumulates between the dish 25 and the free surface 41 of the cosmetic product.

The gas can flow from the lower volume 27 to the upper volume 29 by flowing first through the gap 57 separating the lower plate 47 from the container, and following the second flow path 37. The gas enters the conduit 43 via the first outer end 67 and travels along the entire length of the conduit 43 to reach via the second end 69 into the central area 75. From the central area 75, it passes through the voids 71 to the upper volume 29.

When the packaging device 1 horizontal, with the central axis C thereof horizontal, the cosmetic product accumulates on the side wall 17 of the jar, under the central axis. As in the first embodiment, the gas released by the cosmetic product may then be discharged to the upper volume 29 via the first flow path 31 . It enters the flow path 31 via the lower end 33, which is not submerged in the cosmetic product. It reaches the upper volume 29 via the upper end 35.

Furthermore, only a part of the gap 57 is submerged in the cosmetic product. The gas can thus enter the space 76 situated between the upper 45 and lower plates 47 via the portion of the gap 57 not submerged in the cosmetic product.

As seen in figure 5, the gas is free to flow in the space 76, around the lower plate 47, along the entire periphery of the outer edge 59. Indeed, the lower plate 47 does not comprise on the outer edge 59 thereof any rib preventing gas flow. In this way, regardless of the orientation of the packaging device about the central axis C, the gas arriving from the gap 57 can continue to flow to the first outer end 67 of the conduit 43. It then follows the conduit 43 to the area 75 and enters the upper volume 29.

The gap 57 holds the cosmetic product in the lower volume 27. Only a very small amount of cosmetic product may possibly accumulate in the space 76 situated between the upper plate 45 and the lower plate 47. When the packaging device is inverted, i.e. with the bottom 5 facing up and the upper part 7 facing down, the cosmetic product accumulates against the dish 25. In this position, the central axis C is typically vertical.

More specifically, the cosmetic product accumulates against the lower plate 47. The gas released by the cosmetic product accumulates in the volume situated between the free surface 41 of the cosmetic product and the bottom 5. The lower end 33 of the first flow path 31 is not submerged in the cosmetic product. The gas can thus enter the end 33 and pass through the first flow path 31 to the upper volume 29. The gap 57 is entirely submerged in the cosmetic product, such that the gas cannot enter the second flow path. The cosmetic product is prevented from flowing from the lower volume 27 to the upper volume 29 firstly via the gap 57. Even if the cosmetic product were to flow through the gap 57 up to the space 76 situated between the upper 45 and lower plates 47, the product would only be able to travel through the entire conduit 43 to the upper volume 29 with difficulty. Indeed, the conduit length, cross-section and path are such that the cosmetic product only flows very slowly along this conduit.