Title: COSMETIC ARTICLE FOR DISPENSING AT LEAST ONE COSMETIC

COMPOSITION

Technical field

The present invention relates to a cosmetic article for dispensing at least one cosmetic composition, and to a process for filling such an article with said at least one cosmetic composition.

Prior art

KR 101795273 discloses a cosmetic container which comprises a housing with a bottom and a side wall to form a reservoir for composition, the container also comprising a mesh net positioned above the surface of the composition accommodated inside the reservoir, in the shape of a dome, the mesh net being attached to the outer circumferential surface of the side wall.

WO 2016/195340 describes a cosmetic article, comprising a cosmetic composition, in the shape of a dome whose height is greater than the height of the edge of the container and a net structure, covering the surface of the cosmetic composition, in the shape of a dome and in tight contact with the composition so as to keep the composition in the shape of a dome.

KR 10-1842794 relates to a container for containing a cosmetic composition that allows a user to press with an applicator against a discharge element preventing the upper composition surface from flowing and minimizing the remaining quantity of composition. The receptacle comprises an impregnation material impregnated with composition and the dome- shaped dispensing element provided on an upper surface of the impregnation element for dispensing cosmetic products when being pressed by an external force.

There is a need to have other types of cosmetic container, with a dome-shaped pick-up surface, suitable in particular for storing various compositions.

There is also a need to have a container that is easy to make and to fill, and that permits an appealing presentation of the composition.

Summary of the invention

Cosmetic article

One subject of the present invention is thus, according to a first of its aspects, a cosmetic article for dispensing at least one cosmetic composition, comprising: - a housing comprising at least one receptacle containing at least part of the composition and having at least one dispensing opening with a non-circular contour, and

- at least one screen extending upwards from the contour of said at least one opening, forming a dome that projects relative to said opening, at least prior to the first use, and through which said at least one composition is dispensed.

The invention provides an article with a composition that does not flow and is dispensed through the dome- shaped screen, and which has, when seen from above, a shape provided by the non-circular contour of the dispensing opening.

The housing may have a wall extending above said at least one receptacle, defining for example the contour of the dispensing opening.

The screen may be attached beneath the wall.

In this case, the screen may be forced to remain engaged through the dispensing opening by the thrust exerted by the composition. The screen is advantageously in tight contact with the composition on the outer surface whereof it rests.

As a variant, the screen is attached to the wall. The screen may be attached to the edge of the dispensing opening.

The housing may comprise at least two housings separated by at least one partition which extends upwards at least partially through said dispensing opening, the upper end of the partition being preferably located at least in part above said opening, the dispensing opening being common to all the receptacles.

In this case, the screen may be attached, in particular by adhesive bonding or welding, to the upper end of said at least one partition. When the number of partitions is greater than one, the screen is preferably attached to a plurality of said partitions, being preferably attached to each partition.

The number of partitions is advantageously between one and ten.

In one particular embodiment, the number of partitions is equal to six, the contour of the dispensing opening being hexagonal, each receptacle being essentially triangular in shape, with the partitions converging at a central point preferably located at the centre of the dispensing opening. In this case, it is possible to have as many different compositions as receptacles, in particular different colours, respectively contained in each of said receptacles. The partition(s) may extend vertically when the housing is placed on a table, for example.

The abovementioned wall preferably extends parallel to a planar surface on which the article is placed. Thus, said wall is preferably horizontal when the article is resting on a horizontal planar surface. The wall may be connected, in particular by attaching or integral moulding, to a peripheral upright, transverse to the wall, of the housing. Said wall may delimit the top of the receptacle receiving the composition, the maximum height of the composition preferably extending beyond the height of the receptacle at least prior to the first use.

The dispensing opening is preferably horizontal.

When there are at least two receptacles separated by at least one partition, the article may comprise a single screen that is common to said at least two receptacles.

The housing may further comprise at least two distinct receptacles and the same number of dispensing openings as receptacles, each receptacle opening through its own dedicated dispensing opening. In this case, the screen may be common to all the dispensing openings or there may be a different screen for each dispensing opening.

The housing may comprise at least one filling opening created in the bottom of said at least one receptacle to permit filling with the composition.

In this case, and according to a particular embodiment, the filling opening is in the form of a small-diameter orifice in order to permit filling of the receptacle by injection of the composition. An orifice of this kind may or may not be circular in contour.

In this same case, but according to another particular embodiment, the filling opening takes up a major portion of the bottom of said at least one receptacle.

In the case in which a filling opening is present in the bottom of the receptacle, the article may comprise a stopper to engage with the housing in order to close this filling opening and possibly to form a piston in order to push the composition towards the screen.

The housing may also comprise a bottom that can be separated from the rest of the receptacle to permit filling of the composition via the bottom, the bottom being fitted after filling.

In all these cases of filling via the bottom, the screen may serve to limit the advance of the composition during filling, with the composition coming into contact with a lower surface of the screen and being able to deform the latter in order to form the dome. As a variant, the composition may be deposited in the bottom of the receptacle, the screen being attached after filling of the receptacle.

Whatever the embodiment, the bottom of the receptacle may be planar, convex or concave in shape.

The contour of said at least one dispensing opening is advantageously polygonal, in particular triangular, hexagonal or rhombus-shaped.

Said at least one screen may be attached to the housing, in particular to said wall, by welding, in particular by ultrasound. The screen may be attached to the partition(s) extending into the dispensing opening(s), when present.

The screen is preferably made of an elastically deformable porous material, in particular a textile or a foam. The flexibility of the material of the screen allows it to deform to form a dome, in particular under the thrust of the composition, for example during filling if the filling is performed via the bottom after attaching of the screen, or after deposition of the composition in the receptacle if the screen is attached above the composition.

When the screen is made of a textile, the latter may be woven, non-woven or knitted, and preferably woven or knitted. The textile advantageously comprises a mesh structure of threads, these being in particular - even exclusively - synthetic.

When the screen is made of a foam, this foam may be a an open-cell polymer foam, for example chosen from the group constituted by foams of polyurethane, butadiene rubber (BR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), natural rubber (NR), wetted urethane, dry urethane, polyether, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), latex, silicone, styrene-isoprene- styrene (SIS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), silicone elastomer, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber and neoprene, thermoplastic elastomers.

The screen may have undergone a treatment, with or without a roller, thermal or not, with or without application of pressure, so as to create a relief and/or modify the surface appearance and/or the porosity properties of the screen. Such a treatment may be stamping, embossing, calendering or another treatment. It is possible, alternatively or additionally, to affix, for example by gluing or printing, at least one element, in particular an expanding ink, to at least one surface of the screen, so as to close off at least part of the latter. It is also possible to print on the surface, in particular the outer surface, of the screen. Said at least one composition is preferably a paste and may be chosen from the group consisting of a foundation, an eye shadow, a face powder, a lipstick. The viscosity of the composition may be such as to make it malleable.

The composition may impregnate, within the receptacle, a porous structure that is in particular dome-shaped. As a variant, no porous structure is present in the receptacle.

The article may comprise a lid arranged to cooperate with the housing so as to close the article, in particular in a leaktight manner. The lid may be screwed onto an external thread of the housing and be entirely removable, or be hinged on the housing and occupy at least an open position and a closed position, closure being brought about for example by snap-fitting.

The invention also relates, independently of or in combination with all or part of the above, to a cosmetic article for dispensing at least one cosmetic composition, comprising:

- a housing comprising at least one receptacle containing at least part of the composition and having at least one dispensing opening, and

- at least one screen extending upwards from the contour of said at least one dispensing opening, forming a dome that projects relative to said opening, at least prior to the first use, and through which said at least one composition is dispensed, the housing comprising at least two receptacles that are separated by at least one partition which extends upwards at least partially through said dispensing opening.

According to this aspect, the contour of the dispensing opening may be circular. Filling process

According to another of its aspects, in combination with the above, the invention also relates to a process for filling a cosmetic article as defined above with at least one cosmetic composition, including the following steps:

(a) attaching said at least one screen above said at least one receptacle,

(b) filling said at least one receptacle with composition, in particular by making the composition pass through at least one filling opening created in a bottom of said receptacle,

(c) exerting a thrust with the composition so as to force the screen to pass through said at least one dispensing opening until it forms a dome projecting into the dispensing opening, the composition coming into contact with the screen during filling.

The step of attaching said at least one screen may consist in welding, in particular by high frequency or ultrasound, said at least one screen to the housing.

The process may also comprise a closing step (d) that consists in closing said at least one filling opening and consists in putting in place a stopper that engages with the housing in order to close the bottom of said at least one receptacle.

In this case, the stopper may form a piston in order to push the composition towards the screen.

The process may also comprise the step of cutting at least part of the screen after step (a), in order to allow the screen to have, laterally, the same shape as the contour of the dispensing opening.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention may be better understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and examining the appended drawing, in which:

[Fig 1] Figure 1 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from above of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 2] Figure 2 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from above of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 3] Figure 3 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from above of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 4] Figure 4 depicts, schematically and in perspective, an exploded view from above of the article of Figure 3 during the filling process according to the invention, before attaching of the screen and filling with the compositions,

[Fig 5] Figure 5 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from above of the article of Figure 3, during filling and after attaching of the screen,

[Fig 6] Figure 6 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from below of the article of Figure 3, after filling with the compositions,

[Fig 7] Figure 7 depicts, schematically and in perspective, an exploded view from below of the article of Figure 3 before attaching of the bottom of the receptacles, [Fig 8] Figure 8 depicts, schematically and in perspective, a view from above of the article of Figure 3, at the end of the filling process,

[Fig 9] Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 4 of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 10] Figure 10 is a partial schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 11] Figure 11 is a partial schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 12] Figure 12 is a partial schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 13] Figure 13 depicts, schematically and in perspective, an exploded view of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 14] Figure 14 is a schematic view of the article illustrated in Figure 13, once assembled,

[Fig 15] Figure 15 is a partial schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of an article according to the invention,

[Fig 16] Figure 16 is a partial schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of an article according to the invention, and

[Fig 17] Figure 17 is a partial schematic view, in perspective, of another example of an article according to the invention.

Detailed description

In the rest of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference sign. In order to make the present description concise, they are not described for each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being possibly described.

Figure 1 illustrates a cosmetic article 1 according to the invention, intended for dispensing at least one cosmetic composition.

The article 1 comprises a housing 2 comprising a receptacle 3 containing at least one part of the cosmetic composition that is to be dispensed, not shown in this figure. The article 1 comprises, still in this example, a wall 4 extending parallel to a planar surface on which the article 1 is placed, in this example horizontally when the article 1 is placed on a horizontal surface. The wall 4 extends above the receptacle 3. The housing 2 has a dispensing opening 5 with a non-circular contour 6, defined in this example by the wall 4. In the illustrated example, this contour 6 is polygonal, in particular hexagonal.

The article 1 further comprises a screen 7 extending upwards from the contour 6 of the opening 5, forming a dome 8 that projects relative to the wall 4, at least prior to first use, as illustrated in Figure 7. The composition may be dispensed through the screen 7, for example by pressing on the visible surface 9 thereof with a finger or with an applicator.

In this example, the screen 7 is attached beneath the wall 4 by welding of the ultrasound or high-frequency type. As will be seen below, the screen 7 is forced to pass through the dispensing opening 5 by the thrust exerted by the composition, in particular during filling of the article 1.

The screen 7 is made of an elastically deformable porous material, and in this example consists of a textile.

The composition in the receptacle 3 comes into contact with the non-visible surface of the screen 7, opposite the visible surface 9. In the illustrated example, the composition is a paste and forms a foundation. The viscosity of the composition, measured at 20°C using a RHEOMAT RM 180 viscometer equipped with a No. 4 spindle, is for example between 95 and 220 poise at t=0, the measurement being carried out after 10 minutes of rotation of the spindle in the composition (after which time stabilization of the viscosity and of the speed of rotation of the spindle are observed), at a shear rate of 200 s ¹ .

The housing 2 comprises an outer peripheral trim skirt 10, which in the illustrated example is cylindrical, comprising an upper part 11 that has an external thread in order to cooperate with a lid - not shown in this figure but known per se - in order to close the article 1 in a leaktight manner. The lid advantageously comprises an internal thread corresponding to the thread of the upper part 11.

Of course, the lid may be attached in another manner, in particular being hinged to the housing 2. The housing and the lid then have suitable complementary shapes.

In the example shown in figure 1, the article 1 comprises a single receptacle 3, and the contour 6 is hexagonal in shape.

In figure 2, the housing 2 comprises two distinct receptacles 3 and two corresponding dispensing openings 5, each defined by a rhombus -shaped contour 6, the dispensing openings 5 being identical and being arranged symmetrically relative to a median plane for the article 1. The same composition can be present in each of the receptacles 3. As a variant, each receptacle is filled with its own composition.

Figure 3 depicts another exemplary article 1 with a housing 2, which is similar to that of Figure 1.

However, as shown in Figure 3, a plurality of partitions 12, in this example six in number, extend upwards, transversely to the wall 4, in the dispensing opening 5, and separate six receptacles 3 in pairs. These receptacles 3 contain six different compositions, the compositions differing from one another at least in terms of colour. The partitions 12 extend beyond the wall 4. The dispensing opening 5 is common to all the receptacles 3.

In this example, the partitions 12 converge at a central point 13 which forms the top of the dome 8. In this example, this central point 13 is located at the centre of the dispensing opening 5 such that there is symmetry in the distribution of the partitions about a vertical axis passing through the central point 13. In this example, there is only one screen 7 and it is common to all the receptacles 3. The screen 7 consists for example of a foam, in particular a polyurethane foam.

The present invention also covers, according to one of its aspects, the embodiment of Figure 3, with a contour 6 of the dispensing opening 5 that is circular, not polygonal, and having the same partitions 12 or at least one partition 12 separating two receptacles 3. Figure 17 depicts this last embodiment, the housing 2 defining two receptacles 3 that are separated by a partition 12. The contour 6 of the dispensing opening 5 is circular.

There follows, with reference to Figures 4 to 8, a description of an exemplary process for filling an article 1 such as that of Figure 3.

As shown in Figure 4, the article 1 comprises, within the housing 2, an essentially cylindrical externally threaded skirt 15 that externally surrounds the wall 4, perpendicular thereto. The article 1 comprises, formed by moulding of polymer material with the wall 4, a plurality of essentially triangular- shaped receptacles 3, these being six in number in this example, which are delimited in pairs by the partitions 12.

In the bottom 16 of each receptacle 3 there is a filling opening 17, which in this example is circular and takes up a large part of the bottom 16 of the receptacle 3.

The screen 7, consisting in this example of a disc of foam, is initially dissociated from the housing 2. In a first step, the process of filling the article 1 consists in attaching the screen 7 over the receptacles 3. This attaching can be done by welding or gluing, for example. In the example shown, the screen 7 is attached by welding to the upper ends 18 of the partitions 12.

In this example, the dome shape 8 that is visible in Figures 3 and 5 for example is provided by the shape of the partitions 12, and in particular the upper edge 18 thereof.

The screen 7 may as appropriate be cut so as to have a suitable shape compared to the rest of the article 1.

In a step illustrated in Figure 6, the receptacles 3 are filled with composition via the bottom 16, with the composition being made to pass through the filling openings 17. Filling is carried out in the direction indicated by the arrows. The compositions Ci, C2, C3, C4, C5 and Ce are eye shadows of various colours.

Once the receptacles 3 have been filled with the compositions, a stopper 20 is attached to the housing 2. In the illustrated example, the stopper 20 and all the filling openings 17 form a plateau 21 bordered by a cylindrical skirt 22 that extends vertically and comes to engage, by a press fit or by snap-fitting, with the inner surface of the skirt 15. The plateau 21 is provided with bosses 23 which are equal in number to the number of openings 17, six in this example, and are arranged to form pistons and push the compositions C contained in the receptacles 3 against the inner surface (not visible) of the screen 7.

This serves to obtain the dome 8 depicted in Figure 8, and then the article 1 as it appears in Figure 3, when the outer trim formed by the skirt 10 is screwed onto the skirt 22.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of the article 1, comprising, instead of large-diameter filling openings 17, filling openings 17 in the form of small-diameter orifices into which the composition C is injected via the bottom 16 so as to penetrate into the receptacles 3 until it exerts a thrust on the screen 7.

Filling the receptacle(s) 3 from above instead of from the bottom 16 does not depart from the scope of the invention, and in this case the screen 7 is affixed after the receptacles 3 have been filled with the composition C.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 depict exemplary modes of attaching the screen 7 to the housing 2. In the example of Figure 10, the screen 7 is attached beneath the wall 4, for example by gluing. In the example of Figure 11, the screen 7 is attached to the wall 4. In the example of Figure 12, there is no wall 4, the screen 7 being attached to the edge 25 defining the dispensing opening 5, in another type of housing.

The embodiment of Figures 13 and 14 depicts the possibility of attaching, for example by gluing, the screen 7 to the ends or upper edges 18 of the partitions 12 that separate the receptacles 3, and also to the edge 25 of the dispensing opening 5. In this embodiment, filling can be done via the bottom 16 through orifices, in which case the screen 7 is attached prior to the receptacles being filled with the composition. As a variant, filling can be done from above, with the screen 7 then being affixed to the partitions 12 after filling with the composition. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 15, filling via the bottom by injecting the composition through the filling openings 17 is depicted in cross section. The screen is attached to the edge 25 of the dispensing opening 5, there being no wall 4.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 16, filling via the bottom, which is at the top with the screen previously attached below to the wall 4, is depicted in cross section. For filling, the housing 2 is turned over as shown in this figure, then the housing is again turned over once the receptacles have been filled with composition, and a stopper is attached to the filling openings 17.

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, the article 1 may comprise a distinct and separate stopper 20 for closing each filling opening 17.