Title: METHOD FOR FILLING A PACKAGING AND DISPENSING DEVICE WITH A COSMETIC COMPOSITION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the manufacture of a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition, in particular of the cream or foundation type, and in particular the filling thereof with the cosmetic composition.

Prior art

Various methods for manufacturing devices or assemblies for packaging a cosmetic product are known.

For example, FR 3 039 378 describes an assembly for packaging a cosmetic product of the type having an absorbent support that is able to be impregnated with the cosmetic product. This document also describes the method and the machine allowing such a packaging assembly to be filled such that the absorbent support has a first, top zone, not impregnated with product, and a second, bottom zone, impregnated with cosmetic product, the first and second zones being in contact with one another.

A method for filling an assembly for packaging a cosmetic product having an absorbent support that is able to be impregnated with the product, involving the step consisting in compressing the absorbent support and then impregnating it with the cosmetic product while decompressing the support, is also known from WO 2016/166332.

In these two documents, the reservoir of cosmetic composition has an absorbent support impregnated with cosmetic product, at least in part.

However, in the context of the present invention, interest is focused on packaging and dispensing devices with no such absorbent support, also known as a “cushion”. In this case, the packaging device can have a screen that is disposed above the reservoir and through which the composition is picked up or dispensed. During storage, after filling of the device and before the first use, the composition, which generally has an oily phase, can have a slightly supernatant oily phase. In particular in the event of vibrations during transport, or if dropped, this oily phase can spread into the screen and form a greasy stain, the appearance of which may be displeasing for the user when opening the device for the first time. WO 2016/148371 discloses a cosmetic container which comprises a container which has contents stored therein, a mesh ring which is provided on the contents accommodated in the container and a mesh net which binds to the mesh ring and adheres to the surface of the contents accommodated in the container.

WO 2016/144046 relates to a cosmetic container comprising a container main body and a container lid for opening/closing the container main body, the cosmetic container comprising an inner container for storing cosmetic contents, the inner container being coupled to the inside of the container main body; an elastic body arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the inner container and capable of vertical and elastic compression and extension; a porous net placed on the elastic body and having a plurality of holes through which the contents are discharged; and a fixing ring for fixing the porous net to the inner container. The porous net comprises a dual net in which an upper soft net made of a soft material and a lower hard net made of a hard material are coupled to each other. The contents filled inside the elastic body are discharged to the porous net by the compression and extension principal through the elastic force of the elastic body by using the elastic body such as a sponge manufactured such that the contents are not impregnated in the elastic body, and by using the porous net thereon. Thus, a suitable amount of contents can be used and the water evaporation and contamination of the contents can be prevented.

There is a need to have a device for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition that has no absorbent support and reduces the risk of stains appearing on the screen.

Disclosure of the invention

Filling method

Therefore, a subject of the present invention, according to one of its aspects, is a method for filling, with a fluid, in particular pasty, cosmetic composition, a device for packaging and dispensing the composition, the device having a cup and a screen through which the composition contained in the cup is picked up, the device having no porous structure extending between the screen and the bottom of the cup, this method involving the steps consisting in:

- depositing a predefined dose of composition in the bottom of the cup, before the screen is put in place on the cup,

- bringing the composition into contact with the screen attached to the cup. By virtue of the invention, the composition and the screen are brought into contact, and this allows the latter to be partially impregnated with composition and reduces the risk of an unattractive greasy stain appearing on the screen before the first use. Specifically, since the screen is at least partially impregnated with formula, it is saturated, and this makes it possible to prevent the absorption of oil by inverse emulsion.

In one embodiment, the composition is deposited in the cup such that the screen comes into contact with the composition when it is being attached to the cup.

In this case, the dose of composition may be deposited such that some of the dose of composition extends beyond the level at which the screen is attached. In particular, the deposit may have a dome or crater shape, with the upper part of the dome or crater extending beyond the level at which the screen is attached so as to ensure that the composition comes into contact with the screen when the screen is being attached.

In another embodiment, the screen is attached to the cup without the composition coming into contact with the screen, then the composition is brought into contact with the screen after attaching of the latter, by a mechanical action exerted on at least one of the screen and the cup, in particular a vibratory or centrifugal action or a pressure exerted on the screen, for example using a pusher.

The screen is brought into contact with the composition via the internal face of the screen, i.e. the face opposite the external face that is visible to the user when the composition is being picked up through the screen.

This bringing into contact is preferably realized such that the composition does not pass through the screen. This allows the screen to retain an immaculate appearance before the first use.

The method may involve tensioning the screen when it is being attached to the cup. In this case, before it is attached, the screen may be relaxed or slightly tensioned.

Before it is attached, the screen may form a concavity that is turned upward. Such a configuration may allow the screen to come into contact with the composition before it is attached to the cup, which preferably tensions it.

The composition may be deposited in the cup using a single nozzle, preferably centered on the cup. The use of a filling machine with a single nozzle may make it possible to create a crater or a dome at the surface of the composition. In a variant, the composition is deposited in the cup using a plurality of nozzles, in particular four nozzles, preferably closer to the center of the cup than to its periphery, and in particular forming a square centered on the cup. The use of a plurality of nozzles may make it easier to obtain uniform filling.

The filling machine may be moved upward as the cup is filled with the composition. For example, the one or more nozzles may be located in the vicinity of the bottom of the cup at the start of the filling and then rise upward. Such a movement may promote the obtention of uniform filling.

The device may have a frame for attaching the screen to the cup, attaching the screen then consisting in attaching the frame to the cup.

The method may involve a step of inserting the cup, in particular in the form of a refill, into a case of the packaging and dispensing device.

Packaging and dispensing device

A further object of the invention, independently of or in combination with the above, is a device for packaging and dispensing a fluid, in particular pasty, cosmetic composition, preferably filled with the aid of the filling method as defined above, the device having a cup containing the composition and a screen that is attached to the cup and through which the composition is picked up, the composition being in contact with the screen before the first use, the device having no porous structure extending between the screen and the bottom of the cup.

The external surface of the screen used for the picking up by the user, is advantageously devoid of composition before the first use. Thus, in this case, when the cup is being filled, the bringing into contact is intended not to allow the screen to be passed through by the composition, but only for it to be partially impregnated.

The screen may have at least one of a net or textile, in particular chosen from the group constituted by a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric or a knitted fabric, a perforated membrane or a cellular membrane. The screen may form an absorbent support.

The screen is a structure permeable to the composition to allow the composition to be picked up through the screen, when the device is being used.

A “permeable structure” is understood to mean that at least a part of the screen has communicating pores or openings that allow the composition to pass through the screen, in particular when it is being picked up. The thickness of the screen may be between 0.2 mm and 10 mm.

The distance separating the screen from the bottom of the cup may be between 1 mm and 40 mm, at least before the first use.

The pasty cosmetic product is preferably a foundation. It advantageously has pigments or dyes. The viscosity of the composition may be between 2500 centipoises and 4000 centipoises, preferably between 3000 centipoises and 3500 centipoises, preferably equal to approximately 3300 centipoises.

The cup may have a transparent bottom. This may allow the color of the composition to be observed even when the device is closed, which may be advantageous during purchase or in order to identify the device to be used when the user has several of them.

The device may have a case having a base, defining a recess for receiving the cup, and a cover that is for example articulated on the base. The device may also have an applicator for picking up the composition through the screen and applying the composition, to the face for example.

The device has no porous structure extending between the screen and the bottom of the cup, meaning that the composition does not impregnate a porous structure in the cup. The screen is placed above the composition in the device according to the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

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

[Fig 1] figure 1 shows, in schematic and partial transverse cross section, an example of a packaging and dispensing device according to the invention,

[Fig 2] figure 2 is a bottom view of the device in figure 1,

[Fig 3] figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating various steps of the filling method according to the invention,

[Fig 4] figure 4 schematically illustrates, in transverse cross section, the start of the filling, according to an implementation example of the method according to the invention,

[Fig 5] figure 5 is a view similar to figure 4, illustrating the end of the filling,

[Fig 6] figure 6 schematically shows, in transverse cross section, the device in figure 1 after attaching of the screen to the cup, [Fig 7] figure 7 schematically shows, in transverse cross section, a device according to the invention after filling of the cup using the method according to the invention,

[Fig 8] figure 8 schematically shows, in a view from above, the cup in figure 7, after filling thereof,

[Fig 9] figure 9 schematically shows a device according to the invention in an implementation variant of the filling method according to the invention,

[Fig 10] figure 10 partially and schematically shows, in transverse cross section, in perspective and in an exploded view, an example of a device according to the invention, before filling thereof,

[Fig 11] figure 11 is a view similar to figure 10, illustrating the partial assembly of the device before filling thereof,

[Fig 12] figure 12 is a schematic and partial cross section of the device in figure 10 after filling and before attaching of the screen,

[Fig 13] figure 13 is a schematic and partial cross section of the device in figure 10 after attaching of the screen,

[Fig 14] Figure 14 shows, schematically and in transverse cross section, another example of a device according to the invention, after filling and attaching of the screen,

[Fig 15] figure 15 is a schematic view, in transverse cross section, of the device in figure 14, illustrating the use of a pusher,

[Fig 16] figure 16 is a partial and schematic transverse cross section of an example of a screen, and

[Fig 17] figure 17 is a schematic view, in transverse cross section, of another example of a device according to the invention.

Detailed description

In the rest of the description, elements that are identical or have identical functions bear the same reference signs. In order to make the present description concise, they are not described for each of the figures, only the differences between the embodiments being described. In the figures, the actual proportions have not necessarily been respected, for the sake of clarity.

Figure 1 illustrates an example of a device 1 for packaging and dispensing a cosmetic composition C, in accordance with the invention. The device 1 has a cup 2 with a bottom 3 and a wall 4, which is cylindrical in this example, extending from the bottom 3. In the example illustrated, as illustrated in figure 2, at least the bottom 3, but possibly also the wall 4, is made from a transparent polymer material, allowing the composition C to be seen through the bottom 3.

In figure 1, the device 1 is shown with the cup 2 filled with composition C, before the first use. The cosmetic composition C is in pasty form, for example with a viscosity of the order of 3300 cps, and constitutes a foundation in this example.

The device 1 has a screen 5 through which the composition C contained in the cup is picked up when the device 1 is being used. It is noted that the device 1 has no porous structure extending between the screen 5 and the bottom 3 of the cup 2.

The screen 5 is attached above the composition C. It has a lower face 6 turned toward the composition and an upper face 7 on which the user will pick up the composition C through the screen 5.

The thickness of the screen 5 is for example of the order of 0.5 mm. The initial distance e between the screen 5 and the bottom 3 of the cup 2 is for example equal to 10 mm.

The cup 2 has been filled with the composition C, according to the invention, such that the composition C comes into contact with the screen 5 attached to the cup 2 before the first use. As is visible in figure 1, there is no free space between the screen 5 and the composition C. The lower face 6 of the screen 5 is impregnated with composition C without the composition C passing completely through the screen 5. Thus, the face 7 remains immaculate before the first use. By virtue of this bringing the composition into contact with the screen, there is in particular no risk of an oily stain forming on the screen 5, which might result from the settling of the composition C in the cup. The screen 5 is thus impregnated, before the first use, over a thickness smaller than the thickness of the screen 5. This impregnation may be uniform over the entire lower face 6 of the screen, or only over a part thereof. Likewise, this impregnation may or may not be realized over a uniform thickness within the screen 5.

Figure 3 shows various steps of an example of a filling method according to the invention.

In a step 10, a predefined dose of composition is deposited in the bottom of the cup 2, before the screen 5 is put in place on the cup 2.

In a step 11, the screen 5 is attached to the cup 2.

The composition C is brought into contact with the screen 5 during a step 12. Steps 11 and 12 may be simultaneous, i.e. attaching the screen 5 to the cup 2 allows the composition C to be brought into contact with the screen 5.

As a variant, step 12 may take place before step 11. In this case, the screen 5 is attached after the composition C and the screen 5 have been brought into contact.

In another variant, step 12 takes place before step 11. According to this embodiment, the screen 5 is attached and then the composition C is brought into contact with the screen 5.

An additional step of the method may be provided, consisting in closing the cup 2, for example with a cover that may or may not be articulated on the cup 2 or with a film.

The filling step 10 is illustrated in figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 illustrates the start of the filling of the cup 2 with the composition C that is deposited at the bottom 3 of the cup 2 using a nozzle B, for example with an inner diameter of between 3 mm and 16 mm. As is visible in this figure, the nozzle B is a small distance from the mass of composition C already deposited, this distance d possibly being for example between 5 mm and 10 mm.

Preferably, as is illustrated in figure 4, the filling machine M supporting the nozzle B is raised in the direction of the arrows, upward, as the cup 2 is filled, while keeping the distance d substantially constant, until, as illustrated in figure 5, a dome D of composition C is formed. This dome D in this example extends beyond the level at which the screen 5 is attached, which corresponds in this example to that of the upper edge 15 of the cup 2, this extension being for example by a height h of 5 mm. The volume of composition deposited in the cup 2 is for example equal to 18 ml and its thickness can be approximately 1 cm. The filling duration can be 1 s.

Figure 6 illustrates the device 1 once the screen 5 has been attached to the cup 2. Because the dome D of composition C extends beyond the upper edge 15 of the cup 2, attaching the screen 5 causes the composition C to come into contact with the screen 5, which flattens the dome D of the composition C. The screen 5 is for example, as illustrated, mounted on a frame 16 forming a ring that can be attached by welding or adhesive bonding to the upper edge 15 of the cup 2.

In the example in figures 7 to 8, the cup 2 has been filled so as to form a crater O in the upper part of the mass of composition C deposited. A peak of composition extends, at the center of the crater, beyond the level of the upper edge 15 of the cup, such that when the screen 5 is being attached to the cup 2, it comes into contact with the composition C. These figures illustrate the possibility for the cup to have various shapes, and in particular a shape that flares upward.

In the example in figures 7 to 8, the filling is carried out using a single nozzle B, centered on the cup 2.

In the example in figure 9, a filling machine has been used which has four nozzles, disposed as the comers of a square in this example, so as to perform four simultaneous depositions of a quarter of the mass of composition C.

The deposit obtained has, as illustrated, a cruciform central point and four ridges at the junction between the deposits emanating from the four nozzles.

A cover or a sealing film may be added to the cup in order to close it, and optionally allow it to be used as a refill. The cup may be disposed in an appropriate case (also known as a “compact”).

Figures 10 to 13 illustrate an example of a device 1 for packaging and dispensing the cosmetic composition according to another embodiment. The device is assembled along an axis X. The cup 2 is shown empty of composition C in figures 10 and 11. The screen 5 is made of a woven fabric in this example and is mounted on a frame 20, forming a cylindrical ring in this example. The screen 5 is for example welded or adhesively bonded beneath a lower edge of the frame 20. Also in this example, the wall 4 of the cup 2 is surrounded on the outside by a cylindrical skirt 25 with a greater diameter, forming an annular groove 26 with the wall 4.

The device 1 has a case 30, having a base 50 connected at 52 to an articulated cover, not visible in the figures. The base 50 has a cylindrical through-opening 51 for receiving the cup 2 provided with the screen 5.

The screen 5 mounted on the frame 20 is attached to the cup 2 by inserting the ring formed by the frame 20 into the annular groove 26 of width w, as is visible in figures 12 and 13. The upper edge 15 of the wall 4 thus comes, when the screen 5 is being attached, into contact with the lower face 6 of the screen and tensions it, as is visible in figure 13. An annular lip 60 belonging to the case 30 covers the frame 20 around the central part of the screen 5, which will be used for the picking up of the composition C during use. Figures 12 and 13 show the cup 2 that has been filled with composition C before joining to the screen 5. When the screen 5 is attached to the cup, the lower face 6 thereof comes into contact with the composition C. In the embodiment illustrated in figures 14 and 15, the screen 5 is attached to the cup 2 without the composition C coming into contact with the screen 5, as is visible in figure 14, in which the dose of composition C filling the cup 2 does not reach the height of the upper edge 15 thereof. In this case, a mechanical action is exerted either on the screen 5 or on the cup 2, so as to bring the composition C into contact with the screen 5.

In this example, the action consists, as is illustrated in figure 15, in bringing a pusher P against the picking-up face 7 and in moving it downward in the direction indicated by the arrows in figure 15, so as to tension the screen 5 and bring it into contact with the composition C. A vibratory or centrifugal action may be provided, as a variant, to ensure this bringing into contact.

The screen does not necessarily have a planar shape when it comes into contact with the composition. Figure 16 illustrates a screen 5 having, before it is attached to the cup 2, an upwardly concave relaxed shape. This curved shape makes coming into contact with the composition C before tensioning of the screen easier, if the level of composition C in the cup is such that it is not higher than the upper edge 15 thereof.

Figure 17 illustrates the possibility of temporarily bringing the composition C into contact with the screen 5 so as to partially impregnate the latter with the composition, on the side of its lower face 6, then of returning to a state in which a free space 40 is provided between the composition C and the lower face 6 of the screen 5, until the first use. The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.

For example, the cup can have another shape, with a lateral wall that is not a cylinder of revolution, for example.