Title: Perfume applicator pen

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a perfumed composition.

Technical field

Perfumes are usually packaged in bottles, with an open neck or equipped with a pump or a valve for dispensing a spray.

To apply a touch of perfume, it is known practice to spray the perfume a short distance from the target area, or, if the bottle does not have a sprayer, to pour out a few drops of perfume onto the hands and then use the fingers to deposit the perfume in the desired place. Although this gesture is practical, it is nevertheless difficult with spray perfumes to apply the spray precisely while avoiding a certain part of the body that is sensitive to perfumes.

The use of a sprayer also gives rise to losses of product and, in addition, few users carry the bottle around with them on account of its weight.

Prior art

Small-sized bottles have been proposed, which are intended to be easily carried around in a handbag, for example. These bottles may be equipped with a pump to generate a spray and may be refillable. The problems of precision of application and of losses mentioned above remain. Furthermore, this does not solve the problem of precision of application of the perfume to the skin.

Perfume applicator pens are known, including a felt tip which is regularly soaked with the perfume of choice, by dipping the tip into a bottle containing said perfume. Refilling the pen remains a relatively laborious operation, which may put certain users off.

Presentation of the invention

The need remains for a readily transportable packaging and application device for delivering small doses of a perfume in a perfectly targeted manner, which is of robust construction, easy to use and to refill and is of sufficient autonomy to be suitable for repeated use.

The need also remains for a device, which in particular is portable and small-sized, for delivering small doses of a perfume but which has a high olfactory power, comparable to that of an eau de parfum, fresh and non-tacky, with a good sensory nature. Summary of the invention

The invention is directed toward meeting this need and achieves it by means of an applicator pen including:

- a reservoir containing a perfumed composition comprising at least 1% by weight of perfuming substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one hydrophilic gelling agent,

- an application member fed with composition by the reservoir,

- a mobile piston in the reservoir to force, by advancing, the composition to circulate toward the application member,

- an actuating member on which the user can act,

- a piston driving mechanism, arranged to transform an action by the user on the actuating member into an advancement of the piston.

More particularly, the invention relates to an applicator pen including:

- a reservoir (11) containing a perfumed composition (C) comprising at least 1% by weight of perfuming substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one hydrophilic gelling agent, and having a viscosity, measured at 25°C and at 1 atm, of between 2 and 7 Pa.s,

- an application member (20) fed with composition by the reservoir,

- a mobile piston (13) in the reservoir (11) to force, by advancing, the composition to circulate towards the application member,

- an actuating member (40) on which the user can act,

- a piston driving mechanism (50), arranged to transform an action by the user on the actuating member (40) into an advancement of the piston (13).

Advantageously, the perfumed composition is sufficiently viscous that it does not drip under the effect of its own weight out of the application member, when the applicator pen is not actuated. The risk of leakage is thus minimized, and it becomes easier to measure out the amount of perfumed composition by greater or lesser actuation of the actuating member. Advantageously, the viscosity of the composition is thus between 2 and 7 Pa.s, preferably between 4 and 7 Pa.s, being measured at 25°C under a pressure of 1 atm, using a Rheomat 1 TVE-05 viscometer from Lamy Rheology.

By means of the invention, the user can easily and precisely apply a touch of perfume to the area of his or her choice. The application member is easy to refill with composition by acting on the actuating member. The drawbacks associated with the refilling of the felt application tip of the pens of the prior art are avoided.

Although applicator pens have been proposed for applying makeup compositions such as lipsticks or lip glosses, they have never to the Applicant's knowledge been used for applying a composition having a high content of perfume.

The actuating member is preferably present at the opposite end of the pen to the application member.

Preferably, the actuating member is displaceable relative to a body of the pen. The user can thus easily press with the thumb on the actuating member to dispense a dose of composition. The drive mechanism may be arranged such that the reduction of the internal volume of the reservoir on each actuation of the actuating member is between 0.005 and 0.02 mm ³ , for example of the order of 0.01 ml.

The initial capacity of the reservoir is advantageously between 1 ml and 5 ml.

The application member may include or may consist of a brush in the form of a fine-detail brush. Thus, preferably, the application member (20) includes a fine-detail brush.

The applicator pen may include a dispensing cannula which emerges into the application member, recessed from its free end. The cannula emerges, for example, at a distance of between 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the application member, from its free end, better still between 1/3 and 2/3 of this length.

The presence of the cannula is advantageous in that it reduces the path of the composition inside the application member up to the tip, and thus makes it possible to minimize the volume of composition that it is necessary to inject into the application member before being able to apply the composition. Furthermore, the composition may be brought in this way to the very center of the application member. The part of the application member located recessed from the cannula may contribute toward absorbing by capillary action an excess of composition, and may give the application member flexibility, where appropriate.

The cannula may also make it possible to ensure a loss of pressure between the application member and the reservoir and thus reduce the risk of leakages. The presence of a flap valve or of a closing member other than the cap of the pen may be avoided. Preferably, the viscosity of the composition is such that it remains within the cannula without flowing under the effect of its own weight, when the applicator pen is held upside down. The communication between the reservoir and the application member can thus be permanently open. The cannula has, for example, a cylindrical portion, notably rotationally cylindrical, with a cross section of between 0.5 and 2 mm ² , for example with an inside diameter of between 1 and 1.2 mm. This portion is, for example, between 5 and 15 mm long.

The pen may include a ring which is mounted on the application member and preferably fixed into a neck of the pen. This ring surrounds the application member over a part of its length. Advantageously, this ring presses the application member against the abovementioned cannula. The presence of the ring ensures that the bristles of the abovementioned brush are held fast, and makes it possible to maintain the precision of the application despite the mechanical stresses to which the bristles of the brush may be subjected in the course of successive uses. The cannula may be borne by an insert attached inside the ring.

The composition contained in the reservoir is preferably an aqueous -alcoholic composition, i.e. it contains at least water and at least one alcohol.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition contained in the reservoir comprises at least 1% by weight of a mixture of perfuming substances, in particular of at least two different perfuming substances, relative to the total weight of the composition, and preferably at least three different perfuming substances.

Preferably, the composition contained in the reservoir comprises between 1% and 25% by weight of perfuming substance(s), preferably between 5% and 20% by weight and even more preferentially between 10% and 17% by weight of perfuming substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

A subject of the invention is also a process for perfuming human keratin materials, notably the skin, in which the composition is applied to said materials by means of the applicator pen according to the invention, as defined above.

The pen may be a disposable pen, i.e. once the reservoir is empty, it ceases to be used.

As a variant, the pen is arranged to receive a refill containing the composition.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention may be better understood on reading the detailed description that follows, and on examining the attached drawing, in which:

[Fig 1] schematically shows in longitudinal cross section an applicator pen according to the invention,

[Fig 2] shows, in isolation, the distal part of the applicator pen of figure 1, [Fig 3] is a cross section of the driving shaft of the piston,

[Fig 4] is a longitudinal cross section of a part of the driving mechanism of the piston,

[Fig 5] is an elevation view of another part of said mechanism,

[Fig 6] is a longitudinal cross section of the part of figure 5,

[Fig 7] is a front view along the arrow VII of figure 5,

[Fig 8] shows another part of the mechanism, and

[Fig 9] is a view along IX of figure 8.

Detailed description

In accordance with the invention, the perfumed composition is dispensed by means of a packaging and application device 1 which is in the form of an applicator pen.

This device 1 includes a body 10 of elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X, which dresses the pen and houses a tubular part 18 of elongated shape, forming a reservoir 11, having a neck 12 at its distal end. The tubular part 18 is, for example, made of thermoplastic material, for example a polyolefin, for example polypropylene (PP). The body 10 is, for example, metallic, notably made of aluminum.

A piston 13 is mounted in the part 11 and can move along the axis X. The reservoir 11 contains a perfumed composition (C) according to the invention. The piston is, for example, made of polyethylene (PE).

A ring 15 is attached to the neck 12 and receives an insert 16, for example attached by click fastening.

This insert 16 has a cannula 17 which communicates with the interior of the reservoir 11. The composition (C) is applied by means of an application member 20 consisting, for example, of a brush in the form of a fine-detail brush.

The bristles of this brush may be connected at their base to a ferrule 22 present at the base of the cannula 17.

The ring 15 is applied onto the brush substantially at the distal end 24 of the cannula 17 as illustrated in figure 2.

The bristles of the brush can thus be gripped between the ring 15 and the cannula 17.

The cannula 17 emerges, for example, at a distance w from the distal end of the application member, which represents between 1/3 and 2/3 of the total length L of the application member, namely the length of the bristles in the example under consideration. L is, for example, between 15 mm and 25 mm, and is for example equal to 20 mm. The cannula 17 may have a rotationally cylindrical portion 17a of length r between 0.5 and 1.5 cm, the inside diameter t of which is, for example, between 1 and 1.2 mm.

The length n of the application member 20 surrounded by the ring 15 is, for example, between 1/3 and 2/3 of the total length L, and is, for example, about 1 cm.

The device 1 may include a closing cap 30, arranged to be fixed onto the neck 12, for example by click-fastening, so as to obtain leaktight closure.

An actuating member 40 makes it possible to act on a mechanism 50 arranged to move the piston 13 in the direction of the outlet of the reservoir 11.

This mechanism 50 includes a driving shaft 51 which extends along the longitudinal axis X of the pen, attached to the piston 13 at its distal end 52.

This shaft 51 is externally threaded, has a flattened cross section, as shown in figure 3, and has two diametrically opposite grooves 54, emerging on the threaded surface.

The device 1 includes an insert 60 which bears a threaded part 61 at its distal end, into which is screwed the shaft 51. The insert 60 is fixed into the part 18 and bears against said part via a flange. The insert 60 is made, for example, of polyoxymethylene (POM).

The actuating member 40 slides inside the insert 60 and connects at its distal end to a transmission part 70, the distal end 71 of which is engaged between a bearing part 80 and a retainer 90.

A return spring 100 is placed axially between the bottom of a throat 63 formed by the distal part of the insert 60 and a flange 81 present at the periphery of the bearing part 80, visible in figures 5 to 7.

The bearing part 80 fits into the distal part of the transmission part 71, as may be seen in figure 1.

The bearing part 80 has internal ribs 83 which are engaged in the grooves 54 of the shaft 51. Thus, the bearing part 80 can move along the shaft 51 without turning relative thereto.

The transmission part 70, the bearing part 80 and the retainer 90 have cooperating reliefs to transform a bearing on the actuating member 40 into a rotation of the shaft 51 by a certain angle, which is accompanied by a corresponding forward movement of the piston 13. These parts are, for example, made of POM. The mechanism is, for example, of the "ratchet mechanism" type.

More precisely, when the user presses on the actuating member 40, reliefs 75 of the transmission part 70 come to bear against reliefs 85 of the bearing part. The angles of the contact faces are chosen so that the thrust on the actuating member is accompanied by a rotation of the bearing part 80. The retainer 90 has reliefs 93 against which the reliefs 85 of the bearing part 80 come into contact, under the return effect of the spring 100 when the user releases the actuating member, which brings about an additional rotation. Thus, when the actuating member 40 is next pushed, a new advancement of the piston 13 is obtained.

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to a particular mechanism of advancement of the piston.

Other mechanisms may be used.

For example, use may be made of a mechanism with a toothed shaft as described in patent application US 2005/0063766 Al, with a rotating actuating member as described in US 2010/0239354 Al or as described in US 2013/0245597 Al.

Composition

According to the invention, the applicator pen includes a reservoir (11) containing a perfumed composition (C) comprising at least 1% by weight of perfuming substance(s) relative to the total weight of the composition, and at least one hydrophilic gelling agent. Composition (C) contained in the reservoir has a viscosity, measured at 25°C and at 1 atm, of between 2 and 7 Pa.s (between 20 and 70 poises), preferably between 4 and 7 Pa.s (between 40 and 70 poises).

According to the invention, the viscosity may be measured using a viscometer such as the Rheomat 1 TVE-05 viscometer from Lamy Rheology.

The perfumed composition (C) is preferably an aqueous-alcoholic composition, i.e. it contains at least water and at least one alcohol.

Perfuming substance

The term“perfuming substance” means any perfume or aroma capable of giving off a pleasant odor.

Perfumes are compositions notably containing the starting materials described in S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Chemicals ( Montclair , N.J., 1969), in S. Arctander, Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin {Elizabeth, N.J., 1960 ) and in Flavor and Fragrance Materials - 1991, Allured Publishing Co., Wheaton, Ill.

They may be natural products, such as essential oils, absolutes, resinoids, resins, concretes, and/or synthetic products, such as terpene or sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, alcohols, phenols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, acids, esters, nitriles or peroxides, which may be saturated or unsaturated, and aliphatic or cyclic.

According to the definition given in the international standard ISO 9235 and adopted by the Commission of the European Pharmacopoeia, an essential oil is an odorous product, generally of complex composition, obtained from a botanically defined plant raw material, either by steam distillation, or by dry distillation, or by an appropriate mechanical process without heating (cold pressing). The essential oil is usually separated from the aqueous phase via a physical process that does not result in any significant change in the composition.

The choice of the method for obtaining essential oils depends mainly on the raw material: its original state and its characteristics, its intrinsic nature. The“essential oil/plant raw material” yield may be extremely variable depending on the plants: 15 ppm to more than 20%. This choice determines the characteristics of the essential oil, in particular viscosity, color, solubility, volatility, and richness or poorness in certain constituents.

Steam distillation corresponds to vaporization, in the presence of steam, of a substance with low water miscibility. The raw material is placed in contact with boiling water or steam in an still. The steam entrains the essential oil vapor, which is condensed in the condenser so as to be recovered as a liquid phase in a Florentine vase (or essence jar), where the essential oil is separated from the water by settling. The aqueous distillate that remains after the steam distillation, once the separation of the essential oil has been performed, is known as the “aromatic water” or“hydrolate” or“distilled floral water”.

Production by dry distillation consists in obtaining the essential oil by distillation of woods, barks or roots, without addition of water or steam, in a closed chamber designed so that the liquid is recovered at the bottom. Cade oil is the best known example of a product obtained in this way.

The method of production by cold pressing applies only to citrus fruits (Citrus spp.) via mechanical processes at room temperature. The principle of the method is as follows: the zests are tom into pieces and the contents of the secretory sacs that have been broken are recovered by a physical process. The conventional process consists in exerting an abrasive action on the entire surface of the fruit under a stream of water. After removal of the solid waste, the essential oil is separated from the aqueous phase by centrifugation. The majority of industrial installations allow simultaneous or sequential recovery of the fruit juices and of the essential oil. Essential oils are generally volatile and liquid at room temperature, which distinguishes them from“set” oils. They are more or less colored and their density is generally less than that of water. They have a high refractive index and most of them deflect polarized light. They are liposoluble and soluble in the usual organic solvents, distillable with steam, and very sparingly soluble in water.

Among the essential oils that may be used according to the invention, mention may be made of those obtained from plants belonging to the following botanical families: Abietaceae or Pinaceae, for example conifers; Amaryllidaceae; Anacardiaceae; Anonaceae, for example ylang ylang; Apiaceae, for example Umbelliferae, in particular dill, angelica, coriander, sea fennel, carrot or parsley; Araceae; Aristolochiaceae; Asteraceae, for example yarrow, artemisia, camomile, helichrysum; Betulaceae; Brassicaceae; Burseraceae, for example frankincense; Caryophyllaceae; Canellaceae; Cesalpiniaceae, for example copaifera (copaiba balsam); Chenopodaceae; Cistaceae, for example rock rose; Cyperaceae; Dipterocarpaceae; Ericaceae, for example gaultheria (wintergreen); Euphorbiaceae; Fabaceae; Geraniaceae, for example geranium; Guttiferae; Hamamelidaceae; Hernandiaceae; Hypericaceae, for example St John’s wort; Iridaceae; Juglandaceae; Lamiaceae, for example thyme, oregano, monarda, savory, basil, marjorams, mints, patchouli, lavenders, sages, catnip, rosemary, hyssop, balm, rosemary; Lauraceae, for example ravensara, sweet bay, rosewood, cinnamon, litsea; Liliaceae, for example garlic; Magnoliaceae, for example magnolia; Malvaceae; Meliaceae; Monimiaceae; Moraceae, for example hemp or hop; Myricaceae; Myristicaceae, for example nutmeg; Myrtaceae, for example eucalyptus, tea tree, paperbark tree, cajuput, backhousia, clove, myrtle; Oleaceae; Piperaceae, for example pepper; Pittosporaceae; Poaceae, for example citronella, lemongrass, vetiver; Polygonaceae; Renonculaceae; Rosaceae, for example roses; Rubiaceae; Rutaceae, for example all citrus plants; Salicaceae; Santalaceae, for example sandalwood; Saxifragaceae; Schisandraceae; Styracaceae, for example benzoin; Thymelaceae, for example agarwood; Tilliaceae; Valerianaceae, for example valerian, spikenard; Verbenaceae, for example lantana, verbena; Violaceae; Zingiberaceae, for example galangal, turmeric, cardamom, ginger; Zygophyllaceae.

Mention may also be made of the essential oils extracted from flowers (lily, lavender, rose, jasmine, ylang ylang, neroli), from stems and leaves (patchouli, geranium, petitgrain), from fruit (coriander, aniseed, cumin, juniper), from fruit peel (bergamot, lemon, orange), from roots (angelica, celery, cardamom, iris, sweet flag, ginger), from wood (pinewood, sandalwood, gaiac wood, rose of cedar, camphor), from grasses and gramineae (tarragon, rosemary, basil, lemongrass, sage, thyme), from needles and branches (spruce, fir, pine, dwarf pine) and from resins and balms (galbanum, elemi, benzoin, myrrh, olibanum, opopanax).

Examples of perfuming substances are notably: geraniol, geranyl acetate, famesol, borneol, bomyl acetate, linalool, linalyl acetate, linalyl propionate, linalyl butyrate, tetrahydrolinalool, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, citronellyl formate, citronellyl propionate, dihydromyrcenol, dihydromyrcenyl acetate, tetrahydromyrcenol, terpineol, terpinyl acetate, nopol, nopyl acetate, nerol, neryl acetate, 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, benzyl salicylate, styrallyl acetate, benzyl benzoate, amyl salicylate, dimethylbenzylcarbinol, trichloromethylphenylcarbinyl acetate, p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, isononyl acetate, vetiveryl acetate, vetiverol, a-hexylcinnamaldehyde, 2-methyl-3- (p-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 2-methyl-3-(p-isopropylphenyl)propanal, 3-(p-tert- butylphenyl)propanal, 2,4-dimethylcyclohex-3-enylcarboxaldehyde, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, 4-(4-hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3- cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, 4-(4-methyl-3-pentenyl)-3-cyclohexenecarboxaldehyde, 4- acetoxy-3-pentyltetrahydropyran, 3-carboxymethyl-2-pentylcyclopentane, 2-n-4- heptylcyclopentanone, 3-methyl-2-pentyl-2-cyclopentenone, menthone, carvone, tagetone, geranylacetone, n-decanal, n-dodecanal, 9-decen-l-ol, phenoxy ethyl isobutyrate, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenylacetaldehyde diethyl acetal, geranonitrile, citronellonitrile, cedryl acetate, 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol, cedryl methyl ether, isolongifolanone, aubepinonitrile, aubepine, heliotropin, coumarin, eugenol, vanillin, diphenyl ether, citral, citronellal, hydroxycitronellal, damascone, ionones, methylionones, isomethylionones, solanone, irones, cis-3-hexenol and esters thereof, musk-indans, musk- tetralins, musk-isochromans, macrocyclic ketones, musk-macrolactones, aliphatic musks, ethylene brassylate, and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mixture of different perfuming substances that generate in common a note that is pleasant to the user is used.

Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, composition (C) contained in the reservoir comprises at least 1% by weight of a mixture of perfuming substances, in particular of at least two different perfuming substances, relative to the total weight of the composition, and preferably at least 1% by weight of at least three different perfuming substances.

The perfuming substances will preferably be chosen such that they produce notes (head, heart and base) in the following families: citrine, aromatic, floral notes, in particular pink flowers and white flowers, spicy, woody, gourmand, chypre, fougere, leathery, musk. Preferably, the compositions (C) comprise between 1% and 25% by weight of perfuming substance(s), preferably between 5% and 20% by weight and even more preferentially between 10% and 17% by weight of perfuming substance(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

Hydrophilic gelling agent

For the purposes of the present invention, the term“ hydrophilic gelling agent” means a compound that is capable of gelling composition (C) according to the invention. The gelling agent is hydrophilic and may be water-soluble or water-dispersible.

As stated above, a composition (C) according to the invention is gelled with at least one hydrophilic gelling agent. The hydrophilic gelling agent may be chosen from synthetic polymeric gelling agents, polymeric gelling agents that are natural or of natural origin, mixed silicates and fumed silicas, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the hydrophilic gelling agent may be chosen from synthetic polymeric gelling agents.

Polymeric selling agents that are natural or of natural origin

The polymeric hydrophilic gelling agents that are suitable for use in the invention may be natural or of natural origin. For the purposes of the invention, the term“of natural origin” is intended to denote polymeric gelling agents obtained by modification of natural polymeric gelling agents. These gelling agents may be particulate or non-particulate.

More specifically, these gelling agents fall within the category of polysaccharides. In general, polysaccharides may be divided into several categories. More particularly, the polysaccharides that are suitable for use in the invention may be distinguished according to whether or not they are starchy.

Representative starchy polysaccharides that may most particularly be mentioned include native starches, modified starches and particulate starches, such as starches grafted with an acrylic polymer (homopolymer or copolymer) and notably with sodium polyacrylate, hydrolyzed starches grafted with an acrylic polymer (homopolymer or copolymer) and notably acryloacrylamide/sodium acrylate copolymer, polymers based on starch, gum and cellulose derivative, such as the polymer containing starch and sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and in particular potato carboxymethyl starches.

In general, the non-starchy polysaccharides may be chosen from polysaccharides produced by microorganisms, such as xanthan, pullulan, dextran and dextran sulfate, succinoglycan, scleroglucan, gellan gum; polysaccharides isolated from algae, such as galactans notably chosen from agar or carrageenans, furcellaran, and alginate-based compounds; polysaccharides from higher plants, such as homogeneous polysaccharides and derivatives thereof, for instance celluloses and derivatives or fructosans, and heterogeneous polysaccharides and derivatives thereof, such as acacia gum, galactomannans (guar, locust bean, fenugreek or tara gum) and derivatives (phosphated guar, hydroxypropyl guar, etc.), locust bean gum, tara gum, glucomannans (konjac gum), LM and HM pectins, and derivatives; and other polysaccharides such as chitin (poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, b(1 ,4)- 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucose), chitosan and derivatives (chitosan-P-glycerophosphate, carboxymethylchitin, etc.), glycosaminoglycans (GAG) such as hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, dermatan sulfate, keratan sulfate, xylans (or arabinoxylans) and derivatives.

Synthetic polymeric selling agents

For the purposes of the invention, the term“synthetic” means that the polymer is neither naturally existing nor a derivative of a polymer of natural origin. The synthetic polymeric hydrophilic gelling agent under consideration according to the invention may or may not be particulate. For the purposes of the invention, the term“particulate” means that the polymer is in the form of particles, preferably spherical particles.

The particulate synthetic polymeric gelling agents are preferably chosen from crosslinked polymers. They may notably be crosslinked acrylic homopolymers or copolymers, which are preferably partially neutralized or neutralized, and which are in particulate form. According to one embodiment, the particulate gelling agent according to the present invention is chosen from crosslinked sodium poly acrylates.

The non-particulate synthetic polymeric gelling agents may be chosen from associative polymers, polyacrylamides and crosslinked and/or neutralized 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropanesulfonic acid polymers and copolymers, and modified or unmodified carboxy vinyl polymers. The associative polymers may be anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric. Among the associative anionic polymers, mention may be made of maleic anhydridc/Cio-Cis a-olefin/alkyl maleate terpolymers, copolymers including among their monomers an a,b-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and an a,b-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid ester of an oxyalkylenated fatty alcohol, anionic polymers including at least one hydrophilic unit of unsaturated olefinic carboxylic acid type, and at least one hydrophobic unit exclusively of the type such as a (Cio-C ₃ o)alkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid, or anionic terpolymers. Cationic associative polymers that may be mentioned include polyacrylates bearing amine side groups. The nonionic associative polymers may be chosen from copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of fatty-chain hydrophobic monomers, copolymers of C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl acrylates or methacrylates and of amphiphilic monomers including at least one fatty chain, copolymers of hydrophilic acrylates or methacrylates and of hydrophobic monomers including at least one fatty chain, for instance polyethylene glycol methacrylate/lauryl methacrylate copolymer, and associative polyurethanes. Among the associative amphoteric polymers of the invention, mention may be made of crosslinked or non-crosslinked, branched or unbranched amphoteric polymers, for instance acrylic acid/acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride/stearyl methacrylate copolymers.

The polyacrylamides and polymers and copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropanesulfonic acid are crosslinked or non-crosslinked homopolymers or copolymers including at least the 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS ^® ) monomer, in a form partially or totally neutralized with a mineral base other than aqueous ammonia, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. As water-soluble or water- dispersible AMPS ^® homopolymers that are suitable for use in the invention, mention may be made, for example, of crosslinked or non-crosslinked polymers of sodium acrylamido-2- methylpropanesulfonate, or alternatively crosslinked polymers of ammonium acrylamido-2- methylpropanesulfonate (INCI name: Ammonium Poly aery ldimethyltauramide). As water- soluble or water-dispersible copolymers of AMPS ^® in accordance with the invention, examples that may be mentioned include acrylamide/sodium acrylamido-2- methylpropanesulfonate copolymers, copolymers of AMPS ^® and of vinylpyrrolidone or vinylformamide, copolymers of AMPS ^® and of sodium acrylate, and copolymers of AMPS ^® and of hydroxyethyl acrylate. The modified or unmodified carboxyvinyl polymers may be copolymers derived from the polymerization of at least one monomer (a) chosen from a,b-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters thereof, with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer (b) including a hydrophobic group. The term“ copolymers” means both copolymers obtained from two types of monomer and those obtained from more than two types of monomer, such as terpolymers obtained from three types of monomer. Their chemical structure more particularly comprises at least one hydrophilic unit and at least one hydrophobic unit. The term“hydrophobic group or unit” means a radical with a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon-based chain, comprising at least 8 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 30 carbon atoms, in particular from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and more preferentially from 18 to 30 carbon atoms.

Preferably, these polymers are chosen from copolymers derived from the polymerization of at least one monomer of formula (1) below:

[Chem 1]

in which Ri denotes H, CH3, or C ₂ H ₅ , i.e. acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or ethacrylic acid monomers, and of at least one monomer of the type such as a (Cio-C3o)alkyl ester of an unsaturated carboxylic acid corresponding to the monomer of formula (2) below:

[Chem 2]

in which R2 denotes H or CH3 or C2H5 (i.e. acrylate, methacrylate or ethacrylate units) and preferably H (acrylate units) or CH3 (methacrylate units), R3 denoting a C10-C30 and preferably C12-C22 alkyl radical.

The unsaturated carboxylic acid (C10-C30) alkyl esters are preferably chosen from lauryl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, isodecyl acrylate and dodecyl acrylate, and the corresponding methacrylates, such as lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, isodecyl methacrylate and dodecyl methacrylate, and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, these polymers are crosslinked. Among the copolymers of this type, use will be made more particularly of polymers derived from the polymerization of a mixture of monomers essentially comprising acrylic acid, an ester of formula (2) described above and in which R2 denotes H or CH3, R3 denoting an alkyl radical containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and a crosslinking agent, which is a well known copolymerizable polyethylenic unsaturated monomer, such as diallyl phthalate, allyl (meth)acrylate, divinylbenzene, (poly)ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and methylenebisacrylamide.

Among the copolymers of this type, use will more particularly be made of those consisting of from 95% to 60% by weight of acrylic acid (hydrophilic unit), 4% to 40% by weight of C10-C30 alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic unit) and 0% to 6% by weight of crosslinking polymerizable monomer, or alternatively those consisting of from 98% to 96% by weight of acrylic acid (hydrophilic unit), 1% to 4% by weight of C10-C30 alkyl acrylate (hydrophobic unit) and 0.1% to 0.6% by weight of crosslinking polymerizable monomer such as those described previously.

Among said polymers above, the ones that are most particularly preferred according to the present invention are acrylate/C io-C3o-alkylacrylate copolymers (INCI name: Acrylates/C 10- 30 Alkyl acrylate Crosspolymer) such as the products sold by the company Lubrizol under the trade names Pemulen TR-1, Pemulen TR-2, Carbopol 1382, Carbopol EDT 2020, Carbopol Ultrez 20 Polymer and Carbopol Ultrez 21 Polymer, and even more preferentially Carbopol Ultrez 21 Polymer.

Among the modified or unmodified carboxy vinyl polymers, mention may also be made of sodium polyacrylates such as those sold under the name Cosmedia SP ^® containing 90% solids and 10% water, or Cosmedia SPL ^® as an inverse emulsion containing about 60% solids, an oil (hydrogenated polydecene) and a surfactant (PPG-5 Laureth-5), both sold by the company Cognis. Mention may also be made of partially neutralized sodium polyacrylates that are in the form of an inverse emulsion comprising at least one polar oil, for example the product sold under the name Luvigel ^® EM by the company BASF. The modified or unmodified carboxyvinyl polymers may also be chosen from crosslinked (meth)acrylic acid homopolymers. For the purposes of the present application, the term “(mettyacrylic” means“ acrylic or methacrylic” . Examples that may be mentioned include the products sold by Lubrizol under the names Carbopol 910, 934, 940, 941, 934 P, 980, 981, 2984, 5984 and Carbopol Ultrez 10 Polymer, or by 3V-Sigma under the name Synthalen ^® K, Synthalen ^® L or Synthalen ^® M.

Among the modified or unmodified carboxy vinyl polymers, mention may be made in particular of the acrylate s/C _10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer products sold by the company Lubrizol.

Other hydrophilic selling agents

Other hydrophilic gelling agents that may more particularly be mentioned include mixed silicates, for instance montmorillonites, hectorites, bentonites, beidellite, saponites and fumed silicas.

Hydrophilic gelling agents that will preferably be chosen include non-particulate synthetic polymeric gelling agents, in particular modified or unmodified carboxyvinyl polymers, and even more particularly acrylate/C io-C3o-alkylacrylate copolymers.

Preferably, a perfumed composition (C) comprises between 0.2% and 5% by weight of hydrophilic gelling agent(s), preferably between 0.3% and 4% by weight and even more preferentially between 0.5% and 2% by weight of hydrophilic gelling agent(s), relative to the total weight of the composition.

Aqueous phase

The aqueous phase of a composition according to the invention comprises water and optionally a water-soluble solvent.

In the present invention, the term“ water-soluble solvent” denotes a compound that is liquid at room temperature and water-miscible (miscibility in water of greater than 50% by weight at 25°C and atmospheric pressure).

The water-soluble solvents that may be used in the composition of the invention may also be volatile. Among the water-soluble solvents that may be used in the composition in accordance with the invention, mention may be made notably of lower monoalcohols containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms such as ethanol and isopropanol, glycols containing from 2 to 8 carbon atoms such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and dipropylene glycol, C ₃ and C ₄ ketones and C ₂ -C ₄ aldehydes.

In particular, a composition (C) according to the invention comprises at least one water- soluble solvent, in particular a lower monoalcohol containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably ethanol. A composition (C) according to the invention preferably comprises one or more water- soluble solvents, in particular ethanol, in a content ranging from 5% to 80%, better still from 10% to 70% by weight, preferably from 30% to 60% by weight, relative to the total weight of said composition.

Water may be present in a content ranging from 10% to 50%, better still from 15% to 40% by weight and preferably from 20% to 35% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

The aqueous phase may be present in the composition in a content ranging from 10% to 99%, better still from 40% to 95% by weight and preferably from 60% to 90% by weight relative to the total weight of said composition.

According to another embodiment variant, the aqueous phase of a composition according to the invention may comprise at least one C2-C32 polyol. For the purposes of the present invention, the term“ polyol” should be understood as meaning any organic molecule including at least two free hydroxyl groups. Preferably, a polyol in accordance with the present invention is present in liquid form at room temperature.

A polyol that is suitable for use in the invention may be a compound of linear, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated alkyl type, bearing on the alkyl chain at least two -OH functions, in particular at least three -OH functions and more particularly at least four -OH functions.

The polyols that are advantageously suitable for formulating a composition according to the present invention are those notably containing from 2 to 32 carbon atoms and preferably 3 to 16 carbon atoms.

Advantageously, the polyol may be chosen, for example, from ethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol, 1,3 -propanediol, butylene glycol, isoprene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerols, such as glycerol oligomers, for instance diglycerol, and polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said polyol is chosen from ethylene glycol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerol, polyglycerols and polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the composition of the invention may comprise at least propylene glycol. A composition (C) according to the invention preferably comprises one or more polyols, in particular propylene glycol, in a content ranging from 0.5% to 10%, better still from 1% to 8% by weight, preferably from 1.5% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of said composition.

Fatty phase

A composition (C) according to the invention may also include a fatty phase.

The fatty phase of a composition of the invention may notably include at least one fatty substance that is liquid at room temperature and/or a fatty substance that is solid at room temperature, such as waxes, pasty fatty substances and gums, and mixtures thereof. For the purposes of the invention, the term“room temperature” means a temperature equal to 25°C. The fatty phase of the composition according to the invention may notably comprise, as liquid fatty substance, at least one volatile or nonvolatile oil or a mixture thereof. For the purposes of the invention, the term“volatile oil” means any oil that is capable of evaporating on contact with the skin in less than one hour, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The term“nonvolatile oil” means an oil that remains on the skin at room temperature and atmospheric pressure for at least several hours, and that notably has a vapor pressure of less than 0.01 mmHg (1.33 Pa). These volatile or nonvolatile oils may for example be hydrocarbon-based oils or silicone oils, or mixtures thereof. The term“hydrocarbon-based oil” means an oil mainly containing hydrogen and carbon atoms and possibly oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus atoms.

A composition (C) may comprise, for example, at least one volatile silicone oil. The term “silicone oil” means an oil containing at least one silicon atom, and notably containing Si-0 groups. Preferably, a composition (C) according to the invention is free of volatile silicone oil.

The fatty phase of the composition according to the invention may notably comprise, as solid fatty substance, at least one wax. The“wax” under consideration in the context of the present invention generally refers to a lipophilic compound that is solid at room temperature (25 °C), with a solid/liquid reversible change of state, having a melting point of greater than or equal to 30°C, which may be up to 200°C and notably to 120°C. The waxes that may be used in the compositions according to the invention are chosen from waxes that are solid at room temperature, of animal, plant, mineral or synthetic origin, and mixtures thereof. For the purposes of the invention, the waxes may be those used generally in the cosmetic or dermatological fields. They may notably be polar or apolar, hydrocarbon-based, silicone and/or fluoro waxes, optionally including ester or hydroxyl functions. They may also be of natural or synthetic origin.

Preferably, a composition (C) may comprise at least one polar wax. For the purposes of the present invention, the term“ polar wax” means a wax whose solubility parameter at 25°C, 6a, is other than 0 (J/cm ³ ) ^½ . In particular, the term“ polar wax” means a wax whose chemical structure is formed essentially from, or even constituted by, carbon and hydrogen atoms, and comprising at least one highly electronegative heteroatom such as an oxygen, nitrogen, silicon or phosphorus atom. The polar waxes may notably be hydrocarbon-based, fluoro or silicone waxes. The polar waxes may be hydrocarbon-based waxes and/or ester waxes and/or alcohol waxes.

Ester waxes that may notably be used include ester waxes such as those chosen from the waxes of formula R1COOR2 in which Ri and R2 represent linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic chains in which the number of atoms ranges from 10 to 50, which may contain a heteroatom such as O, N or P and the melting point of which ranges from 25 to 120°C; bis(l,l,l- trimethylolpropane) tetrastearate, sold under the name Hest 2T-4S ^® by the company Heterene; diester waxes of a dicarboxylic acid of general formula R ³ -(-OCO-R ⁴ -COO-R ⁵ ), in which R ³ and R ⁵ are identical or different, preferably identical, and represent a C4-C30 alkyl group (alkyl group comprising from 4 to 30 carbon atoms) and R ⁴ represents a linear or branched C4-C30 aliphatic group (alkyl group comprising from 4 to 30 carbon atoms) which may or may not contain one or more unsaturations, and preferably linear and unsaturated; waxes obtained by catalytic hydrogenation of animal or plant oils containing linear or branched C8-C32 fatty chains, for instance hydrogenated jojoba oil, hydrogenated sunflower oil, hydrogenated castor oil, hydrogenated coconut kernel oil, and also the waxes obtained by hydrogenation of castor oil esterified with cetyl alcohol; beeswax, synthetic beeswax, polyglycerolated beeswax, camauba wax, candelilla wax, oxypropylenated lanolin wax, rice bran wax, ouricury wax, esparto grass wax, cork fiber wax, sugarcane wax, Japan wax, sumac wax, montan wax, orange wax, sweet bay wax, hydrogenated jojoba wax, sunflower wax, lemon wax, olive wax or berry wax. Preferably, a composition according to the invention comprises a polar wax, in particular an ester wax, and more particularly a hydrogenated castor oil, which is notably oxyethylenated, such as 60 OE hydrogenated castor oil.

The composition according to the invention preferably comprises one or more waxes, in particular an ester wax, in a content ranging from 0.1% to 10% by weight, better still from 0.2% to 8% by weight, preferably from 0.3% to 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of said composition.

Silicone elastomer

A composition (C) contained in the reservoir may also comprise at least one silicone elastomer.

Other ingredients

Additional spherical fillers

A composition (C) contained in the reservoir may also comprise at least one additional spherical filler.

The term“filler” should be understood as meaning mineral or organic, colorless or white solid particles of any form, which are in an insoluble form dispersed in the medium of the composition.

Such an additional spherical filler may be present in particular in a content of between 0.1% and 10% by weight, preferably between 0.2% and 5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

As additional spherical fillers that may be used in a composition (C), mention may be made in particular of polyamide powders, for example Nylon ^® or Orgasol ^® from Atochem; poly- b-alanine powders; polyethylene powders; tetrafluoroethylene polymer powders, for example Teflon ^® ; starch; silicone resin microbeads, for example Tospearls ^® from Toshiba; hollow silica microspheres, such as Silica Beads SB 700/HA ^® and Silica Beads SB 700 ^® from the company Maprecos, Sunspheres H-33 ^® and Sunspheres H-51 ^® from the company Asahi Glass; acrylic polymer microspheres, such as those made of crosslinked acrylate copolymer Polytrap 6603 Adsorber ^® from the company RP Scherrer, and those made of polymethyl methacrylate Micropearl M 100 ^® from the company SEPPIC); and mixtures thereof.

Dyestuffs In particular, a composition (C) may also comprise at least one dyestuff, different from the perfuming substance(s) present in said composition, for example a pigment.

According to a preferred embodiment, composition (C) comprises a content of dyestuff, other than the perfuming substance(s) present in said composition, of less than 5% by weight, in particular less than 1% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Even more preferentially, a composition according to the invention is totally free of dyestuff, other than the perfuming substance(s) present in said composition.

More particularly, composition (C) comprises a content of pigment(s) of less than 5% by weight, in particular less than 1% by weight, or even less than 0.5% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition.

Even more preferentially, a composition according to the invention is totally free of pigment(s).

Preferably, composition (C) contained in the reservoir is transparent.

The cosmetic composition of the invention may also contain auxiliary coloring agents, which are notably water-soluble or liposoluble, water-soluble active agents, cohesive agents, notably film-forming polymers, other gelling agents, thickeners, preserving agents, neutralizers, bactericides, plant extracts, salts, antioxidants, basic agents, for instance calcium carbonate, or acidic agents, for instance citric acid or lactic acid.

It is a matter of routine practice for a person skilled in the art to adjust the nature and the amount of the additives present in the compositions in accordance with the invention such that the desired cosmetic properties thereof are not thereby affected.

In particular, a composition (C) according to the invention may comprise at least one neutralizer, for example 2-amino-2-methyl-l -propanol.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression“ including a” should be understood as being synonymous with“ including at least one”, unless otherwise specified. The terms“ between ... and...” and“ ranging from... to...” should be understood as being inclusive of the limits, unless otherwise specified.

In the description and the examples, the percentages are weight percentages, unless otherwise indicated. The percentages are thus expressed on a weight basis relative to the total weight of the composition. Unless otherwise specified, the ingredients are mixed in the order and under conditions that are readily determined by a person skilled in the art.

The invention is illustrated in greater detail by the nonlimiting examples presented below. Example

A perfume composition was prepared from the components listed in Table 1 below.

[Table 1]

Table 1

* The perfume used has the composition detailed in Table 2 below:

[Table 2]

Table 2

The composition was prepared by mixing, at a temperature of 25°C, water, propylene glycol and the alcohol, with stirring.

The acrylic polymer is added. This first mixture is stirred until homogeneous.

The hydrogenated castor oil is added to the perfume with a few drops of alcohol, with stirring. This second mixture is added to the first mixture.

The composition is neutralized with 2-amino-2-methyl-l -propanol and turbomixed, in a device such as a Rayneri blender.

A homogeneous gel is obtained.

The final composition has a viscosity, measured at 25°C and at 1 atm, of between 2 and 7 Pa.s (between 20 and 70 poises).

This composition is used in an applicator pen according to the invention, in particular such as the one illustrated in figures 1 to 9.

Needless to say, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, the composition may be placed in a removable refill, for example.

The application member may be replaced with a felt or a foam tip. It is seen that the perfume composition which is in the pen is easy to apply to the skin enabling it to be applied to the body while precisely avoiding the parts of the body that are sensitive to perfumes.