U.S. patent application number 15/519619 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-24 for device comprising a screen comprising a celluar material.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Alain BERHAULT.
Application Number | 20170238671 15/519619 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52021302 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170238671 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERHAULT; Alain |
August 24, 2017 |
DEVICE COMPRISING A SCREEN COMPRISING A CELLUAR MATERIAL
Abstract
Packaging and application device (1), comprising: --a container
(10) containing a product (P) to be applied, --a screen (30),
comprising a cellular and deformable material, through which the
product contained in the container (10) exits, the container (10)
comprising a bottom (12), the screen (30) being able to come into
contact with the bottom (12) of the container (10) when the product
(P) in the container (10) has been used up.
Inventors: |
BERHAULT; Alain; (Clichy,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
52021302 |
Appl. No.: |
15/519619 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/074089 |
371 Date: |
April 17, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/006 20130101;
A45D 33/02 20130101; A45D 40/0075 20130101; A45D 40/0068 20130101;
A45D 33/025 20130101; A45D 40/08 20130101; A45D 33/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20060101
A45D033/00; A45D 40/00 20060101 A45D040/00; A45D 40/08 20060101
A45D040/08; A45D 33/02 20060101 A45D033/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 17, 2014 |
FR |
1460039 |
Claims
1. Packaging and application device, comprising: a container
containing a product to be applied, a screen, comprising a cellular
and deformable material, through which the product contained in the
container exits, the container comprising a bottom, the screen
being able to come into contact with the bottom of the container
when the product in the container has been used up.
2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is constituted
by the cellular material.
3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is elastically
deformable.
4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen comprises a
polyurethane PU foam, a polyethylene PE foam, an EVA foam, a PVC
foam, an impregnated PU foam, a cellular EPDM rubber, a cellular
neoprene rubber, a cellular nitrile rubber (NBR/PVC), a compact
neoprene rubber, a hard EPDM rubber, a solid SBR rubber, a compact
nitrile rubber, a spongy rubber (EPDM, neoprene, silicone), a
polyether and/or a polyester.
5. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is
single-layered or multi-layered.
6. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen has
through-orifices.
7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the product is fluid.
8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the viscosity of the
product is between 0.37 and 0.57 Pas.
9. Device according to claim 1, wherein the product is a cosmetic
product.
10. Device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a
protective lid which covers the screen when the product is not
being picked up, and the device does not have an applicator
accommodated between the protective lid and the screen.
11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the
screen is substantially constant in its part through which the
product passes during use.
12. Device according to claim 1 wherein the screen is fixed at its
periphery to the rest of the device.
13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the screen is fixed at
its periphery to the rest of the device by at least one lower ring
for holding the screen and at least one upper ring for holding the
screen, the lower ring and the upper ring engaging with one
another.
14. Device according to claim 12, wherein the screen is fixed at
its periphery to the rest of the device by at least one ring
overmoulded with the screen.
15. Device according to claim 12, wherein the screen is fixed at
its periphery to the rest of the device by being clamped between
the container and at least one fixing ring.
16. Device according to claim 13, wherein the container comprises
an annular groove for receiving the lower ring.
17. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cellular material is
an open-cell material.
18. Device according to claim 1, wherein the cellular material is a
closed-cell material, the screen having one or more
through-orifices passing through it.
19. Device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the
container has a concave shape towards the screen.
20. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is able to
mould itself to the shape of the bottom of the container when the
product in the container has been used up.
21. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen is not a
follower.
22. Device according to claim 1, wherein the screen comes into
contact in a reversible manner with any point on the bottom of the
container, when there is no product, and when a corresponding
pressure is exerted from above in order to press it against the
bottom of the container.
23. Makeup method, comprising the steps of: loading an applicator
with product by using a device according to claim 1, applying the
product to a region to be treated of human keratin materials.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for packaging a
cosmetic product.
[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a device
comprising a container containing a product to be applied and a
screen through which the product contained in the container can
exit.
[0003] Numerous devices of this type are known, with screens that
have dispensing orifices through which the product exits, having
various shapes and arrangements. The screen may or may not be a
follower, that is to say may or may not descend in the container
during the dispensing of the product and the emptying of the
container.
[0004] Application CN202664613 discloses a device comprising a
screen that has a central dispensing orifice of hexagonal cross
section and a plurality of dispensing orifices disposed around this
central orifice, each having an elongate shape and major axis that
is oriented substantially radially.
[0005] The publication JP2003-79425 discloses a device in which the
screen is constituted by a grating fixed to a support frame
provided with tabs that can bend against the edge of the housing of
the container containing the product when the screen descends in
the container during the emptying thereof.
[0006] The document FR2815832 teaches a device comprising a closure
element and an applicator which, in the closed position of the
closure element, rests against a compressible porous member
allowing the applicator to be loaded with product.
[0007] The document FR2856255 describes a makeup powder container
comprising a separating element made of elastic material, cuts
being formed through this separating element. The cuts are closed
when no mechanical pressure is applied and open by stretching of
the separating element during use so as to allow the makeup powder
to pass through the separating element.
[0008] There is a need to further improve packaging devices
comprising a screen, in particular in order to simplify the
manufacture thereof and to improve the application of the product
and/or the loading of an applicator.
[0009] The invention achieves this objective by virtue of a device
for packaging a cosmetic product, comprising: [0010] a container
containing the product to be applied, [0011] a screen, comprising a
cellular and deformable material, through which the product
contained in the container exits,
[0012] the container comprising a bottom, the screen being able to
come into contact with the bottom of the container when the product
in the container has been used up.
[0013] The cellular nature of the material constituting the screen
can, in particular in the case of open porosity, allow the product
contained in the container to easily pass through the screen from
its lower surface to its upper surface in order that the user can
pick up the product from the upper surface of the screen.
[0014] An adequate quantity of product can be picked up from the
upper surface of the screen. In particular, the device makes it
possible to limit and control the quantity of product picked up, by
providing the interface constituted by the screen between the user
and the mass of product contained in the container.
[0015] The screen may retain part of the product in the pores.
[0016] The cellular nature may also allow the screen to have a
relatively rough surface that is favourable to shearing the product
when it is picked up, thereby making it possible to load the
applicator more homogeneously.
[0017] The product can be picked up for example with a finger, a
sponge, a plastics applicator which is flocked or not flocked, or a
fine brush.
[0018] The ability of the screen to come into contact with the
bottom of the container when the product in the container has been
used up makes it possible to almost completely empty the container
of product.
[0019] The screen may be able to mould itself to the shape of the
bottom of the container when the product in the container has been
used up.
[0020] The screen comprises a lower surface that is oriented
towards the product contained in the container and an upper surface
away from the product contained in the container.
[0021] The maximum thickness between the lower surface and the
upper surface of the screen is also called the thickness of the
screen, it being possible for the latter also to be referred to as
a membrane.
[0022] The thickness of the screen may be between 0.4 and 5 mm.
[0023] The area of the upper surface of the screen may be between
180 mm.sup.2 and 3800 mm.sup.2.
[0024] Such an area of the upper surface and such a thickness of
the screen make it possible to have a large surface for the user to
access the product, while minimizing the quantity of cellular
material that is necessary and the quantity of product that remains
trapped in the screen at the end of use.
[0025] The screen is preferably constituted entirely by the
cellular material.
[0026] Depending on the degree of initial filling of the container,
and whether or not the screen is a follower, the product contained
in the container may or may not be in contact with the lower
surface of the screen when no pressure is applied to the latter by
the user.
[0027] Preferably, the screen hugs the surface of the product
contained in the container while said product is being picked
up.
[0028] The screen is preferably elastically deformable. This allows
the screen to deform under the pressure exerted by the user in
order that its lower surface comes into contact with the product
contained in the container, if the product is not already in
contact with the lower surface of the screen when pressure is not
being applied. When the product is already in contact with the
lower surface of the screen, at rest, this makes it easier to load
the screen with product and to increase the quantity of product
available to the user at the upper surface of the screen.
[0029] The screen may comprise, in particular consist of a
polyurethane PU foam, a polyethylene PE foam, an EVA foam, a PVC
foam, an impregnated PU foam, a cellular EPDM rubber, a cellular
neoprene rubber, a cellular nitrile rubber (NBR/PVC), a compact
neoprene rubber, a hard EPDM rubber, a solid SBR rubber, a compact
nitrile rubber, a spongy rubber (EPDM, neoprene, silicone), a
polyether and/or a polyester.
[0030] The cellular material may be an open-cell material.
[0031] In a variant, the cellular material is a closed-cell
material, the screen then having one or more through-orifices
passing through it, said through-orifices being produced for
example by laser cutting.
[0032] When the material of the screen is an open-cell material, it
is possible for the screen not to have any through-orifices
produced by cutting or drilling.
[0033] The screen is preferably single-layered or multi-layered.
There are for example a plurality of material layers having
different porosities.
[0034] Whether or not it has open cells, the screen may have
through-orifices. The through-orifices may each have a circular or
non-circular, in particular polygonal, cross section.
[0035] The through-orifices may have a constant or non-constant
cross section through their thickness.
[0036] The through-orifices may be produced by drilling and/or
cutting, in particular laser cutting.
[0037] The screen may have cavities that are not through-cavities,
in particular when it is made of an open-cell material, said
cavities being produced for example by cutting, drilling or
grinding. By locally reducing the thickness of the material, these
cavities can help the product to pass through the screen.
[0038] The screen may or may not be a follower.
[0039] The product is preferably fluid.
[0040] The viscosity of the product may be between 40 and 90 UD
(Deviation Unit), preferably between 55 and 80 UD, or between 366
and 569 cP (centiPoises), or between 0.37 and 0.57 Pas.
[0041] This viscosity is measured at 25.degree. C. with a Rheornat
180 (Lamy) equipped with an MS-R2 spindle, selected for a low to
medium viscosity of the product, which rotates at a speed of 200
revolutions per minute. The measurement is taken after a rotation
time of 10 minutes. The viscosity measurements are taken at the
latest one week after manufacture.
[0042] Such a viscosity makes it possible to improve the taking of
the product from the upper surface of the screen and to avoid
product flowing during use.
[0043] The product can be taken from the upper surface of the
screen with the aid of an applicator. This applicator may comprise
or be constituted of an applicator member such as a foam, a brush,
a sponge, a nonwoven, or a flocked end piece.
[0044] In a variant, the product is picked up with a finger, by
passing the latter over the screen.
[0045] The product is preferably a cosmetic product. The latter may
be a foundation or a complexion corrector, a concealer product, or
a care product.
[0046] The upper surface of the screen may be substantially flat in
its part through which the product passes during use. The lower
surface of the screen may be substantially flat in its part through
which the product passes during use.
[0047] The thickness of the screen may be substantially constant in
its part through which the product passes during use.
[0048] The thickness of the screen may be substantially constant
before it is integrated into the device, the screen being
manufactured for example by cutting out a disc from a film of
cellular material.
[0049] The areas of the upper and lower surfaces of the screen may
be the same or different.
[0050] The device may comprise a protective lid which covers the
screen when the product is not being picked up.
[0051] The protective lid can be fixed to the body of the container
by friction, screw-fastening, bayonet locking or
snap-fastening.
[0052] In a variant, the protective lid can be connected to the
body of the container in an articulated manner or by a sliding
connection.
[0053] It is possible for the device not to have an applicator
accommodated between the protective lid and the screen. This makes
it possible to simplify manufacture compared with devices in which
an applicator is incorporated, and to give the user greater freedom
of choice for applying the product.
[0054] In one variant, the device may comprise an applicator so as
to provide the user with a complete system.
[0055] The device may comprise a mirror, in particular accommodated
in the protective lid.
[0056] The device may comprise no wiper member through which the
applicator is extracted.
[0057] The device may comprise no bellow, in particular in the
container.
[0058] The screen may be fixed at its periphery to the rest of the
device, notably at a distance from the bottom of the container
which does not vary with the amount of product present in the
container.
[0059] The screen may be fixed at its periphery to the rest of the
device by at least one lower ring and at least one upper ring for
holding the screen. The latter can be gripped between the upper and
lower rings, thereby making it possible for the screen to be held
effectively.
[0060] The upper and lower rings may engage with one another by
snap-fastening or in some other way.
[0061] To this end, the upper ring, or lower ring, may comprise a
coupling relief and the lower ring, or upper ring, may comprise an
annular groove in which the coupling relief can be
snap-fastened.
[0062] At least one of the upper and lower rings, better still both
the lower ring and the upper ring, may comprise one or more
catching spikes inserted into the screen. so as to further improve
the holding of the screen by catching.
[0063] The container may comprise an annular groove for receiving
the lower ring.
[0064] In one variant, the screen may be fixed at its periphery to
the rest of the device by at least one ring overmoulded with the
screen.
[0065] In another variant, the screen may be fixed at its periphery
to the rest of the device by being clamped between the container
and at least one fixing ring.
[0066] The container may comprise a relief, such as an annular
groove, in which one of the upper or lower ring, in particular the
upper ring, is snap-fastened.
[0067] The bottom of the container may have a concave shape towards
the screen.
[0068] The bottom of the container may have a paraboloidal,
ellipsoidal or spherical shape.
[0069] The bottom of the container may be situated roughly at the
same level as the lower part of the packaging and application
device.
[0070] The screen may come into contact in a reversible manner with
the bottom of the container, when there is no product, and when a
corresponding pressure is exerted from above in order to press it
against the bottom of the container.
[0071] Preferably, the screen may come into contact in a reversible
manner with any point on the bottom of the container, when there is
no product, and when a corresponding pressure is exerted from above
in order to press it against the bottom of the container.
[0072] The container may comprise a rigid body.
[0073] The rigid body may be produced by moulding a thermoplastic
material, with a cavity defining the space holding the product.
[0074] The container may be a container other than a flexible
sheet.
[0075] A further subject of the invention is a makeup method
comprising the steps of: [0076] loading an applicator with product
by using a device according to the invention, [0077] applying the
product to a region to be made up of human keratin materials.
[0078] The applicator may be loaded without moving the applicator
other than by moving it into contact with and then away from the
screen, this causing the product to be deposited on the
applicator.
[0079] In a variant, at the time that product is picked up, the
user can turn the applicator and/or move it in translation in
contact with the screen.
[0080] The product may be grasped by friction or by tapping the
applicator or the finger on the screen.
[0081] The invention may be better understood from reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting implementation
examples thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in
which:
[0082] FIG. 1 shows, in axial section, an example of a device
according to the invention,
[0083] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the device from FIG. 1,
[0084] FIG. 3 shows, in axial section, the container of the device
from FIGS. 1 and 2 on its own,
[0085] FIG. 4 shows, in axial section, the lower ring of the device
from FIGS. 1 and 2 on its own,
[0086] FIG. 5 shows, in axial section, the upper ring of the device
from FIGS. 1 and 2 on its own,
[0087] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of picking up the product,
and
[0088] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a variant embodiment
of the invention.
[0089] The packaging device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a
container 10 of axis X containing a cosmetic product P to be
applied, a screen 30 and a protective lid 40.
[0090] The protective lid 40 comprises an internally threaded
mounting skirt 23 that is designed to be screwed onto a threaded
neck 13 that is present in the upper part of the body 11 of the
container 10.
[0091] The protective lid 40 may accommodate a seal 24 which, when
the lid is screwed onto the threaded neck 13, presses against the
upper end edge of the latter.
[0092] The seal 24 is, for example, in the form of a disc.
[0093] In the example in question, the screen 30 is in the form of
a film of cellular material of substantially constant thickness e
in its part through which the product passes during use.
[0094] This thickness e of the screen 30 is for example between 0.4
and 5 mm.
[0095] The area of the upper surface S.sub.sup of the screen 30 is
for example between 180 mm.sup.2 and 3800 mm.sup.2.
[0096] The area of the lower surface S.sub.inf of the screen 30 is
for example between 180 mm.sup.2 and 3800 mm.sup.2.
[0097] The screen 30 is elastically deformable, being made for
example of polyurethane foam.
[0098] The product P is preferably fluid at ambient temperature
(20.degree. C.), being for example a foundation or a complexion
corrector, a concealer product, a composition for the lips, or an
eyeshadow.
[0099] The packaging and application device 1 comprises a lower
ring 60 and an upper ring 70 for holding the screen 30, which is
gripped between the two rings.
[0100] The body 11 of the container 10, shown on its own in FIG. 3,
comprises an annular groove 19 for receiving the lower ring 60. The
bottom of the annular groove 19 has a rectangular shape.
[0101] The annular groove 19 is delimited radially towards the
inside by a rib 18 against which the screen 30 bears.
[0102] The screen 30 is folded down at its periphery 31 between the
two rings 60 and 70.
[0103] The lower ring 60 and the upper ring 70 engage by
snap-fastening.
[0104] FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show the lower ring 60 and upper
ring 70 on their own.
[0105] The upper ring 70 comprises coupling reliefs 71 and the
lower ring 60 a corresponding annular groove 61 in which the
coupling reliefs 71 are snap-fastened.
[0106] The upper ring 70 and lower ring 60 each comprise catching
spikes 81 which pass into the screen 30. These catching spikes 81
have for example a pyramidal or conical shape and their height is
for example between 0.5 and 4 mm.
[0107] The catching spikes 81 of the upper ring 70 and of the lower
ring 60 may be situated opposite one another. The screen 30 is thus
both gripped between the two rings 60 and 70 and caught on the two
rings via the catching spikes 81.
[0108] The lower ring 60 may comprise, as illustrated, a radially
innermost first upright 62a, an intermediate upright 62b and a
radially outer ost third upright 62c.
[0109] The uprights 62a and 62b are connected by a first annular
wall 63a, and the uprights 62b and 62c are connected by a second
annular wall 63b.
[0110] The walls 63a and 63b are oriented perpendicularly to the
axis X, while the uprights 62a, 62b and 62c are tubular and coaxial
with the axis X.
[0111] The groove 61 is produced on the radially inner face of the
upright 62c. The spikes 81 are carried by the wall 63a. The latter
extends in a manner set back from the upper edge of the uprights
62a and 62b, such that the spikes 81 extend in an annular groove
formed between the uprights 62a and 62b, above the wall 63a. The
spikes 81 do not project out of this groove. The upright 62c is
taller than the others.
[0112] The upper ring 70 comprises a tubular first upright 72a
which is connected at the top to a transverse wall 73. This first
upright 72a carries the coupling reliefs 71.
[0113] The upper ring 70 comprises a second upright 72b, radially
inside the first upright, the lower end of said second upright 72b
carrying the spikes 81, and a third upright 72c radially inside the
second upright 72b.
[0114] When the rings 60 and 70 are assembled, the third upright
72c is positioned next to the first upright 62a, the screen 30
being gripped between the two. The second upright 72b is inserted
into the groove formed between the uprights 62a and 62b, above the
wall 63a. The first upright 72a is inserted between the uprights
62b and 62c, and presses the screen 30 at its periphery 31 against
the upright 62b.
[0115] The wall 73 bears against the upper edge of the upright
62c.
[0116] The radially inner surface of the neck 13 comprises an
annular groove 14 in which the radially outer edge 91 of the upper
ring 70 is snap-fastened.
[0117] The container 10 comprises a bottom 12, of spherical shape,
that is concave towards the screen 30, for example with a radius of
curvature of between 30 and 60 mm, for example 45 mm.
[0118] In order to use the device 1, the user takes off the
protective lid 40.
[0119] The user can then apply an applicator 20 to the upper
surface S.sub.sup of the screen 30, as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0120] The user can simply apply the applicator to the upper
surface S.sub.sup of the screen 30 without moving the applicator 20
other than by moving it into contact with and then away from the
screen 30, preferably applying a pressure to the latter during the
contact between the applicator 20 and the screen 30, this causing
the product P to be deposited on the applicator 20.
[0121] In a variant, at the time that product is picked up, the
user can turn the applicator 20 or the upper surface of the screen
30 and/or move it in translation.
[0122] The user can load the applicator 20 as desired by pressing
on the screen 30. The user can in particular press on the screen 30
a number of times in a compression/relaxation cycle of the cellular
material, in order to increase the loading of the screen 30 with
product P.
[0123] Once the applicator has been loaded with product P, the user
can dab his/her skin with the applicator 20 in order to apply the
product P present on the applicator 20 thereto.
[0124] The user can blur the product P thus deposited as much as
required with the same applicator 20, by moving it over the skin,
or with the aid of another applicator.
[0125] FIG. 7 shows a variant of the device according to the
invention, comprising a lower ring 60 having holes into which
spikes 100 of the upper ring are inserted, the screen 30 being
gripped between the two rings and perforated by the spikes 100.
[0126] The screen 30 is shown schematically between the lower ring
60 and upper ring 70 in FIG. 7: the gripping of the screen 30
between said rings and the corresponding deformation have not been
reproduced.
[0127] The seal 24 is annular in the example in FIG. 7.
[0128] The protective lid 40 may accommodate a mirror 80.
[0129] The screen 30 may comprise through-orifices 35, as
illustrated.
[0130] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples
illustrated, and it is possible in particular to combine the
characteristics of the examples illustrated with one another as
parts of variants which are not illustrated. For example, the
screen in FIG. 1 may be provided with through-orifices. It is
possible for the one in FIG. 7 not to have through-orifices.
[0131] Further variants are possible. For example, the screen 30
may be movable in the container 10 along the axis X in order to
accompany the drop in the level of product P as the latter is
removed. In this case, it is for example fixed at its periphery to
a rigid frame sliding in the housing containing the product.
[0132] The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being
synonymous with "comprising at least one".
* * * * *