U.S. patent application number 16/465795 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-12 for cosmetic product refill in the form of an aqueous composition for a hair treatment device.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL, SEB S.A.. Invention is credited to Melissa CHAMPEA, Sandy LAPIZE, Stefania NUZZO, Gabin VIC, Frederic WOODLAND.
Application Number | 20200077763 16/465795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57796724 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200077763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WOODLAND; Frederic ; et
al. |
March 12, 2020 |
COSMETIC PRODUCT REFILL IN THE FORM OF AN AQUEOUS COMPOSITION FOR A
HAIR TREATMENT DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to a cosmetic product refill (20) for a
hair treatment device (1), comprising an applicator member (26)
saturated with an aqueous composition, wherein the applicator
member has a density of between 0.11 and 0.25 g/cm.sup.3 and the
aqueous composition has a viscosity of between 4, preferably 5, and
100 centipoise, at 22.degree. C. The invention also relates to a
hair treatment device provided with such a refill.
Inventors: |
WOODLAND; Frederic;
(Saint-Ouen, FR) ; NUZZO; Stefania; (Saint-Ouen,
FR) ; LAPIZE; Sandy; (Saint-Ouen, FR) ;
CHAMPEA; Melissa; (Saint-Ouen, FR) ; VIC; Gabin;
(Saint-Ouen, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL
SEB S.A. |
Paris
Ecully |
|
FR
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
SEB S.A.
Ecully
FR
|
Family ID: |
57796724 |
Appl. No.: |
16/465795 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2017 |
PCT Filed: |
December 12, 2017 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2017/082360 |
371 Date: |
May 31, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 19/02 20130101;
A45D 34/04 20130101; A45D 2/001 20130101; A45D 2200/1036 20130101;
A45D 19/16 20130101; A45D 2001/002 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 19/16 20060101
A45D019/16; A45D 19/02 20060101 A45D019/02; A45D 2/00 20060101
A45D002/00; A45D 34/04 20060101 A45D034/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2016 |
FR |
1662518 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A cosmetic product refill for a hair treatment device,
comprising an applicator member saturated with an aqueous
composition, wherein the applicator member has a density of between
0.11 and 0.25 g/cm.sup.3 and the aqueous composition has a
viscosity of between 4 and 250 centipoises.
22. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
aqueous composition has a viscosity of between 4 and 100
centipoises.
23. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is porous.
24. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member has a density of between 0.11 and 0.15 g/cm.sup.3
and the aqueous composition has a viscosity greater than 20
centipoise and/or less than 25 centipoise, at 22.degree. C.
25. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is a felt.
26. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 25, wherein the
fibers of the applicator member are oriented parallel or
perpendicularly to the surface intended to be in contact with the
hair to be treated.
27. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 26, wherein the
fibers are oriented in a longitudinal direction of the applicator
member, parallel to the surface intended to be in contact with the
hair to be treated.
28. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is made of polyethylene, of polypropylene, or of
a mixture of polyethylene and polypropylene.
29. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is soaked with aqueous composition with an
initial degree of filling less than or equal to 90%.
30. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is soaked with aqueous composition with an
initial degree of filling greater than or equal to 40%.
31. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is secured to a reservoir of aqueous composition
to be applied to the hair to be treated.
32. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 31, wherein the
applicator member and the reservoir are saturated with a volume of
aqueous composition greater than 6 ml.
33. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member is saturated with a volume of aqueous composition
greater than 6 ml.
34. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
applicator member has an elongate shape, with a rectangular or
cruciform cross section, with a flat, pointed or rounded end that
is intended to be in contact with the hair to be treated, and/or
with one or two bevels.
35. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, comprising
a body delimiting a cavity that is formed at least partially by two
opposite walls and a bottom and opens toward the outside by way of
an opening, said applicator member being partially received in said
cavity and extending partially out of the cavity, through the
opening.
36. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
aqueous composition comprises one or more non-silicone surfactants
and/or one or more silicone compounds, the non-silicone
surfactant(s) being chosen from anionic, cationic, nonionic or
amphoteric surfactants.
37. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 36, wherein the
non-silicone surfactant(s) and/or the silicone compound(s) are
present in the aqueous composition in a content of between 0.01 and
10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous
composition.
38. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
aqueous composition comprises one or more fatty substances and/or
one or more non-silicone polymers.
39. The cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, wherein the
aqueous composition is in the form of an emulsion.
40. A cosmetic product refill article comprising a closed package
and at least one cosmetic product refill as claimed in claim 21, in
the package.
41. A hair treatment device comprising: at least one holder,
preferably an arm comprising a housing, a cosmetic product refill
as claimed in claim 21, which is disposed in a removable manner in
the housing.
42. The device as claimed in claim 41, comprising at least one
heating element.
43. The hair treatment device as claimed in claim 41, being a hair
straightener.
44. A method for treating the hair, comprising the step of applying
a cosmetic product to the hair using a device as claimed in claim
41.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to cosmetic product refills
for hair treatment devices, and more particularly, but not
exclusively, those for devices for shaping the hair, notably
intended for straightening, curling or crimping the hair.
[0002] The invention also relates to devices provided with such a
refill and to methods for treating the hair.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Usually, hair straighteners consist of two arms that are
connected together with the aid of a hinge which makes it possible
to open and close said arms, and of at least one heating element
disposed on the arms. During operations of styling a lock of hair,
said lock is introduced between the two arms in the open position
and then the two arms are closed manually over the lock of hair.
The latter is then subjected to the heat output by the heating
element, until the two arms are opened and the lock of hair is
removed.
[0004] The application WO 2009/078046 describes a hairstyling
appliance comprising two arms that are connected together so as to
allow the appliance to be opened and closed, at least one heating
member and at least one seat for accommodating a hair treatment
device, the latter allowing a haircare product to be dispensed
during operation. The hair treatment device comprises a support
material impregnated with a haircare product and suitable for a
single use.
[0005] WO 2009/015027 and US 2009/0025247 disclose a hair
straightening device that makes it possible to apply a haircare
product by contact with the hair. The haircare product to be
applied is contained in a removable refill for the application
thereof. Said removable refill comprises a reservoir containing the
haircare product in a gelled form, and orifices for dispensing and
applying the product, said orifices being made directly through a
wall of the reservoir. The refill is introduced into a housing
disposed on one of the two arms of the hair straightener, by
sliding.
[0006] The application WO 2013/045331 likewise discloses an
applicator for applying a care substance to the hair, comprising a
cartridge of care substance held in a housing of the applicator.
The cartridge comprises a porous support saturated with the care
substance.
[0007] The application WO 2013/090896 relates to a hair treatment
appliance, in particular a hairstyling appliance, comprising a
treatment agent holder, notably a saturated porous material, to be
applied to the hair or the skin. The holder is fixed to an
accessory, which is itself mounted in a removable manner on a hair
treatment appliance. The holder is T-shaped, allowing it to be
mounted in a complementary groove in the accessory.
[0008] There is a need to further improve devices for applying a
haircare product so as to ensure adequate application of cosmetic
product, notably when the latter is in the form of an aqueous
composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A subject of the invention is thus a cosmetic product refill
for a hair treatment device, comprising an applicator member
saturated with an aqueous composition, wherein the applicator
member has a density of between 0.11 and 0.25 g/cm.sup.3 and the
aqueous composition has a viscosity of between 4 and 250
centipoise, preferably between 4 and 100 centipoise.
[0010] Such a pairing of density of the applicator member/viscosity
of the aqueous composition makes it possible to have a quantity of
cosmetic product on the hair which is both sufficient and
sufficiently consistent during uses.
[0011] Preferably, the cosmetic product refill according to the
invention has one or more of the following features, on their own
or in combination: [0012] the applicator member is porous; [0013]
the applicator member has a density of between 0.11 and 0.15
g/cm.sup.3 and the aqueous composition has a viscosity greater than
20 centipoise and/or less than 25 centipoise, at 22.degree. C.;
[0014] the applicator member is a felt, the fibers of the
applicator member preferably being oriented parallel or
perpendicularly to the surface intended to be in contact with the
hair to be treated, and notably the fibers are oriented in a
longitudinal direction of the applicator member, parallel to the
surface intended to be in contact with the hair to be treated;
[0015] the applicator member, notably the felt, if appropriate, is
made of polyethylene, of polypropylene, or of a mixture of
polyethylene and polypropylene, the mixture preferably comprising
50% polyethylene and 50% polypropylene; [0016] the applicator
member is soaked with aqueous composition with an initial degree of
filling less than or equal to 90%, preferably less than or equal to
80%, more preferably less than or equal to 70%; [0017] the
applicator member is soaked with aqueous composition with an
initial degree of filling greater than or equal to 40%, preferably
greater than or equal to 50%, more preferably greater than or equal
to 60%; [0018] the applicator member is secured to a reservoir of
aqueous composition to be applied to the hair to be treated, the
reservoir preferably being made of the same material as the
applicator member, more preferably with a lower density; [0019] the
applicator member and the reservoir, if appropriate, are saturated
with a volume of aqueous composition greater than 6 ml, preferably
greater than 10 ml, and/or less than 14 ml, preferably less than 11
ml; [0020] the applicator member has an elongate shape, with a
rectangular or cruciform cross section, with a flat, pointed or
rounded end that is intended to be in contact with the hair to be
treated, and/or with one or two bevels; [0021] the refill comprises
a body delimiting a cavity that is formed at least partially by two
opposite walls and a bottom and opens toward the outside by way of
an opening, said applicator member being partially received in said
cavity and extending partially out of the cavity, through the
opening; [0022] the aqueous composition comprises one or more
non-silicone surfactants and/or one or more silicone compounds, the
non-silicone surfactant(s) being chosen from anionic, cationic,
nonionic or amphoteric surfactants, and preferably from cationic
surfactants; [0023] the non-silicone surfactant(s) and/or the
silicone compound(s) are present in the aqueous composition in a
content of between 0.01 and 10%, better still between 0.05 and 5%
by weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous composition;
[0024] the aqueous composition comprises one or more fatty
substances and/or one or more non-silicone polymers, the fatty
substance(s) preferably being chosen from fatty alcohols, oils, and
plant waxes, and the non-silicone polymer(s) preferably being
chosen from cationic non-silicone polymers; [0025] the aqueous
composition is in the form of an emulsion; [0026] the aqueous
composition appearing to the eye in a single visible phase.
[0027] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a
cosmetic product refill article, comprising a closed package and at
least one cosmetic product refill as described above, in the
package.
[0028] The invention also relates to a hair treatment device,
comprising: [0029] at least one holder, preferably an arm
comprising a housing, [0030] a cosmetic product refill as described
above in all its combinations, which is disposed in a removable
manner in the housing.
[0031] Preferably, the device comprises at least one heating
element.
[0032] Preferably, the refill is disposed in a removable manner in
a housing of the arm.
[0033] The hair treatment device being a hair straightener, notably
a straightening iron.
[0034] Preferably, the hair treatment device comprises two arms
that are able to move relative to one another between a
moved-together configuration for treating the hair and a
spaced-apart configuration for inserting hair to be treated between
said arms.
[0035] According to one variant, at least one of the arms,
preferably each arm, comprises a heating element for the hair to be
treated.
[0036] According to yet another aspect, the invention relates to a
ready-to-assemble hair treatment assembly, comprising: [0037] a
hair treatment device, comprising at least one arm provided with a
heating element for the hair, the hair treatment device comprising,
on one of these arms, a receiving housing suitable for receiving a
cosmetic product refill as described above, and [0038] a cosmetic
product refill article as described above, in all the combinations
thereof.
[0039] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a
method for treating the hair, comprising the step of applying a
cosmetic product as described above to the hair with the aid of the
device according to the invention.
[0040] Preferably, the treatment is carried out by moving the
device along the lock of hair, the arms of said device being held
in the moved-together configuration during said movement.
[0041] The invention may be understood better from reading the
following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative
embodiments thereof and from studying the appended drawing, in
which:
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a hair
treatment device,
[0043] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view on II-II in FIG. 1,
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates, in cross section, examples of applicator
members that can be employed in the hair treatment device in FIG.
1,
[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates tests of the quantity of cosmetic product
delivered by different types of applicator member; and
[0046] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a ready-to-assemble hair
treatment assembly.
[0047] In the rest of the description, identical elements or
elements having 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
different examples being described.
[0048] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the handpiece 2 of an example of a hair
treatment device 1.
[0049] This handpiece 2 has two jaws 3 and 4 that are able to move
with respect to one another between a spaced-apart configuration
(not shown) for the introduction of a lock of hair between said
jaws, and a moved-together configuration for treating the lock of
hair.
[0050] The jaws 3 and 4 are carried by an upper arm 5 and a lower
arm 6, respectively, which, in the example in question, are
connected together at one end by an articulation 8, the handpiece 2
thus forming tongs.
[0051] The upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 each preferably have a total
length of between 22 cm and 37 cm, preferably 31 cm, and define,
between the articulation 8 and the jaws 3 and 4, respective
half-handles 10 and 11 on which the user can press in order to move
the jaws 3 and 4 together.
[0052] An elastic return member (not visible) is preferably
provided to return the jaws 3 and 4 to a spaced-apart
configuration, this elastic return member being for example a
spring disposed around a pin of the articulation 8.
[0053] The invention is not limited to a particular manner of
connecting the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6 together and the jaws 3
and 4 may be rendered able to move in some other way without
departing from the scope of the present invention. However, the
presence of an articulation is largely preferred for the ergonomics
it provides.
[0054] The jaws 3 and 4 define between them a region for treating
the hair, said region being intended to receive a lock of hair to
be treated, the handpiece 2 being moved along said lock during the
treatment, for example in the direction from the root to the end of
the hair.
[0055] In the example in question, the handpiece 2 is configured to
apply a cosmetic product, to treat the hair by way of steam and
then to carry out a heat treatment of the hair by contact with two
hot surfaces of heating elements 15 and 16 that are carried by the
upper arm 5 and the lower arm 6, respectively.
[0056] The direction D of movement of the handpiece 2 over the
hair, illustrated in FIG. 1, is preferably substantially
perpendicular to the upper arm 5 and lower arm 6.
[0057] The handpiece 2 is connected by a line, in the example in
question, to a base station (not shown) that is fixed during the
treatment and is connected to the mains.
[0058] This base station provides electric power to the handpiece 2
and also its supply of water for generating steam, and may also
carry out additional functions of processing electrical signals
received from the handpiece 2. The line 18 which connects the
handpiece 2 to the base station may thus comprise various
electrical conductors and a water supply pipe.
[0059] A user interface (not shown in the figures) may be present
on the handpiece 2 so as to give the user the option for example of
starting up certain components thereof.
[0060] The cosmetic product is applied by a refill 20 carried by
one of the two arms, 5 or 6, in this case the upper arm 5, which
comes into contact with a pressing element 21. The latter may be
removable.
[0061] The refill 20 comprises a body 23 and an applicator member
26 disposed so as to come into contact with the hair extending
through the treatment region.
[0062] The refill 20 may be fastened to the arm 5 or 6 by any
means, notably, as illustrated in FIG. 2, by sliding a rib of the
body 23 into a groove with a complementary shape.
[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the body 23 has a cavity 30 that
opens toward the outside by way of an opening 31 into which the
applicator member 26 is inserted, along an insertion axis X, while
the refill is being manufactured. The body may comprise coupling
reliefs that extend into the cavity 30. The body 23 substantially
has an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis. In cross section,
the body 23 is U-shaped, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 26 may be in
the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. The applicator member 26
thus has a substantially flat face that is intended to be in
contact with the hair to be treated and is parallel to the opposite
surface of the applicator member 26. The dimensions of the
applicator member 26 are thus, for example, 8 mm.times.20
mm.times.90 mm, the face intended to be in contact with the hair
having dimensions of 8 mm.times.90 mm.
[0065] However, FIG. 3 illustrates possible variants of the
applicator member 26. The applicator member 26a thus has a
cruciform cross section, this applicator member 26a having,
compared with the applicator member 26 in FIG. 2, two
parallelepipedal longitudinal ribs 50a, 50b.
[0066] The applicator member 20b for its part has, compared with
the applicator member 26 in FIG. 2, a point 52 intended to be in
contact with the hair 54 to be treated. The point 52 is formed by
two bevels 56a, 56b with opposite orientations.
[0067] The applicator member 26c has, in cross section, an ogival
shape, the rounded end 58 of the give being intended to be oriented
toward the hair 54.
[0068] The applicator member 26d has, compared with the applicator
member 26b, a single bevel 56a. The applicator member 26d thus has
a surface 60, intended to be in contact with the hair 54, that is
parallel to the opposite surface 62 and has limited dimensions.
[0069] Finally, the applicator member 26e has two opposite bevels
56a, 56b that are connected by a central portion 60, intended to be
in contact with the hair 54, which extends substantially parallel
to the opposite surface 62 of the applicator member 26e.
[0070] Other applicator member shapes may also be envisioned,
notably by combining the variants in FIG. 3.
[0071] The applicator member may be made for example of
polyethylene, of polypropylene or of a mixture of polyethylene and
polypropylene. The mixture may notably comprise 50% polyethylene
and 50% polypropylene.
[0072] The applicator member may be made of felt. A felt is,
preferably, a nonwoven material obtained by agglutinating natural
or synthetic fibers.
[0073] The fibers of the felt may be oriented parallel to the
surface of the lock of hair 54 to be treated, the fibers preferably
being oriented substantially in the direction D of passage over the
hair. In one variant, the fibers of the felt of the applicator
member are oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the lock of
hair 54 to be treated, i.e. perpendicularly to the direction D and
to the longitudinal direction of the applicator member 26.
[0074] The applicator member may comprise at least two parts having
different fiber densities and/or fiber orientations. Notably, a
part with a lower fiber density may act as a reservoir, while the
other part, with a higher fiber density, allows more homogeneous
application of cosmetic product to the lock of hair to be treated.
In this way, the variation in quantity of product delivered onto
one and the same lock is reduced, depending on the position on the
lock.
[0075] The applicator member is for example initially saturated
with a volume of cosmetic product greater than 6 ml, preferably
greater than 10 ml and/or less than 14 ml, preferably less than 11
ml. The applicator member has for example a density greater than
0.11 g/cm.sup.3 and/or less than 0.25 g/cm.sup.3.
[0076] The cosmetic product is in this case an aqueous composition,
notably in the form of an emulsion.
[0077] An aqueous composition is understood to be a composition
comprising at least 5% by weight water.
[0078] Preferably, the composition comprises at least 20% by weight
water, more preferably at least 50% by weight water, even more
preferably at least 90% by weight water, relative to the total
weight of the composition.
[0079] The emulsion is preferably direct.
[0080] The solids content of the emulsion is preferably less than
10% by weight.
[0081] The aqueous composition according to the invention
preferably comprises one or more non-silicone surfactants and/or
one or more silicone compounds.
[0082] The surfactants that are usable in the composition may be
anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric, and preferably
cationic.
[0083] Non-silicone surfactants are understood to be surfactants
that do not contain atoms of silicon in their structure.
[0084] In one particular embodiment of the invention, the
composition comprises one or more cationic surfactants chosen from
quaternary ammonium salts.
[0085] When they are present, the non-silicone surfactants are
preferably present in the aqueous composition in a content ranging
from 0.01 to 10%, better still from 0.05 to 5% by weight, relative
to the total weight of the aqueous composition.
[0086] Silicone is understood to mean compounds comprising one or
more atoms of silicon in their structure.
[0087] The cosmetic composition according to the invention may
comprise one or more silicones, which may be solid or liquid, and
volatile or non-volatile.
[0088] The silicones that may be used may be soluble or insoluble
in the composition according to the invention; they may be in the
form of oil, wax, resin or gum; silicone oils and gums are
preferred.
[0089] When they are present, the silicones are preferably present
in the aqueous composition in a content ranging from 0.01 to 10%,
better still from 0.05 to 5% by weight, relative to the total
weight of the aqueous composition.
[0090] The aqueous composition according to the invention may also
comprise one or more ingredients chosen from non-silicone fatty
substances, non-silicone polymers, notably cationic, nonionic,
anionic or amphoteric non-silicone polymers, UV-screening agents,
colorants, pigments, preservatives and fragrances.
[0091] Preferably, the aqueous composition according to the
invention comprises one or more non-silicone fatty substances
and/or one or more non-silicone polymers. More preferably, the
aqueous composition according to the invention comprises one or
more non-silicone fatty substances chosen from fatty alcohols,
natural or synthetic oils or plant waxes and/or one or more
cationic non-silicone polymers.
[0092] If they are present, the non-silicone fatty substances
and/or the non-silicone polymers are preferably present in a
content ranging from 0.05 to 10%, better still from 0.1 to 5% by
weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous
composition.
[0093] The aqueous composition has a viscosity greater than or
equal to 4 centipoise, preferably greater than or equal to 5
centipoise.
[0094] The aqueous composition has a viscosity less than or equal
to 500 centipoise, preferably less than or equal to 100 centipoise.
The viscosity of the aqueous composition is measured at a pressure
of 1.01325 10.sup.5 Pa, at a temperature of 22.degree. C. and at a
shear rate of 1 s.sup.-1. This viscosity may be measured using a
cone/plate viscometer, notably a Haake R600 rheometer or the
like.
[0095] After numerous tests, the inventors have found,
surprisingly, that the combination of a density of the applicator
member as described above and a viscosity of the aqueous
composition as described above makes it possible to deliver a
satisfactory quantity of aqueous composition onto locks of hair to
be treated, at least during the first passes of the applicator
member over the locks of hair to be treated, in order to obtain a
satisfactory cosmetic effect of the aqueous composition on the
hair. This is true notably for the first 70 passes, preferably for
the first 75 passes, of the applicator member over locks of hair to
be treated, these numbers corresponding to the treatment of an
entire head. The passes of the applicator member are understood
here as being passes at a substantially constant speed of 15 s over
locks with a length of 27 cm and a width of 10.5 cm, with a force
of 3 N being applied to the applicator member in the direction of
the lock of hair to be treated.
[0096] The initial quantity of cosmetic product present in the
applicator member preferably corresponds to an initial degree of
filling of the applicator member less than or equal to 90%,
preferably less than or equal to 85%, and better still less than
80%, and greater than or equal to 40%, preferably greater than or
equal to 50%, and better still greater than or equal to 60%.
Specifically, the inventors have found, surprisingly, that, when
the applicator member is not completely saturated with cosmetic
product but rather has a degree of filling as indicated above, the
quantity of cosmetic product delivered on each pass over the hair
to be treated exhibits less significant variations. On account of
the use of refills according to the invention, it is possible to
obtain a more regular, notably more homogeneous cosmetic effect on
all of a user's hair. Of course, the consistency of the quantity of
cosmetic product implies that the conditions of application of the
cosmetic product, notably the speed of passage and the force of
application, are kept substantially constant over the entire period
of use of the hair treatment device.
[0097] The "initial quantity" is understood here to be the quantity
of cosmetic product present in the applicator member before the
first pass over the hair to be treated.
[0098] The "degree of filling of the applicator member" is
understood here to be the ratio between the mass of cosmetic
product effectively present in the applicator member and the
maximum mass of cosmetic product with which the applicator member
can be saturated. This degree of filling is measured at atmospheric
pressure of 1.01325 10.sup.5 Pa and a temperature of 22.degree.
C.
[0099] By way of example, FIG. 4 illustrates the results of tests
of the application of particular aqueous compositions to strips of
paper with the aid of different applicator members.
EXAMPLES
[0100] The following compositions A, B and C were prepared from the
ingredients indicated in the tables below. The concentrations are
expressed as weight percentages of active material in the
composition.
TABLE-US-00001 Ingredients A Stearyl alcohol 1.5 PEG-40
Hydrogenated castor oil 0.8 Dimethicone 2.5 Isopropyl alcohol 0.18
Amodimethicone 0.575 Behentrimonium chloride 0.79 Laureth-4 0.145
Laureth-23 0.105 Fragrance, preservative qs Water qs 100
[0101] The viscosity of this aqueous composition A is 22 centipoise
at 22.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00002 Ingredients B Trideceth-5 0.81 Trideceth-10 0.2025
Polyquaternium-37 0.75 Glycerol 0.4725 PPG-1 Trideceth-6 0.105
PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil 0.8 Amodimethicone 2.025 Propylene
glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate 0.525 Fragrance, preservative qs Water
qs 100
[0102] The viscosity of this aqueous composition B is 280
centipoise at 22.degree. C.
TABLE-US-00003 Ingredients C PEG/PPG/Polybutylene glycol-8/5/3
glycerol 0.2 Polyquaternium-37 0.5 Polyquaternium-11 0.2 Glycerol 3
PPG-1 Trideceth-6 0.07 PEG-40 Hydrogenated castor oil 1.5
Amodimethicone 0.69 Propylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate 0.35
Fragrance, preservative qs Water qs 100
[0103] The viscosity of this aqueous composition C is 87 centipoise
at 22.degree. C.
[0104] The test to which the different samples of applicator
members saturated with cosmetic product are subjected consists in:
[0105] carrying out ten passes of 15 seconds each of the applicator
member over strips of paper of 75 g/m.sup.2 IQ Appeal.RTM. from
Mondigroup, each strip measuring 27 cm in length and 10.5 cm in
width, a force of 3 N being applied to the applicator member, in
the direction of the strip of paper, so as to deliver a first
quantity of aqueous composition onto the ten strips. This first
quantity may be determined for example by weighing the applicator
member before and after the ten passes, the total quantity of
aqueous composition deposited on the ten strips then corresponding
to the difference between the masses measured; [0106] then,
carrying out ten more passes of 15 seconds of the applicator member
over new strips of paper of 75 g/m.sup.2 IQ Appeal.RTM. from
Mondigroup, each strip again measuring 27 cm in length and 10.5 cm
in width, a force of 3 N being applied to the applicator member, in
the direction of the strip of paper, so as to deliver a second
quantity of aqueous composition.
[0107] It should be noted here that it is important to saturate the
strips along their entire length. In other words, the applicator
member is moved over the strip at a speed of around 1.8 cm/s.
[0108] In all cases, the applicator members tested have a
parallelepipedal shape with fibers oriented substantially in a
longitudinal direction of the applicator member, parallel to the
surface to which the aqueous composition is applied. They are
constituted of a mixture of 50% polyethylene and 50%
polypropylene.
[0109] 1.sup.st Sample Tested:
[0110] The first sample tested comprises an applicator member with
a density of 0.1 g/cm.sup.3 saturated to 80% with Aqueous
composition A described above.
[0111] 2.sup.nd Sample Tested:
[0112] The second sample differs from the first only by way of the
density of the applicator member. It is equal to 0.13
g/cm.sup.3.
[0113] 3.sup.rd Sample Tested:
[0114] The third sample differs from the first and second only by
way of the density of the applicator member, which is equal to 0.35
g/cm.sup.3.
[0115] 4.sup.th Sample Tested:
[0116] The fourth sample comprises an applicator member with a
density of 0.13 g/cm.sup.3 saturated to 80% with Aqueous
composition B described above.
[0117] 5.sup.th Sample Tested:
[0118] This final sample comprises an applicator member with a
density of 0.10 g/cm.sup.3 saturated to 80% with Aqueous
composition C described above.
[0119] Bars 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110 in FIG. 4 indicate the first
quantity of aqueous composition deposited with the first, second,
third, fourth and fifth samples, respectively, and correspond to
the following values: 1.82 g, 1.02 g, 0.20 g, 0.36 g and 1.00
g.
[0120] Bars 112, 114, 116, 118 and 120 in FIG. 4 indicate the
second quantity of aqueous composition deposited with the first,
second, third, fourth and fifth samples, respectively, and
correspond to the following values: 1.29 g, 0.78 g, 0.21 g, 0.22 g
and 0.57 g.
[0121] It has been found that the best cosmetic results on hair,
notably a better cosmetic feel and better homogeneity of
deposition, were obtained when the two following criteria are met:
[0122] a deposition of aqueous composition per pass over strips of
paper in the range from 0.5 g to 1.2 g; [0123] the absolute value
of the difference between the first quantity and the second
quantity of aqueous composition is less than 0.5 g.
[0124] It was found that the first sample delivers too large a
quantity of cosmetic product, while the third and fourth samples,
for their part, deliver too small a quantity of cosmetic product.
Therefore, these samples are unsuitable for the desired
application.
[0125] By contrast, the quantities of cosmetic product delivered by
the second and fifth samples are in the desired range. The
difference between the first and second quantities of cosmetic
product for these two samples is 0.24 g and 0.43 g, respectively.
These two samples therefore meet the two sought-after criteria and
can thus be employed in the scope of the desired application.
[0126] The invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiments
that have just been described, the features of which may be
combined with one another within variants that are not
illustrated.
[0127] Thus, the invention relates, for example, to a
ready-to-assemble assembly 200 as illustrated schematically in FIG.
5. This ready-to-assemble assembly 200 comprises a hair treatment
device 1 and a cosmetic product refill article 202. This article
comprises in this case a cosmetic product refill 20 in a package
204 which is closed so as to avoid, notably, any evaporation of the
cosmetic product from the applicator member. In a variant, the
package 204 may comprise a plurality of cosmetic product refills
20. In this case, it is preferred for the package to be able to be
reclosed so that the other cosmetic product refills do not dry out
when a refill is withdrawn from the package. In a variant, in this
case, each individual refill is preserved in an individual package,
inside a package common to the multiple refills.
[0128] Moreover, other aqueous compositions can be employed, as
long as their viscosity is between 5 and 250 centipoise, and
preferably 4 to 100 centipoise, at 22.degree. C. and 1.01325
10.sup.5 Pa at a shear rate of 1 s.sup.-1.
* * * * *