EP1593363A1 - Device for distribution and application of products, especially cosmetic products - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a cosmetic product application unit (3) with an outer wall to be loaded by the product contained in a reservoir (4) in order to distribute the product. The wall rotates around a single axis of rotation (X). A motor directly or indirectly drives in rotation the application unit around the axis through movement transmission units. The outer wall is disposed near the reservoir. Independent claims are also included for the following: (A) a kit comprising a cosmetic product distributing and applying device (B) a method to apply a product on a body surface.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a device for dispensing and applying a product, especially a cosmetic and / or care product.

By "cosmetic product" is meant within the meaning of the present invention a product as defined in Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993 amending Directive 76/768 / EEC.

No. 3,994,290 discloses a massage device comprising a rotary massage unit driven in rotation by a motor and carrying a plurality of balls mounted freely on it. Product contained in a container may be dispensed to the beads via conduits.

Also known from US Patent 5,725,483 a massage device comprising a motor rotating a plurality of hemispherical elements of massage. This device is provided with a reservoir of product that can feed, thanks to a pump, brushes arranged at the periphery of the hemispherical elements, through holes at the base of these brushes.

US Pat. No. 5,105,802 discloses a device comprising a rotary head carrying a plurality of balls and driven by a motor. The rotating head defines a space in which product can be distributed in contact with the balls. These are rotatably mounted on the head and can be rotated on themselves by the engine. The balls are thus animated with a movement resulting from the composition of two rotations around distinct axes.

DE 20 11 173 discloses a massage device comprising rollers pivotally mounted on a support, which is rotated by coupling a motor to a portion of the support. The rollers are thus rotary around two parallel and distinct axes of rotation.

Application EP 0 940 100 discloses a pair of scissors comprising rolls fixed on each branch of the pair. The rollers are rotatable around their own axis of symmetry as well as around the axis of articulation of the pair of scissors.

The aforementioned devices have relatively complex structures.

The present invention aims in particular to provide a distribution device and the application of a product which has a relatively simple structure and which facilitates the product distribution.

• un organe d'application comportant une paroi extérieure apte à se charger en produit contenu dans le réservoir en vue de le distribuer, cette paroi pouvant tourner autour d'un unique axe de rotation,
• un moteur d'entraínement de l'organe d'application en rotation autour dudit axe.

The invention responds in particular to this need by means of a device for dispensing and applying a product contained in a reservoir, this device comprising:

• an applicator member comprising an outer wall capable of being loaded with the product contained in the reservoir for the purpose of dispensing it, this wall being able to rotate about a single axis of rotation,
• a drive motor of the application member rotated about said axis.

Thanks to the invention, the rotational drive of the outer wall of the application member can be provided by a reduced number of parts because this rotation is performed around a single axis of rotation.

Thus, the device can have a relatively simple structure and a small footprint.

Furthermore, the outer wall of the applicator member may be arranged to proximity of the product tank, which makes it possible to avoid the presence of specific conduits for conveying product from the tank to this outer wall.

The motor can drive the rotating application member directly or indirectly, for example by means of motion transmission members, for example to reduce the speed of rotation and increase the torque.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the outer wall has a symmetry substantially of revolution around an axis of symmetry, the outer wall which can be rotatable around this axis of symmetry.

In a variant, the applicator member may be rotatable about an axis of rotation distinct from this axis of symmetry.

The outer wall of the applicator member may have a shape substantially ellipsoidal elongate or, alternatively, a substantially ellipsoidal shape flattened.

In another embodiment of the invention, the outer wall has a substantially spherical shape.

The outer wall may be elastically deformable, being made by example elastomer.

The applicator member may comprise a core on which the outer wall. This core may comprise for example a surface provided with reliefs and the outer wall can be adapted to deform during application to come into contact landforms. These allow to produce a massage effect when the organ application is in contact with the surface to be treated, which can, among other things, facilitate the penetration of the product into the skin and promote its action.

The outer wall may, alternatively, be rigid.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the outer wall comprises reliefs, which may comprise for example bosses.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the application member has at least one housing adapted to receive an organ fixing member application on the device.

The applicator member may comprise at least one toothed surface capable of being coupled to the engine. This toothed surface may be located in the aforementioned housing and the motor can extend at least partially into the housing, thereby reducing the size of the device.

The aforementioned housing may extend substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the application member.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the application member has a core comprising inner and outer cylinders, the inner cylinder having a toothed surface and the outer cylinder of the reliefs on its outer surface.

Advantageously, the application member is removably mounted on the device.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the product reservoir comprises at least one outlet orifice and the outer wall of the applicator member is disposed in contact or substantially in contact with the outlet.

The reservoir may comprise a wall on which the outlet orifice opens, this wall substantially conforming to the shape of at least a portion of the organ application. This wall of the tank may for example be concave towards the outside. When the outer wall of the applicator member is elastically deformable, this outer wall is advantageously applied to the outlet orifice with a certain constraint. Thus, when the device is not used, the outer wall of the organ application is used to seal this outlet.

The tank may have a variable internal volume and comprise at least an elastically deformable wall to reduce the internal volume, in particular two elastically deformable walls facing one another.

The reservoir can be arranged to be removably mounted on the device so as to allow, when the tank is emptied, to replace it with a the other, or to remove it to fill it, when the tank has a filling.

The device may comprise a switch connected to the motor and arranged by example under an elastically deformable wall of the device

The device may comprise a compartment for housing at least one battery, this compartment being for example articulated on the rest of the device

The device may comprise only one application member.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the application member turns relative to the tank.

This reservoir may for example be outside the application member.

The product may be a cosmetic product, for example a gel or a liquid, especially a low viscosity liquid.

• un dispositif tel que défini ci-dessus,
• une pluralité d'organes d'application, ces organes d'application étant agencés pour être montés sélectivement et de manière amovible sur le dispositif

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a kit comprising:

• a device as defined above,
• a plurality of application members, these application members being arranged to be mounted selectively and removably on the device

The application members may comprise different reliefs that may apply, directly or indirectly, to a surface to be treated. So, according to example the desired massage effect, the user selects the application member having reliefs adapted to achieve this massage effect.

Another subject of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an organ application intended to be rotatably and removably mounted on a device such as supra.

Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, a reservoir of product intended to be mounted on the device as mentioned above, the reservoir comprising a concave wall to the outside and on which opens at least one outlet port.

• fournir un kit tel que défini plus haut,
• sélectionner un organe d'application,
• monter l'organe d'application ainsi sélectionné sur le dispositif,
• appliquer du produit sur le corps à l'aide de cet organe d'application.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a method for applying a product to a surface of the body, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

• provide a kit as defined above,
• select an application organ,
• mount the application member thus selected on the device,
• apply product on the body using this application member.

• un organe d'application rotatif comportant une paroi extérieure élastiquement déformable apte à se charger en produit contenu dans le réservoir,
• un moteur d'entraínement de l'organe d'application.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also a device for dispensing and applying a product contained in a reservoir, the device comprising:

• a rotary application member comprising an elastically deformable outer wall capable of being loaded with the product contained in the reservoir,
• a drive motor of the application member.

The application member advantageously comprises a core having reliefs, the elastically deformable wall being able to deform to come into contact landforms.

• un organe d'application rotatif comportant une paroi extérieure ayant une forme sensiblement ellipsoïdale allongée et apte à se charger en produit contenu dans le réservoir,
• un moteur d'entraínement de l'organe d'application.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also a device for dispensing and applying a product contained in a reservoir, the device comprising:

• a rotary application member comprising an outer wall having a substantially ellipsoidal elongated shape and able to be loaded with the product contained in the reservoir,
• a drive motor of the application member.

• un organe d'application rotatif comportant une paroi extérieure apte à se charger en produit contenu dans le réservoir, l'organe d'application comportant en outre au moins un logement pour recevoir un organe de fixation de l'organe d'application sur le dispositif,
• un moteur d'entraínement de l'organe d'application.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also a device for dispensing and applying a product contained in a reservoir, the device comprising:

• a rotary application member having an outer wall adapted to be loaded with product contained in the reservoir, the applicator member further comprising at least one housing for receiving a fastener of the applicator member on the device ,
• a drive motor of the application member.

• un réservoir de volume intérieur variable contenant du produit et comportant au moins une paroi élastiquement déformable permettant de réduire le volume intérieur,
• un organe d'application rotatif comportant une paroi extérieure apte à se charger en produit contenu dans le réservoir,
• un moteur d'entraínement de l'organe d'application.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is also a device for dispensing and applying a product, the device comprising:

• a reservoir of variable internal volume containing product and comprising at least one elastically deformable wall making it possible to reduce the internal volume,
• a rotary application member comprising an outer wall that can be loaded with the product contained in the reservoir,
• a drive motor of the application member.

The device may thus be devoid of, for example, a pump for dispensing the product contained in the tank.

• la figure 1 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en élévation, un dispositif de distribution et d'application conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe axiale, le dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, le dispositif de la figure 1, le réservoir de produit étant partiellement retiré,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique et partielle, en coupe suivant IV-IV, du dispositif de la figure 3,
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent, schématiquement et partiellement, un réservoir de produit conforme à deux exemples de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique et partielle, en perspective, d'un organe de fixation du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 8 est une vue schématique et partielle, en coupe transversale, de l'organe d'application du dispositif de la figure 1,
• la figure 9 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe transversale, l'engrènement de l'axe du moteur avec l'organe d'application dans une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 10 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, en coupe longitudinale, l'organe d'application du dispositif de la figure 1, lorsque cet organe d'application est appliqué sur une surface à traiter, et
• la figure 11 représente, schématiquement et partiellement, un dispositif de distribution et d'application conforme à un autre exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention.

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

• FIG. 1 represents, schematically and partially, in elevation, a distribution and application device according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents, schematically and partially, in axial section, the device of FIG.
• FIG. 3 represents, schematically and partially, the device of FIG. 1, the product reservoir being partially removed,
• FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic and partial view, in section along IV-IV, of the device of FIG. 3,
• Figures 5 and 6 show, schematically and partially, a product tank according to two examples of implementation of the invention,
• FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic and partial view, in perspective, of a fastener of the device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic and partial view, in cross section, of the applicator member of the device of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 9 represents, schematically and partially, in cross section, the engagement of the axis of the motor with the applicator member in a variant embodiment;
• FIG. 10 represents, schematically and partially, in longitudinal section, the applicator member of the device of FIG. 1, when this applicator member is applied to a surface to be treated, and
• Figure 11 shows, schematically and partially, a dispensing device and application according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a distribution and application device 1 according to the invention, comprising a body 2 on which an organ is mounted. 3 and a product tank 4.

In the example considered, the body 2 is made of thermoplastic material. In variant, it can be made of any other material, for example metal.

The body 2 comprises in the upper part a head 6 forming a housing 7 extending along an axis X and intended to receive the application element 3.

The housing 7 has a perforated bottom wall 8 and having a shape substantially concave upwards, as can be seen in FIG.

The head 6 has two lateral portions 10 and 11 traversed by respective openings 12 and 13, substantially cylindrical axis X.

The housing 7 is open at its upper part so as to leave unobstructed substantially one half of the applicator member 3, as can be seen in FIG.

The body 2 further comprises, in the example under consideration, below the head 6, two arms 15 extending along a Y axis perpendicular to the X axis.

The reservoir 4 is placed in a detachable manner between the two arms 15, as explained later.

The application member 3 comprises a core 19 comprising two cylinders coaxial interior 20 and outer 21, of axis X.

The inner cylinder 20 may comprise a first relief, for example a longitudinal rib 22, engaging in a second relief of complementary shape, by a groove 23, of the outer cylinder 21, as illustrated in FIG. immobilizing the cylinders 20 and 21 in rotation when assembled.

The inner cylinder 20 may comprise a perforated transverse wall 27, inside, perpendicular to the X axis and having a toothed surface 28 at the level of the day.

The cylinder 20 deflects on both sides of the transverse wall 27 two housings 30 and 31 for receiving respectively two fasteners 33 and 34, made for example of thermoplastic material.

The fasteners 33 and 34 comprise in the example considered each a cylindrical body 36 of X axis provided with lugs 39, as illustrated in FIG. concerning the fastener 34.

Each fastener 33 or 34 is introduced through an opening 12 or 13 corresponding to the head 6, in the associated housing 30 or 31 of the core 19, so to allow the application member 3 to be held rotatably about the X axis.

The fasteners 33 and 34 can be locked on the portions 10 and 11 by the cooperation of the lugs 39 in recesses 40 made on these side portions 10 and 11.

In the example described, after locking, the fasteners 33 and 34 are locked in rotation relative to the portions 10 and 11.

The locking of the fasteners 33 and 34 on these portions 10 and 11 can be obtained for example by a rotation of the members 33 and 34 by a predetermined angle, for example a quarter turn.

This rotation can be performed for example by means of a specific tool cooperating with a groove 45 made on a head 46 of the fastener 33, 34, as shown in Figure 7.

The fasteners 33 and 34 can be unlocked and removed, if applicable.

The fastener 33 carries an electric motor 50 provided with an element 51, in the form of a pinion in the example. This body 51 is engaged on the toothed surface 28 of the cylinder 20 to drive the application member 3 rotated about the axis X.

In the example considered, the motor 50 directly drives the body application 3.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9, it is possible to interpose between the pinion 51 of the motor 50 and a toothed surface 28 'of the application member 3, a satellite 53.

The motor 50 is powered by a power supply, for example one or several batteries or accumulators 54 housed in a compartment 55 made in a 56 cover hinged on the body 2. This cover 56 may comprise a tab of closing 57 adapted to snap into a recess 58 made on the body 2, as one can see it in figure 3.

The power supply is connected to the motor 50 via wires 60 housed in an arm 15 of the body 2, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The device 1 may comprise a switch 61 for controlling the operation of the motor 50, this switch 61 being disposed on one of the arms 15 and covered for example by an elastically deformable wall 62.

The outer cylinder 21 has on its outer face a plurality of reliefs 65, the latter being constituted in the example in question by bosses.

The applicator member 3 further comprises an outer wall 25 capable of loading into the product contained in the tank 4 and having in the example considered a substantially ellipsoidal shape, elongate with axis X.

The outer wall 25 is for example in the form of a sleeve elastically deformable, made of elastomer.

In the example under consideration, the outer wall 25 has at its ends flanges 26 immobilizing it axially on the core 19.

The outer wall 25 could be fixed on the core 19 by any other means, for example by gluing.

As can be seen in FIG. 10, when the application member 3 is brought into contact with a surface S to be treated, for example the skin, the wall elastically deformable 25 is locally compressed, so that it bears on the bosses 65. These exert on the surface S a massage effect through the outer wall 25, during the rotation of the applicator member 3.

In the example considered, the tank 4 has a variable internal volume and comprises two elastically deformable walls 70 arranged facing one of the other, as shown in Figure 4.

The tank 4 has an upper wall 71, concave upwards, and provided with one or more outlets 72.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, this or these outlet orifices 72 may be under the form of slots, for example parallel. In a variant, the outlet orifice (s) could be any other form, being for example circular.

The reservoir 4 may furthermore comprise a filling orifice 73, for example example opposite the outlet or openings.

The filling orifice 73 may for example be closed by a screw cap, snapped, or on a neck 74 of the tank 4, as illustrated in FIG.

Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the filling orifice 73 can be closed by a cap engaging, for example by friction, in an inner skirt 75 of the tank 4.

In the example considered, the tank 4 has on its lateral sides two longitudinal grooves 77 intended to engage each on a longitudinal rib 78 performed on an arm 15, so as to guide the reservoir 4 during the establishment of the latter on the body 2, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The lid 56 is in the open position during the installation of the reservoir on the body 2, as shown in Figure 3. This cover 56 is brought into position closed once the reservoir 4 in place on the body 2, as shown in Figure 1.

When the reservoir 4 is in place on the body 2, the upper wall 71 of the tank 4 is positioned in the ajour of the bottom wall 8 of the housing 7. This upper wall 71 of the tank 4 is shaped to match the outer wall 25 of the implementing body 3.

The outer wall 25 of the applicator member 3 is applied to the wall upper tank 71 with some constraint, so that it can be loaded with the product directly from the outlet orifice (s) 72 and close this or these in the absence of use, which improves the conservation of the product.

The tank 4 may optionally include a closure element of the or outlets 72, for example a removable film, to be removed before the first use.

The reservoir 4 contains a cosmetic product, for example a gel or a liquid, especially a low viscosity liquid.

To apply the product, the user starts the motor 50, which causes rotation of the applicator member 3 about the X axis.

In contact with the surface S to be treated, as illustrated in FIG. 10, the wall 25 of the application member 3 is compressed, and can come into contact with the bosses 65.

These produce a massage effect on the surface S.

The outer wall 25 may be loaded with product through the orifice (s) outlet 72 of the tank 4, pressing on the walls 70.

The applicator member 3 being removably mounted on the container, it it is possible, if necessary, to replace it with another having for example bosses 65 of different shape and / or size, so as to provide a different massage effect.

The device 1 can thus be provided with a plurality of application members 3 in a kit.

Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the wall outer member 25 of the applicator member 3 has a shape other than a shape ellipsoidal elongated.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the device 85 may comprise an organ 80 having an outer wall 80a having a shape substantially spherical.

This applicator member 80 has housings 30 and 31 enabling it to be accommodate not shown fasteners.

The applicator member 80 is mounted on a support 81 traversed by an orifice 82 single output.

The support 81 is fixed on a neck 87 of a container 86 forming a reservoir for the product.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation examples which have just been described.

It is for example possible to provide an application member with a soul consisting for example of a single cylinder, and the outer wall 25, in particular rigid or no, may carry reliefs, in particular bosses, intended to provide an effect of massage.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the expression "Comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least a ", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (31)

Device (1; 85) for dispensing and applying a product contained in a reservoir (4; 86), the device comprising: an applicator member (3; 80) having an outer wall (25; 80a) adapted to be loaded with product contained in the reservoir (4; 86) for dispensing it, said wall (25; 80a) being rotatable about a single axis of rotation (X), a drive motor (50) of the application member rotated about said axis (X). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer wall (25; 80a) has a symmetry substantially of revolution about an axis of symmetry (X). Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer wall (25; 80a) is rotatable about said axis of symmetry (X). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (25) has a substantially elongate ellipsoidal shape. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outer wall (80a) has a substantially spherical shape. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall (25) is elastically deformable. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the outer wall is made of elastomer. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (3) comprises a core (19) to which the outer wall (25) is attached. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the core (19) has a surface provided with reliefs (65) and in that the outer wall (25) is adapted to deform during application to come to contact of the reliefs (65). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer wall comprises reliefs. Device according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the reliefs comprise bosses (65). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (3; 80) comprises at least one housing (30; 31) adapted to receive a fixing member (33; 34) of the application member (3; 80) on the device Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the motor (50) extends at least partially in the housing (33; 34). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application member (3) comprises at least one toothed surface (28; 28 ') adapted to be coupled to the motor (50). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (3) comprises a core (19) with two inner (20) and outer (21) cylinders, the inner cylinder (20) comprising a toothed surface (28) meshing with the motor and the outer cylinder (21) having reliefs (65) on its outer surface. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (3; 80) is removably mounted on the device. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product container (4) has at least one outlet (72; 82) and that the outer wall (25; 80a) of the application member is disposed in contact or substantially in contact with the outlet. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reservoir comprises a wall (71) on which opens or the outlet orifices (72), this wall substantially conforming to the shape of at least a portion of the body of application. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said wall (71) of the tank is concave outwards. Device according to any one of claims 17 to 19, the outer wall of the applicator member being elastically deformable, characterized in that the outer wall (25) is applied to the outlet orifice (s) (72). ) with some constraint. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (4) has a variable internal volume and comprises at least one elastically deformable wall (70) for reducing the internal volume. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (4) is removably mounted on the device. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reservoir (4) comprises a filling orifice (73). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a cosmetic product. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the product is a gel. Device according to Claim 25, characterized in that the product is a liquid, in particular a low-viscosity liquid. Kit comprising: a device (1; 85) as defined in any one of the preceding claims, a plurality of application members (3), the latter being arranged to be mounted selectively and removably on the device Kit according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the application members comprise different reliefs. Application member for rotatably and removably mounted on a device as defined in any one of claims 1 to 27. Product tank for mounting on a device according to one of any of claims 1 to 27, the tank having a concave wall (71) towards outside and on which opens at least one outlet (72). Method for applying a product to a surface (S) of the body, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: provide a kit according to one of claims 27 and 28, select an application member (3; 80), mount the selected application member on the device, apply product on the body using this application member.

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