ES2312734T3 - DRIVING AND APPLICATION DEVICE OF A PRODUCT, MAINLY OF A NAIL ENAMEL SOLVENT. - Google Patents

Abstract

The packaging and application device comprises a container (10), a porous or fibrous application part (20) able to communicate with the product through a passage (45). The passage opening/closing part comprises a movable part able to rotate about the container axis (X) between passage closed and open positions. A closing plug (50) is fixed by means of a thread (54) on the opening/closing part so as to constitute a closed housing (51) for the application part. An Independent claim is included for a use of the device for removing nail varnish.

Description

Drive and application device a product, mainly of a nail polish solvent.

The present invention relates to a product conditioning and application device, mainly a fluid product, such as for example a nail polish solvent.

Solvent products of nail polish they are conditioned most of the time in jars and require the use of a cotton for application. exist also solvent impregnated tongues presenting the advantage of being more easily transportable. However, these two application types have the inconvenience of removing Hardly the enamel present on the nail of a hand without spoil the enamel of the other nails of both hands, in particular hand with which you have cotton or tongue. Now, it often happens that only the nail polish and it is not necessary to remove the enamel only of this nail without replenishing the set of both hands. Of the same way, when you want to remove the nail polish from your fingers of the foot, the use of a cotton or an impregnated tongue of solvent removes nail polish from the hand with which it It has cotton or tongue.

This is the reason why the need to make an application device for a product nail polish solvent that allows you to remove the polish from a single nail, if desired, without removing the other nails.

In particular, the need for make a device of the type comprising a container that it contains the product and an application organ suitable for being in communication with the product contained in the container through a step that may be covered or closed in response to actuation of an intermediate element arranged between the Application organ and container.

Numerous application devices of this type have already been described for other types of products.

In particular, US 4,279,527 describes a device comprising a bottle on which it is Screwed a solidary ring of an applicator brush. When he ring is screwed to the maximum on the jar, the brush is insulated inside the bottle, since a projection clogs a hole of communication between the bottle and the brush. To use the device, the user unscrews the ring, allowing to lengthen  the hole of the projection and thus decouple it to allow the passage of the product that comes from the bottle to the brush. In this device, no closure plug is intended to comb the brush in the closed position, such that the brush is not protected.

US 2,409,933 describes in one of these embodiments, a bottle comprising an orifice of closed outlet beyond the longitudinal axis of the bottle, and that is topped by an applicator provided with an inlet hole also formed beyond the longitudinal axis of the bottle. This a plug is provided to comb the applicator in the closed position. In the closed position, the two holes are displaced in such a way so that the product cannot reach the applicator. To put the Applicator in communication with the product, the user removes the cap, then rotate the applicator to place the two holes facing each other. To close the device, the user must first turn the applicator to move the two holes and replace the cap below. Then they are two independent movements are needed both to open and to close the device

On certain devices, the cap that serves to protect the applicator is also used to close the step that allows communication between the inside of the container and the applicator This is the case mainly of the device described in US 3,106,742, in which the thread of the closure plug involves the introduction of the solidarity ring of the applicator. Do not However, the communication of the applicator with the interior of the container must be done by hand, that is, the user you must first unscrew the cap, then pull the ring in order to decouple the passage between the inside of the bowl and applicator.

In other devices, the opening of the cap involves the communication of the applicator with the product Container content This is the case mainly of devices described in US 5,230,579 and US 3,281,887. In this document US 5,230,579, the cap is opened moving it in translation along the longitudinal axis of the device. During its opening, the plug drags, by friction on an intermediate piece worn by the applicator, the displacement of this piece and the decoupling of a hole from step that allows the applicator to communicate with the product contained inside the container. To interrupt communication between the applicator and the product inside the container, the user can use the cap to introduce along the longitudinal axis the intermediate piece that carries the applicator In US 3,281,887, the cap is screwed on the container, under a bellows formed in the neck of the container. In this position, the bellows is compressed. When unscrew the cap, the bellows stops and a hole is decoupled allowing the applicator to communicate with the product inside the container. When it curls up again the cap on the container, the bellows is compressed and close the hole again.

In these two devices, the setting in communication of the applicator with the product inside the container are made by moving, according to the longitudinal axis of container, a piece that the applicator carries. Now when apply the product on an area to be treated, pressure is exerted on the applicator along this axis, although the through hole has tendency to close during product application, which is not It is, at all, desirable.

Patent application FR 2 681 050 describes a spout device provided with a plug, whose Screwing / unscrewing involves opening / closing the beak. Without However, such a spout is not an adapter for the application of a solvent product for nail polish to remove enamel on one one. In addition, unscrewing the cap implies peak displacement for opening thanks to the presence of Highlights on the side wall of the peak. Such configuration does not allows, when the beak is closed by hand, screw again the cap on the bottle because of the presence of Highlights

Therefore, one of the objects of the invention it consists of making a conditioning device and of application of a fluid product that does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, an object of the invention It consists of making a device that allows to remove the enamel of nails of a nail without spoiling the enamel of the other nails.

Still another object of the invention consists in make a device that can be easily used and that allow to condition the product and the applicator by isolating the product applicator contained in the container.

Another object of the invention also consists in making such a device that allows to change the application body without the risk of product leakage outside the container.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved making a conditioning device and application of a cosmetic product, comprising:

to)

a longitudinal axis container X containing the product cosmetic;

b)

a porous or fibrous application organ suitable for being in communication with the product contained in the container through one step;

C)

a opening / closing passage organ comprising a moving part in rotation around the X axis in relation to the container, between a first position, in which the passage is blocked, and a second position, in which the passage is open;

d)

a closing cap suitable for fixing, by means of a thread, on the opening / closing body, in order to constitute a housing closed by the application body, where a movement Rotation of the cap around the X axis is suitable for opening and close the pass.

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A device of this type of shape relatively elongated and comprising an application body Porous or fibrous allows to easily apply the product on a nail to remove the enamel without the fingers that have the device in contact with the product, in such a way so that the nails of this hand are not damaged. In addition, the application body allows to increase the surface that is applied on an area to be treated and that contains product totally limiting product spill out of the container, mainly in the In case the product is very fluid. This way, you can use an application body that has a surface area of application relatively close to that of a nail to remove quickly enamel without product spilling so Too abundant on the nail. On the other hand, the organ of application also allows to remove the enamel dissolved by the friction solvent of the application surface on the a.

The use of the cap to open and close the communication step allows to obtain an easy device to use that you only need a single gesture for both the opening As for closing the device. In addition, this allows guarantee the user that, as soon as the cap is closed, the application body is conditioned without being in communication with the product contained in the container. Is avoided so that the application body is constantly impregnated with product.

In addition, to close the step, it is necessary make a rotation movement, since a simple pressure exerted on the application body along an axis, mainly during product application, it is not enough to close the He passed. The application body can be fed, therefore, always for the product that comes from the container during application of the application body on the area to be treated.

Advantageously, the mobile part of the element of opening / closing is able to move independently of the plug. The passage can be closed in this way to prevent the product spilling out of the container without the closure cap be repositioned This mainly allows to change the organ of application to arrange a new one without risk of leakage of product.

Advantageously still, the cap is suitable for curl over the opening / closing body whatever the position of the mobile part of the opening / closing organ. So, in the if the step has been closed again by moving the opening / closing element, for example, to replace an organ of application, it is not necessary to open the step again by moving by hand the opening / closing element to be able to screw the cap again, as is the case in the device described in the patent application FR 2 681 050.

According to one embodiment, the mobile part of the opening / closing element is mobile relative to the container only in rotation around the X axis, the passage being formed beyond the X axis.

According to another embodiment, the movement of rotation of the mobile part of the opening / closing element with relation to the vessel is accompanied by a movement of translation along the X axis. The moving part of the element of opening / closing can then be mobile in relation to the container by means of a thread.

The step can be blocked by the cooperation of a wall, for example a projection, formed on a fixed part of the opening / closing member and of a hole formed in the part Mobile opening / closing body.

Advantageously, the application body is fixedly removable in the device. Therefore you can be replaced as the device is used, for example If it is contaminated.

The device may then comprise a accommodation containing at least a second application body, preferably a reservation of several application bodies. He housing may then be formed in the closure cap.

The application body can be a block of foam, mainly from an open cell foam. The foam it can be a polyurethane foam (PU), from NBR (nitrile-butadiene-rubber), from SBR (styrene-butadiene-rubber) or EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer). The foam is advantageously soft, to facilitate the enamel taking.

The container can comprise a rune wall deformable In this way, the product can be driven up to the application body by a simple pressure exerted on the vessel wall Well understood, when using a product very fluid, as is often the case with solvents, it can also spill from inside the container to the organ of application solely by gravity. The user can press on the deformable wall if you want to make the product more quickly. Alternatively, you can use a rigid wall container in which the product is expels the application body only by gravity.

The device is configured in a way advantageous to allow product application on the nail.

The product contained in the container is a cosmetic product, mainly a make-up composition of keratin materials, in particular an enamel solvent Of nails.

The device of the invention is particularly useful for nail make-up removal.

The invention consists, set aside the provisions explained above, in a number of other  provisions that will be explained below, on the subject of non-limiting embodiments described with reference to the attached figures, among which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the conditioning and application device according to invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view ordinate of the device of figure 1.

Figure 3 represents in partial axial section the device of figure 1, in the closed position.

Figure 4 represents in partial axial section the device of figure 1, in the process of opening.

Figure 5 represents in partial axial section the device of figure 1, in the open position.

Figure 6 represents a view from above according to arrow 6 of the ring of the device of figure 2.

Figure 7 represents in axial section the device applicator represented in the Figure 1.

Figure 8 represents in axial section a variant of the device of figure 1.

Figure 9 represents a view from above of the device applicator holder represented in Figure 8, which does not contain an applicator.

Figure 10 represents in axial section a second embodiment of a device according to the invention, in the closed position; Y

Figure 11 represents in axial section the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in opening position

Throughout the description, the terms "from above "and" high position "," from below "and" position low "designate, respectively, oriented positions in each case, towards the upper or lower part of the figures.

A figure 1 to 7 has been shown conditioning and application device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a container 10, an applicator 20 solidarity of the vessel through a ring 30 and a applicator holder 40, as well as a closure cap 50. The container contains a fluid product, for example a product nail polish solvent.

In the illustrated example, the container 10 It has an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis X and comprises a body, formed by a side wall 11 and a bottom 12. The container also includes a neck 14 of X axis and section circular cross. The side wall 11 is deformable elastically and connected to the neck 14 through a landing 13 which defines a flat annular surface. The neck 14 is provided with three projections 15 angularly spaced provided, as you will see in detail below, to keep ring 30 on the container. The container 10 is made, for example, of matter plastic, for example in polyethylene, and is obtained through Molding from one piece.

Ring 30 is fixed by crimping on the neck 14 of the container by means of a fixing skirt 31, cylindrical revolution. The fixing skirt 31 comprises three holes 32, angularly spaced over the inner surface of the skirt, and each of which receives a projection 15 of the bowl neck Ring 30 is thus mounted on the container without being able to move in relation to it, or in transition along the X axis, nor in rotation around the X axis.

The fixing skirt 31 of the ring 30 is connected at its top, by an annular transverse wall 34, to a sealing gasket, concentric with the fixing skirt 31. The sealing gasket comprises a first portion 35a which extends parallel to the X axis to a lower free edge. This portion of the seal 35a is provided for inserted inside the neck 14 of the container applying against the inner surface of the neck. The skirt of sealing comprises a second portion 35b formed in the axial extension of the first portion, above the wall transverse annular 34, and cooperating with the applicator holder 40, as will be seen in detail later.

A protrusion 36 of conical trunk shape is formed on the X axis. The shoulder is connected to the gasket of tightness by three radial legs 37, angularly spaced and that delimit, with the internal surface of the board of tightness, openings 38 that allow the passage of the product. The shoulder 36 axially overflows the seal and ends at an upper end 36a intended to stay in a hole 45 provided in the applicator holder 40 for interrupt communication between the applicator and the product contained inside the container.

The fixing skirt 31 of the ring comprises, on its outer surface, two projections 33 diametrically opposites and intended to cooperate with a thread provided on the applicator holder 40, to allow the applicator holder move relative to the ring and put the applicator 20 in communication with the product contained in the inside of the container The cooperation of the ring and applicator holder constitutes an organ of opening / closing of the step that allows communication between the applicator and the product contained inside the container.

The applicator holder 40 is mounted on the ring by means of a fixing skirt 41 cylindrical revolution. The fixing skirt 41 comprises a first thread 42 on its internal surface that cooperates with the projections 33 of the ring. This cooperation allows screwing and unscrew the applicator holder over the ring between a first position, called a low position, and a second position position, called high position. The first thread 42 is interrupted, in the inner portion of the skirt 41, to constitute a stop 42a for the projections 33 in order to prevent the applicator holder separates from the ring at the end of unscrewed, that is, in the high position of the pota-applicator on the ring. In the low position of the applicator holder on the ring, the screwed It is also limited as will be seen in detail below.

The fixing skirt 41 also includes a second thread 43 on its outer surface that allows the fixing the closure cap 50.

The fixing skirt 41 applicator holder is extended at the top by a conical trunk wall 44 to a hole 45, formed on the X axis, which leads to a support 46 for the applicator 20. The support 46 of the applicator is formed by a annular transverse wall 46a ending at the periphery by a side wall 46b extending parallel to the X axis to a upper free edge.

To prevent the product from spilling into the thread 42, a sealing gasket 47, cylindrical of revolution, which extends parallel to the X axis from the wall conical trunk to a lower free edge. This board of tightness 47 is provided to come into tight contact with the upper portion 35b of the sealing ring of the ring on the one that slides axially during the movement of the applicator holder between its high and low positions. In the low position, the seal 47 rests against the annular transverse wall 34 of the ring, thereby limiting the introduction of the applicator holder during screwed in order to prevent the fixing skirt 41 penetrate the landing 13 of the container.

The applicator 20, mounted on the support 46, has the shape of a flattened cylinder of slightly cross section greater than the cross section of the support 46, such that the side wall 46b keeps it laterally, allowing remove it axially when you want to change it. When the applicator is mounted on the support, axially overflows above the side wall 46b of the support. It consists of a block of open cell foam, mainly a foam relatively soft polyurethane. Advantageously, the applicator is removably mounted on its support to be removed easily without being damaged outside its support and replaced by a new applicator or by the same applicator that has been cleaned, for example.

In the closed position of the device, the applicator 20 is housed in a closed housing 51 bounded, in part, by the closure cap 50 provided for combing the applicator. The cap 50 is constituted by a peripheral skirt 52, cylindrical revolution, closed in its upper part by a transverse wall 53. The internal surface of the skirt 52 comprises a thread 54 provided to cooperate with the thread 43 of the fixing skirt 41 of the applicator holder. The lower free edge of the skirt 52 abuts against the landing 13 of the container, to prevent the applicator
20 is compressed in the closed position by the transverse wall 53 of the plug in case of excessive tightening.

In order that the threading / unscrewing of the cap 50 involves threading / unscrewing the pota-applicator 40, the effort exerted laterally by the cap 50 on the applicator holder 40 is more important than the effort exerted by the applicator holder 40 on the ring 30. For this purpose, a more important adjustment of the cap on the applicator holder that applicator holder on the ring. In one way alternative or complementary, appropriate materials are selected to constitute the different pieces, playing mainly with their  coefficient of friction or even with its surface state. Well understood, the lateral effort exerted by the plug on the applicator holder should allow you even then to be screwed easily.

In the closed position shown in the figure 3, the cap 50 is screwed on the applicator holder through the cooperation of complementary threads 54 and 43 provided, respectively, on the cap and on the applicator holder. He applicator holder 40 is in low position with in relation to the ring 30, that is, the projections 33 are in the upper part of the thread 42. The upper end 36a of the shoulder 36 it is housed in hole 45 provided in the applicator holder to prevent any communication of the product contained in the container with the applicator.

To open the device, the user moves the cap 50 in rotation relative to the container, which implies, at first, the unscrewing of the applicator holder and axial displacement of the applicator holder in relation to the ring, as has been depicted in figure 4. The applicator holder 40 it is then in a high position in relation to ring 30, that is, the projections 33 are in the lower part of the thread 42 and lean against the end 42a of the thread. Hole 45 it is then decoupled to allow communication of the product contained in the container with the applicator.

The user then continues her movement unscrewed to unscrew the plug of the applicator holder in order to decouple the applicator, as illustrated in figure 5. The user can then place the applicator on a nail by placing the device with the head down, namely placed the applicator below the container, such that the product spills by gravity into the applicator, through the openings 38 and hole 45. If the user wants the product to be spilled more quickly on the applicator, you can exert a light pressure on the side wall 11 of the pushing container the product to the applicator 20. You can also use the head-up device and push the product towards the applicator resting on the side wall 11 of the container. A Once the applicator is impregnated, the user can perform circular movements on the nail in order to remove the enamel. At the end of the application, the user places the cap 50 on the applicator holder 40 and makes a movement of rotation of the cap relative to the container 10 in the course of which applicator holder 40 is retightened on the ring 30, until its low position and the cap is retightened on the applicator holder until it is fully supported against the landing 13 of the container.

When the user, after using the enamel removal device estimates that the applicator is too polluted and you want to replace it, re-tighten the applicator holder on the ring by hand, it is that is, without the cap to seal the hole 45 by the shoulder 36. Then, without the risk of product leakage, you can easily remove the applicator from its holder 46 and place it new. Alternatively, you can wash the applicator that just removed and repositioned in the holder. The user you can retighten the cap on the applicator holder that is in its low position while allowing the thread.

Figures 8 and 9 represent a variant of the device just described in accordance with the Figures 1 to 7 and used in the same way.

According to this variant, the container 10 and the ring 30 are identical to the container and the first mode ring of realization. The applicator holder 40 differs from the applicator holder of the first embodiment in the shape of the applicator support 46. The support 46 is formed this once by a conical trunk wall 48, which widens from the hole 45 outwards. The conical trunk wall 48 is provided with three reliefs 49 that allow to maintain laterally the applicator 20 allowing axial removal when desired change it The applicator 20 has this time a trunk shape conical

According to this embodiment, the cap 50 defines a second housing 55 delimited by an extension axial 56 of the peripheral skirt 52, above the wall transverse 53, reversibly closed at the top by a transverse wall 57 articulated by a hinge film 58. A hitch system 59, diametrically opposed, is provided to hinge film 58, to allow wall hitch transverse 57 on the extension 56 of the skirt, in order of keeping the second housing 55 closed. The second housing 55 allows to accommodate several applicators 20 that are intended to successively replace the applicator already used.

The embodiment represented in the Figures 10 and 11 differ primarily from the first mode of embodiment depicted in figures 1 to 7 because the applicator holder 40 is mobile relative to the ring only in rotation around the X axis.

The thread of the inner surface of the skirt fixing 41 of the applicator holder is replaced by two throats 143, diametrically opposed, in which move the projections 33. The two projections 33 are formed this instead of two different axial heights. Gorges 143 are also formed of two different axial heights and extend each of them in a plane transverse to the X axis, on an angular portion of approximately 180º, to allow the applicator holder move 180º in relation to the ring 30. The hole 45 formed in the support 46 is formed this time beyond the X axis.

The protrusion of the ring is replaced by a transverse wall 136, formed from the axial extension of the seal and that is in tight contact with the wall cross section 46a of support 46. Transverse wall 136 comprises a hole 136a also formed beyond the X axis. The hole 136a is located on the wall 136 such that the hole 45 of the applicator holder is suitable to be placed in front of the hole 136 when the projections 33 are fully supported with one end of his respective throat.

According to this embodiment, in the position closure shown in figure 10, the cap 50 is screwed on the applicator holder and the wall 136 plug the hole 45 to prevent any communication of the contained product in the bowl with the applicator. The projections 33 are located each of them at a first end of his throat respective.

To open the device, the user moves the cap 50 in rotation relative to the container, which implies at first the displacement of the projections 33 in its respective throat 143 from the first end of the throat to the second extreme, since there is still the effort exerted by the cap 50 on the applicator holder 40 is more important than the one exercised by the applicator holder 40 on ring 30. The applicator holder thus moves 180º in relation to the ring such that the hole 45 of the applicator holder is placed in front of hole 136a of wall 136 to allow content product communication in the bowl with the applicator.

The user then continues her movement unscrewed to unscrew the plug of the applicator holder in order to decouple the applicator, as illustrated in figure 11.

In the detailed description above it has been reference is made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is evident that variants can be provided there without separating from the framework of the invention, as claimed below.

Claims (16)

1. Conditioning device and application (1) of a cosmetic product, comprising:

to)

a container (10) of longitudinal axis X containing the product cosmetic;

b)

a porous or fibrous application body (20) suitable for being in communication with the product contained in the container through one step (45);

C)

a opening / closing organ (30, 40) of the passage comprising a part mobile (40) rotating around the X axis in relation to the container, between a first position, in which the step is sealed, and a second position, in which the step is open;

d)

a closing cap (50) suitable for fixing, by means of a thread (54), on the opening / closing body, in order to constitute a housing (51) closed by the application body, where a Rotating movement of the cap around the X axis is suitable for Open and close the step.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part (40) of the opening / closing member is able to move independently of the plug (50). 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (50) is suitable for being screwed onto the opening / closing member, whatever the position of the movable part (40) of the opening / closing member. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable part (40) of the opening / closing element is movable relative to the container only in rotation around the X axis and because the passage is formed beyond the X axis. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rotational movement of the mobile part (40) of the opening / closing element relative to the container is accompanied by a translational movement along the X axis. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the movable part (40) of the opening / closing element is movable in relation to the container by means of a thread (42). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passage (45) is sealed by the cooperation of a wall (36a; 136) formed on a fixed part (30) of the opening / closing member and an orifice ( 45) formed in the mobile part of the opening / closing organ. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application member (20) is removably fixed in the device. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (55) containing at least a second application member (20). Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the housing (55) contains a reserve of several application elements (20). Device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the housing (55) is formed in the closure plug (50). 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application member (20) is a foam block, mainly of an open cell foam. 13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is configured to allow the application of product on the nails. 14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container (10) comprises a deformable wall (11). 15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the product is a make-up composition of keratin materials, mainly a nail polish solvent. 16. Use of a device according to a any of the preceding claims for makeup removal  of the nails.