EP0430724A1 - Device for applying a liquid or pasty product to a surface - Google Patents

Abstract

Applicator device (1) comprising a container (2) closed by a tear-off cover (4) and a deformable applicator member (8) in which a rounded body (6) is held between the applicator member and the cover (4) by a holding device (7). Under the action of a pressure exerted on the applicator member (8) which is transmitted to the rounded body (6), said rounded body (6) tears off the cover (4) and falls into the container (2). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator device for applying a liquid or pasty product to a surface.

This applicator device is of the type comprising a container which contains the liquid or pasty product to be applied, a container the outlet opening of which is provided with a porous applicator member and / or provided with orifices. At the time of use, the product to be applied is passed through and / or through the applicator member, either by pressing on the container when its walls are flexible, or simply by inverting the container so that the applicator member either turned down and waving. Then the applicator member is more or less strongly supported on the surface to be treated so as to best distribute over said surface the liquid or pasty product to be applied.

The substances, which can be applied as well, can belong to very diverse fields; mention may be made of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, cleaning products, shoe polishes and the like.

In addition, depending on the size chosen for the applicator device, it can allow several applications or be suitable for only one use, its reservoir then containing only the dose of substance necessary for a single distribution.

In this type of applicator device, it is generally necessary to protect the product to be dispensed from the atmosphere during storage, before use if it is an applicator device containing only one dose, or before first use, if it is an applicator allowing several successive uses of the substance. For this purpose, a lid formed by a film of tearable substance applied, in particular by heat-sealing, is fixed on the opening of the container outlet opening, this lid separating the product to be dispensed from during storage. the applicator organ. It is then necessary, at the time of use (or of the first use) of the applicator device to pierce the cover so that the product to be dispensed can come and permeate and / or pass through the applicator member.

It has been proposed in FR-A-2,595,587 to use an element carrying a trocar arranged in order to pierce the seal, so that by pressing on the deformable applicator member before the first use, the trocar can be brought into its movement of depression, to tear the lid. However, this system is not entirely satisfactory, since the elasticity of the trocar fixing arm may not be sufficient; moreover, the trocar can remain hooked in the seal, which prevents the product from flowing freely.

According to the present invention, it has been found that these drawbacks are avoided by using a rounded, mobile and free body, which is placed between the cover and the applicator member, so that by pressing on the member applicator before use, we can bring this rounded body to tear the lid and then fall into the container. By correctly choosing the size of this rounded body, as well as its location, it is possible to rupture the cover over a large diameter, so as to allow an arrival of the product to be distributed on the applicator member in the best conditions. The rounded body does not cling to the cover and easily crosses it. In addition, the use of a rounded body is economical, since it avoids having to manufacture complicated small parts by molding. In addition, the rounded body can act, when it has fallen into the container, of a stirrer-mixer which is particularly advantageous in the case where the product to be dispensed has a high viscosity or is constituted by a dispersion or an emulsion thixotropic.

The present invention therefore relates to a device for applying liquid or pasty products comprising a container and a deformable applicator member fixed on the outlet opening of the container, the applicator member being separated from the container during storage before use by a tear-off cover and a means for perforating the cover being disposed between the applicator member and the cover and capable of being actuated by pressure on the deformable applicator member, characterized in that the means for perforating the cover is constituted by a movable rounded body, which is held in place during storage before perforation of the cover by a holding element and which perforates and passes through the cover to fall into the container when the deformable applicator member is pressed .

The rounded body is preferably a ball. Indeed, after perforation the edge of the tear in the cover exerts on a spherical ball that a minimal friction retention force. In addition, a ball does not tend to cling to the passage, regardless of the shape of the container and therefore always falls to the bottom thereof. The rounded body could also have the shape of an ellipsoid. In this case the bearing surface of the rounded body on the cover is larger and the tear in the cover can in some cases be more difficult.

The rounded body may be of any material capable of not being crushed when pressing on said rounded body to perforate the cover and having no undesirable effect on the product to be dispensed contained in the container. It is advantageous to use rounded bodies made of glass, stainless steel or a thermoplastic substance. It is also possible, according to a particular embodiment, to use a rounded body made of a soluble or disintegrable substance constituting a component of the product to be applied.

The applicator member may consist of any deformable substance capable of letting the product to be dispensed through. It can advantageously be constituted by a pad of synthetic resin foam, flocked or not on its external surface. It can also be constituted by a deformable elastomer wall provided with orifices, in particular slots for the passage of the product; in the latter case, the applicator member may also be provided on its external surface with roughness or massage pins. Said deformable elastomer wall is, in certain cases, advantageously lined on its internal face with a layer of foam, which may or may not be fixed to the elastomer wall. According to another mode of construction of the device according to the invention, the applicator member is constituted by a metal or plastic grid doubled on its internal face by a layer of synthetic resin foam.

The function of the holding element is to hold the rounded body opposite the point where the cover is to be perforated, and to prevent said rounded body from moving during storage so as to avoid accidental perforation of the cover. In addition, it must have such a structure that it can deform and allow the transmission to the rounded body of the pressure exerted by the user on the applicator member and, possibly, the release of the rounded body so that it comes into contact with the seal.

A piece in the form of a truncated cone or simple washer, the central hole of which has a diameter greater than the largest dimension of the section of the rounded body, can be placed in the outlet opening of the container and under the cover, so that it prevents the cover from bulging when pressure is exerted on the rounded body and ensures better drilling of the cover. This piece can also facilitate the flow of the product to be dispensed.

The retaining member ensures the position of the rounded body opposite the vicinity of the center of the cover, because it is generally in this area that the cover is most easily tearable.

According to a first embodiment, the holding element consists of a ring of elastic substance, in particular of foam of rubber, of polyurethane, of polyethylene or of vinyl polymer. This retaining ring is disposed between the cover and the applicator member proper. However, in the case where the applicator member is constituted by a layer of foam or comprises a layer of foam, the applicator member and the retaining ring can constitute a single piece.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the holding element is constituted by a star part composed of radial lugs connected to a support ring resting on the cover in its part fixed to the edge of the container. The support ring is advantageously provided with teeth parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. These teeth allow to maintain in place any layer of foam constituting the applicator member or doubling it.

The applicator member is fixed to the outlet opening of the container using a crimping edge secured to the container. This crimping edge can be continuous or discontinuous, for example made up of tongues. In the case where the crimping is discontinuous, it is possible to have, in the interval between two crimping tongues, auxiliary combing, massage or scraping members, in particular integral with the holding element when the latter consists of a part in a star. It should be noted that, as a variant, these auxiliary members can be fixed to the side wall of the container.

The container of the applicator device according to the invention can have any shape. It can be obtained by injection, blowing, extrusion or molding.

The container can be filled through its outlet opening and the dispensing head, comprising the cover and the member for holding the rounded body, the rounded body and the applicator member, is then applied to said opening. One can also fill from the bottom a container already having its dispensing head and then close the bottom, for example by welding.

When the user wishes to apply the product contained in the applicator device, he presses on the deformable applicator member by pushing in the ball until the latter tears off the cover and falls into the container.

To better understand the object of the invention, three embodiments shown in the drawing will be described below, by way of purely illustrative and nonlimiting examples. Annex.

• - la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif applicateur conforme à un premier mode de réalisation de la présente invention;
• - la figure 2 est une vue de dessus du dispositif applicateur de la figure 1;
• - la figure 3 représente, à plus grande échelle, une vue en coupe axiale longitudinale du dispositif applicateur de la figure 1 en position de stockage;
• - la figure 3A représente le même dispositif applicateur après perforation de l'opercule par le corps arrondi;
• - la figure 4 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'un second mode de réalisation d'un dispositif selon l'invention;
• - la figure 5 est une vue en plan, selon V-V de la figure 4; de ce dispositif de la figure 4 on a retiré les deux couches constituant l'organe applicateur;
• - la figure 6 est une vue latérale de l'élément de maintien du dispositif des figures 4 et 5;
• - la figure 7 est une vue en perspective d'un troisième mode de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention.

On this drawing:

• - Figure 1 is a perspective view of an applicator device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
• - Figure 2 is a top view of the applicator device of Figure 1;
• - Figure 3 shows, on a larger scale, a longitudinal axial sectional view of the applicator device of Figure 1 in the storage position;
• - Figure 3A shows the same applicator device after perforation of the cover by the rounded body;
• - Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention;
• - Figure 5 is a plan view, along VV of Figure 4; from this device of FIG. 4, the two layers constituting the applicator member have been removed;
• - Figure 6 is a side view of the holding element of the device of Figures 4 and 5;
• - Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the device according to the invention.

If we refer to Figures 1 to 3a, we see that we have designated by 1, as a whole, an applicator device for massaging the skin and depositing, during the massage, a fluid cream treatment C. A dose of this treatment cream C is contained in a container 2, provided with an outlet opening 3, which, before use, is closed by a cover 4, constituted, for example, by a film of heat-sealed aluminum . The container is associated a head 5 comprising a ball 6, a holding element 7 constituted by a foam ring resting by one of its flat faces on the cover 4 and in contact by the opposite face with an applicator member 8 consisting of an elastomer cap provided with slots 9 for the passage of the treating cream C.

The container 2 is made of a semi-flexible material, for example polypropylene; it comprises a body 10 having two opposite wall zones 10 a , arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane passing through the axis of the container 2 and forming a depression allowing the user to easily grasp the applicator device by its container 2 to 1 thumb and index finger. The body 10 is closed at one end by a bottom 11 and widens in a funnel on a part 12 at the opposite end. The extended portion 12 is extended by a ring 13 consisting, firstly, by an annular flange 13 situated in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device, and, secondly, by a cylindrical skirt 13 b that ends , in its part opposite to the annular rim 13 a , by an edge 13 c capable of forming, by hot deformation, a return directed towards the axis of the applicator device.

The cover 4 is fixed by heat sealing on the annular rim 13 a of the crown 13.

The ring 7 for holding the ball is made of polyurethane foam. It axially defines a cylindrical chimney 7 a . The chimney 7 has a diameter slightly greater than the diameter of the ball 6. The outside diameter of the retaining ring 7 is equal, apart from the necessary clearance, to the internal diameter of the skirt 13 b of the crown 13 on a first part 7 b ; the ring 7 has a smaller diameter on a second part 7 c . The ring 7 rests on the cover 4 by the part 7 b ; the applicator member 8 is placed on the part of smaller diameter 7 c . The ring 7 is made of a deformable elastomeric foam.

The applicator member 8 is a cap, the edge of which comprises a short skirt 8 a , provided with a return 8 b which, when the head is crimped, is covered by the return formed by the edge 13 c of the crown 13. The cap 8 c of the applicator member 8 has three slots 9 arranged on a circle, the center of which merges with that of the cap 8 c , and small bosses 14, one of which is arranged in the center of the cap 8 c , the others being regularly arranged on its periphery.

When the user wishes to apply the cream C to the skin, he takes the container 2 in his hand and presses with the thumb on the cap 8 c of the applicator member 8. Under the pressure of the thumb, the applicator member 8 and the retaining ring 7 is deformed until the cap 8 c is in contact with the ball 6 and transmits to said ball 6 the pressure of the thumb. Under this effort, the ball 6 pierces the cover 4 and falls into the container 2. The care cream can then leave the container 2 and the user releases his pressure on the applicator member. The user can, if he wishes, homogenize the cream C contained in the container 2 by shaking the applicator device 1 to make the ball act as an agitator. The user then enters the container 2 between thumb and forefinger through the areas 10 to the body 10 of the container 2. By pressing the container walls 2 user brings out the cream of care C of the container 2 and cream impregnates the retaining ring 7 and escapes through the slots 9 of the applicator member 8; the massage of the skin can then take place, the cream C being applied by the slots 9 and the bosses 14 promoting the massage effect.

The packaging and mounting of the applicator device 1 described above is extremely simple. The container 2 is filled to a level corresponding approximately to the junction between the enlarged part 12 and the crown 13. The container is sealed by the seal 4. Next, the retaining ring 7 is put in place, the ball 6 and the applicator member 8. We finish by crimping by hot deformation of the edge 13 c .

The second embodiment, designated by 101 as a whole is shown in Figures 4 to 6; it essentially differs from the first embodiment by the holding device used. The elements, which are found identically in the two embodiments, have been represented by reference numbers greater than 100 than those used for the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the holding element 107 has four radial tabs 171 facing each other on two perpendicular diameters. These tabs 171 are integral with a support ring 172 which rests on a flange 113 of the container 102 through the cover 104. According to the embodiment shown, the tabs 171 comprise, starting from the ring 172, a part 171 a of triangular shape inclined in the direction of the applicator member 108, then a rectangular flat part 171 b substantially perpendicular to the axis of the reservoir 102 and an oblique return 171 c directed towards the container 102. The conical volume defined by the four oblique returns 171 c has a minimum diameter slightly smaller than that of the ball 106 so as to hold in place by elasticity said ball 106. The ring 172 is provided with teeth 173 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator device 101 and oriented towards the applicator member.

The applicator member 108 consists of an elastomeric element 181 doubled with a layer of foam 182. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the foam layer 182 is held in place by the teeth 173 and the element of elastomeric substance is fixed by crimping to using the return 113 c of the crown 113 of the container 102. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the return 113 c is not continuous, but has indentations, which define between them tongues 113 d arranged regularly. These tongues 113 d serve to hold the element of elastomeric substance 181 in place.

When the user wishes to apply the product contained in the container 102, he takes hold of the container 102 and presses with his thumb on the applicator member 108 which deforms until it comes into contact with the ball 106 and the legs 171 and draws them into its pushing movement. When the legs 171 plunge and stoop, oblique returns 171c of the legs 171 diverge and the ball 106 is released. Under the pressure exerted by the user, it tears and crosses the cover 104 to fall into the container 102. The care cream can then come out of the container 102. As described above, the user takes the cream out of the device by pressing on the side walls of the container and apply to the skin and massage.

The third embodiment relates to an applicator device 201 for applying a hair lotion. It is identical to the second embodiment, except that a certain number of teeth 273 secured to the holding element are extended so as to form a comb. These teeth 273 are each arranged opposite an indentation between two crimping tongues and they project from the bottom over an area of the edge of the applicator member 208. The applicator member 208 may in this case consist of a layer of plastic foam which covers the holding element and its associated ball.

Claims (11)

- Applicator device (1, 101, 201) of a liquid or pasty product comprising a container (2, 102) and a deformable applicator member (8, 108, 208), fixed on the opening of the container, the applicator member (8, 108, 208) being separated from the container (2, 102) during storage before use by a tearable lid (4, 104) and a means of perforating the lid (4, 104) being arranged between the applicator member (8, 108) and the seal (4, 104) and can be actuated by pressure on the applicator member (8, 108, 208), characterized in that the means for perforating the seal (4 , 104) consists of a movable rounded body (6, 106) which is held in place during storage before perforation of the cover by a holding element (7, 107) and which perforates and passes through the cover (4 , 104) to fall into the container (2, 102) when the deformable applicator member (8, 108, 208) is pressed. - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rounded body is a ball (6, 106). - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the rounded body is an ellipsoid. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rounded body is made of a soluble or disintegrable substance constituting a component of the product to be dispensed. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the applicator member is constituted by a pad of synthetic resin foam (208), by a deformable elastomer wall (8, 108) provided with orifices , lined or not on its internal face with a layer of foam (182), or by a metallic or plastic grid lined on its inner face of a layer of synthetic resin foam. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a part in the form of a truncated cone or simple washer is placed in the outlet opening (3) of the container (2, 102) and under the cover (4, 104), the diameter of the central hole of said part being greater than the largest dimension of the section of the rounded body. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding member (7) consists of a ring of elastic substance. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the holding element (107) consists of a star part composed of radial lugs (171) connected to a support ring (172) resting on the cover (104) in its part fixed to the edge (113 a ) of the container (102). - Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the support ring is provided with teeth (173) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container. - Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the applicator member (108) is fixed to the outlet opening of the container (102) using a crimping edge (113 c ) discontinuous consisting of tabs (113 d ). - Device according to claims 9 and 10, taken in combination, characterized in that, in the interval between two crimping tongues, are arranged auxiliary members (273) of combing, massage or scraping integral with the element holding.

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