EP1127513A1 - Haircare device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to a device (1) for packaging and applying a composition, in particular coloring, to the hair, the device comprising at least one container (2) containing the composition, and a dispensing head (10 ) coupled to the container, said dispensing head comprising an application member (20), formed of at least one tooth (21) axially traversed by a channel (30) capable of being placed in communication with the container, and opening transversely to the axis of the corresponding tooth, via an outlet orifice (32), the dispensing head (10) further comprising screen means (40), arranged so as to define with the tooth (s) (21) -26) of the applicator member (20), a volume into which the outlet opening (s) (32) open (s), said volume being capable of retaining said composition and of being traversed deeply by the hair, when the applicator member (20) is moved lo hair ng. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and application a hair composition, in particular for coloring or care.

In the field of hair coloring, a number of new formulas are emerging at the moment. These new formulas, more and more, are in the form of foam, and are characterized by a high density of coloring.

The presentation in the form of foam of these compositions prohibits the use classic applicators such as brushes, or such as systems sometimes called "hot water bottles", which form a unit, on the one hand, capable of automatically mix two or more components (including one dye and an oxidant) used in the composition of such coloring products, and on the other hand, applying the composition in a localized manner to the hair.

In addition, when the composition is in the form of a foam, the system of application must be compatible with conditioning the composition under aerosol form.

The high density of the coloring is also problematic in that it is likely to produce spots on the scalp, obviously going to against the aesthetics sought by consumers.

In patent FR 2 776 629, an application system is described which can equip an aerosol container. The application system is of the type comprising a brush comprising teeth implanted on an application face intended to be facing the scalp, and at the center of which openings product release. While satisfactory in many ways, such applicator may suffer, in some cases, from failure to apply product deep into the hair.

In addition, applicators of the type with several teeth, crossed by a product supply channel, which opens either axially or between the teeth, substantially in the plane of the organ of application. In the latter configuration, the outlet openings are oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the organ of application in the hair. With these applicators, the product comes widely in contact with the scalp, which, from an aesthetic point of view, poses problems due to the streaking nature of these coloring products.

It is therefore one of the objects of the invention to provide a system of conditioning and application solving all or part of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional devices.

It is in particular an object of the invention to provide an application system a hair composition, which allows to apply the product in depth in the hair, and which significantly reduces the formation of spots on the scalp.

It is another object of the invention to provide a packaging system and applying a hair product that is both simple and economical to achieve.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system for packaging and application of a hair product that is both effective and simple to use.

Still other objects will appear in the detailed description which follows.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a device for conditioning and application of a composition to the hair, in particular of a coloring composition in the form of a foam, the device comprising at least one container containing the composition, and a head distribution coupled to the container, said distribution head comprising a member application formed by at least one tooth intended, for the application of the composition, to be engaged with the hair, and moved longitudinally to the latter, at least one tooth of the applicator member being traversed axially by a channel capable of being placed in communication with the container, and opening transversely to the axis of the corresponding tooth, via an outlet orifice, the dispensing head further comprising means forming a screen, arranged so as to define with the tooth (s) of the organ application, a volume into which the outlet opening (s) open (s), said volume being able to retain said composition, and to be crossed in depth by the hair arranged between said teeth, when the organ application is moved along the hair.

Although foam is the preferred dosage form, the composition may be in a different form, especially in the form of a gel or cream. Furthermore, it is also not necessarily a composition of coloring. As an example, we could cite a hair care product, and which could have an irritating or staining action on the scalp.

The screen member thus makes it possible to locally retain the product to be apply, in an area in which the hair will be able to pass in depth, and therefore, imbibe significantly. So, and first instead, the foam soaks the hair from the root. Surplus product leaves the hair, and remains localized between the applicator member and the organ forming a screen, thus making it possible to impregnate the hair from the surface of the hair. In addition, the screen member makes it possible to prevent the hands of the user are not soiled by the product.

The characteristic according to which the outlet (s) open (s) transversely to the axis of the teeth, requires that the outlet orifices are distance from the free end of the teeth, the minimum distance corresponding to the thickness of material required at the end of the tooth for prevent the channel from opening axially, as in some devices the prior art.

Advantageously, the outlet orifices are able to be oriented substantially in the direction of movement of the applicator member relative to hair when applying the composition. Thus, by orienting the orifices of output substantially in the direction of movement of the applicator member by with respect to the hair, and keeping the tips of the teeth substantially in support on the scalp, the product is kept away from it, which avoid trying to do it in a big way. In addition, the hair can be soaked in depth, not just on the surface as with some devices conventional.

Ideally, during application, the best results are obtained by orienting the holes as much as possible in the axis of movement of the applicator member compared to the hair. In practice, good results are obtained with an orientation of the outlet orifices included in a cone centered on the direction movement, and whose aperture at the top, is at most equal to 45 °, and preferably at most equal to 30 °, the apex of the cone preferably being oriented in direction of the hairline.

Advantageously, the applicator member comprises a plurality of teeth, and defines a first face, intended during the application of the composition, to be turned towards the scalp, and a second side facing away from the first, said outlet (s) opening (s) opening onto the second face. Generally, the side intended to be turned towards the leather hairy, means the side furthest from the container. Such faces can be flat or form a "bulge" similar to the "bulge" of the skull. During applying the composition to the hair, the movement of the device is such, that the first and second faces are moved substantially parallel to themselves. During this displacement, like a comb, the teeth part the hair into strands, and slide along them, while applying the product. The displacement is carried out starting from the root of hair, to the tip, the container being for this purpose, moved substantially parallel to the surface of the skull.

Preferably, the device according to the invention comprises distribution means, to allow, in response to an actuation command, the output of the composition from the container. Distribution means, intended to allow the outlet of the product under pressure, advantageously consist of a valve, aerosol valve type, push-in or tilt. Alternatively, we uses a manually operated pump. Alternatively again, the output under product pressure is obtained by manually pressing the flexible walls of a container containing the composition, the distribution means then being formed an opening of the container, through which the product is expelled, in response to pressure applied to the walls of the container.

Advantageously, said outlet (s) is (are) formed at the vicinity of a free end of the corresponding tooth (s) of the application body. Thus, while remaining at a distance from the free end, it is possible to soak the hair over its entire thickness, and not only in area.

Preferably, at least two teeth of the applicator member are crossed by an axial channel, means being provided between the container and the teeth of the member application, to distribute the product leaving the container to each of the teeth having a channel. More preferably, all the teeth of the organ of application are crossed by such a channel, thus producing as many orifices for exit that there are teeth. The application is more homogeneous, and on a wider surface at the same time.

As an indication, said outlet (s) (is) are formed at a distance between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, and preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, of the free end of the corresponding tooth.

The screen means may be of substantially identical width, or even greater than the width of the applicator member. They can be planar, or slightly concave on the side of the second face of the applicator member. They can be bordered laterally by edges extending perpendicularly in the middle plane in which the screen member extends. The presence of such ledges to limit laterally the diffusion of the product having crossed the thickness of the hair.

Advantageously, the mean plane of the screen member forms with the axis of the (or) container (s), an angle between 0 and 25 °, and preferably between 0 and 10 °.

Also preferably, the teeth of the applicator member are formed substantially in a plane, forming a non-zero angle α relative to the mean plane said screen means, said volume being formed between the member of application and the means forming a screen. Such an angle may be between 10 ° and 60 °, and preferably between 20 ° and 50 ° The angle can be chosen according to the type of hair on which the product is to be applied.

The plane formed by the applicator member forms with the axis of the container (s) an angle of less than 90 °, and preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. Such angles facilitate gestures on application, while ensuring proper orientation of the (or des) flow of the composition to be applied with respect to the hair and the leather hairy.

According to a specific embodiment, a first end of the means forming a screen is connected to the application member in the vicinity of the ends of the teeth, opposite their free ends, a second end, opposite the first, being separated from the first end by a distance substantially equal to the length of the teeth of the applicator member. The coupling between the organ of application and the means forming a screen can be at a fixed angular position, or variable, via an articulation axis, so that it can be varied at will the angle that one makes with respect to the other. The implementing body may itself be mounted in a fixed angular position, or variable relative to the container, via an axis of articulation, so that the user can vary the orientation of the teeth, independently or not of the screen member, thus allowing adapt the overall configuration of the device to its own anatomy, or to a preferred gesture, or alternatively, to the configuration of a particular area of the hair where the product is to be applied.

Preferably, the composition is contained under pressure inside at least a container surmounted by a dispensing valve, the dispensing head further comprising means forming a bearing surface, to allow actuation of the dispensing valve, and the product outlet under pressure. In practice, the composition can be contained immediately in a single container, especially aerosol, and be dispensed directly from this unique container. Alternatively, in particular for two-color products components (a dye and an oxidant), it is possible to provide a device in which are paired two aerosol containers (one containing the dye, the other containing the oxidant). Both aerosol containers can be returned secured by a single dispensing head, part of which forms a button push-button for simultaneous actuation of the two valves. At the end of their respective container, the two products are mixed in a suitable area. The mixture is then directed to a single application member, similar to that which has just been described.

The means forming the bearing surface can be obtained by molding with the application member and the screen means. In reality, the head of distribution formed of fixing means on the container (s), means connection with the valve stem (s), the actuation surface of the valve (s), the applicator member, the screen means, can be obtained from a single piece molding. To do this, we use molding techniques combining the injection of plastic material, in particular polypropylene, and blowing a gas under pressure so as to define the hollow parts of the part, in particular, the channel (s) of the organ of application. If less expensive molds are preferred, we realizes the distribution head in two or more parts, which can then be assembled according to known mounting techniques, taking care to ensure the necessary seals between the various parts thus assembled.

The device according to the invention can be used for packaging and the application of a hair coloring composition, in particular to two components one of which is a dye and the other of which is an oxidant, or a hair care composition.

• les figures 1-3 illustrent un mode de réalisation préférentiel du dispositif de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention ; et
• la figure 4 illustre l'utilisation du dispositif selon les figures 1-3 pour l'application d'une composition de coloration capillaire.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figures 1-3 illustrate a preferred embodiment of the packaging and application device according to the invention; and
• FIG. 4 illustrates the use of the device according to FIGS. 1-3 for the application of a hair coloring composition.

The device 1 shown in Figures 1-3 comprises an aerosol container 2, of axis X, especially aluminum or tinplate. The container 2 is surmounted by a valve 3 outside of which emerges a valve stem 4. The valve can entirely conventional manner, and although not shown in detail, be formed a valve body inside which is located a closing member, coupled to the valve stem 4. The closing member is, in the rest position, in abutment waterproof on a gasket. The seal is broken when pressure lateral or axial is applied to a push button. Means of recall ensure the valve returns to the closed position when the pressure stops actuation. On the valve stem 4, an axial skirt 15 is force fitted. a dispensing head 10, which will now be described detailed. The valve 3 can be of the push-in or tilt type.

The dispensing head 10 comprises a body (or hoop) 11 intended for fixing (for example by snapping) of the head 10 on the edge of a cup carrying the valve 3. The hoop could also be mounted by screwing on the container. The hoop 11 is connected by a film hinge 12 to a part forming a push button 13. The push button 13 has a bearing surface 14 intended to actuation of the valve by pushing in, exerting pressure substantially along the axis X of the container 2. The axial skirt 15 fitted on the rod valve 4 forms an integral part of the push button 13, and opens into a radial channel 16. At its end opposite to the axial skirt 15, the radial channel 16 opens into a distributor 17, intended to distribute the product over the entire width an applicator member 20, which will now be described detailed.

The applicator member 20 comprises a plurality of teeth 21-26, spaced apart from evenly, and arranged in a plane forming an angle of about 60 ° with the X axis of the container 2. The spacing of the teeth may be of the order of a few millimeters. Teeth 21-26 extend over a length of about 5 cm, and are slightly decreasing in outer section towards their free end. Thus arranged, the teeth define a first face 50 (the furthest from the container), intended to be turned towards the scalp (see Figure 4), and one face, called "application" face 51, opposite face 50. On application, face 50 can form with the scalp, an angle between 20 and 90 °, and preferably between 20 and 60 °. Teeth are traversed longitudinally by a channel 30 extending from the distributor 17, with which it communicates, up to the vicinity of the free end 31 of the teeth 21-26. At this end, the channel 30 opens onto face 51, via an outlet orifice 32, oriented transverse to the longitudinal axis of the teeth 21-26. So the outlet ports 32 are formed as close as possible to the free end of teeth 21-26, without however lead to the axis of the teeth. Typically, the outlet ports 32 are formed about 1 mm from the free end 31 of the teeth 21-26. The orifices of outlet 32 open onto face 51, perpendicular to the axis of the teeth, or at an angle other than 90 °, the main thing being that the liquid conveyed by the teeth is directed on the side of the volume delimited in part by teeth 21-26 and a screen member 40, which will be described in detail below. Of preferably each of the outlet openings is centered on a plane passing through the axis of the tooth into which it opens, and perpendicular to the mean plane in which extends the application member.

The applicator member 20 also includes a screen member 40, width slightly larger than the width over which the teeth extend 21-26. The member 40 is of slightly concave shape (concavity turned in direction of the teeth) and has one end 41 adjacent to the distributor 17, and one end 42, opposite the end 41. The distance between the ends 41 and 42 corresponds substantially to the length of the teeth 21-26. The forming organ screen 40 extends in a mean plane, forming with the plane containing the teeth 21-26, an angle α of about 45 °

The dispensing head 10 can be obtained by using molding combining the injection of plastic material, in particular a polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and blowing a gas under pressure so to define the hollow parts of the part, in particular, the channels 30 of the member of application 20.

In use, illustrated schematically in Figure 4, the user places the end 31 of teeth 21-26 substantially resting on the scalp C. It prints a downward movement on container 2, holding the latter substantially parallel to the surface of the skull (as illustrated by the arrow F). With such a movement, the outlet orifices 32 are oriented substantially in the axis of movement. During this movement, it activates the valve 4 by pushing the surface 14 of the push button 13, which causes the exit of the foam via the valve stem 4, the axial skirt 15, and the radial channel 16. The foam then leads to the distributor 17, where it is distributed so uniform towards each of the teeth 21-26. The foam crosses channels 30 and opens, via the outlet orifices 32, on the face 51 of the applicator member. The foam P, from orifices 32, soaks the hair interposed between the teeth, in starting from the root. Due to the orientation of the orifices, i.e. opposite from the hairline, the product is not directed at the scalp, which limits the formation of tasks on the latter. The excess foam comes out of the hair and fits between the teeth 21-26 of the applicator member 20 and the element forming a screen 40, which allows the impregnation of the hair from its surface. he This results in an application of the hair, both in depth and area.

The user repeats the same operation on the rest of the hair, until that it has been dealt with in its entirety.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to modes of preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variants can be there made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below. In particular, with a view to coloring in highlights, it is possible to provide an applicator member comprising a single or even two teeth, so as to reduce the application width to the desired width of the drill bit.

Claims (18)

Device (1) for packaging and applying a composition (P) to the hair, in particular a coloring composition in the form of a foam, the device comprising at least one container (2) containing the composition and a dispensing head (10) coupled to the container, said dispensing head distribution comprising an applicator member (20) formed of at least one tooth (21-26) intended, for the application of the composition, to be put in engagement with the hair, and moved longitudinally to the latter, a tooth at least of the applicator member being traversed axially by a channel (30) able to be placed in communication with the container (2), and opening transversely to the axis of the corresponding tooth, via an outlet orifice (32), the dispensing head (10) further comprising screen means (40), arranged so as to define with the tooth (s) (21-26) of the organ application (20), a volume into which opens (s) the orifice (s) of outlet (32), said volume being able to retain said composition, and to be traversed deeply by the hair, when the applicator member (20) is moved the along the hair. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the said opening (s) outlet (32) is (are) able to be oriented substantially in the direction of displacement of the applicator member (20) relative to the hair during applying the composition. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the member applicator comprises a plurality of teeth (21-26), said applicator member defining a first face (50), intended during the application of the composition, to be turned towards the scalp (C), and a second face (51) oriented opposite the first, said outlet (s) opening (s) leading to the second face (51). Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that it comprises distribution means (3), in particular a valve, for allow, in response to an actuation command, the output of the composition from the container (2). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that said outlet (s) (32) is (are) formed in the vicinity of a free end (31) of the corresponding tooth (s) (21-26) of the application member (20). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that at least two teeth (21-26) of the applicator member (20) are passed through by an axial channel (30), means (17) being provided between the container (2) and the teeth (21-26) of the applicator member (20), to distribute the product leaving the container (2) to each of the teeth (21-26) having a channel (30). Device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that said outlet (s) (32) (is) are formed at a distance between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, and preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, of the free end (31) of the corresponding tooth (21-26). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screen means (40) are substantially wide identical to, or even greater than, the width of the applicator member (20). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the screen means (40) are planar, or slightly concaves on the side of the second face (51) of the applicator member (20), and being possibly bordered by side edges. Device (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that a mean plane said screen means (40), formed with an axis (X) of the container (s) (2), an angle between 0 and 25 °, and preferably between 0 and 10 °. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the teeth (21-26) of the applicator member (20) are formed substantially in a plane, forming a non-zero angle α relative to the mean plane said screen means (40), said volume being formed between the member application (20) and the screen means (40). Device (1) according to claim 11 characterized in that said angle α is between 10 ° and 60 °, and preferably between 20 ° and 50 °. Device (1) according to claim 11 or 12 characterized in that the plane formed by the applicator member (20), forms with the axis of the container (s), a angle less than 90 °, and preferably between 30 ° and 60 °. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the application member (20) and / or the screen means (40) are adjustable angular position relative to the axis (X) of the container. Device (1) according to any one of claims 11 to 14 characterized in that a first end (41) of the screen means (40) is connected to the applicator member (20) in the vicinity of the ends of the teeth, opposite to their free ends (31), a second end (42), opposite the first (41), being separated from the first end (41) by a distance substantially equal to the length of the teeth (21-26) of the applicator member (20). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the composition is contained under pressure inside at least at least one container (2) surmounted by a distribution valve (3), the head of distribution (10) further comprising means (13) forming a surface support (14), to allow actuation of the dispensing valve (3), and the product outlet under pressure. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that the dispensing head (10) is formed in one piece obtained from molding. Use of a device (1) according to any one of the claims for packaging and applying a composition of hair coloring (C), in particular with two components, one of which is a dye and the other of which is an oxidant, or a hair care composition.

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