WO2013072382A1

WO2013072382A1 - Dome provided with orifices for scraping off a cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: WO2013072382A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/072645
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronan GUILLOUX
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2011-11-15
Filing date: 2012-11-14
Publication date: 2013-05-23
Also published as: FR2982465B1; FR2982465A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a cosmetic product and an end piece for storing and scraping off the cosmetic product (P) applied to a surface to be treated, comprising: - a means (1) for storing the cosmetic product (P) comprising an open space delimited by a base (2) and at least one side wall (4), - a means (1) for scraping off the cosmetic product (P), said means being able to be moved over the surface to be treated, being located at least partially on the base (2) and comprising at least one through- orifice (3) through which the scraped-off product is able to pass while the end piece moves over the surface to be scraped, the orifice (3) defining at least one bevel which is configured such that it is perpendicular to all of the paths of movement of the end piece.

Description

Dome provided with orifices for scraping off a cosmetic product

The present invention relates to an assembly comprising a cosmetic product and an end piece for storing, scraping off and spreading the cosmetic product over a surface to be treated, in particular over the skin.

The term "cosmetic product" is understood for example, for the purposes of the present invention, to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC dated 14 June 1993.

The invention relates more particularly to end pieces comprising:

- a means for scraping off the cosmetic product, said means being able to be moved over the skin,

- a means for storing the used cosmetic product.

The end pieces according to the invention are suitable particularly for creams or gels which are applied to the skin, then act for a certain amount of time before being removed. For example, they may be hair removal formulations or skincare products such as care masks or skin cleansing products.

Hair removal creams are very active formulations which cause the hairs to melt on account of their high pH (12.5). It is necessary to apply a thick layer to the skin, sufficient to cover the hairs. Following a rest time of a few minutes, it is necessary to scrape the skin so as to recover the cream and also to tear off all the hairs. The mixture made up of the used cream and the hairs is disposed of by rinsing the tool used, in order for it to be used again.

Known tools are wooden or plastic spatulas which are sold with the tubes of hair removal cream in order to apply and scrape off the cream.

The drawback of these spatulas is that for each scraping motion it is necessary to discard the removed cream into the bin or sink. Another drawback is that they are not ergonomic, and thus some hollow areas such as the armpits are difficult to access. Another drawback is that scraping with a straight edge is aggressive to the skin and causes redness.

There also exist sponges having one surface for application and another surface, which is abrasive, for removing the cream. The drawback with these sponges is that they irritate sensitive skin. Moreover, the sponge is not hygienic since, because the pores are open, cream and hairs remain inside between two uses. Documents GB 2 384 704 and EP 1294250 relate to a spatula for removing a cosmetic composition applied to the skin. This spatula comprises a sheet of plastic material that can be bent elastically and a fin for removing the composition. The fin is made of elastomer and juts out from the sheet of plastic material. These spatulas are not entirely satisfactory since the scraped-off product has to be regularly removed from the fin in order to prevent it from getting onto the user's hands. Otherwise, the scraped-off product comes off the fin block by itself. It can then soil the bathroom.

International applications WO 2002/4107909, WO 2005/96875, WO 2005/096876, WO 2005/096877, WO 2005/096879 and WO 2005/096880 propose hair removal spatulas having a handle and a scraping head. With this type of spatula, it is possible to collect the cosmetic product in certain areas of the surface treated. However, the piles formed then have to be removed with a cloth or a towel.

Document WO 2006/068638 discloses a foot rasp having blades at the level of the orifices in order to remove dead skin. There is no product to be scraped off but cutting edges which rasp the outer surface of the dermis. These edges project from the surface of the tool. Moreover, these edges are distributed in parallel lines. Thus, the tool can only be used in a back and forth movement in the same direction.

There is a need to produce a tool which is practical, easy to use, soft and non- aggressive toward the skin while tearing off hairs properly. Furthermore, this tool should be able to retain all of the used product necessary for treating a reasonable surface area.

The device should be ergonomic and be able to treat all areas of the body.

The device should be simple, clean and inexpensive to manufacture.

The device should be used with easy utilization hand movements.

The invention aims to meet all or part of these needs.

The subject of the invention is an assembly comprising a cosmetic product and an end piece for storing and scraping off the cosmetic product (P) applied to a surface to be treated, comprising:

a means for storing the cosmetic product (P) comprising an open space delimited by a base and at least one side wall,

- a means for scraping off the cosmetic product (P), said means being able to be moved over the surface to be treated, being located at least partially on the base and comprising at least one through- orifice through which the scraped-off product is able to pass while the end piece moves over the surface to be scraped, the orifice defining at least one bevel which is configured such that it is perpendicular to all of the paths of movement of the end piece.

The term "scrape" or "scrape off" is understood to mean "rub or scratch a surface with an object so as to level or detach whatever adheres thereto" .

The term "store" means "to make a reserve or accumulate ".

According to the invention, the used cosmetic product remains properly stored in the cavity, while the user carries out scraping movements. By contrast, the product can be extracted from the cavity as soon as the user turns over the end piece and strikes the latter against a wall or rinses it under a jet of hot water.

In order to produce the end piece, use can be made of one or more plastic material(s) selected from the following list: EPDM elastomer, nitrile, latex, thermoplastic elastomer of PS, PET, PU, EVA, PVC, "Polynorborden" or a relatively rigid thermoplastic such as PP, PE, PS, PET or PC. In general, the end piece can be formed in one piece, in particular by molding in one piece.

BEVEL

According to the invention, the orifice defines at least one bevel around its perimeter. In this way, when the end piece is moved in contact with the skin, with the surface of the base at a tangent to the application surface, the used product is separated from the skin and is drained better toward the cavity, sliding over the bevel and into the interior of the cavity. Moreover, scraping is more precise, and neater.

More advantageously, the bevel is at an angle (β) of less than 90°, preferably less than 45°. The angle (β) is the angle measured between the longitudinal axis of the orifice and the oblique that defines the bevel. In this angular range, the device according to the invention is more efficient. The used cream is removed even better.

Even more advantageously, the bevel does not protrude beyond the surface of the base in contact with the surface to be treated. The outer surface of the base thus has no irregularity and is perfectly smooth. In this way, the device is even safer since there is no risk of injuring the skin.

According to the invention, the bevel is configured on the orifice such that a bevel at least is perpendicular to all of the paths of movement of the end piece. Thus, the end piece could be used in translation over the skin in all directions. The end piece could also be used in circular movements over the areas of the body that allow this.

Such an end piece is particularly suitable for a cosmetic care or cleansing product, such as a mask or a hair removal product, to pass through.

ORIFICES

Advantageously, the end piece comprises orifices disposed between the base and the side wall. Generally, the end piece comprises orifices disposed on the base, on the walls and at the intersection between the two.

Preferably, the end piece comprises at least 3 orifices, preferably at least 5 orifices and more preferably at least 7 orifices. The end piece thus has a distribution of orifices which are more or less spaced apart from one another. Generally, the minimum distance that can be measured between two orifices is less than 1 cm, preferably less than 0.5 cm.

More preferably, the maximum cross-sectional area of the orifice is greater than 0.3 cm², preferably 0.5 cm² and more preferably 0.7 cm².

Even more preferably, the minimum cross-sectional area of the orifice is greater than 0.1 cm², preferably 0.15 cm² and more preferably 0.25 cm².

The orifice can extend axially, with such cross-sectional areas for example, in the direction of flow of the product, along a length less than or equal to 7 mm.

For example, the orifice extends axially along less than 6 mm, or even less than 5 mm or less than 3 mm, with a cross-sectional area less then 5 mm², or even than 2 mm². The axial extent of the orifice can correspond to the thickness of the wall in which it is produced, in particular when this wall is formed in one piece.

The cross-sectional area of the orifice can be variable or constant in the direction of flow of the product.

The orifices in an end piece can all have the same form and the same dimensions.

They can also have various forms and/or dimensions.

In cross section, the orifices can have any desired form, such as a circular, polygonal, ovoid or bean-shaped form.

The base provided with orifices can be likened to a grille.

The orifices can be off-center with respect to the cavity in the end piece. They can advantageously be disposed on the wall or walls of the cavity. This disposition can make it easier to carry out hand movements. The orifices can also be disposed at the corner that connects the base of the cavity and the wall. Scraping can thus be improved. The scraping comfort is increased in hollow areas of the body.

The end piece can have large orifices and small orifices in the same longitudinal section. The difference between the length of the large orifices and the length of the small orifices can be greater than 8 mm.

For example, in cross section, a number of groups of large orifices can be disposed on either side of the center of the base, with a number of groups of small orifices between the groups of large orifices. The groups of large orifices and small orifices can likewise be separated by orifices having an intermediate length.

The expression "elongation axis of the orifice" denotes an axis which passes through the centers of mass of the longitudinal sections of the orifice.

At least one orifice can extend along an elongation axis of the orifice which is perpendicular to the wall of the cavity and parallel to the base. Alternatively, the elongation axis can form an angle other than 90° with the wall of the cavity. All the directions of elongation of the orifices can diverge when the end piece is viewed along the axis X.

OPEN SPACE (OR CAVITY)

In addition to the orifice or orifices, the open space can have one or more openings that are used to pass the used products stored to another temporary storage location, such as a bin or a sink.

The opening can be closed by a closure cap comprising at least one closing element that is able to cover the opening or openings when it is in place on the end piece.

It is also possible for the opening not to have a closure cap, but to serve as an outer cap for a formulation reservoir.

The open space can also define, along at least a part of its length, a circular, ovoid or polygonal cross section, in particular in the form of a regular polygon, for example an approximately triangular or square cross section.

Advantageously, the volume of the open space is greater than 5 cm³, preferably 10 cm³ and more preferably 15 cm³. Preferably, the depth of the open space, measured along its longitudinal axis X is between 3 cm and 6 cm.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the base of the open space can be an approximately planar surface and comprise the orifice or orifices. The expression "approximately planar" should be understood as meaning that the base can be planar or slightly concave. In some cases, the concave form of the base of the open space can lead to greater ease of use of the latter, for optimum efficiency.

In addition, the invention can make it possible to benefit, if this is desired, from a relatively extensive scraping face, this making it easier to carry out hand movements, by allowing both rapid and precise operation.

In the implementation examples of the invention, the end pieces are produced in one piece by molding plastic material. Alternatively, it would be conceivable to produce the end piece by drawing a sheet of metal or thermoforming a sheet of plastic, and the orifices would be produced during reworking by cutting (punching, laser cutting, etc.).

Advantageously, the end piece is produced by molding at least one synthetic material.

FASTENING TO COSMETIC PRODUCT PACKAGING

Preferably, the end piece is secured to the cosmetic product by fastening means. For example, the end piece can have, at the level of the cavity, a contour that is able to hold one end of the cosmetic product packaging, such as a lid. For this purpose, the contour of the cavity will have the same form as the lid of the reservoir, with slightly larger dimensions in order to be fitted easily onto the latter between two uses.

Alternatively, the cavity can have one or more notches that are able to clamp the weld of a tube when the latter is disposed in a longitudinal plane of the cavity and in contact with the base of the cavity.

The notch can have at least one portion that has, in longitudinal section, a variable form on moving along the cavity, and the notch can in particular have, as a whole, a variable longitudinal section on moving along the cavity.

The notch can have an angular extent, in a longitudinal section plane of the cavity, of less than 40°, in particular over an angular extent in one of the following ranges of angle values: 0° to 35°, 5° to 30°, 10° to 20°.

The notch can extend, along the cavity, along a length of between 1.5 and 6.5 mm, in particular greater than 2.5 mm. The notch can have, for example, a maximum depth of between 2.5 and 4 mm.

The position of the notches depends on the packaging of the cosmetic product. The cavity can have at least two notches of the abovementioned kind. The cavity can thus have, for example, at least two offset notches disposed at the periphery of the base. The cavity can have at least two diametrically opposed notches. At least two notches can be offset axially or not axially. The cavity can also have at least two notches which are offset circumferentially and axially.

The expression "comprising one" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", and "between" or "ranging from" are understood as including the limits, unless otherwise specified.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

- figure 1 is a schematic front view of an example of an end piece produced in accordance with the invention,

figure 2 is an inclined perspective view from above of the end piece from figure 1 ,

figure 3 is an inclined perspective schematic view from above of another example of an end piece produced in accordance with the invention,

figure 4 is an inclined perspective side view of the end piece from figure 3,

figure 5 is a cross section through the end piece from figure 4, figure 6 shows a detail of figure 5,

- figures 7 to 9 illustrate the use of the assembly according to the invention,

figure 10 illustrates the definition of the angle (β) of the bevel, figures 11 to 14 illustrate different forms of orifices.

Figure 1 and figure 2 show an end piece produced in accordance with the invention. It comprises a cylindrical cavity 1 provided with a base 2 and a side wall 4.

The base 2 is pierced by orifices 3. It has the form of a dish and can have an outer surface defining the scraping surface. The wall 4 serves as a gripping member for the user. The outside of this wall is slightly conical so as to limit slipping of the end piece in the hand. Specifically, when the end piece is held in the palm of the hand, with the opening directed toward the palm, the user's fingers rest on this wall 4. The widening of the wall toward the top makes it possible to prevent the fingers from slipping on the wall toward the end and thus from releasing the end piece. The wall is for example molded in one piece with the base 2. The wall 4 can be made from a single or multiple materials, and in particular comprise a coating, for example made of PTFE or some other material, or have been subjected to a treatment, in particular a non-slip treatment. The coating is for example in the form of a film, metalization, or discontinuous deposition, formed for example by spraying. It may also be possible to provide small reliefs, which will play this non-slip role, on the wall 4.

The thickness e of the wall 4 of the end piece is for example generally between 0.1 and 3 mm.

The orifices 3 are disposed in three groups that can be seen in figure 2. A first group is formed by first orifices 31 that extend radially around a first circle of axis X and having a diameter of between 0.2 cm and 1.5 cm. These first orifices 31 have a bean- shaped form. A second group is formed by second orifices 33 that extend radially around a second circle having a diameter of between 2 cm and 5 cm and of axis X. These second orifices 33 have a bean-shaped form. A third group is formed by third orifices 32 that extend axially between the first and second orifices. These third orifices 32 have ovoid forms having a larger radius toward the outside and a smaller radius toward the inside.

Each orifice has a bevel 9 around its perimeter, as can be seen in figure 2.

The largest transverse dimension D of the orifice 3 is for example less than or equal to 1 cm, better still 5 mm and even better still 3 mm.

The dimensions of the orifice can be selected to prevent the product from flowing too slowly or too rapidly through the orifice 3 when the device is moved over the surface to be treated.

For example, the dimensions of the orifice are small enough to retain the product P inside the container when the latter is used without being brought into contact with the surface to be treated. The dimensions of the orifice are large enough to ensure that the product P passes into the interior of the container during scraping and also to ensure evacuation of the cream during rinsing after use. In figure 3, the end piece has an ovoid form, and not a round form as previously.

The wall 4 has a virtually constant thickness over its entire height. It also comprises a cream application region in the form of a spatula 6. This spatula 6 can have a different surface appearance than the rest of the wall. For example, the spatula 6 will have microreliefs in the form of a textured grain so as to produce more homogeneous application of the cream. The rest of the wall may be smooth.

The orifices 3 are again disposed in three groups that can be seen in figure 2. A first group is formed by first orifices 31 that extend radially around a first oval of axis X and having a diameter of between 0.2 cm and 1.5 cm. These first orifices are identical and have a bean-shaped form. A second group is formed by second orifices 32 that extend axially between the first and third orifices. These orifices are ovoid and all different. Their sizes decrease, starting from the largest longitudinal length and running radially toward the shortest length. A third group is formed by third orifices 33 that extend radially to the junction between the base 2 and the wall 4. The orifices 33 are partially formed in the base 2 and partially in the wall 4. They are identical and rectangular. Unlike the first and second orifices, these third orifices only have a bevel around a portion of their perimeter. More precisely, they have a bevel on the horizontal edge located on the wall 4 and on the horizontal edge located on the base 2.

Two notches 34 are also produced on the base 2, diametrically opposite one another, on the line of the base 2 having the largest diameter. These notches are configured to be able to receive a weld of a tube of cosmetic product having suitable dimensions.

Figure 4 shows the orifices 33 at the junction between the base 2 and the wall 4. Thus, the base 2 is connected to the wall by bridges of material 21. The base is in this case slightly convex toward the outside. In the example described, the bridges 21 are located in a manner set back from the base 2 and lift it with respect to the wall 4. In the example illustrated in figure 5, the orifices 33 and the bridges 21 are spaced apart regularly and have the same dimensions. However, this does not have to be the case. The maximum width of the bridges 21 is less than 1 cm and preferably less than 0.5 cm.

As can be seen in figure 6, the connections between the wall 4 and the base 2, that is to say the bridges of material 21, are slightly rounded, in order to prevent the accumulation and storage of the cosmetic product in the corners and thus to make it easier to clean the end piece.

The end pieces shown have a large number of orifices having various orientations. Since these orifices have scraping bevels on their perimeter, they can be used in rotation or in translation in all directions.

Any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid can be used to mold the end piece. Use will be made, for example of SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefm such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. It is also possible to use a ceramic, for example based on alumina, a resin, for example of the urea- formaldehyde type, and possibly a material comprising graphite as filler. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon^®, Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, Pebax^® and Pollobas^®, this list not being limiting. It is thus possible to use metal, for example a perforated and stamped sheet of metal.

In order to use the end piece, the person applies the product P to the surface to be treated, for example a half leg in the case of a hair removal product, by means of the application spatula 6 (figure 7). She rinses the spatula. She allows the product to act, for example for 5 minutes. In order to remove the used product, she places the base of the cavity 1 in contact with the used hair removal product (figure 8). She presses it against the leg in order to slide the end piece 1 in a chosen direction. If need be, she can change direction a number of times, depending on the extent of the surface treated. For large surfaces, she will prefer a direction substantially perpendicular to the greatest longitudinal length. For narrow surfaces, she will prefer a direction substantially perpendicular to the shortest longitudinal length. The product passes through the orifices 3 by sliding along the bevels. Progressively it fills the cavity 1. When the person so desires, she stops scraping. She takes the end piece away from the half leg. She rinses the end piece under a fairly strong jet of hot or tepid water (figure 9). The cream and the removed hairs are thus diluted and flow through the orifices into the sink until the cavity is completely empty. The end piece is then ready to be reused. She can store it on the reservoir, for example on the skirt of the tube of cream, via the notches provided to this end.

Figure 10 shows an orifice having an ovoid cross section. The longitudinal axis X passes through this orifice. The orifice has a bevel 9 on its perimeter. The angle (β) defining the bevel 9 is the angle measured between the longitudinal axis X and the oblique Y parallel to the bevel 9, that is to say the angle between the axis X and the obliquely cut edge of the orifice.

Figures 11 to 14 illustrate various examples of orifices in cross section. In figure

11, the orifices have a rectangular cross section, in figure 12 this cross section is ovoid, in figure 13 this cross section has the form of a deformed rectangle, and in figure 14 it is in the form of a star having 4 arms. Of course, these examples are not limiting. It is also conceivable to juxtapose orifices having different forms and dimensions.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a cosmetic product and an end piece for storing and scraping off the cosmetic product (P) applied to a surface to be treated, comprising:

a means (1) for storing the cosmetic product (P) comprising an open space delimited by a base (2) and at least one side wall (4),

a means (1) for scraping off the cosmetic product (P), said means being able to be moved over the surface to be treated, being located at least partially on the base (2) and comprising at least one through- orifice (3) through which the scraped-off product is able to pass while the end piece moves over the surface to be scraped, characterized in that the orifice defines at least one bevel which is configured such that it is perpendicular to all of the paths of movement of the end piece.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the end piece comprises at least 3 orifices, preferably at least 5 orifices and more preferably at least 10 orifices.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 2, the bevel being at an angle (β) of less than 90°, preferably less than 45°.

4. The assembly as claimed in either one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, the bevel not protruding beyond the surface of the base (2) in contact with the surface to be treated.

5. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the end piece comprises orifices (3) disposed between the base (2) and the side wall (4)·

6. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum cross-sectional area of the orifice is greater than 0.3 cm², preferably 0.5 cm² and more preferably 0.7 cm².

7. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the orifice has a circular, oval, polygonal, ovoid or bean-shaped cross section.

8. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the volume of the cavity is greater than 5 cm³, preferably 10 cm³ and more preferably 15 cm³.

9. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end piece is produced by molding at least one synthetic material.

10. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cosmetic product is a skincare product or a hair removal product.

11. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end piece is secured to the cosmetic product by fastening means.

12. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the end piece has means for application of the cosmetic product.