Abstract:
An application head for a product includes a body that is substantially of revolution and has at its front axial end a hollow spherical surface forming a housing that receives a magnetizable applicator ball with a tight fit, said applicator ball being held by a magnet, this body being intended to hold the product on its inside, wherein the body comprises a chamber located along the passage of the product coming from the inside of this body so as to lead into the housing, this chamber containing a magnetized or non-magnetized valve held on its inside, which can slide through a short axial travel while remaining stuck to the applicator ball, so as to close the passage in the rear position and to open this passage in the front position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/FR2015/051000, filed on Apr. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of FR 14/53320, filed on Apr. 14, 2014. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure concerns an application head of a liquid, semi-liquid or viscous product, in particular for the skin care, as well as an applicator of this product equipped with such an application head. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    In order to perform an application of a cosmetic product making skin care of a patient as well as a massage of this skin, a known application head, shown in particular by the document WO-A1-2011067500, includes an elongate body having at its front end a spherical-shaped housing fittingly accommodating a massage ball of the skin. 
         [0005]    The spherical housing has an outer diameter slightly lower than that of the ball, so as to leave a large surface of this ball outside the housing, which can come into contact with the skin by rolling thereon. 
         [0006]    The application ball is retained at the bottom of its housing by a magnet which is held in the body slightly rearward of this housing, in order to permanently exert an attraction on the ball comprising a material attracted by this magnet. 
         [0007]    The care product contained in the body, such as a cream or a gel, can exit through the bores located in the surface of the spherical housing in order to come into contact with the rear portion of the ball, then to spread on the skin during massage thereof by rolling this ball which drives and distributes the product. 
         [0008]    In order to facilitate a passage of the care product between the surface of the spherical housing and the ball, this housing includes small inner bosses which keep some spacing between the ball and this surface, allowing an exit of the product through the bores of this surface. 
         [0009]    A problem which arises with this type of application head is that the passage allowing the exit of the product is never closed, even by pressing on the ball during massages of the skin, the bosses permanently keeping the spacing which allows this passage. It is therefore possible, during use, to have an involuntary product exit which applies a very significant amount. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, the device is still open, the product contained in the reservoir cannot be preserved in good conditions, its volatile components may evaporate, while other components can be oxidized or contaminated by external agents. 
         [0011]    The document of the prior art also has alternatively an application head type having small bearing balls held in cavities made in the spherical housing, which can slightly slide axially to pass to the inside this housing by forming inner bosses. 
         [0012]    The bearing balls are retained backwards by magnets disposed in the body, which attract them, and which also attract the application ball. Thus, a possible slight axial movement of the application ball, which can, by following the bearing balls, move away from the spherical surface in order to allow a passage of the care product, or tighten over this surface in order to close this passage, is obtained. 
         [0013]    However, this type of application head containing bearing balls held by a magnet, is relatively complex to be performed, and includes a high cost. Furthermore, the product coming from the reservoir can seep into the housings of the bearing balls, generating a discomfort to the operation, an oxidation of the metal portions, or a proliferation of bacteria. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0014]    The present disclosure provides an application head of a product, including a body substantially of revolution, having at its front axial end a hollow spherical surface forming a housing for fittingly accommodating a magnetizable application ball held by a magnet, this body being provided to accommodate therein the product, characterized in that the body includes a chamber located on the axial passage of the product coming from inside the body to open into the housing, this chamber containing a valve, magnetized or not, held inside, which can slide along a small axial stroke by remaining adhered to the magnetizable application ball, in order to perform in the rear position, a closing of the passage and in the front position, an opening of this passage. 
         [0015]    An advantage of this application head is, that in a simple and economical manner, with, as the only movable member, a central magnet disposed in the chamber performing a small axial stroke, when the application ball is not pressed backwards, there are obtained at the same time, the opening of the passage of the product by the lifting of this ball, which is held in its housing with the traction of the magnet which cannot exit its chamber, and a closing of the passage by pressing the application ball on the skin during the massages, which moves back this ball as well as the magnet. This lifting of the ball is performed by pressing the product, which can be generated by a tightening of the flexible walls of the reservoir by the user. 
         [0016]    The application head according to the present disclosure may further include one or more of the following characteristics, which can be combined therebetween. 
         [0017]    Advantageously, the chamber includes a substantially cylindrical shape disposed parallel to the axis of the body. 
         [0018]    In particular, the chamber may be laterally shifted with respect to the axis of the body. 
         [0019]    According to one form, the valve is held forwards in the chamber, by an inner relief of this chamber allowing the passage of the product. The body may thus include a single main part. 
         [0020]    According to another form, the valve is held forwards in the chamber by an upper portion of the body which is fastened on a base of this body. The body includes two main parts, but the placing of the magnet is simpler to be performed. 
         [0021]    According to a variant, the valve is a magnetized ball. 
         [0022]    The magnetized valve can close the passage by bearing, in its rear position, on a bore of a rear wall of the chamber which constitutes the passage of fluid product. 
         [0023]    According to another variant, the valve is a cylindrical magnet having an outer shoulder which forms a front stop allowing the passage of the product. The cylindrical magnet allows having a magnet with large volume, generating a significant retaining magnetic force for a small diameter. It is therefore appropriate for the reservoirs and the application heads of reduced size. 
         [0024]    The application ball may close the passage by bearing, in its rear position, on a boss of the surface of the housing, which surrounds the passage of the product opening into this housing. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, the application head may include a spring which constantly presses the valve forwards. The passage of the product can be better provided. Furthermore, this spring allows using a reservoir with rigid walls, the product contained exiting by capillary effect, or by action of the gravity by spilling the reservoir. 
         [0026]    Advantageously, the application head includes a cap comprising therein shapes which hold the application ball pressed into the housing. The passage of the product is thus closed and when the cap is placed. 
         [0027]    Advantageously, the application ball includes a stainless steel, or a surface treatment protecting from the oxidation. 
         [0028]    Advantageously the application ball is hollow, which reduces its weight. 
         [0029]    The magnet may be enclosed in a sealed protective casing. 
         [0030]    The chamber may contain a valve, the magnet disposed near this chamber, being fixed. It is possible to have a magnet with large volume, which is not in contact with the product. The valve can be therefore manufactured of plastic material (polypropylene, polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, polyester terephthalate, or the like), of glass, of ceramic (alumina, zirconium, silicon carbide), of non-oxidizable metal, or any other rigid, non-oxidizable and non-magnetic material. 
         [0031]    The present disclosure also includes an applicator having a cosmetic product reserve and an application head provided to perform massages of the skin, including any one of the preceding characteristics. 
         [0032]    Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0033]    In order that the disclosure may be well understood, there will now be described various forms thereof, given by way of example, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0034]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an application head according to the invention, shown without the application ball; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 2 and 3  are axial sectional views of this application head, shown successively in the closed position with a plug, and in the open position; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are axial sectional views of an application head according to a variant, shown successively in the closed position with a cap, and in the open position; 
           [0037]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are axial sectional views of an application head according to another variant, shown successively in the closed position with a plug, and in the open position; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 8 to 10  are views of an application head according to another variant, shown successively in perspective without the application ball, and in axial section with and without plug; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 11 to 13  are views of an application head according to another variant, shown successively in perspective without the application ball, and in axial section with and without cap; and 
           [0040]      FIGS. 14 to 16  are views of an application head according to another variant, shown successively in axial section in the closed and open position, and in an exploded view. 
       
    
    
       [0041]    The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 1 to 3  show an application head including a body  2  molded in plastic material, having a symmetry about a vertical axis, having a lower volume  4  containing a care product, supplied by a reserve being located underneath which is not shown. The body of the application head  2  includes the fastening means of the reserve which can be for example a tube, a bottle or a pocket. 
         [0044]    The front face of the body  2  includes a housing forming a hollow spherical surface  6 , fittingly accommodating an application ball  8  comprising a material attracted by a magnet, such as a steel ball, or a ball made by a molding of a plastic material containing this material. 
         [0045]    A cylindrical cap  20  is fitted around the body  2  by inner threads  32 , by tightening an outer threading  22  made around this body, ensuring the holding as well as the sealing of this cap. The plug  20  includes, inside, on its front transverse face, a ring  24  centered on the axis which provides the axial wedging of the application ball  8  in order to hold it in its rear position. 
         [0046]    The body  2  includes a cylindrical-shaped chamber  12  disposed along the same axis, right rearward of the application ball  8 , comprising a rear transverse partition having a central bore  14  allowing the passage of the care product coming from the lower volume  4 . 
         [0047]    The chamber  12  accommodates a valve formed in this embodiment by a magnetized ball  16 , with a radial clearance around this ball allowing the passage of the care product coming from the central bore  14 , forwards of the ball. 
         [0048]    The magnetized ball  16  is retained forwards by an inner circular relief  18  disposed in the cylindrical wall of the chamber  12 , which includes interruptions in order to allow the passage of the care product when the ball is bearing thereon. 
         [0049]    The magnetized ball  16  is inserted into the chamber  12  from the front, by forcing on the circular relief  18  in order to cause a slight elastic deformation of the material of the body  12  to move away this relief, which then returns to the position while holding this ball. 
         [0050]    During application of the product, the application ball  8  which is in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , rolls over the skin with some pressure by bearing on a continuous circular boss  10  of the spherical surface of its housing  6 , surrounding the cylindrical chamber  12 , which closes the passage of the care product coming from this chamber. This boss is optional, the ball can simply bear on the generatrix surrounding the outlet orifice. 
         [0051]    The magnetized ball  16  has freely moved back in its chamber  12  without bearing on the rear transverse partition of this chamber, in order to allow pressing the application ball  8  on the continuous circular boss  10 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  shows the application head  2  including the care product pressurized in the lower volume  4 , for example when the operator presses on the flexible reservoir containing this product. 
         [0053]    There is therefore a passage of the product through the chamber  12 , which enters through the bore  14 , gets around the magnetized ball  16  which rises while remaining stopped by its inner relief  18 , and raises at the same time the application ball  8  which is detached from the circular boss  10  in order to allow the passage of this product outwards following the arrows F, while being held in its housing  6  by the magnetization. 
         [0054]    An application head  2 , which allows obtaining a closed outlet orifice of the care product when the operator is performing the application, is thus performed in a simple and effective manner, as well as an open orifice when he/she stops this application allowing some outlet of the product coming underneath the application ball  8 , which will then be distributed on this ball, then on the surface to be treated in the subsequent applications. 
         [0055]    The application head  2  includes few parts, which provides good reliability, as well as an economical realization. 
         [0056]    Generally, the application ball  8  may be made of ferritic steel in order to be attracted by a magnet, or of a mixture of ferritic and austenitic steel, in order to take advantages, besides the stainless properties, of the latter. 
         [0057]    The ball application  8  may also be protected from the environment by a surface treatment, such as a varnish, a painting or a plastic layer, in order to prevent any chemical reaction with the cosmetic product. 
         [0058]    In particular, the application ball  8  made of metal can provide a cooling effect in contact with the skin, thus allowing a decongestion of the sensitive parts of the skin to be treated. 
         [0059]    Furthermore, the application ball  8  may be made of metal with an inner cavity, according to a known manufacturing method comprising the assembly by welding of two half-shells. Thus the weight of this ball  8  is limited, which allows the use of a smaller magnet to retain it. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show a similar application head  2 , the housing  6  of the application ball  8  including a completely spherical surface containing no circular boss, so that this ball can fit thereabove. 
         [0061]    In the closed position shown in  FIG. 4 , the application ball  8  wedged by the cap  20 , or applied on the skin of the patient with some pressure, presses the small magnetized ball  16  which moves back and closes the rear bore  14  of the transverse partition of the chamber  12 . 
         [0062]    It will be noted that in this position, there is a small axial clearance between the application ball  8  and the spherical surface of its housing  6 , so as to obtain a pressure which is done on the magnetized ball  16  and not on this surface, in order to provide the closure of the rear bore  14  by this magnetized ball. 
         [0063]    In the open position shown in  FIG. 5 , in the same manner a pressing of the care product in the lower volume  4  pushes the magnetized ball  16  which rises, raising also the application ball  8 . An opening of the passage of this product indicated by the arrow F, the magnetized ball  16  holding by his attraction the application ball  8  in its housing  6 , is obtained. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 6 and 7  show an application head including a body  2  in two portions. A base  50  is covered by an upper portion  44  comprising the housing  6  of the application ball  8 , having an outer cylindrical shape  48  facing downwards, fitting over a complementary shape of this base  50  in order to provide its positioning and its fastening. 
         [0065]    The upper portion  44  also includes an inner cylindrical shape  46  facing downwards, fitting within the cylindrical chamber  12  of the base  50  of the body  2 . A valve, formed in this embodiment by a cylindrical magnet  40  disposed in this chamber  12 , fits within an axial bore of the inner cylindrical shape  46  so as to can slide therein. 
         [0066]    Optionally, a coil spring  42  disposed in the chamber  12  bears on its lower partition in order to permanently press on the magnet  40  upwards, this magnet being retained in its upper position by a circular shoulder located at its base, bearing on the lower end of the inner cylindrical shape  46 . 
         [0067]    The spherical surface of the housing  6  includes the circular boss  10 , such as for the first variant of application head. In the closed position shown in  FIG. 6 , the application ball  8  bears on the circular boss  10 , the magnet  40  as well as its spring  42  being pushed back downwardly, which closes the passage of the care product. 
         [0068]    In the open position shown in  FIG. 7 , the spring  42  pushes back the magnet  40  which raises the application ball  8  by opening the passage of the care product indicated by the arrow F, this ball remaining in its housing  6  thanks to the attraction of this magnet. 
         [0069]    In a version without the spring  42 , as for the preceding variants, the internal pressure of the care product may also raise the magnet  40  as well as the application ball  8 . 
         [0070]    This other variant of the body of the application head includes an additional part consisting of the upper portion  44 . However, the upper face of the magnet  40  which is flat, has a surface closest to the application ball  8  which provide a better holding of this ball. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 8 through 10  show an application head including a body  2  comprising a cylindrical chamber  12  laterally shifted relative to the main axis of this body. This chamber  12  therefore opens into the housing  6  of the application ball  8 , in a shifted manner while remaining within this housing. 
         [0072]    This solution can provide better stability of the application ball  8  at the time of care, as well as a better centering of this ball. 
         [0073]    The application ball bears on the magnetized ball  16 . It is the one which closes the passage of the product  14  at the bottom of the housing  12 . 
         [0074]      FIGS. 11 to 13  show an application head including a body  2  comprising a cylindrical chamber  12  which accommodates a cylindrical cartridge  62  forming valve fitted therein, having a cylindrical portion and an upper bottom, equipped with a bottom cover  64  closing this cartridge. The cover  64  has a central boss facing downwardly, fitting over the rear bore  14  in order to close it when the cartridge  62  is in its lower position. 
         [0075]    The cartridge  62  contains a magnet  60  forming a ring which is fitted therein. 
         [0076]    The cartridge  62  is held in the upper position by the inner relief  18  including vertical grooves allowing the care product to go along this cartridge to pass thereabove. 
         [0077]    The cartridge  62  with its lower cover  64  constitutes a protection of the magnet which is therefore not in contact with the cosmetic product, which allows selecting ferritic steel magnets without surface treatment to protect it, which are more economical but corrosion sensitive. 
         [0078]      FIGS. 14 to 16  show an application head including a body  2  in two portions, having a base  50  covered by an upper portion  44  comprising the housing  6  of the application ball  8 , having small projections  10  spaced apart. The upper portion  44  downwardly has a circular outer contour  48  fitting over a complementary shape of the base  50 , in order to provide the positioning and the fastening. 
         [0079]    The upper portion  44  also includes an inner circular shape  46  facing downwards, fitting into the chamber  12  of the base  50 , having the interrupted circular inner relief  18 , which holds a ball forming a valve  70  in this chamber. 
         [0080]    An annular magnet  72  surrounding the chamber  12 , is fixedly held in a housing disposed between the upper portion  44  and the base  50 . This annular magnet  72  attracts the application ball  8  in order to hold it in its housing  6 , the ball  70  having a valve function which closes the rear bore  14  when it is in the rear position, pushed by the cap. 
         [0081]    The ball  70  made of a material which is not attracted by the magnet  72 , can be plastic, glass, ceramic or non-magnetic steel. 
         [0082]    Thus, there is a magnet  72  with significant size which can develop a high force of attraction on the application ball  8 , while being out of the passage of the care product which avoids providing a material or a protective treatment against the activated corrosion in contact with the care product. It is possible to make this magnet in an economical manner. 
         [0083]      FIG. 16  shows the assembly of the components of this application head which is easily done by stacking the different parts, the upper portion  44  fastened to the base  50  holding them in position. 
         [0084]    It has been mentioned, as a main application, a care or a treatment of the skin. This device can also be used to apply any liquid product on any surface. It is possible, for example, to use it to apply a makeup product for eyes, lips, nails or the skin, slimming product, deodorant, washing agent, antiwrinkles or concealers, a household product, cleanser, washing agent, a soap, a liquid glue, a painting, an ink, without this list being exhaustive. 
         [0085]    The description of the disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.